cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Crosslinking on Thermal and Microscopic Transitions of Rice Starch

Abstract Nonwaxy rice starch was crosslinked using sodium trimetaphosphate and sodium tripolyphosphate to obtain different degrees of crosslinking (9.2, 26.2 and 29.2%). Rice starch suspensions were heated from −40 to 100 °C at 2 °C/min 1) in a Differential Scanning Calorimeter and 2) under a light and polarized light microscope, in order to analyze for glass and/or melting transitions. The size of the starch granules increased with increasing temperature; the onsets for dramatic increase in size were approximately 55 °C for native and control samples and approximately 60 °C for crosslinked samples. A twostep swelling pattern was observed above 55 °C corresponding with the biphasic endothermic peaks as well as the discontinued (biphasic) loss in birefringence (due to heterogeneity in transition temperature). No disruption of granules was observed in any crosslinked samples. The low temperature transition (55–70 °C) involved both a loss in molecular order (possibly also melting) and swelling which were partly inhibited by crosslinking. Crosslinking delayed the gelatinization process (without decreasing total enthalpy) by restricting swelling and reducing the hydration of starch. No evidence of glass transition was observed in any samples studied.
Mapping goal alignment of deployment programs for alternative fuel technologies: An analysis of wide-scope grant programs in the United States

Abstract Governments have attempted to advance alternative fuels (AFs) in the on-road transportation sector with the goal of addressing multiple environmental, energy security, economic growth, and technology transition objectives. However there is little agreement, at all governmental levels, on how to prioritize goals and how to measure progress towards goals. Literature suggests that a consistent, aligned, and prioritized approach will increase the effectiveness of deployment efforts. While literature states that goal alignment and prioritization should occur, there are few studies suggesting how to measure the alignment of deployment programs. This paper presents a methodology for measuring goal alignment by applying the theories of goal ambiguity. It then demonstrates this methodology within the context of fuel- and project-neutral (wide-scope) grant programs directed toward AF deployment. This paper analyzes forty-seven (47) wide-scope federal, state, and regional grant programs in the United States, active between 2006 and 2011. On the whole, governments most use deployment grant programs to address environmental concerns and are highly aligned in doing so between agency levels. In contrast, there is much less consensus (and therefore goal alignment) on whether or how governments should address other priorities such as energy security, economic growth, and technology transition.
ADH1B*1, ADH1C*2, DRD2 (-141C Ins), and 5-HTTLPR are associated with alcoholism in Mexican American men living in Los Angeles.

Background: The aim of the present study was to use a candidate gene approach to identify the genetic risk factors for alcoholism in Mexican Americans residing in the Los Angeles area. The genes selected include alcohol metabolizing genes and neurotransmitter genes, which have been shown in the literature to be associated with alcoholism in other ethnic groups. Methods: Thirteen allelic variants from seven genes were evaluated for their role in alcoholism using alcoholic (n= 200) and nonalcoholic (n= 251) Mexican Americans. Those polymorphic sites include alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH1B, ADH1C), aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2), cytochrome P-450 2E1 (CYP2E1) TaqI, DraI, RsaI, dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) TaqI A, B, intron 6, exon 7, −141C Ins/Del, serotonin transporter (5-HTTLPR), and GABAA receptor β3 subunit (GABRβ3). Results: The results demonstrate that Mexican Americans have extremely low allele frequency for both ALDH2*2 and ADH1B*2 and a relatively high frequency of ADH1C*2 and CYP2E1 c2 alleles. ADH1B*1, ADH1C*2, DRD2 (−141C Ins), and 5-HTTLPR were associated with alcoholism in Mexican Americans (p < 0.05). DRD2 Ins was associated with alcoholism in those alcoholics who carried the ADH1B*2 or ADH1C*1 protective alleles (p= 0.032 in genotype level and p= 0.015 in allele level). DRD2 TaqI A and B alleles were associated with early age of onset for drinking (p= 0.016 for TaqI A1 and p= 0.049 for TaqI B1 allele). Conclusions: Together, the data reveal unique genetic patterns in Mexican Americans that may be in part responsible for the heightened risk for alcoholism and alcohol-associated health problems in this population.
Is the updated Schwartz formula appropriate for assessing renal function prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Assessing renal function is an integral part of evaluating pediatric patients for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The most accurate method is DTPA-Tc-(99m) GFR testing. However, it is costly and time consuming. The Schwartz formula, which was recently updated, represents an inexpensive and readily available alternative. We assessed agreement between the original and updated formula and DTPA-Tc-(99m) in 107 patients who were being evaluated for HSCT. Agreement between both formulas and DTPA-Tc-(99m) was poor, although the updated formula performed marginally better. The Schwartz formulas do not appear to be accurate enough to be used for pre-transplant kidney function evaluation.
Designing a Pedagogy for an IT Security Course and Textbook

