cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular epidemiology of drug resistance genes and carbapenem resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in rural well water

Objective: To analyze molecular epidemiological characteristics of drug resistance genes and carbapenem resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) in rural well water. Methods: According to Citation of Natural Mineral Water Inspection (GB 8538-2016), a total of 112 well water samples were tested in Juye county of Shandong province, and PFGE and drug susceptibility test were conducted for the identified PA strains. After PCR identification of carbapenem resistance genes, S1-PFGE and Southern blotting were used to determine the location of drug resistance genes, and combined experiments were used to determine gene transferability. Results: The detection rate of PA in rural well water samples in Juye county of Shandong province was 54.46% (61/112). The 61 strains could be divided into 56 PFGE types. There were 2 strains with 100.00% consistent band types, and there was no obvious predominant band type. The results of drug susceptibility experiments showed that 93.44% (57/61) were multi-drug resistant strains, and there were 2 strains carrying blaVIM-2, both of which were located on the plasmid, and both of them were transferred horizontally with the plasmid. Conclusion: PA carrying carbapenem resistance genes was detected in well water of rural communities in Juye country, and there is the possibility of horizontal transmission of such resistance genes.
A Modified Three-Port Bidirectional LLC Resonant Converter for Renewable Power Systems

This paper proposes a new three-port bidirectional LLC resonant converter that interfaces with one PV panel and one battery energy storage system (BESS). The topology is a combination of a boost circuit and a half-bridge LLC circuit with five active switches on the primary side and a full-bridge rectifier composed of four switches on the secondary side. This topology allows the two sources to share the same resonant tank for transferring energy to the load and allows to store the extra energy from the load back into the battery without additional circuit components. In the forward operation, a phase-shift pulse width modulation (PWM) control is employed to implement independent maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for PV panel and the converter voltage gain is controlled by varying the switching frequency as in a traditional LLC resonant converter. In the backward operation, the switching frequency is fixed at resonant frequency. A simulation study was carried out in LTspice software to validate the operating principles of the proposed topology. The PV input voltage range is selected to be 25 V to 40 V and the battery nominal voltage is 50 V with an output voltage regulated at 200 V DC.
An overview of the large marine ecosystem programs at work in Africa today

Abstract This paper highlights the efforts of four African Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) (Agulhas and Somali, Benguela, Canary and Guinea Current LME) Programs, which are in various stages of implementation across the continent are making in adapting and integrating the LME approach into diagnostic and strategic documents required by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and using these documents to restore and manage the LMEs. The African LMEs are some of the most productive in the world and are shared by 33 coastal states and 600 million people. The total economic value of environmental goods and services from these LMEs is estimated at US$139 billion per year; while the total production of capture fisheries in 2013 was 5698 million tonnes. Countries sharing each LME have adopted a phased approach and systematic process in applying the LME approach. Strategically important advancements are being made by the Programs in regional policy and institutional harmonization, science and capacity building through the implementation of science projects, the conduct of environmental monitoring and offshore research cruises; economic valuation of the goods and services in the respective LMEs and training scientists and technicians on the key transboundary concerns. The Benguela Current Commission, the world’s first LME-based institution was established by treaty and is functional. Institutional arrangements also exist for the GCLME and ASCLME. While limited in scope, the outputs serve to sensitize, engender confidence, strengthen capacity and empower stakeholders about the importance of the LMEs and the need to promote coordinated and integrated approach in their management.
Quantitative evaluation of models for solvent-based, on-column focusing in liquid chromatography.

On-column focusing or preconcentration is a well-known approach to increase concentration sensitivity by generating transient conditions during the injection that result in high solute retention. Preconcentration results from two phenomena: (1) solutes are retained as they enter the column. Their velocities are k′-dependent and lower than the mobile phase velocity and (2) zones are compressed due to the step-gradient resulting from the higher elution strength mobile phase passing through the solute zones. Several workers have derived the result that the ratio of the eluted zone width (in time) to the injected time width is the ratio k2/k1, where k1 is the retention factor of a solute in the sample solvent and k2 is the retention factor in the mobile phase (isocratic). Mills et al. proposed a different factor. To date, neither of the models has been adequately tested. The goal of this work was to evaluate quantitatively these two models. We used n-alkyl esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (parabens) as solutes. By making large injections to create obvious volume overload, we could measure accurately the ratio of widths (eluted/injected) over a range of values of k1 and k2. The Mills et al. model does not fit the data. The data are in general agreement with the factor k2/k1, but focusing is about 10% better than the prediction. We attribute the extra focusing to the fact that the second, compression, phenomenon provides a narrower zone than that expected for the passage of a step gradient through the zone.
Chemical Senses: Olfaction and Gustation

