cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Beyond good: great innovations through design

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose that high quality innovations benefit both companies and customers. Most businesses have formal systems to ensure benefit to company, and weaker, informal systems to retain or add value to customers. This paper aims to provide a way to formally apply heuristics designers use (“design thinking”) to maintain a line‐of‐sight to company and customer needs in all decisions from concept through production. This approach should result in offerings that are compelling to customers and are profitable to companies.Design/method/approach – The paper has developed a concept to maximize the contribution of relatively few people in organizations with design thinking heuristics expertise. The concept was developed within Hewlett Packard (HP), and by studying the roles of customer experience, marketing and design organization in other companies. The approach has been validated through establishing new roles on pilot projects and is the basis for architecting the design pr...
Activation of Isolated Lysosomes by Poliovirus-infected Cell Extracts

SEVERAL reports have presented evidence that lysosomes may be involved in the “rapid degenerative type” of cytopathic effect (CPE) caused by certain viruses1–3. Although lysosomal enzymes are apparently able to cause cell damage4, neither the mechanism by which they are released nor their action on the cell during virus infection is understood. Amako and Dales5,6, working with the mengovirus-L cell system, speculated that a cytotoxic protein is synthesized under the regulation of the virus genome, which alters the permeability of the lysosomal membrane and allows the enzymes to leak out. We present here evidence that cell extracts from poliovirus-infected HEp-2 cells release twice the amount of (β-glucuronidase (a lysosomal enzyme) than the non-infected cell extract when exposed to isolated lysosomes at 37° C.
Effect of clay on the corrosion inhibition and dynamic mechanical properties of epoxy ester–polyurea–polysiloxane hybrid coatings

The corrosion resistance of polymeric coatings containing epoxy ester, polyurea, and polymethylhydrosiloxane was significantly improved by the addition of cloisite 15A organoclay. The weight percent of organoclay was varied from 0.5 to 10%. The presence of organoclay in the coatings was confirmed using the Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. The effect of organoclay on the surface energy of the coatings was analyzed by measuring contact angle with a video contact angle analyzer and using water and iodomethane as the probing liquids. The surface energy of the coatings increased with increasing organoclay concentration. The corrosion resistant properties were measured by direct current polarization technique. The addition of organoclay enhanced the corrosion resistance of the coatings, and the best corrosion resistance was shown by coating containing 1% organoclay. The dynamic mechanical property of the coatings was determined using the dynamic mechanical spectrometer. The glass transition temperature of the films decreased significantly with the addition of organoclay up to 1% after which it increased with additional increase in the wt% of organoclay. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Reversible Degradation of Photoluminescence in Si/SiGe Three Dimensional Nanostructures

We report the degradation of low temperature photoluminescence (PL) from Si/SiGe three-dimensional cluster morphology nanostructures under continuous photoexcitation. The PL intensity initially decreases slowly for about 15 minutes, and then decreases rapidly, until only ~ 10% of the original PL intensity remains. A complete recovery of the PL requires restoring the sample temperature to ~ 300K. We propose that a slow accumulation of charge in SiGe clusters enhances the rate of Auger recombination and results in the observed PL degradation.
Mean formation time of human osteons.

With the aid of 19 doubly tetracycline-labelled human bones the mean daily linear decrease in the radius of Haversian canals of newly forming osteons was measured. The mean outside diameters of the...
A Case Study Diagnosis of the Formation of an Upper-Level Cutoff Cyclonic Circulation over the Eastern United States

Abstract The synoptic-scale evolution during the formation phase of a midtropospheric cutoff cyclonic circulation over the eastern United States is diagnosed within the potential vorticity framework using the GALE (Genesis of Atlantic Lows Experiment) case of 18–19 January 1986. The study examines 1) the precursor flow evolution prior to cutoff cyclone formation; 2) the wind, mass, and potential vorticity evolution during the 2-day period encompassing cutoff formation; and 3) the relative contribution of upper-versus lower-tropospheric forcing on the quasigeostrophic height tendency field prior to and during cutoff formation. The primary large-scale features prior to cutoff cyclone formation are an amplifying ridge over the western United States and eastern North Pacific and a diffluent trough over the central United States. The primary smaller-scale feature prior to cutoff formation is a short-wave trough-jet streak system that propagates through the longer-wave-amplifying ridge, and then intensifies upo...
Role of micronutrient elements in the metabolism of higher plants. I. Changes in oxidative enzyme constitution of tomato leaves deficient in micronutrient elements.

