cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evolution of chemical signals in the Asian elephant, Elephas maximus: behavioural and ecological influences

In antiquity, the Asian elephant,Elephas maximus, gradually spread southward and eastward to become a successfully surviving, ecologically dominant megaherbivore in the tropical environment of south-east Asia. The changing physical environment forced dynamic fluxes in its social structure and altered its metabolism. Such events shaped the production and ultimately the stability of certain chemicals released by body effluvia. Some of these chemicals took on significance as chemical signals and/or pheromones. This article demonstrates by experimental and observational evidence, and hypothesizes based on speculative reasoning, how and why specific chemical signals evolved in the modern Asian elephant. Evidence, including the functional criteria required by elephant social structure and ecology, is presented for the hypothesis that the recently identified female-emitted, male-received sex pheromone, (Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate evolved first as a chemical signal. Subsequently, the cohesiveness and harmony of small, matriarchally-led female groups were strengthened by a female-to-female chemical signal, recently defined behaviourally. The looser societal structure of freer, roaming males also became bounded by chemical signals; for the males, breath and temporal gland emissions, as well as urinary ones function in chemical signalling. Basic knowledge about elephant chemical signals is now linking chemical information to behaviour and beginning to demonstrate how these signals affect elephant social structure and enable the species to cope with environmental changes.
Plant Products as Antimicrobial Agents

The use of and search for drugs and dietary supplements derived from plants have accelerated in recent years. Ethnopharmacologists, botanists, microbiologists, and natural-products chemists are combing the Earth for phytochemicals and “leads” which could be developed for treatment of infectious diseases. While 25 to 50% of current pharmaceuticals are derived from plants, none are used as antimicrobials. Traditional healers have long used plants to prevent or cure infectious conditions; Western medicine is trying to duplicate their successes. Plants are rich in a wide variety of secondary metabolites, such as tannins, terpenoids, alkaloids, and flavonoids, which have been found in vitro to have antimicrobial properties. This review attempts to summarize the current status of botanical screening efforts, as well as in vivo studies of their effectiveness and toxicity. The structure and antimicrobial properties of phytochemicals are also addressed. Since many of these compounds are currently available as unregulated botanical preparations and their use by the public is increasing rapidly, clinicians need to consider the consequences of patients self-medicating with these preparations.
Prevalence of epilepsy and seizures in the Navajo Nation 1998-2002.

Summary Purpose: To determine the prevalence of epilepsy and seizures in the Navajo. Methods: We studied 226,496 Navajo residing in the Navajo Reservation who had at least one medical encounter between October 1, 1998 and September 30, 2002. We ascertained and confirmed cases in two phases. First, we identified patients with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes signifying epilepsy or seizures using Indian Health Service (IHS) administrative data. Second, we reviewed medical charts of a geographic subpopulation of identified patients to confirm diagnoses and assess the positive predictive value of the ICD-9-CM codes in identifying patients with active epilepsy. Results: Two percent of Navajo receiving IHS care were found to have an ICD-9-CM code consistent with epilepsy or seizures. Based on confirmed cases, the crude prevalence for the occurrence of any seizure (including febrile seizures and recurrent seizures that may have been provoked) in the geographic subpopulation was 13.5 per 1,000 and the crude prevalence of active epilepsy was 9.2 per 1,000. Prevalence was higher among males, children under 5 years of age, and older adults. Discussion: The estimated prevalence of active epilepsy in the Navajo Nation is above the upper limit of the range of reported estimates from other comparable studies of U.S. communities.
The Next Step in Revitalizing RCRA: Maine People's Alliance and the Importance of Citizen Intervention in EPA Actions

The citizen suit provision is a key component of the 1976 amendments to the Solid Waste Disposal Act, known as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), since it provides individuals with the means to initiate proceedings to protect themselves even when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fails to do so. Maine People’s Alliance v. Mallinckrodt, Inc. involved a citizen suit against an industrial facility that dumped mercury-laden waste into the Penobscot River over a fifteen-year period. The First Circuit held in favor of Plaintiffs, despite the limited evidence of an “imminent and substantial endangerment.” This is an important decision because it continued the trend set by four previous circuits of broadly interpreting RCRA’s citizen suit provision. Under the existing regulatory framework for hazardous pollutants, there are two scenarios in which a citizen may wish to sue a polluter. The first is where the EPA has not initiated a lawsuit, as in Maine People’s Alliance, and the second is where the EPA has initiated a lawsuit, but is inadequately protecting the interests of citizens. This Note focuses on the latter scenario and proposes that courts should further strengthen RCRA by embracing the logic of Maine People’s Alliance and apply only a minimal burden test when assessing citizens’ rights to intervene in an EPA-initiated RCRA enforcement action. This would only require a limited showing that the EPA inadequately represents the citizens’ interests. Just as it is important for citizens to be able to bring suit where environmental harm is not being addressed, it should also be easy to intervene in ongoing RCRA suits.
Plant Nitrogen Dynamics in Shortgrass Steppe under Elevated Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide

The direct and indirect effects of increasing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) on plant nitrogen (N) content were studied in a shortgrass steppe ecosystem in northeastern Colorado, USA. Beginning in 1997 nine experimental plots were established: three open-top chambers with ambient CO2 levels (approximately 365 μmol mol−1), three open-top chambers with twice-ambient CO2 levels (approximately 720 μmol mol−1), and three unchambered control plots. After 3 years of growing-season CO2 treatment, the aboveground N concentration of plants grown under elevated atmospheric CO2 decreased, and the carbon–nitrogen (C:N) ratio increased. At the same time, increased aboveground biomass production under elevated atmospheric CO2 conditions increased the net transfer of N out of the soil of elevated-CO2 plots. Aboveground biomass production after simulated herbivory was also greater under elevated CO2 compared to ambient CO2. Surprisingly, no significant changes in belowground plant tissue N content were detected in response to elevated CO2. Measurements of individual species at peak standing phytomass showed significant effects of CO2 treatment on aboveground plant tissue N concentration and significant differences between species in N concentration, suggesting that changes in species composition under elevated CO2 will contribute to overall changes in nutrient cycling. Changes in plant N content, driven by changes in aboveground plant N concentration, could have important consequences for biogeochemical cycling rates and the long-term productivity of the shortgrass steppe as atmospheric CO2 concentrations increase.
MRTD: new time-domain schemes based on multiresolution analysis

The application of multiresolution analysis to Maxwell's equations results in new multiresolution time-domain (MRTD) schemes with unparalleled inherent properties. In particular, the approach allows the development of MRTD schemes which are based on scaling functions only or on a combination of scaling functions and wavelets leading to a variable mesh grading. The dispersion of the MRTD schemes compared to the conventional Yee finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) scheme shows an excellent capability to approximate the exact solution with negligible error for sampling rates approaching the Nyquist limit. Simple microwave structures including dielectric materials are analyzed in order to illustrate the application of the MRTD schemes and to demonstrate the advantages over Yee's FDTD scheme with respect to memory requirements and execution time.
Analysis of near-source static and dynamic measurements from the 1979 Imperial Valley earthquake

Gross features of the rupture mechanism of the 1979 Imperial Valley earthquake ( ML = 6.6) are inferred from qualitative analysis of near-source ground motion data and observed surface rupture. A lower bound on the event's seismic moment of 2.5 × 1025 dyne-cm is obtained by assuming that the average slip over the whole fault plane equals the average surface rupture, 40.5 cm. Far-field estimates of moment suggest an average slip over the fault plane of 105 cm, from which a static stress drop of 11 bars is obtained. An alternative slip model, consistent with the far-field moment, has 40.5 cm of slip in the upper 5 km of the fault and 120 cm of slip in the lower 5 km. This model suggests a static stress drop of 39 bars. From the lower estimate of 11 bars, an average strain drop of 32 µstrain is derived. This strain drop is four times greater than the strain that could have accumulated since the 1940 El Centro earthquake based on measured strain rates for the region. Hence, a major portion of the strain released in the 1979 main shock had been accumulated prior to 1940. Unusually large amplitude (500 to 600 cm/sec2) vertical accelerations were recorded at stations E05, E06, E07, E08, EDA of the EI Centro array, and the five stations of the differential array near EDA. Although the peak acceleration of 1705 cm/sec2 at E06 is probably amplified by a factor of 3 due to local site conditions, these large amplitude vertical accelerations are unusual in that they are evident on only a few stations, all of which are near the fault trace and at about the same epicentral range. Two possible explanations are considered: first, that they are due to a direct P wave generated from a region about 17 km north of the hypocenter, or second, that they are due to a PP phase that is unusually strong in the Imperial Valley due to the large P -wave velocity gradient in the upper 5 km of the Imperial Valley. Based on the distribution of both the horizontal and vertical offsets, it is likely that the rupture went beyond stations E06 and E07 during the main shock. By exploiting the antisymmetry of the parallel components of particle velocity between E06 and E07 and by examining polarization diagrams of the particle velocity at E06 and E07, an average rupture velocity in the basement of 2.5 to 2.6 km/sec between the hypocenter and station E06 is obtained. In addition, several lines of evidence suggest that the Imperial fault dips about 75° to the NE.
Replacement of charged and polar residues in the coiled-coiled interface of huntingtin-interacting protein 1 (HIP1) causes aggregation and cell death

