The goal of language programs is to utilize language for effective communication. Due to the needs, interests, and motivations of language learners, they may show individual differences in their lan- guage learning. Materials used in language programs can be instructional, experiential, elucidative, or exploratory in that they can inform learners about the language, provide experience of the la...

Three interlaboratory round-robin studies (RR1, RR2, and RR3) were conducted to identify a serum-based reference material that would aid in the standardization of direct ion-selective electrode (ISE) measurements of sodium and potassium. Ultrafiltered frozen serum reference materials requiring no reconstitution reduced between-laboratory variability (the largest source of imprecision) more than...

OBJECTIVE To compare the influence of archwire material (NiTi, beta-Ti and stainless steel) and brackets design (self-ligating and conventional) on the frictional force resistance. MATERIAL AND METHODS Two types of brackets (self-ligating brackets - Smartclip, 3M/Unitek - and conventional brackets - Gemini, 3M/Unitek) with three (0, 5, and 10 degrees) slot angulation attached with elastomeric...

OBJECTIVES To conduct a comprehensive evaluation of long term changes in occupational exposure among a broad cross section of industries worldwide. METHODS A review of the scientific literature identified studies that reported historical changes in exposure. About 700 sets of data from 119 published and several unpublished sources were compiled. Data were published over a 30 year period in 25...

The welding of shear stud connectors to structural steel in construction requires a prolonged stooped posture that exposes ironworkers to biomechanical and welding fume hazards. In this study, biomechanical and welding fume exposures during stud welding using conventional methods were compared to exposures associated with use of a prototype system that allowed participants to weld from an uprig...

Change in body size across geographical and temporal scales is a common way in which species, particularly mammals, respond to environmental variation (Dayan et al., 1991; Hadly, 1997; Ashton et al., 2000; Meiri & Dayan, 2003; Smith & Betancourt, 2006). Numerous studies have identified factors that influence geographical variation in body size within species, mainly focusing on climatic variabl...

The myocardium of the left ventricle (LV) of the heart comprises layers of muscle fibers whose orientation varies through the heart wall. Because of these fibers, accurate modeling of the myocardium stress-strain behavior requires models that are nonlinear, anisotropic, and time-varying. This article describes the development and testing of a material model of the canine LV myocardium, which wi...

Abstract Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) is a suitable agent for controlling Chironomus kiiensis, a major pest polluting water. In this study, laboratory bioassays were used to study toxicity and affecting factors of Bti on C. kiiensis larvae. Tests were conducted using three commercial Bti formulations (oil miscible suspension, 1,200 ITU/mL; wettable power, 1,200 ITU/mg; technica...

The current generation of advanced gravitational wave detectors utilize titania-doped tantala/silica multilayer stacks for their mirror coatings. The properties of the low-refractive-index silica are well known; however, in the absence of detailed direct measurements, the material parameters of Young's modulus and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the high refractive index material, tit...

More than being just a tool for expressing algorithms, a welldesigned programming language allows the user to express her ideas efficiently. The design choices however effect the efficiency of the algorithms written in the languages. It is therefore important to understand how such choices effect the expressibility of programming languages. The paper pursues the very low complexity programs by ...