cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-Stakes Testing and the History of Graduation

An historical perspective on high-stakes testing suggests that tests required for high school graduation will have mixed results for the putative value of high school diplomas: (1) graduation requirements are likely to have indirect as well as direct effects on the likelihood of graduating; (2) the proliferation of different exit documents may dilute efforts to improve the education of all students; and (3) graduation requirements remain unlikely to disentangle the general cultural confusion in the U.S. about the purpose of secondary education and a high school diploma, especially confusion about whether the educational, exchange, or other value of a diploma is most important.
Prediction of Degradation of Polyolefins Used in Solar Domestic Hot Water Components

Solar Domestic Hot Water systems may include polymer components such as heat exchangers and absorbers. These components must be designed to consider heat transfer performance, mechanical (strength) performance and lifetime. Polymer degradation in potable hot water can be delayed through the use of antioxidant additives. In the present study, data are presented which show that antioxidant depletion in polyethylene (with a phenolic additive) is accelerated in potable hot water. Characteristic time scales are derived for this polymer/antioxidant combination at 80°C. These time scales indicate that the rate of antioxidant depletion is controlled by chlorine diffusion into the polymer (and subsequent reaction between the chlorine and antioxidant).Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Electrochemical study of self-assembled monolayers of a β-cyclodextrin methyl sulfide covalently linked to anthraquinone

Abstract Self-assembled monolayers of a β-cyclodextrin with methyl sulfides on the primary sites of the molecule and mono-functionalized with anthraquinone on a secondary site have been formed on gold electrodes. The surface coverages obtained by electrochemistry are consistent with values reported previously or calculated for similar non-electroactive β-CD derivatives. The electron transfer rate constants vary markedly with pH, increasing rapidly between pH 7 and 9 to values of approximately 700–900 s−1. These values are faster than reported previously for thiol derivatives of anthraquinone dispersed in an alkylthiol SAM matrix. Near pH 6, slow electron transfer is observed with a splitting into individual one-electron steps. Lowering the pH further results in very sluggish kinetics and indistinguishable peaks. Inclusion of naphthalene into the β-CD cavity appears to affect the anodic rate constant, and a small potential shift occurs. The efficient electron transfer of the anthraquinone spaced from the gold surface by a β-CD unit suggests promise for use of such molecules as ‘immobilized artificial enzymes’.
Complexity and Selection: A Template for Nation-Building?

When I completed my first reading of the manuscript by Glenn and Malott (2004), I was left with the feeling one has after receiving a good massage—soothed, relaxed and content. There was no heavy lifting required to appreciate their clear, direct application of the basic concepts of variation and selection to the dynamics of organizational change. The extension of the selection metaphor from ontogenetic development of the repertoire of an individual to the complex activities of organizations is compelling. It provides a behavior analyst like me, who is also involved in a commercial venture, with a comfortable heuristic device with which to contemplate the constantly changing character of our organization and its adaptation to the commercial environment. Glenn and Malott nicely catalogue the internal dynamics of organizational components that induce variability leading to selection and change. While I still chafe a bit at the assertion that organizations behave (Johnston & Pennypacker, 1980, p 48), little harm is done because the emphasis here is on selection, not on the dimensional details of the behavior per se. Their concept of a receiving system as sufficient to maintain output of an organizational element was, for me, a valuable addition to my arsenal as a manager. At times, I have had difficulty identifying within my own organization the contingencies of reinforcement responsible for maintenance of behavior for which I can find no functional justification. Now, at least, I have another category in which to search. While pondering what I could contribute in these pages by way of reaction to this nicely written, but hardly controversial, manuscript, I put it aside and picked up that
Some current approaches to the evolution of plant–herbivore interactions

‘Coevolution’ between plants and herbivorous arthropods has several meanings: cospeciation, reciprocal adaptation, and a history of ‘escape-and-radiation’. Few well documented examples of each are known. Most evolutionary research on insect-plant interactions concerns the adaptations of insects to plants or of plants to insects, but little of it expressly addresses reciprocal adaptation. Modern phylogenetic research confirms that host associations in many clades of specialized insects are evolutionarily conservative. An example from leaf beetles (Ophraella) is presented, in which the historical conservatism of host shifts is mirrored by patterns of paucity of genetic variation in the ability to use novel hosts. In several species of Ophraella, genetic variation was more often discerned in responses to plants closely related to the insect’s normal host plant than to more distantly related plants. Thus availability of genetic variation might bias the evolution of host shifts, and account for the phylogenetic pattern. The difficult problem of showing that chemical and other resistance features of plants evolved for their defensive function is slowly yielding to investigation. One difficulty is that most insect herbivores are thought to be usually too rare to impose appreciable selection. Insects collectively could exert quite strong selection on resistance characters if these characters have genetically correlated effects across many species of herbivores (i.e., if selection were ‘diffuse’). Surprisingly, the little available evidence does not suggest that pervasive genetic correlations are common. I conclude that more, and more multidisciplinary, research is needed to understand the evolution of plant resistance and defense.
The ambivalent mind can be a wise mind: Emotional ambivalence increases judgment accuracy

