cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Photoactivatable GFP for Selective Photolabeling of Proteins and Cells

We report a photoactivatable variant of the Aequorea victoria green fluorescent protein (GFP) that, after intense irradiation with 413-nanometer light, increases fluorescence 100 times when excited by 488-nanometer light and remains stable for days under aerobic conditions. These characteristics offer a new tool for exploring intracellular protein dynamics by tracking photoactivated molecules that are the only visible GFPs in the cell. Here, we use the photoactivatable GFP both as a free protein to measure protein diffusion across the nuclear envelope and as a chimera with a lysosomal membrane protein to demonstrate rapid interlysosomal membrane exchange.
Validity of measured party positions on European integration: Assumptions, approaches, and a comparison of alternative measures *

Abstract A variety of methodologies have been employed in order to measure the positions of political parties on the issue of European Integration. This paper compares four types of measures of party position: reputational, textual, behavioral, and self reported indicators. These indicators are assessed in terms of their content validity, convergent validity, and, construct validity. All of these approaches yield plausible measures which correlate reasonably well with each other, although care must be taken with the creation of indices from the Comparative Manifesto Project dataset. However, these indicators are not interchangeable, and the results of substantive research on EU politics are dependent, to an alarming extent, on the choice of indicators. Careful attention should be paid to the choice of measures, and the theoretical justification of any measure used. Future researchers would be well advised to test whether their results are robust across alternative measures of party positions.
Analysis of fluid loss data II: Models for dynamic fluid loss

Fluid loss during fracturing limits the efficiency of the process. Modeling of fluid loss is important for prefrac design and postfrac analysis. The fluid-loss process is complex and difficult to accurately model theoretically because many of the parameters are difficult or impossible to evaluate. This has led to the use of empirical and semi-empirical models some of which work better than others. Testing protocols also influence the quality of the data on which these models are based. In this paper, we review some of the currently used models and propose two different models that provide better fits to the available data than currently existing models. We also discuss the influence of core length on the experimental data and modeling of this data.
The Audacity to Teach An Examination of Reform Policy, School Leadership, and Their Relationships Mediated by Instructional Capacity

The state of educational effectiveness and student success are of paramount concern in the United States. Concerted efforts have been made to close the achievement gap among White and Black groups....
Impact of a single defect on the conductance: Local interference and universal conductance fluctuations.

By reversibly reconfiguring a single defect in a mesoscopic copper nanobridge [lt]10 nm wide, we have measured [ital both] the local interference and universal-conductance-fluctuation contributions to the impact of a single defect on the conductance. Both effects are in good agreement with the predictions of theory, despite the fact that the defects that reconfigure are more complicated than simple point defects.
Gut spore composition and influence of fungal host on the rate of mortality and post-embryonic development inTiarothrips suhramanii (Ramk.)

Studies on the spore composition of the gut of the adult idolothripine sporophagous speciesTiarothrips subramanii (Ramk.) indicated a greater preference forAnthostomella consanguinea as compared to others (viz., A. phoenicicola, A. sepelibilis, Pestalotia algeriensis, Melanographium citri, Phoma sp., Diplodia sp., Gnomonia sp., Stigmina palmivora). The rates of development and mortality were higher when developing instars were reared onA. phoenicicola andP. algeriensis respectively.
Group Polarization of Trust in Technology

The aim of the current study was to investigate if the phenomenon of group polarization could be observed in trust in technology. In this study, 24 participants worked as two-person teams and multi-tasked in a computerized environment under varied difficulty and technology reliability levels. The participants provided trust in technology ratings individually before discussion and ratings on the team level after discussion. The results indicated that group discussion made team trust in technology more extreme than the average individual trust in technology before the discussion. Teams working with reliable technology showed a higher trust in technology rating after discussion, indicating a “risk shift” effect of group polarization. These results show that group polarization should be considered in trust calibration.
On a graph packing conjecture by Bollobás, Eldridge and Catlin

Two graphs G 1 and G 2 of order n pack if there exist injective mappings of their vertex sets into [n], such that the images of the edge sets are disjoint. In 1978, Bollobas and Eldridge, and independently Catlin, conjectured that if (Δ(G 1) + 1)(Δ(G 2) + 1) ≤ n + 1, then G 1 and G 2 pack. Towards this conjecture, we show that for Δ(G 1),Δ(G 2) ≥ 300, if (Δ(G 1) + 1)(Δ(G 2) + 1) ≤ 0.6n + 1, then G 1 and G 2 pack. This is also an improvement, for large maximum degrees, over the classical result by Sauer and Spencer that G 1 and G 2 pack if Δ(G 1)Δ(G 2) < 0.5n.
Interruptive patterns in medical visits: The effects of role, status and gender

