cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Organic Farming: The Return to Nature

Organic farming is a modern and a sustainable form of agriculture that provides consumers fresh natural farm products. Organic farming works in synchronization with nature rather than against it. This objective is achieved by using techniques to improve crop yields without harming the natural environment as well as the people who live and work in it. Organic agriculture offers an exclusive amalgamation of environment-friendly practices, which require low external inputs, thereby contributing to increased food availability. Organic farming has a very positive influence especially on birds, insects, weeds, wildlife, and soil flora and fauna. Conventional farming is capital intensive, which requires more manufactured inputs and energy as compared to knowledge- and labor-intensive organic farming. Organic agriculture uses energy more competently than conventional agriculture. As compared to conventional agriculture, organic farming produces cost-effective food products, free of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides . It also provides employment opportunities and economic benefits to local communities. The methods utilized in organic farming are more costly and labor intensive, but prove to be more cost effective in the long run. Since organic agriculture supplies more greenhouse gases in the soil, the farmers across the globe can solve the climate disaster by switching to organic methods. In addition, organic agriculture has the potential to address food security issues. Enough evidence is available to prove that organic crops are a better source of nutrients than their corresponding conventional forms. Organic systems give higher animal immunity and increased disease resistance to plants, with 50 % less mycotoxins in crops and a persistent shelf life. Organic foods have more plant secondary metabolites, higher micronutrient content, and more conjugated fatty acids for better human health, including lower incidences of noncommunicable diseases. Organic agriculture merges modernism, custom, and science to manage the shared surroundings encouraging fair relationship and high quality of life for everyone involved.
Conformational Stability, Structural Parameters, Vibrational Frequencies, and Raman and Infrared Intensities of Allylsilane

The Raman spectra (3500 to 30 cm−1) of allylsilane, CH2CHCH2SiH3, in the liquid with quantitative depolarization ratios and solid states and the infrared spectra (3500 to 30 cm−1) of the gas and solid have been recorded. Similar data have also been recorded for the Si-d3 isotopomer. Additionally, the mid-infrared spectra of the normal sample dissolved in liquified xenon as a function of temperature (−100 to −50°C) have been recorded. All these data indicate there is a single conformer, the gauche rotamer, in all three physical states. Utilizing the Si-H stretching frequencies from the infrared spectrum of the gaseous CH2CHCH2SiD2H isotopomer, the three Si-H bond distances (r 0) are calculated to be 1.484 A for the gauche conformer. The other r 0 parameters are estimated from the previously reported rotational constants. The fundamental frequencies for the asymmetric (78 cm−1) and SiH3 (137 cm−1) torsions were obtained from sum and difference bands with the SiH3 stretches. From the SiH3 torsional frequency the barrier to internal rotation is calculated to have a value of 731 cm−1 (8.74 kJ/mol). The optimized geometries, conformational stabilities, harmonic force fields, infrared intensities, Raman activities, depolarization ratios, and vibrational frequencies have been obtained from RHF/6-31G* and/or MP2/6-31G* ab initio calculations. These quantities are compared to the corresponding experimental quantities when appropriate as well as with some corresponding results for some similar molecules.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE ROLE OF A HUMORAL PATHWAY IN EXERCISE HYPERPNEA

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the role of a humoral pathway in exercise hyperpnea. Three types of experimental preparations were used in the study described in the chapter: (1) spinal-transected (ST) dogs, (2) peripheral chemodenervated and vagotomized spinal-transected (PCVST) dogs, and (3) head-perfused and vagotomized spinal-transected (HPVST) dogs. ST dogs were used to explore the role of humoral factors in eliciting the increased ventilation of muscular exercise. PCVST dogs were used to evaluate the possibility that exercise-induced humoral factors can stimulate ventilation independent of their effect on the carotid and aortic bodies. HPVST dogs were used to test the hypothesis that extracranial receptors mediate increases in ventilation elicited by exercise-induced humoral factors. Anesthesia was induced in all dogs with methoxyflurane and was maintained by the intravenous administration of chloralose. In each animal, the spinal cord was completely transected at the level of the second lumbar vertebra. It was observed that muscular exercise elicited increases in VO2 and increases in VE in all animals. The PCVST animals utilized in the lactic acid infusion experiments did not statistically exhibit significant differences from those utilized in the muscular exercise experiments.
Childhood gun socialization among college-educated youth: Shaping adult attitudes

Abstract This study examines childhood gun socialization and its effect on adulthood gun-related attitudes. The study addresses age of initial gun exposure, sources of initial gun exposure (i.e. parents, siblings, peers), as well as perceptions of firearm experiences during childhood. Data were collected from 298 college students via a 95-item web survey. Findings indicated that an earlier age of first exposure to firearms, as well as gun exposure stemming from a peer, were associated with more pro-gun attitudes during adulthood. Observation of peer gun use was associated with inconsistency of gun attitudes over time. Firearm injury of oneself, a close friend, or family member was also associated with inconsistency over time.
A probabilistic automated tagger to identify human-related publications.

