Hyla versicolor-chrysoscelis Species Complex of Gray Treefrogs in Arkansas: Histological and Ultrastructural evidence

We investigated the Hyla versicolor-chrysoscelis species complex (tetraploid and diploid species, respectively) of cryptic gray treefrogs from Arkansas using light and scanning electron microscopy. From previous studies of this treefrog complex in other states, H. versicolor has been shown to exhibit larger nuclear diameters and larger toe pad epithelial cells than H. chrysoscelis. Based upon average nuclear diameters of eyelid epithelial cells, we found two or possibly three groups of frogs. The presumed H. versicolor exhibited greatly enlarged toe pad epithelial cells using scanning electron microscopy and were found in four counties, three of which are in the Ozark Mountains. Hyla chrysoscelis occurs throughout the stat

Juveniles Who Commit Sex Offenses Against Minors.

Presents population-based epidemiological information about the characteristics of juvenile offenders who commit sex offenses against minors. The authors analyzed data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) and provided topical statistics highlighting the fact that juveniles account for more than one-third (35.6 percent) of this type of offender. Findings may support the development of research-based interventions and policies to reduce sexual assault and child molestation as perpetrated by juvenile offenders

SOCIAL NETWORK DYNAMICS OF QUALITY ENHANCEMENT INITIATIVES IN THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SETTING : STRATEGIC CHOICE AND EMERGENT CHANGE

This study used social network analysis to examine the strategic and emergent dynamics of externally mandated quality enhancement initiatives in the community college setting. The theoretical context for this study relies on complex adaptive systems theory to anticipate that when institutions confront new demands from their external environment, they will employ emergent and/or strategic approaches to adaptation. Three community colleges in the Southeast were selected as research sites. Each of these colleges was at a different point in implementing a quality enhancement initiative as part of the decennial reaffirmation of accreditation cycle with their regional accrediting agency. Social network analysis was conducted using an own-tie survey instrument. An own-tie survey was generated for each research site based on a roster of individuals who had formal involvement with their college’s quality enhancement initiative in the previous year. Data collected from the own-tie surveys were analyzed using the UCINET program (Borgatti, Everett, & Freeman, 2002) for three complete network measures (network density, core-periphery, and external-internal index) and three individual network measures (total connections, eigenvector centrality, and boundary spanner). These measures were then used to identify three informants representing diverse network positions from each research site for semi-structured interviews (Daly & Finnigan, 2010). These interviews asked informants to describe the network dynamics they perceived for their quality enhancement initiatives as well as the extent to which these dynamics were strategic or emergent in nature. This study’s findings suggest that quality enhancement initiatives are characterized by primarily strategic dynamics. A likely explanation for this is the data collection and assessment emphasis typical of externally mandated quality enhancement initiatives. Theoretical, methodological, and practical implications of this study’s findings are also discussed

Gallium phosphide high temperature diodes

High temperature (300 C) diodes for geothermal and other energy applications were developed. A comparison of reverse leakage currents of Si, GaAs, and GaP was made. Diodes made from GaP should be usable to 500 C. A Liquid Phase Epitaxy (LPE) process for producing high quality, grown junction GaP diodes is described. This process uses low vapor pressure Mg as a dopant which allows multiple boat growth in the same LPE run. These LPE wafers were cut into die and metallized to make the diodes. These diodes produce leakage currents below ten to the -9th power A/sq cm at 400 C while exhibiting good high temperature rectification characteristics. High temperature life test data is presented which shows exceptional stability of the V-I characteristics