cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Some Interhemispheric Comparisons of Medium-Scale Waves in the Lower Stratosphere

Remarkable domination of the summer Southern Hemisphere (SH) circulation by medium-scale features (zonal waves 4-7) has been reported. More recently, it has been shown that these features derive their energy from baroclinic instabilities of the mean state. As one aspect of attempting to further explain the unusual spectral peak and phase-time continuity of the SH waves, the same microwave satellite instrument is used to compare characteristics of medium-scale lower stratospheric temperature waves in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) and SH summertimes. Data from the Tiros-N Microwave Sounding Unit from August 1979 are analyzed here and compared with previous analyses for January 1979 reported by Yu et al. (1983) and others. The interhemispheric comparison reveals that summertime medium-scale waves in the NH do not exhibit the striking phase-time continuity of their SH summer counterparts. In addition, winter NH medium-scale waves are also found to have less phase-time continuity than those in the SH winter. The reason for the interhemispheric difference in maintenance of the medium-scale waves, especially in summertime, remains to be explained.
MHD modeling of magnetotail instability for anisotropic pressure

Results of three-dimensional MHD simulations of magnetotail dynamics with anisotropic pressure are presented. The pressure tensor is assumed to be gyrotropic, satisfying a modified double adiabatic approximation including Ohmic heating. It is found that these constraints tend to stabilize the tail with respect to the resistive tearing instability. Including an increasing level of additional isotropization results in a gradual transition to the fast instability found in an isotropic model, which is discussed for comparison. Possible isotropization mechanisms yielding magnetotail instability are discussed also. The stabilizing anisotropies are found primarily in the plasma sheet boundary region. This fact indicates a possibly important role of isotropization mechanisms operating in this region in destabilizing the magnetotail and initiating a tearing instability without the necessity of changes in fluctuation levels in the neutral sheet.
Pancreatitis, malabsorption, and IgA deficiency in a child with diabetes†

Summary A 5 2/12-year-old diabetic girl developedsigns and symptoms of malabsorption one year after the onset of diabetes. The was found to have atrophic mucosa on small bowel biopsy and responded favorably to a gluten-free diet. Her evaluation also demonstrated the presence of pancreatitis and isolated IgA deficiency.
In vitro study of the direct ovarian effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in the frogs, Rana pipiens and Rana catesbeiana

Ovaries from the leopard frog, Rana pipiens, and bullfrog, R. catesbeiana, were used to study potential direct extrapituitary effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). GnRH alone did not alter steroid secretion from ovaries in either species. Ovarian fragments containing mature follicles from R. pipiens were incubated in several submaximal doses of homologous pituitary homogenate or purified bullfrog luteinizing hormone (LH) together with 1000 ng/ml GnRH. The addition of GnRH failed to alter testosterone (T) or progesterone secretion or germinal vesicle breakdown over a wide dose range of gonadotropin. The effects of supramaximal doses of pituitary homogenate on R. pipiens and the effects of homologous LH on T secretion by fragments of R. catesbeiana ovaries were also unaffected by the presence of GnRH. The lack of a GnRH effect on the dynamics of T secretion in the bullfrog was further confirmed in a superfusion system with homologous pituitary homogenate. This study fails to demonstrate an action of GnRH at the level of the ovary in two ranid species.
Stress-induced atrophy of apical dendrites of hippocampal CA3c neurons: Comparison of stressors

Repeated restraint stress induces an atrophy of apical dendrites of CA3c pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus, but the relationship between stress and adrenocortical activation has not been thoroughly investigated. In order to better understand the relationship between neural and non-neural indices of the severity of stress, we investigated the temporal relationship between CA3c dendritic atrophy and indices of adrenal steroid stress responsiveness. For this purpose, we used two different stress regimens: repeated restraint stress (6 h/day) and a chronic multiple stress paradigm (shaking, restraint and swimming, each day), differing in the degree of adrenal activation produced over 14 and 21 days. Atrophy of dendrites of CA3c neurons was found after 21 days of stress, but not after 14 days, and was of a similar magnitude for both stressors. However, non-neural measures differed between the two stress paradigms: (i) chronic restraint stress caused a significant habituation by day 21 in the corticosterone response to acute restraint, whereas chronic multiple stress exposure was not accompanied by habituation of the corticosterone response to restraint; (ii) chronic restraint stress caused neither adrenal hypertrophy nor thymus atrophy, but did reduce the rate of body weight gain throughout the 21 days, whereas chronic multiple stress caused a transient adrenal hypertrophy (on day 14), delayed suppression of thymus weight (on day 21) and transient reduction of body weight gain (on days 7 and 14, but not on day 21). Thus the non-neural indices of response to stress--although complex in their time course--suggest that the multiple stress regimen is a somewhat more potent chronic stressor for corticosterone and adrenal responses. Yet both stress regimens produced the same degree of apical dendritic atrophy in CA3c pyramidal neurons. These results are consistent with a model in which adrenocortical secretion plays a permissive role in enabling another agent, namely, excitatory amino acids, to produce the final effect.
Source models to account for Lake Mungo palaeomagnetic excursion and their implications

