cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Radiation tolerance of nanocrystalline ceramics: insights from Yttria Stabilized Zirconia.

Materials for applications in hostile environments, such as nuclear reactors or radioactive waste immobilization, require extremely high resistance to radiation damage, such as resistance to amorphization or volume swelling. Nanocrystalline materials have been reported to present exceptionally high radiation-tolerance to amorphization. In principle, grain boundaries that are prevalent in nanomaterials could act as sinks for point-defects, enhancing defect recombination. In this paper we present evidence for this mechanism in nanograined Yttria Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ), associated with the observation that the concentration of defects after irradiation using heavy ions (Kr+, 400 keV) is inversely proportional to the grain size. HAADF images suggest the short migration distances in nanograined YSZ allow radiation induced interstitials to reach the grain boundaries on the irradiation time scale, leaving behind only vacancy clusters distributed within the grain. Because of the relatively low temperature of the irradiations and the fact that interstitials diffuse thermally more slowly than vacancies, this result indicates that the interstitials must reach the boundaries directly in the collision cascade, consistent with previous simulation results. Concomitant radiation-induced grain growth was observed which, as a consequence of the non-uniform implantation, caused cracking of the nano-samples induced by local stresses at the irradiated/non-irradiated interfaces.
AN ELECTRON MICROSCOPE STUDY OF CHOLESTEROL ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN THE RABBIT.

Abstract Lesions produced in the rabbit aorta by cholesterol and cottonseed oil were studied with the electron microscope. These lesions showed two main cell types: vacuolated cells containing complex lipid inclusions (foam cells) and smaller cells containing inclusions of mainly unsaturated lipid. Foam cells and monocytoid cells were seen deposited on the endothelial surface and in some instances apparently penetrating it. Degeneration of individual endothelial cells was also observed with the occasional extrusion of underlying intimal cells. It is postulated that the foam cell is derived from the circulating blood as distinct from the other main cell type, which is derived from the smooth muscle of the aorta.
Corticosterone implants to the amygdala and type 1 CRH receptor regulation: effects on behavior and colonic sensitivity.

Corticosterone (CORT) micropellets were stereotaxically placed bilaterally at the dorsal margin of the central nucleus of the amygala (CeA). Both behavioral and physiological responses were recorded (plus maze and colonic discomfort) at 7 days post-implantation. Corticosterone reduced the exploration of the plus maze and increased colonic distress. The ability of a CRH type 1 receptor antagonist, antalarmin, to block behavioral and colonic effects of central placement of CORT was also examined. The diminished exploration in the plus maze and colon distress observed in response to CORT placement at the CeA were averted by the administration of antalarmin. These results provide further evidence for the role of the CRH type 1 receptor to ameliorate both behavioral and physiological functions.
A longitudinal clinical assessment of spark erosion technology in implant-retained overdenture prostheses: a preliminary report.

Abstract Statement of problem. As adapted for the dental profession, spark erosion technology permits precise machining of retentive metal overdenture frameworks for use in implant prosthetics. Purpose. The resultant prostheses are retentive and provide a number of benefits offered by both conventional overdenture and fixed prosthetic designs. Material and methods. Preliminary data collected from an ongoing 5-year clinical trial were reviewed to qualitatively assess the clinical results obtained from 25 spark eroded implant-retained overdenture prostheses placed in 24 subjects. Results. Throughout an evaluation period of 13.33 months (range 4 to 19 months), subject responses measured by questionnaire were uniformly good. Few complications were encountered and were limited to resin denture base/tooth fractures or retentive component failures that were easily repaired. Conclusion. Overdenture prostheses retained by spark eroded milled frameworks offer an acceptable treatment alternative for patients undergoing dental implant therapy. (J Prosthet Dent 1997;78:490-5.)
A method of treating the nongray error in total emittance measurements

In techniques for the rapid determination of total emittance, the sample is generally exposed to surroundings that are at a different temperature than the sample's surface. When the infrared spectral reflectance of the surface is spectrally selective, these techniques introduce an error into the total emittance values. Surfaces of aluminum overcoated with oxides of various thicknesses fall into this class. Because they are often used as temperature control coatings on satellites, their emittances must be accurately known. The magnitude of the error was calculated for Alzak and silicon oxide-coated aluminum and was shown to be dependent on the thickness of the oxide coating. The results demonstrate that, because the magnitude of the error is thickness-dependent, it is generally impossible or impractical to eliminate it by calibrating the measuring device.
Neoplastic transformation-linked alterations in adenylosuccinate synthetase activity.

