cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of simulated acidic rain on yields of field-grown radishes and garden beets

Abstract Experiments were performed to determine the effects of simulated acidic rain on yields of garden beet and radish grown under standard agronomic practices. Plots were exposed to small additions of simulated rain with pH levels of 5.7, 4.0, 3.1, and 2.7. The spray-to-wet simulated rain applications had volumes similar to those of most ambient summer rainfalls. Some plots received no simulated rain applications. All plants were exposed to ambient rainfalls at Brookhaven National Laboratory (Upton, NY, U.S.A.) which had a mean weighted pH of 4.06 during the summer of 1980. Root mass of radishes was not significantly affected by simulated acidic rain exposures. Root yields of beets exposed to simulated rain applications at pH 5.7, 4.0, 3.1, and 2.7 were 110, 70, 84 and 86% of beets receiving ambient rainfalls only. Foliar injury observed on beets was attributed to exposure to both simulated acidic rain and ambient rainfalls with a mean weighted pH of 3.88. This is the first experiment where visible foliar injury has occurred due to both ambient rain and simulated rain applications above pH 3.1 under standard agronomic conditions.
Sunlight Degradation of Polypropylene Textile Fibres: A Microscopical Study

In the initial stages of sunlight degradation of polypropylene fibres, surface cracks are formed perpendicular to the fibre axis, with the core remaining undamaged. With further irradiation, the skin and core separate; the skin is eventually eroded away, to leave the core susceptible to degradation. It is believed that differential shrinkage between skin and core is responsible to a large degree for the phenomenon.
Nonauditory Determinants of Self-Perceived Hearing Problems Among Older Adults The Role of Stressful Life Conditions, Neuroticism, and Social Resources

Background . The present study explored factors that influenced older individuals’ subjective perception of hearing problems. In addition to objectively screened hearing ability, nonauditory factors such as stressful life conditions (visual impairment, chronic disease, disability, and recent stressful life events), neuroticism, and social resources were hypothesized to be predictors of self-perceived hearing problems. Methods . These hypotheses were tested with a hierarchical regression model using a stratified sample of 425 community-dwelling older individuals (mean age � 72.2). Results . Individuals with more recent stressful life events, higher levels of neuroticism, and less emotional support reported greater hearing problems after controlling for objectively screened hearing. In addition to the main effects, a significant interaction was observed between neuroticism and screened hearing, indicating that the combination of poor hearing and high neuroticism increased the level of self-perceived hearing problems. Conclusions . The findings suggest that the effects of nonauditory factors should be taken into account in the application of self-assessed measures of hearing problems.
Resilience in maltreated children: Processes leading to adaptive outcome

Evidence for resilience, competent functioning despite severe adversity, was investigated in school-age, disadvantaged maltreated (N = 127) and nonmaltreated (N = 79) children attending a summer camp program. Multiple areas of adaptation (social adjustment, risk for school difficulty, psychopathology) were assessed from self, peer, and camp counselor perspectives and school records. A composite index of adaptive functioning was developed, and levels of competence were delineated. Personality dimensions and personal resources, including cognitive maturity, self-esteem, ego-resiliency, and ego-control, were evaluated as mechanisms promoting individual differences in successful adaptation. Maltreated children as a group evidenced lower overall competence when compared to nonmaltreated children. An equal proportion of maltreated and nonmaltreated children, however, demonstrated high levels of competence, whereas more maltreated children than nonmaltreated children evidenced low levels of competence. Ego-resiliency, ego-control, and self-esteem were each found to predict individual differences in competent functioning. Evidence for the differential role of ego-control in promoting competence for maltreated versus nonmaltreated children was found. The results are discussed in terms of mechanisms contributing to resilient outcomes in maltreated children and the implications of the study of resilience for the field of developmental psychopathology.
Do benzodiazepines mimic reverse-turn structures?

The role of benzodiazepine derivatives (BZD) as a privileged scaffold that mimics β-turn structures (Ripka et al. (1993) Tetrahedron 49:3593–3608) in peptide/protein recognition was reexamined in detail. Stable BZD ring conformers were determined with MM3, and experimental reverse-turn structures were extracted from the basis set of protein crystal structures previously defined by Ripka et al. Ideal β-turns were also modeled and similarly compared with BZD conformers. Huge numbers of conformers were generated by systematically scanning the torsional degrees of freedom for BZDs, as well as those of ideal β-turns for comparison. Using these structures, conformers of BZDs were fit to experimental structures as suggested by Ripka et al., or modeled classical β-turn conformers, and the root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) values were calculated for each pairwise comparison. Pairs of conformers with the smallest RMSD values for overlap of the four α–β side-chain orientations were selected. All overlaps of BZD conformers with experimental β-turns yielded one or more comparisons where the least RMSD was significantly small, 0.48–0.86 A, as previously suggested. Utilizing a different methodology, the overall conclusion that benzodiazepines could serve as reverse-turn mimetics of Ripka et al. is justified. The least RMSD values for the overlap of BZDs and modeled classical β-turns were also less than 1 A. When comparing BZDs with experimental or classical β-turns, the set of experimental β-turns selected by Ripka et al. fit the BZD scaffolds better than modeled classical β-turns; however, all the experimental β-turns did not fit a particular BZD scaffold better. A single BZD ring conformation, and/or chiral orientation, can mimic some, but not all, of the experimental β-turn structures. BZD has two central ring conformations and one chiral center that explains why the four variations of the BZD scaffold can mimic all types of β-turn structure examined. It was found, moreover, that the BZD scaffold also mimics each of the nine clusters of experimental orientations of side chains of reverse turns in the Protein Data Bank, when the new classification scheme for the four side-chain directions (the relative orientations of α–β vectors of residues i through i+3) was considered (Tran et al. (2005) J Comput-Aided Mol Des 19:551–566).
Non-rigid motion analysis and feature labelling of the growth cone

