A Computer Algebra Primer and Homework Exercises for use in an Intermediate Macroeconomics Course – A Student/Teacher Collaboration

We discuss using computer algebras systems (CAS) in an undergraduate intermediate macroeconomics class. The criteria used in choosing a CAS are considered. One criterion was that students would bear little or no financial. The lessons learned in implementing a CAS – things that worked well and those that did not work so well – are noted. We also discuss the need for communications with information technology staff for successful implementation. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Perceptions of Multicultural Training in Predoctoral Internship Programs: A Survey of Interns and Training Directors.

Multicultural training at internship sites is a critical component in the preparation of doctoral-level psychologists, so the quality of this training is of the utmost importance. In the following study, the authors examine multicultural training from the perspective of predoctoral interns and training directors at counseling center sites that offer a major or minor rotation in multicultural therapy. Results suggest that perspectives vary between interns and training directors and that there is a great difference in the type of criteria used by each site as evidence of a major or minor rotation. The need for more standardized criteria to define major and minor rotations and suggestions for the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers, internship training directors, and prospective interns are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Nanoporous metal organic framework materials for smart applications

Abstract

This review is concerned with the recent advances in metal organic framework (MOF) materials. We highlight the unique combination of physicochemical and thermomechanical characteristics associated with MOF-type materials and illustrate emergent applications in three challenging technological sectors: energy, environmental remediation and biomedicine. MOFs represent an exciting new class of nanoporous crystalline solids constituting metal ions/clusters and multifunctional organic linkages, which self-assemble at molecular level to generate a plethora of ordered 3D framework materials. The most intriguing feature of a MOF lies in its exceptionally large surface area, far surpassing those of the best activated carbons and zeolites. Next generation multifunctional materials encompassing MOF based thin films, coatings, membranes and nanocomposites have potential for exploitation in an immense array of unconventional applications and smart devices. We pinpoint the key technological challenges and basic scientific questions to be addressed, so as to fulfil the translational potential for bringing MOFs from the laboratory into commercial applications.     

Detergent alcohols. I. The effect of alcohol structure and molecular weight on surfactant properties

A large number of aliphatic alcohols have been studied to relate performance of the derived surfactants to structure and molecular weight. The alcohols were examined as sulfates, ethoxylates, and ethoxysulfates in heavy-and light-duty compositions. Clear points and surface tensions of aqueous solutions were determined. Cotton detergency was evaluated in a bench-scale test by using artificially soiled test cloths. Foam performance was measured in a soil titration test. In general, excellent performance is observed with derivatives which have 70% or greater n-primary alcohol content. The odd-numbered alcohol derivatives contribute significantly to optimum performance. Presented at the AOCS Meeting, Chicago, October 1964.     

The reactive chemisorption of carbon dioxide at magnesium and copper surfaces at low temperature

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic studies reveal that the following species are present when carbon dioxides reactively chemisorbed at magnesium and copper surfaces: CO₂(phys) CO₃(a), CO ₂ ^– (a) CO(a) and C(a). At Mg(0001) surfaces, it has been shown that there is a step-wise process, with a whole range of metastable species formed above 80 K. By contrast, at copper surfaces the chemistry is less complex, the most significant species being CO ₂ ^– (a); these form preferentially under conditions which favour high surface concentrations of CO₂(a) and therefore co-operative effects within the adlayer. The need to develop experimental methods for studying surface processes at high pressures is well recognised, however the present work shows that for some systems low temperatures (and pressures) offer a possible alternative strategy for delineating the step-wise nature of the reaction.We acknowledge gratefully the support of this work by both S.E.R.C and the Catalysis Group of Imperial Chemical Industries PLC.     

Fear of humans in Japanese quail selected for low or high adrenocortical response

Behavioral reactions to a nearby human were recorded in male Japanese quail of two lines selected for reduced (LS; low stress) or exaggerated (HS; high stress) plasma corticosterone (B) response to brief mechanical immobilization. Their adrenocortical responses to one of three treatments were then examined. These were: no human disturbance (undisturbed controls, CON), capture and return to the home cage before recapture and bleeding after 5 min (CR), or capture and manual restraint for 5 min before blood sampling (CREST). Quail of the HS line showed more fear-related behavior (crouching, escape) and avoidance of the experimenter than did their LS counterparts. Plasma B concentrations were markedly elevated following each capture treatment (CREST > CR) and the response appeared to be more pronounced in quail of the HS than the LS line. These findings indicate that HS quail perceived human contact to be more aversive than did those of the LS line. Avoidance scores and the adrenocortical responses to capture were positively correlated within individual birds. Therefore, simple behavioral tests of fear may have predictive value concerning physiological responsiveness to stressful stimulation.     

Massive haemoptysis death and other morbidity associated with high dose rate intraluminal radiotherapy for carcinoma of the bronchus

Fluctuation analysis allows for the determination of mutation rates in cell cultures in vitro. As originally described by Luria and Delbruck and extended by Lea and Coulson and by Capizzi and Jameson, this analysis has been useful in estimating mutation rates in cultured cells where the frequency of mutational events is low. However. in cultures where high mutation rates and multiple independent mutation events occur, leading to the accumulation of many mutant cells, these standard methods may not apply. Here, we present a new method for the estimation of mutation rates based on the assumption that multiple events may contribute to the accumulation of mutant cells. We compared mutation rates determined by Lea and Coulson's and by Capizzi and Jameson's methods with those determined by our method using experimental and stimulated data from our studies of immunoglobulin gene mutation and isotype switching in B lymphocyte cultures. The three methods resulted in very different calculated rates when many mutants were present in the culture, such as when mutation rates were high, while only small differences in calculated rates were found when mutants were rare. Unlike previous fluctuation analysis calculations, our method is applicable for the estimation of both low and high rates.     

The relationship between mineral composition and strength development of high alumina cement

The strength development curves of 1:3 mortars made from high alumina cement (HAC) containing varying proportions of monocalcium aluminate (CA) and pleochroite as determined by Quantitative X-Ray Diffraction (QXRD) have shown that the rapid strength development and high strength is due to CA. Pleochroite will give a high strength, not as high as is obtained from CA, but the strength development is much slower. No recommendation of HAC is implied in this paper dealing with the mineralogy of such cements and relating mineralogy to strength.