cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of channel dimension, heat flux, and mass flux on flow boiling regimes in microchannels

Abstract Experiments are conducted with a perfluorinated dielectric fluid, Fluorinert FC-77, to investigate the effects of channel size and mass flux (225–1420 kg/m2s) on microchannel flow boiling regimes by means of high-speed photography. Seven different silicon test pieces with parallel microchannels of widths ranging from 100 to 5850 μm, all with a depth of 400 μm, are considered. Flow visualizations are performed with a high-speed digital video camera while local measurements of the heat transfer coefficient are simultaneously obtained. The visualizations and the heat transfer data show that flow regimes in the microchannels of width 400 μm and larger are similar, with nucleate boiling being dominant in these channels over a wide range of heat flux. In contrast, flow regimes in the smaller microchannels are different and bubble nucleation at the walls is suppressed at a relatively low heat flux for these sizes. Two types of flow regime maps are developed and the effects of channel width on the flow regime transitions are discussed.
Tool development for profiling the attitude of clients with schizophrenia toward their medication, using Fishbein's expectancy-value model.

Many treatment-evaluation studies have demonstrated the value of psychotropic medication in controlling symptoms of schizophrenia. However, the presence of an effective treatment has not solved the treatment problem. Clients with schizophrenia are unusually resistant to participation in a treatment regimen. Fishbein (1963) and Fishbein and Ajzen (1975) present an expectancy-value model that provides a method for profiling a person's attitude toward any object (an object can be a person, place, idea, etc.). This study describes the model and considers dynamics of schizophrenia that must be considered in data collection. Implications of the model for data collection with the client with schizophrenia are discussed, and tools for measuring the attitude of inpatients toward taking medication are presented.
Gas-phase kinetics for TiO2 CVD: hot-wall reactor results

Abstract We have studied the growth kinetics of TiO2 chemical vapor deposition using the decomposition of Ti(i-OC3H7)4 (TTIP, titanium tetra-isopropoxide) in a hot-wall, axial flow low-pressure chemical vapor deposition reactor. Under conditions of high reactant conversion, we obtain polycrystalline, fully dense anatase TiO2 films at growth rates up to 0.2 μm h−1. The kinetic results (i.e., measured growth rates and axial film-thickness profiles) are analyzed using a two-dimensional reactor transport model and the gas-phase reaction mechanism that we proposed previously. This analysis yields a value for the rate constant of the gas-phase activation step (k1 [cm3 mole−1 s−1]= 4.0 × 1011 exp(-40 [kJ mole−1]/RT) that is consistent with the value obtained from our earlier kinetic experiments performed using a cold-wall, impinging flow reactor. In particular, the present results confirm the seemingly low value for the activation energy of the proposed gas-phase activation step obtained in our earlier work.
Magnetic resonance imaging measurements of bone density and cross-sectional geometry.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is commonly used in the assessment of the musculoskeletal system and associated pathology. The ability of MRI to measure the signals from water and lipid protons enables quantitative measurements of bone porosity. The goal of this investigation was to demonstrate that the density and cross-sectional geometry of whole bones can be noninvasively measured using MRI. Ten trabecular specimens cored from whale vertebrae were used to compare apparent bone density measured directly, and using a quantitative MRI algorithm. Bone density and several cross-sectional geometric properties were also measured using MRI in the distal tibia of 14 volunteers. The MRI measurements were compared with measurements made using quantitative-computed tomography (QCT). A proton density sequence was used for all MRI studies. A porosity phantom was included in the MRI examinations and used to convert the MRI signal intensity to bone volume fraction. Bone density and cross-sectional bone geometry were calculated from the bone volume fractions by assuming constant tissue properties. The apparent density of trabecular bone cores measured directly and using quantitative MRI were linearly related (r2= 0.959; P < 0.01). A strong linear relation also existed between MRI and QCT measurements of ash density (r2= 0.923; P < 0.01) and cross-sectional geometric properties (r2= 0.976–0.992; P < 0.01). MRI data can be used to measure bone density and cross-sectional geometry of whole bones if a proton density sequence is used to homogenize differences in marrow composition and a porosity phatom is used for slice-specific volume fraction calibration.
A Christian America: Protestant Hopes and Historical Realities

Completed revised and updated, this important study now includes a chapter on the resurgence of militant Protestantiam. Concentrating on the traditional hope of Protestant Americans that the nation would eventually become fully Christian and the efforts they exerted to realize this hope, Handy examines the role of recent events in renewing interest in the idea of the U.S. as a Christian civilization.
Comparative behavioral and neurochemical studies with striatal kainic acid- or quinolinic acid-lesioned rats

