cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experiment and simulation validated analytical equivalent circuit model for piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers

An analytical Mason equivalent circuit is derived for a circular, clamped plate piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (pMUT) design in 31 mode, considering an arbitrary electrode configuration at any axisymmetric vibration mode. The explicit definition of lumped parameters based entirely on geometry, material properties, and defined constants enables straightforward and wide-ranging model implementation for future pMUT design and optimization. Beyond pMUTs, the acoustic impedance model is developed for universal application to any clamped, circular plate system, and operating regimes including relevant simplifications are identified via the wave number-radius product ka. For the single-electrode fundamental vibration mode case, sol-gel Pb(Zr0.52)Ti0.48O3 (PZT) pMUT cells are microfabricated with varying electrode size to confirm the derived circuit model with electrical impedance measurements. For the first time, experimental and finite element simulation results are successfully applied to validate extensive electrical, mechanical, and acoustic analytical modeling of a pMUT cell for wide-ranging applications including medical ultrasound, nondestructive testing, and range finding.
Use of a Mixture of n-Dodecyl-β-d-maltoside and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate in Poly(dimethylsiloxane) Microchips To Suppress Adhesion and Promote Separation of Proteins

Dynamic modification of poly(dimethylsiloxane) channels using a mixture of n-dodecyl-β-d-maltoside (DDM) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is able to suppress analyte adsorption and control electroosmotic flow (EOF). In this mixed surfactant system, the nonionic surfactant DDM functions as a surface blocking reagent, whereas the anionic surfactant SDS introduces negative charges to the channel walls. Changing the DDM/SDS mixing ratio tunes the surface charge density and the strength of EOF. Using 0.1% (w/v) DDM and 0.03% (w/v) SDS, Alexa Fluor 647 labeled streptavidin can be analyzed according to the charges added by the fluorophores. Protein molecules with different numbers of fluorophores are well resolved. DDM and SDS also form negatively charged mixed micelles, which act as a separation medium. The low critical micellar concentration of DDM/SDS mixed micelles also allows the use of SDS at a nondenaturing concentration, which enables the analysis of proteins in their native state. The immunocomplex betw...
The ups and downs of daily life: profiling circadian gene expression in Drosophila.

Circadian rhythms are responsible for 24-hour oscillations in diverse biological processes. While the central genes governing circadian pacemaker rhythmicity have largely been identified, clock-controlled output molecules responsible for regulating rhythmic behaviors remain largely unknown. Two recent reports from McDonald and Rosbash1 and Claridge-Chang et al.2 address this issue. By identifying a large number of genes whose mRNA levels show circadian oscillations, the reports provide important new information on the biology of circadian rhythm. In addition, the reports illustrate both the power and limitations of microarray-based methods for profiling mRNA expression on a genomic scale. BioEssays 24:494–498, 2002. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Calculation of Standard Formation Properties of Species from Standard Transformed Formation Properties of Reactants in Biochemical Reactions at Specified pH

Up until now, standard transformed formation properties of biochemical reactants at a specified pH have largely been calculated from ΔfG° and ΔfH° values of the species that make them up. The equations for doing this have been derived by using a Legendre transform to define a transformed Gibbs energy G‘ that provides the criterion for equilibrium and spontaneous change at specified temperature T, pressure P, and pH. In the future, the ΔfG° and ΔfH° values of organic species in aqueous solutions will increasingly be calculated from the standard transformed properties ΔfG‘° and ΔfH‘° obtained from the apparent equilibrium constants of biochemical reactions and their temperature coefficients or apparent heats of reaction measured at a specified pH. It is therefore important to consider the inverse Legendre tranform that defines the Gibbs energy G in terms of the transformed Gibbs energy G‘ and the equations for calculating the ΔfG° and ΔfH° values of species from thermodynamic measurements at specified T, P,...
Heat Shock Protein Expression is Increased in Cardiac and Skeletal Muscles of Fischer 344 Rats After Endurance Training

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are expressed when cells are exposed to various types of stress and they may provide protection against cellular insult. Previous data have shown increases in HSP expression following acute exhaustive exercise in rats (Locke et al. 1990, 1995; Salo et al. 1991) and humans (Liu et al. 1999); however, it is not known if chronic exercise will increase resting levels of HSPs. The purpose of this study was to determine if basal protein levels of HSP 72/73 and HSP 60 are increased in cardiac and skeletal muscle of endurance trained Fischer 344 rats. Heart, soleus (SOL) and lateral gastrocnemius (LG) muscles were removed and hearts were sectioned into left ventricle (LV), right ventricle (RV) and atria (AT). Endurance training improved myocardial citrate synthase activity by 88, 90 and 77% and cytochrome c oxidase activity by 58, 51 and 89% in LV, RV and AT, respectively. LV and RV oxidative enzyme activities were greater when compared to AT for both trained and untrained rats (P < 0.05). HSP 72/73 expression was significantly greater (P < 0.05) in LV, RV and SOL from endurance trained versus from control rats (26, 45 and 67%, respectively). HSP 60 was also increased (P < 0.05) in LV, RV and SOL in trained relative to untrained rats. HSP 72/73 and HSP 60 were unchanged in AT and LG after training. These results indicate that endurance training increases the basal expression of stress proteins and this observation is consistent with the hypothesis that endurance training may activate a protective mechanism to stress.
Enhancing computer science education (CSE) with the use of 3D printer technology

