cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reducing Escape-Maintained Challenging Behavior in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder through Visual Activity Schedule and Instructional Choice

Children with autism tend to engage in challenging behavior more than other children, which impacts their ability to engage appropriately with instructional tasks. Existing literature has established that visual activity schedules are effective for maximizing on-task behaviors and reducing challenging behavior in individuals with autism. However, in some cases challenging behavior may not be effectively reduced, especially when the visual activity schedule includes a less preferred task. This study aimed to address this need by (a) examining the effects of a treatment package consisting of a visual activity schedule and instructional choice on escape-maintained challenging behavior of children with autism during less preferred tasks and (b) comparing the effects of the treatment package with a visual activity schedule only treatment. Results suggest the treatment package effectively reduced challenging behavior during less preferred tasks and had more consistent effects than the visual schedule only treatment on the reduction of challenging behavior.
Do petroleum rents fuel conflict in developing countries? A case study of political instability in Timor-Leste

Abstract This paper causally links petroleum dependence to political instability in developing countries through the three core characteristics of the rentier state—weak institutional capacity, a distributive political economy, and elite capture and predation. Traditional rentier state theory, centered primarily on the experiences of authoritarian, middle-income countries, holds that oil-rich regimes use their rents to secure political stability. By contrast, this paper argues that rentier practices can fuel rather than inhibit civil unrest in institutionally weaker developing countries. The causal pathway is demonstrated with field research-based process tracing of the case of Timor-Leste. There, the apparently benevolent distribution of petroleum rents has secured some dimensions of peace but has also activated new vectors of political instability. Moreover, the predatory capture by political–economic elites of an expanding rent share provokes societal grievance and potential instability on another front. Weak institutional capacity makes the state less able to deal with these elements of domestic unrest. A major implication of this research is that even where the other factors known to interact with oil wealth in fueling conflict are scarce, petroleum dependence itself could contribute to political instability as a result of the rentier effects it puts in motion.
Kinase fusion-related thyroid carcinomas: distinct pathologic entities with evolving diagnostic implications.

Abstract Activating genomic alterations in protein kinases represent a major driving force in thyroid carcinogenesis. Recently, oncogenic kinase fusions have been a central subject of pharmaceutical development, with a rapidly growing number of inhibitors validated for treating molecularly matched malignancies. Thyroid carcinomas harbor actionable kinase fusions in 10–15% of cases, occupying an increasingly recognized subpopulation of thyroid carcinomas with enhanced attention to molecular profiling. With advances in kinase-based cancer therapy, several challenges have emerged for pathologists. To interrogate an expanding list of targetable genes, the diagnostic paradigm has shifted from conventional single-gene methods toward high-throughput nucleic acid sequencing. Considering the relatively low incidence of most kinase fusions, a selective approach for molecular testing that utilizes histologic and immunohistochemical findings in triaging cases becomes essential for laboratory resource management. Moreover, kinase inhibitor resistance inevitably evolves, requiring a multimodal approach to optimal therapy, despite targeted therapies showing an enhanced, durable response. In this review, we assess the current clinicopathologic understanding and ongoing investigational topics in kinase fusion-related thyroid carcinomas.
Regime-switching energy price volatility: The role of economic policy uncertainty

Abstract This paper analyzes the volatility patterns of oil and natural gas prices in the United States and how they have changed due to economic policy uncertainty in the pre- and post-shale era. Using Markov-Switching GARCH models, we find evidence of heterogeneous volatility regimes for both commodities (i.e., high vs. low volatility). While the volatility persistence for oil is similar during the two sub-periods, significant changes have occurred to the natural gas market. Using quantile regressions, we find that economic policy uncertainty increases the probability of agitated market conditions of both markets, although this effect has weakened during the post-shale period.
Design of a Real-Time Traffic Mirroring System

