cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
New theory for competing interactions and microstructures in partially-ordered (liquid-crystalline) phases

A summary of results from a unique statistical-physics theory to predict and explain competing interactions and resulting microstructures in some partially-ordered [in this case, liquid-crystalline (LC)] phases is presented. The static aspects of both partial orientational and partial positional ordering of the molecules into various microstructures in these phases (including the incommensurate smectic-Ad phase) can be understood in terms of various competing interactions (both entropic and energetic) involved in the packing together of the different molecular sub-units at given pressures and temperatures. These microstructures are predicted and explained (using no ad hoc or arbitrarily adjustable parameters) as a function of molecule chemical structure [including lengths and shapes (from bond lengths and angles), intramolecular rotations, site-site polarizabilities and pair potentials, dipole moments, etc.]. Theoretical results are presented for the nematic, re-entrant nematic, smectic-Ad, and smectic-Al LC phases and the isotropic liquid phase.
The effect of selection for residual feed intake during the grow/finish phase of production on feeding behavior traits and sow reproduction and lactation efficiency in Yorkshire pigs

Residual feed intake (RFI) is a measure of feed efficiency defined as the difference between observed and predicted feed intake based on average requirements for maintenance and production. At Iowa State University, two lines of Yorkshire pigs were developed to study the effects of selection for RFI during the grow/finish phase of production (RFIG/F). One line was selected over 7 generations for decreased RFIG/F (LRFI) to improve feed efficiency and the other line (HRFI) was selected randomly for 4 generations and then for increased RFIG/F. The main objectives of this dissertation were to evaluate feeding behavior traits and sow reproductive performance and lactation efficiency. Pigs from the LRFI line had significantly lower feed intake (FI) per day than did HRFI pigs. After adjusting for FI per day, number of visits (NV) per day and per hour did not differ significantly between the two lines but the trend was for LRFI pigs to have fewer visits, particularly during peak eating times. Furthermore, pigs from the LRFI line ate faster and spent less time in the feeder per day, per visit, and per hour than HRFI pigs. Feeding behavior traits were moderately to highly heritable, with heritabilities ranging from 0.36 for FI per visit to 0.71 for occupation time (OT) per day. Feed intake rate was also highly heritable at 0.59. Heritabilities of NV per day, OT per visit, and FI per day were similar (0.44, 0.42, and 0.42, respectively). FI per day was strongly correlated, both phenotypically and genetically, with RFI, average daily gain (ADG), and backfat depth (BF). FI per visit was moderately correlated, both phenotypically and genetically, with ADG and BF. OT per day was moderately correlated, both phenotypically and genetically, with RFI and BF. Other correlations between feeding behavior traits and performance traits were low. For each feeding behavior trait, one or two genomic regions were identified as being important in a whole genome association study.
Networks, Extinction and Paleocommunity Food Webs

Food webs represent trophic interactions among species in communities. Those interactions both structure and are structured by species richness, ecological diversity, and evolutionary processes. Geological and macroevolutionary timescales are therefore important to the understanding of food web dynamics, and there is a need for the consideration of paleocommunity food webs. The fossil record presents challenges in this regard, but the problem can be approached with combinatoric analysis and network theory. This paper is an introduction to the aspects of those disciplines relevant to the study of paleo-food webs, and explores a probabilistic and numerical approach.
PATERNAL INFLUENCES ON EARLY SOCIO-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Ce compte rendu des etudes des influences du pere dans le developpement socio-emotionnel du tout jeune enfant permet de degager les caracteristiques d'une telle influence ainsi que ses consequences en comparaison avec celle qu'exerce la mere
Regulation of respiration in Paracoccus denitrificans: The dependence on redox state of cytochrome c and [ATP]/[ADP][Pi]

Abstract The respiratory rates of Paracoccus denitrificans cells, membrane fragments, and detergent-solubilized, ammonium sulfate-precipitated membrane fractions were measured with NADH and ascorbate plus N,N,N′,N′ -tetramethyl- p -phenylenediamine as the substrates. It was found that the turnover numbers for cytochrome c were the same in the three preparations giving maximum values of approximately 300 s −1 at 100% reduction of cytochrome c . NADH was rapidly oxidized in the detergent-solubilized, ammonium sulfate-precipitated membrane fraction which contained tightly bound cytochrome c . It is suggested that tight binding of cytochrome c in P. denitrificans does not impair its electron transport activity. The respiration of intact cells was dependent on the redox state of cytochrome c over a wide range of cytochrome c reduction, on the intracellular [ATP]/[ADP][ P i ] and on the pH of the suspending medium. A conclusion is drawn that the basic principle(s) underlying regulation of cellular respiration is the same in the prokaryotic P. denitrificans and in mitochondria-containing eukaryotic organisms.
Sounds and Stories

Phonemic awareness instruction is an important part of child language intervention. Activities and procedures have generally been adopted directly from experimental studies. Although effective, the...
Control charts for exponentially distributed product life

