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For many sociolinguists, the issue of shyness and hesitation phenomenon has been problematic for Japanese L1 and L2 speakers, particularly in gendered interactions. Over the past decade, more Japanese are shunning conversations, relationships, and isolating themselves, which is accelerating the demographic crisis in Japan. Thus, this paper focuses on the variables concerning fluency, syntactical and lexical complexity to see if there are significant differences between gendered and same-sex interactions. It seeks to answer questions such as 'is hesitation phenomenon more marked in gendered discourse than in same-sex interactions,' and 'which gender exhibits the most fluency and dysfluency?' Results showed a significant difference in the speech between males and females in regard to speaking rates and number of words, but no significance was noted between gendered and same-sex interactions, or for the variables in lexical and syntactical complexity.

This study focused on the grammatical accuracy of Japanese students who were learning English. The database for the errors came from the Japanese University Student Corpus (JUSC) comprising 61 transcripts containing 51,061 words. An inventory, containing 400 errors in context, was taken from this corpus. The first research question related to the most common errors Japanese L2 learners made in spontaneous speech whereas the second question focused on the interpretability and recognition of errors as being intralingual or interlingual. Results showed that the primary errors were articles, verb tense, prepositions, omission, modifier errors, and subject-verb agreement. These results indicate that L1 is a factor in grammatical accuracy. We concluded that this data highlights the need for language teachers to focus on getting students to use the grammatical forms in actual dialogues.

The longevity of a single 22.4 Mg * [ha.sup.-1] application of dolomitic limestone at four northern hardwood stands was evaluated over 30 years (1986-2016) to determine whether changes in soils, foliage, and tree growth were sustained on the unglaciated Allegheny Plateau in northern Pennsylvania, USA. In limed plots, soils, sampled to 45-55 cm depth, and sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) foliage had significantly (P [less than or equal to] 0.05) greater concentrations of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) through 2016 compared with samples from unlimed plots. Ca and Mg capitals (g * [m.sup.-2]) in the Oi through A horizons combined were greater on limed plots than unlimed plots, largely due to increases in the thickness and nutrient concentration in the A horizon. Over 30 years, sugar maple basal area increment ([cm.sup.2] * [year.sup.-1] BAINC) was greater in limed plots (30.6 [cm.sup.2] * [year.sup.-1] vs unlimed 13.3), American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) BAINC was unaffected by lime application, and black cherry BAINC was reduced in limed plots compared with unlimed plots. The sustained effect of this one-time lime treatment shows the strong role of efficient nutrient cycling in forests and suggests that the benefits over a substantial portion of a stand rotation may increase the feasibility of operational liming. Key words: forest liming, base cations, exchangeable calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg), percent carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), basal area increment, sugar maple, American beech, black cherry. La longevite d'une application unique de 22,4 Mg * [ha.sup.-1] de calcaire dolomitique dans quatre peuplements de feuillus nordiques situes dans la partie non glaciere du plateau des Alleghany dans le nord de la Pennsylvanie, aux Etats-Unis, a ete evaluee sur une periode de 30 ans (1986-2016) pour determiner si les changements dans le sol, le feuillage et la croissance des arbres ont persiste. Dans les parcelles qui avaient ete chaulees, les sols echantillonnes jusqu'a une profondeur de 45-55 cm, ainsi que le feuillage de l'erable a sucre (Acer saccharum Marsh.) et du cerisier tardif (Prunus serotina Ehrh.), avaient des concentrations de calcium (Ca) et de magnesium (Mg) significativement plus elevees (P [less than or equal to] 0,05) jusqu'en 2016 comparativement aux echantillons provenant de parcelles non chaulees. Les capitaux en Ca et Mg (g * [m.sup.-2]) dans les horizons Oi a A combines etaient plus eleves dans les parcelles chaulees que dans les parcelles non chaulees, surtout a cause de l'augmentation de l'epaisseur et de la concentration des nutriments dans l'horizon A. Sur 30 ans, l'accroissement de la surface terriere (AST [cm.sup.2] * [an.sup.-1]) de l'erable a sucre etait plus eleve dans les parcelles chaulees (30,6 contre 13,3 [cm.sup.2] * [an.sup.-1] dans les parelles non chaulees). L'application de chaux n'a pas eu d'effet sur l'AST du hetre d'Amerique (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) et a reduit l'AST du cerisier tardif dans les parcelles chaulees comparativement aux parcelles non chaulees. L'effet persistant de cette application unique de chaux illustre le role majeur du recyclage efficace des nutriments dans les forets et indique que les benefices qui perdurent pendant une partie importante de la periode de revolution d'un peuplement peuvent augmenter la faisabilite du chaulage operationnel. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : chaulage en foret, cations basiques, calcium (Ca) et magnesium (Mg) echangeables, pourcentage de carbone (C) et d'azote (N), accroissement de la surface terriere, erable a sucre, hetre d'Amerique, cerisier tardif., Introduction Forest liming is used to alter soil acidity, counter effects of long-term acidic inputs, and improve the growth and health of trees (Long et al. 2011; Court et al. [...]

