cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An examination of the antecedents of turnover propensity of engineers: An integrated model

Abstract A survey response from 107 engineers was used to develop and test an integrated model of turnover intentions incorporating role stressors, task characteristics, job involvement, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment as predictors of intention to leave the organization. Results of this study provide moderate support for the proposed model and the pattern of linkages specified among the variables. Results show that organizational commitment had a direct and negative effect on intention to leave the organization. Indirect effects on the intention to leave were found for job satisfaction, job involvement, task characteristics and role stressors. Results also show that job satisfaction is considered the most important factor directly affecting organizational commitment. In addition, job involvement, challenge and role ambiguity had both direct and indirect effects on organizational commitment. Role stressors were found to be the most dysfunctional variables affecting satisfaction of the engineers. We also found that task characteristics play an important role in predicting job involvement, career satisfaction and intention to leave. Implications for the management of engineering departments and future research are discussed.
Formation of monodisperse FePt alloy nanocrystals using air-stable precursors: fatty acids as alloying mediator and reductant for Fe3+ precursors.

High quality FePt nanocrystals were synthesized by a simple and high performance synthetic method in a hydrocarbon solvent. Instead of a toxic and dangerous Fe(CO)5 precursor, air-stable and generic inorganic and organic iron salts were used as the iron precursors. Fatty acid molecules were identified as both efficient reducing reagents for the Fe3+ precursors and as an alloying mediator. The alloying process occurred in a two-step fashion. The Pt nanocrystal seeds initially formed at relatively low temperatures, with the need to be stabilized by a small amount of amines. Conversely, the final FePt nanocrystals could be stabilized with fatty acids as the main ligands. The mechanisms revealed here not only help to understand the formation of alloy nanocrystals but also shed new light on the formation of transition metal oxide nanocrystals using metal fatty acid salts as the precursors.
Applications of a Neurobehavioral Screening Battery

With the growing awareness of the neurological effects of many environmental chemicals, there is considerable emphasis being placed on the detection of neurotoxic potential at the screening, or fir...
Low Voltage Scanning Electron Microscopy - Current Status, Present Problems, and Future Solutions -

Low voltage scanning electron microscopy (LVSEM) has become the imaging technique of choice for many applications because it offers surface specific information, and both control of charging and a reduction of damage to labile specimens. However fundamental limitations such as the electron wavelength, lens aberrations, and gun brightness, severely limit the performance of the LVSEM, and in addition some capabilities such as microanalysis are difficult or impossible. New technologies, including aberration correction and brighter electron sources are now available, and novel spectroscopic approaches are in development. Together these advances could significantly enhance the performance of the LVSEM. The advent of ultra-high performance ion column imaging systems offers interesting competition to the LVSEM for both imaging and analysis. [DOI: 10.1380/ejssnt.2006.369]
Extending the radiosity method to include specularly reflecting and translucent materials

An extension of the radiosity method is presented that rigorously accounts for the presence of a small number of specularly reflecting surfaces in an otherwise diffuse scene, and for the presence of a small number of specular or ideal diffuse transmitters. The relationship between the extended method and earlier radiosity and ray-tracing methods is outlined. It is shown that all three methods are based on the same general equation of radiative transfer. A simple superposition of the earlier radiosity and ray-tracing methods in order to account for specular behavior is shown to be physically inconsistent, as the methods are based on different assumptions. Specular behavior is correctly included in the present method. The extended radiosity method and example images are presented.
Steroid regulation of calcitonin gene-related peptide mRNA expression in motoneurons of the spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus

Abstract Motoneurons express calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Previous studies have shown that CGRP immunoreactivity is regulated by testosterone in the androgen-sensitive motoneurons of the spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus (SNB). In this research the effect of plasma levels of testosterone on the expression of αCGRP mRNA in the SNB motoneurons of adult male rats was studied with in situ hybridization. The number of motoneurons expressing αCGRP mRNA and the level of αCGRP mRNA expression was significantly higher in the SNB of castrated male rats than in the SNB of gonadally intact rats. Using a 5× background labeling criterion in castrated rats 88.1 ± 4.5% while in intact rats 75.3 ± 6.4% of SNB motoneurons expressed αCGRP mRNA. Testosterone replacement at the time of castration prevented the effect of castration on the expression of αCGRP mRNA in SNB motoneurons. In castrated rats, the increase in the number of SNB cells expressing CGRP was the result of increased steady state levels of αCGRP mRNA in all SNB neurons.
Isotopic and geochemical evidence for the origin of Plio-Pleistocene volcanic rocks near the Indo-Eurasian collisional margin at Tengchong, China