The Medical Subject Heading ‘Humans’ is manually curated and indicates human-related studies within MEDLINE. However, newly published MEDLINE articles may take months to be indexed and non-MEDLINE articles lack consistent, transparent indexing of this feature. Therefore, for up to date and broad literature searches, there is a need for an independent automated system to identify whether a given publication is human-related, particularly when they lack Medical Subject Headings. One million MEDLINE records published in 1987–2014 were randomly selected. Text-based features from the title, abstract, author name and journal fields were extracted. A linear support vector machine was trained to estimate the probability that a given article should be indexed as Humans and was evaluated on records from 2015 to 2016. Overall accuracy was high: area under the receiver operating curve = 0.976, F1 = 95% relative to MeSH indexing. Manual review of cases of extreme disagreement with MEDLINE showed 73.5% agreement with the automated prediction. We have tagged all articles indexed in PubMed with predictive scores and have made the information publicly available at http://arrowsmith.psych.uic.edu/evidence_based_medicine/index.html. We have also made available a web-based interface to allow users to obtain predictive scores for non-MEDLINE articles. This will assist in the triage of clinical evidence for writing systematic reviews.
Psychological and Psychiatric Consequences of Sedatives, Hypnotics, and Anxiolytics

The use of substances to induce sedation has a long history, even when alcohol is not considered. As early as the mid 19th century, production of agents designed for this purpose began with the introduction of bromide. Paraldehyde, chloral hydrate, urethan, and sulfonyl were also introduced prior to the beginning of the 20th century. Barbiturates dominated the early part of this century after their introduction in 1903, and up to 50 compounds in this class were eventually brought to market (Allgulander, 1986; Janicak, Davis, Preskorn, & Ayd, 1993). The benzodiazepines became available in the 1960s and their use and popularity grew steadily over the next 20 years. The benzodiazepines have now largely replaced barbiturates and other sedatives introduced around mid-century, such as methaqualone, meprobamate, ethchlorvynol, and glutethimide, for most therapeutic uses (Rosenbaum & Gelenburg, 1991; Smith & Seymour, 1991; Sternbach, 1993). This has been due largely to their relative safety (high lethal-therapeutic ratio) and an initial perception that they had a lower potential for misuse and physical dependence. It gradually became clear, however, that a dependence syndrome can be produced in some individuals within a short period of time. As these medications have been prescribed more liberally, there has been significant public concern about their level of use and misuse in society (Lader, 1991; Smith & Seymour, 1991).
Linear theory of instabilities generated by an electron beam in a metamaterial-loaded waveguide

We present the linear theory of the starting current of Cherenkov-cyclotron and Cherenkov instabilities generated by an electron beam passing through a metamaterial-loaded waveguide. Effective medium theory is used to represent the metamaterial structure properties. The theory predicts that the instabilities compete with the Cherenkov-cyclotron mode dominating at a lower magnetic field and the Cherenkov instability at a higher magnetic field. The theoretical results are compared to results from recent experiments at MIT using a 490 kV, 84 A electron beam in magnetic fields of 300 G to 1500 G. For an effective medium model fitted to the MIT experimental parameters, theory predicts that the Cherenkov-cyclotron mode will dominate below 780 G and the Cherenkov mode above 780 G, in good agreement with experimental observations of switching between these modes at 750 G. The analytical theory allows a better understanding of the mode competition and the dependence of the instabilities on key parameters such as voltage, current, and magnetic fields.
Blockchain Tradeoffs and Challenges for Current and Emerging Applications: Generalization, Fragmentation, Sidechains, and Scalability

Current blockchains often are designed with one use case in mind, such as currency transfer in Bitcoin or record storage in Namecoin. While application-specific blockchains are powerful tools for fulfilling their niche use cases, there are blockchains like Ethereum that have a set of use cases comprising a superset of the use cases of many blockchains. These generalized blockchains are powerful tools for extending decentralization to new use cases without designing entirely new blockchains. This paper considers tradeoffs in the design and implementation of blockchain systems that intend to deliver general functionality and examines various current and Merged-mining, fragmentation, the network effect, scalability, and generalized blockchain approaches are all considered and put into context. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano, and Rootstock are considered in various aspects of the current limitations, and potential future solutions to problems noted. This paper weighs the chances of success of various generalized blockchain paradigms, including the network effect scalability and potential client-side use. We conclude that the network effect likely favors a Bitcoin/sidechain solution while scalability favors a direct Ethereum solution. The likelihood of success of mainstream adoption of any single decentralized application appears to favor an Ethereum solution.
Case Studies on Upgradable Engineering Design as a Powerful Tool for Air Force Industry

This essay demonstrates several case studies of Corporation Alpha's maintainability engineering group, which in turn offers evidence on the pivotal impact of upgradable engineering in air force. The application of these cases are used to collect both quantitative and qualitative data on the policies and processes involved in an aerospace system manufacturer's efforts to develop US Air Force fighter engines. Besides, further analysis has been proposed to emphasize efforts that the manufacturer implemented to design systems for maintainability and upgradability. In the future, research of the collected information is required for more detailed investigation.
Visual search asymmetry depends on target-distractor feature similarity: Is the asymmetry simply a result of distractor rejection speed?

