cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Should Tougher Basic Skills Requirements Be Viewed as a Means of Strengthening the Teaching Force

The study assesses the criterion-related validity of one state's set of basic skills requirements for teacher licensure. Though all 186 participants met the basic skills requirements in place when enrolled as teacher education students, the PPST Reading scores of 77 participants and the PPST Mathematics scores of 67 do not meet the state's current requirements. The magnitude of correlations between the participants' basic skills scores and their performance in student teaching provides no criterion-related support for the current requirements, and the correlations involving reading and mathematics raise questions regarding the minimal competency assumption that positive relationships exist between teaching performance and scores below the qualifying levels on basic skills tests.
Fluctuations in Two-Dimensional Six-Vertex Systems

The character of polarization correlations in six-vertex systems will be discussed. Making use of a connection between the 1-d Heisenberg-Ising chain and the six-vertex problem, we draw upon existing results for the chain correlations to obtain information about long-wavelength polarization correlations in six-vertex models. These results are compared with a neutron scattering study of 2-d polarization correlations in the layered compound copper formate tetrahydrate. Because the six-vertex model is equivalent to a particular roughening model, these results also explicitly predict the critical behavior of that roughening model just above its roughening temperature. The results correspond to the predictions of Kosterlitz and Thouless for the phase transition in the 2-d Coulomb gas.
Integration by Stealth: How the European Union Gained Competence Over Foreign Direct Investment

How are policy competences allocated between different actors? This paper contributes to the literature on institutional development through an in-depth case-study of the conditions under which the competence over the negotiation of agreements on foreign direct investment (FDI) was transferred from the national level to the European Union (EU) in the 2009 Lisbon Treaty. Most analysts assume that this competence shift was a rationally designed delegation, intended to maximize European bargaining power in international investment negotiations, and conceived as an important element of a teleological drive to make the EU a meaningful external actor. This paper tells a different story -- one where the competence shift happened by stealth as a result of a combination of Commission entrepreneurship and historical accident, against the preferences of the Member States. The paper also assesses whether the conditions under which the competence was transferred have implications on the implementation of the new policy.
Sediment transport and channel adjustments associated with dam removal: Field observations

[1] This study documents changes in channel geometry, bed level profile, and bed grain size distribution and their relations with the sediment transport at the reach scale, following the removal of a low-head dam. After the removal, net sediment deposition occurred downstream of the dam, and net erosion occurred in the reservoir, but approximately less than 1% of the sediment stored in the reservoir was transported downstream. No bank erosion was evident either upstream or downstream of the dam. Bed deposition and scouring in the reservoir accounted for a decrease in the bed slope of 30%. The stations downstream of the dam had surface bed material sizes at least 40% finer than preremoval conditions. However, the sediment transport rates downstream of the dam were not significantly different from predam to postdam removal or from an upstream control. Overall, the removal of the dam had only minor effects on the channel adjustment downstream of the dam. A simple analysis linking transport to channel geometry explains this effect.
Fruit flies diversify their offspring in response to parasite infection

The evolution of sexual reproduction is often explained by Red Queen dynamics: Organisms must continually evolve to maintain fitness relative to interacting organisms, such as parasites. Recombination accompanies sexual reproduction and helps diversify an organism's offspring, so that parasites cannot exploit static host genotypes. Here we show that Drosophila melanogaster plastically increases the production of recombinant offspring after infection. The response is consistent across genetic backgrounds, developmental stages, and parasite types but is not induced after sterile wounding. Furthermore, the response appears to be driven by transmission distortion rather than increased recombination. Our study extends the Red Queen model to include the increased production of recombinant offspring and uncovers a remarkable ability of hosts to actively distort their recombination fraction in rapid response to environmental cues.
Integrating static and dynamic voting protocols to enhance file availability

A hybrid scheme is proposed that integrates the static voting protocol and dynamic voting with linearly ordered copies. A stochastic model is used to compare the file availability afforded by the proposed hybrid scheme against the availabilities of voting, dynamic voting, and dynamic voting with linearly ordered copies. The analysis provides evidence for the conjecture that the hybrid scheme is the optimal algorithm in the context of the stochastic model. >
SleepSense: Non-invasive sleep event recognition using an electromagnetic probe

Sleep monitoring is receiving increased attention in the healthcare community, because the quality of sleep has a great impact on human health. Existing in-home sleep monitoring devices are either obtrusive to the user or cannot provide adequate sleep information. To this end, we present SleepSense, a contactless and low-cost sleep monitoring system for home use that can continuously detect the sleep event. Specifically, SleepSense consists of three parts: an electromagnetic probe, a robust automated radar demodulation module, and a signal processing framework for sleep event recognition, including on-bed movement, bed exit, and breathing event. We present a prototype of the SleepSense system, and perform a set of comprehensive experiments to evaluate the performance of sleep monitoring. Using a real-case evaluation, experimental results indicate that SleepSense can perform effective sleep event detection and recognition in practice.
Medical Mistrust, Perceived Discrimination, and Satisfaction With Health Care Among Young-Adult Rural Latinos

