cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SU-E-J-64: Margins for Single-Fraction Treatments: Stereotactic Radiosurgery Brain Cases

Purpose: To determine the appropriate margin expansion from clinical target volume (CTV) to planning target volume (PTV) for single‐fraction stereotactic radiosurgery(SRS). Setting a proper margin is crucial for delivering the right dose to the CTV and sparing of organs at risk. Methods: Whereas in conventional fractionated treatment a Gaussian function is used to represent systemic errors, for single‐fraction treatment with a specific machine, the delta function is more appropriate. As input to the function, we measured the differences between image isocenter and radiation isocenter for a Varian Trilogy linac over a period of six weeks. To approximate the residual setup errors for a population of patients, we adopted a Gaussian function with different standard deviation. A phenomenological formula for calculating the CTV‐PTV margin for single‐fraction SRSbrain cases is proposed. For 95% success (CTV received prescribed dose) of patients' treatments, the margin for a single‐fraction treatment is obtained which is a function of standard deviation of the residual setup errors and system errors. Results: The differences between the image isocenter and radiation isocenter remain constant to within sub‐ millimeter during the typical treatment period of six weeks. This confirms our assumption on the system errors distribution as being a delta function and machine‐specific. This definition is especially important for a single‐fraction treatment. Our study found that human factors could also attribute to the reduction of the margin of CTV‐PTV in addition to stability of the treatment machine. Conclusions: A margin formula is proposed for the SRSbrain case that attempts to help physicists determine the proper margin of CTV‐ PTV. This margin derivation could also extend for multi‐fraction cases because the system errors do not change from time to time unless system upgrades. R01‐CA126993
Potential model calculations of parity violation in proton-proton scattering.

The proton-proton parity-violating analyzing power is calculated at laboratory energies up to 1000 MeV using a parity-violating weak meson-exchange potential with form factors and coupling constants consistent with the nonrelativistic Bonn potential. A real distorted-wave Born-approximation formulation of the weak scattering amplitude is introduced using real standing waves with distortions by Coulomb and strong interactions. This formulation includes a new and simplified expression for the S matrix in terms of strong and real weak amplitudes. The form-factor contributions to the weak potential significantly reduce the overall magnitude of the analyzing power, but do not qualitatively affect the relative energy or angular dependence. Results using, alternatively, Paris, Reid soft-core, Hamada-Johnston, and pure Coulomb distorted waves with the same weak potential are compared. The angular and total analyzing powers are calculated with long-range Coulomb contributions for scattering and transmission experiments. The long-range Coulomb effects can be removed, leading to a reduced analyzing power \^A that depends only on short-range forces.
The different responses of rat glutamate transporter type 2 and its mutant (tyrosine 403 to histidine) activity to volatile anesthetics and activation of protein kinase C

Glutamate transporters play an important role in homeostasis of extracellular glutamate, a major excitatory neurotransmitter and a potential neurotoxin. In mammalian brain, glutamate transporter type 2 (EAAT2) is the most abundant form. Studies of molecular structures demonstrated that tyrosine 403 is critical in regulating the ion selectivity and transport mode of EAAT2. We hypothesized that wild type EAAT2 and its mutant at tyrosine 403 have different responses to volatile anesthetics, commonly used anesthetics that have been shown to affect glutamate transporter activity and decrease extracellular glutamate concentrations. We used site-directed mutagenesis and oocyte expression systems to test the hypothesis. Volatile anesthetics did not affect the activity of wild type EAAT2, isolated from rat hippocampus. When tyrosine 403 was replaced by histidine (Y403H), volatile anesthetics (isoflurane or halothane) at clinically relevant concentrations significantly decreased the transporter activity. Okadaic acid, a phosphatase inhibitor, significantly prolonged the isoflurane-induced inhibition. This inhibition was reversed by staurosporine and calphostin C, two protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, but not by the third PKC inhibitor, chelerythrine. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, a PKC activator, inhibited the activity of both wild type and Y403H EAAT2. This inhibition was also reversed by the same two PKC inhibitors but not by the third one. These results suggest that the switch of tyrosine 403 to histidine rendered EAAT2 sensitive to volatile anesthetics, a phenomenon that may require protein phosphorylation. PKC may be involved in the regulation of the activity of both wild type and Y403H EAAT2.
Subjektive Krankheitstheorien als Gegenstand der genetischen Beratung am Beispiel des Wiedemann-Beckwith-Syndroms

