cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Signal Conditioning and Processing of Motionlabs Pre-Amplifier EMG Sensor

this paper proposes a scheme for conditioning and processing of signal from a pre amplifier EMG sensor. An electronic system is devised to help the experimenter working with EMG sensor by Motion Labs. Signal conditioning and processing strategy is carried out in three main stages; first one being the amplification of signal acquired from a muscle activity. In the next stage, this amplified signal is rectified and in the end, it is further processed with a controller. The developed system would be helpful for both, the candidates interested in research and experimentation of signal conditioning and processing of EMG sensor manufactured by Motion Labs. The developed controller algorithm is used to convert frequency based sensor input into magnitude based output which is then filtered to smoothen the response.
Space-Based Imaging Radar Studies of U.S. Volcanoes

The arrival of space-based imaging radar as a revolutionary land-surface mapping and monitoring tool little more than a quarter century ago enabled a spate of innovative volcano research worldwide. Soon after launch of European Space Agency’s ERS-1 spacecraft in 1991, the U.S. Geological Survey began SAR and InSAR studies of volcanoes in the Aleutian and Cascades arcs, in Hawaiʻi, and elsewhere in the western U.S. including the Yellowstone and Long Valley calderas. This paper summarizes results of that effort and presents new findings concerning: (1) prevalence of volcano deformation in the Aleutian and Cascade arcs; (2) surface-change detection and hazard assessment during eruptions at Aleutian and Hawaiian volcanoes; (3) geodetic imaging of magma storage and transport systems in Hawaiʻi; and (4) deformation sources and processes at the Yellowstone and Long Valley calderas. Surface deformation caused by a variety of processes is common in arc settings and could easily escape detection without systematic InSAR surveillance. Space-based SAR imaging of active lava flows and domes in remote or heavily vegetated settings, including during periods of bad weather and darkness, extends land-based monitoring capabilities and improves hazards assessments. At Kīlauea Volcano, comprehensive SAR and InSAR observations identify multiple magma storage zones beneath the summit area and along the East Rift Zone, and illuminate magma transport pathways. The same approach at Yellowstone tracks the ascent of magmatic volatiles from a mid-crustal intrusion to shallow depth and relates that process to increased hydrothermal activity at the surface. Together with recent and planned launches of highly capable imaging-radar satellites, these findings support an optimistic outlook for near-real time surveillance of volcanoes at global scale in the coming decade.
An investigation of the binding of (S)-monothioBINOLate to rare earth metal cations

Two novel rare earth compounds have been synthesized using the previously reported (S)-MonoThioBINOL [(S)-H2-MTB], (S)-2-hydroxy-2′-mercapto-1,1′-binaphthyl). We have shown here that while the H-bo...
Correction to: The Hijab as a Metaphor for Otherness and the Creation of an Ineffable “Third Space”

Following the publication of this article [1], it came to my attention that I unintentionally neglected to acknowledge the following sources. The transcript of the interview with the 50-year-old woman and her relatives was previously published in my book [2].
Perennial Bioenergy Crop Yield and Quality Response to Nitrogen Fertilization

At two sites in the North Central USA (Michigan (KBS) and Wisconsin (ARL)), we evaluated the effect of N fertilization on the yield and quality of five perennial bioenergy feedstock cropping systems: (1) switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), (2) giant miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus), (3) a native grass mixture (5 species), (4) an early successional field (volunteer herbaceous species), and (5) a restored prairie (18 species). In a randomized complete block design with 5 replicates and 2 split plots, N was applied at 0 and 56 kg ha−1 to split plots for each cropping system from 2010 to 2016. No yield response to N was detected in switchgrass at either location in any year. Giant miscanthus exhibited a positive yield response to N at both sites (11% at KBS and 83% at ARL). Nitrogen fertilizer addition significantly reduced glucose (KBS 12.9 and 13.8 g kg−1 year−1, ARL 11.2 and 9.7 g kg−1 year−1) in the native grass mix and restored prairie systems respectively. Nitrogen fertilizer also reduced xylose at KBS in the switchgrasss, native grass mix, and restored prairie (4.9, 7.5, and 5.0 g kg−1 year−1). At ARL, N fertilization reduced xylose levels in switchgrass, giant miscanthus, and restored prairie (7.4, 6.8, and 6.2 g kg−1 year−1) and increased xylose levels in the early successional system (5.0 g kg−1 year−1).
A Case of Prolonged Angioedema After Cardiac Surgery

Angioedema (AE) is a transient capillary leak syndrome, caused by either histamine or bradykinin, that presents as an acute nonpitting swelling of the skin, subcutaneous tissues, and mucous membranes of the face, lips, tongue, upper airways, and gastrointestinal tract, with or without a rash. A lack of response to antihistamines, steroids, and epinephrine suggests a bradykinin-mediated AE. Bradykinin-AE may be inherited, acquired, or drug related. Mechanism of increased bradykinin can include decreased C1-esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) levels or activity, increased bradykinin production, or decreased bradykinin breakdown, the latter occurring during angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi). A 65-year-old woman had coronary artery bypass grafting, which was complicated by prolonged bradykinin-AE owing to ACEi, requiring prolonged endotracheal tube intubation. Treatment with a C1-esterase inhibitor (Berinert) on postoperative day 7 resulted in a dramatic improvement in airway edema and tongue swelling within 7 hours, and the patient was subsequently extubated. The case is unusual because of the prolonged course of AE and the benefit of late administration of C1-INH concentrate.
Vulnerability as a space for creative transformation

