cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improved performance of Li hybrid solid polymer electrolyte cells

The seminal research by Wright et al. on polyethylene oxide (PEO) solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) generated intense interest in all solid-state rechargeable lithium batteries. Following this a number of researchers have studied the physical, electrical and transport properties of thin film PEO electrolyte containing Li salt. These studies have clearly identified the limitations of the PEO electrolyte. Chief among the limitations are a low cation transport number (t + ), high crystallinity and segmental motion of the polymer chain, which carries the cation through the bulk electrolyte. While low t + leads to cell polarization and increase in cell resistance high Tg reduces conductivity at and around room temperatures. For example, the conductivity of PEO electrolyte containing lithium salt is <10 -7 S cm -1 at room temperature. Although modified PEO electrolytes with lower T g exhibited higher conductivity (∼10 -5 S cm -1 at RT) the t + is still very low ∼0.25 for lithium ion. Numerous other attempts to improving t + have met with limited success. The latest approach involves integrating nano domains of inorganic moieties, such as silcate, alumosilicate, etc. within the polymer component. This approach yields an inorganic-organic component (OIC) based polymer electrolyte with higher conductivity and t + for Li + This paper describes the improved electrical and electrochemical properties of OIC-based polymer electrolyte and cells containing Li anode with either a TiS 2 cathode or Mag-10 carbon electrode. Several solid polymer electrolytes derived from silicate OIC and salt-in-polymer constituent based on Li triflate (LiTf) and PEO are studied. A typical composition of the SPE investigated in this work consists of 600 kDa PEO, lithium triflate (LiTf, LiSO 3 CF 3 ) and 55% of silicate based on (3-glycidoxypropyl)trimethoxysilane and tetramethoxysilane at molar ratio 4:1 and 0.65 mol% of aluminum(tri-sec-butoxide) (GTMOS-All-900k-55%). Several pouch cells consisting of Li/OIC-based-SPE/cathode containing OIC-based-SPE-LiTf binder were fabricated and tested, these cells are called modified cells. The charge/discharge and impedance characteristics of the new cells (also called modified cells) are compared with that of the pouch cells containing the conventional PEO-LiTf electrolyte as the cathode binder, these cells are called non-modified cells. The new cells can be charged and discharged at 70 °C at higher currents. However, the old cells can be charged and discharged only at 80 °C or above and at lower currents. The cell impedance for the new cells is much lower than that for the old cells.
Why do winners keep winning

Winners of aggressive interactions often continue to win in future encounters. I propose that this phenomenon is a by-product of two other phenomena occurring simultaneously: first, initiators of aggressive interactions typically win those interactions and, second, winners of aggressive encounters often become more likely to initiate future interactions. I propose that these phenomena can be explained, in turn, by selection favoring an individual's initiating an interaction only when it is likely to win that interaction. I found support for this two-step explanation for the winning begets winning phenomenon by observing aggressive interactions among captive dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis oreganus). First, initiators of interactions almost always won. Second, based on characteristics of winners in birds' home aviaries, I could predict which birds would initiate against novel competitors — winners were long-winged males with dark hoods, and birds with these characteristics were more likely to be the first to initiate in novel triads. In addition, aggression was directed preferentially towards other dark-hooded males. The results of this study may expand our understanding of the dynamics of aggressive interactions.
Sacred Sandstone of the Mayas

ALL archaeologists are familiar with the work done on the remarkable Maya ruins at Chichen Itza, in Yucatan, by Mr. Earl Morris and his associates, on behalf of the Carnegie Institution of Washington (see NATURE, 128, 692, Oct. 24, 1931). In the course of uncovering the large building now known as the Temple of the Warriors, Mr. Morris found an older temple underneath it, which he was able to explore by means of suitable tunnels. It was in the basement of this older building that he found the beautiful turquoise plaque, now carefully restored so far as the materials permitted, and deposited in the National Museum of Mexico. The centre of this plaque consists of a circular area which was filled with pieces of polished haematite, and beneath this, as Mr. Morris has fully explained in his recent book, is a disc of sandstone, of very ordinary quality, but not obtainable near Chichen Itza.
Rare earths as isomorphous calcium replacements for protein crystallography.

Abstract Replacement of calcium in thermolysin by lanthanide ions has been found to provide a useful isomorphous derivative for the X-ray analysis of the protein. The substitution can be achieved simply by diffusion of the heavy metal ions into the native protein crystals and, as measured by crystallographic residuals, causes little disruption of the native conformation. This disruption is noticeably less when the radius of the lanthanide ion is less than that of calcium. The results suggest that lanthanide substitution may be a generally applicable method of obtaining isomorphous heavy atom derivatives of calcium binding proteins.
Pseudo-transference reactions due to cultural stereotyping.

