cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of partial REM sleep deprivation and delayed recovery

Four young adult subjects each slept ten consecutive nights in the laboratory without awakenings. The mean nightly REM sleep time was calculated for each subject and used as the baseline value for further procedures. Two subjects were allowed 75 per cent of their baseline REM sleep time for nineteen consecutive nights and slept without disturbance for the next five (recovery) nights. The first recovery nights were 54 per cent and 13 per cent respectively above the baseline with a more or less exponential decline to the basal level on subsequent nights. The compensatory rises in REM time were compatible with what might have been expected following five nights of complete deprivation and suggest that partial REM deprivation has a cumulative effect roughly proportional to the degree of partial deprivation. The other two subjects underwent complete REM sleep deprivation for five consecutive nights followed by five nights upon which REM sleep time was held to the baseline level. The next five nights were undisturbed and the REM sleep fraction was elevated 100 per cent and 66 per cent respectively above the baseline. These results suggest that the REM sleep deprivation effect can be reversed only by extra amounts of REM sleep and will persist if such compensation does not take place.
Touch Me Wear: Getting Physical with Social Networks

This project explores possibilities of associationbetween existingsocial network information and real-worldphysical interaction. Thesepossibilities are explored through theintegration of wearablestechnology with mobile social networktechnology. We use the term“mobile social networking” torefer to those advanced interactionswhich integrate complexreal world actions with online social networkinformation. Thisproject focuses particularly on the physical aspectsof mobilesocial networks as basic as human touch. Touch Me wE@r isableto associate social network identities with real worldphysicalcontact and in turn advertise that information online or useitreal-time within the physical world. As a proof of concept,the TouchMe wE@r application was implemented. Touch MewE@r changes the color ofone’s shirt depending on who theyhave hugged. Also the details of whowas hugged and when areadvertised on the user’s social networkprofile. One can imaginemany other interesting uses for thistechnology. The possibilitiesand implications of this technology arediscussed.
Reactivity of isolated porcine coronary resistance arteries to cholinergic and adrenergic drugs and transmural pressure changes.

The reactivity of porcine intramyocardial resistance arteries (223 +/- 7 micron i.d., n = 30) was investigated with a pressurized in vitro preparation. Diameter changes in response to acetylcholine and to adrenergic drugs and dynamic changes in transmural pressure changes were investigated. Acetylcholine produced concentration-dependent constrictions, causing maximal reductions of 71 +/- 3% in lumen diameter, with EC50 values averaging 1.9 X 10(-7) M (n = 7). These responses were inhibited by atropine (10(-7) M) and therefore were mediated by muscarinic receptors. In addition, acetylcholine did not elicit relaxation in nine out of 10 vessels precontracted with U46619 (10(-7) M). Norepinephrine and epinephrine never produced constrictions (n = 6) even in the presence of propranolol (10(-6) M). Both norepinephrine and isoproterenol caused dose-dependent relaxations in acetylcholine-precontracted vessels, with IC50 values of 8.2 X 10(-7) M (n = 5) and 6.6 X 10(-8) M (n = 6), respectively. These relaxations were suppressed by propranolol. Between transmural pressures of 10 and 90 mm Hg, there was no intrinsic myogenic tone (n = 7). In addition, the vessels responded only passively to sudden pressure changes of 40 mm Hg. In all vessels, the functional integrity of the endothelium was verified by relaxations to substance P (10(-8) M) and/or bradykinin (10(-8) M).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Effect on lipid profiles of switching from olanzapine to another secondgeneration antipsychotic agent in veterans with schizophrenia

Abstract Objective To compare (1) mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglyceride differences after switching from olanzapine to quetiapine, risperidone, or ziprasidone and (2) the mean lipid change between switch patterns. Design Retrospective, naturalistic, nonequivalent control group design. Setting United States between April 1, 2002, and September 30, 2002. Patients 1,826 U.S. Veterans Healthcare System enrollees with diagnoses of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders and receiving a second-generation antipsychotic (SGA) medication. Interventions Analysis of data from the Veterans Information Systems and Technology Architecture. Main outcome measures Differences in LDL-C, HDL-C, and triglycerides and mean differences between switch patterns. Predictors were the type of switch (e.g., olanzapine to quetiapine) and switch patterns (e.g., olanzapine to quetiapine versus olanzapine to risperidone). Data were analyzed using Pearson's χ2 and multivariate analysis of covariance with planned comparisons. Results After adjusting for age, gender, and race/ethnicity, LDL-C decreased significantly among patients switched from olanzapine to ziprasidone (–16.9 mg/dL, P Conclusion Switching SGAs can increase or decrease cardiovascular risk depending on the clinician's follow-on SGA choice. LDL-C and triglyceride levels decreased significantly among veterans switched from olanzapine to ziprasidone. Switching to quetiapine was associated with a reduction in LDL-C, while switching to risperidone resulted in lower triglyceride levels. Clinicians should use these results when building a patient care plan that includes switching of SGAs.
Developmental Trajectories of Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors and Interests in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

