cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A reply to McKeever's "On Orenstein's and Meighan's finding of left visual field recognition superiority for bilaterally presented words"

McKeever (1976) points out that our (Orenstein & Meighan, 1976) method did not control for central fixation (thereby perpetuating a "naive assumption"), and that, therefore, not surprisingly our results support the view concerning the role of well-established reading habits in perceptual processing of bilaterally presented words. His method (e .g., McKeever, 1971) appears to control for central fixation; i.e., the subject is required to read out a single, centrally fixated digit prior to reading out bilaterally presented information. However, since no attempt was made to independently monitor fixation, it is possible that both the digit and the word to its right actually fell in the right visual field. The typical result associated with McKeever's method is right visual field superiority and the typical explanation is that the left brain is functionally dissimilar from the right brain in terms of language specialization. Yet a rather simple analysis of the demand character­ istics of the McKeever procedure reveals that his result is not incompatible with an explanation based on overlearned reading habits. Since the subject is required first to report the centrally fixated digit, then, consistent with his reading response (i. e., left-to-right processing), the next (and probably least difficult) item to report would be to the right of the digit; hence, the right visual field recognition superiority. This agrees with the outcome of studies in which some stimuli are presented only to the right visual field. Under the latter stimulus conditions, the left-right bias and the "scan" in the direction of the left portion of the word are in accord, and facilitation of recognition results. Similarly, when the subject cannot predict the location of words (i.e., when uni- and bilateral trials are intermixed), one can assume that he adopts the optimum strategy of fixating the approximate central location. Again, pro­ cessing would ensue from the center in a left-to-right direction, with right visual field superiority as the result. Perhaps a better iest would be to require the subject to read out a centrally fixated letter ("L" for left and "R" for right) which determines the only word to report (or the first of the two words to report). Further attempts to verify these alternative explana­ tions should, therefore, more clearly establish where the eyes are fixated at the onset of and during stimulation, as well as in what direction the eyes move once the stimulus is no longer physically present. Most important­ ly, however, it would be desirable to conduct a multi­ factor experiment to assess the role of stimulus presenta­ tion factors and structural (e.g., ocular dominance) variables in determining laterality differences (White, 1969).
MACRO SOCIAL MEASURES OF CRIME: TOWARD THE SELECTION OF AN APPROPRIATE DEFLATOR

ABSTRACT Numerous studies have examined the measurement problems associated with the use of ratio variables in aggregate level research, but have seldom considered the substantive implications of using a particular deflator in lieu of another. The present study questions the conventional wisdom of employing the total population size of social units to deflate raw counts of crime. The OLS regression analyses of a sample of 105 U.S. cities reveal that the effects of structural predictors vary dramatically across alternative rate measures of burglary and motor vehicle theft. The implications of these findings for macro social criminological research are discussed.
Race and Place in the Adaptation of Mariel Exiles

The influx of lower class emigres during the 1980 Mariel Boatlift complicates the “success story” image of previous waves of Cuban exiles to the United States. Examination of Mariel exiles in terms of racial variation in adaptation does not exist; nor is analysis of the geographic distribution and internal migration of Mariel Cubans within the United States represented. Mariel exiles maneuver along distinguishable paths of adaptation as evidenced by patterns of settlement and geographical mobility. I argue that place is a necessary ingredient in illuminating diverse adjustment experiences among immigrants and refugees in the United States.
How is your MPA doing? A methodology for evaluating the management effectiveness of marine protected areas

Effective management of marine protected areas (MPAs) requires continuous feedback of information to achieve objectives. In 2000, a collaborative initiative was launched to improve the management of MPAs. The initiative focused on working with managers, planners, and other decision-makers to develop a set of indicators for assessing the effectiveness of MPA use. This initiative was aimed at both enhancing the potential and capability for adaptive management of MPAs, as well as improving our understanding of how effective MPAs that are now being used around the world. This paper presents an overview of the MPA management effectiveness methodology and indicators, summary results of the testing phase of the guidebook at 18 MPAs around the world, and considerations for its application and use as an adaptive management tool for MPAs.
Maintaining the Relationship Between Science and Special Education

Science has been an important partner of the field of learning disabilities since its inception. Special educators have used science to confirm or reject approaches to identifying and teaching students with disabilities. Current research and practice is using science to find better approaches to preventing learning difficulties and reducing the number of students referred for special education. However, I caution that if we want science to have the desired impact on the educational and social outcomes of students with learning disabilities, we must take care not to misuse it.
Accurate solid-state band gaps via screened hybrid electronic structure calculations