A therapist's culturally determined, derogatory, stereotyped attitudes toward a patient based on his sex, race, religion, or socio-economic status may create disturbed, negative reactions of the patient to the therapist which can be incorrectly interpreted as neurotic transference phenomena. Significant distortions of the diagnostic and therapeutic process can occur when both therapist and patient are unaware of the nature of such pseudo-transference reactions.
Learned preferences for real-fed and sham-fed polycose in rats: Interaction of taste, postingestive reinforcement, and satiety ☆

Abstract Nutrient-conditioned flavor preferences have been obtained with a variety of procedures, but one study indicates that rats do not readily learn to prefer the flavor of real-fed food to the flavor of sham-fed food. This issue was reexamined in food-deprived rats trained to real feed (gastric fistula closed) and sham feed (gastric fistula open) different flavored Polycose solutions (cherry or grape). Sham-feeding intakes in the one-bottle training sessions (30 min) were limited to the amount consumed in real-feeding sessions; intakes were not limited during two-bottle preference tests (10 min). In Experiment 1, when tested with 32% Polycose solutions, the animals tended to prefer the sham-fed Polycose to the real-fed Polycose. When subsequently trained and tested with 8% Polycose solutions, the same animals displayed a strong preference (≈90%) for the real-fed Polycose. These findings were confirmed in Experiment 2 using separate groups. Rats trained with 8% Polycose readily learned to prefer the real-fed solution, and rats trained with 32% Polycose initially preferred the sham-fed Polycose solution. With additional training the 32% Polycose group developed a preference for the real-fed solution. In Experiment 3, rats trained to real feed flavored 8% and 32% Polycose solutions developed strong preferences for the 32% solution. This finding suggests that the tendency to prefer sham-fed to real-fed 32% Polycose is not due to aversive postingestive effects of the real-fed solution. Taken together, the results indicate that Polycose has a postingestive positive reinforcing effect that can be revealed using the sham-feeding preparation. The lack of an immediate preference for real-fed over sham-fed 32% Polycose may occur because 1) postingestive reinforcement only slightly improves the already highly preferred taste of the real-fed solution and 2) postingestive satiety reduces the attractiveness of the real-fed solution.
Most difficult topics in CS1: results of an online survey of educators

In the spring of 2004, a survey was posted on the Internet concerning the content of the first course in computing (CS1) and email messages were sent to approximately 3,500 instructors asking them to participate in the survey. Three hundred fifty one faculty members responded. The responses to one survey item form the basis of this paper: "In your experience, what is the most difficult topic to teach in CS1?" This paper describes the demographics of the respondents and present a content analysis of the responses to this item. The analysis indicates that the difficult topics fall into four categories: problem solving and design, general programming topics, object-oriented constructs, and student maturity (or lack thereof). The paper presents the specific topics within each category along with sample comments.
Behavior of neural stem cells in the Alzheimer brain

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by the deposition of β-amyloid peptides (Aβ) and a progressive loss of neurons leading to dementia. Because hippocampal neurogenesis is linked to functions such as learning, memory and mood, there has been great interest in examining the effects of AD on hippocampal neurogenesis. This article reviews the pertinent studies and tries to unite them in one possible disease model. Early in the disease, oligomeric Aβ may transiently promote the generation of immature neurons from neural stem cells (NSCs). However, reduced concentrations of multiple neurotrophic factors and higher levels of fibroblast growth factor-2 seem to induce a developmental arrest of newly generated neurons. Furthermore, fibrillary Aβ and down-regulation of oligodendrocyte-lineage transcription factor-2 (OLIG2) may cause the death of these nonfunctional neurons. Therefore, altering the brain microenvironment for fostering apt maturation of graft-derived neurons may be critical for improving the efficacy of NSC transplantation therapy for AD.
Efficient Computation of Eigenvector Sensitivities for Structural Dynamics

Aniterativeprocedureispresentedforcomputingeigenvectorsensitivitiesdueto e niteelementmodelparameter variations. The present method is a preconditioned conjugate projected gradient-based technique and is intended to utilize the existing matrix factorizations developed for an iterative eigensolution such as Lanczos or Subspace Iteration. As such, this technique can be integrated into a coupled eigensolver/sensitivity software module and leverage the nonrecurring costs of the solver. The use of projection operators in the algorithm is dictated by the indee nite character of the governing coefe cient matrix of the eigenvector derivative. Two model examples are provided to demonstrate both the accuracy of the present technique and its superior efe ciency as compared to existing techniques with similar accuracy.
Compliance/adherence in health-related exercise.