This article provides evidence that emotional ambivalence, the simultaneous experience of positive and negative emotions, improves judgment accuracy. Two experiments demonstrate that individuals experiencing emotional ambivalence are more accurate in weather temperature forecasts (Experiment 1) and estimation tasks (Experiment 2) than are those experiencing happiness or sadness. Experiment 3a provides suggestive evidence that emotional ambivalence increases individuals' receptivity to alternative perspectives. Experiment 3b provides evidence for the full model: ambivalence increases estimation accuracy by increasing receptivity to alternative perspectives. The experience of ambivalence may be an important tool for encouraging greater receptivity to and consideration of alternative perspectives, and thus greater accuracy in judgments.
Pickup hydrogen distributions in the solar wind at ∼11 AU: Do we understand pickup ions in the outer heliosphere?

[1] This study examines the detailed distribution of interstellar pickup hydrogen ions measured by the Surface Wave Process Program instrument on the New Horizons spacecraft en route to Pluto. The observations cover an 8 h interval on 15 October 2008 when the craft was at ∼11.3 AU, constituting the first detailed pickup ion measurements in the outer heliosphere, beyond ∼8 AU. We show the pickup ion cutoff to be roughly twice the solar wind speed, as expected; however, we also measure both a significant suprathermal tail above this “cutoff” and a pickup ion asymmetry between inward and outward ions of ∼4:1, very similar to that observed on Ulysses at <5 AU. This anisotropy could indicate some combination of a scattering mean free path that is much longer than previously realized, significantly more radial magnetic field than expected, some missing effect in the current models, and/or some unknown background in the low-energy measurements. Alternately, these observations could indicate that we need to develop a new understanding of pickup ion transport throughout the heliosphere. Understanding these new observations is especially important because recent Voyager measurements have shown that these pickup ions play a critical role in the interaction at the heliosphere's termination shock. Thus, the observations reported here may be important for understanding the heliosphere's whole interstellar interaction.
Coupled map lattices: one step forward and two steps back

Abstract We discuss the general notion of Lattice Dynamical Systems and some recent progress in their studies. We suggest also the approach that allows to extract some information on the dynamics of finitely extended (“real”) systems from the results obtained on the infinitely extended (“artificial”) ones.
Timing of labor induction after premature rupture of membranes between 32 and 36 weeks' gestation

Abstract Objective: The objective was to determine a consensus gestational age for labor induction after premature rupture of membranes between 32 and 36 weeks' gestation on the basis of the relative frequencies of adverse neonatal outcomes. Study Design: A retrospective review was undertaken of all patients with premature rupture of membranes between 32 and 36 weeks' gestation. These patients were managed expectantly whenever possible. Neonatal outcomes were stratified by gestational age at rupture of membranes. Results: Two hundred thirty-six patients with rupture of membranes between 32 and 36 weeks' gestation were managed expectantly. Prolongation of pregnancy by ≥1 week was infrequent in all cases, particularly if membrane rupture occurred after 34 weeks' gestation. Reductions in the neonatal length of stay and the incidence of hyperbilirubinemia were observed at 34 weeks' gestation with respect to younger gestational ages. No perinatal deaths occurred among the study cases. Conclusions: A "break point" in neonatal morbidity was observed at 34 weeks' gestation, which supports induction of labor at this gestational age. The short latencies observed limit the potential benefits of expectant management. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;180:349-52.)
The Academic Librarian Labor Market and the Role of the Master of Library Science Degree : 1975 through 2005

To examine the evolving role of the Master of Library Science (MLS) degree in academic libraries, pooled cross-sectional data were collected from job advertisements in College and Research Library News. Beginning with 1975 and continuing at 5-year intervals through 2005, pertinent information from all job advertisements in each monthly issue were compiled. The data produced many interesting facts, such as job openings requiring an MLS peaked in the early 1990s, and that there is a significant drop in a prerequisite MLS beginning in the year 2000.
Transplantation: moving to the next level

This issue of Immunological Reviews bridges two traditionally separate fields. While the average immunologist may think of “transplantation” as a single entity, it has, for largely practical reasons, been split into two separate fields, namely hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and organ transplantation. In allogeneic HCT, which was originally used as a rescue therapy for the marrow toxicity of high-dose chemotherapy and/or irradiation employed to treat a hematologic malignancy, the recipient’s immune system is severely compromised and the greatest concern has been the attack of immune cells in the donor inoculum on the severely immunocompromised recipient. This attack, which caused the sometimes fatal syndrome known as graft-vs-host disease (GVHD), was so severe when HLA barriers were transgressed that until recently the practice of HCT has been largely confined to the HLA-identical or near-identical donor situation, severely limiting the availability of this curative therapy. Even in the present day, as approaches to performing HLA-mismatched HCT have permitted more widespread transplantation in this setting, the incidence of significant GVHD is in the 30–40% range in the least immunogenic combination involving HLA-identical sibling donors, despite the use of pharmacologic immunosuppression as GVHD prophylaxis(1). Thus, GVHD remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality following HCT.
Photoelectron attenuation lengths and thermal broadening in GaAs(110)

