cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Environmental Politics and Policy

Environmental Politics and Policy, 6th Edition. Walter A. Rosenbaum. 2005. CQ Press, Washington, DC. 366 pp. $44.95 paperback.The Sixth Edition of Walter A. Rosenbaum's much-used volume is a necessary update for several reasons, not the least of which is the insight provided throughout on the environmental policy impacts of the G. W. Bush administration. Continuing changes in environmental indicators, the effects (or lack thereof) of public opinion on environmental policies, and the emergence of new issues as we learn more about our effects upon the environment justify this important update. In all cases, Rosenbaum, Professor Emeritus at the University of Florida and Visiting Professor at the University of Michigan, has done a masterful job at keeping the older material intact while bringing in the new.
Entropic changes control the charge separation process in triads mimicking photosynthetic charge separation

Laser-induced optoacoustic spectroscopy (LIOAS) measurements with carotene−porphyrin−acceptor “supermolecular” triads (C−P−A, with A = C60, a naphthoquinone NQ, and a naphthoquinone derivative, Q) were carried out with the purpose of analyzing the thermodynamic parameters for the formation and decay of the respective long-lived charge separated state C•+−P−A•-. The novel procedure of inclusion of the benzonitrile solutions of the triads in Triton X-100 micelle nanoreactors suspended in water permitted the separation of the enthalpic and structural volume change contributions to the LIOAS signals, by performing the measurements in the range 4−20 °C. Contractions of 4.2, 5.7, and 4.2 mL mol-1 are concomitant with the formation of C•+−P−A•- for A = C60, Q and NQ, respectively. These contractions are mostly attributed to solvent movements and possible conformational changes upon photoinduced electron transfer, due to the attraction of the oppositely charged ends, as a consequence of the giant dipole moment de...
Empirically Determined Anisotropic Velocity Distributions and Outflows of O5+ Ions in a Coronal Streamer at Solar Minimum

Empirical constraints on the O5+ velocity distributions and outflow speeds in a solar minimum equatorial streamer between 2.6 and 5.1 R☉ are determined using a spectral synthesis code that includes O VI Doppler dimming. These constraints follow directly from UV spectra taken on 1996 October 12 with the Ultraviolet Coronagraph Spectrometer (UVCS) on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) satellite and three-dimensional electron densities derived from tomography applied to a time series of polarized white-light images taken with the Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph (LASCO) also on SOHO. Four conclusions result from this work: (1) our analysis shows O5+ velocity distribution anisotropy in the streamer legs and stalk and gives strong evidence that the microscopic velocity distribution (which excludes wave motions that equally affect all charged particles) is anisotropic, where the most probable speed perpendicular to the magnetic field direction exceeds that in the parallel direction; (2) there is preferential heating of the O5+ ions over the protons in the streamer stalk and legs; (3) there is no evidence for preferential O5+ heating in the core; and (4) the outflow velocity of the O5+ ions is determined at heights above 4.6 R☉. All results have a confidence level of at least 70%.
Shell finite element of reinforced concrete for internal pressure analysis of nuclear containment building

Abstract This paper describes a 9-node degenerated shell finite element (FE), an analysis program developed for ultimate pressure capacity evaluation and nonlinear analysis of a nuclear containment building. The shell FE developed adopts the Reissner–Mindlin (RM) assumptions to consider the degenerated shell solidification technique and the degree of transverse shear strain occurring in the structure. The material model of the concrete determines the level of the concrete stress and strain by using the equivalent stress–equivalent strain relationship. When a crack occurs in the concrete, the material behavior is expressed through the tension stiffening model that takes adhesive stress into account and through the shear transfer mechanism and compressive strength reduction model of the crack plane. In addition, the failure envelope proposed by Niwa is adopted as the crack occurrence criteria for the compression–tension region, and the failure envelope proposed by Yamada is used for the tension–tension region. The performance of the program developed is verified through various numerical examples. The analysis based on the application of the shell FE developed from the results of verified examples produced results similar to the experiment or other analysis results.
Reduction of selenite to elemental red selenium by Rhizobium sp. strain B1.

A bacterium that reduces the soluble and toxic selenite anion to insoluble elemental red selenium (Se0) was isolated from a laboratory bioreactor. Biochemical, morphological, and 16S rRNA gene sequence alignment identified the isolate as a Rhizobium sp. that is related to but is genetically divergent from R. radiobacter (syn. Agrobacterium tumefaciens) or R. rubi (syn. A. rubi). The isolate was capable of denitrification and reduced selenite to Se0 under aerobic and denitrifying conditions. It did not reduce selenate and did not use selenite or selenate as terminal e− donors. Native gel electrophoresis revealed two bands, corresponding to molecular weights of ∼100 and ∼45 kDa, that reduced selenite. Tungsten inhibited in vivo selenite reduction, suggesting that a molybdenum-containing protein is involved in selenite reduction. This organism, or its enzymes or DNA, might be useful in bioreactors designed to remove selenite from water.
Lagrange relaxation based algorithm for DiffServ/MPLS network dimensioning with QoS guarantees