This paper describes how the author designed his IT security course and his IT security textbook, ⧼name withheld for anonymity⧽. The paper describes the issues and tradeoffs that all teachers will have to face when they design introductory IT security courses for information systems (IS) students (as opposed to computer science students).
Evidence on age and ethnic status bias in factor scores and the comparison score for the AAMD adaptive behavior scale-school edition

Abstract This report analyzes the contribution of gender, ethnic status, age, and school classification to the five factor scores and the comparison score of the Adaptive Behavior Scale-School Edition (ABS-SE). These factor scores were derived from extensive analysis of the performance of subjects of different ages and different levels of mental retardation. The comparison score evolved from discriminant analysis of the factor scores and is computed as a weighted sum of the three factor scores from Part One of the ABS-SE. The results of the ANOVAs conducted to test the main and interaction effects showed significant mean differences between normal, mildly retarded, and moderately to severely retarded subjects over the age range from 3 through 16 years on the ABS-SE factor and comparison scores. In general, there was no significant contribution of either gender or ethnic status to scores from ages 7 through 16, but there was a significant difference attributable to ethnic status with a meaningful amount of explained variance in the community and self-sufficiency and comparison scores of subjects aged 3–6. Although these differences were significant, children 3–6 years old classified as white did not necessarily perform better on all factor scores than those of minority ethnic groups. Discussion of the results in the context of contemporary criteria for test bias and of competing explanations for ethnic group differences in performance of young children on the ABS-SE follows the presentation of the findings. The results provide additional evidence for the validity of the ABS-SE factor and comparison scores and show that in general the factor and comparison scores are not affected by gender or ethnic status.
Origins of the unusual hygroscopicity observed in LY297802 tartrate.

Hygroscopicity is an important physical property of drug materials, which can significantly impact physicochemical stability and bulk processing and handling characteristics. Although moisture sorption behavior is routinely investigated for pharmaceutical compounds, the nature of water?solid interactions is generally not well-understood at the molecular level for nonstoichiometric or variable hydrates. The unusual hygroscopic behavior of the muscarinic agonist, LY297802 tartrate, has been investigated using moisture sorption analysis, solid-state NMR (SSNMR) spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. LY297802 tartrate shows a unique tendency to form nonstoichiometric hydrates of variable, but specific, composition, with water content varying continuously from 0 to 0.5 mol (hemihydrate). The propensity of this crystal form to rapidly equilibrate with the humidity in the environment may be rationalized in terms of a sequential migration of the weakly bound water of hydration in to and out of readily accessible hydrogen-bonding sites in the lattice.
The homosexual subculture at worship: A participant observation study

The author worked for ten months as Director of Christian Education at a church serving the homophile community of a large metropolitan area. Using the method of participant observation, he concluded that the group is attempting to solve two problems centering on their sexual orientation and their religious needs. Past social conditioning has told the group that they cannot be bothChristian andhomosexual. The group resolves this cognitive dissonance by emphasizing the message that God loves all men, including homosexuals. This religious message is, contrary to expectations, expressed in theologically conservative language.
Attributes of deficient immunity in mice receiving Coccidioides immitis Spherule vaccine by the intravenous route.

Mice vaccinated by intramuscular doses of Coccidioides immitis spherules (formalin-killed) acquired strong immunity to otherwise lethal infections produced by the intranasal instillation of arthrospores. However, comparable doses of vaccine given intravenously induced only weak immunity. Associated immunologic responses of delayed dermal hypersensitivity, restricted fungal proliferation in vivo, the magnitude of the inflammatory cell reaction, and the susceptibility of leukocytes to undergo lysis in the presence of blood and coccidioidal antigens were very weak in intravenously-treated mice but strong in those that had been immunized by the intramuscular route. The findings emphasize the importance of the vaccinating route in assessing immunogenicity in the Coccidioides-mouse model.
Fire ant trail pheromones: Analysis of species specificity after gas chromatographic fractionation

Abstract The specificity of the trail pheromones of four Solenopsis species was determined using natural trails. Dufour's gland extracts, and purified fractions from Dufour's gland extracts collected after gas-chromatographic separation. S. richteri and S. invicta possess species-specific major trail pheromones, while S. geminata and S. xyloni appear to have a common trail pheromone. Preliminary chemical characterization of the main trail pheromone of S. richteri indicates a M.W. of 218 and empirical formula of C16H26. The trail pheromone system of S. richteri consists of a blend of compounds and this phenomenon may also occur in the other species. The lowest concentration of their trail pheromone that workers of S. richteri could detect was about 10 fg per cm. The significance of blends of pheromones being utilized to generate chemical trails is discussed.
HIGHWAY PAVEMENT DISTRESS EVALUATION: MODELING MEASUREMENT ERROR

