cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exploring Changes in Home Visitors' Perspectives in the Context of a Professional Development Activity.

Research-based professional development opportunities for early childhood home visitors are valuable to the Early Head Start-Home-Based Option (EHS-HBO) and to the home visiting field broadly to strengthen effective practice. We explored EHS-HBO home visitors' (N = 5) perspectives on effective practice through a professional development activity that included viewing videos of their own practice, analyzing the video and assessment data of their practice and parent-child interactions, and reflection. A convergent mixed methods multiple-case study was used. A variety of skills were noted within each case as indicators of effective practice, suggesting that a plethora of complex skills are needed to work with families. Across-case analytic strategies were used to compare subthemes, codes, and substantial statements across cases to generate themes. Two major themes emerged from our data analysis across cases: practicing self-reflective consciousness and building foundations for parent-child interactions. The findings have implications for professional development activities. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10643-021-01249-3.
Robust execution of contingent, temporally flexible plans

Many applications of autonomous agents require groups to work in tight coordination. To be dependable, these groups must plan, carry out and adapt their activities in a way that is robust to failure and uncertainty. Previous work has produced contingent plan execution systems that provide robustness during their plan extraction phase, by choosing between functionally redundant methods, and during their execution phase, by dispatching temporally flexible plans. Previous contingent execution systems use a centralized architecture in which a single agent conducts planning for the entire group. This can result in a communication bottleneck at the time when plan activities are passed to the other agents for execution, and state information is returned. This paper introduces the plan extraction component of a robust, distributed executive for contingent plans. Contingent plans are encoded as Temporal Plan Networks (TPNs), which use a non-deterministic choice operator to compose temporally flexible plan fragments into a nested hierarchy of contingencies. To execute a TPN, the TPN is first distributed over multiple agents, by creating a hierarchical ad-hoc network and by mapping the TPN onto this hierarchy. Second, candidate plans are extracted from the TPN using a distributed, parallel algorithm that exploits the structure of the TPN. Third, the temporal consistency of each candidate plan is tested using a distributed Bellman-Ford algorithm. Each stage of plan extraction distributes communication to adjacent agents in the TPN, and in so doing eliminates communication bottlenecks. In addition, the distributed algorithm reduces the computational load on each agent. The algorithm is empirically validated on a range of randomly generated contingent plans.
Analytic tools for human factors of software

Behavioral experiments are currently the primary method of assessing the human factors of end user systems. Such experiments, however, are time consuming and sometimes come too late in the development cycle to influence ease of use. Analytic tools, which involve an abstract representation of a user interface and some manipulation of that representation to predict ease of use, are potentially faster. They can also be more intellectually satisfying. This paper gives examples of some analytic tools currently being developed and discusses the motivation and state of the art of such tools.
Investigation of the relationship between tyrosyl residues and the adenosine 5'-monophosphate binding site of rabbit liver fructose-1,6-biphosphatase as studied by chemical modification and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Abstract The effects of AMP, fructose 6-phosphate (Fru-6-P), fructose 2,6-bisphosphate (Fru-2,6-P2), and paramagnetic ions on the aromatic region of the proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum of rabbit liver fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase have been investigated at 300 MHz. Two well resolved peaks in this region of the NMR spectrum are assigned to the protons from the aromatic ring of a tyrosyl residue of the enzyme by chemical modification with tetranitromethane and by nuclear Overhauser effects. Nitration of the tyrosyl residue causes desensitization of the enzyme to AMP inhibition as well as the loss of activity. In the presence of AMP during the modifications, 1 tyrosyl residue could be protected, presumably the one observed by NMR. Binding of AMP, an allosteric inhibitor of the enzyme, to rabbit liver fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase leads to an upfield shift of the tyrosyl proton signals in the NMR spectrum. No chemical shift or line broadening could be detected in the presence of the paramagnetic manganous ion, Fru-2,6-P2, or Fru-6-P. The negative intramolecular nuclear Overhauser effect from the ribose H2' proton to the adenine H8 proton of AMP suggested that AMP binds to the enzyme with an anti conformation about the glycosidic bond. The failure to observe intermolecular nuclear Overhauser effects between the tyrosyl residue and the protons of AMP indicates that the distances between them are greater than 4 A. On the basis of these observations, it is suggested that the AMP-related tyrosyl residue may be close to the AMP binding site, but it is not directly involved in ligand binding. Rather, the protection of this tyrosyl residue by AMP as observed by chemical modification experiments may well be due to a conformational change that results from covalent modification of the enzyme.
The Indentation Size Effect (ISE) for Knoop Hardness in Five Ceramic Materials

