cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evolution of apicomplexan secretory organelles

The alveolate superphylum includes many free-living and parasitic organisms, which are united by the presence of alveolar sacs lying proximal to the plasma membrane, providing cell structure. All species comprising the apicomplexan group of alveolates are parasites and have adapted to the unique requirements of the parasitic lifestyle. Here the evolution of apicomplexan secretory organelles that are involved in the critical process of egress from one cell and invasion of another is explored. The variations within the Apicomplexa and how these relate to species-specific biology will be discussed. In addition, recent studies have identified specific calcium-sensitive molecules that coordinate the various events and regulate the release of these secretory organelles within apicomplexan parasites. Some aspects of this machinery are conserved outside the Apicomplexa, and are beginning to elucidate the conserved nature of the machinery. Briefly, the relationship of this secretion machinery within the Apicomplexa will be discussed, compared with free-living and predatory alveolates, and how these might have evolved from a common ancestor.
A HEURISTIC APPROACH TO MULTI-MODE THEORY OF SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND THE EFFECT OF MODE-DAMPING

Based on a clear physical picture, a theory of superconductivity capable of treating the simultaneous participation of multiple bosonic modes that mediate the pairing interaction is developed in terms of the dielectric function. The effect of mode damping is then incorporated in a simple manner that is free of the encumbrance of the strong-coupling, Green function formalism usually required for the retardation effect. Explicit formulae including such damping are derived for the critical temperature Tc and the energy gap Delta 0 showing, in particular, how the ratio 2 Delta 0/Tc may thus vary from sample to sample, a prediction consistent with the recent experimental findings on high-Tc superconductors.
Towards Successful Peace-keeping Remembering Croatia

Using a case study of the UN’s experiences in Croatia, this essay addresses the question of why some UN peace-keeping missions succeed, while others fail. The essay develops wider criteria of success than usually employed in peace-keeping literature and analyzes the performance in Croatia based on these measures. It then takes hypotheses extracted from the international relations literature on peace-keeping and comparative politics literature on civil conflict management and tests them against this case. First,‘international’ factors, those related to the UN itself, such as its level of commitment to a mission, and the presence or absence of leadership by a major power, are considered. Second, ‘domestic’ factors are addressed, including the level of consent and cooperation of the warring parties and the existence of a military stalemate. In light of these findings it is asserted that peace-keeping can indeed be successful when certain necessary and sufficient conditions are met. In Croatia, success seems ...
Device for in-vivo study of the tumor micro-environment

In-vivo cancer cells create a unique microenvironment which enables their spread to other organs. To understand the tumor microenvironment, special tools and devices are required to monitor the interaction among different cell types as well as the effects of particular chemical gradients. We are reporting on the status of a new device (the NANIVID: NANoIntraVItal Device) that will collect chemotactic cells from the tumor environment. Due to the transparency of this implantable device, direct in-vivo cell imaging both inside and outside the device is possible. The cell collection chamber of the device consists of a micro-electrode system based on patterning of transparent, conducting films that deliver real time data including cell density and dynamics. The current development and testing status of the device will be presented. This will include the modeling of ligand gradient profile results produced from the device and the cell migration in the EGF (epidermal growth factor) gradient created by the device. Further, prototype electrode arrays were designed, fabricated and cells were cultured on the arrays at selected degrees of confluence to measure the device sensitivity. The development path of the NANIVID will be integrated with an existing animal model protocol for in-vivo testing. This will result in a clearer understanding of the dynamics of a tumor's metastatic progression.
Mutations in the cardiac transcription factor NKX2.5 affect diverse cardiac developmental pathways

Heterozygous mutations in NKX2.5, a homeobox transcription factor, were reported to cause secundum atrial septal defects and result in atrioventricular (AV) conduction block during postnatal life. To further characterize the role of NKX2.5 in cardiac morphogenesis, we sought additional mutations in groups of probands with cardiac anomalies and first-degree AV block, idiopathic AV block, or tetralogy of Fallot. We identified 7 novel mutations by sequence analysis of the NKX2.5-coding region in 26 individuals. Associated phenotypes included AV block, which was the primary manifestation of cardiac disease in nearly a quarter of affected individuals, as well as atrial septal defect and ventricular septal defect. Ventricular septal defect was associated with tetralogy of Fallot or double-outlet right ventricle in 3 individuals. Ebstein’s anomaly and other tricuspid valve abnormalities were also present. Mutations in human NKX2.5 cause a variety of cardiac anomalies and may account for a clinically significant portion of tetralogy of Fallot and idiopathic AV block. The coinheritance of NKX2.5 mutations with various congenital heart defects suggests that this transcription factor contributes to diverse cardiac developmental pathways. J. Clin. Invest. 104:1567–1573 (1999).
Direct action of Physalia toxin on frog nerve and muscle

