cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On Elastomer Mount Design When Machine and Foundation Are Multi-Resonant Structures

Some considerations on elastomer mount design in vibration isolation when both the machine and foundation have many resonances are presented, and possibilities for improvement on the mount performance are discussed. A lower bound of the effectiveness of a mount in the frequency range embracing these structural resonances is used as a measure of its performance. This lower bound is obtained as a function of the mount parameters as well as the driving-point characteristics of the machine and the foundation. Based on the enhancement of this quantity, a simple and straightforward approach can be formulated to augment the conventional mount design.
Geologic evidence of net onshore sand transport throughout the Holocene marine transgression, southwest Florida

Abstract The Holocene sediment sequence within the Ten Thousand Islands area of southwest Florida consists of more than 3 m of marine shelly quartz sand which overlies a thin layer ( The specific mechanism responsible for onshore sand transport can only be speculated at the present time as climatic and wave data are essentially nonexistent for this remote area. However, net onshore sand transport implies that low steepness waves have mobilized a larger volume of sediment than waves of high steepness. Low steepness waves are generated under prevailing wave conditions and by the swell of distant tropical cyclones. High steepness waves are associated with winter cold fronts or the direct landfall of a tropical cyclone. Because wave heights average only 10 cm along this low energy coastline it is entirely possible that the swell of distant tropical cyclones is the principle mechanism by which sand is transported onshore and incorporated into the Holocene sediment sequence of the Ten Thousand Islands area.
Effect of n-hexane on the disposition and toxicity of the 1,3-butadiene metabolite 3-butene-1,2-diol.

Abstract 3-Butene-1,2-diol (butenediol), a major metabolite of 1,3-butadiene (butadiene), can undergo either detoxification or biotransformation to potentially toxic metabolites, including 3,4-epoxy-1,2-butanediol and hydroxymethylvinyl ketone (HMVK). Butadiene exposure can occur concomitantly with hexanes, which share common biotransformation pathways with butadiene. To determine the potential influence of hexane co-exposure on butadiene toxicity, the present study examined the effect of n -hexane on butenediol disposition [as measured by urinary excretion of ( N -acetyl- S -(3,4-dihydroxybutyl)- l -cysteine) (MI level)] and genotoxicity (as measured by the frequency of bone marrow micronucleated erythrocytes) and acute toxicity (as measured by body weight changes) in the rat. The results show that butenediol was not genotoxic to adult or immature rats but was acutely toxic to adult but not immature rats. The results also suggest that n -hexane co-exposure may attenuate the acute toxicity by butenediol in adult rats and that immature rats may be less sensitive than adults to the acute toxicity.
Using Social Network-Mediated Bridging Activities to Develop Socio-Pragmatic Awareness in Elementary Korean

Informed by a bridging activities model Thorne & Reinhardt, 2008, the authors designed and implemented a series of activities using Facebook to develop elementary level Korean learners' socio-pragmatic awareness of the use of Korean honorifics. Nine students took part in the activities, which involved student collaboration to create five invented profiles and shared resources, guided analysis of expert/native use, role play activities to practice new socio-grammatical understandings, and analysis of peer production. Based on analysis of student work and post-instructional surveys, the authors found evidence for the development of socio-pragmatic awareness, as demonstrated by the practice of pragmatic flouting, the understanding of contextual constraints on use, and the creative use of Facebook affordances.
Suspended sand concentration events due to shoaled waves over a flat bed

Abstract A field experiment was conducted in July 1988 near Cape Canaveral, Florida, to study the interactions between waves and suspended sand in shallow water. Measurements were made of pressure, the horizontal components of water velocity, and suspended sediment concentration over a flat sea bed just seaward of the surf zone. These observations of suspended sand concentration reveal intermittent near bed suspension events. Using an ensemble averaging technique, the temporal structure of the nearbed suspended sediment concentration is characterized. Events resulting in on-shore transport are found to have distinctly different temporal structure than events causing off-shore transport. The temporal structure of the concentration is consistent with a sediment entrainment model in which sediment is entrained primarily during the on-shore phase of the wave motion.
Expropriation in Chile under the frei agrarian reform

According to a lengthy and detailed message presented to the Chilean Congress by President Eduardo Frei in 1965 in support of a new agrarian reform bill, it had become "urgent and imperative" to enact and implement an "authentic and effective agrarian reform" in order to terminate a system of tenure over land and water resources which was "retarding the general conomic, social and political development of the country."' This land tenure structure was characterized by the concentration of land and water resources in a few hands, with the bulk of the rural population having little if any land at its disposal; the monopolization of credit and other services by the large landowners; an inadequate and insufficient use of land resources; and a paternalistic labor system which abused the peasant and prevented the development of a vigorous rural middle class. It was directly responsible for the stagnation of agriculture and cattle production, as well as other social and economic problems which had long been present in the rural areas of Chile.
The interlaminar interface of a carbon fiber epoxy-matrix composite as an impact sensor

