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AbstractThe plasma-facing components (PFCs) of future fusion reactors will have intricate structures and require multiple materials because no one material can simultaneously satisfy all the requirements of the component. The dissimilar material joints in PFCs must withstand extreme thermal and stress gradients under neutron irradiation. The Fusion Research Oriented to Neutron Irradiation and Tritium Behavior at Material Interfaces (FRONTIER) U.S.-Japan collaboration seeks to explore and explain the behavior of internal solid interfaces in PFCs under neutron irradiation. The first step of the collaboration was to identify the leading PFCs that should be studied further and prepare them for the next step, which will include neutron irradiation. Different strategies for material development are being pursued worldwide to produce robust PFCs. Here, an overview is presented of some of the most promising materials in the areas of copper alloys, tungsten-copper composites, tungsten-steel composites, additively manufactured tungsten, particle-reinforced tungsten, and tungsten and SiC fiber composites. Each material’s fabrication and benefits are described, and some discussion of remaining questions is given.

AbstractWhile fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) has primarily been thought of as a neurodevelopmental condition, research is beginning to highlight its ‘whole-body’ implications. Accordingly, the current study sought to provide a snapshot of potential health issues. Caregivers of children (median age of 12 years) with an FASD diagnosis were invited to participate in an online survey. Information relating to sample demographics, FASD status of the child and health outcomes were collected. The prevalence of health conditions reported in the FASD sample was compared against national prevalence data. Multiple linear regression utilising a stepwise approach was used to investigate potential predictors of the number of diagnosed health conditions. Survey data were from an international cohort (n= 197), with the majority of respondents based in Australia (40.2%) or the United States (27.7%). The most commonly reported diagnosed health conditions were eye conditions (44.7%), asthma (34.5%), heart conditions (34.0%) and skin conditions (27.4%). Binomial testing indicated the proportion of children diagnosed with these disorders was generally higher in the current FASD population, compared to national prevalence data. Indicators of metabolic dysfunction including diabetes and obesity were not significantly different compared to national prevalence data. Age of FASD diagnosis, existence of comorbid mental health conditions and the primary caregiver being in paid work were identified as being associated with the prevalence of diagnosed health conditions. Overall, the study has provided an up-to-date snapshot of health problems reported in a sample of children with FASD, confirming their increased risk of adverse health outcomes.

Werbel, Amy Beth. Lust on trial: censorship and the rise of American obscenity in the age of Anthony Comstock. Columbia, 2018. 391 p bibl index ISBN 9780231175227 cloth, $35.00; ISBN [...]

Intellectual Freedom: Issues and Resources, from the Office for Intellectual Freedom, American Library Association URL: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom [e](cc) 55-3080 [Internet Resource] [Visited Feb'18] This web resource was developed because of an [...]

Adolescent health & wellness: v.1: Advice from teens-grief and loss; v.2: Health and illness: diseases and conditions-relationships: friends, family, and dating; v.3: School and jobs: skills for success-your emotional and [...]

Social workers' desk reference, ed. by Kevin Corcoran with Albert R. Roberts. 3rd ed. Oxford, 2015. 1,438p bibl indexes afp ISBN 9780199329649 doth, $99.95 (CC) 53-2041 HV40 MARC In this [...]

Drugs in American society: an encyclopedia of history, politics, culture, and the law, ed. by Nancy E. Marion and Willard M. Oliver. ABC-CLIO, 2015. 3v bibl Index afp ISBN 9781610695954 [...]

(cc) 55-0468 HM51 MARC Key sociological thinkers, ed. by Rob Stones. 3rd ed. Palgrave Macmillan, 2017. 477p bibl index ISBN 9781137332226 cloth, $50.00 In Key Sociological Thinkers Stones (Western Sydney [...]

Contagious diseases sourcebook: basic consumer health information about diseases spread from person to person through direct physical contact, airborne transmissions, sexual contact, or contact with blood or other body fluids.... [...]

54-2309 RA418 MARC Kierans, Cara. Social and cultural perspectives on health, technology, and medicine: old concepts, new problems, by Cara Kierans, Kirsten Bell, and Carol Kingdon. Routledge, 2016. 153p bibl [...]