This study examined how restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests (RRBs) developed over time in a sample of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). One hundred ninety-two children referred for a diagnosis of autism at age 2, and 22 children with nonspectrum development disorders were evaluated with a battery of cognitive and diagnostic measures at age 2 and subsequently at ages 3, 5, and 9. Factor analysis of the RRB items on the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised revealed two RRB factors at each wave of data collection, one comprising "repetitive sensorimotor" (RSM) behaviors and the other "insistence on sameness" (IS) behaviors. For children with ASD, RSM scores remained relatively high over time, indicating consistent severity, whereas IS scores started low and increased over time, indicating worsening. Having a higher nonverbal intelligence (NVIQ) at age 2 was associated with milder concurrent RSM behaviors and with improvement in these behaviors over time. There was no relationship between NVIQ at age 2 and IS behaviors. However, milder social/communicative impairment, at age 2 was associated with more severe concurrent IS behaviors. Trajectory analysis revealed considerable heterogeneity in patterns of change over time for both kinds of behaviors. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for our understanding of RRBs in ASD and other disorders, making prognoses about how RRBs will develop in children with ASD as they get older, and using RRBs to identify ASD phenotypes in genetic studies.
Optimizing electrical impedance myography measurements by using a multifrequency ratio: a study in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Objective Electrical impedance myography (EIM) is an electrophysiological technique for neuromuscular evaluation that is impacted by subcutaneous fat (SF). Exploiting the differing frequency dependences of muscle and fat, we assessed a 2-frequency EIM phase ratio in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) boys.
Declassifying Myrmecophily in the Coleoptera to Promote the Study of Ant-Beetle Symbioses

The symbiotic associations between beetles and ants have been observed in at least 35 beetle families. Among myrmecophiles, beetles exhibit the most diverse behavioral and morphological adaptations to a life with ants. These various associations have historically been grouped into discrete but overlapping behavioral categories, many of which are still used in the modern literature. While these behavioral classifications provide a rich foundation for the study of ant-beetle symbioses, the application of these systems in future studies may be less than effective. Since morphological characteristics often provide the only information of myrmecophilous beetles, they should be studied in a species-by-species fashion, as behavioral data are often limited or unavailable. Similarly, behavioral studies should focus on the target species at hand, avoiding discrete classification schemes. I formally propose the rejection of any classification scheme, in order to promote future studies of myrmecophily in both taxonomic and evolutionary studies.
Stereoselective action of (+)-morphine over (−)-morphine in attenuating the (−)-morphine-produced antinociception via the naloxone-sensitive sigma receptor in the mouse

We have previously demonstrated that (+)-morphine and (−)-morphine given spinally stereoselectively attenuate the spinally-administered (−)-morphine-produced tail-flick inhibition in the mouse. The phenomenon has been defined as antianalgesia. Present studies were then undertaken to determine if the systemic administration of (+)-morphine and (−)-morphine also stereoselectively attenuates the systemic (−)-morphine-produced tail-flick inhibition and the effects of (+)-morphine and (−)-morphine are mediated by the naloxone-sensitive sigma receptor activation in male CD-1 mice. Pretreatment with (+)-morphine at a dose of 0.01–10 ng/kg given subcutaneously dose-dependently attenuated the tail-flick inhibition produced by subcutaneously-administered (−)-morphine (5 mg/kg). Pretreatment with (−)-morphine (0.01–1.0 mg/kg) given subcutaneously also attenuates the (−)-morphine-produced tail-flick inhibition. The ED50 values for (+)-morphine and (−)-morphine for inhibiting the (−)-morphine-produced tail-flick inhibition were estimated to be 30.6 pg/kg and 97.5 μg/kg, respectively. The attenuation of the (−)-morphine-produced tail-flick inhibition induced by (+)-morphine or (−)-morphine pretreatment was reversed by the pretreatment with (+)-naloxone or by the sigma receptor antagonist BD1047 (N-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-N-methyl-2-(dimethylamino)ethylamine dihydrobromide) given subcutaneously. Pretreatment with (+)-pentazocine, a selective sigma receptor agonist, (1-10 mg/kg) given subcutaneously also attenuates (−)-morphine-produced tail-flick inhibition, which was restored by (+)-naloxone (4 mg/kg) or BD1047 (10 mg/kg) pretreated subcutaneously. It is concluded that (+)-morphine exhibits extremely high stereoselective action over (−)-morphine given systemically in attenuating the systemic (−)-morphine-produced antinociception and the antianalgesic effect of (+)-morphine and (−)-morphine is mediated by activation of the naloxone-sensitive sigma receptor.
Characterization of the off response to electrical field stimulation in gallbladder smooth muscle

