cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermal and electrical characterization of PEO-based polymer electrolytes containing mixed Co(II) and Li(I)☆

Abstract Results from the thermal and electrical characterization of the mixed electrolyte, CoBr2/LiBr [PEO]16, at different mole ratios are presented. In particular, the effect of CoBr2 on thermal stability, glass transition temperature and electrical conductivity of LiBr[PEO]16 has been examined. The observed changes in the physical properties are interpreted in terms of structural changes resulting from changes in the segmental mobility of the polymer chain and the complexation process with the different compositions. A distinct maximum in conductivity is observed when plotted as a function of CoBr2 mole fraction in the quenched samples.
TIP maker and TIP marker; EB1 as a master controller of microtubule plus ends

The EB1 protein is a member of the exciting and enigmatic family of microtubule (MT) tip-tracking proteins. EB1 acts as an exquisite marker of dynamic MT plus ends in some cases, whereas in others EB1 is thought to directly dictate the behavior of the plus ends. How EB1 differentiates between these two roles remains unclear; however, a growing list of interactions between EB1 and other MT binding proteins suggests there may be a single mechanism. Adding another layer of complexity to these interactions, two studies published in this issue implicate EB1 in cross-talk between mitotic MTs and between MTs and actin filaments (Goshima et al., p. 229; Wu et al., p. 201). These results raise the possibility that EB1 is a central player in MT-based transport, and that the activity of MT-binding proteins depends on their ability or inability to interact with EB1.
Self-Assembled Monolayers of an Oligo(ethylene oxide) Disulfide and Its Corresponding Thiol Assembled from Water: Characterization and Protein Resistance

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of the disulfide [S(CH2CH2O)6CH3]2 ([S(EO)6]2) on Au from 95% ethanol and from 100% water are described. Spectroscopic ellipsometry and reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy indicate that the [S(EO)6]2 films are similar to the disordered films of HS(CH2CH2O)6CH3 ((EO)6) and HS(CH2)3O(CH2CH2O)5CH3 (C3EO5) at their protein adsorption minima. The [S(EO)6]2 SAMs exhibit constant film thickness (d) of 1.2 ± 0.2 nm over long immersion times (up to 20 days) and do not attain the highly ordered, 7/2 helical structure of the (EO)6 and C3EO5 SAMs (d = 2.0 nm). Exposure of these self-limiting [S(EO)6]2 SAMs to bovine serum albumin show high resistance to protein adsorption.
Weaving computing into all middle school disciplines

In order to get students interested in computing, we teach middle school teachers of different disciplines programming with Alice and work with them on integrating computing into their discipline. Alice provides an interface for novices to create animations easily and quickly, which is attractive to and fun for students. We have been developing Alice curriculum materials for integrating computing into middle school disciplines for six years. Although our target audience is middle school, our materials are used by teachers from elementary school to introductory college level. This paper describes our newest curriculum materials for several disciplines developed by both us and our teachers. Our newest curriculum materials include tutorials, sample projects, and challenges, which are projects with missing pieces. We also discuss our recent outreach efforts with middle school students.
COMET: a set of global transformation algorithms for high-level pipeline synthesis

The authors present a new systematic approach toward global hardware synthesis of DSP ASICs from behavioral specifications. A VHDL behavioral description is the input language of the COMET system. Given the stage time, data initialization interval (DII), and area-time tradeoff weight, a VHDL structural description is generated. A set of global data flow graph transformations is performed to minimize execution time of arithmetic expressions and to maximize conditonal resource sharing. Moreover, cluster structures derived from repeated pattern identification are used to guide global scheduling and allocation. The system provides the designer with a weight parameter to control the tradeoffs between area and time. With these transformations, major improvements are achieved with fewer registers and multiplexors; leading to a production quality design. >
A follow-up survey of the integrity of the dermatology National Resident Matching Program.

Background Our group's 2009 study of the integrity of the dermatology match revealed that some dermatology program directors violated National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) policy during their communications with applicants. Our group's article concluded with recommendations to change this behavior. Objective We repeated a survey of dermatology applicants to understand if dermatology program personnel behavior has changed since our group's 2009 study of the dermatology match. Methods We surveyed 2011 applicants to Department of Dermatology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA. The survey was anonymous and available online. Results Of applicants, 14% were asked to reveal how they intended to rank a program before match day. Of applicants, 32% felt pressured to reveal how they intended to rank programs. Of applicants, 90% were asked about interviews at other programs. Of applicants, 44% were asked about their marital status and 19% were asked if they had children or intended to have children. Limitations The response rate for applicants was 53%. Conclusion Although our previous study increased knowledge about the problems within the dermatology match, dermatology program personnel continue to violate NRMP policy. The most widespread violations are asking applicants where they will interview, asking applicants if they are married, and pressuring applicants to reveal how they intend to rank programs. We continue to recommend that programs avoid postinterview contact, and recommend that the NRMP create training videos for applicants and interviewers.
What is all the noise about in interval timing

