cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Isophthalato-based 2D coordination polymers of Eu(III), Gd(III), and Tb(III): enhancement of the terbium-centered luminescence through thiophene derivatization.

We present here the first examples of lanthanide ion complexes with only isophthalic acid or thiophenylisophthalic acid ligands. The complexes of isophthalic acid with Eu3+ (1) and Tb3+ (2) and the moderately soluble complexes of 5-thiophen-3-ylisophthalate with Eu3+ (3), Gd3+ (4), and Tb3+ (5) were isolated as single crystals through gel crystallization. X-ray diffraction studies confirm the cross-linking structure of these complexes, which, in case of the thiophenyl derivatives, results in low solubility in common solvents. The two-dimensional isophthalato complex of Eu3+ (1) crystallizes in the C2/c space group, with a = 22.154(4), b = 12.649(3), and c = 15.921(3) A, β = 112.34(3)°, and V = 4126.7(14) A3, while the one-dimensional Tb3+ complex of the same ligand, 2, crystallizes in the space group P21/c with a = 11.921(2), b = 10.838(2), and c = 17.499(4) A, β = 92.44(3)°, and V = 2258.9(8) A3. The thiophenylisophthalato complexes of Eu3+ (3) and Gd3+ (4) are two-dimensional and crystallize in the P2/n...
A strain-rate and temperature dependent constitutive model for BCC metals incorporating non-Schmid effects: Application to tantalum–tungsten alloys

Abstract In this work, we present a multiscale physically based constitutive law for predicting the mechanical response and texture evolution of body-centered cubic (BCC) metals as a function of strain-rate and temperature. In the model, deformation of individual single crystals results not only from the resolved shear stress along the direction of slip (Schmid law) but also from shear stresses resolved along directions orthogonal to the slip direction as well as the three normal stress components (non-Schmid effects). We account for coupled Schmid and non-Schmid effects through the modification of the resolved shear stress for both 1 / 2 〈 1 1 ¯ 1 〉 { 1 1 0 } and 1 / 2 〈 1 1 1 ¯ 〉 { 1 1 2 } slip systems and the modification of the slip resistance for 1 / 2 〈 1 1 1 ¯ 〉 { 1 1 2 } slip systems. The single crystal model is implemented into a self-consistent homogenization scheme containing a hardening law for crystallographic slip. The hardening law is based on the evolution of dislocation densities that incorporates strain-rate and temperature effects through the Peierls stress, thermally activated recovery, dislocation substructure formation and dislocation interactions. The polycrystal model is calibrated and validated using a set of mechanical and texture data collected on a tantalum–tungsten alloy, Ta–10W, at temperatures ranging from 298 K to 673 K and strain-rates from 10−3 s−1 to 2400 s−1. We show the model effectively captures the anisotropic hardening rate and texture evolution for all data using a single set of single-crystal hardening parameters. Comparisons between predictions and measured data allow us to discuss the role of slip on { 1 1 0 } and { 1 1 2 } in determining plasticity and texture evolution in Ta–10W.
Value of Valuation: Introduction

The principal focus of this special issue of the Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management is on monetary valuation of environmental outcomes. The interest in valuation is embedded in the practice of benefit-cost analysis that has been an important practice in the water resource field since the 1930s, and is reinforced by contemporary growth in natural resource damage cases. This paper summarizes the state of the art in valuation, in physically-based alternatives to valuation, and in controversies surrounding this application of economics to water resource decision making. It also introduces the papers in this special issue.
An analysis of cercopithecoid odontometrics. II. Relations between dental dimorphism, body size dimorphism and diet.

Odontometric, dietary, and body weight data were collected for a sample of 29 cercopithecoid species. Each species was assigned to one of three diet classes (frugivore, folivore, and omnivore) , and indices were constructed to estimate the extent of sexual dimorphism in body weight, postcanine area and incisor width in each of the species. Analysis proceeded by means of the analysis of covariance with the dental dimorphism indices as the dependent variables. Body weight dimorphism was not significantly related to either measure of dental dimorphism across the sample, and an analysis by diet alone revealed that omnivores show significantly higher dental dimorphism than do either of the other two diet classes. The relationship between this result and theories of sexual subniche differentiation is discussed.
Chronic opiate use in pregnancy and newborn head circumference.

