cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Beginning secondary science teacher induction: A two‐year mixed methods study

Those who study secondary science teachers are often concerned with preservice or in-service teacher development. Science teacher educators have acknowledged that this focus is limited, as the induction years of beginning teachers are an important component of teacher development. This mixed methods study focuses on the induction years of beginning content specialists, with the intention of adding to the literature in this underexamined area. The secondary science teachers in this study were followed during their first and second year of teaching in order to understand the changes in their beliefs, pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) and practices as a group, and as they participated in different induction programs. Analysis by induction program revealed that first year teachers who participated in science specific induction programs strengthened their beliefs, PCK, and practices. By the end of the second year, regardless of program, most of the teachers shared similar beliefs and PCK. However, the teachers in the science specific induction programs continued to enact more interactive learning environments that had more investigations and laboratories than did their peers in the other induction programs. For those who work with beginning science teachers, this study suggests that the induction of science specialists is an important area of work. It also explores the complex process of induction, and calls for more research into how beginning secondary science teachers learn and what types of induction experiences can best support beginning science teachers. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 48: 1199–1224, 2011
Upper mantle seismic shear discontinuities of the Pacific

[1] Shear wave impedance discontinuities are inventoried for eight paths connecting circum-Pacific earthquakes with seismic stations on Hawaii and Oahu. In addition to the transition zone discontinuities, we observe a consistent impedance decrease at a depth of ∼80 km that marks the transition from the fast seismic lid to the low-velocity zone. The interval over which this transition occurs is less than 30 km. The requisite impedance decrease, ascribed almost entirely to diminished velocities in the low-velocity zone, exceeds predictions for peridotite chemistries of appropriate lithospheric age. In all cases, the transition is better matched by lithosphere of roughly half of the true age. Four paths show clear evidence of the X discontinuity, an impedance increase of 3–8% near 300 km depth. The only viable explanations would require extensive eclogite or basalt-depleted mantle in the upper mantle of the western Pacific. The impedance contrast of the 410-km discontinuity, which depends on the modal fraction of mantle olivine, does not signal the presence of either, although a mixture of the two remains a possibility. We find no evidence of a low-velocity layer atop of the 410-km discontinuity. If present, it is either consistently thin (≤15 km), highly variable in thickness (topography in excess of 60 km) or has little impedance contrast (≤2–3%) with overlying mantle. The apparent absence of melt atop the 410-km discontinuity, an intermittent and weak 520-km discontinuity, and a thinned transition zone are consistent with relatively dry conditions in the deep upper mantle of the central Pacific.
Relative vapor pressure via FTIR

Abstract Polyethylene glycol solutions were used to control the relative vapor pressure in a gas cell. FTIR was used to measure relative adsorbance of the vapor at 1844.4 cm−1 and the ideal gas law was used to convert relative adsorption to relative vapor pressure. Results from the FTIR measurements were in excellent agreement with previously tabulated results for the polyethylene glycol-controlled system.
Will IPTV ride the peer-to-peer stream? [Peer-to-Peer Multimedia Streaming]

The great success of P2P systems for the purpose of file-sharing set the path to the next killer application on the Internet, P2P video streaming. Although it solves scalability issues, P2P technology experiences problems of a long start time and churn-induced instability that can greatly affect the user experience. Moreover, technical and business solutions for digital rights management are still under investigation. Great efforts are underway in both academia and industry to solve these problems, whose solution will offer a scalable, affordable, and legal TV-quality-like broadcast of content. In this article, we analyze what is available to the end user in terms of P2P video-streaming products and determine which of these are the most promising for IPTV and content distribution companies. In the following, we offer: (1) A survey of the available architectures. (2) A set of experiments on a popular peer-to-peer system, SopCast. (3) Guidelines for large scale deployment.
Graded-emitter AlGaN/GaN heterojunction bipolar transistors

AlGaN/GaN heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) with a graded emitter-base junction have been grown and fabricated. The epitaxial structures were grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition on (0001) sapphire substrates. The HBT devices with an emitter size of 60/spl times/60 /spl mu/m/sup 2/ exhibit well controlled current-voltage characteristics and Gummel plots and achieve a common-emitter current gain in the range /spl beta/=4-10 and a common-emitter offset voltage V/sub CEoff/=4 V at room temperature.
Advising Patients Who Use Dietary Supplements

Public use of dietary supplements is quite prevalent, with an estimated 1 of 5 patients using such substances in an effort to maintain or promote their health. Despite their popularity, patients and physicians are often unaware of the limited regulation of these products as well as their potential risks and benefits. Lack of physician knowledge in these areas has the potential to strain the doctor-patient relationship. In this review, we present a 6-step approach to advising patients who are considering use of dietary supplements. Our framework includes a discussion of regulatory issues, efficacy and safety, potential supplement-drug interactions, and monitoring for adverse events and therapeutic effects.
The Constraining Capacity of Legal Doctrine on the U.S. Supreme Court

