cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of γ phase stacking faults during high temperature creep of Ru-containing single crystal superalloys

Abstract An unusual deformation mode involving the formation of intrinsic stacking faults in the γ matrix of experimental Ru-containing γ – γ ′ superalloys with high Co and Re contents during high temperature creep at 950 °C/290 MPa has been observed. The morphology, distribution and dependence of these stacking faults on alloy chemistry has been investigated along with their formation mechanism. Additions of Re and Co substantially decrease the stacking fault energy of the γ matrix. The observed stacking faults in the γ matrix form by the dissociation of a /2〈1 1 0〉 matrix dislocations with Burgers vectors perpendicular to the loading direction in the early stages of creep. The dependence of creep properties on elemental additions that influence stacking fault energy is discussed.
Sputtering characteristics of redeposited material

The sputtering behavior of redeposited material was studied in an experiment devised to measure erosion of sputter deposited Cu on a Cu substrate during ion bombardment at an energy similar to that of particles that will strike the walls of a fusion reactor. Secondary ion emission of the isotopes 2963Cu and 2965Cu was used to measure the erosion rate of a sputter deposited Cu layer enriched in 2965Cu. At 1 keV, Ar bombardment gave a yield 0.6 Cu/Ar for the redeposited layer while the equivalent yield for bulk Cu is about 3 Cu/Ar. The lower observed yield for sputter deposited Cu is attributed to the effects of codeposition of chemically active surface impurities, such as oxygen, which increase the surface binding energy of Cu atoms.
Performance Evaluation of Java Web Services: A Developer's Perspective

As the population of the Internet grows rapidly the development of web technologies becomes extremely important. For the evolvement of Web 2.0, web services are essential. Web services are programs that allow computers of different platforms on the web to interactively communicate without the need of extra data for human reading interfaces and formats such as web page structures. Since web service is a future trend for the growth of internet, the tools that are used for development is also important. Although there are many choices of web service frameworks to choose from, developers should choose the framework that fits best to their application based on performance, time and effort for the framework. In this project, we chose four common frameworks to compare them in both qualitative and quantitative metrics. After running the tests, the results are statistically analyzed by SAS.
Latest advances in substrates for flexible electronics

Abstract— Recent advances in both organic- and inorganic-based electronics processed on flexible substrates offer substantial rewards in terms of being able to develop displays that are thinner, lighter, robust, and conformable, and can be rolled away when not required. In addition, plastic-based substrates coupled with the recent developments in solution deposition and ink-jet printing for laying down OLED materials and active-matrix thin-film-transistor (TFT) arrays open up the possibility of cost-effective processing in high volumes using roll to roll (R2R) processing. To replace glass, however, a plastic substrate needs to be able to offer some or all of the properties of glass, i.e., clarity, dimensional stability, thermal stability, barrier, solvent resistance, and low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) coupled with a smooth surface. In addition, a conductive layer may be required. No plastic film offers all these properties so any plastic-based substrate will almost certainly be a multilayer composite structure. This paper will discuss the issues associated with selecting plastic materials, contrast the various options, and highlight how to gain optimum performance through process control. This will be illustrated with examples of film in use in flexible electronic applications.
Faculty and Instructor Perception of Disability Support Services and Student Communication

The purpose of this study was to describe perceptions of the importance of disability support services and expectations of disability verification and student communication. Participants were 240 faculty and 119 instructional academic staff at a large midwestern research university. Specific disability support services were found to be at least somewhat important with most being at least moderately important. Formal verification of disability was found to be more important for students with learning and psychiatric disabilities than for students with physical and sensory disabilities (p < .001). Although direct communication was considered important for all students, it was more important for students with psychiatric disabilities than for those with learning (p < .001) or sensory disabilities (p =.001).
Mutagenic activity of quercetin and related compounds

The mutagenic activities of several flavonoids and flavonoid metabolites were examined by means of Salmonella typhimurium mutants that reveal base-pair substitution and frameshift mutagens. Of the compounds tested (naringin, rutin, neohesperetin, hesperetin, dihydroquercetin, quercetin, quercetin pentaacetate, permethylquercetin, m-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, and m,p-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid), only quercetin was mutagenic without microsomal activation. With activation, however, the mutagenic activity of quercetin was increased significantly and that of quercetin pentaacetate was revealed. The health implications of these findings and aspects of flavonoid structural requirements for mutagenic activity are discussed.
AGU Fellows Elected for 2013

The Union Fellows Selection Committee is proud to present the 2013 class of AGU Fellows. Established in 1962, the Fellows program recognizes AGU members who have attained acknowledged eminence in the Earth and space sciences as valued by their peers and vetted by a committee of Fellows. The primary criterion for evaluation of scientific eminence is a major breakthrough or discovery, paradigm shift, or sustained impact.
Molecular characterization of Celtix‐1, a bromodomain protein interacting with the transcription factor interferon regulatory factor 2

