cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surface modification by plasma immersion ion processing

Los Alamos National Laboratory is actively researching a surface modification technique called plasma immersion ion processing (PIIP). PIIP is the latest innovation of the plasma source ion implantation (PSII) approach to surface modification. Like PSII, PIIP allows the modification of large areas and non-planar surface geometries, however PIIP is primarily a coating deposition technology rather than solely an ion implantation technology. PIIP utilizes a pulsed-bias on a target to extract ions out of plasma for ion implantation and coating deposition. Plasmas can be made by capacitive or inductive radio frequency sources or by initiating a glow discharge during each pulse of high voltage. Plasmas of hydrocarbon gases have been used to deposit adherent diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating son a variety of ferrous and non-ferrous materials. Instead of sputter depositing interlayers to improve the adhesion of DLC, PIIP uses ion implantation to create a graded interface between the metallic substrate and the DLC coating. Demonstrating the scaleability of PIIP, a 3 m2 area has been simultaneously coated with an adherent DLC coating approximately 7 micrometers thick. Plasmas of diborane and acetylene mixtures are being used to develop deposition processes for boron-carbide coatings. Through the use of organometallics and inorganic gases, other coatings are possible. The PIIP deposition conditions, composition and tribological properties of DLC and boron-carbide coatings will be highlighted.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Adult Educators and Politics.

Adult educators who are interested in increasing the extent and variety of learning experiences provided to the public have sought to achieve this goal by innovative programming and an entrepreneurial approach to funding. If major expansion is to occur in the provision of adult education, it can only be brought about on a large scale by legislative action. To bring about favor able legislation it will be necessary for adult educators in their various organizations and associations to learn to work together so that a concerted effort can be mounted to educate legislators and the public regarding the benefits of an increase in adult edu cation opportunities.
Wind-Tunnel Balance Calibration with Temperature Using Design of Experiments

A statistical engineering approach featuring a formally designed experiment has recently been implemented for calibration of an internal, strain-gauged, wind-tunnel balance at Arnold Engineering Development Complex. It was necessary to consider a substantially wide variation in balance temperature for this particular application. The cost to perform a balance calibration with the balance equilibrium temperature as a completely randomized factor was therefore prohibitive. A design-of-experiments approach using a run schedule with restricted randomization, known commonly as a split-plot design, is being evaluated. For more than a decade, design of experiments has been implemented in wind-tunnel strain-gauge balance calibration processes. Calibration with design of experiments is a characterization process where data are collected and analyzed using statistical methods, allowing conclusions to be drawn with chosen levels of confidence and power. A sequential approach to new balance calibration using existing...
The Active Optics System for the Discovery Channel Telescope

The Discovery Channel Telescope (DCT) is a 4.3-meter telescope designed for dual optical configurations, featuring an f/6.1 Ritchey-Chretien prescription with a 0.5° field-of-view, and a corrected f/2.3 prime focus with a 2° field-of-view. The DCT Active Optics System (AOS) maintains collimation and mirror figure to provide seeing limited images across the focal planes and rapid settling times to minimize observing overhead, using a combination of feed-forward and lowbandwidth feedback control via wavefront sensing. Collimation is maintained by tip-tilt-piston control of the M2 assembly and articulating M1 within its cell, taking advantage of the 120 degree-of-freedom support used for figure control. We present an overview of the AOS design and principles of operation, and a summary of progress and results to date.
Taking into account phylogenetic and divergence-time uncertainty in a parametric biogeographical analysis of the Northern Hemisphere plant clade Caprifolieae

Aim To examine the biogeographical history of the angiosperm clade Caprifolieae (Caprifoliaceae) using parametric biogeographical reconstruction methods. The existing parametric method was extended to evaluate biogeographical reconstructions over the distribution of dated phylogenies. This method provides a framework for reconstructing large-scale biogeography with parametric methods, while accounting for uncertainty in the phylogenetic relationships and divergence time. Location Asia, Europe and North America. Methods The biogeographical history of the major lineages of Caprifolieae was reconstructed over the posterior distribution of dated trees generated from Bayesian divergence-time analyses. Results from a model with no geological constraints were compared with those from one where movement is disallowed across the North Atlantic after the Eocene. The most plausible scenarios were segregated at each node to test whether particular scenarios were reconstructed for particular divergence times. The parametric biogeographical method was also extended to estimate connectivity between areas so that the probability of dispersal between the major areas of the Northern Hemisphere could be explored. Results Phylogenetic results for Caprifolieae agreed with previous estimates using smaller sampling, but uncertainty remained despite efforts to resolve the relationships of the four genera within this clade using multiple markers. In addition to topological uncertainty, there were few fossils available for calibrations, resulting in large confidence intervals for divergence times. Divergence-time analyses put the diversification of Caprifolieae at between 36 and 51 Ma and showed that Caprifolieae probably originated in Asia, with multiple movements into Europe and western and eastern North America. Main conclusions Newly developed parametric methods for biogeographical reconstruction incorporate more data and better models. Here, the parametric biogeographical reconstruction method has been extended to allow for topological and divergence-time uncertainty. The analyses of Caprifolieae demonstrated that biogeographical hypotheses can be explored even where there are large confidence intervals on divergence times and uncertainty in topology. These results add to the growing evidence that Asia was an important source of Northern Hemisphere diversity throughout the Cenozoic.
Analysis and synthesis of a class of neural networks: linear systems operating on a closed hypercube

