cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Achmed the dead terrorist and humor in popular geopolitics

The critical geopolitics literature has engaged popular culture and media in many forms, usually focused on mass media or elite-produced niche media. The issue of humor as a form of popular culture with geopolitical content has been explored only recently by geographers. This paper utilizes disposition theory, with its emphasis on social context, to link humor and geopolitical analyses of humor. The analysis of two Jeff Dunham comedy skits centering on the character Achmed the Dead Terrorist demonstrates the utility of disposition theory as a construct to situate humor in the context of its original production and as a fluid, global phenomenon that is shared through various social networks via the Internet.
The Relationship of Motivation and Learning Strategies to Classroom Performance among College Students enrolled in Food and Nutrition Courses

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME : To document students' motivation and use of learning strategies in basic food and human nutrition programs, and examine potential relationships with course performance. After signing informed consent agreements, volunteer students (n=44) in basic food or nutrition courses completed the Motivated Learning Strategies Questionnaire. Using SAS and an alpha of 0.01, significant Pearson's Correlation Coefficients were calculated between intrinsic motivation and the following: students' perception of the value of the learning task (r=.55), metacognition (r=.5), and students' use of time (r=.54). Correlations between task value and metacognition, students' effort, and use of rehearsal and elaboration learning strategies were r=0.48, 0.51, 0.55 and 0.58 respectively. Correlations between students' effort and metacognition, time management and sense of self-efficacy were r=0.73, 0.71 and 0.48. Also identified were significant inverse correlations between students' fear of tests and their sense of self-efficacy (r=-.50), and testfear and the amount of effort expended to master learning (r=-.40). Multiple regression analysis using the SAS Stepwise procedure revealed that a 3 predictor variable model including metacognition, peer help and seeking help from the instructor explained 51.6% of the variance in scores of the first course exam (F=14.22, probability=0.0001). A four predictor variable model including students' effort expended, sense of self-control and task value, and peer help-seeking behaviors (F=9.91, probability=0.0001) explained 50.4% of the variance in Test #2. Educators need to consider how cognitive and affective differences in learning processes might affect curriculum and instruction.
Harmonic wave numbers, rotational distortion constants, and thermodynamic properties for partially deuterated and tritiated molecules of the type XYZ2 (X = N, P, or As; Y, Z = H, D, or T)

Abstract Using a harmonic potential energy function, the harmonic wave numbers for partially deuterated and tritiated molecules of the type XYZ 2 ( X = N, P, or As; Y , Z = H, D, or T) have been calculated by the Wilson FG matrix method. The rotational distortion constants for all these molecules also have been calculated on the basis of the first-order perturbation theory of Kivelson and Wilson. Further, with the calculated wave numbers, the molar thermodynamic properties have been obtained for 12 temperatures between 100 and 1000°K for the ideal gaseous state at one atmosphere pressure and for a rigid-rotor, harmonic-oscillator approximation.
Quantitative model for the time development of diffusion-limited oxidation profiles

We combine diffusion and kinetic expressions with chemical/mechanical property relationships to develop a complete, quantitative model with no arbitrarily adjustable parameters for the time development of diffusion-limited oxidation profiles. Excellent agreement between experimental and theoretical modulus profiles for two materials (a nitrile and a neoprene) confirms our understanding of diffusion-limited oxidation and its time and temperature dependencies. The simple assumption of no time dependencies in any of the model parameters is adequate for predictions relevant to elastomer service lifetimes.
Galactose Metabolism in a Patient with Hereditary Galactokinase Deficiency

. The ability of a galactokinase deficient patient to metabolize galactose, galactitol and galactonate was quantitated. In galactokinase deficiency, conversion of galactose to CO2 is minimal. Apparently the defect is extensive, involving all tissues. Galactitol and galactonate, injected intravenously, were not metabolized. The administration of C-1 and C-2 labelled galactose resulted in 14CO2 excretory patterns similar to that observed in uridyltransferase deficient mutants. The different fates of C-1 and C-2 observed in this galactokinase deficient patient give support to the existence of a direct oxidative pathway for galactose. Galactonate, although present in urine during the period of observation following injection of radioactive galactose failed to become labelled.
ON BEING A CHILD CUSTODY EVALUATOR: PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL CHALLENGES, RISKS, AND REWARDS

Conducting child custody evaluations is one of the most complex, challenging, and sometimes risky professional endeavors that a mental health professional can perform. This article examines the professional and personal challenges which may be encountered by the evaluator. In addition to discussing the role requirements and need to maintain awareness of bias and countertransference, challenges such as coping with state board or ethics complaints and possible risks to personal safety are also addressed. Suggestions for risk management and coping with the demands of these assessments are offered, as well as the benefits and rewards of engaging in this important work.
IMMUNE ACTIVITY IN TEMPERATE AND TROPICAL HOUSE SPARROWS: A COMMON-GARDEN EXPERIMENT

