cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reliability and Construct Validity of the Dimensions of Self-Concept (Dosc)-Form W Measure for an Air Force Sample:

Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses indicated promising construct validity for each of the six 15-item subscales of the Dimensions of Self-Concept (DOSC)-Form W (Level of Aspiration, Level of Anxiety, Job Interest and Satisfaction, Leadership and Initiative, Identification versus Alienation, and Level of Job Stress) portraying six corresponding constructs of the same name. The sample consisted of 212 Air Force active-duty military personnel (179 males, 33 females) stationed in Hawaii. Coefficient alpha reliability estimates for the six quite homogeneous subscales fell between .87 and .92. The only subscale to exhibit statistically significant correlation coefficients with any one of the five demographic variables was that of Leadership and Initiative, which yielded coefficients of .30, .28, .30, and .23 (all p < .001), respectively, with Level of Formal Education, Number of Years of Military Duty, Age, and Military Rank. A coefficient of -.1 1 for Gender was not statistically significant.
Quasi-equivalent viruses: a paradigm for protein assemblies

The structure and assembly of icosahedral virus capsids composed of one or more gene products and displaying quasi-equivalent subunit associations are discussed at three levels. The principles of quasi-equivalence and the related geodesic dome formation are first discussed conceptually and the geometric basis for their construction from two-dimensional assembly units is reviewed. The consequences for such an assembly when three-dimensional protein subunits are the associating components are then discussed with the coordinates of cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV) used to generate hypothetical structures in approximate agreement with the conceptual models presented in the first section. Biophysical, molecular genetic, and atomic structural data for CCMV are then reviewed, related to each other, and incorporated into an assembly model for CCMV that is discussed with respect to the modular, chemical nature of the viral subunit structure. The concepts of quasi-equivalence are then examined in some larger virus structures containing multiple subunit types and auxiliary proteins and the need for additional control points in their assembly are considered. The conclusion suggests that some viral assembly principles are limited paradigms for protein associations occurring in the broader range of cell biology including signal transduction, interaction of transcription factors and protein trafficking.
Transneuronal changes of synaptic endings and nuclear chromatin in the trapezoid body following cochlear ablations in cats

This study demonstrates long-lasting structural changes in highly specific synaptic endings, the calyces of Held, and in the principal cells, contacted by calyces, in the medial trapezoid nucleus following acoustic deafferentation of adult cats. The normal structure of the principal cell and its afferent axosomatic endings, including the calyx and other, smaller endings, was defined in rapid Golgi impregnations and electron micrographs. Each calyciferous axon, arising from the contralateral cochlear nucleus, forms a calyx, about 35 μm in diameter, around only one principal cell body; each principal cell receives only one calyx. In electron micrographs a calycine profile typically contains a central core of neurofilaments, surrounded by mitochondria; spherical vesicles gather at multiple, asymmetric synaptic complexes. Fifteen and 30 days after unilateral labyrinthectomy the contralateral calyces showed neurofilamentous hyperplasia; mitochondria and the now enlarged synaptic vesicles decreased in number. After 30 days the contralateral principal neurons showed increased condensation of nuclear chromatin. All of these changes diminished after 56 days and were gone by seven months, when the principal cell body had shrunk by 30%. The calyx, which exhibits strongly excitatory synaptic transmission spontaneously and during acoustic stimulation, could mediate significant trophic effects. Such effects are no doubt reflected in the extensive transneuronal changes after interruption of cochlear input. These changes must involve pre- and post-synaptic alterations of protein metabolism, control of which may be linked to synaptic transmission.
Characterizing Ipomopsis rubra (Polemoniaceae) germination under various thermal scenarios with non-parametric and semi-parametric statistical methods.

Time-to-event analysis represents a collection of relatively new, flexible, and robust statistical techniques for investigating the incidence and timing of transitions from one discrete condition to another. Plant biology is replete with examples of such transitions occurring from the cellular to population levels. However, application of these statistical methods has been rare in botanical research. Here, we demonstrate the use of non- and semi-parametric time-to-event and categorical data analyses to address questions regarding seed to seedling transitions of Ipomopsis rubra propagules exposed to various doses of constant or simulated seasonal diel temperatures. Seeds were capable of germinating rapidly to >90 % at 15–25 or 22/11–29/19 °C. Optimum temperatures for germination occurred at 25 or 29/19 °C. Germination was inhibited and seed viability decreased at temperatures ≥30 or 33/24 °C. Kaplan–Meier estimates of survivor functions indicated highly significant differences in temporal germination patterns for seeds exposed to fluctuating or constant temperatures. Extended Cox regression models specified an inverse relationship between temperature and the hazard of germination. Moreover, temperature and the temperature × day interaction had significant effects on germination response. Comparisons to reference temperatures and linear contrasts suggest that summer temperatures (33/24 °C) play a significant role in differential germination responses. Similarly, simple and complex comparisons revealed that the effects of elevated temperatures predominate in terms of components of seed viability. In summary, the application of non- and semi-parametric analyses provides appropriate, powerful data analysis procedures to address various topics in seed biology and more widespread use is encouraged.
de Haas-van Alphen Effect in Arsenic

