cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The stability of mutagenic chemicals stored in solution

Using the Salmonella/microsome assay, we have evaluated the stability of mutagenic responses of chemicals stored frozen over a period of 18 months. Each of the standard mutagens was prepared in January 1982, and aliquots were stored at -20 degrees C and at -80 degrees C. Sodium azide (NaN3) was dissolved in water; 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine (4NOP), 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide (4NQO), benzo(a)pyrene (B[a]P), and 2-aminoanthracene (2AA) were dissolved in DMSO, all at 100 micrograms/ml. At various times, aliquots were removed, thawed, and tested in parallel with freshly prepared mutagen samples using strain TA100 in a standard plate test and freshly prepared Aroclor 1254-induced rat liver S-9 mix where needed. 4NOP (2-10 micrograms/plate), 4NQO (0.01-0.10 micrograms/plate), B(a)P (0.5-2.5 micrograms/plate), and 2AA (0.25-2.0 micrograms/plate) showed no significant differences between the freshly prepared solutions and the solutions stored at -20 degrees C and -80 degrees C. NaN3 (0.1-0.8 micrograms/plate) did show a statistically significant difference, with the fresh samples giving the lowest mean responses (over all doses) and the -80 degrees C treatment giving the highest. The freezing of mutagen solutions is adaptable to routine use and provides the advantage of reducing the time required to prepare positive control chemicals and reducing the exposure of laboratory personnel to known mutagens.
An efficient algorithm for the complete set partitioning problem

Abstract The complete set partitioning problem is the well known set partitioning problem with all possible nonzero binary columns in the constraint matrix. A highly specialized enumerative algorithm, which never requires the explicit maintenance of the constraint matrix, is presented. Computational results, with data reflecting a particular corporate tax payment scenario that can be modelled as a complete set partitioning problem, is also given.
Effect of perinatal NaCl exposure on the angiotensin-induced temperature response in adult SD rats

Abstract Rats were exposed perinatally (diets were started in dams before gestation and were maintained through postnatal day 28) to either basal (0.12%), mid (1%), high (3%) or very high (6%) NaCl diets. They were then placed on regular Purina diets. Temperature responses to angiotensin II and isoproterenol were assessed in adulthood in the male offspring. Temperature responses induced by angiotensin II, but not isoproterenol, were significantly greater in rats exposed to the basal (0.12%) compared to the high (3–6%) NaCl diets during the perinatal period. This difference may reflect changes that occur in Ang II receptors or responsiveness during the developmental period.
Metal‐organic chemical vapor deposition/open flow thallium annealing route to epitaxial Tl2Ba2Ca2Cu3O10 thin films

Phase‐pure epitaxial Tl2Ba2Ca2Cu3O10 thin films have been grown on single crystal (110) LaAlO3 substrates using an improved metal‐organic chemical vapor deposition process. First, Ba‐Ca‐Cu‐Ox precursor films are grown on LaAlO3 (110) substrates using Ba(hfa)2⋅tet, Ca(hfa)2⋅tet, and Cu(hfa)2 (hfa=hexafluoroacetylacetonate; tet=tetraglyme) as volatile metalorganic precursors. Thallium is then incorporated into the films during a post‐anneal in the presence of a Tl2O3, BaO, CaO, CuO powder mixture at 820 °C for 12 h in a flowing 10% O2/Ar atmosphere. The films have a transport‐measured Tc=115 K and Jc=1.5×105 A/cm2 (80 K), while magnetic hysteresis measurements yield Jc=6×105 A/cm2 (77 K). Preliminary surface resistance measurements give Rs=0.35 mΩ at 5 K, 10 GHz.
An oceanic calcium problem

Abstract Recent published data on dissolved calcium in seawater reveal an apparent excess of calcium over that predicted from the changes in alkalinity. In the South Pacific this excess calcium is approximately 40 μmoles/kg. We suggest that this arises from an in-situ titration of some of the alkalinity by protons derived from the redox changes associated with oxidative decomposition of organic matter. This postulates an effective flux of nitric and phosphoric acids into the deep water. Other redox changes, such as in the oxidation of reduced sulfur, may also contribute protons, but these are more difficult to evaluate. This concept changes current thinking on the oceanic CO 2 -carbonate system. It increases the amount of calcium carbonate believed to have dissolved in the ocean by ca. 25%; and alters the proportions of abyssal CO 2 believed to be derived from respiration versus carbonate dissolution by about 10%.
Coal-derived asphaltenes: effect of phenol content and molecular weight on viscosity of solutions

