cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessing Corrosion Damage in Posttensioned Concrete Structures Using Acoustic Emission

AbstractThe ingress of chlorides into posttensioned (PT) concrete structures is a leading cause of corrosion of the prestressing strands. This reduces the strength, durability, and service life of the structure and may result in catastrophic failure. A structural health monitoring (SHM) method is needed to improve the maintenance procedures associated with this method of construction. To evaluate the potential of acoustic emission monitoring for this application, long term corrosion monitoring tests were performed on specimens that were representative of internal and external posttensioning methods. Corrosion was induced in the specimens by adding chlorides to the grout and by performing wet/dry cycling with NaCl solution. The corrosion process was monitored by half-cell potential measurements (HCP) and acoustic emission (AE). Results show that AE has the ability to detect corrosion damage in the PT specimens with similar accuracy to HCP measurements. Furthermore, intensity analysis of the AE data shows t...
A response to Oppy, and to Davey and Clifton

Our paper ‘A new cosmological argument’ gave an argument for the existence of God making use of the weak Principle of Sufficient Reason (W-PSR) which states that for every proposition p, if p is true, then it is possible that there is an explanation for p. Recently, Graham Oppy, as well as Kevin Davey and Rob Clifton, have criticized the argument. We reply to these criticisms. The most interesting kind of criticism in both papers alleges that the W-PSR can be justifiably denied by the atheist, and constitutes no improvement on the strong Principle of Sufficient Reason (S-PSR) which claims that every true proposition in fact has an explanation. The criticism is predicated on the fact that it can be shown that the W-PSR entails the S-PSR. We argue that the W-PSR's plausibility remains despite the criticisms. From this it can be seen to follow that the entailment relation between the W-PSR and the S-PSR gives one reason to believe the S-PSR.
Are there really patterns of attachment? Comment on Fraley and Spieker (2003).

Ainsworth’s description of attachment patterns in the Strange Situation is one of the best known and most enduring descriptive insights in developmental psychology. Yet attachment theorists have paid little attention to whether ABC classifications represent a true taxonomy or to mechanisms that might produce truly distinct patterns of attachment. This comment focuses on three questions. Does attachment theory require distinct patterns of attachment? How can taxonomic analysis contribute to an understanding of individual differences in attachment security? And are attachment theorists asking the right questions? The authors conclude that attachment theory is indifferent to the structure (taxonomic or dimensional) of individual differences. Nonetheless, taxonomic search methods can make important contributions to attachment study if research is broadened to include secure base behavior in naturalistic settings. Mary Ainsworth’s description of avoidant, secure, and resistant (A, B, C) attachment patterns in the Strange Situation (Ainsworth, Blehar, Waters, & Wall, 1978) is one of the best known and most enduring insights in developmental psychology. It has been the basis for extremely productive research designs, data analytic strategies, further descriptive insights, assessment at older ages, and a number of interesting theoretical extrapolations. At the same time, attachment researchers have been fairly criticized for reifying the A, B, and C classifications, too readily generalizing them beyond the reunion context in which they were discovered, and treating them as traits rather than as relationship specific. In view of the importance of the ABC classification system, it is surprising that attachment theorists have paid so little attention to whether these categories represent a true taxonomy or a mere measurement convention. It is also surprising that there has been so little discussion of mechanisms that might produce truly distinct patterns of attachment. Fraley and Spieker’s (2003) maximum covariance (MAXCOV) analysis of attachment patterns in the Strange Situation brings welcome attention to these issues. It is also a welcome introduction to and illustration of the logic, value, and difficulties of taxonomic search methods that deserve to be better known in developmental psychology. An Inordinate Fondness For Types
Piwi regulates Vasa accumulation during embryogenesis in the sea urchin.

Background: Piwi proteins are essential for germ line development, stem cell maintenance, and more recently found to function in epigenetic and somatic gene regulation. In the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, two Piwi proteins, Seawi and Piwi-like1, have been identified, yet their functional contributions have not been reported. Results: Here we found that Seawi protein was localized uniformly in the early embryo and then became enriched in the primordial germ cells (PGCs) (the small micromere lineage) from blastula stage and thereafter. Morpholino knockdown of Sp-seawi diminished PGC-specific localization of Seawi proteins, and altered expression of other germ line markers such as Vasa and Gustavus, but had no effect on Nanos. Furthermore, Seawi knockdown transiently resulted in Vasa positive cell proliferation in the right coelomic pouch that appear to be derived from the small micromere lineage, yet they quickly disappeared with an indication of apoptosis by larval stage. Severe Seawi knockdown resulted in an increased number of apoptotic cells in the entire gut area. Conclusion: Piwi proteins appear to regulate PGC proliferation perhaps through control of Vasa accumulation. In this organism, Piwi is likely regulating mRNAs, not just transposons, and is potentially functioning both inside and outside of the germ line during embryogenesis. Developmental Dynamics 243:451–458, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A 40×40 CCD/CMOS AVD Processor for Use in a Stereo Vision System

