cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Survey of Indiana Music Teachers on Using Composition in the Classroom

The primary purpose of this study was to examine composition practices in public schools across the state of Indiana, to investigate who incorporates composition and why they chose to use or not use composing tasks. A second purpose was to learn if teachers had an operational definition for composition. Three hundred thirty-nine teachers participated in a survey to answer questions about their use of compositon in the classroom. Respondents who used composition answered open-ended questions about learning goals for composing tasks and gave examples of typical classroom composing tasks. Although 88.5 % of the respondents indicated that they incorporated composition, only 5.9% reported using composition tasks often. General music teachers were slightly more likely to incorporate composition in their classrooms than were ensemble directors. There were no significant relationships found between years of experience or years at a school, certification, or school use of Standards and the relative use of composin...
Rorschach content analysis of the use of sexual imagery by Catholic seminarians.

A random sample of 30 students was selected from those who entered seminary during three consecutive years. Rorschach protocols administered by experienced clinical psychologists were scored using Beck's method. Interscorer reliability ranged from .72 to .96 (Houck & Dawson, 1978) with an average of .89. Three levels of sexual imagery were obtained for each of the 10 Rorschach cards after the method of Clark (1952). Three hypotheses were advanced and supported. The first was that significantly more imagery would be obtained on Levels I and III than Level II. The second, that chromatic cards would elicit significantly more sexual imagery than achromatic cards, was strongly supported. The third, that a combination of Level I criteria and chromatic cards would produce the highest level of imagery, was also strongly supported. Seminarians tended to respond to sexual material in a somewhat indirect and naive manner. They expressed themselves directly and appropriately rather than symbolically. General emotiona...
Estimated energy expenditures for school-based policies and active living

Background: Despite overwhelming evidence of the health benefits of physical activity, most American youth are not meeting the 60 minutes per day recommendation for moderate- to vigorous- intensity physical activity (MVPA). Policy changes have the potential to bring about substantial increases in physical activity in youth, within school and community settings. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to quantify the increase in energy expenditure for school- based policies and built environment changes.
Pathogenesis and management of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria

Over the past 30 years, our understanding of the pathogenesis of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) has increased dramatically. During that time, the events during complement activation and regulation have been described, the molecular basis for the exaggerated complement sensitivity of PNH cells has been uncovered, and the responsible gene mutation has been identified. It is now possible to relate almost all the protean manifestations of PNH to a single gene mutation in a haematopoietic stem cell. Unfortunately, our ability to manage these patients has not kept pace, and, with the exception of bone marrow transplantation, our major efforts are still directed toward control of complications rather than interruption of the disease process.
Seismic hazard evaluation for dams in northern Colorado, U.S.A.

A seismic hazard evaluation for three dams in the Rocky Mountains of northern Colorado is based on a study of the historical seismicity. To model earthquake occurrence as a random process utilizing a maximum likelihood method, the catalog must exhibit random space-time characteristics. This was achieved using a declustering procedure and correction for completeness of recording. On the basis of the resulting a- and b-values, probabilistic epicentral distances for a 2 × 10−5 annual probability were calculated. For a random earthquake of magnitude M L 6.0–6.5, this distance is 15 km. Suggested ground motion parameters were estimated using a probabilistic seismic hazard analysis. Critical peak horizontal accelerations at the dams are 0.22g if median values are assumed and 0.39g if variable attenuation and seismicity rates are taken into account. For structural analysis of the dams, synthetic acceleration time series were calculated to match the empirical response spectra. In addition, existing horizontal strong motion records from two Mammoth Lakes, California earthquakes were selected and scaled to fit the target horizontal acceleration response spectra.
Effect Of Extracellular Ca2+ On Intracellular Ca2+ Dynamics In Intact Hearts Of Wildtype And Calsequestrin 2 Ko Mice

Free [Ca2+] in the lumen of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is a critical factor controlling Ca2+-induced Ca2+-release (CICR). Ca2+-binding protein calsequestrin 2 (Casq2) located in SR lumen is important component in the regulation of CICR. One of the possible roles of Casq2 could be to prevent the depletion of the luminal Ca2+ stores during Ca2+ release. In order to modify the SR Ca2+ content we changed extracellular Ca2+ concentration in hearts from wildtype and Casq2 KO mice. The dynamics of intra-SR Ca2+ depletion, myoplasmic free Ca2+ and time course of the action potentials (APs) were measured from the epicardial layer of murine hearts using Pulsed Local Field Fluorescence Microscopy. Lowering extracellular Ca2+ resulted in smaller amplitude of Ca2+ transients, acceleration of the restitution of CICR and diminishing Ca2+ alternans. The ablation of Casq2 led to noticeable changes in the dynamics of CICR especially at low extracellular Ca2+. The prolongation of the release can be explained by the modification of the properties of the ryanodine receptors (RyR2) in the absence of Casq2. The restitution of CICR, which was already accelerated by low extracellular Ca2+ was even faster in hearts of KO mice. In addition, the decline in cytosolic Ca2+ level observed in response to low extracellular Ca2+ was more pronounced in KOs. APs (conducted in the presence of blebbistatin) display a prolongation of the phase 2 of cardiac APs at 37°C as extracellular Ca2+ was decreased. Interestingly, an opposite effect was observed at room temperature (21°C). In conclusion, the results obtained on transgenic mice lacking Casq2 suggest that this protein can be engaged in controlling amplitude of CICR not only as a Ca2+ buffer but also a modulator of RyR2.
Construction and Installation of a Toluol-mercury Thermostat.

