cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Urban planning and small-scale enterprises in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract The important role played by the informal sector in most economies in less developed countries is now recognized by governments and international agencies. However, enterprises in the informal sector continue to encounter various legal barriers that prevent them from attaining their full potential. This paper examines the performance of small-scale enterprises in three neighborhoods in Nairobi, Kenya. The study reveals that government intervention and donor funds are essential to enable small-scale enterprises to attain their full potential. However, government and donor agencies provide more assistance to enterprises located in neighborhoods that have security of tenure and open space available for development. The study also demonstrates that with the installation of basic infrastructure, and the elimination of both rigid regulations and the threat of demolition, the enterprises perform more efficiently and new enterprises come up diversifying neighborhood economies and creating job opportunities. This highlights the need for urban planners to allocate land and provide basic infrastructure for the informal sector. Government intervention and funds from donor agencies are, therefore, crucial in enhancing the performance of small-scale enterprises and creating jobs.
Electronic Energy Transfer in Photosynthetic Bacterial Reaction Centers

We present simulations of energy transfer in reaction centers of the purple bacteria Rhodopseudomonas viridis and Rhodobacter sphaeroides. Calculations using a weak coupling model based on Forster's theory give transfer rates that are at least an order of magnitude slower than the results from recent femtosecond transient absorption studies. The discrepancy between experimental and theoretical results is discussed in terms of the various assumptions upon which the model is based.
Learnability and Parametric Change in the Nominal System of L2 French

In this article I provide evidence that despite frequently cited differences between child first language (L1) and adult second language (L2) speakers in overt behavior (performance) during grammat...
Seasonal trends in air temperature and precipitation in IPCC AR4 GCM output for Kansas, USA: evaluation and implications

Land Institute Climate and Energy Project (NFP #49780-720) and the National Science Foundation EPSCoR program (NSF EPS #0553722)
High school teachers use of writing to support students' learning: a national survey

A random sample of language arts, social studies, science, and math high school teachers from across the United States were surveyed about their use of writing to support student learning. Four out of every five teachers reported they used writing to support student learning, applying on average 24 different writing activities across the school year, with nine activities applied by at least one-half of the teachers once a month or more often. Teachers’ responses, however, raised several concerns. One, a majority of teachers indicted they did not receive adequate preservice or inservice preparation on how to use writing to support learning (this issue was especially acute for science and math teachers). Two, many of the nine most commonly applied writing to learn activities involved little or no analysis, interpretation, or personalization of information to be learned. Three, use of writing activities involving the use of digital tools, report writing, and written arguments were infrequent. Such activities are stressed by the Common Core State Standards. Four, when respondents taught students how to apply writing to learn activities, they only used effective teaching practices slightly more than one half of the time (math teachers did this even less often). We further found that use of writing to support learning was related to teachers’ preparation to apply such strategies, perceptions of capabilities to teach and use these tools, and percent of below average students in the class.
Density dependent selection in parthenogenetic and self-mating populations

The consequences of density dependent selection on genetically heterogeneous, diploid populations reproducing by self-mating or various parthenogenetic mechanisms is investigated. A logistic fitness function that depends upon both the genotype of an individual and the density of the population is used. Such a fitness function simultaneously determines the population size and the genotype frequencies. The equilibrium solutions to a one locus and two locus model are given as we11 as some generalizations to n Ioci and nonlogistic fitness functions. Conditions are found that maintain several different genotypes simultaneously in the equilibrium population. The interaction of such selection with the genetic mechanisms which determine mode of reproduction in parthenogenetic populations is also discussed.
Effects of particle interaction and polydispersity on flow birefringence of suspensions of rigid particles with cylindrical symmetry

Abstract Equations are derived expressing the effects of particle-particle interaction and of polydispersity on the flow birefringence of suspensions of rigid particles. The equations are limited to the behavior at low shear rates but are otherwise quite general, applying to all types of particle interactions and size and shape distributions of rigid particles with cylindrical symmetry. Certain experimental results obtained previously for aqueous suspension of some clay minerals are explained in terms of the theoretical results obtained here.
Child Withholding as Child Transfer: Hidden Jewish Children and the State in Postwar Netherlands

The children's rights movement has led, among other things, to a focus by human rights scholars on nationally orchestrated child kidnapping, known euphemistically as “child transfer.” This article will focus on a little known case that I will argue can be considered child transfer, that of Jewish orphans in the Netherlands after World War II. Kidnapping these children was not initially involved in their movement from parents’ to strangers’ homes; however, after the war, the State often refused to return some of these children to surviving Jewish kin or to the Jewish community. In other words, against the wishes of the decimated Jewish community after the Nazi genocide of the Jews, the postwar Netherlands government withheld Jewish children from their kin and from their ethnic community, keeping them in Gentile homes. I argue that this child withholding constitutes a form of child transfer because of the manner in which it was done and the reasoning behind it.
Electron Self-exchange Dynamics of the Nanoparticle Couple [Au25(SC2Ph)18]0/1− By Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Line-Broadening

