cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Revenge of Gagliardi on Utilitarianism

Pasquale Gagliardi’s essay presents ideas of immeasurable importance to ongoing debates about interpretivism and its role in organization studies. In particular, I celebrate his paradoxical rendering of the utilitarian and the gratuitous, which reveals his always aesthetic sensitivities as well as describing some of the ways that paradigms interact. Gagliardi’s choice of the term gratuitous, I suggest, is an application of Rorty’s method of redescription, an intriguing strategy for paradigmatic interaction in its own right. In the end, however, I complain that Gagliardi may go too far when he employs one of the tactics he describes (disguising gratuitousness as useful) to produce a typology of gratuitous things. Ironic or not, typologies frighten me.
The low-energy onset of CS2 biexponential fluorescence decays

Abstract Bioexponential fluorescence decays, which are characteristic of the T 1A2 and V 1B2 states of CS2, are here also observed for the lower-lying R state. They first appear when the (1, 6, 0) vibrational level at T0 = 28 635 cm−1 is excited and are initially due to the multiple excitations that accompany band congestion and line overlap. Decays from the (0, 9, 0) level at T0 = 28 816 cm−1 and all higher vibrational levels are bi- or multiexponential. Their longer-lived components apparently arise from the direct excitation of brightened background levels that lie adjacent to R state ones.
The subnuclear distribution of 5-HT3 receptors in the human nucleus of the solitary tract and other structures of the caudal medulla

Abstract The distribution of 5-HT 3 receptors was examined in the human medulla using [ 3 H]LY278584, a highly selective 5-HT 3 receptor antagonist. The highest density of 5-HT 3 receptors was found in the substantia gelatinosus subnucleus of nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) throughout its rostrocaudal extent, followed by the dorsal subnucleus, the area postrema (AP), the commissural sub nucleus, the medial subnucleus, and in an arc correspondingto the gelatinosus of the spinal trigeminal nucleus (nSp5). The distribution of 5-HT 3 receptors in the brain may help explain some of the reported CNS activities of 5-HT 3 -selective drugs. The anti-emetic and antinociceptive activities of 5-HT 3 antagonists may be mediated by receptors in sensory areas of the brainstem.
Scanning in medicine and other fields

Besides conventional imaging methods using optics, electrooptics, and X-rays, a number of unconventional methods have been developed over the past 80 years. Although the medical applications have received great publicity recently, the others have received very little because they have been widely spread in geography and time. All I can do is make two “sections” through all of this material and show that, in the sense of this meeting, they intersect in medicine.
Mathematics in primary school: Some pedagogical and didactical aspects of CAI

If computers are introduced in mathematics education in primary school, didactical and pedagogical aspects have to be considered. In some cases computers can be a helpful tool to develop skills and concepts, but in other cases it would be much better to go on without computers. Some examples of useful and useless CAI are brought together, with suggestions on how to create an appropriate classroom environment.
Federal Management: Pathological Problems and Simple Cures

Like all of their recent predecessors, senior officials of the Reagan administration have spoken both frequently and with enthusiasm of their intention to save large amounts of taxpayers' money while making the federal government more responsive and dramatically increasing agency productivity. All of this is to be done by shaping up the federal bureaucracy. The main activity which has emerged so far has been to implement a hiring freeze, to reduce the size of the federal bureaucracy through firings and furloughs, and to advocate a barely specified form of cabinet governance. While these actions may save money in the short run, they will not improve the actual functioning of the federal bureaucracy. Indeed, ideas emerging from presidential appointees frequently tend to be irrelevant for one simple reason: most secretaries, assistant secretaries and even deputy assistant secretaries know very little about federal bureaucracy when they come to Washington and subsequently spend a remarkably small portion of their time learning about it—a fact that in itself is one of the major obstacles to improving the management of the federal government. Few secretaries, assistant secretaries and deputy assistant secretaries in any administration can resist the call of endless meetings with their counterparts from the states, other federal agencies or the big interest groups. Even more compelling for them is the siren call of travel to Paris, Peoria, and sundry places east and west to spread both enlightenment and the gospel of their administration and to revel in the attention automatically granted many visiting federal officials.
Sex and perceptions of dependency in a helping situation

Male subjects were placed in a situation where they could help by diverting electric shock to themselves which could go to a confederate. Subjects helped female confederates significantly more often than male. Ratings by the subjects of the confederates seemed to follow cultural role prescriptions. They rated females as significantly weaker and more dependent. They rated males as more competitive, aggressive, and braver than females.
Interaction of Nickel Deposits with Catalytic Metals on CoMo/Al2O3 Hydrodemetalation Catalysts

