cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structural basis of pathway-dependent force profiles in stretched DNA.

Understanding the mechanical properties that determine the flexibility of DNA is important, as DNA must bend and/or stretch in order to function biologically. Recent single-molecule experiments have shown that above a certain loading rate double-stranded DNA is more stable when stretched from the 3′ termini than when stretched from the 5′ termini. Unfortunately these experiments cannot provide insight into the structural basis for this behavior. We have used molecular dynamics simulations combined with umbrella sampling to study the stability and structural changes of a 30 bp double-stranded DNA oligomer during stretching from either the 3′ termini or the 5′ termini. At extensions greater than 1.7× the 3′ stretched structure is more stable than the 5′ stretched structure due to retention of twice the number (80%) of native hydrogen bonds between base pairs and a higher degree of base stacking. This difference results from greater dissipation of the stretch force via conformational flexibility of the phosp...
Moist and Dry Heat Reduce Isopropyl N-(3-Chlorophenyl) Carbamate (CIPC) Residue in Potatoes

Moist (boiling and pressure-cooking) and dry heat (baking with and without foil, and microwaving) were compared as to their effect on CIPC retention in potatoes. Tubers were dipped in a 1% emulsion of CIPC for 5 min. prior to processing and stored at 5°C for 0, 1 and 2 mo. All processing methods significantly (p<0.01) reduced CIPC residue in potatoes. Moist heat methods reduced CIPC more than dry heat. Boiling resulted in significantly (p<0.01) greater reduction of CIPC than pressure-cooking while baking without foil resulted in greatest reduction of CIPC followed by microwaving and baking with foil. The peel localized 20 times more CIPC residue than the cortex.
Modified Propagation Constants for Nonuniform Plane Wave Transmission through Conducting Media

A geometrical optics model for propagation in conducting media requires the determination of the propagation constants for the field transmitted through a plane boundary. In general, the transmitted fiJeld produced by a nonuniform plane wave incident upon a plane boundary between two conducting media propagates with constants which are different from the intrinsic constants of the medium. The expressions for these constants are derived, and data are presented to illustrate when these modified propagation constants must be used to yield valid results.
The dihydrogen complex W(CO)5(H2) in the gas phase

Abstract The dihydrogen complex W(CO) 5 (H 2 ) has been observed in the gas phase by time-resolved infrared spectroscopy, following the reaction of W(CO) 5 , produced by 351 nm photolysis of W (CO) 6 , with H 2 . The bimolecular rate constant for the reaction is 6.2 × 10 −11 molecule −1 cm 3 s −1 . The H 2 binding energy is found to be > 16 kcal mol − 1 .
Selectivity of chemical sensors based on micro-cantilevers coated with thin polymer films

In an effort to impart selectivity to chemical sensors based on micro-machined silicon cantilevers, thin films of polymeric chromatographic stationary phases (SP-2340 and OV-25) were applied to one side of the cantilever surface using a spin coating procedure. These coatings influenced the response of the micro-cantilever to vapor phase test analytes of varying chemical compositions. For the SP-2340 coated micro-cantilevers, the effects of both polymeric film thickness and cantilever structure thickness on response characteristics were investigated. Sensitivity improved as both film thickness and cantilever leg thickness were decreased. The selectivity, as indicated by differences in relative responses to the test analytes, were different for the two phases which differed significantly in polarity. The SP-2340 coated cantilevers exhibited response characteristics that are fairly similar to that expected for adsorption of the test analytes onto silica. Responses are shown to be proportional to analyte concentration. Response characteristics are shown to be consistent with predictions based on a gas chromatographic stationary phase classification scheme.
Annealing of vacancies in quenched copper studied by positron annihilation

Abstract Positron annihilation measurements of the annealing of vacancies in quenched copper crystals are reported. Changes in the Doppler-broadened positron annihilation line, together with previous residual electrical resistivity measurements on similarly quenched samples, indicate that vacancies from clusters as soon as they become mobile. The full effects were not observed until a layer depleted of vacancies, formed during the quench, was removed.
A Helix Propensity Scale Based on Experimental Studies of Peptides and Proteins

Abstract The average globular protein contains 30% α -helix, the most common type of secondary structure. Some amino acids occur more frequently in α -helices than others; this tendency is known as helix propensity. Here we derive a helix propensity scale for solvent-exposed residues in the middle positions of α -helices. The scale is based on measurements of helix propensity in 11 systems, including both proteins and peptides. Alanine has the highest helix propensity, and, excluding proline, glycine has the lowest, ∼1kcal/mol less favorable than alanine. Based on our analysis, the helix propensities of the amino acids are as follows (kcal/mol): Ala=0, Leu=0.21, Arg=0.21, Met=0.24, Lys=0.26, Gln=0.39, Glu=0.40, Ile=0.41, Trp=0.49, Ser=0.50, Tyr=0.53, Phe=0.54, Val=0.61, His=0.61, Asn=0.65, Thr=0.66, Cys=0.68, Asp=0.69, and Gly=1.
Ultrasonic shears in free-tissue transfer: increased efficiency and cost savings

