cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
L2 Spanish listening comprehension: The role of speech rate, utterance length, and L2 oral proficiency

This study explored the influence of speech rate (normal vs. fast), sentence length (short vs. long), and second language (L2) oral proficiency on listening comprehension in L2 Spanish. Thirty-one native English-speaking learners enrolled in upper-level Spanish courses were aurally exposed to 8 sentences of each type of speed?length matrix, for a total of 32 sentences in Spanish. Listeners? comprehension was measured through native language recall following each sentence. Generalized estimating equations revealed that sentence length and oral proficiency were both significant predictors of listening comprehension in L2 Spanish, as were speed ? oral proficiency and length ? oral proficiency interactions. While lengthier utterances decreased comprehension, the extent of their influence was impacted by L2 oral proficiency, as measured by a standardized test. High oral proficiency helped to combat the negative effect of lengthier utterances. Moreover, accelerated speech degraded listening comprehension for higher proficiency participants only?not for their lower proficiency counterparts due to the latter's low comprehension scores at both normal and fast rates of sentence delivery. The results are discussed in light of previous empirical studies on listening ability. The current study contributes to the recent exploration of the variables involved in the complex process of L2 listening comprehension, discusses implications for pedagogy and the creation of listening materials, and suggests avenues for future research.
Implementing AIDS Education: Policies and Practices.

The world has been challenged by the AIDS epidemic for 15 years. In 1985, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control, allocated funds to all state departments of education to assist schools in the development of AIDS education policies and programs. Yet, these policies do not ensure that all students receive effective AIDS education. On September 21, 1991, the Arizona Legislature passed Senate Bill 1396, which requires public schools to annually provide AIDS education in grades K-12. The bill was rescinded in 1995. With prohibitive curriculum guidelines, limited teacher training opportunities and tremendous instructional demands, this educational policy was implemented in disparate forms. By examining the perspectives of the Arizona educators (representing three school districts), this qualitative study reveals how teachers ultimately controlled the delivery and nature of AIDS instruction based upon personal values, views of teacher roles, and their interpretation of the mandate itself.
Miliary pattern pulmonary infiltrates in a diabetic patient: Coccidioidomycosis

This is a case of miliary coccidioidomycosis. This case illustrates the importance of early suspicion for coccidioidomycosis in patients from an endemic area. Early identification and recognition of the disease are important to attain early therapy and disease control.
A Novel Signaling Pathway Connects Thiamine Biosynthesis, Bacterial Respiration, and Production of the Exopolysaccharide Amylovoran in Erwinia amylovora.

Erwinia amylovora is a plant pathogen causing necrotrophic fire blight disease of apple, pear, and other rosaceous plants. This bacterium colonizes host vascular tissues via the production of exopo...
No Difference in Arousal or Cognitive Demands Between Manual and Partially Automated Driving: A Multi-Method On-Road Study

Introduction Partial driving automation is not always reliable and requires that drivers maintain readiness to take over control and manually operate the vehicle. Little is known about differences in drivers' arousal and cognitive demands under partial automation and how it may make it difficult for drivers to transition from automated to manual modes. This research examined whether there are differences in drivers' arousal and cognitive demands during manual versus partial automation driving. Method We compared arousal (using heart rate) and cognitive demands (using the root mean square of successive differences in normal heartbeats; RMSSD, and Detection Response Task; DRT) while 39 younger (M = 28.82 years) and 32 late-middle-aged (M = 52.72 years) participants drove four partially automated vehicles (Cadillac, Nissan Rogue, Tesla, and Volvo) on interstate highways. If compared to manual driving, drivers' arousal and cognitive demands were different under partial automation, then corresponding differences in heart rate, RMSSD, and DRT would be expected. Alternatively, if drivers' arousal and cognitive demands were similar in manual and partially automated driving, no difference in the two driving modes would be expected. Results Results suggest no significant differences in heart rate, RMSSD, or DRT reaction time performance between manual and partially automated modes of driving for either younger or late-middle-aged adults across the four test vehicles. A Bayes Factor analysis suggested that heart rate, RMSSD, and DRT data showed extreme evidence in favor of the null hypothesis. Conclusion This novel study conducted on real roads with a representative sample provides important evidence of no difference in arousal and cognitive demands. Younger and late-middle-aged motorists who are new to partial automation are able to maintain arousal and cognitive demands comparable to manual driving while using the partially automated technology. Drivers who are more experienced with partially automated technology may respond differently than those with limited prior experience.
Properties of Localized States in Disordered Materials

The transition between localized and extended electronic states in disordered materials is considered by the use of two different models. The mathematical analogy between this transition and phase transitions and critical points in fluids and magnets is stressed and exploited. The localization probability and range in the neighborhood of the transition are shown to have critical exponent type behavior with the exponents 13/6 and -2/3, respectively. A preliminary discussion of electron mobility in disordered materials is also presented.
Improved Method of Flood Routing