Chytridiomycosis, caused by the pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis(Bd), has led to population declines and extinctions of frog species around the world. While it is known that symbiotic skin bacteria can play a protective role against pathogens, it is not known how these defensive bacteria are integrated into the bacterial community on amphibian skin. In this study, we used 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, culturing and Bdinhibition bioassays to characterize the communities of skin bacteria on three Neotropical frog species that persist in a Bd-infected area in Panama and determined the abundance and integration of anti-Bdbacteria into the community. We found that the two treefrog species had a similar bacterial community structure, which differed from the more diverse community found on the terrestrial frog. Co-occurrence networks also revealed differences between frog species such that the treefrogs had a significantly higher number of culturable Bd-inhibitory OTUs with high centrality scores compared with the terrestrial frog. We found that culture-dependent OTUs captured between 21 and 39% of the total relative abundance revealed in culture-independent communities. Our results suggest different ecological strategies occurring within skin antifungal communities on host species that have not succumbed to Bdinfections in the wild.

Handbook of research on civil society and national security in the era of cyber warfare, [ed.] by Metodi Hadji-Janev and Mitko Bogdanoski. Information Science Reference, 2015. 548p bibl index ISBN [...]

This study investigated the chemical characteristics of shallow (0–30cm) soil profiles under shrubs in areas of dense encroachment and compared them with shallow soil profiles under nearby large trees. Consistent patterns of high soil acidity were found under shrubs, as well as lower litter alkalinity, lower relative concentrations of calcium (Ca2+), lower effective cation exchange capacity, and higher aluminium (Al3+) and sodium (Na+) in the soil profile compared with under trees. Soil pH (CaCl2) was strongly correlated with the Ca content of surface litter. These findings suggest that shrubs (which at most sites included the shrub form of tree species) cycle alkalinity differently from large and mature trees, resulting in high acidity in the shallow soil profile acidity, and possible loss of alkalinity via surface movement of material from areas of dense encroachment.

De Young, Mary. Encyclopedia of asylum therapeutics, 1750-1950s. McFarland, 2015. 368p bibl index afp ISBN 9780786468973 pbk, $55.00 53-0026 RC437 CIP The idea that mental illness is socially constructed has [...]

Symbiotic bacteria on amphibian skin can inhibit growth of the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) that has caused dramatic population declines and extinctions of amphibians in the Neotropics. It remains unclear how the amphibians’ skin microbiota is influenced by environmental bacterial reservoirs, host-associated factors such as susceptibility to pathogens, and pathogen presence in tropical amphibians. We sampled skin bacteria from five co-occurring frog species that differ in Bd susceptibility at one Bd-naive site, and sampled one of the non-susceptible species from Bd-endemic and Bd-naive sites in Panama. We hypothesized that skin bacterial communities (1) would be distinct from the surrounding environment regardless of the host habitat, (2) would differ between Bd susceptible and non-susceptible species and (3) would differ on hosts in Bd-naive and Bd-endemic sites. We found that skin bacterial communities were enriched in bacterial taxa that had low relative abundances in the environment. Non-susceptible species had very similar skin bacterial communities that were enriched in particular taxa such as the genera Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter. Bacterial communities of Craugastor fitzingeri in Bd-endemic sites were less diverse than in the naive site, and differences in community structure across sites were explained by changes in relative abundance of specific bacterial taxa. Our results indicate that skin microbial structure was associated with host susceptibility to Bd and might be associated to the history of Bd presence at different sites.

We have integrated two complementary methods, high-throughput virtual screening with a “high-content” wet screening technique based on frontal affinity chromatography with mass spectrometry detection (FAC-MS), for identification of hits against the erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular B2 (EphB2) receptor tyrosine kinase domain. Both an EphB2-directed virtual screen combining docking and scoring and a kinase-directed pharmacophore search strategy were used to identify a compound set enriched in bioactive compounds against EphB2. The coupling of virtual screening methodologies with FAC-MS is a unique hybrid approach that can be used to increase the efficacy of both hit discovery and optimization efforts in drug discovery and has successfully identified hits, in particular 19a (36% shift, IC50 = 5.2 μM, Kd = 3.3 μM), as inhibitors for EphB2, a potential cancer target.