Phenol contents and molecular weights of coal-derived asphaltenes are shown to affect the viscosity of their solutions. Phenol contents were determined by non-aqueous titrimetry. Intermolecular aggregation probably involving hydrogen bonding is a prime factor in the increase in viscosity found with increased asphaltene concentration in a reference solvent system composed of an 8812 (wtwt) mixture of 1-methylnaphthalene and o-cresol. Aggregation effects are greater for those asphaltenes with relatively higher phenol contents. Asphaltenes were separated into fractions of different polarity by adsorption chromatography. The more polar subfraction was found to increase viscosity in the reference solvent to a greater extent than the less polar subfraction. The logarithmic viscosity numbers of solutions of the asphaltenes and their subfractions are correlated by a linear combination of molecular weights and phenol contents. It is concluded that an effective means of reducing the viscosity of coal-derived liquids would be to reduce the phenol content of the asphaltene fraction.
RANS simulation of methane-air burner using local extinction approach within eddy dissipation concept by OpenFOAM

Abstract Non-premixed turbulent reacting flow in a methane-fuelled coaxial jet combustor has been studied numerically employing Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) models. A local extinction approach for treating chemical reaction kinetics within the eddy dissipation concept (EDC) has been examined. It applies a database of pre-calculated chemical time scales, which contains the influence of chemical kinetics that is otherwise time-consuming to calculate. Simulations were carried out using standard k-epsilon, RNG k-epsilon and k-Omega SST turbulence models by open-source CFD-toolbox OpenFOAM. The results were compared to available numerical results and experimental data for predicting velocity, and temperature fields. All simulations were conducted with a reasonable number of meshes to demonstrate the accuracy of different turbulent RANS models in OpenFOAM solver which has a wide range of engineering applications in such type of flows.
Regionalism and Representation: Measuring and Assessing Representation in Metropolitan Planning Organizations

Despite renewed interest in metropolitan governance, little attention has been given to issues of representation by regional governing entities. Many regional bodies operate under an arrangement whereby each local government receives an equal vote-systematically underrepresenting large jurisdictions and unincorporated areas. The author describes an index to measure the (dis)proportionality of representation on the governing boards of regional institutions. Applying the index to metropolitan planning organizations in California, he finds that most have a substantially skewed representational structure. Such patterns may violate constitutional guarantees of equal protection, given the enhanced policy-making role of metropolitan planning organizations under recent federal transportation law.
Stress-induced failure modes in high-tuning range RF MEMS varactors

In this paper we focus on electromechanical modeling of high-tuning range MEMS varactors with a focus on failures caused by residual compressive stress. In particular, we quantitatively evaluate for the first time a high-tuning range parallel-plate MEMS varactor in the presence of residual compressive stress. A 3D model generated in ANSYS agrees very favorably with the measured data and explains non-ideal discontinuities in the varactor's C-V curve. It is interesting to note that, although the failures considered in this paper are not encountered in RF MEMS switches, they become particularly important in analog MEMS varactors since they directly impact their effective tuning range.
Immobilization of glucoamylase and glucose oxidase in activated carbon: effects of particle size and immobilization conditions on enzyme activity and effectiveness.

Glucoamylase and glucose oxidase have been immobilized on carbodiimide-treated activated carbon particles of various sizes. Loading data indicate nonuniform distribution of immobilized enzyme within the porous support particles. Catalysts with different enzyme loading and overall activities have been prepared by varying enzyme concentration in the immobilizing solution. Analysis of these results by a new method based entirely upon experimentally observable catalyst properties indicates that intrinsic catalytic activity is reduced by immobilization of (both enzymes. Immobilized glucoamylase intrinsic activity decreases with increasing) enzyme loading, and similar behavior is suggested by immobilized glucose oxidase data analysis. The overall activity data interpretation method should prove useful in other immobilized enzyme characterization research, especially in situations where the intraparticle distribution of immobilized enzyme is nonuniform and unknown.
Experimental Production of Negative Pressure in the Frontal Sinus

Conclusions1. Negative pressure can be produced by ciliary activity within a normal sinus after a considerable quantity of mucinous secretion (from the same species of animal) has been injected. 2. This negative pressure occurs even after death and decapitation of the animal and is therefore not due to absorption of air by the blood stream.
Microstructural aspects of crack propagation in ceramics

X-ray microradiographic examination supported by optical and SEM observations was used to study crack propagation in various ceramics, including glasses and cubic and noncubic polycrystalline bodies of different grain sizes. The nature of crack propagation in ceramics was often extremely complex. While cracks in glassy materials were generally simple, as would be expected, in cubic and non-cubic polycrystalline specimens both wandering and branching of cracks was observed. In cubic materials, wandering and branching occurred on the scale of the grain size, while in fine grain, non-cubic materials these were on a multi-grain scale. Results are consistent with the grain size dependence of fracture energy. Elastic anisotropy and thermal expansion anisotropy were suggested as major factors in crack wandering and branching.
Lead selenide quantum dot polymer nanocomposites

