cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of Micropatterns on Channel Sidewalls Using Strain-Recovery Property a Shape Memory Polymer

Current microsystems primarily have a planar form. On the other hand, substrate sidewalls of these microsystems have not been well used in constructing devices. When patterns are generated on those sidewalls, they could be potentially used as electronic components of 3-D circuits or vertical interconnects. Existing photo-lithographic approaches are not capable of patterning the sidewalls of structures. Therefore, in this work, we have developed a novel method to generate line and dot patterns on the sidewalls of microchannels using strain-recovery property of polystyrene (PS), which is a thermal shape-memory polymer. The fabrication procedure consists of three basic steps. Firstly, microchannels were generated on a PS film using oxygen reactive ion etch. Secondly, 50 nm-thick Ag lines (100-, 150-μm-wide) and dots (50 × 50 μm2 ) were sputtered on the etched PS film with the aid of another SU-8 stencil. Thirdly and finally, the PS film was heated to 160 °C for 30 min. This caused the decrease in width and increase in depth of the channels induced by the strain recovery of the PS. The sidewall inclination of the microchannels increased greatly after heating causing the Ag lines and dots to transfer to the channel sidewalls. These experimental results demonstrate the possibility of fabricating Ag lines and dots on the sidewalls of an array of microchannels using the developed approach.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
TRANSFORMING TRADITIONS: TAKING POPULAR CULTURE SERIOUSLY IN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Abstract Making traditions “accessible” and making the connections between traditions and transformation “manifest” (this is Boys's definition of religious education), is a challenging endeavor in mass mediated popular culture contexts. Although definitions of “tradition” may differ from community to community, there is generally a sustained pattern of practice over time that shapes the religious identities of the people in question. Religious educators need to engage this pattern in multiple ways, some of which may extensively if not completely rework it. This essay illustrates such engagement by considering two examples of the televisual mediation of rituals following September 11, 2001, as well suggesting useful digital resources for religious educators in this context
Robust, Distributed Estimation of Internal Wave Parameters via Inter-Drogue Measurements

Internal waves are important to oceanographers because, as they travel, they are capable of displacing mass, such as plankton and small fish. This paper considers a group of drogues estimating the physical parameters that determine the dynamics of an ocean linear internal wave. While underwater, individual drogues do not have access to absolute position information and can only rely on inter-drogue measurements. Building on this data and the knowledge of the drogue dynamics under the flow induced by the internal wave, we propose the Vanishing Distance Derivative Detection Strategy to allow individual drogues to determine the wave parameters. We analyze the correctness and robustness of this strategy under noiseless and noisy measurements, respectively. We also introduce a general methodology, termed pth-Order Parameter Fusion, for combining the parameter estimates obtained at different times and characterize its error. Simulations illustrate our results.
Slot antenna on C type compact substrate integrated waveguide

A slot antenna using a C type substrate integrated waveguide is presented in this paper. By using the C type compact waveguide it is possible to produce a smaller waveguide slot antenna than the one in standard substrate integrated waveguide. The device can be easily integrated with other microwave or millimetre wave devices.
Satellite and aircraft passive microwave observations during the Marginal Ice Zone Experiment in 1984

This paper compares satellite data on the marginal ice zone obtained during the Marginal Ice Zone Experiment in 1984 by Nimbus 7 with simultaneous mesoscale aircraft (in particular, the NASA CV-990 airborne laboratory) and surface observations. Total and multiyear sea ice concentrations calculated from the airborne multichannel microwave radiometer were found to agree well with similar calculations using the Nimbus SMMR data. The temperature dependence of the determination of multiyear sea-ice concentration near the melting point was found to be the same for both airborne and satellite data. It was found that low total ice concentrations and open-water storm effects near the ice edge could be reliably distinguished by means of spectral gradient ratio, using data from the 0.33-cm and the 1.55-cm radiometers.
Selective harmonic elimination for cascaded multicell multilevel power converters with higher number of H-Bridge modules

This paper presents a curve fitting based method for generating suitable switching angles for selective line-to-line voltage harmonic elimination in cascaded multicell (CM) multilevel power converters. The selective harmonic elimination techniques derive feasible switching angles to eliminate the dominant low-order line-to-line voltage harmonics in a cascaded multicell multilevel power converter. In this paper, first the structure and operation of an eleven-level cascaded H-Bridge converter is reviewed and the general concept of selective harmonic elimination for this type of converter is studied briefly. Then, the proposed curve fitting based implementation method is presented. Finally, simulation results are provided to validate the proposed method.
The new academic medical center.