This workshop provides an introduction to three-dimensional (3D) printing. This tutorial will: cover the general background of 3D printing, summarize popular software tools, describe associated challenges and offer suggestions for application within computer science (CS) coursework. Participating CSE educators will get hands-on experience with 3D printing tools and will be able to print a limited number of items during the workshop. Attendees will perform a full lifecycle exercise in the printing workflow, progressing from a concept, to a digital model, to a physical implementation. The workshop will also describe the authors' experience integrating this authentic learning into several IT and CS courses. Experience gained will be useful after the session in both printer and printer-less environments. See http://tinyurl.com/k65jxsm for more information. Laptop required.
Nuclear mRNA export.

Nuclear mRNA export through the nuclear pore complex has been proposed to be a unidirectional, signal-mediated and energy-dependent process. Evidence exists that this process can be influenced by many factors including other steps in the pathway of cytoplasmic mRNA formation, sequences of the RNA substrate that are either transcribed or added co- or post-transcriptionally, and extracellular effectors.
Windblown Dust on Earth, Mars and Venus

Attempts to predict threshold speeds for windblown dust and sand on Mars and Venus have raised new questions about the mechanism of soil and sand transport by wind. Estimates of threshold speeds on Mars and Venus are made including the effects of both Reynolds number and interparticle forces of cohesion. The current estimates show lower threshold speeds for small particles than previous estimates by Hess, who assumed that Reynolds number is the only important parameter. These estimates, on the other hand, show somewhat higher threshold speeds than those of Sagan and Bagnold, who assumed that the particles are cohesionless. An optimum particle size results, for which threshold speed is a minimum, contrary to Sagan and Bagnold's prediction.
A Reply to M. Marangudakis.

In his reply to our paper Marangudakis raises important points regarding: (1) the measurement of environmental values; and (2) potential risks of deep ecological views to human welfare. We definitely agree that a more rigorous approach to the measurement of environmental values is needed. While the extent of belief in deep ecology remains an open question, we believe Marangudakis may be overly simplifying deep ecology and, for that matter, Christian world views.
Conditional entrainment statistics of inertial particles across shearless turbulent interfaces

In order to gain insight into droplet behavior at the edge of clouds, a laboratory experiment has been carried out to study the conditioned statistics of inertial sub-Kolmogorov particles in shearless turbulent–non-turbulent and turbulent–turbulent mixing layers. The water droplets were injected from the homogeneous turbulence side of the flow, and their velocity and size distribution profiles were measured by a combined LDV/PDPA technique. The fluid velocity field was measured using hot-wire anemometry in the droplet-free flow. A conditioning method with the stream-wise velocity chosen as a turbulence detector function was used to identify the turbulent regions in the mixing layer. The particle concentration profiles, mass fluxes and small-scale clustering were compared for the conditioned and unconditioned cases. Previously we demonstrated (Gerashchenko et al. in J Fluid Mech 668:293–303, 2011; Good et al. in J Fluid Mech 694:371–398, 2012) that in this flow, the overall inertial particle transport is dominated by large-scale intermittent motion corresponding to turbulent bursts penetrating from one side of the mixing interface to the other, and that the particle concentration, to a large extent, preserves its homogeneous turbulence (injection side) values inside of turbulent bursts in the mixing layer. In the present work, we show that the conditioned concentration is higher for the turbulent–non-turbulent than for the turbulent–turbulent interface due to higher averaged burst widths for the latter case. This trend is opposite to that for the unconditioned concentration profiles. The unconditioned particle mass flux peaks approximately in the middle of the layer and is more pronounced for the turbulent–turbulent interface. The conditioned particle mass flux monotonically increases across the layer and is higher for the turbulent–turbulent interface. The small-scale turbulent clustering (less than 10 Kolmogorov scales) quantified by the particle radial distribution function is well preserved inside of bursts. Large-scale clustering (10–500 Kolmogorov scales) caused by the burst activity is observed for the unconditioned cases. Particles with large Stokes number are less sensitive to large-scale clustering than those with small Stokes number.
Design of a bimodal self-burying robot

Subterranean exploration so far has primarily been performed with the assistance and involvement of human beings. As more ground is broken and more layers are explored, the need for a robotic solution to make digging both easier and safer becomes greater. The applications of a self-burying robot extend from mining and military applications to humanitarian applications. This paper elucidates design principles that form the foundation for self burying robots. In this paper, a bimodal robot is described which is capable of travelling above-ground in one mode and capable of burying itself in the other mode. The variables that affect digging are examined, as well as the design decisions made in order to optimize the resources available to the robot. Finally, future work in the area of self-burying robots is discussed.
Formation and Physical Properties of Milk Protein Gels

