cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
AM1 and polarized-π frontier molecular orbital (PPFMO) studies of facial selectivity in hydrogen transfer to substituted adamantyl radicals

Fully optimized transition states for hydrogen transfer from methane and propene to substituted 2-adamantyl radicals were calculated using the AM1 molecular orbital method. Methane and propene were chosen to provide an early (propene) and a late (methane) transition state. For 5-substituted radicals (F, Cl, Ph, CH3, CF3) the enthalpic differences between syn and anti reactions was found to be small [<0·1 kcal mol−1 (1 kcal = 4·184 kJ)]. Other radicals with nitrogen or boron included directly in the adamantyl fragment showed greater selectivities, with aza substitution favoring syn and bora substitution favouring anti attack, as did the 4,9-difluoro derivative. The calculated selectivities are all in qualitative agreement with experimental results (where available) on bromine atom transfer. PPFMO calculations showed the polarization of the SOMO to be generally in accord with the AM1 results, whereas the polarization of the LUMO's was less indicative. The bond orders for the bonds syn and anti to the incipient CH bond in the adamantyl fragments indicated that the anti bonds were always weaker than those syn, in agreement with the suggestion by Cieplak that has been used to explain the experimental selectivities. However, the bond lengths of the incipient CH bonds are always shorter for the side of preferred attack, in apparent agreement with the suggestion by Anh.
Connectivism and Information Literacy: Moving From Learning Theory to Pedagogical Practice

Connectivism is an emerging learning theory positing that knowledge comprises networked relationships and that learning comprises the ability to successfully navigate through these networks. Successful pedagogical strategies involve the instructor helping students to identify, navigate, and evaluate information from their learning networks. Many principles of connectivism align with the information literacy standards of the Association for College and Research Libraries (ACRL). Librarian educators should consider connectivism learning theory when implementing pedagogical strategies in the network domains of students.
Modulus profiling of polymers

Abstract This paper reviews a new analytical apparatus which yields extremely useful information on mechanical property heterogeneities in polymers. The apparatus, which is based on extensive, but relatively simple, modifications of a commercial thermomechanical analyzer, is capable of obtaining greater than 20 quantitative tensile compliance measurements per millimetre of sample cross-section in less than an hour. Since the inverse of the tensile compliance is closely related to the more commonly measured tensile modulus, we refer to the technique as modulus profiling. A major application of the modulus profiling apparatus involves oxidation studies of polymers and a number of representative examples of its utility for such studies are described.
Status of neurology medical school education: Results of 2005 and 2012 clerkship director survey

Objective: To survey all US medical school clerkship directors (CDs) in neurology and to compare results from a similar survey in 2005. Methods: A survey was developed by a work group of the American Academy of Neurology Undergraduate Education Subcommittee, and sent to all neurology CDs listed in the American Academy of Neurology database. Comparisons were made to a similar 2005 survey. Results: Survey response rate was 73%. Neurology was required in 93% of responding schools. Duration of clerkships was 4 weeks in 74% and 3 weeks in 11%. Clerkships were taken in the third year in 56%, third or fourth year in 19%, and fourth year in 12%. Clerkship duration in 2012 was slightly shorter than in 2005 (fewer clerkships of ≥4 weeks, p = 0.125), but more clerkships have moved into the third year (fewer neurology clerkships during the fourth year, p = 0.051). Simulation training in lumbar punctures was available at 44% of schools, but only 2% of students attempted lumbar punctures on patients. CDs averaged 20% protected time, but reported that they needed at least 32%. Secretarial full-time equivalent was 0.50 or less in 71% of clerkships. Eighty-five percent of CDs were “very satisfied” or “somewhat satisfied,” but more than half experienced “burnout” and 35% had considered relinquishing their role. Conclusion: Trends in neurology undergraduate education since 2005 include shorter clerkships, migration into the third year, and increasing use of technology. CDs are generally satisfied, but report stressors, including inadequate protected time and departmental support.
Sex Effects on Evaluation

Prejudicial evaluation is often cited as an explanation for the apparent failure of competent women to achieve as much success as men have. In this paper we review research on the evaluation of the qualifications and performance of men and women, and research on attributions about the causes of performance. Although most of the studies reviewed show pro-male evaluation bias, contradictory evidence has also been found. Three factors affecting these research findings are discussed: (1) the level of inference required in the evaluation situation, (2) the effects of sex-rote incongruence, and (3) the effect of level of qualifications and performance involved.
Electromyography as a recording system for eyeblink conditioning with functional magnetic resonance imaging

