cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The proof of a conjecture of Simion for certain partitions

Abstract Simion has a conjecture concerning the number of lattice paths in a rectangular grid with the Ferrers diagram of a partition removed. The conjecture concerns the unimodality of a sequence of these numbers where the sum of the length and width of each rectangle is a constant and where the partition is constant. This paper demonstrates this unimodality if the partition is self-conjugate or if the Ferrers diagram of the partition has precisely one column or one row. This paper also shows log concavity for partitions of “staircase” shape via a Reflection Principle argument.
Catalytic enantioselective cyclopropanation with bis(halomethyl)zinc reagents. I. Optimization of reaction protocol

Abstract The rate and selectivity of catalytic enantioselective cyclopropanation of cinnamyl alcohol utilizing bisiodomethyl zinc and 4a/4b is greatly dependent on the order of addition of the reagents. The independent preformation of the ethylzinc cinnamyloxide and bis(iodomethyl)zinc was found to be crucial. The reaction displayed autocatalytic behavior which was shown to be due to the generation of zinc iodide.
Semantic Barriers in Counseling

The interpretations of certain critical terms or concepts frequently occurring in counseling interviews were compared by means of the semantic differential technique for NDEA Counseling and Guidance Institute members and high school boys and girls. 11 of 30 F tests were significant. Counselors generally rated those concepts reflecting adult values or planning for the future (e.g., parents, counseling, studying, aptitude test) as more valuable and more active than did students. The activity dimension proved to be most sensitive in differentiating between the “sets” of the counselors and students. Counselors, possibly because of greater involvement, consistently perceived more activity in the various concepts than did students. Limitations of the study and suggestions for future research are noted.
Diffusion with critically correlated traps and the slow relaxation of the longest-wavelength mode.

We study diffusion on a substrate with permanent traps distributed with critical positional correlation, modeled by their placement on the perimeters of a critical percolation cluster. We perform a numerical analysis of the vibrational density of states and the largest eigenvalue of the equivalent scalar elasticity problem using the method of Arnoldi and Saad. We show that the critical trap correlation increases the exponent appearing in the stretched exponential behavior of the low frequency density of states by approximately a factor of two as compared to the case of no correlations. A finite-size scaling hypothesis of the largest eigenvalue is proposed and its relation to the density of states is given. The numerical analysis of this scaling postulate leads to the estimation of the stretch exponent in good agreement with the result for the density of states. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Amyloid-β–neuropeptide interactions assessed by ion mobility-mass spectrometry

Recently, small peptides have been shown to modulate aggregation and toxicity of the amyloid-β protein (Aβ). As such, these new scaffolds may help discover a new class of biotherapeutics useful in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Many of these inhibitory peptide sequences have been derived from natural sources or from Aβ itself (e.g., C-terminal Aβ fragments). In addition, much earlier work indicates that tachykinins, a broad class of neuropeptides, display neurotrophic properties, presumably through direct interactions with either Aβ or its receptors. Based on this work, we undertook a limited screen of neuropeptides using ion mobility-mass spectrometry to search for similar such peptides with direct Aβ binding properties. Our results reveal that the neuropeptides leucine enkephalin (LE) and galanin interact with both the monomeric and small oligomeric forms of Aβ1–40 to create a range of complexes having diverse stoichiometries, while some tachyknins (i.e., substance P) do not. LE interacts with Aβ more strongly than galanin, and we utilized ion mobility-mass spectrometry, molecular dynamics simulations, gel electrophoresis/Western blot, and transmission electron microscopy to study the influence of this peptide on the structure of Aβ monomer, small Aβ oligomers, as well as the eventual formation of Aβ fibrils. We find that LE binds selectively within a region of Aβ between its N-terminal tail and hydrophobic core. Furthermore, our data indicate that LE modulates fibril generation, producing shorter fibrillar aggregates when added in stoichiometric excess relative to Aβ.
Mixed finite element methods for computing groundwater velocities

Central to the understanding of problems in water quality and quantity for effective management of water resources is the development of accurate numerical models to stimulate groundwater flows and contaminant transfer. We discuss several important difficulties arising in modeling of subsurface flow and present promising numerical procedures for alleviating these problems. Furthermore, we describe mixed-finite element techniques for accurately approximating fluid velocities, and review computational results on a variety of hydrologic problems.
Financial development and economic growth in Egypt

The relationship between financial development and economic growth has been widely examined in both the theoretical and empirical literature. This paper studies the relationship between these two variables in Egypt during the period 1961 to 2009, using co-integration and vector error correction analysis, Granger causality tests, and multivariate Beveridge-Nelson decomposition. Results indicate that the two variables move together in the long run, and that financial development Granger causes economic growth in both the short-run and the long-run, thus providing support for the supply leading hypothesis. These findings are robust using different measures of financial development.
Fiber for advanced long-haul terrestrial networks

Advanced optical fibers enable high-capacity transmission for long reach systems and help to retain margin for networking. To do this they must support broadband operation, reduce nonlinear impairments, enable distributed gain and simplify networking. Here we describe fibers that incorporate dispersion management to extend span length and system reach over a broad bandwidth by compensating dispersion slope, reducing nonlinear impairments, and optimizing noise figure.
Observation of dynamical localization in atomic momentum transfer: A new testing ground for quantum chaos.

