cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How to Succeed at Increasing Spending Without Really Trying: The Balanced Budget Amendment and the Item Veto

Congressional efforts at budgetary reform generally contain procedural impediments designed to limit profligate spending. In particular, the line-item veto and the balanced budget amendment are intended to limit the ability of legislators to pursue their constituents' interests through pork-barrel politics at the expense of the broader public interest. However, assuming that legislators remain motivated by local constituent interests, we argue that these reforms will promote unexpected results. The supermajorities requires by the line-item veto and the balanced budget amendment include incentives for log-rolling that promote – and may indeed increase – pork-barrel spending.
Improving Current Procedural Terminology Coding Accuracy in Imaging-Related Musculoskeletal Interventions.

THE PROBLEM A common cause of fraud and abuse in the medical system is the assignment of services with incorrect Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, leading to billing for services that were not performed or misrepresentation of the actual services that were provided [1-3]. Additionally, incorrect CPT coding has been shown to result in “undercoding” of the service provided, ultimately resulting in a loss of potential revenue [3,4]. Only a few studies have evaluated the accuracy of CPT coding for imaging-related interventions, demonstrating that CPT coding errors are commonplace [3,5]. Application of correct CPT codes is essential for physicians, regardless of experience or the coding arrangements within their practices. A general review of our coding compliance found a surprising number of monthly coding errors involving our musculoskeletal interventional service. As a section, we believed that it was important to improve our coding accuracy and chose to initiate a project with the goal of decreasing our CPT coding errors. Additionally, because the ultimate responsibility for coding accuracy rests on the radiologist, this initiative also further educated our
On the Width of the Equatorial Es Belt

Abstract This short paper reports an analysis of two years observations of equatorial sporadic E taken at a chain of vertical soundings stations in the vicinity of the magnetic equator in Peru. The results suggest that equatorial E s occurs in a belt having a width of about 700 kilometers which agrees very well with the width for the equatorial electrojet as deduced from geomagnetic observations.
Characterization of the thermal denaturation of Bence-Jones proteins by ultracentrifugation at elevated temperatures.

Abstract The unusual thermosolubility properties of Bence-Jones proteins have been investigated by the technique of ultracentrifugation at elevated temperature. Study of several purified Bence-Jones proteins has allowed description of the molecular changes that occur upon heating. Although the proteins participate in a common phenomenon, individual differences in their ultracentrifugal properties at high temperatures were observed. In certain cases an initial polymerization, followed by a depolymerization to an unfolded molecule, occurred as the temperature was raised. Sulfhydryl-binding reagents had little effect on the high temperature reactions, whereas ethanol, urea, detergents, or salts had a large effect. Therefore, the precipitation and redissolution phenomenon is attributed to alterations in the noncovalent bonding and tertiary structure of the Bence-Jones protein.
Resistivity of spores to ultraviolet and gamma radiation while exposed to ultrahigh vacuum or at atmospheric pressure.

Resistivity of spores of bacteria and fungi to ultraviolet and gamma radiation while exposed to ultrahigh vacuum or at atmospheric pressure
Active Materials in Aerospace Applications

The demonstration and integration of active materials such as electroactive ceramics, shape memory alloys, electroactive polymers, magnetostrictive materials, and electro and magnetorheological fluids into aerospace vehicles has experienced rapid growth in the last two decades. The application and demonstration of active materials and structures has focused on spacecraft, aircraft, and rotorcraft to solve vibration suppression problems and fixed geometry limitations. Illustrative examples of and references for this dynamic and rich area of technology applications are provided. Keywords: active materials; shape memory alloys; piezoelectric; magnetostrictive; smart structures; vibration suppression; adaptive structure
Mapping Long-Term Changes in Earth's Magnetic Field

Earth9s geomagnetic field is of crucial importance for life because it protects our planet from cosmic rays. Yet in the course of Earth history, the field has undergone substantial changes in both its direction and strength. In their Perspective Johnson et al. chart recent advances in reconstructing maps of Earth9s past magnetic field on time scales of millions of years. The results raise important questions about interactions among core and mantle dynamics, Earth9s orbit, rotation, and magnetic field environment.
Molecular weight distribution in free radical polymers. The effect of branching on distribution breadth, and the prediction of gel points in diene polymerizations

