cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of thermal annealing on microstructure evolution and mechanical behavior of an additive manufactured AlSi10Mg part

The powder-bed laser additive manufacturing (AM) process is widely used in the fabrication of three-dimensional metallic parts with intricate structures, where kinetically controlled diffusion and microstructure ripening can be hindered by fast melting and rapid solidification. Therefore, the microstructure and physical properties of parts made by this process will be significantly different from their counterparts produced by conventional methods. This work investigates the microstructure evolution for an AM fabricated AlSi10Mg part from its nonequilibrium state toward equilibrium state. Special attention is placed on silicon dissolution, precipitate formation, collapsing of a divorced eutectic cellular structure, and microstructure ripening in the thermal annealing process. These events alter the size, morphology, length scale, and distribution of the beta silicon phase in the primary aluminum, and changes associated with elastic properties and microhardness are reported. The relationship between residual stress and silicon dissolution due to changes in lattice spacing is also investigated and discussed.
Investigating the Complex Relationship Between Intimate Partner Violence Victimization and Perpetration Among System-Involved Women in Heterosexual Relationships: An Exploratory Analysis:

Research indicates women who perpetrate intimate partner violence (IPV) experience both more frequent and more severe IPV victimization. However, the IPV field needs additional research to understand the complex relationship between various forms of IPV victimization (e.g., psychological, physical, sexual) and IPV perpetration by women. In particular, the field needs a better understanding of the unique interplay of various forms of IPV victimization and perpetration among female system-involved survivors (i.e., female survivors involved with child protective services and/or the court system and mandated to services). Such understanding would aid extant efforts to ensure that mandated services address the experiences and meet the needs of these system-involved women. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted an exploratory, secondary data analysis using cross-sectional baseline data collected as part of a larger evaluation study of a psychoeducational therapeutic IPV and parenting program for system-involved IPV survivors mandated to services (N = 73). Results from multiple regression analyses revealed that both psychological and physical IPV victimization were uniquely associated with the perpetration of psychological and physical abuse by system-involved female IPV survivors. Furthermore, our examination of the interaction between physical and psychological victimization and its impact on perpetration revealed that higher levels of both physical and psychological IPV victimization were associated with significantly higher levels of psychological perpetration (p < .01) and increased likelihood of physical perpetration (p < .05). Results are discussed in the context of service provision within systems, agencies, and programs targeting system-involved women mandated to services for IPV.
Control of Domain Structures in Multiferroic Thin Films through Defect Engineering

Domain walls (DWs) have become an essential component in nanodevices based on ferroic thin films. The domain configuration and DW stability, however, are strongly dependent on the boundary conditions of thin films, which make it difficult to create complex ordered patterns of DWs. Here, it is shown that novel domain structures, that are otherwise unfavorable under the natural boundary conditions, can be realized by utilizing engineered nanosized structural defects as building blocks for reconfiguring DW patterns. It is directly observed that an array of charged defects, which are located within a monolayer thickness, can be intentionally introduced by slightly changing substrate temperature during the growth of multiferroic BiFeO3 thin films. These defects are strongly coupled to the domain structures in the pretemperature-change portion of the BiFeO3 film and can effectively change the configuration of newly grown domains due to the interaction between the polarization and the defects. Thus, two types of domain patterns are integrated into a single film without breaking the DW periodicity. The potential use of these defects for building complex patterns of conductive DWs is also demonstrated.
Teaching While Ugly: A Story of Racial Pulchritude, Privilege, and Pedagogy

This chapter offers a critical investigation into how the concept of ugliness manifests as more than an aesthetic interpellation. Rather, this chapter contends that ugliness, in tandem with concepts of racial pulchritude, directly and indirectly influences one’s professional identity and pedagogical efficacy. More than a strict examination of student evaluations, this autho-ethnographic analysis examines how identity categories like race, class, gender, sexuality and ability both contribute to, and circumscribe, how ugliness is socioculturally interpreted within the competitive halls and classrooms of academia. Utilizing a wide variety of sources, such as student evaluation comments, peer reviews and professional commentary, and email, and with first-person accounts, the author conducts a self-reflexive assessment about how the twin discourses of body image and racial attractiveness function within a higher education environment for a gay man of color and his professional life. The intention of this chapter is that readers should develop a more complex understanding of the practical consequences of “teaching while ugly” in addition to grasping a more rudimentary recognition and comprehension of the times, places and reasons why people are rendered “ugly” against contemporary standards of racialized beauty. The chapter draws upon a wealth of rich bibliographic sources across an array of disciplinary traditions, to create a complex picture of what kinds of aesthetic standards proliferate within the halls of academia and the consequences which predictably ensue from strict adherence to those standards for academicians of today.
Exporting Revolution: Cuba's Global Solidarity. By Margaret Randall. (Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2017. Pp. ix, 270. $25.45.)

