cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cyclin D1 splice variant and risk for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

To investigate the role of cell cycle gene variations in lymphomagenesis, we evaluated associations (odds ratios [OR] and 95% confidence intervals [CI]) in polymorphisms from seven candidate genes in 1,172 non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) cases and 982 population-based controls. The cyclin D1 (CCND1) splice variant G870A (rs603965) increased NHL risk (ORAA = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.1–1.8, P-trend = 0.021), which was consistent for four B-cell subtypes. As CCND1 expression indicates poor NHL prognosis, our results, if true, would support its potentially dual importance in NHL etiology and survival.
A piRNA to Remember

In this issue of Cell, Rajasethupathy et al. report a surprising role for piRNAs, previously thought to act mainly in the animal germline to silence transposons, in transcriptional regulation of plasticity-related genes in the central nervous system of the sea slug Aplysia californica. The findings expand the functions of small RNAs and have important implications for our understanding of how transient signals can give rise to long-term memories.
Fluorometric determination of pyridoxamine by conversion to pyridoxal cyanide compound.

Abstract A fluorometric assay for pyridoxamine is described based on the fluorescence of pyridoxal cyanide compound obtained by transamination of pyridoxamine to pyridoxal which was then reacted with potassium cyanide. The reactions were reproducible from 0.001 to 1.00 μg/ml pyridoxamine. Fluorescence spectra of pyridoxamine and pyridoxal show little or no interference with fluorescence readings of pyridoxal cyanide compound at 358 and 435 mμ, activating and fluorescence wavelengths.
Decision making in dentistry. Part II: Clinical applications of decision methods

The study of clinical decision making provides a common model on which to base dental practice and thus promotes standardization of care and treatment. Decision analysis can assist in identifying missing data in clinical problems and thus generate clinically relevant research agendas. Part II reviews the current literature focusing on three areas of decision making in dentistry: diagnosis, treatment planning, and disease prediction. The growing body of literature indicates that wide variation exists among the treatment plans made by dentists. Considerable bias arises from many sources of uncertainty in decision making, including the limitations of human memory and judgment. Literature pertaining to computer application of decision analysis in dentistry and to policy making are reviewed.
Probing of multidrug ABC membrane transporters of single living cells using single plasmonic nanoparticle optical probes

Currently, molecular mechanisms of multidrug ABC (ATP-binding cassette) membrane transporters remain elusive. In this study, we synthesized and characterized purified spherically shaped silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) (11.8 ± 2.6 nm in diameter), which were stable (non-aggregation) in PBS buffer and inside single living cells. We used the size-dependent localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) spectra of single Ag NPs to determine their sizes and to probe the size-dependent transport kinetics of the ABC (BmrA, BmrA-EGFP) transporters in single living cells (Bacillus subtilis) in real time at nanometer resolution using dark-field optical microscopy and spectroscopy (DFOMS). The results show that the smaller NPs stayed longer inside the cells than larger NPs, suggesting size-dependent efflux kinetics of the membrane transporter. Notably, accumulation and efflux kinetics of intracellular NPs for single living cells depended upon the cellular expression level of BmrA, NP concentrations, and a pump inhibitor (25 μM, orthovanadate), suggesting that NPs are substrates of BmrA transporters and that passive diffusion driven by concentration gradients is the primary mechanism by which the NPs enter the cells. The accumulation and efflux kinetics of intracellular NPs for given cells are similar to those observed using a substrate (Hoechst dye) of BmrA, demonstrating that NPs are suitable probes for study of multidrug membrane transporters of single living cells in real-time. Unlike fluorescent probes, single Ag NPs exibit size-dependent LSPR spectra and superior photostability, enabling them to probe the size-dependent efflux kinetics of membrane transporters of single living cells in real-time for better understanding of multidrug resistance.
An approximation algorithm for the via placement problem

The authors consider the via placement problem that arises in multilayer printed circuit board (MPCB) layout systems. It is shown that this problem can be formulated as an integer linear max-flow problem. Since the integer linear max-flow problem is an NP-complete problem, it is unlikely that one can find an efficient algorithm for its solution. However, a solution to this via placement problem can be obtained by relaxing the integer constraints in the integer linear max-flow problem. A solution to the relaxed linear max-flow problem can be obtained by solving a linear programming problem. The procedure generates in time bounded by a low order polynomial a placement with no more than 2*d/sub OPT/ density, where D/sub OPT/ is the density in an optimal placement. >
Critical appraisal of complement dependent microlymphocytotoxicity assay for detecting donor-specific alloantibody pretransplant—importance of indirect immunofluorescence as a superior alternative