Network monitoring and analysis is a vital component of network infrastructure reliability, availability, and sustainability. As network bandwidth consumption continues to grow exponentially, real-time traffic data analysis becomes increasingly challenging and expensive. In many cases, monitoring can only be achieved via hardware Test Access Point (TAP) devices. Due to the intrusiveness and inflexibility of deploying such hardware, this approach is intractable in an SDN environment, where network resource allocation programmability is key to network orchestration and deployment. In our prior work we developed a technology to improve VIRTIO port mirroring via network device mirror offloading. In this paper, we extend our mirror offloading work to include a novel mirror tunnel design. Mirror tunneling technology transports traffic from any device capable of supporting a software TAP to a mirror tunnel device that supports mirror hardware offloading. In addition, we develop a mirror controller based upon SR-IOV technology and the kernel netdev interface. With minimal changes required for the traffic source network function, the host system can dynamically reconFigure traffic mirror management settings via pre-existing kernel-based Internet Protocol (IP) management tools.
Abundance and Distribution of Two Species of Squilla(Crustacea: Stomatopoda: Squillidae) in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Stomatopods (mantis shrimps) are predatory benthic crustaceans. Mantis shrimp in the genus Squilla are frequent bycatch animals unintentionally collected in conjunction with the shrimp fi shery in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Their carcasses are discarded instead of being retained for human consumption, fi sh meal, or other protein-based food products. The size, depth, salinity, and temperature distributions of these species, as well as their abundance based on gender, were examined to gain biological information that would be necessary if a fi shery were to develop in the GOM. I collected samples (n = 2,854) of Squilla empusa and Squilla chydaea in the northern GOM at depths of 1–96 m at 56 stations. Squilla chydaea was generally collected in greater abundance and in deeper water compared to S. empusa, even though the biomass of S. empusa collected in this study was larger than that of S. chydaea. For both species, individuals were larger in body length and wet weight in the winter, but more individuals were collected in the summer. Female S. chydaea dominated the catch in summer; there was no seasonal difference in sex ratio for S. empusa. The potential for commercial harvesting of mantis shrimp in the northern GOM is discussed and compared to other mantis shrimp fi sheries.
Power in Coalition: Strategies for Strong Unions and Social Change

How can we change things in an age in which governments are fixated on the bottom line and conventional protest rallies have lost their punch?Coalitions can be important tools for social change and union revitalisation. What makes them successful? What causes them to fail? Community organiser Amanda Tattersall examines successful coalitions between unions and community organisations in three countries: the public education coalition in Sydney, Toronto's Ontario Health Coalition fighting to save universal health care, and Chicago's living wage campaign run by the Grassroots Collaborative. She explores when and how coalitions can be a powerful strategy for social change, organisational development and union renewal.Power in Coalition is essential reading for unionists, community activists, and anyone passionate about social change.'A fascinating insight into the potential for coalitions to restore the balance of power between governments and the communities they are supposed to serve.' - Julian Burnside AO QC'Amanda Tattersall shows that coalitions, though hard work at times, are the best means we have to rebalance power, beat poverty and injustice, and build a future that includes all of us, especially the weakest.' - Tim Costello AO, CEO, World Vision Australia'If unions are to maximise their influence in the 21st century they must build alliances with other organisations around economic, social and ecological concerns affecting humanity. This book shows it is possible to build the necessary coalitions to achieve this end.' - Jack Mundey AO, instigator of the 1970s Green Bans movement in Sydney
Implementation Issues of Enterprise Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence in the Healthcare Industry

The healthcare industry is following the lead of other industries and finding value in enterprise data warehousing (EDW) and business intelligence (BI) tools. Healthcare organizations are leveraging these tools to provide a plethora of benefits realized through enhanced business operations and performance. The EDW combines data from multiple source systems across an enterprise, and BI tools extract the data in meaningful ways to enable managers to make the best informed decisions. As with all management information systems, there are technical issues to be considered that impact the design, build, implementation, and support of the system. These benefits and challenges are explored, as well as special considerations necessary for the healthcare industry compared to other industries utilizing data warehousing and business intelligence. This paper investigates these critical issues and provides suggestions to harness the implementation of EDW and BI in the healthcare industry.
McCarthyism and Organized Labor: Fifty Years of Lost Opportunities

The author maintains that the anticommunist struggle split the labor movement and contributed to its loss of vision and militancy and to its ultimate decline.
A comprehensive review of 46 exercise treatment studies in fibromyalgia (1988–2005)

The purpose of this review was to: (1) locate all exercise treatment studies of fibromyalgia (FM) patients from 1988 through 2005, (2) present in tabular format the key details of each study and (3) to provide a summary and evaluation of each study for exercise and health outcomes researchers. Exercise intervention studies in FM were retrieved through Cochrane Collaboration Reviews and key word searches of the medical literature, conference proceedings and bibliographies. Studies were reviewed for inclusion using a standardized process. A table summarizing subject characteristics, exercise mode, timing, duration, frequency, intensity, attrition and outcome variables was developed. Results, conclusions and comments were made for each study. Forty-six exercise treatment studies were found with a total of 3035 subjects. The strongest evidence was in support of aerobic exercise a treatment prescription for fitness and symptom and improvement. In general, the greatest effect and lowest attrition occurred in exercise programs that were of lower intensity than those of higher intensity. Exercise is a crucial part of treatment for people with FM. Increased health and fitness, along with symptom reduction, can be expected with exercise that is of appropriate intensity, self-modified, and symptom-limited. Exercise and health outcomes researchers are encouraged to use the extant literature to develop effective health enhancing programs for people with FM and to target research to as yet understudied FM subpopulations, such as children, men, older adults, ethnic minorities and those with common comorbidities of osteoarthritis and obesity.
Ligand-conjugated quantum dots for targeted drug delivery to nerve cells

