cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reflecting on engineering concepts: Effects on critical thinking

Reflective writing helps improve critical thinking skills, such as questioning and reasoning, recognizing assumptions, presenting and evaluating data, and drawing conclusions: all important abilities for engineering students. Thus, to encourage engineering students to reflect on material taught in a technical course, fifteen journal prompts were developed based on Bloom's Taxonomy. Once or twice a week, the prompts were delivered to students through an online classroom management system, and the students wrote short responses online. When students understood that a contemplative response to the prompts would increase both understanding and technical competency, nearly 90% completed the assignments. A coding method was developed to analyze the written responses, to determine which critical thinking skills the students were applying. The initial analysis shows that the students who understood the purpose of the journal responses applied all four types of critical thinking skills as they wrote Results from the current data will be presented at the conference, and a discussion for a more in-depth analysis will be initiated.
Theory of reflectance-difference spectroscopy in ordered III-V semiconductor alloys

Spontaneous CuPt-like ordering in III-V alloys causes an anisotropy in the intensities of the transitions between the split valence-band maximum states and the conduction-band minimum. This optical anisotropy has been detected in ordered III-V alloys using modulated reflectivity, and more recently, using reflectance-difference spectroscopy (RDS). We derive here a general formula relating the ordering-induced bulk RDS intensity with the degree of long-range order. We show that the previously neglected coupling between the spin-orbit split-off band and the crystal-field split-off band is crucial for determining the RDS intensity of the Ga{sub {ital x}}In{sub 1{minus}{ital x}}P alloy.
Promotion of Growth and Invertase Activity by Gibberellic Acid in Developing Avena Internodes

Gibberellic acid (GA3) induces invertase activity within 6 hours in Avena stem segments that are incubated in the dark at 23°. The maximum amount of promotion is about 5 times that of invertase activity in untreated segments. GA3 causes significant promotion of invertase activity at concentrations as low as 3 × 10−5 μm GA3. The increase in invertase activity elicited by GA3 between 3 × 10−5 μm and 300 μm closely parallels the growth promotion that is caused by GA3 over this concentration range. In control segments, invertase activity rises steeply during the first 6 hours of incubation, then decays slowly between 12 and 48 hours. In GA3-treated segments, the invertase activity also rises during the first 6 hours, parallel to that in control segments and continues to rise during the next 42 hours. These changes in invertase activity during 48-hour incubation periods do not parallel the changes in growth that occur in control and GA3-treated segments. Cycloheximide at 10 μg/ml abolishes all GA3-promoted growth and invertase activity in these segments. Actinomycin D at 40 and 80 μg/ml decreases GA3-promoted growth by 20% and invertase activity by 38 and 44%, respectively. The data clearly support the idea that protein synthesis is necessary for GA3-promoted growth and invertase activity in Avena stem segments.
Robert Willan remembered

Robert Willan, the father of modern dermatology, was born on Nov. 12, 1757, at the Hill, near Sedbergh, Yorkshire, England. He was brought up in the principles of the Society of Friends. He graduated M.D. at Edinburgh in the summer of 1780 and went to London at the age of 23. In 1783, he was appointed physician to the Public Dispensary in Carey Street, London. Here he began his systematic studies of diseases of the skin. His work of classification and description of cutaneous diseases was presented to the Medical Society of London and was awarded the Fothergilian medal. Willan was a prolific writer. His friends and contemporaries admired him and had the greatest regard for his abilities. He died of heart failure on April 17, 1812, in Madeira.
Theoretical and experimental aerodynamics of strake-wing interactions up to high angles-of-attack

This paper reports on an experimental investigation where the longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics were determined up to high angles-of-attack for configurations employing parametric variations in strake span and wing sweep and includes correlations with theory. The investigation included both component and complete configuration studies to provide information for the analysis of interaction effects. Comparisons between strake-wing and high canard-wing configurations demonstrate the strake-wing to develop higher lift coefficients than did the canard-wing due to enhanced interference effects. Correlations with theory demonstrate the suction analogy to be a useful method for estimating the effects of vortex flow aerodynamics on both component and total forces and moments.
Economic Aspects of Water Resource Policy

This ARTICLE REPORTS what I as an economist think I have learned from the experience of the western states in economizing on water, which may suggest what eastern researchers might learn by directing some of their efforts toward sifting and evaluating the western history. This is one area in which history flowed backwards: the western evolution anticipated that in the East by a hundred years. Learning from the West does not mean copying the West for the West made mistakes as well as scored successes. Prom the total experience I shall seek to distill what seem to me to be general economic truths bearing on water resources.
Direct Calculation of Sound Radiated From Bodies in Nonuniform Flows

