cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The seasonal predictability of the Asian summer monsoon in a two-tiered forecast system

An extensive set of boreal summer seasonal hindcasts from a two tier system is compared with corresponding seasonal hindcasts from two other coupled ocean–atmosphere models for their seasonal prediction skill (for precipitation and surface temperature) of the Asian summer monsoon. The unique aspect of the two-tier system is that it is at relatively high resolution and the SST forcing is uniquely bias corrected from the multi-model averaged forecasted SST from the two coupled ocean–atmosphere models. Our analysis reveals: (a) The two-tier forecast system has seasonal prediction skill for precipitation that is comparable (over the Southeast Asian monsoon) or even higher (over the South Asian monsoon) than the coupled ocean–atmosphere. For seasonal anomalies of the surface temperature the results are more comparable across models, with all of them showing higher skill than that for precipitation. (b) Despite the improvement from the uncoupled AGCM all models in this study display a deterministic skill for seasonal precipitation anomalies over the Asian summer monsoon region to be weak. But there is useful probabilistic skill for tercile anomalies of precipitation and surface temperature that could be harvested from both the coupled and the uncoupled climate models. (c) Seasonal predictability of the South Asian summer monsoon (rainfall and temperature) does seem to stem from the remote ENSO forcing especially over the Indian monsoon region and the relatively weaker seasonal predictability in the Southeast Asian summer monsoon could be related to the comparatively weaker teleconnection with ENSO. The uncoupled AGCM with the bias corrected SST is able to leverage this teleconnection for improved seasonal prediction skill of the South Asian monsoon relative to the coupled models which display large systematic errors of the tropical SST’s.
The molecular structure and inelastic neutron scattering spectra of 2,6-Diamino-3,5-dinitropyrazine

Using solid-state density functional theory (DFT) and inelastic neutron scattering (INS), we have studied the structural and vibrational properties of the energetic material, 2,6-Diamino-3,5-dinitropyrazine (ANPZ). The molecular geometry and vibrational spectra are compared to those obtained from DMol3 calculations using the BLYP and BP functionals with the dnd numerical basis set (BLYP/dnd and BP/dnd). In most cases, good agreement was found between the calculated and experimental molecular geometries and vibrational frequencies. In particular, we find the BLYP/dnd method to be slightly superior to the BP/dnd approach for molecular vibrations.
Role of Fungi Vectored by Rice Stink Bug (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in Discoloration of Rice Kernels

Fungi, yeast, and bacteria were cultured from field-collected, discolored (pecky) rice, Oryza sativa L., kernels and from stylets and saliva of the rice stink bug, Oebalus pugnax (F.). A sterilized chrome wire was used to wound and introduce selected inocula into developing kernels on rice panicles. Typical kernel discolorations could not be induced by inoculation with bacterial or yeast isolates. When the caryopsis was wounded during inoculation, several fungi caused discoloration comparable to that of pecky kernels collected from rice fields. Fusarium oxysporum Schlect, caused the greatest discoloration followed by Cochliobolus miyabeanus (Ito & Kuribayashi) Drechsler ex Dastur, Curvularia lunata (Wakker) Boedijn, Alternaria alternate (Fr.) Keissler, and A. Padwickii (Ganguly) M. B. Ellis. Symptoms typifying classical fungal discoloration peaked 5 to 10 dafter anthesis, and classical insect damage symptoms peaked 15 dafter anthesis when rice stink bugs were caged on plants 0, 5, 10, or 15 dafter anthesis. In field tests, density of rice stink bug infestations was associated positively with incidence of discolorations historically attributed to insects and fungi. These data indicate that discolorations in pecky rice result from fungi being introduced at the time of feeding of O. pugnax by means of a loose vector relationship.
Dst model for 1995–2002

[1] The Dst index is predicted on the basis of the solar wind for the years 1995–2002 using an update of the previous Temerin and Li [2002] prediction model for Dst. The updated model is based on additional data from the years 2000–2002 corresponding to the maximum of the solar cycle and includes several large magnetic storms. For this 8-year period, the linear correlation between the model and the Dst index is 0.956, the prediction efficiency is 0.914, and the RMS error of the prediction is 6.65 nT (nanoTesla). An analysis of some of the error in the model indicates that at least 25% of the remaining error is due to the effect on the Dst index of a portion of the Sq ionospheric current system and that close to 99% of the variance of Dst index due to magnetospheric currents is predictable. An examination of 10-day intervals around the six largest magnetic storms for which there is good solar wind data shows prediction efficiencies between 0.93 and 0.98 and linear correlation coefficients between 0.96 and 0.99. It is suggested that the annual variation in the Dst index is mainly due to magnetopause and ring currents and the location of the magnetometer stations used to calculate the Dst index. The dependence of the model on the solar wind implies that magnetospheric activity depends on the solar wind approximately in proportion to the square root of the density, square of the velocity, and linearly with the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). In addition, there is strong dependence on the direction of IMF such that magnetic activity depends approximately on the sixth power of the sine of half the IMF clock angle, where the IMF clock angle is angle of the IMF in the plane perpendicular to the solar wind velocity measured from the northward direction. The model has also strong dependence on the angle between the dipole axis and the solar wind velocity which explains, in part, the seasonal dependence of magnetospheric activity. Overall, the updated model further demonstrates that the large-scale currents that affect the Dst index are well controlled by solar wind variations.
Nitrous oxide pollution from aircraft to increase by 2050

