cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of a framework to capture abstraction in physical chemistry problem solving

Productive problem solving, concept construction, and sense making occur through the core process of abstraction. Although the capacity for domain-general abstraction is developed at a young age, the role of abstraction in increasingly complex and disciplinary environments, such as those encountered in undergraduate STEM education, is not well understood. Undergraduate physical chemistry relies particularly heavily on abstraction because it uses many overlapping and imperfect mathematical models to represent and interpret phenomena occurring on multiple scales; however, studying and identifying abstraction in-the-moment in physical chemistry is challenging, because current conceptions of abstraction neglect the domain-specific features. This work uses an approach guided by informed grounded theory to develop a conceptual framework that makes abstraction in physical chemistry problem solving visible. Problem solving teaching interviews with individuals and pairs (n = 18) on thermodynamics and kinetics topics are analyzed using an abductive approach. The resulting Epistemic Actions of Abstraction framework characterizes eight epistemic actions along two dimensions: increasing abstractness relative to the context (concretizing, manipulating, restructuring, and generalizing) and nature of the object the action operates on (conceptual or symbolic). These actions are used to identify two types of abstraction: horizontal and vertical abstraction. We discuss how abstraction in problem solving is contextually dependent and implications this work has for problem solving in physical chemistry, as well as implications for physical chemistry instruction.
Functional Inhibition of Valosin-Containing Protein Induces Cardiac Dilation and Dysfunction in a New Dominant-Negative Transgenic Mouse Model

Valosin-containing protein (VCP) was found to play a vital protective role against cardiac stresses. Genetic mutations of VCP are associated with human dilated cardiomyopathy. However, the essential role of VCP in the heart during the physiological condition remains unknown since the VCP knockout in mice is embryonically lethal. We generated a cardiac-specific dominant-negative VCP transgenic (DN-VCP TG) mouse to determine the effects of impaired VCP activity on the heart. Using echocardiography, we showed that cardiac-specific overexpression of DN-VCP induced a remarkable cardiac dilation and progressively declined cardiac function during the aging transition. Mechanistically, DN-VCP did not affect the endogenous VCP (EN-VCP) expression but significantly reduced cardiac ATPase activity in the DN-VCP TG mouse hearts, indicating a functional inhibition. DN-VCP significantly impaired the aging-related cytoplasmic/nuclear shuffling of EN-VCP and its co-factors in the heart tissues and interrupted the balance of the VCP-cofactors interaction between the activating co-factors, ubiquitin fusion degradation protein 1 (UFD-1)/nuclear protein localization protein 4 (NPL-4) complex, and its inhibiting co-factor P47, leading to the binding preference with the inhibitory co-factor, resulting in functional repression of VCP. This DN-VCP TG mouse provides a unique functional-inactivation model for investigating VCP in the heart in physiological and pathological conditions.
Domain Adaptation with Logistic Regression for the Task of Splice Site Prediction

Supervised classifiers are highly dependent on abundant labeled training data. Alternatives for addressing the lack of labeled data include: labeling data (but this is costly and time consuming); training classifiers with abundant data from another domain (however, the classification accuracy usually decreases as the distance between domains increases); or complementing the limited labeled data with abundant unlabeled data from the same domain and learning semi-supervised classifiers (but the unlabeled data can mislead the classifier). A better alternative is to use both the abundant labeled data from a source domain and the limited labeled data from the target domain to train classifiers in a domain adaptation setting. We propose such a classifier, based on logistic regression, and evaluate it for the task of splice site prediction – a difficult and essential step in gene prediction. Our classifier achieved high accuracy, with highest areas under the precision-recall curve between 50.83% and 82.61%.
Relative Folate Bioavailability from Diets Containing Human, Bovine and Goat Milk

The present study was designed to determine the relative folate bioavailability from diets containing human, bovine or goat milk and the relative sensitivity of various response criteria used in assessing folate bioavailability. Following a 12-wk depletion period, 16 groups of male rats (n = 5/group) were fed experimental diets with or without 20% milk solids and graded levels of folic acid for 4 wk. Total folates were measured in plasma, erythrocytes, liver and kidney. Bioavailability of dietary folate was determined using slope-ratio statistics. Plasma response was found to be the most sensitive indicator of folate bioavailability based on steepness of slope, goodness of fit (r = 0.96, P less than 0.01) and linearity of response over the entire range of folate intakes. Kidney folate concentration also showed a significant linear relationship to total folate intake (r = 0.69, P less than 0.01). Liver and erythrocyte folate concentrations were not correlated with folate intake (r = 0.33 and r = 0.22, respectively). Using plasma folate as the response criterion, dietary incorporation of human milk significantly enhanced folate bioavailability by 75% (P less than 0.01). With kidney as the response tissue, folate bioavailability from diets containing human and bovine milk was significantly enhanced over milk-free diets. These results show that incorporation of human or bovine milk into diets enhances folate bioavailability and that plasma and kidney folate concentrations are sensitive and specific indicators of folate bioavailability.
Hybrid energy storage systems in electric vehicle