Abstract The structures of nickel deposits on sulfided CoMo/Al2O3 hydrodemetallation catalyst surface were characterized by using scanning transmission electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy techniques to study the interaction between the deposits and catalytic components. The deposits were found in crystallite form of nickel sulfide (Ni7S6) on the catalyst surface. Within the crystallites cobalt is uniformly distributed. Molybdenum is only partially associated with the nickel deposits as a segregated surface layer of molybdenum sulfide (MoS2). For crystallites smaller than about 15 nm, the extent of segregation decreases. About 75% of the molybdenum is not directly associated with nickel deposits. Extensive cover-up of molybdenum by nickel deposits was not observed, and is not the main reason of catalyst deactivation. It was found that nickel deposits migrated towards cobalt sites even though molybdenum sites were the active sites for the hydrodemetallation reaction. Structure affinity favored the formation of solid solution between cobalt and nickel sulfides, which was the driving force for the association between nickel and cobalt on the catalyst surface. Microscopic characterization showed that deposition of nickel sulfide on the catalyst surface enhanced the mobility of the catalytic components MoS2. Coalescence of MoS2 leads to significant reduction of accessible molybdenum sulfide sites, and is the main reason for the deactivation of hydrodemetallation catalyst.
Detection and classification of mines via discriminant features and borrowed strength

In this paper we introduce a method for detecting landmines from remotely sensed data. Our primary goal is to minimize the number of false negatives, while keeping the number of false positive very low.We concentrate on two different phases of the processing: detection and classification. We construct a feature based detector which utilizes some basic signal processing techniques to produce a detection map which has very few false negatives, and quite a few false positives. The detection phase of this paper concentrates on a background equalized matched filter, along with some measures of symmetry. After the detection phase we will construct a classifier for the problem which concentrates on estimating the density distributions of the pixel values. We will show that a variation of 'Borrowed Strength' as introduced by Priebe, significantly improves the classification process. This classification technique will reduce the number of false positives, without significantly increasing the number of false negatives. The procedure is demonstrated on passive multispectral mine data generously provided by the NSWC Dahlgren Division. Coastal Systems Station, Panama City, Florida. In conclusion, we propose a method for improving the performance of this type of classification. We believe that the proposed method shows a great deal of promise, and will be of use in many situations.
Crystalline fraction I protein: preparation in large yield.

Abolut 1 milligram of twice-recrystallized fraction I protein of constant specific ribulose diphosphate carboxylase activity per gram of leaves (fresh weight) has been obtained from each of seven different species of Nicotiana and 14 reciprocal, interspecific F1 hybrids. Crystals are produced from honmogenates that have only been centrifuged to remove particulate matter.
Emission cross section and quantum efficiency for the 1.55-um laser transition in Er3+-doped sodium Beta"-alumina crystal

The polarized emission cross section and quantum efficiency for the 1.55 micrometers laser transition (4I13/2 yields 4I15/2) in Er:SBA single crystal have been investigated through a spectroscopic approach based on a Judd-Ofelt analysis and a polarized fluorescence measurement. The effect of crystal orientation on the emission cross section has been studied. It has been found that the (pi) -polarized orientation has a cross section of about 3 times larger than the (sigma) -polarized counterpart. The total emission cross section for the transition of interest is 1.1 X 10-20 cm2 at 77 K and 7.5 X 10-21 cm2 at room temperature, respectively. Fluorescence decay measurements suggest that a nearly 100% quantum efficiency is possible for this laser line in an Er:SBA system.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Using semi-definite programming for multi-constrained H 2 controller design in active noise and vibration control

We consider the practical design of linear controllers to meet a given set ofH2 specifications. TheQ-parametrization reduces the problem to a quadratic minimization subject to multiple quadratic constraints, which we solve using semi-definite programming (SDP) methods. Each SDP iteration requires calculating a primal and dual search direction and minimizing the cost function along the plane defined by these search directions. The primal direction requires solving a least squares problem whose normal equation matrix is composed of a block-Toeplitz portion plus other structured matrices. We make use of Kronecker products and FFT's to greatly reduce the calculation. The dual search direction and plane search are accelerated by low-rank representations of the SDP structured matrices. As an example, we design controllers which explore the optimal tradeoff between in-band residual and out-of-band enhancement of acoustic radiation from a (mathematically modeled) submerged spherical shell, while simultaneously constraining two sensitivity measures. For this example we show that significant reduction in out-of-band enhancement is possible with only minor in-band penalties.
Determinants for success in online learning communities

Online learning communities offer learners social networks to effectively and easily acquire and share knowledge among themselves. As such, this study postulates that self-governance is a motivating force for enabling online learning communities. This paper seeks to develop a research framework of the determinants that identify the motivating forces required to build online learning communities. Self-governance can be measured in terms of self-efficacy, perceived behavioural control and personal outcome expectations regarding human-technology interactions. The pedagogical implications of this study are discussed and the future research directions are suggested as well.
High-Precision Measurement of Proton-Proton Polarization Between 10 and 20 MeV

The $p\ensuremath{-}p$ polarization asymmetry has been measured at 9.6-, 15.6-, and 19.7-MeV laboratory energy with accuracy down to \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.003. The interpretation of our results requires a significant spin-orbit term in the interaction.
Insights from the use of Shannon's codes in adaptive multicast transmission protocols