Abstract Isolated frog sciatic-gastrocnemius preparations were used to investigate the actions of P. physalis toxin on the conduction of nerve impulses and on muscle contraction. Segments of sciatic nerves treated for 10 min with toxin solutions (1·0 mg per ml) failed to conduct impulses, although stimulation of the nerve distal to the treated segments elicited normal muscle contractions. Direct electrical stimulation of curarized gastrocnemius muscles was ineffective when toxin was present in the Ringer's solution bathing the muscle at a concentration of 1·0 mg per ml.
Microbial ecology of hydrothermal biotypes

Hydrothermal environments, whether terrestrial or marine, provide a window into potentially thriving ecosystems on other solar bodies. If such extraterrestrial biotopes do exist, they might be inhabited by extremophilic microorganisms, perhaps related to hyperthermophiles (optimal growth temperature > 80°C) previously characterized from geothermal sites on this planet. Study of the physiological and metabolic patterns in hyperthermophiles will shed light on microbial lifestyles consistent with putative hydrothermal niches on other planets and moons.
The functions of sarcastic irony in speech

Abstract Brown and Levinson's (1987) theory of politeness, while partly supported by empirical studies, may not accommodate a number of relevant social and psychological variables. Accordingly, Kasper (1990) suggests investigating the ‘forms and meanings of politeness’ in a variety of discourse and social contexts. Since Brown and Levinson contend that irony may be used for face-saving, and Sperber and Wilson (1981) explain why irony is especially suitable for remarking on the failure of an expectation, the face-saving function of sarcastic irony in American discourse is the focus of this paper. The first study shows that sarcastic irony is typically used to complain to or criticize intimates, who are usually hearers of the remarks. Hearers' reactions to both sarcastic and directly stated remarks with comparable content were explored, and remarks expressing trivial and serious complaints, occurring in conversations between same-sex best friends, were compared. Overall, the results show that sarcasm can serve a face-saving function, making the speaker appear less rude and unfair, particularly when expressing a trivial criticism; humor contributes little to this face-saving. These results raise problems for Brown and Levinson's formula for degree of face-threat, which is discussed, along with explanations for sarcasm's face-saving properties.
Dislocation reactions, grain boundaries, and irreversibility in two-dimensional lattices using topological tweezers

Dislocations, disclinations, and grain boundaries are topological excitations of crystals that play a key role in determining out-of-equilibrium material properties. In this article we study the kinetics, creation, and annihilation processes of these defects in a controllable way by applying “topological tweezers,” an array of weak optical tweezers which strain the lattice by weakly pulling on a collection of particles without grabbing them individually. We use topological tweezers to deterministically control individual dislocations and grain boundaries, and reversibly create and destroy dislocation pairs in a 2D crystal of charged colloids. Starting from a perfect lattice, we exert a torque on a finite region and follow the complete step-by-step creation of a disoriented grain, from the creation of dislocation pairs through their reactions to form a grain boundary and their reduction of elastic energy. However, when the grain is rotated back to its original orientation the dislocation reactions do not retrace. Rather, the process is irreversible; the grain boundary expands instead of collapsing.
The Early Embryological Development of the Parthenogenetic Alfalfa Snout Beetle, Brachyrhinus Ligustici L.

The Alfalfa snout beetle, Brachyrhinus ligustici , is an introduced pest which probably came about forty years ago from central Europe where it is widely distributed, but was not much of a problem in this country until alfalfa growing became extensive within the past few years. it was discovered about 1933 to be feeding on alfalfa near Oswego, New York. The adult is wingless, which probably accounts for the fact that it has spread so slowly and is confined to a comparatively small area around Oswego (Palm, 1935). However, it develops in very large numbers in small restricted areas and does serious damage to alfalfa.
Concept Learning versus Problem Solving: Evaluating a Threat to the Validity of a Particulate Gas Law Question

Three different samples of students were asked to answer five multiple-choice questions concerning the properties of a sample of helium gas (particle speed, state of matter, sample volume, sample pressure, and particle distribution), including a particulate question first used by Nurrenbern and Pickering (particle distribution). In the first experiment, half of the students were given the boiling point of helium under these conditions while the other half were not; in the second experiment, half of the students were explicitly told that the cooled gas sample would not liquefy or solidify under these conditions while the other half were not; in the third experiment, half of the students received instruction that asked them to focus on whether the container for the gas sample was rigid or nonrigid while the other half received traditional instruction that did not focus on the rigidity of gas container. The responses from students in these three experiments were compared. The first experiment was unable to s...
Diagnostic imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis before liver transplantation

