cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of finite-time Lyapunov exponents and vectors in two-dimensional turbulence.

This paper discusses the application of Lyapunov theory in chaotic systems to the dynamics of tracer gradients in two-dimensional flows. The Lyapunov theory indicates that more attention should be given to the Lyapunov vector orientation. Moreover, the properties of Lyapunov vectors and exponents are explained in light of recent results on tracer gradients dynamics. Differences between the different Lyapunov vectors can be interpreted in terms of competition between the effects of effective rotation and strain. Also, the differences between backward and forward vectors give information on the local reversibility of the tracer gradient dynamics. A numerical simulation of two-dimensional turbulence serves to highlight these points and the spatial distribution of finite time Lyapunov exponents is also discussed in relation to stirring properties.
Geotechnical properties of sediments from the north central pacific and northern Bermuda rise

Abstract Studies of geotechnical properties for the Sub‐seabed Disposal Program have been oriented toward sediment characterization related to effectiveness as a containment medium and determination of detailed engineering behavior. Consolidation tests of the deeper samples in the North Pacific clays indicate that the sediment column is normally consolidated. The in‐situ coefficient of permeability (k) within the cored depth of 25 m is relatively constant at 10−7 cm/sec. Consolidated un‐drained (CIU) triaxial tests indicate stress‐strain properties characteristic of saturated clays, with effective angles of friction of 35° for smectite and 31° for illite. These results are being used in computer modeling efforts. Samples from the Northern Bermuda Rise show the variable water contents and low shear strengths reported earlier for this region.
Movement of PCB from a contaminated reservoir into a drinking water supply.

A report is given of the movement of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) from a contaminated reservoir through a water treatment plant into a drinking water supply. Samples were collected from a creek fed by several smaller streams, one of which receives wastewater discharges from a company which uses PCB in the manufacture of capacitors. Results showed that the partition coefficient of PCB between sediments and water (P = g PCB/g sediment divided by g PCB/g water) was on the order of 10/sup 5/. Thus, even if PCB discharges ceased immediately, water in equilibrium with the sediments could contain PCB at the 100 part-per-trillion level.
Simulidin: a black fly (Simulium vittatum) salivary gland protein with anti-thrombin activity

Abstract A protein purified from the salivary gland lysate of female Simulium vittatum was found to inhibit bovine α-thrombin. This protein is stable to heat, has a mass of 11,334 Da and is rich in threonine. Based on N-terminal sequencing for the first 35 amino acids, no significant sequence similarity with other proteins was detected, indicating that this salivary component may be unique in structure. Because of its source and its anti-hemostatic properties, this protein has been named simulidin.
Atlantic hagfish exploit prey captured by other taxa

Observations of Atlantic hagfish Myxine glutinosa exploiting prey captured, but not fully consumed, by the horse star Hippasteria phrygiana and Jonah crab Cancer borealis are described. Such interactions are defined as encounter competition. These represent the first reported observations of this type of interspecific interaction for Atlantic hagfish.
Sources of U.S. Physician Income: The Contribution of Government Payments to the Specialist–Generalist Income Gap

Background Physician income varies threefold among specialties. Lower incomes have produced shortages in primary care fields.
Clinical Findings and Pain Symptoms as Potential Risk Factors for Chronic TMD: Descriptive Data and Empirically Identified Domains from the OPPERA Case-Control Study

Clinical characteristics might be associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) because they are antecedent risk factors that increase the likelihood of a healthy person developing the condition or because they represent signs or symptoms of either subclinical or overt TMD. In this baseline case-control study of the multisite Orofacial Pain: Prospective Evaluation and Risk Assessment (OPPERA) project, 1,633 controls and 185 cases with chronic, painful TMD completed questionnaires and received clinical examinations. Odds ratios measuring association between each clinical factor and TMD were computed, with adjustment for study-site as well as age, sex, and race/ethnicity. Compared to controls, TMD cases reported more trauma, greater parafunction, more headaches and other pain disorders, more functional limitation in using the jaw, more nonpain symptoms in the facial area, more temporomandibular joint noises and jaw locking, more neural or sensory medical conditions, and worse overall medical status. They also exhibited on examination reduced jaw mobility, more joint noises, and a greater number of painful masticatory, cervical, and body muscles upon palpation. The results indicated that TMD cases differ substantially from controls across almost all variables assessed. Future analyses of follow-up data will determine whether these clinical characteristics predict increased risk for developing first-onset pain-related TMD PERSPECTIVE: Clinical findings from OPPERA's baseline case-control study indicate significant differences between chronic TMD cases and controls with respect to trauma history, parafunction, other pain disorders, health status, and clinical examination data. Future analyses will examine their contribution to TMD onset.
Laplacian object: One-shot object detection by locality preserving projection