The methods we present for the evaluation of protocols for adaptive channel coding in multicast packet radio systems require considerably less computation than traditional simulations. Shannon capacity limits and Markov models for fading channels are employed to provide analytical results for a number of performance measures.
Workspace characteristics, behavioral interferences, and screening ability as joint predictors of employee reactions: An examination of the intensification approach

This study explored the joint moderating (i.e. intensifying) effect of two central workspace characteristics (i.e. number of people and number of enclosures) on the relationships between behavioral interferences and affective responses among individuals with high and low ability to screen. One hundred and fifty-two clerical employees from a large university participated in the study. The results suggest that individual reactions to behavioral interferences at work (i.e. work fatigue and psychosomatic complaints) are intensified by the joint presence of few enclosures and high number of people in the setting; however, this intensification effect appears to hold primarily among individuals with low screening ability. Thus, the joint moderating effect of workspace characteristics itself appears to be buffered (i.e. moderated) by personal ability to screen. Implications of the results and suggestions for future research are discussed.
The pediatric burn unit: a profit center

Abstract Background Establishment of a pediatric burn center represents a major commitment of resources. The impact of a Pediatric Burn Unit on the finances of a children's hospital has never been reported and was the purpose of this study. Methods Burn registry data for patients discharged from our Pediatric Burn Unit from 2000 to 2002 were integrated with financial and administrative data. Reimbursement was determined by calculating expected payments for each patient. The relationship between percent total body surface area (TBSA) burned and profit/loss margin was evaluated using regression analysis. Results During the study period, 264 pediatric burn patients were admitted to our burn service. One hundred forty-three (54%) had less than 10% TBSA burned, and their average loss margin was −$179.03 per patient. The 121 patients (46%) who had greater than 10% TBSA burned had an average profit margin of +$349.68 per patient ( P = .22, SE+ 605.03) Patients treated operatively (49; 18%) had a profit margin of +$2237.77 per patient, whereas patients treated nonoperatively (215; 81%) had a profit margin of −$432.30 per patient ( P = .0007, SE +249.65) The overall profit margin was +$63.88 per patient. Conclusions Our pediatric burn service covered all hospital fixed costs and made a small profit. Pediatric burn care can be a profit center for children's hospitals. Investment in a Pediatric Burn Program provides adequate financial return for the hospital.
Kinematics of prestack partial migration in variable velocity media

I present in thii paper an algorithm to construct the PSPM operator in variable velocity media aa a potentially efficient alternative to full prestack migration. The PSPM impulse response is computed using raytracing by considering the PSPM process ss the combination of full prestack migration followed by sero-offset modeling. The generalieed impulse response can be applied to the data ss an integral operator. The kinematics of the proposed PSPM operator and those of the constant velocity PSPM differ in some cases, such as in preeence of a low velocity layer; in other cases when velocity increses with depth, there is much similarity in the shapes of the two operators.
The tethered satellite electrodynamics experiment project

NASA and Italy's PSN have undertaken the Tethered Satellite Electrodynamics Experiment, in which two tethered bodies will be equipped with data-collecting scientific instruments, as the first stage of the development of the Tethered Satellite System that can be deployed by the Space Shuttle. The experiment will give attention to the electromagnetic interaction between the satellite/tether/orbiter system and the ambient space plasma, and should demonstrate the operation of both satellite- and Shuttle-borne electrodynamic instruments with a conductive tether.
Directional analysis of the storm surge from hurricane sandy 2012, with applications to Charleston, New Orleans, and the Philippines

Hurricane Sandy in late October 2012 drove before it a storm surge that rose to 4.28 meters above mean lower low water at The Battery in lower Manhattan, and flooded the Hugh L. Carey automobile tunnel between Brooklyn and The Battery. This study examines the surge event in New York Harbor using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) atmospheric model and the Coupled-Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave- Sediment Transport / Regional Ocean Modeling System (COAWST/ROMS). We present a new technique using directional analysis to calculate and display maps of a coastline's potential for storm surge; these maps are constructed from wind fields blowing from eight fixed compass directions. This analysis approximates the surge observed during Hurricane Sandy. The directional analysis is then applied to surge events at Charleston, South Carolina, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Tacloban City, the Philippines. Emergency managers could use these directional maps to prepare their cities for an approaching storm, on planning horizons from days to years.
Convergence of Productivity: An Analysis of the Catch-up Hypothesis within a Panel of States

In this article, we estimate the growth and relative levels of agricultural productivity for the forty-eight contiguous states for the period 1960-99. For the full 1960-99 period, every state exhibits a positive and generally substantial average annual rate of TFP growth. There is considerable variance however. The median rate of TFP growth was 1.71 % per year, while average growth rates ranged from 0.73% for Oklahoma to 2.59% for Michigan. The wide disparity in growth rates resulted in substantial changes in the rank order of states. For each year, we compute the coeffecient of variation of productivity levels for all forty-eight states. We use these coefficients to show that the range of levels of TFP has narrowed somewhat over time. The fact that some states grew faster than others and yet the cross-section dispersion decreased implies that the states that grew most rapidly were those with lower initial levels of productivity, a finding consistent with technological catch up. Those states that were particularly far behind the technology leaders had the most to gain from the diffusion of technical information and proceeded to grow most rapidly. Finally, we observe a positive and statistically significant relation between productivity growth and growth of the capital-labor ratio, implying embodiment of technology in capital.
Vanadate, tungstate and molybdate activate rod outer segment phosphodiesterase in the dark

