cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Social Values and Fashion Leadership

Because fashion leadership among women is of great interest to clothing researchers and retailers alike, much effort has been devoted to studying the demographic characteristics of women who can be identified as fashion leaders. Although demographic data provide valuable information, demographics alone give little insight into the forces that motivate women to become fashion leaders. Beyond demographic factors, personal and social values have been argued to have an important influence on the strength and direction of consumer behavior. Few studies, however, have attempted to reveal the social values of fashion leaders. Our study examines the relationships between fashion leadership and the nine social values measured by Kahle's List of Values. Data from 248 women whose ages ranged from 16 to 85 years confirmed that younger women are more likely to be fashion leaders and that level of education and income are unrelated to fashion leadership. Fashion leaders were also found to be more active in fashion-rela...
UV-Raman Microscopy on the Analysis of Ultra-Low-K Dielectric Materials on Patterned Wafers

With the shrinkage of the IC device dimension, Cu and ultra-low-k dielectric were introduced into IC devices to reduce the RC delay. Ultra-low-k dielectrics generally suffer more damage than silicon oxide dielectric during process integration and subsequently cause reliability degradation. Therefore, ultra-low-k damage characterization on Cu damascene structures is of great importance to understand the damage mechanisms. This paper describes the application of UV-Raman microscopy with enhanced spatial resolution and signal sensitivity for characterizing ultra-low-k dielectric in the three-dimension structure of Cu metallization with nanometer feature size. It shows UV-Raman technique has an advantage in analyzing ultra-low-k layer on patterned wafer and extracting ultra-low-k signals from Cu/ultra-low-k mixed structure. UV-Raman is also effective to characterize the ultra-low-k degradation for ultra-low-k related reliability analysis by time dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) test.
Ghrelin induces leptin resistance by activation of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 expression in male rats: implications in satiety regulation

The anorexigenic adipocyte-derived hormone leptin and the orexigenic hormone ghrelin act in opposition to regulate feeding behavior via the vagal afferent pathways. The mechanisms by which ghrelin exerts its inhibitory effects on leptin are unknown. We hypothesized that ghrelin activates the exchange protein activated by cAMP (Epac), inducing increased SOCS3 expression, which negatively affects leptin signal transduction and neuronal firing in nodose ganglia (NG) neurons. We showed that 91 ± 3% of leptin receptor (LRb) -bearing neurons contained ghrelin receptors (GHS-R1a) and that ghrelin significantly inhibited leptin-stimulated STAT3 phosphorylation in rat NG neurons. Studies of the signaling cascades used by ghrelin showed that ghrelin caused a significant increase in Epac and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) expression in cultured rat NG neurons. Transient transfection of cultured NG neurons to silence SOCS3 and Epac genes reversed the inhibitory effects of ghrelin on leptin-stimulated STAT3 phosphorylation. Patch-clamp studies and recordings of single neuronal discharges of vagal primary afferent neurons showed that ghrelin markedly inhibited leptin-stimulated neuronal firing, an action abolished by silencing SOCS3 expression in NG. Plasma ghrelin levels increased significantly during fasting. This was accompanied by enhanced SOCS3 expression in the NG and prevented by treatment with a ghrelin antagonist. Feeding studies showed that silencing SOCS3 expression in the NG reduced food intake evoked by endogenous leptin. We conclude that ghrelin exerts its inhibitory effects on leptin-stimulated neuronal firing by increasing SOCS3 expression. The SOCS3 signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in ghrelin's inhibitory effect on STAT3 phosphorylation, neuronal firing, and feeding behavior.
Characterization of vitrinite concentrates. 1. Fourier Transform infrared studies

Abstract A set of 21 vitrinite concentrates have been characterized by FTIR. Hydroxyl groups have been quantitatively determined by combining acetylation with FTIR procedures. Methods for the determination of extinction coefficients for various bands are discussed. Values are calculated by equating total hydrogen from elemental analysis to the fraction of hydrogen present as hydroxyl, aromatic CH and aliphatic CH groups. The variation in values of the extinction coefficients for aromatic and aliphatic CH bands are determined as a function of assumed values for the extinction coefficient of the OH bands. Large variations in the latter do not greatly affect calculated values of aliphatic and aromatic CH groups. The distribution of hydrogen between OH, aromatic CH and aliphatic CH groups is determined.
Multidimensional QKD Based on Combined Orbital and Spin Angular Momenta of Photon