Fifty physicians (25 female, 25 male) representing six different levels of status (interns, second and third year residents, fellows and junior and senior staff) were videotaped, each with a male and a female patient. The videotapes were coded for interruptive and overlapping speech, for both physician and patient. Specific categories were successful interruptions, partially successful interruptions, unsuccessful interruptions and overlaps. In addition, all instances of interruptive and overlapping speech were coded as a question or a statement. Results showed, overall, that patients engaged in significantly more interruptive and overlapping speech than did physicians. However, when these variables were analyzed separately for questions and statements, patients were found to interrupt more with statements, whereas physicians interrupted more with questions. High and low status physicians did not differ in their use of interruptions. The few gender differences that did emerge did not indicate a clear pattern of male dominance. The results showing patients to interrupt physicians more than the reverse suggest that interrupting may not solely be a behavior of the higher status person. Together the findings of this study challenge the notion that interruptions simply reflect dominance and/or status and are a behavior more often displayed by males than by females.
The Coulomb energies of the lower excited levels in the light mirror nuclei

Abstract The Coulomb energy differences of the lower excited levels in the mirror nuclei with 5 ≦ A ≦ 17 are calculated using first order perturbation theory and shell model representations for the nuclear states. The Slater integrals for the Coulomb potential are used as parameters in the calculation and the nuclear radius is assumed to vary as A 1 3 . Good agreement is found with the experimental values when account is taken of other effects, such as the Thomas-Ehrman shift, which will contribute to the differences in the energy level spectra of a mirror pair.
DNA replication of bacteriophage ∅29: Isolation of a DNA-protein complex from Bacillus subtilis cells infected with wild-type and with a suppressor-sensitive mutant

Abstract Phage DNA synthesis was measured in Bacillus subtilis cells infected with wild-type bacteriophage ∅29 and several suppressor-sensitive mutants of ∅29. Radioactively labeled phage DNA was isolated from cells infected with ∅29 and sus4(369), which has a mutation in an early gene controlling late protein synthesis. The phage DNA synthesized after infection by either phage was the same size as DNA isolated from mature phage particles, and contained tightly bound protein associated with the ends of the molecule. These results suggested that the protein associated with ∅29 DNA may be specified by an early gene and that production of phage particles is not required for synthesis of mature DNA or for association of the protein with the DNA.
Disability index in a randomized controlled trial of emergency sclerotherapy versus portacaval shunt for bleeding varices in cirrhosis

Abstract Background Disability has not been studied after emergency treatment of bleeding esophageal varices (BEV). We created a disability index (DI) in a randomized controlled trial comparing emergency endoscopic therapy (EST) versus emergency portacaval shunt (EPCS). Methods There were 211 unselected, consecutive patients with cirrhosis and acute BEV who were randomized to EST (n = 106) or EPCS (n = 105). Diagnostic work-up and treatment were performed within 8 hours. Ninety-six percent underwent more than 10 years follow-up evaluation. Disability was measured by assessing 9 factors to create a DI. Results Ten-year survival was 8% after EST versus 51% after EPCS (P Conclusions EPCS resulted in a markedly better DI than EST, a significantly higher survival rate, better control of bleeding, and a lower incidence of PSE. EPCS is an effective first-line emergency treatment of BEV.
Transonic flow calculations using Euler's equations

An implicit finite difference method with implicit boundary conditions is employed to solve the steady Euler's equations for flows past arbitrary geometries. The resulting code is used to investigate in a systematic way various aspects of flow past airfoils at transonic speeds such as, method of solution, boundary conditions, grid stretching and generation, shock and sonic point operators, the Kutta condition, and smoothing. Results obtained are in good agreement with results of other codes. Moreover, it appears that the method of solution employed is such that Kutta's condition need not be invoked. This statement appears to be valid for other existing schemes employed in the solution of Euler's equations.
An incremental theory of magneto-elastic hysteresis in pseudo-cubic ferro-magnetostrictive alloys

Abstract This paper presents an incremental hysteretic magneto-elastic constitutive theory of pseudo-cubic ferro-magnetostrictive alloys, which may be used to predict the magneto-elastic response of these materials under quite general applied magnetic field and stress processes. These processes may include fully saturated major loop, unsaturated minor loop or more general types of magnetic field-stress processes. Comparisons between model results and a set of high quality measurements show that the model is capable of qualitative agreement with the experimental behavior. However, the experimental data shows a strongly decreasing magnetization and magnetostriction hysteresis as the minor loop cyclic applied field amplitude becomes smaller. It appears that irreversible domain wall motion continuously activates as the applied magnetic field is reduced in the range from 79 to 39 kA/m. Minor loop processes which do not have a sufficiently low minimum applied magnetic field value do not activate irreversible domain wall translation events and any measured magnetization changes must be due to one or more reversible mechanisms such as domain wall bowing and reversible domain rotation. The present model only includes an irreversible domain wall translation mechanism, therefore the model hysteresis widths remain constant with decreasing minor loop cyclic applied field amplitude.
Extending the Vibrational Limits in Near-Infrared Fourier Transform Raman Spectroscopy