Anionic activation of rod outer segment phosphodiesterase by vanadate, molybdate and tungstate is demonstrated. Comparisons are made to adenylate cyclase, which is known to be activated by vanadate and molybdate but not by tungstate. In view of the differences in anionic activation between these two important enzymatic regulators of intracellular cyclic nucleotide metabolism, it is possible that tungstate can be used as a selective probe for the effects of phosphodiesterase activity in photoreceptors and other cells. The known electrophysiological stimulation of Limulus photoreceptors by these anions is also interpreted in light of our results. If anionic production of quantum bumps in Limulus photoreceptors is mediated by changes in cyclic nucleotides, then the electrophysiological response of Limulus photoreceptors to tungstate may indicate a role for phosphodiesterase rather than adenylate cyclase in mediating light-induced cyclic nucleotide alterations in this cell.
PPase, ATPase, and photophosphorylation in chromatophores of Rhodospirillum rubrum: inactivation by phospholipase A; reconstitution by phospholipids.

Abstract The chromatophore-bound adenosine triphosphatase and inorganic pyrophosphatase of Rhodospirillum rubrum are inactivated by treatment with phospholipase A. Parallel to the inactivation of these enzymes, the ability of the chromatophores to catalyze photophosphorylation of ADP and the ATP-Pi exchange reaction is lost. The loss of the enzymatic activities involved in the energy-conversion system of the chromatophores is due to the removal of phospholipids from the membranes; reconstitution is effected by rebinding of phospholipids. It could be demonstrated that the coupling of electron flow to the synthesis of ATP requires more than an active ATPase.
Online Resources for Introducing Bioethics through Case-Studies and Active Learning.

Comparative review of: Bioethics 101 https://www.nwabr.org/sites/default/files/NWABR_Bioethics_101_5.13.pdf and Exploring Bioethics https://www.nwabr.org/teacher-center/bioethics-101#overview .
Inactivation of coupled respiration of mitochondria by inorganic arsenate and partial restoration by ATP.

Abstract Incubation of rat liver mitochondria with inorganic arsenate and β-hydroxybutyrate followed by centrifugation and washing with 0.25 M sucrose produced nearly complete uncoupling of respiration with succinate ( ADP O = 0 ) but somewhat less with β-hydroxybutyrate or glutamate ( ADP O = 0.9–1.6 ). The ability of the Asi-treated mitochondria to form a respiration-dependent arsenic containing substance (As-X) was also reduced by 60–90%. These several effects were not observed when phosphate replaced arsenate nor when arsenate and phosphate or arsenate plus KCN were included in the initial incubation system. ATP and deoxy-ATP partially restored the coupling activity of the Asi-treated mitochondria; CTP, GTP and their deoxy derivatives and ITP were inactive. These results are not consistent with an arsenolytic action of Asi and suggest that one or more components of coupling sites II and III are inactivated by conditions favorable for As-X formation.
Retiring computer pioneer

In retrospect, it is obvious that Charles Babbage, when writing these words, had Howard Aiken in mind. In July 1961, twenty-four years after conceiving the idea that led to Mark I and after over a quarter century of service to Harvard University and to the advancement of science, Howard Aiken became Professor of Applied Mathematics, Emeritus, and embarked on his present career as a consultant with the same boundless energy and imagination that gave momentum to one of the most revolutionary and important technological advances of this century.
RESOURCES AND IDENTITY VERIFICATION FROM AN IDENTITY THEORY PERSPECTIVE

The authors examine how personal, interpersonal, and structural resources are used in interaction to facilitate social actors' goal of self-verification. As the control of resources fosters self-ve...
Colchicine myopathy in a patient with familial Mediterranean fever and normal renal function.

Introduction Patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) routinely take large daily doses of colchicine to both prevent and abort acute attacks (1,2) and to reduce the risk of developing amyloidosis (3). Unfortunately, colchicine can also cause a number of toxic side effects, including neuromyopathy. Almost all cases of colchicine neuromyopathy previously described have been associated with renal insufficiency (4). We report the first case of biopsy-confirmed myopathy due to chronic colchicine administration in an adult with FMF and normal renal function.
Essential Type II Cryoglobulinemia in a 22-Year-Old African-American Female

Cryoglobulins are either immunoglobulins or a mixture of immunoglobulins and complement components that precipitate out of a patient’s plasma or serum at temperatures below 37°C. In rare cases, immunoglobulins do not precipitate, but form a gel upon cooling. Cryoglobulinemia, or the presence of cryoglobulins in a patient’s serum, is of 3 types. Type I cryoglobulinemia is characterized by the presence of an isolated monoclonal immunoglobulin. Types II and III are termed mixed cryoglobulinemia and are associated with monoclonal and polyclonal, or polyclonal immunoglobulins, respectively. The authors present an unusual case of essential (idiopathic) type II cryoglobulinemia in a 22-year-old African-American female who presented with hyperviscosity syndrome and whose serum formed a gel upon cooling.
Modifying the stomach contents of laboring women: why and how; success and risks.