An approach to dimensioning DiffServ/MPLS networks taking into account the per-class bandwidth reservation and fault tolerance cushion weights is proposed. Our dimensioning algorithm is based on Lagrange relaxation and it uses a bandwidth constraint model in order to provide per-class bandwidth reservation, and link costs which translate to backup LSP cushion weights. We propose an optimization formulation for our policy and also a polynomial time heuristic capable of approximating the optimal results. Besides a-priori dimensioning, a modified version of our dimensioning policy can also be run weekly/monthly in order to redimension LSPs according to the stored traffic history. Both the proposed heuristics have polynomial complexity and provides bounds on the value of the optimal objective function, which can be used to evaluate the accuracy of the results.
Pulse erasure technology in a high-density magneto-optic disk drive.

We present the pulse erasure experimental results on a 5.25-in. (130 mm) 645-megabyte/side sampled servo magneto-optic disk drive. The effect of the relative delay between the erasure pulse and the write pulse on the erase residue is studied.
Gendered Training: Men and Men's Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy Programs

Few studies examine men's experiences in becoming a therapist. Only a modicum of attention appears to be paid to men's professional training needs in MFT training programs as expressed in the family therapy literature. Five recommendations, based on the author's experiences and male student voices, are provided for how to best meet the needs of male students in MFT training programs. These recommendations are (1) be aware of men's experiences and don't assume silence means disinterest, (2) develop depth in clinical training on men's issues, (3) incorporate theories of masculinity into curriculum, (4) engage male students in the training process, and (5) provide support to male students through mentorship and support groups.
Soluble human p55 and p75 tumor necrosis factor receptors reverse spontaneous arthritis in transgenic mice expressing transmembrane tumor necrosis factor α

Objective The roles of the transmembrane and secreted forms of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remain unclear. Agents used to inhibit TNFα have shown varying efficacy in RA patients, suggesting that anti-TNFα agents possess dissimilar mechanisms of action, including the ability to neutralize transmembrane (tmTNFα) and secreted TNFα. In this study, TNFα-knockout (TNFα-KO) mice that were genetically altered to express elevated levels of tmTNFα were constructed to further understand the roles of the 17-kd secreted, trimeric, and 26-kd transmembrane forms of TNFα. Methods A speed-congenic mating scheme was used to generate 3 unique strains of mice: 1) transgenic tmTgA86 mice overexpressing 26-kd tmTNFα and also secreting 17-kd trimeric TNFα (tmTNFα-transgenic), 2) TNFα−/− mice (TNFα-KO), and 3) transgenic mice overexpressing tmTNFα backcrossed to TNFα-KO mice (tmTNFα-transgenic/TNFα-KO). Mice were treated with phosphate buffered saline (as vehicle control), dexamethasone (as positive control), or modified recombinant human soluble TNF receptor (sTNFR) p55 or p75, and were assessed clinically and histopathologically for signs of inflammation and development of arthritis. Results The tmTNFα-transgenic/TNFα-KO mice were born with crinkled tails and spinal deformities similar to those in ankylosing spondylitis. By 2–4 weeks, these mice developed symmetric inflammatory arthritis, characterized by tissue swelling, pannus formation, and bone deformities. The tmTNFα-transgenic mice also developed spontaneous-onset arthritis, but at a slower rate (100% incidence by 10–12 weeks). Clinical and histologic progression of arthritis in the tmTNFα-transgenic/TNFα-KO mice was reduced by treatment with dexamethasone or with the p55 or p75 sTNFR (69% and 63% reduction in total histologic score, respectively). Conclusion These data show that arthritis is sufficiently initiated and maintained in tmTNFα-transgenic/TNFα-KO mice, and that it can be neutralized by recombinant human p55 or p75 sTNFR, resulting in amelioration of the biologic and subsequent histologic destructive effects of tmTNFα.
The Spectrum of MgF

Measurements of the band heads and of the partially resolved rotational structure of the MgF absorption bands are used to evaluate the following constants for the $^{2}\ensuremath{\Sigma}$, $^{2}\ensuremath{\Sigma}$ system: ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{00}=37,187.4$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, ${{B}_{0}}^{\ensuremath{'}}=0.537$, ${{B}_{0}}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}=0.518\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.010$, ${{r}_{0}}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}=1.75\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$ cm and for the $^{2}\ensuremath{\Pi}$, $^{2}\ensuremath{\Sigma}$ system: ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{00}=27,846.5$, ${{B}_{0}}^{\ensuremath{'}}=0.529$, ${{B}_{0}}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}=0.518$, $A=\ensuremath{-}34.3 (or +38.3)$. The isotope effect of Mg is observed in the +1 sequence of $^{2}\ensuremath{\Sigma}$, $^{2}\ensuremath{\Sigma}$ bands. The BeF bands do not appear in absorption under similar conditions.
Some Characteristics of Pulsed Na- and Tl-Iodide Monatomic Gas Arcs