This study was designed to develop a suitable method of recording eyeblink responses while conducting functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Given the complexity of this behavioral setup outside of the magnet, this study sought to adapt and further optimize an approach to eyeblink conditioning that would be suitable for conducting event-related fMRI experiments. This method involved the acquisition of electromyographic (EMG) signals from the orbicularis oculi of the right eye, which were subsequently amplified and converted into an optical signal outside of the head coil. This optical signal was converted back into an electrical signal once outside the magnet room. Electromyography (EMG)-detected eyeblinks were used to measure responses in a delay eyeblink conditioning paradigm. Our results indicate that: (1) electromyography is a sensitive method for the detection of eyeblinks during fMRI; (2) minimal interactions or artifacts of the EMG signal were created from the magnetic resonance pulse sequence; and (3) no electromyography-related artifacts were detected in the magnetic resonance images. Furthermore, an analysis of the functional data showed areas of activation that have previously been shown in positron emission tomography studies of human eyeblink conditioning. Our results support the strength of this behavioral setup as a suitable method to be used in association with fMRI.
Numerical simulation of matrix micro-cracking in short fiber reinforced polymer composites: Initiation and propagation

Abstract This paper presents a numerical simulation based analysis of micro-cracking in short fiber reinforced polymer composites. For this case, the conventional linear elastic fracture mechanics approach is shown not to be useful; instead, the Rice–Tracey ductile fracture model is shown to work well in the framework of the local approach to fracture. The model is first applied to the case of matrix cracking from the broken fiber end in a fiber fragmentation test of a single-fiber reinforced composite. The model predicts the measured conical crack path successfully, including the crack initiation angle and the kink formation as the crack propagates away from the fiber. Furthermore, the predicted dependence of the crack length on the nominal strain is found to be in qualitative agreement with measured data. Next the model is applied to micro-cracking in an aligned short fiber composite. The analysis predicts propagation of a matrix crack from the debonded fiber end towards the neighboring fiber at an oblique angle to the fiber axis. Before reaching the neighboring fiber, the crack is found to divert gradually towards the fiber axis. This behavior explains the so-called fiber-avoidance cracking mode reported in the literature. A parametric study is performed to reveal the dependence of the locally-averaged failure stress/strain on the fiber length and volume fraction.
A field study of bar-sponsored drink specials and their associations with patron intoxication.

Objective: The study examined associations between bar-sponsored drink specials and alcohol intoxication at the patron level. Method: Data were collected in a college bar district located in a large campus community in the southeastern United States. Random and self-selected samples of patrons were interviewed after exiting college bars at night on four different nights (N = 383). Anonymous interview and questionnaire data were collected as well as breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) readings. Results: Significant gender differences existed in patron drinking practices. Women were more likely to take advantage of drink specials, whereas men reported greater alcohol expenditures, consumed more drinks, and drank for longer periods of time. Gender differences in BrAC were very small and not meaningful. Patrons who did not take advantage of drink specials reported consuming more drinks before bar entry than patrons who did participate in these promotions. Participation in "all-you-can-drink" promotions was significantly associated with higher BrAC readings after adjusting for covariates and random effects attributable to drinking establishment. Other drink specials did not have significant associations with alcohol intoxication. Conclusions: The all-you-can-drink special may be the specific discounting practice with the greatest potential for boosting patron intoxication and thus may need to be a stronger focus of alcohol-control policies aimed at improving the beverage service of drinking establishments. Language: en
Voltage tunable four-color infrared detector using semiconductor superlattices

The versatility of quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) structures allows for voltage tunable detection. However, the existing designs generally suffer from limited range of tunability and substantial spectral cross-talk. In this work, we demonstrated a QWIP structure, which is capable of detecting four widely separated and narrowly peaked individual bands under different bias. The detection peaks range from mid-wavelength to long-wavelength and are centered at 4.5, 5.3, 8.3, and 10.4 μm, respectively, with Δλ/λ < 0.14. With f/1.2 optics, the detector is BLIP at 100K, 80K, 60K and 50K respectively for the increasing wavelengths. This four-color detector consists of two stacks of voltage tunable materials that are separated by a middle contact layer. Each material is designed to detect at two specific wavelengths depending on the bias polarity. In the present design, the upper stack switches between 5.3 μm and 10.4 μm, while the bottom stack switches between 4.5 μm and 8.3 μm. By applying different bias to the top and bottom contacts relative to the common middle contact, the optical signal for each color can be readout at the two contacts sequentially. The tunable material is made of repeated unit cells, and each unit cell contains two different superlattices separated by a thick barrier. Based on this design, the detection peaks can be randomly selected between 3 μm and 20 μm, and each peak can vary from narrow band to broadband. The present detector design thus improves the QWIP technology in multi-color detection.
Aldhelm's Diocese of Sherborne Bewestan Wuda

On the death of Haedde, bishop of the West-Saxons (676–705) with his see at Winchester (Ha), the West-Saxon diocese as then constituted was subdivided; in Freeman's words this was “the great ecclesiastical event of the reign of Ine,” king of Wessex from 688 to 726. The simplest, earliest and really most authoritative statement of the matter in general is that of Bede: Quo [Haeddi] defuncto, episcopatus prouinciae illius [Occidentalium Saxonum] in duas parrochias divisus est. Una data Daniheli,…altera Aldhelmo.
Influence of the Vapor Flux on Temperature, Density, and Abundance Distributions in a Multicomponent, Porous, Icy Body

