cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Antiphase boundary energies and the transition from shearing to looping in alloys strengthened by ordered precipitates

Abstract The critical particle diameter for the transition from shearing to looping, 〈d〉max, during deformation of alloys strengthened by strong ordered coherent precipitates is related to the antiphase boundary (APB) energy on the {111} planes of the precipitate phase. Theoretical analysis of this process pedicts average APB energies of 0·112±0·030 and 0·161±0·024 Jm−2 for the δ′ (Al3Li) and γ′ (Ni3Al) phases respectively. The value for the δ′ phase is about 25% lower than those determined by nearly all other methods, while that for the γ′ phase is about 15% higher. The present method of analysis is more reliable than that of a recent theory proposed by Glazer and Morris. However, because 〈d〉max cannot be measured with the same degree of precision as other quantities, it is argued that more accurate APB energies can be extracted from the analysis of other data on precipitation hardening of alloys containing ordered coherent precipitates.
Coordinated and uncoordinated evaluations of sewage sludge reference materials

Reference materials are needed to validate the methodologies and assure the data used in deciding the best course to follow for the safe utilization or disposal of sewage sludge. Several materials are currently being used for this purpose. These are reviewed with respect to their suitabilities as reference standards.
Occupational exposure limits for nanomaterials: state of the art

Assessing the need for and effectiveness of controlling airborne exposures to engineered nanomaterials in the workplace is difficult in the absence of occupational exposure limits (OELs). At present, there are practically no OELs specific to nanomaterials that have been adopted or promulgated by authoritative standards and guidance organizations. The vast heterogeneity of nanomaterials limits the number of specific OELs that are likely to be developed in the near future, but OELs could be developed more expeditiously for nanomaterials by applying dose–response data generated from animal studies for specific nanoparticles across categories of nanomaterials with similar properties and modes of action. This article reviews the history, context, and approaches for developing OELs for particles in general and nanoparticles in particular. Examples of approaches for developing OELs for titanium dioxide and carbon nanotubes are presented and interim OELs from various organizations for some nanomaterials are discussed. When adequate dose–response data are available in animals or humans, quantitative risk assessment methods can provide estimates of adverse health risk of nanomaterials in workers and, in conjunction with workplace exposure and control data, provide a basis for determining appropriate exposure limits. In the absence of adequate quantitative data, qualitative approaches to hazard assessment, exposure control, and safe work practices are prudent measures to reduce hazards in workers.
Evaluation of heat damage on B4C particulate reinforced aluminum alloy matrix composite using acoustic emission techniques

Abstract The effects of prolonged heat damage on the tensile properties of aluminum alloys reinforced with B 4 C particle of average particle size of 10.5 and 20.9 mm was investigated by both mechanical and acoustic emission monitoring during tensile test. To ensure the matrix contribution was similar for all specimens, specimens were heat treated to the same condition for each material after heat damage. The particle/matrix bond strength was found reduced significantly despite what was reported in the literature of stable particle/matrix interface at temperature lower than 660°C. The micromechanisms of fracture changed from particle fracture and debonding, for as received specimens, to particle/matrix debonding after exposure to high temperature. The cumulative acoustic emission (AE) events during post heat exposure reduced with the increase of heat damage on the specimen. A Weibull probability distribution function that incorporates heat damage and is related to the cumulative AE events is developed. This model could be used to evaluate the heat damage by subjecting the heat damaged specimen to a tensile test while collecting AE data up to a strain level e . The total events can then be used in connection with the model to predict the extent of the heat damage to the particle/matrix interface. The results indicate that the tensile strength was little sensitive to the particle/matrix bond strength.
Exports, imports, government consumption and economic growth in upper-middle income countries:

Esfahani (1991) shows that the statistically significant correlation between export promotion and economic growth in semi-industrialized countries (SICs) has been mainly attributable to the role of exports in reducing import ‘shortages’, which have impeded output growth in these countries. As a result, export-promotion policies as a superior development strategy in SICs play an important role in those that cannot secure sufficient foreign aid or investment. Esfahani (1991) also develops a simultaneous equations model to address the simultaneity bias between GDP and export growth rates. In this article we extend the model developed by Esfahani (1991) by incorporating the contribution of government consumption to output growth and test it using a sample of 27 upper-middle income economies.
Investigating the climate impacts of global land cover change in the community climate system model