The standard method of flood routing is modified to make more reliable use of basic river data and to compensate for both sytematic and abrupt changes in river regimen in a complex river system with several interacting branches. It is shown that it is not necessary to find the absolute magnitude of the storage, but only the rate of change of storage per foot of stage. A simple means for relating incremental storage to both stage and slope is developed. The advantages of optimizing reach length are gained without requiring additional data or lengthy computations. The fundamentals governing the practical requirements of reach length and travel-time are explained in terms of the physical situation. Means for dealing with rating curve changes, loop rating curves, levee crevasses, and backwater effects are examined. Results are compared with model tests to use superfloods which pose more numerous and severe problems regarding levee crevasses, floodway operation, etc., than do observed floods.
Let’s Play, Video Streams, and the Evolution of New Digital Literacy

The use of videos, video streams, and user created videos has recently surged as consumer based websites are allowing increased access to high quality learning assets. You Tube, Let’s Play, MOOCs, and the Khan Academy are discussed in order to understand how they differ in their offerings of multi-media based assets. As these assets evolve, a new digital literacy in which a learner transforms into a reviewer, a commentator, a curator, and possibly a creator of new content emerges.
On the stability and diffusive characteristics of Roe-MUSCL and Runge-Kutta schemes for inviscid Taylor-Green vortex

In this study, the stability and diffusive characteristics of second-order Roe-MUSCL in conjunction with three Runge-Kutta-based temporal schemes are investigated for implicit large-eddy simulation (ILES) of the Taylor-Green vortex transitional flow. The excessive dissipation inherent to Roe-MUSCL is mitigated using the Thornber et al. 12 and Bidadi-Rani 8 approaches, referred to as the low-Mach-number and current modifications LM 12 and CM, respectively. The temporal schemes investigated are those of Jameson et al. 3, Shu and Osher 15, and Spiteri and Ruuth 16. The time evolution of statistics such as turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) and enstrophy are shown for various combinations of modified Roe-MUSCL and temporal schemes at 643 and 1283 grid resolutions. Also, the spectra of TKE, and of the numerical viscosity and dissipation-rate inherent to the modified schemes are presented. In general, it is observed that Shu-Osher method is the most stable among the three time schemes. For the 643 grid case, LM 12 resulted in a stable solution when combined with all three time schemes, whereas CM maintained stability only with Shu-Osher. The dissipation rate spectra reveal that the instability arises due to the insufficient rate of energy transfer from the energy-containing to the inertial-range scales. The instability of Jameson et al. and Spiteri-Ruuth schemes (with CM) is manifested as the larger magnitude of the slope of dissipation rate spectrum at low wavenumbers. For the 1283 grid simulations, temporal evolution of TKE showed that only Shu-Osher with LM remained stable. For the cases where both LM and CM are stable, the former exhibited better accuracy in capturing transition and the subsequent decaying turbulent flow. Estimates of effective Reynolds number from current ILES simulations show good agreement with actual Reynolds numbers in prior direct numerical simulations.
Performance analysis of deep sub micron VLSI circuits in the presence of self and mutual inductance

This paper illustrates the growing significance of self and mutual inductances by examining their effects on performance and characteristic issues like propagation delay, rise time, and overshoots. This paper introduces Elmore-like closed form solutions to analyze the behavior of integrated circuits in the presence of self and mutual inductances. The complexity of the expressions introduced here is linear with the number of elements in the interconnect network, and has Elmore delay accuracy characteristics. The propagation delay and overshoots estimated based on these formulae are within 15% of AS/X simulations for a wide range of interconnects from IBM's most recent CMOS technology.
The absorption of cationic surfactants by cellulosic materials: III. A theoretical model for the absorption process and a discussion of maxima in absorption isotherms for surfactants☆☆☆

Abstract A theoretical model is proposed to account for the results observed when cationic surfactants are absorbed by cellulosic substrates. The model consists of the absorption of cations by an exchange process followed by a clustering of ion pairs on the exchanged cations. When this model is combined with a mass-action treatment of the surfactant solution, absorption isotherms, similar to those found experimentally, are obtained. In particular, there are maxima in the absorption isotherms. A discussion of the factors which lead to maxima is given, and a model to account for the maxima observed with anionic surfactants is proposed.
A method to measure prompt fission neutron spectrum using gamma multiplicity tagging

In order to improve on current prompt fission neutron spectrum measurements, a gamma multiplicity tagging method was developed at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Gearttner Linear Accelerator Center. This method involves using a coincidence requirement on an array of BaF2 gamma detectors to determine the timing of a fission event. This allows for much larger fission samples to be used due to the higher penetrability of gammas compared to fission fragments. Additionally, since the method relies on gammas as opposed to fission fragments, the effects of the low level discriminator, used in fission chambers to eliminate alpha events, are not seen. A 252Cf fission chamber was constructed in order to determine the viability of this method as well as the efficiency when compared to a fission chamber. The implemented multiple gamma tagging method was found to accurately reproduce the prompt fission neutron spectrum for the spontaneous fission of 252Cf and to detect 30% of fission events.
Male hormonal contraception.

