cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Women's representation and European green parties: unlocking the connection

Scholars of comparative politics have increasingly turned to parties to explain the variation in women's representation. However, the literature has not fully considered that green parties may prov...
Diplomacy in the 21st Century: A Brief Introduction

This book provides an introduction to the theory and practice of diplomacy and its vital role in an era of increasing international uncertainty. The work employs a distinctive "diplomatic perspective" on international relations and argues that the experience of conducting diplomacy gives rise to a set of priorities: first, the peaceful resolution of disputes; second, the avoidance of unwanted conflict; and, third, the minimization of the intensity of violent conflict where it has become unavoidable. It argues that changes in the international system require a shift in priorities from the diplomacy of problem-solving by building institutionalized cooperation, to the diplomacy of managing relationships between people. Divided into three sections, the first examines what is meant when we talk about diplomacy, why we need diplomats, and the operations of the modern diplomatic system of states. The second discusses the "three bads," about which people generally worry: bad leaders, bad media, and bad followers. The idea of "bad" is considered in terms of the moral character, professional competence, and the consequences of what people do for us. The final section discusses diplomacy and bad diplomats, reviewing what people can do to help themselves and the professionals be good diplomats. This book is intended as a primary text for courses in international diplomacy and as a supplementary text for courses on contemporary issues in international relations.
Spectral resolution of low-energy chlorophylls in Photosystem I of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 through direct excitation

We have measured fluorescence spectra from Photosystem I (PS I) on a PS II-less mutant of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 at room temperature as a function of excitation wavelength. Our data show a gradual enhancement of long-wavelength fluorescence at 710 nm as the excitation wavelength is increased from 695 to 720 nm. This verifies the presence of low-energy chlorophylls (LE Chls), antenna Chls with energy levels below that of the primary electron donor, P700. The change in fluorescence with excitation wavelength is attributed to the finite time it takes for equilibration of excitations between the bulk and LE Chls. The spectra were deconvoluted into the sum of two basis spectra, one an estimate for fluorescence from the majority or bulk Chls and the other, the LE Chls. The bulk Chl spectrum has a major peak at 688 nm and a lower amplitude vibrational band around 745 nm and is assumed independent of excitation wavelength. The LE Chl spectrum has a major peak at 710 nm, with shoulders at 725 and 760 nm. The relative amplitude of emission at the vibrational side bands increases slightly as the excitation wavelength increases. The ratio of the fluorescence yields from LE Chls to that from bulk Chls ranges from 0.3 to 1.3 for excitation wavelengths of 695 to 720 nm, respectively. These values are consistent with a model where the LE Chls are structurally close to P700 allowing for direct transfer of excitations from both the bulk and LE Chls to P700.
Functional tricuspid regurgitation: indications, techniques, and outcomes

Functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) results from asymmetric dilation of the tricuspid valve annulus. This often occurs due to right ventricular enlargement and dysfunction as a consequence of myocardial or valvular abnormalities of the left heart. Even mild TR at the time of left-sided valvular surgery may worsen postoperatively, which carries poor prognostic implications. In spite of data revealing poor outcomes associated with residual TR, surgery for functional TR remains underutilized. Surgical repair techniques for TR include placement of a rigid or semi-rigid tricuspid annular ring, which has been shown to provide superior longevity compared with suture and flexible band repair techniques. Additionally, emerging percutaneous annuloplasty techniques to correct functional TR can expand interventional treatment options to patients who would otherwise carry prohibitive operative risk.
The Antillean manatee produces broadband vocalizations with ultrasonic frequencies

Antillean manatees produce vocalizations reported to be important for communication, but their vocal behavior throughout their geographic range is poorly understood. A SoundTrap recorder (sample rates: 288/576 kHz) was deployed in Belize to record vocalizations of wild manatees in a seagrass channel and of a young rehabilitated and released manatee in a shallow lagoon. Spectral analysis revealed broadband vocalizations with frequencies up to 150 kHz and a high proportion of calls with ultrasonic components. Ultrasonic frequency components appear prevalent in their vocal repertoire and may be important to manatee communication.
And an Algorithm to Entangle them All? Social Credit, Data Driven Governance, and Legal Entanglement in Post-Law Legal Orders

This essay considers the emergence of data driven analytics and the algorithmic techniques of imposing consequences (some of it machine driven (artificial intelligence (AI) based) as defining not just new modalities of governance but reshaping the conception of spatiality within which entangled governance happens. So reshaped, these data driven governance legalities entangle with traditional modes of governance through law in what may be new and interesting ways. At its center is an examination of governance entanglement between the entangled legalities of law-norm systems and the legalities emerging from data driven systems of behavior management. The entanglement becomes more confused where one set of systems (law/regulation) continues to posit that metrics based governance is merely technique, rather than a regulatory system in its own right. The realities of emerging legalities that exceed the capacity of law to express their form requires a three dimensional analysis of entanglement and a broader view of legality, one that reconsiders data driven machine administered regulatory systems more than an enhanced form of property. The first section briefly sketches the characteristics of emerging legalities that neither embrace the form nor the language of law. The two sections that then follow examine the nature of inter-systemic entanglements when data driven governance legal orders are thrown into the already plural mix of legalities. The first is the Chinese “social credit” initiative. The second is U.S. and Western private initiatives around emerging markets for data. Each exhibits quite distinct characteristics and therefore quite different forms and qualities of entanglement that suggest a more complex fracture and inter acting among ever more different systems of legalities that are emerging in fractured political systems arranged around global trade regimes.
Characterization of a Large Volume Cadmium Zinc Telluride Preclinical PET System

