cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A review of propagation programs for Gmelina arborea

Gmelina arborea is a multipurpose tree species native to Asia. This tree can be propagated by seedlings, rooted cuttings, and grafting. Small tree planting programs with limited budgets tend to propagate by seedlings, and larger or industrial plantation projects with breeding programs propagate by rooted cuttings. Details about these propagation methods are presented. Also discussed are new vegetative propagation techniques that can multiply selected material very quickly, thus shortening the time between selection, testing, and operational deployment of gmelina clones.
The Sources of Sectoral Fluctuations in Metropolitan Areas

Abstract Employment growth rates for 25 industries in the Philadelphia metropolitan area are decomposed into national, industry, metropolitan, and idiosyncratic sources which are estimated from a semistructural vector autoregression. The standard shift–share model is shown to be a restricted version of this constructed system and that these restrictions are not, in fact, met. For nearly all industries, the idiosyncratic shock is found to account for most of the variation in growth rates.
Intersection bodies and the Busemann-Petty problem

Abstract We prove that an origin-symmetric star body K in ℝ n is an intersection body if and only if the function ∥x∥−1K is a positive definite distribution, where ∥x∥K = min{a > 0 : x ∈ aK}. We apply this result to certain classes of bodies and to the Busemann-Petty problem of whether origin-symmetric convex bodies with larger central hyperplane sections also have greater volume.
Ferroelectwc-semiconductor devices

If a ferroelectric and a semiconductor material are placed in intimate contact, then the polarization state of the ferroelectric can be used to modify the electrical properties of the semiconductor. This effect has been used to build various prototypes of electrically adaptive resistors and transistors.The characteristics of these ferroelectric-semiconductor devices are reviewed in terms of the basic properties of the ferroelectric, the semiconductor and the interface between these two electrically active materials. It has been found that the method of fabrication strongly influences the electrical stability of the device. Specifically, a device that utilizes a thin-film ferroelectric layer on a bulk semiconductor material is much more stable than a device that consists of a thin-film semiconductor applied to a bulk ferroelectric material.Several types of three-and four-terminal ferroelectric-semiconductor devices are described. These devices have the very significant advantages of possessing non-volatile...
Microemulsion-based synthesis and electrochemical evaluation of different nanostructures of LiCoO2 prepared through sacrificial nanowire templates

For the first time, we demonstrate the use of a microemulsion reaction to synthesize different nanostructures of LiCoO2 cathode material. By varying the annealing temperature and time, porous nanowires and nanoparticles of LiCoO2 are obtained. The electrochemical performances of these different nanostructures obtained under the respective annealing conditions are evaluated. It is shown that nanoparticles formed under the annealing condition of 700 °C, 1.5 h perform the best, delivering an initial capacity of around 135 mA h g−1, which is close to the theoretical capacity of LiCoO2, 140 mA h g−1. They also exhibit a capacity retention of around 93% by 100 cycles at 0.1 C. Comparisons are made between our LiCoO2 material obtained under different annealing conditions and those in the literature.
LCD backlight performance over the military operating temperature range

The paper is based on a 6 X 8 inch backlight assembly designed for a military requirement including NVG compatibility. Measured data for luminance and input power is reported across a temperature range of -40 to +55. The paper highlights the state of the art achieved for the fluorescent cavity design approach implemented by SAIC. The data demonstrates the relationships between light output, input power and temperature. The data suggest engineering requirements for thermal control of LCD displays and system performance expectations at the extreme edges of the temperature range.
Cutaneous and subcutaneous metastases from carcinoma and prostate

Abstract Secondary cutaneous and subcutaneous metastases originating from a visceral carcinoma are relatively uncommon and are associated most frequently with mammary, pulmonary, renal, and colonic cancers. Cutaneous and subcutaneous deposits from cancer of the prostate must be classified as extremely rare, e.g., only one solitary cutaneous metastatic carcinoma of prostatic origin was seen among 136,017 surgical and postmortem specimens submitted to the department of pathology at UCLA Hospital from male patients thirty-five years of age and older during the years between 1955 and 1980. Recently we observed a second case. A discussion of these 2 cases and a review of the English literature are reported.
Electro-optic detection of ultrashort electron beams: moving beyond the transverse optical phonon resonance

ABSTRACT Recent theoretical work has provided new insight into the physics of Electro-Optic detection of ultrashort rel-ativistic electron beams. 1 Typically, Electro-Optic detection has been restricted to bunches longer than 100fs. This limitation is due to the transverse optical (TO) phonon resonance that most Electro-Optic materialsexhibit in the THz range. Once the electron bunch prole becomes short enough so that a signicant portionof its frequency components reside above this resonance frequency, the temporal prole of the space charge eldbegins to distort as it propagates through the crystal. This distortion becomes more signicant as the bunchbecomes shorter and destroys the ability of current decoding techniques to resolve the original bunch prole.It is possible to circumvent this issue by realizing that for these higher frequency components it is no longervalid to rely on the formalism of Pockels eect. Instead, sum and dierence frequency generation must betaken into account. Using nonlinear three-wave mixing to describe the process, a new technique that promisesthe order of magnitude increase in resolution necessary to measure the ultrashort bunches produced by laserwakeeld accelerators has been developed. This technique provides both phase and amplitude information aboutthe generated pulse from which, in principle, the temporal prole can be reconstructed.Keywords: Ultrashort Relativistic Beams, Temporal Proling, Frequency Mixing
Floating treatment wetland aided remediation of nitrogen and phosphorus from simulated stormwater runoff

