cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of evapotranspiration methods in the DSSAT Cropping System Model: II. Algorithm performance

Abstract Accurate calculations of evapotranspiration (ET) are highly important for agroecosystem model simulations, and improvement of ET algorithms is an on-going model development goal. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare six ET methods in the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) Cropping System Model (CSM) using agronomic and weighing lysimetry data from cotton field studies at Bushland, Texas. Three options were tested for estimating potential ET as required by the DSSAT-CSM: 1) a Priestley-Taylor method, 2) a Penman-Monteith combination equation estimate of grass reference ET with a DSSAT-specific single crop coefficient equation, and 3) the ASCE Standardized Reference ET Equation combined with a dual crop coefficient method for non-stressed conditions. The latter two reference ET methods were adapted to provide reasonable estimates for DSSAT-required potential ET. Additionally, two methods for calculation of soil water evaporation were tested, including both the original and updated formulations of Ritchie approaches for DSSAT-CSM. The combinations of the three potential ET and two soil water evaporation approaches led to six possible ET simulation options in the model. A computationally-intensive multiobjective optimization method was used to select among model parameterization options and ensure that modeler bias did not influence ET method comparisons. Among 23 agroecosystem metrics that included lysimeter-based ET, various cotton growth variables, and soil water content in multiple soil layers, the original Ritchie soil water evaporation approach performed statistically equivalent to or better than the more recent Ritchie method ( p ⩽ 0.05 ). The default ET method in the model, which involved Priestley-Taylor potential ET with the more recent Ritchie soil water evaporation method, was outperformed by other ET methods for 14 of 23 agroecosystem metrics ( p ⩽ 0.05 ). When the original Ritchie soil water evaporation method was combined with potential ET from the ASCE reference ET and dual crop coefficient method, the model performed statistically equivalent to or better than the other five ET options for all but 1 of 23 agroecosystem metrics ( p ⩽ 0.05 ). Based on three years of cotton data from the Bushland lysimetry fields, a DSSAT-CSM ET approach based on the standardized ET methodologies described by ASCE and FAO-56 combined with the original Ritchie soil water evaporation method provided holistic improvements to model simulations among multiple agroecosystem metrics.
Evolution of space reactor qualification methods and a path forward for new space reactors under consideration

This paper outlines the evolution of space reactor system qualifications and provides a potential framework for qualification of current space reactor concepts. Qualification approaches for SNAP 10A, SP-100, TOPAZ II, and Prometheus reactor systems will be discussed. Several qualification approaches from past reactors will be reviewed including: a component qualification approach demonstrated in the SNAP reactor program, a system level approach in the SP-100 program, adding additional features to an existing design in the TOPAZ program, and a combination of a computational and basic testing approach for the Prometheus reactor. Past and present test facilities will also be discussed and the impact of test facility availability (or existence) is discussed. A suggested approach that complies with the updated Presidential Directive (NSPM-20, August 2019) that is derived from previous program approaches will be discussed for qualification of future space reactors.
Self-Assembly of Poly(styrene-block-acrylated epoxidized soybean oil) Star-Brush-Like Block Copolymers

Here we report dynamic and thermodynamic aspects of the self-assembly in a series of branched-chain soybean-oil-derived styrenic block copolymers produced via reversible addition–fragmentation chai...
Pediatric Craniomaxillofacial Tumors

SUMMARY Pediatric head and neck tumors that involve the craniofacial skeleton and soft tissues are not common, but when they occur, they require unique management. They are a heterogenous group consisting of true neoplasms as well as hamartomas and congenital growths. Accurate diagnosis, coordinated in-terdisciplinary team assessment, and the use of modern craniofacial techniques have greatly improved the functional and aesthetic results that can now be offered to patients.
Improving Provision of Emergency Contraception after Sexual Assault

Background: Ulipristal is the most effective oral form of emergency contraception (EC) available in the US. Although all oral EC loses efficacy over time, levonorgestrel loses efficacy more rapidly than ulipristal, especially after 72 hours. Evidence suggests ulipristal is also more effective for patients weighing > 75 kilograms. Prior to this quality improvement (QI) project, ulipristal was not used for any ED patients. Objective: To increase the proportion of eligible patients receiving ulipristal for EC after acute sexual assault from 0% at baseline to 50% within six months, examine potential impact of ulipristal …
Nuclear Filtering and Quantum Color Transparency: An Introductory Review