The well documented association between habitual exercise and health outcomes makes clear that adherence to therapeutic exercise programs is a fundamental issue for health psychology. Recidivism appears, however, to preclude much of the health potential which exercise can offer. High participant dropout rates are typically observed in clinical exercise settings; these generally approach or exceed 50% within six months of initial involvement. Despite the importance of this issue, investigations of the factors which influence long-term adherence to exercise programs have been essentially atheoretical and have not been pursued systematically. The present review attempts to organize available evidence around models of exercise behavior in the hope this will encourage new research. These models consider the exerciser, the exercise setting, and the person-setting interaction. Also illustrated are the predictive limitations of studies which have focused solely on screening and diagnosis or on intervention and control rather than on a strategy combining both approaches. The intended purpose of this review is to facilitate future study of behavioral prescriptions designed to promote exercise adherence. The timeliness of controlled research on exercise adherence is reinforced by the growing use of various interventions for the enhancement of exercise behavior in clinical settings and by similarities between adherence to health-related exercise and compliance with other types of medical prescriptions.
Antisense oligonucleotide to PKC-ε alters cAMP-dependent stimulation of CFTR in Calu-3 cells

Protein kinase C (PKC) regulates cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) channel activity but the PKC signaling mechanism is not yet known. The goal of these studies was to ident...
Level of Moral Reasoning Among African-American and Caucasian Domestic Violence Offenders Prior to Targeted Professional Intervention

Abstract In the effort to improve intervention efforts with African-American batterers, a recent study explored the possible contribution of moral development as a unifying construct around which culturally relevant intervention strategies could be developed. Results of that study indicated that batterers were employing a level of moral reasoning two standard deviations lower than adults in general and that there were no significant differences between African-American and Caucasian participants on level of moral reasoning. The purpose of the present study was to replicate this earlier study by investigating the level of moral reasoning of 55 adult men, 84% African-American, court-ordered into treatment for domestic violence offenses. Results indicated that the entire sample of batterers was employing a level of moral reasoning significantly lower than adults in general and subgroup comparisons revealed no significant differences between African-American participants and Caucasian participants on level of...
An investigation of the thermal degradation mechanisms of a waste tire through chemical analysis including hydrocarbons, benzene derivatives, and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) at high temperature

Previous work has focused on a series of fundamental Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) studies using representative atmospheres found in Waste-to-Energy (WtE) boilers. Those studies were done for waste tires and their major constituents, such as Styrene-Butadiene Copolymer (SBR) and Poly-Isoprene (IR). The outcome has been the elucidation of the likely mechanism responsible for initial decomposition, final product and byproduct formation. To extend that understanding to a more practical level, a flow through apparatus has been used to test waste tire samples in the temperature range of 500°C–800°C. A chemical analysis in this temperature range has been performed to compare the thermal degradation mechanism and air pollutant generation in low temperature regimes. The release of chemicals from a tubular quartz reactor containing a tire sample has been determined experimentally using a GC/MS. Significant Volatile Organic Carbons (VOCs) including benzene derivatives, PAHs, and Hetero-N containing PAHs were observed. This study identifies and quantifies the concentration levels of various hazardous air pollutants, and provides new data for the overall development and validation of detailed reaction mechanisms that can describe the thermal degradation of waste tires. This information will enable the development of mitigation strategies that can address those levels of pollutant species.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Current and Potential Therapies for Ocular Neovascular Diseases

therapy approved to treat neovascular AMD. It is a two step procedure involving the intravenous administration of the drug, and subsequent activation by a non-thermal laser beam. This “cool” laser treatment produces a chemical reaction that selectively destroys abnormal blood vessels. However it is only for those patients who have new blood vessel growth under the retina in a well defined, distinctive pattern known as “predominantly classic.” Visudyne was developed by Novartis. Laser photocoagulation is another classic treatment for choroidal NV. The procedure uses laser light to destroy or seal off new blood vessels to prevent leakage. A major drawback of PDT and laser photocoagulation is that recurrent NV post-treatment is extremely common, since that these therapies don’t eliminate the angiogenic stumili. Laser photocoagulation produces many small retinal scars, which cause blind spots in the patient’s visual field. Multiple treatments are always needed. FDA approved the Implantable Miniature Telescope (IMT) in 2010, developed by VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies. The intraocular implant magnifies images onto the retina to improve central vision damaged by advanced AMD or Stargardt’s maculat dystrophy. This device is only for patients at least 75 years old with severe to profound vision impairment. Among these treatments, VEGF antagonisms have provided major benefits to patients. Recent progress unveiling the molecular pathogenesis of the diseases has lead to potential new drug therapy. Other key angiogenesis mediators, such as Platelet Derived Growth Factor B (PDGF-B) and NF-κB-responsive mediator Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (VCAM-1) [9], can provide potential therapy to combat worsening of NV diseases. Nonetheless, monthly injections of VEGF inhibitors into the eyes can cause harmful side effects, and some patients didn’t have an optimal response. A promising potential new treatment is gene-transfer of antiangiogenic factors through viral vectors, which has the potential to provide long-term suppression of NV and excessive vascular leakage [10].
Fueling the Engines: A Role for Occupational Therapy in Promoting Healthy Life Transitions

