cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of reduced grazing on population density and breeding success of black grouse in northern England

Summary 1 The maintenance or modification of grazing regimes is frequently advocated to deliver conservation targets in pastoral landscapes, but there are few quantitative studies of the effects of grazing on upland birds. This is particularly true with respect to grazing management in agri-environment schemes. 2 Numbers of black grouse Tetrao tetrix and their breeding success were therefore monitored at 20 sites in the north of England from 1996 to 2000. Ten treatment sites included areas where grazing was reduced before and during the study to < 1·1 sheep ha −1 in summer and < 0·5 sheep ha −1 in winter. Each was paired with a reference site that held sheep at two (summer) to three times (winter) the density on the experimental sites. The reduced grazing sites ranged from 0·4 to 3·2 km 2 in size and most were part of existing agreements within agri-environment schemes that had been in place for 1–5 years before 1996. 3 Numbers of black grouse males displaying increased by an average of 4·6% (SE = 2·1) year −1 at the 10 sites with reduced grazing. Displaying male trends differed significantly between treatment and normally grazed reference sites, where numbers declined annually on average by 1·7% (SE = 1·4). 4 Summer black grouse hen densities showed the greatest rate of increase where grazing was restricted on smaller areas of ground (0·4 km 2 ). Declines occurred at sites where the area of restricted grazing exceeded about 1 km 2 . The rates of change in population density, as indicated by numbers of displaying males, peaked in the early years of grazing reduction and then declined after c. 5–7 years. 5 The proportion of females that retained broods during the late chick-rearing period was 54% (SE = 0·06) at sites with reduced grazing, significantly greater than the 32% (SE = 0·06) at normally grazed reference sites. There was no difference in the size of broods between grazing treatments. 6 This study demonstrates that agri-environment schemes, which encourage extensive management of grazing land, can benefit at least some organisms of conservation importance and lead to some recovery of populations. There is a need, however, for further understanding of how such benefits can be maintained at a landscape scale and over the greater time scales involved in vegetation dynamics and bird population processes.
Latin American White Cheese – A Review

Abstract Manufacture and applications of Latin American White Cheese are reviewed. This cheese can be made from whole milk of cows, goats, and water buffalos as a means of preserving the food value of milk. Milk is clotted with rennet or precipitated by direct acidification. Typically the cheese is made without starter cultures. Cheese curd may be obtained by direct precipitation of whole milk at 82°C with vinegar, lemon juice, other fruit juices, and yogurt. In addition, acids such as lactic, tartaric, citric, phosphoric, or acetic may be employed. The curd is pressed to yield a firm, sliceable, and fryable cheese. Little or no ripening is required. For shelf-life extension, extra salt and chemical preservatives may be used. Alternatively the cheese may be packed in vacuum sealed pouches that provide good oxygen and moisture barriers. It may be used as a snack, in salads, as a cooking cheese in casserole dishes, or grated for use in pizza and other foods. It may be included as an ingredient in process cheese.
Ego identity, social anxiety, social support, and self-concealment in lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals

This study examined a model in which the relationship between social anxiety and two dimensions of ego identity (commitment and exploration) was expected to be mediated by social support and self-concealment for a sample of lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals (N = 347). Statistically significant paths were found from social anxiety to social support and self-concealment. Statistically significant paths were also found from social support to commitment, exploration, and self-concealment. There were no significant paths from social anxiety to commitment or exploration. Structural equation analyses and bootstrap procedures revealed support for the potential mediational role of social support in the association between social anxiety and the two dimensions of ego identity as well as in the link between social anxiety and self-concealment.
The K‐Opioid Agonist, U‐69593, Decreases Acute Amphetamine‐Evoked Behaviors and Calcium‐Dependent Dialysate Levels of Dopamine and Glutamate in the Ventral Striatum

The effects of a kappa-opioid receptor agonist on acute amphetamine-induced behavioral activation and dialysate levels of dopamine and glutamate in the ventral striatum were investigated. Amphetamine (2.5 mg/kg i.p.) evoked a substantial increase in rearing, sniffing, and hole-poking behavior as well as dopamine and glutamate levels in the ventral striatum of awake rats. U-69593 (0.32 mg/kg s.c.) significantly decreased the amphetamine-evoked increase in behavior and dopamine and glutamate levels in the ventral striatum. Reverse dialysis of the selective kappa-opioid receptor antagonist, nor-binaltorphimine, into the ventral striatum antagonized the effects of U-69593 on amphetamine-induced behavior and dopamine and glutamate levels. Reverse dialysis of low calcium (0.1 mM) into the ventral striatum decreased basal dopamine, but not glutamate, dialysate levels by 91% 45 min after initiation of perfusion. Strikingly, 0.1 mM calcium perfusion significantly reduced the 2.5 mg/kg amphetamine-evoked increase in dopamine and glutamate levels in the ventral striatum, distinguishing a calcium-dependent and a calcium-independent component of release. U-69593 did not alter the calcium-independent component of amphetamine-evoked dopamine and glutamate levels. These data are consistent with the view that a transsynaptic mechanism augments the increase in dopamine and glutamate levels in the ventral striatum evoked by a moderately high dose of amphetamine and that stimulation of kappa-opioid receptors suppresses the calcium-dependent component of amphetamine's effects.
Social class segregation among nonwhites in metropolitan centers