Color transparency is the proposal that under certain circumstances the observed strong interactions can be controlled and in fact reduced in magnitude. I give a comprehensive review of our approach, which is based on the perturbative QCD study of hard exclusive reactions in free space and in nuclear targets. Topics considered include quasiexclusive reactions with either electron or hadron beams in the initial state, and many kinds of outgoing particles in the final state. The description of color transparency in terms of light-cone matrix elements, and its interesting character as a two-scale pQCD process, is presented as a foundation for theoretical discussion. The phenomenon of nuclear filtering, which involves the modification of quark wave functions in hadrons to smaller transverse space dimensions, leads to a broad new program to study the strong interactions and hadron structure. I review existing experimental data and certain experiments planned at various facilities. A recently formulated systematic method to define color transparency directly in terms of experimental data and with minimal theoretical model dependence plays an important role. The analysis shows evidence that color transparency may already have been observed in the pioneering experiment of Carroll et al. I will also discuss the role of spin and color transparency as powerful tools for learning more about the internal quark configurations of hadrons in future experiments. The subject has the potential for strong scientific complementarity and progress in exploring hadron physics at Brookhaven, SLAC and CEBAF as well as future facilities.
The Men Will Talk to Me: Kerry Interviews by Ernie O’Malley

Much has been written about the Irish Civil War (1922–23). The collection of interview excerpts comprising The Men Will Talk to Me: Kerry Interviews by Ernie O’Malley is one of the first books to p...
Alignment of Time Series for Subsequence-to-Subsequence Time Series Matching

The success of time series data mining applications, such as query by content, clustering, and classification, is greatly determined by the performance of the algorithm used for the determination of similarity between two time series. The previous research on time series matching has mainly focused on whole sequence matching and to limited extent on sequence-to-subsequence matching. Relatively, very little work has been done on subsequence-to-subsequence matching, where two time series are considered similar if they contain similar subsequences or patterns in the same time order. This paper presents an effective approach capable of handling whole sequence, sequence-to-subsequence and subsequence-to-subsequence matching. The proposed approach derives its strength from the novel two stage segmentation algorithm, which facilitates the alignment of the two time series by retaining perceptually important points of the two time series as break points.
The Application of Holographic Concepts to Sonar

The conventional signal processing and beam-forming tasks that must be performed in a sonar system are traditionally accomplished by electronic analog and digital means. Conceptually, these signal-processing tasks can be very conveniently accomplished with optical systems, although the required accompanying optical input recording process is usually a practical difficulty. From another point of view, the process of acoustical holography, with optical reconstruction, can be used as a sonar device, i.e., to see objects in water. These two conceptual approaches to sonar have much in common, and are both subject to several fundamental limitations. An important difference between them is the pulse echo-timing ability of conventional sonar, where range information is implied by echo delay, versus the CW nature of a holographic system, where range is obtained by parallactic or focusing effects. Hybrid systems are possible which incorporate the attributes of both approaches.
Magnetostrictive Materials and Magnetic Shape Memory Materials

The coupling between the state of magnetization and the shape of a magnetic material is an interesting field, rich in basic science and opportunities for technical applications. Key experimental observations of conventional, anisotropic magnetostriction (the anisotropic strain tensor that rotates with the direction of magnetization in a free magnetic sample) are explained and the theoretical models of magnetostriction and related effects (e.g., the ΔE effect and stress-induced anisotropy) are described. A new effect, quite distinct from anisotropic magnetostriction, is the large magnetic-field-induced strain observed in certain magnetic shape memory alloys. While these materials do exhibit conventional anisotropic magnetostrictive strain (of the order of 10−4), their 6–10% field-induced strain is due to twin boundary motion, which may or may not occur under magnetization rotation depending on the extent to which the twin boundaries are pinned on defects. Keywords: magnetostriction; magnetoelastic effects; Terfenol-D; Fe–Ga; magnetic shape memory; twin-boundary motion; Ni–Mn–Ga
Health Status and Incident Heart Failure in Chronic Kidney Disease Accumulating Evidence to Use Patient-Reported Measures in Clinical Care

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a strong independent risk factor for several cardiovascular conditions including coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, stroke, and heart failure.1 Given that the prevalence in the United States is estimated to exceed 10% and is increasing,2 CKD is an important contributor to persistently high rates of cardiovascular conditions, some of which, like atrial fibrillation and heart failure, have reached epidemic proportions.3 CKD doubles the risk of developing heart failure independent of concomitant risk factors, such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus.4 Despite this compelling relationship, CKD, like many other risk factors, is far from a perfect predictor. Further refinements in characterizing the risk of developing clinically overt cardiovascular disease in patients with CKD could therefore be useful. Article see p 702 In a study published in this issue of Circulation: Heart Failure , Mishra et al5 studied 3093 patients from the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort with CKD and without clinically overt heart failure and assessed the extent to which patients’ reports of symptom burden, physical limitation, and quality of life predict the risk of subsequent heart failure hospitalization. To assess these factors, the investigators used a modified version of the validated Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ), removing mention of heart failure from the questions as none of the participants had heart failure at enrollment. Patients were categorized according to KCCQ summary scores, and for the purposes of the analysis, scores were updated annually with new measurements when available. Notably, the median number of annual assessments was 5, and few had missing initial measurements. In a multivariable analysis accounting other measured variables, the KCCQ score was significantly associated with the risk of incident heart failure hospitalization during a …
HMGA1 co-activates transcription in B cells through indirect association with DNA.

