cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phosphorus availability to corn from wood ash-amended soils

Wood ash is a residual material produced during biomass burning. In the northeastern United States up to 80 % of the ash is spread on agricultural lands as a liming amendment with the remainder being disposed of in landfills. As well as raising soil pH, wood ash also adds plant nutrients to soil. This study is an examination of the plant availability of the P in 8 different soils amended with one wood ash. Plant availability was assessed by measuring the biomass and P concentration of corn (Zea mays) L.) plants grown in the greenhouse for 28 d in soil amended with either CaCO3 (control), wood ash to supply 200 mg kg−1 total P, or monocalcium phosphate (MCP) to supply 200 mg kg−1 total P and CaCO3. Both corn growth and P uptake were highest in the MCP treatments, intermediate in the wood ash treatments, and lowest in the controls for all soil types. The soil property which seemed to have the greatest influence on P availability was pH buffer capacity. The soils with the greatest capacity to buffer OH additions also tended to exhibit the greatest absolute P uptake from wood ash-amended soils and the greatest P uptake relative to that from MCP-amended soils. The ability of soil test extractants to predict uptake of P in the three soil treatments was examined. A buffered ammonium acetate extradant overestimated P availability in the ash-amended soils relative to the MCP-amended soils. An unbuffered, acid, fluoride-containing extract provided a measure of P levels that was consistent with P uptake from all soil treatments. In this study the predictive relationship was as follows: P uptake = 0.017× (Bray P, mg kg−1) + 1.19; r = 0.81.
3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A lyase from Pseudomonas mevalonii.

HMG-CoA lyase, the putative second intracellular enzyme of mevalonate catabolism in Pseudomonas mevalonii (which we previously referred to as Pseudomonas sp. M ( Gill et al. (1984) J. Bacteriol. 160, 294–298 , Gill et al. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 250, 9393–9398 and Sherban, M.S., Thesis, Purdue University), was purified 650-fold from cell extracts to a specific activity of 22 μmol acetyl-CoA formed per min per mg protein. This represents the first published report of the partial purification and characterizatoin of an HMG-CoA lyase from a prokaryotic source. Cleavage of HMG-CoA produced acetyl-CoA and acetoacetate. Activity was optimal at pH 8.8 and was undetectable at or below pH 6.5. The estimated K m for S-HMG-CoA was 100 μM. Both a reduced thiol and Mg 2+ or Mn 2+ were required for activity. While Mn 2+ was preferred at low concentrations, 1 mM or higher concentrations of either cation supported the same maximum velocity. An apparent native M rof 40 400 ± 3100 was estimated from gel filtration and sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation data.
Validation of Student Generated Data for Assessment of Groundwater Quality

As part of a research project to evaluate the effects of sand and gravel mining on water quality, students were trained to analyze their own drinking water for simple quality indicators. Indicators analyzed were pH, conductivity, hardness, nitrate, chloride, and dissolved iron. Approximately 523 analyses were completed by students between 2006 and 2010. A total of 208 sample splits were analyzed in a laboratory to evaluate student accuracy and precision for pH, hardness, chloride, and nitrate. Overall students produced very good quality data for pH and conductivity. Hardness, chloride, and nitrate, all of which were quantified using titrations, were less precise and accurate than laboratory samples. The student results overall were useful with the limits of method uncertainties. As an experiment to teach students about water quality the results are very good. Validation of results for use in additional research indicates that additional quality control or new methods will be needed to improve the accuracy of student analyses.
Kaplansky classes and derived categories

We put a monoidal model category structure on the category of chain complexes of quasi-coherent sheaves over a quasi-compact and semi-separated scheme X. The approach generalizes and simplifies the method used by the author in (Trans Am Math Soc 356(8) 3369–3390, 2004) and (Trans Am Math Soc 358(7), 2855–2874, 2006) to build monoidal model structures on the category of chain complexes of modules over a ring and chain complexes of sheaves over a ringed space. Indeed, much of the paper is dedicated to showing that in any Grothendieck category $$\mathcal{G}$$ , any nice enough class of objects $$\mathcal{F}$$ induces a model structure on the category Ch( $$\mathcal{G}$$ ) of chain complexes. The main technical requirement on $$\mathcal{F}$$ is the existence of a regular cardinal κ such that every object $$F \in \mathcal{F}$$ satisfies the following property: Each κ-generated subobject of F is contained in another κ-generated subobject S for which $$S, F/S \in \mathcal{F}$$ . Such a class $$\mathcal{F}$$ is called a Kaplansky class. Kaplansky classes first appeared in Enochs and Lopez-Ramos (Rend Sem Mat Univ Padova 107, 67–79, 2002) in the context of modules over a ring R. We study in detail the connection between Kaplansky classes and model categories. We also find simple conditions to put on $$\mathcal{F}$$ which will guarantee that our model structure is monoidal. We will see that in several categories the class of flat objects form such Kaplansky classes, and hence induce monoidal model structures on the associated chain complex categories. We will also see that in any Grothendieck category $$\mathcal{G}$$ , the class of all objects is a Kaplansky class which induces the usual (non-monoidal) injective model structure on Ch( $$\mathcal{G}$$ ).
Internet voting and political participation: an empirical comparison of technological and political factors

