cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pacing strategy during the final stage of a self-paced $$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2\hbox{max} }$$ (SPV) test does not affect maximal oxygen uptake

Self-paced $$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2\hbox{max} }$$ tests (SPVs) have shown to produce maximal oxygen consumption values similar to those from traditional protocols. These tests involve perceptually regulated stages in which subjects are asked to maintain rating of perceived exertion values of 11, 13, 15, 17 and 20 for 2 min each. What is not clear is how the last stage should be paced. The purpose of this study was to compare two different pacing strategies during the final stage. Fourteen healthy, recreationally active individuals (11 men, 3 women) participated in a familiarization and two experimental laboratory visits. For both lab visits, a treadmill-based SPV was performed. In one of these SPVs, an aggressive pacing strategy was used; in the other, a conservative strategy was implemented. $$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2\hbox{max} }$$ , HR, $$\dot{V}_{\text{E}}$$ , $$\dot{V}{\text{CO}}_{2}$$ and RER were recorded and compared between conditions. There were no differences in $$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2\hbox{max} }$$ between the conditions [aggressive 58.8 ± 8.8 ml kg−1 min−1 (mean ± SD), conservative 58.3 ± 7.9 ml kg−1 min−1; p = 0.548]. There were also no differences in HR, $$\dot{V}_{\text{E}}$$ , or $$\dot{V}{\text{CO}}_{2}$$ between the pacing strategies. There was a significantly higher RER found in the aggressive (1.25 ± 0.09) compared to the conservative (1.18 ± 0.07) strategy (p = 0.040). The pacing strategy that is implemented in the last 2 min of an SPV on a treadmill does not affect the maximal oxygen consumption that is elicited during that test. Either pacing strategy can be used for this protocol without compromising the results, when $$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2\hbox{max} }$$ is the variable of interest.
Medial Femoral Trochlea Osteochondral Graft: A Quantitative Anatomic Comparison to the Proximal Pole of the Scaphoid.

Background Treatment of scaphoid proximal pole (SPP) nonunion with a vascularized osteochondral graft from the medial femoral trochlea (MFT) has been described, with positive outcomes thus far. However, our understanding of the congruency between the articular surfaces of these structures is incomplete. Objective Our purpose was to evaluate the congruency of the MFT and SPP using a quantitative anatomical approach. Methods The distal femur and ipsilateral scaphoid were dissected from 12 cadavers and scanned with computerized tomography. Three-dimensional models were created and articular surfaces were digitally “dissected.” The radius of curvature (RoC) of the radioulnar (RU) and proximodistal (PD) axes of the SPP and MFT, respectively, as well as the orthogonal axes (SPP, anteroposterior [AP]; MFT, mediolateral [ML]) were calculated. The RoC values were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results The RoC values for the SPP and MFT were not significantly different in the RU–PD plane (p = 0.064). However, RoC values for the SPP and MFT were significantly different in the AP-ML plane (p = 0.001). Conclusions For most individuals, the RU curvature of the SPP was similar to the PD curvature of the MFT. For nearly all individuals, the AP curvature of the SPP and the ML curvature of the MFT shared less congruence. Clinical Relevance Articular surface congruity may not be a critical factor associated with improvements in wrist function following this procedure.
The Limits of “Populism”: How Malaysia Misses the Mark and Why That Matters

Politics in Malaysia seems ripe for a populist upsurge. Parties assume fairly exclusive, ethnic boundaries, inviting insider–outsider pandering. Personalities loom large. Economic inequality is amo...
Fecal transplantation and butyrate improve neuropathic pain, modify immune cell profile, and gene expression in the PNS of obese mice

Obesity affects over 2 billion people worldwide and is accompanied by peripheral neuropathy (PN) and an associated poorer quality of life. Despite high prevalence, the molecular mechanisms underlying the painful manifestations of PN are poorly understood, and therapies are restricted to use of painkillers or other drugs that do not address the underlying disease. Studies have demonstrated that the gut microbiome is linked to metabolic health and its alteration is associated with many diseases, including obesity. Pathologic changes to the gut microbiome have recently been linked to somatosensory pain, but any relationships between gut microbiome and PN in obesity have yet to be explored. Our data show that mice fed a Western diet developed indices of PN that were attenuated by concurrent fecal microbiome transplantation (FMT). In addition, we observed changes in expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism and calcium handling in cells of the peripheral nerve system (PNS). FMT also induced changes in the immune cell populations of the PNS. There was a correlation between an increase in the circulating short-chain fatty acid butyrate and pain improvement following FMT. Additionally, butyrate modulated gene expression and immune cells in the PNS. Circulating butyrate was also negatively correlated with distal pain in 29 participants with varied body mass index. Our data suggest that the metabolite butyrate, secreted by the gut microbiome, underlies some of the effects of FMT. Targeting the gut microbiome, butyrate, and its consequences may represent novel viable approaches to prevent or relieve obesity-associated neuropathies.
Nickel(II) carbonyl, ammonia, and aceto-nitrile complexes supported by a pyridine dipyrrolide pincer ligand.

