cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relationships between cognitive function, seizure control, and self-reported leisure-time exercise in epilepsy.

Abstract Exercise may be a strategy for improvement of cognitive deficits commonly present in people with idiopathic generalized epilepsies (IGE). We investigated the relationship between cognition and level of physical exercise in leisure (PEL) in people with IGE who have been seizurefree for at least 6 months (IGE−) as compared to those who have not been seizurefree (IGE+) and healthy controls (HCs). We hypothesized that higher level of physical exercise is associated with better cognitive functioning in patients with IGE and HCs, and that seizure control affects both PEL levels and cognitive functioning in patients with IGE. We recruited 75 participants aged 18–65: 31 people with IGE (17 IGE−, 14 IGE+) and 44 HCs. Participants completed assessments of quality of life (SF-36), physical activity levels (Baecke questionnaire and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)) and cognition (Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Hopkins Verbal Learning Test – Revised (HVLT), and flanker task). Group differences (HCs vs. IGE; HCs vs. IGE+ vs. IGE−) were assessed. Pearson correlations examined linear relationships between PEL and cognitive performance. Groups were similar in age and sex. Compared to HCs, patients with IGE had higher body mass index, fewer years of education, and consistently scored worse on all measures except flanker task accuracy on incongruent trials. When examining IGE− and IGE+ subgroups, compared to HCs, both had higher body mass index, and fewer years of education. Healthy controls scored significantly better than one or both of the IGE groups on SF-36 scores, PEL levels, IPAQ activity level, MoCA scores, HVLT learning and long-delay free-recall scores, and flanker task accuracy on congruent trials. Among patients with IGE, there were no significant differences between age of epilepsy onset, duration of epilepsy, number of anti-seizure drugs (ASDs) currently being used, or the group distribution of type of IGE. In the combined sample (IGE+, IGE− and HCs), PEL positively correlated with MoCA scores (Pearson’s r = 0.238; p = 0.0397) and with flanker task accuracy on congruent trials (Pearson’s r = 0.295; p = 0.0132). Overall, patients with IGE performed worse than HCs on cognitive and physical activity measures, but the cognitive impairments were more pronounced for IGE+, while physical exercise levels were less for patients with IGE regardless of seizure control. While positive relationships between leisure-time PEL and cognitive performance are promising, further investigations into how exercise levels interact with cognitive functioning in epilepsy are needed.
Life cycle assessment (LCA) of natural vs conventional building assemblies

Abstract Natural earthen and bio-based building materials are critically needed to dramatically reduce energy-intensive and extractive construction practices that are the hallmark of the modern building industry. Building assemblies such as cob, light straw clay and rammed earth were shown to provide an optimal indoor environment for occupant comfort and health. Despite these advantages, natural materials are still not widespread in mainstream construction for two primary reasons: technical data is inadequate to quantify their energy performance in different climates, and environmental measures are missing to perform decision making throughout the design process. This paper presents an environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) of natural earthen and bio-based materials compared to conventional building materials in 6 climates: hot desert, desert, semi-arid, Mediterranean, temperate, and continental. Results show that, when coupling the embodied and operational environmental impacts, the natural assemblies reduce energy demand by 32–59% in the hot desert climates, 29–55% in semi-arid climates, 46–73% in Mediterranean climates, 34–57% in temperate climates and 27–50% in continental climates as compared to conventional assemblies. The operational impacts are shown to be highly dependent on the thermal properties and climate zone, but in all cases natural assemblies outperform conventional assemblies. In particular, light straw clay and insulated rammed earth are the top performers for all 6 climates. The work presented in this paper contributes critically needed environmental quantifications to catalyze the advancement of healthier and more environmentally sound commitments to ecological construction worldwide.
Cascaded Solid State Transformer Structure to Power Fast EV Charging Stations from Medium Voltage Transmission Lines

Electrical Vehicles (EV) are facing several issues, such as range anxiety, high charging times, and the development of related infrastructure. To minimize the charging time, a high amount of power is pumped into the battery resulting in fast charging. For this reason, the rating of commercial EV chargers installed in commercial charging stations is high (up to 400kW). These charging stations, when connected to the distribution side, possess serious issues. It may result in overloading the distribution system, and the immediate connection/disconnection of EV load may result in power quality issues on the distribution side. For these reasons, fast/superfast charging stations are usually installed on highways and fed from medium-voltage transmission lines. However, for connection, commonly, line frequency transformers are used, which are bulky and occupy significant space of the charging station. An improvement towards this is the utilization of Solid-State Transformer for integrating the transmission system to the fast charging system. Here, the line frequency transformer is replaced with a high-frequency transformer resulting in a lower footprint and compact charging system. In this study, an improved topology of Solid – State Transformer is suggested by implementing a high– frequency ac – link-based ac – ac converter and achieving a cascaded operation to connect this system to medium voltage transmission systems directly. Major benefits of this topology are (a) realization of fast charging, (b) high-frequency operation – the small size of components resulting in a compact system, (c) Soft switching operation is possible resulting in higher efficiency, and (d) isolated power supplies for feeding independent EVs.
Synchrophasor based ZIP Parameters Tracking using ML with Adaptive Window and Data Anomalies