An investigation was conducted of the qualitative properties of a class of neural networks described by a system of first-order linear ordinary differential equations which are defined on a closed hypercube of the state space with solutions extended to the boundary of the hypercube. When solutions are located on the boundary of the hypercube, the system is said to be in a saturated mode. The class of systems considered retains the basic structure of the Hopfield model but is easier to analyze, synthesize, and implement. An efficient analysis method is developed which can be used to determine completely the set of asymptotically stable equilibrium points and the set of unstable equilibrium points. The latter set can be used to estimate the domains of attraction for the elements of the former set. The class of systems considered can easily be implemented in analog integrated circuits. The applicability of the results is demonstrated by means of several examples. >
Identification of a 5′-Deoxyadenosine Deaminase in Methanocaldococcus jannaschii and Its Possible Role in Recycling the Radical S-Adenosylmethionine Enzyme Reaction Product 5′-Deoxyadenosine

We characterize here the MJ1541 gene product from Methanocaldococcus jannaschii, an enzyme that was annotated as a 5′-methylthioadenosine/S-adenosylhomocysteine deaminase (EC 3.5.4.31/3.5.4.28). The MJ1541 gene product catalyzes the conversion of 5′-deoxyadenosine to 5′-deoxyinosine as its major product but will also deaminate 5′-methylthioadenosine, S-adenosylhomocysteine, and adenosine to a small extent. On the basis of these findings, we are naming this new enzyme 5′-deoxyadenosine deaminase (DadD). The Km for 5′-deoxyadenosine was found to be 14.0 ± 1.2 μM with a kcat/Km of 9.1 × 109 M−1 s−1. Radical S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) enzymes account for nearly 2% of the M. jannaschii genome, where the major SAM derived products is 5′-deoxyadenosine. Since 5′-dA has been demonstrated to be an inhibitor of radical SAM enzymes; a pathway for removing this product must be present. We propose here that DadD is involved in the recycling of 5′-deoxyadenosine, whereupon the 5′-deoxyribose moiety of 5′-deoxyinosine is further metabolized to deoxyhexoses used for the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids in methanogens.
Retrograde jejunojejunal intussusception secondary to metastatic melanoma.

A 59-year-old fair-skinned man presented to the emergency department with a several-day history of increasing abdominal pain and distention. The patient had lost 13.5 kg during the preceding several months. He had a large fungating mass on the left upper portion of his back, which he had allowed to grow unchecked for more than 2 years because of religious reasons. He had not passed gas for 24 hours and had tenderness without guarding in the mid abdomen. Computed tomography (with contrast) of the abdomen showed a small bowel intussusception. The patient agreed to laparotomy and wide local excision of the back mass. Laparotomy revealed a reverse jejunojejunal intussusception with a large pigmented nodule, a pigmented wall nodule nearly obstructing the ileum, and a nodule in the omentum. Both the intussusception and the ileum were resected, and stapled side-to-side anastomoses were constructed. The omental nodule was also resected. After abdominal closure, the patient was repositioned and the back lesion was widely excised. Pathological examination identified the back mass as a nodular malignant melanoma more than 15 mm deep and confirmed abdominal metastases. Computed tomography of the head, performed because the patient exhibited subtle mental status changes, revealed brain metastases. The patient was discharged to home hospice on postoperative day 4. He and his wife refused additional adjuvant therapy.
Copper(II) Acetylacetonate

[13395-16-9; 46369-53-3] C10H14CuO4 (MW 261.76) InChI = 1S/2C5H8O2.Cu/c2*1-4(6)3-5(2)7;/h2*3,6H,1-2H3;/q;;+2/p-2/b2*4-3-; InChIKey = QYJPSWYYEKYVEJ-FDGPNNRMSA-L InChI = 1S/2C5H8O2.Cu/c2*1-4(6)3-5(2)7;/h2*3,6H,1-2H3;/q;;+2/p-2/b2*4-3-; InChIKey = QYJPSWYYEKYVEJ-FDGPNNRMSA-L (catalyst for decomposition of diazo compounds1-4 and for coupling reactions of organometallics with organic halides and sulfones9-11, 13) Alternate Names: cupric acetylacetonate; bis(2,4-pentanedionato-O,O′)copper. Physical Data: crystalline solid, mp 284–288 °C (dec); structural studies have been reported.14 Solubility: sol CHCl3; sl sol alcohols. Form Supplied in: commercially available solid. Preparative Methods: several available, e.g. addition of acetylacetone (2,4-Pentanedione) to an aq soln of Cu(NH3)42+ prepared from copper(II) nitrate trihydrate and conc aq NH3.15 Purification: recrystallization from CHCl3.15a Handling, Storage, and Precautions: irritant.
Growth and Development of Baboons