The interlaminar interface of a crossply carbon fiber epoxy-matrix composite was found to be an impact sensor, with sensitivity to impact from 0.8 mJ to 5 J (though no indentation was observed) and to multiple (up to 35) impacts at the same energy. However, the sensing of a small impact after a large one was not effective if the small impact was much lower in energy than the large one. The higher the impact energy, the lower was the contact electrical resistivity of the interlaminar interface after impact. Above 1 J, the resistance tended to increase with partial or complete reversibility upon impact, though this effect was minor compared to the irreversible resistance decrease mentioned above.
Li-glass detector response study with a 252Cf source for low-energy prompt fission neutrons

Abstract Prompt-fission-neutron spectra for neutron-induced fission reactions on uranium and plutonium isotopes are important for nuclear applications. We have used 6 Li-glass scintillation detectors to measure outgoing neutron energies in the range from 10 keV to 1 MeV, where there is currently large uncertainty in nuclear data. To better understand the response of 6 Li-glass detectors in this energy range, measurements of well-known spontaneous-fission neutrons from a 252 Cf source were done in the neutron-beam flight path. Results were compared with Monte Carlo simulations and they show good agreement. Similar measurements with a 7 Li-glass detector were used to assess gamma-ray background yields.
Sequence of immunoglobulin changes resulting from an attack of infectious mononucleosis

Abstract Infectious mononucleosis developed in a young man whose IgG, IgA and IgM levels were being studied once a week. The levels of all three globulins increased significantly. The greatest increase (425 per cent) was in IgM, followed by IgA (104 per cent) and IgG (44 per cent). The induction times for all appeared to be the same. IgM and IgA each required about one week to reach peak values, whereas IgG required several weeks. Although the titer of the heterophil antibody was high, the immunoglobulin levels did not decrease after its removal.
Application of coloring theory to reduce intensity modulated radiotherapy dose calculations.

Coloring theory is applied to reduce the dose calculations under intensity modulated radiotherapy.Intensity modulated radiotherapy varies the intensity profile across the beam. The beam face is divided into a panel of small squares or “bixels.” Each square may be opened or closed for different lengths of time by moving collimator leaves in and out of the beam. It has been shown that the distribution of dose from radiation directed through any open square depends on whether the adjacent squares are opened or closed. Taking the states of neighboring bixels into account greatly increases the required dose calculations. There are 2 8 possible ways to select open or closed states for the eight neighbors of a given bixel. Each combination represents one coloring of a 3×3 panel, and each coloring demands a separate dose calculation. The number of calculations is reduced by considering the symmetries of a square. The 256 possible colorings can be divided into 51 distinct patterns through application of Burnside’s theorem. Each pattern consists of selections of closed bixels that are the same except for a symmetric transformation of coordinates. If the symmetry between x and y coordinates is broken by collimator leaves whose ends and sides have different effects on bordering bixels, the number of patterns increases to 84. The theoretic gain in the number of calculations through the application of Burnside’s theorem is fivefold if bixel borders are symmetric, and threefold if the borders are asymmetric. The results are applied to examples of generated intensity maps. The symmetry rules divide the bixel arrangements into proportionately fewer patterns as the intensity maps become larger, allowing computational gains to be achieved.
CO2 exchange characteristics during dark-light transitions in wild-type and mutant Chlamydomonas reinhardii cells

A burst of net CO2 uptake was observed during the first 3-4 min after the onset of illumination in both wild-type Chlamydomonas reinhardii in which carbonic anhydrase was chemically inhibited with ethoxyzolamide and in a mutant of C. reinhardii (ca-1-12-1C) deficient in carbonic anhydrase activity. The burst was followed by a rapid decrease in the CO2 uptake rate so that net evolution often occurred. After a 2-3 min period of CO2 evolution, net CO2 uptake again increased and ultimately reached a steady-state, positive rate. From [(14)CO2]-tracer studies it was determined that CO2 fixation proceeded at a nearly linear rate throughout the period of illumination. Thus, prior to reaching a steady state, there was a rapid accumulation of inorganic carbon inside the cells which apparently reached a supercritical concentration and the excess was excreted, causing a subsequent efflux of CO2. A post illumination burst of net CO2 efflux was also observed in ethoxyzolamide-inhibited wild type and ca-1 mutant cells, but not in the unihibited wild type. [(14)CO2]-tracer experiments revealed that this burst was the result of a collapse of a large internal inorganic carbon pool at the onset of darkness rather than a photorespiratory post-illumination burst. These results indicate that upon illumination, chemical or genetic inhibition of carbonic anhydrase initially causes an accumulation of excess inroganic carbon in C. reinhardii cells, and that unknown regulatory mechanisms correct for this imbalance by first excreting the excess inorganic carbon and then, after several dampened oscillations, achieving an equilibrium between bicarbonate uptake, bicarbonate dehydration, and CO2 fixation.
Inner peace – global impact: Tibetan Buddhism, leadership, and work