Creative Solutions Outrageous Perspectives on Problem Solving. We often look to logic instead of creativity for "true answers" to life's struggles. This workshop explores the creative process and teaches skills for problem solving. We will examine (1) fallacies of logical/rational thought; (2) benefits of metaphors; (3) ways to make thoughts public without language. Instructor: A.N. Onymous Fee: $10 Classroom: 5 Risk Taking "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all," Helen Keller said. Are you ready to risk participation in this workshop? Learn how to evaluate risks, recognize the "true" moment of risk, build strategies for taking . . .
Comparative short-term safety of bolus versus maintenance iron dosing in hemodialysis patients: a replication study

Background Recent research has reported that patients receiving bolus (frequent large doses to achieve iron repletion) versus maintenance dosing of iron have an increased short-term risk of infection, but a similar risk of cardiovascular events. We sought to determine whether these findings could be replicated using the same methods and a different data source.
Shoot growth, root length density, and water use of barley grown at different soil temperatures

(...) This study determined shoot and root characteristics of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) when grown at varying root zone temperatures (RZT). Leaf area, number of leaves and stem, and aerial and root biomass were assessed at heading of barley grown in pots in a glasshouse at RZT of 5, 10, and 15 °C. Plant stage and height were recorded twice weekly. Pots were sectioned at 5 and 10 cm below the soil surface to obtain root lengths and dry weights. Three replications of the experiment used sand as the soil media, a fourth replication used a soil/peat mixture. Plant water use was determined by subtracting the amount of water leached through pots from that added (...)
Noise reduction using nonlinear optimization modeling

The primary objective of this study is to develop a 3D model to determine the maximum allowable noise exposure time. This model allows the presence of multiple uncorrelated sources. The model provides an optimal arrangement for locating various machinery and equipment in the plant layout and also takes into consideration the acoustic characteristics of materials used in constructing the room. A detailed description of the models and results obtained will be presented and discussed.
Management of acute appendicitis by an acute care surgery service: is operative intervention timely?

BACKGROUND: Trauma services are increasingly providing emergency surgery care by creating "acute care surgery" teams. We compared two periods at a Level I trauma center to determine if trauma service coverage would negatively impact timely management of acute appendicitis. STUDY DESIGN: All patients admitted through the emergency department of a Level I trauma center who underwent appendectomies between March 2005 and May 2006 (Trauma period) were identified. During this period, the trauma service covered most surgical emergencies. Comparison was made with the earlier 15-month period (Pretrauma). Emergency department to operating room (OR) time, procedure length, and negative appendectomy rates were obtained. RESULTS: In the Pretrauma period, 273 patients underwent appendectomy, compared with 279 in the Trauma period. Two-thirds (66%) of appendectomies in the Trauma period were performed by trauma surgeons. There was no difference in both periods with regard to mean emergency department to OR time (10.5 hours versus 9.9 hours; p = 0.4509), perforation rates (12% Pretrauma versus 7.5% Trauma; p = 0.1134), or negative appendectomy rates (17.9% Pretrauma versus 18.2% Trauma; p = 1.0). In the Trauma period, more appendectomies were completed laparoscopically (84.6% Trauma versus 66.6% Pretrauma; p < 0.0001), and mean OR time was shorter (57.4 minutes versus 67 minutes; p = 0.0006). CONCLUSIONS: In comparing two periods with and without the trauma service coverage of surgical emergencies, no difference was found in emergency department to OR time, perforation rates, or negative appendectomy rates in the management of acute appendicitis. There was a decrease in operative time and an increase in the proportion of laparoscopic appendectomies in the Trauma period. Trauma services can effectively incorporate emergency surgical coverage of procedures, such as appendectomies, without compromising timely intervention.
Decision-Oriented Frameworks for Management Information Systems Design.

Abstract Despite the rapid growth in the use of computers in organizations, few of the resulting systems have had a significant impact on the way in which management makes decisions. Frameworks are needed which aid in understanding the structure of management information systems, toward providing focus and improving the effectiveness of systems efforts. This paper surveys recent conceptual and empirical work related to development of decision-oriented frameworks for management information systems design, particularly as related to the improving the management of organizations.
Is Beta Dead or Alive

The debate about whether beta is dead or alive has heated up once again. We believe the empirical work supporting either side of the argument is limited because market frictions are not adequately addressed. This study clarifies the controversy about the issue by creating a new moving-average beta and analyzing two market anomalies: the turn-of-the-year and the Monday effects. What is discovered in this research is (1) that a fundamental source of the problem underlying the two types of market anomalies is the persistence of market frictions that retard the arbitrage process; (2) that beta is seriously ill if the effects of market frictions are ignored; and (3) that beta is alive and well if the effects of market frictions are accommodated. Also, we show, by using an optimal lead/lag structure, the moving-average beta provides significantly higher explanatory power for the turn-of the-year and the Monday effects than betas created from ordinary least squares regression and Scholes-Williams and Fama-French methods because the moving-average beta accommodates the effects of market frictions into the body of beta itself. This new type of beta, a moving-average beta, is demonstrated to be robust.
Stress in the adult rat exacerbates muscle pain induced by early-life stress.

