cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tomato tolerance and pest control following fumigation with different ratios of dimethyl disulfide and chloropicrin

Background The phaseout of methyl bromide (MeBr) continues to stimulate research into the use of other soil fumigants for controlling soil-borne diseases and weeds. This research evaluated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) tolerance, weed emergence and the recovery of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici (FOL) inoculum following fumigation with various combination ratios of dimethyl disulfide plus chloropicrin (DMDS + Pic). Results On its own, DMDS did not effectively control purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) compared with DMDS + Pic. Control of C. rotundus and fusarium wilt increased with Pic based on weed emergence throughout the growing season and FOL inoculum recovery from soil. In all three growing seasons, 159 kg ha-1 DMDS + 379 kg ha-1 Pic provided season-long control of C. rotundus. Conclusion This research confirms that formulating DMDS + Pic containing a high percentage of Pic offers an effective alternative to MeBr for tomato production. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.
Divisional Judge-Shopping

In the final years of Barack Obama’s presidency, major administration initiatives on immigration, transgender rights, and employee pay met their end at the hands of federal judges in the far reaches of Texas. The three venues for the cases had one important thing in common. Thanks to court-created judge-assignment rules, the plaintiffs were able to gain significantly more control over the judges selected to hear the cases by filing in smaller courthouses instead of major cities. Many people assume that federal cases are assigned randomly across all judges in a district. But in reality, fifty-five of the nation’s ninety-four federal district courts are subdivided into geographic “divisions” that are used for judge assignment — essentially creating mini district courts, each with its own judges. In these districts, litigants can select the pool of judges eligible to be assigned to their cases by strategically choosing the division in which they file — a practice that this Note refers to as “divisional judge-shopping.” Despite featuring in high-profile cases like the three filed by the state of Texas, divisional judge-shopping has drawn little attention. This Note fills the void by comprehensively surveying and reporting on the judge-assignment procedures used by the country’s ninety-four federal district courts, with an eye toward analyzing the extent to which they allow plaintiffs to engage in divisional judge- shopping. It argues that existing judge-assignment systems are insufficient to prevent divisional judge-shopping, especially in cases challenging federal and state laws, regulations, and policies. And it proposes that Congress implement standardized judge-assignment procedures in all districts to limit divisional judge-shopping opportunities.
The Effects of Gaming on University Student Quiz Performance.

The use of competitive games to increase classroom engagement has become common practice among many teachers. However, it is unclear if using games as an assessment tool is a viable way to increase student performance. This study examined the effects of administering quizzes through a game-based system, Kahoot!,versusprivately on an electronic device. The quiz scores of 56 undergraduate students, enrolled in one of two special education courses, were evaluated. A linear regression was used to compare student scores across the two conditions, as well as performance over the course of a 15-week semester. No significant difference in quiz scores was found between the two conditions, and quiz scores in both conditions improved similarly over time. Sixty-eight percent of the students reported preferring to take the quiz privately on an electric device as opposed to on Kahoot!. Limitations and recommendations for practitioners are discussed.
How to find clinical information quickly at the point of care.

You have one minute to identify the first-line therapy for a pregnant patient with tuberculosis. How will you find the answer?
More Than Words: A Vision to Address Bias and Reduce Discrimination in the Health Professions Learning Environment

Bias and discrimination are embedded within the history, norms, and practices of the health professions institution, and their negative impacts are pervasive in the health professions learning environment. These forces impair the ability to take care of patients, recruit and support diverse health care providers, and prepare the next generation of clinicians for practice. Fortunately, there are effective interventions and strategies for addressing bias and discrimination within learning environments and to both prevent and ameliorate their negative effects. This Perspective lays out a vision for health professions learning environments that are free from bias and discrimination and makes 5 recommendations, with supporting actions, that will help the leaders of health care institutions achieve this goal.
Induction of GLUTAMINE DUMPER1 reveals a link between amino acid export, abscisic acid, and immune responses

ABSTRACT Amino acid homeostasis in plants is finely tuned to match developmental needs and response to adverse environments. Over-expression of the single-transmembrane domain protein GLUTAMINE DUMPER1 (GDU1) leads to increased amino acid export, reduced growth and constitutive induction of immune responses. We used an inducible gene expression system to tease apart the primary and secondary effects caused by GDU1, and demonstrated that the primary effect is increasing amino acid export, followed by increased amino acid content and abscisic acid (ABA) response, and a subsequent activation of defense responses. The GDU1-mediated hypersensitivity to ABA partially depended on the E3 ubiquitin ligase LOSS-OF-GDU1 2 (LOG2), a known GDU1 interactor. More importantly, the lysine catabolite pipecolic acid played a pivotal role in the GDU1-induced defense responses. This work unravels a novel relationship between amino acid transport, ABA and defense responses, potentially mediated by the GDU1-LOG2 complex, critical for understanding how plants respond to amino acid imbalance. ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY Genetically induced disturbance of amino acid homeostasis sequentially triggers responses to abiotic stresses and plant defenses to pathogens in Arabidopsis through undefined sensing mechanisms
Risk factors associated with septic arthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint in beef cattle

