cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Ingroup vs Outgroup Performance on Personal Values

Two experiments explored the effects of ingroup vs outgroup performance on the extent to which individuals value an attribute. Self-appraisals of personal standing on the attribute were examined as a potential mediator of this relationship. In both experiments, members of two groups (either experimentally created or gender groups) took a test of a bogus personality trait and received feedback about the performance of their ingroup relative to an outgroup. Feedback about personal performance was not provided. Results of both studies demonstrated that individuals valued the attribute less when their ingroup scored lower than the outgroup compared to when the ingroup scored higher than the outgroup. Relative ingroup performance also affected participants' self-appraisals of their own standing on the attribute. These self-appraisals, however, only partially mediated the effects of group performance on personal valuing. The implications for selective devaluing as a self-protective strategy used by stigmatized groups are discussed.
Relaxation of the resolution requirements for direct-methods phasing.

Shake-and-bake phasing methods have permitted the ab initio solution of crystal structures containing more than 1000 independent non-H light atoms (C, N, O). The success of these procedures is critically dependent upon having diffraction data measured to at least 1.2 A resolution. A new target function R2(φh) is introduced into the shake-and-bake procedure along with a real difference map strategy whereby this resolution limit can be appreciably lowered toward 1.5 A. These improvements, when applied to moderately high resolution data, may now allow one the possibility to solve structures that are twice as large as could have been solved previously.
Genetic learning of virtual team member preferences

Abstract Virtual team members do not have complete understanding of other team members’ preferences, which makes team coordination somewhat difficult and time consuming. Traditional approaches for team coordination require a lot of inter-agent electronic communication and often result in wasted effort. Methods that reduce inter-agent communication and conflicts are likely to increase productivity of virtual teams. In this research, we propose an evolutionary genetic algorithm (GA) based intelligent agent that learns a team member preferences from past actions, and develops a team-coordination schedule by minimizing schedule conflicts between different members serving on a virtual team. Using a discrete event simulation methodology, we test the proposed intelligent agent on different virtual teams of sizes two, four, six and eight members. The results of our experiments indicate that the GA-based intelligent agent learns individual team member preferences and generates a team-coordination schedule at a lower inter-agent communication cost.
Crystal structure analysis and polarization mechanisms of ferroelectric tetragonal tungsten bronze lead barium niobate

Abstract Lead barium niobate single crystals of the composition Pb0.596Ba0.404Nb2.037O6, near the tetragonal: orthorhombic morphotropic phase boundary with tetragonal symmetry at room temperature, were the subject of this study. The crystallographic details, including the ionic coordination, the site occupancies and the thermal anisotropy of a lead-containing tetragonal tungsten bronze crystal are determined. This paper reports the structural refinement results, the site-preference by cations and vacancies, the macroscopic polarization properties derived from the cation displacement, and the apparent valences determined by the bonding distance. Unlike other non-lead-containing ferroelectric tungsten bronzes, significant polarization contribution can be attributed to cations (Pb2+ and Ba2+) at the A2-site. Large anisotropic thermal coefficients found for cations at the A2-site further strengthens the local polarization fluctuation model and suggests the local polarization components are perpendicular to th...
A New Type of Selenium Cell

During the course of some experiments on selenium a need arose for a cell, the conducting part of which should be cylindrical. It was also necessary that the cell be of high sensitivity and consequently of high resistance.
Importance of a sense of control and the physiological benefits of leadership.

I write amid the frenzy of the September campaign season, when the airways are filled with politicians saying the same thing: They are willing to sacrifice themselves, to take on the terrible burdens of power and privilege, just to help us all. Alas, these individuals seem to have a certain outdated view about the physiological correlates of leadership, and a fascinating paper in PNAS by Sherman et al. (1) emphasizes this point.
Depolarization-Induced Intracellular Ca2+ Release in Postganglionic Sympathetic Neurons from Adult Mice

Ca2+ influx through voltage-activated plasmalemmal Ca2+ channels provides a trigger for Ca2+ release from internal Ca2+ stores in mammalian postganglionic sympathetic neurons. Here we examined whether a Ca2+ influx-independent, depolarization-induced component contributes to the rise in intracellular Ca2+. Exposure of postganglionic sympathetic neurons isolated from adult mice to a high K+ (80 mM), normal Ca2+ (2 mM) solution for 30 s caused sustained membrane depolarizations from −58.9±3.4 mV to −12.8±0.8 mV (mean±SEM; 38 cells) and increases in fluo-4 ΔF/F0 (F indicates fluorescence intensity, and F0 indicates F at baseline), which rapidly resolved upon repolarization (left Figure; peak ΔF/F0 averaged 5.20±0.38). Superfusion with a high K+, Ca2+-free solution caused depolarizations of similar magnitude and small-amplitude increases in ΔF/F0 (mean peak ΔF/F0 = 0.41±0.03; 29 cells) with slow decay upon repolarization (right Figure). Thapsigargin (1 μM) or the IP3 receptor inhibitor 2-APB (20 μM), but not ryanodine (20 μM) or nifedipine (50 μM), abrogated Ca2+ rises evoked by high K+ in the absence of external Ca2+ without affecting the membrane voltage response. Thus, sympathetic neurons exhibit depolarization-induced Ca2+ release from IP3-sensitive stores, linking electrical activity and a rise in cytoplasmic Ca2+.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
Anopheles culicifacies Giles: Mating Behavior and Competitiveness in Nature of Chemosterilized Males Carrying a Genetic Sexing System