The variation of indentation hardness with contact load i.e., the indentation size effect (ISE), was investigated for five ceramic materials: (i) AlON, (ii) AD995 CAP3 Al 2 O 3 , (iii) pressureless-sintered SiC (Hexoloy SA), (iv) SiC-N, and (v) SiC-B. A Knoop diamond indenter was used to make indentations in the load range from 0.49 N (0.05 Kg) to 137.3 N (14 Kg). The Knoop hardness decreased approximately 26%, 38%, 36%, 32%, and 31% for the five materials, respectively, over the entire load range. The Knoop hardness of all five materials continued to decrease as the load was increased beyond 2 Kg. In addition, severe cracking around indentation sites generally correlated with a lower Knoop hardness compared to less-cracked indentation sites for the silicon carbide and AD995 CAP3 materials. Accurate hardness measurements are necessary in order to detect variability in hardness not attributable to operator or instrument differences, and which may yield insight into ballistic performance.
Hierarchical modeling for reliability analysis using Markov models

Markov models represent an extremely attractive tool for the reliability analysis of many systems. However, Markov model state space grows exponentially with the number of components in a given system. Thus, for very large systems Markov modeling techniques alone become intractable in both memory and CPU time. Often a particular subsystem can be found within some larger system where the dependence of the larger system on the subsystem is of a particularly simple form. This simple dependence can be used to decompose such a system into one or more subsystems. A hierarchical technique is presented which can be used to evaluate these subsystems in such a way that their reliabilities can be combined to obtain the reliability for the full system. This hierarchical approach is unique in that it allows the subsystem model to pass multiple aggregate state information to the higher level model, allowing more general systems to be evaluated. Guidelines are developed to assist in the system decomposition. An appropriate method for determining subsystem reliability is also developed. This method gives rise to some interesting numerical issues. Numerical error due to roundoff and integration are discussed at length. Once a decomposition is chosen, the remaining analysis is straightforward but tedious. However, an approach is developed for simplifying the recombination of subsystem reliabilities. Finally, a real world system is used to illustrate the use of this technique in a more practical context.
V. Molecular classification and risk stratification of myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) cells are the malignant counterpart of post-germinal centre (GC) long-lived plasma cells (PCs), characterized by strong bone marrow (BM) dependence, somatic hypermutation of immunoglobulin (Ig) genes and isotype class-switch resulting in absence of IgM expression in all but 1% of tumours. However, MM cells differ from healthy PCs because they retain the potential for a low rate of proliferation (1–3% of cycling cells). Virtually every case of MM is preceded by a premalignant PC tumour called monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) that, like MM, produces a typical M-spike (almost always non-IgM) by serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) or free light chain in the urine [1].
Field studies of Wasmannia auropunctata Alkylpyrazines: towards management applications.

Field bioassays with Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger) show that the alarm pheromone components 2,5-dimethyl-3-(2-methylbutyl)pyrazine and 3-methyl-2-(2-methylbutyl)pyrazine both attract and arrest ants in a natural environment. Comparisons between lures containing 2,5-dimethyl-3-(2-methylbutyl)pyrazine and 3-methyl-2-(2-methylbutyl)pyrazine singly and in blends (10:1 1 and 100: 1) based on W. auropunctata extracts, failed to show differences in the time required to attract a given number of ants. This indicates a lack of synergistic effects between the compounds under these test conditions. A dose response assay with 2,5-dimethyl-3-(2-methylbuiyl)pyrazine showed maximal ant response to a 1 mg pheromone lure, a dose which remained attractive for 8 days under field conditions. Several of the field experiments included peanut butter baits, a lure currently used for detection. However, ant counts at peanut butter baits were not greater than at controls suggesting that peanut butter does not produce volatiles that attract ants. With the aim of developing management applications, a series of bioassays were conducted with 2,5-dimethyl-3-(2-methylbutyl)pyrazine in combination with food baits. A separate assay was conducted with Tanglefoot, a sticky catch material. In feeding bioassays, the alarm pheromone decreased consumption of peanut butter and solutions of protein and sugar. Tanglefoot squares failed to catch W. auropunctata with any of the lures tested. The field responses of W. auropunctata to alarm pheromone lures show a mixedpotential for control applications. While the strong attraction and longevity of lures is promising, the inability to increase bait consumption or capture ants with Tanglefoot presents obstacles to using these alarm pheromone components for ant management.
Design of a three-dimensional boundary detector

Three-dimensional (3D) image processing and interpretation is very important in many medical and industrial applications. Detection of 3D boundaries is an essential step in most of the 3D image analysis tasks. In this paper a new computational approach to 3D edge detection is proposed. Optimality criteria such as signal-to-noise ratio, localization and spurious response for zero-crossing-based, rotationally invariant 3D step edge detectors are derived. An optimal 3D step edge detector is obtained by optimizing a penalty function which combines all the three criteria. The closed form solution to the optimization problem yields the optimal detector. The detector is the Laplacian of a rotationally invariant function, which has a finite spatial support. The behavior of the proposed detector is theoretically analyzed and compared to that of the 3D Laplacian of Gaussian detector. Experimental results with some synthetic and real images are presented. >
Detecting and Preventing Financial Statement Fraud: The Roles of the Reporting Company and the Independent Auditor