Background Early-life stress and exposure to stressful stimuli play a major role in the development of chronic widespread pain in adults. However, how they interact in chronic pain syndromes remains unclear. Methods Dams and neonatal litters were submitted to a restriction of nesting material (neonatal limited bedding [NLB]) for 1 week. As adults, these rats were exposed to a painless sound stress protocol. The involvement of sympathoadrenal catecholamines interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) in nociception was evaluated through behavioral and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, surgical interventions, and intrathecal antisense treatments. Results Adult NLB rats exhibited mild muscle hyperalgesia, which was markedly aggravated by sound stress (peaking 15 days after exposure). Adrenal medullectomy did not modify hyperalgesia in NLB rats but prevented its aggravation by sound stress. Sustained administration of epinephrine to NLB rats mimicked sound stress effect. Intrathecal treatment with antisense directed to IL-6 receptor subunit gp130 (gp130), but not to tumor necrosis factor receptor type 1 (TNFR1), inhibited hyperalgesia in NLB rats. However, antisense against either gp130 or TNFR1 inhibited sound stress-induced enhancement of hyperalgesia. Compared with control rats, NLB rats exhibit increased plasma levels of IL-6 but decreased levels of TNFα, whereas sound stress increases IL-6 plasma levels in control rats but not in NLB rats. Conclusions Early-life stress induces a persistent elevation of IL-6, hyperalgesia, and susceptibility to chronic muscle pain, which is unveiled by exposure to stress in adults. This probably depends on an interaction between adrenal catecholamines and proinflammatory cytokines acting at muscle nociceptor level.
Purification, crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of the Hermes transposase

DNA transposition is the movement of a defined segment of DNA from one location to another. Although the enzymes that catalyze transposition in bacterial systems have been well characterized, much less is known about the families of transposase enzymes that function in higher organisms. Active transposons have been identified in many insect species, providing tools for gene identification and offering the possibility of altering the genotypes of natural insect populations. One of these active transposons is Hermes, a 2749-base-pair element from Musca domestica that encodes its own transposase. An N-­terminally deleted version of the Hermes transposase (residues 79–612) has been overexpressed and purified, and crystals that diffract to 2.1 A resolution have been obtained at 277 K by the hanging-drop method.
Human gene therapy vectors derived from feline lentiviruses

Lentiviral vectors are useful for gene transfer to dividing and nondividing cells. Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) vectors transduce most human cell types with good efficiency and may have advantages for clinical gene therapy applications. This article reviews significant progress in the development and refinement of FIV vector systems.
Gaining and losing social support: Momentum in decision-making groups

This paper addressed the question, is there a momentum effect in decision-making groups? That is, does movement toward a decision alternative encourage further similar movement? In the first two of three experiments, the movement of group members toward or away from a subject's preference was manipulated while holding constant the content of group discussion. The only significant effect of such shifts in position was an antimomentum effect; e.g., subjects were less likely to move toward an alternative which had gained a supporter than if no such shift in position had occurred. These experiments also demonstrated that the inverse relationship between overall level of support and likelihood of changing one's position (the “strength-in-numbers” effect) was not solely attributable to larger factions' ability to generate more arguments than smaller factions. In a final experiment, subjects were given an opportunity to defend their preference; under these conditions, the loss of a supporter might result in momentum-producing attributions (e.g., my arguments are unconvincing). However, these experimental conditions did not produce a momentum effect. Analyses of the content of subjects' speech paralleled the data on opinion change in these and previous studies—subjects were much more sensitive to current levels of support than to changes in the level of support. The antimomentum effect observed in Experiment 2 was attributed to a sensitivity to both one's current and past levels of support in the group.
Temperature-viscosity induced laminar instabilities in a gaseous heated channel

Abstract Laminar flow instability exhibits itself as a flow rate excursion in single isolated tubes having negative pressure-drop-flow-rate derivative at constant heat addition in a gas which has a viscosity increasing with temperature in the laminar Reynolds number range. An application is in laminar flow nuclear rocket reactors. The constitutive equations for such a system were solved using seven different forms of the energy equation in a steady state isolated channel. An equation for flow rate at neutral stability is given. Parametric results are presented for a range of heat flux, flow rate and fluid state conditions. Closed form solutions and existing experimental findings were verified using numerical analysis.
Electronic transport near the surface of indium antimonide films

Abstract Surface layer carrier concentrations and mobilities of n-type InSb films were separated from those of the bulk of the film through the magnetic field dependence of the Hall coefficient coupled with conventional galvanomagnetic measurements. This technique yields a surface electron density for the top plus bottom of the film of (3−5) × 10 13 cm −2 and a surface layer mobility of 1500–2000 cm 2 V −1 s −1 , both largely independent of temperature. The surface density is found to decrease when the free surface is anodized.
Global uniqueness for inverse parabolic problems with final observation

It is shown that the unknown time-dependent right-hand side with explicitly bounded growth rate in a general parabolic equation is uniquely determined by one additional final measurement. As an important application we derive the corresponding uniqueness results for different coefficient identification problems with no smallness assumptions imposed.
DNA sequence and genetic characterization of plasmid pFQ11 from Frankia alni strain CpI1.