Poet and essayist Margaret Randall offers a personal take on Cuban internationalism in her newest book, Exporting Revolution: Cuba's Global Solidarity. The author came to the topic in 2015 while co...
Abstract TP271: Predictors of Non-adherence to Post-stroke Hospitalization Clinic Follow-up

Introduction: Stroke prevention clinics allow for longitudinal follow up of stroke patients to implement and reinforce secondary prevention strategies and monitor for stroke recurrence. Adherence r...
Surface Erosion of Plasma-Facing Materials Using an Electrothermal Plasma Source and Ion Beam Micro-Trenches

Erosion characteristics of tungsten-alternative plasma-facing materials (PFMs) were tested under high heat flux conditions in the electrothermal plasma source facility at Oak Ridge National Laborat...
Who moves to the methodological edge? Factors that encourage scientists to use unconventional methods

Abstract Breaking from tradition is necessary for scientific advancement, yet we know little about the factors that encourage scientists to break from tradition in their research, particularly by using methods that are unconventional in their fields. To address this gap, we integrate the sociology of science with insights from organization theory, which delineates the evaluative advantages bestowed on those with elite status and a consistent professional identity. We use a mixed methods design. Bibliometric data on articles using three unconventional methods in sociology—Correspondence Analysis, Qualitative Comparative Analysis, and Sequence Analysis—allow us to identify which types of scholars have a greater hazard of using unconventional methods and the conditions under which these associations hold. Interviews with published, unpublished, and likely users reveal how scholars manage the career risks associated with unconventional method use. We find that scholars who are male and affiliated with top-tier universities, as well as those already committed to an identity consistent with the use of unconventional methods, have a greater hazard of using them in published work, though these associations depend on the extent to which the method diverges epistemologically from conventional methodology and the visibility of its lineage. In addition, we identify five successful (and two unsuccessful) strategies scholars use to manage their use of unconventional methods. Taken together, results from this mixed methods study advance knowledge on scientific practice, extend organization theory, and provides guidance to policymakers and administrators who aim to foster risky, path-breaking research.
Are Asian American Households More Likely than Other Households to Expect to Help Children with College Costs

We tested whether Asian American parents place more importance on helping their children with college costs than parents with other racial/ethnic groups. Our logistic regression controlling for household characteristics shows that among households with at least one child age 13 to 17, Asian American parents are not different from other racial/ethnic groups in expecting to contribute to their children’s college costs, suggesting that this social norm does not differ. White parents are much less likely than Asian American parents to list college as an important saving goal, controlling for expecting to help with college costs. In addition to saving for college, parents may have other ways to help with college costs and some parents may have met the goal already.
Differential and overlapping targets of the transcriptional regulators NRF1, NRF2, and NRF3 in human cells

The nuclear factor (erythroid 2)-like (NRF) transcription factors are a subset of cap'n'collar transcriptional regulators. They consist of three members, NRF1, NRF2, and NRF3, that regulate the expression of genes containing antioxidant-response elements (AREs) in their promoter regions. Although all NRF members regulate ARE-containing genes, each is associated with distinct roles. A comprehensive study of differential and overlapping DNA-binding and transcriptional activities of the NRFs has not yet been conducted. Here, we performed chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-exo sequencing, an approach that combines ChIP with exonuclease treatment to pinpoint regulatory elements in DNA with high precision, in conjunction with RNA-sequencing to define the transcriptional targets of each NRF member. Our approach, done in three U2OS cell lines, identified 31 genes that were regulated by all three NRF members, 27 that were regulated similarly by all three, and four genes that were differentially regulated by at least one NRF member. We also found genes that were up- or down-regulated by only one NRF member, with 84, 84, and 22 genes that were regulated by NRF1, NRF2, and NRF3, respectively. Analysis of the ARE motifs identified in ChIP peaks revealed that NRF2 prefers binding to AREs flanked by GC-rich regions and that NRF1 prefers AT-rich flanking regions. Thus, sequence preference, likely in combination with upstream signaling events, determines NRF member activation under specific cellular contexts. Our analysis provides a comprehensive description of differential and overlapping gene regulation by the transcriptional regulators NRF1, NRF2, and NRF3.
Milieu Staff Perceptions of Role and Commitment to Adolescents in a Residential Treatment Facility (RTF)

Date Presented 04/04/19 Existing research suggests that better outcomes of children in temporary placements occur when proxy caregivers exhibit commitment toward children in their care and presence of a consistent relationship exists. The purpose of this poster is to present findings of a mixed-methodology study exploring the perceptions of RTF caregivers’ in their occupation. Primary Author and Speaker: Amy Lynch Additional Authors and Speakers: Bethany Hepp
Burden of comorbidities is higher among elderly survivors of oropharyngeal cancer compared with controls