This chapter focuses on the chemical senses of olfaction and gustation. Olfaction and gustation have served two vital purposes in vertebrates— namely, nutrition and communication for reproduction, identification of food, and for identification of members of their own species, during the evolution of species. These two senses monitor intake of food and the air breathed. The sense of taste warns about poisonous food and aids in selection of food and regulation of the intake of food in general. Taste pathways have connections with parts of the brain that controls hunger and satiation. Humans mostly associate the smell and taste of food with the pleasures of eating. Enjoyment of the scent of flowers and perfumes is an obvious consequence of olfaction in humans. Olfaction is used by many animals for identification of members of their own species as well as for identification of other species, in a similar way as humans use visual recognition of faces for identification of other humans. The ascending neural pathways of gustation and olfaction have no distinct classical and nonclassical pathways as do hearing, somesthesia, and vision; although the sensory cells in the vomeronasal organ, also known as Jacobson's organ, project to a separate olfactory pathway that may be regarded as a nonclassical pathway, similar to the nonclassical pathways in the other sensory systems. The sensory cells in the vomeronasal organ that detect pheromones are odor specialists and each receptor responds only to one chemical. Discrimination among different pheromones, therefore, requires less central processing than what is needed as the basis for discrimination of odors.
Substantiation of Sexual Abuse Charges When Parents Dispute Custody or Visitation

Recent news reports have implied that charges of sexual child abuse during parental separation or divorce are often deliberately falsified. Such a conclusion could be harmful if it biased practitioners faced with such allegations in clinical practice. To investigate this concern, sexual abuse cases in a hospital-based consecutive series and in one author's clinical practice were reviewed. Abuse allegations with and without a concomitant custody or visitation dispute were compared. A custody or visitation dispute occurred in 12 (39%) of 31 sexual abuse complaints lodged against a parent. Allegedly abused children whose parents contested custody or visitation were significantly younger than those for whom custody or visitation was not an issue (5.4 v 7.8 years, P = .02). Sexual abuse allegations were substantiated less frequently when there was concomitant parental conflict (67% v 95%, nonsignificant) but were nevertheless substantiated more than half of the time.
Accuracy and efficiency of novice nurse practitioners using personal digital assistants.

Purpose: To determine if using personal digital assistants (PDAs) increased accuracy and efficiency of clinical decisions made by novice nurse practitioners (NPs). Design: Experimental with a repeated measures design. Methods: The study sample included 40 novice NPs. Data were collected from December 2003 to March 2004 following a stratified random assignment of the subjects to a textbook or PDA group. Participants identified appropriate laboratory value assessments, diagnosis, and medication decisions using the assigned resources when given two randomly administered clinical scenarios. Accuracy was determined by the correct response score to each clinical question. The completion of the scenario was timed by the investigator. Length of time necessary to answer each part of the scenario determined efficiency. Data analysis included mixed design repeated measures analysis of variance. Findings: There was a significant interaction and difference in accuracy in the laboratory analysis section of the case scenarios (F(1,38) = 21.256, p≤ .001) in the PDA group when compared with the textbook group. There were no differences in accuracy by section. In three of six efficiency variables measured, the PDA users were significantly more efficient. Conclusions: In both laboratory values and one of the treatment sections, the PDA users were more efficient in determining an answer to the clinical questions. Accuracy of PDA users was equal to textbook users. Clinical Relevance: The findings lend support to benefits for novice practitioners using PDAs when evaluating clinical situations, both in accessing certain correct information and doing this in a timely manner.
Reduced Scaling Electron Correlation Methods

We give a detailed description of recent developments in reduced scaling ab initio methods for treating electron correlation in atoms and molecules. Since configuration interaction (CI) is the simplest electron correlation method, it is introduced first and used as a context to describe the familiar local correlation and pseudospectral approximations. The article then goes on to discuss the application of these approximations to Moller–Plesset perturbation theories. We use the context of Moller–Plesset perturbation theories to introduce the use of integral-direct techniques in electron correlation. These techniques are of particular importance as they eliminate major storage bottlenecks and pave the way for the treatment of ever larger systems. As such, we give step-by-step descriptions of the simplest integral-direct algorithms. We discuss the particular usefulness of integral-direct methods when the local correlation approximation is employed and how the combination of these two approaches can yield linear scaling electron correlation methods. Additionally, we describe some newly developed Moller–Plesset approaches based upon the direct use of highly localized atomic orbitals (AO) that exploit the same physical concepts as in the canonical approaches. The article concludes with a description of coupled cluster (CC) methods that take advantage of the full range of techniques described in the discussions of configuration interaction and Moller–Plesset theories. To enhance the accessibility of the article, the underlying theories behind the various ab initio electron correlation methods are described briefly prior to describing the reduced scaling versions of the methods. Keywords: reduced scaling; electron correlation; local correlation; pseudospectral approximation; integral direct; configuration interaction; Moller–Plesset; coupled cluster
Evaluation of analytical methods for the determination of moisture, crude protein, crude fat, and crude fiber in distillers dried grains with solubles

