cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Guilt in the Classroom

Publisher Summary Traditionally, guilt is viewed as a source of psychopathology. This chapter summarizes ways in which guilt may be adaptive in the classroom environment. It reviews empirical data indicating that guilt shows adaptive relationships with a wide range of behaviors inside and outside the classroom. Relationships appear to be robust across age level and, indeed, similar findings appear in childhood and adulthood. Guilt is a social emotion. Greater guilt is positively correlated with healthy interpersonal relationships and with caring, considerate, honest, and trustworthy behavior. Guilt is inversely related to aggressive, acting-out behavior. Moreover, greater guilt is related to volunteerism and eschewal of racist attitudes, suggesting that individuals higher on guilt are more tolerant and accepting of others with backgrounds different from their own and more conscious of inequities. The relationship of guilt to constructive social behavior is becoming increasingly well established. Studies provide evidence that guilt may play a pervasive role in positive adjustment. Its functions may not be limited to the interpersonal domain as one might conclude from the plethora of recent articles investigating social aspects of guilt. This chapter also describes the role that teachers and parents may play by inducing guilt in students in order to encourage them to engage in positive behaviors.
Innovating a Nonconventional Yeast Platform for Producing Shikimate as the Building Block of High-Value Aromatics.

The shikimate pathway serves an essential role in many organisms. Not only are the three aromatic amino acids synthesized through this pathway, but many secondary metabolites also derive from it. Decades of effort have been invested into engineering Saccharomyces cerevisiae to produce shikimate and its derivatives. In addition to the ability to express cytochrome P450, S. cerevisiae is generally recognized as safe for producing compounds with nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications. However, the intrinsically complicated regulations involved in central metabolism and the low precursor availability in S. cerevisiae has limited production levels. Here we report the development of a new platform based on Scheffersomyces stipitis, whose superior xylose utilization efficiency makes it particularly suited to produce the shikimate group of compounds. Shikimate was produced at 3.11 g/L, representing the highest level among shikimate pathway products in yeasts. Our work represents a new exploration toward ex...
Effluent COD of SBR Process Prediction Model Based on Fuzzy-Neural Network

The measurements of many key parameters and effluent qualities in WWTP (wastewater treatment plant) are impossible due to the lack of precise online sensors and strong time-delay of WWTP process. The fuzzy neural network (FNN) based effluent COD (chemical oxygen demand) of activated sludge SBR (sequential batch reactor) prediction model is built in this paper, before which preprocessing of SBR simulation data is done using PCA (principal component analysis) to extract the valid information of vast multi-dimension data. The gaining principal components are treated as the inputs of the FNN model to predict effluent COD with an adaptive genetic algorithm (AGA) method to rectify the prediction model. The result indicates that hybrid FNN can extract valid information from dataset and describe complex non-linear properties of WWTP to predict effluent qualities accurately
The Jewish–Comics Connection Reconsidered

This chapter presents some historical developments that underlie the invention of the “Jewish–comics connection,” and shows how much the historical context in which the original Superman comics were created differs from the one commonly presented in the literature. It presents a capsule history of the changing role of Jewish American participation and representation in US superhero comics. It then presents a brief review of relevant Jewish American assimilation strategies. Next, whiteness as a ground for American identity is discussed. Finally, the late 1960s shift toward celebration of “ethnic whiteness” is introduced. Together, these discussions show how different from today the place of Jewish Americans in the USA was when Superman was first created. This context is crucial to understanding both his creation and recent re-figuration.
19.1 A fundamental-frequency 114GHz circular-polarized radiating element with 14dBm EIRP, −99.3dBc/Hz phase-noise at 1MHz offset and 3.7% peak efficiency

Circular-polarized (CP) radiation is found to be a viable choice for imaging/sensing applications by offering faster scan time and robust source-detector alignment compared to linear radiation [1]. Power-efficient generation of a low-noise, high-power mm-wave/THz circular-polarized signal in silicon continues to be a challenging task. Due to limited output power of transistors at mm-wave, power combining methods (e.g., on-chip or spatial power combining) are employed to achieve high radiated power from multiple oscillator elements [1–5]. These methods, however, require lossy passive or power-hungry active coupling networks to lock the oscillators together, thereby degrading DC-to-RF efficiency [2]. This work introduces a high-efficiency and high-power multiport element, which can concurrently perform as a resonator, a power combiner, and a radiator, thereby avoiding the coupling networks and antenna buffers (Fig. 19.1.1). This structure enables CP radiation by exciting a radially symmetric radiator with evenly spaced phases of an RF signal [3]. These elements can be employed in an array configuration to obtain higher directivity (Fig. 19.1.1).
Brain morphology of the threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) varies inconsistently with respect to habitat complexity: A test of the Clever Foraging Hypothesis