An 8551-bp plasmid, pFQ11, from Frankia alni strain CpI1 was sequenced. Its sequence was found to be very similar to that presented for pFQ31 from strain ArI3. Six potential protein-encoding open reading frames (ORFs) were identified, and transcriptional activity was shown within four of those regions of the plasmid by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. An earlier study reported that ORF EF of pFQ31, which is nearly identical to the 3′ 45% of ORF1 of pFQ11, is significantly similar to RepF. We found no such similarity. ORF2 and ORF3 predict products that are similar to a repressor protein and a partition protein, respectively. We found inverted repeats within and covering the start codon of ORF3; palindromic sequences and direct repeats between ORF3 and ORF4; and 3′ from ORF3, an AT-rich sequence that extensively overlaps the promoter region of a uvrB homolog in strain ArI3.
A survey of QoS architectures

Over the past several years there has been a considerable amount of research within the field of quality-of-service (QoS) support for distributed multimedia systems. To date, most of the work has been within the context of individual architectural layers such as the distributed system platform, operating system, transport subsystem and network layers. Much less progress has been made in addressing the issue of overall end-to-end support for multimedia communications. In recognition of this, a number of research teams have proposed the development of QoS architectures which incorporate QoS-configurable interfaces and QoS driven control and management mechanisms across all architectural layers. This paper examines the state-of-the-art in the development of QoS architectures. The approach taken is to present QoS terminology and a generalized QoS framework for understanding and discussing QoS in the context of distributed multimedia systems. Following this, we evaluate a number of QoS architectures that have emerged in the literature.
Managing customer experiences in online product communities

Abstract Many companies have established online product communities or forums as a vehicle to extend product support services to their customers. Customers' interactions in such online forums with peer customers and vendor representatives resolve their product-related queries as well as inform on their product purchase decisions. Despite the significance of such interactions, there has been limited theoretical attention so far on how companies can manage customer experiences in online product communities. Drawing on theories and concepts from diverse areas including computer-mediated communication, consumer psychology, and online communities, this study proposes a four dimensional construct – Online Community Experience (OCE) – to capture customer experiences in such online product communities, and examines its impact on customer attitudes regarding the product, the company, and the quality of service. Data collected from customers in online product forums offered by four companies is used to test the study hypotheses. Implications for research on online consumer behavior and marketing are discussed.
Mapping of the gene for the mel1a-melatonin receptor to human chromosome 4 (MTNR1A) and mouse chromosome 8 (MTNR1A)

The pineal hormone melatonin elicits potent circadian and reproductive effects in mammals. We report the chromosomal location of the gene for the Mel1a-melatonin receptor that likely mediates these circadian and reproductive actions. PCR analysis of human-rodent somatic cell hybrids showed that the receptor gene (MTNR1A) maps to human chromosome 4q35.1. An interspecific backcross analysis revealed that the mouse gene (Mtnr1a) maps to the proximal portion of chromosome 8. These loci may be involved in genetically based circadian and neuroendocrine disorders.
Sandrewia, n. gen., a problematical plant from the Lower Permian of Texas and Kansas

Abstract Sandrewia, n. gen., monotypified by S. texana, n. sp., is a plant from Lower Permian beds of north-central Texas and east-central Kansas. It is characterized by stout axes with spirally disposed, laxly inserted, petiolate leaves; the laminae are broadly flabelliform with coarse, open venation. The leaves are reminiscent of the vojnovskyalean Nephropsis, of the Permian Petchora Basin, U.S.S.R., but biologic relationships are only speculative because of limited material. However, leaf characteristics render Sandrewia easily identifiable. Its presently limited stratigraphic range, along with floristic associations, indicates it may be a useful guide fossil and supports the author's beliefs regarding important times and places in Paleozoic plant evolution.
Free-radical probes for functional in-vivo EPR imaging