The band energy differences of solids calculated with screened hybrid density functionals, such as the functional of Heyd-Scuseria-Ernzerhof (HSE), reproduce experimental band gaps with a high degree of accuracy. This unexpected result is here rationalized by observing that band energy differences obtained from generalized Kohn-Sham calculations with screened (short-range) Hartree-Fock-type exchange approach the excitation energies obtained via time-dependent density functional calculations with the corresponding unscreened functional. The latter are expected to be the accurate predictions of the experimental optical absorption spectra. While the optimum screening parameter (omega) is system dependent, the HSE standard value of omega=0.11 bohr(-1) represents a reasonable compromise across diverse systems.
Retrospective Evaluation of Appliance Price Trends

Abstract Real prices of major appliances (refrigerators, dishwashers, heating and cooling equipment) have been falling since the late 1970s despite increases in appliance efficiency and other quality variables. This paper demonstrates that historic increases in efficiency over time, including those resulting from minimum efficiency standards, incur smaller price increases than were expected by the Department of Energy (DOE) forecasts made in conjunction with standards. This effect can be explained by technological innovation, which lowers the cost of efficiency, and by market changes contributing to lower markups and economies of scale in production of higher efficiency units. We reach four principal conclusions about appliance trends and retail price setting: 1. For the past several decades, the retail price of appliances has been steadily falling while efficiency has been increasing. 2. Past retail price predictions made by the DOE analyses of efficiency standards, assuming constant prices over time, have tended to overestimate retail prices. 3. The average incremental price to increase appliance efficiency has declined over time. DOE technical support documents have typically overestimated this incremental price and retail prices. 4. Changes in retail markups and economies of scale in production of more efficient appliances may have contributed to declines in prices of efficient appliances.
Differences in genome-wide repeat sequence instability conferred by proofreading and mismatch repair defects

Mutation rates are used to calibrate molecular clocks and to link genetic variants with human disease. However, mutation rates are not uniform across each eukaryotic genome. Rates for insertion/deletion (indel) mutations have been found to vary widely when examined in vitro and at specific loci in vivo. Here, we report the genome-wide rates of formation and repair of indels made during replication of yeast nuclear DNA. Using over 6000 indels accumulated in four mismatch repair (MMR) defective strains, and statistical corrections for false negatives, we find that indel rates increase by 100 000-fold with increasing homonucleotide run length, representing the greatest effect on replication fidelity of any known genomic parameter. Nonetheless, long genomic homopolymer runs are overrepresented relative to random chance, implying positive selection. Proofreading defects in the replicative polymerases selectively increase indel rates in short repetitive tracts, likely reflecting the distance over which Pols δ and ϵ interact with duplex DNA upstream of the polymerase active site. In contrast, MMR defects hugely increase indel mutagenesis in long repetitive sequences. Because repetitive sequences are not uniformly distributed among genomic functional elements, the quantitatively different consequences on genome-wide repeat sequence instability conferred by defects in proofreading and MMR have important biological implications.
Integrated optical phased array based large angle beam steering system fabricated on silicon-on-insulator

In this paper, we present a highly compact silicon nano-membrane based optical phased array fabricated using conventional CMOS processing on silicon-on-insulator that provides for over 10 degrees of beam steering in a silicon slab at λ=1.55μm using transverse-electrical polarized light. A low loss 1-to-12 multi-mode interference (MMI) optical beam splitter with high uniformity is used to provide inputs to the optical phased array. Using an unequally spaced waveguide array permits us to relax the half-wavelength spacing requirement for large angle beam steering, thereby avoiding the optical coupling between adjacent waveguides and reducing the side-lobe-level of the array radiation pattern. S-bend waveguides convert the equally spaced MMI output to the unequally spaced wave guide array, while passively equalizing the phases of each array element to compensate for the MMI output phase profile. Independently controllable thin film metal heaters are used to achieve phase shifting using the strong thermo-optic response of silicon. Heat-insulating air grooves minimize thermal crosstalk, while also achieving and low power consumption.
Wave-drift damping of floating bodies

Wave-drift damping results from low-frequency, oscillatory- motions of a floating body, in the presence of an incident wave field. Previous works have analysed this effect in a quasi-steady manner, based on the rate of change of the added resistance in waves, with respect to a small steady forward velocity. In this paper the wave-drift damping coefficient is derived more directly, from a perturbation analysis where the low-frequency body oscillations are superposed on the diffraction field. Unlike the case of body oscillations in calm water, where the damping due to wave radiation is asymptotically small for low frequencies, the superposition of oscillatory motions on the diffraction field results in an order-one damping coefficient. All three degrees of freedom are considered in the horizontal plane. The resulting matrix of damping coefficients is derived from pressure integration on the body, and transformed in special cases to a far-field control surface.
Commutativity analysis: a technique for automatically parallelizing pointer-based computations

