cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Learning Networks and Connective Knowledge

The purpose of this paper is to outline some of the thinking behind new e-learning technology, including e-portfolios and personal learning environments. Part of this thinking is centered around the theory of connectivism, which asserts that knowledge and therefore the learning of knowledge is distributive, that is, not located in any given place (and therefore not 'transferred' or 'transacted' per se) but rather consists of the network of connections formed from experience and interactions with a knowing community. And another part of this thinking is centered around the new, and the newly empowered, learner, the member of the net generation, who is thinking and interacting in new ways. These trends combine to form what is sometimes called 'e-learning 2.0' an approach to learning that is based on conversation and interaction, on sharing, creation and participation, on learning not as a separate activity, but rather, as embedded in meaningful activities such as games or workflows.
ROLE OF LYSOSOMES IN CELLULAR LYTIC PROCESSES. I. EFFECT OF CARBON STARVATION IN EUGLENA GRACILIS.

Abstract The fine structure and the ultrastructural localization of acid phosphatase have been investigated in normally grown and in carbon-starved Euglena gracilis of a streptomycin-bleached strain. During starvation, portions of the cytoplasm, including mitochondria, become encapsulated within membrane-bound cavities comparable to cytolysomes and autophagic vacuoles described in mammalian cells. Progressive degradation of the encapsulated material may represent a mechanism for providing the cell with breakdown products for utilization in continued maintenance of basic metabolic processes. Strong evidence is presented on the participation of the Golgi apparatus both in the formation of the cytolysomes and as the source of the acid phosphatase found within these bodies.
Is There an Association Between Hemangioma and Syndromes With Dysmorphic Features

Most vascular birthmarks can be categorized, based on clinical and cellular criteria, as either (1) a hemangioma, or (2) a malformation, or (3) a macular stain. Macular stains are commonly seen in newborns, and they consist of faint vascular stains of the glabella, eyelids, and nuchal region called "nevus flammeus," "stork bite," "salmon patch," etc. Unfortunately, the term "hemangioma" is frequently applied to all three types of cutaneous vascular lesions. Usually, these disparate vascular anomalies are listed in association with various malformative syndromes and are generically labeled "hemangioma." This study attempts to define accurately the specific vascular anomalies seen in children born with syndromes with dysmorphic features. This review of five standard textbooks of genetics showed that the majority of vascular anomalies reported in syndromic newborns are not hemangiomas. Rather, they are macular stains, and the vast majority of these fade with time. Congenital telangiectasias and other vascular malformations (capillary, lymphatic, venous, arterial, and combinations thereof) also occur in association with dysmorphic syndromes. In contrast, hemangioma, the most common neonatal tumor, is seen only incidentally with rare dysmorphic conditions. Specifically, hemangioma was found to occur only in association with midline (sternal, abdominal) clefting, right-sided aortic arch coarctation, and with a constellation of sacral and genitourinary defects.
Tissue activation studies with alpha-particle beams

The positron-emitting activation of tissue by α-particle beams has been studied, using the annihilation γ-ray coincidence detection technique, and the Anger positron camera. The decay spectrum in tissue following irradiation by 53 Mev α-particles from the Berkeley 88-inch cyclotron has been measured, as well as a visualization of the activation pattern resulting from a 910 Mev α-particle beam stopping in a tissue-like plastic phantom, at the Berkeley 184-inch synchrocyclotron. Also studied were the activation patterns resulting from transmission of 910 MeV α-beams through a wax head phantom, and the activation pattern in patients' heads resulting from one sitting for the pituitary ablation therapy technique. With slight improvements in resolution and sensitivity, an `on-line' positron camera technique could be useful for alignment of the end of the beam track in Bragg- peak therapy with heavy charged particles. There are other novel applications which might be possible, using tissue activation techniques.
Determination of mutational spectrum of the pesticide, captan, with an improved set of Escherichia coli LacZ mutants

The mutational spectrum of the fungicide, captan, was determined using a set of improved Escherichia coli lacZ mutants. Captan created mutations mostly at dA-dT sites (83%) with only 17% occurring at dG-dC sites. The hydrolysis products of captan do not appear to be mutagenic because samples of captan at different hydrolysis stages showed basically the same mutational spectra: 31% at AT --> CG transversions, 8% of GC --> AT transitions, 2% of GC --> CG transversions, 8% of GC --> TA transversions, 19% of AT --> TA transversions, and 32% of AT --> GC transitions. Prepared solutions of captan lost their mutational activity gradually over time, indicating that the rate of decrease in mutagenicity agreed with the kinetics of captan hydrolysis reported in other studies. Using the change in mutagenicity to predict degradation, the hydrolysis of captan in pH 7.0 buffer was about three times faster than the hydrolysis carried out in pH 4.5 buffer. To our knowledge, this is the first presentation of mutational spectrum of captan.
Course Evaluation and Assessment: Examples of a Learner-Centered Approach