Abstract High resolution photoemission spectra from cleaved GaAs(110) have been used to determine the attenuation length as a function of photoelectron kinetic energy in the solid. The data are well described by an empirical functional form with a minimum escape depth of 4.77 A at an energy of 32 eV. These results are compared with those from studies of InSb(110) and GaP(110). In addition, constant resolution photoemission has been used to evaluate thermal broadening of core-level line shapes from 50–300 K over a range of photon energies from 40–190 eV. This effect is relevant in high resolution studies of temperature dependent chemistry on metal-semiconductor interfaces and heterojunctions.
Codling moth males do not discriminate between pheromone and a pheromone/antagonist blend during upwind flight

Discrimination between conspecific and heterospecific signals is a key element in the evolution of pheromone-mediated communication in insects. Pheromone antagonists prevent heterospecific attraction. They are typically pheromone synergists in other species and enable specific communication in closely related species, using partly the same chemicals. In codling moth, Cydia pomonella, as in other moths, upwind flights to a pheromone/antagonist blend were slower and more convoluted than to pheromone. However, this deteriorated flight behaviour did not account for the strong decrease in male attraction. The pheromone/antagonist blend blocked instead the onset of upwind flight. This was corroborated by placing a separate source of pheromone close by, which restored male attraction. Males flying upwind did not discriminate between pheromone and the adjacent pheromone/antagonist blend, and landed on either source. This indicates differences in the neural regulation for initiating and maintaining a behavioural response to pheromone.
Radiation hybrid and cytogenetic mapping of SOCS1 and SOCS2 to chromosomes 16p13 and 12q, respectively.

Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins are involved in the negative regulation of cytokine-induced STAT (signal transducers and activators of transcription) factor signaling. We cloned genomic regions of SOCS1 and SOCS2 genes and mapped these genes to chromosome 16p12-p13.1 and chromosome 12q21.3-q23 regions, respectively, by cytogenetic and radiation hybrid mapping. In addition, we mapped SOCS2 by yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) pool screening to YAC contig WC 12.5 on chromosome 12 with an unambiguous hit to CHLC.ATA19H12 and WI-5940, which is 461.5 cR from the top of the map.
Photopolymer materials for color holography

DuPont has developed full color holographic photopolymer films with high sensitivity across the visible spectrum, which can be used to produce high performance full-color volume holograms and holographic optical elements. In addition, three color mastering films have been developed to produce high quality full color master holograms. Methods and results of holographic color recording and mastering in these materials are discussed. Examples of full- color display holograms and simple holographic optical elements are presented.
Field biology and control of Phytophthora parasitica on papaya (Carica papaya) in Hawaii

SUMMARY Epidemic attacks of Phytophthora parasitica on papaya fruits developed during wet, windy weather, but declined rapidly when the weather became dry. During rain, abundant sporangia were liberated from the mycelial mats on infected fruits, but none was trapped in dry air. Collar rots and tree collapse caused by root rot occur irrespective of spray treatments and previous aerial infections on the same tree: they are no more prevalent in blocks with abundant aerial infections than in blocks with none. Basal rots occurred earlier and more frequently on plantings near abandoned diseased fields: they were scattered randomly and appeared before aerial infections. It is suggested that new outbreaks might be initiated from seeds of infected fruit, in which chlamydospores have been found, or from infected nursery seedlings. Drosophila spp. were found to be occasional vectors of sporangia. Control of aerial infections was obtained with maneb, basic copper sulphate, captan or difolatan. Spraying only the upper half of the acropetally developing fruit cluster gave much better control than spraying only the lower fruits.
Calibration of Delta-Sigma Data Converters in Synchronous Demodulation Sensing Applications

Delta-sigma converters used in synchronous demodulation sensing applications like tuning fork gyroscopes or accelerometers typically contain zeroes in the noise transfer function for aggressive noise shaping to get higher resolution; however, analog component errors typically result in misplacement of the notch frequency resulting in lower SNDR and reduced sensor sensitivity. The error detection technique proposed here corrects for the analog errors in the digital domain by injecting a single tone directly at the input of the quantizer inside the loop and monitoring the RMS output in the digital domain. Expecting the tone to vanish due to the presence of the notch, a closed loop least mean squares (LMS) algorithm adjusts either the component values (capacitor tuning), or the sampling frequency of the modulator until the tone strength is reduced to a minimum, which corresponds to the accurate placement of the notch. Simulation results have demonstrated an improvement of 20 dB for a Single-Loop, Third-Order CIFB (Cascade of Integrators, Feedback Form), single-bit quantizer, delta-sigma modulator with an oversampling ratio (OSR) of 128 and a notch filter coefficient error of 50%.
Advancing Teaching and Learning in Political Science: The Role of the American Political Science Association

