cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Proficiency and Animacy Effects on L2 Gender Agreement Processes during Comprehension.

This study examines whether adult second language (L2) learners of an ungendered first language (L1) are sensitive to gender congruency (grammatical feature absent in the L1) and noun animacy (semantic feature present in the L1) when processing L2 gender concord and whether L2 proficiency level determines such sensitivity. To address these questions, 63 Spanish monolinguals and 69 beginning and 64 intermediate Anglophone late learners of L2 Spanish completed a moving-window and a grammaticality judgment task with sentences with gender concord and discord with animate and inanimate nouns. The moving-window data reveal longer reading times in sentences with gender discord than concord and in those with animate than inanimate nouns in intermediates and Spanish monolinguals but not in beginners. Similarly, grammaticality judgments show that intermediates are more accurate in sentences with inanimate than animate nouns and are better than beginners in sentences with gender agreement violations. These results suggest that intermediate learners display targetlike patterns that are more qualitatively similar to those of natives than beginners, both in terms of semantic and grammatical features. In addition, these findings indicate that agreement with animate nouns is cognitively more demanding than with inanimate nouns both for intermediates and Spanish monolinguals, in line with lexical and syntactic accounts of gender.
Overexpressed pp60c-src can induce focus formation without complete transformation of NIH 3T3 cells.

NIH 3T3 cells were transfected with plasmids containing Moloney murine leukemia virus long terminal repeats and either chicken c-src or v-src genes. In contrast with the effects observed after transfection with plasmids containing c-src and avian retrovirus or simian virus 40 promoter-enhancers (H. Hanafusa, H. Iba, T. Takeya, and F. R. Cross, p. 1-8, in G. F. Vande Woude, A. J. Levine, W. C. Topp, and J. D. Watson, ed., Cancer Cells, vol. 2, 1984; H. Iba, T. Takeya, F. R. Cross, T. Hanafusa, and H. Hanafusa, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 81:4424-4428, 1984; R. C. Parker, R. Swanstrom, H. E. Varmus, and J. M. Bishop, p. 19-26, in G. F. Vande Woude et al., ed., Cancer Cells, vol. 2, 1984; R. C. Parker, H. E. Varmus, and J. M. Bishop, Cell 37:131-139, 1984; D. Shalloway, P. M. Coussens, and P. Yaciuk, p. 9-17, in G. F. Vande Woude et al., ed., Cancer Cells, vol. 2, 1984; D. Shalloway, P. M. Coussens, and P. Yaciuk, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 81:7071-7075; and K. C. Wilhelmsen, W. G. Tarpley, and H. M. Temin, p. 303-308, in G. F. Vande Woude et al., ed., Cancer Cells, vol. 2, 1984), we found that both types of Moloney murine leukemia virus long terminal repeat-src expression plasmids induced focus formation, although c-src induced only 1% as many foci as v-src. The focus-selected c-src overexpressed cells had altered morphology and limited growth in soft agarose but were not tumorigenic in vivo. Cleveland digests, comparative in vitro kinase assays, secondary transfections, and immunoprecipitations indicated that focus formation was caused by rare transfection events that resulted in very high-level pp60c-src expression rather than by mutations of the transfected c-src genes. These results suggest that pp60v-src induced transformation is not a completely spurious activity which is unrelated to the function of pp60c-src but that it represents a perturbation of already existent molecular control processes involving pp60c-src.
Granularity hierarchies in concurrency control

This paper shows that granularity hierarchies may be used with many types of concurrency control algorithms. Hierarchical versions of a validation algorithm, a timestamp algorithm, and a multiversion algorithm are given, and hierarchical algorithm issues relating to request escalation and distributed databases are discussed as well. It is argued that these hierarchical algorithms should offer improved performance for certain transaction mixes.
The Children are Watching: How the Media Teach About Diversity: Carlos E. Cortes; New York: Teachers College Press, Columbia University, 2000, 202 pages

I picked up The Children Are Watching because it piqued my curiosity on several levels: first, as a media effects researcher; second, as someone who had just developed a seminar exploring race, gen...
The Renaissance of the German Garden Gnome

Rejetes et ridiculises dans les annees 60 et 70, les nains (personnages provenant des contes de Grimm puis popularises par les dessins animes de Walt Disney) des jardins allemands exprimaient la quintessence du provincialisme ringard et kitsch de la petite bourgeoisie. Depuis 1986 la reapparition de l'interet pour ces statuettes exprime un sens de l'humour et de l'ironie etroitement lie au contexte politique et economique actuel de l'Europe. Ces nouveaux nains sont des caricatures des hommes politiques, des grands chefs d'entreprises, ou encore des nouveaux parvenus (yuppies), mais aussi permettent de figurer les sentiments refoules vis a vis du voisinage ou de l'autre proche.
Characterization of the mitochondrial ATP synthase from yeast Saccharomyces cerevisae.