Abstract Adenylosuccinate synthetase has been measured in rats in normal, differentiating, and regenerating liver, transplantable hepatomas of different growth rates, kidney cortex, and a transplantable kidney tumor. The activity was increased 1.6 to 3.7-fold in all the tumors. The activity showed no correlation with the degree of histological or biochemical differentiation of the tumors, nor with their growth rate. Adenylosuccinate synthetase activity in regenerating liver was unchanged and in neonatal liver it was much lower than in adult liver. It is concluded that the ubiquitous increase in the tumors of liver and kidney was linked with the neoplastic transformation.
New EPA Director Calls Climate Change a Fundamental Economic Challenge

“Climate change isn't an environmental issue; it is a fundamental economic challenge for us,” said Regina “Gina” McCarthy, the newly confirmed administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), during a 30 July speech at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. In this first public address since her confirmation on 18 July as the 13th EPA administrator, McCarthy insisted that protecting the environment makes good economic sense.
Cell adhesion testing using novel testbeds containing micropatterns of complex nanoengineered multilayer films

Methods for producing biomaterial patterns with defined spatial distribution micro- and nano-scale features are important for studying the cellular-level interactions, including basic cell-to-material and cell-to-cell communications. This work reports on the fabrication of substrates to study cell adhesion to multicomponent micropatterns of multilayer films by coupling conventional photolithography and LbL techniques, known as the L-LbL technique. Toward this end, substrates with nanofilm micropatterns of two different bio-functionalities have been fabricated for sPLA/sub 2/ and PLL and were used for in vitro cell-culture studies using neurons, which exhibited preferential and high efficiency and selective adhesion to sPLA/sub 2/ nanofilms. These results support the immediate use of multicomponent micropatterns as biological testbeds for basic studies of cells, and provide a basis for further expansions of the fabrication processes to produce scaffolds for precise definition of cell-to-material and cell-to-cell interactions, such that the resulting constructs mimic in vivo cell organization and behavior.
College Students, Internet Use, and Protection from Online Identity Theft.

The Internet has experienced phenomenal growth in higher education. In addition to many pedagogical benefits, there are potential risks to the student users, including identity theft. This study examined the extent to which selected online practices that could minimize the risk of financial identity theft are used by college students. Data were collected from over 7,000 students at one Midwestern university. Multivariate analysis was used to analyze students’ ability to identify a secure Internet site, and to buy from a secure site. Gender, age, and race were among the significant variables. The results have implications for educating students about Internet related risks.
Contribution of Strong Discontinuities to the Power Spectrum of the Solar Wind

Eight and a half years of magnetic field measurements (${2}^{22}$ samples) from the ACE spacecraft in the solar wind at 1 A.U. are analyzed. Strong (large-rotation-angle) discontinuities in the solar wind are collected and measured. An artificial time series is created that preserves the timing and amplitudes of the discontinuities. The power spectral density of the discontinuity series is calculated and compared with the power spectral density of the solar-wind magnetic field. The strong discontinuities produce a power-law spectrum in the ``inertial subrange'' with a spectral index near the Kolmogorov $\ensuremath{-}5/3$ index. The discontinuity spectrum contains about half of the power of the full solar-wind magnetic field over this ``inertial subrange.'' Warnings are issued about the significant contribution of discontinuities to the spectrum of the solar wind, complicating interpretation of spectral power and spectral indices.
The road not taken: Estimating path execution frequency statically

A variety of compilers, static analyses, and testing frameworks rely heavily on path frequency information. Uses for such information range from optimizing transformations to bug finding. Path frequencies are typically obtained through profiling, but that approach is severely restricted: it requires running programs in an indicative environment, and on indicative test inputs. We present a descriptive statistical model of path frequency based on features that can be readily obtained from a program's source code. Our model is over 90% accurate with respect to several benchmarks, and is sufficient for selecting the 5% of paths that account for over half of a program's total runtime. We demonstrate our technique's robustness by measuring its performance as a static branch predictor, finding it to be more accurate than previous approaches on average. Finally, our qualitative analysis of the model provides insight into which source-level features indicate “hot paths.”
Phytochrome-regulated expression of genes encoding light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-protein in two long hypocotyl mutants and wild type plants of Arabidopsis thaliana.

The cab genes which encode the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-protein (LHCP) are expressed normally with respect to phytochrome regulation in the hy-3 and hy-5 long hypocotyl mutants of Arubidopsis thalianu. In etiolated seedlings of these mutants as wcll as of the wild type, 1 min of red light elevates cub mRNA levels substantially within 2 h; this increase is reversed if far- red light is given immediately after the red light treatment. We conclude that the genetic defects in these mutants do not affect steps in the signal transduction pathway leading to the regulated expression of cab genes. Additionally, the mRNA from one of the three known A. fhalianu cub genes, AB140, is similar in quantity to the mRNAs from the other two, AB165 and AB180, in dark-grown seedlings of hy-3 and hy-5 as well as the parent A. fhuliuna (Landsberg) after a brief red light treatment. This aspect of cub gene expression diflers from the strain Columbia of A. fhaliana in which AB140 mRNA is the predominant message. In mature white light-grown plants of the strain Columbia. AB140 as well as a combination of AB165 and AB180 mRNAs are expressed at high levels. suggesting that AB165 and/or AB180 may be developmentally regulated.
Using geometry to enhance the nonlinear response of quantum confined systems