Recently, (Pitman et al., 2009) found a wide range of bio-geophysical climate impacts from historical land cover change when modelled in a suite of current global climate models (GCMs). The bio-geophysical climate impacts of human land cover change, however, have been investigated by a wide range of general circulation modelling, regional climate modelling, and observational studies. In this regard the IPCC 4th assessment report specifies radiative cooling of 0.2 W/m2 as the dominant global impact of human land cover change since 1750, but states this has a low to medium level of scientific understanding. To further contribute to the understanding of the possible climatic impacts of anthropogenic land cover change, we have performed a series of land cover change experiments with the community land model (CLM) within the community climate system model (CCSM). To do this we have developed a new set of potential vegetation land surface parameters to represent land cover change in CLM. The new parameters are consistent with the potential vegetation biome mapping of (Ramankutty and Foley, 1999), with the plant functional types (PFTs) and plant phenology consistent with the current day Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) land surface parameters of (Lawrence and Chase, 2007). We found that land cover change in CCSM resulted in widespread regional warming of the near surface atmosphere, but with limited global impact on near surface temperatures. The experiments also found changes in precipitation, with drier conditions regionally, but with limited impact on average global precipitation. Analysis of the surface fluxes in the CCSM experiments found the current day warming was predominantly driven by changes in surface hydrology through reduced evapo-transpiration and latent heat flux, with the radiative forcing playing a secondary role. We show that these finding are supported by a wide range of observational field studies, satellite studies and regional and global climate modelling studies. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Genetic diversity of Cercospora sojina revealed by amplified fragment length polymorphism markers

Abstract Cercospora sojina Hara, the causal agent of frogeye leaf spot of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), causes yield reductions worldwide. Although the phenotypic diversity (physiological races) of this pathogen has been assessed through its ability to affect soybean lines with different resistant genes (Rcs genes), little is known about the pathogen's genetic diversity. In order to better understand the genetic diversity that exists with C. sojina, a historical collection of 62 C. sojina isolates from Brazil (10 isolates), China (7 isolates), Nigeria (1 isolate), and United States (44 isolates) was used for genetic diversity analysis with amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. The average genetic similarity of the isolates was 0.56 on a scale between 0 and 1, indicating a high degree of genetic diversity within the species. Cluster analysis resulted in two major clusters and seven sub-clusters. Two isolates collected from Georgia were clustered together, and two isolates from China we...
The Inner Group of The American Capitalist Class

The American capitalist class is hypothesized to differ along an axis of inner group centrality, defined as the span of influence over major business firms. Those who serve as corporate executives and sit on boards of directors of several large corporations are at the center of the inner group, while businessmen who oversee only a single large firm are on the periphery. One expects inner group members to be disproportionately recruited from among wealthy individuals with large corporate assets and executives employed in financial institutions. It is hypothesized that, compared with other capitalist class members, inner group members will tend to have 1) stronger internal social cohesion, 2) greater influence on public and private decision-making bodies, and 3) a more unified political consciousness and one more oriented toward general class interests. Drawing on a subset of businessmen (1,307) responding to a 1968 national probability survey of college and university trustees, support is found for the prediction that the inner group, recruited from the wealthy and financial institutions, is relatively cohesive and influential. However, the results contradict the prediction on political consciousness, with inner group ideology differing little from that of the remainder of the class. It is suggested that the inner group may play a limited role in unifying and controlling the business community but that it does not provide a means for the integration and promotion of general class interests.
THE LIPID BILAYER MEMBRANE AS AN ASSAY FOR IONCONDUCTANCE-INDUCING MATERIALS ISOLATED FROM BIOLOGICAL MEMBRANESfn1fn2

A summary is given of a panel discussion concerning meaningful reconstitution of ion conductance from biological membranes. One of the prerequisites given is the use of purified material with a well-defined biochemical basis such as the acetylcholine receptor or sodium channels in nerve, or purified enzyme known to be associated with ion transport. The bilayer experiments should closely mimic the physiological response. Bulk phase experiments should complement bilayer measurements. Reproducibility and effect of the extracted protein on bilayer rupture should be reported. (MFB)
Terahertz Emission from Indium Nitride Multiple Quantum Wells

We report enhanced terahertz emission from N-face InN/InGaN multiple quantum wells relative to that from bulk N-face InN when excited by 800 nm femtosecond optical pulses with low pump intensities.
Cervical dilation with exogenous oxytocin does not affect sperm movement into the oviducts in ewes

Abstract Exogenous oxytocin aids in the transcervical passage of an AI gun into the uterus of ewes, and it may be an effective adjunct to sheep AI procedures. However, the effects of oxytocin on sperm transport and fertility are unclear. Thus, experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of oxytocin on variables that may affect fertility. In Experiment 1, five ewes/group received intravenous injections of 0, 50, 100, 200 or 400 USP units of oxytocin. Oxytocin enhanced (P 6 sperm cells) into the right uterine horn. Ewes were slaughtered 20 h after AI, and the numbers of spermatozoa were determined. Oxytocin did not affect (P > 0.05) the movement of spermatozoa throughout the uterus and into both oviducts. In summary, oxytocin induced myometrial tetany and permitted the passage of the tip of an AI gun into the uterus. However, oxytocin did not disrupt sperm transport to the oviducts. We conclude that oxytocin-induced cervical dilation may be a useful adjunct to transcervical intrauterine AI procedures for sheep.
BEYOND THE BIBLE BELT: THE INFLUENCE (OR LACK THEREOF) OF RELIGION ON ATTITUDES TOWARD THE DEATH PENALTY

