bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Postoperative Mortality in Cats After Ureterolithotomy
Authors: Roberts Scott F. , Aronson Lillian R. , Brown Dorothy C.
Published: May 2011

Objective:To identify preoperative risk factors associated with mortality before discharge in cats having a single or multiple ureterotomy procedures to treat a ureteral obstruction.

Study Design:Case series.

Animals:Cats (n=47).

Methods:Data were obtained from the medical records (2002–2009) of cats that had undergone ureterolithotomy procedures. Multiple preoperative factors were evaluated for association of survival to discharge.

Result:Survival to discharge after ureterolithotomy was 79% (37/47). Over 79% of cats were azotemic before surgery and 94% had chronic kidney disease changes at the time of ultrasonographic diagnosis. Six cats required an additional surgical procedure because of complications with ureterolithotomy. Overall prevalence of postoperative uroabdomen was 6% (3/47). On multivariate analysis, there were no preoperative variables significantly associated with survival to discharge.

Conclusions:Ureterolithotomy in cats was associated with a 21% mortality rate before hospital discharge. No preoperative variables associated with mortality were identified; therefore, further studies are needed to identify more discriminating preoperative characteristics for mortality after ureterolithotomy in this population of cats.
Multiple Health Risk Perception and Information Processing Among African Americans and Whites Living in Poverty
Authors: Hovick Shelly , Freimuth Vicki S. , Johnson‐Turbes Ashani , Chervin Doryn D.
Published: May 2011

We investigated the risk‐information‐processing behaviors of people living at or near the poverty line. Because significant gaps in health and communication exist among high‐ and low‐income groups, increasing the information seeking and knowledge of poor individuals may help them better understand risks to their health and increase their engagement in health‐protective behaviors. Most earlier studies assessed only a single health risk selected by the researcher, whereas we listed 10 health risks and allowed the respondents to identify the one that they worried about most but took little action to prevent. Using this risk, we tested one pathway inspired by the risk information seeking and processing model to examine predictors of information insufficiency and of systematic processing and extended this pathway to include health‐protective action. A phone survey was conducted of African Americans and whites living in the southern United States with an annual income of ≤$35,000 (N= 431). The results supported the model pathway: worry partially mediated the relationship between perceived risk and information insufficiency, which, in turn, increased systematic processing. In addition, systematic processing increased health‐protective action. Compared with whites and better educated respondents, African Americans and respondents with little education had significantly higher levels of information insufficiency but higher levels of systematic processing and health‐protective action. That systematic processing and knowledge influenced health behavior suggests a potential strategy for reducing health disparities.
Race, Punishment, and the Michael Vick Experience*
Authors: Piquero Alex R. , Piquero Nicole Leeper , Gertz Marc , Baker Thomas , Batton Jason , Barnes J. C.
Published: May 2011

Objective. The relationship between race and crime has been contentious, focusing primarily on offending and incarceration patterns among minorities. There has been some limited work on public perceptions of criminal punishment, and findings show that while minorities believe in the role and rule of law, they simultaneously perceive the justice system as acting in a biased and/or unfair manner. Two limitations have stalled this literature. First, research has focused mainly on criminal punishments to the neglect of noncriminal punishments. Second, most studies have not examined whether race remains salient after considering other demographic variables or discrimination and legitimacy attitudes.

Methods. Using data from 400 adults, we examine how race affects perceptions of criminal punishment and subsequent reinstatement into the National Football League in the case of Michael Vick, a star professional quarterback who pled guilty to charges of operating an illegal dog‐fighting ring.

Results. Findings show that whites are more likely to view Vick's punishment as too soft and that he should not be reinstated, while nonwhites had the opposite views. Race remained significant after controlling for other variables believed to be related to punishment perceptions.

Conclusion. Attitudes toward both criminal punishment and NFL reinstatement vary across race such that there exists important divides in how individuals perceive the system meting out punishment and subsequently reintegrating offenders back into society. These results underscore that white and nonwhites perceive the law and its administration differently.
Capturing Curiosity: Using Internet Search Trends to Measure Public Attentiveness
Authors: Ripberger Joseph T.
Published: May 2011

While scholars have made great strides in formulating theories and measuring public attention, “most important problem” and media‐based indicators are less than ideal measures. In order to address this shortcoming, this article borrows from health‐care epidemiology to measure public attention based on Internet search trends. In doing so, it reviews the innovative ways in which scientists have used search activity to track the spread of infectious disease, discusses the ease and flexibility with which search data can be gathered, and then subjects a Google‐based search measure to a series of validity tests. In particular, the analysis subjects the proposed measure to a battery of visual and statistical tests for convergent validity by comparing it with the most commonly used media‐based measure of public attention—issue coverage in the New York Times. Across a range of policy issues (health care, global warming, and terrorism), the proposed measure demonstrates convergent validity. The article concludes by posing a series of important questions that the new measure will allow researchers to address.
The Effects of Competition‐Based Public Policy on Contractual Arrangements
Authors: Malatesta Deanna , Smith Craig R.
Published: May 2011