Objective. The harvest of some microvascular free flaps for head and neck reconstruction entails tedious and time-consuming dissection of multiple perforating vessels and/or muscular attachments. The objective of this study is to investigate the use of ultrasonic shears as a means to decrease operative time and increase surgical efficiency in the harvest of microvascular free flaps.Study Design. Prospective cohort study.Setting. Tertiary referral center.Subjects and Methods. A prospective study of all people undergoing fibula (FFF) or anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap reconstruction of head and neck defects was conducted from October 1, 2005, through December 30, 2009.Results. There were 69 FFF and 39 ALT free flaps performed by a single surgeon during the study period. Ultrasonic shears were used in 53 (76.8%) FFF and 26 (80.6%) ALT free flaps, whereas traditional dissection techniques were used in 16 (23.2%) FFF and 13 (19.4%) ALT free flaps. The use of ultrasonic shears significantly decreased the ha...
Phase relations in the BaOTiO2−δ system under highly reducing conditions

Abstract The phase relations in the BaO–TiO 2− δ system within the concentration range of 14–65 mol% BaO under reducing conditions were investigated using high temperature DTA and X-ray powder diffraction. The stable compounds under these conditions were determined, together with the temperatures of the invariant reactions and the liquidus boundaries. The phase relations in this BaO–TiO 2 –Ti 2 O 3 system under elevated temperatures and reducing atmospheres are represented in the form of quasi-binary phase diagrams.
Fetal Growth Restriction and Maternal Oxygen Transport during High Altitude Pregnancy

High altitude reduces birth weights, averaging a 100-g fall per 1000 m elevation gain, as the result of restriction of third trimester fetal growth. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) raises neonatal or infant mortality at low as well as at high altitude, but existing studies are unclear as to whether IUGR-specific mortality at high altitude is similar to, less than, or greater than at low altitude. Pregnancy increases maternal ventilation and raises arterial O2 saturation at high altitude, which helps to protect against altitude-associated IUGR. Chronic hypoxia interferes with the maternal circulatory adjustments to pregnancy such that blood volume is lower and the rise in cardiac output diminished compared with sea level. The growth and remodeling of the uterine artery and other uteroplacental vessels is incomplete at high compared with low altitude, with the result that there is less redistribution of common iliac flow from the external iliac to the uterine arteries and lower uterine artery blood f...
Testing of Cloud Seeding Materials at the Cloud Simulation and Aerosol Laboratory, 1971–1973

Abstract Developments in instrumentation at the Cloud Simulation and Aerosol Laboratory at Colorado State University since the Second International Workshop on Condensation and Ice Nuclei are outlined. Emphasis is given to improvements in the isothermal cloud chamber and the current status of a second-generation, controlled slow-expansion cloud chamber in which ascent of an air parcel may be simulated. Work with the aerosol dilution system (wind tunnel) is also described.Tests conducted during the three years 1971 through 1973 to determine the ice nucleus production of many currently used cloud-seeding devices are summarized. Effectiveness curves for nine ground-based steady-state generators burning various solutions of AgI-NH4I and AgI-NaI in acetone are presented. Test results for three airborne generators are also given and contrasted with the results for the ground generators. Finally, effectiveness values are presented for a number of pyrotechnics manufactured by Olin, Colspan, Sierra Research, and t...
Spatiotemporal Development of Transitional Wall Jets

Wall jets have many applications in engineering ranging from active flow control to film cooling. A typical wall jet is characterized by both spatial and temporal variation. Here we use Time Resolved-Digital Particle Image Velocimetry (TR-DPIV) to deliver high spatially and temporally resolved investigation of wall jets across a wide range of Reynolds numbers (150–10,000). We employ Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) to post-process the data and generate low-order models describing the underlying physics. The results show the presence of near wall structures forming at the jet exit and convecting downstream directly influencing the transition to turbulence. Using the time coefficients associated with the POD modes, the frequency content of the individual modes is determined and the mechanism of energy transfer between the modes is quantified. This study provides the first spatiotemporally resolved experimental investigation of the transition to turbulence of a rectangular wall jet.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Study of loading effect on dry etching process

Nowadays, the CD (Critical Dimension) control on masks manufacturing plays an important role in photolithography process for 90-nm node technology and below. The process performance of photolithography will degrade severely even when the mask CD error is small. One of the most important process-induced mask CD errors comes from the dry etching process. With the loading effect due to environment pattern variations, isolated and dense patterns have different etching biases. Furthermore, the loading effect can induce an overall CD variation called global loading effect contributed from the pattern density change in large areas and a CD variation on individual monitor pattern called micro-loading effect contributed from various feature dimensions in the near region. The micro-loading effect can also be classified as the “nearest spacing” effect which is dependent upon the space between the nearest neighbor pattern and the monitor pattern, and the “nearest neighbor” effect which is dependent upon the size of the nearest neighbor feature around the monitor pattern. All of these effects enlarge the total range of mask CD linearity and proximity errors. In this paper we report the result of the global loading effect and micro-loading effect by varying pattern densities and feature dimensions nearby. With the design of test pattern, the global loading effect and the micro-loading effect can be separated. The CD variation dominated by the micro-loading effect in the dry etching process is observed. This large etching bias change resulted from the micro-loading effect is consistent with the depletion of radical species in the narrow space during the etching process.
Isolation of charaterization of two sequence-specific endonucleases from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6308