Abstract Cell-free extracts of tomato leaves from plants grown on media individually deficient in each of the micronutrient elements showed marked changes in enzymatic constitution. Each deficiency caused an alteration in the over-all enzyme pattern which was characteristic of the micronutrient element in question. The metallo-enzymes such as polyphenol oxidase, ascorbic acid oxidase, and peroxidase lost approximately half their activity in plants deficient in the specific metal concerned. In the cases of all other metal deficiencies, however, polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase were elevated in concentration at least two to six times that of the control. Ascorbic acid oxidase was doubled in zinc- and manganese-deficient material. Glycolic acid dehydrogenase and lactic acid dehydrogenase showed smaller parallel rises averaging a one and a half fold increase in content in zinc- and manganese-deficient plants. Reduced diphosphopyridine nucleotide diaphorase was doubled by copper and manganese deficiencies and was increased to almost one and a half fold by zinc deficiency. Endogenous oxygen uptake in boron-deficient, copper-deficient, and manganese-deficient leaf homogenates was increased, and almost lacking in molybdenum-deficient material. Addition of the metals to the corresponding deficient extracts elicited no change in enzyme activities. Addition of missing ions to corresponding nutrient solutions resulted in varied responses of the already modified enzyme patterns. The results are discussed in relationship to the role of micronutrient elements in the activity and metabolism of catalytic proteins.
Body mass index, obesity, and prevalent gout in the United States in 1988–1994 and 2007–2010

The prevalence of gout is increasing in the United States, a trend attributed in part to the obesity epidemic (1,2). Whether body weight contributes to gout risk via an obesity threshold effect, at a body mass index (BMI) value of 30 kg/m2, or rather in a graduated, progressive fashion across overweight, obese, and severely obese levels, has not been characterized in the general US population. Further, whether the association of BMI with gout persists after adjustment for serum uric acid and other obesity-related medical disorders is unclear. The objectives of the present study are to determine the burden of gout across the full spectrum of BMI, using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in 1988–1994 and 2007–2010. Furthermore, we examine whether the relationship between BMI and gout is applicable in both women and men, and among non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black and Mexican Americans.
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery changes food reward in rats

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB) is currently the most effective treatment for morbid obesity, and clinical studies suggest that RYGB patients change food preferences and the desire to eat. To examine hedonic reactions to palatable foods and food choice behavior in an established rat model of RYGB. Male Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats and selected line obesity-prone rats that were rendered obese on a high-fat diet underwent RYGB or sham surgery and were tested for ‘liking’ and ‘wanting’ of palatable foods at different caloric densities 4–6 months after surgery. Compared with sham-operated (obese) and age-matched lean control rats, RYGB rats of both models exhibited more positive orofacial responses to low concentrations of sucrose but fewer to high concentrations. These changes in ‘liking’ by RYGB rats were translated into a shift of the concentration–response curve in the brief access test, with more vigorous licking of low concentrations of sucrose and corn oil, but less licking of the highest concentrations. The changes in hedonic evaluation also resulted in lower long-term preference/acceptance of high-fat diets compared with sham-operated (obese) rats. Furthermore, the reduced ‘wanting’ of a palatable reward in the incentive runway seen in sham-operated obese SD rats was fully restored after RYGB to the level found in lean control rats. The results suggest that RYGB leads to a shift in hedonic evaluation, favoring low over high calorie foods and restores obesity-induced alterations in ‘liking’ and ‘wanting’. It remains to be determined whether these effects are simply due to weight loss or specific changes in gut–brain communication. Given the emerging evidence for modulation of cortico-limbic brain structures involved in reward mechanisms by gut hormones, RYGB-induced changes in the secretion of these hormones could potentially be mediating these effects.
On the estimation of adequate test set size using fault failure rates

Test set size in terms of the number of test cases is an important consideration when testing software systems. Using too few test cases might result in poor fault detection and using too many might be very expensive and suffer from redundancy. We define the failure rate of a program as the fraction of test cases in an available test pool that result in execution failure on that program. This paper investigates the relationship between failure rates and the number of test cases required to detect the faults. Our experiments based on 11 sets of C programs suggest that an accurate estimation of failure rates of potential fault(s) in a program can provide a reliable estimate of adequate test set size with respect to fault detection and should therefore be one of the factors kept in mind during test set construction. Furthermore, the model proposed herein is fairly robust to incorrect estimations in failure rates and can still provide good predictive quality. Experiments are also performed to observe the relationship between multiple faults present in the same program using the concept of a failure rate. When predicting the effectiveness against a program with multiple faults, results indicate that not knowing the number of faults in the program is not a significant concern, as the predictive quality is typically not affected adversely.
Education-practice partnerships: Faculty practice as faculty development

The importance of establishing service-education partnerships in nursing is well recognized. Many such associations will include provisions for faculty practice, ideally occurring within the context of a comprehensive program that advances clearly stated goals put forth by all participants. We describe the continuing clinical education component of faculty practice, and discuss its place within a hypothetical, broader program. Faculty practice is conceptualized as one aspect of ongoing faculty development.
A survey of prescribing practices in the treatment of depression.