Because of the throughput, multiplex, and calibration advantages of Fourier transform (FT) infrared spectroscopy, renewed interest has arisen in developing FT-Raman techniques for extended applications in the chemical, physical, and biophysical areas. The ability to use a single interferometer with the appropriate accessories for obtaining either infrared or Raman spectra adds further to the allure and potential of this new spectroscopic approach. As a result of the broad frequency range accessible to an interferometer, FT-Raman spectra can be collected with the use of a variety of laser excitation sources ranging from the visible (488 nm and 647.1 nm, for example) to near-infrared (1064 nm) wavelengths. Excitation at longer wavelengths often provides the significant advantage of yielding Raman spectra which are free from fluorescence effects.
Active Fault Tolerant Model Predictive Control of a Turbofan Engine using C-MAPSS40k

Aircraft engine control is a crucial component for the safe and stable operation of gas turbine engines which are complex nonlinear systems. As engines have evolved to higher capabilities it is crucial to update the control strategy to ensure maximum functionality of the engine. Current industrial baseline controllers are based in the Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) control scheme along with individual limit controllers having critically damped responses housed in the min-max architecture. In light of the distributed engine control architecture that exploits digital electronics and hence higher on-board computational capabilities, the baseline controller is replaced by a Model Predictive Control (MPC) law with on-line optimization. MPC is a model based control technique that can handle complex constrained dynamics thus allowing the incorporation of component faults in the design process of the controller. Component faults occur during an engine's operation mainly due to fan blade-shroud rubbing, structural wear and tear and foreign object ingestion thus affecting the engine performance. Simulations on the Linear Time Invariant (LTI) as well as the nonlinear turbofan engine of the Commercial Modular Aero-Propulsion System Simulation (C-MAPSS40k) tool are carried out. In the presence of a component fault, active fault tolerant control using the multi-model MPC approach is applied by switching between the MPC blocks, each using its respective LTI reference model.The control of both the fan speed as well as the thrust for a demand profile in the Power Level Angle (PLA) is investigated and the MPC performance is compared with that of the PID controller demonstrating the successful replacement of the baseline controller with an on-line fault tolerant MPC. The thrust control approach using MPC consumes lesser fuel when compared with the fan speed control approach.
Model for sorption of mixed gases in glassy polymers

A model is presented for analysis of the sorption of mixed gases in glassy polymers at concentrations below which significant plasticization occurs. The well-known dual-mode sorption model comprised of a Henry's law term and a Langmuir isotherm term, which has been used extensively for interpretation of single-component gas sorption data, forms the basis for the analysis of binary mixtures discussed here. Measurements using pure gases provide dual mode parameters which can then be used to predict the resultant sorption isotherms for binary mixtures of any of the pure gases. The proposed analysis is based upon recognition that the Langmuir component of the overall sorption concentration should be governed by competition between the two penetrants for the fixed unrelaxed volume in the polymer, which is believed to be the locus of the Langmuir capacity. This effect may result in a significant depression of the measured sorption of similar penetrants competing for the limited Langmuir capacity. A numerical example is considered which illustrates the range of behavior expected for CO2 and CH4 in polycarbonate. Deviations from the theoretical predictions of the simple dual-mode model for binary systems are discussed in terms of plasticizing effects on the Henry's law constant and the Langmuir affinity constant. The analyses proposed here are of direct and critical interest to the applied problems of migration of trace contaminants in glassy polymers and analysis of barrier packaging for foods since all of these applied problems involve mixed-penetrant sorption. Specifically, it is predicted that the presence of residual monomers or solvents in glassy polymers can produce both anomolously low Langmuir sorption affinity constants and sorption enthalpies compared with the residual-free case.
Seed coat micromorphology of Gordonia sensu lato (including Polyspora and Laplacea; Theaceae)

Species of Gordonia s.l. are characterized by having seeds with prominent flattened apical wings. However, recent molecular phylogenetic studies show that this concept of Gordonia is not monophyletic, with species occurring in two tribes of Theaceae. We examine seed coat micromophology of 14 species of Gordonia s.l., including representatives from all proposed lineages, and ten species from six genera from all three tribes of Theaceae. We observed that seeds from Gordonieae, including two species of Gordonia s.l., have irregularly protruding groups of cells on the seed coat that appear to be unique in the family. Seeds of Theeae, including all remaining species of Gordonia s.l., lack protruding cells and include testa cells that are isodiametric to elongate. Seeds of Stewartieae lack protrusions and elongate testa cells, and often have sculpting visible below the seed coat. Seeds of Gordonia s.l. from Gordonieae appear significantly smaller than species placed in Theeae. These results may help to infer relationships of fossilized seeds previously identified as Gordonia.
Revision Surgery for Lumbar Stenosis: Techniques, Results, and Complications