Pamela conceived of vulnerability as a capability to enhance our lives in a continual creative process of transformation. She argued for recreating our perception of vulnerability as positive in ou...
A systematic literature review of Native American and Pacific Islanders’ perspectives on health data privacy in the United States

Author(s): Taitingfong, Riley; Bloss, Cinnamon S; Triplett, Cynthia; Cakici, Julie; Garrison, Nanibaa'; Cole, Shelley; Stoner, Julie A; Ohno-Machado, Lucila | Abstract: BackgroundPrivacy-related concerns can prevent equitable participation in health research by US Indigenous communities. However, studies focused on these communities' views regarding health data privacy, including systematic reviews, are lacking.MethodsWe conducted a systematic literature review analyzing empirical, US-based studies involving American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) and Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander (NHPI) perspectives on health data privacy, which we define as the practice of maintaining the security and confidentiality of an individual's personal health records and/or biological samples (including data derived from biological specimens, such as personal genetic information), as well as the secure and approved use of those data.ResultsTwenty-one studies involving 3234 AI/AN and NHPI participants were eligible for review. The results of this review suggest that concerns about the privacy of health data are both prevalent and complex in AI/AN and NHPI communities. Many respondents raised concerns about the potential for misuse of their health data, including discrimination or stigma, confidentiality breaches, and undesirable or unknown uses of biological specimens.ConclusionsParticipants cited a variety of individual and community-level concerns about the privacy of their health data, and indicated that these deter their willingness to participate in health research. Future investigations should explore in more depth which health data privacy concerns are most salient to specific AI/AN and NHPI communities, and identify the practices that will make the collection and use of health data more trustworthy and transparent for participants.
Permanent magnets for the return loop of the Cornell-Brookhaven energy recovery linac test accelerator

A cost-effective method to construct accelerator-quality permanent magnets based on a single tuning method, that simultaneously corrects all sources of field errors, opens a pathway to other future applications.
A High Performance Communication Architecture for a Smart Micro-Grid Testbed Using Customized Edge Intelligent Devices (EIDs) With SPI and Modbus TCP/IP Communication Protocols

This paper presents a high performance 4-layer communication architecture for a smart micro-grid testbed which consists of a 2 kVA Distributed Energy Resource (DER) inverter with PV and battery channels capable of advanced grid supportive and grid forming functions in the Process layer, a Raspberry Pi computer in the Interface layer, a customized Edge Intelligent Device (EID) in the Sub-station layer, and an end-to-end solar energy optimization platform (e-SEOP) in the Supervisory layer. The Raspberry Pi serves as a communication interface which communicates with the DER inverter using Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) communication and talks to the EID using Modbus TCP/IP protocol. This paper provides a convenient and comprehensive solution to SPI and Modbus TCP/IP communication implementation in a smart micro-grid. The challenges of coordination between communication and system control and between different communication protocols have been addressed, which leads to a boost in the communication efficiency and makes the system highly scalable, flexible and adaptive. The proposed communication architecture as well as the micro-grid test bench have been validated through hardware experiments. The results indicate a reliable and efficient communication among different layers, which facilitates large-scale status monitoring of edge devices and coordinated control of the entire system.
Between the Pagan Past and Christian Present in Byzantine Visual Culture: Statues in Constantinople, 4th-13th Centuries CE

Up to its pillage by the Crusaders in 1204, Constantinople teemed with magnificent statues of emperors, pagan gods, and mythical beasts. Yet the significance of this wealth of public sculpture has hardly been acknowledged beyond late antiquity. In this book, Paroma Chatterjee offers a new perspective on the topic, arguing that pagan statues were an integral part of Byzantine visual culture. Examining the evidence in patriographies, chronicles, novels, and epigrams, she demonstrates that the statues were admired for three specific qualities - longevity, mimesis, and prophecy; attributes that rendered them outside of imperial control and endowed them with an enduring charisma sometimes rivaling that of holy icons. Chatterjee's interpretations refine our conceptions of imperial imagery, the Hippodrome, the Macedonian Renaissance, a corpus of secular objects, and Orthodox icons. Her book offers novel insights into Iconoclasm and proposes a more truncated trajectory of the holy icon in medieval Orthodoxy than has been previously acknowledged.
Recent Studies in Mechanical Properties of Selected Hard-Shelled Seeds: A Review