Lameness is a condition associated with important economic losses in beef cattle operations. Infection of the distal interphalangeal joint (DIJ) usually results in severe lameness and is an animal welfare concern; however, diagnosis of digital infection in beef cattle in the field is difficult and challenging for veterinarians. Identification of risk factors associated with septic arthritis of the DIJ in beef cattle could lead to early treatment and improve prognosis for future productive life. The objective of this study was to determine if factors such as duration of lameness, number of antibiotic treatments, severity of lameness, and the presence of asymmetric swelling at the coronary band of the affected foot are associated with septic arthritis of the DIJ in beef cattle.
Multi-pulse time resolved gamma ray spectroscopy of the advanced radiographic capability using gas Cherenkov diagnostics

The advanced radiographic capability located at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) uses high intensity, short pulse lasers to create bright photon sources for diagnosing high energy density experiments. There are radiographic needs for a multi-frame time-resolved MeV gamma diagnostic for experiments on the NIF with sub-nanosecond resolution. A series of experiments demonstrated measurements of MeV x-ray spectra resolved with a time separation of a few nanoseconds through the use of gas Cherenkov detectors. A two-pulse radiographic experiment found a 30% reduction in > 2.8 MeV photon flux compared to the first frame exposure.
Sequential Change Detection by Optimal Weighted ℓ₂ Divergence

We present a new non-parametric statistic, called the weighed $\ell _{2}$ divergence, based on empirical distributions for sequential change detection. We start by constructing the weighed $\ell _{2}$ divergence as a fundamental building block for two-sample tests and change detection. The proposed statistic is proved to attain the optimal sample complexity in the offline setting. We then study the sequential change detection using the weighed $\ell _{2}$ divergence and characterize the fundamental performance metrics, including the average run length (ARL) and the expected detection delay (EDD). We also present practical algorithms to find the optimal projection to handle high-dimensional data and the optimal weights, which is critical to quick detection since, in such settings, there are not many post-change samples. Simulation results and real data examples are provided to validate the good performance of the proposed method.
Negotiating Ethos: An Army Corps of Engineers Resource Manager Persuades a Community to Protect a Recreational Lake Area:

This article presents an observational case study of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Resource Manager working with community members through a contested project. Using the Aristotelian concepts of e...
The Number of Optimal Strategies in the Penney-Ante Game

In the Penney-Ante game, Player I chooses a head/tail string of a predetermined length $n\ge3$. Player II, upon seeing Player I's choice, chooses another head/tail string of the same length. A coin is then tossed repeatedly and the player whose string appears first in the resulting head/tail sequence wins the game. The Penney-Ante game has gained notoriety as a source of counterintuitive probabilities and nontransitivity phenomena. For example, Player II can always choose a string that beats the choice of Player I in the sense of being more likely to appear first in a random head/tail sequence. It is known that Player II has a unique optimal strategy that maximizes her winning chances in this game. On the other hand, for Player I there exist multiple equivalent optimal strategies. In this paper we investigate the number, $c_n$, of optimal strategies for Player I, i.e., the number of head/tail strings of length $n$ that maximize the winning probability for Player I assuming optimal play by Player II. We derive a recurrence relation for $c_n$ and use this to obtain a sharp asymptotic estimate for $c_n$. In particular, we show that, as $n\to\infty$, a fixed proportion $\alpha \approx 0.04062\dots$ of the $2^n$ head/tail strings of length $n$ are optimal from Player I's perspective.
Macromolecular Structure Determination by X‐ray Crystallography

For more than 50 years, single-crystal X-ray diffraction has remained at the forefront of structural studies of biological macromolecules and complex molecular machines. Diffraction occurs when X-rays interact with the electrons in the crystallised macromolecule or a complex. Importantly, only amplitudes, not phases, are recorded during an X-ray diffraction experiment. This ‘phase’ problem is resolved by incorporating electron-dense, anomalous scatterers into the protein or nucleic acid molecules. Major technical advances in crystal handling, synchrotron beamlines, free-electron lasers, detector technology, software development and computer hardware have allowed X-ray crystallography to become essentially a routine method for obtaining high-resolution images of biomolecules. Much of our insights into macromolecular structure/function relationships are, in fact, based on single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Key Concepts: X-ray crystallography is one of the fundamental methods of structural biology and remains the most widely used technique to study the structure/function relationships of macromolecules. X-ray diffraction is not an imaging technique as the scattered X-ray intensities need to be associated with phases to assemble an image. The phase problem in X-ray crystallography can be overcome by determining the anomalous scattering generated by suitable heavy atoms. Crystallisation of biological macromolecules remains a bottleneck in X-ray crystallography. Keywords: structural biology; structure/function relationships; X-ray crystallography; diffraction; phase problem
Performance analysis of through silicon via (TSV) and through glass via (TGV) for different materials