Revision surgery for lumbar stenosis is associated with longer surgical times, greater technical challenges, and a higher rate for potential complication rates than primary surgery. However, in well-selected patients, clinical success can be achieved. Identification of symptomatic residual or recurrent areas of stenosis or instability is paramount. Adhering to basic principles of revision surgery is crucial to its safe and effective execution. However, the surgeries are often far from “basic,” requiring the surgeon to be adept at a wide range of conventional and novel surgical techniques.
The family study of otitis media: Design and disease and risk factor profiles

Recurrent acute otitis media (RAOM) and chronic otitis media with effusion (COME) exhibit familial aggregation, but environmental risk factors (day care attendance, cigarette smoke exposure, and bottle feeding) are also important in their development. The Family Study of OM was designed to ascertain the RAOM/ COME status of families whose children participated in Otitis Media Research Center studies between 1978 and 1984. Probands were treated with tympanostomy tubes, and had their RAOM/COME status ascertained as criteria for entry into these studies. For the Family Study of OM parents were interviewed about their otitis media and risk factor history; mothers were interviewed about their children's history, and pertinent medical records were obtained. Members of 173 families were examined with otomicroscopy and multifrequency tympanometry; 19% of parents and 32% of siblings were classified as affected, which is substantially higher than RAOM/COME rates from previous reports. Risk factor profiles differed significantly (P < .001) between parents and their children. Younger generation (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 4.18, 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.74, 6.36) day care attendance (OR = 1.96, 95% CI, 1.32, 2.91) and male gender (OR = 1.42, 95% CI, 1.03, 1.97) were significantly related to RAOM/ COME using logistic regression. Analyses confirm 1) higher disease rates in families with an affected member compared to existing studies of the general population, 2) increased risk of RAOM/COME associated with known risk factors, and 3) increased risk for parents irrespective of risk factors. Additional analyses will explore competing models of disease susceptibility using genetic models and known risk factors.
Solitary fibrosing paraspinal plaque: Solitary morphoea profunda?

Solitary morphoea profunda is a recently described morphological variant of localized scleroderma. Two of the five reported patients had a solitary fibrotic plaque in the paraspinal region. We report a 16-year-old boy with a solitary fibrotic paraspinal plaque which, on histological examination, showed dermal and subcutaneous sclerosis, with a polymorphous infiltrate including plasma cells and eosinophils. Laboratory tests were either negative or normal, except for mild peripheral blood eosinophilia. Antinuclear antibodies were not detected, and the patient had no evidence of Borrelia infection. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that the process involved the subcutaneous tissue, but did not extend to the underlying bone. As half of the patients with this entity (three of six) now described have had a solitary fibrotic plaque in a paraspinal location, we suggest that it may be premature to classify all these cases as being a variant of morphoea. We propose the use of the descriptive term solitary fibrosing paraspinal plaque, until the aetiology or aetiologies of this condition are better understood.
Lysine deficiency and leukocyte metabolism.

SummaryQo2 and RQ of rats on a lysine deficient diet have been studied. The Qo2 of the deficient animals is significantly increased, almost 2 times, over control animals. The RQ, although greater than 1.0 is the same in both groups and decreases equally during phagocytosis in the expected manner. The Qo2 likewise increases equally in both groups during phagocytosis. It is concluded that the ingestion of the bacteria is unaffected by lysine deficiency.
A new approach for joint venture stakeholder analysis: the impact of a parent company’s organisational dimensions on its project risk profile

The joint venture (JV) form of business organisation has become a critical part of corporate strategy in worldwide markets, but its high failure rate presents a great challenge to potential investors. Using an inductive case study method, the authors explored the question of how the organisational structure of JV parent companies impacts the joint venture project’s risk profile. We found that there can be sub-units or individuals within an organisation whose goals are incongruent with the goals of the parent companies and their joint venture projects who can act against the JV project without consequence due to organisational injustice and agency issues. These sub-units can create risks and uncertainties and undermine cooperation and trust between the parent companies in the joint venture project. To increase the likelihood of success of future JV projects, the authors combined organisation, stakeholder, and agency theories to propose a conception framework in which parent companies were defined as the primary stakeholders and their functional departments as the secondary stakeholders. The JV project team can use this framework to analyse the organisation structure and control mechanisms of each parent company, to classify the functional departments and their employees as positive or negative secondary stakeholders, and to identify their impact on project risk and uncertainty.
Calculation of Energies and Widths of Compound-State Resonances in Elastic Scattering: Stabilization Method

In a previous paper, the stabilization method of calculating resonance parameters was applied to a one-dimensional model problem of potential scattering. The method is here extended to compound-state resonances in elastic scattering, and its application to a model problem for a target with two bound states is examined. The resonance parameters are calculated by two methods which use information obtained in the diagonalization of the exact Hamiltonian in appropriately chosen sets of square-integrable basis functions: One is presented for the first time here; the other is similar to the procedure used in the potential-scattering problem. In addition to the stabilization method, we have applied to the model problem some other techniques, which have been previously proposed for the calculation of resonance parameters. The availability of the exact solutions enables us to make some preliminary assessments of the reliability and the difficulty that might be expected from these approximation methods.
Well-being and its shadow: health promotion implications for older women.