Optical absorption and fluorescence properties of PbSe quantum dots (QDs) in an Angstrom Bond AB9093 epoxy polymer matrix to form a nanocomposite were investigated. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported use of AB9093 as a QD matrix material and it was shown to out-perform the more common poly(methyl methacrylate) matrix in terms of preserving the optical properties of the QD, resulting in the first reported quantum yield (QY) for PbSe QDs in a polymer matrix, 26%. The 1-s first excitonic absorption peak of the QDs in a polymer matrix red shifted 65 nm in wavelength compared to QDs in a hexane solution, while the emission peak in the polymer matrix red shifted by 38 nm. The fluorescence QY dropped from 55% in hexane to 26% in the polymer matrix. A time resolved fluorescence study of the QDs showed single exponential lifetimes of 2.34 and 1.34 μs in toluene solution and the polymer matrix respectively.
The Congo crisis, the United Nations, and Zimbabwean nationalism, 1960–1963

The United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission in the Congo in 1960–63 is a major chapter in African and Cold War history. The political consequences of the peacekeeping mission, particularly the use of UN troops against Moise Tshombe’s secessionist Katanga Province, reverberated in neighbouring African States as well. The contours of the UN’s role in the Congo crisis are well known, but this article will consider how UN intervention created a framework for the conflict between white minority rule and African nationalists in Southern Rhodesia. This article suggests that the intersection of Cold War politics and Southern African racial politics helped to create a situation in Southern Rhodesia in which white politicians felt threatened by the UN’s intervention, while Zimbabwean nationalists viewed cautiously the role of the UN as pan-African nationalism in the Congo became consumed by Cold War imperatives. The Katanga secession also demonstrated to both white politicians and Zimbabwean nationalists how intransigence and a small fighting force could challenge much more powerful nations in Cold War Africa.
Thermodynamics of reactions catalyzed by anthranilate synthase.

Abstract Microcalorimetry and high performance liquid chromatography have been used to conduct a thermodynamic investigation of reactions catalyzed by anthranilate synthase, the enzyme located at the first step in the biosynthetic pathway leading from chorismate to tryptophan. One of the overall biochemical reactions catalyzed by anthranilate synthase is: chorismate(aq)+ammonia(aq)=anthranilate(aq)+pyruvate(aq)+H 2 O(l). This reaction can be divided into two partial reactions involving the intermediate 2-amino-4-deoxyisochorismate (ADIC): chorismate(aq)+ammonia(aq)=ADIC(aq)+H 2 O(l) and ADIC(aq)=anthranilate(aq)+pyruvate(aq). The native anthranilate synthase and a mutant form of it that is deficient in ADIC lyase activity but has ADIC synthase activity were used to study the overall ammonia-dependent reaction and the first of the above two partial reactions, respectively. Microcalorimetric measurements were performed on the overall reaction at a temperature of 298.15 K and pH 7.79. Equilibrium measurements were performed on the first partial (ADIC synthase) reaction at temperatures ranging from 288.15 to 302.65 K, and at pH values from 7.76 to 8.08. The results of the equilibrium and calorimetric measurements were analyzed in terms of a chemical equilibrium model that accounts for the multiplicity of ionic states of the reactants and products. These calculations gave thermodynamic quantities at the temperature 298.15 K and an ionic strength of zero for chemical reference reactions involving specific ionic forms. For the reaction: chorismate 2− (aq)+NH 4 + (aq)=anthranilate − (aq)+pyruvate − (aq)+H + (aq)+H 2 O(l), Δ r H m o =−(116.3±5.4) kJ mol −1 . For the reaction: chorismate 2− (aq)+NH 4 + (aq)=ADIC − (aq)+H 2 O(l), K =(20.3±4.5) and Δ r H m o =(7.5±0.6) kJ mol −1 . Thermodynamic cycle calculations were used to calculate thermodynamic quantities for three additional reactions that are pertinent to this branch point of the chorismate pathway. The quantities obtained in this study permit the calculation of the position of equilibrium of these reactions as a function of temperature, pH, and ionic strength. Values of the apparent equilibrium constants and the standard transformed Gibbs energy changes Δ r G′ m o under approximately physiological conditions are given.
X-ray diffraction evidence of ordering in a normal liquid near the solid-liquid interface

We have seen X-ray diffraction peaks establishing that the structure of normal liquids at solid-liquid interfaces is significantly different from the bulk structures. Wetting film thicknesses of 5000 ? were formed on silicon (111) surfaces with native oxide by pouring and draining the pure liquids; such films are thin enough for X-rays to penetrate easily, but thick enough to eliminate undesired fringes corresponding to the film thickness. The liquids studied were tetrakis(2-ethylhexoxy)silane (TEHOS) and tetrakis(trimethylsiloxy)silane (TTMSS). The observed diffraction peaks are in the specular direction, showing that the liquid molecules form layers parallel to the interface. The layer spacings are comparable to the molecular dimensions, and the peak widths indicate that there are 3?6 layers.
A correlation of scale model and flight aeroacoustic data for the Space Shuttle vehicle

A correlation is presented between aeroacoustic data acquired in the early Space Shuttle flights and in the various scale model tests from which the Shuttle vibroacoustic design environments were derived. These are the external acoustic data on the vehicle elements at liftoff, during the transonic and maximum dynamic pressure period of ascent flight, and during spent SRB reentry. The maximum external acoustic environment on the Shuttle elements in a given 1/3-octave frequency band comes from one of these critical flight regimes. The data correlation is seen to be good, testifying to adequate scale model measurement and test techniques. Some of the more salient features of the scale model test programs are described.
Toxicity of fruit fly baits to beneficial insects in citrus.

