cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synchrotron x-ray powder diffraction study of electrochemically oxidized La2CuO4+δ and La2−x NdxCuO4+δ

Abstract We report the results of synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction studies of a series of electrochemically oxidized samples of La 2 CuO 4 + δ . These materials exhibit several structural phases depending upon the value of δ, including one with a superconducting transition temperature ( T c ) of 32 K, and two others with T c s near 45 K. The observation of two phases with such high T c s, which has not previously been reported, is made possible in this study by the high resolution of synchrotron X-ray diffraction. We have also made preliminary observations of several phases of composition La 2− x Nd x CuO 4+δ , and find these materials to be single phase for large values of δ. It may be that the random potential introduced by Nd 3+ substitution for La 3+ serves to pin the interstitial oxygen ions and prevents the formation of ordered superstructures for high values of δ.
Laser-Initiated Free Radical Chain Reactions: Synthesis Of Hydroperoxides

isobutane oxidation, laser -initiation also minimizes the HBr depletion rate relative to oxidation rate.IntroductionMany of the synthetic reactions for industrial bulk chemicals involve free radical chain reactions.Examples are autoxidation of hydrocarbons to their hydroperoxides, halogenation of hydrocarbons,dehydrochloronation of dichloroethane to vinyl chloride monomer and dehydrogenation or oxidativedehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene monomer. In nonphotochemical free radical chain reactions,thermal energy is required both to generate radicals (initiation) and also to overcome the activation energyfor subsequent chain propagation. In contrast, photochemical initiation can be controlled independently ofthe operating temperature, which can then be optimized according to the subsequent chemistry (includingchain propagation and product decomposition). Lower temperatures, therefore, can be realized to preservethe product stability and reduce thermal side reactions without sacrificing throughput.
Nickel porphyrin photophysics and photochemistry. A picosecond investigation of ligand binding and release in the excited state

Abstract The photophysical behavior and some photochemical processes for nickel (II) porphyrins have been examined with picosecond transient absorption techniques. Detailed results are reported for Ni-octaethylporphyrin (NiOEP) and Ni-protoporphyrin IX dimethylester (NiPPDME) in toluene, pyridine and piperidine. Excitation flashes at six wavelengths between 355 and 532 nm have been employed. In toluene, rapid (⩽ 15 ps) radiationless decay occurs via several pathways to the low-lying 3B1g excited state. In the basic solvents pyridine and piperidine, excited states with nickel 1A1g (dz2) character have a tendency to release ligands bound to the metal. Excited states with nickel 1B1g or 3B1g (dz2, dx2-y2) character on the other hand, have an affinity for basic ligands, which rapidly bind to the metal. The competition between radiationless decay, ligand binding, and ligand release depends on the nickel porphyrin, solvent, and excitation wavelength. A set of “rules” has been developed that gives a consistent view of all of our results and those of previous investigators. These results may be helpful in understanding photoprocesses in other transition-metal porphyrins, including hemes, which have particular biological significance.
Joint blind source separation by generalized joint diagonalization of cumulant matrices

In this paper, we show that the joint blind source separation (JBSS) problem can be solved by jointly diagonalizing cumulant matrices of any order higher than one, including the correlation matrices and the fourth-order cumulant matrices. We introduce an efficient iterative generalized joint diagonalization algorithm such that a series of orthogonal procrustes problems are solved. We present simulation results to show that the new algorithms can reliably solve the permutation ambiguity in JBSS and that they offer superior performance compared with existing multiset canonical correlation analysis (MCCA) and independent vector analysis (IVA) approaches. Experiment on real-world data for separation of fetal heartbeat in electrocardiogram (ECG) data demonstrates a new application of JBSS, and the success of the new algorithms for a real-world problem.
New reproductive technologies

The ethical calculus is described. There are four entities that have a stake in all ethical decisions. These are the individual, family, community and society at large. Values assigned to these entities can be modified by experience, cultural background, religious authority and the law. In the simple case of in vitro fertilization (IVF), there seems to be general international acceptance, except for the official position of the Roman Catholic Church, the origin of which dissent is extensively discussed. There is concern about the number of pre-zygotes/pre-embryos to be transferred, the disposition of any unfertilized egg and the reporting of results. Clear ethical considerations arise as IVF is applied in more complex situations, such as unmarried couples, the use of donor gametes and donor pre-embryos, the use of cryopreservation, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), prenatal genetic diagnosis, surrogate gestational motherhood and research on the pre-embryo. The ethical, religious and legal acceptance of these depends on the weight given to elements of the ethical calculus as described in the chapter.
Atomic transition probabilities a survey of our present knowledge and future needs

Abstract A general survey of the present status of our knowledge of atomic transition probabilities is given and the principal methods for obtaining the numerical data are briefly reviewed on a critical basis. Areas of particular relevance to beam foil spectroscopy are emphasized. Using a number of numerical examples and employing systematic trends and comparison data, some general problems encountered with beam foil data are pointed out. Finally, some of the most pressing future needs for new and improved transition probabilities are indicated.
Is schizoaffective disorder a useful diagnosis

A diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder is frequently used to describe a psychotic person with significant symptoms of depression and/or mania. The word schizoaffective was introduced by Jacob Kasanin in 1933 and has appeared in all editions of the DSM since 1952. However, the current DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder is not reliable and is of limited clinical utility. The validity is built primarily on the prediction of course and outcome and on emerging findings from genetic and neurobiological studies. This review of the current status of schizoaffective disorder concludes with several suggestions for a revision of the diagnosis within a categorical or dimensional nosology of psychotic and affective disorders.
Ultrasonic measurement of canine testes

Abstract The goals of the present study were to determine if ultrasonic measurement of testicular dimensions (length, width, and height) would provide an accurate assessment of canine testicular size (weight) and to determine the relationship of these measurements to animal body weight. The bodies of 30 intact male dogs of unknown health, breed or breeding history were obtained after the dogs were humanely killed at the local animal shelter. Total scrotal width (TSW) was measured by calipers and the length, width and height of each scrotal testis, excluding the epididymis, were measured by sonography. The testes were then excised and weighed, again excluding the epididymis. Multiple regression was used to predict total testicular weight from 1) only sonographic measurements (Model 1), 2) all testicular measurements (Model 2), 3) only total scrotal width (Model 3), and 4) only body weight (Model 4). In addition, stepwise multiple regression was used to identify models (Models 5 and 6) using external measurements of the testes which seemed most useful in predicting total testicular weight. Models 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 yielded r 2 values 0.90, 0.94, 0.88, 0.48 and 0.95 respectively. Model 5 yielded an r 2 of 0.90, but the additional accuracy achieved by using the testicular height was minimal. Although sonographic testicular measurement accurately predicted testicular weight, the small degree of additional accuracy achieved over TSW measurement by calipers does not justify the use of sonography in each case. However, if a testicular ultrasound scan is being performed, the ultrasonic measurements could be used to predict testicular weight.
Analysis of maize (Zea mays subsp. mays) pollen: Normalizing the effects of microscope‐slide mounting media on diameter determinations

Abstract Maize (Zea mays subsp. mays) dominates the record of prehistoric agriculture in the Neotropics. Nonetheless, many significant questions of Zea systematics and evolution persist. Palynology provides a record central to addressing those questions, but determining pollen grain diameter remains a significant methodological issue: diameter is a key characteristic in identification, and diameter seems to be space‐time dependent — the latter phenomenon but little understood. One issue in analyzing diameter is the confounding effect of microscope‐slide mounting media. This study provides correction factors to normalize diameter among silicon oil, glycerine jelly, and acrylic resin (du Pont Elvacite), the last coming into increasing use without previous study of its effect on pollen grain size.
Rationale for glycemic control in cardiac surgical patients: The portland diabetic project

Since 1987, the Portland Diabetic Project has enrolled >5000 patients with diabetes mellitus (DM)—including patients with noninsulin-dependent DM and patients with insulin-dependent DM—in a prospective nonrandomized study of the effects of perioperative insulin administration on morbidity and mortality after open-heart surgical procedures. In the early stages of the study, patients received SC insulin. In 1991, we instituted a continuous intravenous insulin (CII) protocol, which has been refined several times since its introduction. Our principal measure of glycemic control is the mean blood glucose value obtained by measuring glucose every 0.5 to 2 hours during the initial 3-day postoperative period (3-BG). There is a strong relationship between postoperative mortality and 3-BG value, even after adjusting for other clinical variables that influence mortality. The postoperative mortality rate was significantly lower among patients who received CII rather than SC insulin after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or cardiac surgery of any type. We have also found that 3-BG is strongly associated with the risk of postoperative deep sternal wound infection (DSWI), and that treatment with CII significantly reduces the risk of infection. Our CII glucose protocol is slightly more expensive to administer than conventional SC insulin. However, when cost savings associated with a reduced rate of serious infection and reduced length of hospital stay are considered, CII results in total savings of >$4500 per patient. Widespread use of our CII protocol to manage perioperative hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes who undergo open-heart surgical procedures would result in substantial reductions in morbidity, mortality, and overall costs to the health care system.
Low-temperature solubility of copper in beryllium, in beryllium-aluminum, and in beryllium-silicon using ion beams