This work focuses on the performance characterization of a large volume CZT preclinical PET system. Two full heads of the final four-headed box-shaped system have been constructed with each head composed of 24 CZT crystals; each crystal is of size 40 x 40 x 5 mm3. Crystals are paired to form modules with an anode-cathode-cathode-anode configuration. Each CZT crystal has 39 anode strips, and 38 electrodes. Anode strips are 100 μm wide with a 1 mm pitch and steering electrode are 400 μm wide. The cathode side of the detector module is composed of 8 strips which are 4.9 mm wide with a pitch of 5 mm. Photons enter the crystal in an "edge-on" orientation and pass through the 5x40 mm2 edge, which results in a detection efficiency equivalent to that of 2 cm of LSO scintillator. The readout of the cathode and anode strips are supported by custom front end electronics designed around a readout ASIC. This configuration has 3456 readout channels with an effective 1872 anode channels and 384 cathode channels. We have begun characterizing the energy, coincidence timing, and spatial performance of the system. Results indicate that 70% of the anode channels in the system are producing energy resolvable photopeaks with an average percent energy resolution after charge trapping correction at 11.79 % ± 3.19 %.
N-arylated oxathiazinane heterocycles are convenient synthons for 1,3-amino ethers and 1,3-amino thioethers

This communication describes a variety of nucleophilic ring openings of N-arylated oxathiazinane heterocycles. We find that this reaction is compatible with phenoxides, naphthoxides, and thiolates and allows for the rapid assembly of N-aryl-amino ethers and N-aryl-amino thioethers. Fourteen examples are shown and a mechanistic pathway is hypothesized.
Place of Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) Among Available Options for Prevention of Genetic Disorders

Although dramatic progress has been made in corrective gene therapy in recent years, prevention of genetic disorders remains the main approach. Primary preventive measures are ideally applied at the community level through prospective carrier screening for common conditions specific for each ethnic group or currently through expanding carrier screening. This section addresses the currently available preventive measures at the preconception and preimplantation stages, because if applied thereafter will involve the decision either to keep the pregnancy and confront long-term social, familial, and financial consequences that arise with a seriously affected child or to terminate a planned and wanted pregnancy.
Verifying Voter Registration Records: Part of Special Symposium on Election Sciences

This study investigates the reliability of Florida’s voter registration files through a phone survey, asking respondents to verify their records. We find 17.7% of registrants fail to verify at leas...
Plasticity as the $${\Gamma}$$ Γ -Limit of a Two-dimensional Dislocation Energy: The Critical Regime Without the Assumption of Well-Separateness

In this paper, a strain-gradient plasticity model is derived from a mesoscopic model for straight parallel edge dislocations in an infinite cylindrical crystal. The main difference to existing work is that in this work the well-separateness of dislocations is not assumed. In order to prove meaningful lower bounds, the ball construction technique, which was developed in the context of Ginzburg–Landau by Jerrard and Sandier, is adapted and modified. To overcome the difficulty of loss of rigidity on thin annuli during the ball construction a combination of combinatorial arguments and local modifications of the occurring elastic strains is presented.
Higher viral load drives infrequent SARS-CoV-2 transmission between asymptomatic residence hall roommates

ABSTRACT In 2019-2020, the COVID-19 pandemic spread to over 200 countries in less than six months. To understand the basis of this aggressive spread, it is essential to determine the transmission rate and define the factors that increase the risk of transmission. One complication is the large fraction of asymptomatic cases, particularly in young populations: these individuals have viral loads indistinguishable from symptomatic people and do transmit the SARS-CoV-2 virus, but they often go undetected. As university students living in residence halls commonly share a small living space with roommates, some schools established regular, high density testing programs to mitigate on-campus spread. In this study, we analyzed longitudinal testing data of residence hall students at the University of Colorado Boulder. We observed that students in single rooms were infected at a lower rate than students in multiple occupancy rooms. However, this was not due to high rates of transmission between roommates, which only occurred approximately 20% of the time. Since these cases were usually asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis, this provides further evidence for asymptomatic transmission. Notably, individuals who likely transmitted to their roommates had an average viral load ∼6.5 times higher than individuals who did not. Although students were moved to separate isolation rooms after diagnosis, there was no difference in time to isolation between these cases with or without transmission. This analysis argues that inter-roommate transmission occurs in a minority of cases in university residence halls and provides strong correlative evidence that viral load can be proportional to the probability of transmission.
How Efficiently Do Investors Allocate Capital to Active Mutual Funds