Studies of baboons have made significant contributions to our understanding of both human and nonhuman primate ontogeny (Snow and Vice, 1965; Snow, 1967; Glassman et al., 1984; Coelho, 1985; Mahaney et al., 1993a, b; Crawford et al., 1997). These analyses established a firm baseline from which to evaluate key growth parameters, most importantly, body mass. More recent advances identify unresolved questions regarding both human and nonhuman primate ontogeny that can only be addressed with new data and approaches (Leigh, 2001; Leigh and Bernstein, 2006). Biomedical research continues to define the causes of human growth deficiencies, as well as developmental bases of chronic adult diseases. For example, new research is revealing the hormonal (Frank, 2003) and genetic (Ly et al., 2000; De Sandre-Giovannoli et al., 2003; Karaman et al., 2003) causes of variation in growth and aging. An increasing appreciation of the role of steroid hormones in growth [see (Bernstein et al., 2006; van der Eerden et al., 2001; Riggs et al., 2002)] has opened the possibilities for applying growth studies to a wide range of problems in aging research. Finally, associations between infant nutrition, growth, obesity, and diabetes have been recognized (Rosenbloom and Silverstein, 2004), pointing toward developmental correlates of chronic illnesses. Building on these findings to promote human therapies and treatments requires normative ontogenetic data from well-understood primate populations, particularly from genetically characterized samples. Baboons have the potential to fill this role because they are long-lived, largebodied, and exhibit complex life cycles, much like humans. In addition, they have similarities with humans with respect to skeletal growth spurts (increases in the rates of skeletal length growth following an initial postnatal period of deceleration). Body mass growth spurts are common in primates (Leigh, 1996), but many authors consider a growth spurt in stature during adolescence to be a unique human ontogenetic feature (Bogin, 1999; contra Watts and Gavan, 1982). The apparent singularity of the human growth spurt complicates efforts to develop and utilize nonhuman primate models of human growth. In theory, the primates with skeletal
Defect reduction in (11-20) a-plane GaN by two-step epitaxial lateral overgrowth

We report a two-step growth method to obtain uniformly coalesced epitaxial lateral overgrown a-plane GaN by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). By obtaining a large wing height to width aspect ratio in the first step followed by enhanced lateral growth in the second step via controlling the growth temperature, we reduced the tilt angle between the advancing Ga-polar and N-polar wings for improved properties. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the threading dislocation density in the wing area was 1.0×108cm−2, more than two orders of magnitude lower than that in the window area (4.2×1010cm−2). However, a high density of basal stacking faults, 1.2×104cm−1, was still observed in the wing area. Near field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) at room temperature revealed that the luminescence was mainly from the wing regions with very little contribution from the windows and meeting fronts. These observations suggest that due to significant reduction of threading dislocations radiative recombination is enhanced in the wings.
Carbon dioxide and temperature effects on forage establishment: tissue composition and nutritive value

Summary Atmospheric CO2 concentration ([CO2]) and temperature are likely to increase in the future and may change plant growth and composition characteristics. Rhizoma peanut (Arachis glabrata Benth.) and bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) were grown on a natural field soil in temperature-gradient greenhouses to evaluate the effects of elevated [CO2] and temperature on tissue composition and digestibility during the establishment year. Carbon dioxide levels were maintained at 365 (ambient) and 640 μL CO2 L–1 air. The temperature-gradient greenhouses were regulated to obtain air temperature sectors of 0.2, 1.5, 2.9, and 4.5 °C above ambient. Samples were taken of previously undefoliated herbage at 57, 86, 121, 148, and 217 days after planting and entire plots were harvested at 218 days after planting. Elevated [CO2] increased total nonstructural carbohydrate concentration in rhizoma peanut leaves by almost 50%. Rhizoma peanut leaf N concentration was 6% lower at elevated than at ambient [CO2]. The N concentration in new rhizomes of rhizoma peanut was increased by high [CO2], while the N concentration in bahiagrass was not affected by temperature or [CO2]. No effects of [CO2] and temperature were found on neutral detergent fibre in rhizoma peanut leaves or stems; however, elevated [CO2] increased neutral detergent fibre in bahiagrass leaves. Only at season end was in vitro organic matter digestion of rhizoma peanut higher at ambient (623 g kg–1) than at elevated [CO2] (609 g kg–1). Elevated [CO2] had a greater effect on tissue composition of rhizoma peanut than of bahiagrass. These data suggest that elevated temperature and CO2-induced changes in chemical composition of forage species adapted to humid subtropics will be relatively small, particularly for C4 species.
Nature of nonperturbative effects in lepton-nucleon scattering

There is evidence for substantial nonperturbative effects in the structure functions extracted from deep-inelastic lepton-nucleon scattering. These effects have a major impact on ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{s}$ and $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ determinations. Results which I reported previously for $\ensuremath{\mu}N$ and $\ensuremath{\nu}N$ scattering (${F}_{2}$ and $x{F}_{3}$) are extended to include $\mathrm{ed}$ data which are at lower ${W}^{2}$ and higher $x$ and have extremely high statistics. Possible analytical forms for higher-twist terms and for ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{s}$ are considered in detail here using $\ensuremath{\mu}N$, $\ensuremath{\nu}N$, and $\mathrm{ed}$ data.
Volterra Integral Equations