A number of analytical methods for constituents commonly measured in distillers dried grains (DDG) are practiced in laboratories serving the agricultural sector. A large interlaboratory variability among results has been observed in the industry. Methods for moisture, crude fat, and crude fiber are empirical, thus part of this variability can be attributed to the use of different methods of analysis. A study was organized and supported by the American Feed Industry Association, the Renewable Fuels Association, and the National Corn Grain Association to evaluate the efficacy, applicability, and the intralaboratory variation of a number of methods for moisture, crude protein, crude fat, and crude fiber in DDG with solubles (DDGS). The moisture methods included in the study are AOAC 930.15, AOAC 934.01, AOAC 935.29, AOAC 2003.06, and National Forage Testing Association (NFTA) 2.2.2.5; the crude protein methods studied are AOAC 990.03 and AOAC 2001.13; the crude fat methods studied are AOAC 945.16, AOAC 954.02, AOAC 2003.05, and AOAC 2006.06; and the crude fiber methods studied are AOAC 978.10 and AOCS Ba 6a-05. A second study was undertaken to assess existing interlaboratory variation of the same methods in 23 laboratories. Based on the results of these studies, the sponsoring associations established recommended reference methods for use in commercial trade of DDGS. The reference methods selected are NFTA 2.2.2.5 for moisture, AOAC 990.03 and AOAC 2001.11 for crude protein, AOAC 945.16 for crude fat, and AOAC 978.10 for crude fiber.
Real‐time centroid moment tensor determination for large earthquakes from local and regional displacement records

SUMMARY We present an algorithm to rapidly determine the moment tensor and centroid location for large earthquakes employing local and regional real-time high-rate displacement records from GPS. The algorithm extracts the coseismic offset from the displacement waveforms and uses the information to invert for the moment tensor. The Green's functions for a layered earth are obtained numerically from open source code EDGRN. To determine the centroid, multiple inversions are simultaneously performed within a grid of inversion nodes, and the node with the smallest misfit is then assigned the centroid location. We show results for two large earthquakes replayed in simulated real-time mode using recorded 1 Hz GPS displacements: the 2003 Mw 8.3 Tokachi-oki and the 2010 Mw 7.2 El Mayor-Cucapah earthquakes. We demonstrate that it is feasible to obtain accurate CMT solutions within the first 2–3 min after rupture initiation without any prior assumptions on fault characteristics, demonstrating an order of magnitude improvement in latency compared to existing seismic methods for the two earthquakes studied. This methodology is useful for rapid earthquake response, tsunami prediction and as a starting point for rapid finite fault modelling.
Exploring the lunar mantle with secondary ion mass spectrometry - A comparison of lunar picritic glass beads from the Apollo 14 and Apollo 17 sites

Results are presented from SIMS analyses of major, minor, and trace elements in lunar picritic glass beads obtained from the Apollo 14 (A-14) and Apollo 17 (A-17) landing sites. The results obtained indicate that the glasses from each site differed significantly in their Ba/Sr and light-REE/heavy-REE ratios. The differences between the A-14 and the A-17 glasses appear to be the result of a higher KREEP component in all the A-14 glasses, indicating that the mantle source of the A-14 site is intrinsically different from the A-17 mantle source.
Optimal sensor design for estimation and optimization of PDE systems

In many situations one is interested in the knowledge of the state of a PDE system on a sub-domain or region in the spatial domain. This type of problem occurs naturally when one is interested in regional control. Also, in cases when full spatial control is the goal and the feedback law has compact spatial support so that the observer need only estimate the local spatial behavior of the system. We consider a class of sensor location problems where the goal is to provide optimal zonal estimation and control for a parabolic distributed parameter system. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the approach. We observed that in many cases the optimization problem is mesh independent and lends itself to parallel and multi-grid optimization approaches.
The stimulation of cytoplasmic polyadenylylation in sea urchin eggs by ammonia

Abstract Incubation of sea urchin eggs and nucleated and enucleated merogons in sea water adjusted to pH 9 with ammonia induces an approximate doubling of the polyadenylate content of RNA. The results show poly(A) accumulation is not causally linked with cortical granule breakdown, cytokinesis, nor nuclear events of the cell cycle.
ANNUAL CYCLE OF ACTIVITY, REPRODUCTION, AND BODY MASS IN MEXICAN GROUND SQUIRRELS (SPERMOPHILUS MEXICANUS)