Does law exhibit a significant constraint on Supreme Court justices' decisions? Although proponents of the attitudinal model argue that ideology predominantly influences justices' choices, “hybrid models” posit that law and ideology exhibit discrete and concurrent effects on justices' choices. I offer a new conceptualization of legal constraint examining how legal rules permit varying degrees of ideological discretion, which establishes how strongly ideological preferences will influence justices' votes. In examining the levels-of-scrutiny legal doctrine, I posit theoretical models highlighting the differential constraining capacities of the strict scrutiny, intermediate scrutiny, and rational basis rules. I use a multilevel modeling framework to test the hypotheses within the context of the Grayned doctrine in free expression law. The results show that strict scrutiny, which Grayned applied to content-based regulations of expression, significantly constrains ideological voting, whereas intermediate scrutiny (applied to content-neutral regulations) and the low scrutiny categories each promote high levels of ideological voting.
Outcomes after judicious antibiotic use for respiratory tract infections seen in a private pediatric practice.

Background. Most respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in children have a viral cause, they resolve on their own, and antibiotics need not be prescribed. Objective. We sought to provide evidence that judicious antibiotic use can be accomplished in private pediatric practice without observing an increase in return office visits or in the rate of bacterial infections that may follow. Study Design. This was a prospective 12-month study from July 1, 1996 through June 30, 1997. On the same 1 day each week, a representative convenience sample of acute respiratory tract illness patients was enrolled, and laboratory studies performed as appropriate, including viral cultures on all. Children were then followed for 30 days to ascertain the outcomes of not prescribing antibiotics except when specific bacterial infections were present at the initial visit. Results. Three hundred eighty-three children were enrolled; 293 (77%) did not receive antibiotics at the enrollment visit. Ninety children (23%) received antibiotics based on a diagnosis of acute otitis media (n = 53), acute streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis (n = 18), or other presumed or documented bacterial infections (n = 19). An unscheduled return visit related to the initial visit occurred for 86 (29%) of the 293 children not receiving antibiotics initially and in 40 (44%) of 90 children receiving antibiotics initially. Eighty-seven children (23%) had positive viral culture results. The most frequently isolated viruses were adenovirus, enterovirus, parainfluenzae virus, and influenza virus. Conclusion. Children with RTIs without a concomitant presumed or proven bacterial infection do not require antibiotics. In this busy office practice, >75% of the children presenting with an RTI did not have a presumed or proven bacterial infection. These children did not have a higher rate of return office visits or an increase in bacterial infections. This reinforces the judicious use of antibiotics in managing children with RTIs. outcomes, antibiotic, respiratory infections.
The effects of graphic organizers giving cues to the structure of a hypertext document on users' navigation strategies and performance

Abstract Two experiments examined the effects of graphical organizers on users' navigation of a 150-page hierarchical website of aquatic animals. In Experiment 1, users were given either a non-clickable map (map group) or no map (no-map group) and answered 30 questions by searching the website. The map group was more efficient (visited fewer pages) on the first 20 questions (learning phase) but the no-map group was marginally more efficient on the last 10 questions (test phase), and displayed more flexible search strategies. In Experiment 2, users were either given a simplified organizer locating the current page in the website (explicit group) or an alphabetized list of superordinate pages (implicit group). The task from Experiment 1 was repeated. No differences in efficiency were found, but the explicit group was faster than the implicit group in the test phase. The results depended on individual differences in spatial skills. These results suggest a tradeoff between organizers that are useful initially and those that promote structural learning.
The orientation imaging microscopy of lead-free Sn-Ag solder joints

Orientation imaging microscopy was used to identify solidification microstructures and early stages of damage evolution in tin-silver eutectic solder joints on copper and nickel substrates after aging, creep, and thermomechanical fatigue. A visco-plastic self-consistent plasticity model was able to simulate texture changes when work hardening occurred at higher strain rates, but not with lower rates, where grain boundary sliding dominated the deformation and slip occurred predominantly on one or two slip systems that could be predicted using a Schmid (Sachs) analysis.
Emotion regulation and intimate partner violence in newlyweds

Is the inability to regulate negative emotions a risk factor for intimate partner violence (IPV)? To address this question, the authors asked 72 newlywed couples to report their levels of negative affect every day for 7 days and examined whether variability in those reports was associated with the IPV self-reported to have been perpetrated over the previous year. Although main effects of variability in both husbands' and wives' negative affect did not reach statistical significance, variability in husbands' negative affect significantly interacted with wives' reports of IPV to account for husbands' IPV, even after overall levels of husbands' negative affect, marital satisfaction, and chronic stress were controlled. Specifically, whereas variability in negative affect was unrelated to IPV among husbands with wives who reported no IPV, such variability was positively associated with the IPV perpetrated by husbands with wives who also reported having perpetrated IPV during the previous year. Although preliminary, these results support theories suggesting that the ability to regulate negative emotions may help intimates avoid perpetrating IPV, particularly when faced with a partner's IPV perpetration.
Dosimetric characteristics of a double-focused miniature multileaf collimator