Ion implantation and ion backscattering analysis have been used to measure the solubility of copper in beryllium over the temperature range 593 to 1023 K, and to determine the effect on the copper solubility of aluminum and silicon impurities. The binary data extend 280 K lower in temperature than previous results, while the ternary measurements are unique. The information is pertinent to the use of copper for solution strengthening of beryllium. Diffusion couples were formed by ion implantation of copper into single-crystal beryllium at room temperature, followed where appropriate by implantation of aluminum or silicon. The samples were then annealed isothermally, and the time-evolution of the composition-vs-depth profile, determined by ion backscattering analysis, yielded the solubility of copper. Measurements at exceptionally low temperatures were facilitated by the short diffusion distances, approximately equal to 0.1 mu m, and the use of neon irradiation to accelerate diffusion. The resulting binary data for the solubility C/sub 0/ of copper in beryllium merge smoothly into previous results at higher temperatures. The combined data, covering the temperature range 593 to 1373 K, are well described by C/sub 0/ = (12.6 at. pct) . exp (-842 K/T). In the ternary regime, the effects of aluminum andmore » silicon on the solubility of copper were found to be small.« less
Inhibition of metamorphosis and of ecdysis in mosquitoes.

A derivative of farnesoic acid (DFA), known to have juvenile hormone-like activity in silkworms, has been shown to inhibit development of Aedes aegypti and Culex pipiens larvae. Three types of abnormal development were noted after A. aegypti larvae were exposed to DFA during a brief period of development: some retained larval characteristics in the pupal stage; some failed to undergo adult ecdysis and instead hardened within the pupal skin; and some developed into adult males but with unrotated terminalia. The period of sensitivity of C. pipiens was less clear-cut. A. aegypti larvae, continuously exposed to DFA throughout the fourth instar, tended to produce non-viable ‘fifth-instar larvae’.
Improved synthesis of myo-inositol 1-(4-nitrophenyl hydrogen phosphate), a chromogenic substrate for phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C.

Abstract This paper describes an improved procedure for the synthesis of racemic myo-inositol 1-(4-nitrophenyl hydrogen phosphate) (NPIP) a useful substrate for the continuous spectrophotometric assay of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC).
Metrics analysis of the coupled Block Adaptive‐Tree Solar Wind Roe‐Type Upwind Scheme and Fok ring current model performance

[1] Modeling is an important tool in understanding physical processes in the solar system. Metrics analysis evaluates model performance by comparing model output to a measurable parameter of interest. In this paper we studied the performance of the coupled Block Adaptive-Tree Solar Wind Roe-Type Upwind Scheme (BATSRUS) global magnetosphere MHD code and the Fok ring current model (FRC) by examining in detail the geosynchronous proton fluxes during the injection event on 21–22 January 2005. The output of BATSRUS code, calculated ionospheric potential and magnetic field, as well as proton temperature and density distribution, is used as an input boundary condition for the FRC model. We also discuss another event, on 10–11 August 2000, and speculate about the reasons of an apparent difference in the performance of the coupled models for these two events. The results of the simulation are compared with two LANL satellite observations, LANL-97A and 1994-084. The comparison of the simulation results for strongly varying solar wind and for prolonged interval of steady solar wind with southward IMF Bz, demonstrates that coupled BATSRUS and FRC models perform fairly for the magnetosphere driven by strong solar wind disturbances and probably are missing some internal magnetosphere dynamics in the second case.
Towards a formal model of accountability

We propose a focus on accountability as a mechanism for ensuring security in information systems. To that end, we present a formal definition of it accountability in information systems. Our definition is more general and potentially more widely applicable than the accountability notions that have previously appeared in the security literature. In particular, we treat in a unified manner scenarios in which accountability is enforced automatically and those in which enforcement must be mediated by an authority; similarly, our formalism includes scenarios in which the parties who are held accountable can remain anonymous and those in which they must be identified by the authorities to whom they are accountable. Essential elements of our formalism include event traces and it utility functions and the use of these to define punishment and related notions.
Salvaging unstable or recurrent dislocating total hip arthroplasty with the constrained acetabular component.

Purpose. To review cases of implantation of constraining acetabular components for unstable or recurrent dislocating total hip arthroplasty at the Department of Orthopaedics, Concord Hospital, Sydney. Methods. A retrospective analysis was performed on prospectively collected data of 13 consecutively enrolled patients. Results. From 1989 to 2000, 13 constraining acetabular components were implanted into 13 patients as a revision procedure. The surgical approach for the implantation of the constrained liner was posterolateral in 11 cases; a modified Hardinge approach was applied in 2 cases. The mean clinical follow-up duration was 43 months (range, 14‐121 months) and the mean age at the time of surgery was 73 years (range, 52‐84 years). No patients were lost to follow-up. Indications for using the constrained acetabular component were recurrent dislocation in revision hip replacements (n8), and intra-operative instability (n5). There were no episodes of dislocation of the constrained arthroplasty. In 7 cases, the constrained component was implanted into a previously well-fixed shell.
Multivariable Model for Time to First Treatment in Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Purpose The clinical course for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is diverse; some patients have indolent disease, never needing treatment, whereas others have aggressive disease requiring early treatment. We continue to use criteria for active disease to initiate therapy. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify prognostic factors independently associated with time to first treatment for patients with CLL. Patients and Methods Traditional laboratory, clinical prognostic, and newer prognostic factors such as fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), IGHV mutation status, and ZAP-70 expression evaluated at first patient visit to MD Anderson Cancer Center were correlated by multivariable analysis with time to first treatment. This multivariable model was used to develop a nomogram—a weighted tool to calculate 2- and 4-year probability of treatment and estimate median time to first treatment. Results There were 930 previously untreated patients who had traditional and new prognostic fa...
Effects of Microstructure on Swelling and Tensile Properties of Neutron-Irradiated Types 316 and 405 Stainless Steels