Background: With the increasing number and type of antidepressants available to clinicians, there is a need to better understand current prescribing practices and to what degree these practices reflect research findings. The purpose of this study was to examine prescribing practices in a sample of psychiatrists attending a psychopharmacology review course and compare these results with empirical evidence. Method: 439 of 800 clinicians asked (55%) responded to a 10-item questionnaire that was given prior to beginning the review course. Items covered three major content areas: first-line preferences in the treatment of depression, antidepressant agents most associated with certain side effects, and first-line preferences in the treatment of certain depressive subtypes. Results: 214 (49%) clinicians indicated a belief that one antidepressant type is more efficacious than others. Of these 214 clinicians, 103 (48%) indicated selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as being most efficacious, while 53 (25%) indicated venlafaxine as being most efficacious; 378 (93%) clinicians indicated SSRIs as their first-line treatment preference. Mirtazapine (56%) was endorsed as most likely to be associated with weight gain, fluoxetine (57%) with sexual dysfunction, paroxetine (48%) with a discontinuation syndrome, and fluoxetine (52%) with agitation. For the treatment of anxious, atypical, and melancholic depression, SSRIs were the first choice of treatment (58%, 57%, and 57%), and for depression with prominent insomnia, mirtazapine and nefazadone (31% and 27%) were the first choices of treatment. Conclusions: Despite the lack of evidence of a significant difference in efficacy between older and newer agents, clinicians perceive the newer agents to be more efficacious than the older drugs [tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)] even in the melancholic and anxious depressive subtypes. Similarly, although sexual dysfunction and agitation appear to occur at similar rates with all the SSRIs, fluoxetine was perceived to be most likely to cause these side effects. These findings are significant as they highlight the discrepancy between empirical evidence and clinical practices and suggest that other factors influence clinicians' medication choices in the treatment of depression.
Yield, USDA Grade Factors and Time Requirements for a Beef Partial Hot Fabrication Procedure

No major differences were noted for lean yield or development of USDA grade factors between control (CS) or partial hot fabricated (AS) beef sides. Less time (25%) was necessary for removal of the thin cuts from the AS vs CS sides. Also, AS sides required 67% less energy to chill than did CS sides. Fat removed hot contained more moisture, which could increase rendering costs.
Microwave-Induced Plasma as an Elemental Detector for Packed-Column Supercritical Fluid Chromatography

The direct introduction of supercritical fluid chromatography effluent from a packed DeltaBond 300 phenyl column with the MIP as an elemental detector, using a high efficiency TM010 cavity, has been employed for SFC separations. A toroidal plasma is sustained in the cavity by using an ICP type torch and an argon auxiliary flow (2 L/min) over all pressures (1500-5000 psi). Methanol modifier concentrations (0-5%) have also been studied. Studies of the effects of CO2 on excitation temperature, electron number density, and analyte emission signals are presented. In addition, the background broad-hand emission signal with 100% CO2 and a methanol modifier up to 5% are presented.
Impaired Neurotransmitter Release in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases

Mutations in several causative genes have been linked to monogenic forms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) or Parkinson's disease (PD). To look for possible common pathogenic mechanisms underlying age-related neurodegeneration in AD and PD, we employed genetic approaches to investigate systematically the roles of these gene products (e.g. presenilins (PS) for AD; Parkin, DJ-1, PINK1 and LRRK2 for PD) in the mouse brain, especially in neural circuits that are particularly vulnerable in AD or PD. Our series of genetic studies revealed that PS play cell type-specific roles in the developing brain with the most prominent function in the maintenance of neural progenitor cells. In the adult cerebral cortex, where the pathogenesis of AD occurs, loss of PS results in progressive memory impairment and age-related neurodegeneration. Specifically, PS are involved in the regulation of long-term potentiation and NMDA receptor functions. Interestingly, our further genetic dissection in the hippocampal Schaeffer collateral pathway highlighted the importance of presynaptic PS in the activity-dependent regulation of glutamate release and long-term potentiation induction via modulation of calcium release from intracellular stores. Intriguingly, our independent genetic analysis of Parkin, DJ-1, PINK1 and LRRK2 showed a common defect in activity-dependent dopamine release caused by PD-linked mutations in these genes. Together, our genetic studies suggest that presynaptic dysfunction might be a converging early pathogenic event before neurodegeneration in AD and PD.
Message Integrity Protection over Wireless Channel by Countering Signal Cancellation: Theory and Practice

Physical layer message integrity protection and authentication by countering signal-cancellation has been shown as a promising alternative to traditional pure cryptographic message authentication protocols, due to the non-necessity of neither pre-shared secrets nor secure channels. However, the security of such an approach remained an open problem due to the lack of systematic security modeling and quantitative analysis. In this paper, we first establish a novel correlated jamming framework to study the optimal signal-cancellation attacker's behavior and utility using game-theory, which precisely captures the attacker's knowledge using its correlated channel estimates in various channel environments. Besides, we design a practical physical layer message integrity protection protocol based on ON/OFF keying and Manchester coding, which provides quantitative security guarantees in the real-world. Such a guarantee is achieved by bounding the attacker's knowledge about the future channel via proactively measuring channel statistics (mimic the attacker), so as to derive a lower-bound to the defender's signal-detection probability under optimal correlated jamming attacks. We conduct extensive experiments and simulations to show the security and performance of the proposed scheme. We believe our novel threat modeling and quantitative security analysis methodology can benefit a wide range of physical layer security problems.
Phase diagram of chemisorbed oxygen layer on the tungsten (112) surface