This paper presents an analog VLSI processor chip with application in a high-speed binocular stereo vision system used for the recovery of scene depth. We have attempted to exploit the principal advantages of analog VLSI - small area, high speed, and low power - while minimizing the effects of its traditional disadvantages - limited accuracy, inflexibility, and lack of storage capacity. A CCD/CMOS stereo system implementation is proposed, capable of processing several thousand image frame pairs per second for 40×40 pixel binocular images. A 40×40 pixel absolute-value-of-difference (AVD) array, the core processor of the stereo system, was fabricated in a 2 ?m CCD/CMOS process. Individual unit cells in the array were characterized and tested. The array functionality was next tested by imbedding it in a computurized stereo system and using both real scene and computer generated input image pairs. The system output was compared with full computer simulations for the same image pairs, showing good correlation.
Nuclear DNA and cytoplasmic DNA from tissues of higher plants.

Young wheat roots were labeled with 32P-inorganic phosphate. Following the labeling period, roots were homogenized in a sucrose medium and fractionated into nuclei, cytoplasmic particles (including proplastids and mitochondria), and a soluble fraction containing most of the microsomes. DNA prepared from the particles had a higher buoyant density than that from the nuclei and showed a marked loss in total label if the roots were exposed to non-radioactive medium for 48 hours prior to fractionation of the cells.
Mobility Models for Wireless Networks: Challenges, Pitfalls, and Successes

The performance of any mobile network is highly influenced by the mobility patterns of nodes in the network. In fact mobility behavior is the most important environmental factor that determines performance and influences network design. Thus it is important that we develop models that (1) accurately capture the mobility of nodes, while at the same time (2) are amenable to mathematical analysis and/or efficient simulation. In the past, the wireless networking community relied on simple models such as random walk [3] and random way- point [2]. However, the first of these models was found to be too simplistic although very useful in analysis and simulation. The latter, on the other hand was widely accepted and used in simulations. However, recently it was discovered that practitioners had severely misused it in simulations [4]. That and the growing appreciation that random waypoint is unrealistic has led to significant activities recently focusing on the development of parsimonious and accurate models describing the movement of nodes in mobile wireless networks. These have included efforts to model connectivity within sparse mobile networks associated with people and vehicles, and with the movement of units in miliatary settings. This talk will provide some of the early history in modeling mobility, including some of the failures described above. The talk will then describe the more recent application of a wide range of techniques to account for mobility. These range from Markov chains to ODE-based fluid models [6], from the use of exponential, lognormal, and heavy- tailed distributions [l]to geometric weighted Gaussian distributions for intercontact times [5], and from the use of discrete state models to continuous state PDE-based models. The goal of the talk is to provide a better understanding of the issues underlying the accurate modeling of mobility, recent progress in addressing these issues and the challenges that different approaches place on simulation.
Proteome Analysis of Peroxisomes from Etiolated Arabidopsis Seedlings Identifies a Peroxisomal Protease Involved in β-Oxidation and Development

Plant peroxisomes are highly dynamic organelles that mediate a suite of metabolic processes crucial to development. Peroxisomes in seeds/dark-grown seedlings and in photosynthetic tissues constitute two major subtypes of plant peroxisomes, which had been postulated to contain distinct primary biochemical properties. Multiple in-depth proteomic analyses had been performed on leaf peroxisomes, yet the major makeup of peroxisomes in seeds or dark-grown seedlings remained unclear. To compare the metabolic pathways of the two dominant plant peroxisomal subtypes and discover new peroxisomal proteins that function specifically during seed germination, we performed proteomic analysis of peroxisomes from etiolated Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) seedlings. The detection of 77 peroxisomal proteins allowed us to perform comparative analysis with the peroxisomal proteome of green leaves, which revealed a large overlap between these two primary peroxisomal variants. Subcellular targeting analysis by fluorescence microscopy validated around 10 new peroxisomal proteins in Arabidopsis. Mutant analysis suggested the role of the cysteine protease RESPONSE TO DROUGHT21A-LIKE1 in β-oxidation, seed germination, and growth. This work provides a much-needed road map of a major type of plant peroxisome and has established a basis for future investigations of peroxisomal proteolytic processes to understand their roles in development and in plant interaction with the environment.
True grit: a microwear experiment.

Recently we noted the effects of experimental diets on microscopic dental wear in the American opossum and concluded that it might prove difficult to distinguish the microwear produced by an insectivorous diet from that produced by some kinds of herbivorous ones. We also noted that wear caused by gritty diets and those containing plant opal, although they might be confused with one another, are easily distinguished from other sorts of dietary wear. Our conclusions have been challenged on the basis that possibly we did not allow sufficient time in the experiments for diagnostic wear patterns to emerge. Additional data reported here show that this is not so. Even in our n “control” animals, fed a relatively soft unabrasive diet, enough time elapsed to produce significant dental wear. A new technique is described which for the first time allows the study of changing patterns of microscopic wear in a living animal over a period of time, thus allowing each animal to serve as its own control. A solution containing a broad-spectrum proteolytic enzyme when applied to the teeth of an anesthetized animal removes the proteinaceous coat (pellicle) which will otherwise obscure wear scratches. Precision dental impressions can then be made which reveal the details of the pattern of microwear on the teeth.
Some optimal object-based architectural features for corrective maintenance