Gelation of milk proteins is the crucial first step in both cheese and yogurt manufacture. Several types of milk gels are discussed, with an emphasis on recent developments in our understanding of how these gels are formed and some of their key physical properties. Areas discussed include the latest dual-binding model for casein micelles; some recent developments in rennet-induced gelation; review of the methods that have been used to monitor milk coagulation; and a discussion of some of the possible causes for the wheying-off defect in yogurts. Casein micelles are the primary building blocks of casein-based gels; however, controversy about its structure continues. The latest model proposed for the formation of casein micelles is the dual-binding model proposed by Horne, 1998, which suggests that casein micelles are formed as a result of two binding mechanisms, namely hydrophobic attraction and colloidal calcium phosphate (CCP) bridging. Most previous models for the casein micelle have treated milk gelation from the viewpoint of simple particle destabilization and aggregation, but they have not been able to explain several unusual rheological properties of milk gels. Although there have been many techniques used to monitor the milk gelation process over the past few decades, only a few appear attractive as possible in-vat coagulation sensors. Another important aspect of milk gels is the defect in yogurts called wheying-off, which is the appearance of whey on the gel surface. The factors responsible for its occurrence are still unclear, but they have been investigated in model acid gel systems.
Calcium Supplementation of Cottage Cheese

Abstract Cottage cheese (100g) provides only 6% of the calcium Recommended Daily Allowance for adults. Samples of fresh cheese were supplemented with calcium salts (chloride, lactate, or phosphate monobasic) to double the calcium content of the cheese to approximately 145mg/100g, and the effects of the supplementation on taste and microbial stability were studied. Supplementations did not affect pH or microbial stability during 21 d of refrigerated storage. Sensory evaluation results of a 12-member taste panel showed higher flavor and preference scores for control than for all supplemented samples ( P
A Clock Synchronization Strategy for Minimizing Clock Variance at Runtime in High-End Computing Environments

We present a new software-based clock synchronization scheme that provides high precision time agreement among distributed memory nodes. The technique is designed to minimize variance from a reference chimer during runtime and with minimal time-request latency. Our scheme permits initial unbounded variations in time and corrects both slow and fast chimers (clock skew). An implementation developed within the context of the MPI message passing interface is described and time coordination measurements are presented. Among our results, the mean time variance among a set of nodes improved from 20.0 milliseconds under standard Network Time Protocol (NTP) to 2.29 μsecs under our scheme.
Detection of FLT3 internal tandem duplication and D835 mutations by a multiplex polymerase chain reaction and capillary electrophoresis assay.

FLT3 is a receptor tyrosine kinase that is expressed on early hematopoietic progenitor cells and plays an important role in stem cell survival and differentiation. Two different types of functionally important FLT3 mutations have been identified. Internal tandem duplication mutations arise from duplications of the juxtamembrane portion of the gene and result in constitutive activation of the FLT3 protein. This alteration has been identified in ∼20% to 30% of patients with acute myelogenous leukemia and appears to be associated with a worse prognosis. The second type of FLT3 mutation, missense mutations at aspartic acid residue 835, occurs in ∼7.0% of acute myelogenous leukemia cases. These mutations also appear to be activating and to portend a worse prognosis. Identification of FLT3 mutations is important because it provides prognostic information and may play a pivotal role in determining appropriate treatment options. We have developed an assay to identify both internal tandem duplication and D835 FLT3 mutations in a single multiplex polymerase chain reaction. After amplification, the polymerase chain reaction products are analyzed by capillary electrophoresis for length mutations and resistance to EcoRV digestion. Here we describe the performance characteristics of the assay, assay validation, and our clinical experience using this assay to analyze 147 clinical specimens.
Poultry litter and tillage influences on corn production and soil nutrients in a Kentucky silt loam soil