In the present studies the effects of kainic acid (KA)- or quinolinic acid (QA)-induced striatal lesions were compared in different behavioral tests in rats. Both KA- and QA-lesioned animals had ipsilateral barrel-rotation (BR). The KA-lesioned rats, however, had contralateral, while the QA-lesioned rats had both ipsi- and contralateral turning activity. The KA-lesioned animals showed increased open-field activity as well as increased percentage of entries, and time spent in the open arms of Montgomery's conflict test. Learning of an active avoidance response was strongly inhibited by both striatal QA- or KA-induced striatal lesions. The QA-lesioned animals showed less pronounced behavioral changes than KA-lesioned animals in most of the tests, and had a smaller loss of body weight. There was no significant difference in the extent of the KA- and QA-induced substance P (SP) and GABA depletions in striatum, however, the depletions with QA lesions were slightly greater. These findings show that KA-induced striatal lesions produce more pronounced behavioral effects than QA lesions of similar size. It is possible that the differential effects of KA versus QA on striatal interneurons may result in its more marked behavioral effects.
The Histone Chaperone FACT: Structural Insights and Mechanisms for Nucleosome Reorganization

Changes in chromatin architecture induced by epigenetic mechanisms are essential for normal cellular processes such as gene expression, DNA repair, and cellular division. Compact chromatin presents a barrier to these processes and is highly regulated by epigenetic markers binding to components of the nucleosome. Histone modifications directly influence chromatin dynamics and facilitate recruitment of additional factors such as chromatin remodelers and histone chaperones. One member of this last class of factors, FACT (facilitates chromatin transcription), is categorized as a histone chaperone critical for nucleosome reorganization during replication, transcription, and DNA repair. Significant discoveries regarding the role of histone chaperones and specifically FACT have come over the past dozen years from a number of independent laboratories. Here, we review the structural and biophysical basis for FACT-mediated nucleosome reorganization and discuss up-to-date models for FACT function.
Converged three‐dimensional quantum mechanical reaction probabilities for the F+H2 reaction on a potential energy surface with realistic entrance and exit channels and comparisons to results for three other surfaces

Accurate three-dimensional quantum mechanical reaction probabilities are presented for the reaction F + H2 yields HF + H on the new global potential energy surface 5SEC for total angular momentum J = 0 over a range of translational energies from 0.15 to 4.6 kcal/mol. It is found that the v-prime = 3 HF vibrational product state has a threshold as low as for v-prime = 2.
Social Media in DMSS System Development and Management

This paper surveys and extends the use of social media technologies as part of decision making support system DMSS development and management. In particular, this paper investigates how social media technologies, such as wikis, blogs, micro-blogs and tagging, have been and can be used to facilitate development and management of DMSS, through communication and collaboration. However, the author suggests going beyond simply communication and collaboration. The particular focus is on using an analysis of digital media content to address a range of issues, including using social media content to facilitate capturing project history, doing an analysis of that content to facilitate documentation development, and monitoring content from social media to provide insights into project development. Domain-based characteristics of the text are investigated to discover meaning in social media content.
Second-trimester maternal serum markers in twin pregnancy with complete mole: report of 2 cases.

We present second-trimester serum marker levels in cases of twin pregnancy with complete hydatidiform mole and a coexistent fetus (CHMCF). Second-trimester inhibin A (InhA) levels have not been previously reported in such cases. Second-trimester maternal serum screening, α-fetoprotein (AFP), unconjugated estriol (uE3), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and InhA measurements combined with maternal age to estimate a patient’s risk of Down syndrome during pregnancy was performed as a routine prenatal test in 2 cases of CHMCF. Hospital records containing serum marker data, patient history, pathology reports, and pregnancy outcome were reviewed. In cases of CHMCF, maternal serum AFP and uE3 levels were similar to those of a normal singleton pregnancy, whereas hCG and InhA levels were markedly increased. Second-trimester maternal serum marker profiles in cases of CHMCF are a composite of normal singleton and molar tissue secretions. We have found, for the first time, that second-trimester InhA levels are markedly increased in these cases. Serum marker levels may be useful in diagnosis of CHMCF, prenatal counseling, and evaluation of risk for persistent trophoblastic disease.
Efficient Hybrid Channel Access for Data Intensive Sensor Networks

In this paper, we introduce novel probabilistic transmission protocols for data intensive wireless sensor networks. The protocols combine a randomized transmission scheme with scheduling based on heuristics to alleviate network performance degradation due to excessive collisions and retransmissions. In particular, by utilizing local information about sensor neighbors, our protocols minimize collisions in areas with high channel contention. The simulation results of our hybrid techniques show improved performance of data delivery and reduced energy consumption compared to carrier-sensing based IEEE 802.15.4 CAP mode and time-division based DRAND.
Endoscopic removal of migrated vascular embolic material from the common bile duct: multi-modality approach (with video).

