cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and properties of aliphatic spirodilactam diphenol containing polyesters

Abstract A series of aromatic polyesters containing 1,6-diazaspiro[4,4]-nonane-2,7-dione were synthesized under phase-transfer conditions. The copolymers were obtained in essentially quantitative yield, theses were soluble in common organic solvents, and would readily form clear, colorless films from solution. The optimum conditions of polymerization, was obtained via polycondensation at room temperature and reaction time of 4 h in chloroform. All polymers were characterized by FTIR, GPC, viscosity, water contact angle, water absorption, TGA, DSC and TMA. The prepared polyesters showed excellent thermal stability, as measured by TGA (10 wt% loss), are only moderate due to the alicyclic component and range from 365 to 401 °C in air; however, glass transition temperatures are quite high (245–309 °C). The inherent viscosities of these solutions ranged from 0.77 to 1.40 dl g−1, depending on the polyester structure. The structures of the polyesters were confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy.
Monte Carlo simulation for the quantum q-state Potts model

Abstract A new quantum Monte Carlo (MC) method based on Newmann-Ulam-Kuti (NUK) random walk theory is proposed which may avoid the “negative sign” problem and it can carry out the MC derivative directly. A simple test on antiferromagnetic (AF) Heisenberg chain is shown and the application of it to the quantum version of q-state Potts model is given.
Extraction and analysis of trace amounts of cyclonite (RDX) and its nitroso-metabolites in animal liver tissue using gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC-ECD)

An efficient extraction and cleanup technique, and an instrumental detection method suitable for determination of trace amounts of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) and its nitroso-metabolites in animal liver tissue were developed and validated in this paper. The method includes the extraction of explosives from liver tissue samples using accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) followed by cleanup using florisil and styrene-divinyl benzene (SDB) cartridges to remove interfering naturally endogenous compounds. The instrumental analysis was conducted using a capillary column gas chromatograph coupled with an electron capture detector (GC-ECD). High recoveries (58.9-106.8%) of RDX, hexahydro-1-nitroso-3,5-dinitro-1,3,5-triazine (MNX), hexahydro-1,3-dinitroso-5-nitro-1,3,5-triazine (DNX), and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitroso-1,3,5-triazine (TNX) were achieved at all concentrations studied. RDX, MNX, and TNX gave higher recoveries than DNX at all three tested concentrations (50, 250, 1250 ng/g). Overall recoveries of RDX, MNX, DNX, and TNX from 1g beef liver samples containing 50, 250, and 1250 ng/g were 80.1, 82.8, 68.9, and 80.4%, respectively. The optimal injection port temperature range was 160-170 degrees C for analysis of RDX and its nitroso-metabolites. Higher or lower temperatures than 160-170 degrees C decreased signal amplitudes. RDX was unstable in the liver extraction matrix; as much as 50% of RDX was degraded 10 days after extraction if keeping the liver sample extracts at room temperature. Degradation of RDX to MNX, DNX, or TNX was not detected during the sample storage, extraction, or instrument analysis processes. Other optimized extraction and GC conditions are also discussed.
Simulating the dynamics of flexible bodies and vortex sheets

We present a numerical method for the dynamics of a flexible body in an inviscid flow with a free vortex sheet. The formulation is implicit with respect to body variables and explicit with respect to the free vortex sheet. We apply the method to a flexible foil driven periodically in a steady stream. We give numerical evidence that the method is stable and accurate for a relatively small computational cost. A continuous form of the vortex sheet regularization permits continuity of the flow across the body's trailing edge. Nonlinear behavior arises gradually with respect to driving amplitude, and is attributed to the rolling-up of the vortex sheet. Flow quantities move across the body in traveling waves, and show large gradients at the body edges. We find that in the small-amplitude regime, the phase difference between heaving and pitching which maximizes trailing edge deflection also maximizes power output; the phase difference which minimizes trailing edge deflection maximizes efficiency.
THEORY OF THE CONFORMALLY INVARIANT MASS.

Abstract By interpreting the conformal transformations as space-time-dependent change of units and introducing the concept of the conformally invariant mass and charge, we develop new conformally invariant Maxwell equations with source terms and equations of motion for massive particles. Although the usual equations of motion with mass terms break the conformal symmetry, it is shown that the Minkowski space is not the most general framework to describe physical processes and there exists a wider consistent dynamics in which conformal invariance is exact. New results also include the general transformation laws of the electromagnetic fields, of currents and force densities. The theory leads naturally to an affine connection and to the 21-parameter inhomogeneous conformal group, ISO(4, 2).
Biofuel subsidies versus the gas tax: The carrot or the stick?