Increased interest in nanoparticle quantum dots as fluorescent probes possessing extended photostability, multi-color capability, and surface-controllable properties has made apparent their promising potential for biological and therapeutic applications. As an approach towards surface-functionalized nanoparticle drug delivery, here we report the development of quantum dots (QDs) complexed with the small peptide hormone /spl beta/NGF. Surface modification and composition of ligand-conjugated QDs were confirmed using atomic force microscopy. Bioactivity and visual localization of ligand-QD complexes was assayed in live cells. Despite known structural and chemical stringency of ligand-receptor activation, we provide evidence to support activation of cell-surface trkA membrane receptor channels and downstream modulation of neurite sprouting. This QD-based capability bears significance for development of surface-conjugated nanoparticle drug delivery.
Design of dual-band dual-polarized wire antennas using a genetic algorithm

A new dual-band polarization-agile wire antenna element is presented along with a method of tuning the resonant frequency, impedance, and radiation pattern of the antenna. The four terminal antenna can radiate in one of two modes: dipole mode or slot mode. Ideally, the radiation patterns and resonant frequencies of the two modes are identical and their polarizations are orthogonal in every direction. Superposition of the two modes will allow for the synthesis of any linear, circular, or elliptical polarization, and identical mode radiation patterns and orthogonal mode polarizations will allow for synthesis of any polarization in any direction. This polarization synthesis capability makes the polarization-agile wire antenna element a natural for inclusion in smart antenna systems. The resonant frequencies, impedance, and radiation patterns of the antenna are tuned through additional wires that may be thought of as integrated tuning stubs. These tuning stubs will allow the polarization-agile wire antenna to radiate each mode effectively at multiple specified frequencies. Genetic algorithm optimization techniques have been used in the development of the polarization-agile multiple-resonant wire antenna with impedance-matched resonant frequencies of 30 and 45 MHz for both the slot and dipole modes.
Two groups within the thick disc of the Milky Way

Compositions of F and G dwarf stars in two groups of thick disc stars are presented. The groups identified by Schuster et al. have mean characteristics ([Fe/H], V(rot), Age, ) of (−0.7 dex, 120 km s−1, 12.5 Gyr, 62 km s−1) and (−0.4, 160, 10.0, 45.8). Abundances for 23 elements obtained from high-resolution spectra are presented for 59 stars in the metal-rich group and 27 stars in the metal-poor group. The run of abundance ratios [X/Fe] versus [Fe/H] for the two groups define a single relation for each element (designated as X) with no intrinsic scatter and without a measurable discontinuity at −0.6 < [Fe/H] < −0.5, the metallicity at which the two groups overlap. The relations [X/Fe] versus [Fe/H] are those determined previously for thick disc stars. It is suggested that these two groups and the thick disc as a whole have a common origin in terms of prior chemical evolution.
Declining Trends and Widening Disparities in Overweight and Obesity Prevalence Among Massachusetts Public School Districts, 2009–2014

Objectives. We evaluated the overall and sociodemographic disparities in trends in prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity in Massachusetts public school districts between 2009 and 2014.Methods. In 2009, Massachusetts mandated annual screening of body mass index for students in grades 1, 4, 7, and 10. This was part of the statewide Mass in Motion prevention programs. We assessed trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity between 2009 and 2014 by district, gender, grade, and district income.Results. From 2009 to 2014, prevalence decreased 3.0 percentage points (from 34.3% to 31.3%) statewide. The 2014 district-level rates ranged from 13.9% to 54.5% (median = 31.2%). When stratified by grade, the decreasing trends were significant only for grades 1 and 4. Although rates of districts with a median household income greater than $37 000 improved notably, rates of the poorest remain unchanged and were approximately 40%.Conclusions. Although overall prevalence began to decrease, the geographic and...
Lévy Classes and Self-Normalization

We prove a Chung's law of the iterated logarithm for recurrent linear Markov processes. In order to attain this level of generality, our normalization is random. In particular, when the Markov process in question is a diffusion, we obtain the integral test corresponding to a law of the iterated logarithm due to Knight.
Sequence analysis and neuronal expression of fasciclin I in grasshopper and drosophila

The fasciclin I, II, and III glycoproteins are expressed on different subsets of axon bundles (fascicles) in insect embryos and are thus candidates for surface recognition molecules involved in growth cone guidance. Here we present the sequence of grasshopper fasciclin I and the identification and sequence of the Drosophila fasciclin I homolog. In both species, fasciclin I appears to be an extrinsic membrane protein with a signal sequence but no transmembrane region; the protein comprises four homologous domains of approximately 150 amino acids each. Antibodies against Drosophila fasciclin I reveal that it is expressed on the surface of a subset of commissural axon pathways in the embryonic central nervous system and on all sensory axon pathways in the peripheral nervous system. This pattern of expression is similar to that in grasshopper.
CONDITIONED SUPPRESSION WITH EXTINCTION AS THE SIGNALLED STIMULUS1