INDICATIONS of large and rapid excursions in the direction of the ancient geomagnetic field continue to create considerable excitement and debate in palaeomagnetic circles. Barbetti and McElhinny1 have published detailed evidence of a remarkable excursion at Lake Mungo, Australia dated at about 30,000 yr ago, on which they had briefly reported previously2. I consider here various simple sources, all in the Earth's outer core, that could account for that excursion—an eccentric radial dipole or current loop, an eccentric horizontal dipole, and a pair of eccentric radial current loops of opposite sign—and discuss the merits of each in light of the modern geomagnetic field and with regard to the magnitude and spatial extent of the anomalous field produced.
Commentary on the journal of Lourens Lourenszoon (1618-1625) and his stay among the Arocouros on the Lower Cassiporé River, Amapá (Brazil)

This commentary presents an overview of the place of Lourens Lourenszoon's account of his captivity among the Arocouros (Palikur) Indians in relation to other contemporary sources on the native peoples of Guyana. In particular the claims as to witnessing of both cannibalism as well as the capture of a 'headless-man' provide a rich context in which to situate broader issues of ethnographic epistemology and eye-witness observation. Such marvels and monstrosities are closely associated with early wring on the Americas and in this way the account of Lourens Lourenszoon is an important addition to the debates on interpretation of historical documents across cultural space. This new translation also provides important demographic and geographical information on the situation of the native population of the Cassipore River and region of Amapa (Brazil) in the early seventeenth century that can inform further archaeological, ethnohistorical and ethnographic investigation.
Generation means analysis of fatty acid composition in peanut.

Optimizing the chemical composition of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) oil is essential for the production of biodiesel. Specifically, increasing the ratio of oleic to linoleic acid (O/L) in peanut oil and reducing the long chain saturated fatty acid concentration (which includes arachidic, behenic, and lignoceric acids) produces high-quality, stable methyl esters for biodiesel. Therefore, elucidating the inheritance of these factors and their relationships in peanut populations segregating for high oil is critical. The F1, F2, and backcross generations derived from two crosses, both involving a high oil concentration, low O/L runner breeding line (31-08-05-02) and two high O/L, normal oil concentration, adapted runner genotypes (Tamrun OL01 and Tamrun OL07), were evaluated in College Station, Texas, in 2010. The results from generation means analysis confirm that the high-oleic trait is under simple genetic control and can be manipulated through breeding and selection. Most fatty acids were controlled prima...
Maximizing the Wildlife Conservation Value of Road Right-of-Ways in an Agriculturally Dominated Landscape

There has been a growing recognition that the narrow linear strips of uncultivated vegetation that lie between roads and agricultural crops, referred to as roadside right-of-ways or verges, can serve as areas for the conservation of wildlife. The features of right-of-ways that should influence the composition of wildlife communities vary considerably. Our goal was to determine what features of right-of-ways increased the conservation potential of right-of-ways for wildlife in a grassland system dominated by agricultural production. We sampled 100 right-of-ways for birds and 92 right-of-ways for small mammals in McDonough and Warren Counties in west-central Illinois. We found that the sizes of right-of-ways and the amount of traffic on the adjacent roads synergistically worked to influence wildlife communities. On roads with low traffic, avian species richness increased rapidly with increased right-of-way width, while on roads with high traffic, avian richness increased only slightly with increasing right-of-way widths. We found that wider roadside right-of-ways (preferably across the road from equally wide right-of-ways) with thicker and taller vegetation had the greatest conservation value for birds and small mammals. The features that enhanced the conservation value of right-of-ways in our study area were uncommon. Efforts to create or enhance these features for the benefit of wildlife would likely face numerous obstacles. Nonetheless, from a grassland conservation perspective, working with stakeholders to implement specific strategies to enhance these often neglected areas may be an effective complement to purchasing and restoring conservation lands away from roads.
Vinyl chloride contamination: The hidden threat

Abstract Vinyl chloride - an established human carcinogen - has been found in groundwater and in gases emitted from sanitary landfills. In many cases, the chemical itself was not placed in those locations and its origin is unknown. This paper presents and analyses a number of possible origins. The two most likely include biotransformation and chemical reaction. Biotransformation leading to a vinyl chloride end product has been observed in the laboratory. The analysis shows chemical reaction resulting in the formation of vinyl chloride might be favored in certain instances. The results suggest that further research, particularly focusing on these two routes, could shed light on the processes of vinyl chloride formation in the environment.
Celebrification of a pawn star

As interest in celebrities and celebrity culture has increased in the last two decades, most sociological studies have focused on the role of mass media, pathological fandom, or celebrities as commodities. Very few studies have examined the process of how individuals develop or obtain celebrity status. Even fewer studies have considered issues of fame and status from the point of the view of celebrities themselves. This paper attempts to uncover the process of ‘celebrification’ by investigating the case of one of the experts from the History Channel’s popular show Pawn Stars, ‘Mark from the County Museum’. Using participant observation, interviews, and autoethnography, I show how Mark became first a demi-celebrity who is recognisable yet approachable and, in the last year, a recognised celebrity. I examine his newfound and unintended status and how it has impacted his everyday life as well as the lives of his friends, family, and co-workers.
Treatment of epilepsy in postmenopausal women