Abstract This paper provides an analytical framework to examine the relative efficiencies of a revenue-neutral biofuel subsidy and a gas tax in the presence of pre-existing distortions and growing substitutability between fuels. Both policies are set to achieve a targeted reduction in gasoline use at the state level. The model is then calibrated for a small open economy such as Illinois which is one of the largest producers of biofuels such as ethanol in the U.S. The main result of the paper shows that raising the biofuel subsidy use reduces overall welfare by more than a higher gas tax, both aimed to achieve a targeted reduction in pure gasoline. The relative efficiency of the higher gas tax is primarily due to it exacerbating the pre-existing distortion in the biofuel market by less than the subsidy. Moreover, for current parameter estimates welfare improving policy combinations for achieving a targeted amount of energy security are higher gas taxes combined with lower biofuel subsidies and a lower tax on income. However, the preference for a gasoline–labor tax swap shrinks as the elasticity of substitution between the two fuels rises.
Long-Term Evaluation of Surgically Treated Anterior Monteggia Fractures in Skeletally Mature Patients

Purpose The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the functional and radiological long-term outcome of open reduction and internal fixation of skeletally mature patients with a Bado type 1 Monteggia fracture. Methods We identified 11 consecutive skeletally mature patients who had surgical treatment of an anterior (Bado type 1) Monteggia fracture. Long-term evaluation at a median of 20 years after injury (range, 7–34 years) was compared with an early evaluation at a median of 13 months after injury (range, 11–32 months). The early and long-term results were evaluated radiographically and according to the system of Broberg and Morrey. The long-term result was also evaluated according to the Mayo Elbow Performance Index, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, and the Disabilities of the Arm Should and Hand scores. Results Two patients had subsequent surgery to address a nonunion and 3 elbows had radiographic signs of arthrosis. The mean arc of elbow flexion increased from 110° degrees (range, 35° to 140°) at early follow-up to 120° (range, 40° to 150°) at late follow-up. The mean arc of forearm rotation increased from 145° (range, 90° to 180°) to 149° (range, 90° to 180°). The mean Broberg and Morrey score increased from 89 points (range, 62–100 points) to 94 points (range, 76–100 points). The median DASH score was 7 points (range, 0–34 points) at long-term follow-up. There was no statistical difference between early and late range of motion or Broberg and Morrey score. Conclusions The results of open reduction and internal fixation of anterior Monteggia fractures in skeletally mature patients are maintained over long-term follow-up. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.
Initial highly-active antiretroviral therapy with a protease inhibitor versus a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor: discrepancies between direct and indirect meta-analyses

Summary Background The optimum treatment choice between initial highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) with a protease inhibitor (PI) versus a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) is uncertain. An indirect analysis reported that PI-based HAART was better than NNRTI-based HAART. However, direct evidence for competing interventions is deemed more reliable than indirect evidence for making treatment decisions. We did a meta-analysis of head-to-head trials and compared the results with those of indirect analyses. Methods 12 trials of at least 24 weeks' duration directly compared NNRTI-based versus PI-based HAART in HIV-infected patients with limited or no previous exposure to antiretrovirals. We also identified six trials of NNRTI-based HAART and eight trials of PI-based HAART, each versus two NRTI regimens. We analysed the outcomes of virological suppression, death or disease progression, and withdrawals due to adverse events. Findings In the direct meta-analysis, NNRTI-based regimens were better than PI-based regimens for virological suppression (OR 1·60, 95% CI 1·31–1·96). The difference was reduced in higher-quality trials, but still favoured NNRTI-based HAART. There were no differences in death or disease progression (0·87, 0·56–1·35) or withdrawal because of adverse events (0·68, 0·43–1·08). By contrast, in indirect analyses NNRTI-based HAART was worse than PI-based HAART for virological suppression (0·26, 0·07–0·91). There were no significant differences for death or disease progression (1·28, 0·56–2·94) and withdrawals because of adverse events (1·46, 0·66–3·24). When trials of delavirdine were excluded, similar results were produced. Interpretation Results from direct analyses suggested that NNRTI-based HAART was more effective than PI-based HAART for virological suppression and was similar to PI-based HAART for clinical outcomes. Indirect comparisons could be unreliable for complex and rapidly evolving interventions such as HAART.
Function of a Bacterial Activator Protein that Binds to Transcriptional Enhancers

The nitrogen regulatory (NtrC) protein of enteric bacteria, which binds to sites that have the properties of transcriptional enhancers, is known to activate transcription by a form of RNA polymerase that contains the NtrA protein (sigma 54) as sigma factor (referred to as sigma 54-holoenzyme). In the presence of adenosine triphosphate, the NtrC protein catalyzes isomerization of closed recognition complexes between sigma 54-holoenzyme and the glnA promoter to open complexes in which DNA in the region of the transcription start site is locally denatured. NtrC is not required subsequently for maintenance of open complexes or initiation of transcription.
Space maintenance, serial extraction, and the general practitioner

Indications for space maintenance in the mixed dentition period and principles to assist the dentist in the guidance of dental development during the transition from deciduous to permanent dentition are discussed.
Surface Energy Analysis of Carbon Fibers and Films

