cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Succession in grasslands: Thirty-two years of change in a central Oklahoma tallgrass prairie

Old field succession in Oklahoma has been reported to involve four stages of development: pioncer weeds, annual grass, bunch grass, and mature prairie. This sequence has been the basis for a number of analyses of grassland structure and function, but has never been documented on a single site. We used multivariate techniques to study succession on three permanent plots with different initial plowing treatments in a central Oklahoma grassland. Only two of the four hypothesized stages could be identified: pioneer weeds and mature prairie. The intervening vegetation development was heterogeneous and unpredictable. Convergence was evident in only a general manner in that all plots are currently being invaded by shrubs and some tree species. Thus, succession on these plots has advanced beyond prairie to shrub-grassland and we predict that upland forest trees may eventually dominate the site. Succession from pioneer weeds beyond prairie to shrub-grassland has been very rapid. Fire suppression may have contributed to these rapid vegetation changes. Finally, no trends in diversity, evenness, or total number of species were evident during succession.
Direct effects of ephedrine isomers on human β-adrenergic receptor subtypes

Ephedrine and its alkaloids are used for the treatment of asthma, nasal congestion, and obesity. Ephedrine, with two chiral centers, exists as four isomers that exhibit direct and indirect effects on both alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors (AR). Our main goal was to study the direct effects of the ephedrine isomers on human beta1-, beta2-, and beta3-AR expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Previous work indicated that the ephedrine isomers are inactive as agonists and that 1R,2S-ephedrine is more potent than the 1S,2R-isomer as an antagonist of catecholamine-induced lipolysis in rat adipose tissue (Lee et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther 190: 249-259, 1974). Stimulation of adenylyl cyclase, associated with cyclic AMP accumulations, was measured by a luciferase reporter gene assay. On human beta1-AR, the rank order of potency (EC50 values, maximal response relative to isoproterenol = 100%) was 1R,2S-ephedrine (0.5 microM, 68%) > 1S,2R-ephedrine (72 microM, 66%) > 1S,2S-pseudoephedrine (309 microM, 53%) = 1R,2R-pseudoephedrine (1122 microM, 53%). On human beta2-AR, the rank order of potency was 1R,2S-ephedrine (0.36 microM, 78%) > 1R,2R-pseudoephedrine (7 microM, 50%) > or = 1S,2S-pseudoephedrine (10 microM, 47%) > 1S,2R-ephedrine (106 microM, 22%). Only 1R,2S-ephedrine showed significant agonist activity on human beta3-AR with an EC50 = 45 betaM and a maximal response of 31%. Our studies demonstrated that (a) stereoselective and rank order differences exist among the direct effects of ephedrine isomers; (b) 1R,2S-ephedrine is the most potent of the four ephedrine isomers on all three human beta-AR; and (c) 1R,2S- ephedrine was nearly equipotent as a beta1-/beta2-AR agonist and the only isomer possessing weak partial agonist activity on beta3-AR.
Reducing bias in telephone survey estimates of the prevalence of drug use: a randomized trial of telephone audio-CASI

Aim: To assess the impact of telephone audio computer-assisted self-interviewing (T-ACASI) on reporting of alcohol use, alcohol problems and illicit drug use in telephone surveys of the general population. Prior research suggests that illicit drug use is underreported in traditional, interviewer-administered, telephone surveys. Design Randomized experiment embedded in telephone survey of probability samples of populations of USA and Baltimore, MD. Survey respondents were randomly assigned to be interviewed either by human telephone interviewers or by T-ACASI after household screening, recruitment, and informed consent procedures were completed. Setting Respondents were interviewed by telephone in their homes. Participants Probability samples of 1543 English-speaking adults ages 18-45 residing in telephone-accessible households in USA and 744 similarly defined adults residing in Baltimore, MD, USA. Measurements Nine questions on alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and injection drug use adapted from 1994 NHSDA and four CAGE questions on alcohol problems. Crude odds ratios and odds ratios controlling for demographic factors calculated to test for differences between responses obtained by T-ACASI and human interviewers. Findings T-ACASI had mixed effects on reporting of alcohol use, but it did increase reporting of one of four CAGE alcohol problems: feeling guilty about drinking (23.0% in T-ACASI vs. 17.6% in T-IAQ, OR = 1.4, P < 0.01). T-ACASI also obtained significantly more frequent reporting of marijuana, cocaine, and injection drug use. The impact of T-ACASI was most pronounced for reporting of recent use of 'harder' drugs. Thus T-ACASI respondents were more likely to report marijuana use in the past month (10.0% vs. 5.7%, crude OR = 1.9, P < 0.001), cocaine use in the past month (2.1% vs. 0.7%, crude 3.2, P < 0.001) and injection drug use in the past five years (1.6% vs. 0.3%, crude OR = 4.8, P < 0.01). Conclusions Telephone survey respondents were more likely to report illicit drug use and one alcohol problem when interviewed by T-ACASI rather than by human telephone interviews.
Effects of present pain level on recall of chronic pain and medication use