When competition is naturally limited, policymakers craft regulation to obtain effects similar to those that would have occurred in the presence of competition. In many instances, regulation of this type is not successful in overcoming market failures. We rely on property rights theory and transaction cost theory to predict when state‐level policy statements will actually lead to a redistribution of benefits at the city level. We test this theory in the context of cable television franchise renewal agreements—a setting historically resistant to competition. We look to the language of the franchise agreements for evidence of concessions made by the cable operator to the city, and using a difference‐in‐difference estimator, we find that pro‐competitive regulation translates into concessions to the city. However, a credible threat of competition embedded in regulation is not enough to curb opportunism associated with monopoly supply in cases of large franchisees; larger cable operators are at least 60 percent less likely to offer more favorable terms of trade. However, consistent with transaction cost predictions, asset‐specific investments by the cable operator do curb opportunism; there is a 51 percent increase in the odds of a franchisee offering more concessions for a 1 standard deviation change—about 1,020 mi of the plant. These findings are important for those involved in crafting policy at all levels of government as well as for researchers interested in understanding the role of long‐term contracting and the use of hybrid mechanisms such as franchise agreements in contemporary governance.
Gender, Ethnicity, and Support for Bilingual Education: Will Just Any Woman or Latino Do? A Contingent “No”
Authors: Rocha Rene R. , Wrinkle Robert D.
Published: May 2011

Among the most well‐established consequences of the election of minorities to public office is an increase in the degree to which minority interests are substantively represented. Recent work argued that minorities also benefit from the presence of female legislators; however, it remains unclear whether minorities can expect to benefit from the presence of all women or solely women of color. Susan Dovi has argued that descriptive representatives are more likely to be effective if they possess strong mutual relationships with disposed subgroups of historically disadvantaged groups. In this piece, we argued that one implication of Dovi's argument is that women of color will be more effective descriptive representatives than their male counterparts. We examined this hypothesis by focusing on the effect of Latino/a school board members on education policies in Texas school districts. The results suggested that while the presence of Latinos on school boards is associated with increased district financial and institutional support for bilingual education, the presence of Latina board members results in much more substantial levels of support. We found no evidence for the notion that the substantive representation of Latino/as is facilitated by the presence of non‐Latina women on the board.
Sol–Gel Synthesis and Photo‐Fenton‐Like Catalytic Activity of EuFeO3 Nanoparticles
Authors: Ju Lingling , Chen Zhiyuan , Fang Liang , Dong Wen , Zheng Fengang , Shen Mingrong
Published: May 2011

EuFeO3 (EFO) nanoparticles were prepared by sol–gel method with an aid of tartaric acid at different calcination temperatures. The prepared EFO samples were characterized by differential thermal analysis–thermogravimetry, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectra, Raman spectra, transmission electron microscopy, UV‐visible diffuse reflectance spectrum, N2 adsorption/desorption measurements, and photoluminescence spectra. The photocatalytic activity of the samples was evaluated by the photocatalytic decolorization of rhodamine B aqueous solution under visible‐light irradiation. The calcination temperature for the highest photocatalytic activity of the EFO nanoparticles was found to be 750°C. Much enhanced photocatalytic activity was observed when adding a small amount of H2O2 during the photocatalysis, indicating EFO nanoparticles have photo‐Fenton‐like catalytic activity. EFO nanoparticles were further demonstrated to have an excellent photocatalytic stability, which is useful for the efficient recovery of photocatalyst.
Enhanced Structures and Electrical Properties of Lead‐Free K0.5Na0.5NbO3–Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 0–3 Composite FerroelectricThick Films
Authors: Ji Hongfen , Ren Wei , Wang Lingyan , Shi Peng , Chen Xiaofeng , Wu Xiaoqing , Yao Xi , Lau Sien‐Ting , Zhou Qifa , Shung K. Kirk
Published: May 2011

Lead‐free K0.5Na0.5NbO3–Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 (KNN–BNT) 0–3 composite ferroelectric thick films have been successfully prepared by a modified composite sol–gel process. The KNN fine ceramic powders were dispersed in the BNT precursor solution to form the uniform slurry that was spin coated on (111) Pt/TiO2/SiO2/Si substrates. The buffer layers and vacuum infiltration were used during the deposition process to improve the structure and density of the composite films. Influence of the annealing temperature and weight ratio of the powder‐to‐solution on the structures and electrical properties of KNN–BNT composite thick films has been investigated. X‐ray diffraction analysis indicates that the composite thick films possess pure perovskite structures composed by KNN and BNT phases. The dielectric constant and remnant polarization of the composite thick films increase with increasing annealing temperature and decreasing powder‐to‐solution weight ratio due to reduction of pores and improvement of film density. The composite thick films with the powder‐to‐solution weight ratio of 0.40 and annealed at 750°C have a dielectric constant of 848 and a remnant polarization of 23.6 μC/cm2. The KNN–BNT composite thick films obtained are a promising candidate for transducer applications.
Strong Upconversion Photoluminescence and Large Ferroelectric Polarization in Er3+–Yb3+–W6+ Triply Substituted Bismuth Titanate Thin Films Prepared by Chemical Solution Deposition
Authors: Gao Feng , Zhang Qinyuan , Ding Gangjin , Qin Ni , Bao Dinghua
Published: May 2011