This paper introduces an analysis technique, commutativity analysis, for automatically parallelizing computations that manipulate dynamic, pointer-based data structures. Commutativity analysis views computations as composed of operations on objects. It then analyzes the program to discover when operations commute, i.e. leave the objects in the same state regardless of the order in which they execute. If all of the operations required to perform a given computation commute, the compiler can automatically generate parallel code. Commutativity analysis eliminates many of the limitations that have prevented existing compilers, which use data dependence analysis from successfully parallelizing pointer-based applications. It enables compilers to parallelize computations that manipulate graphs and eliminates the need to analyze the data structure construction code to extract global properties of the data structure topology. This paper shows how to use symbolic execution and expression manipulation to statically determine that operations commute and how to exploit the extracted commutativity information to generate parallel code. It also presents performance results that demonstrate that commutativity analysis can be used to successfully parallelize the Barnes-Hut hierarchical N-body solver, an important scientific application that manipulates a complex pointer-based data structure.
Ferrite-Eielectric Composite Integrated Microwave Circuit Development

The Arc Plasma Spray process (APS) makes possible the fabrication of complex ferrite/dielectric composite structures suitable for use as substrates for microwave integrated circuits. A typical two layered microstrip geometry is shown in the insert of Fig. 2. The usual microstrip design problems are now complicated because of the choice possible in the selection of the ferrite and dielectric material constants (dielectric constant and permeability) and the relative heights of the two materials. As an example of the structures possible, a substrate for a non-reciprocal latching meanderline phase shifter is shown in Fig. 1. TT1-390 ferrite material was deposited in a preformed cavity of a 0.035" substrate with /spl epsiv//sub d/ = 13. A metallization is made and the meanderline structure is formed. Circulators, filters, etc., can be fabricated in the same fashion. Some of the advantages of this approach are: a) the design of previously unavailable circuits is now feasible, b) ferrite materials can be deposited only where they are required in a given circuit, c) the ferrite microwave properties are maintained or enhanced through the APS process, d) high power handling capability is now possible in planar MIC's and e) potential cost savings .
Electromagnetic modeling of thin dielectric shells and coated conducting bodies and wires

An efficient numerical procedure is developed for analyzing the scattering and radiation characteristics of three-dimensional thin dielectric shells and coated conducting bodies and wires. Senior and Volakis (see Radio Sci., vol.22, p.1261, 1987) extended the single-component sheet model to a double-component sheet model, taking into account the normal electric field in materials. In the present work, their approach is applied in conjunction with the method of moments to solve for various structures which include arbitrary three-dimensional thin dielectric shells and coated conducting bodies and wires. Numerical and analytical bistatic radar cross sections are compared for a specific spherical-shell structure. >
Maintaining Relationships With Supply Chain Partners: A Case Study

This case study describes efforts of a market leader in the communication infrastructure industry to assess the relationships they have developed with their global supply chain partners. Changes in the industry have resulted in geographic shifts of existing and potential supply chain suppliers and customers. In an effort to determine if commitment to customer service has resulted in increased customer satisfaction and loyalty, research was conducted to assess their performance. The results of this research were compared to previous research to determine if their service program has successfully differentiated them from their competitors.
Proteolytic activity under nitrogen or sulfur limitation

Sand cultures were used to evaluate the effect of C, N, and S ratio on protein degradation by soil microorganisms. Sand was inoculated with soil and amended with defined nutrient media to produce limitation for C, N, or S. Limitation for N or S resulted in reduced biomass (total protein) and increased proteolytic activity as indicated by measurements of dye released from a commercial protease substrate (azocoll). Carbon limitation had little effect on proteolytic activity. As expected, utilization of carbon (glucose) was dependent upon the availability of N or S. Protein synthesis inhibitors (chloramphenicol and cycloheximide) suppressed proteolytic activity, suggesting a need for new gene expression in the response of organisms to N or S stress. Correlations of proteolytic activity and biomass among treatments revealed distinctly different relationships depending upon the availability of C, N, or S. The results of this experiment support a role of proteolytic activity in response of microorganisms to N or S deprivation and suggest that protease activity in soil is more strongly influenced by regulatory signals than by standing biomass.
CLINICAL USEFULNESS OF THE NOVEL MARKER BLCA-4 FOR THE DETECTION OF BLADDER CANCER

Purpose: Previous studies at our laboratory identified 6 bladder cancer specific nuclear matrix proteins termed BLCA-1 to 6. We recently developed an immunoassay that detects the bladder cancer spe...
Activated carbon adsorption of humic substances: I. Heterodisperse mixtures and desorption