This article discusses the lack of male hormonal contraceptives in a market that is filled with a variety of female contraceptive options. Researchers have long studied the potential male hormonal contraceptives that would render sperm unable to swim infertile or unable to fertilize eggs. Besides the obvious benefit of less unwanted pregnancies hormonal contraception has also shown signs of decreasing body mass in healthy men. However negative side effects such as ache mood swings irritation testicular changes etc have slowed advances in this field. Further research and FDA approval is needed if researchers hope to release a male hormonal contraception option to the public.
Is God Still at the Bedside? the Medical, Ethical, and Pastoral Issues of Death and Dying (Paperback)

As chaplains who often find ourselves in the midst of complicated ethical dilemmas around the end of life, we have a responsibility to educate ourselves about the principles of bioethics that our m...
The Weave of Gender and Culture in the Tapestry of a Family Therapy Training Program

Summary Family therapy training programs are being challenged to ensure that future generations of family therapists are proficient in addressing gender, culture, and social justice issues in their practice of therapy. To address this challenge, MFT program faculty must fully integrate the organizing principles of gender and culture throughout every aspect of the curricula. This article describes specific ways that the faculty members in a marriage and family therapy training program weave gender and culture throughout the tapestry of a training program. It provides specific, concrete, and transferable strategies, activities, ideas, and resources for integrating gender and culture in family therapy courses, supervision, research, service, and clinical environments.
Impact of a program to provide patients with comparative information about providers of durable medical equipment for home respiratory care.

BACKGROUND: How patients are informed regarding their choices of durable medical equipment (DME) providers for home-going respiratory equipment may affect their decisions about which vendor to use. When a new enhanced information program to inform home-going patients about all available respiratory DME providers was implemented, we hypothesized that patients' utilization of providers would change and that satisfaction with service would be enhanced. METHODS: The enhanced information program consisted of offering detailed descriptions of the many available providers to home-going patients. To characterize available providers, we administered a questionnaire to all respiratory DME providers listed in our area. We assembled information about the scope of services, the number and types of providers, the geographic range of service, and the providers' contact information, on a 1-page information sheet about the DME providers, which was given to all home-going patients. Case managers, who routinely help patients make such DME arrangements, were oriented about the questionnaire and given the information sheets to distribute. The study compared responses from Medicare insurees prescribed to receive home-going respiratory care equipment on discharge from The Cleveland Clinic Hospital during the periods before and after implementing the enhanced information program. Consecutive eligible patients in the before and after groups were called by two of the study investigators (ERH, DAM), at least 2 weeks after discharge, and, on their granting consent, were asked to complete a telephone survey. RESULTS: Responses were available from 75 patients in each group. Both before and after implementing the enhanced information program, patients' satisfaction with their respiratory DME service providers' services was high. The number of providers selected increased after the program from 12 to 18, and though the differences between the before and after scores were not statistically significant, there was a trend toward prompter visits to patients in their homes by DME-provider respiratory therapists. CONCLUSIONS: The enhanced information program was associated with a larger number of DME providers being selected, with preservation of a high level of patient satisfaction with DME services. The trend toward prompter respiratory therapists' visits to the home and better availability of oxygen canisters for at-home patients suggested benefits from the enhanced information program.
A Review of “Liberal Arts for the Christian Life”

Over the past decades, evangelical scholars have produced a number of works reflecting and arguing for the unique value of a liberal arts education. These volumes particularly focus on how this ped...
Fiber-end interferometric sensor using cooperative retroreflectors.

The well-known fiber Doppler velocimeter is examined as a high-resolution sensor of small displacements. The system is greatly improved through the use of thin-film retroreflective elements on the moving object. Range and sensitivity are increased, and problems in obtaining optical alignment become trivial. The interferometer is used here to study the flight dynamics of an electromagnetic actuator, although the fiber–retroreflector combination constitutes a more general sensor coupling arrangement.
Scalable enhancement of graphene oxide properties by thermally driven phase transformation

Graphene oxide sheets hold promise for a variety of applications but are disordered and inhomogeneous on synthesis. Although processes to resolve this exist they typically remove oxygen groups, affecting the sheets’ properties. Now, a scalable, mild thermal annealing procedure has been devised that enhances the optical and electronic properties of graphene oxide sheets through phase transformation, while preserving their oxygen functionality.
Classical foundations of quantum groups

