cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
“I Will Never Teach the Old Way Again”: Classroom Management and External Incentives

Person-centered instruction recognizes the importance of internal motivation in learning. It is difficult, however, for many teachers to hold on to their early visions of interacting in classrooms filled with internally motivated students. This may be due to escalating demands for test score accountability. It may be due to reliance on packaged instructional programs, rather than on teaching that connects with students. Teacher education programs, themselves, may send mixed messages about the rewards of learning versus learning for rewards. This article shares how the removal of instructor grading in a graduate course in classroom management helped teachers to see anew the connection between good teaching, good learning, and good management. Many vowed to replace their use of external incentives with more meaningful instruction.
The role of marsh-dominated heterotrophic continental margins in transport of CO2 between the atmosphere, the land-sea interface and the ocean

[1] Recent air-to-sea CO2 flux measurements at several major continental shelves suggest that shelves may act as a one-way pump and absorb atmospheric CO2 into the ocean. The U.S. South Atlantic Bight (SAB) contrasts these findings in that it acts as a source of CO2 to the atmosphere while simultaneously exporting dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) to the open ocean. The shelf-wide heterotrophy and carbon exports in the SAB are subsidized by the export of organic carbon from the abundant intertidal marshes, which are a sink for atmospheric CO2. It is proposed here that the SAB represents a marsh-dominated heterotrophic ocean margin as opposed to river-dominated autotrophic margins. Based on this and other studies, DIC export flux from margins to the open ocean must be significant in the overall global ocean carbon budget.
Some Emulsion Features

Traditionally, emulsions have been defined as consisting of two liquids, of which one is dispersed in the other as macroscopic drops, stabilized by mono‐molecular layer of surfactant at the interface. However, a large majority of commercial emulsions are more complex than so and the added elements are essential for the properties of the emulsions including their stability. With this in mind, this treatment of emulsions is divided into emulsions with mono‐layers and multilayers at the interface. In addition, additional elements in emulsions are described; such as lyotropic liquid crystals, vesicles, microemulsion droplets and solid particles, and their potential influence on the emulsion properties is indicated.
Infrared flash kinetic spectroscopy of the ketenyl radical

The high resolution infrared spectrum of the heavy atom antisymmetric stretch of the ketenyl radical (HCCO) has been observed by means of infrared kinetic spectroscopy producing the ketenyl by 193 nm photolysis of ketene with diode laser probing of the transient absorption. Individual rovibrational transitions have been identified near the band origin located at approximately 2023 cm−1. A preliminary kinetic study of the ketenyl radical's reaction with nitric oxide was conducted. A second order rate constant of 3.9(5) × 10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 was obtained for this reaction by following the decay of ketenyl in the presence of excess NO.
Bounds on the conductivity of a suspension of random impenetrable spheres

We compare the general Beran bounds on the effective electrical conductivity of a two‐phase composite to the bounds derived by Torquato for the specific model of spheres distributed throughout a matrix phase. For the case of impenetrable spheres, these bounds are shown to be identical and to depend on the microstructure through the sphere volume fraction φ2 and a three‐point parameter ζ2, which is an integral over a three‐point correlation function. We evaluate ζ2 exactly through third order in φ2 for distributions of impenetrable spheres. This expansion is compared to the analogous results of Felderhof and of Torquato and Lado, all of whom employed the superposition approximation for the three‐particle distribution function involved in ζ2. The results indicate that the exact ζ2 will be greater than the value calculated under the superposition approximation. For reasons of mathematical analogy, the results obtained here apply as well to the determination of the thermal conductivity, dielectric constant, a...
Blockbusting and domineering

Abstract We introduce a new game called blockbusting and a generalization of “overheating” which solves this game precisely. We then exhibit a blockbusting-based strategy for playing sums and differences of many types of 2 × n and 3 × n domineering positions. We prove this strategy to be worthwhile under certain restrictive circumstances, and we then remove these restrictions and determine the values of certain variations of the 2 × n and 3 × n domineering games, as cataloged in Appendix A. Our formulas involving generalized overheating and heating give precise values for these games, even though these games have many descendant positions whose values remain unknown. Our formulas also give the values of other classes of 2 × n and 3 × n domineering games to within tiny-ish infinitesimals of known sign. Appendix B gives three such classes of games and a fourth (closely related) class for which the tempting conjectures fail.
Esophagobronchial Fistula Resulting from Esophageal Intramural Pseudodiverticulosis

Diffuse, intramural esophageal pseudodiverticulosis is a rare condition manifested by progressive or intermittent dysphagia. Although much controversy has arisen regarding its etiology, it is believed
The alteration of central autonomic excitability and balance induced by noradrenaline and hypotensive drugs (acetylcholine and histamine).

Experiments on lightly anesthetized cats are described in which the autonomic reactivity, tested by the response of the hypothalamus to electrical stimulation, was altered reflexly by the lowering of the blood pressure (induced by acetylcholine, mecholyl or histamine) or by raising the blood pressure with noradrenaline or adrenaline. It was found:
Evidence of evaporite deposition in the Lower Carboniferous Main Limestone Series of South Wales, U.K.

