cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Form and behavior of radium, uranium, and thorium in Central Pennsylvania soils derived from dolomite.

In a pair of well- and poorly-drained soils developed on Ordovician carbonate rocks in Central Pennsylvania, the distribution with depth and chemical form of 238U, 232Th, and 226Ra have been compared to soil properties. Concentrations range from 3.3 to 8 ppm U and 6.3 to 11 ppm Th in the soils. Although radium is in equilibrium with U at depth in both soils, in surficial A-horizons Ra is well in excess of U (165–180%). Ra and U are enriched 10X-12X over the bedrock. Th is enriched, along with Al and Fe, by 20X. Progressive selective extractions for U, Th, and Ra in soil show half the radium occurring in pedogenic phases, chiefly in the organic fractions (24% of total Ra). By contrast, <1% of the U and Th occurs in any of the organic fractions; up to 80% occurs in the silt and clay fractions with a significant occurrence in the Fe-oxides, up to 50% for Th. Ra and chemically similar Ba are cycled by vegetation but Ra is retained in soil, bound in humified soil organic matter while Ba is not. Radon emanation of these soils (8–27%) can be almost entirely attributed to highly emanative Ra bound in organic matter. In these soils the action of vegetation leads to high soil gas radon by maintaining high Ra concentration and enhancing its emanating power.
Stability and Elastic Properties of the Stress-Free B2 (CsCl-type) Crystal for the Morse Pair Potential Model

Solid-to-solid martensitic phase transformations are responsible for the remarkable behavior of shape memory alloys. There is currently a need for shape memory alloys with improved corrosion, fatigue, and other properties. The development of new accurate models of martensitic phase transformations based on the material’s atomic composition and crystal structure would lead to the ability to computationally discover new improved shape memory alloys. This paper explores the Effective Interaction Potential method for modeling the material behavior of shape memory alloys. In particular, an extensive parameter study of the Morse pair potential model of the stress-free B2 cubic crystal is performed. Results for the stability, potential energy, current unit cell volume, instantaneous bulk modulus, and the two instantaneous cubic shear moduli are presented and discussed. It is found that an Effective Interaction Potential model based on the Morse potential is appropriate for modeling transformations between the B2 cubic structure and the B19 orthorhombic structure, but is not likely to be capable of simulating the B2 cubic to B19′ monoclinic transformation found in the popular shape memory alloy NiTi. In fact, this conclusion may be extended to all types of pair interaction potential models.
Conformable displays based on polymer-dispersed liquid-crystal materials on flexible substrates

We have developed a process that enables one to conform polymer-dispersed liquid-crystal (PDLC) displays into a particular shape indefinitely. Planar PDLC displays are first fabricated between indium tin oxide (ITO) coated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates. This fully functional display can then be conformed to a particular shape by heating above the glass-transition temperature of PET and then allowing it to cool down to room temperature. The display retains its shape and is fully functional after processing. We have created spiral-and wave-like samples and have demonstrated their operation after the conformal process. The stress is relieved in the substrate by conforming. Temperature effects on polymer substrates were investigated for two types of polymer films (PET/ITO substrates and a conducting polymer PEDOT:PSS/PET substrate) to analyze the effects of temperature on the resistance and mechanics of the films under an applied uniaxial strain. We have found a decrease in contrast of the PDLC after conforming, but surprisingly, a reduced threshold voltage and reduced hysterisis occurs.
Prenatal cocaine exposure increases serotonergic inhibition of electrically evoked acetylcholine release from rat striatal slices at adulthood.

This study tests the hypothesis that prenatal cocaine (pCOC) exposure (20 mg/kg, bidaily from embryonic days 15-21) modifies 5-HT(3) receptor regulation of electrically-evoked [(3)H]acetylcholine (ACh) overflow from adult male and female (proestrus, diestrus) rat striatal slices. Also, the influence of endogenous dopamine (DA) on serotonin (5-HT) regulation of ACh overflow was determined by assessing the effects alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine (AMPT) pretreatment or sulpiride. Phenylbiguanide (PBG, 5-HT(3) agonist) superfusion dose-dependently inhibited ACh overflow in all groups except the diestrus pCOC group in which there was an enhanced sensitivity to PBG. PBG (10, 30, and 60 microM) produced greater effects in the pCOC male than in the prenatal saline (pSAL) group. The pCOC male group also exhibited greater sensitivity to PBG (30 and 60 microM) than the pCOC proestrus group. PBG inhibition of ACh overflow was comparable in the pSAL male and female (proestrus) groups. PBG inhibition of ACh overflow was greater in the pCOC diestrus group than in the pCOC proestrus (10, 30, and 60 microM), the pSAL diestrus (10 and 30 microM), and the pCOC male (10 microM) conditions. In slices from untreated rats superfused with 30 microM PBG, AMPT pretreatment (68% DA loss) reduced inhibition of ACh overflow, and 1 microM sulpiride increased ACh overflow. ICS205-930 (5-HT(3) antagonist) reduced effectiveness of PBG indicating 5-HT(3) receptor specificity for PBG. In summary, pCOC exposure enhances modulatory effects of 5-HT (via 5-HT(3) receptors) on striatal ACh release in male and females rats and the inhibitory actions of 5-HT(3) receptors are mediated by DA.
Solid-State 29Si NMR Analysis of Cements: Comparing Different Methods of Relaxation Analysis for Determining Spin−Lattice Relaxation Times to Enable Determination of the C3S/C2S Ratio

