cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of freestanding photoresist films for biological and MEMS applications

Photoresists are light-sensitive resins used in a variety of technological applications. In most applications, however, photoresists are generally used as sacrificial layers or a structural layer that remains on the fabrication substrate. Thin layers of patterned 1002F photoresist were fabricated and released to form a freestanding film. Films of thickness in the range of 4.5?250??m were patterned with through-holes to a resolution of 5??m and an aspect ratio of up to 6:1. Photoresist films could be reliably released from the substrate after a 12?h immersion in water. The Young's modulus of a 50??m-thick film was 1.43 ? 0.20 GPa. Use of the films as stencils for patterning sputtered metal onto a surface was demonstrated. These 1002F stencils were used multiple times without deterioration in feature quality. Furthermore, the films provided biocompatible, transparent surfaces of low autofluorescence on which cells could be grown. Culture of cells on a film with an isolated small pore enabled a single cell to be accessed through the underlying channel and loaded with exogenous molecules independently of nearby cells. Thus 1002F photoresist was patterned into thin, flexible, free-standing films that will have numerous applications in the biological and MEMS fields.
Rapid Optical Follow-up Observations of SGR Events with ROTSE-I

In order to observe nearly simultaneous emission from gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), the Robotic Optical Transient Search Experiment (ROTSE) receives triggers via the GRB Coordinates Network (GCN). Since beginning operations in 1998 March, ROTSE has also taken useful data for 10 SGR events: eight from SGR 1900+14 and two from SGR 1806-20. We have searched for new or variable sources in the error regions of these SGRs, and no optical counterparts were observed. Limits are in the range mROTSE ≈ 12.5-15.5 during the period 20 s to 1 hr after the observed SGR events.
Collaborative Experimental and Computational Study of a Dual-Mode Scramjet Combustor

Advanced computational models of hypersonic air-breathing combustion processes are being developed to better understand and predict the complex flows within a dual-mode scramjet combustor. However, the accuracy of these models can only be quantified through comparison to experimental databases. Moreover, the quality of computational results is dependent on accurate and detailed knowledge of the combustor inflow and boundary conditions. Toward these ends, this paper describes results from a collaboration of experimental and computational investigators. Detailed computational fluid dynamics and finite element analyses were performed throughout the design and implementation of experiments involving a direct-connect scramjet combustor operating at steady state during long duration testing. The test section hardware was designed to provide substantial access for optical laser diagnostics. Measurement locations included the inflow plane and several locations downstream of fuel injection. A suite of advanced in-...
Site-directed sulfhydryl labeling of helix IX in the lactose permease of Escherichia coli.

Site-directed sulfhydryl modification of transmembrane helix IX in the lactose permease of Escherichia coli was studied in right-side-out membrane vesicles with the thiol-specific reagents N-[(14)C]ethylmaleimide (NEM) and methanethiosulfonate ethylsulfonate (MTSES) which are permeant and impermeant, respectively. Out of approximately 20 mutants with a single Cys residue at each position in the helix, only five mutants label with NEM. (i) Cys residues at positions 291, 308, and 310 label at 25 degrees C, and binding of substrate has no effect. (ii) Cys residues at positions 295 and 298 label only in the presence of substrate. NEM labeling at 0 degrees C indicates that alkylation of Cys residues at positions 295 and 308 is dependent on the thermal motion of the protein. In contrast, temperature has little effect on labeling of Cys residues at positions 291, 298, and 310. Interestingly, pretreatment with MTSES blocks NEM labeling of all the mutants. The findings demonstrate that the face of helix IX on which Arg302 is located is involved in ligand-induced conformational changes and accessible to water from the periplasmic surface of the membrane. Since Arg302 facilitates deprotonation of Glu325 (helix X) during turnover [Sahin-Toth, M., and Kaback, H. R. (2001) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 98, 6068-6073], the findings are consistent with the idea that this face of helix IX may comprise part of the H(+) translocation pathway.
Processing effects on the flow orientation properties of a magnetic particle suspension

Abstract A new rheomagnetic measurement for studying the orientation of magnetic particles in suspension is presented. The apparatus, constructed on the basis of our previous theoretical development and Gedanken experiment on the magnetic particle suspension, is described in detail. The magnetic particles are rod-like γ-Fe 2 O 3 such as those employed in magnetic recording disk coating formulation. In the apparatus, the magnetic particle suspension flows from a large chamber into a narrow tube which has a coil wound near the entrance. The relationship between the measured coil inductance and the flow rate is established to study the shape of flocs in the suspension. This apparatus is employed to study the dispersion quality of magnetic particle suspension for various conditions: the effects of magnetic particle concentration, surfactant level and milling.
Threefold bonding of tellurium in liquid semiconductor alloys

Abstract Bond orbital considerations show that a third covalent band in tellurium is unstable unless the concentration of threefold bonded (3F) tellurium atoms is smaller than the concentration of dangling bonds. At low hole concentrations, the formation of 3F atoms is inhibited further because of non-linear screening of their positive charge, which results in a large electrostatic energy. Consequently 3F bonding becomes important only in liquids whose electrical conductivity is higher than an estimated value ≈1500 Ω −1 cm −1 .
Phenol sulfotransferase expression in the airways : enzymological and immunohistochemical demonstration