Chemosterilized Anopheles culicifacies Giles males carrying a Y-linked, dieldrin genetic sexing device (D-13) were released concomitantly with a laboratory-adapted strain (SAT) and the progeny of wild-caught females (KB) as pupae through a self-dusting device positioned at a breeding site near Kot Baghicha Singh Walla, Pakistan during April 1980. Some dusted SAT and KB ♀ ♀ were also released as virgin adults inside diurnal cattle shed resting sites. Emerging D-13 ♂ ♂ behaved similarly to endemic unmarked males (UM); i.e., they rested outdoors until sexually mature, immigrated into a cattle-shed compound where they swarmed with UM ♂ ♂ and rested indoors on the following day in equal proportions to swarm composition. In addition, equal proportions of D-13 and UM ♂ ♂ mated at each collection site. However, estimates of mating competitiveness based on the fertility of egg batches from individual SAT, KB and UM ♀ ♀ were statistically less than one, suggesting that D-13 ♂ ♂ were less competitive in nature, although equally competitive under laboratory conditions.
Evolution of modes in magnetically insulated crossed-field diodes

Summary form only given. The time-dependent behavior of electron sheaths in a magnetically insulated B>BHull anode-cathode gap with crossed electric and magnetic fields is studied. The crossed field, space-charge limited diode is modeled for various magnetic fields by means of multidimensional (1D and 2D), self consistent, electromagnetic, particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations in both cylindrical and planar geometries. The transient behavior of the system is examined in detail and is divided into three separate stages: cycloidal flow, collapse of cycloidal flow and sheared (near-Brillouin) flow. It has been shown in 1D planar geometry that the cycloidal flows collapse into a steady, near-Brillouin flow. Our 2D electromagnetic PIC simulations (both planar and cylindrical) show that cycloidal flow also collapses into a perturbed flow that is dominated by the E cross B drift, but is neither steady nor stable. This observed cycloidal flow instability is a kinetic mode, not a fluid mode such as the magnetron or diocotron instability. The growth of the kinetic mode is faster than that of either of the above mentioned fluid instabilities. After the kinetic mode saturates, the fastest growing fluid mode grows to dominate the system. A slow wave structure (SWS) is added to the anode that matches the wavelength and frequency of the fastest growing fluid instability. The SWS is added by three different methods to separate the RF effects from the DC electric field effects created by the SWS. The first method is to add a circuit to the anode that does not affect the DC electric fields, the second is to add the SWS by placing a thin dielectric (with and unphysical large dielectric constant), and last is to add the geometric SWS. The SWS is then perturbed so that wavelength and/or frequency does not match the smooth bore diode growth rate and the region of 'lock-in' to the SWS is found. The simulations are done with a Cartesian mesh and cylindrical mesh and the time-to-solution and accuracy are compared
Depressive Symptoms and Use of Home-Based Respite Time in Family Caregivers

This study investigated the relationship between activities during respite time and depressive symptoms in family caregivers (N = 74) of older adults receiving in-home respite services. Contrary to prior research, demographic contextual variables (caregiver gender, household income, and dyad relationship) and care recipient problems (behavioral dysfunction and functional impairment) were not associated with caregiver depressive symptoms, nor was total minutes engaged in discretionary activities during respite. Self-reported depressive symptomatology in family caregivers was significantly and inversely related to both past service usage and total minutes of chore time completed on a typical home-based respite day. Implications for research in this area and service delivery are discussed.
Diketopiperazine‐based polymers from common amino acids

High-melting-point polymers with heterocyclic backbone units were synthesized from common amino acids. Acids were first converted to methyl ester salts and then were dimerized to form diketopiperazines, which were polymerized in solution. Aspartic acid, serine, lysine, glycine, and tyrosine were used as starting materials for the diketopiperazines. Aromatic and aliphatic comonomers were used. Thus, we demonstrate the technical feasibility of producing strong, durable resins from abundant domestic resources. These resins show great potential for high-performance polymers for use in films, fibers, and composites. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 2213–2218, 2000
Real-time system for accurate three-dimensional position determination and verification

A real-time system for position determination of a mobile robot in an industrial environment is presented. A complete error analysis of the system is conducted, and the necessary conditions required for achieving accuracy are evaluated mathematically. A method for segmentation using chromatic information has been developed. It makes extensive use of image moments to calculate geometric parameters and correct errors due to perspective distortion. Architectures for calculation of higher-order moments of up to seventh order in real time are discussed. Methods for performing these complex calculations in real time by using only simple circuit elements such as adders and accumulators are given. >
Partitioning arrangements of lines: I. An efficient deterministic algorithm