One shot, generic object detection involves detecting a single query image in a target image. Relevant approaches have benefitted from features that typically model the local similarity patterns. Also important is the global matching of local features along the object detection process. In this paper, we consider such global information early in the feature extraction stage by combining local geodesic structure (encoded by LARK descriptors) with a global context (i.e., graph structure) of pairwise affinities among the local descriptors. The result is an embedding of the LARK descriptors (extracted from query image) into a discriminatory subspace (obtained using locality preserving projection [1]) that preserves the local intrinsic geometry of the query image patterns. Experiments on standard data sets demonstrate efficacy of our proposed approach.
Morphine Decreases Bacterial Phagocytosis by Inhibiting Actin Polymerization through cAMP-, Rac-1-, and p38 MAPK-Dependent Mechanisms

Morphine increases the susceptibility to opportunistic infection by attenuating bacterial clearance through inhibition of Fcγ receptor (FcgR)–mediated phagocytosis. Mechanisms by which morphine inhibits this process remain to be investigated. Actin polymerization is essential for FcgR-mediated internalization; therefore, disruption of the signaling mechanisms involved in this process is detrimental to the phagocytic ability of macrophages. To our knowledge, this study is the first to propose the modulation of actin polymerization and upstream signaling effectors [cAMP, Rac1-GTP, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)] as key mechanisms by which morphine leads to inhibition of pathogen clearance. Our results indicate that long-term morphine treatment in vitro and in vivo, through activation of the μ-opioid receptor, leads to an increase in intracellular cAMP, activation of protein kinase A, and inhibition of Rac1-GTPase and p38 MAPK, thereby attenuating actin polymerization and reducing membrane ruffling. Furthermore, because of long-term morphine treatment, FcgR-mediated internalization of opsonized dextran beads is also reduced. Morphine's inhibition of Rac1-GTPase activation is abolished in J774 macrophages transfected with constitutively active pcDNA3-EGFP-Rac1-Q61L plasmid. Dibutyryl-cAMP inhibits, whereas H89 restores, activation of Rac-GTPase and abolishes morphine's inhibitory effect, implicating cAMP as the key effector in morphine's modulation of actin polymerization. These findings indicate that long-term morphine treatment, by increasing intracellular cAMP and activating protein kinase A, leads to inhibition of Rac1-GTPase and p38 MAPK, causing attenuation of actin polymerization, FcgR-mediated phagocytosis, and decreased bacterial clearance.
Comparison of fluorimetric methods of assay for benz(c)acridine and benzo(h)quinoline in urban atmospheres and air pollution source effluents.

Abstract Five methods for the estimation of benz( c )acridine in urban particulate samples are compared, as are three methods for benzo( h )quinoline. The methods involving thin-layer chromatography followed by some form of fluorimetry are compared with the column chromatographic absorptiometric procedure for aza compounds. Through the quick estimation of benz( c )acridine the analyst should be able to determine the presence and amount of the polynuclear aza heterocyclic compounds in urban atmospheres and other appropriate samples.
Stochastic finite element methods for partial differential equations with random input data

The quantification of probabilistic uncertainties in the outputs of physical, biological, and social systems governed by partial differential equations with random inputs require, in practice, the discretization of those equations. Stochastic finite element methods refer to an extensive class of algorithms for the approximate solution of partial differential equations having random input data, for which spatial discretization is effected by a finite element method. Fully discrete approximations require further discretization with respect to solution dependences on the random variables. For this purpose several approaches have been developed, including intrusive approaches such as stochastic Galerkin methods, for which the physical and probabilistic degrees of freedom are coupled, and non-intrusive approaches such as stochastic sampling and interpolatory-type stochastic collocation methods, for which the physical and probabilistic degrees of freedom are uncoupled. All these method classes are surveyed in this article, including some novel recent developments. Details about the construction of the various algorithms and about theoretical error estimates and complexity analyses of the algorithms are provided. Throughout, numerical examples are used to illustrate the theoretical results and to provide further insights into the methodologies.
Home or Hospital Care for the Child with End-Stage Cancer: Effects on the Family

Despite the fact that many children are cured from cancer, this illness remains the leading cause of death among children due to disease. When the likelihood of death is confronted, decisions regarding how best to provide care must be made. Research regarding what factors influence this choice and the effects that different modalities of care may have on the family system are discussed. This discussion and review of the literature will assist the pediatric nurse in guiding the family to an appropriate choice for the care of their child. Pediatric nurses must be aware of the many technical, economic, and theoretical issues which confront a family prior to making this very difficult decision.
Uncertainty Principle of Signal-Averaged Electrocardiography