In this paper, I describe a theoretical extension to the ecological well-being model of personal, everyday well-being (Ruffing-Rahal, 1989) with the addition of a ''shadow model'' of core themes and properties. The expanded model enables recognition of transitions in well-being and qualitative experience, thereby providing a venue for deliberate health promotion interventions to address emergent threats to and optimizers of qualitative experience. Illustrative examples, drawn from the investigator's community field experiences involving group health promotion with community-dwelling older women, show the resourcefulness of the shadow model in identifying program topics for timely, relevant preventive and health promotion interventions. The advantages of a small group intervention are also discussed.
U.S. Climate and Ecological Data available on CD-ROM and online

A climate, vegetation, and soils data set for the United States, assembled by the Vegetation/Ecosystem Modeling and Analysis Project (VEMAP), is now available on CD-ROM and online. VEMAP is an international, multiinstitutional collaboration with the goal of evaluating the sensitivity of ecosystem structure and function to altered climate, CO2, and other forcings.
Interactions Between Physiological and Affective Arousal: A Laboratory Exercise for Psychology

As part of the laboratory component of an introductory psychology course, 420 students participated in an exercise demonstrating the relation between psychological states and physiological response. Before and during 2 videotape segments, the first relaxing and the second suspenseful, student experimenters measured the heart rate and blood pressure of fellow students who served as participants. Participants also completed 4 psychoaffective items aimed at assessing their subjective arousal to the video stimuli. Both physiological and subjective arousal measures showed significant variation across stimulus conditions, demonstrating the psychophysiological nature of affective arousal. Student evaluation of the laboratory exercise was positive with respect to learning goals, interest in the project, and clarity of procedures.
Thermal design considerations for the cryogenic high-accuracy refraction measuring system (CHARMS)

Accurate, high precision, refractive index data for infrared (IR) optical materials at cryogenic temperatures is scarce. CHARMS has been designed to take advantage of the conceptually simplest and most accurate method for determining the real part of refractive index, namely minimum deviation prism refractometry, in order to populate the world’s database of optical constants for IR materials with accurate index values, measured over the full range of practical operating temperatures. Chief among the challenges in obtaining high accuracy index measurements - to levels of 2 to 3 parts in the fifth decimal place of index - at the lowest cryogenic temperatures are satisfactory cooling of the sample and accurate measurement and maintenance of its temperature. We discuss the thermal design aspects of our refractometer system which enable cooling of prismatic samples to temperatures near that of liquid helium (LHe) in a vessel which provides a windowless optical path for the highest accuracy refractometry.
Activation of NOD2/RIPK2 pathway induces mitochondrial injury to oligodendrocyte precursor cells in vitro and CNS demyelination in vivo.

Abstract We examined the activation of innate immune pathway mediated by nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2 (NOD2) in oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). We show that activation of NOD2 by ligand peptidoglycan (PGN) leads to the recruitment and phosphorylation of receptor-interacting serine/threonine kinase 2 (RIPK2). Phosphorylation of RIPK2 is followed by phosphorylation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), increase in NOS activity and subsequent accumulation of nitric oxide (NO) mediated N-tyrosinylated compounds in OPCs. The reversal of NOS activity by the nNOS inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (7-NI), but not by the iNOS inhibitor l -canavanine, supported the conclusion that the increased NOS activity was due to the selective activation of nNOS in OPCs. In addition, NO mediated injury to OPC was reflected in reduction in activity of respiratory enzymes such as complex I and IV, decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and release of cytochrome-C from mitochondria. Furthermore, intracerebral injection of PGN into corpus callosum (CC) of rats led to the development of demyelination, which appeared as early as by day 3 post-injection, and involved the trunk of the CC by day 14. Accumulation of N-tyrosinylated proteins was seen in oligodendrocytes in regions of the CC which were in close proximity to the injection site. Taken together, these results suggest that PGN induced formation of NO, mitochondrial dysfunction and accumulation of N-tyrosinylated proteins in oligodendrocytes are likely mediators of central nervous system demyelination.
Uncertainty, Policy Analysis and Statistics

Statistical activity can be divided for descriptive and analytical purposes into (a) discovery/imposition of structure, (b) assessment of var- iation conditional on structure and (c) execution of techniques. Each of these three areas of activity has an associated type of uncertainty, respec- tively, structural uncertainty, risk and technical uncertainty. In any statis- tical analysis, an analyst has limited supplies of time, money, knowhow and computational power and must use these resources to diminish and to characterize better the three main types of uncertainty and the many subtypes that comprise them. No existing school of statistical thinking provides a comprehensive framework for considering the various types of uncertainty and the tradeoffs among them that analysts must make. One result of this is the absence of a system that properly accounts for all of the types of uncertainty. This paper describes the types of uncertainty, cata- logues and evaluates current methods as tools for characterizing and dimin- ishing them, considers the types of tradeoffs that analysts must make in applying statistical methods in problems and examines the bias introduced into deliberations by the absence of a proper system of accounting for uncertainty. This paper is an attempt to begin the construction of such a proper system and thus to reduce or eliminate that bias.
Extending task technology fit with computer self-efficacy