It has been widely recognized that the underlying principles of quantum mechanics could be used to enable secure communications, without any additional conventional cryptographic systems, while utilizing the properties of the photons. Considerable research efforts have been invested to develop an efficient quantum key distribution (QKD) scheme over either free-space optical or fiber-optics channels. Most of these research efforts have been focused on a two-dimensional QKD, commonly realized by the use of the polarization state of photons. However, the data rates for the quantum key exchange in two-dimensional QKD are still low, while transmission distance is limited. On the other hand, it is well known that photons can carry both the spin angular momentum (SAM) and the orbital angular momentum (OAM), associated with the polarization and azimuthal phase of the complex electric field, respectively. Accordingly, we can define the combined-OAM-SAM state of a photon as |l, σ〉, where l and σ correspond to OAM and SAM indexes, respectively. Since the OAM eigenstates are orthogonal, an arbitrary number of bits per single photon can be transmitted, which could considerably increase the total secure bit rate. To improve secure data rates, we propose two types of protocols, namely, nonentangled-based (such as weak coherent state) and entanglement-assisted protocols, both employing the photon combined-OAM-SAM state, which can be used for secure key distribution over free-space optical and few-mode fiber channels. Two types of entanglement-assisted protocols are described, namely, two-basis and (D + 1)-basis protocols ( D is dimensionality of corresponding Hilbert space). We further describe how to implement the qudit gates required for implementation of these protocols. Finally, we discuss the security issues of the proposed protocols and determine both infinite and finite secret key fraction rates.
Ratio‐ and Predator‐Dependent Functional Forms for Predators Optimally Foraging in Patches

Abstract: Functional forms of predator‐prey interactions are developed for predators optimally foraging on prey distributed in patches. The model uses mean free‐path‐length theory to develop functional forms for two idealized behaviors of prey in patches. For congregating prey that maintain a fixed density, for example, fish schools, the predation rate has a ratio‐dependent form, and predator interference depends only on predator density. For sessile prey, which maintain a fixed patch size, a new predator‐dependent form emerges in which predator interference depends on both prey and predator densities. The Beddington‐DeAngelis equation is a special case of the sessile form. The model provides behavioral and biological criteria with which to select the functional form and ranges of coefficients appropriate for a particular food web. Finally, the model illustrates that behavior is an essential factor in predator‐prey dynamics.
Preventable cause of dilated cardiomyopathy in children

We present a 2-month-old infant with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) secondary to vitamin D deficient rickets. This case highlights a treatable and preventable cause of DCM which arose because of maternal vitamin D deficiency. Early identification of this problem in mother would have prevented this condition occurring in the infant.
An Ion-Beam Analysis Facility

Accelerator-beam analysis methods have received increasing attention and acceptance in recent years. Proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis has seen extensive development although scattering, activation and miscellaneous prompt reactions have also been used. An active nuclear accelerator research laboratory is an ideal setting in which to experiment with, develop and then apply such methods to pure research in diverse fields as well as to needs of our society. For the past seven years approximately 10% of the time of the Florida State University Super FN Tandem Van de Graaff has been used in this manner with major emphases upon proton elastic scattering analysis (PESA) and PIXE applied to environmental air particulate problems. Plans for the immediate future include completion of a 4MV Van de Graaff laboratory dedicated primarily to quantity output of PIXE analyses while freeing the limited time on the larger Tandem accelerator for PESA and development of new methods. With the addition of such a dedicated accelerator the need for further dedicated computing facilities is evident. With a conservative estimate of operation at 300,000 samples per year, on-line data evaluation is not only desirable but almost essential. A sophisticated, non-linear, least squares computer code developed at our laboratory for PIXE spectrum evaluation has the capability of simultaneously analyzing up to 200 peaks while accounting for interference and absorption in times of 20 seconds to 1 minute.
Development and laboratory characterization of a prototype coarse particle concentrator for inhalation toxicological studies

This paper presents the development and laboratory characterization of a prototype slit nozzle virtual impactor that can be used to concentrate coarse particles. A variety of physical design and flow parameters were evaluated including different acceleration and collection slit nozzles and Reynolds numbers (Re). Performance parameters investigated include concentration factor (CF), cutpoint, collection efficiency, minor-to-total flow ratio, and particle losses. Investigation of the effect of the different parameters on the overall performance of the virtual impactor made it possible to optimize its design. For a flow rate of 11.4 LPM/cm length of the acceleration slit, Re of 2520, and a 5% minor-to-total-flow ratio (r), the corresponding size cut-off (d 50 ) was 2.4 μm. Under these conditions the CF is approximately 17 and remains constant for particles larger than 3 μm. Also for these conditions the pressure drop in both the minor and major flows were < 13 Pa (0.05 in water) and 448 Pa (1.8 in water), respectively, and average particle losses were < 10%. Finally, separation and concentration of the coarse particles occurred without any significant distortion of their size distribution making this system suitable for inhalation toxicological studies.
SU-E-T-675: Fast Monte Carlo Simulation for Total Body Irradiation of Co-60

