cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Products of the gas-phase reaction of the OH radical with 3-methyl-1-butene in the presence of NO

The products of the gas-phase reaction of the OH radical with 3-methyl-1-butene in the presence of NO have been investigated at room temperature and 740 torr total pressure of air by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection, in situ Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy, and direct air sampling atmospheric pressure ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The products identified and quantified by GC-FID and in situ FT-IR absorption spectroscopy were HCHO, 2-methylpropanal, acetone, glycolaldehyde, and methacrolein, with formation yields of 0.70±0.06, 0.58±0.08, 0.17±0.02, 0.18±0.03, and 0.033±0.007, respectively. In addition, IR absorption bands due to organic nitrates were observed, consistent with API-MS observations of product ion peaks attributed to the β-hydroxynitrates (CH3)2CHCH(ONO2)CH2OH and/or (CH3)2CHCH(OH)CH2ONO2 formed from the reactions of the corresponding β-hydroxyalkyl peroxy radicals with NO. A formation yield of ca. 0.15 for these nitrates was estimated using IR absorption band intensities for known organic nitrates. These products account for essentially all of the reacted 3-methyl-1-butene. Analysis of the potential reaction pathways involved shows that H-atom abstraction from the allylic C(SINGLEBOND)H bond in 3-methyl-1-butene is a minor pathway which accounts for 5–10% of the overall OH radical reaction. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet: 30: 577–587, 1998
The response of a harmonically forced premixed flame stabilized on a heat-conducting bluff-body

Abstract The objective of this work is to investigate the unsteady response of a bluff-body stabilized laminar premixed flame to harmonic inlet velocity excitation. A time series analysis was performed to analyze the physical sequence of events at a fixed longitudinal forcing frequency of 100 Hz for cases with (1) two different equivalence ratios and (2) two different thermal properties of the stabilizing bluff-body. It was observed that conjugate heat exchange between the heat conducting bluff-body and the surrounding reacting flow has a crucial impact on the dynamic response. The flame area and anchoring location, the net conjugate heat transfer and the total heat release underwent significant oscillations. The latter was mean shifted and had multiple frequencies. The burning velocity varied significantly along the flame length and the recirculation zone underwent complex changes in its shape and size during an unsteady cycle. The lower equivalence ratio case exhibited vortex shedding after an initial symmetric response with periodic flame extinction and re-ignition along its surface, unlike the higher equivalence ratio case. The metal/ceramic bluff-body showed a net heat transfer directed from/to the bluff-body, to/from the reacting flow during an unsteady cycle, resulting in a significantly different flame response for the two otherwise equivalent cases.
Case Law Analysis Regarding High School and Collegiate Liability for Hazing

Abstract Hazing has long been a part of group initiation practices within schools, fraternal organizations and sport teams. Recent increases in reported incidents demonstrate that hazing is both prevalent and dangerous within high schools, colleges and universities world-wide. Sport has historically been used to foster a multitude of positive benefits, including teamwork, fair play and physical fitness. Unfortunately, hazing within sport is commonplace and represents a substantial source of liability. The purpose of this study was to conduct a content analysis of US published case law involving liability for hazing at the high school and collegiate levels in order to develop recommendations for educators and sport managers aimed at reducing hazing and limiting liability.
Design of a fuzzy controller using variable structure approach for application to DC–DC converters

Abstract A variable structure approach is used to design and tune a fuzzy controller for a boost DC–DC converter. The proposed method is systematic and eliminates much of the trial-and-error commonly associated with fuzzy systems. The controller is compared against a recently published fuzzy controller that was tuned by traditional methods. Performances of both controllers are comparable, but the amount of time required for design and tuning is greatly reduced using the variable structure approach.
Movie Event Detection by Using Audio Visual Information

This work focuses on the detection of events including 2- speaker dialog scene, multiple-speaker dialog scene and hybrid scene from the daily movies. Specifically, we employ the visual information to detect all possible shot sinks by using a new method called a window-based sweep algorithm, then all detected shot sinks are categorized into 3 classes using the well-known K-means algorithm, which forms the basis of our proposed event-detection scheme. Furthermore, the accompanying audio cue will also be utilized for achieving more meaningful results. Our preliminary experimental results show that by integrating audiovisual information, meaningful events could be successfully detected and extracted.
Untangling Psychiatric Comorbidity in Young Children Who Experienced Single, Repeated, or Hurricane Katrina Traumatic Events

Background In individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), 70–90 % have at least one comorbid non-PTSD disorder.
CONVECTION TREATMENT FOR HIGH RAYLEIGH NUMBER, LAMINAR, NATURAL CONVECTION CALCULATION

The problem of natural convection in a square cavity of a Boussinesq incompressible fluid is computed using a consistent central-difference approximation, a consistent second-order upwind scheme, and the hybrid scheme for the energy equation. It was found that, for this problem, the second-order upwind scheme yields satisfactory solutions and that an apparently low-order combination of schemes, with the second-order upwind scheme for the momentum equations and the hybrid scheme for the energy equation, can produce satisfactory predictions for this problem.
Reduction in the number of spinal motor neurons in neurotrophin-3-deficient mice.