The present study experimentally manipulated pain intensity in chronic pain patients to evaluate whether the present pain level influenced the recall of past pain and medication use. For 1 week 30 chronic pain patients recorded every change in their pain levels and every use of medication on an electronic diary. At the end of the week, we evaluated recall of pain level and medication use for the previous day and week either before (control group, n = 15) or immediately after a physical therapy (PT) session (PT group, n = 15). As expected, the PT patients reported a significantly lower present pain level than did the control patients. More importantly, the PT patients recalled their usual and their highest levels of pain for the previous day and week to be less severe than did the control patients; furthermore, they significantly underestimated these levels as compared to their diary. In contrast, the control patients significantly overestimated their lowest and highest levels of pain for the previous day and their usual and lowest levels of pain for the previous week. In addition, PT patients recalled taking significantly less medication than they had recorded in their diaries, and less than the control patients. Our results demonstrate clearly that chronic pain patients recall their pain and medication use for the previous day and week in a way that is congruent with their present pain intensity.
Disintegration of Nitrogen and Boron and Possible Emission of Deuterons

An account is given of the technique of detecting nuclear particles by the use of a proportional counter, and its advantages and limitations are discussed. The counter was used to investigate the disintegration of nitrogen and boron by alpha-particles. In the case of nitrogen no group which could be ascribed to deuterons was found while for boron the presence of a short range group of about the expected energy, first found by Heidenreich, was confirmed. The values of the magnetic deflections of particles from both elements were compared with those for known protons and deuterons of the same velocity and shown to be protons in each case. Further evidence for resonance was found in the experiments on nitrogen and the work of Heidenreich and Paton confirmed in the experiments on boron.
Low-Sensitivity Design of Optimal Linear Control Systems

The quadratic performance criterion, linear optimal control problem is reformulated to incorporate constraints on trajectory sensitivity. The open-loop solution is obtained for sensitivity functions defined for small plant-parameter variations. This approach has provided a beginning for other attempts to solve the low-sensitivity analytical design problem, as reported in the references.
Lessons Learned from the Pediatric Heart Transplant Study

The Pediatric Heart Transplant Study (PHTS) group was founded in 1991 as a voluntary, collaborative effort dedicated to the advancement of the science and treatment of children following listing for heart transplantation. Since 1993, the PHTS has collected data in an international, prospective, event-driven database that examines risk factors for outcome events following listing for transplantation. The events include transplantation, death, rejection, infection, malignancy, graft vasculopathy, and retransplantation. Over its 12 years of existence, the PHTS has made major contributions to the field of pediatric heart transplantation, especially in the areas of outcome analysis and risk factor assessment for death and other major morbidities after listing and after transplantation. The new challenges facing the PHTS include how to implement the practice of evidence-based medicine in the field of pediatric heart transplantation and how to support ongoing data collection and analysis to provide long-term outcomes as the PHTS subjects enter their second decade after transplantation.
Demographics in demographic-economic models: a note on the basic activity-commodity framework.

The authors present a critique of an early basic formulation for the development of demographic-economic models by M. Madden and P. W. J. Batey in 1980. They assert that more attention needs to be paid to the demographic components of these models and that "distinctions between household types must be treated more adequately and mechanisms for changes in household type must be articulated and refined." A reply by M. Madden (pp. 1537-42) is included as well as a response by the authors (pp. 1543-5). (EXCERPT)
Fluid Mechanics, Arterial Disease, and Gene Expression.

This review places modern research developments in vascular mechanobiology in the context of hemodynamic phenomena in the cardiovascular system and the discrete localization of vascular disease. The modern origins of this field are traced, beginning in the 1960s when associations between flow characteristics, particularly blood flow–induced wall shear stress, and the localization of atherosclerotic plaques were uncovered, and continuing to fluid shear stress effects on the vascular lining endothelial cells (ECs), including their effects on EC morphology, biochemical production, and gene expression. The earliest single-gene studies and genome-wide analyses are considered. The final section moves from the ECs lining the vessel wall to the smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts within the wall that are fluid mechanically activated by interstitial flow that imposes shear stresses on their surfaces comparable with those of flowing blood on EC surfaces. Interstitial flow stimulates biochemical production and gene ...
Rhesus monkey TRIM5α restricts HIV-1 production through rapid degradation of viral Gag polyproteins