Purpose: Our institution delivers TBI using a modified Theratron 780 Co‐60 unit. Due to limitations of our treatment planning system in calculating dose at extended SSDs, we have developed an algorithm for fast Monte Carlo simulation of dose to a patient receiving TBI treatment using our setup. The goal is to achieve a high accuracy dose calculation in heterogeneous tissue. Methods: A custom Monte Carlo code was written in C to simulate energy deposition by 1.25 MeV photons over a broad field shape defined by our modified collimator on the Co‐60 unit. A water phantom was constructed to measure dose delivered from the Co‐60 unit using GafChromic film. A two‐piece aluminum insert was fabricated to test the ability of the code to calculate dose near and inside a high density object. Dose measurements were made by placing GafChromic film inside the water phantom at various planes, with and without the aluminum insert, and compared to doses calculated by the Monte Carlo algorithm. Results: Simulations in the water phantom accurately predict the depth of maximum dose in the phantom at 0.5cm. The measured PDD along the central axis of the beam closely matches the PDD generated from the Monte Carlo code, deviating by less than 5% from Dmax to a depth of 20cm. When the aluminum bar is introduced into the simulation, the dose measured at planes inside the aluminum had an average deviation on cross‐profile of 4%. Conclusions: The fast Monte Carlo algorithm is capable of accurately calculating dose in heterogeneous media. Depth‐doses inside high density materials were accurately predicted, and further modification of the algorithm to include density information on a voxel‐by‐voxel basis should allow for the algorithm to provide clinically useful information in planning TBI.
Determining Optimal Advertising Strategies: A Markov Decision Model Approach*

This study falls in the class of models in which advertising wearout and the differences between the learning and forgetting of advertisements are explicitly included. A discrete time Markov decision modeling approach is used to obtain optimal control limit policies, and an algorithm is provided to identify these policies. A control limit policy specifies whether or not to advertise in a specific time period on the basis of the level of awareness in that time period. Thus, the duration for which advertising is not done is determined endogenously, and the algorithm helps determine this duration for a given set of parameters. This is a particularly desirable feature, since advertising practitioners are interested in determining the optimal duration of advertising pulses. Computational experience suggests that the algorithm is very fast and easy to implement. Also, conditions on model parameters indicating the relative efficacy of pulsing versus uniform advertising are provided.
Behavioral profiles associated with auditory processing disorder and specific language impairment.

Abstract Purpose To describe and compare behavioral profiles associated with auditory processing disorder (APD) and specific language impairment (SLI) in school-age children. Method The participants in this cross-sectional observational study were 64 children (mean age 10.1 years) recruited through clinician referrals. Thirty-five participants had a clinical diagnosis of APD and 29 were receiving services for language impairment. Participants completed 18 behavioral measures of spoken language, auditory processing, reading, memory, and motor speed. Responses were used to classify children as affected/not affected with APD, and affected/not affected with SLI. Comparisons were made between children with and without an APD diagnosis, and between children assigned to the APD/not APD and SLI/not SLI groups. Agreement between clinical status and test-based classifications is also reported. Results There were no group mean differences between children with and without a clinical diagnosis of APD. Group mean differences on Cube Design and reading fluency were observed for children classified as APD/not APD; and group mean differences on nonword repetition, spatial working memory, and two auditory processing tests were observed for children classified as SLI/not SLI. Conclusions The behavioral profiles of children with APD and SLI were very similar. Although group mean differences were found, they were difficult to interpret in terms of current theories. Learning outcomes : The reader will be able to: (1) describe similarities and differences found between children with SLI and children with APD and (2) discuss assessment problems posed by overlapping behavioral characteristics of SLI and APD.
Comparison of methods for monitoring bacterial transport in the subsurface.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare in a laboratory experiment, a suite of methods developed to track viable bacteria during field transport experiments. The criteria for development and selection of these methods included: (1) the ability to track bacteria within the environment from which they were isolated; (2) the lack of any effect upon the viability or the transport characteristics of the strain; (3) low detection limits; (4) a quantification range that covered several orders of magnitude; and (5) an analytical cost and turnover time commensurate with the analysis of several thousands of samples in a few months. The approaches developed included: enumeration of bacteria labeled with a vital fluorescent stain (CFDA/SE) using microplate spectrofluorometry, flow cytometry, and ferrographic (immunomagnetic) capture; enumeration of highly 13C-enriched bacteria using combustion-IRMS; and quantitative PCR. These methods were compared to direct microscopic enumeration and plate counts during a bacterial transport experiment performed in an intact sediment core and designed to simulate the field experiment. Four of the seven methods had equivalent recoveries for the breakthrough of a pulse of bacteria eluting from a 50-cm long sediment core, and all of the methods detected the arrival of cells in the effluent prior to the conservative tracer. Combustion IRMS and ferrographic enumeration had the lowest quantification limits (∼2 to 20 cells/ml), whereas microplate spectrofluorometry had the highest quantification limit (∼105 cells/ml). These methods have the potential for numerous applications beyond tracking bacteria injected into the subsurface.
The temporal relationship between basilar membrane motion and nerve impulse initiation in auditory nerve fibers of guinea pigs.