We report a direct observation of dynamical localization. This effect is a quantum suppression of diffusion in a system that is classically chaotic. Our experiment measures the momentum transferred from a modulated standing wave of a near-resonant laser to a sample of ultracold atoms and is a realization of a periodically driven rotor. The conceptual simplicity and experimental control over the time dependent Hamiltonian make this system an ideal testing ground for the predictions of quantum chaos.
Effects of moisture on the dielectric properties of polyoxymethylene (POM)

The effects of absorbed water on the gamma-relaxation process of polyoxymethylene (POM) were studied using dielectric spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The spectra were measured isothermally over the frequency range of 10 MHz to 2 GHz, and the water content was varied from dried to 1.65 wt% (saturated). The strength and rate of the gamma-relaxation process increased with increasing water content, contradicting earlier studies that found this process to be relatively insensitive to changes in the molecular environment. Two different formalisms that express the fraction of contributing water dipoles to the measured spectra were compared using the experimental data. The results of the two expressions differed by approximately 20% in their estimation of unbound, participative water and both suggest that the water relaxation process is slowed for the absorbed water in comparison to free, or bulk, water. The shift in the measured spectra for the water/POM system is attributed to the steric hindrances imposed on the water molecules by the hydrogen bonds formed with the polymer molecules. The effects of water sorption by POM were used to derive the associative effects on antenna performance for a hypothetical microstrip antenna comprised of a dielectric layer of POM. It was found that the resonant frequency decreased by 7.5% for a water uptake of 1.65 weight percent
THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF OCTOPAMINE-CHARACTERIZATION OF LOBSTER TYRAMINE β-HYDROXYLASE

—Tyramine β-hydroxylase catalyzes the biosynthesis of octopamine in the lobster nervous system. This enzyme has been characterized and a rapid microassay, based on the enzymic release of tritiated water from [1,2-(side chain) 3H] tyramine, has been developed. Lobster tyramine β-hydroxylase resembled mammalian dopamine β-hydroxylase. The most conspicuous differences were that the lobster enzyme was inhibited by anions, particularly fumarate, and had a higher affinity for substrates. Tyramine β-hydroxylase activity was present in both particulate and soluble fractions of homogenates of the lobster nervous system. Bound activity, extracted by repeated freezing and thawing, was partially purified. The enzyme had the following properties: (1) The optimum pH for the conversion of tyramine to octopamine was 7·4. (2) The apparent Michaelis constant for tyramine was 0·15 mm and for ascorbic acid was 0·2 mm at pH 6·6. (3) The purified enzyme was inhibited by salts; the degree of inhibition was sensitive to the anion and decreased in the order chloride ⋍ fumarate > sulphate > acetate. (4) Tyramine β-hydroxylase was inhibited by metal chelating agents and by cupric sulphate at concentrations greater than 10−4m; N-ethylmaleimide had no significant effect on activity in concentrations up to 3 mm. (5) The purified enzyme also β-hydroxylated dopamine to form norepinephrine, with an apparent Michaelis constant of 0·24 mm. This activity co-purified with tyramine β-hydroxylase, suggesting that a single enzyme catalyzed both reactions.
The phosphorylase kinase deficiency (Phk) locus in the mouse: evidence that the mutant allele codes for an enzyme with an abnormal structure.

Female (I/St × C57BL/St)F1 mice heterozygous at the sex-linked phosphorylase kinase deficiency locus (Phk) have phosphorylase kinase activities averaging 86% that of mice homozygous for the wild-type allele (C57BL/St), i.e., 72% greater than the sum of one-half the activities of the parental strains. Approximately one-half the phosphorylase kinase activity in the (I×C57BL)F1 muscle extracts had a stability at 42.5 C similar to that of the activity in C57BL extracts (t1/2=13.2 min); the other half of the activity in the F1 extracts was more labile (t1/2=3.9 min). Two species of phosphorylase kinase activity in F1 muscle extracts were also differentiated with an antiserum prepared in guinea pigs against purified rabbit skeletal muscle phosphorylase kinase. This anti-serum cross-reacted with phosphorylase kinase in C57BL muscle extracts but did not cross-react with skeletal muscle extracts of mice hemi- or homozygous for the mutant allele (I/LnJ). The guinea pig antiserum precipitated 52% as much protein from (I×C57BL)F1 muscle extracts compared to those of C57BL. However, an antiserum prepared against purified rabbit skeletal muscle phosphorylase kinase in the goat cross-reacted with the mutant phosphorylase kinase. The ratio C57BL:(I×C57BL)F1:I of immunoprecipitated protein from skeletal muscle extracts with this antiserum was 1:0.97:1.08. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the immunoprecipitates in the presence of 0.1% sodium dodecylsulfate showed three subunits for mouse phosphorylase kinase with molecular weights of 139,000, 118,000, and 41,000; these values are similar to the ones obtained with purified rabbit skeletal muscle phosphorylase kinase. These three subunits were also observed in immunoprecipitates from I/LnJ muscle extracts. These results offer substantial evidence (1) that in skeletal muscle extracts of mice heterozygous at the Phk locus the mutant phosphorylase kinase is active, (2) that the gene product of the mutant allele is an enzyme with an abnormal structure, and (3) that the phosphorylase kinase deficiency in I/LnJ skeletal muscle extracts is not the result of the absence of phosphorylase kinase or one of its subunits.
Chemical and physical properties of algal methyl ester biodiesel containing varying levels of methyl eicosapentaenoate and methyl docosahexaenoate