The immunoglobulin heavy chain enhancer, or μ enhancer, is required for B cell development. Only the appropriate combination of transcription factors results in B cell-specific enhancer activation. HMGA1 (formerly (HMG-I(Y)) is a proposed co-activator of the ETS transcription factors required for μ enhancer activity. HMGA1 associates with the ETS factor PU.1, resulting in changes in PU.1 structure, and enhanced transcriptional synergy with Ets-1 on the μ enhancer in nonlymphoid cells. New data show HMGA1 directly interacts with Ets-1 in addition to PU.1. In vitro HMGA1/Ets-1 interaction facilitates Ets-1/μ enhancer binding in the absence of an HMGA1·Ets-1·DNA complex. To address whether HMGA1 is present in the transcriptionally active μ nucleoprotein complex, we completed DNA pull-down assays to detect protein tethering in the context of protein/DNA interaction. Results show that HMGA1 is not tightly associated with μ enhancer DNA through PU.1 or Ets-1, despite strong associations between these proteins in solution. However, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays show HMGA1 associates with the endogenous enhancer in B cells. Furthermore, antisense HMGA1 substantially decreases μ enhancer activity in B cells. Taken together, these data suggest that HMGA1 functions as a transcriptional μ enhancer co-activator in B cells through indirect association with DNA.
Collaborative production of defense equipment within NATO

(1984). Collaborative production of defense equipment within NATO. Journal of Strategic Studies: Vol. 7, No. 3, pp. 282-300.
Common variations of the radial wrist extensors

An anatomical study of the extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) and brevis (ECRB) in 173 upper limbs demonstrated abnormalities in 50%. Interconnecting tendons between the longus and brevis were found in 35% of limbs, the most common variation (26%) being a tendon arising proximally from the ECRL and inserting distally with the ECRB. In 42 limbs (24%) an extra muscle (the extensor carpi radialis intermedius) was present; many were large enough to activate a tendon transfer. Two case reports illustrate the use of extra muscles in the surgical rehabilitation of patients with paralytic disorders.
On Ulm’s method for Fréchet differentiable operators

We provide new sufficient convergence conditions for the semilocal convergence of Ulm’s method (Izv. Akad. Nauk Est. SSR 16:403–411, 1967) in order to approximate a locally unique solution of an equation in a Banach space setting. We show that in some cases, our hypotheses hold true but the corresponding ones (Burmeister in Z. Angew. Math. Mech. 52:101–110, 1972; Kornstaedt in Aequ. Math. 13:21–45, 1975; Petzeltova in Comment. Math. Univ. Carol. 21:719–725, 1980; Potra and Ptǎk in Cas. Pest. Mat. 108:333–341, 1983; Ulm in Izv. Akad. Nauk Est. SSR 16:403–411, 1967) do not. We also show that under the same hypotheses and computational cost as (Burmeister in Z. Angew. Math. Mech. 52:101–110, 1972; Kornstaedt in Aequ. Math. 13:21–45, 1975; Petzeltova in Comment. Math. Univ. Carol. 21:719–725, 1980; Potra and Ptǎk in Cas. Pest. Mat. 108:333–341, 1983; Ulm in Izv. Akad. Nauk Est. SSR 16:403–411, 1967) finer error sequences can be obtained. Numerical examples are also provided further validating the results.
Opioid agonist efficacy predicts the magnitude of tolerance and the regulation of μ-opioid receptors and dynamin-2

It has been proposed that opioid agonist efficacy may play a role in tolerance and the regulation of opioid receptor density. To address this issue, the present studies estimated the in vivo efficacy of three opioid agonists and then examined changes in spinal mu-opioid receptor density following chronic treatment in the mouse. In addition, tolerance and regulation of the trafficking protein dynamin-2 were determined. To evaluate efficacy, the method of irreversible receptor alkylation was employed and the efficacy parameter tau estimated. Mice were injected with the irreversible mu-opioid receptor antagonist clocinnamox (0.32-25.6 mg/kg, i.p), and 24 h later, the analgesic potency of s.c. morphine, oxycodone and etorphine were determined. Clocinnamox dose-dependently antagonized the analgesic effects of morphine, etorphine and oxycodone. The shift to the right of the dose-response curves was greater for morphine and oxycodone compared to etorphine and the highest dose of clocinnamox reduced the maximal effect of morphine and oxycodone, but not etorphine. The order of efficacy calculated from these results was etorphine>morphine>oxycodone. Other mice were infused for 7 days with oxycodone (10-150 mg/kg/day, s.c.) or etorphine (50-250 microg/kg/day, s.c.) and the analgesic potency of s.c. morphine determined. The low efficacy agonist (oxycodone) produced more tolerance than the high efficacy agonist (etorphine) at equi-effective infusion doses. In saturation binding experiments, the low efficacy opioid agonists (morphine, oxycodone) did not regulate the density of spinal mu-opioid receptors, while etorphine produced approximately 40% reduction in mu-opioid receptor density. Furthermore, etorphine increased spinal dynamin-2 abundance, while oxycodone did not produce any significant change in dynamin-2 abundance. Overall, these data indicate that high efficacy agonists produce less tolerance at equi-effective doses. Furthermore, increased efficacy was associated with mu-opioid receptor downregulation and dynamin-2 upregulation. Conversely, lower efficacy agonists produced more tolerance at equi-effective doses, but did not regulate mu-opioid receptor density or dynamin-2 abundance. Taken together, these studies indicate that agonist efficacy plays an important role in tolerance and regulation of receptors and trafficking proteins.
Simulation of stream discharge and transport of nitrate and selected herbicides in the Mississippi River Basin