Its Function: The maintenance of a uniform temperature in a cabinet requires some device which will throw on and off a source of heat; for the ever-varying external temperature renders necessary a counterbalance within the cabinet. This regulation of temperature is effected automatically by the instrument called a thermostat.
Jesus' farewell discourse, otherness, and the construction of a Johannine identity

This study explores the nexus between intertextuality and identity through an analysis of the Johannine letters. Jonathan Z. Smith's observations on "otherness" and identity provide the theoretical background for the claim that the construction of an "other" is an integral component in the process of self-definition: identity is forged through the establishment of binary formulae that highlight difference. The Johannine epistles create metonymical and topographical/cosmographical binarisms in order to distinguish certain "others" who no longer participate in community life. Moreover, the letters draw on the traditions contained in the Fourth Gospel's Farewell Discourse (13:31-17:26) in an attempt to establish a distinctive Johannine identity. Through this "rereading," the author both exhorts his audience to remain true to the group's formative teachings and attempts to heighten his own status by echoing the final words of Jesus.
The effect of 1.5 weight percent Nb2O5 dopant on the FE1-FE2 phase transition in the high PbZrO3 region of the system PbZrO3—PbTiO3

Abstract PZT 95/5, doped with approximately 0.8 weight percent Nb2O5, is used in shock-activated pulsed power supplies. During processing, the ferroelectric ceramic is cycled through the FE1-FE2 phase transition (∼70°C) several times (oven drying, heat aging, etc.). Microcracking occurs within the ceramic as a result of the volume change (∼0.1 percent) associated with this phase transition. A constant level of Nb2O5 (1.5 weight percent) was added to PZT 95/5 and six additional compositions near PZT 95/5 in an attempt to produce a composition whose FE1-FE2 transition temperature would be well above 70°C.
Molecular evidence for dietary selectivity and pest suppression potential in an epigeal spider community in winter wheat

Abstract Determining diet breadth of a predator is crucial to understanding its potential role in biological control. Spiders are often the most abundant group of predators in agricultural fields, thereby having considerable pest suppression potential. In this study, we developed a molecular framework to study the feeding habits of an epigeal spider community in a winter wheat agroecosystem, and correlated these results with prey availability. We found that our assemblage of spiders appear to prefer Collembola over other suitable-sized prey that are also frequently encountered (Brachycera, Platygastridae) which were under-utilized in relation to their abundance. Aphid predation was surprisingly high and was not correlated with web size or prey availability. Considering the scarcity of aphids in this system, non-web foraging was likely responsible for the levels of aphid predation recorded. We conclude that there was sufficient abundance of suitable prey (Collembola) to sustain epigeal spider populations in winter wheat such that they were available to prey on pests during immigration into the crop. Our results show that these spiders are not truly polyphagous, but appear to exhibit specialized feeding habits, feeding on jumping (not flying) prey such as Collembola or slowly-crawling prey such as aphids. Given the extent of feeding on scarce aphids, linyphiid spiders have the potential to play an important role in suppressing early-season aphid populations, thereby delaying the potential exponential increase in aphid populations.
A bi-national examination of gender and IT adoption

Innovation diffusion theory indicates that cultural and economic factors, affect the adoption and diffusion of information technology. This research examines demographic factors for two populations on either side of an international border, to compare IT penetration. A border region was chosen to ensure that differences in technology availability, shipping costs and other factors were minimised. The research found that women had fewer computers at home than men. Further, women born in the USA and living in the USA had fewer computers than either women born in Mexico and living in the USA or women born in Mexico and living in Mexico.
Digital epiluminescence microscopy monitoring of high-risk patients.

