cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Convectively coupled Kelvin wave propagation past Sumatra: A June case and corresponding composite analysis

[1] The propagation of two sequential convectively coupled (CC) Kelvin waves past Sumatra in June 2006 is examined in reanalysis data and satellite observations. Rainfall data are presented that are consistent with a considerable damping of the first wave. Such damping is not unexpected; however, reanalysis data suggest that in some instances, including the episode described here, CC Kelvin waves can condition the low-level flow in a manner that promotes passage of subsequent waves past the island. The mechanism involves a sustained northward shift in the low-level equatorial westerly winds and the latitude of zero absolute vorticity, generated as a CC Kelvin wave passes. For the June 2006 case, Kelvin wave filtered low-level winds are presented which are consistent with the view that such conditioning associated with the first wave caused the second wave to be shifted northward, assisting its eastward propagation. A vorticity analysis points to the development of widespread low-level divergence within a vortex to the west of Sumatra and associated vortex expansion as key factors in the observed conditioning. A composite analysis is presented for the region demonstrating recurring divergence events of this nature coupled with concomitant northward shifts in the dynamic equator. It finds that such events often occur in association with CC Kelvin waves, though the climatological extent to which the propagation of successor waves is affected is not addressed. Possible causes of the observed divergence events, including equatorial Rossby waves and contributions from transitions to stratiform convection, are investigated.
Differential Kin Discrimination by Red‐spotted Newts (Notophthalmus viridescens) and Smooth Newts (Triturus vulgaris)

In organisms lacking parental care or when eggs of more than one female are layed together, parents preferentially tend to avoid eating their own offspring. In some species of newts (Caudata: Salamandridae), there is no parental care and cannibalism of eggs and larvae occurs when philopatric adults remain in the pond throughout the breeding season where eggs and larvae develop. Kin discrimination by both adult newts and larvae would be expected to occur during the breeding season as it would enable individuals to benefit from the nutrients obtained from eating eggs and larvae while they avoid eating close relatives. The effects of kinship on cannibalism of eggs and larvae were examined in two species of newts. In separate, but similar, paired behavioral trials adult female red-spotted newts, Notophthalmus viridescens, and smooth newts, Triturus vulgaris, were allowed to consume their own egg or an egg from another female. Female red-spotted newts, but not smooth newts, preferred to eat eggs of other females rather than their own, and overall smooth newts were ‘reluctant’ to eat conspecific eggs. To test for ontogenetic shifts in discrimination abilities, additional experiments were performed with adult female red-spotted newts paired with their own larvae and a larva from another female. In addition, the effects of kinship on the attraction or repulsion of larvae was also studied in red-spotted newts. Females showed no significant discrimination abilities during acts of cannibalism on larvae. Larvae spent similar amounts of time with siblings and non-siblings. These results suggest that the ability of adult newts to discriminate among eggs varies between species and that the elicitation of a kin-discrimination response may be context-dependent. For red-spotted newts, there was no evidence of discrimination abilities within and between other life-history stages.
Retrospective on Nature–Society Geography: Tracing Trajectories (1911–2010) and Reflecting on Translations

This study uses an intellectual history approach to construct a retrospective on Annals nature–society geography during the past century (1911–2010). It begins by identifying six areas of topics and approaches that have emerged as primary clusters in the 1990s and 2000s: (1) environmental governance and political ecology; (2) environmental hazards, risk, and vulnerability science; (3) land use and cover change science; (4) human–environment interactions; (5) environmental landscape history and ideas; and (6) scientific concepts and environmental management. A combination of continuity and change involving the core areas of human–environmental scholarship is found to distinguish Annals publications during recent decades (1990–2010) vis-a-vis preceding periods (1911–1969, 1970–1989). The current plurality and partial intersection of core topics and approaches is mostly a contrast to previous predominance and distinctness of the Sauerian Berkeley School and the Chicago School of hazards research. Reflection ...
Validation of CW THz spectral measurements

We present experimental data to validate the precision of our continuous wave (CW) THz spectrometer. Measurement data from this new CW spectrometer are compared with corresponding ones obtained using our Agilent vector network analyzer (VNA). Using these systems, terahertz transmission spectra are compared for wild and farm-raised salmon tissues. It is demonstrated that the CW spectrometer provides accurate measurement data comparable with the Agilent-VDI VNA system, but can be improved by increasing its dynamic range.
From “Kingship in Heaven” to King Lists: Syro-Anatolian Courts and the History of the World