We have measured the spectral distribution, intensity, and excitation temperature of pulsed discharges in sodium and thallium iodide vapors with mercury or argon. Peak plasma temperatures are in the neighborhood of 10 000°K. Both peak intensity and peak plasma temperature increase less than linearly as functions of energy input at energies over 5 J/cm3 of arc tube volume. In comparison with continuous operation, both the mercury spectrum and a continuum are enhanced relative to the iodide spectrum in pulsed NaI–Hg and TlI–Hg arcs, and the Na or Tl and Hg lines become strongly broadened. The radiant output of Na or Tl in iodide–argon pulsed arcs is limited by lack of significant line broadening.
Frank Meyer: The Fusionist as Federalist

Frank S. Meyer played a central role in defining the post-war American conservative movement by defining and defending an ideological “fusion” of traditional conservative principles and libertarian political beliefs. While concerned with maintenance of an objective moral order and the pursuit of virtue in the individual, Meyer argued that the freedom of the person is the central and primary end of political society. The American system of government, with its horizontal and vertical separations of power, came closer than any political system in history to providing the protection for individual liberties necessary for the effective pursuit of virtue. Federalism was particularly important as it could forestall the centralization of government power. Virtue, to have any meaning, had to be chosen freely, but providing for individual freedom provided no guarantee that individuals would pursue virtuous ends. By the same token, federalism and the separation of powers did not guarantee that state governments would adopt wise or moral policies, as the history of the civil rights struggle attests. Nonetheless, Meyer believed federalism was essential if individual freedom was to endure. Copyright 2004, Oxford University Press.
Mechanism of enantioselective Ti-catalyzed Strecker reaction: peptide-based metal complexes as bifunctional catalysts.

Kinetic, structural, and stereochemical data regarding the mechanism of Ti-catalyzed addition of cyanide to imines in the presence of Schiff base peptide ligands are disclosed. The reaction is first order in the Ti·ligand complex; kinetic studies reveal ΔS⧧ = −45.6 ± 4.1 cal K-1 mol-1, indicating a highly organized transition structure for the turnover-limiting step of the catalytic cycle. A mechanistic model consistent with the kinetic and stereochemical data is presented, where the Ti center is coordinated to the Schiff base unit of the ligand and the AA2 moiety of the peptidic segment of the chiral ligand associates and delivers HNC to the activated bound substrate. Thus, these studies illustrate that these non-C2-symmetric catalysts likely operate in a bifunctional fashion.
The effect of stepchildren on childbearing intentions and births

This article reports on a study of the effect of stepchildren (children from previous unions) on coupleś fertility intentions and childbearing behavior using longitudinal data from the National Survey of Families and Households. The results indicated that stepchildren negatively affect childbearing intentions and childbearing risks. Intentions to have a child are weakened by ones own previous biological children and the previous biological children of ones current spouse or partner. This effect varies by the parenting configuration of the couple and gender of the respondent. Among couples with stepchildren, intentions remain high until each partner has had a biological child. Unlike women, men’s previous biological children do not affect their intentions of having a child. Stepchildren exert a weak negative effect on coupleś childbearing risks, and this effect is mediated by the coupleś childbearing intentions. The findings suggest that stepchildren should be incorporated into future models of fertility.
Female-Headed Family Poverty: Testing the Applicability of an Ecological Model

Abstract This study examines the extent to which the general factors accounting for differences in poverty for all families explain intercommunity variation in poverty for female-headed families. A twenty-eight variable model, developed using 1980 Census data, that is effective in explaining variations in family poverty in general is tested specifically for families headed by women. Standard regression analysis is applied to data from all county and county equivalents in the United States. The model used, while revealing some basic similarities between female-headed families and families in general, does not explain differences among communities in terms of female-headed family poverty. The conclusion is that the frameworks currently in use do not account for community differences in the economic and social status of all families and that we need to restructure the categories used to account for the ways changing family structure is transforming community life.
Construction and characterization of E. coli promoter-probe plasmid vectors. III. pBR322 derivatives with deletions in the tetracycline resistance promoter region.

Abstract Deletions of the promoter region for the tetracycline-resistance (Tc r ) gene(s) of pBR322 were constructed in order to generate new promoter-probe plasmid cloning vectors. The deletions were constructed in vitro by exonuclease digestion at the Hin dIII site and blunt-end ligation of the digestion products. Plasmids which lost the Hin dIII site but retained the Eco RI site carried deletions ranging from 5 to 60 bp. Some of the plasmids lacked the nucleotide sequences required for initiation of transcription from the Tc r promoter and “anti-Tc r ” promoter. Three of the promoter-deletion plasmids (containing deletions of 5–29 bp) formed tight-binding complexes with RNA polymerase in vitro, despite their tetracycline sensitive phenotype. One deletion plasmid, pPV33, retained three out-of-phase stop codons located between the promoter-cloning site ( Eco RI) and the translational start codon for the tetracycline resistance gene. These features give pPV33 several advantages over previously described promoter-cloning vehicles.
Corticosteroid Adjunctive Therapy for Bacterial Meningitis in Infants and Children