Menopausal women represent a rapidly growing proportion of the population. Epidemiologic evidence for the increased incidence of epilepsy in elderly patients suggests that with global aging of the population, there is likely to be a growing need for healthcare workers to manage seizures in older women. Unfortunately, there has been relatively little scientific investigation into the unique concerns of postmenopausal woman with epilepsy. There is some evidence that women may experience increased seizure activity during the menopausal transition owing to the effects of estrogen and progesterone on neuronal excitability. During perimenopause and menopause, use of hormone-replacement therapy can also worsen seizure control. Menopausal women are particularly vulnerable to osteoporosis and fragility fractures, both of which demonstrate increased risk following exposure to antiepileptic drugs. Optimization of epilepsy therapy to avoid both seizures and falls caused by antiepileptic drug-induced imbalance is cruc...
Modeling Tick-Borne Disease: A Metapopulation Model

Recent increases in reported outbreaks of tick-borne diseases have led to increased interest in understanding and controlling epidemics involving these transmission vectors. Mathematical disease models typically assume constant population size and spatial homogeneity. For tick-borne diseases, these assumptions are not always valid. The disease model presented here incorporates non-constant population sizes and spatial heterogeneity utilizing a system of differential equations that may be applied to a variety of spatial patches. We present analytical results for the one patch version and find parameter restrictions under which the populations and infected densities reach equilibrium. We then numerically explore disease dynamics when parameters are allowed to vary spatially and temporally and consider the effectiveness of various tick-control strategies.
Ethanol selection in wild-trapped agouti and laboratory albino Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus).

Abstract Wild-caught agouti Norway rats and Wistar albino Norway rats were habituated to the laboratory setting for 2 months and then given an ad lib 2-bottle choice of water and ethanol solution at concentrations of 1–17%, increasing 1% on consecutive days. Wistar rats displayed their typical preference for low concentrations and strong avoidance of high concentrations of ethanol, but the wild rats showed only a weak aversion for the highest ethanol concentrations. The results are discussed with reference to the higher metabolism, larger adrenal glands, and relative inflexibility of wild rats observed in previous comparisons with laboratory rats.
Tracking Respondents in a Telephone Interview Panel Selected by Random Digit Dialing

Although telephone interview surveys using random digit dialing to select the sample are increasingly being used, little is known about tracking a panel of respondents selected using this method. This article reports on a three-year panel study of 2032 married respondents selected using a national random digit dialing sample. Of the original sample, 78% was reinterviewed three years later. Tracking procedures used are described in detail and the success of various strategies are reported. Overall, the findings suggest that with proper planning and tracking, panel studies based on random digit dialing samples can yield samples comparable to those gathered by more traditional methods.
DELAYED FEEDINGS FAILS TO PREVENT NECROTIZING ENTEROCOLITIS IN VERY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT NEONATES

To test the hypothesis that delayed feedings would lower the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in infants less than 1500 g, we compared the incidence of NEC in two matched groups of newborns. High risk infants (38) were selected from 160 consecutive admissions over a 1 year period, based on cumulative risk scoring of their illness during the first 3 days of life. One group (N=20) was held NPO for two weeks, receiving nutrition parenterally, while the other (N=18) was begun on incremental enteral feedings of dilute infant formula or breast milk. During the first 14 days of life the incidence of NEC in the NPO group was 40% (8/20) compared to 5% (1/18) in the fed group (p<0.02). The incidence of NEC in the second 14 days of life, when all infants were receiving enteral nutrition, was 16% (2/12) and 17% (3/17) for the NPO and fed groups respectively. After 28 days, an additional 20% (2/10) of the originally NPO group acquired NEC, while there were no further cases in the fed group (0/14). Overall, the incidence of NEC was 60% (12/20) in those infants held NPO early in life and 22% (4/18, p<0.02) for those fed early in life (initiation of feedings x= 7 ±2, range 4-11 days). In other words, of the cases of NEC observed, 56% (9/16) occurred in infants who were never fed. These data show that being held NPO for 2 weeks postnatally does not lower the incidence of NEC and in fact may promote its occurrence. Thus, early dilute, incremental feedings may paradoxically serve to protect the immature gut.
A Ring-Oscillator-Based Reliability Monitor for Isolated Measurement of NBTI and PBTI in High- k /Metal Gate Technology

Ring-oscillator-based test structures that can separately measure the negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) and positive bias temperature instability (PBTI) degradation effects in digital circuits are presented for high- k metal gate devices. The mathematical derivation also shows that the structure for frequency degradation measurement can directly be used for estimating the portion of the NBTI and PBTI in the conventional ring oscillator. The proposed test structures including frequency degradation sensing circuitry have been implemented in an experimental high- k /metal gate SoI process.
[3H] CGP 39653 Binding to the Agonist Site of the N‐Methyl‐ D‐Aspartate Receptor Is Modulated by Mg2+ and Polyamines Independently of the Arcaine‐Sensitive Polyamine Site

