cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Monocular Duke of Urbino.

Federico da Montefeltro (1422–1482), the Duke of Urbino, was a well-known historical figure during the Italian Renaissance. He is the subject of a famous painting by Piero della Francesca (1416–1492), which displays the Duke from the left and highlights his oddly shaped nose. The Duke is known to have lost his right eye due to an injury sustained during a jousting tournament, which is why the painting portrays him from the left. Some historians teach that the Duke subsequently underwent nasal surgery to remove tissue from the bridge of his nose in order to expand his visual field in an attempt to compensate for the lost eye. In theory, removal of a piece of the nose may have expanded the nasal visual field, especially the “eye motion visual field” that encompasses eye movements. In addition, removing part of the nose may have reduced some of the effects of ocular parallax. Finally, shifting of the visual egocenter may have occurred, although this seems likely unrelated to the proposed nasal surgery. Whether or not the Duke actually underwent the surgery cannot be proven, but it seems unlikely that this would have substantially improved his visual function.
Work-Space Calculation of a Robotic Arm Using the Articulated Total Body Model

In this paper the work-space of a robotic arm and the arm positions at various times are calculated using the Articulated Total Body (ATB) Model developed by the Armstrong Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in an effort to advance the Robotics Telepresence Technology. The behavior of the right arm is simulated on the computer with a force applied to the center of the hand, and the generated work-space is graphically displayed.
Genome-wide TOP2A DNA cleavage is biased toward translocated and highly transcribed loci

Type II topoisomerases orchestrate proper DNA topology, and they are the targets of anti-cancer drugs that cause treatment-related leukemias with balanced translocations. Here, we develop a high-throughput sequencing technology to define TOP2 cleavage sites at single-base precision, and use the technology to characterize TOP2A cleavage genome-wide in the human K562 leukemia cell line. We find that TOP2A cleavage has functionally conserved local sequence preferences, occurs in cleavage cluster regions (CCRs), and is enriched in introns and lincRNA loci. TOP2A CCRs are biased toward the distal regions of gene bodies, and TOP2 poisons cause a proximal shift in their distribution. We find high TOP2A cleavage levels in genes involved in translocations in TOP2 poison-related leukemia. In addition, we find that a large proportion of genes involved in oncogenic translocations overall contain TOP2A CCRs. The TOP2A cleavage of coding and lincRNA genes is independently associated with both length and transcript abundance. Comparisons to ENCODE data reveal distinct TOP2A CCR clusters that overlap with marks of transcription, open chromatin, and enhancers. Our findings implicate TOP2A cleavage as a broad DNA damage mechanism in oncogenic translocations as well as a functional role of TOP2A cleavage in regulating transcription elongation and gene activation.
LKB1-AMPK modulates nutrient-induced changes in the mode of division of intestinal epithelial crypt cells in mice:

Nutrient availability influences intestinal epithelial stem cell proliferation and tissue growth. Increases in food result in a greater number of epithelial cells, villi height and crypt depth. We investigated whether this nutrient-driven expansion of the tissue is the result of a change in the mode of intestinal epithelial stem cell division and if LKB1-AMPK signaling plays a role. We utilized in vivo and in vitro experiments to test this hypothesis. C57BL/6J mice were separated into four groups and fed varying amounts of chow for 18 h: (1) ad libitum, (2) 50% of their average daily intake (3) fasted or (4) fasted for 12 h and refed. Mice were sacrificed, intestinal sections excised and immunohistochemically processed to determine the mitotic spindle orientation. Epithelial organoids in vitro were treated with no (0 mM), low (5 mM) or high (20 mM) amounts of glucose with or without an activator (Metformin) or inhibitor (Compound C) of LKB1-AMPK signaling. Cells were then processed to determine the mode o...
Use of Adult Patient Focus Groups to Develop the Initial Item Bank for a Cochlear Implant Quality-of-Life Instrument.

Importance No instrument exists to assess quality of life (QOL) in adult cochlear implant (CI) users that has been developed and validated using accepted scientific standards. Objective To develop a CI-specific QOL instrument for adults in accordance with the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) guidelines. Design, Setting, and Participants As required in the PROMIS guidelines, patient focus groups participated in creation of the initial item bank. Twenty-three adult CI users were divided into 1 of 3 focus groups stratified by word recognition ability. Three moderator-led focus groups were conducted based on grounded theory on December 3, 2016. Two reviewers independently analyzed focus group recordings and transcripts, with a third reviewer available to resolve discrepancies. All data were reviewed and reported according to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research. The setting was a tertiary referral center. Main Outcomes and Measures Coded focus group data. Results The 23 focus group participants (10 [43%] female; mean [range] age, 68.1 [46.2-84.2] years) represented a wide range of income levels, education levels, listening modalities, CI device manufacturers, duration of CI use, and age at implantation. Data saturation was determined to be reached before the conclusion of each of the focus groups. After analysis of the transcripts, the central themes identified were communication, emotion, environmental sounds, independence and work function, listening effort, social isolation and ability to socialize, and sound clarity. Cognitive interviews were carried out on 20 adult CI patients who did not participate in the focus groups to ensure item clarity. Based on these results, the initial QOL item bank and prototype were developed. Conclusions and Relevance Patient focus groups drawn from the target population are the preferred method of identifying content areas and domains for developing the item bank for a CI-specific QOL instrument. Compared with previously used methods, the use of patient-centered item development for a CI-specific QOL instrument will more accurately reflect patient experience and increase our understanding of how CI use affects QOL.
Effective Capacity Modulation as an Explicit Control Knob for Public Cloud Profitability

