cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Earth and Its Environment

The IGY observations of the earth were related to all its parts, core, crust, oceans, and atmosphere. The sun, the dominant feature in the earth's environment, has been observed more fully and with greater continuity than ever before. The moon's position in the sky has been intensively measured for geodetic reasons. Meteors, observed both visually and by radio, will tell us much about the upper atmosphere. The satellites have revealed new features of the region above the F layer. The sun's atmosphere envelopes the earth and is extremely hot. The heat conducted from it warms the earth's outermost atmosphere and helps to extend it, perhaps to half the distance to the moon.
Wavelets as signaling waveforms over partial-response channels

Wavelet transform theory, in the context of multiresolution analysis, has brought out useful properties of Hilbert spaces generated by bases consisting of translates of a single function. In particular, biorthogonal wavelet decomposition schemes provide a simple decomposition and reconstruction arrangement by using scaling functions and duals whose translates form biorthogonal bases. Based on this concept, schemes are developed for data transmission over a partial response channel where one waveform is used to modulate the transmit data and another, its dual, is used to demodulate the data. The schemes do not require a precoder and are not restricted to binary data. In one of the schemes suited for bandlimited channels, it is possible to construct several different waveform pairs with a moderate sacrifice in bandwidth.
CHANGING PATTERNS OF URBAN LAND CONSUMPTION

(1963). CHANGING PATTERNS OF URBAN LAND CONSUMPTION. The Professional Geographer: Vol. 15, No. 2, pp. 19-24.
A review of automated assessment

Summary The following briefly overviews current computer tools available for clinical testing, diagnostic, and interviewing purposes. The impact of these computer-based assessment tools is then assessed in terms of empirical evidence regarding their performance and client response. The paper concludes with a discussion of training needs ana issues.
Langmuir and self-assembled monolayers

Abstract Recent advances in Langmuir monolayers include studies of two-dimensional phase behavior, mesoscopic textures, and rheology. Langmuir–Blodgett techniques were shown to have promise for manufacturing monolayers of nanoparticles. The growth process of self-assembled monolayers was the focus of other important work using a variety of complementary experimental techniques. © 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd.
The Dust-to-Gas Ratio in the Damped Lyα Clouds toward the Gravitationally Lensed QSO 0957+561

We present HST/FOS spectra of the two bright images (A and B) of the gravitationally lensed QSO 0957+561 in the wavelength range 2200-3300 A. We find that the absorption system (Z(sub abs)) = 1.3911) near z(sub em) is a weak, damped Ly alpha system with strong Ly alpha absorption lines seen in both images. However, the H(I) column densities are different, with the line of sight to image A intersecting a larger column density. The continuum shapes of the two spectra differ in the sense that the flux level of image A increases more slowly toward shorter wavelengths than that of image B. We explain this as the result of differential reddening by dust grains in the damped Ly alpha absorber. A direct outcome of this explanation is a determination of the dust-to-gas ratio, k, in the damped Ly alpha system. We derive k = 0.55 + 0.18 for a simple 1/lambda extinction law and k = 0.31 + 0.10 for the Galactic extinction curve. For gravitationally lensed systems with damped Ly alpha absorbers, our method is a powerful tool for determining the values and dispersion of k, and the shapes of extinction curves, especially in the FUV and EUV regions. We compare our results with previous work.
A re-examination of Westbrook's X-ray diffraction pattern for Cr7C3

Abstract Westbrook's partially indexed chromium radiation X-ray diffraction pattern for Cr 7 C 3 has been corrected as needed and completely indexed. The pattern corresponds to the orthorhombic modification of Cr 7 C 3 . The lattice parameters obtained (a = 7.019 ± 0.010 A, b = 12.158 ± 0.017 A, c = 4.526 ± 0.008 A) are in good agreement with the presently accepted values for this phase.
Is barefoot regional plantar loading related to self-reported foot pain in patients with midfoot osteoarthritis

summary Objective: While recent evidence suggests that foot pain may be related to mechanical stress, quantitative data elucidating the role of regional plantar loading in foot pain in individuals with midfoot osteoarthritis (OA) are lacking. Therefore the authors’ objective is to examine regional plantar loading and self-reported foot pain in patients with midfoot OA compared to asymptomatic, matched control subjects. Method: Fifty subjects, 30 patients with midfoot OA and 20 control subjects participated in this study. Self-reported function was assessed using the Foot Function Index e Revised (FFI-R). Plantar loading during barefoot walking at self-selected, monitored walking speed was quantified using an EMED pedobarograph. Between-group differences in FFI-R score and plantar loading were assessed using an independent t-test and the ManneWhitney U-test respectively. The relationship between FFI-R score and plantar loading was assessed using Spearman rank correlation. A k-means cluster analysis was used to identify potential sub-groups of patients through regional plantar loading. Results: The key findings of this study showed that patients with midfoot OA reported significantly higher FFI-R scores, and higher heel and medial midfoot average pressure compared to control subjects. Medial midfoot pressureetime integral was positively associated with FFI-R Pain Subscale Score (r ¼0.524, P<0.01). Based on the adequacy index, the two-cluster solution was deemed most appropriate. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that patients with midfoot OA sustain increased magnitude and duration of regional plantar loading during walking compared to matched control subjects. Our findings support the theory that regional mechanical stress may be associated with symptoms in patients with midfoot OA. Future studies should assess whether interventions designed to reduce plantar loading are effective in relieving foot pain, and preventing progression of symptoms in patients with midfoot OA.
Relationship of protein intake to urinary oxalate and glycolate excretion.