Teaching in higher education increasingly requires greater accountability, the utilization of contemporary learner-focused teaching models, and transparent grading methods for nonstandardized learning products. This article describes learner-centered evaluation and assessment strategies and illustrates how these approaches emphasize learners' responsibility for their own learning, foster students' commitment to learning and provide useful information for continuous curriculum improvement. In addition, the article discusses the components of learner-centered assessment models including the course assessment and enhancement model, the Personal Action Plan, and the Gedanken Experiment. Further, a rubric is presented as a tool for systematic and transparent grading of learner-centered assessment products. The need for further validation of these strategies is being discussed.
In situ transmission electron microscopy studies enabled by microelectromechanical system technology

We have designed and fabricated a standardized specimen holder that allows the operation of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device inside a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The details of the design and fabrication processes of the holder are presented. The sample loading mechanism is simple and allows reliable electrical contact to eight signal lines on the device. Using a MEMS-based, nanojoule calorimeter, we performed rapid-heating experiments on Bi nanoparticles to demonstrate the functionality of the holder. We show that the heat capacity can be measured simultaneously with TEM observations. The size-dependent melting of Bi nanoparticles was observed simultaneously by nanocalorimetry and selected area diffraction measurements. We believe this approach will open up new experimental pathways to researchers, combining the speed and resolution of transmission electron microscopy with the flexibility, precision, and compactness of MEMS-based sensors and actuators.
923-1 Inhibition of Neutrophil Function by Lidocaine as a Mechanism for the Beneficial Effect to Reduce Myocardial Reperfusion Injury

We have recently shown that lidocaine (lido) significantly reduces infarct size in the rabbit model of Myocardial Reperfusion Injury (MRI). In that study rabbits (n = 22) underwent 30 mins of circumflex occlusion and 48 hrs of reperfusion and where randomized in a blinded fashion to receive lido (n = 11, 4 boluses of 10 mg/kg in the first 10 mins of ischemia) or saline (n = 11). Lido reduced infarct size by approximately 50% (p l 0.01) of the area at risk. The present study further examines possible mechanisms for this beneficial effect. We studied the reperfused myocardium of both groups in a blinded fashion for histologic changes including the degree of neutrophil infiltration (PMN). hemorrhage (Hemo) and contraction bands (Band). Associated with the reduction on infarct size, lido inhibited the PMN infiltration and hemorrhage in these hearts. We next examined the effects of lido ex vivo on PMN activation by chemiluminescence in whole blood. A significant reduction in the chemiluminescence response to the chemoattractant FMLP was obtained with rabbit and human blood. Chemiluminescence results expressed as percent inhibition of FMLP response. Mean ± SEM: Download : Download high-res image (51KB) Download : Download full-size image Conclusions (i) The beneficial effect of lido on infarct size was associated with a significant reduction in the accumulation of PMNs in the reperfused rabbit myocardium. (ii) This beneficial effect may occur as a direct inhibitory effect of lido on PMNs. (iii) This effect of lido on infarct size may also occur in man as human cells respond similarly in vitro to equal doses of lidocaine. (iiii) Lidocaine may confound the interpretation of other interventions to reduce infarct size in animals and possibly in man.
The rapid expansion of a turbulent boundary layer in a supersonic flow

Rapid distortion approximations (RDA) may be used to simplify the Reynolds Stress equations under the satisfaction of rapid distortion criteria as suggested by Dussauge and Gaviglio (1987). The evolution of Reynolds stresses along streamlines in a boundary layer may then be calculated. This calculation was made for the distortion of a supersonic flow through a 20° expansion (Figure 1) and the results were compared with experimental observation. The rapid distortion approximations neglect diffusive and dissipative terms while retaining the production and pressure terms. The retained terms are modelled as functions of the Reynolds stress tensor and gradients of the mean flow. Models for the pressure-strain term were based on the work by Lumley (1978) and Shih and Lumley (1985). The experimental measurements revealed a boundary layer downstream of the distortion which was dramatically different from its upstream counterpart. The mean velocity profile did not possess a logarithmic region. The velocity fluctuations decreased while the mass-flux fluctuations remained initially unchanged, and the strong Reynolds analogy showed that the change in the mass-flux fluctuations seems to follow the change in the density fluctuations. Within the limits of the rapid distortion approximations, the Reynolds stress equations made surprisingly accurate predictions of the Reynolds stresses in a compressible boundary layer (Figure 2). The performance of three pressure-strain models was evaluated, and it was found that the calculation was mostly insensitive to the model chosen. The influence of dilatation alone was also investigated, and the results indicate that compressibility has a strong influence on the Reynolds stress.
Relationship between kidney disease and endothelial function in peripheral artery disease.

