cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Etiology of Phytophthora drechsleri and P. nicotianae (=P. parasitica) Diseases Affecting Floriculture Crops

Lamour, K. H., Daughtrey, M. L., Benson, D. M., Hwang, J., and Hausbeck, M. K. 2003. Etiology of Phytophthora drechsleri and P. nicotianae (=P. parasitica) diseases affecting floriculture crops. Plant Dis. 87:854-858. Phytophthora nicotianae and P. drechsleri isolates (n = 413) recovered from eight floricultural hosts at 11 different production sites were described according to compatibility type, resistance to mefenoxam, and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) profiles. Sample sizes ranged from 2 to 120. In all cases, isolates recovered from a single facility had the same compatibility type and resistance to mefenoxam. AFLP analysis indicated that six clonal lineages of P. nicotianae and two clonal lineages of P. drechsleri were responsible for the 11 epidemics and that isolates recovered from the same facility were identical. A single clone of P. nicotianae was recovered from snapdragons at two field production sites in the southeastern United States receiving seedlings from the same source. This clone persisted at one site from 2000 to 2001. Another clone was recovered from verbena at three separate greenhouse facilities where one facility was supplying verbena to the other two. These results suggest that asexual reproduction of these pathogens plays an important role in epidemics and spread may occur between distant facilities via movement of plants.
The effects of nonreinforcement on the cue value of the odor trails of rats.

Two groups of rats were trained to select the arm of a T-maze previously entered by another rat. One group was trained to follow the trail of a rat that was reinforced with food in the goalbox, while the other group was trained to follow an animal that was not reinforced. Significantly more animals following nonreinforced rats attained high level performance, 80–90% correct choices, than did animals following reinforced rats. Further, the rats providing the odor cues were more active in the goalbox following nonreinforcement than they were following reinforcement. Possibly the activity difference is responsible for the difference in the performance of the pathfinders.
Executive Education: A View From the Top

After a period of retrenchment from 2001–2003, executive education (EE) has grown rapidly for several years (BusinessWeek, 2006). Many business schools invest in executive education to generate fun...
A Family of IFN-γ–Inducible 65-kD GTPases Protects Against Bacterial Infection

Immune interferon gamma (IFN-γ) is essential for mammalian host defense against intracellular pathogens. IFN-γ induces nearly 2000 host genes, yet few have any assigned function. Here, we examined a complete mouse 65-kilodalton (kD) guanylate-binding protein (Gbp) gene family as part of a 43-member IFN-γ-inducible guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) superfamily in mouse and human genomes. Family-wide loss-of-function analysis found that at least four Gbps--Gbp1, Gbp6, Gbp7, and Gbp10--conferred cell-autonomous immunity to listerial or mycobacterial infection within macrophages and gene-deficient animals. These Gbps solicited host defense proteins, including the phagocyte oxidase, antimicrobial peptides, and autophagy effectors, to kill intracellular bacteria. Thus, specific 65-kD Gbps coordinate a potent oxidative and vesicular trafficking program to protect the host from infection.
Moderate GSK-3β inhibition improves neovascular architecture, reduces vascular leakage, and reduces retinal hypoxia in a model of ischemic retinopathy

In ischemic retinopathies, unrelieved hypoxia induces the formation of architecturally abnormal, leaky blood vessels that damage retina and ultimately can cause blindness. Because these newly formed blood vessels are functionally defective, they fail to alleviate underlying hypoxia, resulting in more pathological neovascularization and more damage to retina. With an established model of ischemic retinopathy, we investigated inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) as a means for improving the architecture and functionality of pathological blood vessels in retina. In vitro, hypoxia increased GSK-3β activity in retinal endothelial cells, reduced β-catenin, and correspondingly impaired integrity of cell/cell junctions. Conversely, GSK-3β inhibitors restored β-catenin, improved cell/cell junctions, and enhanced the formation of capillary cords in three-dimensional collagen matrix. In vivo, GSK-3β inhibitors, at appropriately moderate doses, strongly reduced abnormal vascular tufts, reduced abnormal vascular leakage, and improved vascular coverage and perfusion during the proliferative phase of ischemia-driven retinal neovascularization. Most importantly, these improvements in neovasculature were accompanied by marked reduction in retinal hypoxia, relative to controls. Thus, GSK-3β inhibitors offer a promising strategy for alleviating retinal hypoxia by correcting key vascular defects typically associated with ischemia-driven neovascularization.
Adding security and trust to multiagent systems

Multiagent systems (MASs) are societies whose individuals are software delegatees (agents) acting on behalf of their owners or delegators (people or organizations). When deployed in an open network such as the Internet, MASs face some trust and security issues. Agents comeand go, and interact with strangers. Assumptions about security and general trustworthiness of agents and their deployers are inadequate in this context. In this paper, the design of a security infrastructure is presented applicable to MASs in general. This design addresses both security threats and trust issues. In this design, there are mechanisms for ensuring secure communication among agents and secure naming and resource location services. And two types of trusts are addressed: trust that agents will not misbehave and trust that agents are really delegatees of whom they claim to be. To establish the first type of trust, deployers of agents are made liable for the actions of their agents; to establish the second type of trust, it is ...
Enhancement of Cisplatin [cis-Diammine Dichloroplatinum (II)] Cytotoxicity by O6-Benzylguanine Involves Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

