cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy Observations of Silicidation Processes for Cobalt Thin Films Deposited on Silicon

: Morphological evolution associated with silicidation of Co thin films deposited on (100) and (111) Si substrates has been followed using transmission electron microscopy with in situ thermal annealing from ambient temperature up to 850 degreesC. Noticeable structural changes associated with the formation of CoSi2 occur at temperatures as low as 400 degreesC and the reaction is essentially complete at about 500 degreesC. Prolonged heating above 500 degreesC leads to CoSi2 grain growth and coalescence and, finally, to pinholes formation. Silicidation of Co films on (100) and (111) Si substrates follows the same pattern. The morphology of films annealed in situ is similar to those annealed ex situ except that the Si/CoSi2 interface appears to be much rougher. This behavior is associated with the specific geometry of cross-sectional TEM specimens, where surface diffusion dominates bulk diffusion. Very thin Co films, which have less contribution from surface diffusion than thicker films, are ideal for studying dynamic phenomena at Co/Si reactive interfaces.
Environmental Stability of Selected Petroleum Hydrocarbon Source and Weathering Ratios

Weathering and biodegradation alter the composition of spilled oil, making it difficult to identify the source of the release and to monitor its fate in the environment. Using intertidal sediment and terrestrial soil data that cover a wide range of oil weathering states, we show that ratios of alkylated dibenzothiophenes and phenanthrenes are useful for source identification even up to 98% depletion of total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Furthermore, we find that some ratios of alkylated naphthalenes, phenanthrenes, and chrysenes can qualitatively assess the extent of weathering an oil has undergone since a spill. These source and weathering ratios appear to successfully describe oil depletion and to identify sources in subtidal sediment data from the M/C Haven spill in Italy, the Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska, and a North Sea oil spill.
Kinetic and Hydrodynamic Aspects of Polymer Flocculation

This article highlights the kinetic and hydrodynamic aspects of polymer-induced flocculation, as well as some of the common applications of flocculation in mineral processing. Rate equations for polymer adsorption, floe formation, floe growth and break up are summarized and analyzed. Similarly, hydro-dynamic functions relevant to the various aspects of flocculation are summarized and analyzed. Experimental results on the effects of hydrodynamic conditions on the flocculation process arc presented.
Optical Cross-Correlation of Complex Exponentiated Input Data

Optical cross-correlation to determine relative signal displacements and degree of similarity between two signals is commonly implemented by matched filter techniques using absorption transparencies as inputs. The problems associated with absorption inputs include low correlation-signal intensities due to the light absorbing nature of the input and low signal-to-noise ratios. Without considerable preprocessing, positive correlation peak detection is not always readily achievable. These limitations are largely overcome by complex exponentiation of the inputs. For the optical analog this means phasing the input transparencies by a bleaching process to yield phase transparencies. The cross-correlation function of these complex exponentiated inputs has two striking properties. One, the correlation signal approaches a delta function. Two, the correlation signal is not affected by a difference in bias levels (average densities) of the two inputs in-asmuch as only differential phase differences are used for detecting correlation. This means constant phase shifts will not contaminate the correlation signal. Hence, extensive data preprocessing is not required. One- and two-dimensional digital simulation experiments were carried out to demonstrate these properties. Simulated density functions were defined by computer generated random numbers. Random noise distortions were added to study their impact on the correlation-signal shape and intensity. In order to have a standard for comparison, the commonly used (statistical) correlation coefficient was computed along with the correlation of the complex exponentiated inputs. The results indicate that complex exponentiation provides a means to obtain extremely reliable correlation peak positions having very high peak intensity and very high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Since the correlation function is a narrow well defined spike, a threshold detector can be employed for signal detection.
The Pittsburgh Rehabilitation Participation Scale: Reliability and Validity of a Clinician-Rated Measure of Participation in Acute Rehabilitation

Abstract Lenze EJ, Munin MC, Quear T, Dew MA, Rogers JC, Begley AE, Reynolds CF III. The Pittsburgh Rehabilitation Participation Scale: reliability and validity of a clinician-rated measure of participation in acute rehabilitation. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004:85:380–4. Objective To demonstrate interrater reliability and predictive validity of the Pittsburgh Rehabilitation Participation Scale (PRPS), a clinician-rated 6-point Likert-type item measuring patient participation in inpatient rehabilitation sessions. Design Prospective measurement of patient participation in physical and occupational therapy sessions during inpatient rehabilitation. Setting University-based, freestanding acute rehabilitation hospital. Participants Two hundred forty-two inpatients, primarily elderly, with a variety of impairment diagnoses (eg, stroke), who were admitted for inpatient rehabilitation. Interventions Not applicable. Main outcome measures Change in the 13 motor items from the FIM™ instrument, from admission to discharge. Results The PRPS had high interrater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]=.91 for occupational therapists; ICC=.96 for physical therapists). The subjects had mean PRPS scores ± standard deviation of 4.73±0.76. Mean PRPS scores predicted rehabilitation outcome (N=242, r =.32, P Conclusions Patient participation during acute inpatient rehabilitation can be easily and reliably measured, and PRPS scores predict functional outcome. The PRPS may have applicability in clinical and research outcome measurement.
Peptide Design Using a Genetically Patterned Binary Code: Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone as a Model