Abstract The activated carbon isotherms of heterodisperse humic substances are analyzed with a widely accepted model developed for well-characterized polymer adsorption. The four humic substances examined included both fulvic and humic acids isolated from aquatic and terrestrial sources. The adsorption of the humic substances exhibits a dependence on the ratio of adsorbent mass to solution volume, resulting in a set of isotherms. Modifying the adsorption isotherm to explicitly account for the adsorbent dose results in a unique isotherm that relates the adsorbed mass to the unadsorbed mass expressed on a per unit adsorbent basis. A modified Freundlich equation was found to represent the adsorption behavior over a wide range of initial concentrations and adsorbent doses and for different adsorbents, ionic strengths, and temperatures. Reduction in the solution concentration did not result in measurable desorption of humic substances from the adsorbent surface. This was attributed to multiple-site adsorption and to the heterogeneous nature of both humic substances and activated carbon. Desorption was found to occur only at elevated pH values.
Contrasting modes of evolution of the visual pigments in Heliconius butterflies

The adult compound eyes of passion-vine butterflies in the genus Heliconius contain one more UV opsin than other butterflies. Together with an 11-cis-3-hydroxyretinal chromophore, their four opsin genes UVRh1, UVRh2, BRh, and LWRh produce four rhodopsins that are UV-, blue-, or long wavelength absorbing. One of the Heliconius UV opsin genes, UVRh2, was found to have evolved under positive selection following recent gene duplication, using the branch-site test of selection. Using a more conservative test, the small-sample method, we confirm our prior finding of positive selection of UVRh2 and provide new statistical evidence of episodic evolution, that is, positive selection followed by purifying selection. We also newly note that one of the positively selected amino acid sites contains substitutions with known spectral tuning effects in avian ultraviolet- and violet-sensitive visual pigments. As this is one of a handful of described examples of positive selection of any specific gene in any butterfly where functional variation between copies has been characterized, we were interested in examining the molecular and physiological context of this adaptive event by examining the UV opsin genes in contrast to the other visual pigment genes. We cloned BRh and LWRh from 13 heliconiine species and UVRh1 and UVRh2 from Heliconius elevatus. In parallel, we performed in vivo epi-microspectrophotometric experiments to estimate the wavelength of peak absorbance, λ(max), of several rhodopsins in seven heliconiine species. In contrast to UVRh2, we found both physiological and statistical evidence consistent with purifying selection on UVRh1, BRh, and LWRh along the branch leading to the common ancestor of Heliconius. These results underscore the utility of combining molecular and physiological experiments in a comparative context for strengthening evidence for adaptive evolution at the molecular level.
Effect of altered spacing between uhpT promoter elements on transcription activation.

Many bacterial promoters possess multiple sites for binding of transcriptional activator proteins. The uhpT promoter, which controls expression of the sugar phosphate transport system in Escherichia coli , possesses multiple sites for its specific activator protein, UhpA, and a single site for binding of the global regulator, the catabolite gene activator protein (CAP). The binding of UhpA to the uhpT promoter was determined by DNase protection assays; UhpA displayed different affinities for the target sites. The upstream or strong sites, between positions −80 and −50, exhibited a higher affinity for UhpA than did the downstream or weak sites, between positions −50 and −32, adjoining the RNA polymerase-binding site. Phosphorylation of UhpA strongly increased its affinity for both sites. To examine the possible roles of the two sets of UhpA-binding sites, a series of insertion and deletion mutations were introduced at the boundary between them, as suggested from the positions that were protected by UhpA against hydroxyl radical cleavage. Deletions extended in the direction of the weak sites. The insertion or deletion of one helical turn of DNA resulted in the loss of promoter activity and of occupancy by UhpA of the remaining weak-site sequences but was accompanied by normal occupancy of the strong site and no change in the gel retardation behavior of the promoter fragments. However, the deletion of two helical turns of DNA, i.e., 20, 21, or 22 bp, resulted in the novel appearance of UhpA-independent expression and in an additional level of expression that was dependent on UhpA but independent of an inducing signal. The UhpA-independent promoter activity was shown to result from activation by CAP at its more proximal position. UhpA-dependent activity under noninducing conditions appears to result from the binding of unphosphorylated UhpA to the strong sites, which are now in the position normally occupied by the weak sites. Thus, regulated phosphorylation of the response regulator UhpA enhances its occupancy of the weak sites where favorable contacts can allow the binding of RNA polymerase to the promoter.
Are logic synthesis tools robust

A systematic investigation is presented about the robustness of logic synthesis tools to equivalence-preserving transformations of the input Verilog file. We have developed a framework that: 1) parses Verilog behavioral models into an abstract syntax tree; 2) generates random equivalence-preserving transformations on the syntax tree, and; 3) writes the transformed design back in Verilog format. The original and the transformed Verilog descriptions are then checked for equivalence and synthesized. Results show that average (peak) improvements in area of 2.5% (11%) and length of the critical path of 4% (13%) are achievable. Indeed these figures are comparable to recent advancements in logic synthesis ([17] [8] achieve 4.9% (23%) 5% (24%) improvements area-wise, respectively), signaling a relevant lack of robustness in synthesis tools. This lack of robustness suggests that new synthesis algorithms should be evaluated by measuring the average improvement on several transformed files to assess their real contributions to the quality of the results.
The Geopolitical Web: Assessing societal risk in an uncertain world