In the original version of the published article the stimuli in Table 2 and Figure 2 were displayed incorrectly.
Feasibility of text messaging to augment brief advice and nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation in college students

AbstractObjective: To test the feasibility of a university health center-delivered smoking cessation intervention that adds a 6–week course of text messaging to brief advice and nicotine patch ther...
Liberating the Mind: Rastafari and the Theorization of Maroonage as Epistemological (Dis) engagement:

This article explores the concept of maroonage (other spellings “maronage,” “marronnage,” and “marronage”) as a process of epistemological engagement and disengagement using the way in which the Ra...
The impact of mandatory energy audits on building energy use

Cities are increasingly adopting energy policies that reduce information asymmetries and knowledge gaps through data transparency, including energy disclosure and mandatory audit requirements for existing buildings. Although such audits impose non-trivial costs on building owners, their energy use impacts have not been empirically evaluated. Here we examine the effect of a large-scale mandatory audit policy—New York City’s Local Law 87—on building energy use, using detailed audit and energy data between 2011 and 2016 for approximately 4,000 buildings. This specific policy context, in which the compliance year is randomly assigned, provides a unique opportunity to explore the audit effect without the self-selection bias found in studies of voluntary audit policies. We find energy use reductions of approximately –2.5% for multifamily residential buildings and –4.9% for office buildings. The results suggest that mandatory audits, by themselves, create an insufficient incentive to invest in energy efficiency at the scale needed to meet citywide carbon-reduction goals. Although more cities are considering mandatory building energy audits, their effect on energy use in buildings is not clear. Using data from New York, Kontokosta et al. estimate the extent to which Local Law 87 mandating building energy audits has contributed to a decrease in energy use.
Severity and Case Fatality Rates of COVID-19: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and an Exploratory Meta-Regression of Risk Factors

Background: Estimating the prevalence of severe or critical illness and case fatality of COVID-19 outbreak in December, 2019 remains a challenge due to biases a
Improving Medium Access Efficiency With Intelligent Spectrum Learning

Through machine learning, this paper changes the fundamental assumption of the traditional medium access control (MAC) layer design. It obtains the capability of retrieving the information even the packets collide by training a deep neural network offline with the historical radio frequency (RF) traces and inferring the STAs involved collisions online in near-real-time. Specifically, we propose a MAC protocol based on intelligent spectrum learning for the future wireless local area networks (WLANs), called SL-MAC. In the proposed MAC, an access point (AP) is installed with a pre-trained convolutional neural network (CNN) model to identify the stations (STAs) involved in the collisions. In contrast to the conventional contention-based random medium access methods, e.g., IEEE 802.11 distributed coordination function (DCF), the proposed SL-MAC protocol seeks to schedule data transmissions from the STAs suffering from the collisions. To achieve this goal, we develop a two-step offline training algorithm enabling the AP to sense the spectrum with the aid of the CNN. In particular, on receiving the overlapped signal(s), the AP firstly predicts the number of STAs involving collisions and then further identifies the STAs’ ID. Furthermore, we analyze the upper bound of throughput gain brought by the CNN predictor and investigate the impact of the inference error on the achieved throughput. Extensive simulations show the superiority of the proposed SL-MAC and allow us to gain insights on the trade-off between performance gain and the inference accuracy.
Protein hyperacylation links mitochondrial dysfunction with nuclear organization

Summary Cellular metabolism is linked to epigenetics, but the biophysical effects of metabolism on chromatin structure and implications for gene regulation remain largely unknown. Here, using a broken tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and disrupted electron transport chain (ETC) exemplified by succinate dehydrogenase subunit C (SDHC) deficiency, we investigated the effects of metabolism on chromatin architecture over multiple distance scales [nucleosomes (∼102 bp), topologically-associated domains (TADs; ∼105 – 106 bp), and chromatin compartments (106 – 108 bp)]. Metabolically-driven hyperacylation of histones led to weakened nucleosome positioning in multiple types of chromatin, and we further demonstrate that lysine acylation directly destabilizes histone octamer-DNA interactions. Hyperacylation of cohesin subunits correlated with decreased mobility on interphase chromatin and increased TAD boundary strength, suggesting that cohesin is metabolically regulated. Erosion of chromatin compartment distinctions reveals metabolic regulation of chromatin liquid-liquid phase separation. The TCA cycle and ETC thus modulate chromatin structure over multiple distance scales.
Graphs in which every c edges that form a tree are chords of a common cycle

