cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phonological Awareness and Print Knowledge of Preschool Children with Cochlear Implants

Purpose To determine whether preschool-age children with cochlear implants have age-appropriate phonological awareness and print knowledge and to examine the relationships of these skills with rela...
Estimation of standard partial molal entropies of aqueous ions at 25°C and 1 bar

Abstract Correlations between standard partial molal entropies ( S j 0 ) of aqueous mono-, di-, and trivalent ions at 25°C and 1 bar and effective electrostatic radii (re,j) calculated from the corresponding crystallographic radii (rx,j) have been constructed for coordination numbers from 4 to 12. These correlations permit estimates of S j 0 to include information from spectroscopic studies about ionic coordination in aqueous solution. As a consequence, values of S j 0 can be estimated for many more ions than previously possible. Close agreement between predicted and experimental data for tetravalent cations supports the validity and generality of this approach. Combined with the experimentally determined values of S j 0 used to generate the correlations, estimates of standard partial molal entropies at 25°C and 1 bar for over 130 mon-atomic aqueous ions of charges ranging from −3 to +6 provide a set of S j 0 values for 188 monatomic aqueous ions for use in geochemical calculations.
Postnatal development of glycogen- and cyclic AMP-metabolizing enzymes in mammalian skeletal muscle.

Abstract Glycogen and cyclic AMP-metabolizing enzymes of rabbit skeletal muscle were examined during postnatal development. Glycogen synthase I, glycogen phosphorylase and lactate dehydrogenase activity increased 7-fold by the 6th–8th postnatal week while glycogen synthase D was present in the neonate at one-half adult levels. Cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase decreased; adenylate cyclase increased 10-fold for both the epinephrine and NaF-stimulated states of the enzyme.
Consultation and education in rural community mental health centers.

This paper reports on the status of consultation and education in the rural community mental health center: First, it describes the rural programs on several organizational dimensions as compared to nonrural programs. Second, it identifies several distinctive characteristics of rural programs. Third, it presents a case illustration of a successful consultation-education service. Finally, it discusses strategies for strengthening consultation and education in the rural setting. The paper is based on the findings of a study of prevention programs in community mental healt, centers in Region III (Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and West Virginia).
Rare earth doped YLF grown by laser-heated pedestal growth technique

Abstract The laser-heated pedestal growth technique has been used in conjunction with a unique feedstock preparation method to grow small single crystal rods of Nd-doped and Tm-doped YLF. Starting powder materials were purified by hydrofluorination and melted to form a solidified mass from which feed rods were fabricated. Oriented crystal rods of 1–3 mm diameter were grown with good optical quality. Due to the large difference in their segregation coefficient, Tm-doped samples showed uniform dopant distribution along the growth axis while Nd-doped YLF showed increasing Nd concentration with grown length.
Entropic intermediates and hidden rate-limiting steps in seemingly concerted cycloadditions. Observation, prediction, and origin of an isotope effect on recrossing.

An unusual intramolecular kinetic isotope effect (KIE) in the reaction of dichloroketene with cis-2-butene does not fit with a simple asynchronous cycloaddition transition state, but it can be predicted from trajectory studies on a bifurcating energy surface. The origin of the KIE is related to a high propensity for transition state recrossing in this system, with heavier masses recrossing less. The KIE can also be predicted by a statistical model that treats the cycloaddition as a stepwise mechanism, the rate-limiting second step being associated with an entropic barrier for formation of the second carbon–carbon bond. The relevance of this stepwise mechanism to other asynchronous but seemingly concerted cycloadditions is suggested by examination of organocatalytic Diels–Alder reactions.
The Explicit Representation of Context in Agent-Based Models of Complex Adaptive Spatial Systems

The dynamic behavior of complex adaptive spatial systems is driven by interactions that occur among system components. The proper representation of individual–individual and individual–environment ...
Application of Equilibrium Models of Solution Hybridization to Microarray Design and Analysis

Background The probe percent bound value, calculated using multi-state equilibrium models of solution hybridization, is shown to be useful in understanding the hybridization behavior of microarray probes having 50 nucleotides, with and without mismatches. These longer oligonucleotides are in widespread use on microarrays, but there are few controlled studies of their interactions with mismatched targets compared to 25-mer based platforms. Principal Findings 50-mer oligonucleotides with centrally placed single, double and triple mismatches were spotted on an array. Over a range of target concentrations it was possible to discriminate binding to perfect matches and mismatches, and the type of mismatch could be predicted accurately in the concentration midrange (100 pM to 200 pM) using solution hybridization modeling methods. These results have implications for microarray design, optimization and analysis methods. Conclusions Our results highlight the importance of incorporating biophysical factors in both the design and the analysis of microarrays. Use of the probe “percent bound” value predicted by equilibrium models of hybridization is confirmed to be important for predicting and interpreting the behavior of long oligonucleotide arrays, as has been shown for short oligonucleotide arrays.
Am I sure I want to go down this road? Hesitations in the reporting of child maltreatment by nurses

PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to explore the process of mandated reporting of child maltreatment by pediatric nurses. DESIGN & METHODS. Qualitative description using a grounded theory lens was used with a cross-section of pediatric nurses. RESULTS. A point of divergence in the reporting process appears to occur at the first of three moderating points. When nurses hesitate at this first point, decision-making becomes complex and delays the reporting process, giving rise to two themes: "It's the law" and "The ones that haunt you." PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Increasing educational efforts focused on the recognition of child maltreatment may impact nurses' low rate of reporting. Language: en
Climate change impact: Mapping thermal stress on Carrara marble in Europe

Abstract The impact of climate change on monuments and historic buildings is addressed for the first time, in terms of modelling and predicting thermal stress on stone in Europe over the next century. While the effect of changing climate on frost in porous materials and on surface recession of carbonate stone, has recently been treated, prediction of the future evolution of thermal stress on stones still requires elucidation. The present paper provides maps showing future scenarios of thermal stress on Carrara marble for the 21st century, using the output data from the Hadley general and regional climate models in the European window. The work carried out made it possible to forecast in the near and far futures (i.e. 2010–2039, 2070–2099) the number of events per year of thermal stress in marble greater than 20 MPa, the latter being adopted as the maximum sustainable load for this specific material. The data demonstrate that the Mediterranean area will continue to experience the highest level of risk from thermal stress, with more than 300 events/year predicted in the 2070–2099 period. In addition, Central Europe will be more affected by thermal stress during the present century compared to the baseline period, 1961–1990, taken as reference.
Direct technique for improving a matrix inverse

A method is shown that transforms the problem of inverting an ill-conditioned matrix to one of inverting a diagonally dominant matrix. An error analysis is outlined and the method is compared in theory and in result with the commonly used iterative methods. This direct method is demonstrated to be the limiting case of an nth-order iterative procedure as n approaches infinity. Examples are given that show the advantages of the direct method even under adverse conditions. The unreliability of the convergence of the iterative technique due to computational errors is also discussed.
The seismic hazard at Tehri dam

Abstract The proposed 265 m high Tehri dam in India would lie in one of the most hazardous areas in the world with respect to earthquakes. A magnitude 8 or greater earthquake may be expected under the dam. Due to the unique tectonic setting and lack of detailed studies, little is known about the expected ground in motion, but indirect evidence suggests acceleration of over l g can be expected. In these circumstances the dam design should be subject to the most rigorous dynamic analysis.
Precision Airdrop Technology Conference and Demonstration (4th) 2007

Abstract : This report summarizes the 4th Biennial Precision Airdrop Technology Conference and Demonstration (PATCAD) conducted at the United States (US) Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG), from 22 to 25 October 2007. The US Army Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center (NSRDEC) was the primary sponsor. The first part of PATCAD 2007 consisted of a one-day conference at the Yuma Civic and Convention Center, where presentations were provided by participants. The Director, Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) also provided a keynote address on "Technical Insertion Opportunities Through Rapid Prototyping", and industry participants provided displays of their airdrop systems and components. The purpose of the PATCAD is to bring together allied militaries, governments, and industry to collaborate on and become familiar with the latest airdrop technologies. PATCAD 2007 provided a forum for the international community of industry and government agencies involved in the development and utilization of precision aerial delivery technologies to share experiences, facilitate communication and collaboration pursuant to common technical requirements, and witness demonstrations of the state-of-the-art and emerging capabilities in precision airdrop. The demonstration was an opportunity to view systems of various technology readiness levels. The airdrop demonstration portion of PATCAD 2007 was conducted at the YPG LaPosa drop zone (DZ) using two C-130s and a C-17 provided by the US Air Force (USAF) Air Mobility Command (AMC) and a contracted International Air Response (IAR) C-130 aircraft. These aircraft flew 14 sorties over a three-day period and dropped a total of 157 systems, paratroopers, and dropsondes from altitudes of 5,000 to 17,500 feet mean sea level (MSL). The total rigged weight (TRW) of airdropped payloads ranged from 5 pounds to 25,200 pounds, and offset distances reached as far as 7 kilometers (km).
Valve Transform Fuzzy Tuning Algorithm for Open-centre Electro-hydraulic Systems

A generic fuzzy tuning algorithm provides a systematic approach of tuning valve transforms in a feedforward controller of a linear hydraulic actuator. It can achieve accurate velocity control by realizing closed-centre characteristics from an open-centre hydraulic system. This tuning algorithm was developed on the basis of a common sense model of system calibration, and was capable of tuning valve transforms for different systems without modification. Evaluations of this technique included dynamic simulation of a large scale, single degree of freedom (1-DOF) hydraulic linear actuator, and laboratory test on a laboratory scale 1-DOF actuator. Results indicated that this generic fuzzy tuning algorithm was capable of tuning valve transform promptly and accurately for identified operating conditions, and achieving effective compensation for accurate velocity control on different hydraulic linear actuators without modification.
CD32C (Fcγ RIIC) mRNA expression and regulation