Abstract Microalgae are currently receiving strong consideration as an advanced biofuel feedstock because of their theoretically high yield (gal/acre/year) in comparison to terrestrial vegetable oil feedstocks. Microalgal lipids can be readily converted into a variety of biofuels including fatty acid methyl esters (i.e. biodiesel) via transesterification or alkanes via hydroprocessing. In contrast to paraffinic fuels whose properties can be tailored for a specific application, the properties of algal methyl ester biodiesel are directly related to the fatty acid composition of the algal lipids. Several microalgae species that are suitable for large scale cultivation such as those in the genus Nannochloropsis produce lipids that contain long chain-polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These constituents have high value as co-products but are problematic in terms of biodiesel properties such as ignition quality and oxidative stability. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of varying levels of EPA and DHA on algal methyl ester fuel properties. Oxidative stability, Cetane Number, density, viscosity, bulk modulus, cloud point and cold filter plugging point were measured for algal methyl esters produced from various microalgae feedstocks as well as model algal methyl ester compounds formulated to match the fatty acid composition of Nannochloropsis sp., Nannochloropsis oculata and Isochrysis galbana subjected to varying levels of removal of EPA and DHA. The results suggest that removal of 50 to 80% of the LC-PUFA from Nannochloropsis-based methyl esters would be sufficient for meeting existing specifications for oxidative stability. However, higher levels of LC-PUFA removal from Nannochloropsis-based methyl esters would be required to produce fuels with acceptable Cetane Number. The removal of EPA and DHA was shown to have a detrimental effect on cold flow properties since the algal methyl esters are also high in fully saturated fatty acid content.
Many-body theory of current-induced fluorescence in molecular junctions

Nonequilibrium superoperator Green's function theory is used to calculate the fluorescence signal of molecules induced by currents in scanning tunneling microscope junctions. The spectrum of benzene and its variation with tip position and bias are simulated at the density functional theory level. The formal analogy with laser-induced fluorescence is pointed out. Many-body effects can be accounted for through self-energies and the Keldysh Dyson equations. The sum-over-orbital expressions obtained within density functional theory may not be expressed as an amplitude square. This is due to dephasing effects induced by the many-electron excitations, which act as a bath.
The structure of perceived emotional control: Psychometric properties of a revised anxiety control questionnaire

The psychometric properties of the Anxiety Control Questionnaire (ACQ) were evaluated in 1,550 outpatients with DSM-1V anxiety and mood disorders and 360 nonclinical participants. Counter to prior findings, exploratory factor analyses produced a 3-factor solution (Emotion Control, Threat Control, Stress Control) based on 15 of the ACQ's original 30 items. Factor analyses in two independent clinical samples (e.g., confirmatory factor analysis, CFA) replicated the 3-factor solution. Multiple-groups CFAs indicated that the measurement properties of the ACQ were invariant in male and female patients, and that the ACQ was largely form and parameter equivalent in a clinical versus nonclinical sample. Hierarchical analysis supported the existence of a higher-order dimension of perceived control. Structural regression analyses indicated that each of the ACQ factors accounted for significant unique variance in one or both latent factors representing the dimensions of autonomic anxiety and depression. The results are discussed in regard to their conceptual and psychometric implications to the construct of perceived emotional control.
Development of Extender and Techniques for Frozen Turkey Semen.1. Development

Abstract An extender for turkey semen with a frozen-thawed recovery of ≥50% motile spermatozoa and a vigorous swirl was developed. The effect of glucose, a comparison of 10 different sugars in the extender, the use of sodium acetate and potassium acetate, the ratio of dimethylsulfoxide to ethylene glycol, the percent total cryoproteetant, equilibration time, and osmotic pressure were all tested. Replacement of approximately half of the extender with an iso-osmolar glucose solution yielded higher percentages of motile spermatozoa with both fresh and frozen-thawed semen samples. Replacement of glucose with other carbohydrates did not enhance recovery of frozen-thawed semen. The proportion of sodium and potassium acetates to TESNaK 2 in the extender had no effect on motility. Approximately equal proportions of ethylene glycol to dimethylsulfoxide, with a final concentration of 11.2% after dilution, produced at or near optimal recovery of spermatozoal motility after freezing. Twenty to 90 min equilibration times before freezing yielded significantly higher recovery of motile sperm postthaw than shorter periods. A wide range of extender osmotic pressures were compatible with recovery of spermatozoal motility postthaw. The final extender consisted of 4.70 g sodium acetate, 3.39 g potassium acetate, 9.23 g TES, 2 .353 g sodium hydroxide, .492 g potassium hydroxide, 32.00 g glucose, H2O q.s. 1000 ml, 370 mOsm/kg, pH 7.2. Ethylene glycol and dimethylsulfoxide were added (1:1 ratio) for a final concentration of 11.2% cryoprotectant after dilution. Semen was held undiluted for 6 min, extended 1:4 at 22 C, and equilibrated for 30 min at 0 C before pellet freezing.
The Value of Multiple Read/Write Streams for Approximating Frequency Moments