We investigate the relationship between some characteristics of software architecture present at the top-level design stage and the resulting corrective maintainability of five Ada systems. Measures are developed for both internal and external complexity for the subset of packages, within our five projects, that were changed to correct a software fault. These measures involve the context coupling of packages and the number of visible declarations that can be exported by a package. A relationship establishing the optimal number of object couples as a function of the mean number of visible declarations is empirically estimated based on the faults contained within our projects. We find that the optimal number of object couples varies inversely with the mean number of visible declarations. When initially designing a system, or when making modifications to an existing system, this relationship can be used to provide guidance for choosing the most maintainable design among alternative designs.
QUANTITATIVE STUDIES OF THE GROWTH OF MOUSE EMBRYO CELLS IN CULTURE AND THEIR DEVELOPMENT INTO ESTABLISHED LINES

Disaggregated mouse embryo cells, grown in monolayers, underwent a progressive decline in growth rate upon successive transfer, the rapidity of the decline depending, among other things, on the inoculation density. Nevertheless, nearly all cultures developed into established lines within 3 months of culture. The first sign of the emergence of an established line was the ability of the cells to maintain a constant or rising potential growth rate. This occurred while the cultures were morphologically unchanged. The growth rate continued to increase until it equaled or exceeded that of the original culture. The early established cells showed an increasing metabolic autonomy, as indicated by decreasing dependence on cell-to-cell feeding. It is suggested that the process of establishment involves an alteration in cell permeability properties. Chromosome studies indicated that the cells responsible for the upturn in growth rate were diploid, but later the population shifted to the tetraploid range, often very rapidly. Still later, marker chromosomes appeared. Different lines acquired different properties, depending on the culture conditions employed; one line developed which is extremely sensitive to contact inhibition.
Protease activities in human tears.

Several protease activities were measured in human tears by six specific substrates. The specific activity of cathepsin B-like enzyme was 7-fold higher in Orientals than in Caucasians. The trypsin-like and cathepsin C-like enzyme activities also showed 3 to 4-fold higher in Orientals than in Caucasians. However, the deviation in the activities of these two enzymes was high in both Orientals and Caucasians. Similar results were obtained when comparing the protease activities of tear collected by glass capillary and a filter-paper strip method.Since a surface-active small molecular weight fraction can be produced by incubation of freshly collected tears for 4 hours at 37°C, the low molecular weight surfactant may be a proteolytic product.
Early wealth effects of Asia Pacific and European NASDAQ-listed ADRs: a comparison of 1990s and 2000s issues

AbstractThis study provides the one-month excess performance analysis of the 75 Asia Pacific and 77 European equities listed in the NASDAQ as American Depository Receipts (ADRs) from 1990 through 2009. The sample is broken down not only by region of issue, but also by timing of the issue (listed in the 1990s versus 2000s). ADRs from the Asia Pacific region outperformed the NASDAQ on average by 7.2% for the 1990s issues while those listed in the 2000s decade underperformed by 4.3% in the first month of trading. However, the monthly excess returns of European ADRs exceeded the NASDAQ by 6.2% and 6.1%, respectively, for each decade. Results suggest investing in newly listed ADRs from these regions may provide investors with early returns that exceed the market index.
Acculturation and Psychological Adjustment of Vietnamese Refugees: An Ecological Acculturation Framework

Acculturation to the culture of the host society as well as to one’s heritage culture have been shown to impact immigrants’ adjustment during the years following resettlement. While acculturation has been identified as an important factor in adjustment of Vietnamese immigrants (Birman and Tran in Am J Orthopsychiatr 78(1):109–120. doi:10.1037/0002-9432.78.1.109, 2008), no clear pattern of findings has emerged and too few studies have employed an ecological approach. The purpose of this paper is to contextualize the study of acculturation and adjustment by taking an ecological approach to exploring these relationships across several life domains, using a bilinear scale, and examining mediators of these relationships for adult Vietnamese refugees (N = 203) in the United States. We call this approach the Ecological Acculturation Framework (EAF). Results of a structural equation model (SEM) showed that job satisfaction fully mediated the relationship between American acculturation and psychological distress, demonstrating that this relationship was specific to an occupational domain. However, while Vietnamese acculturation predicted co-ethnic social support satisfaction, it did not predict reduced psychological distress. Implications for a life domains approach, including domain specificity, are discussed.
The Rise and Fall of Civil Religion: Comparative Perspectives