Increasingly, one’s inner life in the context of leadership and work matters. Self-knowing and self-awareness are more frequently seen as core leadership capacities in organizations and in manageme...
TOF-ESDIAD measurements of a coadsorbate system: CO on an oxidized Cu(110) surface

Abstract A novel time-of-flight-electron-stimulated desorption ion angular distribution (ESDIAD) instrument has been used to investigate the striped structure of the oxidized Cu(110) surface and its interaction with coadsorbed CO. Two different oxygen sites were detected, leading to a two-fold symmetrical four-beam O + ESDIAD pattern with tilting of the beams of 22° in the 〈110〉- and 8° in the 〈001〉-azimuth directions. By time-of-flight separation of ions and excited neutrals with different masses, permitting the simultaneous detection of the momentum resolved ESDIAD pattern of O + and CO∗, a strong interaction of the CO with oxygen atoms chemisorbed on the stripe edges was observed as seen by the behavior of O + beams originating from these edge sites.
Coverage of cervical cancer screening in 57 countries: low average levels and large inequalities.

Emmanuela Gakidou and colleagues find that coverage of cervical cancer screening in developing countries is on average 19% compared to 63% in developed countries.
Osteoarthritis-like changes in the heterozygous sedc mouse associated with the HtrA1–Ddr2–Mmp-13 degradative pathway: a new model of osteoarthritis

Summary Objective To test the hypothesis that the spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita ( sedc ) heterozygous ( sedc /+) mouse, a COL2A1 mutant, is a model for the study of osteoarthritis (OA) in the absence of dwarfism and to investigate the presence of HtrA1, Ddr2, and Mmp-13 and their possible involvement in a universal mechanism leading to OA. Design Whole mount skeletons of adult animals were analyzed to determine whether sedc /+ mice exhibit dwarfism. To characterize progression of osteoarthritic degeneration over time, knee and temporomandibular joints from sedc /+ and wild-type mice were analyzed histologically, and severity of articular cartilage degradation was graded using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scoring system. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect changes in expression of HtrA1, Ddr2, and Mmp-13 in articular cartilage of knees. Results As previously reported, the sedc /+ skeleton morphology was indistinguishable from wild type, and skeletal measurements revealed no significant differences. The sedc /+ mouse did, however, show significantly higher OARSI scores in knee (9, 12 and 18 months) and temporomandibular joints at all ages examined. Histological staining showed regions of proteoglycan degradation as early as 2 months in both temporomandibular and knee joints of the mutant. Cartilage fissuring and erosion were observed to begin between 2 and 6 months in temporomandibular joints and 9 months in knee joints from sedc /+ mice. Immunohistochemistry of mutant knee articular cartilage showed increased expression of HtrA1, Ddr2, and Mmp-13 compared to wild type, which upregulation preceded fibrillation and fissuring of the articular surfaces. Conclusions With regard to skeletal morphology, the sedc /+ mouse appears phenotypically normal but develops premature OA as hypothesized. We conclude that the sedc /+ mouse is a useful model for the study of OA in individuals with overtly normal skeletal structure and a predisposition for articular cartilage degeneration.
Perceptrons Play Repeated Games with Imperfect Monitoring

Abstract This paper studies two-person repeated games with imperfect monitoring without discounting through perceptrons, which are feedforward artificial neural networks. Under a fairly standard informational condition, we establish the folk theorem through perceptrons with at most three linear classifiers. The maximum number of linear classifiers is independent of the number of actions in the component game or the target payoff vector. In particular, the perceptron dictates that each player monitor the opponent's action by computing the ordinary least-square estimator of the opponent's expected payoff. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Number: C72.
Localization of specific language pathways using diffusion-weighted imaging tractography for presurgical planning of children with intractable epilepsy

Objective To examine whether diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) tractography can detect multiple white matter pathways connected to language cortices, we employed a maximum a posteriori probability (MAP) classification method, which has been recently validated for the corticospinal tract.
Religious Democracy and the Liberal Principle of Legitimacy

John Rawls's liberal principle of legitimacy states that the essentials of a constitution must be reasonably acceptable to all citizens.1 This principle in effect precludes the possibility of a fully legitimate religious constitutional order, at least in normal circumstances in religiously pluralistic societies. Members of religious minorities cannot be reasonably expected to endorse constitutional essentials that embody controversial elements of a religion they do not accept. Rawls claims that the liberal principle would be selected in the original position, and that the argument for its selection is in essence the same as the argument for the two principles of justice as fairness.2 1 argue against this claim. My thesis is that the parties in the original position have no compelling reason to select the liberal principle in addition to a democratic principle of legitimacy. This democratic principle states that political power must be exercised within a constitutional order that respects the equal status of all citizens and that effectively guarantees each citizen the basic liberal rights and entitlements necessary to participate in political processes on equal terms. The liberal principle incorporates the democratic principle since reasonable citizens would not find a basic political inequality acceptable. But the democratic principle does not imply the liberal
Beta-arrestin 2 modulates the activity of nuclear receptor RAR beta2 through activation of ERK2 kinase.