The adsorption of oxygen on the W(112) surface results in an ordered p(2 x 1) structure which exists over a wide range of temperature and submonolayer coverage. By analyzing the low-energy electron diffraction angular profile and peak intensity of the half-order beams as a function of coverage (CTHETA) and temperature (T), the growth and disordering of the overlayer were studied. The order-disorder transition temperature (T/sub c/) depends on the coverage with the highest T/sub c/ obtained at a coverage of 0.5 monolayer (ML). From the coverage-dependent transition temperatures the phase diagram (T-CTHETA) was obtained. Oxygen atoms are only partially mobile at the dissolution temperature of the first-order phase boundary. Adatom-adatom interactions were estimated from the phase diagram. The measured angular width at room temperature also depends on coverage. With the use of an island-size-broadening model, the smallest islands are estimated to be less than 20 A in length, and the largest islands occur at 0.5-ML coverage.
Structural and electronic features important to nπ*–ππ* inversion sensors: synthesis, luminescence, and electrochemical properties of sulfur and chlorine-containing macrocycles. Part 3

The synthesis and structural characterization of anthraquinone-based luminescence macrocycles containing sulfur and chlorine is reported. Luminescence is dependent on both electronic contributions of the substituted quinone and structural features of the binding site, which effect the inversion of nπ* and ππ* states. X-ray crystallographic results of different 1,8-oxybis(ethyleneoxyethyleneoxy)-anthracene-9,10-dione structures is also compared.
The Effects of Serotonin on Prolactin and Growth Hormone Concentrations in Normal and Pituitary Stalk- Sectioned Monkeys*

The effects of serotonin on PRL and GH secretion were studied in normal and pituitary stalk-sectioned female rhesus monkeys. Serotonin was administered iv at doses of 50, 500, and 5000 μg. Pretreatment concentrations of serum PRL were elevated in stalk-sectioned monkeys compared to normal monkeys [34 ± 5 vs. 3 ± 1 ng/ml (mean ± SEM)], while serum GH concentrations were lower in the stalk-sectioned animals (<0.5 vs. 1.3 ± 0.2 ng /ml). In both normal and stalk-sectioned monkeys, the 50-μg dose of serotonin failed to alter PRL concentrations. However, with the 500-μg dose, PRL rose from 3 ± 1 to 22 ± 6 ng /ml in normal monkeys and from 27 ± 6 to 57 ± 10 ng / ml in stalk-sectioned monkeys. Likewise, with the 5000- μg dose, PRL rose from 4 ± 2 to 82 ± 27 and from 30 ± 6 to 75 ± 26 ng / ml in the two respective groups. No dose of serotonin stimulated GH secretion in stalk-sectioned monkeys, although GH did increase from approximately 2 to 4 –11 ng /ml in normal monkeys. Since the pituitary is devoid of direct h...
An integrated simulation modelling framework for decision aids in enterprise software development process

Development of enterprise software systems requires the collaboration of many stakeholders that form a complex social network. The goal of this paper is to propose a novel simulation modelling framework, which will allow the stakeholders to perform what-if analyses before making their decisions. The proposed framework involves four different modelling paradigms, including Bayesian belief network, Belief-Desire-Intention mimicking a human decision, game-theory mimicking interactions of humans with conflicting goals, and system dynamics for an overall software development. The proposed framework is illustrated with a real case study in Kuali, which is an open source project currently under development by nine universities.
The statistics of gravitational lenses. III - Astrophysical consequences of quasar lensing

The method of Schmidt and Green (1983) for calculating the luminosity function of quasars is combined with gravitational-lensing theory to compute expected properties of lensed systems. Multiple quasar images produced by galaxies are of order 0.001 of the observed quasars, with the numbers over the whole sky calculated to be (0.86, 120, 1600) to limiting B magnitudes of (16, 19, 22). The amount of 'false evolution' is small except for an interesting subset of apparently bright, large-redshift objects for which minilensing by starlike objects may be important. Some of the BL Lac objects may be in this category, with the galaxy identified as the parent object really a foreground object within which stars have lensed a background optically violent variable quasar.
Stable coexpression of a drug-resistance gene and a heterologous gene in an ancient parasitic protozoan Giardia lamblia