Strong upconversion photoluminescence and large ferroelectric polarization were observed for the first time in layered structure Er3+–Yb3+–W6+ triply substituted bismuth titanate thin films. The thin films were prepared on fused silica and Pt(111)/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates by chemical solution deposition. Two green emission bands and a red one were observed in the upconversion photoluminescence spectra for all the films pumped by a 980 nm laser diode, which correspond to 2H11/2, 4S3/2, and 4F9/2 to 4I15/2 transitions of Er3+ ions, respectively. A two‐photon energy‐transfer process was confirmed by the power dependence of emission intensity. Compared with that of Er3+–Yb3+‐substituted bismuth titanate thin films, the improved photoluminescence is related to the reduced defects such as oxygen vacancies due to B‐site (Ti4+) substitution by W6+ ions, while the large ferroelectric remnant polarization can be attributed to the increased structure distortion and the reduced oxygen vacancies due to cosubstitution of A‐site (Bi3+) and B‐site (Ti4+) by Er3+, Yb3+, and W6+ ions, respectively. The combination of the strong upconversion photoluminescence and the good ferroelectric properties in the thin films would open the possibility of realizing novel multifunctional optoelectronic integration device applications.
Dynamics of the Freezing Front During the Solidification of a Colloidal Alumina Aqueous Suspension: In Situ X‐Ray Radiography, Tomography, and Modeling
Authors: Bareggi Andrea , Maire Eric , Lasalle Audrey , Deville Sylvain
Published: May 2011

Ice templating of colloidal suspension is gaining interest in material science because it offers the possibility to shape advanced materials, in particular porous ceramics. Recent investigations on this process show that a correlation between the morphology of the frozen suspension and the velocity of the freezing front do exist. The dynamics of the freezing front of a colloidal suspension of alumina is investigated in this study by experimental tests, finite element analysis, and analytical calculations. The experimental tests are carried out by in situ X‐ray radiography (dynamics of the freezing front) and tomography (morphology of the frozen suspension). The finite element model is a continuous properties model; it is used for investigating the dynamics and the shape of the freezing front. The analytical model is based on the two‐phase Stefan problem. We propose a solution for the dynamics of the solidification front based on the calculation of the diffusivity as a function of the particle fraction and local temperature.
Comparative Study of Microstructure and Electrical Properties of Varistors Prepared from Plasma Vapor‐Phase Reaction Process and French Process ZnO Powders
Authors: Lu Zhen‐ya , Qiu Pei , Wang Xiao‐qing , Chen Zhiwu , Wu Jian‐qing , Zhang Yao‐ping
Published: May 2011

Nano‐ZnO powder was synthesized by the plasma vapor‐phase reaction (PVPR) process. Most of the ZnO particles obtained are rod‐like, with diameters of between 20 and 100 nm. ZnO‐based varistors were fabricated by using the synthesized nano‐ZnO powder and commercial French process submicrometer ZnO powder, respectively. The sintering activity of the samples prepared with the nano‐ZnO powder is higher, but there is only a little difference between the mean grain sizes of the samples sintered at the same temperature. The current–voltage (I–V) characteristics in the low‐current region are similar. However, when subjected to surge currents, the residual voltage ratio of the samples prepared using the PVPR ZnO powder is much lower. Comparative analysis of the dielectric property and the grain‐boundary barrier height reveals that the donor concentration of the ZnO crystal grains in the sample prepared using the PVPR ZnO powder is higher than that prepared using French process ZnO powder. A higher donor concentration gives rise to a higher grain conductivity, a higher nonlinear coefficient in the high‐current region and a better protection level in applications.
Effect of Mn Doping on Microstructure and Electrical Properties of the (Na0.85K0.15)0.5Bi0.5TiO3 Thin Films Prepared by Sol–Gel Method
Authors: Wu Yunyi , Wang Xiaohui , Zhong Caifu , Li Longtu
Published: May 2011

x mol% Mn‐doped (Na0.85K0.15)0.5Bi0.5TiO3 (NKBT–Mnx, x=0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10) thin films were deposited on Pt(111)/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates via an aqueous sol–gel method. The effects of Mn contents on the microstructure and electrical properties of NKBT films are investigated in detail. X‐ray diffraction indicates that B‐site Mn substitutions do not change the perovskite structure. However, when Mn‐doping concentration above 6 mol%, the impurity phase of Mn oxide exist. Raman spectra show that a new Raman mode at about 706 cm−1 appears with Mn doping. And the gradual enhancement of this new Raman mode with increasing Mn‐doping concentration confirmed the Mn substitution for B‐site Ti in NKBT thin films. The ferroelectric measurement of the films indicated that, with the increase of Mn‐doping concentration, the remnant polarization Pr values increased firstly with a maximum value at 6 mol% and then decreased. The optimal ferroelectric properties was obtained in the film with x=6, giving the remnant polarization (Pr) and coercive field (Ec) values of the films of 19.2 μC/cm2 and 106 KV/cm, respectively. According to dielectric measure, it is noted that the NKBT film with 6 mol% Mn doping exhibits the best dielectric property with dielectric constant of 492 and dielectric loss of 0.051. Owing to the reduction of transition from Ti4+ to Ti3+ and reducing the number of intrinsic oxygen vacancies, the NKBT–Mn6 shows lower leakage current density than NKBT thin film. A typical “butterfly” shape displacement–voltage loop was observed for the film samples, and piezoelectric response shows similar trend to the dielectric response with the increase of Mn‐doping concentration.
MgO Doping Effects on Dielectric Properties of Ba0.55Sr0.45TiO3 Ceramics
Authors: Zhang Mingwei , Zhai Jiwei , Shen Bo , Yao Xi
Published: May 2011