Background—Signal-averaged ECG (SAECG) reproducibility is reported to have a component that is independent of residual noise. Methods and Results—In group 1, multiple paired SAECGs were obtained to noise levels of 0.3±0.1 and 0.5±0.2 μV. For the 0.5- and 0.3-μV noise recordings, QRS duration (QRSd) was 101.2±11.3 and 104.6±9.6 ms, respectively (P<0.0001), and the differences in paired QRSd (ΔQRSd) were normally distributed, with variances of 11.4 and 26.2 ms2 (P<0.0001). Paired SAECGs were obtained in group 2 patients without and with late potentials; ΔQRSd variance was 3.3 and 217.9 ms2 (P<0.0001). In group 3, ≥10 SAECGs were acquired at noise levels of 0.2 to 0.8 μV, in 0.1-μV increments. QRSd increased as noise level decreased. The variance was greater in low-noise (0.2 to 0.4 μV) versus higher-noise (0.5 to 0.8 μV) recordings. In group 4, SAECGs were analyzed with bidirectional and Bispec filters, with no difference in QRSd between the 2 filters and a normally distributed ΔQRSd. A computer simulation ...
Improving adolescent health: Focus on HPV vaccine acceptance

The success of future human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programs will depend on individuals' willingness to accept vaccination, parents' willingness to have their preadolescent and early adolescent children vaccinated, and health care providers' willingness to recommend HPV vaccination. The purpose of this article is to provide a qualitative review of the relevant literature, including research on knowledge and attitudes about HPV infection and its clinical sequelae, the acceptability of HPV vaccination to individuals and parents, and health care providers' attitudes about recommending HPV vaccination. Additionally, strategies are suggested by which providers of adolescent health care can discuss and recommend HPV vaccines with parents and their children. The research published to date suggests that there is a good deal of misunderstanding about HPV infection, cervical cancer screening, and the sequelae of HPV infection. However, the majority of research studies to date indicate that young women, parents, and health care providers are interested in vaccines that prevent HPV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Of particular note are the consistent findings that providers are less comfortable vaccinating younger versus older adolescents and that endorsement of vaccination by a professional organization is of great importance. Furthermore, research suggests that most parents are interested in having their preadolescent and adolescent children vaccinated against HPV. Parents value the information and recommendations provided by their children's health care providers. To the extent that providers are concerned about potential negative reactions of parents to a recommendation of HPV vaccination, these findings should provide reassurance. At the same time, health care providers will need to be prepared to provide patients and parents with information about HPV and HPV immunization and to respond productively to the rare parent who expresses opposition to HPV vaccine or any other vaccine.
The vividness of connotative adjectives and their paired-associate learning

Greater PA learning of connotative adjectives is associated with the vividness of the PA stimulus. Poorer PA learning is associated with the vividness of the PA response. The impact of vividness on PA learning is hypothesized to resuit from an associated alerting effect. Vividness, imagery, and meaningfulness are compared.
KAOS-a user oriented information retrieval system

Sigma Kappa, a sorority established at North Carolina State University in 1960, is faced with the same problem that any organization of this nature faces - keeping in personal contact with each of its alumnae. Know All Of Your Sisters (KAOS), designed to alleviate this problem, also provides readily accessible information for recordkeeping purposes.
Reacted amorphous layers: Tantalum and niobium oxides

Abstract The main rule governing the formation of amorphous reacted phases is that one of the components should have a mobility much lower than that of the others. This is based on the simple observation that the crystallization of a multicomponent system requires that all of the components should be mobile. The rule, which is general and independent of the initial state (solid or gas) of the reactants, is verified by comparing the mobilities of oxygen and of the metal atoms during the low-temperature oxidation and subsequent high-temperature heat treatment of bilayers initially composed of niobium and tantalum metal thin films. The high mobility of oxygen allows the oxides to be formed at low temperature in an amorphous condition, while the low mobility of the metal ions prevents the mixing of these ions except at high temperatures.
Outdoor monitoring of a-Si:H thin film photovoltaic modules in the hot and humid climate of Florida

Outdoor monitoring of glass to glass a-Si:H thin film photovoltaic (PV) modules by a US manufacturer is carried out in the hot and humid climate of Florida. The modules are monitored under fixed load conditions. Moreover, periodic current-voltage (I-V) characteristics are carried out to validate the performance of PV modules. The data was normalized at standard conditions and compared over a three year period. Two of the modules are biased to ±600 V to study the leakage current. An extensive study of this nature needs to be carried out for prolonged period to accurately predict the useful lifetime of PV modules.
Folate deficiency, mismatch repair-dependent apoptosis, and human disease

The vitamin that is most commonly deficient in the American diet is folate. Severe folate deficiency in humans is known to cause megaloblastic anemia and developmental defects, and is associated with an increased incidence of several forms of human cancer. Although the exact mechanisms by which this vitamin deficiency may cause these diseases are not known at the present time, recent work has shown that folate deficiency also causes genomic instability and programmed cell death (or apoptosis). Additionally, it is known that the DNA mismatch repair pathway mediates folate deficiency-induced apoptosis. This review will first describe work suggesting that folate deficiency causes genomic instability and apoptosis, then discuss possible mechanisms by which the mismatch repair pathway could trigger folate deficiency-induced apoptosis, which has either protective or destructive effects on tissue.
Automated optics inspection analysis for NIF