The first two restriction endonucleases to be characterized in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6308 are described. SynI, an AvaII isoschizomer, recognizes the base sequence 5′-GG[AT]CC-3′. SynII, an XmnI isoschizomer, recognizes the sequence 5′-GAANNNNTTC-3′.
Hegemonic No More: Western Media, the Rise of Al-Jazeera, and the Influence of Diverse Voices

Although the United States proved in its invasion of Iraq (though not in its postinvasion efforts) that it retains dominance in military power, this war marked an end to the near monopoly in global news that American and other Western media had long enjoyed. New voices emerged, competing for audiences throughout the world by offering news shaped by varied interests and perspectives. Competitive war coverage was just the latest step away from US cultural hegemony, and although Qatar-based Al-Jazeera has attracted the most attention, it is just part of a movement toward diversity. American and other Western policymakers must be prepared to deal with the influence of broadly based news programming that will lessen the influence of US news organizations, which have been relatively supportive of US policy during recent conflicts. When Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak toured Al-Jazeera's cramped headquarters in Qatar, he observed that “all this trouble from a matchbox like this” (Whitaker 2003). For Mubarak and other Arab leaders who prefer their news media compliant, Al-Jazeera has caused plenty of trouble by fostering debate about topics that many in the region—including many news organizations—treat as being outside the news media's purview. On Al-Jazeera, everything from the role of women to the competence of governments is addressed, often loudly. The station's motto is “the opinion, and the other opinion,” which might seem commonplace in the West but is exceptional in the Arab media world. Al-Jazeera is the successor to a failed experiment, BBC Arabic Television (BBCATV), which was set up in 1994 and quickly ran afoul of its principal financial backer: the Saudi royal family. When BBCATV aired “Death of a Princess,” a documentary drama about the execution of a Saudi princess and her lover, the Saudis withdrew their funding and the BBC venture collapsed (Careless 2002). Some relatively …
Sediment quality assessment survey and toxicity identification evaluation studies in Lavaca Bay, Texas, a marine Superfund site.

A sediment quality assessment survey was conducted in the Lavaca Bay system which has been designated a Superfund site because of elevated concentrations of mercury and other contaminants (e.g., PAHs) in the sediments. Twenty-four stations were sampled in the initial survey. Sediment pore water was extracted pneumatically and the toxicity of the pore water determined using the sea urchin fertilization and embryological development assays. Based on the results of the toxicity tests, aliquots of the toxic sediments were analyzed for metals, PAHs, and pesticides. Based on these results, several of the most toxic sites were resampled and a preliminary Toxicity Identification Evaluation (TIE) was performed with the pore water using the sea urchin fertilization test. Preliminary results indicated that the toxic components were removed by adsorption on a C-18 column but were not affected by EDTA additions and, therefore, the primary toxicants are hydrophobic in nature.
Internalisation of gonadotrophin--receptor complex in ovarian luteal cells.

IT is generally accepted that peptide and protein hormones bind to plasma membrane receptors on target cells1 and elicit their acute responses without entering the cell. The refractory or desensitised state induced by various hormones in target tissues has been shown to be mediated at least in part by loss of specific receptor sites from the plasma membrane2–7. Evidence that certain protein hormones can enter target cells8–10 led us to the present investigation which provides evidence that gonadotrophin-induced receptor loss may occur by a process of internalisation of the hormone–receptor complex following the initial interaction of gonadotrophin with the cell surface.
Responding initiated by pecks on a start key.

Abstract Four pigeons were exposed to various fixed-interval (FI) 30-s conditions which included a standard FI30-s condition. In all remaining conditions, a red “start” key light began the interval. Completion of various fixed ratios (FR) on the start key lit a green “work” key light. In Experiment 1, one peck on the start key lit the work key light. Mean postreinforcement pause (PRP) lengthened only slightly when the start-key contingency was imposed. In Experiment 2, the start-key requirement ranged from FR 1 to FR 50. As the FR requirement increased, the pause on the work key, called the poststart pause (PSP), decreased for three birds at FR 2 but, for all four birds, the PRP and interreinforcement interval (IRI) did not lengthen until FR 50. These results support the hypothesis that the PRP is a function of the IRI and both are refractory to change, while the PSP is seen as a variable that adjusts to different schedule constraints.
Lipid and protein organization in sindbis virus.