Relationship of protein intake to urinary oxalate and glycolate excretion. The relationship of protein intake to urinary oxalate and glycolate excretion was examined in a large cohort (N = 101) of normal individuals on self-selected diets and in 11 individuals on controlled protein diets. On self-selected diets no correlation was detected between protein intake and urinary oxalate or glycolate excretion. A moderate but significant correlation (r = 0.45; P
A new species of Acledra s. str. (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) from the highlands of Argentina and Bolivia, with a checklist and key to the species of the nominate subgenus

Acledra (Acledra) bichromocornis n. sp. from the highlands of Argentina and Bolivia is described. A checklist of the species of Acledra s. str. is provided, including the distribution by country. A key to the species of Acledra s. str. is included.
Characterization of biological control traits in the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis mexicana (MX4 strain).

Our objective was to estimate the biocontrol potential of the recently discovered species, Heterorhabditis mexicana (MX4 strain). In laboratory experiments, we compared H. mexicana to several other entomopathogenic nematodes for virulence to several insect pests, environmental tolerance (to heat, desiccation, and low oxygen levels), and host-seeking ability. H. mexicana expressed low or intermediate capabilities in all traits except in host-seeking ability and virulence to the yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor, for which no differences among nematodes were detected. Steinernema carpocapsae caused greater mortality in Agrotis ipsilon than H. mexicana and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora 1 day after exposure. Curculio caryae mortality in S. carpocapsae treatments was higher than H. mexicana treatments but not different from Heterorhabditis megidis. Steinernema riobrave strains caused greater mortality in Diaprepes abbreviatus than H. mexicana, Heterorhabditis indica, H. bacteriophora, Steinernema feltiae, and S. carpocapsae. Heat tolerance was more than five-fold greater for S. riobrave than it was for H. mexicana, H. indica, and H. bacteriophora. Desiccation tolerance was greater in H. bacteriophora, S. carpocapsae, and S. feltiae than H. indica and least in H. mexicana. Mortality of nematodes following exposure to low oxygen levels was lowest in S. riobrave followed by Steinernema glaseri and higher in H. mexicana, H. bacteriophora, and H. indica. The apparent superiority of S. riobrave in heat and low oxygen tolerance is likely to be advantageous in biocontrol programs. We conclude that H. mexicana exhibits a cruiser type of search strategy and, relative to other entomopathogenic nematodes, generally possesses moderate abilities in biocontrol traits.
Vascular manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a well-known acute and/or chronic multisystem disease of complex autoimmune nature, having predilection for cardiovascular system. While its cardiac manifestations have been adequately studied, there is paucity of information on its vascular manifestations. Accord ingly, we studied the incidence of vascular manifestations in 50 consecutive SLE patients seen at our institutions and in private practice during the past 12 years.Systemic hypertension (44%) was the most common vascular manifestation followed by vasculitis (30%), Raynaud's phenomenon (26%), telangiectasis (20%), premature coronary atherosclerosis (6%), digital ulceration (6%), thrombophlebitis (6%), pulmonary hypertension (4%) and portal hypertension (4%). Diffuse systemic vasculitis similar to polyarteritis nodosa was rare (2%). Often more than one lesion was found in the same patient. The clinical diagnosis of these vascular manifestations in the context of the primary disease (SLE) usually does not pose ...
Discussion of a controversial chiral recognition model

Abstract Wainer and Doyle and McDaniel and Snider have proposed a “head-to-head” chiral recognition model to rationalize the separation of the enantiomers of amide and anilide derivatives of chiral acids such as ibuprofen, naproxen and fenoprofen on a phenylglycine-derived chiral stationary phase. Pirkle and Reno and Nicoll-Griffith have proposed an alternative “head-to-tail” model. Evidence is presented which suggests that for a series of amide and anilide derivatives, both mechanisms are possible, additional structural features determining the contribution made by each to the observed time-averaged chiral recognition. For anilides, the head-to-head mechanism is less prevalent, its operation again requiring the presence of certain structural features in the analyte.
Preparation of amorphous diamond-like carbon by pulsed laser deposition: a critical review