Objective We have previously shown that peripheral artery disease (PAD) is associated with marked impairment of endothelial function (EF). Given that poor EF is associated with functional status of PAD patients as well as with increased morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing vascular procedures, determination of factors associated with poor EF in a PAD cohort is important. We hypothesized that decreased kidney function is associated with impaired EF in patients with PAD. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of PAD patients presenting to a vascular surgery outpatient clinic at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center including patients enrolled in the OMEGA-PAD I trial (NCT01310270) and the OMEGA-PAD Cohort. Brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation was performed to assess EF. Kidney function was characterized by estimated glomerular filtration rate with the abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula. Linear regression was performed to assess the relationship between EF and kidney function in claudicants. Results Ninety-seven patients with intermittent claudication participated in this study. Mean age was 69 ± 8 years, 97% were male, and 79% were white. Comorbidities included hypertension (91%), dyslipidemia (87%), coronary artery disease (42%), and diabetes mellitus (38%). Mean ankle-brachial index was 0.73 ± 0.14 and mean flow-mediated vasodilation was 7.0% ± 3.8%, indicating impaired EF. Linear regression showed an association between kidney function and EF (by 10 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ; β, 0.12; confidence interval, 0.05-0.20; P = .001). After multivariable regression adjusting for age, race, log tumor necrosis factor α, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes, estimated glomerular filtration rate remained significantly associated with EF ( P = .033). Conclusions In patients with PAD, decreased kidney function is associated with endothelial dysfunction. Further longitudinal studies are needed to better understand the impact of kidney function on PAD progression and the role of endothelial dysfunction in this process.
Input Generation by Young Second Language Learners.

The purpose of the study reported in this article was to determine the effectiveness of various types of communicative acts (e.g., requests for information, calls for attention, intention statements, and so on) for eliciting native-speaker input. The study examined some of the spontaneous communicative acts of a group of young second language learners and their native-speaker interlocutors' responses in three play situations. Results showed that while the response rate to some types of utterances was predictable (e.g., to requests for information), others (e.g., calls for, attention) did not generate the expected feedback. In addition, there was an unexpectedly high response rate to other communicative acts, such as statements of intention. These findings are discussed as evidence of superordinate strategies in child discourse. The implications of such behavior for language learning and teaching are discussed, and classroom applications are suggested.
DELAYED PRODUCTION OF INTERFERON-GAMMA (IFNγ) AND TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR (TNFα) BY MONONUCLEAR CELLS (MC) OF HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS (HSV) INFECTED NEONATES (NB)

The neonate (NB) is susceptible to disseminated HSV. To investigate the role of IFNγ and TNFα, two cytokines potentially important in defense against HSV dissemination, we studied 23 HSV infected (HSV+) NB, 11 uninfected (HSV-) NB and 8 adults (AD) with primary HSV infection. We evaluated MC thymidine uptake (thy) and IFNy production after ConA or HSV stimulation. HSV stimulated thy and IFNγ response increased with time in HSV + NB but much more slowly than the AD response. By 28d all AD, but only 3/12 NB, had SI >3 and IFNγ >10 to HSV. HSV- NB did not respond. ConA stimulated minimal amounts of IFNγ in all NB. Production of activity cytolytic for L-929 cells, which was >80% neutralized by antibody to TNFα, by HSV stimulated NB MC correlated with IFNγ. 6/6 NB with IFNγ >10 and 1/6 NB with IFNγ 10 U/ml. NB concomitantly develop the ability to produce HSV stimulated IFNγ and TNFα. Delayed production of IFNγ and perhaps TNF by HSV+ NB may partly explain the difference in severity of infection compared to the AD.
Generalizations of the time optimal problem and Lyapunov theorem on the range of vector measures

Given an nxr integrable matrix function Y(t), we extend the Lyapunov-Lindenstrauss theorem describing extreme points of the set {@!"0^TY(t)u(t)dt|[email protected]?I} from the Cartesian product I of r Lipschitz classes to the Cartesian product I=H^@w[0,T]:=H^@w^"^1[0,T]x...xH^@w^"^r[0,T] of classes H^@w[0,T] of functions with the modulus of continuity majorized by the given concave modulus of continuity @w. We also explain the intimate relationship between the aforementioned problem and the characterization of extremal functions in the classical time minimization problem of optimal controlT->inf;[email protected]?(t)=A(t)x(t)+B(t)u(t),u(.)@?H^@w[0,T],x(0),u(0)=0,x(T),u(T)=(@[email protected]^,@[email protected]^),for locally integrable nxn- and nxr-matrix valued functions A(t) and B(t), the collection @w=(@w"1,...,@w"r) of concave moduli of continuity, and @[email protected]^@?R^n, @[email protected]^@?R^r. Relying on these results, we solve the classical rendezvous problem of finding the optimal trajectory in the phase space (x,[email protected]?,[email protected]?,...,x^(^r^)), x^(^r^)@?H^@w(R"+), connecting two given points in R^r^+^1. Then, we describe the extreme points of the setS"@w","r","@t","a:={(x(@t),x^'(@t),...,x^(^r^)(@t))|x^(^r^)@?H^@w[0,T]:x^(^i^)(0)=a"i,i=0,...,r}for a=(a"0,...,a"r)@?R^r^+^1, @t>0. This problem is related to the Kolmogorov problem for intermediate derivatives where the triples (x(@t),x^(^m^)(@t),x^(^r^)(@t)) are considered for 0
Unspeakable Silences, When Poetry Ceases to be a Luxury, Black Tulips, My Eggs