One emerging facet of e-government is Internet voting, or i-voting. I-voting refers to the secure transmission of a ballot via the Internet. This phenomenon has the potential to increase citizen participation in the democratic process. However, few studies have identified the unique characteristics that make i-voting an appealing option. In particular, there Is a need for research that identifies the impacts of both technological and political factors on intentions to use an Internet voting system. In this study, we propose a model inclusive of technological, situational and political factors. To test the model we administer a survey to a diverse pool of citizens with regards to age, income, and education. Results indicate that relative advantage and trust of the Internet impact intentions to use Internet voting, while party mobilization and political interest impact propensity to vote. Further, it was found that perceived Internet accessibility impacts the perceived convenience of voting online, which in turn impacts the perceived relative advantage of online voting. Implications of these findings for research and practice are discussed. We conclude with recommendations for future research. As local and state governments begin to experiment with internet voting, now is the time to identify the Internet-specific characteristics that will attract non-voters and retain habitual voters.
Abdominal Contouring in Super Obese Patients: A Single-Surgeon Review of 22 Cases

Background: It is generally believed that increasing obesity is a predictor of postoperative complications after abdominal contouring procedures such as abdominoplasty and panniculectomy. The purpose of this study is to review the complication rate for abdominal contouring in the level 3 obesity category (body mass index [BMI], >40 kg/m 2 ) and to examine the safety of this procedure when performed in this select patient population. Methods: Between 2003 and 2008, an institutional review board-approved, single-surgeon, single-institution retrospective review was conducted for all patients presenting for abdominal contouring. In all, 100 patients with precontouring BMI 40 kg/m 2 should not preclude patients from undergoing this functional and beneficial surgical procedure.
Running before the storm: blacktip sharks respond to falling barometric pressure associated with Tropical Storm Gabrielle

A small population of juvenile (<1 year old) blacktip sharks Carcharhinus limbatus responded to the approach of a tropical storm by moving to deeper water. Examination of meterological variables suggested that the movement of the blacktip sharks was triggered by a drop in barometric pressure associated with the approach of the storm. This response was consistent for all the fish being studied, and all blacktip sharks returned to the shallow nursery area after the storm's passage, suggesting that this was an innate behaviour.
STATIC, DYNAMIC AND EIGEN ANALYSIS OF NON-INTEGRAL PRODUCTION RISERS

A mathematical model of static, dynamic and eigen analysis of non-integral production risers, based on a small deformation, two dimensional, structurally linear and hydrodynamically nonlinear single riser model, is developed. It takes into consideration guide arms which connect and hold apart individual component-risers. Algorithms are developed based on contact, substructuring and condensation techniques which handle efficiently constraints imposed by guide arms. The static and dynamic algorithms require only solution of the corresponding problems of all component-risers and equilibrium of guide arms. The eigen analysis algorithm solves a problem with number of degrees of freedom equal to those of the entire system reduced only by the number of those constrained by guide arms. Its solution reveals the dependence of the eigen solution on the distribution of guide arms. Simple problems are solved to verify computer programs implementing the three algorithms. Typical non-integral production riser problems are solved and results are compared to those of single risers.
Rearrangement of cyclotriveratrylene (CTV) diketone: 9,10-diarylanthracenes with OLED applications.

Electroluminescent 9,10-diaryl anthracenes have been shown to be promising host and hole-transporting materials in organic electroluminescence due to their high thermal stability, electrochemical reversibility, and wide band gap useful for organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), especially blue OLEDs. Oxidation of cyclotriveratrylene (CTV) to the corresponding diketone and subsequent bromination resulted in an unexpected rearrangement to a highly functionalized 9-aryl-10-bromoanthracene derivative, which was employed in Suzuki couplings to synthesize a series of 9,10-diaryl compounds that are structural analogues of anthracene derivatives used in the preparation of OLEDs but are more highly functionalized, including electron-donating methoxy groups in addition to substitution by a carboxylic acid moiety. The UV/fluorescence solution spectra show strong emissions at 446, 438, and 479 nm, respectively, for the anthracene 10-phenyl, 10-naphthyl, and 10-pyrenyl adducts containing a benzoic acid functional grou...
Automaticity and automatic rhythms.