Abstract Petrographic examination of the dolomitized Main Limestone Series cropping out in the south, east and northeast corners of the South Wales Coalfield Basin shows evidence of the earlier presence of evaporite minerals. However, it is believed that lack of extensive evaporite deposits in these rocks may be due to the active diagenetic dissolution and oncoming humid coal conditions of post Main Limestone time. The evaporite minerals in the Main Limestone rocks seem to be overwhelmingly early diagenetic in origin in the light of the following observations: (1) calcite or dolomite pseudomorphs after gypsum crystals associated with a fine pelmicrite matrix; (2) association of such pseudomorphs with oolitic pelsparite; and (3) evaporite solution breccia texture.
Constructionism of virtual humans to improve perceptions of conversational partners

We propose a methodology to help people improve the accuracy of their mental model of a conversational partner by creating a virtual human representation of the partner. By creating a virtual human, the users will be able to transfer their mental model of the partner to a virtual human representation. Other people can then interact with the virtual human and provide feedback. The feedback will help the creator reduce the gap between their mental model of a partner and the actual qualities of the partner. Reducing this gap in perception is important in learning interpersonal skills. We implemented this methodology in a health professions course using Virtual People Factory, an online application for creating and interacting with virtual humans. The applicability of the methodology to reduce gaps in perception models was investigated through a user study with health professions students (n=32). The results indicate that students can reduce gaps in perceptions of conversational partners by creating virtual humans.
Cyclosporin A renders target cells resistant to immune cytolysis.

Exposure of cytolytically susceptible human target cells with therapeutic concentrations of the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin A renders these cells highly resistant to T cell-mediated, natural killer (NK) cell-mediated, and complement-mediated cytolysis. The resistance is dose dependent, time dependent and reversible. The resistance is accompanied by target cell growth inhibition as measured by thymidine uptake. Surprisingly, target cell growth inhibition induced by serum depletion is associated with cell-mediated cytolytic resistance. These data suggest that cyclosporin A (CsA) may block some target cell biochemical pathway(s) important in the suicidal cytolytic process which is (are) linked to some G0/G1 cell cycle events. In addition, these results suggest that the increased risk of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated lymphoproliferative disease in human organ transplant recipients may be contributed to by CsA-induced resistance of EBV-transformed B lymphocytes to immune cytolysis. In the post-transplant setting, CsA probably blocks T cell-dependent responses to EBV-transformed B lymphocytes (Bird, A. G., McLachlan, S. M. and Britton, S., Nature 1981. 289: 300) yet leaving the NK cell and antibody-dependent responses intact (Shao-Hsien, C. et al., Transplantation 1983. 35: 127). However, given the direct effect of CsA upon EBV-transformed B lymphocytes, these cells would be rendered resistant to nearly all forms of cytolytic immune control (cytotoxic T lymphocyte, natural killer, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, complement). Unregulated EBV-transformed B lymphocytes may then proliferate in the CsA-treated host thus leading to a polyclonal B cell hyperplasia. Our data would suggest that this early pre-malignant process is likely to be reversible following CsA dose reduction. Indeed, EBV-dependent polyclonal B cell hyperplasia is seen in early post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (Hanto, D. W., et al., Transplantation 1989. 47: 458). Furthermore, in some cases CsA dose reduction does lead to disease regression (Starzl, T., et al., Lancet 1984. i: 583). However, further progression of the disease probably occurs following chromosomal changes leading to oncogene activation and might be resistant to CsA dose reduction.
Numerical study of some neutrally and unstably stratified boundary-layer flows over a valley at small Richardson number

A two-dimensional numerical model is utilized to investigate steady-state, three-dimensional turbulent flow over a valley under neutral and unstable thermal stratifications. Four case studies, three of which pertain to unstable conditions, are presented to show the effects of thermal stratification, wind angle, and valley geometry on flow at bulk Richardson numbers near zero. The numerical results discussed include the channeling of flow by the valley and the distribution of surface shear stress and heat flux. Occurring under neutral conditions as well as unstable ones, channeling is a dynamical phenomenon. A smaller amount of channeling takes place under unstable conditions, with valleys of larger aspect ratio, and in flows whose incoming surface winds make angles in the vicinity of 0° or 90° with the valley axis. The distributions of surface shear stress and heat flux feature two local maxima at the two outer corners of the valley and two local minima at the two corners of the valley floor. The effects on these distributions caused by varying the model parameters are also noted. Results are in excellent qualitative agreement with Taylor's results for flow over a valley under neutral conditions and, in a comparative neutral case study, in good quantitative agreement. The present work, however, being concerned largely with flows under unstable stratifications, is a considerable extension of Taylor's paper, which neglects the energy equation since only neutral conditions are considered. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0870.1986.tb00453.x
What Is a Chaotic Attractor