Seeds and nuts not only serve as important food sources for human beings but also exhibit excellent mechanical properties resulting from their extraordinary shell structures. A literature review has been performed on selected hard-shelled seeds, including almond, brazil nut, chestnut, hazelnut, macadamia, pecan, pistachio, and walnut, for their geometrical, mechanical, and microstructural properties of their shells and kernels. It was found that these properties vary between different cultivars and moisture contents. Ashby charts have been created to compare the geometries and rupture energy from different shells and kernels. The results could provide initial hints for the creation of bio-inspired composites as well as the development of equipment to produce high-quality products of hard-shelled seeds.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on intravitreal bevacizumab use

Purpose : The COVID-19 pandemic has led to stay-at-home orders which may lead to fewer medical and ophthalmology visits. Efficacy of treatments for retinal vascular diseases such as wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) depend on strict adherence to regimens of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections. The purpose of this study is to describe and compare the number of bevacizumab injections administered in 2019 and 2020 to determine if the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected usage. Methods : We conducted a single-center, retrospective observational study which compared the number of bevacizumab injections in January through November 2020 with the number of bevacizumab injections in 2019. The total number of injections for each month and year were compared.Results : The total number of bevacizumab injections in 2020 (Jan-Nov) was 683 compared to 801 in 2019 (Jan-Nov), a 14.7% reduction (p = 0.02). Significantly fewer injections were administered in March, April, and May 2020 (p < 0.01), and from August to November (p < 0.01). The fewest number of injections for 2020 were administered in April (n = 45) and May (n = 45). Conclusions : In this patient population, a significant reduction in bevacizumab injections occurred during the COVID pandemic, and the drop in injections was first seen in March 2020 which coincided with stay-at-home orders within the catchment area. These data suggest that the Covid-19 pandemic likely affected the number of patients coming to the retina clinic. Additional data is needed to determine if other factors may have contributed to this decline, and if these missed visits has adversely affected visual acuity outcomes.
Hydrophobicity Profiles Revisited

What can be learned about the structure of a globular protein from its amino acid sequence? Anfinsen’s experiments (1) on the spontaneous renaturation of denatured ribonuclease provide an answer to this question, at least in principle. The fact that purified protein can fully renature in vitro means that complete folding information is encoded in the sequence alone, if we but knew how to decipher it. The goal, then, is to understand the sterochemical code that governs protein folding and to implement that knowledge in an algorithm to predict the structure from the sequence.
Spatiotemporal analysis of cardiac electrical activity

Electric measurements from the heart are a valuable source of information in both normal and pathological electrophysiology. They also present special signal processing challenges to the researcher or clinician intent on extracting this information. For example, spatial sampling is often limited and almost always irregularly organized. Sources of cardiac signals are time varying, distributed within a complex, anisotropic excitable medium. The goal of cardiac signal analysis is to describe spatial and temporal features of activation and relaxation of the heart tissue; both spatial and temporal views have importance and in many cases merging of the two is necessary to reveal the relevant information. In this presentation, we cover some of the techniques that electrophysiologists have developed to analyze and interpret cardiac electric potentials. Specific examples include interpolation and statistical estimation, time and space based methods for locating the cardiac wavefront, and the use of explicit solutions of boundary value problems to predict cardiac sources from ECG measurements. We also outline some of the challenges remaining in cardiac signal processing.
Reduced gain spread ALOHA for PCS

In this paper, we present a modified form of spread ALOHA called reduced gain spread ALOHA, which can be used to transmit delay constrained voice applications. The reduced gain spread ALOHA while having all the advantages for spread ALOHA, is also appropriate to transmit speech. We compute the capacity of a multiple cell PCS system using reduced gain spread ALOHA. We show that it is almost equal to the capacity of a CDMA system. Thus, reduced gain spread ALOHA, with the system simplicity of spread ALOHA, the capacity of CDMA and the ability to transmit packet switched voice, is an attractive candidate for integrating voice and data in future PCS systems.
Numerical Green's function method for antenna platform analysis

Summary form only given. We propose to use a numerically generated Green's function in the presence of an arbitrary platform. The process inevitably requires multiple solutions of the platform problem for each current expansion function on the discretized antenna boundary and is aimed at generating the finite element-boundary integral (FE-BI) matrix for the antenna in the presence of the platform.
Hardware implementation of ART1 memories using a mixed analog/digital approach

This paper presents a VLSI circuit implementation for both the short-term memory (STM) and long-term memory (LTM) of the adaptive resonance theory neural network (ART1-NN). The circuit is implemented based on the transconductance-mode approach and mixed analog/digital components, in which analog circuits are used to fully incorporate the parallel mechanism of the neural network, whereas digital circuits provide a reduced circuit size as well as a more precise multiplication operation. A simple analog-to-digital (A/D) converter is also included to realize binary STM activities and characterize the quenching threshold. The PSpice simulation results of the implemented circuits are in good agreement with the exact solutions of the coupled nonlinear differential equations. >
Correlation of Activated Clotting Time (ACT) with rFVIIa Infusion and Clinical Efficacy in a Patient with Glanzmann Thrombasthenia and Platelet Alloantibodies

