cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
"Phenomenal Women," Collaborative Literacies, and Community Texts in Alternative "Sista" Spaces

The work highlighted in this essay focuses on an ethnographic study of a group of African American women, members of Phenomenal Women, Incorporated, who come together not necessarily to read and write, but who, in their “sista space”—their club—often read and write when they come together. In this space, they promote self-help through reading and writing and use their literacy skills to promote civic action and engagement and cultural enrichment. This essay examines the literacy practices in which these women engage in two types of literacy events during their annual Black History Month celebrations.
Inclusive open education: presumptions, principles, and practices

Open education has long been forwarded as a producer of equity. However, there currently exists a lack of critical engagement with issues of justice in open educational practices (OEP). Although th...
CHAPTER 25 – Evaluating a Protocol Budget

Publisher Summary Evaluation of a protocol budget begins with determining the requirements of the protocol and site resources. Establishing a protocol budget is affected by the cost base that one is using and how the costs are calculated. Depending on the protocol and site resource requirements, the spreadsheets may include a variety of cost categories and can be as simple or complex as necessary. This chapter discusses the different requirements that should be considered, and then elaborates a method for establishing a protocol budget. Evaluation can be done for different purposes. From any perspective, it is important to gather complete information to sufficiently prepare a protocol budget. Keeping that in mind, preparing a budget should focus on evaluating the protocol to determine what the requirements of the protocol are, and what the resource requirements will be at the clinical trial site where the protocol will be implemented. Once these requirements are established, a comprehensive budget can be developed. It is important to remember that one will need to be prepared to justify the budget, and performing a detailed evaluation should provide that justification.
Empatia e conflito entre o trágico e o cômico: uma leitura de “Comédia em tom menor” de Hans Keilson

Resumo Hans Keilson faz parte do numeroso grupo de escritores de lingua alema que publicou entre as decadas de 1930 e 1950 obras sobre a Segunda Guerra Mundial e temas tangentes. Reconhecido tardiamente, Keilson escreveu romances, autobiografia e ensaios em que se confundem suas experiencias, seu conhecimento tecnico como psicanalista e a ficcao. Neste artigo propomos uma leitura da novela Comedia em tom menor (Komodie in Moll), destacando a empatia como chave fundamental para leitura da obra, a focalizacao como expediente narrativo para alcanca-la, e a presenca de elementos comicos imiscuidos a realidade grave e por vezes tragica que e construida no conto.
Inhomogeneous swelling behavior of a bi-layered spherical hydrogel containing a hard core

Hydrogels can absorb a significant amount of water and swell greatly. When the swelling is constrained, hydrogels exhibit inhomogeneous deformation, stress, and water concentration fields. This paper studies the swelling behavior of a bi-layered spherical hydrogel containing a hard core after imbibing sufficient water. By adopting a continuum field theory of hydrogels, the governing differential equation of the hydrogel radial deformation is derived, which is further solved numerically at proper mixed boundary conditions and inner field continuity conditions across the hydrogel interface. Effects of material properties and the presence of the hard core on the deformation, stress, and water concentration fields of the hydrogels are examined. It shows that the inner hard core can remarkably reduce the water concentration near the core surface and simultaneously induce large stresses. In addition, the water concentration in the bi-layered hydrogel heavily depends upon the stiffness of the individual hydrogel. The study offers a rational route to design and regulate hydrogels with tailorable swelling behavior for practical applications in drug delivery, leakage blocking, etc.
Addressing Public Mental Health Challenges: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of Problem-Based Learning:

Problem-based learning (PBL) is a pedagogical framework that centers on a problem of interest and structures classroom tasks around teams formulating practical, evidence-based solutions. This appro...
Amyloidosis and 30-Day Outcomes Among Patients With Heart Failure: A Nationwide Readmissions Database Study.

Abstract Background The burden of amyloidosis among hospitalized patients is increasing over time. However, amyloidosis remains an underdiagnosed cause of heart failure (HF) hospitalization among o...
Composite Steel Tee Concrete Deck Bridge System: Performance of Interface Shear Connection

Abstract A new short-span highway bridge system composed of inverted steel tee sections embedded in a concrete deck slab was developed for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. The interfa...
PERAN JENIS DAN KONSENTRASI KOAGULAN PADA KARAKTERISTIK TAHU DAN TINGKAT PENERIMAAN KONSUMEN