Abstract This paper reviews a method for the design of peptides and proteins of predefined structure and function and provides an example. Specifically, an analog of rat growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) (residues 1-23) was synthesized by solid-phase methods based on a reversed sequence of the mRNA for GHRH (1-23). The new peptide, designated GHRH 3′-5′, had a hydropathic profile similar to that of native GHRH 5′-3′ (GHRH) but had only 17% primary sequence homology. GHRH 3′-5′ specifically bound to the GHRH receptor on rat pituitary cells and to polyclonal anti-GHRH antibody in ELISA and RIA procedures. Additionally, GHRH 3′-5′ blocked the in vitro stimulation of GH RNA synthesis and in vitro and in vivo GH release mediated by GHRH. These data show that 3′-5′ GHRH with little sequence homology to native rat GHRH is an antagonist and further supports the importance of the linear pattern of hydropathy to the gross secondary and/or tertiary structure and rudimentary function of peptides and proteins. The impact of these findings on the interaction of complementary peptides is discussed.
Hexadecane mineralization and denitrification in two diesel fuel-contaminated soils.

The effect of nitrate, ammonium and urea on the mineralization of [14C]hexadecane (C16H34) and on denitrification was evaluated in two soils contaminated with diesel fuel. In soil A, addition of N fertilizers did not stimulate or inhibit background hexadecane mineralization (4.3 mg C16H34 kg−1 day−1). In soil B, only NaNO3 stimulated hexadecane mineralization (0.91 mg C16H34 kg−1 day−1) compared to soil not supplemented with any nitrogen nutrient (0.17 mg C16H34 kg−1 day−1). Hexadecane mineralization was not stimulated in this soil by NH4NO3 (0.13 mg C16H34 kg−1 day−1), but the addition of NH4Cl or urea suppressed hexadecane mineralization (0.015 mg C16H34 kg−1 day−1). Addition of 2 kPa C2H2 did not inhibit the mineralization process in either soil. Denitrification occurred in both soils studied when supplemented with NaNO3 and NH4NO3, but was not detected with other N sources. Denitrification started after a longer lag in soil A (10 days) than in soil B (4 days). In soil A microcosms supplemented with NaNO3 or NH4NO3, rates of denitrification were 20.6 and 13.6 mg NO3− kg−1 day−1, respectively, and in soil B, they were 18.5 and 12.5 mg NO3− kg−1 day−1, respectively. We conclude that denitrification may lead to a substantial loss of nitrate, making it unavailable to the mineralizing bacterial population. Nitrous oxide was an important end-product accounting for 30–100% of total denitrification. These results indicate the need for preliminary treatability studies before implementing full-scale treatment processes incorporating commercial fertilizers.
Capital One Financial and a decade of experience with newly vulnerable markets: Some propositions concerning the competitive advantage of new entrants

Market share and brand recognition have historically provided advantage to established players in mature industries. The success of Capital One, an attacker in the mature credit card industry is therefore interesting, both to researchers and to executives developing strategies. A partial explanation is offered by the theory of newly vulnerable markets. The success of Capital One can be partially attributed to its application of information-based strategies to several newly vulnerable markets, allowing it to target and retain the most profitable customers. These strategies sustained double-digit return on equity and double-digit increase in sales volume and profits every year of our study.
Food Marketing Targeting Youth and Families: What Do We Know about Stores Where Moms Actually Shop?

Although efforts are underway to examine marketing that targets the youth and families in the retail food store environment, few studies have specifically focused on stores that families identify as their primary sites for food shopping. Between November 2011 and April 2012, we examined the frequency and types of marketing techniques of 114 packaged and nonpackaged items in 24 food stores that mothers of young children in Champaign County, IL, said they commonly frequented. Chi-square tests were used to determine whether significant differences existed between items with regard to marketing by store type, store food-assistance-program acceptance (i.e., WIC), and claims. Overall, stores accepting WIC and convenience stores had higher frequencies of marketing compared to non-WIC and grocery stores. Fruits and vegetables had the lowest frequency of any marketing claim, while salty snacks and soda had the highest frequency of marketing claims. Nutrition claims were the most common across all items, followed by taste, suggested use, fun, and convenience. Television tie-ins and cartoons were observed more often than movie tie-ins and giveaways. Our results suggest an opportunity to promote healthful items more efficiently by focusing efforts on stores where mothers actually shop.
Lineshapes of infrared-zero frequency double resonance spectra in CH3F