Correlation of Activated Clotting Time (ACT) with rFVIIa Infusion and Clinical Efficacy in a Patient with Glanzmann Thrombasthenia and Platelet Alloantibodies -
Differential responses of ammonia-oxidizing archaea and bacteria to long-term fertilization in a New England salt marsh

Since the discovery of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA), new questions have arisen about population and community dynamics and potential interactions between AOA and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB). We investigated the effects of long-term fertilization on AOA and AOB in the Great Sippewissett Marsh, Falmouth, MA, USA to address some of these questions. Sediment samples were collected from low and high marsh habitats in July 2009 from replicate plots that received low (LF), high (HF), and extra high (XF) levels of a mixed NPK fertilizer biweekly during the growing season since 1974. Additional untreated plots were included as controls (C). Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the amoA genes revealed distinct shifts in AOB communities related to fertilization treatment, but the response patterns of AOA were less consistent. Four AOB operational taxonomic units (OTUs) predictably and significantly responded to fertilization, but only one AOA OTU showed a significant pattern. Betaproteobacterial amoA gene sequences within the Nitrosospira-like cluster dominated at C and LF sites, while sequences related to Nitrosomonas spp. dominated at HF and XF sites. We identified some clusters of AOA sequences recovered primarily from high fertilization regimes, but other clusters consisted of sequences recovered from all fertilization treatments, suggesting greater physiological diversity. Surprisingly, fertilization appeared to have little impact on abundance of AOA or AOB. In summary, our data reveal striking patterns for AOA and AOB in response to long-term fertilization, and also suggest a missing link between community composition and abundance and nitrogen processing in the marsh.
Achieving robust message authentication in sensor networks: a public-key based approach

Given the extremely limited hardware resources on sensor nodes and the inclement deploying environment, the adversary Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack becomes a serious security threat toward wireless sensor networks. Without adequate defense mechanism, the adversary can simply inundate the network by flooding the bogus data packets, and paralyze the partial or whole sensor network by depleting node battery power. Prior work on false packet filtering in sensor networks are mostly based on symmetric key schemes, with the concern that the public key operations are too expensive for the resource constrained sensors. Recent progress in public key implementations on sensors, however, has shown that public key is already feasible for sensors. In this paper, we present PDF, a Public-key based false Data Filtering scheme that leverages Shamir's threshold cryptography and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), and effectively rejects 100% of false data packets. We evaluate PDF by real world implementation on MICAz motes. Our experiment results support the conclusion that PDF is practical for real world sensor deployment.
Library school faculty member perceptions regarding faculty status for academic librarians

The faculties of the library schools listed as ALA-accredited are directly involved in setting the direction of the education provided to academic librarians through curriculum development and teaching. The curricula and teaching at ALA-accredited library schools revolve around aspects of librarianship such as providing research assistance at a reference desk, collection development, and cataloging; but they do not address preparing the recipients of the MLS for the demands of faculty status at a college or university library. Thus, while academic librarians may be well prepared to assume professional duties in an academic setting, they may be less well prepared to perform activities such as research and publication that are required of faculty members seeking tenure and promotion. Until this descriptive study, the faculties of the ALA-accredited library schools had not been surveyed as a population in regard to their perceptions about faculty status for academic librarians, nor had they been surveyed about how education at library schools prepared academic librarians for faculty roles. As a result, it was vital that the faculties of the ALA-accredited library schools were surveyed so that their thoughts on faculty status for academic librarians and the education that prepares librarians for faculty roles could be known.
Photoelectrochemical generation of electronically conducting polymer-based hybrid junctions on modified Si(111) surfaces

The modification of Si(111) surfaces with Si−C linked alkyl monolayers terminated by electrochemically polymerizable di(2-thienyl)carbinol moieties has been investigated by different spectroscopic techniques including IR spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS). These surfaces were prepared from the photochemical reaction of ethyl undecylenate with hydrogen-terminated Si(111), followed by the conversion of the produced terminal ester groups into the tertiary alcohol using 2-thienyllithium. Despite the steric constraints induced by the aromatic rings in the monolayer, the absolute surface coverage of the organic chains was found to be high, ca. 40%. Differential capacitance measurements revealed that the derivatization procedure introduced surface states probably due to some oxidation of the Si(111) surface occurring during the photochemical step. The photopotentiodynamical oxidation of the modified Si(111) surfaces in the presence...
Waiting to Use a Symbol: The Effects of Delay on Children's Use of Models.