We consider the read/write streams model, an extension of the standard data stream model in which an algorithm can create and manipulate multiple read/write streams in addition to its input data stream. Like the data stream model, the most important parameter for this model is the amount of internal memory used by such an algorithm. The other key parameters are the number of streams the algorithm uses and the number of passes it makes on these streams. We consider how the addition of multiple streams impacts the ability of algorithms to approximate the frequency moments of the input stream.We show that any randomized read/write stream algorithm with a fixed number of streams and a sublogarithmic number of passes that produces a constant factor approximation of the k-th frequency moment Fk of an input sequence of length of at most N from {1,..., N} requires space Ω(N1−4/k−δ) for any δ > 0. For comparison, it is known that with a single read-only one-pass data stream there is a randomized constant-factor approximation for Fk using O(N1−2/k) space, and that by sorting, which can be done deterministically in O(log N) passes using 3 read/write streams, Fk can be computed exactly. Therefore, although the ability to manipulate multiple read/write streams can add substantial power to the data stream model, with a sublogarithmic number of passes this does not significantly improve the ability to approximate higher frequency moments efficiently. We obtain our results by showing a new connection between the read/write streams model and the multiparty number-in-hand communication model.
Invasive Fusariosis in the Voriconazole Era: Single-Center 13-Year Experience.

Background. Invasive fusariosis remains an aggressive, albeit infrequent infection in immunocompromised patients. Methods. We identified all cases of invasive fusariosis between January 2002 and December 2014. We recorded patient characteristics including clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes at 6 and 12 weeks after diagnosis, as well as species identification and antifungal drug susceptibilities. Results. Fifteen patients were diagnosed with proven (12, 80%) or probable (3, 20%) fusariosis. Median age was 60 years (range, 26-78), and 10 patients were male. Underlying conditions included hematological malignancies (13, 87%), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (1, 7%), and third-degree burns (1, 7%). Five patients underwent hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation before diagnosis. Six patients (40%) received systemic glucocorticoids, and 11 patients (73%) had prolonged neutropenia at the time of diagnosis. Clinical presentations included the following: skin/soft tissue infection (8, 53%), febrile neutropenia (4, 27%), respiratory tract infection (2, 13%), and septic arthritis (1, 7%). Twelve patients were treated with voriconazole: 6 (40%) with voriconazole alone, 4 (27%) with voriconazole and terbinafine, and 2 (13%) with voriconazole, terbinafine, and amphotericin. One patient (7%) was treated with terbinafine alone, and another with micafungin alone. Four patients underwent surgical debridement (4, 27%). Susceptibility testing was performed on 9 isolates; 8 demonstrated voriconazole minimum inhibitory concentrations ≥4 µg/mL. The cumulative probability of survival was 66.7% and 53.3% at 6 and 12 weeks after diagnosis. Conclusions. Mortality associated with invasive fusariosis remains high. Cumulative mortality at our center was lower than previous reports despite elevated voriconazole minimum inhibitory concentrations. Combination therapy should be studied systematically for fusariosis.
Acute and early late treatment toxicity encountered in women treated with chemoradiation for cervical cancer

Materials and Methods: Between July 1998 and January 2001, 46 non-protocol patients with cervical cancer were treated with combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy (RT). All patients had clinical stage IB2 or greater (mean tumor size 6.2 cm). Seventy-seven percent were squamous cell carcinomas, grades 2 or 3(75%). Ninety-seven percent of patients had a GOG performance status of zero. Charts were reviewed and clinical, laboratory, and treatment data collected. Analysis of acute and early late hematologic, gastrointestinal, and urologic toxicities determined the frequency and potential predictors for toxicity. The CTC v2.0 was used to grade toxicity and “severe” was considered grade 3-4.
Improved biomedical document retrieval system with PubMed term statistics and expansions

Large biomedical abstract databases such as MEDLINE enable users to search for large bodies of biomedical knowledge quickly. In this study, we describe a new framework to improve the performance of MEDLINE document retrieval. We first analysed and built a normalized term frequency distributions for 1.8 million terms by sampling from 1,500,000 MEDLINE abstracts. Then, we developed a statistical model to identify significantly observed terms ('gists') in a document as additional document keywords to help improve document retrieval precisions. To improve document recalls, we integrated several biological ontologies that can expand user queries with semantically compatible terms. The framework was implemented in Oracle 10g.
Using Flow Electrodes in Multiple Reactors in Series for Continuous Energy Generation from Capacitive Mixing