Abstract The effects of a deficiency of neurotrophin-3 on spinal motor neurons were assessed by determining the number of myelinated nerve fibers in lumbar ventral spinal roots of mice with a deletion in the neurotrophin-3 gene. Few or no small-caliber (fusimotor) nerve fibers were present in the L4 ventral root of homozygous mutant mice lacking both copies of the neurotrophin-3 gene, and approximately one-half of the normal complement of the fibers was present in heterozygous mice having one copy of the neurotrophin-3 gene relative to wild type mice at two weeks of age. Numbers of fusimotor nerve fibers paralleled numbers of muscle spindles, the target organs of fusimotor innervation, in hindlimb muscles. Muscle spindles and intrafusal fibers were absent in the soleus muscles of homozygous mutants, and were reduced by approximately 50% in heterozygous relative to wild type mice in accord with previous reports. Neurotrophin-3 might be generated by the intrafusal fibers and may provide a target-derived neurotrophic support for developing fusimotor neurons because in the absence of muscle spindles the neurons did not differentiate and/or survive. In contrast, a great majority of skelemotor neurons that innervate extrafusal muscle fibers differentiated normally in the absence of neurotrophin-3. This study, analysed in conjunction with our previously reported data, suggests that neurotrophin-3 acts in a coordinated fashion to support, either directly or indirectly, the development of each of the three classes of cells—Ia and Ib sensory neurons, fusimotor neurons, and intrafusal muscle fibers—that comprise the limb proprioceptive system.
Changes in selenium speciation in wetland sediments induced by laboratory testing

Abstract Analysis of wet and laboratory‐dried samples of wetland sediment showed that the concentrations of soluble and adsorbed selenium (Se) increased greatly if samples were dried. This effect was more pronounced at higher temperatures. The release of organic Se through rapid decomposition of sediment organic material and Se oxidation to selenate appear to be the major processes resulting in the increase of the concentrations of the soluble and adsorbed Se in dried sediment. This study shows that sediment drying, especially at higher temperatures, could affect the evaluation of Se speciation and availability in wetland sediment.
Cardiovascular tolerance of intravenous bupivacaine in broiler chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) anesthetized with isoflurane.

Abstract Objective To determine the cardiovascular effects of lidocaine infused intravenously (IV) in broiler chickens. Study design Two phase study: Phase 1, randomized up-and-down study to determine effective dose 50 (ED50) for lidocaine; Phase 2, prospective randomized study to determine the cardiovascular effects of lidocaine. Animals Seventeen Ross-708 broiler chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) [11 chickens (Phase 1) and 6 chickens (Phase 2)], weighing 2.6–4.3 kg. Methods After induction of anesthesia with isoflurane and placement of monitoring equipment including invasive blood pressure, chickens were administered lidocaine IV. During Phase 1, using an up-and-down design, each animal received a variable dose selected based on the response of the previous animal. During Phase 2, each animal was administered 6 mg kg−1 of lidocaine IV over 2 minutes. Clinically irrelevant cardiovascular effects were defined as a relative decrease of heart rate (HR) and mean blood pressure (MAP) Results During Phase 1, using an up-and-down study design (n = 11), the ED50 of lidocaine was determined to be 6.30 mg kg−1 and 6.22 mg kg−1 (95% confidence interval, 5.30–7.13 mg kg−1), when calculated by Dixon's up-and-down method, and logistic regression, respectively. During Phase 2, following infusion of lidocaine (6 mg kg−1), no clinically relevant effects on HR or MAP were detected in any animal. Conclusions and clinical relevance Previous reports state that the dose of lidocaine used in birds should be =4 mg kg−1. In this study, 6 mg kg−1 of lidocaine injected IV was not associated with adverse cardiovascular effects. These results suggest that the dose of 4 mg kg−1 can be exceeded, at least in chickens, and opens the possibility of other therapeutic uses for lidocaine in birds.
VIRAL COFACTORS AND ACUTE RHEUMATIC FEVER

The incidence of childhood acute rheumatic fever (ARF) declined abruptly throughout N. America starting in the late 1960s. This decline was associated temporally with the introduction of measles (ML), mumps (MU), and rubella (RU) immunization programs. To determine if there was an association at the individual level with ARF, we measured antibody titers by hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) to ML, MU, and RU and by ELISA to ML and RU in 28 patients with a past history of ARF and 51 controls matched for age, race, and sex. The only significant difference observed was a lower rate of seropositivity to rubella by HI but not by ELISA. No differences were noted for GMT's. We conclude that ML, MU or RU infections aren't necessary cofactors in ARF pathogenesis.
Comment On: Decrease in Frequency of Liquid Stool in Enterally Fed Critically Ill Patients Given the Multispecies Probiotic VSL#3: A Pilot Trial Frohmader TJ, Chaboyer WP, Robertson IK, Gowardman J