We study the effect of geometry on the nonlinear response of a network of quantum wires that form loops. Exploiting the fact that a loop’s transition moment matrix and energies are exactly solvable for each wire segment, they can be pieced together to determine the loop’s properties. A Monte Carlo method is used to sample the configuration space of all possible geometries to determine the shape that optimizes the intrinsic hyperpolarizability. We suggest that a combination of wire geometry and confinement effects can lead to artificial systems with ultra-large nonlinear response, which can be potentially made using known nanofabrication techniques.
Is it time to discard the term “diagnosis” when examining a person with uncomplicated axial neck pain?

COMMENTARY ON Fryer G, Adams JH. Magnetic resonance imaging of subjects with acute unilateral neck pain and restricted motion: a prospective case series. Spine J 2011;11:171–6 ( in this issue ).
Use of the Nonparametric Smoother for Examination of Data from a Single-Subject Design

A number of descriptive and inferential statistical procedures have been presented previously for examining data from a single-subject design. The statistical analysis of data from a single-subject design, however, remains somewhat controversial. As a complement to the visual inspection of the observed data, the nonparametric smoother is presented as a possibly appropriate and useful technique for the examination of data from a single-subject research paradigm. T'wo working examples are presented.
Modeling Virus and Antivirus Spreading Over Hybrid Wireless Ad Hoc and Wired Networks

Virus propagation in the Internet has resulted in significant loss and security breaches. Although significant research effort has been spent on developing antivirus software tools, the propagating dynamics of virus and antivirus is not thoroughly investigated. Both virus and antivirus have similar propagation characteristics to some extent counteracting each other. The spreading dynamics of most viruses are network topology dependent making the investigation a challenging problem. In this paper, we model and analyze the spreading characteristics of viruses as coexisting with the anti-virus spreading process in a modified two-layer small-world topology for hybrid wireless ad hoc and wired networks. We simulate our proposed virus and antivirus model over the hybrid wireless ad hoc and wired networks and arrive at conclusion which can be used by for developing cost effective antivirus solutions.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF RAPIDLY ROTATING SHIFT SCHEDULES--A CIRCADIAN VIEWPOINT

This article uses some previously published data to explore the benefits and drawbacks associated with rapid shift rotations of less than five days, comparing them with slowly rotating and with fixed shift systems. The discussion is limited to circadian ("biological clock") issues, and concludes that one must look at the whole situation (including job type) before coming to a decision, and that no option should be ruled out on a priori grounds.
The molecular and cellular biologic basis for the radiation treatment of benign proliferative diseases

Since its discovery, radiation has been used to treat numerous ailments, including many benign conditions. The most susceptible disorders have included keloids, heterotopic bone formation, and, most recently, vascular restenosis. These disorders are proliferative in nature and fall under the category of excessive wound healing or scar formation after trauma. In addition, radiation has been used for its immunosuppressive quality, eg, in organ transplantation to suppress graft rejection and in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. In this article, we have chosen keloids as an archetype for radiation use with benign conditions; the radiation inhibition of vascular restenosis will be used as a prototype to explore a paradigm for the molecular and cellular basis of radiation treatment for selected benign disorders. Vascular restenosis is currently one of the new frontiers of radiation therapy and offers opportunities to explore the role of inflammatory or immune cell responses in benign conditions that lead to excessive fibrogenesis and require treatment. The pathophysiology of surgical wound healing has not been avidly studied in the radiobiologic laboratory setting. However, the paradigm we propose for the effectiveness of radiation treatment for benign conditions is based on the model offered by Clark. He describes three phases of molecular and cellular events in which an inflammatory phase precedes the fibrogenic phase, occurs within hours of injury, and continues for weeks. We postulate that the radiosensitive targets within the vascular milieu are the monocyte/macrophages that would otherwise act as the trigger for the induced cytokine cascade, leading to the myofibroblast being recruited from a quiescent to a proliferative phase, resulting in fibrogenesis.
On Feedback in Gaussian Multihop Networks