Abstract The radial electron density distribution in the Sindbis virus particle has been determined to a resolution of 28 A from measurements of spherically averaged X-ray diffraction. The most striking feature of the density profile is a deep minimum at r = 232A, from which we infer that the lipids of Sindbis virus are organized in a bilayer at about that radius. Comparison of these results with electron micrographs of intact virus and of isolated cores shows that the inner polar groups of the bilayer interact directly with the core protein, and the outer polar groups with the external glycoprotein. Protein probably does not form a bridge across the bilayer.
Long wavelength infrared (LWIR) photodetection in a modulation doped thyristor

Abstract A modulation doped thyristor concept is described for LWIR photodetection based upon intersubband bound to continuum absorption. The intersubband absorption generates photocurrent from undoped quantum wells to modulation doped layers (MDL). Due to the lower dark current compared to conventional quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIPs), the thyristor infrared detector operates with little or no cooling and with similar or better performance than QWIPs at low temperatures. The operating characteristics of absorption coefficient, quantum efficiency, responsivity, detectivity, infrared gain, and dark current are determined as a function of thyristor voltage and input power level in the range of 1 μW/cm2.
Characterization of resolution and uniqueness in crosswell direct‐arrival traveltime tomography using the Fourier projection slice theorem

The process of acquiring a crosswell seismic direct‐arrival traveltime data set can be approximated by a series of truncated plane‐wave projections through an interwell slowness field. Using this approximation, the resolution and uniqueness of crosswell direct‐arrival traveltime tomograms can be characterized by invoking the Fourier projection slice theorem, which states that a plane‐wave projection through an object constitutes a slice of the object’s spatial spectrum. The limited vertical aperture of a crosswell survey introduces a small amount of nonuniqueness into the reconstructed tomogram by truncating the plane‐wave projection. By contrast, the limitations on angular aperture have a significant effect on resolution. The reconstructed tomogram is smeared primarily along the limiting projection angles, with the amount of smearing dependent upon the well spacing and the angular aperture. The amount of smearing was found to be inversely proportional to tan Δϕ, where Δϕ is the angular aperture illuminat...
Sensitivity Analysis of Augmented Reality- Assisted Building Damage Reconnaissance Using Virtual Prototyping

Abstract The timely and accurate assessment of the damage sustained by a building during catastrophic events, such as earthquakes or blasts, is critical in determining the building's structural safety and suitability for future occupancy. Among many indicators proposed for measuring structural integrity, especially inelastic deformations, Interstory Drift Ratio (IDR) remains the most trustworthy and robust metric at the story level. In order to calculate IDR, researchers have proposed several nondestructive measurement methods. Most of these methods rely on pre-installed target panels with known geometric shapes or with an emitting light source. Such target panels are difficult to install and maintain over the lifetime of a building. Thus, while such methods are nondestructive, they are not entirely non-contact. This paper proposes an Augmented Reality (AR)-assisted non-contact method for estimating IDR that does not require any pre-installed physical infrastructure on a building. The method identifies corner locations in a damaged building by detecting the intersections between horizontal building baselines and vertical building edges. The horizontal baselines are superimposed on the real structure using an AR algorithm, and the building edges are detected via a Line Segment Detection (LSD) approach. The proposed method is evaluated using a Virtual Prototyping (VP) environment that allows testing of the proposed method in a reconfigurable setting. A sensitivity analysis is also conducted to evaluate the effect of instrumentation errors on the method's practical use. The experimental results demonstrate the potential of the new method to facilitate rapid building damage reconnaissance, and highlight the instrument precision requirements necessary for practical field implementation.
Recruitment of New Sites of Synaptic Transmission During the cAMP-Dependent Late Phase of LTP at CA3–CA1 Synapses in the Hippocampus

Long-term potentiation at CA3-CA1 hippocampal synapses exhibits an early phase and a late phase, which can be distinguished by their underlying molecular mechanisms. Unlike the early phase, the late phase is dependent on both cAMP and protein synthesis. Quantal analysis of unitary synaptic transmission between a single presynaptic CA3 neuron and a single postsynaptic CA1 neuron suggests that, under certain conditions, the early phase of LTP involves an increase in the probability of release of a single quantum of transmitter from a single presynaptic release site, with no change in the number of quanta that are released or in postsynaptic sensitivity to transmitter. Here, we show that the cAMP-induced late phase of LTP involves an increase in the number of quanta released in response to a single presynaptic action potential, possibly due to an increase in the number of sites of synaptic transmission between a single CA3 and a single CA1 neuron.
Experimental and theoretical UV characterizations of acetylacetone and its isomers.

Cryogenic matrix isolation experiments have allowed the measurement of the UV absorption spectra of the high-energy non-chelated isomers of acetylacetone, these isomers being produced by UV irradiation of the stable chelated form. Their identification has been done by coupling selective UV-induced isomerization, infrared spectroscopy, and harmonic vibrational frequency calculations using density functional theory. The relative energies of the chelated and non-chelated forms of acetylacetone in the S0 state have been obtained using density functional theory and coupled-cluster methods. For each isomer of acetylacetone, we have calculated the UV transition energies and dipole oscillator strengths using the excited-state coupled-cluster methods, including EOMCCSD (equation-of-motion coupled-cluster method with singles and doubles) and CR-EOMCCSD(T) (the completely renormalized EOMCC approach with singles, doubles, and non-iterative triples). For dipole-allowed transition energies, there is a very good agreem...
Sibling maltreatment: The forgotten abuse

Great advances have been made in the study of family violence in the past 30 years. However, sibling abuse and its prevalence in the family have largely been overlooked. In this article, the major issues associated with sibling maltreatment are highlighted, and strategies for helping the victims and perpetrators of sibling abuse and their families are described.
Optimal machining conditions with dual criteria and applications to scheduling