Electron paramagnetic resonance imaging (EPRI) is one of the recent functional imaging modalities that can provide valuable in vivo physiological information on its own merit and aids as a complimentary imaging technique to MRI and PET of tissues especially with respect to in vivo pO 2 (oxygen partial pressure), redox status and pharmacology. EPR imaging mainly deals with the measurement of distribution and in vivo dynamics and redox changes using special nontoxic paramagnetic spin probes that can be infused into the object of investigation. These spin probes should be characterized by simple EPR spectra, preferably with narrow EPR lines. The line width should be reversibly sensitive to the concentration of in vivo pO 2 with a linear dependence. Several non-toxic paramagnetic probes, some particulate and insoluble and others water-soluble and infusible (by intravenous or intramuscular injection) have been developed which can be effectively used to quantitatively assess tissue redox status, and tumor hypoxia. Quantitative assessment of the redox status of tissue in vivo is important in investigating oxidative stress, and that of tissue pO 2 is very important in radiation oncology. Other areas in which EPR imaging and oxymetry may help are in the investigation of tumorangiogenesis, wound healing, oxygenation of tumor tissue by the ingestion of oxygen-rich gases, etc. The correct choice of the spin probe will depend on the modality of measurement (whether by CW or time-domain EPR imaging) and the particular physiology interrogated. Examples of the available spin probes and some EPR imaging applications employing them are presented.
Early molecular changes in irradiated aortic endothelium.

Irradiated aortic endothelial cells (EC) exhibit distinct morphological, functional, and physiological responses to ionizing radiation (IR). However, the molecular basis for these responses has not been fully characterized. Cultured bovine and rat aortic endothelial cells were exposed to single fraction doses (0-30 Gy) of gamma radiation. IR caused dose-dependent DNA strand breaks which were repaired to near baseline levels within 30 min. A dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth was noted for IR greater than 1 Gy. At doses greater than 2.5 Gy, morphologic changes consistent with apoptosis and loss of cell viability were present beginning 12-16 h after radiation, with subsequent detachment of EC from the cell monolayer. By Western blot analysis, expression of p53, gadd45, p21, and bax protein increased in a time-and dose-dependent manner; p53 expression was maximal at 3 h after IR, and gadd45, bax and p21 levels peaked at 6 h. By Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), levels of p53 mRNA were not significantly increased after IR, whereas gadd45 exhibited time- and dose-dependent increase in mRNA synthesis after IR. Activation of intracellular caspases, manifest by proteolytic poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and lamin B cleavage, was maximal at 15 h after IR, concident with other indices of EC apoptosis, including oligonucleosomal DNA degradation, TUNEL immunostaining, and morphologic changes. The tripeptide protease inhibitor z-Val-Ala-Asp (zVAD) prevented PARP and lamin cleavage, DNA fragmentation, morphological changes, and cell detachment in irradiated EC. The combined data suggested that gamma radiation induces a dose- and time-dependent sequence of early events in cultured EC with modulate growth arrest, apoptosis, and possibly premature senescence in surviving cells.
Spectrophotometric determination of molybdenum in steel with 3:3':4':5:7-pentahydroxyflavanone

Abstract Studies on the organic reagent 3:3':4':5:7-pentahydroxynavanone (dihydroquercetin) have led to the development of a colorimetric method for molybdenum in steel. By an extraction process all interfering metals are removed except tungsten. The method is applicable to the determination of molybdenum in all substances which do not contain tungsten. Known methods of separating molybdenum from tungsten will permit its use when tungsten is present.
Nitrogen-related absorption bands in optical fibres

Two absorption bands are reported in germanium-doped optical fibres containing low levels of nitrogen. The bands are not present in the fibre as drawn, but can be activated by exposure to elevated temperatures. Germanium, along with nitrogen, plays a role in forming the defects responsible for the absorption.
The mechanism of ubihydroquinone oxidation at the Qo-site of the cytochrome bc1 complex

1. Recent results suggest that the major flux is carried by a monomeric function, not by an intermonomer electron flow. 2. The bifurcated reaction at the Qo-site involves sequential partial processes, — a rate limiting first electron transfer generating a semiquinone (SQ) intermediate, and a rapid second electron transfer in which the SQ is oxidized by the low potential chain. 3. The rate constant for the first step in a strongly endergonic, proton-first-then-electron mechanism, is given by a Marcus–Bronsted treatment in which a rapid electron transfer is convoluted with a weak occupancy of the proton configuration needed for electron transfer. 4. A rapid second electron transfer pulls the overall reaction over. Mutation of Glu-295 of cyt b shows it to be a key player. 5. In more crippled mutants, electron transfer is severely inhibited and the bell-shaped pH dependence of wildtype is replaced by a dependence on a single pK at ~ 8.5 favoring electron transfer. Loss of a pK ~ 6.5 is explained by a change in the rate limiting step from the first to the second electron transfer; the pK ~ 8.5 may reflect dissociation of QH. 6. A rate constant (< 103 s− 1) for oxidation of SQ in the distal domain by heme bL has been determined, which precludes mechanisms for normal flux in which SQ is constrained there. 7. Glu-295 catalyzes proton exit through H+ transfer from QH, and rotational displacement to deliver the H+ to exit channel(s). This opens a volume into which Q− can move closer to the heme to speed electron transfer. 8. A kinetic model accounts well for the observations, but leaves open the question of gating mechanisms. For the first step we suggest a molecular “escapement”; for the second a molecular ballet choreographed through coulombic interactions. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Respiratory complex III and related bc complexes.
Quality of Life As a Potential Rehabilitation Service Outcome: The Relationship Between Employment, Quality of Life, and Other Life Areas

Vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies, as well as other service providers, are under increased pressure to provide evidence of the effectiveness of services. The primary metric for evaluating ser...
Controversies in vascular screening art versus science.