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was used to measure the rate constant and activation energy barrier for electron self-exchanges of the phenylethanethiolate-protected nanoparticle couple [Au25(SC2Ph)18]0/1−. The thiolate ligand α-methylene proton resonances of electrolytically prepared CD2Cl2 solutions of the oxidized (Au250) and reduced (Au251−) nanoparticles exhibit characteristic chemical shifts and line-shapes. That for the α-CH2 protons in Au250 is shifted ∼2 ppm downfield from Au251− and has an increased line-width reflecting the odd electron count of the nanoparticle core. Solution mixtures of Au250 and Au251− exhibit further peak broadening and intermediate values of α-CH2 proton chemical shifts, effects quantitatively consistent with an electron self-exchange process in the fast-exchange regime. Analysis of changes in peak broadening at varied total nanoparticle concentration and at varied temperatures produces a rate constant for [Au25(SC2Ph)18]0/1− self-exchange of 3.0(±0.1) × 107 M−1s−1...
A patient with mosaic partial trisomy 18 resulting from dicentric chromosome breakage

We present a patient with minor dysmorphic features and a mosaic karyotype with two different abnormal cell lines, both involving abnormalities of chromosome 18. Twenty percent of cells studied (4/20) had 46 chromosomes with a large derivative pseudoisodicentric chromosome 18. This chromosome was deleted for 18pter and duplicated for part of proximal 18p (18p11.2 based on fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies and all of 18q. The two copies of portions of chromosome 18 were fused in an inverted fashion (duplicated for 18qter->18p11.3). The smaller der(18) was present in 80% of cells studied (16/20) and had a normal q-arm, while the p-arm was missing the subtelomere region but had duplication of a part of 18p. FISH studies showed that the larger derivative 18 contained the 18q subtelomere at each end, but the 18p subtelomere was absent, consistent with fusion of two regions within 18p resulting in deletion of the subtelomeric regions. The smaller der(18) was also missing the 18p subtelomere (with normal 18q as expected). Further testing with BAC clones mapping within 18p11.2 showed that these sequences were duplicated and inverted in both of the der(18)s. These findings lead us to hypothesize that the smaller der(18) was derived from the larger, dicentric 18 following anaphase bridge formation, with breakage distal to the duplicated segment.
The origin of magnetic anomalies in lower crustal rocks, Labrador

Mid- to lower crustal granulites near Wilson Lake in Central Labrador exhibit pronounced aeromagnetic anomalies. Areas characterized by high and low field strength correlate with the Wilson Lake allochthon and the surrounding autochthon respectively. The induced magnetization in both units has mean values of 0.34 A/m (allochthon) and 0.33 A/m (autochthon). However, the mean values of remanent magnetizations are 9.2 A/m (allochthon) and 3.3 A/m (autochthon) in directions contributing to the present geomagnetic field. Therefore, the remanent magnetization plays the main role in generating the observed magnetic anomaly. Thermal demagnetizations indicate that titanhematite is stable to 585–600 °C. The absence of significant Verwey transitions indicates that titanhematite is the predominant carrier in some rocks and a significant carrier along with magnetite in others. Any interpretation of the magnetic anomalies above these rocks must consider magnetic remanence as the principle anomaly source.
A cellular solid criterion for predicting the axial-shear failure properties of bovine trabecular bone.

In a long-term effort to develop a complete multi-axial failure criterion for human trabecular bone, the overall goal of this study was to compare the ability of a simple cellular solid mechanistic criterion versus the Tsai-Wu, Principal Strain, and von Mises phenomenological criteria--all normalized to minimize effects of interspecimen heterogeneity of strength--to predict the on-axis axial-shear failure properties of bovine trabecular bone. The Cellular Solid criterion that was developed here assumed that vertical trabeculae failed due to a linear superposition of axial compression/tension and bending stresses, induced by the apparent level axial and shear loading, respectively. Twenty-seven bovine tibial trabecular bone specimens were destructively tested on-axis without end artifacts, loaded either in combined tension-torsion (n = 10), compression-torsion (n = 11), or uniaxially (n = 6). For compression-shear, the mean (+/- S.D.) percentage errors between measured values and criterion predictions were 7.7 +/- 12.6 percent, 19.7 +/- 23.2 percent, 22.8 +/- 18.9 percent, and 82.4 +/- 64.5 percent for the Cellular Solid, Tsai-Wu, Principal Strain, and von Mises criteria, respectively; corresponding mean errors for tension-shear were -5.2 +/- 11.8 percent, 14.3 +/- 12.5 percent, 6.9 +/- 7.6 percent, and 57.7 +/- 46.3 percent. Statistical analysis indicated that the Cellular Solid criterion was the best performer for compression-shear, and performed as well as the Principal Strain criterion for tension-shear. These data should substantially improve the ability to predict axial-shear failure of dense trabecular bone. More importantly, the results firmly establish the importance of cellular solid analysis for understanding and predicting the multiaxial failure behavior of trabecular bone.
Section 4. What the Guidelines Have Missed: A General Discussion of the Faculty: Highlights of the Asthma Summit 2009: Beyond the Guidelines