A critical review of the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) of amorphous diamond-like carbon (DLC) films is presented. A short review of the PLD process is followed by a review of various experimental configurations for DLC deposition and a discussion of the influence of process parameters on the composition and energy of ablated carbon plumes. Particular emphasis is given to the relationship between plume properties and film structure and mechanical characteristics. For the first time, a cumulative influence of the laser power density (fluence) and wavelength on the formation and properties of DLC films is shown. The influence of bias, additional auxiliary energy, substrate temperature, and the presence of hydrogen is also discussed. A fluence-wavelength region for DLC formation is proposed and correlated with the kinetic energy of ablated carbon species. It is shown that lower fluences are required to produce DLC films when shorter-wavelength lasers are used. The latest available results on applications of PLD DLC films as protective coatings for reducing friction and wear are also discussed. Methods are proposed to improve film adhesion to steel substrates, so that DLC films can be used in highly loaded friction contacts. Finally, process improvements that are necessary to permit scaling up PLD for growing DLC films are outlined.
Prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in skinless, boneless retail broiler meat from 2005 through 2011 in Alabama, USA

Background The prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in 755 skinless, boneless retail broiler meat samples (breast, tenderloins and thighs) collected from food stores in Alabama, USA, from 2005 through 2011 was examined. Campylobacter spp. were isolated using enrichment and plate media. Isolates were identified with multiplex PCR assays and typed with pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Data were analyzed by nominal variables (brand, plant, product, season, state and store) that may affect the prevalence of these bacteria.
Emotion, core affect, and psychological construction

As an alternative to using the concepts of emotion, fear, anger, and the like as scientific tools, this article advocates an approach based on the concepts of core affect and psychological construction, expanding the domain of inquiry beyond “emotion”. Core affect is a neurophysiological state that underlies simply feeling good or bad, drowsy or energised. Psychological construction is not one process but an umbrella term for the various processes that produce: (a) a particular emotional episode's “components” (such as facial movement, vocal tone, peripheral nervous system change, appraisal, attribution, behaviour, subjective experience, and emotion regulation); (b) associations among the components; and (c) the categorisation of the pattern of components as a specific emotion.
Biangular Coordinates Redux: Discovering a New Kind of Geometry

Summary. Biangular coordinates specify a point on the plane by two angles giving the inter-section of two rays emanating from two ﬁxed poles. This is a dual of Cartesian coordinateswherein a point on the plane is described by two distances. Biangular coordinates, ﬁrst writtenabout in 1803 in France, were subsequently studied in Britain at the end of the 19th cen-tury. Contemporary students will enjoy plotting biangular relations and discovering patterns infamilies of relations. The mathematical shapes which are given by biangular relations includestandard shapes like lines, circles, hyperbolae and also unusual curves like . Q: Somethingmissing at end Acknowledgments. The second author is grateful to Professor David Nelson for his introduc- of summary?tory article [8] and to him and John Thoo for critiques of an early draft of this paper. He is alsograteful for the many students in the past years who have elected to join in the fun of investigat-ing biangular relations: Chris O’Malley, James Poylio, and Mark Lancaster at Rose-HulmanInstitute of Technology and Brad Baggett, Richard Johnson, Booker Young, Ann Millen, andRamiro Lopez at the United States Military Academy. All of these students have providedenergy, inspiration, and ideas. We appreciate the careful attention to detail, comments, andsuggestions of the referees and the editor.
Comparison of amylose determination methods and the development of a dual wavelength iodine binding technique

ABSTRACT It has long been recognized that limitations exist in the analytical methodology for amylose determination. This study was conducted to evaluate various amylose determination methods. Purified amylose and amylopectin fractions were obtained from corn, rice, wheat, and potato and then mixed in proportion to make 10, 20, 30, 50, and 80% amylose content starch samples for each source. These samples, considered amylose standards, were analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC), and iodine binding procedures to generate standard curves for each of the methods. A single DSC standard equation for cereal starches was developed. The standard curve of potato starch was significantly different. Amylose standard curves prepared using the iodine binding method were also similar for the cereal starches, but different for potato starch. An iodine binding procedure using wavelengths at 620 nm and 510 nm increased the precision of the method. Whe...
Solid phase epitaxy of Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox superconducting thin films