A 74-year-old man underwent a percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) for a non-malignant common bile duct (CBD) stricture with drain placement. At a subsequent drain exchange, he developed significant gastrointestinal bleeding, necessitating coil embolization of the hepatic artery (HA). He did well afterwards and the drains were removed. Three years later, he developed cholangitis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) done at an outside facility revealed a foreign body, assumed to be a jagwire from prior ERCP. He was referred to us for further management. A computed tomography (CT) scan noted hardware within the porta-hepatis that caused streak artifact, along with dilation of intrahepatic bile ducts. Review of the case suggested endovascular coils that had eroded into the CBD from HA (Fig. 1) and ERCP was planned. Due to concern about HA rupture during retrieval, a catheter was positioned in the HA by interventional radiology (IR) to facilitate rapid re-embolization, should uncontrolled bleeding occur (Fig. 1). During ERCP, balloon extraction of a vascular plug was carried out, followed by removal of filamentous wires using rat-tooth forceps (Fig. 2). The duct was then accessed with spyglass to extract the more proximal wires using SpyBite® biopsy forceps (Boston Scientific, Natick, MA, USA) (Fig. 2). Fluoroscopic video obtained at the end of the procedure demonstrated a thin sliver of embolic material remaining in the CBD that would probably epithelialize. Post-cholecystectomy clips, suture material and displaced stents are commonly discussed foreign bodies in the CBD. There are limited reports on migration of vascular embolic material into the duodenum; however, erosion of vascular coils into the CBD is an extremely rare situation. The present case demonstrates successful use of various endoscopic techniques to manage this otherwise high-risk and presumably surgical condition. Adopting a multi-modality approach with IR backup may prevent the need for surgical exploration of the CBD in such intricate cases. Our method of management may serve as a teaching tool for endoscopists who may encounter a similar situation.
Solid oxide fuel cell technology—features and applications

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology has been under development for a broad range of power generation applications. The attractiveness of this technology is its efficient and clean production of electricity from a variety of fuels. The main features of the SOFC are all solid-state construction and high-temperature operation. The combination of these features leads to a number of unique characteristics and advantages for this type of fuel cell, including flexibility in cell and stack designs, manufacturing processes, and power plant sizes. This paper discusses and summarizes the SOFC's features and provides an overview of this technology's potential applications.
Changes in the Relation of Self-efficacy Beliefs and Behaviors across Development.

Many social science theories that examine the connection between beliefs and behaviors assume that belief constructswillpredictbehaviorssimilarlyacrossdevelopment.Convergingresearchimpliesthatthisassumption may not be tenable across all ages or all belief constructs. Thus, to test this implication, the relation between behaviorandbeliefsabouttheselfwasexaminedin2independentdatasetswith2differentconstructs:aggression and achievement. The respondents were 6–18 years of age and predominately Caucasian. Results using quasisimplex structural equation models suggest that self-beliefs become more strongly related to behavior as children grow older independent of the reliability of the measures used. Possible limitations in the use of self-report methodology with young children are discussed. Children entering school are confronted with two important tasks: to achieve and to get along cooperativelywithothers.Becauseoftheimportanceofthese twotasksforpositivedevelopment,manyresearchers
Travel and the built environment: a synthesis

The potential to moderate travel demand through changes in the built environment is the subject of more than 50 recent empirical studies. The majority of recent studies are summarized. Elasticities of travel demand with respect to density, diversity, design, and regional accessibility are then derived from selected studies. These elasticity values may be useful in travel forecasting and sketch planning and have already been incorporated into one sketch planning tool, the Environmental Protection Agency's Smart Growth Index model. In weighing the evidence, what can be said, with a degree of certainty, about the effects of built environments on key transportation "outcome" variables: trip frequency, trip length, mode choice, and composite measures of travel demand, vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and vehicle hours traveled (VHT)? Trip frequencies have attracted considerable academic interest of late. They appear to be primarily a function of socioeconomic characteristics of travelers and secondarily a function...
Microvascular decompression in patient with atypical features of hemifacial spasm secondary to compression by a tortuous vertebrobasilar system: case report.

Objective We report a case of hemifacial spasm in a patient who had associated hearing loss, numbness throughout the face, tinnitus, and vertigo, all of which occurred when turning his head to the left. To our knowledge, these symptoms have not occurred in this pattern and with a single trigger. Clinical presentation A 45-year-old man presented with a 3-year history of right-sided hemifacial spasm initially treated with botulinum toxin. One month before presentation, he had an episode of acute hearing loss in the right ear when turning his head to the left, followed by multiple episodes of transient hearing loss in his right ear, numbness in his right face in all distributions of the trigeminal nerve, tinnitus, and vertigo. He was found to have decreased sensation in nerves V1 to V3 and House-Brackmann grade 3/6 weakness in his right face, despite not having botulinum toxin injections in more than a year. Magnetic resonance imaging/angiography showed an ectatic vertebrobasilar system causing compression of the fifth, seventh, and eighth cranial nerves. Intervention The patient underwent a retromastoid craniotomy and microvascular decompression. Postoperatively, he had complete resolution of his symptoms except for his facial weakness. The benefit has been long-lasting. Conclusion Multiple, simultaneous cranial neuropathies from vascular compression are rare, but this case is an example of safe and effective treatment with microvascular decompression with durable results.
The Effect of Decoupled Low-Level Flow on Winter Orographic Clouds and Precipitation in the Yampa River Valley