Small-sheet tensile samples of Types 316 and 405 stainless steels were encapsulated together and irradiated in EBR-II at about 400 C (752 F) to a total fluence of 3.3 x 10 2 2 n/cm 2 with 2.3 x 10 2 2 n/cm 2 fast (E >0.1 MeV). A variety of microstructures was produced in each alloy prior to irradiation. In Type 316 stainless steel, swelling increased with the amount of carbide precipitation prior to irradiation, implying that carbon in solution impedes void formation. Cold-working 25 percent suppressed void formation. No swelling was observed in Type 405 stainless steel. Irradiation caused an increase in the yield and tensile strengths, and a decrease in ductility in all cases except the cold-worked Type 316 stainless steel. These latter samples showed a decrease in yield and tensile strengths and an increase in ductility due to the reversion of ∈ martensite to austenite.
Complementary Relationships Between Corporate Philanthropy and Corporate Political Activity: An Exploratory Study of Political Marketplace Contingencies

Although an important feature of firms’ corporate social responsibility (CSR), the strategic pressures behind firms’ corporate philanthropy (CP) are not well researched or understood. This research note argues that firms’ CP and firms’ corporate political activity (CPA) may share common strategic antecedents; forces in firms’ political environment may shape both CP and CPA. Using S&P 500 data in a longitudinal analysis (1997-2004), the authors find evidence suggesting that industry-level political uncertainty increases firm propensity for engaging in both CP and CPA, above and beyond the propensity to engage in either as a stand-alone strategy. The authors use this preliminary evidence to explore political marketplace contingencies for the relationship between CP and CPA. CSR literature indicates that CP can benefit firms by creating and enhancing their relational wealth and institutional legitimacy. Such benefits may also serve firm interactions with government policy makers—a dynamic largely ignored unt...
The Composition of Dalea formosa Oil Determined by Steam Distillation and Solid-Phase Microextraction

Abstract Dalea formosa Torr. (feather dalea, featherplume) was collected from the Jornada Experimental Range in south central New Mexico. Current year's growth was collected from 10 plants, all found within an approximate 50 m radius of the GPS coordinates N32°40.645′ and W106°33.601′ during July 2001. Composite samples of the plants were steam distilled in triplicate, and the composite oil was analyzed using both GC-FID and GC/MS. The volatile composition of plants collected from the same site was also examined using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) with a 100 μm polydimethylsiloxane fiber. Mass spectra and retention indices were used to identify 58 previously described compounds. The retention index and EI mass spectra are provided for one unknown. The most abundant constituents of the oil were α-pinene (31.7%), camphene (8.4%) and limonene (8.1%). In contrast, α-pinene (33.6%), β-pinene (13.2%) and camphene (11.1%) were the most abundant constituents of the SPME samples. This difference in compositio...
Robotic Exploration with Non-Isotropic Sensors

In this paper, we present an experimental implementation of an information-based path planning algorithm utilizing a three-wheeled ground robot. The robot is equipped with multiple ultrasonic sensors with which it collects information about objects of interest located within the exploration area. The mission of the robot is to identify the radius of the objects. This problem is challenging as the sensors are non-isotropic, i.e., the sensors have a limited angle of view, and the sensors are range-based, i.e., the amount of information collected by the sensors depends upon the distance from the sensor to the object of interest. The implementation shown relies on interpreting the information gathered as the inverse of uncertainty. Once a specified level of uncertainty reduction is achieved, the object is considered identified. Experimental results for a couple of different objects are provided. The results show close agreement with predicted simulations.
Fusion and Diversity Trade-Offs in Cooperative Estimation over Fading Channels

In this paper we consider a network of distributed sensors that are trying to measure a parameter of interest cooperatively, by exchanging their acquired information repeatedly over fading channels. We consider different ways of using the available bandwidth, in terms of what each node can send to its neighbors. More specifically, we characterize the impact of local fusion and show how it is a suitable policy when graph connectivity is low. When poor link qualities are the main bottleneck, on the other hand, we show how a diversity approach can be more beneficial. The proposed framework highlights the underlying tradeoffs between fusion and diversity approaches in cooperative networks. It furthermore explores the impact of multiple sensing on the overall performance.
Evidence for a Role of Capillary Pericytes in Vascular Growth of the Developing Ovine Corpus Luteum