The activity of retinoid receptors activity can be regulated by various extracellular stimuli. In an effort to understand the molecular basis for this phenomenon, the role of β-arrestins was investigated. β-Arrestins constitute a class of proteins involved in the internalization of agonist-activated receptors. They have also been linked to MAPK activation suggesting a direct involvement in signaling cascades. Here, we report that β-arrestin 2 stimulates the transcriptional activation of the retinoid RAR and RXR receptors. Of all the retinoid receptors, the RAR β2 subtype showed the strongest sensitivity to β-arrestin 2 action. Interestingly, this event requires the presence of the MAP kinase ERK2, but not that of JNK or P38. Site-directed mutagenesis showed that Ser 22 and Leu 217 are critical residues of the RAR β2 receptor through which β-arrestin 2 effects are mediated. More importantly, we demonstrate that the induction of PC12 growth inhibition by Nerve Growth Factor is indeed dependent upon RAR β2 transcriptional activation in a β-arrestin 2- and ERK2-dependent manner.
Review Essay Reading the Body Through a Cultural Lens

This article situates new ethnographical work in the context of the emerging field of the sociology of the body. The author outlines some of the pressing issues raised in this field surrounding the body, identity, and agency, linking them to theoretical developments in postmodern, poststructural, feminist, and other theories of contemporary culture. The author then looks at how these are addressed in new work on body modification, beauty pageants, and reproductive technologies.
Family income trajectory during childhood is associated with adiposity in adolescence: A latent class growth analysis

Childhood socioeconomic disadvantage has been linked with obesity in cross-sectional research, although less is known about how changes in socioeconomic status influence the development of obesity. Researchers have hypothesized that upward socioeconomic mobility may attenuate the health effects of earlier socioeconomic disadvantage; while downward socioeconomic mobility might have a negative influence on health despite relative socioeconomic advantages at earlier stages. The purpose of the current study was to characterize trajectories of family income during childhood, and to evaluate the influence of these trajectories on adiposity at age 15. Data were collected as part of the Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (SECCYD) between 1991 and 2007 at 10 sites across the United States. A latent class growth analysis (LCGA) was conducted to identify trajectories of family income from birth to 15 years of age. Analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs) were conducted to determine whether measures of adiposity differed by trajectory, while controlling for relevant covariates. The LCGA supported a 5-class trajectory model, which included two stable, one downward, and two upward trajectories. ANCOVAs indicated that BMI percentile, waist circumference, and skinfold thicknesses at age 15 differed significantly by trajectory, such that those who experienced downward mobility or stable low income had greater adiposity relative to the more advantaged trajectories. Conversely, upwardly mobile children and those with consistently adequate incomes had similar and more positive outcomes relative to the most disadvantaged trajectories. Findings suggest that promoting upward socioeconomic mobility among disadvantaged families may have a positive impact on obesity-related outcomes in adolescence.
Logarithmic Corrections to Finite-Size Scaling in Strips

Abstract The corrections to the finite-size scaling behaviour of the eigenvalues of the transfer matrix of a critical theory defined on an infinitely long strip of finite width, which occur when the Hamiltonian contains a marginal operator, are computed using conformal invariance. They show a calculable universal logarthmic character. For the four-state Potts model they agree with numerical data.
The Seebeck coefficient of monocrystalline alpha-SiC and polycrystalline beta-SiC measured at 300-533 K

The temperature dependence of the Seebeck coefficient of polycrystalline -SiC films deposited on quartz substrates by laser ablation and of commercially available -SiC wafers is reported in a temperature range of 300-533 K for the first time. The Seebeck emf of -SiC substrates and -SiC samples ranges between -9 µV °C-1 and -108 µV °C-1 which is higher than that of commercial Pt thermocouples.
Trend and variation in the seasonality of U.S. fertility, 1947-1976.

This paper documents the postwar pattern of seasonality of births, for the United States and its divisions, using a simple time-varying parameter model. Variations over time and over space in seasonality are analyzed. In general, the South exhibits the greatest seasonal variation, and the most dramatic changes in seasonality. In later sections the hypothesis that the spread of air conditioning is responsible for the postwar changes in seasonality is tested, and a link between hormones and seasonality is speculated upon. A final section has a short summary and several questions for future research.
Fertility, Hatchability and Progeny Performance of Laying Hens Fed High Levels of DDT in the Diet