Cognitive processes such as decision-making, rate calculation and planning require an accurate estimation of durations in the supra-second range—interval timing. In addition to being accurate, interval timing is scale invariant: the time-estimation errors are proportional to the estimated duration. The origin and mechanisms of this fundamental property are unknown. We discuss the computational properties of a circuit consisting of a large number of (input) neural oscillators projecting on a small number of (output) coincidence detector neurons, which allows time to be coded by the pattern of coincidental activation of its inputs. We showed analytically and checked numerically that time-scale invariance emerges from the neural noise. In particular, we found that errors or noise during storing or retrieving information regarding the memorized criterion time produce symmetric, Gaussian-like output whose width increases linearly with the criterion time. In contrast, frequency variability produces an asymmetric, long-tailed Gaussian-like output, that also obeys scale invariant property. In this architecture, time-scale invariance depends neither on the details of the input population, nor on the distribution probability of noise.
Evaluation of the reproductive and developmental toxicity of a fluoroalkylethanol mixture.

The objective of these studies was to evaluate the reproductive and developmental toxicity of a commercial fluoroalkylethanol mixture, which is an intermediate in the production of fluorotelomers. The test substance was administered daily by gavage to Sprague–Dawley rats as a suspension in 0.5% aqueous methylcellulose. In a one-generation reproductive toxicity study, rats (20 per sex per group) were given dosages of 0, 25, 100, or 250 mg kg− 1 day− 1 for a period of 74 days prior to cohabitation, and during mating, gestation, and lactation. Body weights, feed consumption, clinical signs, gross pathology, sperm parameters, estrous cyclicity, and reproductive performance were evaluated for the P1 generation. The F1 offspring were evaluated during the lactation period for growth and survival and given a gross pathology examination at weaning. A subset of the offspring were retained; body weights, feed consumption, clinical signs, and age at onset of vaginal opening and preputial separation were evaluated, an...
The Musculature of Peripatus and Its Innervation

The musculature of the Onychophoran Peripatus dominicae , its ultrastructure and details of innervation are described. Significant differences were noted between its gross anatomy and that reported in previous accounts, notably in the presence of inner circular body wall muscle and a prominent, functionally significant, levator of the leg. The former is important in regard to the evolutionary position of the Onychophora while the latter helps us to understand the control of walking in a lobopodial leg, and therefore the evolution of arthropod locomotion, which was the focus of our interest. Individual muscle fibres are either directly or indirectly attached to the body wall by collagen. There is a small degree of branching of fibres, with or without anastomosis, near their insertions, but most are as long as the muscle of which they are part, and are unbranched except for an occasional thin arm, emerging at an angle, that becomes invaded by collagen fibres and inserts in the skin. Diameters of muscle fibres vary from 1 to 45 pm. They are invaginated by two separate systems of unique wide (0.3 pm) tubules, longitudinal and radial. These are lined with similar material to that forming the basement material of the sarcolemma, and also contain fine strands with collagen-type cross-banding that connect to collagen bundles outside the fibres. In addition there are narrow tubules of ordinary T-tubule diameter. Both wide and narrow tubules make contacts with sarcoplasmic reticulum cysternae. Dense Z bodies are attached to both kinds of wide tubule, to the inside of the sarcolemma, and are scattered, without any obvious array, in the sarcoplasm. Thin myofilaments emerge from the Z bodies parallel to the fibre axis. Thick filaments occur in clusters with a loosely hexagonal array, but without any regular relation to thin ones: relatively few orbits of thin around thick filaments were seen in many muscle fibres regardless of fibre length and conditions during fixation. A unique innervation pattern was found, consisting of a combination of muscle arm to nerve contacts, which appear to be the commonest, and nerve on muscle fibre synapses. At least 13 motor axons were found to supply each small muscle or cluster of muscle fibres in a large muscle. Each muscle arm simultaneously makes synaptic contact with 3 to 7 axons. Nerve on muscle junctions contain from 1 to 8 axons, each making synaptic contacts. The details of the postsynaptic endplate-specializations resemble those seen in mammalian endplates and are markedly different from both arthropod and annelidan neuromuscular synapses.
Planar GaAs Nanowires on GaAs (100) Substrates: Self-Aligned, Nearly Twin-Defect Free, and Transfer-Printable

We report the controlled growth of planar GaAs semiconductor nanowires on (100) GaAs substrates using atmospheric pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition with Au as catalyst. These nanowires with uniform diameters are self-aligned in direction in the plane of (100). The dependence of planar nanowire morphology and growth rate as a function of growth temperature provides insights into the growth mechanism and identified an ideal growth window of 470 ( 10 °C for the formation of such planar geometry. Transmission electron microscopy images reveal clear epitaxial relationship with the substrate along the nanowire axial direction, and the reduction of twinning defect density by about 3 orders of magnitude compared to III-V semiconductor nanowires. In addition, using the concept of sacrificial layers and elevation of Au catalyst modulated by growth condition, we demonstrate for the first time a large area direct transfer process for nanowires formed by a bottom-up approach that can maintain both the position and alignment. The planar geometry and extremely low level of crystal imperfection along with the transferability could potentially lead to highly integrated III-V nanoelectronic and nanophotonic devices on silicon and flexible substrates.
Geochemistry of Regionally Extensive Dolomites, Burlington and Keokuk Formations (Mississippian), Iowa and Illinois: ABSTRACT