The mitochondrial ATP synthase from yeast S. cerevisiae has been genetically modified, purified in a functional form, and characterized with regard to lipid requirement, compatibility with a variety of detergents, and the steric limit with rotation of the central stalk has been assessed. The ATP synthase has been modified on the N-terminus of the β-subunit to include a His6 tag for Ni-chelate affinity purification. The enzyme is purified by a two-step procedure from submitochondrial particles and the resulting enzyme demonstrates lipid dependent oligomycin sensitive ATPase activity of 50 units/mg. The yeast ATP synthase shows a strong lipid selectivity, with cardiolipin (CL) being the most effective activating lipid and there are 30 moles CL bound per mole enzyme at saturation. Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) has also been fused to the C-terminus of the e-subunit to create a steric block for rotation of the central stalk. The e-GFP fusion peptide is imported into the mitochondrion, assembled with the ATP synthase, and inhibits ATP synthetic and hydrolytic activity of the enzyme. F1Fo ATP synthase with e-GFP was purified to homogeneity and serves as an excellent enzyme for two- and three-dimensional crystallization studies.
Energy dependence of the parity-violating asymmetry of circularly polarized photons in d γ ⃗ → n p in pionless effective field theory

We calculate the energy dependence of the asymmetry in the cross sections for circularly polarized photons on an unpolarized deuteron target in $d\stackrel{P\vec}{\ensuremath{\gamma}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}np$ in pionless effective field theory. By matching the parity-violating low-energy constants to different sets of corresponding model parameters we obtain estimates for the asymmetry. In addition we calculate two possible figures of merit for the asymmetry in order to assess the preferred photon energy at which to perform a possible future experiment at a high-intensity photon source.
A 44 GHz monolithic semiconductor dipole antenna

Monolithic semiconductor antennas integrated with a diode detector have been fabricated using silicon-on-sapphire technology. The performance of these antennas is analyzed on the basis of earlier theoretical work on imperfectly conducting/resistive cylindrical dipoles. The measured radiation patterns of semiconductor antennas are compared with those of the corresponding printed metal dipoles.
Containerless protein crystal growth method

A method of growing protein crystals from levitated drops is introduced and unique features of containerless approach in 1-g and micro-G laboratories are discussed. Electrostatic multidrop levitation system which is capable of simultaneous four drop levitation is described. A method of controlling protein saturation level in a programmed way is introduced and discussed. Finally, some of the unique features of containerless approach of protein crystal growth in space are discussed and summarized.
Subnational sources of toxicology information: state, territorial, tribal, county, municipal, and community resources online

The rapid assimilation data and information on the Internet and the World Wide Web (WWW) is reflected in the development of these electronic services by state, county, local, and other subnational agencies, departments, offices, bureaus, and intergovernmental bodies. The content of state and territorial, tribal, county, and local government Web pages varies considerably. However, information about health and the environment are among the most frequently posted resources by subnational government bodies. This article describes the environmental health and toxicology-related data and information resources provided by government agencies and representative associations for subnational government bodies. Standard reference sources for identifying subnational government bodies are described with particular reference to those in electronic and digital formats. Means for identifying and locating electronic resources are described for appropriate subnational environmental quality, environmental (public) health agencies, occupational health and safety, toxicology-related agencies and departments, emergency response, fish consumption advisories, and cancer registries are provided. Professional organizations of state, county, municipal (local) governments and intergovernmental bodies are also described.
Bigger Rip with no dark energy

Abstract By studying a modified Friedmann equation which arises in an extension of general relativity which accommodates a time-dependent fundamental length L ( t ), we consider cosmological models where the scale factor diverges with an essential singularity at a finite future time. Such models have no dark energy in the conventional sense of energy possessing a simple pressure–energy relationship. Data on supernovae restrict the time from the present until the Rip to be longer than the current age of the Universe.
Mothers' perceptions of self-care in school-age children with diabetes.

PURPOSE To describe mothers' perceptions of the diabetes-related self-care abilities and practices of their school-age children with Type 1 diabetes. STUDY DESIGN AND METHOD Qualitative study using the naturalistic inquiry method. Mothers of school-age children with diabetes were interviewed by means of a semi-structured interview guide. The children were between the ages of 11 and 12 and had been diagnosed with diabetes for a minimum of 2 years. Twelve mothers were interviewed, generating 20 hours of qualitative data. RESULTS Mothers reported that their children with diabetes had learned skills in a predictable sequence, were usually motivated by events in the here and now, and did not consistently perform all diabetes-related skills of which they were capable. Most of the children were becoming embarrassed about having diabetes. There were considerable gender differences in the children's self-care development. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Nurses can use this study to help with anticipatory guidance for parents. It may be helpful for parents to know the sequence in which many children learn diabetes-related skills, and to learn that even though a child is capable of task performance, he or she may not necessarily be ready for the independent practice or daily execution of the skill. Encouraging parents to stay involved with their children's self-care practices past the early adolescent years may be effective in improving self-care practices, and helping children to identify reasons to meet the self-care demands associated with diabetes can be beneficial.
Meningeal metastasis of squamous‐cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix: Case report and review of the literature

Cervical squamous carcinoma metastatic to the central nervous system is an uncommon occurrence. Only eight such cases are reported in the literature. This is a case report of such a metastasis with emphasis on the cytologic features seen in the tumor cells found in the spinal fluid, along with a review of the literature.
Cage design as a factor influencing acute toxicity of respiratory depressant drugs in rats.

