Digital Commons Network^™

A Simple, Fast, And Accurate Method Of Phylogenomic Inference., Martin Wu, Jonathan Eisen

Jonathan A. Eisen Ph.D.

ABSTRACT: The explosive growth of genomic data provides an opportunity to make increased use of protein markers for phylogenetic inference. We have developed an automated pipeline for phylogenomic analysis (AMPHORA) that overcomes the existing bottlenecks limiting large-scale protein phylogenetic inference. We demonstrated its high throughput capabilities and high quality results by constructing a genome tree of 578 bacterial species and by assigning phylotypes to 18,607 protein markers identified in metagenomic data collected from the Sargasso Sea.

Evidence-Based Assessment In Pediatric Psychology: Family Measures, Melissa Alderfer, Barbara Fiese, Jeffrey Gold, J. J. Cutuli, Grayson Holmbeck, Lutz Goldbeck, Christine Chambers, Mona Abad, Dante Spetter, Joan Patterson

Grayson Holmbeck

Objective To provide a review of the evidence base of family measures relevant to pediatric psychology. Method Twenty-nine family measures were selected based upon endorsement by Division 54 listserv members, expert judgment, and literature review. Spanning observational and self-report methods, the measures fell into three broad assessment categories: Family functioning, Dyadic family relationships, and Family functioning in the context of childhood chronic health conditions. Measures were categorized as: “Well-established”, “Approaching well-established”, or “Promising.” Results Nineteen measures met “well-established” criteria and the remaining ten were “approaching well-established.” “Well-established” measures were documented for each of the broad assessment categories named above. Conclusions …

Gradual Changes In Repeat Customers' Adoption Behavior Toward Responses To Mobile Direct Mail Coupon Promotions, Shahriar Akter

Shahriar Akter

Service businesses record the number of visitors as a measure of the performance of their business. However, summarized observations such as the total number of visits per month provide little insight on individual-level visiting behavior. In addition, behavior may change over time, especially in a swiftly changing environment induced by mobile promotions. This paper presents an individual level model for shop visiting behavior based on data of a beauty salon. The model focuses on gradual changes toward responses to mobile direct mail (DM) coupons based on the shop visit interval (SVI) of the beauty salon. This means that as someone …

Students' Voices : Learning With Technologies : Students' Expectations About Learning With Technologies : A Literature Review, Kathryn Moyle, Susanne Owen

Professor Kathryn Moyle

This literature review is concerned with studies published since 2002 that take the perspectives of students in relation to learning with information and communication technologies. Students in schools, vocational education and training and in preservice teacher education, as well as early career teachers and other higher education students are included. The review examines published literature to: ascertain what recent research has already been undertaken in the field within Australia and overseas; ascertain the research methods used to underpin existing research; determine the gaps in existing knowledge; and consider the implications for determining what next steps could be undertaken. [Executive summary, …

Going By The Book: Want To Improve Your Information Seeking And Management Skills? Ask Your Librarian, Marilia Antunez

Marilia Y. Antunez, MLS, MA

As you embark on your career in communication disorders, take advantage of the many services and resources available at your university library.

Aggregated Interdisciplinary Databases And The Needs Of Undergraduate Researchers, Barbara Fister, Amy Fry, Julie Gilbert

Amy Fry

After seeing growing frustration among inexperienced undergraduate researchers searching a popular aggregated interdisciplinary database, the authors questioned whether the leading interdisciplinary databases are serving undergraduates' needs. As a preliminary exploration of this question, the authors queried vendors, analyzed their marketing materials, surveyed librarians and students, and examined what titles were being downloaded at 14 liberal arts institutions. Although librarians are satisfied with these databases, and vendors intend to continue the trend of adding more content, actual usage patterns suggest that these databases are not serving the purpose one might expect. Librarians should learn more about user experiences in order to …

Terry V.Ohio, Massiah V. United States, And Zurcher V. Stanford Daily, Robert Bloom

Robert Bloom

No abstract provided.