Devaney gave a mathematical definition of the term chaos, which had earlier been introduced by Yorke. We discuss issues involved in choosing the properties that characterize chaos. We also discuss how this term can be combined with the definition of an attractor.
Planarization of dielectrics used in the manufacture of very-large-scale integrated circuits

Abstract Dielectrics are used extensively for interlevel insulation in very-large-scale integrated circuits. The planarization of dielectrics has been investigated on single-crystal silicon substrates on which integrated circuits are built. Polysilicon gate or interconnect produces a step of about 0.5 microm which is covered with silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) to provide insulation. The vertical walls produced by the steps must be made less steep in order to achieve conformal step coverage of a metal film that is deposited on top of this glass. The reduction in the step incline is achieved by reflowing glass that has been made less viscous with dopants such as phosphorus and boron at low temperatures (600–1000°C). Several planarization steps have been examined, including ion implantation, bias sputtering and spin-on glass. Steam was found to be the best ambient, followed by oxygen and nitrogen.
'Do Not Resuscitate' Orders: Accepting Responsibility

Younger1of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, entitled a recent review article, "Do-Not-Resuscitate [DNR] Orders: No Longer Secret, but Still a Problem." In this issue of theArchives, Jonsson et al2describe a retrospective study of DNR orders in a 432-bed university-affiliated teaching community hospital. Their findings document that DNR orders are not only "no longer secret," they have become the norm, at least for this presumably typical tertiary hospital. They report that almost 70% of patients who died in this facility had a written DNR order. The figure for patients with malignancy was even more striking, with 94% having a DNR order at the time of death. They also document that the medical record of over 90% of these patients contained "documentation of the DNR decision-making process." See also p 2373. However, Jonsson and coworkers' data also support Younger's observation that there are still serious problems. For
Cumulative financial stress and strain in palliative radiation outpatients: The role of age and disability.

Objective financial stress, which incorporates all medical and non-medical financial stressors by households, shapes patients’ subjective perceptions of financial strain. This study addresses whether patient age and disability days reveal patients to have different perceptions of financial strain even when their households incur the same level of financial stress. Among patients with the same level of household financial stress, older patients perceived less financial strain from difficulty paying bills than younger patients. However, among patients reporting above-average disability days, older patients also perceived more financial strain than younger patients about the adequacy of their health insurance and finances in the future. Thus, financial strain measures that focus on projected health needs should supplement those that describe current household circumstances to improve screenings of older patients who are under-prescribed, or unable to adhere to, a regimen for all necessary health care.
Bottlenecks to Fast Charging of Lithium-Ion-Insertion Cells for Electric Vehicles

Customers of plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles may place a premium on the ability to quickly recharge the battery. However, several fundamental bottlenecks limit the charge acceptance of the battery pack at high rates. In this work, an isothermal, physics-based model is used for simulating the performance of a dual lithium-ion-insertion cell at various galvanostatic charge rates at room temperature. Simulation results show that the cell can be charged to ~ 55% SOC and 10% SOC at 3C and 10C rates respectively during the constant- current step before the cut-off potential is reached for the system under consideration. The various limitations are quantified in terms of their contributions to the cell overpotential. Simple expressions are provided to quickly evaluate limitations wherever feasible.
Calcitonin stimulates growth of human prostate cancer cells through receptor-mediated increase in cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphates and cytoplasmic Ca2+ transients.

Our recent study has shown that a calcitonin (CT)-like immunoreactive substance(s) is secreted by cultured prostate cells, and secretion of this material is significantly higher in malignant than in benign prostate cells. To test the hypothesis that prostatic CT may serve as a paracrine/neuroendocrine factor, the present study investigated for the presence of CT receptors in the prostate gland. Signal transduction mechanisms activated by CT were examined, and the study also tested its effects on prostate cell proliferation, as assessed by [3H]thymidine incorporation. The results show that high affinity binding sites for [125I]salmon CT were present in plasma membrane fractions of human prostate tissue specimens and the prostate cancer LnCaP cell line. The maximal binding for CT receptors was 564 +/- 163 fmol/mg protein, and the apparent dissociation constant (Kd) was 2.89 +/- 0.58 nM. CT induced a dose-dependent increase in cAMP generation in LnCaP cells. The effect of CT on cytoplasmic Ca2+ transients of...
Roles of sulfhydryl and disulfide groups in the binding of CP-55,940 to rat brain cannabinoid receptor