Genetic counselling deals with illness. Often, an "objective" theory of illness is presented, which is put into a subjective theory by the client. As an example, interviews with parents of children who have a Wiedemann-Beckwith-Syndrome are analysed. It can be shown that generating a subjective theory of illness is strongly connected with the experiencing of the illness. Thus, parents assess the Syndrome of their child quite differently and construct specific subjective theories about it. Especially assumptions about the cause of the illness differ.
Anisotropic parsimonious prestack depth migration

ABSTRACTAn efficient Kirchhoff-style prestack depth migration, called “parsimonious” migration, was developed a decade ago for isotropic 2D and 3D media by using measured slownesses to reduce the amount of ray tracing by orders of magnitude. It is conceptually similar to “map” migration, but its implementation has some differences. We have extended this approach to 2D tilted transversely isotropic (TTI) media and illustrated it with synthetic P-wave data. Although the framework of isotropic parsimonious may be retained, the extension to TTI media requires redevelopment of each of the numerical components, calculation of the phase and group velocity for TTI media, development of a new two-point anisotropic ray tracer, and substitution of an initial-angle isotropic shooting ray-trace algorithm for an anisotropic one. The model parameterization consists of Thomsen’s parameters (VP0, e, δ) and the tilt angle of the symmetry axis of the TI medium. The parsimonious anisotropic migration algorithm is successfull...
An X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study of the bonding of unsaturated organic molecules to the Si(001) surface

Abstract The core-level binding energies of simple unsaturated organic molecules bonded to the Si(001) surface have been investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Using the Si 2p levels as an internal standard, the shifts in carbon and nitrogen levels were analyzed for a series of small unsaturated molecules, including cyclopentene, ethylene, acetylene, 3-pyrroline and pyrrolidine, adsorbed on the Si(001) surface. Alkene-like carbon atoms are found to have binding energies 0.6–0.9 eV higher than alkane-like molecules. Carbon atoms bonded directly to the silicon surface show binding energies 0.7–0.8 eV lower than those that are not bonded directly to silicon. The N 1s binding energy is decreased by 0.9 eV by bonding to silicon. The use of XPS for identification of bonding configurations of unsaturated organic molecules on the silicon (001) surface is discussed.
The reperfusion syndrome: Have we made any progress?

in 1987. They described a syndrome ofsevere cardiovascular dysfunction, bradyarrhythmia,decreased mean arterial pressure, and systemic vascu-lar resistance, along with an increased mean pulmo-nary artery pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pres-sure, and central venous pressure. The etiology of thissyndrome had been attributed to acute acidosis, hyper-kalemia, and hypothermia, and the authors also con-cluded that vasoactive substances released from theliver graft may be involved.
Using the wiki to deliver paperless software documentation

A study was conducted to evaluate the delivery of software documentation as a dynamic paperless wiki to the customers of a software development company. The advantages and disadvantages of using a wiki to write and deliver software documentation were researched. Training modules were developed to teach the company employees effective techniques for using the company wiki to collaboratively write software user documentation. Evidence was also provided in a white paper that could be delivered to the customers to show that receiving their documentation as a wiki would be better for them than receiving traditional static hard-or soft-copy documentation. The goal of the project was to enable the employees to provide the customers with superior software documentation in the form of a wiki, which can be continuously updated and kept current as the software product evolves and eliminates the need for printing and maintaining a hard-copy library of the user documentation.
Measurement of aggregate cohesion by tissue surface tensiometry.