I show that investors misallocate a substantial amount of capital in the active mutual fund industry. To this end, I develop a novel structural identification strategy to estimate the returns to scale in active management and the time-varying fund skills. A median fund is over-allocated by $29 million, so the majority of funds are expected to underperform. The industry can host more capital, but additional capital should go to a small fraction of funds. In particular, funds with the highest skills are severely under-allocated and account for most of the missing capital. In the time-series, under-allocated funds can outperform their benchmarks for three years. My findings suggest the active mutual fund industry is not always in a frictionless rational expectations equilibrium. The disequilibrium implies the existence of profit opportunities to informed investors and thus rationalizes the popularity of active management.
First-In-Human Study in Cancer Patients Establishing the Feasibility of Oxygen Measurements in Tumors Using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance With the OxyChip.

Objective The overall objective of this clinical study was to validate an implantable oxygen sensor, called the 'OxyChip', as a clinically feasible technology that would allow individualized tumor-oxygen assessments in cancer patients prior to and during hypoxia-modification interventions such as hyperoxygen breathing. Methods Patients with any solid tumor at ≤3-cm depth from the skin-surface scheduled to undergo surgical resection (with or without neoadjuvant therapy) were considered eligible for the study. The OxyChip was implanted in the tumor and subsequently removed during standard-of-care surgery. Partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) at the implant location was assessed using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) oximetry. Results Twenty-three cancer patients underwent OxyChip implantation in their tumors. Six patients received neoadjuvant therapy while the OxyChip was implanted. Median implant duration was 30 days (range 4-128 days). Forty-five successful oxygen measurements were made in 15 patients. Baseline pO2 values were variable with overall median 15.7 mmHg (range 0.6-73.1 mmHg); 33% of the values were below 10 mmHg. After hyperoxygenation, the overall median pO2 was 31.8 mmHg (range 1.5-144.6 mmHg). In 83% of the measurements, there was a statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05) response to hyperoxygenation. Conclusions Measurement of baseline pO2 and response to hyperoxygenation using EPR oximetry with the OxyChip is clinically feasible in a variety of tumor types. Tumor oxygen at baseline differed significantly among patients. Although most tumors responded to a hyperoxygenation intervention, some were non-responders. These data demonstrated the need for individualized assessment of tumor oxygenation in the context of planned hyperoxygenation interventions to optimize clinical outcomes.
Endocrine and Metabolic

A hallmark of the prevalence of chronic inflammation in our society which drives most of our chronic disease manifests in the metabolic systems of older adults. After decades of uncontrolled systemic inflammation, poor diet, and lack of adequate exercise, this generation of older adults experiences the impact of these lifestyle habits in high levels of frailty that lead to lower quality of life as physical and mental health declines (Zinocker MK, Lindseth IA, Nutrients 10(3), 2018). Inflammation is closely linked to frailty. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, in particular CRP and IL-6, may influence frailty either by directly encouraging protein degradation or indirectly affecting pivotal metabolic pathways (Soysal et al., Ageing Res Rev 31:1–8, 2016). The question for older adults is how much of an impact can changes to their diet and lifestyle make for their metabolic system that would warrant the disruption in lifestyle that they have enjoyed for over 6–7 decades. Over half (53%) of adults over 60 have metabolic syndrome, whereas less than 20% of adults below 40 have metabolic syndrome (Ervin RB, Natl Health Stat Rep 13:1–7, 2009). This is particularly concerning because metabolic syndrome has been found to directly influence cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus (American Heart Association, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Grundy SM, Cleeman JI, Daniels SR, Donato KA, et al. Cardiol Rev 13(6):322–327, 2005). In this chapter, we explore the four key concerns for metabolic syndrome in older adults – hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. It’s critical to consider these comorbidities as a group since each is intertwined. As we address the common drivers, we see concomitant resolution among all. We look at effective nutritional approaches to addressing the group of metabolic derangements which target the underlying mechanisms: inflammation, poor nutrient intake, toxicity, and genetic predispositions.
Evolving towers in a 3-dimensional simulated environment

We describe a system that uses evolutionary computation to evolve tower-like structures. The construction takes place in a computer simulated gravitational environment. The evolution targets the morphology; each chromosome carries structural description of the entity. Fitness functions evaluate the structural integrity and "goodness" of each individual based on indicators such as joint tension, center of gravity, position in space, height, etc. Twelve evolution-tests were performed and all successfully reached tower solutions.
The Northwestern University Drug Dependence Program: The impact of intensive prenatal care on labor and delivery outcomes☆