Because of rapid growth followed by spontaneous regression, the ovarian corpus luteum (CL) is an excellent model to study angiogenesis in vivo. To evaluate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein during luteal development, ovaries were collected from FSH-stimulated ewes throughout the estrous cycle. VEGF was immunolocalized in tissue sections by using an affinity-purified antibody. VEGF protein localized exclusively to the thecal layer of preovulatory follicles, while the granulosa was devoid of staining. Associated with the periovulatory period was intense expression of VEGF by thecal cells at the basement membrane and subsequent invasion of the granulosa layers by these VEGF-positive cells immediately after ovulation. The early CL showed staining for VEGF in thecal-derived compartments, and strong staining for VEGF was also seen in cells within the granulosa-derived parenchymal lobules. Dual immunohistochemical localization of VEGF and smooth muscle cell a-actin indicated that the VEGF-positive cells were capillary pericytes or vascular smooth muscle cells. In another experiment, we quantified proliferation of endothelial cells and pericytes throughout luteal development. Pericytes represented a large proportion of the proliferating cells during the early luteal phase and then decreased dramatically. Perivascular cells, therefore, may play a critical role in angiogenesis that occurs during transformation of the follicle into the highly vascular CL of the sheep. As angiogenesis occurs only at the level of capillaries, and pericytes are integral members of these microvessels, regulation of pericytes may provide a novel mechanism for regulating luteal growth and tissue growth in general. angiogenesis, corpus luteum, follicle, ovary
A new frequency-reconfigurable antenna using coupling patterns for mobile handsets

This letter focuses on the design of a new frequency-reconfigurable antenna for a mobile handset application. The proposed antenna supports the most important long-term evolution bands: band 17 (704–746 MHz), band 13 (746–787 MHz), band 5 (824–894 MHz), and band 8 (880–960 MHz). A digital variable capacitor (DVC) is used via a coupling pattern proximity to the aperture of an inverted F antenna (IFA) to which a single-pole single throw RF switch is connected to take advantages of the two different kinds of tuning elements. We show that the proposed antenna is able to have a quasicontinuous and wide range of frequency tuning capabilities over 700–960 MHz through simulations and experiments. We also show that the coupled aperture used for connection of the DVC to the aperture of IFA is helpful for reducing the ohmic losses in the DVC from the antenna efficiency degradation which is the most important figure of merit for frequency reconfigurable antennas based on the active tuning elements. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:2333–2336, 2015
A Retrospective Examination of Urban Education From Brown to the Resegregation of African Americans in Special Education—It Is Time to “Go for Broke”

Despite the fact that African American and other students of color, students labeled as having disabilities, and poor students in urban schools are indisputably linked in terms of the quality of sc...
Relative Importance of Parents and Peers: Differences in Academic and Social Behaviors at Three Grade Levels Spanning Late Childhood and Early Adolescence

By focusing on school-based behaviors, this study examined the validity of a lay assumption that peers match, and even surpass, parents in terms of their importance as socialization agents by early...
Combining national health interview survey datasets: Issues and approaches

This paper identifies issues, special problems, and approaches in preparing estimates when combining National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) datasets. Such datasets can be used to produce estimates jointly based on individual NHIS survey components. This paper illustrates several issues associated with the analysis of multiple related datasets.
Influence of Translocations on Eastern Wild Turkey Population Genetics in Texas

Between 1979 and 2006, over 7,000 eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) from 16 states were translocated to east Texas in an attempt to restore a stable, huntable population. Although current populations are stable in some areas and a spring male-only hunting season was opened in 1995, turkey density in the region remains low and large areas of apparently suitable habitat are not occupied. The long-term effects of the extensive translocations and current levels of connectivity among various populations are unknown. We used microsatellite DNA analysis to assess the influence of translocations on current genetic structure and gene flow in eastern wild turkeys. The influence of translocations was clearly evident and reflected historical contributions from the Midwest and southeastern United States. The east Texas population consisted of 3 distinct genetic clusters. Despite a lack of clear geographic barriers and nearly contiguous forest cover in much of the east Texas landscape, regional gene flow among clusters appeared to be limited. Diversity in the regional population remains high, but we recommend that regulations reflect the current population structure and that long-term efforts should be made to increase connectivity among wild turkeys in the region. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.
Influence of Temperature and Light on Rates of Inorganic Nitrogen Transport by Algae in an Arctic Lake