Epitaxial superconducting Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox (BSCCO) thin films have been formed by solid phase epitaxy from amorphous films deposited by metallorganic chemical vapor deposition. (100) MgO and LaAlO3 single crystals were used as the substrates. After high‐temperature annealing in flowing oxygen, the films consist predominantly of the BSCCO (2212) phase and are epitaxial to the LaAlO3 with the c axis perpendicular to the substrate surface. The epitaxial structure of the films is confirmed by x‐ray diffraction measurements including θ/2θ and in‐plane Φ scans as well as by cross‐sectional high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy. Four‐probe resistivity measurements show that the critical temperature of the film on LaAlO3 is 78 K. The critical current density of the epitaxial layer was one order of magnitude greater than that of textured films on MgO.
Nerve Growth Factor Attenuates Cholinergic Deficits Following Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results in chronic derangements in central cholinergic neurotransmission that may contribute to posttraumatic memory deficits. Intraventricular cannula (IVC) nerve growth factor (NGF) infusion can reduce axotomy-induced spatial memory deficits and morphologic changes observed in medial septal cholinergic neurons immunostained for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). We examined the efficacy of NGF to (1) ameliorate reduced posttraumatic spatial memory performance, (2) release of hippocampal acetylcholine (ACh), and (3) ChAT immunoreactivity in the rat medial septum. Rats (n = 36) were trained prior to TBI on the functional tasks and retested on Days 1-5 (motor) and on Day 7 (memory retention). Immediately following injury, an IVC and osmotic pump were implanted, and NGF or vehicle was infused for 7 days. While there were no differences in motor performance, the NGF-treated group had significantly better spatial memory retention (P < 0.05) than the vehicle-treated group. The IVC cannula was then removed on Day 7, and a microdialysis probe was placed into the dorsal hippocampus. After a 22-h equilibration period, samples were collected prior to and after administration of scopolamine (1 mg/kg), which evoked ACh release by blocking autoreceptors. The posttraumatic reduction in scopolamine-evoked ACh release was completely reversed with NGF. Injury produced a bilateral reduction in the number and cross-sectional area of ChAT immunopositive medial septal neurons that was reversed by NGF treatment. These data suggest that cognitive but not motor deficits following TBI are, in part, mediated by chronic deficits in cholinergic systems that can be modulated by neurotrophic factors such as NGF.
Overexpression of Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor-4α Initiates Cell Cycle Entry, but Is not Sufficient to Promote β-Cell Expansion in Human Islets

The transcription factor HNF4α (hepatocyte nuclear factor-4α) is required for increased β-cell proliferation during metabolic stress in vivo. We hypothesized that HNF4α could induce proliferation of human β-cells. We employed adenoviral-mediated overexpression of an isoform of HNF4α (HNF4α8) alone, or in combination with cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk)6 and Cyclin D3, in human islets. Heightened HNF4α8 expression led to a 300-fold increase in the number of β-cells in early S-phase. When we overexpressed HNF4α8 together with Cdk6 and Cyclin D3, β-cell cycle entry was increased even further. However, the punctate manner of bromodeoxyuridine incorporation into HNF4αHigh β-cells indicated an uncoupling of the mechanisms that control the concise timing and execution of each cell cycle phase. Indeed, in HNF4α8-induced bromodeoxyuridine+,punctate β-cells we observed signs of dysregulated DNA synthesis, cell cycle arrest, and activation of a double stranded DNA damage-associated cell cycle checkpoint mechanism, lea...
Sequence of the gene encoding the major outer membrane protein of the mouse pneumonitis biovar of Chlamydia trachomatis.

Abstract The gene encoding the major outer membrane protein of the Chlamydia trachomatis mouse pneumonitis biovar was sequenced and the amino acid sequence deduced. The primary structure of this protein is similar to that of the lympho-granuloma venereum and trachoma biovars in that it consists of four variable domains interspersed with five constant domains. This protein may be an ideal candidate for a vaccine in chlamydia-infected mouse experimental models.
Damping Ring RF System for SLC

The linear collider project at SLAC contains two damping rings to reduce the emittance of short electron or positron bunches which contain 5 x 10/sup 10/ particles per bunch. Two of these bunches are stored at a time and then extracted for acceleration in the collider. The rf system is subject to strong transients in beam loading. A computer model is used to optimize capture while minimizing rf power. The introduction of phase jump in the rf drive at injection time together with offsets in the tuning loops of the rf cavities when no beam is stored allows optimum performance under heavy beam load conditions. The rf system (800 kV at 714 MHz) for the electron damping ring has been built, tested and installed, and is being tested with beam.
Abstract 3905: Structure–function relationships between RUNX1-MTG fusion proteins and core components of the Notch transcription complex

The myeloid translocation genes (MTG) are preferred targets of chromosomal translocations with the Runx1 gene in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) pathogenesis. The resulting fusion proteins, RUNX1-MTG8 and RUNX1-MTG16, influence gene expression programs that control self-renewal and differentiation in hematopoiesis. How they engage the machinery of self-renewal to alter hematopoietic development is poorly understood. To gain additional insights into this question, we investigated structure–function relationships between RUNX1-MTG fusion proteins and core components of the Notch transcription complex, a critical determinant of cell fate specification in diverse tissues. The Notch transcription complex is composed minimally of the transcriptional repressor CSL, the intracellular domain of Notch receptors (N-ICD) and the transcriptional co-activator Mastermind (MAML). We show that RUNX1-MTG fusion proteins transactivate a Notch-responsive element from the Hes1 promoter. Using MTG16 as a model protein, we show that N-ICDs interact with a discrete domain in the MTG N-terminus. We translated these findings to the fusion proteins and found N-ICD binding was retained by RUNX1-MTGs and a RUNX1-MTG16 mutant that lacks the N1-ICD binding site. In parallel experiments, we defined the binding region for MTG proteins and their fusion protein derivatives on the N1-ICD. Informed by these structural relationships, we utilized RUNX1-MTG proteins or mutants that lack N1-ICD binding sites in transcriptional reporter assays. Our findings suggest that RUNX1-MTG fusion proteins alter transcription of the Notch target gene, Hes1 and intimate a structure–function relationship between RUNX1-MTG fusion proteins and Notch signaling. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3905.
High aspect ratio silicon wire array photoelectrochemical cells.