The sessions during the 2 days of the Asthma Summit focused largely on some specific aspects of the current European and U.S. guidelines for managing asthma. By way of summary, the faculty addressed the question of what they thought the guidelines missed, starting with consideration of those aspects of their own practice management that they believed are not clearly discussed in current guidelines.
Lack of correlation between variation in small-volume gastric pouch size and weight loss after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Abstract Background Controversy exists in published reports regarding the influence of gastric pouch size on weight loss after gastric bypass (GB). The purpose of this study was to determine whether variations in the anatomic size of small-volume (≤20 cm 3 ) gastric pouches correlate with weight loss 1 year after laparoscopic GB. Methods We prospectively collected intraoperative data on gastric pouch size during laparoscopic GB in 231 morbidly obese patients. A divided, vertical, lesser curve-based gastric pouch was created using an orogastric tube for size and diameter determination. The height of the cylindrical pouch was measured by the number of staple fires. Results The mean age was 45 ± 10 years, 90% were women, and 68% were white. The mean preoperative body mass index was 48 ± 6 kg/m 2 . The percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) 1 year after GB was 66%. The calculated gastric pouch volume was 10–20 cm 3 . No significant difference was found in the %EWL at 1 year when stratified by gastric pouch size. The pouch size was not dependent on age, gender, preoperative weight, or body mass index. A significant inverse correlation was found between the %EWL and both preoperative weight and body mass index ( P P = .004); however, whites had a significantly greater %EWL at 1 year compared with blacks (67% versus 61%; P = .016). Conclusion With construction of divided, vertical, lesser curve-based small-volume (≤20 cm 3 ) gastric pouches, the actual size of the gastric pouch did not correlate with the %EWL at 1 year after laparoscopic GB.
The organization and governance of top football across Europe: an institutional perspective

edited by Hallgeir Gammelsaeter and Benoit Senaux, London and New York, Routledge, 2011, 302 pp., £80.00/US$133.00 (hardcover); £28.00/US$44.95 (paperback), ISBN 978-0-415-88378-8 As soccer is among...
An Artificial-Variable Elimination Method for Solving Block-Diagonal Programming Problems

The algorithms of this paper solve problems of the "decomposition" structure. It presents the basic framework for a class of algorithms, along with two possible versions. The basic algorithm generates a sequence of solutions that satisfy complementary slackness with a sequence of dual feasible solutions such that, when the linking constraints are satisfied, an optimum is obtained. Computational experience is reported for the first version in comparison with RSMFOR, a simplex program, on randomly generated problems and a three-period refinery model. Using the number of nonzero multiplications as the basis for comparison, the results show the first version substantially better than the simplex method. The computational experience is discussed at some length.
Convergence of self-normalized generalizedU-statistics

Conditions are given for almost certain and distribution convergence of self-normalized generalizedU-statistics composed of random variables without particular probabilistic structure. The set of almost certain limit points of some classicalU-statistics is obtained. A variant of theU-statistic involving squares of some of the random variables is also treated. Applications include Martingale differences, stationary sequences, and the classical i.i.d. case where a Marcinkiewicz-Zygmund-type strong law is obtained.
Blue and near-UV phosphorescence from iridium complexes with cyclometalated pyrazolyl or N-heterocyclic carbene ligands.

Two approaches are reported to achieve efficient blue to near-UV emission from triscyclometalated iridium(III) materials related to the previously reported complex, fac-Ir(ppz)3 (ppz = 1-phenylpyrazolyl-N,C2‘). The first involves replacement of the phenyl group of the ppz ligand with a 9,9-dimethyl-2-fluorenyl group, i.e., fac-tris(1-[(9,9-dimethyl-2-fluorenyl)]pyrazolyl-N,C2‘)iridium(III), abbreviated as fac-Ir(flz)3. Crystallographic analysis reveals that both fac-Ir(flz)3 and fac-Ir(ppz)3 have a similar coordination environment around the Ir center. The absorption and emission spectra of fac-Ir(flz)3 are red shifted from those of fac-Ir(ppz)3. The fac-Ir(flz)3 complex gives blue photoluminescence (PL) with a high efficiency (λmax = 480 nm, φPL = 0.38) at room temperature. The lifetime and quantum efficiency were used to determine the radiative and nonradiative rates (1.0 × 104 and 2.0 × 104 s-1, respectively). The second approach utilizes N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands to form triscyclometalated ...
Convenient experimental determination of adsorption isotherms in a Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography system

HPLC was combined with a packable microbore guard column to obtain the adsorption isotherm of lysozyme in a Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography system. The equipment configuration enabled isotherm determination of the protein on a relatively low pressure chromatographic media (TosoHaas 650M Phenyl).
Acid-catalyzed release of purines and pyrimidines from nucleic acids in liquid hydrogen fluoride.