To use a symbol to solve a problem, children must achieve representational insight ; they must realize that the symbol stands for its referent. Moreover, they must keep this relation in mind as they attempt to use the symbol. The present studies investigated the achievement and maintenance of representational insight. 3-year-olds were asked to use a scale model of a room to find a toy hidden in the room. In Study la, children first watched as a small toy was hidden in the model. They then waited either 20 sec, 2 min, or 5 min before attempting to find a similar, larger toy that was hidden in the corresponding place in the room. All children experienced all delay intervals ; three groups experienced the delays in different orders. There was a dramatic effect of delay order. The children who experienced the 20-sec delay on their first trial generally performed well throughout the 6 trials, but the children who experienced a 5-min delay first almost always failed to find the toy in the room, even on subsequent trials with shorter delays. Additional studies revealed that the negative effects of the initial long delay could be overcome by providing reminders of the model and its relevance (Studies 2 and 3) or by giving children prior experience in using the model (Study 4). The results indicate that keeping a symbol-referent relation in mind can be difficult for 3.0-year-old children. This research is discussed in terms of the importance of maintaining representational insight.
Two-dimensional codistribution spectroscopy to determine the sequential order of distributed presence of species

Abstract Two-dimensional codistribution spectroscopy (2DCDS), a technique designed specifically for the analysis of population dynamics, such as temporal distributions of species during a chemical reaction, is described. 2D codistribution analysis focus on the signal features reflecting the distributed presence of species, instead of the variation patterns of perturbation-induced deviations from the reference state, which has been traditionally analyzed by two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2DCOS). This technique is derived from the moment analysis of spectral intensity distributions along the perturbation variable axis within a well-defined observation interval. Derivation and properties of 2D codistribution spectra are provided, and comparison is made to 2D correlation spectroscopy with the help of simulated IR spectra generated from model chemical reactions.
1205 THE STILLBORN INFANT: NEED FOR PEDIATRIC CONSULTATION

About 1 percent of pregnancies result in a stillborn infant. Thorough obstetric - pathologic - pediatric/genetic evaluation of 37 stillbirths showed a multitude of causes: maternal preexisting disorders (5%), maternal disorders of pregnancy (5%), disorders of placenta and fetal membranes (10%), umbilical cord abnormality (3%), fetal abnormalities (49%), and instances of sudden fetal death syndrome without specifically determined cause (27%). Frequently (76%) the cause was not obstetric and often (43%) it was not apparent from postmortem examination. Since the pathologic findings, where noted, generally related to fetal rather than to maternal abnormalities, the obstetrician may not be adept at delineating all the possible implications important for parental understanding and acceptance of the event, future obstetric management, recurrence risk determination, and selection of prenatal diagnostic procedures during future pregnancies. We recommend that obstetricians involve pediatricians (who may have to be better trained in this area!) as consultants to help determine the cause and implications of the event.
Thoracoscopic lobectomy is associated with acceptable morbidity and mortality in patients with predicted postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second or diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide less than 40% of normal.

Objective A predicted postoperative (ppo) forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1%) or diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO%) of Methods PpoFEV1% and ppoDLCO% were calculated for patients undergoing open or VATS lobectomy for lung cancer in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic database from 2009 to 2011. Univariate comparisons, multivariate analyses, and 1:1 propensity matching were performed. Results A total of 13,376 patients underwent lobectomy (50.9% open, 49.1% VATS). A decreased ppoFEV1% and ppoDLCO% were each independent predictors for both cardiopulmonary complications and mortality in the open group (all P ≤ .008). In the VATS group, ppoFEV1% was an independent predictor of complications ( P = .001) but not mortality ( P = .77), and ppoDLCO% was an independent predictor of complications ( P = .046) and mortality ( P = .008). With decreasing ppoFEV1% or ppoDLCO%, complications and mortality increased at a greater rate in the open lobectomy than in a propensity-matched VATS group (n = 4215 each). For patients with ppoFEV1% P = .003). Similar results were seen for ppoDLCO% P = .003). The rate of complications was significantly greater at ppoFEV1% P = .005) group and similar results were seen with ppoDLCO% P = .016). Conclusions VATS lobectomy can be performed with acceptable rates of morbidity and mortality in patients with reduced ppoFEV1% or ppoDLCO%.
Investigate the impacts of assimilating satellite rainfall estimates on rainstorm forecast over southwest United States

[1] Using the MM5-4DVAR system, a monsoon rainstorm case over southern Arizona (5–6 August 2002) was investigated for the influence of assimilating satellite rainfall estimates on precipitation forecasts. A set of numerical experiments was conducted with multiple configurations including using 20-km or 30-km grid distances and none or 3-h or 6-h assimilation time windows. Results show that satellite rainfall assimilation can improve the rainstorm-forecasting pattern and amount to some extent. The minimization procedure of 4DVAR is sensitive to model spatial resolution and the assimilation time window. The 3-h assimilation window with hourly rainfall data works well for the 6-h forecast, and for 12-h or longer forecasts, a 6-h assimilation window will be requested.
The seasonal distribution and community structure of the epiphytic algae on Thalassia Hemprichii (Ehrenb.) Aschers. from Papua New Guinea