The determination of the relative concentrations of tricalcium silicate (C3S) and dicalcium silicate (C2S) within a cement sample is potentially important in the prediction of the setting properties of the cement. For model systems, we have demonstrated that the presence of a paramagnetic species in intimate (physical) contact with an otherwise diamagnetic silicon-containing mineral can dramatically decrease the longitudinal relaxation time T1 and consequently allow for the rapid data collection of the 29Si MAS NMR spectrum. Thus, it appears that, for cements, the T1 values of C3S and C2S will be significantly altered because of the paramagnetic Fe3+ present in the C4AF matrix that makes intimate contact with each of the silicate phases. The presence of the paramagnetic C4AF matrix thus allows for the rapid collection of spectra of cements. Experiments that might otherwise take weeks or even months now take mere hours. Three methods of NMR relaxation have been examined and compared: inversion recovery, v...
Firefighter's Guide to Emergency Rescue and Care of Victim Burned in Structural Fire

The public expects firefighters not only to extinguish fires in burning structures but also to search out and assist victims whose lives are in immediate danger. Because of this expectation, many fire departments require firefighters to be certified as emergency medical technicians. Fire victims may suffer from chemical and electrical burns as well as thermal injury. Associated life-threatening problems include inadequate ventilation, impaired circulation, and extensive bleeding. High levels of carbon monoxide and other toxic gases may also pose a danger to life. This article describes the firefighter's assessment of the burn victim and discusses the emergency diagnosis and treatment of conditions that threaten the lives of victims of structural fires
Stable hc / e vortices in a gauge theory of superconductivity in strongly correlated systems

A phenomenological model {ital F} of the superconducting phase of electronic systems with strong short-range repulsive interactions is studied. Fluctuations of the connection {bold a} of an internal U(1) gauge symmetry suppress local charge fluctuations. Above {ital H}{sub {ital c}1}, magnetic flux can pierce the superconductor in vortices with flux {ital hc}/2{ital e} throughout the superconducting phase, but regimes are found in which the lowest-energy configuration has vortices with flux {ital hc}/{ital e}. Experiments by Little and Parks and others, which examine periodicities as a function of a {ital varying} magnetic field, always observe a period in external flux of {ital hc}/2{ital e}. The low-energy properties of a symplectic large-{ital N} expansion of a model of the CuO{sub 2} layers of the cuprate superconductors are shown to be well described by {ital F}. This analysis and some normal-state properties of the cuprates suggest that {ital hc}/{ital e} vortices should be stable at the lowest dopings away from the insulating state at which superconductivity first occurs, unless the superconductor-normal transition is strongly first order.
Quasi one-dimensional light beam generated by a graded-index microsphere

An optically illuminated micron-scale dielectric sphere can generate a photonic nanojet – a nonresonant propagating beam phenomenon of high amplitude, narrow waist, and substantial sensitivity to the presence of nanometer-scale particles and geometric features located within the beam. Via three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain computational electrodynamics modeling of illuminated graded-index microspheres, we have found that the useful length of a photonic nanojet can be increased by an order-of-magnitude to approximately 20 wavelengths. This is effectively a quasi one-dimensional light beam which may be useful for optical detection of natural or artificially introduced nanostructures deeply embedded within biological cells. Of particular interest in this regard is a potential application to visible-light detection of nanometer-scale anomalies within biological cells indicative of early-stage cancer.
A real-time longitudinal phase-space measurement technique for H - beams

The authors describe a system that should be capable of producing longitudinal phase-space measurements of an H/sup -/ beam at a 2-Hz rate. The phase is selected by photoneutralization with a mode-locked laser. A deflector magnet downstream of the neutralization point deflects the charged beam, and the neutral particles enter a spectrometer through a slit covered with a stripping foil. During the 20- to 40- mu s laser burst, a ramp signal shifts the laser base with respect to the beam phase. The same ramp signal controls electric deflection plates in the exit beamline of the spectrometer, which bend the beam perpendicular to the dispersion plane. If the spectrometer magnet bends the beam horizontally, then the beam-current distribution at the focal plane is analyzed horizontally in energy and vertically in phase. >
The American Community Survey and Health Insurance Coverage Estimates: Possibilities and Challenges for Health Policy Researchers

The American Community Survey (ACS) is poised to evolve from an unknown entity among the health service research community to one of the most critical data sources for state and local health insurance coverage policy researchers over the next few years. The ACS will be an important new resource for health policy research, with significant advantages over the Current Population Survey (CPS), the major U.S. survey currently used for this purpose (Blewett et al. 2004). However, there are significant challenges associated with using the ACS for health policy analysis that will need to be addressed. The U.S. Census Bureau has been rolling out the new ACS over the past decade. The ACS was designed to replace the information that was traditionally gathered every 10 years as part of the decennial census “long form” and to improve intercensal estimates. The ACS is conducted every year and includes a wider range of content than the long form, and began including health insurance coverage in 2008 with the first health insurance estimates to be released in 2009. In contrast to most national surveys, the ACS will provide estimates at not only the state level, but also at substate levels of geography such as cities, counties, and even census tract levels (U.S. Census Bureau 2006a). In this paper, we highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the ACS relative to the CPS for use in health policy research.
Relationship of basal plane and prismatic stacking faults in GaN to low temperature photoluminescence peaks at ∼3.4 eV and ∼3.2 eV