The Burlington and Keokuk Formations (Mississippian) contain 2 major generations of dolomite throughout the several ten-thousand square kilometers of study area. Dolomite I (oldest) is luminescently zoned, Ca-rich, Fe- and Mn-poor, and has Mississippian 87Sr/86Sr; dolomite II is unzoned, nearly stoichiometric, Fe- and Mn-rich, and has radiogenic 87Sr/86Sr; dolomite III, a minor zone, is nonluminescent and very Fe-rich. Dolomites I and II formed before nonmarine calcite cements, and all 3 dolomites formed before Late Mississippian under shallow burial conditions. Stable isotopes of dolomite I average +2.3 ^pmil ^dgr13C and -0.3 ^pmil ^dgr18O PDB. Dolomite I is slightly depleted in 13C and 18O with respect to estimated Mississippian marine dolomite. Thus, dolomite I may have formed in waters only slightly depleted in 18O and 13C compared with seawater at low temperatures (~ 25°C). Dolomite II averages -4.1 ^pmil ^dgr18O PDB, +2.8 ^pmil ^dgr13C PDB, and has a wide range of ^dgr18O (-0.5 to -6.6 ^pmil PDB) and a narrower range of ^dgr13C (+1 to +4 ^pmil). These data suggest that temperatures of precipitation were less than the 80°C-110°C ranges implied by the contained 2-phase fluid inclusions, unless the waters were isotop cally heavy (~ +3 to 11 ^pmil ^dgr18O SMOW). Dolomite II shows a regional geographic trend of decreasing ^dgr18O and increasing ^dgr13C from north to south. This trend can be accounted for by either a northward decrease in temperature or in 18O content of diagenetic waters. We suggest a model in which dolomite I precipitated in marine-dominated mixed waters at low temperatures, the bulk of the dissolved constituents being derived intraformationally. Dolomite II formed as a replacement of dolomite I in a system dominated by nonmarine waters and/or slightly elevated temperatures, deriving much of their constituents from sub-Burlington strata. End_of_Article - Last_Page 236------------
The fragile X syndrome repeats form RNA hairpins that do not activate the interferon‐inducible protein kinase, PKR, but are cut by Dicer

We show here that under physiologically reasonable conditions, CGG repeats in RNA readily form hairpins. In contrast to its DNA counterpart that forms a complex mixture of hairpins and tetraplexes, r(CGG)22 forms a single stable hairpin with no evidence for any other folded structure even at low pH. RNA with the sequence (CGG)9AGG (CGG)12AGG(CGG)97, found in a fragile X syndrome pre-mutation allele, forms a number of different hairpins. The most prominent hairpin forms in the 3' part of the repeat and involves the 97 uninterrupted CGG repeats. In contrast to the CUG-RNA hairpins formed by myotonic dystrophy type 1 repeats, we found no evidence that CGG-RNA hairpins activate PKR, the interferon-inducible protein kinase that is activated by a wide range of double-stranded RNAs. However, we do show that the CGG-RNA is digested, albeit inefficiently, by the human Dicer enzyme, a step central to the RNA interference effect on gene expression. These data provide clues to the basis of the toxic effect of CGG-RNA that is thought to occur in fragile X pre-mutation carriers. In addition, RNA hairpins may also account for the stalling of the 40S ribosomal subunit that is thought to contribute to the translation deficit in fragile X pre-mutation and full mutation alleles.
Classroom-Based Research in the Field of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders Methodological Issues and Future Research Directions

Classrooms serving students with or at risk for emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) are complex environments that include multiple interactions such as those between (a) students and teachers, (b) students and peers, and (c) temporally distant or concurrent classroom-setting factors and subsequent behavioral episodes. As a result, the scientific processes and methods used to investigate the nature of these interactions are often as varied and complex. The purpose of this article is to review and discuss the extent to which research methods and practices evident in current classroom-based studies measure and predict these relationships accurately. To this end, the authors present an overview of common research methodology and related measurement strategies and some considerations for conducting research using these methods in classrooms serving students with or at risk for EBD.
Alcohol-Induced Delay of Viability Loss in Stationary-Phase Cultures of Escherichia coli