In this chapter, our attention is devoted to the Volterra integral equation of the second kindwhich assumes the form $$\phi (x) = f(x) + \lambda \,{\int \nolimits }_{a}^{x}\,K(x,t)\,\phi (t)\,\mathrm{d}t.$$ (4.1) Volterra integral equations differ from Fredholm integral equations in that the upper limit of integration is the variable x instead of the constant b.
Gaussian normalisation of morphological size distributions for increasing sensitivity to texture variations and its applications to pavement distress classification

This paper investigates the use of morphological size distributions to characterize textures and explore their sensitivity to the presence of inhomogeneities and multiple textures. When the image texture is a result of material properties such variations in texture typically correspond to defects on the surface being imaged. An application where the analysis of texture variations is of great significance is the assessment of distresses on pavement surfaces. We develop a novel normalization scheme based on a Gaussian model to enhance the sensitivity of the morphological distributions to texture variations indicative of defects. Results from a simple rule-based classification scheme are presented to demonstrate that measures derived from the normalized distributions are useful in classifying distresses. Our use of normalized distributions, and not the original images, to develop measures for analyzing textures results in a significant reduction in computational and storage requirements. >
Polyhydramnios/Oligohydramnios in Twin Pregnancy

After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Describe the morbidity and mortality associated with monochorionic twin gestations. 2. List the causes of polyhydramnios/oligohydramnios in twins. 3. Recognize the complex pathophysiology of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. 4. Delineate the treatment options currently available for polyhydramnios/oligohydramnios and the relative value of each. 5. Know the importance of prenatal understanding of zygosity and placentation in twin gestations. The discovery of increased amniotic fluid in the gestational sac of one twin and decreased amniotic fluid in the amniotic sac of the second twin should generate an immediate clinical suspicion of twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). This relatively uncommon condition occurs when twins sharing a single placenta develop significant vascular anastomoses that result in a unidirectional shunt from one twin to the other. Although independent diagnoses could be affecting each twin simultaneously, leading to separate abnormalities in amniotic fluid volume, the possibility of such clinical coincidence is rare. Indeed, if the clinician recognizes that the placentation is monochorionic, the leading consideration in the differential diagnosis must be TTTS. TTTS is unique to monozygotic (one egg), monochorionic (one placenta) twin gestations. It has been recognized for some time that monochorionic twins experience greater morbidity and fetal loss than do dichorionic twins. Fortunately, only 30% of twins are monochorionic (Table 1). Of those, up to 15% may demonstrate some degree of TTTS. Thus, for all spontaneous twin gestations, the risk of TTTS is 4.5%. | Type of Placentation | Frequency | |:---------------------------------- | --------- | | Dichorionic/Diamnionic, fused* | 34.0% | | Dichorionic/Diamnionic, separated* | 35.2% | | Monochorionic/Diamnionic** | 29.6% | | Monochorionic/Monoamnionic** | 1.2% | * ↵* Monozygotic or dizygotic * ↵** Monozygotic only Table 1. The Frequency of Placentation in Twin Pregnancies It is estimated that 15% of perinatal mortality for twins is due to TTTS. Death may occur in either the donor (oligohydramnios) twin or the recipient (polyhydramnios) twin. Although perinatal mortality was nearly 100% with this diagnosis as recently as 25 years ago, improvements in outcome have resulted from better management …
A REVIEW OF PSYCHOTHERAPY OUTCOME RESEARCH: CONSIDERATIONS FOR SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS

Evaluating psychotherapeutic outcome is an important endeavor given psychology's focus on identifying effective treatments. There is ample evidence to suggest that psychotherapy interventions for children and adolescents are effective. Unfortunately, the child and adolescent psychotherapy outcome literature lags behind the adult-focused outcome literature in some important areas, as children and adolescents are often viewed as extensions of adults. This review analyzes the pertinent youth meta-analyses, examining treatment, client, and therapist variables relevant to positive outcomes. We also consider the impact of variables that have received more attention in the adult psychotherapy outcome literature (i.e., the therapeutic alliance, therapist effects, and allegiance effects) and their possible impact on child and adolescent outcomes. Our hope is that this discussion benefits school-based mental health professionals when discerning what works best with the youth population. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Activation of the SiC surface for vapor phase lubrication by Fe chemical vapor deposition from Fe(CO) 5

The feasibility is demonstrated of a new approach to the vapor phase lubrication of ceramics using organophosphorus compounds. The surface of SiC is shown to be unreactive for the decomposition of trimethylphosphite, (CH3O)3P, a simple model for organophosphorus vapor phase lubricants such as tricresylphosphate. In order to activate the surface of SiC it has been exposed to Fe(CO) 5 at a temperature of 600 K. Chemical vapor deposition serves as a means of depositing Fe on the SiC surface. The Fe-modified SiC surface is then shown to induce the decomposition of adsorbed (CH3O)3P. The mechanism of (CH3O)3P decomposition is similar to that observed on Fe(110) surfaces modified by the presence of oxygen. It is initiated by P‐O bond cleavage to produce adsorbed methoxy groups, CH 3O(ad), which then decompose by β-hydride elimination resulting in H2 ,C O, H 2CO, and CH3OH desorption. It is suggested that chemical vapor deposition of metals using high vapor pressure metal-containing compounds such as Fe(CO)5 can serve as a mechanism for continuous, in situ activation of ceramic surfaces for vapor phase lubrication in high temperature engines.
Effects of partial deletions within the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 V3 loop on coreceptor tropism and sensitivity to entry inhibitors.

