cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Brittle fracture in 50Mo–50Re alloys during slow strain rate tensile testing

Tensile tests were conducted on 50 wt% Mo–50 wt% Re alloys in both fully recrystallized and recovery heat-treated conditions at a low strain rate of 10−6 s−1 and room temperature in air. It was found that both material conditions exhibited predominantly cleavage fracture with significant intergranular secondary cracking, compared to the predominantly ductile fracture found in the alloys at a higher strain rate. Cracks were often initiated at grain boundary triple junctions at the low strain rate. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) measurements revealed significantly high misorientation gradients (i.e. highly localized change in orientation) at grain boundaries, especially in the vicinity of some grain boundary triple junctions in the deformed alloys. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results verified the existence of significant misorientations near grain boundaries in these alloys. Stress-assisted dynamic embrittlement, possibly due to trace interstitials, was the possible cause of brittle frac...
The formation of potassium methoxide on Ru(001)

Abstract We report the formation of potassium methoxide from the reaction of methanol with a monolayer of potassium adsorbed on a Ru(001) surface. The vibrational spectrum of KOCH 3 is characterized by high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy with a KO stretch at 180 cm -1 , a C-O stretch at 1050 cm -1 and CH stretching vibrations between 2780 and 2960 cm -1 . Potassium methoxide is formed at 200 K and decomposes at 450 K to carbon monoxide and hydrogen.
Emission characteristics of methanol-in-canola oil emulsions in a combustion chamber

Abstract This paper focuses on the emulsification and combustion characteristics of different methanol-in-canola oil blends subject to different conditions including swirl number and equivalence ratio. Exhaust emissions data such as nitrogen oxides (NO x ), unburned hydrocarbons (UHC’s), carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emission levels were measured and analyzed thoroughly. Stable methanol-in-canola oil emulsions were made by using a combination of Span 80 and Tween 80 surfactants. The three different fuels studied were; pure canola oil, 89-9 emulsion [9% methanol – in – 89% canola oil emulsion with 2% surfactant (w/w)] and 85-12.5 emulsion [12.5% methanol – in – 85% canola oil emulsion with 2.5% surfactant (w/w)]. All the experiments were conducted in a 30 kW combustion chamber equipped with a twin fluid atomizer and a radial vane swirler. The swirler vanes were positioned at 60° and 51° angles (with respect to vertical axis) in order to achieve swirl numbers (SNs) of 1.40 and 1.0, respectively. The fuels were tested at equivalence ratios ( ϕ ) of 0.83, 0.91, 1.0, 1.05 and 1.11. Ultimate analysis, higher heating value (HHV), kinematic viscosity and density were used to characterize the fuel properties. Experimental results showed that fuel type and swirl number had a major influence on emission levels. All the emulsions produced lower NO x , CO and unburned hydrocarbon emissions than pure canola oil at both swirl numbers and all equivalence ratios. The emulsions also produced higher CO 2 emissions than pure canola oil. On comparing the performance of the emulsions, it was seen that the addition of methanol to the blend had a definite positive impact on the combustion characteristics. It was observed that higher percentage of methanol in the emulsions led to lesser NO x , UHC and CO emissions. The vorticity imparted to the secondary air by the swirler also affected emission levels considerably. Increased vorticity at higher swirl angle led to better mixing of air and fuel, minimizing emission levels specifically at swirl number of 1.4.
Rate of Adaptation in Control Systems

Adaptive control systems are capable of giving near opt imum performance in the face of changing input command and noise characteristics, changing dynamics of the controlled processes, and changing goal or mission requirements. The principles of feedback control are used by the adaptation mechanism to control the structure of systems. The quality of adaptation is given by the system "misadjustment ," the ratio of the mean increase in mean square error (from adjustments based on finite statistical data) divided by the minimum mean square error. A control system can adapt to a major change in process statistics in about 10 times the impulse response time of the system itself, with a misadjustment of only 20%. Faster adaptation is possible with patternrecognizing adaptive control systems tha t use longer term experiences. Pattern-recognizing niters may be composed of adaptive Adaline "neurons ." A new electric circuit element called the "memistor" (a resistor with memory) has been devised to facilitate the realization of the Adaline neuron. It is a compact rugged electrochemical element whose resistance can be controlled reversibly by electroplating. The experiences of the neuron are stored in resistance values in a simple and directly usable form.
Introduction to the special issues on the unified theory

