cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A computational characterization of boron-oxygen multiple bonding in HN=CH-CH=CH-NH-BO.

Structures, relative energies, and bonding characteristics for various conformers of 3-imino-N-(oxoboryl)prop-1-en-1-amine, HN═CH−CH═CH−NH−BO, and the corresponding borocycle (−HN═CH−CH═CH−NH−B−)O are discussed using results from second-order Moller−Plesset (MP2) perturbation theory with the Dunning−Woon correlation-consistent cc-pVDZ, aug-cc-pVDZ, and cc-pVTZ basis sets. These MP2 results are compared to those from computationally efficient density functional theory (DFT) calculations using the LDA, PBE, TPSS, BLYP, B3LYP, BVP86, OLYP, O3LYP, and PBE1PBE functionals in conjunction with the economical Pople-type 6-311++G(d,p) basis set to evaluate the suitability of these DFT/6-311++G(d,p) levels for use with larger boron-containing systems. The effects of an aqueous environment were incorporated into the calculations using COSMO methodology. The calculated boron−oxygen bond lengths, orbital compositions, and bond orders in all the (acyclic) HN═CH−CH═CH−NH−BO conformers were consistent with the presence o...
Influences of cyclic nucleotides on outflow facility in the vervet monkey

Abstract Analogues of adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cyclic AMP), such as 8-methylthio cyclic AMP or dibutyryl cyclic AMP, administered into the anterior chamber of the vervet monkey eye, in vivo, cause a two-fold increase in outflow facility which lasts approximately 1 hr. Isoproterenol, given intracamerally, increases outflow facility, as demonstrated previously by other investigators. Intracameral pretreatment with isoproterenol prevents a further increase in outflow facility following a cyclic AMP analogue, perfused through the anterior chamber. Topical epinephrine also increases outflow facility as shown previously by other investigators. Topical pretreatment with epinephrine prevents a further increase in outflow facility following a cyclic AMP analogue, given intracamerally. These findings indicate that the primary action of catecholamines on outflow facility in the primate is mediated by cyclic AMP. To determine if the cholinergic action on outflow facility is mediated by an intracellular messenger, a potent analogue of guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate was tested and found to be ineffective. Perfusion of 8-methylthio cyclic AMP through the anterior chamber of the enucleated vervet monkey eye causes a decrease in outflow facility. These results, in vitro, are opposite to those observed in vivo and may be due to cyclic AMP-induced relaxation of the ciliary muscle.
Clinimetrics Corner: The Minimal Clinically Important Change Score (MCID): A Necessary Pretense

Minimal clinically important differences (MCID) are patient derived scores that reflect changes in a clinical intervention that are meaningful for the patient. At present, there are a number of different methods to obtain an MCID, as there a number of different factors that can influence the MCID value. This clinimetric corner outlines the hidden challenges associated with identifying a viable MCID and possible suggestions to improve the future development of these single scores.
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SPECIES RICHNESS, EVENNESS, AND ABUNDANCE IN A SOUTHWESTERN SAVANNA

Species richness and evenness are components of biological diversity that may or may not be correlated with one another and with patterns of species abundance. We compared these attributes among flowering plants, grasshoppers, butterflies, lizards, summer birds, winter birds, and rodents across 48 plots in the grasslands and mesquite-oak savannas of southeastern Arizona. Species richness and evenness were uncorrelated or weakly negatively correlated for each taxonomic group, supporting the conclusion that richness alone is an incomplete measure of diversity. In each case, richness was positively correlated with one or more measures of abundance. By contrast, evenness usually was negatively correlated with the abundance variables, reflecting the fact that plots with high evenness generally were those where all species present were about equally uncommon. Therefore richness, but not evenness, usually was a positive predictor of places of conservation value, if these are defined as places where species of interest are especially abundant. Species diversity was more positively correlated with evenness than with richness among grasshoppers and flowering plants, in contrast to the other taxonomic groups, and the positive correlations between richness and abundance were comparatively weak for grasshoppers and plants as well. Both of these differences can be attributed to the fact that assemblages of plants and grasshoppers were numerically dominated by small subsets of common species (grasses and certain spur-throated grasshoppers) whose abundances differed greatly among plots in ways unrelated to species richness of the groups as a whole.
Globalization, Americanization and Sarkozy's France

Globalization and Americanization have often been intertwined and interchanged in the French political discourse. This article explores whether and how the election of Sarkozy, and then of Obama, are transforming this equation. The French obsession with globalization and Americanization was temporarily appeased at the time of the 2007 election, which enabled Sarkozy to come to power. Yet the French rapprochement with the US, at least on economic issues, is not so clear as has often been portrayed. However, the past couple of years have shown that globalization no longer equals Americanization. This should help mitigate the strains put on the Franco-American relationship by the world financial crisis.
Effects of releasing a generalist predator (Acari: Gaeolaelaps aculeifer) on a subterranean insect herbivore (Coleoptera: Diabrotica virgifera virgifera)