The de Haas-van Alphen effect has been studied in single crystals of rhombohedral (metallic) arsenic in the liquid helium temperature range and in magnetic fields up to 25 kilogauss. The effect in arsenic is characterized by long-period (up to \ensuremath{\sim}4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}5}$ ${\mathrm{gauss}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$) oscillations upon which are superposed three short period (up to \ensuremath{\sim}6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}$ ${\mathrm{gauss}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$) terms. Analysis in terms of existing theory attributes the long-period oscillations to electrons occupying a constant energy surface in momentum or wave-number space which to a first approximation is an ellipsoid of revolution with a degeneracy energy ${E}_{0l}=1.59\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}14}$ erg. The pertinent electrons in the case of the short-period oscillations can be attributed to three identical ellipsoidal constant-energy surfaces oriented so as to satisfy the trigonal symmetry of the arsenic lattice and having a degeneracy energy ${E}_{0s}=29.4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}14}$ erg. In addition, the electronic effective masses have been evaluated.A method for growing arsenic single crystals is described.
The Stress Development during Filament Winding of Thick Cylinders

Abstract The stress development during filament winding of thick composite cylinders has been studied using dry glass fibre tows. Because no fibre migration occurs during winding with dry fibre, the objective of this study was to determine whether fibre buckling is possible due to elastic stresses developed during winding. The thicknesses of the wound cylinders were greater than 38 mm while the aluminium mandrel used had an outside diameter of 58 mm. Circumferential winding was used and the winding tension was varied between 4 and 23 N. The radial pressure measured at the mandrel surface using foil gauges increased over the first six layers or so of winding, and then stayed constant or even decreased slightly with subsequent winding. Predictions based on elastic analyses were fitted to the data by varying the effective radial modulus. The resulting values of the radial modulus were much less than the circumferential modulus, the latter being more than 10000 times greater than the former. Such high anisotropy was responsible for the asymptotic increase of the mandrel pressure with winding. The calculated circumferential stress in the fibres was compressive throughout most of the inner part of the wound cylinder; however, its magnitude was rather small. A higher winding tension resulted in a better compaction, and, therefore, a smaller effective layer thickness, a higher radial modulus and higher internal stresses. Under the conditions studied in the present work, fibre buckling due to the development of compressive circumferential stresses during winding does not appear possible.
Synthesis of [18F]norchlorofluoroepibatidine and its N-methyl derivative: new PET ligands for mapping nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

Fluorine-18 labeled norchlorofluoroepibatidine (NFEP), a high-affinity nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ligand, was prepared by a one-pot, two-step synthesis: nucleophilic heteroaromatic substitution of a tert-Boc protected precursor (7-tert-butyloxycarbonyl-exo-2-(2'-N,N,N-trimethylammonium-5'-pyridinyl)-7-azabicydo[2.2.1]heptane iodide) using no-carrier-added [ 18 F]fluoride followed by deprotection with trifluoroacetic acid. Subsequent reductive N-methylation with formaldehyde and sodium cyanoborohydride afforded fluorine-18 labeled N-methyl-norchlorofluoroepibatidine (N-methyl-NFEP). The unusually high radiochemical yield for the first step (70%) and the quantitative conversions in the deprotection and N-methylation steps afforded overall radiochemical yields of 55-65% (decay corrected based on starting [ 18 F]fluoride) for [ 18 F]NFEP (synthesis time 65 min) and 45-55% for [ 18 F]N-methyl-NFEP (synthesis time 75 min), with a specific activity of 2-9 Ci/μmole (EOB).
Spectropolarimetric assay of (+)-propoxyphene hydrochloride

Abstract A rapid, simple and stereospecific procedure for the simultaneous assay and determination of the enantiomeric purity of pharmaceutical-grade propoxyphene hydrochloride is described. The procedure is faster, less hazardous and more accurate than the U.S.P. XXI method, but unlike that method it is specific for the (+)-isomer.
Stentor introversus, n.sp.*

SYNOPSIS. A new species of Stentor is described, a fresh water form, medium sized, with cerulean blue pigment, and characterized by retractable feeding organelles.
Channel simulation for underwater acoustic communication network

Significant advancements in underwater acoustic communication have been achieved in recent decades. In the dynamic ocean environment, various physical processes can significantly affect the communication channel. The time-varying underwater channel has both deterministic and stochastic features. Due to the dynamic environment and the complex properties of the channel, it is extremely challenging to predict or model the channel. A communication channel simulator is developed through the use of parabolic equation modeling of acoustic propagation and scattering. The simulator uses the acoustic parabolic equation model augmented with a linear surface model. Our results show that this model is capable of generating realistic channel characteristics. Our on-going effort is to reduce the computational cost of the acoustic channel simulator so that it can be used for network simulations.
On the quality of measured optical aberration coefficients using phase wheel monitor