We hypothesized that Neotropical passerines would invest more in costly immune function relative to north-temperate passerines, due to differences in their respective life histories. We further hypothesized that latitudinal variation in immune activity would persist in common-garden conditions. To test these hypotheses, we compared immune function, measured via phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced wing-web swelling in both wild House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) and House Sparrows kept under common-garden conditions for 18 months. We found that wild Neotropical sparrows had relatively stable immune responses across the year, whereas wild north-temperate sparrows showed sub- stantial seasonal variation in immune activity, having lower responses than Neotropical birds during the early breeding season and significantly higher responses than Neotropical birds during the late and nonbreeding seasons. Latitudinal differences in immune responses were not related to mass, sex, or body condition, but were influenced by mass change 24 hours after immune challenge. Under common-garden conditions, birds from both popu- lations first decreased (after five months) and then increased (after 18 months) their non- breeding immune responses relative to wild values, indicating condition dependence in the PHA response. Relative differences in the PHA response between the populations, however, were maintained in captivity: after 18 months in common gardens, north-temperate sparrows exhibited stronger nonbreeding immune responses than Neotropical sparrows.
Securing wireless networks using unique device and link characteristics

We explore the use of unique device characteristics that we call fingerprints, and unique wireless link characteristics that we call link signatures, for enhancing wireless network security. Our fingerprinting research complements the traditional password and certificate methods for authenticating and identifying devices. Specifically, we show how the clock skew of an access point can be used as its fingerprint to detect unauthorized access points in wireless local area networks quickly and accurately.
Esterolytic activity of imidazole‐containing polymers. Hydrophobic influences in copoly[1‐alkyl‐4‐ or 5‐vinylimidazole/4(5)‐vinylimidazole]‐catalyzed hydrolysis of 3‐nitro‐4‐acyloxybenzoic acids

Water-soluble copolymers containing imidazole and N-alkylated imidazole pendant groups have been synthesized in order to investigate the hydrophobic interactions between polymeric catalysts and long alkyl chain ester substrates. Copoly[1-methyl-4-vinyl-imidazole/4(5)-vinylimidazole],copoly[1-methyl-5-vinylimidazole/4(5)-vinylimidazole], copoly[1-ethyl-5-vinylimidazole/4-(5)-vinyl-imidazole] and copoly[1-propyl-5-vinylimidazole/4(5)-vinylimidazole] were synthesized and their catalytic activity toward 3-nitro-4-acyloxybenzoic acid substrates (Sn−) was determined in 28.5% ethanol–water and in water and compared with that of the mixtures of homopolymers. Hydrophobic interactions were important for rate enhancement of the hydrolysis of long-chain ester substrates compared to that of short-chain ester substrates. The copolymers catalyzed the hydrolysis of 3-nitro-4-dodecanoyloxy-benzoic acid (S12−) about two times faster than the mixtures at pH 7.11 in 28.5% ethanol–water. The hydrolysis of S12− by the copolymers was about five times faster in water than 28.5% ethanol–water.
Measurement of infection control department performance: state of the science.

Background The Study of the Efficacy of Nosocomial Infection Control (SENIC) conducted in 1975-1976 is the gold standard for judging the resource needs of infection control departments; however, the scope of responsibilities of infection control and the patient populations served have changed dramatically over the last 30 years. Objectives The objective of this paper is to explore the state of the science for performance measurement of infection control departments. Methods A search of English language literature was conducted using the PubMed, Medline, and CINAHL databases. The terms "infection control" and "department" along with the words "performance," "measurement," "staffing," "effectiveness," and "requirements" were used to search for relevant articles. Reference lists of selected articles were also searched for other papers of interest. Results Twelve articles were deemed relevant to infection control department performance since the SENIC study. These fell into four main categories: time management studies, expert opinion, outcome studies, and reports about international infection control departments. Conclusion The SENIC study remains the most thorough assessment of the relationship between infection control department activities and patient outcomes. However, the scope of infection control practice has broadened, and the health care delivery system has changed dramatically since that study was performed. Few new studies have assessed infection control department performance and its relationship to patient outcomes, compliance with accepted standards of patient care, or cost of care. A current assessment of infection control department resources, functions and scope of responsibility linked to patient outcomes and cost is needed to give health care institutions a relevant benchmark for infection control resource needs and the return to be expected from that investment.
Culturally Sensitive Research Approaches: An African-American Perspective

This article contributes to discussions about culturally sensitive research approaches in qualitative research. The author argues that the use of culturally sensitive research approaches in research focusing on African Americans can use the cultural knowledge and experiences of researchers and their participants in the design of the research as well as in the collection and interpretation of data. The author presents a rationale for the use of culturally sensitive research approaches for African Americans, a theoretical framework for culturally sensitive research approaches, and a discussion of culturally sensitive research in practice. This article concludes by discussing some implications for teaching and practice in educational research.
The effect of restraining force on springback