This study investigated the binding of [3H]CGP 39653, a novel high-affinity antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) recognition site of the NMDA receptor complex. [3H]CGP 39653 bound to the NMDA receptor in well washed rat brain membranes with an affinity of about 15 nM. Other NMDA site drugs inhibited [3H]CGP 39653 binding with the following order of potency: DL-(tetrazol-5-yl)glycine > glutamate > CGS 19755 > DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (DL-AP5) > NMDA. Glycine and 5,7-dichlorokynurenate partially inhibited binding. The polyamines spermine and spermidine increased [3H]CGP 39653 binding (EC50 values of 10 and 22 microM, respectively). This effect was mimicked by arcaine, 1,5-diethylaminopiperidine, diaminodecane, diethylenetriamine, and Mg2+. The increase in [3H]CGP 39653 was a result of an increased affinity of the binding site for the ligand with very little effect on binding site density. Spermine and Mg2+ also increased the affinity of the antagonists DL-AP5 and CGS 19755, but had only minor effects on the affinity of glutamate and NMDA. Arcaine did not reverse the enhancement of [3H]CGP 39653 binding by spermine, spermidine, or Mg2+. Channel-blocking dissociative anesthetics, including dizocilpine and ketamine, did not alter basal or Mg(2+)-stimulated [3H]CGP 39653 binding. Spermine did not alter either the enhancement of [3H]dizocilpine by glutamate or the inhibition of [3H]dizocilpine by DL-AP5 or CGS 19755. These studies show that polyamines and divalent cations selectively enhance the affinity of antagonists for the agonist binding site on the NMDA receptor complex. However, this effect is mediated by a site independent of the primary polyamine site defined using [3H]dizocilpine binding.
Epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation in angiotensin II-induced signaling: role of cholesterol-rich microdomains.

Abstract Angiotensin II (Ang II), the major effector peptide of the renin–angiotensin system, stimulates growth and proliferation responses in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and other target cells, in which Ang II-induced MAP kinase activation is predominantly mediated by transactivation of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGF-Rs). Recent studies indicate that cholesterol-rich microdomains such as caveolae and their structural protein, caveolin-1, have an important role in regulating the transactivation of EGF-R by Ang II. Cholesterol depletion abolishes Ang II-induced phosphorylation of both EGF-R and protein kinase B/Akt, but has no such effects after EGF stimulation. Activated EGF-R and tyrosine phosphorylated caveolin are localized in focal adhesions. This not only reveals a unique scaffolding role of caveolin in EGF-R transactivation by Ang II, but also shows that cholesterol-rich microdomains, in addition to focal adhesion sites, are important cellular compartments in the spatial and temporal organization of Ang II-induced AT 1 -R signaling in VSMCs.
A set of genes selectively expressed in murine dendritic cells: utility of related cis-acting sequences for lentiviral gene transfer

Abstract Professional antigen presenting cells such as dendritic cells (DC) and macrophages (Mφ) share similar characteristics; however, they differ in their ability to initiate an immune response. DCs are much more potent in priming and stimulating naive T-cells. Thus, DCs are good targets for the expression of foreign genes to elicit and specifically modify immune responses. To identify DC markers cDNA subtraction was performed using murine MHC class IIhigh, B7high bone marrow derived DCs as tester and interferon-γ/E. coli lipopolysaccaride (LPS) treated bone marrow derived macrophages as driver. Analysis of 114 resulting clones revealed a diverse pattern of DC selective (DCΔMφ) gene expression including known genes whose expression in DCs had not been previously demonstrated as well as multiple novel genes. For several identified DCΔMφ genes, proximal promoter elements were isolated and incorporated into self-inactivating lentiviral GFP reporter vectors. Promoter activity was measured in bone marrow derived macrophages or dendritic cells. Of the promoters analyzed those for B7-DC and CCL17 drove strong GFP expression in DCs but not in resting or activated macrophages. The CCL17 promoter offered the highest level of expression in DCs and was further activated by culture with LPS or interleukin-4 (IL-4). In contrast, the B7-DC promoter was induced by IL-4 but not by LPS. Endogenous CCL17 and B7-DC mRNAs were increased similarly in IL-4 cultured DCs but only CCL17 was induced by LPS. Additionally, IL-4 increased cell surface expression of B7-DC in both immature and mature DCs.
Looking into the Nation's Heart: Gloria Rolando's Approximation to 1912

short, we get no real sense that the Foster family has made any headway in terms of colonizing their space within their host country. Finally, though the film certainly throws some light on the Foster family genealogy, one is not sure that for the young narrator Pablo Eliott Foster Carrion, it would have resolved the issue of helping him to embrace his multiple identities. In the end, the film made a more pow erful case for assimilation to the American cultural mainstream, than it made for the articulation of cultural differences. The real contribution
A Novel Synthetic Method for Hybridoma Cell Encapsulation