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) V3 loop is critical for coreceptor binding and principally determines tropism for the CCR5 and CXCR4 coreceptors. The recent crystallographic resolution of V3 shows that its base is closely associated with the conserved coreceptor binding site on the gp120 core, whereas more distal regions protrude toward the cell surface, likely mediating interactions with coreceptor extracellular loops. However, these V3-coreceptor interactions and the structural basis for CCR5 or CXCR4 specificity are poorly understood. Using the dual-tropic virus HIV-1R3A, which uses both CCR5 and CXCR4, we sought to identify subdomains within V3 that selectively mediate R5 or X4 tropism. An extensive panel of V3 mutants was evaluated for effects on tropism and sensitivity to coreceptor antagonists. Mutations on either side of the V3 base (residues 3 to 8 and 26 to 33) ablated R5 tropism and made the resulting X4-tropic Envs more sensitive to the CXCR4 inhibitor AMD3100. When mutations were introduced within the V3 stem, only a deletion of residues 9 to 12 on the N-terminal side ablated X4 tropism. Remarkably, this R5-tropic Δ9-12 mutant was completely resistant to several small-molecule inhibitors of CCR5. Envs with mutations in the V3 crown (residues 13 to 20) remained dual tropic. Similar observations were made for a second dual-tropic isolate, HIV-189.6. These findings suggest that V3 subdomains can be identified that differentially affect R5 and X4 tropism and modulate sensitivity to CCR5 and CXCR4 inhibitors. These studies provide a novel approach for probing V3-coreceptor interactions and mechanisms by which these interactions can be inhibited.
The Acquisition of Conservation Effects of Schooling and Parental Profession on Ghanaian Children

This study investigated the effects of age, schooling, and parental profession on the acquisition of conservation by Ghanaian children. Subjects were 120 girls, ages 6-7, 8-9, and 10-11 years. Half the subjects were from traditional-profession homes (making and selling products in the marketplace) and half from non-traditional-profession homes (clerical positions). Also, half the subjects attended school and half were unschooled. All subjects were given two tasks measuring conservation of continuous quantity (liquid and solid substances). Results were that older subjects scored significantly higher than younger subjects and the traditional-profession group scored higher than the nontraditional group. Surprisingly, unschooled subjects tended to perform better than schooled subjects. Results were interpreted as contrasting the effects of a rich natural environment with a relatively less stimulating school experience.
The synchronization rate of oscillator networks subject to delayed and directed interaction

This paper analyzes influences of global and local cues on the synchronization rate of inter-connected oscillator networks subject to time delays. The coupling between oscillators is assumed to be directed, which includes the symmetric bi-directional coupling as a special case. In order to study the rate of synchronization, we first give a synchronization condition, which guarantees synchronization of oscillator networks independent of delays. Then we prove that the rate of synchronization always benefits from a stronger global cue, namely a stronger global cue leads to a faster rate of synchronization. The role of the local cue in the rate of synchronization is proven to be more complex: when the delays are below a certain value, the local cue has no influence on the rate of synchronization, but when the delays are above the value, a stronger local cue lowers the rate of synchronization. Finally, simulation results are given to illustrate the theoretical results.
Sensitivity of Alternaria alternata from Citrus to Boscalid and Polymorphism in Iron-Sulfur and in Anchored Membrane Subunits of Succinate Dehydrogenase.

Abstract Boscalid, a succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI), was registered in 2011 to control Alternaria brown spot (ABS) of citrus, caused by Alternaria alternata. In this study, the effect of boscalid on mycelial growth, conidial germination, and resazurin reduction was established in a subset of 16 sensitive isolates using three different media. Conidial germination and mycelial growth inhibition were not suppressed even at higher concentrations of boscalid, although effective concentration to inhibit 50% growth (EC50) values were established with each method. Resazurin reduction produced the lowest EC50 values and was selected for further sensitivity tests. In total, 419 isolates, never exposed to boscalid and collected from Florida tangerine orchards between 1996 to 2012, were tested for boscalid sensitivity. The sensitivity distribution was a unimodal curve with a mean EC50 value of 0.60 μg/ml and a range of 0.07 to 5.84 μg/ml. The molecular characterization of the succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) g...
Linear quadratic regulation using neural networks