Background The prevalence of survivors of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) is increasing due to improved survival for individuals with human papillomavirus (HPV)-related disease. Although elderly survivors of OPC are known to have a high burden of comorbidities, to the authors' knowledge it is unknown how this compares with a similar cohort without a history of cancer. Methods The current retrospective, cross-sectional study included individuals with a first incident primary diagnosis of OPC from 2004 through 2011 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare-linked databases and matched controls. The baseline prevalence and subsequent incidence of comorbid conditions were identified. The association between comorbidity and overall survival was evaluated. Results A total of 2497 eligible patients with OPC were matched to 4994 noncancer controls. Baseline comorbidity was higher in cases (Charlson Comorbidity Index >0 for 48.5% of cases vs 35.8% of controls). At 5 years, cases were more likely than controls to develop comorbidities. Survivors of OPC were at high risk (≥20% cumulative prevalence by 5 years) of developing several comorbidities, including cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and tobacco abuse, and were at moderately high risk (10%-19% cumulative prevalence) of developing other conditions including carotid artery occlusive stroke, alcohol abuse, depression, and anxiety. In both cases and controls, the presence of the majority of comorbidities either at the time of diagnosis or during the follow-up period was associated with worse survival. Conclusions Patients with OPC have a higher comorbidity burden compared with matched controls, both at baseline and during survivorship, the majority of which are associated with decreased survival. Oncologic surveillance of survivors of OPC should include screening for highly prevalent conditions.
Engineering the interlayer spacing of molybdenum disulfide for efficient salinity gradient energy recovery in concentration flow cells

Abstract Salinity gradient (SG) energy is a large untapped energy source available worldwide. Here we applied MoS2 with tunable interlayer spacing to a concentration flow cell for efficient SG energy recovery. By expanding the interlayer from 0.63 nm to 0.96 nm, the ion diffusion resistance was significantly reduced and the pseudocapacitance was largely promoted. These enhanced electrochemical properties resulted in a superior performance of the concentration flow cell on SG energy extraction. The cell with interlayer-expanded MoS2 electrodes produced 11 times of the average power density compared with the cell with original MoS2 electrodes when using model seawater and river water solutions. The interlayer-expanded MoS2 was also among the most durable materials for SG energy harvesting as it allowed the cell to run over 120 cycles and work efficiently at varying salinity concentrations. When provided with brine water (300 g L−1 NaCl) and fresh water (1 g L−1 NaCl), the cell yielded a peak power density of 16 W m−2, an average power density of 1.4 W m−2, and an energy density of 181 J m−2. All these evidences support that the interlayer-expanded MoS2 is a prospective material for SG energy recovery in concentration flow cells.
Celebration of Life

As an autoethnography, “A Celebration of Life” takes an observer’s view of a family’s intergenerational dysfunction and breakdown in communication. As the extended family prepares to celebrate the ...
S-Convexity and Gross Substitutability

We propose a new concept of S-convex function (and its variant SSQS-convexity) which includes M-natural-convex function as a subclass, and establish its fundamental properties in continuous spaces. A characterization of a twice continuously differentiable S-convex function is provided using its Hessian. Several preservation properties of S-convexity are presented. We show that S-convex functions form a subclass of supermodular functions which have a one-to-one correspondence with jointly submodular and convex functions through the conjugate operator under mild conditions. Under the same conditions, we build the equivalence between S-concavity and an important concept of gross substitutability in economics. In addition, we prove that coercive M-natural-concavity is equivalent to a stronger version of gross substitutability. In a parametric maximization model with a box constraint, we show that the set of optimal solutions is nonincreasing in the parameters if the objective function is (SSQS-)S-concave. Our theoretical results are applied to two notable operations models. In a random yield inventory model where a buyer procures a single product from multiple unreliable suppliers to fulfill its random demand, we provide conditions under which the ordering quantity vector is nonincreasing in the initial inventory. For a classical multi-product inventory model, we show that S-convexity leads to two desired decreasing properties in the literature, which includes several results in the literature as special cases and significantly simplifies the analysis.
Approaching What We Hope For and Avoiding What We Fear: The Role of Possible Selves in Consumer Behavior

This paper explores the domains in which consumers possess hoped-for and feared selves and the role of products and services in approaching hoped-for and avoiding feared selves. The results from an exploratory study indicate that consumers are able to identify products, services and activities relevant to the approach or avoidance of these possible selves and that hoped-for and feared selves exist in a vadety of life-domains and are balanced for relevant lifetasks. Interesting differences also exist between males and females in the domains of hoped-for and feared selves and their reliance on products and services to realize these possible selves.
The experiences of adult nursing students completing a placement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background The emergency measures implemented by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC, 2020) in response to the Covid-19 pandemic provided nursing students in their final six months of study with the opportunity to increase their personal responsibility for the care they delivered under supervision. Aim Explore the experiences of 3rd year nursing students who completed their final clinical placement during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted via a virtual platform. Findings Three themes were identified: the importance of support mechanisms, the development of confidence, and innovative learning opportunities. Students reported improved confidence in the transition period to registered practitioner and felt well supported which enabled them to take greater responsibility. Conclusion This study provides insight into the experience of nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic, and that support mechanisms, and a sense of belonging helped to increase their confidence in clinical practice.
Infrared and Raman spectra of fluorinated ethanes: Part XV. 1,1,2-Trifluoro-1,2,2-trichloroethane