Through silicon via (TSV) is one of the key components of the emerging 3D ICs. However, increasing number of TSVs in smaller silicon area leads to some severe negative impacts on the performance of the 3D IC. Growing signal integrity issues in TSVs is one of the major challenges of 3D integration. In this paper, different materials for the cores of the vias and the interposers are investigated to find the best possible combination that can reduce crosstalk and other losses like return loss and insertion loss in the TSVs. We have explored glass and silicon as interposer materials. The simulation results indicate that glass is the best option as interposer material although silicon interposer has some distinct advantages. For via cores three materials — copper (Cu), tungsten (W) and Cu-W bimetal are considered. From the analysis it can concluded that W would be better for high frequency applications due to lower transmission coefficient. Cu offers higher conductivity, but it has larger thermal expansion coefficient mismatch with silicon. The performance of Cu-W bimetal via would be in between Cu and W. However, W has a thermal expansion coefficient close to silicon. Therefore, bimetal Cu-W based TSV with W as the outer layer would be a suitable option for high frequency 3D IC. Here, we performed the analysis in terms of return loss, transmission coefficient and crosstalk in the vias.
Efficient and robust graphics recognition from historical maps

Historical maps contain rich cartographic information, such as road networks, but this information is "locked" in images and inaccessible to a geographic information system (GIS). Manual map digitization requires intensive user effort and cannot handle a large number of maps. Previous approaches for automatic map processing generally require expert knowledge in order to fine-tune parameters of the applied graphics recognition techniques and thus are not readily usable for non-expert users. This paper presents an efficient and effective graphics recognition technique that employs interactive user intervention procedures for processing historical raster maps with limited graphical quality. The interactive procedures are performed on color-segmented preprocessing results and are based on straightforward user training processes, which minimize the required user effort for map digitization. This graphics recognition technique eliminates the need for expert users in digitizing map images and provides opportunities to derive unique data for spatiotemporal research by facilitating time-consuming map digitization efforts. The described technique generated accurate road vector data from a historical map image and reduced the time for manual map digitization by 38%.
Frame semantics in text-to-scene generation

3D graphics scenes are difficult to create, requiring users to learn and utilize a series of complex menus, dialog boxes, and often tedious direct manipulation techniques. By giving up some amount of control afforded by such interfaces we have found that users can use natural language to quickly and easily create a wide variety of 3D scenes. Natural language offers an interface that is intuitive and immediately accessible by anyone, without requiring any special skill or training. The WordsEye system (http://www.wordseye.com) has been used by several thousand users on the web to create over 10,000 scenes. The system relies on a large database of 3D models and poses to depict entities and actions. We describe how the current version of the system incorporates the type of lexical and real-world knowledge needed to depict scenes from language.
Outcomes of an interprofessional simulation curriculum

Purpose – Interprofessional education (IPE) is a method to create an environment that fosters interprofessional communication, understanding the roles and responsibilities of each profession, learning the skills to organize and communicate information for patients, families and members of the health care team. Providing IPE to health professional students can prepare them in the workforce to have the necessary skills to function in a collaborative practice ready environment. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the methods used in developing IPE curriculum, faculty training as debriefers/facilitators, identify learning objectives and outcomes. Design/methodology/approach – The faculty and student surveys utilized a Likert scale. Learning objectives for the student survey assessed learning objective including communication of roles and responsibilities, communication and organization of information, engagement of other health professions (HP) in shared patient-centered problem solving, interprofessi...
A comparative study of colloidal particles as imaging standards for microscopy.

Colloidal particles have long been used as imaging standards for electron microscopy and, more recently, for scanning probe microscopy. We have analysed gold, polystyrene and silica colloidal particles by both transmission electron microscopy and atomic/scanning force microscopy in an attempt to determine if any can be truly used as ‘standards’ of shape and/or size. From the transmission electron micrographs, we have obtained precise information of the particle circumference and mean diameter. By comparing the ratio of these to the value for π, we obtained a measure of the sphericity of the particles. We have also shadowed the particles with metal at a known angle and have analysed the shadow length to determine the particles' heights and shapes. The height information obtained from the shadow length data collected from the transmission electron micrographs was then compared with that obtained by atomic/scanning force microscopy. Our results show that cleaned (washed) silica or polystyrene particles closely approach true spheres. In the case of gold particles, height data obtained from shadow lengths analysed in transmission electron micrographs show good agreement with that obtained from the atomic/scanning force microscopy images even without washing. However, the gold particles often deviate from sphericity. Based upon both the shape and the physical properties of the colloidal particles, silica would be the best choice as a standard. We also have noticed that metal shadowing of colloidal particle samples used for atomic/scanning force microscopy offers an advantage which we call a ‘nanoscale metric’ visible in the image directly at each particle site. This information can be important if one wishes to use samples prepared from colloidal particles simply and reliably to determine the probe shape for scanning probe microscopy from image deconvolution/restoration methods or as a calibration sample.
Adenovirus 5 DNA sequences present and RNA sequences transcribed in transformed human embryo kidney cells (HEK-Ad-5 or 293).