Quantitative analysis of neurite outgrowth provides key information for the development of new therapeutic strategies for treating nerve injury. The motion of the growth cone, the growing tip of a neurite, can be characterized as non-rigid, since its contour is constantly deforming. The goal of this research is to track the motion of the growth cone, using active contours and feature labelling, to provide quantitative analysis of specific neurite modalities, and ultimately to predict the motion of the growth cone. >
The Villain Team-Up or how Trichomonas vaginalis and bacterial vaginosis alter innate immunity in concert

Objectives Complex interactions of vaginal microorganisms with the genital tract epithelium shape mucosal innate immunity, which holds the key to sexual and reproductive health. Bacterial vaginosis (BV), a microbiome-disturbance syndrome prevalent in reproductive-age women, occurs commonly in concert with trichomoniasis, and both are associated with increased risk of adverse reproductive outcomes and viral infections, largely attributable to inflammation. To investigate the causative relationships among inflammation, BV and trichomoniasis, we established a model of human cervicovaginal epithelial cells colonised by vaginal Lactobacillus isolates, dominant in healthy women, and common BV species (Atopobium vaginae, Gardnerella vaginalis and Prevotella bivia). Methods Colonised epithelia were infected with Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) or exposed to purified TV virulence factors (membrane lipophosphoglycan (LPG), its ceramide-phosphoinositol-glycan core (CPI-GC) or the endosymbiont Trichomonas vaginalis virus (TVV)), followed by assessment of bacterial colony-forming units, the mucosal anti-inflammatory microbicide secretory leucocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), and chemokines that drive pro-inflammatory, antigen-presenting and T cells. Results TV reduced colonisation by Lactobacillus but not by BV species, which were found inside epithelial cells. TV increased interleukin (IL)-8 and suppressed SLPI, likely via LPG/CPI-GC, and upregulated IL-8 and RANTES, likely via TVV as suggested by use of purified pathogenic determinants. BV species A vaginae and G vaginalis induced IL-8 and RANTES, and also amplified the pro-inflammatory responses to both LPG/CPI-GC and TVV, whereas P bivia suppressed the TV/TVV-induced chemokines. Conclusions These molecular host–parasite– endosymbiont–bacteria interactions explain epidemiological associations and suggest a revised paradigm for restoring vaginal immunity and preventing BV/TV-attributable inflammatory sequelae in women.
Automatic Titration of Calcium or Magnesium in Blood Serum

Direct automatic derivative spectrophotometric EDTA titration procedures for Ca and Mg in blood serum are described. Calcium is automatically titrated in the Sargent-Malmstadt "Spectro" titrator at p H 13 using Calcon as indicator. The results obtained by the automatic method are of the same degree of accuracy and reproducibility as those obtained by the classic permanganate titration of precipitated calcium oxalate. Total Ca and Mg can be titrated automatically at p H 10 with Eriochrome Black T as indicator, and magnesium is calculated by difference between total Ca and Mg and Ca only. The average automatic titration time for each Ca determination is about 10 seconds and about 15 seconds for total Ca and Mg. The total time for the complete procedure for each Ca or Mg determination is about 5 minutes.
EFFECT OF THE EARTH'S QUADRUPOLE MOMENT ON THE PRECESSION OF A GYROSCOPE

It is shown that there is a contribution to the precession of a gyroscope due to the quadrupole moment of the Earth. The magnitude of this additional precession is a maximum for a gyroscope in a satellite in equatorial orbit around the Earth at a moderate altitude, and exceeds the experimental error for observations which cover a span of about one year or greater.
Rheological behavior of partially hydrolyzed poly(vinyl acetate‐co‐ethylene)