This paper introduces a special control chart procedure for exponentially distributed product life. Statistical control of product life in manufacturing requires continuing life tests of manufactured product so as to detect changes in product life and take appropriate corrective action. These life testing experiments may become exceedingly time consuming and thus can be both impractical because of serious time delays in implementing corrective action on the process when indicated, and quite uneconomical. It is desirable to inquire into the character of life testing by means of a control chart procedure based on the real time to first failure within given samples. Measuring the real minimum life provides a considerable reduction in duration of the testing procedure and in the number of specimens destroyed, yielding a considerable economy over the Shewhart's X control chart.
An effective action approach to spin potentials for heavy quark systems

The spin-dependent terms of an approximate, Breit-Fermi-type Hamiltonian for heavy quark-antiquark pairs are obtained by the use of an effective-action approach to QCD statics. As an introduction, a review of the effective action method and the related confinement mechanism is given. The method is extended to include spin-spin effects and the spin-orbit terms are derived from the spin-spin potential in a natural way. The quantitative functional form of the spin potential is given in terms of the solutions to numerical problems that are formulated but not solved. The solution of these problems will be reported in a subsequent paper.
Pseudopathologic vertebral body enhancement in the presence of superior vena cava obstruction on computed tomography

Abstract Background context Superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction can cause the development of collateral vessels. During contrast-enhanced thoracic computed tomography (CT), contrast material may reflux into the collaterals such as paravertebral venous plexus. However, an unusual pseudopathologic vertebral body enhancement on CT in the presence of SVC obstruction has not been studied previously. Purpose To demonstrate clinical presentation and imaging findings of pseudopathologic vertebral body enhancement in patients with SVC obstruction. Study design Retrospective study of diagnostic CT images examined at our clinic. Patient sample From March, 2009 to September, 2012, a retrospective radiologic database review was performed to identify patients with obstruction of SVC causing contrast reflux into collateral vessels and presented with an unusual vertebral body enhancement on thoracic CT. Thirteen patients (11 men, mean age 51.4 years) with vertebral body enhancement were enrolled. Outcome measures Enhancement patterns of vertebral bodies were classified as nodular enhancement with round shape occupying less than one-third of vertebral body or polygonal enhancement occupying greater than or equal to one-third of vertebral body on axial image. The locations of enhanced areas within vertebral bodies were described using right lateral/central/left lateral, anterior/posterior, and upper/middle/lower in the x-, y-, or z-axis directions, respectively. Materials and methods Enhancement patterns, locations, and the presence of a connection between vertebral body enhancement and the paravertebral venous plexus were evaluated. Results A total of 39 vertebral body enhancements were found in the 13 patients, involving cervical (n=12), thoracic (n=25), or lumbar (n=2) vertebrae. Vertebral body enhancements showed a nodular (n=19) or a polygonal (n=20) pattern. The central portions of vertebral bodies were more frequently involved. The connection to the paravertebral venous plexus was observed in 34 lesions (87.2%). Conclusions Patients with SVC obstruction with extensive collateral vessels might exhibit a pseudopathologic vertebral enhancement. They tended to involve the central portion of the vertebral body, and most of them showed connection to the paravertebral venous plexus.
The impact of posthospital home care on patients with cancer

Symptom distress, mental health status, enforced social dependency and health perceptions were measured in two groups of cancer patients, one receiving home care services (n = 49) and the other receiving no such services (n = 11). Data were obtained at hospital discharge and 3 months later. Patients receiving home care demonstrated statistically significant improvement on mental health and social dependency; patients not receiving home care did not improve on any variable. After controlling for baseline scores, the home care group had significantly higher mental health status at the second interview than the no home care group.
A finite-difference, time-domain solution for three-dimensional electromagnetic modeling

We have developed a finite-difference solution for three-dimensional (3-D) transient electromagnetic problems. The solution steps Maxwell's equations in time using a staggered-grid technique. The time-stepping uses a modified version of the Du Fort-Frankel method which is explicit and always stable. Both conductivity and magnetic permeability can be functions of space, and the model geometry can be arbitrarily complicated. The solution provides both electric and magnetic field responses throughout the earth. Because it solves the coupled, first-order Maxwell's equations, the solution avoids approximating spatial derivatives of physical properties, and thus overcomes many related numerical difficulties. Moreover, since the divergence-free condition for the magnetic field is incorporated explicitly, the solution provides accurate results for the magnetic field at late times.An inhomogeneous Dirichlet boundary condition is imposed at the surface of the earth, while a homogeneous Dirichlet condition is employed along the subsurface boundaries. Numerical dispersion is alleviated by using an adaptive algorithm that uses a fourth-order difference method at early times and a second-order method at other times. Numerical checks against analytical, integral-equation, and spectral differential-difference solutions show that the solution provides accurate results.Execution time for a typical model is about 3.5 hours on an IBM 3090/600S computer for computing the field to 10 ms. That model contains 100 X 100 X 50 grid points representing about three million unknowns and possesses one vertical plane of symmetry, with the smallest grid spacing at 10 m and the highest resistivity at 100 Omega . m. The execution time indicates that the solution is computer intensive, but it is valuable in providing much-needed insight about TEM responses in complicated 3-D situations.
Canopy water content estimates with AVIRIS imagery and MODIS reflectance products

