cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Asian Games and Diplomacy in Asia: Korea–China–Russia

In this article, I will look at the impact of sport on relations between states. In particular, I will study the role that sport has played in enhancing (or damaging) diplomacy in international relations. I will look especially at the role that the Olympics and the Asian Olympics have played in promoting diplomatic breakthroughs between countries. My cases focus on the use of sports diplomacy to foster the end of the Cold War in Asia, studying the breakthroughs between Korea, China and Russia. I will then look at the Beijing Games of 2008 and Guangzhou Asian Games of 2010.
The Distribution of the Electrons in Atoms

THE spectra which are obtained by the diffraction of X-rays by crystals are characteristic both of the substance which emits the X-rays and of the crystal which acts as the grating. If the lines of an accurately ruled plane grating are small in width compared with their distance apart, the intensities of the different orders of spectra are nearly the same. If, however, the lines have a width comparable with the grating constant, the intensities of the higher orders rapidly diminish. When a crystal diffracts a beam of X-rays, the different layers of atoms correspond to the lines of the ordinary transmission grating, so that the relative intensity of the higher orders of spectra will depend upon the ratio of the effective diameter of the atoms in scattering the X-rays to the distance between the successive layers of atoms.
Making Sense of the Atmospheric Science Gender Gap: Do Female and Male Graduate Students Have Different Career Motives, Goals, and Challenges?

ABSTRACT There is a persisting gap in the participation of women in atmospheric science (ATS), particularly at the higher levels of ATS education and occupations. This gap raises questions about ATS women's career motives, plans, and challenges relative to men's. To explore these questions, in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 female and male ATS graduate students. Both women and men described their ATS choice as the result of random events—though both also mentioned memories of childhood severe weather experiences, as well as interest and confidence in math and science, as critical milestones in their path to ATS. Both women and men also commented on the impact of hands-on, ATS-related research, including field experiences as well as the positive influence of models and mentors on their ATS educational choice and persistence. However, for women, experiences with mentors included instances of neglectful and undermining behavior. Women and men also differed with regard to career goals, with women emp...
Bisulfite-induced cytosine deamination rates in E. coli SSB:DNA complexes

Abstract E. coli single-stranded binding protein (SSB) has been examined for its ability to modulate bisulfite-induced cytosine deamination rates in single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). We used a lacZ α-complementation reversion assay to detect C→U rates at a single codon in M13mp2 DNA, whether in free ssDNA or in an SSB:ssDNA complex. When incubated at 37°C, the average bisulfite-induced reversion rate constant was four-fold less in SSB:ssDNA complexes than in ssDNA, at a single codon. Across a 250 base pair target and over 23 scorable C→U sites, the forward rate constant was 4.9-fold less in SSB:ssDNA complexes than in ssDNA alone. After treatment with N-uracil glycosylase, ssDNA incubated with bisulfite had reversion frequencies at the background rate of ssDNA incubated without bisulfite, indicating that virtually all mutations scored were due to C→U events. The decrease in cytosine deamination rates occurred both in a single codon and over a 250 bp target, indicating that interactions between SSB and ssDNA reduce bisulfite-catalyzed mutations. The structural role of SSB is well recognized in multiple cellular processes; SSB can also function to minimize bisulfite-induced ssDNA mutations.
Evolving with the Faculty to Face Library Budget Cuts

A decade of budget cuts caused radical changes to the periodical collections at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. Impassioned resistance by the faculty to journal title cuts led the librarians to try multiple ways of presenting data and ensuring that the materials most needed by the faculty were preserved. In the end, experience showed not one plan, but that a combination of plans were needed, including data mixed with alternative possibilities, faster interlibrary loans using newer technology, and the conscious pursuit of mutually sympathetic relations with faculty.
Analysis of steric partition behavior of molecules in membranes using statistical physics. Application to gel chromatography and electrophoresis

The principles of statistical physics are used to formulate general expressions for the steric partition behavior of molecules in both random and ordered membrane structures that may be applied to any shape of the solute and/or the volume-excluding element of the membrane. These expressions fully define partitioning in terms of the volume excluded to point molecules and to finite-sized molecules. The mean effective exclusion volume for a molecule is calculated as a function of a global interaction energy, which varies with position, conformation, and orientation of the molecule. It allows consideration of electrostatic and other nonsteric factors. To test the model, specific partition functions are derived for several simple geometries describing the membrane and solute. Frequently, the derived expressions agree with past analyses; however, a new expression describing partitioning within an random network of fibers is derived. It agrees with past results only in the limit of low exclusion volumes. With greater volume exclusions, past results greatly overestimate the partition function. It is applied to gel electrophoresis and chromatography and survives testing with available experimental data. Unlike past analyses, it predicts nonlinear Ferguson plots for agarose gel electrophoresis. In addition, an analytical expression predicting the minimum radius of a sphere excluded from a random fiber matrix is derived, tested, and found to agree with experimental data.
Elasto-viscoplastic constitutive equations for polycrystalline fcc materials at low homologous temperatures