Mammalian cells have developed diverse strategies to restrict retroviral infection. Retroviruses have therefore evolved to counteract such restriction factors, in order to colonize their hosts. Tripartite motif-containing 5 isoform-alpha (TRIM5alpha) protein from rhesus monkey (TRIM5alpharh) restricts human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection at a postentry, preintegration stage in the viral life cycle, by recognizing the incoming capsid and promoting its premature disassembly. TRIM5alpha comprises an RBCC (RING, B-box 2 and coiled-coil motifs) domain and a B30.2(SPRY) domain. Sequences in the B30.2(SPRY) domain dictate the potency and specificity of the restriction. As TRIM5alpharh targets incoming mature HIV-1 capsid, but not precursor Gag, it was assumed that TRIM5alpharh did not affect HIV-1 production. Here we provide evidence that TRIM5alpharh, but not its human ortholog (TRIM5alphahu), blocks HIV-1 production through rapid degradation of HIV-1 Gag polyproteins. The specificity for this restriction is determined by sequences in the RBCC domain. Our observations suggest that TRIM5alpharh interacts with HIV-1 Gag during or before Gag assembly through a mechanism distinct from the well-characterized postentry restriction. This finding demonstrates a cellular factor blocking HIV-1 production by actively degrading a viral protein. Further understanding of this previously unknown restriction mechanism may reveal new targets for future anti-HIV-1 therapy.
Translational and Transcriptional Inhibitors Block Serotonergic Phase Advances of the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Circadian Pacemaker In Vitro

The mammalian circadian pacemaker is located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Various inputs modulate pacemaker phase, including the serotonergic (5HTergic) input from the midbrain raphe. 5HT phase-advances the SCN pacemaker when applied during mid subjective day. In vitro studies indicate that 5HT advances the mammalian circadian pacemaker through a process that includes stimulating 5HT7 receptors, activating protein kinase A, and opening K+ channels. How these cytoplasmic and membrane events translate into a shift in the molecular core of the circadian oscillator is not known. To further understand this process, the authors investigated whether 5HTergic phase advances require transcription or translation. Using two reversible translational inhibitors, anisomycin and cycloheximide, the authors show that inhibiting protein synthesis blocks 5HTergic phase shifts. The authors further show that the transcriptional inhibitor 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-ribobenzimidazole also blocks 5HTergic phase shifts. These results are similar to those found previously with respect to 5HTergic modulation of the Aplysia ocular circadian clock, and suggest that 5HT may phase-shift the SCN pacemaker through increasing transcription and translation of specific proteins.
Energy transfer in patterned InAs quantum dot cluster grown on GaAs nano-pyramid

We demonstrate controlled nucleation of QD-cluster and QD-pair on patterned GaAs pyramidal buffer. Photoluminescence measurements indicate lateral energy transfer for the QD-cluster but an isolated nature for the QD-pair.
Laser mode behavior of the Cassini CIRS Fourier transform spectrometer at Saturn

The CIRS Fourier transform spectrometer aboard the NASA/ESA/ASI Cassini orbiter has been acquiring spectra of the Saturnian system since 2004. The CIRS reference interferometer employs a laser diode to trigger the interferogram sampling. Although the control of laser diode drive current and operating temperature are stringent enough to restrict laser wavelength variation to a small fraction of CIRS finest resolution element, the CIRS instrument does need to be restarted every year or two, at which time it may start in a new laser mode. By monitoring the Mylar absorption features in uncalibrated spectra due to the beam splitter Mylar substrate, it can be shown that these jumps are to adjacent modes and that most of the eight-year operation so far is restricted to three adjacent modes. For a given mode, the wavelength stability appears consistent with the stability of the laser diode drive curren.t and operating temperature.
The neurodynamics of emotion: delineating typical and atypical emotional processes during adolescence

The study of development is, in and of itself, the study of change over time, but emotions, particularly emotional reactivity and emotional regulation, also unfold over time, albeit over briefer time-scales. Adolescence is a period of development characterized by marked changes in emotional processes and rewiring of the underlying neural circuitry, making this time of life formative. Yet this period is also a time of increased risk for anxiety and mood disorders. Changes in the temporal dynamics of emotional processes (e.g. magnitude, time-to-peak and duration) occur during this developmental period and have been associated with risk for mood and anxiety disorders. In this article, we describe how the temporal dynamics of emotions change during adolescence and how they may increase risk for these psychopathologies. We highlight studies that illustrate how formalizing temporal neurodynamics of emotion may enhance links among levels of analyses from neurobiological to real-world, moment-to-moment experiences.
Three metrics for stochastic networks: Capacity, queue-size and complexity

We consider a class of constrained queuing network called switched networks, important sub-class of the stochastic processing network (cf. Harrison (2000)), in which there are constraints on which queues can be served simultaneously. Such networks have served as effective models for understanding various types of dynamic resource allocation problems arising in communication networks like the Internet, computer architecture, manufacturing, etc. In such systems, a scheduling policy is required to make resource allocation decisions in terms of which queues to serve at each time subject to constraints. The performance of the system is crucially determined by the scheduling policy. The performance of such scheduling policies, measured with respect to the following three metrics is of utmost importance: (a) capacity, (b) induced queue-sizes or latency, and (c) complexity of the implementation of the policy. Ideally, one is interested in determining the trade-offs achievable between these metrics characterized through the pareto performance boundary. In this note, we shall summarize the state-of-art along with recent progresses towards this somewhat ambitious program.
Detonation in crystalline solids