In-situ aberration measurement often requires indirect methods that retrieve the pupil phase from the measured images and presents unique challenges to the engineers involved. Phase wheel monitor allows such in-situ measurement of aberrations in photolithography systems. The projection lens aberrations may be obtained with high accuracy from images of phase wheel targets printed in photoresist. As a result, the photolithography tool optics can be characterized under standard wafer printing conditions. Resulting features are mathematically analyzed to extract information about the aberrations in optics. We use a detection algorithm and multi-domain modeling to process resist images and determine the image deviation from the ideal shape, which in turn allow the amount of aberration introduced by the optical system to be quantified. Experimental results are shown and multiple measurements on the same tool before and after system corrections are compared.
Film dosimetry of megavoltage photon beams: A practical method of isodensity‐to‐isodose curve conversion

The central problems of photon beam film dosimetry are the dependence of film response upon photon energy, processing conditions, and film plane orientation. We have overcome these problems by accurately fitting the depth‐dependent sensitometric curve of Kodak XV‐2 film (exposed parallel to beam axis) to the equation OD(D,d) =OD s (1 − exp {−α0[1+β(d−d m )]D}) where OD(D,d) is the optical density for dose D at depth d. OD s , α0, and β are constants characteristic of the film and beam energy but are independent of field size. Only central axis depth dose data for a single field are required to determine their values. A computer program based upon this equation has been written which successfully generates single field isodose curves from film data for a variety of field sizes (including wedged fields) with an accuracy of ±3%. Data are presented for 60Co, and 4 and 10 MV x rays.
Synthesis of the All-trans-retinal Chromophore of Retinal G Protein-coupled Receptor Opsin in Cultured Pigment Epithelial Cells

Light-dependent production of 11-cis-retinal by the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and normal regeneration of rhodopsin under photic conditions involve the RPE retinal G protein-coupled receptor (RGR) opsin. This microsomal opsin is bound to all-trans-retinal which, upon illumination, isomerizes stereospecifically to the 11-cisisomer. In this paper, we investigate the synthesis of the all-trans-retinal chromophore of RGR in cultured ARPE-hRGR and freshly isolated bovine RPE cells. Exogenous all-trans-[3H]retinol is incorporated into intact RPE cells and converted mainly into retinyl esters and all-trans-retinal. The intracellular processing of all-trans-[3H]retinol results in physiological binding to RGR of a radiolabeled retinoid, identified as all-trans-[3H]retinal. The ARPE-hRGR cells contain a membrane-bound NADPH-dependent retinol dehydrogenase that reacts efficiently with all-trans-retinol but not the 11-cis isomer. The NADPH-dependent all-trans-retinol dehydrogenase activity in isolated RPE microsomal membranes can be linked in vitro to specific binding of the chromophore to RGR. These findings provide confirmation that RGR opsin binds the chromophore, all-trans-retinal, in the dark. A novel all-trans-retinol dehydrogenase exists in the RPE and performs a critical function in chromophore biosynthesis.
Fatal hepatitis B reactivation due to everolimus in metastatic breast cancer: case report and review of literature

Hepatitis B reactivation can occur with cytotoxic chemotherapy in patients with hepatitis B and cancer. Reactivation can occur in a patient with chronic hepatitis, an inactive carrier, or one with resolved hepatitis. Clinical presentation may range from subclinical elevation of liver enzymes to fatal fulminant hepatic failure. Mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors, which include everolimus, are a new generation of targeted agents that are currently approved for many cancers (since March 2009) including advanced hormone receptor positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative breast cancer, in conjunction with exemestane (as of July 2012). We are therefore still learning the various adverse events that occur with this new class of agents. Here, we present an unfortunate case of fatal hepatitis B reactivation in a woman with metastatic breast cancer treated with everolimus and exemestane. We have detailed the controversies around hepatitis B screening prior to immunosuppressive therapy. Clinicians and patients should be aware of this rare but fatal complication prior to everolimus use, and a detailed history, screening for hepatitis B and prophylactic antiviral treatment should be considered.
Stochastic quantization versus the microcanonical ensemble: Getting the best of both worlds

Abstract The aim of this paper is to shed further light on the relation between two non-standard formulations of field theory: stochastic quantization and the microcanonical ensemble. One involves a first-order (Langevin) differential equation in a fictitious “time”, and the other a second-order ordinary differential equation. I analyze a scheme which is a particular example of a canonical ensemble, and which reduces to the old schemes in different limits. For a gaussian degree of freedom it turns out that the autocorrelation function in the new scheme undergoes damped harmonic motion, and the scheme is optimized (for numerical simulation) at critical damping. This is a clear improvement over the old limits, which correspond to maximal and zero damping. For non-gaussian systems I argue that the new proposal always represents a significant improvement over a Langevin simulation, and may even improve over the microcanonical method, in which case only a trivial code modification is required. A useful by-product of the discussion is a better estimate of systematic errors in microcanonical simulations.
Does Type 2 Diabetes Genetic Testing and Counseling Reduce Modifiable Risk Factors? A Randomized Controlled Trial of Veterans