Objective The aim of the study is to evaluate whether chronic opiate use in pregnancy affects newborn head circumference (HC). Study Design All newborns from January 1, 2010, to June 30, 2012, admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit for treatment of neonatal abstinence syndrome were prospectively collected. The demographic, obstetrical, neonatal, and perinatal ultrasound data were retrospectively obtained. A gestational age-matched control was used for comparison purposes. Results Of 332 neonates admitted for the treatment of neonatal abstinence syndrome, 98 (29.5%) had a HC ≤ 10th percentile for gestational age that was significantly increased when compared with controls (p Conclusion Chronic opiate use in pregnancy appears to increase the risk for a HC ≤ 10th percentile and ≤ 3rd percentile when compared with controls. From ultrasound findings, femur and humerus lengths also appear to be shortened suggesting a possible effect on bone growth.
Analysis of global climate model experiments to elucidate past and future changes in surface insolation and warming in China

[1] Trends in climate variables and their interrelationships over China are examined using a combination of observations and global climate model simulations to elucidate the mechanism for producing an observed 1°C increase in surface temperature despite a significant decrease in surface insolation from 1950 to 2000. For the 21st century, the model simulations suggest that the downward trend in insolation is expected to continue until 2050, primarily forced by the prescribed atmospheric sulfate burden (IPCC SRES A1B). A continuous increase in surface temperature (3°C) and vapor pressure (1mb) is simulated during the 21st century. Our analysis suggests that both the past and the future warming are primarily caused by an increase in downward longwave radiation. This occurs, in part, as a result of both the lower and upper atmospheric water vapor feedbacks, triggered by the increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gases.
Size Correlation of Optical and Spectroscopic Properties for Gold Nanoparticles

While the optical and spectroscopic properties of gold nanoparticles are widely used for chemical, bioanalytical, and biomedical applications, the study of the size correlation with these properties for nanoparticles in solutions is rather limited. This paper describes the results of a systematic study of such a correlation for gold nanoparticles with diameters ranging from 10 to 100 nm in aqueous solutions. The high monodispersity of these nanoparticles permitted a meaningful correlation of the particle size with the surface plasmon (SP) resonance band properties and the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopic properties. This correlation is compared to the results from the simulation based on Mie theory. The close agreement between the experimental and the theoretical results provides insight into the validity of determining the wavelength of the SP resonance band as a measure of the particle size. The size correlation with the SERS intensity from the adsorption of 4-mercaptobenzoic acid ...
Photo-assisted removal of fuel oil hydrocarbons from wood and concrete.

A novel photo-treatment to decontaminate building structural elements polluted with fuel oil hydrocarbons as a result of spillage and/or a catastrophic flood was examined. A proof-of-concept study evaluating the photocatalytic removal of hydrocarbons (n-hexadecane and fuel oil #2) from contaminated wood (southern yellow pine) and concrete was conducted using scintillation counting (with 14C-labeled n-hexadecane) and gas chromatography. Contaminated samples were irradiated by UV or fluorescent light in the absence or presence of a photocatalyst, TiO2. As a result of the treatment, under various scenarios, up to 80–98% of the originally applied n-hexadecane was removed, within a wide range of contaminant concentrations (4–250 mg/g wood). The essential treatment time increased from 1–7 days for low concentrations to several weeks for high concentrations. Mass balance experiments showed that the only product formed from 14C-labeled n-hexadecane in detectable amounts was 14CO2. For low amounts of applied hydro...
Precursors of glycine in the nervous system: Comparison of specific activities in glycine and other amino acids after administration of [U-14C]glucose, [3,4-14C]glucose, [1-14C]glucose, [U-14C]serine or [1,5-14C]citrate to the rat

Abstract A study has been conducted to measure the transfer of label from [1- 14 C]glucose, [3,4- 14 C]glucose and [1,5- 14 C]citrate to glycine, serine and other metabolically active amino acids in the central nervous system of the rat. Our results indicate that in vivo carbon atoms for the synthesis of glycine are derived primarily, if not exclusively, via a pathway leading through serine. Within the confines of the present experiments, no evidence was obtained to permit the conclusion that the glyoxylate pathway contributes significantly to the synthesis of glycine in vivo . The patterns of 14 C-labeled amino acids formed after the injection of [ 14 C]glucose and [ 14 C]citrate are in agreement with the concept of multiple metabolic pools for amino acids and tricar☐ylic acid cycle intermediates in the central nervous system. Intracisternally administered [1,5- 14 C]citrate is metabolized within the metabolic pool which selectively labels glutamine over glutamate. The contribution of the pentose shunt to glucose metabolism in the central nervous system appears to be reflected by the accumulation of label in GABA after the injection of [3,4- 14 C]glucose.
Studies of rhodium(II) carboxylates as potential antitumor agents.

SummaryRhodium (II) acetate and rhodium (II) propionate were found to be antineoplastic agents. Both compounds inhibited DNA and RNA synthesis. The rhodium(II) propionate was also found to block de...
Ab initio static dielectric matrices from the density-functional approach. II. Calculation of the screening response in diamond, Si, Ge, and LiCl

The density-functional approach with ab initio pseudopotentials has been used to calculate the static dielectric matrices for diamond, Si, Ge, and LiCl. The dielectric matrices for a regular sample of points in the Brillouin zone are used to calculate the screening response of the crystals to external perturbations. The perturbations considered are a constant external electric field and an added point charge at various locations in the unit cell. Through these examples, the local fields in the screening are illustrated and a qualitative picture of the role of exchange and correlation (included in the local-density approximation) is obtained. Local fields in semiconductors and insulators are found both to be quantitatively important and to alter the qualitative features of the screening response.
The Ninth Circuit's Loughner Decision Neglected Medically Appropriate Treatment