Key Concepts: 1The lack of whole-liver explant correlation has led to an overestimation of the sensitivity of imaging tests for the diagnosis of HCC in the radiological literature. 2Ultrasound is insensitive for the diagnosis of HCC in the cirrhotic liver and should not be used for the detection of focal liver lesions in this setting. 3Although magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is more sensitive than multidetector 3-phase computed tomography (CT) for the diagnosis of regenerative and dysplastic nodules it is probably no better than CT for detection of HCC and has a lower false-positive rate. 4Approximately 10–30% of nodules measuring <2 cm seen only on the hepatic arterial phase at CT or MR imaging represent small HCC and vigilant surveillance imaging is required as interval growth is the best indicator of malignancy. Liver Transpl 12:S1–S7, 2006. © 2006 AASLD.
Feminism and rational choice theory

Feminism and rational choice theory have both been hailed as approaches with the potential to revolutionize political science. Apart from a few exceptions, however, work utilizing these two perspectives rarely overlaps. This article reviews their main contributions and explores the potential for a combined approach. It argues that a synthesis of feminism and rational choice theory would involve attending to questions of gender, strategy, institutions, power, and change. The contours and benefits of this approach are illustrated with reference to one particular area of research: the adoption of electoral gender quotas. Despite a current lack of engagement across approaches, this example illustrates that the tools of feminist and rational choice analysis may be brought together in productive ways to ask and answer theoretically and substantively important questions in political science.
Aluminum Nitride reconfigurable RF-MEMS front-ends

Aluminum Nitride based piezoelectric microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology has the potential to develop a fully integrated radio frequency (RF) platform that satisfies the requirements of next-generation communication standards: reconfigurability, miniaturization, and low power consumption. Here we report on the recent developments of this AlN thin-film based technology, namely resonators, filters, oscillators and switches. These examples highlight how MEMS will enable the mass manufacturing of reconfigurable RF front-ends.
Predictive Models for Acute Kidney Injury Following Cardiac Surgery

Background Accurate prediction of cardiac surgery–associated acute kidney injury (AKI) would improve clinical decision making and facilitate timely diagnosis and treatment. The aim of the study was to develop predictive models for cardiac surgery–associated AKI using presurgical and combined pre- and intrasurgical variables. Study Design Prospective observational cohort. Settings & Participants 25,898 patients who underwent cardiac surgery at Cleveland Clinic in 2000-2008. Predictor Presurgical and combined pre- and intrasurgical variables were used to develop predictive models. Outcomes Dialysis therapy and a composite of doubling of serum creatinine level or dialysis therapy within 2 weeks (or discharge if sooner) after cardiac surgery. Results Incidences of dialysis therapy and the composite of doubling of serum creatinine level or dialysis therapy were 1.7% and 4.3%, respectively. Kidney function parameters were strong independent predictors in all 4 models. Surgical complexity reflected by type and history of previous cardiac surgery were robust predictors in models based on presurgical variables. However, the inclusion of intrasurgical variables accounted for all explained variance by procedure-related information. Models predictive of dialysis therapy showed good calibration and superb discrimination; a combined (pre- and intrasurgical) model performed better than the presurgical model alone (C statistics, 0.910 and 0.875, respectively). Models predictive of the composite end point also had excellent discrimination with both presurgical and combined (pre- and intrasurgical) variables (C statistics, 0.797 and 0.825, respectively). However, the presurgical model predictive of the composite end point showed suboptimal calibration ( P Limitations External validation of these predictive models in other cohorts is required before wide-scale application. Conclusions We developed and internally validated 4 new models that accurately predict cardiac surgery–associated AKI. These models are based on readily available clinical information and can be used for patient counseling, clinical management, risk adjustment, and enrichment of clinical trials with high-risk participants.
The Temple of Ethnicity

In this review essay, recent significant works on the subject of comparative ethnicity are situated in the broader context of cultural pluralism as an emergent interdisciplinary field. The reasons for the crystallization of cultural pluralism as a distinctive field of inquiry are explored. The rise of ethnic studies was obviously triggered by the growing saliency of communal conflict in all regions of the world. The low visibility of such cleavages in the early postwar years may be attributed to conjunctural factors. Important long-term trends include the broadening and deepening of patterns of social communication and competition through urbanization, expanding literacy, mass media, and population movements; these processes are apt to produce heightened communal consciousness and politicization of ethnic cleavages. The great expansion in the scope of state actions raises the stakes in issues of division of the national product and domination of the state apparatus. A large consensus has emerged in the literature as to the situational, contextual, and circumstantial nature of ethnicity. Within the comparative ethnicity literature, an important division has appeared between “instrumentalists,” who stress the pursuit of collective advantage, and “primordialists,” who focus upon the assumed givens of shared culture and the psychological properties of ethnic consciousness.
Linear block prediction with source classification for image encoding applications