Nitrogen-15 tracer techniques were used to assess the individual effects of temperature and light on maximum rates of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) transport by phytoplankton in an arctic lake. Transport rates of NO3− and NH4+ as a function of temperature in the range 3–30 °C were adequately described by second- or third-order polynomial functions. The optimum temperature for DIN transport was greater than the ambient water temperature by as much as 13°; thus, transport at the ambient water temperature averaged only 55–60% of optimum. Mean temperature coefficients for NO3− and NH4+ transport in the temperature range >0–15 °C were 2.3 ± 0.5 and 2.4 ± 0.3. The ratio of dark to light-saturated DIN transport (ρD/ρL) was used as a measure of light dependence in maximum rates of DIN transport. Values of ρD/ρL for NO3− and NH4+ were 0.15 ± 0.09 and 0.41 ± 0.11, indicating a stronger light dependence for NO3− than NH4+ transport. In cases where dark NO3− transport was negligible, light was treated as a subst...
Photosynthetic Membrane System in Anacystis nidulans

Cultures of Anacystis nidulans were grown under conditions of varying light intensity and temperature. Changes in pigment content were compared with changes in the fine structure of these cells. Pigment concentration and lamellar content varied inversely with the light intensity in cells grown with 100 and 1,000 foot candles of fluorescent light. Estimations of the relative area and volume of lamellae in cells showed that the amount of double membrane was directly proportional to the chlorophyll content of whole cells. Continuity of double membranes with cytoplasmic membrane was observed.
The Political Economy of Banking and Financial Regulation in the United States

This chapter provides a positive political-economy explanation of the origins of and recent changes in significant aspects of banking and financial regulation in the United States. Geographic restrictions on bank expansion originate in states’ public financing needs during the nineteenth century. Beneficiaries of these restrictions then can maintain them until a recent series of technological, legal, and economic shocks cause a change in the political equilibrium, thereby permitting the interests in favor of deregulation to triumph. Competition among rival interests also explains the persistence of the restrictions of bank powers in such areas as securities underwriting. Continuing shocks in financial services, however, are likely to precipitate a breakdown of the current political equilibrium in favor of allowing increased banking powers.
Get in on it

This short article discusses the author's experience with a client who is a video game developer, and who had worked into the game things modeled after real places and businesses. The issue was if a named business in the game was so similar to an existing business that it might be infringing the trademark rights of the actual business's real name. The author goes on to discuss these issues in light of current law.
Place-Based Social Studies Teacher Education: Learning to Teach for Ecological Citizenship While Investigating Local Waste Issues

This chapter dwells in the intersection of the fields of social studies, teacher education, place-based education, and sustainability education. It is founded on an earthen conception of citizenship referred to as “ecological citizenship,” and it argues that the work of social studies must frame citizenship in this way, particularly given the menacing reality of human-spurred climate change. The crux of the chapter is a story about a social studies teacher educator and social studies pre-service teachers learning to teach for ecological citizenship in part by taking a tour of their university’s waste management program. The chapter concludes with a charge for social studies teacher educators to ground their curricula in the places that they and their students inhabit, recognizing that all learning is inherently placed, while shaping a conception of citizenship that positions individual and community action in ecological contexts, not just political, anthropocentric ones.
Presents: probabilistic resource-search networks

We consider a model in which there are spatially located static resources on a road network, and a mobile agent. The agent looks to obtain one of the resources, and has no knowledge of exact availability of the resources; only probabilistic information is available. We develop a novel and efficient algorithm that guides the agent through a road network in order to find the desired resource at minimal cost.
Densification of Glass by HIP

Densification of glass under high pressure and high temperature are shortly reviewed from the points of view of glass structure and densification mechanism. Some of characteristic properties of the densified state are promising for use in the fields of optics and ultra-sonic waves.
Differing Perceptions of Mothers, Fathers, and children Concerning Children's Academic Performance

ABSTRACT This study examined the hypothesis that mothers' views of their child's performance on an academic task are more synchronous with those of their child than are fathers' views. Parents of 30 sixth-grade children were asked to predict their child's memory spans on a recall and a recognition task given to each child. Parents and children were also asked to judge the importance for the child's performance on 10 attribution factors created for use with memory tests. In line with the hypothesis, mothers predicted the child's memory span more accurately than fathers, and the mothers' attributions were more congruent with those of their children. Mothers were also more aware than fathers of the different demands of the two memory tasks. These findings suggest that mothers may be more aware than fathers of their child's academic progress and that mothers' attitudes and expectations may be more influential in determining the child's path of development.
Effect of pH on conversion of proinsulin to insulin by a subcellular fraction of rat islets.