Transcriptional control at the G1/S-phase transition of the cell cycle requires functional interactions of multimeric promoter regulatory complexes that contain DNA binding proteins, transcriptional cofactors, and/or chromatin modifying enzymes. Transcriptional regulation of the human histone H4/n gene (FO108) is mediated by Interferon Regulatory Factor-2 (IRF-2), as well as other histone gene promoter factors. To identify proteins that interact with cell-cycle regulatory factors, we performed yeast two-hybrid analysis with IRF-2 and identified a novel human protein termed Celtix-1 which binds to IRF-2. Celtix-1 contains several phylogenetically conserved domains, including a bromodomain, which is found in a number of transcriptional cofactors. Using a panel of IRF-2 deletion mutants in yeast two-hybrid assays, we established that Celtix-1 contacts the C-terminus of IRF-2. Celtix-1 directly interacts with IRF-2 based on binding studies with glutathione S-transferase (GST)/IRF-2 fusion proteins, and immunofluorescence studies suggest that Celtix-1 and IRF-2 associate in situ. Celtix-1 is distributed throughout the nucleus in a heterodisperse pattern. A subset of Celtix-1 colocalizes with the hyperacetylated forms of histones H3 and H4, as well as with the hyperphosphorylated, transcriptionally active form of RNA polymerase II. We conclude that the bromodomain protein Celtix-1 is a novel IRF-2 interacting protein that associates with transcriptionally active chromatin in situ. J. Cell. Physiol. 185:269–279, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Personal ear protection evaluation--present and future.

The present American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Method for the Measurement of the Real-Ear Attenuation of Ear Protectors at Threshold is expensive and time-consuming, and the amount of protection determined with this method may be misleading in many cases. Also, this standard is restricted to the evaluation of ear protector attenuation and has no specifications on other ear protector characteristics such as durability, toxicity, and sizing. The ANSI S3-52 Writing Group is revising the attenuation measurement standard to include both subjective and physical methods for evaluating ear protectors. The IEEE Working Group 30.10 is preparing a physical method of evaluation. In addition, ANSI Writing Group Z-137 is working together with the ANSI S3-52 and the IEEE 30.10 committees to prepare an overall performance standard for ear protectors which will include nonacoustical as well as acoustical specifications.
Automated Spray Sanitizing of Broiler Hatching Eggs 3. Total Bacteria and Coliform Recovery after Using an Egg Spraying Machine

Abstract This study investigated the efficacy of disinfectants applied to fertile hatching eggs with an egg spraying machine. Aerobic plate counts (APC) and coliform counts of clean and dirty nest eggs were determined before and after sanitizing treatments [chlorwash (peroxygen compounds) followed by Q800 (quaternary ammonium compounds); salmide followed by salmide (oxy-chlorine compounds)]. The mean APC of clean nest eggs with chlorwash followed by Q800 declined from log 4.2 to 0.6 and with salmide followed by salmide from log 3.2 to 0.9. Coliform counts of clean eggs decreased from log 1.4 to 0 (or to below the detection level of our methodology) with Chlorwash followed by Q800 and from log 0.9 to 0 with salmide followed by salmide. Thus, sanitizing clean nest eggs significantly lowered APC and coliform counts.
Accurate crystal fields for embedded cluster calculations

Abstract Local electronic structure defects in ionic crystals is commonly modeled using embedded cluster calculations. In this context we describe how to embed the quantum cluster (QC) in an array of point charges. Specifically, the method calculates an array of point charges that reproduces the electrostatic potential of the infinite crystal within an accuracy usually μ V in the interior of the QC.
Insights into the Interaction between tRNA and Primer Binding Site from Characterization of a Unique HIV-1 Virus Which Stably Maintains Dual PBS Complementary to tRNAGlyand tRNAHis

Abstract Previously our laboratory constructed an HIV-1 which stably maintained a primer binding site (PBS) complementary to tRNA His by mutating the region of the provirus within U5 postulated to interact with the anticodon of tRNA His (J. Wakefield, S-M Kang, and C. D. Morrow, 1996, J. Virol. 70, 966–975). From the analysis of the virus obtained after long-term culture, we identified an unusual proviral DNA in which the U5-PBS region contained a dual PBS complementary to tRNA Gly and tRNA His , respectively, separated by a 21-nucleotide intervening sequence. To determine if this U5-PBS region containing the dual PBS would give rise to an infectious virus, the mutant U5-PBS containing the dual PBS was subcloned into an infectious HIV-1 proviral clone, pHXB2; the resultant proviral DNA was designated as pHXB2(Gly–His). Transfection of pHXB2(Gly–His) into cells gave rise to infectious virus. Analysis of the U5-PBS region revealed that the virus stably maintained the dual PBS rather than revert back to the wild-type PBS. In addition to genomes with the PBS complementary to tRNA Gly and tRNA His , proviral genomes were identified after extended in vitro culture which contained dual PBS complementary to tRNA Gly and tRNA Phe . To determine which PBS could be used for reverse transcription, we utilized an endogenous reverse transcription/PCR method which could discriminate (based on molecular size of the products) between the minus strand DNA initiated from the two PBSs. The results of this assay demonstrated that either the PBS complementary to tRNA Gly or tRNA His could be used for the initiation of reverse transcription. The results of our study highlight the complex interrelationship between U5-PBS and primer tRNA required for positioning the tRNA at the PBS and provides new insights into how the tRNA primer used to initiate reverse transcription is selected.
Interaction of gram‐negative periodontal pathogens with retinoic acid‐induced and dimethyl sulfoxide‐induced HL‐60 cells