Objective To examine the outcome of digital epiluminescence microscopic (DELM) surveillance of atypical nevi in a high-risk population for 4 years. Design Atypical, flat melanocytic lesions in 100 patients at high risk of developing melanoma were followed annually with DELM. Pigmentary changes or an increase in DELM diameter of 1 mm or greater was an indication to perform an excisional biopsy. Setting Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center Melanoma Program, Loyola University Health System, Maywood. Patients A consecutive sample of 3482 lesions from 100 patients (aged 18-65 years) with at least 2 images of the same lesion. Main Outcome Measures The DELM change was confirmed by histopathologic examination. Patient confidence in and comfort with dermatologic surveillance and skin self-examination performance were assessed. Results During annual surveillance with DELM, 5.5% of the lesions changed. Among the 193 excisional biopsy specimens there were 4 melanomas in situ, 169 dysplastic nevi, and 20 common nevi. Confidence in and comfort with surveillance and skin self-examination improved after DELM. Conclusions The criteria applied to detect substantial DELM changes were an increase in DELM diameter of 1 mm or greater and pigmentary changes, including radial streaming, focal enlargement, peripheral black dots, and "clumping" within the irregular pigment network. Use of DELM enhanced confidence in and comfort with care, which extended to performing more extensive skin self-examination.
A Lagrangian study of scalar diffusion in isotropic turbulence with chemical reaction

Direct numerical simulations are performed of a single-step, nonpremixed, Arrhenius-type reaction developing in isotropic, incompressible, decaying turbulence, for conditions where flame extinction and re-ignition occur. The Lagrangian characteristics of scalar diffusion, information necessary for modeling approaches such as some implementations of probability density function (PDF) methods, are investigated by tracking fluid particles. Focusing on the mixture fraction and temperature as the scalar variables of interest, fluid particles are characterized as continuously burning or noncontinuously burning based upon their recent time history, and noncontinuously burning particles are further characterized based upon their initial regions relative to the flame zone. The behavior of the mixture fraction and temperature fields is contrasted for the different types of particles characterized. Significant differences among these characterized particles are found, for example, in the unclosed conditional expectations of scalar diffusion appearing in the composition PDF equations.
Letter to the editor: Comments on retinal metabolic state in P23H and normal retinas.

to the editor: Acosta et al. ([1][1]) have asked whether changes in energy-dependent processes occur before the onset of photoreceptor degeneration in the proline-23-histidine (P23H-3) rat model of retinitis pigmentosa. On the basis of whole retinal measurements of selected metabolites and enzymes
The management of side‐effects during therapy for hepatitis C

The results of interferon and ribavirin combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C infection have substantially improved in recent years, such that the majority of patients in randomized-controlled trials now achieve a sustained virological response. However, adverse effects are commonplace, often disabling and may lead to interruption or cessation of therapy with subsequent loss of efficacy. Constitutional, neuropsychiatric and haematological reactions have proved particularly troublesome. In this review, we discuss these adverse effects in more detail and highlight recent advances in their management.
Cognitive load of critical thinking strategies

Abstract Argument–counterargument integration ( Nussbaum, 2008 ) refers to the process of evaluating, refuting, and synthesizing arguments on two sides of an issue when creating justification for an overall conclusion. This study compared the cognitive load of two critical thinking strategies related to argument–counterargument integration: (a) constructing design claims that minimize disadvantages of an alternative, and (b) weighing refutations (which weaken an argument by arguing that there are more important values at stake). College students ( N = 285) first completed the Need for Cognition (NFC) scale and were then presented with materials summarizing arguments and counterarguments on the topic of grading class participation. Participants completed a small, integrative essay justifying a stand on the issue, and completed the Mental Effort Rating Scale ( Paas, 1992 ). Participants who generated complex weighing refutations reported more mental effort than those constructing complex design claims (and the control group), with a stronger relationship with those high in NFC. The need to coordinate disparate elements in working memory may explain the higher load associated with constructing weighing refutations. Students may need more (and different types of) scaffolding in using this strategy than when constructing a design claim, which is a more sequential process.
Kerr Metric Black Holes

LYNDEN-BELL has suggested1 that a massive collapsed object may lie at the centre of many galaxies, including our own, and that a continuing flux of matter into such a collapsed object, or “black hole”, may be the source of energy for the non-thermal radiation observed to come from some galactic nuclei. The metric used to describe the geometry of space-time in the vicinity of the collapsed object in this and other papers2 on collapsed objects in astrophysics has been the spherically symmetric Schwarz-schild metric, which is valid only if the collapsed object has zero angular momentum. In fact, one would expect any such collapsed object to possess considerable angular momentum, because a great deal of angular momentum must be lost from a typical galactic nucleus to permit collapse inside the gravitational radius in the first place.
Modeling of a manufacturing cell using a graphical simulation system based on Smalltalk-80

A simulation model of a manufacturing cell is constructed in order to test the accuracy of an analysis of the cell done without simulation. The analysis does a good job of ranking alternative designs according to throughput, but overestimates the throughput by about fifteen percent. The model is built using a simulation system written in Smalltalk-80 that features icon-based programming and animation. The experience of using the simulation system to build this particular model is described.
Sum choice numbers of some graphs