Abstract The infrared absorption spectrum of CF 2 ClCFCl 2 at three different temperatures between 30° and 110°C was obtained in the region 300–400 cm −1 with a Perkin-Elmer double-pass spectrometer equipped with CsBr, NaCl, and LiF prisms. In addition, the infrared spectrum of the solid at −170°C was recorded in the region 350–2000 cm −1 , and some of the absorption bands were studied in solution in solvents of different polarities. The Raman spectrum of the liquid at 30° and −40°C was photographed with a 3-prism glass spectrograph. In all three states of aggregation the compound exists as a mixture of rotational isomers. A value of 350 ± 150 cal/mole was found for Δ H o (gas). Tentative assignments were made for the fundamental vibrational frequencies.
Intestinal Metallothionein Gene Expression and Zinc Absorption in Rats Are Zinc-Responsive but Refractory to Dexamethasone and Interleukin 1α

The effects of dexamethasone and interleukin 1 alpha on intestinal metallothionein gene expression and zinc absorption were studied. Rats given parenteral zinc served as positive controls. A single intraperitoneal or intravenous dose of dexamethasone, interleukin 1 alpha or zinc markedly increased liver metallothionein synthesis 3-9 h after injection. Intestinal metallothionein mRNA and metallothionein protein were not affected by dexamethasone or interleukin 1 alpha, but were markedly increased by parenteral zinc. Absorption of 65Zn from isolated duodenal segments was inversely related to intestinal metallothionein concentration in rats given zinc, but was not affected by dexamethasone or interleukin 1 alpha. Plasma zinc concentrations decreased in rats given dexamethasone or interleukin 1 alpha and increased in those given zinc, but they were not related to 65Zn absorption. Similarly, multiple intraperitoneal administration of either dexamethasone or interleukin 1 alpha, or oral administration of dexamethasone, for 7 d markedly increased liver metallothionein synthesis but did not affect intestinal metallothionein concentration or 65Zn absorption. These results suggest that intestinal metallothionein gene expression and 65Zn absorption are refractory to glucocorticoid hormone and interleukin 1 alpha.
Dynamics-compatible potential fields using stochastic perturbations

This paper suggests a method for numerically constructing almost globally converging artificial potential fields for motion planning, in a way that ensures that the resulting gradient field is compatible with the dynamics of the navigating robot. Convergence to an arbitrarily small destination set can be guaranteed, and the size of the destination set can be reduced at the expense of additional off-line computational time. The construction is based on the solution of the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation associated with a related stochastic optimal control problem. This partial differential equation (PDE) is solved numerically by simulating paths of the system with Gaussian random perturbation applied to the input. The resulting control laws are optimal in terms of the magnitude of control actuation. The method is applied to the case of a Dubin's car navigating amongst obstacles.
Parallel operations on class hierarchies with double strand representation

This paper continues a series of papers dealing with the problems of (1) fast verification of the existence of a transitive relation in an IS-A hierarchy, and (2) dynamic update of such a hierarchy. As in our previous work, a directed acyclic graph (DAG) of IS-A relationships is replaced by a set of nodes, annotated by number pairs, and stored on a massively parallel computer. In this paper a new mapping of this set of nodes onto the processors is described, called the Double Strand Representation (DSR). The DSR improves the processor usage compared to our previously used Grid Representation (GR). This paper shows IS-A verification and number pair propagation algorithms for the Double Strand Representation. Test runs on a CM-5 Connection Machine 3 are reported.
The Real Effects of Opacity: Evidence from Tax Avoidance

This study provides evidence on a significant real consequence of an opaque financial reporting information environment: increased corporate tax avoidance. Using an international sample of firms, I find that firms with a more opaque information environment, as measured at both the firm and country level, exhibit higher levels of firm-specific tax avoidance. More importantly, additional tests using the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as an exogenous shock to the information environment while simultaneously controlling for tax regime changes around the date of IFRS adoption provide direct evidence on the direction of the association, namely that opacity causes tax avoidance. Similarly, the results from tests using the initial enforcement of insider trading laws provide additional support for a directional hypothesis. In support of the firm-level findings, I also find evidence in the aggregate that opacity is associated with countries collecting less corporate tax revenues as a percentage of gross domestic product. In whole, these findings suggest that tax avoidance is a significant real effect of opacity with implications for practitioners, regulators, researchers, and tax-enforcement agencies.
The recognition by RNase P of precursor tRNAs.