Abstract Experimental measurements and theoretical calculations of infrared-zero frequency double resonance spectra in a symmetric top molecule without inversion are described. The infrared-zero frequency double resonance spectra are infrared-radio frequency double resonance spectra at RF frequencies tending toward zero. Spectra are shown for a near-resonant transition in the ν 3 band of 13 CH 3 F in the absence of a dc field and for a transition in the ν 3 band of 12 CH 3 F that is resonant in the presence of a dc field. All of the experimental lineshapes are in good qualitative agreement and the dc field spectra are in excellent quantitative agreement with lineshapes predicted by the theory that is presented. The theory treats the effect of the RF radiation as a high-frequency Stark field and is shown to predict the known lineshape of infrared-microwave two-photon transitions in symmetric top molecules without inversion.
Structure-directing agents and stacking faults in the CON system: a combined crystallographic and computer simulation study

To better understand the role of structure-directing agents (SDAs) in the formation of molecular sieves and how SDA cations can inhibit the growth of stacking faults, we determined the location of SDA cations in the molecular sieve CIT-1, a member of the CON family, using a combination of crystallography and forcefield-based computer simulations. A Monte Carlo docking algorithm was used to develop trial structural models, which were used as the starting point for structure determination from synchrotron X-ray and neutron powder diffraction data using Rietveld refinements. Our results demonstrate that the SDA cations site in a single location, but with two different orientations. Experimental and computer simulation results indicate that four SDA cations can pack in the pores of CIT-1, invalidating the Monte Carlo docking result, which predicts that only three can be accommodated. Forcefield minimization studies demonstrated clear differences between two SDA cations that can be used to produce CON and a third that does not, but failed to provide information about how stacking faults are inhibited in CIT-1 by one particular SDA.
The Inverse Relationship Between Manufacturer and Retailer Margins: A Theory

Our objective in this paper is to explain the relationship between a manufacturer's brand advertising and its impact on wholesale and retail margins in consumer goods markets. We construct a model of re-tailers and manufacturers, and using tools from game theory explain why under some conditions a manufacturer's advertising can squeeze, i.e., lower, the retail margin while simultaneously increasing the wholesale margin. Our paper should be of interest to applied analytical and empirical researchers in marketing as well as managers interested in understanding the strategic impact of brand advertising on margins. The consumer goods retail market is characterized by intense rivalry among retailers competing for a share of the consumer dollar. Retailers carry many products, and on any given purchase occasion a typical consumer buys a subset of the vast number of items a retailer has on its shelf. In general consumers are ignorant about the prices of all the products they want to buy and consequently select a retailer to shop at based on the advertised prices of a subset of the products they intend to buy. Given this, retailers tend to compete more aggressively based on the prices of a selected set of items by advertising these prices to consumers. The items that the retailers select to compete on are those that most consumers desire and value highly. Since the profit from any customer is the sum of profits from advertised and unadvertised items, the intensity of retail competition, as evident from the prices of these items, increases with the amount the consumer will expend on the unadvertised items once at the store. This aggressiveness therefore translates into lower retail margins on these selected items since the retailers expect that consumers, once inside a store, will buy non-advertised products as well on which the retailers make money. Thus manufacturers who are more adept at using “pull” strategies to enhance the popularity of their product, obtain d significant competitive advantage vis a vis others. The positioning of the product and the image conveyed through advertising act as drivers in creating this advantage which results in higher wholesale prices that these manufacturers can charge the retailers. There are several key insights from our analysis. Our model explains why retail and wholesale margins can move in opposite directions and also suggests when---in those retail markets where consumers shop for a basket of goods. Our analysis also reveals that retailers make higher margins on unadvertised products and less on advertised products. Furthermore it shows the power of a popular brand where its popularity can be enhanced through brand advertising. From a managerial standpoint we also show that the effectiveness of advertising should not be narrowly interpreted in terms of increase in share or awareness but should include the ability to charge a higher wholesale price. Finally our analysis sheds light on extant, and provides guidance to future, empirical work in this area.
Infusing Constructivist Learning in Fisheries Education

Abstract Academics increasingly advocate constructivist learning, which encourages student control of their learning. Constructivist approaches were used in four of six offerings of an introductory fisheries and wildlife class at Michigan State University from 2001–2004 involving 292 students. Student choices, student grades, and student evaluations were used to evaluate teaching effectiveness. Student ratings of the course dipped during the first semester of constructivist learning implementation. They returned to pre-implementation levels for most categories, and improved for other categories. The average percentage of students exceeding grades of 3.5/4.0 increased from 12% to 21% in the semesters after full implementation. Adopting a constructivist approach led to improved grades and good student-instructor interaction. Constructivist learning creatively empowered students, but exceeded student expectations for responsibility and self direction. Embrace of the constructivist approach requires persisten...
How Have Korean Vowels Changed Through Time

This paper was presented under the title "How has the Korean vowel system changed through time?" at the 11 th International Conference on Korean Linguistics (Honolulu, July 1998). There are three parts: (1) on Korean vowel harmony; (2) on the hypothesis that the values of the modem vowel system is the result of rotation, a shift of articulatory values; (3) on the connotative associations of the vocalic features, the etymological implications of vowel sets, and the canonical patterns found in the nouns and the verb stems.
Downregulation of LAR tyrosine phosphatase prevents apoptosis and augments NGF-induced neurite outgrowth.