The transportation industry is not only one of the biggest sources of air pollution and a significant player in greenhouse gas–induced global warming, but, as a new study shows, the industry could also be responsible for episodes of ozone (O3 ) pollution, particularly over the United States and northern Europe. Combustion of fuel in cars, shipping vessels, and low-flying aircraft produce nitrogen oxides (NOx), which not only decrease the lifetime of greenhouse gases such as methane but also react with other molecules in the atmosphere to form tropospheric O3, another, more lethal, air pollutant. Hauglustaine and Koff used a global three-dimensional chemistry-climate model to investigate how different components of the transportation industry—cars, ships, and low-flying aircraft—would contribute to NOx pollution over the next few decades under several projected emission scenarios. They found that as road transportation stagnates or even declines due to stricter regulations and congestion, NOx emissions from cars will decrease over time. However, aircraft will increase in number and could contribute between 25% and 48% of NOx emissions, which will be most severe over the United States and Europe—two regions with the highest growth rate in commercial aviation.
Effect of Chlorpromazine on Active Transport of Amino Acids in Tetrahymena

SYNOPSIS. Low concentrations of chlorpromazine (∼0.01 mM) inhibit growth and nucleic acid synthesis in the ciliate Tetrahymena pyriformis. Brief exposure of the cells to, e.g. 0.018 mM chlorpromazine, had very little effect on 14CO2 production or on label incorporation into glycogen from [1-14C]glucetate, [6–14C]glucose, or [1-14C]leucine, but 17-h exposure of stationary phase cultures to this drug caused marked alterations in metabolism, including an almost complete loss of ability to decarboxylate L-[1-14C]leucine and L-[1-14C]tyrosine. It was shown that loss of ability to decarboxylate these amino acids results from loss of ability to transport them.
Olivine dissolution in basaltic melt

Abstract The main purpose of this work is to understand and quantify diffusive and convective olivine dissolution in basaltic melt. Crystal dissolution and growth in a magma chamber is often accompanied by the descent or ascent of the crystal in the chamber due to gravity. The motion induces convection that enhances mass transport. Such convective dissolution and growth rates have not been quantified before. MgO diffusivity in the melt (DMgO), MgO concentration of the interface melt (C0) and the effective thickness of the compositional boundary layer (δ) are necessary parameters to model the convective dissolution. Experiments of non-convective olivine dissolution in a basaltic melt were conducted at 1271–1480 °C and 0.47–1.42 GPa in a piston–cylinder apparatus. At specific temperature and pressure conditions, multiple experiments of different durations show that the interface melt reaches near-saturation within 2 min. Therefore, diffusion, not interface reaction, is the rate-controlling step for non-convective olivine dissolution in basaltic melt. The compositional profile length and olivine dissolution distance are proportional to the square root of experimental duration, consistent with diffusive dissolution. DMgO and C0 are obtained from the experimental results. DMgO displays Arrhenian dependence on temperature, but the pressure dependence is small and not resolved. C0 increases with increasing temperature and decreases with increasing pressure. Comparison with literature data shows that DMgO depends strongly on the initial melt composition, while C0 does not. δ is estimated from fluid dynamics. DMgO/δ, which characterizes the kinetic and dynamic aspects of convective crystal dissolution, is parameterized as a function of temperature, pressure, and olivine composition. Convective olivine dissolution rate in basaltic melt can be conveniently calculated from the model results. Application to convective crystal growth and xenolith digestion is discussed.
Experimental Investigation of Exotic Negative Ions in Superfluid Helium

We have constructed a new apparatus designed to study the exotic negative ions in superfluid helium-4 previously observed. Our apparatus is similar to that used by Ihas and Sanders, and by Eden and McClintock. The ions are generated from an electrical discharge in the vapor above the surface of the liquid and the mobility is measured by the time-of-flight method. We have detected eleven exotic ions with distinct mobility, and have measured their mobility as a function of temperature. In addition to the peaks in the time-of-flight signal due to the different exotic ions, there is a smoothly varying and continuous background signal. The variation of the background with field and temperature appears to be inconsistent with any explanation invoking the decay of one exotic ion into another, and supports the idea it arises from negative ions with a continuous distribution of mobility. This is a striking result because it would indicate that these ions have a continuous size distribution.
Salmonella typhi Infections in the United States, 1975–1984: Increasing Role of Foreign Travel

To explore changes in the epidemiology of typhoid fever in the United States, cases reported to the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) and typhoid case report forms submitted by state and local governments are reviewed. The incidence of typhoid fever in the United States fell from one case per 100,000 population in 1955 to 0.2 cases per 100,000 in 1966 and has since remained fairly stable. Review of case report forms for 2,666 cases of acute typhoid fever that occurred between 1975 and 1984 showed that 62%01 were imported, in contrast to only 33% during 1967-1972. The proportion of cases imported has continued to rise, reaching 69% in 1984. The major sources of the 1975-1984 cases were Mexico (39%) and India (14%). The case-fatality rate was 1.3%. Antimicrobial resistance was a minor problem, and large outbreaks were unusual. Further decline in the incidence of typhoid fever in the United States probably must await the advent of an effective vaccine with minimal adverse effects for use by travelers.
Monopoles and Fermion Number Violation

