cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What's in a name? The toll e-signatures take on individual honesty

People cherish and embrace the symbolic value that their unique handwritten signature holds. Technological advances, however, have led organizations to reject traditional handwritten signatures in favor of the efficiency and convenience of e-signatures. This research directly investigates the possibility that while many common e-signatures may objectively perform the same function as signing by hand, they do not exert the same symbolic weight in subsequent decision making. Seven studies consistently demonstrate these e-signatures' ineffectiveness for curbing individual dishonesty—one of the essential purposes of a signature. Furthermore, the effects are caused by their inadequate ability to evoke the signer's self-presence. Results also identify one form of e-signature that can preserve this crucial psychological connection. Meta-analyses across studies conducted for this research establish the reliability and robustness of the associations between common forms of e-signatures, self-presence, and dishonesty. By systematically examining whether, why, and which e-signatures abet cheating, findings illuminate an unexplored—but critical—consequence of a practice that is prevalent worldwide.
The Relative Efficiency of Bimodal Presentation as an Aid to Learning.

The common notion that learning accrues more efficiently from the use of material presented both visually and aurally as opposed to either visual or aural presentation alone has been investigated in many different ways. However, empirical studies designed to determine directly whether or not simultaneous bimodal presentation of highly redundant information results in better learning than single modality presentation are both scarce and inconsistent in their findings. In a comprehensive review of the various approaches that have been taken in studying the problem, Hartman (1961b) indicated that the greater number of studies found simultaneous audio/print (aural-visual) presentations of redundant materials to be superior to either audio or print presentations alone. He tends to explain such results in terms of cue summation theory which predicts "that learning of discriminations is increased as the number of available cues or stimuli is
TIRE MODULE SYSTEMS IN SHORE AND HARBOR PROTECTION

Experiment testing has indicated the potential value of using discarded tires as a construction material for low cost shore and harbor protection. The modular assembly methods and use of available connecting materials are examined for an 18-tire module. Engineering design parameters, material cost, and field tests for both floating tire breakwaters and tire revetments are summarized. Floating tire breakwaters are described and have provided wave attenuation in marinas and small harbors in both salt and freshwater. Descriptions of two tire revetment test sites on the Great Lakes are presented. Limited monitoring efforts have shown that the concept of tire revetment mats seem to hold promise as a low cost approach to certain shore erosion problems.
The Effect of Diet, Exercise and 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene on Food Intake, Body Composition and Carcass Energy Levels in Virgin Female BALB/c Mice

This study investigated the effect of diet, exercise and , 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA), a mammary-tumor carcinogen, on food intake, energy consumption, body weight and body composition in virgin female BALB/c mice. Interactions were examined among three diet conditions (standard AIN-76A, restricted AIN-76A and high fat AIN-76A diet), two exercise conditions (with and without treadmill exercise) and two treatment conditions (carcinogen or corn oil sham). Mice were randomized to one of 12 groups at 6 wk of age; beginning at 8 wk of age, all mice received either 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (1 mg/0.2 mL corn oil) or 0.2 mL of corn oil via gastric tube once each week for six consecutive weeks. Exercise in a rotating-drum treadmill was initiated at 10 wk of age and was increased to a final rate of 6 m/min for 60 min, 5 d/wk. Mice were killed at 24 wk of age, confirmed to be tumor-free and analyzed for protein and fat content, from which body energy was calculated. Energy consumption was highest in the standard diet-fed groups followed by the high fat diet-fed groups and the restricted diet-fed groups. The groups fed the standard diet and restricted diet had similar body weight and carcass energy. Exercise or DMBA treatment generally reduced food consumption, energy intake, body weight and carcass energy. In summary, diet, exercise and DMBA all had pronounced effects on energy consumption, which in turn affected body composition. These treatments may influence expression of breast cancer via their effects on body composition.
A Mathematical Model and Computer Simulations for Predicting the Response of Aluminum Casting Alloys to Heat Treatment

In this publication we report on our efforts to develop a mathematical model and the necessary material database that allow predicting physical and material property changes that occur in aluminum casting alloys in response to precipitation-hardening heat treatment. We use the commercially available finite element software ABAQUS and an extensive database that was developed specifically for the aluminum alloy under consideration — namely, A356.2 alloy. The model produces multiple outputs at each node including the thermal history of the component that develop in the component and mechanical properties.
Social Security in Theory and Practice (II): Efficiency Theories