Abstract The National Ignition Facility (NIF) is a high-energy laser facility comprised of 192 beamlines that house thousands of optics. These optics guide, amplify and tightly focus light onto a tiny target for fusion ignition research and high energy density physics experiments. The condition of these optics is key to the economic, efficient and maximally energetic performance of the laser. Our goal, and novel achievement, is to find on the optics any imperfections while they are tens of microns in size, track them through time to see if they grow and if so, remove the optic and repair the single site so the entire optic can then be re-installed for further use on the laser. This paper gives an overview of the image analysis used for detecting, measuring, and tracking sites of interest on an optic while it is installed on the beamline via in situ inspection and after it has been removed for maintenance. In this way, the condition of each optic is monitored throughout the optic's lifetime. This overview paper will summarize key algorithms and technical developments for custom image analysis and processing and highlight recent improvements. (Associated papers will include more details on these issues.) We will also discuss the use of OI Analysis for daily operation of the NIF laser and its extension to inspection of NIF targets.
Effect of stage of development on chemical yields in common milkweed, Asclepias syriaca

Abstract Common milkweed has been identified as a potential whole-plant source of polyphenols, oil, and natural rubber for industry. The effects of stage of development (prebud, full bud, full flower, seed set, and mature seed) on yields of acetone extract (‘polyphenols’ and ‘oil’) and hexane extract (natural rubber) were studied in two Maryland (USA) populations in 1982 and 1983. Leaf fraction and stem fraction acetone extract yields were generally highest at the mature-seed stage whereas stem fraction hexane extract yields were highest at the prebud stage in 1982 and at the full-bud stage in 1983. There was generally a strong direct relationship between yields of leaf fraction acetone extract and leaf fraction hexane extract and a strong inverse relationship between yields of stem fraction acetone extract and stem fraction hexane extract. Results indicate that environmental variation can have a substantial effect on levels of polyphenols, oil and natural rubber at a particular stage of development; however, it appears that harvesting at the manure-seed stage of development would usually maximize yields of both extracts.
Some studies on the biological effects of magnetic fields

The biological effects of radiation including the possible effects due to various gravitational states on developing organisms and their interaction with radiation effects is investigated. Certain aspects of the authors' own work along with a review of the observed effects of magnetic fields reported by others is also included. On the basis of these data, it is possible to speculate both on the association of magnetic field phenomena to the understanding of physiologic processes and on the possible deleterious effects these phenomena may have on the biological system.
Regulation of promoter selection by the bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase in vitro

Abstract During bacteriophage T7 infection a phage-specified RNA polymerase transcribes the late phage genes in two temporal classes (class II and class III). In this report, we show that the purified phage polymerase discriminates between the class II and class III promoters in vitro as a function of variables that alter the stability of the DNA helix. These variables include ionic strength, temperature, and the presence of denaturing agents such as dimethyl sulfoxide. In general, initiation at the class II promoters is preferentially inhibited as helix stability is increased. Conditions required for the establishment of salt-resistant transcription complexes by the T7 RNA polymerase have been determined; the establishment of stable complexes at the class II promoters requires the synthesis of a longer nascent RNA transcript than does formation of such complexes at the class III promoters. A comparison of the nucleotide sequences of several class II and class III promoters suggests certain features that may be responsible for the different responses of these promoters to helix destabilization. The conservation of structural features that are peculiar to the class II or class III promoters indicates that these features are important in regulation of T7 transcription in vivo. Experiments which bear on the physiological significance of these features are discussed.
Materials analysis of marble from the Parthenon

Abstract Marble specimens from one of the world's most beautiful and famous structures—the Parthenon, on the Acropolis of Athens—have been studied to discover why foundation blocks and column drums have fused together over time. No mortar was used in the original construction, but the stone surfaces were ground smooth. Possible mechanisms for this fusion include plastic deformation of individual calcite grains by dislocation glide, diffusional creep, grain boundary migration, and water transport and redeposition of ions. The investigation utilized light microscopy of thin sections, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy of fracture surfaces and microindentation hardness evaluation. A comparison was made of this Pentelic marble with another classical Greek material, marble from the island of Thassos.
Androgenetic rainbow trout produced using sperm from tetraploid males show improved survival

Abstract Androgenesis is a technique which involves the production of individual with all their chromosomes from the male parent. It can be useful in generating homozygous lines of fish and in the recovery of genotypes from cryopreserved sperm. However, the survival of androgenetic diploid fish is typically very low; this may be due to the homozygosity of these individuals or to the treatments (egg irradiation, suppression of first cleavage) used in generating them. In this study, we produced androgenetic diploid rainbow trout using (1) normal (haploid) sperm and suppression of the first cleavage, and (2) sperm from tetraploid males. Survival of the androgenetic diploids generated using sperm from tetraploid males was much better than that of androgenetic diploids produced using haploid sperm, suggesting that egg irradiation is not an overwhelming problem in androgenesis and that cleavage suppression treatments and/or homozygosity may be responsible for their poor viability. We also generated viable androgenetic diploids using cryopreserved sperm from tetraploid males; this technique may be useful for gene banking.
Quantum dot nanophotonics - from waveguiding to integration