Abstract Cage design is shown to be an important factor in results obtained in acute toxicity tests with respiratory depressant drugs in rats, as illustrated by data obtained with morphine, anileridine, and sodium pentobarbital. It was observed that during the stage of drug effect when an animal was severely depressed, the nose would sometimes be pressed against a sheet metal surface and the animal would succumb, apparently in respiratory failure. More than a tenfold increase in LD 50 could be obtained by placing the animals after injection in cages made entirely of wire mesh, compared to animals in sheet metal cages. Cages partly of wire mesh, but with sheet metal reinforcements so that solid corners were provided, gave intermediate mortality figures. In sheet metal cages, deaths could be prevented either by shielding with wire mesh, or by moving the animal whenever the nose was pressed against a solid metal corner.
The Organization of Care Work in Italy: Gender and Migrant Labor in the New Economy

This article discusses social, political, and economic aspects-particularly, gender and race-based implications-of the organization of elder care work in Italy and globally. Care work for the elderly is a particularly acute concern in Italy and across Europe, as the population is aging while women (the traditional caregivers) have joined the labor force in record numbers and family size has decreased. As the supply of informal female carers has decreased, the need for elder care is increasing. In Italy, a significant trend is the employment of migrant female workers (many from Latin American, Eastern European, and African nations) for home-based elder care, a development supported by institutional, political, cultural-social, and economic contexts within the country. This article emphasizes that the shift to a "migrant-minder" model, however, remains embedded in the ideal of family care for the elderly. Moreover, the trend does not challenge traditional gendered notions of the division of labor between men and women. However, the shift to migrant carers creates new racial- and class-based divisions between Italian (or other European) women and the women who serve as migrant carers. Stereotypes based on the characteristics of migrant women (for example, their acceptance of low wages and willingness to work without protest) are used to devalue their care labor as "real" work, as was previously the case for female carers more generally. The gendered and racial implications of this new paradigm of care should be carefully considered as the trend toward migrant caregiving in richer countries continues.
Fuel cell efficiency in a combined electrochemical-thermochemical process

Abstract The thermodynamics of a H2/Cl2 fuel cell combined with a thermochemical hydrogen chloride oxidation stage are considered. Such a cycle is superior to the phosphoric acid H2/O2 systems but does not better the efficiency demonstrated in more advanced H2/O2 fuel cell systems.
The Panopticon Gaze in Kundera's The Unbearable Lightness of Being

Abstract Kundera's The Unbearable Lightness of Being was published in 1984, the prophetic Orwellian year when “Big Brother is watching.” Although Kundera has expressed a low opinion of Orwell, calling him a mere “philosophical writer” rather than a “novelist,” there are similarities with Kundera's own rather philosophical text in which characters are mercilessly exposed to a panopticon gaze that takes away their privacy.
Determining benchmarks in hearing preservation surgery for vestibular schwannoma.

Objectives The objectives of this study were to determine minimal benchmarks of success in vestibular schwannoma hearing preservation surgery, wherein the likelihood of having preserved hearing in a single patient is at least as likely as having created a poor facial nerve outcome for a single patient. Design This is a statistical analysis of published literature. Setting Academic Tertiary Medical Center. Main Outcome Measures Based on published natural history data, the number needed to treat (NNT) equation was used to calculate the minimally acceptable hearing preservation rates within various hearing classification schemes. Results Given good facial nerve outcome rates of 85, 90, and 95%, the corresponding hearing preservation rates at 4.7 years that are likely to preserve classes A and B hearing (American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery classification) in a single patient as to cause a poor facial nerve outcome are 70, 65, and 60%, respectively. If surgery is limited exclusively to intracanalicular tumors, these rates drop to 62, 57, and 52%, respectively. If the word recognition scoring classification is used, required hearing preservation rates are higher. Conclusion It is possible to use the NNT equation alongside projected facial nerve outcomes to estimate benchmarks of minimally acceptable hearing preservation rates.
Suppression of hepatic DMN demethylase activity by nitrososarcosine and other nitrosamines

Abstract The effects of three nitroso compounds (namely, nitrososarcosine, dibutylnitrosamine and diethylnitrosamine) on dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) demethylase activity were determined. Nitrososarcosine rapidly inhibited DMN demethylase activity, and induced statistically significant inhibitory effects at doses far below threshold levels for inhibition of aminopyrine demethylase. Nitrososarcosine, administered in vivo , induced non-competitive inhibition of DMN demethylase. Dibutylnitrosamine, diethylnitrosamine and even dimethylnitrosamine, itself, inhibited DMN demethylase activity at doses which had no effect on aminopyrine demethylase.
Scales of Analysis, Scales of Value: Archaeology at Bush Hill House, Barbados

The excavations at Bush Hill House were sponsored because of its association with a notable historical figure, yet the archaeologists were more interested in what we saw as the “bigger” picture: colonialism; slavery; the Atlantic World. This paper addresses both the micro scale—individual deposits and individual people—and the macro scale—placing this site within the larger world of the British Atlantic of the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries. Not surprisingly, both scales, when considered explicitly, offer insights into past social worlds and archaeologists’ means of discovering them.
Suppression of macroscopic quantum coherence in magnetic particles by nuclear spins.

