cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Complete Electrical Risk Assessment Method for all Electrical Hazards and its Application

To address the hazards, risks, and controls of electrical work in all fields, recent efforts in classifying all electrical shock hazards and all arc flash hazards are presented in an approach to perform risk assessments and develop controls for all forms of electricity in all work environments. This presentation considers recent efforts in NFPA 70E, Department of Energy, and Department of Defense to address electrical hazards beyond power frequencies (50/60 Hz) in electrical systems and equipment including battery banks, solar and wind power systems, DC transmission lines, lasers, accelerators, capacitor banks, electroplating systems, induction and dielectric heating systems, etc. Industries utilizing these non-power frequency electrical hazards include chemical, power generation and transmission, aluminum and steel, military, and research. Recent work in the classification of all shock hazards and all arc flash hazards will be used to take the thresholds for various types of injuries and present a method of performing risk assessments based on energy type, work task, exposure, equipment configuration and condition, environmental considerations, and worker knowledge, experience, training and condition. This approach to risk assessment for electrical work with all electrical hazards in all work environments will then be used for the controls to prevent injury, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), training, oversight, and co-worker responsibilities. This paper presents a method of risk assessment for electrical work considering potential exposure to all forms of electricity, in all electrical work environments, for all industries. This risk assessment approach will include traditional AC power, DC, impulse, and radiofrequency sources.
Estimates of above-ground tree carbon after projected land-use and land cover change in a subtropical urban watershed

This study investigates the effect of land-use and land cover (LULC) change on above-ground tree carbon (AGTC) in a subbasin of the Tampa Bay Watershed, Florida. LULC change was integrated with AGTC to project future quantities under three landscape scenarios: baseline, increased and aggressive rates of development. A 12% increase in total landscape AGTC occurred from 2006 to 2011 as agriculture and rangeland were converted to residential, infrastructure and built classes. Scenario projections for 2016 show an additional increase of 11% AGTC under baseline change, 15% under increased development and 18% under aggressive development. These results suggest that residential expansion may cause an increase in AGTC storage as agriculture and rangeland areas are replaced. However, as agriculture and rangeland disappear, LULC change patterns could shift, with residential expansion replacing upland and wetland forested areas causing a long-term decrease in AGTC. These results show that biomass of the tree component of AGTC can be significant, in and of itself, for urban classes and provide insights into its role in AGTC dynamics for these systems. This information can also help decision-makers identify areas as potential carbon sources or sinks.
Urease activity and nitrogen dynamics in highly weathered soils with designer biochars under corn cultivation

The application of designer biochar has the potential to impact soil enzyme activity and soil nitrogen dynamics. However, very little is known about the mechanisms responsible for biochar-enzyme-nitrogen interaction in highly weathered soils. The objective of our 3-year (2016–2018) field experiment was to evaluate the effectiveness of designer biochars (DB) in enhancing urease activity (UA), total nitrogen (TN), total inorganic nitrogen (TIN), and nitrogen uptake (NU) at different growth stages (GS) of corn in a highly weathered soil of southeastern Coastal Plain region, USA. Experimental treatments have consisted of the control, 100% pine chips (100PC), 100% poultry litter (100PL), 2:1 blend of PC and PL (PCPL), 100% raw switchgrass (Panicum vaginatum, L; 100RSG), and 2:1 blend of PC and RSG (PCRSG). All the designer biochar treatments were applied at the rate of 30,000 kg ha−1 to a Goldsboro loamy sand in 2016. Urease activity, TN, TIN, and NU varied remarkably with DB (p ≤ 0.0001) at different GS (p ≤ 0.0001) of corn. Soils treated with 100PL had the greatest UA (28.18 µg N g−1 h−1), TN (0.087%), and TIN (14.53 mg kg−1) while the least UA, TN, and TIN of 20.55 µg N g−1 h−1, 0.063%, and 5.42 mg kg−1, respectively, were observed from the control. The three-year TN average increase over the control was in the order: 100PL (36.8%) > 100RSG (25.8%) > PCRSG (25.3%) > PCPL (23.9%) > 100PC (7.1%). The greatest NU of corn of 140.4 kg N ha−1 was from soils treated with 100PL while the least amount of NU was from 100PC. Overall, our results showed promising significance for the treatment of highly weathered soils since the application of DB did enhance UA and improve TN and TIN in the soils.
Not a “Third Chimpanzee”

Contrary to the title of a recent book on the subject (Diamond 2014), humans are not really “The Third Chimpanzee.”
A novel portable and cost-efficient wheelchair training roller for persons with disabilities in economically disadvantaged settings: the EasyRoller.

