cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Methamphetamine-induced sensitization includes a functional upregulation of ventral pallidal 5-HT2A/2C receptors

Methamphetamine (METH) causes the release of serotonin (5-HT), but little is known about how repeated exposure to METH modifies serotonergic receptor function, especially in the ventral pallidum (VP), a brain region highly innervated by serotonin inputs. The current study was designed to ascertain if ventral pallidal neurons are functionally upregulated 3 days after a behaviorally sensitizing treatment regimen of METH, and whether these effects could be revealed by activating the 5-HT2A/2C receptors. Rats treated with METH (2.5 kg/mg/day) for 5 days, responded with enhanced stereotypic behaviors. Electrophysiological evaluations of the VP conducted in anesthetized rats 3 days following this sensitizing treatment regimen of METH revealed that spiking rate increases induced by intravenous METH were augmented above that seen in rats with a history of saline treatments. The efficacy of the 5-HT2A/2C agonist, 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI) to augment ventral pallidal cell firing also was enhanced in METH-sensitized rats. These data reveal that METH-induced behavioral sensitization renders the VP more responsive to METH and is associated with a functional upregulation of 5-HT2 receptors.
Reasoning with ethics

"IDEALLY ETHICS IS TAUGHT not just in courses focused specifically on ethics, but in any course to which ethics might potentially apply. Otherwise, there is the risk that what students learn will be inert, that students will not see how to apply it outside the one course on ethics. Students need to learn how to reason about and apply ethical principles by being confronted with ethical problems in a variety of domains. They also need to be inoculated against the pressures to behave unethically, such as occur when there is retaliation for whistleblowing (Sternberg, 2009).
An experimental investigation of the impact of aggregation on the performance of data mining with logistic regression

We studied the impact of data aggregation on the performance of logistic regression on predicting the direction of the Dow Jones industrial average (DJIA) stock market index. Data aggregation is a common operation in business, science, engineering, medicine, etc.; it is performed for purposes such as statistical, financial, and sales and marketing analysis - particularly within the context of a data warehouse. We showed experimentally that, for this example, as long as aggregation does not shrink the sample size unduly, it does not significantly impair the performance of the logistic regression model for predicting the direction of the DJIA stock market index. We also observed that aggregation-based models are simpler (less over-parameterized) than detail-based models. We used the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to evaluate the robustness of such predictive models. Specifically, we used the area under the ROC curve as a summary measure of the overall performance of a given model.
Failure during hot working of spray-formed Rene’ 88

Abstract Isothermal, hot compression tests were conducted on spray-formed Rene’ 88 to establish the effects of strain, strain rate, and temperature on the closure of porosity and the initiation of ductile fracture during hot working. In the as-sprayed condition, porosity was evenly distributed throughout the material in both the transverse and longitudinal directions. Hot compression tests were conducted at temperatures between 760 and 1090 °C at strain rates of 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 s −1 to axial height strains of 0.4, 0.7, or 1.1. The deformation gave rise to near full-density (0.06% porosity) at the center and to porous regions (∼0.5% porosity) ∼1–2 mm from the barreled free surface on the equatorial plane. From these observations and parallel finite-element-method (FEM) simulations, it was concluded that pore closure was enhanced by a state of triaxial compressive stress. Observations of pore coalescence and fracture via splat boundary separation at the free surface were also interpreted via FEM simulations. The simulation results for the near-surface region revealed that a maximum-tensile-work, rather than a tensile-stress, criterion controlled the process of splat-boundary separation, pore linkage, and final ductile fracture.
Feather damage due to mycotic infections in wild turkeys.

Wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) from Pearl River Wildlife Management Area, St. Tammany Parish and from adjacent St. Helena Parish, Louisiana (USA) were observed to have broken and frayed rectrices. The condition was noted in 21% of 90 wild turkeys harvested by hunters during the springs of 1985 through 1988 from the Pearl River Wildlife Management Area. Damage to feathers ranged from mild to severe. Histologic and microbiologic study of five birds disclosed colonization and invasion of the rachis sheath and pulp by fungi of the genera Aspergillus, Curvularia, Cladosporium, Dactylella, Exophiala, Helminthosporium and Trichophyton and by Streptomyces. Sterilized normal rectrices from wild turkeys were inoculated with these organisms and subsequently developed damage that was histologically compatible with field cases. The condition was diagnosed as a multiple etiology mycosis. Successful colonization and invasion of experimentally inoculated feathers required addition of moisture and elevation of relativ...
Modulation of secretin release by neuropeptides in secretin-producing cells

Nerve fibers containing bombesin (BB)/gastrin-releasing polypeptide (GRP), pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), or galanin are known ...
Planting Patterns of In-Field Refuges Observed for Bt Maize in Minnesota