The supply of soybean varieties with certain specification is still a problem for the tofu industry, so it needs to be resolved, one of which is the selection of capable coagulant. This research aimed to study the effect of different of coagulants (CaSO4 , CaCl2 , and MgCl2) and the concentration [0.4 % ( w / v ) and 0.5 % ( w / v )] to the characteristics of fresh tofu and its consumer acceptance.The tofu characteristics especially water holding capacity and gel strength could determine the tofu yield and texture parameters. Based on the research result, it showed that different types of coagulant have specific characteristics such as rate of coagulation and water entrapment capacity. Coagulant concentration of 0.5 % on all types of salt coagulant was used in this study showed the effect of decreasing the water holding capacity of the curd. Salt concentration of 0.5 % provided more formed cross-link so that the structure to be too compact. Higher protein content was obtained at concentration of 0.5 % for the same type of coagulant, but it was not followed by significant difference of texture. Based on sensory evaluation data, it can be concluded that CaSO4 0.4 % produced the most preferred product. The usage of MgCl2 0.4% can be recommended beside of CaSO4 0.4 %.
A unified approach for a 1D generalized total variation problem

We study a 1-dimensional discrete signal denoising problem that consists of minimizing a sum of separable convex fidelity terms and convex regularization terms, the latter penalize the differences of adjacent signal values. This problem generalizes the total variation regularization problem. We provide here a unified approach to solve the problem for general convex fidelity and regularization functions that is based on the Karush–Kuhn–Tucker optimality conditions. This approach is shown here to lead to a fast algorithm for the problem with general convex fidelity and regularization functions, and a faster algorithm if, in addition, the fidelity functions are differentiable and the regularization functions are strictly convex. Both algorithms achieve the best theoretical worst case complexity over existing algorithms for the classes of objective functions studied here. Also in practice, our C++ implementation of the method is considerably faster than popular C++ nonlinear optimization solvers for the problem.
Preliminary Evaluation of Two Methods for Estimating Lameness Prevalence on Western US Dairies

The sampling strategy using milking parlor exit order was effective at estimating herd prevalence when samples from all pens were combined. Pen level variation requires sampling all pens. The presence of an arched-back position in cows in lock-ups predicts lameness in those cows, but these preliminary data suggest that this lameness assessment strategy underestimates herd prevalence. However, lameness assessment using arched-back position has promise for wide adoption, as it could easily be incorporated into routine herd management procedures. Further work is needed to refine and validate the arched-back method.
Who saves money buying electric vehicles? Heterogeneity in total cost of ownership

Abstract Electric vehicles (EVs) are likely to be a critical technology for mitigating climate change and improving urban air quality. To deliver environmental benefits, however, EVs must be adopted on a large scale. Total Cost of Ownership studies have shown that for the average US consumer, EVs cost more than gasoline-fueled vehicles. We contribute to this literature with a focus on heterogeneity across space and driving habits. Specifically, we estimate 5-year ownership costs for four EVs and four gasoline-fueled vehicles by neighborhood across Los Angeles County. Due to variation in electricity rates, insurance rates, and vehicle miles traveled, the median cost varies across neighborhoods by a factor of between 1.2 and 1.35, depending on the vehicle. Median costs of ownership are usually higher for EVs than for comparable gasoline-fueled cars, but considering the full distribution of vehicle miles traveled suggests that buying an EV saves money for over 17% of households.
Cascade Screening and Treatment Initiation in Young Adults with Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia.

Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) creates elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), causing premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Guidelines recommend cascade screening relatives and starting statin therapy at 8–10 years old, but adherence to these recommendations is low. Our purpose was to measure self-reported physician practices for cascade screening and treatment initiation for HeFH using a survey of 500 primary care physicians and 500 cardiologists: 54% “always” cascade screen relatives of an individual with FH, but 68% would screen individuals with “strong family history of high cholesterol or premature ASCVD”, and 74% would screen a child of a patient with HeFH. The most likely age respondents would start statins was 18–29 years, with few willing to prescribe to a pediatric male (17%) or female (14%). Physicians who reported previously diagnosing a patient with HeFH were more likely to prescribe to a pediatric patient with HeFH, either male (OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 0.99–1.81) or female (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 0.99–1.72). Many physicians do not cascade screen and are less likely to screen individuals with family history of known HeFH compared to “high cholesterol or premature ASCVD”. Most expressed willingness to screen pediatric patients, but few would start treatment at recommended ages. Further education is needed to improve diagnosis and treatment of HeFH.
Andness-Directed Iterative OWA Aggregators

In this paper we introduce andness-directed iterative OWA aggregators. Iterative OWA aggregators belong to the family of OWA aggregators, where the aggregated value of additive aggregators is a scalar product of the sorted vector of arguments and the vector of logic weights that determine conjunctive or disjunctive properties of OWA aggregators. The overall logic properties of any OWA aggregator are characterized by andness (a conjunction degree) and orness (a disjunction degree), as well as the presence/absence of support for annihilators 0 and 1. In this paper we present iterative OWA aggregators where all logic weights are explicit functions (simple polynomials) of andness or orness. In such a way, the desired andness of aggregator is explicitly visible and easily adjustable, yielding ultimate simplicity in applications. Iterative OWA aggregators can also be weighted with importance weights.
Renaissance and Reformation