Purpose Little research has analyzed mistrust and discrimination influencing receipt of health care services among Latinos, particularly those living in rural areas. This study examined the associations between medical mistrust, perceived discrimination, and satisfaction with health care among young-adult rural Latinos. Research Design This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 387 young-adult Latinos (ages 18-25) living in rural Oregon. The Behavioral Model of Vulnerable Populations was utilized as the theoretical framework. Correlations were run to assess bivariate associations among variables included in the study. Ordered logistic regression models evaluated the associations between medical mistrust, perceived discrimination, and satisfaction with health care. Results On average, participants used health services 4 times in the past year. Almost half of the participants had health insurance (46%). The majority reported that they were moderately (32%) or very satisfied (41%) with health care services used in the previous year. In multivariable models, medical mistrust and perceived discrimination were significantly associated with satisfaction with health care. Conclusions Medical mistrust and perceived discrimination were significant contributors to lower satisfaction with health care among young-adult Latinos living in rural Oregon. Health care reform implementation, currently under way, provides a unique opportunity for developing evaluation systems and interventions toward monitoring and reducing rural Latino health care disparities.
Impaired lymphocyte responsiveness in osteosarcoma

Defects in cellular immunity have been documented in a variety of neoplasms of both lymphoid and nonlymphoid origin. Cellular immune function was studied pre-operatively in 47 patients with untreated but apparently resectable sarcomas of bone or soft tissue by measuring in vitro lymphocyte response to the mitogen PHA. This quantitative assay of lymphocyte function was used to compare patients with various subtypes of soft-tissue sarcoma (fibro, lipo, myo, and undifferentiated) to patients with osteosarcoma and to a group of over 250 age-matched normal controls. The percentage of low lymphocyte response in 32 soft-tissue sarcoma patients (19%) did not differ significantly from that in controls (16%). By contrast, 80% of 15 osteosarcoma patients had depressed lymphocyte reactivity, a highly significant difference compared both with age-matched controls (P < 0.01 by chi square) and with soft-tissue sarcoma patients (P < 0.05). This depression of lymphocyte function peculiar to osteosarcoma has important implications for understanding the pathogenesis of these tumors, for clarifying host interactions with viral agents, and for rational planning of immunotherapy.
007 Wound Healing Stimulation by Low‐Level Light

It has been known for many years that low levels of laser or noncoherent light (LLLT) accelerate some phases of wound healing. LLLT can stimulate fibroblast and keratinocyte proliferation and migration. It is thought to work via light absorption by mitochondrial cytochromes, increase in reactive oxygen species and consequent gene transcription. However, despite many reports about the positive effects of LLLT on wound healing, its use remains controversial. Our laboratory has developed a model of a full thickness excisional wound in mice that allows quantitative and reproducible light dose healing response curves to be generated. We have found a biphasic dose response curve with a maximum positive effect at 2 J/cm2 of 635-nm light and successively lower beneficial effects from 3–25 J/cm2, the effect is diminished at doses below 2 J/cm2 and gradually reaches control healing levels. At light doses above 25 J/cm2 healing is actually worse than controls. Although analysis of action spectra revealed the most effective light to be 635 nm, dose response curves are likely to be of similar shape for different wavelengths of light but at different absolute fluences. We found no difference between filtered 635 ± 15-nm light from a lamp and 633-nm HeNe laser. Light alone (or a combination with other agents such as photosensitive dyes or matrix degrading enzymes) could be used for stimulation of wound healing. Our future work will be focused on understanding the mechanisms underlying effects of light on wound healing processes. We propose to examine various knockout and overexpressing mice to determine the precise mechanisms operating and to study mouse models of impaired wound healing to more closely define which patients might most benefit from LLLT.
2-Dimensional and computational analysis of the 1H NMR spectrum of the bis(2,2′-bipyridine)carbonatocobalt(III) ion†

The use of COSzY and NOESY 1H NMR techniques allows for the assignment of 1H NMR chemical shifts for the bis(2,2′-bipyridine)carbonatocobalt(III) ion. These assignments are further confirmed by DFT GIAO-NMR calculations using the model chemistry B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) and invoking the IEF-PCM representing acetone. These computations also allow for initial quantification of a cis influence on the chemical shift due to anisotropic ring currents and a much less pronounced trans influence on the chemical shift due to inductive effects. The computational model employed is also compared to previously accepted models for anisotropic effects. †In memory of Professor Emeritus Jay H. Worrell.
A Perspective on International School Health Education Research

The scope and content of school health education research conducted from 1984-1987 in countries outside the U.S. are examined. Both published and unpublished research were requested from sources identified by the American School Health Association's Council on International Health. One hundred eighty-eight studies from 31 countries were reviewed and categorized. Countries that publish journals devoted to school health offer more opportunities for publishing research. Analysis of the studies revealed that individuals involved in school health face similar problems regardless of country. Cross-country comparative studies serve as models for future research.
Measuring lung water: ex vivo validation of multi-image gradient echo MRI.