Phenol (aryl) sulfotransferases (PSTs) provide a conjugative pathway that detoxifies hydroxylated aromatic xenobiotics by esterification with sulfate. Both human and bovine airways have been reported to use this pathway, and in this investigation the bovine system is examined. PST activity in tracheal through fourth generation bronchial mucosal cytosols was 0.1–0.35 nmol/mg protein/min. Activity was generally greater in more distal bronchi and in parenchymal extracts, which contained 0.6–3 nmol/mg/min PST activity. Comparison of the PST activities of bronchial and parenchymal cytosols indicated similar pH activity profiles, although steady state kinetic measurements revealed different Km values for the acceptor substrate 2-naphthol (13.7 μM for bronchial, 31.3 μM for parenchymal). Anion exchange chromatography indicated two PST isoforms being expressed in different ratios. Immunoblot analysis with mouse antibovine PST revealed a closely spaced doublet at 32 kDa in both bronchial mucosal and parenchymal cytosolic extracts; however, this doublet was unequally stained in parenchymal extracts. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed faint positive staining of the tracheobronchial epithelium. Greatest immunostaining was observed in the nonciliated secretory epithelial cells of the bronchioles, whereas surrounding smooth muscle, endothelial cells, and alveoli were immunonegative. These results are consistent with the known locations of other detoxification enzymes within the airways.
Merging groups to maximize object partition comparison

The problem of objectively comparing two independently determined partitions ofN objects or variables is discussed. A similarity measure based on the simple matching coefficient is defined and related to previously suggested measures. The problem of merging groups in one partition to maximize this similarity measure is discussed and formulated as a mathematical programming problem; such an approach is useful for determining to what extent the groups in one partition merely represent a finer subdivision of the groups in the other partition. By exploiting the structure of the similarity measure, an efficient algorithm is developed to determine which groups (if any) should be merged to maximize partition similarity.
The elementary divisors of incidence matrices between certain subspaces of a finite symplectic space

Abstract The elementary divisors of the incidence matrices between 1-dimensional subspaces and r-dimensional isotropic subspaces of a finite symplectic space are computed.
Relationship between cavitation and loss of echogenicity from ultrasound contrast agents

Ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) have the potential to nucleate cavitation and promote both beneficial and deleterious bioeffects in vivo. Previous studies have elucidated the pulse-duration-dependent pressure amplitude threshold for rapid loss of echogenicity due to UCA fragmentation. Previous studies have demonstrated that UCA fragmentation was concomitant with inertial cavitation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between stable and inertial cavitation thresholds and loss of echogenicity of UCAs as a function of pulse duration. Determining the relationship between cavitation thresholds and loss of echogenicity of UCAs would enable monitoring of cavitation based upon the onscreen echogenicity in clinical applications. Two lipid-shelled UCAs, echogenic liposomes (ELIP) and Definity?, were insonified by a clinical ultrasound scanner in duplex spectral Doppler mode at four pulse durations (?sample volumes?) in both a static system and a flow system. Cavitation emissions from the UCAs insonified by Doppler pulses were recorded using a passive cavitation detection system and stable and inertial cavitation thresholds ascertained. Loss of echogenicity from ELIP and Definity??was assessed within regions of interest on B-mode images. A numerical model based on UCA rupture predicted the functional form of the loss of echogenicity from ELIP and Definity?. Stable and inertial cavitation thresholds were found to have a weak dependence on pulse duration. Stable cavitation thresholds were lower than inertial cavitation thresholds. The power of cavitation emissions was an exponential function of the loss of echogenicity over the investigated range of acoustic pressures. Both ELIP and Definity??lost more than 80% echogenicity before the onset of stable or inertial cavitation. Once this level of echogenicity loss occurred, both stable and inertial cavitation were detected in the physiologic flow phantom. These results imply that stable and inertial cavitation are necessary in order to trigger complete loss of echogenicity acoustically from UCAs and this finding can be used when planning diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
Satiation and recovery of the “air-drinking” response in rats

Thirsty rats were given either 0, 15, 30, 60 or 120 min. of free access to an air stream delivered through a drinking tube in a Skinner box and then were immediately administered a 15-min. test of bar pressing for additional 3-sec. air presentations. A negative relationship was found between length of the pre-test session of air drinking and the number of bar presses. Then the same Ss were tested either 0, 15, 30, 60 or 120 min. following a 2-hr. session of free access to air and a rapid recovery from satiation was found with responses for air presentations varying positively with length of delay following the 2-hr. pre-test session.
The electrochemical discharges for the synthesis of nickel oxide nanoparticles: Characterization and mechanism