The striking patterns in seasonal activity and mass change exhibited by hibernating species of ground squirrels (Spermophilus) are thought to be shaped by climatic conditions and seasonal peaks of environmental productivity. I examined the annual cycle of Mexican ground squirrels (Spermophilus mexicanus )i n southeastern New Mexico to test the prediction that because of the moderate winters and summer peaks in precipitation typical of the Chihuahuan Desert, the low-latitude, desert-dwelling Mexican ground squirrel would have a longer active season, a delayed reproductive season, and reduced seasonal changes in body mass compared to species that live at higher latitudes and elevations. I found that adult Mexican ground squirrels are active for roughly 5 months of the year, which is similar to other long-season ground squirrels. Litter emergence and prehibernation fattening in adults and juveniles coincide with the summer peak in precipitation and plant productivity, occurring later in the year than in most Spermophilus. The mating season is delayed after spring emergence and is long relative to other Spermophilus, lasting 30–71 days. Similar to other ground squirrels, mass change in adults is characterized by gains before hibernation, and loss in males during the mating season. However, adult males emerge from hibernation at a very low mass and exhibit an extended period of mass gain after emergence. These findings provide support for the hypothesis that the environment is important for the evolution of annual patterns in Spermophilus.
Metabolic heat production as a measure of macrophage response to particles from orthopedic implant materials.

An in vitro method to gauge metabolic heat response of macrophages (MO) to particulates is described. Whereas the majority of work cited relies on chemical analysis to assess MO response to particles, we have used isothermal microcalorimetry (IMC) for direct continuous measurement of metabolic heat production to gauge the response. IMC is a screening method, in that it ensures that no energy-consuming phagocytic response goes undetected, and that the aggregate metabolic magnitude of the responses is determined. A four-well IMC was used in all microcalorimetric measurements. To accommodate “zero-time” monitoring of the interaction of particles and cells, a set of identical test chambers was constructed for use in the IMC. MOs were injected from outside the IMC onto particles contained in collagen or gelatin on glass coverslips at the bottom of each chamber. IMC runs were performed using MOs only, MOs and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) positive control, and MOs and clean or LPS-bound particles of either high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or cobalt–chrome alloy (CoCr). Total heat produced by the negative controls (MOs alone) was lower than for MO exposure to LPS or particles. The trend was a higher response for LPS-bound HDPE compared with clean HDPE particles, though not significant. In conclusion, our results have shown that IMC can be used to detect the heat associated with the phagocytosis of particulate materials by MOs in vitro. © 2001 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 59: 166–175, 2002
Foreign Acquisitions in Central and Eastern Europe: Outcomes of Privatization in Transitional Economies

This study of entry into Central and Eastern Europe via acquisition of privatized firms combines a traditional merger approach with consideration of host governments as critical stakeholders and th...
Expression of CD74, the Receptor for Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor, in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a multifunctional cytokine that is overexpressed in lung cancer. The MIF receptor was recently discovered and found to be the invariant chain of the HLA class II molecule, CD74. We hypothesized that the expression of this receptor-ligand pair in lung cancer is associated with the angiogenic activity and level of CXC chemokine expression in human specimens of non-small cell lung cancer. We, therefore, performed immunolocalization of CD74 and compared it with the localization of MIF in non-small cell lung cancer to determine their respective locations, as well as the relationship between the co-expression of MIF-CD74 and angiogenic CXC chemokines with tumor angiogenesis. We found intense CD74 expression by immunohistochemistry in 57 of 70 tumors with minimal to no staining in the remaining 13 tumors. Comparing the localization of CD74 with its putative ligand, MIF, we found that CD74 and MIF were co-expressed in tumors in close proximity, and that co-expression of the MIF-CD74 pair was associated with both higher levels of tumor-associated angiogenic CXC chemokines (ie, the ELR score) and greater vascularity compared with tumors in which MIF-CD74 co-expression was not present. We also found that MIF induced angiogenic CXC chemokine expression in an autocrine manner in vitro, a function that was specifically inhibited by antibodies to CD74.
Growth of CrO 2 coated single crystalline (SnO 2 ) tin oxide nanowires

Single crystalline tin oxide (SnO 2 ) nanowires have been synthesized by carbothermal reduction of SnO 2 nanopowder followed by thermal evaporation of the reduced precursor and growth via the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) growth mechanism. The nanowires are deposited on single crystalline TiO 2 substrates of orientations of (100) and (110) that are coated with a thin film and colloids of gold (Au) catalyst. After the SnO 2 nanowire growth on TiO 2 substrates, the substrates were put inside the another chemical vapor deposition (CVD) system to coat CrO 2 on the nanowires. CrO 2 coating success on SnO 2 nanowires were discussed.
Minimum Degree Conditions for Cycles Including Specified Sets of Vertices

This paper generalises the concept of vertex pancyclic graphs. We define a graph as set-pancyclic if for every set S of vertices there is a cycle of every possible length containing S. We show that if the minimum degree of a graph exceeds half its order then the graph is set-pancyclic. We define a graph as k-ordered-pancyclic if, for every set S of cardinality k and every cyclic ordering of S, there is for every possible length a cycle of that length containing S and encountering S in the specified order. We determine the best possible minimum-degree condition which guarantees that a graph is k-ordered-pancyclic.
Potential for parasite-induced biases in aquatic invertebrate population studies