Purpose: To validate a fast gradient echo sequence for rapid (9 s) quantitative imaging of lung water. Materials and Methods: Eleven excised pig lungs were imaged with a fast GRE sequence in triplicate, in the sagittal plane at 2 levels of inflation pressure (5 and 15 cm H2O), an intervention that alters T2*, but not total lung water. Images were acquired alternating between two closely-spaced echoes and data were fit (voxel-by-voxel) to a single exponential to determine T2* and water content, and compared with gravimetric measurements of total water. Results: T2* averaged 1.08 ± 0.02 ms at 5 cm H2O and 1.02 ± 0.02 ms at 15 cm H2O (P < 0.05). The measure was reliable (R2 = 0.99), with an average mean error of 1.8%. There was a significant linear relationship between the two measures of water content: The regression equations for the relationship were y = 0.92x + 19 (R2 = 0.94), and y = 1.04x + 4 (R2 = 0.96), for 5 and 15 cm H2O inflation pressure respectively. Y-intercepts were not statistically different from zero (P = 0.86). Conclusion: The multi-echo GRE sequence is a reliable and valid technique to assess water content in the lung. This technique enables rapid assessment of lung water, which is advantageous for in vivo studies. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Combining an expert system with simulation to enhance planning for banking networks

This application paper shows how bankers who are planning to operate a local electronic funds transfer (EFT) network can use simulation and an expert system to improve their EFT decisions. The key to making good EFT decisions is understanding the tradeoffs between the costs and performance of different network possibilities. Being able to explore network choices in light of a bank's service and profit goals, prior to the actual commitment of resources, is essential to that understanding. However, there are no published EFT studies which attempt to combine both technical and economic con cerns, particularly the representation of intangible benefits and costs, in a single methodology. The simulation process de scribed here illustrates a computer model that approximates the performance and economics of alternative local EFT designs. Expert system technology is incorporated to give bankers the convenience of interacting with the model in a natural language format. It should be noted that the work described he...
Hepatitis C Virus NS5B Polymerase: QM/MM Calculations Show the Important Role of the Internal Energy in Ligand Binding

The inter- and intramolecular interactions that determine the experimentally observed binding mode of the ligand (2Z)-2-(benzoylamino)-3-[4-(2-bromophenoxy)phenyl]-2-propenoate in complex with hepatitis C virus NS5B polymerase have been studied using QM/MM calculations. DFT-based QM/MM optimizations were performed on a number of ligand conformers in the protein-ligand complex. Using these initial poses, our aim is 2-fold. First, we identify the minimum energy pose. Second, we dissect the energetic contributions to this pose using QM/MM methods. The study reveals the critical importance of internal energy for the proper energy ranking of the docked poses. Using this protocol, we successfully identified three poses that have low RMSD with respect to the crystallographic structure from among the top 20 initially docked poses. We show that the most important energetic component contributing to binding for this particular protein-ligand system is the conformational (i.e., QM internal) energy.
First principles computational study of the active site of arginase

Ab initio density functional theory (DFT) methods were used to investigate the structural features of the active site of the binuclear enzyme rat liver arginase. Special emphasis was placed on the crucial role of the second shell ligand interactions. These interactions were systematically studied by performing calculations on models of varying size. It was determined that a water molecule, and not hydroxide, is the bridging exogenous ligand. The carboxylate ligands facilitate the close approach of the Mn (II) ions by attenuating the metal-metal electrostatic repulsion. Of the two metals, MnA was shown to carry a larger positive charge. Analysis of the electronic properties of the active site revealed that orbitals involving the terminal Asp234 residue, as well as the flexible -1,1 bridging Asp232, lie at high energies, suggesting weaker coordination. This is reflected in certain structural variability present in our models and is also consistent with recent experimental findings. Finally, implications of our findings for the biological function of the enzyme are delineated.
The multi-value basis of procedural justice