This article explores the potential role of occupational therapy in promoting healthy life transitions among people without illness or disease, The story of Roxana, a woman who moved with her family from Mexico to the United States, is described. The many transitions Roxana experienced are examined using the Person-Environment-Occupation Model. Implications for practice focus on assessment and intervention strategies that can help practitioners and individuals experiencing transitions use occupation to prevent illness and promote health.
Food-Based Complementary Feeding Strategies for Breast-Fed Infants What's the Evidence That It Matters?

The period of complementary feeding represents a major portion of the 1000 day critical window and thus impacts a period of substantial and dynamic infant development. This review highlights and synthesizes findings of several recent studies conducted to evaluate food based strategies on outcomes related to micronutrient status, growth and neurocognitive development. Particular emphasis is placed on interventions using meat or fortified products to impact iron and zinc intakes, due to the dependence of breastfed infants on complementary food choices to meet requirements for these two critical micronutrients. Regular consumption of modest amounts of meat or fortified cereals provides adequate absorbed zinc to meet estimated physiologic requirements, whereas homeostatic adaptation to lower zinc intake from unfortified cereal/plant staples is inadequate to meet requirements. Iron fortification of cereals may be somewhat more effective than meat to improve iron status, but neither prevents iron deficiency in breastfed infants, even in westernized settings. Improvements in the quality of complementary foods have had very modest effects on linear growth in settings where stunting is prevalent. Maternal education is strongly associated with both linear growth and with child neurodevelopment. The determinants of early growth faltering are more complex and intractable than 'simple' dietary deficiencies of micronutrients. Solutions to growth faltering in young children most likely need to be multi-factorial, and almost certainly will need to start earlier than the complementary feeding period.
Evoked electromyography of the eleventh nerve and trapezius muscle

Values and criteria for abnormality of the eleventh nerve evoked electromyography (EEMG) have been determined. The nerve conduction velocity and duration appear to be relatively consistent from subject to subject. Amplitude of response, while varying significantly from subject to subject, remains relatively constant when the right shoulder is compared to the left shoulder and when a retest is performed.
The Effect of Smoking on Perioperative Complications in Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery

Objectives/Hypothesis: Cigarette smoking is the most important risk factor for head and neck cancer. Conventional wisdom suggests that smoking causes increased postoperative wound healing and systemic complications in this patient population, but it is unclear if the clinical literature supports this. Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: The authors performed a review of the literature from 1990 to 2010 on the effect of cigarette smoking on perioperative complications in head and neck surgery. Results: Thirty-six articles met eligibility criteria and were reviewed; 14 focused on extirpative surgery and 22 on reconstruction. Most of the evidence was comprised of case series and small cohort studies. We reviewed local wound healing and systemic complications, and 47% of studies supported an association between smoking and complications of surgery. Conclusions: Evidence from the existing clinical literature is inconclusive on an association between cigarette smoking and perioperative complications after head and neck surgery. The negative impact of smoking is suggested; however, the majority of articles had significant methodological weaknesses. Prospective study of tobacco-induced complications is needed.
An active tissue-contrast sensing microsystem for biopsy needles: Initial results

This paper describes progress toward an active tissue-contrast sensing microsystem that can be embedded at the tip of a fine biopsy needle. An analog CMOS chip is integrated with a piezoelectric sensor to reduce the impact of parasitic capacitances and allow differential sensing that will permit deep tissue sampling. The sensor element and the CMOS circuit are fabricated in-house and integrated onto the tip of a 20-gauge needle. The sensor module with integrated interface circuit has a size of 950 µm (L) × 350 µm (W) × 220 µm (H). It can successfully generate an oscillating signal as the readout of the integrated piezoelectric quartz sensor. Preliminary functional verification for sensing is provided by saline solutions of 0.5–3% concentration, representing a progressive increase of acoustic impedance. As expected the measured frequency shifts increase with higher saline concentration, indicating the validity of the sensor interface circuit design.
The Scalar Center for Quadratic Jordan Algebras

Abstract We propose that an element of a Jordan algebra J should be considered “central” if it is a scalar multiple of 1 in some tight unital extension of J. For Jordan algebras with no trivial ideals, this yields an acceptable center. Here it is important that an algebra with no extreme elements has a unique tight unital hull. It has been noted by Fernandez-Lopez, Garcia-Rus and Montaner that a necessary condition for centrality of an element c is that the operators U c , V c must be in the centroid. When the algebra is nondegenerate, we show this condition is actually sufficient.
The Anxiety Depression Distress Inventory-27 (ADDI-27): a short version of the Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire-90