Recent studies highlight the need to include estimates of detection/capture probability in population studies. This need is particularly important in studies where detection and/or capture probability is influenced by parasite-induced behavioral alterations. We assessed potential biases associated with sampling a population of the amphipod Gammarus lacustris in the presence of Polymorphus spp. acanthocephalan parasites shown to increase positive phototaxis in their amphipod hosts. We trapped G. lacustris at two water depths (benthic and surface) and compared number of captures and number of parasitized individuals at each depth. While we captured the greatest number of G. lacustris individuals in benthic traps, parasitized individuals were captured most often in surface traps. These results reflect the phototaxic movement of infected individuals from benthic locations to sunlit surface waters. We then explored the influence of varying infection rates on a simulated population held at a constant level of abundance. Simulations resulted in increasingly biased abundance estimates as infec- tion rates increased. Our results highlight the need to consider parasite-induced biases when quantifying detection and/or capture probability in studies of aquatic invertebrate populations.
The Effects of Learning, Forgetting, and Relearning on Decision Rule Performance in Multiproject Scheduling

Product development occurs in multiproject environments where preemption is often allowed so that critical projects can be addressed immediately. Because product development is characterized by time-based competition, there is pressure to make decisions quickly using heuristics methods that yield fast project completion. Preemption heuristics are needed both to choose activities for preemption and then to determine which resources to use to restart preempted activities. Past research involving preemption has ignored any completion time penalty due to the forgetting experienced by project personnel during preemption and the resulting relearning time required to regain lost proficiency. The purpose of this research is to determine the impact of learning, forgetting, and relearning (LFR) on project completion time when preemption is allowed. We present a model for the LFR cycle in multiproject development environments. We test a number of priority rules for activity scheduling, activity preemption, and resource assignment subsequent to preemption, subject to the existence of the LFR cycle, for which a single type of knowledge worker resource is assigned among multiple projects. The results of the simulation experiments clearly demonstrate that LFR effects are significant. The tests of different scheduling, preemption, and resource reassignment rules show that the choice of rule is crucial in mitigating the completion time penalty effects of the LFR cycle, while maintaining high levels of resource utilization. Specifically, the worst performing rules tested for each performance measure are those that attempt to maintain high resource utilization. The best performing rules are based on activity criticality and resource learning.
Identification of Limited English Proficient Patients in Clinical Care

Background Standardized means to identify patients likely to benefit from language assistance are needed.
Dynamic Analysis of MEMS Resonators Under Primary-Resonance Excitation

We present a dynamic analysis and simulation of electrically actuated microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) resonators under primary-resonance excitation. We use a shooting technique, perturbation techniques, and long-time integration of the equation of motion to investigate the global dynamics of the resonators. We study the dynamic pull-in instability and show various scenarios and mechanisms for its occurrence. Our results show that dynamic pull-in can occur through a saddle-node bifurcation, a period-doubling bifurcation, or homoclinic tangling, depending on factors such as the initial conditions of the device and the level of the electrostatic force.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Topography of the foveal cone mosaic in the living human eye.

Abstract Interference fringes whose spatial frequency exceeds the resolution limit form visible moirepatterns with the foveal cone mosaic. This paper describes a model of foveal cone sampling that shows how these moirepatterns depend on the spatial frequency and orientation of an interference fringe imaged on a triangular lattice of cones. The model is tested with two psychophysical experiments. The first experiment shows that the behavior of the moirepatterns is quantitatively consistent with anatomical estimates of cone spacing across the human fovea. These patterns provide a psychophysical method for measuring cone spacing within 1.75 deg of the foveal center. In some observers, cone spacing is larger in a horizontal direction than in a vertical direction at any particular location within the fovea. The second experiment shows that the behavior of the moirepatterns is consistent with the triangular packing of foveal cones observed anatomically, and allows the orientation of the cone mosaic to be determined at the foveal center. These observations demonstrate the rich information that methods based on aliasing can provide about the topography of foveal cones in the living human eye.
Biological Effect of a Magnetic Field and the Radiation Syndrome

A series of experiments on mice exposed in a homogeneous magnetic field of several thousand gauss indicated that magnetic treatment will not decrease considerably the mortality rate of mice irradiated in the lethal range. Data on lymphocyte count and body weight at various intervals during the experiments are presented graphically. (C.H.)
Effects of Cooling Rate on Contractile Function of Ventricular Myocytes Isolated from Newborn Piglets ♦ 107

Effects of Cooling Rate on Contractile Function of Ventricular Myocytes Isolated from Newborn Piglets ♦ 107
DNA Triplex Stabilization Using a Tethered Minor Groove Binding Hoechst 33258 Analogue