The quantitative release of purines and pyrimidines from DNA is accomplished in anhydrous hydrogen fluoride containing catalytic amounts of hydrochloric acid within 12 min at 25°C. The release of bases from RNA is slower, requiring 20 min at 35°C. No degradation of the major bases takes place under these conditions, although 5-hydroxymethyluracil is decomposed. The methodology offers a significant improvement in terms of both time and cleanliness of product over conventional solvolytic methods for the degradation of nucleic acids to free bases.
Perceptions of Preservice Teachers Regarding Feedback and Guided Reflection in an Instrumental Early Field Experience

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of 4 preservice music teachers regarding elements of verbal and written feedback as well as guided reflection during an early field experien...
Quantification of Hemodynamics in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms During Rest and Exercise Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computational Fluid Dynamics

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) affect 5–7% of older Americans. We hypothesize that exercise may slow AAA growth by decreasing inflammatory burden, peripheral resistance, and adverse hemodynamic conditions such as low, oscillatory shear stress. In this study, we use magnetic resonance imaging and computational fluid dynamics to describe hemodynamics in eight AAAs during rest and exercise using patient-specific geometric models, flow waveforms, and pressures as well as appropriately resolved finite-element meshes. We report mean wall shear stress (MWSS) and oscillatory shear index (OSI) at four aortic locations (supraceliac, infrarenal, mid-aneurysm, and suprabifurcation) and turbulent kinetic energy over the entire computational domain on meshes containing more than an order of magnitude more elements than previously reported results (mean: 9.0-million elements; SD: 2.3 M; range: 5.7–12.0 M). MWSS was lowest in the aneurysm during rest 2.5 dyn/cm2 (SD: 2.1; range: 0.9–6.5), and MWSS increased and OSI decreased at all four locations during exercise. Mild turbulence existed at rest, while moderate aneurysmal turbulence was present during exercise. During both rest and exercise, aortic turbulence was virtually zero superior to the AAA for seven out of eight patients. We postulate that the increased MWSS, decreased OSI, and moderate turbulence present during exercise may attenuate AAA growth.
LMI approach for H ∞ output feedback control of discrete-time T-S fuzzy systems via switched control scheme

This paper studies the problem of dynamic output feedback Hinfin control of discrete-time T-S fuzzy systems via switched dynamic parallel distributed compensation (DPDC) scheme. The considered switched DPDC control structure is determined base on the values of membership functions. New properties of membership functions are obtained, and exploited to derive sufficient conditions for designing switched DPDC controllers for guaranteeing the stability and Hinfin performances of closed-loop nonlinear systems. The design conditions are given in terms of solvability of a set of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). It is shown that the new approach provides better or at least the same results of the corresponding dynamic DPDC methods. A numerical example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
COMPLEMENTARITY IN THE DOUBLE SLIT EXPERIMENT: ON SIMPLE REALIZABLE SYSTEMS FOR OBSERVING INTERMEDIATE PARTICLE WAVE BEHAVIOR

In the course of a detailed analysis of observable intermediate particle-wave aspects of light, Wootters and Zurek invented an ingenious but technically difficult practical apparatus for performing Einstein's version of the double-slit experiment. The present note discusses two very simple alternative systems for displaying the Bohr-Einstein particle-wave extremes or, if desired, any intermediate trajectory-interference manifestation associated with the double-slit experiment.
Upgrade alternatives for the nsls superconducting wiggler

The superconducting wiggler (SCW) with 4.2 Tesla field in 5 main poles has been in operation on the NSLS X-ray storage ring for more than 20 years. The inefficient cryogenic system of this wiggler uses a closed-cycle refrigerator requiring constant maintenance. It is possible to replace this insertion device with a 13-pole SCW originally built by Oxford Instruments. The cryostat of this device could be upgraded to reduce the liquid He consumption using cryocoolers, thereby greatly reducing the refrigerator operating expense. A second option is a new design of a SCW featuring internal chicaning.to serve three user beamlines simultaneously All these upgrade possibilities will be described in the paper.
Preparation of aryl-bridged polysilsesquioxane aerogels