This paper posits that one common source for diverse civil religious experiments is a "reaction to a problematic pluralism.' We seek to demonstrate this by focusing on two cases removed from each other in time and space: post-revolutionary France and contemporary Malaysia. They also differ sharply in the particular civil religious variant and mood adopted, which we illustrate in an initial, descriptive section on civic rituals and beliefs for our two core cases. After showing that French civil religion is participatory and ecstatic while Malaysia's is passive and controlled, we ask why modern civil religions are so visible at certain historical junctures. We locate the answer in particular, politically troublesome features of the formation of national states and view the roots of civil religion in a central state's assault on its citizens'parochial identities. It is when gaps are experienced between parochial identities and the claims of the state that civil religion is generated. Finally, after exploring three major variants of civil religion -their existence and viability for our two cases and selected others -we ask: why do modern civil religions fail? The literature on "civil religion" has been growing rapidly. Halfway between the appearance of Bellah's pivotal essay and the present moment, it was already possible to compile a ten page bibliography (Kathan and Fuchs-Kreimer, 1975). The flood of words shows no signs of receding, as special issues of journals or panels at scholarly conferences testify;1 yet several major (and related) shortcomings plague much of the recent discussion. The empirical grounding has often been treated rather cavalierly; the promise of a new, comparative study of religion and polity has not been met; and the range of social phenomenona to which the term "civil religion" applies grows more obscure with each new essay. (1) Martin Marty has recently criticized students of American civil religion for largely neglecting the actual beliefs and practices of the American people (1976:189-190, 194). In Marty's view, scholarly exegesis of what are taken to be exemplary texts has prospered at the expense of the study of the attitudes and, especially, behavior of those who allegedly believe. Marty and others have furthermore suggested that what Bellah takes to be the civil religion is an effective force only for an extremely narrow, though nonetheless influential sector of the population (e.g., Marty, 1974; Novak, 1974).
Organ Entrapment and Renal Morcellation: Permeability Studies

AbstractWe collected 24 intact LapSacs**Cook Urological, Inc., Spencer, Indiana. during a laparoscopy course at our institution. Following laparoscopic nephrectomy or nephroureterectomy in a pig using high speed electrical tissue morcellation, the sacks were examined for perforation. When filled with water, 4 of the 24 LapSacs (16%) were found to have small perforations. The 20 remaining sacks were randomly divided into 3 groups of 6 and 2 sacks, although intact, were kept as substitutes to use if a trial with the study sacks could not be completed. Each group of 6 sacks was tested for permeability using 10mg./ml. bovine serum albumin, 8mg./ml. indigo carmine or 1 × 105/ml. mouse bladder tumor cells. The results in the 18 tested sacks showed no dialysis of bovine serum albumin in the dialysate at 1, 3 and 18 hours, and no dialysis of indigo carmine at 0, 1, 2 and 3 hours. In 1 of 6 sacks tested with a mouse bladder tumor cell line a single cell was noted on the hemocytometer at 1 and 3 hours. The lack of ...
Low Density Supersonic Decelerator Flight Dynamics Test-1 Flight Design and Targeting

NASA's Low Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) program was established to identify, develop, and eventually qualify to Test [i.e. Technology] Readiness Level (TRL) - 6 aerodynamic decelerators for eventual use on Mars. Through comprehensive Mars application studies, two distinct Supersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (SIAD) designs were chosen that afforded the optimum balance of benefit, cost, and development risk. In addition, a Supersonic Disk Sail (SSDS) parachute design was chosen that satisfied the same criteria. The final phase of the multi-tiered qualification process involves Earth Supersonic Flight Dynamics Tests (SFDTs) within environmental conditions similar to those that would be experienced during a Mars Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) mission. The first of these flight tests (i.e. SFDT-1) was completed on June 28, 2014 with two more tests scheduled for the summer of 2015 and 2016, respectively. The basic flight design for all the SFDT flights is for the SFDT test vehicle to be ferried to a float altitude of 120 kilo-feet by a 34 thousand cubic feet (Mcf) heavy lift helium balloon. Once float altitude is reached, the test vehicle is released from the balloon, spun-up for stability, and accelerated to supersonic speeds using a Star48 solid rocket motor. After burnout of the Star48 motor the vehicle decelerates to pre-flight selected test conditions for the deployment of the SIAD system. After further deceleration with the SIAD deployed, the SSDS parachute is then deployed stressing the performance of the parachute in the wake of the SIAD augmented blunt body. The test vehicle/SIAD/parachute system then descends to splashdown in the Pacific Ocean for eventual recovery. This paper will discuss the development of both the test vehicle and the trajectory sequence including design trade-offs resulting from the interaction of both engineering efforts. In addition, the SFDT-1 nominal trajectory design and associated sensitivities will be discussed as well as an overview of the on-board flight software used to trigger and sequence the main flight events necessary to deploy the deceleration technologies. Finally, as-flown performance of the SFDT-1 system will be discussed.
Will the Real Bifurcation Diagram Please Stand Up

Chip Ross (sross@bates.edu) is associate professor of mathematics at Bates College. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Rochester in 1985, and became interested in chaotic dynamical systems shortly after arriving at Bates. He is interested in finding novel uses of computer graphics to illustrate known mathematics and to suggest new hypotheses. He enjoys introducing material on chaos and fractals to K-12 teachers. He also finds some time to play the pipe organ, enjoy his family, and lose far too many tennis games to other Bates faculty.
Study of antifoaming agents and preliminary evaluation of their use in experimental pulmonary edema.