When the helicotrema was obstructed in guinea pigs, trapezoidal displacement of the round window membrane produced a trapezoidal microphonic which indicated a unidirectional displacement of the entire length of the basilar membrane. Responses of single auditory nerve fibers to the trapezoidal displacement of the round window membrane were recorded after obstruction of the helicotrema. About 39 % of the 424 fibers showed tonic responses which demonstrated directional sensitivity. More than 90 % of these fibers increased their discharge rate during displacement of the basilar membrane toward the scala tympani and decreased their discharge rate during oppositely directed displacement.Less than 5 % of the tonic fibers responded in the reverse manner. About 23 % of the auditory nerve fibers responded to onset and/or cessationof trapezoidal motion of the basilar membrane. About 28 % showed a combination of the tonic and phasic responses. However it is probably that all phasic responses we observed do not arise from velocitysensitive fibers but some may represent artifacts. Both possibilities remain open until further studies are performed. The transduction mechanism of the cochlea is discussed on the basis of our data obtained by unidirectional displacement of the basilar membrane.
Efficiency measures in retentive and expansive marketing of financial services

Abstract The importance of the allocative decisions between expansive and retentive marketing efforts is reviewed. Practical cost-benefit methods with minimum data requirements are designed to measure the relative economic efficiencies of retentive and expansive marketing. Econometric models are specified for cases where either extensive historical data are available or their collection is economically justified. An application to the marketing of services by a commercial bank is presented and discussed. Although the emphasis of the paper is on the organizational marketing of financial services, the methodology is applicable to a wide variety of products and services.
Cold-start of parallel and interdigitated flow-field polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell

Abstract Achieving cold-start of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) from temperatures less than or equal to 0 °C can be a challenge due to the freezing of byproduct water in the cathode catalyst layer (CCL). The ability to remove water from the CCL at a rate that prevents flooding until the cell reaches temperatures above the freezing point is critical, however, they are made difficult by the low saturation pressure of air gasses below 0 °C. Under less extreme cold-start conditions (−10 °C to 0 °C) the water uptake of air can be considered non-negligible for specific flow rates and flow-field designs. Interdigitated flow-fields induce convective transport through the gas diffusion layer (GDL) and CCL under land areas, called cross flow, and have been shown to have enhanced water removal from under lands compared with parallel flow-fields. This study compares the cold-start performance between a parallel and interdigitated flow-field PEMFCs at various current densities. Testing of cold-start in an environmental chamber at −4 °C, −6 °C and −8 °C at current densities of 200 mA cm −2 and 400 mA cm −2 using galvanostatic control was completed. Results show that an interdigitated flow-field may provide better performance under less extreme cold-start conditions than parallel flow fields.
Corporate Governance and the Audit Process

There has been growing recognition in recent years of the importance of corporate governance in ensuring sound financial reporting and deterring fraud. The audit serves as a monitoring device and is thus part of the corporate governance mosaic. The objective of this paper is to examine the impact of various corporate governance factors, such as the board of directors and the audit committee, on the audit process. Importantly, there is little professional guidance on how auditors should consider such factors when formulating an appropriate audit strategy, and there has been only one prior study on this issue (Cohen and Hanno 2000). Because there are no current specific auditing standards that relate to the effect of corporate governance on the audit process, we conducted a semi-structured interview with 36 auditors on current audit practices in considering corporate governance in the audit process. Reflecting on client experiences, auditors indicate a range of views with regard to the elements included in the rubric of “corporate governance”. Most significantly, auditors view management as the primary driver of corporate governance. The inclusion of top management in the “corporate governance mosaic” is inconsistent with agency theory's prescription of the board and other mechanisms serving as a means to independently oversee management's actions to protect stakeholders. Auditors consider corporate governance factors to be especially important in the client acceptance phase and in an international context. Further, despite the attention placed on the audit committee in the academic literature, in the business community, and by regulators in different countries (e.g., Canada, United States, Australia), several respondents indicated that their experiences with their clients suggest that audit committees are typically ineffective and lack sufficient power to be a strong governance mechanism. Implications for research and practice are presented.
Helping students help themselves: malware removal

Viruses, spyware, and worms have become a growing problem for academic institutions in the past few years, with Bethel being no exception. Since 2003, our residential network has been plagued multiple times with large-scale virus outbreaks, causing outages and headaches for our users.Our initial plan for handling infected computers was to quarantine them and permit users to access only security-related web sites to assist them in cleaning their infected PC. When this plan failed due to the outages, we began creating security CDs containing anti-virus and spyware software. This solution worked well temporarily, however it was not designed to be a long-term solution. Our final solution is a product of combining these previous attempts to create a long-term solution that is easy for our users and has very little administrative overhead.We created a Linux-based kiosk that allows students to easily create security CDs that provide resources to help them properly clean their system. The kiosk operates with a web-based interface that instructs the user through the entire process. All they are required to do is insert a CD and the kiosk automatically loads the necessary software to the CD.This paper explores our attempts at remedying the issue of infected student computers. It explains how our implementation of a Security CD Creation Kiosk has resolved our failures of the past and provided an easy and effective solution for our users.
Carbohydrate utilization in striped bass (Morone saxatilis) and sunshine bass (M. chrysops ♀×M. saxatilis ♂)