Abstract A previously described connection between particle waves, momentum transfer, and nonelastic deformation in crystalline solids is extended to account for the initiation of detonation by impact in explosive crystals. According to the ideas advanced the presence of atoms of different masses in a crystal lattice upon impact leads to a required translational velocity difference between dissimilar atoms. This, in some cases, is sufficient to cause a rapid change in the interatomic bond distances and the consequent repeated breaking of chemical bonds along the lattice. If the products of the broken bonds are subject to sudden expansion or react violently with their environment, an explosion or detonation wave (depending on the propagation velocity) results. The impact velocity range which may result in detonation can be calculated for a given explosive crystal in terms of Planck's constant, the crystal spacing, the atomic masses of the crystal atoms, and those of the ‘striking pin’; these calculated velocities are in good agreement with experimental values in several cases where the relevant experimental information is available.
DINOSAUR-BEARING HYPERCONCENTRATED FLOWS OF CRETACEOUS ARCTIC ALASKA: RECURRING CATASTROPHIC EVENT BEDS ON A DISTAL PALEOPOLAR COASTAL PLAIN

ABSTRACT The Cretaceous coastal plain of Arctic Alaska contains the richest concentration of high-latitude dinosaurs on Earth. Three bonebeds (Liscomb, Byers, Sling Point) are found in paleopolar (82°–85° N) coastal-plain deposits of the Prince Creek Formation on Alaska's North Slope. 40Ar/39Ar analysis of a tuff below the oldest bonebed (Sling Point) returned an age of 69.2 ± 0.5 Ma indicating a maximum early Maastrichtian age for these bonebeds. Bonebeds are overwhelmingly dominated by partially articulated to associated late-stage juvenile Edmontosaurus sp. Bone is rarely found in channels; instead high-density accumulations are preserved on floodplains in laterally extensive, muddy alluvium. Bone size grading is vertically nonuniform and most bones are in hydraulic disequilibrium with the surrounding clay-rich matrix. Bones exhibit little evidence of rounding, weathering, predation, or trampling, suggesting short-distance transport and rapid burial. Because these bonebeds are unlike typical debris-flo...
Relationship between formocresol pulpotomies on primary teeth and enamel defects on their permanent successors

The effect on the enamel of the permanent successors to primary teeth treated by formocresol pulpotomies was evaluated clinically and radiographically. Twenty-five permanent premolars were evaluated for enamel defects. The primary molars that they succeeded had been successfully treated with a formocresol pulpotomy. A relationship between the enamel defects and the pulpotomy procedures has been found.
Internet-Based Evaluation of Tourism Web Site Effectiveness: Methodological Issues and Survey Results

There is growing reliance on the Internet and Web sites for promotion of tourism. Evaluation of Web site effectiveness is necessary because of the significant costs for setup, advertising, and maintenance. Research suggests there is a great need for evaluations to go beyond hits and page viewings. The objectives of this study were to develop and apply a low-cost, automated, Internet-based survey methodology to investigate effectiveness of a tourism promotional Web site. Both online and email surveys were used to gather data from visitors to a state Web site. Although responses were received from 833 persons, response rates were low. A check for nonresponse bias indicated that respondents were different from nonrespondents. Respondents primarily learned about the Web site through two sources and reported that the Web site significantly influenced their travel plans. However, study findings suggest that there are substantial methodological challenges in conducting Web-based surveys. Suggestions to improve e...
Self-Reported Changes in Dietary Calcium and Energy Intake Predict Weight Regain following a Weight Loss Diet in Obese Women

This study examined relationships between changes in dietary calcium intake, energy intake, and body weight following a weight loss diet. One hundred three overweight or obese women lost weight over 22 wk. Dietary calcium and energy intake were assessed using the Block 98 FFQ (Block) and 5-d food records (FR) at intervention end and 6- and 18-mo follow-up. Pearson correlations were used to relate changes in dietary calcium to energy intake. We used regression analyses to examine relationships between changes in dietary calcium, energy intake, and weight regain. Changes in dietary calcium and energy intake were correlated (r = 0.32; P = 0.033), but neither variable alone predicted weight regain. From 6- to 18-mo follow-up, greater dietary calcium intake inversely predicted weight regain when controlling for changes in energy intake (P = 0.048 Block and 0.025 FR), whereas higher energy intake positively predicted weight regain when controlling for changes in dietary calcium intake (P = 0.009 Block and 0.049 FR) (combined R(2) = 0.153 Block and 0.178 FR). Dietary calcium may oppose weight regain, reducing the effect of greater energy intake. Our results encourage future research on the potential relationship between dietary calcium and weight loss maintenance and suggest that controlling for dietary calcium may increase the ability of energy intake to predict weight change.
Task search in a human computation market