The trend of scholastic thought was diverted during the Renaissance. This period ushered in the beginning of what may be called modern history. During the later Middle Ages, whatever existed in the form of European unity was destroyed with the collapse of the Empire and the decay of the papacy. States became governed by monarchs who were absolute in both theory and practice. Besides having political power, the monarchs had enormous military strength in their standing armies. This institution of a permanent professional army became increasingly prevalent among the European states.
Verification vision for programmable assembly

This paper is a condensed version of the author's thesis [Bolles 1976], which investigates a subclass of visual information processing referred to as verification vision (abbreviated VV). VV uses a model of a scene to locate objects of interest in a picture of the scene. The characteristics that distinguish VV from the other types of visual information processing are: (1) the system has a great deal of prior knowledge about the type, placement, and appearance of the objects that form the scene and (2) the goal is to verify and refine the location of one or more objects in the scene. VV includes a significant portion of the visual feedback tasks required within programmable assembly. For example, locating a screw hole and determining the relative displacement between a screw and the screw hole are both VV tasks. Two types of VV tasks are discussed in the thesis: inspection and location. This paper only discusses location tasks, but essentially the same capabilities are required for both types of tasks. This paper describes (1) a structure for a VV system that makes it easier for programmers who are not experts in computer vision to program VV feedback, and (2) a set of combination rules that are capable of using the results of several different types of operators to estimate the confidences and precisions that are necessary within VV. An interactive VV system based upon these ideas has been implemented. It helps the programmer select potentially useful operator/feature pairs, provides a training session to gather statistics on the behavior of the operators, automatically ranks the operator/feature pairs according to their expected contributions, and performs the desired task. The VV system has also been interfaced to the AL control system for the mechanical arms and has been tested on tasks that involve a combination of touch, force, and visual feedback.
Falling from a Height Holding Hands: For Large Orchestra and Chorus

Falling from a height holding hands sets poetry of Gary Snyder for mixed chorus (SATB) and orchestra. Its duration in performance is about seven minutes. The Boston University Symphony and Symphonic Chorus gave the premiere performance at Boston’s Symphony Hall on April 22, 2009. When I heard Gary Snyder read this poem on a podcast from the Poetry Foundation web site I was deeply moved. In his Danger On Peaks I found the text in print. In a few concentrated lines Snyder presents half a conversation, and reminds us of the sharp clarity of that moment that touched us all. Musical images crowd the mind, and I was quickly overwhelmed by a project I could not neither stop nor avoid. Once heard, this poem cannot be unheard, and the piece seized me. There are two forces here that cannot be resolved: one turbulent, confounded, uncertain, and the other calm, resolved, and clear. The latter is how the poem speaks, and at times it is almost serene. The final image, the falcon, is particularly so. Snyder frequently speaks of the “most archaic” values he holds as a poet, and as a naturalist, he knows the primordial first hand, and he allows us to draw from it as from a deep well.
Unemployment and widespread influenza in America, 1999-2010.

Please cite this paper as: Cornwell B. (2012) Unemployment and widespread influenza in America, 1999–2010. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 6(1), 63–70. Background Research shows that unemployment reduces access to health care and vaccines and increases financial difficulty, family conflict, and other sources of stress that are known to suppress immune function. In addition, seasonal unemployment rates parallel seasonal influenza activity. Following a theory that argues that macroeconomic conditions affect population health, this paper examines whether there is an association between monthly unemployment rates and influenza activity. Methods Data from influenza activity surveillance reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are combined with information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics on state-level unemployment rates in the U.S. for the flu seasons between 1999 and 2010. Pooled time-series cross-section logistic regression analyses are conducted to examine the effect of the unemployment rate on the likelihood of widespread and/or regional influenza activity in the 48 contiguous states throughout this period. A total of 3712 state-month observations are examined. Results Net of other factors included in the multivariate regression analysis, a one-percentage-point increment in the unemployment rate is associated with between a 7·1% and 37·0% increment in the odds of widespread influenza (Odds ratio = 1·21). Likewise, a one-percentage-point increment in the unemployment rate is associated with between a 17·1% and 44·7% increment in the odds of at least regional influenza (Odds ratio = 1·30). Results hold regardless of whether time-varying state-level characteristics are included. Conclusions Higher state-level unemployment increases the likelihood of regional and widespread influenza activity.
Role of uracil-DNA glycosylase in mutation avoidance by Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Uracil-DNA glycosylase activity was found in Streptococcus pneumoniae, and the enzyme was partially purified. An ung mutant lacking the activity was obtained by positive selection of cells transformed with a plasmid containing uracil in its DNA. The effects of the ung mutation on mutagenic processes in S. pneumoniae were examined. The sequence of several malM mutations revertible by nitrous acid showed them to correspond to A.T----G.C transitions. This confirmed a prior deduction that nitrous acid action on transforming DNA gave only G.C----A.T mutations. Examination of malM mutant reversion frequencies in ung strains indicated that G.C----A.T mutation rates generally were 10-fold higher than in wild-type strains, presumably owing to lack of repair of deaminated cytosine residues in DNA. No effect of ung on mutation avoidance by the Hex mismatch repair system was observed, which means that uracil incorporation and removal from nascent DNA cannot be solely responsible for producing strand breaks that target nascent DNA for correction after replication. One malM mutation corresponding to an A.T----G.C transition showed a 10-fold-higher spontaneous reversion frequency than other such transitions in a wild-type background. This "hot spot" was located in a directly repeated DNA sequence; it is proposed that transient slippage to the wild-type repeat during replication accounts for the higher reversion frequency.
Registered Nurses and the Value of Bilingualism