In 1976, the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Prentice Women's Hospital was invited to provide obstetric services to patients of the Drug Dependence Program administered by the Department of Psychiatry at Northwestern University Medical School. Patients were referred in the early stages of pregnancy if they agreed to participate in the Drug Dependence Program at the same time. Between April, 1976, and October, 1980, 58 women received prenatal, intrapartum and postpartum care. Forty-two of these patients had been abusers of opiates; 16 were polydrug abusers. The obstetric performance of these women was characterized by an absence of major problems. The mean weight of all infants delivered was 2,935 gm. There were no perinatal deaths. The individual weights, lengths, and head circumferences of the newborn infants were distributed in a relatively normal manner. Ninety percent of the infants were delivered at 37 weeks or more of gestation.
Intensity of Discrete VLF Emissions

Very low frequency whistler mode noise from the magnetosphere frequently appears in the form of narrow band tones of variable frequency called discrete VLF emissions. These tones may appear spontaneously or they may be triggered by transmissions from ground based VLF stations (Helliwell, 1965). They can be observed from within the plasmasphere out to the magnetopause and at frequencies from 300 to 30000 Hz. A phenomenological theory of discrete emissions has been advanced, based on cyclotron resonance between energetic electrons and narrow band whistler mode waves traveling along the static magnetic field (Helliwell, 1967). An important feature of this theory is the maintenance of oscillations through feedback between the waves and the electrons over a path that is long compared with the wavelength.
A pilot randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based stress reduction for caregivers of family members with dementia.

Objectives: The majority of care for those with Alzheimer's disease and other age-related dementias is provided in the home by family members. To date, there is no consistently effective intervention for reducing the significant stress burden of many family caregivers. The present pilot randomized controlled trial tested the efficacy of an adapted, eight-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program, relative to a near structurally equivalent, standard social support (SS) control condition for reducing caregiver stress and enhancing the care giver–recipient relationship.Method: Thirty-eight family caregivers were randomized to MBSR or SS, with measures of diurnal salivary cortisol, and perceived stress, mental health, experiential avoidance, caregiver burden, and relationship quality collected pre- and post-intervention and at three-month follow-up.Results: MBSR participants reported significantly lower levels of perceived stress and mood disturbance at post-intervention relative to SS participan...
The Premium in Black Foreign Exchange Markets

Abstract This paper examines the determinants of the premia between the black and official exchange rates using monthly data for 17 developing countries. The premium is hypothesized to be positively influenced by the official depreciation-adjusted interest rate differential and dollar value of domestic assets. It is hypothesized to be negatively influenced by the official real exchange rate, exports, and a seasonal factor associated with tourism. The countries studied are: Bangladesh, Brazil, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Guyana, Hungary, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Philippines, Somalia, South Africa, Uganda, and the former Yugoslavia. In general, the results are very supportive of the model. It is found that the interest rate differential and assets positively influence the premium, as is expected. The official real exchange rate is found to negatively influence the premium.
Predictors of job satisfaction of licensed social workers: Perceived efficacy as a mediator of the relationship between workload and job satisfaction

A cross sectional design was used to examine job satisfaction of licensed social workers. Self-administered surveys were mailed to a random sample of 500 licensed social workers in Maryland. Two hundred and thirty-two surveys were returned for a 46.4% response rate. Perceived quality of supervision and perceived workload were predictive of job satisfaction in a multiple regression analysis. Results from a second multiple regression analysis indicated that perceived efficacy mediates the relationship between perceived workload and job satisfaction. This mediation effect suggests that the concept of workload is more complex than what has been reported in previous research. Additional implications for social work are discussed.
Silica nanosphere textured back reflectors for increased absorption in thin film amorphous silicon solar cells

Absorption of long-wavelength photons in thin-film hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) solar cells is inherently low due to an absorption layer thickness of 250300nm and long absorption lengths for photons of wavelengths above 700nm. When used in a thin-film solar cell, back reflectors that exhibit diffuse reflection increase the probability of absorption by lengthening the path-lengths of photons. Ordered monolayers of silica nanospheres coated with a reflective surface were investigated for use as a diffuse back reflector. A method for fabricating a monolayer of silica nanospheres was developed using a custom built dip-coating apparatus. Repeatable monolayers of 500nm nanospheres were fabricated on glass and stainless steel substrates. The monolayers were covered with a 200nm layer of silver (Ag) and a 200nm layer of aluminum-doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Al) to be used as a back-reflector in a-Si:H solar cells . The back-reflector substrates were measured to have a much higher percentage of diffuse reflectance when compared to flat silver back-reflector substrates. Increases in long-wavelength absorption were observed by normalized external quantum efficiency (NEQE) measurements of the a-Si:H solar cells. Short circuit current density increases were seen in both I-V measurements under AM1.5 lighting as well as in NEQE measurements.
Detection of QTL linked to Fusarium head blight resistance in Sumai 3-derived North Dakota bread wheat lines.