Abstract In this paper, the effects or restraining force on springback are analyzed by following the stress-strain development across the sheet thickness for flanged channels, stretch-bent under planestrain conditions. An isotropic-kinematic hardening rule is assumed for the material, so that the elastic-plastic unloading behavior involved in forming procedures with complicated loading paths can be more accurately simulated. Good agreement is found between analytical and experimental results on simple springback, side-wall curls and their respective dependence on the in-plane restraining force. Furthermore, the significance of individual parameters on general springback phenomena is clearly identified.
OPTIMAL TRAJECTORY SYNTHESIS FOR TERRAIN-FOLLOWING FLIGHT

A methodology for optimal trajectory planning useful for the nap-of-the-Earth guidance of helicopters is presented. This approach employs an adjoint-control transformatio n together with a one-dimensional search scheme for generating the time-terrain masking optimal trajectories. The trajectory planning problem bears a striking resemblance to the classical Zermelo's problem in the calculus of variations. In addition to being useful for helicopter nap-of-the-Earth guidance, the trajectory planning solution is of interest in several other contexts, such as robotic vehicle guidance and terrain-following guidance for cruise missiles and aircraft. A distinguishing feature of the present research is that the terrain constraint and threat envelopes are incorporated into the vehicle equations of motion. Second-order necessary conditions for this problem are examined.
Identifying Geographic Markets for Travel Agencies

Despite low levels of profitability, the number of travel agencies in the United States is expected to grow by about 1000 agencies per year. In this highly competitive environment, the location of the travel agency is a critical factor to its success. This paper develops a model to help entrepreneurs select a geographic market to enter. Three demand-related variables population size, median income, and proportion of the population 65 years of age or older were found to influence the number of travel agencies in a geographical region. This model was used to identify areas that displayed unmet demand. These are the markets in which entry of a new travel agency may be most successful.
Rate-constrained data aggregation in power-limited multi-sink wireless sensor networks

We propose a cross-layer data-aggregation approach that maximizes the lifetime of wireless sensor networks with multiple sinks while ensuring the feasibility of the routing solution. The proposed approach accounts for the coupling effects between MACand network-layers to ensure the physical feasibility of the obtained solutions, and maximizes the network lifetime by avoiding nodes with critical energy resources. Using simulations, we demonstrate the impact of not including medium access contention constraints in the routing formulation on the physical feasibility of the routing solution. We also study the impact of several network parameters on the network lifetime.
Attributions, Coping and, Adjustment in Children with Cancer

Assessed the influence of children's attribution style, coping style, social compe-tence, parent coping, and demographic variables on the psychosocial adjustmentof 86 pediatric oncology patients. Utilizing hierarchical multiple regression pro-cedures, nearly one half of the variance in child depression was predicted bychildren's avoidance coping, depressive attributional style, and social compe-tence. Child anxiety was predicted by a depressive attributional style, avoidancecoping, and age at diagnosis. Child externalizing behavior was predicted by adepressive attributional style, parents' anxiety and SES. Implications for inter-ventions and future research are discussed.
Laser diagnostic studies of particulate contamination generated by etching plasmas

Using laser light scattering as an in-situ probe of particulate contamination, it has been shown that certain silicon etching plasmas can produce significant amounts of particulate contamination. In addition, using spatially resolved measurements, it has been shown that most particles are suspended at the sheath boundaries, a finding attributed to electrostatic charging. Further evidence for this unexpected result has been provided by simultaneous space and time measurements of laser light scattering with measurement of plasma negative ions. The parametric conditions favorable for particle formation and growth have been identified. Generation of particles is seen to be strongly affected by the choice of process feedgas, flow rate, pressure, and the presence and exposed area of the etch substrate. Comparison of light scattering measurements with negative ion laser-induced fluorescence measurements suggests the involvement of plasma negative ions in the formation of particulates. A mechanism for nucleation and growth, involving clustering of plasma negative ions and etch products, has been identified. >
Computational intelligence techniques: a study of scleroderma skin disease

This paper presents an analysis of microarray gene expression data from patients with and without scleroderma skin disease using computational intelligence and visual data mining techniques. Virtual reality spaces are used for providing unsupervised insight about the information content of the original set of genes describing the objects. These spaces are constructed by hybrid optimization algorithms based on a combination of Differential Evolution (DE) and Particle Swarm Optimization respectively, with deterministic Fletcher-Reeves optimization. A distributed-pipelined data mining algorithm composed of clustering and cross-validated rough sets analysis is applied in order to find subsets of relevant attributes with high classification capabilities. Finally, genetic programming (GP) is applied in order to find explicit analytic expressions for the characteristic functions of the scleroderma and the normal classes. The virtual reality spaces associated with the set of function arguments (genes) are also computed. Several small subsets of genes are discovered which are capable of classifying the data with complete accuracy. They represent genes potentially relevant to the understanding of the scleroderma disease.
Generalized haar DWT and transformations between decision trees and neural networks