We calculated the vapor flux of the icy components in the surface layer of a porous, short-period, Jupiter-class comet, in order to investigate the relationship of the observed relative molecular abundances in the coma with those in the nucleus. The model assumes a body containing one major ice component (H20) and up to three minor components of higher volatility (e.g., CO, CO2, CH3OH). The body's porous structure is modeled as a bundle of tubes with a given tortuosity and initially a constant pore diameter. The mass and energy equations for the different volatiles are solved simultaneously under appropiate boundary conditions. Heat is conducted by the matrix and carried by the vapors. The one-dimensional model includes radially inward and outward flowing vapor within the body, complete depletion of less volatile ices in outer layers, and recondensation of vapor in deeper, coller layers. As a result, we obtain the temperature and abundance distribution in the nucleus and the gas flux into the interior and into the coma for each of the volatiles at various positions in the orbit. The ratio of the gas flux of minor volatiles to that of H2) in the coma varies by several orders of magnitude throughout the orbit. Thus, the relative abundances of species observed in the coma are in most cases not the same as those in the nucleus. Results also indicate that it will be impossible to determine the relative abundances of ices more volatile than water from samples taken a few meters below the surface during a comet rendezvous mission. We made calculations for a wide range of different parameters, such as porosity, pore radius, and thermal conductivity of the matrix. To introduce the model we present typical results for a dust-free comet.
Empirical Bayes Confidence Intervals Based on Bootstrap Samples

Abstract Consider the model with data generated by the following two-stage process. First, a parameter θ is sampled from a prior distribution G, and then an observation is sampled from the conditional distribution f(y | θ). If the prior distribution is known, then the Bayes estimate under squared error loss is the posterior expectation of θ conditional on the data y. For example, if G is Gaussian with mean μ and variance τ2 and f(y | θ) is Gaussian with mean θ and variance σ2, then the posterior distribution is Gaussian with mean B μ + (1 – B)y and variance σ2(1 – B), where B = σ2/(σ2 + τ2). Inferences about θ are based on this distribution. We study the application of the bootstrap to situations where the prior must be estimated from the data (empirical Bayes methods). For this model, we observe data Y T = [Y 1, …, Y K]T, each independent Y K following the compound model described previously. As first shown by James and Stein (1961), setting each θk equal to its estimated posterior mean, where , and , pr...
IDEOLOGICAL CONFLICT IN AMERICAN POLITICAL CULTURE: THE DISCOURSE OF CIVIL SOCIETY AND AMERICAN NATIONAL NARRATIVES IN AMERICAN HISTORY TEXTBOOKS

Approaches to the sociology of culture have largely been constituted around the long tradition of functionalism in sociology. This has hampered the field greatly. Among other shortcomings, this intellectual foundation has led to a limited understanding of ideology and civil society, a conservative political orientation and an overdeterministic view of social action and the actor. In this paper, I explore and then apply a new approach to the sociology of culture, one that attempts to conceptualize more robustly the dynamics of ideology, ideological conflict and civil society. As part of this project, I endeavor to map out a critical cultural perspective that establishes a multidimensional understanding of the contingency of social action.
Tin-doped bismuth: An inhomogeneous superconductor

With the use of a high-sensitivity mutual-inductance bridge with a superconducting quantum-interference device detector, ac magnetic susceptibility and contactless resistivity measurements were made down to 12 mK to determine the nature of the zero-resistance transitions seen previously on samples of Sn-doped Bi. The results indicate that this system is not a bulk superconductor but, rather, an interesting example of an inhomogeneous superconductor consisting of segregated tin grains in a semimetallic matrix. Superconductivity originates at the tin sites and propagates via the proximity effect. The emerging superconducting network has a weakly coupled character and can be described reasonably well by a model of randomly distributed expanding superconducting spheres centered on the tin inclusions.
Biogenic and pedogenic controls on Si distributions and cycling in grasslands of the Santa Cruz soil chronosequence, California