Background: Diarrhea has adverse consequences for critically ill patients, health care staff, and health care costs. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of the multispecies probiotic VSL#3 in reducing the mean number of episodes of liquid stool in enterally fed critically ill patients. Methods: A single-center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study was done in a 6-bed intensive care unit in a 330-bed public hospital in Australia. A total of 45 adults (20 intervention, 25 control) who required enteral nutrition for more than 72 hours were given VSL#3 or a placebo twice daily. The frequency (mean number of episodes per patient per day) and weight (grams per day) were determined for both liquid stool and liquid and loose (unformed) stool. Results: The 2 groups of patients had no demographic or clinical differences. Patients received enteral nutrition for a mean of 8.5 days (SD, 5.4) and were studied for a mean of 11.9 days (SD, 5.6). Compared with the control group, the intervention group ...
A master equation for reactive solute transport in porous media

The mean value of a density of a “cloud of points” described by a generalized Liouville equation associated with a convection dispersion equation governing adsorbing solute transport yields a joint concentration probability density. The general technique can be applied for either linear or nonlinear adsorption; here the application is restricted to linear adsorption in one-dimensional transport. The equation generated for the joint concentration probability density is in the general form of a Fokker-Planck equation, but with a suitable coordinate transformation, it is possible to represent it as a diffusion equation with variable coefficients.
Hospitalizations for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Among US Military Veterans 1975–2006

Background The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the largest healthcare system in the United States. The VA database was used to analyze patterns of hospitalization for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) among US military veterans. Methods The study used the VA Patient Treatment File (PTF) between 1975 and 2006. Each hospital record extracted from the PTF included diagnosis, patient age, and ethnicity. Patient age was analyzed in three age groups: 0–44, 45–64, and 65+. Patient ethnicity was analyzed by two broad categories as white and nonwhite. Results Among veterans, Crohn’s disease was more common than ulcerative colitis and both diseases were more common in whites than in nonwhites. During the past 30 years, the age distributions of both diseases have shifted towards older patients who have come to represent an increasingly larger fraction of patients with Crohn’s disease, as well as ulcerative colitis. Hospitalization rates for inflammatory bowel disease among whites recently declined, while most rates among nonwhites continued to rise throughout the observation period. Conclusion The present study revealed a time-dependent shift towards older ages in the age distribution of IBD among hospitalized veterans. These changes, which have been observed similarly in other US statistics, may reflect a birth-cohort phenomenon underlying the long-term time trends of IBD.
Immunoassay for the detection and quantitation of infectious human retrovirus, lymphadenopathy-associated virus (LAV)

Detection of replicating human retroviruses has relied upon rather cumbersome reverse transcriptase, immunofluorescence, or electron microscopic assays. We describe a new sandwich enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) for detecting the human retrovirus, lymphadenopathy-associated virus (LAV), in supernates of LAV-infected human lymphocyte cultures. This LAV capture immunoassay compares favorably with the reverse transcriptase assay, despite the fact that it is performed on 20-fold less supernate material. Because the assay can be performed on 0.1 ml of culture supernate and is done by an ELISA method, LAV inoculation of lymphocyte cultures can be monitored quite conveniently, and endpoint titrations of infectious virus (ID-50 assays) can be performed. We demonstrate the application of the capture assay and ID-50 assay to disinfectant and serum neutralization experiments.
A monoclonal antibody that recognizes a phosphorylated epitope in Alzheimer neurofibrillary tangles, neurofilaments and tau proteins immunostains granulovacuolar degeneration.

A monoclonal antibody, raised against extracts from Alzheimer brain, that recognizes a phosphorylated epitope in high molecular weight neurofilament proteins and tau proteins also immunostains Alzheimer neurofibrillary tangles, neurites in senile plaques and granulovacuolar degeneration. This result suggests that granulovacuolar degeneration may contain phosphorylated proteins, possibly due to autophagy of phosphorylated perikaryal proteins that appear to be increased in Alzheimer's disease.
Rotor Model Updating and Validation for an Active Magnetic Bearing Based High-Speed Machining Spindle

This paper presents an experimentally-driven model updating approach to address the dynamic inaccuracy of the nominal finite element (FE) rotor model of a machining spindle supported on active magnetic bearings. Modeling error is minimized through the application of a numerical optimization algorithm to adjust appropriately selected FE model parameters. Minimizing the error of both resonance and antiresonance frequencies simultaneously accounts for rotor natural frequencies as well as for their mode shapes. Antiresonance frequencies, which are shown to heavily influence the model’s dynamic properties, are commonly disregarded in structural modeling. Evaluation of the updated rotor model is performed through comparison of transfer functions measured at the cutting tool plane, which are independent of the experimental transfer function data used in model updating procedures. Final model validation is carried out with successful implementation of robust controller, which substantiates the effectiveness of the model updating methodology for model correction.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Myofibroblastic sarcoma of mitral valve: A case report