Recent research indicates that markets do not value bilingual skills. These results, however, are not robust across all labor markets, and one notable counter-instance is the market for registered ...
Leading determinants of efficient dental care delivery.

Objective Identify structure and process variables that significantly contributed to dentist productivity across VA Dental Service clinics using multiple VA national datasets from fiscal year 2010. Methods A retrospective, longitudinal analysis with the primary outcome of care provided, as measured by relative value units per clinically mapped full-time employee equivalent dentist, per year. Predictor variables included physical plant variables, staffing variables, complexity of the patient population, workplace climate, and environment of care. Predictor variables were initially assessed in a bivariate analysis with the primary outcome and those significant at P < 0.2 were entered into an ordinary least squares regression model. Results Dentist productivity and several predictor variables were significantly different between sites with and without resident training programs; therefore, two explanatory models were constructed. In both models, increasing the assistant-to-dentist ratio was the most important driver for increasing productivity. Additional drivers include the resident-to-dentist ratio, use of technology, and connectedness and engagement with the medical center as demonstrated by participation in various committees and/or boards. Final models explained over 50 percent of the variance in productivity. Conclusions In multiprovider settings, predictors of dentist clinical productivity differ for sites with and without residency training programs. Although the assistant-to-dentist ratio is the most explanatory for each type of setting, other variables such as the resident-to-dentist ratio, use of technology, and connectedness/engagement with the medical center are uniquely significant to the two types of service sites and should also be considered to maximize productivity.
Numerical prediction of slant fracture with continuum damage mechanics

Abstract Ductile specimens always exhibit an inclined fracture surface with an angle relative to the loading axis. This paper reports a numerical study on the cup–cone fracture mode in round bar tensile tests and the slant fracture in plane-strain specimens based on continuum damage mechanics. A combined implicit–explicit numerical scheme is first developed within ABAQUS through user defined material subroutines, in which the implicit solver: Standard, and the explicit solver: Explicit, are sequentially used to predict one single damage/fracture process. It is demonstrated that this numerical approach is able to significantly reduce computational cost for the simulation of fracture tests under quasi-static or low-rate loading. Comparison with various tensile tests on 2024-T351 aluminum alloy is made showing good correlations in terms of the load–displacement response and the fracture patterns. However, some differences exist in the prediction of the critical displacement to fracture.
An exploration of the substance of child and youth care practice.

Child and youth care practice is presented for its central function in the midst of a myriad of administrative, bureaucratic, managerial, organizational and program obligations. While adequate personal qualifications may be important prerequisites, the actual doing, the practice of care, is what counts. The substance of child and youth care practice is conceptualized within three major work spheres: (1) contextual practice efforts; (2) direct supportive and attachment-formation efforts; and (3) the teaching of needed basic life skills. Each is continuously illustrated by practice examples. These hands-on practice suggestions serve here a dual purpose by highlighting the fact that care practice depends upon these seeming minutiae of care and contextual interactions, and by alerting student, practitioner, supervisor, policy maker, and teacher about the actual substance of child and youth care practice.
What College Teachers Should Know About Memory: A Perspective From Cognitive Psychology

Cognitive psychology has much to contribute to our understanding of the best ways to promote learning and memory in the college classroom. However, cognitive theory has evolved considerably in recent decades, and it is important for instructors to have an up-to-date understanding of these theories, particularly those—such as memory theories—that bear directly on how students absorb new information. This article offers a non-technical overview of major theoretical ideas on memory, geared to instructors who want to optimize their teaching to take advantage of the way human memory works. Relevant theories of short-term and working memory are reviewed, with particular attention to how these have been refined and changed in recent years. Long-term memory is also discussed, with emphasis on the concept that human memory is an adaptation shaped by natural selection, an idea that instructors can use to create more memorable learning experiences. Lastly, the article presents a set of predictions regarding future t...
FEC and spread spectrum still image watermarking