Abstract We have generated mutants of M1 RNA, the catalytic subunit of Escherichia coli RNaseP, and have analyzed their properties in vitro and in vivo. The mutations, A333----C333, A334----U334, and A333 A334----C333 U334 are within the sequence UGAAU which is complementary to the GT psi CR sequence found in loop IV of all E. coli tRNAs. We have examined: 1) whether the mutant M1 RNAs are active in processing wild type tRNA precursors and 2) whether they can restore the processing defect in mutant tRNA precursors with changes within the GT psi CR sequence. As substrates for in vitro studies we used wild type E. coli SuIII tRNA(Tyr) precursor, and pTyrA54, a mutant tRNA precursor with a base change that could potentially complement the U334 mutation in M1 RNA. The C333 mutation had no effect on activity of M1 RNA on wild type pTyr. The U334 mutant M1 RNA, on the other hand, had a much lower activity on wild type pTyr. However, use of pTyrA54 as substrate instead of wild type pTyr did not restore the activity of the U334 mutant M1 RNA. These results suggest that interactions via base pairing between nucleotides 331-335 of M1 RNA and the GT psi CG of pTyr are probably not essential for cleavage of these tRNA precursors by M1 RNA. For assays of in vivo function, we examined the ability of mutant M1 RNAs to complement a ts mutation in the protein component of RNaseP in FS101, a recA- derivative of E. coli strain A49. In contrast to wild type M1 RNA, which complements the ts mutation when it is overproduced, neither the C333 nor the U334 mutant M1 RNAs was able to do so.
Removal of interpolation induced artifacts in similarity surfaces

Registration of two images requires interpolation to generate a new image on a transformed grid, and the optimal transformation that maps an image to the other is found by maximizing a similarity measure. Similarity surfaces are subject to scalloping artifacts due to interpolation that give local maxima, and, in some cases, erroneous global maxima. We propose a new linear filter that is applied to input images and which removes scalloping artifacts from cross-correlation and mutual-information similarity surfaces. The computational burden is sufficiently low that it can be used in every iteration of an optimization process. In addition, this new filter generates image data with constant variance after linear interpolation, making measurements of signal change more reliable. Following filtering of MR images, similarity surfaces are smoothed with removal of local maxima and biased global maxima.
Raising high density lipoprotein cholesterol.

The predictive pawer of plasma density lipaprotein (HDL*) cholesterol concentration for the development of coronary heart disease (CHD) has now been demonstrated in four large studies in the U.S.A. (Framingham Heart Study, Lipid Research Clinics-Coronary Primary Prevention Trial [LRCCPPT], LRC Follow-up Study and Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial), and similar results have been reported from prospective studies in Norway, Israel, West Germany, Britain and Finland [l]. The collective evidence indicates that the inverse relation of CHD risk to HDL cholesterol is continuous; is independent of the concentrations of very low density (VLDL) and low density (LDL) lipoproteins; is independent of mm-lipid risk factors for CHD, such as cigarette smoking, blood pressure, glucose intolerance and obesity; applies to CHD mortality as well as morbidity; is present in bath middle-aged and elderly subjects; applies to both sexes; and applies to subjects with, as well as those without, a previous history of myocardial ischemia ]I]. In most cohorts the association of CHD with HDL cholesterol has been at Ieast as strong as that with LDL cholesterol. In North American men and women, CHD risk increases on average by 2-3LTo for each 1 mg/dL decrease in HDL cholesterol (and by 1% for each 1 mg/dL increase in LDL cholesterol) [2]. Angiographic studies and exanl~nation of vessels at autopsy have shown that these associations with clinical CHD reflect an underlying association with coronary atherosclerosis f3]. Genetic and pharmacologic studies have implicated a causal effect of HDL metabolism on atherogenesis. In mice variations at gene loci affecting HDL concentration have been found to have major effects on diet-induced atherosclerosis ]4]. In cholesterol-fed rabbits atherogenesis was strongly inhibited by BRL26314, a drug which raises HDL
Sensitivity of Drosophila melanogaster to low concentrations of gaseous mutagens. II. Chronic exposures.

Sex-linked recessive lethal mutations were induced in Drosophila melanogaster males by gaseous 1,2-dibromoethane at concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 2 parts per million. Significant numbers of mutations could be induced at all these concentrations. Pronounced germ-cell sensitivity differences were observed. For low exposures, spermatids and spermatocytes were about 10--20 times more sensitive than spermatozoa. The dose-effect relation was linear below 60 ppm . h for the 3 cell types. At higher exposures, sterility prevented mutation detection in spermatocytes and in spermatogonia. The lowest effective exposure for spermatozoa was 18 ppm . h (0.25 ppm for 72 h). In spermatids, the lowest exposure tested, 2.3 ppm . h (0.2 ppm for 11 h) induced 4 times the spontaneous mutation rate. Therefore, using prolonged exposure periods one may be able to detect concentrations in the range of parts per billion. Thus, Drosophila appears suitable as a system for detecting very low concentrations of gaseous mutagens in industrial, agricultural and environmental atmospheres.
The Net Generation’s Informal and Educational Use of New Technologies