Melissa Castillo-Garsow is a Mexican-American writer, journalist, and scholar currently pursuing a PhD in American Studies and African American Studies at Yale University. Her short stories and poetry have been published in various journals including The Acentos Review, La Bloga, Hispanic Culture Review, and Hinchas de Poesia. Her first novel, Pure Bronx, co-written with Fordham Professor Mark Naison, is due for release Oct. 2013 from Augustus Publishing. Melissa completed her Master’s degree in English with a concentration in Creative Writing at Fordham University in 2011. Prior to that she was awarded a Bachelor of Arts from New York University summa cum laude with a double major in Journalism and Latin American Studies. A former employee of NBC News, El Diario/ La Prensa and Launch Radio Networks, Melissa has had articles and reviews published in a wide variety of forums including CNN.com, Latin Beat Magazine, University Wire, El Diario/La Prensa, Women’s Studies, Words. Beats. Life: The Global Journal of Hip-Hop Culture, and The Bilingual Review. Melissa is an active scholar in the fields of English literature, American Studies, African American Studies and Latin American/Latino Studies. At Yale, she focuses on the study of Afro-Latino history and culture in the 20th Century.
Sound velocity measurements on (TMTSF)2PF6

Abstract We have measured the velocity of sound for (TMTSF)2PF6 along the highly conducting b-axis by observing resonances in flexural and elongation modes of single crystals. Upon cooling large changes due to thermal expansion are observed as with TTF-TCNQ. In contrast with magnetic susceptibility measurements, the sound velocity clearly shows the opening of a gap at the metal insulator transition at 12 K. From the change in sound velocity at the transition we estimate the electron-phonon coupling c constant as λ ≈ 0.014 for long wavelength acoustic phonons.
New filter for radar use and its microprocessor realization

A new digital filter is presented for use in radar systems to extract smoothed range and range rate data from noisy range data. The performance of a real-time micro-processor realization of the filter is discussed, and comparisons are provided with fillers that have been previously reported.
Behavioral Externalities in Decentralized Organizations

A number of analytic formulations of resource allocation activities in decentralized organizations have considered the effects of economic or technological externalities but most treatments have neglected concomitant organizational or behavioral effects. This paper introduces the concept of a behavioral externality and relates it to the decision-making process in decentralized organizations. Alternative analytic formulations of behavioral externalities are examined, and a numerical example is presented.
Effect of acetazolamide on intracellular pH and bicarbonate transport in bovine corneal endothelium

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are known to inhibit fluid transport by the corneal endothelium. This phenomenon could be due to a combination of effects involving disruption of intracellular pH regulation, reduced gradients for diffusion of CO2, substrate limitation to HCO3- transport systems or direct inhibition of membrane HCO3- transport. We examined the effects of the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, Acetazolamide (ACTZ), on intracellular pH (pHi) and HCO3- transport in cultured bovine corneal endothelium. The pHi was measured utilizing the pH sensitive fluorescent dye, BCECF. Na+:HCO3- cotransport and Cl-/HCO3- exchange activities were studied by measuring the HCO3(-)-dependent flux of Na+ and Cl-, respectively. Na+ and Cl- fluxes were measured using the ion-sensitive dyes SBFI and SPQ, respectively. Application of 100 or 500 microM ACTZ to cells perfused under HCO3(-)-rich conditions, significantly reduced steady-state pHi by 0.06 +/- 0.01 (n = 14, P < 0.05). ACTZ also eliminated rapid pHi transients due to CO2 diffusion, significantly slowed the initial rate of pHi changes (50 +/- 10% of control, n = 7, P < 0.05) secondary to Na+:HCO3- cotransport or Cl-/HCO3- exchange (37 +/- 1% of control, P < 0.05, n = 7). However, the flux of the cotransported ions, Na+ and Cl-, and the steady-state levels of these ions were not affected by ACTZ. We conclude that the drop in steady-state pHi, the elimination of CO2 induced pHi transients and the slowed pHi changes secondary to HCO3- transport were due to inhibition of cytosolic carbonic anhydrase by ACTZ, i.e. slowing the equilibrium among CO2, HCO3- and H+ and not due to limitation of substrate availability or direct inhibition of the membrane transporters.
Statistical modeling of complex target radar cross-section with the beta probability density function

We analyze the use of the beta distribution for the statistical characterization of the radar cross-section (RCS) of a complex target. Analysis consists of first generalizing a complex target as a set of component scatterers, each with a constant component RCS and a phase characterized by a uniform random variable. From this set of target-based component scatterers, estimates of the moments of the implied probability distribution function (pdf) on the RCS response of the full target are gathered, and used to fit a beta distribution. Two distinct methods of fitting the beta distribution are compared against the results of Monte-Carlo analysis over a variety of component scatterer sets. This comparison leads to estimates of the accuracy of each method of generating moments for the fitting of the beta distribution, and further, leads to the characterization of pathological cases for the use of the beta distribution in modeling complex target RCS. Resulting methods for the modeling of the RCS of a complex target are discussed in the context of model-based SAR ATR applications.
Impacts of Irrigated Vegetable Agriculture on a Humid North-Central U.S. Sand Plain Aquifer