Due to its unique optoelectronic properties, the quantum dot (QD) has become a promising material for realizing photonic components and devices with high quantum efficiencies. Quantum dots in colloidal form can have their surfaces modified with various molecules, which enables new fabrication process utilizing molecular self-assembly and can result in new QD photonic device structures in nano-scale. In this review paper, we describe our work on QD waveguides for sub-diffraction limit waveguiding that utilizies near-field optical coupling between QDs, nano-scale QD photodetectors with nanogaps for sensing with high spatial resolution and sensitivity, as well as integration of these two nanophotonic components. The QD waveguide achieved a transmission loss of 3 dB/4 Pm, which is lower than the experimental results from other sub-diffraction limit waveguides that have been reported. It also demonstrated a comparable waveguiding effect through a waveguide with a sharp bend. The QD photodetector showed a sensitivity of 60 pW over a device with a nano- gap of 25 nm for detection. The compatibility between the fabrication processes for these two components with colloidal QDs allows integration of them through self-assembly fabrications.
Nonarchimedean Cantor set and string

We construct a nonarchimedean (or p-adic) analogue of the classical ternary Cantor set \({\mathcal{C}}\). In particular, we show that this nonarchimedean Cantor set \({\mathcal{C}}_3\) is self-similar. Furthermore, we characterize \({\mathcal{C}}_3\) as the subset of 3-adic integers whose elements contain only 0’s and 2’s in their 3-adic expansions and prove that \({\mathcal{C}}_3\) is naturally homeomorphic to \({\mathcal{C}}\). Finally, from the point of view of the theory of fractal strings and their complex fractal dimensions [7, 8], the corresponding nonarchimedean Cantor string resembles the standard archimedean (or real) Cantor string perfectly.
A Multistage Approach to Improve Performance of Computer-Aided Detection of Pulmonary Embolisms Depicted on CT Images: Preliminary Investigation

This study developed a computer-aided detection (CAD) scheme for pulmonary embolism (PE) detection and investigated several approaches to improve CAD performance. In the study, 20 computed tomography examinations with various lung diseases were selected, which include 44 verified PE lesions. The proposed CAD scheme consists of five basic steps: 1) lung segmentation; 2) PE candidate extraction using an intensity mask and tobogganing region growing; 3) PE candidate feature extraction; 4) false-positive (FP) reduction using an artificial neural network (ANN); and 5) a multifeature-based k-nearest neighbor for positive/negative classification. In this study, we also investigated the following additional methods to improve CAD performance: 1) grouping 2-D detected features into a single 3-D object; 2) selecting features with a genetic algorithm (GA); and 3) limiting the number of allowed suspicious lesions to be cued in one examination. The results showed that 1) CAD scheme using tobogganing, an ANN, and grouping method achieved the maximum detection sensitivity of 79.2%; 2) the maximum scoring method achieved the superior performance over other scoring fusion methods; 3) GA was able to delete “redundant” features and further improve CAD performance; and 4) limiting the maximum number of cued lesions in an examination reduced FP rate by 5.3 times. Combining these approaches, CAD scheme achieved 63.2% detection sensitivity with 18.4 FP lesions per examination. The study suggested that performance of CAD schemes for PE detection depends on many factors that include 1) optimizing the 2-D region grouping and scoring methods; 2) selecting the optimal feature set; and 3) limiting the number of allowed cueing lesions per examination.
Phylogenetics and biogeography of the microendemic rodent Xerospermophilus perotensis (Perote ground squirrel) in the Oriental Basin of Mexico

Phylogenetic relationships of the Mexican endemic and endangered Perote ground squirrel, Xerospermophilus perotensis (Rodentia: Sciuridae), were examined using 2 mitochondrial (cytochrome-b [Cytb] and 12S ribosomal RNA) and 2 nuclear (growth hormone receptor and interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein) genes for a total of 3,403 base pairs. Gene sequences were analyzed using maximum-likelihood and Bayesian models of phylogenetic inference. Independent analyses of the 4 gene sequences converged on essentially identical gene
DJ: A Transparent Java-Integrated Data Access System

Transparent and seamless integration is essential for service-oriented system engineering. This paper targets the integration of data access systems and Java. The access system can service simple data queries or complex transactions. Examples of access systems include accesses to XML databases and language objects. The integration is two-fold: space integration and time integration. Transparent space integration allows new access functions to be added to a Java class when a new access system becomes available, even without the source code of that Java class. Ultimate integration enables an object in the data access system to be accessed as a plain old Java object (pojo). As the industry put more and more computing cores into a single socket, computers are becoming even more powerful. Oftentimes the concurrency control is the bottleneck which prevents data-sharing application software from fully utilizing the available computing power. We provide time integration by adding the concept of concurrency control on the access systems into Java and coordinate the control across Java runtime environment and the access systems. For instance, we integrate the transaction processing in the database and the concurrency control in the Java runtime environment. Thus, our integrated system, called DJ, provides both efficient concurrency control and intuitive programming model via time and space integration, respectively. This paper present the overall DJ system and then focus on the algorithms of two key components, extension methods and concurrency offloading.
Brief Communication: Successful Treatment of Pure Red-Cell Aplasia with an Anti-Interleukin-2 Receptor Antibody (Daclizumab)