We assessed the capability of AVIRIS and MODIS to estimate canopy water content. Hyperspectral water retrievals with AVIRIS data, EWT, were compared to in situ leaf water content and LAI measurements at a semi-arid site in southeastern Arizona. Retrievals of EWT showed good correlation with field canopy water content measurements. Statistical analysis also suggested that EWT was significant among seven different vegetation communities. Four MODIS indexes derived from band ratios using the reflectance product and were compared to retrievals of EWT with AVIRIS at both the semi-arid site and a temperate conifer forest. Good statistical agreements were found between AVIRIS EWT and all four MODIS indexes at the semi-arid site in savanna shrub communities. Slightly poorer correlations were found at the forest site where water indexes had better correlation to AVIRIS EWT than vegetation indexes. Temporal patterns of the four indexes in all semi-arid vegetation communities except creosote bush and agriculture show distinct seasonal variation and responded to precipitation at the savanna site. Three years of net ecosystem exchange (NEE) data from eddy covariance measurements at the forest site were compared to the time series of MODIS indexes. MODIS water indexes showed similar seasonal patterns to NEE that were strongest during the period of net carbon sequestration. In contrast, the time series of MODIS vegetation indexes did not yield a good relationship to NEE.
Costimulation in Tetrahymena II. A nonspecific response to heterotypic cell-cell interactions☆

Abstract Costimulation, a developmental interaction requiring cell-to-cell contact, is the second stage in a linear sequence of events leading from vegetative growth to mating pairs in the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila . This paper uses the kinetics of appearance of genetically marked progeny to measure accurately the duration of normal costimulation and then to examine the role of mating type in costimulation. Although diverse mating types are required for costimulation to occur, the costimulated cell's response is not specific to the mating type of the cell contacting it; costimulation by one mating type appears to prepare a cell for mating with any complementary mating type.
Determination of available lysine in proteins.

Abstract A simple and rapid method has been developed to determine the available lysine content of proteins and protein foodstuffs involving the use of the reagent 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS). Close agreement was found between the observed and expected lysine values for a number of representative proteins. In the case of protein foodstuffs the available lysine values determined with TNBS were similar to values obtained with the more commonly used Carpenter method which employs fluorodinitrobenzene.
Induction of the cell cycle regulatory gene p21 (Waf1, Cip1) following methylmercury exposure in vitro and in vivo.

Methylmercury (MeHg) is recognized as a significant environmental hazard, particularly to the development of the nervous system. To study the molecular mechanisms underlying cell cycle inhibition by MeHg, we assessed the involvement of p21 (Waf1, Cip1), a cell cycle regulatory gene implicated in the G1 and G2 phases of cell cycle arrest, in primary embryonic cells and adult mice following MeHg exposure. Previous literature has supported the association of increased p21 expression with chondrocyte differentiation. In support of this finding, we observed an increasing p21 expression during limb bud (LB), but not midbrain central nervous system (CNS) cell differentiation. Both embryonic LB and CNS cells responded to MeHg exposure with a concentration-dependent increase in p21 mRNA. In the parallel adult study, C57BL/6 female mice were chronically exposed to 10 ppm MeHg via drinking water for 4 weeks. While there was limited or absent induction of Gadd45, Gadd153, and the γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase catalytic subunit, p21 was markedly induced in the brain, kidney, and liver tissues in most of the animals that showed MeHg-induced behavioral toxicity such as hyperactivity and tremor. Furthermore, the induction of p21 mRNA was accompanied by an increase in p21 protein level. The results indicate that the activation of cell cycle regulatory genes may be one mechanism by which MeHg interferes with the cell cycle in adult and developing organisms. Continued examination of the molecular mechanisms underlying cell cycle inhibition may potentially lead to utilization of this mechanistic information to characterize the effects of MeHg exposure in vivo.
Dynamic process quality control system under networked manufacturing

To solve problems concerning the process quality control of networked manufacturing enterprise, a dynamic process quality control mode oriented to networked manufacturing, which integrated quality prevention, analysis, diagnosis and adjustment, and corresponding functional modules and framework were all put forward. This mode dealt mainly with constructing and running dynamic quality control system, integrated several enabling technologies such as the theory of similarity manufacturing, statistical process control (SPC), neural network. Furthermore, some of the key enabling technologies were studied in detail, including process quality analysis on-line based on similarity process, process quality diagnosis based on Elman and expert system of process quality adjustment. Finally, a case study of some Heavy Machinery Ltd was introduced to demonstrate the rationality and validity of the method. It is basis of realizing network, intelligent and automatic process quality control.
Efficient method for analysis and design of aperture-coupled rectangular microstrip antennas