166 countries have some kind of public old age pension.What economic forces create and sustain old age Social Security as a public program? Mulligan and Sala-i-Martin (1999b) document several of the internationally and historically common features of social security programs, and explore "political" theories of Social Security. This paper discusses the "efficiency theories", which view creation of the SS program as a full of partial solution to some market failure. Efficiency explanations of social security include the "SS as welfare for the elderly" the "retirement increases productivity to optimally manage human capital externalities", "optimal retirement insurance", the "prodigal father problem", the "misguided Keynesian", the "optimal longevity insurance", the "government economizing transaction costs", and the "return on human capital investment". We also analyze four "narrative" theories of social security: the "chain letter theory", the "lump of labor theory", the "monopoly capitalism theory", and the "Sub-but-Nearly-Optimal policy response to private pensions theory". The political and efficiency explanations are compared with the international and historical facts and used to derive implications for replacing the typical pay-as-you-go system with a forced savings plan. Most of the explanations suggest that forced savings does not increase welfare, and may decrease it. See also the first part of the paper by Casey B. Mulligan and Xavier Sala-i-Martin "Social Security in Theory and Practice (I): Facts and Political Theories"
Effects of Hg2+, CH3-Hg+, and Temperature on the Expression of Mercury Resistance Genes in Environmental Bacteria

Twenty different bacterial isolates obtained from a mercury-contaminated site in Oak Ridge, Tenn., were grown on plate count agar amended with 25 mug of Hg or 3 mug of CH(3)-Hg (R-Hg) per ml. The total cellular RNA was extracted from each isolate by an acid-guanidine-thiocyanate-phenol-chloroform method. The transcripts of merA and merB were detected and quantitated by Northern (RNA) hybridization. A qualitative assay of mercuric reductase was used to confirm the enzyme activity. Low temperature (4 degrees C) with the presence of Hg (25 mug/ml) significantly increased the net merA transcripts of mid-log-phase cells of six environmental isolates. The net merA transcript production by 18 of the isolates increased when they were grown on 50% plate count broth with 15 mug of Hg per ml, but only 8 isolates showed increased production of merB transcripts. The MICs of Hg and R-Hg for 10 methyl mercury-resistant isolates ranged from 45 to 110 mug of Hg and 0.6 to 4.5 mug of R-Hg per ml. R-Hg was able to induce the expression of merB in 70% of methyl mercury-resistant strains.
The impact of imperfect scheduling on cross-layer rate control in wireless networks

In this paper, we study cross-layer design for rate control in multihop wireless networks. In our previous work, we have developed an optimal cross-layered rate control scheme that jointly computes both the rate allocation and the stabilizing schedule that controls the resources at the underlying layers. However, the scheduling component in this optimal cross-layered rate control scheme has to solve a complex global optimization problem at each time, and hence is too computationally expensive for online implementation. In this paper, we study how the performance of cross-layer rate control can be impacted if the network can only use an imperfect (and potentially distributed) scheduling component that is easier to implement. We study both the case when the number of users in the system is fixed and the case with dynamic arrivals and departures of the users, and we establish desirable results on the performance bounds of cross-layered rate control with imperfect scheduling. Compared with a layered approach that does not design rate control and scheduling together, our cross-layered approach has provably better performance bounds, and substantially outperforms the layered approach. The insights drawn from our analyses also enable us to design a fully distributed cross-layered rate control and scheduling algorithm for a restrictive interference model.
Interleukin-1 synergy with phosphoinositide pathway agonists for induction of interleukin-2 gene expression : molecular basis of costimulation

The macrophage-derived cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) can provide a second signal with antigen to elicit production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) by helper T cells. The pathway(s) involved remains controversial, with protein kinase C and cyclic AMP (cAMP) invoked as possible second messengers. In the murine thymoma EL4.E1, IL-1 could synergize with the phosphoinositide pathway, because the cells made higher levels of IL-2 in the presence of IL-1 than could be induced by phorbol ester plus calcium ionophore alone. IL-1 is unlikely to act through a sustained increase in cAMP in these cells because it did not raise cAMP levels detectably and because IL-1 and forskolin had opposite effects on IL-2 gene expression. Inducible expression of a transfected reporter gene linked to a cloned fragment of the murine IL-2 gene promoter was initially increased by IL-1 costimulation, implying that IL-1 can increase the rate of transcription of IL-2. The minimal promoter elements required for iL-1 responsiveness were located within 321 bp of the IL-2 RNA cap site, and further upstream sequences to -2800 did not modify this response. IL-1 costimulation resulted in enhanced activity of both an inducible NF-kappa B-like factor and one of two distinct AP-1-like factors that bind to IL-2 regulatory sequences. Neither was induced, however, by IL-1 alone. Another AP-1-like factor and NFAT-1, while inducible in other cell types, were expressed constitutively in the EL4.E1 cells and were unaffected by IL-1. These results are discussed in terms of the combinatorial logic of IL-2 gene expression.
Improving in vivo maize doubled haploid production efficiency through early detection of false positives