Stationary training rollers enable wheelchair users to maintain physical health and train as athletes, which serves to treat and prevent immobility-associated chronic disease and improve cardioresp...
A rare combination of congenital anomalies following in utero methimazole exposure

Abstract The use of methimazole for the treatment of hyperthyroidism in the first trimester of pregnancy has been linked to several congenital malformations. Most commonly reported is choanal atresia; however, other anomalies have been described including aplasia cutis, esophageal atresia, omphalomesenteric duct remnant, and omphalocele. A definitive phenotype of methimazole embryopathy has not been described. We report a case of a newborn with prenatal methimazole exposure who was found to have an H type tracheoesophageal (TE) fistula, vitelline fistula, ruptured omphalocele, as well as multiple duplication cysts of the stomach and small intestine.
Healthy Communities: Shifting Toward Inclusive Immigration Policy.

In this issue of Pediatrics , Cholera et a1 used a controlled interrupted time series design to examine differences in health care use of Latinx children as it relates to federal immigration policy enacted in 2017. Electronic medical record data from four major health care systems in North Carolina were analyzed before and after restrictive immigration policy was enacted after the 2016 election. Among Latinx children in the outpatient setting, they found a sustained increase in visit cancellation for the uninsured subgroup, a proxy for undocumented immigrant children in North Carolina.1 One aim of the study was to explore whether restrictive immigration policy resulted in a “chilling effect” for all Latino children. A chilling effect is defined as a deterring effect on the behavior of an individual or group through fear of legal action.2 Widely used during the 1996 welfare reform, today, like then, it refers to immigrant families’ decision not to participate in the use of public benefits and services out of fear, confusion, or perceived threat. This phenomenon is of particular concern for the public charge rule changes that were enacted in 2019 (but leaked to the public … Address correspondence to J. Raul Gutierrez, MD, Children’s Health Center, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, 1001 Potrero Ave, Floor 06, Room 6E07, San Francisco, CA 94110. E-mail: juan.gutierrez{at}ucsf.edu
Introduction to and Selected Bibliography of English-language Books about Turks and Turkey

In her article "Introduction to and Selected Bibliography of English-language Books about Turks and Turkey" Elmas Sahin presents a selected bibliography of work by Western travelers, writers, scholars, and journalists. Fictional works — owing to the large corpus of such texts — are excluded. Focus of the Bibliography is on texts published from the sixteenth to the late nineteenth century although seminal works published later also included. From earliest times Western writers, travelers, and scholars were interested in the East and their "gaze" resulted in writing about it as exotic and mysterious and often negative in the context of Edward W. Said's concept of Orientalism. In particular, perceptions about Turkish history, culture, customs, and traditions are reflected in negative images in the works of most English-language authors. http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/clcweb/vol15/iss1/8 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7771/1481-4374.2130 Elmas Sahin, "Introduction to and Selected Bibliography of English-language Books about Turks and Turkey" page 2 of 9 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 15.1 (2013):
Co-opting propelling and perturbing appendages facilitates strenuous ground self-righting

Abstract Terrestrial animals must self-right when overturned on the ground. To do so, the discoid cockroach often pushes its wings against the ground to begin a somersault but rarely succeeds in completing it. As it repeatedly attempts this, it probabilistically rolls to the side to self-right. Here, we studied whether seemingly wasteful leg flailing in this process helps. Adding mass to increase hind leg flailing kinetic energy fluctuation increased the animal’s self-righting probability. We then developed a robot with similar, strenuous self-righting behavior and used it as a physical model for systematic experiments. As legs flailed more vigorously and wings opened more, self-righting became more probable. A potential energy landscape model revealed that, although wing opening did not generate sufficient kinetic energy to overcome the high pitch potential energy barrier, it reduced barriers for rolling, facilitating the small kinetic energy fluctuation from leg flailing to probabilistically overcome roll barriers to self-right. Impact statement When overturned terrestrial animals self-right on the ground, their seemingly wasteful yet ubiquitous flailing of appendages is crucial in providing kinetic energy fluctuation to probabilistically overcome potential energy barriers.
Recent Marijuana Use Among Young Adults, 2015–2018, USA

Marijuana is the most commonly used drug across all groups. A greater understanding of risk factors associated with recent use can inform health prevention messaging and behavioral interventions. Pooled data from the 2015–2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health were utilized among 89,446 individuals ages 18–34. Weighted logistic regression analyses, controlling for covariates, were utilized to determine conditional associations to past-30-day use. A sizeable percentage (18.5%) of individuals reported smoking marijuana in the past 30 days. Individuals who identify as African American or multi-racial, gay/lesbian, bisexual, reported their health as poor, not covered by health insurance, reported prior drug use, or who had reported any thoughts/plans of suicide were at risk for use. Of concern, high rates of alcohol (14.7%) and cocaine (1.50%) were found among users. We believe our findings can inform harm reduction efforts and policy creation.
The Digital Transformation of Cardiovascular Clinic Workflows

With the advent of readily available digital tools for patient and provider interaction comes the opportunity of digitally transforming the entire process of cardiovascular outpatient care, from scheduling to follow up. This chapter will explore how each step in typical cardiovascular clinic workflows can be reengineered with a digital-first mindset.
ON DEMAND: Investigator: Facilitating Inquiry-based Teaching and Learning of Critical Thinking Skills (5 mins)