Abstract HIP1 crystal structures solved in our laboratory revealed abnormalities in the coiled-coil region, suggesting intrinsic plasticity. To test this, specific amino acids in the coiled-coil were mutated. The apparent thermal stability of HIP1 was altered when Thr528 and Glu531 were replaced by leucine, and was enhanced when Lys510 was also mutated. In cells, HIP1 mutant expression produced aggregation. MTS and flow cytometry indicate a correlation between aggregated HIP1 and enhanced cell death. These data support the idea that flexibility of the HIP1 coiled-coil domain is important for normal function and may lead to new insights into Huntington’s disease. Structured summary of protein interactions HIP1 physically interacts with 23QHtt by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation ( View interaction .)
Designing maneuverable micro-swimmers actuated by responsive gel†

We use computational modeling to design a self-propelling micro-swimmer that can navigate in a low-Reynolds-number environment. Our simple swimmer consists of a responsive gel body with two propulsive flaps attached to its opposite sides and a stimuli-sensitive steering flap at the swimmer front end. The responsive gel body undergoes periodic expansions and contractions leading to a time-irreversible beating motion of the propulsive flaps, which propels the micro-swimmer. We examine the effects of body elasticity and flap geometry on the locomotion of the swimmer and show how they can be tailored to optimize the swimmer propulsion. We also probe how the swimmer trajectory can be controllably changed using the steering flap that bends when exposed to an external stimulus. We demonstrate that the steering occurs due to two effects: steering flap bending and periodic beating. Furthermore, our simulations reveal that the turning direction can be regulated by changing the stimulus strength.
Development and reliability of a brief skin cancer risk assessment tool

Abstract This study aimed to develop and pilot test a brief skin cancer risk assessment tool (BRAT), a self-administered instrument that can be reliably used to assess skin cancer risk. To develop the BRAT, we critically reviewed published literature on risk factors; formulated a draft questionnaire; pilot tested the questionnaire; and retested 1 month later. The BRAT items address the key risk factors for melanoma and other keratinocyte skin cancers: ethnicity, personal and family history of skin cancer, mole count, freckles, childhood residence, sunburn history, and sun sensitivity factors (skin color, natural hair color, ease of sunburning and tanning). One hundred sixty-five persons completed the initial BRAT pilot study, and 52 additional people at moderate- or high-risk completed a second BRAT pilot study. Results were as follows: using a dichotomous risk measure, about 90% of subjects would be correctly classified at baseline and follow-up. Weighted κ for the total BRAT score (0.41–0.68) and for individual items (0.57–0.99) were fair to good, as were correlation coefficients. The BRAT has acceptable to good reproducibility. Reliability statistics compared favorably with those reported in the literature for similar measures.
Theoretical Approaches to the Study of Sex‐Role Culture in Schools

Major findings from the psychological and educational literature pertinent to the study of sex-role culture in schools are identified and discussed. Four commonly used sociocultural theories are presented: functionalism, cultural ecology, ethnoscience, and symbolic interactionism. Applications of each to research on sex-role culture in schools are demonstrated, integrating generalizations from the psychological and educational literature. The use of explicit theoretical paradigms and interdisciplinary approaches should facilitate the development of more rigorous explanations in this area.
Response to higher doses of interferon alfa‐2b in patients with chronic hepatitis C: A randomized multicenter trial

To evaluate response rates to 3, 5, or 10 million units (MU) of interferon alfa-2b, given thrice weekly, and to determine whether higher doses of interferon increase the likelihood or durability of the response, a multicenter, randomized trial was performed at nine academic medical centers in the United States. Two hundred forty eight patients with chronic hepatitis C were randomized to receive 3, 5, or 10 MU of interferon alfa-2b thrice weekly for 12 weeks. Based on the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) response at treatment-week 12, the patients were rerandomized to additional therapy at the same or at increased doses for an additional 12 to 36 weeks; in the case of no response to the highest dose, the patients were discontinued from the study. Serum ALT concentrations and liver histology were measured. The overall complete response rates to 3, 5, or 10 MU were not different at treatment-week 12 (31% vs. 42% vs. 40%, not significant). The majority of week-12 responders continued to respond during additional treatment. When the treatment was discontinued, 15.4% to 19.0% of patients maintained their response. Of the nonresponders to 3 MU at week 12, who were continued on 3 MU for an additional 12 weeks, none responded. However, response to additional therapy occurred in 12% of week-12 nonresponders, whose dose was escalated from 3 or 5 MU to 10 MU. The only baseline features associated with the treatment response were the absence of fibrosis or cirrhosis on the pretreatment liver biopsy and viral genotype. We conclude that the initial response to interferon in patients with chronic hepatitis C is not increased by treatment with higher doses of the drug. Patients who do not respond to 3 MU by treatment-week 12 will not respond with continued therapy at that dose; however, a proportion of patients who do not respond to 12 weeks of treatment with 3 or 5 MU may respond to higher doses. Although the long-term sustained response rates are marginally increased with interferon doses above 3 MU three times per week, the side effects are difficult to tolerate. The analysis of baseline factors in relation to response identified no single baseline factor associated with a low-enough response rate to warrant withholding interferon therapy from patients with chronic hepatitis C.
Malignant Tumors of the Central Nervous System