The goal of this paper is to analyze the performance of regenerative energy storage systems (ESS) in electric vehicles. This article presents a comparison of two different hybrid ESSs and using the Li-ion based conventional battery packs. The hybrid ESSs considered in this study combine Li-ion cells with ultra capacitors and hydraulic systems respectively. The configuration of each of these combinations is presented in this document in detail. Performance of all three ESSs for drive cycles has been compared using the Autonomie software.
A numerical simulation of the magnetospheric gate model for the X-ray bursters

A Lagrangian, stellar interior computer code which assumes radiation transport by diffusion is used to numerically simulate an X-ray burst occurring on a rapidly rotating, 1 solar mass neutron star accreting material from a companion in noncontinuous, episodic fashion. The blob of gas from the companion extends from the surface of the neutron star to a radius of 185 km, is optically thick, has mass of 10 to the -11th solar masses, and is initially at rest with respect to the surface. The gas initially has a temperature of about 10 million K and a surface luminosity of 0.1 that of the sun. The infall results in a burst which lasts about 0.1 second and reaches a peak luminosity and effective temperature of 240,000 suns and nine million K. The burst is followed by a phase of oscillations with a period of 0.2 second. It is found that the burst is too cool and rapid to resemble normal bursts, although the time scale is in agreement with some observations.
Research emphases on cultural differences and/or similarities

Abstract Many authors have suggested the need to look for cultural differences and similarities, but few researchers seem to have done so. In fact, most authors look for and find differences. The problems of this tendency are considered. Suggestions are then made to at least, partially, overcome these problems and more accurately report our research findings in order to more helpfully aid international businesspeople in areas such as avoiding blunders in different cultures.
Localism and Capital Punishment

Professor Adam Gershowitz presents an interesting proposal to transfer from localities to states the power to enforce the death penalty. In his view, state-level enforcement would result in a more rationally applied death penalty because states would be much more likely to make capital charging decisions based on desert, without the distorting influence of the severe resource constraints applicable to all but the wealthiest of localities. As well conceived as Professor Gershowitz’s proposal is, however, I remain skeptical that statewide enforcement of the death penalty would be preferable to continued local enforcement. First, Professor Gershowitz underestimates the benefits of localism in the death penalty. Localism, properly viewed, is not entirely negative and may actually be quite positive. Second, and more fundamentally, there is every reason to believe the “politics of death” would operate, at the state level, to defeat the salutary purposes of Professor Gershowitz’s reforms. Thus, as intriguing as it is, the prospect of statewide enforcement holds little promise as a means of rationalizing the administration of the death penalty.
Effect of fly ash and bagasse charcoal on the mobility of atrazine in Indian sandy loam soil

AbstractThe study was undertaken to obtain an objective and realistic overview of atrazine residue reduction in sandy loam soil using two low-cost adsorbents. Fly ash and bagasse charcoal are waste products of thermal power plant and sugar mill, respectively, and are abundant, which have a disposal problem. A laboratory-based adsorption and leaching experiments were carried out to know the percentage reduction of atrazine by mixing these two abundant materials in soil at 1% level. In adsorption and leaching studies, atrazine 50% WP was used to know the reduction of atrazine concentration in fresh soil and soil with adsorbent. It was found that adsorbent mixed soil adsorbed atrazine greater than the fresh soil and the mobility of atrazine was reduced in adsorbent mixed soil as compared to fresh soil. It was concluded that the reduction of atrazine in adsorbent mixed soil was attributed due to the adsorption properties of these adsorbents as well as reducing the porosity of soil. Hence, these adsorbents wer...
The anticonvulsant activities of functionalized N-benzyl 2-acetamidoacetamides. The importance of the 2-acetamido substituent

Recent studies have demonstrated that substituted N-benzyl 2-acetamidoacetamides provide significant protection against maximal electroshock (MES)-induced seizures in mice and rats. In this study, we investigated whether the 2-acetamido moiety was necessary for anticonvulsant activity. Ten derivatives of the known anticonvulsant, N-benzyl 2-acetamido-2-phenyl-acetamide were prepared in which the 2-acetamido group was replaced by hydrogen, methyl, oxygen, and halogen substituents. Evaluation of these compounds in the MES-induced seizure test demonstrated that both the hydroxy and the methexy compounds provided full protection against MES-induced seizures in mice given ip at 100 mg/kg. Moreover, evaluation of the individual stereoisomers for the hydroxy compound showed that the principal activity resided in the (R)-isomer. These findings demonstrated that the 2-acetamido substituent is important but not obligatory for the prevention of MES-induced seizures. Further supporting evidence was provided by comparing the pharmacological activities of N-benzyl 2,3-dimethoxypropionamide with N-benzyl 2-acetamido-3-methoxypropionamide. The ED50 value for the former in the MES test was 30 mg/kg (i.p.), which compared favorably with phenobarbital (ED50 = 22 mg/kg), but the ED50 value for N-benzyl 2-acetamido-3-methoxypropionamide was 8.3 mg/kg.
A Formalism for Problem Restructuring and Resolution in Design