We report here what we believe is the first example of the encapsulation of hybridoma cells within a synthetic polymer by a simple gelation with dissolved cations in water, and at room temperature. Two lines of hybridoma cells were encapsulated within calcium cross-linked polyphosphazene gel microbeads without affecting their viability or their capability to produce antibodies. Interaction of these gel beads with the positively-charged polyelectrolyte, poly(L-lysine), of 102-kD molecular weight, produced a semipermeable membrane that was capable of retaining the cell-secreted antibodies inside the beads. Cell density increased 3.5-fold within 13 days concomitant with a 6.4-fold increase in antibody production. These synthetic membranes have the potential to aid in protein recovery schemes.
Anterior fixation of the axis.

BACKGROUND Although anterior fixation of the axis is not commonly performed, plate fixation of C2 is an important technique for treating select upper cervical traumatic injuries and is also useful in the surgical management of spondylosis. OBJECTIVE To report the technique and outcomes of C2 anterior plate fixation for a series of patients in which the majority presented with symptomatic degenerative spondylosis. METHODS Forty-six consecutive patients underwent single or multilevel fusions over a 7-year period; 30 of these had advanced degenerative disease manifested by myelopathy or deformity. Exposure was achieved with rostral extension of the standard anterior cervical exposure via careful soft tissue dissection, mobilization of the superior thyroid artery, and the use of a table-mounted retractor. It was not necessary to remove the submandibular gland, section the digastric muscle, or make additional skin incisions. RESULTS Screws were placed an average of 4.6 mm (+/- 2.3 mm) from the inferior C2 endplate with a mean sagittal trajectory of 15.7 degrees (+/- 7.6 degrees). Short- and long-term procedure-related mortality was 4.4%, and perioperative morbidity was 8.9%. Patients remained intubated an average of 2.5 days following surgery. Dysphagia was initially reported by 15.2% of patients but resolved by the 8th postoperative week in all patients. Arthrodesis was achieved in all patients available for long-term follow-up. Multilevel fusions were not associated with longer hospitalization or morbidity. CONCLUSION Anterior plate fixation of the axis for degenerative disease can be accomplished with acceptable morbidity employing an extension of the standard anterolateral route.
Biomechanical impairments and gait adaptations post-stroke: Multi-factorial associations

Understanding the potential causes of both reduced gait speed and compensatory frontal plane kinematics during walking in individuals post-stroke may be useful in developing effective rehabilitation strategies. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to select the combination of paretic limb impairments (frontal and sagittal plane hip strength, sagittal plane knee and ankle strength, and multi-joint knee/hip torque coupling) which best estimate gait speed and compensatory pelvic obliquity velocities at toeoff. Compensatory behaviors were defined as deviations from control subjects’ values. The gait speed model (n=18; p=0.003) revealed that greater hip abduction strength and multi-joint coupling of sagittal plane knee and frontal plane hip torques were associated with decreased velocity; however, gait speed was positively associated with paretic hip extension strength. Multi-joint coupling was the most influential predictor of gait speed. The second model (n=15; p<0.001) revealed that multi-joint coupling was associated with increased compensatory pelvic movement at toeoff; while hip extension and flexion and knee flexion strength were associated with reduced frontal plane pelvic compensations. In this case, hip extension strength had the greatest influence on pelvic behavior. The analyses revealed that different yet overlapping sets of single joint strength and multi-joint coupling measures were associated with gait speed and compensatory pelvic behavior during walking post-stroke. These findings provide insight regarding the potential impact of targeted rehabilitation paradigms on improving speed and compensatory kinematics following stroke.
An Agenda for Future Research on IT and Product Development

As the nature and process of innovation have changed drastically in the past several years, so has the role of information technology (IT) in supporting the innovation activities. The objective of this book has been to examine the issues related to the application of IT in product/service development from multiple disciplinary and theoretical perspectives. The various chapters have considered a wide range of issues including the business value of IT applications, PLM implementation, virtual teams, customer co-innovation, and knowledge management systems. The discussions in these chapters identified several issues for future research related to the different topics. In this concluding chapter, I identify and discuss some of the broader research themes that have emerged from the different chapters. By identifying these broader themes, I hope to bring a sharper focus on and lay out a rich and promising agenda for future research on IT and product development.
Montane meadow hydropedology, plant community, and herbivore dynamics