: Studies of gastric emptying time in laboring women show that delay occurs rarely, except after administration of drugs. In addition to narcotic analgesics, which cause marked delay, other drugs can also delay stomach emptying or provoke aspiration of vomitus, or aggravate its deleterious effects, including muscle relaxants, which abolish the protective cough reflex, and oxytocin in combination with large intravenous loads, which may contribute to pulmonary edema. Fasting may result in lower gastric volume within three to four hours, after which both volume and acidity of gastric juices increase. Emptying the stomach before general anesthesia by means of a nasogastric tube or giving apomorphine to induce vomiting succeeds only if done immediately before induction of anesthesia. Women prefer apomorphine, but it relaxes the gastroesophageal sphincter, making gastric reflux easier. Metoclopramide as an antiemetic has unreliable effects. Antacids can produce chalky particulate matter that is more harmful than clear fluid if aspirated. Other medications used to reduce gastric volume or raise pH have delayed action or deleterious side effects. We conclude that present approaches to preventing aspiration ofvomitus lack efficacy and entail unnecessary risks.
Combining surgery and chemotherapy for invasive bladder cancer: current and future directions

More than 13,000 patients died from invasive bladder cancer in 2005 alone. Radical cystectomy is the most commonly prescribed treatment for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer, or for those with a nonmuscle-invasive disease that is refractory to intravesical therapy. Despite advances in surgical technique and improved understanding of the role of pelvic lymphadenectomy, 5-year survival probabilities suggest that improvements in treatment are necessary. The maturation of several randomized clinical trials on perioperative chemotherapy, and particularly neoadjuvant chemotherapy, clearly suggest that an integrated treatment program of systemic chemotherapy and definitive locoregional therapy may improve the outcome for bladder cancer patients. The next frontier is the molecular characterization of this spectrum of diseases that make up invasive bladder cancer and targeted therapeutics. Prospective validation of molecular markers and evaluation of novel therapeutic agents, alone or in combination with established cytotoxic agents, provide hope of better outcomes for bladder cancer patients.
Community-Engagement Strategies of the Developmental Disabilities Practice-based Research Network (DD-PBRN)

There is often a rich but untold history of events that occur and relationships that form before a practice-based research network (PBRN) is launched. This is particularly the case in PBRNs that are community based and comprise partnerships outside of the health care system. In this article we summarize an organizational "prenatal history" before the birth of a PBRN devoted to people with developmental disabilities. Using a case study approach, this article describes the historic events that preceded and fostered the evolution of this PBRN and contrasts how the processes leading to the creation of this multistakeholder, community-based PBRN differ from those of typical academic/clinical practice PBRNs. We propose potential advantages and complexities inherent to this newest iteration of PBRNs.
Ageing memory and glassiness of a driven vortex system

Many systems in nature—glasses1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11, interfaces12 and fractures13 being some examples—cannot equilibrate with their environment, which gives rise to novel and surprising behaviour such as memory effects, ageing and nonlinear dynamics. Unlike their equilibrated counterparts, the dynamics of out-of-equilibrium systems is generally too complex to be captured by simple macroscopic laws1. Here we investigate a system that straddles the boundary between glass and crystal: a Bragg glass14,15, formed by vortices in a superconductor. We find that the response to an applied force evolves according to a stretched exponential, with the exponent reflecting the deviation from equilibrium. After the force is removed, the system ages with time and its subsequent response time scales linearly with its ‘age’ (simple ageing), meaning that older systems are slower than younger ones. We show that simple ageing can occur naturally in the presence of sufficient quenched disorder. Moreover, the hierarchical distribution of timescales, arising when chunks of loose vortices cannot move before trapped ones become dislodged, leads to a stretched-exponential response.
A Study of Aqueous Colloidal Sulphur in the Control of Eimeria Tenella in the Fowl

Abstract PRIOR to the work of Tyzzer (1927), Johnson (1938), Levine (1938), and others, all coccidia infecting the domestic fowl were classified as Eimeria avium. Seven species of coccidia now have been identified. They are: Eimeria tenella, Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria mitis, Eimeria praecox, Eimeria maxima, Eimeria necatrix, and Eimeria hagani. Of these seven species Eimeria tenella is of the greatest economic importance, usually attacking brooder house chicks between the ages of 3 and 10 weeks. Before 1920 little was known of the control of coccidiosis, except through limitation of infection. The past two decades have witnessed many reported preventive and curative measures. In the absence of controlled experimental data, the reported “cures” may be attributed largely to a sub-fatal dose or to the careful nursing attention given infected broods during the attack. Beach and Corl (1925) tested a large number of medicinal agents and found them to be of little value . . .
Not All Students Learn to Read by Third Grade Middle School Students Speak Out About Their Reading Disabilities

