cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Field Evaluation of Safety Issues in Local/short Haul Trucking

Despite comprising the largest segment of the trucking industry, very little research has been directed at investigating safety issues in Local/Short Haul (L/SH) operations. To this end, the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is funding a research project aimed at investigating safety issues in L/SH. A two-phased research project was conducted to (1) determine the general safety issues in L/SH trucking and (2) determine the extent to which fatigue is an issue. Phase I of this research, which involved focus groups with L/SH drivers, has been described previously (Hanowski, et al., 1999). The present research outlines Phase II of this effort which involved conducting a field study with instrumented L/SH trucks. Two L/SH trucking companies and 42 drivers participated in this study. L/SH trucks were instrumented with a variety of data collection systems, and data were gathered as the drivers worked their normal delivery routes. The focus of the analyses is on critic...
Spiritual well-being of the individual with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: A study was conducted to: (1) establish the feasibility and reliability of the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS) and its religious (RWB) and existential well-being (EWB) subscales in a sample of individuals with ALS; (2) describe the spiritual and religious practices, and spiritual well-being in these individuals; and (3) examine the relationship between spiritual well-being and quality of life. METHOD: A random sample of 60 individuals completed the SWBS at the beginning and end of an ALS clinic visit. Subjects were classified into early, middle or late stage of ALS, using vital capacity and total ALS Functional Rating Scale scores. A subsample completed the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP). RESULTS: The SWBS and its RWB and EWB subscales were found to have high internal consistency and test-retest reliability. There were no statistically significant differences in SWB, RWB or EWB scores among the three stages of ALS. RWB scores were significantly higher than EWB scores overall and within the mi...
SU‐E‐T‐494: A Fan‐Beam Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy System

Purpose: To conceive, develop, and characterize a fan beam proton therapy system able to deliver intensity modulated treatments, designed for use in conjunction with an isocentric gantry and capable of being retrofit onto existing passive scattering systems. Methods: A range and intensity modulation device was developed to selectively modulate channels of protons within subsections of a fan beam. Simulations were performed using MCNPX to optimize various aspects of the design, most importantly being the size of the fan subsections affected by individual modulation channels. Due to the complex geometry of the modulator, an MCNPX‐based treatment planning system was developed to obtain accurate results. Phantom studies were performed to test the capabilities of the system, and later CT data was incorporated into the MCNPX simulations in order to calculate dose to a patient using clinical contours and objectives. Results: For individual beam channels ranging in size from 0.5 to 2.1 cm, dose spots sizes are between 2.0 and 4.5 cm full width at half‐maximum. While these are large, homogeneous dose distributions are achievable with little dependence on channel width when delivered from 29 angles. Dose coverage near a target edge suffers if delivery angles are reduced below approximately 10–15 angles. Treatment plans on a clinical dataset indicate that the system would likely be clinically acceptable, producing homogeneous target coverage with an estimated treatment time of 15–20 minutes per patient. Conclusions: A fan beam system to deliver IMPT in an isocentric geometry has been developed and simulated. Since significant scatter occurs in the range and intensity modulator device, MCNPX was used in order to accurately characterize the system and evaluate its capabilities. With a minimum of approximately 15 treatment angles, the system can deliver conformal and homogeneous doses to both phantom and clinical targets in reasonable timeframes. Funding provided by NIH Grant 5T32CA009206
A Different Way of Making a Difference: Learning through Feelings

Tells the personal story of one individual′s journey in trying to understand how she is situated in the world relative to others, what she has absorbed (often unconsciously) about those who are different from her in some societally defined way, and how her Whiteness has both framed and limited how she sees, thinks about and acts towards herself and others. Recounts some experiences as a White faculty member in a predominantly Black university, relates some of what has been learned from them, and how this learning has contributed to a significant reshaping of thought, concerning teaching and learning, and thus how she thinks about “making a difference”
Consumption, Work Hours, and Values in the Writings of John A. Ryan: Is it Possible to Return to the Road Not Taken?

Abstract The 1920s saw important debate about consumption and work hours. Some industrialists argued that work hours needed to remain high to sustain demand for output; others thought they could fall because people would buy goods to complement their leisure. In contrast, John A. Ryan thought that work hours could and should decline in the interests of “industrial sanity, social well-being, and desirable human life.” This paper discusses Ryan's views of consumption and work hours, which were far broader and richer than contemporary critique. Ryan's writings clarify that, if contemporary projects are to engender the sort of fundamental changes in everyday life contemplated in the 1920s, they need to consider social as well as individual values and the ineludible distributional dimensions of the consumerist lifestyle; otherwise their effects may be confined to promoting lifestyle adjustment among better-off groups.
Relating cryptography and formal methods: a panel