ABSTRACT The recent rise in influence of religious leaders in the Republican party has been accompanied by a renewed interest in the role of religion in public policy issues. Leading this quest is the work of Grasmick and colleagues on the role of religious fundamentalism on various justice issues, including capital punishment. The general finding is that belonging to a Fundamentalist denomination or endorsing a literal interpretation of the Bible is associated with support for capital punishment (and other punitive policy proposals). This research tests for the same relationship in a Midwestern state. The findings suggest, however, that the role of religion in attitudes toward capital punishment may not generalize beyond the Bible Belt.
Magnetic Superconductors: Thermal Conductivity Studies

The coexistence of magnetic and superconducting order in rare-earth-nickel-borocarbides (RNi2B2C with R = Tm, Er, Ho, Dy) and in Ru-2122 rutheno-cuprates (R = Eu and Gd) has been recently reported. Thermal conductivity measurements for magnetic superconductors from these families are discussed.
Role of regucalcin in cell nuclear regulation: involvement as a transcription factor.

Regucalcin (RGN/SMP30) was discovered in 1978 as a calcium (Ca2+)-binding protein that contains no EF-hand motif of the Ca2+-binding domain. The name of regucalcin was proposed for this Ca2+-binding protein, which can regulate various Ca2+-dependent enzyme activations in liver cells. The regucalcin gene is localized on the X chromosome. Regucalcin plays a multifunctional role in cell regulation through maintaining intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis and suppressing signal transduction in various cell types. The cytoplasmic regucalcin is translocated into the nucleus and inhibits nuclear Ca2+-dependent and -independent protein kinases and protein phosphatases, Ca2+-activated deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation and DNA and ribonucleic acid (RNA) synthesis. Moreover, overexpression of endogenous regucalcin regulates the gene expression of various proteins that are related to cell proliferation and apoptosis. This review will discuss the role of regucalcin in the regulation of cell nuclear function and an involvement in gene expression as a novel transcription factor.
Electrophysiologic effects of nicorandil, a new antianginal agent, on action potentials and membrane currents of rabbit atrioventricular node.

Electrophysiologic effects of nicorandil, a newly developed coronary vasodilator, on the atrioventricular (AV) node were studied using space-clamped small preparations of the rabbit AV node. At the concentrations of 10−6, 10−5 and 10−4 mol/l, this drug did not cause significant changes in the action potential characteristics including the spontaneous firing frequency, overshoot, maximum diastolic potential, maximum rate of depolarization and action potential duration. When the resting membrane potential of the AV node was obtained by a superfusion with verapamil and then nicorandil was added to the perfusate, no hyperpolarization was observed. This was in sharp contrast to the reported hyperpolarizing action of this drug on the atrial muscle, Purkinje fibres and vascular smooth muscle where the resting potential is much more negative. On the other hand, voltage clamp experiments using double microelectrode techniques revealed that 10−5 to 10−4 mol/l nicorandil increased the steady-state outward current at potentials positive to −40 mV and the steady-state inward current at potentials negative to −40 mV. Such a nicorandil-sensitive component of the steady-state current had an average reversal potential of −41.8 mV (n = 5). This component was considered to reflect changes in the time-independent background current, although, at more negative potential levels, it may partially reflect an increase in the hyperpolarization activated inward current (ih). Nicorandil, at the concentrations of 10−5 and 10−4 mol/l, increased the slow inward current (isi) by 10.8% (n = 5, p < 0.01). As the inactivation kinetics of the isi was not affected after the application of nicorandil, the increase in the may well be attributed to an increase in the fully activated isi (isi). It was also shown that the increase in the isi was not mediated by neurotransmitters, as an increase of a similar degree was again observed in the presence of either propranolol or atropine. The apparent discrepancy between the effects of nicorandil on the action potential configuration and on the membrane currents may have resulted from cancellations between the inward increase in the isi and the outward increase in the background current during the action potential. Possible implications of these nicorandil effects in modifying AV conduction were discussed.
New Insights to the Use of Ethanol in Automotive Fuels: A Stable Isotopic Tracer for Fossil- and Bio-Fuel Combustion Inputs to the Atmosphere

Ethanol is currently receiving increased attention because of its use as a biofuel or fuel additive and because of its influence on air quality. We used stable isotopic ratio measurements of 13C/12C in ethanol emitted from vehicles and a small group of tropical plants to establish ethanol’s δ13C end-member signatures. Ethanol emitted in exhaust is distinctly different from that emitted by tropical plants and can serve as a unique stable isotopic tracer for transportation-related inputs to the atmosphere. Ethanol’s unique isotopic signature in fuel is related to corn, a C4 plant and the primary source of ethanol in the U.S. We estimated a kinetic isotope effect (KIE) for ethanol’s oxidative loss in the atmosphere and used previous assumptions with respect to the fractionation that may occur during wet and dry deposition. A small number of interpretive model calculations were used for source apportionment of ethanol and to understand the associated effects resulting from atmospheric removal. The models inco...
Humans’ folk physics is not enough to explain variations in their tool-using behavior