With 1 figure and 2 tables Abstract In vivo doubled haploid (DH) technology provides a means of creating new maize inbred lines relatively quickly; however, productivity is limited by false-positive (FP) plants for haploidy and for dihaploidy, which consume resources of space and labour until detected. This work examines the potential for using stomata guard cell length measurement as a means for early detection of FP plants. We found that the true haploid and DH plants could be differentiated from FP and untreated diploid controls as early as Leaf 2 stage by stomata guard cell length measurement. Furthermore, DH plants were distinguishable from haploid and other diploid plants by the Leaf 7 growth stage. Results suggest that, when used together with screening through the anthocyanin colour marker system and flower fertility, stomata guard cell measurement is an easy, non-destructive, early screening method that may lead to a greater efficiency in DH production systems and optimization of resource allocation for space and labour.
Subfemtomole MS and MS/MS Peptide Sequence Analysis Using Nano-HPLC Micro-ESI Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry

Subfemtomole peptide sequence analysis has been achieved using microcapillary HPLC columns, with integrated nanoelectrospray emitters, coupled directly to a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. Accurate mass (±0.010 Da) peptide maps are generated from a standard six-protein digest mixture, whose principle components span a concentration dynamic range of 1000:1. Iterative searches against ∼189 000 entries in the OWL database readily identify each protein, with high sequence coverage (20−60%), from as little as 10 amol loaded on-column. In addition, a simple variable-flow HPLC apparatus provides for on-line tandem mass spectrometric analysis of tryptic peptides at the 400-amol level. MS/MS data are searched against ∼280 000 entries in a nonredundant protein database using SEQUEST. Accurate precursor and product ion mass information readily identifies primary amino acid sequences differing by asparagine vs aspartic acid (Δm = 0.98 Da) and glutamine vs lysine (Δm = 0.036 Da).
Quantitative Genetic Analyses of Male Color Pattern and Female Mate Choice in a Pair of Cichlid Fishes of Lake Malawi, East Africa.

The traits involved in sexual selection, such as male secondary sexual characteristics and female mate choice, often co-evolve which can promote population differentiation. However, the genetic architecture of these phenotypes can influence their evolvability and thereby affect the divergence of species. The extraordinary diversity of East African cichlid fishes is often attributed to strong sexual selection and thus this system provides an excellent model to test predictions regarding the genetic architecture of sexually selected traits that contribute to reproductive isolation. In particular, theory predicts that rapid speciation is facilitated when male sexual traits and female mating preferences are controlled by a limited number of linked genes. However, few studies have examined the genetic basis of male secondary sexual traits and female mating preferences in cichlids and none have investigated the genetic architecture of both jointly. In this study, we artificially hybridized a pair of behaviorally isolated cichlid fishes from Lake Malawi and quantified both melanistic color pattern and female mate choice. We investigated the genetic architecture of both phenotypes using quantitative genetic analyses. Our results suggest that 1) many non-additively acting genetic factors influence melanistic color patterns, 2) female mate choice may be controlled by a minimum of 1–2 non-additive genetic factors, and 3) F2 female mate choice is not influenced by male courting effort. Furthermore, a joint analysis of color pattern and female mate choice indicates that the genes underlying these two traits are unlikely to be physically linked. These results suggest that reproductive isolation may evolve rapidly owing to the few genetic factors underlying female mate choice. Hence, female mate choice likely played an important role in the unparalleled speciation of East African cichlid fish.
Molecular regulation of effector and memory T cell differentiation

Immunological memory is a cardinal feature of adaptive immunity and an important goal of vaccination strategies. Here we highlight advances in the understanding of the diverse T lymphocyte subsets that provide acute and long-term protection from infection. These include new insights into the transcription factors, and the upstream 'pioneering' factors that regulate their accessibility to key sites of gene regulation, as well as metabolic regulators that contribute to the differentiation of effector and memory subsets; ontogeny and defining characteristics of tissue-resident memory lymphocytes; and origins of the remarkable heterogeneity exhibited by activated T cells. Collectively, these findings underscore progress in delineating the underlying pathways that control diversification in T cell responses but also reveal gaps in the knowledge, as well as the challenges that arise in the application of this knowledge to rationally elicit desired T cell responses through vaccination and immunotherapy.
Relativistic generalizations of simple pion-nucleon models

A relativistic, partial wave $\frac{N}{D}$ dispersion theory is developed for low energy pion-nucleon elastic scattering. The theory is simplified by treating crossing symmetry only to lowest order in the inverse nucleon mass. The coupling of elastic scattering to inelastic channels is included by taking the necessary inelasticity from experimental data. Three models are examined: pseudoscalar coupling of pions and nucleons, pseudovector coupling, and a model in which all intermediate antinucleons are projected out of the amplitude. The phase shifts in the dominant ${P}_{33}$ channel are quantitatively reproduced for ${P}_{\mathrm{lab}}\ensuremath{\le}1.2$ GeV/c with a pion-nucleon vertex of range 1110 MeV/c. We find that there are large (not of the order of the inverse nucleon mass) kinematic corrections to Chew-Low models, and that the Chew-Low model is successful because a reduction in the pion-nucleon cutoff provides a remarkable compensation for the large kinematic corrections. The intermediate antinucleon states are found to provide a significant fraction of the interaction in both $S$ and $P$ waves, and the model which explicitly removes them is incompatible with the ${P}_{33}$ phase shifts. Thus a model of the pion-nucleon interaction which does not include antinucleon degrees of freedom is found to be unphysical.NUCLEAR REACTIONS Pion-nucleon scattering, kinematic corrections, role of intermediate antinucleon states.
Functionally distinct isoforms of Cik1 are differentially regulated by APC/C-mediated proteolysis.