Summary1. The collapse of the foam which fills the tracheobronchial tree in certain cases of pulmonary edema would be advantageous in the management of this condition. This might be accomplished by the use of antifoaming agents. 2. A method for measuring antifoaming activity in vitro is described and various antifoaming substances are compared by this method in terms of their foamdestroying power. 3. The inhalation of one of these substances, a solution of the silicone DC Antifoam A, in ether, was shown to reduce the incidence of adrenaline induced pulmonary edema in rabbits by 50%.
Gamma-Gamma Directional Correlations in the Decay of Nd 147

A 10-cc coaxial Ge(Li) detector and a 2-in.\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2-in. NaI(Tl) detector were used in conjunction with a multichannel coincidence configuration to investigate the following $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ directional correlations in the decay of 11.1-day ${\mathrm{Nd}}^{147}$: 319-91, 398-91, 440-91, 121-319, and 276-319 keV. Using the well-established values of $\frac{7}{2}$ and $\frac{5}{2}$ for the ground and 91-keV levels, respectively, and an admixture of $(1.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.4)% E2$ for the 91-keV transition, this experiment favored the following spin assignments to the various levels: 410 ($\frac{3}{2}$), 489 ($\frac{5}{2}$), 531 ($\frac{5}{2}$), and 686 keV ($\frac{5}{2}$). The $M1+E2$ multipolarity mixtures obtained, which are in agreement with nuclear-orientation and internal-conversion measurements reported by previous investigators, for each of the respective $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ transitions are: $121 (1.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5)% E2$, $276 (\ensuremath{\sim}1)% E2$, $319 (11\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2)% E2$, $398 (3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2)% E2$, and 440 keV $(27\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}7)% E2$. A 310-keV $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ ray proposed by several investigators was directly observed in the Ge(Li) spectrum; measurements indicate that this peak decays with the half-life of ${\mathrm{Nd}}^{147}$.
Temperature Relationships of the Development of Northern Corn Rootworm Eggs

The threshold temperature for hatching of eggs of Diabrotica longicornis (Say) was determined as 52°F. The thermal constant for tile first hatching was about 400 degree-days above 52°F. First hatching in the field can be expected when the average soil temperature condition at the 5—10-cm level reaches 368–396 cumulated degree-days. First hatching also coincided with the air temperature cumulation of about 500 degree-days. This index must be scaled up or down depending on the condition of the ground cover.
Impacts of Fractional Snow Cover on Surface Air Temperature in the NCAR Community Atmosphere Model (NCAR-CAM2)

The NCAR Community Atmosphere Model (CAM2) coupled with the Community Land Model (CLM2) shows a significant warm bias in surface air temperature over snow-covered areas in winter. An intercomparison of surface albedos from CAM2/CLM2 and MODIS reveals that in the northern mid-latitude grassland and cropland regions, the modeled values are much lower than observations mainly due to shallower-than observed snow depth. This underestimated snow depth is related to how snow cover fraction (SCF)is parameterized in the land module (CLM2). Most land surface models relate SCF to grid (or patch) averaged snow depth and surface roughness length. This study suggests that the SCF formulation of Yang et al. largely improves the simulations of snow depth, surface albedo and surface air temperature over non-forested regions in winter. However, snow ablation is delayed and a cold bias appears in spring, suggesting that the SCF-snow depth relationship may be different for accumulation and ablation, seasons. Guided by limited watershed-scale measurements, a different SCF-snow depth formulation for ablation season was tested in CLM2. Preliminary modeling results from CAM2/CLM2 indicated that using this SCF scheme for melting period and the SCF scheme of Yang et al. for accumulation period leads to the most encouraging results, such as a significant reduction of wintertime warm bias over snow-covered areas and few undesired effects on the springtime snow depth and air temperature. The caution of using these schemes will also be discussed.
Priority Should be Given to the Use of English in the Public English Teaching

A priority should be given to the use of English in the public English teaching so as to demonstrate the purpose of it. With the basis to use English in class teaching,necessary Chinese supplement can not be omitted so that ideal teaching result can be achieved.
Evolving Opinions: Evidence on Marriage Equality Attitudes from Panel Data

Objective In the wake of a massive shift in public opinion on same-sex marriage, scholars have examined the factors that predict support of marriage equality. This research, largely from cross-sectional or trend data, leaves questionable evidence for causality. In this research note, we use newly available panel data to predict attitudes toward marriage equality. Methods We use three three-wave panels of survey data from the General Social Survey (2006–2014) to estimate the effects of both time-variant and nonvariant characteristics on attitudes toward marriage equality. Results Using time-variant factors, we support prior research, finding evidence for the causal effect of political views and time period on attitudes. Unlike earlier research, we find no significant effect of church attendance or marital or parental status. Among invariant characteristics, we largely support prior research on the effect of demographic characteristics on attitudes. Conclusion This analysis underscores the importance of using longitudinal data to support causal inferences and augment cross-sectional research on political attitudes.
Dating attitudes and expectations among young Chinese adults: an examination of gender differences