Abstract A kinetic equation for the shearing rates on slip systems based on the thermally activated theory for plastic flow is formulated, and an evolution equation for slip system deformation resistances is developed. These constitutive functions are incorporated in a model for elasto-viscoplasticity of face-centered-cubic (f.c.c.) single crystals. For polycrystalline materials, the classical Taylor assumption is invoked. This constitutive model has been implemented in a finite element program to facilitate simulations of quasi-static as well as dynamic non-homogeneous deformations of polycrystalline f.c.c. materials. The material parameters in the model have been calibrated against existing experimental data for aluminum. The improved physical description for plastic flow and hardening evolution, enables the constitutive model to reproduce the macroscopic stress–strain response in aluminum up to large strains (≈100%), for a wide range of strain-rates (10−3– 10 2 s −1 ), and a wide range of low homologous temperatures (77– 298 K ). Important strain-rate-history and temperature-history effects on the strain-hardening behavior of aluminum are shown to be well represented by the constitutive model.
Statistical analysis of randomized experiments with non-ignorable missing binary outcomes: an application to a voting experiment

Summary. Missing data are frequently encountered in the statistical analysis of randomized experiments. I propose statistical methods that can be used to analyse randomized experi ments with a non-ignorable missing binary outcome where the missing data mechanism may depend on the unobserved values of the outcome variable itself even after taking into account the information in the fully observed variables. The motivating empirical example is a German election experiment where researchers are worried that the act of voting may increase the prob ability of participation in the post-election survey through which the outcome variable, turnout, was measured. To address this problem, I first introduce an identification strategy for the aver age treatment effect under the non-ignorability assumption and compare it with the existing alternative approaches in the literature. I then derive the maximum likelihood estimator and its asymptotic distribution and discuss possible estimation methods. Furthermore, since the iden tification assumption proposed is not directly verifiable from the data, I show how to conduct a sensitivity analysis based on the parameterization that links the key identification assump tion with the causal quantities of interest. Finally, the methodology proposed is extended to the analysis of randomized experiments with non-compliance. In addition, although the method that is introduced may not directly apply to randomized experiments with non-binary outcomes, I briefly discuss possible identification strategies in more general situations.
Performance of quasi-optimum digital FM demodulators for fading channels

This paper deals with the problem of digital demodulation of FM signals transmitted over Rayleigh and Rician fading channels. The Rayleigh and Rician fading channels are represented by two quadrature multiplicative nonzero mean white Gaussian processes in addition to an additive zero-mean white Gaussian noise. Quasi-optimum digital baseband demodulation algorithms using various nonlinear estimation techniques are derived. The digital demodulator structures are then simulated on a digital computer for an FM system with first order message spectrum for various values of the parameters for Rayleigh and Rician channels.
The speed factor and learning disabilities: The toll of slowness in adolescents

Speed of responding in different domains (handwriting, coding, naming, and simple text reading) was compared in two samples of adolescents with learning disabilities. In both samples, speed measures were significantly interrelated. Slowness was more characteristic of students with generalized basic skill deficits (reading, spelling, and arithmetic) than of those with single achievement deficits. Phonological decoding skill and naming speed (sample 2 only) were not correlated. Poor decoders were poor word list readers, whether or not slow namers, whereas slow namers were poor in arithmetic and were slow readers, whether or not poor decoders. The relation between slow naming/reading and weakness in arithmetical calculation merits further study in learning-disabled students. It is suggested that slowness impedes automatization in reading, spelling, and arithmetic.
Signaling through the P38 and ERK pathways: a common link between HIV replication and the immune response.

One of the defining characteristics of HIV is its ability to manipulate the human immune response to promote its own replication. Since the beginning of the epidemic, there has been controversy whether a robust immune response to the virus is beneficial or detrimental for the host. Therefore, the effects of HIV on signaling pathways and cytokine production need to be characterized in order to distinguish between protective immune responses and inappropriate immune activation. Cytokine and biomarker expression during HIV infection results from the combined effects of intracellular signaling pathways orchestrated by kinases like P38 and ERK. The P38 and ERK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) pathways govern the regulation of cytokines (IL-2, IL-10, and TNF-α) as well biomarkers (PD-1, Fas/FasL, among others) that are skewed in chronic HIV infection. HIV utilizes the P38 and ERK pathways to produce new virions and to deplete CD4+ T cells from the host’s immune system. Understanding the interplay between HIV and the cytokines induced by activation of the P38 and ERK pathways may provide insights into HIV immunopathogenesis and the development of a protective vaccine.
Organometallic compounds with biological activity : A very selective and highly potent cellular inhibitor for glycogen synthase kinase 3