The rheological behavior of partially hydrolyzed poly(vinyl acetate-co-ethylene) (VAE) was investigated, using a Rheometrics Dynamic Mechanical Spectrometer. For the investigation, measurements of storage modulus (G′), loss modulus (G″) and loss tangent (tan δ) of the materials were recorded as functions of temperature at a fixed frequency (i.e., using temperature scans) and, also, as functions of frequency at a fixed temperature (i.e., using frequency scans). For the hydrolysis, three different grades of copolymer (containing 34, 47, 62 mol% of vinyl acetate) were used to yield poly(vinyl acetate-co-ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (VAEOH) with varying amounts of hydroxyl group. For comparison purposes, the viscoelastic properties of blends of VAE copolymer with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH), having varying blend compositions, were also measured. The blends were prepared by first mixing a solution of VAE copolymer, which was dissolved in a toluene/dichloroethane mixed solvent, and an aqueous solution of PVOH, and then freeze drying the mixture to a constant weight. Also measured were the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the VAE copolymers and the Tg and melting point (Tm) of the VAEOH terpolymers, using a DuPont Thermal Analyzer equipped with a 910 DSC Module. It has been found that (1) introduction of hydroxyl group into the backbone of the amorphous VAE copolymer has made the resulting VAEOH terpolymer semicrystalline; (2) the Tm, Tg, G′, and the complex viscosity (η*) of the VAEOH terpolymers increase with increasing amounts of hydroxyl group; (3) the physical blending of PVOH with VAE copolymer has not affected the Tg of the VAE copolymer; (4) the G′ and η* of the VAE/PVOH blends are found to increase with the amount of PVOH in the blend. The use of logarithmic plots of G′ versus G″ has been found to be very useful for discerning the differences in the structure of the materials tested.
Family Peer Advocates: A Pilot Study of the Content and Process of Service Provision

Professional family peer advocates are increasingly employed by public mental health systems to deliver family-to-family support that reduces barriers families face in accessing children’s mental health care. These services, however, are neither uniformly available nor standardized. This pilot study describes the process, content and context of family-to-family support services. Simulating a parent seeking services, a trained standardized parent participated as a client in meetings with advocates in four programs and collected data through structured observations, a structured survey, and session audiotapes. The “walk-through” process was determined to be feasible and acceptable to family peer advocates as a way of evaluating services. Four family peer advocates provided an average of 25 services during each 2-session simulation with the standardized parent, including the following: information and educational support, instruction and skills development, emotional and affirmational support, instrumental support, and advocacy. Findings also revealed variability in the range of services provided and identified challenges in aspects of service provision, such as boundaries of advocate roles, availability of confidential service environments, and addressing crises and parent concerns about child safety. This paper provides the first in-depth look at services provided by this emerging workforce.
Postural coordination patterns as a function of rhythmical dynamics of the surface of support

This study investigated the organization of postural coordination patterns as a function of the rhythmical dynamics of the surface of support. We examined how the number and nature of the dynamical degrees of freedom in the movement coordination patterns changed as a function of the amplitude and frequency of support surface motion. Young adult subjects stood on a moving platform that was translated sinusoidally in anterior-posterior (AP) direction with the task goal to maintain upright bipedal postural balance. A force platform measured the kinetics at the surface of support and a 3D motion analysis system recorded torso and joint kinematics. Principal components analysis (PCA) identified four components overall, but increasing the average velocity of the support surface reduced the modal number of components of the postural coordination pattern from three to two. The analysis of joint motion loadings on the components revealed that organizational properties of the postural pattern also changed as a function of platform dynamics. PC1 (61.6–73.2 %) was accounted for by ankle, knee, and hip motion at the lowest velocity conditions, but as the velocity increased, ankle and hip variance dominated. In PC2 (24.2–20.2 %), the contribution of knee motion significantly increased while that of ankle motion decreased. In PC3 (9.7–5.1 %) neck motion contributed significantly at the highest velocity condition. Collectively, the findings show that the amplitude and frequency of the motion of the surface of support maps redundantly though preferentially to a small set of postural coordination patterns. The higher platform average velocities led to a reduction in the number of dynamical degrees of freedom of the coordination mode and different weightings of joint motion contributions to each component.
Simulation of artificial earthquakes

A procedure is developed for the simulation of artificial earthquake accelerograms, The time variation of amplitude and frequency content is preserved in the simulation procedure. Sixteen artificial earthquake accelerograms are simulated and compared with a target accelerogram. The time variation of amplitude and frequency content for 26 historical earthquake accelerograms is characterized.
APPLICATION OF A TWO-COLOR LASER INDUCED FLUORESCENCE (LIF) TECHNIQUE FOR TEMPERATURE MAPPING

Two-color laser induced fluorescence (LIF) technique has been developed and examined to use for full-field temperature mapping of a micro-scale field-of-view in water. The technique uses two fluorescence dyes with different emission characteristics - one is the temperature sensitive dye (Rhodamine-B) and the other is the temperature insensitive dye (Rhodamine-110). The ratio of the two fluorescence emission intensities, therefore, provides a formidable correlation with temperature that does not depend on the laser illumination intensity variation and is free from the possible bias occurring from background noise. In considering the technique for applications to micro-scale field-of-view, the first question that may be asked will be if the technique ensures acceptable accuracy in temperature readings with sufficiently small spatial resolution. In order to explore answers to this question, an extensive calibration for the intensity ratio versus temperature has been performed using a constant-temperature bath and the calibration results have been statistically analyzed to estimate measurement uncertainties. The developed technique measures thermally stratified fields with known temperature distributions that are established inside 10-mm and 1-mm path cuvettes to ensure measurement accuracy and spatial resolution for potential microscale applications.
Effects of simulated ischemia on spiral wave stability.