Abstract The ability of complement-dependent microlymphocytotoxicity assay (CdL) to detect and discriminate between the various types of donor-specific alloantibodies was reevaluated. Data obtained with the CdL assay on purified B and T lymphocytes at warm and cold temperatures was compared to other modes of antibody detection, i.e., indirect immunofluorescence (IF) and the noncomplement-dependent antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Additionally, the significance of antibodies as detected by CdL and IF was ascertained by corelating with kidney transplant outcome. It became apparent that the CdL assay identified weaklyreactive HLA- ABC alloantibodies as being B cell specific. Such weakly reactive HLA-ABC antibodies were also not appreciated in the presence of the cold reactive IgM antibody. Accelerated rejections were the rule in the presence of weakly reactive HLA-ABC alloantibodies indicating that their detection was highly important. The IF assay could discriminate between the antibody class. could detect weakly reactive HLA-ABC alloantibodies, and could detect noncomplement fixing antibodies (ADCC). Further, use of IF prevented us from unnecessarily denying transplants to certain recipients when a positive CdL assay resulted from an IgM antibody or poor cell viability.
DISSOLVED ORGANIC PHOSPHORUS EXCRETION BY MARINE PHYTOPLANKTON1,2

SUMMARY The amounts of extracellular dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) produced by 8 species of marine planktonic algae under various conditions of light, salinity, and nutrition were compared. Large amounts, more than 20% of the total P in the system, were excreted by Cyclotella cryptica, Thalassiosira fluviatilis, Dunaliella tertiolecta, and Synechococcus under 1 or more of the experimental conditions. Excretion of DOP was proportional to light intensity in Dunaliella, Rhodomonas, Chlorella sp., and Coccolithus huxleyi. Phosphorus limitation reduced DOP production by Cyclotella and Thalassiosira, nitrogen limitation reduced DOP production by Phaeodactylum, Dunaliella, and Rhodomonas, and lack of iron reduced DOP levels in Cyclotella cultures. Salinity affected growth, but no clear relationship to DOP excretion was evident. The DOP eliminated during growth was reassimilated by the species that produced it and by other species, but lack of alkaline phosphatase reduced the amount of DOP that was available to certain algae.
Towards a biomarker of mammalian senescence: Carbonic anhydrase III

Three proteins (D2, D3, D4) have been identified in the male Fischer 344 rat liver that decrease their concentration dramatically to virtually zero during the transition from physiological maturity to senescence. D3 (Mr 28 kDa), absent (or at a very low concentration) from the livers of newborns and females of all ages, reaches at 60 days (sexual maturity) its maximum concentration, which declines almost linearly thereafter. A homologous protein (CNBr peptide map) occurs in the BALB/c mouse under similar conditions. D3 was purified and since its N-terminal is blocked, digested with CNBr. SDS-PAGE-separated peptides were blotted upon Immobilon and sequenced. The partial sequence matches that of rat carbonic anhydrase III. Treatment of senescent rats with 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone restores D4 completely, yet D2 and D3 only partially, towards their maximum life-time concentration. Thus senescence-related factors (e.g. hepatic androgen receptor) aside from serum testosterone are responsible for the disappearance of the three proteins from the senescent liver.
Analysis of daily and monthly rainfall concentration in Southern Italy (Calabria region)

Summary High percentages of the yearly total precipitation concentration in a few very rainy days can increase the risks of floods and soil instability. In this paper, an investigation of the spatial and temporal patterns of daily and monthly precipitation concentration in Calabria (Southern Italy) has been carried out by means of a homogenous daily precipitation data set. The results show that a very dishomogeneous temporal distribution of the daily rainfall characterizes the eastern side of the region with rain gauges in which one quarter of the rainiest days represents almost three quarters of the total pluviometric amount, and a western side which presents a more homogenous temporal distribution of the rainfall. Moreover, the application of the Mann–Kendall test has shown a clear tendency toward a weaker seasonality of the rainfall distribution.
Accuracy of least squares designed spatial FIR filters for segmentation of images of fluorescence stained cell nuclei

A method for accurate, real-time image segmentation is needed for the development of a fully automated image cytometer that combines the speed and case-of-use of flow cytometry with the detailed morphometry of imaging. Object intensity variation and inherent optical blur make real-time segmentation challenging. The best spatial finite impulse response (FIR) filter, implemented as a convolution, was tested for sharpening edges and creating the required contrast. The filter and threshold segmentation steps were treated as a two-category linear classifier. Best 3 x 3 through 25 x 25 filters were designed utilizing the perceptron criterion and nonlinear least squares, and tested on ten montage images of a combined 1,070 manually segmented DAPI stained cell nuclei. The resulting image contrast, or class separation, led to simple automatic thresholding via the histogram intermodal minimum. Image segmentation accuracy began to plateau at 7 x 7 filters and did not increase above 15 x 15. Little loss in accuracy occurred with application to the images not used for design. This segmentation method provides a systematic, fast and accurate means of creating binary object maps useful for subsequent measurement, processing and cell classification.
Persistence of triazole growth retardants on stem elongation of Rhododendron and Kalmia