It is no longer unusual to find automated systems as partners in the architectural design process. Most, if not all, of these systems are limited to solving well-structured problems efficiently and accurately. The use of these systems relies on manual decomposition of complex problems into more limited, well-defined ones and the subsequent recomposition of the solutions into comprehensive ones. In this paper a formal representation is developed for the process of problem structuring to enable decomposition and recomposition of architectural problems. This consists of a heuristic method for manipulating the parameters of a general purpose generate-and-test mechanism which is capable of solving well-defined problems.
Changes in plasma somatomedin-C in response to ingestion of diets with variable protein and energy content

We have attempted to determine the relative importance of dietary intake of protein and energy in restoring plasma immunoreactive somatomedin-C (Sm-C) concentrations after fasting. Ten healthy human volunteers were fasted for 5 days, then divided into two refeeding groups. One group (variable energy) was refed 1.0 g protein/kg ideal body weight, and in 9-day sequences, 11, 18 and 25 kcal of energy/kg. The other group (variable protein) was given 35 kcal energy/kg, and in 9-day sequences, 0.2, 0.4, and 1.0 g protein/kg. When subjects were refed the variable energy diets there was no significant increase in Sm-C at 11 kcal/kg (0.47 +/- 0.13 to 0.45 +/- 0.12 U/ml), suggesting that there is a threshold energy requirement below which optimal protein intake is not sufficient to raise the Sm-C. When subjects were refed 18 and 25 kcal/kg, it became apparent that the more energy added to the diet, the greater the absolute concentration of Sm-C attained (0.66 U/ml on 18 kcal/kg and 0.97 U/ml on 25 kcal/kg). Sm-C correlated with nitrogen balance (r = 0.58) during refeeding with the variable energy diets and was a good indicator of acute directional change in nitrogen balance. However, Sm-C was not a reliable indicator of nitrogen repletion, since it rose almost to control levels on the 25 kcal/kg diet while nitrogen balance remained slightly negative.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Enhanced Computational Infrastructure for Data Analysis at the DIII-D National Fusion Facility

Abstract Recently a number of enhancements to the computer hardware infrastructure have been implemented at the DIII–D National Fusion Facility. Utilizing these improvements to the hardware infrastructure, software enhancements are focusing on streamlined analysis, automation, and graphical user interface (GUI) systems to enlarge the user base. The adoption of the load balancing software package LSF Suite by Platform Computing has dramatically increased the availability of CPU cycles and the efficiency of their use. Streamlined analysis has been aided by the adoption of the MDSplus system to provide a unified interface to analyzed DIII–D data. The majority of MDSplus data is made available in between pulses giving the researcher critical information before setting up the next pulse. Work on data viewing and analysis tools focuses on efficient GUI design with object–oriented programming (OOP) for maximum code flexibility. Work to enhance the computational infrastructure at DIII–D has included a significant effort to aid the remote collaborator since the DIII–D National Team consists of scientists from nine national laboratories, 19 foreign laboratories, 16 universities, and five industrial partnerships. As a result of this work, DIII–D data is available on a 24×7 basis from a set of viewing and analysis tools that can be run on either the collaborators’ or DIII–D's computer systems. Additionally, a web based data and code documentation system has been created to aid the novice and expert user alike.
Electroreduction of Bi3+ in molten AlCl3 + NaCl

Abstract The electrochemical reduction of Bi 3+ in molten AlCl 3 + NaCl (63–37 ∼52−48 mole%) has been studied polarographically (polarograms were constructed from current-time curves) as well as by linear sweep voltammetry and chronopotentiometry at gold, platinum, and pyrolytic graphite electrodes in the temperature interval 125–300°C. Bi 3+ is reduced reversibly to Bi + . Further reduction of Bi + to bismuth is complex and involves intermediate oxidation states which were not characterized electrochemically. Strong adsorption of Bi + at gold and platinum electrodes was observed; adsorption parameters are reported. The lower oxidation states were found to be more stable at lower temperature and in more acidic melts (higher AlCl 3 content).
Deformation behavior of model MMC scarf joints

Abstract The mechanical response of metal interlayers constrained between two fiber-reinforced MMC (metal–matrix composites) sub-elements was investigated. The fibers were polycrystalline Al2O3, discontinuous at the joint, embedded in Al–4.5Mg, that was continuous through the joint and constituted both the composite matrix and the interlayer material. The specimens were produced by pressurized melt infiltration and comprised interlayers oriented from 0 to 75° relative to the plane normal to the fiber axis. Analytical and finite element models were developed and compared with experimental results in order to elucidate the deformation behavior of these interlayers and to identify the key factors controlling joint performance. Two predominant regimes were identified in this manner. Joints in the intermediate angle range (45±15°) exhibit limit load behavior and develop large strains prior to failure, whereas joints at lower (≤15°) and higher (75°) angles show only modest plasticity. The models suggest that the latter group could, in principle, develop large strains and limit loads, but this behavior is precluded by the intervention of failure owing to debonding in the lower angle joints, and to composite fracture in the highest angle ones. The analysis further reveals that the constitutive behavior of the metal in the interlayer exhibits substantial hardening relative to that of the monolithic matrix processed in the same manner. The reasons for this behavior are discussed. The models set the stage for future work to elucidating failure criteria for interlayers in these joint configurations.
Cell fusion is a physiological process in mouse liver