Two experiments examined adult humans’ folk physics (i.e., their naturally occurring and spontaneous understanding of the physical world) using variations of trap-table problems used to study chimpanzees’ folk physics. When presented with these problems, people unnecessarily avoided retrieving a reward by pulling a rake on the side of a table with a trapping hole—even though it was highly unlikely that the hole would trap the reward. However, when the distance between the reward and the trap was sufficiently large and the distance that the reward had to travel to be retrieved was sufficiently short, people preferred to retrieve a reward by pulling the rake on the side of the table with the trap. These results underscore that behavior during tool-use tasks has many possible causes, only one of which might be a subject’s folk physics.
The Classics Will Circulate—On Videocassette

The classics will circulate wrote a public librarian several years ago. She found that new, attractive, prominently displayed editions of literary classics would indeed find a substantial audience among public library patrons.
Implementation and analysis of binary optics for angular and wavelength multiplexing

The implementation of thick diffraction gratings with binary optics and thin film technology is proposed. Reciprocal space is used to analyze the grating properties and to design generalized color separation gratings.
Trace metal remobilization in the interstitial waters of red clay and hemipelagic marine sediments

Interstitial water samples from the Guatemala Basin and the coast of Baja California have been analyzed for manganese, iron, copper, nickel and nitrate. The data provide a systematic look at changes in trace metal diagenesis proceeding from red clay to highly reducing nearshore sediments. In red clay sediments, the nitrate concentrations suggest that only aerobic respiration is occurring. Manganese and iron are below detection. Nickel concentrations remain the same as in bottom seawater but copper shows a pronounced maximum just at the sediment/water interface. Proceeding to hemipelagic sediments, denitrification becomes increasingly important and manganese and iron remobilization occur in the sediments. The linear manganese and nitrate profiles suggest regions of production or consumption separated by zones of diffusion. This differs from the conventional picture of a continuous series of reactions within the sediments. Manganese reduction always occurs before iron reduction. The pore water nickel correlates well with manganese in these sediments, suggesting that nickel is associated with MnO2 in the solid phase. The pore water flux ratio of manganese and nickel agrees well with the ratio in solid phase authigenic oxides. Copper still displays a core top concentration maximum as well as a second maximum associated with the remobilized manganese. The calculated ratio of the Cu/C flux ratios support the argument for copper remobilization during organic carbon oxidation. Comparison of the upward and downward diffusive fluxes with the rate of copper buried by sedimentation shows that at least half of the copper buried must be of diagenetic origin and less than 25% of the copper reaching the sediments is buried.
Effect of bilateral lesions of the ovine fetal hypothalamic paraventricular nuclei at 118-122 days of gestation on subsequent adrenocortical steroidogenic enzyme gene expression.

Fetal adrenal steroid hydroxylase activity and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression increases concurrent with the preterm rise in fetal plasma cortisol during late gestation in sheep. By placing bilateral lesions of the fetal paraventricular nuclei (PVN) we have previously demonstrated that the fetal PVN is necessary for the initiation of parturition, the late gestation preparturient increase in fetal plasma cortisol and ACTH, and ACTH secretion in response to fetal hypoxemia and hypotension. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of the fetal PVN in the late gestation increase in expression of mRNA for 17 alpha-hydroxylase (P-450(17)alpha), side-chain cleavage (P-450SCC), 11 beta-hydroxylase (P-450(11)beta), 21 hydroxylase (P-450C21), and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta-HSD) in the fetal adrenal. Ovine fetuses were subjected to bilateral lesions of the PVN (Lx; n = 4) or sham lesions (Sh; n = 4) at 118-122 days gestational age (dGA). Lx fetuses were recovered by cesarean section at gr...
Does use of a right internal thoracic artery increase deep wound infection and risk after previous use of a left internal thoracic artery

Objective To determine whether adding right internal thoracic artery to previous left internal thoracic artery bypass at reoperation increases deep sternal wound infection and hospital mortality, particularly in diabetic patients. Methods Reoperations (n = 2875; 2381 men) in patients with previous left internal thoracic artery bypass were performed between January 1990 and January 2003; 1939 (67%) had no repeat internal thoracic artery grafting, 923 (32%) received an additional right internal thoracic artery graft, and 13 (0.5%) had bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting with reuse of the left internal thoracic artery. Of the patients, 352 (12%) were insulin-treated and 590 (21%) non–insulin-treated diabetics. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify preoperative variables associated with right versus non–right internal thoracic artery use in diabetics and nondiabetics and to formulate propensity models. Propensity scores were used for matching and adjusted multivariable analyses of deep wound infection and hospital mortality. Results Deep wound infection occurred in 3.0% (7/230) of diabetics receiving right internal thoracic artery grafts, 2.2% (5/230) of propensity-matched diabetics receiving non–right internal thoracic artery grafts ( P = . 6), in 1.1% (6/538) of nondiabetics receiving right internal thoracic artery grafts, and in 1.0% (5/538) of matched non-diabetic patients receiving non–right internal thoracic artery grafts ( P = . 8). Corresponding hospital mortality in these matched groups was 1.7% (4/230) versus 6.1% (14/230) for diabetics ( P = . 02) and 2.6% (14/538) versus 3.5% (19/538) for nondiabetics ( P = . 4). Risk factors for deep wound infection included higher weight ( P = . 0003), higher New York Heart Association functional class ( P = . 03), and less severe left anterior descending disease ( P = . 03). Risk factors for death were ( P Conclusions Use of the right internal thoracic artery for reoperations does not increase the risk of deep wound infections in diabetics or nondiabetics and does not increase mortality.
Molecular and cellular characterization of the Down syndrome critical region protein 2.