Bridging the gap between formal methods and cryptography has recently received a lot of interest, i.e., investigating to what extent proofs of cryptographic protocols made with abstracted cryptographic operations are valid for real implementations. This led to the notion of cryptographically faithful (sound) abstractions. These abstractions allow for a provably secure cryptographic implementation; however their incorporation into machine-aided verification of security protocols has not been properly adressed yet. The panel should serve as an opportunity to discuss the current state-of-the-art in this area of research as well as the suitability of these abstractions for tool-supported verification of cryptographic protocols. We hope that the discussion will shed light on how far both communities are still apart.
A Media Campaign Prevention Program for Child Sexual Abuse Community Members' Perspectives

This study examines the face validity and feasibility of materials included in a multimedia child sexual abuse (CSA) prevention campaign. A quantitative survey method assessed participants' comfort level, knowledge gain, and likelihood of behavioral change in response to the media campaign. Furthermore, a focus group method explored participants' attitudes and opinions regarding the campaign and the unique effects of ethnic or cultural norms on participants' acceptance of the media materials. Six groups, established based on participant ethnicity (i.e., three Caucasian groups, two African American groups, one Hispanic group), met at two sites in the Charleston, South Carolina, area. Quantitative data suggest that participants reported increased CSA knowledge and low levels of discomfort or anxiety related to exposure to the materials. Focus group results suggest that study participants, regardless of ethnic background, agreed that the media campaign can have a positive impact on public knowledge of CSA. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Sensitivity and Reliability of Local Dynamic Stability: Effects of Age and Altered Sensory Conditions:

Local dynamic stability was investigated during quiet upright stance with respect to age and altered sensory conditions. From center of pressure (COP) trajectories, the largest Lyapunov exponent (Λmax) was extracted to directly parameterize local dynamic stability, and the reliability of Λmax was assessed using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Thirty two participants volunteered for upright quiet stance trials. Vision and somatosenstaion were experimentally altered: vision was modified by eye closure, and somatosensation by using both a hard surface (HS) and a soft surface (SS). Age and vision had main effects on Λma, and the age x vision and vision x surface interaction effects were also significant. In general, older participants were less stable (i.e., higher Λmax) than younger, and altered sensory information resulted in a decrease in stability. Reliability was higher for older versus younger participants. Use of Λmax enabled a direct assessment of age-related differences in local dynami...
Dipole-stabilized carbanions: a computational study of N-methylformamide anion and methyl N-methylcarbamate anion.

The relative energies of the rotamers of the carbanions derived from N-methylformamide and methyl N-methylcarbamate have been studied at the MP2/6-311+G* and B3LYP/6-311+G* theoretical levels. There results are in good agreement but differ substantially from previously reported HF/6-31G* calculations for the N-methylformamide anions. Transition states for rotation and inversion of the anions were located. The methoxy group in methyl N-methylcarbamate has a large effect on the relative energies of the anions. The results are compared with those previously reported for the N-(methoxycarbonyl)piperidine anions, and it is found that the decreased conformational flexibility has an effect on the relative energies of these ions.
Monitoring Quality of Care in Residential Care for the Elderly: The Information Challenge

This study assesses the administrative data compiled on residential care facilities for the elderly (RCFEs) by the state of California and considers the feasibility of their adaptation into a comprehensive information system. Required state RCFE reporting forms were reviewed for potential data elements. Recording and reporting variation was evaluated using a stratified probability sample of 340 facilities licensed in Northern and Central California. Stratification was by facility size and state district office. Data collection included a 5-year retrospective review of forms and documents in each facility's public file. Little of the information required from RCFEs is computerized. Most of it is maintained at the individual facility and not included in public files. Basic information, while included in the public file, is commonly either not available or not current. Resident characteristics and outcomes are not compiled, except indirectly in citations. The information required from RCFEs, if appropriately...
Powerful Pedagogy in the Science‐and‐Religion Classroom

This essay is a discussion of effective teaching in the science-and-religion classroom. I begin by introducing Alfred North Whitehead's three stages of learning-romance, discipline, and generalization-and consider their implications for powerful pedagogy in science and religion. Following Whitehead's three principles, I develop a number of additional heuristics that deal with active, visual, narrative, cooperative, and dialogical learning styles. Finally, I present twelve guidelines for how to use e-mail and class-based listserves to achieve some of these outcomes.
Confinement effects in the optical properties of semiconductor nanocrystals

We discuss the implications of electromagnetic confinement in the optical properties of nanocrystals. The test case is silicon nanocrystals containing up to 71 silicon atoms, although the main conclusions are valid for generic semiconductor nanocrystals. The energy-resolved electric susceptibility is shown to be dominated by a plasmon resonance, having little resemblance with the dielectric function of the constituent material.
Critical requirements in combustion research