We report the preparation of a new class of organic/inorganic hybrid aerogels from aryl-bridged polysilsesquioxanes. 1,4- Bis(triethoxysilyl)benzene and 4,4{prime}-bis(triethoxysilyl)- biphenyl were sol-gel processed to form phenyl- and biphenyl-bridged polysilsesquioxane gels. The gels were then dried using supercritical carbon dioxide extraction. It was discovered that aryl-bridged polysilsesquioxane aerogels are indeed formed, but with a pronounced influence on surface area from the reaction conditions used in preparing the initial gels. Specifically, high surface area aerogels (up to 1750 m{sup 2}/g) are obtained from gels prepared with either acid or base catalysts. With reduced concentrations of base catalyst, however, supercritical processing afforded phenyl-bridge xerogel-like materials. The materials were characterized by nitrogen sorption surface analysis and by transmission electron microscopy. 8 refs., 5 figs., 1 tab.
Modalized Questions and Exhaustivity

They show that the acceptability of a sentence of the form [....only.....dF.....], where d is a focused degree-denoting expression, correlates with the availability of a scalar implicature for the very same sentence without only: for instance, Jack has to read more than three books by Balzac generally implicates that Jack does not have to read more than four books by Balzac, while Jack read more than three books by Balzac does not generally implicate that Jack did not read more than four books by Balzac (i.e. does not implicate that Jack read exactly four books). Fox and Hackl (2006) furthermore show that these contrasts (as well as many other facts) follow from the following assumptions:
Ion implantation and deposition on the inner surfaces of cylinders by exploding metallic foils

A novel scheme for ion deposition and possibly ion implantation on the inner surfaces of cylindrical targets is proposed and experimentally tested. A large current is passed through a coaxial cable-type structure, composed of a straight conductor and a thin metallic foil, surrounding it. The foil evaporates and ionizes forming a metallic plasma, which is pushed radially outward due to the pressure of the magnetic field, confined to the region between the plasma and the conductor. The ions of the foil material are observed to be deposited uniformly on the inner surface of a cylindrical target, enclosing this structure coaxially. Auger analysis on the target implies a possible implantation as well, but this implication needs to be supported by further, extensive measurements, before a concrete statement can be made. The outcome of this pioneering experiment is far from being perfect, but is encouraging. Suggestions for improving the quality of the outcome are made for this promising, single-shot deposition procedure.
A self-organizing map and its modeling for discovering malignant network traffic

Model-based intrusion detection and knowledge discovery are combined to cluster and classify P2P botnet traffic and other malignant network activity by using a Self-Organizing Map (SOM) self-trained on denied Internet firewall log entries. The SOM analyzed new firewall log entries in a case study to classify similar network activity, and discovered previously unknown local P2P bot traffic and other security issues.
Tile-based image visual codeword extraction for efficient indexing and retrieval

Inspired by the success of inverted indexing in the textual search domain, we provide sparseness justifications for using inverted file indexing on image content, which paves the way for developing scalable image content search systems. We use clustering to automatically generate a content vocabulary. To avoid the problem of generating cluster centers that are overcrowded in high density areas for sparse data sets, we use a cluster-merge procedure for cluster post-processing. We further use visual codewords to represent low level image features, which not only makes the inverted file indexing and search applicable to image content, but also helps bridge the gap between the low level image features and high-level human visual perception. Experimental results confirm the success of our methods.
Performance analysis of direct data domain approach and Esprit method for DOA Estimation

In this study, we compared the performance of matrix pencil (MP) method and ESPRIT (estimation of signal parameters using rotational in-variance technique) method under varying number of snapshots taken. Matrix Pencil method applies the technique directly to the data to estimate the poles, and works well under the correlated signal case, as opposed to ESPRIT, a statistical subspace based estimation technique, will work after applying some additional spatial smoothing techniques to tackle the ill condition problem of covariance matrix. Simulation results are provided to show the performance of these two methods.
Heterogeneous characteristics of streambed saturated hydraulic conductivity of the Touchet River, south eastern Washington, USA

Traditionally a streambed is treated as a layer of uniform thickness and low saturated hydraulic conductivity (K) in surface- and ground-water studies. Recent findings have shown a high level of spatial heterogeneity within a streambed and such heterogeneity directly affects surface- and ground-water exchange and can have ecological implications for biogeochemical transformations, nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and reproduction of gravel spawning fish. In this study a detailed field investigation of K was conducted in two selected sites in Touchet River, a typical salmon spawning stream in arid south eastern Washington, USA. In-stream slug tests were conducted to determine K following the Bouwer and Rice method. For the upper and lower sites, each 50 m long and 9 m wide and roughly 20 m apart, a sampling grid of 5 m longitudinally and 3 m transversely was used. The slug tests were performed for each horizontal coordinate at 0·3–0·45, 0·6–0·75, 0·9–1·05 and 1·2–1·35 m depth intervals unless a shallower impenetrable obstruction was encountered. Additionally, water levels were measured to obtain vertical hydraulic gradient (VHG) between each two adjacent depth intervals. Results indicated that K ranged over three orders of magnitude at both the upper and lower sites and differed between the two sites. At the upper site, K did not differ significantly among different depth intervals based on nonparametric statistical tests for mean, median, and empirical cumulative distribution, but the spatial pattern of K varied among different depth intervals. At the lower site, K for the 0·3–0·45 m depth interval differed statistically from those at other depth intervals, and no similar spatial pattern was found among different depth intervals. Zones of upward and downward water flow based on VHG also varied among different depth intervals, reflecting the complexities of the water flow regime. Detailed characterization of the streambed as attempted in this study should be helpful in providing information on spatial variations of streambed hydraulic properties as well as surface- and ground-water interaction. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The reciprocal pool model for the measurement of gluconeogenesis by use of [U-13C]glucose