Many educators have called for the inclusion of new technologies like blogs, wikis, and social bookmarking in higher education to address the learning needs of the Net Generation. Is there really a discrepancy between the personal and educational use of new technologies by undergraduates? What new technologies do they perceive as most beneficial for their learning? A survey piloted with 26 undergraduates in education demonstrated a huge gap in undergraduates’ informal and educational use of new technologies, but indicated that students independently apply their technical skills to their coursework. In open-ended responses, students explained how they have benefited from professors’ use of online videos, podcasts, wikis and blogs, and how they would like to see them used in the future. The results are discussed in the context of prior research and the need for further empirical evidence on the differences within the group termed the Net Generation is highlighted. Keywords: technology in education; Net Generation; use of new technologies; benefits
DEEP SURVEYS WITH THE EINSTEIN OBSERVATORY

The very first rocket experiment which discovered X-ray radiation from extrasolar sources in 1962 also discovered the existence of an apparently isotropic background of radiation in the 2–8 keV range of unknown origin.
Attenuated Listeria monocytogenes vaccine vectors expressing influenza A nucleoprotein: preclinical evaluation and oral inoculation of volunteers.

Listeria monocytogenes vectors have shown promise for delivery of viral and tumor antigens in animals. We used two mutant vector strains deleted for actA/plcB (BMB72) and actA/inlB (BMB54), and engineered both strains to secrete a heterologous nucleoprotein antigen from the Influenza A virus. Strains were evaluated in vitro and in mice. Twenty-two healthy volunteers received single oral doses of either strain in a physiological study of safety, shedding, and immunogenicity. Volunteers were observed in the hospital for seven days and had daily blood cultures, routine safety blood tests (complete blood count with differential; hepatic and renal function), and fecal cultures; none had fever, positive blood cultures, prolonged shedding, or serious or unexpected events. Four of 12 volunteers who received the actA/plcB-deleted strain had minor, transient, asymptomatic serum transaminase elevations (maximum increase 1.4× upper normal). Six of six volunteers who received ≥4 × 109 colony forming units had detectable mucosal immune responses to listerial antigens, but not to the vectored influenza antigen. Approximately half the volunteers had modest interferon-γ ELISpot responses to a complex listerial antigen, but none had increases over their baseline responses to the influenza antigen. Comparison with prior work suggests that foreign antigen expression, and perhaps also freezing, may adversely affect the organisms’ immunogenicity.
Computation of LOD scores

Linkage analysis has become the key tool for the identification of genetic factors causing human disorders. Methodology has been developed and continues to be developed to analyze linkage data for a variety of disease models and pedigree structures. We present detailed examples of three basic methods: parametric (for both dominant and recessive traits), affected sibling pair, and nonparametric linkage. Keywords: LOD score; linkage; parametric; ASP; NPL
Contrasting Toxic‐Endophyte Contamination between Endophyte‐Free and Nontoxic‐Endophyte Tall Fescue Pastures

The fungal endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum Morgan-Jones and Gams is abundant in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and one strategy to alleviate detrimental effects on livestock is to plant endophyte-free cultivars; however, these pastures frequently become recontaminated by toxic-endophyte tall fescue. An alternative strategy is to use pastures of tall fescue infected with endophyte that does not produce toxic alkaloids. Our objective was to test the hypothesis that nontoxic-endophyte infected tall fescue swards (Nontoxic-E) were more resistant to reinfestation by volunteer tall fescue and its associated toxic endophyte, than endophyte-free tall fescue swards (E-). Plots of E- and Nontoxic-E tall fescue (cultivar Jesup) with six levels of contamination by endophyte-infected K31 (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50% of viable seed weight) were established from seed at three sites in Ohio during April 2001. Observed endophyte levels for E- at the Jackson site were 77, 118, and 143% greater than expected in autumn 2001, spring 2002, and autumn 2002, respectively. Observed endophyte levels for E- at the Belle Valley site were 32, 70, and 39% greater than expected in autumn 2001, spring 2002, and autumn 2002, respectively. Observed endophyte levels for E- at the South Charleston site averaged 8% less than expected. Observed endophyte levels in Nontoxic-E at all sites were consistent with the endophyte levels in the seed that was planted, and plants had a negligible concentration of ergopeptine alkaloids. It was concluded that, where mechanisms for contamination exist, E- tall fescue stands can be readily contaminated by volunteer tall fescue and its toxic endophyte; but, Nontoxic-E tall fescue is less susceptible to contamination by volunteer tall fescue.
Congenital Urethral Polyp in a Child

A 5-year-old boy presented with haematuria and urinary retention. Investigation of similar complaints at age 1 year had been normal, although a micturating cystourethrogram was incomplete as the child would not void. On this admission, urine culture was sterile and IVP showed blunting of the superior calyces. Micturating cystourethrography showed a large polyp arising from the verumontanum on a thin stalk (Fig. 1). There was no evidence of vesicoureteric reflux. Cystoscopy confirmed the polyp and transvesical excision was performed (Fig. 2). Histological examination showed the polyp to have a fibrovascular core covered with stratified squamous epithelium.
Spiral enteroscopy: a novel method of enteroscopy by using the Endo-Ease Discovery SB overtube and a pediatric colonoscope