The bankruptcies or near failures of such organizations as Penn Square Bank, E.S.M. Government Securities, and Continental Illinois Bank have renewed interest in the problem of financial statement fraud the deliberate issuance of misleading financial reports. During 1985 and 1986, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations conducted 16 hearings1 in an attempt to uncover the reasons behind this recent wave of socalled audit failures.2 These hearings have prompted heated debate about the proper roles of the reporting entity and the independent auditor in detecting and preventing financial statement fraud. Financial statement fraud directly harms the shareholders and creditors of the issuer of a fraudulent financial report, since they stand to lose all or part of their investments if such fraud results in a bankruptcy or near failure. Fraudulent financial reporting also can have a significant impact on the public's confidence in the integrity of the financial reporting system. Decreased public confidence in the reliability of financial information affects all financial statement issuers, since investors and creditors will demand higher rates of return in the face of greater uncertainty about the accuracy of financial reports. Before evaluating the proposed solutions to this problem, it is helpful to determine how widespread financial statement fraud has become. Unfortunately, no precise method to measure the inci-
BOB: improved winner determination in combinatorial auctions and generalizations

Combinatorial auctions can be used to reach efficient resource and task allocations in multiagent systems where the items are complementary or substitutable. Determining the winners is NP- complete and inapproximable, but it was recently shown that optimal search algorithms do very well on average. This paper presents a more sophisticated search algorithm for optimal (and anytime) winner determination, including structural improvements that reduce search tree size, faster data structures, and optimizations at search nodes based on driving toward, identifying and solving tractable special cases. We also uncover a more general tractable special case, and design algorithms for solving it as well as for solving known tractable special cases substantially faster. We generalize combinatorial auctions to multiple units of each item, to reserve prices on singletons as well as combinations, and to combinatorial exchanges. All of these generalizations support both complementarity and substitutability of the items. Finally, we present algorithms for determining the winners in these generalizations.
Performance Measures for ―X Charts with Asymmetric Control Limits

Theoretical and empirical justification is given for using asymmetric control limits for certain types of production processes. The following are also discussed: the sensitivity of the performance measures to the process and control parameters, the advantages and disadvantages of using asymmetric control limits, and the construction of tradeoff curves to characterize performance. The justification is given in terms of a collection of quantitative performance measures for ―X charts with asymmetric control limits. The performance measures quantify the false-alarm frequency, the sensitivity to out-of-control conditions, and the resources required for sampling. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trophic Relations of Acroneuria (Calineuria) californica (plecoptera: Perlidae) in a Sierra Foothill Stream

Feeding by Acroneuria (Calineuria) californica Banks was studied from May 1973 through April 1974 in a single riffle of Squirrel Creek, Nevada Co., CA. The stonefly nymphs contained an avg. 5.18 prey items each, with monthly means ranging from 1.66–19.19 prey/stonefiy. Gut content diversity was correlated significantly with benthic diversity. The most important food items were members of the Diptera, Trichoptera, and Ephemeroptera, generally accounting for more than 70% of the stonefly gut contents. Consumption by the A. californica population increased from May through October. Population consumption, decreased in November with decimation of the benthic community by washouts, remained low through April. Consumption of benthic insects by A. californica nymphs has a significant impact on the dynamics of its benthic prey. It is suggested that large populations of A. californica nymphs can reduce trout production in the field as well as in the laboratory.
The tension field created by a spherical nucleus freezing into its less dense undercooled melt