The Story Of Pottawatomie County V. Lindsay Earls: Drug Testing In The Public Schools, Robert Bloom

Robert Bloom

No abstract provided.

Jury Trial In Japan, Robert Bloom

Robert Bloom

No abstract provided.

A Simple Spectrophotometric Streptavidin-Biotin Binding Assay Utilizing Biotin-4-Fluorescein., Mark Waner, David Mascotti

Mark J. Waner

A new assay for biotin binding capacity of Streptavidin (SA) is presented in this work. The assay is based on the large decrease in the extinction coefficient at 493 nm that accompanies binding of biotin-4-fluorescein (B4F) to SA. This decrease is attributed to formation of a charge transfer complex between the B4F-donor and one or more SA residues. We show that one may observe the stoichiometric binding via monitoring the absorbance at 493 nm using either SA or B4F as the titrant. The sensitivity of the assay is at the lower end of similar fluorimetric and photometric assays. Though the …

Historical Dictionary Of Ethics, Harry Gensler, S.J., Earl Spurgin

Earl W. Spurgin

The Historical Dictionary of Ethics covers a very broad range of ethical topics, including ethical theories, historical periods, historical figures, applied ethics, ethical issues, ethical concepts, non-Western approaches, and related disciplines. Harry J. Gensler and Earl W. Spurgin tackle such issues as abortion, capital punishment, stemcell research, and terrorism while also explaining key theories like utilitarianism, natural law, social contract, and virtue ethics. This reference provides a complete overview of ethics through a detailed chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, and over 200 cross-referenced dictionary entries, including bioethics, business ethics, Aristotle, Hobbes, autonomy, confidentiality, Confucius, and psychology.

International Civic And Citizenship Education Study : Assessment Framework, Wolfram Schulz, Julian Fraillon, John Ainley, Bruno Losito, David Kerr

Dr Wolfram Schulz

The International Civic and Citizenship Study (ICCS) is the third lEA project investigating the role of schooling in preparing young people for their roles as citizens in society. The first study in this area began in 1971. The second Civic Education Study was undertaken in 1999. Almost 10 years on, global change has again prompted a new survey of civic and citizenship education. Amongst other considerations, the growing impact of the processes of globalization, external threats to civic societies and their freedoms, and the limited interest and involvement of young generations in public and political life. [p. 5, ed]

Career Advice And Career Plans: Sources, Satisfaction, And Realisation, Sheldon Rothman, Kylie Hillman, Julie Mcmillan, David Curtis

Dr Sheldon Rothman

The literature on career decision-making suggests that students make their decisions based on the degree of match between their own attributes and certain perceived characteristics of occupations and that these perceptions are generally accurate (Gottfredson, 2002). However, in Australia, there is also evidence that students have misunderstandings about the status of some occupations, including trades (Alloway, Dalley, Patterson, Walker, & Lenoy, 2004). The sources of career advice available to middle-secondary students and their satisfaction with that advice was found through a survey of a representative sample of Australian 15-year-old students. Nearly all Year 10 students reported that they had received …

Career Advice And Career Plans: Sources, Satisfaction, And Realisation, Sheldon Rothman, Kylie Hillman, Julie Mcmillan, David Curtis

Kylie Hillman

The literature on career decision-making suggests that students make their decisions based on the degree of match between their own attributes and certain perceived characteristics of occupations and that these perceptions are generally accurate (Gottfredson, 2002). However, in Australia, there is also evidence that students have misunderstandings about the status of some occupations, including trades (Alloway, Dalley, Patterson, Walker, & Lenoy, 2004). The sources of career advice available to middle-secondary students and their satisfaction with that advice was found through a survey of a representative sample of Australian 15-year-old students. Nearly all Year 10 students reported that they had received …

Keeping Your Classroom C.R.I.S.P.: Unity Of Purpose As An Organizing Principle, Charlie Sweet, Hal Blythe

Hal Blythe

Are you and your millennial students losing your focus in the classroom? Here's a solution that works.