Efficient conversion of “mixing energy” to electricity through capacitive mixing (CapMix) has been limited by low energy recoveries, low power densities, and noncontinuous energy production resulting from intermittent charging and discharging cycles. We show here that a CapMix system based on a four-reactor process with flow electrodes can generate constant and continuous energy, providing a more flexible platform for harvesting mixing energy. The power densities were dependent on the flow-electrode carbon loading, with 5.8 ± 0.2 mW m–2 continuously produced in the charging reactor and 3.3 ± 0.4 mW m–2 produced in the discharging reactor (9.2 ± 0.6 mW m–2 for the whole system) when the flow-electrode carbon loading was 15%. Additionally, when the flow-electrode electrolyte ion concentration increased from 10 to 20 g L–1, the total power density of the whole system (charging and discharging) increased to 50.9 ± 2.5 mW m–2.
Identifying the plane of slip for a fault plane solution from clustering of locations of nearby earthquakes

Numerous methods have been proposed recently to analyze the spatial pattern of locations of earthquakes to infer planes along which earthquakes cluster. These planes are considered to be earthquake slip planes. The application of such methods is to find major planes passing through a set of earthquake locations when the fault plane solutions of the events are unusual or when locating planes would contribute to understanding the structural setting in which an earthquake occurred. A modification to one of these methods, the three-point method, allows one to study anomalous or otherwise interesting events, and to choose which nodal plane in the fault plane solution for the event is the plane of slip. To be successful, the method requires that a sufficient number of other events had the same, or similar, slip plane. The modified three-point method consists of finding the orientations of planes formed by combinations of the location of the earthquake under study and all other locations in the remainder of the earthquake catalog taken two at a time. A test to determine which orientations occur more often then expected is used to identify statistically significant planes along which earthquakes cluster. Each plane identified passes through the earthquake beingmore » studied. If one of these planes is parallel, or nearly parallel, to one of the nodal planes of the fault plane solution, that nodal plane is assumed to be the slip plane. The method is demonstrated by investigating ten earthquakes that occurred during 1983-1984 near Coalinga, California. Using the method, significant alignments of events along planes that are nearly parallel to one of the nodal planes for eight of the ten events were found.« less
Late Palaeozoic provinciality in the marine realm

Abstract Biogeographic units commonly recognized in large-scale palaeontological studies are usually related to realms, not provinces as recognized in modern zoogeography. In this study the geographic distribution of the Rugosa, Tabulata, Bivalvia, Ammonoidea, Strophomenida, pedunculate Articulata, Bryozoa, and Crinoidea are used to recognize a set of realms and provinces (based on 30% or more generic endemism in the combined fauna within a province) for the Early and Late Carboniferous and Early and Late Permian. Between 12 and 18 provinces in four or five realms are identified in each interval of the Late Palaeozoic. The recently stated view than the Late Palaeozoic was a time of increasing provinciality is related to a decrease in the average range of regionally distributed genera, not an increase in either endemism or in the number of recognizable biogeographic units.
Backcoating, Char Yield, and Toxicity of Pyrolysis Gases From Fabrics

Various samples of fabrics were evaluated for tox icity of pyrolysis gases, using the USF toxicity screening test method, and the data were related to backcoating content and char yield. The samples consisted of 18 furniture upholstery fabrics, 10 aircraft fabrics, and 6 apparel fabrics.
Investigation on trap distribution and photoelectronic effect due to UV, IR and visible light excitation in self-activated zns crystals

Abstract Photoelectronic effects in IR sensitive ZnS crystals are found for IR, UV and visible light excitations. The transient rise characteristic of UV excited photoluminescence (UPL) saturates faster than UV produced photoconductivity (UPC). The UPC shows a typical S-shaped rise curve for any 365 run excitation irradiance and temperature. Simultaneously measured transient behaviors of IR induced photoconductivity (INP) and IR stimulated luminescence (STL) have a strong IR excitation intensity dependence for λ IR = 2.5−4.6 microm . A unique phenomenon, quick rise followed by quick decay during the initial 20 msec, is found in INP before reaching final maximum but is not observed in STL. During UV steady irradiation, additional photoconductivity and luminescence are quickly induced by an abrupt IR excitation of 2.5 microm. Then, the photoconductivity reaches a new steady state level below UPC steady state. However, the luminescence sets the same UPL steady state level. This means that photoconductivity exhibits an IR optical quenching but not stimulation, while neither optical quenching nor stimulation is found in luminescence. It is also possible to quench the UPC response with visible light excitation at 570 nm. These observations support the previously reported discussion that IR absorbing impurity centers and shallow traps, including recombination (or luminescence) centers must be involved in IR stimulable ZnS crystals. They also indicate the presence of deep trap centers for E T ≈ 2.18 eV, which have a strong role in slow UPC rise.
FAR-INFRARED STUDY OF THE INTERLAYER TORSIONAL-VIBRATIONAL MODE OF MIXED-LAYER ILLITE/SMECTITES