The concept of classical r matrices is developed from a purely canonical standpoint. The final purpose of this work is to bring about a synthesis between recent developments in the theory of integrable systems and the general theory of quantization as a deformation of classical mechanics. The concept of quantization algebra is here dominant; in integrable systems this is the set of dynamical variables that appear in the Lax pair. The nature of this algebra, a solvable Lie algebra in such models as the Sine-Gordon and Toda field theories but semisimple in the case of spin systems, provides a useful scheme for the classification of integrable models. A completely different classification is obtained by the nature of the r matrix employed; there are three kinds: rational, trigonometric, and elliptic. All cases are studied in detail, with numerous examples. Some of the problems connected with quantization are discussed.
Indices, Triality, and Ultraviolet Divergences for Supersymmetric Theories

Transverse rotation-group representation indices are shown to appear in one-loop radiative corrections. Some conjectures are made on how such index structure generalizes to higher orders. An unusual correlation between the absence of UV divergences ion supersymmetric theories and the equality of such indices for fermions and bosons is described. This correlation is argued to be a fundamental indicator of higher-order UV behavior for D = 10 (N = 4) supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory and D = 11 (N = 8) supergravity. Within this context, the significance of O(8) triality is discussed.
Proton Exchanged Ring Resonators In Lithium Niobate: Operation At .79 µm and 1.3 µm

Proton-exchanged ring resonators with a finesse of 6 at 0.79μm have been fabricated on Z-cut lithium niobate. Measurement of finesse and resonator throughput at resonance and antiresonance are used to calculate propogation loss in the ring. Measurements at 1.3μm indicate that ring losses are lower at this wavelength and a finesse of 22 may be feasible.
Rheotaxis and distribution of oysters and mussels, Georgia tidal creeks and salt marshes, U.S.A

Abstract Azimuth measurements on commissures of the oyster Crassostrea virginica and the mussel Geukensia demissa reveal preferred alignments by these animals to tidal current flow. In beds along tidal creeks, where ebb-current velocities exceed flood-current velocities most oysters orient parallel to channel trend and exhibit a slight preference for the ebb direction; in contrast, mussels nestling among these oysters tend to orient transverse to channel trend. Small clumps of oysters and mussels on the salt marsh surface also exhibit discernible orientations; most tend to be aligned with tidal flood, which is stronger than tidal ebb across the marsh. Locally, however, these trends may be difficult to relate to large-scale components of marsh hydrography, because of pronounced microtropography and its influences on current flow. Overall configuration of oyster biostromes evidently is controlled by a combination of slope, areal extent, and elevation of habitable substrates, and competition among individual oysters. Valve orientations per se seem to be governed primarily by hydraulic pressure gradients, including adaptations by the animals to both drag forces and passive disposition of waste materials. The latter also is considered to be the most important stimulus affecting the rheotaxis of salt marsh oysters and mussels.
Triallelic inheritance: a bridge between Mendelian and multifactorial traits

The increasing identification of disease genes is revealing a growing number of traits that fail to conform to traditional Mendelian paradigms, thereby creating new challenges to both genetic investigators and clinicians. Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is one such disorder that has helped to define 'oligogenic' inheritance, a term that implies that some diseases are not inherited as simple single-gene Mendelian disorders and yet are not classic complex traits, but rather fit a model in which mutations in a small number of genes may interact genetically to manifest the phenotype. BBS is a pleiotropic disorder characterized by postnatal obesity, post-axial polydactyly, and progressive retinal dystrophy. Eight BBS loci have been identified to date and six of these genes have been cloned. Mutation analysis of these BBS genes in a cohort of patients has led to the description of the novel phenomenon of 'triallelic inheritance', wherein families were identified in which three mutations from genes at two different BBS loci segregate with expression of the disease. Modeling the cooperative ability of alleles of different genes at distinct loci to give rise to a particular phenotype will facilitate the understanding of complex multifactorial and polygenic traits.
Mate desertion in the snail kite

Abstract Mate desertion during the breeding cycle was documented at 28 of 36 (78%) snail kite, Rostrhamus sociabilis nests in Florida between 1979 and 1983. Offspring mortality occurred at only one deserted nest, however. Parents that were deserted by their mates continued to care for their young until independence (3–5 additional weeks) and provided snails at a rate similar to that of both parents combined before desertion. Males and females deserted with nearly equal frequency, except in 1982 when more females deserted. No desertion occurred during drought years, whereas desertion occurred at nearly every nest during favourable conditions. The occurrence of mate desertion was generally related to indirect measures of snail abundance: foraging range, snail delivery rates to the young and growth rates. Small broods were deserted more frequently by females than by males and tended to be deserted earlier than large ones. After desertion, deserters had the opportunity to re-mate and nest again since breeding seasons were commonly lengthy, but whether they did so was impossible to determine conclusively in most cases. The deserted bird sometimes incurred increased energetic costs and lost breeding opportunities during periods of monoparental care.
CORN (Zea mays) KERNEL HARDNESS AS AN INDEX OF THE ALKALINE COOKING TIME FOR TORTILLA PREPARATION