Abstract Floating treatment wetlands are potential alternatives to traditional constructed wetlands for remediating nutrient-rich water. This study examined the remediation efficacy of floating treatment wetlands planted with Canna flaccida and Juncus effusus in a replicated trough system over two growing seasons at two nutrient loading rates. Plant growth parameters were measured on a biweekly basis, and water quality parameters were monitored weekly. Plant shoots and roots were harvested at the end of the first growing season, and biomass was dried, ground, and analyzed for nutrient content. Juncus plants fixed 28.5 ± 3.4 g N per m 2 and 1.69 ± 0.2 g P per m 2 , while Canna fixed 16.8 ± 2.8 g N per m 2 and 1.05 ± 0.2 g P per m 2 . More N and P were fixed in the below-mat biomass of both species than in the above-mat biomass, thus whole-plant harvest may be a critical management strategy for floating treatment wetlands. During the first season, when nutrient addition rates simulated stormwater loading conditions, effluent nutrient concentrations were very low and averaged 0.14 ± 0.04 mg L −1 total N and 0.02 ± 0.01 mg L −1 total P. During the second season, nutrient-loading rate into treatment wetlands was doubled to simulate a more nutrient-rich runoff, and effluent nutrient concentrations averaged 0.79 ± 0.3 mg L −1 total N and 0.12 ± 0.03 mg L −1 total P. Floating treatment wetlands may prove most effective in low nutrient environments where it is necessary to polish water quality to extremely low P concentrations.
Effect of binding on melting transitions in polymer–diluent systems

An expression is derived for the melting point of a polymer when in equilibrium with a solution in which binding of low molecular weight compounds to the polymer takes place. Allowance is made for the possibility that the crystalline polymer itself is a complex. The argument is a purely thermodynamic one and is based on a consideration of the change in free energy as a result of a change in binding. Allowance is made also for non-specific polymer–solvent interactions, in which the mixture of low molecular weight solvents is treated as a single solvent. Special attention is paid to “inverted” melting transitions, i.e., cases in which the melting point increases with increasing dilution of the polymer. It is shown that as a rule this is accompanied by a corresponding, inverted effect of the solvent composition on the melting point. It is further shown that-in the absence of binding, “normal” behavior at the critical point (i.e., phase separation is induced by lowering the temperature) is always accompanied by “normal” melting behavior (i.e., a decrease in melting point when the polymer is diluted). Also, “inverted” melting always implies that phase separation at the critical point is induced by heating, but the reverse is not necessarily true.
Effects of Reduced Price and Income Supports on Farmland Rent and Value

Currently, there is a debate about the appropriate form of future farm policy. This paper analyzes the distribution of land prices under the 1985 programs and under a more market orientation. The problem was studied by using results from an econometric simulation model. Results suggest that by 1990, under average conditions, land prices under both the Market and the 1985 program scenarios could be near the long-run equilibrium levels of $1121 and $1296 per acre, respectively.
Efficacy and side effects of flunitrazepam and pentobarbital in severely insomniac patients.

: One hundred thirty-seven current or prospective recipients of hypnotics were screened to obtain a sample of 12 severely insomniac patients for a study concerning efficacy and side effects of 2 mg flunitrazepam and 100 mg pentobarbital as hypnotics. During the baseline period, these 12 subjects showed wide intraindividual variability of sleep and performance. This variability was not reduced by the hypnotics, which on the average did not adversely affect performance. Flunitrazepam, but not pentobarbital, slightly reduced sleep latency. Neither hypnotic prolonged sleep duration or reduced the number of wakings. The generalizability of the results to the population of recipients of hypnotics is discussed.
Effect of leeward flow dividers on the wing rock of a delta wing

The effect of a leeward flow divider on the wing rock of a 80-degree sharp-edged delta wing was studied in a wind tunnel experiment. Force and moment measurements and flow visualizations were performed to investigate the effect of divider geometry, size, and placement on wing rock. It was found that the divider can suppress wing rock over a wide range of angle of attack, but can also be destabilizing under certain conditions. A fluid mechanism explaining the effects of the divider on wing rock was proposed.
TEACHING SOCIAL INTERACTIONS AND SOCIAL STRUCTURE THROUGH PARTY BEHAVIOR