As a first step toward elucidating the reasons for differences among periodontal pathogens in their cytotoxic effects on HL-60 cells, we used transmission electron microscopy to examine morphological aspects of granulocyte-bacteria interactions. Unopsonized Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans strain Y4 and Bacteroides gingivalis ATCC 33277 adhered to, and were phagocytosed by, retinoic acid-induced and dimethyl sulfoxide-induced HL-60 cells. In contrast, there was only minimal interaction between Wolinella recta ATCC 33238 and these induced granulocyte-like cells. Only isolated examples of adherence of W. recta to HL-60 cells were seen. In specimens prepared for routine transmission electron microscopy, ingested W. recta were not observed. In immunogold experiments, phagocytosed W. recta were noted, but only rarely. Opsonization of A. actinomycetemcomitans, B. gingivalis and W. recta with specific antisera appeared to increase their level of interaction with the HL-60 cells. We suggest that the HL-60 cell line may be useful in elucidating structure-function relationships between human neutrophil-like cells and putative periodontopathogens.
Use of Raw and Composted Paper Sludge as a Soil Additive or Mulch for Cottonwood Plants

Pulp and paper sludge is a by-product of paper production and may be suitable in agricultural applications as a soil amendment or mulch. The objective of this study was to evaluate raw and composted pulp and paper sludge as soil additives or mulches for cottonwood plants. Primary sludge, a combination of by-products from bleached kraft and neutral sulfite semichemical paper, was mixed with tailings, slaughterhouse paunch, and 10 percent wood ash (by volume), and used raw or composted and cured in the field for 39 weeks. Cuttings of two cottonwood (Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh) clones were planted in a field soil (Quincy loamy fine sand) that was mixed (incorporated) or mulched (placed on top the soil) with raw or composted sludge mixtures at application rates of 0,45,90, 135 and 180 Mg/ha. The plants were grown in a plastic house for nine weeks. Electrical conductivity (EC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), soluble Cl and extractable Na in soil amended with 180 Mg/ha of compost were 37, 22, 197 and 13...
Surface availability of beta-glucans is critical determinant of host immune response to Cladosporium cladosporioides

Background It is well accepted that mold exposure is a major contributor to the development of asthma, and beta-glucans are often used as a surrogate for mold exposure in the environment. Beta-glucans are an important component of mold spores and are recognized by the immune system by their receptor, Dectin-1. Cladosporium cladosporioides spores have a high beta-glucan content, but the beta-glucans are not available on the surface of live spores. Objective We sought to determine whether altering the exposure of beta-glucans in C cladosporioides through heat killing could alter the immune response through binding to Dectin-1. Methods In a murine model of mold-induced asthma, mice were repeatedly exposed to either live or heat-killed C cladosporioides and the phenotype was determined by the measurement of airway hyperresponsiveness, airway inflammation, and cytokine production. Pro-inflammatory cytokines from dendritic cells were measured by using quantitative PCR and ELISA. Results Live C cladosporioides induced robust airway hyperresponsiveness, eosinophilia, and a predominately T H 2 response, while heat-killed C cladosporioides induced a strong T H 17 response and neutrophilic inflammation, but very mild airway hyperresponsiveness. Heat killing of C cladosporioides spores effectively exposed beta-glucans on the surface of the spores and increased binding to Dectin-1. In the absence of Dectin-1, heat-killed spores induced a predominantly T H 2 response analogous to live spores. Furthermore, the production of T H 17-skewing IL-6, IL-23, and TNF-α by dendritic cells in response to heat-killed C cladosporioides was dependent on Dectin-1. Conclusions The host immune response to C cladosporioides is dependent on the surface availability of beta-glucans rather than the total beta-glucan content.
Skeletal Muscle Architecture: Implications for Muscle Function and Surgical Tendon Transfer

Skeletal muscles have mechanical properties that are well-described by the length-tension relationship (for isometric contractions) and the force-velocity relationship (for isotonic contractions). These two intrinsic properties are scaled for a given muscle based on its architectural properties. Muscle active force-generating range is determined by muscle fiber length, while maximum muscle force is determined by physiologic cross-sectional area. These and other architectural properties should be matched between muscles when planning surgical tendon transfers in order to closely match donor and recipient muscles. Finally, the fiber length/moment arm ratio of a muscle-joint combination must be considered when describing strength because strength is a manifestation of both muscle and joint properties and not either alone. Unfortunately, detailed description of normal musculoskeletal design or optimal transfer strategy cannot be made until more basic science studies of the musculoskeletal system are conducted.
Who are the users of mobile coupons? A profile of US consumers