Abstract Electrochemical discharges in aqueous solution of sulphuric acid and ethanol as scavenger of hydroxyl radicals, in addition to polyvinylpyrrolidone as stabilizing agent are used for the synthesis of nano-sized nickel oxide colloids. Morphological characterization by electron microscopy and powder X-ray diffraction has been performed to examine the obtained particles at different terminal voltages and experiment durations. From the qualitative resemblance of the electrochemical discharges to the radiolysis technique, a microscopic mechanistic model is proposed giving an overall picture of the physicochemical phenomenon for the synthesis of fine particles.
Consumer Trends and Changing Food Retailing Formats

Dramatic changes are occurring in the way retail establishments deliver food to consumers, largely in response to dynamic and diverse trends in American lifestyles. Fundamental changes in demographics, labor force participation, and income distribution continue to dictate changes in the food system. The most successful food firms are organized to deliver the most desirable combination of food and service
ON THE PRICE AND STRUCTURAL EFFICIENCY IN FARRELL'S MODEL

The paper develops a mean variance model to characterize the price efficiency at the firm level in Farrell's model and shows how risk aversion may affect this measure. Problems of estimating the structural efficiency at the industry level are also discussed and it is shown that this involves a comparison between efficiency distributions of two or more industries. Two empirical applications for the two efficiency measures are also discussed.
Targeted inhibition of FLT3 overcomes the block to myeloid differentiation in 32Dcl3 cells caused by expression of FLT3/ITD mutations.

Internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutations of the juxtamembrane domain–coding sequence of the FLT3 gene are found in up to 34% of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and are associated with a poor prognosis. FLT3/ITDs result in constitutive activation of the tyrosine kinase domain and transform growth factor–dependent cell lines. FLT3 activation leads to antiapoptotic and proliferative signals, but little is known about the impact of FLT3/ITDs on differentiation. This study was designed to investigate the effect of FLT3/ITD expression on the differentiation of the 32Dcl3 (32D) myeloblastic cell line to neutrophils in response to granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Expression of FLT3/ITD completely blocked morphologic differentiation and induction of myeloperoxidase (MPO), lysozyme, and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein e (C/EBPe) in response to G-CSF. Wild-type FLT3 and vector-transfected 32D cells were able to differentiate, although the maturation of FLT3-transfected cells was delayed by FLT3 ligand (FL) stimulation. CEP-701, a potent FLT3 tyrosine kinase inhibitor, overcame the morphologic block in differentiation caused by FLT3/ITD expression and allowed G-CSF induction of myeloid maturation markers. These findings suggest that blocking differentiation may be one of the mechanisms by which FLT3/ITDs contribute to leukemogenesis. CEP-701 and other FLT3 inhibitors may be useful for overcoming the block to differentiation (as well as the block to apoptosis) in the leukemic cells of patients with AML.
Femoral vasodilation to cromakalim is blocked by U37883A, a non-sulphonylurea that selectively inhibits KATP channels

The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of U37883A, a non-sulphonylurea inhibitor of KATP channels, in the femoral vascular bed of the anaesthetized dog. Administration of U37883A, 4-morpholinecarboxamidine-N-1-adamentyl-N-cyclohexyl hydrochloride (2·5 mg kg−1, i.v.), significantly inhibited the femoral vasodilator response to intra-femoral arterial injection of cromakalim, an activator of KATP channels. In contrast, U37883A had no effect on the femoral vasodilator responses to nitroglycerin, isoprenaline, 5-HT, or 5-carboxamidotryptamine, suggesting this agent is a novel and selective inhibitor of hindlimb vasodilation induced by KATP-channel activation. Since U37883A did not significantly alter baseline femoral blood flow and femoral vascular resistance, the present data suggest that KATP channels do not contribute, in large measure, to regulating the canine femoral vascular bed under resting conditions in-vivo.
Designing Research Studies on Psychosocial Interventions in Autism

To address methodological challenges in research on psychosocial interventions for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a model was developed for systematically validating and disseminating interventions in a sequence of steps. First, initial efficacy studies are conducted to establish interventions as promising. Next, promising interventions are assembled into a manual, which undergoes pilot-testing. Then, randomized clinical trials test efficacy under controlled conditions. Finally, effectiveness studies evaluate outcomes in community settings. Guidelines for research designs at each step are presented. Based on the model, current priorities in ASD research include (a) preparation for efficacy and effectiveness trials by developing manuals for interventions that have shown promise and (b) initial efficacy studies on interventions for core features of ASD such as social reciprocity.
Calcium sensitivity of vasospastic basilar artery after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Arteries that develop vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) may have altered contractility and compliance. Whether these changes are due to alterations in the smooth muscle cells or the art...
Hybridization of Peanuts in Growth Chambers

Abstract Hand crosses in peanuts require much time and generally are done by emasculating the flowers late in the evening or at night, and then pollinating the plant the next morning when pollen is available. A new method, in which a growth chamber is operated on a reversed day-night schedule (12-hour, 29 C day commencing at 4:30 p.m. and 12-hour, 21 C night commencing at 4:30 a.m. CST), allows the emasculations to be made between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. and the pollinations to follow immediately. This method permits crossing to be done during normal work-day hours and allows up to three crossing cycles and growth generations per year. In 1971 and 1972 tests of this method showed more than 50% success in achieving viable hybrids per pollination.
A unified subdivision approach for multi-dimensional non-manifold modeling