Abstract In Yunnan Province, China, regional extensional stresses associated with the collision between India and Asia have formed a series of downfaulted north-south-trending basins. Near Tengchong, in extreme Western Yunnan close to the Burma border, one of these basins is characterized by volcanism which began in the Pliocene (∼ 7m.y.) and has continued to historic times. The Tengchong volcanic suite ranges in composition from basalt to dacite, with most lavas being potassium rich. Five chemical groups can be recognized based on major element, trace element and isotopic compositions. These groups are broadly consistent with previous groupings made on the basis of geologic and age data. The chemical and isotopic data show that the main series (most voluminous) lavas were derived by partial melting of a metasomatized and heterogeneous mantle source, with crustal and possibly seawater components probably related to prior subduction beneath Asia. An andesite-dacite series with similarities to Tibetan calc-alkaline lavas shows clear indications of assimilated crust and crystal fractionation. There is no evidence in these rocks for the presence of a strongly depleted subcontinental mantle such as has been recognized elsewhere [5,21].
Magnetic Interaction Force and a Couple on a Superconducting Sphere in an Arbitrary Dipole Field

The calculation of the magnetostatic potential and levitation force due to a point magnetic dipole placed in front of a superconducting sphere in the Meissner state is readdressed. Closed-form analytical expression for the scalar potential function that yields the image system for an arbitrarily oriented magnetic dipole located in the vicinity of a superconducting sphere is given. Analytic expression for the lifting or levitation force acting on the sphere is extracted from the solution for a general dipole. A special case of our expression where the initial magnetic dipole makes an angle with the z-axis is derived. Our expression for the force in this particular case shows that a recently obtained result (J. Supercond. Nov. Magn. 21:93–96, 2008) for an arbitrary dipole is incorrect. A brief discussion of another erroneous result (J. Supercond. Nov. Magn. 15:257–262, 2002) for a transverse/tangential dipole–sphere configuration, corrected elsewhere recently, is reproduced. Correct expressions for the interaction energy with some limiting cases are also provided. The result derived here demonstrates that the value of the levitation force for a dipole that makes an angle with z-axis lies between the values for a radial dipole–sphere and transverse dipole–sphere configurations providing upper and lower bounds. It is found that for a magnetic dipole making an angle with z-axis, there exits a second force component along the negative y-direction, which influences a couple acting on the superconducting sphere. It is also shown that the couple is proportional to the second force component and that both the couple and second force components vanish for a radial dipole–sphere and transverse dipole–sphere configurations, respectively. These results appear to be new and have not had received due attention in the context of superconductivity.
Effects of left ventricular hypertrophy on the signal-averaged electrocardiogram

Abstract Signal-averaged electrocardiography (SAECG) has made possible the identification of late potentials in patients at risk of developing malignant ventricular arrhythmias. 1–9 Late potentials have been shown to predict sudden cardiac death, 3,4 clinical ventricular tachycardia, 1,3–6 and ventricular tachycardia that is inducible with programmed electrical stimulation. 8–10 Sudden cardiac death 11,12 and ventricular arrhythmias 13–19 are more prevalent in patients with echocardiographic left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy. Late potentials might be useful in identifying a subgroup of patients with LV hypertrophy who are at high risk to experience clinical ventricular tachycardia or sudden cardiac death. However, patients with LV hypertrophy may have intraventricular conduction disturbances and repolarization abnormalities that may interfere with the ability of SAECG to accurately detect late potentials. To evaluate the use of SAECG in patients with LV hypertrophy, we examined 58 patients with SAECG, echocardiography and programmed electrical stimulation. In this study, we compare the clinical characteristics, SAECG findings and electrophysiology results of a group of patients with echocardiographic LV hypertrophy to a group of patients without echocardiographic LV hypertrophy.
Is a single infusion of zoledronic acid more effective than oral risedronate for the treatment of patients with Paget's disease?

Is a single infusion of zoledronic acid more effective than oral risedronate for the treatment of patients with Paget's disease?
Model-based feedback control of deformation processing with microstructure goals

A closed-loop feedback scheme for obtaining a goal microstructure during hot isostatic pressing (“hipping”) of powders is described. The control scheme relies on previously developed process models describing the process dynamics during a HIP run and sensors which can measure density and grain size. We use constantly updated linearization and coprime factorization and thus implement the control by convex programming. Simulation results showing the performance of the control scheme are presented.
Historical Legacies and Foreign Direct Investment in Bosnia and Herzegovina

This paper examines the origins of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) with special reference to historical legacies. BiH is a very interesting case because of its position on the frontier of Europe, a region with a rich cultural history marked by alternating periods of coexistence and violence. Because the country has spent time under the Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and Yugoslav flags, particular attention is paid to the role of history in impacting inflows of FDI. Five models are specified using various dependent variables to measure FDI, and all uphold the importance of historical legacies and cultural proximity. Equally interesting is the absence of significance among traditional gravity variables in this unique investment landscape. Policy implications include the need for government to assist firms in overcoming concern about instability, corruption, and a complex permitting process. As little has been published on FDI in BiH, future research suggestions are presented.
Apobec-1 protects intestine from radiation injury through posttranscriptional regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 expression