The ability to resolve ownership disputes and copyright infringement is difficult in the worldwide digital age. There is an increasing need to develop techniques that adequately protect the owner of digital data. Digital Watermarking is a technique used to embed a known piece of digital data within another piece of digital data. The embedded piece of data acts as a fingerprint for the owner, allowing the protection of copyright, authentication of the data, and tracing of illegal copies. Digital Watermarking techniques have matured, and the most successful techniques are modeled after data communications techniques. In this case, the image is similar to the atmosphere (medium), and the watermark message is the signal communicated through the medium. Data communications techniques provide a sound model for measuring and improving watermark robustness. The goal of this project is to compare and measure the effectiveness of forward error correction (FEC) when used with a spread spectrum watermarking technique. This paper compares and contrasts Golay and convolutional error correction schemes. Most papers on digital watermarking mention or elude to the use of FEC, but none measure the effectiveness or offer a comparison of different techniques.
Microfiltration of Sodium Nitrate and Direct Red 2 Dye Using Asymmetric Titanium Dioxide Membranes on Porous Ceramic Tubes

Abstract Filtration studies using titanium dioxide membranes fused on porous ceramic tubes with pore diameters of 0.2 μm is reported for solutions containing sodium nitrate and solutions containing an anionic dyeect dye, Direct Red 2 (C.I. no. 23500). Solution pH was adjusted with dilute sodium hydroxide and nitric acid to maintain maximum solubility of all ions present in the system. Electrolyte rejections and color rejections were measured at pH values of four to ten. Tubes were supplied by Rhone-Poulenc, Cranbury, NJ. Results show that the charge or ionic nature of the membrane surface was responsible for the ion rejections and decreased as the salt concentration was raised from 50 to 5000 ppm. Salt rejections ranged from 12–64% and dye rejections ranged from 82–99% over the salt concentrations and temperatures of the experiments that ranged from 30 to 60°C. The results are interpreted in terms of the current and past research involving microfiltration.
Effects of thermal boundary conditions on flame shape and quenching in ducts

Near quenching laminar flames in parallel plate and cylindrical ducts are investigated computationally using one-step chemistry and a two-dimensional finite volume formulation. The effects of varying the heat transfer boundary conditions on the flame shape and propagation speed are examined. Two flame shapes are shown to arise, depending on the channel width and wall heat losses. A quenching criterion is developed for cases of restricted conductive or convective heat loss through the duct walls, and results are compared to the existing theory. As expected, the quenching Peclet number is found to be proportional to the square root of the overall heat loss coefficient. The importance of internal wall radiation and through-wall heat losses to the flame shape and quenching process is also examined and discussed. Radiation inside the channel is shown to inhibit quenching.
Mapping the DNA fragments produced by cleavage by lambda DNA with endonuclease RI.

THE analysis of in vitro DNA-directed transcription and coupled transcription/translation is usually complicated by the very large number of products that are made from each DNA molecule. If smaller DNA molecules could be used, the analysis would be correspondingly easier. The discovery of several restriction endonucleases, each recognizing a small number of unique cleavage sites per DNA molecule, could lead to a much deeper analysis of the complex structure and function of DNA by making it possible to isolate homogeneous DNA segments of manageable size. One of these enzymes, the RTF RI endonuclease, has recently been characterized by Yoshimuri, who has shown that it introduces a limited number of cuts in λ DNA1; by sucrose gradient sedimentation Yoshimuri separated a faster-moving peak containing one unique DNA population of molecular weight 13 × 106 from a slower-moving peak consisting of smaller fragments of average molecular weight 3.8 × 106. We describe here the further resolution of the products arising from digestion of linear λ DNA with the RI endonuclease into six discrete fragments, and their subsequent characterization and mapping along the λ genome.
The effect of early resolution of uncertainty on the valuation of assets: A dichotomy into market and non-market information

We reconsider how the temporal resolution of uncertainty about the future payoffs from capital assets affects the initial valuation of these assets. Our results regarding valuation indicate that, in an intertemporal CAPM framework, the early resolution of market uncertainty leads to an increase in the value of the market portfolio. The values of individual assets change in direct proportion to their betas. We reconcile the differing conclusions of Ross (1989) and Epstein and Turnbull (1980) regarding the early resolution of what they term “idiosyncratic” and “asset specific” information respectively.
Accurate local approximations to the triples correlation energy: formulation, implementation and tests of 5th-order scaling models