In this paper we consider the following problem: Given a set ? ofn lines in the plane, partition the plane intoO(r2) triangles so that no triangle meets more thanO(n/r) lines of ?. We present a deterministic algorithm for this problem withO(nr logn/r) running time, where? is a constant <3.33.
Effects of nitroglycerin on supine and upright exercise in mitral stenosis

Abstract Resting, supine, and upright exercise hemodynamics were studied in 11 patients with pure or predominant mitral stenosis before and after 0.4 mg sublingual nitroglycerin. Resting mean pulmonary wedge pressure was reduced from 27 ± 1.6 to 21 ± 1.6 mm Hg ( p 2 ; NS) and mean heart rate (82 ± 4.4 vs 87 ± 6.7 bpm; NS) were unchanged after nitroglycerin. Resting mean left ventricular end-diastolic pressure dropped from 11 ± 1.7 to 8 ± 1.1 mm Hg ( p p p 2 ; NS) and heart rate (116 ± 7.1 vs 113 ± 4.6 bpm; NS) were not different. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (13 ± 1.4 vs 10 ± 1.3; NS) was slightly but not significantly reduced by nitroglycerin. Left ventricular stroke index (34 ± 3.4 vs 31 ± 2.2 mm Hg; NS) was unchanged by nitroglycerin. Left ventricular systolic pressure (137 ± 7.3 vs 127 ± 6.1 mm Hg; p p
Economics and government popularity in Ghana

Abstract While the evidence for economic voting in industrialized countries is strong, relatively little attention has been paid to developing countries in general or Africa in particular. This study uses data from the 1999 Afrobarometer survey in Ghana to test for individual-level economic voting as a government popularity function. I employ OLS and logit models to demonstrate that economic considerations, especially prospective economic evaluations, prove significant in explaining government support, which is highly correlated with voting behavior. However, these models also demonstrate that long-term structural factors like ethnicity, geography and partisan identification still play significant roles.
Ultrasound as a complement to mammography and breast examination to characterize breast masses.

This study was designed to determine if complementary ultrasound (US) imaging and Doppler could decrease the number of biopsies for benign masses. A total of 761 breast masses were sequentially scored on a level of suspicion (LOS) of 1-5, where 1 represented low, and 5 was a high suspicion of malignancy, for mammography, US, and color flow with pulse Doppler (DUS). After biopsy, the results were analyzed using 2 x 2 contingency tables and ROC analysis, for mammography alone and in combination with US and DUS. The addition of US increased the specificity from 51.4% to 66.4% at a prevalence of 31.3% malignancy. ROC analysis showed that the addition of US significantly improved the performance over mammography alone in women 55 years old (p = 0.029); masses 1 cm (p = 0.016). These results show that the addition of US to mammography alone could substantially reduce the number of breast biopsies for benign disease.
A new online learning algorithm with application to image segmentation

In this paper we present a new online learning and classification algorithm and suggest its use for image segmentation. Our learning algorithm follows a variation of Bayesian estimation procedure, which combines prior knowledge and knowledge learned from data. Our classification algorithm strictly follows a statistical classification procedure. The new online learning algorithm is simple to implement, robust to initial parameters and has a linear complexity. The experimental results using computer generated data show that the proposed online learning algorithm can quickly learn the underlying structure from data. The proposed online learning algorithm is used to develop a novel image segmentation procedure. This image segmentation procedure is based on the region growing and merging approach. First, region growing is carried out using the online learning algorithm. Then, a merging operation is performed to merge the small regions. Two merging methods are proposed. The first method is based on statistical similarity and merges the statistically similar and spatially adjacent regions. The second method uses an information-based approach merging small regions into their neighbouring larger regions. Many experimental results clearly show the efficacy of the proposed image segmentation method.
Abdominal muscle length during respiratory defensive reflexes.

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to assess the mechanical behavior of an expiratory muscle during defensive reflexes. Transversus abdominis muscle length changes were measured using sonomicrometry in anesthetized dogs. The abdominal muscle lenghtened during the inspiratory phase and shortened at a rapid velocity during the expiratory portion of coughs and sneezes. The mean extent of muscle shortening was not different during coughing compared to breathing ( P>0.20 ) but was approximately double in magnitude during sneezing compared to breathing ( P ). On the other hand, the peak velocity of muscle shortening was approximately 5-fold greater during coughing ( P ) and 10-fold greater during sneezing ( P ) than during breathing. During the largest coughs and sneezes in each animal, peak velocity of muscle shortening averaged 77±9 and 179±65% of end-inspiratory length per sec, respectively. Muscle end-inspiratory length during coughs and sneezes differed from values during breathing (range ±8% ), although for the group of animals the mean changes were small ( ±1% ). Despite these changes in end-inspiratory length, the abdominal muscle continued to operate at lengths both above and below its resting length. These results suggest that during defensive reflexes, greater increases occur in the velocity than in the extent of transversus abdominis muscle shortening relative to during breathing. In addition the transversus abdominis muscle appears to play an active respiratory role during defensive reflexes.
Composition of biotite phenocrysts in Ordovician tephras casts doubt on the proposed trans-Atlantic correlation of the Millbrig K-bentonite (United States) and the Kinnekulle K-bentonite (Sweden)