The roles of sulfhydryl and disulfide groups in the specific binding of synthetic cannabinoid CP-55,940 to the cannabinoid receptor in membrane preparations from the rat cerebral cortex have been examined. Various sulfhydryl blocking reagents including p-chloromercuribenzoic acid (p-CMB), N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), o-iodosobenzoic acid (o-ISB), and methyl methanethiosulfonate (MMTS) inhibited the specific binding of [3H]CP-55,940 to the cannabinoid receptor in a dose-dependent manner. About 80–95% inhibition was obtained at a 0.1 mM concentration of these reagents. Scatchard analysis of saturation experiments indicates that most of these sulfhydryl modifying reagents reduce both the binding affinity (Kd) and capacity (Bmax). On the other hand, DL-dithiothreitol (DTT), a disulfide reducing agent, also irreversibly inhibited the specific binding of [3H]CP-55,940 to the receptor and about 50% inhibition was obtained at a 5 mM concentration. Furthermore, 5mM DTT was abelt to dissociate 50% of the bound ligand from the ligand-receptor complex. The marked inhibition of [3H]CP-55,940 binding by sulfhydryl reagents suggests that at least one free sulfhydryl group is essential to the binding of the ligand to the receptor. In addition, the inhibition of the binding by DTT implies that besides free sulfhydryl group(s), the integrity of a disulfide bridge is also important for [3H]CP-55,940 binding to the cannabinoid receptor.
Confusion errors among urban land-cover types on SAR imagery

Abstract Urban land-cover maps were produced by interpreting dual-polarized (HH and HV) X-band synthetic aperture radar imagery of Los Angeles, California. These maps were then registered to and compared with an existing 85-category land-use map of the area to determine: (i) specific points of interpretation error (errors of commission) among the types of land cover; and (ii) differences in detectability and misidentification between polarizations. The HH data were much more difficult to interpret than the HV imagery and consequently produced a greater number of errors and types of land-cover confusion. However, there were some land-cover categories which were consistently confused with one another. Those within and between category misidentifications are discussed as they relate to SAR imagery.
Geochemistry of four tropical montane watersheds, Central Panama

Abstract The major element chemistry was determined for surface waters from four watersheds in Central Panama during the 2005 dry season to ascertain geochemical patterns resulting from differing geology and human influences as well to estimate chemical denudation rates for this montane region of tropical rain forest. The Upper Rio Chagres (580 km2), Rio Pequini (281 km2) and Rio Cuango (175 km2) watersheds are formed on a geologically mixed terrain that consists of strongly hydrothermally altered andesite and volumetrically subordinate mafic-intermediate volcanic rocks and felsic intrusive lithologies, whereas the Rio Pacora watershed (374 km2) is developed largely on gabbroic and dioritic lithologies. The headwater areas of all four river basins lie in pristine tropical rainforest, with the Rio Cuango, Rio Pequini and Rio Pacora subject to varying degrees of different land uses in their middle to lower reaches. Values of pH for the four watersheds are near neutral to slightly alkaline (7.0–8.5), DO saturation is high (typically >90%) and dissolved solute contents of the rivers and tributary streams are low (SPC = 130 ± 31 μS/cm), documenting the overall pristine quality of the waters in all four basins. Cluster analysis, supported by a comparison of elemental variations, indicates a broad geochemical similarity of rivers and streams in the four watersheds, but also reveals subtle differences that can be attributed to lithologic control rather than anthropogenic influences. Low-order streams in the Pacora watershed have distinctly higher TDS values plus silica and Ca2+ concentrations than those forming in the mixed lithology terrain. Streams and rivers developed on mafic terrain are also slightly more enriched in total dissolved cations (TZ+) and HCO 3 - , relative to silica, than streams and rivers developed in the mixed lithology terrain. Potassium concentrations are uniformly low, and like Mg2+ and Na+, are similar in both terrains. Calcium/Mg ratios for all watersheds are lower than the world river average, indicating the importance of the weathering of Mg-rich minerals. The Ca/Na, HCO3/Na and Mg/Na ratios for the Rio Pacora streams and rivers fall within the mid-range of what has been observed globally for other streams/rivers draining mafic rocks. The chemical weathering rate calculated is 108 tons/km2/a, which is about 40% of the physical denudation rate for the Upper Rio Chagres watershed of 275–289 tons/km2/a. The results of this study document that both chemical and physical erosion rates within tropical montane watersheds in central Panama are significant in a global context.
Quantum Signatures from Singly-Resonant and Doubly-Resonant Parametric Amplifiers

The quantum signatures of singly-resonant and doubly-resonant optical parametric amplifiers are derived. Preliminary experiments with two novel single-cavity, double-resonant systems are presented.
A survey of education and confidence level among graduating anesthesia residents with regard to selected peripheral nerve blocks

As peripheral nerve blockade has increased significantly over the past decade, resident education and exposure to peripheral nerve blocks has also increased. This survey assessed the levels of exposure and confidence that graduating residents have with performing selected peripheral nerve blocks. All program directors of ACGME-accredited anesthesiology programs in the USA were asked to distribute an online survey to their graduating residents. Information was gathered on the number and types of nerve blocks performed, technique(s) utilized, perceived comfort level in performing nerve blocks, perceived quality of regional anesthesia teaching during residency, and suggested areas for improvement. One hundred and seven residents completed the survey. The majority completed more than 60 nerve blocks. Femoral and interscalene blocks were performed most frequently, with 59% and 41% of residents performing more than 20 of each procedure, respectively. The least-performed block was the lumber plexus block, with just 9% performing 20 or more blocks. Most residents reported feeling “very” to “somewhat” comfortable performing the surveyed blocks, with the exception of the lumber plexus block, where 64% were “not comfortable.” Overall, 78% of residents were “mostly” to “very satisfied” with the quality of education received during residency. Most of the respondents fulfilled the ACGME requirement and expressed satisfaction with the peripheral nerve block education received during residency. However, the ACGME requirement for 40 nerve blocks may not be adequate for some residents to feel comfortable in performing a full range of blocks upon graduation. Many residents felt that curriculums incorporating simulator training and didactic lectures would be the most helpful method of improving the quality of their education pertaining to peripheral nerve blocks.
Attenuation of autonomic reflexes by A803467 may not be solely caused by blockade of NaV 1.8 channels