With support from the NSF’s “Improving Undergraduate STEM Education” program, we developed an artificial intelligence based cognitive assistant, called sInvestigator (science Investigator) that helps students develop critical thinking skills for addressing scientific problems, through an easy to employ inquiry-based approach. The instructor formulates an inquiry and the students hypothesize possible answers. Then they use sInvestigator to determine the hypothesized answer that is best supported by evidence. They form teams, each team developing an evidence-based argumentation for assessing the probability of their selected hypothesized answer. Using sInvestigator, they decompose their hypothesis into simpler and simpler hypotheses, until the top hypothesis is reduced to very simple (elementary) hypotheses, each showing clearly what evidence may favor or disfavor it. This guides the students to search for this evidence on the Internet, and assess its relevance and credibility by using fuzzy qualifiers, such as “likely” or “almost certain”. Based on these student assessments, sInvestigator determines the probabilities of the elementary hypotheses, and combines them to obtain the probability of the hypothesized answer. The students may be asked to perform deeper credibility analyses of the Internet articles found, by assessing lower-level credentials, such as author’s competence, conflicts of interest, and publication reputation. They may also be asked to justify their assessments. Once an analysis is complete, sInvestigator generates an analysis report that is finalized by the students and debated in class. sInvestigator was experimentally used in several GMU undergraduate science classes. Case studies for middle school and high school science classes have also been developed.
Debating the life sciences - US experiences

Paul de Brem Mr Hilgartner, you are a Professor at the Department of Science and Technology Studies at Cornell University and you examine the social dimension and politics of contemporary and emerging science and technology, especially in the biosciences. Now, in Europe, we sometimes have the feeling that the relationship between science, technology and society is not quite an issue in the United States of America. It is seen from Europe that the population broadly accepts the innovations in science research and technology, but is it true? Is this an idealistic view? Ms Guivant told us that there was no significant reaction from the public on GMOs in the US.
Valuation of general contingent claims

Abstract The Black-Scholes equation for the price u(x,t) of a call option for a single share of common stock with dividend policy d(x,t) is 1 2 σ 2 x 2 u xx +(rx−d(x,t))u x −ru−u t =0, 0 , with boundary conditions u(x,0)=max(0,x−E), 0≤x, u(0,t)=0, 0≤t≤T. The coefficients are unbounded and the equation is not uniformly parabolic. We prove an existence (and recall a uniqueness) theorem for a class of equations with boundary conditions that includes the Black-Scholes equation. These may be used to show that an American option must, or will not, sell for the same price as a European option.
Self-Organization of Tactile Receptive Fields: Exploring Their Textural Origin and Their Representational Properties

In our earlier work, we found that feature space induced by tactile receptive fields (TRFs) are better than that by visual receptive fields (VRFs) in texture boundary detection tasks. This suggests that TRFs could be intimately associated with texture-like input. In this paper, we investigate how TRFs can develop in a cortical learning context. Our main hypothesis is that TRFs can be self-organized using the same cortical development mechanism found in the visual cortex, simply by exposing it to texture-like inputs (as opposed to natural-scene-like inputs). To test our hypothesis, we used the LISSOM model of visual cortical development. Our main results show that texture-like inputs lead to the self-organization of TRFs while natural-scene-like inputs lead to VRFs. These results suggest that TRFs can better represent texture than VRFs. We further analyzed the effectiveness of TRFs in representing texture, using kernel Fisher discriminant (KFD) and the results, along with texture classification performance, confirm that this is indeed the case. We expect these results to help us better understand the nature of texture, as a fundamentally tactile property.
The Future of Short-Haul Transport Aircraft

Owing to recent economic and regulatory changes and escalating fuel costs, major airlines have begun to shift their short-haul service to longer, more profitable routes, leaving short-haul operations to rapidly growing commuter airlines. The short-haul routes are currently serviced by small turboprop-powered aircraft. The results of some recent design studies aimed at replacing the turboprops with specialized propeller- and rotor-driven aircraft are discussed. Some potential future designs are illustrated and discussed.
Explicit structure of the typical two-input fuzzy controllers

Fuzzy controllers are nonlinear controllers. As such, it is important to reveal analytical structure of fuzzy controllers relative to classical nonlinear controllers so that the well-developed conventional nonlinear control theory can be applied to effectively analyze and design fuzzy control systems. In this paper, we derive the analytical structure of the general and typical fuzzy controllers: the ones that employ trapezoidal input fuzzy sets and arbitrary nonlinear control rules. We show that the structure of the fuzzy controllers is the sum of a global nonlinear controller and a local nonlinear PI-like or PD-like controller with variable proportional-gain and integral-gain (or derivative-gain). This result generalizes our previously published results.
Enabling self-management of component-based high-performance scientific applications