Abstract Down syndrome (DS) is caused by trisomy for human chromosome 21 and is the most common genetic cause of mental retardation. The distal 10 Mb region of the long arm of the chromosome has been proposed to be associated with many of the abnormalities seen in DS. This region is often referred to as the Down syndrome critical region (DSCR). We report here the results of our analyses of the DSCR protein 2 (DSCR2). Results from transiently transfected COS-1 and HEK293 cells suggest that DSCR2 is synthesized as a 43 kDa precursor protein, from which the N-terminus is cleaved resulting in a polypeptide of 41 kDa. The polypeptide is modified by still uncharacterized co- or post-translational modifications increasing the predicted molecular weight of 32.8 kDa by about 10 kDa. Analyses of the only putative N-glycosylation site by in vitro mutagenesis excluded the possibility of the contribution of N-glycosylation to this increase in molecular weight. Further, the results of intracellular localization studies and membrane fractionation assays indicate that DSCR2 is targeted to a cytoplasmic compartment as a soluble form.
An introduction to combinatorial existence theorems

(1994). An Introduction to Combinatorial Existence Theorems. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 67, No. 2, pp. 118-123.
Standardization of U.S. Reference Rh0 (D) Immune Globulin by quantitative automated hemagglutination.

An automated hemagglutination procedure was used to assess the relative potency of US Reference Rh0 (D) Immune Globulin, Lot 3, with respect to the International Reference Preparation, WHO Anti-D immunoglobulin, Lot 68/419. A value of 300 international units (IU) of anti-D per ampoule has been assigned to Lot 68/419. In 25 assays, the mean value for Lot 3 was 820 IU anti-D per milliliter when tested in parallel with Lot 68/419.
Measurement of the 33 S(α,p) 36 Cl cross section: Implications for production of 36 Cl in the early Solar System

Short-lived radionuclides (SLRs) with lifetimes τ < 100 Myr are known to have been extant when the Solar System formed over 4.5 billion years ago. Identifying the sources of SLRs is important for understanding the time scales of Solar System formation and processes that occurred early in its history. Extinct 36Cl (t1/2= 0.301 Myr) is thought to have been produced by interaction of solar energetic particles, emitted by the young Sun, with gas and dust in the nascent Solar System. However, models that calculate SLR production in the early Solar System lack experimental data for the 36Cl production reactions. We present here the first measurement of the cross section of one of the main 36Cl production reactions, 33S(α,p)36Cl, in the energy range 0.70–2.42 MeV/nucleon. The cross-section measurement was performed by bombarding a target and collecting the recoiled 36Cl atoms produced in the reaction, chemically processing the samples, and measuring the 36Cl/Cl ratio of the activated samples with accelerator mass spectrometry. The experimental results were found to be systematically higher than the cross sections used in previous local irradiation models and other Hauser-Feshbach calculated predictions. However, the effects of the experimentally measured cross sections on the modeled production of 36Cl in the early Solar System were found to be minimal. Reaction channels involving S targets dominate 36Cl production, but the astrophysical event parameters can dramatically change each reaction's relative contribution.
Transparent Lu2O3:Eu ceramics by sinter and HIP optimization

Evolution of porosity and microstructure was observed during densification of lutetium oxide ceramics doped with europium (Lu2O3:Eu) fabricated via vacuum sintering and hot isostatic pressing (HIP’ing). Nano-scale starting powder was uniaxially pressed and sintered under high vacuum at temperatures between 1575 and 1850 °C to obtain densities ranging between 94% and 99%, respectively. Sintered compacts were then subjected to 200 MPa argon gas at 1850 °C to reach full density. Vacuum sintering above 1650 °C led to rapid grain growth prior to densification, rendering the pores immobile. Sintering between 1600 and 1650 °C resulted in closed porosity yet a fine grain size to allow the pores to remain mobile during the subsequent HIP’ing step, resulting in a fully-dense highly transparent ceramic without the need for subsequent air anneal. Light yield performance was measured and Lu2O3:Eu showed ∼4 times higher light yield than commercially used scintillating glass indicating that this material has the potential to improve the performance of high energy radiography devices.
The Career Maturity Inventory-Revised: A Preliminary Psychometric Investigation