Abstract There has been a proliferation of inspection technologies to quantify distresses on highway pavement systems. These technologies employ varying measurement principles and are subject to measurement errors. Estimates of measurement errors are therefore required in order to select among these techniques, and to get accurate assessments of pavement condition. There is abundant literature concerning techniques available for the numerical study of measurement errors. Available techniques include econometric methods of coping with errors in variables when investigating relationships between variables that have been measured with error; calibration approaches under various measurement conditions; and evaluation of measurement errors due to quantification, by a proxy, of concepts that are not directly measurable or observable. The methodologies employed in these techniques rely on certain assumptions for model development and estimation. These assumptions include the nature of error occurrence, whether systematic or random; the effect of these errors on the measured result, whether multiplicative or additive; and the level of knowledge about the true value of the measured object. Such assumptions may be violated under certain conditions. This paper identifies such situations and develops a generalized measurement error modeling approach, in which existing approaches are special cases. Existing methods are reviewed as to the specification models used to represent measurement errors; the types of errors accounted for in the suggested specification model; the type of errors not accounted for and the biases induced in estimated parameters by ignoring certain error types. The approach developed is capable of quantifying the accuracy of measurement for cases where the true value of the measured object is not known. This is the case in highway pavement distress evaluation as there is no single well-accepted technology which can be used as a proxy for the value for calibration purposes. The methodology developed in this paper explicitly estimates the true value and is applied to the calibration of new technologies for highway distress evaluation.
Magnetic Bistability of Co Nanodots

Size-dependent magnetic single-domain versus vortex state stability of $\mathrm{Co}/\mathrm{Ru}(0001)$ nanodots is explored with spin-polarized low-energy electron microscopy, analytical modeling, and micromagnetic simulations. We show that both single-domain and vortex states can be stabilized in a broad region near the phase boundary. The calculated width of the bistability region and temperature dependent heights of the energy barriers between both states agree well with our experimental findings.
Deficiencies in the way scattering parameters are taught

The scattering parameters are fundamental in the characterization of electrical devices at high frequencies. They are particularly useful for analyzing multiport high-frequency and microwave networks. However, they are not adequately presented in most, if not all, microwave engineering books. This paper identifies two common deficiencies in the way scattering parameters are being presented in these books. It provides additional information that should supplement those books or book chapters on scattering parameters.
Multicomponent diffusion—A brief review

Abstract After a brief summary of previous work on multicomponent diffusion theory, we review how the thermodynamics of irreversible processes leads us to an expression for the generalized driving force for diffusion. We then give the generalized Fick’s law expression containing the diffusivities D α γ ; then we show how this may be turned “wrong-side out” using Merk’s method to give the generalized Maxwell–Stefan equations containing the diffusivities Ð 12 ≡ x 1 x 2 / C 12 . Finally, we show how the latter are related to the diffusivities D 12 that are usually reported in the literature. All results are applicable to gases or liquids. This review is restricted to presenting the basic theory in a consistent notation, and not to the applications of the theory.
Meta-analysis in library and information science : Method, history, and recommendations for reporting research

Meta-analysis is a method for summarizing statistical fi ndings across multiple research studies. It is a useful method for assessing the level of agreement or disagreement surrounding a given research question. The ability to perform meta-analysis is dependent on the level of consistency in measures and the amount of data shared in published research. Guidelines to minimum standards for reporting research may improve the quality of writing in published research. Inconsistencies in reporting research fi ndings across studies, failing to provide enough detail on method and instrumentation to facilitate replication, and the multiplicity of different operational defi nitions or measures for the same concept all pose diffi culties to successfully attempting any form of research synthesis. This article presents a methodological explanation of meta-analysis, a literature review describing the application of meta-analysis in library and information science, and guidelines for reporting quantitative research that would enable subsequent researchers to perform meta-analysis.
Noninvasive diagnosis and ophthalmic features of mucolipidosis type IV.

Abstract Objective To comprehensively describe the ophthalmic characteristics of patients with mucolipidosis type IV. Design Prospective natural history study. Participants Twenty-two patients with confirmed mucolipidosis type IV. Methods or testing External and slit-lamp examination with dilated funduscopy, photography of corneal and retinal lesions, and exfoliative conjunctival cytology were performed. Main outcome measures Grading of corneal, optic nerve, retinal vasculature, and pigmentary abnormalities. Results All patients exhibited some degree of corneal epithelial haze, optic nerve pallor, retinal vascular attenuation, and retinal pigment epithelial changes. The associated ocular findings observed in decreasing order of frequency were strabismus, corneal erosion, cataract, corneal abnormalities, fundus abnormalities, and ptosis. The older patients were significantly more likely to demonstrate severe optic nerve pallor, retinal vascular attenuation, and corneal epithelial haze. Conjunctival cytologic studies showed characteristic lysosomal inclusions on light and electron microscopy. Conclusions Patients with mucolipidosis type IV have characteristic ophthalmic features, most of which have a progressive course. Conjunctival cytologic studies help confirm the diagnosis of this disorder.
Fading and interference mitigation in multi-antenna wireless transmission