Rigorous measurement of intercellular binding energy can only be made using methods grounded in thermodynamic principles in systems at equilibrium. We have developed tissue surface tensiometry (TST) specifically to measure the surface free energy of interaction between cells. The biophysical concepts underlying TST have been previously described in detail1,2. The method is based on the observation that mutually cohesive cells, if maintained in shaking culture, will spontaneously assemble into clusters. Over time, these clusters will round up to form spheres. This rounding-up behavior mimics the behavior characteristic of liquid systems. Intercellular binding energy is measured by compressing spherical aggregates between parallel plates in a custom-designed tissue surface tensiometer. The same mathematical equation used to measure the surface tension of a liquid droplet is used to measure surface tension of 3D tissue-like spherical aggregates. The cellular equivalent of liquid surface tension is intercellular binding energy, or more generally, tissue cohesivity. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that tissue surface tension (1) predicts how two groups of embryonic cells will interact with one another1-5, (2) can strongly influence the ability of tissues to interact with biomaterials6, (3) can be altered not only through direct manipulation of cadherin-based intercellular cohesion7, but also by manipulation of key ECM molecules such as FN8-11 and 4) correlates with invasive potential of lung cancer12, fibrosarcoma13, brain tumor14 and prostate tumor cell lines15. In this article we will describe the apparatus, detail the steps required to generate spheroids, to load the spheroids into the tensiometer chamber, to initiate aggregate compression, and to analyze and validate the tissue surface tension measurements generated.
Selective Use of Heunrstic and Systematic Processing Under Defense Motivation

Recent versions of the heuristic-systematic model predict that defense-motivated people will process heuristic cues selectively in two ways: (a) Heuristic cues will be subject to biased evaluation, and (b) heuristic, rather than systematic, processing will predominate when cues support, rather than threaten, defensive concerns. This experiment presented college students with a proposed mandatory essay-exam program, giving opinion poll results as a heuristic cue, followed either by arguments both for and against essay exams, or by no arguments. Cues congenial to students' preferred test type were judged as more reliable than hostile cues when no arguments were presented. Systematic processing mediated attitude judgment only when the cue was hostile; when the cue was congenial, attitude judgment was more influenced by vested interest. This influence may represent a low-effort heuristic processing strategy specific to defense motivation.
Is previous same quadrant surgery a contraindication to laparoscopic adrenalectomy

Background Previous abdominal surgery may present a challenge to safely completing laparoscopic adrenalectomy. We evaluated the impact of previous ipsilateral upper abdominal surgery on laparoscopic adrenalectomy outcomes. Methods A retrospective analysis of prospective databases was performed for patients that underwent laparoscopic transabdominal adrenalectomy at 2 tertiary centers between 2001 and 2011. Patients with previous ipsilateral upper abdominal surgery, contralateral upper abdominal surgery, or no relevant surgery were compared. Results Of the 217 patients, 38 (17%) had previous ipsilateral upper abdominal surgeries, 17 (8%) had contralateral upper abdominal surgeries, and 162 (75%) had no relevant surgery. Adhesions were more common in the ipsilateral upper abdominal surgery group (63% vs 24% vs 17%; P Conclusion Laparoscopic adrenalectomy in patients with previous ipsilateral upper abdominal surgery is feasible and safe, with comparable outcomes to those without previous relevant surgery, including contralateral upper abdominal surgery.
Anesthesia and Analgesia for Standing Equine Surgery

Morbidity and mortality rate in equine anesthesia is still unacceptably high. Thus it is critical contemplating whether the benefit of general anesthesia for a specific patient and procedure outweighs the risks. Sedative protocols that would allow performing diagnostic and surgical procedures with the patient remaining standing would therefore be ideal. Infusion of short-acting agents allows to rapidly achieve a titratable steady state of sedation. Supplementing sedatives and tranquilizers with systemic analgesic or regional anesthetic techniques (i.e. epidurals) facilitates standing surgical procedures. Multimodal analgesia would also provide superior analgesia with potentially fewer side effects than a single agent approach.
Commentary on the adoption of the electronic health record

The promise of the electronic health record is to provide multiple functions including the ability to easily share information among providers, the ability to order studies, the ability to improve the safety of patients, and the ability to coordinate plans of care. Efforts to achieve these goals face multiple challenges including large expenditures of money, large expenditures of time and effort, and a persistent communication gap between the designers and the users of these electronic medical records.
Enhancing Instructional Design and Technology Academic Programs: A Summary of the Fifth Meeting of the Professors of Instructional Design and Technology

The fifth meeting of the Professors of Instructional Design and Technology provided a forum for members of the IDT academic community to discuss the trends, issues, and problems facing the field. The meeting was successful in that it helped to facilitate the exchange of information among PIDT members from a variety of programs and settings. The meeting also encouraged the enhancement of academic programs in IDT.
Electrodeposition of gold particles on aluminum substrates containing copper.