Biotite phenocryst compositions in three thick, widespread Ordovician K-bentonites, the Deicke and Millbrig from Big Ridge, Alabama, and the Kinnekulle from Mossen, Vastergotland, Sweden, fall into three distinct groups, and so the proposed intercontinental correlation of the Millbrig and the Kinnekulle is suspect. Because the biotites are nearly pristine compositionally, electron microprobe analyses provide a precise geochemical fingerprint of each bed. Millbrig and Kinnekulle biotites contain more FeO* and MnO and less MgO and TiO 2 than do Deicke biotites. Millbrig biotites contain more MgO and less TiO 2 than Kinnekulle biotites, and Kinnekulle biotites contain appreciably more Al 2 O 3 than either Deicke or Millbrig biotites. Each of these tephras was unmistakably the product of a gigantic explosive volcanic eruption, but the differences in phenocryst chemistry point to derivation from three compositionally different magma batches.
Lifetimes and magnetic moments of levels in 57Fe

Abstract The B ( E 2) values of the 136, 367 and 707 keV levels of 57 Fe and the 847 keV level of 56 Fe are measured. From angular distribution measurements of the decay gamma rays, the E2/M1 mixing ratios are determined. Together with previously determined branching ratios, these data are used to obtain lifetimes of the levels, which are compared with directly measured lifetimes. The Doppler-shift method is used to determine the lifetimes of the 367 and 707 keV levels of 57 Fe and the 847 keV level of 56 Fe. The magnetic moment of the 136 keV level of 57 Fe is determined by an integral-precession measurement in an external field. An attempt is made to observe the magnetic moment of the 367 keV state following implantation in an iron environment. All the properties of the levels in 57 Fe are compared with recent theories.
Gamma-ray polarization sensitivity of the Gammasphere segmented germanium detectors

Abstract We present a technique for operating the Gammasphere segmented Ge detectors as γ-ray polarimeters. Using γ-rays of known polarization, we have measured the polarization sensitivity, Q ( E γ ), of these detectors in the energy range E γ =0.4–1.4 MeV. The experimentally obtained value of Q ranges from 5% at 415 keV to 4% at 1368 keV. The magnitude and energy dependence of Q ( E γ ) has also been determined theoretically by means of a Monte Carlo simulation, and the agreement between experiment and theory is within 20% over the energy range measured. In order to investigate the potential for operating Gammasphere as a γ-ray polarimeter in a high background environment (one which is typical of high-spin nuclear structure studies), we also discuss data that we have analyzed from the 176 Yb ( 26 Mg, 5n) 197 Pb reaction at E =135 MeV. Although the polarimeter performance of Gammasphere is seen to be relatively poor, we are still able to demonstrate, by way of γ-ray polarization measurements, that “Shears Band 1” in 197 Pb should have negative parity.
Air filtration devices in the control of indoor allergens.

There are a variety of air cleaning devices that have been developed for the control of indoor allergens and irritants. These include both portable, room-sized units, and central units for use with a home’s heating and ventilation system. While air cleaners can help to reduce some allergens, such as those produced by cats and dogs, they are unlikely to work for most other indoor allergens. The use of air cleaners for the management of allergic disease is reviewed in this article, and specific recommendations for their use are provided.
‘In Case of Fire Emergency’: Consumption, security and the meaning of durables in a transforming society

This article argues that the study of Russian rituals and patterns of consumption reveals the intricate ways in which post-socialist actors deal with economic and political uncertainty, creating an...
Adoption of new information technologies in rural small businesses

Abstract The media discussion on `information superhighway', `Internet' and `national information infrastructure (NII)' has highlighted the potential of information technology in modern society. The changes in information and communication technologies provide both opportunities and threats to small businesses located in rural communities. The objective of this study is to identify the state of use of various communications technologies and the factors that influence the adoption of these technologies in small businesses located in rural communities in the US. A research model is postulated that contains 10 independent variables under three broad categories — innovation, organizational and environmental characteristics. The dependent variable, adoption of information and communication technologies, is measured as the degree of adoption of four modern communication technologies by the organization. Data from 78 organizations were collected using a structured interview process. The results of data analysis using discriminant analysis indicate that relative advantage, top management support, organizational size, external pressure and competitive pressure are important determinants of adoption.
Study of Interface Properties of InN and InN-Based Heterostructures by Molecular Beam Epitaxy