ABSTRACT The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) requires the use of nontransgenic refuges to slow the evolution of insect resistance to transgenic crops. In-field refuges, or refuges that are planted within the same field as the transgenic crop, are allowed; however, these refuges are required to be at least four rows wide. We described in-field planting patterns used by growers for both Cry1Ab [against Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner)] and Cry3Bb (against Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) maize, Zea mays L. Maize fields known to contain Cry1Ab, Cry3Bb, or both were sampled in southwestern Minnesota during late June and early September 2005. Rows were sampled to describe the pattern of in-field refuges in the entire field, Most in-field refuges contained >20% Cry- seed (79% of Cry1Ab and 84% of Cry3Bb). However, only 5% of Cry1Ab fields and 2% of Cry3Bb fields with in-field refuges were in compliance with USEPA requirements because the Cry- seed was not in wide enough strips or blocks. Most gro...
Cross layer analysis of buffered adaptive multicarrier transmission

Adaptive transmission can maximize the average information rate on a time-varying channel for a given power constraint and target bit error rate (BER) by adapting certain parameters of the transmitted signal to the temporal variations of the channel. This rate-adaptation idea has been extended to systems in which multi-carrier transmissions are used to combat frequency selective multipath fading. Since the outage probability of such schemes can be quite high, especially for channels with low average signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), adaptive systems require buffering of the input data. Because separate-layer consideration may not be appropriate for the time-varying wireless channels, this design challenge prompts a new design methodology that jointly optimizes the allocation of system resources through a cross-layer design. We conduct a cross-layer performance analysis of an adaptive multicarrier transmission system with a finite buffer. We formulate such system as an M/G/1 queue in which the departure rates form a discrete set. We then derive an upper bound and a lower bound to the buffer overflow probability. We also obtain the mean waiting time to quantify the average delay experienced by data in the system. With these results, we establish a link between the physical layer design criteria, such as the transmission rate and the reception error rate, and those of higher layers. Numerical examples are also provided and discussed to illustrate the mathematical formalism and the effects of various system parameters.
Akt Signaling and Growth of the Heart

Physiological and pathological stimuli produce clinically and molecularly distinct forms of cardiac growth. Physiological cardiac growth is a feature of normal postnatal development in which an increase in cardiac muscle cell diameter is observed as infants mature to adults.1 This nonpathological heart growth, sometimes referred to as physiological hypertrophy,2 is similar to the growth observed in the hearts of trained athletes in whom the adaptation to increased workload leads to increased vascularization of the myocardium and more forceful ejection.1,3 In contrast, pathological hypertrophy occurs in patients with hypertension or valvular heart disease. A number of molecular distinctions can be made between physiological and pathological cardiac hypertrophy. For example, pathological cardiac hypertrophy is associated with interstitial fibrosis, activation of a fetal gene program, and myocyte apoptosis, whereas physiological cardiac growth does not display these features. Most studies have focused on elucidating mechanisms of pathological heart growth, whereas the molecular regulation of physiological cardiac growth is less understood. In this issue of Circulation , an article by DeBosch et al4 sheds light on the role of Akt1 signaling in the promotion of physiological growth and inhibition of pathological hypertrophy. Article p 2097 The Akt (also referred to as protein kinase B) family of serine/threonine protein kinases is highly conserved in evolution.5 Akt1 and Akt2 share extensive sequence homology at the amino acid level, whereas Akt3 is slightly more divergent in structure and is expressed as a splice variant that lacks a regulatory phosphorylation site.6 Akt protein kinases are stimulated by a number of receptor tyrosine kinases, and this is mediated by the action of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). PI3K phosphorylates inositol lipids that activate Akt directly by binding to its pleckstrin homology domain and promoting its translocation to the membrane …
Current mode circuits: increasing the chances of evolution to find a way

Evolution of electronic circuits has been intensively investigated for the last five years. The main challenge of the area is the evolution of circuits for industrial applications and also to find methods to improve the performance of evolutionary computation in electronic circuit synthesis. The authors have been studying this problem using different approaches, such as new methods for circuit representation and fitness evaluation function. We describe in this paper experiments on the evolution of current mode circuits. Experimental results in the area of computational circuits suggest that the search space for this class of circuits is more amenable for evolution than their voltage mode counterparts. At the end of the paper we propose an application in the area of fuzzy control, which can provide benefits for the aerospace community, such as in applications for propulsion controlled aircraft.
Administration: Promotion and Clinical Faculty in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

The use of clinical faculty in place of professional or administrative staff is gaining ground in many universities. The authors used survey techniques to gather information from 23 different unive...
The contribution of inherited genotype to breast cancer