Cik1, in association with the kinesin Kar3, controls both the mitotic spindle and nuclear fusion during mating. Here, we show that there are two Cik1 isoforms, and that the mitotic form includes an N-terminal domain required for ubiquitination by the Anaphase-Promoting Complex/Cyclosome (APC/C). During vegetative growth, Cik1 is expressed during mitosis and regulates the mitotic spindle, allowing for accurate chromosome segregation. After mitosis, APC/C Cdh1 targets Cik1 for ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. Upon exposure to the mating pheromone α factor, a smaller APC/C-resistant Cik1 isoform is expressed from an alternate transcriptional start site. This shorter Cik1 isoform is stable and cannot be ubiquitinated by APC/C Cdh1 . Moreover, the two Cik1 isoforms are functionally distinct. Cells that express only the long isoform have defects in nuclear fusion, whereas cells expressing only the short isoform have an increased rate of chromosome loss. These results demonstrate a coupling of transcriptional regulation and APC/C-mediated proteolysis.
A desert glossary

Abstract The vocabulary describing desert features and desert phenomena is vast and, in various respects, repetitious. This paper presents a compilation of current terms with the intention to assist individuals interested in deserts to more easily understand published information and to provide a single source which can be enlarged in the future.
Line shape of a Doppler-free two-photon transition in a metastable neon beam

We present a model of the line shape of a Doppler-free two-photon transition in a metastable neon beam. This model considers the ac Stark effect, the Gaussian profile of the laser beam, and the depletion, or bleaching, of the metastable state as the atoms cross the laser. The model fit the experimental data well and was recently used to verify the time-dilation effect at an accuracy of a few ppm.
Supporting Children's Reading of Expository Text in the Geography Classroom

If children are to read to learn, they must acquire skill in processing and comprehending expository texts. However, teaching children to read and comprehend informational texts takes time, because there are so many complex skills associated with this reading. Building children's knowledge of the content to be studied and introducing new vocabulary in the context of demonstrations and conversations about realia prepares them to read informational text. Scaffolding their comprehension through activities to promote fluency and direct instruction in reading strategies teaches children how to read to learn. This article reports one teacher's approach to supporting her students' reading of expository text in a third-grade geography classroom and describes the activities and texts used at the beginning of the school year to teach about how the Earth–Sun relationship affects life on Earth.
Negotiating with Foreign Investors: Lessons from the Ghana-VALCO Experience

Abstract The Volta Aluminium Company Ltd. (VALCO) owned by Kaiser Aluminium and Chemical Corporation (90%) and Reynolds Metal Company (10%) was established in Ghana in September 1959. Both these companies are U.S. based multinationals (MNCs) and specialize primarily in the metals industry. VALCO is one of the largest direct foreign investments in Ghana ($196 million in the early 1960s). In terms of size alone it was sure to generate controversy but the nature of its agreement with the Government of Ghana, as well as its operations, have combined to create an atmosphere of criticism against the company. The paper examines the nature of the relationship between VALCO and Ghana from the inception of the plant to the late 1980s, and attempts to identify the underlying causes of their respective behaviors. Two theoretical perspectives: dependency theory, and the bargaining power model, are used to analyze what transpired. The paper concludes that the VALCO smelter case exhibits aspects of both dependency theor...
Named entity recognition: case study

Named Entity Recognition (NER) system has two sub-tasks, first is identification and second is classification. In first NER identifies words in texts which represent proper names like location, person-name, organization, date, time etc. and in second it classifies them in to predefined categories.
Self-construal and socio-emotional development among Vietnamese-American adolescents: An examination of different types of self-construal

This study examined how four different types of self-construal affected perception of socio-emotional adjustment (i.e., anxiety, depression, distress, self-esteem, family cohesion, peer support, pr...
Coordinate descent algorithm for covariance graphical lasso

Bien and Tibshirani (Biometrika, 98(4):807–820, 2011) have proposed a covariance graphical lasso method that applies a lasso penalty on the elements of the covariance matrix. This method is definitely useful because it not only produces sparse and positive definite estimates of the covariance matrix but also discovers marginal independence structures by generating exact zeros in the estimated covariance matrix. However, the objective function is not convex, making the optimization challenging. Bien and Tibshirani (Biometrika, 98(4):807–820, 2011) described a majorize-minimize approach to optimize it. We develop a new optimization method based on coordinate descent. We discuss the convergence property of the algorithm. Through simulation experiments, we show that the new algorithm has a number of advantages over the majorize-minimize approach, including its simplicity, computing speed and numerical stability. Finally, we show that the cyclic version of the coordinate descent algorithm is more efficient than the greedy version.
Dual-Polarization-Sensitive Kinetic Inductance Detectors for Balloon-borne Sub-millimeter Polarimetry