Abstract Amorphous and graphitic carbon fibers and film surfaces are characterized by wettability measurements and surface energy analysis which isolate the (London-d) dispersion γd svand (Keesom-p) polar γp sv contribution to solid-vapor surface tension γsv =γd sv + γp sv Graphitized carbon fibers which are surface treated to provide strong bonding to polar matrix resins show consistent strong polar contributions to total surface tension with γd sv|γsv ≃ γp sv|γsv ≃ 0.50. Amorphous carbon films prepared for biological implant applications display dominant dispersion character in surface energy with γd sv|γsv ≃ 0-74 to 0.95 and γp sv|γsv ≃ 0.05 to 0.24.
The flow of excess dietary water through the common vampire bat during feeding

Abstract 1. 1. The rate of ingestion of blood in continually feeding bats was constant, 0.76 g blood/min. 2. 2. Rate of urine flow increased with time of ingestion to an experimentally determined peak of 11.1 g/kg body weight per min. 3. 3. Between 5.2 and 12.2 min after feeding, the rates of both fluid absorption from the stomach and excretion of urine were about equal. 4. 4. During this time the blood volume of the bat was increased by about 17% due to the absorbed fluid. 5. 5. Each dip of a bat's tongue into blood carried an average 2.96 μl back to the mouth.
Spinoza and The Federal Polity

In his Political Treatise, Benedict de Spinoza (1632-1677) describes a frame of government for a federal polity whose members are neither "confederated" nor "united" but are "mutually associated and united. " Spinoza regards thefederal polity as the preferred mode of republican government. His Political Treatise marks the turn in political science from the classic polis to the extended republic of modern times. His argument converges with and illuminates that of The Federalist in several respects. This article discusses Spinoza's contributions to the federal idea, and shows the importance of federalism for understanding Spinoza.
A GIS Cost Model to Assess the Availability of Freshwater, Seawater, and Saline Groundwater for Algal Biofuel Production in the United States

A key advantage of using microalgae for biofuel production is the ability of some algal strains to thrive in waters unsuitable for conventional crop irrigation such as saline groundwater or seawater. Nonetheless, the availability of sustainable water supplies will provide significant challenges for scale-up and development of algal biofuels. We conduct a partial techno-economic assessment based on the availability of freshwater, saline groundwater, and seawater for use in open pond algae cultivation systems. We explore water issues through GIS-based models of algae biofuel production, freshwater supply (constrained to less than 5% of mean annual flow per watershed) and costs, and cost-distance models for supplying seawater and saline groundwater. We estimate that, combined, these resources can support 9.46 × 10(7) m(3) yr(-1) (25 billion gallons yr(-1)) of renewable biodiesel production in the coterminous United States. Achievement of larger targets requires the utilization of less water efficient sites and relatively expensive saline waters. Despite the addition of freshwater supply constraints and saline water resources, the geographic conclusions are similar to our previous results. Freshwater availability and saline water delivery costs are most favorable for the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and Florida peninsula, where evaporation relative to precipitation is moderate. As a whole, the barren and scrub lands of the southwestern U.S. have limited freshwater supplies, and large net evaporation rates greatly increase the cost of saline alternatives due to the added makeup water required to maintain pond salinity. However, this and similar analyses are particularly sensitive to knowledge gaps in algae growth/lipid production performance and the proportion of freshwater resources available, key topics for future investigation.
India and Iran: An ““Axis”” in the Making?

Bilateral relations between India and Iran have been on an upswing since the early 1990s, and the recent visit by the Iranian president to India has infused them with new momentum. This paper examines the strategic rationale behind Indo-Iranian engagement and the constraints that still hamper this bilateral relationship from realizing its full potential.
Physical heterogeneity of the ribosomal proteins from Escherichia coli.

The physical heterogeneity of unfractionated Escherichia coli ribosomal proteins has been investigated in 8 m -urea solutions of low pH. Sedimentation diffusion measurements of these proteins yielded an average molecular weight, M sD , of 26,000 and no sign of heterogeneity. Sedimentation equilibrium studies, employing ultraviolet optics, showed polydispersity of subunits and yielded a weightaverage molecular weight, M w , of 23,000 and a z-average molecule weight, M z , of 27,000. Ribosomal proteins subjected to disk electrophoresis displayed varying degrees of conformational heterogeneity depending on the pore size of the polyacrylamide gel used. In a gel of 15% polymer, 8 m -urea (pH 3·5), about twenty-four different bands were resolved. No evidence was obtained that these bands originate from a combination of phosphate or nucleotide binding, partial deamidation, carbamylation, reversible interactions or disulfide bridge formation between a more restricted number of subunits. It is concluded that ribosomal proteins from E. coli are composed of a complex mixture of polypeptides which differ in size, charge and presumably primary structure.
Surface wear characteristics of some hard carbons