The N\'eel vector of a small antiferromagnetic particle can in principle resonate between opposite directions. Nuclear spins strongly suppress this and related macroscopic quantum coherence (MQC), even when magnetic nuclei have only 2% abundance. The resonance signal breaks up into well separated groups of lines, and the highest frequency signal height increases with temperature as $\ensuremath{\sim}\mathrm{exp}({\ensuremath{-}T}_{0}^{2}{/T}^{2})$. For a recent claim to have seen MQC in ferritin, less than 3.5% of the particles are found capable of contributing to the signal.
Distribution of grain sizes across a transgressive shoreface

Abstract Distributions of seventeen grain sizes in the sand fraction of the shoreface sediments south of Long Island, New York, can be categorized into middle and lower shoreface species (very fine sand), upper shoreface species (fine sand), shoreface-depleted species (medium sand), and swash-zone species (coarse sand). The long-term fair-weather wave base of the study area at a depth of about 16 m is determined on the basis of the characteristic response of grain sizes to the average shoreface hydrodynamics. The crosshore deviations from the mean distribution for each grain size were examined by using empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis. These results show differential associations of grain-size deviations with various dynamic zones on the shoreface. The hydrodynamic processes of the modern shoreface are speculated to winnow out fine and very fine sands and transport them onshore, leaving behind on the lower shoreface and inner continental shelf a lag deposit of transgressive sand sheet composed mainly of medium sand.
Taking Power: On the Origins of Third World Revolutions

Taking Power: On the Origins of Third World Revolutions. By John Foran. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2005. 410p. 29.99 paper. John Foran's book draws faithfully from the rich literature on revolutions from the 1970s and beyond and extends this work in useful ways. It presents a well-crafted synthetic argument that finds a nice balance between international and domestic sources of revolution and between structural constraints and political agency. It also examines thoughtfully an extraordinary number of cases in a relatively compact form. The author develops his argument using the tools of Boolean algebra to explain 10 cases of revolutionary success and 29 additional cases of reversed revolutions, unsuccessful attempts, political revolutions that did not lead to social transformations, and revolutionary movements that never emerged despite conditions that might have been expected to generate such movements.
Rural England, Poverty, and the Institution of Service. A Review Article

By the eleventh century, Europe had developed a complex political, socio-economic and cultural structure, characterized by the fragmentation of sovereignty, a distinctive organization of production, and the spiritual monopoly of the Christian Church. Yet in spite of the hierarchy of mutual rights and obligations . . . this society contained inbuilt contradictions. These contradictions formed the basis of developments within feudal society which resulted in increasing social differentiation.
University incubators as agents for technology transfer and economic growth: case studies in USA, Finland and Ukraine

This paper discusses the contributions of university incubators to: technology intelligence, transfer and commercialisation; regional economic development. We utilise the case method and describe the history and contributions of university-based incubators started by the authors in the USA (1982), Ukraine (1992) and Finland (1996). We also discuss the role of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Office of Technology Commercialisation for assisting the incubator companies to evaluate and commercialise new technologies. We conclude with the 'lessons learned' and guidelines that may be useful to national economists, university administrators, and regional agencies that are managing new business incubators as agents for economic growth.
Interferon induction and sensitivity as correlates to virulence of Venezuelan encephalitis viruses for hamsters

Venezuelan encephalitis (VEE) virus strains, which differ in virulence for adult hamsters, were compared with respect to (a) sensitivity to hamster interferon (IF)in vitro andin vivo and (b) induction of IF in plasma and target tissues (spleen, bone marrow and brain) following subcutaneous inoculation.In vitro, in cultures of a continuous line of hamster kidney cells, hamster interferon inhibited the replication of a benign VEE strain (BeAr 35,645) more than another benign strain (TC-83 vaccine) or two hamster-virulent strains (68 U 201 and Trinidad donkey).In vivo, in hamsters given poly I:poly C 24 hours before virus to induce interferon formation, BeAr 35,645 and TC-83 virus infections were prevented more frequently than infections with virulent strains Trinidad donkey and 68U201. Benign VEE strains BeAr 35,645 and TC-83 induced only slightly lower concentrations of IF in plasma, bone marrow, spleen and brain than virulent strains Trinidad donkey, 63Z21 and 68U201. However, concentrations of infectious BeAr 35,645 virus were significantly lower in these tissues than virulent strains, resulting in higher ratios of IF:infectious virus, suggesting efficient interferon induction. Benign strain TC-83 showed irregular relationships between IF and infectious virus in plasma or blood and tissues. Splenectomy significantly depressed plasma IF responses to TC-83 virus 20 to 30 hours after inoculation. Interferon appears to be a factor that influences virulence of VEE viruses for hamsters.
Evaluation of the Cassini resource exchange