A large portion of hepatocytes are polyploid cells, thought to arise through endoduplication followed by aborted cytokinesis. However, several recent reports describing liver cell fusion with exogenously derived bone marrow cells have been published. The exact significance of this finding is unclear, because the adopted protocols involve ablation regimens, damaged livers and artificial injections of adult cells. By creating chimeric mice bearing distinct reporter genes (LacZ and GFP), we show that in an unperturbed setting, hepatocytes carrying both markers can be detected via immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction analysis. To further corroborate these findings with a direct visualization of the chromosome content at the single-cell level, we performed genotype analysis via fluorescence in situ hybridization on XY/XX chimeric mice with a Y chromosome–specific paint and an X chromosome–specific bacterial artificial chromosome clone probes. Conclusion: This technique confirmed the occurrence of cell fusion in adult mouse liver. (HEPATOLOGY 2008.)
Cohomology of Compact Hyperkähler Manifolds and its Applications.

We announce the structure theorem for theH 2(M)-generated part of cohomology of a compact hyperkahler manifold. This computation uses an action of the Lie algebra so(4,n−2) wheren=dimH 2(M) on the total cohomology space ofM. We also prove that every two points of the connected component of the moduli space of holomorphically symplectic manifolds can be connected with so-called “twistor lines” — projective lines holomorphically embedded in the moduli space and corresponding to the hyperkahler structures. This has interesting implications for the geometry of compact hyperkahler manifolds and of holomorphic vector bundles over such manifolds.
Taste phenomena and drug effects on thirst-induced fluid consumption by rats.

Abstract Rats were trained to consume all of their daily fluid intake in a 1-hr period each day. The consummatory volume during this period ranked in the order: 9% sucrose > 0.004% saccharin > distilled water > 0.05% tartaric acid. When various drugs were administered prior to the consummatory sessions, differential effects were observed in molar dose-response curves of the various drugs. Amphetamine was most potent against distilled water and totally ineffective against sucrose. Atropine was most effective against saccharin and least effective against tartaric acid. Methapyrilene was most effective against distilled water and least effective against tartaric acid.
Synthesis and Structures of Oxo-Bridged Distannyl- and Digermyldirhenium Complexes

The reaction of Re2(CO)8(μ-SnPh2)2 (1) with NaOMe in methanol in the presence of Bun4NBr yielded the salt [NBun4][Re2(CO)8{μ-Ph2SnO(Me)SnPh2}] (3). The anion of 3 contains a Ph2SnO(Me)SnPh2 ligand formed by the addition of a [OMe]- group to the two bridging SnPh2 groups in 1. The bidentate ligand bridges the two Re(CO)4 groups that are joined by a Re−Re single bond. The reaction of Re2(CO)8[μ-C(H)C(H)Bun](μ-H) with Ph3GeH and H2O in heptane solvent yielded the complex Re2(CO)8[μ-Ph2GeO(H)GePh2](μ-H) (4). The structure of 4 consists of two Re(CO)4 units bridged by a Ph2GeO(H)GePh2 ligand and a hydrido ligand that bridges the Re−Re bond. Compound 4 was deprotonated at the OH group by treatment with [NBun4][OH] to give the salt [NBun4][Re2(CO)8(μ-Ph2GeOGePh2)(μ-H)] ([NBun4]·5). The three new compounds were characterized by IR, 1H NMR, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The electronic structures of 4 and 5 were probed by computations employing density functional theory (ADF 2004.01, PW91).
Human decidual NK cells form immature activating synapses and are not cytotoxic

In early pregnancy invading fetal trophoblasts encounter abundant maternal decidual natural killer cells (dNK). dNK express perforin, granzymes A and B and the activating receptors NKp30, NKp44, NKp46, NKG2D, and 2B4 as well as LFA-1. Even though they are granular and express the essential molecules required for lysis, fresh dNK displayed very reduced lytic activity on classical MHC I negative targets K562 and 721.221, ≈15% of that of peripheral NK cells. dNK formed conjugates and activating immune synapses with 721.221 and K562 cells in which CD2, LFA-1 and actin were polarized toward the contact site. However, in contrast to peripheral NK cells, they failed to polarize their microtubule organizing centers and perforin-containing granules to the synapse, accounting for their lack of cytotoxicity.
Hemispherical color differences on pluto and charon.