O6-Benzylguanine (BG) enhances cisplatin [cis-diammine dichloroplatinum (II)]-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in head and neck cancer cell lines by an unknown mechanism. We investigated the effect of cisplatin with and without BG on two targets of damage: DNA and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We chose three cancer cell lines to ascertain the mechanism of BG-enhanced cytotoxicity: SQ20b head and neck and SKOV-3x ovarian cancer cell lines, where BG enhanced cisplatin cytotoxicity, and A549 nonsmall cell lung cancer line, where BG did not enhance cisplatin cytotoxicity. All three lines had an increase in DNA damage when BG was added to cisplatin treatment, as evidenced by increased platination and phosphorylated histone H2AX formation. The increase in cisplatin-induced DNA damage after treatment with BG plus cisplatin is not sufficient to increase cytotoxicity or apoptosis in A549 cells. We evaluated the effect of cisplatin on the ER and observed increased caspase 12 cleavage in SQ20b and SKOV-3x cells, but not in A549 cells, after treatment with BG plus cisplatin versus cisplatin alone. Growth arrest and DNA damage inducible (GADD) 153, an ER stress-response gene, is up-regulated after treatment with BG plus cisplatin compared with cisplatin alone in SQ20b and SKOV-3x cells, but not in A549 cells. ER stress-induced apoptosis is an integral part of the mechanism by which BG enhances cisplatin. Inhibition of ER stress in the SQ20b cell line by salubrinal, an inhibitor of eIF2α dephosphorylation, or GADD153 small interfering RNA, abrogated BG-enhancement of cisplatin cytotoxicity and apoptosis through caspase 3 and 12 cleavage. These data indicate GADD153 up-regulation plays an important role in BG-enhanced cisplatin cytotoxicity and apoptosis.
Role of Dictyostelium racE in cytokinesis: mutational analysis and localization studies by use of green fluorescent protein.

Abstract The small GTPase racE is essential for cytokinesis in Dictyostelium but its precise role in cell division is not known. To determine the molecular mechanism of racE function, we undertook a mutational analysis of racE. The exogenous expression of either wild-type racE or a constitutively active V20racE mutant effectively rescues the cytokinesis deficiency of racE null cells. In contrast, a constitutively inactive N25racE mutant fails to rescue the cytokinesis deficiency. Thus, cytokinesis requires only the activation of racE by GTP and not the inactivation of racE by hydrolysis of GTP. To determine the spatial distribution of racE, we created a fusion protein with GFP at the amino terminus of racE. Remarkably, GFP-racE fusion protein was fully competent to rescue the phenotype of racE null cells and, therefore, must reside in the same location as native racE. We found that GFP-racE localized to the plasma membrane of the cell throughout the entire cell cycle. Furthermore, constitutively active and inactive GFP-racE fusion proteins also localized to the plasma membrane. We mapped the domain required for plasma membrane localization to the carboxyl-terminal 40 amino acids of racE. This domain, however, is not sufficient to confer racE function onto a closely related GTPase. Taken together, these results suggest that racE functions at the cell cortex but it is not involved in determining the timing or placement of the contractile ring.
A review of pollution prevention depainting alternatives

This paper summarizes the technologies and products for paint removal systems for aircraft, vehicles, and equipment, describing the mechanisms by which the technologies operate. The paper also discusses federal regulations that have had an impact on the development of technology in the area of coating removal. Pollution prevention assets and liabilities are presented for each technology and regulatory and other factors that will influence the future direction of coating removal technology development are discussed.
A Hurricane's Long-Term Economic Impact: the Case of Hawaii's Iniki

The importance of understanding the macro-economic impact of natural disasters cannot be overstated. Hurricane Iniki, that hit the Hawaiian island of Kauai on September 11th, 1992, offers an ideal case study to better understand the long-term economic impacts of a major disaster. Iniki is uniquely suited to provide insights into the long-term economic impacts of disaster because (1) there is now seventeen years of detailed post-disaster economic data and (2) a nearby island, Maui, provides an ideal control group. Hurricane Iniki was the strongest hurricane to hit the Hawaiian Islands in recorded history, and wrought an estimated 7.4 billion (2008 US$) in initial damage. Here we show that Kauai’s economy only returned to pre-Iniki levels 7-8 years after the storm; though 17 years later, it has yet to recover in terms of its population and labor force. As we document, these long-term adverse impacts of disasters are ‘hidden.’ They are not usually treated as ‘costs’ of disasters, and are ignored when cost-benefit analysis of mitigation programs is used, or when countries, states, and islands attempt to prepare, financially and otherwise, to the possibility of future events.
Integrated design of an AGV for improved GPS-based path-following performance

