cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oxidation of sulfur compounds and electron transport in Thiobacillus denitrificans.

Intact cells of Thiobacillus denitrificans catalyzed the oxidation of thiosulfate, sulfide and sulfite with nitrate or oxygen as the terminal acceptor. The anaerobic oxidation of thiosulfate, sulfide and sulfite was sensitive to the inhibitors of the flavoprotein system. Under aerobic conditions the oxidation of sulfide and sulfite was sensitive to these inhibitors but the thiosulfate oxidation was unaffected. Cyanide and azide inhibited the aerobic and anaerobic respiration when thiosulfate, sulfide or sulfite served as electron donors. The oxidation of thiosulfate by cell-free preparations was mediated by cytochromes of c, a and o-types. The cell-free extracts also catalyzed the oxidation of NADH and succinate, involving flavoproteins and b, c, a and o-type cytochromes. In addition, a cytochrome oxidase sensitive to cyanide and azide was also present.
On boundary value problems in differential-algebraic equations

For linear and nonlinear boundary value problems in DAE's, solvability is investigated. In particular, it is shown that only transferable DAE's lead to well-posed boundary value problems in their natural setting. For those problems, appropriate modifications of well-known ''ODE-methods'' are proposed. Further, some regularizations of non-transferable DAE's which are closely related to singular perturbations, are discussed.
Isolation of two hemorrhagic toxins from Crotalus basiliscus basiliscus (Mexican West coast rattlesnake) venom and their effect on blood clotting and complement

Abstract 1. 1. Two hemorrhagic toxins of mol. wt 27,000 (Bl) and 27.500 (B2) and pi 9.8 and 5.2 respectively were isolated from Crotalus basiliscus venom. 2. 2. The two proteinases did not cross-react antigenically. 3. 3. Both toxins caused hemorrhage in mice and each was capable of hydrolyzing hide powder azure, casein, collagen and fibrin. 4. 4. Bl hydrolyzed the Aga, Bgb and gg chains of fibrinogen. B2 hydrolyzed the Aa and Bgb chains of fibrinogen, but not the gg chain. 5. 5. Both proteinases inactivated guinea pig complement.
Fe2+-Mg2+ partition between coexisting cordierite and garnet ? a discussion of the experimental data

The partition of iron and magnesium between cordierite and garnet depends on \(P_{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}}\) as well as temperature. The apparently conflicting experimental data on the values of K D may be reconciled by considering the \(P_{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}}\) pertaining during the different experiments.
Estimating the costs and benefits of soil conservation in Europe

Abstract Economics is about problems of choice. In erosion control, both public authorities and private land users are faced with such problems. What is the impact of erosion, both on-site and off-site, and to what extent can this impact be quantified? If we conceptualize this impact in terms of sustainability, how can we compare one type of effect against another? The former question can be answered only by natural scientists, the latter by economists and other social scientists. Weighing different aspects of sustainability requires value judgments, and economists are sometimes accused of having a jaundiced view of reality, wrongly supposing that decisions are based on rationality and denying the importance of emotion. However, let us assume that there is some mileage to be gained out of attempting to estimate the cost of erosion in an economic sense—which consists of converting the various effects into a common denominator: euros. If we can predict the impact of erosion control measures on erosion rates, we can know the benefit of these measures. The cost also needs to be calculated, not in terms of money but in terms of resources expended (which could have been used for other purposes) and in terms of possible negative impacts of erosion control (for instance, increased use of herbicides in reduced-tillage systems). There are important other considerations which economists may study. Firstly, there is the comparison of present versus future costs and benefits: how much can we sacrifice today for higher sustainability tomorrow? Secondly, there is the issue of private versus public costs and benefits: how do the goals of private land users differ from (those of?) the public good, how can this help us to predict land users’ behaviour, and what incentives would be appropriate to make them behave in such a way as to maximize the public good? Thirdly, how do we deal with uncertainty and risk? These problems loomed large in a study to support an extended impact assessment for the EU Soil Thematic Strategy, in 2005. Whereas much research has been done on erosion and its impact, much of this is on a small scale. The extent of the problem on a national, let alone a continental or a global scale, is still poorly known. The paper discusses how these problems were faced, which is not the same as saying they were resolved.
Adduction of hemoglobin and albumin in vivo by metabolites of trichloroethylene, trichloroacetate, and dichloroacetate in rats and mice.

