cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Polymer–surfactant interactions in graft copolymer solutions

Graft copolymers composed of water-soluble cellulosic backbones and > 0.4% (by weight) alkyl grafts are insoluble in water but soluble in surfactant solutions. Studies of the bulk viscosity and stability of polymer-surfactant solutions at 49°C indicate that the mechanism for solubilization of the polymer is the incorporation of the alkyl side chains into surfactant micelles. The tendency for side chains to combine with micelles appears to depend at least in part on the geometry of the surfactant tail group such that surfactants containing straight-chain tail groups solubilize alkyl side chains more readily than olefinic surfactants. The presence of small solutes near the surface of the micelle also inhibits incorporation of side chains from the polymer. Unsolubilized side chains remain in the aqueous phase of the solution, where they form thermally unstable intermolecular aggregates.
Zur Darstellung von Methylen-bis-P(O)-Verbindungen mit ungleichen P-Substituenten

Bei der Umsetzung trivalenter P-Ester mit Chlormethan-phosphon-saurediathylester laufen ARBUZOV-Reaktion und Alkylierung des P-Esters etwa in gleichem Mase ab. Die Ausbeute an ARBUZOV-Produkt 3 ist masig, seine Reingewinnung schwierig. Bei der analogen Umsetzung mit Chlormethan-phosphonsaure-diphenylester ist die ARBUZOV-Reaktion eindeutig die Hauptreaktion, die in guten Ausbeuten Methylen-bis-P(O)-Verbindungen 3 mit ungleich substituierten P-Atomen ergibt. Die Einfuhrung eines Phenylrestes in die Chlormethyl-Gruppe begunstigt stark die Halogenubertragung auf das trivalente P-Atom als Konkurrenzreaktion zur ARBUZOV-bzw. besonders zur MICHAELIS-BECKER-Reaktion. Ein weiterer Syntheseweg fur Methylen-bis-P(O)-Verbindungen besteht in der „Acylierung” methylenaktiver P(O)-Verbindungen durch trivalente P-Chloride mit nachfolgender Oxydation. In speziellen Fallen kann dieser Weg der ARBUZOV-Reaktion ausbeutemasig uberlegen sein.
Efficient searching of a NAS-wide analysis space

Presents a collection of slides from the author's conference presentation. ■ Integrating system wide Modeler with MEG allowed us to significantly decrease overall execution time for batch runs ■ Able to search sufficiently large parameter spaces intelligently using Optimization via Simulation ■ Provides the analyst an user friendly interface for configuring, monitoring, and viewing MEG experiment data
Moral and discursive geographies in the war for biodiversity in Africa

Abstract Since the 1980s, several African governments have responded to declining wildlife populations by issuing shoot-on-sight orders for “poachers” found within national parks. War is now a common model and metaphor for conceptualizing and planning biodiversity protection in Africa. Consequently, there is a new moral geography wherein parks and protected areas have become spaces of deadly violence. This article seeks to understand the moral justification for shoot-on-sight protocols in African biodiversity protection and examine the ramifications for the overall level of violence in national parks. It builds on and extends the political ecology analysis of violence and justice through an engagement with the environmental ethics literature. It concludes that a moral justification for shoot on sight and wartime violence cannot be demonstrated within the various philosophical approaches to environmental ethics. Yet wartime ethics and shoot on sight have become taken for granted in Africa. The article posits that discursive analysis can elucidate why this is so. Through a careful analysis of popular media it shows how key identities are discursively constructed to radically reorder the moral standing of African poachers and wild animals. These discursively constructed identities operate to simultaneously humanize wild animals and denigrate poachers, including impoverished peasants searching for small game or fish. As a consequence, it argues, human rights abuses and deadly violence against humans in the defense of “biodiversity” have become normalized within African national parks.
The role of aromatic groups in the Tobey–Simon additivity rule for vinylic protons

The Tobey-Simon (additivity) rule for aromatic groups which was devised about 40 years ago has been found to need revision. The rule shows an aromatic group attached to a C==C double bond as causing a downfield chemical shift of a cis-related vinylic proton and a small upfield shift of a trans-related proton. A search of data in the recent literature has shown that this rule should apply mainly to monosubstituted phenyl groups and some polynuclear aromatics. In contrast with them, 2,6-disubstituted phenyl, 2,4,6-trisubstituted phenyl and 9-anthracenyl groups cause cis-related vinylic protons to resonate upfield of comparable trans-related protons. Further, the current rule for o-substituted phenyl groups has been found to be inaccurate. In writing a rule for aromatic groups, therefore, greater attention needs to be given to the diversity of effects that these groups have on chemical shifts of vinylic protons.
Concerted Evolution in an Egg Receptor for a Rapidly Evolving Abalone Sperm Protein

Gamete interactions during fertilization exhibit species specificity. In abalone, the sperm protein lysin species-specifically creates a hole in the egg envelope. Lysin evolves rapidly by positive Darwinian selection. Evolution of the egg receptor for lysin provides the selective pressure for lysin's divergence. The egg receptor for lysin is a tandemly repeated sequence that evolves by concerted evolution. Concerted evolution in the egg receptor could explain the rapid, adaptive evolution in sperm lysin and may provide an underlying molecular mechanism that gives rise to species-specific fertilization.
A Nursing Student Community Experience with Public Housing Elderly