Enhancing biological control of soil-dwelling insect pests is desirable, but due to the nature of the subterranean environment, it is challenging to elucidate interactions between pests and their natural enemies. Western corn rootworms (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) are a major pest of maize, and the larvae can cause substantial damage to maize roots. Research has shown that numerous arthropods feed on rootworm immatures, and in some cases enhancing predator densities has led to rootworm suppression. We conducted a 2-yr field experiment and examined effects of releasing a predatory mite (Gaeolaelaps aculeifer) on densities of pest rootworms, root damage ratings, and plant growth parameters in conjunction with an insecticide control. In contrast to our expectations, larval rootworm incidence and root damage was generally higher in plots where mites were released. Differences in pest density and root damage did not translate into negative effects on plant biomass or grain yield at the end of the season, likely indicating that environmental conditions were favorable for plant compensation after rootworm damage. We also explored how rootworm and mite presence impacted densities of other soil invertebrates. Rootworm infestation had positive impacts on densities of carabid beetles and acarid mites during the time when rootworm eggs were hatching. Addition of predatory mites had both negative and positive effects on densities of soil invertebrates, with the latter potentially due to disruption of naturally-occurring biocontrol. This research indicates that the soil invertebrate community can impact densities of rootworm larvae and subsequent root damage.
Solubilization and Microemulsification of Chlorinated Solvents Using Direct Food Additive (Edible) Surfactants

Surfactant enhanced subsurface remediation is being evaluated as an innovative technology to expedite contaminant extraction from the subsurface. Regulatory approval of this technology will likely be enhanced by use of surfactants with FDA direct food additive status (“edible” surfactants). This research establishes edible surfactant systems capable of solubilizing (via micellar partitioning) and microemulsifying (via middle phase microemulsions) chlorinated solvents (PCE, TCE, and trans 1,2-DCE). Micellar partition coefficients with edible surfactants are observed to be comparable to values previously reported for other surfactants, with solubilization increasing aqueous concentrations by one to two orders of magnitude for the chlorinated organics. Middle phase microemulsion formation is dependent on surfactant structure and cosurfactant concentration. Solubility enhancement in the middle phase systems (microemulsification) is at least one to two orders of magnitude higher than solubilization for the same surfactant concentration, but is much more sensitive to the surfactant system and the contaminant. In addition, successful microemulsion formation is seen to be a function of ground-water temperature and hardness, indicating the need to consider these and additional factors for successful design and implementation of surfactant enhanced subsurface remediation. This research thus establishes a variety of edible surfactant systems that can significantly expedite subsurface remediation of chlorinated solvents, and illustrates the importance of proper selection and design of surfactant systems.
Extending reducer/augmenter theory into the emotion domain: The role of affect in regulating stimulation level

Abstract According to reducer/augmenter theory, augmenters are assumed to react to sensory stimuli with enhanced responsiveness, whereas reducers respond to the same stimuli with dampened responsiveness. Due to their generally understimulated condition, reducers are motivated to seek out stronger or more intense forms of sensory stimulation. When emotion is viewed as a source of stimulation, it becomes plausible to hypothesize that reducers and augmenters may differentially utilize their emotions to modulate stimulation level. Results from Study 1 show that, after a period of boredom, reducers chose more frequently than augmenters to participate in an arousing, emotion-induction experiment, even though they believed the experience would involve the induction of negative affect. Reducers also found the initial boredom-induction task to be significantly more boring and less interesting than the augmenters. Study 2 found that reducers were more likely than augmenters to engage in activities that have a higher probability of evoking emotion in their natural, ongoing lives. Reducers also exhibited episodes of stronger affect and more frequently novelty- and sensation-seeking in their ongoing natural lives than augmenters. Implications of these results for reducer/augmenter theory and for understanding the role of emotion in arousal regulation are discussed, and directions for future research are proposed.
Gonadotropin antagonist modulates courtship behavior in male red-sided garter snakes, Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis

Behavioral studies were used to investigate the central effects of chicken-I GnRH, chicken-II GnRH, and D-Phe2,6,Pro3-GnRH, a GnRH antagonist, on the courtship behavior of male red-sided garter snakes, Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injections of chicken-I or chicken-II GnRH had no effect on time spent courting or latency to court when experimental males were exposed to unmated females, or when experimental males were exposed to the female sex attractiveness pheromone. I.c.v. injections of D-Phe2,6,Pro3-GnRH caused a significant decrease in latency to court when experimental males were exposed to unmated females. When males injected with D-Phe2,6,Pro3-GnRH were exposed to the female sex attractiveness pheromone, it caused a significant increase in time spent courting compared to that in saline-injected controls. D-Phe2,6,Pro3-GnRH was not able to initiate courtship behavior during the nonbreeding season, indicating that courtship behavior is dependent on the interaction of multiple components. This study does demonstrate that a hormone or neuropeptide can modulate sexual behavior in garter snakes.
PRESENTATION ORDER BIAS IN CONSUMER PREFERENCE STUDIES ON SPONGE CAKES