In an effort to develop low-cost solar energy conversion techniques, high uniformity vertically oriented silicon wire arrays have been fabricated. These arrays, which allow for radial diffusion of minority charge carriers, have been measured in a photoelectrochemical cell. Large photovoltages (∼400 mV) have been measured, and these values are significantly greater than those obtained from the substrate alone. Additionally, the wire array samples displayed much higher current densities than the underlying substrate, demonstrating that significant energy conversion was occurring due to the absorption and charge-carrier transport in the vertically aligned Si wires. This method therefore represents a step toward the use of collection-limited semiconductor materials in a wire array format in macroscopic solar cell devices.
Exercise-Induced Activation of the Hypothalamic- Pituitary-Adrenal Axis: Marked Differences in the Sensitivity to Glucocorticoid Suppression

Treadmill exercise activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and evokes metabolic responses proportional to exercise intensity and duration. To determine whether glucocorticoid administration would alter humoral and metabolic regulation during exercise, we administered 4 mg dexamethasone (DEX) or placebo to 11 normal, moderately trained men (19-42 yr old) in a double blinded random fashion 4 h before high intensity intermittent treadmill running. Plasma levels of ACTH, cortisol, arginine vasopressin (AVP), lactate, and glucose were measured before, during, and after exercise. A wide range of ACTH responses were seen in the DEX-treated group and arbitrarily defined as two subsets of individuals according to their responses to dexamethasone: DEX nonsuppressors and DEX suppressors. Exercise-induced increases in heart rate and circulating concentrations of cortisol, AVP, lactate, and glucose were all significantly greater (P < 0.05) in nonsuppressors (n = 4) compared to suppressors (n = 7) after both placebo and DEX administration. Interestingly, heart rate, AVP, and lactate responses were unaltered by DEX alone in both groups. In summary, this study demonstrates that normal individuals exhibit differential neuroendocrine and metabolic responses to exercise and pituitary/adrenal suppression after pretreatment with DEX. These findings reflect marked individual differences in the stress response to exercise that may derive from or lead to differential glucocorticoid negative feedback sensitivity in humans.
Visual attention during toy exploration in preterm infants: Effects of medical risk and maternal interactions

Preterm infants of different risk status were observed in the presence of their mothers in a toy-centered play situation in which we examined separate attentional processes, including length of looking, shifts in looking, and toy examination, under conditions with and without mothers' direct involvement in play. A primary objective was to determine whether certain aspects of attention would differ between infant groups of high- and low-risk status, while other attentional measures would not. Mothers' involvement was investigated in relation to changes in the infants' attentional processes across conditions. Six-month-old full-term infants (n=25) were compared with preterm infants grouped according to medical complications into low-risk (n=25) and high-risk (n=21) groups. Greater degrees of risk related to fewer shifts in looking, fewer toys noticed, and less examination of toys. Length of looking at toys was not different for risk groups. Measures of shifts in looking but not length of looking were associated with toddler outcome for a subgroup of high-risk preterms evaluated at 12 and 24 months. Mothers' involvement in play was related to increases in certain attentional processes, but not others, for all infant groups. A second objective was to examine the effect of maternal child-rearing attitudes and attention-directing behaviors on the infants' attention; these maternal factors predicted infant attention to toys for all groups.
Partially Protected Caches to Reduce Failures Due to Soft Errors in Multimedia Applications

With advances in process technology, soft errors are becoming an increasingly critical design concern. Owing to their large area, high density, and low operating voltages, caches are worst hit by soft errors. Based on the observation that in multimedia applications, not all data require the same amount of protection from soft errors, we propose a partially protected cache (PPC) architecture, in which there are two caches, one protected and the other unprotected at the same level of memory hierarchy. We demonstrate that as compared to the existing unprotected cache architectures, PPC architectures can provide 47 times reduction in failure rate, at only 1% runtime and 3% power overheads. In addition, the failure rate reduction obtained by PPCs is very sensitive to the PPC cache configuration. Therefore, this observation provides an opportunity for further improvement of the solution by correctly parameterizing the PPC configurations. Consequently, we develop design space exploration (DSE) strategies to discover the best PPC configuration. Our DSE technique can reduce the exploration time by more than six times as compared to an exhaustive approach.
Finding community in the comments: the role of reader and blogger responses in a weblog community of practice

This paper presents a study of the role that comments play in supporting blog-based communities of practice. Through a content analysis of both blog posts and their corresponding comments within a sample of blogs from an established online community of practice, certain characteristics emerge. The bloggers themselves post on topics that are tied to a shared practice among community members, engage in storytelling and reflection and invite comments. Blogs have been established as a safe place for the communal sharing of experiences and ideas. Comments from readers most often serve sharing functions and subsequent comments from the original poster most often are directly responsive to reader comments.
ACCURACY OF SHORT‐CUT ESTIMATES FOR STANDARD DEVIATION