AbstractI examine the literary and conceptual background of a Hurro-Hittite ritual calling on divinized royal ancestors (dsarrena), characters from Hurro-Hittite song, members of the Sargonic dynasty, a variety of kings from far-off lands, and the “lord of Hatti” (KUB 27.38). I show that the ritual provides a unique glimpse of the complex Near Eastern tradition telling the history of the world from its beginning. The ritual also helps us to understand how historical memory informed ritual behaviors that legitimated the kingship of regional rulers, allowing them access to the distant past and connecting them to world events. Overall, the sarrena ritual suggests that the histories of the divine and human worlds were linked into a single master narrative by the middle of the second millennium BCE.
Variation in Body Temperature Response of Naked Neck and Normally Feathered Chickens to Heat Stress

Abstract The effect of the naked neck (Na) gene on basal body temperature (BT) in a 21 C (control) or in a 32 C (chronic heat stress) environment and on change in BT when exposed to acute heat stress conditions (40.5 C) was examined in small and large BW populations. Birds grown at 32 C had a significantly lower basal BT, 8-wk BW, and a significantly smaller change in BT when exposed to 40.5 C than birds grown in 21 C. The small BW birds had a higher basal BT and a smaller change in BT when exposed to acute heat stress than large BW birds. There was no difference in basal BT between naked neck and normal birds in either the small BW (Athens-Canadian randombred) population, or in the large BW broiler population. The Na/Na birds in the small BW population had a significantly greater change in BT when exposed to acute heat stress than Na/na or na/na birds, but no differences were seen among genotypes in the large BW population. In the 21 C environment, naked neck birds seemed to have a greater change in BT than normal birds when exposed to 40.5 C. The difference in BT change was significant in the large BW population but was not significant in the small BW population. Few significant correlations were found between basal BT and 8-wk BW or between change in BT and 8-wk BW. A consistent negative correlation was found between basal BT and change in BT for both populations.
The diagnosis of preschool bipolar disorder presenting with mania: open pharmacological treatment.

Abstract Background Diagnosis of bipolar disorder (BPD) in preschool children is controversial, although preliminary data suggest that children with BPD may present with classic manic symptoms in a more chronic, rapid cycling presentation. While children with BPD are extremely dysfunctional, presenting symptoms and symptom expression remains to be further defined. Clarification of the presentation of BPD in children could result in better treatment. Methods Thirty-one patients, ages 2–5 years, were identified by chart review of all children treated at our pediatric bipolar clinic. All available historical, symptom, and treatment information was collected and summarized. Results Patients were ∼2:1 male: female, predominantly Caucasian, with an average age of symptom onset of 3 years. Most frequent presenting symptoms (100%) included irritability, increased energy, and aggression. Prominent symptoms (>80%) included euphoria, grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, pressured speech, and distractibility. Eighty percent of patients had concurrent Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Twenty-one of the 31 patients reported prior treatment attempts with either a stimulant or antidepressant without the protective benefit of a mood stabilizer, and of these, 13 (62%) reported a worsening of mood symptoms during that treatment period. Twenty-six of 31 were initially treated in our clinic openly with a mood stabilizer, primarily valproic acid, with a significant decrease in manic symptoms ( p =0.03) following initial treatment. Long-term treatment demonstrated continued improvements from baseline ( p =0.01). Limitations The retrospective design of this study limits the conclusions that can be drawn. Due to the lack of a formal protocol, treatment was open and based on clinical judgment on an individual case basis. Conclusions The symptom expression in these patients allowed for diagnosis according to DSM-IV criteria. Treatment with mood stabilizers was clinically effective, with corresponding significant developmental benefits.
CONTENT BIASES IN ACHIEVEMENT TESTS

Historically, standardized achievement tests have been used primarily to assess individual performance independently of the programs or curricula to which individuals were exposed. From that perspective, there was little concern for the relationship between test item content and the content of instruction (see Haertel and Calfee, this issue). More recently, however, the use of standardized achievement tests to provide information about the effectiveness of schools or of special programs or curricula has increased. In addition, large-scale "standardized" testing programs (such as state and national assessments) have arisen to assess student performance relative to stated educational goals. These uses of standardized tests have spurred a growing concern for the relationship between testing and instruction. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship of testing and instruction under the general rubric of content validity; more precisely, to examine the linkage between the content of achievement tests and the content of instruction.
Hemostatic abnormalities in renal disease.

Numerous hemostatic abnormalities have been associated with acute and chronic renal disease. The most common abnormalities are defective platelet aggregation, decreased platelet adhesiveness, decreased platelet factor-3 availability, and prolongation of the bleeding time. Among the above platelet function tests, the bleeding time is the single test that most closely correlates with clinical bleeding. The nature of the platelet defect in uremia is still not well understood. The pathophysiologic mechanisms which have been implicated include (1) platelet inhibition by plasma metabolites, eg, urea, guanidinosuccinic acid, phenolic acid; (2) increased vessel wall prostacyclin; (3) abnormal platelet arachidonic acid metabolism; (4) increased levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH); (5) defective binding of the Factor VIII complex to platelets or defective binding of platelets to vessel wall subendothelium by the Factor VIII complex; (6) decreased platelet-vessel wall-interaction due to severe anemia; (7) platelet storage pool deficiency; (8) defective fibrinogen binding to platelets. Dialysis remains the mainstay of the prevention and treatment of uremic bleeding although it is not always immediately effective. The availability of cryoprecipitate and DDAVP offers an alternative and effective treatment for the temporary reversal of uremic bleeding in patients who require urgent invasive procedures.
An infinitary Ramsey property