Country risk - the likelihood that a state will weaken or fail - and the methods of assessing it continue to be of serious concern to the international community. Country risk has traditionally been assessed by monitoring economic and financial indicators. However, social media (such as forums, blogs, and websites) are now important transporters of citizens' daily conversations and opinions, and as such may carry discernible indicators of risk, but they have been as yet little-used for this task. The Geopolitical Web project is a research effort with the ultimate goal of developing computational approaches for monitoring public opinion in regions of conflict, assessing country risk indicators in the social media of fragile or weakening states, and correlating these risk signals with commonly accepted quantitative geopolitical risk assessments. This paper presents the initial motivation for this data-driven project, collection procedures adopted, preliminary results of an automated topical analysis of the collection's content, and expected future work. By catching and deciphering possible signals of country risk in social discourse we hope to offer the international community an additional means of assessing the need for intervention in or support for fragile or weakening states.
Medicolegal Review of Liability Risks for Gynecologists Stemming from Lack of Training in Robot-Assisted Surgery

The advances in robot-assisted surgery in gynecology evolved after most practicing gynecologists had already completed residency training. Postgraduate training in new technology for gynecologists in practice is limited. Therefore, gynecologists with insufficient training who perform robot-assisted surgery may potentially be at risk for liability. In addition to the traditional medical negligence claims, plaintiff attorneys are seeking causes of actions for lack of informed consent and negligent credentialing. Thus, it is essential that gynecologists be aware of these potential liability claims that arise in a robot-assisted malpractice suit. This commentary provides an overview of the current medicolegal liability risks originating from lack of training in robotic surgery and seeks to raise awareness of the implications involved in these claims. A better understanding of the doctrine of informed consent and seeking assistance of proctors or experienced co-surgeons early in robotics training are likely to reduce the liability risks for gynecologic surgeons.
Rapid prototyping of ASIC based systems

This paper outlines the development of a rapid prototype methodology used to implement a new communications decoding architecture and a channel simulator to evaluate that decoder's performance. In addition, we describe the subsequent refinement of a key computational component of the decoder using a semicustom approach; namely, a CMOS standard cell implementation. Both these project tasks have relied extensively on the use of design automation (DA) tools and Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technology. Herein, we describe our rapid prototype methodology, some lessons learned, and highlight our experiences using DA tools (specifically, Mentor Graphics and Xilinx) encountered in the progress of our work.
Capacity Provision Networks: Foundations of Markets for Sharable Resources in Distributed Computational Economies

With the rapid growth of rich-media content over the Internet, content and service providers (SP) are increasingly facing the problem of managing their service resources cost-effectively while ensuring a high quality of service (QoS) delivery at the same time. In this research we conceptualize and model an Internet-based storage provisioning network for rich-media content delivery. This is modeled as a capacity provision network (CPN) where participants possess service infrastructures and leverage their topographies to effectively serve specific customer segments. A CPN is a network of SPs coordinated through an allocation hub. We first develop the notion of discounted QoS capabilities of storage resources. We then investigate the stability of the discount factors over time and the network topography using a test-bed on the Internet through a longitudinal empirical study. Finally, we develop a market maker mechanism for optimal multilateral allocation and surplus sharing in a network. The proposed CPN is closely tied to two fundamental properties of Internet service technology: positive network externality among cooperating SPs and the property of effective multiplication of capacity allocation among several distributed service sites. We show that there exist significant incentives for SPs to engage in cooperative allocation and surplus sharing. We further demonstrate that intermediation can enhance the allocation effectiveness and that the opportunity to allocation and surplus sharing can play an important role in infrastructure planning. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the practical business viability of a cooperative CPN market.
Laryngeal tuberculosis at the end of the 20th century

Despite the dramatic reduction in the incidence of laryngeal tuberculosis after the 1950s, the topic has now gained new interest due to claims that the disease has changed its clinical pattern. In the past, the typical patient was 20-40 years old with ulcerated laryngeal lesions, perichondritis, and advanced cavitary lung disease. We studied nine cases of laryngeal tuberculosis confirmed by histological examination. The microlaryngoscopy revealed tumour-like lesions and/or chronic non-specific laryngitis. There were no significant ulcerations or signs of perichondritis. The patients' ages ranged from 48.5 years to 69.3 years (mean, 59.4 years). In three of our patients (33 per cent) we did not find any pulmonary involvement, thus suggesting primary laryngeal tuberculosis or haematogenous spread. In conclusion, the numerous physicians who deal with the various laryngeal symptoms and diseases should be aware of the existence of laryngeal tuberculosis and the changing patterns of the disease (at least in the developed countries).
Disentangling competence for genetic transformation and virulence in Streptococcus pneumoniae