We determined the impacts of irrigated vegetable agriculture on ground water quality in a 29 km2 portion of the Wisconsin central sand plain (WCSP). Vegetable fields cover 22% of the study area and are used for growing potatoes, sweet corn, snap beans, peas, field corn, and soybeans. We found that contaminant plumes from fields underlay about 54% of the area. Plumes were 3 to >16 m thick and in places occupied the entire aquifer thickness. Impacted ground water retained the chemical signature observed under fields, and compared with unimpacted ground water, had elevated NO3-N (median 13.7 mg L−1 impacted vs. 0.5 for unimpacted) and Cl (median 23 vs. 2.0 mg L−1) and 1.4 to 2.5 times the Ca, Mg, K, Na, and SO4. NO3-N detections exceeded 10 mg L−1 in 58% of impacted monitoring wells compared with none of the unimpacted wells. Evidence of denitrification was observed, but rarely. Residues of the pesticides alachlor, atrazine, carbofuran, metolachlor, and metribuzin were detected, but usually at summed concentrations of <1 μg L−1 outside of fields. The maximum observed sum of pesticide residues was 8 μg L−1. Not all potential pesticide residues were detectable by the analytical method. Agricultural impacts limit the aquifer's value as a source of potable water, because wells are unable to tap unimpacted ground water through much of the area. Results of this study are generally applicable to other humid sandy areas in the north-central United States and elsewhere. Impacts might be more severe elsewhere because the agricultural land use is frequently denser and ground water flowpaths are longer.
Generalized optical theorem for scatterers having inversion symmetry: Applications to acoustic backscattering

The far-field acoustic scattering amplitudes for the scattering of plane waves by targets having inversion symmetry obey a generalized optical theorem in the absence of dissipation. The theorem allows a component of the complex scattering amplitude in an arbitrary direction to be expressed in terms of an angular integration involving scattering amplitudes evaluated at different angles. The result reduces to the usual optical theorem in the case of forward scattering. The theorem is applied to the backscattering by a perfectly soft sphere as a numerical example. The relevant integrand is shown to be oscillatory. Some potential applications to inverse problems, multiple scattering, and the verification of numerical algorithms are noted.
CT diagnosis of renal pedicle injury.

The CT findings in 6 renal vascular injuries were reviewed. The most specific observations in traumatic renal arterial thrombosis were nonexcretion, “rim” enhancement, and abrupt termination of an enhanced renal artery. Other signs of a disrupted renal vascular pedicle included central retroperitoneal hematoma associated with limited perinephric hematoma causing lateral displacement of the kidney.
Background-limited membrane-isolated TES bolometers for far-IR/submillimeter direct-detection spectroscopy

Abstract We fabricated and measured the thermal conductance of suspended Si 3 N 4 beams via noise thermometry to determine whether membrane-isolation bolometers are capable of reaching a phonon noise equivalent power (NEP) of 4 × 10 - 20 W / Hz 1 / 2 . This sensitivity is necessary for the Background-Limited Infrared-Submillimeter Spectrograph (BLISS) proposed for the Japanese SPICA observatory, and adequate for NASA's SAFIR observatory, a 10-m, 4 K telescope to be deployed at L2. The dimensions of the longest thermal isolation beams we measured are 3 × 0.5 × 8300 μ m 3 . We also fabricated and measured the electrical properties of superconducting molybdenum/gold transition-edge sensor (TES) bolometers with isolation beams of an identical geometry. The thermal conductance ( G ) values obtained from the noise thermometry and the TES bolometer data when the transition temperature ( T c ) of the thermistor is 60 mK correspond to an NEP of 5 × 10 - 20 W / Hz 1 / 2 , making membrane-isolated TES bolometers a strong candidate for use on BLISS-SPICA and SAFIR.
Origin plasticity during budding yeast DNA replication in vitro

The separation of DNA replication origin licensing and activation in the cell cycle is essential for genome stability across generations in eukaryotic cells. Pre-replicative complexes (pre-RCs) license origins by loading Mcm2-7 complexes in inactive form around DNA. During origin firing in S phase, replisomes assemble around the activated Mcm2-7 DNA helicase. Budding yeast pre-RCs have previously been reconstituted in vitro with purified proteins. Here, we show that reconstituted pre-RCs support replication of plasmid DNA in yeast cell extracts in a reaction that exhibits hallmarks of cellular replication initiation. Plasmid replication in vitro results in the generation of covalently closed circular daughter molecules, indicating that the system recapitulates the initiation, elongation, and termination stages of DNA replication. Unexpectedly, yeast origin DNA is not strictly required for DNA replication in vitro, as heterologous DNA sequences could support replication of plasmid molecules. Our findings support the notion that epigenetic mechanisms are important for determining replication origin sites in budding yeast, highlighting mechanistic principles of replication origin specification that are common among eukaryotes.
The aluminization of platinum and platinum-coated IN-738