The method of BAMFORD and TOMPA has been used to investigate two statistical problems in free radical polymerization, namely the broadening of molecular weight distribution by long chain branching, and the formation of gel in diene polymerizations. Pn and Pw as functions of conversion were calculated rigorously for the case of branching by polymer transfer and terminal double bond polymerization. The results of some careful experiments on vinyl acetate polymerization, recently published by STEIN, were analyzed, and excellent agreement between theory and experiment was found. The value obtained for the polymer transfer constant, Cp = 1.2·10−4, was somewhat lower than that reported by STEIN. A slight extension of the BAMFORD-TOMPA theory was used to relate the gel-point conversion in diene polymerizations to the degree of cross-linking. Appreciable differences from the predictions of random cross-linking theory are found only when gelation occurs at high conversion. Die Methode von BAMFORD und TOMPA wurde angewandt, um zwei statistische Probleme der Radikalpolymerisation zu untersuchen, namlich die Verbreiterung der Molekulargewichtsverteilung durch Kettenverzweigung und die Gelbildung bei Dienpolymerisationen. Fur den Fall von Verzweigungen durch Polymerubertragungen und Polymerisation der endstandigen Doppelbindungen wurden Pn und Pw als Funktionen des Umsatzes genau berechnet. Die Ergebnisse von einigen sorgfaltig ausgefuhrten Experimenten bei der Vinylacetat-Polymerisation, kurzlich von STEIN veroffentlicht, wurden analysiert, und eine gute Ubereinstimmung der Experimente mit der Theorie wurde festgestellt. Der fur die Polymer-Ubertragungskonstante gefundene Wert, Cp = 1,2·10−4, war etwas niedriger als der von STEIN angegebene. Eine geringe Erweiterung der BAMFORD-TOMPA-Theorie wurde herangezogen, um den Gelpunkt-Umsatz bei der Dienpolymerisation mit dem Grad der Verknupfung zu verbinden. Beachtliche Unterschiede gegenuber den Voraussagen der Zufallverknupfungs-Theorie wurden nur gefunden, wenn die Gelbildung bei hohem Umsatz stattfindet.
Adaptive optics ophthalmoscopy

This review starts with a brief history and description of adaptive optics (AO) technology, followed by a showcase of the latest capabilities of AO systems for imaging the human retina and an extensive review of the literature on where AO is being used clinically. The review concludes with a discussion on future directions and guidance on usage and interpretation of images from AO systems for the eye.
The US experience in contracting out security and lessons for other countries

The United States has gone further than any country in the "privatization of security". Other countries may find the economic or financial logic in the use of contractors persuasive. The US experience with contracting out security, particularly in Iraq, was problematic, and can serve as a cautionary tale in order that other countries might learn how to avoid the pitfalls.
Nuclear-Structure Studies with ( d , p ) Reactions on Pd 106 and Pd 108

Energy distributions of protons emitted at various angles from 12-MeV-deuteron-induced ($d, p$) reactions on ${\mathrm{Pd}}^{106}$ and ${\mathrm{Pd}}^{108}$ were measured with 7-keV energy resolution using an Enge split-pole spectrograph. The results for the two isotopes are very similar except that summed spectroscopic factors are a little smaller in ${\mathrm{Pd}}^{108}$, as expected from the fact that it has more neutrons. The level densities were found to be about 25 levels per MeV, and the single-particle levels are fragmented over a wide range of energies, although a large fraction of the strength of single-particle levels in the 50-82 shell is always in the lowest-lying nuclear level. The $l=4$ strengths seem to be too large, and the $\frac{(d, p)}{(d, t)}$ cross-section ratio of one of these states in each isotope indicates that it may be ${g}_{\frac{9}{2}}$ rather than ${g}_{\frac{7}{2}}$; the ${h}_{\frac{11}{2}}$ strengths are too small. Possible explanations for this are discussed, including the possibility that these nuclei are strongly deformed. The $s$ and $d$ states are somewhat more full in ${\mathrm{Pd}}^{108}$ than in its isotone ${\mathrm{Sn}}^{112}$.
Africa’s Land Rush and the Embedded Neoliberal State: Foreign Agricultural Investment in Ethiopia and Mozambique

AbstractAs changes to traditional economic power relationships upend the global economy, there is a resurgent interest in Africa’s raw materials by an increasing number of states beyond the traditional post-colonial coterie. These states are not fundamentally altering Africa’s status as a small economic player supplying raw goods to the world. But the level of interest, the states involved, and the changing nature of Africa’s involvement are raising questions about the long-term benefits and consequences of this renewed interest. Of particular concern is the trend in scale and type of commercial agricultural projects where land deals are slowly consuming vast sections of Africa’s agricultural land for export crops. NGOs, a few academics and virtually any news story on the subject inevitably invoke the term neo-colonialism. Our argument, however, is that the neo-colonial thesis – as well as the embedded state and neoliberal state theses taken separately – fail to capture the complexity of African commercial agriculture, particularly in the cases of Ethiopia and Mozambique. Despite ample evidence of massive, opaque land deals, investments do not tend to be restricted in bi-lateral ways nor are the investing parties members of the traditional Western world. While the role of elites is similar to the embedded state thesis, deals are mediated via wider market relations and conditions and justified in neoliberal terms. We propose that a synthesis of these latter theoretical strands better captures both the character and outcomes of African land acquisitions in our two case studies, and Africa at large.
Light Source and Nutrient Regime Effects on Fiber Composition and Digestibility of Forages