Purpose – Mobile coupons are a new form of marketing that is expected to grow in the near future. The purpose of this paper is to understand mobile coupon adoptions among US consumers. The study identifies adopter categories based on personal innovativeness and further investigates the characteristics that distinguish identified adopter categories.Design/methodology/approach – Based on innovation diffusion theory and technology acceptance model, consumers are clustered to adopter categories. The distinctiveness of adopter categories in terms of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude, behavioral intention, and actual use of mobile coupons were investigated. Determinants of adoption decision were compared among adopter categories. A cluster analysis, Kruskal‐Wallis tests, and regression analyses were performed.Findings – An online survey of 611 US consumers confirmed the viability of consumer adopter categories. Perceived usefulness, attitudes and behavioral intentions were significantly diff...
ON BARTKO'S INTRACLASS CORRELATIONS OF INTERRATER RELIABILITY

Summury.-Barcko's justification for rejecting Winer's "anchor point method" of intraclass correlation is reviewed. The issues of rater variance and the average intercorrelation were examined in terms of Winer's method and Bartko's two alternative formulations. There were three major conclusions: (1) Bartko's arguments regarding additive bias were statistically sound, however, they are virtually meaningless in the application of the intraclass correlation in an experimental or practical context; (2) Bartko's intradass correlation for the one-way model of analysis of variance is appropriate when it is desirable to include the rater variance term; (3) Winer's intraclass correlation for the two-way model of analysis of variance is appropriate when it is desirable to exclude rater variance. Bartko (1976, 1978) has recommendd two intraclass correlations for estimating the reliability of a single rating (Bartko, 1966) as substitutes for the "anchor point" approach presented by Winer (1971, pp. 289-296). Winer's intraclass correlation also happens to be the correlation most frequently cited in the psychometric literature (Ebel, 1951; Guilford, 1954; Maxwell & Pilliner, 1968; Wiggins, 1973). The three different correlations and their salient characteristics are displayed in Table 1. Bartko strongly advises against using ICC(2) primarily on the grounds that it is insensitive to additive bias. He indicates ". . . with Winer's approach, any adjustment of original rating data that leaves the raters' variance-covariance matrix unaltered will produce the same intraclass correlation coefficient, and thus numerous variations (of which additive bias is a subset) of the original data set can and will yield the same intraclass correlation" (p. 762). This paper examines the justification for that charge, the related issue of inclusion versus exclusion of rater variance, and the validity and utility of the two proposed alternative formulations. ADDITIVE BIAS Since the estimated ICC(2) from the variance of the means of persons is the ratio of the mean covariance among raters to the mean of the rater variances, any condition where the rater variances are equal, i.e., equal means, equal variances and unequal means, equal variances, reduces the intraclass correlation to the Pearson product-moment correlation. This is only possible when k = 2. Bartko's data sets la (identical ratings) and Ib (additive bias) illus
Synthetic, Structural, and Electrochemical Studies of Edge-Bridged Open Ferrocenes

The syntheses of the new compounds Fe(3-Me3Si-6,6-dmch)2, 2, and Fe[3-(i-Pr)3Si-6,6-dmch]2, 3, are reported, along with X-ray structural studies of these species, and of the previously reported Fe(1,3,5,6-temch)2 (dmch = dimethylcyclohexadienyl; temch = tetramethylcyclohexadienyl). Each species crystallized in something close to the expected gauche-eclipsed conformation. In accord with previous work on Fe(6,6-dmch)2, but in contrast to results for open ferrocenes such as Fe(2,4-C7H11)2 (C7H11 = dimethylpentadienyl), the three species under study undergo reversible one-electron oxidations at room temperature to stable 17-electron cations, with potentials for oxidation being more favorable than that for ferrocene by 0.51–0.78 V. The edge-bridged open ferrocenes also react in a 1:1 ratio with TCNE (TCNE = tetracyanoethylene), yielding salts that were shown spectroscopically to contain the expected cationic 17-electron metal complexes and the TCNE radical anion.
On the Generation of Exact Solutions using the Method of Nearby Problems

The Method of Nearby Problems is employed to generate exact solutions to equations 'nearby' the steady and unsteady Burgers equation. Burgers equation is chosen because of the existence of exact solutions, and these exact solutions are discussed. Legendre polynomials are used to derive the exact solutions to the nearby problems, and the application of Legendre polynomials for both 1D and 2D problems is also discussed. Results are presented for the steady-state Burgers equation corresponding to a viscous shock wave for Reynolds numbers of 8, 16, and 512. The low Reynolds number cases are well approximated by 10th order Legendre polynomial fits, while the high Reynolds number case is not. The unsteady Burgers equation corresponding to coalescence of two viscous shock waves at a Reynolds number of 8 is also examined. Preliminary results indicate that further investigation is required to accurately capture this 2D solution.
Cost effectiveness of interferon α2b combined with ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C