The synthesis, isolation and crystal structures of nickel(II) carbonyl, aceto­nitrile and ammonia complexes supported by a dianionic, pyridine dipyrrolide pincer ligand [pyrr2py]2−, namely, carbonyl[2,2′-(pyridine-2,6-di­yl)bis­(3,5-di-p-tolyl­pyrrolido-κN)]­nickel(II), [Ni(C41H33N3)(CO)], ammine[2,2′-(pyridine-2,6-di­yl)bis­(3,5-di-p-tolyl­pyrrolido-κN)]nickel(II), [Ni(C41H33N3)(NH3)], and (aceto­nitrile-κN)[2,2′-(pyridine-2,6-di­yl)bis­(3,5-di-p-tolyl­pyrrolido-κN)]nickel(II), [Ni(C41H33N3)(CH3CN)], as well as the free ligand 2,6-bis­(3,5-di-p-tolyl­pyrrol-2-yl)pyridine, C41H35N3 or [pyrr2py]H2 are reported. The nickel complexes are four-coordinate and adopt a square-planar geometry. The CO stretch of the nickel-bound carbon monoxide ligand of [pyrr2py]Ni(CO) has been observed at 2101 cm−1. The ammonia and aceto­nitrile complexes, [pyrr2py]Ni(NH3) and [pyrr2py]Ni(NCMe) feature all-nitro­gen coordination spheres around nickel consisting of different N-donor ligand types.
Trends in Use and Perceptions of Nicotine Vaping Among US Youth From 2017 to 2020.

Importance US adolescent nicotine vaping increased at a record pace from 2017 to 2019, prompting new national policies to reduce access to flavors of vaping products preferred by youth. Objective To estimate prevalence, perceived harm, and accessibility of nicotine vaping products among US adolescents from 2017 to 2020. Design, Setting, and Participants This survey study includes data from Monitoring the Future, which conducted annual, cross-sectional, school-based, nationally representative surveys from 2017 to 2020 of 10th- and 12th-grade students (results pooled grades, n = 94 320) about vaping and other topics. Main Outcomes and Measures Prevalence of self-reported nicotine vaping; vaping brand and flavor used most often; perceived risk of nicotine vaping; and perceived ease of getting vaping devices, nicotine solutions for vaping, and flavored solutions. Results In 2020, Monitoring the Future surveyed 8660 students in 10th and 12th grade, of whom 50.6% (95% CI, 47%-54%) were female, 13% (95% CI, 8%-21%) were non-Hispanic Black, 29% (95% CI, 21%-40%) were Hispanic, and 53% (95% CI, 42%-63%) were non-Hispanic White. Nicotine vaping prevalence in 2020 was 22% (95% CI, 19%-25%) for past 30-day use, 32% (95% CI, 28%-37%) for past 12-month use, and 41% (95% CI, 37%-46%) for lifetime use; these levels did not significantly change from 2019. Daily nicotine vaping (use on ≥20 days of the last 30 days) significantly declined from 9% (95% CI, 8%-10%) to 7% (95% CI, 6%-9%) over 2019 to 2020. JUUL brand prevalence in the past 30 days decreased from 20% (95% CI, 18%-22%) in 2019 to 13% (95% CI, 11%-15%) in 2020, while use of other brands increased. Among youth who vaped in the past 30 days in 2020, the most often used flavor was fruit at 59% (95% CI, 55%-63%), followed by mint at 27% (95% CI, 24%-30%) and menthol at 7% (95% CI, 5%-9%); significantly fewer reported easy access to vaping devices and nicotine solutions compared with 2019; and 80% (95% CI, 75%-84%) reported they could easily get a vaping flavor other than tobacco or menthol. Among all youth, perceived risk of both occasional and regular nicotine vaping increased from 2019 to 2020. Conclusions and Relevance Increasing US adolescent nicotine vaping trends from 2017 to 2019 halted in 2020, including a decline in daily vaping. Decreases in perceived accessibility of some vaping products, as well as increases in perceived risk of nicotine vaping, occurred from 2019 to 2020. Yet, adolescent nicotine vaping remains highly prevalent, flavors remain highly accessible, and declines in JUUL use were countered by increased use of other brands.
A Testbed for Synthetic Inertia Control Design using Point-on-Wave Frequency Estimates

Practical implementations of synthetic inertia (SI) control require fast and accurate frequency estimation from measurable data. While previous research has shown that SI can be effective at improving inertial and primary frequency regulation when accurate frequency measurements are available, these works typically do not include the technicalities of frequency estimation in their analysis. This paper presents a testbed that allows the user to examine such estimation methods and their effect on SI control performance. An SI control compensator is then designed and implemented for a test case. The compensator is shown to reduce many of the limitations imposed by point-on-wave based frequency estimation on the SI control action.
Latino Men and Masculinities: A Multi-Institution Study of Community College Transfer Experiences:

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate how Latino men’s conceptions of masculinities influenced their attitudes and behaviors during the transition from community colleges to 4-yea...
Hardware Trends: Challenges and Opportunities in Distributed Computing