Regional hyperkalemia during acute myocardial ischemia is a major factor promoting electrophysiological abnormalities leading to ventricular fibrillation (VF). However, steep action potential durat...
Less Deference, More Judging

Rhetoric of “judicial activism” pervades political conversation about judicial decisions on both sides of the aisle. Our courts have become a problem, but not because of activist, unelected judges legislating from the bench and undermining the democratic process. According to Clark M. Neily III in his new book Terms of Engagement, judicial activism is “overstated and overhyped”; in reality, our judges are doing not nearly enough to rein in overweening government. This review summarizes Neily's arguments and adds some historical context to further strengthen Neily's argument for less deference and more judging.
Calendar Structures for Venus in Mesoamerican Divinatory Books: Common Approaches to Commensuration and Correction:

Long-recognized similarities in representations of Venus, its movements, and associated supernatural forces in pre-Columbian books from central Mexico and the Maya lowlands point strongly to the value of a comparative approach. A new analysis of Venus records in the western Mesoamerican Borgia group shows that their calendar structures relate the periodicity of Venus to other calendar cycles in much the same way as the Venus table in the Maya Dresden Codex. Conversely, proposals for ways in which users of the central Mexican books may have corrected for discrepancies between canonical cycles of the calendar framework and what was actually observable in the sky reveal a novel way in which correction could have been effected in the Dresden Codex. These insights show that shared structural principles go deeper than related iconography and metaphors.
The Limits of Antitrust and Patent Holdup: A Reply to Cary et al.

In their recent article in this Journal, Cary et al. critique our prior article, Federalism, Substantive Preemption, and Limits on Antitrust: An Application to Patent Holdup. In that article, we assess the marginal costs and benefits of applying antitrust tools to the so-called patent holdup problem, contend that the costs of applying antitrust rules tools outweigh the benefits, and argue that our analysis is consistent with recent Supreme Court antitrust jurisprudence. Cary et al. focus on the question of how to apply antitrust analysis to the problem of patent holdup in the standard-setting context. However, we believe that the antecedent question of whether it makes economic sense to use antitrust rather than alternatives, such as contract and patent law, to police patent holdup is an important consideration that has received too little attention.We claim that when an alternative legal structure competently regulates the relevant activity, the marginal benefits of applying antitrust enforcement to this activity may be outweighed by the costs of doing so (including error and litigation costs). From a consumer welfare perspective, when applying antitrust enforcement will result in over-deterrence and decrease welfare, antitrust should be rejected in favor of those alternatives. We believe that a marginal analysis of the value of antitrust in the patent holdup context demonstrates that: (1) the costs of false positives are high because it is difficult to reliably identify anticompetitive conduct, (2) the benefits are small because competent alternative regulatory regimes exist in contract and patent law, and (3) shedding antitrust liability in favor of these alternative structures would move legal penalties for patent holdup closer to the de-trebled magnitude that optimal deterrence theory recommends. We also claim that the Supreme Court’s recent antitrust jurisprudence embraces the type of marginal analysis we offer, including endorsing considerations of the costs associated with both judicial error and the direct costs of administration and litigation as inputs into analyses aimed at identifying the optimal scope and content of antitrust law. Moreover, notwithstanding Cary et al.’s claims to the contrary, the Supreme Court has expressly endorsed an analysis of the comparative advantages and costs of antitrust law relative to other regulatory structures. Thus, our analysis is consistent with the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Sherman Act.
FutureMatch: combining human value judgments and machine learning to match in dynamic environments

The preferred treatment for kidney failure is a transplant; however, demand for donor kidneys far outstrips supply. Kidney exchange, an innovation where willing but incompatible patient-donor pairs can exchange organs—via barter cycles and altruist-initiated chains—provides a life-saving alternative. Typically, fielded exchanges act myopically, considering only the current pool of pairs when planning the cycles and chains. Yet kidney exchange is inherently dynamic, with participants arriving and departing. Also, many planned exchange transplants do not go to surgery due to various failures. So, it is important to consider the future when matching. Motivated by our experience running the computational side of a large nationwide kidney exchange, we present FUTURE-MATCH, a framework for learning to match in a general dynamic model. FUTUREMATCH takes as input a high-level objective (e.g., "maximize graft survival of transplants over time") decided on by experts, then automatically (i) learns based on data how to make this objective concrete and (ii) learns the "means" to accomplish this goal—a task, in our experience, that humans handle poorly. It uses data from all live kidney transplants in the US since 1987 to learn the quality of each possible match; it then learns the potentials of elements of the current input graph offline (e.g., potentials of pairs based on features such as donor and patient blood types), translates these to weights, and performs a computationally feasible batch matching that incorporates dynamic, failure-aware considerations through the weights. We validate FUTUREMATCH on real fielded exchange data. It results in higher values of the objective. Furthermore, even under economically inefficient objectives that enforce equity, it yields better solutions for the efficient objective (which does not incorporate equity) than traditional myopic matching that uses the efficiency objective.
Galápagos hydroclimate of the Common Era from paired microalgal and mangrove biomarker 2H/1H values.