Abstract Nursing students need community-based clinical experiences early in the nursing program. Ninety-eight baccalaureate nursing students in their first clinical course provided information about an experience with elderly residents living in public housing. The students support the continuation of such a clinical experience. Prior to this experience, many nursing students indicated they were unaware of the large number of elderly with chronic health problems who were living independently in the community. This study suggests that such a community experience can positively alter nursing students' perceptions toward providing health care to this population of elders.
Kinetic characterization of wild-type and proton transfer-impaired variants of β-carbonic anhydrase from Arabidopsis thaliana☆

Abstract We have cloned and overexpressed a truncated, recombinant form of β-carbonic anhydrase from Arabidopsis thaliana . The wild-type enzyme and two site-directed variants, H216N and Y212F, have been kinetically characterized both at steady state by stopped-flow spectrophotometry and at chemical equilibrium by 18 O isotope exchange methods. The wild-type enzyme has a maximal k cat for CO 2 hydration of 320 ms −1 and is rate limited by proton transfer involving two residues with apparent p K a values of 6.0 and 8.7. The mutant enzyme H216N has a maximal k cat at high pH that is 43% that of wild type, but is only 5% that of wild type at pH 7.0. 18 O exchange studies reveal that the effect of the mutations H216N or Y212F is primarily on proton transfer steps in the catalytic mechanism and not in the rate of CO 2 –HCO 3 − exchange. These results suggest that residues His-216 and Tyr-212 are both important for efficient proton transfer in A. thaliana carbonic anhydrase.
On simulation study of mesh-based protocols for smart grid communication networks

The smart grid requires a reliable, efficient and cost effective two-way communication network that meets performance requirements. Due to their cost effectiveness and ubiquitous nature, wireless mesh networks have been considered as a viable solution for smart grid communication networks. In this paper, we first review smart grid communication network requirements using various use cases that enables the design of network models for simulation. Using the ns-3 simulator tool, we then systematically compare the effectiveness of two representative wireless mesh network protocols: Hybrid Wireless Mesh Network Protocol (HWMP) and Ad hoc On-Demand Distance Vector (AODV) Protocol in terms of various performance metrics and network settings. Our evaluation results show that HWMP protocol is suitable for small size mesh grids while AODV performs better for large mesh grids.
Evaluation of neutralized Chemical Agent Identification Sets (CAIS) for skin injury with an overview of the vesicant potential of Agent degradation products

Vesication and skin irritation studies were conducted in hairless guinea-pigs to determine the vesicant and skin irritation potential of chemically-neutralized Chemical Agent Identification Sets (CAIS). The CAIS are training items that contain chemical warfare-related material--sulfur mustard (HD), nitrogen mustard (HN) or lewisite (L)--and were declared obsolete in 1971. Animals were dosed topically with 'test article'--neat HD, 10% agent/chloroform solutions or product solutions (waste-streams) from neutralized CAIS--and evaluated for skin-damaging effects (gross and microscopic). Product solutions from the chemical neutralization of neat sulfur mustard resulted in microvesicle formation. All agent-dosed (HD or agent/chloroform solutions) sites manifested microblisters as well as other histopathological lesions of the skin. Waste-streams from the neutralization of agent (agent/chloroform or agent/charcoal) were devoid of vesicant activity. Cutaneous effects (erythema and edema) were consistent with the skin-injurious activity associated with the neutralizing reagent 1,3-dichloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (DCDMH). Chemical neutralization of CAIS was effective in eliminating/reducing the vesicant property of CAIS containing agent in chloroform or agent on charcoal but was inefficient in reducing the vesicant potential of CAIS containing neat sulfur mustard.
Goethe's rules for actors; A translation with an introduction

(1927). Goethe's rules for actors; A translation with an introduction. Quarterly Journal of Speech: Vol. 13, No. 3, pp. 243-264.
Lethal outcome of uterine infection in pregnant but not in nonpregnant rats and increased death rate with inhibition of nitric oxide.

PROBLEM: Limited information is available on potential differences in sensitivity to urogenital infections between pregnant and nonpregnant hosts. METHOD OF STUDY: In this study, we evaluated Escherichia coli infectious complications in pregnant and nonpregnant rats and the effect of nitric oxide (NO) inhibitor, N G -nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), on the outcome of an experimental uterine infection. RESULTS: Of the infected pregnant animals, 31% were found dead in 24-48 hr. The death rate was increased 2-fold (66%) with L-NAME treatment. No deaths occurred in nonpregnant animals with or without L-NAME treatment. The rate of uterine infection in pregnant animals was about 10-fold higher than in nonpregnant animals. CONCLUSION: We propose that infectious complications of pregnancy may be related to gestation-dependent sensitivity to the pathogenic microorganism and the host NO status.
Transcription factor b (TFIIH) is required during nucleotide-excision repair in yeast