Whether or not to screen asymptomatic members of the general public for various forms of vascular disease is a controversial issue with huge medical, social, and financial ramifications. This article reviews several criteria for determining the appropriateness of vascular screening, including: (1) is it possible to detect occult vascular disease 'early'?; (2) what should we screen for, and how should we do it?; (3) who should be screened?; and (4) what standards for vascular screening should be set? While some of these controversies may ultimately be resolvable using an evidence-based approach, it is apparent that there are issues which will not be amenable to strict scientific analysis. Individualized approaches to screening will therefore remain the rule for the foreseeable future.
Toward an Operational Definition of Community Welfare

This paper is concerned with the aspects of social life implied in the terms community and welfare. Community is considered to be a spatially contingent interactional system in which there may emerge many kinds of products, one of which is welfare. Welfare is a rather ambiguous term variously employed, but, in general, it seems to describe a community condition that conforms to our value system, such as a presence of health, happiness, prosperity, social control and good housing, and the absence of undesirable conditions such as illness, poverty, vice, delinquency and crime, child neglect, ignorance, and unemployment. As responsibility for public welfare becomes increasingly a governmental concern and as "private" philanthropy becomes more and more a semi-public bureaucratic activity, there will be increasing demands for a public accounting. The handwriting is on the wall in the form of Congressional investigations of groups collecting funds for veterans, in the shape of attempts of medical associations to bring order into the community arena where a multitude of fund-raisers are fiercely contending for the various organs and parts of the human corpus, and in the restlessness of city and county governments that have to support an ever increasing welfare load in spite of a booming economy. Such accounting will require demonstrable ways to show the need for and accomplishments of social welfare action. And if this purpose is to be achieved, adequate and reliable definitions of welfare, and indices and measurements of it must be developed. The solution of this problem would be accelerated if there were good answers to some theoretical questions such as: Is welfare a basic or crucial element in community life; or to put it another way, is welfare one of the factors that must be included and its effects considered if variations between communities are to be explained? Is welfare a relatively independent factor or is it systematically related to other variables such as urbanism, rurality, wealth, etc.? If it is related to other community elements, then which ones and to what degree do these relationships exist? What is the anatomy of welfare in terms of measurable characteristics, and what are the best indices of its presence or absence? If the last question can be answered satisfactorily, a basis for an operational definition of welfare will have been laid upon which measures of the degree of welfare present, and the amount of progress toward a state of welfare, may be constructed.
Distractor Functioning in Modified Items for Test Accessibility

Effective distractors in multiple-choice items should attract lower ability students, those with misconceptions or limited knowledge and skills, because they are based on common misconceptions or errors in logic. A large, multi-state data set collected for a quasi-experimental study on test modifications was analyzed to measure the impact on distractor functioning. The key modification of interest was the removal of the weakest of three distractors, from 39 items in reading and 39 items in mathematics. Distractor functioning was neither systematically improved nor systematically weakened through the modification process. However, more than 70% of the distractors became more discriminating. A moderate correlation between distractor selection rate and distractor discrimination, in mathematics, may have indicated that the modified items were being missed by the appropriate students. Implications of these findings for test developers are discussed.
Introduction: Two Kinds of Proportion

The subject of architectural proportional systems in the history of architecture, the topic of this special collection of essays in Architectural Histories , has long been characterized by a fundamental ambiguity: the word and concept of proportion simultaneously signify two unrelated and in some ways opposite meanings. Proportion can refer to ratios, or it can refer to architectural beauty. In this introduction to the papers that follow, Matthew A. Cohen proposes a simple clarification of this ambiguity as a framework for continued discussion of this subject: that whenever scholars use the word proportion, they specify whether they intend ‘proportion-as-ratio’ or ‘proportion-as-beauty’. The frequent blending of these meanings today, Cohen argues, is a survival of attitudes toward proportional systems in architecture that were prevalent as long ago as the early Renaissance. Cohen proposes an alternative to Rudolf Wittkower's paradigmatic ‘break-away’ theory of the history of proportional systems, according to which virtually everyone accepted proportional systems as sources of universal beauty in architecture until the mid-eighteenth century, and after that time virtually everyone believed that beauty and proportional systems were matters of individual preference. Rather than a long period respectful of tradition followed by a long period skeptical of it, Cohen argues, based in part on a new interpretation of Claude Perrault’s 1683 codification of the notion of positive beauty, that architects and others have always had access to two parallel strands of thought pertaining to proportional systems: a skeptical-pragmatic strand and a respectful-metaphysical strand. This new historical and historiographical interpretation of the problem of architectural proportional systems, and the new vocabulary with which to discuss it critically presented herein, helps to separate aesthetic from historical considerations.
Exercise intensity influences cardiac baroreflex function at the onset of isometric exercise in humans