Abstract When nickel freezes into its less dense melt, that is cooled by more than 175°C below its equilibrium freezing temperature, the solidified material exhibits—as first observed by J. L. Walker—dispersed fine-grain structure (presumably as a result of cavitation induced by huge negative pressures surrounding the growing nuclei), whereas for undercooling less than 175°C the observed structure is coarse grained. The purpose of the present analysis was to provide numerical (theoretical) estimates for the pressures, flow velocities, and time scales involved. This necessitated study of freezing as proceeding from a finite initial embryo. Using a “generalized orthogonalization method” of solution, the freezing process is traced out, taking the pressure dependence of freezing temperature also into account, on the basis of incompressible inviscid fluid dynamics. The solution of the governing differential equation system is represented as a sum Σ0k − 1 Fk of [vector] functions Fk(ξ) (ξ is the dimensionless radial coordinate) whose time dependence (τ is dimensionless time) is determined from orthogonality conditions (boundary layer integral equations), using in the integrand weight functions of type ξkm; k = 0, 1, …, K−1. We refer to approximations I, II, III, … when K = 1, 2, 3, …. (K = 1 corresponds to the conventional boundary layer solution of the type von Karman-PohIhausen-GoodmanVeynik), and to approximations II1, II 1 2 , II0 when K = 2 and = 1, 1 2 , 0. Using for ΣFk(ξ) a sequence of perturbed (inτ) decaying (inξ) exponentials, it was found that the graph of solution II0 is, in its asymptotic behavior (τ → ∞), indistinguishable from the well known rigorous solution of the problem where the nucleus grows from zero radius and pressure dependence of freezing temperature is ignored. However, this asymptotic era is not reached until elapse of about 10−7 s from start of growth, whereas the maximum inrush of fluid on to the growing nucleus (at a speed exceeding 100 m/s) occurs in the first 10−11 s and is accompanied by tensions of several thousand atmospheres. This first portion of the phenomenon (to 10−11 s) may be represented by ascending power series in τ 1 2 in the perturbation factors, the last portion (past 10−7 s) by descending power series in τ 1 2 ; the huge intervening portion must be bridged by numerical integration of the pertinent differential equation system. Besides corroborating the expected pressure distribution, the analysis brought forth an unexpected result. The freezing process, as now described, is, for the case of precisely zero density change, totally different from that for infinitesimal density change. The latter starts from a finite initial radius, with zero velocity, the former with infinite velocity. This discontinuity (with density change) in the solution points to the need for further studies.
Search orientation of Musca domestica in patches of sucrose drops

. The searching tactics of the housefly, Musca dormestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), have been delineated from digitized pathways of flies walking in patches of sucrose drops arranged in linear (ROW) and hexagonal (HEX) arrays. The areas covered by flies in ROW and HEX patches are distinctly different, but flies seem not to employ different tactics for the two types of resource arrays. The number of drops located, if at least one drop is found, does not differ between ROW and HEX. Most quantitative measures of local search remain constant after the first interdrop interval, although feeding time decreases as flies sample successive drops. Local search intensifies after each drop is ingested, with locomotory rate decreasing and turning rate increasing, followed by decay of both measures toward ranging levels. Searching can be characterized by two movement tendencies resulting from specific, definable, locomotory functions: a forward-moving tendency is expressed by the fly as it leaves a resource in approximately the same direction as it arrives; and local search is characterized by looping, rather than straight walking, with a variable turning rate that generates a rough ‘zigzag’ superimposed on looping. The two movement tendencies, combined, allow flies to locate resources in a linear arrangement, because of the forward-moving tendency, and to locate resources not arranged in a linear array because of the ‘noisy’ loop. M. domestica does not appear to retain and use information gained from one patch of drops in another, so the search tactic of the fly seems therefore to be a compromise between straight movement and circular movement that may be adaptive for an environment subject to frequent changes in the spatial distribution of resources. Giving-up-time, the period between ingesting the last drop and leaving the patch, is a function of the rate of change in the transition from local search to ranging, which is constant in our experiments. If a fly does not encounter another drop while ranging, during which it walks relatively straight, the fly moves out of and away from the patch.
Embedding lattices of fuzzy subalgebras into lattices of crisp subalgebras

Abstract Given a universal algebra A , we define an algebra A ′ where A and A ′ are of the same type and generate the same variety of algebra. Next we define a map e : LF( A ) → LC( A ′) where LF( A ) is the lattice of fuzzy subalgebras of A and LC( A ′) is the lattice of crisp subalgebras of A ′. For many algebras A , the map e is shown to be a lattice embedding. As a corollary of this fact we derive the results that the lattice of fuzzy normal subgroups of a group, and the lattice of fuzzy ideals of a ring are both modular lattices.
Idealization of the hydrophobic segment of the alkaline phosphatase signal peptide

Proteins secreted by prokaryotic cells are synthesized as precursors containing an amino-terminal extension sequence or signal peptide1. Although these signal peptides share little primary sequence homology, recent studies suggest that they function via common pathways during the transport process2 and that a common element may reside in their secondary structural characteristics3–7. We are investigating the role of an idealized hydrophobic sequence with high potential for α-helix formation in the Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase signal peptide. Here, amino-acid substitutions were made using site-directed mutagenesis to produce a mutant signal sequence containing nine consecutive leucine residues in the hydrophobic core segment. Transport studies with this mutant precursor indicate that mature alkaline phosphatase is correctly targeted to the E. coli periplasm and that processing of the precursor to the mature form of the enzyme is extremely rapid. In contrast, processing is slowed when the mutant signal sequence is lengthened by the insertion of five additional leucine residues and one serine.
On Incomplete Spawning and the Problem of Fertilisation in O. edulis

DURING recent investigations on the relation of spawning in the native oyster (O. edulis) to external conditions, certain phenomena, which it is advisable to record early, have recently been observed.
Effect of cold stress on cholinergic receptors in the rat adrenal gland