This article is about three trends in computer hardware, and some of the challenges and opportunities that I think they provide for the distributed computing community. A common theme in all of these trends is that hardware is moving away from assumptions that have often been made about the relative performance of different operations (e.g., computation versus network communication), the reliability of operations (e.g., that memory accesses are reliable, but network communication is not), and even some of the basic properties of the system (e.g., that the contents of main memory are lost on power failure).Section 1 introduces "rack-scale" systems and the kinds of properties likely in their interconnect networks. Section 2 describes challenges in systems with shared physical memory but without hardware cache coherence. Section 3 discusses non-volatile byte-addressable memory. The article is based in part on my talk at the ACM PODC 2014 event in celebration of Maurice Herlihy's sixtieth birthday.
OWL: Web Ontology Language

This chapter is a natural extension of Chap. 4. As a key technical component in the world of the Semantic Web, the Web Ontology Language OWL is the most popular language to use when creating ontologies. In this chapter, we cover OWL in great detail, and after finishing this chapter, you will be quite comfortable when it comes to defining ontologies using OWL.
Multivariate Symmetry and Asymmetry

Univariate symmetry has interesting and diverse forms of generalization to the multivariate case. Here several leading concepts of multivariate symmetry—spherical, elliptical, central, and angular—are examined and various closely related notions discussed. Methods for testing the hypothesis of symmetry and approaches for measuring the direction and magnitude of skewness are reviewed. Keywords: multivariate; symmetry; skewness; asymmetry
A 10-YEAR RETROSPECTIVE OF ORGANIZATION STUDIES IN COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY: CONTENT, THEORY, AND IMPACT

In recent years, a group of scholars appears to have fostered an increased level of attention to the intersection of organization studies and community psychology. Boyd and Angelique (2002) rekindled the discourse on this topic by noting that the two fields have much to share with each other in terms of application and theory development. Their meta-analytic work was developed to test if Keys and Frank’s (1987) call for an increased focus on the intersection had been heeded by community psychology researchers. They found that only modest attention had been paid to the intersection in the 15 years after Keys and Frank’s work. Since the publication of Boyd and Angelique’s (2002) study, a number of events have marked a renewed interest in the intersection between community psychology and organization studies. In 2007, a special issue on organization studies was published in the Journal of Community Psychology (Boyd & Angelique, 2007), and in 2011, a special issue was published in the Journal of Prevention and Intervention in the Community, which focused on organization development in community contexts (Boyd, 2011a). Moreover, a series of conference symposia and presentations were delivered at Society for Community Research and Action biennials (e.g., Boyd & Nowell, 2011; Boyd, 2009; Boyd, Bess, Evans, Bond, & Griffith, 2007), Academy of Management meetings (e.g., Tschirhart, Boyd, Nowell, Bies, & Gronbjerg, 2010; Boyd, Nowell, Bess, Evans, & Lardon, 2009), and the Southeastern
Mental illness and creative activity in female writers.

OBJECTIVE This study addressed three questions. Are female writers more likely to suffer from mental illness than members of a matched comparison group? If so, does a familial basis exist for their psychopathology and creativity? What factors predict overall creativity in women? METHOD Questionnaire and interview data were obtained on 59 female writers and 59 members of a matched comparison group. These data were used to assess overall creativity and to identify psychiatric disorders in subjects and their first-degree relatives. RESULTS Female writers were more likely than members of the comparison group to suffer not only from mood disorders but from drug abuse, panic attacks, general anxiety, and eating disorders as well. The rates of multiple mental disorders were also higher among writers. Although there was evidence for the familial transmission of psychopathology, physical or sexual abuse during childhood also loomed as a potential contributor to later psychological difficulties. Creativity also appeared to run in families. The cumulative psychopathology scores of subjects, their reported exposure to sexual or physical abuse during childhood, mental difficulties in their mothers, and the combined creativity scores of their parents represented significant predictors of their overall creativity. CONCLUSIONS The high rates of certain emotional disorders in female writers suggested a direct relationship between creativity and psychopathology. But the relationship was not necessarily a simple one. As the results of the predictive analysis indicated, familial and environmental factors also appeared to play an important role.
Global warming and changes in risk of concurrent climate extremes: Insights from the 2014 California drought

