A Typology for Multi-Technology, Multi-Service Broadband Network Synthesis

Current technological possibilities for implementing multi-service networks include both single technology ATM or IP networks and multi-technology networks such as SONET-based or flat networks. However, regardless of the technology employed, the synthesis problem – to optimally route traffic and divide the network's transmission resources between its virtual links – remains of prime importance.In this paper, we review, compare, and classify the extensive recent literature concerning multi-service network synthesis methods. In order to do this, we propose a typology based on switching and control strategies and a general notation that reflects the layered nature of the network. Technology independent mathematical models describe the various, essentially different, approaches presently found in the literature.     

Genetic essentialism: On the deceptive determinism of DNA.

This article introduces the notion of genetic essentialist biases: cognitive biases associated with essentialist thinking that are elicited when people encounter arguments that genes are relevant for a behavior, condition, or social group. Learning about genetic attributions for various human conditions leads to a particular set of thoughts regarding those conditions: they are more likely to be perceived as (a) immutable and determined, (b) having a specific etiology, (c) homogeneous and discrete, and (d) natural, which can lead to the naturalistic fallacy. There are rare cases of “strong genetic explanation” when such responses to genetic attributions may be appropriate; however, people tend to overweigh genetic attributions compared with competing attributions even in cases of “weak genetic explanation,” which are far more common. The authors reviewed research on people's understanding of race, gender, sexual orientation, criminality, mental illness, and obesity through a genetic essentialism lens, highlighting attitudinal, cognitive, and behavioral changes that stem from consideration of genetic attributions as bases of these categories. Scientific and media portrayals of genetic discoveries are discussed with respect to genetic essentialism, as is the role that genetic essentialism has played (and continues to play) in various public policies, legislation, scientific endeavors, and ideological movements in recent history. Last, moderating factors and interventions to reduce the magnitude of genetic essentialism, which identify promising directions to explore in order to reduce these biases, are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Composition and Functional Properties of Apogee and Perigee Compared to Common Terrestrial Wheat Cultivars

Long duration space missions may include dwarf wheat cultivars to meet closed-loop food system constraints. Composition and functional properties of dwarf wheats (Apogee, Perigee) were characterized and compared to terrestrial cultivars (Parshall, Yecora Rojo, Yavaros 79). Proximate composition was determined using standard methods, and functional attributes were evaluated by mixograph and pasting profiles. Additional analyses measured antioxidant capacity, protein profiles, non-protein nitrogen, lipid oxidation, and starch damage. Apogee and Perigee were compositionally and functionally different from traditional cultivars, having higher protein (18–20%), ash (2–2.4%), and antioxidant (Perigee had 23.7 mol Trolox equivalent/g), and lipid oxidation levels but lower protein quality indicators. There was significant correlation (R² = 0.84) between ash content and lipid oxidation. Apogee is a better candidate crop than Perigee for a self sustaining environment, but both dwarf varieties could be used for tailored food applications.     

A collaborative relationship between professional psychology and the Roman Catholic Church: A case example and suggested principles for success.

For many years the professional psychology and religious communities have maintained a strained relationship. At best, a passive indifference has been the norm. Fortunately, in some circles, the psychological and religious communities have recently begun to develop more collaborative relationships. For some psychologists, religion and spirituality is now in vogue. The purpose of this article is to detail one professional's experience in developing a close working relationship with both clergy and parishioners of the Roman Catholic Church and highlight useful principles for others interested in collaboration between psychology and religious communities. Hopefully, those who are interested in pursuing closer collaborative relationships with religious communities can benefit from the experiences and principles outlined here. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: Conceptual issues and research evidence.

In this article the author reviews research evidence on the prevalence of mental disorders in lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals (LGBs) and shows, using meta-analyses, that LGBs have a higher prevalence of mental disorders than heterosexuals. The author offers a conceptual framework for understanding this excess in prevalence of disorder in terms of minority stress--explaining that stigma, prejudice, and discrimination create a hostile and stressful social environment that causes mental health problems. The model describes stress processes, including the experience of prejudice events, expectations of rejection, hiding and concealing, internalized homophobia, and ameliorative coping processes. This conceptual framework is the basis for the review of research evidence, suggestions for future research directions, and exploration of public policy implications. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Training child clinical predoctoral interns and postdoctoral fellows in ethics and professional issues: An experiential model.

The purpose of this article is to outline an experiential professional issues and ethics seminar program developed for predoctoral psychology interns and postdoctoral fellows in the child psychology training program at Stanford University Medical School. It is imperative that trainees develop a comprehensive and practical understanding of both ethical principles and professional issues before completing their academic and clinical training in psychology. A review of this seminar program may help other internship and postdoctoral training programs develop or fine-tune their methods of educating trainees in both professional issues and ethics. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Interference of azide in assays of carbohydrates

The effect of sodium azide at concentrations of 0.02% on three carbohydrate assay methods was investigated: it reduced the sensitivity of the phenol-sulfuric acid method for aldoses by 30–35%; the m-hydroxydiphenyl and orcinol methods for galacturonic acid became insensitive. At this level of azide the sensitivity of the orcinol method for neutral sugar, but not for galacturonic acid, could be partially restored by increasing the amount of orcinol in the reaction mixture. The antimicrobial agent thimerosal did not interfere with the phenol-sulfuric acid or m-hydroxybiphenyl methods; with the orcinol method it interfered with the determination of galacturonic acid. This latter problem can be overcome by measuring the absorbance at longer wavelengths or correcting the measurements by an appropriate blank value.     

Galactosyltransferase activities during embryonic development of chick neural tissue

Galactosyltransferase specific activities in embryonic chick retina, optic tectum, and telencephalon were found to decline during embryonic development. Incorporation of galactose from nucleotide sugar into exogenously added glycoprotein acceptor was measured in the presence of excess of glycoprotein acceptor. This ensured that the specific activity measurements were reflections of tru enzyme specific activity rather than availability of acceptor. Moreover, we have shown that the decline in specific activity is not due to degradation of the nucleotide sugar, UDP-galactose, under our in vitro assay conditions. Enzymatic specific activity declined sharply with embryonic age for all tissues tested. This decline was not affected by the presence of 5-bromodeoxyuridine during in vitro culture of embryonic chick neural retina above that caused by the culturing alone. Galactosyltransferase activity was not found to be associated with the plasma membrane fraction from homogenized tissue but rather with the microsomal fraction. Thus, the changes in galactosyltransferase specific activity detected here do not reflect changes at the cell surface.     

Ozone Levels in Central Israel

Measurements performed during the early summer months of 1988–1991 at a rural site in central Israel, some 50 km east of the highly urbanized coastal region, have shown that during the afternoon hours the area was often under the influence of ozone mixing ratios above the Israel ambient standard (117 ppbv) and occasionally even above 150 ppbv. Analysis of air mass back trajectories has shown that only those air masses passing over the Tel Aviv metropolitan area cause elevated ozone mixing ratios at the rural site. This highly urbanized region emits large amounts of precursors which are entrapped in the air parcels entering Israel under the predominantly westerly wind flows. As these air masses travel inland, sufficient time is available (3–5 h) to allow the photochemical reactions to generate ozone before reaching the rural site. The above hypothesis is further supported by the fact that parallel to the increase of ozone at the rural site, elevated carbon monoxide (up to 0.8 ppmv) and other trace gases were also observed. A significant correlation (R² > 0.8) was found to exist between the ozone mixing ratio and the NO_x concentrations in photochemically aged air masses. In several cases an excess of up to 12 ozone molecules was formed for each NO_x molecule present.