Abstract An 8-week feeding trial to determine the effects of carbohydrate complexity on growth and body composition of advanced striped bass and sunshine bass fingerlings (80–85 g, initial weight) was followed by a digestibility trial to determine the effects on apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs). Fish were fed semi-purified, isonitrogenous (35% crude protein), isolipidic (5%) diets containing either no soluble carbohydrate or glucose, maltose, or dextrin at 25% of diet. Weight gain and feed efficiency of sunshine bass was significantly greater than that of striped bass regardless of dietary treatment. Weight gain and feed efficiency of sunshine bass increased with decreasing molecular weight of dietary carbohydrate whereas only dextrin inclusion significantly increased ( P
Volatility, open interest, volume, and arbitrage: evidence from the S&P 500 futures market

Using a vector autoregressive (VAR) approach, the dynamic interactions and causal relationships among volatility, open interest, trading volume and arbitrage opportunities in the S&P 500 index futures market is examined. It is found that increased volatility lowers pricing error. This implies that as market volatility increases, investors sell off their equity and futures positions with relatively larger drops in futures prices. Pricing error plays a critical role in linking implied volatility and the level of open interest. Open interest rises for a few days in response to a pricing error shock, but pricing error declines over the next day after an initial rise in response to an innovation in open interest. This suggests that the level of open interest is a good proxy for examining the capital flows into and out of the nearest S&P 500 index futures contract.
Potential anticonvulsants. IX. Some isatin hydrazones and related compounds

A number of hydrazines, hydrazides, and related compounds have been condensed with isatin and substituted isatins. The anticonvulsant activity of these compounds is reported.
Multidetector Computed Tomography of Pediatric Large Airway Diseases: State-of-the-Art

Advances in multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) technology have given rise to improvements in the noninvasive and comprehensive assessment of the large airways in pediatric patients. Superb two-dimensional and three-dimensional reconstruction MDCT images have revolutionized the display of large airways and enhanced the ability to diagnose large airway diseases in children. The 320-MDCT scanner, which provides combined detailed anatomic and dynamic functional information assessment of the large airways, is promising for the assessment of dynamic large airway disease such as tracheobronchomalacia. This article discusses imaging techniques and clinical applications of MDCT for assessing large airway diseases in pediatric patients.
Eulerian and Lagrangian time microscales in isotropic turbulence

In isotropic ‘box’ turbulence without a mean flow, the Lagrangian frequency spectrum extends to frequencies of order behaviour in the inertial subrange, and that it is not governed by Kolmogorov similarity.
Fees and Firms: An Empirical Examination of the Relationship Between Development Impact Fees and Firms

Over the past few decades, many counties have adopted development impact fees as an alternative to traditional tax funding for infrastructure required to support new development. In a theoretical model of firm entry using fixed costs and increasing returns to scale, additional fees, modeled as an increase in fixed costs, reduces the number of entrants and increases a firm’s size. Using county level data on homogenous, small draw area firms in Florida, the research presented in this paper suggests that fees reduce the number of firms per capita in a jurisdiction. While population and market size are the main drivers of firms’ location decisions, the results presented in this paper suggest that fees may have a negative effect on firm location decisions at the margin. Policy makers concerned about employment and commercial tax base should give pause before implementing a fee system.
Synthesis of aryl β-D-glucopyranosides and aryl β-D-glucopyranosiduronic acids

Abstract Tetra-O-benzyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl bromide in dichloromethane reacts stereospecifically with solutions of phenols in aqueous sodium or potassium hydroxide, in the presence of phase transfer catalysts, to give good yields of tetra-O-benzyl aryl-β-D-glucopyranosides which are converted into the corresponding aryl β-D-glucopyranosiduronic acids by sequential catalytic debenzylation and catalytic oxidation.
Mutual antagonism in the metabolism of d-valine and d-leucine and antagonism by their analogs☆