Abstract The nature of the automatic process in cardiac pacemakers is discussed with special reference to the mechanism of diastolic depolarization in cardiac Purkinje fibers as investigated by the use of the voltage clamp technique. The major factors controlling cardiac automaticity—the sympathetic nerves, the vagi and overdrive suppression —are analyzed. Under different conditions, both sympathetic and vagus nerve stimulation can lead to a slowing or acceleration of cardiac pacemakers. The mechanism by which the sympathetic nerves can slow and the vagus nerve accelerate the pacemaker rate is reported. The inhibition exerted by the sinus node on idioventricular pacemakers through overdrive suppression is described: Overdrive suppression is a form of inhibition that operates when a pacemaker is driven at a rate faster than its own. The mechanism of overdrive suppression is indicated by a frequency-dependent electrogenic sodium extrusion. Automatic rhythms are classified according to different mechanisms of production; they can result from an exaggeration of the normal automatic process or from mechanisms absent under normal conditions. Examples of different arrhythmias are given, and it is noted that some types of tachycardias can occur while automaticity is depressed.
Strange Baryon Electromagnetic Form Factors and SU(3) Flavor Symmetry Breaking

We study the nucleon, Sigma and cascade octet baryon electromagnetic form factors and the effects of SU(3) flavor symmetry breaking from 2+1-flavor lattice calculations. We find that electric and magnetic radii are similar; the maximum discrepancy is about 10%. In the pion-mass region we explore, both the quark-component and full-baryon moments have small SU(3) symmetry breaking. We extrapolate the charge radii and the magnetic moments using three-flavor heavy-baryon chiral perturbation theory. The systematic errors due to chiral and continuum extrapolations remain significant, giving rise to charge radii for p and {sigma}{sup -} that are 3-4 standard deviations away from the known experimental ones. Within these systematics the predicted {sigma}{sup +} and {xi}{sup -} radii are 0.67(5) and 0.306(15) fm{sup 2}, respectively. When the next-to-next-to-leading order of heavy-baryon chiral perturbation theory is included, the extrapolated magnetic moments are less than 3 standard deviations away from Particle Data Group values, and the discrepancy is possibly due to remaining chiral and continuum extrapolation errors.
Photoelectron angular distributions for the outer shell of the alkali-metal atoms

Dirac-Fock calculations of the photoionization of the outer $\mathrm{ns}$ electrons in Na, K, Rb, and Cs have been performed. The resulting photoelectron angular distribution asymmetry parameters $\ensuremath{\beta}$ show strong variations with energy, in contrast to the nonrelativistic prediction of $\ensuremath{\beta}=2$, independent of energy, for $s$ electrons. This deviation is due to the spin-orbit interaction of the continuum electron which gives rise to two final states $\ensuremath{\epsilon}{p}_{\frac{1}{2}}$ and $\ensuremath{\epsilon}{p}_{\frac{3}{2}}$, in place of the single $\ensuremath{\epsilon}p$ nonrelativistically. The transitions to the $\ensuremath{\epsilon}{p}_{\frac{1}{2}}$ and $\ensuremath{\epsilon}{p}_{\frac{3}{2}}$ have matrix elements and phase shifts which differ and interfere, thereby resulting in an energy-dependent $\ensuremath{\beta}$. The effects are particularly dramatic between the Cooper minima in the two channels, and they persist even for $Z$ as low as that for Na.
Inhibition of endothelial nitric oxide synthase by cytochrome P-450 reductase inhibitors.

AbstractNitric oxide synthase (NOS) shows similarities to cytochrome P-450 reductase. The two enzymes catalyze the oxidation of N-ω-hydroxy-L-arginine by NADPH and oxygen to nitric oxide (NO) and citrulline. Nitric oxide synthase activity is inhibited by L-arginine analogs like N-ω-nitro-L-arginine, which does not affect cytochrome P-450 reductase. Dihydroergotamine, miconazole, and troleandomycin are classical inhibitors of cytochrome. The present study shows the concentration-dependent inhibitory effect of these compounds and of L- but not D-N-ω-nitro-arginine on the activity of constitutive nitric oxide synthase from bovine aortic endothelial cells. Activity of nitric oxide synthase was estimated by measurement of conversion of [3H]arginine to [3H]citrulline. The tested cytochrome P-450 inhibitors are likely to interfere with heme of nitric oxide synthase. The data confirms a similarity as well as functional differences between the enzymes.
Backward-Facing Step Flow in Microchannels Using Microparticle Image Velocimetry

Flow at a backward-facing step feature (1:5 expansion ratio) in a microchannel has been studied using microparticle image velocimetry. The onset and development of a recirculation flow was studied as a function of flow rate. The onset of recirculation was initiated at flow rates that correspond to Reynolds numbers, Re > 95. The dimensions are such that recirculation flow has a three-dimensional structure and is expected to vary with the depth coordinate. Because of volume illumination, most microparticle-image-velocimetry measurements provide two-dimensional averaged flow profiles. Flow at the backward-facing step offers the opportunity to investigate the ability of resolving the depth dependency by conventional microparticle image velocimetry in relevance to two parameters: variation of the focus plane depth z * and using variable time intervals for particle-image-velocimetry image pairs Δt. The ensemble cross-correlation algorithm was found to be insensitive to the variation of z* for low magnification (4x) but was able to resolve the parabolic nature of flow across the depth of the channel, when high magnification objective lenses were used (20x). For a given flow rate and constant z * , the variation of Δt resulted in quantitatively and qualitatively different flow patterns, suggesting that Δt is an indirect means of resolving the depth as the correlation algorithm locks onto a flow plane with particles moving at a speed that can be resolved with the given process parameters and time interval.
Fetal alcohol syndrome.