MgO‐doped Ba0.55Sr0.45TiO3 ceramics were prepared by solid‐state reaction technique and their phase compositions, microstructure and dielectric properties were systematically characterized. Their dielectric peaks were markedly suppressed, broadened, and shifted to low temperatures with increasing MgO content, indicating that a certain amount of Mg2+ incorporated into BST lattice. The reason why the loss tangent at microwave frequencies increased with the addition of MgO at low concentrations was identified. Raman spectra analysis clearly indicated that the incorporation of Mg2+ degraded quality factor (Q value) of BST, which was ascribed to the deterioration of B‐site ordering of the ABO3 perovskite structure. It was found that Q value was strongly correlated with the Raman peak width of A1 (TO) stretch modes in perovskite materials. Also oxygen octahedron played an important role in determining the material's microwave performance. The decrease in loss tangent at microwave frequencies of the samples with high contents of MgO was resulted from the “composite” effect of the dielectric component.
Comprehension of Argument Structure and Semantic Roles: Evidence from English‐Learning Children and the Forced‐Choice Pointing Paradigm
Authors: Noble Claire H. , Rowland Caroline F. , Pine Julian M.
Published: May 2011

Research using the intermodal preferential looking paradigm (IPLP) has consistently shown that English‐learning children aged 2 can associate transitive argument structure with causal events. However, studies using the same methodology investigating 2‐year‐old children’s knowledge of the conjoined agent intransitive and semantic role assignment have reported inconsistent findings. The aim of the present study was to establish at what age English‐learning children have verb‐general knowledge of both transitive and intransitive argument structure using a new method: the forced‐choice pointing paradigm. The results suggest that young 2‐year‐olds can associate transitive structures with causal (or externally caused) events and can use transitive structure to assign agent and patient roles correctly. However, the children were unable to associate the conjoined agent intransitive with noncausal events until aged 3;4. The results confirm the pattern from previous IPLP studies and indicate that children may develop the ability to comprehend different aspects of argument structure at different ages. The implications for theories of language acquisition and the nature of the language acquisition mechanism are discussed.
Cellular diversity within embryonic stem cells: pluripotent clonal sublines show distinct differentiation potential
Authors: Martinez Yannick , Béna Frédérique , Gimelli Stefania , Tirefort Diderik , Dubois‐Dauphin Michel , Krause Karl‐Heinz , Preynat‐Seauve Olivier
Published: May 2011

Embryonic stem cells (ESC), derived from the early inner cell mass (ICM), are constituted of theoretically homogeneous pluripotent cells. Our study was designed to test this concept using experimental approaches that allowed characterization of progenies derived from single parental mouse ESC. Flow cytometry analysis showed that a fraction of ESC submitted to neural differentiation generates progenies that escape the desired phenotype. Live imaging of individual cells demonstrated significant variations in the capacity of parental ESC to generate neurons, raising the possibility of clonal diversity among ESC. To further substantiate this hypothesis, clonal sublines from ESC were generated by limit dilution. Transcriptome analysis of undifferentiated sublines showed marked differences in gene expression despite the fact that all clones expressed pluripotency markers. Sublines showed distinct differentiation potential, both in phenotypic differentiation assays and with respect to gene expression in embryoid bodies. Clones generated from another ESC line also showed individualities in their differentiation potential, demonstrating the wider applicability of these findings. Taken together, our observations demonstrate that pluripotent ESC consist of individual cell types with distinct differentiation potentials. These findings identify novel elements for the biological understanding of ESC and provide new tools with a major potential for their future in vitro and in vivo use.
Littoral spawning habitats of three southern Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus L.) populations
Authors: Low Jonathan J. , Igoe Fran , Davenport John , Harrison Simon S. C.
Published: May 2011

Abstract  Arctic charr populations in southern latitudes are nonmigratory, with all life‐stages limited to freshwater lakes and in‐ or out‐flowing tributaries. Although many of these populations are reported to also spawn in lake littorals, little is known about the physical characteristics of putative spawning grounds. A total of 23 discrete spawning sites within three Irish lakes were located by fyke netting of spawning adults and snorkelling in littoral habitats. Spawning sites were found to be long, narrow strips running parallel to the shore at a maximum depth of 124 cm. Spawning sites were limited to areas of coarse mineral substrate with an adequate (c. 8 cm) depth of clean interstitial spaces. In individual lakes, combined areas of spawning sites made up 0.4–0.7% of available littoral. Egg densities varied considerably between sites (33–900·eggs m−2) and were significantly correlated with gradient and width of spawning sites. No evidence of redd digging was found. The shallow, localised and restricted nature of spawning grounds makes such populations vulnerable to anthropogenically induced postoviposition changes in surface water level, eutrophication processes such as increased lake sedimentation and elevated nutrient status.
The Open Future
Authors: Torre Stephan
Published: May 2011