Sound radiated from a single airfoil and a cascade of airfoils in three-dimensional gusts is directly calculated. Euler’s equations are linearized about the mean flow of the airfoil or cascade. The velocity field is split into a vortical part and a potential part. The latter is governed by a single nonconstant-coefficient convective wave equation. For a single airfoil, the radiated sound is calculated using Kirchhoff’s method from the mid field of the unsteady pressure obtained through the unsteady aerodynamic solver. The results indicate the importance of the contribution of the quadrupole effects to the sound field. For a cascade of airfoils, the acoustic pressure is directly obtained by solving the partial differential equation. The results show that, as the maximum Mach number on the blade surface nears unity, there is a significant rise in the local unsteady pressure, and also a significant increase in the upstream acoustic pressure.
Isomeric yohimbine alkaloids block calcium-activated K+ channels in medullary thick ascending limb cells of rabbit kidney

The alpha2-adrenergic antagonist yohimbine (YOH) and the closely related isomers corynanthine (COR) and rauwolscine (RAU) caused brief interruptions in current characteristic of a fast blocker Ca2+-activated K+ channels in cultured medullary thick ascending limb (MTAL) cells. The apparent dissociation constants (K app), for COR, YOH, and RAU, respectively, at the intracellular face of the channel in the presence of 200mm K+ are 45±1, 98±2, and 310±33 μm. TheK app for COR on the extracellular side also in the presence of 200mm. K+ was much greater at 1.6±0.17mm. Increasing K+ on the same side as the blocker relieves the blocking reaction. TheK app for the alkaloids varies with K+ in a manner quantitatively consistent with K+ and the alkaloids competing for a common binding site. Finally, blocking by the charged form of these alkaloids is voltage dependent with changes inK app of 86±7 and 94±6 μm pere-fold change in voltage for blockers applied either from the inside or outside. The alkaloids block at an electrical distance similar to tetraethylammonium, suggesting that the site within the channel pore of these molecules may be similar.
CONVERGENCE RESULTS FOR THE MATLAB ODE23 ROUTINE

We prove convergence results on finite time intervals, as the user-defined tolerance τ→0, for a class of adaptive timestepping ODE solvers that includes the ode23 routine supplied in MATLAB Version 4.2. In contrast to existing theories, these convergence results hold with error constants that are uniform in the neighbourhood of equilibria; such uniformity is crucial for the derivation of results concerning the numerical approximation of dynamical systems. For linear problems the error estimates are uniform on compact sets of initial data. The analysis relies upon the identification of explicit embedded Runge-Kutta pairs for which all but the leading order terms of the expansion of the local error estimate areO(∥f(u∥)^2).
Distribution of mitochondrial and lipidic alterations in abnormal extraocular muscle of rat

An abnormal superior rectus muscle of rat displayed marked differences in the respective distributions of mitochondrial alterations and excessive lipid accumulations, both of which are thought to be indicators of faulty oxidative metabolism. The mitochondrial alterations were widespread, extending over 46% of muscle length. In contrast, the excess lipids extended over but 11% of the muscle length and were virtually confined to the end-plate region. The end plates themselves were essentially normal. These data raise the possibility that the end-plate region may exhibit a locally greater deficit of oxidative metabolism, due to a possibly higher metabolic requirement needed to support the localized end-plate potential activity.
Magnetic resonance imaging of major histocompatibility class II expression in the renal medulla using immunotargeted superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles.

We demonstrate the development and successful application of immunotargeted superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (ITSIONs), with in vivo magnetic resonance diagnostic and potential drug delivery capability for kidney disease. Further, the versatility of the conjugation chemistry presents an attractive route to the preparation of a range of biomolecule−nanoparticle conjugates. The ITSION contrast agent is a stable, biocompatible, targeted nanoparticle complex that combines a monodisperse iron oxide nanoparticle core with a functionalized phospholipid coating conjugated to antibodies that is capable of targeting normal cells expressing specific target antigens. The plasma half-life and R1 and R2 relaxivities suggest sufficient time for targeted binding while clearing from the system quick enough for detection of specific contrast enhancement. RT1 anti-MHC Class II antibodies were used to target the renal medulla of the rat, a section of the kidney in which MHC Class II, associated with inflammation, i...
The Pawtucket Heart Health Programa

The Pawtucket Heart Health Program, a research effort testing a process of community activation for cardiovascular risk factor behavior change, risk factor change, and coronary heart disease event rate change, utilizes risk factor behavior change programs for the entire population of a northeastern city. A diversity of nutrition programs designed to teach new skills and to alter the nutrition environment have been delivered. These include group programs, highlighting restaurant menus, labeling grocery shelf items, screening for blood cholesterol levels accompanied by nutritional counseling, and provision of programs in schools. In addition to standard curricula, the Heart Healthy Cook-Off for both junior high school and high school students has been developed. Students select recipes, make substitutions to lower fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol content, analyze original and substitution recipe nutrient content using a microcomputer and nutrient analysis software, and prepare the food. A panel of judges assesses presentation, taste, and health-promoting characteristics. In one junior high school class, cholesterol measure before and after the cook-off decreased by 10.7% among those with elevated cholesterol. The Heart Healthy Cook-Off is an education program that influences the culinary practices of children in an enjoyable, challenging format.
Stacked–Unstacked Equilibrium at the Nick Site of DNA