Treatment of chronic hepatitis C with Interferon (IFN) α2b monotherapy results in 10% to 15% sustained virological response (SVR). Combining IFN with ribavirin increases this response. In this analysis, using the Markov model, 6 treatment strategies for chronic hepatitis C (previously untreated) were compared on the basis of incremental cost per additional quality-adjusted life years ($/QALY). Our results showed that the no treatment strategy was associated with a cost of $38,747 and 13.10 QALYs. The strategy using IFN alone for 48 weeks was associated with a cost of $35,642 and 14.05 QALYs. The strategy using IFN monotherapy followed by combination therapy for nonresponders and relapsers was associated with a cost of $34,561 and 15.53 QALYs. A similar strategy, but limiting combination to relapsers only, was associated with a cost of $34,758 and 14.40 QALYs. The strategy using IFN with ribavirin as the initial therapy for all patients was associated with a cost of $34,792 and 15.31 QALYs. Finally, the strategy using viral genotyping first and then adjusting the duration of combination therapy based on genotype was associated with a cost of $37,263 and 15.89 QALYs. The strategy using genotyping to guide duration of combination therapy was the most cost-effective approach with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $7,500 per QALY. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these results. We conclude that combination of IFN and ribavirin with duration of therapy based on the viral genotype, is a cost-effective approach in treating patients with chronic hepatitis C.
You want them to remember? Then make it memorable! Means for enhancing operations research education

Abstract In this article I summarize the main points I made in the keynote presentation of the same title I gave at the EURO XXIV conference in Lisbon, Portugal in July of 2010. Each of these points deals in some way with making communications between an operations research professional (academic or practitioner) and a student, client, subordinate, supervisor, or colleague more effective. Furthermore, each point is directly related to some realization (or epiphany) that I have had with regard to communication since I began teaching ORMS in 1984. It is noteworthy that these communications share a common objective; we are trying to facilitate learning. Since I have spent most of my career in academia, my primary emphasis is on communication with students (particularly those enrolled in introductory ORMS courses). However, I have also spent a great deal of time working on operations research problems outside of academia, either as an employee in private industry or as an operations research consultant to corporations and not-for-profit organizations, and I hope as a consequence my discussion is also relevant to those working in the practice of ORMS.
Recognizing and Utilizing Expertise in Work Groups: A Status Characteristics Perspective:

This paper develops and tests a theory of expertise recognition and utilization in groups that focuses on the critical role of members' status cues as indicators of task expertise. The theory draws...
Surviving “Risk Factor Frenzy”: The Perils of Incorrectly Applying Epidemiological Research in Health Education and Promotion

In health education and promotion, “risk factors” for disease gathered from epidemiological research form the basis from which the majority of recommendations to individuals for lifestyle change are made. Unfortunately, many health practitioners are unaware that this type of research was never intended to be applied to individuals. The result is ongoing public confusion and anxiety concerning health recommendations and a loss of credibility for health professionals. This article: 1) briefly reviews the most commonly encountered limitations inherent in epidemiological research; 2) explores the problems and potential negative consequences of incorrectly applying epidemiological research in health education and promotion; and 3) makes recommendations to help health practitioners more skillfully interpret and incorporate into their work findings from epidemiological research.
Araiosamines A-D: tris-bromoindole cyclic guanidine alkaloids from the marine sponge Clathria (Thalysias) araiosa.

Four new tris-bromoindole cyclic guanidine alkaloids, araiosamines A−D, were isolated from the methanol extract of a marine sponge, Clathria (Thalysias) araiosa, collected from Vanuatu. Their carbon skeletons delineate a new class of indole alkaloids apparently derived from a linear polymerization process involving a carbon−carbon bond formation. Comparison of the structures including the relative configurations suggests a common intermediate containing a dihydroaminopyrimidine moiety capable of undergoing various modalities of conjugate addition to yield unprecedented ring systems.
ACCUMULATION OF SILICON IN CYNODON DACTYLON X C. TRANSVAALENSIS AND POA TRIVIALIS USED AS AN OVERSEED GRASS

Calcium silicate has been used to supply silicon (Si) as a plant nutrient for enhancing crop production and the suppression of turf diseases. Research was initiated to determine the effect of calcium silicate on silicon uptake, turf quality, and its residual activity in providing plant available Si in two turfgrass systems. During 2005 and 2006, calcium silicate (CaSi, 12% Si) was applied as a topdressing at eight rates ranging from 0 to 342 kg m−2 to a ‘Tifdwarf’ (Cynodon dactylon × C. transvaalensis Burtt Davy) green in the spring and to the same plots overseeded with ‘Wintergreen’ rough bluegrass (Poa trivialis L.) in the fall. At initiation of the study, dolomitic limestone and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) was applied to equilibrate calcium across all treatments based on the highest rate of CaSi. Every 28 days, treatments were rated for turf quality and then harvested to determine Si accumulation. One month after applying CaSi in 2005, Si concentration in the leaf tissue of Tifdwarf had increased linearl...
Photo-induced surface transformations of silica nanocomposites