During the past decade Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe has resulted in severe grain yield and quality losses of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the Northern Great Plains of the U.S. Given the complexity of breeding for FHB resistance, molecular markers associated with this trait will be valuable in accelerating efforts to breed resistant cultivars. The objective of this study was to identify molecular markers linked to quantitative trait loci (QTL) for FHB resistance in wheat using a set of lines obtained by several cycles of crossing to North Dakota adapted genotypes, which derived their resistance from cv. Sumai 3. Microsatellite markers spanning the wheat genome were used to screen parents and derived lines. Polymorphisms for parental alleles were compared to disease scores for Type II resistance. The probability of linkage between markers and introgressed resistance genes was calculated using a binomial probability formula based on the assumption that a molecular marker at a specific distance from the introgressed gene, in a near-isogenic line (NIL), will carry the donor-parent allele as a function of the distance between marker and gene and the number of backcrosses/selfs performed in deriving the NIL. Microsatellite loci Xgwm533 and Xgwm274 were significantly associated with QTL for FHB resistance.
Difference in the Manner of Association of Acrosome-Intact and Acrosome-Reacted Hamster Spermatozoa with Egg Microvilli as revealed by Scanning Electron Microscopy. (hamster/sperm-egg association/scanning electron microscopy)

Scanning electron microscopy was employed to examine the manner of association between in vitro capacitated spermatozoa and zona-free eggs of the hamster. Spermatozoa with intact acrosomes, which were unable to fuse with eggs, were seen in general associated with egg microvilli in the region of the acrosomal cap. Acrosome-reacting spermatozoa were seen associated with egg microvilli with the dissociating acrosomal caps. Acrosome-reacted spermatozoa, which were able to fuse with eggs, generally associated with egg microvilli by the equatorial segment and the anterior portion of the postacrosomal region. It is inferred that the completion of the acrosome reaction signals changes in the plasma membrane over the equatorial segment of the acrosome and the anterior area of the postacrosomal region which give it a greater affinity to and fusibility with the oolemma.
The correspondence of changes in depressive rumination and worry to weekly variations in affective symptoms: A test of the tripartite model of anxiety and depression in women

As negative repetitive thought forms, depressive rumination and worry have been most closely examined in the contexts of depression and anxiety, respectively. However, recent research suggests that...
Identification of the antiviral factor in culture medium of mosquito cells persistently infected with Banzi virus

Abstract A fraction of culture medium of mosquito cells persistently infected with the flavivirus, Banzi virus, possesses the ability to suppress the replication of Banzi virus and contains two radiolabeled proteins of similar molecular weight. One of these proteins is presumed to be a mosquito cellular protein since it is also present in culture medium o of uninfected mosquito cells and reacts with anti-mosquito cell serum. The other protein is precipitated by anti-Banzi virus serum. Separation of these two proteins is achieved by high-voltage paper electrophoresis. The viral protein isolated from culture medium of Banzi virus persistently infected mosquito cells has the same tryptic peptides as V-1 isolated from purified Banzi virions and competes with V-1 for anti- Banzi virus serum. Treatment of mosquito cells with purified preparations of the viral protein obtained from medium of Banzi virus persistently infected mosquito cells or with V-1 isolated from Banzi virus results in the inhibition of replication of Banzi virus but not of Japanese encephalitis or Eastern equine encephalitis viruses.
Some molecular/crystalline factors that affect the sensitivities of energetic materials: molecular surface electrostatic potentials, lattice free space and maximum heat of detonation per unit volume

We discuss three molecular/crystalline properties that we believe to be among the factors that influence the impact/shock sensitivities of energetic materials (i.e., their vulnerabilities to unintended detonation due to impact or shock). These properties are (a) the anomalously strong positive electrostatic potentials in the central regions of their molecular surfaces, (b) the free space per molecule in their crystal lattices, and (c) their maximum heats of detonation per unit volume. Overall, sensitivity tends to become greater as these properties increase; however these are general trends, not correlations. Nitramines are exceptions in that their sensitivities show little or no variation with free space in the lattice and heat of detonation per unit volume. We outline some of the events involved in detonation initiation and show how the three properties are related to different ones of these events.
Genealogical approaches to ethical implications of informational assimilative integrated discovery systems (AIDS) in business

Development of knowledge-based technological acquisition techniques and customers' information profiles are known as assimilative integrated discovery systems (AIDS) in modern organizations. These systems have access through processing to both deep and broad domains of information in modern societies. Through these systems organizations and individuals can predict future trend probabilities and events concerning their customers. AIDSs are new techniques which produce new information which informants can use without the help of the knowledge sources because of the existence of highly sophisticated computerized networks. This paper has analyzed he danger and side effects of misuse of information through the illegal, unethical and immoral access to the data-base in an integrated and assimilative information system as described above. Cognivistic mapping, pragmatistic informational design gathering, and holistic classifiable and distributive techniques are potentially abusive systems whose outputs can be easily misused by businesses when researching the firm's customers.
Impact of Restrictions on Toxic Substances on the Production of Synthetic Materials