The Cassini Resource Exchange was developed to assist the Cassini Science Instrument Manager with the management of the spacecraft's science payload. This system, unlike previous development approaches, allocated the entire mass, power, data rate, and budget resources for the science instruments to the principal investigators. The result removed the Cassini project from solving instrument development issues. Problems that did occur were resolved by the principal investigators themselves thought the use of a 'resource exchange'. A resource exchange allowed principal investigators to submit 'bids' to a database. Any other principal investigators with their own resource issue could swap resources with investigators in the database. The resulting trade could mitigate both instrument problems.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Development of non-linear polynomials in identifying human isometric strength behaviour

Abstract Non-linear polynomials for several human isometric strengths have been developed with the help of a modified heuristic technique, Group Method of Data Handling (GMDH). These polynomials use different body size parameters (anthropometric variables) in predicting isometric strengths. The modified GMDH technique was very helpful in identifying strength polynomials even though body size measurements, historically, have been found to be poor predictors of isometric strenghts.
A National Sample of Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Special Education Services and Parent Satisfaction

The Pre-Elementary Education Longitudinal Study (PEELS) examines the preschool and early elementary school experiences of a nationally representative sample of 3,104 children ages 3-5 with disabilities from 2004 through 2009. This paper describes the special education and related services received by a subsample of 186 preschoolers with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in 2003-2004 and parental satisfaction with those services. Past research and patterns of litigation suggest that parents of children with ASD are not wholly satisfied with the special education and related services their children receive. In the current study, the authors found many similarities between children with ASD and children with other disabilities in the type of services received under IDEA and in parent satisfaction with these services. Still, some significant differences emerged in the number of services received, the amount of time children with ASD spent in special education settings, and parent satisfaction with the amount of time children spent with typically developing peers. Implications about the importance of parent satisfaction and social validity measures are discussed.
On the coexistence of absolutely continuous and singular continuous components of the spectral measure for some Sturm–Liouville operators with square summable potential

Abstract We prove that there exist some Sturm–Liouville operators with square summable potentials such that the singular continuous component of the spectral measure lies on the positive half-line. The Hausdorff dimension of the support of this singular measure can be arbitrary number from 0 to 1.
Excavated and In Situ Dinosaur Footprints from the Murray Quarry (Early Jurassic East Berlin Formation), Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

The Murray Quarry was operated during the 1920s and 1930s in sediments of the Early Jurassic East Berlin Formation. I examined 149 footprints of bipedal dinosaurs on three excavated slabs from the Murray Quarry and the in situ track bed. The three slabs I examined are on display at Forest Park, Springfield, MA; the Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke, MA; and Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA. The footprints belong to three ichnogenera, Eubrontes, Anchisauripus, and Grallator; however, evidence such as length parameters suggests that these ichnogenera might be synonymous. Most of the footprints are referable to Eubrontes and Anchisauripus, which are large- and medium-sized ichnotaxa, respectively. Only two footprints are referable to Grallator, a small ichnotaxon. These ichnotaxa are thought to have been made by theropods, suggesting that there is a preservation bias in favor of carnivores, or that theropods dominated the fauna. The variable morphology of the footprints suggests that they were made ov...
Supercritical fluid chromatography with Fourier transform infrared and mass spectrometric detection of peracetylated nitrogen derivatives of monosaccharides

Sugar oximes can be derivatized to yield both the peracetylated oxime and nitrile. The peracetylated oximes do not elute under isothermal (i.e., 200°C) gas chro- matography (GC) conditions. When a seven-component derivatized sugar mixture, as determined by GC, was chromatographed under supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) conditions with a cyanopropyl capillary column, at least 17 peaks were observed. In an effort to identify the additional derivatization products, the eluates were sub- jected to SFC-FTIR and SFC-MS. The spectral data indicate that cyclic and acyclic oximes as well as nitrile were formed as part of the derivatization method.
Biodegradation of trichloroethylene and toluene by indigenous microbial populations in vadose sediments.