The authors conducted three studies to construct and examine the psychometric properties of a 27-item version of the Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire-90 (MASQ-90; Watson & Clark, 1991a). The Anxiety Depression Distress Inventory-27 (ADDI-27) contains three empirically derived scales: Positive Affect, Somatic Anxiety, and General Distress, which are relevant dimensions of the tripartite model of affect. Each scale is composed of nine items, and the estimate of scale reliability for each scale score was ≥ .80 across the three studies. Results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses provided adequate support for a 3-factor model. Additional estimates of concurrent validity documented the ADDI-27 scales' convergent and discriminant validity. We also identified three construct relevant correlates for each scale score. Overall, the ADDI-27 appears to be a content valid, reliable, and multidimensional measure of the tripartite model of affect.
More Information from Your Circular Dichroism

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss how circularly polarized synchrotron radiation could be used to learn more about molecules. Synchrotron radiation opens the possibility for high fluxes of circularly polarized light at very high energy. Thus the exciting new techniques such as circular intensity differential scattering, and circular differential microscopy would benefit greatly from a synchrotron ring generating circular polarized light. I believe such radiation will prove equally useful for that standard technique, circular dichroism of electronic absorption bands. Time constants of 10 to 60 seconds are the norm on conventional instrumentation so that it may take a number of hours to scan a CD spectrum. The large increase in light intensity from a synchrotron source allows shorter time constants and more rapid scanning, and smaller spectral slit widths for increased resolution. More rapid scanning offers the potential of doing kinetic studies on changes in secondary structure for biopolymers.
Measures of Spectrum Holdings and Spectrum Concentration among Cellular Carriers

Regulators in most countries limit the amount of spectrum that a carrier is allowed to obtain as a way of reducing the risk that rival cellular carriers will be unable to obtain the spectrum they need to compete effectively. For similar reasons, regulators may consider how a proposed merger would affect concentration of spectrum holdings. These policies require appropriate measures of spectrum holdings for a carrier, and of spectrum concentration across carriers. Spectrum holdings of a carrier are typically measured simply by considering the total bandwidth. However, the total bandwidth of a carrier may not be the most useful measure, as this measure does not consider the frequencies of the spectrum held, although frequency greatly affects the cost of building out and operating infrastructure in that spectrum. A promising alternative is to use a frequency-dependent weighting function when quantifying spectrum holdings. Spectrum concentration across carriers is typically measured with the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), but analysis in this paper shows that other measures could be more appropriate, and why the high costs of spectrum may yield economies of scale which benefit large carriers. This paper empirically investigates how use of these alternative measures affects the relationship between concentration of market share and the concentration of spectrum holdings using a variety of different measures to quantify spectrum holdings and concentration of spectrum holdings. Some of these measures of spectrum holdings take frequency into account, and others do not. Some of these measures are more appropriate if there is a linear relationship between the amount of spectrum a carrier has and number of customers it serves, and others are not. Greater correlations between spectrum concentration and market share concentration were observed with measures that put more weight on lower frequencies, although the differences are too small to support strong conclusions. The issue deserves further empirical research with more extensive data.
Marriage Equality and the Third Nail in the 'Proceed with Caution' Coffin

“We must proceed with caution” remains a clarion call of marriage equality opponents. Courts have previously rejected this argument on two grounds: First, states cannot save an otherwise unconstitutional law by raising the specter of theoretical harms that may run rampant if the law were struck down. And second, such harms are inapplicable in the context of same-sex marriage bans because there is no harm caused by allowing same-sex couples to wed. A number of jurists, most notably Justices Alito and Thomas, nonetheless embrace the “proceed with caution” argument. To that end, this Essay explains a third reason why the “proceed with caution” argument should fail when the Supreme Court takes up the issue of marriage equality this spring; specifically, a state should not be allowed to proceed with caution unless it explains how it plans on doing so. The states defending their same-sex marriage bans before the Court this spring — Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee — have failed to identify how they plan to proceed with caution. They offer no plans, timetables, or rubrics by which they intend on analyzing the effects of same-sex marriage elsewhere, extrapolating those effects to their states, and taking action as warranted. As these states have presented no such evidence, the Court should reject the “proceed with caution” argument they advance.
Costly search with adverse selection: solicitation curse versus acceleration blessing

We analyze a dynamic trading model of adverse selection where a seller can increase the frequency of strategic price quotes. A low-quality seller benefits more from trade and, therefore, searches more intensively than a high-quality seller. This makes a seller's contact carry negative information but a seller's availability become a stronger indicator of high quality. In the stationary environment, the two effects exactly offset each other, and reducing search costs is weakly beneficial to the seller. In the nonstationary environment, the relative strengths of the two effects vary over time, and reducing search costs can be detrimental to the seller.
Blood flow and peripheral resistance in normotensive and hypertensive dogs.