Two fruit fly baits, Nu-Lure®/malathion and GF-120 (Spinosad®) were evaluated in the laboratory for non-target impacts on beneficial insects. Nu-Lure/malathion proved attractive and toxic to adults and larvae of the coccinellid species, Curinus coeruleus Mulsant, Cycloneda sanguinea L. and Harmonia axyridis Pallas, a lacewing species, Chrysoperla rufilabris Burmeister. The coccinellids Olla v-nigrum Mulsant, Scymnus sp. and nymphs of the insidious flower bug, Orius insidiosus (Say) did not succumb to Nu-Lure baits, even in no-choice situations. Nu-Lure was also attractive and lethal to adults of two aphidophagous flies; Leucopis sp. and the syrphid fly Pseudodorus clavatus (F.). Both Nu-Lure and GF-120 caused significant mortality to the parasitoid wasps, Aphytis melinus De Bach and Lysiphlebus testaceipes Cresson, within 24 h of exposure. However, GF-120 caused no significant mortality to any coccinellid in either choice or no-choice situations, despite considerable consumption of baits. Adults of P. clavatus tended to avoid GF-120, although mortality was significant in no-choice tests. Although larvae and adults of the lacewing C. rufilabris consumed GF-120, mortality was delayed; adults died 48 -96 h post-exposure and those exposed as larvae died two weeks later in the pupal stage. The Nu-Lure bait did not appear palatable to any of the insects, but the high concentration of malathion (195,000 ppm) caused rapid mortality to susceptible insects. Nu-Lure bait without malathion also caused significant mortality to flies and lacewings in cage trials. Although GF-120 bait appeared more benign overall, further research efforts are warranted to increase its selectivity for target fly species and reduce its attractiveness to parasitoids and lacewings. I conclude that the Florida “fly free zone” protocol in its current form is not compatible with an IPM approach to commercial citrus production.
Specifications and yields of composite magnetic films for a high-density memory

General design equations have been derived which relate magnetic film parameters to memory operating currents and bit geometry. The application of these equations is demonstrated in determining the magnetic specifications of a memory having 12 500 bit/in2. These characteristics were most easily realized in a composite magnetic film vacuum deposited sequentially from melts of 50-percent Co, 47-percent Ni, and 3-percent Fe and 83-percent Ni and 17-percent Fe. This is an excellent way of achieving characteristics which lie between those of any two layers taken separately as long as the total thickness is less than the exchange length, i.e., <2000A. Before etching and final processing, yields to magnetic specifications of 80 percent were achieved using these composite films.
An unusual long‐range proton hyperfine coupling in a nitroxyl radical

The EPR spectrum of doxyl cyclododecane (3,3-dimethyl-1-oxa-4-azaspiro[4.11] hexadec-4-yloxy) exhibits a large (0.195 mT at −39°C) temperature-dependent proton hyperfine coupling. Selective deuteration demonstrates that the coupling is to one of the protons in the CH2 groups adjacent to the point of attachment of the doxyl ring.
Building a theoretical framework to quantify alveolar injury

respiratory support by mechanical ventilation is central to the therapeutic strategy for acute lung injury (ALI) and the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), conditions associated with high mortality and morbidity. However, mechanical ventilation can also worsen ALI and promote ARDS by
THE USE OF PEER MONITORS TO REDUCE NEGATIVE INTERACTION DURING RECESS

The negative interactions of a midly retarded child, Dennis, were reduced in three daily recess periods, with the use of a point system. Adult monitors initiated the intervention in the morning recess; reductions achieved during adult monitoring were maintained in that recess during two subsequent conditions: peer monitoring and self-monitoring. Dennis' negative interactions were reduced next in the afternoon recess by peer monitors. Again, reductions were maintained during a subsequent self-monitoring condition. Finally, during the noon recess, Dennis was trained to serve as a peer monitor for Ed, a moderately retarded classmate. Dennis' rate of negative interactions quickly decreased following his appointment as a peer monitor. The results show that a point system, originally designed for adult monitoring, can be adapted without loss of program effectiveness for peer monitoring or self-monitoring. The results also suggest that classmates who serve as peer monitors may benefit significantly from their role. The conditions under which these therapeutic effects occur and the role that treatment order effects may play in this process require further investigation.
Fabrication and characterization of magnetostrictive cantilever beams for magnetic actuation

The need for magnetostrictive materials is growing for applications in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and microelectronic devices due to their ability to enable remote control via magnetic fields. This work studies an alloy of iron and gallium, Galfenol (thin films), and its magnetostrictive properties on a nano scale, finding approaches to increase the magnetostriction coefficient of thin-film Galfenol in the magnetostrictive cantilever beam fabrication process. One goal of this work is to build a non-direct contact micro actuator for use as a drug delivery device to the human eye, using Galfenol as the magnetostrictive material.
Paul Tillich’s Pantheon of Theisms: An Invitation to Think Theonomously