Background Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) describes the systemic and ocular anomalies resulting from the teratogenic effect of maternal alcohol abuse during pregnancy. It is a leading cause of preventable birth defects in the U.S. Case reports Two case reports illustrate the characteristic findings in FAS. These include growth retardation, cognitive impairment, and facial dysmorphism. Ocular signs are prevalent, including small palpebral fissure, microcornea, strabismus, myopia, astigmatism, and optic nerve hypoplasia. Discussion Fetal alcohol exposure can lead to a wide spectrum of systemic defects and vision deficits. The increasing frequency of drinking among pregnant women in recent years should call more public attention to this detrimental yet preventable syndrome. Conclusion The high frequency of ocular manifestations aids in making a diagnosis of FAS, which can be challenging. Eye-care professionals can play an important role in patient management and the educational process.
The problem of dinosaur origins: integrating three approaches to the rise of Dinosauria

The problem of the origin of dinosaurs has historically had three dimensions. The first is the question of whether Dinosauria is monophyletic, and of its relationships to other archosaurs. This question was plagued from the beginning by a lack of relevant fossils, an historical burden of confusing taxonomic terms and a rudimentary approach to devising phylogenies. The second dimension concerns the functional and ecological adaptations that differentiated dinosaurs from other archosaurs, a question also marred by lack of phylogenetic clarity and testable biomechanical hypotheses. The third dimension comprises the stratigraphic timing of the origin of dinosaurian groups with respect to each other and to related groups, the question of its synchronicity among various geographic regions, and some of the associated paleoenvironmental circumstances. None of these dimensions alone answers the question of dinosaur origins, and they sometimes provide conflicting implications. Since Dinosauria was named, one or another set of questions has historically dominated academic discussion and research. Paradigms have shifted substantially in recent decades, and current evidence suggests that we are due for more such shifts. I suggest two changes in thinking about the beginning of the “Age of Dinosaurs”: first, the event that we call the (phylogenetic) origin of dinosaurs was trivial compared to the origin of Ornithodira; and second, the “Age of Dinosaurs” proper did not begin until the Jurassic. Re-framing our thinking on these issues will improve our understanding of clade dynamics, timing of macroevolutionary events, and the effects of Triassic climate change on terrestrial vertebrates.
The assembly of miRNA-mRNA-protein regulatory networks using high-throughput expression data

Motivation: Inference of gene regulatory networks from high throughput measurement of gene and protein expression is particularly attractive because it allows the simultaneous discovery of interactive molecular signals for numerous genes and proteins at a relatively low cost. Results: We developed two score-based local causal learning algorithms that utilized the Markov blanket search to identify direct regulators of target mRNAs and proteins. These two algorithms were specifically designed for integrated high throughput RNA and protein data. Simulation study showed that these algorithms outperformed other state-of-the-art gene regulatory network learning algorithms. We also generated integrated miRNA, mRNA, and protein expression data based on high throughput analysis of primary trophoblasts, derived from term human placenta and cultured under standard or hypoxic conditions. We applied the new algorithms to these data and identified gene regulatory networks for a set of trophoblastic proteins found to be differentially expressed under the specified culture conditions. Contact: ude.eegam.irwm@yksvodasy Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Aging Revitalizes Nonverbal Challenges

A little over 10 years ago, the Journal of Nonverbal Behavior published a Special Issue on Aging and Nonverbal Behavior. The introductory remarks called for greater attention to age-related questions in the nonverbal field not only because of the dramatic demographic age shifts which were occurring, but also because it could serve as a testing ground for assumptions concerning the correlates, determinants, and consequences of nonverbal behavior. Over the intervening years, tremendous developments have taken place in the study of aging, especially regarding emotion-related issues such as changes in aging adults’ perception of emotional information. The feature paper by Isaacowitz and Stanley (2011) in the present Special Issue is evidence of these changes and offers theorists and researchers exciting challenges for the study of aging and emotion recognition in the coming years. Commentaries by other scholars echo these challenges and suggest even more ways the study of aging and nonverbal behavior revitalizes attention to basic nonverbal questions and methodological strategies. In their review of accumulating knowledge about differences in younger and older adults’ emotion recognition accuracy, Isaacowitz and Stanley describe where various approaches have fallen short in either their assumptions or strategies for testing mechanisms underlying purported age differences. For example, brain-based approaches which stress the mediating role of changes in neural substrates often do not consider explicitly the extent to which implicated brain regions are impacted by normal aging. Phillips and Slessor (2011) add that much is to be learned about the contribution of other age-related neural functions such as executive control. Ruffman (2011) expands on the neuropsychological view with responses to ecological questions raised by Isaacowitz and Stanley regarding the use of still photos and passive identification methods common in neuroimaging studies. Isaacowitz and Stanley argue further that motivational approaches have much to gain from considering research strategies which capture motivational mediators more directly. And, research paradigms need to be expanded to include broader measures of emotion
Effectiveness of different types of clay for reducing the detrimental effects of aflatoxin-contaminated diets on performance and serum profiles of weanling pigs