Abstract Background. Low-frequency electrical stimulation of intramural nerves of gut smooth muscle produces an “off response,” that is, a contraction that occurs after electrical field stimulation (EFS) of the intramural nerves is stopped. The off response coincides with a depolarization of the muscle following an EFS-induced hyperpolarization of that muscle. The aims of our study were to determine if the off response is present in gallbladder smooth muscle and to determine the mechanisms involved in this nerve-mediated response. Materials and methods. Gallbladder strips from opossums were placed in Krebs solution and passed through bipolar ring electrodes for EFS of intramural nerves, and isometric force measurements were recorded. Dose–response curves were determined with NG-nitro- l -arginine ( l -NNA) a competitive inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthase; 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolol[4,3a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), an inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase; and oxyhemoglobin, a scavenger of nitric oxide. Results. A contraction termed the off response occurred shortly after EFS ended. The off response was abolished with tetrodotoxin and atropine. The amplitude of the off response increased with increasing voltage. The amplitude of the off response decreased by 41% with l -NNA 1.5 mM. Preincubation of the tissue with l -arginine (1 mM) prevented the inhibition of amplitude seen with l -NNA. The amplitude of the off response decreased by 43% with oxyhemoglobin (40 μM) and by 56% with ODQ (250 μM). Conclusion. We conclude that the off response is present in gallbladder smooth muscle after low-frequency EFS. NO may be a mediator of this off response and of nonadrenergic noncholinergic responses in gallbladder smooth muscle.
Experimental Evidence for the Existence of a Neutrino

Radioactive ${\mathrm{Be}}^{7}$ was deposited on a platinum foil by means of a new evaporation technique. An electron multiplier tube was employed to count the recoil nuclei produced in the reaction, ${\mathrm{Be}}^{7}+{e}_{\mathrm{K}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\mathrm{Li}}^{7}+\ensuremath{\eta}+Q$. The maximum energy of the recoils was about 40 to 45 electron volts compared with the value of 58 electron volts to be expected for a neutrino of zero rest mass. An attempt was made to detect coincidences caused by the emission in opposite directions of a gamma-ray and a recoil nucleus. The observed coincidences were less than two percent of those expected for gamma-ray recoils. Apparently the recoils were caused by the emission of a neutrino and not by the emission of a gamma-ray.
Future directions of the DIII-D tokamak program

The author discusses possible future direction for the DII-D tokamak in terms of developing the US and international tokamak research programs. DII-D is the second largest US magnetic fusion facility; an advanced tokamak and divertor research device for addressing plasma confinement and control issues, a testbed for demonstrating and developing fusion technology components, and a proving ground for applied physics theories and diagnostic instrumentation. DII-D is the largest non-circular tokamak in the US and is operated with extensive national and international collaboration, including a long-standing Japanese collaboration and major multi-disciplinary collaborations with LLNL, ORNL, and UCLA. The DIII-D program is now demonstrating advanced tokamak operating modes transiently and plans in future experiments to sustain these improved confinement, stability, and divertor modes with non-inductive rf current drive. The long range research program focuses on divertor and advanced tokamak issues. The goal is to provide an integrated demonstration of well-confined high-beta divertor plasma with non-inductive current drive. The author presents ways that DIII-D can contribute to technology issues relevant to ITER physics issues, with the requesite investment of resources.
Reactivities in olefin-difluorocarbene reactions

The relative rates of addition of difluorocarbene to a series of methyl-substituted olefins have been determined and correlated with similar data for dichlorocarbene, chlorofluorocarbene and ground-state oxygen atoms. The electrophilic nature and stabilization of difluorocarbene by the fluorine substituents is discussed. Relative activation energies for the difluorocyclopropane-forming reaction have been estimated and correlated with properties of the olefins as derived from molecular orbital theory.
Differential Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, and Angiopoietin 1 and 2 in Functionally Divergent Experimental Rabbit Models of Bladder Hypertrophy

Purpose: Partial bladder outlet obstruction or ovariectomy with subsequent estrogen replenishment induces bladder hypertrophy in rabbits and yet the functional outcomes of these procedures differ. We investigated whether these models might be distinguished by differential expression of the genes controlling angiogenesis.Materials and Methods: Groups of male rabbits underwent sham surgery or partial bladder outlet obstruction for 1 or 2 weeks. Groups of females underwent sham surgery, ovariectomy or ovariectomy plus estrogen for 1 or 2 weeks. Bladders from each group were weighed and assayed for the contractile response, smooth muscle content and vascular density. Mucosa and muscle layers were separated and RNA from the fractions was assayed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to measure the relative expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, and angiopoietin 1 and 2 mRNA.Results: Male bladders with partial outlet obstruction had attributes that typified hypertrophy with a loss of co...
Treatment of aluminium hydroxide adjuvant to optimize the adsorption of basic proteins.