The primary purpose of this study was to obtain estimates of internal consistency reliability, as well as to examine evidence of the construct and criterion validity of the Career Maturity Inventory-Revised (CMI-R) in a sample of male and female high school students. Results found modest reliability for the CMI-R. Participants scoring higher in CMI-R attitudes appear ready to make wise and congruent occupational choices. Sex and grade differences showed that females tended to manifest more career mature responses than did males across grade levels. Additional research on item functioning and on the factor structure underlying the inventory is suggested.
Engaging high school women in engineering design using Cyberinfrastructure

Without a doubt, the current generation of secondary school students is very familiar with information technology. Text messaging, e-mail, and social networking websites are a normal means of communication. There is also increasing recognition of the need for diversification the engineering workforce and increasing the number of graduating engineers in the United States. This has created an opportunity to leverage leading edge Cyberinfrastructure in an outreach program targeting secondary school students. This paper demonstrates the implementation of a targeted outreach program that engages high school students in engineering design over a two-week period using state-of-the-art digital design repositories and motion simulation equipment.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Machine Vision Techniques For High Speed Videography

The priority associated with U.S. efforts to increase productivity has led to, among other things, the development of Machine Vision systems for use in manufacturing automation requirements. Many such systems combine solid state television cameras and data processing equipment to facilitate high speed, on-line inspection and real time dimensional measurement of parts and assemblies. These parts are often randomly oriented and spaced on a conveyor belt under continuous motion. Television imagery of high speed events has historically been achieved by use of pulsed (strobe) illumination or high speed shutter techniques synchronized with a camera's vertical blanking to separate write and read cycle operation. Lack of synchronization between part position and camera scanning in most on-line applications precludes use of this vertical interval illumination technique. Alternatively, many Machine Vision cameras incorporate special techniques for asynchronous, stop-motion imaging. Such cameras are capable of imaging parts asynchronously at rates approaching 60 hertz while remaining compatible with standard video recording units. Techniques for asynchronous, stop-motion imaging have not been incorporated in cameras used for High Speed Videography. Imaging of these events has alternatively been obtained through the utilization of special, high frame rate cameras to minimize motion during the frame interval. High frame rate cameras must undoubtedly be utilized for recording of high speed events occurring at high repetition rates. However, such cameras require very specialized, and often expensive, video recording equipment. It seems, therefore, that Machine Vision cameras with capability for asynchronous, stop-motion imaging represent a viable approach for cost effective video recording of high speed events occurring at repetition rates up to 60 hertz.
A Bayesian belief network of threat anticipation and terrorist motivations

Recent events highlight the need for efficient tools for anticipating the threat posed by terrorists, whether individual or groups. Antiterrorism includes fostering awareness of potential threats, deterring aggressors, developing security measures, planning for future events, halting an event in process, and ultimately mitigating and managing the consequences of an event. To analyze such components, one must understand various aspects of threat elements like physical assets and their economic and social impacts. To this aim, we developed a three-layer Bayesian belief network (BBN) model that takes into consideration the relative threat of an attack against a particular asset (physical layer) as well as the individual psychology and motivations that would induce a person to either act alone or join a terrorist group and commit terrorist acts (social and economic layers). After researching the many possible motivations to become a terrorist, the main factors are compiled and sorted into categories such as initial and personal indicators, exclusion factors, and predictive behaviors. Assessing such threats requires combining information from disparate data sources most of which involve uncertainties. BBN combines these data in a coherent, analytically defensible, and understandable manner. The developed BBN model takes into consideration the likelihood and consequence of a threat in order to draw inferences about the risk of a terrorist attack so that mitigation efforts can be optimally deployed. The model is constructed using a network engineering process that treats the probability distributions of all the BBN nodes within the broader context of the system development process.
Effects of modulators of AMP-activated protein kinase on TASK-1/3 and intracellular Ca2+ concentration in rat carotid body glomus cells

Abstract Acute hypoxia depolarizes carotid body chemoreceptor (glomus) cells and elevates intracellular Ca 2+ concentration ([Ca 2+ ] i ). Recent studies suggest that AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) mediates these effects of hypoxia by inhibiting the background K + channels such as TASK. Here we studied the effects of modulators of AMPK on TASK activity in cell-attached patches. Activators of AMPK (1 mM AICAR and 0.1–0.5 mM A769662) did not inhibit TASK activity or cause depolarization during acute (10 min) or prolonged (2–3 h) exposure. Hypoxia inhibited TASK activity by ∼70% in cells pretreated with AICAR or A769662. Both AICAR and A769662 (15–40 min) failed to increase [Ca 2+ ] i in glomus cells. Compound C (40 μM), an inhibitor of AMPK, showed no effect on hypoxia-induced inhibition of TASK. AICAR and A769662 phosphorylated AMPKα in PC12 cells, and Compound C blocked the phosphorylation. Our results suggest that AMPK does not affect TASK activity and is not involved in hypoxia-induced elevation of intracellular [Ca 2+ ] in isolated rat carotid body glomus cells.
Anatomic variations of the orifice of the human coronary sinus.