Consider the k-connected graphs G in which every c ≥ 1 edges that form a particular type of induced subgraph must all be chords of a common cycle of G. Extending a few known partial results with k ...
Conventional breeding of insect-resistant crop plants: still the best way to feed the world population

Insect-resistant crops feed much of the world, using reduced carbon inputs and providing much greater economic returns on investment. Newer, more efficient efforts are urgently needed to speed development of insect-resistant plants before a projected 30% global population increase. Plant resistance researchers must employ genotyping by sequencing and high-throughput phenotyping to identify, map and track resistance genes. In contrast to maize, rice, vegetables and wheat, limited progress has occurred to develop meaningful levels of pest resistance in cassava, cowpea and pigeonpea - major sources of nutrition for nearly 1 billion people. A knowledge void exists about the effects of climate change (elevated CO2) on resistant plants, necessitating efforts to understand this stress. Collaborations with social scientists, extension specialists, economists, spatiotemporal modelers, ecologists, and virologists will be required to develop better ways to integrate insect resistant plants into integrated crop pest management programs.
Decadal variability modulates trends in concurrent heat and drought over global croplands

Extreme heat and drought often reduce the yields of important food crops around the world, putting stress on regional and global food security. The probability of concurrently hot and dry conditions, which can have compounding impacts on crops, has already increased in many regions of the globe. The evolution of these trends in coming decades could have important impacts on global food security. However, regional variation and the influence of natural climate variability on these trends remains an important gap in understanding future climate risk to crops. In this study, we examine trends in concurrent hot-and-dry extremes over global maize and wheat croplands since 1950. We find that the mean extent of cropland in a joint hot-and-dry extreme increased by ~2% over 1950-2009, and this trend has accelerated substantially since the mid-2000s, notably in the tropics. While joint hot-and-dry seasons affected at most 1-2% of global cropland per year during the mid-20th century, they regularly exceeded this extent after about 1980, affecting up to 5% of global crop area. These results suggest that the global climate is transitioning from one in which concurrent heat and drought occur rarely to one in which they occur over an important fraction of croplands every year. While these long-term global trends are primarily attributable to anthropogenic climate change, we find they have been suppressed by decadal climate variability in some regions, especially ones with chronic food insecurity. Potential reversals in these tendencies of decadal variability would accelerate exposure of croplands to concurrent heat and drought in coming decades. We conclude by highlighting the need for research and adaptive interventions around multivariate hazards to global crops across timescales.
Voices of the new generation: open science is good for science (and for you).

In the race to publish papers and secure funding, science can sometimes seem like a competition. But, in reality, modern science relies on open sharing and collaboration. One unexpected aspect of open science is the role it has played in uplifting the careers of myself and my lab members. Drawing from his personal experience, Neville Sanjana highlights how open science benefits academic careers.
Thermal performance of U-shaped and L-shaped heat pipes

A comprehensive three-dimensional numerical model is developed to evaluate the effects of bending on the performance of both low temperature and high temperature heat pipes. The model solves for wa...
Novel putative polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic degrading enzymes from the environmental metagenome

Several plastic degrading enzymes have been described in the literature, most notably PETases that are capable of hydrolyzing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. One of them, the PETase from Ideonella sakaiensis, a bacterium isolated from environmental samples within a PET bottle recycling site, was a subject of extensive studies. To test how widespread PETase functionality is in other bacterial communities, we used a cascade of BLAST searches in the JGI metagenomic datasets and showed that close homologs of I. sakaiensis PETase can also be found in other metagenomic environmental samples from both human-affected and relatively pristine sites. To confirm their classification as putative PETases, we verified that the newly identified proteins have the PETase sequence signatures common to known PETases and that phylogenetic analyses group them with the experimentally characterized PETases. Additionally, docking analysis was performed in order to further confirm the functional assignment of the putative environmental PETases.
Genetic analysis of absolute growth measurements, relative growth rate and restricted selection indices in Red Angus cattle.

Performance records on 41,184 Red Angus cattle were analyzed and estimates of parameters calculated for absolute growth rate, relative growth rate and restricted selection indices. Heritability estimates for birth weight, 205-d weight, 365-d weight and postweaning gain were .46 +/- .02, .39 +/- .02, .40 +/- .02 and .36 +/- .02, respectively. Heritability estimates for preweaning, postweaning and postnatal relative growth rates were identical (.33 +/- .02). Heritability estimates for restricted selection indices were .31 +/- .02, .33 +/- .02 and .31 +/- .02 for weaning index, yearling index and postweaning index, respectively. The genetic correlation between preweaning and postweaning absolute growth rate was .15. The genetic correlation between consecutive measurements of relative growth rate (RGR) was -.33. Genetic correlations of birth weight with preweaning RGR and postnatal RGR were -.68 and -.71, respectively. Correlations among measures of relative growth rate using simulated data were similar to correlations of actual data, indicating that these relationships are the result of numerator/denominator relationships and not biological causes. The genetic correlation between weaning and postweaning indices was near zero. Small genetic coefficients of variation for preweaning and postnatal relative growth rates indicate further problems with the expression of growth in this manner. Restricted selection indices exhibited much larger genetic coefficients of variation than measurements of RGR. Genetic standard deviations were 7.8%, 7.2% and 13.7% of the means for weaning, yearling and postweaning indices, respectively.
Spinal cord stimulation: a review of the safety literature and proposal for perioperative evaluation and management.