This paper describes the design, simulation and testing of an automated ground vehicle intended to perform trajectory-tracking operations using GPS as primary sensor. Its development results from the integrated design of the vehicle with its navigation, guidance and control system. This integrated design process is oriented toward directly maximising the trajectory-tracking performance, rather than individually optimising secondary mechanical performance characteristics, as in more traditional methods. Detailed covariance analyses and closed-loop simulations are carried out to evaluate the ultimate dynamic performance and to quantify the impact of each vehicle parameter. In particular, the performance sensitivity is analysed with respect to parameters for which no obvious selection criteria exists, such as the vehicle's sense of motion or the positioning sensor location, which prove to be decisive characteristics. Experimental testing on a prototype rover confirms the simulations' results and validates the selection of the vehicle design parameters.
The implications of self-consistent current density design guidelines comprehending electromigration and Joule heating for interconnect technology evolution

We comprehend both electromigration and Joule heating to study for the first time the self-consistent solutions for the maximum allowed interconnect peak current density j/sub peak/ Using worst-case heat losses, we show how these solutions can be used to generate adequately safe current density design guidelines. They indicate that thermal effects will dominate the ability to increase j/sub peak/, rather than EM capability of an interconnect system. Further increases in j/sub peak/ will have to come at some future time from technology options which lower the temperature at which the interconnect operates.
Age differences in neural distinctiveness revealed by multi-voxel pattern analysis

Current theories of cognitive aging argue that neural representations become less distinctive in old age, a phenomenon known as dedifferentiation. The present study used multi-voxel pattern analysis (MVPA) to measure age differences in the distinctiveness of distributed patterns of neural activation evoked by different categories of visual images. We found that neural activation patterns within the ventral visual cortex were less distinctive among older adults. Further, we report that age differences in neural distinctiveness extend beyond the ventral visual cortex: older adults also showed decreased distinctiveness in early visual cortex, inferior parietal cortex, and medial and lateral prefrontal cortex. Neural distinctiveness scores in early and late visual areas were highly correlated, suggesting shared mechanisms of age-related decline. Finally, we investigated whether older adults can compensate for altered processing in visual cortex by encoding stimulus information across larger numbers of voxels within the visual cortex or in regions outside visual cortex. We found no evidence that older adults can increase the distinctiveness of distributed activation patterns, either within or beyond the visual cortex. Our results have important implications for theories of cognitive aging and highlight the value of MVPA to the study of neural coding in the aging brain.
Real-time graphics display and simulation for the intra aortic balloon pump

A system was developed to simulate the operation of an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) console, and the corresponding patient response. It displays aortic pressure and left ventricular pressure as sliding waveforms in real-time, as well as all of the IABP controls. The system is designed to execute in a PC architecture. The embedded arterial model is based on a multiple-order nonlinear system model of the vascular system. This allows health care professionals to practise controlling an IABP without using a commercial pumping console. Thus, the software is a very useful educational platform. >
Model of the mean cosine of underwater radiance and estimation of underwater scalar irradiance

An empirical model has been found with which to calculate depth profiles of the mean cosine of a component of radiance in homogeneous water under a flat surface. Model inputs are the refraction angle w’ and the subsurface downwelling irradiance E, due to the entering radiance component. Other inputs are the absorption and scattering coefficients, a and b, and the angular scattering function (here Petzold’s functions for San Diego Harbor or “Tongue of the ocean” Atlantic waters). The model applies to refraction angles up to 411” and b : a ratios up to 20. Model profiles of the mean cosine match Monte Carlo profiles to 3:O.Ol. From mean cosine profiles, scalar irradiance profiles are calculable; down to the 1% light level, model and Monte Carlo irradiances agree within 3~ 10%. The time to compute an irradiance profile with the model is - 1O-4 that of a Monte Carlo calculation. The starting point in modeling phytoplankton photosynthesis and growth is evaluation of the Chl-specific absorbed irradiante given by
An energy efficient link-layer security protocol for wireless sensor networks

In recent years, wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have found use in a variety of different applications including environmental monitoring, battlefield strategy planning, health monitoring, and so forth. With many of the applications involving communication of highly sensitive data, security becomes a primary concern. However, incorporating security features in WSNs is challenging due to the specific constraints such as limited memory and restricted energy supply. In this paper, we investigate the importance of the link-layer security service in WSNs and propose an energy efficient link-layer security protocol (LLSP) to reduce the energy consumption in the network. Comparing with the existing TinySec protocol, which provides node authentication, message confidentiality and access control, the proposed LLSP protocol provides replay protection while reducing the security overhead per packet by 17%. Throughout this paper we analyze and compare the performance as well as the energy consumption of TinySec and LLSP security protocols. Furthermore, we investigate the throughput of the system over both error-free and lossy channels using the LLSP protocol. In addition to stronger security measures, the simulation results demonstrate that LLSP outperforms TinySec in terms of energy reduction and throughput performance.
The effect of laser wavelength and power density on the laser desorption mass spectrum of fulvic acid