Modeling of load-voltage dependency can enhance the accuracy of system analysis (e.g., voltage stability and distance to collapse). ZIP load model is one of the standard mathematical models used to represent load-voltage dependency. Synchronized measurements from Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) can be utilized for the online estimation of ZIP parameters using voltage and power measurements. Estimated ZIP coefficients are prone to error when voltage measurements dont possess sufficient change leading to ill-conditioned. In this paper, a new algorithm is proposed with a) an adaptive window selection procedure, b) ZIP estimation using hybrid distance (HD-ZIP), Random forest, and KNN-Regression, and c) considering data anomalies. The window used for ZIP-estimation adapts according to variation in data measured in terms of variation in identified features and voltage sensitivity. Two proposed methodologies forZIP parameter estimation are a) a hybrid distance-based ZIP parameter estimation (HD-ZIP) and b) Random forest and KNN-Regression. HD-ZIP is a hybrid of unsupervised and supervised learning and performs intelligent least-squares regression by finding windows having similar numerical features. Random forest and KNN-Regression are used to estimate the load model parameters using a supervised approach to resolve issues with least-squares based parameter estimation. Parameter estimation for various load compositions have been validated using IEEE systems modeled in PSS/E and RTDS.
Genomic analysis and characterization of Scenedesmus glucoliberatum PABB004: An unconventional sugar-secreting green alga.

AIMS In this report, we present Scenedesmus glucoliberatum PABB004, a microalga that was isolated from an association with Paramecium bursaria with the potential for application in fermentative processes and co-culture schemes due to its advantageous high sugar secretion phenotype. METHODS AND RESULTS We sequenced, assembled and annotated the draft genome and transcriptome for this newly reported strain. The nuclear genome has an exceptionally high GC content of 78%. Our results revealed significant sugar accumulation over a range from 6.2 to 7.8 pH units. The predicted proteome was compared with other green algae that show different sugar secretion phenotypes aiming to help uncover their common features for simple sugar secretion and those unique to S. glucoliberatum PABB004. CONCLUSIONS The evolutionary history of this organism, inferred from its genomic traits, expands our current understanding of algal mutualistic relationships involving photosynthate exchanges. S. glucoliberatum PABB004 secreted ready-to-use fermentable sugars (glucose and maltose) directly to the extracellular media achieving concentrations greater than 2.7 g/L of free glucose and 1.2 g/L of maltose in batch cultures. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY A draft genome is provided for a new member of an important class of green algae. Scenedesmus glucoliberatum PABB004 secretes high levels of simple sugars over a broad pH range.
Hedgehog-induced ciliary trafficking of kinesin-4 motor KIF7 requires intraflagellar transport but not KIF7's microtubule binding.

The kinesin-4 motor KIF7 is a conserved regulator of the Hedgehog signaling pathway. In vertebrates, Hedgehog signaling requires the primary cilium, and KIF7 and Gli transcription factors accumulate at the cilium tip in response to Hedgehog activation. Unlike conventional kinesins, KIF7 is an immotile kinesin and its mechanism of ciliary accumulation is unknown. We generated KIF7 variants with altered microtubule binding or motility. We demonstrate that microtubule binding of KIF7 is not required for the increase in KIF7 or Gli localization at the cilium tip in response to Hedgehog signaling. In addition, we show that the immotile behavior of KIF7 is required to prevent ciliary localization of Gli transcription factors in the absence of Hedgehog signaling. Using an engineered kinesin-2 motor that enables acute inhibition of intraflagellar transport (IFT), we demonstrate that kinesin-2 KIF3A/KIF3B/KAP mediates the translocation of KIF7 to the cilium tip in response to Hedgehog pathway activation. Together, these results suggest that KIF7's role at the tip of the cilium is unrelated to its ability to bind to microtubules.
Outcomes of Trauma Patients with Flail Chest and Surgical Rib Stabilization.

The goal of this project was to describe the current practices of this institution and identify which patients benefit from surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF). A total of 1429 trauma patients admitted to our Level 1 center with rib fractures between January 1, 2014 and June 22, 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Flail chest was observed in 43 (3.01%) patients. Surgical stabilization of rib fractures was pursued in 27 of all patients (1.89%). Twenty-four flail chest patients required intubation (ETT). Nineteen were not intubated (NoET). Of the ETT group, 8 underwent SSRF and 16 did not. Those who had SSRF had a shorter ventilator LOS (7.1 vs 15.7 d) and ICU LOS (9.8 vs 11.9 d). Surgical stabilization of rib fractures has shown success in managing flail chest. In intubated patients with flail chest, fixation seems to decrease ICU stays and the duration of ventilation. We believe we need to perform SSRF on more patients with flail chest.
The Implications of the California Coastal Commissions for the Effective Implementation of Regulatory Policy