Electrodeposition of adhesive metal films on aluminum is traditionally preceded by the zincate process, which activates the aluminum surface. This paper presents an alternative approach for activation of aluminum by using films containing 99.5% aluminum and 0.5% copper. Aluminum/copper films are made amenable for subsequent electrodeposition by anodization followed by chemical etching of aluminum oxide. The electrodeposition of gold is monitored with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Analysis of EIS data suggests that electrodeposition of gold increases the interfacial capacitance from values typical for electrodes with thin oxide layers to values typical for metal electrodes. Scanning electron microscopy examination of aluminum/copper films following gold electrodeposition shows the presence of gold particles with densities of 105−107 particles cm-2. The relative standard deviation of mean particle diameters is approximately 25%. Evaluation of the micrographs suggests that the electrodepositi...
Oxide Scales Formed on Niti and Niptti Shape Memory Alloys

Ni-49Ti and Ni-30Pt-50Ti (nominal at. pct) shape memory alloys (SMAs) were isothermally oxidized in air over the temperature range of 773 K to 1173 K (500 °C to 900 °C) for 100 hours. The oxidation kinetics, presented in detail in a companion study, show ~4 times reduction in oxidation rate due to Pt.[1] The microstructure, composition, and phase content of the scales and depletion zones were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). A relatively pure TiO2 rutile structure was identified as the predominant scale surface feature, typified by a distinct highly striated and faceted crystal morphology, with crystal size proportional to oxidation temperature. The complex layered structure beneath these crystals was characterized by semiquantitative XRD of serial/taper polished sections and SEM/EDS of cross sections for samples oxidized at 973 K (700 °C). In general, graded mixtures of TiO2, NiTiO3, NiO, Ni(Ti), or Pt(Ni) metallic dispersoids, and continuous Ni3Ti or Pt-rich metal depletion zones, were observed from the gas surface to the substrate interior. Overall, substantial depletion of Ti occurred due to the formation of predominantly TiO2 scales. It is proposed that the Ni-30Pt-50Ti alloy oxidized more slowly than the binary Ni-49Ti alloy by decreasing oxygen and titanium diffusion through the thin Pt-rich layer.
Evaluation, Control, and Prediction of Drug Diffusion Through Polymeric Membranes III: Diffusion of Barbiturates, Phenylalkylamines, Dextromethorphan, Progesterone, and Other Drugs

Silastic membrane demonstrated the greatest permeability among the nine polymeric films studied. The apparent diffusion constants through silastic membrane were determined by steady-state studies for a series of barbiturates and phenylalkylamines and correlated with the determined chloroform/acetate buffer partition coefficients in the former case. The apparent diffusion constants did not correlate with the determined solubilities of the barbiturate series in the diffusing solvent since the solubilities within the membrane have to be considered. Only the uncharged species diffuse through the polymeric membrane and half of the maximal diffusion rate occurs at the pKa'. Diffusion rates were proportional to concentrations in all cases up to the solubility of the diffusing species and Fick's law was fully applicable. Diffusion rates can be varied by changing the diffusing and desorbing solvents and membrane thickness and area. Solvent variation (e.g., water, mineral oil, peanut oil, alcohol) affects the apparent diffusion coefficients of dextromethorphan and progesterone. The rates of diffusion of the studied compounds decrease with their increasing solubility in the diffusing solvent which can be assigned to the preferential partitioning in the solvent rather than the membrane. Diffusion from capsules repeats the rates and is dependent on the same factors as diffusion through films. Solid particles in contact with silastic membrane dissolve in and are transported through the membrane. Release rates from the membrane into surrounding solvents should depend on whether these dissolution rates were of higher or lower orders of magnitude than diffusion through the membrane.
A Roman Circus in Corinth