Abstract Mitchell, W.J., An infinitary Ramsey property, Annals of Pure and Applied Logic 57 (1992) 151–160. We prove that the consistency of a measurable cardinal implies the consistency of a cardinal κ>(2 ω ) + satisfying the partition relations κ (ω) ω and κ (ω) ω regressive . This result follows work of Spector which uses the same hypothesis to prove the consistency of ω 1 (ω) ω . We also give some examples of partition relations which can be proved for ω 1 using the methods of Spector but cannot be proved for cardinals κ>(2 ω ) + without a much stronger hypothesis.
Simultaneous Monitoring of Ammonia and Moisture Using a Single Fiber Optoelectrode as a Transducer

The lack of selectivity is one of the problems of chemical sensor technologies in real world applications. In an effort to develop chemical sensors of improved selectivity, we integrated electrochemistry and optical spectroscopy into one single transducer. An electrically conductive polyaniline (PANi) membrane has been coated on the end of an optical fiber to form a fiber optoelectrode. Two electrodes were glued on the side of the optical fiber for measuring the membrane's electrical resistance. At the same time, a light beam was delivered to the membrane coated on the end of the optical fiber using a 1 × 2 optical fiber coupler. The light reflected back from the PANi membrane was delivered with the second arm of the optical fiber coupler to an optical fiber compatible spectrometer. This makes it possible to simultaneously monitor optical spectroscopic and electrical resistance signals from a single fiber optoelectrode transducer. The responses of the fiber optoelectrode to trace ammonia and water vapor in air samples have been investigated. It was found that the electrical resistance of the fiber optoelectrode changes when exposed to ammonia or water vapor. However, the fiber optoelectrode showed optical spectrometric response to trace ammonia in air, but did not show optical spectrometric response to water vapor in air in the tested concentration range (relative humidity from to 83%). The nature of electrical and optical spectrometric responses of this fiber optoelectrode gives an opportunity to design a sensor for simultaneously monitoring both trace ammonia and water vapor in air.
Expression of the yeast FRE genes in transgenic tobacco.

Two yeast genes, FRE1 and FRE2 (encodingFe(III) reductases) were placed under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter and introduced into tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum L.) via Agrobacterium tumefaciens -mediated transformation. Homozygous lines containing FRE1 , FRE2 , or FRE1 plus FRE2 were generated. Northern-blot analyses revealed mRNA of two different sizes in FRE1 lines, whereas all FRE2 lines had mRNA only of the expected length. Fe(III) reduction, chlorophyll contents, and Fe levels were determined in transgenic and control plants under Fe-sufficient and Fe-deficient conditions. In a normal growth environment, the highest root Fe(III) reduction, 4-fold higher than in controls, occurred in the double transformant (FRE1 + FRE2). Elevated Fe(III) reduction was also observed in all FRE2 and some FRE1 lines. The increased Fe(III) reduction occurred along the entire length of the roots and on shoot sections. FRE2 and double transformants were more tolerant to Fe deficiency in hydroponic culture, as shown by higher chlorophyll and Fe concentrations in younger leaves, whereas FRE1 transformants did not differ from the controls. Overall, the beneficial effects of FRE2 were consistent, suggesting that FRE2 may be used to improve Fe efficiency in crop plants.
MR angiography of the vascular tree from the aorta to the foot: combining two-dimensional time-of-flight and three-dimensional contrast-enhanced imaging.

A composite approach for magnetic resonance (MR) angiography of the lower extremities is described. Thirty patients were studied with this approach, which combined a two-dimensional (2D) time-of-flight (TOF) technique with a 3D contrast-enhanced technique. A head/neck coil was selected for imaging mid-foot to upper calf, and the body coil was used for the remainder of the peripheral vascular tree. Acquired data were transferred to a workstation for postprocessing. The final maximum intensity projection images, which display the entire vascular anatomy from aortic bifurcation to foot, were created using a 1024 x 1024 matrix. Very small arteries can be differentiated in critical regions like the calf and foot. Compared with TOF-2D alone, the scan time was reduced. This method offers another option for MR angiography of the lower extremities. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2000;12:884-889.
Quantitative Label-Free Phosphoproteomics Strategy for Multifaceted Experimental Designs