The Writing Community: A New Model For The Creative Writing Classroom, Charlie Sweet, Hal Blythe

Hal Blythe

After creating a taxonomy of classroom approaches to the teaching of creative writing, the authors discuss a current practice they have employed, the writing community. The authors detail its success, place it within current pedagogical research into small-group and team-based learning, and suggest possible applications to allied fields.

International Civic And Citizenship Education Study : Assessment Framework, Wolfram Schulz, Julian Fraillon, John Ainley, Bruno Losito, David Kerr

Julian Fraillon

The International Civic and Citizenship Study (ICCS) is the third lEA project investigating the role of schooling in preparing young people for their roles as citizens in society. The first study in this area began in 1971. The second Civic Education Study was undertaken in 1999. Almost 10 years on, global change has again prompted a new survey of civic and citizenship education. Amongst other considerations, the growing impact of the processes of globalization, external threats to civic societies and their freedoms, and the limited interest and involvement of young generations in public and political life. [p. 5, ed]

Over The Rainbow : A Rewarding Career Structure, Lawrence Ingvarson, Elizabeth Kleinhenz

Dr Elizabeth Kleinhenz

Historically, there has been little gold at the beginning or end of the career rainbow for teachers, and not a lot of colour in between. Until recently, teachers who wanted to advance into leadership positions were obliged to give most of their attention to management and administration. Because the teaching knowledge base was devalued, many teachers saw little point in trying to become skilled practitioners of their craft. Systems tend to reward what they value, and it is difficult to escape from the conclusion that, in terms of reward, the value placed on excellence in teaching has been very low. …

Effect Of Microreactor Geometry In Performance Of Catalytic Microreactor Of Hydrogen Production By Cfd Modeling, Mohsen Behnam, Ali Fazeli, Shohreh Fatemi, Yadolah Mortazavi, A. Khodadai

Ali Fazeli

Hydrogen production from steam reforming of methanol for fuel cell application was modeled in a wall coated micro channel reactor by CFD approach. Heat of steam reforming was supplied from catalytic total oxidation (TOX) of methanol in neighboring channel of steamreforming (SR) channel and conduct from TOX to SR channel through metal divider wall of the channels. Heat integration was compared in zigzag and straight geometry of microreactor by CFD modeling. The model is 2 dimensional, steady state and containing five zones: TOX fluid, TOX catalyst layer, steel wall of the channel, SR catalyst layer, SR fluid. Set of partial …

What Can Be Learned From The Roller Coaster Journeys Of Young People Making Ultimately Successful Transitions Beyond School?, Jennifer Bryce, Michelle Anderson

Dr Jennifer Bryce

This project investigated the interrelationships between family expectations and young people's post-school plans. The ten young people were achievers from The Smith Family's 'Learning for Life' program. All of the participants were from financially disadvantaged families. The research used interviews to understand these young people's perspectives of their transition experiences: the ways in which young people's school experiences impacted on their post-school pathways; how the young people weighed up costs and benefits in their decision-making; and exploration of the barriers and enablers encountered by the young people in their transition journeys. The findings endorsed the significant role played by families …

Ssrn As An Initial Revolution In Academic Knowledge Aggregation And Dissemination, David Bray, Sascha Vitzthum, Benn Konsynski

Sascha Vitzthum

Within this paper we consider our results of using the Social Science Research Network (SSRN) over a period of 18 months to distribute our working papers to the research community. Our experiences have been quite positive, with SSRN serving as a platform both to inform our colleagues about our research as well as inform us about related research (through email and telephoned conversations of colleagues who discovered our paper on SSRN). We then discuss potential future directions for SSRN to consider, and how SSRN might well represent an initial revolution in 21st century academic knowledge aggregation and dissemination. Our paper …

Staff In Australia's Schools : Teacher Workforce Data And Planning Processes In Australia., Susanne Owen,, Julie Kos, Phil Mckenzie