The unsaturated subsurface (vadose zone) receives significant amounts of hazardous chemicals, yet little is known about its microbial communities and their capacity to biodegrade pollutants. Trichloroethylene (TCE) biodegradation occurs readily in surface soils; however, the process usually requires enzyme induction by aromatic compounds, methane, or other cosubstrates. The aerobic biodegradation of toluene and TCE by indigenous microbial populations was measured in samples collected from the vadose zone at unpolluted and gasoline-contaminated sites. Incubation at field moisture levels showed little activity on either TCE or toluene, so samples were tested in soil suspensions. No degradation occurred in samples suspended in water or phosphate buffer solution; however, both toluene and TCE were degraded in samples suspended in mineral salts medium. TCE degradation depended on toluene degradation, and little loss occurred under sterile conditions. Studies with specific nutrients showed that addition of ammonium sulfate was essential for degradation, and addition of other mineral nutrients further enhanced the rate. Additional studies with vadose sediments amended with nutrients showed similar trends to those observed in sediment suspensions. Initial rates of biodegradation in suspensions were faster in uncontaminated samples than in gasolinecontaminated samples, but the same percentages of chemicals were degraded. Biodegradation was slower and less extensive in shallower samples than deeper samples from the uncontaminated site. Two toluene-degrading organisms isolated from a gasoline-contaminated sample were identified as Corynebacterium variabilis SVB74 and Acinetobacter radioresistens SVB65. Inoculation with 106 cells of C. variabilis ml−1 of soil solution did not enhance the rate of degradation above that of the indigenous population. These results indicate that mineral nutrients limited the rate of TCE and toluene degradation by indigenous populations and that no additional benefit was derived from inoculation with a toluene-degrading bacterial strain.
How Does Information Technology Shape Supply-Chain Structure? Evidence on the Number of Suppliers

This research investigates the relationship between a manufacturer's use of information technology (IT) (particularly electronic procurement) and the number of suppliers in its supply chain. Will a manufacturer use more or fewer suppliers due to the increasing use of IT? Based on data from a sample of 150 U. S. manufacturers, we find no direct relationship between e-procurement and number of suppliers at the aggregate level. However, when we distinguish the type of goods purchased, we find that the use of electronic procurement is associated with buying from more suppliers for custom goods but from fewer suppliers for standard (or commodity) goods. It is possible that for commodity goods, an efficiently functioning transparent market ensures that a few suppliers are sufficient, whereas for custom goods the need for protection from opportunistic vendor holdup leads to the use of more suppliers. Further, the positive relationship between number of suppliers and electronic procurement for custom goods is negatively moderated by deeper buyer-supplier system integration. This implies that such integration can help buyers obtain better "fit" for their customized requirements, an alternative to increasing fit by employing more suppliers as proposed in the extant literature.
Freezing concrete as a construction practice

Abstract The theory relating concrete compressive strength loss to the freezing of concrete is well known. However, experimental verification and construction problems associated with freezing of concrete are not as well known. Experimental work presented verifies the existing theory of strength loss. The problems associated with freezing concrete as a construction practice in erecting structures are discussed
SOME PROBLEMS IN GUIDED-MISSILE DEVELOPMENT

It is my purpose to discuss those problems in guided-missile development which, while within security regulations, will be of interest. "The first thing for us to understand about guided missiles is that there aren’t any" is a favorite figure of speech of one of my colleagues. It is common knowledge, however, that considerable effort is being expended by numerous research teams in this country, as well as by others, on research leading to the development of effective guided missiles. Let us, then, attempt to answer the question were launched from the mother plane at distances ranging up to 30 miles from the target. The problem of destroying the mother plane before these bombs can be released requires fire control predictions and accuracies of an order of magnitude almost greater than those described in the foregoing example.
A further examination of the relation between trait anger and alcohol-related aggression: the role of anger control.

Background: Trait anger has been identified as a risk factor for alcohol-related aggression. However, to develop a more accurate risk profile, it is necessary to examine the interactive relations between trait anger and other key personality variables. The present study examined the influence of anger control on alcohol-related aggression. Methods: Participants were 164 social drinking men age 21–35 years old. Trait anger and anger control were assessed with the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (Spielberger, 1996). Following consumption of an alcoholic or placebo beverage, participants competed in an aggression paradigm in which electric shocks were received from and administered to a fictitious opponent during a competitive reaction time task. Aggression was operationalized as shock intensities administered to the opponent under conditions of low and high provocation. Results: Analyses indicated that trait anger significantly predicted aggression, but only among men who were intoxicated and reported low levels of anger control. Conclusions: The present findings suggest that anger control may be a crucial risk factor in determining whether one's anger proneness will lead to intoxicated aggression following provocation.
Acyltransferases and the biosynthesis of pulmonary surfactant lipid in adenoma alveolar type II cells

Abstract Acyltransferases are present in microsomes from alveolar type II cell adenomas (produced by urethan injections) that transfer palmitic acid in the presence of CoA, ATP, and Mg++ to sn -glycerol-3-P to form phosphatidic acid, to dihydroxyacetone-P to form acyldihydroxyacetone-P, and to 1-acyl- sn -glycero-3-phosphocholine to form 3- sn -phosphatidylcholine. The data clearly demonstrate that the microsomal preparations can catalyze significant incorporation of palmitic acid into the 2-position of the disaturated species of 3-sn-phosphatidylcholine independently of phosphatidic acid formation as evidenced by the fact that sn -glycerol-3-P and calcium ions (which inhibit choline phosphotransferase) did not influence the incorporation of palmitic acid into the main surfactant lipid. Thus, a deacylation-acylation reaction involving 2-lysophosphatidylcholine appears to be an important pathway for the synthesis of surfactant lipid in alveolar type II cells; the control of acyl specificity at the 2-position is determined by the relative concentrations of the coparticipating substrates, l-palmitoyl- sn -glycero-3-phosphocholine and palmitoyl-CoA.
Allomonal defence secretions of the American dog tick Dermacentor variabilis (Acari: Ixodidae) promote clustering