Consumer preferences for sponge cakes containing low egg yolk with and without some stabilizing agents were determined. Consumers showed a strong bias in favor of samples presented second. If not allowed to retaste samples or if not given a warm-up sample, consumer panelists could have difficulty making preference judgments.
ECMP Enhances the Planarization Efficiency — a Phenomenon of Reverse Topography during Cu Removal

Planarization efficiency is a key parameter to evaluate the process effectiveness of CMP. When the Cu thickness was removed beyond the step height, under certain conditions, the recessed trenches become protruded, resulting in reverse topography. This reverse topography during bulk Cu removal can only be attributed to the low down force polishing, electrical driving Cu removal and Cu passivation mechanism in ECMP process. In this paper, the concept of reverse topography is introduced and the removal selectivity difference on the trench area and field area during bulk Cu removal is discussed. In ECMP, a “real” 100% planarization efficiency can be achieved when the Cu thickness removed is less than the trench step height. This new understanding in planarization efficiency sheds lights on ways to improve CMP productivity
Analog front-end architectures for high-speed PRML magnetic read channels

IC front-end architectures for a CMOS partial-response maximum likelihood magnetic read channel are re-examined. By organizing the front-end system components properly, several properties may be optimized; clock-recovery acquisition time can be minimized, sensitivity to ADC quantization noise may be reduced, and overall power and complexity may be minimized. Channel simulation reveals that efficient equalization may be carried out with an adaptive, continuous-time equalizer with only 4-poles, which increases drive packing densities over conventionally equalized channels. 1-/spl mu/m CMOS circuits necessary for realization of the desired 200 MHz front-end are designed, partially realized, and tested. >
A stereo vision based mapping algorithm for detecting inclines, drop-offs, and obstacles for safe local navigation

Mobile robots have to detect and handle a variety of potential hazards to navigate autonomously. We present a real-time stereo vision based mapping algorithm for identifying and modeling various hazards in urban environments - we focus on inclines, drop-offs, and obstacles. In our algorithm, stereo range data is used to construct a 3D model consisting of a point cloud with a 3D grid overlaid on top. A novel plane fitting algorithm is then used to segment the 3D model into distinct potentially traversable ground regions and fit planes to the regions. The planes and segments are analyzed to identify safe and unsafe regions and the information is captured in an annotated 2D grid map called a local safety map. The safety map can be used by wheeled mobile robots for planning safe paths in their local surroundings. We evaluate our algorithm comprehensively by testing it in varied environments and comparing the results to ground truth data.
Pore Size in Potato Starch

Silver crystals were produced in native potato starch by reduction from silver nitrate solution. The size of crystals ranged from less than 0.5 nm to 75 nm, in two distinct types of distribution. Considerations of nucleation and growth support the possibility that crystal size is an index of pore size. A model of free space distribution in the swollen starch grain relates lamellation of the grain to variations in the density of the starch substance.
Tailoring activated carbons for enhanced removal of natural organic matter from natural waters

Several pathways have been employed to systematically modify two granular activated carbons (GACs), F400 (coal-based) and Macro (wood-based), for examining adsorption of dissolved natural organic matter (DOM) from natural waters. A total of 24 activated carbons with different physical and chemical characteristics was produced. The impact of carbon treatment on the DOM adsorption was examined by conducting isotherm experiments at a neutral pH using the modified carbons and a DOM isolated from the influent to Myrtle Beach drinking water treatment plant in South Carolina (USA). Adsorption of the DOM by two activated carbon fibers, with relatively uniform pore size distributions, showed that only pores with widths larger than 1 nm were accessible to the DOM macromolecules. Increases in the carbon supermicropore and mesopore volume (i.e., >1 nm) increased the DOM uptake, if the surface chemistry was favorable. The isotherms normalized on a surface area basis showed the significance of carbon surface chemistry on the DOM uptake. At neutral pH, adsorption of negatively charged DOM molecules was favored by basic and positively charged surfaces, while the DOM uptake was minimized when the surface had acidic characteristics. High temperature ammonia treatment of oxidized carbons considerably enhanced the DOM uptake, mainly due to the increase in accessible surface area and surface basicity. Iron-impregnated carbons indicated an enhanced affinity of iron-laden carbon surface toward the DOM species, if the surface was not negatively charged.
Cognitive and mood changes in men undergoing intermittent combined androgen blockade for non-metastatic prostate cancer.

Purpose Men with PSA-only relapse of prostate cancer after primary therapy are generally fully functional and asymptomatic with a life expectancy of up to ten or more years. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a common treatment option. This study examined mood and cognitive changes in otherwise healthy men with prostate cancer prior to, during and after ADT.
Conversion of a porous material based on a MnII–TCNQF4 honeycomb net to a molecular magnet upon desolvation

Removal of methanol molecules from the interstices of a metal-organic framework based on a 2-D hexagonal MnII-TCNQF4 net results in stronger magnetic interactions and leads to a glassy magnetically ordered state; the magnetic behavior can be reversibly cycled upon solvation-desolvation of the material.
Psychometric evaluation of the medical outcomes study-sleep scale in persons with overactive bladder