In this work, we prepared epitaxial InN on (0001) sapphire with an AlN or GaN buffer layer by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). A series of samples were grown with different thickness under the optimized growth conditions. Films were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), reflective high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED), atomic-force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Hall measurements. By extrapolating the fitted curve of sheet carrier density vs. film thickness to zero film thickness, a strong residual sheet charge was derived, which may be located at the interface between the buffer layer and the InN film, or at the near-surface. It was found that for InN film on AlN buffer, the residual sheet charge is about 4.3×10 13 cm -2 , while for InN films on GaN buffer, the residual sheet charge is about 2.5×10 13 cm -2 . At present, we tentatively believe that the residual charge is surface charge accumulation similar to what is observed at the InAs surface. InN samples with Hall mobility beyond 1300 cm 2 /Vs and carrier concentration below 2×10 18 cm -3 were routinely achieved in this study. The first study on InN-based FET structures was performed. Amorphous AlN was used as the barrier material, which was prepared by migration enhanced epitaxy (MEE) at low growth temperature. It was found that the surface morphology is improved after an AlN barrier layer is added to InN. Hg was used as a back-to-back Schottky metallization. Very low leakage current and weak rectifying behavior were observed.
Iatrogenic esophageal perforation in patients with head and neck cancer: evaluation of the SEER-Medicare database.

Abstract Objective 1) Determine rate of iatrogenic esophageal perforation in head and neck cancer patients. 2) Identify risk factors for perforation. 3) Determine effect of perforation on mortality. Study Design Secondary data analysis. Setting Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare–linked database. Subjects and Methods Patients diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract between January 1995 and December 2002 who underwent esophagoscopy were included. Primary outcome was the rate of iatrogenic esophageal perforation. Secondary outcomes included identification of risk factors for perforation and effect of perforation on mortality. Logistic regression analysis and the χ 2 test were used to evaluate risk factors and 30-day mortality. Results There were 152 perforations in 126 patients, for a rate of 2.70 percent (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.28-3.20) per patient (n = 4659) and 1.44 percent (1.21-1.67) per esophagoscopy (n = 10,529). Odds of perforation were increased in patients with cancer of the pharynx (odds ratio [OR] 4.49, 1.82-11.08), pyriform sinus (OR 5.00, 2.10-11.93), and larynx (OR 3.39, 1.57-7.34), and those who underwent both surgery and radiation (OR 1.75, 11.12-2.74). Each esophagoscopy increased odds of perforation by 22 percent (17-28). Compared with diagnostic esophagoscopy, perforation was 2.9 times (1.77-4.69) more likely when dilatation was performed. Thirty-day postperforation mortality was 7.1 percent, a three percent absolute increase (−1.5 to 7.5) over the postesophagoscopy rate in patients without perforation. Conclusion Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients are a high-risk population for iatrogenic pharyngoesophageal perforation. Perforation is related to esophagoscopy frequency and type, tumor location, and use of multimodality therapy.
Treatment of chronic insomnia with yoga: a preliminary study with sleep-wake diaries

There is good evidence for cognitive and physiological arousal in chronic insomnia. Accordingly, clinical trial studies of insomnia treatments aimed at reducing arousal, including relaxation and meditation, have reported positive results. Yoga is a multicomponent practice that is also known to be effective in reducing arousal, although it has not been well evaluated as a treatment for insomnia. In this preliminary study, a simple daily yoga treatment was evaluated in a chronic insomnia population consisting of sleep-onset and/or sleep-maintenance insomnia and primary or secondary insomnia. Participants maintained sleep-wake diaries during a pretreatment 2-week baseline and a subsequent 8-week intervention, in which they practiced the treatment on their own following a single in-person training session with subsequent brief in-person and telephone follow-ups. Sleep efficiency (SE), total sleep time (TST), total wake time (TWT), sleep onset latency (SOL), wake time after sleep onset (WASO), number of awakenings, and sleep quality measures were derived from sleep-wake diary entries and were averaged in 2-week intervals. For 20 participants completing the protocol, statistically significant improvements were observed in SE, TST, TWT, SOL, and WASO at end-treatment as compared with pretreatment values.
Use of encapsulated zinc particles in a eutectic chloride salt to enhance thermal energy storage capacity for concentrated solar power

Abstract Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) is considered as a viable large-scale renewable energy source to produce electricity. However, current costs to produce electricity from CSP are not cost competitive as compared to the traditional energy generation technologies based on fossil fuels and nuclear. It is envisioned that development of high efficiency and high heat capacity thermal storage fluids will increase system efficiency, reduce structural storage volume, and hence, contribute to reducing costs. Particularly, with respect to CSP, current high temperature energy storage fluids, such as molten salts, are relatively limited in terms of their thermal energy storage capacity and thermal conductivity. The current work explores possibility of boosting the thermal storage capacity of molten salts through latent heat of added phase change materials. We studied the advantage of adding coated Zn micron-sized particles to alkali chloride salt eutectic for enhanced thermal energy storage. Zinc particles (0.6 μm and 5 μm) obtained from commercial source were coated with an organo-phosphorus shell to improve chemical stability and to prevent individual particles from coalescing with one another during melt/freeze cycles. Thermal cycling tests (200 melt/freeze cycles) showed that coated Zn particles have good thermal stability and are chemically inert to alkali chloride salt eutectic in both N 2 and in air atmospheres. Elemental mapping of the cross-sectional view of coated Zn particles from the composite after thermal cycles showed no signs of oxidation, agglomeration or other type of particle degradation. The measured enhancement in volumetric thermal storage capacity of the composite with just ∼10 vol% of coated Zn particles over the base chloride salt eutectic varies from 15% to 34% depending on cycling temperature range (ΔT = 50°C–100 °C).
Acoustic radiation force on a sphere in standing and quasi-standing zero-order Bessel beam tweezers