The Clever Foraging Hypothesis asserts that organisms living in a more spatially complex environment will have a greater neurological capacity for cognitive processes related to spatial memory, navigation, and foraging. Because the telencephalon is often associated with spatial memory and navigation tasks, this hypothesis predicts a positive association between telencephalon size and environmental complexity. The association between habitat complexity and brain size has been supported by comparative studies across multiple species but has not been widely studied at the within-species level. We tested for covariation between environmental complexity and neuroanatomy of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) collected from 15 pairs of lakes and their parapatric streams on Vancouver Island. In most pairs, neuroanatomy differed between the adjoining lake and stream populations. However, the magnitude and direction of this difference were inconsistent between watersheds and did not covary strongly with measures of within-site environmental heterogeneity. Overall, we find weak support for the Clever Foraging Hypothesis in our study.
Peripheral immune factors are elevated in women with current or recent alcohol dependence and associated with altered mood and memory

Abstract Background The adverse effects of alcohol on brain function result, in part, from inflammatory processes. The sex-specific neuropsychiatric consequences and inflammatory status of active alcohol dependence and early remission from dependence have not been investigated. Methods Neuropsychiatric symptoms, inflammatory factors, and liver enzymes were compared in a prospective cohort study of adults with (n = 51) or without (n = 31) a current or recent history of alcohol dependence. Results Neuropsychiatric profiles were similar in adults with current or recent alcohol dependence regardless of sex. In male and female participants measures of depression (female p Conclusions Though neuropsychiatric profiles were similar for men and women with current or recent alcohol dependence, plasma factors associated with increases in depression, anxiety, and memory impairment differed and support the need to tailor treatments based on sex.
Affect as a Psychological Primitive

In this article, we discuss the hypothesis that affect is a fundamental, psychologically irreducible property of the human mind. We begin by presenting historical perspectives on the nature of affect. Next, we proceed with a more contemporary discussion of core affect as a basic property of the mind that is realized within a broadly distributed neuronal workspace. We then present the affective circumplex, a mathematical formalization for representing core affective states, and show that this model can be used to represent individual differences in core affective feelings that are linked to meaningful variation in emotional experience. Finally, we conclude by suggesting that core affect has psychological consequences that reach beyond the boundaries of emotion, to influence learning and consciousness.
Electroconvulsive therapy in geriatric patients: A literature review and program report from Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective therapeutic intervention in the elderly patients with major depression, especially those with psychosis, suicidality, catatonia, nutritional compromise, and resistance to medications. Response rates can be as high as 80%. We present an extensive review of the relevant literature, provide a description of the ECT program at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, USA, and present results of our experience with ECT in fifty elderly patients. The treatments were safe, well tolerated, and produced high response rates, variably between 68% and 84%. Patients in the long-term maintenance ECT program continue to show sustained benefits from ECT.
Multimodal integration patterns in children.

Multimodal interfaces are designed with a focus on flexibility, although very few multimodal systems currently are capable of adapting to major sources of user or environmental variation. The development of adaptive multimodal processing techniques will require empirical guidance on modeling key aspects of individual differences. In the present study, we collected data from 24 7-to-10-year-old children as they interacted using speech and pen input with an educational software prototype. A comprehensive analysis of children’s multimodal integration patterns revealed that they were classifiable as either simultaneous or sequential integrators, although they more often integrated signals simultaneously than adults. During their sequential constructions, intermodal lags also ranged faster than those of adult users. The high degree of consistency and early predictability of children’s integration patterns were similar to previously reported adult data. These results have implications for the development of temporal thresholds and adaptive multimodal processing strategies for children’s applications. The long-term goal of this research is life-span modeling of users’ integration and synchronization patterns, which will be needed to design future high-performance adaptive multimodal systems.
A synthetic, three-dimensional bone marrow hydrogel

Three-dimensional (3D) synthetic hydrogels have recently emerged as desirable in vitro cell culture platforms capable of representing the extracellular geometry, elasticity, and water content of tissue in a tunable fashion. However, they are critically limited in their biological functionality. Hydrogels are typically decorated with a scant 1-3 peptide moieties to direct cell behavior, which vastly underrepresents the proteins found in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of real tissues. Further, peptides chosen are ubiquitous in ECM, and are not derived from specific proteins. We developed an approach to incorporate the protein complexity of specific tissues into the design of biomaterials, and created a hydrogel with the elasticity of marrow, and 20 marrow-specific cell-instructive peptides. Compared to generic PEG hydrogels, our marrow-inspired hydrogel improves stem cell differentiation and proliferation. We propose this tissue-centric approach as the next generation of 3D hydrogel design for applications in tissue engineering.
Dissociating tinnitus patients from healthy controls using resting-state cyclicity analysis and clustering.