In 2001, in the United States, there were approximately 17,200 new diagnoses of cancers of “the brain and other nervous systems”, with 13,100 consequent cancer-related deaths [1]. Men were affected more often that women in the ratio of 1.3:1. In the adult, metastases were several times more frequent than primary tumors [2, 3]. Primary tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) make up about 1.5% of all cancers and 2.5% of all cancer-related deaths [4]. Spinal cord tumors, both primary and metastatic, are about 10% as frequent as cerebral tumors [5]. Although the incidence of primary CNS tumors increases with increasing age, these tumors are proportionately more frequent in childhood [6], when primary CNS tumors are the most frequent solid cancers, with an incidence of 2–3 per 100,000 and are the second most frequent cause of cancer-related deaths [6, 7]. The most frequent primary tumors in children are medulloblastoma and low-grade astrocytoma [6].
Completeness and consistency analysis of state-based requirements

This paper describes methods for automatically analyzing formal, state-based requirements specifications for completeness and consistency. The approach uses a low-level functional formalism, simplifying the analysis process. State space exploslon problems are eliminated by applying the analysis at a high level of abstraction; i.e, instead of generating a reachability graph for analysis, the analysis is performed directly on the model. The method scales up to large systems by decomposing the specification into smaller, analyzable parts and then using functional composition rules to ensure that verified properties hold for the entire specification. The analysis algorithms and tools have been validated on TCAS II, a complex, airborne, collision-avoidance system reqmred on all commercial aircraft with more than 30 passengers that fly in U.S. airspace.
Fault diagnosis technique for subranging ADCs

This paper describes a fault diagnosis technique for subranging analog to digital converters (ADCs). Functional fault in each of the analog component in the subranging ADC affects the transfer function differently. This property is employed for fault diagnosis. Deviation from ideal of the transfer function which is categorized into offset error, gain error, DNL, and INL data, are used for fault diagnosis. The technique is therefore not dependent on the test method, and it can be applied to dynamic test data. The diagnosis procedure is presented in detail. Simulation results and a case study are also presented. They verify the diagnosis technique. >
Location-Aware Authentication and Access Control Concepts and Issues

The paper first discusses motivations why taking into account location information in authentication and access control is important. The paper then surveys current approaches to location-aware authentication, including the notion of context-based flexible authentication policies, and to location-aware access control, with focus on the GEO-RBAC model. Throughout the discussion, the paper identifies open research directions.
Dominant and Recessive Effects of Electrophoretically Detected Specific Locus Mutations

The heterozygous and homozygous effects of mutations recovered from a biochemical screen of mouse samples are described. Of the total of 28 electrophoretically detected mutations only one, a Pgm-2 mobility mutation appears to have caused a change to a previously known allelic form. All but one electrophoretically detected allele have been shown to be homozygous viable. Two mutations identified by other means are homozygous lethal; the first is a mutant detected because of its reduced PK-3 activity in heterozygotes, and the second is a morphologically detected mutation at the d locus. Three dominant visible mutations are also described briefly.
Relationship between question prompts and critical thinking in online discussions

This study examined the relationships between the structure of question prompts and the levels of critical thinking demonstrated by students’ responses in 27 online discussions. Discussion question types were classified using Andrews’ typology (1980): playground, brainstorm, focal, general invitation, lower-level divergent, analytical convergent, shotgun, funnel, and critical incident. Transcripts of students’ responses from twenty seven online discussions were analyzed for levels of critical thinking using Garrison’s four-stage Practical Inquiry Model. Differences in the impact on the levels of critical thinking were observed across the differing question types. Among the nine question types, critical incident and lower divergent questions were most effective in generating high levels of student thinking compared to other question types. Implications for instructors who are looking for general guidelines regarding how to structure their questions to elicit high quality responses are discussed.
Mechanical Characterization of a Dynamic and Tunable Methacrylated Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a commonly used natural polymer for cell scaffolding. Modification by methacrylate allows it to be polymerized by free radicals via addition of an initiator, e.g., light-sensitive Irgacure, to form a methacrylated hyaluronic acid (MeHA) hydrogel. Light-activated crosslinking can be used to control the degree of polymerization, and sequential polymerization steps allow cells plated onto or in the hydrogel to initially feel a soft and then a stiff matrix. Here, the elastic modulus of MeHA hydrogels was systematically analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) for a number of variables including duration of UV exposure, monomer concentration, and methacrylate functionalization. To determine how cells would respond to a specific two-step polymerization, NIH 3T3 fibroblasts were cultured on the stiffening MeHA hydrogels and found to reorganize their cytoskeleton and spread area upon hydrogel stiffening, consistent with cells originally cultured on substrates of the final elastic modulus.
Activatable tiles for compact robust programmable molecular assembly and other applications