The study of feedback has been mostly limited to single-hop communication settings. In this paper, we consider Gaussian networks where sources and destinations can communicate with the help of intermediate relays over multiple hops. We assume that links in the network can be bidirected providing opportunities for feedback. We ask the following question: can the information transfer in both directions of a link be critical to maximizing the end-to-end communication rates in the network? Equivalently, could one of the directions in each bidirected link (and more generally at least one of the links forming a cycle) be shut down and the capacity of the network still be approximately maintained? We show that in any arbitrary Gaussian network with bidirected edges and cycles and unicast traffic, we can always identify a directed acyclic subnetwork that approximately maintains the capacity of the original network. For Gaussian networks with multiple-access and broadcast traffic, an acyclic subnetwork is sufficient to achieve every rate point in the capacity region of the original network, however, there may not be a single acyclic subnetwork that maintains the whole capacity region. For networks with multicast and multiple unicast traffic, on the other hand, bidirected information flow across certain links can be critically needed to maximize the end-to-end capacity region. These results can be regarded as generalizations of the conclusions regarding the usefulness of feedback in various single-hop Gaussian settings and can provide opportunities for simplifying operation in Gaussian multihop networks.
Marine minerals plan offered

The United States should begin taking measures to develop a marine mining industry to help meet mineral requirements. That's the advice offered by the National Advisory Committee on Oceans and Atmosphere (NACOA), an 18-member group appointed by the President. While NACOA found “no immediate pressures to promote extraordinary government actions to develop a marine mining industry…current conditions should not keep the government and industry from considering and taking measures now to improve our capability to tap the storehouse of minerals in the ocean as we may need them in the future.” Among the measures recommended are coordinating a program on polymetallic sulfide minerals and investigating the possibility o f extending the depth at which submersible research vessels can operate. John A. Knauss, vice president for marine programs at the University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography, is NACOA chairman.
On the pragmatics of contrast.

In this paper, I review properties and consequences of the PRINCIPLE OF CONTRAST. This principle, which I have argued from the beginning has a pragmatic basis, captures facts about the inferences speakers and addressees make for both conventional and novel words. Along with a PRINCIPLE OF CONVENTIONALITY, it accounts for the pre-emption of novel words by well-established ones. And it holds just as much for morphology as it does for words and larger expressions. In short, Contrast has the major properties Gathercole (1989) proposed as characteristic of her alternative to Contrast.
Isolated single-lung perfusion: A study of the optimal perfusate and other pharmacokinetic factors

Background. Isolated single-lung perfusion with doxorubicin hydrochloride was shown to be effective in clearing experimental sarcoma lung metastases in the rat. The best perfusate to be used for isolated lung perfusion and factors affecting the final lung concentration of doxorubicin are the subject of the present study. Methods. In experiment 1, 60 animals were randomized to undergo isolated left lung perfusion with doxorubicin with six different perfusates (n = 10 per group): saline, low-potassium-dextran, 5% albumin, 6% hetastarch, 5% buffered albumin, and 6% buffered hetastarch. Five animals served as negative controls. After perfusion, the lung wet to dry ratio and final lung doxorubicin concentration were determined. In experiment 2, 60 animals underwent isolated left lung perfusion with either 80 μ g/mL or 320 μ g/mL of doxorubicin. Animals were perfused at either 0.5 mL/min or 1 mL/min and for 2, 6, or 10 minutes. At the end of the perfusion period, the left lung doxorubicin concentration was measured. Statistical analysis included analysis of variance, the Duncan test for multiple comparisons, and multiple linear regression analysis. Significance was defined as a p value of less than 0.05. Results. In experiment 1, perfusion with 6% buffered hetastarch resulted in the lowest lung wet to dry ratio, significantly different from all groups except the controls. Perfusion with low-potassium-dextran solution led to the highest final lung concentration of doxorubicin. In experiment 2, a model to predict final lung doxorubicin concentration was constructed: Log (final lung concentration) = 1.9 + 0.0071·P + 0.186·T, where P is the measured perfusate concentration of doxorubicin, and T is the time of perfusion in minutes. The R 2 was 0.91 and p , less than 0.001. The dose of doxorubicin per kilogram of animal body weight, the dose of doxorubicin per square meter of body surface area, the total amount of doxorubicin delivered, and the rate of perfusion did not meet the criteria to enter the equation. Conclusions. Isolated lung perfusion experiments should use 6% buffered hetastarch as the perfusate. The perfusate doxorubicin concentration and the duration of perfusion are the only factors determining the final lung concentration of doxorubicin. In lung perfusion experiments, the dose of chemotherapy is not as important as the perfusate concentration and the duration of the perfusion. Animals should be perfused at a lower rate so the lungs are exposed to less doxorubicin without changing the final lung concentration.
Cardiovascular health and physical activity in older adults: an integrative review of research methodology and results.