Detailed research concerning the issue fluency, specifically relating to pauses, mean length runs, and fluency rates in Japanese EFL learners, is limited. Furthermore, the issue of tracking fluency gains has often been ignored, misunderstood or minimized in EFL educational research. The present study, which is based on six monologues conducted over a school year (2010-2011), focuses on changes in fluency and accuracy concerning students' use of the simple past and present perfect, present perfect progressive, and past perfect verb tenses. Based on the results of a university placement exam, twenty students were selected. Two groups of ten students with the highest and lowest scores were interviewed for period of six months, three times in each school semester. Research aims focus on whether or not there are changes in pausing (duration and frequency), mean length runs, fluency rates and grammatical accuracy between the two groups over the school year. Students were then videotaped concerning how they responded to different questions, which concerned students' past experiences, and views. Results, based on the transcripts of the student monologues, indicated that there was significant improvement relating to the mean length runs, and on one fluency rate, but there were no significant differences in grammatical errors either in percentage of error free clauses or in errors per 100 words between the two groups. The findings help to further our understanding of specific language gains as it relates to fluency and grammatical accuracy in students' unrehearsed speech over a school year.

We examined the effects of 2 payment systems on the rate of check processing and time spent on task by participants in a simulated work setting. Three participants experienced individual pay-for-performance (PFP) without base pay and pay-for-time (PFT) conditions. In the last phase, we asked participants to choose which system they preferred. For all participants, the PFP condition produced higher rates of check processing and more time spent on task than did the PFT condition, but choice of payment system varied both within and across participants. (Contains 2 figures.)

We characterized a "t"(1;7)(p22;q21) reciprocal translocation in a patient with childhood-onset schizophrenia (COS) and autism using genome mapping and sequencing methods. Based on genomic maps of human chromosome 7 and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies, we delimited the region of 7q21 harboring the translocation breakpoint to a 16-kb interval. A cosmid containing the translocation-associated 1:7 junction on der(1) was isolated and sequenced, revealing the positions on chromosomes 1 and 7, respectively, where the translocation occurred. PCR-based studies enabled the isolation and sequencing of the reciprocal 7:1 junction on der(7). No currently recognized gene on either chromosome appears to be disrupted by the translocation. We further found no evidence for copy-number differences in the genomic regions flanking the translocation junctions in the patient. Our efforts provide sequence-based information about a schizophrenia/autism-associated translocation, and may facilitate future studies investigating the genetic bases of these disorders.