The cell surface expression of the CD32 receptors for the Fc portion of immunoglobulin G (Fc gamma RII-CD32) is regulated by agents such as phorbol esters (PMA) and cytokines. In this study, we investigated the effects of PMA and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) on the expression of CD32C mRNA in U937 cells. When U937 (CD32+) cells are incubated with either PMA or IFN-gamma a significant enhancement of CD32C mRNA expression is observed with maximum enhancement at 18 hrs post-PMA and IFN-gamma addition. The addition of actinomycin D (ActD), a transcriptional inhibitor, together with either PMA or IFN-gamma diminishes the enhanced levels of CD32C mRNA to the basal levels, indicating that transcriptional regulation is involved in this modulatory process. The addition of cyclohexamide (CX), a protein synthesis inhibitor, to cultures undergoing stimulation with either PMA or IFN-gamma, increased the levels of CD32C mRNA synthesis suggesting that regulatory degradation proteins may be involved. The PMA and IFN-gamma stimulated CD32C mRNA is degraded within 2 hr post-stimulation and this degradation is delayed by the inhibition of de novo protein synthesis. These results, taken together with our previous studies of CD32A mRNA regulation in U937 cells stimulated with PMA, indicate that both the CD32A and C isomer mRNAs are rapidly degraded; however, CD32A and C isomer mRNAs are differentially regulated. At the optimal PMA dose, the time of mRNA stimulation of CD32A and C mRNA varies and the addition of CX to U937 cells together with PMA enhanced the levels of CD32C mRNA but had no effect on CD32A mRNA levels. These results imply that the differential regulation of the two CD32 isomers may result in differential function.
Properties of hepatic hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase purified from brook trout and lake trout.

Abstract 1. Brook trout hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (H6PD) and lake trout H6PD are essentially identical in several parameters including pH optima, kinetic properties and activation energy. They differ in thermal stability. 2. The various oxidations catalyzed by trout H6PD differ in their response to the presence of Mg 2+ , ATP and several anions. 3. The apparent K m 's of all four substrates show a decrease with decreasing temperature. 4. Kinetics of substrate oxidation by H6PD suggest that the enzyme most likely functions as a G6PD.
The role of a massive strange quark in the Large-N Skyrme model

Abstract We analyze the rigid rotator treatment of the three-flavor Skyrme model in the limit of a large number of colors. This is an approximation to the bound state approach to strangeness. The dynamical picture of baryons that emerges is similar to that of the non-relativistic quark model. In particular, we find a collective excitation of the q q background with all the properties of a constituent strange quark. We calculate the nucleon mass and the matrix element 〈N| s s |N〉 as functions of the mass of the strange quark.
Death anxiety, religious convictions about the afterlife, and the psychotherapist

Abstract This article assumes that the content of an individual's religious convictions about the afterlife may increase or decrease death anxiety. Examples of religious beliefs from the Judaeo-Christian tradition are grouped according to their potential effect on death anxiety levels. A rationale is then presented to enable therapists to recognize issues that are involved in this counseling process. The presentation of a cognitive-behavioral approach for handling this therapeutic situation is followed by a curriculum exercise intended to help therapists increase their awareness of the complexity of this problem.
Regional scale photochemical model evaluation of total mercury wet deposition and speciated ambient mercury

Abstract Methylmercury is a known neurotoxin with deleterious health effects on humans and wildlife. Atmospheric deposition is the largest source of mercury loading to most terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Regional scale air quality models are needed to quantify mercury deposition resulting from complex emissions sources and physical and chemical processes that govern the fate of mercury in the atmosphere. Total mercury wet deposition estimates from multiple regional photochemical transport models applied at 12 km grid resolution over the continental United States compare well with observations (CAMx fractional error = 45%, CMAQ fractional error = 33%) despite uncertainties in global mercury emissions inventories and certain chemical transformation pathways. In addition, both CMAQ and CAMx well represent observed diel and seasonal patterns of Hg(0) and tend to exaggerate the diel patter of Hg(II) at AMNet monitor locations. The observed fraction of particulate mercury to total oxidized mercury (sum of particulate mercury and Hg(II)) is generally greater in colder months and during overnight hours. The modeling systems tend to capture these patterns but have a systematically lower fraction of particulate mercury to total oxidized mercury, especially in winter months. Annual total mercury deposition from wet and dry processes is 65% greater in CMAQ compared to CAMx over the entire modeling domain. This is largely due to higher wet deposition in CMAQ and higher dry deposition of Hg(0), which is treated as equilibrium with mercury re-emissions and not modeled in CAMx. A sensitivity using CAMx with Hg(0) dry deposition treated similar to CMAQ resulted in more comparable total mercury deposition estimates. Modeled dry deposition velocities for Hg(II) compare well with the limited experimental data, while Hg(0) dry deposition velocities are lower than published experimental data. A mercury bi-directional flux sensitivity application in CMAQ had the overall effect of reducing total mercury dry deposition and slightly improving ambient Hg(0) performance. The range of the domain wide total deposition from all model sensitivities was within 25% of the mean but exhibited larger deviations in the individual wet and dry deposition budgets. The contribution of mercury initial conditions and lateral boundary inflow conditions were tracked separately using CAMx source apportionment. Initial contribution to total mercury deposition for the entire model domain falls below 5% after 2 weeks. Boundary contribution to total mercury deposition vary considerably across the continental United States, but ranges between 20 and 99% at MDN monitor locations.
The road not taken: Friendship, consumerism, and happiness