Anatomic variations of the orifice of the human coronary sinus now have practical significance since the advent of catheterization of the coronary sinus. Six main types of variation of the valve of the coronary sinus of 150 hearts are described. The difficulties encountered in catheterization of the human coronary sinus are probably due to obstruction offered by large membranes, bars and networks, and less frequently due to the presence of a large eustachian ridge. On the basis of this study, catheterization of the human coronary sinus should be possible in a maximum of 75 per cent of the cases.
Examination of the Relationship Between Perfectionism and Religiosity as Mediated by Psychological Inflexibility

A relationship between perfectionism and religiosity has been suggested in the literature, and this relationship is clarified further when the adaptive and maladaptive dimensions of both constructs are compared. Literature in both areas implicates the idea of a rigid and inflexible personality style that may explain why well meaning high standards can be associated with negative outcomes such as perfectionism. This investigation examined the relationship of perfectionism and religiosity, using adaptive and maladaptive dimensions, as mediated by psychological inflexibility. Validated measures of perfectionism, religiosity, and psychological inflexibility were given to 376 undergraduate college students in an anonymous online survey. Adaptive perfectionism (high standards) was found to be significantly correlated (r = .26, p < .01, two-tailed) with adaptive religiosity (intrinsic orientation). Maladaptive perfectionism (discrepancy) was found to be significantly correlated (r = .13, p < .05, two-tailed) with maladaptive religiosity (extrinsic orientation). Psychological inflexibility was found to be significantly correlated with the maladaptive dimensions of both perfectionism and religiosity. It was also shown to mediate the relationship between maladaptive (extrinsic) religiosity and maladaptive (discrepancy) perfectionism. Implications and future directions are discussed.
Hard-disk actuators for mini-teleoperation

ABSTRACT Hard disk drives have evolved rapidly with computer miniaturization into highly compact and integrated electromechanicalsystems. Hard drives contain many precision mechanical parts which may prove useful in the design of small precision robots.The advantages ofparts taken from hard disks include low cost, miniaturization, high quality, and for some applications, cleanliness. We report the results of engineering tests on flat coil head positioning actuators taken from hard drives of sizes rangingfrom 5.25" to 1.8" media diameter. We also perform a simple analysis which suggests that requirements for torque per unitmass are lower for small robot arms. The results suggest ways that hard disk actuators can be utilized in mini robotic designsand points the way towards improved versions of these designs for robotic purposes.Keywords: robotic, telerobotic, teleoperation, actuator, miniaturization, hard disk drive 1. INTRODUCTION Interest has recently grown in the potential for small robotic and telerobotic devices. One objective ofresearchers is to develophigh fidelity scaled force reflection between a human operator and a miniaturized slave robot (Hannaford, 1991, Colgate, 1991,Kobayashi and Nakamura, 1992). Accurate force reflection can be accomplished without force sensors if highly back drivablerobots are developed such as direct drive robots (Lawn, 1992). Direct drive robots have also been found to excel at fullsizedtasks which involve long duration contact between the robot end effector and the environment (Asada & Kanade, 1983, Asada& YoucefToumi, 1987).Hard disk drives have become ubiquitous in the developed world. Virtually all personal computers are equipped with harddrives, including the smallest portable models. This huge manufacturing volume makes the unit cost of the underlying technol-ogies extremely low andjustifies large engineering efforts in their design and optimization. Furthermore, the magnetic informa-tion storage industry is under pressure from semiconductor technologies to rapidly increase storage densities. As a result, theindustry has been introducing a series of smaller and smaller drives based on standard media diameters.Media diameter has decreased at an average rate of 10% per year since the 1970's (Marbot & Hannaford, 1991). By scalingarguments, this leads to a decrease in volume and mass of about 30% per year. As a result, precision mechanical components ina wide range of sizes are readily available in the disk drives which are on the market today. Drives ranging in media diameterfrom 5.25" to 1.3" are currently available. This 4:1 range of linear dimensions corresponds to a 64:1 range of volumes andtherefore
From mean field to diffusion-controlled kinetics: Concentration-induced transition in reacting polymer solutions.