Twenty middle school students with reading-related learning disabilities were interviewed on two occasions to better understand their perceptions about (a) their reading ability, (b) procedures used to assist with reading instruction and the extent to which they were perceived as useful, (c) purposes for involvement in explicit reading instruction, and (d) reading instruction that might improve their reading ability. Findings revealed that despite considerable past challenges in learning to read, all of the students indicated willingness to learn to read and recognized the importance of reading to later successes in getting and keeping a job. Many stated that there was something wrong with them and that is why they had difficulty. Also, the students did not mind participating in what might be perceived as elementary or basic work in reading if it would lead to better reading skills for them. They expressed concern that they would be embarrassed if friends recognized that they were learning to read.
Batch fabrication and assembly of micromotor-driven mechanisms with multi-level linkages

The development of a new technology for the wafer-level fabrication and assembly of fully integrated mechanisms is reported. It is based on a boron-doped bulk silicon dissolved wafer process that has been used to fabricate a variety of micromechanical devices. The overall process consists of three wafers, two silicon and one glass. The first silicon wafer is processed to create all the major mechanical elements, including gears and micromotors. The second is processed to create mechanical linkages between them. These wafers are successively aligned and bonded to a glass wafer, and then dissolved in ethylenediamine pyrocatechol (EDP) to free the mechanisms. This procedure permits wafer-level batch assembly of micromechanical systems. A number of 5-10- mu m-thick bulk silicon electrostatic micromotors and gear trains have been fabricated and linked to each other on the same chip. Tests show that this is a viable technology that allows mechanical power to be coupled between various micromechanical devices. >
Simulation of energy harvesting from roads via pyroelectricity

Power harvesting is the process of extracting useful electrical energy from ambient low grade energy sources such as solar energy, mechanical energy, and thermal energy using smart materials as transducers. These materials have the ability to convert one form of energy into another. This paper aims at thermal-electrical energy converters based on a pyroelectric effect for energy harvesting, and examines its possible use in ultralow power devices and sensor modules. The present work investigates theoretically the energy harvesting capacity of pyroelectric samples fabricated in our laboratory and commercially available pyroelectric elements/transducers by capturing thermal energy of pavements. The single- and polycrystalline elements: triglycine selenate; lithium tantalate; modified lead zirconate titanate; modified lead titanate; modified lead metaniobate; and pyroelectric polymer nanocomposites such as Portland cement; nanocarbon fibers; polymer-lithium tantalate embedded with silver nanoparticles; and others were characterized for applicable performance parameters. The modeling and numerical simulation of energy harvesting capacity of these samples with the available pavement's temperature-profile data over an extended period of time were investigated. The results indicate that the electrical energy harvesting via pyroelectricity is a feasible technique for powering autonomous low-duty electric devices.Based on our analysis of a single electric-energy harvesting unit, the triglycine selenate elements shall perform better than others with regard to the amount of voltage and energy densities extracted with respect to time. Possible future work and concepts of developing promising multidomain energy harvesters or hybrid harvesters are also briefly discussed.
Properties of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus recA and its contribution to intracellular gene conversion

Summary The Acinetobacter calcoaceticus pcaJ and catJ genes, nearly identical in DNA sequence, differ in transcriptional control and are separated by more than 20 kb of chromosomal DNA. The pcaJ3125 mutation is repaired frequently in organisms containing the wild-type catJ gene. This high-frequency repair is eliminated in strains iacking the catJ gene, which suggests that recombination between the homologous catJ and pcaJ genes contributes to the high-frequency repair of the pcaJ3125 mutation. We report here that the high-frequency repair also requires a functional recA gene. The A. calcoaceticus recA gene was cloned in Escherichia coli by complementation of a recA mutation in the host strain. The nucleotide sequence of a 1506bp DNA fragment containing A. calcoaceticus recA was determined. The amino acid sequences of RecA from E. coli and A. calcoaceticus shared 71% identity. The DNA sequences differed in that a consensus binding site for binding of LexA repressor, represented upstream from recA in E. coli, is not evident in the corresponding region of the A. calcoaceticus DNA sequence. A Tn5 insertion was introduced into the A. calcoaceticus recA gene. Selection for Tn5-encoded kanamycin resistance allowed the inactivated recA gene to be recombined by natural transformation into the A. calcoaceticus chromosome. Strains that had acquired the mutant gene were sensitive to both MMS and u.v. light, were deficient in natural transformation, and failed to carry out catJ-dependent high-frequency repair of the pcaJ3125 mutation.
SEASONAL REASSEMBLY OF A RIVER FOOD WEB: FLOODS, DROUGHTS, AND IMPACTS OF FISH