Objective We examined the clinical utility of supplementing type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) risk counseling with DM genetic test results and counseling.
KBr growth by deposition from the vapor

Abstract The growth of KBr by deposition from the vapor phase on a single crystal KBr seed has been investigated, with major emphasis on the growth rate and the habit of the deposited KBr as a function of charge temperature, seed temperature and gas flow rates in an apparatus employing hot solid granules of KBr as a charge bed for vapor generation and flowing argon as the transport medium. Results obtained are discussed on the basis of deposition rates measured, photomicrography of seed faces after deposition of solid KBr, and some results of x-ray topography, both of the seed face and of deposited layers.
Ionization of carbonic acid in sodium chloride solutions at 25°C

The stoichiometric pK1* and pK2* for the ionization of carbonic acid has been determined from emf measurements in NaCl soluions to 6.0m at 25°C. Our results at low concentrations are in good agreement with the results of Harned and Bonner, of Dyrssen and Hansson and of Roy et al. The calculated values of pK1* using Pitzer's equations agree with the measured values to ±0.01 pK units provided higher order terms are used. It was necessary to use a triplet interaction parameter (ψ) and higher order electrostatic terms (Eθ) to calculate reliable values of pK2* (±0.03 pK units) over the entire concentration range. These results demonstrate the reliability of the Pitzer equations to estimate activity coefficients in concentrated salt solutions.
Actuation and Charging Characteristics of Ionic Liquid-Ionic Polymer Transducers

Ionic polymer transducers (IPTs) are soft sensors and actuators which operate through a coupling of micro-scale chemical, electrical, and mechanical interactions. The use of an ionic liquid as solvent for an IPT has been shown to dramatically increase transducer lifetime in free-air use, while also allowing for higher applied voltages without electrolysis. In this work we model charge transport in an ionic liquid IPT by considering both the cation and anion of the ionic liquid as mobile charge carriers, a phenomenon which is unique to ionic liquid IPTs compared to their water-based counterparts. The electrochemical behavior of the large ionic liquid ions is described by use of a modified Nernst-Planck equation which accounts for steric effects in double layer packing. The method of matched asymptotic expansions is applied to solve the resulting system of equations, and analytical expressions are derived for the nonlinear charge transferred and capacitance of the IPT as a function of the applied voltage. The boundary layer ionic concentration and charge density profiles and the leading order dynamics are also computed for the ionic liquid IPT. A simple equivalent circuit model is constructed in order to facilitate a comparison with experimental results. The implications of these model results in regards to actuation and charging performance characteristics of ionic liquid IPTs are noted.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
The maximum voltage, current and power ratings of junction transistors

The paper discusses the properties of a junction transistor which determine the limits of the three basic ratings, namely the maximum collector voltage, collector current and power dissipation, and describes methods of measurement. The effects of the limitations on the various circuit configurations are also discussed.The maximum value of both the direct and alternating voltages that may be applied to a transistor are dependent upon the variation of the characteristics with voltage. The most important of these factors are surface leakage, avalanche multiplication and collector/ emitter punch-through. The last is an absolute limitation whereas the first two result in a variation of the current gain and output impedance. The effects of these variations are very dependent upon the circuit arrangement and the possible parameter tolerances. The collector leakage current can also result in thermal instability. In general the important value of the leakage current, from the circuit-performance aspect, is that at high temperature. However, to simplify measuring and for life considerations, a low-temperature test may be more suitable.The maximum current rating is normally determined by the decrease in current gain at high emitter currents. Again this limitation is dependent upon the circuit arrangement and it is not possible to set an absolute limit. For linear-amplifier applications the variation of current gain with emitter current should be low, whereas, in switching applications, only the gain at high current is of importance.The power dissipation rating of a transistor is basically determined by the effect of a high internal temperature on its life. However, a convenient method of expressing the rating, as a function of ambient temperature, is by means of a maximum junction temperature and a thermal resistance. Since the total thermal resistance is dependent upon the mounting arrangements, the user must consider both the electrical and thermal properties of any transistor circuit. The transient power rating of a transistor is also of importance in many switching circuits.
Structure of the C-Terminal Region of an ERG Channel and Functional Implications for Long-QT Syndrome