A commonly held idea regarding the nature of time is that the future is open and the past is fixed or closed. This article investigates the notion that there is an asymmetry in openness between the past and the future. The following questions are considered: How exactly is this asymmetry in openness to be understood? What is the relation between an open future and various ontological views about the future? Is an open future a branching future? What is the relation between an open future and the question of whether contingent statements about the future are true or false? Is an open future compatible with a single determinate future?
Exercise increases plasma levels of sphingoid base‐1 phosphates in humans
Authors: Baranowski M. , Charmas M. , Długołęcka B. , Górski J.
Published: May 2011

Aim:  In recent years, blood sphingolipids attracted much attention and have been implicated in both pathophysiology and prevention of cardiovascular diseases and insulin resistance. However, factors affecting concentration and metabolism of sphingolipids in blood remain poorly recognized. We have previously found that exercise alters skeletal muscle sphingolipid metabolism. This finding prompted us to examine whether physical activity induces similar effects in blood.

Methods:  Twenty healthy male patients were assigned to either untrained (UT, n = 10) or endurance trained (ET, n = 10) group. The patients performed either a 30 (UT group) or 60 (ET group) min exercise on a cycloergometer at a workload corresponding to 70% of V̇O2max. Blood samples were taken just before exercise, after 30 and 60 (ET group only) min of pedalling and following a 30‐min rest.

Results:  ET patients were characterized by higher basal plasma sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) concentration and decreased content of sphingosine, S1P, sphinganine‐1‐phosphate (SA1P) and ceramide in erythrocytes. In ET group, plasma concentrations of all measured sphingolipids remained stable both during and after exercise. On the other hand, in UT patients, the post‐exercise levels of S1P and SA1P were markedly higher compared with the baseline values and this effect was accompanied by decreased erythrocyte ceramide content.

Conclusion:  It is likely that single bout of exercise and endurance training enhances production and release of S1P by erythrocytes. We speculate that exercise‐induced increase in plasma S1P concentration might be one of the mechanisms underlying beneficial effects of physical activity on cardiovascular health and insulin sensitivity.
Photoprotective Effects of Methoxycinnamidopropyl Polysilsesquioxane
Authors: Choi Dae‐Kyoung , Jung Taek Kyu , Lim Tae‐Yeon , Kim Tae‐Heung , Kim Young Baek , Lee Jeung‐Hoon , Yoon Kyung‐Sup , Yoon Tae‐Jin
Published: May 2011

A new sunscreen ingredient, methoxycinnamidopropyl polysilsesquioxane (MCP‐PSQ), which contains an UV‐absorbing p‐methoxycinnamoyl group, has been developed synthetically and evaluated using in vitro and in vivo approaches. Previous studies revealed that MCP‐PSQ has a raising or boosting effect on the sun protection factor (SPF) of other sunscreen agents. In this study, we demonstrated that MCP‐PSQ, an organic/inorganic hybrid compound, has photoprotective effects for human fibroblasts, and for hairless mouse and human skin. MCP‐PSQ increases cell viability and suppresses the expression of p53 protein in fibroblasts after UV exposure. In addition, the numbers of sunburn cells and mast cells are reduced by topical application of MCP‐PSQ on hairless mouse skin after UV irradiation. A 10% MCP‐PSQ cream has higher and similar effects on SPF values for human skin compared to 5% titanium dioxide (TiO2) and 5% ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (EHMC), respectively. The SPF value obtained using the MCP‐PSQ cream did not drop after UV irradiation of the cream itself. However, higher dose of UV irradiation is required to guarantee the stability or photostability of the formulation. Further, there were no side effects such as erythema, edema, itch or tingling, suggesting that MCP‐PSQ is a good sunscreen agent.
Developing a Contextual Consciousness: Learning to Address Gender, Societal Power, and Culture in Clinical Practice
Authors: Esmiol Elisabeth E. , Knudson‐Martin Carmen , Delgado Sarah
Published: May 2011

Despite the growing number of culturally sensitive training models and considerable literature on the importance of training clinicians in larger contextual issues, research examining how students learn to apply these issues is limited. In this participatory action research project, we systematically studied our own process as marriage and family therapy (MFT) practicum students developing a contextual consciousness. Using grounded theory, we identified a three‐stage process: (a) raised awareness through clinical experimentation and developing a theoretical rationale, (b) reflective questioning involving challenging old perspectives and experiencing positive client–therapist interactions, and (c) an intentional new lens based on personal responsibility and commitment. Creating and maintaining a contextual lens required a safe, empowering group dynamic and accessing other forms of support and accountability after the practicum.
“Her Energy Kind of Went Into a Different Place”: A Qualitative Study Examining Supervisors’ Experience of Promoting Reflexive Learning in Students
Authors: McCandless Robert , Eatough Virginia
Published: May 2011