NUCLEOTIDE-excision repair (NER)1 is an important cellular defence mechanism against mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. The essential yeast genes RAD3 (ref. 2) and SSL2 (RAD25) 3,4, homologues of the human xeroderma pigmentosum genes XPD) 5,6 and XPB7 respectively, have been implicated in NER in yeast. The products of these genes are also subunits of (Rad3 protein) or associate with (Ssl2 protein) purified yeast RNA polymerase II transcription initiation factor b, the counterpart of human TFIIH8. Rad3 and Ssl2 proteins may participate directly in NER. Alternatively, they may function exclusively as transcription factors that support NER by influencing the expression of other NER genes. Here we show that defective NER in rad3 mutant extracts can be specifically complemented by purified transcription factor b. Similarly, defective NER in ssl2 mutant extracts is corrected by purified factor b/Ss12 complex. These results support a direct role of factor b during NER in yeast. Hence, factor b (TFIIH) has a dual role in transcription and NER.
SU-E-J-231: Comparison of 3D Angiogram and MRI in Delineating the AVM Target for Frameless Stereotactic Radiosurgery

Purpose: Stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT) provides an excellent alternative to embolization and surgical excision for the management of appropriately selected cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). The currently accepted standard for delineating AVMs is planar digital subtraction angiography (DSA). DSA can be used to acquire a 3D data set that preserves osseous structures (3D-DA) at the time of the angiography for SRT planning. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides an alternative noninvasive method of visualizing the AVM nidus with comparable spatial resolution. We utilized 3D-DA and T1 post-contrast MRI data to evaluate the differences in SRT target volumes. Methods: Four patients underwent 3D-DA and high-resolution MRI. 3D T1 post-contrast images were obtained in all three reconstruction planes. A planning CT was fused with MRI and 3D-DA data sets. The AVMs were contoured utilizing one of the image sets at a time. Target volume, centroid, and maximum and minimum dimensions were analyzed for each patient. Results: Targets delineated using post-contrast MRI demonstrated a larger mean volume. AVMs >2 cc were found to have a larger difference between MRI and 3D-DA volumes. Larger AVMs also demonstrated a smaller relative uncertainty in contour centroid position (1 mm). AVM targets 2 cc. The greater centroid stability for AVMs >2 cc ensures accurate target localization during image fusion. The larger MRI target volumes did not result in prohibitively greater volumes of normal brain tissue receiving the prescription dose. The larger centroid instability for AVMs <2 cc precludes the use of MRI alone for target delineation. We recommend incorporating a 3D-DA for these patients.« less
Abstract 2589: Novel chemopreventive combinatorial regimen significantly suppresses NF-kB and PI3-kinase/Akt pathways in the Syrian golden hamster pancreatic cancer model

Pancreatic cancer caused 40,000 deaths in 2010 and is currently ranked as the fourth leading cause of deaths in the United States. Due to poor prognosis of this disease, it is imperative that chemopreventive strategies be developed to control the formation of the initial neoplastic lesions. We have previously reported the effectiveness of a low dose combination regimen of aspirin, curcumin and sulforaphane (ACS) on MIA-PaCa-2 and Panc-1 pancreatic cancer cell lines. The objective of the current study was to use the ACS combination regimens in vivo to demonstrate the molecular targets responsible for prevention of pancreatic cancer in N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl) amine (BOP) carcinogen treated Syrian golden hamsters. BOP treated Syrian golden hamsters (n=6/group) were sacrificed after 24 weeks of treatment with a low (20+45+1.6), medium (67+150+5) and high (200+450+16) doses (in mg/kg) of ACS, respectively. Saline and BOP controls were included in the study. The pancreatic tissues were processed for isolation of nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins, and 20 mg of tissue was used for isolation of total RNA. Results from the Western blot show that low dose of ACS combined regimen down-regulated active NF-κB by inhibiting phosphorylation of IαBβ and p65. Low dose ACS also inhibited phosphorylation of Akt, needed for IKK activation. Consequently at the transcription level, low dose ACS significant down-regulated NF-κB regulated gene products TNFα, IL1α and IL6 compared to BOP controls (p 2 fold down-regulation in low dose regimen compared to BOP controls. With the high and medium doses, a trend similar to the low dose ACS was evident, whereby the effects were more significant at higher doses (p Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2589. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2589
Leukemia in donor cells after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant

The development of leukemia in donor cells after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant is an extremely rare event. We report here the case of a patient who developed myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukemia, in cells of donor origin 3.5 years after related donor HSCT for refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia and therapy-induced myelodysplastic syndrome. The origin of the leukemia was determined by analysis of minisatillite polymorphism tested on CD34+ cells.
Measurement of fluid turbulence based on pulsed ultrasound techniques. Part 2. Experimental investigation