This study is part of a stream of research that has a goal of understanding software utilization choices of users by extending and testing TTF models in a variety of domains using various methods of model estimation. In particular, this study extends a Task-Technology Fit (TTF) model by including the Computer Self-Efficacy (CSE) construct, a strategy of model extension suggested by Berthon et al. (2002). In this study, the domain is the utilization of modeling tools by business students. The TTF models are estimated using PLS. This study finds that CSE, i.e., users' beliefs in their ability to use a technology, in a TTF model increases the explanatory power of the model over one with only task characteristics, technology functionality, and the fit (interaction) between them. CSE has a direct effect on tool utilization, but no significant interaction, i.e., fit, effects.
Origin of magnetite in oxidized CV chondrites: in situ measurement of oxygen isotope compositions of Allende magnetite and olivine

Magnetite in the oxidized CV chondrite Allende mainly occurs as spherical nodules in porphyritic-olivine (PO) chondrules, where it is associated with Ni-rich metal and/or sulfides. To help constrain the origin of the magnetite, we measured oxygen isotopic compositions of magnetite and coexisting olivine grains in PO chondrules of Allende by an in situ ion microprobe technique. Five magnetite nodules form a relatively tight cluster in oxygen isotopic composition with delta 18O values from -4.8 to -7.1% and delta 17O values from -2.9 to -6.3%. Seven coexisting olivine grains have oxygen isotopic compositions from -0.9 to -6.3% in delta 18O and from -4.6 to -7.9% in delta 17O. The delta 17O values of the magnetite and coexisting olivine do not overlap; they range from -0.4 to -2.6%, and from -4.0 to -5.7%, respectively. Thus, the magnetite is not in isotopic equilibrium with the olivine in PO chondrules, implying that it formed after the chondrule formation. The delta 17O of the magnetite is somewhat more negative than estimates for the ambient solar nebula gas. We infer that the magnetite formed on the parent asteroid by oxidation of metal by H2O which had previously experienced minor O isotope exchange with fine-grained silicates.
Alterations in tissue Pb distribution and hematopoietic indices during advanced age

The inevitable degenerative processes accompanying advanced age suggest that senescent organisms might exhibit differences in toxicokinetics or an altered manifestation of toxic effects. This hypothesis was tested in the present experiment which compared tissue distribution and hematopoietic indices in groups of adult (8 months) and old male Fischer-344 rats (16 months) exposed to concentrations of 0, 250 or 500 ppm lead (Pb) acetate in drinking water for 7 months. A group of young (weanling) rats was included as a partial comparison. Blood lead (PbB), zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) and urinary delta-aminolevulinic acid levels were determined after both 3 and 7 months of exposure. Organ weights, tissue Pb concentrations and urinary excretion of Pb, calcium, copper, and zinc were examined after 7 months of exposure. Tissue Pb distribution was markedly altered in old rats: bone and kidney Pb were reduced; liver Pb was substantially increased, even though PbB levels in adult and old rats were comparable at both measurement intervals, as was urinary Pb excretion at 7 months. Pb-induced elevation of ZPPs exhibited differential changes between 3 and 7 months: values in adults declined while levels in old rats increased or remained unchanged. These findings show that the responses of adult rats to Pb do not predict those of older rats and indicate the need for further characterization and elaboration of mechanisms of toxic effects with advanced age.
Moving beyond fit: the role of brand portfolio characteristics in consumer evaluations of brand reliability

Brand extensions allow consumers to use past experiences with the brand in order to assess the extension and thereby reduce the risk associated with purchasing a new product. In considering the ability of a brand to mitigate the risk associated with an extension (a construct herein referred to as brand reliability), prior research has focused on the role of fit between the brand and the extension category. In the present study, results indicate that in addition to fit, characteristics of the brand portfolio (number of products affiliated with the brand and the quality variance of these products) play an important role in affecting consumer impressions of brand reliability. In contrast to prior research that forwards that brands become diluted by offering extensions, the present results suggest that having a greater number of products affiliated with the brand has positive consequences when consumers evaluate a new extension.
The measurement of magnetostriction in ferromagnetic thin films