Abstract The surface resistance to damage of homogeneous hard carbons such as glassy low temperature isotropic pyrolytic (LTI) and Ceraphite carbons have been determined by the falling abrasive particle test using SiC grit. Surfaces prepared from within the bulk of the glassy carbon specimens exhibit wear resistance proportional to their microindentation hardness but material near their virgin surfaces shows a lower resistance to this low velocity impact wear. Both pure and silicon-alloyed LTI carbons and Ceraphite material show considerably greater wear than the bulk glassy carbons of the same hardness. However, all of the hard carbons exhibit much greater surface damage resistance than other materials of comparable hardness such as mild steel or soda-lime glass. Microscopic surface examination indicates that brittle fracture is the main wear mode of the hard carbons in this test and the results are interpreted in terms of the microstructural features and characteristic elasticity properties of these solids.
Infrared hole burning and crystal structures of ammonium tosylate and ammonium triflate

Spectral hole burning the N-D bands of the title compounds doped with a small amount of deuterium reveals new types of changes in the conformation in the crystals at low temperatures. Using X-ray diffraction, the crystal structure of the tosylate is determined and shows ammonium ions that are particularly strongly hydrogen bonded at one N-H. Upon hole burning, the ion pivots about this bond. The triflate forms a crystal with a number of low symmetry sites. Hole burning one type of ion causes changes in the bands that arise from the other type. The switch between different types is probably due to a reorientation of the CF3 group of the triflate ion.
Variability of ozone in the marine boundary layer of the equatorial Pacific Ocean

This study examines the processes controlling the diurnal variability of ozone (O3) in the marine boundary layer of the Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands (latitude 8° 43′ N, longitude 167° 44′ E), during July to September 1999. At the study site, situated in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, O3 mixing ratios remained low, with an overall average of 9–10 parts per billion on a volume basis (ppbv) and a standard deviation of 2.5 ppbv. In the absence of convective storms, daily O3 mixing ratios decreased after sunrise and reached minimum during the afternoon in response to photochemical reactions. The peak-to-peak amplitude of O3 diurnal variation was approximately 1–3 ppbv. During the daytime, O3 photolysis, hydroperoxyl radicals, hydroxyl radicals, and bromine atoms contributed to the destruction of O3, which explained the observed minimum O3 levels observed in the afternoon. The entrainment of O3-richer air from the free troposphere to the local marine boundary layer provided a recovery mechanism of surface O3 mixing ratio with a transport rate of 0.04 to 0.2 ppbv per hour during nighttime. In the presence of convection, downward transport of O3-richer tropospheric air increased surface O3 mixing ratios by 3–12 ppbv. The magnitude of O3 increase due to moist convection was lower than that observed over the continent (as high as 20–30 ppbv). Differences were ascribed to the higher O3 levels in the continental troposphere and weaker convection over the ocean. Present results suggest that moist convection plays a role in surface-level O3 dynamics in the tropical marine boundary layer.
Genetics of gliding motility in Myxococcus xanthus: molecular cloning of the mgl locus

Wild-type Myxococcus xanthus cells move across solid surfaces by gliding. However no locomotory organelles for gliding have as yet been identified. Two sets of genes are required for gliding in M. xanthus: Gene System A is necessary for the gliding of isolated cells and Gene System S comes into play when cells are close together. The product of the mgl locus is required for both types of gliding and therefore may be a structural component of the gliding organelle. To begin to investigate the function of mgl in gliding a 12 kb segment of M. xanthus DNA containing the locus was cloned in Escherichia coli and returned to Myxococcus by specialized transduction with coliphage P1. In M. xanthus the chimeric plasmid integrates into the chromosome by recombination between the cloned segment and its homolog in the recipient chromosome forming a tandem duplication of the cloned segment with the vector sequences at the novel joint. The construction of partial diploids in this manner facilitated dominance tests and interallelic crosses with ten mgl alleles. We also describe a method for the analysis of tandem duplications that precisely maps alleles to a specific copy of the duplicated sequences. This method provides evidence for the dominance of mgl+ over the mgl- alleles. It also reveals what appears to be gene conversion at this locus during recombination between a cloned mgl sequence and its homolog in the chromosome.
Object Shape, Object Function, and Object Name

Abstract We investigated the roles of shape and function in object naming. Two-, three-, and five-year-olds and adults heard novel or familiar objects named; some participants also were instructed about the objects' functions. Then they were asked to generalize the names to new objects that preserved shape or functional capability; some participants also judged the objects' potential for carrying out the designated function. Children generalized the name by object shape regardless of instruction, but adults did so only in the absence of instruction or for familiar objects. Knowledge of function independent of naming became increasingly stronger and diverse over age. The strong developmental changes in the role of function bear on mechanisms of object naming.
Diode-pumped alexandrite laser for DIAL and Doppler lidar