Background & Aims: This study aimed to determine the role of the RNA binding protein apobec-1 in radioprotection of the intestine. Methods: Apobec-1-deleted mice ( APOBEC -1 −/− ) and wild-type controls were treated with 12 Gy of whole-body γ-irradiation in a cesium irradiator. The number of surviving intestinal crypts was assessed 3.5 days after irradiation by using a clonogenic assay. Cyclooxygenase-2 messenger RNA and protein expression were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively. RNA stability was studied by examining the turnover of a chimeric transcript containing the cyclooxygenase-2 3′ untranslated region cloned downstream of luciferase complementary DNA. Apobec-1 binding to the cyclooxygenase-2 3′ untranslated region was studied by electrophoretic mobility shift and UV crosslinking assays. Results: After γ-irradiation, the survival of intestinal stem cells decreased significantly in APOBEC -1 −/− mice. In wild-type mice treated with lipopolysaccharide before γ-irradiation, intestinal stem cells were protected by marked increases in prostaglandin E 2 mediated by cyclooxygenase-2. No such effect was observed in the APOBEC -1 −/− mice. The mechanism of this radioprotective effect involves the binding of apobec-1 to AU-rich sequences in the first 60 nucleotides of the 3′ untranslated region of cyclooxygenase-2. Upon binding to the AU-rich sequences, apobec-1 stabilizes cyclooxygenase-2 messenger RNA. This stabilization process does not seem to be mediated by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. Conclusions: Lipopolysaccharide increases intestinal stem cell survival through apobec-1-mediated regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 messenger RNA stability.
Human Placental Expression of SLIT/ROBO Signaling Cues: Effects of Preeclampsia and Hypoxia

Preeclampsia is characterized by dysfunctional endothelium and impaired angiogenesis. Recent studies suggest that the neuronal guidance SLIT/ROBO system regulates tumor angiogenesis. This study investigated if SLIT and ROBO are differentially expressed in healthy term and preeclamptic placentas and if hypoxia regulates SLIT and ROBO expression in placental trophoblast and endothelial cells. Total RNA and protein were extracted from placental tissues of healthy term (n = 5) and preeclamptic (n = 6) pregnancies and used for SLIT/ROBO expression analyses with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), real-time quantitative-PCR, and immunoblotting. Paraffin-embedded tissues were processed to localize SLIT/ROBO proteins in placental villi by immunohistochemistry. BeWo choriocarcinoma cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were treated with 2% or 10% oxygen or the hypoxia mimetic deferoxamine mesylate (100 μM) to test if hypoxia regulates SLIT/ROBO expression. SLIT2, SLIT3, ROBO1, and ROBO4 mRNA and proteins were detected in the placenta. SLIT2 and ROBO1 proteins localized in the syncytiotrophoblast, and SLIT3, ROBO1, and ROBO4 in capillary endothelium of the placental villi. Levels of ROBO1 and ROBO4 as well as sFLT1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1) proteins were significantly greater in preeclamptic placentas compared to normal controls. Hypoxia significantly increased both mRNA and protein levels of SLIT2 in BeWo cells and of SLIT3, ROBO1, and ROBB4 in HUVEC. Thus, trophoblast and endothelial coexpression of SLIT/ROBO suggests an autocrine/paracrine regulatory system for regulating placental function. Differential expression of SLITs and ROBOs in healthy term and preeclamptic placentas and hypoxia regulation of their expressions in placental cells implicate a potential pathophysiological role for this system in preeclampsia.
Combined effect of grain boundary depletion and PolySi/Oxide interface depletion on drain characteristics of a p-MOSFET

The effect of poly depletion on the drain characteristics of a ULSI p-MOSFET has been studied using a 2D-device simulator MEDICI/sup TM(1)/. The combined effect of both grain boundary depletion and PolySi/Oxide interface depletion at the polysilicon gate on the drain characteristics is described. The MOSFET parameters considered for analysis were the threshold voltage, drive current and subthreshold slope. It is found that a smaller grain size, lower carrier concentration in polysilicon and higher trap density at grain boundaries increase the grain boundary depletion effects on the drain characteristics.
Relating sediment phosphorus mobility to seasonal and diel redox fluctuations at the sediment–water interface in a eutrophic freshwater lake