The core contribution of this paper is a three-fold improvement of the Haar discrete wavelet transform (DWT). It is modified to efficiently transform a multiclass- (rather than numerical-) valued function over a multidimensional (rather than low dimensional) domain, or transform a multiclass-valued decision tree into another useful representation. We prove that this multidimensional, multiclass DWT uses dynamic programming to minimize (within its framework) the number of nontrivial wavelet coefficients needed to summarize a training set or decision tree. It is a spatially localized algorithm that takes linear time in the number of training samples, after a sort. Convergence of the DWT to benchmark training sets seems to degrade with rising dimension in this test of high dimensional wavelets, which have been seen as difficult to implement. This multiclass multidimensional DWT has tightly coupled applications from learning "dyadic" decision trees directly from training data, rebalancing or converting preexisting decision trees to fixed depth boolean or threshold neural networks (in effect parallelizing the evaluation of the trees), or learning rule/exception sets represented as a new form of tree called an "E-tree," which could greatly help interpretation/visualization of a dataset.
MAG UIDHIR ON PERFORMANCE

Christy Mag Uidhir has recently argued (a) that there is no in principle aesthetic difference between a live performance and a recording of that performance, and (b) that the proper aesthetic object is a type which is instantiated by the performance and potentially repeatable when recordings are played back. This paper considers several objections to (a) and finds them lacking. I then consider improvised music, a subject that Mag Uidhir explicitly brackets in his discussion. Improvisation reveals problems with (b), because the performance-event and the performance-type are distinct but equally proper aesthetic objects.
The Hydrogen Fuel Alternative

The cleanliness of hydrogen and the efficiency of fuel cells taken together offer an appealing alternative to fossil fuels. Implementing hydrogen-powered fuel cells on a significant scale, however, requires major advances in hydrogen production, storage, and use. Splitting water renewably offers the most plentiful and climate-friendly source of hydrogen and can be achieved through electrolytic, photochemical, or biological means. Whereas presently available hydride compounds cannot easily satisfy the competing requirements for on-board storage of hydrogen for transportation, nanoscience offers promising new approaches to this challenge. Fuel cells offer potentially efficient production of electricity for transportation and grid distribution, if cost and performance challenges of components can be overcome. Hydrogen offers a variety of routes for achieving a transition to a mix of renewable fuels.
Mobilization of CD34+ Progenitor Cells in Association with Decreased Proliferation in the Bone Marrow of Macaques after Administration of the Fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3 Ligand

Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (FLT3-L) is critical for the differentiation and self-renewal of CD34+ progenitor cells in primates and has been used therapeutically to mobilize progenitor and dendritic cells in vivo. However, little is known regarding the expansion of progenitor cells outside of peripheral blood, particularly in bone marrow (BM), where progenitor cells primarily reside. Evaluation of FLT3-L-mediated cell mobilization during lentivirus infections, where the numbers of CD34+ progenitor cells are reduced, is limited. We enumerated frequencies and absolute numbers of CD34+ progenitor cells in blood and BM of naive and SIV- or SHIV-infected macaques during and after the administration of FLT3-L. Flow cytometric analyses revealed that, while CD34+ cells increased in the circulation, no expansion was observed in BM. Furthermore, in the BM intracellular Ki67, a marker of cell proliferation, was downregulated in CD34+ progenitor cells but was upregulated significantly in the bulk cell population. Although the exact mechanism(s) remains unclear, these data suggest that CD34+ cell mobilization in blood was the result of cellular emigration from BM and not the proliferation of CD34+ cells already in the periphery. It is possible that the decreased progenitor cell proliferation observed in BM is evidence of a negative regulatory mechanism preventing hyperproliferation and development of neoplastic cells.
Hippocampal adaptive response following extensive neuronal loss in an inducible transgenic mouse model.

Neuronal loss is a common component of a variety of neurodegenerative disorders (including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease) and brain traumas (stroke, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injury). One brain region that commonly exhibits neuronal loss in several neurodegenerative disorders is the hippocampus, an area of the brain critical for the formation and retrieval of memories. Long-lasting and sometimes unrecoverable deficits caused by neuronal loss present a unique challenge for clinicians and for researchers who attempt to model these traumas in animals. Can these deficits be recovered, and if so, is the brain capable of regeneration following neuronal loss? To address this significant question, we utilized the innovative CaM/Tet-DTA mouse model that selectively induces neuronal ablation. We found that we are able to inflict a consistent and significant lesion to the hippocampus, resulting in hippocampally-dependent behavioral deficits and a long-lasting upregulation in neurogenesis, suggesting that this process might be a critical part of hippocampal recovery. In addition, we provide novel evidence of angiogenic and vasculature changes following hippocampal neuronal loss in CaM/Tet-DTA mice. We posit that angiogenesis may be an important factor that promotes neurogenic upregulation following hippocampal neuronal loss, and both factors, angiogenesis and neurogenesis, can contribute to the adaptive response of the brain for behavioral recovery.
Is Accounting an Academic Discipline