For family therapists in training, a key learning outcome is the development of reflexive abilities. This study explores the experience of three experienced training supervisors as they address this learning outcome with students. Transcripts of semi‐structured interviews were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The Supervisory Relationship emerged as a single overarching theme that contained and contextualized three further themes: Promoting Learning, Dimensions of Power, and The Self of the Supervisor. One theme is reported here, Promoting Learning, with an illustrative example of experiential learning in a student that demonstrates the overriding significance of The Supervisory Relationship. The findings are discussed in the context of current literature and research regarding supervision and training. This study adds richness and detail to material published on supervisory experience, and documents supervisory “micro‐skills” relevant to the development of reflexive abilities in students.
Analysis of Environmental and General Science Teaching Efficacy Among Instructors with Contrasting Class Ethnicity Distributions: A Four‐Dimensional Assessment
Authors: Moseley Christine , Taylor Bryan
Published: May 2011

The context and nature of teacher efficacy beliefs provide a method upon which to explore science teachers' perceptions of their teaching effectiveness and student achievement as a function of ethnicity. Promotion of a more in‐depth knowledge of science teaching efficacy requires cross‐sectional and longitudinal investigations. In this study, a bi‐disciplinary four‐dimensional assessment is utilized to measure personal teacher efficacy, outcome expectancy, classroom management (CM), and student engagement (SE).

Major findings from this study conclude that science teaching efficacy was markedly lower for science teachers with high minority class ethnicity distribution (CED) when compared with efficacy levels of teachers with high nonminority CED. Additionally, when examining efficacy dimensions separately, markedly lower mean efficacy dimension responses were consistent for teachers with high minority CED; however, only CM and SE were considered statistically different. Results were consistent for both the environmental and general science disciplines.
Piaget's Logic of Meanings: Still Relevant Today
Authors: Wavering Michael James
Published: May 2011

In his last book, Toward a Logic of Meanings (Piaget & Garcia, 1991), Jean Piaget describes how thought can be categorized into a form of propositional logic, a logic of meanings. The intent of this article is to offer this analysis by Piaget as a means to understand the language and teaching of science. Using binary propositions, conjunctions, and disjunctions, a table of binary operations is used to analyze the structure of statements about conclusions drawn from observations of science phenomena. Two examples from science content illustrate how the logic of binary propositions is used to symbolize typical reasoning of secondary‐school science students. The content areas are the period of a pendulum and the Archimedes' Principle, which were chosen based on observations in secondary science classrooms. The analyses of the student responses in these two observations demonstrate the commonalities of arguments used by students of science as they try to make sense of observations. The analysis of students' reasoning, demonstrates that Piaget's logic of meanings is a useful and relevant tool for science educators' understanding of the syntactical aspects of pedagogical content knowledge.
Gas Solubility in Glasses: Principles and Applications
Authors: Shackelford James F.
Published: May 2011

There are numerous practical applications of the solubility of gases in glass, for example, gas separation and the outgassing and leak testing of vacuum systems. Analysis of the structure of glass provides an understanding of the mechanisms of gas solution, diffusion, and permeation. The gas atoms (or molecules) serve as structural probes. Noble gas solubility in vitreous silica indicates the distribution of interstitial size to be lognormal in nature, a result confirmed by computer‐generated models. In related studies, computer models have indicated that the ring statistics in vitreous silica are normal (Gaussian) in nature over a wide range of pressures. The geometrical literature on convex polyhedra provides additional detail about the nature of the structure of glass and its relationship to gas transport. This paper focuses on gas solubility in rigid glasses below the glass transition temperature, but there are implications for the related problem of gas solubility in glass melts, another problem of substantial commercial interest. The understanding of gas solubility has also had a significant influence on models of geological importance, such as volcanic eruptions and formation of the earth's atmosphere. These studies in the earth sciences, in turn, enhance our understanding of engineered glasses.
On the equivariant Tamagawa number conjecture in tame CM-extensions, II
Authors: Nickel Andreas
Published: May 2011

We use the notion of non-commutative Fitting invariants to give a reformulation of the equivariant Iwasawa main conjecture (EIMC) attached to an extensionF/Kof totally real fields with Galois group 𝒢, whereKis a global number field and 𝒢 is ap-adic Lie group of dimension one for an odd primep. We attach to each finite Galois CM-extensionL/Kwith Galois groupGa module SKu(L/K) over the center of the group ring ℤGwhich coincides with the Sinnott–Kurihara ideal ifGis abelian. We state a conjecture on the integrality of SKu (L/K) which follows from the equivariant Tamagawa number conjecture (ETNC) in many cases, and is a theorem for abelianG. Assuming the vanishing of the Iwasawaμ-invariant, we compute Fitting invariants of certain Iwasawa modules via the EIMC, and we show that this implies the minus part of the ETNC atpfor an infinite class of (non-abelian) Galois CM-extensions of number fields which are at most tamely ramified abovep, provided that (an appropriatep-part of) the integrality conjecture holds.
Protective effect of caspase inhibition on compression‐induced muscle damage
Authors: Teng Bee T. , Tam Eric W. , Benzie Iris F. , Siu Parco M.
Published: May 2011