Triazole growth retardant chemicals may inhibit stem elongation of woody ornamental species for several years after application. Potted plants of large-leaf Rhododendron catawbiense and Kalmia latifolia were treated with a single spray application of paclobutrazol or uniconazole in the 2nd year from propagation. They were transplanted into the field the next spring. The elongation of stems was measured in the year of application and in the next 2–4 years. Treatments with a wide range of doses were applied in 1991, 1992, or 1995. For all except the most dilute applications, stem elongation was retarded in the year after application. At the highest doses, stem growth was inhibited for 2 years after application. The results were fit to a model of growth regulator action which assumed that stem elongation was inversely related to the amount of growth regulator applied. For paclobutrazol, the dose per plant that inhibited stem elongation half as much as a saturating dose was tenfold that for uniconazole, about 0.5 and 0.05 mg, respectively. For both chemicals, the dose-response coefficient decreased exponentially with time after application, with an exponential time constant of about 2 year−1. A dose of growth regulator which reduced stem elongation by half immediately after application would only inhibit 12% of stem elongation the next year. However, a tenfold greater dose would result in less than half the stem elongation of untreated plants in the next year.
Hybrid position/force control: a correct formulation

This article will show conclusively that "kinematic instability" is not inherent to the hybrid position/force control scheme of robot manipulators but is a result of an incomplete and inap propriate formulation. The inverse of the manipulator Jacobian matrix is identified as causing the kinematic instability of the hybrid position/force control scheme. Linear algebra is used to explain clearly the implications of mapping between vec tor spaces and to reveal why the inverse of the manipulator Jacobian matrix should not be used in hybrid position/force control. A generalized architecture for hybrid position/force control is presented that can influence both joint positions and torques. This generalized formulation also includes the control of redundant manipulators. Some sufficient conditions for kine matic stability are proposed to determine when a system may become unstable without requiring a complete system analysis. A stable hybrid position/force control scheme is given and is demonstrated using an exa...
Deformin, a substance found in Bartonella bacilliformis culture supernatants, is a small, hydrophobic molecule with an affinity for albumin.

Culture supernatants of Bartonella bacilliformis were previously shown to contain a factor, called deforming factor or deformin, which causes deformation and invagination of red cell membranes and formation of intracellular vacuoles. This factor is here shown to be a small water-soluble molecule, approximately 1400 Da as estimated by gel-filtration chromatography. Deforming factor binds tightly to albumin, especially albumin dimers and multimers, present in the growth medium. It can be released from albumin with 50% ethanol and has been partially purified by filtration and HPLC.
Migration-Inhibitory Factor Gene-Deficient Mice Are Susceptible to Cutaneous Leishmania major Infection

MIF gene-deficient mice (MIF 2/2 ) and wild-type (MIF 1/1 ) mice. Following cutaneous L. major infection, MIF 2/2 mice were susceptible to disease and developed significantly larger lesions and greater parasite burdens than MIF 1/1 mice. Interestingly, antigen-stimulated lymph node cells from MIF 2/2 mice produced more interleukin-4 (IL-4) and gamma interferon (IFN-g) than those from MIF 1/1 mice, although the differences were statistically not significant. IFN-g-activated resting peritoneal macrophages from MIF 2/2 mice showed impaired macrophage leishmanicidal activity and produced significantly lower levels of nitric oxide and superoxide in vitro. The macrophages from MIF 2/2 mice, however, produced much more IL-6 than macrophages from wild-type mice. These findings demonstrate that endogenous MIF plays an important role in the development of protective immunity against L. major in vivo. Furthermore, they indicate that the susceptibility of MIF 2/2 mice to L. major infection is due to impaired macrophage leishmanicidal activity rather than dysregulation of Th1 and Th2 responses.
A jackknife-like method for classification and uncertainty assessment of multi-category tumor samples using gene expression information

The use of gene expression profiling for the classification of human cancer tumors has been widely investigated. Previous studies were successful in distinguishing several tumor types in binary problems. As there are over a hundred types of cancers, and potentially even more subtypes, it is essential to develop multi-category methodologies for molecular classification for any meaningful practical application. A jackknife-based supervised learning method called paired-samples test algorithm (PST), coupled with a binary classification model based on linear regression, was proposed and applied to two well known and challenging datasets consisting of 14 (GCM dataset) and 9 (NC160 dataset) tumor types. The results showed that the proposed method improved the prediction accuracy of the test samples for the GCM dataset, especially when t-statistic was used in the primary feature selection. For the NCI60 dataset, the application of PST improved prediction accuracy when the numbers of used genes were relatively small (100 or 200). These improvements made the binary classification method more robust to the gene selection mechanism and the size of genes to be used. The overall prediction accuracies were competitive in comparison to the most accurate results obtained by several previous studies on the same datasets and with other methods. Furthermore, the relative confidence R(T) provided a unique insight into the sources of the uncertainty shown in the statistical classification and the potential variants within the same tumor type. We proposed a novel bagging method for the classification and uncertainty assessment of multi-category tumor samples using gene expression information. The strengths were demonstrated in the application to two bench datasets.
Quantitative Evaluation of an Instrument to Identify Chronic Pain in HIV-Infected Individuals