The negative correlation between signification of forage plant cell walls and digestibility bas been confounded with growth stage, plant age, or comparison across species. Growth environment was manipulated to alter cell-wall development in forages to produce experimental materials of the same age for the study of cell-wall composition effects on digestibility of fiber. Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) and orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) were grown in sand culture under fluorescent-incandescent or low pressure sodium (LPS) lamps. Nutrient solution treatments (total, high NH⁺₄:NO⁻₃, high NO⁻₃:NH⁺₄, and low S) were imposed on each forage in each light regime. Four-week regrowth of leaf and stem plant parts was harvested, lyophilized, and analyzed for detergent fiber components, cell-wall neutral sugars, uronic acids, esterified and etherified p-coumaric and ferulic acids, Klason lignin, and lignin nitrobenzene oxidation products. In vitro degradation by a rumen fluid inoculum of detergent fiber components after 48 h of fermentation was determined. Exposure to LPS lamps caused small changes in neutral sugar proportions of the forage cell walls, and in birdsfoot trefoil, plant parts composition of core and noncore lignin shifted. The LPS lamp treatment resulted in higher in vitro degradability of detergent fiber components in birdsfoot trefoil, but depressed degradability of orchardgrass fiber. Nutrient regime caused changes in cell-wall composition, but these were inconsistent and resulted in minor effects in fiber degradability. Detergent fiber analysis was less sensitive to treatment differences than individual component analysis, and gave different concentration estimates of the same cell-wall fractions. Explanation of the changes in cell-wall degradability was not possible based on the compositional data, but rather may require cell-wall structural analysis. A joint contribution of the USDA-ARS and Univ. of Minnesota Agric. Stn. Paper no. 18,1584 of the MAES scientific journal series.
Using size-class structure to monitor growth of underdeveloped embryos in seeds of three Aristolochia species: implications for seed ecology

Size-class structure was used to monitor the growth of underdeveloped embryos in two seed cohorts of Aristolochia macrophylla, A. tomentosa and A. californica and the results are related briefly to differences in seed dormancy among and within the three species. The size-class method of presenting embryo growth data allows more insight to be gained into the embryo-level cause(s) of seed dormancy than does the cumulative growth curve. This appears to be the first report on use of size-class structure to monitor growth of underdeveloped embryos.
Finite Element Simulation of Hillock Formation in Aluminum Interconnect

A non-linear finite element model has been used to simulate hillock formation in an aluminum interconnect structure. The hillock formation is caused by the thermal expansion mismatch between aluminum and the surrounding SiO2 passivation. Using the ABAQUS software [1], a large strain elastic-plastic-creep analysis was done. The results showed there were stresses large enough to cause yield and permanent deformation of the aluminum interconnect.
Inhibition of Fibrinolysis by Human Epidermis

AN inhibitor of fibrinolysis has recently been found in bovine mesothelium1. Recent experiments in our laboratory, using Todd's technique of fibrinolysis autography2 on normal and traumatized human skin (unpublished results), suggested the possibility that human epidermis contains an inhibitor of fibrinolysis. Experiments were therefore designed to determine if inhibition by the epidermis could be demonstrated.
Fault propagation and segmentation: insight from the microstructural examination of a small fault

Abstract Naturally formed faults typically are segmented. The detailed microstructural examination of a small brittle fault in the Shawangunk Mountains of Ulster County, New York provides new insight into the segmentation process. In brittle faulting the propagation directions of faults can be determined from the orientations of microfractures formed within the process zone. We have determined the propagation directions at several locations along this strike-slip fault and these directions indicate growth of individual segments from the segment centers toward the tips. This information, combined with observed fault geometry, allows us to reconstruct a plausible growth history of this segmented fault and of the formation of the segment boundaries.
Some totally real embeddings of three-manifolds

LetV be a complex hypersurface in an open subset of ℂ3, and letM be a smooth compact real hypersurface inV. Using a theorem of Gromov we prove that there exist small C1 perturbations $$\tilde M$$ ofM in ℂ3 such that $$\tilde M$$ is a totally real submanifold of ℂ3. As a consequence we show that certain quotients of the three-sphere admit totally real embeddings into ℂ3. In some special cases including the real projective three-space we find explicit totally real embeddings into ℂ3. Our construction is similar to that of Ahern and Rudin who found a totally real embedding of the three-sphere into ℂ3.
La presencia de una colateral intracraneal permeable predice la tolerancia a la inversión de flujo durante la angioplastia y stent carotídeo

La inversion del flujo de la arteria carotida interna (ACI) es un medio eficaz de proteccion cerebral durante la implantacion de un stent carotideo. Su principal limitacion es que, en ausencia de flujo colateral adecuado, es posible que el paciente no lo tolere. El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar si la identificacion preoperatoria de colaterales intracraneales con angiografia por tomografia computarizada (ATC) o por resonancia magnetica (ARM) puede predecir un flujo colateral adecuado y la tolerancia neurologica de la inversion del flujo de la ACI para la proteccion contra la embolizacion. La presente investigacion estudio a pacientes tratados mediante angioplastia e implantacion transcervical de un stent carotideo. La neuroproteccion se realizo mediante inversion del flujo de la ACI. Se realizo en todos los pacientes una angiografia cervical y cerebral no cruenta con ATC o ARM y se detecto, como minimo, una colateral intracraneal permeable. Se determino la presion retrograda media de la arteria carotida. Los cambios neurologicos durante el clampaje y la inversion del flujo de la carotida se monitorizaron de forma continua con electroencefalografia (EEG). Se incluyeron 37 pacientes con, al menos, una colateral intracraneal permeable observada en las imagenes cerebrales con ATC o ARM. La presion retrograda media en la arteria carotida fue de 58 mmHg. Todos los procedimientos se realizaron tecnicamente con exito. No se observaron cambios EEG con la oclusion de la arteria carotida comun y la inversion del flujo de la ACI. Una colateral intracraneal permeable proporciona la perfusion cerebral suficiente para realizar la oclusion e inversion del flujo de la carotida sin cambios en el EEG. El progreso continuado en las modalidades de diagnostico no invasivo por la imagen se esta haciendo de mayor utilidad en el conocimiento de la fisiologia cerebral y la seleccion de pacientes que van a ser tratados mediante procedimientos invasivos de la arteria carotida.
Encouraging reflexivity in urban geography fieldwork: study abroad experiences in Singapore and Malaysia