Aluminium hydroxide adjuvant has an isoelectric point (i.e.p.) of ca 11 and is a good adsorbent for acidic proteins due to the contribution of electrostatic attractive forces. However, electrostatic repulsive forces reduce its ability to adsorb basic proteins. Pretreatment of aluminium hydroxide adjuvant with carefully selected concentrations of phosphate anion reduces the positive surface charge which exists at pH 7.4. Treatment with higher concentrations of phosphate anion produces a negative surface charge. The adsorption of lysozyme (i.e.p = 11.1) was found to be directly related to the concentration of phosphate anion used to pretreat the aluminium hydroxide adjuvant.
An exploratory study of order effect in persuasive communication

In order to test for the existence of order effect in persuasive communication, four short speeches on the topic of a guaranteed annual income were transmitted via video tape to eight groups with the serial combination of the messages based on the pro‐con and weak/strong dimensions. While the general hypothesis that audience evaluation is a function of the order of presentation was not supported, seven specific interactions were observed to result from the factors of message strength, sequential length, and message valence.
Childhood physical and sexual abuse as risk factors for heavy drinking among African-American women: a prospective study.

Abstract Objective: This study examines the associations among characteristics of child sexual abuse, childhood physical abuse, lack of parental care, and heavy drinking in a relatively young, urban population of African-American women all of whom have documented histories of child sexual abuse. Methodology: The sample consists of 113 African American child victims who were brought to a city hospital emergency room for treatment and collection of forensic evidence in the 1970s and re-interviewed as adults in the 1990s. Results: The results of this research suggest that multiple incidents of child sexual abuse, more than the characteristics of such abuse is an important predictor of adult heavy alcohol use and binge drinking. These results remain even after controlling for the effects of parental drinking behavior. Conclusion: Although the victim of multiple child sexual assaults is more likely to suffer force and penetration, these analyses suggest that it is the multiple victimization and not the force or penetration that drives the relationship between child sexual assault and drinking behaviors.
Caregiver network structure, support and caregiver distress

Examined the relationship between the structure of caregiver personal networks, support, and perceived distress. It is argued that network structure should have little direct effect on distress but should have indirect effects via support. Data from 83 family caregivers to chronically mentally ill family members living at home in Summit County, Ohio, are used to test these assertions. The results provide mixed support for the general hypothesis. Most of the effects of network proportion of kin are indirect via support. Network size shows a similar pattern. The effects of network density on distress are mostly direct.
Replicas as a Technique for Examining Fracture Surfaces of Ceramics

This paper discusses reasons for using replicas of fracture surfaces of ceramics, describes several replicating methods and materials, and presents examples that compare replicas with actual fracture surfaces. Advantages of using replicas include being able (1) to examine large pieces without having to cut them down to size, (2) to provide convenient archiving of fracture surfaces, and (3) to eliminate sub-surface scattering of light. Many times, replicas provide clearer views of untreated (uncoated) fracture surfaces than can be obtained by direct observation. Replication using cellulose acetate tape and two types of silicone rubber (filled and unfilled) are described. Both methods are fast, relatively inexpensive, and non-destructive. Images of replicas of fracture surfaces of a glass and several ceramic materials (including electrical porcelain and several polycrystalline ceramics) are compared with images of actual fracture surfaces.
Robust clustering by deterministic agglomeration EM of mixtures of multivariate t-distributions

Abstract This paper presents new robust clustering algorithms, which significantly improve upon the noise and initialization sensitivity of traditional mixture decomposition algorithms, and simplify the determination of the optimal number of clusters in the data set. The algorithms implement maximum likelihood mixture decomposition of multivariate t-distributions, a robust parametric extension of gaussian mixture decomposition. We achieve improved convergence capability relative to the expectation–maximization (EM) approach by deriving deterministic annealing EM (DAEM) algorithms for this mixture model and turning them into agglomerative algorithms (going through a monotonically decreasing number of components), an approach we term deterministic agglomeration EM (DAGEM). Two versions are derived, based on two variants of DAEM for mixture models. Simulation studies demonstrate the algorithms’ performance for mixtures with isotropic and non-isotropic covariances in two and 10 dimensions with known or unknown levels of outlier contamination.
Transient radicular irritation with intrathecal plain lignocaine.

Background: The aetiology of the syndrome known as transient radicular irritation (TRI) has generated much interest. Method: A 50-year-old woman had right knee arthroscopy performed under spinal anaesthesia with 1% plain lignocaine. Result: At home, on the night of the procedure, she was woken by severe, bilateral cramp-like pain in both buttocks radiating to her thighs. Neurological examination of her lower limbs, the next morning, was entirely normal. The pain lasted for 36 h and a full recovery was made. Conclusions: This case of transient radicular irritation occurred in a patient given 40 mg of subarachnoid lignocaine (the lowest dose of isobaric preservative-free lignocaine reported thus far that has been associated with these symptoms). Her operation was performed in the supine position. The lack of confounding factors (hyperbaricity, high concentration solution, preservatives, lithotomy position) suggests lignocaine as a possible cause, yet current theories do not fully explain the aetiology of transient radicular irritation. Results from large-scale epidemiological studies will hopefully provide insight into the cause of this problem.
Selective InAs growth by chemical beam epitaxy