We report a patient with symptoms of congestive heart failure whose workup revealed a myofibroblastic sarcoma of mitral valve.
Translational potential for hydrogel composites containing carbon nanobrushes

The objective of this work is to examine potential translational directions for electrically conductive hydrogel composites as a matrix for clinically relevant cell lines. The composite is comprised of carbon nanobrushes embedded in a biocompatible poloxamer gel. This work assesses the ability of such composite gels to support the growth of fibroblasts and myocytes and eventually serve as a matrix to stimulate wound closure. In such a model, fibroblasts and myocytes are seeded on the hydrogel and bathed in culture medium. The experimental model assesses the ability of fibroblasts and myocytes to grow into and adhere to the gel. The work demonstrates that carbon nanobrushes can be dispersed within poloxamer gels, and that fibroblasts and myocytes can proliferate within homogenously dispersed carbon nanobrush-containing poloxamer gels. Future work will examine the effects of design parameters such as carbon nanobrush content and matrix structure on wound healing, as well as the growth of tendons and other cell lines within the hydrogel composites. This work has relevance for tissue engineering and tissue regeneration in clinical medicine.
Decay of Nb94 and Nb94m

Abstract Gamma rays in Mo94 following the decay of Nb94 have been studied using coincidence and directional correlation measurements. The 700 keV transition was found to be in coincidence with the 873 keV gamma ray. The intensity of the crossover transition of 1573 keV was found to be less than 0.1 % of the 873 keV gamma ray intensity. The directional correlation of the 700 keV – 873 keV cascade was measured and the corrected expansion coefficients were found to be A2 = 0.0965 ± 0.0076 and A4 = 0.019 ± 0.011. These data indicate spins of 4 and 2 for the 1573 keV and 873 keV levels, respectively. Gamma rays following the decay of Nb94m were studied with proportional and scintillation counters. The conversion coefficient αK of the 42 keV gamma ray in the decay of 6.6 min Nb94m was measured to be 1600 ± 350 and the branching ratio of the transition from Nb94m to the 873 keV level of Mo94 was found to be 0.19 ± 0.03 %. The intensity ratio of the 600 keV beta ray to the 1.3 MeV beta ray in the decay of Nb94m was determined to be 3.0 ± 0.6 %. These measurements support a spin and parity of 3- for the isomeric state.
Influence of potassium chloride on alcohol absorption

Abstract Simultaneous intragastric administration of large doses of KCl (430 mg/kg and 860 mg/kg) with ethanol (4 g/kg) significantly reduces blood alcohol levels and diminishes manifestations of alcohol intoxication in rats. It was shown with parenteral administration of alcohol that the effect is not related to an acceleration of alcohol metabolism. Analysis of alcohol concentrations of gastric and intestinal content as well as in situ studies with animals whose stomachs were ligated at the pylorus revealed that KCl interferes with the absorption of alcohol through inhibition of gastric absorption and gastric emptying. The finding that equimolal concentrations of NaCl were unable to duplicate the described effects characterizes them as specific actions of the potassium ion.
Three-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography using selective inversion recovery RAGE with fat saturation and ECG-triggering: application to renal arteries.

A three-dimensional (3D), ECG-triggered, selective inversion recovery (SIR) rapid gradient-echo (RAGE) technique is proposed to obtain MR angiograms of the main renal arteries. By using the selective inversion recovery and fat saturation, the background is significantly suppressed while blood maintains a high signal intensity as compared with conventional 3D time-of-flight (TOF) MR angiography. The sequence is ECG-triggered so that blood in-flow is maximized during systole, and intravoxel dephasing and pulsatile flow artifacts are minimized by collecting data during diastole. As a result, vessel boundary blurring and ghosting artifacts due to background motion are dramatically reduced, and the conspicuity and lumen definition of the arteries are significantly improved. High-quality MR angiograms of the main renal arteries with excellent blood/tissue contrast and suppression of motion artifacts have been consistently obtained for normal volunteers, with the length of visualization being 51 ± 07 mm for the left, and 57 ± 06 mm for the right renal arteries, significantly greater than using conventional 3D TOF pulse sequences. Statistical analysis was performed by using a one-sided Student's t test. Key words: renal artery; MR angiography; three-dimensional MR imaging.
The Relationship between Sea Surface Temperature and Latent Heat Flux in the Equatorial Pacific