In this article, we explore the efficacy of dynamic effective capacity modulation (i.e., using virtualization techniques to offer lower resource capacity than that advertised by the cloud provider) as a control knob for a cloud provider’s profit maximization complementing the more well-studied approach of dynamic pricing. In particular, our focus is on emerging cloud ecosystems wherein we expect tenants to modify their demands strategically in response to such modulation in effective capacity and prices. Toward this, we consider a simple model of a cloud provider that offers a single type of virtual machine to its tenants and devise a leader/follower game-based cloud control framework to capture the interactions between the provider and its tenants. We assume both parties employ myopic control and short-term predictions to reflect their operation under the high dynamism and poor predictability in such environments. Our evaluation using a combination of real data center traces and real-world benchmarks hosted on a prototype OpenStack-based cloud shows 10% to 30% profit improvement for a cloud provider compared with baselines that use static pricing and/or static effective capacity.
THE MODE OF METAL TO CARBON BOND FORMATION BY OXIDATIVE ADDITION

At the outset of this work, two mechanisms for the oxidative addition1 of alkyl halides to low valent metal complexes had been postulated.
Neighborhood Types and Externalizing Behavior in Urban School-Age Children: Tests of Direct, Mediated, and Moderated Effects

We evaluated the association of neighborhood types and externalizing behavior problems in 99 predominately African-American urban children (M = 10.7 years), and the extent to which qualities of the family environment mediated or moderated these associations. Three distinct neighborhood types were identified using cluster analysis of census and crime data. Results showed that children living in very poor neighborhoods with moderate crime levels had more behavior problems than children living in relatively low crime, low poverty areas. Family stress mediated the association between neighborhood type and behavior problems. Family cohesion moderated the association of neighborhood type and adjustment: children living in the most impoverished neighborhoods with high levels of family cohesion demonstrated fewer behavior problems relative to their peers in low-cohesive households in the same area, and similar levels of behavior problems relative to children in highly cohesive homes in low crime, low poverty areas.
Two siblings with a novel nonsense variant provide further delineation of the spectrum of recessive KLHL7 diseases.

Abstract Mutations in Kelch-like family member 7 (KLHL7) have recently been described as a cause of a constellation of clinical findings with descriptions of both a Crisponi syndrome (CS)/cold-induced sweating syndrome type 1 (CISS1)-like, as well as a Bohring-Opitz syndrome (BOS)-like presentation. Here we report two siblings of Guatelmalan descent with a novel homozygous nonsense mutation (p.Arg326*) in KLHL7. These children have multiple dysmorphic features and developmental delay. Interestingly, their clinical traits inconsistently overlap both the CS/CISS1-like and BOS-like phenotypes, and the siblings also have subtle differences from each other, suggesting that clinicians need to be aware of the degree of variability in the presentations of these patients. Still, there is enough in common between patients with recessive KLHL7 mutations to define a novel multisystem disease that features various neurodevelopmental, musculoskeletal, dysmorphic, and other unique components. This report adds to the clinical features and disease-associated variants of the newly-recognized spectrum of KLHL7 mutations, and offers a new description, PERCHING, for the resulting syndrome.
Hierarchical spherical deformation for cortical surface registration.

Abstract We present hierarchical spherical deformation for a group-wise shape correspondence to address template selection bias and to minimize registration distortion. In this work, we aim at a continuous and smooth deformation field to guide accurate cortical surface registration. In conventional spherical registration methods, a global rigid alignment and local deformation are independently performed. Motivated by the composition of precession and intrinsic rotation, we simultaneously optimize global rigid rotation and non-rigid local deformation by utilizing spherical harmonics interpolation of local composite rotations in a single framework. To this end, we indirectly encode local displacements by such local composite rotations as functions of spherical locations. Furthermore, we introduce an additional regularization term to the spherical deformation, which maximizes its rigidity while reducing registration distortion. To improve surface registration performance, we employ the second order approximation of the energy function that enables fast convergence of the optimization. In the experiments, we validate our method on healthy normal subjects with manual cortical surface parcellation in registration accuracy and distortion. We show an improved shape correspondence with high accuracy in cortical surface parcellation and significantly low registration distortion in surface area and edge length. In addition to validation, we discuss parameter tuning, optimization, and implementation design with potential acceleration.
Closures of K-orbits in the flag variety for U(p,q)

We classify the GLp×GLq-orbits in the flag variety for GLp+q with rationally smooth closure, showing that they are all either already closed or are pullbacks from orbits with smooth closure in a partial flag variety.
Impact of Chronic DMARD Therapy in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Undergoing Surgery of the Craniovertebral Junction: A Multi-center Retrospective Study.