Abstract Adducts to macromolecules from trichloroethylene formed by in vivo and in vitro metabolism have been reported by many investigators. We examined the in vivo adduction of the blood proteins hemoglobin (Hb) and albumin in rats and mice dosed orally with [14C]trichloroethylene ([14C]TRI) to explore the development of a protein adduct biomarker of TRI exposure. We also examined the adduction of these two proteins from doses of [14C]trichloroacetate (TCA) and [14C]dichloroacetate (DCA), two metabolites of TRI. Association of label with albumin peaked at 4–8 hr in the rat (2480 nmol eq TRI/mg protein) and 2–4 hr in the mouse (1580 nmol eq TRI/mg protein). The decay was exponential with a half-life consistent with that of rat or mouse albumin (approx 24 hr). The time course of label with Hb was characterized by an early plateau at 8 hr in rat (28 nmol eq TRI/mg protein), 4 hr in mouse (7 nmol eq TRI/mg protein), and followed by a slow steady increase, peaking at 120 hr (54 nmol eq TRI/mg protein, rat; 38 nmol eq TRI/mg protein, mouse). This apparent binding was linear with dose in the rat, but was convex in the mouse albumin (mouse Hb label was below detection at low dose). We also found that a portion of the irreversibly associated label, referred to by previous investigators as “binding”, could be accounted for as metabolic incorporation of label into glycine and serine. The fraction accounted for by metabolic incorporation was constant in albumin (approximately 2 3 ), while in Hb, this portion was time dependent, approximately 30% at the early sampling time, 75% at the late time, implying the observed late increase could be accounted for by metabolic incorporation. TCA and DCA also formed Hb and albumin adducts. Portions of this binding was also due to metabolic incorporation. The pattern of the binding from TCA in albumin was different from that of TRI, implying a route to adduct from TRI which does not proceed through TCA.
Generation of dynamo magnetic fields in the primordial solar nebula

The present treatment of dynamo-generated magnetic fields in the primordial solar nebula proceeds in view of the ability of the combined action of Keplerian rotation and helical convention to generate, via alpha-omega dynamo, large-scale magnetic fields in those parts of the nebula with sufficiently high, gas-and magnetic field coupling electrical conductivity. Nebular gas electrical conductivity and the radial distribution of the local dynamo number are calculated for both a viscous-accretion disk model and the quiescent-minimum mass nebula. It is found that magnetic fields can be easily generated and maintained by alpha-omega dynamos occupying the inner and outer parts of the nebula.
Radiation control of refractories

X-ray and electron-x-ray methods of control are useful for detecting the main types of defects in refractories for MNLZ (continuous casting). The sensitivity of the control corresponds to the requirements of refractories. X-ray control of refractories may be carried out on the x-ray-television introscope RI-60TK and the electron-x-ray equipment ERGA-03. As a source of radiation we can use the RAP-150/300 apparatus.
X‐ray spectral observations of a solar active region corona

We study the X-ray flux and electron temperature variation of the corona above a solar active region. Electron temperatures are determined using data from the S xv channel of the Bragg crystal spectrometer (BCS) instrument on board the Yohkoh satellite. The active region, designated NOAA AR 7999, rotated from just inside the west solar limb to beyond the limb over the period December 2–4, 1996, allowing us to map the electron temperature as a function of height in the active region's corona. Consistent with previous findings, we find two components to the active region coronal temperature, with a hotter (Te ≳5.0 MK) component due to transient flares and microflares, and a cooler component present in between the times of the microflares. There is a steady decrease in the frequency of occurrence of flares and microflares as the occultation progresses, implying that the flaring structures are low lying. For the cool component, the average electron temperature is about 4.5 MK when the region is just inside the limb, and gradually decreases to under 3.0 MK as the region rotates around the limb, indicating that temperature decreases with height.
Value of advertising by food manufacturers as investment in intangible capital

We use Tobin's q model to investigate the impact of food manufacturers' advertising as an investment in intangible capital. Intangible capital value created by advertising relates to expected growth and economic rents derived from brand equity. We study the relations between advertising and firm value under varying economic and consumer food market conditions from 1973 to 1991. We find that food manufacturing firms' advertising activity is strongly related to intangible capital value during the high value-added food product proliferation of the 1980s, and during recessions, including the 1990 to 1991 recession when consumers resisted higher margin, branded food products. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The natural history of asymptomatic carotid artery occlusive lesions.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the long-term prognosis of patients with asymptomatic pressure-significant (hemodynamically significant) internal carotid system lesions. Of 640 neurologically asymptomatic patients, 292 had pressure-significant internal carotid artery occlusive lesions as determined by ocular pneumoplethysmography, while 348 had a carotid bruit only without a pressure-significant lesion. The annual stroke rate for the first three years on a Kaplan-Meier life-table basis was 3.4% and 1.5% in the abnormal and normal ocular pneumoplethysmography groups, respectively, as compared with a rate of 0.5% in a normal age- and sex-matched population. The annual total event rate (transient ischemic attack and stroke) was 5.2% in the abnormal vs 2.3% in the normal group, with 56% of all events ipsilateral to the ocular pneumoplethysmography abnormality. These results indicate that patients with asymptomatic pressure-significant carotid system occlusive lesions are at greater risk for stroke than a normal ocular pneumoplethysmography group (twofold) and a general population (sevenfold). (JAMA1987;258:2704-2707)
Controllability questions for nonlinear systems in abstract spaces

In abstract spaces, we consider certain constrained controllability and approximate controllability properties of a nonlinear system that can be deduced from various controllability properties of its associated linear system. Several examples involving partial differential operators and functional delay operators are given to illustrate the theory.
Disregulated alcohol-related behavior among college drinkers: Associations with protective behaviors, personality, and drinking motives