Abstract Broiler chicken ( Gallus gallus ) manure, a rich source of plant nutrients, is generated in large quantities in southeastern USA where many row crops, such as corn ( Zea mays L.), are also extensively grown. However, the use of broiler manure as an economical alternative source of nutrients for corn production has not been extensively explored in this region. This study was conducted to examine the use of broiler litter as a source of nutrients for corn production, as influenced by tillage and litter rate, and any residual effects following application. In addition, the consequence of litter application to soil test nutrient levels, particularly P, Zn and Cu, was explored. The treatments consisted of two rates of broiler litter application, 11 and 22 Mg ha −1 on a wet weight basis, and one rate of chemical fertilizer applied under no-till and conventional tillage systems. Treatments were replicated three times in a randomized complete block design. Corn was grown with broiler litter and inorganic fertilizer applied to the same plots each year from 1998 to 2001. In 2002 and 2003, corn was planted no-till, but only N fertilizer was applied in order to make use of other residual litter nutrients. Soil samples were taken yearly in the spring prior to litter application and 4 years after the cessation of litter application to evaluate the status of the residual nutrients in soil. Two years out of the 4-year experiment, broiler litter application produced significantly greater corn grain yield than equivalent chemical fertilizer application and produced similar grain yield in the other 2 years. Corn grain yield was significantly greater under no-till in 1999, but significantly greater under conventional-till in 2000, and no difference between the two tillage systems were observed in 1998 and 2001. With 4 years of litter application, Mehlich-3 P increased from an initial 18 mg kg −1 to 156 mg kg −1 with 11 Mg ha −1 litter and to 257 mg kg −1 with 22 Mg ha −1 litter. For every 6 kg ha −1 of P applied in poultry litter Mehlich-3 P was increased by 1 mg kg −1 . Modest increases in Mehlich-3 Cu and Zn did not result in phytotoxic levels. This study indicated that an optimum rate of broiler litter as a primary fertilizer at 11 Mg ha −1 applied in 4 consecutive years on a silt loam soil produced corn grain yields similar to chemical fertilizer under both no-till and conventional tillage systems and kept soil test P, Cu and Zn levels below values considered to be harmful to surface water quality or the crop.
Clusters with Novel Properties

The size specific nature of the electronic and structural properties of small metal clusters is reviewed. Three specific examples are illustrated: the nature of hydrogen interaction with neutral and charged metal clusters, the stability and electronic properties of metal-carbon complexes and the role of electron shell filling and close atomic packing on synthesizing very stable and chemically inert clusters.
Biochemical characterization of murine glycosylation-inhibiting factor.

Abstract The glycosylation-inhibiting factor (GIF) was isolated from serum-free culture supernatants of the murine T-cell hybridoma, 231F1 cells, by using an immunosorbent coupled with the monoclonal anti-lipomodulin antibody. The isolated lymphokine is a 14-kDa protein with a pI of 5.5, as determined by SDS/PAGE and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Fractionation of a mixture of radiolabeled GIF with culture supernatant of the 231F1 cells on ion-exchange and reverse-phase columns and by gel filtration demonstrated homogeneity of the 14-kDa GIF and confirmed that the bioactivity of GIF and the antigenic determinant recognized by the monoclonal anti-GIF antibody are associated with the 14-kDa protein. The 125I-labeled 14-kDa protein binds to the murine T-cell hybridoma 12H5 cells, which have been used for bioassay of GIF, and the murine B-cell line A20.3 cells, but the binding of the protein to resting murine splenic lymphocytes was barely detectable. Under the same experimental conditions, binding of the 125I-labeled recombinant human lipocortin I to the 12H5 cells was not detectable. In contrast, the 125I-labeled lipocortin, but not the 14-kDa GIF, bound to phosphatidylserine vesicles. The results indicate that GIF does not belong to the anexin family.
First Impressions of Female Bust Size

Summary Four experiments studied first impressions of female bust size. Ss (135 males, 135 females) in Experiment 1 rated female stimulus persons from written descriptions characterizing them as having either small, medium, or large bust sizes. Ss in Experiment 2 (52 males, 56 females), Experiment 3 (50 males, 42 females), and Experiment 4 (45 males, 43 females) rated color photographs of female stimulus persons who were made up to simulate small, medium, and large bust sizes. Factor analysis showed that stimulus persons were rated on dimensions of (a) liking and personal appeal, (b) boldness and dominance, and (c) competence, intelligence, morality, and modesty. Ss in Experiment 1 gave significantly more favorable ratings on liking and personal appeal to stimulus persons with medium rather than small or large bust sizes. These results correspond closely with male and female ratings of female silhouette figures found in previous studies. Ss in Experiments 2, 3, and 4 did not differentially evaluate stimul...
A Measure of Justice: The Rabinal Human Rights Movement in Post-War Guatemala

This article explores one region’s struggle for human rights and legal justice in post-war Guatemala. Rabinal—a target of state-directed genocide in the 1980s—suffered one of the highest fatality levels of the war. In the post-war era, Rabinal human rights activists have led the struggle to demand exhumations of mass graves, build memorials, and push for criminal investigations and trials. Despite some important local victories, few of those responsible for the violence have received punishment. But that does not mean this movement is a failure. Instead, this article highlights the cultural, expressive and inprocess benefits of mobilization. Rabinal activists have restored their sense of agency and confirmed their collective identity as fighters for legal justice. Meanwhile, this local mobilization has contributed to Guatemala’s uneven process of democratization.
A Solventless Route to 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Fluoride Hydrofluoride, [C2mim][F]·xHF

The ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium fluoride hydrofluoride, [C2mim][F]·xHF, has been synthesized through a new, solventless route that excludes halogen metathesis. The byproducts are salts, alcohols, and carbon dioxide.
Pathology as the enabler of human research

