cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sub-seasonal prediction of significant wave heights over the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans, part II: The impact of ENSO and MJO

Abstract This study evaluates the effect of El Nino and the Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) events on 14-day mean significant wave height (SWH) at 3 weeks lead time (Wk34) over the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans using the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Climate Forecast System, version 2 (CFSv2). The WAVEWATCH-3 (WW3) model is forced with daily 10m-winds predicted by a modified version of CFSv2 that is initialized with multiple ocean analyses in both January and May for 1979–2008. A significant anomaly correlation of predicted and observed SWH anomalies (SWHA) at Wk34 lead-time is found over portions of the domain, including the central western Pacific, South China Sea (SCS), Bay of Bengal (BOB) and southern Indian Ocean (IO) in January cases, and over BOB, equatorial western Pacific, the Maritime Continent and southern IO in May cases. The model successfully predicts almost all the important features of the observed composite SWHA during El Nino events in January, including negative SWHA in the central IO where westerly wind anomalies act on an easterly mean state, and positive SWHA over the southern Ocean (SO) where westerly wind anomalies act on a westerly mean state. The model successfully predicts the sign and magnitude of SWHA at Wk34 lead-time in May over the BOB and SCS in composites of combined phases-2-3 and phases-6-7 of MJO. The observed leading mode of SWHA in May and the third mode of SWHA in January are influenced by the combined effects of ENSO and MJO. Based on spatial and temporal correlations, the spatial patterns of SWHA in the model at Wk34 in both January and May are in good agreement with the observations over the equatorial western Pacific, equatorial and southern IO, and SO.
Non-conventional mold design for metal casting using 3D sand-printing

Abstract 3D Sand-Printing (3DSP) is a relatively new Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology that enables direct digital manufacturing (DDM) of complex sand molds and cores for sand casting applications. Ever-growing interest in this indirect hybrid metal AM process is attributed to its ability to rapidly produce tooling (i.e., cores and molds) for complex metal castings that are otherwise impossible to manufacture using conventional techniques. Knowledge-based design rules for this process is currently very limited and is being progressively realized on an ad-hoc basis to produce economicaly viable low-batch castings. In this research, non-conventional design rules for gating and feeding (also known as rigging) is developed to improve casting performance (i.e., filling, feeding and solidification). Several case studies are presented to illustrate the improved casting performance by systematically redesigning each element of the rigging system. Computational simulations of the melt flow are developed to evaluate the effectiveness of redesigned rigging system. This research further illustrates the ability of 3DSP to not only impact part performance, i.e., optimized metal casting designs via 3DSP but also drastically improves the casting performance which could potentially transform the industry of sand casting to produce high quality castings.
I.4 – Rational Approximation

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses constructing a rational approximation to a floating-point number. One way to combat accuracy losses in graphical algorithms such as intersection testing is to use rational numbers instead of floating point. For these and other purposes, this chapter presents a way to construct a rational approximation to a floating-point number, optionally limiting the size of the integers used. The mathematical theory of best rational approximations is a necessary ingredient, but because it assumes perfect real numbers, it is not sufficient. Floating-point arithmetic must be avoided even during conversion. Rational approximation with limits is surprisingly difficult. A best rational approximation to a real number x is a rational number n/d (with positive denominator d) that is closer to x than any approximation with a smaller denominator. The chapter highlights that every real number has a unique continued fraction (possibly infinite), which is the key to its best rational approximations
The Effects of Radiation on the Structural and Mechanical Properties of Medical Polymers

Medical polymers undergo changes in both structural and mechanical properties when subjected to ionizing radiation. Certain classes of polymers are susceptible to chain scission mechanisms while others are altered through crosslinking processes. These generalizations are complicated by the atmosphere in which the polymer is exposed to the ionizing treatment. Because these devices must be sterilized prior to implantation their long-term structural evolution owing to the effects of ionizing radiation coupled with environment must be understood. This work summarizes the wide-ranging effects of ionizing radiation on the mechanical and structural properties of medical polymers.
Mechanisms of Action, Diagnostic and Rapid Methods of Analysis of Staphylococcus Aureus Enterotoxins

The staphylococci are involved in many human illnesses and infections, which include staphylococcal food poisoning, enterocolitis, diarrheas, and toxic shock syndrome (TSS). The staphylococcal enterotoxins are the causes of staphylococcal food poisoning,11 enteritis,38 some cases of TSS,9 and are implicated in diarrheas.29,44
Bevacizumab, irinotecan, temozolomide, tyrosine kinase inhibition, and MEK inhibition are effective against pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma regardless of V600E status.

Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is a rare Grade II and III glioma. Surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment, however, adjuvant therapy is sometimes necessary. Given the rarity of PXA, chemotherapeutic efficacy data is limited. The importance of the BRAF V600E mutation in the context of MAP kinase pathway inhibition is unknown. The purpose of this study was to perform an in vivo screen of a variety to agents to determine efficacy against both V600E mutant and non-mutant PXA. The efficacy of bevacizumab, temozolomide, lomustine (CCNU), irinotecan (CPT 11), a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (sorafenib), a selective MEK1/2 inhibitor (cobimetinib), and a BRAF inhibitor (vemurafenib) were assessed in two subcutaneous xenografts: D645 PXA (V600E-mutant) and D2363 PXA (V600E-non-mutant) (n = 5–10 mice). Select agents were also assessed in an intracranial model of D2363 PXA (n = 6–9). Subcutaneous tumor growth and survival were the endpoints. Temozolomide, bevacizumab, CPT 11, and sorafenib significantly inhibited subcutaneous tumor growth in both V600E-mutant and V600E-non-mutant models (P < 0.05). MEK inhibition (cobimetinib) but not BRAF inhibition (vemurafenib) also inhibited tumor growth regardless of V600E mutation (P < 0.05). Temozolomide, CPT 11, and bevacizumab also prolonged survival in a V600E-non-mutant intracranial model (median overall survival (OS) 68.5, 62.5, and 42.5 days, respectively) in contrast to controls (31.5 days, P < 0.001). These findings suggest that when adjuvant treatment is clinically indicated for PXA, temozolomide, CPT 11, or bevacizumab may be considered. Additionally, a trial of a MEK inhibitor or tyrosine kinase inhibitor could be considered for PXA regardless of V600E mutation status.
Durability of ultra-high performance concrete in tension under cold weather conditions

Abstract Freezing and thawing resistance is a key characteristic for concrete materials in cold weather conditions. In this study, the tensile properties and elastic modulus of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) under accelerated freeze-thaw cycles are characterized. Six series of UHPC specimens are experimentally tested with a well-designed direct tension test (DTT) method to capture complete tensile stress-strain responses. Both the dynamic and wave moduli of elasticity of UHPC are measured at specific cycles using the standard impact test and self-designed “smart aggregate” technology, respectively. Long term freezing and thawing cyclic conditioning of UHPC samples results in reductions of elastic modulus, tensile strength, strain capacity, and energy absorption capacity. The tensile stress-strain curves of UHPC demonstrate distinct descending with increasing freeze-thaw cycles, particularly in the strain softening region. The energy-based approach is found to be more sensitive and effective than the elastic modulus-based approach when evaluating material deterioration over time and capturing accumulative material degradation subjected to rapidly-repeated freezing and thawing actions. As from the test results, UHPC is characterized as a very durable cementitious material, but it is not inherently unconquerable. Extended freezing and thawing actions can still lead to deterioration of the material, with respect to its elastic modulus, tensile strength, energy absorption capacity, etc. As demonstrated, the DTT method can be used to effectively characterize the long-term performance of UHPC in tension under cold weather conditions.
Farm Owners and Workers as Key Informants in User-Centered Occupational Health Prototype Development: A Stakeholder-Engaged Project.

Background The cost of workplace injuries and illnesses significantly impacts the overall cost of health care and is a significant annual economic burden in the United States. Many dairy and pork farm owners in the Upper Midwest have expanded operations and taken on the role of manager and employer yet receive little training in injury prevention, farm safety, or workers' compensation programs and processes. Clinicians play a key role in the return to work of injured and ill farmers and farmworkers to their jobs, though little to no formal training is offered by medical schools. Objective This stakeholder-engaged project aimed to develop a prototype application designed to assist clinicians in returning injured farmworkers to light-duty job assignments with their current employers and to assess farm owners' and managers' attitudes toward and barriers to adopting mobile health tools for themselves or their employees. Methods We conducted 12 semistructured interviews with English-speaking farm owners and farmworkers from the Upper Midwest: 5 English-speaking and Spanish-speaking farmworker focus groups and 8 postproject interviews with farm owners that focused on attitudes and barriers to adoption of the developed software. Interviews and focus groups were audio recorded, and data were analyzed and thematically coded using audio coding. Results Interviews and worker focus groups guided an iterative design and development cycle, which informed workflow design, button placement, and output sheets that offer specific light-duty farm work recommendations for the injured worker to discuss with his or her employer. Conclusions The development of a complex prototype intended to impact patient care is a significant undertaking. Reinventing a paper-based process that can eventually integrate with an electronic health record or a private company's human resources system requires substantial stakeholder input from each facet including patients, employers, and clinical care teams. The prototype is available for testing, but further research is needed in the form of clinical trials to assess the effectiveness of the process and the software's impact on patients and employers.
New Frontiers in Sovereign Wealth Fund Capitalization