Relationships between phosphorus cycling and redox conditions in the sediments of eutrophic Missisquoi Bay, Lake Champlain were investigated over diel and seasonal timescales in three consecutive summers (2007–2009), one of which (2007) did not experience a cyanobacteria bloom for the first time in a decade. Sediment extraction data showed that reactive phosphorus (RP) is strongly correlated to reactive iron (RFe), suggesting that the mobility of a large portion (30–40%) of the total sediment phosphorus pool is associated with nanocrystalline iron oxide minerals that may be influenced by redox conditions. RP concentrations in the top sediments increased throughout 2007 but decreased throughout 2008; calculations indicate that ~ 1 mm of sediment could account for the increased total dissolved phosphorus observed in overlying water. Redox conditions were measured over 24 h in situ within sediment cores and at the sediment–water interface (SWI) at different stages of each season using voltammetry. SWI redox conditions became progressively more reduced across the season and overnight and were significantly more reducing in the presence of a bloom. Soluble RP and cyanobacteria cell counts measured at five depths through the water column strongly correlated with the most reducing conditions at the SWI. Observations suggest that redox controlled nutrient flux between the sediments and the water column is variable over diel and seasonal cycles. Cyanobacteria blooms most significantly affect SWI redox conditions, suggesting that blooms may enhance RP flux from sediments, setting up a positive feedback loop that can propagate and sustain blooms in shallow freshwater systems.
Clustering Methods for Hierarchical Traffic Grooming in Large-Scale Mesh WDM Networks

We consider a hierarchical approach for traffic grooming in large multiwavelength networks of a general topology. Inspired by similar concepts in the airline industry, we decompose the network into clusters, and select a hub node in each cluster to groom traffic originating and terminating locally. At the second level of the hierarchy, the hub nodes form a virtual cluster for the purpose of grooming intra-cluster traffic. Clustering and hierarchical grooming enables us to cope with large network sizes and facilitates the control and management of traffic and network resources. Yet, determining the size and composition of clusters so as to yield good grooming solutions is a challenging task. We identify the grooming-specific factors affecting the selection of clusters, and we develop a parameterized clustering algorithm that can achieve a desired trade-off among various goals. We also obtain lower bounds on two important objectives in traffic grooming: the number of lightpaths and wavelengths needed to carry the subwavelength traffic. We demonstrate the effectiveness of clustering and hierarchical grooming by presenting the results of experiments on two network topologies that are substantially larger than those considered in previous traffic grooming studies.
Simulation of Electric Potentials and Ion Motion in Planar Electrode Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulations (SLIM)

We report a conceptual study and computational evaluation of novel planar electrode structures for lossless ion manipulations (SLIM). Planar electrode SLIM components were designed that allow for flexible ion confinement, transport, and storage using a combination of radio frequency (rf) and DC fields. Effective potentials can be generated that provide near ideal regions for confining and manipulating ions in the presence of a gas. Ion trajectory simulations using SIMION 8.1 demonstrated the capability for lossless ion motion in these devices over a wide m/z range and a range of electric fields at low pressures (e.g., a few Torr). More complex ion manipulations (e.g., turning ions by 90o and dynamically switching selected ion species into orthogonal channels) are also shown feasible. The performance of SLIM devices at ~4 Torr pressure for performing ion mobility-based separations (IMS) is computationally evaluated and compared with initial experimental results, and both are also shown to agree closely with experimental and theoretical IMS performance for a conventional drift tube design.
Triiso­thio­cyanato­tetrakis­(tri­phenyl­phosphine oxide)­neodymium(III)

In the neodymium(III) complex, [Nd(NCS)3{OP(C6H5)3}4], the coordination about the central neodymium(III) ion is sevenfold with a slightly distorted capped trigonal prismatic arrangement.
Thermionic current in a parallel-plane diode

An approximate formula is developed for the current of a parallel-plane diode including the effects of initial velocities of emission. For an oxide-coated cathode ( T = 1000 °K) the approximate result is: J = 2.33 \times 10^{-6} \frac{V^{3/2}}{x^{2}} \cdot[1 + \frac{11.4(J_{s}x^{2})^{1/4}}{V^{3/4}} + \frac{3.22(J_{s}x^{2})^{1/8}}{V^{3/2}}] where, J , J s , and x are in suitable units such that Jx2and J_{s}x^{2} are in amperes and V in volts. A comparison is made between this result, Child's 3/2 power solution, and the Epstein-Fry-Langmuir solution. The result given above being an explicit solution of the current is particularly advantageous over prior approximate solutions.
ANTITAKEOVER CHARTER AMENDMENTS: EFFECTS ON CORPORATE DECISIONS

In recent years many shareholders have voted to amend their corporate charters to decrease the likelihood of a hostile takeover. Critics of antitakeover amendments argue that by sheltering management from the market for corporate control, management may become entrenched and be less likely to act in the best interest of shareholders. The counter argument holds that the threat of a hostile takeover and possible job loss may move management toward “short-sighted” decision making. In this study we test the hypothesis that, upon passage of antitakover amendments, managers adopt a longer-term view with respect to capital expenditures and research and development. Empirical results support the hypothesis, as both capital expenditures and research development display significant increases relative to the year of enactment.
Time abstraction in timed /spl mu/CRL a la regions