This essay explores the many different kinds of theism, and the tensions between these theisms, latent within Paul Tillich’s thought. Tillich’s ontological language for God is introduced, as are his primary names for God: esse ipsum or being-itself; the God-above-God; ultimate concern; and finally the ground, structure, abyss, depth, and power of being. Following this introduction, Tillich’s pantheon of theisms is considered within the context of more traditional language for expressing divinity, particularly employing the concepts of transcendence and immanence. Models of divinity considered are pantheism, panentheism, and dualism. The notion of an “ecstatic naturalism” is considered as a final option, which has precedent within Tillich’s writings in a rarely-cited book review that he wrote. This final option, not often considered by interpreters of Tillich, offers a lens through which to consider the pantheon of theisms within Tillich’s theology.
The Heating Effects of Dextran Coated Iron Oxides

The structural and quasi-static magnetic behaviors and the temperature rises of three Dextran-coated maghemite nanoparticles subjected to alternating magnetic field (AMF) were investigated for potential use in magnetic hyperthermia treatments. In order to elucidate the effect of the hydrodynamic particle size on the specific absorption rate, the temperature rises for various hydrodynamic particle sizes were investigated in AMFs of various strengths and frequencies. Structural characterization was performed using a TEM and a SEM as well as by dynamic light scattering, and the quasi-static magnetic hysteresis loops were measured using a VSM. The heating behavior is discussed in relation to the magnetic behavior and particle size. While it was found that the heating mechanism for the ferromagnetic particles was mainly magnetic hysteresis losses, Brownian relaxation losses also contributed to the heating.
A Content and Methodological Review of Articles Concerning Multiracial Issues in Six Major Counseling Journals.

This study describes a comprehensive content and methodological review of articles about multiracial issues in 6 journals related to counseling up to the year 2006. The authors summarize findings about the 18 articles that emerged from this review of the Journal of Counseling Psychology, Journal of Counseling & Development, The Counseling Psychologist, Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, and Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development. The authors specifically note trends in content and methodology as well as future directions for research.
School leadership practice and preparation: Comparative perspectives on organizational learning (OL), instructional leadership (IL) and culturally responsive practices (CRP)

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to utilize successful leadership practices drawn from seven nations to improve leadership preparation.Design/methodology/approach – This study used a case study approach to gain a contextualized understanding of successful leadership across seven nations. Data sources primarily featured interviews with principals, teachers, staff members, parents, and students. Cases were analyzed within and then across nations with regards to organizational learning (OL), instructional leadership (IL), and culturally responsive practices (CRP).Findings – The cross‐national analysis of successful leaders indicated emerging policy trends, demographic changes, similarities and differences among leaders, and recommendations for leadership preparation.Originality/value – This paper draws from successful practices in OL, IL and CRP in seven nations to make recommendations for improving leadership preparation.
Modeling heterogeneous sources on multiple time scales

We develop parameters and results for a set of traffic models which emulate the traffic patterns at the packet and buffer levels. We show that traffic models at these levels are dependent on the network capacity as well as source-induced bottlenecks such as buffer reads and writes. We propose a pragmatic approach which uses three variations of a simple two-state Markov superposition model to describe the buffer and packet level view of the traffic under different bottleneck conditions. We apply these models to actual network traffic sources as measured on a medical network and evaluate the impact of changing bottlenecks in network transfers. Our data and results emphasize the sensitivity of any traffic model to the underlying machine capabilities and the timescale of interest. These models can be used to characterize a wide range of traffic types, and allow relatively simple analytic and simulation implementation.
The Economics of Nested Names: Name Specificity, Reputations, and Price Premia

A good can be identified by its region or country of origin, the firm that produces it, and its product name. In other words, names can nest within each other to categorize goods with increasing specificity. This article develops a conceptual framework for jointly analyzing the effect of product, firm, and collective reputations on market price. The model is estimated via quantile regression with California wine market data. The results portray how the structure and relative importance of reputations change as product prices vary. Specifically, reputation premia migrate from collective to specific names as prices increase.
Modelling long‐distance seed dispersal in heterogeneous landscapes