Abstract The effects of cold exposure on cholinergic binding sites in the rat adrenal gland were assessed by examining the binding of [ 125 I]α-bungarotoxin (BTX), a nicotonic receptor antagonist and [ 3 H]quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB), a muscarinic receptor antagonist, to adrenal tissue homogenates. Cold exposure resulted in significant alterations in both nicotinic and muscarinic binding. Exposure to cold for 4 and 7 days resulted in a significant decrease in QNB binding. Scatchard analysis indicates that this alteration is due to a decrease in binding sites ( B max ) rather than a change in ligand affinity ( K d ). In contrast, chronic cold exposure produced a significant increase in BTX binding sites. These results indicate that adrenal cholinergic receptors are altered in reciprocal fashion by chronic cold exposure, and that this change may represent a key event in the sympathoadrenal system's adaptive response to chronic cold stress.
Outcomes of a Targeted Capacity Expansion (TCE) Brief Motivational Intervention for High-Risk Drinking Freshmen: Pilot Study Comparison at Baseline and 6 Months

This longitudinal pilot study investigated the effectiveness of a Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS) Brief Motivational Intervention (BMI) in decreasing the quantity and frequency of high-risk drinking and associated negative consequences for freshmen. The treatment effects of the intervention (n = 110) were obtained using a quasi-experimental design. Alcohol consumption and risk behaviors were assessed for the intervention and the control group. Freshmen students who received the intervention reported a greater decrease in alcohol consumption and negative consequences than freshmen students assigned to the control group. This study supported the effectiveness of the BASICS BMI intervention for freshmen students with high-risk drinking behaviors. This pilot study has implications for the sustainability of the intervention for freshmen students and supports further research for the remaining 2-year intervention program.
Disc shedding and autophagy in the cone-dominant ground squirrel retina.

The temporal pattern of cone outer-segment disc shedding was examined in the retina of the California ground squirrel, Spermophilus beecheyi, under two different lighting conditions. Squirrels were entrained to either 10–180 lx (room lighting) or 1400 lx. Cone shedding during the dark period was biphasic in both conditions, with increases occurring at 2–3 hr and 5–6 hr after light offset. Entrainment to 1400 lx resulted in an increase in shedding at 2 hr after light offset and a slight advance in the timing of both peaks. Dense granules were often found in photoreceptors, retinal neurons, Muller cells, microglia and vascular cells. These granules, which were found primarily during the dark period and early light period, were lipofuscin-like in their lipophilia, size and autofluorescence. Many of the granules were probably autophagic in origin, but some within Muller cells may have originated via endocytosis of extracellular material which was exocytosed by photoreceptors.
On closed or almost closed compartment systems

Abstract For certain exceptional compartment systems, namely those that are mamillary or catenary, and either closed or almost closed, it is shown that observation of only one compartment can uniquely determine the coefficient matrix of the compartment system, the elements of which represent the fractional material transport rates among the compartments. The matrix representing the compartment sizes can also be determined.
Aid and transition from a war economy to an oligarchy in post-war Tajikistan

Exclusion and violence persist in post-conflict states, despite international assistance aimed at the demilitarization of politics. Through a field-based study of Tajikistan, this paper argues that aid focuses on economic liberalization, not the implementation of peace agreements, in the initial stage of post-war transition. Such an organization of aid empowers a particular group of elites who have privileged access to state assets at the time of civil war settlement, allowing them to establish institutional frameworks that will consolidate their personal and monopolistic control of resources. This leads to the collapse of power-sharing arrangements, as the incumbent regime seeks to remove wartime commanders and opposition leaders from the administrative apparatus. In Tajikistan, the incumbent regime has also prosecuted many of these former allies and opponents on account of corruption through state agencies established with donor assistance. Aid thus institutionalized exclusion and sustains patterns of v...
Binding specificities of inulin-binding immunoglobulins for sinistrin and oligosaccharides isolated from asparagus roots

Abstract The major aim of this study was to further investigate the fine specificity of myeloma proteins recognizing epitopes on fructans. Our studies showed that UPC 61, EPC 109, and a hybrid antibody composed of the heavy chain from UPC 61 and the light chain from EPC 109, UPC 61H: EPC 109L, not only bind to inulin which is a linear fructan of β(2 → 1) fructofuranosyl linkages, but also bind to sinistrin, a branched molecule consisting of a β(2 → 1) fructofuranosyl backbone with β(2 → 6) branch points. The fine binding specificity of these three antibodies for the β(2 → 1) fructofuranosyl linkages found in inulin-BSA can be further studied by their binding to fructan oligosaccharides isolated from asparagus roots. From a comparative analysis of the amino acid sequences and the apparent affinity constants (a K a ) of UPC 61, EPC 109, and the hybrid for various fructan oligosaccharides, it appears that the light chain of the immunoglobulin molecule makes an important contribution to the binding specificity. Finally we report for the first time that a monclonal antibody specific for β(2 → 6) fructans can also bind specifically to inulin-BSA with a lower affinity. This antibody derives its V H and V L from the V H X24 and V k 10b gene families, respectively, which are different from the gene families utilized by UPC 61 and EPC 109 (V H J606 and V k 11 gene families).
An investigation of the activity of coprecipitated gold catalysts for methane oxidation