We are developing arrays of kinetic inductance detectors for sub-millimeter polarimetry that will be deployed on the BLAST balloon-borne instrument. The array is feedhorn-coupled, and each pixel contains two lumped-element kinetic inductance detectors (LEKIDs) made of TiN. The absorbing, inductive sections of the LEKID-pair are orthogonal, which allows simultaneous measurement of both horizontal and vertical polarizations within one spatial pixel. In this paper, we show efficient absorption in TiN films when coupled to waveguide at room temperature and present dark measurements of single polarization devices with varying capacitor geometries. We show that it will be difficult to achieve background-limited performance in BLAST with stoichiometric TiN films with T $$_{c}=4.5$$ K, and that non-stoichiometric films with lower T $$_{c}$$ will be required.
Advances in adult and pediatric asthma

This year we present updates on the management and therapeutics of asthma and research on the relationship of airway remodeling to clinically irreversible disease and continue a discussion about the origins of asthma. Significant advances are occurring in our understanding of the natural history of asthma, including the application of biomarkers and genetics. These tools should assist the clinician in defining patients at risk for significant morbidity related to asthma. Incorporating this knowledge will help prompt the development of more effective management techniques and new medications. Meanwhile, more effective health care strategies must be developed to reduce the reported disparities in asthma care noted in our patient populations.
Cloning and expression analysis of two novel paraflagellar rod domain genes found in Trypanosoma cruzi

The eukaryotic flagellum is one of the most complex macromolecular structures found in cells, containing more than 250 proteins. One unique structure in the flagella of trypanomastids is the paraflagellar rod (PFR). The PFR constitutes a lattice of cytoskeletal filaments that lies alongside the axoneme in the flagella. This unique and complex structure is critical for cell motility, though little is known about its molecular assembly or its role in the lifecycle of trypanosomatids. These proteins are of particular importance in Trypanosoma cruzi, as purified or recombinant PFR proteins have been demonstrated to be immunogenic, protecting mice from a lethal challenge with the parasite. We have searched the T. cruzi databases and discovered two novel genes containing PFR domains. Both these genes are transcribed in vivo and are significantly larger than the previously described PFR genes identified in T. cruzi (>2 Kb). Real-time PCR was used to examine the relative expression levels of six PFR genes, including the two we describe here, in all three stages of T. cruzi’s lifecycle. Database searches have further provided EST and genomic sequence support for the presence of these genes in two other pathogenic trypanosomatids, Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania spp. One of these genes, designated PFR5 contains a carboxy terminal SH3 domain not previously seen in PFR family genes. We propose that this proline-binding SH3 domain may play an important role in the assembly of the PFR.
On Characterization of Performance and Energy Efficiency in Heterogeneous HPC Cloud Data Centers

The relocation of high performance computing systems (HPC) to the cloud poses new challenges for data center architects and IT managers. These challenges are due to heterogeneity injected into data centers by cutting-edge virtualization technologies and hardware accelerators used to support emerging cloud applications and services. Although hardware accelerators like General Purpose Graphics Processing Units (GPGPUs) and virtualization technologies have been well studied and evaluated individually, a detailed analysis of their combined architectures and collective behavior from the data center point of view is lacking. Using real platforms and high performance computing workloads, we study the power performance tradeoffs due to various granularities of heterogeneity across hardware and software layers and expose hidden opportunities for optimizing overall data center efficiency. Our approach is to evaluate server power and performance from a data center point of view as opposed to evaluating hardware accelerators and virtualization technologies themselves. Our results show that performance on cloud is affected by virtualization overhead and fraction of serial code. Moreover, GPU workloads achieve 25% and 30% savings in power and energy consumption when executed on low power platforms, and only 50% of our GPU workloads are more energy efficient than their corresponding CPU implementations. The results also show that it is much more power efficient to collocate GPU virtual machines with non-GPU virtual machines.
On control of spontaneous testicular regression in tree sparrows (Spizella arborea)