Abstract The viral DNA sequences present in the human embryo kidney cell line (293) transformed from sheared adenovirus 5 fragments (F. L. Graham, P. S. Abrahams, C. Mulder, H. L. Heijneker, S. 0. Warnaar, F. A. deVries, W. Fiers, and A. J. van der Eb 1974, Cold Spring Harbor Symp. Quant. Biol.39, 637–650) were analyzed. By renaturation kinetics of transformed cell DNA and labeled adenovirus 5 restriction enzyme fragments obtained with HindIII we determined that there are four to five copies per cell of the left 12% of the viral genome and approximately one copy per cell of 9% of the right end of the viral genome. Analysis of the RNA sequences transcribed in nuclei isolated from this cell line indicated that only transcripts from the sequences of the left end were detected. The expression of these viral sequences was mediated by DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II. Analysis of the viral DNA from 293 cells using restriction enzymes reveals that the viral DNA is integrated and located at two sites on the cellular genome. This simple arrangement is stable through several cell passages.
Ligand environment of the S2 state of photosystem II: a study of the hyperfine interactions of the tetranuclear manganese cluster by 2D 14N HYSCORE spectroscopy.

The solar water-splitting protein complex, photosystem II, catalyzes the light-driven oxidation of water to dioxygen in Nature. The four-electron oxidation reaction of water occurs at the tetranuclear manganese—calcium—oxo catalytic cl uster that is present in the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II. The mechanism of light-driven water oxidation has been a subject of intense interest, and the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II has been studied extensively by structural and biochemical methods. While the recent X-ray crystal structures and single-crystal EXAFS investigations provide a model for the geometry of the tetranuclear manganese-calcium-oxo catalytic cluster, there is limited knowledge of the protein environment that surrounds the catalytic cluster. In this study, we demonstrate the application of two-dimensional hyperfine sublevel correlation spectroscopy to determine the magnetic couplings of the catalytic cluster with the 14 N atoms of surrounding amino acid residues in the S 2 state of the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II. We utilize two-dimensional difference spectroscopy to facilitate unambiguous assignments of the spectral features and identify at least three separate 14 N atoms that are interacting with the catalytic cluster in the S 2 state. The results presented here, for the first time, identify previously unknown ligands to the catalytic cluster of photosystem II and provide avenues for the assignment of residues by site-directed mutagenesis and the refinement of computational and mechanistic models of photosystem II.
Exciton Self Trapping in One-Dimensional Photosynthetic Antennas

Experimental evidence is presented showing that excitons in circular antenna complexes from photosynthetic bacteria are dynamically self trapped in about 200 fs by coupling to nuclear vibrations. The induced deformation covers ∼20% of the complex circumference at low temperature. This self trapping, the first of its kind observed in biological systems, results in a broad fluorescence spectrum and considerably improves energy resonance between heterogeneous antenna complexes. Exciton self trapping may thus be a part of nature's strategy, increasing the speed and efficiency of energy transfer in photosynthesis.
A nongrey calculation of the runaway greenhouse: Implications for Venus' past and present☆

Abstract We obtain the dependence of the surface temperature of a planet covered with bodies of liquid water upon the amount of incident solar flux. To determine this relationship we carry out nongrey calculations of both the thermal flux emitted to space and the planetary albedo. Water vapor is the only source of infrared opacity in our models. For most of the model atmospheres with a 50% cloud cover, the solar flux incident upon Venus at the present time is sufficiently high to cause complete evaporation of any hypothetical oceans, thus assuring that any carbon dioxide outgassed into the atmosphere remains there. However, our models with a 100% cloud cover do not achieve runaway conditions. Our calculations indicate that four and a half billion years ago, when the solar luminosity was 30% lower than its present value, Venus may have had a very moderate surface temperature and bodies of liquid water on its surface.
A general approach to measuring exchange market pressure

This article introduces a general methodology for constructing summary statistics that can be used to measure the magnitude, frequency, and persistence of currency crises. A general, model-independent definition of exchange market pressure is proposed and used to derive model-consistent exchange market pressure indices that can be calculated from observed data. The method of deriving model-consistent indices of exchange market pressure is illustrated using a model of a small open economy with rational expectations.
Escape and avoidance conditioning with omission of entertaining material as the aversive event

Fifty-two college Ss were assigned to either an escape or an avoidance conditioning group. The maximum omission interval of the recorded material was 10 sec for both groups. For the escape group, a light was presented for a maximum interval of 3.0 sec immediately following the omission interval. For the avoidance group, the light was presented 3.0 sec prior to the recording omission. A panel depression was the required response. A significant trial blocks effect for number of responses was found in both the escape and avoidance conditioning groups.
MqsR, a crucial regulator for quorum sensing and biofilm formation, is a GCU-specific mRNA interferase in Escherichia coli.