A unified theory of psychology has recently been proposed (Henriques, 2003), and the next two issues of the Journal of Clinical Psychology are devoted to its elaboration and evaluation. The current issue consists of a target article, “Psychology Defined,” which adds to the existing formulation and specifies how the theory can be used to effectively define the science of psychology. Distinguished experts in psychology contribute 13 commentaries offering a wide variety of perspectives on the proposed model. These are followed by two full-length articles in which one author articulates the need for the unified theory and the other offers a different but compatible approach at integrating psychotherapy and personality. In the next special issue, authors either elaborate on or critique elements of the unified theory. How the new theory lays the foundation for the development of a useful mass movement that could transform the discipline of psychology in a manner that unleashes its constructive potential is the subject of the concluding article. When viewed as a whole, the two issues show that the unified theory provides fertile ground for scientific and philosophical inquiry on multiple levels of analysis, and that it may play a central role in helping the discipline of psychology fulfill its constructive potential. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 60: 1203–1205, 2004.
Continuously-variable series-elastic actuator

Actuator efficiency is an important factor in the design of powered leg prostheses, orthoses, exoskeletons, and legged robots. A continuously-variable series-elastic actuator (CV-SEA) is presented as an efficient actuator for legged locomotion. The CV-SEA implements a continuously-variable transmission (CVT) between a motor and series elastic element. The CVT reduces the torque seen at the motor and allows the motor to operate in speed regimes of higher efficiency, while the series-elastic element efficiently stores and releases mechanical energy, reducing motor work requirements for actuator applications where an elastic response is sought. An energy efficient control strategy for the CV-SEA was developed using a Monte-Carlo minimization method that randomly generates transmission profiles and converges on those that minimize the electrical energy consumption of the motor. The CV-SEA is compared to a standard SEA and an infinitely variable series elastic actuator (IV-SEA). Simulations suggest that a CV-SEA will require less energy that an SEA or IV-SEA when used in a knee prosthesis during level-ground walking.
Connotations of psychology experiment titles

Fifty-nine undergraduate psychology student volunteers rated three psychological studies, referred to only by title, on six semantic differential dimensions. The titles were “Dream Study,” “Experiment in Attitudes,” and “Visual Perception.” The semantic differential scales were important/trivial, unscientific/scientific, experimental/clinical, boring/interesting, humanistic/behavioristic, and easy to do/difficult to do. For all scales but humanistic/behavioristic, overall tests of title differences were significant, and posterior comparisons showed nine significant differences among titles. Subjects do make connotative distinctions among psychology experiment titles, a facter of potential relevance in assessing the influence of the volunteer subject on the outcome of psychological research.
Marijuana use and health in primary care.

The Authors’ Reply—We read with interest the letter by Chukwuemeka1 addressing our recently published research.2 As stated in the limitations section of our paper, we agree that our sample might not be generalizable to all marijuana users. However, we believe that a sample identified by screening in primary care is important, given that prior studies have focused on other selected samples, like patients receiving treatment for addiction.3 Also, it seems unlikely that the associations between frequency of marijuana use and the outcomes of interest (health status, comorbidity, emergency department utilization and hospitalization) would differ in this population from others. We agree that it is a possibility that patients not included in our study (because they were ineligible or because they refused to participate) could be systematically different from those included regarding some baseline characteristics other than the ones we checked (age, gender and frequency of marijuana use). As noted in the discussion, we believe that a study using a comparison group of primary care patients that do not use drugs is needed. In spite of the fact that the interpretation of results with a reference category of “no drug use” would be easier, the absence of any dose response clearly reduces the likelihood that a causal association exists between frequency of marijuana use and the outcomes of interest.
An empirical analysis of integer programming formulations for the permutation flowshop

An empirical analysis was conducted to assess the relative effectiveness of four integer programming models for the regular permutation flowshop problem. Each of these models was used to solve a set of 60 flowshop problems. Analysis of the resultant computer solution times for each model indicated that the two assignment problem based models solved these problem instances in significantly less computer time than either of the two dichotomous constraints based models. Further, these computer solution time differences increased dramatically with increased numbers of jobs and machines in the flowshop problem. These results contradict Pan's conclusion that a variant of Manne's dichotomous constraints approach was superior to the assignment problem approaches of Wagner and Wilson because the Manne model required less than half of the binary integer variables required by the assignment problem based models.
Molecular engineering in the development of materials for thermoplastic recording

A number of internally plasticized copolymers and terpolymers have been prepared which are shown to be suitable for thermoplastic recording. These materials were responsive to both in-air and in-vacuum recording techniques, where the electrostatic charge is applied by corona charging or electron beams, respectively. Several of these materials were tailored for Schlieren optical readout while others possessed properties suggesting their use in recording systems requiring electron beam readout.
Coupling the supersymmetric 210 vector multiplet to matter in SO(10)

Abstract An analysis of the couplings of the 210-dimensional SO(10) vector multiplet to matter is given. Specifically we give an SU(5)×U(1) decomposition of the vector couplings 16 ± –16±–210, where 16± is the semispinor of SO(10) chirality ±, using a recently derived basic theorem. The analysis is carried out using the Wess–Zumino gauge. However, we also consider the more general situation where all components of the vector multiplet enter in the couplings with the chiral fields. Here elimination of the auxiliary fields leads to a sigma model type nonlinear Lagrangian. Interactions of the type analysed here may find applications in effective theories with the 210 vector arising as a condensate. The analysis presented here completes the explicit computation of all lowest order couplings involving the 16± of spinors with Higgs and vectors multiplets using the basic theorem.
A 1D sensitivity-enhanced 1H spin diffusion experiment for determining membrane protein topology.