To improve upon the [U-13C]glucose method to estimate “gluconeogenesis” as described by J. Katz and J. A. Tayek (Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab. 272: E476–E484, 1997, and 275: E537–E542, 1998), ...
The dynamics of unentangled polymers during capillary rise infiltration into a nanoparticle packing

Although highly packed polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) are important for a wide array of applications, preparing them remains difficult because of the poor dispersion of NPs at high loading fractions. One method to successfully prepare PNCs with high loadings is through capillary rise infiltration, as previously shown by Huang et al., although the mechanism of polymer infiltration remains largely unknown. We use molecular dynamics simulations to directly simulate the process of capillary rise infiltration, and we show that the polymers follow Lucas–Washburn dynamics. We observe a wetting front that precedes bulk infiltration, and chains belonging to this front are highly adsorbed to NPs. We also investigate the viscosity of the model polymers both globally and locally in supported and free-standing films, and we find reduced viscosity near the surface of the films and increased viscosity near the supporting substrate, similar to the results of local relaxation times. The reduction in the viscosity at the free surface for short, oligomeric polymers is smaller than for higher molecular weight polymers, and the ratio of the surface viscosities is most consistent with the predictions of the Lucas–Washburn equation. Our results introduce the mechanism by which polymers infiltrate a highly packed NP film, which may shed light on better ways to prepare these materials for energy storage applications and protective coatings.
Seasonal and annual variability in the spatial patterns of plankton biomass in Chesapeake Bay

We conducted high-resolution, underway sampling in April, July, and October for 6 yr (1995–2000) in the large estuary, Chesapeake Bay. This period included climatological extremes in freshwater inputs that strongly influenced both the overall stocks and spatial distribution of phytoplankton and zooplankton. Higher biomass of both phytoplankton and zooplankton occurred in springs, when freshwater input into Chesapeake Bay was above the average discharge. While whole-Bay productivity appears to be influenced by freshwater flow variability, mesoscale patterns in plankton biomass are driven by freshwater inputs, circulation, and bathymetry. Persistent maxima in plankton biomass occurred in areas of physical and topographic discontinuities such as the upper-Bay salt front, plume fronts, the hydraulic control region, tidal fronts, and near a topographically induced eddy. Although the contribution of these hot spots to the whole-Bay standing stock of plankton may vary due to changes in the background levels of plankton, controlled in part by freshwater discharge, they nevertheless represent predictable areas of higher forage for planktivorous fish. Enhanced trophic coupling between plankton and fish at these physical discontinuities may be one reason why estuaries have higher fisheries yields in relation to their primary production than lakes and other marine systems.
The effect of varying mix uniformity (simulated) of phytase on growth performance, mineral retention, and bone mineralization in chicks

Abstract An 18-d experiment was conducted to determine the effect of varying mix uniformity of phytase on growth performance, mineral retention, and bone mineralization in chicks. Chicks (initial and final weights were 74.5 and 803.3 g) were allotted to seven treatments with six (Treatment 1) or seven (Treatments 2 to 7) replicates of seven chicks per replicate in a completely randomized design. Varying mix uniformity of phytase was simulated by alternately providing two diets with two different concentrations of microbial phytase; the diets were switched every 24 h. Treatments were: 1) positive control (CON) (Ca, 1.0%; available phosphorus (aP), 0.45%), 2) negative control (NEG) (Ca, 0.9%; aP, 0.35%), 3) NEG + 600 phytase units (FTU) daily (CV0), 4) NEG + 500 or 700 FTU (CV17), 5) NEG + 400 or 800 FTU (CV34), 6) NEG + 200 or 1,000 FTU (CV69), or 7) NEG + 0 or 1,200 FTU (CV103). Gain, feed intake, and bone breaking strength were similar (P > 0.15) in the CON and CV0 treatments, but these response variables were decreased in the NEG treatment (P
SPATIOTEMPORAL DIFFERENCES IN 15N UPTAKE AND THE ORGANIZATION OF AN OLD-FIELD PLANT COMMUNITY'