Abstract This document summarizes a study to survey the state-of-the-art in combustion research and to discuss combustion-related research needs. In order to complete these tasks, information was obtained from three sources: (1) published, combustion-related review articles, (2) program plans from agencies sponsoring combustion-related research, and (3) a survey of experienced combustion researchers. In order to synthesize results from these sources, combustion research activities were divided into applied areas (coal gasification, explosions, fires, power generation, reciprocating engines, virginal and residual solid fossil fuels, solid propellants and turbine engines) and fundamental areas (chemistry of combustible materials, combustor modeling, detonations and explosions, diagnostics/instrumentation, droplet kinetics, flame ignition, stability and propagation, gas phase kinetics, particle/droplet dynamics, pollutant formation, radiative heat transfer, soot formation/reduction and turbulence/fluid mechanics). Approximately 160 combustion-related review articles published in the past five years were located which provide access to over 16,000 references in the combustion literature. At least three articles from each applied and each fundamental area were reviewed, and the most frequently identified key research needs in these articles were summarized. Combustion research program plans were sought from twenty-three agencies and received from twelve agencies. Research plans were then categorized according to relevant applied and fundamental combustion areas. A survey instrument with the above applied and fundamental categories was developed, and sent to fifty-five prominent combustion researchers. Survey responses were received from forty-three researchers. The survey provided opportunity for respondents to identify principal combustion research needs. Based on these three sources of information, the key combustion research needs identified in the applied areas were: clean and efficient combustion of low-grade liquid and solid fuels, and reduction of pollutants through combustion control. The key combustion research needs identified in the fundamental areas were: interactions of turbulence and kinetics, non-intrusive combustion diagnostics, computer model development, gas-phase kinetics, droplet/particle cloud combustion, soot formation and chemistry, flame structure and solid phase kinetics. Additional detail and discussion of these research needs are given in the text. The senior author further identified significant research needs in droplet/particle dynamics, explosions and chemistry of combustible materials. At the request of the senior author, this document was also independently reviewed by two prominent combustion researchers and their comments are included in this document.
Synthesis of a carboranyl nucleoside for potential use in neutron capture therapy of cancer

Abstract The reaction of 2′,3′-O-(dibutylstannylene)uridine (1) with 3-bromopropyne yielded 2′,(3′)-O-(3-propynyl)uridine (2 and 3). The mixture of 2 and 3 on acetylation followed by chromatographic purification yielded 3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-O-(3-propynyl) uridine (4). Reaction of 4 with bis(acetonitrile)decaborane produced 3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-O-(o-carboran-l-ylmethyl)uridine (5). Deacetylation of 5 gave 2′-O-(o-carboran-l-ylmethyl) uridine (6), a boronated nucleoside for potential use in neutron capture therapy of cancer.
Applications possibilities for fuzzy failure analysis, and diagnosis of reactor plant components and areas

Abstract Presented is an analysis on the relevance of fuzzy sets and systems theory to the reactor plant failure analysis and diagnosis. A fuzzy failure diagnostic Command Synthesis is elaborated upon and two inequalities for estimating the bounds on the components of the failure vector are presented. These are then combined to obtain a single inequality for failure diagnosis. Numerical examples are then given for realistic reactor plant situations and specific results are obtained for the failure diagnosis of a main coolant pump.
Lyapunov-Based Attitude Tracking Control of a Quadrotor UAV

In this paper, we use the Newton-Euler formulation to derive the equations of motion of a quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle. We use the Modified Rodrigues Parameters to describe the attitude motion of a quadrotor for large attitude angles. Then, a globally stable feedback law for the problem of attitude tracking control of the vehicle was derived based on the Lyapunov’s direct method. Simulation results confirm that the proposed controller can track a reference attitude signal in the presence of parameter uncertainty, time delay, and slow time-varying external moments.© 2012 ASME
Critical current degradation of short YBa2Cu3O7 − δ coated conductor due to an unprotected quench

The critical current of a short YBa2Cu3O7 − δ (YBCO) coated conductor sample degrades in an unprotected quench performed in a nearly adiabatic environment at 30 K. The conductor has Cu stabilizers on both surfaces. The quench is initiated by a heater attached to the sample surface. The amplitude of the transport current is fixed as 91% of the sample's initial critical current. The duration of the current is increased to simulate an unprotected quench and to reach increasing and controlled voltage and temperature levels. A peak temperature of 490 ± 50 K and a heating rate of 1800 K s − 1 are measured when the critical current degrades by ~ 5%. The applied thermal strain on the YBCO layer from 30 to 490 K is estimated to be 0.31% and is applied at a strain rate of ~ 1% s − 1. The rate of temperature change and the time to reach a certain peak temperature, determined by the current density in the Cu stabilizer, are estimated assuming adiabatic conditions based on the short sample case. For a Cu stabilizer current density ranging from 1000 to 2000 A mm − 2, achieved in commercial conductors currently available, the quench detection and protection requires a response time < 200 ms to limit the peak temperature below 200 K. A Cu stabilizer current density higher than 3000 A mm − 2 may challenge the existing detection and protection techniques for the same 200 K limit. Integrating the substrate as part of the stabilizer may help reduce the stabilizer current density to gain more time for quench detection and protection while maintaining the engineering current density.
Legal aspects of the team approach to diabetes treatment.