Study design A multi-centered retrospective review from five institutions. Objective The aim of this study was to determine whether continuing or withholding disease-modifying antirheumatoid drugs (DMARDs) in the perioperative period affect outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients undergoing arthrodesis at the craniovertebral junction SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA.: RA is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease that affects the cervical spine and is treated with DMARDs. Some advocate withholding DMARDs in the perioperative period due to concern for the cytotoxic effects of these medications. However, the impact of DMARDs in the perioperative period is not well understood. Methods A multicenter retrospective study from five affiliated institutions was performed. Adult patients with RA on chronic DMARDs undergoing posterior arthrodesis of the craniovertebral junction (occipital-cervical or atlanto-axial arthrodesis) were identified. Patients were stratified based on whether DMARD therapy was continued (C group) or discontinued (DC group) in the perioperative period. The primary outcome was the need for reoperation and reason for reoperation. Results Thirty-nine patients met inclusion criteria, 19 in C group and 20 in DC group. Average follow-up time was 42 months. Four patients (three in DC group and one in C group) required reoperation. Two patients from the DC group required readmission secondary to RA flare-up. Conclusion Our cohort of RA patients who underwent occipital-cervical and C1/C2 posterior arthrodesis showed no significant differences in surgical complications when DMARD therapy was continued or discontinued in the perioperative period. The decision to continue or discontinue DMARD therapy in the perioperative period is at the discretion of the treating physician, but we encourage physicians to counsel patients regarding this theoretical risk and their tolerance of the medications as well as the risk of RA flare-up. Factors such as overall health, disease burden, nutrition, bone quality, smoking status, and other comorbid conditions are likely to have a larger influence on perioperative complications. Level of evidence 3.
Prospective performance of clear cell likelihood scores (ccLS) in renal masses evaluated with multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging

Solid renal masses have unknown malignant potential with commonly utilized imaging. Biopsy can offer a diagnosis of cancer but has a high non-diagnostic rate and complications. Reported use of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) to diagnose aggressive histology (i.e., clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC)) via a clear cell likelihood score (ccLS) was based on retrospective review of cT1a tumors. We aim to retrospectively assess the diagnostic performance of ccLS prospectively assigned to renal masses of all stages evaluated with mpMRI prior to histopathologic evaluation. In this retrospective cohort study from June 2016 to November 2019, 434 patients with 454 renal masses from 2 institutions with heterogenous patient populations underwent mpMRI with prospective ccLS assignment and had pathologic diagnosis. ccLS performance was assessed by contingency table analysis. The association between ccLS and ccRCC was assessed with logistic regression. Mean age and tumor size were 60 ± 13 years and 5.4 ± 3.8 cm. Characteristics were similar between institutions except for patient age and race (both p < 0.001) and lesion laterality and histology (both p = 0.04). The PPV of ccLS increased with each increment in ccLS (ccLS1 5% [3/55], ccLS2 6% [3/47], ccLS3 35% [20/57], ccLS4 78% [85/109], ccLS5 93% [173/186]). Pooled analysis for ccRCC diagnosis revealed sensitivity 91% (258/284), PPV 87% (258/295) for ccLS ≥ 4, and specificity 56% (96/170), NPV 94% (96/102) for ccLS ≤ 2. Diagnostic performance was similar between institutions. We confirm the optimal diagnostic performance of mpMRI to identify ccRCC in all clinical stages. High PPV and NPV of ccLS can help inform clinical management decision-making. • The positive predictive value of the clear cell likelihood score (ccLS) for detecting clear cell renal cell carcinoma was 5% (ccLS1), 6% (ccLS2), 35% (ccLS3), 78% (ccLS4), and 93% (ccLS5). Sensitivity of ccLS ≥ 4 and specificity of ccLS ≤ 2 were 91% and 56%, respectively. • When controlling for confounding variables, ccLS is an independent risk factor for identifying clear cell renal cell carcinoma. • Utilization of the ccLS can help guide clinical care, including the decision for renal mass biopsy, reducing the morbidity and risk to patients.
Chikungunya infection: First autochthonous cases in Taiwan.

The first autochthonous case and the first outbreak of chikungunya in Taiwan occurred during July–October 2019, with a total of 21 cases confirmed. Genetic analysis revealed the strains belonged to East/Central/South African genotype and had 99.95%–100% identity with the strains from the imported cases from Myanmar in 2019. This event confirmed that the imported chikungunya cases has the potential to cause autochthonous transmission in Taiwan; intensified surveillance and vector control measures are essential to contain the outbreak.
A Novel Mean-Field-Game-Type Optimal Control for Very Large-Scale Multiagent Systems.