We investigated the hypothesis that spatial and temporal differences in ni- trogen uptake facilitate species' coexistence in a nitrogen-limited, old-field plant community at Cedar Creek Natural History Area, Minnesota. Differences among the six most abundant species were assessed by measuring aboveground uptake of 15N injected at two soil depths at each of three times during the growing season. As described by 15N uptake, species were spatially and, to a greater extent, temporally differentiated into three groups. Differences in species' abundance between and within these groups suggest that spatiotemporal partitioning of nitrogen is a major determinant of community organization. Dominant species (Schizachyrium scoparium and Poa pratensis) were well differentiated and the abundances of subordinate species (Artemisia ludoviciana, Solidago nemoralis, Ambrosia coronopifolia, and Panicum oligosanthes) were positively related to the degree of differentiation from dominant species. A discriminant analysis of the data showed that subordinate species occupy "peripheral" spatiotemporal niches rel- ative to Schizachyrium and Poa. This may promote coexistence by reducing diffuse com- petition. These results suggest that spatiotemporal resource partitioning slows the rate of com- petitive displacement among co-occurring plant species. Other research at Cedar Creek corroborates that this is an effective mechanism for coexistence on a successional time scale.
A Brand Theory of Trademark Law

Trademark law is incoherent, and it fails to manage all the interests at stake in the modern business environment. This failure flows from a core misunderstanding. Trademark law has not grasped that is managing brands, not trademarks. In this article, Professor Deven Desai develops a new theory of trademarks which provides trademark law with a way out of its current confusion. Professor Desai argues that trademark law really protects brands and must fully embrace this fact. He demonstrates how his brand theory of trademark law will avoid the incoherence and problems from which trademark currently suffers and offers a framework to understand the purpose, function, and scope of trademark law.Published version, titled 'From Trademarks to Brands', Florida Law Review, Vol. 64, No. 4, pp. 981-1044, 2012.
Flight nurse research activities

Abstract Introduction: The study purpose was to identify how members of the Air & Surface Transport Nurses Association (ASTNA), formerly called the National Flight Nurses Association, use research in their flight nursing practice. Methods: A survey was mailed to each ASTNA member requesting demographic data and a description of research activities used in their practice of flight nursing. Results: Thirty percent of the 1643 members (n = 497) completed the survey. Sixty-four percent (320) of respondents were direct patient care providers, and 47% were certified flight registered nurses (CFRN). Thirteen percent (65) reported that research was mandated in their job description. Sixty-three percent (315) used research to guide practice, and 37% (183) incorporated research into policies and procedures. Thirty percent (149) actively conducted some type of research, 15% (76) presented at national conferences, and 11% (53) published in professional journals. Conclusion: Components of the ASTNA research standard are being met by most flight nurses. However, only a small percentage of these nurses are designing and conducting studies and formally disseminating their research findings. Flight nurses are involved in research, but their overall participation could be improved.
Antibiotic Resistance of Gram-Negative Bacteria in Rivers, United States

Bacteria with intrinsic resistance to antibiotics are found in nature. Such organisms may acquire additional resistance genes from bacteria introduced into soil or water, and the resident bacteria may be the reservoir or source of widespread resistant organisms found in many environments. We isolated antibiotic-resistant bacteria in freshwater samples from 16 U.S. rivers at 22 sites and measured the prevalence of organisms resistant to β-lactam and non β-lactam antibiotics. Over 40% of the bacteria resistant to more than one antibiotic had at least one plasmid. Ampicillin resistance genes, as well as other resistance traits, were identified in 70% of the plasmids. The most common resistant organisms belonged to the following genera: Acinetobacter, Alcaligenes, Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, and Serratia.
Kinetics of aquation of trans-dichlorobis(ethylenediamine)chromium(III) cation

Abstract The pseudo first-order rate constant for the production of ionic chloride by aquation of trans -dichlorobis(ethylenediamine)chromium(III) cation in 0·1 F HNO 3 at 25·0°C was found to be (2·25±0·03) × 10 −5 sec −1 . The rate is independent of initial concentration of the complex over the range 1·6–11·3 mF, of pH from 0·14 to 2·9, and of ionic strength from 0·016 to 1·0. Added sulphate ion accelerates the aquation, as does light. The Arrhenius activation energy is 23·23±0·17 kcal/mole over the temperature range 15·35°C, slightly less than for the trans -cobalt(III) analogue as predicted by crystal-field theory.
Artificial Neural Networks and Long-Range Precipitation Prediction in California

Abstract Artificial neural networks (ANNs), which are modeled on the operating behavior of the brain, are tolerant of some imprecision and are especially useful for classification and function approximation/mapping problems, to which hard and fast rules cannot be applied easily. Using ANNs, this study maps a 1-yr monthly (January–December) time series of the 700-hPa teleconnection indices and ENSO indicators onto the water year (October–September) total precipitation of California’s seven climatic zones, with different lag times between the inputs and outputs. It was found that the pattern of rainfall predicted by the ANN model matched closely the observed rainfall with a 1-yr time lag for most California climate zones and for most years. This research shows the possibility of making long-range predictions using ANNs and large-scale climatological parameters. This research also extends the use of neural networks to determine important parameters in long-range precipitation prediction by comparing results ...
Ending Bacha Bazi: Boy Sex Slavery and the Responsibility to Protect Doctrine