A bicriterion machining economics problem is presented, considering the minimization of the unit production cost and the maximization of the production rate. The bicriterion machining time is first defined as a weighted average of the maximum production rate machining time and of the minimum unit cost machining time using a weighted-sums technique and an arbitrary weighting factor. Then using a vector-maximum approach, a bicriterion machining lime is defined through the introduction of an optimal weighting factor. This weighting factor reflects the relative importance of the two criteria and it is a function of the delay time cost, that is, the cost associated with the difference in actual processing times between the two criteria. It is shown that the vector-maximum approach outperforms the weighting-sums technique. Furthermore, the bicriterion machining lime leans towards the maximum production rate machining time as the delay time cost increases. It is also shown that the actual processing time is prop...
Free Cash, the Current Account and Bubble Creation

The present paper explores the relationship between corporations' ability to generate free cash, the lopsided current account, and recent speculation in stocks and housing. It argues that some portion of recently generated free cash is related to the outsourcing of production. Over the last two decades, foreign saving, consequent on the lopsided U.S. current account could not be absorbed by a corporate world beset by its own plethora of saving. Consequently, excess saving, both domestically grown and imported flowed toward speculative avenues — in the 1990s in stocks and more recently in housing.
An Ecological Momentary Assessment of the Effects of Weight and Shape Social Comparisons on Women With Eating Pathology, High Body Dissatisfaction, and Low Body Dissatisfaction

This research examined the effects of naturally occurring appearance comparisons on women's affect, body satisfaction, and compensatory cognitions and behaviors. Using ecological momentary assessment, women with high body dissatisfaction and eating pathology (EPHB), high body dissatisfaction (HB), or low body dissatisfaction (LB) recorded their reactions to appearance-focused social comparisons. EPHB and HB women made more upward appearance comparisons than LB women. All women experienced negative emotions and cognitions after upward comparisons, including increased guilt, body dissatisfaction, and thoughts of dieting. EPHB women were most negatively affected by comparisons; they experienced more intense negative emotions, more thoughts of dieting/exercising, and an increase in eating-disordered behavior after upward comparisons. HB women experienced more negative affective consequences and thoughts of dieting than LB women. Results are consistent with social comparison theory and provide important information that may be used to inform eating disorder treatment and prevention efforts.
Solid‐solid and Solid‐liquid Transitions in K2CO3, Na2CO3 and Li2CO3: Investigations to ≥ 5 kbar by Differential Thermal Analysis; Thermodynamics and Structural Correlations

Differential thermal analysis in hydrostatic apparatus yielded for K2CO3: solid-liquid transition (905 ± 2°C intercept at 1 bar), 20.2 ± 0.6 deg kbar−1 slope and solid-solid (421 ± 2°C), 16.8 ± 0.8 deg kbar−1, to ∼5 kbar; Na2CO3: solid-solid (485 ± 3°C), 15.5 ± 0.5 deg kbar−1 and solid-solid (356 ± 3°C), 11.3 ± 0.9 deg kbar−1, to ∼ 5 kbar; Li2CO3: solid-liquid (724 ± 2°C), 6.2 ± 0.4 deg kbar−1 and solid-solid (=420°C on heating, ≤407°C on cooling), ≤1 deg kbar−1, to ∼7 kbar. Thermodynamic data for the transitions are compared with these results. Structural similarities, quantitatively developed for these carbonates and also Rb2CO3. also are used in correlating data. Die Differentialthermoanalyse in einem hydrostatischen Druckapparat ergab fur K2CO3: Fest-flussig-Ubergang (905 ± 2°C, abgebrochen bei 1 bar), 20,2 ± 0,6 grd kbar−1 Steigung und fest-fest (421 ± 2°C), 16,8 ± 0,8 grd kbar−1, bis ∼5 kbar; Na2CO3: Fest-fest (485 ± 3°C), 15,5 ± 0,5 grd kbar−1 und fest-fest (356 ± 3°C), 11,3 ± 0,9 grd kbar−1, bis ∼5 kbar; Li2CO3: Fest-flussig (724 ± 2°C), 6,2 ± 0,4 grd kbar−1 und fest-fest (=420°C beim Aufheizen, ≤407°C beim Abkuhlen), ∼1 grd kbar−1, bis ∼7 kbar. Thermodynamische Daten fur die Ubergange werden mit diesen Ergebnissen verglichen. Strukturelle Ahnlichkeiten, quantitativ fur diese Carbonate und fur Rb2CO3 hergeleitet, werden ebenfalls bei der Korrelation der Daten verwandt.
The Role of Vision in Trajectories of Literacy Practice Among New Teachers