Es bien conocido que en las ciudades de Estados Unidos ha habido segregacion residencial entre la poblacion blanca y negra. Este estudio trata de determinar el grado de esta segregacion dentro de aareas habitadas por negros, de acuerdo a diferentes estratos eocio-economicos. En 24 ciudades seleccionadas, se calculo para la poblacion de color, la composicion educacional, de ingreso y ocupacion en zonas sucesivas fuera de los limites de la ciudad central. Esto se hizo usando areas censales, agrupandolas en zonas de acuerdo a la distancia. En las ciudades industriales del norte se encontro que el status eocio-economico de las comunidades de color era mas alto, mientras mas alejadas esiuvieran del centro de la ciudad. Este mismo fenomeno sucede en las ciudades que quedan en el limite del norte y sur. En el sur existe este tipo de segregacion pero no sigue el comportamiento zonal. Lo mismo sucede en las ciudades del oeste. Las razones de esta diferencia no son faciles de enunciar se necesita mayor investigacion, incluyendo un analisis historico.
The Impact of Directionality on Paint Pavement Marking Retroreflectivity

This article addresses paint centerline pavement marking retroreflectivity. The authors collect yellow centerline retroreflectivity data on two-lane highways, taking measurements in two directions. A paired t test on the data shows that there are differences and they are statistically significant. A field study is initiated to investigate the relationship between the direction the marking is painted and the retroreflectivity direction. The key result of this study is that paint centerline retroreflectivity values measured in the direction of paint striping are significantly higher than values measured in the opposite direction. Findings indicate that it is the lower retroreflectivity values of yellow centerlines (measured in the opposite direction from paint striping) that should be used to compare with the newly proposed Federal Highway Administration minimum standard because the drivers in that direction experience lower marking retroreflectivity at night. The implications for safety, for policy making,...
Ectopic decorin expression up-regulates VEGF expression in mouse cerebral endothelial cells via activation of the transcription factors Sp1, HIF1α, and Stat3

We demonstrate that a proteoglycan decorin (DCN) up-regulates the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression with activation of VEGF regulating transcription factors Sp1, hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF1alpha), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) via epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), mitogen-activated protein kinase extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and protein kinase B (AKT) pathways in DCN transfected mouse cerebral endothelial (MCE) cells. Treatment with pharmacological inhibitors and small interfering RNAs reveal that induction and activation of Sp1, HIF1alpha, and Stat3 facilitate their nuclear localization and binding to their specific motifs of the VEGF promoter and induce VEGF expression via two independent pathways, DCN/EGFR/phosphoinositide-3 kinase/AKT and DCN/EGFR/ERK1/2, respectively, in DCN synthesizing MCE cells. The cell type specific glycosylation protects Sp1 and HIF1alpha from proteosome degradation and plays an important and novel role in the regulation of VEGF in DCN transfected MCE cells. Induction of gelatinases (matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9), the serine protease tissue plasminogen activator and plasmin by DCN transfection in MCE cells leads to extracellular proteolysis and to release of matrix-bound VEGF and activation of angiogenesis. In this study, we demonstrate that two independent downstream signal pathways, DCN/EGFR/ERK1/2 and DCN/EGFR/phosphoinositide-3 kinase/AKT, mediate up-regulation and activation of transcription factors of VEGF such as HIF1alpha, Stat3, and Sp1 and increase VEGF transcription and angiogenesis in MCE cells.
Currency substitution, capital mobility and money demand

Abstract This paper re-examines the currency substitution (CS) issue by specifying a general portfolio balance (PB) model where domestic residents' demand for foreign money is distinguished from their demands for foreign non-monetary assets. The latter possibility, which reflects international capital mobility as opposed to CS per se, is already a key feature in the open-economy macro literature. The inclusion of foreign money leaves the usual asset demand functions unchanged (in the PB model that ignores CS), at least as far as the appropriate rate-of-return arguments and their signs are concerned. Although this suggests that CS is of limited importance in macro modelling, it implication for the estimation of money demand functions is pursued. An initial attempt is made to empirically isolate the separate efects of high capital mobility and currency substitution for Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The results, while not conclusive due to high multicollinearity problems, bring into question the empirical as well as the theoretical relevance of currency substitution.
Genomic profiling distinguishes familial multiple and sporadic multiple meningiomas

Background Meningiomas may occur either as familial tumors in two distinct disorders, familial multiple meningioma and neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2), or sporadically, as either single or multiple tumors in individuals with no family history. Meningiomas in NF2 and approximately 60% of sporadic meningiomas involve inactivation of the NF2 locus, encoding the tumor suppressor merlin on chromosome 22q. This study was undertaken to establish whether genomic profiling could distinguish familial multiple meningiomas from sporadic solitary and sporadic multiple meningiomas.
SysML for conceptual modeling and simulation for analysis: a case example of a highly granular model of an emergency department