A functional relationship has been established between the hardness (peak bioyield point) of raw corn kernels and the time needed for the cooking process. The alkaline cooking index (sensation of softness of kernels, cooked appearance of kernel endosperm, and huh disintegration) was found to have an equivalent kernel hardness. The hardness of raw kernels and the cooking time for four different corn varieties were significantly different (P < 0.0001). Within a corn variety, higher calcium hydroxide concentration slightly decreased the cooking time. The linear relationship between variety initial hardness and time at the terminal point of processing makes possible the prediction of the cooking time of a corn variety when its initial hardness is known.
The exposure dependence and emission spectrum of chemiluminescence produced during the oxidaton of Si(111) by O2

Abstract Chemiluminescene produced during the low pressure oxidation of a Si(111) surface by O 2 has been investigated. Carefully cleaned and annealed samples yield chemiluminescence at pressures as low as 6×10 −7 torr, corresponding to a peak chemiluminescence yield of 2.2×10 −7 photons per incident molecule and comparing favorably with the value of 1×10 −7 measured by Bruce and Comas (ref.1). The evolution of the emission shows a hyperbolic decrease in time at pressures above 1×10 −4 torr but becomes more complex at the lowest exposures studied. The spectrally broad chemiluminescence was dispersed at medium resolution and recorded with an Optical Multichannel Analyzer in an attempt to identify and characterize the energy content of the emitting species.
Some basic electromagnetic aspects of ULF field variations in the atmosphere

Recent analytical studies of ULF (ultra low frequency) electromagnetic fields in the atmosphere are reviewed. These fields have their origin in the discharging of thunderclouds and the interaction with the conductive atmosphere determines the resultant behavior. It is important that this interaction process be understood if observations are to be correctly interpreted in terms of the thunderstorm discharge process. Various theoretical approaches that have appeared in the literature are appraised and suggestions for further work are made.
Using Signals from Text to Identify Roles within a Group

This work investigates identifying social behaviors (adversarial behavior and influence) of participants in online discussion forums from how their language use in English, Arabic, and Chinese. We describe the challenges of annotating implicit information signaled by subtle queues and present two styles of annotation -- one using professional annotators and the other with Mechanical Turk. Our system, predicts confidence by identifying the most salient instances of the social behavior. We show that by selecting only the most salient instances of a behavior we are able to improve system precision. We also explore the impact of different types of features.
DR Chung-Chieh's contributions to coronal physics

Abstract Dr. Chung-Chieh Cheng, our friend and internationally known astrophysicist at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)'s Space Science Division passed away at Georgetown University Medical Center on March 10, 1995. He was 56. In memory of his scientific achievements, the highlights of Dr. Cheng's contributions in coronal physics will be summarized below
Neural dynamics of short and medium-term motor control effects of levodopa therapy in Parkinson's disease.

A neural network model of movement control in normal and Parkinson's disease (PD) conditions is proposed to simulate the time-varying dose-response relationship underlying the effects of levodopa on movement amplitude and movement duration in PD patients. Short and long-term dynamics of cell activations and neurotransmitter mechanisms underlying the differential expression of neuropeptide messenger RNA within the basal ganglia striatum are modeled to provide a mechanistic account for the effects of levodopa medication on motor performance (e.g. the pharmacodynamics). Experimental and neural network simulation data suggest that levodopa therapy in Parkinson's disease has differential effects on cell activities, striatal neuropeptides, and motor behavior. In particular, it is shown how dopamine depletion in the striatum may modulate differentially the level of substance P and enkephalin messenger RNA in the direct and indirect basal ganglia pathways. This dissociation in the magnitude and timing of peptide expression causes an imbalance in the opponently organized basal ganglia pathways which results in Parkinsonian motor deficits. The model is validated with experimental data obtained from handwriting movements performed by PD subjects before and after medication intake. The results suggest that fine motor control analysis and network modeling of the effects of dopamine in motor control are useful tools in drug development and in the optimization of pharmacological therapy in PD patients.
Correlation among Clinicopathological Parameters of Myocardial Damage in Rats Treated with Isoproterenol

The correlation among clinicopathological parameters of myocardial damage was investigated in rats administered a single subcutaneous dose of isoproterenol at 0 (saline), 0.04, 0.4 and 4 mg/kg. Total lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and their isoenzymes (LDH-1, LDH-2 and CK-MB), as well as troponin I and tropinin T, were measured 4 h after the administration of the drug. Troponin I was determined by a chemiluminescence method using Bayer Centaur and DPC Immulyze, as well as by ELISA. Troponin T was assayed semi-quantitatively using Trop T Sensitive. A high correlation was found among LDH isoenzymes, troponin I (Centaur) and troponin T. The present result provides a baseline for interpreting changes in the different parameters of myocardial damage assayed by different methods in toxicity studies.
The Philosophical Basis for the Study

the fact that it is difficult for a writer to be objective about issues which involve the basis for his very professional existence, the Study is not designed to answer such a question. However, the Study does illuminate various issues and concerns for mathematics educators. While the Study has not provided explicit directions for developing programs in teacher education, it has pointed out areas where, if further research is carried out, implications can be derived for the preparation of mathematics teachers.
Smart tooling with integrated time domain reflectometry sensing line for non-invasive flow and cure monitoring during composites manufacturing