Abstract In rats fed d -valine diets adequate in l -leucine, d -leucine supplements (i.e., twice as much dl -leucine) decreased the rate of growth, apparently by competing with d -valine for inversion. Doubling the l -leucine instead produced less retardation. α-Ketoisovaleric acid promoted as rapid growth as l -valine. α-Ketoisocaproic acid did not retard the response to d -valine and the addition of isovaleric acid did so only slightly. When the slow rate of growth induced by the d -valine was reproduced by substituting just enough l -valine, dl -leucine at twice the normal l -leucine level promoted less retardation than it did in the diets which contained the d -valine. Definite antagonism in response toward 1.4% of dietary d -valine was induced by 1.4% of d -norvaline, less by l -norvaline; 0.7% of d -norvaline was not noticeably antagonistic. Antagonism toward l -valine was questionable at both levels. In a d -leucine diet adequate in l -valine, d -valine retarded growth only moderately. Addition of l - or d -norleucine definitely inhibited the response to d -leucine, but only moderately the response to l -leucine. dl -Norleucine retarded the response to d -valine, α-ketocaproic acid was less inhibitory, and valeric acid produced no retardation. In vitro tests with purified d -amino acid oxidase supported surprisingly well the assumption that competitive inhibition of deamination is probably primarily responsible for the in vivo antagonisms noted.
One-Pot Synthesis of l-Fructose Using Coupled Multienzyme Systems Based on Rhamnulose-1-phosphate Aldolase

Two methods have been developed for the highly efficient enzymatic synthesis of l-fructose: one is based on rhamnulose-1-phosphate aldolase and acid phosphatase using racemic glyceraldehyde and di...
Portfolio Performance of the SDR and Reserve Currencies: Tests Using the ARCH Methodology

In managing their foreign exchange exposure, international investors, including central banks, often compare actual portfolios with hypothetical portfolios that have been calculated using certain assumptions regarding the statistical properties of interest rates and exchange rates. One of these assumptions is that the variability of returns on various currency assets is time invariant. This assumption is tested in this paper using autoregressive conditional heteroskedastic (ARCH) models. Using weekly data for the period February 1982 to December 1991 for major reserve currencies, including the SDR, we find evidence that the variances of returns do vary over time (i.e., they do not exhibit stationarity) and that ARCH models that specify changing variances are superior to models that assume constant variance. By incorrectly assuming constant variability of returns, currency-asset allocations are not necessarily optimal and the measures of riskiness of a fixed-income portfolio may not be accurate. Furthermore, the error introduced by incorrectly assuming stationarity is smaller with the SDR than with any other national currency in the portfolio to be managed.
Threshold microfracture during elastic-plastic indentation of ceramics

It is shown that for a variety of ceramics the threshold for microfracture during elastic-plastic indentation corresponds to radial, rather than subsurface median, crack formation. This is contrary to the fundamental assumption of current models for threshold crack nucleation by sharp indenters. The significance of this observation in terms of strength reduction is discussed.
Characterization of Fischer-Tropsch liquids for vapor-liquid equilibria calculations

Abstract K -value formulations are developed for use in performing vapor-liquid equilibria (VLE) calculations on Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) systems. Carbon-number-based pseudocomponents are defined with the aid of the Anderson-Schulz-Flory (ASF) molecular weight distribution. Proper selection of the number and types of pseudocomponents enables the trade-off which exists between accuracy and computing time to be adequately addressed. The properties of a pseudocomponent are based on a hypothetical ‘model’ component in each carbon-number cut. Solubilities of gases and light hydrocarbons in the liquid phase are calculated from correlations for the individual solutes in pure n -paraffin solvents, using average carbon numbers of the liquid phase. Comparisons are made with data for several different F-T reactor compositions and with predictions from literature models. The VLE model developed accurately predicts product phase splits, and is superior to other formulations.
More than appropriateness and novelty: Judges’ criteria of assessing creative products in science tasks

Abstract The present research used a qualitative methodology to examine the criteria that judges employed in assessing creative products elicited by two science tasks. Forty-eight responses were produced by sixth grade students and were then assessed by three groups of judges with different levels of expertise. Verbal protocol and interviews were conducted to collect data and framing analysis was used to analyze data. Overall, judges employed appropriateness, novelty, thoughtfulness, interestingness, and cleverness as their assessment criteria. Each criterion included several interpretations and the criteria were related to each other. Moreover, three judge groups differed in their use of criteria and the criteria also varied by task.
Ethnic variation in socioenvironmental factors that influence adolescent smoking

Abstract Purpose To compare black, Hispanic and white adolescent smokers on socioenvironmental factors associated with smoking. Methods The study uses a cross-sectional design. A needs assessment of 1305 current, former and never adolescent smokers from four ethnically and geographically diverse sites in the United States was conducted in 1999. Two sites were selected because they represented urban cities in the Northeast and Midwest with a high proportion of black and Hispanic residents. Two additional sites were selected to recruit rural and suburban adolescents. From this larger sample, 181 subjects from three focal ethnic groups (white n = 138; black n = 24; Hispanic n = 19) who had smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and were current smokers (smoked in the past 30 days) were included. The three ethnic groups were compared on the following variables of interest: peer and family influences on smoking, situational factors associated with smoking, places that were likely sites for smoking and perceptions of friends and family as potential support persons for quitting smoking. All data were analyzed with Chi-square analysis. Results Almost all (96%) of the black adolescents lived with another smoker compared to 68% of Hispanic and 60% of whites (p = .004). Black teens were more likely to smoke with family members (50%) than Hispanics (5%) or whites (25%) (p = .003). In addition, 50% of black teens compared to 5% of Hispanics and 12% of white teens, reported smoking to fit in (p Conclusions These preliminary results indicate that familial and household norms play a critical role in influencing cigarette smoking among black teens.
Type V collagen: heterotypic type I/V collagen interactions in the regulation of fibril assembly