An extensive experimental programme in both laminar and turbulent flow was undertaken to examine the validity of all of the major implications of the model of the pulsed ultrasonic Doppler velocimeter for turbulent flow developed in part 1 of this investigation. The turbulence measurements were made in fully developed flow at the centre of a 6·28 cm diameter pipe. The Reynolds number of the flow ranged from 6000 to 40000. The carrier frequency of the ultrasonic velocimeter was 4·7 MHz.Measurements of the turbulence intensity and of the one-dimensional velocity spectra made with the ultrasonic velocimeter are compared with the analysis and with the actual quantities as measured by a hot-film anemometer. The experimental results are in agreement with theoretical predictions.Measurements of one-dimensional turbulence spectra with reduced ambiguity spectra made by the two sample volume methods described in part 1 are presented. The results verify the analysis and indicate that an improvement in the useful dynamic range of the velocity power spectrum of nearly three orders of magnitude can realistically be achieved.
Mercury contamination and growth rate in two piscivore populations

We found no relationship between fish growth rate and mercury concentration in a lake trout population and conditional support for an inverse relationship in a smallmouth bass population. A bioenergetics model indicated that mercury concentration was more responsive to dietary mercury intake than to growth rate. When biodilution is evident, it may bias contaminant versus fish size relationships.
A Cost-Benefit Study of a Breaking the Cycle Program for Juveniles:

The authors present a cost-benefit analysis of a Juvenile Breaking the Cycle (JBTC) program in Oregon designed to provide juvenile justice system monitoring and coordinated treatment and services to youth who are assessed as at high risk for recidivism and substance use. Detailed cost analyses are presented for youth in the JBTC program and a comparison group. Multivariate models for all costs combined indicate that the costs per JBTC youth are much higher than for the comparison group 6 to 12 months after intake. Twelve to 18 months after intake, the difference in juvenile justice costs between the two groups is negligible. These findings suggest that decision makers should not expect any additional case management and treatment costs to be offset immediately by reductions in juvenile justice costs. However, evidence suggests that juvenile justice costs may eventually be at least equivalent to usual care.
Effects of water motion and prey behavior on zooplankton capture by two coral reef fishes

Water motion is an important factor affecting planktivory on coral reefs. The feeding behavior of two species of tube-dwelling coral reef fish (Chaenopsidae) was studied in still and turbulent water. One species of blenny, Acanthemblemaria spinosa , lives in holes higher above the reef surface and feeds mainly on calanoid copepods, while a second, A. aspera , lives closer to the reef surface, feeds mainly on harpacticoid copepods, and is exposed to less water motion than the first. In the laboratory, these two blenny species were video recorded attacking a calanoid copepod ( Acartia tonsa, evasive prey) and an anostracan branchiopod (nauplii of Artemia sp., passive prey). Whereas A. spinosa attacked with the same vigor in still and turbulent water, A. aspera modulated its attack with a more deliberate strike under still conditions than turbulent conditions. For both fish species combined, mean capture success when feeding on Artemia sp. was 100% in still water and dropped to 78% in turbulent water. In contrast, when feeding on Acartia tonsa, mean capture success was 21% in still water and rose to 56% in turbulent water. We hypothesize that, although turbulence reduces capture success by adding erratic movement to Artemia sp. (passive prey), it increases capture success of Acartia tonsa (evasive prey) by interfering with the hydrodynamic sensing of the approaching predator. These opposite effects of water motion increase the complexity of the predator-prey relationship as water motion varies spatially and temporally on structurally complex coral reefs. Some observations were consistent with A. aspera living in a lower energy benthic boundary layer as compared with A. spinosa: slower initial approach to prey, attack speeds modulated according to water velocity, and lower proportion of approaches that result in strikes in turbulent water.
Abstract 941: Suppression of the androgen receptor function by c-Jun in prostate cancer via a dual mechanism

Androgen receptor (AR) signaling plays a pivotal role in growth and survival of prostate cancer cells. Upon ligand binding, AR translocates into the nucleus and regulates expression of multiple genes through binding their promoter regions. Thus, altered expression and activity of AR contribute to disease progression. Consequently, significant effort has been undertaken to identify and characterize numerous coactivators and corepressors of AR. Here we report that the transcription factor c-Jun, a basic region leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor and is an important member of the AP-1 family, acts as a transcriptional repressor to inhibit the AR transcriptional activity. Furthermore, we have found that c-Jun also represses the transcription of AR. Overexpression of c-Jun in LNCaP prostate cancer cells inhibited luciferase reporters driven by the androgen-induced prostate-specific antigen (PSA) promoter, probasin promoter, mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) promoter and tandem repeats of androgen response elements in a dose-dependent manner. Conversely, knockdown of c-Jun enhanced androgen-stimulated AR activity in LNCaP cells. To further confirm the results, we generated a doxycycline-inducible c-Jun overexpression LNCaP stable cell line using lentivrial system. Consistent with the results of promoter activity assay, induction of c-Jun by doxycycline inhibited both steady state and androgen-induced PSA mRNA and protein levels. Interestingly, the protein and mRNA of AR were also downregulated when c-Jun was induced, suggesting that c-Jun suppresses AR expression at the transcriptional level. Moreover, c-Jun induction resulted in a significant reduction in cell number, suggesting that c-Jun suppresses LNCaP cell proliferation by antagonizing AR signaling. In summary, our results suggest that c-Jun negatively regulates the AR signaling by a dual mechanism. Future identification of negative regulators of c-Jun expression will provide a new opportunity to develop novel therapeutics. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 941. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-941
On the rate of convergence of distributed subgradient methods for multi-agent optimization