Abstract Biogenic and pedogenic processes control silica cycling in grasslands growing on a soil chronosequence and dominated by strong seasonal variabilities of a Mediterranean climate. Shallow pore water Si, in spite of significant annual uptake and release by plant growth and dieback, exhibits only moderate seasonal fluctuations reflecting strong buffering from labile biogenic Si, dominated by phytoliths and by secondary pedogenic silicates. Long phytolith residence times (340–900 yrs) reflect the seasonally dry climate and high solute Si concentrations. Water-extractable Si is closely associated with Al, indicating seasonal precipitation and dissolution of a highly labile 1:1 hydroxyaluminosilicate (HAS), probably allophane, which transforms in deeper soil into fine grained, poorly crystalline kaolinite. Shallow plant roots extract greater proportions of biogenic Si and deeper plant roots larger amounts pedogenic Si. High pore water Ge/Si in late winter and spring reflects the reinforcing effects of plant fractionation and concurrent dissolution of Ge-enriched HAS. The same processes produce pore waters with depleted 30 Si/ 28 Si. In the summer and fall, Ge/Si declines and 30 Si/ 28 Si increases, reflecting the cessation of plant uptake, continued dissolution of soil phytoliths and re-precipitation of less soluble HAS. Si inputs from weathering (2–90 mmol m −2 yr −1 ) and losses from pore water discharge (18–68 mM m −2 yr −1 ) are comparable for individual soils, decline with soil age and are significantly less than amounts of Si annual cycled through the vegetation (42–171 mM m −2 yr −1 ). Mobile Si is generally balanced in the soils with upward bio-pumping by the shallow-rooted grasses efficiently competing against downward leaching and pore water discharge. Small net annual increases in Si in the present day soils could not have been maintained over the time scale represented by the chronosequence (65–225 yrs), implying past changes in environmental conditions.
Link-Journey Speed Estimation for Urban Arterial Performance Measurement Using Advance Loop Detector Data under Congested Conditions

AbstractTravel speed ties directly to travel time, so it is an important measure for quantifying arterial performance. However, accurately estimating link travel speed for urban arterials is difficult because of traffic fluctuations and stop-and-go conditions caused by signal control. This research proposes a two-step empirical approach to effectively estimate the link-journey speeds using only advance loop detector outputs. The first step is to estimate the spot speed on the basis of advance loop measurements using Athol’s algorithm. The robust regression technique can be used to calibrate the speed estimation parameter (or g-factor) in Athol’s algorithm. The second step is to use the proposed simplified speed estimation model to estimate the link speed using only the calculated loop-spot speed without any knowledge of signal timing plans. Traffic operations in the central business district of the City of Bellevue, Washington, are simulated in the VISSIM traffic simulation model. The test results show th...
On the History and Future of Sociolinguistic Data

Recordings of natural speech play a central role in the diverse subdisciplines of linguistics. The reliance on speech recordings is especially profound in sociolinguistics, where scholars have developed a range of techniques for eliciting and analyzing natural speech. However, sociolinguists have rarely focused explicitly on the storage, management, and preservation of their data – the interfaces to their data – and this lack of focus has had consequences for the advancement of the field. In this essay, I briefly review the history of datamanagement practices within sociolinguistics, insofar as these practices have been discussed in the literature. I then propose new ways to consider and approach natural speech recordings as data for sociolinguistic analysis and provide examples from the North Carolina Sociolinguistic Archive and Analysis Project, a Web-based digitization and preservation project, to highlight the analytical as well as theoretical benefits of more rigorous considerations of ‘data’ within sociolinguistics.
Airway obstruction caused by neck teratoma in an infant: Case report and literature review

Teratomas are congenital tumors that derive from all 3 germ layers. Most teratomas of the head and neck present in the pediatricage group. We report a case of a 5-month-old infant who presented with a teratoma showing possible obstruction of the airway. The tumor was successfully resected under general anesthesia. The postoperative course was uneventful, and she was fine at a 3-year follow-up.
Raymond Carver and the Ethos of Drinking

In Raymond Carver’s “Careful”, “Gazebo”, and “Chef’s House”, characters depend on the process of drinking as a paradigm to understand their lives. In these three stories, the characters rely upon alcohol as a solution to problems paradoxically caused by their addiction to alcohol.
A comparison of two scales for assessing health professional students’ attitude toward interprofessional learning

Rationale : The validated 19-item Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) is often used for assessing attitudes toward interprofessional education (IPE). The 12-item Interdisciplinary Education Perception Scale (IEPS), also used for this purpose, has not been validated among the professions of medicine, pharmacy, and physician assistants (PAs). The discriminatory ability of the two scales has not been directly compared. Comparison of the two will aid educators in selecting the optimal scale. Objective : To compare psychometric properties of the RIPLS and IEPS and to examine the ability of each scale to discriminate mean scores among student subgroups (gender, profession, seniority, and prior IPE exposure). Method : We conducted a cross-sectional (Qualtrics © ) survey (RIPLS and IEPS) of junior and senior students in medicine ( n =360), pharmacy ( n =360), and the PA profession ( n =106). Descriptive statistics were used to report aggregate mean scores of subgroups. The internal consistency of each scale was assessed using Cronbach’s α . Concurrent validity was measured by Pearson’s correlation coefficients. Independent-sample t -tests and analysis of variances (ANOVAs) were performed to assess the discriminatory ability of each scale. Cohen’s d effect sizes were calculated for all significant pair-wise comparisons. Results : Response rate was 82%. Cronbach’s α was 0.85 (RIPLS) and 0.91 (IEPS). The RIPLS discriminated scores by gender among junior students only, and scores by IPE exposure among all students. The IEPS distinguished score differences for the three professions among junior students and by prior IPE exposure for all three professions. Neither scale detected differences in mean scores by profession among all students or by level of training among the three professions. Conclusions : Neither the RIPLS nor the IEPS has greater discriminatory ability for detecting attitude differences among the student subgroups. Reason for differences may be explained by slightly different scale constructs. The RIPLS is designed to assess students’ own attitude toward interprofessional learning, while the IEPS discerns perceived attitudes about team collaboration for students’ own professions and may be more appropriate for more advanced students. Keywords: interprofessional education; health profession students’ attitudes; psychometrics; assessment; discriminatory ability; curriculum (Published: 2 December 2013) Citation: Med Educ Online 2013, 18 : 21885 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/meo.v18i0.21885
Report of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Two Sisters and Successful Treatment of Both