Stream discharge and the transport of nitrate, atrazine, and metolachlor in the Mississippi River Basin were simulated using the DAFLOW/BLTM hydrologic model. The simulated domain for stream discharge included river reaches downstream from the following stations in the National Stream Quality Accounting Network: Mississippi River at Clinton, IA; Missouri River at Hermann, MO; Ohio River at Grand Chain, IL; and Arkansas River at Little Rock, AR. Coefficients of hydraulic geometry were calibrated using data from water year 1996; the model was validated by favourable simulation of observed discharges in water years 1992–1994. The transport of nitrate, atrazine, and metolachlor was simulated downstream from the Mississippi River at Thebes, IL, and the Ohio River at Grand Chain. Simulated concentrations compared favourably with observed concentrations at Baton Rouge, LA. Development of this model is a preliminary step in gaining a more quantitative understanding of the sources and fate of nutrients and pesticides delivered from the Mississippi River Basin to the Gulf of Mexico. Published in 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhancing incidence of Puccinia punctiformis, through mowing, to improve management of Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense)

Abstract Biological control of Canada thistle using Puccinia punctiformis has been largely unsuccessful in part due to a low incidence of systemically infected shoots and heterogeneous distribution of teliospores in the soil. The present study investigated the feasibility of strategic mowing to improve incidence of systemically infected shoots, and enhance intra- and/or inter-season disease development in two unused pastures. Mid-season mowing of plots in July lead to a greater proportion of systemically infected shoots in experimental plots observed at seasons’ end compared to unmowed plots. Late-season mowing in September resulted in the highest levels of systemically infected shoots early the next summer. Over time, September mowing treatments significantly increased the proportion of systemically infected shoots compared to no mowing. The number of healthy shoots declined over time in mowed plots, whereas the number of healthy shoots in unmowed plots either increased or remained constant. These effects were observed in experimental plots in both pastures. It is proposed that mowing followed by regrowth of systemically infected shoots may help overcome the monocyclic nature of the pathogen and enhance severity of this disease.
Environmental stress and epigenetic transgenerational inheritance

Previous studies have shown a wide variety of environmental toxicants and abnormal nutrition can promote the epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of disease. More recently a number of studies have indicated environmental stress can also promote epigenetic alterations that are transmitted to subsequent generations to induce pathologies. A recent study by Yao and colleagues demonstrated gestational exposure to restraint stress and forced swimming promoted preterm birth risk and adverse newborn outcomes generationally. This ancestral stress promoted the epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of abnormalities in the great-grand offspring of the exposed gestating female. Several studies now support the role of environmental stress in promoting the epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of disease. Observations suggest ancestral environmental stress may be a component of disease etiology in the current population.
Identification and characterization of a murine receptor for galactose‐terminated glycoproteins

The asialoglycoprotein receptor, the hepatic binding lectin for galactose-terminated glycoproteins, has been isolated and characterized from human, rabbit and rat liver. Several recent studies have shown the existence of the same receptor in murine liver. However, the biochemical structure of the receptor in murine liver has not been resolved. In this paper, we describe the identification and purification of the receptor for asialoglycoproteins from murine liver. The purified receptor has three polypeptides with apparent molecular weights of 42,000, 45,000 and 51,000, respectively, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Furthermore, our studies suggest that the receptor from murine liver is very similar to its counterpart in rat liver, although some potential interesting differences have also been observed. Initial studies indicate that this receptor is well conserved in different mouse strains.
Pseudorandom operators of the circular ensembles

We demonstrate quantum algorithms to implement pseudorandom operators that closely reproduce statistical properties of random matrices from the three universal classes: unitary, symmetric, and symplectic. Modified versions of the algorithms are introduced for the less experimentally challenging quantum cellular automata. For implementing pseudorandom symplectic operators we provide gate sequences for the unitary part of the time-reversal operator.
Impact of design features upon perceived tool usability and safety