INTRODUCTION The question of whether accounting is an academic discipline transcends our usual concerns for the latest research or pedagogical twist or the ever-present tensions among our numerous clusters of interest. Indeed it speaks to the very essence of who we are and the stewardship we exercise in our domain. My analysis and answer are highly personal, and should be interpreted as simply my opinion. You may or may not agree. But the central point of the exercise is for each of us to ponder seriously this question and, in the process, take a proactive role in exercising stewardship in our own domain.
Affirmative Action and the Politics of Realignment

Over the past thirty years, the Democratic party has carried the mantle of racial liberalism. The party's endorsements of equal rights, fair housing laws and school busing have cost it the support of some whites, but these losses have been concentrated at the periphery of the party, among those least committed to its guiding principles or most unsympathetic to its efforts on behalf of racial equality. We argue that with the rise of affirmative action as the primary vehicle to advance racial equality, racial politics have become divisive in a new way, and that opposition to affirmative action now encompasses whites within the liberal core of the Democratic party. Contrasting traditional survey measures of affirmative action attitudes with an experimentallybased, unobtrusive measure of opposition to affirmative action, we show that racially liberal whites are reluctant to admit their anger over racial preferences when confronted with traditional survey questions in a telephone interview. When measured with an unobtrusive instrument, however, white opposition to affirmative action is found to be just as strong among liberals as conservatives, among Democrats as Republicans, and among those most committed to racial harmony and equality as among those least committed to such values. We argue that whites' anger over affirmative action stems less from a lack of concern with racial equality than from a commitment to individual achievement and self-reliance. Thus, while core constituents of the Democratic party are more opposed to affirmative action than has previously been recognized, the Democrats can draw strength from the enduring commitment of many whites to the goal of racial equality. With the rise of the civil rights movement in the 1950s, the issue of race moved to the centre stage in American politics. Police dogs lunging at peaceful demonstrators, the beating and gaoling of civil rights marchers, the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr - to recall only a handful of the searing memories of the struggle for civil rights - caught the attention of the country as a whole and
Localization of protein-protein interactions among three fluorescent proteins in a single living cell: three-color FRET microscopy

Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) methodology has been used for over 30 years to localize protein-protein interactions in living specimens. The cloning and modification of various visible fluorescent proteins (FPs) has generated a variety of new probes that can be used as FRET pairs to investigate the protein associations in living cells. However, the spectral cross-talk between FRET donor and acceptor channels has been a major limitation to FRET microscopy. Many investigators have developed different ways to eliminate the bleedthrough signals in the FRET channel for one donor and one acceptor. We developed a novel FRET microscopy method for studying interactions among three chromophores: three-color FRET microscopy. We generated a genetic construct that directly links the three FPs - monomeric teal FP (mTFP), Venus and tandem dimer Tomato (tdTomato), and demonstrated the occurrence of mutually dependent energy transfers among the three FPs. When expressed in cells and excited with the 458 nm laser line, the mTFP-Venus-tdTomato fusion proteins yielded parallel (mTFP to Venus and mTFP to tdTomato) and sequential (mTFP to Venus and then to tdTomato) energy transfer signals. To quantify the FRET signals in the three-FP system in a single living cell, we developed an algorithm to remove all the spectral cross-talk components and also to separate different FRET signals at a same emission channel using the laser scanning spectral imaging and linear unmixing techniques on the Zeiss510 META system. Our results were confirmed with fluorescence lifetime measurements and using acceptor photobleaching FRET microscopy.
Wittrock's Influence on Mathematics Education: Some Personal Comments.

Merlin C. Wittrock was a friend and colleague who influenced me and many other contemporary mathematics educators on how students learn. In this article I summarize my interactions with Merl beginning in 1965, and how over the following half-century he influenced my thinking on student learning for understanding and, in turn, on how to design instruction based on generative principles. I situate our initial discussions in terms of behaviorism, mathematical abilities, and mathematical problem solving. Based on Merl's ideas since first expressed in “A Generative Model of Mathematics Learning” in 1974, today it is clear that instruction should involve the stimulation of a student's store of relevant background experiences in relation to information to be learned, so they can construct meaning from it. Only by doing so can the use of such organized structures of previously acquired knowledge and experiences facilitate the understanding of new information.
Linear spatio-temporal characterization of a UV microscope objective for nonlinear imaging and spectroscopy by using two-dimensional spectral interferometry.