Expansion of the team approach to diabetes care will most likely have significant ramifications in malpractice liability law as applied to diabetes educators, physicians, treatment teams, and supporting hospitals. This analysis focuses on the nature of the team approach to diabetes care, nationally promulgated standards for its practice, and predictions of the parameters of malpractice law. The estab lishment of a national certifi cation procedure identifies specialists in diabetes education, allowing for the expanded roles of diabetes educators, and promotes a minimum standard of care to which practitioners may be held. Likewise, the criteria for recog nition by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) serve as guide lines for diabetes education programs. Current legal. decisions suggest that these standards may be applied nationally as measures of malpractice liability. Application of certification guidelines may minimize allegations of malpractice.
Passage of sugars and urea across the isolated retina pigment epithelium of the frog.

Abstract This paper describes the determination of the unidirectional fluxes of [ 3 H]3- o -methylglucose, [ 14 C] d -glucose, [ 14 C]mannitol and [ 14 C]urea across the isolated retina pigment epithelium of the frog, Rana catesbiana , placed as a membrane between two well-stirred fluid compartments. The data indicated that in preparations with a d.c.-resistance of 100–200 ohm cm 2 there was a statistically significant difference between the influx (choroidal to apical) of 3- o -methylglucose and of d -glucose and the flux of these compounds in the opposite direction. No differences were detected for the fluxes of mannitol and urea. The level of electrical resistance of the preparation did not affect the apical to choroidal flux of [ 3 H]3- o -methylglucose whereas higher resistances decreased the flux in the direction towards the retina. The data is discussed in terms of the sugar requirements of the retina.
Characterization of an Undermatched Weld

Undermatched welds are becoming more and more common as the tensile strength of the base metal used in industry continues to increase. This paper shall discuss the metallurgical characterization of an undermatched weld in an alloy steel with approximately 170 ksi typical tensile strength. The characterization included magnetic particle and radiographic inspection of the welded plate, a metallographic examination, microhardness surveys, tensile testing, bend testing, and fractographic examination of the tensile specimens.
The empretron, a mercury pool arc tube allowing operation at repetition rates in the kilocycle range

The empretron is a new mercury pool arc tube for switching applications. The arc between the mercury pool cathode and the main anode is initiated by a vacuum spark. The spark discharge occurs between two continuously replenishable electrodes, one being an electrode partly immersed in the mercury pool and the other, the starter electrode, a mercury reservoir supported above the mercury pool. Starting is accomplished by applying a high-voltage pulse to the starter electrode. The resulting spark discharge develops into an arc between the cathode and the main anode. The minimum energy necessary for arc initiation, 10?3 to 10?2 joules per start, is determined by the stray capacitance between the starter electrode and the mercury pool. Operation at repetition rates up to 5,000 cps (cycles per second) has been demonstrated. This is about one order of magnitude higher than the upper limit of 400 cps for the conventional ignitron.
Mutant cells that abnormally process plasma membrane glycoproteins encoded by murine leukemia virus.

Abstract Wild-type normal rat kidney fibroblasts infected with the Friend strain of murine leukemia virus (MuLV) contain two virus-encoded glycoproteins on the outer surfaces of their plasma membranes: an envelope glycoprotein with an apparent molecular weight of 70,000 (gp70), and a glycoprotein that reacts with antisera to the major virion internal core proteins p30, p15, p12 and p10 and has an apparent molecular weight of 93,000 (gp93 gag ). To analyze the functions of these glycoproteins and to develop a model system for studying genetics of membrane synthesis, we used an immunoselection method to isolate variant cell clones defective in processing these glycoproteins into their plasma membranes. Several lines of evidence, including complementation of glycoprotein processing defects by fusion with uninfected wild-type cells, indicate that the immunoselected variants have stably inherited membrane synthesis abnormalities that are encoded by cellular rather than by viral genes. The H4 cell line, which was selected by use of antiserum to gp70, has metabolic defects that interfere with processing of both gp70 and gp93 gag into its plasma membranes. Nevertheless, this cell line releases noninfectious MuLV. Furthermore, two cell lines (2 and 5), which were selected by use of antiserum to the virion core protein p30, specifically lack detectable cell surface or intracellular gp93 gag but contain cell surface gp70 and release infectious MuLV. These results suggest that MuLV particles can bud efficiently from cells that lack known virus-encoded plasma membrane constituents.
Does gatekeeping control costs for privately insured children? Findings from the 1996 medical expenditure panel survey.