Chronic tinnitus is a common and sometimes debilitating condition that lacks scientific consensus on physiological models of how the condition arises as well as any known cure. In this study, we ap...
Virtual inertia optimisation control of DFIG and assessment of equivalent inertia time constant of power grid

Due to decoupling between mechanical part and electrical part of doubly fed induction generator (DFIG), the DFIG has no natural frequency response capability, which results in decreasing of total rotary inertia of power grid, and the frequency stability of power grid will face larger challenges. This study proposes an assessment method of equivalent inertia time constant, further gives the assessment value of equivalent inertia time constant of DFIG. Then, a virtual inertia optimisation control of DFIG using rotor current direct control based on status assessment value is proposed, which includes conventional function, status assessment and additional virtual inertia control. The assessment values of equivalent inertia time constant of wind farms, synchronous generator and power grid connected with multi-type generators are calculated, which are related to penetration of wind power and control strategies. The simulation results verify the efficacious of the proposed virtual inertia optimisation control and the accuracy of assessment method of equivalent inertia time constant, and the frequency stability of power grid is improved in the condition of different active power of wind farms and penetration of wind power.
Flexible ceramic film capacitors for high-temperature power electronics

Abstract Flexible ceramic film capacitors with high dielectric constant and high breakdown strength hold special promise for applications in power electronics. We deposited lanthanum-doped lead zirconate titanate (PLZT) films on aluminum-metallized polyimide films at room temperature by an aerosol deposition (AD) process and examined the electrical and dielectric properties of the PLZT films over a wide temperature range between −55 and 175 °C. The PLZT film capacitors fabricated by high deposition rate AD process not only satisfy X8R temperature rating but also exhibit superior volumetric and gravimetric specific capacitance. At room temperature, we measured a dielectric constant of ≈85, dielectric loss of ≈0.012, energy density of ≈13.2 J/cm3 with an applied voltage of ≈1000 V. A mean dielectric breakdown field strength (EB) of ≈1.25 MV/cm was determined by Weibull analysis for the ≈8-μm-thick PLZT film capacitors fabricated on flexible aluminum-metallized polyimide substrates. These results revealed that the PLZT-based ceramic film capacitors meet the requirements for advanced high-temperature power inverters. Our results demonstrated that AD process offers the greatest potential for producing low-cost, robust, compact and light-weight ceramic film capacitors with enhanced reliability for power inverters of electrical drive vehicles and various power electronic devices that are critical for high-efficiency energy conversion and renewable energy systems.
Novel Divide and Combine-Based Approach to Estimating Mixture Markov Model for Large Categorical Time Series Data: Application to Study of Clusters using Multiyear Travel Survey Data:

Over the last few years, as with many other fields, the transportation discipline has been swept by the big data revolution. This revolution has not only brought about tremendous opportunities for conducting interesting data-driven analysis, it has also highlighted challenges associated with using traditional analytical methods to analyze these large datasets. To this end, this paper proposes a new Divide and Combine-based approach to estimating Mixture Markov models for analyzing large categorical time series data. The validity of this approach is demonstrated using a simulation study. Further, the feasibility and applicability is highlighted by conducting a clustering analysis of large activity–travel sequences using multiyear travel survey datasets. In the case study, each individual’s daily activity–travel behavior is characterized as a categorical time series that attempts to capture multiple aspects of travel and activity engagement simultaneously while also incorporating the timing and the schedule...
Dynamic control of the T-cell specification gene regulatory network

Specification of multipotent blood precursor cells in postnatal mice to become committed T-cell precursors involves a gene regulatory network of several interacting but functionally distinct modules. Many links of this network have been defined by perturbation tests and by functional genomics. However, using the network model to predict real-life kinetics of the commitment process is still difficult, partly due to the tenacity of repressive chromatin states, and to the ability of transcription factors to affect each other's binding site choices through competitive recruitment to alternative sites ("coregulator theft"). To predict kinetics, future models will need to incorporate mechanistic information about chromatin state change dynamics and more sophisticated understanding of the proteomics and cooperative DNA site choices of transcription factor complexes.
Caught in the web: the educator's power to untangle the student experience: invited speaker

What lessons are students learning from what you say -- and what you don't say? This talk will examine four interrelated concepts vital to all educators who wish to transform their courses and communities into more inclusive and equitable spaces. How do we best engage in helping students move from surviving to thriving in our classrooms and on our campuses?
Nonlinear structural dynamics analysis using a modified modal method

The procedure for predicting the nonlinear dynamic response of structural components subjected to a step loading is presented. The procedure is a modified modal method that involves a change of dependent variables from the unknown nodal degrees of freedom of the finite element model of the structure to a smaller set of generalized coordinates. This change of dependent variables uses a combination of the nonlinear static solution and some selected vibration mode shapes. The vibration mode shapes correspond to the eigenvectors obtained by solving a standard free vibration eigenvalue problem wherein the stiffness matrix is expanded about the nonlinear static solution. A strategy is also presented for determining which and how many vibration mode shapes to include in the transformation. The effect of inaccurate representation of the spatial distribution of the applied load on the nonlinear dynamic response is discussed for two classes of structural behavior. Application of the procedure to structures which exhibit a stiffening behavior and to those with a softening behavior is presented.
Psychological Factors Influencing the Reporting of Physical Symptoms