Protein phosphorylation is a critical regulator of signaling in nearly all eukaryotic cellular pathways and dysregulated phosphorylation has been implicated in an array of diseases. The majority of MS-based quantitative phosphorylation studies are currently performed from transformed cell lines because of the ability to generate large amounts of starting material with incorporated isotopically labeled amino acids during cell culture. Here we describe a general label-free quantitative phosphoproteomic strategy capable of directly analyzing relatively small amounts of virtually any biological matrix, including human tissue and biological fluids. The strategy utilizes a TiO2 enrichment protocol in which the selectivity and recovery of phosphopeptides were optimized by assessing a twenty-point condition matrix of binding modifier concentrations and peptide-to-resin capacity ratios. The quantitative reproducibility of the TiO2 enrichment was determined to be 16% RSD through replicate enrichments of a wild-type...
The FBI, A Hundred‐Year Retrospective

No civilian government agency in the United States has received as much attention from authors as the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Much of the early writing consisted of laudatory pieces that parroted the output of the agency’s extensive public relations apparatus. This was followed by a reactive era of critical literature following the Watergate scandal and the death of J. Edgar Hoover. This article surveys the key literature on this controversial agency, including both perspectives and insider memoirs, Hoover biographies, and recent scholarly works.
Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Driving: Why and How to Manage It

Driving is a complex task that can be a significant challenge for individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A slight lapse in attention or inhibition while driving (not uncommon in individuals with ADHD) can result in hazardous consequences for these individuals and their families. This is also an interesting clinical scenario for the treating physician, who is always trying to optimize the various treatment options for the patient. Despite such potentially perilous consequences for society, this subject only recently has received researchers’ attention. This review paper highlights the psychological differences between drivers with and without ADHD and examines differences between these groups in various driving simulation models. Research updates involving pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions are discussed at length. Although the long-term effects of such interventions may not be clearly defined, there is enough evidence to suggest the public health significance of such interventions for optimally managing adult symptoms of ADHD.
Nitrogen exchange at the continental margin: A numerical study of the Gulf of Mexico

Abstract A two-layered baroclinic circulation model and a 21-layered biochemical model are used to explore the consequences of Loop Current-induced upwelling and terrestrial eutrophication on “new” production within the Gulf of Mexico. During a quasi-annual penetration and eddy-shedding cycle of the Loop Current, the simulated seasonal changes of incident radiation, wind stress, and surface mixed layer depth induce an annual cycle of algal biomass that corresponds to in situ and satellite time series of chlorophyll. The simulated nitrate fields match those of shipboard surveys, while fallout of particulate matter approximates that caught in sediment traps and accumulating in bottom sediments. Assuming an f ratio of 0.06–0.12, the total primary production of the Gulf of Mexico might be 105–210g C m −2 y −1 in the absence of anthropogenic nutrient loadings, i.e. 2–3 fold that of oligotrophic regions not impacted by western boundary currents. Less than 25% of the nitrogen effluent of the Mississippi River may be stored in bottom sediments, with most of this input dispersed in dissolved from beneath the pycnocline, after remineralization of particulate detritus within several production cycles derived from riverine loading. At a sinking rate of 3m d −1 , however, sufficient phytodetritus survives oxidation in the water column to balance estimates of bottom metabolism and burial at the margins.
Frequent phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase mutations in proliferative breast lesions

The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase pathway is one of the most commonly altered molecular pathways in invasive breast carcinoma, with phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase catalytic subunit (PIK3CA) mutations in 25% of invasive carcinomas. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), benign papillomas, and small numbers of columnar cell lesions harbor an analogous spectrum of PIK3CA and AKT1 mutations, yet there is little data on usual ductal hyperplasia and atypical ductal and lobular neoplasias. We screened 192 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded breast lesions from 75 patients for point mutations using a multiplexed panel encompassing 643 point mutations across 53 genes, including 58 PIK3CA substitutions. PIK3CA point mutations were identified in 31/62 (50%) proliferative lesions (usual ductal hyperplasia and columnar cell change), 10/14 (71%) atypical hyperplasias (atypical ductal hyperplasia and flat epithelial atypia), 7/16 (44%) lobular neoplasias (atypical lobular hyperplasia and lobular carcinoma in situ), 10/21 (48%) DCIS, and 13/37 (35%) invasive carcinomas. In genotyping multiple lesions of different stage from the same patient/specimen, we found considerable heterogeneity; most notably, in 12 specimens the proliferative lesion was PIK3CA mutant but the concurrent carcinoma was wild type. In 11 additional specimens, proliferative epithelium and cancer contained different point mutations. The frequently discordant genotypes of usual ductal hyperplasia/columnar cell change and concurrent carcinoma support a role for PIK3CA-activating point mutations in breast epithelial proliferation, perhaps more so than transformation. Further, these data suggest that proliferative breast lesions are heterogeneous and may represent non-obligate precursors of invasive carcinoma.
The use of inspiratory positive pressure breathing in cardio-pulmonary diseases.