Tropical maritime precipitation affects global atmospheric circulation, influencing storm tracks and the size and location of subtropical deserts. Paleoclimate evidence suggests centuries-long changes in rainfall in the tropical Pacific over the past 2,000 y, but these remain poorly characterized across most of the ocean where long, continuous proxy records capable of resolving decadal-to-centennial climate changes are still virtually nonexistent despite substantial efforts to develop them. Here we apply a new climate proxy based on paired hydrogen isotope ratios from microalgal and mangrove-derived sedimentary lipids in the Galapagos to reconstruct maritime precipitation changes during the Common Era. We show that increased rainfall during the Little Ice Age (LIA) (∼1400–1850 CE) was likely caused by a southward migration of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), and that this shift occurred later than previously recognized, coeval with dynamically linked precipitation changes in South America and the western tropical Pacific. Before the LIA, we show that drier conditions at the onset of the Medieval Warm Period (∼800–1300 CE) and wetter conditions ca. 2 ka were caused by changes in the El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Collectively, the large natural variations in tropical rainfall we detect, each linked to a multicentury perturbation of either ENSO-like variability or the ITCZ, imply a high sensitivity of tropical Pacific rainfall to climate forcings.
Dynamics and Optimal Design of AGT System

The results of a combined analysis and design of an AGT (Automated Guideway Transit) system are presented. The system is idealized by one or more rigid mass vehicles supported on linear primary suspension systems traveling at a constant forward velocity over a series of simply supported elevated elastic guideways. Least cost system designs are obtained via mathematical programming by assigning comparative cost factors to individual design parameters such as the vehicle suspension properties, guideway cross sectional dimensions, span length and guideway surface irregularities. System resonances and unusual design features such as soft vehicle suspension and low damping are discussed with underlying reasons particular to vehicles designed to run on flexible guideways.
ANALYSIS OF HEAD SHAPE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TWO INTERFERTILE SPECIES OF HAWAIIAN DROSOPHILA.

Drosophila heteroneura and D. silvestris are two endemic species of Hawaiian Drosophila. They are both found only on the Island of Hawaii, and are sympatric in many localities. These two species are closely related in Carson's chromosome phylogeny (Clayton et al., 1972), and are very similar both cytogenetically and electrophoretically (Carson et al., 1975). Furthermore, they will mate under certain laboratory conditions, and the resulting hybrids are viable and fertile in both sexes (Ahearn and Val, 1975). Despite these many similarities and indications of close phylogenetic relationship, these two species are very distinct morphologically. Because F1's, F2's and backcrosses may be obtained, these two species provide a rare opportunity to study the genetic basis of interspecific differentiation in a newly evolved species pair. For this reason, Val (1977) studied the inheritance of five types of morphological characters that distinguish these two species, one of which was head shape. The purpose of this paper is to analyze in more detail the inheritance of head shape in these two species using the data gathered by Dr. Val.
Coupled Exciton and Charge-Transfer Resonances in the Raman Enhancement of Phonon Modes of CdSe Quantum Dots (QDs)

We report the observation of the enhancement of a transverse optical (TO) phonon mode of e1 symmetry and a normally forbidden surface optical (SO) phonon mode of b1 symmetry in CdSe quantum dots (QDs) due to adsorption of 4-mercaptopyridine molecules. The former is observed in 3, 4, and 5 nm diameter particles, while the latter is observed only in the 2 nm particles. Maximum enhancement of the phonon modes is obtained through a coupling of the charge-transfer transition and the exciton transition which are in resonance with the laser energy. Selection rules using Herzberg–Teller (vibronic) coupling are invoked to explain the observed enhancements.
The Construction and Application of Network Multimedia Broadcast System for Specialized Institutes in China:Taking Capital University of Physical Education and Sports as Example

In order to fulfill the requirements of teaching,games,research and enrollment activities live-broadcast in specialized institutes,this paper leverages the characteristics such as integration,interaction from multimedia technology,makes best use of existing infrastructure of the institute,establishes a series of high level targets and requirements,and builds up our own multimedia broadcast system.With the system,we can control the videos captured by front-end high-resolution network cameras,the data transferred over network,and how the data to be post-edited,video switching,video playing and video synchronous recording with confidence.We do achieve the network live broadcast among multiplegymnasiums,different sites,and teaching rooms as expected.
Hydrodynamic simulations of long-scale-length plasmas for two-plasmon-decay planar-target experiments on the NIF