Abstract This paper presents a new unified subdivision scheme that is defined over a k -simplicial complex in n -D space with k ≤ 3 . We first present a series of definitions to facilitate topological inquiries during the subdivision process. The scheme is derived from the double ( k + 1 ) -directional box splines over k -simplicial domains. Thus, it guarantees a certain level of smoothness in the limit on a regular mesh. The subdivision rules are modified by spatial averaging to guarantee C 1 smoothness near extraordinary cases. Within a single framework, we combine the subdivision rules that can produce 1-, 2-, and 3-manifolds in arbitrary n -D space. Possible solutions for non-manifold regions between the manifolds with different dimensions are suggested as a form of selective subdivision rules according to user preference. We briefly describe the subdivision matrix analysis to ensure a reasonable smoothness across extraordinary topologies, and empirical results support our assumption. In addition, through modifications, we show that the scheme can easily represent objects with singularities, such as cusps, creases, or corners. We further develop local adaptive refinement rules that can achieve level-of-detail control for hierarchical modeling. Our implementation is based on the topological properties of a simplicial domain. Therefore, it is flexible and extendable. We also develop a solid modeling system founded on our subdivision schemes to show potential benefits of our work in industrial design, geometric processing, and other applications.
Atypical sources of childhood lead poisoning in the United States: a systematic review from 1966-2006.

Background. Lead poisoning from atypical sources, which excludes the well-established lead-based paint ingestions and exposure in occupational settings, are increasingly reported in medical literature. Our objective is to increase awareness on atypical sources of lead exposure and to formulate recommendations for their detection based on actual reported cases. Methods. We systematically retrieved and reviewed reports on pediatric lead poisoning in the U.S. from atypical sources by searching Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Academic Search Premier, AltHealth, websites of state lead poisoning prevention programs, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission database for reports published from January 1966 to December 2006. Results. We retrieved 28 published reports that met our inclusion criteria. Of these reports, 20 are case reports and 8 case series, documenting a total of 82 incidents of lead poisoning in children from atypical sources. Conclusion. There are varied sources of atypical lead exposure among U.S...
Epidemiology of bluetongue in Central America and the Caribbean: initial entomological findings

Forty-four species of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) were caught in insect light traps during the first 2 years of studies on the epidemiology of bluetongue virus in the Caribbean and Central America. Traps were operated near sentinel ruminants which were bled monthly for serologic evaluation and then virus isolation. More than 570,000 individuals were identified. Culicoides insignis Lutz accounted for 90% of the catch, C. filarifer Hoffman/C. ocumarensis Ortiz 5%, C. furens Poey 3% and C. pusillus Lutz 2%. Other species accounted for less than 1% of the total catch. Sentinel ruminants became seropositive when C. insignis populations were high at many study sites. At a few sites C. pusillus and C. filarifer/C. ocumarensis were predominant or were present in large numbers during seroconversions of sentinels. Virus isolations were obtained from sentinel ruminants during times when these same species were present in large populations.
Effects of alcohol taxes on alcohol-related mortality in Florida: time-series analyses from 1969 to 2004.

Background: Over a hundred studies have established the effects of beverage alcohol taxes and prices on sales and drinking behaviors. Yet, relatively few studies have examined effects of alcohol taxes on alcohol-related mortality. We evaluated effects of multiple changes in alcohol tax rates in the state of Florida from 1969 to 2004 on disease (not injury) mortality. Methods: A time-series quasi-experimental research design was used, including nonalcohol deaths within Florida and other states' rates of alcohol-related mortality for comparison. A total of 432 monthly observations of mortality in Florida were examined over the 36-year period. Analyses included ARIMA, fixed-effects, and random-effects models, including a noise model, tax independent variables, and structural covariates. Results: We found significant reductions in mortality related to chronic heavy alcohol consumption following legislatively induced increases in alcohol taxes in Florida. The frequency of deaths (t = -2.73, p = 0.007) and the rate per population (t = -2.06, p = 0.04) declined significantly. The elasticity effect estimate is -0.22 (t = -1.88, p = 0.06), indicating a 10% increase in tax is associated with a 2.2% decline in deaths. Conclusions: Increased alcohol taxes are associated with significant and sizable reductions in alcohol-attributable mortality in Florida. Results indicate that 600 to 800 lives per year could be saved if real tax rates were returned to 1983 levels (when the last tax increase occurred). Findings highlight the role of tax policy as an effective means for reducing deaths associated with chronic heavy alcohol use. Language: en
Estimation of and Confidence Interval Formation for Reliability Coefficients of Homogeneous Measurement Instruments