The topic of social structure and interaction presents social science professors with a notable teaching opportunity. The active learning technique described in this article requires students to briefly analyze the statuses and roles of individuals with whom they are familiar. They then role play assigned characters as they would interact at a party. Through this activity, students learn to identify behaviors and characteristics that are appropriate for their relevant statuses. Statistical analyses, comparing students who took part in this activity to those exposed to a traditional lesson on the topic, indicated that the active learning exercise presented course information effectively and in an entertaining fashion.
Aerodynamic heat transfer to a hypersonic research aircraft model /X-24C/ at Mach 6

The paper reports on results of heat-transfer tests conducted on a 1/29-scale model of the X-24C-12I hypersonic research aircraft configuration in a Mach 6 tunnel at a Reynolds number of thirteen million using the phase-change heat transfer technique. Sequences of phase-change heat transfer pattern photographs are presented showing windward side and leeward side heating processes. Theoretical predictions of dimensionless heat transfer coefficients along a data line on lower fuselage and on fuselage side bracket the experimental values. A turbulent heating theory gives good agreement with data when shifted to a new virtual origin.
Effects of using the oxygen-carrying fluorocarbon, FC43, on the ERG of the arterially perfused cat eye.

Arterial perfusion of the isolated cat eye with a perfusate augmented with a 20% (wt/vol) emulsion of the oxygen carrying-fluorocarbon, FC43, produces a much larger b-wave in the electroretinogram than use of the same perfusate lacking FC43. The c-wave is either unchanged or slightly reduced by use of this solution. Halving the oxygen content of the FC43-augmented perfusate also reversibly reduces the b-wave. The use of perfusates with and without FC43 but containing similar amounts of oxygen produces b-waves of similar amplitude. The large b-wave recorded during use of a well-oxygenated, FC43-augmented perfusate suggests that the use of perfusates containing less oxygen produces retinal hypoxia. The b-wave recorded in vivo is considerably smaller than that recorded from the isolated eye during perfusion with a well-oxygenated, FC43-augmented perfusate, but the waveforms are very similar. In particular, the ratios of the b-wave to a-wave are almost identical. The larger ERG recorded in vitro is a result o...
Anti-silica fouling coatings in geothermal environments

Abstract An important key to a successful use of carbon steel-based heat exchanger tubes in geothermal binary-cycle power plants is to understand how to efficiently prevent the deposition on them of silica scales. These deposits are caused by the high sensitivity to silica of ferric oxide layer occupying the outermost surface sites of carbon steel. We evaluated the usefulness of two high-temperature performance coatings, polyphenylenesulfide (PPS) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-blended PPS, in inhibiting silica scaling. To obtain this information, the coated steel panels were immersed for up to 7 days in 200 °C silica-rich brine. As a result, the surfaces of the unblended PPS coating underwent some degree of brine-induced oxidation. Although the amount of silica deposited was negligible, it was found that the sulfur–oxygen derivatives formed on the surfaces by oxidation make them susceptible to silica scaling. In contrast, the PTFE-blended PPS coating had a high potential as the anti-silica fouling barrier. The major reason for this was due to the segregation of anti-oxidant, hydrophobic PTFE top surface layer above a PPS layer in the coating.
Age-related change in α-adrenergic responsiveness of the urinary bladder of the rat is regionally specific

The effects of age on the responsiveness of the body of the urinary bladder and base of the bladder to alpha-adrenergic agonists were studied. Regions of the bladder were isolated from Fischer 344 rats, ages 7, 16, and 27 months. Maximum isotonic contractions elicited by potassium chloride (KCl) in both regions of the bladder were unaffected by age. In the bladder body there was an age-related increase in the maximum contraction elicited by phenylephrine, norepinephrine and clonidine. No such alteration in responsiveness was observed in the base of the bladder with age. The ED50 values of all three agonists were unchanged with age in both regions of the bladder. The pA2 values of prazosin and yohimbine were approximately 8.5 and 6.0, respectively, in the body of the bladder, and these values were not altered by age. Thus, it is concluded that an age-related increase occurs in the responsiveness of the body of the bladder to alpha-adrenergic activation and that these changes are mediated by alpha 1-adrenoceptors.
Gross alpha/beta analyses in water by liquid scintillation counting

The standard procedure for analyzing gross alpha and gross beta in water is evaporation of the sample and radioactivity determination of the resultant solids by proportional counting. This technique lacks precision, and lacks sensitivity for samples with high total dissolved solids. Additionally, the analytical results are dependent on the choice of radionuclide calibration standard and the sample matrix. Direct analysis by liquid scintillation counting has the advantages of high counting efficiencies and minimal sample preparation time. However, due to the small sample aliquants used for analysis, long count times are necessary to reach required detection limits. The procedure proposed consists of evaporating a sample aliquant to dryness, dissolving the resultant solids in a small volume of dilute acid, followed by liquid scintillation counting to determine radioactivity. This procedure can handle sample aliquants containing up to 500 mg of dissolved solids. Various acids, scintillation cocktail mixtures, instrument discriminator settings, and regions of interest (ROI) were evaluated to determine optimum counting conditions. Precision is improved and matrix effects are reduced as compared to proportional counting. Tests indicate that this is a viable alternative to proportional counting for gross alpha and gross beta analyses of water samples.
Leuconostoc Bacteremia in an Infant With Short-Gut Syndrome: Case Report and Literature Review