Let f be a function assigning list sizes to the vertices of a graph G. The sum choice number of G is the minimum @?"v"@?"V"("G")f(v) such that for every assignment of lists to the vertices of G, with list sizes given by f, there exists proper coloring of G from the lists. We answer a few questions raised in a paper of Berliner, Bostelmann, Brualdi, and Deaett. Namely, we determine the sum choice number of the Petersen graph, the cartesian product of paths P"2@?P"n, and the complete bipartite graph K"3","n.
Crosstalk Between Protein Kinase A and Growth Factor Receptor Signaling Pathways in Arterial Smooth Muscle

Crosstalk between the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and growth factor receptor signaling is one of many emerging concepts of crosstalk in signal transduction. Understanding of PKA crosstalk may have important implications for studies of crosstalk between other, less well known, signaling pathways. This review focuses on PKA crosstalk in arterial smooth muscle. Proliferation and migration of arterial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) contribute to the thickening of the blood vessel wall that occurs in many types of cardiovascular disease. PKA potently inhibits SMC proliferation by antagonizing the major mitogenic signaling pathways induced by growth factors in SMCs. PKA also inhibits growth factor-induced SMC migration. An intricate crosstalk between PKA and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK/ERK) pathway, the p70 S6 kinase pathway and cyclin-dependent kinases has been described. Further, PKA regulates expression of growth regulatory molecules. The result of PKA activation in SMCs is the potent inhibition of cell cycle traverse and SMC migration. In this review, we discuss recent advances in our understanding of the crosstalk between PKA and signaling pathways induced by growth factor receptors in SMCs, and where relevant, in other cell types in which interesting examples of PKA crosstalk have been described.
Using high-fidelity simulation to educate nursing students about end-of-life care.

Abstract Despite some technical limitations, it is possible to give students a wide range of experiences related to pre- and postmortem care using high-fidelity simulation in a clinical skills lab. Simulations incorporating role play provide important opportunities for students to explore their own ideas about death and caring for patients who are dying. This article reports on the experience of caring for a simulated patient who dies during the scenario and interacting with a family member represented by a standardized actor. Selected educational models are described that provide guidance in developing evidence-based and patient-centered care simulations. A specific, author-developed conceptual model is used to guide development of specific learning activities; the “Silver Hour” represents the 30 minutes prior to the death and immediately following the death. Care of the imminently dying patient, in any setting, can be conceptualized using this model. Specifically, the model encourages students to explor...
Structural damage detection with insufficient data using transfer learning techniques

The effective detection and classification of damage in complex structures is an important task in the realization of structural health monitoring (SHM) systems. Conventional information processing techniques utilize statistical modeling machinery that requires large amounts of 'training' data which is usually difficult to obtain, leading to compromised system performance under these data-scarce conditions. However, in many SHM scenarios a modest amount of data may be available from a few different but related experiments. In this paper, a new structural damage classification method is proposed that makes use of statistics from related task(s) to improve the classification performance on a data set with limited training examples. The approach is based on the framework of transfer learning (TL) which provides a mechanism for information transfer between related learning tasks. The utility of the proposed method is demonstrated for the classification of fatigue damage in an aluminum lug joint.
The Flag or the Pocketbook: To What are Immigrants a Threat

An increasing number of immigrants and rising unemployment rates are widely thought to contribute to the electoral success of extreme right parties in Western Europe. However, no study explicitly posits the causal mechanism that links the aggregate level factors of immigration and unemployment to the electoral success of extreme right parties, and systematically analyzes whether and how this mechanism works. Thus, the causal connection between immigration, unemployment and extreme right success remains at best ambiguous. I argue that the causal mechanism linking immigration and unemployment to extreme right electoral performance is the development of anti-immigrant attitudes at the individual level. In this paper, I examine how unemployment and immigration affect individuals’ attitudes toward immigrants. This examination furthers our understanding of the actual dynamics of how unemployment and immigration influences the electoral success of extreme right parties. I find that greater unemployment rates increase the probability that an individual will have an anti-immigrant attitude only when immigration is already at a high level. Similarly, increasing immigration alone does not always increase the probability that an individual will have an anti-immigrant attitude.
Introduction: Other peoples' games: Indigenous peoples and sport in North America

A quarter of a century ago, Ward Churchill, Norbert S. Hill and Mary Jo Barlow observed, ‘Although it is attempted often enough, it is impossible to consider athletics in North America without addr...
Atypical neurological complications of ipilimumab therapy in patients with metastatic melanoma