An electrical transmission line integrated into composite tooling has been developed to facilitate non-contact multipoint flow and cure monitoring during vacuum assisted resin transfer molding processing. The sensor is made of conductive aramid (Kevlar®) fibers and is an integral part of the glass fiber composite tooling. Electrostatic simulations in COMSOL® have been performed to optimize the wire spacing maximizing the sensitivity of the electric time domain reflectometry measurements. Tooling with integrated wires placed with optimal spacing has been fabricated. TDR flow monitoring experiments with the integrated sensor have been conducted and compared visually using digital image processing. TDR data obtained from the same sensor also enables measurement of the resin cure state. Fast and slow curing resin systems have been studied using the transmission line integrated tooling and differential scanning calorimetry experiments have been performed to validate the cure measurements obtained from TDR. Major benefits of the sensor implementation include elimination of ingress/egress issues associated with standard sensor integration into composite tooling as well as reduced maintenance of the non-contact solution.
Heterogeneity and sampling volume dependence of epicardial adenosine concentrations.

Abstract Rapid steady-state estimates of interstitial fluid (ISF) adenosine concentrations (ADOi) in the left ventricular epicardium of anesthetized dogs were obtained by the epicardial porous disc (EPD) method described herein. Because of the high temporal and spatial resolution of this method, it was ideally suited to test the hypothesis that ADOi may vary in these domains. Variance in steady-state EPD solute concentrations was quantified statistically by the coefficient of variation (CV = standard deviation/mean), which we used as an index of heterogeneity. A significant temporal variation in steady-state EPD adenosine concentrations was observed when samples were sequentially collected from one epicardial location (CV = 42.9 ± 3.5%). When steady-state sample pairs (n = 45) were collected simultaneously from two distinct epicardial locations, a 2.6 ± 0.3-fold mean difference in their respective adenosine concentrations was measured. About 25% of this variation was inherent in procedural methodology, based on the variability of steady-state EPD concentrations of extracellularly-equlibrated 14C sucrose (CV = 12.7 ± 1.2%) and the variability of steady-state concentrations of both solutes measured using in vitro preparations (mean CV = 9.7 ± 1.2%). Thus, we contend that endogenous myocardial ISF adenosine is temporally and perhaps spatially heterogenous. Our estimates of steady-state ADOi obtained with the EPD method ranged from 0.47 to 0.99 μ m . Using modifications of the EPD technique and the epicardial chamber, we also demonstrated that the adenosine concentration in ‘steady-state’ epicardial samples is reduced when the volume/surface area ratio of the sample buffer is increased. We hypothesize that sampling-induced decreases in steady-state ADOi underlie these observations, because losses of ISF adenosine to high volumes of sample buffer can be greater than the myocardial cells are capable of replacing. However, with the very low volume/surface area ratio of a single EPD (7.5 μl/cm2), steady-state ADOi may remain constant during sampling, allowing for accurate determinations of ADOi with this method.
Interaction of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots: Among themselves and with matrices

Photoluminescence (PL) of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) deposited on Si, fused silica, Au film, shows red-shift; and blue-shift whenever two peaks are present, particularly on silica nanospheres. The red-shift with increasing density of QDs is attributed to interaction between QDs with PL emerging from the lower bonding state, and the second peak is attributed to molecular complexes on the surface of QD interacting with its surrounding matrices. The second peak is too weak to be detected on Si wafer with native oxide. The couplings between QD/QD and QDs/silica spheres via the molecular complexes are explained with a simple model. We also demonstrate that the band-gap of photonic crystals consisting of silica spheres can be stabilized by dehydration, annealing at high temperatures up to 1000^oC.
A critical evaluation and extension of internal state variables consititutive models

Abstract This study provides a critical comparison of the internal state variables constitutive model sproposed recently in the literature for metals at elevated temperatures and deformed over a wide range of strain rates. As a result of the observations from this comparative evaluation, a set of modified constitutive relations is also presented. The experimental data available in the literature for 1100 aluminum and a fully dense high purity aluminumm were used along with a nonlinear least squares fitting procedure to estimate the material constants. A nonlinear functional dependence of the effective stress with respect to the internal state variable in the evolution relationship was determined to model more effectively, compared to previous models, the case that a material may exhibit both hardening and softening behaviors, respectively, corresponding to different applied strain rates at the same temperature. The modified relations presented here propose a simple form of this nonlinear function, which accurately models the material response and which allows a more robust implementation in numerical simulations. The deformation of an aluminium gradient specimen was studied for further comparison of the three constitutive models considered and for a demonstration of the validity of this model.
Neuroblastoma-derived secretory protein messenger RNA levels correlate with high-risk neuroblastoma.