The mqsR gene has been shown to be positively regulated by the quorum-sensing autoinducer AI-2, which in turn activates a two-component system, the qseB-qseC operon. This operon plays an important role in biofilm formation in Escherichia coli. However, its cellular function has remained unknown. Here, we found that 1 base downstream of mqsR there is a gene, ygiT, that is co-transcribed with mqsR. Induction of mqsR caused cell growth arrest, whereas ygiT co-induction recovered cell growth. We demonstrate that MqsR (98 amino acid residues), which has no homology to the well characterized mRNA interferase MazF, is a potent inhibitor of protein synthesis that functions by degrading cellular mRNAs. In vivo and in vitro primer extension experiments showed that MqsR is an mRNA interferase specifically cleaving mRNAs at GCU. The mRNA interferase activity of purified MqsR was inhibited by purified YgiT (131 residues). MqsR forms a stable 2:1 complex with YgiT, and the complex likely functions as a repressor for the mqsR-ygiT operon by specifically binding to two different palindromic sequences present in the 5′-untranslated region of this operon.
Plasma insulin activity in human diabetes during hypoglycemic response to tolbutamide and indole-3-acetic acid.

SummaryHypoglycemic responses of normal and diabetic men to tolbutamide and indole-3-acetic acid were similar both qualitatively and quantitatively. These substances, respectively, depressed fasting glucose levels 22% and 11% in normal subjects: 44% and 35% in elderly patients with mild diabetes; and 1% and 7% in uncontrolled juvenile diabetics. Normal individuals and mild diabetics demonstrated significant “insulin activity' in their fasting plasmas, and both groups exhibited sharp increases in insulin activity after ingestion of glucose. Insulin activity was not detectable in blood of juvenile diabetics either before or after glucose. In no individual, however, whether normal or diabetic, was the hypoglycemic response to tolbutamide or indole-3-acetic acid accompanied by increased “plasma insulin activity' in peripheral blood.
Microstructural characterization of 5 to 9 pct Cr-2 pct W-V-Ta martensitic steels

The microstructure of 9Cr-2W-0.25V-0.1C (9Cr-2WV), 9Cr-2W-0.25V-0.07Ta-0.1C (9Cr-2WVTa), 7Cr-2W-0.25V-0.07Ta-0.1C (7Cr-2WVTa), and 5Cr-2W-0.25V-0.07Ta-0.1C (5Cr-2WVTa) steels (all compositions are in wt pct) have been characterized by analytical electron microscopy (AEM) and atom probe field ion microscopy (APFIM). These alloys have potential applications in fusion reactors because they exhibit reduced neutron activation in comparison to the conventional Cr-Mo steels. The matrix in all four alloys was 100 pct martensite. The precipitate type in the steels depended primarily on the chromium level in the alloy. In the two 9Cr steels, the stable phases were blocky M23C6 and small spherical precipitates previously identified as MC. The two lower-chromium steels contained blocky M7C3 and small needle-shaped carbonitrides in addition to M23C6. The AEM and APFIM analyses revealed that, in the steels containing tantalum, the majority of the tantalum was in solid solution. With the exception of a few of the small spherical precipitates in low-number densities in the 9Cr-2WVTa, none of the other precipitates contained measurable tantalum. The experimentally observed phases were in agreement with those predicted by phase equilibria calculations using the ThermoCalc software. However, a similar match between the experimental and predicted values of the phase compositions did not occur in some instances. Atom probe analyses directly confirmed the crucial role of trace amounts of nitrogen in the formation of vanadium-rich carbonitrides as predicted by thermodynamic equilibrium calculations.
Model electrochemical interfaces in ultra-high vacuum : solvent-induced surface potential profiles on Pt(111) from work-function measurements and infrared Stark effects