Abstract Three groups of White Leghorn hens were fed a commercial laying ration supplemented with 0, 300 or 600 p.p.m. technical DDT for 93 days prior to and during a 40 day measurement period. Fertility, hatchability, chick mortality, chick body weight and chick liver and adipose tissue DDT residues were studied. Egg production was reduced by both 300 and 600 p.p.m. in the hens diet. Fertility was significantly reduced in the 300 but not in the 600 p.p.m. group when compared to the 0 p.p.m. group. There were no significant differences in the hatchability of fertile eggs. Chick mortality was significantly increased in the 300 (7.6% mortality) and 600 p.p.m. (76.5% mortality) groups and chick body weight was significantly decreased in both DDT groups. The majority of the chick mortality in the 600 p.p.m. group occurred in the first three days after hatching. Concentration of DDT residues in chick liver and fat increased as the DDT ingestion by the hens increased.
The strategic basis of performance in binary classification tasks : Strategy choices and strategy transitions

Abstract Three experiments were conducted using a probe procedure in binary classification tasks to track strategies and strategy transitions over blocks of trials and to determine the effects of task difficulty (easy or hard classification rule) and task rule familiarity (artificial rule or natural language rule) on classification performance and strategy use. Two primary response strategies were identified, one based on the use of a classification rule and one based on the retrieval of instances from memory. There was clear evidence of rule use during the early trials, but this rule strategy eventually was replaced by the instance strategy except when the easy natural language rule was in effect. Response time speed-up followed a power function that was specific to the strategy in use.
Spectrum of Deltaic Systems in Pennsylvania Tectonically Active Cratonic Basin, North-Central New Mexico: ABSTRACT

The Pennsylvanian sedimentary fill of the Taos trough of New Mexico contains a variety of coarse-grained deltaic systems typical of tectonically active, cratonic basins. This delta spectrum reflects the interaction of a large number of variables including: water depth, substrate stability, basin energy, fluvial feeder system variations, and tectonic activity. The deltas evolve from small, coarse-grained fan-deltas into more extensive wave-modified, river-dominated, lobate deltas. This evolutionary trend results from an increase in water depth and basin energy. During Early Pennsylvanian time, vertical movements west of the Taos trough elevated the Uncompahgre uplift and coarse-grained fan-deltas prograded eastward into the basin. When these deltas prograded into water deeper than 4 m, frontal splays spread bedload sediment on the delta slope. Continued progradation gave rise to coarsening upward sequences 4 to 15 m thick capped by coarse channel deposits. When deltas built into very shallow water (<4 m), steep delta foresets developed. If the fan deltas advanced over thick mud sequences, syndepositional deformation occurred. As the delta complexes extended into the basin, a broad coastal plain was constructed, and the braided streams evolved into low-sinuosity, bed-load rivers. Water depth in the basin increased, and channel-mouth sand was reworked into extensive delta-front sheet sand bodies by the higher wave energy. On delta abandonment, delta-front sand was reworked into barrier islands with associated washovers, and inlets. In contrast, fan-delta abandonment is only represented by thin, bioturbated calcareous sandstone or limestone beds capping the progradational sequence. End_of_Article - Last_Page 688------------
ATP as an alternative inhibitor of bacterial and endogenous nucleases and its effect on native chromatin compaction

The studies reported here demonstrate that ATP may be used in lieu of EDTA to inhibit nuclease digestion of DNA and chromatin. Because ATP is a milder chelator than EDTA and is a biochemical common to the cellular microenvironment in vivo, critical studies of cellular processes that require native structure to be maintained are more feasible without the presence of strong chelators. During the digestion of chromatin into its components by nuclease treatment, ATP assures the retention of nucleoprotein compaction, particularly for large to intermediate-sized oligosomes (2400bp–1000bp in length). ATP used at a concentration of 3.3 mM appears to be somewhat better than EDTA, 1.0 mM, for minimizing degradation of nuclease-treated chromatin. However, termination of nuclease digestion of chromatin and minimization of further degradation by the addition of ATP to a concentration of 1.0 mM was almost equivalent to the addition of EDTA to a concentration of 1.0 mM. Slightly more degradation was observed for the latter condition. In addition, ATP can be used to inhibit endogenous nuclease activity when specific restriction enzymes are needed. Standard low ionic strength DNP, deoxyribonucleoprotein, and DNA electrophoresis of proteinized and deproteinized chromatin oligomers, respectively, indicated that ATP effectively inhibits staphylococcal nuclease. Low ionic strength nucleoprotein electrophoresis to resolve staphylococcal nuclease-digested chromatin indicates that as little as 10−4 M EDTA can promote structural unfolding resulting in changes in apparent mobilities for chromatin oligomers 250 and 600 by in length. Comparative digestion of chromatin with staphlococcal nuclease followed by reaction termination by ATP or EDTA showed that this observation was not merely the result of degradation due to inefficiency of ATP enzyme inhibition.
Suppression of static stripe formation by next-neighbor hopping

We show from real-space Hartree-Fock calculations within the extended Hubbard model that next-nearest neighbor ${(t}^{\ensuremath{'}})$ hopping processes act to suppress the formation of static charge stripes. This result is confirmed by investigating the evolution of charge-inhomogeneous corral and stripe phases with increasing ${t}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ of both signs. We propose that large ${t}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ values in YBCO prevent static stripe formation, while anomalously small ${t}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ in LSCO provides an additional reason for the appearance of static stripes only in these systems.
Multivariate Fink type identity and multivariate Ostrowski, comparison of means and Grüss type inequalities