Abstract Three experiments demonstrate that multiple values can account for the relation between respectful treatment and judgments of procedural fairness. The Group Value Theory of procedural justice (Lind & Tyler, 1988) asserts that respectful treatment is viewed as fair because it communicates positive information about one's standing within one's group. We propose that other values introduced in other contexts, including a desire for positive intergroup standing, and self-interest, will also mediate the relation between respect and procedural fairness. Three experiments are reported in which individuals have encounters with ingroup or outgroup members who treat them respectfully or disrespectfully. Results from these experiments support this multiple value model by showing that: (1) Each of the value judgments of intragroup standing, intergroup standing, and self-interest has positive direct effects on procedural fairness; and (2) The effect of respect on procedural fairness is mediated by each of these value judgments. Additionally, evidence is summarized that is generally supportive of a third, ancillary hypothesis: (3) The meaning of respect varies across contexts that highlight different values. These findings suggest that theorizing about procedural fairness will benefit by recognizing the multiply-determined and contextually-dependent nature of procedural fairness.
Electrostatic deposition of graphene

Loose graphene sheets, one to a few atomic layers thick, are often observed on freshly cleaved HOPG surfaces. A straightforward technique using electrostatic attraction is demonstrated to transfer these graphene sheets to a selected substrate. Sheets from one to 22 layers thick have been transferred by this method. One sheet after initial deposition is measured by atomic force microscopy to be only an atomic layer thick (∼0.35 nm). A few weeks later, this height is seen to increase to ∼0.8 nm. Raman spectroscopy of a single layer sheet shows the emergence of an intense D band which dramatically decreases as the number of layers in the sheet increase. The intense D band in monolayer graphene is attributed to the graphene conforming to the roughness of the substrate. The disruption of the C-C bonds within the single graphene layer could also contribute to this intense D band as evidenced by the emergence of a new band at 1620 cm(-1).
Neuronal subpopulations in cat retina which accumulate the GABA agonist, (3H)muscimol: a combined Golgi and autoradiographic study.

Golgi impregnation techniques were combined with, electron microscopic autoradiography of (3H)muscimol in order to provide morphological identification of labeled neurons in the cat retina. This γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonist has been shown to label the same neurons which accumulate (3H)GABA. Selected cells were photographed and drawn by the aid of a camera lucida drawing tube prior to being thin sectioned for autoradiography. The (3H)muscimol-accumulating neurons which were identified include an interplexiform cell, five classes of conventional amacrine cell, and another cell with its soma located in the ganglion cell layer which is either a ganglion cell or a displaced amacrine. The conventional amacrine cells were compared with the recent morphological classification of Kolb et al. (Vision Res. 21: 1081-1114, '81) and identified as A2, A10, A13, A17, and A19 amacrine cells. These cells exhibit a widespread distribution providing input to all five strata of the inner plexiform layer.
Relative Viscosity and Specific Gravity of Human Blood During Cold Storage

SummaryEight units of blood were preserved under blood banking conditions for a period of 42 days. Aliquots were assayed for relative viscosity, specific gravity, and density distribution of red cell population at the time of collection of blood, at 21 and 42 days of storage. Relative viscosity demonstrated an exponential, and specific gravity a linear, relationship with red blood cell mass, measured as hematocrit content. The three parameters investigated showed significant changes during the preservation of blood. The magnitude of these changes is greater between 21 and 42 days than between 0 and 21 days of storage. Red cells from fresh blood were separated into two extreme age groups, low density (young) and high density (old cells); the osmotic fragility of the erythrocytes in these two groups was different and the high density cells demonstrated greater osmotic resistance than cells from 42-day-old blood.
CD44 and CD69 Represent Different Types of Cell-surface Activation Markers for Human Eosinophils

Eosinophils (EOS) purified from peripheral blood or late-phase bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were analyzed with 473 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from the Fifth International Workshop on Human Leukocyte Antigens in an attempt to identify markers of EOS activation. Two strategies were used: (1) to look for surface markers absent on fresh EOS but present after in vivo activation (e.g., in late-phase BAL fluid [BALF]) or after in vitro culture for up to 72 h with cytokines (⩽ 10 ng/ml of interleukin-3 [IL-3], IL-5, or granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor [GM-CSF]); and (2) to look for markers constitutively expressed on fresh EOS that were increased after activation in vivo or after culture in vitro. With indirect immunofluorescence and flow cytometry, the first approach revealed that among approximately 350 mAbs tested, only those recognizing CD69 became bound to late-phase BALF EOS or cytokine-cultured EOS, but not to fresh EOS. Using the second approach, we observed statistically significant con...
Boundaryless careers and institutional resources

The ‘boundaryless career’ model has been dominant in the careers and management literatures for over a decade. It has provided valuable conceptual tools for researchers as well as a supportive ideology for those embarking on careers outside the limits of a single organization. It has stimulated a great deal of research in a variety of countries. But, along with a growing number of critics, we suggest that this model has an excessively individualistic bias which views career success as largely a function of individual proactive traits and the person-cantered social networks built by individual action. As a result it has neglected the institutional resources needed to support such careers. In this paper we outline seven different sets of needs for successful boundaryless careers: career counselling, socioemotional support, job performance and entrepreneurial skills, skill transferability and certification, labour market assistance, financial and material resources, and collective voice. We then describe ins...
Scheduling demand-responsive transportation vehicles using fuzzy-set theory