Global warming and the associated rise in extreme temperatures substantially increase the chance of concurrent droughts and heat waves. The 2014 California drought is an archetype of an event characterized by not only low precipitation but also extreme high temperatures. From the raging wildfires, to record low storage levels and snowpack conditions, the impacts of this event can be felt throughout California. Wintertime water shortages worry decision-makers the most because it is the season to build up water supplies for the rest of the year. Here we show that the traditional univariate risk assessment methods based on precipitation condition may substantially underestimate the risk of extreme events such as the 2014 California drought because of ignoring the effects of temperature. We argue that a multivariate viewpoint is necessary for assessing risk of extreme events, especially in a warming climate. This study discusses a methodology for assessing the risk of concurrent extremes such as droughts and extreme temperatures.
Variations in the number of ribosomal DNA units in morphological mutants and normal strains of Candida albicans and in normal strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Abstract Naturally occurring strains of Candida albicans are opportunistic pathogens that lack a sexual cycle and that are usually diploids with eight pairs of chromosomes. C. albicans spontaneously gives rise to a high frequency of colonial morphology mutants with altered electrophoretic karyotypes, involving one or more of their chromosomes. However, the most frequent changes involve chromosome VIII, which contains the genes coding for ribosomal DNA (rDNA) units. We have used restriction fragment lengths to analyze the number and physical array of the rDNA units on chromosome VIII in four normal clinical strains and seven morphological mutants derived spontaneously from one of the clinical isolates. HindIII does not cleave the rDNA repeats and liberates the tandem rDNA cluster from each homolog of chromosome VIII as a single fragment, whereas the cleavage at a single site by NotI reveals the size of the single rDNA unit. All clinical strains and morphological mutants differed greatly in the number of rDNA units per cluster and per cell. The four clinical isolates differed additionally among themselves by the size of the single rDNA unit. For a total of 25 chromosome VIII homologs in a total of 11 strains considered, the variability of chromosome VIII was exclusively due to the length of rDNA clusters (or the number of rDNA units) in approximately 92% of the cases, whereas the others involved other rearrangements of chromosome VIII. Only slight variations in the number of rDNA units were observed among 10 random C. albicans subclones and 10 random Saccharomyces cerevisiae subclones grown for a prolonged time at 22 degrees C. However, when grown faster at optimal temperatures of 37 and 30 degrees C, respectively, both fungi accumulated higher numbers of rDNA units, suggesting that this condition is selected for in rapidly growing cells. The morphological mutants, in comparison with the C. albicans subclones, contained a markedly wider distribution of the number of rDNA units, suggesting that a distinct process may be involved in altering the number of rDNA units in these mutants.
A Hypotesis about the Reproductive Modes of «Phaeoacremonium aleophilum» and «Phaeomoniella chlamydospora»

The mode of reproduction of Phaeomoniella chlamydospora (syn.: Phaeoacremonium chlamydosporum) (Pch) and Phaeoacremonium aleophilum (Pal), two mitosporic fungi involved in producing symptoms of esca and a decline of young grapevines, was studied by analysing the amplification profiles obtained in RAPD- and RAMS-PCR experiments (RAPD= Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA; RAMS= Random Amplified Micro- or Mini-Satellites). A low level of polymorphism was found in both species, but no relationship was detected between the genetic variation of isolates and their geographic origin. However, greater variation was found in Pal than in Pch isolates, and more with the RAPD than with the RAMS experiments, as shown by the percentage of polymorphic fragments and multilocus genotypes obtained. The clonal fraction of the Pal and Pch populations, as well as the gametic disequilibrium tests suggested the existence of sexual reproduction in both these species; nevertheless the contribution of asexual reproduction to the genetic structure of the natural populations of Pch seemed to be greater than that of sexual reproduction. With Pal the opposite is thought to be the case.
Future U.S. water consumption : The role of energy production.

This study investigates how meeting domestic energy production targets for both fossil and renewable fuels may affect future water demand. It combines projections of energy production developed by the U.S. Department of Energy with estimates of water consumption on a per-unit basis (water-consumption coefficients) for coal, oil, gas, and biofuels production, to estimate and compare the domestic freshwater consumed. Although total domestic freshwater consumption is expected to increase by nearly 7% between 2005 and 2030, water consumed for energy production is expected to increase by nearly 70%, and water consumed for biofuels (biodiesel and ethanol) production is expected to increase by almost 250%. By 2030, water consumed in the production of biofuels is projected to account for nearly half of the total amount of water consumed in the production of all energy fuels. Most of this is for irrigation, and the West North Central Region is projected to consume most of this water in 2030. These findings identify an important potential future conflict between renewable energy production and water availability that warrants further investigation and action to ensure that future domestic energy demand can be met in an economically efficient and environmentally sustainable manner.
Pathophysiology of insulin resistance in human disease

The ability of insulin to stimulate glucose uptake varies widely from person to person, and these differences, as well as how the individual attempts to compensate for them, are of fundamental importance in the development and clinical course of what are often designated as diseases of Western civilization. Evidence is presented that non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) results from a failure on the part of pancreatic beta-cells to compensate adequately for the defect in insulin action in insulin-resistant individuals. In addition, a coherent formulation of the physiological changes that lead from the defect in cellular insulin action to the loss in glucose homeostasis is presented. However, the ability to maintain the degree of compensatory hyperinsulinemia necessary to prevent loss of glucose tolerance in insulin-resistant individuals does not represent an unqualified homeostatic victory. In contrast, evidence is presented supporting the view that the combination of insulin resistance and compensatory hyperinsulinemia predisposes to the development of a cluster of abnormalities, including some degree of glucose intolerance, an increase in plasma triglyceride and a decrease in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations, high blood pressure, hyperuricemia, smaller denser low-density lipoprotein particles, and higher circulating levels of plaminogen activator inhibitor 1. The cluster of changes associated with insulin resistance has been said to comprise syndrome X, and all of the manifestations of syndrome X have been shown to increase risk of coronary heart disease. Thus it is concluded that insulin resistance and its associated abnormalities are of utmost importance in the pathogenesis of NIDDM, hypertension, and coronary heart disease.
Discovery and development of the N-terminal procollagen type II (NPII) biomarker: a tool for measuring collagen type II synthesis