In a previous issue of The Journal , I anticipated the decision of the Ninth Circuit in United States v. Loughner . The Ninth Circuit's opinion upheld the involuntary medication of Mr. Loughner under a Harper order, with awareness that he could thereby gain trial competence, and it allowed Mr. Loughner's extended commitment to Federal Medical Center (FMC)-Springfield for the purpose of rendering him trial competent. As also anticipated in that article, the Ninth Circuit did not comment on the medical appropriateness of the setting for involuntary medication of pretrial defendants or its own court order permitting the involuntary medication of Mr. Loughner in a nonmedical correctional facility. In this article, the Ninth Circuit's opinion is analyzed with respect to its potential effect on the medical appropriateness of the setting, medical versus nonmedical, for involuntary medication with antipsychotic agents of pretrial defendants. Although the likelihood of Supreme Court review of the Loughner case has been made nil by his guilty plea, this case raises an unresolved constitutional point as well as the question of whether involuntary medical treatment should be administered in a setting that is appropriate for such treatment.
Why the method of undetermined coefficients works

(1991). Why the Method of Undetermined Coefficients Works. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 98, No. 8, pp. 747-749.
Development of a colorimetric dosimeter for quality control of blood units and irradiators.

The development is reported of a reproducible colorimetric irradiation dosimeter that is easy to prepare as well as to interpret. Optimal chloroform, dithizone, and paraffin concentrations to produce a distinctive color change at > 1500 cGy (optimized for 3000 cGy) were determined by combining various concentrations of each component at 65 degrees C. The melted dosimetric material was poured into molds, allowed to solidify, and irradiated with doses ranging from 0 to 3000 cGy. Color change was evaluated visually and spectrophotometrically to determine reproducibility. Twenty-percent chloroform (wt/wt) and a dithizone concentration of 5.0 × 10(-5) M combined in paraffin (TP-2) produced optimal color change from pink to green after > 1500 cGy. The change was reproducible, and 50 individuals were able to distinguish between irradiated and nonirradiated dosimeters. Additionally, five of five of these individuals correctly ranked five dosimeters in order of increasing irradiation from 0 to 3000 cGy, in increments of 750 cGy. This dosimeter is easy to make and easy to read and may allow blood banks to show unit-by-unit quality assurance for irradiated blood components and quality control of the irradiator itself.
Role of Three‐Dimensional Echocardiography in Management of Acquired Intracardiac Shunts

Gerbode defect and sinus of Valsalva aneurysm fistula are congenital and acquired forms of intracardiac shunt. The increasing prevalence of invasive, recurrent cardiovascular procedures cause tissue damage and has led to more iatrogenic and acquired cases of predominantly congenital shunt over time. We report 2 cases of acquired intracardiac fistula precisely defined by Real time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE). The first case is a 70-year-old male with Gerbode defect after second aortic valve replacement surgery due to prosthetic valve endocarditis and the other case is a 41-year-old male with sinus of Valsalva aneurysm fistula between aorta and right atrium post subclinical infective endocarditis. Advanced cardiac imaging techniques such as cardiac computerized tomography, MRI and Real time three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography help to precisely detect intracardiac fistula and provide detailed anatomic and physiologic information. The relatively low cost, lack of radiation exposure, portability and guiding characteristic make real time 3DTEE an imaging technique with arguably the most advantages. Surgical repair is the usual treatment for intracardiac shunt, and percutaneous catheter-based closure is a less invasive alternative.
A Precipitation Climatology and Dataset Intercomparison for the Western United States

Abstract This paper presents the results of a regionalization study of the precipitation climate of the western United States using principal component analysis. Past eigen-based regionalization studies have relied on rain gauge networks, which is restrictive because rain gauge coverage is sparse, especially over complex terrain that exists in the western United States. Here, the use of alternate data products is examined by conducting a comparative regionalization using nine precipitation datasets used in hydrometeorological research. Five unique precipitation climates are identified within the western United States, which have centers and boundaries that are physically reasonable and that highlight the relationship between the precipitation climatology and local topography. Using the congruence coefficient as the measure of similarity between principal component solutions, the method is found to be generally stable across datasets. The exception is the National Centers for Environmental Prediction–Depar...
The Fine Structure Of Chondrococcus Columnaris: I. Structure and Formation of Mesosomes

When cells of C. columnaris were broken open, treated with PTA, and examined in the electron microscope, tubular structures (rhapidosomes) were present in the preparations. The rhapidosomes are approximately 300 A in diameter. Their length varies from about 500 to about 15,000 A. An axial hole which runs the length of the rhapidosomes appears to widen and narrow with a regular periodicity. End-on views of short segments of rhapidosomes revealed the presence of subunits around their outside peripheries. The results of studies of lysed cells and of sectioned cells indicate that the rhapidosomes are produced during the disintegration of cells. It seems likely that the compound membranes of the mesosomes break down to give rise to the tubular structures. The mesosomal origin of rhapidosomes is postulated only for the rhapidosomes of C. columnaris, since the origin of rhapidosomes from other organisms was not investigated during this study. The rhapidosomes of C. columnaris may be unrelated to those of S. grandis, S. myxococcoides, A. violaceum, and Sorangium 495, since there was a difference in the details of fine structure between rhapidosomes from C. columnaris and those found in the other four organisms.
Standardized ginger (Zingiber officinale) extract reduces bacterial load and suppresses acute and chronic inflammation in Mongolian gerbils infected with cagA+Helicobacter pylori