Horizontal gene transfer mediated by the competence regulon is a major driver of genome plasticity in Streptococcus pneumoniae. When pneumococcal cells enter the competent state, about 6% of the genes in the genome are up-regulated. Among these, some genes are essential for genetic transformation while others are dispensable for the process. Exhaustive deletion analyses show that some up-regulated genes dispensable for genetic transformation contribute to pneumococcal-mediated pneumonia and bacteremia infections. Interestingly, virulence functions of such genes are either dependent or independent of the competent state. Among the competent-state-dependent genes are those mediating allolysis, a process where small fraction of non-competent cells within the pneumococcal population are lysed by their competent counterparts, releasing DNA presumably for transformation. Inadvertently, the pore-forming toxin pneumolysin is also released during allolysis, contributing to virulence. In this review, we discuss recent advances in our understanding of pneumococcal virulence processes mediated by the competence regulon. We proposed that coupling of competence induction and bacterial fitness drives the natural selection to favor an intact competence regulon, which in turn, provides the long-term benefits of genetic plasticity.
Thermoelectric generators made with novel lead telluride based materials

For the material (Pb0.95Sn0.05Te)1-x(PbS)x nanostructuring from nucleation and growth and spinodal decomposition were reported to enhance the thermoelectric figure of merit over bulk PbTe, producing ZT of 1.1 - 1.4 at 650 K for x = 0.08[1]. Thermoelectric modules made from (Pb0.95Sn0.05Te)1-x(PbS)x materials with various hot-side metal electrodes were fabricated and tested. Short circuit current was measured on unicouples of Pb0.95Sn0.05Te – PbS 8% (n-type) legs and Ag0.9Pb9Sn9Sb0.6Te20 (p-type) legs over 10 (A) for a hot side temperature of 870K, and a cold side of 300K. Hot pressed (Pb0.95Sn0.05Te)1-x(PbS)x materials were also investigated for module fabrication. Investigations of the electrical properties of hot-pressed (Pb0.95Sn0.05Te)1-x(PbS)x materials are presented along with the latest advancements in the fabrication and characteristics of modules based on the processing of these materials.
Reconstructing Gloria: A Narrative Analysis of Team Meetings

This article focuses on the role of stories told about a patient in geropsychiatric team meetings in the construction of an image of the patient. Using the narrative techniques described by Gee, Labov, and Riessman, three team meeting discussions about a geropsychiatric patient are analyzed. The role of stories and the various images these engender are examined in relationship to (a) the team's evolving understanding of the patient, (b) the team's conception of the role of the patient, and (c) how the thematic components of these stories may influence patient care.
A Cost Effectiveness Analysis of Quasi-Static Wireless Power Transfer for Plug-In Hybrid Electric Transit Buses

This study evaluates the costs and benefits associated with the use of a stationary-wireless- power-transfer-enabled plug-in hybrid electric bus and determines the cost effectiveness relative to a conventional bus and a hybrid electric bus. A sensitivity sweep was performed over many different battery sizes, charging power levels, and number/location of bus stop charging stations. The net present cost was calculated for each vehicle design and provided the basis for design evaluation. In all cases, given the assumed economic conditions, the conventional bus achieved the lowest net present cost while the optimal plug-in hybrid electric bus scenario beat out the hybrid electric comparison scenario. The study also performed parameter sensitivity analysis under favorable and high unfavorable market penetration assumptions. The analysis identifies fuel saving opportunities with plug-in hybrid electric bus scenarios at cumulative net present costs not too dissimilar from those for conventional buses.
Heterogeneity of N-and O-methyltransferases.

The methyltransferases phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase, histamine N-methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.8), catechol O-methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.6), and hydroxyindole O-methyltransferase, from tissues of several species, were subjected to starch block electrophoresis. Adrenal phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase and pineal hydroxyindole O-methyltransferase were heterogeneous among different species with respect to electrophoretic mobility on starch block, heat stability, and substrate specificity, but they were homogeneous within a given species. Multiple forms of histamine N-methyltransferase and catechol O-methyltransferase occurred in tissues within a given species as well as among different species. They had different electrophoretic mobilities, heat stabilities, and kinetic properties.
Metric axioms and distance

Many mathematicians' experiences with distances in the settings of geometry, analysis, and topology can lead to the impression that the only worthwhile or ‘reasonable’ distance functions are metrics. We hope to convince the reader otherwise. Recall that a metric for a set X is a function d: X × X → [0, ∞) satisfying all of the following metric axioms:
The radiology of nontraumatic coma.