Abstract Background: The Medical Outcomes Study-Sleep Scale (MOS-SS) is a commonly used self-reported instrument for assessing key constructs of sleep quality and quantity. Even though the MOS-SS has successfully undergone previous validation studies in the general population, it has not been evaluated in patients with overactive bladder (OAB). Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the applicability of the MOS-SS to persons with a diagnosis of OAB. Methods: This study was a follow-up to a national nested case-control survey designed to provide estimates of the prevalence of OAB in the United States. OAB patients (N = 363) who consented to participate were mailed a postal survey to assess OAB symptoms and health-related quality of life. Analyses were then undertaken to assess the psychometric properties of the MOS-SS in this OAB sample. Psychometric evaluation of the MOS-SS included construct validity, internal consistency reliability, correlation between domains, floor/ceiling effects, and an examination of the factor structure. Results were compared with the original validation population of the MOS-SS by Hays and Stewart (1992) . Results: Internal consistency, correlations between domains, and floor/ceiling effects were generally consistent with results from the original validation study. Factor loadings of the MOS-SS items, as well as tests of construct validity, were similar between persons with OAB and individuals in the original validation population. Conclusion: Psychometric evaluation conducted in this study supports the use of the MOS-SS instrument to assess sleep problems among persons with OAB.
Sharing one secret vs. sharing many secrets: tight bounds on the average improvement ratio

A secret sharing scheme is a method for distributing a secret among several parties in such a way that only qualified subsets of the parties can reconstruct it and unqualified subsets receive no information about the secret. A multi secret sharing scheme is the natural extension of a secret sharing scheme to the case in which many secrets need to be shared, each with respect to possibly different subsets of qualified parties. A multi secret sharing scheme can be trivially realized by realizing a secret sharing scheme for each of the secrets. A natural question in the area is whether this simple construction is the most efficient as well, and, if not, how much improvement is possible over it.
Altered Metabolite Exchange Between Subcellular Compartments in Intact Postischemic Rabbit Hearts

Abstract To examine metabolic regulation in postischemic hearts, we examined oxidative recycling of 13C within the glutamate pool (GLU) of intact rabbit hearts. Isolated hearts oxidized 2.5 mmol/L [2-13C]acetate during normal conditions (n=6) or during reperfusion after 10 minutes of ischemia (n=5). 13C-Nuclear magnetic resonance spectra were acquired every 1 minute. Kinetic analysis of 13C incorporation into GLU provided both tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle flux and the interconversion rate (F1) between the TCA cycle intermediate, α-ketoglutarate (α-KG), and the largely cytosolic GLU. The rate-pressure product in postischemic hearts was 46% of normal (P<.05). No difference in substrate utilization occurred between groups, with acetate accounting for 92% of the carbon units entering the TCA cycle at the citrate synthase step. TCA cycle flux in postischemic hearts was normal (normal hearts, 10.7 μmol·min−1·g−1; postischemic hearts, 9.4 μmol·min−1·g−1), whereas F1 was 72% lower at 2.9±0.4 versus 10.2±2.5 μmo...
Disk diffusion test interpretive criteria and quality control recommendations for testing linezolid (U-100766) and eperezolid (U-100592) with commercially prepared reagents.

Two new oxazolidinones were tested to determine interpretive susceptibility testing criteria for MIC and disk diffusion methods. Commercial lots of linezolid (formerly U-100766) and eperezolid (formerly U-100592) disks containing 30 microg of drug were tested against 728 isolates of bacteria with defined mechanisms of resistance. Results from linezolid were highlighted because of its choice for clinical development. By using preliminary pharmacokinetic data, a tentative susceptibility breakpoint of or = 21 mm ( or = 16 microg/ml) for resistance. Regression statistics demonstrated a high correlation coefficient (r > or = 0.98), and absolute categorical agreement between methods was obtained, when staphylococci and enterococci were tested with the cited criteria. When Streptococcus spp. (including S. pneumoniae) were tested, only the susceptibility breakpoint was suggested. Quality control (QC) guidelines for linezolid disk diffusion tests were established by a multilaboratory trial as follows: 27 to 31 mm for Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and 28 to 34 mm for S. pneumoniae ATCC 49619. More than 95% of all QC results were within these proposed ranges. Although not advanced to clinical trials, eperezolid demonstrated potency comparable to that of linezolid and had identical interpretive testing criteria. These preliminary interpretive criteria and QC limits (accepted by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards) should be applied to linezolid tests during the clinical-trial phases of oxazolidinone drug development in order to ensure test accuracy and reproducibility.
Nonlinear compensator design for active sliders to suppress head-disk spacing modulation in hard disk drives

As the slider's flying height (FH) continues to reduce in hard disk drives, the flying height modulation (FHM) due to disk morphology and interface instability caused by highly nonlinear attractive forces becomes significant. Based on the concept that the FH of a portion of the slider that carries the read/write element can be adjusted by a piezoelectric actuator located between the slider and suspension and that the FH can be measured by the use of the magnetic readback signal, a new 3-DOF analytic model and an observer-based nonlinear compensator are proposed to achieve ultralow FH with minimum modulation under short-range attractive forces. Numerical simulations show that the FHM due to disk waviness is effectively controlled and reduced.
Music rhythm characterization with application to workout-mix generation