Non‐technical summary  A pressure ulcer, also known as a pressure sore, bedsore or decubitus ulcer, results from localized ulcerated tissue breakdown caused by sustained, unrelieved mechanical pressure in the body–support interface such as with a bed, wheelchair and orthoses/prostheses. Pressure ulcers are common in the wheelchair bound or bedridden frail elderly patients with neuromuscular disorder and orthoses/prostheses clients. Pressure ulcers represent a significant health problem as they impose a heavy burden on sufferers, with negative psychological, physical, social and financial consequences. Most importantly, there are currently no effective therapies for preventing and treating pressure ulcers. In the present study, our data demonstrate that pharmacological inhibition of caspase is effective in alleviating muscle damage induced by prolonged moderate compression. These findings suggest that regimens targeting caspase/apoptosis inhibition might be of use to prevent or treat pressure ulcers.
Comparison of Filter Smoke Number and Elemental Carbon Mass From Partially Premixed Low Temperature Combustion in a Direct-Injection Diesel Engine
Authors: Northrop William F. , Bohac Stanislav V. , Chin Jo-Yu , Assanis Dennis N.
Published: May 2011

Partially premixed low temperature combustion (LTC) is an established advanced engine strategy that enables the simultaneous reduction of soot and NOx emissions in diesel engines. Measuring extremely low levels of soot emissions achievable with LTC modes using a filter smoke meter requires large sample volumes and repeated measurements to achieve the desired data precision and accuracy. Even taking such measures, doubt exists as to whether filter smoke number (FSN) accurately represents the actual smoke emissions emitted from such low soot conditions. The use of alternative fuels such as biodiesel also compounds efforts to accurately report soot emissions since the reflectivity of high levels of organic matter found on the particulate matter collected may result in erroneous readings from the optical detector. Using FSN, it is desired to report mass emissions of soot using empirical correlations derived for use with petroleum diesel fuels and conventional modes of combustion. The work presented in this paper compares the experimental results of well known formulas for calculating the mass of soot using FSN and the elemental carbon mass using thermal optical analysis (TOA) over a range of operating conditions and fuels from a four-cylinder direct-injection passenger car diesel engine. The data show that the mass of soot emitted by the engine can be accurately predicted with the smoke meter method utilizing a 3000 ml sample volume over a range of FSN from 0.02 to 1.5. Soot mass exhaust concentration calculated from FSN using the best of the literature expressions and that from TOA taken over all conditions correlated linearly with a slope of 0.99 and R2 value of 0.94. A primary implication of the work is that the level of confidence in reporting the soot mass based on FSN for low soot formation regimes such as LTC is improved for both petroleum diesel and biodiesel fuels.
Conceptual Design for Condylar Guiding Features of a Total Knee Replacement
Authors: Amiri Shahram , Cooke T. Derek V. , Wyss Urs P.
Published: May 2011

This study investigates the design requirements for guiding features that can be incorporated into the shapes of the femoral condyles and the tibial component geometry of a knee replacement system without occupying the intercondylar space of the joint so that the cruciates can be spared and still produce more physiological motions. A conceptual design for a surface-guided knee is introduced to induce effective guiding both in flexion and extension by novel features incorporated in the shape of the lateral condyle. This design can accommodate preservation of either of the cruciates while deficiencies in the functions of the other are compensated by contributions of the articular geometry in guiding the motion and stabilizing the joint. The preliminary kinematic tests on a prototype demonstrated viability of the features in guiding motion under compression.
Differential Approximations to the Radiation Transfer Equation by Chapman–Enskog Expansion
Authors: Gusarov A. V.
Published: May 2011

Direct numerical solution of the radiation transfer equation is often easier than implementation of its differential approximations with their cumbersome boundary conditions. Nevertheless, these approximations are still used, for example, in theoretical analysis. The existing approach to obtain a differential approximation based on expansion in series of the spherical harmonics is revised and expansion in series of the eigenfunctions of the scattering integral is proposed. A system of eigenfunctions is obtained for an arbitrary phase function, and explicit differential approximations are built up to the third Chapman–Enskog order. The results are tested by its application to the problem of a layer. The third-order Chapman–Enskog approximation is found to match the boundary conditions better than the first-order one and gives considerably more accurate value for the heat flow. The accuracy of the both first- and third-order heat flows generally increases with the optical thickness. In addition, the third-order heat flow tends to the rigorous limit value when the optical thickness tends to zero.
3D Graphical Rendering of Localized Lumps and Arteries for Robotic Assisted MIS
Authors: Kalantari Masoud , Ramezanifard Mohammadreza , Dargahi Javad , Kövecses Jozsef
Published: May 2011