We develop and establish a general multivariate Fink type identity which is a representation formula for a multivariate function. Using it we derive general tight multivariate high order Ostrowski type, comparison of means and Gruss type inequalities. The estimates involve L"p norms, for any [email protected][email protected]?~.
Salt Fusion: An Approach to Improve Pore Interconnectivity within Tissue Engineering Scaffolds

Macroporous scaffolds composed of biodegradable polymers have found extensive use as three-dimensional substrates either for in vitro cell seeding followed by transplantation, or as conductive substrates for direct implantation in vivo. Methods abound for creation of macroporous scaffolds for tissue engineering, and common methods typically employ a solid porogen within a three-dimensional polymer matrix to create a well-defined pore size, pore structure, and total scaffold porosity. This study describes an approach to impart improved pore interconnectivity to polymer scaffolds for tissue engineering by partially fusing the solid porogen together prior to creation of a continuous polymer matrix. Three dimensional, porous scaffolds of the copolymer 85:15 poly(lactide-co-glycolide) were fabricated via either a solvent casting/particulate leaching process, or a gas foaming/particulate leaching process. Prior to creation of a continuous polymer matrix the NaCl crystals, which serve as the solid porogen, are p...
Design considerations for proteomic reference materials

In order to improve the repeatability, comparability, and accuracy of MS-based proteomic measurements, there has been considerable international effort to develop appropriate reference materials. Although the majority of reference materials are developed to support measurement quality of routine assays, the development of reference materials for a diverse and changing research field such as proteomics represents unique challenges. In order to define common measurement components and common features of typical proteomic samples, the metrology underpinning proteomics must be considered due to the diversity and changing nature of the field. Reference materials can then be designed around common aspects in order to produce reference materials with the broadest applicability. Reference materials are needed to support both qualitative and quantitative proteomic measurements, involving different design considerations. Consensus and validated statistical approaches to describe the confidence in qualitative measurement, such as protein identification, needs to be established. Common sources of measurement bias also need to be considered in proteomic reference material design.
Teachers' Goals and Role Behavior*

A survey in junior and senior high schools assessed the goal orientations of 316 teachers. These goals are factor analyzed and produce a two-factor structure, each composed of four items. Teachers are rated as low, medium or high on each factor, called socialization and academic. Teachers' goals are related to the grading practices and sanctions used in the classroom. A stress on academic goals is positively related with the use of performance criteria in grading students and to the infrequent use of sanctions. A socialization emphasis is positively related to the use of non-performance criteria in grading and the frequent use of sanctions.
3,4,3',4'-Tetrachlorobiphenyl given to mice prenatally produces long-term decreases in striatal dopamine and receptor binding sites in the caudate nucleus

Pregnant CD-1 mice were given 32 mg/kg of 3,4,3',4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (TCB) or corn oil vehicle, by gavage, on days 10--16 of gestation. At 1 year of age, the offspring were tested for spontaneous motor activity; the mice were then killed and dopamine (DA) levels and specific DA receptor binding were measured in the corpus striatum. Mice exposed to TCB in utero had elevated levels of motor activity, which were associated with decreased DA levels and DA receptor binding sites. The results indicate that in utero exposure to TCB might permanently alter the development of striatal synapses.
Piezoelectric microflextensional actuator

This paper presents a novel micro flextensional actuator design consisting of bulk PZT bonded to a silicon microbeam. The fabrication process includes boron doping, EDP etching, dicing, and bonding to produce actuators with large displacements (8.7 μm) and gain factors (32) at 100V. The theoretical model predicts that a thin beam with properly designed initial imperfection maximizes the actuator displacement and gain factor. For large PZT displacement, small imperfection maximizes gain factor but may not gaurantee, the desired (up or down) displacement direction. For small PZT displacement, large initial imperfection improves performance and guarantees displacement in the (desired) direction of the initial imperfection. The theoretical model, based on the measured initial beam shape, predicts the experimentally measured direction and magnitude of beam displacement for two devices.
AN EMPIRICAL TEST OF HEURISTICS AND BIASES AFFECTING REAL OPTION VALUATION

This study applies insights from behavioral decision theory to explain how managers value call and put options. Behavioral decision theory points to important deviations from the assumptions of normative option pricing models in finance. We used a questionnaire to collect option pricing data to test our behavioral hypotheses. The evidence indicates specific biases affecting subjective valuations of options: (1) buyers and sellers price options below their expected values; (2) buyers' prices are consistently below sellers' prices; (3) irrelevant outcomes decrease option values; (4) discount rates vary with the option time horizon; and (5) changes in option values do not fully reflect increases in exercise prices. We discuss the implications of these findings for the management of real options and suggest directions for developing descriptive real option theory. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Infrared Spectra of Acidic, Neutral, and Basic Aqueous Solutions of Glycine, N-Methylglycine, N,N-Dimethylglycine, and N,N,N-Trimethylglycine:

The infrared spectra of aqueous solutions of glycine, N-methylglycine (sarcosine), N,N-dimethylglycine, and N,N,N,-trimethylglycine (betaine) in different states of ionization are reported. The spectra of the dipolar forms of the first three compounds are shown to consist of bands represented in the spectra of both the positively and negatively charged forms, together with certain bands peculiar only to the dipolar form. In the spectrum of dipolar betaine, which exhibits no negatively charged structure, certain of the bands are also demonstrable in the spectrum of the positively charged form. Aqueous solutions of the hydrochlorides of the four compounds exhibit a strong band at 7.94 or at 8 00 microns, which disappears and is replaced by a band appearing at 7.5 to 7.6 microns when aqueous solutions of the sodium salts are examined. Methyl substitution on the nitrogen is revealed by a band between 67 and 68 microns, which is absent in the unsubstituted compound, glycine.
Hoogsteen G-G base pairing is dispensable for telomere healing in yeast

The G-rich strands of most eukaryotic telomeres are capable of forming highly folded structures in vitro, mediated, in part, through Hoogsteen G-G base pairing. The ability of most telomeres to form these structures has led to the suggestion that they play an important role in telomere addition. I have investigated this possibility in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae through the use of an in vivo assay that measures healing via poly(G1-3T) addition onto plasmid substrates containing synthetic telomeres. Synthetic telomere healing is a highly size- and sequence-specific process that allows the discrimination of telomeres of differing efficiency. Plasmids containing synthetic telomeres with differing abilities to form secondary structures were tested in this assay for healing in vivo. The results of this study demonstrate that telomeres incapable of forming Hoogsteen base pairs nonetheless serve as efficient substrates for poly(G1-3T) addition, indicating that intramolecular Hoogsteen G-G base pairing is not essential for this process.
Overlapping geometric and modal symmetries in jet engine scattering and modulation

Discusses a radical solution to the reduction in complexity of radar scattering models for jet engines. Overlapping modal and geometric symmetries are considered as are phase boundary conditions for 3D FEM, modulation and validation.
Speech Noise Estimation using Enhanced Minima Controlled Recursive Averaging

Accurate noise power spectrum estimation in a noisy speech signal is a key challenge problem in speech enhancement. One state-of-the-art approach is the minima controlled recursive averaging (MCRA). This paper presents an enhanced MCRA algorithm (EMCRA), which demonstrates less speech signal leakage and faster response time to follow abrupt changes in the noise power spectrum. Experiments using real speech and noise recordings have validated the superiority of the proposed enhancements. EMCRA shows improvements both in intuitive subjective listening and objective quality measures in terms of higher output SNR and lower output distortion scores.
Side population cells and Bcrp1 expression in lung

Side population (SP) cells are a rare subset of cells found in various tissues that are highly enriched for stem cell activity. SP cells can be isolated by dual-wavelength flow cytometry because of...
Process control systems in the chemical industry: Safety vs. security

Traditionally, the primary focus of the chemical industry has been safety and productivity. However, recent threats to our nation's critical infrastructure have prompted a tightening of security measures across many different industry sectors. Reducing control system vulnerabilities against physical and cyber attack is necessary to ensure the safety, reliability, integrity, and availability of these systems. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has developed a strategy to secure these vulnerabilities. Crucial to this strategy is the Control Systems Security and Test Center (CSSTC) established to test and analyze control systems and their components. In addition, the CSSTC promotes a proactive, collaborative approach to increase industry's awareness of standards, products, and processes that can enhance the security of control systems. This paper outlines measures that can be taken to enhance the cybersecurity of process control systems in the chemical sector. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2006
On the applicability of dialetheism and philosophy of identity to the definition of life

We have found that the principles of dialetheism, which state that some contradictions (typically at the limits of a system) may be true, and which amply demonstrate the limits of thought and conception, can be valuable in sorting out and clarifying some astrobiological problems that impede our ability to define life. The examples include the classification of viruses as alive or not alive, and the description of the transition zone for the abiotic-to-biotic transition. Dialetheism gives us the philosophical tool to state that the viruses may be both alive and not alive, and that chemical systems may exist that are both abiotic and biotic. We have extracted some philosophical principles of the identity and have applied them to the identity of living organisms and their life forms. The first and most important idea is that we should define an individual organism via its numerical identity. For each organism its identity will be in relation to itself. As the organism undergoes various changes during its development, and as it transitions from one to the next of its life forms, one can observe numerous qualitative differences between these life forms. Although the life forms change and the organism is in a flux, what remains constant is the numerical identity of the organism. If the organism reproduces, for example by a fission mode, then the daughter cells will have their own numerical identity. We can state that the life of an organism is a sum of all its life forms over the period of time of the existence of the organism. Reproduction, particularly by fission, represents an identity dilemma, but it can be resolved by Gallois' occasional identities theory.
Feed-forward neural networks and feature construction with correlation information: an integrated framework