Abstract Selective growth of InAs was achieved using trimethylindium and cracked arsine on GaAs(100) substrates patterned with a silicon nitride mask. True selectivity can only be achieved in a very narrow range of substrate temperature and V III ratios. Growth optimization for various substrate types and pattern coverage were studied. Excellent surface morphology and electrical properties have been achieved at these optimized growth conditions. Vertical sidewalls can be obtained for selectively grown regions oriented along the [011] direction. Regions oriented in other directions show the growth of well-defined crystallographic facets. Device quality material was grown, as demonstrated by resonant interband tunneling diodes (RITDs) with room-temperature peak-to-valley current ratios (PVCRs) comparable to those obtained from RITDs grown and processed in a conventional manner.
The effect of hydrostatic pressure on the combustion synthesis of Y2O3:Bi nanophosphor

Abstract The effects of pressurized Ar environments during the solution combustion synthesis (SCS) of Y2O3:Bi nanophosphor were investigated. Three fuels were used urea, glycine and hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) and the nanopowders were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, photoluminescence, fluorescence lifetime, and thermoluminescence measurements. The dominant crystallographic phase was cubic, with crystallite size being insensitive to the hydrostatic pressure but increasing for fuels with higher heat of combustion. At least for nanopowders obtained using fuels with higher heats of combustion, higher Ar hydrostatic pressures lead to lower photoluminescence output. Fluorescence lifetime measurements on HMT-prepared samples yielded lifetimes of 330 and 900 ns for Bi3+ ions in S6 and C2 sites, respectively, and no variation in these values was observed for hydrostatic pressures from 0.1 to 9.7 MPa. Shorter lifetime values than reported for conventional SCS are likely related to higher concentration of quenching defects. In agreement with these results, thermoluminescence measurements showed that higher concentrations of electronic traps are present in samples synthesized under higher pressures.
The effect of angular velocity on the sedimentation behavior of deoxyribonucleic acid and tobacco mosaic virus in the ultracentrifuge.

Abstract A dependence of sedimentation coefficient and sedimentation boundary shape upon the angular velocity of the ultracentrifuge has been observed for T-4 bacteriophage deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), E. coli DNA, and tobacco mosaic virus. The effect is shown to be concentration and molecular-weight dependent. The errors resulting from extrapolation of high-speed data are discussed along with possible causes of the phenomenon.
Effect of hydrostatic pressure on Tc in superconducting YNi2−xMxB2C (M = Co, Cu)

Abstract The dependence of the superconducting transition temperature T c on hydrostatic pressure to 0.7 GPa has been determined for four YNi 2− x M x B 2 C compounds where up to 15% of Ni is substituted by Co or Cu. In all cases T c is found to decrease with pressure in the range −0.09 to −0.19 K/GPa. It is shown that these results are consistent with BCS-like superconductivity in transition metal systems where changes in both electronic and phononic degrees of freedom are required to account for the variation of T c with pressure.
XPS study of interface formation of CVD SiO2 on InSb

The interfacial chemistry of CVD SiO2 films deposited on thin native oxides grown on InSb substrates is examined using X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) and a relatively benign chemical etching technique for depth profiling. An intensity analysis of XPS spectra is used to derive the compositional structure of the interfaces obtained in the SiO2/native oxide/InSb system. Peak positions in these spectra are used to follow the change in substrate surface potential during the etch sequence, and to establish the chemical nature of the species formed during deposition and subsequent processing. Reaction of the substrate with oxygen resulted in an In-rich native oxide and 1-2 monolayers of excess elemental Sb at the native-oxide/substrate interface, incompletely oxidized silane reduced the native oxide, leaving less than 1 monolayer of elemental In at the SiO2/native oxide interface. Etch removal of this thin In-rich layer leads to a change in the substrate surface potential of 0.06 eV, corresponding to a net increase in positive charge. The results are consistent with simple thermodynamic considerations; they are also compared to previously reported studies of deposited dielectrics on III-V compound semiconductors.
Biodegradable plastics from animal protein coproducts: Feathermeal

This work describes the properties of plastics made from partially denatured proteins produced by the animal coproduct (rendering) industry and these plastics' fabrication. Specifically, plastic samples from partially denatured feathermeal protein were successfully produced by a compression-molding process. The modulus (stiffness) of the material obtained was found to be comparable with that of commercial synthetic materials, such as polystyrene, but was found to have lower toughness characteristics, which is a common phenomenon among plastics produced from animal and plant proteins. A reversible stress–strain property was observed over the yield region. Plastic-forming conditions for undenatured animal proteins, such as albumen and whey proteins, were also formulated for fabricating plastics out of these proteins' blends with feathermeal proteins. The resultant plastic samples that were developed of biomacromolecular blends, such as feathermeal/whey and feathermeal/albumen, demonstrated improved mechanical properties, specifically tensile strength, when compared with neat plastics from feathermeal proteins. The values for the stiffness of the feathermeal/whey blends deviated from simple mixing rule and showed a synergistic effect. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Pere Albert: Barcelona Canon, Royal Advocate, Feudal Theorist