Continual improvements to the efficiency of patient flow in emergency departments (EDs) are necessary to meet patient demand. Discrete Event Simulation (DES) is commonly employed for this purpose, but validation and verification is daunting in that many stakeholders -- clinicians, administrators, and engineers -- need to understand the system's processes in a unified manner. Therefore, knowledge transfer between stakeholders requires a unified formal approach. We describe the use use of System Modeling Language (SysML) to this end, as well as the results of model validation by comparing hourly census in many areas in the real-world ED with those predicted from simulation, before and after a process intervention. The accuracy of these comparisons provides evidence that a methodologically rigorous DES model, incorporating our method for model verification using SysML, is a valuable decision making tool for judging the utility of interventions to improve patient flow.
Multiphasic analysis of reproductive efficiency of dairy bulls.

Abstract Reproductive efficiency of dairy bulls is usually measured by nonreturn rate. Nonreturn is a compound trait that is a result of two events, conception and gestation, that lead to calving. Nonreturn rates can be used to derive more elementary biological measures for reproductive efficiency, such as conception rate and calving rate, which separately might be more reliable than nonreturn rate itself to evaluate the fertility of a bull or the performance of an AI technician. The challenge of this study was to examine the decline in nonreturn rate in light of the theory of multiphasic analysis. A multiphasic logistic function was developed to model decline in nonreturn rate by estimating conception rate, calving rate, and characteristics of the first two estrous cycles. The model is illustrated with data on daily nonreturn rates to 120 d. From the proportion of cows that conceived but failed to complete gestation because of postsignal embryonic death, the model estimates conception rate and calving rate. From the proportion of cows that failed to conceive or that conceived but failed to complete gestation because of presignal embryonic death, the model estimates the proportion of returns, or probability of detecting estrus, duration of nonreturns, and time of maximum decline in nonreturn rate for the first two cycles. Using the proposed model, conception rate and calving rate estimated from daily nonreturn rates might be more reliable for evaluation of performance of an AI technician and fertility of a bull than nonreturn rates at arbitrarily chosen days after insemination.
Generalized set analysis of sub-Saharan African rhythm? Evaluating and expanding the theories of Willie Anku

Willie Anku's rhythmic analyses relate the structure of drum patterns to recurring 12- or 16-beat rhythmic sets. Although Anku asserted that the distance between the start of these sets and a fixed time point was an important feature of a work, his rules for labelling these sets were not made explicit. This paper uses a computer simulation that trained on parts of Anku's analyses to predict the labels Anku used in other parts of his analyses. The simulation's rules are then extracted and presented to aid future analyses. The paper also expands Anku's concepts of pivot sets, prime forms of sets, and attack density.
The 5′ Guanosine Tracts of Human Telomerase RNA Are Recognized by the G-Quadruplex Binding Domain of the RNA Helicase DHX36 and Function To Increase RNA Accumulation

Telomerase promotes telomere maintenance by copying a template within its integral RNA subunit to elongate chromosome ends with new telomeric repeats. Motifs have been defined within the telomerase RNA that contribute to mature RNA accumulation, holoenzyme catalytic activity, or enzyme recruitment to telomeres. Here, we describe a motif of human telomerase RNA (hTR), not previously characterized in a cellular context, comprised of several guanosine tracts near the RNA 5' end. These guanosine tracts together are recognized by the DEXH box RNA helicase DHX36. The helicase domain of DHX36 does not mediate hTR binding; instead, hTR interacts with the N-terminal accessory domain of DHX36 known to bind specifically to the parallel-strand G-quadruplex substrates resolved by the helicase domain. The steady-state level of DHX36-hTR interaction is low, but hTR guanosine tract substitutions substantially reduce mature hTR accumulation and thereby reduce telomere maintenance. These findings suggest that G-quadruplex formation in the hTR precursor improves the escape of immature RNP from degradation, but subsequently the G-quadruplex may be resolved in favor of a longer terminal stem. We conclude that G-quadruplex formation within hTR can stimulate telomerase-mediated telomere maintenance.
The adsorption of biological peptides and proteins at the oil/water interface. A potentially important but largely unexplored field.

This review focuses on some new techniques to study the behavior of peptides and proteins bound to oil droplets. We will show how model peptides e.g., amphipathic α helices (AαH) and amphipathic β strand (AβS) and some apolipoproteins adsorb to triacylglycerol (TAG) droplets and how they behave once adsorbed to the interface. While most of the studies described involve peptides and proteins at an oil/water interface, studies can also be carried out when the surface has been partially covered with phospholipids. This work is important because it examines biophysical changes that take place at lipid droplet interfaces and how this may relate to the metabolism of lipoproteins and lipid droplets.
A Tribble's Guide to Space: How to Get to Space and What to Do When You are There