Tethering the Hoechst 33258 fluorophore to the 5‘-terminus of the polypyrimidine third strand of parallel-stranded DNA triplexes results in complexes with increased Tm values that vary with both the pH of the solution and the sequence of the target DNA. These pH/sequence effects are likely related to the presence of M+-G-C base triplets, which can result in either charge−charge effects involving the base triplet and the charged piperazine ring of the ligand or changes in the nature of the minor groove binding site resulting from the introduction of the N2-exocyclic amino group(s). As with DNA duplexes, sequence targets rich in A-T base pairs are most effective in taking advantage of such ligand-induced stability. A duplex sequence rich in A-T base pairs adjacent to the triple helix also appears to permit adjacent ligand binding; that is, the triplex is stabilized by the binding of the tethered minor groove ligand in an A-T rich duplex adjacent to the site of the triplex. The Hoechst ligand can be very eff...
KNaNbO 3 -LiTaO 3 -LiSbO 3 Thin Films by Pulsed Laser Deposition

Morphotropic phase boundary composition KNaNbO 3 -LiTaO 3 -LiSbO 3 (KNN-T-LS) thin films were grown by Pulsed Laser Deposition on niobium doped conductive SrTiO 3 substrates. Using X-ray diffractometry, the phase evolution, stoichiometry, and growth orientation were monitored for various deposition conditions including temperature and ambient oxygen partial pressure. The results indicate that the scattering of the cations such as potassium, sodium, and lithium by the oxygen molecules is a very critical factor in the formation of the secondary phases in the films. We repoert thin films with a good crystallinity grown at 650°C and in ambient oxygen partial pressure. On 1 micron films, a longitudinal relative permittivity of 500, along with a loss tangent of 0.5% at 1MHz has been obtained.
Systematics of Cyclanthura gen.n., a new genus of Derelomini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Cyclanthura, gen. n., is described to accommodate the following 15 new Neotropical species of Derelomini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Curculioninae): C. laticola, sp. n.; C. sphaerata, sp. n.; C. cordata, sp. n.; C. dentata, sp. n.; C. pilosa, sp. n.; C. capitulata, sp. n.; C. tenuicola, sp. n.; C. carinata, sp. n.; C. uncinata, sp. n.; C. oculata, sp. n.; C. cultrata, sp. n.; C. striata, sp. n.; C. bipartita, sp. n.; C. crepidula, sp. n.; and C. palmata, sp. n. The monophyly of Cyclanthura is indicated by the putatively synapomorphic elytral elevations and impressions, the posteriorly explanate female tergum VIII, and the posteriorly emarginate female tergum IX. These and various other characteristics - e.g.transformations in the apical region of the male median lobe - distinguish Cyclanthura from Phyllotrox Schonherr to which its species would have been assigned until now. Particular species of Cyclanthura are considered to pollinate and reproduce on the inflorescences of Araceae (Anthurium) and Cyclanthaceae (Asplundia, Carludovica, Sphaeradenia, and Cyclanthus). Several significant host plant transitions appear to have evolved within the genus. These patterns are discussed in the light of a phylogeny of the species of Cyclanthura which is based on an analysis of 22 taxa and 32 characters.
An Oxidase-Permease-based Iron Transport System in Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Its Expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Genetic studies have demonstrated that high affinity ferrous transport in Saccharomyces cerevisiae requires an oxidase (Fet3p) and a permease (Ftr1p). Using an iron-independent galactose-based expression system, we show that expression of these two genes can mediate high affinity ferrous iron transport, indicating that these two genes are not only necessary, but sufficient for high affinity iron transport. Schizosaccharomyces pombe also employ an oxidase-permease system for high affinity iron transport. The S. pombe genes, fio1+ (ferrous iron oxidase) and fip1+ (ferriferous permease), share significant similarity to FET3 and FTR1 from S. cerevisiae. Both fio1+ and fip1+ are transcriptionally regulated by iron need, and disruption of fio1+ results in a loss of high affinity iron transport. Expression of fio1+ alone in an S. cerevisiae fet3 disruption strain does not result in high affinity iron transport. This result indicates that the S. pombe ferroxidase, while functionally homologous to the S. cerevisiae ferroxidase, does not have enough similarity to interact with the S. cerevisiae permease. Simultaneous expression of both S. pombe genes, fio1+ and fip1+, in S. cerevisiae can reconstitute high affinity iron transport. These results demonstrate that the oxidase and permease are all that is required to reconstitute high affinity iron transport and suggest that such transport systems are found in other eukaryotes.
Microbial transformations of organic matter in black shales and implications for global biogeochemical cycles