Coprecipitated Au on transition metal oxide catalysts have been tested for their activity toward methane oxidation. Catalyst activities fall in the order Au/Co3O4>Au/NiO> Au/MnOx> Au/Fe2O3 > Au/CeO. The Au/Co3O4 catalyst is active just below about 250°C. The catalysts are proposed to have more than one type of reactive site since the supports are also active at higher temperatures. Analysis of spent catalysts with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicates that Au exists in at least two oxidation states on some of them, a reduced state and an oxidized state. The activity for methane oxidation increases with increasing oxidation of Auin the oxidized state.
Bipolar effects of settling time on active biomass retention in anaerobic sequencing batch reactors digesting flushed dairy manure.

Active biomass retention is a technical challenge in anaerobic digester treating dilute animal manure that contains solids particles. A strategy was tested using fibers in the dairy manure as biomass carriers by controlling settling time. Settling time ranging from 0.5 to 60 min were applied to eight anaerobic sequencing batch reactors to investigate their effects on active biomass retention in anaerobic digestion of flushed dairy manure. Results revealed that there existed a critical settling time at 2 min at which only minimum amount of active biomass was retained, and as settling time increased or decreased from this threshold, more active biomass could be retained. Gravity settling and selection pressure theories were suggested to account for the results. A model integrating these two effects was developed and verified with the experimental data. Knowledge derived from this study may lead to innovative bacterial retention technology for cost-effective anaerobic digestion of dairy wastes.
Ensemble Monte Carlo simulations of femtosecond energy relaxation of photoexcited electrons in bulk GaAs

Abstract We present results of ensemble Monte Carlo simulations of the femtosecond relaxation of photoexcited electrons in bulk GaAs. Our results are in qualitative agreement with the experimental data of Rosker, Wise and Tang (1986) and show that the fast relaxation component (∼34 fs) is primarily due to Γ→L scattering with a minor contribution from electron-electron scattering. The intermediate relaxation component (∼160 fs) is a result of the energy loss of electrons in the Γ valley which occurs chiefly by polar optical phonon (POP) scattering.
Age-related differences in brain activation during emotional face processing

Advancing age is associated with significant declines on neurobehavioral tasks that demand substantial mental effort. Functional imaging studies of mental abilities indicate that older adults faced with cognitive challenges tend to activate more regions, particularly frontal, than their younger counterparts, and that this recruitment of additional regions may reflect an attempt to compensate for inefficiency in cortical networks. The neural basis of emotion processing in aging has received little attention, and the goal of the present study was to use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine the influence of age on facial emotion processing and activation in cortical and limbic regions. Participants (eight old and eight young adults) viewed facial displays of happiness, sadness, anger, fear, disgust, and neutrality in alternating blocks of emotion and age discrimination. We predicted that in response to an emotion discrimination task, older adults would demonstrate increased use of frontal regions relative to younger adults, perhaps combined with diminished use of regions recruited by younger adults, such as temporo-limbic regions. During the emotion discrimination task, young participants activated, visual, frontal and limbic regions, whereas older participants activated parietal, temporal and frontal regions. A direct comparison between emotion and age discrimination revealed that while younger adults activated the amygdala and surrounding temporo-limbic regions, older adults activated left frontal regions. The results of this study suggest that older adults may rely on different cortical networks to perceive emotional facial expressions than do their younger counterparts.
Comparison Between Numerically Modeled and Experimentally Measured Wave-Rotor Loss Mechanisms

A numerical model has been developed that is capable of predicting the performance of a wave-rotor (pressure exchanger) of specified geometry over a wide range of operating conditions. The model can account for the major loss mechanisms of leakage from the tube ends, fluid viscosity, heat transfer to the tube walls, finite tube opening time, shock waves, and nonuniform port flows. It is a one-dimensional flow model that follows a single tube as it rotates past the various stationary ports. Since the model is relatively simple (i.e., one dimensional), it uses little computer time. This makes it suitable for design as well as analytical purposes. This article will present a brief description of the model and then discuss a comparison between the model predictions and several wave-rotor experiments.
Encouraging Education in an Urban School District: Evidence from the Philadelphia Educational Longitudinal Study.