Since the mid‐1960s in advanced and rapidly advancing economies, there has been a rising tide of clinical depression and dysphoria, a decline in mutual trust, and a loosening of social bonds. Most studies show that above a minimal level, income is irrelevant to one's sense of well‐being, but companionship and social support increase well‐being. Since shopping and consumption are increasingly solitary activities, and watching television is not genuinely sociable, the increased time devoted to these activities may be responsible for rising levels of depression. Advanced societies are likely to increase “utility” if they maximize friendship rather than the getting and spending of wealth.
Response to NaCl of alfalfa plants regenerated from non-saline callus cultures

Salinity restricts crop productivity in many arid environments. Inadvertent selection for tolerance to osmotic stress may occur under cell or tissue culture conditions and could affect the performance of regenerated plants. The effect of NaCl on forage produced by alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) plants regenerated from non-saline callus cultures was examined in this study. Plants of Regen-S, which was selected for improved callus growth and regeneration in non-saline cultures, had higher forage weight when grown on SHII medium at NaCl levels up to 100 mM compared to its parental cultivars, Saranac and DuPuits. Five additional original-regenerant plant pairs, each derived from non-saline callus cultures of different alfalfa plants, were evaluated in a solid (soil-like) substrate under saline and non-saline conditions. Weight of forage produced by rooted stem cuttings of regenerated plants was 33% higher at 50 mM NaCl compared to cuttings of explant donor plants. Self progenies from four of five regenerants had higher relative forage weight at 100 mM NaCl (percent of 0 NaCl treatment) than the original plants indicating increased NaCl tolerance.
Doping of boron carbides with cobalt, using cobaltocene

The decomposition of cobaltocene under low energy electron irradiation appears facile, and evidence suggests that the decomposition products lead to an increase in the carrier concentration in semiconducting boron carbides. Using cobaltocene to introduce dopants, we fabricated a semiconducting boron carbide homojunction
Dynamics of Charge Collection from Alpha-Particle Tracks in Integrated Circuits

We studied the transient characteristics of charge collection from alpha-particle tracks in silicon devices. We have run computer calculations using the finite element method, in parallel with experimental work. When an alpha particle penetrates a pn-junction, the generated carriers drastically distort the junction field. After alpha particle penetration, the field, which was originally limited to the depletion region, extends far down into the bulk silicon along the length of the alpha-particle track and funnels a large number of carriers into the struck junction. After less than one nanosecond, the field recovers to its position in the normal depletion layer, and, if the track is long enough, a residue of carriers is left to be transported by diffusion. The extent of this field funneling is a function of substrate concentration, bias voltage, and the alpha-particle energy.
Mechanical Response Properties of A and C Primary Afferent Neurons Innervating the Rat Intracranial Dura

The intracranial dura receives a small-fiber sensory innervation from the trigeminal ganglion that is thought to be involved in some types of headaches, including migraine. Mechanical response prop...
A CASE OF SPONDYLOSIS DEFORMANS IN THE DEFLESHED SKELETON OF A WILD COYOTE AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE TO OSTEOPATHOLOGIC INTERPRETATION

The skeleton of a wild coyote (Canis latrans), collected in Alturas, California (USA), in 1940 and reported to have died of a blowfly infection, was analyzed. The axial components, primarily a series of fused and deformed vertebrae, had classic osteological indications of spondylosis deformans, a trauma-induced disorder. Severe crippling due to a crushing-type strain was identified as the primary pathological condition to which the coyote succumbed, with death hastened by vertebral degeneration and the complicating infection.
Permanent internal pacemaker safety in air medical transport.

Summary Helicopter and fixed-wing air medical transportation provides an important role in the management of critically-ill patients. As the use of cardiac pacemakers continues to grow, knowledge of their expanding capabilities and sophistication is important. The environments of our “airborne intensive care units” are subject to many sources of electromagnetic and vibrational interference. Although pacemaker shielding mechanisms have become quite eleborate, further studies are needed to define their reliability in modern aircraft. Further, the possible effects of electromagnetic and vibrational interference upon inflight reprogramming require further study.
Joint and Sole Custody Mothers: Implications for Research and Practice:

The authors evaluated the ability of a conceptual model encompassing variables related to parenting, father involvement, and mother's resources to predict custody type for divorced mothers. Finding...
Fusion of spectral models for dynamic modeling of sEMG and skeletal muscle force