Abstract Moored buoy data from the equatorial Pacific are analyzed to investigate the relationship between sea surface temperature (SST) and latent heat flux from the ocean. It is found that at low SST the latent heat flux increases with SST; at high SST the latent heat flux decreases with increasing SST, a relationship that cannot be explained by thermodynamic considerations alone. Analysis of the wind speeds and humidity differences between the surface air and the saturation humidity at the sea surface temperature indicates that while at low SST the humidity difference primarily determines the latent heat flux, and at high SST a sharp decrease in wind speed is mostly responsible for the low latent heat flux. A mechanism that leads to low latent heat flux at high SST is suggested; it involves the interaction between convection and the large-scale circulation. The longitudinal distribution of SST, wind speed, humidity difference, and latent heat flux is found to be similar to that in previous studies. In ...
Relations in the homotopy of simplicial abelian Hopf algebras

Abstract In this paper, we analyze the structure possessed by the homotopy groups of a simplicial abelian Hopf algebra over the field F 2. Specifically, we review the higher-order structure that the homotopy groups of a simplicial commutative algebra and simplicial cocommutative coalgebra possess. We then demonstrate how these structures interact under the added conditions present in a Hopf algebra.
Expression of a novel tropomyosin isoform in axolotl heart and skeletal muscle.

TPM1κ is an alternatively spliced isoform of the TPM1 gene whose specific role in cardiac development and disease is yet to be elucidated. Although mRNA studies have shown TPM1κ expression in axolotl heart and skeletal muscle, it has not been quantified. Also the presence of TPM1κ protein in axolotl heart and skeletal muscle has not been demonstrated. In this study, we quantified TPM1κ mRNA expression in axolotl heart and skeletal muscle. Using a newly developed TPM1κ specific antibody, we demonstrated the expression and incorporation of TPM1κ protein in myofibrils of axolotl heart and skeletal muscle. The results support the potential role of TPM1κ in myofibrillogenesis and sarcomeric function.
Imaging of Spinal Infections

Spinal infections may be local manifestations of systemic diseases,concomitantwithinfectionsinotherpartsofthe central nervous system, or be caused by direct spread from extraspinal sources. Patient demographics and their immune status play an important role when formulating the differential diagnosis of lesions affecting the discs and vertebral bodies. In this article, we describe the clinical manifestations, imaging findings, diagnostic criteria, and treatment and prognosis of spinal infections. Many pathogens can cause spondylitis as well as meningitis/myelitis and thus both entitiesareaddressedhere.Diseasesprimarilyaffectingthespinal cord and its coverings are discussed separately from those primarily involving the bones, paraspinal regions, and epidural space.
α-Ketoamide Phe—Pro isostere as a new core structure for the inhibition of HIV protease

Studies on the inhibition of HIV-1 protease utilizing a core isostere with replacement of the scissle bond for an ga-amino- ketone have resulted in the development of an α-keto-amide isosteric replacement of the Phe—Pro scissle amide bond. The simple dipeptide isostere was shown to be a promising new core structure for the development of the enzyme inhibitors. The Ki of this core structure was determined to be 6μM, compared to 230 μ M and > 50 μM for the corresponding phosphinic acid and hydroxyethylamine isosteres.
What Makes Brief Psychodynamic Therapy Time Efficient

To be brief and effective, psychodynamic therapy relies on six features or techniques of practice. These include (a) patient selection, especially maturity of interpersonal or object relations, (b) formulation of an individualized clinical focus stated as intrapsychic conflict, maladaptive interpersonal patterns, or negative feelings about the self, (c) a deliberate time limit that adds a sense of intensity and urgency and sets in motion therapist and patient expectancies as to when change will occur, (d) active techniques of detailed inquiry, focusing, interpretation, and, in some models, confrontation, (e) emphasis on the termination stage, especially issues of separation, loss and limitations in life, and (f) goal setting, which requires setting priorities so that time is used most efficiently. This paper reviews and evaluates relevant research and presents emerging trends for future practice of brief psychodynamic therapy.
Optimal body size and an animal's diet.

Within many animal taxa there is a trend for the species of larger body size to eat food of lower caloric value. For example, most large extant lizards are herbivorous. Reasonable arguments based on energetic considerations are often invoked to explain this trend, yet, while these factors set limits to feasible body size, they do not in themselves mathematically produce optimum body sizes. A simple optimization model is developed here which considers food search, capture, and eating rates and the metabolic cost of these activities for animals of different sizes. The optimization criterion is defined as the net caloric gain a consumer accrues per day. This model does produce an optimum intermediate body size which increases with food quality - not the reverse. This discrepancy is accounted for, however, because the model also predicts that body size should be even more sensitive to increases in food abundance. In nature, many poor quality foods are also relatively abundant foods, hence the consumers eating them may maximize their daily energetic profit by evolving a relatively large body size. Optimum consumer body size also decreases with increases in consumer metabolic rate and “prey” speed.
Personal Watercraft and Boats: Coastal Conflicts With Common Terns