Abstract Algae growing as epiphytes on leaves of Thalassia hemprichii (Ehrenb.) Aschers. have been studied from November 1980 to December 1981, in the Port Moresby area, Papua New Guinea. The epiphytic communities of 3 different monospecific seagrass meadows are compared for species richness, abundance and temporal pattern. Seagrass shoots were studied separately, using the method of Braun—Blanquet, as adapted by Boudouresque. By differentiating between the leaves of one single shoot, the inner- and outer-face of each leaf and the upper- and lower-part of each leaf, the epiphytic community was studied from its initial colonization (Leaf 1) to the final “climax” situation (Leaf 4). The diversity and abundance were strongly related to the age of the seagrass leaves. The Rhodophyta were best represented, with the Cryptonemiales dominating the community quantitatively; the Ceramiales predominated qualitatively. The Phaeophyta were negligible in terms of abundance and diversity. Differences between the 3 study sites are presented.
Characterization of a scannerless LADAR system

Performance projections based on the analytical model of a scannerless laser radar system (presented in a companion paper) are compared to laboratory simulations and to field data measurements. Data and characteristics of the system, including camera response, image spatial resolution, and contributions to the signal-to-noise ratio are presented. A discussion of range resolution for this system also is presented, and finally, the performance characteristics of the prototype benchtop system are summarized.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Photocontrol over the Disorder-to-Order Transition in Thin Films of Polystyrene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) Block Copolymers Containing Photodimerizable Anthracene Functionality

Reversible photocontrol over the ordering transition of block copolymers (BCPs) from a disordered state to an ordered state, namely the disorder-to-order transition (DOT), can be used to create lon...
Vascular functions in humans following cardiovascular adaptations to spaceflight

Abstract Purpose : Diminished vascular function is a primary cardiovascular risk of spaceflight identified in the 2004 NASA Bioastronautics Critical Path Roadmap based on: (1) structural and functional alterations in arterial vessels of animals undergoing hindlimb unloading and; (2) lower peripheral vascular resistance (PVR) in astronauts who became presyncopal after spaceflight. Methods : We conducted a critical review of published data obtained from spaceflight and relevant ground-based microgravity simulations in an effort to interpret the meaning of altered responses in PVR and their relationship to postflight presyncope. Results : Presyncope reported in astronauts on landing day was associated with lower peripheral resistance. However, non-presyncopal astronauts demonstrated significantly elevated vascular resistance in the upright posture after compared with before spaceflight. Results from both space and ground experiments suggest that preflight maximal vasoconstrictor capacity is inherently lower in presyncopal astronauts, but unaltered by spaceflight. Conclusions : Vasoconstrictor reserve is associated with lower blood volume adaptation to microgravity. Rather than reduced vascular function, low inherent maximal vasoconstrictor capacity and reduced vasoconstrictor reserve secondary to decreased circulating vascular volume explain lower peripheral vascular resistance in astronauts who experience presyncopal episodes on landing day.
Cation Site Mixing for Strain Relief in Three-Layer Aurivillius Ceramics

Three-layer Aurivillius ceramics Bi 2 SrCaNb 2 TiO 12 , Bi 2 Sr 1.5 Ca .5 Nb 2 TiO 12 , Bi 2 Sr 2 Nb 2 TiO 12 , Bi 2 Sr 1.5 Ba .5 Nb 2 TiO 12 , Bi 2 SrBaNb 2 TiO 12 were formed via solid-state synthesis and their structures characterized by Rietveld analysis of powder x-ray diffraction data. Site mixing was observed for all species with the largest amount of mixing occurring in Bi 2 SrBaNb 2 TiO 12 . Bond valence sum calculations (BVS) showed that the A-site BVS increased from underbonded in the Bi 2 SrCaNb 2 TiO 12 composition to overbonded in Bi 2 SrBaNb 2 TiO 12 . The A-site BVS increased linearly with lattice parameter and average A-site cation radius. Bi-site position relaxation was observed as the average size of the alkaline earth cation on the Bi-site increased. Site mixing occurs in these compounds in order to relieve interlayer strain between the (Bi 2 O 2 ) 2+ layer and the perovskite blocks, between the Nb and Ti-layers of the perovskite blocks, and to reduce the BVS of the perovskite A-site.
ED bedside point-of-care lactate in patients with suspected sepsis is associated with reduced time to iv fluids and mortality ☆ ☆☆ ★

Abstract Objective Early recognition and treatment of sepsis improves outcomes. We determined the effects of bedside point-of-care (POC) lactate measurement on test turnaround time, time to administration of IV fluids and antibiotics, mortality, and ICU admissions in adult ED patients with suspected sepsis. We hypothesized that bedside lactate POC testing would reduce time to IV fluids and antibiotics. Methods We compared 80 ED patients with suspected sepsis and a lactate level of 2 mmol/L or greater before and 80 similar patients after introduction of POC lactate measurements. Groups were compared with Χ 2 and Mann Whitney U tests. A sample size of 80 patients in each group had 85% power to detect a 30-minute difference in time to IV fluids or antibiotics. Results Study groups were similar in age, gender, baseline lactate levels, sepsis severity, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores. Introduction of POC lactate was associated with significant reductions in test turnaround time (34 [26-55] vs. 122 [82-149] minutes; P Conclusions Implementation of bedside POC lactate measurement in adult ED patients with suspected sepsis reduces time to test results and time to administration of IV fluids but not antibiotics. A significant reduction in mortality and ICU admissions was also demonstrated, which is likely due, at least in part, to POC testing.
Gastric ascorbic acid in the gastritic rat.