Manipulation of gene expression in Giardia lamblia, one of the most ancient eukaryotes, may provide insights into the evolutionary transition from prokaryotes to eukaryotes. Two recent successes in transient expression of the firefly luciferase (luc) gene in G. lamblia were mediated by a 5'-untranslated region (UTR) of the Giardia glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) gene and a giardiavirus (GLV) genomic transcript, respectively. We now report a stable coexpression of luc gene with a neomycin phosphotransferase (neo(r)) gene in G. lamblia. An in vitro transcript of the construct pC670-Neo; containing the neo(r) encoding region flanked with the 5'670 nucleotides (nt) and the 3'2022 nt portion of GLV positive strand RNA, was electroporated into G. lamblia trophozoites that were infected with GLV. G418-resistant Giardia trophozoites were cloned, and the neo(r) mRNA in these clones was found to increase with increasing G418 pressure. This drug resistance remained stable upon continuous in vitro cultivation in the absence of G418 for over 15 days. Another plasmid pNeo/GDH/Luc, was constructed by inserting luc gene downstream from the neo(r) gene and the 193 nt 5' portion of gdh gene in pC670-Neo, and its bicistronic in vitro transcript was introduced into GLV-infected G. lamblia by electroporation. The transfectants demonstrated G418-resistance and persistent luciferase activity at levels parallel to the amount of G418 used for selection, peaking at a level of several thousand-fold above the background. Taken together, these data indicate that the neo(r) gene provides an effective selection marker for transformation of Giardia trophozoites, and the bicistronic RNA transfection vector may open the way for functional analysis of other genes in Giardia.
Microcomputer applications in an industrial engineering curriculum

Abstract This paper discusses the present use of micro computers in an industrial engineering curriculum. The design and contents of a required undergraduate course in the subject is presented. The objective of the course is to introduce students to software application packages and give students insight into which software application packages are best suited for particular problems. This is a survey course with a 3 hour laboratory which gives the students hands-on experience on how to utilize the software discussed in the lectures. Issues such as computer literacy requirements for IE students and faculty, laboratory requirements (hardware and software) for a successful course, and other computer related topics will be discussed.
Uniform variable light sources for instrument calibration.

Light sources with uniform variable luminance field designed for calibrating cameras used in space exploration
A proposed index for measuring agreement in test-retest studies

Abstract This paper is concerned with measuring agreement in test-retest studies of reliability. Discussion is confined principally to the 2 × 2 case. The commonly used index of agreement is calculated as the number of subjects identically classified by both test and retest divided by the total number of individuals classified. The inadequacies of this index (referred to as the index of ‘crude agreement’ and denoted by A) are discussed. In light of the deficiencies of A, an index of ‘adjusted agreement’ denoted by A1 is proposed: A 1 = 1 4( a a + b + a a + c + d c + d + d b + d ) , where a and d are the cells of agreement; b and c the cells of disagreement. By the nature of its construction, A1 yields the very useful result that expected agreement (based on observed marginals) is always 1 2 or 50 per cent. The two indexes A and A1 are compared by utilizing numerical examples and by application to published studies. The limitations of A1 are discussed. A test of significance for the 2 × 2 case, and the extension of A1 to the n × n case are considered.
Does Casual Sex Harm College Students’ Well-Being? A Longitudinal Investigation of the Role of Motivation

Engagement in casual sex (or hooking up) is generally feared to have negative well-being consequences; however, empirical evidence is inconclusive, pointing toward potential moderators. Using self-determination theory (SDT), we hypothesized that well-being following hookups would depend on the type and level of motivation for hooking up. A university-wide sample of 528 undergraduates completed online surveys at the beginning (T1) and end (T3) of one academic year. After controlling for demographics, personality traits (i.e., neuroticism and extraversion), prior casual and romantic sex, and T1 well-being, having genital hookups between T1 and T3 for non-autonomous reasons (i.e., due to self-imposed pressures, external contingencies and controls, or complete lack of intentionality) was linked to lower self-esteem, higher depression and anxiety, and more physical symptoms. Autonomous hookup motivation (i.e., emanating from one’s self) was not linked to any outcomes. Compared to peers without hookups, those with high non-autonomy in their hookups typically had inferior well-being; this was not true of those with low non-autonomy hookups. Gender differences, implications for SDT and casual sex research, and implications for educational programs and clinical work are discussed.
Saving office practice

Fewer medical students are choosing office practiceoriented careers in medicine. Medical information technology will greatly improve the efficiency of office practice and make it a more attractive ...
Effects of ascorbic acid supplements and a diet marginal in copper on indices of copper nutriture in women