A method for the analysis and design of rectangular microstrip antennas coupled through a small aperture to a microstrip feed line in a two-layer configuration is described. The technique is numerically efficient, making it suitable for computer-aided design. The analysis takes into account higher order modes excited underneath the patch. Analysis results were implemented in two computer programs: an analysis program and a design program based on optimization techniques. Experimental results are presented to validate this method. >
Reporting Diagnostic Test Results to Patients and their Families

Summary Clinical psychologists have been concerned about the proper presentation of their test results to everyone but the patient. Nevertheless, they bear an obligation to inform the patient of the findings, which, after all, were contingent upon his cooperation and effort. A method of presenting such data is described, which can be applied to school, vocational, and psychiatric disturbances. and one case is presented in detail. The method's efficacy is largely a function of the skill and experience of the counselor, the motivation of the client, the presence of a positive working relationship, and a respect for the person being tested.
Postsynaptic gephyrin immunoreactivity exhibits a nearly one-to-one correspondence with gamma-aminobutyric acid-like immunogold-labeled synaptic inputs to sympathetic preganglionic neurons.

Peripheral regulation of cardiovascular function is fundamentally influenced by central excitation and inhibition of sympathetic preganglionic neurons in thoracic spinal cord. This electron microscopy study investigated whether the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic and glycinergic inhibitory innervation of sympathetic preganglionic neurons arises from mutually exclusive afferent populations. Sympathetic preganglionic neurons were retrogradely labeled with cholera β subunit. GABAergic terminals were identified using strict quantitative statistical analyses as those boutons containing significantly elevated levels of GABA-like immunogold labeling (GABA+). Glycinergic terminals were classified as those boutons opposite postsynaptic gephyrin immunostaining containing background levels of GABA-like immunogold labeling (gephyrin+/GABA− association). Approximately 43% of the synaptic terminals that contacted sympathetic preganglionic somata and proximal dendrites and that were opposite gephyrin were GABA−; the remaining 57% were GABA+. Only two GABA+ boutons (4%) that synapsed on identified sympathetic preganglionic neuron (SPN) processes were not opposite gephyrin immunostaining (GABA+/gephyrin- association). GABA− /gephyrin+ associations were anticipated given prior anatomical, physiological, and pharmacological data. The observed nearly one-to-one correspondence between postsynaptic gephyrin immunoreactivity and GABA+ boutons was unexpected. Prior physiological and pharmacological experiments suggest that the postsynaptic effects of GABAergic inputs to sympathetic preganglionic neurons are mediated by activation of GABAA receptors. Those data, the present results, and other molecular, biochemical, and anatomical studies of gephyrin in the central nervous system (CNS) are consistent with two hypotheses: (1) Postsynaptic gephyrin is associated with GABAA receptors in the membranes of sympathetic preganglionic neurons, and (2) GABA+/gephyrin+ associations do not necessarily predict colocalization of GABA and glycine within single boutons synapsing on sympathetic preganglionic somata and dendrites. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The YRAST Ball array

The Yale Rochester Array for SpecTroscopy, YRAST Ball, is described. Containing up to 30 Compton suppressed Ge detectors YRAST Ball is a powerful new array for c-ray spectroscopy. Several of its auxiliary detectors, including a multi-element solar cell array for heavy charged fragment detection and a new state of the art plunger system for recoil distance measurements are also described. ( 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid synergistically attenuate bile acid-induced hepatocellular apoptosis.

Background: Clinical studies have demonstrated improvement of parenteral nutrition (PN)–associated liver disease (PNALD) with ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (ω3PUFA) supplementation containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Experiments were designed to test the following hypotheses: (1) therapeutic effects of ω3PUFA are due to attenuation of cellular apoptosis induced by hydrophobic bile acid exposure, which occurs in cholestasis, and (2) attenuation of apoptosis by EPA and DHA is additive or synergistic. Methods: Cultured HepG2 cells were treated with 50–200 µM chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) in the presence and absence of EPA, DHA, or EPA + DHA. Apoptosis was evaluated using cell staining with fluorescence microscopy and the Apo-ONE Homogeneous Caspase-3/7 assay. Specific apoptotic mediators were evaluated with quantitative RT-PCR. Results: Treatment with EPA alone and DHA alone resulted in 22% and 9% attenuation of caspase-3/7 activity, respectively. Caspase-3/7 activity was at...
Are ferric chloride intercalated graphite compounds air stable

Abstract Mossbauer spectroscopy has been used as a tool to analyze the effect of long term exposure to air on ferric chloride intercalated graphite samples. After periods of about a year three phenomena occur in sequence: there is a migration of some FeCl 3 from the sample, some of the FeCl 3 is converted into (FeCl 4 ) − and finally the sample becomes unstaged.
Bringing the Individual Back in: A Structural Analysis of the Internal Market for Reputation in Organizations