The key pecking of pigeons that was maintained by a 60-sec random-interval schedule of food reinforcement was suppressed during a variable-duration warning stimulus that signalled a 5-min extinction period. The onset of the extinction period immediately followed the termination of the warning signal and was independent of the subject's responses. All subjects eventually showed nearly complete suppression of responding during the warning stimulus.
Laboratory prototype double-etalon Fabry-Perot interferometer for remote sensing of atmospheric ozone: atmospheric measurements

Space-based observations of tropospheric trace species have been identified as high-priority atmospheric science measurements to be included in Earth science missions of the 21st century. Critical to such measurements are tropospheric ozone (O3) concentrations, which have been increasing and will continue to do so as levels of the precursor gases (oxides of nitrogen, methane and other hydrocarbons) necessary for the photochemical production of tropospheric O3 remain rising; such a global monitoring capability is crucial to enhance scientific understanding as well as to potentially lessen the ill-health impacts associated with exposure to elevated concentrations in the lower atmosphere. An instrument concept to enable such a measurement capability for tropospheric (and total) O3 utilizing Fabry-Perot interferometry has been developed and reported in earlier work. It involves a double-etalon series configuration Fabry- Perot interferometer (FPI) along with an ultra-narrow bandpass filter to achieve single-order operation with an overall spectral resolution of approximately .068 cm-1, sampling a narrow spectral region within the strong 9.6 micrometer ozone infrared band from a nadir-viewing satellite configuration. Current research efforts are focusing on technology development and demonstration activities to address technology drivers and other design considerations associated with this measurement concept. Most importantly, we have developed a small-scale, modular, double-etalon prototype FPI for laboratory characterization and testing. This presentation will focus on advancements made pertaining to our laboratory prototype, specifically, toward the analysis and interpretation of measured solar absorption spectra. Topics will include processing of 'measured' spectra (i.e., spectral registration and drift correction) and simulation of 'true' spectra (i.e., atmospheric assumptions and instrument transfer function modeling), as well as subsequent comparisons and findings. Future developments will focus on incorporating other key elements into the prototype instrument, performing relevant laboratory and atmospheric testing, and developing methods for calibration. These activities along with concurrent scientific studies and atmospheric field testing will serve to demonstrate overall feasibility and provide technique validation for this instrumentation and may lead to a future space-based implementation.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An Analysis of the Ratings and Interrater Reliability of High School Band Contests

The purpose of this study was to examine procedures for analyzing ratings of large-group festivals and provide data with which to compare results from similar events. Data consisted of ratings from...
Estimating risk of contaminant intrusion in water distribution networks using Dempster–Shafer theory of evidence

Intrusion of contaminants into water distribution networks requires the simultaneous presence of three elements: contamination source, pathway and driving force. The existence of each of these elements provides ‘partial’ evidence (typically incomplete and non-specific) to the occurrence of contaminant intrusion into distribution networks. Evidential reasoning, also called Dempster–Shafer theory, has proved useful to incorporate both aleatory and epistemic uncertainties in the inference mechanism. The application of evidential reasoning to assess risk of contaminant intrusion is demonstrated with the help of an example of a single pipe. The proposed approach can be extended to full-scale water distribution networks to establish risk-contours of contaminant intrusion. Risk-contours using GIS may help utilities to identify sensitive locations in the water distribution network and prioritize control and preventive strategies.
Localization and nature of the cytochromes of Rhodomicrobium vannielii

Abstract The cytochrome content of intact cells and isolated subcellular particles from the obligate photoheterotrophic anaerobe Rhodomicrobium vannielii was examined. The types of cytochromes detected, together with the position of the α, β, and γ bands of the reduced form are as follows: 1.a b type (563, 530, and 423 mμ); 2. two c types (550, 522 and 414, 553, 521, and 423); and 3. a carbon monoxide-binding hemoprotein with a CO vs . reduced spectrum of 570, 538–543, and 414 mμ. The two c-type cytochromes can be differentiated not only on the basis of their spectra, but also by their solubility in dilute buffer. The cytochrome c-550 is readily soluble, whereas the c-553 remains in the particulate fraction. The cytochrome c-550 has been partially purified and characterized and appears to be very similar to, or identical with cytochrome c 2 . Preliminary studies on the intracellular distribution indicate that the CO-binding hemoprotein is located primarily in the nonpigmented portion of the cell, whereas the concentration of cytochrome c-550 parallels the distribution of bacteriochlorophyll in the subcellular particles.
Monodisperse Aerosols of Ammonium Bisulfate and Pyrene