The two-plasmon-decay (TPD) instability can be detrimental for direct-drive inertial confinement fusion because it generates high-energy electrons that can preheat the target, thereby reducing target performance. Hydrodynamic simulations to design a new experimental platform to investigate TPD and other laser-plasma instabilities relevant to direct-drive-ignition implosions at the National Ignition Facility are presented. The proposed experiments utilize planar plastic targets with an embedded Mo layer to characterize generation of hot electrons through Mo Kα fluorescence and hard x-ray emission. Different laser-irradiation geometries approximate conditions near both the equator and the pole of a polar-direct-drive implosion.
The Final Negotiations

Clancarty still on duty at the Hague on 18 November 1823 reported: “M. de Nagell informs me, that it is M, de Falck’s intention to make the passage from Rotterdam by Steam Boat, so that His Excellency will probably arrive in London on the 27th.”1 On 28 November Falck in London wrote a private letter to Van Nagell, marking it “Confidential,” He noted that the foreign minister’s dispatch to Fagel announcing the latter’s recall had made a deep impression, all the more so as it was unexpected. “I will not conceal the fact,” wrote Falck, “that I have seen with heart-felt regret a man of his years” — Fagel was almost 59 years old — “and his services reduced to the state to which the announcement of the King’s definitive intention has brought him, and from the bottom of my heart I hope that His Majesty may please to place a plaster on the wound, which if all the signs do not deceive is truly a bleeding one.” Falck would have to face the British alone: “I cannot expect the least help in the negotiation from my co-plenipotentiary.” He could count on Fagel only to present him to Canning and Wynn, and to attend the first conference for form’s sake. Canning had expressed to Fagel his surprise two days
Psychoses and Epilepsy: Paradoxical Normalization

Five children aged 2.5 to 9 years who developed paradoxical, or forced normalization (acute psychiatric symptoms with abrupt cessation of seizures and normalized EEG) are reported from the Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem.
High frequency performance of Si(1-x)Ge(x)/Si(1-y)Ge(y)/Si(1-x)Ge(x) HBTs

The results of a theoretical study of the performance of high speed SiGe HBTs is presented. The study includes a group of SiGe HBTs in which the Ge concentration in the base is 20 percent higher than that in the emitter and collector (i.e., y = x + 0.2). It is shown that the composition dependences of f(T) and the f(max) are nonmonotonic. As the Ge composition in the emitter and collector layers is increased, f(T) and f(max) first decrease, then remain constant and finally increase to attain their highest values.
Molecular profiling (MP) programs to increase access to targeted therapies in a rural setting.

e17576 Background: Nearly 85% of cancer patients (pts) are treated in the community. In order to advance our understanding of cancer genomics and the impact of targeted therapy, this research needs to expand in the community. Community-based MP programs can improve access to targeted therapies and support genomic research. Methods: From June 1st, 2014 through January 15th, 2015 we instituted a prospective MP study at Sanford Health. Sanford Health is a multi-center, predominantly rural health system centered in the Dakotas. Patients with incurable, advanced solid tumors who had progressed after exhausting standard treatment options were offered enrollment in a MP program. All patients enrolled had MP performed on a recent tumor biopsy ( < 14 weeks from enrollment) using the Foundation One targeted sequencing panel. Results were reviewed at a multi-center, video-conferenced, weekly genomic tumor board. Treatment options were offered based on actionable alterations (AA) identified through MP. FDA approved o...
Effect of crosslinking on the physical and chemical properties of β-lactoglobulin (Blg) microgels.

Abstract Hypothesis Microgels assembled from the protein β-lactoglobulin are colloidal structures with potential applications in food materials. Modifying the internal crosslinking within these microgels using enzymatic or chemical treatments should affect dissolution, swelling, and viscous attributes under strongly solvating conditions. Experiments Microgels were treated with citric acid, glutaraldehyde and transglutaminase to induce cross-linking or with tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine to reduce disulfide linkages. Change in hydrodynamic particle size due to acidic pH, alkaline pH, ionic strength, osmolyte concentration, ethanol, urea, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and reducing agents was evaluated by light scattering measurements. Changes in microgel nanomechanical properties were evaluated via force spectroscopic measurements in water. Findings Average microgel size increased ∼20% in alkaline pH and with ethanol contents above 10%, and decreased ∼20% with sucrose contents above 10%. Cross-linking by glutaraldehyde and transglutaminase prevented size increases in alkaline pH. Microgel plasticity and elastic modulus were unaffected by treatments. Microgels treated with glutaraldehyde were found to have much greater stability to urea, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and reducing agents when compared to other samples. Even without cross-linking, microgels remained stable against precipitation and dissolution over a wide range conditions, indicating their broad utility as colloidal stabilizers, texture modifiers or controlled release agents in food or other applications.
Subsidence Problem in the Long Beach Harbor District

Subsidence of ground surface due to oil extraction is not new, but at Terminal Island, Calif, it has set new record; history of subsidence, studies to determine cause, and resultant problems and solutions.
Indirect decompression and reduction of lumbar spondylolisthesis does not result in higher rates of immediate and long term complications