We challenge the claimed incommensurability of individualism and structuralism by showing how a cognitive theory can guide the use of structural methods. According to balance theory, there is a str...
Syntheses and characterization of tetrakis(5-tert-butylpyrazole) Fe(II) and Mn(II) complexes. Molecular structure of Fe(Pzt-Bu)4(OTF)2

Abstract Dichlorotetrakis(5-t-butylpyrazole)iron (1), dichlorotetrakis(5-t-butylpyrazole) manganese (2), and tetrakis(5-t-butylpyrazole) iron(II) bis(trifluoromethanesulfonate) (3) were prepared and characterized. The crystal structure of 3 was determined from X-ray diffraction data. Complex 3 has a distorted octahedral structure with the two triflate ligands at mutually trans positions. Complexes 1 and 2 are mild catalysts for the selective epoxidation of styrene and norbornylene. In comparison, complex 3 is an efficient catalyst for the epoxidation of norbornylene, but promotes the oxidation of styrene predominantly to benzaldehyde.
Identification of a juvenile hormone binding protein in the castes of the termite, Reticulitermes flavipes, by photoaffinity labeling

Abstract Hemolymph proteins of the Eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae, Rhinotermitinae) were examined from sterile and reproductive castes using native and denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). A high-mass protein ( ca . 700 kDa) exhibited specific, JH III-displaceable photoaffinity labeling with [ 3 H]EFDA, a diazoacetate analog of JH III. This protein was present in each termite caste, and had the characteristics of a glycosylated lipoprotein, i.e. a lipophorin. The JH-binding subunit of this protein showed a molecular size of 230 kDa using SDS-PAGE. The differences in the hemolymph proteins present in the soldiers, workers, larvae, nymphs, and replacement reproductives of this rhinotermitid are discussed.
A model driven laboratory information management system

Biomedical research scientists need more robust tools than spreadsheets to manage their data. However, no suitable laboratory information management systems (LIMS) are readily available; they are either too costly to build or too complex to adapt. This thesis presents the architecture, design, implementation, and a prototype of a model driven LIMS, called Seedpod. Scientists, with the help of biomedical informaticists, develop a knowledge model of their data and data management needs in a knowledge management tool called Protege. Seedpod then automatically produces a relational database from the model, and dynamically generates a web-based graphical user interface. Seedpod can be used for multiple scientific research domains since only its knowledge model contains domain-specific content. It decreases development time and cost, thereby allowing scientists to focus on producing and collecting data.
The n-hexane-soluble components of Pseudotsuga menziesii bark☆

Abstract β-Sitosterol and campesterol were identified in the n -hexane-soluble fraction of Douglas-fir bark and the presence of other 'steroid-like' compounds was demonstrated. GLC and MS showed the presence of terpenes.
YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7- delta //LaAlO/sub 3//YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7- delta / trilayer transmission lines for measuring the superconducting penetration depth

Microstrip transmission lines fabricated from two YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7- delta / films separated by a deposited LaAlO/sub 3/ dielectric film provide a technique for measuring the penetration depth. When weakly coupled to a microwave signal, this structure permits precise measurements of the resonant frequencies. The absolute value of the penetration depth as a function of temperature can be calculated from the phase velocity. With this method, there is no need to assume a particular functional form for the temperature dependence. The sensitivities of this method to possible asymmetries in the superconducting film properties and uncertainties in the dielectric constant have also been analyzed. Recently reported microwave measurements are analyzed. >
Who are the Kashmiri People? Self-Identification as a Vehicle for Self-Determination:

Although self-determination is a right for all peoples, legally defining a people so that they can exercise that right is often difficult. So too is devising a means for establishing an optimal, po...
Acoustic tracking and homing with a long-range AUV

This paper presents the development effort toward demonstrating acoustic tracking and homing with a long-range AUV (LRAUV) at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). The acoustic tracking system uses a directional acoustic transponder (DAT) from Teledyne Benthos, backed by an acoustic baffle made from syntactic acoustic damping material (SADM). We discuss sensor integration into the LRAUV system, procedures and results from an in-house calibration, and field tests with both anchored and towed transponders.
Warmth, spatial proximity, and social attachment: The embodied perception of a social metaphor

Abstract Recent experiments in embodied social cognition suggest a fundamental link between physical warmth and social affiliation. Findings from two experiments support the hypothesis that physical warmth serves as a symbolic cue signaling the close proximity of a source of affiliation. In Experiment 1, participants perceived a warm object as being physically closer than a cold object. In Experiment 2, being primed with warmth led participants to display higher levels of self-reported social affiliative motivation. In both studies, effects were moderated by individual differences in attachment style; priming effects were pronounced among those low in attachment avoidance and those high in attachment anxiety. These findings contribute to a growing literature suggesting deep connections between perception, physical experience, and social cognition.
The status of Arabic language teaching today