The etiology of breast cancer is complex, and is likely to involve the actions of genes at multiple levels along the multistage carcinogenesis process. These inherited genotypes include those that affect the propensity to be exposed to breast carcinogens, and those associated with breast tumorigenesis directly. In addition, inherited genotypes may influence response to breast cancer chemoprevention and treatment. Studies relating inherited genotypes with breast cancer incidence and mortality should consider a broader spectrum of genes and their potential roles in multistage carcinogenesis than have been typically evaluated to date. Understanding the role of inherited genotype at different stages of carcinogenesis could improve our understanding of cancer biology, may identify specific exposures or events that correlate with carcinogenesis, or target relevant biochemical pathways for the development of preventive or therapeutic interventions.
Probabilistic control of linear periodic systems using generalized sampled-data hold functions

Probabilistic control of linear periodic systems for quadratic performance is considered. Here, the plant is subject to constant parametric uncertainty such that the uncertain plant parameters are jointly Gaussian. The method of highest posterior density (HPD) inscription is applied to approximately evaluate and maximize the probability of stability and performance when the generalized sampled-data hold function control is used.
Effect of repeated listening experiences on the intelligibility of synthesized speech

Two studies (one with child subjects, one with adult subjects) were conducted to investigate the effect of the following variables on the intelligibility of synthesized speech: synthesizer (DECtalk child's voice vs. Echo II+); repeated listening experiences (five sessions); and vocabulary type (novel vs. repeated). The pattern of findings was similar for the two studies: intelligibility scores were significantly higher for the DECtalk than for the Echo; repeated listening experiences resulted in significantly improved scores for both novel and repeated vocabulary; and, in sessions 2 to 5, repeated vocabulary was more intelligible than novel vocabulary. The results provide evidence that repeated listening experiences result in improved performance for both children and adults. Children and adults not only remember and recognize words that they have heard previously (repeated vocabulary), but repeated exposure to synthesized speech also improves performance on words heard for the first time (novel vocabulary).
Laser pulse-stretching with multiple optical ring cavities.

We describe a simple and passive nanosecond-long laser-pulse stretcher using multiple optical ring cavities. We present a model of the pulse-stretching process for an arbitrary number of optical ring cavities. This new model explicitly includes the effects of cavity delay time, beam-splitter reflectivity, total number of optical cavities, and describes the effects of spatial profile sensitivity. Using the model, we optimize the design of a pulse stretcher for use in a spontaneous Raman-scattering excitation system that avoids laser-induced plasma spark problems. From the optimized design, we then experimentally demonstrate and verify the model with a three-cavity pulse-stretcher system that converts a 1000-mJ, 8.4-ns-long input laser pulse into an approximately 75-ns-long (FWHM) output laser pulse with a peak power reduction of 0.10× and an 83% efficiency.
Development and Evaluation of Species Distribution Models for Fourteen Native Central U.S. Fish Species

Environmental change has and will con- tinue to adversely influence aquatic communities. Efforts to model impacts of environmental change on fisheries have largely focused on cold water, commer- cial, and recreationally valued species, even though warm water, non-game species have important roles in ecosystem services and processes. We developed species distribution models for fourteen warm water fish species native to the central United States and evaluated environmental drivers and predictive per- formance. We used an ensemble model approach produced by combining forecasts of five single-model techniques. Response plots and variable importance calculations were used to evaluate the influence of individual variables. The predictive performance of the ensemble models was assessed using area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic plot (AUC). AUC values indicate ensemble models per- formed better than single-model types, suggesting ensemble models are more reliable and applicable for management purposes than single models. Most models were influenced by a mix of climate, land use, and geophysical variables; however, climate variables were the dominant environmental drivers across models. Given the high sensitivity of models to climate and land use, we expect future climate and land use changes to influence distributions.
Prevalence of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus in infected and uninfected diabetic foot ulcers

This study investigated the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in infected and uninfected diabetic foot ulcers of 84 patients with the two types of diabetes. S. aureus was the most common pathogen among the Gram-positive bacteria isolated from ulcers, and almost 50% of S. aureus isolates were MRSA. The prevalence of MRSA was significantly higher in patients with infected foot ulcers. MRSA infection or colonisation was not associated with factors (previous hospitalisation, use of antibiotics, etc.) known to predispose to MRSA colonisation or infection. The high prevalence of MRSA in patients with foot ulcers may reflect the increased prevalence of MRSA in the community.
The intersection of some classical equivalence classes of matrices