During prolonged incubation in stationary phase Escherichia coli undergoes starvation-induced differentiation, resulting in highly resistant cells. In rich medium with high amino acid content further incubation of cultures at high cell density leads to the generation of a population of cells no longer able to form colonies. The viability loss is due to some component of spent medium, active at high pH and high cell density, and can be prevented either by keeping the pH close to neutrality, by washing off the nonsalt components of the medium, or by keeping the saturating cell density low. Exposure to short-chain n-alcohols within a specific time window in stationary phase also prevents viability loss, in an rpoS-dependent fashion. The development of stress resistance, a hallmark of stationary-phase cells, is affected following alcohol treatment, as is the response to extracellular factors in spent medium. Alcohols seem to block cells in an early phase of starvation-induced differentiation, most likely by interfering with processes important for regulation of σs such as cell density signals and sensing the nutrient content of the medium.
Several extensions in methods for adaptive output feedback control

Several extensions to neural network based adaptive output feedback control of nonlinear systems are developed. An extension that permits the introduction of e-modification. In an error observer based approach is given. For the case of non-affine systems, we eliminate a fixed-point assumption that has appeared in earlier work, and clarify the role that knowledge of the sign of control effectiveness plays in adaptive control.
Improvement in Quality of Scrambled Egg Products Served from Steam Table Display

Abstract A study was conducted to develop a scrambled egg product that would retain its appealing qualities, particularly lack of liquid separation, while being stored on and served from a steam table display. A formulation was successfully developed which included liquid whole egg, water, nonfat milk solids, salt, hydroxypropylcellulose, modified corn starch, and sodium monophosphate. This laboratory formulation was tested in a cafeteria serving line using consumer surveys in which categories of appearance, aroma, color, taste, and texture were rated on a 5-point hedonic scale. The first phase of consumer testing compared the laboratory formulation and two commercial scrambled egg products with control scrambled eggs. The final phase compared the laboratory formulation with another successful commercial product. No statistically significant differences were found overall among the laboratory formulation or the commercial products and control scrambled eggs in the first phase of consumer tests or between the laboratory formulation and the commercial product in the final phase. However, when final phase scores were divided into four 5-min periods, the commercial product was found to decline significantly in quality from 15 to 20 min of storage on the steam table, while the laboratory formulation retained its quality and received significantly higher hedonic scale scores.
Layout design for multiple collocated wireless mesh networks

We consider a fundamental problem in wireless mesh networking that concerns the layout of access points (APs) of multiple simultaneously operable wireless mesh networks located in the same region. For given directional antennas, we are interested in dense and uniform layouts that maximize the number of these wireless mesh networks without introducing radio interference, while providing convenient access to any of them from any location. We describe an optimal layout method, called the "diagonal placement scheme", for wireless meshes of squares under a simplifying interference model. Then we show upper and lower bounds for the performance of any optimal layout without the simplifying assumption. Our solutions have applications in a number of areas, including QoS routing, secure routing, fault-tolerance, and load balancing.
The Reactions of Methyl and Acetyl Radicals with the Oxides of Nitrogen

Some of the reactions of methyl and acetyl radicals with the oxides of nitrogen have been investigated by photolyzing either acetone or biacetyl in the presence of nitric oxide, or nitrogen dioxide in the presence of acetaldehyde. A most important reaction in all these studies was found to be addition of methyl radicals to nitrogen dioxide to form nitromethane: CH3 + NO2(+M) CH3NO2(+M). The metathetical reaction: CH3 + NO2 CH3O + NO was found to be measurable but of lesser importance. Addition of nitrogen dioxide to methyl radicals to produce methyl nitrite: CH3 + NO2 CH3ONO, occurred to a negligible extent if at all under the conditions of our experiments. It appears that if nitrosomethane is formed by the addition reaction: CH3 + NO(+M) CH3NO(+M), then it is mainly removed by reaction with excess nitric oxide or at appreciable nitrogen dioxide concentrations by the displacement reaction: CH3NO + NO2 CH3NO2 + NO.
Optimal scheduling of a flexible-duration rest period for a work group

All previous modeling research involving optimization of performance associated with work-rest cycles has focused upon individual employees working independently. We extend this earlier research by considering the choices of placement for and duration of a single rest period that must be taken simultaneously by all employees in a work group. Assuming linear work-rate decay and recovery functions for individual employees within the group, we show that an appropriate model can be formulated as a mixed-binary, cubic programming problem. We develop an efficient optimal solution procedure with a computational time that appears to be a linear function of the number of employees considered. We report on a preliminary simulation experiment that evaluates the productivity loss that occurs when the rest break policy is determined based on the work characteristics of a randomly selected subset of employees in the work group, and provides an initial exploration of the nature of optimal policy variables. Finally, we offer suggestions for future research.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines

fective clinical management of STDs represent an important combined strategy necessary to improve reproductive and sexual health and to improve HIV prevention efforts. This is especially relevant to women, adolescents, and infants, because untreated infections frequently result in severe, long-term complications, including facilitation of HIV infection, tubal infertility, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and cancer. For >20 years, the publication of national guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Selling Sales: Factors Influencing Undergraduate Business Students’ Decision to Pursue Sales Education

With a better understanding of the typical sales student, sales educators can design and deliver curriculum with a more customer-oriented approach. In order to better understand the decision to pur...
Coupling of septins to the axial landmark by Bud4 in budding yeast.