The relationship between the optical properties and microstructure of GaN is of great interest due to the important optical and electronic applications of this material. Several different studies have been reported attempting to link the low temperature photoluminescence (PL) peak at ~3.4 eV to the presence of various microstructural defects. However, no clear systematic studies have been reported establishing such a link for the PL peak observed at ~3.2 eV. In this paper, we present evidence linking the ~3.4 eV PL peak to the presence of a thin layer of cubic phase associated with basal plane stacking faults (BSF). This relationship is mainly established by studying a series of ammonothermally-grown GaN bulk crystals. The existence and strength of the ~3.4 eV peak are found to be related to the I2 type BSF (R12=1/3 ) observed in these samples. To investigate the relationship between the ~3.2 eV peak and structural defects, a series of GaN epilayers grown on either SiC or sapphire (of various off-cut angles) was investigated by TEM and PL spectroscopy. Samples grown on 3.5° off-cut SiC and 5° and 9° off-cut sapphire substrates exhibit PL peaks near ~3.2 and ~3.4 eV, which are absent in the on-axis SiC and sapphire cases. TEM shows that the former group of samples has defect configurations consisting of prismatic stacking faults (PSFs) folding back and forth between two different {1120} planes connected by stair rod dislocations, which in turn fold onto to I1 type BSFs again with stair rod dislocations at the fault intersections. The ~3.2 eV PL peaks are proposed to possibly arise from transitions involving the PSFs and the stair rods associated with their mutual intersections and their intersections with the BSFs. The ~3.4 eV peak is again attributed to the thin layer of cubic phase associated with the I1 type BSF (three bilayers as opposed to four bilayers for the I2 type BSF).
Metabolic clearance rates of synthetic human growth hormone in children, adult women, and adult men.

The MCR of biosynthetic human GH was studied in 12 prepubertal children, 9 adult women, and 13 adult men. Subjects received a constant infusion of biosynthetic GH, and clearance was calculated by dividing the infusion rates by steady state serum concentrations of GH. We found that adult men have a significantly more rapid MCR of human GH than women (125.2 +/- 7.6 mL/min.m2 in men; 89.4 +/- 7.7 mL/min.m2 in women) and that both men and women have a significantly more rapid MCR of human GH than prepubertal children (66.8 +/- 7.7 mL/min.m2). Sex differences in GH clearance rates may account at least in part for the lower mean serum GH concentrations in pubertal, but not prepubertal, males compared to those in females. The differences in clearance between prepubertal children and adult women and men suggest that the male-female differences in GH clearance are due to androgen effects on GH clearance or on the relative proportions of free and protein-bound GH in serum.
Construction productivity and constraints for concrete pavement rehabilitation in urban corridors

A constructability analysis tool was developed to help the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) determine which rehabilitation and construction strategies were the most feasible in an urban environment to maximize production and minimize traffic delay. With the assistance of California concrete paving contractors, the constructability analysis explored the effects of the following parameters on the construction production of concrete pavement rehabilitation in California: pavement thickness, concrete material, curing time, number and capacity of resources, number of lanes to be paved, type of construction scheduling, and alternative lane closure strategies. The constructability analyses indicated that the proposed Caltrans strategy to rebuild 6 lane-km within a 55-h weekend closure period had a low probability of success. The analyses showed that the concrete curing time was not the most critical activity for the overall production. Material delivery resources, such as dump trucks for demoli...
Maxillary Molar Extraction Causes Increased Bone Loss in the Mandible of Ovariectomized Rats

Although osteoporosis is a major public health concern, its effect on oral bone has not been determined. More important may be the effect of estrogen depletion on the response of oral bone to dental treatments such as tooth extraction or pathologic processes such as periodontal disease. Our objective was to determine if maxillary molar extraction increases mandibular bone loss in the ovariectomized compared with a sham-operated control. Fifty-three ovariectomized and 53 sham-operated 6-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to the following groups: (1) ovariectomized, adult; (2) sham-operated, adult; (3) ovariectomized, adult, extraction; (4) sham-operated, adult, extraction; (5) ovariectomized, old; (6) sham-operated, old; (7) ovariectomized, old, extraction; and (8) sham-operated, old, extraction. Fourteen days following ovariectomy, the extraction groups had their bilateral maxillary molars extracted. The adult and old rats were sacrificed 114 and 200 days postovariectomy, respectively. The right mandible was tested to failure in three point bending. The bone mineral density (BMD) of the left mandible was measured with high resolution dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The area fraction and area moment of inertia of mandible sections were determined using image processing software. In the ovariectomized rats, maxillary molar extraction resulted in decreases (p < 0.05) in the failure load (21%), stiffness (39%), BMD (3%), and bone area fraction (8%) of the mandible. However, in the sham-operated rats, these decreases following maxillary molar extraction were less (p < 0.05) than those in the ovariectomized rats and only present in the mandibles of the aged rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Prequential analysis of stock market returns