In this article, a decentralized adaptive optimal controller based on the emerging mean-field game (MFG) and self-organizing neural networks (NNs) has been developed for multiagent systems (MASs) with a large population and uncertain dynamics. This design can effectively break the ``curse of dimensionality'' and reduce the computational complexity by appropriately integrating emerging MFG theory with self-organizing NNs-based reinforcement learning techniques. First, the decentralized optimal control for massive MASs has been formulated into an MFG. To unfold the MFG, the coupled Hamilton-Jacobian-Bellman (HJB) equation and Fokker-Planck-Kolmogorov (FPK) equation needed to be solved simultaneously, which is challenging in real time. Therefore, a novel actor-critic-mass (ACM) structure has been developed along with self-organizing NNs subsequently. In the developed ACM structure, each agent has three NNs, including: 1) mass NN learning the mass MAS's overall behavior via online estimating the solution of the FPK equation; 2) critic NN obtaining the optimal cost function through learning the HJB equation solution along with time; and 3) actor NN estimating the decentralized optimal control by using the critic and mass NNs along with the optimal control theory. To reduce the NNs' computational complexity, a self-organizing NN has been adopted and integrated into a developed ACM structure that can adjust the NNs' architecture based on the NNs' learning performance and the computation cost. Finally, numerical simulation has been provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed schemes.
Algebraic calculation of graph and sorting algorithms

We introduce operators and laws of an algebra of formal languages, a subalgebra of which corresponds to the algebra of (multiary) relations. This algebra is then used in the formal specification and derivation of some graph and sorting algorithms. This study is part of an attempt to single out a framework for program development at a very high level of discourse, close to informal reasoning but still with full formal precision.
Fear No Weevil

Biological control of pests can seem a safe, attractive alternative to pesticides. But the process can sometimes go alarmingly awry, as described in a report in this issue by [ Louda et al .][1] on an introduced thistle and its control organism, a weevil. In his Perspective, Strong discusses the lessons we have learned from failed biological control measures, and how we can use this potentially important tool more effectively. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/277/5329/1088
How Effective are Electronic Reputation Mechanisms

Electronic reputation or "feedback" mechanisms aim to mitigate the moral hazard problems associated with exchange among strangers by providing the type of information available in more traditional close-knit groups, where members are frequently involved in one another's dealings. In this paper, we compare trading in a market with online feedback (as implemented by many Internet markets) to a market without feedback, as well as to a market in which the same people interact with one another repeatedly (partners market). We find that, while the feedback mechanism induces quite a substantial improvement in transaction efficiency, it also exhibits a kind of public goods problem that, unlike in the partners market, the benefits of trust and trustworthy behavior go to the whole community and are not completely internalized. We discuss the implications of this perspective for improving feedback mechanisms.
Effect of acute hypercalcemia on human esophageal motility

In order to evaluate the effect of acute moderate hypercalcemia on both smooth and skeletal muscle function of the human esophagus, 12 subjects were given intravenous calcium chloride in normal saline. Serum calcium increased from a basal value of 9.6 +/- 0.1 mg per dl (mean +/- 1 SEM) to 11.4 +/- 0.2 mg per dl at 90 min after initiation of calcium infusion (P less than 0.01). Both amplitude and Dp/Dt of esophageal contractions decreased significantly in the skeletal muscle segment; however, amplitude and Dp/Dt increased significantly in the smooth muscle segment. Lower esophageal sphincter pressure remained unchanged. Duration of contractions and peristaltic wave speed were unaltered. Possible explanations for the divergent effect of hypercalcemia on the two types of esophageal muscle are discussed.
Discriminant clustering using an HMM isolated-word recognizer

One limitation of hidden Markov model (HMM) recognizers is that subword models are not learned but must be prespecified before training. This can lead to excessive computation during recognition and/or poor discrimination between similar sounding words. A training procedure called discriminant clustering is presented that creates subword models automatically. Node sequences from whole-word models are merged using statistical clustering techniques. This procedure reduced the computation required during recognition for a 35-word vocabulary by roughly one-third while maintaining a low error rate. It was also found that five iterations of the forward-backward algorithm are sufficient and that adding nodes to HMM word models improves performance until the minimum word transition time becomes excessive. >
Statistical Mechanics of Ferromagnetism

The fact that reliable statistical mechanical theories of ferromagnetism existed only in the very low temperature region (spin wave theory) and in the very high temperature region (Kramers and Opechowski) has seriously hampered the development of magnetic theory. The Weiss molecular field theory neglects all spin-spin correlations and therefore gives too high a Curie temperature, misrepresents the details of the phase transition, and is unreliable as a basis for analyzing any effect depending on spin interactions. Cluster methods attempt to introduce correlation, but they are both inadequate and sometimes run into severe difficulties, such as the appearance of an anti-Curie temperature (in the Bethe-Peierls-Weiss theory). The source of such difficulties is demonstrated by the formalism of P. W. Kasteleijn and J. Van Kranendonck [Physica 22, 317 (1956)] who showed that the cluster theories correspond to the choice of a self-inconsistent two-particle density matrix. Furthermore the spin wave theory indicates that the interactions which are dominant in establishing spin-spin correlations are iterated interactions through enormously many long and complicated paths connecting the spins. Cluster methods are unable to include these long paths, and stress instead the direct short-path interactions. The need for a many-body theory is therefore indicated.
Tube Vibration and Flow Distribution in Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchangers

Avoiding flow-induced vibration damage is a major concern to the designers and operators of shell-and-tube heat exchangers. This paper discusses the characteristics of tube vibration as determined from a research program featuring tests of an industrial-size exchanger. The state of the art in understanding and predicting tube vibration and shell-side flow distribution is briefly reviewed. Finally, research needs are identified and discussed.
A New Synaptosomal Biosynthetic Pathway of Glutamate and GABA from Ornithine and Its Negative Feedback Inhibition by GABA

In sonicates of mouse brain synaptosomes, we demonstrated that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) can be formed when L-ornithine (Orn) through L-glutamic acid (Glu), but not through putrescine (Put). Incubation of these sonicates with [3H]ORN yielded not only [3H]Glu and [3H]L-proline (Pro) but also produced [3H]GABA from the [3H]Glu. Formation of each of these three major amino acids from [3H]Orn was strongly inhibited by the addition of GABA (1-5 mM). The likely enzymatic site of this negative feedback inhibition by GABA appeared to be ornithine delta-aminotransferase (OAT). A radiometric procedure was employed to study the effects of the three amino acids cited above and of others found in the free form in brain on the activity of a 30-fold-purified OAT from rat brain. Enzyme activity was measured in the presence of low concentrations of Orn, such as might occur in vivo. OAT was inhibited by GABA to a considerably greater extent than by Glu, L-glutamine, or Put; no inhibition was found with Pro, glycine, aspartarte, taurine, or beta-alanine. The inhibition of GABA was competitive with Orn. These results clearly show that one of the molecular mechanisms underlying the negative feedback inhibition of synaptosomal GABA biosynthesis from Orn is a competitive inhibition by GABA of the brain OAT activity that is responsible for the formation of L-glutamic-gamma-semialdehyde in equilibrium with L-delta 1-pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid from Orn. Thus, the results suggest that GABA may play an important role in restricting the metabolic flow from Orn to Glu and thence to GABA. It is confirmed that L-canaline (delta-aminooxy-L-alpha-aminobutyric acid) is a potent and specific inhibitor of brain OAT whereas much weaker inhibition was observed with two other carbonyl-trapping agents, aminooxyacetic acid and hydrazine.
The Mutual Response of the Tropical Cyclone and the Ocean

Abstract An axisymmetric hurricane model and an axisymmetric ocean model are integrated simultaneously for 24 h to investigate the mutual response of the two systems. The feedbacks between the hurricane and the ocean are negative. The weakening of the hurricane in response to the cooling of the ocean's surface by upwelling and mixing results in a lessened response of the ocean. The results suggest that appreciable weakening of a hurricane due to the cooling of the oceanic surface will not occur if it is translating at typical speed.
Relating the microwave backscattering coefficient to leaf area index

This paper examines the relationship between the microwave backscattering coefficient of a vegetation canopy, sigma (can, 0) and the canopy's leaf area index (LAI). The relationship is established through the development of one model for corn and sorghum and another for wheat. Both models are extensions of the cloud model of Attema and Ulaby (1978). Analysis of experimental data measured at 8.6, 13.0, 17.0, and 35.6 GHz indicates that most of the temporal variations of sigma (can, 0) can be accounted for through variations in green LAI alone, if the latter is greater than 0.5.
Effects of food-level acclimation on digestive enzyme activities and feeding behavior of Calanus pacificus

A recent hypothesis in the zooplankton literature states that zooplankton acclimate to ambient food concentrations such that higher digestive enzyme activities and, consequently, higher maximum ingestion rates are achieved at higher food levels. To test this hypothesis, adult female Calanus pacificus, collected from the main basin of Puget Sound, Washington, USA, in August 1979 and May 1982, were conditioned for 2 wk at different concentrations of the diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii (=fluviatilis). Ingestion rates and the activity of the digestive enzymes laminarinase, maltase, and cellobiase were measured periodically during acclimation and in a block-designed feeding experiment at the end of acclimation. Consistent with the hypothesis, maximum ingestion rate and digestive enzyme activity were positively correlated. However, in contrast to the hypothesized mechanism, this result arose because both maximum ingestion rate and digestive enzyme activity were negatively correlated with food concentration during acclimation. The enhanced ingestion of copepods following long-term (12 to 14 d) acclimation to low food is similar to that previously described for short-term (e.g. 1 d) starvation. It might be energetically optimal for copepods experiencing a patchy food environment to maintain higher levels of digestive enzymes at low food concentrations in order to exploit high concentrations of food when encountered.
The role of species mixtures in plantation forestry