The problem of laser selection for spaceflight DIAL or Doppler lidar is considered. Spaceflight lidar requires tens of watts of laser output, and the low efficiency of lasers imposes costly burdens on the spacecraft platform. DIAL requires a tunable laser, and Doppler an ultraviolet laser, so the high efficiency of the Nd:YAG laser is compromised. The alexandrite laser can in principle provide higher systems efficiency for DIAL or Doppler than the Nd:YAG, being intrinsically tunable, and capable of reaching the ultraviolet with frequency doubling. High power 680 nm laser diodes are now available with sufficient power to pump alexandrite to the necessary power levels. A Q-switched laser configuration is modeled to obtain a projection laser efficiency of 13 percent. A more conservative estimate is 3.5 percent, well below the 9 percent achieved with Nd:YAG. Considering the energy savings through intrinsic tunability, frequency doubling to the ultraviolet, and extremely narrow spectral linewidth, a Doppler wind lidar system based on the alexandrite laser would have four to nine times the efficiency of the Nd:YAG alternative.
Maturation of the middle and external ears: Acoustic power-based responses and reflectance tympanometry

Objective: The maturation of the external and middle ear in the human infant has significant effects on the interpretation of measured ear-canal responses to acoustic stimuli. A tutorial section is presented of power-based response functions, accompanied by a hierarchy of stimulus specifications contrasting pressure-based and power-based responses. An experimental section follows on reflectance tympanometry, the aims of which are to introduce and assess the feasibility of the technique and to discuss implications for tests of hearing development. Design: A tympanometric measurement of admittance is used with an estimate of ear-canal area to calculate a so-called reflectance tympanogram as a function of frequency and static pressure in the ear canal. Selected results on 226 Hz reflectance tympanograms are reported for normal-hearing adults and for infants of age 3 to 6 mo with both normal and flat 226 Hz admittance tympanograms. A multifrequency reflectance tympanogram is reported for an adult. Results: Measured at ambient ear-canal pressure, the acoustic external- and middle-ear responses of infants of age 1 to 6 mo are compared with those of adults. The admittance level is influenced by the ear-canal area, the interplay of compliant- and inertance-controlled effects in the middle ear, and the presence of losses. Ear-canal area is a major factor in distinguishing infant from adult responses. Energy reflectance provides a measure of middle-ear power transmission that is approximately independent of probe placement in the ear canal and that varies with maturation. These power-based responses, measured at ambient pressure, are contrasted with tympanometric measurements. Reflectance tympanometry is defined and easily measured in infants and adults. Some infants with flat 226 Hz tympanograms have energy reflectance in the normal range at higher frequencies (2 to 4 kHz). Conclusion: Acoustic measurements of power-based responses in the ear canal-reflectance, admittance, and impedance-provide insight into the maturation of the external and middle ear. Reflectance tympanometry tests the relative accuracy underlying the tympanometric measurement of compensated eardrum admittance and may have clinical utility.
Intelligent multimedia information retrieval

Foreword by Karen Sparck Jones Intelligent multimedia information retrieval lies at the intersection of artificial intelligence, information retrieval, human-computer interaction, and multimedia computing. Its systems enable users to create, process, summarize, present, interact with, and organize information within and across different media such as text, speech, graphics, imagery, and video. These systems go beyond traditional hypermedia and hypertext environments to analyze and generate media, and support intelligent interaction with or via multiple media.The chapters of this volume, which grew out of the 1995 International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence Workshop on Intelligent Multimedia Information Retrieval, span a broad range of topics. The book is organized into seven sections: Content-Based Retrieval of Imagery, Content-Based Retrieval of Graphics and Audio, Content-Based Retrieval of Video, Speech and Language Processing for Video Retrieval, Architectures and Tools, Intelligent Hypermedia Retrieval, and Empirical Evaluations.Contributors : Robert Adams, Phillipe Aigrain, Jonathan Ashley, Thom Blum, Shih-Fu Chang, Mei C. Chuah, W. Bruce Croft, Byron Dom, Ann Doubleday, Florence Dubois, Josef Fink, Myron Flickner, Jonathan Foote, Brian Frew, Monika Gorkani, Morgan Green, James Griffioen, Jon Alte Gulla, Jim Hafner, Qian Hang, Matt Hare, Alexander G. Hauptman, Stacie Hibino, Helmut Horacek, David House, Takafumi Inoue, Philippe Joly, Gareth Jones, Karen Sparck Jones, Douglas Keislaer, Stephen Kerpedjiev, Alfred Kobsa, Denis Lee, Veronique Longueville, Chien Yong Low, R. Manmatha, Inderjeet Mani, Mark T. Maybury, Bernard Merialdo, Adrian Muller, Wayne Niblac, Andreas Nill, Alex Pentland, Dragutin Petkovic, Steven F. Roth, Neil C. Rowe, Elke A. Rundensteiner, Harpreet Sawhney, John R. Smith, Stephen W. Smoliar, David Steele, Adelheit Stein, Oliviero Stock, Carlo Strapparava, Alistair Sutcliffe, Atshushi Takeshita, Kazuo Tanaka, Ulrich Thiel, Michele Ryan, Julita Vassileva, James Wheaton, Michael J. Witbrock, Erling Wold, JianHua Wu, Peter Yanker, Rajendra Yavatkar, Steven J. Young, Massimo Zancanaro, HongJiang Zhang
Simulation and Mockup of SNS Jet-Flow Target With Wall Jet for Cavitation Damage Mitigation