The reliability of a composite score is a fundamental and important topic in the social and behavioral sciences. The most commonly used reliability estimate of a composite score is coefficient a. However, under regularity conditions, the population value of coefficient a is only a lower bound on the population reliability, unless the items are essentially s-equivalent, an assumption that is likely violated in most applications. A generalization of coefficient a, termed x, is discussed and generally recommended. Furthermore, a point estimate itself almost certainly differs from the population value. Therefore, it is important to provide confidence interval limits so as not to overinterpret the point estimate. Analytic and bootstrap methods are described in detail for confidence interval construction for x .W e go on to recommend the bias-corrected bootstrap approach for x and provide open source and freely available R functions via the MBESS package to implement the methods discussed.
Implications of new-onset atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery on long-term prognosis: A community-based study

Background Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common complication after cardiac surgery. Data are lacking on the long-term prognostic implications of POAF. We hypothesized that POAF, which reflects underlying cardiovascular pathophysiologic substrate, is a predictive marker of late AF and long-term mortality. Methods We identified 603 Olmsted County, Minnesota, residents without prior documented history of AF who underwent coronary artery bypass graft and/or valve surgery from 2000 to 2005. Patients were monitored for first documentation of late AF or death at >30 days postoperatively. Multivariate Cox regression models were used to assess the independent association of POAF with late AF and long-term mortality. Results After a mean follow-up of 8.3 ± 4.2 years, freedom from late AF was less with POAF than no POAF (57.4% vs 88.9%, P Conclusions Postoperative atrial fibrillation was an independent predictive marker of late AF, whereas late AF, but not POAF, was independently associated with long-term mortality. Patients who develop new-onset POAF should be considered for continuous anticoagulation at least during the first year following cardiac surgery.
60 Hz magnetic field exposure induces DNA crosslinks in rat brain cells.

In previous research, we found an increase in DNA strand breaks in brain cells of rats acutely exposed to a 60 Hz magnetic field (for 2 h at an intensity of 0.5 mT). DNA strand breaks were measured with a microgel electrophoresis assay using the length of DNA migration as an index. In the present experiment, we found that most of the magnetic field-induced increase in DNA migration was observed only after proteinase-K treatment, suggesting that the field caused DNA-protein crosslinks. In addition, when brain cells from control rats were exposed to X-rays, an increase in DNA migration was observed, the extent of which was independent of proteinase-K treatment. However, the X-ray-induced increase in DNA migration was retarded in cells from animals exposed to magnetic fields even after proteinase-K treatment, suggesting that DNA-DNA crosslinks were also induced by the magnetic field. The effects of magnetic fields were also compared with those of a known DNA crosslink-inducing agent mitomycin C. The pattern of effects is similar between the two agents. These data suggest that both DNA-protein and DNA-DNA crosslinks are formed in brain cells of rats after acute exposure to a 60 Hz magnetic field.
An Optical Interconnect Transceiver at 1550 nm Using Low-Voltage Electroabsorption Modulators Directly Integrated to CMOS

A low-voltage, 90-nm CMOS optical interconnect transceiver operating at 1550-nm optical wavelength is presented. This is the first demonstration of a novel optoelectronic modulator architecture (the quasi-waveguide angled-facet electroabsorption modulator) in a system. It features a simple electronic packaging via flip-chip bonding to silicon. Devices have a broad optical bandwidth, are arrayed two dimensionally, and feature surface normal, spatially separated, and misalignment-tolerant optical ports. The modulators are driven with a novel pulsed-cascode driver capable of supplying an output-voltage swing of 2 V (twice the nominal 1-V CMOS supply) without overstressing thin-oxide core CMOS devices. At the receiver side, a sensitivity of -15.2 dBm is obtained with an integrating/double-sampling front end. The transceiver includes clock generation and recovery circuitry that enables a data serialization factor of five. At a maximum data rate of 1.8 Gb/s, the optical transmitter, receiver, and clocking circuitry consume 12.6, 4.5, and 6.5 mW, respectively, for a total link electrical power dissipation of 23.6 mW. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of an interconnect transceiver operating at 1550 nm with a III-V output device directly integrated to the CMOS.
Comparison of Microscopic Counting Techniques for Estimation of Leucocyte Concentrations in Milk

Abstract The usefulness of the Wisconsin Mastitis Test in an abnormal milk program is dependent, in large measure, on the degree of its correlation with the direct microscopic leucocyte count. This correlation is dependent to a large degree on the accuracy with which the microscopic count is performed. One of the most likely sources of error in the microscopic count is the criteria for recognizing leucocytes in milk. Wisconsin test results were compared with the microscopic method using counting criteria: whole leucocytes only, whole leucocytes plus damaged cells at least 50% intact, and whole leucocytes and all cell fragments. The results of 117 milk sample comparisons indicated that microscopic Procedures 1, 2, and 3 showed a good correlation with the Wisconsin test (r 1 = 0.88, r 2 = 0.82, r 3 = 0.79), but Procedure 1 was best for predicting Wisconsin test values.
Preparing BSW Students for Service-Learning: Enhancing Epistemological Reflection.