Abstract Mountains often act as barriers to low-level flow creating regions of stagnant, decoupled flow within thermally stratified air masses. This paper addresses the question: how does a region of low-level decoupled flow affect the overlying orographic cloud? Three different methodologies were used to examine this problem. The first method involved analysis of one and a half months of precipitation and wind data from a 24-station mesonetwork located in the Yampa River valley and surrounding mountains of northwest Colorado during the winter of 1981/1982 as part of the third Colorado Orographic Seeding Experiment (COSE III). The second method was a case study analysis of two orographic storms using data from an instrumented cloud physics aircraft to supplement the data from the mesonetwork. The third method involved two-dimensional numerical simulations using Colorado State University's Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS). The results show that the presence of extensive low-level decoupled flow ...
Strategic Positioning and Resource-Based Thinking: Cutting Through the Haze of Punditry to Understand Factors Behind Sustainable, Successful Internet Businesses

This article synthesizes and leverages two strategic frameworks when analyzing the true nature of strategy and the Internet: (1) the concept of strategic positioning, and (2) the resource-based view of the firm. When considered together, these approaches create a powerful tool for understanding the factors determining the winners and losers among Internet businesses. Several examples of the applied framework are demonstrated. These frameworks also help challenge broken thought around many of the postbubble assertions regarding strategy and the Internet. This analysis is based on a series of case studies, with information drawn both from secondary sources as well as over 60 field visits with senior managers at technology firms in Seattle, Silicon Valley, and Tokyo conducted from 2005-2006.
Malignant Neurally-Mediated Syncope: Pathophysiology and Treatment

Neurally-mediated syncope is the most common cause of transient loss of consciousness. In this report, we describe an index case of a 43-year-old man with multiple episodes of neurally-mediated syncope. He underwent tilt-table testing, resulting in asystole for 15 seconds with generalized convulsions. After permanent pacemaker implantation, the patient had another syncopal episode requiring adjustment of pacemaker settings. Current concepts of the pathophysiology as well as the diagnosis and management of this condition are discussed.
Process monitoring for correlated gamma‐distributed data using generalized‐linear‐model‐based control charts

A model-based scheme is proposed for monitoring multiple gamma-distributed variables. The procedure is based on the deviance residual, which is a likelihood ratio statistic for detecting a mean shift when the shape parameter is assumed to be unchanged and the input and output variables are related in a certain manner. We discuss the distribution of this statistic and the proposed monitoring scheme. An example involving the advance rate of a drill is used to illustrate the implementation of the deviance residual monitoring scheme. Finally, a simulation study is performed to compare the average run length (ARL) performance of the proposed method to the standard Shewhart control chart for individuals. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The larval alimentary canal of the Antarctic insect, Belgica antarctica

On the Antarctica continent the wingless midge, Belgica antarctica (Diptera, Chironomidae) occurs further south than any other insect. The digestive tract of the larval stage of Belgica that inhabits this extreme environment and feeds in detritus of penguin rookeries has been described for the first time. Ingested food passes through a foregut lumen and into a stomodeal valve representing an intussusception of the foregut into the midgut. A sharp discontinuity in microvillar length occurs at an interface separating relatively long microvilli of the stomodeal midgut region, the site where peritrophic membrane originates, from the midgut epithelium lying posterior to this stomodeal region. Although shapes of cells along the length of this non-stomodeal midgut epithelium are similar, the lengths of their microvilli increase over two orders of magnitude from anterior midgut to posterior midgut. Infoldings of the basal membranes also account for a greatly expanded interface between midgut cells and the hemocoel. The epithelial cells of the hindgut seem to be specialized for exchange of water with their environment, with the anterior two-thirds of the hindgut showing highly convoluted luminal membranes and the posterior third having a highly convoluted basal surface. The lumen of the middle third of the hindgut has a dense population of resident bacteria. Regenerative cells are scattered throughout the larval midgut epithelium. These presumably represent stem cells for the adult midgut, while a ring of cells, marked by a discontinuity in nuclear size at the midgut-hindgut interface, presumably represents stem cells for the adult hindgut.
Promoting child health equity: family-centered care coordination is just one piece of the puzzle.