During the 1967–1968 excavations of the Gymnasium area in Corinth, a long and narrow structure (the "Apsidal Building") was discovered. It is argued here that the structure represents the eastern meta and a portion of the spina of a circus, where chariot races were held. The circus appears to have been planned as an integral component of the Caesarian design of the city, constructed during the Augustan period, renovated in the late 1st century a.d., and refurbished as late as the 6th century. Furthermore, the circus was often the site of the equestrian contests of the Corinthian Caesarea festival and at times of the Panhellenic Isthmian Games.
A Domain Decomposition Laplace Solver for Internal Combustion Engine Modeling

Discrete elliptic problems can often naturally be partitioned into subproblems corresponding to subregions into which the region has been partitioned, or from which it was originally assembled. Fast conjugate gradient methods have been developed to handle the continuity conditions, across the interfaces, that need to be satisfied by the solution of the entire problem.This paper focuses on a special family of problems that arises in combustion engine modeling. It is demonstrated that efficient algorithms can conveniently be built using standard software to solve elliptic problems on simple regions. A convergence analysis is given that is much simpler than the general theory for domain decomposition algorithms. It is also shown that the use of multigrid cycles to solve the subproblems inexactly can be very efficient.
Investigating the research practices and library needs of contingent, tenure-track, and tenured english faculty

Contingent (i.e. part-time and non-tenure-track/ temporary full-time), tenure-track, and tenured English faculty at a four-year public university were surveyed on their research practices, self-assessed research skills, and use of preferences for library services. Results showed more similaritites than differences among all faculty. With the increasing use of part-time and non-tenure-track faculty by many colleges and universities, it is important to recognize these similarities and help contingent faculty with their research.
Suppressed molecular ionization due to interferences effects

The phenomenon of suppressed molecular ionization denotes a number of experimental observations in recent years, in which, in general, the ion yields of a molecule are found to be suppressed as compared to those of its companion atom. The latter are often estimated by the popular tunneling formula given by Ammosov, Delone and Krainov (or ADK). Results of S-matrix calculations, obtained for a series of molecules, ranging from diatomics to fullerenes, show that interference effects arising due to the multi-center nature of the molecule contribute to the observed suppression.
Diffractive hard scattering

Abstract We discuss high energy hadron collisions that contain a hard scattering, in the sense that a W, a Z, very heavy quarks, or high p T jets are produced, yet are diffractive, in the sense that one of the incident hadrons is scattered with only a small energy loss. In our approach, the cross section for such diffractive hard scattering is a part of the normal hard scattering inclusive cross section, as calculated using perturbative quantum chromodynamics. We use Regge phenomenology in combination with perturbative QCD to estimate that a substantial fraction (perhaps 30%) of all hard scattering events are diffractive. Measurement of diffractive hard scattering cross sections would illuminate the short distance gluon and quark content of the pomeron, which has been found to play a fundamental role in forward hadron scattering.
Thermal Characterization of Cu/CoFe Multilayer for Giant Magnetoresistive (GMR) Head Applications

Giant Magnetoresistance (GMR) head technology is one of the latest advancement in hard disk drive (HDD) storage industry. The GMR head superlattice structure consists of alternating layers of extremely thin metallic ferromagnet and paramagnet films. A large decrease in the resistivity from antiparallel to parallel alignment of the film magnetizations can be observed, known as giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect. The present work characterizes the in-plane electrical and thermal conductivities of Cu/CoFe GMR multilayer structure in the temperature range of 50 K to 340 K using Joule-heating and electrical resistance thermometry in suspended bridges. The thermal conductivity of the GMR layer monotonously increased from 25 Wm−1 K−1 (at 55 K) to nearly 50 Wm−1 K−1 (at room temperature). We also report the GMR ratio of 17% and a large negative magnetothermal resistance effect (GMTR) of 33% in Cu/CoFe superlattice structure. The Boltzmann transport equation (BTE) is used to estimate the GMR ratio, and to investigate the effect of repeats, as well as the spin-dependent interface and boundary scatting on the transport properties of the GMR structure. Aside from the interesting underlying physics, these data can be used in the predictions of the Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) failure and self-heating in GMR heads.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Mode mixity effect on the damage of a constrained ductile layer