Time-resolved multicolor photometric observations of Pluto-Charon mutual events have been used to derive individual colors for these two bodies and to investigate the degree of color differences between their synchronous facing and opposite hemispheres. Pluto is significantly redder than Charon, where direct measurements of the anti-Charon hemisphere of Pluto and the Pluto-facing hemisphere of Charon yield B-V magnitudes of 0.867 + or - 0.008 and 0.700 + or - 0.010, respectively. Both Pluto and Charon are found to have relatively uniform longitudinal color distributions with 1-sigma upper limits of 2 percent and 5 percent, respectively, for any large-scale hemispherical color asymmetries. Thus, a previous suspicion of a significant color asymmetry on Charon is not confirmed. Instead the data may be attributed to a direct detection of polar caps on Pluto.
Turcot's syndrome: Evidence for linkage to the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) locus

Objective: To investigate the possibility that neuroepithelial tumors in Turcot9s syndrome are caused by pleiotropic mutations in the gene for adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), a tumor-suppressor gene implicated in colonic cancer. Methods: We studied the inheritance patterns of genetic markers for the chromosome 5q21 region in 12 members of a Turcot9s syndrome kindred with five affected members. We performed linkage analysis to detect linkage between the disease phenotype and DNA markers. Results: Marker D5S346, located 30 to 70 kilobases from the APC locus, showed evidence highly suggestive of linkage to the disease phenotype (lod score = 1.92). Conclusions: The data provide evidence that the tumor-suppressor gene implicated in APC and sporadic colon cancers may also cause malignant neuroepithelial tumors in Turcot9s syndrome.
Distributed control and computation in a parallel modular robotic system

New generations of modular and reconfigurable robotic systems with many degrees of freedom can be transformed to achieve different functions, modes of manipulation, and means of mobility resulting in efficient multifunctional systems which adapt to complex environments. The design of modular distributed algorithms and architectures for control of these systems is particularly challenging since kinematic and dynamic performance must be maintained throughout a range of alternative physical reconfigurations. The 'Tetrobot' is a prototype modular system using parallel, variable geometry truss-like mechanisms which can be reconfigured to create moving platforms, walking machines, manipulator arms, a pipe crawler and other devices. Modular algorithms for distributed control and dynamic redundancy resolution of these system will be discussed, and the principles of distributed control for modular systems generalize beyond these specific mechanisms. The resulting Tetrobot system has a range of interesting applications including space robotics, construction, mining, medical, undersea, and flexible manufacturing.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Digestive carbohydrases of the blue crab Callinectes sapidus (Rathbun): implications in utilization of plant-derived detritus as a trophic resource☆

Abstract Scientific activities of alpha- and beta-galactosidases and alpha-and beta-glucosidases in crude homogenates of the digestive gland and gut tissues of Callinectes sapidus (Rathbun) were measured. Maximal specific activity occurred at pH 4 when homogenates were tested against four artificial substrata. Activity occurred at pH 4–8. Rates of hydrolysis were consistently high (8.8–10.6 nmol substratum hydrolyzed·min−1·mg−1 total protein) for artificial substrata ( p- nitrophenyl-alpha- d -galactopyranoside , p-nitrophenyl-beta- d -galactopyranoside, p-nitrophenyl-alpha- d -glucopyranoside, p-nitrophenyl-beta- d -glucopyranoside). When natural substrata (melibiose, lactose, sucrose, maltose and cellobiose) were tested with digestive gland homogenates, appreciable enzymatic activity (specific activity 0.041) was detected for maltose. This disaccharide is a component of starch (alpha-1,4-glucan), one of the primary complex storage sugars in vascular plant tissues. These data indicate that C. sapidus may have the physiological capacity to utilize vascular plant material (e.g., starch), a common component of detritus within coastal estuaries and bays. Although detritus has been observed in the guts of both juvenile and adult C. sapidus, the capacity to use detritus may be particularly important to juvenile blue crabs which use vegetated areas as refuge and may have limited abilities to capture and ingest live animal prey.
Choice of nonpharmacological pain therapies by ethnically diverse older adults.

SUMMARY Aim: This study compared nonpharmacological pain therapies used by ethnically diverse older adults with recommendations of family physicians and identified factors associated with nonpharmacological pain therapies use. Methods: Using a descriptive cross-sectional design, 281 participants in four ethnic groups (European Americans, Hispanics, African–Americans, Afro-Caribbeans) with chronic pain were surveyed. Binary logistic regression analyses were employed to determine associated factors. Results & conclusion: Nonaquatic exercise and physical therapy were most frequently recommended by physicians, and nonaquatic exercise was most commonly used by participants. Lower pain levels predicted use of nonaquatic exercise, and ethnicity predicted use of prayer to manage chronic pain. Future research should examine barriers to use of psychological treatments and assess the value of combined physical and psychological treatments.
Total and high-molecular-weight adiponectin levels in relation to insulin resistance among overweight/obese adults.