We present the first step towards combining the best parts of the real-time verification methods based on timed automata (the use of regions and zones), and of the process-algebraic approach of languages like LOTOS and /spl mu/CRL. This could provide with additional verification possibilities for real-time systems, not available in existing timed-automata-based tools like UPPAAL. We aim to transfer the successful techniques of regions and zones as used for the analysis of timed automata to the realm of timed /spl mu/CRL. First, we aim at replacing all parameters of sort time occurring in the resulting process equation by parameters of discrete sorts. To achieve this goal we apply process-algebraic transformations and abstraction techniques to the given process equation. As a result we obtain a process equation that is closely related to the given one in the following sense. If we abstract from the fractional parts of the time stamps in the actions, both of the equations will be timed bisimilar.
Effects of radio frequency interference on an 802.11a wireless ad-hoc network

Consumer electronic devices that utilize wireless communication interfaces to share information on the go are becoming a part of everyday life. Many of these devices communicate on unlicensed channels in the Industrial Scientific and Medical (ISM) and Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) frequency bands. One common communication interface used by these devices is described by the IEEE 802.11a standard. A wireless router is a typical device that employs the 802.11a communication standard. Wireless routers are located in many places we frequent every day, such as coffee shops, libraries, and even fast food restaurants. The proliferation of these devices throughout our environment has increased the potential for loss of connectivity due to interference from other devices. This paper will explore the effects of radio frequency interference on an ad-hoc wireless network of consumer routers in a congested 802.11a channel. In this paper, the source of interference will be a radio frequency sine wave generator. Interference will be measured by recording metrics about the data link, such as throughput and latency, between the different router nodes. These metrics will be monitored as the amplitude of the sine wave is varied to determine the effect of its interference on the ad-hoc wireless network of consumer routers.
Kinetic characterization of the disulfide bond-forming enzyme DsbB.

Abstract DsbB is an integral membrane protein responsible for the de novo synthesis of disulfide bonds in Escherichia coli and many other prokaryotes. In the process of transferring electrons from DsbA to a tightly bound ubiquinone cofactor, DsbB undergoes an unusual spectral transition at ∼510 nm. We have utilized this spectral transition to study the kinetic cycle of DsbB in detail using stopped flow methods. We show that upon mixing of Dsb-Box and DsbAred, there is a rapid increase in absorbance at 510 nm (giving rise to a purple solution), followed by two slower decay phases. The rate of the initial phase is highly dependent upon DsbA concentration (k1 ∼5 × 105 m–1 s–1), suggesting this phase reflects the rate of DsbA binding. The rates of the subsequent decay phases are independent of DsbA concentration (k2 ∼ 2 s–1; k3 ∼ 0.3 s–1), indicative of intramolecular reaction steps. Absorbance measurements at 275 nm suggest that k2 and k3 are associated with steps of quinone reduction. The rate of DsbA oxidation was found to be the same as the rate of quinone reduction, suggestive of a highly concerted reaction. The concerted nature of the reaction may explain why previous efforts to dissect the reaction mechanism of DsbB by examining individual pairs of cysteines yielded seemingly paradoxical results. Order of mixing experiments showed that the quinone must be pre-bound to DsbB to observe the purple intermediate as well as for efficient quinone reduction. These results are consistent with a kinetic model for DsbB action in which DsbA binding is followed by a rapid disulfide exchange event. This is followed by quinone reduction, which is rate-limiting in the overall reaction cycle.
Pathway-based classification of cancer subtypes

Background Molecular markers based on gene expression profiles have been used in experimental and clinical settings to distinguish cancerous tumors in stage, grade, survival time, metastasis, and drug sensitivity. However, most significant gene markers are unstable (not reproducible) among data sets. We introduce a standardized method for representing cancer markers as 2-level hierarchical feature vectors, with a basic gene level as well as a second level of (more stable) pathway markers, for the purpose of discriminating cancer subtypes. This extends standard gene expression arrays with new pathway-level activation features obtained directly from off-the-shelf gene set enrichment algorithms such as GSEA. Such so-called pathway-based expression arrays are significantly more reproducible across datasets. Such reproducibility will be important for clinical usefulness of genomic markers, and augment currently accepted cancer classification protocols.
ACTIVE REGIONS AND THE INTERPLANETARY MAGNETIC FIELD.

The relation of solar active regions to the large-scale sector structure of the interplanetary field is discussed. In the winter of 1963–64 (observed by the satellite IMP-1) the plage density was greatest in the leading portion of the sectors and lesser in the trailing portion of the sectors. The boundaries of the sectors (places at which the direction of the interplanetary magnetic field changed from toward the Sun to away from the Sun, or vice versa) were remarkably free of plages. The very fact that since the first observations in 1962 the average interplanetary field has almost always had the property of being either toward the Sun or away from the Sun (along the Archimedean spiral angle) continuously for several days must be considered in the discussion of large-scale evolution of active regions. Using the observed interplanetary magnetic field at 1 AU and a set of reasonable assumptions the magnetic configuration in the ecliptic from 0·4 AU to 1·2 AU has been reconstructed. In at least one case a pattern emerges which appears to be related to the evolution of an active region from an early stage in which the magnetic lines closely couple the preceding and following halves of the region to a later stage in which the two halves of the region are more widely separated.
Phytoremediation management of selenium-laden drainage sediments in the San Luis Drain: a greenhouse feasibility study