Previous studies on insulin biosynthesis in rats indicate that insulin is formed by way of a precursor (proinsulin) and one or more intermediates (1). A delay of 10–20 min. between proinsulin synthesis and onset of conversion has been demonstrated. Within this same period of time proinsulin is rapidly accumulated into the secretion granule containing fraction of the cell. The T1/2 for conversion of proinsulin to insulin is approximately 1 hr and the newly synthesized insulin appears to be secreted after 1 hr (2).Cell fractionation studies (3, 4) and electron microscopic radioautography indicate that proinsulin is synthesized on the rough endoplasmic reticulum and sequestered into the secretion granules presumably by way of the Golgi apparatus. These findings have suggested that the conversion of proinsulin to insulin occurs within the Golgi apparatus and/or the developing secretion granules. The distribution of labeled proinsulin and insulin in subcellular fractions of isolated rat islets is consistent wi...
Patterns of woody plant-derived soil carbon losses and persistence after brush management in a semi-arid grassland

Woody encroachment and subsequent brush management aimed at reducing woody plant cover can alter soil organic carbon (SOC) pools. However, brush management influences on the sources and stability of SOC is unknown. Using a space-for-time approach in a site with closely co-located patches representing unencroached grassland, woody encroachment, and brush management, we coupled stable isotopes and plant-derived biomarkers to quantify how woody encroachment alters input sources and stability of SOC and how these patterns change with brush management. Stable isotopes, lignin-derived phenols, substituted fatty acids, and carbon content of density fractions were measured in soils collected in shrub canopy interspaces, under live shrubs, and under shrubs killed 8 or 52 y previously. Bulk SOC and C3-derived SOC were higher in shallow soil (0–5 cm) under live shrubs than in interspace soil. Long-term brush management showed a decline in total SOC stocks, substituted fatty acids, and C3-derived SOC that were associated with the soil light fraction. Despite declines in bulk SOC following brush management, accumulated C3-derived SOC pools in the dense fraction remained largely stable following brush management. Woody encroachment increases the proportion of poorly-protected light fraction and loosely-mineral associated SOC derived from leaf litter, which is lost within several decades after brush management. However, woody encroachment produced a stabilized mineral-bound pool of C3- and C4-derived SOC that remained 52 years after brush management, suggesting that woody encroachment has the potential for long-term SOC stabilization.
Development of immature Fannia spp. (Diptera: Muscidae) at constant laboratory temperatures.

Fannia canicularis (L.) and Fannia femoralis (Stein) were reared at 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, and 36°C. Development from oviposition to adult required 572 degree days (DD) above an estimated threshold of 0.5°C for F. canicularis and 359 DD above 4.9°C for F. femoralis . Time spent in the third larval instar and the pupal stage made up about 70% of the total for both species. Egg mortality was low (8–14%) between 18–30°C for both species, but increased to 88 and 73% at 36°C for F. canicularis and F. femoralis , respectively. Eggs and pupae of F. femoralis exhibited moderate mortality (39 and 43%, respectively) at 12°C, while mortality of F. canicularis eggs and pupae was low (11 and 13%, respectively) at that temperature. Pupal mortality increased at 33°C for both species, and there was no survival to the pupal stage at 36°C. Overall, F. canicularis appears to be more tolerant of cool temperatures and more intolerant of high temperatures than F. femoralis , though both are sensitive to temperatures ≥30°C. Intolerance of high temperatures helps explain the coolseason occurrence of these Fannia spp. in California.
Observations on Aphid Cornicle Secretions

Physiological and chemical observations were made on the cornicle secretions of Myzus persicae (Sulzer), Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), and a Chaitophorus sp. If appropriately stimulated, a droplet of fluid, about 150µ in diameter, appeared at the tip of the cornicles; this droplet hardened in about 20 seconds. Chemically, the hardened droplets were composed primarily of triglycerides. Myristic acid was the major fatty acid moiety of the trigly-cerides.
Silicon nanophotonic networks for quantum optical information processing

Silicon nanophotonics show a lot of promise as the basic architecture for quantum information processing devices. This is particularly the case in relation to the scalability of such devices. During this talk I will review our simple theoretical model of a structure that we have identified as a ‘fundamental circuit element’ for linear optical quantum information processing in silicon nanophotonics. In particular, we have shown that, owing to an effect we call Passive Quantum Optical Feedback (PQOF), the topology of this circuit element allows for certain possible operational advantages, in addition to inherent scalability, not expected in bulk linear optics. I will emphasize the extension of our work to larger networks, including the Knill-Laflamme-Milburn (KLM) Controlled-Not (CNOT) gate and its important constituent, the so-called Nonlinear Sign (NS) shifter. Further, I will discuss our ongoing effort to design and optimize scalable networks that seem to have useful applications in quantum metrology and sensing. In developing the discussion, I will examine recent developments related to incorporation of losses and spectral properties in such a way as to generalize our simple, continuous-wave (cw) model of essentially lossless operation. I will also discuss on-chip generation and control of entangled photons within the nanophotonic material itself, especially as related to potentially useful applications in information processing.
Measurements of conversion electrons in the s-process branching point nucleus 176Lu