We study a distributed computation model for optimizing the sum of convex (nonsmooth) objective functions of multiple agents. We provide convergence results and estimates for convergence rate. Our analysis explicitly characterizes the tradeoff between the accuracy of the approximate optimal solutions generated and the number of iterations needed to achieve the given accuracy.
Recognizing human actions using multiple features

In this paper, we propose a framework that fuses multiple features for improved action recognition in videos. The fusion of multiple features is important for recognizing actions as often a single feature based representation is not enough to capture the imaging variations (view-point, illumination etc.) and attributes of individuals (size, age, gender etc.). Hence, we use two types of features: i) a quantized vocabulary of local spatio-temporal (ST) volumes (or cuboids), and ii) a quantized vocabulary of spin-images, which aims to capture the shape deformation of the actor by considering actions as 3D objects (x, y, t). To optimally combine these features, we treat different features as nodes in a graph, where weighted edges between the nodes represent the strength of the relationship between entities. The graph is then embedded into a k-dimensional space subject to the criteria that similar nodes have Euclidian coordinates which are closer to each other. This is achieved by converting this constraint into a minimization problem whose solution is the eigenvectors of the graph Laplacian matrix. This procedure is known as Fiedler embedding. The performance of the proposed framework is tested on publicly available data sets. The results demonstrate that fusion of multiple features helps in achieving improved performance, and allows retrieval of meaningful features and videos from the embedding space.
Rigid-Body Attitude Tracking with Vector Measurements and Unknown Gyro Bias

The problem of rigid-body attitude tracking is examined for the case in which there is an unknown gyro bias, and vectorattitudemeasurementsareusedthatnecessitateestimationoftheattitudequaternion.Anewadaptivecontrol scheme is proposed that meets the attitude tracking control objective of forcing the attitude and angular velocity tracking errors to zero by a suitable reparameterization of the unknown gyro-bias parameters. In addition, it is shown that the bias and the quaternion estimates converge to their corresponding true values, irrespective of the nature of the underlying attitude reference trajectory. Controllers are introduced for the cases in which the body’s inertia matrix is both known and unknown. Convergence is shown through a Lyapunov-like stability analysis, and performance of the controllers is shown through simulation. Furthermore, simulations are shown with noise on the available measurements and with slowly varying gyro bias to highlight the performance benefits of the proposed control scheme. HE problem of rigid-body/spacecraft attitude tracking has been studied extensively with varying complexities. Awide range of controller and observer–controller combinations have been developed for different problem formulations. The difference between the formulations usually lies with either presence of unmodeled dynamics/disturbances or the availability and accuracy of certain measurements relating to the state or parameters of the rigid body. In thispaper,weextendontheexistingliteraturetoincludethescenario in which the measured angular velocity has an unknown constant bias and the attitude (represented by a quaternion) is estimated through a set of vector measurements. In addition, we widen the scope of the problem to include inertia matrix uncertainties.
Orientation studies for single-axis concentrating collectors

The useful heat gain of a linear single-axis concentrating solar collector is significantly affected by the orientation of the collector. The temporal distribution of the heat output, both diurnally and annually, and the integrated energy output vary with the direction of the collector axis. For a typical insolation sequence, a north to south orientation yields greater annual heat gain while an east to west orientation gives a flatter annual distribution. Selection of the best collector orientation depends on this distribution, the load profile, and the thermal capacitance of the system. The first two factors are considered in the definition of an economic criterion function which is then used to identify the optimum distribution of collectors among all possible orientations. A minimum value indicates a collector array optimized with respect to the characteristics of the load and the overall solar energy system. While applied here to a particular collector type, the method is general and can be used with other configurations.
Chinese Hacking Signals Age of Info Warfare

As it prepares to host the 2008 Olympics, China's authoritarian development model, which has sustained high growth for two decades, is entering a fragile new stage. Tainted toys and other products have made the American consumers on whom China relies wary even as the debt-and-deficit ridden American economy relies on China's massive foreign reserves to keep going. In the meantime, China's aggressive search for raw materials in Africa is causing a backlash while its cyberspying probes into Western defense systems are reviving Cold War-like tensions. The US treasury secretary, a top China expert and former intelligence officials offer their views.
The relationship between perceived physical competence and fundamental motor skills in preschool children

Background The purpose of this investigation had two folds. First, it aimed to discover the relationship between perceived physical competence and fundamental motor skills in preschoolers. Secondly, it examined the effect of sex on perceived physical competence and fundamental motor skills within the sample. Methods A total of 119 children (mean age 4.00, SD 0.55 years) participated in this study. The Test of Gross Motor Development – 2nd Edition was used to assess fundamental motor skills and the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance was used to assess perceived physical competence. Results The results show a moderate and significant correlation between perceived physical competence and fundamental motor skills. Sex differences were also found with boys demonstrating more proficient motor skills and reporting higher perceived physical competence compared with girls. Conclusions The findings provide relevant information to the child development literature and suggest that a positive relationship exist between preschoolers’ self-perceptions of the physical ability and fundamental motor skills.
Assessing Peer Review in the Quest for Improved Medical Services and The Implications for Education in Quality Assessment: Part IV:

Three court decisions reviewing medical peer review conducted in hospitals were discussed at length in part III of this article. In their opinions the courts gave at least tacit approval to the procedures followed in the hospitals, and they accepted that an evidentiary basis for adverse action against the physicians was present. But not all medical peer review in hospitals resulting in adverse actions is found satisfactory when challenged in court, and the most prominent litigation in the decade of the 1980s concerning medical peer review, Patrick v. Burget (1), is testimony to the potential for its perversion. Part II adverted to the potential for bias or lack of objectivity in assessing physician performance. Part I mentioned the problem of bias in the context of peer review of articles for publication and of research grant proposals. The objectives of Part IV are: (1) to examine the concern about bias in medical peer review and to indicate how it may be lessened, if not eliminated; (2) to address further the difficulty created by the relative lack of valid criteria to employ in medical peer review; (3) to review the extent of protection from liability afforded to participants in medical peer review; and (4) to describe the changes that should be anticipated in review of medical services in the future. Before addressing these subjects it is essential to remind the reader that medical peer review is not conducted primarily for disciplinary purposes; rather, its purpose is to evaluate the quality of care.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Kinetics and Mechanisms of High‐Temperature Creep in Silicon Carbide: I, Reaction‐Bonded

The kinetic characteristics and the controlling mechanism of steady-state creep were determined for NC–430 reaction-bonded silicon carbide which was subjected to high temperatures (1848 to 1923 K) and constant compressive stresses (110 to 220 MN/m2). Both as-received and as-crept materials were studied extensively by transmission electron‘microscopy as one means of determining the controlling creep mechanism. Small variations in sample density resulted in large variations in the creep rate. The stress exponent, n in the relation eασn, was found to be 5.7 and the creep activation energy 711 ± 20 kJ/mol. The controlling creep mechanism was determined to be dislocation glide/climb controlled by climb.
All-Arthroscopic Tibial Inlay Double-Bundle Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury is less frequent than anterior cruciate ligament rupture. Nonetheless, the correct management of PCL ruptures is crucial for restoration of normal knee joint function and ultimately in the prevention of knee joint arthrosis. Multiple surgical techniques exist for the reconstruction of the PCL including transtibial drilling, open tibial inlay, and arthroscopic tibial inlay. Furthermore, graft-type choices are present for PCL reconstruction (PCL-R) including multiple autograft and allograft options in addition to single-bundle and double-bundle options. The goal of this chapter is to outline the senior author’s preferred combination of graft choice and surgical technique, the double-bundle all-arthroscopic tibial inlay PCL-R. A literature-driven discussion highlights the important features of this technique and illustrates why we advocate for this surgical technique as the optimal approach to restoring normal knee kinematics following injury to the PCL.
Criteria for Diagnosis and Response

Multiple myeloma accounts for about 1 % of all types of malignancy and slightly more than 10 % of hematologic malignancies [1]. The incidence of multiple myeloma in the United States has increased from 0.8/100,000 persons in 1949 to 1.7/100,000 in 1963 and then to 3.5/100,000 for males in 1988. The incidence was 3.1/100,000 from 1945 to 1964 in Olmsted County, Minnesota, 2.7/100,000 from 1965 to 1977, 4.1/100,000 from 1978 to 1990, and 4.3/100,000 from 1991 to 2001 [2]. There was no change in incidence in Olmsted County over the 56-year period. The increased incidence reported during the past few decades in The United States is most likely due to the increased availability of medical facilities for elderly patients and improved diagnostic techniques rather than an actual increased incidence. The incidence of multiple myeloma is approximately twice as high in the African-American population as in the white population.
FOLIATION DEVELOPMENT AND REACTION SOFTENING BY DISSOLUTION AND PRECIPITATION IN THE TRANSFORMATION OF GRANODIORITE TO ORTHOGNEISS, GLASTONBURY COMPLEX, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A.