A professor of mine (and a member of the National Academy of Sciences, I might add) once told me that when he wanted to learn a new subject, he looked around for the simplest, best-written textbook he could find and went on from there. A Tribble's Guide to Space would suit his needs. Tribble is formerly with Rockwell's Space Systems Division, so he has direct knowledge of what it takes to get something into space and to make that something work there. The true delight in this book, however, is the obvious opportunity to tease, coax, and guide the reader through both the physics and the practicalities of space travel by using references familiar to almost any reader (including the obvious play off the original Star Trek and Deep Space Nine episodes).
Treatment integrity of studies that compare short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy with cognitive-behavior therapy

In their meta-analysis, Leichsenring, Rabung, and Leibing (2004) found that short-term psychoanalytic psychotherapy (STPP) and cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) were equally efficacious. However, they did not examine whether the treatments were delivered as intended. In our review of nine studies comparing STPP and CBT, we found that most did not adequately implement treatment integrity procedures. Leichsenring and colleagues’ contention that CBT and STPP are equally efficacious is therefore based on studies without adequate procedures to monitor treatment adherence or therapist competence. The neglect of treatment integrity procedures in these studies leaves open the possibility that the absence of comparative treatment effects may be due to the manner in which the treatments were operationalized.
Use of a Cobalt-Based Metallic Glass for Joining MoSi2 to Stainless Steel

The successful use of a cobalt-based metallic-glass in joining molybdenum disilicide (MoSi{sub 2}) to stainless steel 316L was demonstrated. Such joints are being investigated for sensor tube applications in glass melting operations. The cobalt-based metallic-glass (METGLAS{trademark} 2714A) was found to wet the MoSi{sub 2} and stainless steel surfaces and provide high quality joints. Joining was completed at 1050 C for 60 minutes in two different ways; either by feeding excess braze into the braze gap upon heating or by constraining the MoSi{sub 2}/stainless steel assembly with an alumina (Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}) fixture during the heating cycle. These steps were necessary to ensure the production of a high quality void free joint. Post-brazing metallographic evaluations coupled with quantitative elemental analysis indicated the presence of a Co-Cr-Si ternary phase with CoSi and CoSi{sub 2} precipitates within the braze. The residual stresses in these molybdenum disilicide (MoSi{sub 2})/stainless steel 316 L joints were evaluated using X-ray diffraction and instrumented indentation techniques. These measurements revealed that significant differences are induced in the residual stresses in MoSi{sub 2} and stainless steel depending on the joining technique employed. Push-out tests were carried out on these joints to evaluate the joint strength.
Congressional geohazards showcase presented by NSF and AGU

On Wednesday, 7 September 2011, two weeks after the magnitude 5.8 earthquake in Mineral, Va., and a week after Hurricane Irene struck the U.S. East Coast, AGU cosponsored a showcase of National Science Foundation (NSF)—funded hazards research in recognition of National Preparedness Month. This annual event highlights NSF—funded hazards research from all over the United States, with more than 30 exhibitors demonstrating the latest research and technology on hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, volcanoes, tsunamis, and oil spills, as well as emergency and social responses to these events. The event took place at the Hart Senate Office Building, where many members of Congress and their staff could attend and discuss the importance of hazards research with the researchers and NSF staff. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) kicked off with a panel of speakers, which included remarks by Mary Voytek, a member of the AGU Board of Directors, and Subra Suresh, director of NSF. Expert presentations were also given on hazard prediction, human safety, and social response. Following the event, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) hosted a small event to meet directly with a few of the exhibitors to discuss the importance of investment in scientific research and development.
Integrating environmental concerns into the design process: the gap between theory and practice

This paper focuses on the product design process and integration of environmental performance criteria during this critical stage. Specifically, the authors explore environmentally responsible manufacturing (ERM) as perceived and acted on by two critical groups within this design process. The first consists of the champions and supporters of ERM, who either formally or informally act as advocates of ERM within the organization. The second consists of the users of design for environment (DfE) tools and procedures. Typically, these people consist of product designers and design engineers. The authors study these two groups through in-depth interviews with managers and engineers in a sample of ten firms drawn from the "best-in-class" environmental leaders. They found that a large gap exists between the ERM supporters and the users of ERM tools in terms of expectations, perceptions and orientations toward ERM principles, practices and tools. To overcome some of the many obstacles preventing effective integration of environmental criteria into the design process, they conclude with a process map that proposes the following steps: (1) enlisting support of a corporate champion; (2) defining environmental goals; (3) selecting a pilot project; (4) setting product launch goals and evaluation system; (5) enlisting support of team members; (6) providing DfE tools and training; (7) monitoring the project; and (8) celebrating successes.
Effects of Mannitol on Spontaneous Tone of Intracerebral Arterioles