Discusses the results of linear block prediction of images. An image can be considered to be zero-mean real vector process by removing the mean vector. Vectors of dimension k=r*r are formed from subblocks of size r*r, and a subblock is predicted as a linear combination of p, q previous blocks along the row and column respectively. The coefficient matrices are chosen so as to minimize the mean square error over a given prediction frame of N*N pixels. The authors deal only with prediction along the rows. A Levinson type recursive algorithm can be used to obtain the coefficient matrices. As an application to image coding, the residual vectors are encoded using a vector quantizer (VQ) in a closed-loop fashion forming a vector DPCM (VDPCM). The prediction frames are classified according to their mean and variances using K-means algorithm and codebooks are generated for each individual class. This source classification will utilize the codebook more efficiently and result in lower data rate or better quality. >
Brief Formalin Fixation and Rapid Tissue Processing Do Not Affect the Sensitivity of ER Immunohistochemistry of Breast Core Biopsies

Objectives: Recent studies have questioned the supporting evidence for the American Society of Clinical Oncology/ College of American Pathologists (ASCO/CAP) guidelines of the 8-hour minimum fixation time required for estrogen receptor immunohistochemistry (ER-IHC) assays in breast cancer. Methods: We investigated whether brief formalin fixation together with rapid tissue processing affects the sensitivity of ER in core breast biopsies. Five core samples each from 22 mastectomy specimens were collected and fixed in 10% formalin for periods ranging from 30 minutes to 1 week. Core 5 was fixed and processed according to the ASCO/CAP guidelines. ER-IHC was performed following heat-induced antigen retrieval using antibody 1D5. The proportion and intensity of reaction was recorded using the Q score. Results: Five of 22 cancers were ER negative in all cores. In 17 ER-positive cases, no differences were found in the intensity of reaction between 30 minutes and 1 week of formalin fixation. Similarly, no difference was observed in the Q scores of rapidly and conventionally processed control tumor cores. Conclusions: Brief formalin fixation along with rapid processing has no negative effect on the sensitivity of ER-IHC in breast core biopsies. This combination significantly reduces the turnaround time for preparing breast needle biopsy specimens. The decision to initiate treatment for patients with breast cancer is based on the results of tissue biomarker studies including estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Breast core needle biopsy specimens are now the primary source for the performance of these tests, particularly if neoadjuvant therapy is being considered. Preanalytic variables may affect the accuracy of ER, PR, and HER2 results. Immunohistochemical detection of ER requires adherence to standardization of preanalytic variables including the cold ischemic time, type of fixative, and duration of fixation. 1-4 The guidelines of the
Plausible mobility inference from wireless contacts using optimization

Studies of mobile wireless protocols benefit from real-world traces that measure and record node locations over time. Such traces form an essential part of evaluation studies for many types of mobile and wireless networks, including but not limited to opportunistic networks.Mobility information provides the possibility of richer simulations in such studies, while contact information, irretrievably, loses considerable details like the exact locations of the nod es and their velocities. Despite this, contact information can be measured more easily compared to detailed locations of the nodes. We bridge the gap between relatively more available contact traces and potentially more useful mobility traces by presenting a solution for inferring plausible mobility from contact information. Our technique uses a simple non-linear optimization approach to formulate this as a feasibility problem with fundamental constraints on the mobility of the nodes. We introduce our technique and its underlying assumptions, and evaluate its performance in recovering mobility from synthetic and real traces. We also show that our approach brings orders of magnitude improvements in inference performance compared to state of the art.
An Improved Method for Estimating Macromolecular Synthesis

Estimating rates of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis has been greatly facilitated by the use of radioactive precursors. Currently available methods to assess macromolecular synthesis in higher plants are time-consuming and imprecise. In the procedure outlined here, the conventional method is simplified by processing the tissue intact. This method allows a rapid analysis and considerably reduces the inherent variability associated with the conventional method.
High temperature x-ray and calorimetric studies of phase transformations in quasicrystalline Ti-Zr-Ni alloys

We present the first high temperature x-ray diffraction (HTXRD) studies of in situ quasicrystal-crystal and crystal-crystal transformations in Ti–Zr–Ni alloys. Together with differential scanning calorimetry studies, these x-ray measurements indicate three separate paths for the Ti–Zr–Ni quasicrystal-crystal transformation: single exothermic, single endothermic, or multiple endothermic. The mode of transformation depends on the alloy composition and the level of environmental oxygen. The crystalline products include the Ti2Ni, MgZn2 Laves, α−(Ti, Zr), and β−(Ti, Zr) phases. In the absence of oxygen, the endothermic transformation of the quasicrystal demonstrates that it is the lowest free energy (stable) phase at the Ti53Zr27Ni20 composition. Oxygen stabilizes the Ti2Ni phase, eliminating both the quasicrystal and the MgZn2 Laves phase, at partial pressures as low as a few hundred ppm.
Incremental dynamic impact analysis for evolving software systems