Fieldwork in urban geography courses can encourage reflexivity among students regarding the cities they encounter. This article outlines how student reflexivity was encouraged within a new international field research course in Singapore and Malaysia. Drawing on examples from students' field exercises written during an intensive and occasionally emotional field experience and from interviews held after the students' return, I argue that student research journals and reflective field exercises are especially useful in international field courses. Combining modes of writing provides a venue for negotiating and contextualizing unexpected and uncomfortable encounters in the field, and encourages self-reflection for both students and instructors.
Central nervous system infections in the immunocompromised host

Central nervous system (CNS) infections in the immunocompromised host are predictable according to the arm of the immune defense which is most defective. A limited number of organisms with a tendency to cause CNS infections will take advantage of the different types of immune defects. Signs and symptoms of CNS infection are often quite subtle in the immunocompromised host because of the diminished inflammatory response. Serologic responses may not be as reliable as in a normal host. Aggressive diagnostic approaches are often necessary, including early brain biopsy and abscess drainage. Aggressive therapy is often also necessary, including multiple potentially toxic antibiotics and devices to deliver them, such as indwelling intraventricular reservoirs. The role of the third generation cephalosporins is still not clear, and certainly they should not be used alone to treat aerobic gram-negative rod meningitis in neutropenic patients. Patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) have developed CNS infections with familiar agents producing familiar syndromes. The main CNS infection, however, is a subacute encephalitis and the causative agent remains undocumented.
Effects of interfaces on the thermal degradation of polymer–metal composites

Previous studies by Black and Blomquist on the degradative failure of polymer–metal adhesive bonds have shown that composite failure depends largely on the type of metal substrate employed. In the work reported herein, metal powders of high surface area have been employed to maximize the metal–polymer interface. The composite systems studied consisted for aluminum and iron with polycondensates of bisphenol A–diglycidyl ether, phenol–formaldehyde and poly-2,2′-(m-phenylene)-5,5′-bibenimidazole. The composites were prepared in the absence of air and thermally degraded in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer while the degradation products were continuously monitored from mass 1 to 200. In the polymer and polymer–metal systems investigated, iron accelerated the decomposition of all polymers studied. This was determined by plotting m/e against degradation temperature for the more common mass peaks such as hydrogen and carbon monoxide for the carbon–hydrogen–oxygen-containing polymer and hydrogen cyanide and ammonia for the carbon–hydrogen–nitrogen-containing polymer. This technique offers promise in determining the nature of the interface as well as the effect of the interface on polymer degradation.
1-Million droplet array with wide-field fluorescence imaging for digital PCR

Digital droplet reactors are useful as chemical and biological containers to discretize reagents into picolitre or nanolitre volumes for analysis of single cells, organisms, or molecules. However, most DNA based assays require processing of samples on the order of tens of microlitres and contain as few as one to as many as millions of fragments to be detected. Presented in this work is a droplet microfluidic platform and fluorescence imaging setup designed to better meet the needs of the high-throughput and high-dynamic-range by integrating multiple high-throughput droplet processing schemes on the chip. The design is capable of generating over 1-million, monodisperse, 50 picolitre droplets in 2–7 minutes that then self-assemble into high density 3-dimensional sphere packing configurations in a large viewing chamber for visualization and analysis. This device then undergoes on-chip polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and fluorescence detection to digitally quantify the sample's nucleic acid contents. Wide-field fluorescence images are captured using a low cost 21-megapixel digital camera and macro-lens with an 8–12 cm2 field-of-view at 1× to 0.85× magnification, respectively. We demonstrate both end-point and real-time imaging ability to perform on-chip quantitative digital PCR analysis of the entire droplet array. Compared to previous work, this highly integrated design yields a 100-fold increase in the number of on-chip digitized reactors with simultaneous fluorescence imaging for digital PCR based assays.
Pepino mosaic virus on Tomato Seed: Virus Location and Mechanical Transmission