Algorithmic DNA self-assembly is capable of forming complex patterns and shapes, that have been shown theoretically, and experimentally. Its experimental demonstrations, although improving over recent years, have been limited by significant assembly errors. Since 2003 there have been several designs of error-resilient tile sets but all of these existing error-resilient tile systems assumed directional growth of the tiling assembly. This is a very strong assumption because experiments show that tile self-assembly does not necessarily behave in such a fashion, since they may also grow in the reverse of the intended direction. The assumption of directional growth of the tiling assembly also underlies the growth model in theoretical assembly models such as the TAM. What is needed is a means for enforce this directionality constraint, which will allow us to reduce assembly errors. In this paper we describe a protection/deprotection strategy to strictly enforce the direction of tiling assembly growth so that the assembly process is robust against errors. Initially, we start with (1) a single "activated" tile with output pads that can bind with other tiles, along with (2) a set of "deactivated" tiles, meaning that the tile's output pads are protected and cannot bind with other tiles. After other tiles bind to a "deactivated" tile's input pads, the tile transitions to an active state and its output pads are exposed, allowing further growth. When these are activated in a desired order, we can enforce a directional assembly at the same scale as the original one. Such a system can be built with minimal modifications of existing DNA tile nanostructures. We propose a new type of tiles called activatable tiles and its role in compact proofreading. Activatable tiles can be thought of as a particular case of the more recent signal tile assembly model, where signals transmit binding/unbinding instructions across tiles on binding to one or more input sites. We describe abstract and kinetic models of activatable tile assembly and show that the error rate can be decreased significantly with respect to Winfree's original kinetic tile assembly model without considerable decrease in assembly growth speed. We prove that an activatable tile set is an instance of a compact, error-resilient and self-healing tile-set. We describe a DNA design of activatable tiles and a mechanism of deprotection using DNA polymerization and strand displacement. We also perform detailed stepwise simulations using a DNA Tile simulator Xgrow, and show that the activatable tiles mechanism can reduce error rates in self assembly. We conclude with a brief discussion on some applications of activatable tiles beyond computational tiling, both as (1) a novel system for concentration of molecules, and (2) a catalyst in sequentially triggered chemical reactions .
Manipulation of the Gut Microbiota Reveals Role in Colon Tumorigenesis

There is growing evidence that individuals with colonic adenomas and carcinomas harbor a distinct microbiota. Alterations to the gut microbiota may allow the outgrowth of bacterial populations that induce genomic mutations or exacerbate tumor-promoting inflammation. In addition, it is likely that the loss of key bacterial populations may result in the loss of protective functions that are normally provided by the microbiota. We explored the role of the gut microbiota in colon tumorigenesis by using an inflammation-based murine model. We observed that perturbing the microbiota with different combinations of antibiotics reduced the number of tumors at the end of the model. Using the random forest machine learning algorithm, we successfully modeled the number of tumors that developed over the course of the model on the basis of the initial composition of the microbiota. The timing of antibiotic treatment was an important determinant of tumor outcome, as colon tumorigenesis was arrested by the use of antibiotics during the early inflammation period of the murine model. Together, these results indicate that it is possible to predict colon tumorigenesis on the basis of the composition of the microbiota and that altering the gut microbiota can alter the course of tumorigenesis. IMPORTANCE Mounting evidence indicates that alterations to the gut microbiota, the complex community of bacteria that inhabits the gastrointestinal tract, are strongly associated with the development of colorectal cancer. We used antibiotic perturbations to a murine model of inflammation-driven colon cancer to generate eight starting communities that resulted in various severities of tumorigenesis. Furthermore, we were able to quantitatively predict the final number of tumors on the basis of the initial composition of the gut microbiota. These results further bolster the evidence that the gut microbiota is involved in mediating the development of colorectal cancer. As a final proof of principle, we showed that perturbing the gut microbiota in the midst of tumorigenesis could halt the formation of additional tumors. Together, alteration of the gut microbiota may be a useful therapeutic approach to preventing and altering the trajectory of colorectal cancer.
MEASUREMENT OF SURFACE WAVES FROM SUBSURFACE GAGE

Wave measurement using subsurface pressure gage has many advantages, especially in coastal waters. However, there are some disadvantages associated with indirect measurement of surface waves. This paper deals with the problems in the recovery of surface waves from the subsurface pressure measurement. Two problems are examined: more exact recovery of the surface waves from subsurface pressure signal and a simple real time recovery of surface waves from the pressure record. The commonly used linear transformation from the subsurface pressure to surface elevation is evaluated and possible sources of error are examined. The effect of nonlinearity and effect of current are shown to be small in the intermediate water depth. For the case of shallow water where effects of nonlinearity and current are not negligible, a method of proper recovery of surface waves from the combination of pressure and current measurements is given. A simple method to recover the time series surface waves from subsurface record is proposed which enables speedy near real-time recovery of surface waves from pressure measurement using a microprocessor.
Teaching Qualitative Research: Cases and Issues [Book Review]

Review(s) of: Teaching Qualitative Research: Cases and Issues, by Rosalind E Hurworth, Sense Publishers, Rotterdam, 2008, 283 pages, ISBN: 978-90-8790-203-2. Includes references.
Governance and Public Policy: The Fair Labor Association (FLA) vs Nike Inc.