Impact analysis - determining the potential effects of changes on a software system - plays an important role in helping engineers revalidate modified software. In previous work we presented a new impact analysis technique. PathImpact, for performing dynamic impact analysis at the level of procedures, and we showed empirically that the technique can be cost-effective in comparison to prominent prior techniques. A drawback of that approach as presented, however, is that when attempting to apply the technique to a new version of a system as that system and its test suite evolves, the process of recomputing the data required by the technique for that version can be excessively expensive. In this paper, therefore, we present algorithms that allow the data needed by PathImpact to be collected incrementally. We present the results of a controlled experiment investigating the costs and benefits of this incremental approach relative to the approach of completely recomputing prerequisite data.
The Economic and Environmental Outcomes of Microfinance Projects: An Indian Case Study

Microfinance projects now seek to achieve improvement in environmental quality in addition to poverty alleviation. Achievement of these goals may depend upon the economic and environmental impact of microfinance businesses. This study is a quantitative analysis of these outcomes for Ecodevelopment, an Indian microfinance project, which aims to prevent forest degradation by poverty alleviation. The study divides businesses into perishable goods, non-perishable goods, simple skills, and special skills and measures their economic outcome by two indicators, repayment percentage and continuity of businesses. The study examines the effect of loan amount on the economic outcome of businesses. To quantify the environmental outcome, it analyzes the use of firewood or fodder and release of pollutants by businesses. The results show that loan amount does not affect the economic outcome, special skills have best performance, and skills cause less pressure on forest resources. These results suggest the need for development of knowledge-intensive skills, involvement of institutions in the operations of business, and inclusive policies for protected area management.
The Effects of Race and Socioeconomic Status on Residential Segregation in Texas, 1970–80

The extent to which residential segregation results from differences in the socioeconomic status of raciallethnic groups remains a topic of debate. Although recent studies have argued that improvements in minority groups' socioeconomic status will lead to reduced residential segregation, such analyses have been crosssectional. This study uses longitudinal data from 27 central cities in Texas to examine the effects of 1970, 1980, and 1970-80 changes in socioeconomic status on Black-White, Anglo-Spanish, and Black-Spanish segregation. The findings indicate that socioeconomic factors are not significant determinants of raciallethnic segregation in these periods. Rather, age of city, population growth, and percent of the population of minority status appear to explain patterns of residential segregation. The search for explanations of racial and ethnic residential segregation has long been a major topic of interest to social scientists, particularly urban ecologists (Burgess; Duncan and Duncan, a; Farley; Lieberson; Lieberson and Carter; Marshall and Jiobu; Massey; Matre and Mindiola; Park; Roof et al.; Taeuber and Taeuber). Despite extensive research, however, many unanswered questions remain. Among the most sociologically significant of these are those related to the extent to which residential segregation is a function of socioeconomic status (SES) and whether segregation among different racial/ethnic groups may be differentially affected by SES. Specifically, definitive answers have not been developed to such questions as: *Address correspondence to Sean-Shong Hwang, Department of Rural Sociology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843. ? 1985 The University of North Carolina Press
A novel FRET approach for in situ investigation of cellulase-cellulose interaction

A novel real-time in situ detection method for the investigation of cellulase-cellulose interactions based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) has been developed. FRET has been widely used in biolog- ical and biophysical fields for studies related to proteins, nucleic acids, and small biological molecules. Here, we report the efficient labeling of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) with donor dye 5-(aminomethyl)fluorescein and its use as a donor in a FRET assay together with an Alexa Fluor 594 (AF594, acceptor)-cellulase conjugate as acceptor. This methodology was successfully employed to investigate the temperature dependency of cellulase binding to cellulose at a molecular level by monitoring the fluorescence emission change of donor (or acceptor) in a homogeneous liquid environment. It also provides a sound base for ongoing cellulase- cellulose study using cellulosic fiber.
AWARD WINNING PAPER: 1989 ALPHA KAPPA DELTA UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT PAPER COMPETITION.: The Effect of Television Sports Media on Black Male Youth

This paper analyzes the influence of television sports media on the socialization of the black male youth by integrating data drawn from the comprehensive literature on both subjects. It is argued that sports media creates mistaken illusions for impressionable black youths and produces a false sense of potential career success. As a consequence of the media's distortion, the emphasis that blacks pay to athletics tends to impede their socialization and academic performance.
Toward the computer-aided design of metal ion sequestering agents