Emerging high-performance parallel/distributed scientific applications and environments are increasingly large, dynamic and complex. As a result, it requires programming systems that enable the applications to detect and dynamically respond to changing requirements, state and execution context by adapting their computational behaviors and interactions. In this paper, we present such a programming system that extends the common component architecture to enable self-management of component-based scientific applications. The programming system separates and categorizes operational requirements of scientific applications, and allows them to be specified and enforced at runtime through reconfiguration, optimization and healing of individual components and the application. Two scientific simulations are used to illustrate the system and its self-managing behaviors. A performance evaluation is also presented.
A secured collaborative model for data integration in life sciences

Life Sciences research extensively and routinely use external online databases, tools and applications for the implementation of computational pipelines. These applications are among the truly distributed and highly collaborative global systems in existence. Since the resources these applications use are designed to serve individual users, they adopt an all-or-nothing model in which users necessarily have to accept the entire response even though only a fraction of the response is relevant. In computational pipelines involving several databases and complex repeat operations, costs due to unnecessary data transmissions and computations could be significant enough to reduce productivity and make the applications sluggish. Since these resources are autonomous, and do not accept user instructions or queries, users are not able to customize their behavior in order to reduce network latency and wasteful computation or data transmission. Obviously, such a resource utilization and sharing model is wasteful and expensive. In this paper, our goal is to propose a new collaborative data integration and computational pipeline execution model for systems biology research. We show that in our envisioned model, arbitrary sites are able to accept user constraints and limited processing instructions to avoid wasteful computation resulting in improved overall efficiency. We also demonstrate that the proposed collaborative model does not breach site security or infringe upon its autonomy.
Location-Sharing Technologies: Privacy Risks and Controls

Due to the ability of cell phone providers to use cell phone towers to pinpoint users’ locations, federal E911 requirements, the increasing popularity of GPS-capabilities in cellular phones, and the rise of cellular phones for Internet use, a plethora of new applications have been developed that share users’ real-time location information online [26]. This paper evaluates users’ risk and benefit perceptions related to the use of these technologies and the privacy controls of existing location-sharing applications. We conducted an online survey of American Internet users (n = 587) to evaluate users’ perceptions of the likelihood of several location-sharing use scenarios along with the magnitude of the benefit or harm of each scenario (e.g. being stalked or finding people in an emergency). We find that although the majority of our respondents had heard of location-sharing technologies (72.4%), they do not yet understand the potential value of these applications, and they have concerns about sharing their location information online. Most importantly, participants are extremely concerned about controlling who has access to their location. Generally, respondents feel the risks of using location-sharing technologies outweigh the benefits. Respondents felt that the most likely harms would stem from revealing the location of their home to others or being stalked. People felt the strongest benefit were being able to find people in an emergency and being able to track their children. We then analyzed existing commercial location-sharing applications’ privacy controls (n = 89). We find that while location-sharing applications do not offer their users a diverse set of rules to control the disclosure of their location, they offer a modicum of privacy.
Purification and analysis of a polydnavirus gene product expressed using a poly-histidine baculovirus vector.

Abstract The VHvl.1 polydnavirus gene has been implicated in suppressing the encapsulation response in parasitized insects [Li and Webb (1994) J. Virol. 68, 7482–7489. In order to characterize this gene product and to further our analysis of its immunosuppressive function, we expressed the VHvl.1 using a custom-designed C-terminal poly-histidine baculovirus vector which allows for high expression and single-step purification of the protein. The 34 kDa VHvl.1 protein was expressed in baculovirus-infected cell cultures and in H. virescens larvae. Highly enriched preparations of the secreted VHvl.1 protein were obtained after affinity chromatography using a NTA-(Ni2+) resin. Characterization with purified preparations of the VHvl.1 protein established that the protein is N-glycosylated, containing glycogroups which are PNGase F-sensitive but Endo H-resistant. The recombinant VHvl.1 protein bound to hemocytes in vitro and in vivo and was endocytosed in a manner similar to the native protein produced in CsPDV-infected larvae.
Troubles with token identity

Critique des theories contemporaines des relations de l'esprit et du corps, qui distinguent l'identite des types d'evenements physiques de leur identite en tant que tokens ou occurrences particulieres. Selon l'A. ces versions de la these de l'identite psycho-physique sont intenables et seule une theorie " type-type " a un sens
Consumer survey as needs assessment method: a case study.