In just a few years, Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) has become a major threat to greenhouse tomato production around the world. Although tomato seed is suspected to spread the disease, its importance as an initial virus inoculum for PepMV has not been established. To determine the potential for seed transmission, a tomato seed lot highly contaminated with PepMV was used for large-scale seedling grow-out tests. None of 10,000 grow-out seedlings was infected as determined by symptom expression, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), or infectivity assay on Nicotiana benthamiana. Even though PepMV was not seed transmitted on tomato, the virus was effectively transmitted to tomato and N. benthamiana seedlings through mechanical transmission with seed extract. To examine the exact location where PepMV particles accumulated on the tomato seed, seed coats and embryos were carefully isolated and tested separately by ELISA, real-time RT-PCR, and bioassay on N. benthamiana. PepMV was detected in the seed coat fraction in both immature and mature tomato seeds, but not in the embryo. However, in N. benthamiana, the virus was neither seedborne nor seed-transmitted. Because PepMV is seedborne in tomato, efficient mechanical transmission of PepMV from the virus-contaminated tomato seed to seedlings could initiate a disease epidemic in a new tomato growing area. Thus, it is important to plant certified tomato seed that has been tested free of PepMV.
Regulation of p38 MAP kinase in CD4+ lymphocytes by infliximab therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) plays a key role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and most patients treated with anti-TNFα agents show significant improvement in both signs and symptoms. While TNFα inhibitors rapidly reduce joint inflammation, the mechanisms by which these agents exert their long-term effects remain unclear. The p38 MAP kinase pathway is one of the signaling pathways triggered by TNFα and pharmacological inhibitors of this kinase are being developed for use in RA. Since p38 MAP kinase is involved in interferon γ (IFNγ) production by CD4+ T helper 1 (Th1) cells and a Th1 immune response has been associated with RA, we investigated whether anti-TNFα therapy could affect the activation of this signaling pathway in the CD4+ T cells of RA patients. We show that in five patients, treatment with infliximab caused a marked reduction of activated p38 MAP kinase levels in CD4+ T cells, without affecting the total levels of p38 MAPK. In contrast to T cells, infliximab therapy did not affect the levels of active p38 MAP kinase in macrophages from the same patients. The selective effect of anti-TNFα therapy on the p38 MAP kinase signaling pathway of CD4+ T cells in patients with RA suggests that prolonged benefit with these agents may be mediated by their effect on CD4+ T cells.
A rat model for studying colonic cancer: Effect of cholestyramine on induced tumors

Dimethylhydrazine, azoxymethane, and methylazoxymethanol are highly efficient intestinal carcinogens in the rat. Azoxymethane is the best, producing tumors in all rats. The lesions occurred in significant numbers in the small intestine when given at high dosage levels over a period of six months or more. The tumors tend to occur more in the proximal halves of both segments of the intestine.
Does trade liberalization and its associated increased economic activity affect permanently the value and pattern of trade flows

Despite a number of multi-country case studies based on a variety of analytical frameworks and numerous econometric studies using large cross-country data sets that analyse trade openness and its induced economic activities that alters both the volume and value of trade flows, there is still disagreement among economists concerning the nature of this relationship. In this article, we follow a rather unique approach by estimating the density functions of the observed trade flows and the density functions of trade flows generated by tariff removal using an intertemporal global Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model. Our inquiry is whether or not the trade flows generated by global tariff elimination impact economies in the long-run and alter their historical underlying distributions. If the latter case prevails, it implies that the economies follow a different transitional path into a new steady-state equilibrium. The density functions, estimated parameters and higher moments of the observed trade flow ...
Wildlife Habitat Quality (Sward Structure and Ground Cover) Response of Mixed Native Warm-Season Grasses to Harvesting

Agricultural intensification in America has replaced native warm-season grasses (NWSG) with introduced forages causing wildlife habitat loss and population declines for the northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) and similar ground-nesting birds. Reintroducing NWSGs onto managed grasslands to reverse grassland bird population declines lacks information about appropriate multi-purpose management. Post-season nesting habitat quality of mixed NWSGs (indiangrass (IG, Sorghastrum nutans), big bluestem (BB, Andropogon gerardii) and little bluestem (LB, Schizachyrium scoparium)) responding to previous-year(s) harvest intervals (treatments, 30-, 40-, 60-, 90 or 120-d) and duration (years in production), were assessed on late-spring-early-summer re-growths. Yearly phased harvestings were initiated in May on sets of randomized plots, ≥90-cm apart, in five replications (blocks) to produce one-, two-, and three-year old stands by the third year. Sward heights and canopy closure were recorded a day before harvest, followed a week after by visual estimates of ground cover of plant species and litter. Harvesting increased post-season grass cover and reduced forbs following a high rainfall year. Harvested plot swards showed no treatment differences, but were shorter and intercepted
Individual differences in ambiguous-figure perception: degree of handedness and interhemispheric interaction.

Research has shown that persons with strong right-hand preference (ie who report using their dominant hand for all manual activities) display a decreased tendency to update bodily and conceptual representations, possibly arising from decreased interaction between the left and right cerebral hemispheres. Current experiments extend these findings to the domain of perceptual representations. In experiments 1 and 2, strong right-handedness was associated with a decreased ability to update perceptual representations in response to gradually changing perceptual input. In experiment 3, strong right-handedness was associated with lower spontaneous reversal rates during the extended viewing of ambiguous figures, and experiment 4 ruled out an explanation in terms of response bias.
A generalized, lumped-parameter model of photosynthesis, evapotranspiration and net primary production in temperate and boreal forest ecosystems.