Objective: To determine whether baseline levels or intervention-associated changes in total and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin levels were associated with insulin resistance after six months of behavioral treatment for weight loss. Design: An ancillary study to a behavioral weight loss trial; the intervention was delivered in group sessions. Methods: Participants included 143 overweight/obese adults with a mean BMI of 33.7 kg/m 2 . The sample was 88% female, 67% white, and 44.2 ± 8.5 years old. Circulating adiponectin levels (total and HMW) and the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) of insulin resistance were measured and evaluated. Results: At baseline, there was significant inverse associations between total adiponectin and HOMA ( p < 0.001) and between HMW adiponectin and HOMA ( p < 0.001) independent of weight. At 6-mo, there was a 17% improvement in HOMA, 8% increase in total adiponectin, 17% increase in HMW adiponectin levels, and 8.72% weight loss ( p 's for all< 0.001). There was also a significant inverse association between changes in total adiponectin and HOMA ( p = 0.04) that was independent of baseline weight and weight loss. In contrast, the association between changes in HMW adiponectin and HOMA was attenuated after adjustment for weight loss. Conclusions: An increased level of total adiponectin was associated with improved insulin sensitivity, regardless of baseline weight and weight loss. However, baseline total and HMW adiponectin levels were more strongly associated with HOMA than changes in these measures at six months. HMW adiponectin level was not related more closely to insulin resistance than total adiponectin level.
Author disincentives and open access

All parties in the scholarly-information marketplace agree that any Open Access (OA) system will have to account for the costs of disseminating scholarly information and of editing, publishing and distributing it. There has been less discussion of the fact that for an OA forum to succeed, it will have to be accepted and supported by authors. Author charges, a relative lack of prestige, and the required abdication of copyright are three characteristics of many currently emerging OA models that may pose significant barriers to author acceptance. These will have to be addressed if OA providers wish to be competitive with non-OA providers.
What paths do advantageous alleles take during short‐term evolutionary change?

Combining experimental evolution with whole-genome resequencing is a promising new strategy for investigating the dynamics of evolutionary change. Published studies that have resequenced laboratory-selected populations of sexual organisms have typically focused on populations sampled at the end of an evolution experiment. These studies have attempted to associate particular alleles with phenotypic change and attempted to distinguish between different theoretical models of adaptation. However, neither the population used to initiate the experiment nor multiple time points sampled during the evolutionary trajectory are generally available for examination. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Orozco-terWengel et al. (2012) take a significant step forward by estimating genome-wide allele frequencies at the start, 15 generations into and at the end of a 37-generation Drosophila experimental evolution study. The authors identify regions of the genome that have responded to laboratory selection and describe the temporal dynamics of allele frequency change. They identify two common trajectories for putatively adaptive alleles: alleles either gradually increase in frequency throughout the entire 37 generations or alleles plateau at a new frequency by generation 15. The identification of complex trajectories of alleles under selection contributes to a growing body of literature suggesting that simple models of adaptation, whereby beneficial alleles arise and increase in frequency unimpeded until they become fixed, may not adequately describe short-term response to selection.
Seepage Flow Into Florida Lakes

ABSTRACT: Direct measurements indicate that subsurface seepage in the littoral zone contributed 17.5 and 2.0 percent of the total hydraulic inputs, respectively, to Lakes Conway and Apopka, Florida. Two variations of seepage measuring devices were evaluated and gave relative standard deviations of 7 and 24 percent. Measurement inaccuracies were minimized by using large diameter (0.9 cm ID) plastic tubing. For a given transect perpendicular to shore, flow patterns were reproducible over time. Seepage flows ranged from 0 to 112 1/m2-day and most were between 4 and 30 1/m2-day. The detection limit was about 0.2 1/m2-day for a one-hour collection period. Seepage occured primarily within 30 m of shore and generally decreased exponentially with distance from shore. The shape of the bottom profile influenced flow patterns; lake bottoms with steeper slopes had higher flows that were compressed within a narrower zone. After a short-term rain event at Lake Conway, seepage flows increased rapidly to 2.4 times the prerain flow for 1 h and decreased to near background within about 6 h.
4×4 Tac-Tix is a second person game

4×4 Tac-Tix is a two person game with the last player losing. It had been conjectured for quite some time now that this was a second person game. By using the AND-OR trees and the grundy function technique extensively, we prove in this paper that both, the 4×4 Tac-Tix and its modified version are second person games.
GUIDELINES FOR LEFT-TURN PHASING TREATMENT

The safety of left-turning vehicles at signalized intersections is a concern of the safety community, and guidelines for the installation of left-turn phasing have been developed. The development of guidelines to be considered when determining whether left-turn phasing should be used and the type of phasing that would be appropriate is presented. The guidelines are based on accident data collected for 408 approaches in Kentucky and delay data simulated for a variety of intersection characteristics. The recommendations made take into account many variables, including left-turn volumes, accident rates, product of opposing and left-turn volumes, and left-turn delays. A two-step approach is considered in the decision whether to install left-turn phasing: determine whether protection is needed and then determine the type of protection. The selection of the appropriate left-turn treatment is a process in which trade-offs between safety and delays may be required. Moreover, the use of single rules is usually not...
Method of resolving radio phase ambiguity in satellite orbit determination