Needs assessment methodology has grown remarkably as a necessary part of evaluating human service programs. The consumer survey method of needs assessment is reviewed. A case study in which the training needs of board members of the eleven community mental health agencies in a rural New England state were examined by a questionnaire requesting ratings of the importance and priority of 11 possible topics is presented. Sixty-five of 300 questionnaires were returned (21.66%). The results clearly support the view that training programs for boards are needed, and suggest that citizens can make reasonable decisions about program content if given the opportunity. A training project, based on the results of the survey is described. Problems in designing and implementing consumer surveys and training programs are discussed.
Effects of pesticides on division of two lepidopteran cell lines and onAutographa Californica MNPV development in TN368 cells

The concentration of each of 10 pesticides (azinphosmethyl, captan, carbaryl, chlordimedorm, dichlorvos, dimenthoate, fenvalerate, methomyl, methyl parathion, trichlorfon) causing a 50% inhibition (ID50) in cell number relative to an untreated culture for a time period equal to four cell doublings was determined for the TN368 and IPLB-HZ1075 cell lines. The range of ID50 values with either of the cell lines was similar, with captan being most toxic within an ID50 range of 5 to 6 μM/2×105 cells/ml, and methomyl least toxic within a range of 2900 to 3200 μM/2×105 cells/ml. Yet there were significant differences between cell lines in pesticide susceptibility. Fenvalerate, dichlorvos, and chlordimeform were 16, 3, and 1.5 times more toxic, respectively, for TN368 cells than HZ1075 cells, whereas dimethoate and carbaryl were each 2 times more toxic for HZ1075 cells. In general, increasing toxicity paralleled decreasing water solubility, although the order of the pesticides varied somewhat according to the particular cell line and medium. Moreover, there was little aberrant cell morphology in either of the cell cultures during incubation with most of the pesticides at their ID50 levels. Preincubation of TN368 cells with any one of seven different pesticideis before inoculation withAutographa californica MNPV, and subsequent incubation of infected cells in medium plus pesticide, did not significantly suppress polyhedra development except for trichlorfon-incubated cells. In addition, there was a small but consistent variation from control cells in extracellular virus titers assayed from two of five of the pesticide incubations. The titer was consistently depressed with trichlorfon and elevated with fenvalerate, however, further work is required to determine the biological significance of these differences.
Solid-state tyrosinase stability as affected by water activity and glass transition

Abstract The effects of water activity (aW) and the state of the system as dictated by the glass transition temperature (Tg) on tyrosinase storage stability were evaluated in a model food system. Tyrosinase was incorporated into low and high molecular weight polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP-LMW and PVP-K30, respectively). Samples were equilibrated and stored in desiccators from aW 0.33 to 0.77 at 20°C. Tyrosinase activity was monitored for a week, and pseudo-first order rate constants for activity loss were calculated. Residual activity after equilibration correlated with Tg rather than aW. An apparent rate constant increase slightly above Tg was observed and rate constants were the same at constant Tg, suggesting that molecular mobility as dictated by Tg was influencing tyrosinase storage stability.
A hydrogen-bonded dichloromethane-perchlorate-water channel in the crystal structure ofcis-[Ru(bpy)2{PPh-(o-tolyl)2}Cl+][ClO4−]·CH2Cl2·H2O

The complexcis-[Ru(bpy)2{PPh(o-tolyl)2}Cl+][ClO4−] crystallized from a solution in dichloromethane as the dichloromethane-water solvate. The structure was refined toR=4.5% for those 2433 reflections with |Fo|>6σ(|Fo|). The octahedral Ru(II) cation is associated with metal-ligand distances as follows: Ru−Cl=2.434(3)A, Ru-PPh(o-tol)2=2.382(2)A, and Ru−N=2.037(7)–2.088(7)A. The structure is stabilized by a hydrogen-bonded CH2Cl2...ClO4−...H2O channel which incorporates adventitious water of crystallization.
Estrogen and cardiovascular function after menopause

Nonrandomized trials of postmenopausal estrogen replacement have shown a benefit in the prevention of coronary artery disease. Less clear are the specific mechanisms by which this occurs. Estrogen has beneficial effects on the lipid profile, with significant elevations in high density lipoprotein cholesterol and reductions in low density lipoprotein cholesterol reported. Also, antioxidant properties have been ascribed to estrogen. In addition, estrogen has been shown to prevent paradoxic vasoconstriction in atherosclerotic coronary arteries after acetylcholine and may have calcium channel-blocking and alpha2-inhibiting properties. Other proposed mechanisms of cardiovascular protection include reductions in serum fibrinogen and increases in prostacyclin biosynthesis. There is some evidence that cardiovascular biomechanics may be mildly depressed after menopause and that estrogen may normalize these changes by increasing ventricular contractility and, possibly, relaxation. Far less is known about the cardiovascular effects of progesterone, but overall it does not appear that the less androgenic progestins substantially modify the effects of estrogen. Because more women >50 years old die of cardiovascular disease than any other cause, further clinical investigations of the risks and benefits of estrogen replacement and combined estrogen and progesterone therapy are clearly needed.
Comparative responses of a non-N-fixing shrub and an actinorhizal N-fixing shrub to N fertilization