Liming, the application of carbonate materials (e.g., CaC[O.sub.3], CaMg[(C[O.sub.3]).sub.2]) to soils and surface waters, has been used extensively in Europe, and to a lesser extent in Canada and the United States, to mitigate the effects of acid deposition on forest and aquatic ecosystems. This literature review was conducted to assess the effects of liming on ecologically and economically important sugar maple dominated ecosystems of northeastern North America, where it is increasingly used to treat sugar maple dieback. Potential direct and indirect effects were considered to determine whether the use of liming to revitalize these forests could negatively affect other ecological parameters, including those in adjacent aquatic habitats. Based on current scientific literature, it is not anticipated that liming at rates of 1-3 t [ha.sup.-1] would have major detrimental effects on these ecosystems. However, liming could have negative effects on northern hardwood forests with regard to earthworm invasions. The choice of liming as a mitigation tool should be made not only after weighing the potentially negative effects against the benefits of restoring sugar maple dominated stands in poorly buffered soils, but also after considering ecological components that could be lost or never recovered if an acidified forest ecosystem is not limed. Key words: acidification, acid rain, mitigation, liming, sugar maple, restoration, ecosystem, forest, aquatic habitat. Le chaulage, l'application de materiel carbonate (par exemple: CaC[O.sub.3], CaMg[(C[O.sub.3]).sub.2]) sur les sols et les eaux de surface, a ete largement utilise en Europe, et dans une moindre mesure au Canada et aux Etats-Unis, afin d'attenuer les effets des depots acides sur les ecosystemes forestiers et aquatiques. Cette revue de litterature a ete effectuee afin d'evaluer les effets du chaulage sur les ecosystemes forestiers domines par l'erable a sucre, qui sont importants au plan ecologique et economique dans le nord-est de l'Amerique du Nord, dans lesquels il est de plus en plus utilise pour traiter le deperissement de l'erable a sucre. Les effets potentiels directs et indirects ont ete consideres afin de determiner si l'utilisation du chaulage pour revitaliser ces forets pourrait avoir des effets negatifs sur d'autres composantes ecologiques, incluant celles des habitats aquatiques situes a proximite. Sur la base de la litterature scientifique actuelle, il n'est pas prevu que le chaulage a des taux de 1 a 3 t [ha.sup.- 1] ait des effets nefastes importants sur ces ecosystemes. Cependant, les erablieres chaulees pourraient etre sujettes aux effets negatifs lies a l'invasion de vers de terre. La decision finale d'utiliser le chaulage comme outil de mitigation doit non seulement tenir compte des effets potentiellement positifs et negatifs de ce traitement dans les erablieres situees sur des sols a faible pouvoir tampon, mais aussi des composantes ecologiques qui pourraient etre perdues ou ne jamais etre recuperees si un ecosysteme forestier acidifie n'est pas chaule. Mots-cles: acidification, pluie acide, mitigation, chaulage, erable a sucre, restauration, foret, habitat aquatique, ecosysteme., 1. Acid deposition and the need for liming Acid deposition (acid rain) emerged as one of the most publicly visible environmental issues during the 1970s and 1980s (Driscoll et al. [...]

Cotton is a highly variable natural material that is routinely blended during textile processing to create a uniform product. Harvesting and ginning can introduce some blending before the mill. Blending earlier in the supply chain could produce a more consistent and predictable product. There has been limited research on the benefits of in-field blending of cotton cultivars, especially from a textile perspective. Experiments were conducted over two seasons to determine the economic and performance impacts of in-field blending. The seed of three cultivars with different quality parameters were blended in combinations of two cultivars at 25% increments before planting. Crop maturity, lint yield, fiber quality, and textile processing were evaluated for both years. Some combinations resulted in differences in micronaire, fineness (linear density), and fiber length, which mostly followed the blend rates of the constituent cultivars. Although there were some statistical differences, no functional differences were observed for yield, textile processing, or textile quality. The most significant result was the movement of one set of blends from the base range of micronaire to the premium range. The results showed that infield blending of cultivars could be done without harming quality or resultant textiles, as long as the cultivars are carefully selected for similar seed characteristics and maturation timing. Individual producers will have to determine if the benefits and risks are worthwhile for their specific situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this experiment, students individually conduct one of several variations of an E2 dehydrohalogenation reaction on a cyclohexyl halide substrate for 30 min, which is sufficient only for a partial reaction to occur. The variations examine reaction conditions including different leaving groups, decreased reaction temperature, or reduced base concentration. Analysis of the quenched reaction products by GC or NMR allows students to compute the percent completion of their individual reaction. In a subsequent lab, the student results are compiled and averaged, and statistics are generated. The students perform a collaborative group analysis to draw conclusions as to how the different factors affected the rate of reaction based on percent completion and the impact of any errors observed. The statistical compilation of data from repeated trials for the group analysis demonstrates to students an approach to research that is analogous to real-world research technique. (Contains 1 scheme and 1 table.)