[T]hey kept me in a room for many days in [a place near Peshawar] where first they had sex with me by themselves for many days, and then they allowed everybody else to come and have sex with me for only 40–50 rupees. It was like I was an animal in the zoo, and people could see me and use me after paying the ticket fee. I was twelve and a half years old at that time. Within one month I think 20–30 men had sex with me and I was about to die of it.4
Role of oxidative stress in contrast-induced acute kidney injury in diabetes mellitus

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI) is the most-common form of in-hospital drug-induced acute kidney injury and occurs in 1 to over 50% of patients undergoing intravascular contrast media (CM) administration. Numerous risk factors for CIAKI have been described, the most prominent among them is pre-existing kidney disease such as diabetic nephropathy. The pathogenesis of CIAKI appears to be caused, at least in part, by renal vasoconstriction and renal ischemia leading to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Diabetes is associated with increased sensitivity to renal vasoconstrictors including CM agents and is also associated with dysfunctional renal handling of ROS, making diabetics particularly susceptible to CIAKI. At present, there are limited srtategies for the prevention of CIAKI among them the administration of the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and intravenous hydration. In light of the rising prevalence of diabetes worldwide and the high risk it represents for the development of CIAKI and CIAKI-associated cardiovascular mortality, a lucid understanding of the pathogenesis of CIAKI and diabetic nephropathy is indispensable. The current review addresses the role of ROS in the pathogenesis of CIAKI in the diabetic renal milieu and discusses current and potential novel treatment modalities for the prevention of CIAKI in diabetic patients.
A Model of Bank Liquidity

This paper introduces LLSS ratio as a new bank liquidity measurement. The new measurement reveals banks' ability to roll over long term loans on short term savings. Such ability is determined by both banks' liquid/illiquid asset allocation and the interbank market environment. I use ABCP and MBS to represent the interbank operations, which provide banks external funds to absorb the liquidity shocks. A two period model shows that a mature MBS and ABCP market can effciently raise banks' LLSS ratio without compromising the banking industry's safety margin. The conclusion is quite different from the wide belief that MBS is the channel for banks to transfer risk to investors. MBS and ABCP serve as Arrow-Debreu securities for banks to share and eliminate liquidity shocks, and improves banks' profit margin indirectly. LLSS ratio was raised by 20%, from 35% in 1990 to 55% in 2005, which helped the banking industry to earned $50B net interest more each year and to reduce the bank failures from over 150 cases annually in the early 1990s to less than 5 cases in the early 2000s. More important, the model predicts the interbank market's limit. The estimated LLSS ratio safety boundary is around 55%. After 2006, LLSS ration reached a dangerous high level of 65%. The market was overloaded and at the edge of collapse. The banking industry lost it buffer to absorb any negative shocks, and the moderate losses of $500B in mortgage triggered a global crisis.
Feasibility and Conditionality of Inflation Targeting Among Central European Candidates for the EU Accession

Monetary policies of Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic have undergone a significant transformation in the 1990s. The initial currency peg and the exchange-rate-based monetary policy has been gradually replaced by more flexible exchange rates and money-based policies. Preparations for accession to the European Union, and, later to the European Monetary Union call for further policy advancements including effective measures for lowering inflation, for reducing volatility of interest rates and market exchange rates, and for stabilizing domestic financial markets. Monetary authorities need to gain credibility for their policies, which should become more transparent, forward-looking and predictable. This paper argues that direct inflation targeting will be a desirable monetary policy approach for accomplishing this objective. At the initial stage of monetary policy adjustments, a stricter form of inflation targeting is proposed in order to strengthen central banks policy discipline and commitment to disinflation. When price indexes reach a more sustainable level, flexible inflation targeting is advised. After the candidates join the EU and begin preparations for accession to the EMU, direct inflation targeting will have to be gradually phased-out and replaced by the euro-peg.
Unraveling the role of the protein environment for [FeFe]-hydrogenase: a new application of coarse-graining

Hydrogenase enzymes are natural biocatalysts that might be harnessed to reduce the cost of hydrogen gas production. [FeFe]-hydrogenases are the most effective of three such enzymes at catalyzing H+ reduction. In this study, we develop and apply a novel combination of all-atom molecular dynamics and coarse-grained (CG) analysis to characterize two important steps of the catalytic cycle of [FeFe]-hydrogenase. The first is the electron transport through FeS clusters to the active site. We use a Marcus formulation to compute the free energy and the reorganization energy of three electron transport steps and decompose these values into contributions from the CG protein sites and the solvent. The three-step transport process is found to be downhill with relative free energies of −11.7 for the first step, −14.8 for the second step, and −17.1 kcal/mol for the third step. The electron-transport process is also found to activate a water channel suggesting a coupled mechanism for proton and electron transport to the...