In this article, the life and career of one of Catalonia's greatest medieval legists is discussed. Using notarial and court documentation, the author explores the work of Pere Albert as judge and advocate. The Customs of Catalonia and other of Pere Albert's treatises form the basis for the review of the legist's career as a theorist in feudal law. The basis for this article is the collection of documents pertaining to Pere Albert, which the author includes in an appendix.
Physical properties of phase separated soda-silica glasses

Abstract Changes in the physical properties of several soda-silica glasses, caused by amorphous phase separation, have been measured. This includes denisty, thermal expansion, and Young's modulus. The results correlate with a continuously changing microstructure including partial crystallization. The transition range behavior of a phase separated glass differs only slightly from a homogeneous glass of the same composition.
Creating a Corpus of Targeted Learning Resources with a Web-Based Open Authoring Tool

Personalizing learning to studentspsila traits and interests requires diverse learning content. Previous studies have demonstrated the value of such materials in learning but a challenge remains in creating a corpus of content large enough to meet studentspsila varied interests and abilities. We present and evaluate a prototype Web-based tool for open authoring of learning materials. We conducted a study (an open web experiment) to evaluate whether specific student profiles presented in the toolpsilas interface increase the diversity of the contributions, and whether authors tailor their contributions to the features in the profiles. We report on the quality of materials produced, authorspsila facility in rating them, effects of author traits, and impact of the tailoring feature. Participants were professional teachers (math and non-math) and amateurs. Participants were randomly assigned to the tailoring tool or a simplified version without the tailoring feature. We find that while there are differences by teaching status, all three groups make contributions of worth. The tailoring feature leads contributors to tailor materials with greater potential to engage students. The experiment suggests that an open access Web-based tool is a feasible technology for developing a large corpus of materials for personalized learning.
Effect of Uncertain Hydraulic Conductivity on the Simulated Fate and Transport of BTEX Compounds at a Field Site

A Monte Carlo analysis was conducted to investigate the effect of uncertain hydraulic conductivity on the fate and transport of BTEX compounds (benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene) at a field site on Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Microbially mediated BTEX degradation has occurred at the site through multiple terminal electron-accepting processes, including aerobic respiration, denitrification, Fe(III) reduction, sulfate reduction, and methanogenesis degradation. Multiple realizations of the hydraulic conductivity field were generated and substituted into a multispecies reactive transport model developed and calibrated for the Hill AFB site in a previous study. Simulation results show that the calculated total BTEX masses (released from a constant-concentration source) that remain in the aquifer at the end of the simulation period statistically follow a lognormal distribution. In the first analysis (base case), the calculated total BTEX mass varies from a minimum of 12% less and a maximum of 60% more than that of the previously calibrated model. This suggests that the uncertainty in hydraulic conductivity can lead to significant uncertainties in modeling the fate and transport of BTEX. Geometric analyses of calculated plume configurations show that a higher BTEX mass is associated with wider lateral spreading, while a lower mass is associated with longer longitudinal extension. More BTEX mass in the aquifer causes either a large depletion of dissolved oxygen (DO) and NO{sub 3}{sup -}, or a large depletion of DO and a large production of Fe{sup 2+}, with moderately depleted NO{sub 3}{sup -}. In an additional analysis, the effect of varying degrees of aquifer heterogeneity and associated uncertainty is examined by considering hydraulic conductivity with different variances and correlation lengths. An increase in variance leads to a higher average BTEX mass in the aquifer, while an increase in correlation length results in a lower average. This observation is explained by relevant partitioning of BTEX into the aquifer from the LNAPL source. Although these findings may only be applicable to the field conditions considered in this study, the methodology used and insights gained are of general interest and relevance to other fuel-hydrocarbon natural-attenuation sites.
Why Study the New Testament

‘New Testament studies’, as most of us learned the discipline, depends on some fundamental assumptions: that scientific history leads us toward objective, secure knowledge of the past; that careful method can unlock the real meaning of a stable text; that we have an audience who genuinely care what we say. Every one of these assumptions has become problematic. For the future, we must not give up on historical research, but we must think more urgently about what it means to write history well. In our role as teachers of Christian communities, we need to examine ways in which texts are used, rediscovering the formative uses in place of an almost exclusive stress by ‘biblical theology’ on the normative. Finally, acknowledging the demise of Christendom, we must seek to engage an ever larger circle of discussion partners, seeking to overcome our isolation within the academy and within a world that has grown rapidly more diverse even as it has become astonishingly smaller.
Sleep/Wake Patterns of Individuals With Advanced Cancer Measured by Ambulatory Polysomnography