Abstract The various roles that microorganisms play in transformation of organic matter in geologic environments are yet to be fully revealed. Many of these roles influence and perhaps control the composition of earth's atmosphere over geologic time by directly impacting global-scale cycling of carbon dioxide, oxygen, and methane. One example is the weathering of black shales. Exposure of organic matter-rich sedimentary rocks to oxygenated earth surface conditions results in significant changes in outcrop-scale rock geochemistry with implications for element cycling on a global scale. This article reviews the progress of ongoing research of a black shale weathering profile exposed near Clay City, Kentucky, USA. Using tools of molecular biology, microbial ecology, isotope geochemistry, and organic geochemistry, this research explores the role of microorganisms in utilization and oxidation of sedimentary organic matter and sulfide mineral oxidation, and examines the communities of microorganisms that may live in this environment. From this and related studies, we are developing greater awareness of the importance of microorganisms in transfer of organic materials among various reservoirs of the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.
Electrostatic ULV Spraying for Control of the Boll Weevil

The ULV spraying method was used in combination with charging elecirostatic spray particles in malathion application for controlling Anthonomuls grandis Boheman. Bioassay methods were used in evaluation of application method and rates when applied on cotton with both caged weevils and live weevils attached to small picks (weevilpicks) mounted on cotton plants. By using electrically charged particles and auxiliary air, incorporated with ULV sprayer system, about 90% control of boll weevil was achieved with 1.25 lb of malathion per acre. Almost equal effectiveness of control was achieved at one-half of the rate applied with the system. Removal of the electrostatic charging component of the system reduced weevil mortality by 5 to 10%. However, removal of the auxiliary air-propelled spray component of the system reduced its effectiveness by about 20%. This reduction was attributed to the increased penetration of the insecticide into the plant canopy by the use of the auxiliary air.
Factors influencing success of porcelain jacket restorations

Abstract The factors that influence the success of porcelain jacket restorations have been discussed. Some of these factors are roentgenographic examinations, proper preparation of the tooth, harmony of color, duplication of form, and proper occlusion. Methods of treating retained fractured tooth segments and irregularly positioned teeth and the development of surface highlights were described.
On the detection of mutual perturbations as proof of planets around PSR1257+12

Unambiguous detection of the consequences of mutual perturbations of the hypothesized planets about the pulsar PSR1257+12 would be unassailable proof of their existence. Nearly all of the residuals in the times of arrival (TOA) of the pulses after subtraction of the TOA predicted from the best fit constant period model are accounted for by including the effects of two orbiting planets with constant orbital parameters. The nature and magnitude of additional residuals in the TOA due to the gravitational interactions between the planets are determined by numerically calculating the TOA residuals for the orbital motion including the perturbations and subtracting the TOA residuals from analytic expressions of the orbital motion with orbital parameters fixed at averaged values. The TOA residual differences so obtained oscillate with periods comparable to the orbital periods with the oscillations varying in amplitude as a function of epoch within any given observational period. The signature of the perturbations is thus a quasiperiodic modulation of the residual differences obtained after removal of the effects of the orbital motion with best fit, constant orbital parameters. The amplitudes of this modulation reach about 10μsec for observational periods exceeding 1000 days for the minimum planetary masses with sini = 1, and they increase as 1 / sini for 1 / sini < 5, wherei is the inclination of the orbit plane to that of the sky. Greater accumulated phase differences between the effects of perturbed and unperturbed orbital motions are available in the times of zero values in the observed and predicted TOA residuals and these comprise a second signature of the perturbations. The perturbation signatures should become detectable as the observation interval approaches 1000 days.
On the Earnshaw misconjecture

La conjecture d'Earnshaw suggere que, «dans un mouvement preservant la circulation, une particule, une fois en mouvement complexe-lamellaire reste toujours en mouvement complexe-lamellaire». Critique de la validite du contre-exemple de Yih (1966). Refutation de la conjecture de Earnshaw grâce a un autre contre-exemple: on demontre l'existence d'un ecoulement stationnaire isochore dans lequel les particules sont momentanement en etat complexe-lamellaire lorsqu'elles traversent un certain plan mais ne sont pas dans cet etat de l'autre cote du plan. Methode de construction d'autres contre-exemples
Particulate nitrate measurements in rural areas of the Western United States

Abstract As part of the Western Regional Air Quality Study (WRAQS), Teflon particle filters and Nylon backup filters were used to sample fine-particle nitrate and gaseous HNO 3 over the course of 1 year at rural sites in nine western states. Observed nitrate concentrations were generally low in the southern part of the network, even when allowances are made for possible losses of particulate nitrate in sampling and analysis. Particulate nitrate concentrations were substantially higher in the northern portion of the network, both in absolute terms and relative to sulfate concentrations. Measured HNO 3 concentrations, which were inflated over ambient levels by any volatilization of particulate nitrate during sampling, never exceeded 0.5 μg m −3 at the majority of sites. Occasional episodes of very high particulate nitrate concentrations were recorded; almost 15 % of the total particulate nitrate measured during the year was contributed by the five samples, out of the nearly 1500 analyzed, in which concentrations exceeded 1.5 μg m −3 . These episodes manifested themselves not only in elevated nitrate concentrations, but in extinction coefficients and particulate mass concentrations which could not be accounted for by other measured chemical species.
Chiral benzylic carbocations: low-temperature NMR studies and theoretical calculations.