A chiral second-generation organoruthenium half-sandwich compound is disclosed that shows a remarkable selectivity and cellular potency for the inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3). The selectivity was evaluated against a panel of 57 protein kinases, in which no other kinase was inhibited to the same extent, with a selectivity window of at least tenfold to more than 1000-fold at 100 microM ATP. Furthermore, a comparison with organic GSK-3 inhibitors demonstrated the superior cellular activity of this ruthenium compound: wnt signaling was fully induced at concentrations down to 30 nM. For comparison, the well-established organic GSK-3 inhibitors 6-bromoindirubin-3'-oxime (BIO) and kenpaullone activate the wnt pathway at concentrations that are higher by around 30-fold and 100-fold, respectively. The treatment of zebrafish embryos with the organometallic inhibitor resulted in a phenotype that is typical for the inhibition of GSK-3. No phenotypic change was observed with the mirror-imaged ruthenium complex. The latter does not, in fact, show any of the pharmacological properties for the inhibition of GSK-3. Overall, these results demonstrate the potential usefulness of organometallic compounds as molecular probes in cultured cells and whole organisms.
Noninvasive ultrasound produced volume lesion in prostate

High-intensity focused ultrasound has been used experimentally to ablate hepatic, brain, and subcutaneous tumors without damaging adjacent tissues. We report our pilot experience in dogs using this modality to ablate prostatic tissue. Six dogs subjected to acute injury were sacrificed one hour after focused ultrasound ablation; four dogs subjected to chronic injury were sacrificed two, four, six, and twelve weeks post ablation. The pathology of the acute injury and chronic response to this injury is presented. High-volume ablation was created without injury to adjacent tissue. Grossly, the post-ablation prostate appears identical to the posdt-TUR-P defect. Subsequently, a combined imaging/therapy transrectal transducer has been developed and has been used in six dogs. The size and appearance of this probe is similar to current commercially available transrectal imaging probes. Prostate ablation was successful in all dogs and no injury to the rectal wall was apparent when energy levels were appropriate. Again, the post ablation prostate resembled a TUR-P defect. The implications of these findings using this new modality are potentially immense. Plans for human trials are being formulated.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Performance of Template School Buildings during Earthquakes in Turkey and Peru

Most of the public school buildings in Turkey and Peru are built according to a small number of template plans. Over the years, these template plans are kept the same while the structural designs are varied with the seismic design codes in force. During recent strong earthquakes in Turkey and Peru, the design concepts and construction styles for these template school buildings have been put to test. In this paper, observed earthquake performances of template reinforced concrete school buildings with moment-frames or moment-frames and shear walls are compared. The comparison reveals choices in design that were successful as well as those that were not. The disastrous results of “captive columns” are demonstrated in illustrations from what has been observed in recent earthquakes in these seismically active countries. It is shown that since 1997 the Peruvian practice has been producing school buildings that perform well during strong earthquakes.
Has the 80-Hour Workweek Improved Surgical Resident Education in New England?

Objective To evaluate the effect of the 80-hour workweek restrictions on resident education within surgical programs in the New England area. Design Web-based survey. Setting All Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited surgical residency programs in New England (n = 20). Participants Program directors/coordinators in each surgical residency program in New England. Main Outcome Measures First, American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE) scores and the passing rate of the ABS certifying examination were recorded for the years 2001, 2002, 2005, and 2006. Second, the changes in the curriculum of surgical education were documented as perceived by program coordinators and directors. Results In all, 85% (17/20) of surgical programs in New England responded to the survey. The programs began to implement the 80-hour workweek from 2002 to 2004. An equal distribution of community (n = 8) and university programs (n = 9) was sampled. Prior to the initiation of the 80-hour workweek, residency programs emphasized weekly didactic sessions given by attending physicians (88%), mock orals (88%), and conventional journal club (76%). After the 80-hour workweek was implemented, the education curriculum most often consisted of didactic sessions by attending (100%), mock orals (88%), and simulation laboratories (75%). No difference was observed in ABSITE scores and first-time pass rates of the ABS examination before or after the introduction of the 80-hour workweek (20% response). Only 25% of programs felt that surgical education was improved after the implementation of the 80-hour workweek, whereas 31% felt education was worse. Overall, 44% of respondents believed that there was no difference in surgical education. Conclusions Despite the positive effects the 80-hour workweek has had on resident quality of life and patient care, it does not seem that either significant improvements or detrimental effects have occurred on surgical education within residency programs in New England.
Phototactic Behavior of Bemisia argentifolii (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) Crawlers

First instars (crawlers) of Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring were observed in the field and laboratory to move upward on plants, presumably in search of acceptable feeding sites. Laboratory experiments were conducted on a host plant and an artificial surface to determine if this movement was random, or a response to light (phototaxis) or gravity (geotaxis). Greenhouse-reared B. argentifolii crawlers were positively phototactic in experiments conducted on a host plant and on an artificial surface of black construction paper. Crawlers moved up or down the petiole of cheeseweed, Malva parviflora L., with equal facility, toward a light source placed either above or below the leaf blade. Response was always toward the light (positive phototaxis) and there was no response to gravity, either positive or negative. Crawlers placed on an artificial surface in a dark arena and presented with a point light source had a significant mean angular dispersion toward the light. Crawlers illuminated with uniform overhead lighting or kept in darkness moved about the arena at random. Crawlers maintained in darkness on cheeseweed and the artificial surface moved a significantly shorter distance from their origin than did those exposed to light. Such behavior suggests that some minimal light intensity may be necessary to stimulate crawler activity. The positive phototactic response may contribute to survival of B. argentifolii by enabling individuals eclosing from fall laid eggs, on leaves that become senescent during the winter, to find suitable leaves for development higher on the plant.
Synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles with magnetic core and photocatalytic shell: Anatase TiO2–NiFe2O4 system