Abstract A sensitivity-enhanced 1D 1 H spin diffusion experiment, CHH, for determining membrane protein topology is introduced. By transferring the magnetization of the labeled protein 13 C to lipid and water protons for detection, the CHH experiment reduces the time of the original 2D 13 C-detected experiment by two orders of magnitude. The sensitivity enhancement results from 1 H detection and the elimination of the 13 C dimension. Consideration of the spin statistics of the membrane sample indicates that the CHH sensitivity depends on the 13 C labeling level and the number of protein protons relative to the mobile protons. 5–35% of the theoretical sensitivity was achieved on two extensively 13 C labeled proteins. The experimental uncertainties arise from incomplete suppression of the equilibrium 1 H magnetization and the magnetization of lipid protons directly bonded to natural-abundance carbons. The technique, demonstrated on colicin Ia channel domain, confirms the presence of a transmembrane domain and the predominance of surface-bound helices.
Iron overload diminishes atherosclerosis in apoE-deficient mice

It has been proposed that elevated levels of tissue iron increase the risk for atherosclerosis, perhaps by favoring the formation of pro-atherogenic oxidized LDL. Working with apoE-deficient (apoE(-/-)) mice, which do not require a high-fat diet to develop atherosclerosis, we compared the effects of standard diet (0.02% iron) or a 2% carbonyl iron diet. After 24 weeks, mice fed the 2% carbonyl iron diet had twice as much iron in their plasma, a ninefold increase in bleomycin-detectable free iron in their plasma, and ten times as much iron in their livers as control mice. Dietary iron overload caused a modest (30%) rise in plasma triglyceride and cholesterol. Nevertheless, this regimen did not exacerbate, but rather reduced the severity of atherosclerosis by 50%, and it failed to elevate hepatic levels of heme oxygenase mRNA, which is induced by many different oxidative insults in vitro. Moreover, hepatic levels of protein-bound dityrosine and ortho-tyrosine, two markers of metal-catalyzed oxidative damage in vitro, failed to rise in iron-overloaded animals. Our observations suggest that elevated serum and tissue levels of iron are not atherogenic in apoE(-/-) mice. Moreover, they call into question the hypothesis that elevated levels of tissue iron promote LDL oxidation and oxidative stress in vivo.
Support from health care providers and the psychological adjustment of individuals experiencing infertility.

Objective: To examine the relationship between support from health care providers and psychological adjustment for men and women experiencing infertility. Design: Survey research using confidential self‐administered questionnaires. Participants: One hundred twenty individuals experiencing infertility within their couple relationship participated in this study (60.8% women; 29.3% men). Main Outcome Measures: Perceived support from health care providers was hypothesized to be related to stress, anxiety, and depression. Various treatment variables were held constant in the regression analyses. Results: For women, perceived support from health care providers did not predict levels of stress, depression, or anxiety. For men, greater levels of perceived support from health care providers predicted lower levels of stress ( F Change = 4.90, p F Change = 4.81, p Conclusion: Much research exists indicating that friend and family support is a buffer to negative psychological adjustment for women. The results of this study emphasize that the study of support from nurses and other health care providers might provide greater understanding of ways to buffer negative psychological adjustment for men experiencing infertility in the couple relationship.
Adenyl cyclase assay in fat cell ghosts.

Abstract An assay of adenyl cyclase in the fat cell ghost preparation is described that permits measurement of enzyme in the presence of 10,000-fold excess of ATPase activity. The assay system contains ATP-α- 32 P as the substrate, phosphoenol pyruvate and pyruvate kinase to regenerate the ATP hydrolyzed, and cold adenosine-3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) to trap the radioactive cAMP formed. cAMP is separated by either two-dimensional cellulose thin-layer chromatography or by anion-exchange thin-layer chromatography (using polyethyleneimine-impregnated cellulose) and measured by liquid scintillation counting. The cyclase had an apparent K m of 0.1–0.2 × 10 −3 M in the presence and absence of 10 m M NaF; V m was increased 6- to 10-fold by NaF. General aspects of radioactive cyclase assays relating to radioactive impurities of the substrate ATP and the formation of radioactive side products are discussed.
Using existential graphs to integrate mental logic theory and mental model theory