In the debate over the creation of sovereign wealth funds (SWFs), the discussion is often focused on either oil-based (e.g. Norway, Qatar, Kuwait, etc.) or non-commodity-based SWFs (e.g. South Korea, China, Singapore, etc.). Yet we are seeing a new development in the sovereign wealth fund arena; more and more countries are seeding sovereign wealth funds by leveraging non-traditional financial sources and are increasingly motivated by domestic developmental (including infrastructural development) imperatives. Interestingly, this process is taking place in a global context of rising nationalist sentiments and backlash against trade and migration. This paper outlines recent developments in SWF creation—especially by countries that are neither endowed with oil wealth nor possess sizable export surpluses to create SWFs with a development mandate. While contextualizing this study in the broader SWF literature, the aim is to provide a comprehensive overview on how different funding sources could be leveraged to meet long-term financial and socio-development objectives. Thus, the overall objective is to map out existing work on non-traditional sources of SWF growth and draw attention to hitherto unnoticed sources of funding: remittances.
Effect of chronic topical latanoprost on the sclera and lamina cribrosa of form-deprived myopic Guinea pigs.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of latanoprost, an ocular hypotensive prostaglandin analog, on scleral collagen fibers and laminar pores in myopic guinea pigs. Young guinea pigs underwent monocular form deprivation (FD; white plastic diffusers) from 14-days of age for 10-weeks. After the first week, FD eyes also received daily topical A) latanoprost (Lat, 0.005%, n = 5) or B) artificial tears (AT; n = 5). At the end of the treatment period, animals were sacrificed, eyes enucleated and optic nerve heads (ONH) excised to include a 4 mm diameter ring of surrounding sclera for scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and an additional 6 mm ring of sclera surrounding the ONH was excised for transmission electron microscopy (TEM). For SEM, ONH samples were first immersed in 0.2M NaOH for 30 h to isolate the collagenous structures. All samples were stained with osmium tetroxide, dried through an ethanol series and finally subjected to critical point drying before imaging. Image J was used to analyze the dimensions of laminar pores (SEM images) and scleral collagen fibers (TEM images). As previously reported in a related study, latanoprost was effective in inhibiting myopia progression in FD eyes of the guinea pigs. The scleral fibers of FD myopic eyes treated with AT were smaller and more variable in cross-sectional areas compared to untreated (fellow) eyes (mean areas: 0.0059 ± 0.0013 vs. 0.0085 ± 0.002 μm2; p < 0.001), consistent with scleral changes reported for human myopia. In contrast, the scleral fibers of the Lat-treated FD eyes were similar to those of fellow eyes (0.0083 ± 0.002 vs. 0.0078 ± 0.0014 μm2). However, laminar pore size appeared unaffected by either the FD or drug treatments, with no significant difference found between FD eyes and their fellows, for either treatment group. That daily topical latanoprost appeared to protect against myopia-related changes in scleral collagen, rather than exaggerating them, as might be predicted from its known action on the uveoscleral extracellular matrix, lends further support its use for myopia control. In this guinea pig myopia model, the lamina cribrosa appeared unaffected.
Getting to zero: Enhanced reprocessing and future directions

Abstract Outbreaks of infections related to duodenoscope use have brought attention to the important topic of endoscope reprocessing. Much work has been done to understand why these outbreaks occurred and how to prevent them; however, the adequacy of duodenoscope reprocessing has not been ensured to date. This review summarizes current techniques in duodenoscope reprocessing and future directions to eradicate endoscopically transmitted infections.
Application of a Fuzzy Logic based Controller for Peak Load Shaving in a Typical Household

In this research, a smart controller, based on fuzzy logic, is developed to control charging and discharging of a battery to provide extra power during peak times and to act as load (storing energy) during off-peak time to provide a more manageable and balanced load as seen by the grid. A simulation is presented of electricity consumption as seen by the grid throughout the day with or without the smart controller. The results show the significant reduction in peak demand and much smoother load curve for the grid, which demonstrates that such a controller can be used to manipulate the load of a home throughout the day.
Abstract 709: DNA Damage-free iPS-cardiomyocyte Reduces Cardiac Fibrosis Through Downmodulation of Exosomal miR-101

With the growing field of myocardial repair through transplantation of cardiomyocytes (CM) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) calls for a method for reducing fibrotic tissue d...
Breaking Speech Recognizers to Imagine Lyrics

We introduce a new method for generating text, and in particular song lyrics, based on the speech-like acoustic qualities of a given audio file. We repurpose a vocal source separation algorithm and an acoustic model trained to recognize isolated speech, instead inputting instrumental music or environmental sounds. Feeding the "mistakes" of the vocal separator into the recognizer, we obtain a transcription of words \emph{imagined} to be spoken in the input audio. We describe the key components of our approach, present initial analysis, and discuss the potential of the method for machine-in-the-loop collaboration in creative applications.
An Adaptive DPPM for Efficient and Robust Visible Light Communication Across the Air-Water Interface