Cardiovascular health and physical activity in older adults: an integrative review of research methodology and results Purpose of the paper. The purpose of this article is to review the literature on physical activity and its relationship to cardiovascular risk factors and mortality in older adults, in an effort to clarify the specific benefits and optimal level of physical activity for cardiovascular health in the older adult population. Background/rationale. Despite physical activity being recognized as an important factor in the quality of life of older adults, there is a lack of clarity about the optimal level of physical activity that results in positive cardiovascular health benefits. Design/methods. An integrative review of the literature using the MEDLINE and CINAHL databases from 1990 through August 2000 was conducted identifying articles related to physical activity and cardiac risk factors, cardiovascular health, or mortality in the older adult. Results/findings. Forty-four research articles were reviewed. The intervention studies generally provided support for positive cardiovascular changes with exercise, but the results were inconsistent, sample sizes were small, and the outcomes, interventions, and measures of physical activity differed between studies. There was wide variation in the method of measurement of physical activity in the studies. Studies showed an increase in mortality in those who had a sedentary lifestyle compared to those who were more physically active. Results were mixed related to plasma lipids levels. Three studies showed a positive effect of physical activity on blood pressure (BP), while three studies showed no relationship. Each of the studies that evaluated the relationship between physical activity and pulse rate showed a decreased rate with increased physical activity. Conclusions. The quantity and type of physical activity that should be recommended to bring about positive effects on cardiovascular health and mortality is unclear. There is support, however, that an active lifestyle decreases mortality. There is conflicting evidence to support positive effects of physical activity on cardiac risk factors. Further research is needed with larger sample sizes, better control of extraneous variables, and using measurements of physical activity that have undergone adequate psychometric testing.
&#8220;behaviorism&#8221;: a framework for dynamic data visualization

While a number of information visualization software frameworks exist, creating new visualizations, especially those that involve novel visualization metaphors, interaction techniques, data analysis strategies, and specialized rendering algorithms, is still often a difficult process. To facilitate the creation of novel visualizations we present a new software framework, behaviorism, which provides a wide range of flexibility when working with dynamic information on visual, temporal, and ontological levels, but at the same time providing appropriate abstractions which allow developers to create prototypes quickly which can then easily be turned into robust systems. The core of the framework is a set of three interconnected graphs, each with associated operators: a scene graph for high-performance 3D rendering, a data graph for different layers of semantically-linked heterogeneous data, and a timing graph for sophisticated control of scheduling, interaction, and animation. In particular, the timing graph provides a unified system to add behaviors to both data and visual elements, as well as to the behaviors themselves. To evaluate the framework we look briefly at three different projects all of which required novel visualizations in different domains, and all of which worked with dynamic data in different ways: an interactive ecological simulation, an information art installation, and an information visualization technique.
Combining method of two filtering circuits based on isolation circuits for five-channel multiplexers

This paper presents a design method of combining two multiplexers using isolation circuits such that the number of channels is increased. An isolation circuit is composed of a synthesized (metamaterial) transmission line (TL) connected to a multiplexer, while the combination of two isolation circuits has multiplexer functionality. Using this concept, the number of channels can easily be increased because the number is the sum of the channels of two isolation circuits. The freedom to choose any commercial band-pass filter or multiplexer is another positive aspect. Furthermore, it is not necessary to use a complex optimization process because of the straightforward design method. In this paper, a composite right/left-handed (CRLH) TL (having dual-band characteristics), and a double-Lorentz (DL) TL (having tri-band characteristics) are used for a five-channel multiplexer.
The Effects of the Sexualization of Female Video Game Characters on Gender Stereotyping and Female Self-Concept

The present study utilized an experimental design to investigate the short term effects of exposure to sexualized female video game characters on gender stereotyping and female self-concept in emerging adults. Bussey and Bandura’s (1999) social cognitive theory of gender development and differentiation was used to explicate this relationship. Undergraduate students (N = 328) at a large U.S. Southwestern university participated in the study. Students were randomly assigned to play a “sexualized” heroine, a “non-sexualized” heroine, or no video game; then completed an online questionnaire. Female self-efficacy was negatively affected by game play with the sexualized female character. Results cautiously suggest that playing a sexualized video game heroine unfavorably influenced people’s beliefs about women in the real world.
The influence of ethnicity on thermoregulation after acute cold exposure.