Monodisperse ammonium bisulfate and pyrene aerosols in the size range of 0.1 to 2 µm were produced by condensation, and then characterized. A simple generating system developed for routine laboratory operation was found to be well suited for the production of these two different aerosols. The optimum vaporization temperatures and air flow rates were found to be in the range of: 310–390°C and 1-3 L/min for ammonium bisulfate, and 150–165°C and 1-2 L/min for pyrene. No effect of nuclei material on the particle formation was observed. The ammonium bisulfate aerosol was found to be very sensitive to relative humidity. The aerosols produced from both of the source materials are individual, nearly spherical particles. These monodisperse aerosols are useful for laboratory instrument calibration, inhalation toxicological studies and environmentally related aerosol research.
New findings in the semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome

We describe a young patient with conductive hearing loss (CHL) associated with a posterior semicircular canal dehiscence (PCD) next to a large jugular bulb. Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs), audiogram, and computed tomography (CT) confirmed the diagnosis. The contralateral ear also showed lowered VEMP thresholds and PCD on CT, but no CHL. Increased vigilance is warranted in the evaluation of CHL in patients with uninfected, normal-appearing ears. PCD as a cause of CHL is just beginning to surface in the otologic literature. This case, along with two other recent case series, demonstrates the need for CT imaging in cases of atypical CHL.
Optimal trajectories and mirror properties for round-trip Mars missions

Abstract This paper deals with optimal trajectories for round-trip Mars missions, starting from LEO (low Earth orbit), arriving to LMO (low Mars orbit), and then returning to LEO after a waiting period in LMO. The optimization criterion is the minimization of the total characteristic velocity. The assumed physical model is the restricted four-body model. The optimization problem is solved via the sequential gradient-restoration algorithm employed in conjunction with a variable-stepsize integration technique to overcome numerical difficulties due to large changes in the gravity field near Earth and near Mars. The results indicate that, if the Earth and Mars orbits around Sun are assumed to be circular and coplanar, the total characteristic velocity for a round-trip Mars mission is 11.30 km/s and the total mission time is 970 days. One important relation between the LEO-to-LMO and LMO-to-LEO optimal transfers is a kind of image property or mirror property: the return trajectory can be obtained from the outgoing trajectory via a sequential procedure of rotation, reflection, and inversion. In an optimal round-trip Mars mission, the mirror properties are present in many areas, for example: (i) the characteristic velocities of the outgoing and return trajectories are the same, 5.65 km/s; (ii) the flight times of the outgoing and return trajectories are the same, 258 days; (iii) the Mars/Earth inertial phase angle differences on arrival to LMO (−75 deg) and at departure from LMO (+75 deg) are the same in modulus, albeit opposite in sign; (iv) to achieve the transition from optimal arrival to LMO to optimal departure from LMO, the Mars/Earth inertial phase angle difference must change by 210 deg, corresponding to 454 days, since the Earth/Mars angular velocity difference is 0.462 deg/day.
Support estimation for phase retrieval image reconstruction from sparse-aperture interferometry data

Imaging interferometry suffers from sparse Fourier measurements, and, at the visible wavelengths, a lack of phase information, creating a need for an image reconstruction algorithm. A support constraint is useful for optimization but is often not known a priori. The two-point rule for finding an object support from the autocorrelation is limited in usefulness by the sparsity and non-uniformity of the Fourier data and is insufficient for image reconstruction. Compactness, a common prior, does not require knowledge of the support. Compactness penalizes solutions that have bright pixels away from the center, favoring soft-edged objects with a bright center and darker extremities. With regards to imaging hard-edged objects such as satellites, a support constraint is desired but unknown and compactness may be unfavorable. Combining various techniques, a method of simultaneously estimating the object’s support and the object’s intensity distribution is presented. Though all the optimization parameters are in the image domain, we are effectively performing phase retrieval at the measurement locations and interpolation between the sparse data points.
The embedding structure of unitary N = 2 minimal models

Abstract We derive the embedding structure of unitary N = 2 minimal models and show as a result that these representations have a degeneration of uncharged singular states. This corrects some earlier mistakes made in the literature. We discuss the connection to the N = 2 character formulae and finally give a proof for the embedding diagrams.
The collaborative autonomy model of medical decision-making

While the bioethical principle of beneficence originated in antiquity, the ascension of autonomy, or “self-rule,” has redefined the physician–patient relationship to the extent that autonomy often dominates medical decision-making. Philosophical and social movements, medical research atrocities, consumerism, and case law have all had their influence on this paradigm shift. Consequently, the contemporary physician encounters an uncertainty in medical practice on how to resolve conflicts that arise in the pursuit of valuing both autonomy and beneficence. This is especially true in the practice of neurologic critical care where physicians may be advising comfort care measures for neurologically devastated patients while surrogates request physiologically futile interventions. This conundrum has been an important subject of the bioethics and social science literature but often this discourse is not disseminated to the clinicians confronting these issues. The purpose of this essay is to present a history of the principles of autonomy and beneficence and then present a shared medical decision-making model, collaborative autonomy, to provide guidance to neurologic critical care providers in how to resolve such dilemmas. Clinical vignettes will help illustrate the model.
Synthesis and structural characterization of heavier group 1 methyl tetrazolate complexes: New bridging coordination modes of the tetrazolate ligand