Montane meadows provide multiple ecological and economic benefits, and are widely considered areas of high conservation value. There is growing interest in balancing multiple land-uses on these and other focal working landscapes to provide for economic, social, and conservation goals. Globally, livestock grazing has been used as a management and conservation tool in many ecosystems; however, there is substantial concern—particularly for montane meadows—that grazing negatively impacts ecosystem functions and services. The mechanisms by which excessive livestock grazing can degrade meadow function have been well documented; yet, for hydrologically functional meadow systems, we know little about meadow-scale linkages in the hydrologic-soil-plant-grazing animal continuum, which limits our ability to develop riparian grazing conservation strategies. We conducted a cross-sectional, observational survey of hydrology, soils, plant communities, and cattle forage resource use across 24 functional montane meadows of the central Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in California, USA. By linking principles of plant community ecology and foraging theory, we were able to unravel relationships and drivers between hydropedologic conditions, plant community characteristics, and cattle grazing patterns. Our work demonstrates that hydrology is a critical driving factor of cattle foraging response, plant community attributes, and soil properties across these wetland ecosystems. Results indicate that these systems are resilient to the observed gradient of grazing disturbances. This information advances our understanding of how meadow-scale heterogeneity can be utilized in managing for multiple, and potentially conflicting, ecosystem services across working landscapes—particularly in the face of projected future climate changes and continually limited resources to support conservation and restoration projects.
The possibility for surface plasmons lasers

We have demonstrated for the first time, attributes of a surface plasmons’ laser: threshold, gain, spectral line narrowing and feedback in the visible range. The surface metallic waveguides were consisted of a nano-scale hole-array in a 50 nm thick layer of aluminum oxide on top of aluminum substrate (anodized aluminum oxide or, AAO). In some cases, two-layer graphene was added on top of the perforated oxide layer, as well. The sub-wavelength array of holes enabled coupling to and from the waveguides as well as, providing feedback to the surface modes. The gain media molecules (fluorescein) were imbedded in the structure’s pores. Threshold and spectral line narrowing of 30% were clearly demonstrated when pumped with a pulsed laser.
Adaptive Parametric Identification Scheme for a Class of Nondeteriorating and Deteriorating Nonlinear Hysteretic Behavior

The adaptive parametric identification of deteriorating and nondeteriorating nonlinear hysteretic phenomena is considered using a generalization of Masing model based on the observed memory behavior of distributed element models. The model permits a parametric identification to be performed using nonlinear optimization techniques for arbitrary response time histories. A changing objective function, defined as the normalized force estimation error over a shifting window of recent data, is employed so that classic nonlinear optimization techniques can be used for the adaptive identification problem. A variation of the steepest descent method is used with significant modifications. To achieve the best performance for any given problem, a set of a priori numeric tests are suggested to design the identification scheme. The design identification scheme exhibits a very good performance in identifying the correct values of the parameters and is rather robust in dealing with noise. The proposed approach has applications to adaptive identification of much wider types of nonlinear rate-dependent hysteretic behavior. Also, the set of guidelines proposed by the authors is a contribution toward having more effective autonomous identification schemes, using minimal information about the model and input.
Enhancement of Thermopower of TAGS-85 High-Performance Thermoelectric Material by Doping with the Rare Earth Dy

Enhancement of thermopower is achieved by doping the narrow-band semiconductor Ag6.52Sb6.52Ge36.96Te50 (acronym TAGS-85), one of the best p-type thermoelectric materials, with 1 or 2% of the rare earth dysprosium (Dy). Evidence for the incorporation of Dy into the lattice is provided by X-ray diffraction and increased orientation-dependent local fields detected by 125Te NMR spectroscopy. Since Dy has a stable electronic configuration, the enhancement cannot be attributed to 4f-electron states formed near the Fermi level. It is likely that the enhancement is due to a small reduction in the carrier concentration, detected by 125Te NMR spectroscopy, but mostly due to energy filtering of the carriers by potential barriers formed in the lattice by Dy, which has large both atomic size and localized magnetic moment. The interplay between the thermopower, the electrical resistivity, and the thermal conductivity of TAGS-85 doped with Dy results in an enhancement of the power factor (PF) and the thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) at 730 K, from PF = 28 μW cm−1 K−2 and ZT ≤ 1.3 in TAGS-85 to PF = 35 μW cm−1 K−2 and ZT ≥ 1.5 in TAGS-85 doped with 1 or 2% Dy for Ge. This makes TAGS-85 doped with Dy a promising material for thermoelectric power generation.
Collaborative approaches to environmental health and safety programs at the Virginia Microelectronics Center

The Virginia Microelectronics Center (VMC) introduced microelectronic research and education to Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and posed a unique set of health and safety challenges. In order to address these issues, a collaborative safety approach was developed among the VCU School of Engineering (SOE) faculty and staff, VCU's Office of Environmental Health and Safety (OEHS), Facilities Management, and local industrial partners (Motorola Inc. and White Oak Semiconductor Inc.). Many of the issues that this group addressed are outlined in this paper-hazardous materials management, chemical waste disposal, environmental monitoring, and safety training. This collaborative approach to health and safety brought together an array of expertise that produced innovative solutions to complex hazards. These solutions provided for a safe and healthful education/research environment but not at the expense of efficiently functioning cleanrooms.
Temperature dependence of Henry's law constants of thirteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons between 4°C AND 31°C