ABSTRACT Human disturbance to nesting colonial birds has increased with the massive development of coastal regions and rapid improvement in technology of watercraft. Disturbance to nesting common terns (Sterna hirundo) by boats was examined over a five-year period, with different degrees of management of personal watercraft (PWC) activities. In the five years before this study, reproductive success had declined to zero, perhaps due to excessive personal watercraft activity. Terns responded with significantly more upflights to PWCs that raced by and circled the island, than to motor boats that travelled slowly and remained in the channel. Public meetings and an educational campaign were successful in decreasing the percent of PWCs that raced and ran around die island, which in turn decreased die number of tern upflights and increased reproductive success. Without continued public meetings and education, PWCs began to race around the island, and the terns responded by moving from island edges to central are...
Design and Assessment of a Skills-Based Geoscience Curriculum

ABSTRACT There is increasing interest in science curricula that engage students in scientific practices to deepen their understanding of the core ideas of the field. There are, however, few examples of their designs or assessments available for use as guides for understanding the strengths and weaknesses of particular designs. We offer a summary of our experience in designing and assessing a skills-based geoscience curriculum contextualized within a recently proposed, generalized framework for curricular designs and assessment. Our novel approach to curriculum assessment, with its emphasis on ensuring that the skills highlighted in different courses align with the objectives of the curriculum, is meant to complement more-direct assessments of student mastery of various skills. Assessment results reveal good alignment of course and curricular objectives, in some cases, whereas other parts of the curriculum require refinement. The most challenging of which is the failure of the introductory-level courses to...
Use of Dental Xeroradiographs in Periodontics: Comparison With Conventional Radiographs*

An experimental intraoral dental xeroradiographic system was evaluated for its ability to image structures important in periodontal radiographic interpretation. On consenting dental patients, similar x-ray projections were made on (1) conventional film radiographs and (2) experimental dental xeroradiographs. The resultant images were compared visually. In all categories examined the information provided by xeroradiography was either equal to or greater than that provided by conventional film radiographs. Intraoral dental xeroradiography appears to be a highly accurate, low-radiation, rapid, and convenient alternative to conventional intraoral radiography.
For HIV, It's Never Too Late to Grow Up

Rather than being separated by discrete boundaries, the different phases of viral replication cycles partially overlap one another. In this issue, Dale et al. (2011) describe a remarkable example of this phenomenon: HIV-1 matures, and thus becomes infectious, but only after it has already started entering target cells.
A High Performance K-Band Diplexer using High-Q Micromachined Cavities

Microwave diplexers are often used on transmit / receive systems to isolate a power transmit stage from a sensitive receive stage sharing a common antenna. With the ever-increasing need for efficient bandwidth usage, diplexers exhibiting close channel spacing, low insertion loss and small channel bandwidths are increasingly necessary. Utilizing two high Q cavity resonators, a Duroid-based high performance diplexer has been designed, fabricated and measured. This diplexer shows transmit / receive bandwidths of 2.39% and 1.8% and insertion losses of 2.38dB and 2.89dB, respectively. Channel center frequencies of 18.8GHz and 20.7GHz provide a channel separation of approximately 9% and channel to channel isolation greater than 24dB. Utilizing machined aluminum cavities and a Duroid substrate the diplexer design provides insight into cavity based diplexer construction, allowing for the design of a silicon based micromachined cavity diplexer. Simulation results from this silicon-based diplexer are also presented.
Demonstration of broadband radio frequency sensing: Empirical polysilicon etch rate estimation in a Lam 9400 etch tool

The sensitivity of a novel broad frequency band (1–2.25 GHz) radio frequency sensing system to plasma etching process conditions is demonstrated. This is accomplished by using the sensing system to estimate polysilicon etch rate in a Lam 9400 etch tool. A designed experiment varying physical and chemical reactive ion etching regimes was performed with five repetitions at each experimental point. A model relating broadband sensor response to etch rate was regressed using four repetitions of the data and validated on the fifth. Two representations of the broadband data were considered separately when regressing the models, with subset selection used in each case to choose the best predictor variables. In one representation, the sensor data was considered as a vector of 402 real numbers corresponding to magnitude and phase of reflection coefficient at each of 201 frequencies, resulting in an R2 of etch rate estimate of 0.997. In the other, the broadband response was parameterized on the basis of a multimodal cavity resonance model. The inferred parameters of natural frequency, quality factor and resistance were then used as the predictor variables for regression, resulting in an R2 of 0.962.
Anharmonic effects of phonons with Kohn anomalies

Abstract In a quasi-one-dimensional conductor, the phonons with anomaly at the Fermi diameter, 2 k F , cause the phonons at 4 k F to soften via the three-phonon coupling, mainly due to the phonon modulation of the Coulomb interaction between tight-binding electrons on different sites. The 2 k F phonons also cause strong second-order scatterings of X-rays or neutrons. These results may explain the recent observations of phonon anomalies at 4 k F in TTF-TCNQ.
Low-Frequency Variability in the Arctic Atmosphere, Sea Ice, and Upper-Ocean Climate System

Abstract The low-frequency natural variability of the arctic climate system is modeled using a single-column, energy balance model of the atmosphere. sea ice, and upper-ocean system. Variability in the system is induced by forcing with realistic, random perturbations in the atmospheric energy transport and cloudiness. The model predicts that the volume of perennial sea ice varies predominantly on decadal timescales, while other arctic climate variables vary mostly on intraannual and interannual timescales. The variance of the simulated sea ice volume is most sensitive to perturbations of the atmospheric forcing in late spring, at the onset of melt. The variance of sea ice volume increases with the mean sea ice thickness and with the number of layers resolved in the sea ice model. This suggests that much of the simulated variance develops when the surface temperature decouples from the sea ice interior during the late spring, when melting snow abruptly exposes the sea ice surface and decreases the surface ...
Three-dimensional, fine-resolution imaging using laser frequency diversity.