The dosimetric characteristics of a double-focused miniature multileaf collimator (mMLC) attached to a Philips SL75/5 linear accelerator (linac) have been investigated. Output factors, percentage depth-dose, penumbra, leaf transmission, and leakage between the leaves were measured for the 6 MV x-ray beam on this accelerator. Because leakage both through and between the leaves is minimal, the linac jaws can be kept fixed while the mMLC leaf configuration is modified for different aperture shapes. This allows for accurate output prediction using the equivalent square formalism. Percent depth-dose measured for fields defined by the mMLC show little deviation from the percent depth-dose measured for fields defined by the machine jaws or Lipowitz metal blocks. Because the mMLC matches beam divergence in both directions, allows minimal beam transmission, and has a large source-to-collimator distance, the penumbra is sharper for fields defined by the mMLC than for fields defined by the linac jaws or Lipowitz metal blocks. Based on these data, dose calculations for mMLC-defined fields can be applied with no change in procedures from those used for fields defined using conventional methods.
A POSSIBLE ENDOCRINE BASIS FOR PREMIGRATORY FATTENING IN THE WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, ZONOTRICHIA LEUCOPHRYS GAMBELII (NUTTALL).

Abstract The white-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii , has been shown to become hyperphagic, deposit fat, and gain weight prior to the vernal migration. Similar effects have been induced during the winter by artificially increasing the duration of the daily photoperiod. It appears that the mechanism involved in these photoperiodically induced changes in metabolism may include the hypothalamus, and possibly also the anterior pituitary. In the investigation reported herein, it was possible to induce similar changes with exogenous hormones. Prolactin promoted a rapid fat deposition that was reflected in conspicuous daily increments in body weight. Gonadotropin, alone, was ineffective but was synergistic with prolactin in promoting an increase in lipid reserves. These effects were obtained in winter with photosensitive birds as well as in summer with photorefractory birds.
Intel's EUV resist development

The success of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography depends upon developing resists that meet the patterning requirements for the technology node in which EUV is inserted. This paper presents Intel’s patterning requirements and development strategies for EUV resists. Two of the primary problems for EUV resists are meeting the linewidth roughness (LWR) requirement, and reducing resist absorbance to obtain good sidewall profiles. Benchmarking data shows that none of the current EUV photoresists meet LWR targets. Modeling results for EUV resists show the impact of resist absorbance on sidewall angle and resolution.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Novel Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptor-Targeting Peptides

The purpose of this study was to develop novel radiolabeled gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor-targeting peptides for breast cancer imaging. Three novel 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA)-conjugated GnRH peptides were designed and synthesized. The radiometal chelator DOTA was conjugated to the epsilon or alpha amino group of d-lysine, or the epsilon amino group of l-lysine via an Ahx {aminohexanoic acid} linker to generate DOTA–Ahx–(d-Lys6-GnRH1), DOTA–Ahx–(d-Lys6-GnRH2) and DOTA–Ahx–(l-Lys6-GnRH3), respectively. The conjugation of the DOTA to the epsilon amino group of d-lysine (rather than alpha amino group of d-lysine nor epsilon amino group of l-lysine) maintained the nanomolar GnRH receptor binding affinity. The IC50 values of DOTA–Ahx–(d-Lys6-GnRH1), DOTA–Ahx–(d-Lys6-GnRH2) and DOTA–Ahx–(l-Lys6-GnRH3) were 36.1 nM, 10.6 mM and 4.3 mM, respectively. Since only DOTA–Ahx–(d-Lys6-GnRH1) displayed nanomolar receptor binding affinity, the specific GnRH receptor bin...
Potential mechanisms of estrogen quinone carcinogenesis.

There is a clear association between the excessive exposure to estrogens and the development of cancer in hormone-sensitive tissues (breast, endometrium). It has become clear that there are likely multiple overlapping mechanisms of estrogen carcinogenesis. One major pathway is the extensively studied hormonal pathway, by which estrogen stimulates cell proliferation through nuclear estrogen receptor (ER)-mediated signaling, thus resulting in an increased risk of genomic mutations during DNA replication. A similar “nongenomic pathway”, potentially involving newly discovered membrane-associated ERs, also appears to regulate extranuclear estrogen signaling pathways. This perspective is focused on a third pathway involving the metabolism of estrogens to catechols mediated by cytochrome P450 and further oxidation of these catechols to estrogen o-quinones. Oxidative enzymes, metal ions, and in some cases molecular oxygen can catalyze o-quinone formation, so that these electrophilic/redox-active quinones can caus...
A test of purchasing power parity: Texas Border retail trade and the value of the Peso 1976–1987