Researchers and practitioners routinely ask individuals about their health. We ask people to what degree they are experiencing a variety of physical symptoms from headache and upset stomach to dizziness and pain. Often, these symptom reports are thought to serve as proxies for underlying physiological activity. Not surprisingly, however, we find that although people may report, for example, a headache, no clear biological referent exists to confirm whether or not the person truly is feeling pain in his or her head. Even when biological measures are available, researchers find that the correspondence between physiological activity and self-reports of physiological activity are modest at best.
Functional Bowel Disorders

Abstract Articles appearing in Gastroenterology have played an integral role in the evolution of our understanding of Functional Bowel Disorders (FBD), including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), beginning with the prescient contributions of Almy and Tulin in 1947 and 1949 that highlighted the role of stress to enhance perception of abdominal pain and promote colon contractions. Subsequent publications have codified diagnostic criteria and stratified subpopulations of FBD (Manning and ROME I-IV), which resulted in improved symptom-based therapeutic interventions. Advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of FBD, particularly IBS, published in Gastroenterology has led to our current appreciation that FBD represent dysfunction in the bidirectional brain-gut axis, intestinal barrier dysfunction and interactions with the microbiota and dietary factors. Team science and the application of next-generation -omics methods are leading the way to improved diagnostic criteria and targeted therapeutic interventions. As the field evolves, publications appearing in Gastroenterology will continue to be at the forefront of these advances.
Ball Juggling on the Bipedal Robot Cassie

The increasing integration of robots in daily life necessitates research in multitasking strategies. The act of juggling offers a simple platform to test techniques which may be generalizable to more complex tasks and systems. This paper presents both analytical and empirical results for successful ball-juggling on the bipedal robotic research platform Cassie. A control strategy inspired by mirror law algorithms was simulated on a simple paddle-ball system and then extended to the Cassie-ball system in simulations and experiments, using two low-level control schemes. A Poincare analysis demonstrated´ stability for both controllers. Both simulated and experimental results show that the proposed strategy is robust to a wide range of physical parameters and that the act of juggling while balancing is achievable through multiple methods.
Hypothalamic-Extended Amygdala Circuit Regulates Temporal Discounting.

Choice behavior is characterized by temporal discounting, i.e., preference for immediate rewards given a choice between immediate and delayed rewards. Agouti-related peptide (AgRP)-expressing neurons located in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARC) regulate food intake and energy homeostasis, yet whether AgRP neurons influence choice behavior and temporal discounting is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that motivational state potently modulates temporal discounting. Hungry mice (both male and female) strongly preferred immediate food rewards, yet sated mice were largely indifferent to reward delay. More importantly, selective optogenetic activation of AgRP-expressing neurons or their axon terminals within the posterior bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST) produced temporal discounting in sated mice. Furthermore, activation of neuropeptide Y (NPY) type 1 receptors (Y1Rs) within the BNST is sufficient to produce temporal discounting. These results demonstrate a profound influence of hypothalamic signaling on temporal discounting for food rewards and reveal a novel circuit that determine choice behavior. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Temporal discounting is a universal phenomenon found in many species, yet the underlying neurocircuit mechanisms are still poorly understood. Our results revealed a novel neural pathway from agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons in the hypothalamus to the bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST) that regulates temporal discounting in decision-making.
Three ways to speak English

Today, a baffled lady observed the shell where my soul dwellsAnd announced that I’m “articulate”Which means that when it comes to enunciation and dictionI don’t even think of it‘Cause I’m “articula...
Quantification of Tissue Oxygenation Using an Intensity-Based Wearable Device and Machine Learning Approaches

We report a lightweight, cost-efficient wearable device to measure phosphorescence of an oxygen-sensing dye, leading to an estimation of pO2 through fit-based and machine learning approaches.
Testing juntas: a brief survey

A function on n variables is called a k-junta if it depends on at most k of its variables. In this survey, we review three recent algorithms for testing k-juntas with few queries.
Fears and promises of comparative effectiveness research.