The direct effects of hyperosmolar solutions such as mannitol on vascular smooth muscle, which have been reported mostly in the peripheral vessels, are controversial. Authors who used preconstricted vessels demonstrated vasodilation effects of hyperosmolar solution (Krishnamurty et al. 1977), whereas the other authors who used non-preconstricted vessels demonstrated vasoconstriction effects (Andersson et al. 1974, Kent et al. 1983). Sasaki et al. (1986), however, reported vasodilation by hyperosmolar solutions not only under condition of preconstruction but also with resting tension in a cerebral arterial ring preparation. This study was undertaken to clarify the effects of mannitol on vascular smooth muscle in the cerebral microcirculation. For this purpose, spontaneously developed tone in rat cerebral parenchymal arterioles in vitro was examined in vessels with different tone state by changing the pH of organ bath solution.
Living in a Battleground: Presidential Campaigns and Fundamental Predictors of Vote Choice

Little evidence links the strategic decisions of campaigns to individual-level voting behavior. Yet for campaigns to matter in the way that experts argue, exposure to campaigns must also matter, so there should be observable differences in the structure of vote choice between battleground and nonbattleground states. Combining presidential campaign data with the Senate Election Study, the authors show that intense campaigning can activate factors such as race, ideology, partisanship, and presidential approval. The authors find that the campaigns affected different variables in 1988 than in 1992, which they hypothesize is the consequence of campaign messages.
Catecholamine levels and delay discounting forecast drug use among African American youths

Aims To test hypotheses about the contributions of the catecholamines epinephrine and norepinephrine (which serve as biological markers of life stress through sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activation), delay discounting and their interaction to the prediction of drug use among young African American adults. Design A 1-year prospective study that involved assessment of SNS activity and collection of self-report data involving delay discounting and drug use. Setting Rural communities in the southeastern United States. Participants A total of 456 African Americans who were 19 years of age at the beginning of the study. Measurements At age 19, participants provided overnight urine voids that were assayed for epinephrine and norepinephrine. Participants were also assessed for hyperbolic temporal discounting functions (k) and drug use. At age 20, the participants again reported their drug use. Findings Linear regression analyses revealed that (i) catecholamine levels at age 19 forecast increases in drug use (B = 0.087, P < 0.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.025, 0.148) and (ii) among young men, catecholamine levels interacted positively with delay discounting to forecast increases in drug use (simple slope = 0.113, P < 0.001, 95% CI = 0.074, 0.152). Conclusions Higher urinary catecholamine concentrations in their adulthood predict higher levels of drug use a year later among young African American men in the United States who engage in high, but not low, levels of delay discounting.
Necessary conditions for thermal rectification and negative differential thermal conductance in graphene nanoribbons

We have studied negative differential thermal conductance (NDTC) and thermal rectification (TR) in graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) using nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations. Strong ballistic transport regime and sufficient temperature gradient are found to be necessary conditions for the onset of both NDTC and TR in GNRs, while the latter also requires asymmetry in structure. Preferred direction of heat transport is also discussed for TR.
The 1971 Wald Memorial Lectures

Let uf and Vf be nonnegative random variables associated with a martingale ƒ. In many interesting cases, the inequality $$P\left( {Vf >\lambda } \right) \leqq cP\left( {Uf >\lambda } \right),$$ which usually does not hold for all λ > 0, does hold for enough λ so that $$EVf \leqq cEUf$$ and more. The underlying theory, introduced in [6], has also proved fruitful in other probability applications; see [5] and [8]. For an entirely nonprobabilistic application to harmonic functions, see [7].
Comparison of Exercise Performance in Patients With Chronic Severe Heart Failure Versus Left Ventricular Assist Devices

Background—Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are frequently used as a bridge to cardiac transplantation and may be useful as long-term therapy. The purpose of this study was to compare the exercise performance of LVAD patients with that of ambulatory heart failure patients. Methods and Results—Exercise testing with hemodynamic and respiratory gas measurements was performed in 65 congestive heart failure (CHF) patients (age 53±10 years) and 20 LVAD patients (age 49±8 years). Peak Vo2 was significantly higher in the LVAD than the CHF patients (CHF, 12±3; LVAD, 15.9±3.8 mL · kg−1 · min−1; P<0.001), as was the Vo2 at the anaerobic threshold (CHF, 8.1±2.1; LVAD, 12.2±2.9 mL · kg−1 · min−1; P<0.001). At rest, mean arterial blood pressure (CHF, 87±11; LVAD, 94±9 mm Hg) and cardiac output (CHF, 4±1; LVAD, 4.9±0.9 L/min) were increased, whereas mean pulmonary artery pressure (CHF, 28±11; LVAD, 18±4 mm Hg) and pulmonary artery wedge pressure (CHF, 16±10; LVAD 5±3 mm Hg) were reduced (all P<0.01). At peak ex...
Sorghum cultivar evaluation for iron chlorosis resistance by visual scores

Abstract Sorghum cultivars differ in their ability to maintain adequate production of leaf chlorophyll when grown under conditions of moderately severe iron stress. A visual test for differentiating Fe‐chlorosis resistance in sorghum cultivars was developed by growing plants in a CaCO3, buffered nutrient solution. Nine sorghum cultivars were germinated in vermiculite for seven days before being transferred to an Fe‐stress nutrient solution buffered to pH 7.5 with excess CaCO3. Twenty replications were grown in a growth chamber with a 26°C ‐ 15 hour light (300μE M‐2S‐1) and a 22°C ‐ 9 hour dark period. Leaf chlorosis was visually scored on a 0–4 rating scale after 10 days in nutrient solution and chlorophyll content was determined spectrophotometrically after extraction with 80% (v/v) acetone. Differences in leaf chlorophyll production correlated significantly with measured levels of chlorophyll in both growth chamber and field grown sorghum. Plant cultivars were readily separated into Fe‐susceptible, Fe‐t...
Carcinoma of the prostate metastatic to the mandibular condyle mimicking a parotid tumor