For satellite orbit determination, the most accurate observable available today is microwave radio phase, which can be differenced between observing stations and between satellites to cancel both transmitter- and receiver-related errors. For maximum accuracy, the integer cycle ambiguities of the doubly differenced observations must be resolved. To perform this ambiguity resolution, a bootstrapping strategy is proposed. This strategy requires the tracking stations to have a wide ranging progression of spacings. By conventional 'integrated Doppler' processing of the observations from the most widely spaced stations, the orbits are determined well enough to permit resolution of the ambiguities for the most closely spaced stations. The resolution of these ambiguities reduces the uncertainty of the orbit determination enough to enable ambiguity resolution for more widely spaced stations, which further reduces the orbital uncertainty. In a test of this strategy with six tracking stations, both the formal and the true errors of determining Global Positioning System satellite orbits were reduced by a factor of 2.
Support or subversion: the relationship between farming systems research and Tanzania's rural development policy objectives

Abstract Although farming systems research (FSR) programs have been initiated in many countries, insufficient attention has been devoted to their relationship with national rural development policies. While clearly in many instances the two will be working in a supportive fashion towards common goals, in other instances they may be operating at cross purposes. This relationship is examined through an ex post facto consideration of the historical record of rural development policies in the East African nation of Tanzania. Since independence, Tanzania has embarked on a wide variety of rural development initiatives including the introduction of communal production systems, massive resettlement programs, price controls, and the establishment of parastatal marketing firms. These policies have been formulated to achieve specific societal goals such as greater equity, the provision of social services, and the feeding of the urban population. In contrast to these broad concerns and policies, the FSR approach focuses on understanding the problems and opportunities of individual family units and on setting in motion a process of technology generation and dissemination that will increase the productivity of these families. The general conclusion is that although FSR practitioners and national policy makers often differ markedly in their perspectives on rural development, improved communications will provide substantial benefit to both sides. The FSR teams can provide new insights that will aid in the formulation of improved policies. Similarly, national policy goals that are handed down should provide the FSR teams with another basis to judge and modify potential technological interventions. The long-term success of any FSR program is dependent upon effectively fulfilling both of these roles.
Varactor-tuned bandstop filters with tunable center frequency and bandwidth

A new tunable bandstop resonator architecture has been presented which, for the first time, allows for both center frequency and bandwidth tuning using only tuning elements attached to the resonator. A 2nd-order microstrip prototype notch filter demonstrating the concept was successfully designed, built, and measured.
Enhanced flow boiling in microchannels by self-sustained high frequency two-phase oscillations

Abstract Experimental study of flow boiling heat transfer in a microchannel array consisting of main channels connected to two auxiliary channels (each) was conducted. A microbubble-excited actuation mechanism, powered by high frequency vapor bubble growth and collapse, was established to create and sustain strong mixing in the microchannels. It was shown to significantly enhance flow boiling heat transfer in microchannels. Experimental studies were conducted at mass fluxes ranged from 150 to 480 kg/m2 s with de-ionized (DI) water as the working fluids. Compared with microchannels with inlet restrictors (IRs), the average two-phase heat transfer coefficient was improved by up to 149%. More importantly, a 71–90% reduction in pressure drop at moderate mass fluxes ranged from 400 to 1400 kg/m2 s was observed. Heat flux up to 552 W/cm2 at a mass flux of 480 kg/m2 s was demonstrated. Flow and heat transfer mechanisms were studied and discussed.
Relationship of Hunger and Food Insecurity to Food Availability and Consumption

Abstract Objective To describe the relationship of new measures of hunger and food insecurity to household food supplies and individual food and nutrient intake. Design and Setting A questionnaire containing the Radimer/Cornell hunger and food insecurity items and questions on eating patterns and the frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption was administered to subjects during a personal interview in their homes. A 24-hour diet recall and a household food inventory were conducted at the initial interview and at a follow-up visit. Subjects Participants were 193 women drawn from a random sample of 308 women who had completed a previous health census in a rural New York State county. Subjects' ages ranged from 15 to 40 years. All had children living at home and less than 16 years of education. Statistical analyses Regression analysis was used to test for linear trends across food insecurity groups for the household food inventory scores and for the frequency of consumption of fruits and vegetables, t Tests were used to assess differences between the food secure and food insecure groups for nutrient and food group means. A χ 2 test for trend was used to examine differences in the distribution of nutrient and fruit and vegetable intake between the food secure and food insecure groups. Results A significant decrease in the frequency of consumption of fruits and vegetables and the amount of food in the household and a significant increase in scores indicative of disordered eating patterns were associated with a worsening of food insecurity status. Potassium and fiber intake and fruit consumption differed significantly between the food secure and food insecure groups. The percentage of respondents consuming less than the Recommended Dietary Allowance for vitamin C and fewer than five fruits and vegetables per day was significantly greater among food insecure respondents than food secure respondents. Applications/conclusions The quantity of food available in households and consumption of fruits and vegetables decreased with increasingly severe problems with food insecurity and hunger. In this rural population, the Radimer/Cornell measures were useful in identifying households experiencing food insecurity and providing information about the nature of the food supply and the dietary intake problems experienced by food insecure households and persons, suggesting that these measures may be useful on community surveys designed to examine food insecurity issues. J Am Diet Assoc. 1996; 96:1019-1024.
Dynamically polarized hydrogenous materials for neutron scattering