Pure red-cell aplasia is an autoimmune disease. The authors treated 15 affected patients with 5 weekly injections of a humanized monoclonal antibody to the interleukin-2 receptor (daclizumab). Six ...
Influence of light and soil moisture on Sierran mixed-conifer understory communities

Sierra Nevada forests have high understory species richness yet we do not know which site factors influence herb and shrub distribution or abundance. We examined the understory of an old-growth mixed-conifer Sierran forest and its distribution in relation to microsite conditions. The forest has high species richness (98 species sampled), most of which are herbs with sparse cover and relatively equal abundance. Shrub cover is highly concentrated in discrete patches. Using overstory tree cover and microsite environmental conditions, four habitats were identified; tree cluster, partial canopy, gap, and rock/shallow soil. Herb and shrub species were strongly linked with habitats. Soil moisture, litter depth and diffuse light were the most significant environmental gradients influencing understory plant distribution. Herb cover was most strongly influenced by soil moisture. Shrub cover is associated with more diffuse light, less direct light, and sites with lower soil moisture. Herb richness is most affected by conditions which influence soil moisture. Richness is positively correlated with litter depth, and negatively correlated with direct light and shrub cover. Disturbance or management practices which change forest floor conditions, shallow soil moisture and direct light are likely to have the strongest effect on Sierran understory abundance and richness.
Hyponatremia in the elderly: etiologies, implications and therapy

Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disturbance seen in the elderly. For the vast majority of patients, the serum sodium is mildly decreased and has been a chronic condition. Most clinicians have viewed mild, chronic hyponatremia in elderly patients as a benign condition of little significance. However, recent studies have clearly demonstrated an association between hyponatremia and increased risk for mortality, falls, gait abnormalities, fractures, osteoporosis and cognitive abnormalities. Furthermore, the availability of a safe, oral medication to treat hyponatremia (the vasopressin receptor type 2 antagonists) will allow for the assessment of whether correction of hyponatremia is associated with improvements in outcomes in elderly patients. This finding could have important public health implications.
Chip-scale physical interconnect models (Tutorial)

Modeling layout-dependent interconnect processing steps is useful to predict integrated circuit design behavior. We illustrate key data and steps in developing etch, electrochemical deposition (ECD), and chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) models in order to predict chip topography. We utilize an interferometer for validation of models for the first time. Such models are useful to select optimal fill algorithms using a novel DOE-based flow as proposed herein.
Parallel distributed detection for wireless sensor networks: performance analysis and design

Parallel distributed detection for wireless sensor networks is studied in this paper. The network consists of a set of local sensors and a fusion center. Each local sensor makes a binary (single-bit) or M-ary (multi-bit) decision and passes it to the fusion center where a final decision is made. The links between the local sensors and the fusion center are subject to fading and additive noise resulting in corruption of the transmitted decisions. We analyze the performance of the decision fusion based on likelihood ratio tests and derive false alarm and detection probabilities. Based on the theoretical probability expressions, we design optimal decision rules for the local sensors and the fusion center. Finally, we illustrate the performance of the parallel fusion by numerical examples
Evaluation of Diet and Dimethylarsinic Acid on the Urothelium of Syrian Golden Hamsters

Few studies have examined the carcinogenicity of chemicals toward the urinary bladder in hamsters, and the effect of diet on hamster urine and urotheliumhasnotbeenreported.Ourlaboratoryrecentlybeganinvestigatingtheeffectsofdimethylarsinicacid(DMA)onthehamsterbladder,andwe noticed subtle urothelial changes even in controls. The possible effect of various diets on hamster urothelium was evaluated by feeding different diets to4-week-oldSyrianGoldenhamstersfor5weeks. ThedietsexaminedwereTekland8656,Purina5002,Purina5L79,andNIH-07.Light microscopic examination showed a slight increase in urothelial hyperplasia in hamsters fed Purina 5L79. An increase in the incidence of urinary bladder necrosis, exfoliation, and mildhyperplasia werenotedby scanningelectron microscopy(SEM) withall dietary preparations except NIH-07. Theconstituents in thedietsproducingtheurothelialalterationsarenotknownatpresent, but NIH-07dietwaschosenforexperimentstoinvestigatetheeffectsofDMA on the hamster bladder epithelium. Male and female 5-week-old Syrian Golden hamsters were fed 100 ppm DMA for 10 weeks. Examination of urinary parameters showed no treatment-related changes. Light microscopic examination and SEM revealed no changes of the urothelium of DMA-treated male or female hamsters.
The role of an endothelial cell lining in limiting distal anastomotic intimal hyperplasia of 4-mm-I.D. Dacron grafts in a canine model.