The peso devaluations of 1982-1983 caused a severe disruption in the Texas economy along the Texas-Mexico border. The proximate cause of these devaluations was the disparity between the inflation rates in the United States and Mexico. This disparity was accompanied by capital flight from Mexico as Mexican citizens attempted to protect the purchasing power of their financial assets. Another result of this disparity was boom conditions in the retail trade sector along the Texas side of the border. The Texas border region developed a thriving trade sector economy. Thus, the precipitous fall in the international purchasing power of the peso resulted in widespread business failure and unemployment. The collapse of the trade sector added to the relative poverty of the border region of Texas. This region has traditionally led the balance of the state in unemployment and lagged behind the state in income. There is very little industrial development in this region, and existing industry was unable to expand to alleviate the additional economic hardship that occurred in the aftermath of the peso devaluations.
Liposome-loaded phenylalanine or tryptophan as sickling inhibitor: a possible therapy for sickle cell disease

Phenylalanine or tryptophan entrapped in small unilamellar liposomes was used to transport Phe or Trp across the red blood cell membrane. The incorporation of Phe or Trp into RBCs via liposomes markedly inhibited and reversed the in vitro sickling of deoxy Hb S. Furthermore, normal and SS RBCs loaded with Phe or Trp did not exhibit significant change in osmotic fragility, mechanical fragility, autohemolysis, and glycolysis when compared to untreated RBCs. In addition, the oxygen affinity measured as the P50 and concentrations of 2,3-DPG and ATP were not affected by the incorporation of Phe or Trp into AA or SS RBCs. These results demonstrate that this liposomal transport system which transferred Phe and Trp into intact RBCs did not have any adverse effect on RBC metabolism and function, and may have therapeutic implications in the treatment of sickle cell disease.
DEVELOPMENT OF AN ICOSAHEDRAL VIRUS IN HEMOCYTES OF GALLERIA MELLONELLA (L.).

Abstract The proliferation of an icosahedral virus in insect hemocytes was studied by means of electron microscopy of ultrathin sections. Evidence is presented that virus development occurs in the cytoplasm.
Cell cycle: seeking permission from the mother centriole.

Abstract The centrosome plays an important role in regulating cell cycle progression during interphase and mitosis, but the underlying mechanisms of regulation are unclear. A recent study, which has identified a rare centriolar polypeptide, may provide part of the answer.
Determining whether the Higgs self-couplings spoil asymptotic freedom

The problem of finding ultraviolet-stable fixed points for an arbitrary number of quartic coupling constants is examined. In the sector in which all quartic couplings are positive it is shown that there can be at most one ultraviolet-stable fixed point. An efficient method is presented for locating this fixed point that only requires solving a sequence of quadratic equations. The implications for grand unified models are discussed.
Framework for a proactive parent support group: The syracuse cystic fibrosis model

Many support groups are organized and run according to goals and by-laws set by facilitators. This article introduces a model in which all goals and by-laws are created by the parents based on their group's specific needs. It also describes a "proactive" approach in which the group members identify projects or problems in their community and collectively form a plan in an attempt to improve these situations. This model is based on the real-life experience of a cystic fibrosis parent support group in Syracuse, New York. Lessons learned from this model can be applied to other parent support groups.
The combined effects of rivers and refugia generate extreme cryptic fragmentation within the common ground skink (scincella lateralis).

Rivers can act as both islands of mesic refugia for terrestrial organisms during times of aridification and barriers to gene flow, though evidence for long-term isolation by rivers is mixed. Understanding the extent to which riverine barrier effects can be heightened for populations trapped in mesic refugia can help explain maintenance and generation of diversity in the face of Pleistocene climate change. Herein, we implement phylogenetic and population genetic approaches to investigate the phylogeographic structure and history of the ground skink, Scincella lateralis, using mtDNA and eight nuclear loci. We then test several predictions of a river- refugia model of diversification. We recover 14 well-resolved mtDNA lineages distributed east―west along the Gulf Coast with a subset of lineages extending northward. In contrast, ncDNA exhibits limited phylogenetic structure or congruence among loci. However, multilocus population structure is broadly congruent with mtDNA patterns and suggests that deep coalescence rather than differential gene flow is responsible for mtDNA―ncDNA discordance. The observed patterns suggest that most lineages originated from population vicariance due to riverine barriers strengthened during the Plio―Pleistocene by a climate-induced coastal distribution. Diversification due to rivers is likely a special case, contingent upon other environmental or biological factors that reinforce riverine barrier effects.
Continuous Affinity Chromatography Using a Magnetically Stabilized Fluidized Bed

A new processing tool, the magnetically stabilized fluidized bed, offers opportunities for efficient fluid-solids contact.The bubbling and mixing normally seen in a fluidized bed are eliminated, and continuous countercurrent contact is possible. This technique is especially suitable for biochemical separations, where cellular debris would clog an ordinary fixed bed. Preliminary modeling and experimental work on such a system is discussed, along with details of a relatively simple experimental system.
Nonphotochemical hole burning and dispersive kinetics in amorphous solids