SummaryConcentrations of reduced, oxidized, and total ascorbic acid in the fore-stomach, glandular stomach, and adrenals of the rat have been reported. Direct contact of a eugenol emulsion with the gastric mucosa resulted in a gastritis and a 13% decrease in the total gastric ascorbic acid. Systemic absorption of the eugenol, avoiding direct gastric contact, did not induce these changes. A decrease in adrenal ascorbic acid after eugenol administration suggests a systemic stress effect also associated with the presence of the eugenol, but distinct from the direct gastric effect.
Invited Review: Trace Elements in Clinical Nutrition:

Although the nearly 20 essential trace elements in humans constitute a small fraction of total body weight (less than 4%), the effect of their presence on well-being is enormous. Enteral nutrition, whether oral or by tube, is fraught with problems that influence nutrient absorption, distribution, metabolism, and ultimately, excretion. Parenteral nutrition, although delivered to the intravascular milieu, carries with it no guarantee that the trace mineral will indeed reach the target site for action. With the questionable nature of dietary histories and their unavailability in the setting of relatively emergent nutrition therapy, it behooves the clinician to begin complete nutrition and to include recommended trace elements early on. The clinician must also be ever vigilant about delivering sufficient full-strength commercially available enteral formula to provide the recommended dietary allowances of trace minerals.
Using Smeed’s Law to Estimate Number of Bird Strikes in Utah

The FAA's wildlife strike database includes bird strikes recorded in the United States only from 1990 to the present; therefore, there is no database of pre-1990 bird strikes. In this study, a model is fit to the number of bird strikes recorded in Utah between 1990 and 2009 and used to estimate the number of bird strikes occurring in Utah between 1968 and 1989. A variation on Smeed's law is used to estimate the number of bird strikes as a function of aircraft departures and bird populations. The model development used bird populations from 15 species that were involved in 70% of all bird strikes in which the species was known. Utah recorded 1,265 bird strikes between 1990 and 2009; 443 of these involved the 15 species. The modified Smeed model estimated the 1990 to 2009 bird strikes to within 11% of the actual value. The model estimated 155 bird strikes between 1968 and 1989. There was an eightfold increase in bird strikes from the 1970s to 1980s and the 1990s to 2000s and a substantial increase from 1968...
Dissection of genetic components of preharvest sprouting resistance in white wheat

Preharvest sprouting (PHS) in rain-affected wheat (Triticum aestivum) is a major constraint to the production of high-quality wheat, especially in regions where white grain wheat cultivars are preferred. To characterize quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for PHS resistance and seed dormancy (SD), we evaluated 162 recombinant inbred lines developed from the cross between PHS-resistant white wheat landrace Tutoumai A and PHS-susceptible white wheat cultivar ‘Siyang 936’ for PHS resistance and SD in field and greenhouse experiments. Composite interval mapping (CIM) identified four QTLs for PHS resistance and long SD that explained up to 45 and 40.8% of the phenotypic variation in five PHS and four SD experiments, respectively. Qphs.pseru-4A.1 was detected in three of the five PHS experiments, and Qphs.pseru-5B.1, Qphs.pseru-5B.2, and Qphs.pseru-4B.1 were detected in two of the five PHS experiments, respectively. All four QTLs for PHS resistance also affected SD. Qphs.pseru-4A.1 was significant in all four SD experiments; the other three QTLs were detected only in one experiment. Additive and epistatic effects were observed for PHS resistance and SD. Besides three additive QTLs for PHS resistance and two for long SD, an additional 11 and 10 QTLs were detected with epistatic effects on PHS resistance and SD, respectively. The major genetic component of PHS resistance was SD, and other genetic factors may also contribute to PHS resistance in this population.
The Shifting Sands of Merger Enforcement at the Federal Trade Commission

This paper presents a statistical model for Federal Trade Commission merger enforcement. After reviewing the literature, economic and political variables are posited to explain bureaucratic merger decisions. Various probit models are estimated with the results suggesting that the Commission enhanced the consideration given to merger–specific efficiencies in response to exogenous pressure to increase merger enforcement. Overall, the tightening of merger policy appears to have been focused on the transactions lacking documented cost savings
Electrical properties of SrFeO3−δ under various partial pressures of oxygen

Etude de la conductivite electrique de SrFeO 3-δ sous differentes pressions partielles d'oxygene dans le but d'etudier la possibilite de detecter le gaz O 2
Pyoderma gangrenosum in association with psoriatic arthritis

We present a patient with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis who developed multiple large, painful ulcers that were scattered over his anterior lower legs and were characteristic of pyoderma gangrenosum (PG). This association has not previously been described. We review other forms of arthritis that usually occur with PG and discuss them in light of this observation.
Resolving mechanisms of toxicity while pursuing ecotoxicological relevance