Dr Phillip McKenzie

This report forms part of the Australian School Teacher and Leader project which was commissioned by the former Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) in June 2006. The purpose of the project is to provide a detailed picture of the Australian teacher workforce and to gather information to assist future planning on teacher supply. This particular report focuses on longer-term approaches to workforce data and processes. The project also included the Staff in Australia's Schools survey, a national data collection involving all States and Territories and school sectors. [p.4]

Sub-Micron Parallel Laser Direct-Write, Christina Othon, Arnoldo Laracuente, H Ladoucuer, Bradley Ringeisen

Christina M Othon

We have developed a modified laser induced forward transfer (LIFT) technique which allows for the parallel deposition of hundreds of sub-micron features. The approach utilizes a self-assembled monolayer of monodisperse polystyrene microspheres as the focusing element. A monolayer of close-packed microspheres is formed on top of an ultra-thin quartz support (25 m thick), and a metallic thin film is then deposited on the underside of the quartz. This approach is different from previous parallel microsphere-assisted LIFT experiments that required the deposition of metal directly onto the surface of the periodic microsphere structure. For this study, an 800 nm, 130 fs …

Holiday Arts Preview 2008 - The Light Of Dark Days, Ann Taylor

Ann Connolly

A run-down of some holiday arts events for the 2008 season.

Attitudes, Intentions And Participation, Siek Toon Khoo, John Ainley

Dr John Ainley

This report examines the relationship between students' attitudes to school and intentions to participate in education and training, and the influence of these attitudes and intentions on participation in Year 12 and in further education and training. Students' attitudes to school, educational intentions and attainments are considered in the context of earlier school achievement, social background, geographic location, language background and gender. These factors are related to attitudes, intentions and participation. [p.1]

Subject Choice By Students In Year 12 In Australian Secondary Schools, Sue Fullarton, John Ainley

Dr John Ainley

Choices that are in the subjects studied in senior secondary school influence differences in access to higher education, vocational education and training, and to labour market outcomes. Previous studies have shown that students from higher socioeconomic backgrounds, those from private schools, high early school achievers and students from non-English speaking backgrounds are more likely to participate in the courses that are avenues to higher education and the professions. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds tend to participate in courses that lead to vocational education and training or more often to entry into the labour market without any further formal education or training. …

Psychological Distress Among Prostate Cancer Patients: Fact Or Fiction?, Christopher Sharpley, Vicki Bitsika, David Christie

Vicki Bitsika

Although the detrimental effect upon psychological well-being of receiving a diagnosis of, or treatment for, cancer has been demonstrated across many different types of cancer, three recent reviews of the psychological health of prostate cancer patients have produced contradictory conclusions. In order to elucidate the reasons for these apparent different conclusions, each of these reviews is described, with principal methods and fi ndings summarised. Actual data, methodology used to select/reject research studies for inclusion in reviews, plus the validity of strict methodological culling of some research studies are discussed. Several extra studies and commentaries are also described, and a resolution …

The Arabian Nights - A Sensuous Garden Of Delights, Ann Taylor

Ann Connolly

A review of Mary Zimmerman's The Arabian Nights, which played at Berkeley Repertory Theater' Thrust Stage from November 13, 2008- January 18, 2009.

Washing The Fourth Amendment Away, Timothy O'Neill

Timothy P. O'Neill

Buddha For Beginners, Stephen Asma

Stephen T Asma

Originally published by Writers and Readers in 1998, this is an iconoclastic, illustrated romp through the life of the Buddha both a credible exploration of his life and teachings and an entertaining introduction to the philosophy of Buddhism.

Many Westerners know about the meditation practices of Buddhism, but few understand the Buddha's philosophical teachings. This book puts the teachings (dharma) in their proper context and unravels some of the more dense knots of Buddha's thinking. And it does all this while entertaining the reader with humorous illustrations and pop-culture sensibility. This primer, constructed like a graphic novel, cuts through the …