A scheduling algorithm for the time‐window‐based, many‐to‐many, dial‐a‐ride problem is presented. The algorithm is based on two steps: developing the initial route and inserting leftover trips. These two steps are applied to the scheduling of one vehicle at a time. The paper introduces fuzziness in the values of two basic input parameters, travel time and the desired time of vehicle stop, and applies fuzzy‐arithmetic rules and logic to develop the schedules. Since travel time is fuzzy, the possibility of inserting a stop between two existing stops is evaluated by fuzzy grade. Further, the degree that the arrival time of the vehicle satisfies the desired time of the passenger is evaluated by the intersection of two fuzzy sets: arrival time and desired time of vehicle arrival. Thus, the feasibility of inserting a stop between two existing stops is evaluated by two criteria: (1) The feasibility of stopping at the stop; and (2) user satisfaction. Threshold values that specify the minimum acceptable level of s...
Ignition of a Large Volume Plasma with a Plasma Jet

Here we report on a method to generate a long plasma plume and to ignite a large volume plasma by means of the jet. The plasma plume is generated by our tube reactor and then introduced into a chamber where the pressure is controlled. We discovered there are three operating phases: A phase where the plume length remains approximately constant, followed by a second phase where the jet increases in length as the pressure decreases. Then at pressures below 70 Torr a mode transition occurs where the plume length decreases and the plasma expands until the entire chamber is filled.
MicroRNA Binding Sites in Arabidopsis Class III HD-ZIP mRNAs Are Required for Methylation of the Template Chromosome

Dominant mutations in the Arabidopsis PHABULOSA (PHB) and PHAVOLUTA (PHV) transcription factor genes cause transformation of abaxial to adaxial leaf fates by altering a microRNA complementary site present in processed PHB and PHV mRNAs but not in the corresponding genomic DNA. phb-1d mutants accumulate excess PHB transcript throughout the leaf primordium, indicating defective regulation of PHB transcript synthesis and/or stability. We show that PHB and PHV coding sequences are heavily methylated downstream of the microRNA complementary site in most wild-type plant cells and that methylation is reduced in phb-1d and phv-1d mutants. Decreased methylation is limited to the chromosome bearing the dominant mutant allele in phb-1d heterozygotes. Low levels of methylation are detected in wt PHB DNA isolated from undifferentiated tissues. These results suggest a model in which the microRNA interacts with nascent, newly processed PHB mRNA to alter chromatin of the corresponding PHB template DNA predominantly in differentiated cells.
Dopamine D2 receptors are present in prefrontal cortical afferents and their targets in patches of the rat caudate-putamen nucleus

Glutamatergic neurons within the deep layers of the prefrontal cortex and dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta preferentially terminate in patch-like regions within the caudate putamen nucleus (CPN). Activation of dopamine D2 receptors is known to potently modulate striatal glutamatergic transmission and may play a role in reward-based motor learning. To determine the cellular substrate for D2-mediated regulation of prefrontal corticostriatal transmission in striatal patches, we combined anterograde transport of biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) with immunogold-silver labeling of a D2 receptor antipeptide antiserum in rat brain. Injections centered in deep layers of the dorsal part of the anterior cingulate cortex, one of the prefrontal cortical regions, produced varicose axonal BDA labeling in a patch-like distribution in the dorsomedial CPN. Electron microscopy showed that in these patch compartments, BDA labeling was present exclusively in axons and terminals (total number = 581), 9% of which contained detectable D2-like immunoreactivity. Thirty percent of the BDA-labeled terminals formed asymmetric excitatory synapses with dendritic spine heads, and the remainder were without recognizable junctions. The recipient spines were unlabeled or contained immunogold-silver particles for D2 receptors. A few of the D2-labeled spines also received convergent, often nonsynaptic contact from D2-labeled terminals resembling dopaminergic afferents. In addition, the corticostriatal terminals often apposed spiny and nonspiny neuronal profiles that contained D2 labeling. These results suggest that dopamine D2 receptors are strategically positioned for presynaptic and postsynaptic modulation of prefrontal corticostriatal excitation of spiny neurons in striatal patches. The findings have direct implications for D2-mediated control of reward-related motor learning.
Retrograde amnesia and brain seizures in mice: a further analysis.