Cells of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae select a site for polarized growth in a specific pattern that depends on their cell type. Haploid a and α cells bud in the axial budding pattern, which requires assembly of a landmark that includes the Bud4 protein. To understand how an axial bud site is established, we performed a structure–function analysis of Bud4. Bud4 contains DUF1709 (domain of unknown function), which is similar to a part of the anillin-homology domain, and a putative Pleckstrin homology (PH) domain near to its C terminus. Although its localization depends on septins, a conserved family of GTP-binding proteins, Bud4 is necessary for the stable inheritance of septin rings during cell division. Although some anillins interact directly with septins, we find that neither DUF1709 nor the PH domain is necessary for targeting Bud4 to the mother-bud neck. Instead, this C-terminal region is crucial for association of Bud4 with Bud3 and other components of the axial landmark. Remarkably, septins colocalize with Bud4 mutant proteins that lack these C-terminal domains, forming an arc or a single ring instead of a double ring during and after cytokinesis. Interestingly, overexpression of Bud4 also induces formation of extra Bud4 rings and arcs that are associated with septins. Analyses of a series of bud4 truncation mutants suggest that at least two domains in the central region play a redundant role in targeting Bud4 to the mother-bud neck and are thus likely to interact with septins. Taken together, these results indicate that Bud4 functions as a platform that links septins to the axial landmark.
Issues and best practices in content analysis

This article discusses three issues concerning content analysis method and ends with a list of best practices in conducting and reporting content analysis projects. Issues addressed include the use of search and databases for sampling, the differences between content analysis and algorithmic text analysis, and which reliability coefficients should be calculated and reported. The “Best Practices” section provides steps to produce reliable and valid content analysis data and the appropriate reporting of those steps so the project can be properly evaluated and replicated.
Early Voting and Election Day Registration in the Trenches: Local Officials' Perceptions of Election Reform

Abstract When states consider adopting new election laws, policy makers often take into account public opinion and the financial costs of reforms but not the receptivity of those most responsible for implementation. Implementation theory suggests that the potential success of a new law depends on the motivation and ability of local election officials to administer it. To examine these attitudes, we conducted face-to-face interviews with an extensive survey of municipal election officials in Wisconsin. The responses show a significant bias in favor of the status quo, with election clerks generally supporting existing practices (Election Day registration) but opposing new proposals (early voting). Election officials are more likely to believe that Election Day registration is a right and increases turnout compared to early voting, and that early voting would increase their workload compared to Election Day registration. Multivariate analysis demonstrates that resistance to early voting is not merely a refle...
Susan Leigh Star Special Issue

Susan Leigh Star died suddenly, unexpectedly almost 5 years ago. She was my partner, lover, collaborator, and friend. The collection of articles in this special issue brings together rich research ...
Localization of Mental Function

This book is directed at physicians who evaluate and treat patients with organic mental disease—patients with changes in consciousness, thinking, emotion, or behavior associated with histopathological changes in central nervous tissue. Many, if not most, physicians approach these patients with certain underlying assumptions about the relationship of brain to mind. Failure to recognize these unconscious assumptions is the greatest single impediment to understanding organic mental dysfunction and to properly and humanely treating the many people who suffer from these disorders.
Quality Review, Continuing Professional Education, Experience and Substandard Performance: An Empirical Study

This paper offers empirical evidence of an association between results of quality review (QR), levels of continuing professional education (CPE), experience, and quality of performance in public accounting practice. These results are based on enforcement files of the Texas State Board of Public Accounting (TSBPA) for all certified public accountants (CPAs) found in violation of competency standards from 1991 to 1995. We compare QR results, levels of CEP, and experience of violators with similar data for a random control sample of Texas CPAs. Our results indicate that the number of relevant CEP hours for violators is significantly less than those for the control sample. Additionally, for violators of governmental accounting and auditing standards, who comprise the majority, the amount of relevant experience for violators is significantly less than that of the control sample. Finally, the incidence of QR and the frequency of unqualified reports for violators is significantly lower for violating individuals and firms than in the control sample.
And then there were two

A second enzyme that removes acetyl groups from lysine residues in E. coli been discovered and represents the founding member of a new enzyme family.
Measurement of VDT Operator Performance, Eye Scanning Behavior and Pupil Diameter Changes