Abstract Nearly all forest plantations are established as monocultures, but research has shown that there are potential advantages to be gained by using carefully designed species mixtures in place of monocultures. This paper reviews recent studies that compare stand development and productivity of mixed and pure plantations. Higher stand-level productivity in mixtures has been found with two kinds of species interactions: (1) complementary resource use between species that arises from development of a stratified canopy (and possibly root stratification); (2) facilitative improvement in nutrition of a valuable timber species growing in mixture with a nitrogen-fixing species (but only if combined with complementary resource use as well). These mixtures can also improve economic return through greater individual-tree growth rates and provision of multiple commercial or subsistence products. More complex plantation mixtures of 5–70 species have been used for ecological restoration of degraded lands; these large numbers of species of different successional stages are combined to reduce the need for a series of sequential plantings. Future research needs to examine many more tree species across a wider range of sites. Innovative planting designs have been developed to reduce the land area needed for mixed-species plantation experiments, by focusing on individual-tree analysis rather than plot-level analysis.
Hematopoiesis and stem cell renewal in long-term bone marrow cultures containing catalase

Culturing mouse bone marrow in the presence of catalase dramatically alters hematopoiesis. Granulocyte output is initially increased 4- to 5-fold. This increase is transient and granulocyte production declines as immature (Sca-1+/LIN-) cells accumulate. One third of these immature cells have a phenotype (Sca-1+/c-Kit+) characteristic of hematopoietic stem cells. At 2 to 3 weeks there are greater than 200-fold more Sca-1+/c-Kit+/LIN- cells in treated cultures than in controls. This population contains functional stem cells with both short-term and long-term bone marrow repopulating activity. In addition to myeloid progenitors, this Sca-1+/LIN- population contains a large number of cells that express CD31 and CD34 and have an active Tie-2 promoter, indicating that they are in the endothelial lineage. After 3 to 4 weeks hematopoiesis in treated cultures wanes but if catalase is removed, hematopoiesis resumes. After 7 to 10 days the cultures are indistinguishable from untreated controls. Thus, protected from H2O2, hematopoietic progenitors multiply and become quiescent. This sequence resembles in vivo development in normal marrow. These results make it clear that peroxide-sensitive regulatory mechanisms play an important role in controlling hematopoiesis ex vivo and presumably in vivo as well. They also indicate that manipulation of the peroxide levels can be used to enhance the growth of hematopoietic stem cells in culture.
Neurological aspects of rubella virus infection.

Rubella virus is a single-stranded, plus-sense RNA virus belonging to the Togaviridae family. Rubella virus infection causes a benign disease known as rubella or German measles, however infection duri
Chitosan nanoparticle-mediated de novo synthesis of a novel natriuretic hormone peptide reverses established asthma in mice

Abstract Rationale A family of natriuretic hormone peptides (NHP) with broad physiologic effects on the lung and cardiovascular system has been described. A novel peptide of pro-atrial natriuretic factor, NHP 73-102 , causes long-lasting bronchoprotective effect in a prophylactic model of asthma and shows anti-inflammatory activity (Kumar et al , JACI, 2002; Hellerman et al , JACI, 2003). The potential of this peptide in ameliorating established asthma and its immunomodulatory effects was examined in this study using a murine model of allergen [ovalbumin (Ova)]-respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection-induced asthma. Methods Mice were sensitized and challenged with Ova and then infected with RSV prior to their intranasal treatment with chitosan nanoparticles either expressing the plasmid encoded peptide (CHIpP) or incorporating NHP 73-102 (CHIP). Lung inflammation was examined by analyses of bronchoalveolar lavage and lung histology. Airway hyperreactivity (enhanced pause, Penh) was measured by whole body plethysmography. Cytokines were measured by intracellular cytokine staining (ICS). Results Therapy with CHIpP reversed Ova-induced airway reactivity (% Penh, P Conclusions Thus, de novo expression of NHP 73-102 reverses established asthma suggesting that this peptide may be useful as a novel therapy for asthma.
Experiences of Mandated Reporting Among Family Therapists: A Qualitative Analysis

Mandated reporting of child abuse by Family Therapists (FTs) has been examined by the authors in two previous studies. The first study found that mandated reporting issues negatively affected FTs’ abilities to maintain a systemic focus. The second study surveyed types and frequencies of negative experiences of FTs with mandated reporting. A 46-item questionnaire was administered to 101 FTs. Results were significant for four of the items. The respondents also provided 116 comments related to mandated reporting experiences. This study provides a qualitative analysis of the written comments of the respondents regarding their xexperiences with mandated reporting of child abuse.
Jalysus wickhami (Hemiptera: Berytidae): Toxicity of Pesticides Applied to the Soil or in the Transplant Water of Flue-Cured Tobacco

The effects of 13 pesticides applied to soil or in water at transplantation of flue-cured tobacco on spined stilt bug, Jalysus wickhami Van Duzee, survival were evaluated. The experiments were done in the laboratory and field at Oxford, N.C., from 1981 to 1984. Because spined stilt bugs probe tobacco leaves and suck plant juices, they are vulnerable to systemic pesticides. The systemic materials aldicarb, carbofuran, and phenamiphos were especially toxic to these beneficial predators of tobacco pests. All other pesticides were not toxic to spined stilt bugs in field experiments, although some were toxic when applied on tobacco in glass lantern globes in the laboratory.
On the size of hot spots in the dry sliding of metals