Abstract Nerve root decompression and spondylolisthesis reduction is typically reserved for open surgery. MIS techniques have been thought to be associated with higher rates of neurological complications. This study aims to report acute and chronic neurologic complications encountered with MIS surgery for spondylolisthesis, specifically, the incidence of nerve root injury and clinical and radiographic outcomes. A retrospective review of 269 patients who underwent MIS LIF or ALIF treatment for lumbar degenerative or isthmic grade 1 or 2 spondylolisthesis was conducted. Immediate and long-term complication rates were the primary outcome. Only patients who had symptomatic anterolisthesis and 2-year outcome data were included in the study. 52 patients met inclusion criteria with 54 lumbar spondylolisthesis levels treated. Five patients (9.6%) experienced postoperative anterior thigh numbness, which completely resolved within 3 months. There were no permanent neurologic deficits; however, 2 patients (3.8%) suffered a transient foot weakness that resolved with physical therapy by 3 months follow-up. There was one incidence of wound breakdown that required revision and one incidence of L5/S1 endplate/sacral promontory fracture and relisthesis 3 months postoperatively. Overall fusion rate was 98% at 6 months. Indirect decompression and closed anatomical reduction for treatment of low-grade spondylolisthesis using ALIF and LIF with posterior percutaneous fixation was not associated with an increased risk of neurologic deficit. This study suggests that this technique is safe, reproducible, durable, and provides adequate fusion rates.
An electrowetting driven liquid tunable optical phase shifter

This paper reports on an electrowetting-based liquid tunable optical phase shifter. In this device, two immiscible liquid layers are placed adjacently with a planar boundary in between. By modifying the thickness of these layers, an optical path difference is induced, which results in a tunable phase shifter. A multi-layer SU-8 structure is used to realize the device. A phase shift of 171° with a rise-time of 110 ms was achieved by applying a 100 V AC signal to the electrowetting actuator embedded in the device.
Quantitative Nanostructure–Activity Relationships: Methods, Case Studies, and Perspectives

In this chapter, we discuss the development and application of molecular modeling methods to analyze and forecast the experimental properties of nanomaterials. We mainly focus on Quantitative Nanostructure—Activity Relationships (QNAR) to evaluate the extent of biological activities potentially induced by various types of nanomaterials. First, we present the basic principles of QNAR modeling that uses machine-learning techniques to establish quantified links between the biological endpoint of interest (e.g., cytotoxicity, cell death, ROS production) and nanomaterials’ characteristics. Second, we briefly review recently published studies reporting on the QNAR modeling of the largest and most significant datasets of nanomaterials available in the public domain. Third, we discuss some perspectives for the use of molecular modeling on nanomaterials. Overall, we show how molecular modeling can represent a key element for enabling the rational design of nanomaterials with the desired activity and safety profile.
Electrocatalysis of anodic oxygen-transfer reactions : Bi3Ru3O11 electrodes in acidic media

Details are reported for the synthesis and characterization of composite materials prepared from powdered Bi3Ru3O11 and a polymeric adhesive fashioned into disk electrodes. The structure of the synthesized material was found to be that of the cubic KSbO3 type on the basis of single-crystal and powder X-ray diffractometry. The surface morphology of a composite electrode was determined to be quite porous on the basis of micrographs obtained using scanning electron microscopy. Voltammetric data obtained for various anodic reactions at these electrodes were examined for evidence that oxidations can occur with transfer of oxygen to the oxidation products in the potential region corresponding to onset of anodic discharge of H2O. Model reactants include iodide, dimethyl sulfoxide, tetramethylene sulfoxide, and manganese(II). The electronic band structure of Bi3Ru3O11 was calculated; it was concluded that mixing of Ru 4d and O 2p orbitals in an antibonding band at the Fermi level facilitates oxygen transfer.
Geographical Patterns of Soil Lead Contamination in La Oroya, Peru (IN6-1.005)

OBJECTIVE: Quantify the extent of soil lead contamination and use geostatistical and GIS methods to identify high-priority areas for lead mitigation efforts. BACKGROUND: Past lead mining operations have created a public health crisis in La Oroya, Peru. Studies have shown elevated mean blood lead levels in populations living near metallurgic facilities. Clinician have observed an increased incidence of delayed language and motor skills among children in these regions. Programs aimed at mitigating lead exposure have been limited by lack of data regarding extent of contamination. DESIGN/METHODS: The study area was divided into 4 sites with a total area of 150km2. A total of 145 surface soil samples were collected, geocoded and analyzed using ICP-AES. For each sample, variables include land use, distance from metallurgic complex and population density. Multivariate and geostatistical analysis were applied to describe and provide interpolated data to develop maps that depict soil lead contamination in relation to population density and land use. RESULTS: The mean soil lead concentration in La Oroya Antigua was 3574 ppm, 3129 ppm in La Oroya Nueva, 1477 ppm in Santa Rosa de Sacco, and 854 ppm in Mayupampa. The mean soil lead concentration in residential/school land was 2987 ppm, 1989 ppm in cultivable land and 2879 ppm in non-cultivable land. The mean soil lead concentration decreased exponentially with distance from metallurgic facilities. GIS mapping showed that 85% of land surveyed and 67% of land with the highest population density exceeded the EPA hazard level. The areas at highest risk were located around the metallurgic facilities, and followed a SW direction. CONCLUSIONS: The probability map shows that populations near the metallurgic facilities are at highest risk for lead exposure. Yet, the risk extends well beyond this region following an elliptical shape in the SW direction. Thus, lead mitigation efforts may require a broader scope than initially thought. Supported by: University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Medical Student Enrichment Program. Disclosure: Dr. Kannan has nothing to disclose.
Energetics of peptide and protein binding to lipid membranes.