The Brier score and a covariance partition due to Yates are considered to study the probabilistic forecasts of a vector autoregression on stock market returns. Probabilistic forecasts from a model and data developed by Campbell (1991) are studied with ordinary least squares. Calibration measures and the Brier score and its partition are used for model assessment. The partitions indicate that the ordinary least squares version of Campbell's model does not forecast stock market returns particularly well. While the model offers honest probabilistic forecasts (they are well-calibrated), the model shows little ability to sort events that occur into different groups from events that do not occur. The Yates-partition demonstrates this shortcoming. Calibration metrics do not.
Ocular disturbances in vitiligo

One hundred fifty-six patients with vitiligo were examined for ocular abnormalities. A 2:3 ratio of white to black patients allowed us to evaluate the role of race in the occurrence of ocular disturbances. A large percentage (40%) of all patients showed some degree of fundal pigment disturbance including pigment clumps, focal hypopigmented spots, and choroidal nevi. Although racial variations were found in the incidence of choroidal nevi (p = 0.001) and iris transillumination (p = 0.0012), these variations were believed to reflect normal differences found in patients without vitiligo. (J Am Acad Dermatol 15:17-24, 1986.)
Bioethics: Looking Forward and Looking Back

Historians in the field have identified the 1960s–1970s with the birth of bioethics (Baker and McCullough 2009; Jonsen 1998), noting that this period was marked by dramatic advances in biomedical t...
How much evidence does it take? A cumulative meta‐analysis of outcomes of simulation‐based education

Context Studies that investigate research questions that have already been resolved represent a waste of resources. However, the failure to collect sufficient evidence to resolve a given question results in ambiguity. Objectives The present study was conducted to reanalyse the results of a meta-analysis of simulation-based education (SBE) to determine: (i) whether researchers continue to replicate research studies after the answer to a research question has become known, and (ii) whether researchers perform enough replications to definitively answer important questions. Methods A systematic search of multiple databases to May 2011 was conducted to identify original research evaluating SBE for health professionals in comparison with no intervention or any active intervention, using skill outcomes. Data were extracted by reviewers working in duplicate. Data synthesis involved a cumulative meta-analysis to illuminate patterns of evidence by sequentially adding studies according to a variable of interest (e.g. publication year) and re-calculating the pooled effect size with each addition. Cumulative meta-analysis by publication year was applied to 592 comparative studies using several thresholds of ‘sufficiency’, including: statistical significance; stable effect size classification and magnitude (Hedges’ g ± 0.1), and precise estimates (confidence intervals of less than ± 0.2). Results Among studies that compared the outcomes of SBE with those of no intervention, evidence supporting a favourable effect of SBE on skills existed as early as 1973 (one publication) and further evidence confirmed a quantitatively large effect of SBE by 1997 (28 studies). Since then, a further 404 studies were published. Among studies comparing SBE with non-simulation instruction, the effect initially favoured non-simulation training, but the addition of a third study in 1997 brought the pooled effect to slightly favour simulation, and by 2004 (14 studies) this effect was statistically significant (p < 0.05) and the magnitude had stabilised (small effect). A further 37 studies were published after 2004. By contrast, evidence from studies evaluating repetition continued to show borderline statistical significance and wide confidence intervals in 2011. Conclusions Some replication is necessary to obtain stable estimates of effect and to explore different contexts, but the number of studies of SBE often exceeds the minimum number of replications required.
Investigation of nonlinear orthogonal signal correction algorithm and its effects on multivariate calibration

The aim of this paper is to develop a nonlinear orthogonal signal correction (OSC) algorithm using kernel-based technique, termed as kernel OSC (KOSC), and investigate its effects on multivariate calibration. As a nonlinear data pretreatment, the proposed KOSC method can better analyze the nonlinear relationships between descriptor and response variables and remove from process measurement those undesirable variations not correlated with process property from a nonlinear point of view, which well prepares the corrected process trajectory for the subsequent calibration modeling. Two data sets are employed in illustration experiment. It is found that nonlinear OSC plus nonlinear calibration algorithm seems to have the superiority over other methods to improve the interpretation ability of regression model when process data nonlinearly vary with quality.
Metabolic engineering of sugarcane to accumulate energy-dense triacylglycerols in vegetative biomass