There are two main theories as to how humans reason deductively. Mental logic theory states that humans reason through the application of formal reasoning schemas of the kind encountered in formal logic. Mental model theory states that humans reason through the construction, combination, and elimination of models compatible with the given information, and inspection of the models that remain. I propose that there exists a natural compromise between these two competing theories of reasoning.
Central amygdala GluA1 facilitates associative learning of opioid reward

GluA1 subunits of AMPA glutamate receptors are implicated in the synaptic plasticity induced by drugs of abuse for behaviors of drug addiction, but GluA1 roles in emotional learning and memories of drug reward in the development of drug addiction remain unclear. In this study of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), which is critical in emotional learning of drug reward, we investigated how adaptive changes in the expression of GluA1 subunits affected the learning process of opioid-induced context–reward association (associative learning) for the acquisition of reward-related behavior. In CeA neurons, we found that CeA GluA1 expression was significantly increased 2 h after conditioning treatment with morphine, but not 24 h after the conditioning when the behavior of conditioned place reference (CPP) was fully established in rats. Adenoviral overexpression of GluA1 subunits in CeA accelerated associative learning, as shown by reduced minimum time of morphine conditioning required for CPP acquisition and by facilitated CPP extinction through extinction training with no morphine involved. Adenoviral shRNA-mediated downregulation of CeA GluA1 produced opposite effects, inhibiting the processes of both CPP acquisition and CPP extinction. Adenoviral knockdown of CeA GluA2 subunits facilitated CPP acquisition, but did not alter CPP extinction. Whole-cell recording revealed enhanced electrophysiological properties of postsynaptic GluA2-lacking AMPA receptors in adenoviral GluA1-infected CeA neurons. These results suggest that increased GluA1 expression of CeA AMPA receptors facilitates the associative learning of context-drug reward, an important process in both development and relapse of drug-seeking behaviors in drug addiction.
Elucidation of the Role of Arg 110 of Murine Leukemia Virus Reverse Transcriptase in the Catalytic Mechanism: Biochemical Characterization of Its Mutant Enzymes†

Based on the projected three-dimensional equivalence of conserved amino acids in the catalytic domains of DNA polymerases, we propose Arg 110 of MuLV RT to be an important participant in the catalytic mechanism of MuLV RT. In order to obtain evidence to support this proposition and to assess the functional importance of Arg 110, we carried out site directed mutagenesis of Arg 110 and replaced it with Lys, Ala, and Glu. The mutant enzymes were characterized with respect to their kinetic parameters, ability to bind template-primers, and the mode of DNA synthesis. All the three substitutions at 110 position resulted in severe loss of polymerase activity without any significant effect on the RNase H function. In spite of an approximately 1000-fold reduction in kcat of polymerase activity with three mutant enzymes, no significant reduction in the affinities for either template-primer or dNTP substrates was apparent. Mutant enzymes also did not exhibit significant sulfur elemental effect, implying that the chemical step, i.e., phosphodiester bond formation, was not defective. Examination of the mode of DNA synthesis by the mutant enzymes indicated a shift from processive to the distributive mode of synthesis. The mutants of R110 also displayed significant loss of pyrophosphorolysis activity. Furthermore, the time course of primer extension with mutant enzymes indicated severe reduction in the rates of addition of the first nucleotide and even further reduction in the addition of the second nucleotide. These results suggest that the rate limiting step for the mutant enzymes may be before and after the phosphodiester bond formation. Based on these results, we propose that Arg 110 of MuLV RT participates in the conformational change steps prior to and after the chemical step of polymerase reaction.
BCI-FES: could a new rehabilitation device hold fresh promise for stroke patients?

It has been known that stroke constitutes a major source of acquired disability, with nearly 800,000 new strokes each year in the USA alone. While advances in public and preventative health have helped reduce stroke incidence in high-income countries in recent decades, growth of the aging population, increasing stroke rates in low- to middle-income countries and medical advances that have reduced stroke mortality are all contributing to an increase in stroke survivors worldwide. Large numbers of stroke survivors have residual motor deficits. This editorial will provide an introduction to a class of new therapies being investigated with the aim of improving motor outcomes in stroke patients that uses what is known as brain–computer interface technology.
Role of adsorbate structure in the dynamics of surface photodissociation

Photofragments produced following 257 nm irradiation of physiosorbed methyl iodide on MgO(100) and TiO 2 (110) have been studied using resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The observed signal is associated with photofragment production from methyl iodide chromophores present in the near surface region. The dependence of the velocity distribution of methyl photofragments on ejection angle and polarization of the photolysis beam indicates that the multilayer film is composed primarily of an anti-parallel arrangement of methyl iodide molecules whose C-I bonds are aligned close to the surface normal. At submonolayer coverage on TiO 2 methyl iodide is predominantly in a parallel orientation with the iodine close to the surface and the methyl group pointing away from the surface.
Extended Hückel theory for quantum transport in magnetic tunnel junctions