Stability of duplex DNA with respect to separation of complementary strands is crucial for DNA executing its major functions in the cell and it also plays a central role in major biotechnology applications of DNA: DNA sequencing, polymerase chain reaction, and DNA microarrays. Two types of interaction are well known to contribute to DNA stability: stacking between adjacent base-pairs and pairing between complementary bases. However, their contribution into the duplex stability is yet to be determined. Now we fill this fundamental gap in our knowledge of the DNA double helix. We have prepared a series of 32, 300 bp-long DNA fragments with solitary nicks in the same position differing only in base-pairs flanking the nick. Electrophoretic mobility of these fragments in the gel has been studied. Assuming the equilibrium between stacked and unstacked conformations at the nick site, all 32 stacking free energy parameters have been obtained. Only ten of them are essential and they govern the stacking interactions between adjacent base-pairs in intact DNA double helix. A full set of DNA stacking parameters has been determined for the first time. From these data and from a well-known dependence of DNA melting temperature on G.C content, the contribution of base-pairing into duplex stability has been estimated. The obtained energy parameters of the DNA double helix are of paramount importance for understanding sequence-dependent DNA flexibility and for numerous biotechnology applications.
Spectroscopic and Photocatalytic Properties of Organic Tetracene Nanoparticles in Aqueous Solution

A colloidal suspension of nanoparticles of the conjugated organic molecule tetracene is made by injecting a small amount of concentrated tetracene/tetrahydrofuran solution into water. The resulting nanoparticles are characterized by atomic force microscopy, their optical absorption and emission spectra, and their fluorescence decay times and quantum yields. Their optical properties in room-temperature aqueous solution are similar to what is observed for bulk polycrystalline films of tetracene, indicating a substantial amount of crystallinity. Due to their high surface area, these organic semiconductor nanoparticles demonstrate photocatalytic activity toward several different organic dye molecules in aqueous solution. The kinetics and oxygen dependence of the reactions are consistent with a heterogeneous type I reaction, similar to what is observed for other semiconductor photocatalysts, and the quantum yields at high surface coverage and low light intensity are comparable to those of inorganic photocatalysts.
A randomized trial of intravenous heparin in conjunction with anistreplase (anisoylated plasminogen streptokinase activator complex) in acute myocardial infarction: The Duke University clinical cardiology study (DUCCS) 1

Abstract Objectives. We designed a randomized trial to evaluate the effects of heparin administration in conjunction with anistreplase (anisoyiated plasminogen streptekinase activator complex [APSAC]) on arterial patency and clinical end points. Background. The role of conjunctive intravenous heparin therapy with APSAC has not been tested despite the recommendations that intravenous heparin should be used. Methods. Four hours after APSAC administration, 250 patients with acute myocardial infarction were randomly assigned to receive 325 mg of either aspirin alone or aspirin and a continuous infusion of heparin (15 IU/kg body weight per h). Clinical ischemic events and bleeding complications were monitored On hospital day 5, coronary arteriography and left veetriculography were performed. Results. The primary end point of the trial (the combined outcome of death, reinfarction, recurrent ischemia and occlusion of the infarct-related artery) occurred in 42% of the heparin-treated group versus 43% of the group without heparin (p = 0.94). A patent infarct-related artery was present in 80% of the treated with heparin and in 73% of those treated without heparin (p = 0.26). Left ventricular function, as measured by ejection fraction, was well preserved in both groups (52% vs. 50.5%, respectively, p = 0.29). The overall bleeding rate was higher in patients with (32%) than without (17.2%) heparin (p = 0.006). Conclusions. Weight-adjusted intravenous heparin therapy after APSAC in acute myocardial infarction does not reduce the combined incidence of death, reinfarction, recurrent ischemia and ccclusion of the infarct-related artery. Furthermore, withholding intravenous heparin therapy is associated with a 46% reduction in bleeding complications. Our findings do not support the addition of intravenous heparin after APSAC therapy, as currently recommended, and suggest that a strategy of withholding heparin is simpler and safer and does not place the patient at increased risk for ischemic complications after myocardial infarction.
Improve simulation efficiency using statistical benchmark subsetting: an ImplantBench case study

Motivated by excessively high benchmarking efforts caused by rapidly expanding design space and prevailing practices based on ad-hoc and subjective schemes, this paper seeks to improve simulation efficiency by proposing a novel methodology that combines two statistical analyses and one quantitative heuristic capable of subsetting a given benchmark suite based on the targeted processor configuration and desired variance coverage. We demonstrate the usage and effectiveness of the proposed technique by conducting a thorough case study on ImplantBench suite evaluating high/mid/low-end machine configurations modeled after three commercial embedded processors.
Ancient rhetoric and modern genre criticism

Despite the excitement genre criticism has generated among rhetorical critics, its achievements and prospects are questionable. A good many new ideas introduced in recent criticism are, as it happens, very old; while many old ideas about genre remain largely misunderstood. At the same time, the critical distance required by genre theory and the tendency of generic classifications to proliferate into tiresome and useless taxonomies seem to draw critics farther and farther away from the objects of their critical attention. It is time critics came to grips with the problems stemming from the lack of historical perspective and the critical deficiencies of genre theories themselves evident in much recent critical research.
À la recherche du français en Nouvelle-Angleterre: une enquête de terrain à travers six États