Three trials were conducted with recently weaned pigs (n = 198) to determine the effects of feeding different types of clay in conjunction with aflatoxin-contaminated diets. In Trial 1, pigs (n = 54; trial length 4 wk) were assigned to either an uncontaminated treatment (N C 1, 800 ppb of aflatoxin from contaminated corn (AC), or AC with one of four clays. In Trial 2 (n = 81; trial length 5 wk), pigs were assigned to NC, AC (500 ppb of aflatoxin from rice starch), or AC with one of seven types of clay. In both trials, pigs fed AC had decreased ADG and gain:feed ratios (P < .05) compared with controls. The clays differed in their ability to produce gains similar to those of controls. The clays did reduce changes in the serum measurements normally affected by aflatoxin, including albumin, total protein, gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT), and alkaline phospha- tase (ALP) levels, in a manner similar to their effect on ADG. In Trial 3, pigs (n = 63) were assigned to one of seven diets for 4 wk: NC, AC (800 ppb of aflatoxin) with no clay, AC with one of four levels of a treated Ca bentonite (.25, .5, 1, and 2%), or AC and .5% hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate. The addition of treated Ca bentonite to AC improved ADG (P < .05) and ADFI (P < .01) linearly. Gain:feed ratios were not affected by treatments. The inclusion of treated Ca bentonite to the AC diet linearly decreased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels and quadratically decreased ALP and GGT levels (P < .05). Feeding certain clays can effectively prevent some of the negative effects associated with feeding AC to wean- ling pigs, and some clays are more effective than others.
An estrogen receptor-based transactivator XVE mediates highly inducible gene expression in transgenic plants

We have developed an estrogen receptor-based chemical-inducible system for use in transgenic plants. A chimeric transcription activator, XVE, was assembled by fusion of the DNA-binding domain of the bacterial repressor LexA (X), the acidic transactivating domain of VP16 (V) and the regulatory region of the human estrogen receptor (E; ER). The transactivating activity of the chimeric XVE factor, whose expression was controlled by the strong constitutive promoter G10-90, was strictly regulated by estrogens. In transgenic Arabidopsis and tobacco plants, estradiol-activated XVE can stimulate expression of a GFP reporter gene controlled by the target promoter, which consists of eight copies of the LexA operator fused upstream of the -46 35S minimal promoter. Upon induction by estradiol, GFP expression levels can be eightfold higher than that transcribed from a 35S promoter, whereas the uninduced controls have no detectable GFP transcripts, as monitored by Northern blot analysis. Neither toxic nor adverse physiological effects of the XVE system have been observed in transgenic Arabidopsis plants under all the conditions tested. The XVE system thus appears to be a reliable and efficient chemical-inducible system for regulating transgene expression in plants.
The Impact of Firm Performance Expectations on CEO Turnover and Replacement Decisions

Our analysis suggests that boards focus on deviation from expected performance, rather than performance alone, in making the CEO turnover decision, especially when there is agreement (less dispersion) among analysts about the firm's earnings forecast or there are a large number of analysts following the firm. In addition, our results suggest that boards are more likely to appoint a CEO that will change firm policies and strategies (i.e., an outsider) when forecasted five-year EPS growth is low and there is greater uncertainty (more dispersion) among analysts about the firm's long-term forecasts.
Intracellular delivery of polymeric nanocarriers: a matter of size, shape, charge, elasticity and surface composition

Recent progress in drug discovery has enabled the targeting of specific intracellular molecules to achieve therapeutic effects. These next-generation therapeutics are often biologics that cannot enter cells by mere diffusion. Therefore, it is imperative that drug carriers are efficiently internalized by cells and reach specific target organelles before releasing their cargo. Nanoscale polymeric carriers are particularly suitable for such intracellular delivery. Although size and surface charge have been the most studied parameters for nanocarriers, it is now well appreciated that other properties, for example, particle shape, elasticity and surface composition, also play a critical role in their transport across physiological barriers. It is proposed that a multivariate design space that considers the interdependence of particle geometry with its mechanical and surface properties must be optimized to formulate drug nanocarriers for effective accumulation at target sites and efficient intracellular delivery.
How safe is metabolic/diabetes surgery?

Although recent studies have shown the impressive antidiabetic effects of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB), the safety profile of metabolic/diabetes surgery has been a matter of concern among patients and physicians. Data on patients with type 2 diabetes who underwent LRYGB or one of seven other procedures between January 2007 and December 2012 were retrieved from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database and compared. Of the 66 678 patients included, 16 509 underwent LRYGB. The composite complication rate of 3.4% after LRYGB was similar to those of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and hysterectomy. The mortality rate for LRYGB (0.3%) was similar to that of knee arthroplasty. Patients who underwent LRYGB had significantly better short-term outcomes in all examined variables than patients who underwent coronary bypass, infra-inguinal revascularization and laparoscopic colectomy. In conclusion, LRYGB can be considered a safe procedure in people with diabetes, with similar short-term morbidity to that of common procedures such as cholecystectomy and appendectomy and a mortality rate similar to that of knee arthroplasty. The mortality risk for LRYGB is one-tenth that of cardiovascular surgery and earlier intervention with metabolic surgery to treat diabetes may eliminate the need for some later higher-risk procedures to treat diabetes complications.
Public-Private-Sector Employment Decisions and Wage Differentials in Peninsular Malaysia