The accuracy of short-cut estimates of standard deviation was investigated for distributions of raw scores on classroom tests and computer generated samples. Estimates proposed by Mason and Odeh, Jenkins, Diederich, Ebel, and Davenport were compared for relative accuracy in three studies. The loss in accuracy due to short-cut methods versus the conventional statistic ranged from 0 to 7,8%. Based on the findings of these studies, it is recommended that a shortcut method for computing standard deviations he included in courses where the conventional formula is taught.
Antiinflammatory Effects of CD95 Ligand (FasL)-induced Apoptosis

Apoptosis is critical to homeostasis of multicellular organisms. In immune privileged sites such as the eye, CD95 ligand (FasL)-induced apoptosis controls dangerous inflammatory reactions that can cause blindness. Recently, we demonstrated that apoptotic cell death of inflammatory cells was a prerequisite for the induction of immune deviation after antigen presentation in the eye. In this report, we examine the mechanism by which this takes place. Our results show that Fas- mediated apoptosis of lymphoid cells leads to rapid production of interleukin (IL)-10 in these cells. The apoptotic cells containing IL-10 are responsible for the activation of immune deviation through interaction with antigen-presenting cells (APC). In support of this, we found that apoptotic cells from IL-10+/+ animals fed to APC in vitro promote Th2 cell differentiation, whereas apoptotic IL-10−/− cells, as well as nonapoptotic cells, favor Th1 induction. Thus, apoptotic cell death and tolerance are linked through the production of an antiinflammatory cytokine to prevent dangerous and unwanted immune responses that might compromise organ integrity.
Speciation studies of methyl butanoate ignition

The current work presents the results of an experimental study of the intermediates formed during ignition of methyl butanoate (C5H10O2) and air mixtures. A rapid-sampling system and the University of Michigan rapid compression facility were used to acquire gas samples at conditions of P = 10.2 atm and T = 985 K using mixtures of vmb = 0.96%, vO2 = 20.79%, vN2 = 52.89%, and vAr = 25.25% (mole fraction, percent basis); corresponding to / = 0.30 and an inert gas to O2 molar ratio of 3.76. The samples were analyzed using gas chromatography. Quantitative measurements of mole fraction time-histories of methane, ethane, propane, ethene, propene, and 1-butene are compared with model predictions based on a reaction mechanism developed in previous work. The methane and ethene time-histories are in excellent agreement (within � 20%), while propene and ethane are underpredicted by the model. Sensitivity analysis shows ignition is controlled primarily by competition between H2O2 and HO2 kinetics at these conditions. Reaction path analysis shows the methyl butanoate fuel consumption is dominated by H-atom
Phospholipid transfer protein and atherosclerosis.

Genetic studies in humans and mice show that two related plasma lipid transfer proteins (cholesteryl ester transfer protein [CETP] and phospholipid transfer protein [PLTP]) have distinct roles in lipoprotein metabolism, despite their homology.1 In human homozygous CETP deficiency, HDL levels are massively elevated, and LDL levels are moderately decreased.2 While a human PLTP deficiency state has not been described, PLTP-/- mice have ≈50% reductions in HDL levels, indicating the essential role of PLTP in transferring phospholipids from triglyceride-carrying lipoproteins into HDL.3 When crossed with apoE-/- mice, or apoB transgenic mice, PLTP deficiency results in reductions in apoB lipoproteins, revealing a role of intracellular PLTP in the hepatic secretion of apoB lipoproteins.4 See page 1601 Crosses of PLTP deficient mice into apoB transgenic, apoE-/-, or LDL R-/- backgrounds resulted in diminished atherosclerosis in all three of these standard mouse atherosclerosis models.4 In part this was related to the reduction of levels of apoB containing lipoproteins seen in apoB transgenic and apoE-/- mice. However, an anti-atherogenic effect of …
Definite Reference and Mutual Knowledge: Process Models of Common Ground in Comprehension

What role does mutual knowledge play in the comprehension process? We compare two answers to this question for the comprehension of definite reference. The Restricted Search hypothesis assumes that addressees rely on the principle of optimal design and understand definite reference by restricting the search for referents to entities in common ground. The Unrestricted Search hypothesis assumes that the search for referents is not restricted to entities in common ground. Only the Unrestricted Search hypothesis predicts that entities that are not in common ground would interfere with comprehension of definite reference. Experiment 1 reveals such interference in increased errors and verification latencies during the resolution of pronouns. Experiment 2 demonstrates the interference by tracking the addressee's eye movements during the comprehension of demonstrative reference. We discuss alternative models of comprehension that could account for the results, and we describe the role that common ground plays in each model. We propose a Perspective Adjustment model that assumes a search for referents that is independent of common ground, coupled with a monitoring process that detects violations of common ground and adjusts the interpretation. This model assumes a role for common ground only when a correction is needed. We challenge both the assumption that addressees follow the principle of optimal design and the assumption that the principle is optimal.
Revision of a Fundamental Assumption in the Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication Theory and Friction in Heavily Loaded Line Contacts With Notable Sliding