In this article, we report a case of Leuconostoc bacteremia in a 7-month-old infant who had short-gut syndrome after a gastroschisis repair and who was dependent on total parenteral nutrition through a central venous catheter. The organism was initially misidentified as viridans group streptococcus. Detection of vancomycin resistance led to the correct diagnosis of Leuconostoc species. The patient was successfully treated with ampicillin and an aminoglycoside. A review of the literature revealed prematurity, shortgut syndrome, prior vancomycin use, and central venous catheters as important predisposing factors. Leuconostoc species is an emerging pathogen that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of vancomycin-resistant gram-positive bacteremia, particularly in these clinical settings.
Fermi surfaces and energy gaps in Sn/Ge(111)

One third of a monolayer of Sn adsorbed on Ge(111) undergoes a broad phase transition upon cooling from a (×)R30° normal phase at room temperature to a (3×3) phase at low temperatures. Since band-structure calculations for the ideal (×)R30° phase show no Fermi-surface nesting, the underlying mechanism for this transition has been a subject of much debate. Evidently, defects formed by Ge substitution for Sn in the adlayer, at a concentration of just a few percent, play a key role in this complex phase transition. Surface areas near these defects are pinned to form (3×3) patches above the transition temperature. Angle-resolved photoemission is employed to examine the temperature-dependent band structure, and the results show an extended gap forming in k-space as a result of band splitting at low temperatures. On account of the fact that the room temperature phase is actually a mixture of (×)R30° areas and defect-pinned (3×3) areas, the band structure for the pure (×)R30° phase is extracted by a difference-spectrum method. The results are in excellent agreement with band calculations. The mechanism for the (3×3) transition is discussed in terms of a response function and a tight-binding cluster calculation. A narrow bandwidth and a small group velocity near the Fermi surface render the system highly sensitive to surface perturbations, and formation of the (3×3) phase is shown to involve a Peierls-like lattice distortion mediated by defect doping. Included in the discussion, where appropriate, are dynamic effects and many-body effects that have been previously proposed as possible mechanisms for the phase transition.
Prediction of MHC class II binding peptides based on an iterative learning model

Prediction of the binding ability of antigen peptides to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules is important in vaccine development. The variable length of each binding peptide complicates this prediction. Motivated by a text mining model designed for building a classifier from labeled and unlabeled examples, we have developed an iterative supervised learning model for the prediction of MHC class II binding peptides. A linear programming (LP) model was employed for the learning task at each iteration, since it is fast and can re-optimize the previous classifier when the training sets are altered. The performance of the new model has been evaluated with benchmark datasets. The outcome demonstrates that the model achieves an accuracy of prediction that is competitive compared to the advanced predictors (the Gibbs sampler and TEPITOPE). The average areas under the ROC curve obtained from one variant of our model are 0.753 and 0.715 for the original and homology reduced benchmark sets, respectively. The corresponding values are respectively 0.744 and 0.673 for the Gibbs sampler and 0.702 and 0.667 for TEPITOPE. The iterative learning procedure appears to be effective in prediction of MHC class II binders. It offers an alternative approach to this important predictionproblem.
Scientific innovation potential

Abstract This article reports and interprets the results of focus groups investigating early indicators of scientific‐innovation potential among junior‐high‐school‐age science‐oriented students. A blend of qualitative and quantitative data is presented which suggest that (a) creative thinking and intrinsic motivation distinguish these students from their peers better than other creativity‐related variables; (b) the earliest indicators of these abilities are persistent inquisitiveness combined with a long attention span often demonstrated by early reading or verbal ability; (c) these indicators are apparent by preschool or early‐elementary‐school age; and (d) these abilities are accompanied by a range of social supports which include a rich reading environment, an encouraging extended family, special teachers, and early identification. Both students and their parents portray their schools as generally unsupportive or hostile to creativity; students indicated that a comparable scientific ability among their...
Bacterial Evolution: Chromosome Arithmetic and Geometry

Recent sequencing projects have characterized bacterial genomes that are organized onto elements of various sizes, shapes and numbers. Aside from its biological relevance and curiosity, this diversity calls into question the way that we define bacterial chromosomes.
Counting the Uncountable: Statistical Approaches to Estimating Microbial Diversity.

All biologists who sample natural communities are plagued with the problem of how well a sample reflects a community's “true” diversity. New genetic techniques have revealed extensive microbial diversity that was previously undetected with culture-dependent methods and morphological
Solving complex problems: A convergent approach to cognitive load measurement.