This article includes a review of the literature on personal epistemology and the reflective judgment model and applies these theoretical concepts to undergraduate students who engage in service-learning projects. The application will provide instructors with greater understanding of students’ abilities and limitations in their service-learning experiences. Included are traditional, modern, and expressive teaching activities that were designed, with literature support, to enhance students’ epistemological reflection and aid them in preparing for and completing service-learning projects.
A Task-Based Approach to Adaptive and Multimodality Imaging

Multimodality imaging is becoming increasingly important in medical imaging. Since the motivation for combining multiple imaging modalities is generally to improve diagnostic or prognostic accuracy, the benefits of multimodality imaging cannot be assessed through the display of example images. Instead, we must use objective, task-based measures of image quality to draw valid conclusions about system performance. In this paper, we will present a general framework for utilizing objective, task-based measures of image quality in assessing multimodality and adaptive imaging systems. We introduce a classification scheme for multimodality and adaptive imaging systems and provide a mathematical description of the imaging chain along with block diagrams to provide a visual illustration. We show that the task-based methodology developed for evaluating single-modality imaging can be applied, with minor modifications, to multimodality and adaptive imaging. We discuss strategies for practical implementing of task-based methods to assess and optimize multimodality imaging systems.
More a Molehill than a Mountain: The Effects of the Blanket Primary on Elected Officials’ Behavior from California

Scholars, politicians, parties, and the U.S. Supreme Court argue that restricting the set of eligible voters for a primary election affects the nature of representation voters receive from elected officials. Evidence supporting this argument is elusive because the same elected officials are often responsible for determining the type of primary election used. Using a quasi-natural experiment resulting from a 1996 constitutional referendum in California, we examine whether expanding the eligible primary electorate from only registered partisans to any registered voter affects who is elected and the positions elected representatives take. We show that the blanket primary appears to favor the election of more moderate representatives and that incumbents take more moderate positions in the U.S. House of Representatives and California Assembly. This is true only in less partisan districts, and there are no effects in districts dominated by a single party. These differential effects suggest that concerns about r...
Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Ligands of Widely Different Toxic Equivalency Factors Induce Similar Histone Marks in Target Gene Chromatin

Posttranslational histone modifications are a critical regulatory mechanism of gene transcription. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that contingent on binding to its cognate promoter motifs in the Cyp1a1 gene, activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) by benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) treatment induces histone modifications in the Cyp1a1 promoter that are required for activation of gene transcription. Here, we have studied different AHR ligands, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) of different toxic equivalency factors (TEF), to determine whether changes in histone modifications are linked to different levels of Cyp1a1 expression or dependent on AHR-ligand affinity. We find that all ligands lead to the same pattern of histone modifications in a relationship that parallels the strength of their AHR-ligand affinity. Thus, whereas PCB126 (TEF 0.1), 3-methylcholanthrene, β-naphthoflavone, and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) initiate a pattern of histone marks similar to those induced by BaP, PCB77 (TEF 0.0001) causes a lower level of change in the same marks and requires a longer activation time than PCB126, BaP, or TCDD. In contrast, the non-dioxin-like PCB153 recruits AHR to the Cyp1a1 enhancer causing a displacement of enhancer-associated histone H3 but does not cause the other observed histone mark changes nor does it induce transcription. These results indicate that AHR recruitment to the promoter is not sufficient to induce the histone modifications needed to activate gene expression and show that there is a good correlation between the regulatory chromatin changes associated with ligand-induced AHR target gene transcription and the resultant toxicity of the ligand.
Maternal Effects on Gypsy Moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) Population Dynamics: A Field Experiment

Previous studies have postulated that the quality of resources that female gypsy moths, Lymantria dispar (L.), allocate to their eggs may affect the growth, development, and population dynamics of larvae in subsequent generations. To test this hypothesis, we collected eggs from food stressed and unstressed populations and measured critical life history parameters (e.g., dispersal, growth rate, mortality, fecundity) of gypsy moth larvae with a combination of field and laboratory experiments. Larvae from stressed and unstressed source populations showed no differences in overall dispersal, mortality from pathogens and parasitoids, or developmental rate. In smaller laboratory and field rearing studies, there were no significant differences in the relative growth rates, female pupal weights, or fecundity between larvae from stressed and unstressed populations. However, we found that the proportion of males in egg masses from stressed populations were 11% higher than those from unstressed populations. In addition, there was a significant relationship between egg mass size and proportion of males in one of 2 yr of the study. We conclude that nutritionally mediated maternal effects have a relatively minor influence on the population dynamics of the gypsy moth.
Efficiently serving dynamic data at highly accessed web sites

We present architectures and algorithms for efficiently serving dynamic data at highly accessed Web sites together with the results of an analysis motivating our design and quantifying its performance benefits. This includes algorithms for keeping cached data consistent so that dynamic pages can be cached at the Web server and dynamic content can be served at the performance level of static content. We show that our system design is able to achieve cache hit ratios close to 100% for cached data which is almost never obsolete by more than a few seconds, if at all. Our architectures and algorithms provide more than an order of magnitude improvement in performance using an order of magnitude fewer servers over that obtained under conventional methods.
A Novel Approach: Using Literary Writing and Creative Interventions for Working toward Forgiveness after Relationship Dissolution and Divorce.