In decerebrated rats, we determined the dose of A803467, a NaV 1.8 antagonist, needed to attenuate the reflex pressor responses to femoral arterial injections of lactic acid (24 mM; ~0.1 ml) and capsaicin (0.1 μg), agents which stimulate thin fiber afferents having NaV 1.8 channels. We also determined whether the dose of A803467 needed to attenuate these reflex responses affected the responses of muscle spindle afferents to tendon stretch and succinylcholine (200 μg). Spindle afferents are not supplied with NaV 1.8 channels, and consequently their responses to these stimuli should not be influenced by A803467. Pressor responses to lactic acid and capsaicin were not altered by 500 μg of A803467 (n=6). A803467 in a dose of 1mg, however, significantly reduced (p<0.05; n=12) the pressor responses to lactic acid (23 ± 5 to 7 ± 3 Δmm Hg) and capsaicin (47 ± 5 to 31 ± 5 ΔmmHg). Surprisingly, we also found that 1mg of A803467 reduced the responses of 10 spindle afferents to succinylcholine (34 ± 11 to 4 ± 3 Δimp/s; p<0.05) and stretch (83 ± 17 to 0.4 ± 1 Δimp/s; p<0.05). We conclude that A803467 reduces the reflex response to lactic acid and capsaicin; however, it may be working on multiple channels, including NaV 1.8, other NaVs as well as voltage-gated calcium channels.
Embrace the challenges: software engineering in a big data world

The design and development of data-intensive software systems -- systems that generate, collect, store, process, analyze, query, and visualize large sets of data -- is fraught with significant challenges both technical and social. Project EPIC has been designing and developing data-intensive systems in support of crisis informatics research since Fall 2009. Our experience working on Project EPIC has provided insight into these challenges. In this paper, we share our experience working in this design space and describe the choices we made in tackling these challenges and their attendant trade-offs. We highlight the lack of developer support tools for data-intensive systems, the importance of multidisciplinary teams, the use of highly-iterative life cycles, the need for deep understanding of the frameworks and technologies used in data intensive systems, how simple operations transform into significant challenges at scale, and the paramount significance of data modeling in producing systems that are scalable, robust, and efficient.
Active Surveillance Versus Surgery for Low Risk Prostate Cancer: A Clinical Decision Analysis

Purpose: We assessed the effect of age, health status and patient preferences on outcomes of surgery vs active surveillance for low risk prostate cancer.Materials and Methods: We used Monte Carlo simulation of Markov models of the life courses of 200,000 men diagnosed with low risk prostate cancer and treated with surveillance or radical prostatectomy to calculate quality adjusted life expectancy, life expectancy, prostate cancer specific mortality and years of treatment side effects, with model parameters derived from the literature. We simulated outcomes for men 50 to 75 years old with poor, average or excellent health status (50%, 100% and 150% of average life expectancy, respectively). Sensitivity of outcomes to uncertainties in model parameters was tested.Results: For 65-year-old men in average health, surgery resulted in 0.3 additional years of life expectancy, 1.6 additional years of impotence or incontinence and a 4.9% decrease in prostate cancer specific mortality compared to surveillance, for a ...
Buckling of nearly cylindrical shells under lateral pressure.

The effect of slight meridional curvature on the buckling of shells subjected to an external constant directional lateral pressure is examined. A class of nearly cylindrical shells with constant meridional curvature, a central radius-to-thickness ratio of 500, and central rise-to-shell-length ratios varying from plus 5% to minus 5% is considered. A brief study is presented of the dependence of the critical lateral pressure on the meridional curvature and on the length and meridional edge restraint.
The purification and subunit structure of a membrane-bound ATPase from the Archaebacterium Halobacterium saccharovorum.