Summary Objective Progression of joint damage in osteoarthritis (OA) is likely to result from an imbalance between cartilage degradation and synthesis processes. Markers reflecting these two components appear to be promising in predicting the rate of OA progression. Both N- and C-terminal propeptides of type II collagen reflect the rates of collagen type II synthesis. The ability to quantify the procollagen peptides in biological fluids would enable a better understanding of OA disease pathology and provide means for assessing the proof of mechanism of anabolic disease modifying OA drugs (DMOADs). Methods A polyclonal antibody that recognizes the sequence GPKGQKGEPGDIKDI in the propeptide region of rat, dog, and human type II collagen was raised in chicken and peptide-affinity purified. The immunoaffinity liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to extensively characterize N-terminal procollagen type II (NPII) peptides found in biological fluids. The novel competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay was developed to quantitatively measure the NPII peptides. Results Several peptides ranging from 17 to 41 amino acids with various modifications including hydroxylations on proline and lysine residues, oxidation of lysines to allysines, and attachments of glucose and galactose moieties to hydroxylysines were identified in a simple system such as ex vivo cultures of human articular cartilage (HAC) explants as well as in more complex biological fluids such as human urine and plasma. A competitive ELISA assay has been developed and applied to urine, plasma, and synovial fluid matrices in human, rat and dog samples. Conclusion A novel NPII assay has been developed and applied to OA and normal human subjects to understand the changes in collagen type II synthesis related to the pathology of OA.
Provisioning multi-tier cloud applications using statistical bounds on sojourn time

In this paper we present a simple and effective approach for resource provisioning to achieve a percentile bound on the end to end response time of a multi-tier application. We, at first, model the multi-tier application as an open tandem network of M/G/1-PS queues and develop a method that produces a near optimal application configuration, i.e, number of servers at each tier, to meet the percentile bound in a homogeneous server environment -- using a single type of server. We then extend our solution to a K-server case and our technique demonstrates a good accuracy, independent of the variability of service-times. Our approach demonstrates a provisioning error of no more than 3% compared to a 140% worst case provisioning error obtained by techniques based on an M/M/1-FCFS queue model. In addition, we extend our approach to handle a heterogenous server environment, i.e., with multiple types of servers. We find that fewer high-capacity servers are preferable for high percentile provisioning. Finally, we extend our approach to account for the rental cost of each server-type and compute a cost efficient application configuration with savings of over 80%. We demonstrate the applicability of our approach in a real world system by employing it to provision the two tiers of the java implementation of TPC-W -- a multi-tier transactional web benchmark that represents an e-commerce web application, i.e. an online bookstore.
Variational solution of axisymmetric fluid flow in tubes with surface solidification

Abstract The problem of axisymmetric heat conduction with internal surface solidification in the inlet regions of tubes is discussed. An approximate analytical solution is presented to this nonlinear, two-dimensional free-boundary problem. The analysis employs a variational technique which extends the Lagrangian formalism to treat the internal flow, two-dimensional moving-interface problems. The solution is expressed in terms of the short-time, asymptotic and steady-state components. Two forms of the variational solution are presented. One has limited validity in the entrance region of the tube, and the other, while less general, is more accurate. The results are compared with a finite-difference numerical solution. Agreement is of the order of 15 per cent.
The Challenges of Distributed Scientific Collaboration among Top Scientists--A Case Study

Because of the increasing complexity of research work, distributed scientific collaboration mediated by information technology has become increasingly popular in biomedical science. Such kind of distributed collaboration holds great promises of advancing science by offering opportunities for experts to collaborate across distance. This paper presents success factors and challenges of project management of the biomedical research consortium studied. Primary project management challenges include: to preserve trust and momentum for informal interactions among scientists and maintain effective enforcement mechanism at the same time; to establish an enforcement mechanism among pre-established scientists at the same reputation levels.
A Simple and Versatile 2-Dimensional Platform to Study Plant Germination and Growth under Controlled Humidity

We describe a simple, inexpensive, but remarkably versatile and controlled growth environment for the observation of plant germination and seedling root growth on a flat, horizontal surface over periods of weeks. The setup provides to each plant a controlled humidity (between 56% and 91% RH), and contact with both nutrients and atmosphere. The flat and horizontal geometry of the surface supporting the roots eliminates the gravitropic bias on their development and facilitates the imaging of the entire root system. Experiments can be setup under sterile conditions and then transferred to a non-sterile environment. The system can be assembled in 1-2 minutes, costs approximately 8.78$ per plant, is almost entirely reusable (0.43$ per experiment in disposables), and is easily scalable to a variety of plants. We demonstrate the performance of the system by germinating, growing, and imaging Wheat (Triticum aestivum), Corn (Zea mays), and Wisconsin Fast Plants (Brassica rapa). Germination rates were close to those expected for optimal conditions.
Organization of the somatosensory cortex of the star‐nosed mole