Les textures, microstructures, et les schemas de zonation chimique des mineraux d'un orthogneiss granodioritique provenant du complexe de Glastonbury, au Connecticut, menent a une hypothese que le developpement de la foliation a ete facilite par des reactions retrograde d'hydratation en presence d'une phase fluide aqueuse. Un remplacement partiel des mineraux magmatiques metastables feldspath potassique + hastingsite + magnetite a produit l'assemblage biotite + epidote + quartz, qui definissent la foliation. Ces produits de reaction n'ont pas remplace les interfaces feldspath potassique - hastingsite; plutot, c'est soit la biotite ou l'epidote qui a remplace l'amphibole, et le plagioclase qui a remplace le feldspath potassique. La biotite et l'epidote se sont formees en couches distinctes qui definissent la foliation de l'orthogneiss au cours de la deformation, tandis que le quartz s'est forme surtout en rubans, contribuant ainsi au developpement de la texture. La titanite primaire, riche en terres rares et metastable, est aussi passee en solution, et a ete remplacee partiellement par une titanite metamorphique alumineuse et a faible teneur en terres rares. Les teneurs semblables en terres rares de l'epidote et de la titanite montrent que les terres rares issues de la dissolution de la titanite ont contribue localement a la formation de la composante allanite des grains adjacents d'epidote. Le processus au complet etait syntectonique, et la plupart des grains font preuve de surcroissances multiples dans la direction de l'extension, telle que definie par les xenolithes etires. Il y avait une quantite suffisante d'uranium dans les surcroissances de titanite pour permettre une datation par la methode SHRIMP des coeurs, des zones intermediaires et des bordures des cristaux. Ces resultats semblent indiquer au moins trois evenements de croissance retrograde d'âge alleghanien dans un intervalle d'environ 30 million d'annees. Le processus de dissolution - transfert - precipitation decrit non seulement le mecanisme de reaction, mais il a mene aussi a la redistribution des produits de reaction pour former des couches presque monomineraliques, contribuant ainsi a la differenciation metamorphique et au developpement de la foliation. L'orthogneiss qui en a resulte est beaucoup plus deformable que le protolithe granodioritique a cause de cette reaction et du ramollissement textural.
A stator flux oriented induction machine drive

The sensitivity of the parameters of a rotor-flux-oriented system using rotor flux estimation is discussed, and a stator-flux-oriented scheme is developed. Since the estimation of the stator flux is independent of the leakage, the steady-state performance of the stator-flux-oriented system is insensitive to the leakage inductance. A decoupler is designed to minimize the coupling in the stator-flux reference frame, improving the dynamic performance of the system. Digital simulation is carried out to show that the performance of the stator-flux-oriented system is superior to that of a detuned rotor-flux-oriented system. >
Sustainability evaluation of biodiesel production using multicriteria decision-making

Higher crude-oil prices, increases in energy imports, concerns about petroleum supplies, and greater recognition of environmental consequences of fossil fuels have spurred a search for alternative sources of fuel. In the aspect of choosing an appropriate source for a long-term development, it is necessary to decide which is the most sustainable. This article describes a systematic method based on Analytical Hierarchical Process technique to compare biodiesel feedstock alternatives on technical, economical, and sustainable aspects throughout life cycles of biodiesel production. Five biodiesel feedstocks which are jatropha, algae, palm oil, rapeseed, and soybean are taken into consideration in a quantified evaluation. Among these alternatives and with a recommended scoring structure, biodiesel from algae is shown in the calculation results to be the highest ranking substitute for diesel fuel due to its overall better performance in the aspects of environment, economical, safety, raw material performance, and fuel performance. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2009
Harmonic generation in octave bandwidth TWT's

In octave bandwidth TWT's the generation of power at harmonic frequencies can result in seriously degraded tube and system performance. Efficiency degradation and relatively high second harmonic power content lie at the root of the encountered difficulties.
Jonathan Edwards and the Theology of the Sixth Way

This, with Edwards, is established, that mind cannot conceive a state of perfect nothing. Something, somewhere, there must be; for if we say that there is absolutely nothing, we talk nonsense, inasmuch as we imply a disjunction where there is none. “Either being or absolute nothing is no disjunction, no more than whether a triangle is a triangle or not a triangle. There is no other way but only for there to be existence. There is no such thing as absolute nothing.” Some being, therefore, some place necessarily and eternally is. And if at some place then in all places, since it is no less meaningless to affirm that nothing is in some one place than it is to say that nothing is at all. “So that we see this necessary, eternal being must be infinite and omnipresent.” But if omnipresent then not solid, for solidity is nothing but resistance to other solidities, all of which we can with ease conceive as not existing, whereas this omnipresent being “is the very thing that we can never remove and conceive of its not being.” What is this being, then, that no amount of mental effort can deny? It is, says Edwards, space.
Identification of the Support of Nonsmoothness

We consider a class of nonlinear equations in function spaces for which the nonlinearity can be split into smooth and nonsmooth parts. Such problems arise in optimal control problems for parabolic partial differential equations with bound constraints on the control. In many situations the nonsmooth part acts on functions having support in a set of small measure. If this small set can be well identified one can exploit this structure and apply Newton-like methods away from the small set.
Duplicated Renal Collecting System With Ectopic Ureter in Female Bladder Exstrophy: A Case Report

Bladder exstrophy is a rare major birth defect which requires specialized surgical care. Associated genitourinary tract anomalies are extremely rare in this population, yet significantly impact surgical planning and outcomes. In this case, a full-term newborn girl with a prenatal diagnosis of classic bladder exstrophy was found to have a complete duplicated left collecting system with an ectopic ureter inserted to urethral plate. The patient underwent modern staged repair of exstrophy with bilateral anterior innominate osteotomies and concomitant ureteral reimplantation—the first reported case of ureteral reimplantation at the time of initial closure in a newborn.
Increased mortality for white middle-aged Americans not fully explained by causes suggested