1.Department of Neurology, Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA2.Neuroepidemiology Unit, Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USACorrespondenceTobias Loddenkemper, M.D.,Department of Neurology,Children’s Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston,MA 02115, USA.Tel: +1-617-355-2443 |Fax: +1-617-730-0463 |Email: tobias.loddenkemper@childrens.harvard.eduReceived11 June 2010; accepted 5 July 2010.DOI:10.1111/j.1651-2227.2010.01945.x
Analysis of the diametrical compression test and the applicability to plastically deforming materials

The effect of contact flattening and material properties on the fracture stress calculation for the diametrical compression test used to evaluate compact strength was examined through finite element simulations. Two-dimensional simulations were carried out using linear elastic, elastoplastic, and porous elastoplastic models with commercial finite element software. A parametric study was performed by varying the elastic modulus (E), Poisson's ratio (ν), contact frictional coefficient (μ), yield stress (σyield), and compact relative density (RD). Stress contours generated from these simulations were compared to the Hertzian and Hondros analytical expressions. Linear elastic simulations show excellent agreement with the analytical solutions. Significant deviation, however, occurs for the elastoplastic and porous elastoplastic simulations at larger diametrical strain with material plasticity. A better understanding of the stress-state of diametrically loaded plastically deforming disks has been demonstrated in this computational and experimental work. Results from these finite element simulations confirm that the standard tensile strength calculation: σf = 2P/π Dt, is suitable for linear elastic materials. However, the incorporation of plasticity into the material model results in a significant change in the maximum principal stress field (magnitude and location) rendering the Hertzian estimate of tensile strength invalid. A map to check the validity of the Hertzian equation is proposed.
Moderating effect of perceived inflation on dual commitment to organization and professional association: A case of health professionals in Ghana

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to draw upon exchange theory to test the moderating effect of perceived inflation on dual commitment among a sample of health professionals in Ghana. The authors test this effect on the unilateral contributions of commitment to the organization and commitment to the professional association. Design/methodology/approach – Survey questionnaires were used to elicit responses from 141 health professionals in Ghana. Least square moderated regression analysis was employed to test the hypothesized relationships. Findings – The authors found that respondents do exhibit dual commitment to the organization and the professional association. The findings also supported the hypothesized moderating effect of perceived inflation on the contribution of the unilateral commitments to dual loyalty. Perceived inflation alters the contributions from the predictors, hence, reducing dual commitment. Research limitations/implications – The study sampled only public sector employees, but the...
A problem with the negative income tax

Abstract The goal of a negative income tax is to increase the work incentives of welfare recipients. This note points out that it may not do so, and empirical simulations show that this is a real-world possibility.
Common Hand Warts in Athletes: Association with Trauma to the Hand

Forty-nine members of a university track team and 80 members of the crew team were surveyed about warts on their hands. They were also questioned about the nature and extent of their exercise, the types of equipment they used, and whether they wore protective gloves. Common hand warts were significantly more prevalent in members of the crew team than in members of the track team (25% v 10%; p < .05). Although both groups lifted weights regularly, the crew team members were less likely to use protective gloves; they sustained additional trauma to their hands from almost daily exercise on rowing machines and river practice. College health providers should question patients with hand warts about types of athletic activity and should suggest that they protect their hands by wearing weight-lifter's gloves.
Chromosome nondisjunction yields tetraploid rather than aneuploid cells in human cell lines

Although mutations in cell cycle regulators or spindle proteins can perturb chromosome segregation, the causes and consequences of spontaneous mitotic chromosome nondisjunction in human cells are not well understood. It has been assumed that nondisjunction of a chromosome during mitosis will yield two aneuploid daughter cells. Here we show that chromosome nondisjunction is tightly coupled to regulation of cytokinesis in human cell lines, such that nondisjunction results in the formation of tetraploid rather than aneuploid cells. We observed that spontaneously arising binucleated cells exhibited chromosome mis-segregation rates up to 166-fold higher than the overall mitotic population. Long-term imaging experiments indicated that most binucleated cells arose through a bipolar mitosis followed by regression of the cleavage furrow hours later. Nondisjunction occurred with high frequency in cells that became binucleated by furrow regression, but not in cells that completed cytokinesis to form two mononucleated cells. Our findings indicate that nondisjunction does not directly yield aneuploid cells, but rather tetraploid cells that may subsequently become aneuploid through further division. The coupling of spontaneous segregation errors to furrow regression provides a potential explanation for the prevalence of hyperdiploid chromosome number and centrosome amplification observed in many cancers.
Einfluss des laparoskopischen Staging auf die Therapie des Magenkarzinoms

Trotz der Moglichkeiten moderner Bildgebung ist das tatsachliche therapeutische Stadium eines Magenkarzinoms am zuverlassigsten durch chirurgische Verfahren zu klaren. Je nach Verfugbarkeit multimodaler Therapien setzt der Chirurg den Standard bei den diagnostischen Verfahren. Die Einfuhrung der videoassistierten Laparoskopie gibt dem Chirurgen die Moglichkeit, dies in hochster Qualitat mit geringer Morbiditat und wahrend eines kurzen stationaren Aufenthaltes durchzufuhren. Die Gesamtheit der Daten fur die Einfuhrung der diagnostischen Laparotomie/Laparoskopie in das Routine-Stagingprogramm beim Magenkarzinom ist von groser Bedeutung, und das diagnostische Potenzial der Untersuchungstechnik sollte schon zu Beginn der Entwicklung neuer Therapieverfahren Berucksichtigung finden.
Reliability and validity of the Writing Resources and Interactions in Teaching Environments (WRITE) for preschool classrooms