An understanding of the temperature dependence of the Henry's law constant for organic contaminant is critical when modeling the transport and fate of these contaminants in the environment. The Henry's law constants for 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were experimentally determined between 4 and 31 C using a gas-stripping apparatus. The Henry's law constants ranged between 0.02 {+-} 0.01 Pa m{sup 3}/mol for chrysene at 4 C and 73.3 {+-} 20 Pa m{sup 3}/mol for 2-methylnaphthalene at 31 C. The temperature dependence of each PAH was modeled using the van't Hoff equation to calculate the enthalpy and entropy of phase change. For nine of the PAHs, the present study reports the first experimental measured temperature dependence of their Henry's law constant. The enthalpies of phase change ranged between 35.4 {+-} 1.9 kJ/mol for 1-methylphenanthrene and 100 {+-} 8 kJ/mol for chrysene. These data can be used to extrapolate Henry's law values within the experimental temperature ranges. For all PAHs except benzo[a]fluorene, the temperature dependence can be predicted within a relative standard error {lt}10%.
Correlation between sensory and instrumental measurements of standard and crisp‐texture southern highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L. interspecific hybrids)

BACKGROUND Fruit texture is a primary selection trait in southern highbush blueberry (SHB) breeding to increase fresh fruit postharvest quality and consumer acceptance. A novel crisp fruit texture has recently been identified among SHB germplasm. In this study, we developed a common set of descriptors that align sensory evaluation of blueberry fruit texture with instrumental measures that could be used for quantitative measurements during pre- and postharvest evaluation. RESULTS Sensory and instrumental characteristics were measured in 36 and 49 genotypes in 2010 and 2011, respectively. A trained sensory panel evaluated fresh fruit based on five common textural attributes in 2010 and 2011: bursting energy, flesh firmness, skin toughness, juiciness and mealiness. Instrumental measures of compression and bioyield forces were significantly different among cultivars and correlated with sensory scores for bursting energy, flesh firmness and skin toughness (R > 0.7, except skin toughness in 2011), but correlations with sensory scores for juiciness and mealiness were low (R < 0.4). CONCLUSION The results of sensory and instrumental measures supported the use of both compression and bioyield force measures in distinguishing crisp from standard-texture genotypes, and suggest that crisp texture in SHB is related to the sensory perception of bursting energy, flesh firmness and skin toughness. © 2014 The Authors. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Iris template generation with parallel logic

Modern iris recognition algorithms can be computationally intensive, yet are designed for traditional sequential processing elements, such as a personal computer. However, a parallel processing alternative using field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) offers an opportunity to speed up iris recognition. Within the means of this project, iris template generation with directional filtering, which is a computationally expensive, yet parallel portion of a modern iris recognition algorithm, is parallelized on an FPGA system. We will present a performance comparison of the parallelized algorithm on the FPGA system to a traditional CPU-based version. The parallelized template generation outperforms an optimized C++ code version determining the information content of an iris approximately 324 times faster.
Intersections of Political and Moral Development

This paper describes a study of 21 college-level courses and programs that led to significant gains in participants’ political knowledge, skills, and motivation. The paper considers the ways that these students encountered ethical issues and explores the relationship of ethical dimensions, such as idealism and cynicism, to political learning. The study suggests that educational attention to the moral dimensions of politics can strengthen the depth and resilience of political commitment as well as support more ethically thoughtful and sophisticated political engagement.
Design of a Distributed Protocol for Proportional Fairness in Wireless Body Area Networks

We study a distributed protocol for time-division multiple access (TDMA) with applications in wireless body area networks. Our scheme is derived from a bio-inspired algorithm known as Pulse-Coupled Oscillator, in which each node in the network update its state based on its knowledge of the neighborhood. The protocol we propose is suitable for negotiation of a shared resource in a distributed manner, and is adaptive to changes in the network size or in the nodes'' demands. We discuss the implementation of such scheme from an application perspective, and discuss the impact of the physical layer on its performance.
Differential reactivity of Cu(111) and Cu(100) during nitrate reduction in acid electrolyte

The interactions of nitrate with Cu(100) and Cu(111) in acidic solution are studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and in situ electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (EC-STM). CV results show that reduction of nitrate on Cu(111) commences at 0.0 V vs. Ag/AgCl while the corresponding potential is −0.3 V on Cu(100). EC-STM images show that the terrace of both Cu(111) and Cu(100) are atomically flat at potentials more negative than −0.7 V. The Cu(100) surface exhibits flat terraces throughout the entire cathodic potential range. Close to OCP, step edges start to corrode. In contrast to Cu(100), the first layer of Cu(111) is converted to an atomically rough and defected surface—associated with nascent surface oxidation at potentials positive of −0.7 V. This surface oxidation is correlated with nitrate reduction.
The uniform standards initiative