PnET is a simple, lumped-parameter, monthlytime-step model of carbon and water balances of forests built on two principal relationships: 1) maximum photosynthetic rate is a function of foliar nitrogen concentration, and 2) stomatal conductance is a function of realized photosynthetic rate. Monthyly leaf area display and carbon and water balances are predicted by combining these with standard equations describing light attenuation in canopies and photosynthetic response to diminishing radiation intensity, along with effects of soil water stress and vapor pressure deficit (VPD). PnET has been validated against field data from 10 well-studied temperate and boreal forest ecosystems, supporting our central hypothesis that aggregation of climatic data to the monthly scale and biological data such as foliar characteristics to the ecosystem level does not cause a significant loss of information relative to long-term, mean ecosystem responses. Sensitivity analyses reveal a diversity of responses among systems to identical alterations in climatic drivers. This suggests that great care should be used in developing generalizations as to how forests will respond to a changing climate. Also critical is the degree to which the temperature responses of photosynthesis and respiration might acclimate to changes in mean temperatures at decadal time scales. An extreme climate change simulation (+3° C maximum temperature, −25% precipitation with no change in minimum temperature or radiation, direct effects of increased atmospheric CO2 ignored) suggests that major increases in water stress, and reductions in biomass production (net carbon gain) and water yield would follow such a change.
Inheritance and Genetic Relationships of the D8 and D2-2 Restorer Genes for Cotton Cytoplasmic Male Sterility

In cotton, cytoplasmic male sterility conditioned by the D 8 alloplasm (CMS-D8) is independently restored to fertility by its specific D 8 restorer (D8R) and by the D 2 restorer (D2R) that was developed for the D 2 cytoplasmic male sterile alloplasm (CMS-D2). However, knowledge of the relationship between the two restorer genes is lacking. The objectives of these studies were to determine the inheritance and genetic relationship between D2R and D8R. A series of intercrosses and test crosses were used to determine the inheritance and relationships. CMS-D2 lines crossed with D8R resulted in all sterile F 1 plants, confirming that the D8 restorer gene does not suppress D 2 cytoplasmic dysfunction. A segregation ratio of one fertile to one sterile in three testcross combinations revealed that D2R contained one restorer gene, Rf, for both CMS-D8 and CMS-D2. The Rf gene functioned sporophytically, whereas the D8R gene is known to function gametophytically. However, Rf pollen with the Dg or D 2 cytoplasm was preferentially effective in fertilization based on the low number of sterile plants obtained when alloplasmic F 1 plants were self-pollinated or used as the pollen-parent in crosses with CMS-D8. In tests for allelism only 8 sterile plants out of 1921 were obtained in two testcrosses of (D8R x D2R)F 1 x normal cotton. Thus, the two restorer loci are not allelic but are tightly linked with an average genetic distance of 0.93 cM. The D 2 gene Rf is redesignated Rf 1 , and Rf 2 is assigned to the D 8 restorer gene.
Batch fermentation of cheese-whey supplemented poultry, swine and cattle waste filtrates☆

Abstract The fermentative conversion of poultry, swine and cattle feedlot waste filtrates (PWF, SWF and CWF, respectively) into nitrogen-rich feed supplements for ruminants was investigated. Unsupplemented or cheese-whey supplemented waste filtrates were fermented either individually or in 1:1 combination with each other at 43°C. Indigenous flora served as the inoculum. Ammonium hydroxide was automatically added to the fermentor to maintain pH at 7·0. Ammonium hydroxide addition was a function of organic acid production and was responsible for the increase in total nitrogen content in the fermentation product. The ammonium hydroxide neutralized the fermentation acids produced and formed ammonium salts of organic acids, which have been shown to be valuable as nitrogen supplements for ruminant animals. Fermentation of unsupplemented waste filtrates resulted in little change in total nitrogen content but ammonia nitrogen concentration increased 8·3-fold during PWF fermentation, suggesting transformation of urea and uric acid nitrogen to ammonia nitrogen. Fermentation of cheese-whey supplemented PWF, SWF and CWF resulted in products containing 62%, 47·4% and 72% crude protein (total nitrogen × 6·25), respectively, on a dry basis; ammonia nitrogen, respectively, accounted for 63%, 53% and 66% of the crude protein. Lactate and acetate were the major acids in fermented PWF (73% and 20%, respectively), whereas lactate, acetate, and propionate (30%, 29% and 26%, respectively) were the predominant acids in fermented SWF. Fermentation of cheese-whey supplemented PWF + SWF and PWF + CWF resulted in products containing, respectively, 51·6% and 56·7% crude protein; ammonia nitrogen accounted for 81% and 61% of the crude protein, respectively. Lactate, acetate and propionate were the major acids (54·5%, 24·5% and 15·7%, respectively, of the total acids produced) in PWF + SWF fermentation. In the corresponding PWF + CWF fermentation, the same acids accounted for 69%, 21% and 8% of the total acids produced, respectively. In all fermentations, use of the added lactose was >90% within 8 h and >90% of the carbon from lactose was recovered in the organic acids produced. These results indicate that ammoniated organic acid fermentation of livestock wastes, combined with a readily metabolizable carbohydrate waste, is a rapid and efficient means of recycling livestock wastes into nitrogen-rich products, potentially useful as feed supplements for ruminants.
Transformable facultative thermophile Geobacillus stearothermophilus NUB3621 as a host strain for metabolic engineering