L'heritage francophone americain qui a survecu a la traversee du 21eme siecle se retrouve essentiellement en Louisiane et en Nouvelle-Angleterre. Cet article propose une description de la communaute francophone de la Nouvelle-Angleterre et d'une enquete sur le terrain au cours de laquelle chaque etat a revele un profil communautaire original. Le corpus audio recueilli en 2011 est compose d'entrevues en francais et en anglais aupres de locuteurs franco-americains originaires des six etats qui composent la Nouvelle-Angleterre. Ce nouveau corpus nous permettra de comparer l'etat du francais en Louisiane et en Nouvelle-Angleterre et de reveler des caracteristiques similaires.
Specific Heats below 3°K of Pure Copper, Silver, and Gold, and of Extremely Dilute Gold-Transition-Metal Alloys

The electronic specific-heat coefficient $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ and the limiting low-temperature Debye temperature (${{\ensuremath{\Theta}}_{0}}^{c}$) are estimated as 165.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.8 \ensuremath{\mu}cal/\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}${\mathrm{K}}^{2}$ (g atom) and 345.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K for copper, 153.1\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.9 \ensuremath{\mu}cal/\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}${\mathrm{K}}^{2}$ (g atom) and 227.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.6\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K for silver, and 165.1\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.0 \ensuremath{\mu}cal/\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}${\mathrm{K}}^{2}$ (g atom) and 162.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K for gold. The coefficient of the ${T}^{5}$ term in the expansion representing the lattice specific heat is -0.23\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.11 \ensuremath{\mu}cal/\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}${\mathrm{K}}^{6}$ (g atom) for gold, and negligible for copper and silver. The $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ value for gold is significantly lower than previously reported values. Effective masses of the electrons are: copper, 1.38; silver, 1.01; and gold, 1.09. Two alloys of gold with very small amounts of transition-metal impurity were also measured. For one of these, containing 2.5 ppm by weight Fe and 0.45-ppm Mn, the specific heat is about 5% higher than that of pure gold at 0.4\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K and about 1% higher at 1\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K.
Osr2 acts downstream of Pax9 and interacts with both Msx1 and Pax9 to pattern the tooth developmental field

Abstract Mammalian tooth development depends on activation of odontogenic potential in the presumptive dental mesenchyme by the Msx1 and Pax9 transcription factors. We recently reported that the zinc finger transcription factor Osr2 was expressed in a lingual-to-buccal gradient pattern surrounding the developing mouse molar tooth germs and mice lacking Osr2 developed supernumerary teeth lingual to their molars. We report here generation of a gene-targeted mouse strain that allows conditional inactivation of Pax9 and subsequent activation of expression of Osr2 in the developing tooth mesenchyme from the Pax9 locus. Expression of Osr2 from one copy of the Pax9 gene did not disrupt normal tooth development but was sufficient to suppress supernumerary tooth formation in the Osr2−/− mutant mice. We found that endogenous Osr2 mRNA expression was significantly downregulated in the developing tooth mesenchyme in Pax9del/del mice. Mice lacking both Osr2 and Pax9 exhibited early tooth developmental arrest with significantly reduced Bmp4 and Msx1 mRNA expression in the developing tooth mesenchyme, similar to that in Pax9del/del mutants but in contrast to the rescue of tooth morphogenesis in Msx1−/−Osr2−/− double mutant mice. Furthermore, we found that Osr2 formed stable protein complexes with the Msx1 protein and interacted weakly with the Pax9 protein in co-transfected cells. These data indicate that Osr2 acts downstream of Pax9 and patterns the mesenchymal odontogenic field through protein–protein interactions with Msx1 and Pax9 during early tooth development.
Bringing virtual reality for commercial Web sites

In today's competitive environment, a growing number of firms are establishing their presence in the market space. Even though the potential of the Internet in shaping business strategies has been widely acknowledged, firms in an array of industries are still struggling to attract customers through their Web sites. Based on Steuer's (J. Commun. 42(4) (1992) 73) and Rheingold' (The Virtual Community, ACM/Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA, 1993) arguments on perceptual experience in the virtual space, we present a theoretical framework that highlights the relative importance of interactivity, immersion, and connectivity for attracting customers through a Web site. Interactivity has been measured through the speed of interactivity, range of interactivity, and significance. Immersion has been measured through the breadth of immersion and depth of immersion. Connectivity has been measured through the scope of connectivity. Through an experimental study, the features of amazon.com, ebay.com, schwab.com, and victoriasecret.com have been analysed with respect to interactivity, immersion, and connectivity. We argue that in order to attract customers through their Web sites, dot-coms are required to balance a trade-off between interactivity, immersion, and connectively, depending on their business objectives.
Seizure susceptibility is associated with altered protein expression of voltage-gated calcium channel subunits in inferior colliculus neurons of the genetically epilepsy-prone rat