In Pennsylvania, two hypotheses compete to explain the chronic oak (Quercus spp.) regeneration problem: excessive deer browsing and soil cation depletion. We tested these hypotheses by evaluating the effect of forest liming and deer exclosure fencing on northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) seedling growth and nutrition in five oak shelterwood stands in Pennsylvania over 6 years. In each stand, four planting plots were located inside a 2.4 m high woven wire fence and another four were established outside the fence. About 225 northern red oak acorns were planted in each plot in spring 2004. Dolomitic limestone was applied to randomly selected plots at rates of 0, 4.5, 9.0, and 13.5 Mg * [ha.sup.-1] during May 2004. There were no statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05) growth responses to lime applications. The only significant growth responses resulted from the fence versus no-fence treatment. A significant (P < 0.003) fence x year interaction for seedling height and root collar diameter indicates differential impacts of deer browsing. By 2009, seedlings inside fences averaged 32 cm tall, while seedlings outside the fences averaged 17 cm. Similarly, root collar diameter averaged 6.6 mm outside the fences and 9.1 mm inside fences. Resume: En Pennsylvanie, deux hypotheses s'affrontent pour expliquer le probleme chronique de regeneration du chene (Quercus spp.): le broutement excessif du chevreuil et l'epuisement des cations du sol. Nous avons teste ces hypotheses en evaluant l'effet apres six ans du chaulage en foret et de l'utilisation de clotures pour exclure le chevreuil sur la nutrition et la croissance de semis de chene rouge (Quercus rubra L.) dans cinq peuplements soumis a une coupe progressive en Pennsylvanie. Dans chaque peuplement, quatre parcelles de plantation etaient situees a l'interieur d'une cloture grillagee de 2,4 m de haut et quatre autres etaient etablies a l'exterieur de la cloture. Environ 225 glands de chene rouge ont ete plantes dans chaque parcelle au printemps 2004. De la chaux dolomitique a ete appliquee dans des parcelles choisies au hasard a des taux de 0, 4,5, 9,0 et 13,5 Mg * [ha.sup.-1] durant le mois de mai 2004. Les applications de chaux n'ont eu aucun effet signifi-catif (P ≤ 0,05) sur la croissance. La seule reaction significative de la croissance etait associee au traitement d'exclusion. Une interaction significative (P < 0,003) entre le traitement d'exclusion et l'annee dans le cas du diametre au collet et de la hauteur des semis indique que l'impact du broutement des chevreuils varie. En 2009, les semis avaient une hauteur moyenne de 32 cm a l'interieur des exclos tandis qu'ils n'avaient en moyenne que 17 cm a l'exterieur. De meme, le diametre au collet etait en moyenne de 6,6 mm a l'exterieur des exclos et de 9,1 mm a l'interieur. [Traduit par la Redaction], Introduction Regenerating oak (Quercus spp.) forests has been a persistent problem in Pennsylvania and other parts of the central hardwood region of eastern North America (Moser et al. 2006; McWilliams [...]