Abstract Background context There is currently no consensus on appropriate perioperative management of patients with spinal cord stimulator implants. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered safe under strict labeling conditions. Electrocautery is generally not recommended in these patients but sometimes used despite known risks. Purpose The aim was to discuss the perioperative evaluation and management of patients with spinal cord stimulator implants. Study design A literature review, summary of device labeling, and editorial were performed, regarding the safety of spinal cord stimulator devices in the perioperative setting. Methods A literature review was performed, and the labeling of each Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved spinal cord stimulation system was reviewed. The literature review was performed using PubMed and the FDA website (www.fda.gov). Results Magnetic resonance imaging safety recommendations vary between the models. Certain systems allow for MRI of the brain to be performed, and only one system allows for MRI of the body to be performed, both under strict labeling conditions. Before an MRI is performed, it is imperative to ascertain that the system is intact, without any lead breaks or low impedances, as these can result in heating of the spinal cord stimulation (SCS) and injury to the patient. Monopolar electrocautery is generally not recommended for patients with SCS; however, in some circumstances, it is used when deemed required by the surgeon. When cautery is necessary, bipolar electrocautery is recommended. Modern electrocautery units are to be used with caution as there remains a risk of thermal injury to the tissue in contact with the SCS. As with MRI, electrocautery usage in patients with SCS systems with suspected breaks or abnormal impedances is unsafe and may cause injury to the patient. Conclusions Spinal cord stimulation is increasingly used in patients with pain of spinal origin, particularly to manage postlaminectomy syndrome. Knowledge of the safety concerns of SCS and appropriate perioperative evaluation and management of the SCS system can reduce risks and improve surgical planning.
Modelling and parameter estimation of power transformers for the study of high frequency system transients

A multistage transformer model for high-frequency transient operation is established, and its time-domain and frequency-domain mathematical formulations are given. Techniques to estimate the equivalent circuit parameters are introduced based on their mathematical formulation. The emphasis is on the identification of the parameters through the instrumental variable method in time domain and the maximum neighborhood method in frequency domain. Detailed models are formulated for the estimation. The estimation results for the single-stage lumped parameter model are given. >
“Our Ancestors Were Material Scientists” Archaeological and Geochemical Evidence for Indigenous Yoruba Glass Technology

The quest for a comprehensive understanding of Africa’s indigenous technology has been an important intellectual agenda in Black Studies. In some instances this interest has tended to be speculative and derivative because most Black Studies scholars are not trained in the disciplinary fields that are relevant for investigating Africa’s indigenous technology through primary field and laboratory research. Collaboration between Black Studies scholars and those in the physical sciences is therefore important in order to develop new insights into Africa’s indigenous technology. One of such collaborations has led to a new archaeological and geochemical evidence for primary glass manufacture in Yorubaland. Based on the recent archaeological finds of glass artifacts from Osun Grove (Osogbo, Nigeria), we present the laboratory data that lead us to the conclusion that the Yoruba of West Africa developed a unique glassmaking technology that lasted till the seventeenth century.
Embedding a point-to-point network in the expansion of infrastructure for information systems

Long-term evolution of management information systems toward distributed processing, accompanied of late by the development of inter-organizational systems, has posed increasing demands on the netw...
Abstract 18740: Influence of Oral Progesterone Administration on QT Interval Response to Ikr Inhibition

Introduction: Evidence from pre-clinical and human studies suggests that higher serum progesterone concentrations may be protective against drug-induced QT interval lengthening. Hypothesis: Oral progesterone administration attenuates QT interval response to I Kr inhibition. Methods: In this prospective, double-blind, crossover study, 15 healthy female volunteers ages 21-40 years were randomized to receive progesterone 400 mg or matching placebo orally once daily for 7 days timed to the menses phase of the menstrual cycle (between-phase washout period = 52 days). On day 7, a low dose of ibutilide (0.003 mg/kg) was infused over 10 minutes, after which QT intervals were recorded and blood samples serially collected for 12 hours post-infusion. Prior to the treatment phases, subjects underwent ECG monitoring for 12 hours to calculate individualized heart rate-corrected QT intervals (QT c I). Results: There was no significant difference in maximum serum ibutilide concentrations between the progesterone and placebo phases. (1291±910 vs 1328±718 pg/mL, p=0.87). ECG data are reported from lead II; results are similar from leads V 1 and V 5 . There was no significant difference in pre-ibutilide QT c I between the progesterone and placebo phases (Table). Maximum ibutilide-associated QT c I, maximum % change in QT c I, and % change in area under the effect (QT c I) curve during the first hour following ibutilide administration (AUEC 0-1 , s-hr) were significantly lower during the progesterone phase. Progesterone-associated adverse effects were mild, predominantly fatigue/general malaise. Ibutilide-associated adverse effects during the progesterone and placebo phases included bradycardia [3/15 (20%) vs 2/15 (13%)], burning at infusion site [1/15 (7%) vs 1/15 (7%)], and transient ( c > 500 ms [0/15 vs 1/15 (7%). Conclusions: Oral progesterone administration attenuates QT c I lengthening associated with I Kr inhibition
Effects of Electrical Shorts on Cryostatic Stable Superconducting Magnets