SummaryFrost tolerance is a necessary characteristic for the successful establishment of Eucalyptus radiatasubsp. radiataSieber ex DC (1,8-cineole variant) for production of essential oil on frost-prone sites. The frost tolerance of seedlings from six commercial oil- producing provenances of this taxon was examined using the electrical conductivity method. One provenance of E. radiatasubsp. robertsoniiand two provenances of E. divesSchauer were also included for comparison. To verify the validity of this method, frost tolerance was also assessed in two field trials near Armidale on the New England Tableland of New South Wales where plants at one year from planting were scored for physical damage attributed to the effects of frost, viz. leaf fall and stem splitting.There were consistent and significant differences in modified relative conductivity (RC) between provenances, and between open-pollinated families within provenances, across temperatures. Eucalyptus radiatasubsp. radiatafrom Isabella River, followed closely by provenances from Reedy Creek and Yowrie, were the most cold-tolerant, while the two E. divesprovenances and E. radiatasubsp. radiatafrom Alexandra were the least frost tolerant, based on RC values. Rankings of E. radiatasubsp. radiataprovenances based on scores for stem splitting and leaf fall after their first winter in the field corresponded well to the RC rankings, with Reedy Creek the best performing provenance overall. Apart from limiting frost damage through selection of hardy provenances, the significant within-provenance family variation in frost tolerance, and the substantial variation between individuals within families noted in these trials, suggest good potential for selection and breeding amongst hardy individuals of the best- ranked families to improve frost tolerance.

FAC-MS offers a convenient method for measuring the relative binding strengths of ligands in a mixture and enables a rapid ranking and identification of ligands in the mixture as potential hits against immobilized targets. Using immobilized EphB2 receptor tyrosine kinase as the target and known kinase inhibitors, the results of FAC-MS screening (% shift) have been shown to correlate with the binding constant, Kd, and with IC50 results from the more traditional ELISA assay. Therefore, since FAC-MS can accommodate a wide variety of target proteins, its applications could play a broad role in drug discovery not only at the hit discovery stage but also during the subsequent more rigorous screening at the hit-to-lead and lead optimization stages.

Scattered paddock trees are widespread throughout rural Australia but their effect on soil conditions has received only limited research attention. This study investigated the influence of 3 Eucalyptus species on surface soil properties on different parent materials at both stocked and unstocked sites on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. Mineral soil samples to a depth of 5 cm were collected at intervals up to twice the canopy radius away from tree trunks and litter samples were collected at corresponding points. Mineral soils were analysed for pH (CaCl2), organic carbon (C), and extractable phosphorus (P) concentration, while for the litter samples, P, sulfur, cations, and ash alkalinity were determined. Stocking with sheep and cattle increased surface soil acidity and C and P concentrations at each location. However, soils under E. melliodora and E. viminalis showed higher pH and increased C and P concentrations close to the tree stem irrespective of grazing. Soils under E. caliginosa, while having similar patterns of C and P, showed variable acidity patterns with instances of lower pH close to the tree stem. Spatial patterns in soil acidity were associated with the ash alkalinity of litter, indicating litter as a source of alkalinity addition to the soil surface, although different patterns of soil pH could not be fully explained by litter ash alkalinity alone. The close correlation of litter Ca content with ash alkalinity suggests that this element might be a suitable indicator of the acid amelioration capacity of different tree species.

ABSTRACTAnomalies appear to exist in our understanding of atmospheric sulfur compounds, specifically as evidenced in the time trends of the different chemical forms of these compounds. Trends determined at a number of locations by several different groups seem to indicate that, responding to emission reductions across North America, the concentration of SO2in the atmosphere is declining more rapidly than that of aerosol SO42-. A number of possible reasons for this discrepancy are examined, but it is not possible to provide a definitive answer at this stage. The intent is to stimulate debate, because shortcomings in our understanding of the processes involved could have profound implications for the credibility of abatement strategies and policies for both acid deposition and fine particulate matter (PM).

Abstract: During commercial sterilization of whole white potatoes, mild to severe breakage sometimes occurs. Physical properties of potatoes were measured before and after sterilization. These included major diameter, minor diameter, density, dry matter content, amylographic viscosity, compressive breaking strength, and tensile breaking strength. The experimental data were evaluated in terms of mean values from 33 different truckloads sampled at a commercial canning facility (60 tubers sampled per load). These properties were statistically compared to the incidence of breakage in sterilized potatoes. The results did not show significant relationships between any of the raw potato properties and the incidence of breakage. However, several properties of the sterilized potatoes (major diameter, peak viscosity, peak viscosity temperature) were linearly related to breakage (R2 = 0.84).