Academic Pathology is a key player in human molecular science and in the powerful initiatives of the National Institutes of Health. Pathologists generate data crucial to virtually every molecular study of human tissue, and have the necessary skills and authority to oversee processing of human tissues for research analysis. We advocate that Academic Pathology is optimally positioned to drive the molecular revolution in study of human disease, through human tissue collection, analysis, and databasing. This can be achieved through playing a major role in human tissue procurement and management; establishing high-quality 'Pathology Resource Laboratories'; providing the scientific expertise for pathology data sharing; and recruiting and training physician scientists. Pathology should position itself to be the local institutional driver of technology implementation and development, by operating the resource laboratories, providing the expertise for technical and conceptual design of research projects, maintaining the databases that link molecular and morphological information on human tissues with the requisite clinical databases, providing education and mentorship of technology users, and nurturing new research through the development of preliminary data. We also consider that outstanding pathology journals are available for the publication of research emanating from such studies, to the benefit of the pathology profession as an academic enterprise. It is our earnest hope that Academic Pathology can play a leading role in the remarkable advances to be made as the 21st century unfolds.
Revision of the Genus Paratylenchus Micoletzky, 1922 and Descriptions of New Species. Part II of Three Parts.

Part III covers species with female stylet length >41 microm which are considered by this author to comprise the genus Gracilacus Raski, 1962. Seven new species of Gracilacus are described and further observations given on 14 other species. Paratylenchus strenzkei (Volz, 1951) Oostenbrink, 1960 is transferred to species inquirendae. A key to the species of Gracilacus is included.
Kinesin motors and primary cilia

Cilia and flagella play important roles in human health by contributing to cellular motility as well as sensing and responding to environmental cues. Defects in ciliary assembly and/or function can lead to a range of human diseases, collectively known as the ciliopathies, including polycystic kidney, liver and pancreatic diseases, sterility, obesity, situs inversus, hydrocephalus and retinal degeneration. A basic understanding of how cilia form and function is essential for deciphering ciliopathies and generating therapeutic treatments. The cilium is a unique compartment that contains a distinct complement of protein and lipid. However, the molecular mechanisms by which soluble and membrane protein components are targeted to and trafficked into the cilium are not well understood. Cilia are generated and maintained by IFT (intraflagellar transport) in which IFT cargoes are transported along axonemal microtubules by kinesin and dynein motors. A variety of genetic, biochemical and cell biological approaches has established the heterotrimeric kinesin-2 motor as the ‘core’ IFT motor, whereas other members of the kinesin-2, kinesin-3 and kinesin-4 families function as ‘accessory’ motors for the transport of specific cargoes in diverse cell types. Motors of the kinesin-9 and kinesin-13 families play a non-IFT role in regulating ciliary beating or axonemal length, respectively. Entry of kinesin motors and their cargoes into the ciliary compartment requires components of the nuclear import machinery, specifically importin-β2 (transportin-1) and Ran-GTP (Ran bound to GTP), suggesting that similar mechanisms may regulate entry into the nuclear and ciliary compartments.
Evidence for a narrow (S) resonance in pp annihilation at 1937 MeV

Abstract A “long target” experiment designed to search for narrow structure in p p annihilation is reanalyzed and evidence is found for a narrow resonance (Γ
Differences in Muscle Activity for 4 Touch Devices

The use of touch devices has become pervasive in businesses, coffee shops, homes, and schools. These devices are used for a myriad of different tasks for extended periods of time. However, there is little known about the effects on user’s muscles when these devices are used for extended periods of time. As part of a larger project, we present here results about the differing levels of muscle exertion degree of dynamic activity for muscles when people use four different touch devices—an iPod touch, iPad, touch screen desktop and a touch screen laptop. Participants completed four separate tasks with the devices and there were surprising and interesting differences found by device for the different muscles and tasks.
Development of a Data Management System for the Kuwait Oil Fire Atmospheric Measurement Program

Following the onset of the Kuwait oil fires in early 1991, numerous efforts to monitor and estimate the environmental effects of the fires were initiated. These efforts produced a diverse set of atmospheric data from airborne, surface-based, and satellite platforms. Organizers of the experiments, including the World Meteorological Organization, quickly recognized the value of collecting all data into a central archive. This paper describes the development of that archive. Basic requirements for the archive were that it contain all pertinent datasets, including detailed documentation about each, and provide easy access to all interested researchers. The requirements were met by developing a database management system that contains a catalog of the data inventory and a facility to order specific datasets. A graphical user interface provides access to the database. In addition to the basic capability of searching the data inventory, the system has a number of other features, including a visual catalog of satellite images, a bibliography of relevant publications, and an extensive metadata collection describing the datasets. The system is accessible from the Internet or telephone/modem from a variety of terminal types, making it available to virtually anyone with a computer. Researchers from around the world have successfully used themore » system. 15 refs., 9 figs., 2 tabs.« less
Exploring the atheist personality: well-being, awe, and magical thinking in atheists, Buddhists, and Christians