The nose of the star-nosed mole consists of a star-like array of 22 fleshy appendages that radiate from the nostrils and are moved about to explore the environment. The surface of each appendage, or ray, is densely packed with bulbous receptor organs (Eimer's organs) that are highly responsive to tactile stimulation. Here, we report that these rays have corresponding morphological specializations in somatosensory cortex. Using a stain for the metabolic enzyme, cytochrome oxidase (CO), to reveal subdivisions of cortex, we disclosed a complex pattern of CO-dense stripes or bands separated by sharp lines or septa of low CO staining. Multiunit microelectrode recordings of neural activity evoked by light tactile stimuli in somatosensory cortex of anesthetized moles allowed us to mark some of the bands and other CO-dark regions with small electrolytic lesions and later relate recording results to the CO pattern. The results suggest that the primary somatosensory cortex, S1, has an unusual ventrolateral location and orientation with representations of mouth, nose rays, facial vibrissae, forepaw, and trunk in a rostrocaudal sequence. Within this presumptive S1, the 11 rays of the contralateral nose are represented as a rostral-to-caudal cortical pinwheel of 11 stripes. Cortex ventral to the primary set of stripes contains a second rostrocaudal representation of the rays as a mirror image of the first. This second set of stripes may be part of the second somatosensory area, S2. A third pattern of CO stripes appears to merge partially with caudal stripes of the first two patterns, so that a full pattern of 11 stripes is not obvious. This representation may correspond to the ventral somatosensory area, VS, of other mammals. An extensive area of cortex separated from the nose by a large septum was responsive to stimulation of the forelimb. Auditory cortex is unusually caudal in this mole, and the presumptive primary visual area is relatively small. These specializations of somatosensory cortex in star-nosed moles may be more patent examples of the consequences of more general factors in brain development. The observations are consistent with the general rule that the terminations of sensory projections with discorrelated activity segregate.
Fast reversible reactions in power plant plumes: Application to the nitrogen dioxide photolytic cycle

Abstract Fast reversible reactions of trace components in which plume mixing times are long compared to characteristic reaction times or k ƒ [A] 0 b 0 /u 0 > 1.0 are incorporated into the buoyant plume theory of Hoult et al. (1969). A set of non-linear algebraic relations representing the bulk mean concentration of species are derived for a bimolecular reaction of the form A + B→ k r k ƒ AB and suggestions are made to adapt the results to realistic temporal and spatial concentration variations for the case in which the neglect of ambient turbulence is justified. Approximate solutions for the concentration of species are derived in the near and far-field and compared with numerical results, with and without reactant entrainment. For the case of contained reactants far-field asymptotic results predict that the product concentration [AB]~x − 8 3 while the reactant concentrations [A] and [B] ~x − 4 3 . Moreover, if B is entrained [A] and [AB] ~x − 4 3 . The far-field results are also adapted to the problem of predicting NO and NO2 concentrations in the photolytic nitrogen dioxide cycle. Typical numerical solutions are demonstrated and compared with field measurements and a simple expression is provided for the distance to NO oxidation for important cases in which the effects of atmospheric turbulence can be neglected and there are no inversions.
Identification and characterization of cyclo(His-Pro)-like immunoreactivity in amniotic fluid.

Abstract Amniotic fluid (AF) from 25 term pregnancies was analyzed for cyclo(His-Pro)-like immunoreactivity (CHP-LI). CHP-LI was detected in all AF samples and was indistinguishable from synthetic CHP by immunoidentity, by gel chromatography on Sephadex G-25, and by high pressure liquid chromatography. The mean concentration of CHP-LI in AF was 13,622±1288 pg/ml (±SE) and concentrations were not altered by maternal labor. Plasma concentrations of CHP-LI were similar in 4 pregnant and 4 control subjects [2260±432 pg/ml vs. 2162±419 pg/ml (±SE), respectively]. We conclude that 1) CHP-LI is readily detected in AF from term pregnancies and is indistinguishable from synthetic CHP, and 2) concentrations of CHP-LI in human AF are significantly higher than concentrations of maternal plasma CHP-LI, suggesting CHP AF originates by mechanisms other than diffusion from maternal plasma.
The relationship between HAART use and employment for HIV-positive individuals: an empirical analysis and policy outlook

Abstract Objective: This study jointly analyzes the determinants of the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) along with the determinants of employment status for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals. Methods: Data from the HIV Cost and Services Utilization Study (HCSUS) were analyzed using a bivariate probit model. HSCUS collected data on 2864 individuals in 180 clinics, hospitals and private practices in 28 urban areas and 24 clusters of rural counties in the United States. We used data from the baseline interview to categorize individuals as employed or unemployed and for the determination of HAART use. Results: The empirical results suggest that individuals taking HAART have an increased likelihood of working and that individuals with private health insurance are more likely to use HAART compared to individuals with public health insurance coverage or no coverage. Conclusions: Due to the fact that employment of HIV-positive is directly related to HAART use, policymakers need to look to the private health insurance industry and public program to increase access to HAART. Suggested models for consideration are mandating insurance benefits and ADAP expansion.
Situation and personality correlates of psychological well-being social activity and personal control.