The authors describe the use of neural networks for solving optimal control problems for discrete-time linear systems with quadratic cost functions. The result is obtained by formulating the optimal control problem as a quadratic programming problem with inequality constraints and then applying a result by M. Kennedy and L. Chua (1988). The authors present numerical examples of the method, comparisons to standard Ricatti equation solutions, and extensions to Kalman filtering and other applications, including real-time, adaptive optimal control. A result that makes it possible to use a neural net to solve optimization problems is described. It is shown how to formulate the linear quadratic regulator problem as a nonlinear programming problem. It is then possible to directly apply Kennedy and Chua's result to find the optimal control solution using a neural net. >
Evaluation of Microbial Culture Techniques for the Isolation of Pythium Insidiosum from Equine Tissues

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of sample handling, storage, and culture techniques on the isolation of Pythium insidiosum from infected equine tissues. Tissue and kunker samples obtained immediately posteuthanasia from a horse with subcutaneous pythiosis were used to assess the effects of sample type (kunkers vs. tissues), media type (selective vs. nonselective), storage technique, and storage time on P. insidiosum isolation rate. Overall, isolation rates were higher from fresh kunkers (94.6%) and stored kunkers (76.4%) than from fresh tissues (8.3%) or stored tissues (4.6%). Isolation of P. insidiosum also occurred more often on antibiotic-containing media than on nonselective media for both fresh and stored samples. For samples that were stored for 1-3 days prior to culture, P. insidiosum isolation rates were highest for the following techniques: kunkers stored at room temperature and plated on selective media (100%), kunkers stored at 4 C and then plated on either nonselective (91.7%) or selective (95.8%) media, kunkers stored on cold packs and then plated on either nonselective (93.8%) or selective (100%) media, kunkers stored in ampicillin solution and plated on selective media (100%), and kunkers stored in ampicillin/gentocin solution and plated on selective media (87.5%). For samples stored for 4-5 days, P. insidiosum isolation rates were highest for kunkers stored at 4 C and then plated on either nonselective (81.3%) or selective (87.5%) media, kunkers stored in ampicillin solution and then plated on selective media (87.5%), and kunkers stored in ampicillin/gentocin solution and plated on selective media (87.5%). Results of this study suggest that optimal isolation rates of P. insidiosum from infected equine tissues are achieved by culturing fresh kunkers on selective media. For samples that cannot be processed immediately, acceptable handling techniques include storage at room temperature for up to 3 days, refrigeration for up to 5 days, shipping on cold packs, and storage in antibiotic solution, each combined with subsequent inoculation on selective media.
Self-induced hypoglycemia: a review of psychiatric aspects and report of three cases.

Unauthorized self-administration of hypoglycemic agents produces a unique clinical situation. Because the symptoms and laboratory findings are consistent with a functioning adenoma of the pancreas, there is a significant hazard of unnecessary surgery. By appropriate laboratory tests, however, the alert physician may be able to justify suspicion that the disorder is self-induced.Accurate diagnosis may be further facilitated by recognizing certain similarities in these patients. Review of published reports and study of three cases newly presented have revealed these characteristics with enough consistency for proposal of a psychiatric syndrome. In hypoglycemia, factitial causation is suggested by the combination of female sex, single status, medical knowledge derived from experience as a diabetic or from vocational or family contacts, and features of the hysterical personality.
“EVERYTHING ABOUT US IS FEMINIST” The Significance of Ideology in Organizational Change

This study explores the role feminist ideology played in long-term structural changes in feminist organizations. The vehicle for this exploration was a comparative case study of 14 feminist women's health centers that were started in the 1970s and were still in existence in the early 1990s. Drawing on interviews and site visits, the author describes the early collectivist structures, highlights some of the crises these organizations faced, and describes three structural ideal types that emerged in the 1990s. The analysis suggests three ideological issues that directed structural change: the importance of maintaining a system for the equitable distribution of power, the importance of growth versus autonomy, and the importance of feminism as an organizational outcome or internal process.
Ac Impedance Spectroscopy Study of Modified Proton-Exchange Membrane Nanocomposites

The dielectric and electrical behaviors of a Nafion TM membrane, a Nafion TM /7SiO 2 -2P 2 O 5- ZrO 2 gel composite, and a Nafion TM /ZrP particle composite were investigated using ac impedance spectroscopy at different relative humidities and temperatures. Only Nafion TM /7SiO 2- 2P 2 O 5 -ZrO 2 showed a slightly higher conductivity than Nafion TM at high temperature. For Nafion TM /ZrP, proton mobility was significantly lower, particularly at high relative humidity. The results suggest that improvement in fuel cell performance, previously measured on composite membranes, does not merely result from increased hydrophilic properties.
Contribution of individual mechanoreceptor sensory neurons to defensive gill-withdrawal reflex in Aplysia