In this paper, we present a method of combining spectral models using a Kullback Information Criterion (KIC) data fusion algorithm. Surface Electromyographic (sEMG) signals and their corresponding skeletal muscle force signals are acquired from three sensors and pre-processed using a Half-Gaussian filter and a Chebyshev Type- II filter, respectively. Spectral models - Spectral Analysis (SPA), Empirical Transfer Function Estimate (ETFE), Spectral Analysis with Frequency Dependent Resolution (SPFRD) - are extracted from sEMG signals as input and skeletal muscle force as output signal. These signals are then employed in a System Identification (SI) routine to establish the dynamic models relating the input and output. After the individual models are extracted, the models are fused by a probability based KIC fusion algorithm. The results show that the SPFRD spectral models perform better than SPA and ETFE models in modeling the frequency content of the sEMG/skeletal muscle force data.
Hepatic expression of polymerase β, Ref-1, PCNA, and Bax in WY 14,643-exposed rats and hamsters

The hepatic levels of three protein markers of oxidative stress, polymerase β, Ref-1, and PCNA, and of the pro-apoptotic protein, Bax, were quantitated after exposure to WY 14,643 (500 ppm in the feed) for 6 or 34 days in a rodent that is susceptible peroxisome proliferator (PP)-induced liver tumors (the Sprague Dawley rat) and in a rodent that is relatively resistant PP-induced liver tumors (the Syrian hamster). The analysis of detergent-extracted whole liver homogenates by immunoblotting showed a marked increase in the abundance of a 45-kDa variant of polymerase β immunoreactivity and significant increases in the expression of Ref-1 and PCNA in WY 14,643-exposed rats. In contrast, WY 14,643-exposed hamsters expressed only trace levels of the polymerase β variant and showed significant decreases in the expression of Ref-1 and PCNA. Long-term WY 14,643 exposure was associated with marked decreases in Bax expression in both species. Dose-response studies in the rat showed that the hepatic expression of the polymerase β and Ref-1 were significantly increased after 6 days of exposure to WY 14,643 at levels of 5 and 50 ppm, respectively. The analysis of subcellular fractions of rat liver showed that the pathological increases in the levels of polymerase β, Ref-1, and PCNA were especially prominent in mitochondria-enriched particulate liver subfractions. These results indicate that WY 14,643 exposure is associated with an increase in oxidative stress to the liver and that liver mitochondria are a major target of WY-14,643-associated liver damage. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that the chronic overexpression of mutagenic or oncogenic effectors like polymerase β and Ref-1 in a setting of increased hepatocyte proliferation and decreased apoptosis may facilitate peroxisome proliferator-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in the rat.
Skn-1a and Skn-1i: two functionally distinct Oct-2-related factors expressed in epidermis

Two forms of a member of the POU domain family of transcriptional regulators, highly related to Oct-2, are selectively expressed in terminally differentiating epidermis and hair follicles. One form, referred to as Skn-1i, contains an amino-terminal domain that inhibits DNA binding and can inhibit transactivation by Oct-1. A second form, Skn-1a, contains an alternative amino terminus and serves to activate cytokeratin 10 (K10) gene expression. The pattern of expression of the Skn-1a/i gene products and the effect of the alternative products on the expression of other genes suggest that these factors serve regulatory functions with respect to epidermal development.
Biodegradability of Municipal Solid Waste Components in Laboratory-Scale Landfills

The objective of this research was to characterize the anaerobic biodegradability of municipal refuse components by measuring methane yields, the extent of cellulose and hemicellulose decomposition, and leachate toxicity. Tests were conducted in quadruplicate in 2-L reactors operated to obtain maximum yields. Measured methane yields for grass, leaves, branches, food waste, coated paper, old newsprint, old corrugated containers, and office paper were 144.4, 30.6, 62.6, 300.7, 84.4, 74.3, 152.3, and 217.3 mL of CH4/dry g, respectively. Although, as a general trend, the methane yield increased as the cellulose plus hemicellulose content increased, confounding factors precluded establishing a quantitative relationship. Similarly, the degree of lignification of a particular component was not a good predictor of the extent of biodegradation. With the exception of food waste, leachate from the decomposition of refuse components was not toxic as measured by using an anaerobic toxicity assay.
Experimental demonstration of H∞ filter performance for dynamic compensation of rhodium neutron detectors

This paper describes the experimental demonstration of the theoretical result of the previous work on LMI (linear matrix inequality) based H∞ filter for time-delay compensation of self-powered neutron detectors. The filter gains are optimized in the sense of noise attenuation level of H∞ setting. By introducing bounded real lemma, the conventional algebraic Riccati inequalities are converted into linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Finally, the filter design problem is solved via the convex optimization framework using LMIs. The experimental measurements of rhodium detector signal from a research reactor show that the predicted theoretical filter performance is verified by showing successful reconstruction of the reference power signal.
Inside and outside: The relation between emotional states and expressions