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to map out the status of Arabic language teaching as practiced in the Arab World today and to bring into focus the main issues that any improvement to that discipline would need to address.Design/methodology/approach – A review of the current teaching practices and needs in the teaching of the Arabic language.Findings – Arabic language teaching practices remain teacher centered and bound to teaching the textbook and overlooking the importance of aligning the curriculum to instruction and assessment.Practical implications – The need is critical for writing national standards for the Arabic language in addition to establishing teacher colleges that offer quality pedagogical training all backed by sound research and generous funding.Originality/value – The paper highlights the importance of teaching and seeing the Arabic language in a totally new light that preserves national identity yet embraces best teaching practices.
ANCCA, an estrogen-regulated AAA+ ATPase coactivator for ERα, is required for coregulator occupancy and chromatin modification

AAA+ proteins play crucial roles in diverse biological processes via their ATPase-driven remodeling of macromolecular complexes. Here we report our identification of an evolutionarily conserved AAA+ protein, ANCCA/pro2000, endowed with a bromodomain that is strongly induced by estrogen in human breast cancer cells and is a direct target of protooncogene ACTR/AIB1/SRC-3. We found that ANCCA associates directly with estrogen-bound estrogen receptor (ER) α and ACTR. It is selectively recruited, upon estrogen stimulation, to a subset of ERα target genes including cyclin D1, c-myc, and E2F1 and is required for their estrogen-induced expression as well as breast cancer cell proliferation. Further studies indicate that ANCCA binds and hydrolyzes ATP and is critical for recruitment of coregulator CBP and histone hyperacetylation at the ER target chromatin. Moreover, mutations at the ATP binding motifs rendered ANCCA defective as a coactivator in mediating estrogen induction of gene expression. Together, our findings reveal an unexpected layer of regulatory mechanism in hormone signaling mediated by ANCCA and suggest that hormone-induced assembly of transcriptional coregulator complexes at chromatin is a process facilitated by AAA+ ATPase proteins.
Studies on the contribution of active metabolites to the anticonvulsant effects of propranolol.

Abstract The anticonvulsant activity of propranoolo and two selected metabolites, propranolol glycol and N-desioproppylpropranolol were compared in mice against 4 types of experimentally induced seizures: pentylenetetrazol, strychnine, low frequency and maximal electroshock. Both metabolites possessed significant anticonvulsant activity with propranolol glycol being 1 2 to 1 3 as potent and N-desisopropylpropranolol being 1 6 as potent as propranolol. The possible contribution of these two active metabolites to the acute anticonvulsant efficacy of propranolol was assessed in time course studies. Maximal anticonvulsant activity occured between 2.5–10 min after propranolol (5–20 mg/kg, i.v.) and was significantly diminished after 30 min. Following propranolol, brain levels of both metabolites were extremely low (
Geographical study of ethnicity: Comparison between downtown and suburban Chinese in Metropolitan Los Angeles

There are two main schools of theory in the history of ethnic study in the US: acculturation/assimilation, and ethnicity/pluralism. The former emphasizes ethnic groups will merge to the host society and lose their entity; the latter indicates the ethnic identity will continue to exist. This paper proposes a now model of ethnic group distribution “multiple cluster” to support ethnicity/pluralism theory by adding the spatial perspective. The model indicates there are both traditional ethnic enclaves in inner city and new relatively concentrated ethnic residential and business districts. Creating a new landscape of their own in suburb will help the persistence of ethnic identity. The situation of Chinese. in Monterey Park becomes a Chinese hub with strong ethnic signature and entities, which attracts more Chinese people and businesses.
Open loop pitch control of a flapping wing micro-air vehicle using a tail and control mass

The paper presents two open loop methods to control the unstable, longitudinal oscillation of a flapping wing micro-air vehicle (FWMAV). The dynamic model of the FWMAV is derived by modeling the FWMAV as three rigid bodies (two wings and a central body) and through the use of D'Alembert's principle for multiple rigid bodies. The unstable pitching of the central body is controlled through the use of a tail and a control mass. The control methods presented are open-loop and do not include feedback from sensors. The tail and control mass are both effective at altering the longitudinal oscillations of the FWMAV model. Depending on the configuration, the FWMAV can recover the initial longitudinal orientation in as little as three wingbeats.
Cerebrovascular involvement in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV is one of the most prominent heritable disorders of connective tissues associated with neurovascular disease. It is an uncommon disorder characterized by thin translucent skin, distinctive facial features, excessive bruising, and rupture of blood vessels or viscera. The typical neurovascular complications of this syndrome are carotid cavernous fistulas, intracranial aneurysms, and cervical artery dissections. Because of the inordinate fragility of the blood vessels in patients with this syndrome, conservative treatment is always indicated. However, in select cases in which the person or family history indicates a more benign form of the disease, treatment that includes surgical or endovascular treatment of asymptomatic lesions may be indicated.
Natural deaths and unknown persons: The process of creating identity