The authors report on 2 sisters with acute lymphoblastic leukemia diagnosed at age 30 months and 3.5 months. The younger one was referred 15 months after the first. The reason for reporting this case is family risk and also infant under 12 months, especially under 6 months, of age have extremely poor prognosis, but both sister are at present time on complete remission.
Faculae and the Solar Oblateness: A Summary

As is well known, Dicke and Goldenberg's 1966 solar oblateness observations pose a serious challenge to general relativity. If the optical oblateness Dicke and Goldenberg measured is mirrored in a true gravitational oblateness, then the non-Newtonian part of Mercury's perihelion advance cannot agree with Einstein's prediction based on general relativity. If Einstein's theory fails this experimental test, then the entire theory must be reexamined. In this presentation we wish to make the following point: As a means of measuring true gravitational oblateness, Dicke and Goldenberg's observations may be seriously contaminated by brightness variations on the surface of the sun. The arguments are presented in greater detail in papers by Ingersoll and Spiegel and by Chapman and Ingersoll. Replies to these arguments are contained in recent papers by Dicke.
Differential Responses of Brain, Gonad and Muscle Steroid Levels to Changes in Social Status and Sex in a Sequential and Bidirectional Hermaphroditic Fish

Sex steroids can both modulate and be modulated by behavior, and their actions are mediated by complex interactions among multiple hormone sources and targets. While gonadal steroids delivered via circulation can affect behavior, changes in local brain steroid synthesis also can modulate behavior. The relative steroid load across different tissues and the association of these levels with rates of behavior have not been well studied. The bluebanded goby (Lythrypnus dalli) is a sex changing fish in which social status determines sexual phenotype. We examined changes in steroid levels in brain, gonad and body muscle at either 24 hours or 6 days after social induction of protogynous sex change, and from individuals in stable social groups not undergoing sex change. For each tissue, we measured levels of estradiol (E2), testosterone (T) and 11-ketotestosterone (KT). Females had more T than males in the gonads, and more E2 in all tissues but there was no sex difference in KT. For both sexes, E2 was higher in the gonad than in other tissues while androgens were higher in the brain. During sex change, brain T levels dropped while brain KT increased, and brain E2 levels did not change. We found a positive relationship between androgens and aggression in the most dominant females but only when the male was removed from the social group. The results demonstrate that steroid levels are responsive to changes in the social environment, and that their concentrations vary in different tissues. Also, we suggest that rapid changes in brain androgen levels might be important in inducing behavioral and/or morphological changes associated with protogynous sex change.
Active and passive recovery from maximal aerobic capacity work.

Thirteen subjects performed two identical maximal aerobic capacity tasks on the bicycle ergometer, at one time recovering while sitting absolutely quiet and once while continuing to pedal at the same RPM against minimal resistance. The heart rate, oxygen-debt pay-off, and carbon-dioxide expulsion curves during recovery were established. Comparison of the Active and Passive recovery data showed no difference above their respective levels of return (“Zero” load pedaling or resting), except for substantially slower pay-off of the “lactic” part of the oxygen debt.
Facilitation of secondary visual evoked responses by stimulation of limbic structures.