Abstract Young children's writing skills are a critical component of their literacy development and are predictive of later reading achievement. Although recent research and policy reports identify the importance of supporting children's writing in early childhood, little research exists on how early educational settings promote children's writing development. The present study was designed to (1) validate a new measure for examining teacher writing supports in preschool classrooms and (2) use the measure to examine teachers’ writing practice and their relation to child outcomes in a diverse group of preschool classrooms (N = 68). Psychometric analysis of the measure provided evidence of reliability, construct validity, and predictive validity for children's writing development in preschool. Observations included a comprehensive examination of the writing environment, environmental print, teacher modeling of writing, teacher scaffolding of child writing and independent child writing. Results indicated that teachers vary widely in their material and instructional supports of writing in preschool classrooms. In general, preschool teachers provided a variety of materials to support children's writing including a well-equipped writing center. Although many teachers were observed modeling or scaffolding writing, they used few strategies and those were typically characterized as low-level quality.
Pensée 2: Everyday Youth Places: Youth in Educational Spaces

For most of the last century, within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region youth have been addressed and engaged as a particular category of citizens. In this vein youth were viewed as important targets of nationalist projects and as critical national resources in an era of national development. In more recent years, however, the concern with youth has taken on a new tenor both within and outside the region. What had previously been a preoccupation about youth as the region's promise and progress has increasingly become one about youth as crisis and potential threat.
Visiting Item Non-responses in Internet Survey Data Collection:

A widely used technique in internet surveys is ‘forced answering’, which requires respondents to enter an ‘appropriate’ response before they are allowed to proceed to the next survey question. Forc...
Reproducible High Density Field-Reversed Configuration Plasma for Magnetized Target Fusion

Summary form only given. Field-reversed configuration (FRC) plasma will be translated into an imploding metal liner in a magnetized target fusion (MTF) scenario. Field-reversed theta pinch technology is employed with programmed cusp fields at the theta coil ends to achieve non-tearing field line reconnection during FRC formation. In the field reversed configuration experiment with a liner (FRX-L), an optimum formation procedure is identified. The well-formed FRC plasma has volume-averaged density of 2-4times1022 m-3, T e+Ti of 300-500 eV, and plasma lifetime between 15-20 mus. These parameters are very close to the desired parameters of a target plasma for MTF, and they can be reproduced with standard deviation of less than 10% about the mean in consecutive discharges. The FRCs have reasonably good initial flux and particle trapping efficiencies compared with previous lower density experiments. The confinement properties are approximately in agreement with empirical scaling laws obtained from previous experiments with fill pressure mostly less than 20 mtorr. However, due to severe main field modulation, the confinement properties deteriorate quickly when the FRC expands to reach the theta coil ends. Recently, the redesigned crowbar switches have reduced the external main field modulation from 52% previously to 21% now. Better FRC performance is expected in on-going experimental campaigns
Signaling cue presentation and cell delivery to promote nerve regeneration

Limitations in current nerve regeneration techniques have stimulated the development of various approaches to mimic the extrinsic cues available in the natural nerve regeneration environment. Biomaterials approaches modulate the microenvironment of a regenerating nerve through tailored presentation of signaling molecules, creating physical and biochemical guidance cues to direct axonal regrowth across nerve lesion sites. Cell-based approaches center on increasing the neurotrophic support, adhesion guidance and myelination capacity of Schwann cells and other alternative cell types to enhance nerve regrowth and functional recovery. Recent advances in presenting directional guidance cues in nerve guidance conduits and improving the regenerative outcomes of cell delivery provide inspirations to engineering the next generation of nerve repair solutions.
Switchless hybrid analog-digital variable optical delay line for radio frequency signal processing

The author proposes the design of a novel switchless variable optical delay line (VFODL) for radio frequency (rf) signals that combines an analog mode VFODL with a discrete-state VFODL. This hybrid VFODL proposes the use of a laser with smart, fast (e.g., 1 ns) wavelength tuning in combination with flat-top passband design spatially and temporally dispersive optical elements to simultaneously provide both long and short time delays, thus finely covering a wide nanoseconds delay range. An example design indicates a 9.6-ns time delay range with 6-ps increments, giving 1600 independent delays using a no-moving-parts signal-processing structure. VFODL applications include rf antenna array processing, radar testing, and precision electrical timing systems.
Measuring and predicting the effects of alcohol consumption on contrast sensitivity for stationary and moving gratings