Eighteen years of field observations and five summer field experiments in a coastal California river suggest that hydrologic regimes influence algal blooms and the impacts of fish on algae, cyanobacteria, invertebrates, and small vertebrates. In this Mediterranean climate, rainy winters precede the biologically active summer low-flow season. Cladophora glomerata, the filamentous green alga that dominates primary producer biomass during summer, reaches peak biomass during late spring or early summer. Cladophora blooms are larger if floods during the preceding winter attained or exceeded “bankfull discharge” (sufficient to mobilize much of the river bed, estimated at 120 m3/s). In 9 out of 12 summers preceded by large bed-scouring floods, the average peak height of attached Cladophora turfs equaled or exceeded 50 cm. In five out of six years when flows remained below bankfull, Cladophora biomass peaked at lower levels. Flood effects on algae were partially mediated through impacts on consumers in food webs....
Transmit/receive isolation and ERP measurements of the AMRFC testbed

High transmit/receive (Tx/Rx) isolation of phased-array systems on board future US Navy ships is critical to preserving the performance of these systems. The advanced multifunction radio frequency (AMRFC) Testbed is a one-of-a-kind phased-array system that was evaluated to determine the level of Tx/Rx isolation for certain scan angles. The effective-radiated power (ERP) of the AMRFC Tx array was also evaluated to verify the emission characteristics under certain conditions. The preliminary results of evaluating the Tx/Rx isolation and ERP are discussed in this paper.
Improving Writing Through the Marketing Curriculum: A Longitudinal Study

An objectively scored assessment of basic writing skills was used systematically in several courses throughout the marketing curriculum at a private university. Results indicate that repeated testing on editing skills with feedback will lead to repeated improvements in skills and that these skills tend to be recalled for substantial periods of time. Furthermore, the objectively scored instrument was found to correlate significantly with actual writing performance. Despite the success with this method, barriers remain to wider adoption.
Critical coupling and its control in optical waveguide-ring resonator systems

The coupling of optical waveguides to ring resonators holds the promise of a new generation of switches (modulators) which employ orders of magnitude smaller switching (modulation) voltages (or control intensities). This requires a means for voltage (or intensity) control of the coupling between the waveguide and the resonator. Schemes for achieving such control are discussed.
Barnacles resist removal by crack trapping

We study the mechanics of pull-off of a barnacle adhering to a thin elastic layer which is bonded to a rigid substrate. We address the case of barnacles having acorn shell geometry and hard, calcarious base plates. Pull-off is initiated by the propagation of an interface edge crack between the base plate and the layer. We compute the energy release rate of this crack as it grows along the interface using a finite element method. We also develop an approximate analytical model to interpret our numerical results and to give a closed-form expression for the energy release rate. Our result shows that the resistance of barnacles to interfacial failure arises from a crack-trapping mechanism.
RC interconnect synthesis—a moment fitting approach

Presently, delays due to the physical interconnect between logic gates account for large portions of the overall path delays. For this reason, synthesis of the logic gate fanout structure is of paramount importance during performance optimization. This paper presents a methodology for on-chip RC interconnect synthesis. Moment sensitivities are used to vary the wire widths of the branches in an RC interconnect tree to achieve performance targets. In this paper, signal slopes and delays at critical fanout nodes are the targets, and the impact on total metal area is considered. An O(MN2) procedure for computing the exact moment sensitivities in an RC tree is described.
Complicated grief and deficits in emotional expressive flexibility.

There is growing evidence that deficits in emotion regulation may be at the heart of maladaptive reactions after bereavement. Expressive flexibility, or the ability to flexibly enhance or suppress emotional expression, appears to be especially important for adjustment in the aftermath of highly aversive events (Bonanno, Papa, Lalande, Westphal, & Coifman, 2004). In this study, we compared expressive flexibility in a sample of bereaved adults who lost their spouse 1.5–3 years earlier and a comparable sample of married adults. Approximately half of the bereaved adults had Complicated Grief (CG) and half were asymptomatic. Using a within-subjects design, we asked all participants to either enhance or suppress their expressions of emotion or to behave normally while viewing evocative pictures at a computer screen. Observer ratings of expressiveness made blind to condition showed no group differences in overall emotion. However, bereaved adults suffering from CG exhibited deficits in expressive flexibility. Specifically, the CG group was less able to enhance and less able to suppress emotional expression relative to asymptomatic bereaved and married adults.
Hydro-ionothermal syntheses, crystal structures, and properties of five new divalent metal iminophosphonates.