Abstract Background/Purpose In advanced-stage neuroblastoma, bulky disease and systemic dissemination can be controlled with intense surgical and medical therapies; however, recurrence rates are very high in this group indicating that residual disease is rarely eradicated. The need to detect residual disease and predict prognosis is critical to planning appropriate treatment regimens for these patients. Recently, neuroblastoma-derived secretory protein (NDSP) was identified and cloned from neuroblastoma. Methods Using quantitative real-time PCR, we tested NDSP messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in 45 neuroblastoma tumor samples and 5 bone marrow samples. Correlation between NDSP expression and age at diagnosis, International Neuroblastoma Staging System, MYCN amplification, and Children's Oncology Group risk stratification was analyzed using Spearman nonparametric correlation. Results Neuroblastoma tissue samples show much higher NDSP mRNA levels above control in 43 of 45 samples (96%); moreover, these levels correlate with the Children's Oncology Group neuroblastoma risk group assignment. We also found that bone marrow samples with known tumor infiltration had much higher NDSP mRNA levels than bone marrow from patients without metastasis. Conclusion From these data, we conclude that NDSP mRNA levels in neuroblastoma tumor tissue correlate with risk group assignment and may serve as a marker for metastasis in bone marrow.
Scientists and the Politics of Technology

Among the first questions which occur to a scientist who has decided to concern himself with the potential dangers posed by a rapidly developing technology are: (1) How effective is the Federal Executive's enormous and often distinguished science-advisory establishment in helping bring about rational decision making for technology? and (2) how effective in comparison can individual or small groups of independent scientists be in affecting crucial decisions by taking the issues to the public? In a number of case studies we have found: (1) In cases where an Executive Agency has large political or bureaucratic interests at stake, unfavorable reports of science-advisory panels are often ignored, kept confidential, and even misrepresented to the public as supporting official policy; and (2) it has been established repeatedly that a small dedicated group of independent scientists can bring to public attention a policy which represents a major threat to the public health and welfare. If the danger is sufficiently clear, the issue is often taken up by politicians or made into a legal issue with a good chance for a modification of official policy being the result.
Environmental Regulation in the Shadow of International Trade Law: A Principal-Agent Analysis

Environmental Regulation in the Shadow of International Trade Law: A Principal-Agent Analysis
On the Electronic and Structural Properties of Tri-Niobium Oxide Clusters Nb3On− (n = 3−8): Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Density Functional Calculations

The electronic and structural properties of a series of triniobium oxide clusters, Nb3On− and Nb3On (n = 3−8), are investigated using photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. PES spectra are obtained for Nb3On− (n = 3−8) at various photon energies and are used to compare with the DFT calculations. A trend of sequential oxidation is observed as a function of O content until Nb3O8−, reaching the highest oxidation state of Nb. DFT calculations are performed to search for the lowest energy structures for both the anionic and neutral clusters. For Nb3O3−, the three O atoms are shown to prefer the bridging sites of a triangular Nb3, leading to two nearly degenerate cyclic structures of Cs symmetry. The next three O atoms from n = 4−6 each occupy a terminal site directly bonded to Nb, resulting in a symmetric Nb3O6− with C3v symmetry and a low-lying isomer of Cs symmetry. The seventh O atom is bonded to two Nb atoms forming a double bridge, whereas the eighth O atom is b...
Characterization of two arginine ester hydrolases from Mojave rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus) venom

Abstract Two arginine ester hydrolases, designated AAEI and AAEII, from the venom of Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus have been investigated. The amino acid content of both enzymes were very similar and both esterases contained carbohydrate. Following treatment of AAEI and AAEII with neuraminidase, both enzymes migrated identically in two electrophoresis systems and one electrofocusing system. The esterase activities of both enzymes were optimally active in the range pH 8.0 – 8.5. Neither esterase hydrolyzed casein, hemoglobin (Hb) or α- N-benzoyl- dl -arginine -p- nitroaniline (BAPNA), yet both AAEI and AAEII hydrolyzed α-N- benzoyl- l -arginine ethyl ester (BAEE), α-N- benzoyl- l -arginine methyl ester (BAME), p- tosyl- l -arginine methyl ester (TAME) and acetylphenylalanylarginine methyl ester (Ac-Phe-Arg-OMe). The esterase activities of the two enzymes were inhibited by serine specific reagents and benzamide, but not by EDTA or soybean trypsin inhibitor. The Km values for each enzyme with α-N-benzoyl- l -arginine ethyl ester and acetylphenylalanylarginine methyl ester were determined. Neither esterase displayed thrombin-like or fibrinolytic activities. Both AAEI and AEII possessed kinin releasing activity as shown by the twitch response of an isolated rat uterus. The N-terminal sequences of AAEI and AAEII were identical and both enzymes sequences were similar to other arginine esterases from crotalid venoms. The properties of AAEI and AAEII are compared to several other arginine esterases possessing kallikrein-like activities which have been isolated from snake venoms.
Predicting the nonlinear response and progressive failure of composite laminates under triaxial loading: Correlation with experimental results