Metabolic engineers develop inexpensive enantioselective syntheses of high-value compounds, but their designs are sometimes confounded by the misfolding of heterologously expressed proteins. Geobacillus stearothermophilus NUB3621 is a readily transformable facultative thermophile. It could be used to express and properly fold proteins derived from its many mesophilic or thermophilic Bacillaceae relatives or to direct the evolution of thermophilic variants of mesophilic proteins. Moreover, its capacity for high-temperature growth should accelerate chemical transformation rates in accordance with the Arrhenius equation and reduce the risks of microbial contamination. Its tendency to sporulate in response to nutrient depletion lowers the costs of storage and transportation. Here, we present a draft genome sequence of G. stearothermophilus NUB3621 and describe inducible and constitutive expression plasmids that function in this organism. These tools will help us and others to exploit the natural advantages of this system for metabolic engineering applications.
High-efficiency hole extraction/electron-blocking layer to replace poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) in bulk-heterojunction polymer solar cells

An anode interfacial layer is reported for bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) polymer solar cells to replace the commonly used poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). A poly[9,9-dioctylfluorene-co-N-[4-(3-methylpropyl)]-diphenylamine] (TFB)+4,4′-bis[(p-trichlorosilylpropylphenyl)phenylamino]biphenyl (TPDSi2) blend is crosslinked, forming robust ∼10nm thick films covalently bound to indium tin oxide, which transport holes while blocking misdirected electrons. The thermal stability and photovoltaic performance metrics of TFB:TPDSi2-modified BHJ cells are significantly greater than those of cells fabricated in parallel with PEDOT:PSS or with no interfacial layer. For a poly[2-methoxy-5-(3′,7′-dimethyloctyloxyl]-1,4-phenylene vinylene: methanofullerene[6 6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester cell, Voc=0.89V, Jsc=4.62mA∕cm2, FF=54.4%, and ηp=2.23%.
THE CRITICAL EXPONENT OF A REACTION DIFFUSION EQUATION ON SOME LIE GROUPS

We shall study the global existence and blow up of the following semilinear parabolic Cauchy problem (1.1) { Hu ≡ H0u + up = X∗ i (aijXju) − ∂tu + up = 0 in Rn × (0,∞), u(x, 0) = u0(x) > 0 in Rn, where aij = aij(x, t) are bounded measurable functions and the matrix A = (aij) is uniformly elliptic. Xj , j = 1, ..., k are smooth vector fields in Rn and X∗ j is the formal adjoint of Xj . Basic assumptions. (i). We assume that Xj satisfy the Hormander’s condition for hypoellipticity i.e. the rank of the Lie algebra generated by X1, ... Xp equals n. Given two points x, y ∈ Rn, d(x, y) will be the (X1, ..., Xp)-control distance; |x| denotes the Euclidean distance; d(x) ≡ d(x, 0); B(x, r) will represent the metric ball {y ∈ Rn|d(x, y) 6 r}. Properties of the distance, metric balls and the fundamental solutions of H0 have been studied extensively in [NSW], [FeS], [KS1, 2] and [Sa]; (ii). There are positive constants Q, B, C and b such that (1.2) |B(x, r)| = Br; lim |x|→∞ d(x) = ∞; lim d(x)→∞ |x| = ∞;
Preparation, stability and synthetic conversions of fluoro-methylene ylide

Abstract Previous routes to [Ph3 P +  C − FH] employed either expensive or hazardous reagents. In contrast to these earlier methods, we have now found that the precursor to this ylide can be easily prepared in high yield from Ph3P and CFBr3. The resultant fluoromethylene ylide can, via transylidation reactions, be easily converted to new phosphonium intermediates, which can be cleaved to give functionalized fluorinated derivatives. For example: The preparation of [Ph3 P + - C − FH] will be presented, as well as the acylation, halogenation, arylation and pyrolysis of this ylide and its derivatives.
Maximizing Detection of Adenomas and Cancers During Colonoscopy

Some patients who undergo colonoscopy that appeared to have cleared the colorectum of neoplasia return within a short interval (1-3 yr) with colorectal cancer. Although several a priori mechanisms could account for this occurrence, wide variation in detection rates of adenomas and cancer at colonoscopy suggests that suboptimal colonoscopic technique is a significant contributor. Optimal technique with white-light colonoscopy involves taking adequate time for inspection during withdrawal (an average of at least 6 min in normal colons), interrogating the proximal sides of folds, flexures, and valves, clearing fluid and debris, and distending adequately. Some adjunctive techniques are directed toward exposing more colonic mucosa during colonoscopy. Wide-angle colonoscopy appears to improve efficiency but does not eliminate miss rates. Colonoscopy in retroflexion was unsuccessful in reducing miss rates in one study, whereas cap-fitted colonoscopy was successful in reducing miss rates in one small study. Techniques to improve detection of flat lesions include pancolonic chromoendoscopy (CE). In two randomized controlled trials, CE improved adenoma detection, but CE does not appear to provide substantially greater yields than those obtained by the more sensitive white-light colonoscopists. Narrow band imaging and autofluorescence are being assessed for improved detection of flat lesions. Adenoma detection rates are an important measure of the quality of colonoscopy and should be reported to endoscopists in quality improvement programs in colonoscopy.
Comparison of sulfur measurements from a regional fine particle network with concurrent acid modes network results