Biochemical indicators of copper status were studied in young women housed in a metabolic unit for 135 days. The women were fed a diet low in Cu (0.67 mg/d), that was supplemented with 1.5 g of ascorbic acid and variable amounts of copper. Copper balance was not significantly affected by diet. Plasma copper and monoamine oxidase, and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase were not affected by dietary copper or by ascorbic acid. Enzymatic (CpENZ), but not immunoreactive (CpRID), ceruloplasmin was lower at the end of low copper intake and high ascorbic acid intake periods. The specific activity of ceruloplasmin (CpENZ/CpRID) was significantly lower at the end of the ascorbic acid period (1.26) than at either the end of control (1.81) or repletion (1.80) periods, and slightly lower than after only low copper intake (1.44). Cytochrome-c oxidase activities in platelets and leukocytes were significantly affected by copper intake, but not ascorbic acid intake. These findings indicate that the specific activity of ceruloplasmin and cytochrome-c oxidase activity of platelets and white cells may be sensitive indicators of copper status, and that ascorbic acid supplements do not markedly affect commonly measured indices of copper metabolism, except for the specific activity of ceruloplasmin in young women.
Identifying individual mountain lions Felis concolor by their tracks: refinement of an innovative technique

Abstract This study refines a method reported by Smallwood and Fitzhugh (Smallwood, K.S., Fitzhugh, E.L., 1993. A rigorous technique for identifying individual mountain lions Felis concolor by their tracks. Biological Conservation 65, 51–59) that attempted to discriminate between individual mountain lions by certain measurements of their tracks in the field. During the months of January–March 1996, we followed 10 radio-collared mountain lions in the Sierra Nevada of California and obtained photographs of their tracks in the soil and snow under many different environmental conditions. Linear and area measurements were determined from track photographs and Fisher’s discriminant analysis was used to differentiate between each track set. Unlike the Smallwood and Fitzhugh analysis, we were certain about the identity of most of the mountain lions that made tracks. Our results indicate that track sets had both correct and incorrect “groupings” and that these groupings were sensitive to the type of substrate in which a track set was found, the time of day it was photographed, and the number of tracks in a set. In general, it is important to minimize variation associated with substrate and time of day between track sets and to concentrate on sets that contain three or more tracks. This technique has potential application in wildlife conservation; however, the cautionary guidelines, developed in this paper, should be considered.
Inducible Hemolytic Activity in Mercenaria Mercenaria Hemolymph

Abstract A naturally-occurring hemolysin directed against mammalian erythrocytes was found in the cell-free hemolymph, shell liquor, and hemocytes of the clam Mercenaria . The activity of the hemolysin showed some specificity as to erythrocyte type, was temperature-dependent, and required the presence of divalent cations. Experimental wounding was followed by a significant increment in hemolysin activity that persisted for at least 3 days. Injection of mammalian erythrocytes produced a further elevation of activity of shorter duration. No additional augmentation of activity resulted from multiple injections of erythrocytes. Presumably this humoral factor serves a protective function in the host, possibly related to antimicrobial activity. At this time there is no evidence to suggest any more than a superficial analogy between this hemolytic factor and vertebrate complement.
Using Gold Nanoparticles as Artificial Defects in Thin Films: What Have We Learned About Laser-Induced Damage Driven by Localized Absorbers?

There is general agreement that localized absorbing defects are a major factor affecting thin-film performance, and laser-induced damage in films designed for UV, nanosecond-scale, pulsed-laser applications is driven by nanoscale absorbers. Low number densities and size (few nanometer), however, prevent any characterization of these defects and, consequently, deterministic film improvement. This situation also hampers further development of localized defect-driven damage theory, since initial conditions for modeling remain uncertain. Recently, a new approach for studying laser interaction with thin-film nanoscale defects was implemented in which well-characterized, isolated artificial absorbing defects (gold nanoparticles) were introduced inside the thin film. This work is a review in which we discuss main findings from experiments with gold nanoparticles, such as delocalization of absorption during the laser pulse, importance of the defect boundary conditions (contact with the matrix), and competition of pure thermal and stress-driven mechanisms of damage-crater formation. These experimental results will be compared with theoretical results of damage-crater formation in such model thin films using both phenomenological modeling and detailed calculations of the kinetics of the damage process. An outlook on future thin-film-damage studies using model systems with artificial defects is also presented.
The transfer of production from rich to poor countries

Abstract A model with two countries, three factors, and a continuum of goods is used to explain why manufacturing production is being transferred from more to less developed countries over time. The three factors are labor, capital, and infrastructure, where labor and infrastructure are immobile internationally but capital is perfectly mobile through direct investment. Production of a good shifts from the rich to the poor country when lower poor country costs attract direct investment from the rich country. This direct investment is assumed to carry with it the necessary technological and marketing know-how. It is shown that only by adding to its stocks of immobile factors of production will one country lower its relative costs and thus expand the range of goods it produces domestically at the expense of the other country. It is also shown that given optimal investment behavior the stock of infrastructure in the poor country will grow faster than in the rich country. Taking endowments of labor as given, it follows that production must be transferred continuously over time. This process ends because there is enough relative change in the two countries' infrastructure-labor endowment ratios to allow factor-price equalization and incomplete specialization in production.
DYNAMIC CRITERIA REVISITED: A LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF PERFORMANCE STABILITY AND PREDICTIVE VALIDITY