While injuries from powered hand tools are caused by a number of factors, this study looks specifically at the impact of the tools design features on perceived tool usability and safety. The tools used in this study are circular saws, power drills and power nailers. Sixty-nine males and thirty-two females completed an anonymous web-based questionnaire that provided orthogonal view photographs of the various tools. Subjects or raters provided: 1) description of the respondents or raters, 2) description of the responses from the raters, and 3) analysis of the interrelationships among respondent ratings of tool safety and usability, physical metrics of the tool, and rater demographic information. The results of the study found that safety and usability were dependent materially upon rater history of use and experience, but not upon training in safety and usability, or quality of design features of the tools (e.g., grip diameters, trigger design, guards, etc.). Thus, positive and negative transfer of prior experience with use of powered hand tools is far more important than any expectancy that may be driven by prior safety and usability training, or from the visual cues that are provided by the engineering design of the tool.
Sediment subsidy: effects on soil–plant responses in a rapidly submerging coastal salt marsh

Abstract The tidal energy subsidy hypothesis postulates that the high primary productivity of coastal salt marshes is the result of an energy subsidy provided by the tides. The sediment component of this subsidy is especially important in contributing to the elevation increase of the marsh surface, a process essential for the sustainability of salt marshes during periods of sea level rise. This research tested the hypothesis that sediment subsidies have an ameliorating effect on sea level rise-induced impacts to salt marsh vigor. We assessed the plant structural and soil physico-chemical responses to different intensities of sediment subsidy in a salt marsh experiencing a high rate of relative sea level rise. Sediments were hydraulically dredged with a high fluid to solids ratio (85%:15%) from the Gulf of Mexico and dispersed into a Spartina alterniflora dominated salt marsh. Approximately 2 years after this fluid-sediment-enrichment, maximum sediment elevation did not exceed 30 cm above ambient and both plant cover and aboveground biomass responded positively. Sediment subsidy increased soil mineral matter, and, in turn, soil fertility and marsh elevation, and thereby reduced nutrient deficiency, flooding, and interstitial sulfide stresses. Thus, sediment subsidy generated a more favorable environment for plant growth and potentially, marsh sustainability.
UNDERESTIMATION OF ENERGY INTAKE USING 24-HOUR RECALL BY KOREAN URBAN ELDERS

To investigate the underreporting of total energy intake, we analyzed the one-day dietary intake data collected by 24-hour recall method from 381 Seoul- and Ansung-dwelling older adults (≥60y) in Korea. Underreporting was addressed by computing the ratio of energy intake (EI) to the estimated basal metabolic rate (BMRest) from age- and gender-specific equations of Schofield. EI:BMRest ratio was found to be 1.41 for men and 1.22 for women, with about 12 percent of men and 19 percent of women classified as under reporters. Underreporting of energy intake was higher in men who were trying to lose weight, smokers, women who consumed alcohol, and in both sexes who were in poor health or had suffered from depression in the last year. For men, the most significant variables to predict the ratio of energy intake to estimated basal metabolic rate (EI: BMRest) were age and attempts to lose weight, whereas smoking, weight status, and education were most significant for women.
How AIS can progress along with ontology research in IS

Abstract Recent years have witnessed a strong and growing interest in the computer science (CS) and information systems (IS) disciplines in applying and extending ontological principles to various CS/IS domains such as knowledge representation, natural language processing, conceptual modeling, and IS development. Similar interest and work have also been observed in accounting information systems (AIS) research. Though ontology research in AIS has enjoyed sustained interest and produced some significant results, there is relatively little incorporation of recent developments in CS/IS ontology research into AIS. This paper provides an overview of some leading areas of ontology research in CS/IS and AIS in an attempt to bridge this gap. The main objectives of this paper are to (1) introduce CS/IS ontology research, (2) highlight areas of future research in AIS where CS/IS ontology research developments can be used to address important and pressing issues, and (3) broaden an area of research where AIS can make unique contributions to distinguish itself.
The DRD3 rs6280 Polymorphism and Prevalence of Tardive Dyskinesia: A Meta-Analysis

To elucidate a widely suspected but inconclusive association between rs6280 in the dopamine receptor 3 gene (DRD3) and prevalence of tardive dyskinesia (TD), we conducted a meta-analysis of studies obtained in a systematic search of several bibliographic systems. We conducted several analyses of funnel plot asymmetry, overall heterogeneity, and study characteristics in analyses analogous to general, dominant and recessive inheritance models with the prevalence odds ratio (POR) as the measure of association. Thirteen eligible studies were identified with publication dates between 1997 and 2008. Evidence of funnel plot asymmetry was discerned in the dominant and general model analyses, but not in the recessive model analysis. Stratified analyses indicated that publication year, TD assessment method (Schooler–Kane criteria or other) and TD assessment frequency (single or repeated) were important study characteristics associated with heterogeneous PORs across studies. Studies conducted among patients with older age, fewer women or European (compared with Asian) ancestry reported stronger average PORs. Summary POR estimates under the dominant and general inheritance models were not warranted due to funnel plot asymmetry and heterogeneity. Under the recessive model, the summary estimate was POR = 0.93 (95% confidence interval: 0.70–1.23). We conclude that there is no or little association between DRD3 rs6280 polymorphisms and prevalence of TD. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Coupling between electrons and acoustic phonons in semiconductor nanostructures.