Abstract A method to rapidly identify the presence of chronic pain would enhance the care of HIV-infected individuals, but such an instrument has not been assessed in this population to date. We assessed the construct validity of the two-question Brief Chronic Pain Questionnaire (BCPQ) in HIV-infected patients by assessing the association between BCPQ responses and known correlates of chronic pain. Participants in the University of Alabama Center for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems cohort completed the BCPQ, along with the EuroQOL to assess physical function, the PHQ-9 to assess depression, and the PHQ-anxiety module to assess anxiety. Among 100 participants, 25% were female, the mean age was 45 (SD 12), 63% were African American, 27% were publicly insured, the median CD4+ T cell count was 572 cells/mm3 (IQR 307–788), and 82% had an undetectable viral load. Participants with chronic pain were more likely to have impaired mobility (43% vs. 12%, p=0.001), difficulty with usual activitie...
Apparent mitochondrial asymmetry in Xenopus eggs.

Cell polarity is manifest along the animal/vegetal axis in eggs of the frog, Xenopus laevis. Along this axis, maternal cytoplasmic components are asymmetrically distributed and are thought to underlie specification of distinct cell fates. To ascertain the molecular identities of such cytoplasmic components, we have used a monoclonal antibody that specifically stains the vegetal hemisphere of Xenopus eggs. The antigenic protein Vp67 (vegetal protein of 67 kDa) was identified through purification and cloning as a Xenopus homolog of the mitochondrial protein dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase, a component of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. The identification of Vp67 as a mitochondrial protein could indicate that populations of mitochondria are asymmetrically distributed in Xenopus eggs.
Metabolic shift in lung alveolar cell mitochondria following acrolein exposure.

Acrolein, an α,β unsaturated electrophile, is an environmental pollutant released in ambient air from diesel exhausts and cooking oils. This study examines the role of acrolein in altering mitochon...
AFFINE-CORRECTED PARADISE: FREE-BREATHING PATIENT-ADAPTIVE CARDIAC MRI WITH SENSITIVITY ENCODING

We propose a real-time cardiac imaging method with parallel MRI that allows for free breathing during imaging and does not require cardiac or respiratory gating. The method is based on the recently proposed PARADISE (patient-adaptive reconstruction and acquisition dynamic imaging with sensitivity encoding) scheme. The new acquisition method adapts the PARADISE k-t space sampling pattern according to an affine model of the respiratory motion. The reconstruction scheme involves multi-channel time-sequential imaging with time-varying channels. All model parameters are adapted to the imaged patient as part of the experiment and drive both data acquisition and cine reconstruction. Simulated cardiac MRI experiments using the realistic NCAT phantom show high quality cine reconstructions and robustness to modeling inaccuracies.
Aggregation and Adherence of Streptococcus sanguis: Role of Human Salivary Immunoglobulin A

Fourteen freshly isolated strains of Streptococcus sanguis were obtained from the dental plaque of five healthy adults. Whole saliva was collected concomitant with the plaque isolates from the five subjects, and a second whole saliva sample was collected 10 weeks later. All possible combinations of the first five saliva samples, the second five saliva samples, and 14 strains of bacteria were tested for aggregation. Of the 140 combinations examined, 108 of 140 (77%) of the strains aggregated with the first saliva samples and 95 of 140 (68%) aggregated with the second saliva samples. Overall, 72% of the strains aggregated with both the first and second saliva samples. Removal of immunoglobulin A (IgA) from these same salivas resulted in 38 of 108 (35%) of the aggregates decreasing in intensity with the first saliva samples and 27 of 95 (29%) of the aggregates decreasing in intensity with the second saliva samples. No aggregates increased in intensity with saliva samples when IgA had been removed. Removal of IgA from saliva also resulted in a mean decrease of 46% in adherence of S. sanguis to hydroxyapatite coated with the IgA-deficient saliva. Several strains of S. sanguis were shown to aggregate strongly with human salivary and colostral IgA. In addition, S. sanguis strain S7 showed a 31% stimulation of adherence to hydroxyapatite precoated with human salivary IgA over the uncoated controls. Stepwise removal of IgA from saliva resulted in a decrease in aggregation intensity from strong (4+) to weak (1+ to 2+). Similarly, the adherence of S. sanguis to hydroxyapatite coated with these saliva samples decreased linearly as the salivary IgA was depleted. Alternatively, the addition of a small quantity of salivary IgA (20 μg/ml) to progressively diluted saliva maintained a high level of adherence and strong aggregation until the saliva dilutions reached between 1:8 in the adherence experiments and 1:32 for the aggregations. These data indicate that salivary IgA may play an important role in the microbial ecology of human dental plaque formation.
Energy Efficiency Analysis of Multistage Cooperation in Sensor Networks