Summary Two-dimensional Fourier transform spectral interferometry is used to characterize the spatio-temporal aberrations of a UV microscope objective. The spatial and temporal profiles of a 420 nm, 38 fs pulse at the focus of a 0.32 NA UV objective are then deduced using a wave propagation code incorporating the measured aberrations.
Research directions in collaborative applications

The author's position is fourfold: (i) collaborative applications are important, (ii) there are several complex design and implementation issues that must be resolved before such applications can become useful and commonplace, (iii) several existing disciplines partly address these issues and therefore researchers in these fields should get involved in this area, and (iv) much remains to be done before one can address the issues adequately, mainly because existing solutions have not considered humans in the loop.
Macroscopic mechanistic modeling and optimization of a self-initiated high-temperature polymerization reactor

This paper presents a macroscopic mechanistic mathematical modeling and optimization study of a batch polymerization reactor in which self-initiated free-radical polymerization of n-butyl acrylate at 140 and 160°C takes place. The model is obtained using a comprehensive free-radical polymerization reaction mechanism. The rate constant of the monomer self-initiation is estimated from monomer conversion measurements. The model is validated using a different set of conversion measurements. The validation results show that the macroscopic mechanistic model is accurate enough for optimization of the self-initiated polymerization reactor to produce high quality acrylic resins. The model is then used to calculate an optimal batch-reactor temperature profile that yields an end-batch polymer product with desired properties (conversion and number-average molecular weight).
Controlled atmosphere-induced changes in pH and organic acid metabolism may affect color of stored strawberry fruit

Skin and flesh of ‘Selva’ strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) stored at 5°C in air or 2 kPa O2 became darker red and accumulated anthocyanin levels, but these changes were reduced in fruit stored in air 20 kPa CO2, 2 kPa O220 kPa CO2, 0.5 kPa O2,, and 0.5 kPa O220 kPa CO2 (balance N2 in all CA treatments). Increasing pH and decreasing titratable acidity in tissues during storage, especially in the internal tissues, were more marked in fruit stored in high CO2 atmospheres. Since pH affects color expression of the anthocyanin pigment, these changes may contribute to the observed changes in color. Combined citric and malic acid concentrations were higher in the external tissues (10.6 mg g 1 ) than internal tissues (5.5 mg g 1 ), and decreases in concentration of both acids were greater in fruit kept in high CO2 atmospheres. Succinic acid in fruit tissues was present in low concentrations, but usually increased in high CO2 atmospheres. © 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Development and Evaluation of a Bioenergetics Model for the Inland Silverside in Freshwater Systems

Abstract Consumption and respiration parameters were fit for inclusion in a bioenergetics model developed to predict the growth of the inland silverside Menidia beryllina. Although this model accurately predicted inland silverside growth through the initiation of spawning, it failed to predict the growth of reproductively active inland silversides. Model simulations provided initial evidence that a single model cannot predict the lifetime growth patterns of this species. Instead, a two-stage model is probably necessary to account for the physiological differences between the prespawning and active-spawning stages. In addition, the bioenergetics models of short-lived (life span, <2 years) fishes may need to include a better means for assessing the direct energy expenditure for reproduction.
Applications performance under OSF/1 AD and SUNMOS on Intel Paragon XP/S-15

On Paragon, two operating systems are available: (a) OSF/1 AD, and (b) SUNMOS. The chief drawbacks of OSF/1 AD are (a) OSF/1 AD takes about 8 MB of memory on each node of the Paragon, (b) messages can be sent only at a bandwidth of 30-35 MB per second compared to 200 MB per second peak advertised rate, (c) latencies are on the order of 100 microseconds using Intel NX calls under OSF1/ AD. All these drawbacks can be minimized by using SUNMOS. SUNMOS takes only 250 KB of memory on each node and can send messages at bandwidth of 170 MB per second with latencies of 70 microseconds. We have measured the performance of applications under OSF/1 AD and SUNMOS and found that under OSF/1 AD, performance does not scale as the number of nodes increases, whereas under SUNMOS it seems to scale because of higher communication bandwidth.
MobiQual: QoS-aware Load Shedding in Mobile CQ Systems

Freshness and accuracy are two key measures of quality of service (QoS) in location-based, mobile continual queries (CQs). However, it is often difficult to provide both fresh and accurate CQ results due to (a) limited resources in computing and communication and (b) fast-changing load conditions caused by continuous mobile node movement. Thus a key challenge for a mobile CQ system is: How do we achieve the highest possible quality of the query results, in both freshness and accuracy, with currently available resources under changing load conditions? In this paper, we formulate this problem as a load shedding one, and develop MobiQual - a QoS-aware framework for performing both update load shedding and query load shedding. The design of MobiQual highlights three important features. (1) Differentiated load shedding: Different amounts of query and update load shedding are applied to different groups of queries and mobile nodes, respectively. (2) Per-query QoS specifications: The overall freshness and accuracy of the query results are maximized with individualized QoS specifications. (3) Low-cost adaptation: MobiQual dynamically adapts, with a minimal overhead, to changing load conditions and available resources. We show that, through a careful combination of update and query load shedding, the MobiQual approach leads to much higher freshness and accuracy in the query results in all cases, compared to existing approaches.
Reliability Analysis of Aging in Joint Microstructures for Sn-Ag-Cu Solder Joints During Thermal Cycling