Abstract The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) has started to have a significant impact on the chemical industry. This act gives the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) far-reaching authority to regulate the manufacture, processing, use, and disposal of chemicals perceived to be dangerous to the health of mankind and/or to the environment. According to the current list of chemical substances for testing for health and environmental effects [15], benzene-based chemicals are exposed to intense scrutiny and decisions made regarding such chemicals would have serious effects on growth and development of certain sectors of the chemical industry.
Kinetic fractionation of carbon and oxygen isotopes during hydration of carbon dioxide

Abstract Kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) during the inorganic hydration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in aqueous solution cause reduced stable carbon and oxygen isotope ratios ( 13 C / 12 C and 18 O / 16 O ) in the reaction product carbonic acid (H2CO3) or bicarbonate ion ( HCO 3 - ), relative to CO2. While such KIEs are of importance in various physicochemical, geochemical, and biological systems, very few experimental and theoretical studies have attempted to determine the magnitude of the carbon and oxygen kinetic isotope fractionation (KIF) during hydration of CO2. Here I use transition state theory (TST) and quantum chemistry calculations to investigate the reaction rates of isotopic reactants CO 2 + n H 2 O (n = 1–8) along the hydration pathway to H2CO3 or HCO 3 - . Locating transition states is difficult and the quantum chemistry calculations time-consuming at large n. My results suggest that the hydration mechanism for n = 1–3 is unlikely to be the dominant pathway producing KIFs during CO2 hydration in aqueous solution; hydration mechanisms for n ⩾ 4 appear more likely. For n = 4–8, the predicted KIF based on MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ calculations at 25 °C is ∼1.023–1.033 and ∼1.013–1.015, for carbon and oxygen, respectively. However, these values are uncertain and the results of the present study suggest that new experimental work is required to accurately determine the KIF of carbon and oxygen during CO2 hydration.
Evidence for trans-trans and cis-cis farnesyl pyrophosphate synthesis in Gossipium hirsutum

Abstract A protein fraction capable of catalysing the formation of all four geometrical isomers of farnesyl pyrophosphate has been isolated from cotton roots. Using neryl pyrophosphate and isopentenyl pyrophosphate as substrates the product was found to be cis-cis farnesyl pyrophosphate and possibly trans-cis farnesyl pyrophosphate. Geranyl pyrophosphate and isopentenyl pyrophosphate as substrates yielded trans-trans and possible cis-trans farnesyl pyrophosphate. During purification of the active protein fraction, the ratio of utilization of geranyl pyrophosphate and neryl pyrophosphate did not remain constant, indicating that two enzymes may be involved, one specific for cis C10-substrate and the other for trans C10-substrate.
ACTIVATION OF THE TSG-6 GENE BY NF-IL6 REQUIRES TWO ADJACENT NF-IL6 BINDING SITES

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-stimulated gene 6 (TSG-6) encodes a protein expressed during inflammation. We have previously shown that transcription factors of the NF-IL6 and AP-1 families cooperatively modulate activation of the TSG-6 gene by TNF or interleukin 1 (IL-1) through a promoter region that contains an NF-IL6 site (−106 to −114) and an AP-1 element (−126 to −119). In this study we report the identification of an additional NF-IL6 site (NF-IL6∗) located at positions −92 to −83. Footprinting and electrophoretic mobility shift assay suggested that NF-IL6 binds with higher affinity to the newly identified NF-IL6∗ site than to the earlier identified promoter-distal NF-IL6 site and that the two sites cooperate in binding NF-IL6. TNF and IL-1 stimulate specific binding of nuclear proteins to the NF-IL6∗ site more efficiently than to the promoter-distal NF-IL6 site. Moreover, a mutation in the NF-IL6∗ site abolished transactivation of the TSG-6 promoter by NF-IL6 despite the presence of the intact promoter-distal NF-IL6 site. A mutation in the promoter-distal NF-IL6 site also greatly decreased activation of the TSG-6 promoter by NF-IL6. We conclude that the two NF-IL6 sites are functionally interdependent in the activation of the TSG-6 gene.
Oscillatory marine response to the Cretaceous-Tertiary impact

Magnetic susceptibility records of Deep Sea Drilling Project sites indicate that the Cretaceous-Tertiary impact amplified or induced strong ∼ 100 k.y. oscillations in South Atlantic sediment properties. The timing, amplitude, and persistence of these oscillations suggest that the impact enhanced the sensitivity of the oceans to orbital forcing for almost 1 m.y.
Scent marking behavior in male C57BL/6J mice: sexual and developmental determination