Wireless sensor networks demand the implementation of energy-aware transmission protocols. Recently, cooperative protocols have been suggested for use in sensor networks since they typically require less transmit power than the direct transmission for the same error probability. For sensor networks with short range transmissions, however, the energy consumed in receiving transmissions from cooperative partners may exceed that of transmission energy when using cooperation. Hence it is not clear if such implementation is energy efficient. The objective of this work is to study energy efficiency of multistage cooperative networks that accounts for both the transmission reliability in terms of outage probability and the total network energy consumed (including the transmit as well as receive energy) to achieve this performance. We analyze the effect of node density, network topology and the number of cooperation stages on the energy efficiency of multistage relay networks using numerical results. With respect to serial equidistant network topology, we observe that the largest energy efficiency is obtained with three cooperation stages and just few relays in the medium SNR range while it is best to allocate five cooperation stages and large number of relays when transmit SNR is low. It is also observed that uniform relay distribution, a more practical approach in many scenarios, can improve energy efficiency of sensor network with five cooperation stages and large number of relays.
Coverage analysis for message flows

Application messaging focuses on enabling integration, linking and extension of business applications. This focus has led to intelligent middleware development that encompasses a modular, plug and play components approach to providing an open message broker framework. A message broker is a value-added application-to-application middleware service that comprises one or more software facilities. It is capable of one-to-many, many-to-one and many-to-many message distribution. A message broker further enables one to decompose information transformation and routing requirements into message flows, which are a series of stepwise operations that can be connected using visual composition tools. A message flow is a new programming paradigm that supports message transformation, database integration, message warehousing, and message routing. In this paper we introduce the message flow concept and its execution model. Next, we concentrate on the definition of test adequacy criteria suitable for message flows and the description of a coverage analysis tool, based on the defined coverage criteria. The coverage analysis tool collects execution details from trace files, analyzes them and presents the coverage results to the user in an intuitive manner, both visually and textually.
Expression, purification and mass spectrometric analysis of LIM mineralization protein-1 in human lung epithelial cells.

LIM mineralization protein-1 (LMP-1) is a novel osteoinductive protein that has been cloned and shown to induce bone formation both in vitro and in vivo. Detection and evaluation of the possible presence of carbohydrate structures in LMP-1 is an important regulatory consideration for the therapeutic use of recombinantly expressed protein. The sequence of LMP-1 contains a highly conserved N-terminal PDZ domain and three C-terminal LIM domains. The sequence analysis of LMP-1 predicts two potential N-glycosylation sites and several O-glycosylation sites. Here, we report the cloning and overexpression of LMP-1 in human lung carcinoma (A549) cells. Even though our group already reported the sequence of LMP-1 cDNA, we undertook this work to clarify whether or not the overexpressed protein undergoes any glycosylation in vivo. The expressed full-length recombinant protein was purified and subjected to chemical analysis and internal sequencing. The absence of any hexosamines (Nacetyl glucosamine or N-acetyl galactosamine) in chemical composition analysis of LMP-1 protein revealed that there is little or no post-translational glycosylation of the LMP-1 polypeptide in lung carcinoma cells (A549). We performed in-gel trypsin digestion on purified LMP-1, and the resulting peptide digests were analyzed further using matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization mass spectrometry for peptide mass finger printing, which produced several exact matches with the corresponding LMP-1 peptides. Separation by high performance liquid chromatography and purification of the desired peptides followed by N-terminal sequencing resulted in many exact LMP-1 matches for several purified peptides, thus establishing the identity of the purified protein as LMP-1.
Stimulus structures and mental representations in expert comprehension of computer programs

Abstract Comprehension of computer programs involves detecting or inferring different kinds of relations between program parts. Different kinds of programming knowledge facilitate detection and representation of the different textual relations. The present research investigates the role of programming knowledge in program comprehension and the nature of mental representations of programs; specifically, whether procedural (control flow) or functional (goal hierarchy) relations dominate programmers' mental representations of programs. In the first study, 80 professional programmers were tested on comprehension and recognition of short computer program texts. The results suggest that procedural rather than functional units form the basis of expert programmers' mental representations, supporting work in other areas of text comprehension showing the importance of text structure knowledge in understanding. In a second study 40 professional programmers studied and modified programs of moderate length. Results support conclusions from the first study that programs are first understood in terms of their procedural episodes. However, results also suggest that a programmer's task goals may influence the relations that dominate mental representations later in comprehension.
Intravenous azlocillin kinetics in patients on long‐term hemodialysis