Let A be an n X ra complex matrix. Let Sim (A) denote the similarity equivalence class of A, Conj(.4) denote the conjunctivity equivalence class of .4, UEquiv(.4) denote the unitaryequivalence equivalence class of .4, and 2/{{A) denote the unitary similarity equivalence class of A. Each of these equivalence classes has been studied for some time and is generally wellunderstood. In particular, canonical forms have been given for each equivalence class. Since the intersection of any two equivalence classes of .4 is again an equivalence class of .4, we consider two such intersections: CS(.4) = Sim(.4) fl Conj(.4) and UES(.4) = Sim(A) n UEquiv(.4). Though it is natural to first think that each of these is simply U{A), for each .4. we show by examples that this is not the case. We then try to classify which matrices .4 have CS(.4) = U{A). For matrices having CS(.4) ^ 1({A), we try to count the number of disjoint unitary similarity classes contained in CS(.4). Though the problem is not completely solved for CS(.4). we reduce the problem to non-singular, non-co-Hermitian matrices .4. A similar analysis is performed for UES(.4), and a (less simple) reduction of the problem is also achieved.
Estimation bounds for localization

The localization problem is fundamentally important for sensor networks. We study the Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRB) for two kinds of localization based on noisy range measurements. The first is anchored localization in which we know true positions of at least 3 nodes. We show some basic invariances of the CRB in this case and derive lower and upper bounds on the CRB which can be computed using only local information. The second is anchor-free localization where no absolute positions are known. Although the Fisher information matrix is singular, we derive a CRB-like bound on the total estimation variance. Finally, for both cases we discuss how the bounds scale to large networks under different models of wireless signal propagation.
Secure Locking for Untrusted Clouds

Migrating applications with strong consistency requirements to public cloud platforms remains risky since the data owner cannot verify the correctness of the public cloud's locking algorithm. In this paper, we identify new attacks that an untrusted cloud provider can launch via control of the locking mechanism, and propose an extension to existing locking scheme to address such attacks. Our solution modifies the locks to include a short history to allow \textit{data users} to determine correctness, and can also prevent the cloud from re-ordering operations for financial gain.
Foveal and extra-foveal influences on rod hue biases.

Green, blue and short-wavelength-red rod hue biases are strongest and most reliable with large, dimly-mesopic, extra-foveal stimuli but tend to diminish when stimuli are confined to a small area of the central fovea. This study explores how the stimulation of foveal and extra-foveal areas interact in determining rod hue biases, and whether large stimuli are as effective for revealing rod hue biases when foveally centered as when eccentrically centered. We assessed rod influence by measuring wavelengths of unique green and unique yellow (with 1-s duration, 1 log scot td stimuli and a staircase procedure) under bleached and dark-adapted conditions. We measured unique hues with foveally centered 2°- and 7.4°-diameter disks, a 7.4° (outer) × 2° (inner) diameter annulus, and a 7°-eccentric, 7.4°-diameter disk. The rod green bias (shift of unique yellow locus) was typically <10 nm and remained fairly constant across spatial configurations, indicating no special foveal influence. The rod blue bias (shift of unique green) varied more among observers and spatial configurations, reaching up to 47 nm. However, stimuli covering the fovea typically produced no rod blue bias. Thus, the present results add differences in spatial dependence (i.e., foveal/extra-foveal interaction) between green and blue rod biases to previously demonstrated differences (e.g., differences in amount of light level dependence, in time course and in the spectral range influenced by each bias).
Controlling Institutions: Informal governance in the IMF

The degree of the IMF's autonomy is controversial. The IMF was not designed to be the independent world central bank that Keynes envisaged; from the beginning, its members, most notably the United States, expressed a preference for a member-controlled organization rather than a supranational one. However, the Fund's management and staff have gradually gained autonomy from the shareholder countries represented on the Executive Board, and critics of the IMF fear that this autonomy goes too far. An alternative critique assumes that international organizations simply reflect the interests of a few powerful states, or of one. An impressive amount of evidence indicates that major shareholders are able to skew the distribution of IMF loans and to subsequently undermine the enforcement of conditionality. Similarly, countries that enjoy special relationships with major IMF shareholders may be able to avoid extensive conditionality when they borrow from the Fund. In almost all cases, the evidence indicates that the powerful shareholder that exercises influence over the IMF is the United States. How does a country that holds only seventeen percent of the voting power in an organization exercise a controlling interest in its activities? The argument made here is that the aspects of the IMF's formal design that make it appear to be so autonomous, and that allow it to exercise considerable discretion in ordinary times, also make it extremely vulnerable to capture by a determined state that enjoys an organizational advantage.
Of corporations, courts, personhood, and morality

Since the dawn of capitalism, corporations have been regarded by the law as separate legal “persons.” Corporate “personhood” has nonetheless remained controversial, and our understanding of corporate personhood often influences our thinking about the social responsibilities of corporations. This essay, written in honor of Prof. Thomas Donaldson, explores the tension in recent decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court and the Delaware Chancery Court about what corporations are, whose interests they serve, and who gets to make decisions about what they do. These decisions suggest that the law does not unequivocally support Donaldson’s vision of corporations as “moral” persons
Operation of Zoogeographic Barriers