This exploratory study investigated the performance, the eye scanning behavior and the pupil diameter of three VDT operators (experienced typists) on three different days for three hours each day. A Gulf & Western, Applied Science Laboratory 1998 computer controlled eye monitor system was used to collect and analyze the eye scanning and pupil diameter data. A data entry task and a file maintenance/editing task (previously developed and used by NIOSH) were used.The results of this exploratory study indicate that the percentage of time the VDT operators look at the screen are rather low for both tasks (avg. 14.4% looking at the screen for the data entry task, avg. 34.1% looking at the screen for the file maintenance/editing task).Based upon the results of this exploratory study we may conclude that the percentage of time an operator looks at the screen for both a data entry and a file maintenance/editing task is relatively small and thus there is a question whether the many reported complaints about eye tro...
DEPENDABLE SOFTWARE IN RAILWAY SIGNALLING

Abstract Railway signalling software and safety requirements are summarized, and three short examples of the application of new methods to the assurance of dependability are provided. The strengths and shortcomings of existing methods relative to application needs are illustrated. The analogy between railway signalling and other distribution processes in manufacturing and supply chain management is noted.
Open Door Expansionism Reconsidered: The World War II Experience

UNTIL William A. Williams awakened diplomatic historians to the economic dimensions of World War II diplomacy, only economists had evaluated the mainsprings of America's commitment to non-discriminatory trade and currency convertibility. This program of multilateralism, most economists agreed, was a courageous, farsighted initiative to reverse interwar economic nationalism and to restore an efficient productive international economy benefiting all countries. As the economic counterpart of the United Nations, multilateralism was heralded as a foundation for peace., In the hands of Williams and other radical revisionists benevolent multilateralism metamorphosed into Open Door expansionism, a "self-serving" strategy to open the world to American trade and investments. And, non-discriminatory trade and currency convertibility, long considered benign tools of global cooperation, became "instrumentalities" of an atavistic counterrevolutionary scheme. According to Williams, Cordell Hull and his associates feared a resumption of the Depression would produce domestic unrest and jeopardize the business system. Consequently, to assure markets for America's surplus production, these officials designed a foreign economic program which effectively cast the "economy and the politics of the poorer, weaker, underdeveloped countries in a proAmerican mold." This rigid blueprint ignored the needs of Washington's allies, especially less-developed countries and the Soviet Union. If other nations could not accept this Open Door design, adds Gabriel Kolko, "either because of their own imperial ambitions or desire to build economies along new, essentially socialist lines, or simply out of suspicion of the erstwhile selflessness of Ameri-
Disruption of pheromone communication through the use of puffers for control of beet armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in tomatoes

Puffer machines were designed for the release at 30-min intervals of puffs of a 2–component pheromone blend of the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hubner), from pressurized canisters. Pheromone components were ( Z,E )-9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate and (Z)-9-tetradecenol in a 9:1 ratio. The amount of communication disruption attributable to the resulting pheromone permeation of the air above puffer-protected blocks of tomatoes was measured by comparing the numbers of male moths of the beet armyworm that located living females or synthetic beet armyworm lures used as bait in traps in the centers of these blocks with the numbers captured in similar traps in untreated blocks. When 40 puffers were positioned at 160-m separations only around the perimeters of 256-ha blocks of tomatoes (plus cotton), providing a pheromone release rate of 46 mg/ha/d, complete disruption of premating pheromone communication was achieved. A 60-ha block of tomatoes was provided with 117 puffers for 11 wk, during most of the period of tomato plant growth and maturation. The block received 266 mg of pheromone/ha/d. Greater than 99% communication disruption was achieved, measured by the reduction in numbers of male moths captured in female- or lurebaited traps. Beet armyworm egg masses laid by female moths in the treated block were 76% fewer than in a nonprotected, control block.
The Cost of Stability: Consumption-Based Fixed Rate Billing for Water Utilities

Municipal water utilities in the United States face the challenge of balancing the potentially conflicting goals of sending signals about water scarcity and maintaining revenue stability. Times of extreme shortage such as the current extended drought in California seriously challenge and can jeopardize this delicate balance. Mandatory or voluntary conservation strategies can be detrimental to revenue stability. This study explores the ability of the Consumption-Based Fixed Rates (CBFR) pricing method to solve this dual dilemma of scarcity pricing and revenue stability in both normal times and times of drought. CBFR proposes using a proportional consumer pricing system directly based on utility supply costs. We utilize utility-side cost data from Lomita, CA and Longmont, CO, to estimate how consumer prices change under the CBFR method. Using simulations comparing current pricing mechanisms with the CBFR, we find that the latter solves the revenue problem, but creates greater problems with equity and scarcity versus the former. A modified structure of CBFR, with prices based partially on household income, seems to alleviate some of these problems and could prove to be a useful tool during times of drought.
The macrotome: a new approach to sectioning large plant specimens.