In this paper, we propose a transmitter based scheme to simultaneously mitigate fading to a desired receiver and co-channel interference to an interferee. We focus on downlink transmission at the base station with multiple antennas at transmit and a single receiver at the intended and interferee receivers. We show how appropriate pre-coding and space-time coding can be combined to maximize link performance subject to a specified degree of co-channel interference suppression and assuming a limited amount of information at the transmitter. The resulting solution is compared to transmit beamforming and demonstrates performance improvements due to the additional transmit diversity extracted. In addition, we propose a suboptimal but low complexity implementation of the technique and a modification of the technique to account for errors in the parameters used by the transmitter.
Predicting backscatter characteristics from micron- and submicron-scale ultrasound contrast agents using a size-integration technique

In this paper, a computationally, inexpensive, size-integration method based on a modified Rayleigh-Plesset model is developed to predict backscatter spectra from groups of bubbles with various size distributions, incident acoustic amplitudes, and driving frequencies. The method was validated using experimentally measured spectra from contrast bubbles of various sizes: Optisonreg, Levovistreg, ST68reg microbubbles, and submicron bubbles. This method provides a computationally inexpensive means of examining backscatter spectrum from multiple bubbles, especially in predicting occurrence and relative amplitude of subharmonics and second harmonics
Effect of Bed Armoring on Bed Topography of Channel Bends

The two-dimensional numerical model previously developed by the writers for modeling the bed variations in a channel bend with uniform sediment is upgraded to incorporate the nonuniformity of sediment particles as well as bed armoring. In this model, the two-dimensional, depth-averaged, unsteady flow equations along with the bed-load mass conservation equation are solved in a body-fitted coordinate system by using the Beam and Warming alternating-direction implicit (ADI) scheme. A one-dimensional bed surface armoring approach is extended herein for application to a two-dimensional domain. The model is applied to a 180° bend with a constant radius under unsteady flow conditions. Numerical simulations are carried out to study the effect of bed armoring on the bed deformations in channel bends. Results show that bed armoring reduces scour in channel bends.
Chocolate and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review

Consumption of chocolate has been often hypothesized to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) due to chocolate's high levels of stearic acid and antioxidant flavonoids. However, debate still lingers regarding the true long term beneficial cardiovascular effects of chocolate overall. We reviewed English-language MEDLINE publications from 1966 through January 2005 for experimental, observational, and clinical studies of relations between cocoa, cacao, chocolate, stearic acid, flavonoids (including flavonols, flavanols, catechins, epicatechins, and procynadins) and the risk of cardiovascular disease (coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke). A total of 136 publications were selected based on relevance, and quality of design and methods. An updated meta-analysis of flavonoid intake and CHD mortality was also conducted. The body of short-term randomized feeding trials suggests cocoa and chocolate may exert beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk via effects on lowering blood pressure, anti-inflammation, anti-platelet function, higher HDL, decreased LDL oxidation. Additionally, a large body of trials of stearic acid suggests it is indeed cholesterol-neutral. However, epidemiologic studies of serum and dietary stearic acid are inconclusive due to many methodologic limitations. Meanwhile, the large body of prospective studies of flavonoids suggests the flavonoid content of chocolate may reduce risk of cardiovascular mortality. Our updated meta-analysis indicates that intake of flavonoids may lower risk of CHD mortality, RR = 0.81 (95% CI: 0.71–0.92) comparing highest and lowest tertiles. Multiple lines of evidence from laboratory experiments and randomized trials suggest stearic acid may be neutral, while flavonoids are likely protective against CHD mortality. The highest priority now is to conduct larger randomized trials to definitively investigate the impact of chocolate consumption on long-term cardiovascular outcomes.
The molecular basis of temperature effects in supercritical extraction

The behavior of solute partial molar enthalpies in dilute supercritical mixtures gives rise to the well-known phenomenon of retrograde solubility (equilibrium solubility decreasing with increasing temperature at constant pressure). A mechanistic interpretation of this phenomenon in terms of the formation of large clusters of solvent molecules around solute molecules is consistent with experimentally observed retrograde behavior. Cluster formation occurs as a consequence of the unbounded increase in the solvent's compressibility arbitrarily close to the latter's critical point. At infinite dilution, the solute's partial molar volume and enthalpy grow linearly with cluster size. This means that the negative divergence of these quantities is simply a macroscopic manifestation of a “condensation” in which an increasing number of solvent molecules cluster around solute molecules. Arbitrarily close to the solvent's critical point, scaling relationships show that the decay of both solvent-solvent and solute-solvent correlation functions exhibits the same radial dependence. This functionality is thus solute-independent, and is determined exclusively by the proximity to the solvent's critical point. The locus along which thermal effects associated with cluster formation are maximized is arbitrarliy close to the solvent's critical isochore as the latter's critical point is approached.
Psychological management of the CCU patient.