OBJECTIVE Gatekeeping requirements were widely adopted by health insurers in an attempt to control costs in the mid-1990s, but empirical evidence demonstrating decreased health expenditures for children enrolled in such plans is lacking. METHODS We analyzed data from 3254 children with private health insurance sampled in the 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) to compare total per capita health expenditures among gatekeeping versus indemnity plan enrollees. This sample represents 40.4 million privately insured American children. Total expenditures were defined as payments from all sources, including third-party and out-of-pocket payments, but excluding administrative costs. MEPS data are based on information provided by patients, health care providers, and hospitals. Gatekeeping plans included all children enrolled in health maintenance organizations or other plans requiring a primary care gatekeeper. All others were considered indemnity plan enrollees. RESULTS Mean total per capita annual expenditures for children in gatekeeping versus indemnity plans differed by <1% (887 dollars vs 881 dollars, respectively). Third-party payments by gatekeeping plans on behalf of their beneficiaries were 636 dollars versus 595 dollars by indemnity plans. Out-of-pocket payments were on average 62 dollars less for gatekeeping enrollees than for indemnity enrollees. After multivariate adjustment, mean per capita expenditures were approximately 4% lower for gatekeeping enrollees than for indemnity enrollees. CONCLUSION In 1996, total per capita annual health expenditures for children in gatekeeping plans were approximately 8 dollars less than for those in indemnity plans. These data indicate that gatekeeping is not an effective cost-containment method for children.
Application of three-mode controllers for nonlinear system synthesis

A compensator design scheme illustrating the application of a proportional plus integral plus derivative (PID) control action for absolute stability of nonlinear systems is presented. The proportional plus integral (PI) and PID control actions are compared using the circle criterion. The design approach presented is digital computer oriented. Analog simulations substantiate the results.
Safer Pneumoperitoneum Refills

SUMMARY As shown in the illustrations, the height of the abdominal air space in a patient with artificially induced pneumoperitoneum is increased on deep inspiration as compared with expiration. It is therefore concluded that for those patients receiving pneumoperitoneum refills in whom an appreciable air space is not present, the insertion of the needle at the end of a deep inspiration is a safer procedure to reduce the danger of injuring the abdominal viscera.
Properties of corticosterone-binding macromolecules from rat brain cytosol

Abstract A partial characterization has been made of [ 3 H]corticosterone-binding macromolecules from the cytosols of rat brain. The macromolecules are protein(s) and appear to have a molecular weight in excess of 200,000 because of migration characteristics on Sephadex and Sepharose 4B. Binding properties were measured which showed that the K dissoc is 2.7 × 10 −10 and 0.47 pmoles of corticosterone are bound/mg of protein, indicating a high affinity and limited capacity for [ 3 H]corticosterone. Competitive binding studies were performed which indicate that the protein(s) have a high degree of specificity for [ 3 H]corticosterone including stereospecificity. Based on its biological potency, dexamethasone did not compete with corticosterone for binding sites to the extent expected. Examination of rat brains with respect to their capacity to bind [ 3 H]corticosterone in vitro indicated that the greatest concentration of cytosol-binding molecules was localized in the hippocampus. Evidence was obtained that the corticosterone-binding protein in brain cytosol is not corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG).
A 20 dBm Q-band SiGe Class-E power amplifier with 31% peak PAE

A Q-band two-stage Class-E power amplifier is designed and fabricated in a 0.13 μm SiGe HBT BiCMOS process. A mm-wave Class-E architecture considering the effect of various interconnect parasitics is adopted to achieve high power efficiency. Proper input and output networks have been designed to enable efficient switching of the HBT at large voltage swings without causing unwanted impact ionization-induced negative base current and instability. The measured performance of the fabricated chip show 20.2 dBm maximum output power, 31.5% peak power added efficiency, and 10.5 dB power gain across 4 GHz centered around 45 GHz for a supply voltage of 2.5 V. The total chip area including the pads is 0.74 mm × 1.7 mm.
Morphologic edge detection in range images

Range images provide an explicit encoding of the shape and the geometric structure of the objects in the image from the point of view of the sensor. Morphological operators are ideally suited for analysis of range images due to their inherently geometric nature. Most morphological edge operators meant for intensity images are concerned only with jump and ramp edges and not with crease and roof edges. Since roof and crease edges do not correspond to depth discontinuity, such operators cannot be used to detect these edges in range images. In this paper, edge detection schemes for range images based on morphological operations are presented. It is shown that by a suitable choice of the structuring element, selective crease and roof edges can be extracted, and by using multiple structuring elements oriented in different directions, directional sensitivity to edge detection can be incorporated. Several examples of morphological edge detection in range images are presented.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Note to McGlynn’s article “Native and invasive plant interactions in wetlands and the minimal role of invasiveness” in Biological Invasions (2009) 11:1929–1939