Elevating the lipid content in vegetative tissues has emerged as a new strategy for increasing energy density and biofuel yield of crops. Storage lipids in contrast to structural and signaling lipids are mainly composed of glycerol esters of fatty acids, also known as triacylglycerol (TAG). TAGs are one of the most energy-rich and abundant forms of reduced carbon available in nature. Therefore, altering the carbon-partitioning balance in favour of TAG in vegetative tissues of sugarcane, one of the highest yielding biomass crops, is expected to drastically increase energy yields. Here we report metabolic engineering to elevate TAG accumulation in vegetative tissues of sugarcane. Constitutive co-expression of WRINKLED1 (WRI1), diacylglycerol acyltransferase1-2 (DGAT1-2) and oleosin1 (OLE1) and simultaneous cosuppression of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) and a subunit of the peroxisomal ABC transporter1 (PXA1) in transgenic sugarcane elevated TAG accumulation in leaves or stems by 95- or 43-fold to 1.9% or 0.9% of dry weight (DW), respectively, while expression or suppression of one to three of the target genes increased TAG levels by 1.5- to 9.5-fold. Accumulation of TAG in vegetative progeny plants was consistent with the results from primary transgenics and contributed to a total fatty acid content of up to 4.7% or 1.7% of DW in mature leaves or stems, respectively. Lipid droplets were visible within mesophyll cells of transgenic leaves by confocal fluorescence microscopy. These results provide the basis for optimizations of TAG accumulation in sugarcane and other high yielding biomass grasses and will open new prospects for biofuel applications.
Oxa1 Directly Interacts with Atp9 and Mediates Its Assembly into the Mitochondrial F1Fo-ATP Synthase Complex

The yeast Oxa1 protein is involved in the biogenesis of the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) machinery. The involvement of Oxa1 in the assembly of the cytochrome oxidase (COX) complex, where it facilitates the cotranslational membrane insertion of mitochondrially encoded COX subunits, is well documented. In this study we have addressed the role of Oxa1, and its sequence-related protein Cox18/Oxa2, in the biogenesis of the F(1)F(o)-ATP synthase complex. We demonstrate that Oxa1, but not Cox18/Oxa2, directly supports the assembly of the membrane embedded F(o)-sector of the ATP synthase. Oxa1 was found to physically interact with newly synthesized mitochondrially encoded Atp9 protein in a posttranslational manner and in a manner that is not dependent on the C-terminal, matrix-localized region of Oxa1. The stable manner of the Atp9-Oxa1 interaction is in contrast to the cotranslational and transient interaction previously observed for the mitochondrially encoded COX subunits with Oxa1. In the absence of Oxa1, Atp9 was observed to assemble into an oligomeric complex containing F(1)-subunits, but its further assembly with subunit 6 (Atp6) of the F(o)-sector was perturbed. We propose that by directly interacting with newly synthesized Atp9 in a posttranslational manner, Oxa1 is required to maintain the assembly competence of the Atp9-F(1)-subcomplex for its association with Atp6.
Advocacy through convenient definition of societal objectives. Cost-benefit analyses in health care.

In modern democracies, societal objectives are pluralistic, varied, and often mutuallv conflicting. Consequently, cost-benefit analysts have considerable scope for defining societal objectives in a manner most suitable for advocating their clients' programs. Three different therapies for a hypothetical disease are considered. A Iternative definitions of societal objectives suitable for the advocacies of the different therapies are outlined. Some generalized principles of advocacy through convenient definition of societal objectives are identified.
Effects of Soil Type on Virulence and Persistence of Entomopathogenic Nematodes in Relation to Control of Diaprepes abbreviatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The Diaprepes root weevil Diaprepes abbreviatus (L.) is a major pest of citrus, ornamentals, and vegetables in Florida and the Caribbean. Entomopathogenic nematodes can provide substantial control of the root feeding larvae, but their efficacy can be affected by soil type. Our objective was to determine the effects of three soil types on the control of D. abbreviatus with Steinernema riobrave (Cabanillas Poinar & Raulston) and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar. In the laboratory we measured nematode virulence and persistence in a Marl, Ridge (entisol), and Flatwoods (spodosol) soil. The Marl soil contains a high silt and clay content (80 and 15%, respectively), whereas the other soils are >93% sand and typical soils of citrus production in Florida. The virulence of S. riobrave was greater than H. bacteriophora in all soils. Both nematode species exhibited greater virulence and persistence in Marl soil compared with sandy soils. Nematode virulence was greater in the spodosol than in the entisol soil. Oxygen levels (in the cups) were not significantly different among the soils. Further research is required to determine the cause of these trends and the applicability of these findings under different water tensions and under field conditions.
Private Governance, Hegemonic Struggles, and Institutional Outcomes in the Transnational Cotton Commodity Chain

Transnational firms have rolled out new forms of private governance at the same time as the rise of new economic powerhouses like China has fomented growing inter-state tensions. This points to critical questions: how does inter-state competition shape private governance of transnational commodity chains and how does private governance shape inter-state rivalries? I explore these questions by tracing the construction and dissolution of sectoral hegemonic coalitions that govern commodity chains. Drawing on the case of cotton quality governance from 2000-2012, I argue that a coalition of the U.S. state and transnational merchants has reconstituted its sectoral hegemony to allow expanded accumulation and accommodate their main rival~China. The U.S. state created standards with Chinese characteristics, while transnational merchants made the authority structure of their institutions more inclusive. However, this reconstituted hegemony remains unstable. Facing continued regulatory competition from China, the U.S. state has constructed new forms of meta-governance that could facilitate a shift to Chinese-led sectoral hegemony but under U.S. oversight. Moreover, these sectoral hegemonic struggles compelled Western transnational merchants to fracture their long-standing relationship with the U.S. state in the hegemonic coalition in order to position their private institutions as geopolitically neutral and thus compatible with the hegemonic leadership of either the U.S. or Chinese states in the sector. By tracing struggles among coalitions of leading firms and states for hegemony over the institutions governing particular commodity chain sectors, we can shed light on possible trajectories within broader world-system level hegemonic struggles that at once constitute and are constituted by these sectoral dynamics.
Modifying the Surface Properties of Heterogeneous Catalysts Using Polymer-Derived Microenvironments