Abstract We study a set of programs implemented in Philadelphia high schools that focus on boosting high school graduation, and especially college attendance, using data from the Philadelphia Educational Longitudinal Study (PELS). We examine the effects of these programs on a set of schooling‐related outcomes during and after high school. The PELS data‐set contains an unusually large amount of information on individuals prior to program placement. We use this information, in the context of both linear models and propensity score‐matching estimators, to attempt to correct for selective participation in these programs. We find evidence of positive effects of these programs on high school graduation and on both academic and non‐academic awards in high school, and similar negative effects on dropping out of high school. The results also suggest positive effects on attitudes and expectations about college attendance, and on college attendance.
The synthesis of oligodeoxyprimidines on a polymer support

Abstract A polymer supported method for synthesizing deoxypolynucleotides is described. Two non-anucleotides were synthesized. Yields exceeding 90% were obtained for each condensation. The time per nucleotide addition was four hours.
A Remarkable New Genus of Lygaeidae from Nepal (Hemiptera: Heteroptera)

Cervicoris brevirostris is described as a new genus and new species of Lygaeidae from Nepal. It is placed in the tribe Ozophorini of the subfamily Rhyparochrominae. Its relationships within the tribe are discussed, and it is considered to be most closely related to Vertomannus. The evolution of an elongate cylindrical “neck” in the Lygaeidae is discussed, and it is concluded that the condition has evolved independently a minimum of six times within the subfamily Rhyparochrominae. A dorsal view figure of the new genus is included.
Transversion mutagenesis in bacteriophage T4.

Transversion mutations can be distinguished from transition mutations by the use of special rII mutants of bacteriophage T4. Methyl methanesulfonate did not induce reversion of the tester mutants along transversion or transition pathways from A:T1 base pair sites, nor along transversion pathways from G:C base pair sites. Ethyl methanesulfonate and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, however, induced both transversions and transitions at an A:T base pair site; no transversions were detected at G:C-sites. Mn++ induced transversions and transitions at both A:T-and G:C-sites. The influence of temperature-sensitive gene-43 DNA polymerase mutator and antimutator mutations on the reversion of the rII tester mutants was measured: some gene-43 mutants differentially influenced different pathways of reversion. Studies of thymineless mutagenesis demonstrated A:T-site transversion mutations. A synergistic interaction between thymineless mutagenesis and the gene-43 mutator, tsL56, was used to demonstrate thymineless mutagenesis at one site where it was not detected in the presence of the wild type polymerase.
Viscosity and crystallization kinetics of As2Se3

Abstract The crystallization kinetics, viscosity, and temperature coefficient of expansion of amorphous As2Se3 were investigated. The crystallization kinetics of As2Se3 are characterized under isothermal conditions for undercoolings ranging from 37°C to 122°C using thermal analysis techniques. The crystallization kinetics can be accurately described by the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami transformation equation. At least at the lower observed temperatures As2Se3 exhibits an increasing nucleation rate with respect to time. Microscopic examination of partially crystallized specimens reveals constant isothermal growth rates with respect to time and a spherulitic growth habitat for the crystalline phase. All spherulites nucleated at free surfaces. The individual As2Se3 crystallites in the spherulites have a plate-like growth morphology at temperatures well below the crystalline melting point. At temperatures approaching the crystalline melting point the crystallites assume a rod-like growth morphology. The activation energy for the crystal growth rate was determined to be 1.6 eV by direct observation. A model for the crystallization kinetics consistent with the data is suggested which yields an activation energy of 2.7 eV for secondary nucleation within the spherulites for 240°C The viscosity of As2Se3 in the pure and doped states (1 at.% Ag) was measured in the glass transition region. Utilizing these data for pure As2Se3 and the high temperature data of previous investigators the interpolated activation energy for viscous flow in the temperature region of rapid crystallization was determined to be 2.7 eV. The linear temperature coefficient of expansion was determined to be 1.55 × 10−5/°C for T
High propagule production and reproductive fitness homeostasis contribute to the invasiveness of Lespedeza cuneata (Fabaceae)

Comparative studies of congeneric native and exotic species have proved fruitful in understanding plant traits that foster invasion. Using this approach, we investigate the complex reproductive system of the invasive Lespedeza cuneata (Dum.-Cours.) G. Don in relation to three native congeners in the variable environment of the North American tallgrass prairie. Lespedeza species produce both chasmogamous (CH) and cleistogamous (CL) flowers, and propagate clonally via vegetative buds. Utilizing multiple natural populations over 2 years, we investigated reproductive modes of individuals from bagged and unbagged treatments of each species. We found that L. cuneata produced a mean of five times as many seeds and a significantly greater number of vegetative buds than any native studied, and over twenty times as many CH flowers. Insect visitation significantly affected seed set in CH flowers, though some autonomous CH selfing occurred in all species. The invasive relied relatively less on selfing than the natives and exhibited less variation in reproductive output from both modes of reproduction. We conclude that the diverse reproductive biology and wide regeneration niche of L. cuneata in relation to its native congeners confer a fitness homeostasis that facilitates the successful spread of this invasive under a wide range of conditions.
Droplet size spectra and water-vapor concentration of laboratory water clouds: inversion of Fourier transform infrared (500 5000 cm 1 ) optical-depth measurement