Results covering burn intensities in the nW to {mu}W/cm{sup 2} range, of dispersive hole growth kinetics are reported for Oxazine 720 in glycerol glasses and polyvinyl alcohol polymer films and their deuterated analogues. A theoretical model which employs a distribution function for the hole burning rate constant based upon a Gaussian distribution for the tunnel parameter is shown to accurately describe the kinetic data. This model incorporates the linear electron-phonon coupling. A method for calculating the nonphotochemical quantum yield is presented which utilizes the Gaussian distribution of tunnel parameters. The quantum yield calculation can be extended to determine a quantum yield as a function of hole depth. The effect of spontaneous hole filling is shown to be insignificant over the burn intensity range studied. Average relaxation rates for hole burning are {approximately}8 orders of magnitude greater than for hole filling. The dispersive kinetics of hole burning are observed to be independent over the temperature range of these experiments, 1.6 to 7.0 K. 6 refs., 20 figs., 1 tab.
Requests and social distance in dictator games

Abstract This paper considers a dictator game where, prior to receiving an offer, recipients either do or do not make a request for an amount of the dictator's endowment. Further, participants either interact anonymously or face-to-face. Results indicate that the effect of requests depends on the mode of interaction with the act of making requests increasing offers with anonymous interaction and decreasing offers with face-to-face interaction. Apparently, whether the request increases or crowds out dictator giving is a function of how much the dictator would give in the absence of such communication.
Remarks on redundance in stability criteria and a counterexample to fullers conjecture

Abstract It is shown that the [n(n+ l)/2] conditions for stability in the left-half plane as well as inside the unit circle as given by Routh and Jury-Gutman, can be reduced reapectively to {[n[n− 1)/2] + l} and {[n[n− 1)/2] + 2} conditions. Furthermore, a counter example of sixth degree polynomial to Fuller's conjecture of n-conditions is obtained. Finally, methods for obtaining polynomials for root-pair-sums, root-pair-product and polynomials having as roots the negative of squares of root-pair-differences (needed for aperiodicity conditions are obtained.
Simulation of Transitional Flow over Airfoils using the Spectral Difference Method

This work addresses the simulation of transitional flow over airfoils under low Reynolds number conditions (Rec � 60000). The flow solutions are obtained by means of an Implicit Large Eddy Simulation (ILES) using a newly developed unstructured, parallel solver that employs the high-order spectral difference (SD) method for spatial discretization. The calculations are performed on the SD7003 airfoil section at an angle of attack of 4 ◦ at Reynolds number of 10000 and 60000. The SD7003 airfoil was selected due to the availability of experimental and computational results. The use of the SD method without an added subgrid-scale model appears to be capable of accurately predicting the laminar separation, transition and reattachment locations. To the authors’s knowledge, the present study is the first att empt to analyze transitional flow using the SD method.
Metabolism of motile zebrafish sperm.

Abstract As metabolism of motile fish sperm is not well understood, the current study examined the metabolism of saline-activated zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) sperm. Activation of sperm with inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation (potassium cyanide, 2,4 dinitrophenol or carbonyl cyanide 3-cholorophenylhydrazone) negatively impacted sperm motility by 60–90 s postactivation. Incubation of quiescent sperm with 2,4 dinitrophenol prior to activation resulted in a 67% decrease in the percent motile sperm assessed 15 s postactivation. Thus, production of ATP in quiescent sperm is important for motility upon activation and nascent ATP production via oxidative phosphorylation by motile sperm appears important at 60–90 s postactivation. Exposure of sperm to iodoacetamide, an inhibitor of creatine kinase, at activation was without effect. However, incubation of quiescent sperm with iodoacetamide prior to activation resulted in a 77% reduction in percent motile sperm and decreased velocity and wobble at 15 s postactivation. These results suggest that creatine kinase and phosphocreatine shuttle are physiologically important at, or shortly after the initiation of motility. Finally, sperm were exposed to lactate, pyruvate, or acetate as well as to several monosaccharides upon activation. The results provided no evidence supporting any metabolic role of exogenous organics (potentially from the female via ovarian fluid) in sperm once motility has begun.
SOURCES OF RACIAL WAGE INEQUALITY IN METROPOLITAN LABOR MARKETS: RACIAL, ETHNIC, AND GENDER DIFFERENCES

Research on racial inequality has become increasingly specialized, often focusing on a single explanation and subgroup of the population. In a diverse society, a broader comparative framework for interpreting the causes of wage inequality for different racial, ethnic, and gender groups is called for. The effects of a range of different factors on the wages of Latinos, Asians, and blacks, relative to whites and separately for women and men, are examined. New sources of racial wage inequality are also considered. Significant differences are found in the sources of wage inequality across race, ethnicity, and gender. Differences are generally greater between racial and ethnic groups than between men and women. Key findings include a large negative effect of immigration on the relative wages of Latinos and Asians and only a small effect on the relative wages of black women (and no effect on black men). In contrast, the relative wages of blacks remain most affected positively by the presence of manufacturing employment and unions. New economy indicators of high-skill services and flexible employment conditions play only a secondary role in explaining metropolitan racial wage inequality.
Dynamic analysis of fibre breakage in single- and multiple-fibre composites