The identity of the protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) regulating cell death and responses to neurotrophins during neural development remain unknown. To determine if the leukocyte common antigen-related (LAR) PTP regulates these processes, PC12 cells were made LAR-deficient via stable transfection with an LAR antisense transgene. LAR-deficient cells demonstrated a stable novel phenotype, including a two-fold increase in nerve growth factor- but not fibroblast growth factor-induced neurite outgrowth. Upon serum-deprivation, LAR-deficient cells exhibited a two- to three-fold decrease in cell death. The findings that an endogenous PTP promotes cell death and counter-regulates neurotrophin actions introduce a major new receptor gene family to neurotrophic processes and suggest novel strategies for preventing cell death and augmenting neurotrophin function.
Translocation by T7 RNA Polymerase: A Sensitively Poised Brownian Ratchet

Studies of halted T7 RNA polymerase (T7RNAP) elongation complexes (ECs) or of T7RNAP transcription against roadblocks due to DNA-bound proteins indicate that T7RNAP translocates via a passive Brownian ratchet mechanism. Crystal structures of T7RNAP ECs suggest that translocation involves an active power-stroke. However, neither solution studies of halted or slowed T7RNAP ECs, nor crystal structures of static complexes, are necessarily relevant to how T7RNAP translocates during rapid elongation. A recent single molecule study of actively elongating T7RNAPs provides support for the Brownian ratchet mechanism. Here, we obtain additional evidence for the existence of a Brownian ratchet during active T7RNAP elongation by showing that both rapidly elongating and halted complexes are equally sensitive to pyrophosphate. Using chemical nucleases tethered to the polymerase we achieve sub-angstrom resolution in measuring the average position of halted T7RNAP ECs and find that the positional equilibrium of the EC is sensitively poised between pre-translocated and post-translocated states. This may be important in maximizing the sensitivity of the polymerase to sequences that cause pausing or termination. We also confirm that a crystallographically observed disorder to order transition in a loop formed by residues 589-612 also occurs in solution and is coupled to pyrophosphate or NTP release. This transition allows the loop to make interactions with the DNA that help stabilize the laterally mobile, ligand-free EC against dissociation.
Categorical perception in American Sign Language

Categorical perception (CP) refers to the finding that certain stimuli (particularly speech) are perceived categorically rather than continuously, despite a continuous variation in form. Two experiments investigated whether Deaf signers or hearing nonsigners exhibit CP for hand configuration or for place of articulation (the location of articulation on the body) in American Sign Language (ASL). CP performance was measured using discrimination (ABX) and categorisation paradigms with computer-generated images of signs. In the categorisation task, signers and nonsigners exhibited sigmoidal performance and categorised non-identical stimuli together at each end of the perceptual continuum for both hand configuration and place of articulation, regardless of phonological distinctiveness in ASL. The finding that signers and nonsigners performed similarly suggests that these categories in ASL have a perceptual as well as a linguistic basis. Results from the discrimination task, however, showed that only ASL signers demonstrated categorical perception, and only for phonologically contrastive hand configuration. Neither group exhibited CP for place of articulation. Lack of a CP effect for place of articulation may be due to more variable category boundaries. A CP effect for contrastive hand configuration suggests that deaf signers develop special abilities for perceiving distinctions that are relevant to American Sign Language.
TRAUMATIC ADRENAL INJURIES

ABSTRACTPurpose: We determined the prevalence, management and general prognosis of blunt isolated and nonisolated adrenal injuries in a pediatric population.Material and Methods: We analyzed trauma...
Static vs. relay logic for aircraft protective panels

Reasoned argument is made against the indiscriminate use of transistor or other “static” elements replacing electromechanical relays without making a thorough reliability analysis. In a particular application, an aircraft protective panel design using relays as logic elements is herein shown to be more reliable than a particular equipment transistorized design.
The value function of a mixed integer program: II☆

Abstract We prove that the gap in optimal value, between a mixed-integer program in rationals and its corresponding linear programming relaxation, is bounded as the right-hand-side is varied. In addition, a variant of value iteration is shown to construct subadditive functions which resolve a pure-integer program when no dual degeneracy occurs. These subadditive functions provide solutions to subadditive dual programs for integer programs which are given here, and for which the values of primal and dual problems are equal.
Appreciative Inquiry: A Field Study of Community Development

The meaning of race, ethnicity, social class, and culture has rapidly changed within the last two decades. In addition to the tremendous growth of diverse populations in our neighborhoods, administrative policy changes have pushed community leaders to approach organizational engagement with diversity more comprehensively. Using Appreciative Inquiry method to achieve a high level of participation and to transform inner dialogue between the participants, this study is about doing systemic thinking and practice in a diverse inner-city setting in the United States. The results of this study indicate that Appreciative Inquiry method is an appropriate model for systemic practice in community development.
Thyroidal metabolism of diiodotyrosine.