The study challenged the current practices in cognitive load measurement involving complex problem solving by manipulating the presence of pictures in multiple rule-based problem-solving situations and examining the cognitive load resulting from both off-line and online measures associated with complex problem solving. Forty-eight participants were recruited from a subject pool in the Educational Psychology department in a large research university in western USA. Results showed that the presence of pictures had no effect on learners' complex problem solving as measured by the response time and accuracy. However, the online measure (eg, pupillometric measures) revealed a change in cognitive load associated with the presence of pictures in complex problem solving. The authors concluded that different measures of cognitive load may actually be measuring separate aspects of cognitive load. Discussions were made on how research on multimedia learning and cognitive load could be advanced by carefully considering multiple aspects of cognitive load and by including the use of convergent measurement techniques to capture the variations of cognitive load involved in learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Shear velocities, Qβ, and the frequency dependence of Qβ in stable and tectonically active regions from surface wave observations

Summary. Velocities and attenuation coefficient values of Rayleigh waves within the South American continent and Indian subcontinent have been determined in order to study velocity structure and Qp structure, as well as their lateral variation, in those regions. Single-station and two-station data are combined to yield dispersion and attenuation data from periods of a few seconds to periods between 60 s and 100 s for each region. Both types of data are inverted using differential inversion schemes. This inversion process is found to sometimes allow the location of velocity discontinuities in the models directly from the dispersion data. Qp models obtained from the inversion process are not constrained to have high values at large depths, a problem with earlier methods used to invert surface-wave attenuation data. The shear-velocity models for the Indian shield and eastern South America are similar to one another, and have somewhat slower velocities than those reported for shield regions of North America. The shear-velocity models for the Himalaya and Andes are similar to one another in crustal thickness but the velocities in the Andes are lower than those in the Himalayas in the uppermost mantle. A low-velocity zone can marginally be resolved in the upper mantle beneath the Himalaya, but not beneath the other regions in this study. Qp models obtained for the stable regions of eastern North America and eastern South America exhibit similar Qp values at mantle depths. The Indian shield, however, has much lower Qp values, in both the crust and upper mantle, a result which may be related to the unusually high heat-flow observed for that stable region. for the tectonically active regions of western North America, western South America, and the Himalaya is considerably lower than Qp for the stable regions throughout most of the crust and upper mantle. Minimum mantle values appear to be about 120 for stable regions and 40 or less for tectonically active regions. Thus, Qp values in the upper mantle appear to vary regionally by a factor of 3 or more, whereas shear velocities in the same regions vary by no more than 13 per cent.
Hardware accelerated computing for electromagnetics applications

The current antenna technology is driven by both military and commercial applications to achieve multi-functionality with persistent connectivity in an integrated platform. The packaging and performance of the antenna in this integrated platform are thus critical factors to consider as an antenna designer. The need for reliable and efficient numerical techniques has been growing as the designs get more complex and a good prediction of system performance becomes essential for cost reduction. There are numerous ways of addressing this issue, such as developing hybrid methods that can avoid the numerical inefficiency of full wave methods while comparable accuracy can be achieved as effectively by asymptotic techniques. Another approach is to implement fast computational methods that utilize parallel computing platforms. It is the latter that is the focus of this paper with a particular focus on the use of general purpose graphics processing units (GPGPU) and field programmable gate arrays (FPGA). This paper will investigate both of these platforms in their applications to numerically intensive electromagnetic simulations. Weaknesses and strengths of both platforms will be investigated in the context of ease of use, efficiency, and potential for accelerated computations.
Atrial fibrillation following autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with multiple myeloma: incidence and risk factors

Objectives:Atrial fibrillation (AF) often develops in patients with multiple myeloma following autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), but the exact incidence of, and the risk factors for AF h...
Response of Desmodium heterocarpon and Gaiactia elliottii to rhizobia and soil amendments

Abstract Responses of the tropical legumes, Desmodium heterocarpon and Galactia elliottii, to inoculation with rhizobia and fertilization with N and P were evaluated in greenhouse experiments. Although inoculation with rhizobia was effective in some instances, improvements in plant growth were not obtained in the presence of naturally occurring microbial populations on the Florida Spodosol soil. Phosphorus at 50 kg P/ha increased herbage and root growth of G. elliottii, but not of D. heterocarpon. Seedling growth responses to N indicate that high rates of N fertilization (in combination with heavy grazing) might be effectively used to enhance seedling vigor of D. heterocarpon oversown on bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) pastures.
Spectroscopy and ionization thresholds of π-isoelectronic 1-phenylallyl and benzylallenyl resonance stabilized radicals