This article decribes a logical approach to the neuroimaging evaluation of patients with coma. The decision tree analysis provides an efficient method and attempts to convey the logical sequential concepts of analysis of CCT findings in patients presenting in stupor or coma- The sequential approach tabulated serves as a good mnemonic for clinicians faced daily with decisions to be made in the evaluation and management of comatose patients. The approach also provides a framework for subsequent statistical (Bayesian or other) analysis of efficacy, cost effectiveness, and impact on clinical practice and health care delivery.
Effect of Measurement Error on Shewhart Control Charts

Significant measurement error often exists in quality control applications. Measurement error is known to result in reduced power to detect a given change in the mean or variance of a quality chara...
Cradles of Eminence 2nd Edition: Childhoods of More Than 700 Famous Men and Women

(2004). Cradles of Eminence 2nd Edition: Childhoods of More Than 700 Famous Men and Women. Gifted and Talented International: Vol. 19, No. 2, pp. 111-112.
Dizziness and Vertigo Presentations in the Emergency Department

Dizziness and vertigo are common reasons that patients present to the emergency department. Most patients have benign or self-limited causes, but a small proportion harbor a dangerous disorder such as ischemic stroke. In this chapter, we highlight the critical steps in evaluating and managing patients who present with dizziness symptoms in the emergency setting. We focus on the symptom of vertigo and distinguishing peripheral vestibular from central vestibular disorders.
Evaluation of sweet sorghum planting density and minimal nitrogen input, under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions, for bioethanol feedstock production

Sweet sorghum is a feedstock for bioethanol and is grown on a few hectares in the USA. Research was conducted to optimize the cultural management recommendations for sweet sorghum-based bioethanol ...
Towards a high performance motor drive for aerospace applications: Topology evaluation, converter optimization and hardware verification

This paper presents a complete design procedure for a motor drive aiming at maximizing nominal power within loss (30 W) and form factor (60 inch3) constraints. Particularly, this motor drive system has EMI requirement on both input and output sides and it should be free convection cooled. Loss-size Pareto fronts of multiple three-phase topologies including two-level voltage source converter (VSC), three-level neutral point clamped (NPC) converter, T-type converter and three-phase capacitor-decoupled triangular conduction mode (TCM) converter are explored in order to find the optimized design. Pareto fronts under different power level shows a maximum of 5 kVA power could be achieved by T-type converter within given limits and requirements. T-type converter is accordingly selected and constructed. A power density of 80 W/inch3 is achieved by the prototype. Finally, experimental results obtained with the free convection cooled converter prototype are presented for validating purposes, demonstrating the 99.2% efficiency (42.3 W loss) at nominal load.
Xicanisma/o and Education: Counter Storytelling and Narratives to Inform Latina/o Student Success

Latina/os experience some of the lowest academic outcomes and youth of Mexican-origin are among the most educationally disadvantaged of all Latina/o subgroups. These disparities impact many Latina/...
RAGE-induced changes in the proteome of alveolar epithelial cells.

Abstract The receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) is a pattern recognition receptor and member of the immunoglobulin superfamily. RAGE is constitutively expressed in the distal lung where it co-localizes with the alveolar epithelium; RAGE expression is otherwise minimal or absent, except with disease. This suggests RAGE plays a role in lung physiology and pathology. We used proteomics to identify and characterize the effects of RAGE on rat alveolar epithelial (R3/1) cells. LC-MS/MS identified 177 differentially expressed proteins and the PANTHER Classification System further segregated proteins. Proteins involved in gene transcription (RNA and mRNA splicing, mRNA processing) and transport (protein, intracellular protein) were overrepresented; genes involved in a response to stimulus were underrepresented. Immune system processes and response to stimuli were downregulated with RAGE knockdown. Western blot confirmed RAGE-dependent changes in protein expression for NFκB and NLRP3 that was functionally supported by a reduction in IL-1β and phosphorylated p65. We also assessed RAGE's effect on redox regulation and report that RAGE knockdown attenuated oxidant production, decreased protein oxidation, and increased reduced thiol pools. Collectively the data suggest that RAGE is a critical regulator of epithelial cell response and has implications for our understanding of lung disease, specifically acute lung injury. Significance statement In the present study, we undertook the first proteomic evaluation of RAGE-dependent processes in alveolar epithelial cells. The alveolar epithelium is a primary target during acute lung injury, and our data support a role for RAGE in gene transcription, protein transport, and response to stimuli. More over our data suggest that RAGE is a critical driver of redox regulation in the alveolar epithelium. The conclusions of the present work assist to unravel the molecular events that underlie the function of RAGE in alveolar epithelial cells and have implications for our understanding of RAGE signaling during lung injury. Our study was the first proteomic comparison showing the effects of RAGE activation from alveolar epithelial cells that constitutively express RAGE and these results can affect a wide field of lung biology, pulmonary therapeutics, and proteomics.
Location, Location, Location: Signals in Muscle Specification