This article represents our contribution to Part B of the 2nd Worldwide Failure Exercise (WWFE-II), where comparisons between epoxy/lamina/laminate response and failure predictions, based on maximu...
Legal Aspects of Teacher Education: Letters of Reference, Recommendations, and Defamation of Character

Teacher educators are subject to the increasing complexities of our legal system. Legal complexity in teacher education has been engendered by the need to accommodate cultural and personal diversity, the decline of university paternalism (in loco parentis), an increase in the number of older college students, and the evolution of an implied contract between colleges and students. This article describes how teacher education is affected by evolving law, especially when the teacher is called upon to communicate evaluative comments about a trainee in the form of letters of reference, telephone recommendations, or submissions for placement files.
Flat Optics With Designer Metasurfaces

Metamaterials are artificially fabricated materials that allow for the control of light and acoustic waves in a manner that is not possible in nature. This Review covers the recent developments in the study of so-called metasurfaces, which offer the possibility of controlling light with ultrathin, planar optical components. Conventional optical components such as lenses, waveplates and holograms rely on light propagation over distances much larger than the wavelength to shape wavefronts. In this way substantial changes of the amplitude, phase or polarization of light waves are gradually accumulated along the optical path. This Review focuses on recent developments on flat, ultrathin optical components dubbed 'metasurfaces' that produce abrupt changes over the scale of the free-space wavelength in the phase, amplitude and/or polarization of a light beam. Metasurfaces are generally created by assembling arrays of miniature, anisotropic light scatterers (that is, resonators such as optical antennas). The spacing between antennas and their dimensions are much smaller than the wavelength. As a result the metasurfaces, on account of Huygens principle, are able to mould optical wavefronts into arbitrary shapes with subwavelength resolution by introducing spatial variations in the optical response of the light scatterers. Such gradient metasurfaces go beyond the well-established technology of frequency selective surfaces made of periodic structures and are extending to new spectral regions the functionalities of conventional microwave and millimetre-wave transmit-arrays and reflect-arrays. Metasurfaces can also be created by using ultrathin films of materials with large optical losses. By using the controllable abrupt phase shifts associated with reflection or transmission of light waves at the interface between lossy materials, such metasurfaces operate like optically thin cavities that strongly modify the light spectrum. Technology opportunities in various spectral regions and their potential advantages in replacing existing optical components are discussed.
Effect of Loading Path and Porosity on the Failure Mode of Porous Rocks

Grain crushing and pore collapse are the dominant compaction mechanisms in high porosity clastic rocks. These micromechanical processes control the evolution of strain hardening during cataclastic flow, and they can also result in embrittlement of the rock. The mechanics of the transition from brittle fracture to homogeneous cataclastic flow for the Berea and Kayenta sandstones were investigated in the laboratory. The mechanical data show that the transition is sensitively dependent on the stress state as well as the porosity. In the stress space, the complete locus for brittle failure by shear localization can be determined by tests on normally consolidated and overconsolidated samples along different loading paths. Using porosity as the hardening parameter, the evolution of the inelastic yield locus with strain hardening can be mapped out in the stress space. This yield locus expands with decreasing porosity. Scanning electron microscope and acoustic emission measurements were used to elucidate the micromechanics. The onset of grain crushing and pore collapse was marked by a surge in acoustic emission activity. A Hertzian fracture mechanics model was formulated to analyze the roles of porosity, grain size and fracture toughness in controlling the onset of hydrostatic and shear-enhanced compaction. Stereological measurements of the microcrack density show that significant stress-induced anisotropy was induced by shear-enhanced compaction, with preferred orientations of the stress-induced microcracks subparallel to the maximum compression direction.
Lasers, their development, and applications at M.I.T. Lincoln Laboratory

A historical account of the work on lasers at MIT Lincoln Laboratory is presented. Highlighted are the efforts that led to the co-invention of the semiconductor laser and the Laboratory's later role in establishing the feasibility of GaInAsP/InP semiconductor lasers for use in fiber telecommunications at 1.3-1.5 \mu m wavelenths. Descriptions of other important developments include tunable lead-salt semiconductor and solid-state lasers for spectroscopy and LIDAR applications, respectively, as well as ultrastable CO 2 lasers for coherent infrared radar.