Mass-selective two-color resonant two-photon ionization (2C-R2PI) spectra of two resonance stabilized radicals (RSRs), 1-phenylallyl and benzylallenyl radicals, have been recorded under jet-cooled conditions. These two radicals, while sharing the same radical conjugation, have unique properties. The D0–D1 origin of the 1-phenylallyl radical is at 19208 cm−1, with extensive vibronic structure extending over 2000 cm−1 above the D1 origin. Much of this structure is assigned based on comparison with DFT and TDDFT calculations. Two-color photoionization efficiency scans reveal a sharp ionization threshold, providing a precise adiabatic ionization potential for the radical of 6.905(2) eV. By comparison, the benzylallenyl radical has an electronic origin at 19703 cm−1 and Franck–Condon activity similar to phenylallyl. The photoionization efficiency curve shows a gradual onset with apparent threshold at ∼7.50(2) eV. Visible–visible holeburning was used to show that each radical exists in one isomeric form in the expansion. The CH stretch IR spectrum of each radical was taken using D0-resonant ion dip infrared spectroscopy (D0-RIDIRS) in a novel four-laser experiment. Comparison of the IR spectrum with the predictions of DFT B3LYP calculations leads to firm assignment of each radical as the trans isomer. TDDFT calculations on the excited states of benzylallenyl suggest the possibility that the excited state levels originally excited convert to an all-planar form prior to ionization. The potential role that these radicals could play in Titan's atmosphere as intermediates in formation pathways for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is briefly discussed.
A Distributed State Estimator Utilizing Synchronized Phasor Measurements

With the creation of balancing authorities by the North American Reliability Council that span large portions of the North American interconnection, and stringent requirements for real time monitoring of power system evolution, faster and more accurate state estimation algorithms that can efficiently handle systems of very large sizes are needed in the present environment. This paper presents a distributed state estimation algorithm suitable for large-scale power systems. Synchronized phasor measurements are applied to aggregate the voltage phase angles of each decomposed subsystem in the distributed state estimation solution. The aggregated state estimation solution is obtained from the distributed solution using a sensitivity analysis based update at chosen boundary buses. Placement of synchronized phasor measurements in the decomposed subsystems is also investigated in this paper. Test results on the IEEE 118-bus test bed are provided
Patterns of Hostility and Social Support: Conceptualizing Psychosocial Risk Factors as Characteristics of the Person and the Environment

Abstract Although hostility and social support are closely related, these risk factors for cardiovascular disease and premature death are typically considered separately. Interpersonal approaches to personality and social relations (Kiesler, 1996) provide models and methods for examining the interrelation of these constructs. The current study used the interpersonal approach to identify and describe groups of individuals varying on hostility and social support. In two samples of undergraduate men and women, replicated cluster analyses revealed three distinct patterns of psychosocial risk. An affiliative (i.e., “low-risk”) group was characterized by low hostility and high social support. This group displayed a friendly interpersonal style on a measure of the five-factor model that incorporates the interpersonal circumplex. On a related measure of parental representations, the low-risk group reported pervasively affiliative interactions with their mothers and fathers as well as a secure adult attachment style. A hostile group was characterized by higher levels of hostility and high social support. These individuals presented a more hostile interpersonal style and higher levels of neuroticism, but reported typically affiliative interactions with parents and a secure attachment style. Finally, a hostile-isolated group was distinguished by elevated hostility and low social support. These subjects displayed a hostile-submissive interpersonal style as well as higher levels of neuroticism. They also reported more hostile and fewer friendly interactions with their parents and an insecure adult attachment style. These findings illustrate the potential value of examining naturally occurring patterns of psychosocial risk. Because the interpersonal approach allows the description of personality traits and interpersonal processes in a common conceptual language, it may be a particularly useful methodology in this regard.
Prolonged incubation in PUGNAc results in increased protein O-Linked glycosylation and insulin resistance in rat skeletal muscle.

Increased flux through the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway and increased O-linked glycosylation (Nacetylglucosamine [O-GlcNAc]) of proteins have been implicated in insulin resistance. Previous research in 3T3-L1 adipocytes indicated that insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and phosphorylation of Akt were reduced after incubation with O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranosylidene)amino-N-phenylcarbamate (PUGNAc; 100 mol/l), an inhibitor of the O-GlcNAcase that catalyzes removal of O-GlcNAc from proteins. Therefore, in this study, we tested the effects of PUGNAc on skeletal muscle. Incubation of rat epitrochlearis muscles for 19 h with 100 mol/l PUGNAc resulted in a marked increase in O-GlcNAcylation of multiple proteins. Incubation with PUGNAc reduced glucose transport with a physiologic insulin concentration without affecting glucose transport without insulin or with supraphysiologic insulin. PUGNAc did not significantly alter insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt (serine and threonine) or its substrates glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)3 and GSK3. Insulin stimulated a dose-dependent (12.0 > 0.6 > 0 nmol/l) increase in the phosphorylation of a 160-kDa protein detected using an antibody against an Akt substrate phosphomotif. PUGNAc treatment did not alter phosphorylation of this protein. These results indicate that PUGNAc is an effective inhibitor of OGlcNAcase in skeletal muscle and suggest that O-GlcNAc modification of proteins can induce insulin resistance in skeletal muscle independent of attenuated phosphorylation of Akt, GSK3, GSK3, and a 160-kDa protein with an Akt phosphomotif. Diabetes 53: 921‐930, 2004
What Drives Nonprofit Entrepreneurship?: A Look at Budget Trends of Metro Detroit Social Service Agencies