Summary 1. Long-distance seed dispersal is difficult to measure, yet key to understanding plant population dynamics and community composition. 2. We used a spatially explicit model to predict the distribution of seeds dispersed long distances by birds into habitat patches of different shapes. All patches were the same type of habitat and size, but varied in shape. They occurred in eight experimental landscapes, each with five patches of four different shapes, 150 m apart in a matrix of mature forest. The model was parameterized with smallscale movement data collected from field observations of birds. In a previous study we validated the model by testing its predictions against observed patterns of seed dispersal in real landscapes with the same types and spatial configuration of patches as in the model. 3. Here we apply the model more broadly, examining how patch shape influences the probability of seed deposition by birds into patches, how dispersal kernels (distributions of dispersal distances) vary with patch shape and starting location, and how movement of seeds between patches is affected by patch shape. 4. The model predicts that patches with corridors or other narrow extensions receive higher numbers of seeds than patches without corridors or extensions. This pattern is explained by edgefollowing behaviour of birds. Dispersal distances are generally shorter in heterogeneous landscapes (containing patchy habitat) than in homogeneous landscapes, suggesting that patches divert the movement of seed dispersers, ‘holding’ them long enough to increase the probability of seed defecation in the patches. Dispersal kernels for seeds in homogeneous landscapes were smooth, whereas those in heterogenous landscapes were irregular. In both cases, long-distance (> 150 m) dispersal was surprisingly common, usually comprising approximately 50% of all dispersal events. 5. Synthesis . Landscape heterogeneity has a large influence on patterns of long-distance seed dispersal. Our results suggest that long-distance dispersal events can be predicted using spatially explicit modelling to scale-up local movements, placing them in a landscape context. Similar techniques are commonly used by landscape ecologists to model other types of movement; they offer much promise to the study of seed dispersal.
The Call to Public Service: Entrance, Learning, and Reflection

Books reviewed in this article: Richard P. Nathan, So You Want to Be in Government? Handbook for Appointed Officials in America's Governments Kenneth H. Ashworth, Caught between the Dog and the Fireplug, or, How to Survive Public Service O.C. McSwite, Invitation to Public Administration
Academic and commercial genetic testing laboratories: complementary if not complimentary

The new century has introduced a myriad of changes in the practice of clinical and laboratory genetics. As molecular diagnostics entered the mainstream of current medical practice, a number of academic genetic laboratories faced intense financial pressure and many succumbed. Although the entry of commercial laboratories into the genetic testing arena is one factor in this process, it is by no means the only one. Increased regulatory requirements, changes in funding sources for academic institutions, and the rise of large managed care organizations also have culpability. Many academic laboratory directors have expressed hostility toward commercial laboratories, both vocally at genetic meetings and in publications. This vitriol serves no one. Commercial laboratories are here to stay and, in fact, provide important services to American healthcare consumers by making esoteric molecular diagnostic testing widely available. Rather than throw stones at each other, it is time for academic and commercial laboratories to coexist and realize that each has strengths and, most importantly, that patients are best served by cooperation, not confrontation between these equally competent groups. This article examines the historical antecedents to the current conflictive situation and offers suggestions for collaborative efforts in the future.
Complications of Subspecialty Ophthalmic Care: Endophthalmitis after Intravitreal Injections of Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Medications

The use of medications directed against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling has revolutionized the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and many other retinal diseases in the last decade. However, the rapidly increasing use of these agents has led to a rise in treatment-associated complications. One of the most feared by patients and ophthalmologists is post-injection endophthalmitis, which can result in severe vision loss and, in rare cases, loss of the eye. The aim of this article is to review the incidence, clinical findings, risk factors, management, and visual outcomes in cases of endophthalmitis following intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF medications.
Assessment of resting insulin and leptin concentrations and their association with managerial and innate factors in horses.

The purpose of this study was to determine how insulin and leptin concentrations varied in a large population of privately owned horses. Further, the study was designed to examine the relationships between insulin and leptin with innate (sex, age, breed) and managerial (diet, exercise) factors in these horses. Resting blood samples (for determination of glucose, insulin, and leptin concentrations), body condition scores, feed information, and health history were collected from 366 privately owned horses. In this group of horses, 48% were considered overweight (Body Condition Score ≥6) and 8% were considered hyperinsulinemic (insulin concentrations >30 μU/mL). Confirming the findings of studies within research herds, both insulin and leptin concentrations were found to be correlated with body condition score (P < .001). It was also found that geldings had higher insulin concentrations than mares (P < .05). Ponies were found to have higher insulin and leptin concentrations as well as higher body condition scores, than several other breeds examined. While not a specific measure of insulin sensitivity, resting insulin concentrations have been associated with quantitative measurements of insulin sensitivity and may be useful in large-scale studies for estimating insulin and glucose dynamics. Because of the association between insulin resistance and obesity with diseases such as laminitis, the findings of the present study may help owners identify horses that may be at risk for the development of such conditions.
Accept/decline decision module for the liver simulated allocation model

Simulated allocation models (SAMs) are used to evaluate organ allocation policies. An important component of SAMs is a module that decides whether each potential recipient will accept an offered organ. The objective of this study was to develop and test accept-or-decline classifiers based on several machine-learning methods in an effort to improve the SAM for liver allocation. Feature selection and imbalance correction methods were tested and best approaches identified for application to organ transplant data. Then, we used 2011 liver match-run data to compare classifiers based on logistic regression, support vector machines, boosting, classification and regression trees, and Random Forests. Finally, because the accept-or-decline module will be embedded in a simulation model, we also developed an evaluation tool for comparing performance of predictors, which we call sample-path accuracy. The Random Forest method resulted in the smallest overall error rate, and boosting techniques had greater accuracy when both sensitivity and specificity were simultaneously considered important. Our comparisons show that no method dominates all others on all performance measures of interest. A logistic regression-based classifier is easy to implement and allows for pinpointing the contribution of each feature toward the probability of acceptance. Other methods we tested did not have a similar interpretation. The Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients decided to use the logistic regression-based accept-decline decision module in the next generation of liver SAM.
Recognizing retinal ganglion cells in the dark