This study illustrates test results and comparative literature data on the influence of isothermal aging and thermal cycling associated with Sn-1.0Ag-0.5Cu (SAC105) and Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu (SAC305) ball grid array (BGA) solder joints on three board finishes (ImAg, ENIG, ENEPIG). The resulting degradation shows that the characteristic lifetimes for both SAC105 and SAC305 decrease in the order ENIG > ENEPIG > ImAg. SAC305, with a higher relative fraction of Ag3Sn IMC within the solder, performs better than SAC105. SEM and EDX analysis shows continuous growth of Cu-Sn intermetallic compounds (IMC) on SAC/ImAg systems and Cu-Ni-Sn IMC on SAC/ENIG/ENEPIG systems at board side solder joints, which eventually cause fatigue failures.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Finding the learning in biology students' use of Learning Management Systems

This study investigated how students used Learning Management Systems (LMS) to interact with each other, collaborate, and co-construct knowledge without mediation by the instructor. Results indicate that students successfully used the LMS to interact and, to a significant extent, collaborate with each other, but there was very little evidence of knowledge co-construction within the LMS. The results suggested that the ease and availability of face-to-face meetings as well as limitations with the technology were influencing factors.
Vorticity is a marker of diastolic ventricular interdependency in pulmonary hypertension

Our objective was to determine whether left ventricular (LV) vorticity (ω), the local spinning motion of a fluid element, correlated with markers of ventricular interdependency in pulmonary hypertension (PH). Maladaptive ventricular interdependency is associated with interventricular septal shift, impaired LV performance, and poor outcomes in PH patients, yet the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying fluid-structure interactions in ventricular interdependency are incompletely understood. Because conformational changes in chamber geometry affect blood flow formations and dynamics, LV ω may be a marker of LV-RV (right ventricular) interactions in PH. Echocardiography was performed for 13 PH patients and 10 controls for assessment of interdependency markers, including eccentricity index (EI), and biventricular diastolic dysfunction, including mitral valve (MV) and tricuspid valve (TV) early and late velocities (E and A, respectively) as well as MV septal and lateral early tissue Doppler velocities (e'). Same-day 4-dimensional cardiac magnetic resonance was performed for LV E (early)-wave ω measurement. LV E-wave ω was significantly decreased in PH patients (P = 0.008) and correlated with diastolic EI (Rho = -0.53, P = 0.009) as well as with markers of LV diastolic dysfunction, including MV E(Rho = 0.53, P = 0.011), E/A (Rho = 0.56, P = 0.007), septal e' (Rho = 0.63, P = 0.001), and lateral e' (Rho = 0.57, P = 0.007). Furthermore, LV E-wave ω was associated with indices of RV diastolic dysfunction, including TV e' (Rho = 0.52, P = 0.012) and TV E/A (Rho = 0.53, P = 0.009). LV E-wave ω is decreased in PH and correlated with multiple echocardiographic markers of ventricular interdependency. LV ω may be a novel marker for fluid-tissue biomechanical interactions in LV-RV interdependency.
Texture formation in orthorhombic alpha-uranium under simple compression and rolling to high strains

Abstract We study the mechanical response and texture evolution of alpha-uranium during simple compression and rolling at 573 K. In order to determine the underlying mechanisms governing plasticity and texture formation, we perform detailed characterizations using electron backscattered diffraction and constitutive modeling using a dislocation-density based hardening law within a visco-plastic self-consistent homogenization. We show that the model achieves good agreement with experimental measurements in terms of texture and stress–strain response. From detailed comparison of experimental and modeling results, we infer that in both through-thickness compression (TTC) and rolling at 573K, the active slip modes are floor slip (001)[100] and chimney slip 1 / 2 { 110 } 〈 1 1 ¯ 0 〉 with slightly different ratios. However, { 130 } 〈 3 1 ¯ 0 〉 twinning is not active in TTC compression but profuse during rolling. Further analysis indicates that during rolling, floor slip (001)[100] results in the formation of two pronounced (001) texture peaks tilted 10–15° away from the normal toward the rolling direction.
College student suicidal ideation: Perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and meaning made of stress.

The interpersonal theory of suicide (ITS) posits that suicidal ideation is interpersonal in nature. More specifically, in the ITS, perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness are dynamic cognitive-affective interpersonal states that engender suicidal ideation. However, intrapersonal (i.e., within the self) existential protective factors for suicidal ideation, such as the ability to make meaning from stressful life events, remain relatively unexplored. The authors examined the degree to which interpersonal and intrapersonal variables contribute to the variance of suicidal ideation in college students (n = 165). Results indicated that students' meaning made of stress was negatively and uniquely associated with suicidal ideation after controlling for ITS interpersonal contributions.
Egg Promotion: A Controlled Experiment Evaluation

Abstract EXPANSION of consumer demand through various forms of advertising has attracted increased attention of many agricultural commodity groups during the current decade. Five years ago, eleven hundred farm groups in this country spent some $75 million in various commodity promotional efforts (Frye et al., 1962). It is estimated that today similar groups number over twelve hundred and have an annual budget over $90 million. 2 Numerous methods are being used to evaluate the effectiveness of promotional efforts. Evaluations are generally based on the extent to which sales volume is expanded after promoting the product. Basically, the idea of measuring increased sales is sound, if handled properly. However, accurate measurement of increased sales due solely to a particular promotional effort is not an easy task because of the many variables that may be relevant, i.e., price, season, location, previous promotional efforts, etc. In addition, considerable caution should be exercised before making general …
INTRACELLULAR REGULATORY MECHANISMS IN PANCREATIC ACINAR CELLULAR FUNCTION