This Medical Psychology Forum deals with the response of a patient to the symptoms of myocardial infarction, to hospitalization and convalescence. The problem of delay is examined in the prehospita...
Transaction management in HYDRO: a multidatabase system

Focuses on the transaction management and atomic commitment features of HYDRO, a distributed multidatabase system. HYDRO provides global serializability, deadlock and livelock freedom, multiple concurrent global transactions at any site, and a high level of concurrency control parallelism. Two varieties of local HYDRO concurrency control objects are discussed, and the paper concludes with a brief presentation of the HYDRO atomic commitment scheme. >
Can Sibling Sex Ratios Be Used as a Valid Test for the Prenatal Androgen Hypothesis of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Background Sibling sex ratios have been applied as an indirect test of a hypothesized association between prenatal testosterone levels and risk for autism, a developmental disorder disproportionately affecting males. Differences in sibling sex ratios between those with and without autism would provide evidence of a shared risk factor for autism and offspring sex. Conclusions related to prenatal testosterone, however, require additional assumptions. Here, we used directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) to clarify the elements required for a valid test of the hypothesis that sibling sex ratios differ between children with and without autism. We then conducted such a test using a large, population-based sample of children.
Molecular Mechanisms of Late Normal Tissue Injury

Irradiation perturbs the homeostatic network linking parenchymal, mesenchymal, and vascular cells within tissues. Normal communication between cells through soluble, matrix, and cell-associated ligands and receptors is altered so as to set in motion a seemingly inexorable series of events aimed at tissue regeneration and healing. In late responding normal tissues where cell death is not compensated for by rapid regeneration, this process unfortunately often culminates in symptomatic complications of radiation exposure. Cytokines and their receptors are prominent in driving the cascade of molecular responses using the balance between seemingly mutually antagonistic molecules to control and direct the healing processes. There is strong evidence from preclinical models for the importance of cytokine-driven pathways in late radiation damage and growing evidence in humans for their relevance to radiation-induced disease. This review aims to show some general aspects of the molecular torrents that drive responses in irradiated tissues before and during the development of late effects. It attempts to collate some of the findings from preclinical models of late lung, central nervous system, skin, and intestinal damage and from clinical studies in the belief that understanding how irradiation perturbs the cellular communication networks will allow rationale intervention for mitigating late radiation tissue damage and carcinogenesis.
Olefinic Oligomer and Cosolvent Effects on the Coking and Activity of a Reforming Catalyst in Supercritical Reaction Mixtures

Abstract During investigations of 1-hexene isomerization on a Pt/γ-Al2O3 catalyst, hexene oligomers are found to form in the fluid phase. The total amount of oligomers increased by roughly an order of magnitude with isothermal increases in pressure from subcritical to supercritical values. These oligomers are significant coke precursors, increasing the coke formation and catalyst deactivation rates. Dilution of the hexene feed with an inert cosolvent like n-pentane, such that the reaction mixture is at supercritical conditions, reduces oligomer concentrations while maintaining the in situ extraction of the coke-forming compounds. Consequently, coke laydown is significantly reduced resulting in increased isomerization rates and decreased deactivation rates. Although oligomer formation and coke laydown decrease continuously with cosolvent addition, there exists an optimum cosolvent fraction beyond which the isomerization rate becomes limited by 1-hexene concentration and hence decreases. It was determined that ppm levels of organic peroxides in the hexene feed, formed as a result of exposure to air during either storage or the experiments, aid the formation of hexene oligomers in the fluid phase. Pretreatment of the hexene feed with activated alumina results in the virtual elimination of the peroxides and a severalfold decrease in total oligomer concentration. Our results indicate that peroxide removal from the hexene feed and cosolvent addition can significantly improve isomerization rates, catalyst activity maintenance, and pore accessibility in supercritical reaction mixtures.
Association between home availability and vegetable consumption in youth: a review.