The α-chiral secondary and tertiary benzylic carbocations 19−30 were generated from the corresponding benzylic alcohols 1, 2, and 5−14 by treatment with FSO3H or FSO3H/SbF5 in SO2ClF as the solvent at −70 °C and characterized by one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. Coupling constants and NOESY measurements suggest a preferred conformation in which the α-hydrogen atom occupies the 1,3-allylic-strain position and the diastereotopic faces of the cations are differentiated by the alkyl substituent and a functional group (FG). The existence of this preferred conformation is further supported by calculations using a DFT method at the B3LYP/6-311+G** level. Quenching experiments with an arene nucleophile showed a preferential attack from the less shielded diastereotopic face delivering high diastereomeric ratios, supporting the hypothesis that these carbocations are involved as intermediates in previously studied SN1 reactions. A strong shielding effect at the benzylic carbocationic center is observed for ...
Effects of surface structure and of embedded-atom pair functionals on adatom diffusion on fcc metallic surfaces

Abstract Rates of self-diffusion on the (100) and (110) surfaces of nickel have been calculated using variational transition state theory (VTST) and four different interatomic potential energy functions based on the embedded-atom method (EAM). Static properties of a single nickel atom on the (111) surface, as well as on the (100) and (110) surfaces, are also presented. The embedded-atom pair functionals consist of effective pairwise additive and many-body cohesive interactions parameterized to the bulk and a few defect properties of nickel. VTST calculations of surface diffusion provide Arrhenius parameters and diffusion coefficients for comparison with experiment and among the four EAM potentials employed. An analysis of the estimated diffusion rates based on a hopping mechanism and the four pair functionals reveals that diffusion will occur more readily on the (111) surface and that self-diffusion on the (110) surface exhibits directional anisotropy. The diffusion rate variation from one pair functional to another is interpreted in terms of the effective pair potentials.
Sliding Contact Frictional Behavior in Sodium Environments

A study has been made of and friction phenomena associated with rubbing surfaces (primarily molybdenum) in sodium environments. Operating conditions include vacuum or argon environments and specimen temperatures from 80 to 1300 F. Sliding speeds were about one half inch per minute and contact stresses were about 100,000 psi. Sliding specimens consisted of a ball sliding on a flat rectangle. Wear and friction behavior were found to be influenced by surfaces films which were modified by the presence of liquid sodium. Contributed by the ASLE Technical Committee on Bearings and presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Lubrication Engineers held in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania. April 1961.
Triazolines VI: Evaluation of 1, 5‐diaryl‐Δ2‐1, 2, 3‐triazolines and arylidene anilines for herbicidal activity

Abstract A large number of 1, 5-diaryl-Δ 2 -1, 2, 3-triazolines and Arylidene Anilines (from which the triazolines are derived) have been examined for the first time for herbicidal activity.Although the majority of the compounds as a class showed no activity, those bearing 3 or 4 halogen substituents evinced slight activity in postemergence tests.
Evaluating remedial alternatives for an acid mine drainage stream: a model post audit

A post audit for a reactive transport model used to evaluate acid mine drainage treatment systems is presented herein. The post audit is based on a paired synoptic approach in which hydrogeochemical data are collected at low (existing conditions) and elevated (following treatment) pH. Data obtained under existing, low-pH conditions are used for calibration, and the resultant model is used to predict metal concentrations observed following treatment. Predictions for Al, As, Fe, H(+), and Pb accurately reproduce the observed reduction in dissolved concentrations afforded by the treatment system, and the information provided in regard to standard attainment is also accurate (predictions correctly indicate attainment or nonattainment of water quality standards for 19 of 25 cases). Errors associated with Cd, Cu, and Zn are attributed to misspecification of sorbent mass (precipitated Fe). In addition to these specific results, the post audit provides insight in regard to calibration and sensitivity analysis that is contrary to conventional wisdom. Steps taken during the calibration process to improve simulations of As sorption were ultimately detrimental to the predictive results, for example, and the sensitivity analysis failed to bracket observed metal concentrations.
Overview of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a disease characterized by defects in articular cartilage with involvement of the tissues about the joint. The disease is frequent in the population over the age of 40 and is a major public health problem. Development of disease is due to cartilagenous, bony, synovial, mechanical, and other factors operating independently, as well as in combination. Therapeutic programs should be an integration of physical measures, medicinal agents, psychosocial interventions, and surgery. Therapy should be directed at the pathophysiologic causes of the patients' symptoms.
First birth Caesarean section and subsequent fertility: a population-based study in the USA, 2000–2008

STUDY QUESTION Is first birth Caesarean delivery associated with a lower likelihood of subsequent childbearing when compared with first birth vaginal delivery?