The kinetics of the antipseudomonas penicillin, azlocillin, was studied after intravenous injection in 9 patients with creatinine clearance under 7 ml/min. All were on long-term hemodialysis; 3 were also studied during a dialysis-free period. Kinetic parameters were derived using a 2-compartment open model. The mean serum azlocillin half-life (t½) was 1.93 hr in patients on dialysis and approximately 5 hr off dialysis. Thirty percent of the dose was recovered in the dialysate during a 4-hr period. An approach to the use of azlocillin in patients undergoing dialysis is presented. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1980) 27, 563–566; doi:10.1038/clpt.1980.80
Active-mask coded-aperture imaging

Using MCNP5 code, we modeled an existing coded-aperture, gamma-ray imaging system in order to optimize the thicknesses of its mask and detector elements. We also explored the feasibility of designing an active-mask version of the instrument where the lead elements of the mask are replaced by alkali-halide detectors. The results of these simulations indicate that increasing the detector thickness will improve the instrument's sensitivity, but, surprisingly, the active-mask system is only slightly more sensitive than the passive version.
Interannual variations in vital rates of copepods and euphausiids during the RISE study 2004–2006

[1] The River Influences on Shelf Ecosystems (RISE) program investigated the role of the Columbia River plume in enhancing productivity in the upwelling zone off Washington during four cruises from 2004 to 2006. Measurements of growth rates and brood sizes of euphausiids and egg production rates of copepods were used as indices of secondary production to determine whether these rates differed (1) among cruises as a function of differences in upwelling strength and (2) with latitude, both within the RISE study area and between the coastal waters of Washington and Oregon. Euphausia pacifica growth rates were significantly higher during June 2006 than during July 2004 and June 2005 but not significantly different between the RISE study area and Newport Hydrographic (NH) Line, Oregon. Euphausiid brood sizes were significantly higher during August 2005 than during any other cruise for both E. pacifica and Thysanoessa spinifera; our experiments did not indicate that brood sizes were higher in the northern part of the RISE study region. E. pacifica broods were larger for NH than RISE, but T. spinifera broods were not. Significant differences in egg production rates (EPRs) were found among cruises for both Calanus pacificus and C. marshallae, with higher EPRs during August 2005. EPRs on other cruises were less than half the maximum rates known for these species. EPRs of C. marshallae were similar between RISE and NH; C. pacificus EPRs were significantly higher (lower) in the RISE region in 2005 (2006). Interannual differences in ocean conditions affected zooplankton production more strongly than differences in latitude.
External Validity and Multi-Organization Samples: Levels-of-Analysis Implications of Crowdsourcing and College Student Samples

Here, we expand on Landers and Behrend's (2015) discussion of the external validity of convenience samples. In particular, we note that their focal article failed to mention one important limitation of multi-organization convenience samples (e.g., MTurk samples, student samples): Multi-organization convenience samples tend to confound levels of analysis, which affects the external validity of these samples. Specifically, between-organizations phenomena (i.e., organization-level) and within-organizations phenomena (i.e., individual-level) are distinct and separable (Ostroff, 1993; Robinson, 1950). Unfortunately, multi-organization samples such as those found in MTurk or MBA student samples can confound these two sets of phenomena. The current commentary uses a levels-of-analysis framework to expand on Landers and Behrend's discussion of what external validity is, and then the commentary illustrates how the diversity of convenience samples can actually harm external validity under some common circumstances.
A Novel Method for Thermostat Set Point Prediction for Energy Savings and/or Better Human Thermal Comfort - A Zonal Modelling Approach

AbstractVery often the set point temperature is selected to satisfy comfort requirements and/or to save energy consumption in buildings. However, the thermostat location is usually outside the occupied space and located on the wall near a front door or in a hallway that is subject to warm and cold draughts. A discrepancy exists between the temperature at the thermostat location and the occupied zones.A zonal model has been developed and evaluated using a CFD computer program, to predict thermostat set points for energy savings and/or better human thermal comfort. Two control strategies, temperature set point and Predicted Percent Dissatisfied (PPD) set point, along with three different schemes (i.e., considering a uniform temperature distribution “Uniform-zones”, using the zones of the core of the building “Core-zones”, and using all the zones of the occupied space “Occupied-zones”), have been investigated through four case studies in which several construction types of a one-zone building have been consi...
Discriminating Gourmets, Lovers, and Enophiles? Neural Nets Tell All About Locusts, Toads, and Roaches

Here we consider the issue of choice and how neural systems can be used to investigate the processes of discrimination, as well as the evolution of different kinds of choice-related behavior in animals. We develop these ideas in the context of three studies, among others. The first study is on the evolution of specialization in animals using locust feeding behavior as the leitmotif, where decision making in individuals is modeled by a 3-layer-perceptron. In this study the fitness of individuals depends on their response to signals from plants and the density of individuals using those plants [1]. The second is a study that investigates the evolution of species recognition in sympatric taxa using female mate choice in frogs as the leitmotif [2]. Here individuals are modeled by Elman nets (3-layered perceptrons with feedback) and their fitness is determined by their ability to discriminate conspecifics from heterospecifics. The third is a study of the response characteristics of a recurrent Hopfield-type neural network to input that represents olfactory stimuli. The connectivity of this net reflects the basic architectural features of the neuron in the insect antennal lobe, as typified by cockroaches or bees [3].
Analytical Methods in Flaw Response Modeling and Inversion for EC Testing