Abstract The Rubakov-Callan phenomenon is generalized to arbitrary fermion representations. The language of “instanton physics” is used to describe the phenomenon. An argument for the enhancement (in the presence of a monopole) of the violation of anomaly free low-energy symmetries like baryon number is given. The importance of gauge field configurations with half-integral winding numbers is discussed. The case of fermions in the isovector representation is calculated explicitly.
Approaches for Making Risk-Based Go/No-Go Decision for International Projects

The world economy is becoming more global due to agreements such as the “Uruguay Round” in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. The globalization of the construction industry provides tremendous opportunities for contractors to expand into new foreign markets. However, international construction involves all of the uncertainties common to domestic construction projects as well as risks specific to international transactions. Consequently, in opposition to the worldwide globalization trend, only 19% of the U.S. top 400 contractors actively seek international contracts. This paper discusses current approaches related to entry decisions into international construction markets. It then develops a comprehensive approach for making stable and systematic go/no-go decisions for international projects. Finally, a pilot study is used to demonstrate and validate the approach.
The May 1976 Friuli Earthquake (Northeastern Italy) and Interpretations of Past and Future Seismicity

(Accepted for publication June 8, 1978) ABSTRACT: Rogers, T.H. and Cluff, L.S., 1979. The May 1976 Friuli earthquake (Northeastern Italy) and interpretations of past and future seismicity. In: C.A. Whitten, R. Green and B.K. Meade (Editors), Recent Crustal Movements, 1977. Tectonophysics, 52: 521-532. The May 6, 1976 Friuli earthquake (surface wave magnitude 6.3; intensity VII—X, Mercalli—Sieberg scale) was one of the strongest earthquakes ever felt in south-central Europe. Seismologic and geologic data have indicated: (1) the fault rupture causing the earthquake most probably occurred within a fault zone striking E—NE, and dips gently N—NW under the Venetian Alps; and (2) the principal fault displacement was most probably thrust on the northward-dipping plane. In recent years, many authors have proposed plate tectonic models for the Mediterranean region. A new variation on previously proposed models is postulated to form a basis for interpreting the Friuli earthquake and other northern Italy historical earthquakes. This model postulates an “Adriatic” microplate having a norhtern boundary that, in part, extends along the NE-trending front of the Venetian Alps. Relative motion of the Adriatic microplate northward and under the European megaplate is believed to be a reasonable explanation of the Friuli earthquake. Based on known geologic and seismologic data, the northern boundary of the Adriatic microplate is interpreted to extend westward in an irregular manner through the central part of the Po Valley. Major earthquakes in the Po Valley have occurred along linear trends subparallel to the valley during the period between A.D. 1001 and 1781. These major earthquakes are possibly related to past motion of the Adriatic microplate, occurring along either microplate boundaries or intraplate zones related to movement along microplate boundaries. Future seismicity is anticipated, based on these data and interpretations, and current and future siting studies for major critical facilities in northern Italy and south-central Europe should consider these factors. For instance, in the selection of design earthquakes and the evaluation of surface-faulting potential, available geologic and seismologic data should be reevaluated. Additional investigations should be conducted to gain a greater understanding of the tectonic processes involved and their evolution as imprinted in the Late Cenozoic geologic record.
On "On what there is"

All sides in the recent debates over the Quine-Putnam Indispensability thesis presuppose Quine's criterion for determining what a discourse is ontologically committed to. I subject the criterion to scrutiny, especially in regard to the available competitor-criteria, asking what means of evaluation there are for comparing alternative criteria against each other. Finding none, the paper concludes that ontological questions, in a certain sense, are philosophically indeterminate.
Isoform-specific, calcium-regulated interaction of the synaptic vesicle proteins SV2 and synaptotagmin

Abstract The identification and functional characterization of proteins localized to synaptic vesicles has contributed significantly to our understanding of neurotransmission. Studies of synaptic vesicle protein interactions have both led to the identification of novel synaptic proteins and suggested hypotheses of protein function. Synaptic vesicle protein 2 (SV2), is an integral membrane glycoprotein present in all synaptic vesicles. There are two characterized isoforms, SV2A and SV2B. Despite their homology to transporter proteins, the function of the SV2s remains unknown. In an effort to determine SV2 function and identify cofactors required for SV2 activity, we examined the protein interactions of SV2 using a combination of cross-linking, immunoprecipitation, and recombinant protein affinity chromatography. We report that SV2 is part of a large protein complex that contains the synaptic vesicle protein synaptotagmin. The interaction between SV2 and synaptotagmin is direct, specific to SV2A, and inhibited by calcium with an EC50 of approximately 10 µM. Interaction is mediated by the cytoplasmic amino terminus of SV2A and the C2B domain of synaptotagmin. Our observations suggest a regulatory relationship between these two proteins.
Peptides Derived from the Interferon-Induced PKR Prevent Activation by HIV-1 TAR RNA