Oak dominance is declining in the central hardwoods region, as canopy oaks are being replaced by shade-tolerant trees that are abundant in the understory of mature stands. Although prescribed fire can reduce understory density, oak seedlings often fail to show increased vigor after fire, as the canopy remains intact. In this study, we examine the response of tree regeneration to a sequence of repeated prescribed fires followed by canopy gap formation. We sampled advance regeneration (stems >30 cm tall) in 52 gaps formed by synchronous mortality of white oak (Quercus alba L.); 28 gaps were in three burned stands and 24 gaps were in three unburned stands. Five years after gap formation, unburned gaps were being filled by shade-tolerant saplings and poles and were heavily shaded (7% of full sun). By contrast, tolerant saplings had been virtually eliminated in the burned gaps, which averaged 19% of full sun. Larger oak and hickory regeneration was much more abundant in burned gaps, as was sassafras, while shade-tolerant stems were equally abundant in burned and unburned gaps. Our results suggest that the regeneration of oak, particularly that of white oak, may be improved with multiple prescribed fires followed by the creation of moderate-sized canopy gaps (200-400 [m.sup.2]). Resume: La dominance des chenes diminue dans la region centrale de la foret feuillue et son couvert est graduellement remplace par celui d'arbres tolerants a l'ombre qui sont abondants dans le sous-bois des forets matures. Bien que le brulage dirige puisse reduire la densite des arbres du sousbois, les semis de chene sont souvent incapables d'augmenter leur vigueur apres feu lorsque la canopee demeure intacte. Dans cette etude, nous evaluons la reaction de la regeneration des arbres a la suite de brulages diriges repetes qui ont precede la formation de trouees dans la canopee. Nous avons echantillonne la regeneration preetablie (plus de 30 cm de hauteur) dans 52 trouees formees par la mort synchrone de chenes blancs (Quercus alba L.). Vingthuit trouees etaient situees dans trois peuplements brules alors que 24 trouees etaient situees dans trois peuplements non brules. Cinq ans apres la formation des trouees, les trouees des peuplements non brules etaient occupees par des gaules et des perches d'especes tolerantes a l'ombre et etaient fortement ombragees (7 % de la pleine lumiere). A l'inverse, les gaules d'especes tolerantes a l'ombre avaient ete pratiquement eliminees des trouees des peuplements brules qui recevaient, en moyenne, 19 % de la pleine lumiere. Une regeneration de grande taille de chene et de caryer etait beaucoup plus abondante dans les trouees des peuplements brules, tout comme le sassafras, alors que les individus tolerants a l'ombre etaient aussi abondants dans les trouees des peuplements brules que non brules. Nos resultats indiquent que la regeneration du chene, particulierement celle du chene blanc, peut etre amelioree a l'aide de brulages diriges multiples, suivis par la creation de trouees de taille moderee (de 200 a 400 [m.sup.2]) dans la canopee. [Traduit par la Redaction], Introduction In addition to climate and landform, disturbance regime is a key factor in determining the structure, species composition, and dynamics of forest ecosystems. In many regions, altered disturbance regimes [...]

Sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) is a keystone species in the northern hardwood forest, and decline episodes have negatively affected the growth and health of sugar maple in portions of its range over the past 50+ years. Crown health, growth, survival, and flower and seed production of sugar maple were negatively affected by a widespread decline event in the mid-1980s on the unglaciated Allegheny Plateau in northern Pennsylvania. A long-term liming study was initiated in 1985 to evaluate responses to a one-time application of 22.4 Mg * [ha.sup.-1] of dolomitic limestone in four northern hardwood stands. Over the 23-year period ending in 2008, sugar maple basal area increment (BAINC) increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in limed plots from 1995 through 2008, whereas American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) BAINC was unaffected. For black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.), the third principal overstory species, BAINC and survival were reduced in limed plots compared with unlimed plots. Foliar Ca and Mg remained significantly higher in sugar maple foliage sampled 21 years after lime application, showing persistence of the lime effect. These results show long-term species-specific responses to lime application. L'erable a sucre (Acer saccharum Marshall) est une espece cle de la foret feuillue nordique et les episodes de deperissement ont eu un effet nefaste sur la croissance et la sante de cette essence dans certaines parties de son aire de repartition au cours des 50 dernieres annees et un peu plus. Un episode generalise de deperissement, survenu au milieu des annees 1980 sur le Plateau d'Alleghany qui a echappe a la glaciation dans le nord de la Pennsylvanie, a eu un effet nefaste sur la sante de la cime, la croissance, la survie ainsi que la production de fleurs et de graines de l'erable a sucre. Une experience de chaulage a ete initiee en 1985 pour evaluer la reponse a long-terme a une application unique de 22.4 Mg * [ha.sup.-1] de chaux dolomitique dans quatre peuplements de feuillus nordiques. Pendant la periode de 23 ans qui s'est terminee en 2008, l'accroissement en surface terriere de l'erable a sucre a significativement (P ≤ 0.05) augmente dans les parcelles chaulees tandis que celui du hetre d'Amerique (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) n'a pas ete affecte. Dans le cas du cerisier tardif (Prunus serotina Ehrh.), la troisieme espece en importance de l'etage dominant, le chaulage a reduit sa surface terriere et sa survie comparativement aux arbres dans les parcelles temoins. Le Ca et le Mg foliaires sont demeures significativement plus eleves dans le feuillage de l'erable a sucre echantillonne 21 ans apres l'application de chaux indiquant que la chaux avait un effet persistant. Ces resultats montrent que les reactions a l'application de chaux sont propres a chaque espece. [Traduit par la Redaction], Introduction Concern for the effects of acid deposition on forest soils has led to interest in forest liming as a remedial measure. The northeastern United States has received historically high [...]

Cleavitt et al. (2018, Can. J. For. Res. 48(1): 23-31, doi:10.1139/cjfr-2017-0233) report a lack of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) regeneration in Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (HBEF), Watershed 5 (W5), following whole-tree clearcut harvesting and purport that harvesting-induced soil calcium depletion contributed to regeneration failure of this species. In New England, clearcutting is a silvicultural strategy used to promote less tolerant species, especially birch (Betula spp.; Marquis (1969), Birch Symposium Proceedings, USDA Forest Service; Leak et al. (2014), doi:10.2737/NRS-GTR-132), which is just the outcome that the authors report. While this study reports an impressive, long-term data set, given broad interest in sugar maple and sustainability of forest management practices, we feel that it is critical to more fully explore the role of nutrition on sugar maple dynamics, both prior to and during the experiment, and to more fully review the scientific record on the role of whole-tree clearcutting in nutrient-induced sugar maple dynamics. Key words: sugar maple, whole-tree harvest, management implications, regeneration, calcium. Cleavitt et al. (2018, Can. J. For. Res. 48(1): 23-31, doi:10.1139/cjfr-2017-0233) indiquent qu'il y a un probleme de regeneration de l'erable a sucre (Acer saccharum Marsh.) a la foret experimentale de Hubbard Brook dans le bassin versant 5 a la suite d'une coupe a blanc par arbre entier et pretendent que l'appauvrissement du sol en calcium cause par la recolte a contribue a l'echec de la regeneration de cette espece. En Nouvelle-Angleterre, la coupe a blanc est une strategie sylvicole utilisee pour favoriser les especes moins tolerantes, particulierement le bouleau (Betula spp.; Marquis (1969), Birch Symposium Proceedings, USDA Forest Service; Leak et al. (2014), doi:10.2737/NRS-GTR-132), ce qui correspond justement au resultat que rapportent les auteurs. Alors que cette etude presente un ensemble impressionnant de donnees a long terme, etant donne qu'il y a un vaste interet pour l'erable a sucre et la durabilite des pratiques d'amenagement forestier, nous croyons qu'il est essentiel d'explorer davantage le role de la nutrition sur la dynamique de l'erable a sucre, tant avant que durant l'experience, et de revoir en profondeur les donnees scientifiques sur le role de la coupe a blanc par arbre entier sur la dynamique de l'erable a sucre engendree par les elements nutritifs. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: erable a sucre, recolte par arbre entier, consequences de l'amenagement, regeneration, calcium., Cleavitt et al. (2018) report a lack of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) regeneration in Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (HBEF), Watershed 5 (W5), following whole-tree clearcut harvesting and purport that [...]