Contrast sensitivity was measured for 12 healthy young males while sober, after ingestion of an alcohol placebo, and after ingestion of alcohol (95% grain alcohol; mean estimated blood alcohol level = .088%). Observations were made for both stationary gratings and gratings that traveled through a circular path and required pursuit eye movements. The significant alcohol-related reduction in contrast sensitivity was 2.6 times greater for moving (.29-log-unit reduction) than for stationary gratings (.11-log-unit reduction). The loss in contrast sensitivity for the moving gratings of high spatial frequency (12 cpd) was particularly severe (.37 log unit). Estimated blood alcohol level was correlated with the loss in contrast sensitivity for moving gratings (r = .61), but not with the loss for stationary gratings. Estimated blood alcohol level was strongly correlated with the difference between the loss in contrast sensitivity to moving and stationary gratings (r = .75). These results are consistent with reports that alcohol consumption degrades the ability to make pursuit eye movements. Subjects’ perceived intoxication level was not a reliable predictor of any index of visual performance.
Colitis as a manifestation of infliximab-associated disseminated cryptococcosis

The ability of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha inhibitors to impair pivotal pro-inflammatory host defenses may facilitate the development of disseminated cryptococcosis. Gastrointestinal (GI) tract disease is an unusual presentation of this yeast infection. We describe a unique case of disseminated cryptococcosis presenting as colitis that mimicked an exacerbation of Crohn's disease in a TNF-alpha inhibitor recipient. Review of existing literature shows that in immunocompromised patients, GI cryptococcosis invariably coexists with disseminated cryptococcosis, often lacks prominent GI symptomatology, and is primarily diagnosed postmortem. In cases with opportunistic infections, discontinuation of TNF-alpha inhibitors is a common practice, however rapid rebound of inflammatory responses may incur the risk of immune reconstitution syndrome.
OP‐1 (BMP‐7) stimulates osteoprogenitor cell differentiation in the presence of polymethylmethacrylate particles

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) particles have been shown to inhibit the differentiation, proliferation, and mineralization of osteoprogenitor cells in vitro. In this study, we investigated the effects of OP-1 (BMP-7) on the osteogenesis of MC3T3-E1 osteoprogenitor cells exposed to PMMA particles in vitro. MC3T3-E1 cells challenged with PMMA particles on the 1st day of differentiation in osteogenic culture showed a significant dose-dependent decrease in mineralization and alkaline phosphatase expression over a 20-day culture period. Exposure of these cells to OP-1 (200 ng/mL) during days 1–4, 1–20, and 4–20 in the presence of PMMA particles resulted in significant increases in mineralization and alkaline phosphatase expression at all particle doses. Addition of OP-1 to MC3T3-E1 cultures challenged with PMMA particles on the 4th day of differentiation in osteogenic media also resulted in significant increases in mineralization and alkaline phosphatase expression. This study has shown that OP-1 stimulates osteogenesis in MC3T3-E1 osteoprogenitor cells that have been inhibited by PMMA particles. Local administration of OP-1 to the site of osteolysis may be a potential adjunctive therapy to reverse the bone destruction due to wear particles. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2010
Modelling cyclicity and generalized cost-based abduction using linear constraint satisfaction

Abstract Abductive reasoning (explanation) is a backward-chaining process on a collection of logical rules. Cost-based abduction is a model for abductive reasoning which provides a concrete formulation of the explanation process. Unfortunately, abduction is an NP-hard task. Current approaches for performing abductive reasoning have been based on graph searching heuristics. However, they are very restrictive and still exhibit expected-case exponential growth rates. One particularly stringent restriction can be found in cost-based abduction whereby the knowledge base must be acyclic. The existence of cyclicity results in anamolous behaviour. In this paper, we present an extended model called generalized cost-based abduction for general knowledge bases. We provide two approaches for solving this model by using a recently introduced technique different from graph searching. This technique uses linear constraints to flexibly represent our knowledge. The problem can then be recast into 0-1 integer linear progra...
Mechanisms of maternal inheritance of plastids and mitochondria: Developmental and ultrastructural evidence

A number of maternally inherited characters are now known to be associated with mitochondria or chloroplasts, which contain small genomes segregating separately from that of the nucleus. The reason often given for maternal inheritance of plastid-associated characters in plants is the absence of plastids in the generative cell of pollen following an unequal mitosis (Vaughn, 1980). However, fine ultrastructural studies have not established “exclusion” as the sole mechanism for maternal inheritance; in many cases, other mechanisms may be operating. Three lines of evidence concerning the mechanism of maternal inheritance will be discussed:
A flexible procedure for Karl Fischer microtitrations