The 20th century has witnessed a vast expansion of governmental activity designed to correct market deficiencies in the areas of environmental and consumer protection, worker safety, and racial discrimination through the creation of agencies charged with regulating A’s behavior in order to minimize his adverse effects on B. This growth of governmental regulation in the United States has been repeatedly criticized for its adverse effects on the freedom of regulated groups, the efficient allocation of resources, and the purchasing power of lower- and moderate-income people (through raising consumer prices).
Goal adjustment ability predicts magnitude of emotional and physiological responses to an unsolvable anagram task

Abstract Individuals differ in their ability to disengage from unattainable goals (goal disengagement, GD) and reengage in other activities (goal reengagement, GR). Existing studies examining GD and GR abilities are limited by cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported measures. The present study employed an experimental paradigm using an anagram solving task to examine whether self-reported and behaviorally observed GD and/or GR abilities relate to emotional, heart-rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) reactivity. Results show no significant association between self-reported GD and time to disengage from unsolvable anagrams. However, self-reported GR predicted persistence behavior during unsolvable anagrams. Higher self-reported GR ability and longer behavioral persistence on unsolvable trials related to more positive affect before and during the task. Self-reported GD was associated with higher baseline HR and a tendency towards lower HR reactivity in response to unsolvable anagrams. While findings did not provide criterion-related validity to the GD measure, they do show self-reported GD and GR abilities may be relevant in the emotional and physiological consequences experienced during challenging goal pursuits.
On the representability of Cr preference relations by utility functions

We give a complete proof of Mas-Colell's [7] result that a continuous transitive preference relation on an open setV ⊂ ℝl' that isCr(in the sense that the indifference relation is aCrhypersurface inV xV) is representable by a Cr utility function without critical points.
Assessment of terminal RNAV mixed equipage

Airlines continue to acquire or equip existing aircraft with improved and more capable avionics. Improvements such as the flight management system (FMS) allow aircraft to fly preplanned paths with precision. Attempts to take advantage of improved aircraft guidance to make approaches, arrivals, and departures in the terminal area more uniform and predictable are consequently a natural development in air traffic control. The use of area navigation (RNAV) routes is one example of exploiting the current avionics technology to improve/simplify operations. In this study we look at the consequences and implications for arrivals of the fact that not all aircraft are yet RNAV equipped. The interplay of equipped aircraft (that fly the route according to the FMS) and non-equipped aircraft (which must be vectored) was studied in terms of controller technique, controller training and familiarization, controller comfort level, and the resultant impact on the efficacy of the air traffic control (ATC) operation. The effects of specific factors such as variation in turn execution, variation in speed profiles and airspace use were objectively measured. Three arrival routes of increasing complexity were simulated. One complex route was examined using a varying mix of equipped and unequipped traffic at a fixed, steady state rate. Controller in the loop simulations indicate that the percentage of non-RNAV traffic that can be accommodated on a complex arrival route is about 20 percent, and show at the rates simulated, that it was not necessary to segregate equipped and non-equipped aircraft. The simulation results indicate that the tolerance for non-RNAV aircraft may be even higher for simple arrival routes. Other results of the controller in the loop simulations are presented in detail: reduced flying distances, reduced communications workload, reduced fuel burn and reduced variance in the inter-aircraft arrival times can all be correlated to increasing the percentage of the aircraft that are RNAV equipped. These results argue that there are benefits of aircraft flying RNAV routes.
Genomic Ly49A Transgenes: Basis of Variegated Ly49A Gene Expression and Identification of a Critical Regulatory Element

Several gene families are known in which member genes are expressed in variegated patterns in differentiated cell types. Mechanisms responsible for imposition of a variegated pattern of gene expression are unknown. Members of the closely linked Ly49 inhibitory receptor gene family are expressed in a variegated fashion by NK cells. Variegated expression of these genes results in subsets of NK cells that differ in specificity for MHC class I molecules. To address the mechanisms underlying variegation, a 30-kb genomic fragment containing a single Ly49 gene was used to generate a panel of murine transgenic lines. The results demonstrated that, in almost all of the lines, the isolated Ly49A gene was expressed in a variegated pattern, remarkably similar in nearly all respects to the expression pattern of the endogenous Ly49A gene. Furthermore, the developmental timing of gene expression and regulation by host MHC molecules closely mirrored that of the endogenous Ly49A gene. Therefore, Ly49 variegation does not require competition in cis between different Ly49 genes, and the sequences imposing variegation are located proximally to Ly49 genes. Efforts to define regulatory elements of the Ly49A gene led to the identification of a DNase I hypersensitive site 4.5 kb upstream of the Ly49A gene transcription initiation site, which was shown to be essential for transgene expression. Highly related sequence elements were found upstream of other Ly49 genes, suggesting that a similar regulatory element controls each Ly49 gene.
The Real Numbers System and Why a Negative Number Times a Negative Number Equals a Positive Number