Summary In summary, inspiratory positive pressure breathing (IPPB) by itself and independently has therapeutic value, particularly in asthma, bronchitis and emphysema. It probably accomplishes this result by helping to clear the bronchial airways of obstructing secretions and exudations, although other effects as yet unknown may be important. The therapeutic results are erratic and the use of IPPB is justified only by the otherwise inexorable progress to an asphyxial death of crippling chronic pulmonary disease. The technique may also be used as a means of temporarily diminishing venous return in acute pulmonary œdema, and of expanding collapsed segments of lung in respiratory paralysis and post-operative immobilisation of the lung. The hazards of this form of treatment are slight.
Indolent fibrin-associated EBV-positive large B cell lymphoproliferative disorder in a lower extremity aneurysmal hematoma: a case report

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is known to play a key role in the development of several lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD), ranging from indolent lesions to highly aggressive lymphomas. Here, we describe an incidentally detected unique case of a localized EBV-positive large B cell LPD within a popliteal artery aneurysmal hematoma of a 91-year-old male. Histopathologic examination of an expanding right thigh mass demonstrated organizing hematoma with microscopic clusters of atypical large lymphoid cells with a non-germinal center B cell immunophenotype, a high proliferation rate by Ki-67 staining, and strong positivity for EBV-encoded RNA (EBER) by in situ hybridization. An 18-month follow-up revealed no evidence of disease progression. The presence of cytologically malignant EBV-positive large B cells supports a LPD, with a differential diagnosis that includes a spectrum of EBV-associated lesions, including diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of the elderly, DLBCL associated with chronic inflammation, as well as a variety of recently described indolent EBV-associated large B cell proliferations occurring in cardiac fibrin thrombi, atrial myxomas, and other unusual sites. This case is the first report of an indolent fibrin-associated EBV-positive LPD occurring in an aneurysmal hematoma of the extremity. This lesion may represent the indolent end of the spectrum of EBV-associated large B cell proliferations, and recognition of such lesions may prevent unnecessary aggressive treatment.
Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation Supported by Third-Party Donor Cells: Rationale, Results, and Applications

Abstract Low incidence of graft-versus-host disease provides the major rational for pursuing umbilical cord blood (UCB) stem cell transplantation (SCT). Considerable evidence also suggests a lower rate of recurrence after UCB SCT than after transplantation from adult donors. Recent advances in understanding of the human fetal immune development provide a rational underpinning for these clinical outcomes. The fetal immune system is geared toward maintaining tolerance to foreign antigens, particularly to the maternal antigens to which it is exposed throughout gestation. To this purpose it is dominated by a unique population of peripheral T regulatory cells that actively maintain tolerance. This and other features of the UCB lymphoid system explains the low incidence of graft-versus-host disease and superior outcomes of UCB SCT with noninherited maternal antigen–matched grafts. At the same time, highly sensitized maternal microchimeric cells are frequently detected in UCB and likely contribute to superior graft-versus-leukemia effects and low rates of disease recurrence in inherited paternal antigen–matched UCB recipients. However, historically erratic and slow hematopoietic recovery after UCB SCT leads to increased early morbidity and mortality, excessive hospitalization, and increased costs. This has held up the widespread utilization of UCB SCT in adults. Here we summarize recent data on UCB SCT with an emphasis on studies of co-infusion of adult CD34 selected hematopoietic stem cells with UCB SCT. This procedure, through transient engraftment of adult hematopoietic stem cells, largely overcomes the problem of delayed engraftment. It also results in predictable engraftment of a UCB with the desired characteristics. We also briefly discuss unresolved issues and possible future applications of this technology.
Signal analysis of behavioral and molecular cycles

Circadian clocks are biological oscillators that regulate molecular, physiological, and behavioral rhythms in a wide variety of organisms. While behavioral rhythms are typically monitored over many cycles, a similar approach to molecular rhythms was not possible until recently; the advent of real-time analysis using transgenic reporters now permits the observations of molecular rhythms over many cycles as well. This development suggests that new details about the relationship between molecular and behavioral rhythms may be revealed. Even so, behavioral and molecular rhythmicity have been analyzed using different methods, making such comparisons difficult to achieve. To address this shortcoming, among others, we developed a set of integrated analytical tools to unify the analysis of biological rhythms across modalities. We demonstrate an adaptation of digital signal analysis that allows similar treatment of both behavioral and molecular data from our studies of Drosophila. For both types of data, we apply digital filters to extract and clarify details of interest; we employ methods of autocorrelation and spectral analysis to assess rhythmicity and estimate the period; we evaluate phase shifts using crosscorrelation; and we use circular statistics to extract information about phase. Using data generated by our investigation of rhythms in Drosophila we demonstrate how a unique aggregation of analytical tools may be used to analyze and compare behavioral and molecular rhythms. These methods are shown to be versatile and will also be adaptable to further experiments, owing in part to the non-proprietary nature of the code we have developed.
POLYHEDRA WITH UNGUARDED INTERIORS