Turn-to-turn electrical shorts in a superconducting magnet can occur during coil winding or coil assembly under compression. Shorts may also appear due to additional magnetic pressure during energizing of the magnet. During the fabrication of the U. S. Superconducting Magnet System for the bypass loop of the U-25 MHD facility [1], a short was detected in the inner layer at the high-field region.
Acquisition of nonspecific Bartonella strains by the northern grasshopper mouse (Onychomys leucogaster).

Rodent-associated Bartonella species are generally host-specific parasites in North America. Here evidence that Bartonella species can ‘jump’ between host species is presented. Northern grasshopper mice and other rodents were trapped in the western USA. A study of Bartonella infection in grasshopper mice demonstrated a high prevalence that varied from 25% to 90% by location. Bartonella infection was detected in other rodent species with a high prevalence as well. Sequence analyses of gltA identified 29 Bartonella variants in rodents, 10 of which were obtained from grasshopper mice. Among these 10, only six variants were specific to grasshopper mice, whereas four were identical to variants specific to deer mice or 13-lined ground squirrels. Fourteen of 90 sequenced isolates obtained from grasshopper mice were strains found more commonly in other rodent species and were apparently acquired from these animals. The ecological behavior of grasshopper mice may explain the occurrence of Bartonella strains in occasional hosts. The observed rate at which Bartonella jumps from a donor host species to the grasshopper mouse was directly proportional to a metric of donor host density and to the prevalence of Bartonella in the donor host, and inversely proportional to the same parameters for the grasshopper mouse.
Relative humidity recorded in tree rings: A study along a precipitation gradient in the Olympic Mountains, Washington, USA

Abstract Humidity is one of the fundamental variables controlling the energy balance of the climate, and thus its reconstruction represents a significant aspect of paleoclimate studies. We here report a study of oxygen and hydrogen isotopic compositions of tree-ring cellulose along a precipitation gradient in the Olympic Mountains of Washington, USA, to examine whether and how the relative humidity is recorded in the cellulose. According to the physically-based model described in this paper, the relationship between δD and δ18O of cellulose should have the same slope as that in the relationship between δD and δ18O in the source water (∼8.8 for the local meteoric water) if there is no systematic variation in the mean relative humidity among study sites and no physiologic differences among trees. However, our isotopic analyses of cellulose yielded a slope of 17.4, significantly greater than the slope of the Local Meteoric Water Line. We show that to produce such a slope, a positive covariation between the relative humidity and the δD and δ18O in the source water is required across the precipitation gradient. This work suggests that the δD vs. δ18O relationship in tree rings can be a useful tool for paleohumidity reconstruction.
Opioid Receptor Blockade Throughout Prenatal Life Confers Long-Term Insensitivity to Morphine and Alters μ Opioid Receptors

The influence of maternal opioid receptor blockade (50 mg/kg naltrexone, NTX) or saline (controls) throughout pregnancy on nociception and brain opioid receptor characteristics of rat offspring were examined; all animals were crossfostered to untreated mothers at birth. At 21 and 30 days, NTX-exposed pups weighed 8.2-24.3% more than controls, but both NTX and control groups were of similar body weights at 48, 60, and 80 days. Rats in the NTX and control groups displayed comparable baseline reactions to the hotplate. Morphine challenge tests and nociceptive measures revealed that NTX-subjected offspring examined at 21, 30, 48, and 60 days did not react to dosages that invoked 42-132% decreases from baseline levels in controls. Animals exposed prenatally to NTX were analgesic when injected with the opioid butorphanol or the nonopioid xylazine. The binding affinity (Kd) and capacity (Bmax) of delta and kappa opioid receptors were similar in NTX and control groups at 21 and 80 days. However, the Bmax, but not the Kd, of mu opioid receptors was subnormal in NTX offspring by about 20% in contrast to control rats at 21 and 80 days. The results imply that the interactions of some endogenous opioids with opioid receptors during development are determinants of certain aspects of pain sensitivity as well as the density of particular opioid receptors in the postnatal period.
Hospital and long-term outcome after tracheostomy for respiratory failure.