The chemistry and morphology of aluminide coatings formed on platinum and platinum-coated IN-738 have been studied. Most of the aluminide coatings evaluated were applied using the pack cementation process. For aluminized platinum a series of intermetallic Pt-Al compounds form. The stoichiometries of these compounds are essentially in agreement with those that would be predicted based upon phase diagram considerations. For aluminized, platinum-coated IN-738, the coating morphology and chemistry are highly dependent upon the thickness of the platinum layer. A relatively thick platinum layer (∼25 microns) confines the initial reaction for the aluminizing conditions used so that refractory metal elements from the substrate are excluded from the outer regions of the coating. Thinner platinum layers only partially confine the reaction and do not exclude the refractory metals from the coating. Microstructures that develop are related to the appropriate phase diagrams.
Activin-like kinase 2 functions in peri-implantation uterine signaling in mice and humans.

Implantation of a blastocyst in the uterus is a multistep process tightly controlled by an intricate regulatory network of interconnected ovarian, uterine, and embryonic factors. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) ligands and receptors are expressed in the uterus of pregnant mice, and BMP2 has been shown to be a key regulator of implantation. In this study, we investigated the roles of the BMP type 1 receptor, activin-like kinase 2 (ALK2), during mouse pregnancy by producing mice carrying a conditional ablation of Alk2 in the uterus (Alk2 cKO mice). In the absence of ALK2, embryos demonstrate delayed invasion into the uterine epithelium and stroma, and upon implantation, stromal cells fail to undergo uterine decidualization, resulting in sterility. Mechanistically, microarray analysis revealed that CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β (Cebpb) expression is suppressed during decidualization in Alk2 cKO females. These findings and the similar phenotypes of Cebpb cKO and Alk2 cKO mice lead to the hypothesis that BMPs act upstream of CEBPB in the stroma to regulate decidualization. To test this hypothesis, we knocked down ALK2 in human uterine stromal cells (hESC) and discovered that ablation of ALK2 alters hESC decidualization and suppresses CEBPB mRNA and protein levels. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis of decidualizing hESC confirmed that BMP signaling proteins, SMAD1/5, directly regulate expression of CEBPB by binding a distinct regulatory sequence in the 3′ UTR of this gene; CEBPB, in turn, regulates the expression of progesterone receptor (PGR). Our work clarifies the conserved mechanisms through which BMPs regulate peri-implantation in rodents and primates and, for the first time, uncovers a linear pathway of BMP signaling through ALK2 to regulate CEBPB and, subsequently, PGR during decidualization.
Sway Students in the Foreign Language Classroom.

A sway student in the foreign language classroom is a student who is not only capable of displaying linguistic knowledge, but also knows when and how to interact appropriately with the teacher. This study examines how six sway students affected the organization of interaction and language development in a traditional high school Spanish class. *The data indicate that the teacher selectively organized interaction around sway students at key points in the development of a lesson as well as when non-sway students made errors. The overall effect of sway students was that they allowed the teacher to progress effectively through the lesson, with the result of increased amounts of comprehensible input for the entire class.
Preservice teachers’ perceived control over negative caregiving outcomes: Implications for early‐childhood teacher preparation

Abstract This study is focused on preservice early‐childhood teachers’ attributions about control and responsibility for negative caregiving outcomes. Prior research has linked low perceived control over failed outcomes with harsh care‐giving behavior. In this sample of 81 preservice teachers in a pre‐kindergarten, Associate‐degree program, bivariate correlations revealed associations between preservice teachers’ perceived control over caregiving outcomes, the parenting styles they experienced during childhood, and the complexity of their reasoning about children's development. When entered into regression analyses, low perceived control over negative caregiving outcomes was predicted by ratings of high parental permissiveness experienced as a child, as well as by categorical, rather than complex, conceptions of development. Implications of findings for university preparation of preservice teachers are discussed. © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Estimation of multiple directional illuminants from a single image

We present a new method for the detection and estimation of multiple directional illuminants, using only one single image of an object with known geometry. It obviates the need to modify the imaged scene by inserting calibration objects of any particular geometry, relying instead on partial knowledge of the geometry of the scene. We first develop our method for the case of a Lambertian sphere with known size, illuminated by a set of directional light sources. A novel and robust way is proposed to segment the surface into regions, with each region illuminated by a different set of sources. Our region-based least-squares method is impervious to noise and missing data, which is crucial to extending the method to arbitrary smooth geometry and to surfaces having both Lambertian and specular properties. We propose a novel methodology that integrates information from shadows and shading in the presence of strong directional sources of illumination, even when significant non-directional sources exist in the scene and the object surface is not Lambertian. We demonstrate experimentally the accuracy of our method, both in detecting the number of light sources and in estimating their directions, by testing on images of a variety of synthetic and real objects.
Stability Limitations for Pt/Sn–In2O3 and Pt/In–SnO2 in Acidic Electrochemical Systems