The procedure for the isolation and 70-fold purification of membrane-bound cold-sensitive ATPase from Halobacterium saccharovorum is described. Upon exposure to cold, the enzyme dissociates into two major subunits, I (87 kDa) and II (60 kDa), and two minor subunits, III (29 kDa) and IV (20 kDa). The stoichiometry of the enzyme is proposed to be I2.II2.III.IV; the molecular mass of such a complex would be 343 kDa, which is in good agreement with the value of 350 kDa obtained by gel filtration. The structure of the ATPase from H. saccharovorum makes it unlike any previously described ATPase.
Code switching in Ahdaf Soueif's The Map of Love

This article examines the phenomenon of code switching in The Map of Love (1999) by the Egyptian—British writer Ahdaf Soueif. Though she chooses English as a medium for her creative expression, Soueif deploys Arabic in her narrative to represent different aspects of the linguistic and cultural norms of Egyptian society. The article's methodology is informed by Kachru's framework on contact literature and his categorization of the occurrence of literary code switching or bilingual creativity into different strategies that encompass cultural and linguistic processes. The results indicate the predominance in The Map of Love of the discourse strategies of employing lexical borrowing, culture-bound references and translational transfer. Finally, the article analyzes the functional motivation of code switching in the postcolonial context of the novel and how the use of certain creative strategies might enhance or diminish the narrative's effectiveness and readability.
Soil characteristics of a mollisol and corn (Zea mays L.) growth 20 years after topsoil removal

Abstract This study presents soil characteristics of a northern corn belt (U.S.A.) mollisol (fine, montmorillonitic, mesic, Typic Argiustoll) 20 years after 0, 30 and 45 cm of topsoil were removed. Evidence of pedogenesis could be observed in the surface horizon of the desurfaced plots, but development has not ameliorated the unfavorable characteristic caused by topsoil removal. Due to reduced organic matter and increased calcium carbonate content, greater fertilizer application rates were required for the desurfaced plots. An adequate level of phosphorus availability will be difficult to establish. The desurfaced plots had a higher mean weight diameter of the soil fraction ⩽ 9 mm and a higher proportion of massive soil units > 9 mm. Bulk density and clod density of the surface horizon was higher in the desurfaced plots. Desurfaced plots had a higher bulk density with depth. Less available soil water was present in the Ap horizon of the desurfaced treatments. The color of the surface soil appeared to influence soil surface reflectance. The lighter color of the desurfaced plots corresponded to lower soil profile temperatures. Combined characteristics of the desurfaced plots resulted in delayed emergence, reduced plant development and reduced stover and corn ( Zea mays L.) grain yield.
Double Refraction of Oriented Surface Layers

WE have extended the scope of a method recently described1 for the measurement of refractive indices of liquids in thin films, and have obtained evidence of the double refraction of the interfacial layer between melted normal fatty acids and glass. Acids with more than ten carbon atoms in the chain are being examined. The birefringence is small, usually less than 0.0001, and exists only over a narrow temperature range of a few degrees immediately above the solidification point of the acid. This provides optical evidence that the molecules of the fatty acids are oriented at a glass-liquid interface to a depth comparable with a wave-length of visible light2. The sharpness of disappearance of the birefringence at a critical temperature is thought to indicate that the anisotropic layer is a new phase, and that the fatty acid behaves as a liquid crystal immediately above its solidification point.
Human β-tryptase: Detection and characterization of the active monomer and prevention of tetramer reconstitution by protease inhibitors

beta-Tryptase is a trypsin-like serine protease stored in mast cell secretory granules primarily as an enzymatically active tetramer. The current study aims to determine whether monomeric beta-tryptase also can exhibit enzyme activity, as suggested previously. At neutral pH beta-tryptase tetramers in the absence of heparin or dextran sulfate spontaneously convert to inactive monomers. Addition of a polyanion to these monomers at neutral pH fails to convert them back to a tetramer or to an enzymatically active state. In contrast, at acidic pH addition of a polyanion resurrects enzyme activity. Whether this activity is associated with tetramers or monomers depends on the concentration of beta-tryptase. Under the experimental conditions employed at pH 6 in the presence of heparin, the monomer concentration at which 50% conversion to tetramers occurs is 193 ng/mL. Activity against tripeptide substrates by monomers is detected at pH 6 but not at pH 7.4, whereas tetramer activity is greater at pH 7.4 than pH 6.0. Active monomers are inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor, bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor, antithrombin III, and alpha2-macroglobulin, whereas active tetramers are resistant to these inhibitors. Active monomers form complexes with these inhibitors and cleave both antithrombin III and alpha2-macroglobulin. These inhibitors also prevent reconstitution of monomers to tetramers, indicating that inactive monomers become active monomers before becoming active tetramers. The ability of tryptase monomers to become active at acidic pH raises the possibilities of expanded substrate specificities as well as inhibitor susceptibilities where the low-pH environments associated with inflammation or poor vascularity are encountered in vivo.
“Hay Que Ponerse en los Zapatos del Joven”: Adaptive Parenting of Adolescent Children Among Mexican-American Parents Residing in a Dangerous Neighborhood

We examined parenting of adolescents with Consensual Qualitative Research analyses of five 90-minute focus groups with 45 Mexican immigrant parents residing in a high-crime and low-income neighborhood. Parents identified gangs as their major challenge in parenting. Relatedly, they endorsed control-oriented practices to ensure the safety of their adolescents. In addition, parents used practices that aimed to build strong, trusting relationships with their adolescents. The co-occurrence of parenting strategies that promote strong parent-adolescent bonds along with strict monitoring highlights the need to conceptualize parenting with both controlling as well as supportive dimensions. Moreover, the parents' narratives pertaining to the dangers in their neighborhood suggest that interventions for Latino families should be not only consistent with their cultural heritage, but also grounded in the families' local neighborhood contexts.
The Master Settlement Agreement and African Americans: opinions about the allocation of resources.