This article contributes to the research literature on police discretion by examining how detectives create social identities for unknown deceased persons who died from natural causes. Data for the project were derived from observations of twelve death scene investigations made by three investigators during a six-month period in a large southeastern police department. The overriding finding from the study is that detectives create social identities for unknown persons from the meaning that the detectives attach to objects discovered at the deceased's dwelling.
Enhanced Degradation of EGF Receptors by a Sorting Nexin, SNX1

The vectorial movement of proteins requires specific recognition by components of the vesicular trafficking machinery. A protein, sorting nexin-1 (SNX1), was identified in a human cell line that bound to a region of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) containing the lysosomal targeting code. SNX1 contains a region of homology to a yeast vacuolar sorting protein, and overexpression of SNX1 decreased the amount of EGFR on the cell surface as a result of enhanced rates of constitutive and ligand-induced degradation. Thus, SNX1 is likely to play a role in sorting EGFR to lysosomes.
Enhanced third harmonic generation by organic materials on high-Q plasmonic photonic crystals

The enhanced optical nonlinearity enabled by localized plasmonic fields has been well studied for all-optical switching processing (AOSP) devices for future optical communication systems. In this work, plasmonic photonic crystals with a nonlinear polycarbonate/polymethine blend cladding layer are designed to enhance the third harmonic generation (THG) at the telecom wavelengths (~1550 nm). Due to the presence of he two-dimensional (2-D) gold nano-patch arrays with improved Q-factor and high local fields, more than 20 × of enhanced THG signals in the hybrid organic-plasmonic nanostructure are experimentally observed. The enhanced THG in the hybrid organic-plasmonic materials suggested that such extraordinary nonlinear effects can be used for AOSP devices and wavelength conversion.
Shape-induced ferromagnetic ordering in a triangular array of magnetized disks

A magnetic transition induced by shape anisotropy, geometry, and dipolar interactions has been found in a system of three single domain thin disks. The phase transition occurs only when the disks are in close proximity, and for a narrow range of aspect ratios. Near the transition, the system has an abrupt change from a closure-domain state with zero net magnetization to a magnetized state. The transition can be detected by changes in the hysteresis loops. Micromagnetic simulations with realistic parameters confirm the establishment of ferromagnetic ordering.
Experimental demonstration of entanglement reduction and restoration for three party secret sharing

We perform an experimental demonstration of the physical mechanism utilized by most three party secret sharing protocols. By local operations at distant locations, we reduce and restore entanglement in a polarization entangled bipartite qubit system.
Differences in Internet usage patterns with Stress and Anxiety among college students

Stress and Anxiety negatively affect mental health and can lead a number of debilitating impacts to overall health and well being. In the recent past, adolescents are becoming increasingly afflicted with Stress and Anxiety. In this paper, we report our findings on a six-week study of 70 students at a college campus on associations between Stress and Anxiety with respect to Internet usage of students. Using Cisco NetFlow records, on-campus Internet usage of students was collected continuously and unobtrusively in a privacy-preserving manner. Using the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS), students were separated based on normal scores and high scores separately for both Anxiety and Stress. Mann-Whitney U-tests revealed that there exists statistically significant differences in the mean values between the groups from the perspective of several Internet usage features. Students with high stress scores exhibit decreased chat (octets, packets, duration), total duration, and streaming duration compared to the students with normal stress scores. Students with high anxiety scores showed an increased mail duration and decreased peer-to-peer duration compared with students with normal anxiety scores. The methods and results of this paper provide a framework for conducting similar studies at universities with the goal of aiding student mental health.
Molecular orientation in self-assembled films of copper phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate and a cationic surfactant

Ordered catalytic films containing copper phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate (CuPCTS) and didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) were studied by linear dichroism (LD) and reflectance-absorbance infrared spectroscopy (RAIR). Molecular orientations obtained by LD and RAIR showed good agreement. Specific orientations of phthalocyanine and hydrocarbon tails differ depending on whether the films are cast from a solution of CuPCTS (DDA)4 salt, or an aqueous dispersion of DDAB vesicles and (CuPCTS)Na4. The vesicles give lamellar liquid crystal films featuring stacked bilayers of the double-chain surfactant. The salt films are not liquid crystalline and do not have surfactant molecules organized into bilayers. Molecular organization of CuPCTS(DDA)4 salt films appears quite different from the vesicle films. Supramolecular structures of the films influence their performance. For example, in electrochemical catalytic dehalogenation, liquid crystal films transported charge more efficiently than the salt films.
Mapping musical thought to musical performance

Expressive timing methods are described that map pianists' musical thoughts to sounded performance. In Experiment 1, 6 pianists performed the same musical excerpt on a computer-monitored keyboard. Each performance contained 3 expressive timing patterns: chord asynchronies, rubato patterns, and overlaps (staccato and legato). Each pattern was strongest in experienced pianists' performances and decreased when pianists attempted to play unmusically. In Experiment 2 pianists performed another musical excerpt and notated their musical intentions on an unedited score. The notated interpretations correlated with the presence of the 3 methods: The notated melody preceded other events in chords (chord asynchrony); events notated as phase boundaries showed greatest tempo changes (rubato); and the notated melody showed most consistent amount of overlap between adjacent events (staccato and legato). These results suggest that the mapping of musical thought to musical action is rule-governed, and the same rules produce different interpretations. Language: en
Nest site use and changes in habitat of the Seychelles Black Paradise Flycatcher