The concept of dynamic criteria has been the subject of a recent debate regarding both the definition and prevalence of the phenomenon (Austin, Humphreys, & Hulin, 1989; Barrett & Alexander, 1989; Barrett, Caldwell, & Alexander, 1985). The present paper questions the adequacy of the conceptual framework underlying the debate and provides data supporting a refined concept of dynamic criteria. The incidence and possible causes of change in relative performance were investigated using weekly performance data from 509 sewing machine operators. Analyses were conducted to determine the degree of performance consistency, potential moderators of consistency, and the stability of predictor-criteria relationships using multiple predictors and criteria. Results revealed a steady decline in performance stability coefficients as the interval between measures increased. This decay was evident regardless of employees' prior job experience, cognitive ability, or psychomotor ability. Analyses of predictive validity coefficients revealed temporal changes in validity for both objective and subjective criteria, but not in the expected direction. The validity of cognitive ability increased, the validity of psychomotor ability was stable, and that of prior job experience decreased over time. Implications for theory and research are discussed.
La France en Chantant: The Rhetorical Construction of French Identity in Songs of the Resistance Movement

During the German Occupation from 1940 to 1944, members of the French Resistance sang folk songs to legitimize their movement in the face of widespread support for collaboration and brutal police attacks. Reprising a performative tradition of French political singing, Resistance fighters deployed national narratives and parody to define themselves as transhistorical French heroes while also practicing democratic forms they sought to safeguard. In this way, the songs represented resisters as the guardians of true “Frenchness,” an identity that excluded collaborators from the national community and robbed them of political legitimacy.
Children affected by maternal HIV/AIDS: Feasibility and acceptability trial of the Children United with Buddies (CUB) intervention:

Past research has shown that young children affected by maternal HIV present with elevated stress/anxiety and negative well-being. This pilot intervention for children age 7 – 14 affected by maternal HIV targeted improving positive child/mother communication, improving HIV/AIDS knowledge and reducing anxiety (especially related to transmission), and lessening feelings of stigma. Each of the three child intervention sessions included behavioral skills training and a themed craft exercise; mothers attended an open discussion group while the children attended their sessions. Study participants were 37 child/mother pairs. The study design was a randomized 2-group pretest-posttest experimental design. In addition, the intervention sessions were audiotaped for transcription. Results showed significant decreases in anxiety and worry for children in the intervention group, and increases in happiness and HIV/AIDS knowledge regarding transmission. Intervention group mothers reported greater social support. Qualitative findings for the intervention group children and mothers also support these findings. Early intervention reduces child stress, and may affect longer-term outcomes.
Studies on the application of salts of complex cations to the microscopic detection of anions II. 1,6-Dinitritotetramminocobaltic chloride (Croceocobaltic Chloride)

The following anions gave characteristic crystalline reaction products with dinitritotetramminocobaltic chloride:— bifluoride, chromate, dichromate, orthovanadate, oxalate and sulfite. The crystallizations obtained with oxalate, chromate, dichromate and bifluoride ions are sufficiently characteristic to be useful for the detection and identification of these anions.
Early experience with sour and bitter solutions increases subsequent ingestion

Abstract Rats exposed to quinine or citric acid solutions during nursing, during the early postweaning period, or during both nursing and early postweaning showed a modification in their voluntary ingestion of these substances. With quinine, the most effective period of exposure was after weaning. Rats exposed to quinine during the post weaning period or in adulthood showed increased quinine ingestion. Rats exposed to quinine during nursing, however, did not show increased quinine ingestion even if additional exposure to quinine was given postweaning. In contrast, rats exposed to citric acid while nursing showed an increased voluntary ingestion of citric acid compared to animals exposed to citric acid either after weaning or not exposed to citric acid at all. Both sour and bitter tastes are commonly thought to be innately aversive substances; however, with appropriate developmental experience, an animal's response to bitter and sour substances can be modified. The alteration of expected taste preferences or aversions through experience may be seen as one mechanism accounting for certain human food preferences.
Reliability and input-data induced uncertainty of the EPIC model to estimate climate change impact on sorghum yields in the U.S. Great Plains

Abstract Crop simulation models are frequently used to estimate the impact of climate change on crop production. However, few studies have evaluated the model performance in ways that most researchers practiced in climate impact studies. In this article, we examined the reliability of the EPIC model in simulating grain sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench ) yields in the U.S. Great Plains under different climate scenarios, namely in years with normal or extreme temperature and precipitation. We also investigated model uncertainties introduced by input data that are not site-specific but commonly used or available for climate change studies. Historical field trial data of sorghum at the Mead Experimental Center, NE, were used for model evaluations. The results showed that overall model reliability was about 56%. The mean absolute relative error (absRE) was about 29%. The degree of accuracy and reliability varied with climate-classes and nitrogen (N)-treatments. The largest bias occurred in drought years (RE = −25%) and the most unreliable results were found in N-0 treatment (reliability = 32%). There was more than 69% probability that input-data-induced uncertainties were limited to less than 20% of absRE. Our results support the application of the EPIC model to climate change impact studies in the U.S. Great Plains. However, efforts are needed to improve the accuracy in simulating crop responses to extreme water- and nitrogen-stressed conditions.
Introducing EMC into the curriculum for the first time: experiences in achieving depth and breadth