Spin-resolved conductivities in magnetic tunnel junctions are calculated using a semiempirical tight-binding model and non-equilibrium Green's functions. The performance of half-metallic electrodes is studied by comparing conventional Fe-MgO-Fe structures to Co 2 FeAl-MgO-Co 2 FeAl structures. The results show higher tunneling magnetoresistance and resistance-area product for Co 2 FeAl devices across a wide bias range.
Critical terrorism studies: a political economic approach grounded in critical realism

This article outlines a political economic (PE) approach to critical terrorism studies, one that, derived from Marx, reflects a critical realist philosophy of science. The approach to be delineated is therefore philosophically realist and non-reductively materialist in its attention to non-discursive as well as discursive elements of social context. The article goes on to show that the PE approach offers more than the discursive approaches, which the PE approach actually encompasses, and is better than the discursive approaches in grounding the objectives of critical terrorism studies. The final section of this article presents the kind of research agenda that the PE approach suggests.
Isotopic composition and concentration of sulfur in carbonaceous chondrites

New sulfur isotopic ratio measurements are reported for seven carbonaceous chondrites. Newly developed procedures permit measurement of delta S-33, delta S-34, and delta S-36 at precisions significantly greater than previously reported. A search for S-36 nucleosynthetic anomalies coproduced with anomalies in, for example, Ti-50 and Ca-48 was negative. The high endemic sulfur concentration probably dilutes any S-36 anomaly, and separation of individual sulfur phases may be needed to identify S-36 carrier phases. Large internal isotopic variations are observed, deriving from parent body and possibly nebular processes. Chondrule separates from Allende demonstrate isotopic compositions which vary as a function of diameter. High-temperature gas-solid exchange and a two-component mixing model may account for the observations. High-resolution isotopic data and structural information are reported for organic sulfur compounds separated by chemical extractions. The insoluble organics appear to be of either aliphatic or alicyclic structure and are dominant phases.
ADVANCED CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEM - ACTS

The Advanced Construction Technology System (ACTS) is a computerized data base for the classification, documentation, storage, and retrieval of information about emerging construction technologies. ACTS consists of a custom Microsoft (MS) Windows application, classification, and keyword files and a data base of emerging technologies. It currently includes technologies that relate to civil, architectural, electrical, instrumentation, mechanical, and piping systems. Tehnologies have been classified according to the CSI Masterformat, indexed using a predetermined set of keywords, and described according to a standard format that determines the type, amount, and organization of information about each technology. The ACTS project was supported by the Construction Industry Institute and the Construction Productivity Advancement Research program (CPAR) of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Ultimately, it is anticipated that ACTS will be established as an ongoing information service to the U.S. construction industry that will help contractors, designers, and owners identify the use emerging technologies to improve construction efficiency and effectiveness. ACTS has been developed in Actor, an object-oriented general-purpose language for MS Windows 3.\Ix\N and is available from the first writer on request.
Study of conformability of the new leo plus stent to a curved vascular model using flat-panel detector computed tomography (DynaCT).

Objective In a previous study, we assessed the conformability limitations of self-expandable stents to a curved vascular model. The LEO stent (Balt Extrusion, Montmorency, France), one of the current self-expandable models available for intracranial aneurysm stenting, displayed 2 adverse mechanics: flattening of the stent midsection and inward crimping of the proximal and distal ends. We present a follow-up study in which we evaluate the conformability to curved vessels of a second-generation stent, LEO PLUS. Methods A 3.5-x 25-mm LEO PLUS stent was deployed inside a 3-mm x 10-cm polytetrafluoroethylene tube (vascular model) with a simulated 5-mm aneurysm neck at its midsection. The polytetrafluoroethylene tube was then placed in a polystyrene block (styrofoam; Dow Chemical Co., Midland, MI) and bent at different angles ranging from 0 to 150 degrees. For each angle, a rotational radiogram was performed using a C-arm angiographic system with a 30-x 43-cm CsI/amorphous silicon flat detector operated with 23-second rotations, 0.80-degree increments, 166 projections, and a 2480 x 1920 matrix (2K matrix). Results The LEO PLUS stent showed symmetric deployment at all tested degrees of curvature, without flattening or kinking. The stent retained its round cylindrical shape at all curvatures without inward crimping of its proximal and distal ends. Conclusion The previously documented adverse mechanics of the LEO stent were not observed with the new LEO PLUS stent. This suggests better conformability to curved or tortuous vasculature owing to design improvements.
A compact, bright and tunable CW source of soft X-rays