In order to understand how a labor market for human computation functions, it is important to know how workers search for tasks. This paper uses two complementary methods to gain insight into how workers search for tasks on Mechanical Turk. First, we perform a high frequency scrape of 36 pages of search results and analyze it by looking at the rate of disappearance of tasks across key ways Mechanical Turk allows workers to sort tasks. Second, we present the results of a survey in which we paid workers for self-reported information about how they search for tasks. Our main findings are that on a large scale, workers sort by which tasks are most recently posted and which have the largest number of tasks available. Furthermore, we find that workers look mostly at the first page of the most recently posted tasks and the first two pages of the tasks with the most available instances but in both categories the position on the result page is unimportant to workers. We observe that at least some employers try to manipulate the position of their task in the search results to exploit the tendency to search for recently posted tasks. On an individual level, we observed workers searching by almost all the possible categories and looking more than 10 pages deep. For a task we posted to Mechanical Turk, we confirmed that a favorable position in the search results do matter: our task with favorable positioning was completed 30 times faster and for less money than when its position was unfavorable.
La intimidad homosocial en Memorias de un tolstoyano de Fernando Santiván

RESUMENEl objetivo de este articulo es discutir el texto autobigrafico del escritor chileno FernandoSantivan, Memorias de un tolstoyano (1955), enfocandose en las relaciones homosociales yel subtexto homoerotico, asi como sus implicaciones eticas y esteticas. En el analisis nosimporta destacar que una de las mayores virtudes retoricas de este texto es lograr unarepresentacion socialmente aceptable de las relaciones entre Santivan y su mentor e intimoamigo Augusto D’Halmar, sin llegar a mencionar explicitamente el homoerotismo perodejando huellas innegables de ello. Palabras claves : Colonia Tolstoyana, Augusto D’Halmar, Fernando Santivan, decoro, ho-moerotismo, homosociedad.ABSTRACTThis article aims to discuss the autobiography Memoreas of a tolstoyan by the Chileanauthor Fernando Santivan (1955), focusing on homosocial relationships and the homo-erotic subtext, as well as ethical and aesthetic implications. In the analysis I want to stressthat one of the most important rhetorical qualities of this text is to achieve a sociallyacceptable representation of the relationship between Santivan and Augusto D’Halmar,his mentor and intimate friend, without explicitly mentioning their homoeroticism al-though traces of it cannot be denied.
Protective immune mechanisms in helminth infection

Important insights have recently been gained in our understanding of how host immune responses mediate resistance to parasitic helminths and control associated pathological responses. Although similar cells and cytokines are evoked in response to infection by helminths as diverse as nematodes and schistosomes, the components of the response that mediate protection are dependent on the particular parasite. In this Review, we examine recent findings regarding the mechanisms of protection in helminth infections that have been elucidated in murine models and discuss the implications of these findings in terms of future therapies.
Updated single-electron-capture cross-section scaling rule for A q+ +H 2 collisions

An updated high-energy universal scaling rule for single electron capture cross sections is presented for A{sup q+}+H{sub 2} collisions. The current scaling rule is built empirically on experimental data using a wide range of projectile ions and collision energies. The inclusion of such a broad range of values results in a model that more accurately predicts the single capture cross sections for a much wider range of collision systems. The current scaling rule is compared to three similar scaling rules to illustrate how using limited data to develop a universal scaling rule effects a models general predictive power. The effects of all four scaling rules on both experimental and theoretical data are examined.
A case of rape: sentencing judgments of males and females.

Judgments made by 24 male and 24 female undergraduates of defendant guilt and sentencing in a rape case were examined before and after group discussion under two levels each of evidentiary ambiguit...
The effect of the prostate and seminal vesicle on the production of hyaluronidase by rat testes homogenate.

HYALURONIDASE, an enzyme formed by the mammalian sperm and also the testes, is thought to play a role in the fertilization process by its action in dispersing the follicle cells from recently ovulated mammalian ova preceding sperm entry (McClean and Rowlands, 1942; Fekete and Duran-Reynals, 1943; Leonard and Kurzrok, 1945). In the course of some experiments upon the determination of this enzyme, it was observed that the concentration in the ejaculate of the rat, obtained from the uterus of the female shortly after breeding, was inordinately high as compared with the enzyme concentration from extracts of testes.
Ethical Teaching of Psychology: One Department's Attempts at Self-Regulation

Despite a renewed interest in professional ethics, the focus on ethics in psychology has been predominantly limited to the domains of research and clinical practice. We argue that there is need for further research and action on teaching ethics. We describe the experience of our department in addressing the ethics of teaching through the development of a departmental ethics code and a departmental ethics committee. Based on this attempt at self-regulation, we provide recommendations for improving the ethical climate in academe.
Response Properties of the Auditory Telencephalon in Songbirds Change with Recent Experience and Season