Abstract Influences from the rhinencephalon upon the visual system were explored by studying the effects of conditioning stimulation of amygdala and hippocampus on photic evoked potentials in the lateral geniculate body and the striate cortex of the awake rabbit with implanted electrodes. The most outstanding result is an enhancement of secondary (long latency) cortical evoked responses by stimulation of amygdaloid nuclei and various loci within Ammon's horn.
Improving Science Education and Understanding through Editing Wikipedia

This paper describes a graduate-level class project centered on editing chemistry-related entries in Wikipedia. This project enables students to work collaboratively, explore advanced concepts in chemistry, and learn how to communicate science to a diverse audience, including the general public. The format and structure of the project is outlined and assessment metrics are discussed. A panel survey of current students provided an evaluation of the effectiveness of this project in contributing to the learning objectives of the course. Last, a discussion of the challenges involved in implementing this project is provided.
Effects of asperities on the van der Waals and electric double-layer interactions of two parallel flat plates

Abstract The role of geometric surface features on the van der Waals and electric double-layer interactions of two parallel flat plates is studied. Equations are developed using the Hamaker metod for van der Waals forces, and Derjaguin's method for electric double-layer forces. The surface features are limited to spherical and conical asperities which include truncated asperities as well. The importance of asperities in surface interactions is assessed by using the interaction ratio, defined as the ratio of the interaction energy of a sysem with an asperity to that of the system without one.
Clone and leaf position effects on Populus defoliation by leaf-cutting bees (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)

Abstract The effects of clone and leaf position within a shoot on percent defoliation by a leaf-cutting bee (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), were examined. Seven Populus clones ( Populus × euramericana ‘Norway’, ‘Robusta’, and ‘Imperial’; Populus × jackii ‘Northwest’; Populus fremontii var. wislizenii Wats. ‘Rio Grande’; Populus deltoides var. ‘Siouxland’; Populus deltoides × Populus nigra ‘Italica’-14271) were tested for their susceptibility to leaf-cutting bees. Defoliation measurements were taken for each individual leaf position for one shoot of each tree for four sampling periods. A two-way ANOVA was used to test for the effects of clone and leaf position on defoliation. There were significant differences among the clones. Leaf positions 7–9 were more heavily defoliated than any other leaf position. Leaf position preferred by leaf-cutting bees varied consistently among Populus clones.
The impact of supply shocks on exchange rates and interest rates: Does the Marshall-Lerner condition matter?

We examine the dynamic response of the exchange rate, the terms of trade and interest rates to supply shocks in a rational expectation (stochastic) environment. We establish the proposition that the Marshall-Lerner elasticity condition is sufficient to guarantee that an exogenous increase in real economic growth will appreciate the exchange rate, regardless of assumptions concerning market clearing and price flexibility. In specialized cases the traditional Marshall-Lerner condition is sufficient to establish propositions concerning exchange rate overshooting, the direction and magnitude of financial asset price movements and relative volatilities under flexible versus anticipatory pricing regimes.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Tentorial Meningiomas

Radical microsurgical resection is the procedure of choice for tentorial meningiomas. Despite advances in microsurgery, tentorial meningiomas continue to challenge surgeons and patients. To evaluate the response of tentorial meningiomas, we evaluated 41 patients who had Gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery during a 9 year period. Patient age varied from 32 to 79 years. Headache, trigeminal neuralgia, or facial paraesthesia were the most common presenting symptoms. Sensory deficits in the distribution of the trigeminal nerve were the most common finding. Eighteen patients (44%) had undergone between 1 and 5 (mean, 1.9) resections prior to radiosurgery; 23 had tumors diagnosed by neuroimaging. The average tumor diameter in this series was 20 mm. The maximum tumor dose varied from 24 to 40 Gy (mean, 30.5 Gy), and the tumor margin dose varied from 12 to 20 Gy (mean, 15.3 Gy). During the average follow-up interval of 3 years (range, 1-8 years), 19 patients had clinical improvement, 20 remained stable, and 2 patients deteriorated. Follow-up imaging showed a reduction in tumor size in 18 patients, no further tumor growth in 22, and an increase in tumor size in one (overall tumor control rate of 98%). Stereotactic radiosurgery using the Gamma Knife was a safe and effective primary or adjuvant treatment for patients with tentorial meningiomas.
Neural network based modeling of audible noise for high frequency injection based position estimation for PM synchronous motors at low and zero speed

In this paper, the relationship between injected voltages, audible noise and position estimation error is investigated for low speed high frequency injection based position sensorless control of PM synchronous motors. The modeling of noise is done using feed-forward neural network. The model is capable of predicting the audible noise. The proposed model can be used to perform optimization studies for sensitive applications where proper trade off studies between noise and speed/position estimation error is required.
Treatments using hot water instead of lactic acid reduce levels of aerobic bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae and reduce the prevalence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on preevisceration beef carcasses