Abstract Objective.—It is well established that a combination of factors, including ethnicity, may influence an individual's response to cold stress. Previous work from our laboratory has demonstrated that when faced with a cold challenge, there is a similar response in heat production between Caucasian (CAU) and African American (AA) individuals that is accompanied by a differential response in core temperature. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of ethnicity (CAU vs AA) on the thermoregulatory response after acute cold exposure (ACE-REC, 25°C air). Methods.—Five AA males (20.8 ± 0.5 years) and 10 CAU males (25.6±4.9 years) underwent pre-experimental testing to determine Vo2max (AA = 37.2 ± 0.1 mL·kg−1·min−1, CAU = 44.3 ± 8.7 mL·kg−1·min−1) and body composition (AA = 14.6 ± 5.4%, CAU = 19.2 ± 5.0%). Participants underwent acute cold exposure that consisted of 120 minutes of exposure to 10°C air (ACE) followed by 120 minutes of recovery in 25°C air (ACE-REC). Rectal temperature (Tre...
Stochastic Reputation Cycles

This paper studies a model of reputation-building in which the reputation of a firm is treated as capital stock that accumulates by past investments, depreciates when there is no investment, and has a persistent effect on future payoffs. The setting is a discrete-time discounted stochastic game between a long-run firm and a sequence of short run buyers where the firm's reputation is the state variable. Under a class of transition rules, if actions are taken frequently enough, there is a unique stationary Markov equilibrium, which is characterized by a reputation-building stage, a reputation-exploitation stage and a possible reputation-absorbing stage. For low levels of reputation, the firm randomizes between investing and not investing, and the buyers randomize between buying and not buying. The firm always has incentive to build reputation even if the stock reaches the lowest level. For high levels of reputation, the buyers buy with probability one and the firm exploits the reputation by not investing. Reputation moves cyclically between these two stages, so reputation is a long-run phenomenon. Under certain circumstances, there is an extra stage, a reputation-absorbing stage. If the firm's reputation is very low, the firm loses the incentive to invest, thus reputation eventually declines to the lowest level which is an absorbing state.
Fungicide Resistance in Venturia inaequalis , the Causal Agent of Apple Scab, in the United States

Apple scab, caused by the fungal pathogen Venturia inaequalis, is one of the most economically important diseases of apple in the United States and other temperate climate production regions worldwide. In the absence of durable host resistance, applications of fungicides made throughout the growing season at weekly intervals have been the foundation of apple scab management for the past 70 years. In this regard, apple producers continually seek to reduce the number of fungicide applications and improve the timing of applications by capitalizing on postinfection activity. As older broad-spectrum fungicides with postinfection activity were taken off from the market due to health concerns in the 1960s, only the “modern” single-site fungicides introduced in the later part of the twentieth and beginning of the twenty-first centuries could offer postinfection activity. Unfortunately, the introduction of new single-site fungicide classes in the United States occurred in a slow successive manner and led to the unfortunate practice of overreliance and development of fungicide resistance in many of the fungicide classes effective for the management of apple scab.
Efficient Hit and Lead Compound Evaluation Strategy Based on Off-Rate Screening by Surface Plasmon Resonance

The time-consuming and labor intensive compound separation and purification process before they can be evaluated have been the bottleneck steps of novel drug discovery. A new screening strategy that can evaluate crude reaction mixtures without separation and purification by determining dissociation rate constants of compounds in crude reaction mixtures was developed and validated by scientists from the Vernalis. This new strategy will significantly improve the efficiency of early stages in drug discovery.
The Glass Transition of Linear Polyethylene

Abstract The assignment of the glass transition temperature of polyethylene has been a matter of heightened controversy in recent years, and has formed the basis of several reviews [la-Id] as well as numerous original contributions. The controversy in polyethylene has also focused attention on other issues: analogous questions of Tg's of other highly crystalline'polymers, a renewed interest in the molecular mechanism of frictional loss and mechanical relaxations in polymers and their relation to thermodynamic measurements, and in the origin of differences in the properties of branched and linear polyethylene and, by implication, other polymers with similar structural variations. The purpose of this paper is twofold: a) to undertake a limited discussion of some of the wider issues listed above, and b) to present the results of new heat capacity measurements for polyethylene that have bearing on the Tg controversy.
Misogyny and Marginalization in Criminal Justice Systems: Women’s Experiences in Two Post-Conflict Societies

In Northern Ireland and South Africa, two countries that are attempting to rebuild their societies after extended periods of armed conflict, women who seek redress from gender-based violence through the criminal justice system encounter barriers to justice. Such barriers emerge from misogynistic attitudes toward women that prevent police from appropriately responding to reports of sexual and domestic violence, diminish the capacity of police and court officials to empathize with rather than blame victims, and impede judges from sentencing convicted perpetrators in proportion to their crimes. Despite the striking differences between these two countries, in each society women face similar patterns of obstacle when confronting the criminal justice system. Indeed, the respective criminal justice systems provide venues through which the hatred of women intersects with the secular politics of nation-building.
3D dynamic walking with underactuated humanoid robots: A direct collocation framework for optimizing hybrid zero dynamics