The presence of noncompliance of globally set standards in a supplier factory of Nike in India was identified by the Fair Labor Association. Nike, being a part of the association took drastic steps to develop and implement a policy framework in accordance to its own Code of Conduct. These initiatives led to an almost two years of monitoring and follow-up to register sufficient change in the labor practices of the factory. However, there are still some aspects that remained unaddressed by that time. The following sections provide a background into the issue with brief introductions of the organizations and the issues. The work done is described and analyzed. Insights are provided to conclude the case scenario.
Tunable Ultracapacitor

This paper presents for the first time the development of a tunable (i.e., variable) ultracapacitor. One set of metal plates, coated with a thin layer of carbon nanotubes, constitutes a stationary electrode. The stationary electrode is permanently immersed in an electrolytic solution. A second electrode, similar in structure to the first, is movable in and out of the electrolytic solution. The capacitance of such an ultracapacitor will be proportional to the immersed surface area of the movable electrode. In the prototype that was assembled by the authors, the capacitance varies from 0 to 4 F. The tunable ultracapacitor will be useful in a number of applications, including ultrawideband radio transceivers and electromechanical transducers with high sensitivity.
Civil Integrated Management for Highway Infrastructure: Case Studies and Lessons Learned

The use of information modeling and digital data for highway projects has seen a considerable surge over the past decade. These tools have enhanced the predictability and performance of several tasks in the project delivery process. This study explores the implementation of civil integrated management (CIM) practices in four case studies and documents the lessons learned to enhance CIM inclusion in project delivery processes. CIM encompasses the system of interdependent technologies and practices that facilitate collection, management, and utilization of digital information for project delivery and asset management processes. CIM is an emerging practice, and studies concerning integration of CIM technologies with project life cycle are limited. Through case studies of four highway projects, this study emphasizes the standards and processes that played a vital role in utilizing CIM technologies for contract documentation, design coordination, construction automation, and project management. The two small-s...
Tolerance of Alfalfa Clones to the Spotted Alfalfa Aphid1

Fifteen selected clones of alfalfa, Medicago sativa L., exhibited a wide range of tolerance to Therioaphis maculate (Buckton). Linear regression coefficients, for clonalleaflet damage as a function of aphid infestation duration, varied from 0.000 to 0.757 and 0.000 to 0.557 for excised and intact leaflets, respectively. Mean damage scores after a 7-day infestation were significantly higher for excised than for intact leaflets, but the damage differences varied differentially among clones. Yellowing contrasts between excised and intact leaflets were non significant for 10 but significant for 5 clones. Damage to alfalfa clones by spotted alfalfa aphid nymphs proceeded more rapidly at 26.5 than at 15.5°C, but expression of clonal tolerance was similar at the 2 temperatures. Nymph growth and rate of reproduction of apterous adults varied significantly among clones but was not related to clonal tolerance.
CLINICAL EVALUATION OF SEVERE ASTHMA: COMPARISON OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF CHILDREN WITH FREQUENT ADMISSION OR LONG TERM HOSPITALIZATION FOR SEVERE ASTHMA AND THOSE WITH MILD ASTHMA WITHOUT HOSPITALIZATION

To evaluate the aggravating factors for asthma, we compared children with frequent admission or long term hospitalization for asthma with those with mild asthma without hospitalization. The mean age of 49 children with severe asthma ranging from 2 to 21 years was 12.5±4.8 years of age. The sex ratio was 1.6. Each experienced 10 episodes of admission or 182 days of hospitalization, and 4.4 episodes of status asthmaticus on the average for 3 years since 1986 to 1988. Mechanical ventilation was performed in one case, and 10 cases were steroid-dependent.In comparison of the severe asthma with 98 cases of age-and sex-matched mild asthma, the severe asthma had a greater rate of early onset of asthma before 2 years of age, positive history of atopic dermatitis and food allergy. No differences were observed for serum IgE levels and RAST to egg white and house dust mite. Psychosomatic involvements were recognized in some cases with severe asthma.These findings showed that treatment and prevention of severe asthma is important in management including that of atopic skin disease and food allergy as well as enviromental contorol since infancy and early childfood. Psychologic approach may increase management skills for adolescence cases.
Disaster Resilience in SDN: A Case Study*

Disaster-aware provisioning strategies have been proposed to mitigate the damage of large-scale disasters in optical networks. In this study, we analyze the performance of SDN under a disaster scenario through a network emulation using Mininet.
Free Trade in a Changing Global Marketplace: A Theoretical and Practical Assessment