Conversion coefficients, gamma-gamma and gamma-electron coincidences were measured in the s-process branching point nucleus 176Lu . Our goal was to determine the multipolarities of the $ \gamma$ -ray transitions that connect the high and low K states of 176Lu . This 176Lu nucleus has a long-lived ground state ( $ K=7^{-}$ of 37.6Gy, a short-lived isomeric state ( $ K=0^{-}$ at 122.8keV with half-life of 3.6h, as well as a 58μs isomer at 1588keV ( $ K=14^{+}$ . The excitation structure of this nucleus contains bands of intermediate spins of both positive and negative parities. The intermediate states can under certain stellar temperatures completely change the equilibrium between the isomer and ground state of 176Lu and change the abundance of this nucleus. We populated 37 previously known levels in this nucleus via the 176Yb (p, n reaction and measured 42 conversion coefficients for $ \gamma$ -ray transitions including 17 of them for the first time.
Counteractive effects of agonistic and antagonistic gonadotropinreleasing hormone analogs on spermatogenesis: sites of action

Both gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonistic and antagonistic analogs have been shown to inhibit reproductive hormonal function. While predictable and complete suppression of spermatogenesis is the ultimate goal of a number of clinical studies aimed at developing male contraceptive agents based on GnRH analogs, neither class of analog has been shown to completely inhibit spermatogenesis in man. The potential for a synergistic interaction of submaximal doses of these two classes of GnRH analogs was investigated in the present studies. In these studies 200 ng/day of a potent agonist (D-Leu6 des-Gly10GnRH ethylamide) and 100 µg/day of a potent antagonist (NAc-L-Ala1, pCl-D-Phe2, D-Trp3,6GnRH) were administered subcutaneously, both alone and in combination, to adult male rats for 21 days. Serum gonadotropins and testosterone, pituitary GnRH receptor content, gonadal gonadotropin receptors, and intratesticular sperm counts were quantitated in each treatment group. Despite the ability of both GnRH agonists and antagonists to inhibit reproductive function when administered as single agents in this study, combined treatment with the two classes of GnRH analogs was less effective than either agent alone at these doses in the pharmacologic suppression of spermatogenesis.
The Decline of the Open Ureteral Reimplant in the United States: National Data From 2003 to 2013

Objective To examine trends in the number of cases of primary vesicoureteral reflux managed by ureteral reimplantation nationally over the last decade. Substantial changes have occurred in management of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) over time, but trends in use of ureteral reimplantation have yet to be investigated on a national scale with annualized data. Materials and Methods Using the Premier Healthcare Database, we extracted hospital discharge data for pediatric patients (age ≤ 18 years) with a procedure code for ureteroneocystostomy (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, 56.74) between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2013. We excluded patients with secondary VUR. The presence of a temporal trend in reimplantation was examined via regression using generalized estimating equations. Results In 4301 cases of primary VUR (23,602 weighted), there was a substantial decrease in the number of reimplantations performed, with an estimated decline in the rate of 0.239 cases per attending per year ( P = .006). Average patient age declined 1.2 months in each year ( P P = .026). There was no difference between rates of decline in reimplantation for children with and without reflux nephropathy ( P = .21) Conclusion Nationally there has been a marked decrease in the incidence of ureteral reimplantation among children with primary VUR. The potential factors contributing to this are broad, including changes in diagnostic patterns, treatment recommendations, and the rise of endoscopic intervention.
When Feedback Loops Collide: A Complex Adaptive Systems Approach to Modeling Human and Nature Dynamics

In the context of sustainable development, complex adaptive systems frameworks can help address the coupling of macro social, environmental and economic constraint and opportunity with individual agency. Using a simple evolutionary game approach, we fuse endogenously derived socio-economic system dynamics from human and nature dynamics (HANDY) theory with Prisoner’s Dilemma spatial intra-societal economic transactions. We then create a new human and nature dynamics agent based model to explore technological progression on population dynamics, economic development, social inequality and use of resources. We investigate the impact of technology proliferation on communications ease and the resulting compression of social space on individual wealth and societal sustainability. Our initial result shows complex adaptive or evolutionary systems approaches are necessary to understand both near and potentially catastrophic, far-from-equilibrium behavior and societal outcomes across all scales of human behavior and dynamics.
Effects of oxygen and oxidation on tensile behavior of V-4Cr-4Ti alloy

Abstract Vanadium-base alloys are potential candidates for applications such as the first wall and other structural components of fusion reactors, but a good understanding of the oxidation behavior of the alloys intended for elevated-temperature use is essential. We conducted a systematic study to determine the effects of time and temperature of air exposure on the oxidation behavior and microstructure of V–4Cr–4Ti alloy. Uniaxial tensile tests were conducted at room temperature and at 500°C on preoxidized specimens of the alloy to examine the effects of oxidation time and oxygen migration on maximum engineering stress and uniform and total elongation. The effect of preexposure of the specimens to environments with varying oxygen partial pressures on the tensile properties of the alloy was investigated. Extensive microstructural analyses of the oxygen-exposed/tensile-tested specimens were conducted to evaluate the cracking propensity for the alloy. In addition, tensile-property data for the alloy were correlated with oxygen pressure in the exposure environment, test temperature, and exposure time.