Objective: This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Disregulated Alcohol-Related Behaviors Inventory (DARBI), a measure of harmful alcohol-related behavior, and the relationship between protective behavior use and scores on the DARBI and several other measures. Participants: Participants were 281 undergraduate volunteers (60% female) enrolled in introductory psychology sections in Summer and Fall 2007. Methods: Participants completed the DARBI along with paper-and-pencil self-report measures of broad personality domains, trait resilience, protective behavior use, and drinking motivations and consequences. Results: The DARBI's internal consistency was good (alpha = .85). DARBI scores correlated negatively with conscientiousness scores but positively with neuroticism, the Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST), Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index (RAPI), and positive-reinforcement motives scores. The self-reported use of protective behaviors related negatively to DARBI, MAST, RAPI, and enhancement motives scores. Protective behavior use was unrelated to broad personality domains. Conclusions: The DARBI may prove a useful tool in campus interventions. Further research should determine the dispositional and situational determinants of protective behavior use. Language: en
The association of in vitro arachidonic acid responsiveness and plasma thromboxane levels with early platelet deposition on the luminal surface of small-diameter grafts.

Abstract The response of canine platelets to arachidonic acid (AA) stimulation was studied as a predictor of thrombotic potential. Fifty mongrel dogs underwent in vitro platelet aggregation studies with adenosine diphosphate (ADP), collagen, and AA used as inducing agents. Thirty-two dogs were selected on the basis of their response to AA stimulation. Platelet aggregation in response to AA stimulation occurred in 16 (responders) and 16 showed no aggregatory response (nonresponders). The animals were divided into four groups. Group I received no antiplatelet agents (control); group II received U-63,557A, a specific thromboxane synthetase inhibitor (TSI); group III received aspirin; and group IV received aspirin and TSI. Polytetrafluoroethylene grafts were implanted in the carotid and femoral arteries of the dogs in all four groups. Plasma thromboxane (TxB 2 ) levels were drawn before drug treatment and 4 weeks after surgery. Platelet deposition on the luminal surface of the implanted grafts was studied in vivo with a technique that uses both 111 In-labeled platelets and 99m Tc-labeled red blood cells and was expressed as percentage of indium excess (%IE). Group I (control) dogs whose platelets aggregated in response to AA stimulation had significantly higher 24-hour platelet deposition (%IE) on the luminal surface of implanted grafts (p 2 levels (p 2 levels. Pharmacologic platelet inhibition by use of aspirin (groups III and IV) effectively transformed AA responders into AA nonresponders as manifested by lowering the 24-hour platelet deposition (%IE) and increasing the 4-week patency to a value similar to AA nonresponders. This study confirms that the in vitro platelet response to AA stimulation is the best method for determining the endogenous thrombotic potential of canine arteries and correlates well with plasma TxB 2 levels and 24-hour in vivo platelet deposition studies. (J VASC SURG 1988;7:554-61.)
Initial development of a superconducting crystal x-ray and gamma-ray spectrometer

Superconducting tunnel junctions can be used as high resolution x-ray and gamma-ray detectors. Until recently, most results were from detectors that consisted of niobium and aluminum thin films deposited on insulating substrates. Typically Nb films with thicknesses of several hundred nanometers are used as absorbers. These thin film devices inherently suffer from poor quantum efficiency. To increase this efficiency a foil or a single crystal, which can be thicker and can have a larger area than the thin films, can be used as the superconducting absorber. We are working on using ultra-pure, high-Z, superconducting crystals as the x-ray and gamma-ray absorbers. We are planning to fabricate a detector which uses a 10 micrometer-thick Ta crystal as the absorber, which will have a quantum efficiency of greater than 99% at 6 keV. As a test of the different processing steps we fabricated Al/AlOx/Al superconducting tunnel junctions on top of a 30 micrometer thick Al foil. In this paper several of the fabrication issues involved are presented as well as the first results from the Al foil test devices.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Learning Spatial Dimensions with a Visual Sensory Aid: Molyneux Revisited

The relationship between sensory aid research and several areas of perceptual learning has been explored with five experiments on learning the use of the Binaural Sensory Aid, an electronic sensor in which pitch specifies distance and interaural amplitude difference (IAD) specifies direction. The training task required reaching to objects in near space, with tactile error feedback. Perceptual learning for both dimensions was demonstrated within 72 trials, giving a level of performance comparable to the use of a natural sound source, although performance with the direction cue did not reach asymptote until a second training session. Training was unaffected by various kinds of regularity in the spatial target sequences, or by a reduction in the number of spatial target locations until only two locations were used; at this point directional accuracy declines. Training only one dimension at a time did not produce additional improvement of performance on that dimension, but did impair generalization of the direction cue. Learning of the pitch-distance dimension was generally better than that of the IAD dimension, possibly because of its greater discriminability with this device. Generally, the pattern of results indicates that in learning to use such devices subjects readily determine the sensory dimensions of the codes and have considerable ability to generalize to new locations.
Ca2+- or Mg2+-stimulated ATPase activity in bullfrog spinal nerve: relation to Ca2+ requirements for fast axonal transport.

: Adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity stimulated by Ca2+ or Mg2+ was characterized in spinal nerve and spinal sensory ganglion of bullfrog. Enzyme activity of homogenates from both sources reached a maximum at a 1-2 mM concentration of either cation, although the level of maximal activity in nerve trunks was approximately twice that in ganglia. Enzyme activation was not observed with 2 mM-Sr2+ or Ba2+, Co2+ or Mn2+, at 2 mM, depressed Ca2+ activation of the enzyme by 50-60% in nerve but had no inhibitory effect on ganglia activity. In intact spinal gangliodspinal nerve preparations, incubated for 20 h in medium containing 0.2 mM-Co2+, no effect was detected on Ca2+/Mg2+ ATPase activity in ganglia or nerve trunks whereas fast axonal transport was inhibited by 80%. Incubation in medium containing 0.02 mM-Hg2+ depressed enzyme activity in ganglia by 64% and in nerve trunks by 44%, whereas fast transport was again inhibited by 80%. When only nerve trunks were exposed to these ions, Hg2+ but not Co2+ was observed to slow the rate of fast axonal transport. The divalent cation specificity of the Ca2+/Mg2+ ATPase activity is distinct from the ion specificities, determined in previous work, of the Ca2+ requirement during initiation of fast axonal transport in the soma, and of the Ca2+ requirement during translocation in the axon. Thus, previous observations of Ca2+-dependent events in fast axonal transport cannot be taken per se to suggest the involvement of Ca2+/Mg2+ ATPase in the transport process.
Microwave photonic filter based on optical comb and line-by-line optical pulse shaping

We demonstrate microwave photonic filters based on optical combs with large number of taps and more than 30-dB sidelobe suppression. We program and tune the filter's bandpass by utilizing line-by-line pulse shaping and optical delay.
Fluoropolymers for 157 nm Lithography: Performance of Single Layer Resists

Implementation of 157nm lithography using single-layer photoresists will require the development of resists with sufficiently high transparency in the vacuum ultraviolet to permit high resolution imaging using films approximately 200nm thick. One of the more promising approaches to this objective involves the use of fluoropolymers as the base resins in the photoresists, since fluorination decreases the optical absorbance at 157nm. Here we describe the optical properties and imaging performance of two fluoropolymer systems. One system is based upon tetrafluoroethylene copolymers, the other upon vinyl addition copolymers. Both systems incorporate norbornene derivatives to provide aqueous base (developer) solubility and plasma etch resistance.
A meta-analysis of treatment outcome for panic disorder

We compared the effectiveness of pharmacological, cognitive-behavioral, and combined pharmacological and cognitive-behavioral treatments in a meta-analysis of 43 controlled studies that included 76 treatment interventions. Cognitive-behavioral treatments yielded the highest mean effect sizes (ES = 0.68) relative to pharmacological (ES = 0.47) and combination treatments (ES = 0.56). In addition, the proportion of subjects who dropped out of cognitive-behavioral treatments was 5.6% relative to 19.8% in pharmacological treatments and 22.0% in combined treatments. Among cognitive-behavioral treatments, those studies that combined cognitive restructuring with interoceptive exposure yielded the strongest effect sizes (ES = 0.88). With regard to pharmacological treatments, there was no significant difference between antidepressants (ES = 0.55) and benzodiazepines (ES = 0.40). Long-term outcome analyses suggested that cognitive-behavioral interventions were the most successful at maintaining treatment gains. Cost analyses indicated that the lowest cost interventions were imipramine treatment and group cognitive-behavioral therapy. In general, cognitive-behavioral treatments yielded the largest effects sizes and the smallest attrition rates relative to pharmacotherapy and combined treatments, and are cost-effective.
Oxandrolone does not improve outcome of ventilator dependent surgical patients.

Background: Multisystem injury and major surgical stress result in a hypermetabolic state with accelerated breakdown of protein stores. Loss of lean muscle mass impairs wound healing, increases infection rates, and weakens respiratory musculature. Oxandrolone is an anabolic steroid that attenuates loss of lean body mass and improves wound healing in bum patients. We hypothesized that oxandrolone would improve outcome for ventilator-dependent surgical patients. Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oxandrolone therapy for surgical/trauma patients requiring >7 days of ventilation. The primary end point was time on the ventilator. Results: Forty-one patients were enrolled between January 1, 2001, and June 15, 2003, 18 received oxandrolone (10 mg po BID) and 23 received a placebo. Groups were comparable for age, gender, injury severity score, and APACHE II score. The majority were trauma patients (83%), and 90% received enteral feeding. The oxandrolone group received higher caloric and protein intake before enrollment, but these differences were not significant. Contrary to our hypothesis, patients receiving oxandrolone spent significantly longer time on the ventilator than the placebo group (mean 21.7 days vs. 16.4 days, P = 0.03). There was no difference in infectious complications, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or multiple organ failure scores. Patients receiving oxandrolone had a longer intensive care unit stay but no difference in total hospital stay. Conclusion: Ventilator-dependent surgical patients receiving oxandrolone had a more prolonged course of mechanical ventilation, suggesting that oxandrolone may be detrimental in this circumstance. Oxandrolone may enhance collagen deposition and fibrosis in the later stages of acute respiratory distress syndrome and thus prolong recovery.
Angiostatin-converting enzyme activities of human matrilysin (MMP-7) and gelatinase B/type IV collagenase (MMP-9)