This work uses transition state theory as applied to thermodynamically non-ideal systems to explore the origins of improvements in the stability and activity of supported metal catalysts containing polymer-derived microenvironments. The hydrogenation of triacetic acid lactone (TAL), which is the first step in the production of biorenewable sorbic acid, is used as a probe for the influence of a poly(vinyl alcohol)-derived (PVA-derived) microenvironment on the reduction of moderately polar compounds. The presence of the microenvironment causes a moderate decrease in the rate of TAL hydrogenation without causing a substantial change in the measured activation barrier or reaction orders. This decrease is explained in the context of a local solvation environment generated by the PVA. For comparison, the hydrogenation of lactic acid (LA) is used as a probe for the influence of a PVA-derived microenvironment on the adsorption of polar compounds. In this case, the reaction order in LA increases from zero-order to 0.3-order, indicating that the surface coverage by lactate is decreased by the presence of the microenvironment. The results presented indicate that polymer-derived microenvironments act as pseudo-solvents that alter the surface properties of supported metal catalysts, and we suggest that modifying catalysts with polymer-derived microenvironments is a generalizable methodology with applications in liquid-phase biomass conversion reactions.
Cuba's De-Dollarization Program: Policy Measures, Main Objectives, and Principal Motivations

This paper examines the main characteristics of Cuba’s de-dollarization program, the objectives of these policy measures, and their principal causes and motivations. The paper is organized in three sections. The first section describes the policy measures associated with the process of de-dollarization, followed by a detailed account of their main objectives (section two), and an analysis of their principal causes and motivations (section three).
A Review of “The Information Society: A Study of Continuity and Change”

It has been 5 years since the fifth edition of The Information Society was published, and much has changed in the information landscape since that time. Author John Feather has provided readers wit...
Beyond race: The impact of ethnicity on the treatment outcome of locally advanced head and neck cancer

16500 Background: Self identified racial groups share an unequal burden of head and neck cancer . Recent evidence suggests that outcome among races is different and the causes are multifactorial. N...
The pharmacodynamics of omeprazole in patients on maintenance hemodialysis

慢性透析患者において, プロトンポンプ阻害剤であるomeprazoleの有用性と, 単回および連続投与時の薬物動態を検討した. 消化性潰瘍, 出血性胃炎, または出血性胃ポリープを発症した慢性透析患者5例に, omeprazole 20mg錠を1日1回早朝空腹時に7日間経口投与した. 内視鏡所見または臨床症状の改善が全例で認められた. うち4例で投与開始日と7日目に, 服用後, 経時的に24時間までのomeprazoleの血漿中未変化体濃度を測定し, 最高血中濃度 (Cmax), 最高血中濃度到達時間 (Tmax), 消失半減期 (t1/2), 血中濃度曲線下面積 (AUC) を算出した. Cmaxは投与1日目には健常人よりやや高い傾向があったが, 7日目には健常人と同じであった. TmaxとAUCは, 投与1日目と7日目がほぼ同値であり, 健常人と差を認めなかった. t1/2は投与1日目と7日目は同値であったが, 健常人より短縮していた. 以上より, 慢性透析患者においても, omeprazoleは消化性潰瘍および上部消化管出血に対して有効であり, 蓄積傾向も見られず, 健常人と同等量の投与が可能であると考えられる.
Digitizing Deliberation: Normative Concerns for the Use of Social Media in Deliberative Democracy

Deliberative democracy as a form of citizen engagement and social media as a means to achieving greater citizen engagement have both received considerable attention in recent years; However, little attention has been paid to the way deliberative democracy and social media function together. The central aim of this research is to highlight the normative considerations surrounding social media in a deliberative democratic process. To do this, the article uses Iris Marion Young's model of deliberative democracy that is rooted in inclusion, political equality, reasonableness, and publicity. Applying this model's normative values to the use of audience response systems demonstrates that social media have the capacity to fundamentally shift the normative dimensions of deliberative democracy by changing the process itself. The broad philosophical and social-theoretical concerns related to the implications of social media for long-standing ontological and epistemological questions of achieving "the public good" a...
Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation Efficiencies in One-Dimensional CdSe Heterostructures.