The dynamic effects associated with fibre breakage in single- and multiple-fibre composites were investigated using the finite element method. The goal of this work was to determine if the dynamic stresses differed significantly from the static stresses and, consequently, if dynamic effects were important in the prediction of subsequent fracture of the composite. For single-fibre composites, dynamic and static analyses were performed over a range of modulus values for epoxy matrices with a glass fibre to establish a range of the dynamic effects. The maximum dynamic stresses, spatial distribution of dynamic stresses, and corresponding times were evaluated. For multiple-fibre composites, the dynamic effects associated with single- and double-fibre breakage were investigated for a typical epoxy/glass composite and compared to the corresponding static problems.
Side chain engineering of fused aromatic thienopyrazine based low band-gap polymers for enhanced charge carrier mobility

A strategic side-chain engineering approach leads to the two orders of magnitude enhancement of charge carrier mobility in phenanthrene based fused aromatic thienopyrazine polymers. Hole carrier mobility up to 0.012 cm2/Vs can be obtained in thin film transistor devices. Polymers were also utilized to fabricate bulk heterojunction photovoltaic devices and the maximum PCE obtained in these OPV's was 1.15%. Most importantly, performances of the devices were correlated with thin morphological analysis performed by atomic force microscopy and grazing incidence X-ray scattering.
Exchange of lead(II) ions in synthetic faujasitic zeolites: The effect of framework charge

Abstract The ion-exchange properties of Pb2+ ions in a range of synthetic sodium faujasites of varying framework silica to alumina ratios were examined at 25°C and at total solution normalities of 0.05 and 0.1 equiv. dm−3. Ion-exchange isotherms were constructed for all systems, but non0stoichiometric behaviour was observed in all cases. Selectivity sequences for the Pb2+ ⇌ 2Na+ exchanges could nevertheless be deduced, and as a general rule it was found that the more siliceous the zeolite, the lower the preference for lead. This sequence is discussed in terms of simple dielectric theory, which is shown to have serious limitations in predicting affinity trends in zeolites of different framework charge. An initial examination of hydronium ion-exchange as a function of pH is also reported.
ABO mismatch may affect engraftment in multiple myeloma patients receiving nonmyeloablative conditioning.

BACKGROUND: Blood group incompatibility does not appear to affect the overall outcome in patients undergoing myeloablative conditioning before allogeneic BMT. Data on ABO-mismatched transplantation in the nonmyeloablative setting are limited. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the effects of ABO mismatches in multiple myeloma patients who received a nonmyeloablative conditioning regimen was conducted. RESULTS: Three of 27 patients received a minor ABO-mismatched graft, all with evidence of hemolysis before converting to donor ABO group on Days 10, 15, and 6. Six patients received a major ABO-mismatched graft; of these, three developed GVHD of more than grade 2 and subsequently converted to the ABO blood group of the donor on Days 38, 33, and 43. Of the three patients without GVHD, one rejected the allograft and had autologous reconstitution. One remained a mixed chimera to Day 100 despite three donor lymphocyte infusions, and one developed pure RBC aplasia. None of the ABO-matched patients rejected the graft, whether they developed GVHD or not. RBC transfusions were significantly higher in the major and minor ABO-mismatched patients than in the ABO-matched patients, with medians of 12 units (range, 2-35), 13 units (range, 5-18), and 4 units (range, 2-15), respectively (p = 0.02). ABO-matched patients had a similar incidence of GVHD, with 5 of 9 ABO-mismatched patients (56%) having more than grade 2 versus 10 of 18 (56%). Four of 9 ABO-mismatched patients (44%) were mixed chimeras up to Day 100 versus 2 of 18 ABO-matched patients (11%), and the difference was significant (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Patients with ABO mismatch had problems with engraftment, including graft rejection, pure RBC aplasia, and mixed-lineage chimerism. RBC transfusions were significantly higher in the ABO-mismatched recipients. GVHD may play a role in engraftment, possibly by facilitating the disappearance of native ABO antibodies via graft-versus-plasma cell effect. A prospective study to evaluate the effects of ABO mismatch on engraftment in the nonmyeloablative setting is needed.
Transition from Response to Recovery: A Knowledge Commons to Support Decision Making Following the 12 January 2010 Haiti Earthquake

The transition between disaster response operations and sustainable recovery represents a critical stage in rebuilding communities following disaster. We document this transition process following ...
Self-consistent Ornstein-Zernike approach for monolayer films

We show the way in which the self-consistent Ornstein-Zernike approach to obtaining structure factors and thermodynamics for Hamiltonian models can best be applied to two-dimensional systems such as monolayer films. We use the nearest-neighbour lattice gas on a square lattice as an illustrative example.
Fundamental theorem of calculus for Lebesgue integral