Abstract An estimated 100,000 m 3 selenium (Se)-laden drainage sediment resides in the San Luis Drain (SLD) of Central California. This greenhouse study was undertaken to evaluate the feasibility of growing salt- and boron-tolerant plant species in sediment for reduction of Se content by plant extraction. Drainage sediment was collected from the SLD and mixed with control soil (i.e., uncontaminated soil) to the following ratios (sediment:control soil) by volume: 0:3 (i.e., control soil only), 1:2 (i.e., 1/3 sediment and 2/3 control soil), 2:1 (i.e., 2/3 sediment and 1/3 control soil), and 3:0 (i.e., sediment only). Salt-tolerant plant species consisted of canola ( Brassica napus var. Hyola 420), tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea var. Au Triumph), salado grass ( Sporobulus airoides ), and cordgrass ( Spartina patens var. Flageo). Increased ratios of sediment:soil resulted in decreased dry matter production for all tested plant species; especially at ratios of sediment:soil greater than 1:2. Plant Se concentrations (mg kg −1 DM) ranged as follows for plant species at all ratios of sediment:soil: canola (51–72), tall fescue (16–36), and cordgrass and salado grass (9–14). Total Se concentrations in the soil were at least 20% lower at postharvest compared to preplant concentrations for all plant species at each ratio of sediment:soil. In contrast, water-extractable Se concentrations in the soil were at least three times higher at postharvest than at preplant for all plant species, irrespective of the ratio of sediment:soil. Leaching of Se occurred in irrigated bare pots from each respective ratio of sediment:soil over a duration of 60 days. Based upon the downward movement of Se in bare pots of sediment:soil, it may be more prudent to leave the drainage sediment in the SLD, incorporate clean soil, and then grow low maintenance salt-tolerant plants (e.g., cordgrass, salado grass) in the concrete-lined canal. By this means, possible contamination of groundwater with soluble Se will be eliminated, while phytoremediation slowly reduces Se content in the drainage sediment.
Age of Dam and Direct and Maternal Effects on Calf Livability

Abstract The genetic relationships between calf livability (alive or dead) were investigated for first and subsequent parturitions of dams, and genetic correlations between direct and maternal effects were estimated. Data were 95,106 Holstein calvings. Heritabilities of direct effects were .4% for heifers and .6% for cows. The genetic correlation between calf livability for heifers and cows was .32. Regardless of age of dam, calf mortality was more frequent for male than female calves when calf livability was estimated as either a direct or maternal trait. Effects of gestation length on calf livability were quadratic and differed for heifers and cows. Largest rates of survival were with gestation lengths of 276 and 283 days for heifers and cows. Maternal heritabilities (estimated as four times the maternal component of variance divided by the maternal plus residual components) of .5% and .6% and dam heritabilities (estimated as four times the maternal grandsire component of variance divided by the maternal grandsire plus residual component) of .4 and .5% were small for both heifers and cows, respectively.
Fluency of visualizations: linking spatiotemporal visualizations to improve cybersecurity visual analytics

This paper adopts the metaphor of representational fluency and proposes an auto linking approach to help analysts investigate details of suspicious sections across different cybersecurity visualizations. Analysis of spatiotemporal network security data takes place both conditionally and in sequence. Many visual analytics systems use time series curves to visualize the data from the temporal perspective and maps to show the spatial information. To identify anomalies, the analysts frequently shift across different visualizations and the original data view. We consider them as various representations of the same data and aim to enhance the fluency of navigation across these representations. With the auto linking mechanism, after the analyst selects a segment of a curve, the system can automatically highlight the related area on the map for further investigation, and the selections on the map or the data views can also trigger the related time series curves. This approach adopts the slicing operation of the Online Analytical Process (OLAP) to find the basic granularities that contribute to the overall value change. We implemented this approach in an award-winning visual analytics system, SemanticPrism, and demonstrate the functions through two use cases.
The Effects of Leadership Style on Hotel Employees' Commitment to Service Quality

One of the continuing challenges in the hotel industry is providing consistent levels of quality service across units. Although recruitment, selection, and training practices are often standardized across units (within a given market), frontline employees' performance varies. This study examines the role that individual unit management plays in this process by looking at how a manager's commitment to service quality and that person's leadership style affect the way frontline employees do their job. The fundamental implication of this study is that managers who are committed to service quality and employ an empowering leadership style can create a transformational climate that conveys their commitment to quality service to their frontline employees. This leads to employees who are more likely to share the organization's values, who understand their role in the organization, who are more satisfied with their jobs, and who perform at a higher level of quality in serving hotel guests.
The Sustainability of Indonesia's Upland Conservation Projects

The Upland Agricultural and Conservation Project in Central and East Java is representative of Indonesia's upland conservation efforts. An important component of the project was the use of subsidies to promote activities which increased farmer incomes and soil conservation. Two types of subsidies were used: an operating subsidy for annual inputs such as seed, fertiliser and pesticides; and a capital subsidy for terracing and related construction. This study measures the extent to which the effects of the subsidies were sustained over varying periods following termination of the project. The results show that the effects of the operating subsidies are clearly not sustainable; the effects of the capital subsidies may persist longer, but they too are probably not sustainable.
Patterns of use of insulin-sensitizing agents among diabetic, borderline diabetic and non-diabetic women in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys.