The application of a magnetic field parallel to a ferromagnetic film deposited on one side of a cantilevered substrate causes a small deflection of the free end. This deflection can be measured and the magnetostriction determined since the magnetostriction is proportional to the deflection. An instrument has been devised which can measure the deflection as a function of the applied field. This is accomplished as follows: the cantilevered substrate with the film on the upper side forms one plate of a capacitor which is part of the tuning capacitance of an oscillator operating at l0 MHz. The deflection of the free end causes a change in frequency of about 10 to 100 Hz. which is easily measured. The sign of the magnetostriction is immediately discernible from the increase or decrease in oscillator frequency. The instrument is calibrated by hanging a known weight from the free end of the substrate. Magnetostriction constants as small as 3 \times 10^{-7} and as large as 40 \times 10^{-6} have been measured.
Us and Them: Religious Education and the Role of Proper Communication in Conflict Prevention

The importance of proper language, in the context of multicultural education, and how it can be of help in conflict prevention is discussed. A brief discussion of what a model does and how a scientific model is constructed is provided. A circular model is developed where it is proposed that thought, language, and action, as the three most important fields of human activity, are mutually affecting each other. The element of right (proper) speech in Buddhism is extended to include right writing, or in short, right communication.
Social networking relationships, firm-specific managerial experience and firm performance in a transition economy: A comparative analysis of family owned and nonfamily firms

The effect of social networking relationships, firm-specific managerial experience, and their interactions on performance between family owned and nonfamily firms are studied. Using data from 106 organizations in Ghana, the findings show that family owned firms benefit more from networking relationships with bureaucratic officials than do nonfamily firms. However, nonfamily firms benefit more from networking relationships with community leaders and firm-specific managerial experience than do family owned firms. Networking relationships with politicians impede performance for nonfamily firms. Nonfamily firms are better able than family owned firms to use their firm-specific managerial experience to manage the resources and capabilities obtained from networking relationships with community leaders to create value. Moreover, firm-specific managerial experience attenuates the detrimental effects of networking with politicians for both types of firms.
Employee coping with organizational change: An examination of alternative theoretical perspectives and models.

This longitudinal study seeks to determine the appropriate theoretical structure for how employees cope with organizational change. A model based on the appraisal theory of emotion is compared to competing theoretical structures of coping found in the literature: stimulus–response, partial mediation, and moderated. Structural equation model results showed that coping with organizational change is a completely mediated process best represented by the stimulus–response theoretical structure, whereby negative appraisal is associated with reduced control and increased escape coping, which are positively related to positive and negative emotions, respectively. Negative emotions predicted sick time used and intentions to quit, which then predicted voluntary turnover. Implications for coping theory and organizational change management are discussed.
W.H. Zachariasen - the melody lingers on

Abstract “The Atomic Arrangement in Glass” is only a minor part of the extensive contributions of W.H. Zachariasen. Yet, this brief incisive, intuitive theoretical paper. published in 1932 when Zachariasen was only 26 years of age, may be as infuential as his more widely acclaimed works on atomic radii, crystal structure, X-ray theory and practice, and the chemistry of transuranium elements. Speculation regarding the factors that piqued Zachariasen's interest in glass will be offered. Some of the many ways in which “The Atomic Arrangement in Glass” has influenced thinking about glass structure over the past half century will be explored. Within his paper, W.H. Zachariasen presented topological conditions (Zachariasen's Rules) necessary for easy glass formation. Many modern workers find topology of amorphous atomic networks a fascinating subject. Thus, it seems in order to attempt a generalization of Zachariasen's Rules in order to permit their application to some glass forming systems that were not known in 1932.
Perforated peptic ulcer in the pediatric population: A case report and literature review

Abstract We present a rare occurrence in modern day, western medicine, a case of a nine year old Asian female with a perforated duodenal ulcer. She presented with nausea, anorexia, and abdominal pain. On exam, she was febrile, tachycardic, with evidence of peritonitis. An upright abdominal film revealed a significant amount of pneumoperitoneum. The patient was taken to the operating room and underwent laparoscopic primary repair of a perforated ulcer in the first portion of the duodenum, buttressed with an omental patch. IgG for Helicobacter pylori was positive. We review the differential etiologies for perforation in children, along with the corresponding surgical and medical management of such disease processes.
Domestic Violence, Culture, and Relationship Dynamics Among Immigrant Mexican Women

Immigrant Mexican women experience domestic violence, yet little is known about the cultural dynamics of their living with domestic violence. The authors conducted qualitative exploratory, in-depth interviews using grounded theory to examine domestic violence among nine immigrant Mexican women who were residing in a southwestern city. Dating patterns; parental influence; cultural concepts, such as familism and machismo; and trying to keep the family together were subcategories that emerged in the data that led to three socially and culturally relevant hypotheses for preventing domestic violence for immigrant Mexican women. Social workers can use the findings to gain a better understanding of how to serve immigrant Mexican women who experience domestic violence.
Modulation of bradykinin responses in airway smooth muscle by epithelial enzymes