Local models for the triples part of the MP4 or CCSD(T) energy are formulated in terms of atom-labelled functions to describe the occupied and virtual orbital spaces. These models retain triple substitutions in which at most one of the three orbital replacements involves a change of atom. This reduces the number of triple substitutions from scaling with the 6th power of molecule size to scaling with the 4th power, and reduces the computational cost from 7th order to 5th order. Non-locality in the triple substitutions is dominated by terms in which an electron is scattered twice, while the other two singly scattered electrons exhibit non-locality that is similar to that seen in double substitutions. Two non-iterative computational models are designed around this observation. The first, ionic2, allows for non-locality only in the doubly-scattered electron, and recovers around 95% of the triples correlation energy (in the large-molecule limit). The second, ionic*, also approximately accounts for the effect o...
Tyrosine hydroxylase and POMC mRNA in the arcuate region are increased by castration and hyperprolactinemia

We have examined the changes which occur in neuronal expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA in response to castration and hyperprolactinemia (HP) in male rats. Steady-state mRNA levels were determined by quantitative in situ hybridization histochemistry (ISHH) using 35S-labeled synthetic 48-base oligodeoxynucleotide probes. Castration produced a 27% increase in TH mRNA in the periventricular and arcuate nuclei. PRL-exposed rats exhibited a further 27% increase in the level of TH mRNA and a striking 48% increase in POMC mRNA in periarcuate region cell bodies. These results indicate that gonadal steroids and PRL are involved, either directly or indirectly, in regulating the biosynthesis of TH and POMC in the hypothalamus.
Otolith microconstituent analysis of juvenile bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) from the Mediterranean Sea and Pacific Ocean

Microconstituents were measured in otoliths of juvenile northern bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) from the Mediterranean Sea and western Pacific Ocean. Whole otoliths were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Multivariate statistical analysis showed clear separation between the two groups. Na, Mg, Mn, and Zn were most useful in differentiating Mediterranean and Pacific samples. Findings justify further use of otolith microconstituents to investigate stock structure questions concerning Atlantic bluefin tuna.
Vets Caring for Veterans: A Problem-Based Learning Approach

Veterans and their family members may need clinical services from social workers or other mental health practitioners, but that is not likely their first stop in trying to secure assistance. Instead, they may seek help through their benefit claims or try to find resources from local community organizations. However, volunteers who staff these organizations may have limited exposure to military or veteran populations and lack training in interviewing, assessment, and case management. This is especially true in rural areas or communities that are not in close proximity to military bases or Veterans Affairs facilities. A veteran certificate program based on a social work curriculum can respond to those knowledge gaps and improve basic intervention skills. A newly implemented veteran certificate program using practice-based scenarios is described along with a review of implementation issues, participant outcomes, and recommendations for future needs.
Noncovalent and Nonspecific Molecular Interactions of Polymers with Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

Polymer composites containing variable amounts of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) have been prepared using solution dispersion and melt-shear mixing. Various polymer composites with 1 wt % MWNTs have been found to dissolve homogeneously in organic solvents. The amount of polymer coated or wrapped MWNTs dissolved in the solution was quantified using UV−vis absorbance at 500 nm and the concentration ratio of [MWNTs]solution/[MWNTs]composite was close to 1. A nonspecific polymer adsorption through multiple-weak molecular interactions of CH groups with MWNTs in the composites has been identified through FTIR spectroscopy. The composites of polybutadiene with different wt % of MWNTs showed slight changes in the CH bending vibrations, indicating the presence of intermolecular CH−π interactions. The dissolution of various polymer composites containing low concentration of MWNTs in organic solvents was attributed to polymer coating on the MWNTs via noncovalent and nonspecific CH−π interactions. The dissoluti...
Identification, expression and in situ hybridization of an eggshell protein gene from Fasciola hepatica.

Abstract The molecular basis of egg formation in the parasitic liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica , was investigated by isolating and characterizing an abundant cDNA from a female genital complex cDNA library. It was expressed in Escherichia coli as a β-galactosidase fusion protein, which was purified and used to produce polyclonal antibodies. Using immunoblots, the antiserum recognized two soluble constituents of isolated egg shells, both significantly larger than predicted from cDNA sequencing. Using in situ hybridization, the message was detected in cells in the adult vitelline follicles. Eggshell protein mRNA expressed in E. coli will provide a source of precursor protein for further studies of parasite eggshell formation.
WE-D-224C-06: Leakage Characteristics of Two Common Multi-Leaf Collimators: Implications for Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy

Purpose: To evaluate leakage characteristics of two Varian MLCs during IMRT delivery. Introduction:IMRT increases total body dose due to increased leakage proportional to the additional monitor units required. During MLCIMRT delivery, collimator jaws are positioned outside the edges of the entire intensity map, increasing the prevalence of leakage through and potentially around the MLC. The magnitude of the latter component is dependent upon the physical size of the MLC.Method and Materials: The Varian Mark‐I 52‐leaf and Millennium 120‐leaf MLCs have widths of 26 and 40cm, respectively, in the direction perpendicular to leaf motion. Identical, 1cm bixel‐size small (8×9cm2), medium (12×16cm2), and large (20×24cm2) intensity maps were delivered in SMLC mode with each MLC using 6MV photons.Ionization chamber measurements were performed outside these fields at the surface and 10cm depth in a patient‐simulating phantom at 15, 20, 30, 40, and 50cm off‐axis both along and perpendicular to the direction of leaf motion. Results: Mark‐I leakage in the leaf motion direction was very similar to Millenium‐120 leakage in either direction. However, Mark‐I leakage was considerably higher perpendicular to the leaf motion direction. This increase was apparent at all points, with a maximum of 100–150% at 20–30cm off axis for all fields. The average increase for all fields and positions was 90% at the surface and 65% at 10cm depth. Previous investigations have indicated significant risks of secondary malignancy induction associated with total body doses encountered in IMRT. Our results indicate that this risk is nearly doubled using a Mark‐I MLC when the patient axis lies along the narrow dimension of the MLC.Conclusion: The Mark‐I MLC can profoundly increase total body dose in comparison to a wider MLC. This increase may be largely alleviated by judicious choice of collimator angle. This risk should be considered during IMRT planning.
Investigating the Underlying Structure of the Citizenship Performance Domain

Abstract The purpose of this research was to delineate the conceptual organization of the contextual or citizenship performance domain. Similarity data were generated through the inductive content sorting of citizenship performance behavior (CPBs) categories and analyzed via exploratory factor analysis, multidimensional scaling (MDS), and a subsequent cluster analysis associated with the MDS. The current research resulted in a hierarchical integrated model providing a structural framework for this domain. When this framework is applied to a number of previously developed theoretical or empirically derived models, it appears to capture the constructs associated with the models, identifies similar constructs between the models and clarifies the relationships between our model and these previously developed models. Overall, the proposed integrated model has the potential to provide a much-needed framework to represent the underlying structure of the citizenship performance domain. However, models at different levels of specificity are likely to be useful for different applications.
Tendon transfers for restoring hand intrinsic muscle function: A biomechanical study

Abstract Four fresh-frozen arms were biomechanically tested to determine the effect of the route of tendon transfer (dorsal vs volar) and the site of digital tendon insertion (A1 pulley, A2 pulley, proximal phalanx, or lateral band/extensor mechanism) on restoring metacarpophalangeal joint flexion and interphalangeal joint extension. A volar carpal canal route of tendon transfer appears to be more mechanically efficient than a dorsal intermetacarpal route. A lateral band insertion provides a small but significant increase in proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joint extension. (J Hand Surg 1999;24A:609–613. Copyright © 1999 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.)
Mineral metabolism in the developing turkey embryo--I. The effects of developmental age and shell-less culture on trace element contents of selected tissues.

Abstract 1. 1. Turkey embryos were incubated in ovo or in long-term shell-less culture (ex ovo) for 14, 18, 22 or 26 days. The embryos incubated ex ovo exhibited a progressive decline in the rate of growth and were hypocalcemie and hypoproteinemic compared to their in ovo counterparts from day 18 to day 26 of incubation. 2. 2. The ratio of the concentrations of α-fetoprotein and albumin (AFP/A) in serum was determined for both groups of embryos. The AFP/A ratio may be useful as a biochemical index to stage avian embryonic development. Using this index it was concluded that ex ovo embryos exhibited a progressive developmental retardation compared to in ovo embryos. 3. 3. Significant differences were observed in serum trace element concentrations for embryos incubated in ovo vs ex ovo. Most notably, serum copper concentration was significantly lower in ex ovo embryos on days 18 and 22 of incubation and significantly higher on day 26 of incubation compared to serum from embryos incubated in ovo. 4. 4. Livers from embryos incubated ex ovo exhibited significant differences trace element levels compared to those incubated in ovo. By day 26 of incubation the concentration and total amount of zinc and iron were markedly elevated, whereas copper was greatly reduced in the livers of embryos incubated ex ovo compared to the corresponding in ovo levels. 5. 5. Hearts from embryos incubated ex ovo contained less zinc and copper and more iron by day 26 of incubation than those from embryos incubated in ovo. 6. 6. Long-term shell-less culture of turkey embryos is a unique model system with which to study the effects of altered growth and development on the ontogeny of embryonic mineral homeostasis.
Dynamic fields near a crack tip growing in an elastic-perfectly-plastic solid