To clarify whether androgen plays a role in the mechanism of spontaneous testicular regression in chronically photostimulated tree sparrows (Spizella arborea), microgram quantities of testosterone propionate (TP) or the free alcohol of cyproterone, a specific and potent antagonist of androgen, were implanted intracerebrally in separate experiments. Steroids, including cholesterol implanted in controls, were mixed homogeneously with cocoa butter. TP implants in the basal infundibular nucleus of the hypothalamus induced in photostimulated birds regressive changes that frequently culminated in testicular dysfunction and collapse; cholesterol implants in or near the basal infundibular nucleus were ineffective. Contrarily, cyproterone implants terminating in a central portion of the TP-sensitive basal infundibular nucleus inhibited spontaneous testicular regression in birds held 17 wk on 20-hr daily photoperiods. Magnitude of inhibition-assessed by both weight and histological criteria-ranged from complete to partial. Cyproterone implants elsewhere in the basal infundibular nucleus, as well as cholesterol or cocoa-butter implants, did not impede regression. Taken together, our results suggest that androgen-sensitive receptors in or near the basal infundibular nucleus are capable of detecting local concentrations of androgen and of altering pituitary gonadotropin secretion, presumably by varying the rate of neurohormone synthesis and/or release. Confirmation of Wilson's (1970) observation that cyproterone can prevent initiation of spontaneous testicular regression strengthens the notion that androgen plays an important role in the mechanism that terminates testicular function in chronically photostimulated tree sparrows.
Novel ZnO nanostructures

A variety of novel ZnO nanostructures such as nanowires, nanowalls, hierarchical nanostructures with 6-, 4-, and 2-fold symmetries, nanobridges, nanonails have been successfully grown by a vapor transport and condensation technique. Doping both In and Sn into ZnO hierarchical nanostructures can be created. The 2-fold eutectic ZnO structures can also be created without any doping in the source. It was found that the hierarchical nanostructures can be divided into two categories: homoepitaxial and heteroepitaxial where heteroepitaxy creates the multifold nanostructures. The novel ZnO nanowalls and aligned nanowires on a-plane of sapphire substrate have also been synthesized and the photoluminescence is studied. The ZnO nanowires also demonstrated very good field emission properties, comparable to carbon nanotubes. These nanostructures may find applications in a variety of fields such as field emission, photovoltaics, transparent EMI shielding, supercapacitors, fuel cells, high strength and multifunctional nanocomposites, etc. that require not only high surface area but also structural integrity.
Development and metamorphosis of the feeding apparatus of the stone crab, Menippe mercenaria (brachyura, xanthidae).

Analysis of the feeding apparatus of the stone crab, Menippe mercenaria (Brachyura, Xanthidae), has demonstrated that substantial internal and external morphological alterations occur at metamorphosis and suggests that the mastication of food shifts from the mandibles to the gastric mill at that time. These changes correspond to the changes in environment and diet that take place at metamorphosis, when the previously planktotrophic larvae begin benthic life. A detailed account of the structure and development of the mandibles is presented. The mandibles of all zoeal stages are similar: The incisor process has a series of teeth and denticles and the prominent molar process appears to be well adapted for grinding food. Megalopal mandibles are transitional but have the form that is typical of all subsequent stages: The expanded incisor process is rounded and toothless and the molar process is less prominent and has lost its grinding denticles. The cardiac stomach of the zoeal stages has no gastric mill; the medial and lateral teeth of the mill first appear in the megalopa. A very simple procedure is described for preparing larval mandibles for scanning electron microscopy using the molted exoskeletons from larval rearing experiments.
Photochemical aging of secondary organic aerosol particles generated from the oxidation of d-limonene.

Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) particles are generated by reacting d-limonene vapor and ozone in a Teflon reaction chamber. The reaction is carried out in either dry or humid air in darkness. The resulting SOA particles are collected on glass fiber filters, and their photochemical properties are probed using a combination of UV photodissociation action spectroscopy and absorption spectroscopy techniques. Photolysis of limonene SOA in the tropospheric actinic region (λ > 295 nm) readily produces formic acid and formaldehyde as gas-phase products. The UV wavelength dependence of the photolysis product yield suggests that the primary absorbers in SOA particles are organic peroxides. The relative humidity maintained during SOA particle growth is found to have little effect on the UV wavelength dependence of the photolysis product yield. The data suggest that direct photodissociation processes may play an important role in photochemical processing of atmospheric SOA particles.
Human metallothionein metallomics

Research on metallothionein (MT), unlike studies on any other metalloprotein, captures best the difficulties that investigators faced, and continue to face, when relating protein structure to protein function. This article discusses the structural complexity of the family of human MTs with the goal of providing a background for future investigations of their functions in health and disease by molecular and atomic spectroscopies. The analytical (bio)chemist needs to overcome formidable challenges in terms of sample preparation and speciation. MTs are expressed tissue- and isoprotein-specifically; their expression responds to a variety of physiological and environmental stimuli; they are present as closely related products of at least ten different genes, several of which can be expressed simultaneously at considerably different levels in a given tissue; they have additional polymorphic forms, variable metal load, oxidation states, and degrees of polymerization; they react with different metals and thiol-modifying agents; they are localized in the extracellular and intracellular space and re-distribute subcellularly. Results from the application of highly sensitive fluorimetric techniques suggest that the active form of the zinc/thiolate clusters in MT is not the one described by X-ray crystallography or NMR spectroscopy and that the thiol chemistry is the central aspect of MT's mechanism of action. MT is not saturated with zinc ions under normal physiological conditions, and it exists to variable extent in the apoform (thionein) and in partially oxidized forms (thionin). The complexity of human MTs calls for metallomics and metalloproteomics approaches that integrate the knowledge from several scientific disciplines. Any interpretation of MT functions is based on the linkage between the metal ions and their sulfur ligands from the cysteines. Studies on the antioxidant or reactive species-scavenging properties of the cysteine sulfurs of MT need to take the effects on zinc metabolism into account, while any studies with transition metal ions need to consider the effect of metal binding on the reactivity of the cysteine sulfurs.
New technology and banking employment in the EEC