Angiostatin is one of the most potent inhibitors of angiogenesis. Reports have shown that metalloelastase, pancreas elastase, plasmin reductase, and plasmin convert plasminogen to angiostatin. However, the cleavage sites of plasminogen by those enzymes have not been determined. Here we demonstrate that two members of the human matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family, matrilysin (MMP-7) and gelatinase B/type IV collagenase (MMP-9), hydrolyze human plasminogen to generate angiostatin fragments. The cleavage sites have been determined. The 58-kDa bands derived from plasminogen by MMP-7 and MMP-9 both have the N-terminal sequence KVYLSEXKTG, which corresponds to that of angiostatin. This N terminus is identical to that of the starting plasminogen itself and corresponds to residues 97-106 of prepro-plasminogen. The 42- and 38-kDa bands generated by MMP-7 both have the N-terminal sequence VVLLPNVETP, which corresponds to the amino acid sequence 467-476 of prepro-plasminogen, between kringle domain 4 and 5. MMP-9 cleaves plasminogen to generate a 42-kDa fragment with the N-terminal sequence PVVLLPNVE, 1 residue upstream of the MMP-7 cleavage site. These results indicate that MMP-7 and MMP-9 may regulate new blood vessel formation by cleaving plasminogen and generating angiostatin molecules.
Comparison of culture and insemination techniques for equine oocyte transfer

This study was designed to test 3 approaches for insemination and transfer of oocytes to recipient mares. Oocytes were recovered transvaginally from naturally cycling donor mares 24 to 26 h after an intravenous injection of 2500 IU of hCG when follicles reached 35 mm in diameter. Multiple oocytes (1 to 4) were transferred surgically into the oviducts of 4 or 5 recipient mares per group. Three groups of transfers were compared: 1) transfer of oocytes cultured in vitro for 12 to 14 h postcollection with insemination of the recipient 2 h postsurgery; 2) transfer of oocytes into the oviduct within 1 h of collection, with completion of oocyte maturation occurring within the oviduct, and insemination of the recipient 14 to 16 h postsurgery; and 3) transfer of spermatozoa and oocytes (cultured 12 to 14 h in vitro) into the oviduct. Numbers of embryos detected by Day 16 of gestation were not different (P>0. 1) for groups 1, 2, and 3 (57%, 43% and 27%). Therefore, equine oocytes successfully completed the final stages of maturation within the oviduct, and sperm deposited within the oviduct were capable of fertilizing oocytes.
Microporous carbon–nitrogen fibers from keratin fibers by pyrolysis

A two-step pyrolysis method was developed for poultry keratin fibers to convert them into high temperature resistant and adsorbent fibers while retaining their original physical appearance and affine dimensions. Nearly all accessible pores in the microporous pyrolyzed chicken feather fibers (PCFF) have a diameter less than 1 nm and could be used in applications, such as adsorption, hydrogen storage, and separation of small gas molecules. An intermolecular crosslinking mechanism in the first step of pyrolysis at 215°C for 24 h provided an intact fibrous structure with no subsequent melting. The second step of the pyrolysis at 400–450°C for 1 h resulted in a microporous material with a narrower pore size distribution than commercial activated carbons. Surface and bulk characterization techniques including XPS, total carbon–nitrogen, and FTIR were utilized to examine property changes occurring during the two pyrolysis steps. A partially cyclic carbon–nitrogen framework (carbon/nitrogen ratio = 2.38) supported by double and triple bonds, and oxygen functionalities is the suggested structural model for the PCFF. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Collective Identity and Informal Groups in Revolutionary Mobilization: East Germany in 1989

East Germany's unanticipated revolution in 1989 poses an interesting challenge to social movement research. The relatively spontaneous, peaceful revolution that toppled the communist regime cannot be fully explained by the prevailing theories of revolution and collective action. While both structurally oriented and identity-oriented theory offers insight into the revolutionary process, neither are completely satisfactory. Most theories assume a relatively open field of political contestation and conditions of relative social freedom that were absent in East Germany. I suggest a synthetic, historically specific approach in which collective identifies are situated with small-scale social networks. The crucial factors in making the revolution possible were shared grievances and the expectation of social solidarity. Though they were politically subordinated, ordinary East Germans expressed grievances and nurtured opposition in small circles of confidants. Reference to collective identities helped to mobilize and frame opposition in East Germany making a swift, unexpected revolution possible once the state began to founder
Psychometric properties of the sutter-eyberg student behavior inventory-revised with preschool children