Abstract Tin-doped indium oxide (Sn–In 2 O 3 ) and indium-doped tin oxide (In–SnO 2 ) were synthesized and investigated as the supports for platinum (Pt) electrocatalysts. The electrochemical stability of the bare and platinized oxide supports was examined from −0.8 to 1.4 V vs. NHE. The Sn–In 2 O 3 surface was generally stable at positive potentials, but experienced severe degradation at negative potentials due to the reduction/oxidation of the surface Sn and In species. In–SnO 2 supports showed significant degradation over the entire potential range, which was caused by the preferential formation of Sn, SnO and In species. Neither Sn–In 2 O 3 nor In–SnO 2 are suitable as supports for hydrogen evolution catalysts. However, it was shown that Sn–In 2 O 3 possessed very good stability at potentials relevant to the oxygen reduction reaction (>0.6 V), which enables its application as a cathode electrocatalyst support for PEM fuel cells.
γ-MnO2 octahedral molecular sieve: Preparation, characterization, and catalytic activity in the atmospheric oxidation of toluene

Abstract A synthesized γ-MnO2 octahedral molecular sieve was characterized and used to catalyze solvent-free atmospheric oxidation of toluene with molecular oxygen. The γ-MnO2 showed excellent catalytic activity and good selectivity under the mild atmospheric reflux system at a low temperature (110 °C). Under optimized conditions, a 47.8% conversion of toluene, along with 57% selectivity of benzoic acid and 15% of benzaldehyde were obtained. The effects of reaction time, amount of catalyst and initiator, and the reusability of the catalyst were investigated.
Precision and accuracy of a transportable dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry unit for bone mineral measurements in guinea pigs.

Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is a valuable tool for measuring bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) in small-animal research. The present study was devised to establish guidelines and to define sites for bone mineral measurements in guinea pigs and to evaluate the accuracy of a new transportable research DXA unit. Repeated scans were performed on 30 guinea pig hindlimbs (in situ) as well as the isolated bones from these limbs (ex situ). Nine exactly specified regions of interest (ROIs) were analyzed twice for BMC and BMD by three different observers. Additionally, the BMC of whole bones and bone segments as measured by DXA was correlated to ash weights of bone in a subset of five animals to determine the accuracy of the DXA measurements. On ex situ scans. intra-observer variability for BM D ranged from 0.09% to 2.33% and inter-observer variability from 0.23% to 5.86% depending on the site studied, with smaller ROIs exhibiting more variability. Coefficients of variance (CV) for BMC measurements were slightly higher than for BMD. However, BMC offered a better correlation between in situ and ex situ values than BMD. On in situ scans, observer variability for BMD and BMC for comparable sites was higher than the ex situ variability. The results of this study indicate that DXA provides an accurate measurement of BMC even in small specimens. The precision of BMC and BMD measurements in situ can be improved considerably by using specific, well-defined ROIs and by careful placement of the bones to be scanned in close proximity to the scanning surface.
Mammalian activity – rest rhythms in Arctic continuous daylight

Abstract Activity – rest (circadian) rhythms were studied in two species of Arctic mammals living in Arctic continuous daylight with all human-induced regular environmental cues (zeitgebers) removed. The two Arctic species (porcupine and ground squirrel) lived outdoors in large enclosures while the Arctic summer sun circled overhead for 82 days. Would local animals maintained under natural continuous daylight demonstrate the Aschoff effect described in previously published laboratory experiments using continuous light, in which rats' circadian activity patterns changed systematically to a longer period, expressing a 26-hour day of activity and rest? The outdoor experiments reported here, however, showed that under natural continuous daylight, both species (porcupine and ground squirrel) had specific times of activity and rest on a nearly 24-hour scale, and their activity peaks did not come later each day. The daily rhythms of the two species were recorded using implanted physiological radio capsules, and ...
Analyzing the product‐mix decision by using a fuzzy hierarchical model

The product‐mix decision has received considerable attention in management accounting and economics literatures. However, many studies in these literatures are contradicting, inconclusive and lack rigorous analysis of this complex decision. They seek to develop weights for the products in the product mix based on one objective, to maximize the firm’s profit ability. But before developing these weights, the studies must first rank these products, Ranking is a complex endeavor since it is often driven by a multitude of hierarchical financial and non‐financial goals and objectives. Ranking is also difficult due to the use of complex concepts such as time, uncertainty, cost and interdependencies between accounting systems and manufacturing systems and among the products of the product mix. These concepts are inherently fuzzy and coextensively applied often with a confluence of variables operating simultaneously. This paper applies an advanced mathematical model to account for the product mix decision. The mod...
The skillful, the loving, and the right: An analysis of ethical theories and an application to the treaty rights debate in Wisconsin

The field of intercultural communication has a general theory of ethics and also particular ethical theories that concern good communication, empathy, and the structure of society. This paper explores the foundations for these particular ethical theories from the fields of communication, moral development and education, and sociology. Also, narration is discussed as one postmodern ethical theory that addresses the concerns of each particular theory and of the general theory. Each model is applied to the treaty rights debate in Wisconsin to show its heuristic value.
The interpretation of prosodic patterns at points of syntactic structure ambiguity: Evidence for cue trading relations☆