In the recent article, ‘‘Native and invasive plant interactions in wetlands and the minimal role of invasiveness’’ (McGlynn 2009), the author compared the effects of two invasive plants on native wetland communities in freshwater tidal wetlands in the Hudson River Valley in the United States (US). The author investigated whether Lythrum salicaria L. (purple loosestrife) and Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin ex Steudel (common reed) affect species richness, composition and abundance in native wetland communities dominated by Typha angustifolia L. (narrowleaf cattail) and Typha latifolia L. (broadleaf cattail). The author compared plots where the two invasive wetland plants occurred with plots where they did not occur to measure the effect of two invasive wetland species. Two aspects of this study raise particular concern: first, the erroneous assignment of native and invasive status to two plant species investigated in this study, and, second, the implications of this error for the conclusions drawn. In the methods section, the author claims that ‘‘P. australis (Family Poaceae) is a native of the US, but it is not native to the Hudson River Valley’’ (McGlynn 2009). In fact, two distinct subspecies of P. australis exist in the US: P. australis subspecies australis and P. australis subspecies americanus. P. australis subspecies australis is native to Eurasia and was introduced to the US, where it has aggressively invaded many wetlands in recent decades. P. australis subspecies americanus, on the other hand, is endemic to the US (Saltonstall 2002, 2003a, b, c; Saltonstall et al. 2004). Although no P. australis subspecies americanus populations are known to exist currently in the Hudson River Valley, records from the Vassar College Herbarium indicate that this subspecies was present there in the late 1800 s (B. Blossey, personal communication). Because of the different origins and invasive characteristics of the two subspecies of P. australis, it is essential to distinguish between these subspecies when working with P. australis in the US. Also in the methods section, the author claims that ‘‘T. angustifolia and T. latifolia (Typhaceae) are considered native to the Hudson Valley’’ (McGlynn 2009). It is correct that T. latifoila is native to the US (Grace and Harrison 1986; Shih and Finkelstein 2008; Smith 2004; USDA 2010). However, until recently, T. angustifolia was widely considered to be native to Europe and introduced to the US (Galatowitsch et al. 1999; Gleason and Cronquist 1995; Grace and Harrison 1986; Selbo and Snow 2004; Smith 2000, 2004; Stuckey and Salamon 1987; USDA 2010; Zedler and Kercher 2004). However, recent findings suggest that T. angustifolia also may have been in the US prior to European settlement, but this earlier US origin remains uncertain (Shih and Finkelstein 2008). F. B. Eichiner (&) Department of Natural Resources, Fernow Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA e-mail: fbe2@cornell.edu
Momentum dependence in pair production by an external field

Abstract The transverse and the longitudinal momentum dependences of the pair production under an adiabatically exerted uniform abelian external field are calculated with their importance in models for the production of quark-gluon plasma in ultrarelativistic heavy ion collisions in mind. The importance of the initial condition is revealed. We show that superposition of acceleration by the external field and barrier penetration is reflected in the longitudinal momentum dependence. The peculiar nature of the boost invariant system which is expected to be approximately realized in ultrarelativistic nuclear collisions is pointed out.
Materials Performance in Advanced Steam Cycle and in Oxy-Fuel Combustion Systems

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy is intensely promoting research and development of materials for advanced steam cycle systems and for oxy-fuel combustion systems. At Argonne National Laboratory, we have conducted studies to evaluate the corrosion performance of candidate structural alloys in coal-ash and in steam environments, in support of advanced steam cycle systems. The laboratory tests simulate the combustion atmosphere of advanced steam-cycle systems and three deposit chemistries that included ash constituents, alkali sulfates, and NaCl. Corrosion rate data will be presented for several Fe- and Ni-base alloys along with the mechanistic understanding of the corrosion processes. In the study on materials for oxy-fuel applications, we have evaluated the corrosion performance of the materials in CO2, steam, and in steam-CO2 mixtures. Materials selected for the study include intermediate-chromium ferritic steels, Fe-Cr-Ni heat-resistant alloys, and nickel-based superalloys. Information will be presented for materials exposed at temperatures between 650 and 950°C for times up to 10,000 h. In the ongoing experiments, we have incorporated low levels of sulfur and chlorine compounds (in addition to CO2 and steam) in the exposure environment to establish the role of second/third reactant on the scaling, internal penetration, and long term performance of the structural alloys.
Soil microbial, fungal, and nematode responses to soil fumigation and cover crops under potato production

Sodium N-methyldithiocarbamate (metam sodium) and 1,3 dichloropropene are widely used in potato production for the control of soil-borne pathogens, weeds, and plant parasitic nematodes that reduce crop yield and quality. Soil fumigation with metam sodium has been shown in microcosm studies to significantly reduce soil microbial populations and important soil processes such as C and N mineralization. However, few published data report the impact of metam sodium on microbial populations and activities in potato production systems under field conditions. Fall-planted white mustard (Brassica hirta) and sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense) cover crops may serve as an alternative to soil fumigation. The effect of metam sodium and cover crops was determined on soil microbial populations, soil-borne pathogens (Verticillium dahliae, Pythium spp., and Fusarium spp.), free-living and plant-parasitic nematodes, and C and N mineralization potentials under potato production on five soil types in the Columbia Basin of Eastern Washington. Microbial biomass C was 8–23% greater in cover crop treatments compared to those fumigated with metam sodium among the soil types tested. Replacing fumigation with cover crops did not significantly affect C or N mineralization potentials. Cumulative N mineralized over a 49-day laboratory incubation averaged 18 mg NO3-N kg−1 soil across all soil types and treatments. There was a general trend for N mineralized from fumigated treatments to be lower than cover-cropped treatments. Soil fungal populations and free-living nematode levels were significantly lowered in fumigated field trials compared to cover-cropped treatments. Fumigation among the five soil types significantly reduced Pythium spp. by 97%, Fusarium spp. by 84%, and V. dahliae by 56% compared to the mustard cover crop treatment. The percentage of bacteria and fungi surviving fumigation was greater for fine- than coarse-textured soils, suggesting physical protection of organisms within the soil matrix or a reduced penetration and distribution of the fumigants. This suggests the potential need for a higher rate of fumigant to be used in fine-textured soils to obtain comparable reductions in soil-borne pathogens.
An investigation of human oxyhemoglobin beta tetramer dissociation using haptoglobin binding.