In their report in this month’s issue of Pediatrics , Toomey et al1 analyzed data from the National Survey of Children’s Health related to parental rating of their children’s receipt of care coordination. The authors found that 41% of all parents, and 72% of parents of children with special health care needs, reported that their child needed some type of care coordination. However, almost one-third of those reporting the need for care coordination perceived their needs to be unmet. Not surprisingly, Latino and African American children, low income, uninsured children and those with public insurance, non-English speaking-families, single-parent households, children without a personal healthcare provider, and children and youth with special health care needs were more likely to report ineffective care coordination. In the multivariable analyses, receipt of culturally competent, family-centered care mitigated the racial/ethnic disparities in care coordination. The study demonstrates that family-centered care, a central characteristic of which is cultural sensitivity and competency, helps to mitigate racial/ethnic disparities in the receipt of care coordination. Cultural competency is an … Address correspondence to David L. Wood, MD, MPH, 580 W 8th St, Room 6015, Jacksonville, FL 32209. E-mail: david.wood{at}jax.ufl.edu
I've Completely Changed: The Transforming Impact of the Matthew Shepard Scholarship

This article describes the impact of receiving the Matthew Shepard Scholarship (a 4-year, full scholarship) on 8 students who were openly gay or lesbian in high school. Previous literature, while limited, paints a decidedly bleak picture of the prospects for gay and lesbian youth. However, this previous research is often based on students in therapy or otherwise exhibiting maladjustment and ignores those youth who are successful. Through a narrative structure, the 8 students described their experiences with harassment, fear, social isolation, and other difficulties before overcoming these challenges and being selected as a Matthew Shepard Scholar. In addition to the experience of coming out, receiving this award represented a further point of transformation in their lives. The honor and recognition of receiving the scholarship further magnified their confidence, aspirations, and educational opportunities. Educators often fail to recognize the talents and promise of gay and lesbian students. The narratives...
AutoCal: a method for automatic energy calibration of β–γ systems based on a 137Cs spectrum

A method was developed and implemented that calculates energy versus channel calibrations. This method utilizes a 137Cs spectrum acquired in β–γ coincidence. Both the γ singles and the β–γ coincident spectrum are utilized. The γ singles spectrum is utilized to calculate the γ detector energy versus resolution function. The Compton line in the β–γ coincidence is then used to calculate the β detector energy versus resolution function. Currently a linear regression (y = mx + b) is utilized to fit the data. However, higher order polynomials may easily be implemented if desired.
Right Ventricular Ejection Fraction in Ischemic Versus Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy

The relation between the etiology of cardiomyopathy and the function of the right ventricle (RV) has not been well described in the current era of 3-dimensional cardiac imaging. New advances in cardiac imaging with computed tomography (CT) have allowed accurate measurements of ejection fraction (EF), often a challenging task considering the unique RV shape. We evaluated 130 patients at the Loma Linda Veterans Affairs Healthcare System with cardiomyopathy and a left ventricular (LV) EF ≤40%. Etiology of cardiomyopathy was determined by CT angiography as ischemic (n = 56) or nonischemic (n = 74). RV volumes and RVEF were calculated based on 3-dimensional data set from CT images. Baseline LVEF was similar with a mean LVEF of 28% (±6%) in the ischemic group and 28% (±9%) in the nonischemic group (p = 0.46). RV function and volumes were moderately decreased in both cohorts, without significant difference between the groups (mean RVEF 34 ± 11% in ischemic group and 32 ± 10% in nonischemic group, p = 0.26). In conclusion, most patients with LV dysfunction also have RV dysfunction. The degree of RV dysfunction is not dependent on the etiology of cardiomyopathy.
Weakly turbulent magnetohydrodynamic waves in compressible low-beta plasmas.

In this Letter, weak-turbulence theory is used to investigate interactions among Alfven waves and fast and slow magnetosonic waves in collisionless low-{beta} plasmas. The wave kinetic equations are derived from the equations of magnetohydrodynamics, and extra terms are then added to model collisionless damping. These equations are used to provide a quantitative description of a variety of nonlinear processes, including parallel and perpendicular energy cascade, energy transfer between wave types, 'phase mixing', and the generation of backscattered Alfven waves.
Microstructured templates for directed growth and vascularization of soft tissue in vivo

Tissue templates for reconstruction and regeneration in vivo have achieved clinical successes for homogeneous tissues in well vascularized regions. Outstanding challenges exist for applications in poorly vascularized regions and for spatially differentiated tissues. Here, we present a strategy to control the spatial patterns of cell and vascular ingrowth throughout the volume of a bioremodelable and resorbable matrix via well-defined micropores and networks of microchannels. Our presentation of this approach includes: a description of a lithographic technique to form deterministic microstructures within a matrix of native collagen; elucidation of multistep process by which microstructures drive rapid invasion and vascularization; and demonstration of long range guidance of invasion through the full thickness of patterned templates. Experiments were performed in a murine wound model. These microstructured tissue templates (MTTs) could improve outcomes in reconstructive surgery and open paths to directed regeneration of spatially heterogeneous tissues or organs.
Tories and Paupers: Christian Political Economy and the Making of the New Poor Law