This article reviews the work of the American Political Science Association in support of teaching and learning within the discipline. It draws from a variety of sources in which this agenda is elaborated, with three goals in mind: to characterise the wide variety of activities the Association has in place, to touch on the history of those efforts, and to put these activities into the broader context of the role of a learned society.
Microprocessors&#8212;The first twelve years

During the first twelve years of their existence, microprocessors have evolved at a dramatic pace in terms of numbers, technology, power, functionality, and applications. This paper begins with a technical explanation of key microprocessor specifications. Four generations of microprocessors are considered in detail, along with case studies of popular chip families. Special-purpose processors, software issues, and performance evaluation techniques are other areas of discussion. Overall industry trends are presented.
Misfit dislocations in low-temperature grown Ge/Si heterostructures

Abstract We have investigated the initial stages of two-dimensional epitaxial growth of Ge on (001)Si substrates using pulsed laser deposition. The Ge films grow epitaxially above 170°C and switched from two- to three-dimensional growth mode above 350°C. The evolution of the dislocation network as a function of film thickness was studied by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in the films grown at 300°C and at relatively high growth rates to suppress the three-dimensional nucleation and obtain low rate of inelastic misfit relaxation. The relaxation process begins with generation of 60° slip dislocations with a strongly non-equilibrium inhomogeneous distribution which seems to be controlled by additional stress resulting from random surface undulations. When the film is just 8 nm thick, 90% of misfit stress is already relaxed by mostly 60° dislocations which demonstrate a distinct tendency of pairing of parallel dislocations from different glide planes. As the thickness of the film incre...
Partially melted, mica‐bearing crust in Central Tibet

Surface wave tomography shows that the central Tibetan Plateau (the Qiangtang block) is characterized by S wave speeds as slow as 3.3 km/s at depths from 20–25 km to 45–50 km and S wave radial anisotropy of at least 4% (VSH > VSV) that is stronger in the west than the east. The depth of the Curie temperature for magnetite inferred from satellite magnetic measurements, the depth of the α-β quartz transition inferred from VP/VS ratios, and the equilibration pressures and temperatures of xenoliths erupted from the middle to deep crust indicate that the Qiangtang crust is hot, reaching 1000°C at the Moho. This inferred thermal gradient crosses the dehydration melting solidi for crustal rocks at 20–30 km depth, implying the presence or former presence of melt in the Tibetan middle to deep crust. These temperatures do not require the wholesale breakdown of mica at these depths, because F and Ti can stabilize mica to at least 1300°C. Petrology suggests, then, that the Qiangtang middle to deep crust consists of a mica-bearing residue from which melt has been extracted or is being extracted. Wave speeds calculated for mica-bearing rocks with a subhorizontal to gently dipping foliation and 2% silicate melt are a good match to the wave speeds and anisotropy observed by seismology.
Overview of treatment results with trastuzumab (Herceptin) in metastatic breast cancer.

HER2/neu amplification/overexpression confers more aggressive and malignant characteristics on breast cancer cells. Patients with HER2/neu-amplified breast cancer have a worse prognosis than those with normal HER2/neu expression. Over the past decade, the intracellular signaling pathways associated with this growth factor receptor have been elucidated. Multiple therapeutic strategies that target the HER2/neu oncoprotein are under development. Trastuzumab (Herceptin; Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, CA), a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to the extracellular domain of the HER2/neu receptor, has undergone phase I, II, and III clinical trials. These studies have shown that, as a single agent, trastuzumab has substantial and reproducible antitumor activity in HER2/neu-amplified metastatic breast cancer. In addition, when added to chemotherapy, trastuzumab improves antitumor efficacy as measured by time to progression, response rate, and survival. Additional chemotherapy/trastuzumab combinations are under active evaluation, and new schedules of administration are being tested. Thus, trastuzumab is the first successful example of molecularly targeted therapy in the management of metastatic breast cancer.
Pacemaker twiddler's syndrome

The pacemaker twiddler's syndrome (PTS) was first reported by Baliss in 1968.1 He described a “twiddler” who had rotated her pulse generator several times on its long axis, rolling the lead wire around the boot and retracting the endocardial electrode into the neck adjacent to the right phrenic nerve and brachial plexus. The patient suddenly began to experience “irregular epigastric jerking movements, occasional spasms of involuntary inspiration and regular involuntary supinating movements of the right forearm and hand.” Subsequently, several reports2–5 described variations of the PTS theme. Common to all have been pacemaker failure or a complication arising from the pacemaker that resulted from spontaneous, subconscious, inadvertent or deliberate rotation of the pulse generator by the patient. We describe a patient recently seen in our clinic to illustrate this infrequent, yet important and easily identifiable clinical problem.
Career perspective: John B West