This paper examines whether there is a wage premium for public-sector workers in Peninsular Malaysia and whether there is wage discrimination based on gender. Public- and private-sector wages are estimated using individual-level data from 1995 and 2007 while accounting for sectoral choice by men and women. I find that public-sector employees earn a wage premium, independent of their human capital endowments and personal attributes. This wage premium has increased over the twelve-year period. There is little evidence of a gender wage gap in the public sector; a gender wage gap is more evident in the private sector.
Preoperative Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction for Prostate Specific Antigen Predicts Treatment Failure Following Radical Prostatectomy

AbstractPurpose: We previously demonstrated than an enhanced reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay for prostate specific antigen (PSA) can predict final pathological stage in radical prostatectomy patients. The potential role of the assay in predicting serum PSA recurrence after radical prostatectomy was explored.Materials and Methods: We evaluated 100 radical prostatectomy candidates by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction preoperatively, and status was compared to serum PSA, Gleason score and final pathological results. Potential surgical failure was defined as tumor at the surgical margin or extending into the seminal vesicle. Patients were monitored postoperatively by serum PSA every 4 months. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and disease recurrence, defined as a PSA of 0.2 ng./ml. or greater.Results: Enhanced reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for PSA had a stronger correlation wit...
Signal Interception and the Use of Soft Song in Aggressive Interactions

Song sparrows, like many species of songbirds, produce songs of especially low amplitude during aggressive contests. Such ‘soft songs’ have been shown to be reliable signals of intention to attack in song sparrows. Low intensity is a paradoxical feature in a highly aggressive signal, in that it seems likely to make the signal less intimidating to an opponent. A hypothesis that resolves this paradox is that use of soft songs benefits a signaler by limiting the interception of his signals by third party receivers. Here, we test this hypothesis with respect to song sparrows and two classes of third party receivers, predators and conspecific males. We tested whether selection to avoid predation is responsible for use of soft song by examining whether male song sparrows increase production of soft song in an aggressive context when they also receive signals (alarm calls) that indicate a predator is present. We found that the proportion of soft song produced by male song sparrows was actually significantly lower in the predator context than in a control context, directly contradicting the prediction. We tested whether avoiding eavesdropping by conspecific males is a benefit of soft song by removing territory owners and simulating interactions on their territories using playback from two loudspeakers. We found that intrusions by third party males were more likely in trials in which the simulated owner countered an intruder’s songs using soft songs than in trials in which the simulated owner countered with loud song, again directly contradicting the hypothesis. We conclude that limiting interception by predators and conspecific males does not provide an explanation for use of soft song by song sparrows.
Control of millimeter wave devices by optical mixing

Coherent mixing of optical radiation from a tunable CW dye laser and a stabilized HeNe laser was used to generate broadband microwave signals beyond the Ka band in FETs, HEMTs, and the related devices. Comparing with direct modulation of the light signal, this technique enhances photoconductivity and frequency stability.
Optimization of “over-coded” radar waveforms

Polyphase-Coded FM (PCFM) radar waveforms generated using the power and spectrally efficient continuous phase modulation (CPM) framework can be further enhanced through the use of finer time control by subdividing each phase transition into sub-transitions and by allowing a greater phase excursion per transition interval, herein referred to as over-phasing. These two strategies are denoted collectively as “over-coding”. It is shown that various combinations of sub-transitions and over-phasing can greatly improve waveform design capabilities by expanding the available degrees-of-freedom. It is also demonstrated that the commensurate increase in computational complexity for optimization under the over-coding paradigm can largely be offset through GPGPU processing.
Type 2 diabetes in children.

The emerging epidemic of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in young people reflects increasing rates of obesity and parallels the increasing frequency of T2DM in adults. As in adults, T2DM in children is part of the insulin resistance syndrome that includes hyperandrogenism seen as premature adrenarche and polycystic ovary syndrome, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and other atherosclerosis risk factors. Recent studies in children document risk factors for T2DM, and associated cardiovascular risk factors, including obesity, family history, diabetic gestation, and underweight or overweight for gestational age. Genetically determined insulin resistance or limited β-cell reserve has been demonstrated in high-risk individuals, including first-degree relatives of girls with premature adrenarche. This genetic background, considered advantageous in a feast-and-famine existence (the thrifty genotype), is rendered detrimental with abundant food and physical inactivity, a lifestyle demonstrated to be typical of families of children with T2DM.
Preparation of Surface Organometallic Catalysts by Gas‐Phase Ligand Stripping and Reactive Landing of Mass‐Selected Ions