Abstract A bright, CW, tunable source of soft X-rays is proposed. The X-rays are obtained from the Compton backscattering of intense infrared laser radiation from a high quality electron beam. The incident infrared radiation is the intracavity beam in a high power Nd:YLF laser. This radiation is scatted from an relativistic electron beam generated by electrostatic accelerators. Such an X-ray source would constitute a low cost compact alternative to the more traditional synchrotron rings. Narrow bandwidth X-ray radiation can be obtained with the use of proper aperturing without the necessity of monochromators. Analytic expressions of the frequency spectrum of the radiation through a certain aperture, are given. These expressions are valid for small undulator parameter and large number of periods.
From Title to Title: The Evolution of Perspective in Naturalistic Inquiry

Naturalistic inquirers often begin fieldwork expecting to discover, not verify, the main point of their inquiry. Given their complexity, field settings seldom contain a single point or story. The naturalistic researchers' relatively unfocused beginnings lead to various tentative efforts to identify what strikes them as most promising. As they become immersed increasingly in their data, they must contend with different points that compete for center stage in their deliberations. These points may be encapsulated in titles. This article describes how the succession of titles reveals the evolution of the researcher's perspective in a recently completed study.
Teachers’ Perspectives on Citizenship Education in Islamic Schools in Michigan

Abstract This multiple case study examines how 4 social studies teachers in 2 private Islamic schools in Michigan understand the concept of citizenship education and the dilemmas they face in teaching for unity and diversity and in helping their students negotiate their civics identities within the American sociopolitical context. Data were collected through 2 in-depth semi-structured interviews. The study, which was conducted in 2010, reveals 3 dilemmas that Muslim social studies teachers handle in their classrooms. The first is how to find a balance between education for Islamic and American identities, given the increased Islam-phobia in the larger society and the lack of appropriate materials to show the contributions of Muslims to U.S. history and the world. The second dilemma involves the moral roots of teaching civics in Islamic schools and the contestation between moral absolutism and moral pluralism in the process of teaching for Islamic and democratic identities. Finally, social studies teachers...
An a posteriori parameter choice for Tikhonov regularization in the presence of modeling error

Abstract In this paper we derive an a posteriori parameter selection method for finite-dimensional Tikhonov regularization of ill-posed operator equations in the presence of modeling and data error. This parameter selection method yields optimal convergence rates and does not need any information about the exact solution. Numerical examples confirm the theoretical results.
The role of recovered envelope cues in the identification of temporal-fine-structure speech for hearing-impaired listeners

Narrowband speech can be separated into fast temporal cues [temporal fine structure (TFS)], and slow amplitude modulations (envelope). Speech processed to contain only TFS leads to envelope recovery through cochlear filtering, which has been suggested to account for TFS-speech intelligibility for normal-hearing listeners. Hearing-impaired listeners have deficits with TFS-speech identification, but the contribution of recovered-envelope cues to these deficits is unknown. This was assessed for hearing-impaired listeners by measuring identification of disyllables processed to contain TFS or recovered-envelope cues. Hearing-impaired listeners performed worse than normal-hearing listeners, but TFS-speech intelligibility was accounted for by recovered-envelope cues for both groups.
Identification of near-native structures by clustering protein docking conformations.

Most state-of-the-art protein-pro- tein docking algorithms use the Fast Fourier Trans- form (FFT) technique to sample the six-dimensional translational and rotational space. Scoring func- tions including shape complementarity, electro- statics, and desolvation are usually exploited in ranking the docking conformations. While these rigid-body docking methods provide good perform- ance in bound docking, using unbound structures as input frequently leads to a high number of false positive hits. For the purpose of better selecting correct docking conformations, we structurally cluster the docking decoys generated by four widely-used FFT-based protein-protein docking methods. In all cases, the selection based on cluster size outperforms the ranking based on the inherent scoring function. If we cluster decoys from differ- ent servers together, only marginal improvement is obtained in comparison with clustering decoys from the best individual server. A collection of mul- tiple decoy sets of comparable quality will be the key to improve the clustering result from meta- docking servers. Proteins 2007;68:187-194. V C 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Everyday Methods for Assessing Organizational Effectiveness

Consistent with a growing interest among organizational sociologists and evaluation researchers, this paper examines effectiveness as a socially constructed phenomenon in a study of how providers and consumers in social programs decide that their programs are working. Through analysis of data collected as part of an evaluation of a program to integrate former mental patients into their local communities, five everyday evaluation methods are identified: (1) measuring “success” against personal trajectories, (2) interpreting acts in the context of relationships, (3) using the dramatic incident, (4) relying on appearances of involvement, and (5) scaling goals to meet shifting constraints. Analysis shows that participants use devices for maintaining and sustaining beliefs in effectiveness despite evidence to the contrary. The understanding of everyday evaluation methods suggests the need for new models and research strategies in the study of effectiveness. As organizational survival strategies designed to instill commitment to the labor process, everyday evaluation methods, no less than the more “scientific” ones, are significant forms of organizational behavior that merit further study.
A provably good multilayer topological planar routing algorithm in IC layout designs