I have been fortunate to work in two areas of extreme physiology and medicine: very high altitude and the microgravity of spaceflight. My introduction to high altitude medicine was as a member of Sir Edmund Hillary's Silver Hut Expedition in 1960–1961 when a small group of physiologists spent the winter and spring at an altitude of 5,800 m just south of Mt. Everest. The physiological objective was to obtain a better understanding of the acclimatization process of lowlanders during exposure to a very high altitude for several months. As far as we knew, no one had ever spent so long at such a high altitude before. The success of this expedition prompted me to organize the 1981 American Medical Research Expedition to Everest where the scientific objective was to determine the physiological changes that allow humans to survive in the extreme hypoxia of the highest point on earth. There is good evidence that this altitude is very near the limit of human tolerance to oxygen deprivation. Much novel information was obtained including an extraordinary degree of hyperventilation which reduced the alveolar partial pressure of carbon dioxide (Pco2) to about 8 mmHg (1.1 kPa) on the summit, and this in turn allowed the alveolar partial pressure of oxygen, PO2, to be maintained at a viable level of about 35 mmHg (4.7 kPa). The low Pco2 caused a severe degree of respiratory alkalosis with an arterial pH exceeding 7.7. These were the first physiological measurements to be made on the Everest summit, and essentially, none has been made since. The second extreme environment is microgravity. We carried out an extensive series of measurements on astronauts in the orbiting laboratory known as SpaceLab in the 1990s. Many aspects of pulmonary function are affected by gravity, so it was not surprising that many changes were found. However, overall gas exchange remained efficient. Some of the findings such as an anomalous behavior of inhaled helium and sulfur hexafluoride have still not been explained. Measurements made after astronauts were exposed to 6 months of microgravity in the International Space Station indicate that the function of the lung returns to its preexposure state within a few days.
Understanding and reducing vulnerability: from the approach of liabilities and capabilities

Purpose – The following article seeks to expand comprehension of the concept of vulnerability in order to promote further scholarship in this area and provide policy guidance for practitioners.Design/methodology/approach – Various findings from the academic literature pertaining to vulnerability are discussed in order to generate a more holistic understanding of this key factor of disaster.Findings – This exposition defines vulnerability, illustrates the causes of vulnerability, identifies those who may be vulnerable to disasters, and suggests ways to reduce vulnerability.Research limitations/implications – Because this paper offers a preliminary view that both includes and goes beyond the traditional social vulnerability school, additional research on this matter will undoubtedly be required. However, it is hoped that the breadth and complexity of challenges we are currently facing will be made manifest in this discussion.Originality/value – This paper extends the author's prior work in this area and rei...
The spatial brain.

Themes emerging from the collection of articles in the Special Section on Long-Term Spatial Memory include the notion of multiple spatial systems, the relation between spatial representations and episodic memory, the role of context, and the neural systems involved in space. The authors conclude that distinguishing between egocentric and allocentric spatial systems makes sense of both behavioral and neurobiological data. The special role of the hippocampal system in allocentric space, and as a consequence, in context, suggests how a spatial system might end up central to the ability to remember episodes. For the past 30 years or so, the study of the neural systems concerned with spatial cognition has largely intersected with the study of the neural systems concerned with memory. It has become increasingly clear that some forms of spatial cognition are handled by the same brain systems implicated in episodic memory. Thus, a clearer understanding of the neural underpinnings of spatial cognition promises to illuminate both the spatial brain and memory itself. One interesting parallel, for example, might allow researchers to distinguish among forms of spatial cognition and then generalize that to forms of memory. This, in essence, is what O’Keefe and Nadel (1978) tried to do some years ago. The set of articles in this special section provided ample food for thought about these and other issues. Our comments focus on three major themes that emerged from these articles, in ways that we hope demonstrate some of the promise alluded to above. We start by briefly describing each of these themes, after which we look into them in greater detail, with special emphasis on the notion of multiple forms of spatial cognition.
REARRANGEMENTS OF ALPHA-SILYLSILYLENES TO BETA-SILYLSILYLENES: A MECHANISTIC CONUNDRUM

Abstract Me3SiSiCD3: was generated in order to answer the question: does Me3SiSiMe: rearrange to Me3SiCH2SiH: via a silene intermediate as suggested by Davidson, or instead via a disilirane, as suggested by Wulff. Goure and Barton. The disilirane mechanism was found to predominate. Transposition of Me3SiSiCD3: to CD3Me2SiSiMe: provides evidence for the reversibility of the rearrangement of tetramethyldisilene to methyl(trimethylsilyl)silylene.
Thermal conductivity of carbonate rocks