The deiodination of radiodiiodotyrosine by animal tissues has been studied and quantitated by paper chromatography. The thyroid and liver were active, the kidney relatively inactive, in deiodination. Slices and mitochondria were more effective than homogenates or supernatants. Inhibition occurred with extremes of temperature and pH, added p-chloromercuribenzoate, mercuric chloride, 2-methyl 1,4-naphthoquinone and iodoacetate. Many enzyme inhibitors (including cyanide, azide, fluoride, methylene blue) compounds known to effect thyroid function (TSH, KSCN, iodide, PTU, tapazole, resorcinol, sulphanilamide), other iodinated compounds (BHDB, Priodax, Teridax, Telepaque, thyroxine, triiodothyronine, 3,5-diiodothyronine) have no effect on deiodination. Carrier diiodotyrosine and monoiodotyrosine at 10-3M inhibit deiodination of radiodiiodotyrosine. The products of deiodination are iodide and, presumably, tyrosine. There is no accumulation of monoiodotyrosine except in the presence of iodoacetate. Iodide is rele...
Local minimizers with vortices to the Ginzburg-Landau system in three dimensions

We construct local minimizers to the Ginzburg-Landau energy in certain three-dimensional domains based on the asymptotic connection between the energy and the total length of vortices using the theory of weak Jacobians. Whenever there exists a collection of locally minimal line segments spanning the domain, we can find local minimizers with arbitrarily assigned degrees with respect to each segment. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Isolation of a population of intact, highly-motile porcine spermatozoa using a discontinuous bovine serum albumin gradient.

Abstract This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of isolating intact, highly-motile porcine spermatozoa using a discontinuous bovine serum albumin (BSA) gradient. Either 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2.5 or 5 × 109 spermatozoa extended to 26 ml with Kiev extender were layered on a discontinuous BSA gradient (4% BSA over 10% BSA) contained within a 500-ml separatory funnel. After 1 h of sperm migration at 23° C, four 30-ml aliquots designated Fractions 1, 2, 3, 4 and Fraction T were collected from the bottom of the funnel. Fraction 4 was the bottom fraction and Fraction T was the remnant of the applied sample. For all concentrations of applied spermatozoa, the percentage of progressively motile spermatozoa was greater in Fraction 4 than in Fractions T or 1 (P
MOTION-RELATED BODY-FORCE FUNCTIONS IN TWO-DIMENSIONAL LOW-SPEED FLOW

The paper examines two-dimensional force functions useful in the wind-response analysis of bluff bodies, such as bridges, that are elongated in the across-wind direction. Airfoil-type theoretical 2-D indicial, admittance, and oscillatory force functions and their interrelationships are first recalled for their analogical value. Following this, a spectral force expression is developed for the lift on a bluff section due to a cross-wind with a vertical turbulence component. The expression proposed involves an aerodynamic admittance that is based upon measured flutter derivatives for the bluff section plus information on the coherence of vertical turbulence in the atmospheric boundary layer.
Integration of surface information in primary visual cortex.

Ample evidence suggests that primary visual cortex is involved in the perception of form, and there is increasing evidence that it may also be important in the perception of surfaces. Perceptual qualities of surfaces, such as brightness, are based on extensive integration of information throughout the visual field. In primary visual cortex, we found that the responses of neurons to surfaces were also influenced by the intensity and organization of light in large portions of the visual field. Interactions with surrounding stimuli typically extended 10 to 20 degrees beyond a cell's receptive field, the same spatial scale as perceptual interactions. Moreover, there were both facilitatory and inhibitory influences, just as there are additive and subtractive perceptual interactions. Surprisingly, influences from outside the receptive field obtained with surface stimuli did not reliably correlate with influences recorded with gratings. These properties suggest that the underlying neuronal interactions may serve as the fundamental building blocks of surface perception.
Anthropogenic N Deposition Increases Soil C Storage by Decreasing the Extent of Litter Decay: Analysis of Field Observations with an Ecosystem Model