This paper investigates the influence of the interfacial temperature rise, in the dry sliding of metals, on the size of hot spots. An area expansion coefficient that corrects for such thermally induced changes is introduced. It is shown that the discrepancy between theoretical and experimental estimates of the area ratio, reported by some authors, may be avoided by taking into consideration the effects of temperature elevation on the properties of the sliding pair: namely, material softening and thermal expansion.
The impact of utilization research on the complete use of the forest

Wood has continued to serve from the earliest days of history as an efficient and economical material for construction and for industry; so much so, in fact, that it has remained competitive even though research and technological improvements have been at a very low level. This is evident from the low efficiency being attained in the harvesting, processing, and use of forest products. Technological advances attainable through research and the implementation of its results can potentially add 3.1 billion cubic feet per year to the yield of products to be obtained from the present United States volume of forest products of about 12-/12 billion cubic feet annually. Such more complete use of our timber resources will aid greatly, and in fact is essential to meeting future needs for forest products. Many qualitative improvements are also attainable through research, to produce stronger, more durable, and more serviceable products. In competition with other materials of industry, that are not renewable and that are produced at a very high cost to society in terms of energy consumed and environmental degradation caused by their recovery and processing, wood is likely to assume a more prominent role in the future.
Nanostructure Evolution During the Transition of TiO2, PbTiO3 and PZT from GELS to Crystalline thin Films.

The nanostructure evolution of PZT, PT and T thin films has been studied by high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM) supported by other techniques such as thermal analysis, thermal mass spectrometric analysis and X-ray diffraction analysis. The evolution follows a common progression from amorphous film, to the development of condensed regions that develop crystalline order, to the final polycrystalline oxide thin film. If the precursor gel contains lead, the film develops fluctuating surface “blisters” that evolve to an oxide final product as well. Minor structural and compositional differences exist across the final oxide thin film.
Observations on Bats from Bahia, Brazil

These notes describe some observations on the relative abundance, colony sites, behavior and feeding habits of eleven species of bats from the state of Bahia, Brazil. ( Phyllostomus hastatus, P. discolor, Glossophaga soricina, Sturnira lilium, Vampyrops lineatus, Chiroderma villosum, Artibeus lituratus, A. jamacensis, Myotis nigricans, Molossus major and Molossops planirostris .)
Zinc finger protein 1 (ThZF1) from salt cress (Thellungiella halophila) is a Cys-2/His-2-type transcription factor involved in drought and salt stress.

Zinc finger proteins (ZFPs) play important roles in growth and development in both animals and plants. Recently, some Arabidopsis genes encoding distinct ZFPs have been identified. However, the physiological role of their homologues with putative zinc finger motif remains unclear. In the present study, a novel gene, ThZF1, was characterized from salt stressed cress (Thellungiella halophila, Shan Dong), encoding a functional transcription factor. ThZF1 contains two conserved C2H2 regions and shares conserved domains, including DNA-binding motif, with Arabidopsis thaliana ZFP family members. The transcript of the ThZF1 gene was induced by salinity and drought. Transient expression analysis of ThZF1–GFP fusion protein revealed that ThZF1 was localized preferentially in nucleus. A gel-shift assay showed that ThZF1 specially bind to the wild-type (WT) EP2 element, a cis-element present in the promoter regions of several target genes regulated by ZFPs. Furthermore, a functional analysis demonstrated that ThZF1 was able to activate HIS marker gene in yeast. Finally, ectopic expression of ThZF1 in Arabidopsis mutant azf2 suggested that ThZF1 may have similar roles as Arabidopsis AZF2 in plant development as well as regulation of downstream gene.
Motive-based tourist market segmentation: an application to Native American cultural heritage sites in Arizona, USA.

This paper utilises a motive-based segmentation to understand tourists to cultural heritage sites in Arizona, USA. The data for this study were collected through mail survey from a representative sample of 671 tourists to three Native American cultural heritage sites. Using cluster analysis based upon motives for cultural history learning, three distinct segments were found: (1) ‘culture-focused,’ (2) ‘culture-attentive’ and (3) ‘culture-appreciative’ tourists. These groups differed significantly in terms of behaviour, experience and interpretation. The culture-focused segments spent longer at the sites, stayed more nights away from home, considered visiting archeological sites as their primary activity, and placed more importance on interpretation. In addition, the culture-focused groups were more satisfied with their trip, appreciated the preservation of archeological resources and reported more learning experiences. Overall, the study supports the notion that heterogeneity exists within cultural herita...
Mathematical modeling of catalytic-surface combustion of reacting flows