We show that the coupling between electrons and acoustic phonons in semiconductor confined structures ocurs via an interaction, which we call the ``ripple mechanism,'' in addition to the usual deformation potential coupling. Coupling due to the ripple mechanism arises from the perturbation of the electron wave function by the motion of interfaces. In this work we provide a general derivation of this coupling mechanism and give detailed expressions for it that are valid for all nanostructure systems, including those with quasi-zero-, one-, and two-dimensional geometries. For the purposes of illustration, calculations of the electron scattering rates due to acoustic phonons are given here for semiconductor quantum dots in a variety of shapes, including spheres, cubes, and rectangular parallelepipeds. From these results it is found that scattering due to the ripple mechanism dominates that from the deformation potential for dot sizes less than \ensuremath{\sim}500 \AA{} and that for smaller dot sizes the ripple mechanism contribution can be much larger than that from the deformation potential.
103Ruthenium red, a reagent for detecting glycosaminoglycans at the nanogram level

Abstract Using a new reagent, 103 ruthenium red, glycosaminoglycans can be detected on cellulose acetate electrophoretograms at much greater sensitivity than with other methods currently available. Nonradioactive ruthenium red has been used extensively in the past as an electron microscopic stain for polyanions. Commercially available 103 RuCl 3 can be easily converted to 103 ruthenium red and this beta-particle-emitting isotope can be detected with autoradiography. The limit of detection for heparin, heparan sulfate, or chondroitin sulfate is 2–4 ng.
Two classes of cholesterol binding activity in the soluble fraction of the adrenal cortex of the guinea pig.

Abstract Two cytosolic components which bind cholesterol have been studied in the guinea-pig adrenal. Both binding components, based on enzyme degradation studies, contain protein. One binding factor, which migrated as a 14-16S component in a sucrose density gradient, was found to be heat labile and to be sensitive to N-ethylmaleimide, calcium, and a low pH. The other cholesterol-binding factor, which migrated as a 2S component in a sucrose density gradient, was not active in freshly prepared cytosol, but was activated by heat and a low pH. The latter binding activity was unaffected by N-ethylmaleimide and calcium. Both factors were found to bind cholesterol sulfate and 20α-hydroxycholesterol as well as cholesterol. Neither component bound cholesterol oleate nor phosphatidyl choline. Binding of cholesterol to the activated 2S component was inhibited by freshly prepared eytosol. The nature of this inhibition is unclear. Whether the 14–16S binding factor simply has a higher affinity for cholesterol than the 2S factor or whether freshly prepared cytosol contains a factor distinct from the 14-16S binding component which inhibits cholesterol binding to the 2S component remains to be clarified. The binding of cholesterol to either the 14–16S or the 2S component was not saturable at concentrations of cholesterol below its solubility in water of 4.7 μM. The physiological importance of these findings and the relationship of these cholesterol-binding components to steroidogenesis remain to be determined.
The Effective Principal and Curriculum— a Focus On Leadership

What is crucially lacking in the effective leadership literature is a clear understanding of the rela tionship between the principal and the curriculum. To be an effective leader, a principal must understand the enacted curricu lum process and be able to help teachers understand and devel op curriculum.
Surgery and Ergonomics

This article will provide the reader with an overview of ergonomic issues relevant to the operating room environment. Minimally invasive surgical technologies have increased the therapeutic value of surgical procedures by allowing operations to be performed with less trauma to the patient. At the same time, the surgical team—and particularly the surgeon—have been further removed from direct interaction with the patient's tissues. A scientific and ergonomic approach to the analysis of the operating room environment and the performance and workload characteristics of members of the modern surgical team can provide a rational basis for maximizing the efficiency and safety of our increasingly technology-dependent surgical procedures.
Hydrogen-Bonded Multilayers of Thermoresponsive Polymers

Neutral temperature responsive polymers, such as poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PVCL) and poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME), were included in ultrathin films using layer-by-layer alternating adsorption of these polymers with poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) at low pH. The amounts of polymers adsorbed and ionization of carboxylic groups within a film were quantified using in situ FTIR-ATR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy by attenuated total reflection). The strength of interlayer adhesion provided through hydrogen-bonding interactions was inferred from the critical pH value (pHCR) and critical ionization (αCR) for multilayer decomposition which were pHCR 6.2, αCR 2% and pHCR 6.95, αCR 30% for PMAA/PVME and PMAA/PVCL films, respectively. When deposited onto porous support membranes, PMAA/PVME and PMAA/PVCL multilayers exhibited temperature-responsive changes in dye permeability. The transition occurred in a wide temperature range from 25 to 35 °C, reflecting lower cooperativity of the phase separation of PVME...
GLOEOCOCCUS MINUTISSIMUS SP. NOV. ISOLATED FROM SOIL1