The original purpose of this paper was to provide answers to the question: “Why is a negative number time a negative number equal a positive number”. This concept is one of the most mysterious topics taught in any mathematics classroom. Yet this fundamental mathematical idea is listed in most algebra text books as a rule without any justification for the validity of the rule. While researching this issue it became clear that the decimal place value system, and in particular the real value number system was just as mysterious. Hence the decision was taken to broaden the scope of the paper to include some of the issues associated with the real number system; and to outline some of the topics a mathematics student should be acquainted with.
An objective-based stochastic framework for manipulation planning

We consider the problem of determining robot manipulation plans when sensing and control uncertainties are specified as conditional probability densities. Traditional approaches are usually based on worst-case error analysis in a methodology known as preimage backchaining. We have developed a general framework for determining sensor-based robot plans by blending ideas from stochastic optimal control and dynamic game theory with traditional preimage backchaining concepts. We argue that the consideration of a precise loss (or performance) functional is crucial to determining and evaluating manipulation plans in a probabilistic setting. We consequently introduce a stochastic, performance preimage that generalizes previous preimage notions. We also present some optimal strategies for planar manipulation tasks that were computed by a dynamic programming-based algorithm. >
Role of platelet-rich plasma in ischemic heart disease: An update on the latest evidence

Myocardial infarction is the most common cause of congestive heart failure. Novel strategies such as directly reprogramming cardiac fibroblasts into cardiomyocytes are an exciting area of investigation for repair of injured myocardial tissue. The ultimate goal is to rebuild functional myocardium by transplanting exogenous stem cells or by activating native stem cells to induce endogenous repair. Cell-based myocardial restoration, however, has not penetrated broad clinical practice yet. Platelet-rich plasma, an autologous fractionation of whole blood containing high concentrations of growth factors, has been shown to safely and effectively enhance healing and angiogenesis primarily by reparative cell signaling. In this review, we collected all recent advances in novel therapies as well as experimental evidence demonstrating the role of platelet-rich plasma in ischemic heart disease, focusing on aspects that might be important for future successful clinical application.
The influence of helminths on immunological diseases.

Helminths are powerful modulators of host mucosal and systemic immunity. Helminths induce mucosal T cells to make Th2 and regulatory cytokines that participate in the protective process. Helminths affect pathways of innate immunity and induce various regulatory Tcell subsets that limit immune reactivity. The chapter explores the implications of expanding industrialization on the demographics of immunological diseases worldwide. The ‘‘hygiene hypothesis’’ states that immunological diseases may be an unanticipated consequence of improvements in public health and hygiene. Deworming of children and adults, associated with improved public hygiene, could be one of the factors leading to the rise in immunological diseases. People carrying helminths can show immune bias away from the Th1 response normally elicited with tetanus vaccination or in vitro mitogen stimulation. Animal experimentation shows that helminths can prevent the onset of various immunological diseases and reverse ongoing pathology. A case control study in Ethiopia showed a lower frequency of asthma in people infected with hookworm than in uninfected people. Colonization with intestinal helminths protects mice from trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis, which is a Th1-driven disease. It appears that helminths trigger various immunoregulatory pathways to control aberrant inflammation. Helminth colonization can have negative consequences. Some worms can cause disease. Recent experiments using murine and larger animal models suggest that worm infection can interfere with vaccine efficacy. An underlying helminth infection may interfere with the accurate diagnosis of infectious status or leave some animals more susceptible to some serious pathogen-induced enteric infections.
Common Core State Standards in the Middle Grades: What's New in the Geometry Domain and How Can Teachers Support Student Learning?.

The Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM) is a primary focus of attention for many stakeholders' (e.g., teachers, district mathematics leaders, and curriculum developers) intent on improving mathematics education. This article reports on specific content shifts related to the geometry domain in the middle grades (6–8) mathematics curriculum. The methodology employed allows for comparisons of content across multiple standards documents. We report on some dramatic changes with regards to the geometry content taught in the middle grades. We found 52% of the middle grades geometry CCSSM learning expectations will be new to the respective grade level at which they are taught in at least six of the eight states analyzed in this study (57% in grade 6, 50% in grade 7, and 50% in grade 8). We also highlight three areas that represent “new” geometry content at the middle grades based on our analysis of CCSSM and pre-CCSSM state standards.
‘Extraction from the Mortal Site’: Badiou on the Resurrection in Paul*