We sought to examine the influence of exercise intensity on carotid baroreflex (CBR) control of heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) at the onset of exercise in humans. To accomplish th...
Urine Chemical Content May Be a False Measure of Environmental Exposure

* Abbreviations: BPA — : bisphenol A DEHP — : di-2-ethylhexylphthalate This month Pediatrics has published 2 articles on environmental chemical exposures that warrant commentary, “Urinary Phthalates and Increased Insulin Resistance in Adolescents” (Trasande et al1) and “Bisphenol A and Chronic Disease Risk Factors in US Children” (Eng et al2). Both of these articles use the urinary content of the chemical as a surrogate for the chemical exposure. Dr Trasande and his group in the article on phthalates conclude that urine phthalate concentrations (represented by urine di-2-ethylhexylphthalate [DEHP] concentrations) were associated with increased insulin resistance in this cross-sectional study of adolescents. Dr Trasande refers to this as an association and indicated that this study cannot rule out the possibility that insulin-resistant children ingest food with higher phthalate content or that insulin-resistant children excrete more DEHP. Without knowing the tissue or serum concentration of DEHP or referring to primate studies, the authors’ hypotheses are appropriate. The second article by Eng et al deals with bisphenol A (BPA). It is most important for authors to be familiar with the literature concerning the chemical that they are evaluating. Unfortunately, the BPA article fails to cite important publications dealing … Address correspondence to Robert L. Brent, MD, PhD, DSc, Thomas Jefferson University, Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children, Room 308 A/R, 1600 Rockland Rd, Wilmington, DE 19803. E-mail: rbrent{at}nemours.org
Toxicity of cadmium in water and sediment slurries to daphnia magna

Daphnia magna Straus were exposed to cadmium for 48 h in water and in equilibrated water-sediment slurries using beakers and recirculating test chambers. Differences in toxicity based on dissolved and free cadmium (Cd2+) between the two levels of tested total solids, 100 and 1000 mg/L, were not significant (α = 0.05). The mean water LC50 of 39 μg/L total cadmium was significantly (α = 0.05) lower than the mean LC50 of 91 μg/L dissolved cadmium in the slurries, indicating that cadmium adsorbed to the sediment had negligible toxicity. Low LC50 values in two sediment bioassays correspond with low pH's. Adsorption isotherms using cadmium, well water, and freshwater sediment were developed for sediment concentrations approximating those at which the bioassays were performed. Conditional adsorption constants derived from the isotherms predicted the distribution of cadmium between well water and sediments. A speciation model predicted that organic ligands released from the sediments strongly complexed the free cadmium ion. Based on free cadmium ion concentrations, no significant differences (α = 0.05) could be detected between the mean of the slurry bioassay LC50 (47 μg/L) and aqueous bioassay LC50 (30 μg/L). Speciation results, LC50 values based on free cadmium ion concentrations only, and pH results gave indirect evidence that the free cadmium ion was the predominant toxic species to D. magna in the bioassays.
Projected changes in drought occurrence under future global warming from multi-model, multi-scenario, IPCC AR4 simulations

Recent and potential future increases in global temperatures are likely to be associated with impacts on the hydrologic cycle, including changes to precipitation and increases in extreme events such as droughts. We analyze changes in drought occurrence using soil moisture data for the SRES B1, A1B and A2 future climate scenarios relative to the PICNTRL pre-industrial control and 20C3M twen- tieth century simulations from eight AOGCMs that participated in the IPCC AR4. Comparison with observa- tion forced land surface model estimates indicates that the models do reasonably well at replicating our best estimates of twentieth century, large scale drought occurrence, although the frequency of long-term (more than 12-month duration) droughts are over-estimated. Under the future projections, the models show decreases in soil moisture globally for all scenarios with a corresponding doubling of the spatial extent of severe soil moisture deficits and fre- quency of short-term (4-6-month duration) droughts from the mid-twentieth century to the end of the twenty-first. Long-term droughts become three times more common. Regionally, the Mediterranean, west African, central Asian and central American regions show large increases most notably for long-term frequencies as do mid-latitude North American regions but with larger variation between sce- narios. In general, changes under the higher emission scenarios, A1B and A2 are the greatest, and despite fol- lowing a reduced emissions pathway relative to the present day, the B1 scenario shows smaller but still substantial increases in drought, globally and for most regions. Increases in drought are driven primarily by reductions in precipitation with increased evaporation from higher tem- peratures modulating the changes. In some regions, increases in precipitation are offset by increased evapora- tion. Although the predicted future changes in drought occurrence are essentially monotonic increasing globally and in many regions, they are generally not statistically different from contemporary climate (as estimated from the 1961-1990 period of the 20C3M simulations) or natural variability (as estimated from the PICNTRL simulations) for multiple decades, in contrast to primary climate vari- ables, such as global mean surface air temperature and precipitation. On the other hand, changes in annual and seasonal means of terrestrial hydrologic variables, such as evaporation and soil moisture, are essentially undetectable within the twenty-first century. Changes in the extremes of climate and their hydrological impacts may therefore be more detectable than changes in their means.
Reducing the Impact of Process Variability with Prefetching and Criticality-Based Resource Allocation