Abstract A series of sodium, potassium, rubidium, and cesium complexes of methyl tetrazolate was prepared and structurally characterized. Treatment of methyl tetrazole (MetetzH) with the group 1 hydroxides in water at ambient temperature afforded Na(Metetz)(H2O)2 (92%), K(Metetz) (92%), Rb(Metetz) (97%), and Cs(Metetz) (97%) as colorless solids after workup. These complexes were characterized by spectral and analytical methods, thermogravimetric analysis, and by X-ray crystallography. Na(Metetz)(H2O)2 adopts a structure that consists of approximately octahedrally coordinated sodium ions that form infinite chains built up by two μ2-aqua ligands and two μ2-N1,N2-tetrazolate ligands between each sodium atom. The aqua ligand hydrogen atoms engage in hydrogen bonding with uncoordinated nitrogen atoms to hold the chains together. K(Metetz) and Rb(Metetz) are isostructural, with eight-coordinate metal ions and two metal–nitrogen bonds per nitrogen atom in each Metetz ligand. Cs(Metetz) has 10-coordinate cesium ions with two cesium–nitrogen bonds to two of the Metetz ligand nitrogen atoms and three cesium–nitrogen bonds to the other two nitrogen atoms. K(Metetz), Rb(Metetz), and Cs(Metetz) exhibit new coordination modes for the tetrazolate ligand.
The preparation of Nb thin films with bulk transition temperatures

Abstract Thin films (1000–2000 A) of Nb were prepared with bulk transition temperatures (9.25 K) by evaporation from an electron gun. Necessary substrate temperatures, evaporation rates and H2O pressures were determined.
The interaction of Na(I), Ca(II), and Mg(II) metal ions with duplex DNA: A theoretical modeling study

DNA is a negatively charged biopolymer composed of monomeric nucleotides each carrying on average a net (−1) charge concentrated in the region of the phosphate backbone. In solution, the net negative charge of the molecule is presumably balanced by positively charged cations that interact with the DNA. Important questions arise as to the molecular details of the interaction of different cations with DNA. In this paper, we investigate the interaction of monovalent sodium ions and divalent magnesium and calcium ions with duplex DNA using molecular dynamics. Three 50 ps molecular dynamics simulations of the DNA sequence d[CGCGAATTCGCG]2 have been performed in different ionic environments. Each system is constructed to be electrically neutral and is composed of the DNA duplex immersed in a large water bath containing a specific ionic species [Na(I), Mg(II), or Ca(II)]. The structural differences of the DNA itself as a result of interacting with each ionic species have been previously examined (D. M. York, T. Darden, D. Deerfield, II, and L. Pedersen, J. Biomol. Struct. Dyn., submitted). In the current work, the ion–DNA and ion–water interactions are examined. The coordination shells of the ions and distributions around the phosphate anions are reported, and both show close encouraging agreement with available experimental work. The results of our studies indicate that the hydration state of the ion plays an important role in the direct coordination of the phosphate anions. Na(I) and Ca(II) ions prefer to coordinate the phosphate anions directly, whereas Mg(II) ions have a greater tendency to interact with phosphate anions as fully hydrated cations. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Thermodynamic analysis of a liquid-flooded Ericsson cycle cooler

A novel approach to implementing a gas Ericsson cycle heat pump was developed. The concept, termed a liquid-flooded Ericsson cooler (LFEC), uses liquid flooding of the compressor and expander to approach isothermal compression and expansion processes. Analytical models of liquid-flooded compression and expansion processes were developed using ideal gas, constant specific heat, and incompressible liquid assumptions. Special considerations for use of positive displacement compressors with fixed volume ratios are detailed. The unique behavior of a liquid-flooded compressor was explored, including the discovery of an optimum liquid flooding rate that minimizes compression power. A computer model of the LFEC cycle was developed using ideal gas, incompressible liquid, and constant specific heat assumptions. The model was used for a thorough parametric study. The purpose of the study was to explore the feasibility of the concept, identify the optimum operating parameters, and to provide a basis for the design of an experimental system.
The interactional and syntactic importance of prosody in Spanish-English bilingual discourse