The inferior colliculus (IC) is the consensus site for seizure initiation in the genetically epilepsy-prone rat (GEPR). We have previously reported that the current density of high threshold voltage-activated (HVA) calcium (Ca(2+)) channels was markedly enhanced in IC neurons of the GEPR-3 (moderate seizure severity substrain of the GEPR). The present study examines whether subunit protein levels of HVA Ca(2+) channels are altered in IC neurons that exhibit enhanced Ca(2+) current density. Quantification shows that the levels of protein expression of the Ca(2+) channel pore-forming alpha1D (L-type) and alpha1E subunits (R-type) were significantly increased in IC neurons of seizure-naive GEPR-3s (SN-GEPR-3s) compared to control Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Significant increases and decreases in the levels of protein expression of Ca(2+) channel regulatory beta3 and alpha2delta subunits occurred in IC neurons of SN-GEPR-3s compared to control SD rats, respectively. No changes occurred in the protein expression of Ca(2+) channel pore-forming alpha1A (P/Q-type), alpha1B (N-type) and alpha1C (L-type) subunits in IC neurons of SN-GEPR-3s compared to control SD rats. A single seizure selectively enhanced protein expression of Ca(2+) channel alpha1A subunits in IC neurons of GEPR-3s. Thus, up-regulation of Ca(2+) channel alpha1D and alpha1E subunits may represent the molecular mechanisms for the enhanced current density of L- and R-type of HVA Ca(2+) channels in IC neurons of the GEPR, and may contribute to the genetic basis of their enhanced seizure susceptibility. The up-regulation of Ca(2+) channel alpha1A subunits induced by seizures may contribute to the increasing IC neuronal excitability that results from repetitive seizures in the GEPR.
Toward a Reasoned Judicial Decision

A review-article of Julius Stone, Legal System and Lawyers' Reasonings, Stanford, University Press Herbert Wechsler, Principles, Politics and Fundamental Law, Harvard University Press H. L. A. Hart, The Concept of Law, Oxford University Press Richard A. Wasserstrom, The Judicial Decision, Toward a Theory of Legal Justification, Stanford University Press Judith N. Shklar, Legalism, Harvard University Press
Pliocene geomagnetic polarity epochs

Abstract A paleomagnetic and K-Ar dating study of 44 upper Miocene and Pliocene volcanic units from the western United States suggests that the frequency of reversals of the earth's magnetic field during Pliocene time may have been comparable with that of the last 3.6 m.y. Although the data are too limited to permit the formal naming of any new polarity epochs or events, four polarity transitions have been identified: the W10 R/N boundary at 3.7 ± 0.1m.y. , the A12 N/R boundary at 4.9 ± 0.1m.y. , the W32 N/R boundary at 9.0 ± 0.2m.y. , and the W36 R/N boundary at 10.8 ± 0.3 − 1.0m.y . The loss of absolute resolution of K-Ar dating in older rocks indicates that the use of well defined stratigraphic successions to identify and date polarity transitions will be important in the study of Pliocene and older reversals.
Trajectories of perceived social support among low-income female survivors of Hurricane Katrina:

The purpose of this study was to explore trajectories of perceived social support among low-income women who survived Hurricane Katrina, and were surveyed prior to the hurricane and approximately one and four years thereafter (N = 562). Latent class growth analysis provided evidence of four trajectories of perceived support: High Increasing (35.9%), High Decreasing (20.3%), Low Stable (41.1 %), and Low Decreasing (2.7%). Bereavement was significantly predictive of membership in the Low Stable trajectory, relative to the High Increasing and High Decreasing trajectories. Higher psychological distress and indicators of greater social network size, density and closeness were significantly predictive of membership in the Low Decreasing trajectory, relative to the High Increasing and High Decreasing trajectories.
Regulation of Nonmuscle Myosin IIA Assembly

In eukaryotic cells, nonmuscle myosin II filament assembly is critical for essential motile processes such as cytokinesis, cell motility, and the maintenance of cell morphology. Although myosin II filament dynamics are believed to be under strict spatial and temporal control, the mechanisms modulating filament assembly and disassembly are poorly understood. In this work, we examined the molecular mechanisms regulating myosin IIA filament assembly that rely on the intrinsic dynamics of the C-terminal coiled-coil of the myosin IIA heavy chain and on non-covalent interactions with S100A4 protein, a major metastasis factor. Sedimentation equilibrium, hydrogen-deuterium exchange, and thermal melt CD spectroscopy showed that the C-terminal coiled-coil of the non-muscle myosin IIA heavy chain exhibits significant conformational plasticity. Based on these observations, we propose that the plasticity of the C-terminal coiled-coil is an inherent regulatory mechanism for modulating myosin IIA filament assembly. We are testing this hypothesis by introducing stabilizing mutations into the C-terminal coiled-coil and examining how the loss of plasticity modulates salt-dependent oligomerization of myosin IIA and filament assembly as assayed by turbidity and critical concentration measurements.
The Impact of Work Attachment Strategies on Employment and Economic Status of TANF Leavers