Variations in responses to soil N between a non-N-fixing shrub, Baccharis halimifolia L., and a N-fixing shrub, Morella cerifera (L.) Small, were tested over 12 weeks to determine whether N availability is the sole cause of persistent dominance of M. cerifera on barrier islands. Plants were supplied increasing levels of soil N up to 200 mg kg−1. Measurements included gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters across treatments, species, and time. Tissues were analyzed for differences in biomass and nutrients. Baccharis halimifolia had reduced physiological responses across all treatment levels, but M. cerifera had comparatively few variations. Across all treatments B. halimifolia photosynthesis and stomatal conductance were reduced by 62 and 76 %, respectively,by week 12. Increasing foliar δ15N values across treatments for M. cerifera indicated a shift from utilizing fixed N to available soil N. Biomass was highest at 200 mg kg−1 N for both species. Baccharis halimifolia showed indications of stress response and resource limitation based on physiological responses, nutrient contents, and isotope effects. Baccharis halimifolia showed signs of co-limitation of both N and P whereas M. cerifera was limited by neither, suggesting that dominance of M. cerifera is only partially explained by actinorhizal symbiosis and N availability.
The effect of adsorbed and recoil-implanted oxygen on sputtered excited atoms

Abstract The intensities of photon emission arising from Ar + ion bombardment of a number of metals have been measured as a function of oxygen pressure in the target chamber. The detailed changes in intensities as a function of time after interruption of oxygen flow have also been determined. The results show the different roles played by adsorbed and recoil-implanted oxygen on the enhancement of the photon emission process.
Effects of calcium and magnesium on facilitation of a unitary synaptic potential in neuron R15 of Aplysia

Abstract 1. 1. Neuron Rl 5 of Aplysia produces a large unitary synaptic potential (EPSP) which may be facilitated to 250 per cent of control amplitude by repeated stimulation. 2. 2. Facilitation is pronounced at 0.5, 1 and 2 Hz but not seen at 0.1 Hz. 3. 3. The amplitude of an unfacilitated EPSP increased in high calcium or low magnesium and decreased in low calcium or high magnesium. Calcium is a stronger regulator than magnesium. 4. 4. The facilitation ratio was greater for initially small EPSP's than for initially large ones. This inverse relationship held in normal and experimental calcium and magnesium concentrations. This relationship could be explained by the superposition of facilitation and depression processes.
Improved correlation discrimination using joint fourier‐transform optical correlator

Attempts are being made to investigate techniques to improve the cross-correlation peak heights of a joint-transform-based correlator while reducing the corresponding dc peaks. Two such techniques, namely, preprocessing the reference image and postprocessing the joint Fourier-transform image, are investigated, and the corresponding simulation results are compared.
Do IT students prefer doctors who use IT

Abstract Several studies suggest that clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) reduce physician diagnostic errors, decrease medical costs, and improve the quality of patient care. However, despite the many potential benefits, physicians have been slow to adopt CDSSs and fail to use them when they are available. Some researchers have speculated that physicians are reluctant to adopt these diagnostic aids, in part, due to the widespread psychological bias that patients and peers feel against physicians who use them. This bias has been well documented among the general public. Many have assumed that this human-is-better attitude is limited to older and less computer savvy populations. We test this assumption with two vignette-based experiments. Our data suggest that, when it comes to physicians, even young participants with positive attitudes towards computers (i.e., IT students) have a human-is-better bias.
Developmental aspects of hepatic heme biosynthetic capability and hematotoxicity

Abstract δ-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) synthetase is considered to be rate-limiting in heme biosynthesis in normal adult mammalian liver. However, under certain pharmacological or pathological circumstances, other enyzmes of the heme biosynthetic pathway have been shown to be limiting in this process. In the current studies, the developmental patterns of ALA dehydratase, uroporphyrinogen I synthetase and heme synthetase were measured in rat liver, and the potential influence of these enzymes on heme biosynthetic capability under various conditions in adult, neonatal and fetal liver was assessed. In addition, a comparison of the activities of these enzymes with those of ALA synthetase was made as a means of assessing the relative influence of hematotoxic agents on hepatic heme biosynthetic capability at different stages of development.
Mechanisms for plasma formation during high power pumping of XPAL

During operation of the excimer pumped alkali laser, XPAL, large densities of alkali excited states are produced. Through superelastic electron collisional relaxation of these states, any pre-existing electrons will be heated, leading to additional ionization. The end result is plasma formation. A first principles global model has been developed for the Ar/Cs XPAL system to investigate the possible formation of plasma during high repetition rate, high power pumping; and the consequences on laser performance. Four- and five-level pumping schemes were used to enable assessment of XPAL operating on the Cs(6 2 P 3/2 ) → Cs(6 2 S 1/2 ) (852 nm) and Cs(6 2 P 1/2 ) → Cs(6 2 S 1/2 ) (894 nm) transitions. The model was parameterized as a function of pump power, excitation frequency, cell temperature (Cs vapor pressure) and collision mixing agent (N 2 ) mole fraction. We found that at sufficiently high operating temperature, pump power and repetition rate, plasma formation in excess of 10 14 -10 16 cm -3 occurs, which potentially reduces laser output power by electron collisional mixing of the upper and lower laser levels.
An atomically discrete model for interstitial solid solutions with F.C.C. metals: Thermodynamic properties