Melanoma is an immunogenic cancer, and numerous immunotherapies have been used to control its progression, including α-interferon, interleukin (IL)-2, and monoclonal antibodies. Ipilimumab is a novel FDA-approved immunotherapy agent that has been used to treat patients with unresectable and/or metastatic melanoma since May 2011. Ipilimumab is a recombinant human monoclonal antibody that blocks cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4, which is an inhibitor of T-cell activation; thereby, ipilimumab potentiates an immune response. Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) may occur in patients treated with ipilimumab, however. Reported neurological irAEs include inflammatory myopathy,1 aseptic meningitis, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome,2 Guillain-Barre syndrome, myasthenia gravis–type syndrome, sensorimotor neuropathy,2,3–5 and inflammatory enteric neuropathy.6 We report 3 cases of metastatic melanoma treated with ipilimumab in which the patient developed rare ipilimumab-related adverse events: chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), transverse myelitis (TM), and concurrent myositis and myasthenia gravis–type syndrome, respectively. We believe these events were due to immunological pathogenesis involving various human leukocyte antigen subgroups and immunotherapy regimens. We report 3 cases of ipilimumab-related irAEs presented with rare neurological symptoms to raise awareness of the wide spectrum of neurological side effects of this medication and provide our experience on their treatment.
A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF THE DETERMINANTS FOR THE FOUNDING OF WEB-BASED VENTURES

This paper reports on the results of the first, qualitative phase of a two–phase study of the Web–based new ventures that have been founded in the last several years in the New York City area. The overall research is an exploratory study of the antecedents necessary for founding successful "growth seeking" new ventures that were created specifically to exploit the opportunities offered by the growth of the Internet and the World Wide Web. In the second phase of this research in–progress, quantitative methods will be utilised to test the findings developed in this preliminary stage of the research. Interviews were employed to gather "grounded" data on the background factors as well as information on strategic intent from 32 entrepreneurs and top management team members representing 26 Web ventures. The findings indicate that business skills, prior entrepreneurial experience and presence of entrepreneurial role models are more important antecedents than technical expertise. Additionally, the study found that a munificent environment encourages entrepreneurial activity and that non–measurable factors such as vision and intuition affect entrepreneur intent.
On the stability of the inverse time-varying prediction error filter obtained with the RWLS algorithm

This work provides conditions on the input sequence that ensure the exponential asymptotic stability of the inverse of the forward prediction error filter obtained by means of the recursive weighted least squares algorithm. Note that this filter is in general time-varying. Thus this result is a natural extension to the well-known minimum phase property of forward prediction error filters obtained by the autocorrelation method.
Oxidized Phospholipids Alter Vascular Connexin Expression, Phosphorylation, and Heterocellular Communication

Objective—In endothelial cells (EC) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from atherosclerotic mice, connexin (Cx) expression becomes distorted. Lipoprotein-derived phospholipid oxidation products (OxPAPC) play a critical role in atherosclerosis, and we hypothesized that they may act as trigger molecules causing the changes in connexin expression. Methods and Results—We applied OxPAPC to murine carotid arteries in vivo and vascular cell cocultures. OxPAPC applied to carotids induced an upregulation of both Cx37 and Cx43 in the VSMC. In EC, Cx43 was upregulated and Cx37 was downregulated, whereas Cx40 in EC remained constant. In the vascular cell coculture, OxPAPC caused similar changes in Cx37 and Cx43 but caused a decrease in Cx40 in EC and an elevation of Cx40 in VSMC. In the coculture model, OxPAPC treatment led to the selective disappearance of Cx40 at the myoendothelial junction. Biocytin dye transfer between EC and VSMC coupling was dramatically reduced by OxPAPC. The decrease in dye transfer after OxPAPC treatment was correlated with an increase in tyrosine 265 phosphorylation of Cx43, especially at the in vitro myoendothelial junction. Conclusions—We conclude that OxPAPC could be responsible for the changes in connexin expression previously reported in atherosclerosis. (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2006;26:2216-2221.)
Putting Self-Interest Out of Business? Contributions and Unanswered Questions From Use-Inspired Research on Prosocial Motivation

More thananyotherquestion, I findmanagers asking, ‘‘How can I motivate employees to be more helpful and giving—to care about contributing to other people and the organization?’’ This query has stimulated my own program of use-inspired research on prosocial motivation at work. In this commentary, I draw attention to several of the key contributions and unanswered questions raised by this research. My perspective aligns with Kanfer’s (2009) call for use-inspired work motivation research to place a stronger emphasis on interpersonal relationships. Evidence is mounting that self-interest is not the only motivation that drives work effort and behavior. Applied psychologists and organizational researchers have argued that we have underestimated the extent to which many employees hold other-oriented motives and values (Meglino & Korsgaard, 2004), seek to engage in behaviors that protect and promote social justice and human well-being (Folger & Salvador, 2008), and are motivated to serve the public through meaningful work that benefits others (Perry & Hondeghem, 2008; Shamir, 1991). Scholars have observed that employees are attracted to socially responsible organizations that provide opportunities to contribute to causes andmake social contributions (Thompson & Bunderson, 2003; Turban & Greening, 1997). These scholars share a common focus on prosocial motivation: the desire to help or benefit others (Grant, 2007, 2008a). Below, I examine recent research and new questions—all use inspired—on how prosocial motivation can be cultivated in work settings (context), how such endeavors affect employees with different personality traits (content), and how prosocial motivation is influenced by self-interest (change).
Detection of freely propagating terahertz radiation by use of optical second-harmonic generation