Fulvic acid (FA) is a water-soluble component of natural organic matter whose environmental and organic geochemistry is routinely correlated to its molecular weight. In an attempt to examine the usefulness of laser desorption (LD) mass spectrometry to unambiguously determine this characteristic, laser wavelengths of 10.6 mm, 1.06 mm and 355 nm were evaluated using the four International Humic Substances Society FAs. Under the conditions employed, FA desorption and ionization were optimal when an infrared wavelength is used and thermal desorption conditions dominate. Mass distributions observed in the 10.6 and 1.06 mm FA positive-ion LD mass spectra were centered at 500‐600 m/z, and ranged from 200 m/z to beyond 800 m/z. Lower m/z distributions were generally observed in the corresponding negative-ion spectra. Increasing power density, or use of the UV wavelength, resulted in extensive fragmentation of the FA component molecules. The positive-ion spectrum at 355 nm, or at a higher power density, consisted predominantly of low-mass fragments (<200 m/z). The corresponding negative-ion spectra displayed an ion distribution with greater m/z ratios, but the m/z distribution was still less than the negative-ion spectra obtained with an infrared wavelength. The complex pattern of mass distributions observed in the FA LD mass spectra reflect the inherent chemical complexity of these materials. # 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Wound Infection Rate in Dermatologic Surgery

. Most dermatologic surgery is performed in clinical settings and not in the rigorous sterile environment of a hospital operating room. This prospective study measures the wound infection rate over a 2 1/2 year period for cutaneous surgery performed in a clinical environment. This percent infection rate compares very favorably with that of formal operating room settings.
Journalists, district attorneys and researchers: why IRBs should get in the middle

Federal regulations in the United States have shaped Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) to focus on protecting individual human subjects. Health services research studies focusing on healthcare institutions such as hospitals or clinics do not have individual human subjects. Since U.S. federal regulations are silent on what type of review, if any, these studies require, different IRBs may approach similar studies differently, resulting in undesirable variation in the review of studies focusing on healthcare institutions. Further, although these studies do not focus on individual human subjects, they may pose risks to participating institutions, as well as individuals who work at those institutions, if identifying information becomes public.
Pressure corrections for the effects of viscosity on the irrotational flow outside Prandtl's boundary layer

This work aims at understanding the viscous effects of the outer potential flow on Prandtl's boundary layer. For a body moving with a constant velocity in an otherwise quiescent liquid, the non-zero viscous dissipation of the outer potential flow gives rise to an additional drag, increasing the drag calculated from the boundary layer alone. The drag is considered in three cases here, on a two-dimensional circular gas bubble in a streaming flow, at the edge of the boundary layer around a rapidly rotating cylinder in a uniform flow, and on an airfoil in a streaming flow. The drag may be computed using the dissipation method or the viscous pressure correction of the irrotational pressure. Such a pressure correction can be induced by the discrepancy between the irrotatinal shear stress and the zero shear stress at a fluid-gas interface, or by the discrepancy between the shear stress evaluated from the boundary-layer solution and that evaluated from the outer potential flow solution at the edge of the boundary layer.
Leukocytes in Mammary Development and Cancer

Leukocytes, of both the innate and adaptive lineages, are normal cellular components of all tissues. These important cells not only are critical for regulating normal tissue homeostasis, but also are significant paracrine regulators of all physiologic and pathologic tissue repair processes. This article summarizes recent insights regarding the trophic roles of leukocytes at each stage of mammary gland development and during cancer development, with a focus on Murids and humans.
Effective Utilization and Appropriate Selection of Genetically Engineered Mouse Models for Translational Integration of Mouse and Human Trials

Thelandscapeof cancer researchandtherapy hasradicallychanged over thepast decadesinat least two major respects: Our ability to model cancer in the mouse has risen to an unprecedented level of accuracy at the same time that novel cancer drugs have been developed in record numbers. This has led to an explosion in genetically engineered mouse model (GEMM) research, as GEMMs can potentiallybeusedtotestandoptimizedrugsinavarietyofways:preclinically(beforetestinginhuman patients), coclinically (in parallel with human testing), and postclinically (to optimize standard of care therapy). Thus the potential applications of faithful GEMMs of cancer have expanded from analysis of causal relationships between genetic aberrancies and tumorigenesis in preclinical efforts to a more comprehensive andsystematicutilization ofGEMMsfor drugtesting andclinical trialoptimization. As GEMM research has grown, however, few standard protocols have been put in place regarding GEMM trials done in parallel with human trials (the “coclinical” approach), or in situations in which the available cohort of human patients is too small for valid statistical analysis. The success of such efforts will require an increased attention to the rigor with which mouse and human clinical efforts are designed, executed, and integrated.
Agent-in-the-loop simulation for testing swarm robots using an XML-based system of system framework in discrete-event simulation specification