In this age of modern biology, aquatic toxicological research has pursued mechanisms of action of toxicants. This has provided potential tools for ecotoxicologic investigations. However, problems of biocomplexity and issues at higher levels of biological organization remain a challenge. In the 1980s and 1990s and continuing to a lesser extent today, organisms residing in highly contaminated field sites or exposed in the laboratory to calibrated concentrations of individual compounds were carefully analyzed for their responses to priority pollutants. Correlation of biochemical and structural analyses in cultured cells and tissues, as well as the in vivo exposures led to the production and application of biomarkers of exposure and effect and to our awareness of genotoxicity and its chronic manifestations, such as neoplasms, in wild fishes. To gain acceptance of these findings in the greater environmental toxicology community, "validation of the model" versus other, better-established often rodent models, was necessary and became a major focus. Resultant biomarkers were applied to heavily contaminated and reference field sites as part of effects assessment and with investigations following large-scale disasters such as oil spills or industrial accidents. Over the past 15 years, in the laboratory, small aquarium fish models such as medaka (Oryzias latipes), zebrafish (Danio rerio), platyfish (Xiphophorus species), fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), and sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) were increasingly used establishing mechanisms of toxicants. Today, the same organisms provide reliable information at higher levels of biological organization relevant to ecotoxicology. We review studies resolving mechanisms of toxicity and discuss ways to address biocomplexity, mixtures of contaminants, and the need to relate individual level responses to populations and communities.
Determination of extractable sulfate and total sulfur from plant and soil material by an autoanalyzer

Abstract The method has been modified from Sinclair3,4 and tested for extractable sulfate and total sulfur on plant, soil, and water samples. Inorganic sulfur is extracted from plant and soil material by using dilute acidic extractants, and total sulfur is estimated from dry ashed or wet ashed material whereby various sulfur forms are oxidized to sulfate‐sulfur. The sulfate is precipitated in sample solutions as barium sulfate and determined turbidimetrically by AutoAnalyzer. The method is rapid, precise, and sensitive enough to be used on a routine basis.
Analysis of the eukaryotic topoisomerase II DNA gate: a single-molecule FRET and structural perspective

Type II DNA topoisomerases (topos) are essential and ubiquitous enzymes that perform important intracellular roles in chromosome condensation and segregation, and in regulating DNA supercoiling. Eukaryotic topo II, a type II topoisomerase, is a homodimeric enzyme that solves topological entanglement problems by using the energy from ATP hydrolysis to pass one segment of DNA through another by way of a reversible, enzyme-bridged double-stranded break. This DNA break is linked to the protein by a phosphodiester bond between the active site tyrosine of each subunit and backbone phosphate of DNA. The opening and closing of the DNA gate, a critical step for strand passage during the catalytic cycle, is coupled to this enzymatic cleavage/religation of the backbone. This reversible DNA cleavage reaction is the target of a number of anticancer drugs, which can elicit DNA damage by affecting the cleavage/religation equilibrium. Because of its clinical importance, many studies have sought to determine the manner in which topo II interacts with DNA. Here we highlight recent single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer and crystallographic studies that have provided new insight into the dynamics and structure of the topo II DNA gate.
Normalization of hyperglycaemia by oral vanadyl sulfate does not reverse diabetes-induced protection against cisplatin nephrotoxicity in streptozotocin-diabetic rats

Streptozotocin- and galactose-induced diabetic rats are protected against nephrotoxic effects of cisplatin. While the mechanism remains to be defined, protection is associated with a decrease in the accumulation of platinum in renal cortical tissues of streptozotocin-diabetic versus non-diabetic rats. A physiological abnormality common to streptozotocin and galactosemic models of diabetes is hyperglycaemia, suggesting that elevated sugars are involved in mediating protection of diabetic kidney against cisplatin nephrotoxicity. The current study focused on the effect of normalization of hyperglycaemia by vanadyl sulfate trihydrate on the initiation of protection and accumulation of platinum in kidneys of streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Streptozotocin-diabetic rats were treated with 0.75 mg/ml of vanadyl sulfate trihydrate in drinking water to normalize streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemia. Vanadyl sulfate treatment normalized plasma glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin levels in streptozotocin-diabetic rats to values observed for non-diabetic rats. Intraperitoneal administration of cisplatin (5 mg/kg body weight) increased blood urea nitrogen by a factor >2.5 over baseline in both untreated and vanadyl-treated non-diabetic groups. Cisplatin-induced increases in blood urea nitrogen were 1.6 times baseline in both untreated and vanadyl-treated streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Renal platinum accumulation was significantly lower in streptozotocin-diabetic versus non-diabetic rats regardless of vanadyl sulfate treatment. Renal vanadium levels in all groups of diabetic rats were not significantly different from each other. These results indicate that normalization of plasma glucose levels with vanadyl sulfate in streptozotocin-diabetic rats did not reverse protection of streptozotocin-diabetic kidney against cisplatin nephrotoxicity.