An analysis of the classic friction modeling in lubricated contacts is conducted. Its major deficiency for soft materials (low-elastic moduli) leading to significant overstating of friction in heavily loaded isothermal and thermal lubricated contacts is revealed. An improved model of friction in a heavily loaded lubricated contact is proposed. The model is based on incorporating the tangential displacements of the solid surfaces in contact, leading to a significant reduction of the frictional stress due to the decrease of the actual sliding of lubricated surfaces. Generally, this frictional stress reduction increases with the slide-to-roll ratio, and it is extremely important for high slide-to-roll ratios for which classic approaches lead to unrealistically overestimated values of frictional stresses. The high slide-to-roll ratio values can be found in many practical applications, such as clutches. Several examples of the frictional stress calculated based on this model as well as the comparison with the classical results are given for the case of smooth solid surfaces and lubricants with Newtonian rheology. Also, the results allow to take a look at the role and the necessity of considering thermal and lubricant non-Newtonian effects on solution of various EHL problems for such heavily loaded contacts.
The mental foramen and nerve: clinical and anatomical factors related to dental implant placement: a literature review.

Background: The mental foramen is a strategically important landmark during osteotomy procedures. Its location and the possibility that an anterior loop of the mental nerve may be present mesial to the mental foramen needs to be considered before implant surgery to avoid mental nerve injury. Methods: Articles that addressed the position, number, and size of the mental foramen, mental nerve anatomy, and consequences of nerve damage were evaluated for information pertinent to clinicians performing implant dentistry. Results: The mental foramen may be oval or round and is usually located apical to the second mandibular premolar or between apices of the premolars. However, its location can vary from the mandibular canine to the first molar. The foramen may not appear on conventional radiographs, and linear measurements need to be adjusted to account for radiographic distortion. Computerized tomography (CT) scans are more accurate for detecting the mental foramen than conventional radiographs. There are discrepancies between studies regarding the prevalence and length of the loop of the mental nerve mesial to the mental foramen. Furthermore, investigations that compared radiographic and cadaveric dissection data with respect to identifying the anterior loop reported that radiographic assessments result in a high percentage of false-positive and -negatives findings. Sensory dysfunction due to nerve damage in the foraminal area can occur if the inferior alveolar or mental nerve is damaged during preparation of an osteotomy. Conclusions: To avoid nerve injury during surgery in the foraminal area, guidelines were developed based on the literature with respect to verifying the position of the mental foramen and validating the presence of an anterior loop of the mental nerve. These guidelines included leaving a 2 mm zone of safety between an implant and the coronal aspect of the nerve; observation of the inferior alveolar nerve and mental foramen on panoramic and periapical films prior to implant placement; use of CT scans when these techniques do not provide clarity with respect to the position of the nerve; surgical corroboration of the mental foramen’s position when an anterior loop of the mental foramen is suspected of being present or if it is unclear how much bone is present coronal to the foramen to establish a zone of safety (in millimeters) for implant placement; once a safety zone is identified, implants can be placed anterior to, posterior to, or above the mental foramen; and prior to placing an implant anterior to the mental foramen that is deeper than the safety zone, the foramen must be probed to exclude the possibility that an anterior loop is present. In general, altered lip sensations are preventable if the mental foramen is located and this knowledge is employed when performing surgical procedures in the foraminal area. J Periodontol 2006;77:1933-1943.
CHALLENGES TO ADOPTING AND SUSTAINING FAMILY-FOCUSED COMPETENCIES IN SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION

(2008). CHALLENGES TO ADOPTING AND SUSTAINING FAMILY-FOCUSED COMPETENCIES IN SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION. Journal of Social Work Education: Vol. 44, No. sup3, pp. 137-141.
The Global Development Learning Network (GDLN) and Tertiary Education in Africa: Opportunities and Predicaments of Centralized Knowledge Broadcasting Programs on the World Scale

In the context of the increasing use of ICTs as a medium for higher education delivery across national borders, the World Bank established the Global Development Learning Network (GDLN). GDLN's official mission was to facilitate rapid and simultaneous dissemination of knowledge to audiences in various socio-geographic spaces and the expansion of the opportunity for tertiary education in developing countries. Using the case of Centre d'Education a Distance de Cote d'Ivoire, one of the GDLN national institutional affiliates in Africa, this study illustrates the agendas of liberalization and globalization through ICTs in spite of the potential for local educational gains.
Effects of individual genetic substitutions of arginine residues on the deprotonation and reprotonation kinetics of the Schiff base during the bacteriorhodopsin photocycle.