ABSTRACT This study explores how state work attachment strategies and individual factors are related to employment and family income of welfare leavers. Using the 2002 National Survey of America's Families, this study finds that strict sanctions for noncompliance with work requirements were less likely than weak sanctions to increase employment and family income of welfare leavers. A strict policy regarding the number of months allowed before work requirements were enforced was less likely to increase the family income of welfare leavers than a more lenient policy. In addition, those who were less educated, were single, and had disabilities were less likely to be employed or have a higher family income. The policy implications of these findings are discussed.
System administrators as broker technicians

This research investigates the work practices of system administrators. Using semi-structured interviews and an analysis of existing system administrator literature, we theorize that system administrators act as technical brokers who bridge two communities, the end users they support and their own technical community. We also show that system administrators, like other technical workers, rely on contextual knowledge. This knowledge is largely acquired through practice and less through formal education and certification. Through a discussion of common reactive and proactive system administrator duties, we present system administrators as broker technicians who must mediate between the end users they support and their technical community. We end with a discussion of the changing role of sysadmins as their tools and users get more sophisticated.
Technical Assistance in Special Education Past, Present, and Future

This article describes the brief history of attention to children with special needs and provides a summary of the future of the field, based in large part on the articles published in the current ...
A Performance Guarantee for Maximal Schedulers in Sensor Networks with Cooperative Relays

This paper addresses the question of throughput guarantees through distributed scheduling in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) with relay based cooperative communications. We prove that in a single frequency network with bidirectional, equal power communication, low complexity distributed maximal scheduling attains a guaranteed fraction of the maximum throughput region in arbitrary wireless networks. We also show that the guarantees are tight in the sense that they cannot be improved any further with maximal scheduling. Simulation results are also provided to show the performance of a distributed, maximal scheduling algorithm under different network settings.
Thermal modeling of on-chip interconnects and 3D packaging using EM tools

The green (low power) chip design demands dramatic thermal and electrical simulation capabilities. In this paper, a novel thermal simulation approach for automatic thermal modeling of very large problems is introduced. This methodology can be fully integrated with existing solvers for electrical simulations, and make it possible to analyze practical on-chip and packaging thermal problems using the existing electromagnetic tools and geometry definitions, with very small additional effort. Its various applications to BEOL (on-chip wiring), thermal guideline design, and 3D integration (for multiple chip stacks) thermal modeling are investigated in this paper. We will demonstrate this capability with an automatic modeling framework, ChipJoule, for representative cases.
New World News, Ancient Echoes: A Cortés Letter and a Vernacular Livy for a New King and His Wary Subjects (1520–23)*

Empire building converges with print innovations in the rare Zaragoza edition (1523) of the landmark “Second Letter from Mexico” of Hernan Cortes. The Aragonese print shop owned by German immigrant George Coci advertised what, to its first interpreters, was stunning news from a still mysterious place overseas with woodblocks drawn from their 1520 edition of Livy's History of Rome. An examination of the political, social, and editorial contexts that informed these two books addressed to Charles V casts light on concerns about how the new Spanish king would communicate with his subjects in an age of imperial expansion.
Challenges and opportunities in implementing pharmacogenomics testing in the clinics

The field of pharmacogenomics aims to incorporate individual patient genomic information into treatment selection. This is a rapidly evolving field with significant clinical promise. Implementation into clinical practice has several challenges that must be overcome. Genomics-based information encompasses large databases and requires expert knowledge for interpretation. Existing research suggests there are already several areas where pharmacogenomics-based decision-making is ripe for adoption into clinical practice. Impediments exist that must be overcome prior to large-scale implementation of existing pharmacogenomics-based therapies. There are several institutions and corporations at the forefront of implementation that are leading the development; however, larger systems-based approaches will be necessary. This article will discuss some of the present successes and future challenges that are necessary to overcome in order to implement a more patient-centered healthcare system.
The Making of Leaders: A Review of the Research in Leadership Development and Education

Are leaders born or made? If the answer is made, then can leadership be taught and learned? These and other similar questions are the focus of this article which reviews the research in both leadership development and education. In addition to the literature review, a clear distinction is drawn between leadership development and education; current theory-building efforts are illustrated; and the paper concludes by proposing future directions in leadership development and education research.
RNA-Seq Identifies SNP Markers for Growth Traits in Rainbow Trout