The association between emotional expression and physiological emotional states is at best, modest. Using data from the autonomic nervous system (ANS), central nervous system (CNS), and hormonal systems there appears to be an association which accounts for approximately 10—20% of the variance between them. Excluding measurement error, it is proposed that the need for action and regulation accounts for the low levels of synchrony. Understanding system responses allows for the study of individual differences as a way of understanding both emotional expressions and states.
Electrochemical, spectral, and quartz crystal microgravimetric assessment of conduction band edge energies for nanocrystalline zirconium dioxide/solution interfaces

Abstract Electrochemical quartz crystal microgravimetry studies of porous nanocrystalline ZrO 2 electrodes in acetonitrile containing 1 M LiClO 4 show that surface electronic states can be accessed at potentials as far positive as 0 V versus Ag/AgCl, as evidenced by uptake of charge-compensating cations. A much higher density of surface states is encountered beginning at about −1.3 V. Based on previous work with TiO 2 , SnO 2 , and ZnO, this potential is tentatively identified with E cb for ZrO 2 and is about 0.5 V more negative than E cb for TiO 2 . In water, cation uptake is replaced by efficient reduction of H 3 O + or water to hydrogen, a finding that has interesting parallels in radiation chemistry. Identifying the onset potential for hydrogen evolution with either E cb or a potential characteristic of a high density of trap states, the value obtained is about 0.3 V negative of E cb for TiO 2 . Like the conduction band edge energy for titanium dioxide, the putative E cb value for ZrO 2 shifts negatively with increasing pH. Comparisons of surface-based ligand-to-metal charge-transfer band energies point to an E cb value for colloidal ZrO 2 in water that is about 0.4 V negative of the value for colloidal TiO 2 . Consistent with three recent literature reports, empty states should lie low enough in energy to permit efficient injection from photoexcited dyes under certain conditions.
UNC-51-like kinase regulation of fibroblast growth factor receptor substrate 2/3

UNC-51-like kinases (ULK) are members of an evolutionarily conserved sub-family of ubiquitously expressed serine/threonine-specific protein kinases. Here we report that fibroblast growth factor receptor substrate (FRS) 2/3 are novel ULK2 carboxy-terminal domain interacting proteins. FRS2/3 are homologs that function as adaptor proteins to mediate signaling of multiple receptor tyrosine kinases. ULK2 interacts with the phospho-tyrosine binding (PTB) domain of FRS2/3. We demonstrate that siRNA targeting ULK2 in mouse P19 cells results in elevated FGFR1 mediated FRS3 and SHP2 tyrosyl phosphorylation. In addition, RNAi-mediated decrease in ULK2 causes increased interaction between FGFR1 and FRS3. ULK2 phosphorylates FRS2/3 in vitro, suggesting that ULK2 mediated phosphorylation may be a mechanism of FRS2/3 regulation. The data presented support a model in which ULK2, by interaction with FRS2/3 and inhibition of SynGAP, functions to negatively regulate tyrosyl phosphorylation of signaling proteins downstream of FGFR1.
A View of Software Development Environments Based on Activity Theory

We view software development as a i>collaborative activity that is typically supported by a software development environment. Since these environments can significantly influence the collaborative nature of a software development project, it is important to analyze and evaluate their capabilities with respect to collaboration. In this paper, we present an analysis and evaluation of the collaborative capabilities of software development environments using an activity theory perspective. The discipline of software engineering (SE) emerged to study and develop artifacts to mediate the collective development of large software systems. While many advances have been made in the past three decades of SE's existence, the historical origins of the discipline are present in that techniques and tools to support the collaborative aspects of large-scale software development are still lacking. One factor is a common ``production-oriented'' philosophy that emphasizes the mechanistic and individualistic aspects of software development over the collaborative aspects thereby ignoring the rich set of human-human interactions that are possible over the course of a software development project. We believe that the issues and ideas surrounding activity theory may be useful in improving support for collaboration in software engineering techniques and tools. As such, we make use of the activity theory to analyze and evaluate process-centered software development environments (PCSDEs).
Evaluating a Complex Debris Dispersion Model Using Experimental Design Techniques

ver the past several years there has been a steady increase in space launch operations and forecasters conservatively predict slight growth in future launch rates. New technologies, national security, and the development of new markets in the commercial space transportation industry could further accelerate this growth. Although the September 11, 2001 attacks have reduced the current level of operations, the FAA expects the longterm growth in air travel to resume in the 2004 to 2013 timeframe. These trends will require a safe and efficient integration of both air and space transportation vehicles operating in shared airspace. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and NASA are developing operational concepts that will seamlessly integrate air and space launch/reentry operations while ensuring that the highest levels of safety, security, and efficiency are maintained. The current procedure for ensuring aircraft are safely distanced from the spacecraft during a launch is to restrict all air traffic from flying in a very large region of Special Use Airspace (SUA) and/or Altitude Reservations (ALTRV) within the range. Figure 1 presents a debris hazard zone within a hypothetical SUA/ALTRV. During a launch, aircraft that would normally fly through this airspace simply take a longer, alternate route to their destination. This procedure accommodates today’s launch rates and the air traffic around the launch site. However, this procedure will probably not be acceptable if launch rates significantly increase, or when
Extracolonic Findings at CT Colonography