Abstract Reverse micelle and hydrolysis have been combined to synthesize anatase-titania coated nickel ferrite nanoparticles of size 10–20 nm. The paper describes the magnetic behavior studied by superconducting quantum interference device and the photocatalytic activity. The anatase TiO 2 -coated NiFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles retain the characteristics of uncoated nanocrystalline nickel ferrites; superparamagnetism (absence of hysteresis, remanence and coercivity at 300 K) and non-saturation of magnetic moments at high field. The magnetic measurements indicate reduction of magnetization of the anatase TiO 2 -coated NiFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles compared with the uncoated NiFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles because of the contribution of the volume of the non-magnetic coating layer to the total sample volume. Anatase TiO 2 -coated NiFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles exhibit photocatalytic nature that can be exploited for antimicrobial activity.
Hydrogen Production by Photoreactive Nanoporous Latex Coatings of Nongrowing Rhodopseudomonas palustris CGA009

Nonuniform light distribution is a fundamental limitation to biological hydrogen production by phototrophic bacteria. Numerous light distribution designs and culture conditions have been developed to reduce self-shading and nonuniform reactivity within bioreactors. In this study, highly concentrated (2.0 x 108 CFU/muL formulation) nongrowing Rhodopseudomonas palustris CGA009 were immobilized in thin, nanoporous, latex coatings. The coatings were used to study hydrogen production in an argon atmosphere as a function of coating composition, thickness, and light intensity. These coatings can be generated aerobically or anaerobically and are more reactive than an equivalent number of suspended or settled cells. Rhodopseudomonas palustris latex coatings remained active after hydrated storage for greater than 3 months in the dark and over 1 year when stored at -80 degrees C. The initial hydrogen production rate of the microphotobioreactors containing 6.25 cm2, 58.4 mum thick Rps. palustris latex coatings illuminated by 34.1 PAR mumol photons m-2 s-1 was 6.3 mmol H2 m-2 h-1 and had a final yield of 0.55 mol H2 m-2 in 120 h. A dispersible latex blend has been developed for direct comparison of the specific activity of settled, suspended, and immobilized Rps. palustris.
Crystal Structure of RumA, an Iron-Sulfur Cluster Containing E. coli Ribosomal RNA 5-Methyluridine Methyltransferase

Abstract RumA catalyzes transfer of a methyl group from S -adenosylmethionine (SAM) specifically to uridine 1939 of 23S ribosomal RNA in Escherichia coli to yield 5-methyluridine. We determined the crystal structure of RumA at 1.95 A resolution. The protein is organized into three structural domains: The N-terminal domain contains sequence homology to the conserved TRAM motif and displays a five-stranded β barrel architecture characteristic of an oligosaccharide/oligonucleotide binding fold. The central domain contains a [Fe 4 S 4 ] cluster coordinated by four conserved cysteine residues. The C-terminal domain displays the typical SAM-dependent methyltransferase fold. The catalytic nucleophile Cys389 lies in a motif different from that in DNA 5-methylcytosine methyltransferases. The electrostatic potential surface reveals a predominately positively charged area that covers the concave surface of the first two domains and suggests an RNA binding mode. The iron-sulfur cluster may be involved in the correct folding of the protein or may have a role in RNA binding.
Intratracheal Fire Ignited by the Nd-YAG Laser during Treatment of Tracheal Stenosis

Intratracheal combustion of a fiberoptic bronchoscope and an endotracheal tube occurred during the treatment of severe tracheal stenosis with the neodymium-YAG laser. This recognized hazard of CO2 laser surgery has not been reported previously with the use of the Nd-YAG laser. Fire hazard is inevitable when a laser is used in the airway, but the risk can be diminished. Rapid removal of the burning endoscope and endotracheal tube is essential to prevent serious complications.
The effects of antirhino- and enteroviral vinylacetylene benzimidazoles on cytochrome P450 function and hepatic porphyrin levels in mice.