Pressure waves created in liquid mercury targets at the pulsed Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory induce cavitation damage on the stainless steel target vessel. The cavitation damage is thought to limit the lifetime of the target for power levels at and above 1 MW. Severe through-wall cavitation damage on an internal wall near the beam entrance window has been observed in spent-targets. Surprisingly though, there is very little damage on the walls that bound an annular mercury channel that wraps around the front and outside of the target. The mercury flow through this channel is characterized by smooth, attached streamlines. One theory to explain this lack of damage is that the uni-directional flow biases the direction of the collapsing cavitation bubble, reducing the impact pressure and subsequent damage. The theory has been reinforced by in-beam separate effects data. For this reason, a second-generation SNS mercury target has been designed with an internal wall jet configuration intended to protect the concave wall where damage has been observed. The wall jet mimics the annular flow channel streamlines, but since the jet is bounded on only one side, the momentum is gradually diffused by the bulk flow interactions as it progresses around the cicular path of the target nose. Numerical simulations of the flow through this jet-flow target have been completed, and a water loop has been assembled with a transparent test target in order to visualize and measure the flow field. This paper presents the wall jet simulation results, as well as early experimental data from the test loop.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Invasion dynamics of the glassy-winged sharpshooter Homalodisca vitripennis (Germar) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in French Polynesia

The glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca vitripennis (Germar) [formerly Homalodisca coagulata (Say)] (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), has recently emerged as a serious invasive pest. From its natural range in the southeast USA and northeast Mexico, it invaded successively California (late 1980s), French Polynesia (1999), Hawaii (2004), and recently Easter Island (2005) inadvertently through the transportation of infested plants. In French Polynesia, H. vitripennis has reached impressive densities becoming an important pest threatening agriculture, native biodiversity, as well as being a major social nuisance. Since 1999, H. vitripennis spread rapidly from Tahiti to neighboring islands, colonizing most of the archipelagos of French Polynesia. In this paper, we present the results of surveys of H. vitripennis populations from 15 islands of French Polynesia and use these data to investigate the invasion dynamics and colonization processes of this pest in a tropical climate. We found H. vitripennis present in 10 islands with two new records confirmed. Our analyses suggest that: (1) H. vitripennis abundance is strongly associated with urbanization, with highest pest densities found in the most developed coastal areas of infested islands, (2) H. vitripennis may exhibit an Allee effect during the early phase of an invasion, and (3) the invasion dynamics of H. vitripennis conform to a stratified dispersal model marked by rapid long-distance human-mediated movement.
Missing Voices Patterns of Battered Women's Satisfaction With the Criminal Legal System

Many survivors of intimate partner violence turn to the criminal legal system for help in ending the violence against them. An increasing amount of research has focused on how the system ought to handle these cases. But, with few exceptions, the existing research has not examined survivors'satisfaction with the criminal legal system. The current research explored intimate partner violence survivors' patterns of satisfaction with the criminal legal system response. Survivors from three sites were interviewed after a domestic violence-related court case closed. Cluster analysis revealed four patterns of satisfaction with multiple components of the criminal legal system. Multinomial logistic regression was used to evaluate an ecological model predicting cluster membership. Characteristics of the survivor and assailant, the criminal legal system response, and women's perceived control over this response were all related to satisfaction. Implications for improving the criminal legal system response to survivor...
Renin expression in COX-2-knockout mice on normal or low-salt diets.

Experiments were performed in mice to investigate whether cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in epithelial cells near the tubulovascular contact point (macula densa and TAL cells) may regulate renin gene expression in juxtaglomerular granular cells. Renin activity, afferent arteriolar granularity, and renin mRNA were determined in wild-type mice and in COX-2-knockout mice on control and low-NaCl diets. Renin activity in microdissected glomeruli assessed as angiotensin I formation in the presence of excess substrate and afferent arteriolar granularity determined by direct visualization and immunostaining were significantly reduced in COX-2 −/− compared with wild-type animals. Similarly, renal cortical mRNA levels were lower in COX-2 −/− than in wild-type mice. Maintaining mice on a low-salt diet for 14 days induced an increase in renin mRNA, afferent arteriolar granularity, and renin activity in wild-type mice. In contrast, renin mRNA and renin granularity did not significantly increase in low-salt-treated COX-2 −/−...
Grouping increases visual detection risk by specialist parasitoids

The benefits of prey grouping may be offset by increased detectability. With a focus on visual detectability, I investigated the potential costs of 2 traits, mine size and group size (number of mines per leaf), of a leaf-mining species, Antispila nysaefoliella (Lepidoptera: Heliozelidae), on the risk of visual detection by parasitoids and the ability to evade attack and capture after detection. Through field experimentation using artificial leaves and mines coated with a nontoxic adhesive spray for trapping insects, I found that the visual cues from groups of mines caused a significant increase in the number of parasitoids captured on experimental leaves (with artificial mines) relative to control leaves (without artificial mines). However, mine size did not. The observational evidence not only supports these patterns but also shows that the per capita risk of parasitism declines with large groups. These results provide evidence of a trade-off between avoiding visual detection and escaping attack after detection.
The Origin of Politics: An Evolutionary Theory of Political Behavior