A detection sensitivity factor D for eddy current probes is defined on the basis of the routinely used phase discrimination technique for reducing the liftoff effect. Recent analytical models of the probe-flaw interaction for surface breaking cracks are reviewed. These are combined with a spatial Fourier transform theory of liftoff in deducing the general dependence of the sensitivity factor on frequency and probe field shape. The same flaw theory is then used to develop a least squares inversion protocol for determining the length, depth and opening of a surface breaking crack.
RENAL HANDLING OF CREATININE IN NEPHROTIC AND NON-NEPHROTIC PATIENTS

1. The endogenous creatinine/GFR (inulin or free [ 57 Co]cyanocobalamin or [ 125 I]iothalamate) clearance ratios were determined in ninety-nine non-nephrotic patients and subjects and in sixteen nephrotic patients. The clearance ratios of the nephrotic patients were not significantly different from those of the non-nephrotic patients and normal subjects. 2. The clearance ratios increased as the GFR fell from 176 to below 15 ml/min, then decreased toward unity at lower GFR values. 3. In an attempt to explain this biphasic relationship, two further studies were performed. Endogenous creatinine/inulin and [ 14 C]creatinine/inulin clearance ratios were simultaneously determined in seventeen additional patients. The [ 14 C]creatinine/inulin clearance ratio was the larger of the two in all patients with a GFR greater than 15 ml/min. In another group of eight patients with unequal-sized kidneys, who were studied during bilateral ureteral catheterization, the endogenous creatinine/inulin clearance ratios were determined and found not to differ significantly. 4. The three studies suggest that there is significant tubular secretion of creatinine at all levels of renal function. The increasing clearance ratio of endogenous creatinine/GFR as the GFR decreases is not due to increased tubular secretion of creatinine nor a result of a difference in creatinine handling by diseased kidneys, but rather a reflection of the decreasing fraction of non-creatinine chromogen to the total creatinine chromogen. The smaller clearance ratio at a very low GFR would be expected if the maximal tubular secretory rate of creatinine was exceeded.
Nonlinear system input structure identification: two stage fuzzy curves and surfaces

When modeling a complex, poorly defined, nonlinear problem with hundreds of possible inputs, we must identify the significant inputs before any known nonlinear modeling techniques can be applied. We introduce two stage fuzzy curves and surfaces and use them to 1) automatically and quickly order large numbers of inputs according to their significance, 2) eliminate spurious inputs, and 3) eliminate inputs dependent on the significant inputs.
A Hierarchical Framework for Long-Term Power Planning Models

In this paper, we formulate a long-term planning model of transmission line expansion based on balancing investment cost and reducing consumer cost. We achieve this by formulating a hierarchical framework that is sensitive to different agents operating on different timelines, the relationships of which may be competitive, cooperative or somewhere in between. The advantage of this framework is that while it captures the complexity of long-term decision making, it maintains clarity of information flow between models, agents and timelines. For our purposes, we introduce an equilibrium model that combines grid operational concerns with the short-term competitive behavior of generation firms. An iterative solution technique is proposed to provide a Nash solution where each optimization problem is solved globally. This solution is then used to inform an overarching transmission planning model that we solve using derivative-free optimization. Using a de-congested network as a benchmark, numerical results indicate a non-alignment of the objectives of planning and operational entities, whereby easing line congestion may not offer monetary benefits to the wholesale consumer.
Nutritional Ecology of Microtine Rodents: Effects of Plant Extracts on the Growth of Arctic Microtines

This report contains the first experimental evidence showing that plants avoided by herbivorous mammals in the field contain chemicals deleterious to the animals. In northern Alaska, brown lemmings eat primarily sedges, collared lemmings eat primarily willows, and tundra voles eat both sedges and willows. All of these rodents avoid ericaceous evergreen shrubs. When fed ethanol extracts of the most common sedge ( Carex aquatilis ), the most common willow ( Salix puchra ), and the most common evergreen shrub ( Ledum palustre ) the growth rates of weanling animals were consistent with predictions based upon their natural diets. Brown lemmings grew poorly on the Salix extract, collared lemmings grew poorly on the Carex extract, and all three microtines grew poorly and survived poorly on the Ledum extract. We conclude that the forage preferences of these rodents in the field are enforced by the presence of secondary plant compounds and that the microtine species respond differently to the same chemicals.
FRI0308 Reducing gender disparities in willingness to consider total knee replacement (TKR): The impact of a brief educational intervention