In this paper, we present approaches to musical rhythm pattern extraction, rhythm-based music retrieval, and rhythm-synchronized music mixing. A probabilistic model is used to jointly estimate tempo and time signature as a basis for beat tracking and measure detection. A representative rhythm pattern is then extracted through clustering to characterize the rhythm of a song. Based on this, a probabilistic approach is used for retrieving songs with similar rhythmic patterns. These are then mixed rhythm-synchronously with transitions maintaining continuity and regularity of beats. We apply the presented methods into workout-mix generation, which aims at automatically selecting rhythmically similar music given a seed song and a user-defined tempo profile. Our probabilistic approaches achieve accuracies similar to best published results, but avoid manually tuned parameters and “fudge factors”.
A Retrospective Study of Visceral and Nonvisceral Hemangiosarcoma and Hemangiomas in Domestic Animals

Cases of hemangiosarcoma submitted to the Colorado State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory during a 6-year period were reviewed. Visceral hemangiosarcomas represent less than 2% of canine specimens submitted for histologic examination and nonvisceral hemangiosarcoma less than 1%. Most nonvisceral hemangiosarcomas of dogs occur in skin. Hemangiosarcomas are less common in cats and usually occur in skin. They are also rare in other animal species. Animals with nonvisceral hemangiosarcomas are usually mature; dogs and cats average 10 years of age. The tumors develop in many different locations, and there is no sex predilection. A wide variety of dog breeds are affected, but Italian greyhounds, greyhounds, and whippets are overrepresented. Clinical outcomes of 76 cases of nonvisceral hemangiosarcomas in dogs and cats were obtained from submitting veterinarians. Completeness of excision of a tumor is the most important factor that can be used in predicting clinical outcome for an affected dog or cat. In all cases in which the animals were clinically normal for at least 1 year after surgical removal of a nonvisceral hemangiosarcoma, the margins were reported to be free of neoplastic cells. Degree of differentiation, mitotic rate, size of tumor, and presence or absence of epidermal ulceration, mast cells, or solar elastosis did not correlate with clinical outcome.
A Determinant for Directionality of Organelle Transport in Drosophila Embryos

Abstract Background: Motor-driven transport along microtubules is a primary cellular mechanism for moving and positioning organelles. Many cargoes move bidirectionally by using both minus and plus end-directed motors. How such cargoes undergo controlled net transport is unresolved. Results: Using a combination of genetics, molecular biology, and biophysics, we have identified Halo, a novel regulator of lipid droplet transport in early Drosophila embryos. In embryos lacking Halo, net transport of lipid droplets, but not that of other cargoes, is specifically altered; net transport is minus-end directed at developmental stages when it is normally plus-end directed. This reversal is due to an altered balance of motion at the level of individual organelles; without Halo, travel distances and stall forces are reduced for plus-end and increased for minus-end motion. During development, halo mRNA is highly upregulated just as net plus-end transport is initiated (phase II), and its levels drop precipitously shortly before transport becomes minus-end directed (phase III). Exogenously provided Halo prevents the switch to net minus-end transport in phase III in wild-type embryos and induces net plus-end transport during phase II in halo mutant embryos. This mechanism of regulation is likely to be of general importance because the Drosophila genome encodes a family of related proteins with similar sequences, each transiently expressed in distinct domains. Conclusions: We conclude that Halo acts as a directionality determinant for embryonic droplet transport and is the first member of a new class of transport regulators.
Effects of Membrane Lipids on the Activity and Processivity of Purified γ-Secretase

The 19-transmembrane multisubunit γ-secretase complex generates the amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by intramembrane proteolysis of the β-amyloid precursor protein (APP). Despite substantial advances in elucidating how this protein complex functions, the effect of the local membrane lipid microenvironment on γ-secretase cleavage of substrates is still poorly understood. Using detergent-free proteoliposomes to reconstitute purified human γ-secretase, we examined the effects of fatty acyl (FA) chain length, saturation and double-bond isomerization, and membrane lipid polar headgroups on γ-secretase function. We analyzed γ-secretase activity and processivity [i.e., sequential cleavages in the APP transmembrane domain that convert longer Aβ species (e.g., Aβ46) into shorter ones (e.g., Aβ40)] by quantifying the APP intracellular domain (AICD) and various Aβ peptides, including via a bicine/urea gel system that detects multiple Aβ lengths. These assays revealed several trends. (1) Switching ...
You Can't Give My Name: Rethinking Witness Anonymity in Light of the United States and British Experience

This article discusses the use of anonymous witnesses in the United States and argues that under limited circumstances, witness anonymity does not violate the Confrontation Clause. The article then examines the use of anonymous witnesses in Britain under the Coroners and Justice Act (2009). The author suggests ways in which a defendant's right of confrontation can be further protected without forcing witnesses to disclose identifying information when anonymity will protect such witnesses from likely retaliation.
Do Women's Routes to Office Pass through Community and Interest Groups?