Detection of hard inclusions within soft tissue in robotic assisted minimally invasive surgery (MIS), also referred to as laparoscopic surgery, is of great importance, both in clinical and surgical applications. In clinical applications, surgeons need to detect and precisely identify the location and size of all growths, whether cancerous or benign, that are present within surrounding tissue in order to assess the extent and nature of any future treatment plan. In surgical applications, when any solid matter is being removed, it is important to avoid accidental injury to surrounding tissues and blood vessels since, were this to occur, it could then necessitate the need to resort to open surgery. The present study is aimed at developing a three-dimensional tactile display that provides palpation capability to any surgeon performing robotic assisted MIS. The information is collected from two force sensor/pressure matrices and processed with a new algorithm and graphically rendered. Consequently, the surgeon can determine the presence, location, and the size of any hidden superficial tumor/artery by grasping the target tissue in a quasi-dynamic way. The developed algorithm is presented, and the results for various configurations of embedded tumor/arteries inside the tissue are compared with those of the finite element analysis.
A Modified Reliability Index Approach for Reliability-Based Design Optimization
Authors: Ting Lin Po , Chang Gea Hae , Jaluria Yogesh
Published: May 2011

Reliability-based design optimization (RBDO) problems have been intensively studied for many decades. Since Hasofer and Lind [1974, “Exact and Invariant Second-Moment Code Format,” J. Engrg. Mech. Div., 100(EM1), pp. 111–121] defined a measure of the second-moment reliability index, many RBDO methods utilizing the concept of reliability index have been introduced as the reliability index approach (RIA). In the RIA, reliability analysis problems are formulated to find the reliability indices for each performance constraint and the solutions are used to evaluate the failure probability. However, the traditional RIA suffers from inefficiency and convergence problems. In this paper, we revisited the definition of the reliability index and revealed the convergence problem in the traditional RIA. Furthermore, a new definition of the reliability index is proposed to correct this problem and a modified reliability index approach is developed based on this definition. The strategies to solve RBDO problems with non-normally distributed design variables by the modified RIA are also investigated. Numerical examples using both the traditional and modified RIAs are compared and discussed.
Photodynamics of the adenine model 4-aminopyrimidine embedded within double strand of DNA
Authors: Zelený Tomáš , Hobza Pavel , Nachtigallová Dana , Ruckenbauer Matthias , Lischka Hans
Published: May 2011

On-the-fly surface hopping nonadiabatic photodynamical simulations using hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical approach of 4-aminopyrimidine were performed to model the relaxation mechanism of adenine within DNA double strand. The surrounding bases do not affect the overall ring-puckering relaxation mechanisms significantly, however, interesting hydrogen-bond dynamics is observed. First, formation of intra-strand hydrogen bonds is found. It is shown that this effect speeds up the decay process. In addition, the Watson–Crick structure is altered by breaking one of the inter-strand hydrogen bonds also leading to a decrease of the life time.
ADVANCEMENT OF THE SCALING FFAG ACCELERATOR FOR ADSR, PULSED-SNS AND MUON ACCELERATION
Authors: MORI YOSHIHARU
Published: May 2011

Progress in the study of beam optics and acceleration of the scaling FFAG accelerator has been presented in this paper.
EFFECT OF THICKNESS ON THE PROPERTIES OF In-DOPED ZnO THIN FILMS PREPARED BY RF MAGNETRON SPUTTERING
Authors: PENG L. P. , FANG L. , YANG X. F. , HUANG Q. L. , WU F. , CAO Y. C. , LI M. W. , KONG C. Y.
Published: May 2011

In-doped zinc oxide ( ZnO:In ) thin films with thickness from 157 nm to 592 nm have been deposited on glass substrates by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering. The effect of the film thickness on the structural, electrical and optical properties of ZnO:In thin films has been investigated. It is found that the films are hexagonal wurtzite structure with c-axis perpendicular to the substrate, and with increasing thickness, the crystallinity, the grains size and the conductivity of the films increases, but the strains along c-axis and the transmittance decrease. The decrease of the resistivity in a thicker film is attributed to the slight increase of the carrier concentration and the significant increase of Hall mobility. The transmittance of all the films is over 80% in the visible region (400–800 nm) and the band gap decrease with the increase of film thickness. The film with the thickness of around 303 nm has the resistivity of 6.07 × 10-3 Ω⋅ cm and the transmittance of 90% in the visible range. Based on the good conductivity and high transmittance, the ZnO:In films prepared by magnetron sputtering can be regarded as a potential transparent electrode.
SEPARATION PROPERTIES FOR ITERATED FUNCTION SYSTEMS OF BOUNDED DISTORTION
Authors: FERRARI MARIANO A. , PANZONE PABLO
Published: May 2011

In this paper we study a general separation property for subsystems G, whose attractor KG is a sub-self-similar set. This is a generalization of the Lau-Ngai weak separation property for the bounded distortion case. For subsystems with positive Hausdorff measure in its similarity dimension, we characterize the subsets of KG with positive measure where the separation property may fail. We exhibit two examples of fractal sets, one not satisfying the weak separation property and whose existence was questioned by Zerner, the other having positive Hausdorff measure in its dimension and with the separation property failing on a subset of positive measure.