Recent meta-analyses of experimental studies simulating increased anthropogenic nitrogen (N) deposition in forests reveal greater soil carbon (C) storage under elevated levels of atmospheric N deposition. However, these effects have not yet been included in ecosystem-scale models of soil C and N cycling and it is unclear whether increased soil C storage results from slower decomposition rates or a reduced extent of decomposition (for example, an increase in the amount of litter entering slowly decaying humus pools). To test these alternatives, we conducted a meta-analysis of litter decomposition data. We then used the results from our meta-analysis to model C and N cycling in four sugar maple forests in Michigan using an ecosystem process model (TRACE). We compared model results testing our alternative hypotheses to field data on soil C storage from a 17-year N deposition experiment. Using data from published litter decomposition studies in forests, we determined that, on average, exogenous N inputs decreased lignin decomposition rates by 30% and increased cellulose decomposition by 9%. In the same set of litter decomposition studies increased exogenous N availability increased the amount of litter entering slowly decaying humus pools in a manner significantly related to the lignocellulose index of decaying litter. Incorporating changes to decomposition rates in TRACE did not accurately reproduce greater soil C storage observed in our field study with experimentally elevated N deposition. However, when changes in the extent of decomposition were incorporated in TRACE, the model produced increased soil C storage by increasing the amount of litter entering the humus pool and accurately represented C storage in plant and soil pools under experimental N deposition. Our modeling results and meta-analysis indicate that the extent of litter decay as humus is formed, rather than slower rates of litter decay, is likely responsible for the accumulation of organic matter, and hence soil C storage, under experimental N deposition. This effect should be incorporated in regional to global-scale models simulating the C balance of forest ecosystems in regions receiving elevated N deposition.
Apparent Anomaly during Rotating Disk Voltammetry in Ionic Liquids

An apparent anomaly is described in which maxima on rotating disk voltammograms for ferrocene oxidation in an ionic liquid were found. The ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, bmimPF 6 , is a neoteric solvent of current interest. The maxima are shown to he due to the very high viscosity of the solvent, 3.26 poise, which yields an unusually high Schmidt number (Sc) of 3.5 × 10 7 , compared to a value of about 10 3 for aqueous solutions. It is estimated that over 100 revolutions of the disk are needed to achieve the Levich limiting current following application of a voltage step to the disk. The current transient resulting from application of a voltage step to the rotating disk is found to be in agreement with previously developed theory, even for these highly viscous systems. Analysis of the transient permits a determination of Sc values without measurement of the viscosity and density of the solvent, or diffusion coefficient of the reacting species.
Efficiency analysis of formally verified adaptive cruise controllers

We consider an adaptive cruise control system in which control decisions are made based on position and velocity information received from other vehicles via V2V wireless communication. If the vehicles follow each other at a close distance, they have better wireless reception but collisions may occur when a follower car does not receive notice about the decelerations of the leader car fast enough to react before it is too late. If the vehicles are farther apart, they would have a bigger safety margin, but the wireless communication drops out more often, so that the follower car no longer receives what the leader car is doing. In order to guarantee safety, such a system must return control to the driver if it does not receive an update from a nearby vehicle within some timeout period. The value of this timeout parameter encodes a tradeoff between the likelihood that an update is received and the maximum safe acceleration. Combining formal verification techniques for hybrid systems with a wireless communication model, we analyze how the expected efficiency of a provably-safe adaptive cruise control system is affected by the value of this timeout.
Kv4.2 Phosphorylation by Cyclic AMP-dependent Protein Kinase

Recent evidence suggests that K+ channels composed of Kv4.2 α-subunits underlie a transient current in hippocampal CA1 neurons and ventricular myocytes, and activation of the cAMP second messenger cascade has been shown to modulate this transient current. We determined if Kv4.2 α-subunits were directly phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). The intracellular domains of the amino and carboxyl termini of Kv4.2 were expressed as glutathioneS-transferase fusion protein constructs; we observed that both of these fusion proteins were substrates for PKA in vitro. By using phosphopeptide mapping and amino acid sequencing, we identified PKA phosphorylation sites on the amino- and carboxyl-terminal fusion proteins corresponding to Thr38and Ser552, respectively, within the Kv4.2 sequence. Kinetic characterization of the PKA sites demonstrated phosphorylation kinetics comparable to Kemptide. To evaluate PKA site phosphorylationin situ, phospho-selective antisera for each of the sites were generated. By using COS-7 cells expressing an EGFP-Kv4.2 fusion protein, we observed that stimulation of the endogenous PKA cascade resulted in an increase in phosphorylation of Thr38 and Ser552 within Kv4.2 in the intact cell. We also observed modulation of PKA phosphorylation at these sites within Kv4.2 in hippocampal area CA1. These results provide insight into likely sites of regulation of Kv4.2 by PKA.
Student Gains in Self-Efficacy in an Advanced MSW Curriculum: A Customized Model for Outcomes Assessment.

The new Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) identify assessment as "an integral component of competency-based education." It is not new, however, that programs must demonstrate plans to assess attainment of competencies or expected program outcomes and show how data collection and analysis inform curriculum decisions. previous work demonstrates that using the construct of self-efficacy is a promising assessment strategy. The current study develops and implements a comprehensive measure of MSW students' self-efficacy tailored to the objectives of a specific advanced MSW curriculum. Analyses are based on pretests and posttests from 117 MSW students. Results demonstrate significant gains in self-efficacy related to all 17 program objectives. Implications for social work program assessment in light of the 2008 EPAS are discussed.
On a Fermat-Type Diophantine Equation