The human EAG-related gene (hERG) encodes a potassium selective ion channel that is crucial for repolarization of the cardiac action potential. Genetic mutations in this channel cause type II long-QT syndrome, a potentially lethal cardiac arrhythmia. In their cytoplasmic carboxy-terminal region, hERG channels contain a cyclic nucleotide-binding homology domain (CNBHD) coupled to the pore of the channel by a C-linker. Here we report the crystal structure of the C-linker/CNBHD of mosquito ERG channels at 2.5 A resolution. The structure revealed that, similar to the related ether-a-go-go (EAG) and EAG-like (ELK) channels, the region forming the cyclic nucleotide-binding pocket in cyclic nucleotide-binding proteins has a negatively charged electrostatic profile and is occupied by a short β-strand in ERG channels. These features explain the lack of direct regulation of ERG channels by cyclic nucleotides. We found that mutations in the region corresponding to the β-strand speed up hERG channel deactivation. The β-strand also harbors genetically occurring mutations associated with long-QT syndrome. The ERG structure revealed a drastically different orientation of the C-linker compared to the structures of the related ELK and hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-modulated (HCN) channels. The different C-linker orientations suggest a high level of intrinsic flexibility of the C-linker region in CNBHD containing ion channels. Future studies will determine if the C-linker is flexible only in the isolated C-linker/CNBHDs or also in the intact channels.
Effect of cycloheximide and kinetin on yield, integrity and metabolic activity of oat leaf protoplasts

Abstract The yield of protoplasts from cellulase-treated peeled oat leaf segments is increased if the leaves have previously been floated on cycloheximide (CH), rather than on water. The optimal CH level is 0.5 to 1.0 μg/ml. No effects are produced by pre-incubation times less than 6 h, and the optimal pretreatment time is about 18 h. Protoplasts from CH-pretreated leaves are more resistant to spontaneous lysis, and are more active in incorporating labeled l -leucine, uridine and thymidine into trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-insoluble materials than are protoplasts from leaves floated on water. Kinetin (Kn) acts like CH in almost all respects.
Redeeming Communities: Restorative Offender Reentry in a Risk-Centric Society

Released prisoners present problems for communities to manage. The fed- eral government's prisoner reentry initiative funded states (beginning in 2001 and again in 2008) to develop reentry projects. Vermont utilized its existing municipal community justice apparatus to create reentry programs which involve community members in providing support for returning offenders. Using qualitative data analy- sis, this paper examines the extent to which the Vermont programs embody Bazemore and Maruna's (2009) concept of "restorative reentry." Specifically, this paper explores the dual missions of restorative justice and reintegration. In conclusion, the context of a risk-centric society is explored as creating special complications for reintegration processes.
Kinestatic analysis of multifingered hands

This paper is concerned with the handling of any object by an articulated multifingered hand. By handling we mean the secure grasp of a general object plus the manipulation of this object by the fingers without motion of the arm on which the hand is mounted. Hypothetical joints are used to express the freedom at the contact of the object with each fingertip. A pair of matrices are introduced that relate the small motions of the joints to the relative displacement of the object and the fingertips and that are derived using reciprocal screws. This analysis permits not only the determination of the necessary conditions for a secure handling of the object but also the investigation of the special configurations that may occur. In the case of a grasp with point contact with friction, a very important result is derived that leads to a considerable sim plification in the analysis of these matrices. It is further shown that there exists a particular point, called the center of the grasp, at which the direction of...
Integrating nondestructive inspections with autonomic logistics and structural health monitoring strategies for aeronautic systems

In recent years, there has been much activity concerning health management of aviation systems. Many government- and industry-based research projects/programs are focused on integrated vehicle health management strategies that include sensor development for automated or manual fault detection, diagnostics, prognostics to define remaining useful life, as well as mitigation plans for continued safe operation during a fault. The overall objectives for such activities include increased safety as well as efficient and economic operation of an aircraft fleet. Currently, to assess structural faults, visual inspections and/or nondestructive inspection techniques are utilized as a required routine for certain design and life management strategies. The inspections are manually involved and are carried out during aircraft downtime (e.g. on the runway or nightly hangar maintenance) or during a more extensive aircraft overhaul. Even with the potential of automated structural health monitoring within an integrated vehi...
Seasonal Infestations of Two Stem Borers (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in Noncrop Grasses of Gulf Coast Rice Agroecosystems

ABSTRACT Infestations of two stem borers, Eoreuma loftini (Dyar) and Diatraea saccharalis (F.) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), were compared in noncrop grasses adjacent to rice (Oryza sativa L.) fields. Three farms in the Texas rice Gulf Coast production area were surveyed every 6–8 wk between 2007 and 2009 using quadrat sampling along transects. Although D. saccharalis densities were relatively low, E. loftini average densities ranged from 0.3 to 5.7 immatures per m2 throughout the 2-yr period. Early annual grasses including ryegrass, Lolium spp., and brome, Bromus spp., were infested during the spring, whereas the perennial johnsongrass, Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers., and Vasey's grass, Paspalum urvillei Steud., were infested throughout the year. Johnsongrass was the most prevalent host (41–78% relative abundance), but Vasey's grass (13–40% relative abundance) harbored as much as 62% of the recovered E. loftini immatures (during the winter). Young rice in newly planted fields did not host stem borers before Ju...
Engaging young students in scientific investigations: prompting for meaningful reflection