The photo-induced, physicochemical surface transformations to silica nanoparticle (SiNP) - epoxy composites have been investigated. The silica nanocomposites (SiNCs) were prepared using a two-part epoxy system with a 10% mass fraction of SiNPs and exposed to varying doses of high intensity, ultraviolet (UV) radiation at wavelengths representative of the solar spectrum at sea level (290 nm to 400 nm) under constant temperature and humidity. Visibly apparent physical modifications to the SiNC surface were imaged with scanning electron microscopy. Surface pitting and cracking became more apparent with increased UV exposure. Elemental and surface chemical characterization of the SiNCs was accomplished through X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, while attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed changes to the epoxy's structure. During short UV exposures, there was an increase in the epoxy's overall oxidation, which was accompanied by a slight rise in the silicon and oxygen components and a decrease in overall carbon content. The initial carbon components (e.g. aliphatic, aromatic and alcohol/ether functionalities) decreased and more highly oxidized functional groups increased until sufficiently long exposures at which point the surface composition became nearly constant. At long exposure times, the SiNC's silicon concentration increased to form a surface layer composed of approximately 75% silica (by mass). Published 2012. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Whites' Opposition to “Busing”: Self-interest or Symbolic Politics?*

This article contrasts the “self-interest” and “symbolic politics” explanations for the formation of mass policy preferences and voting behavior. Self-interested attitudes are defined as those supporting policies that would maximize benefits and minimize costs to the individual's private material well-being. The “symbolic politics” model emphasizes pressures to make adulthood attitudes consistent with the residues of preadult socialization. We compare the two models in terms of their ability to account for whites' opposition to busing school children for racial integration of the public schools, and the role of the busing issue in presidential voting decisions, using the 1972 Center for Political Studies election study. Regression analysis shows strong effects of symbolic attitudes (racial intolerance and political conservatism) on opposition to busing, and of the busing issue on presidential voting decisions. Self-interest (e.g., having children susceptible to busing) had no significant effect upon either. It is concluded that self-interest is often overestimated as a determinant of public opinion and voting behavior because it is too rarely directly assessed empirically.
Theoretical foundations of the Study of Latino (SOL) Youth: implications for obesity and cardiometabolic risk.

Abstract Purpose This article describes the conceptual model developed for the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latino Youth, a multisite epidemiologic study of obesity and cardiometabolic risk among U.S. Hispanic/Latino children. Methods Public health, psychology, and sociology research were examined for relevant theories and paradigms. This research, in turn, led us to consider several study design features to best represent both risk and protective factors from multiple levels of influence, as well as the identification of culturally relevant scales to capture identified constructs. Results The Socio-Ecological Framework, Social Cognitive Theory, family systems theory, and acculturation research informed the specification of our conceptual model. Data are being collected from both children and parents in the household to examine the bidirectional influence of children and their parents, including the potential contribution of intergenerational differences in acculturation as a risk factor. Children and parents are reporting on individual, interpersonal, and perceived organizational and community influences on children's risk for obesity consistent with Socio-Ecological Framework. Conclusions Much research has been conducted on obesity, yet conceptual models examining risk and protective factors lack specificity in several areas. Study of Latino Youth is designed to fill a gap in this research and inform future efforts.
Brushed-Off Testimony

In line with years of tradition, soldiers young and old come together at the local pub or hall to swap war stories of time in the trenches. For the forensic clinician, the trenches represent the hard-fought battles during expert testimony. As it turns out, our pub was a social gathering at the 2012
EMBEDDINGS OF ℓp INTO NON-COMMUTATIVE SPACES

Let be a semi-finite von Neumann algebra equipped with a faithful normal trace . We prove a Kadec-Peczy´ nski type dichotomy principle for subspaces of symmetric space of measurable operators of Rademacher type 2. We study subspace structures of non-commutative Lorentz spaces L p;q. ;/, extending some results of Carothers and Dilworth to the non-commutative settings. In particular, we show that, under natural conditions on indices, ' p cannot be embedded into L p;q. ;/. As applications, we prove that for 0 < p < 1 with p 6D 2,' p cannot be strongly embedded into L p. ;/. This provides a non-commutative extension of a result of Kalton for 0 < p < 1 and a result of Rosenthal for 1 p < 2 on L pT0; 1U.
Cognitive screening for dementia and mild cognitive impairment in assisted living: comparison of 3 tests.

Objective Compare diagnostic characteristics of brief cognitive screening tests in residential care/assisted living (RC/AL) residents. Design Cross-sectional study involving a comprehensive clinical examination to ascertain a consensus diagnosis of probable dementia, no significant cognitive impairment, or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), including both amnestic and non-amnestic subtypes. Setting Fourteen RC/AL facilities in North Carolina. Participants Participants were 146 RC/AL residents, aged 65 years or older, who did not have diagnosed cognitive impairment. Measurements Diagnostic characteristics of the Mini-Cog, the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE), and a new 50-point test based on expanding selected MMSE items (MMX). Results Overall, 55/146 (38%) participants were diagnosed with probable dementia, and 76 (52%) met criteria for MCI (most non-amnestic). Both the Mini-Cog and the MMSE showed high sensitivity and negative predictive value for dementia, but had relatively low sensitivity and negative predictive value for MCI. The Mini-Cog had low specificity and was less accurate as a dementia screen than either the MMSE or MMX. Reliability and validity data for the MMX were satisfactory, and it performed better as a screening test for MCI than either the MMSE or Mini-Cog. Conclusion Although the MMSE and Mini-Cog are both sensitive to dementia, modest specificity and positive predictive value may limit their utility as screening tools. Preliminary MMX data suggest it improves screening for MCI compared to the Mini-Cog or MMSE, while providing a similar level of screening for dementia. Further work is needed to identify suitable instruments for cognitive screening across the range of MCI and dementia.
Vinylation with Inexpensive Silicon‐Based Reagents: Preparation of 3‐Vinylquinoline and 4‐Vinylbenzophenone