While researchers have long examined the dating and mate selection patterns among young adults, the vast majority have utilized Western samples. In order to further our understanding of the changing nature of dating behaviors and attitudes, this study examines a sample of young Chinese adults and focuses upon the gender differences therein. Using a foundation of social exchange theory, the analyses illustrate the differences between the dating attitudes and expectations of Chinese women and men. Per traditional expectations, both sexes place a low priority on sexual behaviors, yet more progressive attitudes and behaviors are also evident. Women, in particular, appear to be more focused on pragmatic qualities in prospective partners. The influence of individualist values and the changing cultural norms pertaining to dating and familial roles are discussed.
IBMTR Analysis of Results of Bone Marrow Transplantation in Acute Leukemia

Bone marrow transplants from HLA-identical siblings are increasingly used to treat acute leukemia including acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We review transplant results in 3710 persons with AML and ALL reported to the International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry (IBMTR) between 1984 and 1989.
Erforschung der Proteine und Proteome

Proteine uben bei fast allen biologischen Vorgangen entscheidende Funktionen aus – bei der Katalyse, bei der Ubermittlung von Signalen und bei der Strukturbildung. Dieses bemerkenswert breite Funktionsspektrum ist moglich, weil es viele Tausende von Proteinen gibt, die in jeweils spezifischer Weise zu einer dreidimensionalen Struktur gefaltet sind, die sie dazu befahigt, mit einem oder mehreren Partnern aus einer Vielzahl von Molekulen zu interagieren. Eines der Hauptziele der Biochemie ist es herauszufinden, wie die Aminosauresequenz die Konformation eines Proteins und damit seine Funktion festlegt. Wir mochten auserdem wissen, wie Proteine spezifische Substrate und andere Molekule binden, wie sie katalytisch aktiv werden und wie sie Energie und Information ubertragen.
Angiotensin Receptor Stimulation of Transforming Growth Factor-β in Rat Skin and Wound Healing

Numerous studies have implicated the octapeptide angiotensin II (ANG II) as a growth factor. There is a link between angiotensin and cell growth in cardiovascular hypertrophy, in proto-oncogene regulation1 and in the excessive smooth muscle cell proliferation that occurs after balloon catheter injury.2 The neointimal regrowth has been shown to be decreased by treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and losartan, an AT1 receptor antagonist.3 Although ACE inhibitors have many actions, further work by Powell et al. 4 support the role of ANG II as the growth promotor of vascular smooth muscle cells and matrix protein synthesis. Further evidence is that in aortic smooth muscle cells in culture, ANG II stimulates [3H]thymidine incorporation but the effect depends on the types of cell cultures used and the presence of serum or platelet-derived growth factor or epidermal growth factor.5 Thus the growth action of ANG II may depend on its ability to stimulate other growth factors. Majesky et al. 6 showed that transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) mRNA expression in the blood vessel wall was increased after vascular injury. The neointimal smooth muscle cells had positive staining for TGF-β, and taken together these studies suggest that angiotensin in the vascular wall stimulates paracrine production of TGF-β and other growth factors.
New findings on venous thrombogenesis.

Venous thrombosis (VT) is the third most common cause of cardiovascular death worldwide. Complications from VT and pulmonary embolism are the leading cause of lost disability-adjusted life years. Risks include genetic (e.g., non-O blood group, activated protein C resistance, hyperprothrombinemia) and acquired (e.g., age, surgery, cancer, pregnancy, immobilisation, female hormone use) factors. Pathophysiologic mechanisms that promote VT are incompletely understood, but involve abnormalities in blood coagulability, vessel function, and flow (so-called Virchow’s Triad). Epidemiologic studies of humans, animal models, and biochemical and biophysical investigations have revealed contributions from extrinsic, intrinsic, and common pathways of coagulation, endothelial cells, leukocytes, red blood cells, platelets, cell-derived microvesicles, stasis-induced changes in vascular cells, and blood rheology. Knowledge of these mechanisms may yield new therapeutic targets. Characterisation of mechanisms that mediate VT formation and stability, particularly in aging, are needed to advance understanding of VT.
Growth and Development of the Violaceous Euphonia and Palm Tanager in Trinidad

The growth and postnatal development of Violaceous Euphonia ( Euphonia violacea ) and Palm Tanager ( Thraupis palmarum ) chicks were studied in Arima Valley, Trinidad. Like many tropical passerines, these two tanagers had lower growth rates (K = 0.462 and 0.386; T10-90 = 9.6 and 12 days respectively) than comparable sized temperate zone species. Palm Tanagers fledged at the age of 18 days and the Euphonias between 17 and 20 days. Both species were poikilothermic at hatching and only became homeothermic at 9-10 days post hatching. Chicks of both species gaped silently which may be an anti-predator detection adaptation. The reduced mobbing by the adult tanagers may represent an adaptive response to increase adult survival and, as a result, long-term reproductive success.
Effect of CeO2 Coatings and Interfacial Segregations of S and C on the Oxidation Behaviour of Fe-Cr Alloys in O2