SUMMARY A new species of Gloeococcns, G. minutissimus, is described from unialgal culture; the organism was isolated from soil collected near Bastrop, Bastrop Co., Texas. This alga consistently produced Chlamydomonas-like vegetative cells that were motile within nonmotile colonies of definite shape. Its taxonomic position is also discussed.
Microporosity in Coal: Its Characterization and its Implications for Coal Utilization

The characterization of the microporosity in coals with the use of measurements of (i) non-steady-state diffusion of gases, (ii) gas adsorption and (iii) gas and liquid displacement is considered. Values of surface area and pore volumes are shown not to be unique but to depend upon the molecular probe used and measurement conditions. The importance of microporosity in coals to their utilization is considered.
Micromachined microfluidic chemiluminescent system for explosives detection

Results will be reported from efforts to develop a self-contained micromachined microfluidic detection system for the presence of specific target analytes under the US Office of Naval Research Counter IED Basic Research Program. Our efforts include improving/optimizing a dedicated micromachined sensor array with integrated photodetectors and the synthesis of chemiluminescent receptors for nitramine residues. Our strategy for developing chemiluminescent synthetic receptors is to use quenched peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence; the presence of the target analyte would then trigger chemiluminescence. Preliminary results are encouraging as we have been able to measure large photo-currents from the reaction. We have also fabricated and demonstrated the feasibility of integrating photodiodes within an array of micromachined silicon pyramidal cavities. One particular advantage of such approach over a conventional planar photodiode would be its collection efficiency without the use of external optical components. Unlike the case of a normal photodetector coupled to a focused or collimated light source, the photodetector for such a purpose must couple to an emitting source that is approximately hemispherical; hence, using the full sidewalls of the bead's confining cavity as the detector allows the entire structure to act as its own integrating sphere. At the present time, our efforts are concentrating on improving the signal-to-noise ratio by reducing the leakage current by optimizing the fabrication sequence and the design.
Linked folding and anion binding of the Bacillus subtilis ribonuclease P protein.

Ribonuclease P (RNase P) is the endoribonuclease responsible for the 5'-maturation of precursor tRNA transcripts. In bacteria, RNase P is composed of a catalytic RNA subunit and an associated protein subunit that enhances the substrate specificity of the holoenzyme. We have initiated a study of the biophysical properties of the protein subunit from Bacillus subtilis RNase P (P protein) toward the goal of understanding the thermodynamics of RNase P holoenzyme assembly. The P protein is predominantly unfolded in 10 mM sodium cacodylate at neutral pH based on circular dichroism and NMR studies and therefore has several characteristics typical of "intrinsically unstructured" proteins. Furthermore, the P protein folds to its native R/‚ structure upon addition of various small molecule anions. Anion-induced folding is best attributed to the binding of these anions to the folded state of the protein, and a model is presented which describes the observed tightly coupled folding and binding phenomena. The P protein also undergoes a cooperative folding transition upon addition of the osmolyte trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO). The equilibrium constant of folding (Kfold )a t 37°C for the P protein was determined to be 0.0071 ( 0.0005 using a two-state folding model to describe the TMAO titration data. Thus, the folding and binding equilibria observed in the anion-induced folding of the P protein can be uncoupled to determine the intrinsic binding affinities ( Ka's) of the anionic ligands. Evidence that the osmolyte-induced and the ligand-induced folded conformations of the P protein are structurally similar is also presented.
Role of neonicotinyl insecticides in Washington apple integrated pest management. Part I. Control of lepidopteran pests.

Abstract Three neonicotinyl insecticides, acetamiprid, thiacloprid and clothianidin, were evaluated for their impact on four species of lepidopteran pests of apple in Washington, the codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), the Pandemis leafroller, Pandemis pyrusana Kearfott, and the obliquebanded leafroller, Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris), and Lacanobia subjuncta (Grote & Robinson). None of the neonicotinyl insecticides demonstrated sufficient activity against P. pyrusana, C. rosaceana, or L. subjuncta to warrant field trials. Conversely, all had some activity against one or more stages of C. pomonella. Acetamiprid was highly toxic to larvae in laboratory bioassays, and had relatively long activity of field-aged residues (21 days). It also showed some toxicity to C. pomonella eggs (via topical exposure) and adults. Acetamiprid provided the highest level of fruit protection from C. pomonella attack in field trials conducted over five years in experimental orchards with extremely high codling moth pressure. T...
Modification of brittle polylactide by novel hyperbranched polymer-based nanostructures.