Pending assessment of the complete impact of the conjugate Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine, H. influenzae type b remains the most common bacterial cause of paediatric meningitis and affects an estimated 15 000 infants and children in the United States each year. Although the survival rate has been maintained at 90 to 95% of these cases, as many as 20 to 30% of survivors have long term neurological sequelae, the most common of which is hearing impairment. Although some centres have reported unusually high rates of hearing loss, the actual reported incidence of hearing loss after bacterial meningitis has ranged from 5 to 20% of patients, depending upon bacterial aetiology, age of patients and techniques used to assess hearing. Results with recent molecular techniques for assessing inflammatory responses in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of infants and children with bacterial meningitis have indicated that increased levels of tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and prostaglandins are associated with untreated bacterial meningitis. Although CSF levels of these inflammatory cytokines diminish over time, they have been shown to correlate with the number of white blood cells in the CSF, degree of inflammation and neurological outcome in children with bacterial meningitis. In experimental animal models and in infants and children with meningitis treated with dexamethasone, corticosteroid administration has been shown to markedly reduce CSF levels of inflammatory cytokines. This review will present data and analyse results from 4 prospective, randomised trials of dexamethasone in various forms of bacterial meningitis in infants and children.
Photoluminescence in sputtered amorphous Si:H alloys

Abstract We present excitation spectra and photoluminescence (PL) spectra as a function of temperature for films of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) prepared by sputtering in argon with a partial pressure of hydrogen. For samples prepared at 10 −4 –10 −3 Torr of H, a single PL peak near 1.3eV is observed. At higher partial pressures of H an additional peak near 0.95eV appears. Using PL spectra, photoconductivity-derived absorption and detailed balance arguments, we present a model for radiative recombination at 1.3eV, not strongly Stokes shifted, based on a proposed model of the gap density of states (GDOS). For PL(1.3) and PL(0.95) excitation spectra are presented and compared with absorption spectra. Our model of the GDOS is then expanded to include samples exhibiting PL(0.95). PL(1.3) and PL(0.95) are presented as a function of temperature and examined in terms of present models of non-radiative recombination.
Parent perceptions of early prognostic encounters following children’s severe traumatic brain injury: ‘Locked up in this cage of absolute horror’

AbstractObjective: Little guidance exists for discussing prognosis in early acute care with parents following children’s severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Providers’ beliefs about truth-telling can shape what is said, how it is said and how providers respond to parents.Methods: This study was part of a large qualitative study conducted in the US (42 parents/37 families) following children’s moderate-to-severe TBI (2005–2007). Ethnography of speaking was used to analyse interviews describing early acute care following children’s severe TBI (29 parents/25 families).Results: Parents perceived that: (a) parents were disadvantaged by provider delivery; (b) negative outcome values dominated some provider’s talk; (c) truth-telling involves providers acknowledging all possibilities; (d) framing the child’s prognosis with negative medical certainty when there is some uncertainty could damage parent–provider relationships; (e) parents needed to remain optimistic; and (f) children’s outcomes could differ from pro...
A characterisation of the proportional hazards model through a measure of discrimination between two residual life distributions

SUMMARY A time-dependent Kullback-Leibler discrimination function is defined by comparing residual life distributions at each age t. It is proved that the resulting Kullback-Leibler discrimination function is constant in t if and only if the two survival distributions satisfy a proportional hazards model. Let X and Y be two nonnegative random variables representing times to failure of two systems. Let F(x) = pr(X < x) and G(y) = pr(Y < y) be the failure distributions of X and Y with survival functions F(x) = 1 - F(x) and G(y) = 1 - G(y) respectively, where F(O) = G(O) = 1. We assume that F and G are differentiable with densities f(t) = F'(t) and g(t) = G'(t) respectively and hazard rate functions AF(X) =f(x)/F(x) and AG(x) = g(x)/G(x). The Kullback-Leibler discrimination information I(X, Y) or I(F, G) is defined as
A highly conserved RNA-binding protein for cytoplasmic mRNA localization in vertebrates.

Abstract Background: Cytoplasmic mRNA localization is a widespread mechanism for restricting the translation of specific mRNAs to distinct regions of eucaryotic cells. This process involves specific interactions between cellular factors and localization signals in the 3′ untranslated regions of the localized mRNA. Because only a few of these cellular factors have been identified, it is not known whether common factors are utilized for the localization of different mRNAs. We recently discovered Vera, a protein that binds specifically to the Vg1 localization element and is involved in the localization of Vg1 mRNA in Xenopus oocytes. Results: To characterize further the role of Vera in the localization of Vg1 mRNA, we have purified the Vera protein and cloned its gene. Vera is homologous to chicken zip-code-binding protein (ZBP), which binds to a short RNA sequence required for localization of β - actin mRNA in chick embryo fibroblasts. The predicted amino-acid sequences of Vera and ZBP contain five RNA-binding domains and putative signals for nuclear localization and export. Like the binding of ZBP to β - actin mRNA, Vera specifically binds to a repeated sequence motif in the Vg1 localization element that is required for Vg1 mRNA localization in Xenopus oocytes. Conclusions: Vera, a highly conserved component of the mRNA localization machinery, participates in localizing different mRNAs in different cell types. Thus, Vera appears to be a general factor for mRNA localization, and additional factors may be required to specify diverse patterns of RNA localization.
Interaction of a Single Large Wave With a Tall Fixed Structure: A Numerical Study