Background Pathologic diagnosis and therapeutic interventions on the small bowel have been difficult and challenging for gastroenterologists. In the last few years, significant advances have been made in this direction. New diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for visualizing the small bowel have been introduced. Furthermore, increased indications for small-bowel imaging and therapeutics have been recognized. However, the currently available methods have limitations, and development of newer, rapid, minimally invasive, safe, and readily available techniques is needed. Objective Our purpose was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel method of spiral enteroscopy using a specialized overtube (Endo-Ease Discovery SB) with a pediatric colonoscope (PCF-140L). Design Case series. Setting Two international tertiary referral centers. Patients Twenty-seven adult patients with obscure GI bleeding were enrolled in this study. Intervention Spiral enteroscopy with the Endo-Ease Discovery SB overtube and a pediatric colonoscope. Main Outcome Measurements Depth of insertion, time of procedure, and complications. Results Average depth of insertion was 176 cm (range 80-340 cm) from ligament of Treitz, and average time of procedure was 36.5 minutes (range 90-65 minutes). Eleven patients had minor complications, which included minimal mucosal trauma and sore throat. Limitations Small number of patients with a case series study design. Conclusions Preliminary data suggest that use of Endo-Ease Discovery SB overtube for enteroscopy is a safe and effective technique for visualization of the small bowel.
Differential effects of gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (lindane) on pharmacologically-induced seizures.

Gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH), the active ingredient of the insecticide lindane, has been shown to decrease seizure threshold to pentylenetrazol (PTZ) 3 h after exposure to gamma-HCH and conversely increase threshold to PTZ-induced seizures 24 h after exposure to gamma-HCH (Vohland et al. 1981). In this study, the severity of response to other seizure-inducing agents was tested in mice 1 and 24 h after intraperitoneal administration of 80 mg/kg gamma-HCH. One hour after the administration of gamma-HCH, the activity of seizure-inducing agents was increased, regardless of their mechanism, while 24 h after gamma-HCH a differential response was observed. Seizure activity due to PTZ and picrotoxin (PTX) was significantly decreased; however, seizure activity due to 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), bicuculline (BCC), methyl 6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-B-carboline-3-carboxylate (DMCM), or strychnine (STR) was not different from control. In vitro, gamma-HCH, pentylenetetrazol and picrotoxin were shown to inhibit 3H-TBOB binding in mouse whole brain, with IC50 values of 4.6, 404 and 9.4 μM, respectively. MPA, BCC, DMCM, and STR showed no inhibition of 3H-TBOB (t-butyl bicyclo-orthobenzoate) binding at concentrations of 100 μm. The pharmacological challenge data suggest that tolerance may occur to seizure activity induced by PTZ and PTX 24 h after gamma-HCH, since the response to only these two seizure-inducing agents is decreased. The in vitro data suggest that the site responsible for the decrease in seizure activity 24 h after gamma-HCH may be the GABA-A receptor-linked chloride channel.
Phylogenetic analysis of the formin homology 2 domain.

Formin proteins are key regulators of eukaryotic actin filament assembly and elongation, and many species possess multiple formin isoforms. A nomenclature system based on fundamental features would...
Spiral CT: decreased spatial resolution in vivo due to broadening of section-sensitivity profile.

Comparable conventional and spiral computed tomographic (CT) scanning protocols for transaxial (n = 30) and multiplanar reformation (MPR) (n = 15) imaging were performed to image the adrenal gland and the upper pole of the right kidney in the same patient, without use of intravenously administered contrast media. The sharpness of soft-tissue-fat interfaces oriented in the transverse (xy) and longitudinal (z) directions was measured as the maximum and full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the edge attenuation profile first derivative. Edge sharpness was qualitatively assessed by three blinded reviewers, who used a four-point scale. In vivo transaxial CT studies showed that the conventional scans produced slightly sharper edges than the spiral scans (mean difference of spiral and conventional FWHM = 0.30 mm [P < .05] [in z direction] and 0.21 mm [P < .05] [in xy direction]). In vivo MPR studies showed that interfaces in the xy plane were significantly less sharp with spiral scanning, whereas interfaces in th...
Handbook of Mineral Exploration and Ore Petrology: Techniques and Applications.: R. Dahana Raju. Pp. 494. 2009. Geological Society of India. ISBN 978-81-85867-92-2. Price US$26.21 (Paperback).