This paper highlights prosody as a fundamental feature of bilingual conversation. My data show that syntactic structure does not impose constraints on codeswitching, as one prevalent line of inquiry regarding codeswitching claims, but rather certain discourse structures make codeswitching at any given point more or less cognitively and interactionally profitable according to conversationalists' ability to produce and comprehend information.My corpus consists of one hour of conversational data from four competent bilinguals of Mexican heritage living in Southern California yielding a total of 782 analyzable units. Using the transcription methods developed by Du Bois, Schuetze-Coburn, Paolino, and Cumming, (1993) wherein each line of transcription consists of one Intonation Unit (Chafe, 1979, 1987, 1993, 1994), the prevalent pattern which emerged was one in which speakers overwhelmingly switched at Intonation Unit boundaries. Using what I have termed the Switch-Boundary Intonation Unit (SBIU) as my unit of ...
Ethical considerations of the software-dependent organization

Abstract Software use offers organizations many benefits, however it also makes the organization vulnerable to the potentially harmful effects which can result from software failure. While much has been written about the direct results of software failure, little examination of its long term consequences has taken place. A basis for such an examination can be found in the body of literature related to ethics. For example, Moor examines issues of computer related ethics based on the nature and impact of computer technology. Other writers such as Jones identify causes and consequences of ethical and unethical behavior within the organization. This short piece uses an ethical perspective to undertake a preliminary examination of software failure and its effects on the organization.
High methylation rates of mercury bound to cysteine by Geobacter sulfurreducens

Methylmercury bioaccumulates in aquatic food chains and can cross the blood–brain barrier, making this organometallic compound a much more worrisome pollutant than inorganic mercury. Experimental evidence now indicates that mercury methylation by the bacterium Geobacter sulfurreducens can be greatly enhanced in the presence of the amino-acid cysteine. Methylmercury bioaccumulates in aquatic food chains and is able to cross the blood–brain barrier, making this organometallic compound a much more worrisome pollutant than inorganic mercury. We know that methylation of inorganic mercury is carried out by microbes in the anoxic layers of sediments and water columns, but the factors that control the extent of this methylation are poorly known. Mercury methylation is generally thought to be catalysed accidentally by some methylating enzyme1,2, and it has been suggested that cellular mercury uptake results from passive diffusion of neutral mercury complexes3. Here, we show that mercury methylation by the bacterium Geobacter sulfurreducens is greatly enhanced in the presence of low concentrations of the amino acid cysteine. The formation of a mercury–cysteine complex promotes both the uptake of inorganic mercury by the bacteria and the enzymatic formation of methylmercury, which is subsequently released to the external medium. Our results suggest that mercury uptake and methylation by microbes are controlled more tightly by biological mechanisms than previously thought, and that the formation of specific mercury complexes in anoxic waters modulates the efficiency of the microbial methylation of mercury.
Competitive Oxidation and Reduction of Aliphatic Alcohols over (WO3)3 Clusters

The reactions of C1−C4 aliphatic alcohols over (WO3)3 clusters were studied experimentally and theoretically using temperature-programmed desorption, infrared reflection−absorption spectroscopy, and density functional theory. The results reveal that all C1−C4 aliphatic alcohols readily react with (WO3)3 clusters by heterolytic cleavage of the RO−H bond to give alkoxy (RO−) bound to W(VI) centers and a proton (H+) attached to the terminal oxygen atom of a tungstyl group (W═O). Two protons adsorbed onto the cluster readily react with the doubly bonded oxygen to from a water molecule that desorbs at 200−300 K and the alkoxy that undergoes decomposition at higher temperatures into the corresponding alkene, aldehyde, and/or ether. Our theory predicts that all three channels proceed over the W(VI) Lewis acid sites with energy barriers of 30−40 kcal/mol, where dehydration is favored over the others. We also present further analysis of the yield and reaction temperature as a function of the alkyl substituents and...
Discipleship and Spirituality from a Christian Perspective

Spirituality is an important aspect of being a human. One may approach this topic from a purely psychological or religious perspective. In this paper, it is argued that spirituality as defined from a purely psychological perspective is inadequate to capture the depth of this human experience because it misses the core of spirituality—discipleship. Following Foster’s (1998) Streams of Living Water, it will be argued that discipleship is the core of Christian spirituality, and each of these streams provides an important context for fostering one’s relationship to the transcendent.
Phaseotoxin suppresses bacterially induced hypersensitive reaction and phytoalexin synthesis in bean cultivars