Purpose Sleep/wake disturbances are prevalent in patients with advanced cancer, but 24-hour polysomnography (PSG) examinations of these patterns have not been undertaken. The purpose of this study was to describe these sleep/wake patterns using continuous PSG and to explore relationships with selected demographic and clinical variables. Patients and Methods The sample included patients with advanced cancer (solid tumors); those with neurologic disorders or psychosis, substance abuse, or brain metastasis were excluded. The final sample included 114 participants with a mean age of 51.1 years (± 9.1 years). Participants underwent continuous, ambulatory PSG for 42 hours in their home environments. Standard PSG measures were calculated. Analysis included data from 2 nights and the intervening day. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize sleep/wake parameters of the average of the 2 nights and the intervening day. Nonparametric analyses were used to detect differences and relationships among the variables...
Sharing Writing through Computer Networking.

(1997). SHARING WRITING THROUGH COMPUTER NETWORKING. Reading & Writing Quarterly: Vol. 13, No. 4, pp. 383-388.
Sleepless in Chicago: Tracking the effects of adolescent sleep loss during the middle school years

The influence of the sleep patterns of 2,259 students, aged 11 to 14 years, on trajectories of depressive symptoms, self-esteem, and grades was longitudinally examined using latent growth cross-domain models. Consistent with previous research, sleep decreased over time. Students who obtained less sleep in sixth grade exhibited lower initial self-esteem and grades and higher initial levels of depressive symptoms. Similarly, students who obtained less sleep over time reported heightened levels of depressive symptoms and decreased self-esteem. Sex of the student played a strong role as a predictor of hours of sleep, self-esteem, and grades. This study underscores the role of sleep in predicting adolescents' psychosocial outcomes and highlights the importance of using idiographic methodologies in the study of developmental processes.
Using Rapid Feedback to Enhance Student Learning and Satisfaction

Our goal is to improve student learning in foundation engineering courses. Our hypothesis is that learning is improved by providing rapid feedback to students of their understanding of key concepts and skills. In the past two years, we conducted this study in two sections of a lower-level course, Statics. One author taught both sections and a crossover design of experiment was used. In a crossover study one section was randomly chosen to receive feedback with handheld computers (the `treatment' group) while the other received the `control,' which was either a feedback system using flashcards (in 2004) or no feedback (2005). After a certain period, the two sections swapped the treatment and control. Student performance on a quiz at the end of each treatment period provided the data for comparison using a general linear statistical model. Our findings from 2004 showed that there was no significant difference using either rapid-feedback method. In 2005 we found a significant and positive effect when students received feedback. This is a noteworthy finding that confirms the value of rapid feedback and the currently popular `clickers' that many professors are employing to promote classroom interaction.
Application of satellite data to study of ocean surface energetics

A workshop on ‘The Application of Existing Satellite Data to the Study of the Ocean Surface Energetics’ was held November 19–21, 1980, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It was sponsored jointly by the Space Science and Engineering Center at University of Wisconsin-Madison and by NASA. The major goal of the workshop was to define specific tractable problems by using the existing satellite data set. To this end the present state of research in the area of ocean surface energetics was discussed, with particular emphasis on six topics: heat fluxes at the interface, net radiative budget, currents and topography, wind and wind stress, precipitation, and sea surface temperature.
Quasi-linear theory in the non-resonant region

By solving for the changes 〈Δν〉 and 〈ΔνΔν〉 for a particle, it is shown that there is no diffusion equation for non-resonant particles when the electric field wave is damping. By indirect means it is then shown for this case that the appropriate quasi-linear solution for ƒ 1 (к, ν, t) is proportional to ∂ƒ 0 (ν, 0)/∂ν rather than ∂ƒ(ν, t)/∂ν.
A Blue Stain for Microorganisms in Humus and in Soil

For better color contrast with humus-colored dead organic matter, a bluish stain was sought for replacing the pinkish dyes in use for staining microorganisms in soil. Among dyes tried, fast acid blue R (C. I. 760) was found to stain selectively enough and optimally in hue. A didymium glass may serve for optical differentiation, if needed.
Food Safety Evaluation of Crops Produced through Biotechnology

Agricultural biotechnology has been widely adopted in agriculture but is also the focus of controversy. Questions have arisen regarding food and environmental safety. In the US, responsibility for ensuring agricultural and environmental safety is delegated to the USDA and EPA, respectively. The FDA has primary responsibility for food safety, with the exception that the EPA has responsibility for the safety of proteins in plants associated with insect defense mechanisms. The food safety assessment, whether performed by the FDA or the EPA, requires evaluation of the safety of 1) the newly added DNA, 2) the safety of the newly introduced gene product and 3) the overall safety of the balance of the food. A paradigm called “Substantial Equivalence” guides the assessment. The principal food safety issues for new varieties crops are 1) potential toxicity of the newly introduced protein(s), 2) potential changes in allergenicity, 3) changes in nutrient composition, 4) unintended effects giving rise to allergenicit...
Qualitative Research and Evaluation: Triangulation and Multimethods Reconsidered.