SummaryPeripheral resistance has been found to fall exponentially as cardiac output increases in dogs. A similar curve with a higher peripheral resistance at all levels of cardiac output is observed in hypertensive animals. The measurement, therefore, of peripheral resistance alone, or its changes, to indicate the state of the peripheral vascular bed is of little value unless level of blood flow is held constant or the relationship between blood flow and peripheral resistance have already been determined.
Influence of Sublethal Doses of Permethrin and Methyl Parathion on Dispersal Behavior of Two Species of Spider Mites (Acari: Tetranychidae) on Corn

Spider mite outbreaks following the application of insecticides have been associated with changes in mite dispersal behavior. Dispersal responses of twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, and Banks grass mite, Oligonychus pratensis (Banks), were studied when mites were exposed to various sublethal concentrations of insecticides on maize under laboratory conditions. Insecticides tested were formulated materials of permethrin and methyl parathion. The study was conducted under direct exposure of mites to pesticides and exposure to their residues. Mites showed greater dispersal behavior when exposed to pesticides directly compared with residual exposure. Spin-down was the predominant mode of dispersal when mites were exposed to insecticides directly, whereas mites that were exposed to the residues dispersed mainly by walk-off. An increase in dispersal of both species of spider mites was observed as concentrations of insecticides increased from LC 05 to LC 50 . At LC 50 , methyl parathion caused greater dispersal of Banks grass mites compared with twospotted spider mites by both direct and indirect exposure. In contrast, at LC 50 , permethrin caused greater dispersal of twospotted spider mites compared with Banks grass mites by both conditions of exposure
The Superhighway and City Planning: Some Ecological Considerations with Reference to Los Angeles

validity, contribute to their refinement, and perhaps even replace them. The study of older cities, and particularly the great cities of Europe, should prove especially rewarding. Generalizations based on American experience alone must be limited to the evolution of relatively new cities and an immature urban society. Studies of the older cities of Europe, on the other hand, can add to the sum of knowledge of the development of mature urban settlements, a knowledge which must be increasingly important to the understanding and prognosis of urban growth in America as our society reaches a more mature stage.
Description and Inheritance Mode of the Mutant Melanotic Pupa in the Beet Armyworm

Adults of Spodoptera exigua (Hubner) that emerged from pupae of an unusually dark color were used to initiate crosses. The results indicated that these individuals were homozygous for a single recessive allele. The expression of the mutant allele in 2 different laboratory strains and in pure cluture was stable, with no evidence of incomplete dominance or expression during other stages of the life cycle. The mutant phenotype was given the designation “melanotic pupa” (allele symbol “m”).
Differences in the Gambling Behavior of Online and Non-online Student Gamblers in a Controlled Laboratory Environment.

Although research suggests that approximately 1 in 4 college students report having gambled online, few laboratory-based studies have been conducted enlisting online student gamblers. Moreover, it is unclear the extent to which differences in gambling behavior exist between online and non-online student gamblers. The current study examined if online gamblers would play more hands, commit more errors, and wager more credits than non-online student gamblers in a controlled, laboratory environment. Online (n = 19) and non-online (n = 26) student gamblers played video poker in three separate sessions and the number of hands played, errors committed, and credits wagered were recorded. Results showed that online student gamblers played more hands and committed more errors playing video poker than non-online student gamblers. The results from the current study extend previous research by suggesting that online gamblers engage in potentially more deleterious gambling behavior (e.g., playing more hands and committing more errors) than non-online gamblers. Additional research is needed to examine differences in the gambling behavior of online and non-online gamblers in a controlled, laboratory environment.
Multi-system organ failure following administration of yellow fever vaccine: a case report

Background: Yellow fever vaccine-associated viscerotropic disease (YEL-AVD), is an extremely rare and life-threatening condition that occurs shortly after administration of the vaccine. It is characterized by multi-system organ failure including hemorrhagic fever, shock, renal failure, and hepatic failure. Case: A 77-year-old Caucasian male experienced multi-system organ failure within seven days of receiving the yellow fever vaccine. The patientâ€™s signs and symptoms included fever, acute renal failure, hepatitis, lymphocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, hypotension, and respiratory failure. Conclusions: Since serious adverse events are possible following administration of yellow fever vaccine, physicians should administer the vaccine only to those truly at risk for exposure to the virus.
Survey of the Witting Rate of the Infectious Diseases,Sanitary Habits and Hospitalizing Behaviors among the Rural Residents of Jinshan District of Shanghai City