Objective To determine the patient characteristics, hospital course, hospital cost, posthospital survival, and functional outcome in a group of patients with tracheostomy for respiratory failure. Design Retrospective chart review combined with prospective evaluation of functional status. Setting An urban, tertiary-care medical center. Patients Adult patients with tracheostomy for respiratory failure between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2000. Methods Retrospective chart review and prospective administration of the Short Form-36 (SF-36) for health status outcome. Results Four hundred twenty-nine patients were studied. Hospital mortality was 19%. Only 57% of survivors were liberated from mechanical ventilation. At 100 days, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after discharge, 24%, 30%, 36%, and 42% of hospital survivors had died, respectively. Patients liberated from mechanical ventilation and having their tracheostomy tubes decannulated had the lowest mortality (8% at 1 year); the mortality of ventilator-dependent patients was highest (57%). Sixty-six patients completed the SF-36 for functional status. While emotional health was generally good, physical function was quite limited. Median hospital direct variable cost was $29,340. Conclusion Overall survival and functional status are poor in patients with tracheostomy for respiratory failure. Patients who are liberated from mechanical ventilation and have their tracheostomy tubes removed have the best survival; however, it comes at a higher hospital cost and longer length of stay.
Formation of Sb2Te3 Widmanstätten precipitates in thermoelectric PbTe

Unidirectional solidification experiments have been performed with a thermoelectric alloy with a starting composition of Pb_(10.5)Sb_(31.6)Te_(57.9) in the pseudobinary PbTe–Sb_2Te_3 system. The bottom of the resulting rod consists of PbTe phase with Widmanstatten precipitates of Sb_2Te_3. The precipitation is due to a decrease in the solubility of Sb_2Te_3 with temperature: the solubility at 450 °C was determined to be 2.1 ± 0.2 at.% Sb. The average thickness of plates was estimated to be ~100 nm. The spacings between neighboring plates has a distribution in the 200–3000 nm range, peaking around 900 nm. The habit planes of precipitation are of the {111}PbTe family. An orientation relationship of (0001)Sb_2Te_3//{111}PbTe and Sb_2Te_3// PbTe was found with a maximum misorientation of 15°. The Seebeck coefficient after annealing at 450 °C was −50 ± 10 μV °C^−1 at room temperature. To improve the thermoelectric properties, tuning of the carrier concentration would be necessary.
Mistranslation of the genetic code.

During mRNA decoding at the ribosome, deviations from stringent codon identity, or “mistranslation,” are generally deleterious and infrequent. Observations of organisms that decode some codons ambiguously, and the discovery of a compensatory increase in mistranslation frequency to combat environmental stress have changed the way we view “errors” in decoding. Modern tools for the study of the frequency and phenotypic effects of mistranslation can provide quantitative and sensitive measurements of decoding errors that were previously inaccessible. Mistranslation with non-protein amino acids, in particular, is an enticing prospect for new drug therapies and the study of molecular evolution.
Green crab larval retention in Willapa Bay, Washington: an intensive Lagrangian modeling approach

The European green crab (Carcinus maenas) is invasive on the U.S. West Coast. This study uses a high-resolution circulation model to determine the likelihood that green crab larvae spawned in Willapa Bay, Washington could be retained by circulation and behavior long enough to reach maturity and resettle within the bay. A particle-tracking method (the “diffusive Lagrangian return map”) is presented that makes it possible to track the dispersion of hundreds of thousands of model larvae—each subject to three-dimensional advection, vertical turbulent diffusion, and imposed vertical migration behavior—over their full 30–50 days development time with modest computational resources. Larvae spawned in summer show significant retention (5–40%) in the southern and western portions of the bay, including the Stackpole shoals near the mouth, the area most likely to be colonized by late-stage megalopae arriving from the coastal ocean. Larvae spawned in spring show much less retention throughout the bay because of (1) increased flushing caused by increased river input relative to summer conditions and (2) longer development times caused by lower water temperatures. The role of larval swimming behavior is secondary to hydrodynamics in setting these spatial and seasonal patterns of retention.
A prospective long-term study of fibromyalgia syndrome.

Objective. To ascertain the long-term natural history of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Methods. Patients with a history of FMS, seen in an academic rheumatology referral practice, were originally surveyed soon after onset of symptoms, and then were reinterviewed 10 years later in a prospective followup cohort study. A validated telephone survey was administered that inquired into current symptoms, medical care and treatments used, and work disability. The results were compared with the prior surveys. Results. Of the original 39 patients, there were 4 deaths. Of the remaining 35 patients, 29 (83%) were reinterviewed. Mean age at current survey was 55 years, and mean duration of symptoms was 15.8 years. All patients had persistence of some fibromyalgia symptoms, although almost half (48%) had not seen a doctor for them in the last year. Moderate to severe pain or stiffness was reported in 55% of patients; moderate to a lot of sleep difficulty was noted in 48%; and moderate to extreme fatigue was noted in 59%. These symptoms showed little change from earlier surveys. In 79% of patients, medications were still being taken to control FMS symptoms. Despite continuing symptoms, 66% of patients reported that FMS symptoms were a little or a lot better than when first diagnosed. Fifty-five percent of patients said they felt well or very well in terms of FMS symptoms, and only 7% felt they were doing poorly. With the exception of sleep trouble, which was persistent, baseline survey symptoms correlated poorly with symptoms at the 10-year followup. Conclusion. FMS symptoms last, on average, at least 15 years after illness onset. However, most patients experience some improvement in symptoms after FMS onset.
Suspension Culture of Pluripotent Stem Cells: Effect of Shear on Stem Cell Fate