Abstract This experiment examined the relationship between brain seizures and electroshock-produced retrograde amnesia (RA). Mice were given 25 massed training trials in a one-way active avoidance task followed by a single transcorneal electroshock (ES). The mice were lightly anesthetized with diethyl ether during a 40 sec interval between the last training trial and ES administration. Electrocorticographic (ECoG) activity was recorded following ES. Twenty-four hr later mice were given an additional 25 training trials. Analyses of difference scores (Day 2-Day 1 avoidance) and ECoG records indicated that neither brain seizures nor RA were produced by ES intensities below 15 mA. ES of 15 mA intensity produced significant RA but no cortical brain seizures. Higher ES intensities produced brain seizures and a greater degree of RA. These data indicate that, under some conditions, ES produces RA at current levels below the threshold for ECoG seizure activity.
Analyses of loads on reactor pressure vessel internals in a pressurized water reactor due to a loss-of-coolant accident considering fluid-structure interaction

Abstract During a postulated loss-of-coolant accident, significant structural loadings on the reactor pressure vessel and its internals can be exerted due to the non-uniform and time-dependent pressure differences. The integrity of the internals must be secured, so as to ensure reactor shutdown and post-accident heat removal. Two developed computer codes to be discussed in this paper are used for the analysis of loads on the reactor pressure vessel internals. In the analyses the fluid-structure interaction effects are taken into account in the annular space between the pressure vessel and the core support barrel as well as in the upper plenum. This is a more realistic approach with respect to peak loadings and structural response frequencies.
Cold hardiness in two helminth parasites of the freeze-tolerant wood frog, Rana sylvatica

Wood frogs, Rana sylvatica, tolerate the freezing of their body tissues as an overwintering adaptation. Various parasites infect wood frogs of northern populations, but nothing is known about their strategies for surviving within a frozen host. We examined winter-conditioned wood frogs that were experimentally exposed to 0°C (nonfrozen) or 4°C (frozen) to determine whether endoparasites survive the freezing of their host. We found no differences in the prevalence or intensity of adult lungworms Rhabdias ranae (Nematoda) or of larvae of an unidentified species of digenetic trematode between these groups. Live individuals of both species were observed in hosts that recovered from experimental freezing at 4°C. Within the host, R. ranae also tolerated exposure to 5°C, a temperature near the lower limit of survival of the wood frog. Cryostage experiments showed that, like its host, R. ranae was highly susceptible to inoculative freezing and tolerant of the freezing of its tissues. Rhabdias ranae frozen in v...
Social-similarity-based routing algorithm in Delay Tolerant Networks

A Delay Tolerant Network (DTN) is a type of wireless mobile network that does not guarantee continuous network connectivity. One application can be found in the social communication networks that are becoming ever more ubiquitous with the development of more portable, affordable, and powerful mobile devices. In such a network, people move around and contact each other based on their common interests. Recently, some social-feature-based routing protocols that take advantage of recorded social features to steer the routing in the right direction have been proposed. In such protocols, every node finds its differences in social features with the destination. The routing hence becomes a process to resolve the social feature differences between a source and a destination. However, we believe that merely distinguishing nodes by “same” or “different” social features is insufficient in reflecting nodes' dynamic behavior. Therefore, we put forward SOSIM, a novel routing algorithm that uses similarity metrics from data mining on nodes' contact history to more accurately evaluate social similarities between nodes. To improve efficiency, we apply delegation forwarding in our algorithm. Analysis indicates that our algorithm can improve routing performance with a low implementation cost. The simulation results using real trace also show that our algorithm outperforms the existing ones.
Voltammetric determination of a pesticide, sulfometuron methyl, via its N-chloroderivative

Abstract The reported method using differential pulse voltammetry on a platinum electrode allows selective determination of low concentrations of sulfometuron methyl (SMM, weed killer “Oust”, DuPont). An electroactive species is obtained in an aqueous solution of SMM with NaClO at pH 9.0. The reaction is characterized by a yellow coloration (λmax = 400 nm) with maximum absorbance measured after 30 min. The reaction product shows a cathodic peak in acidic medium, its current is linearly proportional to the SMM concentration. The potential range (Epc around 440 mV vs. Ag|AgCl) makes the monitoring highly selective. Oxidation of the iodide ion to iodine proves the presence of a ‘positive’ chlorine in SMM-Cl. Solid phase extraction of more hydrophobic SMM-Cl, when compared with SMM, from aqueous solutions allows a ten-fold increase in sensitivity of the method (ppb range or lower).
Role of the Vagus Nerves in Bronchoconstriction in Humans

Studies of animals have shown the parasympathetic nervous system to influence airway caliber and to mediate reflex bronchoconstriction provoked by chemical or mechanical irritation of the respiratory tract. The involvement of this autonomic system in the bronchial hyperreactivity of humans with asthma has been assessed by comparing bronchomotor responsiveness before and after giving agents intended to block parasympathetic efferent activity. The results of these studies suggest that the degree of involvement of parasympathetic mechanisms in bronchial responses is variable among subjects and that other, nonparasympathetic mechanisms must also be involved. The situation appears to be much more complicated than depicted in Figure 1 , for studies with distilled water aerosol suggest that simple stimulation of afferent nerves in the respiratory tract need not produce bronchoconstriction. While it is conceivable that different populations of afferent receptors mediate reflex cough and bronchoconstriction and that these populations differ in location or in their sensitivity to lidocaine and cromolyn, it seems likely that the activation of parasympathetic efferent pathways is secondarily provoked by nonspecific stimuli, possibly by the action of chemical mediators on afferent nerves, ganglia, or efferent nerve endings in the airways.
WE‐D‐211A‐03: Congress, Medical Physics, and You