1. To evaluate the contribution which mechanoreceptor sensory neurons make to the defensive gill-withdrawal reflex we developed an isolated reflex preparation. We then reduced this isolated reflex to a microcircuit (consisting of a single sensory cell and single motor cell) so as to causally relate the contribution of individual cells to the expression and plastic properties of the behavior. 2. Mechanoreceptor neurons make significant contributions to the amplitude and duration of the complex PSP in the motor neurons. A single spike in a sensory neuron produces an EPSP in the motor neuron which accounts for 7-36% of the complex EPSP produced by weak tactile stimulation of the skin. 3. More than 50% of the synaptic input to the gill motor neurons appears to be monosynaptic. Perfusing the ganglion with solutions of high divalent cations reduced the motor neurons' complex PSP by only 40%. 4. The population response of the mechanoreceptors to a point stimulus can be simulated by repetitively firing a single sensory neuron. Firing a single sensory cell discharges the motor neuron and produces a gill contraction similar to that produced by a natural stimulus. 5. Mechanoreceptors make monosynaptic connections onto gill motor neurons which decrement with repeated stimulation paralleling the decrement of the complex PSP to punctate tactile stimulation of the skin. 6. The results indicate that the known neural elements may quantitatively account for most of the expression of the behavior and its short-term habituation.
Critical Information Theory: A New Foundation for Teaching Regulatory Research

Legal scholars frequently look to other disciplines for theoretical perspectives and frameworks, and interdisciplinary legal scholarship is widely accepted in the academy. Yet, in legal research instruction, students are rarely exposed to interdisciplinary research methods or perspectives that will help them consider the more profound and complex aspects of legal information sources. Exposing students to a deeper analysis, structured by critical information theory, can help students fully comprehend the legal structure being researched. This chapter uses regulatory research as an exemplar, and illustrates how the use of critical information theory can be a pathway to the consideration of regulatory transparency, agency action, and other complex questions implicated in regulatory work. Ultimately, this pathway can help students construct new arguments, deal with information overload, and understand the complexities inherent in our legal and regulatory systems. Using critical information theory as framework for teaching regulatory research is one attempt to “construct the bridge between the pedagogical theories...and the many and varied methods employed to teach” research. When mindful of regulatory transparency, agency action, and complex administrative practice concerns, regulatory research instruction embodies the Boulder Statements on Legal Research Education which recommends that students “experience a cognitive apprenticeship...[so as to] synthesize information about legal systems and resources” as well as “identify the “ethical responsibilities, the avoidance of plagiarism, and the fulfillment of the ethical duty to conduct adequate and thorough research.” Incorporating critical information theory additionally supports the Boulder Statements’ focus on the development of the theoretical foundation of a signature pedagogy for legal research education.” Finally, regulatory research skills framed by critical information theory “teach[es] an intellectual process for the application of methods for legal research by...[s]howing the relationship of legal structure to legal tools and evaluating the appropriate use of those tools.”
No Genetic Ties, No More Fathers: Voluntary Acknowledgment Recissions and Other Paternity Disestablishments Under Illinois Law

This paper begins by examining federal paternity standards involving voluntary paternity acknowledgments of children born to unmarried women. These standards are increasingly important as voluntary acknowledgments are now typically required for birth certificate recognitions of paternity for children born to unmarried women and as the number of births to unmarried women in the United States has doubled in the past two decades. The paper then explores the confusion in Illinois over these standards arising from the 2004 Illinois Supreme Court decision in People v. Smith. It then illustrates that there is similar confusion nationwide. For example, there is much doubt about what happens when males initiate paternity disestablishment proceedings seeking to rescind voluntary paternity acknowledgments based on lack of genetic ties. Next, the paper reviews other paternity disestablishment standards in Illinois. In doing so, it reveals that the conditions for paternity disestablishment frequently are dependent upon legal distinctions that are, at the least, unsound (and perhaps unconstitutional). The paper concludes with suggested reforms for both federal and Illinois laws on initial paternity designations and on later paternity disestablishments.
GROWTH STIMULATING EFFECTS OF ACID MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDES.

SummaryThe growth stimulating effect of acid mucopolysaccharides on lipid saturated HeLa cell cultures has been examined by measurement of cytocrits, total dry weights, and cell counts; results demonstrate that certain AMPS have a significant growth stimulating effect.
Exotic Ions in Superfluid Helium

Exotic ions are negatively charged objects which have been detected in superfluid helium-4 at temperatures in the vicinity of 1 K. Mobility experiments in several different labs have revealed the existence of at least 18 such objects. These ions have a higher mobility than the normal negative ion and appear to be singly charged and smaller. We summarize the experimental situation, the possible structure of these objects, and how these objects might be formed.
Therapeutic Applications of rTMS for Aphasia After Stroke

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is a powerful treatment tool for aphasia because it can directly leverage our understanding of neural basis of language disorders and provide a novel and promising treatment. The reorganization in the neural representation of language functions after an aphasia-causing stroke critically underpins spontaneous language recovery. The course of this reorganization is largely shaped by the extent of damage and the duration since stroke onset. The therapeutic applications of rTMS in poststroke aphasia have capitalized on a growing but incomplete understanding of these neural changes, in order to guide the location and type of stimulation. Converging evidence from a variety of treatment studies suggests that rTMS can significantly augment performance of a number of language functions. However, evidence also suggests that aphasic patients exhibit significant variability in clinical characteristics and in turn in their response to rTMS treatment. In this chapter, we provide a review and a critical appraisal of published rTMS treatment studies in patients with aphasia (PWA). Based on this evidence, we conclude that rTMS can be effective in reducing symptoms of aphasia. However, because of a great deal of heterogeneity in rTMS methodologies, we recommend standardization and further investigation of rTMS in a context of large-scale clinical randomized trials. These trials should take an individualized treatment approach that is informed by mechanism(s) of recovery on a patient-by-patient basis rather an one-size-fits-all approach.
Should Atopic Individuals be Patch Tested