In every living cell, the lipid bilayer membrane is the ultimate boundary between the contents of the cell and the rest of universe. A single breach in this critical barrier is lethal. For this reason, the bilayer’s permeability barrier is the point of attack of many offensive and defensive molecules, including peptides and proteins. Depending on one’s perspective, these pore-forming molecules might be called toxins, venoms, antibiotics or host defense molecules and they can function by many different mechanisms, but they share one feature in common: they must bind to membranes to exert their effects. The thermodynamic and structural principles of polypeptide-membrane interactions are described in this chapter.
The Impact of Engineering Constraints on the Feasibility of Advanced Fuel Fusion Reactors

The consequences are assessed of a common set of engineering constraints on the characteristics of fusion reactors that employ deuterium-tritium (D-T), advanced, and exotic fusion fuel cycles. A set of uniform assumptions is made regarding blanket costs, wall loading limits, fusion power density limits, radiofrequency technologies, etc. From these common constraints, the regimes of ion number density, ion kinetic temperature, and plasma stability index ..beta.., which lead to attractive fusion reactors, are found. It is demonstrated that if tokamaks are restricted to values of ..beta.. about0.20. It is found that the charged particle or ''neutronfree'' reactions such as p-/sup 6/Li, even if ignitible, are inconsistent with engineering constraints, even at ..beta.. = 1.0, because of their low reactivity. As expected, the D-T reaction allows the widest range of operating parameters because of its high reactivity. However, it can be used only with difficulty at high values of ..beta.. because of wall loading limitations. Finally, the limitations imposed by electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) of the plasma are examined. It is foundmore » that the cutoff density implied by ECRH (above which radiation is reflected from the plasma) places a serious additional constraint on the accessible operating regime of some advanced fuel fusion reactors.« less
Increased prevalence of androgen deficiency in endurance-trained male runners across the life span.

Increased levels of physical activity are associated with many positive health outcomes in men including reproductive health as recently reported by Vieira et al. [1] in The Aging Male. However, th...
First spine surgery utilizing real-time image-guided robotic assistance.

Robotics in spinal surgery has significant potential benefits for both surgeons and patients, including reduced surgeon fatigue, improved screw accuracy, decreased radiation exposure, greater optio...
Immigrant Exclusion and Insecurity in Africa: Coethnic Strangers

1. Introduction 2. Immigrants and their leaders 3. Immigrant exclusion from host societies 4. Alternative explanations 5. Mass immigrant expulsions in Africa 6. Conclusion Appendices.
Integration of Palliative Care and Infection Management at the End of Life in U.S. Nursing Homes

Abstract Context Infections in nursing home (NH) residents are often terminal illnesses. Integration of palliative care (PC) and infection management (IM) is a new concept that can help reduce burdensome treatments and improve quality of care for NH residents at the end of life. Objectives To develop measures of integration, describe the integration in U.S. NHs, and examine predictors of integration. Methods A nationally representative sample of NHs was surveyed. An instrument to measure integration was tested using factor analyses. Descriptive analyses of each integration factor were conducted, construct validity was examined using correlations between the integration factors and validated measures of PC and IM, and multivariable linear regression models were developed to identify NH characteristics associated with integration. Results A total of 892 NH surveys were returned (49% response rate), 859 with complete data. Three integration factors were identified: patient involvement in care planning (Involvement), formalized advance care planning (Advance Care Planning), and routine practices of integration (Routine Practices). The highest level of integration in NHs was reported for Involvement (mean (μ) = 73.2, standard error [SE] = 1.57), with lower rates for Advance Care Planning and Routine Practices (respectively, μ = 34.1, SE = 1.05; μ = 31.4, SE = 1.48). Each integration measure was weakly, positively associated with the PC and IM measures (r ≤ 0.25, P ≤ 0.01). There were few associations between NH characteristics and integration. Conclusion Integration is a distinct concept that is associated with, but different from, PC and IM. Results serve as a baseline assessment of integration in NHs. Continued refinement of the integration instrument is recommended, as is studying if higher integration leads to better resident outcomes.