Abstract The thermal conductivities of several well-defined carbonate rocks were determined near 40°C. Values range from 1.2 W m−1C−1 for a highly porous chalk to 5.1 W m−1C−1 for a dolomite. The thermal conductivity of magnesite (5.0) is at the high end of the range, and that for Iceland Spar Calcite (3.2) is near the middle. The values for limestones decrease linearly with increasing porosity. Dolomites of comparable porosity have greater thermal conductivities than limestones. Water-sorbed samples have expected greater thermal conductivities than air-saturated (dry) samples of the same rock. An anomalously large increase in the thermal conductivity of a water-sorbed clayey dolomite over that of the same sample when dry is attributed to the clay fraction, which swells during water inhibition, causing more solid-to-solid contacts within the dolomite framework. Measurements were made with a Colora Thermoconductometer. Chemical and mineralogical analyses were made and tabulated. Porosity of the rocks was determined by mercury porosimetry and also from density measurements. The Iceland Spar Calcite and magnesite were included for reference.
Can we get people to participate in a study of sexual behavior

Background and Objectives: Interpreting the results of any study requires careful analysis to determine how selective participation may have influenced the findings. Participation in a study of sexual behavior may be influenced by who is doing the study, who the participants are, what it means to participate, what the study involves, and what is meant by sexual behavior. Goal of this Study: Identify potential sources of bias that could be detected by asking the question «Can we get people to participate in a study of sexual behavior?» Study Design: Review of important examples of participation bias from the literature. Examination of a convenience sample of key studies of sexual behavior to see how they have addressed participation-related issues. Results: There are many examples of studies where misleading results were caused by participation bias. Many key studies of sexual behavior did not address fully the potential impact of selective participation. Coonclusion: No study is completely without participation bias. Understanding potential sources of bias is essential when designing a study or interpreting the results
Recombination and microdiversity in coastal marine cyanophages.

Summary Genetic exchange is an important process in bacteriophage evolution. Here, we examine the role of homologous recombination in the divergence of closely related cyanophage isolates from natural marine populations. Four core-viral genes (coliphage T4 homologues g20, g23, g43 and a putative tail fibre gene) and four viral-encoded bacterial-derived genes (psbA, psbD, cobS and phoH) were analysed for 60 cyanophage isolates belonging to five Rhode Island Myovirus (RIM) strains. Phylogenetic analysis of the 60 concatenated sequences revealed well-resolved sequence clusters corresponding to the RIM strain designations. Viral isolates within a strain shared an average nucleotide identity of 99.3–99.8%. Nevertheless, extensive microdiversity was observed within each cyanophage strain; only three of the 60 isolates shared the same nucleotide haplotype. Microdiversity was generated by point mutations, homologous recombination within a strain, and intragenic recombination between RIM strains. Intragenic recombination events between distinct RIM strains were detected most often in host-derived photosystem II psbA and psbD genes, but were also identified in some major capsid protein g23 genes. Within a strain, more variability was observed at the psbA locus than at any of the other seven loci. Although most of the microdiversity within a strain was neutral, some amino acid substitutions were identified, and thus microdiversity within strains has the potential to influence the population dynamics of viral–host interactions.
Twisted waves: Concept and limitations

In this paper we will be discussing the “twisted wave” concept that is based on the idea that the modes of an antenna can be individually modulated, transmitted and detected in the antenna far field. We review twisted wave theory which requires the long distance preservation of a non-uniform phase front resulting in discrete orbital angular momenta associated with each of the antenna modes. We then describe three arguments against the twisted wave concept based on classical electromagnetic theory, the similarity to well known multiple-in-multiple-out (MIMO) methods, and as an apparent violation of the second law of thermodynamics.
Applications and Implementation DETERMINING THE REWARDS SALESPEOPLE VALUE: A COMPARISON OF METHODS*

Although salesmanagers can attempt to motivate salespeople by manipulating their rewards, these manipulations will fail if salespeople do not value the rewards and their levels. Methods for determining valued rewards can therefore be important to those charged with their determination. This study compares three measurement schemes for assessing salespeople's valences for various rewards: functional measurement, conjoint analysis, and thermometer scaling. All three schemes produce similar conclusions as to how rewards are valued and the acceptable tradeoffs among them. Thermometer scaling outperformed the others with respect to the time it took to secure the judgments and the palatability of the task, while conjoint measurement performed least well in these respects.
Line shapes in nonlinear spectroscopy

The shape of the spectral lines of an optically active system interacting with one or more strong radiation fields in the presence of a perturbing bath is studied. A method based on the statistics of the fluctuation of the interaction between the radiator and the perturbing environment (the model Markov microfield theory) is used. This method permits the foundations of line shape theory in modern statistical mechanics to be seen clearly. Multiphoton processes and homogeneous, inhomogeneous, and power broadening mechanisms are included in the analysis. The correlations between radiative and collisional processes which arise in nonlinear spectroscopy are included explicitly. A discussion of the new information that is obtained from these correlations in nonlinear spectroscopy is also presented. Several model systems are presented as illustrative examples of the theory.
Electronic state dependence of heterogeneous electron transfer: injection from the S1 and S2 state of phlorin into TiO2