A polyhedron may contain points not visible from any vertex. This paper shows that a polyhedron with this property may have as few as 16 vertices.
f Electrons in a strong crystal field. The relationship between paramagnetic and saturation moments

Abstract The relationship between paramagnetic and saturation moments of localized f electrons in a strong crystal field is examined. It is found that while the simple atomic-like results μs=gJJ and μp = gJ × √J(J+1) no longer hold, there exist definite bounds for the ratio μs/μp according to the symmetry of the crystal field. Experimental data on the heavy rare earth and actinide compounds are examined in the light of these results.
Credibility cues in online shopping: an examination of corporate credibility, retailer reputation, and product review credibility

Using cue utilisation theory, this study investigates the effects of credibility cues on consumer behaviour online. Specifically, the study examines, in an online shopping context, the impact of the signalling cues of corporate credibility, online retailer reputation, and online consumer product review credibility. Results of this experimental study suggest that the effects of three types of credibility cues vary across the three types of consumer responses – perception of product quality, perception of risk, and purchase intention. In particular, an online retailer’s reputation appeared to be the most significant cue in the online shopping context, affecting all three consumer responses. The findings also revealed that a consumer’s perception of corporate credibility was an important cue in determining the consumer’s purchase intention and perception of product quality. Nevertheless, an ancillary cue exists that reduces risk perception – the consumer’s credibility perception of an online product review created by another consumer.
Real world pedagogy for e-business applications - project management approach

Teaching students project managements requires a hands-on approach. Incorporating project management concepts and processes into a student team Web development project adds a dimension that exposes students to the realities of effective e-business applications. This paper describes the project management approach used in an e-business applications course in which students build complete Web sites. Based upon the written evaluations included with the final project documentation, students feel this project is the most valuable learning experience of the course. Furthermore, a positive relationship is established between the actual Web development and effective project management processes. It is important for students to understand the triple constraints (scope, time, and cost) that must be balanced in business projects.
TEXplorer: keyword-based object search and exploration in multidimensional text databases

We propose a novel system TEXplorer that integrates keyword-based object ranking with the aggregation and exploration power of OLAP in a text database with rich structured attributes available, e.g., a product review database. TEXplorer can be implemented within a multi-dimensional text database, where each row is associated with structural dimensions (attributes) and text data (e.g., a document). The system utilizes the text cube data model, where a cell aggregates a set of documents with matching values in a subset of dimensions. Cells in a text cube capture different levels of summarization of the documents, and can represent objects at different conceptual levels.Users query the system by submitting a set of keywords. Instead of returning a ranked list of all the cells, we propose a keyword-based interactive exploration framework that could offer flexible OLAP navigational guides and help users identify the levels and objects they are interested in. A novel significance measure of dimensions is proposed based on the distribution of IR relevance of cells. During each interaction stage, dimensions are ranked according to their significance scores to guide drilling down; and cells in the same cuboids are ranked according to their relevance to guide exploration. We propose efficient algorithms and materialization strategies for ranking top-k dimensions and cells. Finally, extensive experiments on real datasets demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of our approach.
Resonant Modes in Waveguide Windows

Analysis and experimental verification of a class of resonant fields, called ghost-modes, occurring in waveguide dielectric windows are presented. Numerical solutions for a simple geometry are given through universal curves. Knowledge about ghost-modes has importance to designers of high-power windows. It also leads to a measuring technique for dielectric constants through a frequency measurement.
Multicarrier communication techniques for spectrum sensing and communication in cognitive radios

In this tutorial article we review different multicarrier communication methods for the physical layer of cognitive radio systems. There, secondary users need to dynamically and reliably determine spectral holes, and transmit data in these resources without interfering with other parts of the frequency band. To satisfy the first, each SU has to be equipped with a spectrum analyzer. To satisfy the second, it is widely accepted that a multicarrier modulation technique should be adopted. Moreover, to maximize efficiency, it has been recognized that the side-lobes of each subcarrier band must be minimized. Much of the attention in the present literature emphasizes on the use of conventional OFDM, exploiting the fact that fast Fourier transform (FFT) as part of the OFDM modulator can also be used for channel sensing. Herein, we discuss the performance of OFDM, and also introduce filterbanks for multicarrier communication and spectral analysis in a CR setting. Moreover, the multitaper method has been proposed as an effective method for spectrum analysis. Our article provides an insight into the pros and cons of these technologies.
ePVM - An Embeddable Process Virtual Machine