This study evaluated the reliability and validity of a revised teacher rating scale of disruptive behavior with preschool-aged children. The Sutter-Eyberg Student Behavior Inventory-Revised (SESBI-R) was completed by teachers of 74 nonreferred preschoolers and 49 children referred for evaluation of behavior problems, age 3 to 6. Results of the study demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency, testrestest stability, and inter-teacher agreement, as well as the absence of systematic bias in scores over repeated administration. Analyses also showed no differences in SESBI-R scores by children's age, gender, or ethnicity. Evidence of convergent, discriminant, incremental, and discriminative validity was demonstrated, in addition to criterion validity for the factor scores of the SESBI-R. The results of this study suggest that the SESBI-R is a promising instrument for measuring classroom behavior problems in preschoolers.
Design of New Stable Radicals for Molecular Magnetic Materials

Abstract A series of new heterocyclic stable free radicals based on the thioaminyl fragment 1 was designed in order to introduce a x-delocalized spin to the rigid cores of mesogenic molecules. The design allows for preparation of calamitic and discotic liquid crystals. Computational analysis and first experimental results of the radicals (ESR) are presented.
The degrees of categorical theories with recursive models

We show that even for categorical theories, recursiveness of the models guarantees no information regarding the complexity of the theory. In particular, we show that every tt-degree reducible to 0(ω) contains both א1categorical and א0-categorical theories in finite languages all of whose countable models have recursive presentations.
Immunochemical behavior of tomato bushy stunt virus.

SummaryCrystalline bushy stunt virus behaves as a typical protein in its immunochemical reactions.
Consumer preferences for verified dairy cattle management practices in processed dairy products

A choice experiment was used to determine consumer value for three verified production processes for dairy cows used to produce milk for yogurt and ice cream. Willingness to pay for verified production process attributes varied for both yogurt and ice cream across attributes and verifying entity. Differences in willingness to pay by verification entity or across products may be due to inherent differences between yogurt and ice cream, consumer perception of verifiers being linked to specific attributes or products, and/or negative past media attention. Significant differences in consumer valuation for the verified attributes (relative to the product price levels) were found between yogurt and ice cream in all but one of the verified attributes investigated. Differences in consumer preferences for the production process attributes used on dairy cows were identified across products.
Bifurcation structure of nonlinear modal coupling in quartz crystal resonator exhibiting internal resonance

This paper introduces a new use of a quartz crystal resonator to achieve internal resonance via nonlinear coupling of multiple eigenmodes to the externally excited mode. Specifically, we investigated the bifurcation structure of the system in terms of the amplitude and frequency of the harmonic driving force. We found that near the frequency of internal resonance a bifurcation occurs in which the stable limit cycle destabilizes and generates an invariant two-dimensional torus in the phase space of the system. Motion on the torus is either quasiperiodic or phase locked, depending on the choice of parameters. In addition, more complex hysteretic behavior was observed than what occurs in the uncoupled Duffing system, due to the presence of the internally resonant modes.
Tail exponent estimation via broadband log density-quantile regression

Heavy tail probability distributions are important in many scientific disciplines such as hydrology, geology, and physics and therefore feature heavily in statistical practice. Rather than specifying a family of heavy-tailed distributions for a given application, it is more common to use a nonparametric approach, where the distributions are classified according to the tail behavior. Through the use of the logarithm of Parzen's density-quantile function, this work proposes a consistent, flexible estimator of the tail exponent. The approach we develop is based on a Fourier series estimator and allows for separate estimates of the left and right tail exponents. The theoretical properties for the tail exponent estimator are determined, and we also provide some results of independent interest that may be used to establish weak convergence of stochastic processes. We assess the practical performance of the method by exploring its finite sample properties in simulation studies. The overall performance is competitive with classical tail index estimators, and, in contrast, with these our method obtains somewhat better results in the case of lighter heavy-tailed distributions.
`Luck Talk` in celebrating the Chinese New Year

Abstract This study explores the Chinese New Year celebration in Hong Kong and Taiwan in which participants use ‘Luck Talk’, a coined term, during this cultural event. Three major categories were found that characterize the nature and the enactment of Luck Talk. They are: (a) the meaning of luck, (b) 4 types of speech acts believed to increase a person's good luck, and (c) 3 types of speech acts believed to counteract or reverse bad luck during the Chinese New Year event. The belief of good and bad luck is discussed in relations to the principle of yin and yang and the theory of relative relativism.
The intactness and orientation of acetylcholine receptor-rich membrane from Torpedo californica electric tissue.