Evidence suggests that teachers' visions of their ideal teaching may account for some differences in their development and effectiveness. In this study, we investigate the visions of teachers with differing trajectories of change in their practice. The paper describes trends in teachers' visions in the pre-service and in-service years across one cohort of new teachers. We explore the characteristics of vision for three subgroups based on scores reflecting the quality of their practice: those whose practice improved, those whose practice became weaker, and those whose practice remained stable. Teachers who maintained high practice scores or showed improvement on practice scores held visions characterized by specificity and coherence. Two cases are presented to illustrate the role of vision in beginning teachers' practices. Implications for future research and teacher education are discussed.
Coherent Raman beat and ESEEM EPR spectroscopy applied to a transition metal complex: comparisons of sensitivity and spectral resolution

Abstract Coherent Raman beats (CRB) resulting from 14N hyperfine interactions have been observed in the EPR spectrum of the S = 1 2 state of a mixed valence di-μ-oxo bridged Mn(III, IV) bipyridyl dimer at X-band (9 GHz) and the results compared with those obtained from three-pulse electron spin echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) data recorded under similar conditions. The spectral resolution of the CRB data were ≈-fold superior-to the ESEEM while the signal-to-noise ratio was enhanced by a factor of ≈40. The resolution improvement derives from the fact that the CRBs can persist for times approaching the electron T1 while the decay of the ESE envelope is limited by spectral diffusion. CRB detection benefits from a multiplex advantage relative to ESEEM.
Biological basis for radiation hormesis in mammalian cellular communities

It is now known that low doses and dose rates of certain agents (e.g., radiation and genotoxic chemicals) can induce protective processes that together lead to a reduction in mutations and neoplastic transformation below the spontaneous frequency in mammalian in vitro and in vivo cellular communities. However, after high doses, some of the protection is lost, leading to elevated risks relative to the background risk. The indicated pattern of induced protection is a form of radiation hormesis (low-dose stimulation and high-dose suppression of protective processes). In this paper, a modified existing dose-response model (NEOTRANS3) is summarised which provides a biological basis for radiation hormesis for specific stochastic radiobiological effects (mutations, neoplastic transformation and cancer). Implications for low-dose cancer risk assessment, cancer prevention, cancer therapy and lifespan lengthening are discussed.
Glutamine Synthetase Inhibition: Possible Mode of Action of Wildfire Toxin from Pseudomonas tabaci

TOBACCO wildfire toxin, produced by the phytopathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas tabaci, and methionine sulphoximine (MSO) inhibit the growth of the alga Chlorella vulgaris, and induce chlorosis in leaves of higher plants1. Because both compounds were considered to be structural analogues of methionine, it was postulated that they acted as methionine antimetabolites. Although L-methionine overcame the growth inhibition effect of both the toxin and MSO in Chlorella, it did not prevent chlorosis in higher plants. It has recently been shown that the inhibition of the growth of oat coleoptiles induced by MSO can be reversed by glutamine, but not by methionine2. In animals the wildfire toxin causes convulsions identical to those produced by MSO3; significantly, these two compounds also inhibit cerebral glutamine synthetase (GS)4,5. In view of the similarities exhibited by the two compounds, both in plants and animals, and the findings implicating glutamine metabolism, we felt that a study of the effect of the wildfire toxin on plant GS might provide additional insight into its mode of action. We report here the results of investigations on the influence of the wildfire toxin on GS obtained from pea6, and the effect of L-glutamine in reversing the toxin's effects in intact tobacco leaves and on GS in vitro.
Learning Who We (and They) Are: Popular Culture as Pedagogy.

This chapter focuses on how popular culture can be incorporated into adult classrooms to critically examine the ways in which race, class, and gender identities are constructed in the mass media.
Medical treatment of rosacea with emphasis on topical therapies

Due to the development and release of newer topical formulations, the diagnosis and treatment of rosacea has received renewed attention over the past 3-5 years both in the literature and at medical symposia. Rosacea is a very common facial dermatosis. In the US, rosacea is estimated to affect > 14 million people, predominantly adults with approximately 60% of cases diagnosed before the age of 50. A frustrating aspect of the disease is its inherent chronicity punctuated with periods of exacerbation and relative remission. A variety of subtypes have been identified which correlate with clinical presentation. Although the pathogenesis of rosacea is poorly understood, multiple topical agents are available. The efficacy of topical therapy for rosacea relates primarily to reduction in inflammatory lesions (papules, pustules), decreased intensity of erythema, a reduction in the number and intensity of flares and amelioration of symptoms, which may include stinging, pruritus and burning. The list of main topical agents utilised for the treatment of rosacea include metronidazole, sulfacetamide-sulfur, azelaic acid and topical antibiotics (clindamycin, erythromycin). Depending on the severity at initial presentation, topical therapy may be combined with systemic antibiotic therapy (e.g., oral tetracycline derivative). Newer therapeutic choices primarily involve improved vehicle formulations, which demonstrate favourable skin tolerability and cosmetic elegance.
Spatial dynamics of picosecond CO 2 laser pulses produced by optical switching in Ge