Muscles control body movement and locomotion, posture and body position and soft tissue support. Mesoderm derived cells gives rise to 700 unique muscles in humans as a result of well-orchestrated signaling and transcriptional networks in specific time and space. Although the anatomical structure of skeletal muscles is similar, their functions and locations are specialized. This is the result of specific signaling as the embryo grows and cells migrate to form different structures and organs. As cells progress to their next state, they suppress current sequence specific transcription factors (SSTF) and construct new networks to establish new myogenic features. In this review, we provide an overview of signaling pathways and gene regulatory networks during formation of the craniofacial, cardiac, vascular, trunk, and limb skeletal muscles.
Protein tyrosine phosphatase-based therapeutics- lessons from PTP1B

The family of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases (PTPs), which is encoded by ∼ 100 genes in humans, plays a critical role in the regulation of signal transduction. Recently a variety of links between aberrant PTP function and human disease have been defined and it has become apparent that generation of PTP inhibitors may present novel avenues for therapeutic intervention in several, major human diseases. The most clearly defined example is the potential of PTP1B as a target for treatment of diabetes and obesity. Nevertheless, it has also become apparent that the properties of the PTPs present significant challenges to drug development. In this review we focus on PTP1B. We describe its structure, catalytic mechanism and biological function, together with a review of the specialist literature that describes the generation of inhibitors of PTP1B. In doing so we have attempted to present an overview, aimed at those with a general interest in signal transduction, that illustrates both the progress that has been made and the challenges that are associated with the quest for PTP inhibitors as drugs.
Collective Mobility and Fragmentation: A Model of Social Work History

The author utilizes recent sociological approaches to professionalism in order to develop a dynamic conceptual model of the history of Social Work. Professionalization is understood as a social movement or "collective mobility project" of the lower middle class which has been the dominant force in Social Work for a century. This social movement seeks control and expansion of professional markets for services and recognition and sanction from elites. In each period of
Magnetic relaxation and 4He coverage in superfluid 3He-A1.

Measurements on spin relaxation time in superfluid $^{3}\mathit{A}_{1}$ were carried out at a pressure of 22.4 bar and a static field of 7.5 kG. The influence of surface coverage by $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ was systematically explored. The $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ coverage is used to eliminate the spin relaxation at the boundary walls and to extract the spin relaxation time in the warmer half of bulk ${\mathit{A}}_{1}$ phase. The bulk spin relaxation time is much shorter than expected from Leggett-Takagi theory applied to the ${\mathit{A}}_{1}$ phase. In the colder half of the phase, $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ coverage anomalously has no effect on the spin relaxation time.
The Sick-Role Concept

Over three decades ago, Parsons elaborated a model of how societies operate and continue to exist. His structural—functional approach is concerned with how different parts of society relate to each other and contribute to a state of equilibrium. Although the approach focuses on the maintenance of social systems, the individual is not entirely excluded from his analysis. Through a process of socialization, individuals learn to share similar normative expectations for behavior in a variety of different social positions or roles. The social system, which is a network of roles, functions smoothly only insofar as persons perform their roles adequately. Deviation from the normal performance of these roles can become a threat to the stability of society. Given the potential negative consequences of role deviance, social control mechanisms arise to minimize its occurrence.
The Function of Professional Boundaries in the Therapeutic Relationship Between Male Practitioners and Female Youth Clients

This study examined the function of professional boundaries in the therapeutic relationship between male practitioners and female youth clients. Sixteen male practitioners from 9 different youth-serving agencies in Arizona were interviewed. Transcripts from the interviews were analyzed using a qualitative research computer program (QSR NUD.IST 4.0, 1999). The findings described the therapeutic benefits of professional boundary setting and ways in which male practitioners utilized boundaries in their work with female youth clients. Implications for social work practice are discussed.
Solute interaction effects on grain boundary segregation in ternary alloys

Abstract In polycrystalline materials, the segregation of elements to grain boundaries (GBs) can be harmful, e.g., embrittling the GB, or helpful, e.g., strengthening the GB or stabilizing nanocrystalline states, depending on the alloying elements present. While the GB segregation tendency in binary alloys can be reasonably estimated, the effect of additional elements on this equilibrium remains largely speculative, making it difficult to design the GB chemistry of ternary alloys. Using a lattice-model framework and Monte Carlo simulations, we develop a first-order theoretical framework with which the GB segregation behavior in ternary alloys can be estimated based on the thermodynamic properties of the constituent binary systems. We then experimentally study GB segregation in the Pt-Au-Pd system as a case study. In line with our predictions, this system exhibits induced co-segregation of Pd to GBs at 400 °C, driven by the presence of Au.