A provably good approximation algorithm for the multilayer topological planar routing problem is presented. The algorithm, called the iterative-peeling algorithm, finds a solution whose weight is guaranteed to be at least 1-(1/e) approximately=63.2% of the weight of an optimal solution. The algorithm works for multiterminal nets and arbitrary number of routing layers. For a fixed number of routing layers, even tighter performance bounds are used. In particular, the performance ratio of the iterative-peeling algorithm is at least 75% for two-layer routing and is at least 70.4% for three-layer routing. Experimental results confirm that the algorithm can always route a majority of the nets without using vias, even when the number of routing layers is fairly small. >
Inhibition of herpesvirus replication by 5-substituted 4'-thiopyrimidine nucleosides.

A series of 4′-thionucleosides were synthesized and evaluated for activities against orthopoxviruses and herpesviruses. We reported previously that one analog, 5-iodo-4′-thio-2′-deoxyuridine (4′-thioIDU), exhibits good activity both in vitro and in vivo against two orthopoxviruses. This compound also has good activity in cell culture against many of the herpesviruses. It inhibited the replication of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), HSV-2, and varicella-zoster virus with 50% effective concentrations (EC50s) of 0.1, 0.5, and 2 μM, respectively. It also inhibited the replication of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) with an EC50 of 5.9 μM but did not selectively inhibit Epstein-Barr virus, human herpesvirus 6, or human herpesvirus 8. While acyclovir-resistant strains of HSV-1 and HSV-2 were comparatively resistant to 4′-thioIDU, it retained modest activity (EC50s of 4 to 12 μM) against these strains. Some ganciclovir-resistant strains of HCMV also exhibited reduced susceptibilities to the compound, which appeared to be related to the specific mutations in the DNA polymerase, consistent with the observed incorporation of the compound into viral DNA. The activity of 4′-thioIDU was also evaluated using mice infected intranasally with the MS strain of HSV-2. Although there was no decrease in final mortality rates, the mean length of survival after inoculation increased significantly (P < 0.05) for all animals receiving 4′-thioIDU. The findings from the studies presented here suggest that 4′-thioIDU is a good inhibitor of some herpesviruses, as well as orthopoxviruses, and this class of compounds warrants further study as a therapy for infections with these viruses.
Predicting semantic priming at the item level

The current study explores a set of variables that have the potential to predict semantic priming effects for 300 prime–target associates at the item level. Young and older adults performed either lexical decision (LDT) or naming tasks. A multiple regression procedure was used to predict priming based upon prime characteristics, target characteristics, and prime–target semantic similarity. Results indicate that semantic priming (a) can be reliably predicted at an item level; (b) is equivalent in magnitude across standardized measures of priming in LDTs and naming tasks; (c) is greater following quickly recognized primes; (d) is greater in LDTs for targets that produce slow lexical decision latencies; (e) is greater for pairs high in forward associative strength across tasks and across stimulus onset asynchronies (SOAs); (f) is greater for pairs high in backward associative strength in both tasks, but only at a long SOA; and (g) does not vary as a function of estimates from latent semantic analysis (LSA). ...
Analysis of liquid chromatography with nonuniform crystallite particles

A mathematical analysis for the pulse responses of a liquid chromatographic column packed with crystal powders having a particle size distribution and a nonlinear adsorption isotherm is presented. The mathematical model is solved numerically by the orthogonal collocation method. Based on the parametric analysis of the model, the effects of a symmetrical and moderately asymmetric PSD on the LC responses are shown to be negligible in comparison with the effects of other parameters, such as isotherm nonlinearity, whose effects are much more profound. The simulated responses are compared with the experimental response data for an LC column packed with silicalite crystals, and a good agreement is found between the theoretical and experimental results. Using the nonlinear LC model, the simultaneous determination of nonlinear adsorption isotherms and intraparticle diffusivities from LC pulse responses is demonstrated for liquids in porous adsorbents.
Preparation of Liquid and Solid Samples

Sampling and sample preparation of liquids and solids often present significant challenges for real-world quantitative analyses using spectrometric techniques (e.g., UV–vis and infrared absorption, luminescence and Raman spectroscopies). Very often, the native form of a sample is unsuitable for analysis. This could be due to (i) the complex nature of the object, which could provide false measurements due to interferences or masking agents; (ii) the size of the object being too large to analyze in its entirety (e.g., laboratory sample of contaminated soil); or (iii) the awkward shape of the object, preventing it from fitting within the instrument in which the measurement is to be made. To overcome these problems, some sort of sample preparation must be performed. In many cases, sample preparation is required before any quantitative analysis, and both can have dramatic impacts on the measured results and their accuracy. The previous chapter presented the main criteria to be followed for solid and liquid sample collection. This chapter presents a general overview of various methods for sample preparation. This general topic has been described extensively in a variety of research papers and review chapters in the literature [1–6], with specific variations for particular applications often being necessary. This chapter deals with the sample preparation required to provide a material suitable for spectrometric analysis.
Characterization of Parylene-C using quartz thickness shear mode (TSM) resonators