In this article we propose that evolutionary biology can supply political science with a theory of the ultimate causes of human preferences and behaviors that it otherwise lacks. For the most part, political scientists are either unfamiliar with the social side of evolutionary theory or misidentify its key features. Far from being genetically deterministic or leading exclusively to predictions that all human behavior will be selfish, modern evolutionary theories stress that adaptive behavior is frequently characterized by a guarded sort of cooperation. We describe modern biological theory, offer our own version of it, discuss new and potentially useful interpretations of political attitudes and public policies, and present scientific evidence, drawn from research on autistic individuals and monozygotic and dizygotic twins, of the startlingly important role genetics plays in shaping politically relevant attitudes and behaviors.
Spatially distributed storm runoff depth estimation using Landsat images and GIS

The use of geographic information systems (GISs) and remote sensing to facilitate the estimation of runoff from watershed and agricultural fields has gained increasing attention in recent years. This is mainly due to the fact that rainfall-runoff models include both spatial and geomorphologic variations. The US Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Curve Number (USDA-NRCS-CN) method was used in this study for determining the runoff depth. Runoff curve number was determined based on the factors of hydrologic soil group, land use, land treatment, and hydrologic conditions. GIS and remote sensing were used to provide quantitative measurements of drainage basin morphology for input into runoff models so as to estimate runoff response. The study was conducted on the S-65A sub-basin of the Kissimmee River basin in south Florida. Land use from Landsat images for 1980, 1990 and 2000 were considered in the study. The process of determining spatially distributed runoff curve numbers from Landsat images is presented in this study using GIS and image processing software. Spatially distributed runoff curve numbers and runoff depth were determined for the watershed for different land use classes. Results of the study show that land use changes determined from Landsat images are useful in studying the runoff response of the basin. It is shown that the S-65A sub-basin has undergone land use and runoff response changes over the 20 years period of time. The area covered by water and wetlands in 2000 is higher than in 1980 and 1990. In 2000 areas having CN of greater than 90 accounted for 3% compared to 0.9 and 0.6% in 1980 and 1990 respectively. This was due to the increase in wetlands and water covered areas attributed to the Kissimmee River restoration work, which started in 1997 and aimed at restoring lost wetlands and floodplains.
PS1-39: Accuracy of Coding for Cigarette Smoking in the Electronic Medical Records of a Large Integrated Health System

Background/Aims Cigarette smoking is an important risk factor for multiple serious health outcomes and has significant consequences for health care management and research. However, the completeness and accuracy of the smoking information in the electronic medical record (EMR) system remain unknown. We assessed the accuracy of diagnosis coding for cigarette smoking in the EMR using self-reported smoking status collected from Kaiser Permanente Southern California (KPSC) male members who participated in the California Men’s Health study (CMHS).
An introduction to matched filters

In a tutorial exposition, the following topics are discussed: definition of a matched filter; where matched filters arise; properties of matched filters; matched-filter synthesis and signal specification; some forms of matched filters.
VA Professional Nursing Regulation and Practice

Just as boards of nursing (BONs) operationalize statutes specific to states' rules and regulations within their nurse practice act, Congress provides the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with the power and authority to regulate the professional activities of its health care practitioners under Title 38 of United States Code. Under this authority, the VA establishes qualifications for nurses and regulates their professional conduct. This article presents a demographic overview of VA registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists; nursing practice standards and elements; the appointment, credentialing, and peer review of VA professional nurses; advanced practice registered nurse privileging; reporting and responding to BONs; and the related processes that ensure public safety.
EFFECTS OF FIXED AND VARIABLE RATIOS ON HUMAN BEHAVIORAL VARIABILITY

The effect that ratio schedules of reinforcement had upon variability of responding was investigated in college students. Subjects were paid $0.02 contingent upon completion of eight presses, distributed in any combination across two push buttons; 256 different sequences were possible. Sequence emission was reinforced according to fixed- and variable-ratio schedules. Ratio requirements of 1, 2, 4 and 8 were presented in alternate components of a multiple schedule. The variability engendered by variable-ratio schedules was also compared to that engendered by fixed ratios. Variability increased with ratio size, irrespective of whether the schedule requirement was fixed or variable. The data demonstrate the similarity between the determinants of human and nonhuman variability, and they illustrate the role of ratio size in determining variability in operant behavior.
The transcriptional coactivator MAML1 regulates p300 autoacetylation and HAT activity