The caudomedial nidopallium (NCM) is a telencephalic auditory area that is selectively activated by conspecific vocalizations in zebra finches and canaries. We recently demonstrated that temporal and spectral dynamics of auditory tuning in NCM differ between these species [1]. In order to determine whether these differences reflect recent experience, we exposed separate groups of each species and sex to different housing conditions. Adult birds were housed either in an aviary with conspecifics (NORM), with heterospecifics (canary subjects in a zebra finch aviary, and vice versa: (CROSS)), or in isolation (ISO) for 9 days prior to testing. We then recorded extracellular multi-unit electrophysiological responses to simple pure tone stimuli (250-5000 Hz) in awake birds from each group and analyzed auditory tuning width using methods from our earlier studies. Relative to NORM birds, tuning was narrower in CROSS birds, and wider in ISO birds. The trend was greater in canaries, especially females. The date of recording was also included as a covariate in ANCOVAs that analyzed a larger set of the canary data, including data from birds tested outside of the breeding season, and treated housing condition and sex as independent variables. These tests show that tuning width was narrower early in the year and broader later. This effect was most pronounced in CROSS males. The degree of the short-term neural plasticity described here differs across sexes and species, and may reflect differences in NCM's anatomical and functional organization related to species differences in song characteristics, adult plasticity and/or social factors. More generally, NCM tuning is labile and may be modulated by recent experience to reflect the auditory processing required for behavioral adaptation to the current acoustic, social or seasonal context.
Microfluidic PCR-based target enrichment: A case study in two rapid radiations of Commiphora (Burseraceae) from Madagascar

Developing effective and cost-efficient multilocus nuclear datasets for angiosperm species is a continuing challenge to the systematics community. Here we describe the development and validation of a novel set of 91 nuclear markers for PCR-based target enrichment. Using microfluidic PCR and Illumina MiSeq, we generated nuclear, subgenomic libraries for 96 species simultaneously and sequenced them for a total cost of ca. $6000 USD. Approximately half of these costs include reusable reagents (primers, barcodes, and custom sequencing primers) and taxon sampling could be increased by an order of magnitude to maximize sequencing depth efficiency. The principle benefit of microfluidic PCR over alternative target enrichment strategies is that it bypasses costly library preparation. After sequencing, we evaluated the ability of the loci to resolve species level relationships within two recently radiated lineages of endemic Madagascan Commiphora Jacq. (Burseraceae) species. Our results demonstrate that (i) effective nuclear markers can be designed for non-model angiosperm taxa from these publicly available datasets; (ii) that microfluidic PCR amplification followed by high throughput sequencing can produce highly complete taxon by locus sequence data matrices with minimal resource investment; and (iii) that these numerous nuclear phylogenomic markers can improve our understanding of phylogenetic relationships within Commiphora. We provide a synopsis of ongoing activities to enhance this microfluidic PCR-based target enrichment strategy through broader primer assays, multiplexing, and increased efficiency of sequencing depth.
The intelligent enterprise a new paradigm

Executive Overview The development and use of technology for services—whether in the “service industries” or in manufacturing—may be the key to future wealth and productivity in advanced industrial countries. Quinn believes that the organization of enterprises and effective strategies will depend more on the development and deployment of intellectual resources than on the management of physical assets. In this article he discusses the concept of disaggregating corporate activities into manageable intellectual clusters—called service activities.
Resource Partitioning Among Colonies of Polygyne Red Imported Fire Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract Measurements of ant colony sizes and neighboring colony spatial structure figure importantly in a variety of socio-biological considerations. In this study, we used mass-marking and recapture techniques to quantify the foraging distribution and abundance of red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren, on individual bait cards from neighboring polygyne (multiple queens) colonies. Ants in six to eight adjacent colonies, at each of 10 sites, were mass-marked a unique color. Ants were collected at olive-oil baits in a 10 by 10-m area consisting of 61 baits at each site. Stepwise nonlinear regression showed that the distance to baits, colony size, and average internidal (between nests) spacing were significant predictors of the foraging distribution of ants from colonies. Most marked ants were collected within ≈4 m of their colony. Foraging was more constrained at closer internidal distances. As internidal distances increased, colony foraging distances increased. There was a significant differenc...
Color as a Signal: The Relationship between Coloration and Morphology in Male Eastern Fence Lizards, Sceloporus undulatus