This essay explores the heuristic force of Alain Badiou's theory of ‘truth-processes’ for an understanding of the psycho-social effect of Paul's gospel upon first-century inhabitants of the Roman Empire, both elite and lower class. Badiou's analysis of the ‘situated void’ around which existence is constructed directs attention to figures of the subject as ‘living death’ in the literature of the first century, illuminating the process by which a new, liberated self came forth, in response to Paul's message of the resurrection. An immanent critique of Badiou's singular emphasis upon the resurrection as the Pauline ‘truth-event’ gives rise to an hypothesis regarding Paul's description of his gospel as ‘Christ crucified’ in his later epistles: Paul dared to name the ‘situated void’ around which the existence of slaves was constructed in order to redeem the oppressed, whose identities were submerged in shame, from the annihilating power of the cross.
On diagrams and flatness of functors

Abstract Characterizations of set-valued weakly flat (in B. Stenstrom's sense) functors over small categories C , describing the structure of those functors from different points of view (categorical and universal algebraic), have been obtained. This result not only generalizes, but also combines and supplements, all related results so far known for S -acts. The approach taken is based on exploiting diagrams of functors similar to one used by Mac Lane and Moerdijk for describing flat functors.
Lead‐dependent effects on arachidonic acid accumulation and the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle

Lead (Pb2+) has been implicated in the development of hypertension and atherosclerosis. The proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) is a central feature of both conditions and there is evidence that Pb2+ potentiates serum-dependent cell growth. The aim of this work was to examine the role of phospholipase A2 in mitogen-dependent VSMC proliferation and determine if Pb2+ interacts with this system in order to potentiate mitotic events. It was observed that cell proliferation induced by angiotensin II, or fetal bovine serum, required the activation of a Ca2+-dependent cytosolic phospholipase A2 and the subsequent release of unesterified arachidonic acid. This path was affected by Pb2+ as the metal increased the amount of arachidonic acid accumulation induced by either mitogen. In addition, Pb2+ potentiated mitogen-induced DNA synthesis when present at lower doses (0.02 or 0.2 mg%), but had no effect on DNA synthesis, or cell numbers, in unstimulated cells. However, a high dose (2 mg%) of Pb2+ attenuated the DNA synthesis stimulated by angiotensin II, or serum, but induced the accumulation of unesterified arachidonic acid in unstimulated cells. A biphasic effect of Pb2+ on cell numbers and viability was also observed as 0.02 or 0.2 mg% Pb2+ did not affect cell numbers or trypan blue exclusion in unstimulated cells, while 2 mg% Pb2+ reduced cell numbers and viability. It appeared, therefore, that the lower concentrations of Pb2+ increased arachidonic acid release and DNA synthesis only in stimulated VSMC, perhaps due to further activation of a Ca2+-dependent processes. In contrast, the high dose of Pb2+ reduced DNA synthesis in stimulated cells and reduced cell numbers and viability in unstimulated cells, which may relate to the noted increase in unesterified arachidonic acid. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 16:245–253, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.10045
Onychocamptus Yrusensterni (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Laophontidae) - a New Species From Krusenstern Lagoon, Alaska

A new harpacticoid copepod of the genus Onychocamptus was discovered during an investigation of a lagoon in Kotzebue Sound in northwestern Alaska. Onychocamptus krusensterni n. sp. was the predominant copepod in Lower Krusenstern Lagoon. It is distinguished from the other members of the genus Onychocamptus by having only five spines and setae on the terminal exopod segment of swimming leg 4 of females and the complex ornamentation of antennules of males.
Child Eating Behaviors and Caregiver Feeding Practices in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Objective This pilot study compared children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and typically developing children (TDC) on weight-related outcomes and caregiver-reported child eating behaviors and feeding practices. Design and Sample Cross-sectional study. Caregivers of 25 children with ASD and 30 TDC, ages 4–6. Methods Caregivers completed validated questionnaires that assessed child eating behaviors and feeding practices. Children's height, weight, and waist circumference were measured. Results Children with ASD, when compared to TDC, showed significantly greater abdominal waist circumferences (p = .01) and waist-to-height ratios (p < .001). Children with ASD with atypical oral sensory sensitivity exhibited greater food avoidance behaviors, including reluctance to eat novel foods (p = .004), being selective about the range of foods they accept (p = .03), and undereating due to negative emotions (p = .02), than children with ASD with typical oral sensory sensitivity. Caregivers of children with ASD with atypical oral sensory sensitivity reported using food to regulate negative child emotions to a greater extent than caregivers of children with typical oral sensory sensitivity (p = .02). Discussion Children with ASD, especially those with atypical oral sensory sensitivity, are at increased risk for food avoidance behaviors and may require additional support in several feeding domains.
Self-assembled MoS2–carbon nanostructures: influence of nanostructuring and carbon on lithium battery performance

Composites of MoS2 and amorphous carbon are grown and self-assembled into hierarchical nanostructures via a hydrothermal method. Application of the composites as high-energy electrodes for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries is investigated. The critical roles of nanostructuring of MoS2 and carbon composition on lithium-ion battery performance are highlighted.
Nonvalvular Infections of the Cardiovascular System

Purpose: To review the risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of nonvalvular infections of the cardiovascular system. Data Sources: A MEDLINE search of English-language artic...
Instructional Systems Design: Five Views of the Field.