Summary An unusual case of adenocarcinoma of the prostate metastatic to the mandibular condyle that presented clinically as a parotid tumor is reported. Standard radiologic studies may be misleading in such cases, and a high index of suspicion is required for atypical masses in the parotid region.
A view from the inside: Complexity in the atomic scale ordering of supported metal nanoparticles

In this report, we describe the use of several analytical techniques, including X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), electron microscopy, and electron diffraction, as tools for characterizing the structural dynamics of supported Pt nanoscale particles. We examined several carbon-supported samples. Electron microscopy shows that the particles in these samples (S1−S3) have average particle diameters of roughly 20, 40, and 60 A respectively, while electron microdiffraction data for these particles provided evidence of long-ranged ordering in the form of face centered cubic structures. This study highlights the use of advanced synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopies (XAS), in particular extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES), as powerful tools for studying the structural habits and dynamics of these prototypical nanoscale materials. Using state-of-the-art methods of measurement and computational modeling, we demonstrate that it is possible to deve...
FDA Food Labeling Regulations for Trans Fat

Publisher Summary This chapter provides a comprehensive account of the regulatory status of the trans fats. In 1994, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received a citizen petition from a consumer group stating that an increasing body of evidence suggested that dietary trans fat raises blood cholesterol levels, thereby increasing the risk of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD). In response to that petition, the FDA issued a proposed rule, “Food Labeling: Trans Fatty Acids in Nutrition Labeling, Nutrient Content Claims, and Health Claims”, and proposed to amend its nutrition labeling regulations to require that the amount of trans fat in a food, including dietary supplements, be included in the amount and percent Daily Value (%DV) declared for saturated fat, with a footnote indicating the amount of Trans Fatty Acids (TFAs) in a serving of the product when the product contains 0.5 or more grams TFAs per serving. In the 2003 trans fat final rule, the FDA estimated that total trans fat intake was 5.8 g per day, with the average intake of industrially produced trans fat estimated to be 4.6 g per day and naturally occurring trans to be 1. 2g per day. The rule went into effect in 2006. The chapter reviews FDA's latest developments in trans fats regulations.
Amplatzer vascular plug for arteriovenous hemodialysis access occlusion: initial experience.

PurposeThe Amplatzer Vascular Plug (AVP; AGA Medical, Golden Valley, MN) is a recently developed self-expanding metallic device indicated for peripheral vascular embolizations. Herein, we describe use of this device in the treatment of vascular complications related to arteriovenous hemodialysis fistulas and grafts.Materials and methodsThis HIPAA compliant retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board with informed consent waived. Six patients with problematic arteriovenous access underwent access occlusion using the AVP. Procedure indications included vascular steal syndrome in five patients, and enlarging vascular aneurysms in one patient. Contraindications for surgical correction were determined by the referring surgeon. AVP embolizations were performed using devices oversized by 50% introduced through vascular sheaths positioned within vein segments just beyond the arteriovenous anastomoses. Noninvasive evaluation of the involved extremity was performed pre- and post-embolization ...
Competencies, milestones, and EPAs – Are those who ignore the past condemned to repeat it?

AbstractBackground: The idea of competency-based education sounds great on paper. Who wouldn’t argue for a standardized set of performance-based assessments to assure competency in graduating students and residents? Even so, conceptual concerns have already been raised about this new system and there is yet no evidence to refute their veracity.Aims: We argue that practical concerns deserve equal consideration, and present evidence strongly suggesting these concerns should be taken seriously.Method: Specifically, we share two historical examples that illustrate what happened in two disparate contexts (K-12 education and the Department of Defense [DOD]) when competency (or outcomes-based) assessment frameworks were implemented. We then examine how observation and assessment of clinical performance stands currently in medical schools and residencies, since these methodologies will be challenged to a greater degree by expansive lists of competencies and milestones.Results/Conclusions: We conclude with suggest...
The effect of pasteurizing temperatures on the paratyphoid group