Abstract In an ongoing effort to identify an orally bioavailable compound for the treatment of rhino- and enteroviral infections, a series of vinylacetylene benzimidazoles was recently examined. Previous studies demonstrated the potential for these compounds to possess both good in vitro antiviral activity as well as acceptable oral plasma concentrations in mice. Optimization of these properties led to four compounds as candidates for further evaluation. In view of the recognized potential for certain acetylenic drugs both to inhibit cytochrome P450 enzymes by mechanism-based inactivation and to possibly perturb heme metabolism, information regarding drug effects on cytochromes P450 and hepatic porphyrin levels was sought. In an initial single-dose pharmacokinetic study, the four selected compounds were given orally to mice, and both plasma concentrations and porphyrin levels were determined. Two of the compounds, 4 and 5, caused a pronounced increase in liver porphyrin levels whereas compounds 6 and 7 exhibited almost no effect on porphyrin levels. Analysis of plasma concentrations showed that only 4 and 5 gave significant exposure and that 6 and 7 produced negligible levels of drug in the plasma even at the highest dose tested (500 mg/kg). A multiple dose study was then initiated in which compounds 4 and 5 were given for 1 week in daily oral doses to mice. Upon completion of dosing, liver was analyzed for cytochrome P450-dependent 7-ethoxyresorufin O -deethylase (EROD) and benzphetamine N -demethylase (BND) activities, total cytochrome P450 content, and porphyrin levels. Both vinylacetylenes showed dose–dependent inhibitory and induction effects on EROD and BND activities. In addition, these compounds caused a marked increase in hepatic porphyrin levels. Therefore, while all four selected compounds displayed potent antiviral activity and two of the compounds exhibited acceptable pharmacokinetic properties, the hepatic effects of these latter two compounds suggest the potential for drug induced porphyria with multidose therapeutic use.
Rare earth concentrations in zircons and apatites and their host dacites and granites

Abstract Rare earth element concentrations in zircons and apatites separated from dacites and granites have been measured. Partition coefficients between phenocrysts of zircon and apatite and the groundmass materials of dacites may be explained by the crystal structure of the minerals. The rare earth patterns of zircons from granites appear to reflect patterns of the liquid phase at earlier stages of crystallization.
A NEW METHOD FOR DETECTION AND MEASUREMENT OF INTRINSIC-FACTOR ANTIBODIES

Abstract A new in-vitro technique utilising homogenates of guineapig small-intestinal mucosa detects both the known types of antibody to Castle's intrinsic factor found in pernicious anaemia. This technique is sensitive and results are reproducible, and it should provide a useful means of determining the course of development of the two types of intrinsic-factor antibody in pernicious anaemia and help to increase understanding of this disease.
A localized-orbital theory of mott insulators

Abstract An elementary but formally satisfactory localized-orbital theory is presented and shown to explain the basic characteristics of Mott insulators. Problems concerning the3dorbital degeneracy, the optical bandwidth, and the electrical bandwidth are discussed and resolved.
A Concept for Making Poly(ethylene oxide) Based Composite Gel Polymer Electrolyte Lithium/Sulfur Battery

We report a new concept for making poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) based composite gel polymer electrolyte (CGPE) lithium batteries by demonstrating the fabrication of a lithium/sulfur (Li/S) cell, in which the CGPE is in situ formed by gelling a 50PEO-50SiO2 (wt) composite membrane with a gel-forming liquid electrolyte. The composite membrane can be either coated onto the sulfur cathode to form an electrode-supporting electrode-membrane-assemble (EMA) or cast onto a Teflon substrate to form a freestanding membrane. Attributed to the presence of a large amount of inorganic SiO2 filler, the membrane can instantly absorb and retain various types of electrolyte solvents and ionic liquids without shrinkage. Using a gel-forming liquid electrolyte, the CGPE Li/S cell can be facilely prepared by heating an electrolyte-activated cell. In this paper, we demonstrate the preparation of a freestanding and highly flexible 50PEO-50SiO2 composite membrane, and discuss the electrochemical characteristics of its resulting CGPE and the CGPE Li/S cell.
Wolff–Kishner reduction reactions using a solar irradiation heat source and a green solvent system

Due to the recognition of the irreversible damage done to the environment through man-made materials, scientists have attempted to transform synthetic procedures into environmentally favorable procedures. Since fossil fuels are used for electrical energy in the USA, the amount of electricity required to complete an experiment has become an environmental concern. Solar parabolic reflectors have been proposed as a means for minimizing the amount of electricity needed to perform chemical reactions. The ability to use the solar reflector as the sole heat source for synthetic reactions is being considered. Another area of environmental concern is the chemical solvent systems involved in synthetic reactions that are not friendly to the environment. The ability to exchange solvent systems for greener solvents is being considered. A comparative study was conducted using an electrical and solar heat source on a series of Wolff–Kishner reduction reactions performed in a green solvent system. The following generaliz...
Comparison of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems for applying metam sodium and managing stem rot on potato