In this paper I investigate how party organizations and local community and interest groups affect women's political representation at the county level. I use unique data from my survey of thousands of county party leaders nationwide and my interviews with party actors to examine which specific types of non-party groups are politically active, and how much, how often, and in what ways they assist political parties and candidates. I test how each of these factors affects women's political representation and find that women's representation benefits from activity from only some non-party groups. I also test for differences in the effects of non-party group activity on Democratic and Republican female candidates, and find that the groups affecting women's representation differ by party in both expected and unexpected ways. For example, I find that the activities of women's groups have positive effects on Democratic women's representation but negative effects on Republican women's representation.
Das Sprachsystem B

Im Kapitel A haben wir eine einfache symbolische Sprache A entwickelt. Im Kapitel C werden wir eine erweiterte Sprache C konstruieren, die alle Zeichen von A enthalt (ausgenommen die Satzvariablen), aber daruber hinaus noch viele weitere Ausdrucksmittel.
Diaporthe Phaseolorum on Pepper Fruits

In September, 1932, and again in 1933, mature and green fruits of pepper (Capsicum annuum) in a garden in Columbia, Missouri, were attacked by a fungus which causes a black, leathery type of rot extending more rapidly longitudinally than laterally in the tissue, and producing long, rather narrow lesions. In old lesions the dead tissue becomes dry and bleached (fig. 1). Infection fre? quently appears to have originated at the calyx end. The lesions resemble, slightly, those resulting from infection by the anthracnose fungus, Glomerella cingulata, but difTer in the shape and color of the infected areas and in the pliable, leathery condition of in? vaded tissue.
Ceramic Microjet Cooling Device

This paper details the technology elements developed to design and manufacture a liquid microjet array cooling device, for thermal management of very high power dissipating electronic chips. Multilayer ceramic technology (MLC) is used to build the cooling device with microns size jet arrays, which include distributed return network for the spent fluid. Intertwined microchannel flow networks inside the cooler body distribute the flow in and out of the device. A cooler with 1600 jets and 1681 interstitial returns for the drains built using Glass Ceramic material is discussed. The device when tested with an 18 mm heated silicon chip and an average convection coefficient of 0.052 MW/m2 K demonstrated a cooling capability greater than 2.5 MW/m2 , with a water pressure drop of < 70 kPa. Further extension of the cooling capability to greater than 6 MW/m2 , as predicted by the simulation is also discussed.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Emotional arousal in interactions with stigmatized persons.

Goffman (1963) has argued that interactions between physically disabled and physically normal persons will be anxious and unanchored for both participants. This is supported by Richardson, et a1. (1961) who reported that the nonhandicapped person often does experience uncomfortableness and uncertainty when interacting with a physically stigmatized person and by Kleck, Hastorf, and Ono (1966) who found that Ss generated significantly greater GSR arousal when interacting with a physically disabled confederate than with a physically normal confederate. In the last study the self report of emotional arousal tended to parallel the GSR findings. A study conducted by the present author provides further data regarding felt emotional arousal in interactions among disabled-nondisabled Ss. As in the Kleck, er aL. (1966) study a physical disability was simulated through the use of a specially constructed wheel chair which allowed the same person to play the part of a physically normal person or a lefc leg amputee. In both studies no S ever suspected the deception but was informed of it at the end of the experimental sessions. Two confederates played the roles of the normal and disabled stimulus persons, and S interacted with each confederate on separate occasions. Each confederate appeared equally often in both roles across Ss. The confederates were age peers of Ss and underwent extensive training to ensure similarity of behavior in the two roles. The interaction context was identical for the handicapped and the nonhandicapped conditions. The confederate and S were asked ro describe themselves and several of their attitudes to the other person. Ss were 15 male high school srudents who were paid for their participation. The primary data were 16-mm. films of Ss interacting with the confederates. These data are currently under analysis and will be reported later. Results of analyzing replies to a post-experimental question in which S was asked to describe on a seven-point scale, ranging from "very" to "not at all," how "emotionally comfortable" he felt in the interaction with the confederates are reported here. As was expected, Ss reported less emotional comfort when interacting with the physically disabled confederate (t = 2.39, df = 14, p < .05). Goffman (1963) has termed such uneasiness the "pathology of interaction." Its antecedents in interactions involving the physically stigmatized merit further
Extended x-ray-absorption fine-structure study of Y 3 + and Sr 2 + impurities in Ca F 2

The extended x-ray-absorption fine-structure technique has been used to measure lattice relaxation around ${\mathrm{Sr}}^{2+}$ and ${\mathrm{Y}}^{3+}$ impurities in a Ca${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$ host. In both cases the impurity near-neighbor anion bond length is much closer to that in the respective compound (Sr${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$ and Y${\mathrm{F}}_{3}$) than that of Ca${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$. Radial distribution curves for 1 and 6 mol% Y:Ca${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$ suggest no change in the ${\mathrm{Y}}^{3+}$ near-neighbor environment for concentrations $c$, $0.01\ensuremath{\le}c\ensuremath{\le}0.06$, and therefore lend no support to proposed defect-cluster models for Y:Ca${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$.
The weaponization of Ebola: A new risk in the wake of an outbreak?