Atheists are America’s least trusted group, and stereotypes about them abound: Atheists are non-conformist, sceptical, cynical, and joyless, rarely experiencing awe. Atheists (N = 42) were recruited from the American atheist website and compared to Christians (N = 22) and Buddhists (N = 18). Groups were highly similar in their reported well-being, empathy, and other personality scales, but differed strongly on scales assessing Spirituality and Magical Ideation, where atheists rejected the concepts of spirituality and magical beliefs. Responding to the question, “Have you ever felt wonderment or felt as if you were part of something greater than yourself?,” 71% said “yes,” citing Nature (54%), Science, (30%), Music/Art (12%), and Human cooperation (8%). Respondents explained their lack of belief as deriving from a preference for logic and rationality, suggesting an intellectual component to atheism. Findings thus support the stereotype of atheists as logical, sceptical, and non-conformist, but not as cynic...
Monotonicity theorems for two-phase solids

Certain alloys, such as gold-copper, have two solid phases. We establish a general mathematical framework in which we show that the fraction in one phase and the compositions within each phase are in some sense decreasing in the overall composition. The tools used include useful new lemmas on minima of functions of several variables and parameters.
Estrous cycle-associated axosomatic synaptic plasticity upon estrogen receptive neurons in the rat preoptic area

Abstract This study examined the hypothesis that synaptic relationships change on a daily basis in the anterior preoptic area of the intact, cycling female rat. Specifically, the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPv) was chosen for analysis due to its abundant estrogen- and progesterone-receptive neurons and its critical role in the control of gonadotropin secretion. Ultrastructural analysis revealed that in the 24 h between proestrus and estrus, there was a 39% increase in axosomatic synapses upon AVPv neurons. In the subsequent 24 h to metestrus, the number of synapses decreases by 22%. Additional data showed that ovariectomy resulted in more axosomatic synapses in the AVPv relative to proestrus (46%) and metestrus (35%). Another component of the study investigated synaptic relationships on estrogen receptor-immunoreactive (ER-ir) and non-ER-ir neurons across the estrous cycle. ER-ir neurons received significantly more synaptic input at proestrus and estrus than did non-ER-ir neurons. At metestrus and following ovariectomy, no significant differences were present. The present study indicates that estrous cycle-associated synaptic plasticity occurs in the AVPv and lends further support to the critical role of this nucleus in regulation of gonadotropin secretion. Moreover, it provides the first evidence that ER- and non-ER-ir neurons are differentially innervated.
Sialic Acid-deficient α 1 -Acid Glycoprotein produced in Certain Pathological States

THE seromucoid fraction, one of the ‘acute phase react ants’, has been shown by many investigators to be increased significantly in the blood in a large number of unrelated disease states. This protein fraction1 is known to contain as major component α1-acid glyco-protein2 or orosomucoid3 and several minor components including haptoglobin, 3S α1-glycoprotein and Zn- and Ba-α2-glycoproteins4,5. The question has now been investigated whether α1-acid glycoprotein derived from pathological plasma is identical to or different from that prepared from normal blood.
The rationality of vector valued modular forms associated with the Weil representation

In a recent paper [Duke Math. J., 97, 219–233], Borcherds asks whether or not the spaces of vector valued modular forms associated to the Weil representation have bases of modular forms whose Fourier expansions have only integer coefficients. We give an affirmative answer to Borcherds' question. This strengthens and simplifies Borcherds' main theorem which is a generalization of a theorem of Gross, Kohnen, and Zagier [Math. Ann., 278, 497–562].
Neurons to Silicon: Implantable Prosthesis Processor

A processor architecture for neural prosthesis control is described. It implements real-time neural decoding from a permanently implanted electrode array to reduce the data rate from 80Mb/s to 20b/s, minimizing the wireless communication requirements. The neural signals are digitized by a 100-channel 100kS/s adaptive-resolution ADC array consuming 1muW per channel
Management of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) remains a common vascular catastrophe in all emergency departments. Currently, the natural history of AAAs indicates that risk of rupture increases considerably when the aneurysm is greater than 5 cm in diameter. Appropriate management of aneurysms is elective repair for patients with a good operative risk whose aneurysm is between 5 and 6 cm. For patients with a serious medical comorbidity, the threshold for AAA repair is usually 6 cm. Surgical management is generally safe with extraordinarily durable results. Another current option is an investigational endovascular stent graft, but the long-term outcome for these new devices remains unknown. In addition, optimal medical management should include careful control of hypertension and smoking cessation. The current prognosis for healthy patients who undergo elective aneurysm repair is excellent.
Domain wall fermions and fermion loop observables