Previous investigations demonstrated that a standardized extract of ginger rhizome inhibited the growth of Helicobacter pylori in vitro with a minimum inhibitory concentration in the range 0.78 to 12.5 mug/mL. In the present work, the extract was tested in a rodent model of H. pylori-induced disease, the Mongolian gerbil, to examine the effects of the extract on both prevention and eradication of infection. The extract was administered to Mongolian gerbils at a daily dose of 100 mg/kg body weight in rations either 3 weeks prior to infection or 6 weeks post-infection. Treatment with the standardized ginger extract reduced H. pylori load as compared with controls and significantly (P<0.05) reduced both acute and chronic muscosal and submucosal inflammation, cryptitis, as well as epithelial cell degeneration and erosion induced by H. pylori. Importantly, the extract did not increase morbidity or mortality. Further investigations of the mechanism demonstrated that the ginger extract inhibited the activity of cyclooxygenase-2, with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of 8.5 mug/mL in vitro, inhibited the nuclear factor-kappaB transcriptional response in kBZ Jurkat cells (human T lymphocytes) with an IC(50) of 24.6 mug/mL, and significantly inhibited the release of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells with IC(50) values of 3.89, 7.7, 8.5, and 8.37 mug/mL, respectively. These results suggest ginger extracts may be useful for development as agents to reduce H. pylori-induced inflammation and as for gastric cancer chemoprevention.
Spontaneous clitoral hood epidermal inclusion cyst mimicking clitoromegaly in a pediatric patient.

Epidermal inclusion cysts are benign lesions that can be found in many parts of the body. They are rarely seen in the clitoral region in pediatric patients but when these are found, they are most commonly seen with a history of trauma. We report an uncommon case of a spontaneous nontraumatic epidermal inclusion cyst in the clitoral hood of a female child. This presentation mimicked clitoromegaly but was ultimately found to be a large epidermal cyst that was successfully excised surgically. We present the important pathologic findings and review the relevant literature.
The Occipital Cortex in the Blind: Lessons About Plasticity and Vision

Studying the brains of blind individuals provides a unique opportunity to investigate how the brain changes and adapts in response to afferent (input) and efferent (output) demands. We discuss evidence suggesting that regions of the brain normally associated with the processing of visual information undergo remarkable dynamic change in response to blindness. These neuroplastic changes implicate not only processing carried out by the remaining senses but also higher cognitive functions such as language and memory. A strong emphasis is placed on evidence obtained from advanced neuroimaging techniques that allow researchers to identify areas of human brain activity, as well as from lesion approaches (both reversible and irreversible) to address the functional relevance and role of these activated areas. A possible mechanism and conceptual framework for these physiological and behavioral changes is proposed.
MicroRNA-210 decreases heme levels by targeting ferrochelatase in cardiomyocytes.

BackgroundMicroRNA‐210 (miR‐210) increases in hypoxia and regulates mitochondrial respiration through modulation of iron‐sulfur cluster assembly proteins (ISCU1/2), a protein that is involved in Fe...
Contingent Commissions, Insurance Intermediaries, and Insurer Performance

This research investigates the relationship shared by contingent commission usage and insurer performance. We assess performance using both frontier efficiency and financial performance measures. Our findings reveal that the relationship is complex and varies across differing insurer business models. We find that nonusers of contingent commissions are more cost and revenue efficient than are users of contingents. However, among insurers that use contingents, relatively higher levels of use are associated with more efficient operations and also better financial performance. Additionally, these findings are conditioned on the type of distribution system the insurer employs.
Social context explains race disparities in obesity among women

Background National data do not account for race differences in health risks resulting from racial segregation or the correlation between race and socioeconomic status. Therefore, these data may inaccurately attribute differences in obesity to race rather than differing social context. The goal of this study was to investigate whether race disparities in obesity among women persist in a community of black people and white people living in the same social context with similar income. Methods Race disparities in obesity were examined among black women and white women living in the same social context with similar income, using the data from the Exploring Health Disparities in Integrated Communities-SWB (EHDIC-SWB) study, and these estimates were compared to national data (National Health Interview Survey) to determine if race disparities in obesity were attenuated among women in EHDIC-SWB. Obesity was based on participants9 self-reported height and weight. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between race and obesity. Results In the national sample, black women exhibited greater odds of being obese (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.71 to 2.32) than white women after controlling for covariates. In the EHDIC-SWB sample, black women had similar odds of being obese (OR 1.25, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.75) as compared to white women, after adjusting for covariates. Conclusions There are no race disparities in obesity among poor, urban women sharing the same social context. Developing policies that focus on modifying social aspects of the environment may reduce disparities in obesity among low-income women living in urban communities.
Microstructure and thermal stability of amorphous materials in the GeS2−La2S3 system