Despite high enrollments in graduate programs, flourishing relationships with business and industry, and a general feeling that the field has much to offer, instructional systems design seems to confuse the public. Some think of it as focused on technology and/or the production of materials; others think it mechanical and antihumanistic. Still others claim the field is stuck in a behavioral paradigm. Perceptions like these have been voiced for years. Where do they come from? Are they true? This paper presents five ways the field is viewed and suggests how instructional systems design professionals can avoid ambiguity in the future.
Surgery, brachytherapy, and external-beam radiotherapy for early prostate cancer.

Summary Patients diagnosed with early prostate cancer after 2000 can expect better outcomes from treatment than patients who were diagnosed in the 1980s and early 1990s. These improved outcomes are the result of stage migration, new technologies such as three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and intensity-modulated external-beam radiotherapy (IMRT), better implant techniques, and optimum use of hormone therapy. We review the outcomes for radical prostatectomy, permanent seed implant, 3DCRT, and IMRT. For patients with clinical stage T1c or T2 disease and a Gleason score of less than 8, 5-year biochemical disease-free survival is remarkably similar for all the above treatments. Furthermore, complication rates are acceptable for all these modalities. For patients with bulky T2–3 disease or a Gleason score of 8–10, hormone therapy plus 3DCRT or IMRT is an excellent treatment choice. Studies of radical prostatectomy show the most reliable long-term results, and the studies of external-beam radiotherapy have used the best scientific methods to assess efficacy. On the basis of current data, we recommend specific treatment options.
Intricacies of Collins' Parsing Model

This article documents a large set of heretofore unpublished details Collins used in his parser, such that, along with Collins' (1999) thesis, this article contains all information necessary to duplicate Collins' benchmark results. Indeed, these as-yet-unpublished details account for an 11% relative increase in error from an implementation including all details to a clean-room implementation of Collins' model. We also show a cleaner and equally well-performing method for the handling of punctuation and conjunction and reveal certain other probabilistic oddities about Collins' parser. We not only analyze the effect of the unpublished details, but also reanalyze the effect of certain well-known details, revealing that bilexical dependencies are barely used by the model and that head choice is not nearly as important to overall parsing performance as once thought. Finally, we perform experiments that show that the true discriminative power of lexicalization appears to lie in the fact that unlexicalized syntactic structures are generated conditioning on the headword and its part of speech.
Gravitational collapse in dust lanes and the appearance of spiral structure in galaxies

The possibility is considered that there are two types of spiral for each spiral galaxy: an underlying spiral of relatively old stars seen in red and IR photographs and a spiral outlined by H II regions and young bright blue stars. The origin of the first spiral is attributed to large-scale spiral density waves, and the second spiral is identified as a stochastic spiral. It is suggested that there is a physical or causal connection between the two spirals and that dust lanes play the role of intermediary. An analysis is performed which shows that such a model can account for the formation and destruction of giant molecular cloud complexes and for observed spiral structure in one simple unified theory.
EXAMINATION OF THE “SURFACE TENSION” OF NEWBORN RAT SKIN: METHOD AND EFFECTS OF EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR (EGF)

In mammals, the declination of hair follicles suggests an asymmetrically aligned tension in the skin during development. We hypothesized that skin, as an elastic body, would exhibit retraction in vitro proportional to the tension in vivo. We tested this hypothesis in the newborn rat during the time of hair follicle morphogenesis and examined the effect of a known epidermal morphogen, EGF. Circular 12mm sections of dorsal skin from 12 control and 12 EGF-treated (500 ng/g BW) newborn rats were allowed to assume figures of equilibrium on prewetted polystyrene plates prior to culture in serum free Waymouth's media for 24h. Initial axial dimensions for the circular sections were: Sagittal retraction was not inhibited by neuromuscular blocking agents (pancuronium, curare) or by sodium azide. All sections became circular after 24h in culture. Ellipse formation was not present in skin sections from 7-day-old pups. Conclusions: 1) Newborn rat skin exhibits an endogenous tension in the direction predicted by the cephalo-caudal angulation of the developing hair follicles; 2) EGF treatment decreases skin tension as measured by the retraction assay described; 3) the tension-generating element in skin is not the hypodermal skeletal muscle; 4) this phenomenon is lost during adaptation to in vitro life and is limited to the neonatal period.
Statistical validation and an empirical model of hydrogen production enhancement found by utilizing passive flow disturbance in the steam-reformation process

Abstract A passive flow disturbance has been proven to enhance the conversion of fuel in a methanol-steam reformer. This study presents a statistical validation of the experiment based on a standard 2 k factorial experiment design and the resulting empirical model of the enhanced hydrogen producing process. A factorial experiment design was used to statistically analyze the effects and interactions of various input factors in the experiment. Three input factors, including the number of flow disturbers, catalyst size, and reactant flow rate were investigated for their effects on the fuel conversion in the steam-reformation process. Based on the experimental results, an empirical model was developed and further evaluated with an uncertainty analysis and interior point data.
Hybrid simulations of collisionless ion tearing