Abstract A partially fractured thin metal foil bonded between ceramic blocks subject to mode I loading was studied in a previous paper. The constrained plastic flow easily elevates the hydrostatic stress in the metal to more than 5 times the yield stress. The maximum stress occurs at a distance of several foil thicknesses ahead of the crack tip, and can trigger cavitation or debonding. The large spacing between the cavities and the crack tip allows the intact metal patches to bridge the crack, leading to rising crack growth resistance curves. The maximum foil thickness which would allow the above bridging mechanism to develop has been identified. In this paper mode mixity effects are investigated. As the mode II component increases, the plastic zone becomes longer while the stress triaxiality becomes smaller. The loss of constraint is detailed in this paper. Under mixed-mode loading, high tensile stresses also occur in the ceramics. These stresses are large enough to cause ceramic cleavage. Using a full-field large-deformation elastic-plastic analysis, the multi-mechanism competition is assessed. The dependence of nominal fracture toughness on failure mechanisms and on geometric and material parameters is also discussed.
Bicuspid Aortic Valve and Associated Aortopathy: Surgical Considerations

Introduction The human aortic valve is normally a tricuspid structure but may occur as bicuspid or quadricuspid structures (Figure 1). Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is one of the most common congenital heart anomalies and the most common congenital anomaly in adults, occurring in 0.5-2% of the population based on echocardiography and autopsy series.1, 2 It is an inherited defect that appears to occur in an autosomal dominant pattern. BAV is the cause of aortic stenosis in 70-85% of pediatric cases3 and about 50% of adult cases.4 Indications for aortic valve replacement (AVR) in BAVs is the same as rheumatic or senile calcific degeneration aortic valves. BAVs are different, however, in that the tissue pathology is not limited to the valves’ leaflets but extends from the left ventricular outflow tract to the ascending thoracic aorta. BAVs are associated with several congenital anomalies, infective endocarditis, and acute thoracic aortic emergencies such as aneurysm and dissection. These associations lead to surgical considerations different from other aortic valve pathologies.
Financial flow of funds networks

This article develops a general network model of financial flow of funds accounting that explicitly incorporates feedback and can be used to calculate reconciled values of all outstanding financial instruments, tangible assets, and net worth. The model captures, as special cases, distinct data-specific problem scenarios and permits the estimation of sector holdings of both assets and liabilities, total outstanding instrument volumes, and total sector holdings. A decomposition algorithm is then proposed that resolves the network problem into simpler network subproblems, each of which can then be solved exactly in closed form. The algorithm is applied to a dataset derived from the Federal Reserve Board data for 1989. The reconciled dataset can then be used as a base line for an empirical general equlibrium model and for macromonetary policy analysis.
Vibrational circular dichroism theory: formulation defining magnetic dipole atomic polar tensors and vibrational nuclear magnetic shielding tensors

Abstract The theory of vibrational circular dichroism is formulated in terms of magnetic dipole atomic polar tensors, an extension of infrared atomic polar tensors to magnetic dipole transitions. Relations are provided to define a vibrational nuclear magnetic shielding tensor that describes electronic shielding of an external magnetic field for a nucleus.
'The Great Choreographer': Embodying Space in Fuenteovejuna

Social dances embody and perform kinesthetic structures of courtesy and courtship. The relative positions of dancers, their gestures, eye contact and posture, and manipulation of personal accoutrements (hats, gloves, fans, etc.), communicate at once both social hierarchies and personal desire. The Spanish comedia appropriates culturally-embedded notions of space and movement to create dramatic meaning. Lope’s Fuenteovejuna structures dramatic space by dislocating the habitus of early modern dance. This essay addresses the means by which dance and kinesthetic movement structure and communicate the 'dislocated habitus' of Lope’s early modern corral stage. Although attempts to reconstruct a complete dance, or even an individual dance step, will never be completely accurate, supporting evidence reveals culturally-laden structures of body carriage, body interactions, and treatments of space that can inform interpretations of Spain’s classical theater.
Investigating the Potential of Using Social Network Analysis in Educational Evaluation.