4-Vinylbenzophenone 3-Vinylquinoline 1.3.5.7-Tetramethyl-1,3,5,7-tetravinylcyclotetrasiloxane Palladium tris(dibenzylideneacetone) 2-(Di-tert-butylphosphino)biphenyl Keywords: vinylation; silicon-based reagents; vinylquinoline; vinylbenzophenone; aryl halides; palladium catalyst; triphenylphosphine oxides; aryl bromides; waste disposal
Use of an axial pattern flap and nictitans to reconstruct medial eyelids and canthus in a dog

A 10-year-old male neutered Boxer presented with recurrence of a mast cell tumor at the right medial canthal area. Following excision including 2 cm margins, the medial one-half of the upper and lower eyelids and the medial canthus were reconstructed using an axial pattern flap based on the cutaneous branch of the superficial temporal artery. The bulbar conjunctiva of the nictitans was preserved and sutured to the medial flap edge, thus creating a conjunctival lining to the deep aspect of the flap, protecting corneal epithelium. This is a valuable surgical technique for closing a large skin defect and reconstructing the medial eyelids, thus preserving the globe.
Regulation of a Purkinje cell‐specific promoter by homeodomain proteins: Repression by Engrailed‐2 vs. synergistic activation by Hoxa5 and Hoxb7

natal period into adult stages in cerebellar Purkinje ABSTRACT: We have previously demonstrated cells. These Hox proteins are shown to synergistically that a short sequence element (L7ATE) within the activate the L7 promoter by cotransfection assay in proximal promoter of a Purkinje cell-specific gene, pcp-2( L7), is required for the normal pattern of ex- vitro . In contrast, another homeodomain protein that pression of the gene in the cerebellum of transgenic is normally expressed in Purkinje cells only during mice. The presence of a series of TAAT sequence mo- the embryonic period, En-2, has a negative effect on tifs in this element suggested its interaction with ho- L7 gene expression. These data suggest a biphasic, meodomain proteins. To extend these observations, combinatorial control mechanism for the Purkinje degenerate oligonucleotides were used to clone by re- cell-specific expression of thepcp-2 ( L7 ) gene. q 1998 verse-trascriptase polymerase chain reaction mem- John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Neurobiol 36:559 - 571, 1998
Residual emotional arousal as a distractor in persuasion.

Summary To test the effect of emotional arousal produced prior to exposure to a persuasive message on the impact of this message, subjects were exposed to a persuasive communication immediately after seeing one of four film stimuli selected and pretested to effect a factorial variation in (a) excitatory potential (low, high) and (b) hedonic tone (positive, negative). The subject's residual emotional response to the high-excitation films served as distraction from the subsequent message; the low-excitation films served as non-distracting controls. Different effects on persuasion were predicted from three distinct rationales, based on (a) the distractor's interference with counterarguing, (b) the distractor's interference with the learning of the message, and (c) generalization of the affective reaction produced by the distractor. Counter to all predictions, no significant effects of distraction were manifest. An unpredicted effect of hedonic tone was obtained, however; acceptance of the speaker's persuasiv...
Instabilities in two-photon lasers

ABSTRACT The two-photon laser represents an entirely new class of quantum optical oscillator that promisesto display a wealth of new and exciting nonlinear behavior. For example, the prediction that the turn-on behavior of the laser is indicative of a first-order phase transition was verified in recent studies ofthe first continuous-wave two-photon laser. In addition, it was found experimentally that the fieldgenerated by the laser displayed dynamical instabilities under some conditions. We briefly reviewthe properties of two-photon lasers that are pertinent to its dynamical characteristics and show thatmany of the interesting properties can be understood from a simple rate-equation model. Also, wedescribe our efforts at Duke to address the origin of instabilities in two-photon lasers.2. INTRODUCTION Researchers have been intrigued by two-photon lasers1 for the past three decades because it is oneof the most nonlinear atom - cavity systems. It derives its unusual properties from the two-photonstimulated emission process whereby two incident photons stimulate an inverted atom to a lowerenergy state (with the same parity as the initial state) and four photons are scattered coherently bythe atom. The frequencies of the incident photons, while they need not be equal, must sum to the two-
Biodegradability of conventional and bio-based plastics and natural fiber composites during composting, anaerobic digestion and long-term soil incubation.