Drip and sprinkler systems were compared for effectiveness as preplant metam sodium chemigation systems and conduciveness to late-season development of stem rot disease on potato. Sclerotia of Sclerotium rolfsii were used in a bioassay to test efficacy of metam sodium treatments. Drip application of metam sodium (532 liters/ha, 32.8% a.i.) through lines at 7 cm of depth in preformed beds (depths from bed top unless stated otherwise) killed all test sclerotia at 15-, 30-, or 46-cm depths. Drip application of the metam sodium through drip lines at 41 or 46 cm of depth resulted in 0 to 17 or 68 to 80% survival, respectively, of test sclerotia at 15 cm of depth; but all the sclerotia at 30 or 46 cm of depth were killed. Compared with the drip applications, sprinkler chemigation with metam sodium generally treated beds less effectively (8 to 100% of sclerotia survived at 15 cm, 62 to 100% at 30 or 46 cm). On flat ground, drip and sprinkler chemigation (metam sodium, 560 liters/ha) performed equally (4, 37, and 77% survival at 15-, 45-, and 75-cm depths, respectively). After potato planting and artificial soil infestation with S. rolfsii (5 to 6 weeks before harvest), subsurface drip-irrigated plots (line depth of 41 or 46 cm) had lower incidence of stem rot disease at harvest (13 to 23% on tubers) than that in sprinkler plots (56 to 62%). The low incidence of disease was associated with relatively dry surface soil. Subsurface drip chemigation with metam sodium in preformed plant beds does not consistently eradicate S. rolfsii sclerotia near the upper bed surface but, in an arid climate, it is less conducive than sprinkler irrigation to development of stem rot disease of potato.
Device closure of ventricular septal defects

Abstract The vast majority of ventricular septal defects can be closed surgically with little morbidity or mortality. There is a small subset of defects (muscular defects, patch margin defects, fenestrated patch defects and post-infarct ventricular septal ruptures) in which surgical closure carries a significantly higher morbidity and mortality. For these defects, transcatheter closure techniques have been developed to close or significantly reduce shunting with low morbidity and mortality. Currently, two devices are available for defect closure, the CardioSEAL™ Starflex septal occluder and the Amplatzer™ ventricular septal defect occluder. Techniques for closure and current results are discussed.
Recent trends and geographic patterns of the burden of disease attributable to smoking.

Purpose: Quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) use a single number to provide an assessment of the overall health burden of diseases associated both with mortality and morbidity. This study examined the trend and geographic variation of the burden of smoking by calculating smokingrelated QALYs lost from 1993 to 2008 for the US adults and individual states. Methods: Population health-related quality of life scores were estimated from the 1993 to 2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. The smoking-related QALYs lost are the sum of QALYs lost due to morbidity and future QALYs lost in expected life years due to premature deaths (mortality). Results: From 1993 to 2008, the percent of US adults who smoked declined from 22.7% to 18.5%, but the smoking-related QALYs lost were relatively stable at 0.0438 QALYs lost per population. Although smoking contributed more QALYs lost for men (0.0535) than for women (0.0339), smoking-related QALYs lost decreased by 2.5% for men but increased by 12.6% for women. Kentucky, Oklahoma, Mississippi, West Virginia, and Tennessee had the most smoking-related QALYs lost wheras Utah, California, Connecticut, Minnesota, and Hawaii had the least QALYs lost. The state tobacco tax rate was strongly and negatively associated with both the percent smoked (r =- 0.60) and QALYs lost (r =- 0.54), as well as the percentage change in both. Conclusions: This analysis quantified the overall burden of smoking for the nation and individual states from 1993 to 2008. Such data might assist in providing specified quantitative targets for the Healthy People 2020 smoking-related health objectives and for tracking changes on a yearly
Steam reforming of methane on reduced non-stoichiometric nickel aluminate catalysts

The steam reforming activity of reduced Nickel aluminate catalysts is reported along with X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and hydrogen chemisorption characterization of these catalysts. The nickel content was 33% for a stoichiometric nickel aluminate catalyst and 16% and 49% for two catalysts with non-stoichiometric compositions. The calcined catalysts were completely inactive and did not chemisorb hydrogen. Upon hydrogen reduction, the catalysts exhibited significant catalytic activity, stability to deactivation, and hydrogen uptake capacity which depended on the nickel loading and the pretreatment used. XRD results indicated the existance of NiO and nickel aluminate bulk phases, and XPS results indicated the presence of Ni2+ on the surface. It is speculated that the active nickel sites responsible for the activity, are present in a monodisperse form on special sites provided by the nickel aluminate structure.
Extensive Lesions in Rat Insular Cortex Significantly Disrupt Taste Sensitivity to NaCl and KCl and Slow Salt Discrimination Learning

While studies of the gustatory cortex (GC) mostly focus on its role in taste aversion learning and memory, the necessity of GC for other fundamental taste-guided behaviors remains largely untested. Here, rats with either excitotoxic lesions targeting GC (n = 26) or sham lesions (n = 14) were assessed for postsurgical retention of a presurgically LiCl-induced conditioned taste aversion (CTA) to 0.1M sucrose using a brief-access taste generalization test in a gustometer. The same animals were then trained in a two-response operant taste detection task and psychophysically tested for their salt (NaCl or KCl) sensitivity. Next, the rats were trained and tested in a NaCl vs. KCl taste discrimination task with concentrations varied. Rats meeting our histological inclusion criterion had large lesions (resulting in a group averaging 80% damage to GC and involving surrounding regions) and showed impaired postsurgical expression of the presurgical CTA (LiCl-injected, n = 9), demonstrated rightward shifts in the NaCl (0.54 log10 shift) and KCl (0.35 log10 shift) psychometric functions, and displayed retarded salt discrimination acquisition (n = 18), but eventually learned and performed the discrimination comparable to sham-operated animals. Interestingly, the degree of deficit between tasks correlated only modestly, if at all, suggesting that idiosyncratic differences in insular cortex lesion topography were the root of the individual differences in the behavioral effects demonstrated here. This latter finding hints at some degree of interanimal variation in the functional topography of insular cortex. Overall, GC appears to be necessary to maintain normal taste sensitivity to NaCl and KCl and for salt discrimination learning. However, higher salt concentrations can be detected and discriminated by rats with extensive damage to GC suggesting that the other resources of the gustatory system are sufficient to maintain partial competence in these tasks, supporting the view that such basic sensory-discriminative taste functions involve distributed processes among central gustatory structures.
Cultural Variations in Accounts by American and Japanese Young Adults: Recalling a Major Conflict With Parents