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is due to mutations in the CFTR gene and is characterized by hypersecretion of the proinflammatory chemokine IL-8 into the airway lumen. Consequently, this induces the highly inflammatory cellular phenotype typical of CF. Our initial studies revealed that IL-8 mRNA is relatively stable in CF cells compared with those that had been repaired with [WT]CFTR (wild-type CFTR). Relevantly, the 3'-UTR of IL-8 mRNA contains AU-rich sequences (AREs) that have been shown to mediate posttranscriptional regulation of proinflammatory genes upon binding to ARE-binding proteins including Tristetraprolin (TTP). We therefore hypothesized that very low endogenous levels of TTP in CF cells might be responsible for the relative stability of IL-8 mRNA. As predicted, increased expression of TTP in CF cells resulted in reduced stability of IL-8 mRNA. An in vitro analysis of IL-8 mRNA stability in CF cells also revealed a TTP-induced enhancement of deadenylation causing reduction of IL-8 mRNA stability. We conclude that enhanced stability of IL-8 mRNA in TTP-deficient CF lung epithelial cells serve to drive the proinflammatory cellular phenotype in the CF lung. cytokines; chemokines; inflammation; gene regulation

Abstract: Sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) decline has occurred throughout its range over the past 50 years, although decline symptoms are minimal where nutritional thresholds of Ca, Mg, and Mn [...]

Abstract: We used dendrochronology to examine the influence of past fires on oak and maple establishment. Six study units were located in southern Ohio, where organized fire control began in [...]

Abstract: Sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) decline disease on the Allegheny Plateau (region 1) resulted in high levels of mortality during the 1990s. Sugar maple was predisposed to decline because [...]

Preeclampsia complicates 2-8% of pregnancies and is associated with prematurity and intrauterine growth restriction. Cholesterol and sterol transport is a key function of the placenta and it is elicited through ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters. ABCA1 expression changes during trophoblast cell fusion, a process required to form the placental syncytium that enables maternal-fetal nutrient transfer. ABCA1 expression is dysregulated in preeclamptic placentas. But whether ABC transporters expression during trophoblast fusion is disrupted in preeclampsia remains unknown. We investigated if cholesterol and sterol ABC transporters are altered in term and preterm preeclampsia placentas and during human cytotrophoblast syncytialization. Human placental biopsies were collected from healthy term (≥37 weeks; n = 11) and term preeclamptic (≥36 6/7 weeks; n = 8) and pre-term preeclamptic (28-35 weeks; n = 8) pregnancies. Both, protein and mRNA expression for ABCA1, ABCG1, ABCG5, and ABCG8 were evaluated. Primary cytotrophoblasts isolated from a subset of placentas were induced to syncytialize for 96 h and ABCA1, ABCG1 and ABCG8 mRNA expression evaluated at 0 h and 96 h. Protein and gene expression of ABC transporters were not altered in preeclamptic placentas. In the healthy Term group, ABCA1 expression was similar before and after syncytialization. After 96 h of syncytialization, mRNA expression of ABCA1 and ABCG1 increased significantly, while ABCG8 decreased significantly in term-preeclampsia, but not pre-term preeclampsia. While placental expression of ABCA1 and ABCG1 remained unaltered in term preeclampsia, the disruption in their dynamic expression pattern during cytotrophoblast syncytialization suggests that cholesterol transport may contribute to the pathophysiologic role of the placenta in preeclampsia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The twentieth century confluence of clear-cutting, deer overabundance, and rising nitrogen deposition favored dominance by the shade-intolerant, unpalatable, and nitrogen-demanding black cherry (Prunus serotina) throughout the Allegheny Plateau of the eastern United States. The abundance of this species conferred unique and valuable ecological and economic benefits that shaped regional biodiversity and societies. Sustaining these values is increasingly difficult because black cherry, seemingly inexplicably, has experienced diminished establishment, growth, and survival in the twenty-first century. In the present article, we chronicle the change and assess underlying drivers through a literature review and new analyses. We found negative plant–soil microbial feedback loops and lowered nitrogen deposition are biologically, temporally, and geographically consistent with observed declines. The evidence suggests that black cherry dynamics are the unintended consequence of actions and policies ostensibly unconnected to forests. We suggest that these shifts are a bellwether of impending changes to forests, economies, and ownership patterns regionally and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Introduction The drugs gabapentin and ketamine are used frequently in the peri-operative setting. There is poor documentation whether or not gabapentin and ketamine interact to cause prolonged depression of the central nervous system. Case Presentation The following is a case report in which a patient, a 58-year-old African-American man, with a history of post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic pain underwent a cervical laminoplasty procedure. The patient presented post-operatively in a dissociative state with paralysis, anarthria and preservation of consciousness. All organic causes were excluded, with the exception of prolonged central nervous system depression from a gabapentin/ketamine drug interaction. A new onset conversion disorder could also not be excluded. Conclusion Although this case by itself is not enough evidence to substantiate a true adverse reaction between gabapentin and ketamine, it is enough to warrant further investigation.