Hybrid zero dynamics (HZD) has emerged as a popular framework for dynamic and underactuated bipedal walking, but has significant implementation difficulties when applied to the high degrees of freedom present in humanoid robots. The primary impediment is the process of gait design-it is difficult for optimizers to converge on a viable set of virtual constraints defining a gait. This paper presents a methodology that allows for the fast and reliable generation of efficient multi-contact robotic walking gaits through the framework of HZD, even in the presence of underactuation. To achieve this goal, we unify methods from trajectory optimization with the control framework of multi-domain hybrid zero dynamics. By formulating a novel optimization problem in the context of direct collocation and generating analytic Jacobians for the constraints, solving the resulting nonlinear program becomes tractable for large-scale nonlinear programming solvers, even for systems as high-dimensional as humanoid robots. We experimentally validated our methodology on the spring-legged prototype humanoid, DURUS, showing that the optimization approach yields dynamic and stable 3D walking gaits.
The curse of discovery: pioneers of dental and medical anesthesia.

The current practice of dental local anesthesia remains founded upon drugs and techniques that were developed over 100 years ago. 2009 marks the 125th anniversary of the pioneering use of cocaine as a topical anesthetic and the introduction of nerve block injections in the oral cavity and facial region. Four famous clinicians are recognized in this article, each for their unique contributions to "modern" local anesthesia (Carl Koller, Sigmund Freud and William Halsted) and general anesthesia (Horace Wells), with the recognition of the adverse impact of drug dependence on their personal lives, which fortunately did not preclude their positively revolutionizing the practices of dentists and physicians and their patients every since.
Bariatric surgery outcomes in black patients with super morbid obesity: a 1-year postoperative review.

Abstract Background Super morbid obesity (body mass index [BMI] > 50 kg/m 2 ) is associated with significant comorbidities and is disparagingly prevalent among the black population. There is paucity of data regarding bariatric surgery outcomes among super morbid obese (SMO) blacks. Our aim is to evaluate the reduction in weight and resolution of comorbidities after bariatric surgery among SMO black patients at an urban academic institution. Methods A retrospective review of SMO black patients who underwent bariatric surgery from August 2008 to June 2013 at Howard University Hospital. Outcomes of interest include weight loss, improvement or resolution of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and hyperlipidemia at 12 months. Results Eighty-seven patients met our inclusion criteria. Mean preoperative weight and BMI were 347.2 lbs and 56.8 kg/m 2 , respectively. At 12 months, mean weight and BMI were 245.3 lbs and 40.1 kg/m 2 , respectively. There was also significant improvement or resolution of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Conclusions Bariatric surgery may result in significant weight loss and improvement or resolution of comorbidities in SMO black patients.
Trastorno dismórfico corporal: aspectos clínicos, dimensiones nosológicas y controversias con la anorexia nerviosa

There is strong evidence about the co-existence of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and eating disorders (ED), particularly with anorexia nervosa (AN). An exhaustive review of the specialised literature regarding these disorders was carried out. The results show that their co-occurrence implies a more complex diagnosis and treatment, a more severe clinical symptomatology and a worse prognosis and outcome. Both disorders display common similarities, differences and comorbidities, which allow authors to classify them in different nosological spectra (somatomorphic, anxious, obsessive-compulsive, affective and psychotic). Their crossover involves higher levels of body dissatisfaction and body image distortion, depression, suicidal tendency, personality disorders, substance use/abuse, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social phobia, alexithymia and childhood abuse or neglect background. Treatment including cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy and selective reuptake serotonin inhibitors are effective for both, BDD and ED; nevertheless, plastic surgery could exacerbate BDD. Clinical traits of BDD must be systematically detected in patients suffering from ED and vice versa.
Membrane- and plate-type acoustic metamaterials

Over the past decade there has been a great amount of research effort devoted to the topic of acoustic metamaterials (AMMs). The recent development of AMMs has enlightened the way of manipulating sound waves. Several potential applications such as low-frequency noise reduction, cloaking, angular filtering, subwavelength imaging, and energy tunneling have been proposed and implemented by the so-called membrane- or plate-type AMMs. This paper aims to offer a thorough overview on the recent development of membrane- or plate-type AMMs. The underlying mechanism of these types of AMMs for tuning the effective density will be examined first. Four different groups of membrane- or plate-type AMMs (membranes with masses attached, plates with masses attached, membranes or plates without masses attached, and active AMMs) will be reviewed. The opportunities, limitations, and challenges of membrane- or plate-type AMMs will be also discussed.
Fictional space and taxonomies of race in the Bahamas: mapping American identity in the early Republic

In 1823, two Americans, Jeannette Hart and Peter Townsend, travelled to Nassau in the Bahamas. Documents have survived for each, revealing the ways they crafting their American identity in relationship to the gender, racial and class contexts they encountered. Townsend’s letters, diary, and memoirs reveal his unexamined identification with the white British ruling class and endorsement of racial hierarchies in place on the island. Hart’s fictionalised responses complicate her interaction with the transatlantic world by interweaving her responses to European literary genres with ethnographical and satirical descriptions of the island culture; crafting an identity as an American woman writer involves imagining a fictional space that challenges racial, gender, and class boundaries.
Evaluation of exhaled nitric oxide's ability to predict methacholine challenge in adults with nonobstructive spirometry