Abstract The influence of various solvents upon the interfacial-potential profile on Pt(111) has been investigated by means of work-function changes and infrared frequency Stark shifts attending sequential-molecular dosing in ultra-high vacuum (UHV) at a suitably low temperature (ca. 100 K) with the primary objective of assessing the role of surface solvation in related electrochemical systems. The solvents examined — dichloromethane, benzene, acetone, acetonitrile, methanol, and ammonia — span a range of polarity and other solvating properties. These species were dosed onto both clean and CO-saturated Pt(111), the Stark shifts being evaluated for the CO stretching mode of terminally co-ordinated carbon monoxide. Marked decreases (≥ 1 eV) in the work function, Φ, and hence in the surface potential, φ, are observed on the addition of most solvents onto clean Pt(111). Milder yet still substantial Φ decreases are also observed for solvent dosage upon CO-saturated Pt(111). These latter Φ changes correlate approximately with the observed v CO frequency downshifts, suggesting that the latter property is also sensitive to the solvent-induced electrostatic interfacial field. The functional form of both the Φ decreases and the corresponding v CO frequency downshifts induced by solvent dosage provide insight into the dosage-dependent potential profile and its relationship to both the monolayer and multilayer solvent structure. The present findings are also briefly compared with corresponding v t CO − Φ data obtained for potassium atom dosing, where the surface potential is altered instead by varying the surface electronic charge in the presence of a given solvent. The underlying factors responsible for the surprisingly large solvent-induced surface potential shifts are discussed in detail, and the likely importance of the surface electronic charge distribution as well as solvent dipole orientation and adsorbate-metal charge sharing is pointed out.
Comparative analysis of differential power conversion architectures and controls for solar photovoltaics

Conventional solar photovoltaic (PV) energy conversion architectures are often forced to trade off efficiency and cost for increased power production. The differential power processing approach overcomes this limitation by enabling each PV element to operate at its maximum power point (MPP) while only processing a small fraction of the total power produced. This paper analyzes several differential energy conversion architectures and the associated local controls. Models are developed to describe operation of PV-to-PV and PV-to-bus differential converters. The overall power output of each system under various environmental conditions is compared. A Monte Carlo approach is used to compare three differential conversion implementations over a range of MPP conditions. Experimental results are included for a PV-to-PV, buck-boost differential converter to demonstrate the potential for increased energy production.
Composite Effects of Polymorphisms near Multiple Regulatory Elements Create a Major-Effect QTL

Many agriculturally, evolutionarily, and medically important characters vary in a quantitative fashion. Unfortunately, the genes and sequence variants accounting for this variation remain largely unknown due to a variety of biological and technical challenges. Drosophila melanogaster contains high levels of sequence variation and low linkage disequilibrium, allowing us to dissect the effects of many causative variants within a single locus. Here, we take advantage of these features to identify and characterize the sequence polymorphisms that comprise major effect QTL alleles segregating at the bric-a-brac locus. We show that natural bric-a-brac alleles with large effects on cuticular pigmentation reflect a cumulative impact of polymorphisms that affect three functional regions: a promoter, a tissue-specific enhancer, and a Polycomb response element. Analysis of allele-specific expression at the bric-a-brac locus confirms that these polymorphisms modulate transcription at the cis-regulatory level. Our results establish that a single QTL can act through a confluence of multiple molecular mechanisms and that sequence variation in regions flanking experimentally validated functional elements can have significant quantitative effects on transcriptional activity and phenotype. These findings have important design and conceptual implications for basic and medical genomics.
Isoscalar giant dipole resonance and nuclear matter incompressibility coefficient

We present results of microscopic calculations of the strength function $S(E)$ and $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-particle excitation cross sections $\ensuremath{\sigma}(E)$ for the isoscalar giant dipole resonance (ISGDR). An accurate and general method to eliminate the contributions of spurious state mixing is presented and used in the calculations. Our results provide a resolution to the long standing problem that the nuclear matter incompressibility coefficient K deduced from $\ensuremath{\sigma}(E)$ data for the ISGDR is significantly smaller than that deduced from data for the isoscalar giant monopole resonance.
A burial diagenesis origin for the Ediacaran Shuram–Wonoka carbon isotope anomaly

Marked negative δ13C excursions in Ediacaran-age carbonate sediments have been identified in several sections globally, but are not recognized in all sections of similar age. The presence of δ13Ccarb values as low as −12‰ has been interpreted as recording fundamentally different processes in the global carbon cycle than those recognized today. The δ13Ccarb anomalies are strongly correlated with δ18Ocarb values but are not represented in δ13Corg records. While no primary depositional processes have been identified that can produce the correlated δ18O–δ13C arrays, simulations show that fluid–rock interaction with high-pCO2 fluids is capable of producing such arrays at geologically reasonable pCO2 and water–rock ratios. Variations in the Mg/Ca ratio and sulfate concentration of the altering fluid determine the extent of dolomite vs. calcite and anhydrite in the resulting mineral assemblage. Incorporation of an initially aragonitic mineralogy demonstrates that high Sr, low Mn/Sr and modest alteration of 87Sr/86Sr in ancient carbonates are all compatible with a burial diagenesis mechanism for generation of the δ13C anomalies, and do not necessarily imply preservation of primary values. The profound Ediacaran negative δ13C anomalies can be adequately explained by well-understood diagenetic processes, conflated with the difficulty of correlating Precambrian sections independently of chemostratigraphy. They are not a record of primary seawater variations and need not have independent stratigraphic significance.
Recent Insights into the Neurobiology of Impulsivity