The scarcity of the optical power is the main challenge for underwater visible light communication. It becomes worst for communication across the air-water interface because of the reflection of light from the air-water interface. Differential pulse position modulation (DPPM) is one of the power efficient modulation techniques. In L-DPPM a block of $M=log_{2}L$ input data is mapped into one of the L distinct waveforms containing only one on’ chip. The size of the DPPM packet is variable and depends on the value of input data and L, which makes error detection quite challenging. In this paper, we propose a frame structure that efficiently enables error detection within a packet for various symbol length, L, of DPPM. We also propose an algorithm using such a frame structure to enable effective detection of packet errors and for adaptively changing the value of L for optimal power efficiency while meeting a certain bound on the packet error rate (PER). We have named our proposed protocol as adaptive differential pulse position modulation (ADPPM). The Bit rate and PER have been studied for different signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) through simulation. A comparison between ADPPM and OOK, DPPM with fixed L is provided.
Atmospheric Fate of Methyl Isocyanate, CH3NCO: OH and Cl Reaction Kinetics and Identification of Formyl Isocyanate, HC(O)NCO

CH3NCO, methyl isocyanate, is a toxic compound that is formed in the atmosphere following the use of agricultural and industrial precursors as well as an emission in biomass burning. The atmospheri...
Structural Response of Steel Jacket-UHPC Retrofitted Reinforced Concrete Columns under Blast Loading.

The lateral capacity of exterior concrete columns subjected to a blast load is the key factor in the building collapse probability. Due to potentially severe consequences of the collapse, efforts have been made to improve the blast resistance of existing structures. One of the successful approaches is the use of ultra-high-performance-concrete (UHPC) jacketing for retrofitting a building’s columns. The columns on the first floor of a building normally have higher slenderness due to the higher first story. Since an explosion is more likely to take place at the ground level, retrofitting the columns of the lower floors is crucial to improve a building’s blast resistance. Casting a UHPC tube around a circular RC column can increase the moment of inertia of the column and improve the flexural strength. In this study, a retrofitting system consisting of a UHPC layer enclosed by a thin steel jacket is proposed to improve the blast resistance of buildings in service. Most of the previous research is focused on design aspects of blast-resistant columns and retrofitting systems are mostly based on fiber reinforced polymers or steel jackets. A validated FE model is used to investigate the effectiveness of this method. The results showed significant improvement both at the component and building system levels against combined gravity and blast loading.
Blood Conservation Strategies and Bloodless Medicine

Blood transfusion is a commonly performed procedure perioperatively by anesthesia providers. Historically there have been several scenarios where transfusions are avoided due to various risks, refusal by patients, or even simply unavailable. Blood conservation strategies have been developed as means of decreasing or completely eliminating the need for allogeneic blood transfusion. Patients who receive blood transfusions face the intrinsic risk of blood transfusion as developing transfusion reactions, blood borne infection, and transfusion related immunomodulation. Blood transfusions in the perioperative setting are associated with increased rates of pulmonary, wound, and thromboembolic complications as well. Bloodless medicine/surgery encompasses the multidisciplinary strategies that can be implemented in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phase to minimize transfusion rates. Bloodless medicine has also been employed in the care of Jehovah’s Witnesses, who may refuse transfusions of specific blood components. Blood conservation strategies are being implemented in the care of the orthopedic patient, as the rate of blood transfusions for joint replacement in the United States is currently rising. In cardiac surgery, limiting blood transfusions leads to decreased postoperative complications and mortality. As bloodless medicine continues to advance technologies and techniques are developed to meet patient needs.
Rethinking diversity, equity and inclusion in an acute care surgery setting.

N/A - This is the first place essay contest winner for the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee’s 2020 essay contest in response to the prompt ‘How can diversity, equity, and inclusion be improved in acute care surgery/the AAST?’ The essay does not have an attached abstract.
Barriers and Enablers to Circular Building Design in the US: An Empirical Study

AbstractAs discussions around the circular economy (CE) start to move beyond Eurocentric approaches, US stakeholders are left with the mission of carving their way into CE. The US building sector h...
Modeling spatial multi-link flexible manipulator arms based on system modes

Industrial demand for high precision manipulators has lead to heavy, stiff, and therefore, expensive, inefficient, and potentially dangerous serial arm manipulators. The move towards lighter, and therefore, flexible manipulators has not matured, although there have been advancements in data processing capabilities, sensor technology, and control theory in the past couple of decades that could potentially reduce the problems with flexible serial manipulators. Most research in the past has focused on single link manipulators and planar robot arms and less research has been done on spatial multi-link robots. This work presents the derivation for a low-order model for spatial multi-link serial arms. Due to its low number of degrees of freedom this model can be used in real-time systems for control and estimation. The model is then verified by comparing its performance to results from commercial finite element software. Additional tests are performed against a flexible robot arm testbed.
A Novel Regulation of K-antigen Capsule Synthesis in Porphyromonas gingivalis Is Driven by the Response Regulator PG0720-Directed Antisense RNA

The periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis strain W83 displays at least three different surface glycans, specifically two types of lipopolysaccharides (O-LPS and A-LPS) and K-antigen capsule. Despite the importance of K-antigen capsule to the virulence of P. gingivalis, little is known as to how expression of genes involved in the synthesis of this surface glycan is regulated. The genes required for K-antigen capsule synthesis are located in a locus that encodes a number of transcripts, including an operon (PG0104 to PG0121, generating ∼19.4-kb transcript) which contains a non-coding 77-bp inverted repeat (77bpIR) region near the 5'-end. Previously, we identified a 550-nucleotide antisense RNA molecule (designated asSuGR for antisense Surface Glycan Regulator) encoded within the 77-bpIR element that influences the synthesis of surface glycans. In this study, we demonstrate that the DNA-binding response regulator PG0720 can bind the promoter region of asSuGR and activate expression of asSuGR, indicating that PG0720 may indirectly influence transcript levels of the K-antigen capsule operon expressed from the sense strand. The data show that deletion of the PG0720 gene confers a defect in the presentation of surface polysaccharides compared with the parent strain and quantitative RT-PCR (qPCR) analysis determined that the overall expression of genes involved in K-antigen capsule synthesis were down-regulated in the PG0720 mutant. Furthermore, the defects of the PG0720 deletion mutant were restored by complementation. Importantly, the PG0720 deletion mutant showed reduced virulence. Altogether, our data show that the response regulator PG0720 regulates expression of asSuGR, a trans-acting antisense RNA molecule involved in modulating the production of surface polysaccharides in P. gingivalis strain W83. The data provide further evidence that surface glycans are key virulence determinants and significantly advances our understanding of the molecular mechanisms controlling the synthesis of P. gingivalis K-antigen capsule, a key virulence determinant.
Enzyme Active Sites

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) have provided powerful new tools for analysis of enzyme function. MAbs directed at specific subsites of the enzyme active site allow analysis of catalysis at a new level of resolution even for relatively simple, monomeric enzymes. Because many different MAbs can be prepared to a given enzyme protein or polypeptide complex, and each will be exquisitely specific for a given antigenic determinant or epitope, multiple subunits and associated catalytic functions become potentially separable. In addition, because the binding of MAbs to protein antigens is sensitive to even single residue changes in the antigenic determinant, it is possible to discriminate between very closely related but structurally distinct multiple molecular forms of enzymes.1 This discussion reviews several unique studies in which MAbs have been used to examine catalysis in ways not previously approachable by conventional biochemical methods.
Inadequacy of the eucaryote inhibitor cycloheximide in studies of protozoan grazing on bacteria at the freshwater-sediment interface.

Four guilds from a lake sediment-water interface microbial community were isolated and tested for sensitivity to cycloheximide (0.1 to 200 mg liter−1). Field experiments were conducted to compare the inhibition, dilution, and filtration methods for determining grazing rates. Cycloheximide inhibited anaerobic bacteria at 50 mg liter−1, and inhibition of bacterial growth was observed in the grazing experiments. The results show that the assumption of selective inhibition of heterotrophic eucaryotes was violated and preclude the use of cycloheximide in grazing experiments.
Web Implementation of a Securtty Mediator for Medical Databases

Internet access to medical data has greatly facilitated information sharing. As health care institutions become more willing or more pressured to share some of their protected information, tools are being developed to facilitate the information transfer while protecting the privacy of the data. To this end, under the TIHI project, we have designed a security mediator a software entity that screens both incoming queries and outgoing results for compliance with a medical institution’s policies pertaining to data privacy. The system is under the control of a security officer who enters simple rules into the system that implement the policies of the institution. In this paper, we describe the WWW implementation of the security mediator dual interface. The customer interface allows outsiders to request and receive filtered medical information from a hospital database. The security officer interface permits rule editing and resolution of cases not covered by the rule-set.
Towards a Navier Stokes Exact Solution

The equations of Hydrodynamics are of great interest in science and engineering...from weather patterns and prediction to nanofluidics to grains and information 'flows' to the addition of magnetic etc. fields for cosmology. Current modeling relies on computing for numerical results. Seeking alternative solution methods to current methods is of interest, from alternative computation methods to alternative analytical methods. We present in this letter the beginnings of a solution approach to the nonlinear Navier-Stokes equation that may yield such results as easier computing by alternative representations of the Navier-Stokes equation and potentially exact solutions for the Navier-Stokes equation.
Finding consensus among words : Lattice-based word error minimization

We describe a new algorithm for finding the hypothesis in a recognition lattice that is expected to minimize the word error rate (WER). Our approach thus overcomes the mismatch between the word-based performance metric and the standard MAP scoring paradigm that is sentence-based, and that can lead to sub-optimal recognition results. To this end we first find a complete alignment of all words in the recognition lattice, identifying mutually supporting and competing word hypotheses. Finally, a new sentence hypothesis is formed by concatenating the words with maximal posterior probabilities. Experimentally, this approach leads to a significant WER reduction in a large vocabulary recognition task.
The role of aluminum sensing and signaling in plant aluminum resistance