The inherent brittleness of polylactide (PLA) poses considerable scientific challenges and limits its large-scale applications. Here, we propose and demonstrate a new industrially relevant methodology to develop a polylactide (PLA)-based nanoblend having outstanding stiffness−toughness balance. In this approach, a hydroxyl functional hyperbranched polymer (HBP) was in-situ cross-linked with a polyanhydride (PA) in the PLA matrix during melt processing. There was formation of new hyperbranched polymer-based cross-linked particles in the PLA matrix. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed the sea-island morphology of PLA-cross-linked HBP blend. The domain size of cross-linked HBP particles in the PLA matrix was less than 100 nm as obtained from TEM. The presence of cross-linked hyperbranched polymer in the PLA matrix exhibited ∼570% and ∼847% improvement in the toughness and elongation at break, respectively, as compared to unmodified PLA. The increase in the ductil...
Rhodium(II)-Catalyzed Equilibration of Push-Pull Carbonyl and Ammonium Ylides. A Computationally Based Understanding of the Reaction Pathway

α-Diazo esters containing an amido group in the γ-position have been found to undergo a rhodium(II)-catalyzed transformation, producing five-membered ammonium or carbonyl ylides depending on the reaction conditions used. In the absence of an external dipolarophile, ammonium ylides are the exclusive products formed. In most cases these ylides cannot be isolated as they readily undergo sigmatropic rearrangement or fragmentation reactions. In the presence of typical dipolarophiles such as DMAD or N-phenylmaleimide, cycloaddition products derived from cyclic carbonyl ylide dipoles are formed as the major products. The rhodium carbenoid intermediate generated in these reactions can either attack the lone pair of electrons on the amide nitrogen (ammonium ylide formation) or the lone pair of electrons on the carbonyl oxygen (carbonyl ylide formation). The experimental observations reflect a catalyst-promoted system of equilibria with a clear-cut thermodynamic bias. To examine the underlying mechanism in detail, ...
Intramuscular vascular endothelial growth factor gene therapy in patients with chronic critical leg ischemia.

We sought to investigate the safety and efficacy of intramuscular gene therapy with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with chronic critical leg ischemia.Gene transfer was performed in 24 limbs of 21 patients with rest pain, some of whom also had nonhealing ischemic ulcers (n = 16) due to occlusive peripheral arterial disease. Between 400 microg and 2000 microg of phVEGF(165) (400 microg, n = 2; 800 microg, n = 4; 1200 microg, n = 4; 1600 microg, n = 6; and 2000 microg, n = 8) was injected directly into the muscles of the ischemic limb; the same dose was injected 4 weeks later. The ratio of blood pressures at the ankle and brachial artery was measured before and after treatment. Mean (+/- SD) plasma levels of VEGF increased significantly from 26 +/- 31 pg/mL to 63 +/- 56 pg/mL (P <0.005), and the ankle-brachial index improved significantly from 0.58 +/- 0.24 to 0.72 +/- 0.28 (P <0.001). Magnetic resonance angiography showed qualitative evidence of improved distal flow in 19 limbs (79%). Ischemic ulcers healed or improved markedly in 12 limbs (75%). Rest pain was relieved or improved markedly in 20 limbs (83%). Amputation was performed in two limbs because of wound infection. Complications were limited to transient leg edema in six limbs. Intramuscular gene therapy with VEGF(165) for patients with chronic critical leg ischemia is safe, feasible, and effective.
Exploration of the effects of linker chain modifications on anti-HIV activities in a series of cosalane analogues.

Abstract The effects of linker chain modifications were investigated in a series of cosalane analogues. The modifications investigated included: (1) shortening the three-carbon linker chain between the dichlorodisalicylmethane and the cholestane moiety by one carbon atom; (2) lengthening the linker chain by one carbon; (3) hydrogenation of the double bond in the linker chain; (4) changing the point of attachment of the linker chain from C-3 to C-6; (5) insertion of a phosphate between the steroid and the linker chain. With the exception of the phosphate modification, which abolished anti-HIV activity and increased cytotoxicity, the linker chain modifications produced relatively minor changes in anti-HIV potency. The steroid and attached linker chain of cosalane therefore appear only to provide a general lipophilic appendage for the dichlorodisalicylmethane pharmacophore.
Suffering the Winds of Lhasa: Politicized Bodies, Human Rights, Cultural Difference, and Humanism in Tibet

Tibetan refugees and Western activists note that if universal human rights standards were enforced in China, Tibetans would suffer less and come closer to political independence. This article explores potential problems of universalism and individualism in human rights discourse by examining understandings of the body and suffering among Lhasa Tibetan women. Data are taken from accounts of political prisoners and women patients at Lhasa's traditional Tibetan medical hospital. The data suggest a collective subjectivity, based on ideas about karma and congruencies of body, mind, and society that contrast with those found in international human rights discourse. Tibetans are forced to adopt universalist and individualist positions to make their claims for human rights heard while ironically articulating ideas about suffering that would contest such universalist positions. The article proposes a need for alternative conceptualizations of human rights taken from Tibetan epistemologies of suffering, and illustrates the utility of medical anthropological inquiries about embodiment and subjectivity for addressing larger political debates about human rights. [Traditional Tibetan Medicine, Human Rights, Epistemology, Bodily Suffering]