Briggs, J. C. (Division of Graduate Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620) 1973. The operation of zoogeographic barriers. Syst. Zool. 23:248-256.-Information about the operation of various, major zoogeographic barriers in both marine and terrestrial environments is presented. The data appear to indicate that such barriers affect the distribution of animals in a consistent manner. Therefore, it is possible to propose a general theory of barrier function. If we assume that such barriers have been constant in their function over long periods of time, we are provided with a relatively simple explanation for certain, worldwide distributional (and phylogenetic) patterns that apparently have taken millions of years to become established. If it is recognized that, in general, the more advanced species will be found in the center of origin, the task of working out the relationships of an animal group, and hence the course of evolution, will be made easier. The data on barriers indicate that the cladistic biogeographic principle, which states that the most primitive species are found closest to the center of origin, is probably unsomnd. [Zoogeography; dispersal; centers of origin.] In characterizing zoogeographic regions, it is necessary to recognize the presence of barriers or boundaries that separate them. Barriers are often considered simply as places that are relatively difficult for animals to cross and, when migration is thus impeded and gene flow lessened, it is generally recognized that the separated regions tend, over a period of time, to develop their own individual faunas. However, it is not generally recognized that, by studying the evidence for successful (colonizing) migrations across such barriers, one can accumulate information about the interrelationships of regions that can lead toward a better understanding of zoogeography and evo-
Effects of Host Fighting Behavior on the Course of Infection of Trypanosoma Duttoni in Mice

In one experiment, male albino mice were inoculated with Trypanosoma duttoni, and were allowed to begin fighting on the same day; the fighting animals developed significantly lower parasitemias than the isolated controls throughout the reproductive phase of the infection. In two other experiments, mice were allowed to fight for a period of 10 days prior to inoculation; the fighting animal exhibited higher parasitemias than the controls, with the subordinate mice developing slightly, but not significantly, higher parasitemias than the dominant animals. Since all differences noted among controls, dominants and subordinates were during the reproductive phase of the infection, and since no differences were observed in the length of infection among these groups, it was concluded that fighting altered the ablastic, but not the trypanocidal antibody response. This alteration is believed to have resulted from the action of adrenal cortical hormones on antibody—producing cells. Sustained elevation of plasma corticosterone levels during 10 days of fighting in the latter experiments may have been responsible for the different results obtained with the two experimental designs.
INFLUENCING FACTORS OF THE NUMERICAL WELL TEST MODEL OF THE TRIPLE-CONTINUUM IN FRACTURED VUGGY RESERVOIR

The sensitivity of each parameter to the well testing curve is analyzed by solving triple-continuum numerical well testing model of fractured vuggy reservoir,and the parameter system of this numerical well testing model is determined.These parameters are corresponding to permeability,size and length of cave and fracture and so on.Different parameters have different influences on curve:initial formation pressure and fracture permeability have influence on the position of pressure build-up curve,skin factor;the well bore storage factor mainly has influence on the shape of early stage of pressure build-up curve,and other parameters have influence on the shape of the two turnings of the curve.All of these conclusions are very important for matching well testing curve.
The influence of pesticides degradation on detection organic phosphorus pesticide residues in vegetables

Objective To observe the influence of pesticides degradation on detection organic phosphorus pesticide residues in vegetables. Methods The organic phosphorus pesticide residues in the vegetables at different storing time,different storage temperature,different pH and different varieties of vegetable samples were determined using NY /T 761- 2008. Results In samples,some part of organic phosphorus pesticide was degraded severely after 24 hours at room temperature. Especially the degradation rate of malathion,the highest of all,could reach up to 74%. While low temperature could slow down the pesticides degradation effectively. And there were different degradation dynamic in different pH and different vegetables. Conclusion The major means of reducing the degradation of organic phosphorus pesticide were storing at low temperature and processing timely. The sample should not be refrigerated exceed 24 hours in lab to make sure the accuracy of results.
Declarative programming in AnsProlog*: introduction and preliminaries

Among other characteristics, an intelligent entity – whether an intelligent autonomous agent, or an intelligent assistant – must have the ability to go beyond just following direct instructions while in pursuit of a goal. This is necessary to be able to behave intelligently when the assumptions surrounding the direct instructions are not valid, or there are no direct instructions at all. For example even a seemingly direct instruction of ‘bring me coffee’ to an assistant requires the assistant to figure out what to do if the coffee pot is out of water, or if the coffee machine is broken. The assistant will definitely be referred to as lacking intelligence if he or she were to report to the boss that there is no water in the coffee pot and ask the boss what to do next. On the other hand, an assistant will be considered intelligent if he or she can take a high level request of ‘make travel arrangements for my trip to International AI conference 20XX’ and figure out the lecture times of the boss; take into account airline, hotel and car rental preferences; take into account the budget limitations, etc.; overcome hurdles such as the preferred flight being sold out; and make satisfactory arrangements. This example illustrates one benchmark of intelligence – the level of request an entity can handle .
Nitric oxide synthase and structure-based inhibitor design