The present study investigated urinary scent marking behavior in male C57BL/6J (C57) mice as olfactory social signaling. In Experiment 1, when compared scent marking toward adult males, C57 males showed substantial scent marking toward CD-1 males and even toward the odor alone of CD-1 males, but not toward C57 males. Experiment 2 explored scent marking in C57 males of different ages to males and females, and juveniles and adults of the same strain. C57 males deposited more marks than control conditions only toward an adult C57 female when tested at 100 days of age, but not at 60 days of age. Development of urine marking behavior was investigated in C57 males at the ages of 30, 60, 90, and 120 days in Experiment 3. When tested alone (control) or confronted with a C57 male, C57 males showed diminished scent marks throughout development. Compared to controls, marking toward a CD-1 male increased after the age of 60 days, while marks toward an adult female showed significant increases after the age of 90 days. This difference in scent marking depending on the sex of the stimulus animal is likely to be associated with development of sexual behavior, in which males need to set up territories against other males prior to advertising to females. Although highly inbred strains have similar odor components, C57 males are able to detect and deposit urine marks after puberty as social communication depending on age, sex, and genetic differences in the opponents.
The Niobaziridine−Hydride Functional Group: Synthesis and Divergent Reactivity

A multistep synthetic strategy enables the isolation of the niobaziridine−hydride complex Nb(H)(η2-tBu(H)CNAr)(N[Np]Ar)2 (1, Np = neopentyl, Ar = 3,5-C6H3Me2), which functions as a reactive synthon for its tautomer, the three-coordinate, trisamide species Nb(N[Np]Ar)3 (2). Treatment of 1 with various small molecules has demonstrated its capacity to effect two-electron reduction chemistry. Most noteworthy is the reaction between 1 and elemental phosphorus (P4), providing in high yield the bridging diphosphide complex (μ2:η2,η2-P2)[Nb(N[Np]Ar)3]2. However, unsaturated organic functionality including nitriles and aldehydes can insert into the Nb−H bond of 1, leaving the niobaziridine ring intact, thus demonstrating that dual pathways of reactivity are available to the niobaziridine−hydride functional group.
Tutorial T8A: Designing Silicon-Photonic Communication Networks for Manycore Systems

Summary form only given, as follows. The goal of this tutorial is to explain the limits and opportunities of using silicon-photonic link technology for inter-chip and intra-chip communication in manycore systems. Silicon-photonic links have larger bandwidth density and lower energy than equivalent electrical links. In this tutorial, I will first provide an overview of the silicon-photonic device technology and link transceiver/tuning circuits. Using three silicon-photonic network case studies on-chip tile-to-tile network, process-to-DRAM network and DRAM memory channel, the various silicon-photonic network design issues at the physical level, microarchitecture level and architecture level will be explained in detail. An iterative design process, where we move between these three levels to meet the power-performance specications under the silicon-photonic technology constraints will also be presented. At the end of the tutorial, attendees will have a broad understanding of the capabilities of silicon-photonic technology, and they will be able to design and analyze silicon-photonic networks for Manycore systems.
On lemniscate functions

In this study, two families of inequalities involving lemniscate functions are obtained. In particular cases, these inequalities can be regarded as generalizations of the inequalities of Wilker and Huygens for trigonometric and hyperbolic functions. Closed formulas for the functions under discussion, expressed in terms of the Jacobian elliptic functions, are also established.
Automated interpretation of LIBS spectra using a fuzzy logic inference engine

Automated interpretation of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) data is necessary due to the plethora of spectra that can be acquired in a relatively short time. However, traditional chemometric and artificial neural network methods that have been employed are not always transparent to a skilled user. A fuzzy logic approach to data interpretation has now been adapted to LIBS spectral interpretation. Fuzzy logic inference rules were developed using methodology that includes data mining methods and operator expertise to differentiate between various copper-containing and stainless steel alloys as well as unknowns. Results using the fuzzy logic inference engine indicate a high degree of confidence in spectral assignment.
Site and mechanism of behavioral tolerance to cocaine: a study of dopamine release in Wistar-Kyoto and spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Wistar-Kyoto and spontaneously hypertensive rats received i.v. infusions of cocaine hydrochloride (60 mg/kg per day) for 3, 7, and 14 days, or saline for 7 days. Acute cocaine challenge (40 mg/kg, s.c.) was given to treated and control rats 24 hr after the termination of each infusion period. There were no strain differences in brain levels of cocaine during cocaine infusion, nor after cocaine challenges. There were no strain differences in resting levels of [3H]dopamine release. Release of [3H]dopamine decreased in nuclei accumbens of 7- and 14-day cocaine-infused animals. Release of [3H]dopamine was maximal in both brain regions 2 hr after acute cocaine challenge. After 14 days of cocaine infusion, cocaine challenge in both strains reduced [3H]dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens, but not in the striatum; the reduction being greater in Wistar-Kyoto rats. The behavioral tolerance which accompanies similar cocaine infusion regimens may be related to striatal “tolerance” to cocaine-induced dopamine release.
Littoral zone macrophyte community structure: Distribution and association of species along physical gradients in Lake George, New York, U.S.A.