Organometallic complexes immobilized on surfaces combine the high selectivity of homogeneous catalysts with the ease of separation of catalyst from products attainable with heterogeneous catalysts. Here we report a novel approach for the highly controlled preparation of surface organometallic catalysts by gas-phase ligand stripping combined with reactive landing of mass-selected ions onto self-assembled monolayer surfaces. Collision-induced dissociation is used to generate highly reactive undercoordinated metal complexes in the gas-phase for subsequent surface immobilization. Complexes with an open coordination shell around the metal center are demonstrated to show enhanced activity towards reactive landing in comparison to fully ligated species. In situ TOF-SIMS analysis indicates that the immobilized complexes exhibit behavior consistent with catalytic activity when exposed to gaseous reagents.
Formaldehyde-Detoxifying Role of the Tetrahydromethanopterin-Linked Pathway in Methylobacterium extorquens AM1

The facultative methylotroph Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 possesses two pterin-dependent pathways for C(1) transfer between formaldehyde and formate, the tetrahydrofolate (H(4)F)-linked pathway and the tetrahydromethanopterin (H(4)MPT)-linked pathway. Both pathways are required for growth on C(1) substrates; however, mutants defective for the H(4)MPT pathway reveal a unique phenotype of being inhibited by methanol during growth on multicarbon compounds such as succinate. It has been previously proposed that this methanol-sensitive phenotype is due to the inability to effectively detoxify formaldehyde produced from methanol. Here we present a comparative physiological characterization of four mutants defective in the H(4)MPT pathway and place them into three different phenotypic classes that are concordant with the biochemical roles of the respective enzymes. We demonstrate that the analogous H(4)F pathway present in M. extorquens AM1 cannot fulfill the formaldehyde detoxification function, while a heterologously expressed pathway linked to glutathione and NAD(+) can successfully substitute for the H(4)MPT pathway. Additionally, null mutants were generated in genes previously thought to be essential, indicating that the H(4)MPT pathway is not absolutely required during growth on multicarbon compounds. These results define the role of the H(4)MPT pathway as the primary formaldehyde oxidation and detoxification pathway in M. extorquens AM1.
Effects of the Lectin Concanavalin-A on the Regulation of Second Messengers and Parathyroid Hormone Release by Extracellular Ca2+ in Bovine Parathyroid Cells

The lectin Concanavalin-A (Con-A) binds to cell surface carbohydrate-containing moieties and modulates the function of a variety of glycoprotein receptors. Since extracellular calcium (Ca2+) may regulate parathyroid function by a receptor-like process, we examined the effects of Con-A on various aspects of Ca2+-regulated parathyroid function. We recently showed that Con-A significantly reduces the inhibitory effects of high Ca2+ on dopamine as well as isoproterenol- and forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation. In our present studies Con-A similarly reduced the inhibitory effect of 2.0 mM Ca2+ on PTH release from 60 ± 6% to 40 ± 6% and increased the setpoint for Ca2+-regulated PTH release from 1.25 to 1.8 mM. This effect was dose dependent. Con-A also inhibited the Ca2+-stimulated accumulation of inositol phosphates by 50–60% in association with a marked reduction in the high Mg2+-evoked spike in cytosolic Ca2+ as well as a significant decrease in the sustained rise in cytosolic Ca2+ at 2–3 mM extracellular...
A deeper confusion

The Deeper Genome: Why there is more to the human genome than meets the eye, edited by John Parrington, (Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press), 2015. pp. xx + 272. ISBN:978-0-19-968873-9. H/c $22.61. Junk DNA: A Journey Through the Dark Matter of the Genome, edited by Nessa Carey, (New York, United States: Columbia University Press), 2015. pp. xx + 360 + 61 b&w illustrations. ISBN:978-0-23-117084-0. H/c $29.95.
Fabrication and Characterization of Hohlraums with a Co-Mixed Gold-Boron Layer

A specialized magnetron co-sputtering process to fabricate a 0.3- to 0.6-μm-thick sputtered gold-boron (AuB) liner in inertial confinement hohlraums (inertial confinement fusion) to the specified concentration of 80% Au and 20% B has been developed at General Atomics. The AuB layer concentration in atomic percent is characterized by witness pieces using depth-profiling Auger electron spectroscopy. The results of the initial research and development effort and the yield in pilot production of AuB-lined gold hohlraums are presented.
Technology-Supported Inquiry for Learning about Aquatic Ecosystems.

Understanding ecosystems is challenging, but important for becoming environmentallyliterate citizens of today‟s society. People have difficulty considering how different components, mechanisms, and phenomena, both visible and invisible, are interconnected within ecosystems. This research presents both the design and initial testing of an innovative and technology-intensive classroom intervention. This intervention was designed to support middle school students‟ understanding of an aquatic ecosystem through encouraging explicit Structure-Behavior-Function (SBF) conceptual representation of ecosystems. The technology support included hypermedia organized around SBF, NetLogo simulations, and an SBF modeling tool. Our study analyzed preand post-test data coded for SBF relationships generally, and relationships between Macro- and Micro-level (M-M) structures, behaviors, and functions, using 311 students in the classrooms of four science teachers. We found moderate to large effects of our intervention with students‟ understanding of SBF relationships and recognition of M-M level relationships increasing over time. The increased consideration of relationships derived from the SBF intervention is important for a more sophisticated understanding of ecosystems in middle school science classrooms. Additionally, by using the SBF framework, micro-level systems phenomena might be made more salient for young learners.
Closed-Loop Flow Control on a Ogive Forebody at a High Angle of Attack using Model Predictive Control