We study irreversible interpolymeric reaction rates k in polymer solutions as a function of concentration O. At high dilution, kinetics obey mean field theory, and screening of excluded-volume repulsions as O increases results in a growth, k-O 3g/4 , where g is the monomer contact exponent. Screening erects cause a transition to diffusion-controlled kinetics at a value O ** , beyond which (for entangled solutions) k decreases as k-O -(5/8+γ) , γ being the entanglement exponent. Thus k is peaked at O ** which, in agreement with experiment, is distinct from the overlap threshold
Mismatch Repair Proteins and AID Activity Are Required for the Dominant Negative Function of C-Terminally Deleted AID in Class Switching

Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) is essential for class-switch recombination (CSR) and somatic hypermutation (SHM) of Ig genes. The AID C terminus is required for CSR, but not for S-region DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) during CSR, and it is not required for SHM. AID lacking the C terminus (ΔAID) is a dominant negative (DN) mutant, because human patients heterozygous for this mutant fail to undergo CSR. In agreement, we show that ΔAID is a DN mutant when expressed in AID-sufficient mouse splenic B cells. To have DN function, ΔAID must have deaminase activity, suggesting that its ability to induce DSBs is important for the DN function. Supporting this hypothesis, Msh2-Msh6 have been shown to contribute to DSB formation in S regions, and we find in this study that Msh2 is required for the DN activity, because ΔAID is not a DN mutant in msh2(-/-) cells. Our results suggest that the DNA DSBs induced by ΔAID are unable to participate in CSR and might interfere with the ability of full-length AID to participate in CSR. We propose that ΔAID is impaired in its ability to recruit nonhomologous end joining repair factors, resulting in accumulation of DSBs that undergo aberrant resection. Supporting this hypothesis, we find that the S-S junctions induced by ΔAID have longer microhomologies than do those induced by full-length AID. In addition, our data suggest that AID binds Sμ regions in vivo as a monomer.
Moving from empirically supported treatment lists to practice guidelines in psychotherapy: the role of the placebo concept.

The use of placebos is the “gold standard” in studies of investigational drugs, and of other medical procedures as well. Several recent trends have suggested the use of placebos in studies of psychotherapy to isolate effective treatment components, and as a basis for establishing lists of empirically supported treatments. Unlike within the domain of medicine, in which the logic of placebos is relatively straightforward, the concept of placebo as applied to psychotherapy is fraught with both conceptual and practical problems. The evidence-based practice of psychotherapy can best be promoted through the development of practice guidelines, for which psychotherapy placebos are unnecessary. Moreover, even if problems associated with psychological placebos could be overcome, they are not necessary in psychotherapy research. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 61: 893–908, 2005.
Recent museum ethical policies and their implications for university museums

Today museums must be cognizant of a multitude of widely publicized ethical issues. It is important that museum leaders demonstrate the highest ethical standards and be responsive to new policies and practices instituted by professional museum associations. In America over the past several years, American Association of Museums (AAM) task forces have recommended, and the AAM Board has approved two important sets of guidelines: one concerning the unlawful appropriation of objects during the Nazi era and the second focusing on exhibiting borrowed objects. Both sets of guidelines may present special challenges for university museums.
High temporal resolution of glucosyltransferase dependent and independent effects of Clostridium difficile toxins across multiple cell types

Clostridium difficile toxins A and B (TcdA and TcdB), considered to be essential for C. difficile infection, affect the morphology of several cell types with different potencies and timing. However, morphological changes over various time scales are poorly characterized. The toxins’ glucosyltransferase domains are critical to their deleterious effects, and cell responses to glucosyltransferase-independent activities are incompletely understood. By tracking morphological changes of multiple cell types to C. difficile toxins with high temporal resolution, cellular responses to TcdA, TcdB, and a glucosyltransferase-deficient TcdB (gdTcdB) are elucidated. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells, J774 macrophage-like cells, and four epithelial cell lines (HCT8, T84, CHO, and immortalized mouse cecal epithelial cells) were treated with TcdA, TcdB, gdTcdB. Impedance across cell cultures was measured to track changes in cell morphology. Metrics from impedance data, developed to quantify rapid and long-lasting responses, produced standard curves with wide dynamic ranges that defined cell line sensitivities. Except for T84 cells, all cell lines were most sensitive to TcdB. J774 macrophages stretched and increased in size in response to TcdA and TcdB but not gdTcdB. High concentrations of TcdB and gdTcdB (>10 ng/ml) greatly reduced macrophage viability. In HCT8 cells, gdTcdB did not induce a rapid cytopathic effect, yet it delayed TcdA and TcdB’s rapid effects. gdTcdB did not clearly delay TcdA or TcdB’s toxin-induced effects on macrophages. Epithelial and endothelial cells have similar responses to toxins yet differ in timing and degree. Relative potencies of TcdA and TcdB in mouse epithelial cells in vitro do not correlate with potencies in vivo. TcdB requires glucosyltransferase activity to cause macrophages to spread, but cell death from high TcdB concentrations is glucosyltransferase-independent. Competition experiments with gdTcdB in epithelial cells confirm common TcdA and TcdB mechanisms, yet different responses of macrophages to TcdA and TcdB suggest different, additional mechanisms or targets in these cells. This first-time, precise quantification of the response of multiple cell lines to TcdA and TcdB provides a comparative framework for delineating the roles of different cell types and toxin-host interactions.