Objective To systematically review literature examining the association between vegetable home availability and vegetable intake in youth. Design Articles were identified through December 2012 using a search of PubMed, PsychINFO and OVID/Medline databases, using the following keywords in varying combinations: home, environment, availability, vegetable, intake, consumption, children. Quantitative studies examining home vegetable availability and vegetable intake in children and adolescents were included. Fifteen studies were included that met inclusion criteria. Setting Studies were conducted in the USA ( n 8), Australia ( n 1), Greece ( n 1), Iceland ( n 1), Denmark ( n 1), the UK ( n 1), the Netherlands ( n 1) and a combination of nine European countries ( n 1). Subjects Various populations of children and adolescents were examined. Results Seven of the studies (47 %) found a positive association between vegetable availability and intake, with the others reporting null findings. There were no clear patterns of association by study design, age of subjects included, comprehensiveness of measures, or inclusion of covariates in analyses. Child report of home availability was associated with child vegetable intake ( n 6, all found a positive association), while parent report of home availability was only minimally associated ( n 9, one found a positive association; P =0·001 from post hoc Fisher’s exact test comparing parent v . child report). Conclusions Parent perception of availability may be closer to truth, given the parental role in food shopping and preparation. Therefore, to impact child vegetable intake, absolute availability may not be as important as child perception of vegetables in the home. Child perception of availability may be altered by level of familiarity with vegetables.
The nature of explanation in qualitative evaluation.

In recent years evaluation has mushroomed dramatically as a discipline. A number of evaluation "models" or approaches have been conceived, and varieties of social science methods have been employed serving several evaluative purposes. Missing from the health profession's literature on evaluation is a discussion of the underlying explanatory purposes of evaluative inquiry. It can be argued that systematic accounts of a logical inquiry (evaluation)are inextricably bound to particular views or accounts of the logic of explanation. In this article those accounts of explanation that pertain to conventional and qualitative evaluation are reviewed and compared. The article describes what one has "bought off on" when applying the explanatory rationale underlying qualitative evaluation approaches. Problems and possibilities are described for the practice of qualitative evaluation in the health professions.
Globalization as Boundary-Blurring: International and Local Law Firms in China's Corporate Law Market

The worldwide expansion of international law firms has generated regulatory battles and workplace conflicts in advanced market economies as well as developing countries. This paper uses the case of China to explore the changing global-local relationship in the globalization of the legal profession and the role of the government in constituting the corporate law market. The author argues that the globalization of the Chinese corporate law market is a process of boundary-blurring and hybridization, by which local firms become global-looking and foreign firms get localized. Boundary-blurring occurs in law firms’ workplaces, in lawyers’ career trajectories, and in state regulatory policies. It has produced a localized expertise that can be diffused conversely from local firms to global firms and has partially changed their relationship from collaboration to competition. Consequently, it becomes increasingly difficult for the government to make or enforce any substantive policy to clarify the market boundary between the two types of law firms.
Thermophysics of metal alkanoates I. Heat capacities and thermodynamic properties of sodium methanoate and ethanoate

Abstract The heat capacities of two sodium alkanoates have been studied by adiabatic calorimetry. Earlier measurements from this laboratory on sodium methanoate between 5 and 350 K are supplemented from 300 K to melting. Sodium ethanoate ismeasured from 7 through 350 K; the results differ markedly from those reported by Strelkov in that we find the 21 K transition peak is much larger and the higher temperature values are 15 to 20 per cent higher and in good accord with reported d.s.c. studies at still higher temperatures. We estimate Δ tra S m o R of the 21 K peak to be about 1.5 although no isostructural lattice contribution is available. Even with adjuvant X-ray diffraction results by Hsu and Nordman the mechanism of the transition has not been identified. The 298.15 K values of C p, m R , S m o R , {H m o −H m o (0)} R and {G m o −H m o (0)} RT are 12.127, 16.610, 2308.1 K, and −8.868 for form II CH3COONa.
Inhaled Beta Agonists

The beta(2) adrenoreceptor is a large molecule of some 413 amino acids. The duration of stimulation of this receptor depends on where and for how long a beta(2) adrenergic drug attaches itself to the beta(2) adrenoreceptor. beta(2) adrenergic drugs have been used for over 5,000 years, but only recently have we had the advantage of adrenergic drugs specific to the beta(2) adrenoreceptor. The short-acting beta(2) adrenergic drugs most frequently used include albuterol, pirbuterol, and levalbuterol. Levalbuterol, the R enantiomer of albuterol, has been described by some as a more effective bronchodilator than racemic albuterol, because it contains none of the S enantiomer. Some contend that the S isomer has pro-inflammatory properties. The 2 long-acting beta(2) adrenergic drugs are salmeterol and formoterol. These drugs have a duration of 12 h and reportedly improve forced expiratory volume in the first second, quality of life, and symptoms. Some recent reports indicate that these drugs are associated with higher mortality, but several authors have registered the opinion that it is not the bronchodilator that should be questioned, but instead that the fault lies in the patient recruitment in those studies. Regardless, if these long-acting drugs are effective for a given patient, it would seem inadvisable to withdraw them, given the current state of evidence. Arformoterol tartrate, the R enantiomer of formoterol, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in October 2006; it is available as a nebulizer solution, to be administered every 12 h. Several other long-acting R isomers and RR isomers are in the approval pipeline.
The control of rapid limb movement in the cat