Fast growth is an important and highly desired trait, which affects the profitability of food animal production, with feed costs accounting for the largest proportion of production costs. Traditional phenotype-based selection is typically used to select for growth traits; however, genetic improvement is slow over generations. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) explain 90% of the genetic differences between individuals; therefore, they are most suitable for genetic evaluation and strategies that employ molecular genetics for selective breeding. SNPs found within or near a coding sequence are of particular interest because they are more likely to alter the biological function of a protein. We aimed to use SNPs to identify markers and genes associated with genetic variation in growth. RNA-Seq whole-transcriptome analysis of pooled cDNA samples from a population of rainbow trout selected for improved growth versus unselected genetic cohorts (10 fish from 1 full-sib family each) identified SNP markers associated with growth-rate. The allelic imbalances (the ratio between the allele frequencies of the fast growing sample and that of the slow growing sample) were considered at scores .5.0 as an amplification and ,0.2 as loss of heterozygosity. A subset of SNPs (n=54) were validated and evaluated for association with growth traits in 778 individuals of a three-generation parent/offspring panel representing 40 families. Twenty-two SNP markers and one mitochondrial haplotype were significantly associated with growth traits. Polymorphism of 48 of the markers was confirmed in other commercially important aquaculture stocks. Many markers were clustered into genes of metabolic energy production pathways and are suitable candidates for genetic selection. The study demonstrates that RNASeq at low sequence coverage of divergent populations is a fast and effective means of identifying SNPs, with allelic imbalances between phenotypes. This technique is suitable for marker development in non-model species lacking complete and well-annotated genome reference sequences.
Generation of simple methylenecyclopropenes as reactive intermediates

Abstract The dehydrochlorination of either 1,2 - dichloro - 1 - methylcyclopropane or 1 - bromo - 2 - chloro - 2 - methylcyclopropane with potassium t-butoxide yields 2 - t - butoxy - 1 - methylenecyclopropane. These results are interpreted in terms of methylenecyclopropene as a reactive intermediate which is trapped by addition of nucleophile (t-butoxide) to the cyclopropenyl double bond. The introduction of methanethiol to the reaction medium yields 2 - thiomethyl - 1 - methylenecyclopropene 2,2 - Dichloro - 1 - methylenecyclopropane reacts with potassium t-butoxide in tetrahydrofuran to yield trans- and cis - t - butoxybut - 1 - ene - 3 - yne. The addition of thiomethide ion results in the formation of 2,2 - bis(thiomethyl) - 1 - methylenecyclopropane and 2 - t - butoxy - 2 - thiomethyl - 1 - methylenecyclopropane. Other evidence for simple methylenecyclopropenes as reactive intermediates comes from the observation that nucleophiles add nonregiospecifically to the reactive intermediate produced by the dehydrohalogenation of 2 - halo - 1 - alkylidenecyclopropanes. Novel methylenecyclopropane→ cyclopropene transformations were found in the reaction of 2 - halomethylenecyclopropanes with thiomethide ion.
How I treat mucormycosis

Unlike invasive aspergillosis, the prognosis and outcome of hematologic malignancy patients who develop invasive mucormycosis have not significantly improved over the past decade as a majority of patients who develop the infection still die 12 weeks after diagnosis. However, early recognition and treatment of invasive mucormycosis syndromes, as well as individualized approaches to treatment and secondary prophylaxis, could improve the odds of survival, even in the most persistently immunosuppressed patient receiving chemotherapy and/or of stem cell transplantation. Herein, we describe the subtle clinical and radiographic clues that should alert the hematologist to the possibility of mucormycosis, and aggressive and timely treatment approaches that may limit the spread of infection before it becomes fatal. Hematology patients with this opportunistic infection require integrated care across several disciplines and frequently highly individualized and complex sequence of decision-making. We also offer perspectives for the use of 2 antifungals, amphotericin B products and posaconazole, with activity against Mucorales. The availability of posaconazole in an oral formulation that can be administered safely for prolonged periods makes it an attractive agent for long-term primary and secondary prophylaxis. However, serum drug concentration monitoring may be required to minimize breakthrough infection or relapsing mucormycosis associated with inadequate blood concentrations.
Bounding the Size of k-Tuple Covers

Suppose there are n applications and n processors. A pair cover is a set S of one-to-one mappings (assignments) of the applications to the processors such that, for every pair (Ai,Aj) of applications and every pair (p,q) of processors, there is an assignment f in S that maps (Ai,Aj) to (p,q). More generally, we consider, for all k/spl ges/1, minimum size k-tuple covers. We improve bounds given earlier in by Latifi, where the application for k-tuple covers was fault tolerance of the multidimensional star network. Let F(n,k) denote the minimum cardinality k-tuple cover for n applications and processors. We give bounds for F(n,k) that are within a small multiplicative factor of optimum.
Optical imaging of fast light-evoked fast neural activation in amphibian retina

High performance functional imaging is needed for dynamic measurements of neural processing in retina. Emerging techniques of visual prosthesis also require advanced methodology for reliable validation of electromagnetic stimulation of the retina. Imaging of fast intrinsic optical responses associated with neural activation promises a variety of technical advantages over traditional single and multi-channel electrophysiological techniques for these purposes, but the application of fast optical signals for neural imaging has been limited by low signal to noise ratio and high background light intensity. However, using optimized near infrared probe light and improved optical systems, we have improved the optical signals substantially, allowing single pass measurements. Fast photodiode measurements typically disclose dynamic transmitted light changes of whole retina at the level of 10-4 dI/I, where dI is the dynamic optical change and I is the baseline light intensity. Using a fast high performance CCD, we imaged fast intrinsic optical responses from isolated retina activated by a visible light flash. Fast, high resolution imaging disclosed larger local optical responses, and showed evidence of multiple response components with both negative- and positive-going signals, on different timescales. Darkfield imaging techniques further enhanced the sensitivity of optical measurements. At single cell resolution, brightfield imaging disclosed maxima of optical responses ~5% dI/I, while darkfield imaging showed maxima of optical responses exceeding 10% dI/I. In comparison with simultaneous electrophysiological recording, optical imaging provided much better localized patterns of response over the activated area of the retina.
Generalized measures of fault tolerance in n-cube networks