The mean value theorem for differentials is basically a consequence of the fundamental theorem of calculus for Lebesgue integration.
Capillary Column Inlet System for the Gas Chromatography of Biological Samples

Abstract A glass injection system consisting of a packed precolumn and gasphase splitter has been developed for the introduction of derivatized biological samples on glass capillary columns. The precolumn provides complete sample evaporation before the splitter zone, traps contaminating nonvolatiles, and prevents decomposition or adsorption of components. In addition, a carrier gas control system is described that permits stable and repeatable adjustment of split ratio and capillary inlet pressure. The linearity of the splitter has been established using a hydrocarbon mixture covering the range of methylene unit (MU) values in which the steroid derivatives are eluted.
Non-Monotonic Dose Responses in Studies of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: Bisphenol a as a Case Study

Non-monotonic dose response curves (NMDRCs) have been demonstrated for natural hormones and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in a variety of biological systems including cultured cells, whole organ cultures, laboratory animals and human populations. The mechanisms responsible for these NMDRCs are well known, typically related to the interactions between the ligand (hormone or EDC) and a hormone receptor. Although there are hundreds of examples of NMDRCs in the EDC literature, there are claims that they are not ‘common enough’ to influence the use of high-to-low dose extrapolations in risk assessments. Here, we chose bisphenol A (BPA), a well-studied EDC, to assess the frequency of non-monotonic responses. Our results indicate that NMDRCs are common in the BPA literature, occurring in greater than 20% of all experiments and in at least one endpoint in more than 30% of all studies we examined. We also analyzed the types of endpoints that produce NMDRCs in vitro and factors related to study design that influence the ability to detect these kinds of responses. Taken together, these results provide strong evidence for NMDRCs in the EDC literature, specifically for BPA, and question the current risk assessment practice where ‘safe’ low doses are predicted from high dose exposures.
Institute of Medicine. 2012. Front-of-Package Nutrition Rating Systems and Symbols: Promoting Healthier Choices. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press

Relevance and background Over the past half century, food preparation methods and consumption patterns have moved steadily away from reliance on relatively simple, basic foods to dependence on more prepared, processed, and “convenience” foods. At the same time, nutrition concerns in the United States have transitioned from primarily nutrient deficiencies to a combination of positive energy balance, nutrient imbalances, and overconsumption of food components associated with chronic, degenerative diseases. Consequently, since the early 1970s and in response to the 1969 White House Conference on Food, Nutrition and Health, the FDA has responded to consumer demand by requiring certain nutrition-related information be provided on food packaging. What is required and how it must be presented has evolved tremendously since that time, but the main goal of federal regulations in this regard has remained the provision of consumer-friendly nutrition information to improve health. In one of its most recent attempts to accomplish this goal, Congress directed the CDC to undertake a study in collaboration with the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to examine and provide recommendations regarding front-of-package nutrition rating systems and symbols. This initiative was implemented in 2 phases. In Phase I, an expert committee reviewed front-ofpackage systems being used in the United States and abroad and considered their purpose, overall merits, and scientifi cu nderpinnings. Among other findings, they concluded that the most critical nutritional components to include in front-of-package nutrition rating systems are calories, saturated fat and trans fats, and sodium; they found insufficient evidence that other nutrients and food components (including total fat, cholesterol, added sugars, vitamins, and minerals other than sodium) should be included. After the publication of the Phase I report (IOM, 2010), Phase II was collaboratively commenced by the CDC, FDA, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. The findings and recommendations of the Phase II initiative are the subject of the publication reviewed here. Objectives and approach The tasks of the Phase II committee were as follows.
An efficient tracer test for time‐variable transit time distributions in periodic hydrodynamic systems

The time-varying transport dynamics of complex hydrodynamic systems with long transit times are difficult to observe due to the need for multiple tracer injections. Where only one or two distinct tracers are available, overprinting in the output concentrations limits the injection frequency. In this letter we propose an experimental method (the Periodic Tracer Hierarchy) that allows overprinted breakthrough curves to be decomposed into contributions from multiple injections of the same tracer, so long as the transporting flow is periodic. This method allows the time-varying transit time distributions to be observed efficiently while making no a priori assumptions about the transport processes operating in the system. Simulations of transport through a soil column subject to a periodic sequence of irrigation events demonstrate that the distinct transit time distributions associated with each irrigation event can be retrieved almost exactly.
Enabling functional independence in Parkinson's disease: Update on occupational therapy intervention

Motor impairment and functional limitations are known sequelae of Parkinson's disease. Occupational therapy (OT) is recognized as an important adjunct to pharmacological management. This critical review provides an update on the effectiveness of OT. Eight studies were included in the review, three on occupational therapy task-related training, two on functional training with external cues and three on OT as part of interdisciplinary treatment. Due to lack of level I studies, it is difficult to determine conclusively the effect of OT. However, there is evidence to suggest that treatment produces improvements in motor and quality of life for the duration of therapy. Implications for future studies and practice are discussed.
Modeling of Membrane Excitability in Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone-Secreting Hypothalamic Neurons Regulated by Ca2+-Mobilizing and Adenylyl Cyclase-Coupled Receptors