Although it appears that the incidence of allergic contact dermatitis is lower in patients with atopic dermatitis than in patients with other forms of dermatitis, studies have shown that a significant number of atopies demonstrate allergic contact dermatitis on testing. This article presents a review of the larger studies that have been performed in atopic individuals as well as recommendations for patch testing.
Ubiquitous expression of cytokines in diverse leukemias of lymphoid and myeloid lineage

It has recently been suggested that autocrine production of hematopoietic regulatory molecules can modulate the cardinal features of many leukemic states: excessive proliferation of the neoplastic cells and suppression of the normal elements. We therefore analyzed samples obtained from 57 patients with a variety of hematologic malignancies (21, acute myelogenous leukemia; 14, acute lymphoblastic leukemia; 12, Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia [blast phase] or acute leukemia; 5, chronic lymphocytic leukemia; and 5, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia) for expression of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) transcripts on Northern blots. TNF-alpha mRNA was discerned in almost half of the samples (47%), and was expressed in some patients with every type of leukemia, except T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Expression occurred with great frequency in samples (12 of 15 [80%]) from monocytic (acute or chronic) leukemias, and from advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia (4 of 5 samples [80%]). IL-1 beta transcripts were detected in 20 of 57 samples (35%). Its presence, like that of TNF-alpha, was ubiquitous, and only chronic lymphocytic leukemia and T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells consistently failed to produce IL-1 beta message. Therefore it appears that TNF-alpha and/or IL-1 beta mRNA can be found in the leukemic cells from a substantial subset of patients with B cell-derived acute lymphoblastic leukemia as well as with chronic and acute myeloid, monocytic or lymphocytic leukemias. Because these cytokines have potent direct and indirect effects on normal and malignant hematopoiesis, their widespread constitutive expression by neoplastic blood cells may play a fundamental role in driving the leukemic process.
Cohorts and Connections Doctoral Retention at a Mid-Atlantic Comprehensive Institution

The purpose of this article is to examine student retention rates and graduation among a doctoral program at a Mid-Atlantic institution. This qualitative study found that faculty encouragement, sel...
Role of Interfacially Active Metals in the Apparent Adherence of Nickel to Sapphire

The effects of 1 at. % of interfacially active metals (chromium, titanium, and zirconium) on the wetting and adherence of nickel to sapphire (α-Al2O3) were investigated. Sessile-drop tests were conducted in order to determine the contact angle and the interfacial energy. The apparent adherence of the solidified nickel drops was determined by a simple shear test. The structure of the nickel and the Ni−Al2O3 interface was characterized by optical microscopy, X-ray and electron diffraction, X-ray fluorescence analysis, electron probe X-ray microanalysis, and microhardness measurements. Each active metal had a distinct and reproducible effect on the thickness, the composition, and the microstructure of the interfacial zone, which is discussed in detail. The pure nickel and the chromium-doped specimens exhibited the greatest apparent adherence to the sapphire, whereas the titanium-doped and zirconium-doped specimens chemically degraded (weakened) the surface of the sapphire so that premature failure occurred. A model was developed to explain the effects of the various additives upon bond strength and upon failure modes.
Children of the Passion

Not surprisingly, given Jesus’ uniformly positive statements about children, the Gospels never implicate children in the story of the Passion. Luke 23.27 does not specify whether youngsters were among the ‘great multitude’ that followed Jesus as he was led to Calvary. When the next verse quotes Jesus telling the ‘daughters of Jerusalem’ to weep not for him but for themselves and their children, it does not say whether those women’s children were there with them.
Distinct pathways for cognitive decline in the presence of Alzheimer's disease pathology or cerebrovascular disease.

This scientific commentary refers to ‘Relative impact of amyloid-β, lacunes, and downstream imaging markers on cognitive trajectories’, by Kim et al. (doi:10.1093/brain/aww148) . Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly, with prevalence doubling every 5 years after the age of 65 years. It has been suggested that risks for Alzheimer’s disease and cardiovascular disease may be linked (Launer et al. , 2000). However, the relationship between vascular disease and Alzheimer pathology has not been clearly established (Chui et al. , 2012). Although theoretical mechanisms exist by which vascular disease and Alzheimer pathology might interact, it is also possible that the two processes operate in parallel and are unrelated at a pathological level, interacting only in their clinical effects. In this issue of Brain , Kim and co-workers propose that progression of Alzheimer pathology (measured by amyloid-β PET imaging) or cerebrovascular disease (CVD, measured by the presence of lacunes on MRI) have regionally specific effects on downstream imaging markers, and lead to cognitive decline via …