The concepts embodied in de novo structure-based drug design are being adapted for the computer-aided design of metal ion sequestering agents. This adaptation requires the development of methods for (i) generating candidate structures and (ii) evaluating and prioritizing these structures with respect to their binding affinity for a specific guest. This article summarizes recent progress in this area that includes the creation of a new computer software program, called HostDesigner, that can generate and evaluate millions of new molecular structures per minute on a desktop personal computer. Several methods for evaluating the degree of binding site organization in a host structure are presented. An example is provided to demonstrate how these methods have been used to identify ligand architectures that provide enhanced metal ion binding affinity.
Frequency-weighted state estimation with application to estimation in the presence of sensor bias

This paper introduces a general state-estimation methodology, frequency-weighted linear quadratic Gaussian estimation (FWLQGE) that enables a control designer to modify a standard LQG estimator to account for sensor imperfections. Using FWLQGE, a designer can account explicitly for colored sensor noise (i.e., the noise spectrum varies as a function of frequency). Alternatively, the designer can use the frequency dependent degree of freedom as a mechanism to specify the relative confidence in a sensor's output. Presented is a technique for solving the FWLQGE problem with existing software tools by simply augmenting the system matrices. Also presented is an example demonstrating how the procedure can be used to account for sensor biases. Here, FWLQGE is compared with two classic methods: state augmentation and post-sensor filtering, It is shown that while all methods can be made to yield equivalent estimators, FWLQGE incorporates a design degree of freedom that is intuitively appealing allowing an explicit trade off between bias rejection and estimator performance. Simulation and experimental results are presented.
Critical thinking and the evidence-based practice of sport psychology.

The primary purpose of this article is to expand the discussion about the role of science, clinical thinking, the state of the discipline, and the manner in which evidence-based practice may aid in the development of the field of sport psychology. Rejecting pseudoscientific principles and embracing sound scientific standards of research and practice will result in an increasingly fresh and vibrant field from which greater innovation and evolution can occur. This innovation will inevitably lead to a renewed commitment to theory building, as the evolving scientific database will drive new ways of thinking about the myriad of issues presented by athletic clientele. By embracing the evidence-based practice philosophy, not only will sound scientific advancements emerge, but most importantly, the overall well-being of our athletic clientele will be enhanced.
Utilizing Sorghum as a functional model of crop-weed competition. I. Establishing a competitive hierarchy

Abstract Application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer to sorghum at planting is a common practice that could confound competitive relationships of the crop with weeds. We studied the competitiveness of grain sorghum (Pioneer Brand 8333) relative to that of the annual weed shattercane and the perennial weed johnsongrass. The taxa are closely related, so survival requirements should be similar thus increasing the likelihood of finding differences associated with traits of the crop vs. weediness. Objectives of this research were to establish a competitive hierarchy for this crop–weed complex and to determine if relative competitiveness was affected by added N. A replacement design experiment was used in which plants were grown for 31 d in soil-filled pots placed outdoors. Taxa were planted in monocultures and 50:50 mixtures, representing all possible combinations of taxa, at a total density of 16 plants pot−1. Soil moisture was maintained at field capacity by daily additions of water or 30 μg ml−1 N in the form of...
Estimating elastic moduli of rocks from thin sections

Estimation of elastic rock moduli using 2D plane strain computations from thin sections has several numerical and analytical advantages over using 3D rock images, including faster computation, smaller memory requirements, and the availability of cheap thin sections. These advantages, however, must be weighed against the estimation accuracy of 3D rock properties from thin sections. We present a new method for predicting elastic properties of natural rocks using thin sections. Our method is based on a simple power-law transform that correlates computed 2D thin section moduli and the corresponding 3D rock moduli. The validity of this transform is established using a dataset comprised of FEM-computed elastic moduli of rock samples from various geologic formations, including Fontainebleau sandstone, Berea sandstone, Bituminous sand, and Grossmont carbonate. We note that using the power-law transform with a power-law coefficient between 0.4-0.6 contains 2D moduli to 3D moduli transformations for all rocks that are considered in this study. We also find that reliable estimates of P-wave (Vp) and S-wave velocity (Vs) trends can be obtained using 2D thin sections. New method for estimating elastic moduli of rocks using 2D thin sections.Method is based on a simple power-law 2D-3D transform.Power-law coefficient between 0.4-0.6 contains 2D-3D moduli transformations.Rock thin sections yield accurate estimates of P-wave and S-wave velocity trends.
Leveraging existing information for use in a National Nuclear Forensics Library (NNFL)

A National Nuclear Forensics Library (NNFL) assists a State to assess whether nuclear material encountered out of regulatory control is of domestic or international origin. By leveraging nuclear material registries, nuclear enterprise records, and safeguards accountancy information, as well as existing domestic technical capability and subject-matter domain expertise, states can better assess the effort required for setting up an NNFL. States who are largely recipients of nuclear and radiological materials and have no internal production capabilities may create an NNFL that relies on existing information rather than carry out advanced analyses on domestic materials.
New conditioning regimens for high risk marrow transplants.