This article analyzes demographic, attitudinal, and behavioral variables that predict African Americans’ opinions about state distribution of funds received from the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA). The sample consisted of 1,000 randomly selected African Americans from 10 U.S. congressional districts represented by African Americans. Descriptive analysis revealed that 38.7% of respondents favored dispersing funds evenly between tobacco control and other state functions, and 63% of respondents favored specifically directing MSA funds to African American communities. Cumulative logit regression analysis showed that age, education, geographic region, and smoking status were significant predictors of opinions about spending MSA funding on antismoking initiatives. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that opinions about targeted MSA funds to African Americans varied by homeownership, views on tobacco excise taxes, the fairness of tobacco taxes to African Americans, and the association between smoki...
A new optimizer for performance optimization of integrated circuits by device sizing

A new optimizer is presented for multiple criterion constrained performance optimization of integrated circuits, based on nonlinear programming and heuristic techniques. Biggs' dominant degree method, which handles nonquadratic functions, is used for gradient-based optimization. A new guided random search technique is used to perform optimization based only on function evaluations. These two methods are combined to overcome numerical difficulties arising during simulation and gradient-based optimization. Experimental results show performance improvements in the range of 20-200%. >
Crystal structure of the histone acetyltransferase Hpa2: a tetrameric member of the Gcn5-related N-acetyltransferase superfamily

We report the crystal structure of the yeast protein Hpa2 in complex with acetyl coenzyme A (AcCoA) at 2.4 A resolution and without cofactor at 2.9 A resolution. Hpa2 is a member of the Gcn5-related N-acetyltransferase (GNAT) superfamily, a family of enzymes with diverse substrates including histones, other proteins, arylalkylamines and aminoglycosides. In vitro, Hpa2 is able to acetylate specific lysine residues of histones H3 and H4 with a preference for Lys14 of histone H3. Hpa2 forms a stable dimer in solution and forms a tetramer upon binding AcCoA. The crystal structure reveals that the Hpa2 tetramer is stabilized by base-pair interactions between the adenine moieties of the bound AcCoA molecules. These base-pairs represent a novel method of stabilizing an oligomeric protein structure. Comparison of the structure of Hpa2 with those of other GNAT superfamily members illustrates a remarkably conserved fold of the catalytic domain of the GNAT family even though members of this family share low levels of sequence homology. This comparison has allowed us to better define the borders of the four sequence motifs that characterize the GNAT family, including a motif that is not discernable in histone acetyltransferases by sequence comparison alone. We discuss implications of the Hpa2 structure for the catalytic mechanism of the GNAT enzymes and the opportunity for multiple histone tail modification created by the tetrameric Hpa2 structure.
Coping with Bureaucracy: Survival Strategies in Irrigated Agriculture

Small-scale family farming and centralized bureaucratic management are in many ways incompatible, yet the two are often combined in modern irrigation systems. Bureaucrats and farmers cope by means of “informal adjustments.” The kinds of informal adjustments made by farmers vary with their differential access to resources, particularly labor, despite minimal variation in access to land and water. The effects of bureaucratic control and associated informal adjustments are illustrated by reference to three large-scale irrigation systems noteworthy for their high degree of centralization and for their success in achieving high productivity by family farm operators: the Israeli cooperative farming sector, the Gezira Scheme in Sudan, and the Mwea Scheme in Kenya.
A low-cost environmental intervention for reducing smoking among cardiac inpatients.

Abstinence rates for smokers following a myocardial infarction or coronary artery bypass graft surgery may not be superior to those for non-patient groups, and thus there is a need for novel approaches to smoking cessation in this population. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of using two sets of educational posters to reduce smoking among veterans in an inpatient cardiology unit's designated smoking area. One set of posters outlined the benefits of cessation (positive message) for cardiac patients while the other highlighted the risks of continued smoking (negative message). The positive posters had no consistent effect on indices of smoking, but the negative posters produced a substantial decline in both number of observed smokers and daily cigarette butts.
Ubiquitous Computational Thinking

The computational thinking view recognizes that underlying computing concepts are integral to our everyday lives and pervasive in many disciplines of study. Computer science, information systems, computer engineering, informatics, software engineering-these are among the smorgasbord of choices available to college students interested in a computing career. The choices for noncomputing-oriented students who want to learn about the field are even more confounding. Indeed, the established term "computer science" is not well-defined or well understood, leading to further confusion for students and their parents as well as the general public. These are some factors I view as contributing to the drop in interest in the study of computer science. The student should learn the fundamental concept of computer sciences. Computing education has been too slow moving from the computing = programming model to a more general and understandable model that captures the essence of the discipline for everyone.
Components of the Arabidopsis mRNA Decapping Complex Are Required for Early Seedling Development