Many neural circuits are composed of numerous distinct cell types that perform different operations on their inputs, and send their outputs to distinct targets. Therefore, a key step in understanding neural systems is to reliably distinguish cell types. An important example is the retina, for which present-day techniques for identifying cell types are accurate, but very labor-intensive. Here, we develop automated classifiers for functional identification of retinal ganglion cells, the output neurons of the retina, based solely on recorded voltage patterns on a large scale array. We use per-cell classifiers based on features extracted from electrophysiological images (spatiotemporal voltage waveforms) and interspike intervals (autocorrelations). These classifiers achieve high performance in distinguishing between the major ganglion cell classes of the primate retina, but fail in achieving the same accuracy in predicting cell polarities (ON vs. OFF). We then show how to use indicators of functional coupling within populations of ganglion cells (cross-correlation) to infer cell polarities with a matrix completion algorithm. This can result in accurate, fully automated methods for cell type classification.
AN EASY WAY TO REMOVE FOSSILS FROM SANDSTONES: DMSO DISAGGREGATION

Many sandstones (89 of 127 tested) disaggregate in warm dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO); no crushing is necessary and there is no known effect on minerals other than kaolinite. Fossils should be cleanly released from the sandstone matrix by gentle washing with water. Treatment is simple and relatively inexpensive. DMSO is not a serious chemical hazard or environmental problem (but see necessary precautions discussed later). Some sandstones disaggregate overnight; others require a month or so. It has been proven to work on some very hard, supposedly silica-cemented sandstones and on some carbonate-cemented concretions in sandstones. In general, disaggregation in DMSO appears to be associated with the presence of kaolinite (which is more abundant in non-marine depositional environments) and with the absence of deep burial or deformation. Even so, there is no way to predict the behavior of a given sandstone; susceptibility to disaggregation must be established by trial. This treatment should permit extraction of fossils without the extensive hand labor needed to mechanically remove the enclosing sandstone. It is applicable to phosphatic fossils such as bones or teeth and carbonate shells as well as any fossils replaced by minerals such as silica, apatite, pyrite, or carbonate. It is applicable at all size scales, and may be particularly useful for recovering fossils as small as a few millimeters in size, or fragile fossils that might be destroyed by other methods of extraction. Small bones and teeth have been recovered by using DMSO, but none of the sandstones tested contained fossils composed of carbonate. However, a few bioclastic, kaolinite-bearing limestones proved to disaggregate readily in DMSO, so although no calcareous shells have been …
Indian Gaming on Newly Acquired Lands

This symposium article examines the meaning of the term Indian lands - the lands that might become sites for Indian gaming-in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988. At its core, the term is unambiguous: it includes reservations and other lands that, at the time of IGRA's enactment, were held in trust by the United States for the benefit of American Indian nations. But Indian lands can include much more. Indeed, it is possible for real estate having only the most tenuous historical connections with a tribe (perhaps having no connections at all) to become Indian lands. The treatment of so-called newly acquired lands has potentially far-reaching economic consequences for American Indian nations, but also for non-Indian populations, which can share in the benefits of tribal economic development. Along the way, the article discusses the basics of IGRA, recent developments affecting newly acquired lands, and whether an expansive conception of Indian lands is a good thing.
Front Matter for: The Pursuit of Racial and Ethnic Equality in American Public Schools

This file includes the table of contents, foreword by James Ryan, and introduction by Kristi Bowman for a 24-chapter edited volume reflecting on the narrative arc of school desegregation. This volume is part of larger conversations about the significance of law, the importance of education, and the potential to reform educational institutions through law. Some of the contributing authors were parties to and attorneys in some of the most significant educational equality cases in U.S. History; many others are leading scholars in law, education, sociology, and public policy. They write from a diversity of perspectives and about a range of issues, and thus make the complexity of the past, present, and future of school desegregation come alive.
The DISCLOSE Act, Deliberation, and the First Amendment

The United States Supreme Court decided in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission that Congress may not prohibit spending on political speech by corporations. President Obama and several members of Congress have sharply criticized Citizens United, and Sen. Charles Schumer and Rep. Chris Van Hollen have proposed the DISCLOSE Act in response to the ruling. DISCLOSE mandates disclosure of corporate sources of independent spending on speech, putatively in the interest of shareholders and voters. However, it is unlikely that either shareholders or voters would be made better off by this legislation. Shareholders could demand and receive such disclosure without government mandates, given the efficiency of capital markets. The benefits of such disclosure for voters are likely less than assumed, while the costs are paid in chilled speech and in less rational public deliberation. DISCLOSE also prohibits speech by government contractors, TARP recipients, and companies managed by foreign nationals. The case for prohibiting speech by each of these groups seems flawed. In general, DISCLOSE exploits loopholes in Citizens United limits on government control of speech to contravene the spirit of that decision and the letter of the First Amendment.
Silicon Quantum Dots-Carbon Nanotube Composite as Anode Material for Lithium Ion Battery