Type V collagen is a quantitatively minor fibrillar collagen with a broad tissue distribution. The most common type V collagen isoform is alpha1(V)(2) alpha2(V) found in cornea. However, other isoforms exist, including an [alpha1(V)alpha2(V)alpha3(V)] form, an alpha1(V)(3) homotrimer and hybrid type V/XI forms. The functional role and fibrillar organization of these isoforms is not understood. In the cornea, type V collagen has a key role in the regulation of initial fibril assembly. Type I and type V collagen co-assemble into heterotypic fibrils. The entire triple-helical domain of the type V collagen molecules is buried within the fibril and type I collagen molecules are present along the fibril surface. The retained NH(2)-terminal domains of the type V collagen are exposed at the surface, extending outward through the gap zones. The molecular model of the NH(2)-terminal domain indicates that the short alpha helical region is a flexible hinge-like region allowing the peptide to project away from the major axis of the molecule; the short triple-helical regions serve as an extension through the hole zone, placing the tyrosine-rich domain at the surface. The assembly of early, immature fibril intermediates (segments) is regulated by the NH(2)-terminal domain of type V collagen. These NH(2)-terminal domains alter accretion of collagen molecules onto fibrils and therefore lateral growth. A critical density would favor the initiation of new fibrils rather than the continued growth of existing fibrils. Other type V collagen isoforms are likely to have an important role in non-cornea tissues. This role may be mediated by supramolecular aggregates different from those in the corneal stroma or by an alteration of the interactions mediated by tissue-specific type V collagen domains generated by different isoforms or aggregate structures. Presumably, the aggregate structure or specific domains are involved in the regionalization of fibril-associated macromolecules necessary for the tissue-specific regulation of later fibril growth and matrix assembly stages.
Book Review: 'The Mobile Academy' by Clark Quinn

eLearn magazine contributor Stevie Rocco explores Dr. Clark Quinn's "The Mobile Academy," which provides a comprehensive, strategic overview of mobile within the context of higher education.
Investigations into the preparation of sila-β-diketones via 2-trimethylsilyl-1,3-dithianes: structural characterization of a second polymorph of bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-2-sila-3,5-heptanedionato)copper(II)

Abstract The sila-β-diketone, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-2-silaheptane-3,5-dione (tmshdH), was synthesized by the condensation of the anion of 2-trimethylsilyl-1,3-dithiane with 1-bromo-3,3-dimethylbutan-2-one, followed by unmasking of the latent carbonyl moiety with HgO/HgCl 2 . A monoclinic polymorph of the known copper(II) complex, Cu(tmshd) 2 , was crystallized and studied by X-ray diffraction methods and found to be disordered like the orthorhombic one. Attempts to synthesize the disilylated β-diketone, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-2,6-disilaheptane-3,5-dione and monosilylated 4,4-dimethyl-4-sila-3-oxo-pentanal using the dithiane method were not successful. However, the 1,3-dithianyl precursors, along with the impurity 2,2 ′ -bis(trimethylsilyl)-2,2 ′ -bi-1,3-dithiane, were studied crystallographically. Large stereoelectronic and steric effects on the solid-state bonding parameters were observed for these molecules.
Measurements of the thermal conductivity of helium in the temperature range 1600–6700°K

Abstract The thermal conductivity of helium in the temperature range 1600–6700°K was deduced from a set of measurements of the heat transfer to the end wall of a shock tube from the hot gas in the region between the end wall and the reflected shock wave. Pressures in the gas ranged from one half to two atmospheres. A thermal conductivity vs. temperature relation of the form k k w = ( T T w ) a was assumed and constants were determined by a least square fit to the data and to match the known values of k for temperatures below 600°K. The effect of variable gas density in the thermal boundary layer at the end wall was found to be significant in reducing the data; some previous investigators have neglected this effect.
UV-independent induction of beta defensin 3 in neonatal human skin explants