This work builds upon our previous work, where a swarm robot called a Groundscout was tested for its emergent behavior(s) using a system of systems framework based on discrete-event simulation and XML-based hardware in the loop simulation (HIL). This paper presents performance optimizations, bug-fixes, and implementations of new features to further examine the benefits of using HIL simulations to develop and test swarm robots. In this work, the Groundscout's communications protocols were improved, a new obstacle-avoidance algorithm was added, and the environment and simulation engines have been either re-implemented or optimized for performance. Specifically for the obstacle-avoidance algorithm, the benefits of using HIL simulations, together with the principle of model continuity, are clearly demonstrated with testing experiments. Towards the eventual goal of creating simulations for testing emergent behaviors of much larger robot swarms, considerations that were learned are presented.
Modified atmosphere packaging for mixed loads of horticultural commodities exposed to two postharvest temperatures

A procedure to maintain desired levels of O2 and CO2 inside packages that are exposed to different surrounding temperatures was designed and tested. This procedure included the design of packages for a high temperature, ambient atmosphere conditions simulating retail display conditions and the use of a controlled atmosphere (CA) environment surrounding the packages at a lower temperature simulating storage or transport conditions. To test the concept, strawberries and snap beans were held at 7°C for 4 days and 19°C for 2 days to simulate mixed storage:transport and retail display at these respective temperatures. The strawberries were stored in jars fitted with a short tube to modify the interior atmosphere; snap beans were stored in commercially available, semipermeable plastic bags. Both package types were placed in a CA of 14.8% O2 plus 8.3% CO2 at 7°C followed by storage in air at 19°C. Under these conditions, it was possible to maintain atmospheres that were close to the desired atmospheres for the products at both temperatures. © 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Reconfiguration of the upper extremity relative to the pushrim affects load distribution during wheelchair propulsion.

Abstract Objective Repetitive loading during manual wheelchair propulsion (WCP) is associated with overuse injury to the upper extremity (UE). The aim of this study was to determine how RF redirection and load distribution are affected by changes upper extremity kinematic modifications associated with modifications in seat positions during a WCP task. The aim of this study was to determine how RF redirection and load distribution are affected by upper extremity kinematic changes associated with seat position adjustment during a WCP task. Design Dynamic simulations using an experiment-based multi-link inverse dynamics model were used to generate solutions for redistributing UE mechanical load in different seating positions without decrements in WCP task performance. Methods Experimental RF and kinematic data were collected for one subject propelling at a self-selected speed and used as input into the model. Shoulder/axle distance, wrist angular position, and RF direction were systematically modified to simulate how the mechanical demand imposed on the upper extremity (elbow and shoulder net joint moments (NJMs) and net joint forces) may vary. Results Load distribution depended on UE orientation relative to the wheel. At peak force, lower shoulder/axle distances and more anterior wrist positions on the pushrim allowed for more extended elbow positions and reduced total NJM load. Interpretation Simulation results incorporating subject-specific data may provide mechanically based information to guide clinical interventions that aim to maintain WCP performance and redistribute load by modifying RF direction, seat configuration and hand/rim interaction.
Competition between alien annual grasses and native annual plants in the Mojave Desert.

Alien annual grasses in the genera Bromus and Schismus are widespread and abundant in the Mojave Desert, and negative correlations between these aliens and native annual plants suggest that competition may occur between them. Effects of competition were evaluated by thinning alien annual grass seedlings and measuring the responses of native annual plants at three sites in the central, southcentral and southwestern Mojave Desert during 2 y of contrasting plant productivity. Effects of Bromus and Schismus were evaluated separately in the microhabitat where each was most abundant, beneath the north side of creosote bushes (Larrea tridentata) for Bromus and in the open interspace between shrubs for Schismus. Thinning of Bromus and Schismus significantly increased density and biomass of native annuals at all three sites, only during a year of high annual plant productivity and species richness. Effects of thinning were greatest for Amsinckia tesselata and for a group of relatively uncommon native annuals. Thinning also significantly increased the density and biomass of the alien forb, Erodium cicutarium. These results show that alien annual grasses can compete with native annual plants and an alien forb in the Mojave Desert and that effects can vary among years.
Tracking the spread of research-based instructional strategies

The adoption of research-based instruction strategies (RBIS) by faculty is generally perceived as being slow. Faculty resist change, reject data that demonstrates the effectiveness of RBIS, and prioritize research over teaching. Even when faculty attempt to use RBIS, they often do so with poor fidelity to the original design of the RBIS. By organizing faculty into communities of practice, we are observing a sudden surge in the adoption of RBIS across STEM departments. Through this work in progress we present preliminary data that we have collected to understand exactly why many faculty are now adopting RBIS. While this effort has led to the adoption of many RBIS, we focus on the adoption of personal response systems (clickers) and Peer Instruction. Preliminary data suggests that faculty adoption is being driven by community and collaborative instruction.
“Listening is an act of love”: Learning listening through StoryCorps