This paper presents a numerical study of the interaction of a single large wave with tall fixed structures in a rectangular channel. Three different shapes, a circle, a square and a rhombus, have been considered for the fixed structure. The numerical results are compared with experimental data available from experiments performed at the University of Washington, Seattle. The hydrodynamic force impinging on the vertical structure for different water impoundments behind the gate is considered and discussed. The motion of the fluid flow around the fixed structure is based on the solution of the complete Navier-Stokes equations. The free surface deformation is solved by the use of the Eulerian-Lagrangian Marker and Micro Cell (ELMMC) method.© 2003 ASME
Depolarized light scattering spectroscopy of glassforming liquids: Experimental tests of MCT

Abstract Light scattering investigations of supercooled liquids approaching the liquid-glass transition have revealed susceptibility spectra strikingly similar to those predicted by the mode coupling theory. The experimental procedure is described, and fits of the data to both the idealized and extended versions of the theory are reviewed.
DIELECTRIC, NMR AND X-RAY DIFFRACTION STUDY OF PSEUDO-ONE-DIMENSIONAL CS1-X(NH4)XH2PO4

Abstract Mixed crystals Cs1−x (NH4) x H2PO4 of the ferroelectric CsH2PO4 (CDP) and the antiferroelectric NH4H2PO4 were grown with x = 0.2 (CADP0.2) in solution. The structural properties of the crystal were analyzed by means of X-ray diffraction. Dielectric measurements at several temperatures and frequencies have been performed along the three crystallographic axes in this sample and also in the fully deuterated CADP0.2 sample (DCADP0.2). Dielectric and NMR experiments in a powdered sample were also performed. The shift of the transition temperature as a function of x and deuteration, and the changes in the properties of the different phases together with, the thermally-activated conductivity found in the paraelectric phase will be discussed and related with the several relaxation mechanisms measured in the NMR experiments.
Nutrition support for individuals with liver failure.

The prevalence of liver diseases is increasing in the United States, particularly as a result of the recent hepatitis C epidemic. In the past, patients who developed fulminant hepatic failure or cirrhosis owing to a chronic liver disease were likely to expire. During the last 15–20 years, liver transplantation has given these patients a chance at survival. Progressive nutrition deficiencies and muscle wasting are universal problems in these patients. Left untreated, the progressive wasting of liver disease leads to infection and an increased risk of death owing to infection both before and after transplantation. Aggressive nutritional support is essential to optimize the care of these patients and to enable them to obtain and survive a liver transplant and gain access to a new life following a successful liver engraftment.
Educating IT Professionals Using Effective Online, Pedagogical, and Scheduling Techniques

Information technology professionals comprise an important segment of adult learners seeking a four-year undergraduate degree, and it is important to provide programs that address not only the conceptual and theoretical, but also adult learning needs in terms of career orientation and practicality together with providing real-life applications relevant to the needs of the IT job marketplace. The techniques of employing distance learning, providing modular and practical learning segments, emphasizing adult-oriented learning preferences, engaging users toward learning, and providing appropriate course schedules and sequencing are discussed in the context of an actual adult learner program. This program integrates job and career-oriented needs with that of a well-rounded business education. Examples and illustrations are provided to illustrate how an adult-oriented program was customized to provide needs important to adult learners and IT professionals, with the objective of producing superior and useful learning results.
Evidence for regurgitation by Amblyomma americanum.

Abstract Western blot analysis of Amblyomma americanum -derived midgut extracts using tick-resistant rabbit and guinea pig antisera demonstrated several unique polypeptides ranging from 7 to 355 kDa. These polypeptides were not observed in similar blots of salivary gland extracts or serum from the respective host animals. The data from this study suggest that female A. americanum ticks regurgitate material during feeding. Such a finding explains the ability of immunization with gut-derived preparations to induce immunity and may help to understand the mechanism of transmission of several tick-borne pathogens that have been only cleary demonstrated to infect the gut of ticks.
Nomenclature for enkephalin degrading peptidases

Abstract The use of trivial names for enkephalin degrading peptidases such as “aminoenkephalinase” and “carboxyenkephalinase” imply a specificity and cellular localization which is not inherent in any of the peptidases implicated in the degradation of endogenous enkephalins. Rather than name these enzymes on the basis of one of their many substrates, it is proposed that they be named according to their general reaction type. Such a nomenclature has already been proposed for the enkephalin degrading endopeptidase 24.11 given the trivial name “enkephalinase”.
The effects of theta precession on spatial learning and simplicial complex dynamics in a topological model of the hippocampal spatial map.