American (N = 208) and Japanese young adults (N = 181) were asked to recall a major conflict with their parents for our study on cross-cultural variations in family communication. Reported conflict episodes were coded on: 1) topical content, 2) conflict strategy used by the parents, 3) conflict strategy used by the young adults, 4) outcome, and 5) reported consequences of the conflict. In both countries, four categories of conflict were identified: life and educational decisions, social and socializing behavior, moral or appropriate codes of conduct, and parent's behavior. Japanese young adults reported integration strategies most frequently for themselves and for their parents. American young adults reported that they used avoidance and their parents used distributed strategies most frequently. In both countries, parents got the final words more than the young adults did. Significantly more reciprocity (i.e., use of same conflict strategies by parent and young adult) was observed in Japanese accounts tha...
Measurements of energy exchange between acoustic fields and non-uniform steady flow fields

Study of the unsteady burning of solid propellants can be best carried out under widely varying conditions and at relatively inexpensive cost in a simple test device known as the T-burner. This simple configuration is used to observe the spontaneous growth and decay of oscillations. Knowing the losses involved in the system, one can infer the frequency response of the burning surface within the approximations of linearity. A significant undertainty in the interpretation of data taken with T-burners arises because very little has been known about some of the acoustics, in particular the influence of the exhaust vent. The present investigation is a study of the influence of a subsonic exhaust vent. The primary apparatus is a resonance tube operated at room temperature with different resonance frequencies of the first longitudinal mode of oscillation. Experiments have been done over ranges of the average Mach number of the flow in the resonance tube, and with vent having different sizes and shapes. According to the one-dimensional linear stability analysis, the attenuation constant associated with the influence of the exhaust vent is given by the product of four times the resonance frequency of oscillation times the average Mach number of the flow in the resonance tube. The following major conclusions were predicted and verified: (i) the vent produces a gain of acoustic energy proportional to the average Mach number of the flow in main resonance tube (ii) the gain is proportional to the frequency of the fundamental longitudinal mode (iii) the gain is independent of the shape and size of the vent. The influence of the exhaust vent, hence, cannot be neglected in the interpretation of T-burner data.
Titanium Dioxide Catalyzed Photodegradation of Lignin in Industrial Effluents

The objective of this research was to investigate the photodegradation of dissolved lignin in a water medium resulting from titanium dioxide photocatalysis reactions that were conducted in a batch system. All experiments were carried out using the single factor design method. It was determined that irradiation in the absence of the catalyst allowed for only a 4.6% reduction in the dissolved lignin concentration (0.02 g) after 2 h. However, with a 10 mg/L loading of TiO2, an 82% decrease in the total lignin concentration was obtained. Both titanium dioxide loading and illumination intensity were also studied to determine optimum operating conditions. An optimal titanium dioxide loading of 10 mg/mL was determined, and it was found that higher illumination intensities correlated well with higher initial degradation rates and total lignin degradation.
Elemental Profiles Reflect Plant Adaptations to the Environment

Most mineral elements found in plant tissues come exclusively from the soil, necessitating that plants adapt to highly variable soil compositions to survive and thrive. Profiling element concentrations in genetically diverse plant populations is providing insights into the plant-environment interactions that control elemental accumulation, as well as identifying the underlying genes. The resulting molecular understanding of plant adaptation to the environment both demonstrates how soils can shape genetic diversity and provides solutions to important agricultural challenges.
Effects of ellipticine, flavone, and 7,8-benzoflavone upon 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthrancene 7,14-dimethyl-dibenzo[a,h]anthrancene and dibenzo[a]anthrancene initiated skin tumors in mice