To better understand the role nanoscale heterojunctions play in the photocatalytic generation of hydrogen, we have designed several model one-dimensional (1D) heterostructures based on CdSe nanowires (NWs). Specifically, CdSe/CdS core/shell NWs and Au nanoparticle (NP)-decorated core and core/shell NWs have been produced using facile solution chemistries. These systems enable us to explore sources for efficient charge separation and enhanced carrier lifetimes important to photocatalytic processes. We find that visible light H2 generation efficiencies in the produced hybrid 1D structures increase in the order CdSe < CdSe/Au NP < CdSe/CdS/Au NP < CdSe/CdS with a maximum H2 generation rate of 58.06 ± 3.59 μmol h–1 g–1 for CdSe/CdS core/shell NWs. This is 30 times larger than the activity of bare CdSe NWs. Using femtosecond transient differential absorption spectroscopy, we subsequently provide mechanistic insight into the role nanoscale heterojunctions play by directly monitoring charge flow and accumulation...
RESEARCH ON THE DISINFECTION PROPERTIES OF STABLE CHLORINE-CONTAINING DISINFECTANT

Objective To study the disinfection efficacy and other properties of stable chlorine-containing disinfectant.Methods Suspension quantitative germicidal test,qualitative germicidal test and animal toxicity test were carried out to observe disinfection and other performance of this disinfectant.Results The concentration of available chlorine of this stable chlorine-containing disinfectant was 63 g/L and decreased about 9.05% after stored at 37℃ for 90 days.The average killing logarithm value of spores of Bacillus subtilis var.niger exposed to this disinfectant containing available chlorine 1 200 mg/L for 40 min was 5.00.The average killing logarithm value of Poliomyelitis virus exposed to this disinfectant containing available chlorine 600 mg/L for 5 min was 4.00.The average killing logarithm values of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus exposed to this disinfectant containing available chlorine 300 mg/L for 2.5 min was 5.00.The mouse acute oral toxicity LD50 of this disinfectant was5 000 mg/kg·bw.Mouse bone marrow polychromatic erythrocyte micronucleus test was negative.No irritation was found on the rabbit's skin in dermal irritation test of this disinfectant containing available chlorine 1 200 mg/L.Conclusion This stable chlorine-containing disinfectant has stable properties and good germicidal efficacy for virus,vegetative and spores of bacteria.It has no toxicity actually.
Changes of zero-stress state of rat pulmonary arteries in hypoxic hypertension.

Zero-stress state of the main pulmonary arteries, from the main trunk to a vessel with a lumen diameter approximately 60 microns, was determined in 25 normal control and 38 hypoxic pulmonary hypert...
Deep transfer as structure learning in Markov logic networks

Learning the relational structure of a domain is a fundamental problem in statistical relational learning. The deep transfer algorithm of Davis and Domingos attempts to improve structure learning in Markov logic networks by harnessing the power of transfer learning, using the second-order structural regularities of a source domain to bias the structure search process in a target domain. We propose that the clique-scoring process which discovers these second-order regularities constitutes a novel standalone method for learning the structure of Markov logic networks, and that this fact, rather than the transfer of structural knowledge across domains, accounts for much of the performance benefit observed via the deep transfer process. This claim is supported by experiments in which we find that clique scoring within a single domain often produces results equaling or surpassing the performance of deep transfer incorporating external knowledge, and also by explicit algorithmic similarities between deep transfer and other structure learning techniques.
Dutch Reduction Domains: Between Syllables and Feet

This paper proposes that Dutch has a separate prosodic domain that encodes the difference between reduced and unreduced vowels: the Reduction Domain (see also van der Hulst & Moortgat 1980 for a similar proposal). This proposal is supported by evidence from morphotactics and vowel reduction. I argue that Reduction Domains allow for a superior account of the morphotactics of underived verb and adjective stems in Dutch (Trommelen 1989). I also show how the Reduction Domain yields an alternative account of restrictions on (optional) vowel reduction in Dutch (Kager 1989; van Oostendorp 1995). While this approach performs equally well on the basic facts of Dutch vowel reduction as Martinez-Paricio (2013), the Reduction Domain approach makes testable predictions both for Dutch and for phonological typology, distinct from those made by Martinez-Paricio (2013). Thus, the Reduction Domain forms an interesting case for potential addition to the Prosodic Hierarchy, whether as a language-universal representational unit, or as a representational unit specific to certain languages.
David Oliver: Frailty in acute care.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recently published guidelines on assessing and managing patients with multimorbidity.1 2 These placed distinct and welcome emphasis on frailty—adding momentum to several recent, professionally led good practice resources and guidelines explicitly highlighting the importance of frailty in community and acute care and showcasing services that work.3 4 5 6 7 8 Much nuanced research has been published on frailty as a clinical and physiological entity.9 10 11 It’s increasingly prevalent with older age but can affect people in their 50s. To oversimplify: two large schools of …
Diagnosis of Childhood Periodic Syndromes, Tension-Type Headaches, and Daily Headache Syndromes

This chapter is divided into three sections on pediatric headache diagnosis: Childhood Periodic Syndromes (considered by some to be migraine precursors), Tension-Type Headache, and Pediatric Daily Headache. The Childhood Periodic Syndromes covered include Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome (CVS), Abdominal Migraine (AM), and Benign Paroxysmal Vertigo of Childhood (BPVC) as migraine precursors. More recently, Benign Paroxysmal Torticollis (BPT) has been recognized as a precursor of migraine, and, in particular, to Basilar-Type Migraine (BTM) and is also included. Secondary causes are discussed as well as key diagnostic criteria. A section deals with diagnosis of pediatric tension-type headaches. The chapter also includes several parts on pediatric chronic daily headache syndromes, including chronic tension-type headache, chronic migraine, new daily persistent headache, and pediatric medication overuse headache. The chapter concludes with a discussion of more rare pediatric headache syndromes such as pediatric trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias.
Are Disparities in Acute Myelogenous Leukemia Due to Poor Prognostic Factors At Diagnosis? A National Study