Abstract The double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) is believed to mediate cellular antiviral responses, function as a tumor suppressor, and regulate cell growth and differentiation. Its activation is dependent on double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) structures but these interactions are not fully understood. The possibility of direct interaction between dsRNA and the arginine and lysine-rich region of PKR (residues 54–74) was examined using synthetic peptides. We found that addition of a synthetic peptide corresponding to residues 54–74 of murine PKR or residues 60–80 of human PKR inhibited the autophosphorylation and activation of the kinase by either poly(I)–poly(C) or the 82-nucleotide-long TAR RNA. Gel-shift analysis indicated that the peptides disrupted the kinase–TAR complex by binding directly to TAR RNA. These findings delineate at least one dsRNA-binding domain in PKR which may be important for its cellular activation.
Deletion mapping of the long arm of chromosome 10 in glioblastoma multiforme.

Cytogenetic and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) studies have shown that loss of one entire copy of chromosome 10 is a common genetic event in glioblastoma multiforme, the most malignant glial brain tumor in humans. In a search for submicroscopic deletions, we carried out an RFLP analysis using markers that had been mapped accurately on chromosome 10 by genetic linkage analysis. We studied 30 patients of whom 15 had loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at one or more loci. In seven cases, LOH was found at every informative locus, whereas in two cases extensive deletions were observed involving both the short and long arms. In six other patients, LOH was confined to a portion of the long arm. The smallest region of overlap among these latter six deletions was flanked by markers D10S12 proximally and D10S6 distally, a 33.4 centimorgan region that maps physically near the telomere (q25.1-qter). This region will serve as an important target for future mapping experiments designed to identify a tumor suppressor gene implicated in this lethal form of human cancer. Genes Chrom Cancer 7:173–177 (1993). © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Potential for Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Mutations to Produce 2-Hydroxyglutarate Depends on Allele Specificity and Subcellular Compartmentalization

Monoallelic point mutations in cytosolic isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) and its mitochondrial homolog IDH2 can lead to elevated levels of 2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG) in multiple cancers. Here we report that cellular 2HG production from cytosolic IDH1 mutation is dependent on the activity of a retained wild-type IDH1 allele. In contrast, expression of mitochondrial IDH2 mutations led to robust 2HG production in a manner independent of wild-type mitochondrial IDH function. Among the recurrent IDH2 mutations at Arg-172 and Arg-140, IDH2 Arg-172 mutations consistently led to greater 2HG accumulation than IDH2 Arg-140 mutations, and the degree of 2HG accumulation correlated with the ability of these mutations to block cellular differentiation. Cytosolic IDH1 Arg-132 mutations, although structurally analogous to mutations at mitochondrial IDH2 Arg-172, were only able to elevate intracellular 2HG to comparable levels when an equivalent level of wild-type IDH1 was co-expressed. Consistent with 2HG production from cytosolic IDH1 being limited by substrate production from wild-type IDH1, we observed 2HG levels to increase in cancer cells harboring an endogenous monoallelic IDH1 mutation when mitochondrial IDH flux was diverted to the cytosol. Finally, expression of an IDH1 construct engineered to localize to the mitochondria rather than the cytosol resulted in greater 2HG accumulation. These data demonstrate that allelic and subcellular compartment differences can regulate the potential for IDH mutations to produce 2HG in cells. The consequences of 2HG elevation are dose-dependent, and the non-equivalent 2HG accumulation resulting from IDH1 and IDH2 mutations may underlie their differential prognosis and prevalence in various cancers.
Identification and characterization of a functional zebrafish smrt corepressor (ncor2)

The retinoic acid receptors (RARs or rars) and the thyroid hormone receptors are members of the steroid receptor superfamily that interact with their DNA response elements (for RARs: retinoic acid response elements or RAREs) in the regulatory regions of promoters in the absence of their ligand. In this ligand minus configuration, it has been suggested that the RAR provides a binding site for a corepressor (SMRT or N-CoR) that also brings in other proteins to repress the gene. In the presence of the ligand, the receptor goes through an allosteric change eliminating the corepressor binding site and providing a coactivator binding site. In this manuscript we describe the isolation of the zebrafish corepressor, smrt. We show that its association with the zebrafish rar aa is sensitive to retinoic acid and that the corepressor mRNA is present in 8 cell zebrafish embryos - a time at which the embryonic genome is not active. We suggest that this rar-corepressor complex may be part of an embryonic, epigenetic switch that keeps retinoic acid responsive genes off before retinoic becomes available to the embryo.
Atomic Level Stresses in Solids and Liquids

In condensed matter systems there are, in general, stresses at atomic level which are related to local incompatibilities. Only in perfect crystals in which all the atoms are equivalent such incompatibilities do not exist but they are present in ordered structures with non-equivalent atoms and in any disordered structure. In this paper evaluation of these stresses in the framework of the local density functional approximation, embedded atom method, and central force interactions is first described. The usefulness and physical significance of this concept in the description of the local atomic structure of liquids and glasses is then demonstrated using as examples atomistic studies of microscopic processes involved in structural relaxation and glass transition. Finally, it is argued that the concept of atomic level stresses provides a general means for describing atomistics of complex structures, both, ordered and disordered.
The DpsA Protein of Synechococcus sp. Strain PCC7942 Is a DNA-binding Hemoprotein LINKAGE OF THE Dps AND BACTERIOFERRITIN PROTEIN FAMILIES