Abstract Starting from the exact acoustic scattering from a sphere immersed in an ideal fluid and centered along the propagation axis of a standing or quasi-standing zero-order Bessel beam, explicit partial-wave representations for the radiation force are derived. A standing or a quasi-standing acoustic field is the result of propagating two equal or unequal amplitude zero-order Bessel beams, respectively, along the same axis but in opposite sense. The Bessel beam is characterized by the half-cone angle β of its plane wave components, such that β = 0 represents a plane wave. It is assumed here that the half-cone angle β for each of the counter-propagating acoustic Bessel beams is equal. Fluid, elastic and viscoelastic spheres immersed in water are treated as examples. Results indicate the capability of manipulating spherical targets based on their mechanical and acoustical properties. This condition provides an impetus for further designing acoustic tweezers operating with standing or quasi-standing Bessel acoustic waves. Potential applications include particle manipulation in micro-fluidic lab-on-chips as well as in reduced gravity environments.
Towards mediation-based self-healing of data-driven business processes

This paper describes a novel software engineering approach for designing self-healing systems to manage business processes with particular focus on the recovery from faults caused by uncertainty and semantic failures of data. By the employment of service-oriented software engineering methods, mediation, service discovery, and late binding, we externalize and decentralize autonomic managers, thereby providing support for autonomic orchestration of services and hence autonomic adaptation of the business process in the response to failures. The complexity of the resulting self-healing business process manager is reduced as the system is decomposed into a large number of small and thus easy to maintain components, each implementing a very simple behavior. Similar to systems occurring in nature, the dynamic, composition of these small components spontaneously leads to sophisticated healing capabilities.
Blockade of the CD40-CD40 ligand pathway potentiates the capacity of donor-derived dendritic cell progenitors to induce long-term cardiac allograft survival.

Background. Failure of costimulatory molecule-deficient donor dendritic cells (DCs) to induce indefinite allograft acceptance may be a result of the late upregulation of these molecules on the DCs after interaction with host T cells. Ligation of CD40 on antigen-presenting cells by its cognate ligand CD40L is thought to induce expression of CD80 (B7-1) and CD86 (B7-2). We examined the influence of anti-CD40L monoclonal antibody (mAb) on the capacity of donor-derived DC progenitors to induce long-term allograft survival. Methods. High purity DC progenitors were grown from B10 (H2 b ) mouse bone marrow in granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1). Mature DC were propagated in granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-4. Their phenotype was characterized by flow cytometric analysis and their function by mixed leukocyte reactivity. Anti-donor cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity in grafts and spleens of vascularized heart allograft recipients was also assessed. Results. The TGFβ-cultured cells were (1) DEC 205-positive, MHC class II-positive, CD80 dim , CD86 dim , and CD40 dim , (2) poor stimulators of naive allogeneic T-cell proliferation, and (3) able to prolong significantly B10 cardiac allograft survival in C3H (H2 k ) recipients when given (2 x 10 6 i.v.) 7 days before organ transplantation (median survival time [MST] 26 days vs. 12 days in controls, and 5 days in interleukin-4 DC-treated animals). Their allostimulatory activity was further diminished by addition of anti-CD40L mAb at the start of the mixed leukocyte cultures. Anti-CD40L mAb alone (250 μg/mouse, i.p.; day -7) did not prolong cardiac graft survival (MST 12 days). In contrast, TGFβ-cultured DCs + anti-CD40L mAb extended graft survival to a MST of 77 days, and inhibited substantially the anti-donor cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity of graft-infiltrating cells and host spleen cells assessed 8 days after transplant. Conclusions. The CD40-CD40L pathway appears important in regulation of allogeneic DC-T-cell functional interaction in vivo; its blockade increases markedly the potential of costimulatory molecule-deficient DCs of donor origin to induce long-lasting allograft survival.
Synthesis of antitumor ansamycins. 1. Serial sigmatropic construction of the C11-C21 ansa subunit of macbecin I

Abstract Diol 4. comprising the C11-C21 ansa subunit of the antitumor antibiotic macbecin I has been prepared by a sequence incorporating sequential [2,3] Wittig rearrangements to establish the carbon skeleton and remote functionality of the macbecin ansa system.
Avian Diagnostic Endoscopy