Investigation of mixed-layer illite/smectites with far-infrared (FIR) spectroscopy indicates the presence of torsional mode absorption bands associated with interlayer fixed-K sites. By contrast, hydrated montmorillonitic interlayer cation sites are transparent in the far IR. The presence or absence of bands for interlayer cation sites appears to be related to both the magnitude and site of negative layer charge within the 2:1 layer structure. The bimodal nature of illite/smectite spectra leads to the suggestion that two different fixed-K environments occur within illite/smectite structures. These two environments are controlled by the composition of the octahedral sheet. The torsional modes at 112 and 89 cm ~ represent fixed-K sites influenced, respectively, by an Al-rich, high-charge dioctahedral layer and a heterogeneous A1-Fe-Mg-bearing, low-charge layer. A general trend of increasing absorption of the 112 cm -1 band, relative to the 89 cm 1 band, is observed in a typical diagenetic illite/smectite sequence of Miocene shales from the Gulf of Mexico sedimentary basin. The absorbance strength of both torsional bands is also seen to increase with increasing degree of illitization and the amount of fixed potassium in the illite/smectite. These observations are consistent with the concept of shales undergoing illitization during burial diagenesis by both the collapse of high-charge smectite layers to form illite layers (i.e., transformation) and the formation of new high-charge (-0.9) illite layers at the expense of smectite layers (i.e., dissolution/ neoformation).
QuikSCAT geophysical model function for tropical cyclones and application to Hurricane Floyd

The QuikSCAT radar measurements of several tropical cyclones in 1999 have been studied to develop the geophysical model function (GMF) of Ku-band radar /spl sigma//sub 0/ values (normalized radar cross section) for extreme high wind conditions. To account for the effects of precipitation, the authors analyze the co-located rain rates from the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) and propose the rain rate as a parameter of the GMF. The analysis indicates the deficiency of the NSCAT2 GMF developed for the NASA scatterometer, which overestimates the ocean /spl sigma//sub 0/ for tropical cyclones and ignores the influence of rain. It is suggested that the QuikSCAT /spl sigma//sub 0/ is sensitive to the wind speed of up to about 40-50 m s/sup -1/. The authors introduce modifications to the NSCAT2 GMF and apply the modified GMF to the QuikSCAT observations of Hurricane Floyd. The QuikSCAT wind estimates for Hurricane Floyd in 1999 was improved with the maximum wind speed reaching above 60 m s/sup -1/. The authors perform an error analysis by comparing the QuikSCAT winds with the analyses fields from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hurricane Research Division (HRD). The reasonable agreement between the improved QuikSCAT winds and the HRD analyses supports the applications of scatterometer wind retrievals for hurricanes.
Comprehensive School Mental Health Specialists An Answer to Urban Students' Mental Health Needs

Urban children and adolescents are faced with many stressors that affect their mental health and that currently are not being addressed effectively by the various mental health professionals working in schools. In this article, the authors argue that blending school psychology and school counseling training to produce comprehensive school mental health specialists could better address the identified social and emotional needs of children in urban schools. Such a shift could result in more comprehensive, coordinated school mental health services and lead to improved academic performance.
Changes in Mental Well-Being in the Transition to Late Life: Findings From MIDUS I and II

The number of adults aged 65 years and older is increasing rapidly, creating public health challenges. We used data from the 1995 and 2005 national surveys of Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) to compare changes in mental well-being of participants (n = 1007) of 3 age cohorts (ages 45–54 years, 55–64 years, and 65–74 years in 1995). Older adults experienced a slight decline in mental well-being not seen among younger participants and not explained by demographic variables, physical ailments, mental illnesses, or chronic conditions.
Model building using bi-level optimization

In many problems from different disciplines such as engineering, physics, medicine, and biology, a series of experimental data is used in order to generate a model that can describe a system with minimum noise. The procedure for building a model provides a description of the behavior of the system under study and can be used to give a prediction for the future. Herein a novel hierarchical bi-level implementation of the cross validation method is presented. In this bi-level schema, the leader optimization problem builds (training) the model and the follower checks (testing) the developed model. The problem of synthesis and analysis of regulatory networks is used to compare the classical cross validation method to the proposed methodology referred to as bi-level cross validation. In all the examples considered, the bi-level cross validation results in a better model compared with the classical cross validation approach.
A simple concept for calibrating runoff thresholds in quasi-distributed variable source area watershed models

Most semi-distributed watershed water quality models divide the watershed into hydrologic response units (HRU) with no flow among them. This is problematic when watersheds are delineated to include variable source areas (VSAs) because it is the lateral flows from upslope areas to downslope areas that generate VSAs. Although hydrologic modellers have often successfully calibrated these types of models, there can still be considerable uncertainty in model results. In this paper, a topographic-index-based method is described and tested to distribute effective soil water holding capacity among HRUs, which can be subsequently adjusted using the watershed baseflow coefficient. The method is tested using a version of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model that simulates VSA runoff and is applied to two watersheds: a New York State (NYS) watershed, and one in the head waters of the Blue Nile Basin (BNB) in Ethiopia. Daily streamflow predicted using effective soil water storage capacities based only on the topographic index were reassuringly accurate in both the NYS watershed (daily Nash Sutcliffe (E) = 0·73) and in the BNB (E = 0·70). Using the baseflow coefficient to adjust the effective soil water storage capacity only slightly improved streamflow predictions in NYS (E = 0·75) but substantially improved the BNB predictions (E = 0·80). By comparison, the standard SWAT model, which uses the traditional look-up tables to determine a runoff curve number, performed considerably less accurately in un-calibrated form (E = 0·51 for NYS and E = 0·45 for BNB), but improved substantially when explicitly calibrated to streamflow measurements (E = 0·76 for NYS and E = 0·67 for the BNB). The calibration method presented here provides a parsimonious, systematic approach to using established models in VSA watersheds that reduces the ambiguity inherent in model calibration. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increasing Fetal Adrenal Formation of Cortisol from Pregnenolone During Baboon (Papio papio) Gestation