It is shown that for a given p (1 or=5 remains connected provided that at most two neighbors of any processor are allowed to fail. >
Preliminary evaluation of treatment and selection conditions which affect expression of anthracycline mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium and a diploid human lymphoblast cell line.

Mutagenic potency in the Ames Salmonella test is an important endpoint that can be influenced by biological and technical factors. The ranking of mutagenic activity of a series of anthracyclines was measured using different conditions of exposure and mutation selection. A 20 min preincubation treatment version of the Ames test using a 0.2–2.0 μg/ml (0.36–3.60 nM/ml) dose range of each of the anthracyclines Adriamycin, Daunomycin, Carminomycin, 4′-O-methyldoxorubicin and 4-demethoxydoxorubicin confirmed the order of mutagenic potency seen with the same compounds under direct plating conditions. Preincubation results also confirm direct-plating results by showing the greater sensitivity of selection to His+ reversion over 8-azaguanine resistance to anthracycline mutagenicity. However, the order of mutagenic potency was changed by lengthening the preincubation treatment time to 2 h or reducing the population density of the treated cell inoculum by ten fold. These results suggest that certain treatment conditions enable the treated cells to diminish the phenotypic expression of anthracycline mutagenicity. For comparative purposes, daunomycin and Adriamycin mutagenicity in response to 0.1–0.2 nM/ml and 0.1–0.3 nM/ml dose ranges, respectively, were assessed in a human cell culture system with 6-thioguanine and 5-trifluorothymidine forward mutation selection. A daunomycin dose of 0.1 nM/ml generated approximately 25-fold and 20-fold increases in mutant fraction with 6-thioguanine and 5-trifluorothymidine selections, respectively. Equivalent dosing with Adriamycin generated approximately a 4-fold increase in mutant fraction with 6-thioguanine selection and little or no increase with 5-trifluothymidine selection. Maximum increase in expression of mutant fraction within the anthracycline treated populations of cells occurred with a 10 day expression time. Plating for clone forming ability on the day of treatment showed that a standard 0.1 nM/ml treatment dose reduced cloning efficiency of the daunomycin treated cells by 90% and reduced the clone forming ability of the Adriamycin treated cells by 30%.
Principal components analysis of drug expenditure and utilisation trends for major therapeutic classes in US Medicaid programmes.

Objective: Drug expenditures have been increasing much faster than spending on other medical services and have become burdensome for state Medicaid programmes. The purpose of this study was to analyse these trends across major therapeutic classes and to identify their similarities and differences.Methods: Using national claims data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for 1991 quarter 1 through to 2004 quarter 4, expenditures and prescriptions were aggregated across all drugs in 64 different therapeutic classes, providing 128 (64 × 2) different time series, most of length 56 quarters. Principal components analysis (PCA) was then applied to the data.Results: PCA revealed three principal components that accounted for 90% (92%) of total variation in Medicaid drug expenditure (utilisation) patterns. The first principal component (PC1), explaining 66% (67%) of the variation, is an exponential-like upward trend; PC2, explaining 17% (14%) of the variation, represents an increasing-then-decreasing pa...
Gibbs Regression and a Test for Goodness-of-Fit

We explore a model for social networks that may be viewed either as an extension of logistic regression or as a Gibbs distribution on a complete graph. The model was developed for data from a mental health service system which includes a neighborhood structure on the clients in the system. This neighborhood structure is used to develop a Markov chain Monte Carlo goodness-of-fit test for the fitted model, with pleasing results.
Two-dimensional beam steering using an electrically tunable impedance surface

By covering a metal ground plane with a periodic surface texture, we can alter its electromagnetic properties. The impedance of this metasurface can be modeled as a parallel resonant circuit, with sheet inductance L, and sheet capacitance C. The reflection phase varies with frequency from +/spl pi/ to -/spl pi/, and crosses through 0 at the LC resonance frequency, where the surface behaves as an artificial magnetic conductor. By incorporating varactor diodes into the texture, we have built a tunable impedance surface, in which an applied bias voltage controls the resonance frequency, and the reflection phase. We can program the surface to create a tunable phase gradient, which can electronically steer a reflected beam over +/- 40/spl deg/ in two dimensions, for both polarizations. We have also found that this type of resonant surface texture can provide greater bandwidth than conventional reflectarray structures. This new electronically steerable reflector offers a low-cost alternative to a conventional phased array.