Silicon is a very promising material for anodes of lithium ion batteries. It exhibits a high theoretical capacity of 3579 mAh/g. However, during the lithiation and de-lithiation, silicon materials experience up to a 300% volume change, leading to poor cyclability [1-2]. Research shows that reducing the silicon particle size can mitigate this problem. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) function well as electrode materials in electrolytic cells because of their high electrical conductivity and surface area. In this work, we combine silicon nanoparticles (Si NPs) and CNTs as anode materials. Si NPs are generated using a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition technique and their surface is modified with a 12-carbon long aliphatic chain to impart solubility in non-polar solvents. They are applied onto a nanotube-based layer using a wet-phase deposition technique. SEM and TEM analysis confirm that they form a conformal coating onto the nanotube surface. The CNTs - Si NPs composite active material is tested in half-cells where lithium foil acts as counter electrode. We have achieved an average of 810 mAh/g discharge capacity for composites with a CNTs to Si NPs weight ratio of 1:1. We expect to be able to increase the discharge capacity by increasing the Si NPs weight content.
Time Ni Hota Hai: time poverty and food security in the Kumaon hills, India

AbstractThis article investigates food and nutritional security (FNS) in a sub-Himalayan North India community, and argues that socio-spatial policies and practices naturalize a discourse that places women in a position where they are responsible for an inequitable share of both productive and reproductive labor. As a result, women are often unable to properly perform FNS practices. Paradoxically, insecurity increases when there is more agricultural labor and thus less time for food preparation, a notion itself that is productive of anxiety and further compounds poor FNS practices. NGO and government programs implicitly reinscribe these gendered labor burdens through exclusively targeting women, educating them to be ‘better’ housewives and mothers. While simple solutions and an educative approach were the dominant activities, these organizations also constitute the home as a delimiting social space for development and seek to empower women through livelihood diversification and employment activities. Whil...
The Maturation of Sexual Behavior in a New Strain of the Large Milkweed Bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus;

Mating behavior in the cashew-sunflower strain of Oncopeltus fasciatus (Dallas) is described. Both normal and castrated males kept at 30°C first become sexually active at 5 days of age, attacking females and other males. Male sex drive continues to increase until the 11th day, and can be intensified by isolation for 1 or 2 days. Females are passive except for marked avoidance behavior on the 1st day of age and become fully receptive by the 3rd day; a copulation on the 1st or 2nd day causes high early female mortality. Neither the developmental stage of the ovaries nor the presence of sperm in the spermatheca influences mating in the female. When mature, both sexes can copulate several times in 1 day; neither the duration of the previous copulation nor the occurrence of sperm transfer influences the time interval between copulations, male drive, or female receptivity. The probability of sperm transfer increases with copulation duration, which can vary from less than 1 to more than 10 hours. Copulation time tends to be unusually long with very young females and relatively short with castrate males. The variety of sexual behavior evolved in various Hemiptera is discussed.
Structure and Mechanism of Strength Enhancement in Interpenetrating Polymer Network Hydrogels

Hydrogels with high modulus and fracture strength are obtained by interpenetrating a tightly cross-linked poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) network with a loosely cross-linked poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) network. Small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering (SAXS/SANS) are used in conjunction with swelling measurements to determine the structure of PEG/PAA interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) and to measure the average PEG chain extension within the IPN. At pH 7.4, the PEG chains within the IPN are extended to 45–70% of their maximum achievable length as a result of expansion of the ionized PAA network within the IPN. Near these high extension ratios, the force required to further strain the PEG chains is increased due to the entropic effects of finite chain extensibility. This leads to PEG/PAA IPN hydrogels with a 3-fold increase in both compressive modulus and fracture strength compared to PEG single networks with the same polymer volume fraction. The structure, mechanical properties, and mechanisms of strength ...
Graft Polymerization of Anti-Fouling PEO Surfaces by Liquid-Free Initiated Chemical Vapor Deposition

Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), a biomedically important polymer, has been synthesized using a novel liquid-free initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) via a ring-opening cationic polymerization mechanism. In addition, a grafting scheme was used to graft polymerize PEO onto amine-terminated surfaces. FTIR, NMR, and XPS showed a stoichiometric match to linear PEO homopolymer. In addition, XPS confirmed the graft polymerization of PEO to amine anchors on silicon with a high graft density. XPS and GPC were used to measure independently the grafted polymer molecular weight that also showed a narrow weight distribution. The grafted iCVD PEO surfaces were effective in minimizing nonspecific protein adsorption using a fluorescently labeled bovine serum albumin assay.