Doctors' stress levels were measured before and after the introduction of a partial shift system as a result of the New Deal, through the administration of the OSI questionnaire. Doctors' opinions regarding the introduction of this new work pattern were collected through the use of an in-depth, semi-structured interview schedule. The study doctors working the on-call rota exhibited higher stress levels than the doctor ‘norm’ group, and higher than most other professional groups. The introduction of a partial shift system resulted in a marked reduction of stress levels in relation to mental well-being and job satisfaction, and a significant reduction in the effect of stress on physical health. The study doctors perceived that the introduction of partial shifts would undermine the close relationship between continuity of patient care, the ‘firm’ system and training. The on-call rota was preferred, providing the remuneration for its antisocial aspects was more appropriate. The abolition of 24-hour working and improvements in residential accommodation were perceived as advantageous. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A new technique is reported resulting in the direct, instantaneous analyses of trace compounds in breath. The analyses were performed using a commercial atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometer (TAGA TM2000 APCI mass spectrometer). A known flow of breath sample is introduced into the ionization region of the mass spectrometer. The study includes the measurement and monitoring in real-time, of breath ammonia during a 24 hour and a 48 hour period. The ammonia profiles indicate a personalized daily pattern associated with each subject. This method appears to be of potential value in routine detection and treatment of hyperammonemia patients. Results also show that it is possible to obtain instantaneous analyses of several naturally occurring metabolites and other substances on breath in the ppm to ppt range, suggesting a number of diagnostic research applications.

Summary: General comments on the relation between theory and application in statistics are made and emphasis placed on issues and principles of model formulation. Three examples are described in outline. Criteria for the choice of models are discussed.

Saddlepoint methods, extended to distribution functions, can provide highly accurate tail probabilities for testing real parameters in exponential models. For extensions, asymptotic connections among various test quantities are needed. For five quantities, the maximum likelihood departure standardized by observed and expected information, the score function standardized by observed and expected information, and the signed square root of the likelihood ratio statistic, the needed connections to third order are recorded. Their use is illustrated by a simple integration proof of the Lugannani and Rice formula.

To determine the relative admission rates of Asian and non-Asian patients to intensive therapy units (ITUs) in Coventry and to explore the implications of these rates for the transplantation of organs to Asian people.

Abstract: Mssbauer spectra of the iron storage protein ferritin taken over a range of temperatures exhibit the characteristic behaviour of superparamagnetic relaxation, and can be used to investigate a model for the superparamagnetic relaxation of a sample of small magnetic particles. A computer program is used to calculate a series of Mssbauer spectra based on the relaxation model, and these theoretical spectra are then fitted simultaneously to all the variable temperature experimental spectra, with the parameters of the uniaxial anisotropy model as the only variables.

Approximate conditional inference for a real parameter in the presence of nuisance parameters was examined from a sample-space differential viewpoint in Fraser and Reid (1988) and a conditional inference procedure was proposed. Conditional likelihood-based inference in the same setting was discussed in Cox and Reid (1987), where emphasis was placed on orthogonalizing the nuisance parameter to the parameter of interest. In this paper the sample-space partitions of the two methods are examined for the case that the minimal sufficient statistic has the same dimension as the parameter space. The methods are identical if observed and expected information gives the same orthogonality; an example indicates how they can differ more generally. A specially chosen reparameterization provides some geometrical insight to the methods and allows a comparison in terms of score functions and locally defined orthogonal parameters.

For some time, there has been interest in quantifying the risks of progressing to Aids from infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) associated with changes in the immunological markers. Until recently, little attention has been paid to the considerable variability of these markers and the corresponding effect on estimates of relative risk. We estimate the risks of progression to Aids associated with immunological markers among a group of homosexual men infected with HIV who have been followed at quarterly intervals for 5 years. Errors in measurement in the markers are shown to bias these estimates. Smoothing techniques are compared for their effectiveness in reducing the amount of variation in the markers and the subsequent bias in the coefficients. A simulation study compares the effectiveness of various methods of smoothing in reducing the bias of the estimated coefficient.