Courses: Interpersonal Communication, Basic Survey Course, Group Communication, Organizational Communication, Intercultural Communication, Listening, Family Communication, Interviewing, Business and Professional Communication.Objectives: After completing this single class activity, students will be able to: (a) define listening; (b) identify listening as a top skill employers desire; (c) explain how listening may be perceived as an act of love; and (d) critically assess ways in which their listening behaviors may be improved.
THE RAISED BOGS OF SOUTH-EASTERN LABRADOR, CANADA: CLASSIFICATION, DISTRIBUTION, VEGETATION AND RECENT DYNAMICS

(1) The mires of Labrador form a distinct geographical zonation: concentric raised bogs occur at low altitudes along the southern coast, excentric and plateau bogs extend inland to slightly greater altitudes and higher latitudes, and patterned fens occupy most of the interior north to the tundra. (2) The zone boundaries parallel contours and climatic isopleths, and the zonation is explained in terms of the effects of moisture surplus, soligenous water flow and physiography on mire development. (3) The raised bogs are similar to oceanic mires, with an extensive ground cover of Cladonia spp., absence of trees on the mire expanse, and pronounced surface patterns of broad peat hummocks and open-water pools. Three floristic noda are recognized in the phytosociological table: Cladonia stellaris-C. rangiferina-Kalmia angustifolia nodum on raised hummocks and Sphagnum rubellum-Scirpus cespitosus and Sphagnum lindbergii-Scirpus cespitosus noda in hollows. (4) As a result of the extensive cover of lichens the hummock vegetation readily burns during lightning fires, which are prevalent on the uplands. Examination of a chronosequence of stands burned in 1898, 1931, 1959 and 1975 documents the rapid resprouting of most vascular species and a gradual succession of Cladonia spp. and bryophytes. (5) The recent history of the hummock vegetation involves the alteration of Cladonia stellaris and Sphagnumfuscum, as documented by the presence of recurrence surfaces in short cores, peat monoliths, and long cores. Local factors, including fire and the lowering of the water table through pool drainage, are frequently responsible for changes in the ground cover and the degree of peat humification, and they may confound the stratigraphic interpretation of climatic change.
Effect of renin, angiotensin II and aldosterone on erythropoiesis.

SummaryErythrocyte radioiron incorporation following administration of renin, angiotensin II or aldosterone was not altered suggesting that these substances do not have erythropoietic stimulating properties. In addition, maintenance of rats on a sodium-deficient diet for a 3-week period in order to effect increased endogenous renin and aldosterone production produced no alteration in the red blood cell mass. The significance of these results in relation to the renal origin of erythropoietin is discussed.
Orientation Dependence of Critical Currents in a-Axis Oriented YBCO Thin Films

Thin films of YBCO with a high degree of alignment both normal to and within the basal plane have been prepared by an electron beam multilayer deposition technique. The a-axis oriented film consists of an array of orthogonal, interconnecting, rectangular crystal bars. The zero field critical current density for the a-axis oriented film measured with the magnetic field perpendicular to the plane of film is 6.7×10 6A/cm 2 at 4.4K and 1.2×105A/cm2 at 77K. In order to study the orientation dependence of the in-plane critical currents, the film was positioned so that the magnetic field was at angles of 0°, 30°, and 45° to the in-plane axes of the substrate. The critical current density J,(θ=0°) is 1.6 times larger than Jc(θ=45°) and Jc(θ=30°). These results imply that the degree of alignment of the crystal grains is crucial for achieving high quality thin films. The superconducting critical current density can be rather high, not only in the c-axis oriented films but also in the epitaxial a-axis oriented films, which have high degree of texture and excellent intergrain contact.
Renal Protein Metabolism in Obstructive Uropathy

Measurements of serum beta 2 microglobulin and creatinine concentrations were determined in 18 patients with lower urinary tract obstruction. Nine patients were azotemic on admission to the hospital. In 3 of these patients who had normal pre-treatment serum levels of beta 2 microglobulin, the correction of obstruction was followed by return of normal renal function. The remaining 6 patients with elevated serum beta 2 microglobulin concentrations on hospitalization, showed no significant improvement in renal function parameters in the post-obstructive period. These data suggest that determination of serum beta 2 microglobulin concentrations is helpful in predicting the return of renal function in azotemic patients with obstructive uropathy.
The physical properties of the deoxyribonucleic acid from T7 bacteriophage.

The isolation and the physical characterization of the DNA from T7 bacteriophage are described. The DNA is shown to be homogeneous by ultracentrifugation and chromatography. It is probable that this DNA preparation yields a mono-disperse solution of molecules of molecular weight 19 × 10 6 .
MO-FG-207A-03: Radiation and Cancer Perspectives from the Trenches: Are We Providing Care Or Promoting Scare?