Abstract Plastics are a major constituent of municipal solid waste that pose a growing disposal and environmental pollution problem due to their recalcitrant nature. To reduce their environmental impacts and allow them to be transformed during organic waste recycling processes, various materials have recently been introduced to improve the biodegradability of plastics. These include conventional plastics amended with additives that are meant to enhance their biodegradability, bio-based plastics and natural fiber composites. In this study, the rate and extent of mineralization of a wide range of commercially available plastic alternative materials were determined during composting, anaerobic digestion and soil incubation. The biodegradability was assessed by measuring the amount of carbon mineralized from these materials during incubation under conditions that simulate these three environments and by examination of the materials by scanning electron micrography (SEM). The results showed that during a 660 day soil incubation, substantial mineralization was observed for polyhydroxyalkanoate plastics, starch-based plastics and for materials made from compost. However, only a polyhydroxyalkanoate-based plastic biodegraded at a rate similar to the positive control (cellulose). No significant degradation was observed for polyethylene or polypropylene plastics or the same plastics amended with commercial additives meant to confer biodegradability. During anaerobic digestion for 50 days, 20–25% of the bio-based materials but less than 2% of the additive containing plastics were converted to biogas (CH 4 + CO 2 ). After 115 days of composting, 0.6% of an additive amended polypropylene, 50% of a plastarch material and 12% of a soy wax permeated paper pulp was converted to carbon dioxide. SEM analysis showed substantial disintegration of polyhydroxyalkanoate-based plastic, some surface changes for other bio-based plastics and coconut coir materials but no evidence of degradation of polypropylene or polypropylene containing additives. Although certain bio-based plastics and natural fibers biodegraded to an appreciable extent in the three environments, only a polyhydroxyalkanoate-based resin biodegraded to significant extents during the time scale of composting and anaerobic digestion processes used for solid waste management.
Relationship between respiratory mortality and self-perceptions of aging

Although there is growing evidence that psychological factors affect an individual's susceptibility to respiratory illnesses, psychological predictors of respiratory mortality have received little attention. This study investigated whether an age-specific psychological factor, older individuals’ beliefs about their own aging, predicted the likelihood of their dying from respiratory causes (ICD-9: 460–519). The sample was composed of 620 individuals, aged 50–87 years at baseline, who participated in a longitudinal study with six waves. Our research found that individuals with higher baseline positive self-perceptions of aging were significantly less likely to die of respiratory causes over the next 23 years, after controlling for age, functional health, gender, loneliness, marital status, self-rated health, and socioeconomic status (hazard ratio = 0.695; p < 0.005). This is the first study to link individual beliefs about aging to cause-specific mortality. Future research is warranted to further elucidate ...
COMMITTEES AND THE BUDGET PROCESS: HOW REPRESENTATIVE ARE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGETING COMMITTEES?

Congressional committees that concern themselves with budgetary matters have the potential to be extremely powerful in the making of American public policy. Given this, my work is an attempt to determine if the Appropriations, Ways and Means/Finance, and Budget Committees are representative of the House and Senate as a whole. If these budgeting committees are a biased subset of Congress, this unrepresentativeness could be an important determining factor in deciding the winners and losers in budget decisions. My analysis, however, shows that these committees are indeed representative of the entire Congress. Those members of Congress who serve on budgeting committees differ little from those who serve on other congressional committees.
Twenty‐first century mycology: a diverse, collaborative, and highly relevant science

MSA 2014: Peter Kennedy & Jason Stajich Introduction In June 2014, over 250 researchers from a variety of national and international locations attended the annual meeting of the Mycological Society of America, which was held on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI, USA. Talks, posters, and symposiums covered an impressive breadth of fungal biology organized around four main research themes: cell biology/physiology, ecology/pathology, genetics/molecular biology, and systematics. The taxonomic diversity of the fungal kingdom was highlighted throughout the meeting, with presentations covering all of the major fungal lineages. While the core of the talks was on the fungi themselves, many emphasized interactions with other species, including a wide range of plants, animals, and bacteria. It was also clear that mycologists have quickly adopted the latest “–omics” and next generation sequencing methodologies to ask cutting edge questions about topics such as infectious disease, climate change, and bioremediation. At the same time, in the era where almost anyone can generate a fungal sequence, strong organism-based knowledge has become even more important (Peay 2014). Fortunately, this was on consistent display throughout the meeting and the Mycological Society of America has long been a welcoming community to researchers from all disciplinary backgrounds. Below we summarize a handful of the many meeting highlights.
Technology-Facilitated Contribution Behavior: An Experimental Investigation

ABSTRACT: Contribution behavior is described as voluntarily providing assistance or sharing knowledge when a colleague makes a request for assistance (Olivera, Goodman, and Tan 2008). The purpose of this paper is to investigate factors that lead to contribution behavior through collaboration technology. We engaged 183 participants over a collaboration platform to work on an accounting task and interrupted them with a request for help on a similar task. The participants could respond to the request using communication tools embedded in the collaboration application if they wanted to help. Post-experimental survey data were collected to measure the participants' motivations to contribute and analyze the quality of their contributions. The results indicate that participants are more motivated to contribute when they know the individual requesting assistance and have positive prior experience with the individual. Furthermore, having a higher level of domain knowledge in the area of the request and specificity...