In order to determine the effect of UV radiation on β-defensin 3 (BD3) expression in human skin, freshly-isolated UV-naive skin was obtained from newborn male infants undergoing planned circumcision. Skin explants sustained ex vivo dermis side down on RPMI media were exposed to 0.5 kJ/m 2 UVB, and biopsies were taken from the explant through 72 hours after radiation. mRNA expression was measured by qRTPCR and normalized to TATA-binding protein. BD3 expression at each time point was compared with an untreated control taken at time 0 within each skin sample. Extensive variability in both the timing and magnitude of BD3 induction across individuals was noted and was not predicted by skin pigment phenotype, suggesting that BD3 induction was not influenced by epidermal melanization. However, a mock-irradiated time course demonstrated UV-independent BD3 mRNA increases across multiple donors which was not further augmented by treatment with UV radiation, suggesting that factors other than UV damage promoted increased BD3 expression in the skin explants. We conclude that BD3 expression is induced in a UV-independent manner in human skin explants processed and maintained in standard culture conditions, and that neonatal skin explants are an inappropriate model with which to study the effects of UV on BD3 induction in whole human skin.
Histone deacetylase inhibitors through click chemistry.

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) are a relatively new class of chemotherapy agents. Herein, we report a click-chemistry based approach to the synthesis of HDACi. Fourteen agents were synthesized from the combination of two alkyne and seven azido precursors. The inhibition of HDAC1 and HDAC8 was then determined by in vitro enzymatic assays, after which the cytotoxicity was evaluated in the NCI human cancer cell line screen. A lead compound 5g (NSC746457) was discovered that inhibited HDAC1 at an IC50 value of 104 ± 30 nM and proved quite potent in the cancer cell line screen with GI50 values ranging from 3.92 μM to 10 nM. Thus, this click HDACi design has provided a new chemical scaffold that has not only revealed a lead compound, but one which is easily amendable to further structural modifications given the modular nature of this approach.
A silent Mw 4.7 slip event of October 2006 on the Superstition Hills fault, southern California

[1] During October 2006, the 20-km-long Superstition Hills fault (SHF) in the Salton Trough, southern California, slipped aseismically, producing a maximum offset of 27 mm, as recorded by a creepmeter. We investigate this creep event as well as the spatial and temporal variations in slip history since 1992 using ERS-1/2 and Envisat satellite data. During a 15-year period, steady creep is punctuated by at least three events. The first two events were dynamically triggered by the 1992 Landers and 1999 Hector Mine earthquakes. In contrast, there is no obvious triggering mechanism for the October 2006 event. Field measurements of fault offset after the 1999 and 2006 events are in good agreement with the interferometric synthetic aperture radar data indicating that creep occurred along the 20-km-long fault above 4 km depth, with most of the slip occurring at the surface. The moment released during this event is equivalent to a Mw 4.7 earthquake. This event produced no detectable aftershocks and was not recorded by the continuous GPS stations that were 9 km away. Modeling of the long-term creep from 1992 to 2007 creep using stacked ERS-1/2 interferograms also shows a maximum creep depth of 2–4 km, with slip tapering with depth. Considering that the sediment thickness varies between 3 km and 5 km along the SHF, our results are consistent with previous studies suggesting that shallow creep is controlled by sediment depth, perhaps due to high pore pressures in the unconsolidated sediments.
Factors Influencing Perceived Conflict in a Sample of Kingdom Trails Association Mountain Bikers

This study was conducted through the Kingdom Trails Association in the North East Kingdom of Vermont. The primary purpose of this research was to understand visitor goal orientations and group composition on perceived conflict in a sample of mountain bikers. The results indicate that the social goal was statistically related to the perceived conflict items (larger groups of mountain bikers are a problem, downhill mountain bikers should yield to uphill bikers, and washing bikes in the river is unacceptable). Significant mean differences on perceived conflict were found between smaller groups of mountain bikers versus riders of six or more. The findings may inform management policies and practices toward minimizing negative associations with the outdoor recreation experience.
Holocene climate and vegetation in the Milford drainage basin, Maine, U.S.A., and their implications for human history

A 9200 14C year fossil pollen record from a small kettle lake in central Maine, northeast U.S.A., records the development of nearby upland vegetation throughout the Archaic, Ceramic, and Historic periods of human history. The Early Archaic period (9000 to 8000 B.P.) began as open woodland dominated by Picea, Populus, and Larix, which was replaced by Pinus forest. During the Middle Archaic (8000-6000 B.P.) Tsuga-dominated forest, which developed ca. 7400 B.P., was followed by Pinus forest (ca. 6400 B.P.). The Late Archaic (6000-3000 B.P.) was a period of great transition; Tsuga forest developed again ca. 5700 B.P., but was abruptly replaced by northern hardwood forest ca. 4700 B.P. That Late Archaic expansion of hardwoods would have provided better forage for beaver. Coincidentally, boreal wetland mammals such as beaver (Castor canadensis) and muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) increase in faunal assemblages of local archaeological sites, while remains of anadromous fish decrease. We postulate that the apparent increase in human populations throughout the region during the Late Archaic may be attributed to an increase in the resource base within both upland and wetland areas resulting from the development of hardwood forest in response to climatic cooling.