As researchers have gained a better understanding in recent years into the physiological, molecular, and genetic basis of how plants deal with aluminum (Al) toxicity in acid soils prevalent in the tropics and sub-tropics, it has become clear that an important component of these responses is the triggering and regulation of cellular pathways and processes by Al. In this review of plant Al signaling, we begin by summarizing the understanding of physiological mechanisms of Al resistance, which first led researchers to realize that Al stress induces gene expression and modifies protein function during the activation of Al resistance responses. Subsequently, an overview of Al resistance genes and their function provides verification that Al induction of gene expression plays a major role in Al resistance in many plant species. More recent research into the mechanistic basis for Al-induced transcriptional activation of resistance genes has led to the identification of several transcription factors as well as cis-elements in the promoters of Al resistance genes that play a role in greater Al-induced gene expression as well as higher constitutive expression of resistance genes in some plant species. Finally, the post-transcriptional and translational regulation of Al resistance proteins is addressed, where recent research has shown that Al can both directly bind to and alter activity of certain organic acid transporters, and also influence Al resistance proteins indirectly, via protein phosphorylation.
The Sun's Magnetic Field and the Stability of Solar Markings.

Abstract : This paper relates to the interpretation of photographs taken at the Lockheed Solar Observatory with an H-alpha filter having a pass band of 0.5 Angstroms. Photographs taken at the line center refer to higher atmospheric levels than do those taken in the wings. The program of solar photography at Lockheed has featured the taking of records in rapid sequence at 10 sec intervals. Records taken approximately 0.5 Angstroms to the red or violet of the line center are relatively free from the complex bright and dark plages characteristic of chromospheric and prominence activity. (Author)
Selection and Moral Hazard in the Reverse Mortgage Market

This paper explains why selection in the US reverse mortgage market to date has been advantageous rather than adverse. Reverse mortgages let \house rich, cash poor" older homeowners transfer wealth from the wealthy period after their home is sold to the impoverished period before. Near absence of demand seems to contradict life cycle consumption theory and has been blamed in part on large up-front fees. These fees, in turn, are justied by adverse selection and moral hazard concerns related to length of stay in the home. In fact, reverse mortgage loan histories and the American Housing Survey reveal that single women who are reverse mortgage borrowers depart from their homes at a rate almost 50 percent greater than observably similar non-participating homeowners. This surprising fact appears to arise from the phenomenon that the types of people who wish to take equity out of their homes through reverse mortgage borrowing are also likely to take out the remaining home equity by selling their homes. This mechanism is similar to the heterogeneity in risk aversion proposed by de Meza and Webb (2001) to rationalize advantageous selection in insurance markets. Further results suggest that future declines in price appreciation may generate sucien t moral hazard as to undermine the advantageous selection seen to date.
Mechanisms of Dairy Modulation of Adiposity

Dietary calcium plays a pivotal role in the regulation of energy metabolism, in that we have found high calcium diets to attenuate adipocyte lipid accretion and weight gain during periods of overconsumption of an energy-dense diet and to increase lipolysis and preserve thermogenesis during caloric restriction, thereby markedly accelerating weight loss. Our studies of the agouti gene in obesity and insulin resistance demonstrate a key role for intracellular Ca(2+) in regulating adipocyte lipid metabolism and triglyceride storage, with increased intracellular Ca(2+), resulting in stimulation of lipogenic gene expression and lipogenesis, and suppression of lipolysis, resulting in adipocyte lipid filling and increased adiposity. Moreover, we have recently demonstrated that the increased calcitriol produced in response to low calcium diets stimulates Ca(2+) influx in human adipocytes and thereby promotes adiposity. Accordingly, suppressing calcitriol levels by increasing dietary calcium is an attractive target for the prevention and management of obesity. In support of this concept, transgenic mice expressing the agouti gene specifically in adipocytes (a humanlike pattern) respond to low calcium diets with accelerated weight gain and fat accretion, whereas high calcium diets markedly inhibit lipogenesis, accelerate lipolysis, increase thermogenesis and suppress fat accretion and weight gain in animals maintained at identical caloric intakes. Further, low calcium diets impede body fat loss, whereas high calcium diets markedly accelerate fat loss in transgenic mice subjected to caloric restriction. Notably, dairy sources of calcium exert markedly greater effects in attenuating weight and fat gain and accelerating fat loss. This augmented effect of dairy vs. supplemental calcium is likely attributable to additional bioactive compounds in dairy that act synergistically with calcium to attenuate adiposity; among these are angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory peptides, which limit angiotensin II production and thereby limit angiotensin II stimulation of adipocyte lipogenesis. These concepts are confirmed by both epidemiological and clinical data, which similarly demonstrate that dairy products exert a substantially greater effect on both fat loss and fat distribution compared to an equivalent amount of supplemental calcium.
Robust noncoherent receiver exploiting UWB channel properties