The intracellular mechanisms regulating pancreatic acinar cell function are more complex than previously realized. This is probably due in part to the need to match the biosynthetic and secretory functions of the cells. Much information is available on how secretagogue receptors acutely couple through heterotrimeric G proteins to increase intracellular messengers, particularly cytoplasmic free Ca(2+), although details are still being worked out. Less is known about how Ca(2+) signals to induce fusion of zymogen granules with the apical plasma membrane. Investigation has focused on the proteins of the zymogen granule membrane, and several novel proteins have recently been identified. In addition, understanding of the three MAP kinase cascades, the mTOR-p70S6 kinase pathway, and the focal adhesion kinase pathway in acinar cells is increasing. The functions of these pathways in acini have been linked to mitogenesis, protein synthesis, and regulation of the cytoskeleton.
POECILIA MEXICANA IS THE RECENT FEMALE PARENT OF THE UNISEXUAL FISH P. FORMOSA.

Poecilia formosa, a small live-bearing fish native to northeastern Mexico, was the first recognized vertebrate with unisexual reproduction (Hubbs and Hubbs, 1932). This all-female "species" produces diploid apomictic eggs (Rasch et al., 1982; Monaco et al., 1984), and embryogenesis is subsequently activated by sperm from a related bisexual species, normally either P. latipinna or P. mexicana (Turner et al., 1980a, 1980b). The process apparently takes place without syngamy, such that genetic transmission is predominantly or exclusively clonal (Balsano et al., 1989). The gynogen P. formosa almost certainly arose via hybridization of P. latipinna and P. mexicana (Hubbs and Hubbs, 1932; Turner, 1982). It is sympatric with these species (Darnell and Abramoff, 1968), possesses an intermediate morphology (Hubbs and Hubbs, 1932; Meyer, 1938), and exhibits nearly fixed heterozygosity at numerous protein and allozyme loci that distinguish or are polymorphic in P. latipinna and P. mexicana (Abramoffet al., 1968; Balsano et al., 1972; Simanek, 1978; Turner, 1982). There is a relative paucity of allozyme variation among the unisexuals, and the best fit to the particular P. formosa alleles occurs in populations of P. mexicana in the Rio Tigre drainage near Tampico, Mexico. This led Turner (1982) to hypothesize that the gynogen may have arisen recently in this area (perhaps from a single hybridization event), and that its current geographic distribution reflects a rapid northward expansion via efficient colonizing ability. A relatively recent origin for P. formosa is also consistent with the finding that the species retains a capacity to express male-specific genes and to undergo normal spermatogenesis upon experimental induction with exogenous androgens (Turner and Steeves, 1989). One open evolutionary question concerns the direction of the cross that produced P. formosa. Unlike the situation in hybridogenetic Poeciliopsis fishes from western Mexico, where results of laboratory hybridization experiments have been critical in deciphering the male and female parents of the unisexuals (Schultz, 1973, 1989; Wetherington et al., 1989), attempts to synthesize unisexual P. formosa through laboratory crosses thus far have failed (Turner, 1982). Balsano et al. (1989) suspect that P. mexicana was the female parent, but note that direct evidence from maternally transmitted mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) might settle the issue. Here we survey mtDNA genotypes in these Poecilia fishes, and show unequivocally that P. mexicana was indeed a recent female parent of P. formosa.
The Generation-Skipping Loophole: Narrowed, But Not Closed, by the Tax Reform Act of 1976

This Article discusses the loophole created by the generation-skipping transfer (“GST”) tax system, under which taxes on trusts and transfers may be avoided or delayed, a loophole which is used primarily by the wealthy. The Article examines the ways in which generation-skipping trusts and trust equivalents still provide a loophole for avoiding or delaying taxation even in light of the 1976 enactment of chapter 13 of the Internal Revenue Code. The Article first explains the requisites for imposing generation-skipping transfer taxation, and then goes on to examine those transfers exempted from taxation, the imposition of taxation, the complex dispositions on the topic, conforming transfers in trust, the procedural administrative, and effective date provisions, and the contingent beneficiary problems which have been created. The Article concludes that because chapter 13 seeks only to neutralize generation-skipping tax advantages with respect to trusts and trust equivalents, such arrangements will continue to give substantial advantage to the wealthier segments of society, and thus the exceptions to taxation under chapter 13 for generation-skipping transfers in trust should be eliminated. The Article further suggests that Congress move beyond its initial evolutionary development to equalize the effects of the transfer tax system on wealth, asserting that all generation transfers should be subject to taxation in an equitable system.