GeS 2 is known to be a good chalcogenide glass former with a transmission cutoff at 11 μm and has been studied for fiber optic application in the mid infrared region. The rare earth sulfides, oxysulfides, and oxides (La–Er) form reasonably good and stable glasses when mixed with chalcogenides such as Ga 2 S 3 . In this work, glass formation was studied in the GeS 2 −La 2 S 3 system. Two compositions containing 60 mol % and 92.5 mol % GeS 2 , respectively, were analyzed, and the effects of composition on the microstructure and thermal stability of these glasses were investigated. Microstructural studies were conducted on the as-prepared and heat-treated glasses using TEM and SEM/EDXA. Glasses rich in GeS 2 exhibited primary (6–88 nm) and secondary (3–13 nm) phase separation at the molecular level. Differential thermal analysis performed on these glasses indicated glass transition temperatures ( T g ) of 510 °C and 420 °C for the two compositions studied. The glasses were stable and the ( T g ) was observed to decrease with increasing contents of GeS 2 in these glasses.
Asymptotic Properties of Extended Kalman Filters for a Class of Nonlinear Systems

We study the closed-loop behavior of the ex-tended Kalman filter for a class of deterministic nonlinear systems that are transformable to the special normal form with linear internal dynamics. We argue that the closed-loop system is asymptotically stable and the estimation error exponentially converges to zero. We compare the performance of the extended Kalman filter to a high-gain observer through the use of numerical examples.
Using passtones instead of passwords

As computers progressively dominate our everyday lives, the issue of security becomes increasingly more important. Every electronic account opened has a user name and password attached to it. Usually the password assigned is an arbitrary, random number given by the entity that issues the account. That means the more accounts we have, e.g. e-mail, bank account, office intranets, etc., the more passwords we must remember. Each of these passwords is an alphanumeric sequence. Since it is also recommended that we change passwords every three to six months, it could rapidly become burdensome to remember, not only all the passwords but which password goes with which account. In an effort to simplify the process, many computer users tend to select one generic password and apply it to all accounts. This then becomes a very high security risk since it becomes relatively simple to access all accounts once the first one has been breached.Using the concept that it is easier for the human brain to remember faces than it is to remember alphanumeric sequences; Real User developed an alternative called "Passface". This concept requires users to remember a sequence of five faces as their password rather than alphanumeric characters. Although this may be eminently suitable for the general public, it would be difficult for persons with visual disabilities to use this type of system. The goal of this research effort is to demonstrate that a similar, yet effective, concept can be implemented using sounds instead of faces.
Optimal control of population recovery – the role of economic restoration threshold

A variety of ecological systems around the world have been damaged in recent years, either by natural factors such as invasive species, storms and global change or by direct human activities such as overfishing and water pollution. Restoration of these systems to provide ecosystem services entails significant economic benefits. Thus, choosing how and when to restore in an optimal fashion is important, but has not been well studied. Here we examine a general model where population growth can be induced or accelerated by investing in active restoration. We show that the most cost-effective method to restore an ecosystem dictates investment until the population approaches an 'economic restoration threshold', a density above which the ecosystem should be left to recover naturally. Therefore, determining this threshold is a key general approach for guiding efficient restoration management, and we demonstrate how to calculate this threshold for both deterministic and stochastic ecosystems.
Weak trophic interactions and the balance of nature

Our analysis indicates that much of the lower part of the tetrapodomorph stem lineage consisted of ‘osteolepiform’ fishes. The character attributes of this part of the stem lineage can be reconstructed with precision. Parallel evolution towards the morphology of a large predator, with reduced median fins and elaborate anterior dentition, occurred at about the same time in rhizodonts, tristichopterids, and elpistostegids+tetrapods (Fig. 4). The evolution of two latter clades, having extra synapomorphies, also paralleled each other more closely. The Tetrapoda thus arose out of one of several similar evolutionary ‘experiments’ with a large aquatic predator role. Closer study of these parallel radiations should cast much new light on the ecological background to the origin of tetrapods.
Exergy analysis of flow dehumidification by solid desiccants

Abstract Equations for the temporal and spatial exergy values and changes in the humid air stream and the desiccant for flow of humid air over desiccants and in desiccant-lined channels were established, and solved based on a thorough transient conjugate numerical analysis of laminar and turbulent flow, heat, and mass transfer that yielded the full velocity, temperature, and species concentration in the humid air and the solid desiccant. The desiccant was silica gel, the Reynolds number ranged from 333 to 3333, and the turbulence intensity in the turbulent flows was varied from 1% to 10%. Some of the major findings are: (1) in laminar flow, a total of ~20% of the humid air exergy is reduced in its drying, (2) in the desiccant, practically all of the exergy reduction is due to the release of absorption heat, (3) most of the exergy reduction, following the dehumidification rates, takes place in the first 1.5 s and first centimeter, (4) for the same inlet velocity, a desiccant-lined channel is more effective for dehumidification than a flat bed, and proportionally ~20% more exergy is expended, (5) turbulent flow improves dehumidification and proportionally increases exergy expenditure by 27–30%. Conclusions from these results are drawn to increase the exergy efficiency of the process.
Numerical analysis of a comprehensive model of M-phase control in Xenopus oocyte extracts and intact embryos