Neutron scattering from dynamically polarized protons provides an effective way to study the structure of hydrogenous materials. Hydrogen makes up about half of all the atoms in biological molecules. Its content in many other soft condensed matters is very high as well. Neutron's interaction with hydrogen depends strongly on their spin states. Polarized neutron scattering from polarized hydrogens can both increase the coherent scattering signal and reduce the incoherent background. Many of its past applications were focused on solution scatterings from large biological complexes such as the ribosome. Those studies were recently confirmed by the crystal structures of the ribosome. A promising future application for polarized neutron scattering from dynamically polarized hydrogens is neutron protein crystallography. Currently, neutron protein crystallography is severely flux limited, even at the world's most powerful neutron sources. It can benefit greatly from the increased diffraction signal and reduced incoherent background enabled by polarized neutron diffraction.
Operational Wear and Friction in MEMS Devices

Friction and wear are extremely important issues in micromachined surfaces in design applications that allow rubbing. A polysilicon surface-micromachined inchworm device has been developed to obtain detailed in-situ information on these properties under well-controlled loading conditions. Here, we investigate the inchworm operational wear and the evolution of friction coefficient as a function of the number of imposed wear cycles. A test procedure was developed to monitor various functional parameters such as the travel distance of the inchworm under an imposed drag force for a fixed number of steps and the friction coefficient. While subject to this drag force, the travel distance decreased gradually until the foot of the device became permanently lodged in the grooves created by the wear-track. Meanwhile, it was found that the friction coefficient increased from 0.2 on a virgin surface to 3 when the accumulated number of wear cycles reached around 200,000. The friction test itself was found to interact with the wear processes. By minimizing the number of friction tests performed during the wear test, the operational life of the device was extended well beyond 700,000 cycles. Microscopic observation of the wear surfaces revealed that the early wear is characterized by the blunting of the sharp peaks on the poly silicon grains and then flattening of this fine wear debris on the surface. Evidence of plastic deformation was inferred by the spread of the wear debris over several grains. With increased number of wear cycles, material removal through scratches induced by the wear debris was observed. The device failure occurred due to a large volume of material removal (severe wear) in localized regions.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Vortices at planar defects in layered superconductors.

We propose a self-consistent nonlocal approach for the description of vortices in layered supeconductors that contain planar defects parallel to the layers. The model takes account of interlayer Josephson coupling and of a reduced maximum Josephson current density {ital j}{sub 0}{prime} across the defect as compared to {ital j}{sub 0} for other interlayer junctions. Analytical formulas that describe the structure of both static and moving vortices, including the nonlinear Josephson core region, are obtained. Within the framework of the model, we have calculated the lower critical field {ital H}{sub {ital c}1}, vortex mass {ital M}, viscous drag coefficient {mu}, and the nonlinear current-voltage characteristic {ital V}({ital j}) for a vortex moving along planar defects. It is shown that for identical junctions ({ital j}{sub 0}{prime}={ital j}{sub 0}) our approach reproduces results of Clem, Coffey, and Hao [Phys. Rev. B {bold 42}, 6209 (1990); {bold 44}, 2732 (1991); {bold 44}, 6903 (1991)] for {mu}, {ital M}, and {ital H}{sub {ital c}1}. In the opposite limit {ital j}{sub 0}{prime}{lt}{ital j}{sub 0}, our model gives an Abrikosov vortex with anisotropic Josephson core described by a nonlocal Josephson electrodynamics. A sign change in the curvature of {ital V}({ital j}) is shown to occur due tomore » a crossover between underdamped ({ital T}{lt}{ital T}{sub {ital c}}) and overdamped {ital T}{approx_equal}{ital T}{sub {ital c}} dynamics of interlayer junctions as the temperature {ital T} is increased. Implications of the results on the {ital c}-axis current transport in high-{ital T}{sub {ital c}} superconductors are discussed. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}« less
Patterns of Racial Socialization and Psychological Adjustment: Can Parental Communications About Race Reduce the Impact of Racial Discrimination?

This study uses two waves of data to examine the relations among racial discrimination experiences, patterns of racial socialization practices, and psychological adjustment in a sample of 361 African American adolescents. Using latent class analyses, we identified four patterns of child-reported racial socialization experiences: Moderate Positive, High Positive, Low Frequency, and Moderate Negative. Experiencing racial discrimination was associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms, more perceived stress, and lower levels of well-being. On average, adolescents who experienced High Positive patterns of racial socialization reported the most positive psychological adjustment outcomes, while adolescents in the Low Frequency and Moderate Negative clusters reported the least favorable outcomes. Results suggest that High Positive racial socialization buffers the negative effects of racial discrimination on adolescents' perceived stress and problem behaviors. Together, the findings suggest that various patterns of racial socialization practices serve as risk, compensatory, and protective factors in African American adolescent psychological adjustment.