Each year, Congress creates the federal budget, establishing the funding of the NIH and all other granting agencies. The federal budget works at a much finer degree of detail than most appreciate, regularly creating, resizing, and eliminating research grant programs of all sizes, such as specific NIH funding mechanisms. Congress also considers many non‐budgetary changes to medical and science policy throughout the year. Despite the importance of their work, Congress has little in‐house expertise in most areas. Therefore, for all aspects of federal policy and budgeting, Congress knowingly depends on the proactive and reactive involvement of its expert constituents. This presentation will review the structure and realities of Congress from the perspective of a medical physicist who spent the last two years in physics policyfellowships on the Hill. Examples of recent years' continuing resolutions, omnibus budgets, emergency supplemental budgets, and policy changes will be used to illustrate how science has fared and why. Strategies medical physicists can use to help inform policy making will be presented. A full spectrum of opportunities for involvement will be discussed; that is, everything from sending an email to serving on a committee, from spending a few months in a policyfellowship to making a career change into policy or politics. Historically, vocal individuals and small groups have had a great deal of success in informing and influencing Congress. Accordingly, the goal of this presentation is to inform medical physicists of the many ways they can advocate for the profession and the services it provides.
RFLPs in mitochondrial and nuclear DNA indicate low levels of genetic diversity in the oak wilt pathogen Ceratocystis fagacearum

Genetic diversity in the oak wilt pathogen Ceratocystis fagacearum was assessed using restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and anonymous RFLP loci in the nuclear DNA (nuDNA). No genetic variation was detected in the mtDNA among 27 isolates sampled from a broad geographical area. Southern hybridization to 100 anonymous, random, nuDNA probes detected a low level of variation among nine of the isolates. Only 35 out of 437 probe-enzyme combinations detected RFLPs. Most of the RFLPs appeared to result from insertions and deletions of less than 200 bp. A composite multilocus haplotype based on hybridization to six anonymous probes could differentiate each of the nine isolates tested, suggesting that these probes may be useful for further studies of the population biology and epidemiology of this pathogen. Hypotheses are presented to account for the low level of genetic variation.
Differential Colonization and Growth of Algae and Ferromanganese-Depositing Bacteria in a Mountain Stream

ABSTRACT Over a 1 km course of a small mountain stream, the dominant epilithon shifted from diatoms to a ferromanganese-depositing bacterium, Leptothrix ochracea, then back to diatoms. The rates of colonization and growth of the algae and Leptothrix, along with concentrations of phosphorus, nitrate-N, nitrite-N, ammonia-N, silica, iron and manganese were measured at eight sites along the stream. Leptothrix abundance was significantly correlated with iron and manganese but not with other nutrients. Algal species diversity was high above and below the bacteria-dominated section but was extremely low where Leptothrix was common. It is likely that the extensive sheath and ferromanganese deposits on the substrate inhibited algal colonization and growth.
A systematic study of direct photon production in heavy ion collisions

A theoretical derivation of photon bremsstrahlung, induced by the interactions of an energetic quark in a hot and dense quark–gluon plasma, is given in the framework of the reaction operator approach. For the physically relevant case of hard jet production, followed by few in-medium interactions, we find that the Landau–Pomeranchuk–Migdal suppression of the bremsstrahlung photon intensity is much stronger than in the previously discussed limit of on-shell quarks and a large number of soft scatterings. This result is incorporated in the first systematic study of direct photon production in minimum bias d + Cu and d + Au and central Cu + Cu and Au + Au heavy ion collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider at center of mass energies s=62.4 GeV and 200 GeV. We find that the contribution of the photons created via final-state interactions is limited to 35% for 2 GeV<pT<5 GeV and at high transverse momenta the modification of the direct photon cross section is dominated by initial-state cold nuclear matter effects.
The Concept Map Is Not the Territory

(2002). The Concept Map Is Not the Territory. Studies in Science Education: Vol. 37, No. 1, pp. 143-148.
Analysis of diamond film creation by pulsed optical lattices