Impulsivity is associated with various psychopathologies, and elevated impulsivity is typically disadvantageous. This manuscript reviews recent investigations into the neurobiology of impulsivity using human imaging techniques and animal models. Both human imaging and preclinical pharmacological manipulations have yielded important insights into the neurobiological underpinnings of impulsivity. A more thorough understanding of the complex neurobiology underlying aspects of impulsivity may provide insight into new treatment options that target elevated impulsivity and psychopathologies such as addictions.
Trends in the use of conservation tillage in US agriculture

. In 1996 conservation tillage was used on nearly 36% of the cropped area of the USA. This level has remained relatively unchanged over the past few years. The use of conservation tillage varied by crop and was dependent on site-specific factors including soil type, topsoil depth, and local climatic conditions. A number of economic, demographic, geographic, and policy factors have affected the adoption of conservation tillage. While it was not possible to quantify exactly the impact of these factors, it was clear that management complexities and profitability are key factors impeding an increase.
Abiotic factors affect microhabitat selection and community dynamics in a sandy-bottom lotic chironomid midge assemblage

Research has established that there is a relationship between lotic macroinvertebrates and environmental variables; however, the sample is frequently large with a coarse mesh size, or sampling is broad in scope. My working hypothesis was that microhabitat variability affects habitat choice and community structure of larval chironomid midges, examined at a scale close to organismal size. Small benthic cores were taken monthly and divided vertically into 1 cm sections. Midge larvae were extracted from each section, and 14 environmental variables were assessed for each section. Partial canonical correspondence analysis indicated that a number of species showed unique microhabitat preferences. The species–environment relation was strong, in which several environmental variables contributed significantly to patterns of midge habitat structure, most notably current, depth in the sediment, and certain sediment fractions. This research demonstrated that small macroinvertebrates are selective in choosing microhabitats, measured at the rarely examined small scale close to organismal size, in a simple homogeneous sandy environment. Precision in defining an organism’s microhabitat can help us better to understand species habitat choices with a view to improve understanding of species interrelationships.
The Impact of Politeness and Relationship on Perceived Quality of Advice about a Problem.

Advice is a common but potentially problematic way to respond to someone who is distressed. Politeness theory (Brown & Levinson, 1987) suggests advice threatens a hearer's face and predicts that the speaker-hearer relationship and the use of politeness strategies can mitigate face threat and enhance the effectiveness of advice messages. Students (N=384) read 1 of 16 hypothetical situations that varied in speaker power and closeness of the speaker-hearer relationship. Students then read 1 of 48 advice messages representing different politeness strategies and rated the message for regard shown for face and for effectiveness. However, neither speaker-hearer relationship nor politeness strategies was consistently associated with perceived threat to face or perceived advice effectiveness. We suggest revisions to politeness theory and additional factors that may affect judgments of face sensitivity and advice effectiveness.
Two-dimensional echocardiography in the diagnosis of carcinoid heart disease.

Abstract Tricuspid valve disease accounts for significant morbidity and mortality in the carcinold syndrome, but M-mode echocardiography is often insensitive in completely defining the tricuspid valve. We performed two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) in seven patients with proven carcinoid syndrome. There were five males and two females whose ages ranged from 53 to 79 years. The carcinoid syndrome had been present by symptoms for 12 to 84 months and by 5-HIAA levels for 6 to 84 months prior to 2DE. Short, thickened, immobile tricuspid valve leaflets, fixed in a partially open position, were visualized in two patients and confirmed in one patient at surgery. Tricuspid regurgitation was demonstrated angiographically in one and by contrast 2DE in the other. A third patient had clinical evidence of tricuspid stenosis with a doming tricuspid valve on 2DE. The motion of the tricuspid value viewed in real time was clearly distinct in these two situations. Four patients had both normal M-mode and 2DE studies despite the fact that clinical and biochemical evidence of carcinoid disease had been present for equally long periods of time. The tricuspid valve was best visualized in the parasternal right ventricular long-axis and short-axis views. The apical four-chamber view was less helpful. Thus, 2DE demonstrated specific tricuspid valve abnormalities in the carcinoid syndrome with thickening, shortening, and immobility of the leaflets when valvular regurgitation was present and thickening and doming when the valve was stenotic. 2DE should be a useful method in the diagnosis and sequential evaluation of patients with carcinoid heart disease.
An incident of predation on queen conch, Strombus gigas L. (Mollusca, Strombidae), by Atlantic permit, Trachinotus falcatus L. (Pisces, Carangidae)