Once it was discovered that the enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is responsible for the biosynthesis of NO, NOS became a drug target. Particularly important is the over production of NO by neuronal NOS (nNOS) in various neurodegenerative disorders. After the various NOS isoforms were identified, inhibitor development proceeded rapidly. It soon became evident, however, that isoform selectivity presents a major challenge. All 3 human NOS isoforms, nNOS, eNOS (endothelial NOS), and iNOS (inducible NOS) have nearly identical active site structures thus making selective inhibitor design especially difficult. Of particular importance is the avoidance of inhibiting eNOS owing to its vital role in the cardiovascular system. This review summarizes some of the history of NOS inhibitor development and more recent advances in developing isoform selective inhibitors using primarily structure-based approaches.
Environmental filtering, local site factors and landscape context drive changes in functional trait composition during tropical forest succession

Abstract Second-growth forests provide an important avenue for at least partially recuperating biodiversity and ecosystem services in tropical regions. Yet, factors affecting changes in species and functional trait composition of trees during forest succession remain poorly understood. The environmental filtering hypothesis of community assembly predicts gradual successional changes in functional trait composition. However, differences in landscape conditions and local site factors can lead to idiosyncratic or divergent changes in species and functional composition. We examine community assembly patterns of canopy trees and palms during natural regeneration using functional trait measurements and 18 years of annual vegetation dynamics data from six second-growth and two old-growth forest stands in northeast Costa Rica. We measured eight functional traits on 94 species, which cumulatively accounted for at least 80% of the abundance in each plot. Old-growth specialists had significantly lower leaf nitrogen and phosphorus content and significantly higher wood specific gravity than second-growth specialists. At the community level, specific leaf area, leaf nitrogen content, leaf dry matter content, and leaf toughness showed directional trends from more acquisitive trait values towards more conservative trait values. The landscape context was also an important driver of the successional trends within and among plots, as most functional trait patterns were influenced by the location of the plots within the matrix. Furthermore, the differential abundance of palms among stands strongly influenced functional trait differences among plots. After accounting for the effects of stand basal area and stand location, random plot effects explained an additional 45–90% of the variation in community-weighted mean functional traits. Local and landscape scale heterogeneity often influenced functional trait variation more strongly than stand basal area, suggesting that both stochasticity and environmental filtering influence species and functional turnover during succession.
Among patients with left bundle branch block, T-wave peak to T-wave end time is prolonged in the presence of acute coronary occlusion.

Abstract Background Assessing the effect of myocardial ischemia on ventricular repolarization in the setting of left bundle branch block (LBBB) poses a challenge due to secondary prolongation of the QT interval inherent in LBBB. The T-wave peak to T-wave end (TpTe) interval has been noted to prolong during myocardial ischemia and correct after reperfusion in patients with normal conduction. Here we compare the TpTe intervals of patients with LBBB both with and without complete acute coronary occlusion (ACO). Methods Retrospectively, emergency department patients with LBBB and symptoms of myocardial ischemia were identified both with angiographically-proven ACO and with No-ACO. The longest QT, JT, and TpTe intervals were analyzed. Results The ACO and No-ACO groups consisted of 33 and 129 patients, respectively. The mean TpTe was longer in ACO (103.6ms [95%CI 98.5–108.7]) compared to No-ACO patients (88.6ms [95%CI 85.3–91.9]) (P Conclusions In patients with LBBB on the ECG, the TpTe is longer and more frequently prolonged in patients with ACO compared to patients without ACO. Future studies of ventricular repolarization in patients with LBBB should include analyses of the TpTe interval.
QUANTITATIVE INVESTIGATIONS OF IDIOTYPIC ANTIBODIES: I. ANALYSIS OF PRECIPITATING ANTIBODY POPULATIONS

Specifically purified anti-p-azobenzoate antibodies of the IgG class from individual rabbits were used to elicit anti-idiotypic antibodies in recipient rabbits. Allotypes of each donor and recipient were matched. When polymerized antibodies were used for immunization, more than 80% of the recipients responded with the formation of antibodies that precipitated the monomeric donor antibody. Percentages of precipitable molecules in the donor antibody population (D) varied from 4 to 56. As little as 4% was readily detectable by the Ouchterlony method or precipitin test. Specificity of the reaction was tested by double diffusion in agar gel against a panel of purified antibenzoate antibodies from 14 heterologous rabbits and, quantitatively, in three systems by measurement of the extent of coprecipitation of heterologous, radiolabeled antibenzoate antibodies. No cross-reactions were observed. Reactions were shown to be attributable to antibenzoate antibodies in the donor serum, and contributions of allotypic reactions were excluded. In three systems investigated quantitatively, and in one studied qualitatively, two recipients of the same donor antibody produced anti-antibody that reacted with essentially the same subfraction of the donor antibody population. The findings that only a portion of the D population is immunogenic, and that the same subfraction is frequently immunogenic in different recipients, suggest that the immunogenic population comprises a limited number of homogeneous groups of antibody molecules. This is supported by the small number of bands usually observed by the Ouchterlony technique. Quantitative methods of analysis should provide an approach to the study of cell populations producing antibodies of a particular idiotype.
On-Site Prediction of Overstress in an Aircraft Munitions Carrier