The release of the defence secretion from the large wax glands (‘sensilla sagittiformia’) of Dermacentor variabilis ticks modifies the behaviour of other ticks by inducing clustering. A coating of natural tick secretion onto test objects (delipidized ticks, glass beads or filter paper discs) also elicits a clustering response, but a topically applied squalene, its major component, does not have this effect. The clustering response appears to be species specific: D. variabilis cluster on conspecific ticks that secreted but they fail to cluster on Amblyomma americanum or Ixodes scapularis ticks unless coated with secretions from D. variabilis. Volatile components in the defence secretion are involved in recruiting conspecific ticks to those that secreted. When attacked by predatory fire ants, Solenopsis invicta, D. variabilis clustered on individuals that had released the defence secretion. This suggests that the secretion protects ticks from predation by functioning as an alarm pheromone. If confirmed, this is the first report of an alarm pheromone and its glandular source in ticks. The terminology applicable to the integumental glands of ticks is discussed.
Rapid T2-weighted MR imaging of uterine leiomyoma and adenomyosis

Background: To compare three rapid T2-weighted pulse sequences with high-resolution turbo spin-echo (SE) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for the diagnosis of leiomyoma and adenomyosis.
Ethylene Glycol Ions Dissociate by Tunneling through an H-Atom Transfer Barrier: A DFT and TPEPICO Study

Density functional theory (DFT) and threshold photoelectron−photoion coincidence spectroscopy (TPEPICO) have been used to investigate the dissociation dynamics of the ethylene glycol ion. A total o...
Death be not proud: Reevaluating the role of killing in sacrifice

For a number of years 1 have been studying Vedic sacrifice in comparison with Jewish (specifically biblical and Mishnaic) sacrifice in an attempt to bring these two traditions to bear more prominently on general theorizing about sacrifice, t This approach to Vedic sacrifice is fitting for several reasons. First, Henri Hubert and Marcel Mauss, the grandfathers of modem sacrificial studies, developed their own approach based on their reading of Vedic and Jewish material in the classic work Sacrifice: Its nature and functions. While Vedic studies has flourished as a distinct discipline, no one has returned to the comparative project that Hubert and Mauss inaugurated. In addition, the general theories of sacrifice that dominate religious studies today have not paid adequate attention to the Vedic material. Well-known figures, such as Walter Burkert, Marcel DEtienne, RenE Girard, and Jean-Pierre Vernant, have drawn their data from other sources. Contemporary sacrificial studies would benefit from a more in-depth examination of Vedic material. At the same time, Vedic studies has tended to be a relatively independent field, for the most part emphasizing historical and philological research and avoiding comparative efforts. Significant contributions to our understanding of Vedic thought and practice have been made by a number of scholars, shaping Vedic studies as we know it today. Unfortunately, relatively few studies of Vedic sacrifice have made an impact on sacrificial theorizing in the history of religions. 2 More recently, a growing number of scholars has been drawn toward
Decomposed Stochastic Model Predictive Control for Optimal Dispatch of Storage and Generation

This paper proposes a stochastic model predictive control (SMPC) approach to optimally dispatch energy storage and dispatchable generation in the electric energy system under uncertainties introduced by variable energy sources as well as demand. The objective is to minimize the expectation of the sum of the production and ramping costs for generators while satisfying all the system constraints. The uncertainties are represented by scenarios, resulting in a large-scale and computationally demanding optimization problem. We use the optimality condition decomposition (OCD) to decompose the SMPC problem into subproblems which can be solved in parallel thereby reducing the computation time. Both a scenario-based decomposition and a temporal-based decomposition are formulated and numerically evaluated in terms of speed and convergence using a modified IEEE 39-bus test system. Simulation results indicate that the scenario-based decomposition scheme achieves a better trade-off between convergence speed and subproblem size for the considered optimal dispatch problem.
R-U-Typing-2-Me? Evolving a chat tool to increase understanding in learning activities

Very often, when using a chat tool where more than one participant is talking simultaneously, it is difficult to follow the conversation, read all the different messages and work out who is talking to whom about what. This problem has been dubbed “Chat Confusion.” This article investigates this problem in debate sessions in an online university course. Chat Confusion has been singled out as the main limitation to using chat in educational activities. Confusion needs to be reduced for understanding to increase, making it easier to track what is being discussed during a learning activity. This study investigated the phenomena responsible for causing this confusion. A version of the Mediated Chat tool was developed for each problem identified and was subsequently tested in online courses. This article describes the Mediated Chat development process, the problems identified, and the results obtained from the case studies.
Large-format fabrication by two-photon polymerization in SU-8