Learning arises through the activity of large ensembles of cells, yet most of the data neuroscientists accumulate is at the level of individual neurons; we need models that can bridge this gap. We have taken spatial learning as our starting point, computationally modeling the activity of place cells using methods derived from algebraic topology, especially persistent homology. We previously showed that ensembles of hundreds of place cells could accurately encode topological information about different environments (“learn” the space) within certain values of place cell firing rate, place field size, and cell population; we called this parameter space the learning region. Here we advance the model both technically and conceptually. To make the model more physiological, we explored the effects of theta precession on spatial learning in our virtual ensembles. Theta precession, which is believed to influence learning and memory, did in fact enhance learning in our model, increasing both speed and the size of the learning region. Interestingly, theta precession also increased the number of spurious loops during simplicial complex formation. We next explored how downstream readout neurons might define co-firing by grouping together cells within different windows of time and thereby capturing different degrees of temporal overlap between spike trains. Our model's optimum coactivity window correlates well with experimental data, ranging from ∼150–200 msec. We further studied the relationship between learning time, window width, and theta precession. Our results validate our topological model for spatial learning and open new avenues for connecting data at the level of individual neurons to behavioral outcomes at the neuronal ensemble level. Finally, we analyzed the dynamics of simplicial complex formation and loop transience to propose that the simplicial complex provides a useful working description of the spatial learning process.
Potentiometric titration of gallium with cetylpyridinium chloride: Preliminary results☆

Abstract Milligram amounts of gallium were titrated potentiometrically in hydrochloric or hydrobromic acid with cetylpyridinium chloride. The indicating electrode was a graphite rod coated with poly(vinylchloride) and dioctylphthalate. Indium is not precipitated under similar conditions and hence does not interfere.
CLUTCH SIZES AND BREEDING STRATEGIES AMONG BERMUDAN AND NORTH AMERICAN PASSERINES

Summary Evidence for reduction of clutch size in insular passerines is presented. Average clutch sizes for the Catbird, Cardinal and White-eyed Vireo were reduced 14.0, 18.2 and 30.7%, respectively as compared with coastal North American populations from similar latitudes. Differences are highly significant. Clutch size in the Eastern Bluebird was not reduced. Trends in latitudinal and longitudinal variations of clutch size in North America are examined. With the exception of a slight latitudinal gradient in coastal populations, no consistent trends existed. There is no evidence for reduced variability in clutch size or increased egg size in the Bermudan populations, but both these parameters may show some response to combined effects of latitude and longitude in continental populations. Reduction of clutch size in insular nidicolous birds is consistent with both the Lack-Ashmole resource limitation hypothesis and Cody's energy allocation hypothesis. In the absence of experimental evidence for life history optimization in response to K-selection, the modified Lack hypothesis seems sufficient.
Weld Characterization and Residual Stress Measurements for TC-128B Steel Plate

Welding is the primary joining process used in the construction and repair of railroad tank cars. Since recent federal regulations have emphasized the need for fatigue life analyses, and since most fatigue cracks and fractures in tank car structures are initiated in the vicinity of welds, there is a need to quantify the effect of tank car weld residual stresses on crack propagation and fracture. Thus, for the first time, the enclosed work reports neutron diffraction results for all six components of the three-dimensional residual stress field on a transverse weld cross section in a 5/8-in. (16.3-mm) thick, TC128-B steel widely used in the construction of pressurized railroad tank cars. Results for a nonheat-treated specimen indicate that (a) the residual effective stress ranges from 36 ksi (250 MPa) to 64 ksi (450 MPa) in the overmatched weld region, (b) the longitudinal residual stress approaches 120% of the uniaxial yield stress in the base material, and (c) the residual shear stresses are of the same order as the smaller principal residual stresses in the weld region.
The Hydriodide of Diethylaminoethyl Ester of Penicillin G, Neo-Penil: V. A Comparative Study of the Treatment of Bacterial Pneumonias with Procaine Penicillin

A new penicillin ester, neo-penil (the diethylaminoethyl ester hydriodide of penicillin G, known generically as penethamate hydriodide), has been shown to produce higher concentrations of penicillin in certain body tissues or organs than do the commonly employed penicillin salts. The concept of penicillin derivatives having affinity for certain tissues or organs of the body is not new, but this is the first instance in which the phenomenon has been observed to a degree that is therapeutically significant. Animal and human experiments have shown that neo-penil has a far greater affinity for the lungs than have the other penicillin preparations. Since these unusually high tissue concentrations occur in the absence of high blood levels, it is felt that the tissue levels are due to the pharmacological property of the drug and not merely to a high blood-tissue diffusion gradient. Furthermore, it has been shown that neo-penil is a repository penicillin salt, but to a lesser degree than is procaine penicillin. In an effort to obtain more information concerning the comparative effectiveness of neo-penil and procaine penicillin in bacterial pneumonia, 114 cases of the disease (55 treated with neo-penil and 59 treated with procaine penicillin) were treated with these two penicillin preparations during the winter of 1951-1952. The data presented offer no significant difference between the two forms of penicillin in their ability to reduce fever. Furthermore, both forms were equally adequate as far as the end results of therapy were concerned.
Determination of the Effective Force Constants between a Substitutional Impurity and Its Nearest Neighbors in an Alkali Halide Crystal