A “common garden” experiment using artifical ponds was performed to test if differences in frequency of paedomorphosis and metamorphosis among six natural populations of the salamander Ambystoma talpoideumresulted from the drying regime of the aquatic habitat acting as an agent of selection. Our experiment supports the hypothesis of genetic differentiation in the propensity to metamorphose among the populations, but gave mixed evidence that pond‐drying regime is the selective force directing evolution of this trait. Some populations appear to have evolved phenotypic plasticity whereas others may have a genetic polymorphism in their propensity to metamorphose as ponds dry.

The hypothesis that local isolated populations differed in the genetic basis for life‐history traits was tested in the salamander Ambystoma talpoideum. Genetic basis was defined as the specific genetic architecture (additive and nonadditive) that contributes, along with maternal and environmental factors, to the phenotype. All crosses within and between three populations were made to produce nine F1populations. Nine within‐population crosses produced the F2generation. This design does not permit an estimation of the exact nature of the genetic basis (e.g., additive, nonadditive) for any trait within populations. However, hybrid dissimilarity in the F2generation was taken as evidence of a different genetic basis for a trait in each population. The genetic basis of life‐history pathway (metamorphosis vs. paedomorphosis) and per capita fecundity differed between two populations. The genetic basis of life‐history pathway, per capita fecundity, survival, and growth rate was similar between the remaining sets of populations. This study and related ones (Semlitsch and Wilbur, 1989; Semlitsch et al., 1990) suggest that a heterochronic shift that causes rapid morphological evolution between metamorphosis and paedomorphosis (a macroevolutionary pattern) can evolve independently and does not require a macromutation or other nonmicroevolutionary mechanisms.

Rough rice (cv. Bengal) was stored at four moisture contents (8.8, 10.7, 12.9, and 13.6% MC) and three temperatures (3, 20, and 37°C) for up to six months. The amylograph overall paste viscosity of the milled rice increased during storage. This increase was most apparent in all samples stored at 37°C. For rice stored at 20 and 37°C at all MC levels, a 30–50% increase in peak viscosity (PV) was observed during the first three months of storage. PV subsequently leveled off for rice stored at 12.9 and 13.6% MC but declined for samples stored at 8.8 and 10.7% MC. The final viscosities also increased during storage. The water-absorption ratio of the samples during cooking in excess water increased by an average of 15% over six months of storage. The amylograph and cooking properties were significantly affected (P< 0.05) by rough rice storage duration, temperature, MC, and their respective interactions.

Abstract: Mssbauer spectroscopy has shown that the iron-containing cores of the biological iron storage material haemosiderin produced under normal and various pathological conditions are significantly different in their magnetic properties. The differences have been correlated with information on the particle size, morphology, crystallinity and mineral form of the haemosiderin cores obtained by complementary electron microscopy and electron diffraction studies. These results have important implications for the use of Mssbauer spectroscopy in determining the properties of small particle magnetic systems and also considerable relevance for the improved understanding and treatment of iron overload disease.

EnglishThe place of attitude growth in the educational process is assuming an increased importance today in our schools. A broad definition of 'attitude' is proposed, and various types of attitude are discussed. The relationship between cognition and attitude growth in an educational setting is explored, reference being made to a number of recent empirical studies in relation to science education. Before building up a possible model for attitude change, the main strands of evidence from previous research are listed. The proposed model attempts to account for attitude stability in normal life as well as the possibility of attitude change brought about experimentally. It also attempts to account for the variable ease of attitude modification, the variation being related to the nature of the attitude. The model is considered to be useful in rationalizing a wide range of experimental data, as well as generating further lines of research.

For composite testing of several canonical components in an exponential model, a conical or directional test provides a one-dimensional measure of departure. We approximate the distribution of this test statistic to third order by numerical inversion of a profile likelihood. The method extends the Lugannani & Rice type formula to kernels other than the normal.

A new approach to end-functionalization of poly3-hydroxybutyrate PHB is described. Using genetically engineered PHB synthase fused with a 10x-histidine units at its N-terminus, end-functionalized PHB was synthesized and used for the solid surface modification.