The coherent use of historical analysis, life history, and ethnographic observation is illustrated.
Team Arthritis Consultation

Medical consultation has generally been the province of the physician. Increasingly, however, complexity of care—especially for patients chronically ill with arthritis—has demanded the advice of nonphysician specialists as well. Health care teams in primary patient care are generally recognized as an important element in the provision of health services for chronic illness.1–4 Efficient arthritis consultation by a team has several recognized problems. Goals and role expectations are frequently unclear.5 Competition for leadership occurs and medical specialists do not always have an understanding of or interest in other specialties.6 Limited time is frequently a concern, and the weekly team conference can result in a lecture from the team's most aggressive member rather than an exercise in problem solving, as the conference is intended to be.5 Medical education and tradition continue to foster independent practice rather than team cooperation.2
Federal Surveillance Of Veterinary Drugs And Chemical Residues (With Recent Data)

The National Residue Program is a dynamic risk-based program involving many Federal agencies, with the objective of preventing illegal drug residues and chemicals in the food supply. Surveillance is the systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of residue data for public health action. This consists of assessing the cause(s) of the problem, recommending educational incentives, and intervention of prevention and control measures. The role of residue databases in formulating policy decisions and identifying risk factors for drug residues is discussed. A descriptive analysis, of 5 years (1992-1996) field investigative reports of drug residue occurrence in food animals is presented. The results showed that violative residues occurred predominately in culled dairy cows and bob veal calves.
“The Divine Science”: Political Engineering in American Culture*

The American polity's designers proceeded from what John Adams called “the divine science of politics”—an approach very close to that of modern empirical political science. It was rooted in their conviction that truth is best discovered by the systematic investigation of experience; they investigated experience with methods primitive by modern standards but advanced for the eighteenth century; they applied their findings to the design of political institutions; and they regarded all institutions as experimental, to be revised when experience indicates. This faith in political and social engineering has remained ever since a major element in American political culture. It has recently been shaken by Vietnam, Watergate, and other systemic failures; but it is still far preferable to alternative faiths, especially if we today can cool our rhetoric, moderate our expectations, and recapture the pragmatic, experimental mood of those who created “the divine science.”
Substitution of Dietary Starch for Dextrose in Hyperlipemic Subjects.

SummaryThe comparative effects of dietary starch and dextrose on plasma tri-glyceride levels were studied on a metabolic ward in 2 lipemic patients. Plasma triglyc-erides were elevated when these subjects ingested a virtually fat free diet. Substitution of starch for the high dextrose formula produced no further change in plasma triglyc-erides. Caloric restriction in one patient resulted in a marked decrease in triglyceride even though he continued to eat an 85% carbohydrate, 15% protein formula. Both patients complained of a feeling of fullness and had trouble finishing an isocaloric high starch diet. These observations show that isocaloric starch diets did not decrease plasma triglycerides but that caloric restriction while a high carbohydrate diet is fed, will result in lower plasma triglyceride levels. They suggest that, unless careful supervision of dietary intake is maintained, the effects of carbohydrate substitutions in diet may be related to changes in caloric balance rather than to the type of c...
The Treatment of Six Sigma in Introductory Operations Management Textbooks: Clearing Up the Confusion.

This paper critically examines the treatment of the statistical basis for Six Sigma and process capability in popular operations management textbooks. It discuss areas of confusion and suggest ways of treating the topic that make sense to instructors as well as students. Even though Six Sigma was introduced almost 30 years ago, misconceptions persist. In the textbooks we have found no consistency of approach or understanding of the statistical underpinnings (3.4 defects per million opportunities) of Six Sigma. Sometimes statements are made that are factually incorrect and cause frustration for students and instructors. Similar difficulties are encountered in discussions of the related concept of process capability. The paper suggests changes that will help resolve these issues and bring much-needed clarity to discussions of these important ideas. Students will find the material much more accessible and instructors will find it much easier to convey the concepts underlying this important topic.
Stress Evaluation Method using Raman Spectroscopy

Local stress measurement is becoming very important to evaluate electrical and reliability property of semiconductor. Raman spectroscopic method has been established to measure local stress at the area of one micron in diameter. The measurement problems came from the characteristics of a spectrometer have been solved by the following. –Ar Plasma line is utilized to calibrate wave numbers. –Gaussian and Lorentz distribution are utilized to determine the peaks of Plasma line and RAMAN shift. This method with introduction of a certain assumption can be applied to the stress measurement not only for Silicon single crystal like trench structure, but for deposited thin layers like silicon oxide or silicon nitride, and plastic packaging material. This paper describes the measurement methods of local stress, data processing techniques of measurement data and several examples of the measurement on a semiconductor thin layer and packaging plastic.