To determine the maturational changes leading to adrenocortical self-sufficiency in baboon neonates, fetal adrenal growth and cortisol (F) production, in vitro, from pregnenolone (P5), progesterone (P4) and 11-deoxycortisol (S) were examined at various times during gestation. Adrenal weight of animals delivered prematurely (100-179 days gestation, term = 184) by cesarean section (N = 17) or spontaneously (N = 13) at term (181 ± 4 days, X ± SE), tripled during the second half of gestation (r = 0.82; P<0.0O1; Y = 403e0.0I7X) and resulted primarily from growth of cortical fetal zone tissue. F production from [3H1P5, [3H1P4 or I3HIS(1512Ci, lOlhg) by 50 mg homogenized tissue from selected glands incubated with NADPH was determined following extraction, and purification of [3 HI F. Resultswere combined from animals deliveredby cesarean section 84 to 54 days (N = 4), or 24 to 17 days prior to term (N = 3)and from neonates iday old (N = 3) or Sand 12 days old (N = 2). F production from S (68.2 percent ± 13.1 percent, X ± SE) and P4 (42.4 percent ± 2.9 percent) either remained constant or decreased during the study period, while that from P5 (6.9 percent ± 1.9 percent) increased (P<0.001) from 3 ± I pmole/mg at midgestation to 14 ± 5 pmole/mg shorly before term, reaching 51 ± 13 pmole/mg 1 day after spontaneous delivery. When corrected for adrenal weight, F production from S (88-118 nmole/2 adrenals) and P4 (46-77 nmole/2 adrenals) remained constant whereas that from P5 increased (P<0.001) from 0.3 ± 0.1 nmole/2 adrenals at midgestation to 17 ± 5 nmole/2 adrenalsI day after spontaneous delivery. This capacity was maintained in the first 12 days of life. Thus fetal adrenal 313-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-isomerase activity is increased, while 11(3-,17n- and 21-hydroxylase activities are relatively greater but unchanged during gestation. It is concluded that increased 3j3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-isomerase combined with adrenal growth permits increased utilization of P5 for F synthesis towards term. These changes may be important in ensuring adrenocortical self-sufficiency when, after delivery, placental P4 is no longer available for F production.
Time dilation and the star formation scenario

We investigate the dependence of the redshift vs. brightness relation of GRBs upon the width of GRB luminosity function and the cosmological models. The relation is then fit to our observed time dilation data of GRBs. It is found that the best fit average luminosity ranges from in a standard candle luminosity model to in a cosmological model with a broad luminosity function . Our fits suggest that it is only possible to accomodate the large distance scale suggested by the Star Formation Rate model when the luminosity function has a large width in a cosmological model with low matter density .
Effects of a Visual Barrier Fence on Behavior and Movements of Black‐Tailed Prairie Dogs

Prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) prefer an open view of their surroundings and may abandon areas with visual obstructions. Wildlife managers have attempted to capitalize on this innate behavior by using visual barriers, with varying degrees of success, to induce black-tailed prairie dogs (C. ludovicianus) to emigrate from or abandon a colony or preclude them from colonizing a valued area. We examined the behavior and movements of adult female black-tailed prairie dogs in response to both a visual barrier (SB Tensar® snowfence, Tensar Polytechnologies, Morrow, Georgia) that had a see-through visibility of 60% and no visual barrier on 4 6- to 15-ha colonies in central Nebraska, USA. We applied visual barriers to the centerline of 2 colonies after depopulation of half of each colony. Prairie dogs did not respond to the visual barriers as expected. They did not consistently increase the frequency of vigilant or aggressive behavior, the size of use-areas, or the distance of their use-areas from the visual barriers. The number of prairie dogs within 50 m of visual barrier fences did not decline over a 2-month period. Surprisingly, frequency of foraging behavior increased for prairie dogs in the vicinity of a visual barrier. The SB Tensar snowfence was durable but was not effective as a visual barrier for controlling the behavior, movements, and population of black-tailed prairie dogs.
Measurement of Energy-Energy-Correlations with the Pierre Auger Observatory

To investigate energy ordering effects close to the most ene rgetic cosmic rays, a measurement of Energy- Energy-Correlations (EEC) has been performed with the data of the surface detector of the Pierre Auger observatory. The measurement includes the ultra high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) with energies above E=5 EeV arriving within a small solid angular region around UHECRs with E > 60 EeV. The measured EEC distribution is compared to the expectation for isotropic arrival directions of UHECRs.
Metal sulfonamides as antibacterial agents in topical therapy.