Work on the thermal death point of micro-organisms in milk has been carefully reviewed, the difficulties of the problem stated, and the possible sources of error pointed out by M. J. Rosenau,1 who investigated the thermal death point of a number of pathogenic microorganisms. He concluded that milk heated to 60 C. and maintained there for 20 minutes may be considered safe so far as conveying infections with the micro-organisms tested is concerned. These results were later confirmed by Schorer and Rosenau,2 using methods of actual pasteurization ; the micro-organisms studied did not include B. paratyphosus A or B. The first work on paratyphoid bacilli was by Bernhard Fischer in 1903.3 It was mainly epidemiologic, but he makes the statement that he established by oft repeated experiment that the paratyphoid bacilli isolated in the epidemic studied were not killed by exposure to 60 C. for 30 minutes, that in two experiments bacilli were still living after exposure at 70 C. for from 10 to 25 minutes. Five minutes at 75 C. killed most of the organisms, but a few were living even then. The methods of experiment employed are not given in the report. Friedel, Kutscher and Meinicke,4 working in Koch's laboratory, reported, all paratyphoid bacilli killed by 5 minutes' exposure to 58 C.
Release of Predatory Mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) by Aircraft for the Biological Control of Spider Mites (Acari: Tetranychidae) Infesting Corn

Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot were released by conventional light aircraft onto field corn for the control of spider mites in the Texas high plains. Released P. persimilis occurred on 55–75% of plants at one of the three treated study sites. The spatial distribution of P. persimilis at this site was uniform to random. P. persimilis established colonies at the other two study sites, but occurred only at light densities due to factors other than the aerial-release equipment.
Aspirating Nonneoplastic Ovarian Cysts :Rationale, Technique, and Controversy

Debate continues on the accuracy, safety, and efficacy of needle aspiration in diagnosis and treatment of cystic ovarian lesions. The procedure allows early diagnosis of carcinoma, both primary and metastatic; can cause decreased morbidity and mortality because surgery for benign disease is avoided; and preserves fertility. On the other hand, the procedure may possibly cause leakage or spillage of tumor material along the needle track, or may lead to infection, hemorrhage, or false-positive or falsenegative diagnoses. The procedure is accepted widely, however, for specific indications where benefits outweigh risks.
Medical affective computing: medical informatics meets affective computing.

"The need to cope with a changing and partly unpredictable world makes it very likely that any intelligent system with multiple motives and limited powers will have emotions." [1] From advisory systems that understand emotional attitudes toward medical outcomes, to wearable computers that compensate for communication disability, to computer simulations of emotions and their disorders, the research agendas of medical informatics and affective computing--how and why to create computers that detect, convey, and even have emotions--increasingly overlap. Some psychiatric and neurological researchers state their theories in terms of actual or hypothetical computer programs. Adaptive intelligent systems will increasingly rely on emotions to compensate for their own conflicting goals and limited resources--emotional reactions about which psychiatrists and neurologists have special insights. DEP2 (Depression Emulation Program 2) is a computer simulation of adaptive depression--learning from explainable patterns of failure in autobiographical memory--that simulates many depressive behaviors. In the terminology of fault-tolerant computing, adaptive depression involves fault detection (triggered by failure), fault location (strategic retreat and failure diagnosis), and fault recovery (return to on-line operation). DEP2 relies on subsystems whose structures and behaviors are based on popular hypotheses about left and right brain hemispheric function during depression and emotion. DEP2 and its predecessors, DEP and DEPlanner, are relevant to psychiatric and neurological informatics, and to the design of adaptive autonomous robots and software agents.
Temporal properties of network-mediated responses to repetitive stimuli are dependent upon retinal ganglion cell type

OBJECTIVE To provide artificially-elicited vision that is temporally dynamic, retinal prosthetic devices will need to repeatedly stimulate retinal neurons. However, given the diversity of physiological types of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) as well as the heterogeneity of their responses to electric stimulation, temporal properties of RGC responses have not been adequately investigated. Here, we explored the cell type dependence of network-mediated RGC responses to repetitive electric stimulation at various stimulation rates. APPROACH We examined responses of ON and OFF types of RGCs in the rabbit retinal explant to five consecutive stimuli with varying inter-stimulus intervals (10-1000 ms). Each stimulus was a 4 ms long monophasic sinusoidal cathodal current, which was applied epiretinally via a conical electrode. Spiking activity of targeted RGCs was recorded using a cell-attached patch electrode. MAIN RESULTS ON and OFF cells had distinct responses to repetitive stimuli. Consistent with earlier studies, OFF cells always generated reduced responses to subsequent stimuli compared to responses to the first stimulus. In contrast, a new stimulus to ON cells suppressed all pending/ongoing responses from previous stimuli and initiated its own response that was remarkably similar to the response from a single stimulus in isolation. This previously unreported 'reset' behavior was observed exclusively and consistently in ON cells. These contrasts between ON and OFF cells created a range of stimulation rates (4-7 Hz) that maximized the ratio of the responses arising in ON versus OFF cells. SIGNIFICANCE Previous clinical testing reported that subjects perceive bright phosphenes (ON responses) and also prefer stimulation rates of 5-7 Hz. Our results suggest that responses of ON cells are weak at high rates of stimulation (> ∼7 Hz) due to the reset while responses of OFF cells are strong at low rates (< ∼4 Hz) due to reduced desensitization, both reducing the ratio of ON to OFF responses. In combination with previous results indicating that responses in ON cells more closely match physiological patterns (Im and Fried 2015 J. Physiol. 593 3577-96), our results offer a potential reason for the user preference of intermediate rates (5-7 Hz).
Lumped and Distributed Cell Models