ABSTRACTIn 2014, the world saw an unprecedented outbreak of Ebola that spanned several countries, including the United States. Considered a highly contagious, extremely virulent bioterrorism agent, the introduction of Ebola within U.S. borders uncovered myriad deficiencies in emergency response and preparedness, international travel policies and restrictions, and how the U.S. healthcare system handles such viral agents in infected individuals. This article explores the potential for the weaponization of Ebola, looking in particular at its plausibility for use in a bioterrorism attack. After describing the epidemiology of Ebola and its classification as a bioterrorism agent, this article examines the risk of the weaponization of Ebola and delineates the weaknesses identified in the ability of the United States to handle Ebola cases during the 2014 outbreak, which could be exploited by terrorists to effectively execute a bioterrorism attack.
A review of the plant bug genus Campylomma Reuter from Indochina (Heteroptera: Miridae: Phylinae: Nasocorini), with description of a new species cryptically inhabiting Macaranga bracts (Euphorbiaceae) in Thailand

The nasocorine plant bug genus Campylomma Reuter from Indochina is reviewed. Nine species are currently recognized, including a new species very recently discovered from Krabi and Phang Nga, S. Thailand, C. seunghwani, which is described and figured, with discussion on its peculiar habitat preference on Macaranga tree. A key to all species reported from Indochina is provided; this key now enables workers to unequivocally distinguish both sexes of several taxonomically confused members. An annotated checklist including host and distribution records is also presented.
Physicians' and patients' views of cancer care by family physicians: A report from the American Academy of Family Physicians National Research Network

Background and Objectives: There has been little research describing the role of family physicians in the care of patients with an active diagnosis of cancer. Methods: Using qualitative methods, we interviewed 15 family physicians and 15 of their cancer patients. We asked physicians about care of cancer patients in general and of the specific patient included in this study. Patient interviews focused on the role their family physician played in their care and their satisfactions and frustrations with that care. Results: The physicians reported coordinating referrals, providing general medical care, helping with decisions, and providing emotional support. Their involvement was more intense at the time of diagnosis and near death. The patients gave similar responses and also said they valued clear explanations and spending time with and feeling comfortable with their family physicians. Conclusions: Family physicians fulfill a number of important roles in caring for their patients with an active diagnosis of cancer. More research using representative samples is needed to determine the generalizability of these findings, but this study gives us some preliminary insight into the role family physicians play in cancer care.
Single-Fraction Spine Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for the Treatment of Chordoma.

Purpose:Chordoma is a radioresistant tumor that presents a therapeutic challenge with spine involvement, as high doses of radiation are needed for local control while limiting dose to the spinal co...
Retrieving Hierarchical Syllabus Items for Exam Question Analysis

Educators, institutions, and certification agencies often want to know if students are being evaluated appropriately and completely with regard to a standard. To help educators understand if examinations are well-balanced or topically correct, we explore the challenge of classifying exam questions into a concept hierarchy.
Superconducting Properties and Microstructure of YBa2Cu3O7−δ/PrBa2Cu3O7−δ Superlattices

Epitaxial YBa2Cu3O7−δ/PrBa2Cu3O7−δ (YBCO/PBCO) superlattices are tools for systematic, fundamental studies of high-temperature superconductivity. The variation of T c in YBCO/PBCO superlattices can be understood as arising from changes in the interlayer phase coupling between YBCO layers that are highly two-dimensional when they are very thin (∼1–2 c-axis unit cells) and completely isolated from each other. Single-cell-thick YBCO layers, containing isolated pairs of Cu02 planes, are found to be superconducting at T c ∼ 20 K, in a PBCO matrix. The resistance in the superconducting transition region scales with temperature as expected for the (flux flow) resistance produced by thermally generated 2D vortices, or for a 2D array of superconducting weak links. Relative to both thin-film and singlecrystal HTSc specimens, the thin superconducting layers in YBCO/PBCO superlattices exhibit a greatly expanded temperature range over which characteristic 2D dissipation can be observed, as a consequence of the enhanced anisotropy and reduced dimensionality of the YBCO layers. Scanning tunneling microscope studies reveal that YBCO films and YBCO/PBCO superlattices grow unit cell-by-unit cell by a terraced-island growth mechanism. On miscut, near-(001) substrates the terraces are epitaxially aligned with the substrate crystal lattice and spiral growth structures (screw dislocation-mediated growth) are not seen. These observations explain the steps or “kinks” that are seen in cross-section Z-contrast TEM images of YBCO/PBCO superlattices. The kinks may correspond physically to regions where the supercurrent must tunnel along the c-axis, and thus may be weak-link barriers.
Synthesis of the methanesulfonates of α‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐α‐[1‐(2‐chlorophenyl)emenyl]‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐1‐ethanol and α‐[1‐(2‐chlorophenyl)ethenyl]‐α‐(2,4‐difluorophenyl)‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐1‐ethanol, alpha styryl carbinol antifungal agents