Lactic acid has become the most commonly used organic acid for treatment of postevisceration beef carcasses. Many processors have also implemented 2% lactic acid washes on preevisceration carcasses. We previously demonstrated that hot water washing and steam vacuuming are effective carcass interventions. Because of the effectiveness of hot water, we compared its use with that of lactic acid as a preevisceration wash in a commercial setting. A commercial hot water carcass wash cabinet applying 74 degrees C (165 degrees F) water for 5.5 s reduced both aerobic plate counts and Enterobacteriaceae counts by 2.7 log CFU/100 cm2 on preevisceration carcasses. A commercial lactic acid spray cabinet that applied 2% L-lactic acid at approximately 42 degrees C (105 to 110 degrees F) to preevisceration carcasses reduced aerobic plate counts by 1.6 log CFU/100 cm2 and Enterobacteriaceae counts by 1.0 log CFU/100 cm2. When the two cabinets were in use sequentially, i.e., hot water followed by lactic acid, aerobic plate counts were reduced by 2.2 log CFU/100 cm2 and Enterobacteriaceae counts were reduced by 2.5 log CFU/100 cm2. Hot water treatments reduced Escherichia coli O157:H7 prevalence by 81%, and lactic acid treatments reduced E. coli O157:H7 prevalence by 35%, but the two treatments in combination produced a 79% reduction in E. coli O157:H7, a result that was no better than that achieved with hot water alone. These results suggest that hot water would be more beneficial than lactic acid for decontamination of preevisceration beef carcasses.
Are calcium oxalate crystals involved in the mechanism of acute renal failure in ethylene glycol poisoning

Introduction. Ethylene glycol (EG) poisoning often results in acute renal failure, particularly if treatment with fomepizole or ethanol is delayed because of late presentation or diagnosis. The mechanism has not been established but is thought to result from the production of a toxic metabolite. Methods. A literature review utilizing PubMed identified papers dealing with renal toxicity and EG or oxalate. The list of papers was culled to those relevant to the mechanism and treatment of the renal toxicity associated with either compound. Role of metabolites. Although the “aldehyde” metabolites of EG, glycolaldehyde, and glyoxalate, have been suggested as the metabolites responsible, recent studies have shown definitively that the accumulation of calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) crystals in kidney tissue produces renal tubular necrosis that leads to kidney failure. In vivo studies in EG-dosed rats have correlated the severity of renal damage with the total accumulation of COM crystals in kidney tissue. Stud...
Partial synchronization in populations of pulse-coupled oscillators.

I study the long-term behavior of populations of nonlinear oscillators with all-to-all, noninstantaneous, pulse coupling. With fast enough excitatory coupling both the fully synchronized and the asynchronous state are unstable. In this case individual units fire quasiperiodically even though the network as a whole shows a periodic firing pattern. The behavior of networks with three or more units is different in this regard from that of two-unit networks. With inhibitory coupling the network can break up into a variable number of fully synchronized clusters. For fast inhibition the number of clusters tends to be large, while the number of clusters is smaller for slow inhibition. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Functionalization of pristine graphene with perfluorophenyl azides

In this article, we highlight the recent work on the covalent functionalization of pristine graphene with perfluorophenyl azides (PFPAs). Three approaches were developed where PFPAs were employed to derivatize pristine graphene with well-defined functional groups, to fabricate graphene films and ribbons, and to generate patterned graphene structures by photolithography.
Probing the inner boundaries of Saturn’s A ring with the Iapetus −1:0 nodal bending wave

Abstract The Iapetus −1:0 nodal bending wave, the first spiral wave ever described in Saturn’s rings, has been seen again for the first time in 29 years. We demonstrate that it is in fact the nodal bending wave, not the 1:0 apsidal density wave as previously reported. We use wavelet analysis to determine the wavelength profile, thus deriving the surface density at every point in the region covered by the bending wave. This profile is consistent with surface densities measured from more localized spiral density waves in the outer Cassini Division and the inner and mid-A Ring, varying smoothly from the low values of the former to the higher values of the latter. Most remarkably, our analysis indicates that there is no significant change in surface density across the boundary between the outer Cassini Division and the inner-A ring, despite the very abrupt increase in optical depth and reflected brightness at this location. We consider anew the nature of the classically identified “inner edge of the A ring,” given that it does not appear to be correlated with any abrupt increase in surface density. There is an abrupt increase in surface density at the Pandora 5:4 density wave, ∼300 km outward of the A ring’s inner edge. Further study is needed to robustly interpret our findings in terms of particle properties and abundances, much less to explain the origins of the implied structure.
The Postwar Italian Economy: Achievements, Problems, and Prospects

W ITHIN the past year, the Italian government has revealed a tenyear program, known as the Vanoni Plan, for the development of the Italian economy. By the investment of $56 billion, the government hopes to conquer the problem of chronic unemployment and to revitalize the laggard southern region of the country. The plan is a bold and imaginative one, replete with government controls, and probably too optimistic. Nonetheless, it has forcefully drawn international attention to Italy's basic economic problems. Hence it is opportune to examine those problems against the perspective of what has been attained by the Italian economy in the past ten years.1
Analysis and implementation of secure console server based on embedded Linux