[Objective] To learn the witting rate of legal infectious diseases,sanitary habits and hospitalization situation among the rural residents in Jinshan District of Shanhhai,and provide effective evidence of the prevention and control work.[Methods] Self-made questionnaire was used to investigate the witting rate of legal infectious diseases and relevant behaviors of the stochastically selected Jinshan residents;EpiData3.0 was used to set up database;SPSS 10.0 was used to analyze the result.[Results] Among the 1045 investigated residents,557(53.30%) of which were males and 488 were females(46.70%),the ratio was 1:0.88;significant difference was found in both the witting rate of infectious diseases(P0.01) and the sanitary habits(P0.01;P0.05) among the residents of different educational levels;significant difference was also found in the hospitalization among the residents of different ages,the hospitalization rates among the residents under the age of 15 and above 60 were 100% and 82.32% respectively.[Conclusion]Jinshan residents lack the knowledge of infectious diseases;sanitary habits and hospitalization consciousness should be improved.
Methane Emissions from the Natural Gas Transmission and Storage System in the United States.

The recent growth in production and utilization of natural gas offers potential climate benefits, but those benefits depend on lifecycle emissions of methane, the primary component of natural gas and a potent greenhouse gas. This study estimates methane emissions from the transmission and storage (T&S) sector of the United States natural gas industry using new data collected during 2012, including 2,292 onsite measurements, additional emissions data from 677 facilities and activity data from 922 facilities. The largest emission sources were fugitive emissions from certain compressor-related equipment and “super-emitter” facilities. We estimate total methane emissions from the T&S sector at 1,503 [1,220 to 1,950] Gg/yr (95% confidence interval) compared to the 2012 Environmental Protection Agency’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory (GHGI) estimate of 2,071 [1,680 to 2,690] Gg/yr. While the overlap in confidence intervals indicates that the difference is not statistically significant, this is the result of several s...
Treatment of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Prognostic Factors and Clinical Advances

While the majority of children and adolescents with newly diagnosed childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) will be cured, as many as 20 % of patients will experience relapse. On current treatment regimens, the intensity of upfront treatment is stratified based upon prognostic factors with the aim of improving cure rates (for those at the highest risk of relapse) and minimizing treatment-related morbidity (for lower-risk patients). Here we review advances in the understanding of prognostic factors and their application. We also highlight novel treatment approaches aimed at improving outcomes in childhood ALL.
Optical data storage enters a new dimension

IN THE era of the Internet, massive amounts of information and multimedia have become easily accessible in every corner of the world. The decreasing cost of storing data, and the increasing storage capacities of ever smaller devices. have been key enablers of this revolution. Current storage needs are being met because improvements in conventional technologies – such as magnetic hard-disk drives, optical disks and semiconductor memories – have been able to keep pace with the demand for greater and faster storage.
Role of Radiation

Radiation therapy is an alternative to surgical excision of lentigo maligna (LM) and lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM). In some instances, radiation therapy may be the preferred treatment because surgery is not possible, or incompletely removes the LM or LMM. Radiation therapy is advantageous, because it is able to preserve tissue and limit cosmetic and functional compromise from surgery. Over the last several decades, a wide range of techniques including Grenz rays, soft, superficial, and orthovoltage x-rays, as well as brachytherapy have been used to deliver radiation therapy. The published retrospective analyses from around the world have generally demonstrated local recurrence to occur in 10 % of patients treated, with metastatic recurrence occurring in 1 %. Comparative analyses have not demonstrated significant inferiority of radiation therapy compared to other treatment modalities for LM/LMM. Herein, the biologic basis, advantages, disadvantages, technique, patient selection, and outcomes of radiotherapy for LM and LMM will be discussed.
Administering Employers’ Payment Obligations under National and International Design–Build Standard Forms of Contract

AbstractIt is well-established that disputes have adverse effects on cost, delivery dates, and quality of construction projects. Studies have shown that poor contract administration is yet the lead...
Problems in modeling toroidal field ripple loss of fast alphas from a tokamak reactor

The present status of modeling toroidal field (TF) ripple loss of fast alphas from tokamaks is summarized. The modeling issues are discussed, and several new aspect of this problem are described, including gyromotion, radial electric field, and sawtoothing. Existing models predict that TF ripple loss of fast alphas will have a low to moderate impact on the design of a tokamak engineering test reactor.
Prognostic and Added Value of Two-Dimensional Global Longitudinal Strain for Prediction of Survival in Patients with Light Chain Amyloidosis Undergoing Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.