Abstract The hypersensitive reaction (HR) of leaves of bean seedlings of cultivars GN Nebraska 27 (GN), P.I. 150414 (PI) and U.I. 34 (UI) to incompatible isolates of Pseudomonas phaseolicola was accompanied by accumulation of antibacterial phytoalexins, phaseollin, phaseollinisoflavan, coumestrol and kievitone. When GN and PI plants were treated with phaseotoxin prior to inoculation with the incompatible isolate HB-36 of the pathogen, HR was suppressed and typical susceptible symptoms were produced in inoculated leaves. Concomitant with the suppression of HR a significant reduction in the accumulation of phytoalexins was observed. Furthermore, in toxin-treated tissues bacterial multiplication was several orders of magnitude greater than in hypersensitively responding controls. A similar pattern of HR suppression, phytoalexin accumulation and increase in bacterial multiplication was observed in UI plants inoculated with the toxigenic strain HB-36 (which elaborated phaseotoxin “in vivo”). UI plants inoculated with the non-toxigenic isolate HB-33 of P. phaseolicola which served as controls showed HR, accumulation of phytoalexins and restriction of bacterial growth. These studies indicate that phaseotoxin-induced susceptibility of bean cultivars to P. phaseolicola may result from the suppression of synthesis of antibacterial compounds.
Formation of PbS Nanowire Pine Trees Driven by Screw Dislocations

The basic characteristics of nanowire growth driven by screw dislocations were investigated by synthesizing hierarchical lead sulfide (PbS) nanowire “pine trees” using chemical vapor deposition of PbCl2 and S precursors and systematically observing the effects of various growth parameters, such as hydrogen flow, temperature, pressure, and the growth substrates employed. Statistical surveys showed that the growth rate of the dislocation-driven trunk is about 6 μm/min and that of the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) driven branch nanowire is about 1.2 μm/min under the typical reaction conditions at 600 °C, 900 Torr, and a hydrogen flow rate of 1.5 sccm. The onset of hydrogen flow plus the presence of fresh silicon have been identified as the critical ingredients for generating PbS nanowire trees reproducibly. To explain the experimental findings in the context of classical crystal growth theory, the former is suggested to create a spike in supersaturation of the actual sulfur precursor H2S and initiate dislocations...
Myth-making, community, and catholic tradition.

Assuming that myths and their stories are among the most prominent vehicles for teaching spiritual values and creating communities of faith, the purpose of this paper is to exam ine myth relative to its nature, role, and function. The presence of myth in society also allows for the evaluation of those myths that are evil. In addition to that, we have the inappropriateness of certain aspects of myths that need to be identified and removed, lest they contaminate the whole story and its spiritual effect. Each of these issues is addressed, and certain suggestions are made relative to greater commu nity wholeness and spiritual well-being.
Integration of construction control and pile setup into load and resistance factor design of piles

Abstract Regionally developed Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) recommendations for bridge pile designs are enhanced by integrating the construction control capability of dynamic analysis methods and the recently developed pile setup quantification method in the calibration process. Using a high quality, electronic Pile LOad Test (PILOT) database and 10 recently completed full-scale pile tests, resistance factors were developed using a reliability theory for a locally calibrated static analysis method and two dynamic analysis methods: the Wave Equation Analysis Program (WEAP) and the CAse Pile Wave Analysis Program (CAPWAP). Pile design efficiency was improved by minimizing the discrepancy between design and field pile resistances through a proposed probability-based construction control method. The efficiency of bridge foundations was further increased by incorporating the economic advantages of pile setup into the LRFD recommendations. Compared with recommendations made by Paikowsky et al. (2004) , Canadian Engineering Society (2006) and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (2003) , regionally-calibrated resistance factors were improved.
Proton-Proton Triple Scattering Parameters R and A at 213 Mev

As a part of a program to determine the p-p scattering matrix at 213 Mev, the triple scattering parameters R and A were measured at 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80. and 90 deg in the center-of-msss system. The results are compared with a
Effect of a Single Bout of Intermittent versus Continuous Walking on Perceptions of Fatigue in People with Multiple Sclerosis

Fatigue may limit the ability of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) to participate in walking exercises, which could ultimately reduce their benefit from physical therapy. An exercise program that minimizes the fatigue experienced by people with MS during exercise may lead to an increase in the amount of exercise being performed. The purpose of this study was to determine whether subjective feelings of fatigue differ in people with MS depending on whether they exercised intermittently or continuously. Using a within-subjects, counterbalanced crossover design, a sample of 30 individuals with MS performed 6 minutes of continuous and 6 minutes of intermittent walking 1 week apart. Fatigue was measured on the Visual Analogue Scale of Fatigue (VASF) and recorded before and after the walking conditions. A 2 × 2 repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to assess the potential effects of intermittent versus continuous walking on self-reported fatigue. A significant interaction revealed that pre-post mean self-ratings of fatigue on the VASF increased less in the intermittent condition (from 37.93 mm to 44.83 mm; difference = 6.90 mm) compared with the continuous condition (from 34.33 mm to 54.43 mm: difference = 20.10 mm) (P < .001), suggesting that patients experienced less fatigue in the intermittent condition despite walking an equivalent total duration. The interaction effect was not influenced by age, gender, disease severity or duration, use of antispasticity medication, use of assistive devices, or mood. The results suggest that people with MS may be more tolerant of, and able to perform, greater amounts of exercise if they exercise intermittently.