We report the application of electric-field-induced optical second-harmonic generation as a new technique for measuring the field of freely propagating terahertz radiation. Using silicon as the nonlinear medium, we demonstrate subpicosecond time resolution and a sampling signal that varies linearly with the terahertz electric field. This approach, which is attractive for centrosymmetric media, permits a significantly broadened class of materials to be exploited for free-space sampling measurements.
LDPC-coded MIMO receiver design over unknown fading channels

We consider an LDPC-coded MIMO system composed of M transmit and N receive antennas operating in a flat fading environment. The channel state information is assumed to be unavailable both to the transmitter and the receiver. A soft iterative receiver structure is developed which consists of three main blocks, a soft MIMO detector and two LDPC component soft decoders. Without forming any specific channel estimate, we propose several soft MIMO detectors at the component level that offer an effective tradeoff between complexity and performance. At the structural level, the LDPC-coded MIMO receiver is constructed in a unconventional manner where the soft MIMO detector and LDPC variable node decoder form one super soft-decoding unit, and the LDPC check node decoder forms the other component of the iterative decoding scheme. By exploiting the proposed receiver structure, tractable extrinsic information transfer functions of the component soft decoders are obtained, which further lead to a simple and efficient LDPC code degree profile optimization algorithm with proven global optimality and guaranteed convergence from any initialization. Finally, numerical and simulation results are provided to confirm the advantages of the proposed design approach for the coded system
Killing cover crops mechanically: Review of recent literature and assessment of new research results

Cover-crop residues left on the soil surface as a mulch in no-till crop production systems protect the soil from erosion, increase water infiltration and suppress weeds. Because many growers using cover crops want to reduce chemical inputs, non-chemical methods of killing or suppressing cover crops are needed. In the first part of this paper we review the current literature and discuss advantages and disadvantages of five mechanical methods for killing cover crops, i.e., mowing, rolling, roll-chopping, undercutting and partial rototilling. We also report on three new studies that broaden the current literature, including planting into freshly killed residue. In the first study, the use of planter attachments to remove surface residues from the planter row improved stands when cotton was no-till planted 2-7 days after mowing cover crops in Mississippi. In the second study, 100% of a rye/vetch cover crop in Missouri was killed by mowing, and greater than 90% was killed by roll-chopping. Cotton stands were reduced by the use of row cleaners that clogged when the cover crop was roll-chopped or mowed on the same day that the crop was planted. The third study evaluated three methods of mechanically killing summer cover crops in North Carolina. Undercutting provided greater than 95% kill for five of six broadleaf species, and two of five grass species. Mowing effectively killed all six broadleaf cover crops, but re-growth occurred with three of five grasses, with the exception of nearly mature German foxtail millet and mature Japanese millet. In general, rolling did not effectively kill broadleaf or grass cover crops, with the exception of nearly mature German foxtail millet, mature Japanese millet and mature buckwheat.
Sexually Dimorphic Actions of Glucocorticoids Provide a Link to Inflammatory Diseases with Gender Differences in Prevalence

Males and females show differences in the prevalence of many major diseases that have important inflammatory components to their etiology. These gender-specific diseases, which include autoimmune diseases, hepatocellular carcinoma, diabetes, and osteoporosis, are largely considered to reflect the actions of sex hormones on the susceptibility to inflammatory stimuli. However, inflammation reflects a balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory signals, and investigation of gender-specific responses to the latter has been neglected. Glucocorticoids are the primary physiological anti-inflammatory hormones in mammals, and synthetic derivatives of these hormones are prescribed as anti-inflammatory agents, irrespective of patient gender. We explored the possibility that sexually dimorphic actions of glucocorticoid regulation of gene expression may contribute to the dimorphic basis of inflammatory disease by evaluating the rat liver, a classic glucocorticoid-responsive organ. Surprisingly, glucocorticoid administration expanded the set of hepatic sexually dimorphic genes. Eight distinct patterns of glucocorticoid-regulated gene expression were identified, which included sex-specific genes. Our experiments also defined specific genes with altered expression in response to glucocorticoid treatment in both sexes, but in opposite directions. Pathway analysis identified sex-specific glucocorticoid-regulated gene expression in several canonical pathways involved in susceptibility to and progression of diseases with gender differences in prevalence. Moreover, a comparison of the number of genes involved in inflammatory disorders between sexes revealed 84 additional glucocorticoid-responsive genes in the male, suggesting that the anti-inflammatory actions of glucocorticoids are more effective in males. These gender-specific actions of glucocorticoids in liver were substantiated in vivo with a sepsis model of systemic inflammation.
Cognitive process validation of an online problem solving assessment