This new handbook provides a broad overview of field and laboratory techniques applicable in mineral exploration. The reason for publishing such a volume, as stated by the author, is the fact that information on the various techniques relevant to mineral exploration are scattered throughout the geo-sciences literature and usually difficult to obtain in the universities of India, where expensive textbooks and journals are not readily available for reference. The task to write a textbook summarizing field and laboratory techniques would be daunting to most geoscientists, particularly as the degree of sophistication and the areas of application of laboratory techniques are constantly increasing. The goal of such a handbook would clearly be to impart analytical insights by blending theoretical background with experimental and instrumental details, while introducing the reader to real world applications. Overall, the author has certainly tried to achieve this goal. The handbook is divided into two parts. The first part deals …
High-sensitivity two-photon photoacid generator for three-dimensional microfabrication

A new photoacid generator (PAG) is described that can be efficiently activated by two-photon excitation and can be used for high-sensitivity three-dimensional micro-patterning of acid-sensitive media. The molecule has a large two-photon absorption cross section that peaks near 705 nm (δ = 690 x 10-50 cm4 s photon-1) and a high quantum yield for the photochemical generation of acid (φH+ a 0.5). Under near-infrared laser irradiation, the molecule produces acid subsequent to two-photon excitation and initiates the polymerization of epoxides at an incident intensity that is one to two orders of magnitude lower than that needed for conventional ultraviolet-sensitive initiators. The new PAG was used in conjunction with the solid epoxide resist Epon SU-8 for negative-tone three-dimensional microfabrication.
Enhanced thermoelectric performance in the very low thermal conductivity Ag2Se0.5Te0.5

In this letter, we report the high-temperature thermoelectric properties of Ag_2Se_(0.5)Te_(0.5). We find that this particular composition displays very low thermal conductivity and competitive thermoelectric performance. Specifically, in the temperature region 520 K ≤ T ≤ 620 K, we observe non-hysteretic behavior between the heating and cooling curves and zT values ranging from 1.2 to 0.8. Higher zT values are observed at lower temperatures on cooling. Our results suggest that this alloy is conducive to high thermoelectric performance in the intermediate temperature range, and thus deserves further investigation.
A case study considering the comparability of mass and volumetric suspended sediment data

Contemporary real-time instruments that advance suspended sediment monitoring capabilities often provide results in units (e.g. volumetric) that are not easily comparable to traditional mass (e.g. gravimetric) methods. A Midwest case study was initiated to assess the accuracy of three methods commonly used to convert volumetric data to mass. Water samples from rural, suburban, and urban stream reaches were analyzed for suspended sediment concentration using laser diffraction and wet sieving methods, resulting in paired volumetric (μl/l) and mass (mg/l) suspended sediment concentrations. Observed volumetric data were converted to mass using an assumed particle density (Pd) of 2.65 g/cm3, a calculated Pd, and linear regression. Using the assumed Pd, estimated mass data differed from observed mass data by as much as 60 %. Dividing mass concentration (mg/l) by the volumetric concentration (μl/l) resulted in site-specific average suspended sediment particle densities ranging from 2.17, 1.99, 1.76 g/cm3 for different land use types. Using a calculated Pd, estimated mass data differed from observed mass data by as much as 45 %. Paired sample t tests showed observed and estimated mass values to be significantly different (p < 0.01). R 2 values for regression equations ranged from 0.82 to 0.88. Conversion difficulties likely result from temporal and spatial variations of Pd. The results illustrate the imprecision of conversion methods and highlight possible estimation errors assuming idealized conditions. Continued work is necessary to improve quantitative relationship(s) between mass and volumetric suspended sediment data and the utility of both types of information for science and land management practices.
Process Implications for Metal-Dependent Immunoaffinity Interactions

Immunosorbents have been developed which utilize metal-dependent interactions between monoclonal antibody(s) (Mab) and human plasma Protein C and Factor IX, members of the vitamin K-dependent plasma protein family. In this report, we describe the potential process advantages associated with two different types of divalent metal-dependent systems: 1) a Mab-Protein C (antigen) complex which is stabilized in a divalent metal-free environment and 2) a Mab-Factor IX (antigen) complex which is stabilized in the presence of divalent metal ions. Chelating agents such as citrate or EDTA are effective agents for sequestering divalent metals. Thus, Protein C binds to the immunosorbent in the presence of EDTA or sodium citrate and can be eluted with buffer containing 25 mM calcium chloride or magnesium chloride. In the second case, Factor IX binds to the immunosorbent in the presence of magnesium chloride and can be eluted with sodium citrate or EDTA. These gentle elution conditions are desirable in order to retain the native structure as well as functional activity of the protein to be immunopurified. Furthermore, unwanted plasma proteins, which may interact nonspecifically with either the agarose matrix or immunoglobulin G (IgG) ligand are less likely to be eluted under these conditions. The calcium-free citrate buffers used for immunosorption by either of these processes preclude the formation of fibrin solids and eliminate eluents which are difficult to process and which interfere with the biological activity of the product (i.e. chaotropes). The immunoaffinity process we describe for Protein C and Factor IX provides high functionality, purity and yield and demonstrates the feasibility of large-scale processes utilizing metal-dependent immunosorbents.
Polarization Diverse Optical Frequency Domain Interferometry: All Coupler Implementation

We describe an all-coupler implementation of a polarization-diverse frequency domain reflectometer (OFDR). We measure the transfer function of an FBG by projecting a measurement field onto two orthogonal reference fields and show that the resultant signal is independent of the alignment of the measurement field.