The rates are determined for the deprotonation and reprotonation of the protonated Schiff base (PSB) as well as of formation and decay of the UV transient in the photocycle of seven bacteriorhodopsin (bR) mutants in which Arg-7, 82, 164, 175, 225, or 227 are replaced by glutamine and Arg-134 by cysteine. The results show that all these mutations increase the rate of deprotonation of the PSB compared to ebR, (wild-type bacteriorhodopsin expressed in Escherichia coli) greatly increase the rate of the reprotonation of the SB (Schiff base) in the case of the Arg-164 and Arg-175 mutations and dramatically decrease this rate in the case of the Arg-227 mutation. Temperature studies on the latter mutant suggest that the observed change in its rate of reprotonation is due to large decrease in the energy and entropy of activation, similar to those observed for Asp-96 mutations (Miller, A. and D. Orsterhelt. 1990. Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1020:57–64). These results suggest that the reprotonation process is changed to a proton diffusion-controlled mechanism in the Arg-227 mutant due to a change in the structure of the proton channel. The absorption intensity ratio (AUV/AMslow) of each arginine mutant relative to that of ebR is found to be similar to that for native purple membrane (PM) except for the Arg-227 mutant where it is greatly reduced, and for the Arg-82 mutant where it is not observed, suggesting that both Arg-227 and Arg-82 residues somehow play roles in inducing the UV transient absorption. All the above results are discussed in terms of the model for the structure of bR proposed by Henderson, R., J.M. Baldwin, T.A. Ceska, F. Zemlin, E. Beckmann, and K.H. Downing. (1990. J. Mol. Biol. 213:899–929).
Fast and Reliable Stream Processing over Wide Area Networks

We present a replication-based approach that enables both fast and reliable stream processing over wide area networks. Our approach replicates stream processing operators in a manner where operator replicas compete with each other to make the earliest impact. Therefore, any processing downstream from such replicas can proceed by relying on the fastest replica without being held back by slow or failed ones. Furthermore, our approach allows replicas to produce output in different orders so as to avoid the cost of forcing an identical execution across replicas, without sacrificing correctness. We first consider semantic issues for correct replicated stream processing and, based on a formal foundation, extend common stream-processing primitives. Next, we discuss strategies for deploying replicas. Finally, we present preliminary remits obtained from experiments on Planet-Lab that substantiate the potential benefits of our approach.
Optically pumped deep-ultraviolet AlGaN multi-quantum-well lasers grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

A 245.3 nm deep ultraviolet optically pumped AlGaN based multiple-quantum-well laser operating at room temperature is described. Epitaxial growth was performed by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition on a c-plane bulk AlN substrate at a growth temperature of ~ 1130 °C. The wafer was fabricated into cleaved bars with a cavity length of ~1.45 mm and the lasing threshold was determined to be 297 kW/cm 2 under pulsed 193 nm ArF excimer laser excitation. A further ~20% reduction in threshold pumping power density was observed with six pairs of SiO 2 /HfO 2 distributed Bragg reflector deposited at the rear side of facets.
The Distribution of the U.S. Workforce from 1960 to 1990: a RIASEC Perspective

This article analyzes employment data from the U.S. census (1960 to 1990) using the Holland classification. The census data are organized according to category of occupation, occupational level, gender, and income. The results indicate that the distributions of employment are similar from 1960 to 1990 despite some major shifts within several categories. Some implications for the current situation are offered.
When Is Social Trust a Desirable Outcome? Examining Levels of Trust in the Arab World

Levels of both political and social trust tend to play a crucial role in democracies. Yet we have little understanding of the ways in which trust operates in nondemocratic societies. This article finds that levels of political confidence are linked to generalized trust in both democratic and nondemocratic states. In democracies, then, levels of generalized trust may reinforce existing democratic institutions. In nondemocracies, however, generalized trust may be linked to support for authoritarian patterns of rule. This article argues that although generalized trust serves democracy in democratic settings, it is not linked to democratic forms of political and social engagement in the less democratic states of the Arab world.
Telling It Like It Was

Book reviewed in this article: Racial Hygiene: Medicine Under the Nazis. By Robert Proctor.
Adult aggression during an initial social encounter: effects of neonatal anoxia and relation to juvenile open-field activity

Abstract In male Long-Evans hooded rats, we examined: (1) combined effects of neonatal anoxia and novelty exposure on aggression during adulthood; (2) open-field activity before juvenility as a predictor for adult aggression. Litters of neonates were exposed to either 100% N 2 gas (Anoxia) or room air (Control) for 25 min on postnatal Day 1 (P1). Within each of the Anoxia and Control conditions, one half of the neonates were individually exposed to a non-home cage for 3 min daily during P2–21 (Novel: N Anoxia = 15; N Control = 13) while the other half remained in the home cage (Home: N Anoxia = 15; N Control = 13). Prior to the onset of juvenility (P25), open-field activity was measured during four 20-s trials. At the onset of adulthood (P100–101), we measured the occurrence of biting during four 5-min sessions of social interaction between pairs of rats. Neonatal anoxia and novelty exposure had contrasting effects on adult aggression with the former increasing aggression and the latter having no statistically significant effect. The open-field measures before the onset of juvenility were significantly correlated with the occurrence of biting behavior during adulthood, suggesting that activity in a novel environment observed very briefly in early life may serve as a predictor for adult aggression.