At the heart of every business process management system resides a workflow engine, here termed process execution engine. Yet despite playing such a central role, contemporary business process engines generally still leave much to be desired in terms of interoperability, versatility, and programmability. Therefore, this paper introduces ePVM, an embeddable process execution engine aimed at solving these issues. Basically, ePVM is built upon two core concepts. Firstly, an execution model which is deeply rooted in the theoretical framework of communicating state machines. Secondly, whereas many efforts have been made to create the ultimate process language, ePVM provides in contrast a low-level run-time environment based on a JavaScript interpreter where higher-level domain specific process definition languages can be mapped to. Our work explores both concepts in more detail and also positions ePVM in the current business process and workflow domain.
EXPORT INSTABILITY AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

SUMMARY Does export instability interfere with economic development? Work by McBean answers in the negative. He finds no systematic relationship between instability and economic growth. This paper asks three questions about McBean's work: (1) Has he measured the relevant variables appropriately? (2) Were special factors at work in the period he studied (1950-58) ? (3) Was his sample of countries representative? It presents a broader statistical analysis, using a different index of instability, two decades of data, and more countries. In general, the findings do not contradict McBean. But calculations using different time periods (1950-66 and 1956-67) do produce some evidence of interference. Furthermore, the paper finds one new relationship—a strong inverse connection between instability and the level of investment in developing countries.
A review of analog automatic test generation

Analog automatic test generation techniques are classified by the method of fault isolation utilized in implementation. These are fault analysis and fault dictionary, and are similar to the two branches of sta tistical inference: estimation (of actual network ele ment values from terminal measurements)'and hypoth esis testing (deciding which network element values have drifted out of tolerance), respectively. The clas ses also identify where in the fault isolation cycle com puter simulation takes place: fault analysis implies simulation after testing on the automatic test equip ment, whereas fault dictionary implies simulation prior to testing. Fault isolation methods known to be under investigation are discussed.
Religious and Spiritual Change in College: Assessing the Effect of a Science Education

A long line of research has attempted to examine an assumed conflict between religious belief and scientific knowledge by assessing the religious beliefs of individuals with a high level of scientific training and education, such as faculty at universities. This research has established that there are differences in levels of religious belief across different disciplines, but because of data limitations it has not been able to adequately assess the causal nature of these differences. The research presented here overcomes these limitations using longitudinal data examining different dimensions of religious and spiritual belief among undergraduates. Using four latent variable concepts assessing both positive and negative dimensions of traditional and nontraditional forms of belief, the analysis shows no evidence that students in the natural sciences show a greater decrease in religious belief compared with students in other fields.
On Combined Use of POD Modes and Ritz Vectors for Model Reduction in Nonlinear Structural Dynamics

An approach to develop Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) based reduced order models for systems with local nonlinearities is presented in this paper. This technique is applied to multi-degree of freedom systems of coupled oscillators with isolated nonlinear elements. Typically, reduced order models are obtained using POD modes exclusively. In this work, we explore the suitability of using a combination of POD modes and other physically based “Ritz vectors” to produce the reduced model. The objectives are 1). to improve the accuracy of the reduced order differential equation model and 2). to expand the range of system parameters for which the reduced basis provides reasonably accurate approximations. The “Ritz vectors” used in this work are static displacement vectors that are calculated in one of the following three ways: 1). “Load – based Ritz vectors” [1, 2, 7, 8, 12, 16–18] – This is the static displacement vector due to a static loading that is proportional to the static version of the actual (assumed dynamic) loading to which the structure is subjected. 2). “Milman – Chu vectors” [3] – This is the static Ritz vector due to the imposition of equal and opposite static loads on the two masses to which the non-linear element is connected. The loading used to generate the first M – C vector is dictated by the location of the non-linearity. 3). “K – B (Kumar – Burton) vector” – This is a new Ritz vector defined in the spirit of the Milman – Chu vector. The K – B vector is the static displacement vector due to the imposition of a). equal and opposite static loads on the two masses to which the nonlinear element is connected (i.e. same as M – C loading) and b). equal and opposite static loads on the nearest neighbors. Thus, four masses are statically loaded. As for the M – C vector, the K – B loading is dictated by the location of the nonlinear element. The nonlinear model is numerically integrated to generate a full ODE model solution, which we call the “baseline solution”. We select a set of POD modes of the baseline nonlinear system response as basis functions. The POD modes are then augmented by various combinations of the three aforementioned Ritz vectors to generate reduced order models for system having parameters in vicinity of baseline system parameters. Our results indicate that the K – B augmentation vector combined with the Milman – Chu vector is an effective way to account for nonlinear effects for the system considered. The use of combined M – C/K – B augmentation also expands the range of system parameters for which the baseline POD modes provide accurate reduction. This is considered to be a significant result.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Validity and Quality in Self-Study:

In this response to Bullough and Pinnegar’s “Guidelines for Quality in Autobiographical Forms of Self-Study,” the author argues that in addition to criteria for the quality of research, researchers need to have ways to demonstrate its validity because of the moral and political aspects of educational research. The argument is based in part on the existential nature of self-study. The article concludes with some suggestions for increasing the validity of self-study.
Effects of Acute Sublethal Exposure to Coumaphos or Diazinon on Acquisition and Discrimination of Odor Stimuli in the Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Two organophosphate compounds, coumaphos and diazinon, were examined for effects of sublethal exposure on odor learning and generalization in honey bees, Apis mellifera L. Using proboscis extension response training as a measure of odor learning and discrimination, a series of two experiments tested whether these compounds would inhibit bees from learning a new odor or discriminating between different odors. Bees were exposed to coumaphos or diazinon in acetone applied to the thorax, or to coumaphos or diazinon in hexane injected intracranially. At no dose tested or exposure method used was coumaphos shown to inhibit acquisition of a novel odor stimulus, although it was shown to slightly reduce discriminatory ability when given by intracranial injection. Diazinon had effects on odor learning at several small doses, and a small injected dose was shown to significantly inhibit learning of an odor stimulus paired with a sucrose reward. When bee head acetylcholineasterase activity was measured after dermal applications of both pesticides, only the higher doses of diazinon showed reduced activity, indicating that externally-applied coumaphos shows no significant effect on bee brain acetylcholinesterase activity. These data suggest that acute application of coumaphos has only slight nonlethal effects upon the behavior of honey bees and should have little effect upon bee tasks that involve odor learning.
Polylactic acid (PLA)-based shape-memory materials for biomedical applications

Abstract This chapter reviews shape-memory polymers (SMPs) and composites, incorporating lactic acid-based polymers as major network components. Following the introduction of the synthesis and basic properties of polylactic acid (PLA), we discuss the basic requirements for exhibiting shape-memory properties and review the history and progress of PLA-based SMPs and the mechanisms of shape-recovery activations. We conclude the chapter with a brief discussion on the limitations of current PLA-based SMPs for biomedical applications and suggest some future directions.
PAD is no longer related to Rodney: the benefit of statins.

When Jacob Cohen was born in Babylon, New York, in 1921, few would have expected that his pleas for “respect” would have resulted in a long and successful career in comedy as Rodney Dangerfield. However, those who have been managing atherosclerotic syndromes for decades appreciate that until
Becoming Biliterate: Young Children Learning Different Writing Systems, by Charmian Kenner

For those educators or parents who doubt the prospect of bilingual education and the experience of multilingual literacy learning, reading Becoming Biliterate: Young Children Learning Different Wri...
Forging: Feasible Robotic Techniques

Examination of the requirements for precision forging of airfoils for jet engines suggests that robot forging systems are feasible. Typically, a 950°C workpiece is being forged every 15 seconds. By employing robot systems which can endure conditions in the forge area better than humans, overall productivity gains can be expected. Furthermore, the operator could oversee several operations and be free to do jobs which are less repetitive and better suited to human capabilities.
Japan's Economic Ties with China

This presentation analyzes the rapid growth of Japanese industrial investment in China over the past 25 years, and the ways it was shaped by Chinese industrial policy. It highlights the role of Japanese corporations in expanding ties with the PRC, and points out the ways they successfully expanded market share in key sectors. Significantly, the Japanese companies avoided major technology transfer in the early years of interaction. However, under Chinese government pressure, the Japanese moved to share more manufacturing knowledge by the beginning of the 21st century.The presentation first chronicles the early years of Japanese investment following China's economic reforms of the early 1980s. It focuses on key sectors such as consumer electronics, information technologies, and automobiles. It indicates that in most of these areas Japanese companies had greater bargaining power than did the Chinese, and therefore succeeded in gaining market access while sharing little knowledge with potential competitors. By the mid-1990s, the strength of the PRC economy and Chinese political imperatives dictated Japanese companies would have to play a role transferring knowledge. Major companies such as Toyota, Toshiba, Honda, and others moved to build research and development centers, and train Chinese engineers and scientists. Japanese market share grew, but at the price of some key technology transfers.The presentation, based on case study archival fieldwork and interviews done in both Japan and China, concludes that Japan has belatedly begun to follow the path of other nations that early on traded technology transfer for market access. However, Japanese corporate protectionism likely remains strong enough to safeguard the most vital knowledge while still expanding companies' roles in the PRC economy.
Light and Electron Microscopic Study of Chlamydia trachomatis Infection of the Uterine Cervix

Cervical biopsy specimens from two patients with infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (TRIC agent) were studied by means of light and electron microscopy. Intraepithelial vesicles containing C. trachomatis were present in the cervical mucosa. These intramucosal vesicles were readily recognized in paraffin sections by means of light microscopy. The developmental stages of C. trachomatis, which have previously been seen in tissue cell culture, chicken embryo, and conjunctival infections, were also apparent in cervical infection.