The apparent efficacy of zinc and cerium sulfadiazine and the metabolic role of other trace metals suggested that sulfonamide salts of these might be of therapeutic value. There is also a possibility that metal saits of other sulfonamides might be useful. Accordingly other sulfonamide salts of zinc were prepared and studied in vitro and in vivo. Only zinc sulfathiazole and zinc methoxazole were as effective as zinc sulfadiazine in animal studies. The sulfadiazines of aluminum, chromium, cobalt, copper and iron were prepared and compared in vitro and in vivo. Only cobalt sulfadiazine appeared comparable to zinc and cerium sulfadiazine in healing burn wounds in rats. Studies on the molecular structure of silver sulfonamides disclosed the polymeric structure peculiar to silver sulfadiazine which appears to account for its unique properties. It is not yet known whether other metal sulfadiazines have this attribute.
Social networks profile mapping using games

Mapping user profiles across social network sites enables sharing and interactions between social networks, which enriches the social networking experience. Manual mapping for user profiles is a time consuming and tedious task. In addition profile mapping algorithms are inaccurate and are usually based on simple name or email string matching. In this paper, we propose a Game With A Purpose (GWAP) approach to solve the profile mapping problem. The proposed approach leverages the game appeal and social community to generate the profile mappings. We designed and implemented an online social networking game (GameMapping), the game is fun and is based on human verification. The game presents the players with some profiles information, and uses human computation and knowledge about the information being presented to map similar user profiles. The game was modeled using incomplete information game theory, and a proof of sequential equilibrium was provided. To test the effectiveness of the mapping technique and detection strategies, the game was implemented and deployed on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter and the experiments were performed on the real data collected from users playing the game.
Memory T cell-derived IFN-gamma instructs potent innate cell activation for protective immunity (INC6P.349)

Cells of the innate immune system are essential for host defenses against primary microbial pathogen infections, yet their involvement in effective memory responses of vaccinated individuals has been poorly investigated. Here we show that memory T cells instruct innate cells to become potent effector cells in a systemic and a mucosal model of infection. Specifically, we found that memory T cells control phagocyte, dendritic cell and NK/NK T cell mobilization and induction of a strong program of differentiation which include their expression of effector cytokines and microbicidal pathways, all of which are delayed in non-vaccinated hosts. Disruption of IFN-gamma-signaling inside Ly6C+ monocytes, dendritic cells and macrophages impairs these processes and the control of pathogen growth. These results reveal how memory T cells, through rapid secretion of IFN-gamma, orchestrate extensive modifications of host innate immune responses that are essential for effective protection of vaccinated hosts.
Configurations 4f 10 6s6p and 4f 9 5d6s 2 in Neutral Dysprosium

A partial analysis of the configurations 4f106s6p and 4f95d6s2 in neutral dysprosium has been based on least-squares calculations of energy-level structures, combined with experimental data for observed energy levels, g values, and isotope shifts. Thirty-one levels for each configuration have now been interpreted; of these, 24 levels are new designations in 4f106s6p and 18 are new designations in 4f95d6s2. We were able to fit the levels of 4f106s6p to within a standard deviation equal to 0.6% of the experimental energy-level spread, and the levels of 4f95d6s2 to within 0.9%. The agreement between experimental and calculated g values is good and the configuration assignments are consistent with isotope-shift data.
The two faces of domination in republican political theory

I propose a theory of domination derived from republican political theory that is in contrast to the neo-republican theory of domination as arbitrary interference and domination as dependence. I su...
Heat Capacity and Thermodynamic Properties of Poly(Vinyl Chloride).

Heat capacities, Cp , of three different samples of poly(vinyl chloride), PVC, have been determined from 6 to 375 K by adiabatic calorimetry. These three samples were derived from either bulk- or suspension-polymerization processes and were measured either as received or after pelleting under pressure. The heat capacities of the samples are almost identical if the thermal and pressure histories are the same. Below the glass transition temperature, Tg , of about 355 K, Cp of PVC was found to be exceptionally linear over a wide temperature range. Cp of annealed PVC may be represented by (10 + 0.166 T) J K-1 mol-1 to within 1 percent of the measured values from 80 to 340 K. Approximately 200 J mol-1 of energy were stored in the samples by the pelleting processes. The stored energies begin to release at about 30 to 40 K below the glass transition temperature. Tg for powdery or relaxed samples occurs around 352 to 356 K for the suspension-polymerized PVC sample and 348 to 351 K for bulk-polymerized sample.
A Study of the Business Reclamation in Urumqi during the Qianlong and Jiaqing Periods in the Qing Dynasty

In the mid-Qianlong period in the Qing Dynasty,the Central Government re-unified Xinjiang and encouraged business people from the inland China to trade in Xinjiang in order to re-vitalize the economy of Xinjiang.A large number of businessmen brought funds into Xinjiang.Urumqi's unique geographical and climatic conditions helped the development of the first business reclamation in this place,and the development reached a certain scale.Later the Central Government devised favorable policies to ensure a smooth development of businessman reclamation.The development of businessman reclamation in Urumqi promoted local economic development and urban construction and laid a solid economic foundation for Urumqi to become the political,military and economic center of Xinjiang in the Qing Dynasty.