Microporous structures are central to many fields of science and engineering, but many of these systems are complex with little or no symmetry and are difficult to fabricate. We applied two-photon polymerization (2PP) and femtosecond laser direct-writing techniques to fabricate broad-area large-format 3D microporous structures (450 μm × 450 μm × 40 μm) in the epoxy-based photoresist SU-8. The appropriate exposure was determined by controlling average pulse energies and stage speeds to generate the exposure curves. Mechanical distortion exhibited in suspended walls fabricated by 2PP laser writing was studied by controlling wall lengths and widths. A simple thermal-expansion model is presented to explain the distortion caused by axial loadings of the walls.
Ecotourism in Podocarpus National Park

Despite Ecuador's growing national rates of tourism visitation, Podocarpus National Park (PNP) has not benefited greatly. This analysis finds that PNP lacks a common vision for its tourism product. Stakeholders engage in independent tourism projects while using biodiversity as the park's main attraction. The two governing stakeholders, the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of the Environment, have different agendas for the park's management. The former promotes and sells while the latter protects, often making it difficult for them to work together. All of the above is occurring in the context of low levels of tourism visitation, which is a favorable condition to develop an inclusive vision of ecotourism development for the park. To help develop and manage ecotourism that is sustainable and inclusive in Podocarpus National Park, I recommend (a) developing a common ecotourism vision, (b) establishing an official information distribution platform, (c) developing a coherent sign plan and a clear trail system ...
Layered compounds and intercalation chemistry: An example of chemistry and diffusion in solids

The synthesis of layer lattices and their intercalates, the properties of intercalates with particular emphasis on energy storage, and catalytic properties of the layer lattices.
Enhancement of the Bootstrap Current in a Tokamak Pedestal

The strong radial electric field in a subsonic tokamak pedestal modifies the neoclassical ion parallel flow velocity, as well as the radial ion heat flux. Existing experimental evidence of the resulting alteration in the poloidal flow of a trace impurity is discussed. We then demonstrate that the modified parallel ion flow can noticeably enhance the pedestal bootstrap current when the background ions are in the banana regime. Only the coefficient of the ion temperature gradient drive term is affected. The revised expression for the pedestal bootstrap current is presented. The prescription for inserting the modification into any existing banana regime bootstrap current expression is given.
Reactions of the Dirhenium(II) Complexes Re2X4(μ-dppm)2 (X = Cl, Br; dppm = Ph2PCH2PPh2) with Isocyanides. 16.1 Complexes of the Type [Re2(μ-Br)2(μ-dppm)2Br(CO)(CNXyl)2]Y (Y = O3SCF3, PF6) That Exist in Isomeric Forms with Boat and Chair Conformations for the [Re2(μ-dppm)2] Unit

The structural characterization of the complexes [Re2(μ-Br)2(μ-dppm)2Br(CO)(CNXyl)2]Y (Y = O3SCF3, PF6), which are prepared from the reactions of Re2Br4(μ-dppm)2(CO)(CNXyl) and [Re2Br3(μ-dppm)2(CO)(CNXyl)]Y with TlY/XylNC mixtures and XylNC, respectively, shows that they are formed as mixtures of isomers with the same basic structure but differing in possessing either a chair (5) or boat (5‘) conformation for the Re2(μ-dppm)2 unit. The boat conformer 5‘ converts to 5, thereby establishing the latter as the thermodynamically favored isomer.
Catalysis and Prebiotic Synthesis

Little is know about the origins of life on Earth. Most scientists believe this event occurred some time within a billion years after the Earth formed 4.6 billion years ago (Ga). It is also possible that the Earth was “seeded” by life transported here by another body like a meteorite or by extra-terrestrials. Most scientists in this field assume that life originated on Earth or in our solar system because there would be little data on which to base a proposal for the origin of life at a location outside our solar system. As it is we have a very rudimentary knowledge of the environments on the primitive Earth in the first billion years on our planet. Some relevant books and reviews include Brack (1998), Fry (2000), Zubay (2000), Orgel (2004), and Ferris (2005). Ten years ago it appeared that we had made good progress on understanding about when life arose and what the environmental conditions on the Earth were at that time. Carbon isotope studies on rocks present on the Earth 3.8 Ga suggested life arose in or slightly after that time period (Mojizsis et al. 1996). In addition, microfossils found in rocks dated to be 3.5 Ga suggested were consistent with the presence of life 3.5 Ga (Schopf 1993). These data have been challenged recently (Brasier et al. 2002) so it is not certain the proposed microfossils were originally living organisms. Also the carbon isotope studies have been challenged (Moorbath 2005). But new and entirely different findings suggest that that the Earth had liquid water and an environment suitable for life 4.3 Ga. (Watson and Harrison 2005). In addition it has been proposed that the early Earth had an atmosphere with a mixing ratio of hydrogen of 0.3 (Tian et al. 2005). This …