Abstract Physical observables which involve fermion loops, such as the chiral condensate,〈ψ¯ψ〉, or matrix elements of the four-fermi operators which_ enter weak decays, require accurate off shell fermion behaviour. We investigate such off-shell contributions to〈ψ¯ψ〉 for domain wall fermions (DWF). After removing the unphysical, short-distance contributions to〈ψ¯ψ〉 by Pauli-Villars subtraction, we compare the mass dependence of the resulting physical quantity, evaluated with both the Wilson and DBW2 gauge actions, since these two actions are known to give quite different 5-dimensional DWF behaviour. We also examine the dependence of the amplitudes entering〈ψ¯ψ〉 on the fifth dimension s, to gain insight into potentially different s-dependence for low- and high-energy modes. Finally, we summarise the present RBC results for conventionally normalised〈ψ¯ψ〉 for the various actions studied.
Paving the road to preferential treatment with good intentions: Empathy, accountability and fairness

Abstract Four studies explore whether, why, and under what conditions empathy may prompt group authorities and decision makers to enact preferential treatment toward particular members, favoring those group members over others when making allocation decisions. Based on prior research that emphasizes the prosocial consequences of empathy in dyadic relations, we predicted and found that empathy can prompt group leaders to enact preferential treatment even in multi-party contexts. However, this effect was moderated by the extent to which these leaders were accountable for their decisions, with high accountability attenuating the effect of empathy on preferential treatment. The mediating role of concerns about justice was also explored. Empathy led to preferential treatment among low accountability leaders because empathic emotion led leaders to perceive preferential treatment as relatively fair. In contrast, high accountability leaders evaluated preferential treatment as relatively unfair. These results indicate that empathy leads to preferential treatment because of people's concerns about fairness—and not despite those concerns. Implications for theory and research on empathy and justice are discussed.
Live case demonstrations: attitudes and ethical implications for practice.

Background Live case demonstrations (LCDs) are now prevalent in medical education courses despite ethical concerns including that they may expose patients to undue risk. However, there are limited data regarding many aspects of LCDs to help inform policies and guidelines regarding them. Methods We conducted an Internet-based survey of clinicians who have served as faculty or attended the 2009 and 2010 professional meetings sponsored by VIVA (Vascular Interventional Advances). Results There were 106 VIVA 2009 respondents and 165 VIVA 2010 respondents. Observing an LCD was more valuable than watching a prerecorded video for most (70% in 2009; 82% in 2010) respondents. About one-third of respondents thought that LCD patients are exposed to more risk than non-LCD patients. Respondents who had been operators were more likely to agree that LCD patients are exposed to more risk ( p = 0.001 in 2009; p = 0.022 in 2010). Approximately one-third of respondents in 2009 and one-half in 2010 thought that patients experience direct medical benefit in an LCD. The majority (71% in 2009; 76% in 2010) indicated that they would support the decision of a family member or friend to be an LCD patient, few (44% in 2009; 58% in 2010) indicated that they personally would agree to be an LCD patient. Conclusions This survey provides new insights into the value and risk of LCDs. Obtaining the perspective of patients would be extremely valuable in helping to ensure that the ethical aspects of LCDs are addressed properly and thoroughly.
The prevention approach to relationship problems

Abstract The rationale for a preventive approach in helping couples in marriage is presented. While divorce rates are high and many other couples remain together but miserable, this is surely not what couples desire from the outset. The conflict and breakdown of these crucial relationships contributes to mental and medical health problems for adults and children, behavioural disturbance in children, problems in worker productivity, and serious economic difficulties for families and societies. Too many couples seek help only after significant, and often irreversible, damage has occurred. But it does not have to be that way. A variety of approaches are available that can be used to teach couples the skills, behaviours and attitudes of good relationships before they encounter damage to their unions. Here, one particular cognitive-behavioural approach is described, along with a review of research on the effectiveness of such approaches and a description of some of the strategies of this model. A list of commo...
D-optimality of the dual of BIB designs

Abstract BIB designs are shown to be D-optimal for the joint estimation of treatment contrasts and block contrasts over the class of all connected designs with v treatments in b blocks and a total of n observations. As a result, the dual of any BIB design is seen to be D-optimal for the estimation of treatment contrasts alone over the class of all connected designs with v treatments in b blocks of size k.
DIVIDED GOVERNMENT IN THE AMERICAN STATES: A BYPRODUCT OF LEGISLATIVE PROFESSIONALISM?

S since World War II, divided government has become increasingly common in the American states. A significant component of the increase is the deterioration of Republican fortunes in state legislatures: after the 1990 and 1992 elections, for example, only five state legislatures were controlled by the Republicans. I shall examine the hypothesis that the professionalization of state legislatures makes legislative service more attractive to Democratic candidates and less attractive to Republican candidates, because full-time legislative service is incompatible with another career, and Democrats, on average, have less lucrative career opportunities than Republicans. Statistical analysis of post-World War II legislative elections outside the South is consistent with the argument: other things being equal, every ten-thousand-dollar increase in real biennial legislative compensation is associated with approximately a 1% increase in Democratic legislators.
Spontaneous Playback of the Second Language: A Descriptive Study.