Let p>3 be an odd prime and ζ a pth root of unity. Let c be an integer divisible only by primes of the form kp−1, (k, p)=1. Let C(i)p be the eigenspace of the ideal class group of Q(ζ) corresponding to ωi, ω being the Teichmuller character. Let B2i denote the 2ith Bernoulli number. In this article we apply the methods (following H. S. Vandiver (1934, Bull. Amer. Math. Soc., 118–123)) which were used by the author (1994, Ph.D. Thesis, California Institute of Technology) to prove a special case Fermat's Last theorem, to study the equation xp+yp=pc zp. In particular, we prove the following: Assume p is irregular, and p ∣ Bp−3. Let q be an odd prime such that q≡1 (mod p), and there is a prime ideal Q over q in Q(ζ) whose ideal class generates C(3)p, which is known to be cyclic. If xp+yp=pc zp has nontrivial integer solutions, then we show that q ∤ (pc zp/(x+y)). We also give proof of the unsolvability of the above equation for regular primes (p>3), using the results of H. S. Vandiver (1936, Monatsh. Math. Phys.43, 317–320).
Validating recommendations for coronary angiography following acute myocardial infarction in the elderly: A matched analysis using propensity scores

We determined whether adherence to recommendations for coronary angiography more than 12 h after symptom onset but prior to hospital discharge after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) resulted in better survival. Using propensity scores, we created a matched retrospective sample of 19,568 Medicare patients hospitalized with AMI during 1994-1995 in the United States. Twenty-nine percent, 36%, and 34% of patients were judged necessary, appropriate, or uncertain, respectively, for angiography while 60% of those judged necessary received the procedure during the hospitalization. The 3-year survival benefit was largest for patients rated necessary [mean survival difference (95% CI): 17.6% (15.1, 20.1)] and smallest for those rated uncertain [8.8% (6.8, 10.7)]. Angiography recommendations appear to select patients who are likely to benefit from the procedure and the consequent interventions. Because of the magnitude of the benefit and of the number of patients involved, steps should be taken to replicate these findings.
The effect of sample environment on the room-temperature phosphorescence of several polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons

Abstract Room-temperature phosphorescence (r.t.p.) of numerous molecules has been studied with emphasis on several polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The heavy atom effect has led to a significant enhancement of r.t.p. signals for the PAH studied with the trend being Tl+ > Ag+ > Pb2+ > Hg2+. The Tl+ also resulted in enhanced spectral features of emission bands. R.t.p. could be induced from PAH on a sodium acetate sample support as well as on filter paper. A study of the effect of different gaseous environments provided anomalous results.
Phase transition studies of thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers using polarized light transmission techniques

Etude du melange d'un polyarylate cristal liquide avec un polyarylate non cristal liquide et d'un copolyarylate dont l'un des 2 motifs structuraux porte un groupe mesogene et l'autre pas
On ordering perishable inventory under erlang demand

Existing models for describing optimal ordering policies for perishable inventory cast the problem as a multidimensional dynamic program, the dimensionality being one less than the product lifetime in periods. An approach developed in previous work takes explicit account of outdating in the single period model. Formulas for the expected quantity of any new order which will outdate are developed for the case where the demand has a stationary Erlang distribution. A modified version of the one period model is shown to yield a reasonable approximation to the stationary optimal policy.
Predictive Validity of Early Literacy Indicators From the Middle of Kindergarten to Second Grade

Research has emphasized the importance of phonological awareness, phonemic decoding, and automaticity in reading development. Special and general education teachers need valid, efficient, and effective early literacy indicators for schoolwide screening and monitoring that adequately predict reading outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the interrelationships and predictiveness of kindergarten early literacy indicators from the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) within the context of a path analysis. The results support the validity of kindergarten DIBELS in predicting ever more complex reading skills in a developmental progression from the middle of kindergarten to second grade.
14C Variations in Pre-Bomb Nearshore Habitats of the Florida Panhandle, USA

This article presents radiocarbon data for known-age, pre-bomb marine gastropods, Busycon sinistrum and Strombus alatus , collected between AD 1924 and 1946 from nearshore environments of the Florida Panhandle, on the northern Gulf of Mexico. Δ 14 C was measured in whole crushed juvenile specimens ( n = 7) and terminal edges of adult specimens ( n = 6). A subsample of adult specimens ( n = 3) was subjected to additional, intrashell sampling to observe short-term variability in 14 C conditions. Δ 14 C values were consistent within and among B. sinistrum specimens, and we propose a reservoir age offset (ΔR) of –9 ± 25 14 C yr for B. sinistrum from the northwest coast of Florida. S. alatus shells exhibited significant variability from one individual to another, and also within individual specimens. ΔR values for S. alatus range from –3 ± 30 to 659 ± 30 14 C yr. These differences may result from a combination of factors, including subregional variability in inputs of 14 C-depleted waters and life-history factors including mobility, mode of feeding, and ontogenetic niche shifts. DOI: 10.2458/azu_rc.57.18353
Attribution Processes and Stages of Adult Life Development Among Adult University Students1