This study examined the verbal prompts a tutor used to promote reflection and young students’ responses to these prompts. Seven children (ages 8–12) participated in 260 min of one-on-one tutoring to learn scientific concepts related to gear movement; the tutor spontaneously provided these students with 763 prompts for reflection. Prompts reliably induced reflection: Students responded verbally 87% of the time. Turn-by-turn discourse analysis revealed seven distinct types of prompts and 11 distinct types of verbal responses. High-level prompts were strongly associated with high-level responses. A log-multiplicative association model with two dimensions (temporality and certainty) represented the relationships between prompt and response types; from this model, odds ratios estimated the strength of association between specific pairs of prompt and response types. Findings are discussed in terms of the effects that reflection may have on students’ developing understanding of scientific concepts.
Benthic egg masses and larval development of Amblyosyllis speciosa (Polychaeta : Syllidae)

Eggs of the syllid polychaete Atnblyosyllis speciosa are deposited in benthic gelatinous masses. Embryos and larvae develop within these masses until about three weeks after fertilization, after which they crawl or swim away and metamorphose. Only one other syllid, the Mediterranean Syllides edentula, has been reported to form benthic egg masses.While some syllid polychaetes spawn gametes freely into the water column where they are fertilized and develop without additional parental care, most species protect developing embryos in some fashion. Four modes of brood protection have been reported in the syllids. Protection of embryos within the ventral brood chamber of a planktonic adult is characteristic of members of the subfamily Autolytinae, and of some members of the Eusyllinae (Garwood, 1991). Physical attachment of embryos to the body of the maternal parent (external gestation) occurs in all members of the Exogoninae and in a few eusyllines (Heacox & Schroeder, 1978; Garwood, 1991). Viviparity is less common, having been reported in a few species in the subfamily Syllinae (Schroeder & Hermans, 1975; Ben-Eliahu, 1975) and in one exogonine (Pocklington & Hutcheson, 1983). Finally, the formation of benthic egg masses has been described in only one species, the eusylline Syllides edentula Claparede (Cognetti-Varriale, 1971).In this study the benthic egg masses and development of another eusylline, Amblyosyllis speciosa Izuka, 1912, are described. In December 1995, at the Friday Harbor Laboratories (FHL), Washington, USA, five adult worms were found on a bivalve shell heavily infested with the boring sponge Cliona sp. Additional specimens and egg masses were collected in June 1996 and April-June 1997 from encrusting sponges on the FHL breakwater.
On the interpretation of test sensitivity in the two-test two-population problem: assumptions matter.

Bayesian analyses of diagnostic test accuracy often require the assumption of constant test accuracy among populations to ensure model identifiability. In a prior study (Toft, N., Jorgensen, E., Hojsgaard, S., 2005. Diagnosing diagnostic tests: evaluating the assumptions underlying the estimation of sensitivity and specificity in the absence of a gold standard. Prev. Vet. Med. 68, 19-33), the sensitivity estimate from a two-test two-population model was shown to be weighted toward the population with the higher prevalence of infection. In the present study, we provided analytical formulae that give insight into the effect of assuming constant sensitivity when this assumption was false. To further investigate the effect of failure of the assumption of constant sensitivity, we also simulated several data sets under the assumption that the first test's sensitivity varied in the two populations. Bayesian conditional independence models that presumed constant sensitivities were implemented in WinBUGS and posterior estimates (mean and 95% probability intervals) were evaluated based on the known true values of the parameters. Findings from the Bayesian analyses of several scenarios indicated that the posterior mean was a good estimate of the weighted mean of the sensitivities in the two populations, when one test was perfectly specific. When neither test was perfectly specific, the Bayesian posterior mean for test 1 sensitivity was either greater than the larger of the two true sensitivities, or smaller than both, and estimates of prevalence and the second test's specificity were incorrect. The implication is that estimates of some parameters will be biased if test sensitivities are not constant across populations. Without a perfectly specific test, and if the assumption of constant sensitivity fails, the only solution we are aware of would involve incorporating prior information on at least two parameters.
The Basle Mission Trading Company and British Colonial Policy in the Gold Coast, 1918–1928