Abstract A complete asymptotic solution is given for the fields in the neighborhood of the tip of a steadily advancing crack in an incompressible elastic-perfectly-plastic solid. For Mode I crack growth in the plane strain condition, the following noteworthy results are revealed: (1) The entire crack tip in steady crack growth is surrounded by a plastic region, and no elastic unloading is predicted by the complete dynamic asymptotic solution. Thus, the elastic unloading region predicted by the result of neglecting the important influence of the inertia terms in the equations of motion. (2) Unlike the quasi-static solution, the dynamic solution yields strain fields with a logarithmic singularity everywhere near the crack tip. (3) The stress field varies throughout the entire crack tip neighborhood, but does display behavior which can be approximated by a constant field followed by an essentially centered-fan field and then by another constant field, especially for small crack growth speeds. Indeed, the stress field reduces to that for the stationary crack, as the crack tip velocity - measured by the Mach number, M - reduces to zero; the strain field, however, does not reduce to that for the static solution, as M vanishes. (4) There are two shock fronts emanating from the crack tip across which certain stress and strain components undergo jump discontinuities. The location of the shock fronts and the magnitude of the jumps depend on the crack growth speed. The stress jump vanishes while the strain jump becomes unbounded, as the crack tip speed goes to zero. Finally, the Mode III steady-state crack growth is reviewed and, on the basis of Mode I and Mode III results, it is concluded that ductile fracture criteria for nonstationary cracks must be based on solutions which include the inertia effects, and that for this purpose, quasi-static solutions may be inadequate. Then, a possible ductile fracture criterion is suggested and discussed. One interesting feature of the complete dynamic asymptotic solution is that, unlike the quasi-static solution, it yields the same strain singularity for all three fracture modes.
A numerical solution scheme for softening problems involving total strain control

Abstract Nonlinear structural problems in which material softening is present constitute a severe challenge to solution algorithms. Most of the existing computational codes are based on using an incremental procedure with iterations and suitable constraints. Among the constraints are load control, direct or indirect displacement control, and arc-length control involving a combination of load and displacement parameters. For many problems in which softening and localization occur, these algorithms fail at some point in the post-peak regime. In an attempt to remedy this problem, an alternative constraint condition is proposed whereby a combination of the total strain components is prescribed at the most critical point in the body. The critical point is defined to be that point where a suitable measure of strain is a maximum. Numerical solutions for both plane strain and plane stress problems are given to illustrate the ability of the procedure to capture post-peak responses of structures governed by materially nonlinear behavior.
Stability of sugar content in soybean strains

Abstract Objectives in this study were to measure total sugar and individual sugar content in whole, mature, soybeans of certain strains and to determine the stability of these components in strains grown over a wide geographical area. Soybean seed of three selected strains from each Maturity Group in the 1970 Uniform Tests‐Northern States were analyzed for total sugar, sucrose, raffinose and stachyose content. For Maturity Groups 00, 0, I, II, III and IV there were 10, 12, 23, 33, 27 and 24 locations, respectively. The locations were in 17 states and 2 Canadian provinces. The average content of total sugar, sucrose, raffinose and stachyose was 9.36, 5.96, 0.75 and 2.65 g per 100 g seed, respectively. Analysis of variance of total sugar content and individual sugars among the three strains within each Maturity Group revealed significant differences (P<.01) in total sugar among strains in Maturity Groups II and III but not in the other four Maturity Groups. Except for strains within Maturity Group IV, ther...
Synchronous ovarian granulosa cell tumor and uterine serous carcinoma: A rare association of a high-risk endometrial cancer with an estrogenic ovarian tumor

Abstract Background. Ovarian granulosa cell tumors are often associated with endometrial hyperplasia or carcinoma. The endometrial carcinoma is thought to occur under the influence of the estrogen receptor pathway and is typically a low-grade, low-stage endometrioid adenocarcinoma. Case. We present a case of a woman with a granulosa cell tumor of the ovary and a synchronous serous carcinoma of the endometrium. Immunohistochemical stains for estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and p53 protein were performed on both tumors. Conclusions. Not all uterine tumors associated with ovarian granulosa cell tumors have low-risk histology. Preoperative evaluation of the uterus with attention to tumor subtyping is important for optimum staging and therapy.
Characterization of nanoporous low-k thin films by small-angle neutron scattering contrast variation.

Small-angle neutron scattering contrast variation is applied to characterization of nanoporous low-dielectric constant (low-k) thin films. Films are exposed to saturated solvent vapor in air, whereby the pores fill with liquid by capillary condensation. The pores are filled with mixtures of hydrogen- and deuterium-containing solvents to vary the neutron contrast with the matrix (wall). The composition of the solvent mixture is systematically varied to identify a composition that minimizes the scattered intensity (contrast match point). From the contrast match point composition, film characteristics including matrix density and homogeneity are assessed. Four spin-on low-k materials including a methylsilsesquioxane, an organic polymer, a xerogel, and a hydrogensilsesquioxane are characterized by the new technique. Calculated matrix mass densities are compared to independent density measurements obtained by an established specular X-ray reflectivity technique. We find no evidence of “closed pores”, defined h...