To contribute to a deeper understanding of M-phase control in eukaryotic cells, we have constructed a model based on the biochemistry of M-phase promoting factor (MPF) in Xenopus oocyte extracts, where there is evidence for two positive feedback loops (MPF stimulates its own production by activating Cdc25 and inhibiting Wee1) and a negative feedback loop (MPF stimulates its own destruction by indirectly activating the ubiquitin pathway that degrades its cyclin subunit). To uncover the full dynamical possibilities of the control system, we translate the regulatory network into a set of differential equations and study these equations by graphical techniques and computer simulation. The positive feedback loops in the model account for thresholds and time lags in cyclin-induced and MPF-induced activation of MPF, and the model can be fitted quantitatively to these experimental observations. The negative feedback loop is consistent with observed time lags in MPF-induced cyclin degradation. Furthermore, our model indicates that there are two possible mechanisms for autonomous oscillations. One is driven by the positive feedback loops, resulting in phosphorylation and abrupt dephosphorylation of the Cdc2 subunit at an inhibitory tyrosine residue. These oscillations are typical of oocyte extracts. The other type is driven by the negative feedback loop, involving rapid cyclin turnover and negligible phosphorylation of the tyrosine residue of Cdc2. The early mitotic cycles of intact embryos exhibit such characteristics. In addition, by assuming that unreplicated DNA interferes with M-phase initiation by activating the phosphatases that oppose MPF in the positive feedback loops, we can simulate the effect of addition of sperm nuclei to oocyte extracts, and the lengthening of cycle times at the mid-blastula transition of intact embryos.
Measuring early childhood health and health disparities: a new approach.

Efforts to improve the health of U.S. children and reduce disparities have been hampered by lack of a rigorous way to summarize the multi-dimensional nature of children’s health. This research employed a novel statistical approach to measurement to provide an integrated, comprehensive perspective on early childhood health and disparities. Nationally-representative data (n = 8,800) came from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort. Latent class analysis was used to classify health at 48 months, incorporating health conditions, functioning, and aspects of physical, cognitive, and emotional development. Health disparities by gender, poverty, race/ethnicity, and birthweight were examined. Over half of all children were classified as healthy using multidimensional latent class methodology; others fell into one of seven less optimal health statuses. The analyses highlighted pervasive disparities in health, with poor children at increased risk of being classified into the most disadvantaged health status consisting of chronic conditions and a cluster of developmental problems including low cognitive achievement, poor social skills, and behavior problems. Children with very low birthweight had the highest rate of being in the most disadvantaged health status (25.2 %), but moderately low birthweight children were also at elevated risk (7.9 vs. 3.4 % among non-low birthweight children). Latent class analysis provides a uniquely comprehensive picture of child health and health disparities that identifies clusters of problems experienced by some groups. The findings underscore the importance of continued efforts to reduce preterm birth, and to ameliorate poverty’s effects on children’s health through access to high-quality healthcare and other services.
pSHS: a scalable parallel software implementation of Montgomery multiplication for multicore systems

Parallel programming techniques have become one of the great challenges in the transition from single-core to multi-core architectures. In this paper, we investigate the parallelization of the Montgomery multiplication, a very common and time-consuming primitive in public-key cryptography. A scalable parallel programming scheme, called pSHS, is presented to map the Montgomery multiplication to a general multicore architecture. The pSHS scheme offers a considerable speedup. Based on 2-, 4-, and 8-core systems, the speedup of a parallelized 2048-bit Montgomery multiplication is 1.98, 3.74, and 6.53, respectively. pSHS delivers stable performance, high portability, high throughput and low latency over different multicore systems. These make pSHS a good candidate for public-key software implementations, including RSA, DSA, and ECC, based on general multicore platforms. We present a detailed analysis of pSHS, and verify it on dual-core, quad-core and eight-core prototypes.
An autonomous robot photographer

We describe a complete, end-to-end system for taking well-composed photographs using a mobile robot. The general scenario is a reception, or other event, where people are roaming around talking to each other. The robot serves as an "event photographer", roaming around the same space as the participants, periodically taking photographs. These images are then sent to a workstation where participants can print the photographs out, or email them.
Bacteriocin typing of Serratia marcescens. A simplified system