The methanesulfonates of (α-(4-chlorophenyl)-α-[1-(2-chlorophenyl)ethenyl]-1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-ethanol and α-[1-(2-chlorophenyl)ethenyl]-α-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-ethanol (1a, b) are orally effective α-styryl carbinol derivatives developed for the treatment and prevention of systemic fungal infections. Practical new processes amenable for the large-scale production of these compounds are described. Of note is the selection of dichlorostyrene as a convenient precursor of the styryl portion, modification of a sensitive Grignard addition into a realistic preparative reaction and the use of 1,2,4-triazole simultaneously as a base transfer agent and nucleophile.
Postural stabilization in cerebral palsy adults in response to combined support surface tilt and visual field motion

Introduction The relationship between visual field motion and intersegmental behavior during postural destabilization was explored. Individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) were separated through a rod and frame test into those with visual dependence (VD) or independence (VI) to determine whether reliance upon an allocentric reference frame alters the postural organization. We hypothesized that VD reduces intersegmental motion so that whole body responses reflect visual flow direction and velocity; VI would reflect visual flow parameters only at the head. Material and methods Eleven individuals (31 ± 10.5 years) with spastic CP who were VD and 11 with VI, and 18 VI individuals (32 ± 11.5 years) with typical development (TD), stood on either a stationary or 3° dorsiflexion tilted force platform within an immersive, 3-wall virtual environment. Subjects stood quietly for 30 s with eyes closed while the visual scene remained stationary or rotated 15°/s and 30°/s in the pitch-up or pitch-down directions. Motion analysis data were collected and strategies of segmental stabilization were identified with an anchoring index. Group differences and visual and platform conditions were examined with a mixed model, repeated measures ANOVA and simple contrasts (corrected α = 0.01) to determine the effect of condition against stationary visual field motion. Results Either platform or visual motion produced a head locked to upper trunk stabilizing strategy across all subjects (P = 0.015). When the supporting surface was tilted, VI individuals stabilized the thorax to the hip (P = 0.02) whereas VD individuals stabilized the thorax to global space (P = 0.0125). Discussion Both biomechanical and sensory environment motion evoked head to trunk stabilization. CP individuals with visual dependence stabilized the upper trunk to an allocentric rather than egocentric reference frame, thus increasing their potential for instability. Possible causes of an increased reliance on an allocentric frame of reference could be a perceptual inability to suppress external feedback, or diminished signals from internal feedback.
Five Answers on Philosophy of Logic

In this wide-ranging article Haack discusses the motivation for non-standard logics, with particular focus on fuzzy logic, long-standing questions about the meaning of truth and the philosophical significance of Tarski’s semantic theory, and both the history of the field, and its future.
Wind-Driven Formation of Ice Bridges in Straits.

New theoretical work predicts the conditions under which sea ice will clog a narrow channel to create a natural bridge across it.
Gujarat Agricultural Success In

India is ranked 67 out of 81 countries in the world with the poorest food security status (International Food Policy Research Institute’s Global Hunger Index, 2011). In the composite index of food insecurity of rural India, Gujarat is a star performer. In 2011, Gujarat registered high in food insecurity and it is amongst the top three worst affected states in India. This comes at a time when the last decade has celebrated the state’s 10 percent growth rate in agriculture.
Anticoagulation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Chronic Kidney Disease

The incidence of co-prevalent atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease (CKD) is steadily increasing in an aging population. Relative to patients with normal renal function, those with CKD have a higher risk of both stroke and bleeding complications in the context of atrial fibrillation. Hence, it is particularly important to carefully weigh the risks and benefits of anticoagulation and individualize therapy for each patient in this clinical situation. The advent of the newer direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) has been a significant advance in this field and greatly increases the therapeutic armamentarium of clinicians. However, their use should be undertaken cautiously in patients with renal impairment, as doses need adjustment based on renal function. Patients with stage 3 CKD had substantial representation in the pivotal randomized trials, and helpful post hoc subgroup analysis are available to guide the clinician. However, data for patients with stage 4 CKD are limited. For patients with end-stage kidney disease on dialysis, there is conflicting observational evidence regarding the overall benefits of anticoagulation because of higher baseline risks of mortality and bleeding. This chapter addresses the epidemiological perspectives of atrial fibrillation among patients with CKD, evaluates the strength of the evidence pertaining to the use of anticoagulants (warfarin and DOACs) in this population with a close consideration of risks versus benefits; and finally provides some pragmatic reflections for the clinician to consider incorporating in the management of their patients.
Utilization of a Fluorescent Dye Molecule as a Proton and Electron Reservoir

Fluorescent dyes have been widely utilized as chemical sensors and in photodynamic therapy, but exploitation of their redox-active nature in chemical reactions has remained mostly unexplored. This report describes the isolation of a 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY)-based radical. The redox-active nature of the BODIPY compound can be utilized in combination with a guanidine center, the basicity of which can be manipulated by greater than 14 pKa units, to promote the conversion of protons and electrons into H-atoms for transfer to substrate molecules.