The ability of a chirped pulsed optical lattice to create diamond films using a molecular beam of fullerene molecules is numerically investigated. Two cases, high and low density, are considered. In both cases, the molecular beam was found to impact the substrate at velocities between 10 and 14 km/s. The proposed scenario for the diamond coating stems from the generation of high velocity beams of fullerene particles, bombardment of the substrate surface by these beams, successive dissipation of kinetic energy at the surface and drastic increase of pressure and temperature in the interaction region and finally, formation of diamond crystal structure from deposited fullerenes. A possible setup for the film deposition is proposed. It is shown that that such a system could possibly achieve diamond film growth rates in excess of 1.4 mm/s.
Alcoholism and Self-Responsibility: The Gestalt Approach:

A Gestalt therapist views alcoholic behavior as one outgrowth of an unwillingness to accept self-responsibility. Some of the major theories on the etiology of alcoholism are reviewed from the perspective of self-responsibility. This reveals a range of from 100 per cent ascribed self-responsibility in the Gestalt view to 0 per cent self-responsibility in the disease theory of alcoholism. The Gestalt concept of self-responsibility is the acknowledgement by the individual that he/she is the author of all thoughts, feelings, and behavior. The behavior of the alcoholic is contrasted with the self-responsible individual and seen to be a polar opposite. The clinical application of Gestalt therapy techniques to alcoholism is demonstrated and discussed with several case illustrations.
Insight, but not self-reflection, is related to subjective well-being

Abstract This investigation tested the hypotheses that (1) individuals with higher levels of insight would be both happier and more satisfied with their lives than those with lower levels and (2) that an interaction between self-reflection and insight would affect both happiness and life satisfaction. Participants (N = 208) were community members who completed four self-report instruments. They were divided into three groups according to their self-reflection (SRE) and insight scores. Then a 3 (SRE) × 3 (insight) MANCOVA was performed on satisfaction with life (SWLS) and subjective happiness (SHS) after controlling for age and psychological distress. Results indicated that insight was significantly positively associated with SWLS and SHS, but SRE was not. The interaction between SRE and insight was also not significant. Univariate analyses indicated that participants with the highest levels of insight were both significantly more satisfied with their lives and happier than participants with medium or low levels of insight, but the medium and low insight groups did not differ significantly from each other on either SWLS or SHS. Implications for future research are discussed.
Bivariate Markov processes of intervals

Bivariate Markov interval processes were introduced by Cox and Lewis as natural bivariate analogs of renewal processes. The two-state semi-Markov process and the superposition of two independent renewal processes are each recovered as special cases. The present paper investigates the dependency structure of the B.M.I.P. and gives some of its simpler properties. An application is given to a simple non-Markovian pure loss queueing system.
Functional and behavioral restoration of vision by gene therapy in the guanylate cyclase-1 (GC1) knockout mouse.

Background Recessive mutations in guanylate cyclase-1 (Gucy2d) are associated with severe, early onset Leber congenital amaurosis-1(LCA1). Gucy2d encodes guanylate cyclase (GC1) is expressed in photoreceptor outer segment membranes and produces cGMP in these cells. LCA1 patients present in infancy with severely impaired vision and extinguished electroretinogram (ERG) but retain some photoreceptors in both their macular and peripheral retina for years. Like LCA1 patients, loss of cone function in the GC1 knockout (GC1KO) mouse precedes cone degeneration. The purpose of this study was to test whether delivery of functional GC1 to cone cells of the postnatal GC1KO mouse could restore function to these cells. Methodology/principal findings Serotype 5 AAV vectors containing either a photoreceptor-specific, rhodopsin kinase (hGRK1) or ubiquitous (smCBA) promoter driving expression of wild type murine GC1 were subretinally delivered to one eye of P14 GC1KO mice. Visual function (ERG) was analyzed in treated and untreated eyes until 3 months post injection. AAV-treated, isogenic wild type and uninjected control mice were evaluated for restoration of visual behavior using optomotor testing. At 3 months post injection, all animals were sacrificed, and their treated and untreated retinas assayed for expression of GC1 and localization of cone arrestin. Cone-mediated function was restored to treated eyes of GC1KO mice (ERG amplitudes were approximately 45% of normal). Treatment effect was stable for at least 3 months. Robust improvements in cone-mediated visual behavior were also observed, with responses of treated mice being similar or identical to that of wild type mice. AAV-vectored GC1 expression was found in photoreceptors and cone cells were preserved in treated retinas. Conclusions/significance This is the first demonstration of gene-based restoration of both visual function/vision-elicited behavior and cone preservation in a mammalian model of GC1 deficiency. Importantly, results were obtained using a well characterized, clinically relevant AAV vector. These results lay the ground work for the development of an AAV-based gene therapy vector for the treatment of LCA1.
Fisher zeros and Julia sets: a multifractal analysis

Abstract We consider the Potts model on a hierarchical lattice. A multifractal analysis of the Julia set associated with the renormalization-group transformation, which gives the Fisher zeros of the partition function in the complex temperature plane, is performed. The behavior of the singularity spectrum f(α) and the generalized dimension Dq as a function of the number of states is studied.