Abstract Two studies that examined the correlates of peoples′ reports of their own psychological well-being are reported (Ryff, 1989). In Study 1, extraverts reported better psychological adjustment than introverts, especially when they completed the questionnaires with no one else present. Need for social approval and the sex of the participant were unrelated to self-reports of well-being. Satisfaction with social activities, especially activities involving friends and parents, predicted psychological well-being but the frequency of social activity did not. Completing questionnaires in the presence of friends led to better self-assessments of well-being than completing them in the presence of strangers. In Study 2, internal locus of control, high desire for control, and being female, as well as perceived control over the testing situation, were found to predict reports of better psychological adjustment. It is suggested that future research on self-assessments of psychological well-being focus on: (a) the interaction effects of personality and situational variables; (b) the difference between seeking social interaction and seeking social approval: (c) the distinction between platonic and romantic relationships, and; (d) changes in the correlates of psychological well-being throughout the life-cycle.
The treasurer: How to weather our current crisis

We are enduring the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. Traditional sources of liquidity and investments have dried up. And we are living in a state of flux, where the rules can be changed overnight—as the federal government constantly announces new amendments to the bailout plans. So, the role of the treasurer has changed from managing liquidity to managing emergencies. What special hazards must the treasurer now avoid? And what strategies can he or she adopt to weather the current storm? © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The social impacts of wetland mitigation policies in the United States

Concern over the threat to wetlands from urban development has increased with rising levels of suburbanization. This article provides an extensive overview of the literature on the history and structure of U.S. wetland conservation policy. The authors focus on regulations that permit wetland destruction in return for mitigation of wetland damage and highlight concerns that current wetland mitigation policies may lead to the redistribution of wetland benefits among specific population groups. Researchers and planners have yet to construct systems that enable them to answer a very basic question : Does wetland mitigation contribute to social disparity and inequity? The authors outline a data collection framework for use in determining if and how social disparities may occur during mitigation. They also discuss the use of spatial and temporal preference measures as a tool for addressing these considerations. Finally, they discuss how recent Supreme Court limitations on federal jurisdiction over wetlands may ...
Assessing controlled substance prescribing errors in a pediatric teaching hospital: an analysis of the safety of analgesic prescription practice in the transition from the hospital to home.

Abstract Iatrogenic errors producing serious and often preventable injury occur frequently in hospitalized patients, particularly in children. Little is known about the epidemiology of analgesic medication errors in patients being discharged from the hospital. The goal of this study was to describe the epidemiology of controlled substance prescription errors by physicians-in-training for children being discharged from the hospital. We conducted a prospective, observational study of the analgesic prescriptions and discharge forms of 241 pediatric patients discharged from a Children's Center of a major urban teaching hospital from November 2003 to April 2004. All patients who were actively followed by the Pediatric Pain Service at the time of their discharge and were discharged with an analgesic prescription were included in the study. Primary outcome variables were the percentage of prescriptions that contained at least 1 medication error or potential adverse drug event. Errors were defined using the Institute for Safe Medication Practices' (ISMP) List of Error-Prone Abbreviations, Symbols, and Dose Designations, literature review, expert panel consensus, and the Johns Hopkins Department of Pharmacy hospital formulary. Two hundred forty-one patients who received 314 prescriptions were included in this study. Prescription errors were common; 257 of 314 (82%) of the prescriptions examined contained 1 or more errors. The most common errors were missing or wrong patient weight (n = 127, 77%), incomplete dispensing information (n = 167, 53%), and no or wrong date on prescription (n = 19, 6%). Nine prescriptions (2.9%) had the potential for significant medical injury and were considered potential adverse drug events. Discharge prescription errors for children requiring potent, opioid analgesic drugs in the management of pain are common, and nearly 3% could cause significant harm. The high rate of prescribing errors highlights the importance of developing, testing and implementing effective error-prevention strategies, especially in high-risk medications such as narcotics. Perspective Narcotic prescriptions written by trainees at discharge from a pediatric hospital are error prone and nearly 3% have the potential to cause significant harm. With a low therapeutic profile, the hospital may consider a review/verification process to reduce the risk of patient harm.
Using analogical reasoning to design buildings

This paper presents a methodology for identifying the relevant design elements for the synthesis of new structural designs using previous design situations and their corresponding solutions. The study is a reflection of the observation that engineers use related experience when solving new problems. The methodology is an application of transformational analogy, a form of analogical reasoning.
Passive shimming of MR magnets: algorithm, hardware, and results

An improved method for allowing a magnetic resonance (MR) magnet to meet its stringent field homogeneity requirements has been developed. The method is called passive shimming and involves the placement of pieces of ferromagnetic material in the magnet bore at locations which are determined from an initial field map. Software and hardware which facilitate this shimming procedure have been developed at GE and successfully implemented in MR scanners around the world. The software uses a linear programming algorithm to minimize the thicknesses of shims at each of a number of allowable locations which will bring the peak-to-peak field error in the volume of interest to its minimum level. The hardware consists of arc-shaped drawers on each of which shim packages may be built up to a predetermined maximum thickness. This shimming technology represents a major cost reduction from the superconducting or resistive electromagnetic correction coils which are typically used to shim a magnet's field. >
Interactions of phenobarbital and phenytoin with carbamazepine and its metabolites' concentrations, concentration ratios, and level/dose ratios in epileptic children.