The forces between a substitutional impurity and its nearest neighbors in an alkali halide crystal with rocksalt structure are determined in the harmonic approximation. The deformation dipole model is used for the lattice dynamics of the perfect crystal. Two independent force constants are involved in the problem which is treated in two ways. First, the two force constants are obtained from the equation of motion for the local mode of vibration using experimental values of the local-mode frequencies due to ${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ and ${\mathrm{D}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ impurities in NaCl and KCl, and assuming that the force constants are the same for different isotopes of the impurity. This method yields no real solutions for the force constants for $U$ centers in KCl. The second method assumes that the force constants for the impurity (say ${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$) are the same as those in an alkali hydride crystal having the same lattice spacing as the alkali halide crystal. A Born-Mayer interatomic potential is used for this calculation. The first method gives 45% softening of the force constants for $U$ centers in NaCl; the second method gives 70% softening. The results are compared with those of previous theories and with experimental results on the KBr: ${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$ system.
Silicon-mediated changes on some physiological and enzymatic parameters symptomatic of oxidative stress in barley grown in sodic-B toxic soil.

Summary The effect of silicon (Si) on the growth, sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), boron (B) concentrations, lipid peroxidation (MDA), membrane permeability (MP), lypoxygenase activity (LOX), proline (PRO) and H 2 O 2 accumulation, and the activities of major antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT and ascorbate peroxidase, APX) of barley grown in original sodic-B toxic soil were investigated. Si applied to the sodic-B toxic soil at 70, 140 and 280 mg kg −1 levels significantly increased Si concentrations of the plants and counteracted the deleterious effects of sodicity (Na ions) and B on shoot growth. Membrane permeability and the concentrations of H 2 O 2 and MDA increased, while PRO concentration decreased in plants grown in sodic-B toxic soil without Si. LOX activity was increased by applied Si. Compared with control plants, the activities of SOD and CAT were decreased, but APX was increased by applied Si levels.
Counseling young people contemplating intermarriage

A CCORDING to most classical counseling texts, the counselor is most helpful when he can give to the counselee the feeling that he has been accepted without condemnation. In this way, the counselee is helped to understand and appreciate his own strengths so that he can lea?n to make wise decisions freed of the complicating effects of inner conflicts. The role of the counselor is not to he the wise and omniscient sage, full of advice, but rather the listener who will help to clarify. I do not mean to imply that the counselor must be passive. However, inasmuch as the coulaselee must one day separate himself from the counselor, the counselor should try to develop strength in the counselee, who should learn to cope more effectively with the slings and arrows of daily misfortune by himself. Making decisions for the counselee will not help him to achieve that independence. Most of the theory of religious counseling assumes the same framework but notes that the counselee sometimes views the religious counselor's role differently than he views that of the non-religious counselor. The counselee may feel most comfortable in approaching his problems within the vocabulary of religion. For example, he may prefer to discuss RICHARD J. ISRAEL
Organization of the Brain in Light of the Big Data Philosophy

The paper presents a computational scheme for the brain using Cloud Computing in the Holographic Universe. The surmised construction captures all the basic operational characteristics of the brain in health and disease.
THE ROLE OF META‐ANALYSIS IN MONITORING CLINICAL TRIALS

The randomized clinical trial is the gold standard methodology for evaluating treatment interventions. The randomized trial is a prospective experimental study, the embodiment of the scientific method applied to the clinic. Both organizational and ethical considerations encourage the use of formal criteria for termination. Such criteria, typically based on an overall 5 per cent significance test, are frequently portrayed as guidelines, but none the less usually succeed in focusing the debate on termination decisions and thus facilitate decision making. The use of the 5 per cent criterion is entirely arbitrary and is not based in any way on optimality considerations. No credible model for optimizing the decision to terminate trials has been developed. Meta-analysis is an evolving technique for evaluating the totality of the evidence on general treatment strategies. It has enjoyed considerable success in influencing medical opinion and treatment practice in selected areas. Its role is in establishing proof of concept of general treatment strategies, and is thus a consensus builder, making use of data from trials which may be heterogeneous in the details of treatment administration and patient selection, but similar in conceptual intent. The level of evidence required for consensus is not well understood and cannot be defined precisely. The retrospective nature of meta-analysis and the risks of biased data acquisition mandate a conservative approach to data analysis and interpretation. Randomized trials and meta-analyses have distinct but complementary goals. Meta-analysis can be used productively in planning new clinical trials, and in supplying updated information to study monitors in the course of a trial. However, it is not advisable to employ meta-analysis in formal statistical procedures for terminating clinical trials.
Surgical Treatment of a Palmar Midsagittal Fracture of the Proximal Second Phalanx in a Horse