Abstract By a mild and highly reproducible fractionation of Torpedo californica electric tissue, we prepared membrane which was 30 times enriched in nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR). This preparation was neither alkali-stripped nor reconstituted and consequently contained ν (43-kDa protein), which is associated with the cytoplasmic aspect of the receptor. We tested this membrane for the presence of sealed vesicles and determined the orientation of these vesicles by combining three methods. Two of these methods were based on the accessibilities, in the presence and absence of detergent, of the extracellular acetylcholine binding site to α-bungarotoxin and of the intracellular ν to trypsin. These two methods are specific for AChR-containing membrane. The third method was morphometry of electron micrographs, by which we estimated the proportion of sequestered membrane. These methods taken together indicated that approximately 45% of the AChR-containing membrane was in the form of leaky vesicles or sheets, 33% was sealed right-side-out vesicles, 11% was sealed inside-out vesicles, and 11% was sequestered within multilamellar or multivesicular vesicles. The complexity of this membrane needs to be taken into account in sidedness studies of the AChR.
On the dynamics of parabolic equations describing diffusion, convection and a chemical reaction

Abstract A tubular nonisothermal-nonadiabatic chemical reactor with a consecutive reactions described by a set of three nonlinear parabolic equations, shows a sequence of period-doubling bifurcations of a “limit cycle”. A numerical examination of the model reveals that complex periodic and irregular oscillations are possible. With increasing value of the Peclet number regular and irregular oscillations are suppressed and disappear. From the computed results may be informed that for reacting systems nonlinear parabolic equations may feature similar qualitative properties as the ordinary differential equations. The results of this numerical study may be used to explain turbulization of laminar flames.
A new assessment of the mid-1970s abrupt atmospheric temperature change in the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis and associated solar forcing implications

Based on the reanalysis data from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction and National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP–NCAR) and solar radio irradiance (SRI) at 10.7 cm wavelength obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction center, the abrupt temperature change in the mid-1970s and its possible association with solar irradiance variability have been investigated. The results show that a discontinuous abrupt change in the mid-1970s in the NCEP–NCAR reanalysis was observed in the tropical lower and middle stratospheric temperature. The shift in temperature and its timing agrees well with the climate regime shift discovered in the radiosonde observations (HadAT), European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Re-Analysis (ERA-40), and many previous studies and manifests a statistically significant change at the 95% confidence level. A corresponding change of the SRI was identified in the mid 1970s although the statistical t test value is not very high. The running correlation with a 21-year moving time window exhibits a strong positive correlation between the solar cycle and atmospheric temperature in the tropical stratosphere during the period of 1948–2007. However, the positive correlation was broken at the time of the mid-1970s abrupt change and two peak positive correlation points were observed in 1972 and 1982, respectively.
Real and nominal factors in the cyclical behavior of interest rates, output, and money

Abstract Short-term nominal interest rates, output, unemployment, monetary growth, and inflation are represented as functions of two common latent indices: a 'real' index that underlies co-movements in output and unemployment, and a ‘neutral’ index that is independent of output. A Fisherian interpretation of the real and neutral components of interest rates is provided under the assumption that anticipated inflation affects output primarily through its effect on real interest rates. Then, monthly time series on the real and neutral components of short-term treasury bill yields are constructed, and the cyclical behavior of these series is compared to the behavior of output and monetary growth.
Effectiveness of rhizobial strains on arrowleaf clover grown in acidic soil containing manganese

Abstract Arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum Savi) is an important forage legume in the southeastern U.S. but growth is limited on acidic soils. A glasshouse experiment was undertaken to assess growth of arrowleaf clover dependent on dinitrogen fixation under acidic soil conditions. Sixteen strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar irifolii were evaluated for effectiveness with arrowleaf clover and survival in soil at pH 5, 5.6 and 6.8. Effectiveness, as determined by dry matter yield, ranged from a high of 216 to a low of 80 mg plant−1 at pH 6.8 and from a high of 110 to a low of 60 mg plant−1 at pH 5.6. Effectiveness at pH S was similar to effectiveness at pH 5.6. There was a significant rhizobial strain by pH interaction on plant dry matter yield. Yield of arrowleaf clover dependent on mineral N declined only 22% due to reduced soil pH. Inoculated plants grown at pH 6.8, 5.6 and 5 contained tissue Mn concentrations of 194, 524 and 768 mg kg−1, respectively. Uninoculated plants supplied mineral N accumulated similar quantities of Mn. The population size of rhizobia in soil 5 months following harvest of the clover was dependent on the strain and pH, but populations of all strains exceeded 100 rhizobia g−1 soil.
Organizational capability, efficiency, and effectiveness in Major League Baseball: 1901–2002

Abstract Effective organizations need capabilities relevant to their missions and must manage those capabilities efficiently. We anticipate capability is more important in industries in which labor is highly paid, while efficiency is more important in industries in which labor is inexpensive. We explore the contributions of capability and efficiency to effectiveness for Major League Baseball teams from 1901 through 2002. Our analysis measures team capability using offensive and defensive statistics and uses Network Data Envelopment Analysis to derive efficiency scores to capture managerial performance. We define effectiveness as the team’s winning percentage. Both capability and efficiency are significant contributors to regular season effectiveness. Capability is more important. Finally, we examine the post-season performance of post-season teams between 1903 and 2002. Our analysis measures post-season performance based on the team’s winning percentage and that of its opponent. Post-season performance is unrelated to capability and managerial performance, accounting for about 1% of post-season success.
Modal characteristics of step-index concentric-core fiberguides of circular cross section.