The effect of an endothelial cell (EC) lining on intimal hyperplasia at the distal anastomosis of Dacron grafts was assessed in a canine model. Enzymatically derived autologous EC were used to seed 14 to 17 cm long, 4 mm I.D., knitted Dacron aortoiliac grafts implanted in an end-to-side manner in six dogs (Group I). Unseeded grafts were similarly implanted in six control dogs (Group II). All animals received acetylsalicylic acid (325 mg po qd) 24 h prior to graft placement and for 2 weeks postoperatively. Distal anastomotic intimal hyperplasia (AIH) and luminal surface EC coverage were quantitated at the conclusion of a 16-week study period. Patency for Group I and Group II grafts were 90% and 55%, respectively (p = 0.07). Maximum AIH, defined as the maximum reduction of luminal cross-sectional area at the distal anastomosis, was not significantly different between Group I (13.1 +/- 8.0%) and Group II (15.1 +/- 7.3%) conduits. However, AIH was inversely related to the extent of luminal EC coverage (r = -0.6, p less than 0.05), thus greater endothelialization was associated with decreased AIH. These data support the idea that EC coverage of the luminal surface of prosthetic vascular grafts may limit the development of AIH.
Behavioral Indexing of Neuroscience Data

A new approach to neuroscience databases, behavioral indexing, is presented, along with a systematic, comprehensive framework for implementing it. Every neuroscience experiment gathers data on the entire subject, not only the brain, and the brain is the behavioral, not only cognitive, organ in humans. All neuroscience data is therefore correlational: data on the neurobiology when the subject is engaging in behavior X. Behavior is a multi-faceted phenomenon that can be formally parameterized. Using the various facets of behavior as formal parameters, we define the dimensions of a space that covers the range of behaviors; specifying values of the behaviors subjects are engaging in while neuroscience data is gathered identifies the location of the data in behavior space. Having this index provides precise specification of the independent variables of the experiment, necessary information for sharing of data and comparison of results, and guides the development of theory, experiment, and interpretation of findings. The example of drug-induced compulsive sexual behavior is used to illustrate the concept and its use.
SAVINGS, REAL BALANCES, INFLATION AND EXPECTATIONS‐FURTHER EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE*

In an earlier paper (Tait and Burnell, 1976), evidence showed that in a period when consumer prices were rising an overwhelming proportion of the sample were aware inflation was happening and expected it to continue in the coming 12 months, at least, at the rate of the previous 12 months. In these conditions, they thought it more important to save (in money and near money assets). Despite their awareness that their savings were falling in value, they still thought it more important to save. They did not try to translate their savings into goods as quickly as possible. Their balances were held mainly in banks. The evidence, therefore, supported the real balance effect and the basic postulate of the quantity theory of money, that there is a tendency toward a stable demand function for money in real terms and that people are prepared to accept the cost, through the rate of idation, of holding these real balances.
Using CN λ 3883 spectroheliograms to map weak photospheric magnetic fields

By photographically averaging time sequences of high-resolution CN 3883-A spectroheliograms, the noise level due to the rapidly fluctuating intensity of the solar background has been reduced significantly. Very faint faculae that are lost in the noise on a single frame are easily visible on such an enhanced picture. A comparison between these enhanced spectroheliograms and a photoelectric magnetogram suggests that the brightness-magnetic field correlation extends to much weaker field strengths and fainter faculae than can be detected on a single, high quality CN spectroheliogram.
Combined optimal design and control of a near isothermal liquid piston air compressor/expander for a compressed air energy storage (CAES) system for wind turbines

The key component of Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) system is an air compressor/expander. The roundtrip efficiency of this energy storage technology depends greatly on the efficiency of the air compressor/expander. There is a trade off between the thermal efficiency and power density of this component. Different ideas and approaches were introduced and studied in the previous works to improve this trade off by enhancing the heat transfer between air and its environment. In the present work, a combination of optimal compression/expansion rate, optimal chamber shape and optimal heat exchanger material distribution in the chamber is considered to maximize the power density of a compression/expansion chamber for a given desired efficiency. Results show that the power density can be improved by more than 20 folds if the optimal combination of flow rate, shape and porosity are used together.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Is the Marx Activity Scale Reliable in Patients Younger Than 18 Years