Second phalangeal fractures have been classified as either simple or multiple and have been managed in a variety of ways. The removal of small osteochondral fragments originating from the palmar midsagittal aspect of the proximal second phalanx is reported. This lesion has been described as a coincidental finding unrelated to lameness. Based on our clinical finding of lameness in this case and the response to an intraarticular injection of anesthetic, excision of the fragment was elected. However, the importance of confirming the significance of a radiographic lesion with local anesthesia prior to surgical intervention must be stressed.
SU‐E‐T‐602: Dynamic Electron Arc Radiotherapy (DEAR): A Planning Study

Purpose: Electron beam therapy is under‐utilized in radiation treatment of cancer and has remained practically unchanged for decades. We propose a new technique, Dynamic Electron Arc Radiotherapy (DEAR) with synchronized couch motion. In DEAR, gantry rotation, dose rate, and intensities are modulated to create desirable dose distributions free of hot and/or cold spots, with high homogeneity, and narrow penumbra. This study demonstrates the potential of DEAR in improving dose distributions. Methods: Dose distributions for single‐field and two‐field were compared to DEAR with equal and optimized beam weights on a 32 cm diameter cylindrical phantom. Plans were designed to irradiate equivalent field size on the phantom surface, with the target dimension extending from 315° –45° in radial angle and target depth at 1 cm (6 MeV) or 2 cm (9 MeV). Penumbra (20–80%), dose homogeneity, and dose area histogram (DAH) were evaluated at target depths. Plans were calculated with the eMC algorithm in Eclipse v10. Results: In‐plane (longitudinal direction) penumbra was comparable across all plans as expected. Cross‐plane (along curved surface) penumbra was 5.0, 1.5, and 2.0 cm (6 MeV) and 5.6, 1.7, and 2.1 (9 MeV), for single‐field, two‐field, and DEAR, respectively. While the two‐field penumbra was better, it exhibited a hot spot 60% higher than the target mean at the beam junction covering approximately 20% of the target. DEAR plans displayed homogenous dose distributions with variations of less than ±1.5%. DAH of the single‐field failed to achieve optimal coverage, while the two‐field displayed a high‐dose tail (>100%). 90% of the target receives at least 95% (two‐field) and 88% (DEAR) of the target dose. Conclusion: Preliminary findings show that DEAR can produce homogenous dose distributions over large and curved targets without hot and/or cold spots while maintaining narrow penumbra. Future work includes planning for various target shapes and desired dose distributions.
Dielectric properties of NiO and NiO(Li)

Abstract The dielectric constant of NiO produced by the oxidation of Ni has been studied as a function of frequency up to 108 Hz and of temperature from 300° to 550°K. The effect of Li doping on the dielectric constant has also been investigated. In addition, the behavior of the a.c. conductivity σ(ω) as a function of frequency ω has been determined up to 108Hz and the loss tangent tan δ has been calculated. The results are interpreted on the basis of a non-adiabatic hopping mechanism at lower frequencies and an adiabatic hopping mechanism at higher frequencies. The dielectric breakdown field as a function of Li concentration has also been determined and is found to decrease exponentially with increasing Li concentration. In the NiNiONi structure, the capacitance is independent of the applied field up to fields of 10 5 V cm , and the resistivity is high up to fields of 10 5 V cm .
Estimating Transmitting Abilities of Artificial Insemination Dairy Sires

Abstract First available DHIA production records of 40,501 Wisconsin Holstein cows were used to compare several methods of estimating the transmitting abilities of A.I. sires. These methods involved the use of different contemporary averages to adjust A.I. daughter records for herd-year-season effects. The different types of adjusted daughter records were compared to each other and to unadjusted records on the basis of variance components for herd effects, sire effects and herd-by-sire interaction effects. Correlation and regression coefficients for the average performance of a large number of later daughters on the average performance of different numbers of early daughters also were computed. Variance component analyses indicated that the adjustment of daughter records by use of contemporary averages substantially reduced the influence of herd variation. However, no type of daughter record appeared to be superior in terms of the percentage of variance due to sire effects or in terms of the degree of relationship between later and early daughters.
Avalanche: a fine-grained flow graph model for irregular applications on distributed-memory systems

Flow graph models have recently become increasingly popular as a way to express parallel computations. However, most of these models either require specialized languages and compilers or are library-based solutions requiring coarse-grained applications to achieve acceptable performance. Yet, graph algorithms and other irregular applications are increasingly important to modern high-performance computing, and these applications are not amenable to coarsening without complicating algorithm structure. One effective existing approach for these applications relies on active messages;. However, the separation of control flow between the main program and active message handlers introduces programming difficulties. To ameliorate this problem, we present Avalanche, a flow graph model for fine-grained applications that automatically generates active-message handlers. Avalanche is built as a C++ library on top of our previously-developed Active Pebbles model; a set of combinators builds graphs at compile-time, allowing several optimizations to be applied by the library and a standard C++ compiler. In particular, consecutive flow graph nodes can be fused; experimental results show that flow graphs built from small components can still efficiently operate on fine-grained data.