Abstract The relationship between empathy and forgiveness is explored through the painful experience of divorce and relationship loss. Authors propose a literary exercise, the Novel Approach, to help clients discover the power of empathy and find resolution to past pains. Included is a case study used to describe the Novel Approach and to highlight its facilitative power for creating a deeper empathic understanding.
Restricting a Familiar Name in Response to Learning a New One: Evidence for the Mutual Exclusivity Bias in Young Two-Year-Olds

Children under 2 1/2 years old tend to interpret novel words in accordance with the Mutual Exclusivity Principle, but tend not to reinterpret familiar words this way. Because alternative principles have been proposed that only predict the novel word effects, and because tests of the familiar word effects may have been flawed, a new test was administered. In Experiment 1 (N = 32), 24- to 25-month-olds heard stories in which a novel noun was used for an atypical exemplar of a familiar noun. When asked to select exemplars of the familiar noun, they showed a small but reliable tendency to avoid the object from the story. In Experiment 2 (N = 16), the novel nouns in the stories were replaced by pronouns and proper names, and the children did not avoid the story object in the test of the familiar noun. Thus, the aversion to this object that was observed in Experiment 1 was not due to its greater exposure or its being referenced immediately before testing, but to toddlers' Mutual Exclusivity bias. Their bias is hypothesized to be a form of implicit probabilistic knowledge that derives from the competitive nature of category retrieval.
Nonstoichiometry and Transport Properties of Ca3Co4 ± x O9 + δ ( x = 0 – 0.4 )

Nonstoichiometries of Ca3Co4O9+δ and transport properties of Ca3Co4±xO9+δ were investigated. At 1100°C, Ca3Co4O9+δ transformed to CaO and CoO. The reaction products offer a precise baseline for thermogravimetric analysis. At room temperature, δ in Ca3Co4O9+δ is 0.38, which decreases at T ~450°C, indicating the onset point of the formation of oxygen vacancies, and δ is ~0.20 at 900°C. Correspondingly, the average Co valence state is 3.19 at room temperature and 3.10 at 900°C. In contrast to conventional defect chemistry theory in p-type oxide conductors, the formation of oxygen vacancies in Ca3Co4O9+δ has a negligible impact on the carrier density of holes, indicating that oxygen vacancies and the redox couple responsible for hole carriers are in different layers. With control over the ratio of Ca/Co, the phase boundary for the misfit layered structure is between Ca3Co3.95O9+δ and Ca3Co4.05O9+δ. Beyond the phase boundary, the second phase is present, which effectively lowers the electrical conductivity while increasing the Seebeck coefficient.
Approaches to Describing the Kinetic Behavior of Distributions of Second-Phase Inclusions

Some useful mathematical approaches to treating the kinetic behavior of systems of inclusions in materials are discussed. Such systems are described in terms of a continuous size-distribution function which satisfies a continuity relation that is analogous to the familiar Boltzmann integrodifferential equation. Specific problems to which these approaches are applied include the growth of a second phase and the early stages of coarsening of gas-filled pores. It is shown, for these situations, that certain important properties of the size distribution can be quantitatively described without requiring detailed knowledge of the “shape” of the distribution in size space. In addition, the use of similarity solutions to describe coarsening kinetics at asymptotic times is explored and found to offer significant insights into the nature of this process.
Real Options and Real Estate: A Review and Valuation Illustration

The traditional capital budgeting and valuation framework for a land development investment opportunity involves determining the project’s net present value (NPV). The first step in an NPV analysis is to forecast cash flows over time and discount these cash flows at the appropriate required rate-of-return, where the required rate-of-return is based on the systematic risk of these cash flows. The NPV is the difference between the present value of the expected future cash inflows and the present value of the expected cost outflows. When the NPV is zero or positive, the project is accepted. When the NPV is negative, the project is rejected.
Algorithmen für Konvexe Programmierungsaufgaben

In diesem letzten Kapitel mochten wir eine Anzahl Methoden zur Losung von konvexen Programmierungsaufgaben umreisen. Unser Ziel besteht nicht darin, einsatzbereite Verfahren vorzustellen, sondern darin, methodische Zugange zu beschreiben, von denen jeder gewissermasen eine Algorithmenklasse reprasentiert, welche tatsachlich fur die Losung konvexer Programmierungsprobleme benutzt werden kann. Diese Ausfuhrungen sind jedoch nicht umfassend; so hat zum Beispiel die Algorithmenklasse, die auf der Komplementaritat beruht, keinen Reprasentanten. Es werde angenommen, das das konvexe Programmierungsproblem losbar sei und die folgenden Annahmen erfulle: und das die konvexe zulassige Menge ein nichtleeres Innere habe, was bedeutet, das P in jedem zulassi-gen Punkt (C.Q.) erfullt (IX.D.8). Infolgedessen ist das duale Programmierungsproblem losbar, das heist, es gibt Lagrange-Multiplikatoren u*, so das ein zulassiger Punkt x optimal fur P ist genau dann, wenn minimiert.
Analysis of water-losing character of gasoline target compounds