Experimental results obtained using a fine-resolution, three-dimensional imaging method are presented. The method consists of flood illuminating an extended object with a laser beam and recording the scattered light as the laser frequency is varied. An image is recovered by three-dimensional Fourier transformation of the recorded data. For the results presented here, a tunable dye-laser source is used, and the obtained range resolution is 287 μm.
The development of base syntax in normal and linguistically deviant children.

Language samples of 15 young normal children actively engaged in learning base syntax were compared with samples of 15 linguistically deviant children of a comparable linguistic level. Mean number ...
Electron Diffraction Investigation of Crystallographic Texture of Thin Films

A method of investigating thin film crystallographic texture by electron diffraction is reviewed. The reciprocal lattices of fibrous and lamellar textured thin films are spherical belts around the texture axis. Equations describing the projection of the spherical belts onto the Ewald sphere along the texture axis direction are presented. Based on these equations the geometric and intensity evolution of the electron diffraction patterns with the tilt angle about an arbitrary axis in the film plane can be analyzed in a systematic way. The geometric characteristics of the electron diffraction patterns are then used to derive the texture axis directional index and its angular distribution. The way to determine the equal-intensity circular arcs on the diffraction pattern is also discussed. This method can be applied to both single layered and multilayered thin films of various applications.
A longitudinal study of boys' rough-and-tumble play and dominance during early adolescence

Abstract The two goals of the present study were to determine the extent to which two forms of rough-and-tumble play (R&T/Rough and R&T/Chase) varied across early adolescence and to explore the role of each form of R&T in boys' dominance relations. In this longitudinal study, the two forms of R&T were statistically independent of each other. R&T/Chase did not vary from Year 1 to Year 2 and was not related to dominance, but R&T/Rough declined across time and was related to dominance displays and aggression displays. Results are discussed in terms of the role of R&T in adolescent boys' dominance relationships.
Use of Natriuretic Peptides in Guiding Treatment Decisions for Acute Pulmonary Embolism

To the Editor: In the study by Kucher et al,1 the authors concluded that a low type B natriuretic peptide (BNP) level identifies patients at low risk for adverse events and that they may be candidates for outpatient care. However, clinicians need to consider the time interval between the pulmonary embolism event and BNP, or pro-BNP, measurement when interpreting these results. BNP levels may not correlate well with other cardiovascular or clinical measures in patients with illness of acute onset because of a delay in BNP mRNA upregulation.2,3 In a recent study, we measured BNP levels …
Application of the electrostatic mean value theorem to electrostatic sensor electrodes

We present a method for approximating the potential of conducting objects due to a known electrostatic source. The method involves averaging the incident potential over the conductor surface or volume region, which is known to give the exact value for a perfectly conducting sphere. The method is extended to spheroidal geometries, both prolate and oblate, to study the error incurred for deviations from the spherical case. Exact values for the spheroid potentials are derived and compared with those obtained by the mean value approximations. The result for the oblate spheroid is extended to the case of a two-dimensional electrostatic disk. The approximations are proposed as a method for predicting the potential of conducting electrodes used with electrostatic sensors for the measurement of electrostatic field disturbances. In this regard, the mean value approximation is applied to determine the source to electrode mutual capacitance, which is implemented in the model for the sensor system. Electrostatic disk electrodes are used with an electrostatic disturbance sensor to experimentally validate the application of the mean value approximation.
Dimensions of Conservation: Exploring Differences Among Energy Behaviors

Residential energy conservation is among the most efficient means of reducing emissions, yet behavior is lagging behind this potential, suggesting this is an area where psychology can contribute. R...
Examination of the Link Between Parental Racial Socialization Messages and Racial Ideology Among Black College Students

The relations between racial socialization and color-blind racial beliefs (i.e., the denial, distortion, or minimization of racism) among 153 Black American college students, including 34 college s...
Coulometric assay of the primary standards potassium dichromate and ammonium hexanitratocerate