Species ranges are expected to move northward with climate warming. However, species will likely encounter soil conditions that differ from their historic ranges. Black (Quercus velutina) and chestnut (Q. montana) oaks are expected to do well in climates that are hotter and drier, but it is unknown as to how they respond to soils of different geological histories. At a glaciated and nonglaciated site in northwestern Pennsylvania, we compared the growth, biomass allocation, and mycorrhizal association for black and chestnut oak seedlings at two different levels of light. On nutrient-poor, nonglaciated soils at high light levels, both species had greater growth and biomass accumulation than on nutrient-rich, glaciated soils. However, at low light levels, these responses were greatest on glaciated soils, especially for chestnut oak. Although mycorrhizal association was beneficial on nonglaciated soil at high light levels, low light levels were associated with reduced growth when compared to glaciated soils. In low light and nutrient-poor soils, mycorrhizal association may result in a carbon sink with lower net photosynthesis, as carbon for plant growth is, instead, allocated to the mycorrhizae symbiont. Variable species response to soil types indicates reduced performance for black and chestnut oak seedlings on high-quality glaciated soils especially in high light environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anomalous dark rings found in black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) sawlogs have been anecdotally related to defoliations from cherry scallop shell moth (CSSM) (Hydria prunivorata Ferguson). Using six timber harvest sites on the Allegheny National Forest and a thinning on the Kane Experimental Forest in northwestern Pennsylvania, we documented the occurrence of dark rings in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, concurrent with historical CSSM defoliations. Thirty cross-sections sampled from six Allegheny National Forest sites showed that dark rings formed on 18 sections in the 1970s, 17 sections in the 1980s, and 5 sections in the 1990s. Fourteen cross-sections had multiple (2–4) dark rings. Anatomical studies show the dark rings formed in these three decades have similar characteristics: darkened and thinner (>50 percent) fiber cell walls than normal-colored fiber cell walls. A long-term Kane Experimental Forest study was thinned in 2011–12, and dark ring frequency on recently cut stumps ranged from 48 percent to 68 percent across three replications. Dark rings in 12 of 20 cross-sections were associated with a ≥50 percent growth reduction in mean ring width during 1982–84. These results show that dark rings are associated with CSSM defoliation and that growth may be significantly reduced by defoliation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]