Everyone knows that Edwin Chadwick wrote the New Poor Law; or, rather, that he wrote the report – issued in 1834 by the royal commission appointed two years earlier to inquire into the poor laws – which formed the basis for the New Poor Law. The well-informed among us might add the name of the political economist Nassau Senior as Chadwick's co-author. But few would be able to supply any of the further seven names which stood with Chadwick's and Senior's as co-signatories to the report. These seven royal commissioners were Bishop Blomfield of London, Bishop Sumner of Chester, William Sturges Bourne, M.P., the Rev. Henry Bishop, Henry Gawler, Walter Coulson, and James Traill.
Superwoman Schema: African American Women’s Views on Stress, Strength, and Health

Researchers have suggested that health disparities in African American women, including adverse birth outcomes, lupus, obesity, and untreated depression, can be explained by stress and coping. The Strong Black Woman/Superwoman role has been highlighted as a phenomenon influencing African American women's experiences and reports of stress. The purpose of this study was to develop a preliminary conceptual framework for Superwoman Schema (SWS) by exploring women's descriptions of the Superwoman role; perceptions of contextual factors, benefits, and liabilities; and beliefs regarding how it influences health. Analysis of eight focus group discussions with demographically diverse African American women yielded themes characterizing the Superwoman role and personal or sociohistorical contextual factors. Participants reported that the Superwoman role had benefits (preservation of self and family or community) and liabilities (relationship strain, stress-related health behaviors, and stress embodiment). The SWS framework might be used to enhance future research on stress and African American women's health.
Effects of a water-soluble extract of maitake mushroom on circulating glucose/insulin concentrations in KK mice

Aim: We examined benefits of a water-soluble extract of maitake mushroom designated as Fraction X (FXM) on the glucose/insulin metabolism of insulin-resistant KK mice, and compared the results of FXM with those of a sulphonylurea, Glipizide. Design: In several acute studies, insulin-resistant KK mice were gavaged with a single dose of varying concentrations of FXM, or a single dose of one concentration of the oral hypoglycaemic drug, Glipizide. In the one chronic study, KK mice were gavaged with FXM, Glipizide, or an equal volume of isotonic saline (baseline control) twice daily. Retro-orbital blood was drawn on the morning of the 4th and 7th days before the early gavage. Blood glucose was measured by routine laboratory procedures, and serum insulin was estimated by a radioimmunoassay (RIA) assay developed specifically for rodents. Results: At a dose of FXM (140 mg/mouse), a statistically significant lowering of circulating glucose concentrations was again seen at 8-12 h and 16-18 h after oral gavage. The lowering approximated 25% of the original concentration. Oral gavage of Glipizide resulted in statistically significantly lower values of circulating glucose (25-37% lower compared with baseline) at 8-24 h post dosing. In the chronic study, the circulating concentrations of glucose and insulin of mice taking 140 mg FXM per day were decreased significantly at days 4 and 7. Conclusions: FXM, a natural extract obtained from maitake mushroom, favourably influences glucose/insulin metabolism in insulin-resistant KK mice. The lowering of both circulating glucose and insulin concentrations suggests that FXM works primarily by enhancing peripheral insulin sensitivity.
Elderly outpatients respond favorably to a physician-initiated advance directive discussion.

Background: Little is known about the emotional impact of physician-initiated advance directive discussions. Methods: One hundred ambulatory patients aged 65 years and older were randomly assigned to receive either a physician-initiated discussion of advance directive choices or a discussion of health promotion issues. Prediscussion, Immediate postdiscussion, and 1-week postdiscussion measures of positive and negative affect were measured for both groups. Results: Neither discussion topic resulted in adverse emotional or attitudinal responses. Only the advance directive participants showed positive affective and attitudinal responses to the discussion, including an increase in positive affect, an increased sense of physician-patient understanding, and increased thought and discussion about life-support issues in the week following the discussion. For those participants receiving the advance directive discussion, longer physician-patient relationships and higher educational levels significantly predicted a more positive affective response. Lower scores on indices of mental and physical health and a stronger belief that physicians should discuss advance directive issues signiftcantly predicted a more negative affective response to the advance directive discussion. Conclusions: Physicians should anticipate positive emotional responses when they initiate advance directive discussions with their elderly outpatients. Advance directive discussions will be received most positively by patients who enjoy good psychological and physical health and when initiated in the context of an established physician-patient relationship.
K-Means Clustering Algorithms: Implementation and Comparison

The relationship among the large amount of biological data has become a hot research topic. It is desirable to have clustering methods to group similar data together so that, when a lot of data is needed, all data are easily found in close proximity to some search result. Here we study a popular method, k-means clustering, for data clustering. We implement two different k-means clustering algorithms and compare the results. The two algorithms are Lloyd's k-means clustering and the progressive greedy k-means clustering. Our experimentation compares the running times and distance efficiency.
A Spatiotemporal Query Service for Mobile Users in Sensor Networks