Abstract Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) offers potentially curable treatment for patients with high-risk hematologic malignancies. However, relapse remains the major cause for failure of autologous BMT in these diseases and of allogeneic BMT in subsets of patients with these diseases. With our current preparative regimens, relapse rates following autologous BMT are over 30% for patients with intermediate or high-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma and relapsed Hodgkin's disease in sensitive relapse and over 50% following autologous BMT for patients with acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Relapse rates exceed 80% in patients treated with autologous BMT for non-Hodgkin lymphomas and Hodgkin's disease in drug-resistant relapse. We also see a relapse rate over 50% in patients given allogeneic BMT for ANLL in second or third remission or early relapse, for ALL in third or subsequent remission or early relapse, and for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in accelerated phase or blast crisis. We have explored two new approaches for improving the anti-tumor activity of our BMT preparative regimens. One involves combining etoposide, a chemotherapeutic agent that has excellent activity against leukemias and lymphomas, has shown synergistic activity with cyclophosphamide in vitro, and can be substantially dose-escalated, with busulfan and cyclophosphamide. The other approach attempts to induce graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), which appears to provide a clinical anti-tumor effect following allogeneic BMT, in recipients of autologous BMT. A syndrome similar to mild GVHD has been reported to occur spontaneously in a small number of patients receiving autologous or syngeneic transplants. GVHD can also be induced in rats undergoing syngeneic BMT by treatment with cyclosporine (CSA).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Substantive Effects of Congressional Earmarks: The Case of Health Spending

What is the substantive value of congressional earmarks? Previous research shows that 'pork' has indirect effects on congressional elections, but few studies examine the substantive implications of earmark funding in a legislator' district. In this paper we attempt to provide some clarification to this issue by addressing two specific research questions. First, what factors explain levels of federal earmark expenditures for health focused projects? And second, does the amount of health expenditures have any substantive impact on the 'healthiness' of congressional districts? To address these questions we combine 2009 earmark data compiled by Taxpayers for Common Sense with the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. The Well-Being Index is survey data collected at the congressional-district level focused on health and well-being. Given the increased salience of health policy due to the current reform debates in Congress, our test of the relationship between health-focused congressional earmarks and health outcomes will be of interest to scholars of Congress and health care politics and policy.
The Impacts of New Federalism on Public/Private Partnerships

A fundamental tenet of the New Federalism is that many social welfare problems are a result of federal usurpation of responsibilities belonging to those institutions nearest the people. According to the New Federalism, state and local governments and public/private partnerships involving private, nonprofit organizations are the most appropriate mechanisms for dealing with social welfare responsibilities. To remedy the problem offederal usurpation, the Reagan administration proposed severe cuts in federal spending for social welfare programs. New data suggest that, while significant, actual cuts were not as great as originally feared by some. Yet these cuts appeared to work counter to their stated objectives. The cuts weakened the extensive public/private partnerships already existing in many communities, and forced nonprofits to adopt more entrepreneurial strategies to make up for lost government funds. These changes have raised major questions about the future role of public/private partnerships and the nonprofit sector in addressing the needs of communities.
Radiation therapy as a component of high-dose salvage strategies in Hodgkin's disease

The expected event-free survival for patients undergoing high-dose salvage therapy for Hodgkin's disease is 40%-60%. Three-quarters of these patients will relapse in prior sites of disease. Radiation therapy is a very effective local-regional modality in Hodgkin's disease. It is possible that the judicious use of radiation can improve the event-free survival of high-dose salvage programs. Retrospective analysis supports this concept, but the rationale should be incorporated and tested in prospective clinical trials.
Tin–Germanium Alloys as Anode Materials for Sodium-Ion Batteries

The sodium electrochemistry of evaporatively deposited tin, germanium, and alloys of the two elements is reported. Limiting the sodium stripping voltage window to 0.75 V versus Na/Na+ improves the stability of the tin and tin-rich compositions on repeated sodiation/desodiation cycles, whereas the germanium and germanium-rich alloys were stable up to 1.5 V. The stability of the electrodes could be correlated to the surface mobility of the alloy species during deposition suggesting that tin must be effectively immobilized in order to be successfully utilized as a stable electrode. While the stability of the alloys is greatly increased by the presence of germanium, the specific Coulombic capacity of the alloy decreases with increasing germanium content due to the lower Coulombic capacity of germanium. Additionally, the presence of germanium in the alloy suppresses the formation of intermediate phases present in the electrochemical sodiation of tin. Four-point probe resistivity measurements of the different c...
Several Problems About the Rationality of Practice