Thermodynamic properties of interstitial solid solutions with fcc metals from atomically discrete model by computer simulation
Biofuel Policies: The Underground Limitation on Biofuels

U.S. energy policy has seen a dramatic shift toward renewable fuels within the last 10 years. While much research has been conducted in regards to U.S. biofuel policies, a significant arena of debate has been neglected. A key argument in favor of domestic biofuel production is that it is a renewable path towards energy independence. However the inputs used in the production of biofuel feedstock, primarily fertilizer nutrients, are anything but renewable. With simple calculations, this paper shows that the U.S.’s current biofuel policy is heavily dependent on non-renewable nutrient inputs. Thus, the question of how renewable the current plant-based biofuels are needs to be asked.
Solvation and Intermolecular Exploration of Drug Molecule Fragments

The paramagnetic contributions from dioxygen to solute proton spin-lattice relaxation rate constants are reported for a series of aromatic hydrocarbons and drug molecule fragments, in order to examine the energetic factors for intermolecular exploration in solution. The measurements provide differences in local oxygen concentration at different sites on the solute molecule. The relaxation rate differences caused by steric factors are taken into account using a lattice model calculation to normalize the relaxation rates for intermolecular contact. The measurements reveal small differences in oxygen accessibility for aromatic solutes in aqueous acetone and for aliphatic drug fragments in chloroform. Larger differences are observed for aliphatic protons in dimethyl sulfoxide; however, the differences are generally small compared with previous measurements on amino acids in water. Concentration ratios between local oxygen concentrations and the solvent references are all smaller than 2.2 and high local concentrations are favored by bulky adjacent groups such as alkane chains.
Is the post-human a post-woman? Cyborgs, robots, artificial intelligence and the futures of gender: a case study

This study aims to shed light on the debate about the futures of gender, by taking into account its significance in the current development of Artificial Intelligence (AI), cyborg technologies and robotics. Its reflections are sustained by empirical data obtained between November 2010 and January 2011, when the author engaged in a study related to Gender and Artificial Intelligence at the Department of Cybernetics, University of Reading (England) under the supervision of Professor Kevin Warwick, known as the first human cyborg for his experiments “Cyborg I” (1998) and “Cyborg II” (2002). In this context, the author formulated a questionnaire which was answered by more than one hundred students and researchers of the Department. The specific question motivating this research was: how and to what extent do gender and the intersectional differences characterizing the human species inform the development of cyborgs, robots and AI? The results of the questionnaire, presented in this article, offer original and controversial perspectives on how such epistemological approaches may impact the futures.
Protein-interaction modules that organize nuclear function: FF domains of CA150 bind the phosphoCTD of RNA polymerase II

An approach for purifying nuclear proteins that bind directly to the hyperphosphorylated C-terminal repeat domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase II was developed and used to identify one human phosphoCTD-associating protein as CA150. CA150 is a nuclear factor implicated in transcription elongation. Because the hyperphosphorylated CTD is a feature of actively transcribing RNA polymerase II (Pol II), phosphoCTD (PCTD) binding places CA150 in a location appropriate for performing a role in transcription elongation-related events. Several recombinant segments of CA150 bound the PCTD. Predominant binding is mediated by the portion of CA150 containing six FF domains, compact modules of previously unknown function. In fact, small recombinant proteins containing the fifth FF domain bound the PCTD. PCTD binding is the first specific function assigned to an FF domain. As FF domains are found in a variety of nuclear proteins, it is likely that some of these proteins are also PCTD-associating proteins. Thus FF domains appear to be compact protein-interaction modules that, like WW domains, can be evolutionarily shuffled to organize nuclear function.
Developing and commercializing a DNA sequencer

A few years ago, Beckman Coulter was faced with a dilemma: How do they define, design, build, test, and validate a product for a market that is new to them, has huge potential, and is dominated by their competitors? The market, of course, was DNA analysis, and the solution to the dilemma turned out to be an interesting mix of practices and philosophies that led to cost-effective, timely development and commercialization of the CEQS/sup TM/ 2000 DNA Analysis System. The CEQ 2000 was originally conceived to provide high-level automation to the DNA sequencing market. Because DNA analysis includes more than just DNA sequencing, market validation studies occurred concurrently with R and D activity in order to compress the development schedule. It was realized very early in the development phases of the program that flexibility in the hardware, software, and chemistry would ultimately dictate the longevity of the CEQ 2000 in the marketplace. Realizing that close collaboration among disciplines was necessary for success, two strategic implementations were adopted for the CEQ 2000 project: 1) a systems engineering group was established to identify and track system and subsystem requirements, and 2) system development was broken into well-defined stages designed to build upon one another.
Political pressures and the evolution of disclosure regulation