Computed tomographic colonography (CTC) is a validated tool for the evaluation of the colon for polyps and cancer. The technique employed for CTC includes a low-dose CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis that is typically performed without the administration of intravenous contrast. Using this technique it is possible to discover findings outside of the colon. By far, most extracolonic findings are determined to be clinically inconsequential on CTC and most patients are not recommended for further testing. However, some findings may result in additional diagnostic evaluation or intervention, which can lead to patient anxiety and increased morbidity and health care costs. Alternatively, some findings can lead to the earlier diagnosis of a clinically significant lesion, which could result in decreased patient morbidity and mortality as well as overall savings in downstream health care costs. The controversies of detecting and evaluating these incidental extracolonic findings on CTC are discussed.
Granular computing for binary relations: clustering and axiomatic granular operators

In 1993, Lin and Liu proposed an axioms for approximate operators in rough set theory. Subsequently, Yao extended to binary relations for finite universe. In this paper, we extend to the axiom to arbitrary universes. We also include an observation about defining the notion of clustering by binary granulation.
Empirical tight-binding model for titanium phase transformations

For a previously published study of the titanium hexagonal close packed $(\ensuremath{\alpha})$ to omega $(\ensuremath{\omega})$ transformation, a tight-binding model was developed for titanium that accurately reproduces the structural energies and electron eigenvalues from all-electron density-functional calculations. We use a fitting method that matches the correctly symmetrized wave functions of the tight-binding model to those of the density-functional calculations at high symmetry points. The structural energies, elastic constants, phonon spectra, and point-defect energies predicted by our tight-binding model agree with density-functional calculations and experiment. In addition, a modification to the functional form is implemented to overcome the ``collapse problem'' of tight binding, necessary for phase transformation studies and molecular dynamics simulations. The accuracy, transferability, and efficiency of the model makes it particularly well suited to understanding structural transformations in titanium.
Virtual Prototyper (ViPro): An SRAM Design Tool for Yield Constrained Optimization

This brief presents a tool for optimizing the energy and delay (E/D) of static RAM designs to meet a specific die yield constraint. This allows the tool to account for the effects of process variation and to trade off yield with performance and energy. To accomplish this, we use a combination of simulation and modeling techniques to determine the minimum wordline (WL) pulsewidth required for both the read and write operations to meet a user-specified die yield. The use of a hierarchical model enables us to calculate the E/D of a full macro that is margined to meet a specific die yield. By sweeping across the possible design space, we are able to identify Pareto optimal designs. The tool structure described in this brief allows comparison across different array topologies, process technologies, and circuit choices including assist methods. Using this tool, we find that adding a WL boosting scheme results in an overall energy savings, despite the overhead of using a charge pump circuit, due to an improved read delay distribution.
Incentives for Increasing Return Rates: Magnitude Levels, Response Bias, amd Format

THE use of monetary and nonmonetary incentives has received significant attention as a method of increasing return rates from mail surveys. Armstrong (1975), in a review of eight studies, concluded that monetary incentives have a substantial impact on survey return rate, typically reducing nonreponse by a third. Nonmonetary incentives also have positive effects, although the response increase has not always been statistically significant (cf. Nederhof, 1983). Initial evidence from direct comparisons suggests that monetary incentives are superior to nonmonetary ones in increasing mail survey returns (Goodstadt, et al., 1977). Armstrong's review concluded that increasing the size of a monetary incentive increases mail survey response. However, he notes that few studies have compared different magnitudes of monetary incentives, and few studies have investigated the effects of incentives greater than a dollar, leaving the effects of larger incentives unknown. Thus, the current study was designed to address these issues by comparing the effects of $5 and $1 incentives on mail return rate.
Can college students use emotion regulation strategies to alter intimate partner aggression-risk behaviors? An examination using I³ theory.

Objective: Drawing on Finkel and Eckhardt’s I 3 theory (Finkel & Eckhardt, 2013), this experimental study examined the effects of emotion regulatory efforts on aggressive verbalizations during anger arousal. Methods: Participants were 236 male and female college students with and without a history of intimate partner aggression (IPA) perpetration. Participants were randomized to 1 of 3 emotion regulation strategy conditions: cognitive reappraisal, expressive suppression, or no instruction. They were trained to use these strategies in response to emotionally evocative dating scenarios presented via the Articulated Thoughts in Simulated Situations (ATSS) paradigm. Participants’ aggressive verbalizations in response to these scenarios were coded. Results: A significant interaction emerged such that IPA perpetrators trained to use cognitive reappraisal articu lated fewer aggressive verbalizations than did non-IPA perpetrators; IPA perpetrators instructed to use expressive suppression tended to articulate more aggressive verbalizations than did non-IPA perpetrators. Conclusions: Findings lend support to some of the major tenets of the I3 model, and suggest that emotion regulation strategies may be important treatment targets for IPA perpetration.
Higher order modeling of surface-wire junctions