Ion tearing in a thin collisionless neutral sheet is investigated using hybrid (particle ion, massless fluid electron) simulations in which dissipation effects are included through a model of the full electron pressure tensor in which self-consistently generated anisotropies are reduced via an isotropization time factor. The linear growth rates and ion dynamics are in qualitative agreement with linear theory and one-component simulations. The reconnection rate increases with the isotropization time.
What Can We Really Learn About Management Practices Across Firms and Countries

Executive Overview We provide a rejoinder to the article by Bloom, Sadun, and Van Reenen (this issue). In this paper, we acknowledge positive aspects of their work. However, we also raise both conceptual and methodological issues that need to be addressed as their research efforts move forward. Specific recommendations are provided.
A micro-electro-mechanical model for polarization switching of ferroelectric materials

Abstract Ferroelectric and ferroelastic switching are the major source of nonlinearity and hysteresis in ferroelectric materials subjected to high electric field or mechanical stress. A computational micromechanics model for polycrystalline ferroelectric ceramics is developed based on consideration of the constitutive behavior of single crystals. This model simulates the tetragonal and the rhombohedral crystal structures. Saturation of the linear piezoelectric effect is included. Interaction between different grains in the polycrystalline ceramic is considered. A switching criterion is developed that accounts for different energy levels associated with 90° and 180° switching for the tetragonal structure (or 70.5°, 109.5°, and 180° for the rhombohedral structure). Experimental results on 8/65/35 PLZT are simulated and a parametric study of the effects of crystal structure, intergranular interaction, and phase transformation is performed.
B-cation arrangements in double perovskites

A survey of A′A″B′B″O6 double perovskites, which encompasses over 300 compounds synthesized from about 1950 to the present, shows that three distinct B-cation arrangements are known: random, rock salt, and layered. Examples are provided to illustrate the most common symmetries of these B-cation sublattices and to show how they can be assigned based on powder diffraction patterns. A comprehensive examination of the factors that influence B-cation arrangement, namely the charge, size, and electronic configuration of the B cations, and the AB size ratio, is presented. Special consideration is given to the layered sublattice because of its rarity and its potential importance in two-dimensional materials, such as cuprate superconductors.
Relevance-based Teaching Techniques: An Overview of Options and Assessment of One Technique

Abstract The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of relevance-based teaching techniques (RBTTs). Such techniques focus on activities that complement (or sometimes replace) the traditional lecture format. RBTTs are designed to enhance the learning experience for students. An overview of one sample RBTT is provided, in conjunction with descriptive data about the students’ perceptions of the teaching technique.
Experience with the van der Meulen one-stage hypospadias repair.

Abstract The van der Meulen one-stage hypospadias repair for distal hypospadias with minimal or no chordee is described. It has been used in 65 cases and the results were good or excellent in 50 patients. There were no instances of postoperative urethral fistula.
Comparing psychosocial predictors of physical activity adoption and maintenance.

Background Most health behavior models do not distinguish between determinants of behavior adoption and maintenance.
Grid vs subcutaneously delivered shock in escape schedules with guinea pigs

Guinea pigs were trained by use of titrated negative-reinforcement procedures to escape electric shock on ratio schedules. With one group of Ss, shock was delivered through the grid floor of the chamber. Another group had electrodes implanted subcutaneously, closing a circuit between the back of the neck and near the tail bone. The subcutaneous group was also run with grid-shock escape. Results indicate that grid-delivered shock is more effective and efficient than is shock delivered through implanted electrodes.
Growing to Trust: Evidence That Trust Increases and Sustains Well-Being Across the Life Span

Across the globe, populations are aging, which presents an unprecedented challenge to individual and societal well-being. We seek to (a) replicate and extend previous work on age-related differences in interpersonal trust and (b) examine associations between trust and well-being across the adult life span. Study 1, a cross-sectional study of 197,888 individuals (aged 14–99) from 83 countries assessed between 1981 and 2007, showed that (a) older versus younger adults showed higher interpersonal trust and (b) higher trust predicted higher well-being, especially for older adults. Study 2, a nationally representative three-wave cohort-sequential longitudinal study (spanning 4 years) of 1,230 individuals in the United States (aged 18–89), showed that (a) interpersonal trust increased longitudinally across age groups and (b) higher trust predicted increases in well-being longitudinally and vice versa. These findings suggest that interpersonal trust may be an important resource for successful development across ...
Pharmacological heterogeneity of NMDA receptors: characterization of NR1a/NR2D heteromers expressed in Xenopus oocytes.