Color is used in social signaling by many species. Male Eastern Fence Lizards, Sceloporus undulatus, possess sex-specific dorsal and ventral coloration, including vivid blue badges on their throat and abdomen, which they behaviorally display to conspecifics. The presence of abdominal badges serves as a signal of an individual's sex, but the significance of badge and integument coloration for signaling fitness traits is unknown. We tested for associations between coloration (color of the dorsal surface, chest, and abdominal and throat badges, as well as relative badge size) and a range of fitness-relevant morphological traits (body size and condition, tail and hind-limb length, and head size) in male Eastern Fence Lizards from two sites. Larger males have darker colored abdominal badges and relatively larger abdominal and throat badges. Males with longer tails and wider heads have darker dorsal coloration, and there is a correlation between head length and the color of the black abdominal badges, but this is not consistent between sites. Adults also have darker chest and dorsal coloration than do juveniles. These relationships suggest that S. undulatus color may signal competitive ability to male opponents. However, if this were the case, we would expect body condition and limb length, morphological measures that are tightly correlated with these fitness traits, to also correlate with coloration. This was not evident from our data. Therefore, despite significant variation in coloration of male S. undulatus, it is unlikely to reflect fitness associated with the traits measured in this study.
Experimental Measurement of Three-Dimensional Continuum-Level Strain Fields in Trabecular Bone

Difficulties in the assessment of trabecular bone competence reflect complexities of the tissue itself. It is a highly porous rigid foam1,2composed of an inhomogeneous and anisotropic assembly of minute structural elements, generally in the form of struts (trabeculae) or plates. Each structural element is in turn composed of a complex arrangement of material lamellae infiltrated by a dense network of cellular lacunae and canaliculi. Lamellae are composed of material with additional complexity; minute grains of mineral (hydroxyapatite) tightly interspersed within a fabric of organic fibers (collagen). From the perspective of mechanics, this complexity manifests as a unique set of material characteristics:3,4relatively high strength to weight ratio, relatively low stiffness to strength ratio, and a surprising degree of damage tolerance.
Interactions of Histophilus somni with Host Cells

Histophilus somni resides as part of the normal microflora in the upper respiratory tract of healthy cattle. From this site, the organism can make its way into the lower respiratory tract, where it is one of the important bacterial agents of the respiratory disease complex. If H. somni cells disseminate to the bloodstream, they frequently result in thrombus formation. A series of in vitro investigations have examined potential mechanisms that might contribute to such thrombus formation. Earlier work showed that H. somni can stimulate some bovine endothelial cells to undergo apoptosis. More recent studies indicate that H. somni stimulates endothelial cell tissue factor activity and disrupts intercellular junctions. The net effect is to enhance procoagulant activity on the endothelium surface and to make the endothelial monolayer more permeable to molecules, leukocytes, and perhaps H. somni cells. H. somni also activates bovine platelets, which also can enhance tissue factor activity on the endothelium surface. When exposed to H. somni, bovine neutrophils and mononuclear phagocytes form extracellular traps in vitro. Ongoing research is investigating how the interplay among endothelial cells, platelets, and leukocytes might contribute to the thrombus formation seen in infected cattle.
Lessons from the Ancients on Water Resources Sustainability

At the beginning of this new millennium we have a water crisis which threatens human’s existence in many parts of the world. One might ask, how sustainable is it to live in a world where approximately 1.1 billion people lack safe drinking water, approximately 2.6 billion people lack adequate sanitation, and between 2 and 5 million people die annually from water-related diseases (Gleick, 2005)?
Iontophoresis to Aid in Releasing Tendon Adhesions

Tendon gliding is often difficult for patients after they have had divided tendons repaired. The very process by which an injured tendon heals also causes it to adhere to the surrounding tissues and prevents gliding of the tendon. Adhesions are a frequent complication of tendon repairs because active exercise does not always mobilize the tendon. Surgical tenolysis to free the adhered tendon is often indicated, although occasionally patients are able to perform their own tenolysis by active and resistive exercises. I used iontophoresis on one of our patients as an adjunct to active and resistive exercises to aid in reducing scar tissue from repair of the extensor digitorum tendon to the right middle finger. Some authors have written about the physical effects of the galvanic current used in iontophoresis.1,2 Clinicians must have an understanding of these effects before attempting to use iontophoresis.
Assessing personality traits of simulation-based training scenario developers

The U.S. military uses Simulation-Based Training (SBT) to aid Soldiers in preparing for combat. A vital part of the SBT cycle involves scenario development. Scenario developers utilize software tools to create visual and auditory representations within a Virtual Environment (VE). Software applications such as Virtual Battlespace 2 (VBS2) and CryENGINE®3 represent simulation systems employed by the U.S. Army and serve as the platforms in the research presented. The following experiment investigated the relationship between user characteristics and scenario development performance outcomes. Thirty participants performed a set of pre-defined tasks including placing objects and altering scene settings. Performance data included accuracy scores and response times. Subjective data consisted of the International Personality Inventory Pool (IPIP) questionnaire, which assessed participants' personality traits. In addition to analyzing correlations between performance and subjective variables, a series of multiple linear regressions using the IPIP subscale predicted accuracy scores and response times. The results offer insight into personality traits that inform selection criteria for SBT scenario developers.
The “grand excursion” of the Fifth International Geological Congress (1891) Celebrating geological exploration of the American West