Summary: The effects of phenytoin (PHT) or phenobarbital (PB) comedication on the concentrations, concentration ratios, and level/dose ratios of carbamazepine (CBZ) and its metabolites were investigated. The hetero-induction effects of CBZ metabolism by PHT or PB were clearly demonstrated. Serum CBZ level/dose ratios in patients with CBZ polytherapy were decreased while CBZ- l0,11-epoxide (CBZ-E) and trans-l0,11-dihydroxy-10, 1-dihydro-CBZ (CBZ-H) concentrations were increased as compared with those of patients receiving CBZ alone. The concentration ratios of CBZ-H/CBZ and CBZ-E/ CBZ were also greater in patients receiving CBZ +PHT or CBZ+PB than in patients receiving CBZ alone. In addition, positive correlations between serum PHT concentration and CBZ-H/CBZ or CBZ-E/CBZ concentration ratios were observed. There were no significant differences in CBZ-H/CBZ-E concentration ratios, the free fractions of CBZ and its metabolites, and CBZ-E or CBZ-H 1eveYdose ratios among the three groups of patients. Because this approach investigates the in vivo relation between the substrates and products of the enzymes involved in CBZ biotransformation, more detailed information about the drug interactions was obtained. The results suggest that the PHT has a potent induction effect on CBZ epoxidase, whereas PB is a moderate inducer.
Magnetic Activity-related Radial Velocity Variations in Cool Stars: First Results from the Lick Extrasolar Planet Survey

The discovery of the radial velocity (v -->r) signatures of planets around several solar-like stars highlights the importance of exploring the sources of v -->r variations intrinsic to the stars themselves. We study the stars in the Lick planetary survey for v -->r variations related to stellar activity: the rotation of starspots and convective inhomogeneities and their temporal evolution. We study the relationships between the weighted v -->r dispersion, ?'v (which has first been corrected for the orbital contribution from known planets and the mean internal error), and spectral type, rotation, and activity (as measured by Ca II H and K). We find that the largest ?'v values occur among both the coolest (dMe) and the warmest (active F) stars. Values of ?'v increase with H and K emission and scale proportional to vsin${r sin}$ -->${r sin}$ -->i in G and K stars and proportional to (vsin${r sin}$ -->${r sin}$ -->i) -->1.3 in F stars. For a G star with vsin${r sin}$ -->${r sin}$ -->i ? 8-10 km s -->?1 (age ~0.3 Gyr), for example, 20 m s -->?1 ?'v 45 m s -->?1, roughly consistent with the predicted ?'v levels due to magnetic activity (Saar & Donahue). All the stars with proposed planetary companions show ?'v values typical for their spectral type, activity, and/or rotation. However, before the planetary v -->r perturbations are removed, these stars show significantly enhanced ?'v values. We develop a simple model that can predict the ?'v expected for a given star (within ? 40%) as a function of vsin${r sin}$ -->${r sin}$ -->i, spectral type, photometric variability, and macroturbulent velocity. The implications for extrasolar planet searches are discussed.
On the convergence of cutting plane algorithms for a class of nonconvex mathematical programs

We discuss the convergence of cutting plane algorithms for a class of nonconvex programs called the Generalized Lattice Point Problems (GLPP). A set of sufficient conditions which guarantee finite convergence are presented. Although these conditions are usually difficult to enforce in a practical implementation, they do illustrate the various factors that must be involved in a convergent rudimentary cutting plane algorithm. A striking example of nonconvergence (in which no subsequence converges to a feasible solution, even when seemingly strong cutting planes are used), is presented to show the effect of neglecting one such factor. We give an application of our analysis to problems with multiple choice constraints and finally discuss a modification of cutting plane algorithms so as to make finite convergence more readily implementable.
Historical Land-Use/Land-Cover Changes in a Bottomland Hardwood Forest, Bayou Fountain, Louisiana

Historical surveys have proven important for assessing changes in forest composition and for providing insights into the influences of human activities on forest ecosystems. We used GIS to compare past land-use/land-cover information from General Land Office (GLO) surveys taken in 1849/1851 with current forest composition to illustrate the extensive changes that have occurred in bottomland hardwood forest composition over the past 150 years in East Baton Rouge Parish (EBRP), Louisiana. Agricultural lands, hardwood wetlands, and urban lands increased in area at the expense of rangelands and swamplands. A comparison of forest composition between A.D. 1849/1851 and today illustrates that the bottomlands were once a cypress-tupelo gum association but are now an elm-ash-sugarberry association. These changes are related to expanding urban conditions and encroaching human activities (e.g., levee construction) that substantially changed surface hydrological properties, especially the potential for flooding. Botto...