Most UWB radio receivers discussed in the literature are coherent receivers, which can offer high signal sensitivity and support high data rates but require precise timing clock recovery and complex RAKE structures. For UWB radio systems requiring only lower data throughput, noncoherent receiver architectures offer a good performance-complexity tradeoff. In this paper, we describe a noncoherent receiver for 2PPM UWB signals. The key design parameter, the duration of signal integration, can be chosen such that a target BER is achieved for each element of a preselected set of channel realizations. Although the proposed receiver works without channel state information and complex RAKE frontend, its performance compares favorably with that of a coherent 2PAM RAKE receiver of low order. The simple noncoherent receiver exploits most of the multipath diversity offered by the channel and is robust to clock timing errors.
Simultaneous localization of multiple broadband non-impulsive acoustic sources in an ocean waveguide using the array invariant

The array invariant method, previously derived for instantaneous range and bearing estimation of a single broadband impulsive source in a horizontally stratified ocean waveguide, can be generalized to simultaneously localize multiple uncorrelated broadband noise sources that are not necessarily impulsive in the time domain by introducing temporal pulse compression and an image processing technique similar to the Radon transform. This can be done by estimating the range and bearing of broadband non-impulsive sources from measured beam-time migration lines of modal arrivals along a horizontal array arising from differences in modal group velocity and modal polar angle for each propagating mode. The generalized array invariant approach is used to estimate the range of a vertical source array and vocalizing humpback whales over wide areas from measurements made by a towed horizontal receiver array during the Gulf of Maine 2006 Experiment. The localization results are shown to have roughly 12% root-mean-squared errors from Global Positioning System measured ground truth positions for controlled source transmissions and less than 10% discrepancy from those obtained independently via moving array triangulation for vocalizing humpbacks, respectively.
A modeling methodology to evaluate the efficacy of predator exclosures versus predator control

Predation is seen as the most important source of mortality for many endangered species, including the piping plover. However, predation can be managed through lethal methods, birth control or by excluding predators from nests. Nevertheless, managing a predator population in order to protect a threatened prey population has uncertain outcomes making the monetary expenditures required to manage predators less appealing. We developed a methodology that utilizes a stochastic coupled predator–prey population viability analysis to determine the efficacy of using predator exclosures to protect piping plover nests versus using lethal or birth control measures for one of its principal predators, the red fox. We found that implementing predator exclosures led to slightly higher final abundances of plovers compared with the lethal or birth control of foxes. Moreover, the joint effort of predator control and predator exclosures resulted in considerably higher final plover abundance compared with either option alone. Additionally, there may be situations where certain demographic data about a predator population, such as the population size and age distribution, is not known to the manager. We evaluated the effect these demographics had on the predator control management option chosen. We found that the efficacy of different management options change depending on the starting demographics of the fox population. We emphasize the implementation of this type of model when managing a predator for the sake of prey in order to make informed management decisions that could save money while ensuring better protection of endangered species.
Lactic dehydrogenase activity in gastric juice for the diagnosis of gastric cancer

Serum and gastric juice lactic dehydrogenase (LD) activity has been measured in patients with normal stomachs, with uncomplicated pernicious anemia, with benign gastric ulcer, and with gastric cancer. The measurements were made of specimens containing no free hydrochloric acid. The results of these preliminary studies suggest that the determination of LD activity in gastric juice may be helpful in the diagnosis of gastric cancer. Gastric LD activity appears to be independent of serum LD activity. Further research, especially concerning the relationship of gastric mucosal changes and gastric LD activity, is recommended.
Improving faculty publication output: The role of a writing coach

Abstract Publishing academic papers is recognized by faculty as vital not only to their careers, but also to the standing of their school within the university and the discipline. Although writing is perceived as a critical, high-priority task, it often has low follow-through behavior. To facilitate the publication output of our faculty, a part-time writing coach was hired. Blanchard's situational leadership II® model (1985), which tailors leadership style to the needs of the group, indicated a framework of coaching and support would best meet faculty writing needs. The literature further suggested that an ongoing coaching relationship in the form of a committed partnership would empower faculty to achieve beyond prior performance. We present a model to show how coaching and support facilitate perseverance in writing for publication. Sixteen of 26 faculty sought the coach's help in the first 2.5 years, generating 21 submissions to peer-reviewed journals. Fifteen of these were published or accepted (71 per cent), and one was still under review when this article was written. Five rejected papers had not yet been resubmitted. Faculty with recent doctorates appeared to benefit most from coaching. J Prof Nurs 18:8-15, 2002. Copyright © 2002 by W.B. Saunders Company
Does the interval since vaginal delivery influence the chance of vaginal birth after cesarean