Atlantic permits were observed to break up and eat juvenile queen conches in an aquarium. It is suggested that this may occur in the wild more commonly than reported and may pose a threat to some conch seeding programmes.
The impact of a change in rotating shift schedules: A comparison of the effects of 8, 10 and 14 h work shifts

Abstract A current United States trend in alternative work schedules is to increase the length of the workday while decreasing the number of days in the work week. Referred to as compressed work schedules (CWS), they are popular amongst shiftworkers although the longer work shifts may be associated with increased fatigue and may create additional risk of accidents and health problems in the workplace. The specific aim of the current study is to evaluate a CWS to better understand its influence on the sleep and fatigue of shiftworkers. A 10 h day/14 h night rotating CWS was introduced to a fire department to replace an 8 h, three shift rotating schedule. This study is comprised of an assessment of a 10 h day/14 h night rotating CWS and an evaluation of the impact of a change in work schedules, comparing 8 h shifts to the extended work periods. The results of the current study revealed no significant differences between the compressed and non-compressed work schedules. Subjective measures of sleepiness and mood were shown to increase over the course of the extended work shifts. Despite the increase, the CWS is deemed acceptable because it did not negatively impact on the workers who participated to a greater extent than when they worked on the non-compressed schedule. Relevance to industry Approximately twenty present of all United States workers are employed on some form of shiftwork. Previous research has demonstrated that negative outcomes may be associated with shiftwork, especially nightwork. The current study aims to evaluate a compressed work schedule, one that may minimize the deleterious impact of night and shiftwork.
C1 esterase inhibitor concentrate in the management of hereditary angio-oedema

C1 esterase inhibitor concentrate has been available for the treatment of hereditary angio-oedema since 1979. Its contribution to the management of severe angio-oedema in hereditary C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency is assessed in a review of its use over a 12-year period in the urticaria clinic at St John's Dermatology Centre.
Electrophoretic variation in low molecular weight lens crystallins from inbred strains of rats

Analysis of rat lens soluble proteins by analytical isoelectric focusing detected two inherited electrophoretic differences in low molecular weight (LM) crystallins from inbred strains of rats (Rattus norvegicus). The polymorphic lens crystallins were shown to be similar to a genetically variant LM crystallin, LEN-1, previously described in mice (Mus musculus) and encoded on chromosome 1, at a locus linked to Pep-3 (dipeptidase). Linkage analysis demonstrated that the rat crystallin locus was loosely linked to Pep-3 at a recombination distance of 38 +/- 4.5 U. These data suggest the conservation of a large chromosomal region during the evolution of Rodentia and support the hypothesis that the gamma-crystallins are evolving more rapidly than alpha- or beta-crystallins.
Soluble CD59 Expressed from an Adenovirus In Vivo Is a Potent Inhibitor of Complement Deposition on Murine Liver Vascular Endothelium

Inappropriate activation of complement on the vascular endothelium of specific organs, or systemically, underlies the etiology of a number of diseases. These disorders include atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, atherosclerosis, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and transplant rejection. Inhibition of the terminal step of complement activation, i.e. formation of the membrane attack complex, using CD59 has the advantage of retaining the upstream processes of the complement cascade necessary for fighting pathogens and retaining complement's crucial role in tissue homeostasis. Previous studies have shown the necessity of membrane targeting of soluble CD59 in order for it to prove an effective inhibitor of complement deposition both in vitro and in vivo. In this study we have generated an in vivo model of human complement activation on murine liver vascular endothelium. This model should prove useful for the development of anti-complement therapies for complement-induced pathologies of vascular endothelium. Using this model, we have demonstrated the viability of a non membrane-targeted soluble CD59 to significantly inhibit complement deposition on the endothelium of murine liver vasculature when expressed in vivo from an adenovirus. This result, unanticipated based on prior studies, suggests that the use of non membrane-targeted sCD59 as an anti-complement therapy be re-visited.
A comparison of five strategies for selecting control groups: a canine osteochondritis dissecans example

Abstract A case-control study of risk factors for osteochondritis dissecans in dogs was conducted between January 1980 and December 1987 at the Small Animal Clinic of the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for age, gender and breed using five different hospital based control groups. The first (1980), midpoint (1984), last year (1987), and two combined years groups (1980–1987) were selected as controls. The individual year groups and one combined years group used the first visit for each dog as the index visit. The other combined years group used a randomly selected visit for each dog. Few differences in results were seen between control groups for age and gender. For the less common breeds of dog, the individual year control groups resulted in more variation in the odds ratios and less precision. Issues affecting the selection of hospital based control groups in companion animal epidemiology are discussed.