Catalytic combustion of methane-air mixtures involves the adsorption of the fuel and oxidant into a platinum surface, chemical reactions of the adsorbed species and the desorption of the resulting products. Re-adsorption of some produced gases is also possible. The catalytic reactions can be beneficial in porous burners that use low equivalence ratios. In this case the porous burner flame can be stabilized at low temperatures to prevent any substantial gas emissions, such as NOx. The present paper is concerned with the numerical computation of heat transfer and chemical reactions in flowing methane-air mixtures impinging on a platinum coated hot plate. Chemical reactions are included in the gas phase and in the solid platinum surface. In the gas phase, 16 species are involved in 49 elementary reactions. On the platinum hot surface, additional surface species are included that are involved in 24 additional surface chemical reactions. The platinum surface temperature is fixed, while the properties of the reacting flow are computed. The flow configuration investigated here is impinging jet. Finite-volume equations are obtained by formal integration over control volumes surrounding each grid node. Up-wind differencing is used to ensure that the influence coefficients are always positive to reflect the real effect of neighboring nodes on a typical central node. The finite-volume equations are solved, iteratively, for the reacting gas flow properties. In the platinum surface, surface species balance equations, under steady-state conditions, are solved numerically. A non-uniform computational grid is used, concentrating most of the nodes near the catalytic surface. The computed species concentrations and temperature are compared with existing data of similar geometry. The obtained agreement is fairly good for all main combustion products, while differences are observed for the unstable species such as OH, HO2 and H2O2. The computational results for heat and mass transfer at the gas-surface interface are correlated by non-dimensional relations. These relations can be used as sub-models for the more complicated catalytic burners.
NASA's future active remote sensing missions for earth science

Since the beginning of space remote sensing of the earth, there has been a natural progression widening the range of electromagnetic radiation used to sense the earth, and slowly, steadily increasing the spatial, spectral, and radiometric resolution of the measurements. There has also been a somewhat slower trend toward active measurements across the electromagnetic spectrum, motivated in part by increased resolution, but also by the ability to make new measurements. Active microwave instruments have been used to measure ocean topography, to study the land surface, and to study rainfall from space. Future NASA active microwave missions may add detail to the topographical studies, sense soil moisture, and better characterize the cryosphere. Only recently have active optical instruments been flown in space by NASA; however, there are currently several missions in development which will sense the earth with lasers and many more conceptual active optical missions which address the priorities of NASA's earth science program. Missions are under development to investigate the structure of the terrestrial vegetation canopy, to characterize the earth's ice caps, and to study clouds and aerosols. Future NASA missions may measure tropospheric vector winds and make vastly improved measurements of the chemical components of the earth's atmosphere.
Higher levels of nicotine in arterial than in venous blood after cigarette smoking

We examined differences between arterial and venous concentrations of nicotine in human subjects. Shortly after smoking a cigarette, levels of nicotine in arterial plasma were more than double those in venous plasma. The time course of the rise in arterial nicotine levels and the magnitude of the arteriovenous difference varied considerably among subjects. For some subjects, arterial nicotine concentrations after one cigarette were similar to venous concentrations typically observed after 20 cigarettes and were nearly 10 times greater than venous concentrations. Our findings have implications for understanding the high degree of addictiveness and cardiovascular toxicity of smoked forms of drugs.
Measurement of subcooled flow boiling using Particle Tracking Velocimetry and infrared thermographic technique

Abstract Time resolved Particle Tracking Velocimetry (PTV) experiments were carried out to investigate turbulent, subcooled flow boiling through a vertical rectangular channel with a heated wall. Measurements of heated wall temperature using infrared camera were acquired. Simultaneous measurements of liquid and vapor bubbles velocity were measured using PTV. In addition, the dynamic of the bubbles were studied using Shadowgraphy technique. Turbulence statistics are inferred from PTV full-field velocity measurements. Quantities such as: instantaneous 2D velocity fields, time-averaged axial and normal velocities, axial and normal turbulence intensities, and Reynolds stresses are obtained. The present results provide new information due to the full-field nature of the technique. This work is an attempt to provide turbulent subcooled boiling flow data for validation and improvement of two phase flow computational models.
Monoclonal antibodies: magic bullets with a hefty price tag

Sales of monoclonal antibodies are projected to reach more than $160bn in the US alone over the next few years so is it any wonder that drug companies fiercely protect their profits? Allen Shaughnessy considers why these unique and complex drugs are so eyewateringly expensive
Layered plasmonic cloaks to tailor the optical scattering at the nanoscale

We discuss the rich scattering features offered by thin and thick plasmonic layers covering dielectric nanoparticles and their potential optical applications. The frequency position of scattering dips and peaks may be controlled to a large degree using plasmonic layers, which may dramatically vary the total scattering signature in the frequency range of interest. We show that complex and exotic spectra may be obtained using a single composite nanosphere, including dipole-dipole Fano resonances and electromagnetic induced transparency effects. The described phenomena are observable at any angle of observation, in the total scattering cross section and for realistic plasmonic materials, since they are based on purely dipolar fields. Enhanced field amplitudes are associated with these anomalous scattering features, which may be used to efficiently boost weak optical nonlinear effects. Exciting applications of these nanostructures are envisioned, such as efficient and tunable sensors, all-optical switches and memories, optical tagging and biomolecular imaging.