In the USA two events have occurred (or are occurring) that are of interest: the revision of the military standards and the procedures being adopted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the measurement of ITE and other devices. Along with this activity there has been some implicit reexamination of traditional EMC measurement procedures. Limit setting procedures have also been under reexamination, but not nearly as extensively. The Accredited Standards Committee C63 has initiated a program whose ultimate objective is to establish uniform test procedures and rationales for setting limits. This effort is being implemented through its direct participation in international, military, FCC. and its own standards efforts. The purpose of this study is to outline the status of the work and indicate the work involved in reaching its overall objective. >
Supersonic Aerodynamic Characteristics of Monoplanar Missiles with Low-Profile Quadriform Tails

Wind-tunnel tests were conducted on monoplanar circular missile configurations with low-profile quadriform tail fins to provide an aerodynamic data base to study and evaluate air-launched missile candidates for efficient conformal carriage on supersonic-cr uise-type aircraft. The tests were conducted in the NASA Langley Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel at Mach numbers 1.70-2.86 for a constant Reynolds number per foot of 2.00 x 10 6. Selected test results are presented to show the effects of tail-fin dihedral angle, wing longitudinal and vertical location, and nose-body strakes on the static longitudinal and lateral-directional aerodynamic stability and control characteristics.
Clinical features, management, and prognosis of spontaneous coronary artery dissection

Background—Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an acute coronary event of uncertain origin. Clinical features and prognosis remain insufficiently characterized. Methods and Results—A retrospective single-center cohort study identified 87 patients with angiographically confirmed SCAD. Incidence, clinical characteristics, treatment modalities, in-hospital outcomes, and long-term risk of SCAD recurrence or major adverse cardiac events were evaluated. Mean age was 42.6 years; 82% were female. Extreme exertion at SCAD onset was more frequent in men (7 of 16 versus 2 of 71; P<0.001), and postpartum status was observed in 13 of 71 women (18%). Presentation was ST-elevation myocardial infarction in 49%. Multivessel SCAD was found in 23%. Initial conservative management (31 of 87) and coronary artery bypass grafting (7 of 87) were associated with an uncomplicated in-hospital course, whereas percutaneous coronary intervention was complicated by technical failure in 15 of 43 patients (35%) and 1 death. ...
Prediction accuracy of a sample-size estimation method for ROC studies.

Rationale and Objectives Sample-size estimation is an important consideration when planning a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) study. The aim of this work was to assess the prediction accuracy of a sample-size estimation method using the Monte Carlo simulation method. Materials and Methods Two ROC ratings simulators characterized by low reader and high case variabilities (LH) and high reader and low case variabilities (HL) were used to generate pilot data sets in two modalities. Dorfman-Berbaum-Metz multiple-reader multiple-case (DBM-MRMC) analysis of the ratings yielded estimates of the modality-reader, modality-case, and error variances. These were input to the Hillis-Berbaum (HB) sample-size estimation method, which predicted the number of cases needed to achieve 80% power for 10 readers and an effect size of 0.06 in the pivotal study. Predictions that generalized to readers and cases (random-all), to cases only (random-cases), and to readers only (random-readers) were generated. A prediction-accuracy index defined as the probability that any single prediction yields true power in the 75%–90% range was used to assess the HB method. Results For random-case generalization, the HB-method prediction-accuracy was reasonable, ∼ 50% for five readers and 100 cases in the pilot study. Prediction-accuracy was generally higher under LH conditions than under HL conditions. Under ideal conditions (many readers in the pilot study) the DBM-MRMC–based HB method overestimated the number of cases. The overestimates could be explained by the larger modality-reader variance estimates when reader variability was large (HL). The largest benefit of increasing the number of readers in the pilot study was realized for LH, where 15 readers were enough to yield prediction accuracy >50% under all generalization conditions, but the benefit was lesser for HL where prediction accuracy was ∼36% for 15 readers under random-all and random-reader conditions. Conclusion The HB method tends to overestimate the number of cases. Random-case generalization had reasonable prediction accuracy. Provided about 15 readers were used in the pilot study the method performed reasonably under all conditions for LH. When reader variability was large, the prediction-accuracy for random-all and random-reader generalizations was compromised. Study designers may wish to compare the HB predictions to those of other methods and to sample-sizes used in previous similar studies.
A wireless, smart EEG system for volitional control of lower-limb prosthesis

Smooth and convenient user control of prostheses is critical to restore motor and cognitive functions in amputees. This study aims to develop a smart system supporting volitional control of prostheses directly from user' thought without any interface manipulation. An ultra-portable, wireless-enabled, and low powered device prototype was developed to amplify and process multi-channel electroencephalography (EEG) signals in real-time. Signal processing and machine learning algorithms were designed to decode user's volition from EEG signals and subsequently to command prosthetic devices. A feasibility test was conducted on an amputee user with right leg amputation. Preliminary results showed that the amputee user was able to volitionally control a knee-locker installed on the prosthetic leg at a sensitive rate of 83.5% with zero false positive detections in real-time. Future study will be directed to support multifunctional, volitional control of robotic prostheses.
Review of Brewing, 2nd ed., by M. J. Lewis and T. W. Young.

When you open a bottle of beer, chances are you haven't given much thought to how it was made, where the ingredients came from, or the fermentation processes involved in the creation of the finishe...