Abstract In this study we tested a novel cognitive validation strategy that yoked participants' verbal protocols with their clickstream data using a problem solving assessment (IMMEX—Interactive Multimedia Exercises). Participants were presented with a scenario and provided with relevant and irrelevant information to solve the task. Participants could access the information in any order and attempt to solve the problem at any time. The most frequently occurring cognitive processes were paraphrasing text, accurate cause–effect inferences, and monitoring of problem solving behavior. Productive processes were related to success and consistent with scientific reasoning behavior on the task and unproductive processes were related to unsuccessful performance and consistent with poor reasoning. We found strong evidence of the cognitive validity of the IMMEX task. Components of an online process-based assessment testbed are identified.
Expanding the Genetic Code of Escherichia coli

A unique transfer RNA (tRNA)/aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase pair has been generated that expands the number of genetically encoded amino acids in Escherichia coli. When introduced into E. coli, this pair leads to the in vivo incorporation of the synthetic amino acid O-methyl-l-tyrosine into protein in response to an amber nonsense codon. The fidelity of translation is greater than 99%, as determined by analysis of dihydrofolate reductase containing the unnatural amino acid. This approach should provide a general method for increasing the genetic repertoire of living cells to include a variety of amino acids with novel structural, chemical, and physical properties not found in the common 20 amino acids.
Everyday scale errors.

Young children occasionally make scale errors – they attempt to fit their bodies into extremely small objects or attempt to fit a larger object into another, tiny, object. For example, a child might try to sit in a dollhouse-sized chair or try to stuff a large doll into it. Scale error research was originally motivated by parents’ and researchers’ informal accounts of these behaviors. However, scale errors have only been documented using laboratory procedures designed to promote their occurrence. To formally document the occurrence of scale errors in everyday settings, we posted a survey on the internet. Across two studies, participants reported many examples of everyday scale errors that are similar to those observed in our labs and were committed by children of the same age. These findings establish that scale errors occur in the course of children’s daily lives, lending further support to the account that these behaviors stem from general aspects of visual processing.
COX-2 suppresses tissue factor expression via endocannabinoid-directed PPARδ activation

Although cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors (coxibs) are effective in controlling inflammation, pain, and tumorigenesis, their use is limited by the recent revelation of increased adverse cardiovascular events. The mechanistic basis of this side effect is not well understood. We show that the metabolism of endocannabinoids by the endothelial cell COX-2 coupled to the prostacyclin (PGI2) synthase (PGIS) activates the nuclear receptor peroxisomal proliferator–activated receptor (PPAR) δ, which negatively regulates the expression of tissue factor (TF), the primary initiator of blood coagulation. Coxibs suppress PPARδ activity and induce TF expression in vascular endothelium and elevate circulating TF activity in vivo. Importantly, PPARδ agonists suppress coxib-induced TF expression and decrease circulating TF activity. We provide evidence that COX-2–dependent attenuation of TF expression is abrogated by coxibs, which may explain the prothrombotic side-effects for this class of drugs. Furthermore, PPARδ agonists may be used therapeutically to suppress coxib-induced cardiovascular side effects.
Acoustic and electromagnetic wave interaction: estimation of Doppler spectrum from an acoustically vibrated metallic circular cylinder

The idea of using acoustically induced Doppler spectra as a means of target detection and identification is introduced. An analytical solution for the calculation of the bistatic scattered Doppler spectrum from an acoustically excited, vibrating, metallic, circular cylinder is presented. First, the electromagnetic scattering solution of a slightly deformed circular cylinder is obtained using a perturbation method. Then, assuming the vibration frequency is much smaller than the frequency of the incident electromagnetic wave, a closed form expression for the time-frequency response of the bistatic scattered field is obtained which can be used directly for estimating the Doppler spectrum. The acoustic scattering solution for an incident acoustic plane wave upon a solid elastic cylinder is applied to give the displacement of the cylinder surface as a function of time. Results indicate that the scattered Doppler frequencies correspond to the mechanical vibration frequencies of the cylinder, and the sidelobe Doppler spectrum level is, to the first order, linearly proportional to the degree of deformation and is a function of bistatic angle. Moreover, the deformation in the cylinder, and thus the Doppler sidelobe level, only becomes sizeable near frequencies of normal modes of free vibration in the cylinder. Utilizing the information in the scattered Doppler spectrum could provide an effective means of buried object identification, where acoustic waves are used to excite the mechanical resonances of a buried object.
Effects of ultraviolet radiation on the oxygen uptake rate of the rabbit cornea.