Using survey data from a small sample of nonprofit agencies in the Detroit metropolitan area, this article examines the rate at which nonprofits adopt earned income strategies. For the purpose of t...
Bacillus cereus Spores Release Alanine that Synergizes with Inosine to Promote Germination

Background: The first step of the bacterial lifecycle is the germination of bacterial spores into their vegetative form, which requires the presence of specific nutrients. In contrast to closely related Bacillus anthracis spores, Bacillus cereus spores germinate in the presence of a single germinant, inosine, yet with a significant lag period. Methods and Findings: We found that the initial lag period of inosine-treated germination of B. cereus spores disappeared in the presence of supernatants derived from already germinated spores. The lag period also dissipated when inosine was supplemented with the co-germinator alanine. In fact, HPLC-based analysis revealed the presence of amino acids in the supernatant of germinated B. cereus spores. The released amino acids included alanine in concentrations sufficient to promote rapid germination of inosine-treated spores. The alanine racemase inhibitor D-cycloserine enhanced germination of B. cereus spores, presumably by increasing the L-alanine concentration in the supernatant. Moreover, we found that B. cereus spores lacking the germination receptors gerI and gerQ did not germinate and release amino acids in the presence of inosine. These mutant spores, however, germinated efficiently when inosine was supplemented with alanine. Finally, removal of released amino acids in a washout experiment abrogated inosine-mediated germination of B. cereus spores. Conclusions: We found that the single germinant inosine is able to trigger a two-tier mechanism for inosine-mediated germination of B. cereus spores: Inosine mediates the release of alanine, an essential step to complete the germination process. Therefore, B. cereus spores appear to have developed a unique quorum-sensing feedback mechanism to monitor spore density and to coordinate germination.
Rumen Digestive Physiology and Microbial Ecology

The rumen is a dynamic, continuous fermentation compartment that provides a suitable environment for a variety of species of anaerobic bacteria, protozoa, and fungi. These microorganisms have a complex series of interactions with the feeds supplied to the host, with some using particulate matter as both sources of nutrients and sites of sequestration to avoid being washed from the rumen by the rapid flow of fluids. Because of the ability to use soluble nutrients and to reproduce rapidly, other microbes associate primarily with the liquid phase of the rumen contents. Due to the metabolic activity of all microbial populations, feeds are converted to microbial matter and fermentation end products, which serve as nutrients for the ruminant. Optimum feed utilization by ruminants is dependent on achieving maximum rumen fermentation and flow of microbial protein to the duodenum. At this time, it is clear that the major nutrients required by the microbial populations include both fibrous and nonfibrous sources of carbohydrates and nitrogen in the form of ammonia, amino acids, and peptides. In spite of five decades of research, the exact quantities and sources of these nutrients that will result in optimum rumen fermentation rates and microbial yields are only partially known.
Characterization of RNA Helicase CshA and Its Role in Protecting mRNAs and Small RNAs of Staphylococcus aureus Strain Newman

The toxin MazFsa in Staphylococcus aureus is a sequence-specific endoribonuclease that cleaves the majority of the mRNAs in vivo but spares many essential mRNAs (e.g., secY mRNA) and, surprisingly, an mRNA encoding a regulatory protein (i.e., sarA mRNA). We hypothesize that some mRNAs may be protected by RNA-binding protein(s) from degradation by MazFsa. Using heparin-Sepharose-enriched fractions that hybridized to sarA mRNA on Northwestern blots, we identified among multiple proteins the DEAD box RNA helicase CshA (NWMN_1985 or SA1885) by mass spectroscopy. Purified CshA exhibits typical RNA helicase activities, as exemplified by RNA-dependent ATPase activity and unwinding of the DNA-RNA duplex. A severe growth defect was observed in the cshA mutant compared with the parent when grown at 25°C but not at 37°C. Activation of MazFsa in the cshA mutant resulted in lower CFU per milliliter accompanied by a precipitous drop in viability (∼40%) compared to those of the parent and complemented strains. NanoString analysis reveals diminished expression of a small number of mRNAs and 22 small RNAs (sRNAs) in the cshA mutant versus the parent upon MazFsa induction, thus implying protection of these RNAs by CshA. In the case of the sRNA teg049 within the sarA locus, we showed that the protective effect was likely due to transcript stability as revealed by reduced half-life in the cshA mutant versus the parent. Accordingly, CshA likely stabilizes selective mRNAs and sRNAs in vivo and as a result enhances S. aureus survival upon MazFsa induction during stress.
Our Evolving Understanding of Peptides and the Control of Food Intake