AbstractObjective: To examine the association between interval since vaginal delivery and vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).Methods: Women with one prior low transverse cesarean and a prior vaginal delivery undergoing a trial of labor after cesarean at term were included in this cohort study. Multivariable analyses were performed to determine whether length of time since prior vaginal delivery was independently associated with VBAC and, if so, whether its inclusion enhanced the predictive capacity of previously published models.Results: Of the 5628 women included, 4901 (87%) achieved a VBAC. Each additional year since vaginal delivery decreased the odds of VBAC by 11% (95% CI: 10–13%). When added to an existing predictive model that included only factors available at early prenatal care, interval since vaginal delivery marginally improved the model’s predictive ability (area under the curve [AUC] 0.73 versus 0.71, p < 0.01). When added to a model that included factors available proximate to the time of ...
Component based development of UDBC

A Universal DataBase Connectivity (UDBC) component has been developed with component-based approach. This paper presents our design goal, software architecture, and implementation issues for UDBC. Strength, limitations, and possible extension of JavaBean component architecture and its design environment are discussed.
The afferent projections to the centrum medianum of the cat as demonstrated by retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase

Abstract The afferent projections of nucleus centrum medianum (CM) of the thalamus were studied, in the cat, by means of retrograde transport of electrophoretically ejected horseradish peroxidase. Several variations of method — survival time, fixatives, substrates, etc. — were tried to improve the amount of visible reaction product. Labeled neurons were localized primarily in two categories of nuclei in the brain. The first consisted of structures making up or closely related to the basal ganglia: the entopeduncular nucleus, the pars reticulata of the substantia nigra, and motor cortex. The second category was made up of nuclei closely related to postural and orienting functions: the deep layers of the superior colliculus ipsilaterally, and the medial and lateral vestibular nuclei bilaterally. Other nuclei containing retrogradely labeled neurons were the periaqueductal gray and locus coeruleus. Brain stem reticular projections were sparse and widely scattered. These results identify CM as an important element in the loop system linking medial thalamus and neostriatum; the probable attention and orientation related functions of this system are discussed.
Instability in memory phenomena: a common puzzle and a unifying explanation.

In mixed lists, stable free recall advantages are observed for encoding conditions that are unusual, bizarre, or attract extensive individual item elaboration relative to more common encoding conditions; but this recall advantage is often eliminated or reversed in pure lists. We attempt to explain this ubiquitous memory puzzle with an item-order account that assumes that (1) free recall of unrelated lists depends on order and item information; (2) unusual items attract greater individual item-processing but disrupt order encoding regardless of list composition; and (3) list composition determines differences in order encoding across unusual and common items. We show that the item-order account provides a unifying explanation of five memory phenomena for which the requisite data exist. The account also successfully anticipates pure-list reversals, in which the standard mixed-list recall pattern is obtained in pure, structured lists, a finding that competing accounts cannot handle. Extending the item-order account to other “established” recall phenomena may prove fruitful.
An Introduction to the Special Issue of Journal of Enterprise Transformation: Enterprise Change and Continuity

Enterprise transformation is usually construed as large-scale change. Is change the opposite of continuity? Is continuity the same as stability? These are important questions, particularly to those...
Tooth-brushing-induced epilepsy.

Summary: A case report of a 12-year-old male with tooth-brushing-induced epilepsy is presented. The partial elementary seizures began several weeks after placement of a palatal expansion appliance which led to local irritation of the upper gums. Although other oral stimulation occasionally precipitated the seizures, they were consistently induced by tooth brushing. The case is another example of how specific stimuli can trigger epileptic seizures. RESUME Les auteurs presentent l'observation d'un garcon de 12 ans ayant une epilepsie induite par le brossage des dents. Des crises partielles a semiologie elementaire ont commence chez lui plusieurs semaines apres la mise en place d'une expansion palatine, qui avait provoque une irritation des gencives superieures. Bien que d'autres stimulations orales puissent occasion-nellement les declencher, les crises etaient surtout induites par le brossage des dents. Ce cas est un exemple supplemental de la facon dont les crises epileptiques peuvent etre provoquees par des stimuli specifiques.
Aerodynamic shape optimization using preconditioned conjugate gradient methods

In an effort to further improve upon the latest advancements made in aerodynamic shape optimization procedures, a systematic study is performed to examine several current solution methodologies as applied to various aspects of the optimization procedure. It is demonstrated that preconditioned conjugate gradient-like methodologies dramatically decrease the computational efforts required for such procedures. The design problem investigated is the shape optimization of the upper and lower surfaces of an initially symmetric (NACA-012) airfoil in inviscid transonic flow and at zero degree angle-of-attack. The complete surface shape is represented using a Bezier-Bernstein polynomial. The present optimization method then automatically obtains supercritical airfoil shapes over a variety of freestream Mach numbers. Furthermore, the best optimization strategy examined resulted in a factor of 8 decrease in computational time as well as a factor of 4 decrease in memory over the most efficient strategies in current use.