As a result of significant structural changes in the competitive environment of the global marketplace, major industries have requested and received increased trade protection in the form of voluntary export restraints, countervailing duties, and antidumping lawsuits. Such protectionist tendencies have partly arisen because of the perception that liberalized trade leads to domestic unemployment. This paper presents the theoretical and practical aspects surrounding free trade. Despite some theoretical exceptions to arguments for free trade, the evidence suggests that free trade has worked best in practice.
Syntheses, volume, and structural changes of garnets in the pyrope-grossular join : implications for stability and mixing properties

We have synthesized 11 garnet compositions in the pyrope-grossular join from glass starting materials by a combination of hydrothermal synthesis and recycling of most of the products at "-40 kbar, 1400 °C, in graphite capsules. Syntheses of homogeneous crystals were also successful within the compositional range Grso-Grso, which represented a conspicuous gap in earlier studies on synthetic garnets. The lattice parameters of the synthetic garnets have been determined with a precision of 0.0002-0.0004 A. The results show a slightly positive excess volume of mixing, which is asymmetric toward the grossular end, and can be described by a subregular or Margules formulation with WtaMg= 0.36 ::t 0.23 and Wt'tgca= 1.73 ::t 0.3 cm3/mol (12 0 atom basis). Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) structural refinements show linear dependence of the 0 positional parameters and cation to 0 distance in dodecahedral, octahedral, and tetrahedral sites on the Ca content of garnet. The partial molar volume of grossular in pyrope-grossular and almandine-grossular joins, determined from our data and those of Geiger et al. (1989), varies smoothly and similarly between the terminal compositions and exceeds the molar volume by < 1%, which has an effect of no more than 1.5% on the calculation of equilibrium pressure of the assemblage grossular + alumino silicate + plagioclase + quartz. The partial molar volumes of pyrope and almandine change very similarly as a function of the Ca content of garnet. The v-x relation of the pyrope-grossular join determined in this work has been used to calculate the effect of lattice strain on the enthalpy of mixing. We have also extended the formulation of Ferreira et al. to derive a simple but general expression to account for the effect of multiatom interaction on lattice strain.
The Impact of Challenge Quizzes on Student Knowledge

We evaluate the efficacy of a blended formative/summative assessment tool developed to support mastery learning by students without placing undue burden on instructors. Our innovation provides students with an opportunity to take a more difficult "challenge" quiz to demonstrate their command of the material and improve their grade on regular in-class quizzes. The structure of these quizzes motivates students to modify study behaviors (formative component) and take responsibility for knowledge acquisition (summative component). This mastery-based testing approach serves to bring the student's objective of a quality grade in line with the instructor's objective of quality learning.
Analysis of clarification-surveillance of infectious source of filariasis in Henan Province

Aim: To clarify the residual infectious source of filariasis by means of clarification-surveillance. Methods: Etiological and entomological methods were applied for the cross-sectional surveillance in all of filarial endemic counties in turn annually and for the consecutive longitudinal surveillance in 6 provincial surveillance sites. Results: As to cross-sectional surveillance, totally 993 027 person-time blood examinations were conducted, among them, 201 were found microfilarial positive. The average microfilaria rate was 0.020%. The last microfilaremia cases was found in year 1991. The consecutive longitudinal surveillance in 6 selected sites was performed from year 1988 to 1994 and in which totally 30 520 person-time blood examinations were conducted. Eight microfilaremic patients were detected out in the first year. No human microfilaria positive and no filarial larval positive mosquitos were found since 1992. In total, 14 806 345 person-time treatments had been administered, which consisted of 289 720 microfilaremic patients treated with DEC fortified table salt(diethylcarbamazine), 438 765 person GAAB2 time massly treated with DEC, and 14 077 860 person-time massly treated with DEC salt. Conclusion: Clarification surveillance is of great importance at the late stage of "basic elimination of filariasis".
Violence, stigma and mental health among female sex workers in China: A structural equation modeling

ABSTRACTIntimate partner violence is prevalent among female sex workers (FSWs) in China, and it is significantly associated with mental health problems among FSWs. However, limited studies have explored the mechanisms/process by which violence affects mental health. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships among partner violence, internalized stigma, and mental health problems among FSWs. Data were collected using a self-administered cross-sectional survey administered to 1,022 FSWs in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (Guangxi), China during 2008–2009. We used structural equation modeling to test the hypothesized relationships. Results indicated that violence perpetrated by either stable sexual partners or clients was directly and positively associated with mental health problems. Violence also had an indirect relation to mental health problems through stigma. Results highlight the need for interventions on counseling and care for FSWs who have experienced violence and for interventi...
ADEA/WKKF Access to Dental Careers Program: Supporting a Dental Pipeline Concept and Program