1. In cats trained to track a moving display by making rapid, isometric force adjustments, responses are characterized by extremely short reaction times (60–70 ms) and a stereotyped temporal configuration. The animal uses early derivatives of display movement to scale force responses to target stimuli of different sizes according to a learned relationship between initial display motion and required force (Ghez and Vicario 1978a, 1978b). In the present study we altered that relationship by using double stimulation and delayed feedback to assess the animals' ability to update their responses. 2. In experiments where a second target stimulus followed the first after a controlled interval (15–120 ms) on random trials, the animal modified its response in the appropriate direction with little or no increase in reaction time. When the second stimulus called for a return to baseline, the animal aborted the ongoing response. When the second stimulus called for a doubling of force, the animal increased its phasic force output; however, this increase was not sufficient to reach the new target level and late responses were emitted. 3. The control response which followed each experimental double stimulation trial showed consistent differences from other controls in the amplitude of both peak force and peak dF/dt. Control responses following trials calling for a return were reduced in size; those following stimuli requiring response doubling were increased. We concluded that the experimental trials not only elicited modification of ongoing responses but also caused the animal to alter its internalized gain function relating initial display derivatives to required force. 4. In experiments where feedback was delayed after giving a first target stimulus such that the compensatory display failed to reflect the animal's initial response, the animal emitted a new updated response 70–80 ms after the first. The display trajectory which caused the cat to update its response on delayed feedback trial was identical to that of control trials with long reaction times. In this case, however, the information eliciting response updating had to be derived as a difference between the actual display trajectory and that expected by the animal, based on its experience with the tracking task. This suggests that the animal develops an internal model of display properties which is used to determine when a new response is required.
Amanita marmorata subsp. myrtacearum—a new subspecies in Amanita section Phalloideae from Hawaii

A widely distributed Amanita was observed on six of the Hawaiian Islands fruiting in association with Eucalyptus and Casuarina species. Subsequent in? vestigation revealed it to be closely related to A. mar? morata subsp. marmorata. The holotype of A. marmorata was studied and found to be badly molded and mostly destroyed. Some anatomical details were visible and, though it is similar to our material, there are anatom? ical differences. The Hawaiian populations are also quite variable macroscopically and anatomically and, as a result, a new subspecies, A. marmorata subsp. myr? tacearum, is described for the Hawaiian Islands. A third taxon in this complex, A. reidii, recently described from South Africa, is discussed.
Fetal face visualization using three-dimensional ultrasonography

Evaluation of the fetal face is an essential part of the sonographic examination for high risk pregnancies. Even under optimal conditions, the complex curvature of the face makes it difficult to obtain adequate images with two-dimensional ultrasonography, and many cross-sectional images are required to obtain a complete impression. The purpose of this paper is to show preliminary work in assessing the utility of three-dimensional ultrasonographic visualization of the fetal face. Fetal facial features were evaluated with three-dimensional sonography by scanning with a volume transducer and compared to conventional two-dimensional ultrasonographic images in 27 fetuses (gestational ages 10 to 39 weeks). Surface rendered three-dimensional sonographic images of the fetal face were obtained in 24 of 27 fetuses. In four cases the upper lip was clearly imaged on three-dimensional ultrasonography when it could not be seen on two dimensional ultrasonography. Information requiring multiple planes with two-dimensional ultrasonography could be demonstrated on a single image from three-dimensional ultrasonography. Images of abnormal faces were seen with both two- and three-dimensional ultrasonography in two cases of cleft lip and one case of holoprosencephaly. Volume data acquisition required approximately 10 sec and reconstruction required approximately 5 sec with instantaneous review of planes through the volume data set. Surface rendering required 2 to 10 min depending on the angular viewing range. Three-dimensional ultrasonography has the potential to provide improved visualization of the fetal face compared with conventional two-dimensional sonographic imaging.
Litter dynamics in different forest types suffered an extreme ice storm in the subtropical region,southern China

To understand the responses pattern of subtropical forests recovered from the damage of ice storm happened in southern China during Jan to Feb in 2008,we take three different forests,including coniferous forest,mixed forest and broad-leaf forest located in Tianjing Mountain,as a case to compare their differences in annual litter production,component and seasonal fluctuation in undamaged and damaged plots in each forest type and access their recuperability at the early stage of natural recovery.It is indicated that the annual input of litter in the damaged forests was up to 0.52 t?hm-2,3.21 t?hm-2 and 1.37 t?hm-2 in coniferous forest,broad-leaved forest and mixed forest,respectively.Compared with the normal annual amount of litter in subtropical forest of southern China,it is showed that the total input of litter decreased clearly,which came to 87.89%,53.46% and 76.78% in coniferous forest,broad-leaved forest and mixed forest,respectively.It is indicated that in the early recovery period,the severer damaged suffer,the less litter produce in the different forest type,which implied the broad-leaved forest has the best recuperability at the early stage of recovery.In addition,the change of components in litter illustrated that the proportion of leaf increased but the branches reduced after the ice storm attack in all forest type.In the case of seasonal fluctuation in litter among different forest type,the pattern between damaged forest and undamaged forest is similar in coniferous forest and broadleaved forest,but it is totally different in the mixed forest.Based on our conclusions,due to the higher resilience and best recuperability,the broad-leaved forest should be served as a preferential choice in forest management to decrease potential impacts of extreme ice storms in subtropical forests.
Unfulfilled Expectations: Influence of Chinese International Students’ Roommate Relationships on Sense of Belonging