Ultrafast time-resolved measurements were performed on a novel pentafluorophenyl substituted 5,5-dimethyl phlorin derivative in solution and when attached to TiO2 colloidal films. The complex excited state dynamics of this porphyrinoid after S1 and S2 excitation was compared at different wavelengths and can be assigned to several subsequent relaxation mechanisms. The difference between excited state dynamics in the free molecule and when attached to an electron accepting electrode was measured. For both cases the dynamics was compared after excitation to the S1 and the S2 state. For the free molecule in solution an intermediate relaxation step was identified and assigned to a buckling motion of the tetrapyrrole ring. On the electrode, heterogeneous electron transfer (HET) times from both states were very similar and around 50 fs. Surprisingly, the large difference in the density of acceptor states that are resonant with the respective donor level of the molecule does not significantly influence HET dynamics. This result indicates that HET proceeds into intermediate transition states that are different from steady state surface states obtained from experiments or computations. The density of states (DOS) of these transient acceptor states appears not to be directly related to the corresponding surface or bulk DOS.
Fifty Year Canon of Lunar Eclipses: 1986-2035

A reference of moderately detailed eclipse predictions and maps for use by the professional astronomical community is provided. The general characteristics of every solar eclipse and a detailed set of cylindrical project world maps which show the umbral paths of every solar eclipse from 1901 to 2100 are presented. The geodetic path coordinates and local circumstance on the center line, and a series of orthographic projection maps which show the regions of visibility of both partial and central phases for every eclipse from 1986 through 2035 are also provided.
A Continuous Exchange Factor Method for Radiative Exchange in Enclosures with Participating Media

A continuous exchange factor method for the analysis of radiative exchange in gray enclosures with absorbing-emitting and isotropically scattering media and diffuse surfaces is developed. In this method two type of exchange function are defined: the direct exchange function and the total exchange functions are developed. These integral equations are solved using a Gaussian quadrature integration method. The results obtained based on the present approach are found to be more accurate than those of the zonal method. Unlike the zonal method, in the present approach, there is no need for evaluation of multiple integrations for calculating direct exhange factors.
Mechanism of CLCA1-Mediated CACC Activation in Chronic Lung Diseases

CLCA1 plays a central role in chronic inflammatory lung diseases (asthma and COPD). Overexpression of CLCA1 drives mucous overproduction and activates a Ca-activated chloride channel (CaCC), both through unknown mechanisms. Here we show that CLCA1 is a soluble secreted protein that gets cleaved into two fragments upon secretion. The cleavage is carried out by a novel internal zincin metalloprotease, located in the N-terminal domain. This self-cleavage reaction is required for the activation of chloride currents, as mutants with an impaired active site or cleavage site failed to increase currents above background levels. We observed that the N-terminal cleavage fragment is necessary and sufficient to activate the unknown CaCC, without directly proteolytically cleaving the channel. These results suggest a direct interaction between the channel and its modulator, CLCA1. Our current focus is on showing physical and functional association between these two molecules and identifying the CaCC by using pulldown experiments and functional patch clamp assays in the presence of siRNA and channel blockers. Latest results will be presented.
Bioavailability of S-adenosyl methionine and impact on response in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in major depressive disorder.

Objective To characterize the impact of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) on homocysteine, and potential risk of adverse cardiovascular effects, by examining plasma levels of SAMe, S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), total homocysteine (tHCY), methionine (MET), and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MHTF) in 35 of 73 patients from a 6-week double-blind randomized trial of SAMe augmentation in serotonin-reuptake inhibitor partial responders with DSM-IV major depressive disorder (MDD), published in 2010.
Comparative biochemical and ultrastructural studies of P-selectin in rabbit platelets

Abstract The role of platelets in thrombotic vascular disease has been widely studied in rabbits. Yet, in rabbit platelets, there is little known about the α- granules, which contain many of the key effector molecules for thrombosis. In this comparative study of rabbit platelets, we have characterized the structure and expression of P-selectin, an α- granule membrane protein that mediates leukocyte adhesion and thrombus propagation. The sequences of tryptic peptides of rabbit P-selectin show an overall sequence identity of 74% with human P-selectin, and 69–77% identity with cow, dog, mouse, rat and sheep P-selectins. The mean (±S.D.) apparent molecular mass of reduced rabbit P-selectin is 117±7 kDa which is ∼8 kDa larger than the unreduced protein (109±5 kDa). Rabbit P-selectin appears smaller than human P-selectin, but is comparable to other species P-selectins, that have fewer ‘complement regulatory protein’ repeat domains. Cell membrane labeling experiments and antibody binding studies indicate that rabbit P-selectin is nearly absent from the surface of resting platelets (290±30 molecules cell −1 ). However, cellular activation with thrombin causes nearly a 30-fold increase in expression to 14 200±1100 molecules cell −1 . P-selectin is also be expressed on the surface of rabbit platelets activated by other agonists like ADP, A23817 and epinephrine. This selective expression is explained by immunoelectronmicroscopic studies, which show that rabbit P-selectin is sequestered in the intracellular granules of resting platelets. After cell activation by thrombin, P-selectin is found decorating the external membranes of platelet pseudopodia and the surface connected canalicular system. In summary, these studies of P-selectin in rabbit platelets indicate that it is similar in structure, cell localization and expression to human and other species P-selectins. This suggests that studies of P-selectin in thrombosis in rabbits are likely to provide useful insights into the role of this molecule in human thrombotic vascular disease and related conditions.
EFFECT OF DIETARY LIPID SUPPLEMENTATION ON PROGESTERONE CONCENTRATION AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE IN SUCKLED BEEF COWS