The Dps family of proteins are a diverse group of bacterial stress-inducible polypeptides that bind DNA and likely confer resistance to peroxide damage during periods of oxidative stress and long term nutrient limitation. Some members of the Dps protein family have been shown to form large (˜150-kDa), hexameric complexes that bind chromosomal DNA with little sequence specificity. In this paper we report the nucleotide sequence of the dpsA gene from Synechococcus sp. PCC7942 encoding a cyanobacterial Dps homolog. The deduced amino acid sequence of the Synechococcus sp. DpsA protein revealed that a carboxyl-terminal domain of the protein was >60% homologous to the COOH-terminal half of bacterioferritin. Other known Dps family members lack such high similarity to the bacterioferritins. Purification and spectroscopic analysis of the Synechococcus sp. DpsA protein complex revealed that the complex contains heme and has a weak catalase activity in vitro. Activity staining of nondenaturing polyacrylamide gels showed that the protein complex comigrated with both the heme and the catalase activity, and O2 evolution measurements yielded a maximal specific activity of 1.7 μmol of H2O2 consumed/μg of protein-1 min-1. We speculate that the protein may have a peroxide-consuming mechanism located on the chromosomal DNA, and we also suggest that this activity may be a necessary feature to handle the endogenous oxidative stresses associated with oxygenic photosynthesis. Last, the evolutionary link between the Dps protein family and the bacterioferritins is discussed.
Cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum(II). Aquation equilibria and isotopic exchange of chloride ligands with free chloride and tetrachloroplatinate(II)☆

Abstract The equilibrium quotients for the first and second aquation steps of c-Pt(NH 3 ) 2 Cl 2 have been determined by a titration technique. At 25.0° C and an ionic strength of 0.318M the first and second aquation equilibrium constants are: K 1 = 3.63 ± .22 × 10 −3 M, ΔH° 1 = 3.4 kcal and K 2 = 1.11 ± .14 × 10 −4 M, AH° 2 = 10 kcal. The kinetics of isotopic exchange of chlorine was investigated in the ternary system: c-Pt(NH 3 ) 2 Cl 2 , PtCl 4 2− , Cl − . In addition to exchange via the route of aquation, a direct exchange of chloride between c-Pt (NH 3 ) 2 Cl 2 and PtCl 4 2− occurred which is described by the rate expression: R = [c-Pt(NH 3 ) 2 Cl 2 ][PtCl 4 2− ](k ac ′ + k ac ″[Cl − −1 ). At 25° C the rate constants were k ac ′ = 3.0 × 10-4 M −1 sec −1 and k ac ″ = 9.0 × 10-5 sec 1.
Entropically Influenced Reconstruction at the PBD-ox/Water Interface: The Role of Physical Cross-Linking and Rubber Elasticity

Oxidation of the surface of syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene (PBD) films with aqueous KMnO4/K2CO3 at room temperature produced PBD-ox, containing a range of oxidized functionality. When heated against water, the surface of PBD-ox became more hydrophobic, a result contrary to what would be expected if enthalpic forces dominated the reconstruction. Initially, the hydrophilicity of the surface varied reversibly as a function of temperature, reflecting reversible changes in the relative concentrations of hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups at the interface. Eventually, however, the surface remained hydrophilic against water, independent of temperature. The temperature dependence of this phenomenon suggests the importance of entropy in determining the state of minimum interfacial free energy in this system. This entropic effect is attributable to rubber elasticity arising from crystallinity in the polymer, and its loss is associated with a change in the amount and type of crystallinity.
LONG-TERM RESULTS OF COLPOCYSTOURETHROPEXY FOR PERSISTENT OR RECURRENT STRESS URINARY INCONTINENCE

AbstractPurpose: We review the long-term outcome of colpocystourethropexy for persistent or recurrent stress urinary incontinence after suspension procedure failure.Materials and Methods: Medical records and preoperative studies were reviewed of 60 patients (mean age 60.8 years) who had undergone colpocystourethropexy after at least 1 suspension procedure (range 1 to 8, mean 2.7). Patient responses to a standardized questionnaire regarding overall health, degree of satisfaction with colpocystourethropexy, presence or absence of leakage, and pattern and degree of leakage were elicited by telephone or mail and compared with preoperative status. Results were graded according to the degree of satisfaction and number of pads used daily. Patients with persistent incontinence were reevaluated with video urodynamic studies.Results: Mean interval since colpocystourethropexy was 6.9 years. Successful results (greater than 80% satisfaction and the use of 1 or no pad daily) were reported by 41 patients (69%), who wer...
A Note on Professor Fei's “Per Capita Consumption and Growth”

I. The modified CPCS model and its economic significance, 704. — II. The solution of the model, 706. — III. The equilibrium growth path, 707. — IV. Conclusion, 708.
Analysis of Critical Functionality for Meta Analogy via Performance Specification