I read with interest the article by Case and Deaton (1) on increased morbidity and mortality among middle-aged white non-Hispanic Americans, recently published in PNAS. I was puzzled, however, by some of the conclusions. Figure 1 in ref. 1 indicates that mortality has been decreasing in this demographic group fairly consistently in many wealthy nations. The data suggest that this decrease is about 100 deaths per 100,000 in 1990 to 2013. If this rate is approximately linear, then this corresponds to a decrease of about 4.5 deaths per year. Table 1 in ref. 1 shows that the mortality rate has increased by 34 deaths per 100,000 for white Americans from 1999 to 2013. Extrapolating from the trends in table 1 of ref. 1, white Americans should have expected a decrease in mortality of 63 deaths per 100,000, so the actual deficit is 97 deaths. The authors state that this decrease is largely accounted for by increasing death rates from drug and alcohol poisonings, suicide, chronic liver disease, and cirrhosis. Figure 2 in ref. 1 indicates that the increases in death rates per 100,000 from these causes over that period is about 20 for poisonings, 10 from suicides, and 5 from liver disease. This total of 35 only accounts for one-third of the total deficit in mortality. Therefore, other causes are also operating. Although I agree with the conclusion that the increased rates are specific to the United States and that part of the cause is related to these factors, which suggest poor quality of life, I wonder where the other two-thirds of the effect arises. I would also surmise that the rates might differ between males and females and would have liked to have seen the data broken out that way.
Abstract 616: Interleukin 22 Downregulates ABCG1 and Impairs Cholesterol Efflux in Macrophages

IL22 belongs to the IL10 cytokine family and is expressed by T helper cells. IL22 functions on epithelial cells and has been shown to improve epithelial barrier function in inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, and psoriasis; autoimmune diseases associated with elevated serum IL22. Patients with psoriasis have increased coronary artery disease and it was previously shown that macrophages from patients with psoriasis have impaired cholesterol efflux. The function of IL-22 on macrophage cholesterol metabolism is not known. Methods: ABCA1, ABCG1 and CD36 mRNA and protein expression, cholesterol uptake and efflux were studied in murine macrophages and human THP-1 macrophages. C57BL6/J mice with transgenic expression of hS100A12 and hS100A8/9 in myeloid cells were generated by using a bacterial artificial chromosome (hBAC/S100 mice). hBAC/S100 and WT littermate mice were breed into mice lacking the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts, RAGE. Results: Peritoneal macrophages from hBAC/S100 mice have reduced ABCG1 mRNA and protein expression, increased cholesterol uptake, and reduced cholesterol efflux compared to WT. This was abolished in hBAC/S100 mice lacking RAGE, the receptor for S100/calgranulin. Recombinant S100A12 or S100A8 protein (2.5 μg/ml) had no effect on ABCG1 expression in WT peritoneal macrophages or human THP-1 cells, suggesting other systemic intermediary products in hBAC/S100 mice. Serum IL22 and mRNA in splenic T cells were significantly increased in hBAC/S100 mice, and this was abolished in hBAC/S100 mice lacking RAGE. Moreover, r S100A12 increased IL22 mRNA by 2-fold in cultured human THP-1. Importantly, THP-1 macrophages treated with r IL22 (100 ng/ml) had reduced expression of ABCG1 and impaired cholesterol efflux to mouse serum, but not to Apoa1. Up regulation of ABCG1 and ABCA1 in response to LXR agonist TO901317 in THP-1 cells abolished the detrimental effects of IL22 on cholesterol efflux. Conclusion: S100/calgranulin induces IL22 in a RAGE dependent manner. IL22 down regulates ABCG1 and impairs cholesterol efflux in macrophages. This raises the hypothesis that IL22-mediated down regulation of cellular cholesterol efflux may be linked to improved epithelial barrier function, but may also augment atherosclerosis.
Doing Better Than Divestment

In the next several years we will see an increasing number of divestment campaigns spring up among student bodies nationwide. Given this trend, I believe it would be helpful to those interested in divestment at U.Va and other institutions to first examine the discussion that has followed the campaign so far. What is divestment? Is it well argued? Does it make economic sense? Should we divest? If so, what steps should we take? Frequent campaign failures indicate that the divestment argument needs some reworking. The ultimate objectives of this paper are 1) a new argument that elucidates more compelling incentives for U.Va to take action against fossil fuels and 2) a financially responsible reinvestment strategy that reflects the greater values of our university. Note to Reader I have searched endlessly for papers that condense the divestment conversation down to one, digestible text. The best works I have found are long, dense and perhaps not written for students who are generally interested in the subject. So I have dedicated some time to creating one that is. “Doing Better Than Divestment” is broken up into six parts, or six articles presenting six different arguments that ultimately contribute to the whole. I hope it helps.
When Higher Tax Rates Help the Economy - Professor Paleveda's Paradox

This paper demonstrates that in some cases higher marginal tax rates correlate with an improved economy and when tax rates are lowered the economy weakens. Optimal marginal tax rates appear to be between 39%-50% contrary to popular belief that lower marginal tax rates will help the economy.