ABSTRACT The design, test and optimization of a picosecond CO2 pulse-forming system are presented. The system switches a semiconductor's optical characteristics at 10 1um under the control of a synchronized 1.06-jim Nd:YAG picosecond laser pulse. An energy-efficient version of such a systemusing collimated beams is described. A simple, semi-empirical approach is used to simulate theswitching process, specifically including the spatial distributions of the laser energy and phase,which are relevant for experiments in laser-driven electron acceleration. 1. INTRODUCTION Lasers have been proposed as a tool for electron acceleration since early in their develop- ment. But only with the advent of sufficiently high-power lasers has this idea become feasible, andresearch programs are under way in several laboratories. The Accelerator Test Facility (ATF)1at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is presently preparing to test three laser-acceleration schemes. In all cases, the laser will interact with a 50 MeV high-brightness e-beam producedby a conventional RF linear accelerator. One program investigates electron acceleration by the
L1 language socialization as a variable in the use of ne by L2 learners of Japanese

Abstract Studies of L1 communicative competence within the framework of language socialization have recognized the rich interplay of linguistic knowledge and sociocultural knowledge in the process of language socialization. Following this research tradition, some studies of L2 acquisition have begun to conceptualize this process as one of secondary socialization. This study argues that the language socialization framework also provides rich opportunities for the detailed, qualitative study of learner production, and of the role of the learner's L1 socialization on this production. A study of English-speaking learners' anomalous uses of the Japanese particle ne in their L2 production of Japanese, which takes into account the distinct communicative styles of the target language (L2) and the learners' base language (L1), is undertaken. Using qualitative discourse analysis, the learners' use of ne in talk with native speaker conversation partners is shown to be influenced by L1 culturally-ordered epistemic constraints, as well as by L1 discourse practices pertaining to stances of sharedness. The contribution of the language socialization framework, applied in combination with qualitative, discourse analytic methods, to the study of L2 learner production is discussed in conjunction with the findings. The importance of considering the role of affective and epistemic dimensions of communication in the study of L2 learner production is highlighted.
Lake Manly(?) Shorelines in the Eastern Mojave Desert, California

Near Mesquite Spring on the southern edge of the Soda Lake basin in the Mojave Desert, there is a shoreline of an ancient lake at an elevation of 340 m above sea level. At present, Soda Lake would overflow at 280 m; a lake surface at 340 m would extend ∼240 km northward, to the northern end of Death Valley. Shorelines and lacustrine deposits near the Salt Spring and Saddle Peak Hills, 75 km north of Mesquite Spring, are at ∼180 m; a lake surface at this elevation today would also extend to the northern end of Death Valley. The most prominent shoreline of the pluvial lake that occupied Death Valley during the Pleistocene, Lake Manly, is that of the Blackwelder stand which ended ∼120,000 yr ago. This shoreline is ∼90 m above sea level. The Mesquite Spring and Salt Spring Hills shorelines were probably formed by the Blackwelder stand and subsequently displaced with respect to one another, tectonically, due to transpression in the northeastern Mojave Desert and NW–SE extension across Death Valley. This tectonic regime would result in subsidence of Death Valley and the Salt Spring Hills relative to Mesquite Spring. A reconstruction suggests that the topography at the time of the Blackwelder stand would have had a sill near the level of the highest lake, and also one ∼20 m lower, corresponding to the next most prominent shoreline in Death Valley. Expansion of the lake over these sills would have increased evaporation, thus possibly stabilizing the lake level.
Positive Impact of a Tablet PC-Based Learning Environment on Student-Perceived Learning Outcomes

A tablet PC-based-learning environment was implemented in a large class of second-semester anatomy and physiology undergraduates. Real-time annotation of Powerpoint lectures using a tablet PC was supplemented with audio recording of the lectures. The resulting video files were electronically distributed to the students via the internet. The effect of the tablet PC on higher order thinking skills, basic academic success skills, discipline-specific knowledge and skills and work/career preparation was assessed using an anonymous survey. Midterm grades from two successive semesters were also compared. Results of the Likert scale survey indicate that a tablet PC-based learning environment positively impacted higher order thinking skills, basic academic skills, discipline- specific skills and work and career preparation skills. Significantly lower responses were indicated for work and career preparation skills. Midterm grades in the second semester class were also impacted positively by using the tablet PC.
Trends of change across the Taiwan Strait towards 2020

Abstract This paper forecasts the futures across the Taiwan Strait in the first two decades of the century. Data were collected utilizing the Delphi survey process with 18 Taiwanese experts in 1999. Eleven of the participants are scholars engaging in China studies, and the remaining seven are government officials handling Chinese mainland affairs. The results indicate that 32 scenarios are forthcoming across the Strait from 2001 to 2010 and 24 will appear from 2011 to 2020. After data reduction, the first decade is denoted by nine prospects and the second decade involves six futures. All these outlooks agreeably indicate a trend of peaceful evolution.
Sizing up the future of microRNA analysis

In less than 20 years, our appreciation for micro-RNA molecules (miRNAs) has grown from an original, curious observation in worms to their current status as incredibly important global regulators of gene expression that play key roles in many transformative biological processes. As our understanding of these small, non-coding transcripts continues to evolve, new approaches for their analysis are emerging. In this critical review we describe recent improvements to classical methods of detection as well as innovative new technologies that are poised to help shape the future landscape of miRNA analysis.
Effects of Swine Manure on Macrolide, Lincosamide, and Streptogramin B Antimicrobial Resistance in Soils