Abstract The Fine Particle Network (FPN), a system of fine particle (less than 2.5 μm) samplers, was operated at 41 sites selected from the Environment Protection Agency Acid MODES program during a two-year period in 1988–1990. The 24-h sample results included fine particle mass and the most predominant chemical element concentrations determined by wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis. Statistical summaries of the fine mass and sulfur concentrations by site and season were prepared. The sulfur
Fourth‐grade Elementary Students’ Conceptions of Standards‐based Lunar Concepts

Fourth‐grade students’ knowledge of observable moon phases and patterns of change, as well as conceptual understanding of the cause of moon phases, was investigated before and after special instruction. Pretest and post‐test data for 48 students were used to address the research question related to observable moon phases and patterns of change. Interviews were conducted with 10 students on a post‐only basis to provide data on understanding the cause of moon phases. The researchers used the constant comparative method to analyse data. Pretest results indicate these students had not met the expectations expressed in the U.S. Science Education Standards for lunar concepts. Post‐test results reveal a very positive performance on observable moon phases and patterns of change, as well as the cause of moon phases. Interpretation and implications of these findings are provided.
The growth of pressurized planar cracks between barriers

Abstract Bower and Ortiz's finite perturbation method is used to analyze the gradual growth of penny-shaped and half-planar cracks between barriers whose fracture toughness is greater than that of the fracture zone. The breakthrough of a crack front into barriers when the stress intensity factor at some points along the interfaces exceeds the fracture toughness of the barriers is considered and the associated changes in the distribution of stress intensity factor and the pressure on the crack faces is calculated. The results indicate that under constant pressure on crack faces, a bounded crack expands indefinitely while a semi-infinite crack would grow stably.
Calibrated localization relationships for elastic response of polycrystalline aggregates

Abstract In recent years, our research group has formulated a new framework called materials knowledge systems (MKS) for establishing highly accurate reduced-order (surrogate) models for localization (opposite of homogenization) linkages in hierarchical materials systems. These new computationally efficient linkages are designed to capture accurately the microscale spatial distribution of a response field of interest in the representative volume element (RVE) of a material, when subjected to an imposed macroscale loading condition. In prior work, the viability and computational advantages of the MKS approach were demonstrated in a number of case studies involving multiphase composites, where the local material state in each spatial bin of the RVE was permitted to be any one of a limited number of material phases (i.e. restricted to a set of discrete local states of the material). In this paper, we present a major extension to the MKS framework that allows a computationally efficient treatment of a significantly more complex local state of the material, i.e. crystal lattice orientation. This extension of the MKS framework is formulated by the use of suitable Fourier representation of the influence functions. This paper describes this new formulation and the associated calibration protocols, and demonstrates its viability with case studies comprising low and moderate contrast cubic and hexagonal polycrystals.
Diabetes mellitus and birth defects

Objective The purpose of this study was to examine associations between diabetes mellitus and 39 birth defects. Study Design This was a multicenter case-control study of mothers of infants who were born with (n = 13,030) and without (n = 4895) birth defects in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (1997-2003). Results Pregestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM) was associated significantly with noncardiac defects (isolated, 7/23 defects; multiples, 13/23 defects) and cardiac defects (isolated, 11/16 defects; multiples, 8/16 defects). Adjusted odds ratios for PGDM and all isolated and multiple defects were 3.17 (95% CI, 2.20-4.99) and 8.62 (95% CI, 5.27-14.10), respectively. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) was associated with fewer noncardiac defects (isolated, 3/23 defects; multiples, 3/23 defects) and cardiac defects (isolated, 3/16 defects; multiples, 2/16 defects). Odds ratios between GDM and all isolated and multiple defects were 1.42 (95% CI, 1.17-1.73) and 1.50 (95% CI, 1.13-2.00), respectively. These associations were limited generally to offspring of women with prepregnancy body mass index ≥25 kg/m 2 . Conclusion PGDM was associated with a wide range of birth defects; GDM was associated with a limited group of birth defects.
Diagnosis of Anomalous Winter Temperatures over the Eastern United States during the 2002/03 El Niño

Abstract The eastern United States experienced an unusually cold winter season during the 2002/03 El Nino event. The U.S. seasonal forecasts did not suggest an enhanced likelihood for below-normal temperatures over the eastern United States in that season. A postmortem analysis examining the observed temperatures and the associated forecast is motivated by two fundamental questions: what are these temperature anomalies attributable to, and to what extent were these temperature anomalies predictable? The results suggest that the extreme seasonal temperatures experienced in the eastern United States during December–February (DJF) 2002/03 can be attributed to a combination of several constructively interfering factors that include El Nino conditions in the tropical Pacific, a persistent positive Pacific–North American (PNA) mode, a persistent negative North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) mode, and persistent snow cover over the northeastern United States. According to the simulations and predictions from several...