Findings from this study indicate that more attention must be given to Chinese students’ interpersonal relationships with domestic students, particularly when considering the role of daily cross-cultural interactions in residential living. Participants who wanted American roommates anticipated an easier transition to U.S. culture. However, making meaningful connections with American students proved to be more challenging than anticipated. Participants reported that cultural differences within their residence hall room led to difficulty with communication and social connections.
The structure and dynamical evolution of the stellar disc of a simulated Milky Way-mass galaxy

We study the structure, age and metallicity gradients, and dynamical evolution using a cosmological zoom-in simulation of a Milky Way-mass galaxy from the Feedback in Realistic Environments project. In the simulation, stars older than 6 Gyr were formed in a chaotic, bursty mode and have the largest vertical scaleheights (1.5–2.5 kpc) by z = 0, while stars younger than 6 Gyr were formed in a relatively calm, stable disc. The vertical scaleheight increases with stellar age at all radii, because (1) stars that formed earlier were thicker ‘at birth’, and (2) stars were kinematically heated to an even thicker distribution after formation. Stars of the same age are thicker in the outer disc than in the inner disc (flaring). These lead to positive vertical age gradients and negative radial age gradients. The radial metallicity gradient is negative at the mid-plane, flattens at larger disc height |Z|, and turns positive above |Z| ∼ 1.5 kpc. The vertical metallicity gradient is negative at all radii, but is steeper at smaller radii. These trends broadly agree with observations in the Milky Way and can be naturally understood from the age gradients. The vertical stellar density profile can be well described by two components, with scaleheights 200–500 pc and 1–1.5 kpc, respectively. The thick component is a mix of stars older than 4 Gyr, which formed through a combination of several mechanisms. Our results also demonstrate that it is possible to form a thin disc in cosmological simulations even with a strong stellar feedback.
Ca2+ dependence of mechanical injury to lung capillaries.

To the Editor : We appreciate the invited editorial by Fitz-Roy E. Curry ([1][1]) on our recent article “Gadolinium prevents high airway pressure-induced permeability increases in isolated rat lungs” ([6][2]). Curry concurred with our hypothesis that endothelium, rather than the basement
Numerical and Experimental Studies of Particle Settling in Real Fracture Geometries

Proppant is a vital component of hydraulic stimulation operations, improving conductivity by maintaining fracture aperture. While correct placement is a necessary part of ensuring that proppant performs efficiently, the transport behavior of proppant in natural rock fractures is poorly understood. In particular, as companies pursue new propping strategies involving new types of proppant, more accurate models of proppant behavior are needed to help guide their deployment. A major difficulty with simulating reservoir-scale proppant behavior is that continuum models traditionally used to represent large-scale slurry behavior loose applicability in fracture geometries. Particle transport models are often based on representative volumes that are at the same scale or larger than fractures found in hydraulic fracturing operations, making them inappropriate for modeling these types of flows. In the absence of a first-principles approach, empirical closure relations are needed. However, even such empirical closure relationships are difficult to derive without an accurate understanding of proppant behavior on the particle level. Thus, there is a need for experiments and simulations capable of probing phenomena at the sub-fracture scale. In this paper, we present results from experimental and numerical studies investigating proppant behavior at the sub-fracture level, in particular, the role of particle dispersion during proppant settling. In the experimental study, three-dimensional printing techniques are used to accurately reproduce the topology of a fractured Marcellus shale sample inside a particle-flow cell. By recreating the surface in clear plastic resin, proppant movement within the fracture can be tracked directly in real time without the need for X-ray imaging. Particle tracking is further enhanced through the use of mixtures of transparent and opaque proppant analogues. The accompanying numerical studies employ a high-fidelity three-dimensional particle-flow model, capable of explicitly representing the particles, the fracture surface and the interstitial fluid flow. Both studies reveal large-scale vortex motion during particle settling. For the most part, this behavior is independent of the fracture topology, instead driven by interactions between the sinking particles and the upwelling interstitial fluid. This motion results in large amounts of particle dispersion, significantly greater than might be expected from traditional slurry models. The competition between the particles and the fluid also results in a redistribution of particles toward the fracture walls, which has significant implications for the transport of proppant along the fracture.