The influence of 4 nm thick CeO2 coatings and interfacial segregation of S and C on the oxidation resistance of Fe-20Cr at 1173 K in 1 torr oxygen were examined using 18O/SIMS, TEM and SEM/EDX for periods up to 19 hrs. The CeO2 became incorporated into the oxide scale and promoted the formation and retention of an adherent layer displaying a 10 times lower oxidation rate. Tracer studies with 16O/18O have confirmed a change in the oxidation mechanism. During oxidation of both uncoated and coated alloys sulfur and carbon accumulate at the metal/oxide interface. The amount of segregated sulfur does not vary with time, whereas the level of segregated carbon increases. The total amount of segregants was found to be the same in both untreated and coated alloys.
A case study for teaching students agile and scrum in Capstone course

Most of the computer science programs require the student to take a capstone course in their curriculum. This paper gives an introduction to an Agile approach used in student's capstone class. Agile project management has been proved to be successful in small size projects because of its characteristics of adaptive planning, evolutionary development, and flexible response to changes. In the capstone class, students learned about Scrum methodology and implemented them when they worked on their group project. Some of the project ideas come from faculties and supervisors based on real requirements, which triggered great interests among students to work on them. We discuss insights we observed over two semesters and present recommendations that may be helpful for those who are interested in incorporating similar approaches in their capstone class. Overall, the final yield of the class turns out to be quite promising. One of the projects was adopted by the university and released to more than ten thousands of students.
Resolving Inflammation by Targeting an Ancient Innate Immune Sensor with a Bacterial Metabolite.

Bacterial, fungal, and plant metabolites are promising sources of small molecules for drug discovery. Smith et al. show that tapinarof, a bacteria-derived polyphenol, is an aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligand that attenuated inflammatory responses and shows therapeutic potential for inflammatory skin diseases. This work adds to the growing literature stemming from the renewed interest in the discovery and development of novel small molecules with anti-inflammatory activity.
High rates of cancer screening among dialysis patients seen in primary care a cohort study.

Abstract Routine preventive cancer screening is not recommended for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) 1 due to their limited life expectancy. The current extent of cancer screening in this population is unknown. Primary care (PC) reminder systems or performance incentives may encourage indiscriminate cancer screening. We compared rates of cancer screening in patients with ESRD, with and without PC visits. This is a retrospective cohort study using United States Renal Data System (USRDS) billing data and electronic medical record data. Patients aged ≥18 years starting dialysis from 2001 to 2008, Midwest regional dialysis network were categorized with or without a PC visit (defined as an office visit in family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, geriatrics or preventive medicine during the first two years of dialysis). Cancer screening was based on Current Procedural Terminology codes in USRDS. We identified 2512 incident dialysis patients (60% men, median age 65y). Cancer screening rates were more frequent among those seen in PC: 38% vs 19% (P = 0.0002), for breast; 18% vs 10% (P = 0.047) for cervical; 13% versus 8% (P = 0.024) for prostate; and 18% vs 9% (P = 0.0002) for colon cancer. Multivariable analyses found that those with PC were more likely to be screened after adjusting for age, sex, and comorbidities. In our practice, cancer screening rates among chronic dialysis patients are lower than those previously reported for our general population (64% for breast cancer). However, a sizeable proportion of our ESRD population does receive cancer screening, especially those still seen in primary care.
Translation-relevant EEG phenotypes in a mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome.

Abstract Identification of comparable biomarkers in humans and validated animal models will facilitate pre-clinical to clinical therapeutic pipelines to treat neurodevelopmental disorders. Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is a leading known genetic cause of intellectual disability with symptoms that include increased anxiety, social and sensory processing deficits. Recent EEG studies in humans with FXS have identified neural oscillation deficits that include enhanced resting state gamma power and reduced inter-trial coherence of sound evoked gamma oscillations. To determine if analogous phenotypes are present in an animal model of FXS, we recorded EEGs in awake, freely moving Fmr1 knock out (KO) mice using similar stimuli as in the human studies. We report remarkably similar neural oscillation phenotypes in the Fmr1 KO mouse including enhanced resting state gamma power and reduced evoked gamma synchronization. The gamma band inter-trial coherence of neural response was reduced in both auditory and frontal cortex of Fmr1 KO mice stimulated with a sound whose envelope was modulated from 1 to 100 Hz, similar to that seen in humans with FXS. These deficits suggest a form of enhanced ‘resting state noise’ that interferes with the ability of the circuit to mount a synchronized response to sensory input, predicting specific sensory and cognitive deficits in FXS. The abnormal gamma oscillations are consistent with parvalbumin neuron and perineuronal net deficits seen in the Fmr1 KO mouse auditory cortex indicating that the EEG biomarkers are not only clinically relevant, but could also be used to probe cellular and circuit mechanisms of sensory hypersensitivity in FXS.
Advocacy Resources and Other Client Assistance Programs