Despite significant promise, the routine usage of suspension cell culture to manufacture stem cell-derived differentiated cells has progressed slowly. Suspension culture is an innovative way of either expanding or differentiating cells and sometimes both are combined into a single bioprocess. Its advantages over static 2D culturing include a homogeneous and controllable culture environment and producing a large quantity of cells in a fraction of time. This feature makes suspension cell culture ideal for use in stem cell research and eventually ideal in the large-scale production of differentiated cells for regenerative medicine. Because of their tremendous differentiation capacities and unlimited growth properties, pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) in particular are considered potential sources for future cell-replacement therapies. Currently, expansion of PSCs is accomplished in 2D, which only permits a limited amount of cell growth per culture flask before cells need to be passaged. However, before stem cells can be applied clinically, several aspects of their expansion, such as directed growth, but also differentiation, need to be better controlled. This review will summarize recent advantages in suspension culture of PSCs, while at the same time highlighting current challenges.
The moderating effect of adherence-promoting interventions with clients on evidence-based practices for children and adolescents with mental health problems.

Poor adherence of children and adolescents to evidence-based psychosocial interventions remains a fundamental impediment to treatment effectiveness. To maintain client adherence, researchers and clinicians have employed a number of adherence-promoting strategies, from telephone calls and letters to providing transportation costs and child care to motivational enhancement therapies. However, the influence of adherence promoters on intervention outcomes has not been reported. This study examined the moderating effect of adherence-promoting strategies in a survey and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials of cognitive behavioral treatments, interpersonal therapy, and psycho-education for children and adolescents with mental health problems (k = 33). Results indicated the type and intensity of adherence promoters' moderated study effect sizes according to client characteristics (age, gender, diagnosis). Preliminary findings suggest that males had higher effect sizes when more intensive adherence-promoting efforts were employed. Adherence-promoting efforts were associated with lower effect sizes for youths who were diagnosed with externalizing disorders. Results of this study suggest directions for future research to clarify clinical guidelines to maximize retention in evidence-based psychotherapy. Language: en
In vivo real-time freehand palpation imaging

Previous experience with laboratory fixtures and off-line processing of elasticity data showed that problems occurring in data acquisition often resulted in poor elasticity image quality. A system for real-time estimation and display of tissue elastic properties using a clinical ultrasonic imaging system has been developed. A brief description of that system and the initial clinical tests of that system are reported. Experience with real-time freehand elasticity imaging shows that images with high contrast-to-noise ratios are consistently obtained. Images of breast lesions were acquired with freehand palpation using standard linear-array ultrasound (US) transducers. Results in volunteer patients show that high-quality elasticity images are easily obtained from in vivo breast studies. The key element to successful scanning is real-time visual feedback of B-mode and strain images that guide the patient positioning and compression direction. Results show that individual images of axial strain in tissues can be quite misleading, and that a "movie loop" of side-by-side B-mode and strain images provides significantly more information. Our preliminary data suggest that the strain image sequences for various breast pathologies are unique. For example, strain images of fibroadenomas lose contrast with increasing precompression, but those of invasive ductal carcinoma have high negative contrast (dark relative to "normal" tissue) for a wide range of precompression. In addition, a comparison of the lesion area measured in B-mode vs. strain images, for a representative image from the sequence, appears to be a sensitive criterion for separating invasive ductal carcinoma from cyst and fibroadenoma.
Surface modification of chlorobutyl rubber by plasma polymerization

Radio frequency (r.f.) plasma polymerization of vinylidene fluoride (CH 2 =CF 2 ) has been used to modify the surface properties of chlorobutyl rubber. FTIR-ATR spectra of the treated rubbers and transmission spectra of plasma polymer films on NaCl windows indicated that as power increased the F/H ratio decreased. SIMS tests supported the FTIR results, and showed that the decrease in the F/H ratio was due to a decrease in the amount of F and an increase in the amount of H in the plasma polymer. Sliding friction measurements showed a reduction in the coefficient of friction (μ) from 3.7 for the untreated rubber to values ranging between 0.4 and 1.9 for the plasma-treated rubbers. There did not appear to be any correlation between the coefficient of friction and plasma power or monomer flow rate, and the average coefficient of friction for the plasma-treated samples was 0.9, which was lower than a commercially used silicone oil treatment (μ = 1.1-1.3 ). Repetitive sliding friction tests showed that the plasma- and silicone oil treated-chlorobutyl rubbers had the similar lubricating lifetimes.