The first International Geological Congress (IGC) ever to be convened in North America (5 th IGC, Washington, D.C., 1891) allowed American geologists to present results of pioneering mapping in the American West to an international community in a field setting. A 25-day “grand excursion” by rail and stagecoach across the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains to Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon for some 90 participants was organized by Samuel F. Emmons who had earlier served with the Fortieth Parallel Survey. Other trip leaders were G. H. Williams and I. C. White (Appalachian geology), J. P. Iddings (Montana geology), Arnold Hague (Yellowstone National Park), G. K. Gilbert (Basin and Range faulting, history of pluvial Lake Bonneville, and Niagara Falls region), J. W. Powell (Grand Canyon region), and C. W. Cross (Colorado geology). The stature of the U.S. Geological Survey in this golden age of geology was reflected in the large proportion of its members among IGC field-trip leaders and/or guidebook contributors.
3D DRAM in Server Application

Server system requirement drives the evolution of 3D DRAM technologies. The new generation provides form factor, electrical and power performance benefits. Meanwhile it brings in a more complicated design, new assembly technologies and new failure mechanisms. The optimum 3D DRAM technology is determined by complex tradeoff of benefits, cost, time to market and reliability. The characteristics of the optimum 3D DRAM technology for DDR2, DDR3 and future server memory system are analyzed in detail. TSV (Through Silicon Via) DRAM array stacking is expected to bring superior power performance which could be a significant market diver. The tradeoff of this future technology and process development trend is presented.
Performance measurement and construction applications of wood–polymer composites

Publisher Summary This chapter highlights that there has been a rapid increase since the mid-1990s in the number of producers of wood and natural fiber polymer composites in North America and the trend is expanding in Europe, with recent interest from Asia, Australia, South America, and South Africa. As Wood-Polymer Composites (WPCs) move into new applications, disciplined and focused research effort will be required to develop commercially successful products. Concurrent with new product development, meaningful performance measures must also be defined. Depending upon customer expectations or building code requirements, performance assessments will necessarily change. It is, therefore, incumbent upon those charged with developing product performance measures to look carefully at appropriate end-use requirements for a given application. Use of existing product assessment measures can be a starting point. However, depending upon the end use requirements, additional performance assessments may be required. Research has shown that WPCs possess structural performance comparable to that of some lumber products. It has also been shown that those composites can be engineered to withstand significant environmental and structural loads. Building on those developments, the ability to design formulations and manipulate product geometry offer exciting opportunities for the future.
160 Epidemiology of injuries leading to voluntary withdrawal from us high school sports, 2005/06–2014/15

Background Over 7 million US high school athletes played sports in 2013/14. Participation elevates injury risk, which sometimes results in athletes’ voluntarily withdrawing from sports. Understanding what prompt athletes to withdraw, despite no medical disqualification, is important to inform injury prevention and management to reduce dropout rates. Methods We utilised the High School Reporting Information Online database. Athlete exposure (AE) and injury incidence data were collected from a large national sample of US high schools for 22 sports from 2005/06-2014/15. Injuries motivating voluntary withdrawal from sports participation, despite no medical disqualification, were analysed. Results Overall, 794 injuries resulting in voluntary withdrawal (representing 1.2% of all injuries reported) occurred during 35,454,673 AEs (rate = 2.24/100,000 AEs). Boys’ wrestling had the highest rate (6.17) followed by football (5.15), girls’ track and field (1.96) and girls’ soccer (1.68). Concussions accounted for 24.6% of these injuries, ligament sprains for 22.5%, and muscle strains for 12.2%. In gender-comparable sports, there were no differences in the proportion (# of withdrawals/# all injuries) of boys’ withdrawals compared to girls’ (Injury Proportion Ratio = 1.19; 95% CI: = 0.92–1.53). Most injuries were new (77.8%) and few required surgery (6.5%). Trends over time in overall rates of athletes choosing to withdraw were stable, but the rate of withdrawal due to concussion increased significantly (0.12 in 2005/06; 1.01 in 2014/15; p Conclusions Rates of athletes’ voluntary withdrawal, despite no medical disqualification, differed by sport. Concussions were the primary diagnosis; rates of withdrawal due to concussion increased over time. This may reflect increased concussion awareness driving parent or athlete prompted reluctance to return to play. Sport and diagnosis specific targeted injury prevention efforts are needed to reduce voluntary athlete withdrawal from sports.
A review of the PDA literature

With this article, our 13th installment, we begin the second year of this series devoted to PDA use in pharmacy practice. Previous articles have focused on hardware and software issues; organizer skills; the digital peripheral brain; and how to find, download, and install software. In this article, we provide a brief review of PDAs in the health care literature.