(1976). The Macrotome: A New Approch to Sectioning Large Plant Specimens. Stain Technology: Vol. 51, No. 3, pp. 199-201.
Women Organizing: Activism Worldwide

For nearly a decade I have wanted, with a growing sense of urgency, to write something that would show what the women’s health movement has meant to the women of my generation, the generation of girls who came of age in the 1950s and 60s, became activists in the causes of others, then turned to help one another and, finally, to help ourselves. We grew up in New York, the Casbah of Algiers, the bantustans of South Africa, dusty Khartoum, provincial France, the North of England, and Old Delhi. Each of us carries, on her body and in her mind, a site of humiliation, a scar of betrayed trust, a flashback to an indignity as vivid today as when inflicted. We shared those humiliations, examined each other’s scars, and raged at the indignities. I am still enraged.
Patient Safety Culture and the Second Victim Phenomenon: Connecting Culture to Staff Distress in Nurses.

Article-at-a-Glance Background Second victim experiences can affect the well-being of health care providers and compromise patient safety. Many factors associated with improved coping after patient safety event involvement are also components of a strong patient safety culture, so that supportive patient safety cultures may reduce second victim—related trauma. A cross-sectional survey study was conducted to assess the influence of patient safety culture on second victim—related distress. Methods The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC) and the Second Victim Experience and Support Tool (SVEST), which was developed to assess organizational support and personal and professional distress after involvement in a patient safety event, were administered to nurses involved in direct patient care. Results Of 358 nurses at a specialized pediatric hospital, 169 (47.2%) completed both surveys. Hierarchical linear regression demonstrated that the patient safety culture survey dimension nonpunitive response to error was significantly associated with reductions in the second victim survey dimensions psychological, physical, and professional distress (p Conclusions The results suggest that punitive safety cultures may contribute to self-reported perceptions of second victim—related psychological, physical, and professional distress, which could reflect a lack of organizational support. Reducing punitive response to error and encouraging supportive coworker, supervisor, and institutional interactions may be useful strategies to manage the severity of second victim experiences.
Change in Health-Related Quality-of-Life at Group and Individual Levels Over Time in Patients Treated for Chronic Myofascial Neck Pain.

Background.This study evaluated change in health-related quality of life at the group and individual levels in a consecutive series of patients with chronic myofascial neck pain.Methods.Fifty patients with chronic neck pain self-administered the Short Form-36 Version 2 (SF-36 v2) before treatment and 6 weeks later. Internal consistency reliability was estimated for the 8 scale scores and Mosier’s formula was used to estimate reliability of the physical and mental health composite scores. Significance of group-level change was estimated using within-group t statistics. Significance of individual change was evaluated by reliable change index.Results.Statistically significant (P < .05) group mean improvement over time was found for all SF-36 scores. At the individual level, 20% of the possible changes were statistically significant (17% improvement, 3% decline).Conclusions.Estimating the significance of individual change in health-related quality of life adds important information in comparing different trea...
Dissociation quotients of malonic acid in aqueous sodium chloride media to 100°C

The first and second molal dissociation quotients of malonic acid were measured potentiometrically in a concentration cell fitted with hydrogen electrodes. The hydrogen ion molality of malonic acid/bimalonate solutions was measured relative to a standard aqueous HCl solution from 0 to 100°C over 25° intervals at five ionic strengths ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 molal (NaCl). The molal dissociation quotients and available literature data were treated in the all anionic form by a seven-term equation. This treatment yielded the following thermodynamic quantities for the first acid dissociation equilibrium at 25°C: logK1a=-2.852±0.003, ΔH1a/o=0.1±0.3 kJ-mol−1, ΔS1ao=−54.4±1.0 J-mol−1-K−1, and ΔCp,1ao=−185±20 J-mol−1-K−1. Measurements of the bimalonate/malonate system were made over the same intervals of temperature and ionic strength. A similar regression of the present and previously published equilibrium quotients using a seven-term equation yielded the following values for the second acid dissociation equilibrium at 25°C: logK2a=−5.697±0.001, ΔH2ao=−5.13±0.11 kJ-mol−1, ΔS2ao=−126.3±0.4 J-mol−1-K−1, and ΔCp,2ao=−250+10 J-mol−1-K−1.
The Impact of Variation in Twin Relatedness on Estimates of Heritability and Environmental Influences

By taking advantage of the natural variation in genetic relatedness among identical (monozygotic: MZ) and fraternal (dizygotic: DZ) twins, twin studies are able to estimate genetic and environmental contributions to complex human behaviors. Recently concerns have been raised about the accuracy of twin studies in light of findings of genetic and epigenetic changes in twins. One of the concerns raised is that MZ twins are not 100% genetically and epigenetically similar because they show variations in their genomes and epigenomes leading to inaccurate estimates of heritability. This article presents findings from a simulation study that examined the degree of bias in estimates of heritability and environmentality when the genetic and epigenetic similarity of MZ twins differs from 1.00 and when the genetic and epigenetic similarity of DZ twins differs from 0.50. The findings suggest that in the standard biometric model when MZ or DZ twin similarity differs from 1.00 or 0.50, respectively, the variance that should be attributed to genetic influences is instead attributed to nonshared environmental influences, thus deflating the estimates of genetic influences and inflating the estimates of nonshared environmental influences. Although estimates of genetic and nonshared environmental influences from the standard biometric model were found to deviate from "true" values, the bias was usually smaller than 10% points indicating that the interpretations of findings from previous twin studies are mostly correct.
Effect of Cooling Rate on the Mechanical Properties of AA365 Aluminum Alloy Heat-Treated Under T4, T5, and T6 Conditions