Unlike most animals, birds are blessed by an air sac system that essentially provides the endoscopist with a preinsufflated patient. Thanks to this unique anatomy and the pioneering work of Greg Harrison, Michael Taylor, and other avian veterinarians, rigid endoscopy has enjoyed considerable popularity in avian practice over the past 30 years. Indeed, endoscopy now is considered an essential component of the avian investigation for many clinical presentations, and indeed few could argue that high-quality avian medicine is possible without rigid endoscopy. The ability to examine the internal viscera, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and reproductive tracts, and collect samples for definitive diagnosis continues to play a central role in avian practice, and this article summarizes the most common diagnostic endoscopic approaches likely to be undertaken in companion species.
Using personalized feedback to reduce alcohol use among hazardous drinking college students: the moderating effect of alcohol-related negative consequences.

Abstract Web-based screening and brief interventions that include personalized feedback about their alcohol use have proven to be particularly promising for reducing hazardous drinking among university students. Despite the increasing use of these approaches, there is still relatively little known about how the content of these interventions may influence outcomes and who may benefit most from these approaches. The current study sought to address these issues by examining how individual differences in alcohol consequences influence outcomes of a laboratory-based computerized intervention. Methods One-hundred and nineteen introductory psychology students who either had two episodes of heavy episodic drinking in the past month or scored ≥ 8 on the AUDIT participated in this randomized controlled trial for course credit. Participants were assigned to 1 of 4 conditions in this 2 Intervention (Alcohol Feedback vs. Control) × 2 Assessment (Motivational Assessment vs. No Motivational Assessment) between-subjects design. Quantity of alcohol consumed per week and heavy episodic drinking one month later were the primary dependent variables. Results Controlling for corresponding baseline alcohol measures, hierarchical linear regression analyses showed a significant interaction between intervention condition and baseline alcohol-related consequences. For those who reported more alcohol consequences at baseline, the alcohol intervention resulted in significantly less alcohol use and fewer heavy drinking episodes at follow-up, while no difference was observed between intervention conditions for those with few baseline consequences. Assessment did not moderate intervention effects. Discussion These findings suggest that a feedback-based computerized intervention that includes normative information about alcohol use and consequences may be more effective for hazardous drinking students who are experiencing higher levels of alcohol-related consequences.
Optimization of a Microfluidic Mixing Process for Gene Expression-Based Bio-dosimetry.

The increase in the use of radiation imaging and radiation therapy and the potential for a large scale radiological hazard have created a need for a fast, self contained, noninvasive biodosimetric device. This article presents a case study in optimizing..
Anaerobic metabolism in roots of Kentucky bluegrass in response to short-term waterlogging alone and in combination with high temperatures

Waterlogging often occurs simultaneously with high temperatures during summer. The objective of this study was to characterize anaerobic metabolism and transcript abundance of fermentative enzymes in roots of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) in response to short-term waterlogging and high temperature stresses. Grasses were subjected to four treatments: (1) well-drained under normal temperature (20/15°C, day/night; control); (2) waterlogging under normal temperature (WL); (3) well-drained under high temperature (35/30°C, day/night; HT); and (4) waterlogging under high temperature (WL + HT). Greater reductions in leaf elongation rate and shoot dry mass were observed under WL + HT than either stress alone. Root water-soluble carbohydrate concentration decreased 45% and 46% at 3 and 5 days of WL + HT, respectively, compared to the control. At 5 days, activities of root alcohol dehydrogenase increased 93% and 90% and lactate dehydrogenase increased 95% and 98% under WL and WL + HT, respectively, compared to the control. Transcript abundance of ADH and PDC genes in the roots were not or only slightly shown under the control or HT conditions but were induced by WL or WL + HT, particularly under WL. The results indicated that short-term WL + HT induced root anaerobic metabolism in a similar way to WL alone but had more severe effects on leaf growth and root WSC than did WL in Kentucky bluegrass.
Biomechanical Effect of Macroscopic Degeneration in a Lumbar Intervertebral Disc

Structural alterations of the disc are accompanied by changes in disc tissue structure and composition during degeneration processes. Fissures and cracks appear in the disc some times extending from the outer annulus to the nucleus. Animal studies have shown that when a rim lesion was introduced in the annulus, progressive failure on the inner annulus was observed (1). From a macroscopic study on lumbar motion segments originating from regular autopsies it was shown (2) that nuclear clefts precede annular tears. Within the annular tears, rim lesions follow the radial and concentric tears. These age-related changes in disc tissue decrease the structural integrity of the disc contributing to the progression of degeneration. The effect of existing cracks and fissures in the lumbar discs on the biomechanics of the disc is an area where there is very little information currently in the literature.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Metacognitive Ability and Test Performance Among College Students