Abstract Retail banking is traditionally highly labour-intensive and employment in the industry has been rising steadily for many years. However, new technology is now being introduced which is beginning to have an impact on levels of employment. In the European Economic Community it is likely that productivity will increase only slightly faster than demand up to 1990 and that employment will not fall substantially. After that date, it will almost certainly fall faster. Negotiations between management and unions, at a national and international level, should ensure that the introduction of new labour-saving technology be complemented by reductions in working time and the creation of more stimulating, labour-intensive positions.
Dysphoria and Vulnerability to Subsequent Life Events

Abstract Two prospective studies examined whether high levels of dysphoria placed persons at risk for experiencing certain types of negative events and vulnerability to increased dysphoria in response to life events. In both samples, more dysphoric persons reported more negative events in the domains of academics, finances, health, and relationship problems. However, they were not more likely to report unwanted termination of relationships, sexual events, or events experienced by close friends or relatives. Further, dysphoric persons continued to report more negative events even when analyses were restricted to events that were consensually negative. In instances in which persons reported experiencing the same type of event, more dysphoric persons were not more likely to rate these events as negative. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that dysphoric persons are at greater risk for the actual occurrence of negative events. Nonetheless, the relation between negative events and increases in dysphoria remained when initial symptoms were controlled statistically. There was some evidence that dysphoric persons were more likely to experience worsening of symptoms in response to negative and neutral events, as well as improvement of symptoms following positive events. However, these results were not robust across samples. Results were discussed in terms of implications for understanding the reciprocal relation between dysphoria and life events.
Heidegger's critique of the vulgar notion of time

Abstract This paper compares Heidegger's conception of time with more prevalent physical and broadly psychological analyses of time. The ‘vulgar’ notion of time, as Heidegger understands it, is based on the assumption that time, regardless of whether it is identified with tense or not, is something that is essentially measurable by clocks. Heidegger maintains that the vulgar notion of time is a distortion of his own preferred conception of temporality. I show how temporality may be understood as the non‐sequential tensed structure underlying tensed discourse. I argue against any straightforward reduction of this tensed structure and the direction of time to physical occurrences. Nevertheless I argue that temporality can be distinguished from purely psychological analyses of temporal experience and from traditional conceptions of time as tensed experience. The selectiveness of demonstrative discourse provides the basis for Heidegger's critique and reconstruction of time understood as tensed discourse about...
Development and evaluation of SPAT: a web page assessment tool

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to measure the validity and the adoption of a new web page assessment tool called SPAT (Site, Publisher, Audience, Timeliness).Design/methodology/approach – A convenience sample of 37 Certified Diabetes Educators (CDEs) participated in an evaluation of the web page assessment tool SPAT. Four web pages with diabetes content were selected for a pre‐ and post‐test evaluation. A follow‐up questionnaire measured adoption of the SPAT tool.Findings – There was a significant difference when using the mnemonic SPAT to evaluate the site, publisher and timeliness of a web page. Using SPAT to evaluate the audience of a web page also showed an improvement. While there was an increase in reviewing the text of a web page for biases after the SPAT intervention, it was not significant. The CDEs easily utilized SPAT with the diabetes content web pages and their successful manipulation of the SPAT tool demonstrated face validity. After learning of SPAT, responses to the follow‐up qu...
Production of Citrinin by Penicillium citrinum in Different Liquid Media

Abstract Citrinin production by Penicillium citrinum NRRL 5907 and NRRL 1842 on liquid media was investigated. Maximum yields of pure citrinin (1.7 g./1.) were produced by P. citrinum NRRL 5907 growing on 2% yeast extract and 5% sucrose.
Eigenvalue criteria for existence of positive solutions to nonlinear boundary value problems

Criteria are established for existence of positive solutions to the BVP Lu = f(t, u), @au(0)-@bu'(0) = 0 = @cu(1) + (@du'(1), where Lu := -(pu')' +qu. Here p@eC^1[0, 1], p > 0, q@eC[0,1], q >= 0. Conditions are given in terms of the relative behavior of the quotient (f(t,u))u for u near 0 and ~ with respect to the smallest positive eigenvalue of Lu = @lu satisfying the boundary conditions.
A thin film strain gauge angular displacement sensor for measuring finger joint angles