Current agricultural practices involve inclusion of antimicrobials in animal feed and result in manure containing antimicrobials and antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms. This work evaluated the effects of land application of swine manure on the levels of tetracycline, macrolide, and lincosamide antimicrobials and on macrolide, lincosamide, and streptogramin B (MLSB) resistance in field soil samples and laboratory soil batch tests. MLSB and tetracycline antimicrobials were quantified after solid-phase extraction using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The prevalence of the ribosomal modification responsible for MLSB resistance in the same samples was quantified using fluorescence in situ hybridization. Macrolide antimicrobials were not detected in soil samples, while tetracyclines were detected, suggesting that the latter compounds persist in soil. No significant differences in ribosomal methylation or presumed MLSB resistance were observed when amended and unamended field soils were compared, although a transient (<20-day) increase was observed in most batch tests. Clostridium cluster XIVa accounted for the largest fraction of resistant bacteria identified in amended soils. Overall, this study did not detect a persistent increase in the prevalence of MLSB resistance due to land application of treated swine manure. Treated swine manure contains substantial levels of both antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms (10, 26) and antimicrobials (7, 18, 33). Land application of manure could therefore contribute to public health risks associated with the increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in pathogens both directly, through the dissemination of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, and indirectly, through the introduction of and selection for antimicrobial resistance genes. Because limited data are available, this connection is largely a theoretical connection, particularly for the indirect effects. However, a recent retrospective study of antimicrobial resistance in soil did support the hypothesis that there is an environmental connection by documenting that there was an increase in the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes in samples collected from 1940 to 2008, during which time antimicrobial production increased dramatically (12).
Prototyping architectural support for program rollback using FPGAs

This paper presents a processor and memory-hierarchy prototype based on FPGAs that provides hardware support for program rollback. We use this prototype to demonstrate how compiler- or user-controlled speculative execution can help in debugging production codes. The system is based on a synthesizable VHDL implementation of a 32-bit processor compliant with the SPARC V8 architecture. We conduct experiments on applications with real bugs. The applications run on top of a version of Linux ported to this hardware. Our experiments show that our system is able to successfully execute the buggy code sections speculatively. This allows the thorough characterization of the faulty code through repeated rollback and re-execution. Moreover, the hardware extensions we made to the baseline system increase the hardware resource requirements by less than 4.5%.
Nicotine increases ventricular vulnerability to fibrillation in hearts with healed myocardial infarction.

The vulnerability of the infarcted hearts to ventricular fibrillation (VF) was tested in in situ canine hearts during nicotine infusion. The activation pattern was mapped with 477 bipolar electrode...
Firm-Specific Assets, Multinationality, and Financial Performance: A Meta-analytic Review and Theoretical Integration

Through a meta-analysis of 120 independent samples reported in 111 studies, we test the predictions of internalization theory in the context of the multinationality-performance relationship. Findin...
Designing Markets: Why Competitive Bidding and Auctions in Government Often Fail To Deliver

Governments continue to embrace the market-like mechanisms of auctions and bidding. This essay considers how governments (as bid-takers) and firms and nonprofits (as bidders) strategically interact in the design and implementation of these systems. I assess with regard to the uniqueness of bidding in government four principles on the role of: credible commitments, rational collusion, the setting of reserve prices, and heterogeneity among bidders. I also address recent calls for expanding the use of dynamic pricing in government.
Space missions trade space generation and assessment using the JPL Rapid Mission Architecture (RMA) team approach

The JPL Rapid Mission Architecture (RMA) capability is a novel collaborative team-based approach to generate new mission architectures, explore broad trade space options, and conduct architecture-level analyses. RMA studies address feasibility and identify best candidates to proceed to further detailed design studies. Development of RMA first began at JPL in 2007 and has evolved to address the need for rapid, effective early mission architectural development and trade space exploration as a precursor to traditional point design evaluations. The RMA approach integrates a small team of architecture-level experts (typically 6–10 people) to generate and explore a wide-ranging trade space of mission architectures driven by the mission science (or technology) objectives. Group brainstorming and trade space analyses are conducted at a higher level of assessment across multiple mission architectures and systems to enable rapid assessment of a set of diverse, innovative concepts. This paper describes the overall JPL RMA team, process, and high-level approach. Some illustrative results from previous JPL RMA studies are discussed. 1 2
Microstructural Benefits of Rsp in a γ-(Ti-Ta-Al) Alloy

Ti-15Ta-48Al alloy samples were characterized after arc melting, controlled supercooling experiments and splat-quenching. It was found that primary b.c.c. (β) forms from the melt in all cases. The arc-button exhibits severe Ta segregation toward the dendrite cores which is substantially alleviated by rapid solidification. Increasing bulk supercooling of the melt reduces the size and scale of segregation and ultimately results in a single phase γ structure. Splat quenching also increases homogeneity and alters the post-solidification transformations in three ways: (i) it suppresses the typical precipitation of γt laths in α2, (ii) it inhibits the formation of σ, and (iii) the Ta-rich areas of the β phase transform to B2 instead of α + σ.