In 2001, funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) provided the resources necessary for the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) to lend its support to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Pipeline, Profession, and Practice: Community-Based Dental Education program. Through the $1.1 million WKKF grant, ADEA was able to provide grants to eleven of the Pipeline schools. The awards were known as the ADEA/WKKF Access to Dental Careers grants. Each school received $100,000 during the four-year grant period. The grant funds were used for direct educational support only to underrepresented minority and low-income students. ADEA provided administrative support for distribution of funds to the schools and for reporting to the foundation. The grants provided educational support funding to underrepresented minority and low-income students as an added value to the recruitment component of the Pipeline program. A total of 226 awards were made during the four-year grant period. The average grant award was $4,867.25.
A longitudinal study of environmental attitudes of women and gender diversification in the U.S. Forest Service 1990-1996

The USDA Forest Service has been dominated by white, male foresters. Beginning in the mid-1970s, the agency was compelled legally and morally to begin diversifying its workforce by race, gender, and profession. Concurrent with workforce diversification efforts, the agency confronted demands from the courts, Congress, and interest groups to change national forest management by emphasizing national forest preservation over the production of commodities such as timber and livestock forage. This study examines the role of women as potential organizational change agents by analyzing survey data collected from two national studies of the Forest Service in 1990 and 1996. Results from the 1996 study indicate that women continue to exhibit higher levels of general environmental concern than men, suggesting their role as potential "saviors" in helping the agency to make the transition to increased emphasis on ecosystem management. Conversely, diversification of the Forest Service workforce continues to be highly contentious, with some employees feeling that the recruitment and promotion of women without adequate training and/or experience have left the agency unprepared to meet complex demands. The inability of the Forest Service to satisfy multiple, conflicting constituencies in the face of agency downsizing suggests the role of women as "scapegoats," whose perceived lack of experience is responsible for agency shortcomings. The authors suggest that the historical convergence of workforce diversification with changes in national forest policy inevitably place women in the conflicting roles of both "saviors" and "scapegoats.".
Revolutionizing Academic Activism: Transpraxis, Critical Pedagogy, and Justice for a People Yet to Be

One strain of thought that is both consistent with and an amplification of academic activism (Belknap in Criminology 53(1):1–22, 2015) is the critical criminological literature on transpraxis. As a theory of change, transpraxis advances a thesis on the dialogical and relational pedagogy of mutual struggle, of shared being and becoming. In addition, this literature critiques the dominant philosophy of human risk management and the current culture of captivity politics in which the struggle for transformative (i.e., interdependent and collective) change is “finalized.” We argue that, in the present era, processes of humanness and expressions of culture de-vitalize (e.g., homogenize, normalize, territorialize) this existence. In so doing, humanness and culture tend toward Hegelian reaction-negation dynamics, thereby forestalling and/or foreclosing justice for an awaiting people. Accordingly, this article outlines the dimensions of transpraxis as theory, explains how revolutionary academic activism necessitates a critical pedagogy for a people yet to be, and it reconceives the educational terrain of criminological activism as the pedagogy of becoming. We argue that the transpraxis properties of this pedagogy facilitate revolutionary academic activism and further the radical potential of transformative justice. This activism and potential exist for the multitude.
A Micromachined Electrical Field-Flow Fractionation (µ-Eifff) System with Integrated Electrical Conductivity Detection and Complimentary Resonance Light Scattering Detection Systems

In this work, a µ-E1FFF system is demonstrated with complimentary on-column electrical conductivity and resonance light scattering (RLS) detection systems. High speed serial fractionations are demonstrated in the µ-EIFFF system using anti-biotin coated metallic nanospheres of various sizes. The fractionations are visualized in real-time using RLS and correlated to the integrated conductivity detector
Neutron and Raman Scattering Studies of Hgba 2 CuO 4+δ

The HgBa2CuO4+δ sample was characterized by Neutron diffraction and magnetic measurements. Both of the measurements indicate a high purity of the sample. Raman measurement was performed on a HgBa2CuO4+δ compound of Tc = 96 K. The apical oxygen vibration at 592 cm−1 was found to show (a) an above Tc anomaly, and (b) frequency hardening and linewidth broadening below the superconducting phase transition. The latter is attributed to the coupling of the phonon to the electronic excitation and related to the opening of the superconducting gap below the phonon frequency.
Role of nanoscale characterization in improving tribological properties of materials

N play an important role in determining the hardness, fracture toughness, and strength of materials. Nanoparticles with size ranging from 1-100 nm are beginning to play a strong role as additives in metals and alloys, contributing to their high hardness and low plasticity. This presentation focuses on a class of nanomaterials called ‘nanodiamond’. Nanodiamond additives have been shown to improve tribological properties and enhance mechanical properties in varied classes of materials such as polymer composites, engine oils and lubricants. Although experimentally shown to improve mechanical properties, the nanoscale origins of how these nanoparticles interact with their host atoms and molecules is unknown. In this presentation, we explore scanning probe microscopy as a tool to study interaction between nanodiamond particles, throwing greater light on interaction forces at the nanoscale. As an example, using force-distance spectroscopy, we show that nanodiamonds show reduced adhesion with a scanning probe tip, thus making them effective as lubricant additives.