An angular displacement sensor based on a thin-metal-film strain gage has been developed and evaluated in vitro. Gold or palladium films 2000-AA thick were vacuum-deposited on 127- mu m thick flexible polymide substrates and etched to produce a strain gage pattern. Individual strain elements were 100- mu m wide, and holes were placed in the substrate for mounting pins. Nominal resistances for this pattern were 200 Omega for gold and 750 Omega for palladium. Joint angle was measured by fixing one end of the sensor proximal to the joint using a velcro band while the other end slid in a guide attached to the digit distal to the joint. Flexing the joint caused the strain gage which was located on the convex surfaces to be in tension and resulted in a strain proportional to the angle of flexion. A mathematical model of the structure has predicted that the resistance change of this sensor would be sensitive to angle and not to the radius of curvature over which the sensor was bent. >
Interface design for synthesized structural hybrid microarchitectural simulators

Computer designers rely upon near-cycle-accurate microarchitectural simulators to explore the design space of new systems. Hybrid simulators which offload simulation work onto FPGAs overcome the speed limitations of software-only simulators as systems become more complex, however, such simulators must be automatically synthesized or the time to design them becomes prohibitive. The performance of a hybrid simulator is significantly affected by how the interface between software and hardware is constructed. We characterize the design space of interfaces for synthesized structural hybrid microarchitectural simulators, provide implementations for several such interfaces, and determine the tradeoffs involved in choosing an efficient design candidate.
On the boundary-layer structure of high-Prandtl-number horizontal convection

This paper describes the boundary-layer structure of the steady flow of an infinite Prandtl number fluid in a two-dimensional rectangular cavity driven by differential heating of the upper surface. The lower surface and sidewalls of the cavity are thermally insulated and the upper surface is assumed to be either shear-free or rigid. In the limit of large Rayleigh number (R → ∞), the solution involves a horizontal boundary layer at the upper surface of depth of order R−1/5 where the main variation in the temperature field occurs. For a monotonic temperature distribution at the upper surface, fluid is driven to the colder end of the cavity where it descends within a narrow convection-dominated vertical layer before returning to the horizontal layer. A numerical solution of the horizontal boundary-layer problem is found for the case of a linear temperature distribution at the upper surface. At greater depths, of order R−2/15 for a shear-free surface and order R−9/65 for a rigid upper surface, a descending plume near the cold sidewall, together with a vertically stratified interior flow, allow the temperature to attain an approximately constant value throughout the remainder of the cavity. For a shear-free upper surface, this constant temperature is predicted to be of order R−1/15 higher than the minimum temperature of the upper surface, whereas for a rigid upper surface it is predicted to be of order R−2/65 higher.
Mapping of Protein Disulfide Bonds Using Negative Ion Fragmentation with a Broadband Precursor Selection

Fast mapping of disulfide bonds in proteins containing multiple cysteine residues is often required in order to assess the integrity of the tertiary structure of proteins prone to degradation and misfolding or to detect distinct intermediate states generated in the course of oxidative folding. A new method of rapid detection and identification of disulfide-linked peptides in complex proteolytic mixtures utilizes the tendency of collision-activated peptide ions to lose preferentially side chains of select amino acids in the negative ion mode. Cleavages of cysteine side chains result in efficient dissociation of disulfide bonds and produce characteristic signatures in the fragment ion mass spectra. While cleavages of other side chains result in insignificant loss of mass and full retention of the peptide ion charge, dissociation of external disulfide bonds results in physical separation of two peptides and, therefore, significant changes of both mass and charge of fragment ions relative to the precursor ion. This feature allows the fragment ions generated by dissociation of external disulfide bonds to be easily detected and identified even if multiple precursor ions are activated simultaneously. Such broadband selection of precursor ions for consecutive activation is achieved by lowering the dc/rf amplitude ratio in the first quadrupole filter of a hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The feasibility of the new method is demonstrated by partial mapping of disulfide bridges within a 37-kDa protein containing 16 cysteine residues and complete disulfide mapping within a lysozyme (14.5 kDa) containing 8 cysteine residues. In addition to detecting peptide pairs connected by a single external disulfide, the new method is also shown to be capable of identifying peptides containing both external and internal disulfide bonds. The two major factors determining the efficiency of disulfide mapping using the new methodology are the effectiveness of proteolysis and the ability of the resulting proteolytic fragments to form multiply charged negative ions.
The Effect of Smiling on Person Perception

Summary The effect of smiling on interpersonal attraction and perception was examined in a 2 (sex of perceiver) x 2 (sex of stimulus person) x 2 (facial expression) experiment. Ss were presented a photograph of a stimulus person either smiling or not smiling. Results lend strong support to the prediction that Ss liked a smiling person more and evaluated him or her more positively than a nonsmiling person. Moreover, a smiling person was perceived to be more intelligent and could create in the perceiver a warm feeling more so than a nonsmiling person.