Haptoglobin was used as a macromolecular probe to investigate the formation of human oxyhemoglobin beta chain dimers from tetramers in 0.1 M potassium phosphate buffer, 20°C at pH 7 and pH 8. Monitoring of spectral changes upon mixing haptoglobin with beta heme chains (2.5 and 5 micromolar) revealed an overall decrease in absorbance accompanied by a shift of the Soret spectral peak from 415 to 417 nm. The magnitude of the absorbance decrease was proportional to the beta concentration; the time courses consistently yielded greater color at pH 8 than at pH 7. At pH 8, two exponential phases of 0.47 min −1 and 0.084 min −1 were seen whose rates remained invariant with concentration. In contrast, only one exponential process was evident at pH 7, yielding a first order rate constant of 0.21 min −1 . We have spectrophotometrically followed the beta chain tetramer to dimer dissociation reaction, thus providing information about the contribution of this step to hemoglobin assembly.
Studies concerning the specificity of the effect of leucine on the turnover of proteins in muscles of control and diabetic rats

The protein anabolic effect of branched chain amino acids was studied in isolated quarter diaphragms of rats. Protein synthesis was estimated by measuring tyrosine incorporation into muscle proteins in vitro. Tyrosine release during incubation with cycloheximide served as an index of protein degradation. In muscles from normal rats the addition of 0.5 mM leucine stimulated protein synthesis 36–38% (P < 0.01), while equimolar isoleucine or valine, singly or in combination were ineffective. The three branched chain amino acids together stimulated no more than leucine alone. The product of leucine transamination, α-keto-isocaproate, did not stimulate protein synthesis reproducibly; (±)-β-hydroxybutyrate and (±)-b-2-amino norbornane-2-carboxylic acid (a leucine analogue) were ineffective. Leucine and isoleucine stimulated protein synthesis in muscles from diabetic rats. Leucine, isoleucine, valine and the norbornane amino acid but not α-ketoisocaproate or β-hydroxybutyrate decreased the concentration of free tyrosine in tissues during incubation with cycloheximide; tyrosine release into the medium did not decrease significantly. Leucine caused a small decrease in total tyrosine release, (measured as the sum of free tyrosine in tissues and media), suggesting inhibition of protein degradation. The data suggest that leucine may be rate limiting for protein synthesis in muscles. The branched chain amino acids may exert a restraining effect on muscle protein catabolism during prolonged fasting and diabetes.
Determination of antiferromagnetic exchange coupling in the tetrahedral thiolate-bridged diferrous complex [Fe2(SEt)6]2-.

Protein-bound iron−sulfur clusters and their synthetic analogues are characterized by tetrahedral metal sites, multiple oxidation levels, and exchange coupling. The recent attainment of several all-ferrous protein clusters and the presence of sulfide- and thiolate-bridged sites in the all-ferrous state of the nitrogenase P-cluster provides an imperative for determination of exchange coupling between tetrahedral Fe(II) sites with sulfur bridges. The cluster in the previously reported compound (Et4N)2[Fe2(SEt)6] is centrosymmetric with distorted tetrahedral coordination and a planar Fe2(μ-SEt)2 bridge unit. The compound is diamagnetic at 4.2 K, indicating antiferromagnetic coupling. The lower limit J > 80 cm-1 (H = JS1·S2) is obtained by Mossbauer spectroscopy. Analysis of magnetic susceptibility data affords J = 165 ± 15 cm-1. It is noteworthy that the J value of the diferrous pair obtained here is comparable to the J values reported for the mixed-valence state of plant-type Fe2S2 ferredoxins. The near tem...
PRECIPITATION STRENGTHENING IN CRYSTALS OF ZIRCONIUM-HYDROGEN ALLOYS CONTAINING OXYGEN AS AN IMPURITY