We have studied the effect of epithelium removal on responses of guinea pig trachea to bradykinin (BK). BK (1 nM–10 μM) gave a concentration-dependent relaxation when epithelium was present (E+: EC50=10±3 nM). Epithelium removal resulted in a biphasic response to BK with relaxation at low concentrations (E−: EC50=3.0±1.0 nM) and a recontraction to baseline at higher concentrations (EC50=2.0±1 μM). Phosphoramidon (10 μM), an inhibitor of neutral endopeptidase (NEP), which cleaves BK into inactive peptides, potentiated relaxation (EC50=1.0±0.9 nM and 0.1±0.1 nM in E+ and E respectively) and contraction in trachea with intact epithelium (EC50=0.08±0.03 μM). Inhibition of cyclooxygenase by indomethacin (5 μM), inhibited relaxation to BK in E+ tracheal segments, resulting in a slight contraction (EC50=1.0 μM), whereas a potent contractile response was observed in E−segments (EC50 1.6 μM, maximal contraction >1 g). In the presence of both indomethacin and phosphoramidon BK caused contraction, even in the presence of epithelium (EC50=0.2±0.11 μM), and the response in the absence of epithelium was similar to the response observed in trachea with intact epithelium (EC50=0.25±0.1 μM). The contractile effect of BK on airway smooth muscle may be inhibited by a protective role of epithelium, due to release of relaxant prostanoids and by degradation by epithelial NEP. In asthma, bronchoconstrictor responses to BK may be partly explained by loss of airway epithelium.
A comparative ultrastructural study of virions in human pre-AIDS and simian AIDS.

Virions resembling the AIDS-associated retroviruses HTLV-III and LAV were identified between pseudo-pods of dendritic reticulum cells in lymph nodes from 3 patients with prodromal AIDS. The virions are morphologically distinguishable from HTLV-I and HTLV-II and also from D-type retroviruses that are associated with the simian acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Budding forms resembling incomplete nucleoids of maturing D-type retrovirus were found in neutrophils in a lymph node from another patient with prodromal AIDS. The significance of these structures is unknown.
Socioeconomic status, economic problems, and delinquency

Research indicates that the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and delinquency is not as strong as suggested by the leading crime theories. This article argues that such theories do not predict that SES in and of itself causes delinquency but rather that the economic problems associated with SES cause delinquency. Such problems include substantial changes in lifestyle due to lack of money and the inability to purchase needed goods and services. Further, it is argued that (a) the relationship between economic problems and delinquency is nonlinear, such that only the experience of several economic problems is associated with higher delinquency, and (b) the relationship between SES and economic problems is only moderate in size. Data from a nationally representative sample of adolescents support these arguments. These data help explain the weak-to-moderate relationship between SES and delinquency, and they direct attention to economic problems as a potentially important cause of delinquency.
MRI-guided holmium:YAG interstitial laser phototherapy and cavitron ultrasonic aspiration in an ex-vivo model: a comparison and dosimetry study of laser/ultrasonic tissue interactions

In this study a model was developed to quantify levels of laser/cavitron energy deposition and to correlate this with MRI and histological damage. The Ho:YAG laser (2.1 micron wavelength) and cavitron were used on separate matching tissues, with exposure to succeedingly higher energy densities by an accurate and reproducible method of dosimetry. Post laser/cavitron treatments were then evaluated using the Signa 1.5 T MRI (GE Medical Systems). In this study, fast gradient echo (rapid SPGR) pulse sequence was used to visualize and quantify signal changes. Thereafter, biopsies were taken for standard H&E preparation and quantification of laser or cavitron damage. FSE and turbo flash images taken demonstrated a linear correlation between energy deposition in the tissue and signal intensity changes for the laser or signal void for the cavitron. These signal changes correlated well with the histological measurements of the same tissues. This initial study demonstrates the potential clinical feasibility of these two energy delivery systems on various tissues. Furthermore it suggests the need for future development of non-invasive quantitative techniques for real time MRI monitoring in the treatment of deep and difficult to reach tumors of the head and neck and other parts of the body.
Monoclonal antibodies specific for the M- and N-forms of human glycophorin A

Four mouse monoclonal antibodies directed against the red cell membrane protein glycophorin A have been isolated and characterized. They are produced by hybridomas derived from SP2/0 myeloma cells and spleen cells from Biozzi mice immunized with a mixture of human erythrocytes from homozygous blood group M and N individuals. These antibodies recognize and bind to purified glycophorin A and to glycophorin on the red cell surface. All are of the IgGl, kappa light chain subclass and bind to determinants presented on the 39 amino acid, trypsin-sensitive, N-terminal peptide of glycophorin A. Three display differential specificities for the two allelic forms of glycophorin A; two are exquisitely specific for the M-form and one preferentially binds the N-form. Treatment of red cells with neuraminidase, which removes N-acetylneuraminic acid from glycophorin A, abolishes the binding of these three antibodies. The binding of the N-specific antibody is also sensitive to modification of the amino-terminal residue of the antigen. The fourth antibody binds equally well to both the M- and N-forms as well as to neuraminidase-treated red cells; thus it recognizes a public, N-acetylneuraminic acid independent glycophorin A determinant.