In this chapter, cable models are discussed. These are two concentric cylinders separated by a fluid which containsions. Hence, the model explains how the radial and longitudinal voltages and currents change. The model uses a space and a time variable. After a careful discussion of what resistance, current and voltage mean in various contexts, the core conductor model is introduced. The cable electrical dynamics are then approximated by standard electric circuits and the core equations are derived. These immediately imply the core conductor equation which is a PDE. Next, the analysis shifts to looking at transient variables and the transient cable equation is derived. The transient cable equation then has a fundamental space and time constant associated with the membrane voltage solution which are important.
State Tax Reform for the Eighties: The New York Tax Study Commission

Temporary state tax commissions are inherently weak, and an inadequate response to a changing economy. The traditional state tax system is under attack due to technological advances, the rise of multinational corporations, federal tax legislation, and decreased federal regulation, among other factors. This article proposes the creation of a permanent institutional body to protect states’ income tax systems. The first section of this article discusses the administrative limitations on state tax policy by analyzing New York’s state tax system. This section explains that New York’s system is aging and outdated, which causes inadministrability and failed enforcement. This section further analyzes the flaws of New York’s state tax expenditures and distinctions in its sales tax. The second section explains the imprudent approach of states modeling their tax policies on the federal system. This section explains that states can avoid the complexities of the federal code due to their lower rates. The article concludes by advising states to eliminate unnecessary provisions to create a tax structure that is both simple and equitable.
ASIC clouds: specializing the datacenter

GPU and FPGA-based clouds have already demonstrated the promise of accelerating computing-intensive workloads with greatly improved power and performance.In this paper, we examine the design of ASIC Clouds, which are purpose-built datacenters comprised of large arrays of ASIC accelerators, whose purpose is to optimize the total cost of ownership (TCO) of large, high-volume chronic computations, which are becoming increasingly common as more and more services are built around the Cloud model. On the surface, the creation of ASIC clouds may seem highly improbable due to high NREs and the inflexibility of ASICs. Surprisingly, however, large-scale ASIC Clouds have already been deployed by a large number of commercial entities, to implement the distributed Bitcoin cryptocurrency system.We begin with a case study of Bitcoin mining ASIC Clouds, which are perhaps the largest ASIC Clouds to date. From there, we design three more ASIC Clouds, including a YouTube-style video transcoding ASIC Cloud, a Litecoin ASIC Cloud, and a Convolutional Neural Network ASIC Cloud and show 2-3 orders of magnitude better TCO versus CPU and GPU.Among our contributions, we present a methodology that given an accelerator design, derives Pareto-optimal ASIC Cloud Servers, by extracting data from place-and-routed circuits and computational fluid dynamic simulations, and then employing clever but brute-force search to find the best jointly-optimized ASIC, DRAM subsystem, motherboard, power delivery system, cooling system, operating voltage, and case design. Moreover, we show how data center parameters determine which of the many Pareto-optimal points is TCO-optimal. Finally we examine when it makes sense to build an ASIC Cloud, and examine the impact of ASIC NRE.
Fayad’s Practical Actor’s in UML

The main actors in Unified Modeling Language (UML) are Humans and Machines. After examining thoroughly, we find that this is arbitrary and it may limit the types and the numbers of applications that that may be modeled. It is most challenging to symbolize the interaction of UML Actors with a system, when the actors are not classified and defined properly. Hence, a conventional UML is not suitable for some domains and it will not model the requirements in an adequate manner. This work proposes the introduction of practical enhancements, and extension of actors within the UML. By reclassifying actors into four types, instead of two, we will demonstrate introduction of practical improvements to UML class diagrams that can yield accuracy in the UML modeling of any system. We will extend the actors into four different types: 1. Human or Person; 2. Hardware Devices or Machines, 3. Software Packages, and 4. Creatures, which include all animated, mythological, and fictional characters This reclassification of actors into four different types provides numerous benefits, such as: 1. Increasing the applicability of UML to different domains, such as animation, the making of movies, fiction, and mythology. 2. All the possible users fall under one of the four types of actors defined above. Hence, the system built will satisfy all kind of users. 3. In modeling, when the actor classification is abstracted correctly, it gives an exact and broader picture and good understanding of the system. 4. If the actors are classified accurately, the system can be built with better quality.
Embedded intelligence supporting predictive asset management in the energy sector

In recent years and across a myriad of industries, there has been a realisation that in order to optimise the Remaining Useful Life (RUL) of assets and to maintain optimal system level performance whilst assets age and at times with growing and dynamic loading demands, a transition to predictive maintenance from reactive and traditional condition based monitoring and maintenance is required to achieve return of investment (ROI) and performance targets. A sector driven by security and a need to defer investment within the asset base is the Energy sector. After a brief introduction to maintenance process's in the oil and gas domain, this paper presents a novel approach to hierarchical predictive maintenance of assets in through a distributed architecture, represented as domain knowledge-based system, that provides a viable solution for systems containing similar multiple assets.