This research defines the basis for a new quantitative approach for retrieving useful analogies for innovation based on the relevant performance characteristics of critical functions. Analogy matching is made possible by the novel incorporation of Non Uniform Rational B-spline (NURBs) based metamodels enabling the efficient representation of critical function performance. The concept of critical functionality is central to this research effort. Metamodels of the performance of critical functions, obtained from simulations, engineering models (such as bond graphs) and/or experimental data collections, will be organized into a searchable repository of innovative analogies. This approach will enable multiple analogies to be presented to the designer with a quantified match metric related to the desired performance benefit to the design. The impact of this approach for inspiring novel designs will be measured through controlled experiments measuring the impact of the analogies on the innovation of design. The ultimate research goal will be verified using MetaAnalogy via Performance Specification (MAPS) technique at both the conceptual design phase and throughout the design process. Engineering innovation is critical to meet a vast array of challenges including the grand engineering challenges of the 21st century in the form of energy and environmental solutions.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
A computational auditory scene analysis system for speech segregation and robust speech recognition

A conventional automatic speech recognizer does not perform well in the presence of multiple sound sources, while human listeners are able to segregate and recognize a signal of interest through auditory scene analysis. We present a computational auditory scene analysis system for separating and recognizing target speech in the presence of competing speech or noise. We estimate, in two stages, the ideal binary time-frequency (T-F) mask which retains the mixture in a local T-F unit if and only if the target is stronger than the interference within the unit. In the first stage, we use harmonicity to segregate the voiced portions of individual sources in each time frame based on multipitch tracking. Additionally, unvoiced portions are segmented based on an onset/offset analysis. In the second stage, speaker characteristics are used to group the T-F units across time frames. The resulting masks are used in an uncertainty decoding framework for automatic speech recognition. We evaluate our system on a speech separation challenge and show that our system yields substantial improvement over the baseline performance.
Rheumatoid-like nodules presenting as "pump bumps" in a patient without rheumatoid arthritis.

Bilateral “pump bumps” removed from the heels of a 23-year-old woman had the histologic appearance of rheumatoid nodules. The patient had no symptoms, physical signs or laboratory evidence of rheumatoid arthritis.
An experimental method for predicting plant yield response to pollution time series

Abstract The purpose of this research is to formulate an experimental method which can predict yield loss of crops grown under naturally varying sulfur dioxide concentrations. A model for simulating realistic fluctuations in SO 2 air pollution is developed. This model is used to define an experimental method, using exposure chambers, which can establish functional and probabilistical relationships between yield toss and median SO 2 concentration. This stochastic experimental design is offered as a viable alternative to traditional long-term fixed concentration experiments.
Multicolored ZnO Nanowire Architectures on Trenched Silicon Substrates

Well-tailored three-dimensional (3D) ZnO nanowire architectures have been successfully grown on Si microtrenches fabricated using nanoimprinting lithography by a low-temperature hydrothermal approach. Au nanoparticles or ZnO nanofilms were used as templates to tailor the orientation ordered nanowire growth normal to the microtrench surface. Au produced sparse nanowire growth, while ZnO seeds created densely packed growth. Optically, other than displaying a primary color when viewed from one incident angle, the 3D nanowire architecture periodically displayed multiple primary color domains covering all microtrenches and the local orientation ordered nanowire arrays. A pre-growth annealing of ZnO nanoseeds resulted in nonuniformity and non-periodic distribution of the grown nanoarchitectures and thus reduced the multicolor effect.
Deformation behavior of a rapidly solidified fine grained Al-8.5%Fe-1.2%V-1.7%Si alloy

Abstract Deformation characteristics of a rapidly solidified dispersion strengthened Al-8.5% Fe-1.2% V-1.7% Si alloy processed by planar flow casting was studied by tension testing at 25–420°C, compression testing at 25°C and hardness tests. The as-processed alloy shows non-linear elastic behavior, yield drop, low uniform and total elongation, serrated yielding, stress relaxation, flow softening and anomalous strain rate dependence of ductility. The results indicate that greater dynamic recovery due to fine grains (
Labor and Capital in the Twenty-First Century: Rereading Braverman Today

How has Harry Braverman’s book Labor and Monopoly Capital, published forty years ago, stood the test of time? In this essay I argue that it remains a vital text for understanding the capitalist labor process. But I also address three lacunae in Braverman’s book. First, it overlooked limits to deskilling, such as the challenge of standardizing services; second, Braverman refused to concede that states could provide workers with material welfare, which can protect them from the labor market; and third, Labor and Monopoly Capital’s vision of the future is unnecessarily pessimistic. Standardization and automation can degrade work, but they also generate surplus that can potentially expand human freedom. Braverman’s critical analysis of production begs an equally critical account of exchange and distribution.
MAKING MILWAUKEE FAMOUS: CULTURAL CAPITAL, URBAN IMAGE, AND THE POLITICS OF PLACE

Culture has come to perform a pivotal role in the selling of places, as competition among cities resulting from economic restructuring has heightened the significance of a city's image. Using the case of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this paper explores the relationship between a city's image and a complex reality by examining the manipulation of local cultural resources to promote dominant interests. This city's experience also demonstrates the extent to which a politics of resistance can be espoused on the basis of contested local representations of different class and racial experiences.
Peter Abrahams in the modern African world