The last Handbook volume on ingestive behavior was published while I was a graduate student and it had (and still does have) an enormous impact on how I viewed the organization of the control of food intake. However, looking back at that book, it is remarkable how much has changed in the intervening 14 years. This is particularly true when it comes to the peptides that have a role in the control of food intake and body weight. One thing that has changed is the context in which this research is done. Even as recently as 14 years ago, the study of the brain’s control of food intake was largely an academic exercise. Industrial involvement certainly existed, but now virtually all of the major pharmaceutical houses include scientific efforts aimed at developing treatments for obesity. Additionally, numerous small biotech companies include efforts aimed at identifying systems within the central nervous system (CNS) that regulate energy balance. The reasons for this are multifold. The first and most important is the crushing need for therapeutic strategies that can stem the rising tide of obesity in the United States and across the developed and developing world. This need has made understanding the neural circuits that control food intake an
Home and Community-Based Service Use by Vulnerable Older Adults

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study was to identify different types of clients who use home and community-based services. DESIGN AND METHODS: Enrollment characteristics of 76 clients at risk of nursing home placement and Medicaid spend-down who were enrolled in the Virginia Community Living Program were analyzed. Two-step cluster analysis identified 4 groups of service users. RESULTS: Enabling resources (caregiver relationship to participant, participant living arrangement, and length of time caregiver provided assistance to participant) and disability type (physical, cognitive, traumatic brain injury, or other) differentiated the client groups. Groups differed on average service cost per day and likelihood of nursing home placement if services were not provided. IMPLICATIONS: Findings point to the value of having practitioners assist vulnerable clients in tailoring services to meet different care needs and the need for refining policies guiding home and community-based care. Language: en
Infection due to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans.

Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans , an unusual Gram-negative coccobacillus, was isolated from the blood cultures of two patients. One patient with multiple myeloma and pneumonia was successfully treated with ampicillin. The other, with bacterial endocarditis, but without a previous history of heart disease, responded to kanamycin therapy. Endocarditis caused by this organism is frequently complicated by cerebral embolization. This bacterium may be overlooked in blood cultures because of its slow growth and requirement for 5% CO2 when subcultured on solid agar media.
Purity and Uv Absorption Cross Sections of TMA, TMG, and TMAs

Vapor pressures of commercial electronic grade TMA,.TMG and TMAs samples have been measured at various temperatures and compared with those of known pure samples. Only TMA showed the presence of impurities. The UV absorption spectrum of impure TMA shows toluene to be an impurity. The UV absorption cross sections of TMA, TMG and TMAs have been measured and tabulated at several wavelengths.
Whole body potassium measurements independent of body size.

The measurement of total body potassium (TBK) has long been recognized as an accurate index of the body’s cell mass, that is, the metabolically active tissues of the body. Whole-body counters, therefore, have been used extensively to monitor TBK in a wide range of healthy and diseased populations. Thus, we undertook the task of designing a counter that could accurately measure body potassium in a range of body sizes from a very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infant to an obese adult. A strong emphasis was placed on the in vivo measurement of TBK in healthy infants, children, and teenagers. We describe the different counting configurations and performance characteristics of the Children’s Nutrition Research Center (CNRC) whole-body counter.
Soft Tissue Trauma

Prior to surgical repair of maxillofacial injuries, a surgeon should formulate an operative plan based upon a careful and complete pre-operative analysis. Obviously this may effect the timing of repair. However, it is more efficacious to delay surgery for up to 24 hours than to close lacerations over a lacerated facial nerve, a severed parotid duct, or other undiagnosed lesions. Repair should include meticulous cleansing and removal of all embedded foreign material if hypertrophy, scars, or tattooing is to be avoided; repair of underlying soft tissue damage, including mucosa, muscle, nerve, cartilage, and subcutaneous tissue; and meticulous closure of the lacerations in accordance with their anatomical location. In wounds involving tissue loss the judicious application of skin grafts, as well as local or regional flaps, is of infinite value. With the careful adherence to the basic principles of plastic reconstructive surgery, the majority of patients with maxillofacial injuries should obtain a good functional and esthetic restoration. In patients in whom this cannot be accomplished because of extensive tissue damage, the primary repair should enhance the feasibility and results of secondary reconstruction.
Reactions of Criminal Sexual Offenders to Pornography: A Meta-Analytic Summary

This chapter provides a summary of existing data on the impacts of pornography for a specially defined sample. The studies included were studies that used only criminal sexual offenders, either incarcerated or in treatment. The findings indicate no difference in the frequency of consuming sexually explicit materials (r = -.05) between criminal sexual offenders and noncriminal controls. However, criminal sexual offenders were more likely to use pornography prior to engaging in sexual behaviors (r = .23) than were noncriminal controls. Physiological measures of arousal indicate that although sexual offenders are generally more aroused by such material (r = .15), the correlation increases dramatically when the content of the material is matched to the crime committed by the individual (r = .48). The findings illustrate that it is the reaction to and function of the mass media material, not the frequency of consumption, that differentiates criminal sexual offenders from noncriminal controls.