There has been increasing use of CT scans globally. This increased use is not in itself of concern, and largely reflects the remarkable clinical benefits of CT. Inappropriate use of CT is, however, of concern, particularly as the potential for carcinogenic effects is yet to be fully understood. The first major media attention to cancer risk from CT scan arose from a series of papers and an Editorial published in AJR in 2001. This was followed by another series of papers in 2007 and associated media attention to the estimation of the number of cancer deaths that may occur in US as a result of radiation exposure from CT. In recent years there have been a series of papers and position statements suggesting that these predictions need to be worded very carefully. This is because they may lead to sensationalistic articles in the public media that might cause some patients and parents to refuse medical imaging procedures, placing them at substantial risk by not receiving the clinical benefits of the prescribed imaging. There is a considerable body of work within the field of cognitive psychology that indicates that a discussion of risk may lead to bias in how parents would interpret information and potentially refuse indicated examinations. It follows that discussion of any potential risk of imaging should be accompanied by a discussion of the corresponding benefit of imaging or the harm if imaging is not done. Studies reported in the literature both for CT scans and for fluoroscopy suggest that when this is done, patients or parents do not refuse needed imaging. Learning Objectives: 1.To understand the global usage of diagnostic x-rays and CT and issues and approaches for safety 2.To learn about science behind current dose effects relationship and risk estimates at the level of few CT scans and the uncertainties in estimating risks from CT scans 3.To understand how issues of CT scan risks are perceived by patients and physicians and how they can be better presented to them
Lorentz force optical coherence elastography.

Quantifying tissue biomechanical properties can assist in detection of abnormalities and monitoring disease progression and/or response to a therapy. Optical coherence elastography (OCE) has emerged as a promising technique for noninvasively characterizing tissue biomechanical properties. Several mechanical loading techniques have been proposed to induce static or transient deformations in tissues, but each has its own areas of applications and limitations. This study demonstrates the combination of Lorentz force excitation and phase-sensitive OCE at ∼1.5 million A-lines per second to quantify the elasticity of tissue by directly imaging Lorentz force-induced elastic waves. This method of tissue excitation opens the possibility of a wide range of investigations using tissue biocurrents and conductivity for biomechanical analysis.
The IRL Fallacy

Putting the lie to “digital dualism” in an essay on the inseparability of online and offline selves.
Melanopsin Phototransduction Contributes to Light-Evoked Choroidal Expansion and Rod L-Type Calcium Channel Function In Vivo.

Purpose In humans, rodents, and pigeons, the dark → light transition signals nonretinal brain tissue to increase choroidal thickness, a major control element of choroidal blood flow, and thus of photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelium function. However, it is unclear which photopigments in the retina relay the light signal to the brain. Here, we test the hypothesis that melanopsin (Opn4)-regulated phototransduction modulates light-evoked choroidal thickness expansion in mice. Methods Two-month-old C57Bl/6 wild-type (B6), 4- to 5-month-old C57Bl/6/129S6 wild-type (B6 + S6), and 2-month-old melanopsin knockout (Opn4-/-) on a B6 + S6 background were studied. Retinal anatomy was evaluated in vivo by optical coherence tomography and MRI. Choroidal thickness in dark and light were measured by diffusion-weighted MRI. Rod cell L-type calcium channel (LTCC) function in dark and light (manganese-enhanced MRI [MEMRI]) was also measured. Results Opn4-/- mice did not show the light-evoked expansion of choroidal thickness observed in B6 and B6 + S6 controls. Additionally, Opn4-/- mice had lower than normal rod cell and inner retinal LTCC function in the dark but not in the light. These deficits were not due to structural abnormalities because retinal laminar architecture and thickness, and choroidal thickness in the Opn4-/- mice were similar to controls. Conclusions First time evidence is provided that melanopsin phototransduction contributes to dark → light control of murine choroidal thickness. The data also highlight a contribution in vivo of melanopsin phototransduction to rod cell and inner retinal depolarization in the dark.
Continuous aspiration prior to intracranial vascular embolectomy (CAPTIVE): a technique which improves outcomes.

Background Modern stent retriever-based embolectomy for patients with emergent large vessel occlusion improves outcomes. Techniques aimed at achieving higher rates of complete recanalization would benefit patients. Objective To evaluate the clinical impact of an embolectomy technique focused on continuous aspiration prior to intracranial vascular embolectomy (CAPTIVE). Methods A retrospective review was performed of 95 consecutive patients with intracranial internal carotid artery or M1 segment middle cerebral artery occlusion treated with stent retriever-based thrombectomy over an 11-month period. Patients were divided into a conventional local aspiration group (traditional group) and those treated with a novel continuous aspiration technique (CAPTIVE group). We compared both early neurologic recovery (based on changes in National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score), independence at 90 days (modified Rankin score 0–2), and angiographic results using the modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia (TICI) scale including the TICI 2c category. Results There were 56 patients in the traditional group and 39 in the CAPTIVE group. Median age and admission NIHSS scores were 78 years and 19 in the traditional group and 77 years and 19 in the CAPTIVE group. Median times from groin puncture to recanalization in the traditional and CAPTIVE groups were 31 min and 14 min, respectively (p Conclusions The CAPTIVE embolectomy technique may result in higher recanalization rates and better clinical outcomes.
Analytic Response Curves of Clinical Breast Cancer IHC Tests