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion from native and immortalized hypothalamic neurons is regulated by endogenous Ca 2+ -mobilizing and adenylyl cyclase (AC)-coupled receptors. Activation of both receptor types leads to an increase in action potential firing frequency and a rise in the intracellular Ca 2+ concentration ([Ca 2+ ] i ) and neuropeptide secretion. The stimulatory action of Ca 2+ -mobilizing agonists on voltage-gated Ca 2+ influx is determined by depletion of the intracellular Ca 2+ pool, whereas AC agonist-stimulated Ca 2+ influx occurs independently of stored Ca 2+ and is controlled by cAMP, possibly through cyclic nucleotide-gated channels. Here, experimental records from immortalized GnRH-secreting neurons are simulated with a mathematical model to determine the requirements for generating complex membrane potential ( V m ) and [Ca 2+ ] i responses to Ca 2+ -mobilizing and AC agonists. Included in the model are three pacemaker currents: a store-operated Ca 2+ current ( I SOC ), an SK-type Ca 2+ -activated K + current ( I SK ), and an inward current that is modulated by cAMP and [Ca 2+ ] i ( I d ). Spontaneous electrical activity and Ca 2+ signaling in the model are predominantly controlled by I d , which is activated by cAMP and inhibited by high [Ca 2+ ] i . Depletion of the intracellular Ca 2+ pool mimics the receptor-induced activation of I SOC and I SK , leading to an increase in the firing frequency and Ca 2+ influx after a transient cessation of electrical activity. However, increasing the activity of I d simulates the experimental response to forskolin-induced activation of AC. Analysis of the behaviors of I SOC , I d , and I SK in the model reveals the complexity in the interplay of these currents that is necessary to fully account for the experimental results.
The Calculation of Class C Amplifier and Harmonic Generator Performance of Screen-Grid and Similar Tubes

In this paper it is shown how to predetermine the performance of harmonic generators and class C amplifiers which employ screen-grid and similar tubes in which the plate current is substantially independent of plate voltage over the working part of the characteristic. The sum of the plate and grid currents in such tubes is very nearly proportional to (E g +E sg /μ sg )α, where α is usually very close to 3/2, and is always between 1 and 2 in practical tubes. The resulting current impulses are analyzed by the Fourier method for α = 1 and α = 2, and are presented in curves which give the various frequency components in terms of the number of electrical degrees during which current flows, and the peak value of (I p +I g ). In the case of the alternating components it is shown that to a good approximation the effect of the grid current is to reduce the current component in the plate circuit below the value that would be obtained if there were no grid current by an amount twice the direct grid current. It is shown how the results of the above analysis may be applied in a straightforward manner to lay out class C amplifiers and harmonic generators on paper, and to predict the voltage and power output, power input, plate loss, etc., for any particular set of operating conditions.
Modified Green's Function and Spectral-Domain Approach for Analyzing Anisotropic and Multidielectric Layer Coplanar Waveguide Ferroelectric Phase Shifters

Phase-shifter design based on ferroelectric materials technology has shown promising performance characteristics and the potential for achieving the long standing goal of realizing high performance, low-cost microwave phase shifters, and phased-array antennas. In this paper, we present a unifying spectral-domain approach and a newly derived Green's function that provide a "first principles" method for the design and analysis of ferroelectric material based coplanar waveguide phase shifters. The modified Green's function not only accounts for the finite thickness of the conductors, but also for the "current crowding" phenomena that results from using the very high dielectric constant ferroelectric film. Both isotropic and anisotropic effects were analyzed and the developed theoretical results were in excellent agreement with measured data. It is also shown that the multidielectric layer-based design of these phase shifters may provide nearly threefold increase in the figure-of-merit compared with the direct metallization case. A new biasing approach is proposed to achieve effective biasing of the ferroelectric layer and without excessive field concentration in the overlaying low dielectric layer. The formulation, procedure for the calculation of the current and charge distributions, and comparison between simulation and experimental results are described and presented in detail
A Micromachined Electret-Based Transponder for In Situ Radiation Measurement

This letter reports on the development of a micromachined passive transponder for in situ measurement of ionizing radiation. gamma-ray exposure is remotely measured by monitoring the resonance frequency change correlated with a change in the surface charge of an electret. This is achieved through a micromachined capacitor with a movable plate that is partially filled with a Teflon electret and connected in parallel with an inductor, forming a passive LC tank (a microionization chamber, 1.5 cm in diameter and 3 mm in thickness). Test results show that an exposure of 60 000 R from Cs137 produces a 687-kHz resonance frequency shift (sensitivity of 11.45 kHz/kR)