The authors describe a simplified system for the detection of bacteriocin production by Serratia marcescens with the use of six indicator strains, which include Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Citrobacter diversus, Enterobacter aerogenes (two strains), and Serratia rubidaea grown on arabinose minimal medium plates. Of the 64 possible bacteriocin types, 11 were observed; 66% of the isolates tested were found to be one of three types. Occasionally more than one bacteriocin type was observed in an individual specimen; however, serotyping or antibiograms, or both, also indicated this was a different strain. The marcescin types were stable markers. With the use of this technic, different endemic strains of Serratia were shown to predominate in various areas of the hospital. In addition, when urinary tract isolates were compared with respiratory tract isolates, significant differences were found in the predominate types. The typing of these isolates by bacteriocin production was supported by serotype and antibiotype findings. The results suggest that this simple system may be a useful tool in a general hospital.
Pygmy sperm whales (Odontoceti, Kogiidae) from the Pliocene of Florida and North Carolina

We describe fossil kogiid periotics from the Lower Pliocene upper Bone Valley Formation in central Florida and the Lower to Upper Pliocene Yorktown Formation at Lee Creek Mine, North Carolina. The fossils show diagnostic characters that identify them as belonging to Kogiidae, such as three spines in the anterior process, presence of an incudal process, and a posterior process oriented along the long axis of the bone. Morphological comparisons and morphometric and statistical analyses of periotic proportions confirm the presence of a large and a small morphotype within the sample. The large morphotype (mean length = 39.76 mm) belongs to an unknown kogiid that occurs in both formations, whereas the small morphotype (mean length = 28.64 mm), referred to aff. Kogia sp., occurs only in the Yorktown Formation. The cooccurrence of two taxa in North Carolina may represent one of the earliest evidences of sympatry in kogiids and may demonstrate that this ecological behavior has been part of the natural history of this group at least since the deposition of the Yorktown Formation at Lee Creek (∼4.8–3.1 Ma). In addition, the occurrence of the large morphotype in the upper Bone Valley Formation, herein reported for the first time, shows that we are still far from understanding the diversity of marine mammals of that formation and that revision of newly acquired material is necessary.
Theoretical Study of Two Possible Side Reactions for Reductive Functionalization of 3d Metal–Methyl Complexes by Hydroxide Ion: Deprotonation and Metal–Methyl Bond Dissociation

A DFT study of two possible competitive reactions for reductive functionalization (RF) of metal–methyl complexes ([MII(diimine)2(CH3)(Cl)], MII = VII through CuII) was performed to understand the factors that lower the selectivity of C–O bond forming reactions. One of the possible side reactions is deprotonation of the methyl group, which leads to formation of a methylene complex and water. The other possible side reaction is metal–methyl bond dissociation, which was assessed by calculating the bond dissociation free energies of M–CH3 bonds. Deprotonation was found to be competitive kinetically for most of the first-row transition-metal–methyl complexes (except for CrII, MnII, and CuII) but less favorable thermodynamically in comparison to reductive functionalization for all of the studied first-row transition metals. Metal–carbon bond dissociation was found to be less favorable than the RF reactions for most 3d transition-metal complexes studied. Therefore, this study suggests that Earth-abundant catalys...
Santa Anna and the Abortive Anti-Federalist Revolt of 1833 in Mexico

Historians are familiar with the short-lived alliance between General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and the Mexican Federalists that was formed in July 1832 and lasted until April 1834. After achieving its goal of overthrowing the centralist regime of Anastasio Bustamante, the alliance led to the exercise of power by Santa Anna's Federalist vice president, Valentin Gomez Farias, in April 1833, and it disintegrated a year later when Santa Anna returned to Mexico City from his hacienda to seize personal control of the government. By April 1834 the army officer corps and the ecclesiastical hierarchy had become incensed at the Federalists' anti-military and anti-clerical reform program and were demanding the ouster of Gomez Farias and the dissolution of Congress. Members of the proprietary class of central Mexico and a considerable portion of the masses, who had been incited by the clergy, also joined the clamor against the Federalists. One of the factors that contributed to Santa Anna's extraordinary success as a politician was his shrewd sense of timing. In this case, it is well known that he turned against the Federalists when opposition to them from important sectors of the population became widespread and heated. What is not so well known is that, in the absence of such broad opposition, he chose to suppress an anti-Federalist revolt of senior army officers that broke out in May 1833. He did so even though the rebels offered to make him “supreme chief of the nation” if he adhered to their movement. Just as an understanding of Santa Anna's decision to break openly with the Federalists in April 1834 provides important insights regarding his political methods and goals, an assessment of his decision not to do so eleven months earlier in May 1833 can shed additional light on the tactics and objectives that helped to make him the most formidable political figure in Mexico during the post-independence period. Accordingly, this article will analyze the reasons for Santa Anna's decision not to support the anti-Federalist revolt of 1833.
Race and Life-Cycle Effects on Home Ownership in Los Angeles 1970 to 1980:

To better understand the significance of employing group-specific data versus aggregate information in assessing the impacts of housing policies, we use multivariate regression analysis to examine the determinants of home ownership and to isolate the source of observed racial differences for black married couples and white married couples in the Los Angeles metropolitan area in 1970 and 1980. The results indicate (1) a systematic racial difference in life-cycle stage that effects home ownership, (2) a much lower probability of blacks becoming homeowners, and, worse, (3) a possible widening of the black/white home ownership gap. Discrimination is posited as the most likely explanation for continued blocked access to home ownership for blacks.
Polyphenolic constituents of Actaea racemosa.