An important limitation in the field of immunohistochemistry (IHC) is the inability to correlate stain intensity with specific analyte concentrations. Clinical immunohistochemical tests are not described in terms of analytic response curves, namely, the analyte concentrations in a tissue sample at which an immunohistochemical stain (1) is first visible, (2) increases in proportion to the analyte concentration, and (3) ultimately approaches a maximum color intensity. Using a new immunostaining tool ( IHControls), we measured the analytic response curves of the major clinical immunohistochemical tests for human epidermal growth factor receptor type II (HER-2), estrogen receptor (ER), and progesterone receptor (PR). The IHControls comprise the analytes HER-2, ER, and PR at approximately log concentration intervals across the range of biological expression, from 100 to 1,000,000 molecules per test microbead. We stained IHControls of various concentrations using instruments, reagents, and protocols from three major IHC vendors. Stain intensity at each analyte concentration was measured, thereby generating an analytic response curve. We learned that for HER-2 and PR, there is significant variability in test results between clinical kits for samples with analyte concentrations of approximately 104 molecules/microbead. We propose that the characterization of immunostains is an important step toward standardization.
pCO2 effects on species composition and growth of an estuarine phytoplankton community

Abstract The effects of ongoing changes in ocean carbonate chemistry on plankton ecology have important implications for food webs and biogeochemical cycling. However, conflicting results have emerged regarding species-specific responses to p CO2 enrichment and thus community responses have been difficult to predict. To assess community level effects (e.g., production) of altered carbonate chemistry, studies are needed that capitalize on the benefits of controlled experiments but also retain features of intact ecosystems that may exacerbate or ameliorate the effects observed in single-species or single cohort experiments. We performed incubations of natural plankton communities from Narragansett Bay, RI, USA in winter at ambient bay temperatures (5–13 °C), light and nutrient concentrations. Three levels of controlled and constant CO 2 concentrations were imposed, simulating past, present and future conditions at mean p CO 2 levels of 224, 361, and 724 μatm respectively. Samples for carbonate analysis, chlorophyll a , plankton size-abundance, and plankton species composition were collected daily and phytoplankton growth rates in three different size fractions ( 20 μm) were measured at the end of the 7-day incubation period. Community composition changed during the incubation period with major increases in relative diatom abundance, which were similar across p CO 2 treatments. At the end of the experiment, 24-hr growth responses to p CO 2 levels varied as a function of cell size. The smallest size fraction ( p CO 2 level. In contrast, the 5–20 μm size fraction grew fastest in the Present treatment and there were no significant differences in growth rate among treatments in the >20 μm size fraction. Cell size distribution shifted toward smaller cells in both the Past and Future treatments but remained unchanged in the Present treatment. Similarity in Past and Future treatments for cell size distribution and growth rate (5–20 μm size fraction) illustrate non-monotonic effects of altered p CO 2 on ecological indicators and may be related to opposing physiological effects of high CO 2 and low pH both within and among species. Interaction of these effects with other factors (e.g., nutrients, light, temperature, grazing, initial species composition) may explain variability among published studies. The absence of clear treatment-specific effects at the community level suggests that extrapolation of species-specific responses or experiments with only present day and future p CO 2 treatments levels could produce misleading predictions of ocean acidification impacts on plankton production.
Leaving the teaching profession: The role of teacher stress and educational accountability policies on turnover intent

Abstract This study examined the relationship between test-based accountability policy at the state level, teacher test stress, teacher burnout, and teacher turnover intentions, while controlling for years of teacher experience. Structural equation modeling of data from 1866 teachers across three states identified that state-specific accountability significantly predicted higher rates of test-stress, burnout, and turnover intent. Greater teacher experience was significantly related to a lower likelihood of teacher migration between schools. This study provides evidence across multiple states that test-based accountability policies may predict greater teacher turnover intent, as well as higher levels of teacher stress. Implications for future research are discussed.
Atisbos de un tiempo auténtico para una educación esencial

La percepcion del tiempo que prepondera en nuestra educacion esta dominada esencialmente por una representacion mecanica y lineal, que concibe al tiempo como una dimension exterior sujeta a medida, calculo y planificacion. Esta representacion nos resulta tan familiar que no nos hemos preguntado si nuestra educacion, es favorecida o alterada por esta perspectiva del tiempo. ?Existe otra manera de concebir el tiempo que de cuenta de una autentica experiencia educativa?
Theory and Practice II, 1883–1900

This chapter focuses on Morley’s attempts to parent his stepchildren and nephew as they transitioned into adulthood—a time at which, Morley reasoned, children should be responsible for their own life paths. It documents how Morley moved between the positions of intimacy and distance as he aspired to parent with discreet indifference and assume the role of guide and friend. The chapter examines some flashpoints in liberal parenting, including differences between Morley and the children whom he raised over matters of education and religion.
Chelation therapy to prevent diabetes-associated cardiovascular events.

Purpose of reviewFor over 60 years, chelation therapy with disodium ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA, edetate) had been used for the treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD) despite lack of scientific evidence for efficacy and safety. The Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy (TACT) was develope