Vibration and strain data were measured on a modified munitions trailer to ensure that the design strength criteria had not been exceeded. These data were used in conjunction with a computer model to determine if the stress levels were sufficiently low to allow adequate fatigue life without further modification to the trailer. By combining standard data verification techniques with a stress prediction technique, data from a number of channels were reviewed at the test site to determine the severity of measured levels. This information was used to control the test process.
Comparison of Instantaneous Reactive and Notch Filter Algorithms Seven Level Parallel Active Filter

This work focused on the association of a seven level Neutral Point Clamped inverter and a parallel active filter. In order to test the efficiency of the 7 level parallel active filter, two reference current generating algorithms are used. The instantaneous reactive power algorithm and the notch filter algorithm. In this study, the instantaneous reactive power method and the notch filter method are presented. Than a section which gives a recall of the NPC multilevel inverter and PWM strategy. A comparison between the two reference current generating algorithms is made. The subjects of comparison are the total harmonic distortion (THD) and the fundamental value of the source current. The obtained simulation results have proved that the instantaneous reactive power technique is better than the notch filter technique. Simulations are carried out by PSIM program.
Small Cash Incentives Can Encourage Primary Care Visits By Low-Income People With New Health Care Coverage.

In a randomized controlled trial, we studied low-income adults newly covered by a primary care program to determine whether a cash incentive could encourage them to make an initial visit to a prima...
A Study of the Relationship between a Going Concern Opinion and Its Financial Distress Metrics

ABSTRACT: The primary objective of this paper is to employ search engine technology to investigate the relationship between first-time going concern opinions (GCOs) and the financial viability of the GCO recipients using delisting as a criterion rather than bankruptcy. The paper also investigates the impact of client distress factors on auditors' propensity to issue GCOs. The search engine enables us to examine the entire population of 10-K filings from 1995 to 2015 and also to obtain delisting data, which are not readily available in commercial databases. Contrary to prior research, we find that the survival rate of first-time GCOs is much lower when we use delisting as a measure of financial viability. Around 26 percent of the companies that receive their first GCOs are delisted within a period of one year of the audit opinion date, and 50 percent of the companies that receive their first GCOs are delisted within a period of three years. The bankruptcy rate of first-time GCO companies within one year is...
Crystal structures of 2,6-di­bromo-4-methyl­benzo­nitrile and 2,6-di­bromo-4-methyl­phenyl isocyanide

In the title crystals, C8H5Br2N, which are isomorphous, the steric bulk of the methyl group causes neighboring mol­ecules to become mutually inclined. This prevents the formation of planar or nearly planar sheets, which were observed in the tri­chloro and tri­bromo analogs. Instead of CN/NC⋯Br contacts, tetra­meric Br⋯Br contacts are observed. These contacts form tetra­gonally puckered sheets parallel to (001). The CN/NC and methyl groups are grouped at the peaks and troughs. Both mol­ecules lie across crystallographic mirror planes; thus, the methyl H atoms are disordered over two sets of sites with equal occupancy. The title nitrile is a redetermination. The refinement converged at R[F2 > 2σ(F2)] = 0.020, whereas the original determination [Gleason & Britton, (1976). Cryst. Struct. Commun. 5, 229–232] had R = 0.112.
Brain-Computer Interface for Novice Programmers

As CS + X courses become more common, it is important for us to investigate ways to leverage interdisciplinary learning tools to expand the types of experiences available to students. This paper discusses our experiences introducing CS undergraduates to basic Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) concepts using NeuroBlock. Neuroblock is a visual programming environment that allows users to build applications driven by near-real-time neurophysiological (i.e., brainwaves) data. Brainwave data is captured using a commercial-grade BCI device. Students use brainwave data from the BCI device to create interactive hybrid-BCI applications (e.g., games) featuring objects that respond to students' affective states (e.g. engagement, relaxation, and attention) and keyboard events. In this paper, we describe NeuroBlock, three example activities, and results from an exploratory empirical study that suggests exposure to NeuroBlock increased students' confidence in their ability to develop applications that leverage neurophysiological signals. NeuroBlock and the discussed activities have the potential to supplement future CS + X courses by providing students hands-on experiences with emerging physiological devices.
Storytelling contributes to resilience in older adults

This study suggests that storytelling provides a protective effect in older adults, from the symptoms of narrative foreclosure, which is the notion that one has nothing left to add to their life st...
Modulation of mean arterial pressure and diuresis by renomedullary infusion of a selective inhibitor of fatty acid amide hydrolase.