This paper will detail the approach used to incorporate EMC into an electrical engineering curriculum. This paper is based upon the efforts of starting such a course at the author's university, and lays out the steps involved in starting the program, accumulating the necessary resources, tailoring the material to local needs and implementing the proposed educational approach. Examples of minimodules as well as course outline will be provided for those interested in implementing such an approach are shared to assist those starting a program in avoiding some of the pitfalls inherent in any new undertaking. The paper provides a report on how the approach was received by students and the other faculty members who were served by this class. Proposed changes for future offerings are presented.
THE POLITICAL EVOLUTION OF PRINCIPAL-AGENT MODELS

▪ Abstract With tools borrowed from the economic analysis of insurance, principal-agency theory has allowed political scientists new insights into the role of information asymmetry and incentives in political relationships. It has given us a way to think formally about power as the modification of incentives to induce actions in the interests of the principal. Principal-agency theory has evolved significantly as political scientists have sought to make it more applicable to peculiarly political institutions. In congressional oversight of the bureaucracy, increasing emphasis has been placed on negotiation of administrative procedures, rather than the imposition of outcome-based incentives, as originally conceived. Awareness of the problem of credible commitment has impelled more dramatic reformulations, in which agents perform their function only when their interests conflict with those of the principal, and they are guaranteed some degree of autonomy. The ‘political master’ finds himself in the position o...
Synergistic Effect between Defect Sites and Functional Groups on the Hydrolysis of Cellulose over Activated Carbon

The chemical oxidation of activated carbon by H2 O2 and H2 SO4 is investigated, structural and chemical modifications are characterized, and the materials are used as catalysts for the hydrolysis of cellulose. Treatment with H2 O2 enlarges the pore size and imparts functional groups such as phenols, lactones, and carboxylic acids. H2 SO4 treatment targets the edges of carbon sheets primarily, and this effect is more pronounced with a higher temperature. Adsorption isotherms demonstrate that the adsorption of oligomers on functionalized carbon is dominated by van der Waals forces. The materials treated chemically are active for the hydrolysis of cellulose despite the relative weakness of most of their acid sites. It is proposed that a synergistic effect between defect sites and functional groups enhances the activity by inducing a conformational change in the glucan chains if they are adsorbed at defect sites. This activates the glycosidic bonds for hydrolysis by in-plane functional groups.
Evaluation of solar wind-magnetosphere coupling functions during geomagnetic storms with the WINDMI model

[1] We evaluate the performance of three solar wind-magnetosphere coupling functions in training the physics-based WINDMI model on the 3–7 October 2000 geomagnetic storm and predicting the geomagnetic Dst and AL indices during the 15–24 April 2002 geomagnetic storm. The rectified solar wind electric field, a coupling function by Siscoe, and a recent formula proposed by Newell are evaluated. The Newell coupling function performed best in both the training and prediction phases for Dst prediction. The Siscoe formula performed best during the training phase in reproducing the AL faithfully and capturing storm time events. The rectified driver was discovered to be the best in overall performance during both training as well as prediction phases, even though the other two coupling functions outperform it in the training phase. The results indicate that multiple drivers need to be concurrently employed in space weather models to yield different possible levels of geomagnetic activity.
Effect of Prepartum Feeding on Milk Yield and Calf Growth Rate in Limited-Suckled and Nonsuckled Buffaloes

Two experiments were conducted to measure response to prepartum feeding using 101 Nili-Ravi buffaloes of mixed ages and lactation numbers. Nutritional treatment was initiated approximately 75 d before calving and stopped at parturition. Levels of prepartum feeding were moderate and high in Experiment 1 and high and very high in Experiment 2. Estimated daily intakes of metabolizable energy by buffaloes on moderate, high, and very high intake treatments were 31.9, 45.8, and 50.6 Mcal, respectively. Prepartum feeding affected the BW gain by buffaloes in both experiments. Yields of milk and milk fat for first 75 d were greater for buffaloes on higher prepartum feeding treatments. In Experiment 2, buffaloes suckled for a limited time produced more milk than nonsuckled buffaloes, but the difference was small. Calf birth weight increased with increasing prepartum feeding in both experiments. Gain in BW of buffalo calves from birth to 75 d of age had no relationship with birth weight. In Experiment 2, calf weight gain was influenced by the interaction of dam's prepartum feeding and suckling. In conclusion, improvement in prepartum feeding can be used to increase milk yield and birth weight of Nili-Ravi buffaloes.