The use of a moderately hydrophobic ionic liquid, 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BdMIM][BF4]), as a cosolvent with water, has been investigated in the synthesis of metal phosphonates. This hydro-ionothermal synthesis has been carried out through a systematic combinatorial investigation of several divalent metal chlorides and two related ligands, iminobis(methylphosphonic acid) and N-methyliminiobis(methylphosphonic acid). These reactions resulted in five new divalent metal phosphonates. We present here the synthetic techniques utilized as well as the X-ray structures and characteristic properties of each of these compounds. Co(HO3PCH2NH2CH2PO3H)2, (1), consists of sheets that are hydrogen bonded together by pairs of P–O⋯H groups. Co(H2O)2(HO3PCH2NH2CH2PO3H)2, (2), consists of chains that are connected through an extensive network of hydrogen bonds. Co(HO3PCH2NH(CH3)CH2PO3H)2, (3), is made up of sheets that are hydrogen bonded together by pairing P–O⋯H interactions. Zn3(O3PCH2NH2CH2PO3)2, (4), is isostructural to a previously reported cobalt compound which is a non-porous 3-dimensional network. CuClPO3CH2NH2CH3, (5), formed as a result of an in situ N–C bond cleavage. Ladders built of Cu–O–P–O 8-membered rings are crosslinked by bridging chloride atoms to form sheets. 1, 3, 4 and 5 have been synthesized using the hydrophobic ionic liquid 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BdMIM][BF4]) with water as a cosolvent, while 2 has been synthesized from identical conditions in the absence of the [BdMIM][BF4]. We also report the microwave assisted hydro-ionothermal synthesis of the known polymorph of 2, Co(H2O)2(HO3PCH2NH2CH2PO3H)2, (6), synthesized in two hours providing high quality crystals in good yield. The compounds have been characterized by thermogravimetric analysis and IR spectroscopy, and their magnetic properties have been investigated.
Understanding Younger and Older Adults’ Needs for Home Organization Support

Home organization is a common problem for people of all ages. Possible consequences of not being organized at home include loss of time and money; decreased task efficiency and focus; and increased strain on interpersonal relationships. However, there is little empirical research on people’s specific needs for home organization across the lifespan. Participants (10 younger adults, 10 older adults) completed questionnaires and participated in semi-structured interviews investigating their needs for and factors impacting home organization. Home organization was important to participants, yet a majority of them were not fully satisfied with it. Younger and older adults reported various spaces they considered most and least organized in their homes. Both age groups reported that the number of items in a space, the plan for organizing the items, and having a place for all of the items contributed to a space being organized versus not organized. Design considerations for a support system or tool based on these findings are discussed.
Sensitivity of Building Loss Estimates to Major Uncertain Variables

This paper examines the question of which sources of uncertainty most strongly affect the repair cost of a building in a future earthquake. Uncertainties examined here include spectral acceleration, ground-motion details, mass, damping, structural force-deformation behavior, building-component fragility, contractor costs, and the contractor's overhead and profit. We measure the variation (or swing) of the repair cost when each basic input variable except one is taken at its median value, and the remaining variable is taken at its 10th and at its 90th percentile. We perform this study using a 1960s highrise nonductile reinforced-concrete moment-frame building. Repair costs are estimated using the assembly-based vulnerability (ABV) method. We find that the top three contributors to uncertainty are assembly capacity (the structural response at which a component exceeds some damage state), shaking intensity (measured here in terms of damped elastic spectral acceleration, Sa), and details of the ground motion with a given Sa.
Ultraviolet Absorption of Insulators. III. fcc Alkali Halides

The optical spectra of the alkali halides are divided into interband scattering and exciton structure. The scattering or direct-transition structure is shown to be similar to that of the zincblende crystals studied in earlier papers of this series. On this basis the band structure $E(k)$ is deduced empirically from the spectra for [100] and [111] axes in $k$ space. The results for the valence bands agree well with Howland's calculations for KCl. The exciton structure is shown to contain extra peaks which overlap the scattering continuum. These are called metastable excitons in contrast to the conventional halogen doublet. It is shown that there is an intimate connection between the scattering and exciton spectra; the latter can only be explained in terms of the former. It is conjectured that the extra excitons are metastable because of self-trapping.
Self-Stabilizing Master-Slave Token Circulation and Efficient Topology Computation in a Tree of Arbitrary Size

Self-stabilizing algorithms represent an extension of distributed algorithms in which nodes of the network have neither coordination, synchronization, nor initialization. We consider the model introduced by Lee et al. where there is one designated master node and all other nodes are anonymous and as simple as possible. We provide here a master-slave algorithm that achieves token circulation in a tree, and using that, enables the master node to compute the topology of the tree. We show that the complexity of the algorithm is at most 2n rounds O(n$^2$) steps, and the space complexity at the slave nodes is almost constant in the sense that storage needed collectively at all n slave nodes is 2n bits.
On Sampling the Envelope of a Bandlimited Signal

For x(t) a generalized bandpass signal, either deterministic or zero-mean, wide sense stationary Gaussian, bandlimited to the frequency region characterized by 0 ??0 - ?/2 ?|?|? ?0 +?/2 ? ? with positive frequency bandwidth ? > 0, it is shown that the squared envelope of x(t) is lowpass and bandlimited to |?| ??. This contrasts with earlier results which gave the bandwidth of the squared envelope as 2?. One consequence of the lower bandwidth is that the squared envelope (and thus the nonnegative envelope itself) can be reconstructed from its samples taken at a rate of ?/w samples/s.