To understand the mechanisms controlling vein patterning in Arabidopsis thaliana, we analyzed two phenotypically similar mutants, varicose (vcs) and trident (tdt). We had previously identified VCS, and recently, human VCS was shown to function in mRNA decapping. Here, we report that TDT encodes the mRNA-decapping enzyme. VCS and TDT function together in small cytoplasmic foci that appear to be processing bodies. To understand the developmental requirements for mRNA decapping, we characterized the vcs and tdt phenotypes. These mutants were small and chlorotic, with severe defects in shoot apical meristem formation and cotyledon vein patterning. Many capped mRNAs accumulated in tdt and vcs mutants, but surprisingly, some mRNAs were specifically depleted. In addition, loss of decapping arrested the decay of some mRNAs, while others showed either modest or no decay defects, suggesting that mRNAs may show specificity for particular decay pathways (3′ to 5′ and 5′ to 3′). Furthermore, the severe block to postembryonic development in vcs and tdt and the accompanying accumulation of embryonic mRNAs indicate that decapping is important for the embryo-to-seedling developmental transition.
HOMOLOGOUS DISEASE IN THE ADULT RAT, A MODEL FOR AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE II. FINDINGS IN THE JOINTS, HEART, AND OTHER TISSUES

Polyarthritis and cardiac lesions have been observed in the adult rat with homologous disease. Changes in the lymphoid tissue and kidney have also been noted. A migratory polyarthritis occurred in over half of the affected animals, and cardiac involvement of varying intensity was present in all. Histologically, the arthritis was characterized by a mononuclear synovial inflammatory reaction. In the heart, the valves and myocardium demonstrated a similar type of response. Cultures of involved joints and hearts for pyogens and pleuropneumonia-like organisms were negative. The lymphoid tissues showed progressive changes in three stages: (a) disappearance of follicles; (b) increase in plasma-like cells and histiocytes; and (c) fibrosis. The second stage tended to coincide with the development of the polyarthritis. The kidney showed mild interstitial mononuclear infiltration. The pathologic changes described appear to be a consequence of reaction between foreign immunologically competent cells and host antigens, but the possibility that these lesions represent a response to antigens derived from unknown infectious agents is, however, not ruled out.
The War on Culture, the War on Truth:

I will never apologize for the United States—I don’t care what the facts are.—George H. W. Bush, quoted in Roy (2003, p. 77)Intelligence gathered by this and other governments leaves no doubt that the Iraq regime continues to possess and conceal some of the most lethal weapons ever devised.—George W. Bush, March 17, 2003
A continuum model on the nanomesa and nanowell formation in Langmuir–Blodgett ferroelectric polymeric films

Abstract Spontaneous crystalline nanomesa and nanowell formation has recently been discovered in polyvinylidene fluoride trifluoroethylene [P(VDF–TrFE)] copolymer films developed by Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) deposition. In this paper, we propose a continuum field model to analyze this remarkable phenomenon, consisting of kinematics, energetics, and kinetics of pattern formation and evolution in P(VDF–TrFE) films. Linear perturbation analysis has been carried out to analyze the stability and growth of patterns under small perturbations, and finite difference numerical simulations have been implemented to simulate the morphologies and evolutions of nanomesas and nanowells. The effects of film thickness and a number of other material parameters have been considered in our simulations, which agree well with experimental observations. We expect that our modeling and simulation methods can be used to guide the design and optimization of nanomesa and nanowell patterns for technological applications.
Palladium as a lead finish for surface mount integrated circuit packages

The authors discuss the use of a thin, preplated palladium lead finish as an alternative to solder. Tests and experiments designed to examine several key properties and behaviors of Pd as related to this application were performed. These tests included: wetting characteristics, solder joint metallurgy, wire bonding, interaction with molding compounds, and electrochemical characteristics. Following initial feasibility studies, an extensive set of reliability and performance tests were run on a wide range of packaged integrated circuits. These included: operating life, temperature/humidity, thermal cycle/shock, lead finish performance and visual/mechanical tests. >
Long-term population projections and the US Social Security System.

This article discusses the demographic recommendations of the Technical Panel on Assumptions and Methods on the financial projection over a 75-year horizon for the US Social Security System. First it discusses briefly the recommendations about assumptions on future fertility and immigration and then on moral assumptions. The recommendations contained in the Technical Panel report implied there was deterioration in the estimated financial status of the system. On the other hand the Trustees Report indicated that long-term balance could be restored by raising the payroll tax rate 2.07% points from the current 12.4% to 14.47%. The Technical Panel report suggested that the necessary increase would be 0.5% points larger which is about 2.6% points. Adopting this recommendation would mean that the policy reforms which had been carefully tailored to cover the imbalance of 2.07% points would fail to cover the shortfall according to the new estimate. Also other main recommendations included in the report were offsetting.
Significance Tests are Not Enough The Role of Effect-Size Estimation in Theory Corroboration

Chow (1991) distinguishes between `practical impact' and `conceptual rigor' research, and he concludes that effect-size estimation is useful only in practical impact research. I argue that signific...