AbstractThe purpose of this cross-sectional study based on the 2001–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey is to examine demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle and reproductive characteristics that may distinguish users and non-users of insulin sensitizing agents among the US diabetic, borderline diabetic and non-diabetic women. Use of insulin-sensitizing agents was evaluated among 19 579 (3882 diabetic, 387 borderline diabetic and 15 310 non-diabetic) women. Overall, 2% of women in the study sample were users of insulin-sensitizers, including metformin, rosiglitazone and pioglitazone. Multivariate logistic regression models were constructed for predictors of insulin-sensitizer use according to diabetic status. In the overall sample, being younger or diabetic were the only factors associated with an increased odds of using insulin-sensitizing agents, after adjustment of confounders. Among diabetics, use of insulin-sensitizing agents was inversely related to age, but not other factors in the ...
The role of torque in haptic perception of object location in virtual environments

An experimental study was performed with human subjects to determine the role of torque feedback in purely haptic perception of object location within virtual environments. The experimental hardware consisted of two Phantom haptic interface devices connected by a common stylus. Ray-based rendering technique that models the user-controlled stylus as a line was used for computing collision detection with a virtual object and its force as well as torque response. The subjects were trained with correct-answer feedback to obtain their best performance. Results demonstrate that the most significant improvement in perception occurred during the first training session. They also show that identification of object location by purely haptic cues through a tool can be accomplished in two distinct ways: (1) with full force and torque feedback, even when only tapping with a fixed orientation of the stylus is permitted; and (2) with only force at the stylus tip reflected back to the user, when multiple stylus orientations ('rocking') are allowed in contacting the object. Under these conditions, the estimated JND, which is expected to be an upper bound, ranged from about 22% for the nearest locations to 12% for the farthest locations.
Cytotoxicity of mononuclear cells and vulnerability of hepatocytes in alcoholic fatty liver of baboons.

— Mononuclear cell cytotoxicity against autologous, allogeneic and xenogeneic (rabbit) hepatocytes was investigated in nine baboons fed alcohol for 17–21 months and in nine pair-fed controls. All alcohol-fed animals developed fatty liver. Cytotoxicity of mononuclear cells was not observed when rabbit hepatocytes were used as target cells, but mononuclear cells of alcohol-fed baboons were cytotoxic against hepatocytes of both control animals and hepatocytes from alcohol-fed baboons, including the animals' own hepatocytes. Increased vulnerability of hepatocytes of alcohol-fed baboons was also demonstrated since mononuclear cells of both controls and alcohol-fed animals were more cytotoxic against hepatocytes of alcohol-fed baboons than against those of controls. Thus, autologous and heterologous hepatocytes are more sensitive in the baboon than rabbit hepatocytes in demonstrating cytotoxicity already at the stage of fatty liver. Two factors are contributory: mononuclear cells cytotoxicity and vulnerability of hepatocytes.
Electrifying the base? Aid and incumbent advantage in Ghana

In 1999, the year before Ghana's 2000 election, the country experienced a large, unexpected decline in aid. The incumbent National Democratic Congress (NDC) lost the election. Did the decline in aid hurt the NDC at the polls, or was it simply incidental? Using data from a national, World Bank-funded electrification project, this article shows that the NDC was able to allocate aid according to explicitly political criteria. The article also exploits a quasi-experiment in aid disbursements to show that electrification caused NDC voting to increase in the constituencies that received electrification. Pre-electoral aid fluctuations exert a modest but measurable force on voting patterns. These findings add weight to calls for donors to coordinate to reduce aid volatility. They also show that incumbent governments can allocate aid strategically to secure votes, even under the best-case scenario of strict donor monitoring in an established democracy.
An Analysis of Dual‐Kanban Just‐In‐Time Systems in a Non‐Repetitive Environment

Recent advances in approaches and production technologies for the production of goods and services have made just-in-time (JIT) a strong alternative for use in intermittent and small batch production systems, especially when time-based competition is the norm and a low inventory is a must. However, the conventional JIT system is designed for mass production with a stable master production schedule. This paper suggests supplementing the information provided by production kanbans with information about customer waiting lines to be used by operators to schedule production in each work-station of intermittent and small batch production systems. This paper uses simulation to analyze the effect of four scheduling policy variables—number of kanbans, length of the withdrawal cycle, information about customer waiting lines, and priority rules on two performance measures—customer wait-time and inventory. The results show that using information about customer waiting lines reduces customer wait-time by about 30% while also reducing inventory by about 2%. In addition, the effect of information about customer waiting lines overshadows the effect of priority rules on customer wait-time and inventory.
INTERACTION OF PROTEINS WITH LIPID HEADGROUPS: Lessons from Protein Kinase C