In February 1918 the Gold Coast Government, on orders from the British Colonial Office, seized the holdings of the Basle Mission Trading Company, a Swiss-based firm suspected of promoting pro-German sentiment and actions within the Colony. As a result of the growing sentiment towards trusteeship and the continuing resistance to non-British activities in the Gold Coast, the properties of the company were entrusted to the Commonwealth Trust Ltd, a British firm created for this purpose. The firm was committed to providing a portion of its profits to promoting philanthropic activities among the indigenous populations. The resources of the Trading Company, valued at £558,017 in the Gold Coast and £254,383 in India, were transferred to the Commonwealth Trust at no expense whatever to the latter.For a decade the Swiss Government protested against the confiscation of the Company as a violation of the rights of a neutral nation. In the same years the Commonwealth Trust encountered such financial difficulties that it was unable to supply any support at all for its philanthropic commitments.By 1928 continuing international pressure, including a Swiss threat to submit their claim for arbitration before the League of Nations, led the British to restore the properties to the Trading Company owners, compensating them with £250,000 for losses suffered during the decade. The Commonwealth Trust was also reimbursed for the surrender of the properties, bringing the total cost of the restoration to £305,000.The irony of the entire episode is that the total cost of the resolution was assigned to the Gold Coast colonial treasury, absorbing one-fourth of the total Gold Coast reserve fund. Gold Coast Council members protested that the original decision and its reversal were made by the British Government, and their consequences ought not to become burdens on the Gold Coast. Such protests were unavailing. Thus the project undertaken on the principle of trusteeship resulted in no benefit whatsoever to the indigenous population; rather the colony paid dearly for the privilege of being the object of trusteeship policy.
In Situ Peptide-MHC-II Tetramer Staining of Antigen-Specific CD4+ T Cells in Tissues

The invention of peptide-MHC-tetramer technology to label antigen-specific T cells has led to an enhanced understanding of T lymphocyte biology. Here we describe the development of an in situ pMHC-II tetramer staining method to visualize antigen-specific CD4+ T cells in tissues. This method complements other methods developed that similarly use MHC class II reagents to stain antigen-specific CD4+ T cells in situ. In this study, we used group A streptococcus (GAS) expressing a surrogate peptide (2W) to inoculate C57BL/6 mice, and used fresh nasal-associated lymphoid tissues (NALT) in optimizing the in situ staining of 2W:I-Ab specific CD4+ T cells. The results showed 2W:I-Ab tetramer-binding CD4+ T cells in GAS-2W but not GAS infected mice. This method holds promise to be broadly applicable to study the localization, abundance, and phenotype of antigen-specific CD4+ T cells in undisrupted tissues.
AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF CONTROLLER EXPERIENCE ON CONFLICT DETECTION ABILITY UNDER FREE FLIGHT

The progression towards the implementation of Free Flight has raised concerns over lapses in a controller’s ability to detect the presence of conflicts amongst multiple aircraft pairs. These concerns have been supported through numerous empirical studies. An issue that has not received much attention is the impact of controller experience on conflict detection ability under Free flight. In the present study, fourteen controllers performed a conflict detection task. Variables manipulated included experience level and traffic load and controller performance was assessed using response time and accuracy as measures. Results from the study surprisingly suggest that controllers with more experience take longer to ascertain conflict likelihood under free flight conditions compared to their novice counterparts, even when the age factor is accounted for. We attribute the presence of the effect to the greater reliance on conventional cues, such as a route structure, and postulate that the absence of such cues produce the observed effects. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Characterizing the spatial-frequency sensitivity of perceptual templates

Filtered external noise has been an important tool in characterizing the spatial-frequency sensitivity of perceptual templates. Typically, low-pass- and/or high-pass-filtered external noise is added to the signal stimulus. Thresholds, the signal energy necessary to maintain given criterion performance levels, are measured as functions of the spatial-frequency passband of the external noise. An observer model is postulated to segregate the impact of the external noise and the internal noise. The spatial-frequency sensitivity of the perceptual template is determined by the relative impact exerted by external noise in each frequency band. The perceptual template model (PTM) is a general observer model that provides an excellent account of human performance in white external noise [Vision Res.38, 1183 (1998); J. Opt. Soc. Am. A16, 764 (1999)]. We further develop the PTM for filtered external noise and apply it to derive the spatial-frequency sensitivity of perceptual templates.
Movement choremes: Bridging cognitive understanding and formal characterizations of movement patterns

This article discusses an approach to characterizing movement patterns (paths/trajectories) of individual agents that allows for relating aspects of cognitive conceptualization of movement patterns with formal spatial characterizations. To this end, we adopt a perspective of characterizing movement patterns on the basis of perceptual and conceptual invariants that we term movement choremes (MCs). MCs are formally grounded by behaviorally validating qualitative spatio-temporal calculi. Relating perceptual and cognitive aspects of space and formal theories of spatial information has shown promise to foster understanding of the semantics of movement patterns. Specifically, we discuss our approach in relation to existing qualitative formalisms such as the region connection calculus and the Egenhofer’s intersection formalisms. We show that the MC approach is compatible with these approaches but offers additional opportunities to improve the cognitive adequacy of these formalisms. We summarize this paper using a movement taxonomy that also provides guidance for future research.
Mechanics of lung ventilation in a post-metamorphic salamander, Ambystoma Tigrinum.