Active closed-loop flow control, a multidisciplinary field, has shown the potential to improve the performance of many systems involving fluid flows. A considerable amount of effort has been placed in developing reduced order models that represent the fluid dynamics of the system of interest while enabling modern control theory. Given all the effort into reduced order modeling, the resulting control algorithms tend to remain relatively simplistic. This paper looks to reverse that role, in which a reduced order model is used for non-linear model predictive control. As a test bed, the side force generated on an axisymmetric forebody at a 50 angle of attack is investigated. A Smith predictor is used to account for the convective time delay, increasing the reference tracking response of the system as well as high frequency disturbance attenuation. The Smith predictor uses a linear time-invariant model developed from open-loop dynamics as a reduced-order model. A combination of non-linear sigmoids, saturation limits and dead-zone regions are used to transform the output of the linear-time invariant model to appropriate mass-flow rates applied to either the port or starboard actuator at the nose of the forebody. The control system is implemented into full-order Navier-Stokes simulations. The results show that nonlinear control of this type is possible, but very sensitive to uncertainties in the model relative to the real system as illustrated by off-design test cases.
Qualitative Research and Its Application in Emotion Regulation

Emotional adjustment methods are widely used in the field of sports.However,in evaluating subjective feelings of emotional regulation on the effects,the use of a single means of comparison,the lack of flexibility,no evaluation of the specific situation,and the shortage of authenticity are common phenomena.Music has an adjustment material to stimulate undergraduate athletes.The physical and mental changes are surveyed before and after adjusting.The results indicate that qualitative research method in the evaluation of the effect of adjustment is feasible and reliable.
Additive Manufacturing of Single-Crystal Superalloy CMSX-4 Through Scanning Laser Epitaxy: Computational Modeling, Experimental Process Development, and Process Parameter Optimization

This paper focuses on additive manufacturing (AM) of single-crystal (SX) nickel-based superalloy CMSX-4 through scanning laser epitaxy (SLE). SLE, a powder bed fusion-based AM process was explored for the purpose of producing crack-free, dense deposits of CMSX-4 on top of similar chemistry investment-cast substrates. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations revealed the presence of dendritic microstructures that consisted of fine γ′ precipitates within the γ matrix in the deposit region. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based process modeling, statistical design of experiments (DoE), and microstructural characterization techniques were combined to produce metallurgically bonded single-crystal deposits of more than 500 μm height in a single pass along the entire length of the substrate. A customized quantitative metallography based image analysis technique was employed for automatic extraction of various deposit quality metrics from the digital cross-sectional micrographs. The processing parameters were varied, and optimal processing windows were identified to obtain good quality deposits. The results reported here represent one of the few successes obtained in producing single-crystal epitaxial deposits through a powder bed fusion-based metal AM process and thus demonstrate the potential of SLE to repair and manufacture single-crystal hot section components of gas turbine systems from nickel-based superalloy powders.
Single separation analysis for clustered-dot halftones

The goal of this paper is to investigate the effect of choosing a certain halftone screen on image graininess development and to establish the metrics for image graininess in high-end digital printing technologies. With the obtained knowledge, our model helps us choose the optimal periodicity matrices for designing regular or irregular clustered dot halftones. The main advantage of the proposed model lies in predicting the graininess ratios based solely on the periodicity matrix. We conduct an in-depth Fourier analysis, which exposes to us all the details regarding the spectrum of a desired halftone screen. Hence, at this stage of the design process, there is no need to generate the halftone screens themselves.
A Hájek-Rényi Type Inequality for Generalized U­Statistics*:

SummaryFor generalized U­statistics, using a particular decomposition and a theorem of Chow (1960), a Hajek-Renyi (1955) type inequality is derived, and its applications are briefly sketched.
Fungi: Oomycetes and chytridiomycetes

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses isolation, culture, and production of Oomycetes and Chytridiomycetes. Aquatic fungi, formerly grouped together as Phycomycetes, are a diverse group of organisms characterized by a motile, flagellated zoospore at some stage of their life-cycle. Chytridiomycetes are characterized by the production of posteriorly uniflagellate zoospores. Isolation of mosquito parasitic organisms from larval breeding habitats is facilitated by the use of sentinel cages. The only option for culturing Coelomomyces spp. is in vivo cycling between its two hosts. Lagenidium giganteum can either be maintained in vivo or it can be isolated from infected larvae on agar media. Zoosporogenesis by L. giganteum is induced by nutrient deprivation. Quantification of zoosporogenesis is relatively easy in the laboratory as long as field water is not being used. Zoospores, which lack a cell wall, are too fragile to be applied in natural habitats and therefore, concentrated preparations of either mycelia or oospores are applied, with sporulation subsequently induced by dilution in the larval breeding habitat. The main advantage of using L. giganteum for operational mosquito control is its ability to recycle at appreciable levels for weeks, months or even years following a single field application.