BACKGROUND: There is no baseline activity scale yet validated in pediatric patients. The Marx and Tegner scales have been validated in adult patients only. The Tegner scale involves questions not pertinent to children, such as their work activity. The Marx scale is simple, and all its questions can be related to athletic activities. HYPOTHESIS: The Marx scale is reliable for use in a pediatric population. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2. METHODS: Patients younger than 18 years were given the Marx activity scale in clinic and again 3 weeks later. The patients were divided into 3 groups, of at least 50 patients each, based on presenting diagnosis: knee injury, lower extremity (non-knee) injury, and upper extremity injury. Test-retest reliability was determined for the overall scores and the individual questions. Differences in scores were also compared based on age (RESULTS: A total of 162 patients (mean age, 14.4 years; range, 8-17 years) were included. The Marx scale had a high intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) overall as well as for each of its 4 questions. Both older and younger patients had ICCs >0.80, though the older group generally had higher scores. The mean score was 13.55 (out of 16), and 50.6% scored the maximum; only 1.9% scored the minimum. Mean scores for the knee, lower extremity, and upper extremity groups were 13.71 (SD, 3.70), 13.22 (SD, 4.18), and 13.68 (SD, 3.33), respectively (P > 0.05). There also was no difference in total score based on age (P = 0.88). CONCLUSION: The Marx activity scale is reliable in patients younger than 18 years with injuries to the knee and lower extremities, though the scale was less reliable in patients younger than 14 years. There is a significant ceiling effect present, which limits its overall usefulness. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although there is no other current substitute, the Marx activity scale is not an ideal measurement of younger patients' baseline activity levels. Language: en
INDUCED HYPOTHERMIA IN DOGS WITH ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION AND SHOCK

Acute myocardial infarction with shock (AMI/S) was produced in 46 anesthetized “closed-chest” dogs by catheter injection of metallic mercury into the circumflex coronary artery. Twenty-four dogs were kept normothermic and 22 were maintained at 32° C. Nine of the latter were rewarmed to 37° C. and the experiments then were terminated, so that true survival time was arbitrarily shortened. Including these dogs, the survival time was three times longer than in the normothermic series (p
Follow the Yellow Brick Road: Structural Optimization of Vibrant Yellow-to-Transmissive Electrochromic Conjugated Polymers

A series of conjugated polymers were designed and synthesized to extract structure–property relationships with the goal of yielding yellow-to-transmissive switching electrochromes. The polymers are based on repeat units of propylenedioxythiophene (ProDOT) in alternation with a variety of arylenes including 1,4-phenylene (ProDOT-Ph), 2,7-fluorene (ProDOT-Fl), 2,7-carbazole (ProDOT-Cbz), 2,5-dimethoxy-1,4-phenylene (ProDOT-Ph(MeO)2), and 2,7-pyrene (ProDOT-Py). Additionally, a random copolymer containing ProDOT and two different arylene units was produced: ProDOT-phenylene-ProDOT-dimethoxyphenylene (R-ProDOT-Ph/Ph(MeO)2) and two polymers with a ProDOT dimer in alternation with pyrene and phenylene composed ProDOT2-pyrene (ProDOT2-Py) and ProDOT2-phenylene (ProDOT2-Ph), respectively. The polymers were synthesized using Suzuki polycondensation. Examinations of the optoelectronic properties via UV–vis–NIR spectroscopy, differential pulse voltammetry, and spectroelectrochemistry show that varying the electron r...
Observation of the clinical effect of laparoscopic treatment of ectopic pregnancy

Objective To analyze the clinical effect of laparoscopic treatment of ectopic pregnancy. Methods Through computer control, 60 cases of ectopic pregnancy patients admitted to the hospital from March 2010 to March 2012 were selected as study objectes. Based on different treatment methods applied, they were divided into experimental group and control group, traditional laparotomy operation and abdominal operation were given to each group. Results Of experimental group, the operation time after treatment was(60.31 ± 9.80)min, significantly shorter than that of the control group, namely(87.20±12.40)min; the ambulation time was(8.41±1.21)h, significantly shorter than that of the control group, namely(22.10±2.51)h; and the intraoperative blood loss was(498.50±25.60) mL, also significantly less than that of the control group, namely(626.40±88.80)mL. All these showed great statistical significance(P 0.05). Experimental group had anapparent complications(P 0.05).Conclusion Laparoscopic treatment for ectopic pregnancy is safe and reliable, with low postoperative complications, which is thus worthy of extensive promotion and application in clinical practice.
Conclusions: Citizens and Political Activism in France

The study of political participation across areas and periods has yet to be completed. Overall, researchers have been able to achieve important conclusions on the main factors leading to citizens’ political activism. Whether the research prefers to focus on a specific context or on the motives behind political commitment, it remains clear that individuals are brought into the political arena with a pre-determined disposition to be active. The on-going interaction of socio-demographic factors with levels and styles of political action has shown that a parsimonious political action equation cannot fully account for the possibility of political involvement. More precisely, the context of political action may not be the most important element in assessing whether a person will be a strong participant. To predict citizen activism, the French situation suggests that an individual’s socio-demographic characteristics can be as relevant as a person’s social and political integration. Whereas Tocqueville emphasized the social integration element over the individual’s features, this study has balanced the relevance of both aspects fostering political involvement.
If nearly all Airbnb reviews are positive, does that make them meaningless?

Peer-to-peer business models rely on interpersonal communication for their success. In this article, we focus on Airbnb – an exemplar of the so-called ‘sharing economy’ – and more specifically, on ...