The kidneys contribute to the control of body fluid and electrolytes and the long-term regulation of blood pressure through various systems, including the endocannabinoid system. Previously, we sho...
Failure of polymer matrix composites (PMCs) in automotive and transportation applications

Abstract: With increasing need for fuel economy improvement, there is a great deal of interest in using polymer matrix composites to produce lightweight vehicles. This chapter provides an overview of the failure modes of two types of polymer matrix composites for automotive and road transportation applications. One of them is a random fiber sheet molding compound (SMC) composite which has many current applications in automobiles, light trucks and heavy trucks. The second type is the carbon and glass fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites that may find future applications in lightweight automotive structures to improve their crashworthiness.
Variation in Anticoagulation Practices in the Congenital Cardiac Catheterization Lab: Results of a Multinational PICES Survey

The complex nature of congenital heart disease (CHD) has hindered the establishment of management standards for peri-catheterization anticoagulation. We sought to describe anticoagulation practice variability among providers performing cardiac catheterization in children and adults with CHD. A web-based survey ( http://www.surveymonkey.com ) was distributed to pediatric and congenital interventional cardiologists. Respondents were queried on their training, practice setting, years in practice, and case volume. Clinical questions focused on general anticoagulation strategies and on five common clinical scenarios: two diagnostic (biventricular circulation, single ventricle physiology) and three interventional cardiac catheterizations (atrial septal defect closure, pulmonary artery stenting in Fontan circulation, stent placement for coarctation of aorta). Seventy-seven pediatric and congenital interventional cardiologists responded to the survey (81% in the United States). Twenty-six (36%) worked in a public medical institution; 57% worked in a free-standing children’s hospital. Twenty-six percent had been in practice for 15 years; 75% completed additional training in interventional congenital cardiology. The median number of cases performed was 200/year (IQR 110); median number of interventional cases was 100/year (IQR 100). Responses to general queries and specific clinical scenarios suggested significant variation in anticoagulation practices, including monitoring of anticoagulation during catheterization, protamine use, and outpatient anticoagulation after catheterization. Practices not only varied between providers but also between different clinical scenarios. Practice patterns did not correlate with provider experience or case volume. Management of anticoagulation in the congenital cardiac catheterization lab varies from operator to operator. Our study may provide some initial insight and context for discussion regarding anticoagulation in a field of increasingly heterogeneous interventional techniques and patient substrates. Future studies would be helpful to better define “best practices” for peri-procedural thromboprophylaxis in patients with congenital heart disease.
The development of an instrument to assess post-exertional malaise in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome:

Post-exertional malaise, or a variation of this term, is a key symptom of myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome, as this symptom is mentioned in almost all myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome case definitions. Until now there has not been a comprehensive questionnaire to assess post-exertional malaise. To rectify this situation, in this article we describe the development of a new questionnaire, called the DePaul Post-Exertional Malaise Questionnaire, which was based on input from hundreds of patients. Preliminary validation was provided by the findings of significant and predictable relationships between different domains of this post-exertional malaise questionnaire and physical functioning.
A Review of School Nurses’ Self-Efficacy in Asthma Care:

Asthma is the most common pediatric chronic respiratory illness and has a significant influence on children's health, school attendance, and overall school success. Despite the effect of education and training, gaps remain in understanding school nurses' self-efficacy (SE) in asthma care. The purpose of this integrative literature review is to gain a greater understanding of school nurses' SE in asthma care. Themes and topics in the current school nursing literature regarding SE in asthma care include the value of continuing education, educational interventions, and the use of resources in clinical practice such as the asthma action plan. This review indicates the importance of developing a greater understanding of the unique features of school nursing, the necessary resources, and the external factors that influence practice. Further research to establish a framework to evaluate how a change in practice may support school nurses' SE and promote positive student health outcomes is needed.
Understanding Different Compensation Models in Surgery

A complete understanding of the basics of surgical compensation plans is an essential requirement for being an effective leader whether at the divisional, departmental, or health system level. Key issues include understanding the purpose of such plans, their basic elements, and the potential impact on faculty behavior and the financial health of your unit. Compensation plans are quite diverse and incorporate local historical features and at their core they reflect the priorities of the leadership level at which they are designed. This chapter seeks to assist faculty and surgical leaders in their ability to construct compensation plans that affect the goals and visions of their functional units and institution.