MAML1 is a transcriptional coregulator originally identified as a Notch coactivator. MAML1 is also reported to interact with other coregulator proteins, such as CDK8 and p300, to modulate the activity of Notch. We, and others, previously showed that MAML1 recruits p300 to Notch-regulated genes through direct interactions with the DNA-CSL-Notch complex and p300. MAML1 interacts with the C/H3 domain of p300, and the p300-MAML1 complex specifically acetylates lysines of histone H3 and H4 tails in chromatin in vitro. In this report, we show that MAML1 potentiates p300 autoacetylation and p300 transcriptional activation. MAML1 directly enhances p300 HAT activity, and this coincides with the translocation of MAML1, p300 and acetylated histones to nuclear bodies.
A realistic two-dimensional model of aerosol transport and deposition in the alveolar zone of the human lung

Abstract A realistic two-dimensional model of aerosol transport and deposition in the alveolar zone of the human lung was developed, using the FIDAP software package (Fluent, Inc). Gas flow corresponding to a mouth flow rate of 500 ml s −1 was computed in a symmetric 6-generation structure of alveolated ducts located in a vertical plane. A bolus of 2 μm -diameter particles was introduced in the model at the beginning of inspiration. Particle trajectories were predicted for one breath cycle ( 2 s inspiration, 2 s expiration). There were large non-uniformities in deposition between generations, between ducts of a given generation and within each alveolated duct, suggesting that local aerosol concentrations can be much larger than the mean acinar concentration. A significant number of particles failed to exit the structure during expiration. Most of these particles were located deep in the structure (distal to the 3rd generation), leaving them in a position to penetrate deeper in the lung during the subsequent inspiration and eventually deposit.
2,3,7-Trihaloindoles

Abstract In order to assign structures to a series of antifungal trihaloindoles isolated from a marine alga,1 we found it necessary to synthesize all eight isomers of the bromo- and chloro-2,3,7-trisubstituted indoles. Since six of these isomers contain mixed halides, methods that permit specific introduction of halogen at each site were necessary.
Information dimension, information overload and decision quality

The impact of information load both under and overload on decision quality is an important topic, yet results of empirical research are inconsistent. These mixed results may be due to the fact that information load itself is a function of information dimension. A meta-analysis of 31 experiments reported in 18 empirical bankruptcy prediction studies was conducted to test the effect of two information dimensions: information diversity and information repetitiveness. Results indicated that both information dimensions have an adverse impact on decision quality: provision of either diverse or repeated information can be detrimental to prediction accuracy. The findings have implications for information suppliers and researchers who are interested in improving the quality of human decision making.
Scheduling processing resources in programmable routers

To provide flexibility in deploying new protocols and services, general-purpose processing engines are being placed in the datapath of routers. Such network processors are typically simple RISC multiprocessors that perform forwarding and custom application processing of packets. The inherent unpredictability of execution time of an arbitrary instruction code poses a significant challenge in providing QoS guarantees for data flows that compete for such processing resources in the network. However, we show that network processing workloads are highly regular and predictable. Using estimates of execution times of various applications on packets of given lengths, we provide a method for admission control and QoS scheduling of processing resources. We present a processor scheduling algorithm called estimation-based fair queuing (EFQ) which uses these estimates, and provides significantly better delay guarantees than processor scheduling algorithms which do not take packet execution times into consideration.
Sediment and Nutrient Deposition Associated with Hurricane Wilma in Mangroves of the Florida Coastal Everglades

The distribution of mangrove biomass and forest structure along Shark River estuary in the Florida Coastal Everglades (FCE) has been correlated with elevated total phosphorus concentration in soils thought to be associated with storm events. The passage of Hurricane Wilma across Shark River estuary in 2005 allowed us to quantify sediment deposition and nutrient inputs in FCE mangrove forests associated with this storm event and to evaluate whether these pulsing events are sufficient to regulate nutrient biogeochemistry in mangrove forests of south Florida. We sampled the spatial pattern of sediment deposits and their chemical properties in mangrove forests along FCE sites in December 2005 and October 2006. The thickness (0.5 to 4.5 cm) of hurricane sediment deposits decreased with distance inland at each site. Bulk density, organic matter content, total nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations, and inorganic and organic P pools of hurricane sediment deposits differed from surface (0–10 cm) mangrove soils at each site. Vertical accretion resulting from this hurricane event was eight to 17 times greater than the annual accretion rate (0.30 ± 0.03 cm year−1) averaged over the last 50 years. Total P inputs from storm-derived sediments were equivalent to twice the average surface soil nutrient P density (0.19 mg cm−3). In contrast, total N inputs contributed 0.8 times the average soil nutrient N density (2.8 mg cm−3). Allochthonous mineral inputs from Hurricane Wilma represent a significant source of sediment to soil vertical accretion rates and nutrient resources in mangroves of southwestern Everglades. The gradient in total P deposition to mangrove soils from west to east direction across the FCE associated with this storm event is particularly significant to forest development due to the P-limited condition of this carbonate ecosystem. This source of P may be an important adaptation of mangrove forests in the Caribbean region to projected impacts of sea-level rise.