Due to its high sensitivity, repeatability and easy connection with electrical measurement systems, Quartz thickness-shear-mode (TSM) resonator is adopted to extract the complex shear modulus of Parylene-C films, which play an important role as both an effective wave-guiding layer and biocompatible interfacial layer in Shear-Horizontal Surface Acoustic Wave Device (SH-SAW, Love Mode). Parylene-C films of different thicknesses were deposited on the surface of AT-cut quartz TSM resonators, and admittance spectrums of these uncoated and coated TSM were measured by an impedance analyzer. Results indicated that the ideal thickness range for extraction was from 2.04 μm to 3.55 μm, effectively avoiding inadequate acoustic deformation as well as excessive electrical-response attenuation. The storage modulus G' and loss modulus G" of Parylene-C were 0.155±0.011 GPa and 4.78±0.44 GPa, respectively.
Cerebrovascular monitoring during carotid endarterectomy.

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is recognized today as the treatment of choice for selected patients with symptomatic or asymptomatic, severe, extracranial internal carotid artery stenosis. Introduced in the 1950s and perfected during the subsequent years, the number of CEAs has increased since the early 1990s1 to an annual rate exceeding 130 000 cases.2 CEA is the most frequently performed noncardiac vascular procedure in the United States.2 Stroke, myocardial infarction, and death are the major complications of CEA, myocardial infarction being a frequent cause of death.3 In 1995, an Ad Hoc Committee for the American Heart Association published guidelines which indicated that for the procedure to be efficacious, a surgeon’s combined morbidity and mortality rate should be <6% for symptomatic patients and <3% for those who are asymptomatic.4 Large CEA trials have shown that these figures can be achieved at selected centers.5 6 There is an increasing concern, however, that these rates may be exceeded in wider practice.7 In a recently published prospective study at a single medical center,8 a combined stroke and death rate of 8.3% was reported, and the rate was 11.1% when symptomatic patients were analyzed as a separate group. In addition, although the mortality rate for Medicare beneficiaries decreased from 1985 to 1996, it did not attain the rates of the trials,9 and it was 2.5% at hospitals with a low volume that did not participate in the CEA trials.7 More than likely, rates vary among surgeons and hospitals.7 10 11 Stroke is the most common major complication of CEA. Its incidence was 5.5% in the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET)6 and 6.5% for patients with moderate stenosis in the European Carotid Surgery Trial.12 Although both embolism and hemodynamic compromise can lead to …
Aberrant Supply of the Common Penile Artery from an Inferior Epigastric/External Pudendal Artery Trunk: Radiological and Urological Implications A Case Report

In cases of arteriogenic impotence, penile angiography is often performed before penile revascularization. Evaluation of the inferior epigastric arteries is critical for preoperative planning, for use of the dominant vessel is preferred. Performance of penile angiography requires knowledge of the extensive variations of the penile arterial system. This case report describes an anatomical variation of both the inferior epigastric artery and the penile arteries. Failure to recognize this variation could have resulted in a failed penile revascularization if surgery had been performed.
Dynamic performance measurements of Na/NiCl2 cells for electric vehicle applications

Abstract A method to measure the dynamic-performance of sodium/nickel chloride research cells under various dynamic load profiles, such as the Simplified Federal Urban Driving Schedule (SFUDS) has been described. The dynamic performance of various Na/NiCl 2 research cells is measured in various power profiles in which the duration, intensity, and ratios of the power levels (mW/cm 2 ) in the SFUDS-like profiles are varied. Performance parameters such as area-specific impedance and specific-area energy are obtained by discharging these cells under actual conditions that exist in the full-size battery during the intended applications. The performance parameters measured by this method are employed in relatively simple scale-up calculations to project performances of full-size battery.
Code from requirements: new productivity tools improve the reliability and maintainability of software systems

Model driven architecture (MDA) has introduced a new paradigm for the software development process. In the MDA approach system requirements are specified in a formal language, most often the unified modeling language (UML), to form a platform independent model (PIM) of the system. A translation tool based on technology design patterns, transforms these specifications into a platform specific model (PSM) defined for the specific technology on which the system will be based. Then, using implementation design patterns, the PSM is transformed into the code model, which implements the system. Thus the system code is developed directly and automatically from the system requirements specification. The MDA approach was developed to enhance productivity and shorten the development cycle but it also gives significant improvements in software reliability. The process captures the best practices of the best developers; promotes a focus on solving the business problem; eliminates the incentives for programmers to take short-cuts; effects rapid application development, and promotes improved software maintenance practices.