Many devices are managed through serial interface nowadays, but if devices controlled are located in different places with administrator, the configuration may be inconvenient. System specified in this paper is a scheme basically for remote control of serial devices. It is an embedded system based on Linux, and it can connect many other serial devices through serial interfaces. With the system, users can securely access the serial devices connected to it through network. Traditional serial server is somewhat functionally similar, but it just translates protocols between network and serial interface, and there is no security control. RFC2217 recommends a way of accessing serial devices with telnet, but data transported through telnet are not encrypted, so it is still not secure. In addition to security of operating system, this system can guarantee data security with SSH and HTTPS protocols. The Web server running on the operating system adopts many ways to ensure the user and network security. This paper analyses security of this system from operation system, web server and other applications, and illustrates the contents about user authentication, network transportation, dialing access, code security, firewall etc, and it contributes to computer security research.
Increases in biliary cholesterol-to-bile acid ratio in pregnant hamsters fed low and high levels of cholesterol

Gallstones develop when the secretion of cholesterol is elevated compared with the secretion of bile acids into bile. One of the risk factors for the formation of gallstones is pregnancy. Because the pregnancy-induced increase in hepatic cholesterol synthesis rates could play a critical role in the development of cholesterol stones, the aim of the present study was to determine whether stone formation, as assessed by the ratio of cholesterol to bile acids in bile, could be ablated by blocking the pregnancy-induced increase in hepatic sterol synthesis rates. Golden Syrian hamsters were fed either ground chow or chow supplemented with 0.5% cholesterol for 3 wk and studied in the nonpregnant state or in late gestation. In chow-fed animals, a 1.6-fold increase in the ratio of cholesterol to bile acids occurred simultaneously with a sevenfold increase in hepatic sterol synthesis rate and a ninefold increase in the amount of newly synthesized cholesterol secreted into the bile in late gestation. In the cholesterol-fed dams, an increase in the ratio of cholesterol to bile acids occurred even with the lack of induction of hepatic sterol synthesis rates during pregnancy. Thus it appears that the marked induction of hepatic sterol synthesis rates during gestation is not essential for the pregnancy-induced cholesterol saturation of bile when cholesterol is fed to animals.
Role of the Angiotensin AT1 Receptor in Rat Aortic and Cardiac PAI-1 Gene Expression

Abstract —Although the renin-angiotensin system has been implicated in increasing plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) expression, the role of the angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptor is controversial. This report examines the effects of angiotensin peptides, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition, and AT1 antagonism on rat aortic and cardiac PAI-1 gene expression. In vitro, angiotensin (Ang) I, Ang II, and angiotensin Arg2-Phe8 (Ang III) were potent agonists of PAI-1 mRNA expression in rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs), and stimulation of PAI-1 by these peptides was blocked by the AT1 antagonist candesartan. Angiotensin Val3-Phe8 (Ang IV) and angiotensin Asp1-Pro7 (Ang [1-7]) did not affect PAI-1 expression in RASMCs. In neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, Ang II increased PAI-1 mRNA expression by 4-fold ( P <0.01), and this response was completely blocked by AT1 receptor antagonism. Continuous intrajugular infusion of Ang II into Sprague-Dawley rats for 3 hours increased aortic and cardiac PAI-1 mRNA expression by 17- and 9 fold, respectively, and these Ang II responses were completely blocked by coinfusion with candesartan. Aortic and cardiac PAI-1 expressions were compared in spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar-Kyoto rats. PAI-1 expression in the aorta and heart from spontaneously hypertensive rats was 5.8-fold and 2-fold higher, respectively, than in control Wistar-Kyoto rats ( P <0.05). Candesartan treatment for 1 week reduced aortic and cardiac PAI-1 expression in spontaneously hypertensive rats by 94% and 72%, respectively ( P <0.05), but did not affect vascular PAI-1 levels in Wistar-Kyoto rats. These results demonstrate a role for the AT1 receptor in mediating the effects of Ang II on aortic and cardiac PAI-1 gene expression.
Amazonian‐aged fluvial valley systems in a climatic microenvironment on Mars: Melting of ice deposits on the interior of Lyot Crater

Valley networks, regional drainage patterns suggesting liquid water stability at the surface, are confined to early in the history of Mars (the Noachian/Hesperian boundary and before), prior to a major climate transition to the hyperarid cold conditions of the Amazonian. Several later fluvial valley systems have been documented in specific Hesperian and Early Amazonian environments, and are thought to have formed due to local conditions. Here we describe fluvial valley systems within Lyot crater that have the youngest well-constrained age reported to date (Middle or Late Amazonian) for systems of this size (tens of km). These valleys are linked to melting of near-surface ice-rich units, extend up to ∼50 km in length, follow topographic gradients, and deposit fans. The interior of Lyot crater is an optimal micro-environment, since its low elevation leads to high surface pressure, and temperature conditions at its location in the northern mid-latitudes are sufficient for melting during periods of high-obliquity. This micro-environment in Lyot apparently allowed melting of surface ice and the formation of the youngest fluvial valley systems of this scale yet observed on Mars.