LIPIDS AS REGULATORS OF PROTEIN FUNCTION ...•.••.• • ...•••... 2 PROTEIN KINASE C .........• • •......... ,. ..... 4 Function .... 4 Structure . .. . .... . . . . . 5 INTERACTION OF PROTEIN KINASE C WITH LIPID HEADGROUPS 7 Measuring the Interaction of Protein Kinase C with Lipid Headgroups 7 Specific Interaction with Diacylglycerol 9 Specific Interaction with Phosphatidylserine ...... : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Nonspecific Interaction with Acidic Headgroups ......... 17 Lipid-Induced Conformational Changes 18 Model for Protein Kinase C:Lipid Interaction ... 19 LESSONS FROM PROTEIN KINASE C 21 CONCLUSIONS 22
Developing Negotiation Skills in the Classroom: A Case Simulation

Effective negotiation skills are required in all positions and at all levels of modern organizations. Employees in the human resources department utilize these skills on a daily basis when they deal with such items as new hire packages, salary increases, performance issues, labor contracts, and terminations. Research indicates that by using practical, real-life simulated negotiation scenarios, learners can develop more effective negotiating skills. This paper introduces a case where students can be assigned to a management team or a union team to negotiate a mock collective bargaining agreement. Guidance is provided on how to apply the case in the classroom and facilitate the discussion at the conclusion of the exercise.
Prescription drug abuse communication: A qualitative analysis of prescriber and pharmacist perceptions and behaviors.

Abstract Background Interpersonal communication is inherent in a majority of strategies seeking to engage prescriber and pharmacist health care professionals (HCPs) in the reduction and prevention of prescription drug abuse (PDA). However, research on HCP PDA communication behavioral engagement and factors that influence it is limited. Objectives This study quantitatively examined communication behaviors and trait-level communication metrics, and qualitatively described prescription drug abuse-related communication perceptions and behaviors among primary care prescribers and community pharmacists. Methods Five focus groups ( N = 35) were conducted within the Appalachian Research Network (AppNET), a rural primary care practice-based research network (PBRN) in South Central Appalachia between February and October, 2014. Focus groups were structured around the administration of three previously validated trait-level communication survey instruments, and one instrument developed by the investigators to gauge HCP prescription drug abuse communication engagement and perceived communication importance. Using a grounded theory approach, focus group themes were inductively derived and coded independently by study investigators. Member-checking interviews were conducted to validate derived themes. Results Respondents' trait-level communication self-perceptions indicated low communication apprehension, high self-perceived communication competence, and average willingness to communicate as compared to instrument specific criteria and norms. Significant variation in HCP communication behavior engagement was noted specific to PDA. Two overarching themes were noted for HCP-patient communication: 1) influencers of HCP communication and prescribing/dispensing behaviors, and 2) communication behaviors. Multiple sub-themes were identified within each theme. Similarities were noted in perceptions and behaviors across both prescribers and pharmacists. Conclusions Despite the perceived importance of engaging in PDA communication, HCPs reported that prescription drug abuse communication is uncomfortable, variable, multifactorial, and often avoided. The themes that emerged from this analysis support the utility of communication science and health behavior theories to better understand and improve PDA communication behaviors of both prescribers and pharmacists, and thereby improve engagement in PDA prevention and treatment.
Transformation and Strain Engineering of Tetrahymena

Transformation of Tetrahymena by microinjection of DNA was established 25 years ago. This rather labor-intensive technique has since been shelved, replaced by less time consuming and more efficient methods, electroporation and biolistics. Conjugative electroporation is the method of choice for introducing autonomously replicating, rDNA-based vectors into Tetrahymena. These are maintained as high-copy linear mini-chromosomes. Versatile expression cassettes in these vectors facilitate expression of most genes. Transformation efficiencies are sufficiently high to permit screens using expression libraries. Biolistic transformation is primarily used to introduce DNA for integration into the genome by homologous recombination. This technique has greatly enhanced strain engineering of Tetrahymena through facilitating the disruption of genes (creating targeted knockout cell lines) or epitope-tagging coding regions, allowing researchers to take full advantage of the sequenced genome. The presence of both germline and somatic nuclei in these cells requires different strategies to target DNA to the desired compartment. This presents challenges, including the need to engineer the polygenic macronuclear genome, which has nearly 50 copies of each gene. However, separate manipulation of functionally distinct genomes provides experimental opportunities, especially for the analysis of essential genes, by modifying the silent micronucleus then subsequently examining phenotypes in the next sexual generation. The flexibility to engineer strains as needed makes Tetrahymena a facile system with which to answer many biological questions.