Abstract Background Compared with methacholine challenge, exhaled nitric oxide is less expensive, is performed as a simpler point-of-care maneuver, and may provide treatment guiding information. Objective To determine whether exhaled nitric oxide levels can predict the outcome of methacholine challenge in patients without obvious baseline obstruction. Methods This retrospective database and medical record review included adults presenting to a tertiary care center from November 1, 2009, through August 31, 2013, who underwent methacholine challenge and exhaled nitric oxide measurement within 2 weeks of each other. Database extraction identified age, sex, body mass index, baseline corticosteroid use, testing indication, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 ), and testing results. Individuals taking corticosteroid-containing medication or who had an FEV 1 less than the lower limit of normal at baseline were excluded. Results A total of 1,322 individuals were identified, with 774 meeting the eligibility criteria. A total of 123 methacholine challenges (16%) had positive results. Fractional exhaled nitric oxide was statistically higher in those with positive methacholine challenge results (mean [SD], 41.9 [54.5] ppb vs 25.2 [19.7] ppb; P P Conclusion In this large, retrospective cohort of corticosteroid-naive pulmonary patients with normal FEV 1 on baseline spirometry, exhaled nitric oxide poorly predicts the outcome of a methacholine challenge.
Epigenetics and the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease

Epigenetic programming is likely to be an important mechanism underlying the lasting influence of the developmental environment on lifelong health, a concept known as the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD). DNA methylation, posttranslational histone protein modifications, noncoding RNAs, and recruited protein complexes are elements of the epigenetic regulation of gene transcription. The epigenome comprises the total epigenetic landscape of the genome and is by definition modifiable yet in part heritable across generations. The epigenome is particularly dynamic and labile during specific stages of the reproductive cycle and development. Epigenetic marks may be maintained throughout an individual's lifespan and can alter the lifelong risk of disease; the nature of these epigenetic marks and their potential alteration by environmental factors is an area of active research. This article provides an overview of epigenetic regulation, particularly as it occurs as an essential component of reproduction and prenatal development.
Taxing Bachelors in America: 1895-1939

Bachelor taxes have existed across the globe and throughout millennia. In modern income taxes, they occur only indirectly, as by-products of favorable exemptions and tax rates for married couples. However, in prior centuries—even the 20th century—bachelor taxes existed as direct, explicit taxes levied on bachelors as bachelors. From 1895 through 1939, American municipalities and states proposed these taxes with surprising frequency and newspapers consistently reported on them as well as on foreign bachelor taxes. Although often greeted with hilarity and rarely passed, explicit bachelor taxes during this period were motivated by serious concerns. The need for revenue was one reason these taxes were proposed. It was not, however, the only—or even the major—reason. This paper suggests that social unease was the primary motivation for American bachelor taxes in this period. Decades of industrialization, urbanization, immigration, and increased consumerism had created social tensions and dislocations by radically altering everyday living patterns and basic social institutions. The bachelor tax proposals and discussions during this period expressed many people’s discomfort with the changes. Since they believed marriage was the foundation of society and American democracy, they perceived any threat to marriage as threatening the fabric of America. Consequently, they viewed bachelor taxes as a remedy for the moral decay of the nation. In actuality, the taxes were mainly expressive in nature. Not only did most of them fail to pass, but even if they did pass, they were largely ineffective methods to increase marriages, as some contemporaries noted. The demise of explicit bachelor taxes did not end concerns about marriage and the moral state of society. These same concerns were part of the debates about mandatory joint returns in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Similarly, they remain an important element of recent debates about marriage penalties and the tax treatment of families.
The Role of Experimental Factors in Membrane Permselectivity Measurements

The apparent permselectivity of a membrane is a critical ion transport property that influences the efficiency of electric field-driven membrane technologies and often is measured using a pseudo-steady-state measurement technique. In some cases, nonphysical apparent permselectivity values (greater than unity) are attributed to experimental uncertainty factors. The accuracy of the apparent permselectivity measurement can be influenced by variations in temperature, inaccurate solution concentrations, and fluctuations in membrane potential measurements, and these sources of uncertainty and their magnitudes were investigated both experimentally and using error analysis. Temperature had a small influence on the apparent permselectivity properties of two commercially available cation exchange membranes, as the value of the apparent permselectivity decreased by approximately 2% as the temperature increased from 14 to 31 °C. Membrane potential measurement fluctuations contributed approximately 0.2–0.5% uncertaint...