The pharmacology of recombinant NR1a/NR2D NMDA receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes was examined and compared to the pharmacology of NR1a/NR2A, NR1a/NR2B and NR1a/NR2C heteromers. The NR1/NR2D heteromer showed a pharmacological profile distinct from each of the other NR1/NR2 heteromers. This unique pharmacological profile was characterized by a relatively lower affinity for the agonist homoquinolinate and the antagonists 2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoate (D-AP5) and (R,E)-4-(3-phosphonoprop-2-enyl)piperazine-2-carboxylic acid (D-CPPene) but not for the antagonists (+/-)-4-(4-phenylbenzoyl) piperazine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid (PBPD) and alpha-amino-5-(phosphonomethyl)[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-propanoic acid (EAB515). NR2D-containing receptors displayed a pharmacological profile most similar to that observed for receptors containing the genetically related NR2C subunit. These findings parallel observations obtained for native NMDA receptors in the medial thalamus (presumed to contain NR2D subunits) and forebrain (presumed to contain NR2A and NR2B subunits). Thus, only compounds that discriminate between either NR2A- or NR2B-containing heteromers and NR2D-containing heteromers also discriminate between forebrain and medial thalamic NMDA receptors. While the pharmacology of the NR1a/NR2D receptor shows many parallels to the medial thalamic NMDA receptor, some differences were observed. Certain compounds which discriminate between medial thalamic and cerebellar (presumed to contain NR2C subunits) receptors (e.g., homoquinolinate, D-CPPene) did not show a similar selectivity for NR1a/NR2D receptors relative to NR1/NR2C receptors. Co-expression of NR1a, NR2B and NR2D subunits in Xenopus oocytes resulted in the formation of heteromeric complexes with unique pharmacological properties, suggesting the co-existence of these two distinct NR2 subunits in the same receptor complex.
Evaluation of Alternate Reductants for Application in Light Water Reactors

Abstract A new approach was developed for achieving a low electrochemical corrosion potential (ECP) on structural materials exposed to high-temperature water, even without the addition of pure hydrogen. This approach uses metal hydride or alcohol acting as an alternate hydrogen source as well as providing an insulating oxide surface. Preliminary experimental data on various materials showed that the addition of these alternate reductants lowers ECP and enhances the catalytic benefit of noble metal-treated surfaces.
Presentational style of therapeutic directive and response to cold pressor pain.

Both therapists and physicians give people directives to perform acts that are presumably therapeutic for them. Noncompliance with such therapeutic directives is surprisingly high (1). Styles of giving such directives often differ markedly. The present experiment compared three styles of giving therapeutic directives (persuasion, collaboration, and written directives) to manage the discomfort of the cold pressor, a treatment for strains and sprains and a frequent analogue for short-term counseling. Female undergraduate volunteers (N = 60) from psychology classes at a large urban university were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions and were individually pre- and posaested for ice-water tolerance (10-min. limit) by one of two male experimenters blind to treatment condition. After each test, participants rated their pain on a 100-point scale. Berween tests, rhey received training in the use of pleasant imagery as a pain palliadve. Training was conducted using one of three presentational styles. Persuasion consisted of the trainer giving directives in a clear, straightforward manner. Written instructions used a script identical to persuasion. In the collaborative style, the trainer solicited from the women expressions that imagery might be used to cope with pain, then he reinforced that and asked the women to elaborate on how rhey might use imagery, type of imagery, and content of specific scenes. An analysis of covariance, using the pretest tolerance as the covariate, was performed for posttes: tolerance and self-reported pain. For tolerance, groups did not differ. For self-reported pain, however, there was a significant effect for presentational style. Women hearing the persuasive style reported lower psin than those reading the same instructions. Women collaborating with the trainer did not differ from other women. Acrusl reported imagery use was significantly correlated with less self-reported pain. Theories of counseling indicate that enh~ncing clients' perceived self-control should increase their compliance with therapeutic directives. Samaan and Parker (2) found collaborative directives better than persuasive directives at inducing career exploration. On the other hand, physicians have traditionally issued directives without consulting patients. The present experiment indicates that for simple therapeutic directives, a persuasive style is superior to writren instructions and not different from a collaborative style in producing therapeutic gain. This may be true because persuasion maximizes
Fundamental frequency analysis of laminated rectangular plates by differential quadrature method

In this paper a differential quadrature method is presented for computation of the fundamental frequency of a thin laminated rectangular plate. The partial differential equations of motion for free vibration are solved for the boundary conditions by approximating them by substituting weighted polynomials functions for the differential operator. By doing this, the coupled partial differential equations of motion are reduced to sets of homogeneous algebraic equations. These sets of homogeneous algebraic equations are combined to give a set of general eigenvalue equations for the problem. Three types of laminated plate problems, which include symmetric, antisymmetric cross-ply, and symmetric, balanced angle-ply laminates, are analysed by the method and the results obtained are compared with solutions reported in the literature for other numerical methods. The effects of the level of discretization on the accuracy and rate of convergence of the results are also discussed. The method presented gives accurate results and is found to use not much computer time.