The population size and extent of habitat for the Seychelles Black Paradise Flycatcher are compared with earlier investigations. The estimated world population is 90 individuals (1992). Deforestation on the western plateau of La Digue is estimated to have resulted in a 24% decline in Takamaka Calophyllum inophyllum and Indian Almond Terminalia catappa woodland since 1978. Monitoring of nest site use supports previous associations of the Flycatcher 's dependence on Takamaka and Indian Almond woodland (Collar and Stuart, 1985; Watson, 1991). Preliminary observations suggest that land management practices (clearing Takamaka and Indian Almond woodland for development) should be mitigated in view of the potential impact on nest site use by the flycatcher.
Radiation Effects in MOS Capacitors with Very Thin Oxides at 80°K

Radiation induced flatband voltage shifts are measured at 80°K in MOS capacitors with oxides 6.0-50 nm thick. Previous studies have found that for relatively thick oxides (greater than 20 nm) the flatband voltage changes with radiation dose as the square of the oxide thickness suggesting that the holes created by the ionizing radiation in the oxide are uniformly created and trapped. For the thinner oxides examined in the present work, significantly smaller shifts than predicted by the oxide thickness squared dependence were observed indicating that many of the generated holes are escaping the thin oxide. Physical mechanisms to explain this effect, of which recombination of trapped holes by carrier tunneling appears the most important, are discussed.
Choice of colony size in birds

Most populations of colonial birds exhibit extensive variation in colony size. Field studies over the last decade have shown that individual birds breeding in colonies of certain sizes are apparently more successful than those settling in colonies of other sizes, yet size variation persists. Enough information is now available to suggest four explanations for how birds choose colonies and why colonies vary in size.
Grid Monitoring and Market Risk Management

The advent of electricity market deregulation has placed great emphasis on information availability and analysis and the subsequent decision making to optimize system operation in a competitive environment. This creates a need for better ways to correlate market activity with the physical grid-operating states in real time and share such information among market participants. Command and control choices might result in different financial consequences for market participants and severely impact their profits. The effects are both short term, as in day-ahead and real-time markets for energy, reserves, and congestion relief, and long term, as in investments in transmission and generation capacity. Be cause of this, new solutions are necessary to integrate grid control and market operations while accounting for both good engineering practices and appropriate economic incentives.
Pharmacotherapy in the community-based treatment of children with bipolar I disorder.

Objective To examine the services and medications received, and psychosocial functioning changes over time of children and adolescents with bipolar I disorder in a public mental health system. Method Medical records were reviewed for 82 patients, 6–17 years of age, diagnosed with bipolar I disorder, and newly admitted to one public mental health system between 1 July 2003 and 30 June 2004. A retrospective cohort design was employed, with an 18-month follow-up period. Results One-third of the patients dropped out treatment within a few months. The psychosocial functioning ratings of patients who remained in treatment improved over time on several dimensions (total, school/work, behavior toward others). Children and adolescents prescribed both a mood stabilizer and an atypical antipsychotic medication regimen (35%) were rated as higher functioning on self-harm behavior and mood/emotions by clinical staff, but their improvement could not be attributed directly to the pharmacotherapy in this small cohort. Conclusion Community-based pharmacotherapy for children and adolescents with bipolar I disorder does not differ substantially from the extant literature, given the complexity and severity of these cases, and may lead to improvement for children and adolescents who remain in treatment. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Wavelet and Finite Element Solutions for the Neumann Problem Using Fictitious Domains

This paper presents a new fictitious domain formulation for the solution of a strongly elliptic boundary value problem with Neumann boundary conditions for a bounded domain in a finite-dimensional Euclidean space with a smooth (possibly only Lipschitz) boundary. This extends the domain to a larger rectangular domain with periodic boundary conditions for which fast solvers are available. The extended solution converges on the original domain in the appropriate function spaces as the penalty parameter approaches zero. Both wavelet-Galerkin and finite elements numerical approximation schemes are developed using this methodology. The convergence rates of both schemes are comparable, and the use of finite elements requires a parameterization of the boundary, while the wavelet-Galerkin method admits an implicit description of the boundary in terms of a wavelet representation of the boundary measure defined as the distributional gradient of the characteristic function of the interior. The accuracy of both methods is investigated and compared, both theoretically and for numerical test cases. The conclusion is that the methods are comparable, and that the wavelet method allows the use of more general boundaries which are not explicitly parametrized, which would be of greater advantage in higher dimensions (the numerical tests are carried out in two dimensions).