The article advances and refines Paul Gilroy's oft‐ignored characterisation of the Black Atlantic as an ‘assemblage’ in order to return to its Deleuzean provenance whereby an assemblage expresses a flux of becoming rather than a static belonging. In the autobiographies of Peter Abrahams and Es'kia Mphahlele becoming is evidenced by a sophisticated memoric repetition of Afro‐American figures of memory, involving as they do lines of flight and, in the light of anticipated nomadic routes out of South Africa, an emerging intersubjectivity that goes beyond an imitative belonging to the Black Atlantic. Such a repetition, what Deleuze calls the third repetition, in cultural memory attests to a positively transculturative tension.
Validation of methods for determining ankle stiffness during walking using the Perturberator robot

Recently developed powered ankle prostheses are capable of providing users with biologically inspired control during walking. However, currently, the appropriate dynamic mechanical properties, or impedance, of the human ankle during walking is unknown. Before trustworthy estimates of the ankle's impedance can be obtained using the Perturberator robot, it must be thoroughly validated. In this study, the sensitivity of standing ankle impedance estimates to foot placement was investigated. Additionally, linear filters that mapped acceleration of the Perturberator motor angle to the forces caused by the robot's intrinsic impedance were determined. Lastly, impedance estimates of a prosthetic foot were obtained at four perturbation timing points during the stance phase of walking and compared to values obtained from an independent measure of prosthetic ankle stiffness. During standing, foot placement had a significant effect on ankle impedance measurements (p < 0.001). The linear filters accounted for, on average, 98% of the variance in the forces caused by a perturbation. Lastly, when the impedance of the prosthetic foot was determined during walking, there was 3% error when compared to the stiffness measured by the independent measure at the appropriate timing in stance phase. This work was a preliminary, but important step toward our goal of determining the impedance of the human ankle during walking.
Experimental Study of Organic Ligand Transport in Supercritical CO2 Fluids and Impacts to Silicate Reactivity

Abstract The interactions between water-saturated supercritical carbon dioxide, organics, and minerals are relatively unknown despite being important to carbon sequestration and enhanced hydrocarbon recovery activities. The goals of this study include verification of organic transport through scCO 2 and exploration of whether organic ligands can impact carbonate formation. An in situ near-infrared spectroscopic technique was used to probe supercritical CO 2 (scCO 2 )-organic mixtures at 35 °C and 100 bar. Observation of C-H bands in the spectra collected from scCO 2 equilibrated with a Ca-acetate solution (1.7 m ) provided direct evidence of organic partitioning into the scCO 2 phase. A series of high pressure X-ray diffraction experiments at 50 °C and 90 bar were performed to investigate how citrate (0.01-0.5 m ) affected the coupled dissolution of forsterite and precipitation of magnesium carbonates in scCO 2 . In control experiments where no citrate was present, nesquehonite (MgCO 3 ·3H 2 O) was initially produced as a metastable intermediate that was then converted to magnesite (MgCO 3 ). However, experiments with citrate promoted magnesite, rather than nesquehonite, precipitation, and at the highest concentrations reduced the extent of the carbonation reaction. This paper discusses these unique findings on organic and scCO 2 interactions that are not currently being considered in the fate and transport of CO 2 in the subsurface.
Alteration of the estrual cycle in sheep by use of progesterone and its effect upon subsequent ovulation and fertility.

Corpora lutea induced in the ovaries of sheep during the breeding season by use of pituitary gonadotropic extracts did not alter the rhythm of the estrual cycles in a uniform manner. Their next heat periods did not all occur at the same time irrespective of the stage in the estrual cycle at which the corpora lutea were produced (Casida, Dutt and Meyer, 1945). Thus, it would appear that the mechanisms for maintenance of the corpora lutea tend to be synchronized with the corpora lutea of the last heat rather than the artificially produced ones. The effect of corpora lutea on the cyclic rhythm has been demonstrated in several species. Williams and Williams (1921), Hammond (1927) and McKenzie and Terrill (1937) reported that removal of the functional corpora lutea from the ovaries of the cow and the ewe will hasten the time of onset of estrus.
Superior Vena Cava—Pulmonary Artery Anastomosis

C'est un procede interessant comme chirurgie palliative de cœur a ventricule unique et la stenose pulmonaire
Calorimetric measurement of enthalpy change in the isothermal helix–coil transition of poly(L‐ornithine) in aqueous solution