An analysis was made of the modal properties of the step-index concentric-core fiberguide of circular cross section, which has found application in duplex (two-channel) transmission and in secure communications. The total number of modes capable of propagating in the guide and their longitudinal propagation constants were evaluated for a variety of geometrical parameters and operating conditions. The intensity variation across the guide’s cross section was also determined, and a criterion, the core-to-ring intensity ratio, was established to designate whether any mode is confined exclusively to the core region, to the ring region, or spread out significantly over both regions. Information about the distribution of each mode’s energy across a cross section is essential in determining the amount of cross talk present in a guide. It was also demonstrated that when the propagation constants for a core and a ring mode coincide a resonant transfer of energy takes place between the core and ring regions. This resonance condition is extremely sensitive to changes in normalized frequency and the radii.
Himalayan langurs: Temperate colobines

Abstract Four field studies of the langur monkey, Presbytis entellus , living in the Himalaya are compared, in order to uncover shared features of behavior and population structure that may be related to this habitat. Shared demographic characteristics include seasonality in mating and births, predominately multi-male troops at least during some times of the year, relatively large home ranges, low population densities with few intertroop encounters, and seasonal utilization of home ranges with distance maintenance between groups. Shared social characteristics include behavioral buffers against cold and inclement weather, fluctuation in male membership with greatest instability and lowest numbers during the mating season, a vocal repertoire marked by a unique vocalization of major importance in troop maintenance as well as alterations in the function of species-typical vocalizations, and variations in sexual behavior including variable expression of “typical” female headshake present, increased male initiation of sexual activity and a low incidence of female harrassment of sexual consorts. It is argued that while no single feature may be unique to Himalayan langur populations, the total cluster of features is, and can be related to climatic seasonality in the Himalayan temperate environment, the predominance of a multi-male group structure for some periods, and possibly genetic isolation.
Superconvergence for a mixed finite element method for elastic wave propagation in a plane domain

A higher order mixed finite element method is introduced to approximate the solution of wave propagation in a plane elastic medium. A quasi-projection analysis is given to obtain error estimates in Sobolev spaces of nonpositive index. Estimates are given for difference quotients for a spatially periodic problem and superconvergence results of the same type as those of Bramble and Schatz for Galerkin methods are derived.
Flipping the Light Switch

The behavior of animals is flexible and can change dramatically in response to the environment, nutritional state, or even age, among other factors. However, the neural basis of how external and internal cues modify innate behavior is not clearly understood. For example, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is inherently either attracted or repelled by vinegar depending on its concentration ( 1 ). And age changes the innate light avoidance behavior of young Drosophila larvae into light preference in older larvae ( 2 ). The behavioral switch may be an adaptation that occurs as older larvae leave their food source—and thus darkness—to search for a suitable population site in the light. On page 499 of this issue, Gong et al. ( 3 ) identify two pairs of neurons in the Drosophila larval brain that control behavioral switch.
Surface Complexation of Oxytetracycline by Magnetite: Effect of Solution Properties

Few studies have reported on the sorptive interactions of oxytetracycline (OTC), a veterinary antibiotic frequently detected in wastewater, surface water, and soils, with common Fe oxide minerals. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the sorption behavior of OTC on magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) as a function of different solution properties such as pH, ionic strength, and initial OTC concentration. Results indicated that sorption of OTC by magnetite was rapid and complete within 24 h. The effect of ionic strength on sorption was negligible at low OTC surface coverage. The sorption envelope indicated that with increasing pH, OTC sorption on Fe 3 O 4 decreased. Surface complexation modeling of magnetite–OTC interactions suggested the interactions of divalent anionic species of OTC with the magnetite surface. Four possible surface complexation reactions were postulated to explain the pH dependence of OTC sorption, indicating a rather complex potential sorption mechanism. Our results suggest that magnetite has the capability of immobilizing OTC in the environment, which may be of use to scientists in predicting the fate of OTC in Fe-oxide-rich soil.
Assessment about the measles elimination from cases and outbreaks, 2002-2007 - Assessment about the measles elimination -

Purpose : We assessed about the measles elimination in Korea according to analyzing national data on measles cases for 2002-2007. Methods : We estimated the effective reproduction number according to the proportion of imported cases and outbreak size. Results : Eleven cases, thirteen cases, six cases, six cases, 25 cases (60.0% were linked to 1 outbreak of 15 cases), and 180 cases (55.6% were linked 11 outbreaks of 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 5, 9, 9, 12, 50 cases) were reported in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively. In 2002-2007, R is 0.95 by imported case and 0.43 by outbreak sizes. In 2007, multiple chains of transmission occurred in hospital. Most of cases were below 4 ages and unvaccinated. We didn't find most of the infection source. Conclusion : We should prevent outbreak of susceptibility pocket like nosocomial infection, conduct reliable routine surveillance and epidemiological investigation to solve a problem of the measles elimination.