Abstract The distributional patterns of 38 species of submersed macrophytes were studied at 50 sites in the littoral periphery of Lake George, New York. Density measurements (plants per square meter) for each species at depths of 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 9 m were determined at transects at each site and converted to midsummer shoot biomass estimates (grams dry mass per square meter). These data were then analyzed in terms of 13 different physical, chemical and biological variables to evaluate probable major factors controlling distribution within the lake. Ordination and factor analysis indicated that depth, substrate type and eutrophication status were primary correlative factors. Four major depth classes were evident from cluster analysis of presence-absence data: shallow water, deep water, and cosmopolitan, both with and without preference for deeper waters. Cluster analysis also identified the co-occurrence of several plant species. Geographical grouping of the 50 sites into the various basins of the lake demonstrated important compositional trends in species diversity and dominance within the lake itself. The competitional strategies, ecological requirements and species characteristics are described.
Using Complex Solutions to Aid in Graphing

The usual method of graphing y = ax2 + bx + c is to find the vertex by completing the square and find the x-intercepts by solving ax2 + bx + c = 0. When the solutions to ax2 + bx + c = 0 are complex, we say the graph does not cross the x-axis, and the complex solutions are of no further use to us. We will show that the complex solutions to ax2 + bx + c = 0 are useful in graphing y = ax 2 + bx + c. By completing the square we can write y = ax2 + bx + c as
Transthoracic 2D echocardiographic guidance for percutaneous removal of a nonopaque intracardiac catheter fragment.

A radiolucent fragment of a fractured central venous catheter embolized to the right heart resulting in life-threatening dysrhythmias in a middle-aged male patient who had undergone orthotopic liver transplantation I day earlier. The fragment was removed via the right transjugular route using sonographic guidance to entrap the fragment with a brightly echogenic snare. The technique described protects the caval anastomoses in the liver transplant recipient and overcomes the limitation of fluoroscopy in removing radiolucent bodies
Dislocation nucleation in 4H silicon carbide epitaxy

Abstract The dislocation nucleation during 4H silicon carbide homoepitaxy has been investigated using chemical etching, optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Threading edge dislocations formed characteristic arrays of etch pit pairs on the epilayer surface, perpendicular to the off-cut direction. The arrays were nucleated throughout the epitaxy process, had length of between 30 and 600 μm and linear dislocation density of about 1×10 3 cm −1 . The Burgers vectors of two dislocations in each pair were consistent with pairs nucleating as half loops and their directions were the same for all dislocations in an array.
An experimental multimedia mail system

A computer-based experimental multimedia mail system that allows the user to read, create, edit, send, and receive messages containing text, images, and voice is discussed.
A comparison of three feature selection methods for object-based classification of sub-decimeter resolution UltraCam-L imagery

Abstract The availability of numerous spectral, spatial, and contextual features with object-based image analysis (OBIA) renders the selection of optimal features a time consuming and subjective process. While several feature selection methods have been used in conjunction with OBIA, a robust comparison of the utility and efficiency of approaches would facilitate broader and more effective implementation. In this study, we evaluated three feature selection methods, (1) Jeffreys–Matusita distance (JM), (2) classification tree analysis (CTA), and (3) feature space optimization (FSO) for object-based vegetation classifications with sub-decimeter digital aerial imagery in arid rangelands of the southwestern U.S. We assessed strengths, weaknesses, and best uses for each method using the criteria of ease of use, ability to rank and/or reduce input features, and classification accuracies. For the five sites tested, JM resulted in the highest overall classification accuracies for three sites, while CTA yielded highest accuracies for two sites. FSO resulted in the lowest accuracies. CTA offered ease of use and ability to rank and reduce features, while JM had the advantage of assessing class separation distances. FSO allowed for determining features relatively quickly, because it operates within the OBIA software used in this analysis (eCognition). However, the feature ranking in FSO is not transparent and accuracies were relatively low. While all methods offered an objective approach for determining suitable features for classifications of sub-decimeter resolution aerial imagery, we concluded that CTA was best suited for this particular application. We explore the limitations, assumptions, and appropriate uses for this and other datasets.
Correlation between physical activity and self-rated health status of non-elderly adults with disabilities.

Abstract Objectives Physical activity participation is a promising pathway for reducing chronic disease risk and improving health outcomes of adults with disabilities. The objective of this study was to examine physical activity participation as a potential predictor of self-rated health status of a unique sub-population of non-elderly, non-assistive device using adults with disabilities. Methods This cross-sectional study analyzed population-based data from the 2007 U.S. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. A sample of 46,883 adults with disabilities was examined. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine whether physical activity participation predicted self-rated health status controlling for age, gender, income level, health insurance status, BMI, smoking status, education level, and heart disease, arthritis, asthma and diabetes diagnoses. Results Physical activity participation was significantly associated with self-rated health status. Those who participated in no physical activity were more likely to report fair or poor health by a factor of 3.3 (95% CI: 2.6–4.2) compared to those who met national recommendations for physical activity. Only 43.1% met one or both of the recommended physical activity guidelines. Conclusions Adequate physical activity participation is correlated to better health status among adults with disabilities not associated with aging. Physical activity promotion is warranted for this population.