Background Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a first-line therapy for prolonging survival in patients with light-chain (AL) amyloidosis. Cardiac involvement is the most important determinant of survival. However, patients with advanced cardiac involvement have often been excluded from HCT because of high risk for transplantation-related mortality and poor overall survival. Whether baseline left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) can provide additional risk stratification and predict survival after HCT in this high-risk population remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic implication of baseline GLS and the added value of GLS beyond circulating cardiac biomarkers for risk stratification in patients with AL amyloidosis undergoing HCT. Methods Eighty-two patients with newly diagnosed AL amyloidosis who underwent upfront HCT between January 2007 and April 2014 were included in the study. Clinical, echocardiographic, and serum cardiac biomarker data were collected at baseline and 12 months following HCT. GLS measurements were performed using a vendor-independent offline system. The median follow-up time for survivors was 58 months. Results Sixty-four percent of patients were in biomarker-based Mayo stage II or III. GLS, brain natriuretic peptide, troponin, and mitral E/A ratio were identified as the strongest predictors of survival ( P Conclusions GLS is a strong predictor of survival in patients with AL amyloidosis undergoing HCT, potentially providing incremental value over serum cardiac biomarkers for risk stratification. GLS should be considered as a standard parameter along with serum cardiac biomarkers when evaluating eligibility for HCT or other investigational therapies.
Reduced-Order Model of a Bladed Rotor With Geometric Mistuning

This paper deals with the development of an accurate reduced-order model of a bladed disk with geometric mistuning. The method is based on vibratory modes of various tuned systems and proper orthogonal decomposition of coordinate measurement machine (CMM) data on blade geometries. Results for an academic rotor are presented to establish the validity of the technique.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
College Student Athletes and Social Media: The Psychological Impacts of Twitter Use

Twitter, the popular social-media platform, is a staple in intercollegiate athletics. Although it is often regarded merely as a pastime, Twitter boasts advantages and disadvantages to college stude...
Mineral element concentrations and grain yield of sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor ) and pearl millet ( Pennisetum glaucum ) grown on acid soil

The adaptation of plants to acid soil conditions may be associated with mineral elements taken into plants. Leaf mineral element concentrations were determined in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) genotypes grown on an acid ultisol (pH 4.0, 60% Al saturation) to better understand mineral element concentrations that might be associated with species and genotypic differences to tolerate acid soil conditions. Sorghum genotypes showed a broad range in grain yield while all pearl millet genotypes had relatively good grain yields when grown on the acid soil. Leaf concentrations of Si, Ca, Mg, S, and Cu were higher; P, K, and Al were lower; and N, Mn, Fe and Zn were similar in pearl millet when relative comparisons were made with sorghum. The relatively high leaf concentrations of Ca, Mg, and especially Si in pearl millet may have contributed to its ability to yield well on the acid soil.
Why Clinical Bioethics So Rarely Gives Morally Normative Guidance

What is bioethics, that it could so rapidly establish its academic and social status in the United States and then almost as quickly be accepted across the world? The emergence of bioethics is one of the remarkable cultural occurrences of the 20th century. Within seven years after the founding of the Kennedy Institute where the term bioethics was re-coined, the first edition of The Encyclopedia of Bioethics had been published. By the 1980s, bioethics was widely recognized as both an academic and a quasi-clinical profession, such that it is now impossible to imagine American medical schools without courses in bioethics or without ethicists serving on their Institutional Review Boards. For that matter, it is hard to imagine academically affiliated hospitals without ethics committees or bioethics consultants (health care ethics consultants). Bioethics and the presence of clinical ethicists have become part of the everyday lifeworld of not just the United States, but of much of Europe, the Pacific Rim, and elsewhere. In some forty years, bioethics has come to command a significant cultural and social authority.
The Political Economy of Excise Taxation: Some Ethical and Legal Issues

Excise taxes are used not only to raise revenue but also to alter or punish behavior. In many cases, excise taxes can be called "sin" taxes because they punish people for politically incorrect behavior like smoking and consuming alcoholic beverages. This article examines the nonrevenue raising uses of excise taxes and analyzes their propriety from the perspectives of economics, law and ethics.
Effectiveness of Foreign Exchange Market Interventions

This chapter discusses the mechanisms by which interventions might affect exchange rates and thus be used as an effective policy instrument. At the outset, a few definitions are in order: Formally, official interventions refer to the purchase or sale of foreign exchange by the monetary authorities.1 In general the objective of such operations is to influence exchange rates.2 To be precise, “monetary authorities” include the central bank and — depending on the country-specific circumstances — the relevant government institutions that buy and sell foreign exchange. If not indicated otherwise, we will abstract from the latter and simply refer to the central bank as the monetary authority.