The enthalpy change associated with the isothermal pH-induced uncharged coil-to-helix transition ΔHh° in poly(L-ornithine) in 0.1 N KCl has been determnined calorimetrically to be −1530 ± 210 and −1270 ± 530 cal/mol at 10° and 25°C, respectively. Titration data provided information about the state of charge of the polymer in the calorimetric experiments, and optical rotatory dispersion data about its conformation. In order to compute ΔHh°, the observed calorimetric heat was corrected for the heat of breaking the sample cell, the heat of dilution of HCl, the heat of neutralization of the OH− ion, and the heat of ionization of the δ-amino group in the random coil. The latter was obtained from similar calorimetric measurements on poly(D,L-ornithine). Since it was discovered that poly(L-ornithine) undergoes chain cleavage at high pH, the calorimetric measurements were carried out under conditions where no degradation occurred. From the thermally induced uncharged helix–coil transition curve for poly(L-ornithine) at pH 11.68 in 0.1 N KCl in the 0°–40°C region, the transition temperature Ttr and the quantity (∂θh/∂T)Ttr have been obtained. From these values, together with the measured values of ΔHh°, the changes in the standard free energy ΔGh° and entropy ΔGh°, associated with the uncharged coil-to-helix transition at 10°C have been calculated to be −33 cal/mol and −5.3 cal/mol deg, respectively. The value of the Zimm–Bragg helix–coil stability constant σ has been calculated to be 1.4 × 10−2 and the value of s calculated to be 1.06 at 10°C, and between 0.60 and 0.92 at 25°C.
De novo Genome Assembly of the Fungal Plant Pathogen Pyrenophora semeniperda

Pyrenophora semeniperda (anamorph Drechslera campulata) is a necrotrophic fungal seed pathogen that has a wide host range within the Poaceae. One of its hosts is cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), a species exotic to the United States that has invaded natural ecosystems of the Intermountain West. As a natural pathogen of cheatgrass, P. semeniperda has potential as a biocontrol agent due to its effectiveness at killing seeds within the seed bank; however, few genetic resources exist for the fungus. Here, the genome of P. semeniperda isolate assembled from sequence reads of 454 pyrosequencing is presented. The total assembly is 32.5 Mb and includes 11,453 gene models encoding putative proteins larger than 24 amino acids. The models represent a variety of putative genes that are involved in pathogenic pathways typically found in necrotrophic fungi. In addition, extensive rearrangements, including inter- and intrachromosomal rearrangements, were found when the P. semeniperda genome was compared to P. tritici-repentis, a related fungal species.
Simultaneous multiple-V/sub dd/ scheduling and allocation for partitioned floorplan

In this paper we propose a simultaneous scheduling and allocation algorithm for voltage-partitioned multiple-V/sub dd/ design. By considering voltage partition during scheduling and allocation, we may place the resources of same voltage in one partition, thereby reducing additional power meshes. Also, the partitioned design reduces the energy dissipation of level converters by reducing cutsize between different-voltage partitions. The proposed algorithm starts from a random solution. Then, it performs scheduling and allocation simultaneously while trying to satisfy both resource and time constraints. By gradually changing the schedule and allocation, the algorithm effectively explores solution spaces to achieve low-power and better partitioning in terms of the supply voltages. Relative to the minimum single voltage design, 36% of energy saving was achieved. Also, improvements for interconnect, level-conversion energy, and voltage clusters were observed.
A Constructivist Interpretation of the Liberal Peace: The Ambiguous Case of the Spanish-American War*

This article uses the Spanish-American War, one of the only possible cases of war between democracies, to demonstrate the power of a constructivist approach for explaining the liberal peace. A 'structural idealist' argument suggests that the liberal peace must be conceived of as an 'intersubjective consensus' of the leaders and citizens of liberal states. A Gramscian perspective interprets the liberal pacific union as an effort by the United States to exercise its global leadership through an ideological hegemony rather than through coercion. US perceptions that Spain was not a liberal democracy in 1898 and US efforts to legitimate its expansionism as necessary for the spread of democracy to the island of Cuba explain how two states that appeared to share liberal characteristics could nevertheless find themselves at war. In the aftermath of the war, the contrasting experiences of the USA in the Philippines and Cuba demonstrated the utility of pursuing a liberal policy for legitimating an expansionist policy at home and abroad. US efforts to impose colonial rule in the Philippines generated opposition in the United States and an insurgent movement in the Philippines. US efforts to craft a protectorate relationship with a Cuban government chosen in US-sponsored elections, however, met with widespread support in the USA and was accepted by Cuban nationalists.
A Multidecadal Trend of Earlier Corn Planting in the Central USA

The scientific literature suggests that a trend toward earlier corn (Zea mays L.) planting has taken place over the past several decades and is largely attributed to improving technology. To substantiate this idea, analysis of two datasets were performed: (i) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) weekly crop progress data from 1979 to 2005 were analyzed to quantify trends in the date that 10, 25, 50, and 75% of corn planting had been completed across 12 Corn Belt states; (ii) National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) daily climate data were studied to understand whether springtime warming was a major contributor to any observed planting date trends. Statistical analysis suggested that the initiation of corn planting (10% planted) at the state level has become earlier (P , 0.05) by 0.3 to 0.8 d yr 21 , with a regional, weighted average of 0.48 d yr 21 earlier (P , 0.0001). The regional average planting date trends were 20.45, 20.39, and 20.37 d yr 21 for the 25, 50, and 75% planted thresholds, respectively, and all were significant (P , 0.05). Consequently, the initiation of corn planting is now averaging approximately 2 wk earlier relative to the early 1980s. Continued development of genotypes that are tolerant of suboptimal temperatures, planting equipment improvements, and adoption of time-saving management practices like conservation tillage are the more likely contributorsto earlier planting ratherthan widerangingspringtimewarming.However, it is unrealisticto expect thatthis long-term trend will continue indefinitely because early planting will ultimately be limited by frozen soils.