Abstract Feature construction has been shown to be an useful technique to improve the efficiency of extracting information from raw data. We develop a modified feature construction algorithm, using correlation information among the initial set of features, and study its performance. Feed-forward neural networks, using the back-propagation algorithm to learn, have been shown to have excellent properties while plagued with the problem of time needed to learn concepts. We alleviate this inherent problem with the back-propagation algorithm using data pre-processed by the proposed feature construction algorithm. Initial results suggest that this methodology can be beneficially used along with other means of improving the learning performance in feed-forward neural networks.
A bound for divisible codes

A divisible code is a linear code whose word weights have a common divisor larger than one. If the divisor is a power of the field characteristic, there is a simple bound on the dimension of the code in terms of its weight range. When this bound is applied to the subcode of words with weight divisible by four in a type I binary self-dual code. It yields an asymptotic improvement of the Conway-Sloane bound for self-dual codes. >
Legacy Asset Analysis and Integration in Model-Driven SOA Solution

In this paper, we study legacy asset reuse for SOA design. Typically, the cost of reusing legacy assets is much lower than the cost of creating new services from scratch. As an extension of our SOA service modeling, we use top-down approaches to identify business services, and use asset modeling for legacy asset identification to find potential reusable assets for those services. Using service capacity analysis, we evaluate the maturity of a legacy asset for transformation to a service. Finally, we provide a model transformation to convert a service model with legacy assets into an SOA reference architecture model. Our effort integrates asset reuse as a part of the overall SOA design cycle and increases the possibility of asset reuse. To help architects use our method in engineering practice, we have implemented our method in the SOMA-ME tooling environment.
Exploring News Apps and Location-Based Services on the Smartphone:

This study investigates how young adults use news and location-based services on their smartphones, in addition to examining how many news organizations offer mobile news apps with geo-location fea...
An inexpensive scheme for calibration of a colour monitor in terms of CIE standard coordinates

The Commission Internationale d'Eclairage system of colorimetry is a method of measuring colours that has been standardized, and is widely used by industries involved with colour. Knowing the CIE coordinates of a colour allows it to be reproduced easily and exactly in many different media. For this reason graphics installations which utilize colour extensively ought to have the capability of knowing the CIE coordinates of displayed colours, and of displaying colours of given CIE coordinates. Such a capability requires a function which transforms video monitor gun voltages (RGB colour space) into CIE coordinates (XYZ colour space), and vice versa. The function incorporates certain monitor parameters. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the form that such a function takes, and to show how the necessary monitor parameters can be measured using little more than a simple light meter. Because space is limited, and because each user is likely to implement the calibration differently, few technical details are given, but principles and methods are discussed in sufficient depth to allow the full use of the system. In addition, several visual checks which can be used for quick verification of the integrity of the calibration are described.The paper begins with an overview of the CIE system of colorimetry. It continues with a general discussion of transformations from RGB colour space to XYZ colour space, after which a detailed step-by-step procedure for monitor calibration is presented.
Intestinal upregulation of melanin-concentrating hormone in TNBS-induced enterocolitis in adult zebrafish.

Background: Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), an evolutionarily conserved appetite-regulating neuropeptide, has been recently implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Expression of MCH is upregulated in inflamed intestinal mucosa in humans with colitis and MCH-deficient mice treated with trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) develop an attenuated form of colitis compared to wild type animals. Zebrafish have emerged as a new animal model of IBD, although the majority of the reported studies concern zebrafish larvae. Regulation MCH expression in the adult zebrafish intestine remains unknown. Methods: In the present study we induced enterocolitis in adult zebrafish by intrarectal administration of TNBS. Follow-up included survival analysis, histological assessment of changes in intestinal architecture, and assessment of intestinal infiltration by myeloperoxidase positive cells and cytokine transcript levels. Results: Treatment with TNBS dose-dependently reduced fish survival. This response required the presence of an intact microbiome, since fish pre-treated with vancomycin developed less severe enterocolitis. At 6 hours postchallenge, we detected a significant influx of myeloperoxidase positive cells in the intestine and upregulation of both proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Most importantly, and in analogy to human IBD and TNBS-induced mouse experimental colitis, we found increased intestinal expression of MCH and its receptor in TNBS-treated zebrafish. Conclusions: Taken together these findings not only establish a model of chemically-induced experimental enterocolitis in adult zebrafish, but point to effects of MCH in intestinal inflammation that are conserved across species.
Seasonal polyphenism in wing coloration affects species recognition in rubyspot damselflies (Hetaerina spp.)

Understanding how phenotypic plasticityevolves and in turn affects thecourse of evolution is a major challenge in modern biology.By definition, biological species are reproductively isolated, but many animals fail to distinguish between conspecifics and closely related heterospecifics. In some cases,