The mechanics of lung ventilation in frogs and aquatic salamanders has been well characterized, whereas lung ventilation in terrestrial-phase (post-metamorphic) salamanders has received little attention. We used electromyography (EMG), X-ray videography, standard videography and buccal and body cavity pressure measurements to characterize the ventilation mechanics of adult (post-metamorphic) tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum). Three results emerged: (i) under terrestrial conditions or when floating at the surface of the water, adult A. tigrinum breathed through their nares using a two-stroke buccal pump; (ii) in addition to this narial two-stroke pump, adult tiger salamanders also gulped air in through their mouths using a modified two-stroke buccal pump when in an aquatic environment; and (iii) exhalation in adult tiger salamanders is active during aquatic gulping breaths, whereas exhalation appears to be passive during terrestrial breathing at rest. Active exhalation in aquatic breaths is indicated by an increase in body cavity pressure during exhalation and associated EMG activity in the lateral hypaxial musculature, particularly the M. transversus abdominis. In terrestrial breathing, no EMG activity in the lateral hypaxial muscles is generally present, and body cavity pressure decreases during exhalation. In aquatic breaths, tidal volume is larger than in terrestrial breaths, and breathing frequency is much lower (approximately 1 breath 10 min(−)(1)versus 4–6 breaths min(−)(1)). The use of hypaxial muscles to power active exhalation in the aquatic environment may result from the need for more complete exhalation and larger tidal volumes when breathing infrequently. This hypothesis is supported by previous findings that terrestrial frogs ventilate their lungs with small tidal volumes and exhale passively, whereas aquatic frogs and salamanders use large tidal volumes and and exhale actively.
Unmet demand for highly effective postpartum contraception in Texas

Objectives We aimed to assess women's contraceptive preferences and use in the first 6 months after delivery. The postpartum period represents a key opportunity for women to learn about and obtain effective contraception, especially since 50% of unintended pregnancies to parous women occur within 2 years of a previous birth.
Judicial Independence, Judicial Accountability and Interbranch Relations

In this paper I argue that the main cause of the poisonous state of interbranch relations involving the federal judiciary, as of the frequent and strident attacks on courts, federal and state, are strategies calculated to persuade the public that courts are part of ordinary politics and thus that judges are policy agents to be held accountable as such. Although unremarkable in the sense that a breakdown in norms of interdependency is a defining characteristic of contemporary politics, I regard the current situation involving the federal judiciary as remarkably dangerous because of the possibility that a tipping point of no return to the traditional equilibrium in interbranch relations may be reached. That prospect is suggested by the insight that our "tradition of judicial independence" has depended critically on the public's support of the courts irrespective of the decisions they make ("diffuse support"), and by research that provides reason to fear that the distinction between diffuse support and support depending on those decisions ("specific support") will disappear, leading people to ask of the judiciary only "what have you done for me lately?" I then turn to how, in the conduct of interbranch relations, the judiciary should respond to the impulses and incentives, both legitimate and illegitimate, that have brought us to this unhappy point. I conclude that successful interbranch relations requires the institutional judiciary to avoid the attitudes and techniques of contemporary politics, but not to avoid politics, and that the main challenge in that regard is to avoid the perception that the federal judiciary is just another interest group. Finally, using the writings and career of the late Richard Arnold to exemplify what is needed in the politics of judging as well as the politics of the judiciary, I argue for judges to provide leadership in a return to norms of custom, dialogue and statesmanship in interbranch relations. In order to do so, more federal judges will need to follow Arnold's example in recognizing that a presidential commission does not confer moral superiority, that judicial accountability, properly conceived, is essential for judicial independence, and that both "posterity worship" (the attempt to control the future) and institutional aggrandizement are inimical to the long-term interests of the federal courts and the federal judiciary.
Labeling of curvilinear structure across scales by token grouping

An algorithm for labeling curvilinear structure at multiple scales in line drawings and edge images is presented. Symbolic curve-element tokens residing in a spatially indexed and scale-indexed data structure denote circular arcs fit to image data. Tokens are computed via a small-to-large scale grouping procedure using a greedy best-first strategy for choosing the support of new tokens. The resulting image description is rich and redundant in that a given segment of image contour may be described by multiple tokens at different scales, and by more than one token at any given scale. This property facilitates selection and characterization of portions of the image based on curve-element attributes. >
Adaptive output feedback for nonlinear feedforward systems with multiple state and input delays via dynamic high-gain scaling

A general class of nonlinear systems containing multiple delays in both state and input is considered and an output-feedback control design is proposed. The class of systems considered consists of a nominal system of feedforward form as well as appended uncertain dynamics. Both state and input delays are allowed to be time-varying and uncertain. Both delayed and undelayed versions of the input signal are allowed to enter into the system. The robust adaptive control design is designed based on our recent results on dual dynamic high-gain scaling based control designs for feedforward systems. The control implementation is delay-independent and does not require knowledge of the time delays or any magnitude bounds thereof; the only information about the time delays that is required is a bound on the rate of variation of time delays.