This paper presents MobiQuery, a spatiotemporal query service that allows mobile users to periodically gather information from their surrounding areas through a wireless sensor network. A key advantage of MobiQuery lies in its capability to meet stringent spatiotemporal performance constraints crucial to many applications. These constraints include query latency, data freshness and fidelity, and changing query areas due to user mobility. A novel just-in-time prefetching algorithm enables MobiQuery to maintain robust spatiotemporal guarantees even when nodes operate under extremely low duty cycles. Furthermore, it significantly reduces the storage cost and network contention caused by continuous queries from mobile users. We validate our approach through both theoretical analysis and simulation results under a range of realistic settings
“If You're Half Black, You're Just Black”: Reflected Appraisals and the Persistence of the One-Drop Rule

Despite growing interest in multiracial identity, much of the research remains atheoretical and limited in its approach to measuring identity. Taking a multidimensional approach to identity and drawing on reflected appraisals (how they think others see them), I examine racial identity among black-white adults in the South and the lingering influence of the one-drop rule. Most respondents internally identify as black and when asked to explain these black identities, they describe how both blacks and whites see them as black. I argue that the one-drop rule still shapes racial identity, namely through the process of reflected appraisals.
Studies on the Utilization of Leaf Protein Concentrates as a Protein Source in Poultry Nutrition

Spray-dried leaf protein concentrate prepared from Red Clover and alfalfa with low or high saponin content were evaluated by studying their effect on growth and feed efficiency of broiler chicks at the 40% level. Excellent growth and feed efficiency were recorded when 40% of low saponin alfalfa protein concentrate (APC) prepared from fresh alfalfa was incorporated in the diets. Saponin in APC estimated by hemolysis test was an important factor affecting the growth, feed efficiency, and mortality of chicks. Analysis of variance showed no significant (P less than .05) difference in body weight gain between Red Clover protein concentrate and low saponin APC. A significant reduction in body weight gain of both broiler and egg type chicks was observed when 40 parts of wet alfalfa protein concentrate were incorporated in the diets. A combination of 30 parts of wet alfalfa protein concentrate (wet APC) and rice bran in a broiler diet did not adversely affect growth. Supplementation of additional vitamins did not improve gain in body weight when 40 parts of wet APC and rice bran were included in the diet. Supplementation of vitamin E seems to be crucial when higher levels of wet APC and rice bran are included in broiler diets.
Performance‐based assessment of high school speech instruction

In this study, we examine the role of standardized, performance‐based assessment measures in the high school context. In addition, we report validity and reliability information on the Communication Competency Assessment Instrument—High School Edition (CCAI‐HS), which was used to assess student speaking performance and to gauge the level of improvement as a result of instruction. We suggest further uses of the CCAI‐HS and future needs for assessment at the high school level.
Modulation of evoked contractions in rat arteries by ryanodine, thapsigargin, and cyclopiazonic acid.

The contribution of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release to evoked tension in rat arterial rings was studied by comparing the effects of ryanodine (an SR Ca2+ channel opener) and thapsigargin and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) (two Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitors). Isometric tension was evoked by serotonin (5-HT), 30-50 mM external K+, and 10 mM caffeine in rings of aorta and a small (second-order) branch of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). Resting tension was unaffected by 10 microM ryanodine or 1-5 microM thapsigargin, but 20 microM CPA raised resting tension in aortic rings and evoked spontaneous contractions in some SMA rings. Ryanodine (10 microM) or 1-5 microM thapsigargin partially depleted the SR Ca2+ stores (indicated by reduced caffeine-evoked contractions) and attenuated 5-HT- and high K(+)-evoked contractions in aortic rings but augmented 5-HT- and high K(+)-evoked contractions in SMA. Caffeine completely emptied the SR Ca2+ stores in the presence of ryanodine but not thapsigargin in both the aorta and SMA; thus, thapsigargin may selectively affect one component of a heterogeneous SR. When the aortic Ca2+ stores were empty (i.e., caffeine contractions were abolished), the 5-HT- and high K(+)-evoked contractions in the aorta were also augmented. CPA rapidly emptied the SR Ca2+ stores in both the aorta and SMA. CPA augmented the 5-HT-evoked contractions in the SMA and in five of nine aortic rings but attenuated evoked contractions in the remaining aortic rings. The attenuation or abolition of the caffeine contractions implies that ryanodine, thapsigargin, and CPA all deplete the SR Ca2+ stores. The attenuated responses to 5-HT and high K+ observed when the aortic SR Ca2+ stores were only partially depleted are consistent with the idea that evoked SR Ca2+ release is a large component of the Ca2+ transient in the aorta. The augmentation of 5-HT- and high K(+P)-evoked responses after partial (SMA) or complete (aorta) depletion of the SR Ca2+ stores suggests that evoked release of SR Ca2+ normally regulates Ca2+ entry by negative feedback and/or that the SR normally buffers the evoked rise in cytosolic Ca2+.
Partnership in practice: making conservation work at Bezà Mahafaly, southwest Madagascar