Abstract The focal point of an effective Karl Fischer microtitration apparatus lies in the design and handling of the titration cell. The simple Levy cell with a pre-extracted serum bottle stopper as a closure has been shown to protect its hydrophilic contents from gain or loss of moisture in the humid microanalytical laboratory environment. This protection has been experimentally established by a number of successful determinations, some after long periods of extraction or reaction. Furthermore, flexibility of the method with this cell is shown. Reagents may be added, samples released, or spent reagents removed without compromising the protection from moisture exchange. Thus water determinations on reactive and insoluble materials may be completed without loss of accuracy.
Moyamoya and other causes of stroke in patients with Down syndrome

Twenty-seven new cases of stroke in Down syndrome are reported, two probands, 13 patients from review of institutional records, and 12 patients from a survey of child neurologists. Forty-one patients from previous reports are summarized. Most stroke episodes were related to congenital heart disease and infections. Seven cases were associated with angiographic abnormalities; there were three cases of unknown etiology and four cases of moyamoya. The understanding of moyamoya and other causes of stroke may be advanced by further study of stroke in Down syndrome patients.
The influence of external subsidies on diet, growth and Hg concentrations of freshwater sport fish: implications for management and fish consumption advisories

Mercury (Hg) contamination in sport fish is a global problem. In freshwater systems, food web structure, sport fish sex, size, diet and growth rates influence Hg bioaccumulation. Fish stocking is a common management practice worldwide that can introduce external energy and contaminants into freshwater systems. Thus, stocking can alter many of the factors that influence Hg concentrations in sport fish. Here we evaluated the influence of external subsidies, in the form of hatchery-raised rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss on walleye Sander vitreus diet, growth and Hg concentrations in two freshwater systems. Stocking differentially influenced male and female walleye diets and growth, producing a counterintuitive size-contamination relationship. Modeling indicated that walleye growth rate and diet were important explanatory variables when predicting Hg concentrations. Thus, hatchery contributions to freshwater systems in the form of energy and contaminants can influence diet, growth and Hg concentrations in sport fish. Given the extensive scale of fish stocking, and the known health risks associated with Hg contamination, this represents a significant issue for managers monitoring and manipulating freshwater food web structures, and policy makers attempting to develop fish consumption advisories to protect human health in stocked systems.
Cellular Internalization and Degradation of Antithrombin III-Thrombin, Heparin Cofactor II-Thrombin, and α1-Antitrypsin-Trypsin Complexes Is Mediated by the Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-related Protein

The inhibition of proteinase activity by members of the serine proteinase inhibitor (serpin) family is a critical regulatory mechanism for a variety of biological processes. Once formed, the serpin enzyme complexes (SECs) are removed from the circulation by a hepatic receptor. The present study suggests that this receptor is very likely the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP), a prominent liver receptor. In vitro binding studies revealed that antithrombin III (ATIII)-thrombin, heparin cofactor II (HCII)-thrombin, and alpha1-antitrypsin (alpha1AT)-trypsin bound to purified LRP, and their binding was inhibited by the 39-kDa receptor-associated protein (RAP), an antagonist of LRP-ligand binding activity. In contrast, native or modified forms of the inhibitors were unable to bind to LRP. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts, which express LRP, mediate the cellular internalization leading to degradation of these SECs, while mouse fibroblasts genetically deficient in LRP showed no capacity to internalize and degrade these complexes. SECs were also degraded by HepG2 cells, and this process was inhibited by LRP antibodies, RAP, and chloroquine. The cellular-mediated uptake and degradation was specific for SECs; native or modified forms of the inhibitors were not internalized and degraded. Finally, in vivo clearance studies in rats demonstrated that RAP inhibited the clearance of ATIII-125I-thrombin complexes from the circulation. Together, these results indicate that LRP functions as a liver receptor responsible for the plasma clearance of SECs.
LytN, a Murein Hydrolase in the Cross-wall Compartment of Staphylococcus aureus, Is Involved in Proper Bacterial Growth and Envelope Assembly

Cell cycle progression for the spherical microbe Staphylococcus aureus requires the coordinated synthesis and remodeling of peptidoglycan. The majority of these rearrangements takes place at the mid-cell, in a compartment designated the cross-wall. Secreted polypeptides endowed with a YSIRK-G/S signal peptide are directly delivered to the cross-wall compartment. One such YSIRK-containing protein is the murein hydrolase LytN. lytN mutations precipitate structural damage to the cross-wall and interfere with staphylococcal growth. Overexpression of lytN also affects growth and triggers rupture of the cross-wall. The lytN phenotype can be reversed by the controlled expression of lytN but not by adding purified LytN to staphylococcal cultures. LytN harbors LysM and CHAP domains, the latter of which functions as both an N-acetylmuramoyl-l-alanine amidase and d-alanyl-glycine endopeptidase. Thus, LytN secretion into the cross-wall promotes peptidoglycan separation and completion of the staphylococcal cell cycle.