The essential about the rationality of practice is reflection and evaluation of the value and significance of practice according to definite standards and principles. The core content about the rationality of practice is reflection and evaluation to the rationality of practice. The aim about research on the rationality of practice is how we achieve the rationalization of practice , namely the problem of conditions and principles and approaches about the rationalization of practice. The realistic meaning about seeking the rationality of practice is looking for a good outlet of human living dilemma.
Design of Electrical Characteristics Detection System for Embedded Secure Access Module in Smart Meter

In order to ensure the smart energy meter worked in the long-time and steadily in bad weather,strong magnetic field and high-humidity environments,a detection system of embedded secure access module(ESAM) electrical characteristics was developed.The composition of the hardware and the software program design of the system were introduced.The results show that the system achieves the desired detection accuracy and can detect the ESAM's electrical characteristics real-time and accurately.This system improves the ESAM detection efficiency and detection quality and has good practical value.
Use of Clonal Assay in Determination of Urothelial Drug Sensitivity in Carcinoma in Situ of the Bladder:Clinical Correlations in 5 Patients

AbstractFive patients with carcinoma in situ of the bladder, including 4 with associated grossly apparenttumors, were followed for 2 years or until invasive disease appeared while receiving intravesical chemotherapy. In vitro drug sensitivity determinations were made using the clonal assay. Of 9 retrospective and prospective in vitro/in vivo drug sensitivity correlations 7 proved correct. However, in vitro growth occurred in only 50 per cent of the urothelial samplings in which adequate cells were present. The assay has some potential use in selecting agents for intravesical chemotherapy but the problem of unpredictable and limited in vitro growth must he overcome.
Alcohol consumption by youth: Peers, parents, or prices?

Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent to Adult Health, we estimate the effect of peers' alcohol consumption and alcohol prices on the drinking habits of high-school-age youth. We use the two-stage residual inclusion method to account for the endogeneity of peer drinking in nonlinear models. For our sample of high school students, we find that peer effects are statistically and economically significant regarding the choice to participate in drinking but are not significant for the frequency of drinking, including binge drinking. Regarding alcohol prices, even though we have good price variation in our sample, alcohol prices are not found to be significant. The results are important for policymakers who are considering policies to reduce underage drinking, as we conclude that no significant impact on underage drinking will result from low-tax states' increasing excise taxes on alcohol so they are similar to those of high-tax states. Policymakers may choose to focus instead on the influence of peers and changing the social norm behavior.Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Language: en
Gamma-blind transformational nuclear particle sensors

Purdue University is developing novel, multi-purpose tension metastable fluid nuclear particle detectors (TMFDs) by which multiple types of nuclear particles can be detected with high (90%+) intrinsic efficiency, directional specificity, spectroscopic capability, rapid response, large standoff and significant cost-savings compared with state-of-the-art systems. This paper presents uses of these novel detector systems specifically for neutron detection in the presence of extreme gamma fields. Various experimental results are presented in order to illustrate the unique ability of the TMFDs to discriminate out photon flux in the presence of neutron or alpha sources. Finally, a theoretical analysis is performed building upon experimental data which estimates the ultimate limits for gamma rejection/discrimination ability to be ∼ 1023 γ/cc/s.
Near real-time satellite data quality monitoring and control

Near real-time satellite data is very useful in the research and development activities for land, ocean, and atmospheric processes, environmental monitoring and assessment, weather prediction, and so on. The quality, completeness, and timeliness of this satellite data are great concerns to researchers. How to monitor and collect this information presents them with technical challenges. This paper describes the practical solutions to address these challenges in an enterprise level satellite data repository, which acquires, manipulates, and disseminates various types of near real time satellite data in different formats from multiple data providers. The technical implementations are presented in detail. In addition, the approach of collecting and displaying quality information is also discussed.
First-principles study of tantalum-arsenic binary compounds

The electronic properties and phase stability of binary tantalum arsenides are investigated using first-principles calculations. We find strong covalent bonding between Ta and As in TaAs2. In the lower As content compounds, the Ta is less covalent and donates charge to the As backbone. The covalency of other compounds becomes smaller with the increase of Ta composition. Compounds on the convex hull are TaAs2, TaAs, Ta5As4, and Ta3As, while Ta2As is slightly above the hull. Trends in the electronic and other properties are discussed. We identify the space group of TaAs2 to be centrosymmetric C2/m and find semimetallic behavior in TaAs and TaAs2. The other binary compounds are metallic systems with finite density of states at the Fermi level. The plasma energies show moderate conductivity anisotropy in Ta5As4 and Ta2As, which are also the most conductive compounds among the binary phases.