A new lignan, actaealactone (1), and a new phenylpropanoid ester derivative, cimicifugic acid G (2), together with 15 known polyphenols, protocatechuic acid, protocatechualdehyde, p-coumaric acid, ...
Effects of Several Factors on Tissue Cultured Shoot Proliferation and Growth of Camellia oleifera

The tissue cultured shoots of‘Cenruan 2'were used as research materials to observe effects of casein hydrolysate(CH),ascorbic acid(Vc) and light conditions on tissue cultured shoots proliferation and growth of Camellia oleifera. The results showed that when casein hydrolysate 200 mg /L or 300mg / L was added into modified subculture medium(MS + BA2 mg /L + NAA0. 2 mg /L),the proliferation coefficient was 5. 1. Adding ascorbic acid 20 mg /L could effectively reduced the browning rate. In 2 000～ 3 000 lx for 10 ds,and then in 3 000 ～ 5 000 lx for 20ds,it was the optimal light conditions for subculture,with effective shoots reaching 23 strain /bottle.
Numerical Simulation of Dam Deformation with ε-SVR

Under the condition of the short effective observation sequence which is related to the short operation period of new hydro-junction,dam danger control and reinforcement as well as the instability of dam monitoring system,and for the effective monitoring and forecasting of dam deformation,the method of support vector regression based on insensitive loss function (e-SVR) is used for the numerical stimulation of dam deformation. The support vector regression and the sequential minimal optimization algorithm are used for the characteristic factors selection of the dam horizontal displacement. The main components,such as water pressure,temperature and aging are divided and their effects on dam deformation are analyzed after the simulation model is set up. The numerical simulation method has been used for practical construction,and the simulation results show that the model can be built with a small quantity of support vectors and the method is stable in fitting and accurate in forecasting. So the e-SVR model can be widely used for short-term data analysis for dams.
Analysis on folic acid usage status of pregnancy women in Sichuan province and rural-urban differences

Objective To investigate folic acid usage status of pregnancy women in Sichuan province and urbanrural differences,to explore the key and difficult points during the process of popularizing folic acid usage,to provide reference for birth defects in primary prevention. Methods Six cities in Sichuan( Chengdu,Neijiang,Leshan, Nanchong,Meishan and Zigong) were randomized selected,1 200 pregnant women in maternal and child health care institutions and family planning service institutions in these cities were investigated. Results 1 200 questionnaires were investigated( 600 for urban areas and 600 for rural areas),1 179 effective questionnaires were collected with recovery rate of 98. 25%. In 1 179 pregnant women,1 015 cases had taken folic acid,only 31. 14% had taken folic acid before pregnancy. 920 cases( 78. 05%) insisted on taking folic acid every day,the rate in urban areas was higher than that in rural areas( P 0. 05). Influencing factors of folic acid usage for both urban and rural areas include: whether pregnancy was intended,cognition of effects of folic acid and recommendation from doctors; Influencing factors of folic acid usage for urban areas include: age,the family per capita monthly income( P 0. 05); Influencing factors of folic acid usage for urban areas include: awareness of distribution location of folic acid( P 0. 05). Conclusion The rate of folic acid taking need to be improved,the health sectors need to make efforts to intensify propaganda implementation and enhance the awareness of folic acid taking of pregnant women according to characteristics of urban- rural differences.
Relationship of leukemia in children to abdominal irradiation of mothers during pregnancy.

Summary 1. The frequency of x-ray examination of the abdomen during pregnancy in the mothers of a group of children who died of leukemia is compared with the frequency of such examination in the mothers of a control group of children. 2. Among 77 mothers of children who died of leukemia, prenatal abdominal x-ray examination was carried out in 4, an incidence of 5.2 per cent. Among the 156 controls, abdominal x-ray examination was carried out in 11 , an incidence of 7.1 per cent. 3. These figures neither prove nor disprove a relation between x-ray examination of the abdomen during pregnancy and the subsequent development of leukemia in the child. 4. It is concluded that x-ray examination should continue to be performed during pregnancy in those cases in which clinical examination determines the need for it.
Professional Help-Seeking for Adolescent Dating Violence in the Rural South: The Role of Social Support and Informal Help-Seeking

Structural equation modeling with three waves of data was used to assess a mediation model investigating the relationship between perceived social support, informal help-seeking intentions, and professional help-seeking intentions in the context of adolescent dating violence. The sample included 589 adolescents from a rural, southern county who participated in a longitudinal study of teen dating violence victimization and perpetration. Results suggest that informal help-seeking intentions are an important link between perceived social support and professional help-seeking intentions. Findings highlight the importance of informal help-seeking and informal help-giving in fostering professional help-seeking for adolescent victims and perpetrators of dating violence.