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) has been demonstrated to be involved in a number of adverse ocular effects. One aspect of UVR-induced corneal stress only recently documented is an alteration of epithelial energy metabolite levels. In this study, in order to examine wavelength and dose dependency issues concerning metabolic effects of UVR, exposures were made at four different wavelengths (290, 300, 310 and 360 nm) and five different mean radiant exposures (0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, and 0.25 J.cm-2). Pre- and postexposure levels of relative metabolic activity of the corneal epithelium were monitored in vivo by recording the corneal oxygen uptake rate with a micropolarographic electrode. A paired difference analysis demonstrated a decrease in relative corneal metabolic activity that was both wavelength- and dose-dependent. These relative metabolic effects provide some insight toward the understanding of underlying damage mechanisms, and imply a broader radiant energy susceptibility range of the eye than previously thought.
Mixing of Carbon Black with Rubber. VI. Analysis of NR/SBR Blends

Abstract The distribution of carbon black in NR/SBR blends was determined through the analysis of bound rubber. The NR/SBR blends were found to be very different from the previously studied SBR/BR compounds: these differences were assigned to mutual insolubility of the two polymers and a very high molecular weight of NR. In NR/SBR blends, it was found that changes in molecular weight of the polymer has no effect on the carbon black distribution in the blend. While the “activity” of carbon black did not affect the distribution, the loading of the black in NR decreased linearly with increasing surface area of the black. Approximately 35% of normal tread blacks (surface area 80–100 m2/g) was found in the NR phase. However, the bond between NR and carbon black is quite weak, and black continues to migrate into the SBR phase on prolonged mixing or during blending of NR and SBR masterbatches.
Industry Productivity Growth: A Network Perspective

Background: This study investigates the determinants of industrial productivity growth from a network perspective.
Like Master, Like Man

This article draws on the trial court records of civil disputes involving slaves, such as breach of warranty for slaves who fell ill or ran away soon after sale or hire, or tort suits for damages to slaves by agents, overseers, or hirers. These cases were the most common occasion for litigation over slaves, and despite their routine commercial nature, provided an important arena for contests over white men's character. Trials of civil disputes over slaves called white men's character as masters into question, and because white honor was so tied up with mastery over slaves, they put white men's honor on the line. Warranty and hire cases involving runaways put mastery on trial when litigants portrayed runaway slaves' character as a function of management by masters. Tort cases involving neglect or cruelty offered parties and judges an opportunity to articulate standards of mastery even more directly. I argue that the "good master" conjured in these cases was less a benevolent paternalist than a "statesman-like" disciplinarian and smart manager. Through this image of mastery, the commercial law of slavery helped to construct "whiteness" in terms of both honor and profit.
Original Articles: Differential Influence of Plant Species on Soil Nitrogen Transformations Within Moist Meadow Alpine Tundra

Plant species can influence nitrogen (N) cycling indirectly through the feedbacks of litter quality and quantity on soil N transformation rates. The goal of this research was to focus on small-scale (within-community) variation in soil N cycling associated with two community dominants of the moist meadow alpine tundra. Within this community, the small-scale patchiness of the two most abundant species (Acomastylis rossii and Deschampsia caespitosa) provides natural variation in species cover within a relatively similar microclimate, thus enabling estimation of the effects of plant species on soil N transformation rates. Monthly rates of soil N transformations were dependent on small-scale variation in both soil microclimate and species cover. The relative importance of species cover compared with soil microclimate increased for months 2 and 3 of the 3-month growing season. Growing-season net N mineralization rates were over ten times greater and nitrification rates were four times greater in Deschampsia patches than in Acomastylis patches. Variability in litter quality [carbon:nitrogen (C:N) and phenolic:N], litter quantity (aboveground and fine-root production), and soil quality (C:N) was associated with three principal components. Variability between the species in litter quality and fine-root production explained 31% of the variation in net N mineralization rates and 36% of net nitrification rates. Site variability across the landscape in aboveground production and soil C:N explained 33% of the variation in net N mineralization rates and 21% of net nitrification rates. Within the moist meadow community, the high spatial variability in soil N transformation rates was associated with differences in the dominant species' litter quality and fine-root production. Deschampsia-dominated patches consistently had greater soil N transformation rates than did Acomastylis-dominated patches across the landscape, despite site variability in soil moisture, soil C:N, and aboveground production. Plant species appear to be an important control of soil N transformation in the alpine tundra, and consequently may influence plant community structure and ecosystem function.