Abstract 2061 Background: Disparities in Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) have been described but not studied extensively in adults. Younger age at diagnosis and cytogenetic profiles of t(8;21) and acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) subtypes of AML have been associated with improved survival from AML but no studies to date have evaluated these factors by race. The purpose of the current study is to evaluate differences by race/ethnicity in age and select cytogenetic factors at diagnosis. The hypothesis is that disparities for minorities will be explained by older age at diagnosis and lower rates of select favorable cytogenetics. Methods: Patients with AML were identified in the Surveillance Epidemiology End Results (SEER) database during the years 1999–2008. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were generated to predict survival by race/ethnicity, stratified by age. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models estimated mortality by race with adjustment for age, gender, year of diagnosis, t(8;21) and APL subtypes. Results: A total of 27,252 patients were included in the study. Blacks and Hispanics were diagnosed at younger ages (<61 years) and had higher rates of t(8;21) and APL compared with non-Hispanic Whites (NHW). The overall KM curve demonstrates that NHWs had a worse survival compared to other races/ethnicities. However when KM curves were stratified by age, blacks and Hispanics had worse survival in every age category below age 61. In multivariable models adjusted for age, black patients had an increased risk of death compared to NHWs (HR 1.10 95% CI (1.04–1.16). In multivariable models adjusted for t(8;21) and APL subtypes, there was no attenuation for the disparity. For APL subtype, in particular, there was an increased disparity for blacks (HR 1.11 95% CI (1.05–1.17) and Hispanics (HR 1.05 95% CI (1.01–1.11) compared to NHWs. Conclusions: Despite younger age and higher prevalence of favorable cytogenetics, blacks have worse mortality from AML compared to other racial/ethnic groups. Blacks and Hispanics with the APL subtype have worse mortality compared to other racial/ethnic groups. Future studies should investigate other reasons for disparities among black and Hispanics with acute myelogenous leukemia. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Utilizing Contemplative Practices With Undergraduate Students in a Community-Engaged Course on Health Disparities:

Public health courses that provide opportunities for applied learning to develop students’ understanding of health disparities and methods for achieving health equity are of critical importance. Co...
Prevalence of hidradenitis suppurativa among patients with Down syndrome: a population-based cross-sectional analysis.

SummaryBackground Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) has been linked to Down syndrome (DS). Objectives To determine whether patients with DS have a higher prevalence of HS, and whether the diagnosis of HS occurs at an earlier age for these patients. Methods A cross-sectional analysis was performed for a population sample of 11 936 patients with DS and 16 813 290 patients without DS. The primary outcome was the diagnosis of HS. Systemized Nomenclature of Medicine–Clinical Terms were used to identify patients with DS and HS. We used logistic regression models and significant interaction terms to evaluate the relationship between DS and HS. We also compared the proportion of incident HS cases within 5-year age groups to determine whether patients with DS had received an earlier diagnosis of HS. Results Prevalence of HS among patients with DS was 2·1%, compared with 0·3% for patients without DS (P < 0·001). HS prevalence was greatest among patients with DS who were aged 18–29 years. After controlling for age, sex and obesity, there was no difference in the prevalence of HS between female and male patients with DS or between white and nonwhite patients with DS. Compared with patients without DS, patients with DS had increased odds of HS in unadjusted [odds ratio (OR) 7·84, 95% confidence interval (CI) 6·93–8·88] and adjusted (OR 5·24, 95% CI 4·62–5·94) analyses. HS was diagnosed by the age of 29 years in 81·8% of patients with DS, compared with 34·0% of patients without DS (P < 0·001). Conclusions HS is strongly associated with DS across demographic subgroups and may present earlier in life for these patients.
Thermal Evolution of C2H2 and C4H2 on Pd(111) Studied By High-Resolution Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy

Abstract The thermal evolution of acetylene and ethylene on a palladium (111) surface has been studied by high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy in the temperature range 150K-500K. Formation of ethylidyne (C-CH 3 ) near room temperature is important for both molecules, whereas CH is the major surfaces hydrocarbon species formed at high temperatures.
Tests of whether candidate A or B would fare better against C—and other polling enrichments to open up party strategy:

Our main setting is a single-winner election contested by two major parties. A goal is to find whether candidate A or B of one party would be the stronger opponent running against candidate C of th...
Information Market Synergy: Will European Contents Become European Products?

Information market synergy is a topic of general interest, since what happens in the information market has consequences in the overall management of any library.
RACIAL DIFFERENCES IN ALL-CAUSE MORTALITY IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN WITH INCIDENT HOSPITALIZED HEART FAILURE

Heart failure's (HF) incidence rate is higher in African-Americans compared with Caucasians, possibly due to the higher prevalence of atherosclerosis risk factors. Despite the higher incidence, previous studies have reported a modest survival advantage for African-Americans with hospitalized HF. We
Attracting Comments: Digital Engagement Metrics on Facebook and Financial Performance

Many companies are now using social media such as Facebook for advertising and marketing purposes. To understand how using social media affects a company's business performance from a digital engag...