Abstract Two experiments explore listener's use of sentence prosody to identify syntactic structure. Beginning portions of synthesized sentences having a direct object-sentence complement ambiguity were assigned duration and pitch patterns more or less typical for a given sentence type. Listeners judged which type of complete sentence an item had been excised from. Experiment 1 shows that prosody, available at an early point in a sentence, influences listeners' judgments. Therefore it is reasonable to propose that listeners use prosodic information to predict eventual sentence syntactic structure during online sentence processing. Experiment 2 closely examines the mechanism by which prosody functions as a cue to syntactic structure. A close fit by the fuzzy propositional model ( G. C. Oden & D. W. Massaro, 1978 , Psychological Review85, No. 3, 172–191) demonstrates that the identification of syntactic structure based on acoustic-prosodic cues is characterized by the same type of cue trading relations that characterize identification of phonemes based on acousticphonetic cues.
Assessment of the role of agricultural wastes in aggregate formation and their stability

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of three agricultural processing wastes (APWs) on aggregate formation and aggregate stability in a sandy loam textured soil (Typic Xerofluvent) in Antalya, Turkey. The effects of APW applications on aggregate formation and aggregate stability were observed for different aggregate size groups (>4; 4-2; 2-1; 1-0.5; 0.5-0.25; 0.25-0.050 and <0.050 mm). Sugar Beet Pulp (SBP), Apple Pomace (AP) and Cotton Gin Waste (CGW) were applied to soil as fresh material (dry weight basis 0, 10, 20 and 40 t ha(-1)), and a greenhouse pot experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design with five replicates of each treatment. The study consisted of two periods. The first period (P1) consisted of a six-month incubation period (1st sample period). The second period (P2) is a six-month period and includes an eight-week green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) growing process (2nd sample period). At the end of the first six months and fourteen months in total, aggregate formation and aggregate stability were determined and their correlation to different C sources was explained. At the end of the experiment, formation of aggregates was increased with increase in the application level of organic wastes in particular intermediate aggregates. Increase in the incubation time significantly enhanced the formation of particular macroaggregates. Soil aggregate stability of all aggregate sizes generally increased with the increasing in the level of implementation. In addition, incubation time effects on aggregate stability for macroaggregates were not significant, but significant for macro and microaggregates.
Survey of Pathogens in Juvenile Salmon Oncorhynchus Spp. Migrating through Pacific Northwest Estuaries

Abstract Although the adverse impact of pathogens on salmon populations in the Pacific Northwest is often discussed and recognized, little is currently known regarding the incidence and corresponding significance of delayed disease-induced mortalities. In the study reported herein, we surveyed the presence and prevalence of selected micro- and macroparasites in out-migrant juvenile coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch and Chinook salmon O. tshawytscha from 12 coastal estuaries in the Pacific Northwest over a 6-year period (1996–2001). The major finding of this study was the widespread occurrence of pathogens in wild salmon from Pacific Northwest estuaries. The six most prevalent pathogens infecting both juvenile Chinook and coho salmon were Renibacterium salmoninarum, Nanophyetus salmincola, an erythrocytic cytoplasmic virus (erythrocytic inclusion body syndrome or erythrocytic necrosis virus), and three gram-negative bacteria (Listonella anguillarum, Yersinia ruckeri, and Aeromonas salmonicida). The most pre...
Incorporating medical interventions into carrier probability estimation for genetic counseling

Mendelian models for predicting who may carry an inherited deleterious mutation of known disease genes based on family history are used in a variety of clinical and research activities. People presenting for genetic counseling are increasingly reporting risk-reducing medical interventions in their family histories because, recently, a slew of prophylactic interventions have become available for certain diseases. For example, oophorectomy reduces risk of breast and ovarian cancers, and is now increasingly being offered to women with family histories of breast and ovarian cancer. Mendelian models should account for medical interventions because interventions modify mutation penetrances and thus affect the carrier probability estimate. We extend Mendelian models to account for medical interventions by accounting for post-intervention disease history through an extra factor that can be estimated from published studies of the effects of interventions. We apply our methods to incorporate oophorectomy into the BRCAPRO model, which predicts a woman's risk of carrying mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 based on her family history of breast and ovarian cancer. This new BRCAPRO is available for clinical use. We show that accounting for interventions undergone by family members can seriously affect the mutation carrier probability estimate, especially if the family member has lived many years post-intervention. We show that interventions have more impact on the carrier probability as the benefits of intervention differ more between carriers and non-carriers. These findings imply that carrier probability estimates that do not account for medical interventions may be seriously misleading and could affect a clinician's recommendation about offering genetic testing. The BayesMendel software, which allows one to implement any Mendelian carrier probability model, has been extended to allow medical interventions, so future Mendelian models can easily account for interventions.
Exploring Organizational Barriers to Diversity A Case Study of the New York State Education Department

This is a case study of diversity initiatives at the New York State Education Department. Analysis of data collected from public and internal reports and semistructured interviews revealed three ty...