The high-precision coulometric titration apparatus of Eckfeldt and Shaffer (Leeds & Northrup Company) has been used for the precision assay of two primary standard materials for oxidation-reduction work. The purity found for NBS 136b Potassium Dichromate. 99.975 %, standard deviation 0.002 %, checks the earlier value of Marinenko and Taylor. Ammonium hexanitratocerate, if low in thorium, is also an excellent primary standard, two recent commercial preparations having purities of 99.972 and 99.984%, a higher standard deviation, 0.005 %, reflecting a minor difficulty in end-point detection caused by platinum oxide formation on the indicating electrodes.
Elitism, Teacher Training, and Other Forbidden Topics*

extent feasible, ACTFL/ADFL will attempt to supply research data and bibliographical references available in our files. Costs of duplication and postage will be borne by ACTFL, ADFL, and theJNCL; however, it is hoped that successful authors who receive payment for published articles will donate a portion thereof and thus enable us to expand and continue the campaign. If it succeeds, it will become a permanent program of the Joint National Committee and its constituent organizations.
Patient understanding of medical jargon: A survey study of U.S. medical students

Abstract Objective With increasing exposure, medical students may forget that technical jargon is unfamiliar to laypeople. To investigate this possibility, authors assessed student perceptions of patient understanding across different years in medical school. Methods 533 students at 4 U.S. medical schools rated the proportion of patients likely to understand each of twenty-one different jargon terms. Students were either in the first month of their first year, the middle of their first year, or the middle of their fourth year of medical school. Results Fourth-year students were slightly more pessimistic about patients’ understanding compared to new first-year students (mean percent understanding of 55.1% vs. 58.6%, p = 0.004). Students both over- and under-estimated patient understanding of specific words compared to published estimates. In a multivariate model, other factors did not explain these differences. Conclusion Students do not generally presume that patients understand medical jargon. In many cases they actually underestimate patients’ understanding, and these estimates may become more pessimistic longitudinally. Jargon use in communication with patients does not appear to stem from unrealistic presumptions about patients’ understanding or from desensitization to jargon during medical school. Practice implications Training about patient knowledge of medical jargon may be a useful addition to communication skills curricula.
Comparison of Protein Profiles during Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Fiber Cell Development with Partial Sequences of Two Proteins

Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to compare the protein profiles of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fiber cells at two developmental stages. In the first stage, the cells ...
Workplace Compliance With the Law: The Case of the Family and Medical Leave Act

Using the 2008 National Study of Employers to analyze employers’ compliance with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), we show that prior studies have overestimated compliance due to the treatme...
Scaling file systems to support petascale clusters: A dependability analysis to support informed design choices

Petascale computing requires I/O subsystems that can keep up with the dramatic computing power demanded by such systems. TOP500.org ranks top computers based on their peak compute performance, but there has not been adequate investigation of the current state-of-the-art and future requirements of storage area networks that support petascale computers. Dependable scaling of an I/O subsystem to support petascale computing is not as simple as adding more storage servers. In this paper, we present a stochastic activity network model that uses failure rates computed from real logs to predict the reliability and availability of the storage architecture of the Abe cluster at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA). We then use the model to evaluate the challenges encountered as one scales the number of storage servers to support petascale computing. The results present new insights regarding the dependability challenges that will be encountered when building next-generation petabyte storage. Furthermore, we provide insight into a new design approach that will enable system designers to integrate the trace-based analysis of parameter values from real system data into their stochastic models to allow informed design choices.
Wittgenstein in China

Although Chinese philosophers were somewhat influenced by Wittgenstein before 1949 – the Tractatus was first translated into Chinese in 1927–28 – they tended to see him either as a disciple of Russell or as a member of the Vienna Circle. However, since 1979 (following 30 years in which they were unable to study such Western philosophers), Chinese scholars have done their utmost to catch up with world standards in Wittgenstein scholarship in three overlapping routes – textual reading, contextual interpretation and philosophical application. As China continues its modernisation, there will likely be more substantive interaction between Wittgenstein's thought and Chinese philosophy and culture.
Polarization-multiplexed dispersion-managed four-soliton-channels wavelength-division multiplexing system with a bit-rate-length product of 2.9×1015

Abstract. A four-channel soliton system design is described that repre-sents an improvement on a previous study Opt. Express , 2007 . In thatstudy, a bit-rate-length BL product in excess of 2.0 1510 baud/kmfrom a dense-dispersion-managed DDM dual-soliton system wasachieved through numerical experimentation. Similar to the dual-solitondesign, a combination of polarization multiplexing and wavelength-division multiplexing is employed. Numerical experiments with four soli-ton channels, each carrying 80 Gb/s, are carried out over 10,000 km.Assystem parameters are optimized, the Q =6 threshold distance attainedis 9150 km, yielding a BL product of 2.9 1510 baud/km. © 2008 Society ofPhoto-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. DOI: 10.1117/1.3027480 Subject terms: soliton; dispersion management; polarization multiplexing;wavelength-division multiplexing . Paper 080241R received Apr. 30, 2008; revised manuscript received Aug. 21,2008; accepted for publication Sep. 23, 2008; published online Dec. 1, 2008.