This study investigated the relationship between stages of adult life development and causal attributions for attending college among a sample of nontraditional students. It was hypothesized that the meaning of attending school is reflected in the kinds of attributions that are given for attending school. It was also hypothesized that internal attributions are more common at later stages of adult life development. The findings confirmed the existence of internal and external (career and situational) cognitive attributional dimensions, with the internal dimension being the strongest. Coherent stages of adult life development were identified, which corresponded to a transitional stage, an early adult stage, and a mid-adult stage. Students in the transitional stage were less likely to give external situational attributions, and students in the mid-life stage were more likely to give external situational attributions. There was also a tendency for internal attributions to increase during the mid-life phase, although the relationship was not highly significant. The findings are discussed in the context of attribution theory and adult life development theory as well as in terms of implications for educational policy.
High-power high-efficiency quasi-CW Sb-based mid-IR lasers using 1.9-/spl mu/m laser diode pumping

Power efficiency is a critical issue for mid-infrared (mid-IR) semiconductor lasers. Previously, the highest power and efficiency 4-/spl mu/m laser was pumped with 0.98-/spl mu/m laser diode. This letter used 1.9-/spl mu/m diode pumping for better quantum defect ratio and heat flow geometry. A 3.7-/spl mu/m InAsSb-AlAsSb laser yielded a pump-power-limited 1.25-W single-ended output in 1-ms-long pulse with 6.5% net optical-to-optical efficiency, in contrast with a 0.67-W thermally limited output and 2.7% efficiency with 0.98-/spl mu/m diode pumping, at 70 K. The results are believed to represent the highest quasi-continuous-wave power from a single device, highest efficiency, and, scaled to the emitting aperture, highest power density for any 3-4-/spl mu/m semiconductor laser for 1-ms pulse and /spl ges/70 K.
A Quasi EM Method for Estimating Multiple Transmitter Locations

We consider estimating multiple transmitter locations based on received signal strength measurements by a sensor network of randomly located receivers. This problem is motivated by the search for available spectrum in cognitive radio applications. We create a quasi expectation maximization (EM) algorithm for localization under lognormal shadowing. Simulated performance is compared to random guessing and to global optimization using constriction particle swarm (CPSO). Results show that the proposed quasi EM algorithm outperforms both alternatives given a fixed number of guesses, and the performance gap grows as the number of transmitters increases.
Reforma educacional, racial e política na Bahia, Brasil

This article discusses the main findings and conclusions from my field research evaluating education reform in the state of Bahia, Brazil. Data collection was done during two exploratory research trips to Salvador, the state capital, in 2001 and in 2005. The Bahian Education Reform, initiated by the state government in 1999 and funded to a great extent by the World Bank, has achieved some very significant goals, most importantly the expansion of high school education and the broadening of access to primary education in areas where access was far from universal. My research nevertheless points to some sever shortcomings, namely with regard to the situation of Afro-Brazilians. Structural racism provides one of the strongest explanations for this shortcoming. Structural racism in Bahia lowers teachers' and principals' expectations about the potential for academic achievement of poor Afro-Brazilians; structural racism widens the gap between students and principals, contributing to a mutual alienation of this two groups and jeopardizing the creation of strategic alliances and synergies inside schools; and it alienates schools from neighborhoods, impeding meaningful community and parental involvement in school management. Finally, the low recognition that public teachers receive from society as a whole, reflected by low salaries, and a general lack of institutional incentive structures that reward outstanding performance and sanction under-average performance have transformed Bahian public education into a desperado system, where the motivations of teachers and students are systematically grinded and their hopes frustrated.
Intrinsic Value: Concept and Warrant

This book addresses some basic questions about intrinsic value: What is it? What has it? What justifies our beliefs about it? In the first six chapters the author defends the existence of a plurality of intrinsic goods, the thesis of organic unities, the view that some goods are 'higher' than others, and the view that intrinsic value can be explicated in terms of 'fitting' emotional attitudes. The final three chapters explore the justification of our beliefs about intrinsic value, including coherence theories and the idea that some value beliefs are warranted on the basis of emotional experience. Professor Lemos defends the view that some value beliefs enjoy 'modest' a priori justification. The book is intended primarily for professional philosophers and their graduate students working in ethics, value theory and epistemology.
Schizotypal Personality: Psychotherapeutic Aspects

Schizotypal personality (SP) corresponds closely to the concept from which it was derived, "borderline schizophrenia," and represents, in most instances, the intermediate band of the schizophrenia spectrum. Problems often encountered in patients with SP include eccentric social habits, anhedonia, hypersensitivity to criticism, humorlessness, misinterpretation of the moods and statements of others, and inability to fit in socially. While neuroleptic medication may be useful during brief psychotic episodes (to which many patients with SP are prone), the mainstays of treatment are verbal psychotherapies. The chronicity of the condition calls for long-term therapy. An exploratory technique alone seldom suffices; therapy must also include supportive and social-reeducative measures. Modification of socially alienating mannerisms through group therapy and behavioral interventions is often warranted, in addition to one-to-one psychotherapy.