The water-losing characters of gasoline target compounds under water washing and immersing conditions were studied by SPE-GC/MS,so as to decide the possibility of the presence of gasoline in the case of lack of sufficient detection information.Gasoline target compounds are extracted and concentrated by solid phase extraction(SPE) method and hexane elution,and then detected by GC/MS.The results showed that alkyl naphthalenes and indane are the firstly and secondly most affected compositions by comparison with others,while the alkyl benzenes are the least.The relevance of content distribution of different compounds is basically similar to those in matrix.The remaining and transforming characters demonstrate a law of compounds losing.
Virulence profile: Michael R. Hamblin

I was born and brought up in a small fishing village on the coast of Northumberland in Northern England, called Cullercoats. It has a rich history of local culture and was home to a small artist's ...
Copper Treatments: Uses and Precautions

Copper is an old but effective treatment for fish diseases. It is now primarily used to treat acute infestations of parasites such as Amyloodinium and Cryptocaryon. Many fish are sensitive to copper and may become intoxicated at concentrations required to control pathogens. Copper concentrations in treatment tanks must be measured frequently to ensure that levels are therapeutic but not toxic. A knowledge of the solution chemistry of copper is essential in understanding how to avoid unexpected changes in copper concentrations. Factors such as pH, salinity, decorative materials, nature of the filter bed, and the type of therapeutic agent used for treatment must be considered.
The Observer: Julian Hayden at Pueblo Grande

ABSTRACTJulian Hayden's archaeological fieldwork at Pueblo Grande from 1936 to 1940 represents one of his finest achievements in Southwestern archaeology. Yet until quite recently this work remained unknown, and for nearly four decades Hayden himself believed that his Pueblo Grande notes, maps, and drawings had been lost or discarded. This paper documents Hayden's remarkable archaeological excavations at Pueblo Grande, and credits him for salvaging Odd Halseth's otherwise largely destructive and non-informative archaeological program. It is argued that Hayden's accomplishments at Pueblo Grande, achieved when he was only in his mid-20s, confirm beyond a doubt his status as a professional archaeologist. Hayden's Pueblo Grande work also teaches important lessons about the kind of insight and skill that is demanded by top-notch fieldwork, and the potential folly of judging professional contributions in terms of academic credentials.
RESEARCH ON EMPLOYEE CREATIVITY: A CRITICAL REVIEW AND DIRECTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH

The examination of contextual factors that enhance or stifle employees’ creative performance is a new but rapidly growing research area. Theory and research in this area have focused on antecedents of employee creativity. In this paper, we review and discuss the major theoretical frameworks that have served as conceptual foundations for empirical studies. We then provide a review and critical appraisal of these empirical studies. Based on this review, we propose exciting possibilities for future research directions. Finally, we discuss implications of this body of work for human resource management.
Religion and Modern Society: Introduction: the state of the sociology of religion

Defining the field In this Introduction, I outline some of the major issues in the contemporary sociology of religion and in the process offer a short overview of recent developments in the sub-field. Within this framework, I provide an interpretation of various key issues, such as secularisation, the state and the regulation of religious life, youth cultures and spirituality, the complex relationships between the sacred and the profane, and the nature of religion itself. However, the major issues confronting any understanding of religion in modern societies are all related to globalisation. Two obvious examples are fundamentalism and religious violence. Perhaps the dominant interpretation of these phenomena is that, with the massive disruption to traditional societies and economies, religious cultures provide the raw ideological material of violent protest. The violent secular groups of the 1960s and 1970s – the Red Brigade and the Baader-Meinhof – have simply been replaced by the jihardists of this century. However, my approach in this volume is to downplay the themes of religious violence and radicalism, looking instead at the development of religious revivalism and piety among diverse urban communities and the consequences of these pious practices for secular societies.
Breeding biology and territoriality of the Hawaii creeper

The Hawaii Creeper (Oreomystis mana) is an endangered honeycreeper restricted to high-elevation forests on the island of Hawaii. I found eight Hawaii Creeper nests at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge from 1991-1997. Three nests fledged one or two chicks each, one failed because of bad weather, and two were abandoned after kleptoparasitism of nest material by other bird species. Females did most nest construction and all incubation and brooding. Both sexes fed the nestlings by regurgitation, with the male making 57% of feedings. The male fed the female during incubation and brooding. At two nests construction took 11-15 days and the incubation period was 13 days. At one nest the clutch size was two and the nestling period was 18 days. Mean nest tree height and diameter were 21.7 ± 2.9 m and 54.9 ± 23.6 cm, respectively, and mean nest height was 12.0 ± 4.3 m. Four nests were in cavities and four were open. One pair built an open and a cavity nest in the same season. During the breeding season males defended a small type-B territory with a radius around the nest of 15-20 m. Home ranges were larger in the nonbreeding season (11.9 ± 7.7 ha) than in the breeding season (4.5 ± 0.2 ha) and overlapped extensively.