Abstract We studied college students' metacognitive ability to see whether or to what extent it would be correlated with actual test grades. We hypothesized that higher metacognitive ability would correlate with higher exam marks and that lower metacognitive ability would correlate with lower exam marks. College students (N = 109) were asked to guess the grade they expected to receive at the completion of a regular classroom exam. We found a significant negative correlation between the actual grade received, a measure of cognitive ability, and the difference between the actual grade and the expected grade, a measure of metacognitive ability.
Dead Man Still Walking

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, zombie movies have become more popular than ever, with multiple remakes, parodies, and sequels. This renaissance of the subgenre reveals a connection between zombie cinema and post-9/11 cultural consciousness. Horror films function as barometers of society's anxieties, and zombie movies represent the inescapable realities of unnatural death while presenting a grim view of the modern apocalypse through scenes of deserted streets, piles of corpses, and gangs of vigilantes—images that have become increasingly common and can shock and terrify a population that has become numb to other horror subgenres.
Nondestructive sizing and localization of internal microcracks in fatigue samples

Abstract A large number of fatigue experiments on standardized samples is required for the development of databases of the fatigue properties of specific material systems. To facilitate such studies, different visual monitoring methods for surface fatigue cracks have been used; however, the problem of monitoring internal fatigue crack initiating during cold dwell fatigue of Ti is much more complicated. This paper describes the development and integration of several nondestructive evaluation methods for monitoring and sizing microcracks in titanium fatigue samples. For in situ monitoring of crack initiation and evolution ultrasonic Lamb wave signals are excited and acquired in the sample continuously during fatigue tests at different levels of fatigue load using a high-speed data acquisition system. Localization of the secondary cracks is done by both the in situ ultrasonic method and an ultrasonic immersion scanning method here referred to as “vertical C-scan” (VC-scan). The VC-scan is developed for imaging small cracks aligned normal to the fatigue sample axis. Microradiography has been performed on fatigue samples to confirm the localization and sizing of the detected cracks with other ultrasonic NDE techniques. The fusion of data from different NDE techniques provides useful information on the initiation, location, shape, size and growth history of fatigue cracks.
Renoprotective therapy: How good can it get?

A well-done randomized clinical trial is the gift that keeps on giving. The Ramipril Efficacy in Nephropathy (REIN) study is no exception. In the latest gift of new knowledge from the REIN study, Perna and colleagues have re-examined the study outcomes in light of new data: the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) genotype of the study patients1.
A Bayesian Model of Natural Language Phonology: Generating Alternations from Underlying Forms

A stochastic approach to learning phonology. The model presented captures 7--15% more phonologically plausible underlying forms than a simple majority solution, because it prefers "pure" alternations. It could be useful in cases where an approximate solution is needed, or as a seed for more complex models. A similar process could be involved in some stages of child language acquisition; in particular, early learning of phonotactics.
MIRRORLESS OPTICAL PARAMETRIC OSCILLATORS

We have considered two novel configurations for optical parametric oscillators (OPO’s): transversely-pumped counter-propagating and nondegenerate backward OPO’s due to the distributed feedback provided through the opposite propagation directions of the signal and idler. In both configurations, by changing the incident angle of the pump beam, one can tune the output frequency in a large range. The threshold pump powers for the oscillation can be as low as ~10 W for the transversely-pumped counter-propagating OPO’s and 44 W for the nondegenerate backward OPO’s. The quasi-phase matching is achieved by spatially modulating second-order susceptibility along the growth direction based on semiconductor alternating thin layers or asymmetric quantum-well domain structures or by electric-field poling in conventional second-order nonlinear materials. The nondegenerate backward OPO’s offer the most efficient conversion among all the configurations for the OPO’s having the same threshold pump power. The transversely-pumped counter-propagating OPO’s have the optimal pump power.
Physical Mechanisms Contributing to Device "Rebound"

The physical mechanisms that produce rebound have been identified. The positive increase in threshold voltage during a bias anneal is due to annealing of oxide trapped charge. Rebound can be predicted by measuring the contribution to the threshold voltage from radiation-induced interface states immediately after irradiation.
Clustering daily patterns of human activities in the city

Data mining and statistical learning techniques are powerful analysis tools yet to be incorporated in the domain of urban studies and transportation research. In this work, we analyze an activity-based travel survey conducted in the Chicago metropolitan area over a demographic representative sample of its population. Detailed data on activities by time of day were collected from more than 30,000 individuals (and 10,552 households) who participated in a 1-day or 2-day survey implemented from January 2007 to February 2008. We examine this large-scale data in order to explore three critical issues: (1) the inherent daily activity structure of individuals in a metropolitan area, (2) the variation of individual daily activities—how they grow and fade over time, and (3) clusters of individual behaviors and the revelation of their related socio-demographic information. We find that the population can be clustered into 8 and 7 representative groups according to their activities during weekdays and weekends, respectively. Our results enrich the traditional divisions consisting of only three groups (workers, students and non-workers) and provide clusters based on activities of different time of day. The generated clusters combined with social demographic information provide a new perspective for urban and transportation planning as well as for emergency response and spreading dynamics, by addressing when, where, and how individuals interact with places in metropolitan areas.