Beza Mahafaly has been the site of a partnership for conservation since 1975, long before the idea of community - based conservation became widely accepted in Madagascar or elsewhere in the world. Today, the Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve protects 4,600 ha of riverine, transitional and spiny forest with a rich endemic fauna. This paper provides a summary of the thirty - seven year history of the initiative, focusing on three issues: our evolving interpretation of the term ‘community’, the integral role of politics and economics in developing the partnership, and the linkage between local, regional and national influences that were experienced in some contexts as constraints and in others as opportunities. We draw five conclusions that we hope will be of interest to those engaged in similar activities in Madagascar and elsewhere: (i) the importance of relationships and trust, and the length of time it takes to build both; (ii) the inherent fragility of community - based collaborations, which depend heavily on particular individuals and the pressures on people’s lives; (iii) the importance of sustained financial inputs and challenge of diversifying these inputs; (iv) the need for mechanisms to distribute costs and benefits that are accepted as fair, and for methods to track that distribution; and (v) the central roles of improvisation and opportunism in the face of high levels of uncertainty, and the unanticipated key role played by a village-based environmental monitoring team.
The use of high-resolution imagery for identification of urban climax forest species using traditional and rule-based classification approach

Columbia, Missouri, is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. The rapid urbanization is jeopardizing the city's urban climax forests, which are defined as any woodland community of more than 7.53 ha dominated by plant species such as oak and hickory. The increasing urban pressure places heavy demands on city planners to seek better management approaches to ensure that these plant species, which are native to Missouri, are protected even when threatened by new developments. Traditionally, planners are identifying these areas by surveys, which are costly, time consuming, and conducted on an as-needed basis. The current study is to test the feasibility of high-resolution satellite and airborne imagery for the identification of these forests and to assist planners in preserving them. In order to identify these climax forests, 4-m multispectral IKONOS images for April and August 2000 and 25-cm and 1-m multispectral airborne photographs for September and November 2001 were acquired and used in this study. These images were classified using a traditional classifier [maximum likelihood (ML)] and a rule-based classifier [classification and regression tree (CART)]. Results show that the images taken in September using the ML classifier are more useful in identifying the tree species in the study area. Among the spatial resolutions used, 1-m images proved to be optimal in recognizing trees and at the same time minimizing shadows.
Silver chalcogenide based memristor devices

We have fabricated two-terminal chalcogenide-based devices containing Ge 2 Se 3 and Ag that function as memristors. These devices have been electrically characterized at room temperature using quasi-static DC methods, AC sinusoidal methods, and AC pulse testing methods. In all cases, the devices exhibit memristive behavior.
Interphase mass transfer with bulk flow normal to the phase boundary

The effect of bulk flow normal to the interface on the interphase mass transfer rate is analyzed by using a convective mass transfer coefficient, and a method of deriving the correct choice of the reference mole fraction in the bulk flow term is developed. The effect of the bulk flow and the definition of the proper reference mole fraction have been derived based on diffusion in a binary gas mixture across the boundary layer and expanded to the system of an interfacial gas-solid reaction. The results show that the bulk flow effect together with the proper choice of the reference mole fraction in the bulk flow term is important in obtaining an accurate expression of interphase mass transfer rate. In an extreme situation, the bulk flow effect can cause mass transfer to occur in the direction of increasing concentration. The theoretical development is applied to the rate analysis of the hydrogen reduction of silica.
Universal Banking: Does It Work?

Since the early 1970s, commercial banking worldwide has become a turbulent, hyper-competitive industry. A series of driving forces, globalization, deregulation, new technology, the rise of capital markets, and a consequent dis-intermediation, have eroded commercial banking’s previously protected market position. It has become an industry in secular decline, as its traditional credit businesses, taking in deposits and providing loans, are increasingly being replaced by securities products. On the liability side, deposits have given way to money market mutual funds, while on the assets side, large corporations are increasingly turning to capital markets products — junk bonds and commercial paper rather than bank loans — for their capital needs. A major issue facing commercial banks has become how to reposition them to survive.
The Role of Administrator Characteristics on Perceptions of Innovativeness among Public School Administrators

Pressures for reform require greater innovativeness among public school administrators than in the past. Perceptions of innovativeness, which function as administrators’ reality and influence participation in innovation, are reflected in their informal network relationships. Using network methods and descriptive statistics, this article explores a public school administrator network, highlighting the relationship of administrator characteristics (personal demographics, position, experience) on three different types of perceptions of innovativeness: (a) being perceived by others as innovative, (b) perceiving others as innovative, and (c) mutually perceiving each other as innovative. Findings indicate demographics of age and experience were related to administrators being perceived as innovative, suggesting the value of increased visibility and administrative stability. No association was found between administrator characteristics and either perceiving others or having mutual perceptions of innovation sugg...