Using whole cottonseed as a lipid source, silage-based diets that were isocaloric and isonitrogenous yet varied in lipid level were fed to multiparous cows. In Experiment 1, 48 cows (n = 12 per treatment) were allotted to 1 of 4 treatments where diets were formulated to supply 3.9, 4.3, 5.3 and 6.3% of total lipid. In Experiment 2, 66 cows (n = 22 per treatment) were allotted to 1 of 3 treatments where diets were formulated to supply 3.1, 5.5 and 8.3% of total lipid. Length of the first ovarian cycle, length of the first normal estrous cycle, postpartum intervals to onset of ovarian luteal activity and to first estrus were not affected by diet (P>0.10) in either experiment. Mean progesterone (P(4)) concentrations for first normal estrous cycles were not different (P>0.10) in either experiment. Anestrous periods were divided into 3 phases for analyses: Phase I) parturition to onset of ovarian luteal activity, Phase II) first ovarian luteal activity and Phase III) first normal estrous cycle. No differences were observed in P(4) concentrations during any phase of the postpartum period. In conclusion, isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets with increasing levels of lipid had no effect on reproductive performance in suckled beef in these experiments.
Mitochondrial dysfunction as a cause of optic neuropathies

Mitochondria are increasingly recognized as central players in the life and death of cells and especially of neurons. The energy-dependence of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) and their axons, which form the optic nerve, is singularly skewed. In fact, while mitochondria are very abundant in the initial, unmyelinated part of the axons anterior to the lamina cribrosa, their number suddenly decreases as the myelin sheath begins more posteriorly. The vascular system also presents different blood-brain barrier properties anterior and posterior to the lamina, possibly reflecting the different metabolic needs of the optic nerve head (unmyelinated) and of the retrobulbar optic nerve (myelinated). Mitochondrial biogenesis occurs within the cellular somata of RGC in the retina. It needs the coordinated interaction of nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. Mitochondria are then transported down the axons and distributed where they are needed. These locations are along the unmyelinated portion of the nerve, under the nodes of Ranvier in the retrobulbar nerve, and at the synaptic terminals. Efficient transportation of mitochondria depends on multiple factors, including their own energy production, the integrity of the cytoskeleton and its protein components (tubulin, etc.), and adequate myelination of the axons. Any dysfunction of these systems may be of pathological relevance for optic neuropathies with primary or secondary involvement of mitochondria. Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is the paradigm of mitochondrial optic neuropathies where a primary role for mitochondrial dysfunction is certified by maternal inheritance and association with specific mutations in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Clinical phenocopies of this pathology are represented by the wide array of optic neuropathies associated with vitamin depletion, toxic exposures, alcohol and tobacco abuse, and use of certain drugs. Moreover, the recent identification of mutations in the nuclear gene OPA1 as the causative factor in dominant optic atrophy (DOA, Kjer's type) brought the unexpected finding that this gene encodes for a mitochondrial protein, suggesting that DOA and LHON may be linked by similar pathogenesis. Polymorphisms in this very same gene may be associated with normal tension glaucoma (NTG), which might be considered a genetically determined optic neuropathy that again shows similarities with both LHON and DOA. Exciting new developments come from first examples of mitochondrial optic neuropathies in animal models that are genetically determined or are the result of ingenious engineering of mitochondrial gene expression, or from biochemical manipulations of the respiratory complexes. Even more exciting is the first successful attempt to correct the LHON-related complex I dysfunction by the allotopic nuclear expression of the recoded mitochondrial gene. There is hope that the genetic complexities, biochemical dysfunctions, and integrated anatomical-physiological cellular relationships will soon be precisely delineated and that promising therapeutic and prophylactic strategies will be proposed.
Aiming for the discursive high ground: Monsanto and the biotechnology controversy

The past several years have seen the publication of a great deal of exciting theoretical work on ideology and discourse. There has, however, been much less empirical work in the area. In this essay, we undertake a study of a specific set of discursive products developed by Monsanto Corporation in its efforts to shape public opinion and the terms of debate in the controversy over the development of biotechnology. Drawing on existing work, we suggest that relationships between signifiers and signifieds are not natural, but social creations, and that the creation of signs is often the product of social struggles. We show how Monsanto has drawn on discursive elements with historical resonance to create an image of biotechnology that the company hopes will lead to public support for the technology or, at the very least, will stifle opposition.