Infrared extinction optical depth (500-5000 cm(-1)) has been measured with a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer for clouds produced with an ultrasonic nebulizer. Direct measurement of the cloud droplet size spectra agree with size spectra retrieved from inversion of the extinction measurements. Both indicate that the range of droplet sizes is 1-14 mum. The retrieval was accomplished with an iterative algorithm that simultaneously obtains water-vapor concentration. The basis set of droplet extinction functions are computed once by using numerical integration of the Lorenz-Mie theory over narrow size bins, and a measured water-vapor extinction curve was used. Extinction and size spectra are measured and computed for both steady-state and dissipating clouds. It is demonstrated that anomalous diffraction theory produces relatively poor droplet size and synthetic extinction spectra and that extinction measurements are helpful in assessing the validity of various theories. Calculations of cloud liquid-water content from retrieved size distributions agree with a parameterization based on optical-depth measurements at a wave number of 906 cm(-1) for clouds that satisfy the size spectral range assumptions of the parameterization. Significance of droplet and vapor contribution to the total optical depth is used to evaluate the reliability of spectral inversions.
Self-stimulation of a hypothalamic site in response to tension or fear

Abstract Rhesus monkeys with chronic electrodes implanted at self-stimulation sites barpress faster for stimulation at a hypothalamic site in the presence of a feared snake, but do not press faster for stimulation from locus ceruleus. In the presence of a dominant monkey, they barpress for hypothalamic stimulation in response to strong dominance behaviors, in response to intense play-wrestling initiated by the dominant monkey, and just before they themselves initiate play-wrestling. The fear-reducing effect of this self-stimulation site thus appears to be easily incorporated into the ongoing social context.
A Method for Evaluating Outcomes of Restoration When No Reference Sites Exist

Ecological restoration typically seeks to shift species composition toward that of existing reference sites. Yet, comparing the assemblages in restored and reference habitats assumes that similarity to the reference habitat is the optimal outcome of restoration and does not provide a perspective on regionally rare off-site species. When no such reference assemblages of species exist, an accurate assessment of the habitat affinities of species is crucial. We present a method for using a species by habitat data matrix generated by biodiversity surveys to evaluate community responses to habitat restoration treatments. Habitats within the region are rated on their community similarity to a hypothetical restored habitat, other habitats of conservation concern, and disturbed habitats. Similarity scores are reinserted into the species by habitat matrix to produce indicator (I) scores for each species in relation to these habitats. We apply this procedure to an open woodland restoration project in north Mississippi (U.S.A.) by evaluating initial plant community responses to restoration. Results showed a substantial increase in open woodland indicators, a modest decrease in generalists historically restricted to floodplain forests, and no significant change in disturbance indicators as a group. These responses can be interpreted as a desirable outcome, regardless of whether species composition approaches that of reference sites. The broader value of this approach is that it provides a flexible and objective means of predicting and evaluating the outcome of restoration projects involving any group of species in any region, provided there is a biodiversity database that includes habitat and location information.
Far-infrared transmission studies in disordered and ordered Ga 0.52 In 0.48 P

The vibrational properties of both disordered and ordered Ga{sub 0.52}In{sub 0.48}P alloys have been studied by room-temperature polarized far-infrared transmission at normal incidence. For the disordered alloy, besides the main transverse optical mode at 332 cm{sup {minus}1}, we observe a weak transverse optical mode at 372 cm{sup {minus}1}. The transmission spectrum of the ordered alloy recorded with light polarized in the plane containing the ordering axis and the growth direction shows, in addition to the transverse modes, an extra band at 354 cm{sup {minus}1}. This is a signature of the reduced trigonal symmetry that we relate to a quasilongitudinal mode. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}
Resuscitation in a Multiple Casualty Event

A major weakness in the emergency medical response to multiple casualty events continues to be the resuscitation component, which should consist of the systematic application of basic, advanced, and prolonged life support and definitive care within 24 hours. There have been major advances in emergency medical care over the last decade, including the feasibility of point-of-care ultrasound to aid in rapid assessment of injuries in the field, damage control resuscitation, and resuscitative surgery protocols, delivered by small trauma/resuscitation teams equipped with regional anesthesia capability for rapid deployment. Widespread adoption of these best practices may improve the delivery of resuscitative care in future multiple casualty events.
Soil moisture under a coniferous forest

On the Fraser Experimental Forest, Colorado, a detailed experiment is being conducted to find out the effects of cutting mature lodgepole-pine on various factors affecting water-yield [see 2 and 4 of “References” at end of paper]. Of these factors soil-moisture deficiencies are particulary graphic in showing the relative consumption of water by uncut and cut-over stands. One year's data have been collected on soil-moisture deficiencies although the study will require several more years for completion, the methods and results are of sufficient utility to be worth current discussion.