The mechanical properties of AA365, an Al–Si–Mn–Mg alloy used in high-pressure die-casting of automotive parts, can be optimized for a proper application using different heat treatments. During a die-casting process including heat treatment, aluminum alloy cast components experience considerable changes in their mechanical properties due to the non-uniform cooling phenomena. The mechanical properties of AA365 with different cooling rates during T4, T5, and T6 heat treatments were investigated and analyzed by a statistical method using a design of experiments protocol to see which factor is most significant for mechanical properties. The factors used in this study are the type of heat treatment and cooling rate of each step. The microstructural analysis was conducted to observe the mechanism of mechanical property changes. The combination of heat treatment type and cooling rate enabled the control of ductility and strength properties in AA365.
Why no gender gap in electoral participation? A civic duty explanation

Abstract Previous research in comparative political behavior has generated an interesting paradox. Female citizens are less likely to engage in a variety of political activities (e.g. contacting politicians and working for parties), and are less cognitively engaged with the political process (i.e. they have lower levels of political interest and political efficacy). However, for reasons that remain unclear, several cross-national surveys reveal that there is no gender gap in electoral participation. In a number of countries, such as the United States, turnout rates for women have even slightly exceeded turnout rates for men in recent elections. I argue that the main reason for this pattern is the higher sense of civic duty of female citizens. This theory is grounded in research in social psychology that demonstrates that women have a higher level of conscientiousness than men. I use data from the 2014 ISSP Citizenship module to test my theoretical expectations, and find strong support for the argument that civic duty mediates the relationship between sex and electoral participation.
Dual respiratory and cardiac motion estimation in PET imaging: Methods design and quantitative evaluation.

PURPOSE The goal of this study was to develop and evaluate four post-reconstruction respiratory and cardiac (R&C) motion vector field (MVF) estimation methods for cardiac 4D PET data. METHOD In Method 1, the dual R&C motions were estimated directly from the dual R&C gated images. In Method 2, respiratory motion (RM) and cardiac motion (CM) were separately estimated from the respiratory gated only and cardiac gated only images. The effects of RM on CM estimation were modeled in Method 3 by applying an image-based RM correction on the cardiac gated images before CM estimation, the effects of CM on RM estimation were neglected. Method 4 iteratively models the mutual effects of RM and CM during dual R&C motion estimations. Realistic simulation data were generated for quantitative evaluation of four methods. Almost noise-free PET projection data were generated from the 4D XCAT phantom with realistic R&C MVF using Monte Carlo simulation. Poisson noise was added to the scaled projection data to generate additional datasets of two more different noise levels. All the projection data were reconstructed using a 4D image reconstruction method to obtain dual R&C gated images. The four dual R&C MVF estimation methods were applied to the dual R&C gated images and the accuracy of motion estimation was quantitatively evaluated using the root mean square error (RMSE) of the estimated MVFs. RESULTS Results show that among the four estimation methods, Methods 2 performed the worst for noise-free case while Method 1 performed the worst for noisy cases in terms of quantitative accuracy of the estimated MVF. Methods 4 and 3 showed comparable results and achieved RMSE lower by up to 35% than that in Method 1 for noisy cases. CONCLUSION In conclusion, we have developed and evaluated 4 different post-reconstruction R&C MVF estimation methods for use in 4D PET imaging. Comparison of the performance of four methods on simulated data indicates separate R&C estimation with modeling of RM before CM estimation (Method 3) to be the best option for accurate estimation of dual R&C motion in clinical situation.
The sustainability of a 4-year intercollegiate simulation for occupational therapy and physical therapy students

Abstract This paper describes yearly interprofessional education (IPE) simulations, completed with cohorts of occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) students, from two universities located 43 miles apart. Case based simulations were developed with the objective to have the OT and PT students provide rehabilitation services to improve a patient's overall function and mobility. Since 2014, groups of 5–9 OT/PT student teams have rotated through 3 different simulations, and were assigned different roles (OT, PT, patient, family member, observer) for each rotation. Following the final simulation, OT/PT students collaborated on a documentation assignment. Both OT and PT faculty were present at the simulation to provide initial instructions, manage time, and facilitate debriefing. Post-simulation, students were required to write a reflection of their individual experience. Using student reflections and faculty feedback over the four years, the IPE experience has been modified to better meet the student needs. The IPE experience has been sustained due to the commitment of four key faculty from the two institutions. Implementing IPE learning opportunities for OT/PT students who attend different universities may demonstrate improvement in perceptions of IPE. Health care professional programs that are housed in an institution without other professions may consider collaborating with other universities to provide IPE experiences for their students.