Background Studies suggest patients’ willingness to consider TKR for osteoarthritis (OA) varies by gender and that women who undergo TKR have more severe OA and greater functional disability than men at the time of surgery. 1 Objectives To evaluate perceptions of TKR among men and women with knee osteoarthritis and to examine the impact of an educational intervention on changes in expectations of health outcomes following TKR. Methods Patients with moderate to severe knee OA viewed a video about knee OA treatments and subsequently participated in gender-segregated focus groups addressing patients’ questions and concerns regarding TKR. Patients completed baseline and post-intervention questionnaires, which included an adapted Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) to assess post-TKR expectations (0-100 scale with higher scores reflecting worse outcomes). Results At baseline, women (N=78) had poorer post-TKR expectations about pain compared with men (N=58) (26.4 vs. 18.2, respectively, p=0.28). Following the intervention, women’s post-TKR pain expectations fell to levels comparable to male responders (Pre: 26.4 vs. Post: 18.2, p=0.005); whereas men had no significant change in their expectations scores. Women were also more willing to consider TKR after the intervention (Pre: 2.4 vs Post: 3.1, on a 1-5 Likert scale with higher scores reflecting greater willingness; p =0.020), while men had no significant change in their willingness to consider TKR after the video (Pre: 2.4 vs. Post: 2.6). In focus groups, women discussed risks of TKR more frequently than did men. Women also raised the issue that the risks may outweigh the benefits of TKR; whereas men did not raise this concern. In bivariate analysis of all patients, lower WOMAC post-operative expectation pain scores were correlated with an increased willingness to consider surgery ( r =-0.21, p =0.017). Increased risk taking behavior was also associated with increased willingness to consider surgery ( r =0.35, p p =0.003). Conclusions Perceived post-TKR pain outcomes were independently associated with willingness to consider surgery. Improving patient knowledge of TKR through an educational intervention may help reduce gender disparities in expectations of and willingness to consider TKR. References Parsley BS, Bertolusso R, Harrington M, et al. Influence of gender on age of treatment with TKA and functional outcome. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2010;468:1759-64. Disclosure of Interest None Declared
Bulk Combinatorial Synthesis and High Throughput Characterization for Rapid Assessment of Magnetic Materials: Application of Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS™)

A bulk combinatorial approach for synthesizing alloy libraries using laser engineered net shaping (LENS™; i.e., 3D printing) was utilized to rapidly assess material systems for magnetic applications. The LENS™ system feeds powders in different ratios into a melt pool created by a laser to synthesize samples with bulk (millimeters) dimensions. By analyzing these libraries with autosampler differential scanning calorimeter/thermal gravimetric analysis and vibrating sample magnetometry, we are able to rapidly characterize the thermodynamic and magnetic properties of the libraries. The Fe-Co binary alloy was used as a model system and the results were compared with data in the literature.
'Things That Are Not Caesar’s': The Story of Kedroff v. St. Nicholas Cathedral

This chapter, from Foundation Press’s forthcoming volume First Amendment Stories, examines closely the background, context, and implications of the Supreme Court’s underappreciated but highly significant decision in Kedroff v. St. Nicholas Cathedral. It is suggested that Kedroff – like the Steel Seizure case, which was argued and decided during the same year – reminds us of the importance of the structural devices employed in our Constitution to protect liberties and enhance democracy. These devices include, of course, the separation of powers and federalism, as well as the pluralistic principle of church-state separation, correctly understood. As Mark DeWolfe Howe observed, in a short essay published in the Harvard Law Review soon after the Kedroff decision, the Court in that case, by affirming the constitutional basis of church autonomy, engaged “a classic problem of political theory,” that is, the “pluralistic thesis . . . that government must recognize that it is not the sole possessor of sovereignty,” or, as another writer put it, that “Caesar . . . is only Caesar, [and so should] forswear any attempt to demand what is God’s.”
Individual fluctuations in toxin levels affect breeding site fidelity in a chemically defended amphibian

Behaviours that influence habitat selection strongly determine species movement patterns. One component of animal behaviour that largely influences movement patterns and habitat choice is site fide...
Parallel electron force balance and the L-H transition

In one popular paradigm for the L-H transition, energy transfer to the mean flows directly depletes turbulence fluctuation energy, resulting in suppression of the turbulence and a corresponding transport bifurcation. To quantitatively evaluate this mechanism, one must remember that electron parallel force balance couples nonzonal velocity fluctuations with electron pressure fluctuations on rapid timescales, comparable with the electron transit time. For this reason, energy in the nonzonal velocity stays in a fairly fixed ratio to the free energy in electron density fluctuations, at least for frequency scales much slower than electron transit. In order for direct depletion of the energy in turbulent fluctuations to cause the L-H transition, energy transfer via Reynolds stress must therefore drain enough energy to significantly reduce the sum of the free energy in nonzonal velocities and electron pressure fluctuations. At low k⊥, the electron thermal free energy is much larger than the energy in nonzonal velocities, posing a stark challenge for this model of the L-H transition.