Varying doses of ellipticine (EL), flavone (FL), or 7,8-benzoflavone (78BF) were applied to mouse skin 5 min before an initiating dose of 10 nmol 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), 47.5 nmol 7,14-dimethylbenzo[a,h]anthracene (DDBA), or 200 nmol dibenzo[a,h]anthracene (DBA) and the development of skin tumors in the mice then promoted by topical applications of 2 micrograms 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). As expected, treatment with 78BF (37 nmol or 370 nmol) markedly inhibited the skin tumor initiation by DMBA (greater than 70%). High doses of FL (4500 nmol) or EL (410 nmol) also inhibited DMBA tumorigenesis (52% and 82%, respectively) but lower doses of FL (450 nmol) or EL (4.1 nmol) stimulated DMBA tumorigenesis (greater than 40%). As was the case with DMBA initiation, the higher doses of FL or EL inhibited DDBA skin tumorigenesis and the lower doses of these two modifiers stimulated the DDBA tumorigenesis. In contrast with the results with DMBA initiation, treatment with 78BF (370 nmol or 3700 nmol) slightly enhanced DDBA tumorigenesis (22% and 6%, respectively). Treatment with EL and FL at all doses tested stimulated DBA tumorigenesis (range 4-51%), while treatment with 370 nmol 78BF slightly stimulated DBA tumorigenesis (19%) and treatment with 3700 nmol slightly inhibited DBA tumorigensis (9%). The effects of a range of 78BF doses upon skin tumor initiation by 40 nmol DMBA were also investigated. While all doses of 78BF tested (0.37-370 nmol) inhibited the DMBA tumorigenesis, the dose response was not linear; treatment with 3.7 nmol 78BF resulted in more papillomas per mouse (12.20) than did treatment with either 0.37 nmol 78BF (8.70) or 37 nmol 78BF (5.97). It is concluded that modifiers such as 78BF, FL and EL may have a variable, dose-dependent effect upon skin tumor initiation by carcinogenic polycyclic arylhydrocarbons. Some implications of this proposal are discussed.
The Perceptual Contrast Explanation of Sequential Request Strategy Effectiveness

Although previous studies of the foot-in-the-door and the door-in-the-face techniques of interpersonal influence have established the effectiveness of these sequential request strategies, communication researchers have not discovered an adequate conceptual framework for explaining their compliance-enhancing properties. The present study tests the perceptual contrast explanation for sequential request efficacy. Compared with nonsequenced critical requests (i.e., controls), substantially higher compliance with various types of requests was obtained through the use of the foot-in-the-door and the door-in-the-face techniques, but measures of underlying cognitions failed to reveal significant anchoring effects as would be predicted by a perceptual contrast model. Limitations are discussed and suggestions for future research are offered.
Kinematic coupling interchangeability

The deterministic nature of kinematic couplings enables closed-form characterization of interchangeability error, parametrized in terms of the magnitudes of manufacturing tolerances in the interface manufacturing and assembly processes. A process is suggested for calibrating kinematic couplings to reduce the interchangeability error, based on measurement of the contact points and calculation of a transformation matrix between the interface halves. A Monte Carlo analysis is developed and validated for predicting interchangeability of canoe ball kinematic couplings, and repeatability measurements and interchangeability simulation results are presented for kinematic coupling interfaces for the base and wrist of an industrial robot. Total mounting error, defined as the sum of the interchangeability and repeatability errors, appears to be dependent to first order only on the interface repeatability and the error of the interface calibration procedure.
Knowledge processing with Fuzzy Cognitive Maps

Abstract Complex social systems are difficult to represent. Relationships between social forces demand feedback. For example, the causal connection between commodity price and consumer demand is a feedback system. Price increase tends to decrease demand for some commodities. On the other hand, an increased demand tends to elevate price. A stable system settles into equilibrium. A dynamic system is needed to model shifts in equilibrium brought about by changes in the causal environment. The knowledge-based expert system lacks the intrinsic structure for modeling these effects. Internally, all expert systems depend on these representations. Some attempt to simulate unrestricted graphs with virtual registers and loop counters. The result is a semantic gap between the internal representation of the social system and the social system itself. This article presents the Fuzzy Cognitive Map (FCM) alternative to the expert system. We first describe the FCM. We then diagram several social systems. Finally, we show a method for combining credibility-weighted FCMs to achieve a single global knowledge base.
Structure-based Inhibitor Discovery against Adenylyl Cyclase Toxins from Pathogenic Bacteria That Cause Anthrax and Whooping Cough

Edema factor (EF) and CyaA are adenylyl cyclase toxins secreted by pathogenic bacteria that cause anthrax and whooping cough, respectively. Using the structure of the catalytic site of EF, we screened a data base of commercially available, small molecular weight chemicals for those that could specifically inhibit adenylyl cyclase activity of EF. From 24 compounds tested, we have identified one quinazoline compound, ethyl 5-aminopyrazolo[1,5-a]quinazoline-3-carboxylate, that specifically inhibits adenylyl cyclase activity of EF and CyaA with 20 M Ki. This compound neither affects the activity of host resident adenylyl cyclases type I, II, and V nor exhibits promiscuous inhibition. The compound is a competitive inhibitor, consistent with the prediction that it binds to the adenine portion of the ATP binding site on EF. EF is activated by the host calcium sensor, calmodulin. Surface plasmon resonance spectroscopic analysis shows that this compound does not affect the binding of calmodulin to EF. This compound is dissimilar from a previously described, non-nucleoside inhibitor of host adenylyl cyclase. It may serve as a lead to design antitoxins to address the role of adenylyl cyclase toxins in bacterial pathogenesis and to fight against anthrax and whooping cough.