Spontaneous playback refers to involuntary, sometimes insistent “replay” in the mind of the second language being acquired. Anecdotal data led Krashen to hypothesize that this phenomenon is a result of stimulation of the language acquisition device. The present study surveyed 160 foreign and second language students to enlarge the data base. It was found that spontaneous playback is widespread. The data were consistent with Krashen's hypothesis and with the Monitor theory; therefore, it is concluded that the phenomenon is of interest to the profession and merits further investigation.
ON METRIC DIMENSION OF FUNCTIGRAPHS

The metric dimension of a graph G, denoted by dim(G), is the minimum number of vertices such that each vertex is uniquely determined by its distances to the chosen vertices. Let G1 and G2 be disjoint copies of a graph G and let f : V(G1) → V(G2) be a function. Then a functigraphC(G, f) = (V, E) has the vertex set V = V(G1) ∪ V(G2) and the edge set E = E(G1) ∪ E(G2) ∪ {uv | v = f(u)}. We study how metric dimension behaves in passing from G to C(G, f) by first showing that 2 ≤ dim(C(G, f)) ≤ 2n - 3, if G is a connected graph of order n ≥ 3 and f is any function. We further investigate the metric dimension of functigraphs on complete graphs and on cycles.
Conceptions of tuberculosis and therapeutic choices in Highland Chiapas, Mexico

Tuberculosis continues to be a serious disease among the poor, indigenous population of Highland Chiapas, southern Mexico. Ethnographic fieldwork among Tzeltal Indians has focused on how cultural perceptions of illness and curing influence the Indians' utilization of health care services for tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment. This article presents the views on tuberculosis and health-seeking activities of several patients in the Tzeltal hamlet of Yochib (municipality of Oxchuc). In this community, religious change (Protestantism) and the presence of a health clinic promoted biological interpretations of illness and acceptance of Western medical treatments. While patients in Yochib do not understand tuberculosis in biomedical terms, they nonetheless utilize Western services (both local and urban) to obtain treatment. Because of the long duration of tuberculosis therapy, however, these patients manifest contrasting attitudes. The article focuses on the cultural factors that influence patients' medical choices, curing strategies, and their decisions to adhere to long-term treatment regimens.
Some Medical and Social Aspects of the Treatment for Genetic-Metabolic Diseases

By enhancing the survival of certain patients with inheritable disorders, advances in medical therapy have pro duced an apparent conflict between medical ethics and the natural laws governing the viability of humans. There has arisen considerable concern that the quality of the human gene pool will deteriorate if medicine succeeds in significantly alter ing the survival and reproductive fitness of individuals with deleterious genetic disorders which were heretofore selected against by nature. A review of the successful treatment cur rently used for phenylketonuria (PKU) is given as an example of therapy for a genetic disorder which will not significantly increase the gene frequency in the population. However, the disastrous and unexpected results of reproduction by phenyl ketonuric women dramatically illustrate the unforeseen prob lems that may arise from new therapeutic approaches. Ther apy that confers normal reproductive fitness on a previously incapacitating disorder inherited in a dominant manner wil...
Effective Instruction An Inconspicuous Strategy for Dropout Prevention

Although researchers have clearly connected dropping out of school to prolonged low achievement, to date, effective teaching practices are largely absent from the milieu of interventions and programs that are employed by schools to address dropout prevention. As such, effective instructional design and delivery as a focus for keeping students with disabilities in school appears to be an inconspicuous strategy for dropout prevention. We provide an overview of dropout prevention efforts by researchers and federal, state, and local educators; a rationale for connecting effective teaching principles to the challenge of graduating students with disabilities; and a brief overview of 10 effective teaching principles and how they relate to academic success that leads to school completion. Practical strategies that teachers can use to make their instruction more effective are also included.
Thermally Induced Stress Waves in a Laminated Composite

Abstract : A solution is presented for the response of a periodically laminated elastic half plane subjected to rapid internal heating. The assumed temperature distribution has been used in previous investigations of electromagnetic absorption problems where thermal diffusion may be neglected. The laminations are perpendicular to the free surface of the half plane, and the incident flux is absorbed in each layer according to an exponential decay with depth. Since heat conduction is neglected on this time scale, the temperature distribution is discontinuous at the lamination interfaces. A microstructured continuum theory provides the dispersive model, and a solution is obtained for the composite stress in the far field. Limiting forms of the solution are included for the cases when the radiation is absorbed in the alternate layers only or when dispersion can be neglected. Several numerical examples are presented to illustrate the effect of dispersion. (Author)
Modeling-based optimization of thermoelectric nanostructures

Quantum dot superlattices and quantum wire arrays have been proposed for thermoelectric applications. Strong improvement of the thermoelectric properties in such structures is expected only if the structure parameters are carefully tuned to achieve desired carrier and phonon transport characteristics. In this paper we present our preliminary results of the modeling-based optimization of Ge/Si QDS for achieving the thermoelectric figure of merit enhancement.