A major problem facing the computer and semiconductor industries is the increasing amount of CMOS process variability. Variability in low-level circuit parameters, such as transistor gate length and gate oxide thickness, complicates system design by introducing uncertainty about how a fabricated system will perform. Although a circuit or chip is designed to run at a nominal clock frequency, the fabricated implementation may vary far from this expected performance. We have developed three architectural techniques for mitigating the impact of process variability. All three of our approaches enable us to aggressively clock the processor with only minor degradation in IPC (instructions per cycle), thus achieving an overall performance improvement. Our work combines several ideas prefetching, LO caching, and criticality that were previously developed for other purposes. Our contributions are using and combining these ideas to overcome the effects of process variability.
Prophets Facing Sidewise: The Geopolitics of Knowledge and the Colonial Difference

There is no safe place and no single locus of enunciation from where the uni‐versal could be articulated for all and forever. Hindu nationalism and Western neo‐liberalism are entangled in a long history of the logic of coloniality (domination, oppression, exploitation) hidden under the rhetoric of modernity (salvation, civilization, progress, development, freedom and democracy). There are, however, needs and possibilities for Indians and Western progressive intellectuals working together to undermine and supersede the assumptions that liberal thinkers in the West are better placed to understand what is the common good better than Indian thinkers in post‐partition India. Science, in the last analysis, doesn’t carry in itself an ethics and politics. Therefore, it is doubtful to argue that science is beyond both, and only concerned with the advancement of the frontier of knowledge and understanding. Science could be (like Christianity, Hinduism, Liberalism or Marxism) both imperial and liberating. Knowledge ...
Insurance Distribution Systems

This chapter details the use of different insurance distribution systems in practice, analyzes key issues in distribution system use based on economic theories of the organization of the firm, and discusses public policy and regulatory issues related to insurance distribution. The chapter focuses on what we believe to be the three major economic issues in insurance distribution: the choice of distribution system(s) by an insurer; the nature of insurer-agent relationships, including compensation structure and resale price maintenance; and regulatory oversight of insurance distribution activities, including regulation of entry and of information disclosure to consumers.
Metrology, Quality Control and Data Analysis

This chapter covers the topics of metrology, tolerancing, quality control and experimental design before discussing the different ways machining changes the shape of a part in other chapters. Tolerances on dimensions and surface finish are used for comparing different processes, and when the tolerances or surface finish specified are small, this usually leads a process planner to choose machining or grinding processes. Metrology, the science of measurement, plays an important role in checking if specifications are met, and is needed to develop experimental data for analyzing a process. The most efficient use of experimental data occurs not by chance, but when experiments are designed and planned.
Optical Tooling for Precise Structural Measurements

An experimental application of optical tooling to a structural engineering problem was made in the Truss Bridge Research Project at Northwestern University. The methods and equipment used to measure translations and rotations at joints and members of a 100-ft half-scale steel bridge are described. In view of the precision required in these measurements, an optical instrumentation system was used, capable of measuring translations to 0.001 in. and rotations to 0.00005 radians with respect to three coordinate axes. The instruments and techniques of optical tooling are described briefly, as well as the manner in which they were organized for this study. The instruments and techniques used are standard; the targeting of the structure is unique, and the success of this portion of the investigation depended on it. Also unique are the mathematical analysis of the instrumental data and the method given for computing the rotations and translations of a typical point on the structure. Both the instrumental application and the mathematical treatment are general in nature, and they have a wide range of application to problems of measurement of small changes in space structures.
Wealth Dynamics in a Bond Economy with Heterogeneous Beliefs

Two types of agents have diverse beliefs about the law of motion for an exogenous endowment. One knows the true process, and the other learns about it via Bayes' theorem. Financial market structure affects the dynamics of the wealth distribution. When markets are complete, the learning agent loses wealth, as in Blume and Easley (2006). The absence of markets for some Arrow securities alters the direction in which wealth is transferred. When the only traded asset is a risk-free bond, the learning agent accumulates wealth, both agents survive and the more knowledgeable agent is driven to his debt limit.