Abstract The CRSS of crystals of zone refined zirconium was increased as much as 500 % by hydrogen in the form of finely dispersed hydride needles. The combined strength increment due to hydrogen and the impurity, oxygen is expressed by Δτ = (τ H 2 + τ O 2 ) 1 2 , where τ O ∼ (A − BT 2 3 ) 3 2 and τH ∼- KG (A, B and K are constants and G is the shear modulus). Thus, the overcoming of oxygen barriers by glide dislocations can be thermally activated, but the overcoming of hydride barriers cannot.
Mechanical equation of state and grain boundary sliding in lead in monotonic loading

Abstract Stress relaxation experiments in monotonic loading have been performed on single crystal, bi-crystal and polycrystal lead specimens at room temperature. These experiments yield the stress-strain rate relationship at essentially constant structure. The behavior of the mechanical equation of state is observed in all the specimens, even when grain boundary sliding is involved. Evidence of plastic deformation induced grain boundary migration is found. These results are discussed in terms of an existing mechanical model for plastic deformation of a polycrystalline solid at elevated temperatures.
Board compensation, holdings and mutual fund expense ratios

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine how board compensation and holdings are related to mutual fund expense ratios. Previous studies find that compensation and expense ratios are positively correlated and argue that this relationship is potential evidence of rent sharing, whereby excessively compensated boards fail to negotiate with fund managers for lower shareholder fees.Design/methodology/approach – Using a dataset of US open‐end mutual funds, the author examines how geographic‐based salary data, director profession, director fund holdings and fund returns might explain the relationship between compensation and fees.Findings – The results provide additional support for potential rent sharing between fund managers and directors and are robust to alternative measures of director compensation, fund sales loads, director holdings and fund returns.Research limitations/implications – The findings are limited by the sample size and the lack of time series data of the hand‐collected dataset. Data ...
Stem cell transplantation for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia resistant to tyrosine kinase inhibitors with BCR-ABL kinase domain mutation T315I

BACKGROUND: Resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKIs) therapy is associated with the development of kinase domain mutations. Although many imatinib-resistant mutations respond well to second-generation TKIs, the threonine-to-isoleucine mutation at codon 315 of the breakpoint cluster region/v-abl Abelson murine leukemia viral oncogene protein fusion Bcr-Abl (T315I) is insensitive to all currently available TKIs. The outcome in such patients after stem cell transplantation (SCT) is unknown. METHODS: Eight patients with TKI-resistant CML who had T315I mutations underwent 9 transplantations. At the time of SCT, 2 patients were in chronic phase, 3 patients were in accelerated phase; and 3 patients were in second chronic phase. RESULTS: The best responses after SCT were a complete molecular response (CMR) in 3 patients, a complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) in 4 patients, and a complete hematologic response (CHR) in 1 patient, and 1 patient had no response. The best outcome was for patients who underwent transplantation in chronic phase, and both of those patients remained alive and in complete molecular remission 14 months and 42 months after SCT. After a median follow-up of 13 months from SCT, 5 patients remained alive, including 3 patients in CMR, 1 patient in CCyR, and 1 patient in CHR. CONCLUSIONS: The current results indicated that SCT is an effective strategy for patients with CML who have the T315I mutation, particularly in earlier stages. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Tolerance of Bacteria for Quaternary Ammonium Compounds

SUMMARY–Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas fluorescens followed similar patterns of adaptation to tolerate quaternary ammonium compounds. E. coli approached a tolerance at 28 μg/ml in nutrient broth after 12 to 14 daily transfers. P. fluorescens adapted more rapidly in a similar medium, reaching a level of 120 μg/ml in 12 days. During the adaptation process, there was a gradual buildup of numbers of individual cells that tolerated the essential plateau of maximum tolerance. A reverse process was true during loss of tolerance from growth in the absence of quaternary ammonium compounds. The cells of adapted cultures were more resistant when low exposures of quaternary ammonium compounds were used to determine germicidal effectiveness. There was no apparent difference, however, between the non-adapted and the adapted cultures, when concentrations and exposures approaching standard recommendations were used. The results indicate adaptation is an unlikely contributor to an objectionable microflora on properly cleaned food handling equipment.
Maternal serum of women with pre-eclampsia reduces trophoblast cell viability: Evidence for an increased sensitivity to Fas-mediated apoptosis

Objective: Pre-eclampsia or 'toxemia of pregnancy' has been attributed to the presence of a circulating 'toxin' which disappears from peripheral blood after delivery of the placenta. However, the presence, nature and effects of this toxin have eluded characterization. Increased trophoblast apoptosis has been observed in the placenta of women with pre-eclampsia, and it is possible that this biological phenomenon is important for the genesis of the disease and mediated through a soluble factor(s) present in maternal blood. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that serum from women with pre-eclampsia changes trophoblast viability. Moreover, we sought to examine whether this effect could be mediated through changes in sensitivity to Fas/Fas ligand-mediated apoptosis. Study design: H8 trophoblast cells were cultured with serum obtained from normal pregnant women (n = 48) and patients with pre-eclampsia (n = 12). Cell viability was determined by the Cell Titer 96 assay. Fas sensitivity was determined ...