Electromagnetic analysis of surface-wire structures has numerous applications in the area of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), circuit simulation and antenna design. The lack of a higher order technique to analyze wire scatterers as well as the lack of suitable surface-wire bases prevented higher order analysis of structures containing surface-wire junctions. Recent research has demonstrated a new technique to perform higher order analysis of wire scatterers. This work will present interpolatory higher order bases for surface-wire junctions and perform Method of Moments (MoM) analysis of structures containing surface-wire junctions. Numerical results show that accelerated convergence is achieved with these higher-order bases. The frequency domain approach can then be extended to perform higher order transient modeling surface-wire junctions using a suitable Time Domain Integral Equations (TDIE) based approach.
Phase Transitions in Nonequilibrium Traffic Theory

This paper uses the center difference scheme of Lax-Friedichs to numerically solve a newly developed continuum traffic flow theory and the kinematic theory of Lighthill and Whitham (1955) and Richards (1956) (the LWR theory), and it studies the flow-concentration phase transitions in flow containing both shock and rarefaction waves. A homogeneous road with finite length was modeled by both theories. Numerical simulations show that both theories yield nearly identical results for two representative Riemann problems: one has a shock solution and the other a rarefaction wave solution. Their phase transition curves, however, are different: those derived from the new theory have two branches--one for acceleration flow and one for deceleration flow--whereas those derived from the LWR theory comprise a single curve--the equilibrium curve. The phase transition curves in the shock case agree well with certain experimental observations but disagree with others. This disagreement may be resolved by studying transitions among nonequilibrium states, which awaits further development of a more accurate finite difference approximation of the nonequilibrium theory.
Social Class as Culture The Convergence of Resources and Rank in the Social Realm

Social class reflects more than the material conditions of people’s lives. Objective resources (e.g., income) shape cultural practices and behaviors that signal social class. These signals create cultural identities among upper- and lower-class individuals— identities that are rooted in subjective perceptions of social-class rank vis-a-vis others. Empirical studies find that perceptions of social-class rank influence patterns of contextual versus dispositional cognition and other- versus self-oriented affect and behavior that are consistent with objective resource-based measures of social class. Our theoretical conceptualization emphasizes the utility of measuring and manipulating perceptions of social-class rank to better understand how social class influences thought and action across diverse social domains.
Binding Energy of Two-Dimensional Excitons in Strong Magnetic Fields

Because of current interest in the behavior of excitons in semiconducting quantum well systems in the presence of strong magnetic fields, variational calculations are performed of the exciton binding energy as a function of the magnetic field using two types of variational wave functions, a hydrogenic wave function which corresponds to the exact wave function in the limit of low magnetic fields and a Gaussian wave function which corresponds to the exact wave function in the limit of high magnetic fields. In the low and high field limits, the results correspond to those obtained by others using perturbation and WKB approximations. However, the variational results enable us to bridge the region of intermediate magnetic fields for which the previous approximation methods are not valid and to determine the region of validity of these approximation methods. Also calculated are the oscillator strength for 2D excitons as a function of magnetic field to determine the intensity of the exciton peak as a function of the field. Aufgrund des anhaltenden Interesses am Verhalten der Exzitonen in Halbleiter-Quantenwell-systemen unter starken Magnetfeldern werden Variationsrechnungen der Exzitonenbindungs-energien als Funktion des Magnetfeldes mit zwei Typen von Variationswellenfunktionen durch-gefuhrt: einer Wasserstoffwellenfunktion, die der exakten Wellenfunktion im Grenzfall niedriger Magnetfelder entspricht und einer Gauswellenfunktion, die der exakten Wellenfunktion im Grenzfall hoher Magnetfelder entspricht. In den Grenzfallen des niedrigen und hohen Feldes stimmen die Ergebnisse mit denen uberein, die mit Storungs- und WKB-Naherungen erhalten werden. Jedoch ermoglichen die Variationsergebnisse den Bereich der mittleren Magnetfelder, fur die die fruheren Naherungsmethoden nicht gultig sind, zu uberbrucken und den Gultigkeitsbereich dieser Naherungsmethoden zu bestimmen. Es wird auch die Oszillatorstarke fur 2D-Exzitonen als Funktion des Magnetfeldes berechnet, um die Intensitat des Exzitonenmaximums als Funktion des Feldes zu bestimmen.
The evolution of plant development

The last decade has witnessed a resurgence in the study of the evolution of plant development, combining investigations in systematics, developmental morphology, molecular developmental genetics, and molecular evolution. The integration of phylogenetic studies, structural analyses of fossil and extant taxa, and molecular developmental genetic information allows the formulation of explicit and testable hypotheses for the evolution of morphological characters. These comprehensive approaches provide opportunities to dissect the evolution of major developmental transitions among land plants, including those associated with apical meristems, the origins of the root/shoot dichotomy, diversification of leaves, and origin and subsequent modification of flower structure. The evolution of these major developmental innovations is discussed within both phylogenetic and molecular genetic contexts. We conclude that it is the combination of these approaches that will lead to the greatest understanding of the evolution of plant development.