This paper examines the process that drives the formation and evolution of disclosure regulations. In equilibrium, changes in the regulation depend on the status quo, standard-setters’ political accountability and underlying objectives, and the cost and benefits of disclosure to reporting entities. Excessive political accountability need not implement the regulation preferred by diversified investors. Political pressures slow standard-setting and, if the standard-setter prefers high levels of disclosure, induce regulatory cycles characterized by long phases of increasing disclosure requirements followed by a sudden deregulation.
A Back-propagation Neural Network Landmine Detector Using the Delta-technique and S-statistic

Landmines are a major problem facing the world today; there are millions of these deadly weapons still buried in various countries around the world. Humanitarian organizations dedicate an immeasurable amount of time, effort, and money to find and remove as many of these mines as possible. Unfortunately, landmines can be made out of common materials which make the correct detection of them very difficult. This paper analyzes the effectiveness of combining certain statistical techniques with a neural network to improve detection. The detection method must not only detect the majority of landmines in the ground, it must also filter out as many of the false alarms as possible. This is the true challenge to developing landmine detection algorithms. Our approach combines a Back-Propagation Neural Network (BPNN) with statistical techniques and compares the performance of mine detection against the performance of the energy detector and the δ-technique. Our results show that the combination of the δ-technique and the S-statistics with a neural network improves the performance.
The Ample Cone of the Kontsevich Moduli Space

We produce ample (resp. NEF, eventually free) divisors in the Kontsevich space M0,n(P r , d) of n-pointed, genus 0, stable maps to P r , given such divisors in M0,n+d. We prove that this produces all ample (resp. NEF, eventually free) divisors in M0,n(Pr, d). As a consequence, we con- struct a contraction of the boundary S⌊d/2⌋ k=1 �k,d−k in M0,0(Pr, d), analogous to a contraction of the
Elucidating the Significance of β-Hydride Elimination and the Dynamic Role of Acid/Base Chemistry in a Palladium-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidation of Alcohols

The mechanistic details of aerobic alcohol oxidation with catalytic Pd(IiPr)(OAc)2(H2O) (IiPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) are disclosed. Under optimal conditions, β-hydride elimination is rate-limiting supported by kinetic studies including a high primary kinetic isotope effect (KIE) value of 5.5 ± 0.1 and a Hammett ρ value of −0.48 ± 0.04. On the basis of these studies, a late transition state is proposed for β-hydride elimination, which is further corroborated by theoretical calculations using density functional theory. Additive acetic acid modulates the rates of both the alcohol oxidation sequence and regeneration of the Pd catalyst. With no additive [HOAc], turnover-limiting reprotonation of intermediate palladium peroxo is kinetically competitive with β-hydride elimination, allowing for reversible oxygenation and decomposition of Pd(0). With additive [HOAc] (>2 mol %), reprotonation of the palladium peroxo is fast and β-hydride elimination is the single rate-controlling step. ...
A Profile of tomorrow's agribusiness leaders: The US perspective†

This article profiles the characteristics required of future agribusiness leaders. Top executives from 543 agribusiness firms rank ordered 74 alternative characteristics for their importance as a required characteristic of future leaders in their agribusiness firm. The US agribusiness executives identified interpersonal characteristics and communication skills as the most important. Business skills were also ranked as important for success in agribusiness firms.
Synthesis and structure of [BpBut,Pri]2Co: a bis(pyrazolyl)hydroborato cobalt(II) complex with trans [Co · · · H–B] interactions

The bis{bis(3-tert-butyl-5-isopropylpyrazolyl)hydroborato}cobalt(II) complex [BpBut,Pri]2Co has been synthesized by reaction of Tl[BpBut,Pri] with Co(ClO4)2·6H2O; the molecular structure of [BpBut,Pri]2Co is based on a square planar array of pyrazolyl groups with two axial [Co · · · H–B] interactions, in marked contrast to those of other [BpR,R′]2Co derivatives which have tetrahedral structures and are devoid of such interactions.
Current concepts in the embryology and genetics of cleft lip and cleft palate

Many mechanisms underlying normal and abnormal craniofacial embryogenesis are well understood. The genetic factors that provoke abnormal development and result in orofacial clefts are not clear, but much progress has occurred in our understanding. Genes or chromosomal rearrangements on many chromosomes can lead to syndromes that include orofacial clefts. This diversity in the mechanisms that can lead to syndromic clefts highlights the fact that the processes leading to the development of the oral cavity and face are complex and sensitive to disturbances at multiple timepoints or within multiple genetic domains. As for nonsyndromic clefting, large-scale family studies are consistent with one or a few loci exerting major effects on phenotypic expression, although no single gene has been identified as a "necessary" locus for development of nonsyndromic clefts. Rather, the emerging consensus is that the genetic etiology of nonsyndromic clefting is complex, with several loci showing significant results in at least some studies. Some of these loci may be genes for susceptibility to environmental factors, some may be modifying loci, and some may be "necessary" loci. Mutations in genes that are now known to control early development are logical candidate genes for future studies of nonsyndromic orofacial clefting. Continued genetic analyses and developmental studies are crucial for eventual understanding of the complex etiology of these common congenital anomalies.