This chapter discusses two different approaches of meeting some of the deficiencies of fair hearings. One approach assumes that the present fair hearing structure will continue to exist but seeks to improve the resources available for the client. Among these resources are (1) legal services attorneys who can be induced to undertake more Tide XX cases, (2) attorneys in Judicare programs, in prepaid plans, and in private practice who might undertake Tide XX work as a part of their pro bono work, (3) paralegals and lay advocates who can be trained to handle legal problems, which do not require a lawyer, and (4) self-help programs. The other approach looks to structural modification of the adversary system. Although the adversarial fair hearing system is the basic model, there are a variety of alternatives which are being used in a number of different contexts.
The Viscoelastic Response of a Graphite/Epoxy Laminate

An accelerated characterization method for resin matrix composites is reviewed. Methods for determining compliance master curves are given. Creep rupture analytical models are discussed as applied to polymer-matrix composites. Comparisons between creep and rupture experiments and phenomenological models are presented.
Die Organisation globaler Innovation

In der bis dahin grosten Firmenfusion der Geschichte schlossen sich am 1. Januar 1997 die Unternehmen Sandoz AG und Ciba AG zur Novartis AG zusammen. (Marktwert der Ciba und Sandoz zum Zeitpunkt des Zusammenschlusses: 80 Mrd. US $, vgl. Ab-bildung 1). Novartis wurde zum grosten Pharmakonzern der Welt und zweitgrostes Unternehmen Europas. Die Fusion war uberraschend, da sowohl Sandoz als auch Ciba 1995 ihr erfolgreichstes Jahr, dem Zeitpunkt der ersten Gesprache, hatten. Sie waren erfolgreiche, gesunde und global agierende Weltklasseunternehmen, die miteinander im Wettbewerb standen. Beide hatten aussichtsreiche neue Produkte im Entwick-lungsstadium. Die Fusion war Hohepunkt des anhaltenden Konsolidierungsprozess der Branche. Konkurrenz, Kostendruck, Generika, „me-too“ Produkte und Sattigung des Marktes sind als wichtige Faktoren herauszustellen. Zudem ist als fur diese Branche essentiellster Faktor die Bedeutung der F&E hervorzuheben. Der Weg eines Medi-kaments bis zur Produktreife dauert im Durchschnitt 10-12 Jahre. Jedoch gelangen in der Regel nur 3 von anfangs 100 Wirkstoffen durch die Entwicklungs-Pipeline auf den Markt. Nimmt man die maximale Zeitdauer des Patenschutzes von 20 Jahren in den Vergleich mit auf, so hat ein Unternehmen 8-10 Jahre Zeit, mit den wenigen Endpro-dukten die enormen Kosten der gesamten F&E durch entsprechende Ruckflusse wett-zumachen und daruber hinaus Gewinn zu erwirtschaften.
The 87-kD A gamma-globin enhancer-binding protein is a product of the HOXB2(HOX2H) locus.

Developmental regulation of globin gene expression may be controlled by developmental stage-specific nuclear proteins that influence interactions between the locus control region and local regulatory sequences near individual globin genes. We previously isolated an 87-kD nuclear protein from K562 cells that bound to DNA sequences in the beta- globin locus control region, gamma-globin promoter, and A gamma-globin enhancer. The presence of this protein in fetal globin-expressing cells and its absence in adult globin-expressing cells suggested that it may be a developmental stage-specific factor. A lambda gt11 K562 cDNA clone encoding a portion of the HOXB2 (formerly HOX2H) homeobox gene was isolated on the basis of the ability of its beta-galactosidase fusion protein to bind to the same DNA sequences as the 87-kD K562 protein. Because no other relationship had been established between the 87-kD K562 protein and the HOXB2 protein other than their ability to bind ot the same DNA sequences, we have investigated whether the two proteins are related antigenically. Our data show that antisera produced against the HOXB2-beta-gal fusion protein and a synthetic HOXB2 decapeptide react specifically with an 87-kD protein from K562 nuclear extract, showing that the 87-kD K562 nuclear protein is a product of the HOXB2 locus, and is the first demonstration of cellular HOXB2 protein.
The complexity of support : The impact of family structure and provisional support on african American and white adolescent mothers' well-being

The importance of social support to the well-being of adolescent parents is a frequently discussed topic in the teen parenting literature. However, the meaning and conceptualization of social support varies across study and the heterogeneity within the teen parent population is often overlooked. In an effort to understand its role more precisely, the present study defined support both in terms of its structural and provision components, and examined the association of these components with both perceived psychological and behavioral measures of maternal well-being for a sample of white and African American teen mothers. Specifically, the relative contribution of household structure and provisional social support to the well-being of a sample of 107 African American and 146 white teen mothers was measured respectively. Results indicate great variability in the structural and provisional support adolescent mothers receive, regardless of race. Independent of other effects, provisional supports are more strongly associated with maternal well-being than is family structure. Further, the impact of these different types of support varies by race.