This article describes results of a study investigating the potential of using social network analysis to evaluate programs that aim at improving schools by fostering greater collaboration between teachers. The goal of this method is to use data about teacher collaboration within schools to map the distribution of expertise and resources needed to enact reforms. Such maps are of great potential value to school leaders, who are responsible for instructional leadership in schools, but they also include information that could bring harm to individuals and school communities. In this arti- cle, the authors describe interview findings about concerns educators have with collecting and shar- ing social network data. A chief finding is that although the majority of teachers consider collecting social network data to be problematic but feasible, some teachers report concerns about privacy and the effect on their school's goals to foster community if the data are shared with their schools.
Teacher Thinking Associated With Science-Specific Mentor Preparation

Framed by sociocultural theory, the purpose of the study was to understand the cultural tools used by science teachers when leaning to mentor and how tool use may lead to the construction of new understandings about mentoring. The participants were 37 experienced teachers enrolled in a federally funded science-specific mentor preparation program. Data took the form of interview transcripts, electronic bulletin board postings, and written cases. Program participants were found to use a range of tools to mediate their thinking about science teacher mentoring. Analysis of data revealed that the participants used the discourse of science teaching as well as such tools as classroom observation strategies and interpersonal mentoring approaches, to mediate their thinking about mentoring. The participants' tools also included images that mediated their responses to specific mentoring challenges and dilemmas that highlighted for them contradictions in their thinking about mentoring. The cultural tools used by the science teachers when learning to mentor provide insight into how they think about science teacher mentoring and the nature of the professional learning experiences needed to enable them to develop as mentors. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed94:1072–1091, 2010
On the use of open economy new Keynesian models to evaluate policy rules

Abstract This paper considers the use of new Keynesian open economy models to evaluate monetary policy rules. While recognizing the importance policy evaluation with such models, it presents a number of criticisms about assumptions relating to wage determination, the real interest rate, divine coincidence and financial stability.
Resistance of Nutrient-Deprived Listeria monocytogenes 10403S and a ΔsigB Mutant to Chemical Stresses in the Presence or Absence of Oxygen

Nutrient-deprived Listeria monocytogenes have increased resistance to processing control measures. Heat-stressed L. monocytogenes cells produce higher counts under anaerobic conditions and SigB reportedly contributes to the survival of environmentally stressed Gram-positive bacteria. In this study, a wild type (wt) strain, L. monocytogenes 10403S, and a DeltasigB mutant, FSLA1-254, were stressed by starvation in phosphate buffered saline coupled with exposure to chemicals with/without oxygen. In the absence of chemicals, the mutant survived starvation almost as well as the wt, suggesting that the starvation survival response (SSR) in L. monocytogenes was SigB-independent. Conversely, in the presence of chemical stresses the SSR results differed depending on the chemical used. In the presence of sodium chloride (SC), both strains were able to express an SSR under aerobic conditions but not under anaerobic conditions. However, in the presence of sodium propionate (SP), the mutant yielded counts that were 2 log CFU/mL lower than the controls and their aerobic counterparts. In the presence of sodium lactate (SL), the mutant yielded counts that were approximately 3 log CFU/mL lower than the wt under anaerobic conditions. Thus, for the chemical stress produced by SC, the SSR appeared to be SigB-independent. The SSR of L. monocytogenes appeared to be SigB-dependent following exposure to SP or SL under anaerobic conditions. Following exposure to sodium diacetate or lauric acid, both strains were unable to express an SSR. No detectable CFUs were observed after 14 to 21 d under either aerobic or anaerobic incubation. Therefore, these 2 chemicals could be used in biocidal formulations against L. monocytogenes cells under aerobic or anaerobic conditions.
Serum deprivation induces apoptotic cell death of transformed rat retinal ganglion cells via mitochondrial signaling pathways

Purpose Apoptosis-related signaling pathways were investigated in a cultured rat retinal ganglion cell (RGC-5) line deprived of growth factors after serum withdrawal from the culture medium. Methods RGC-5 cells were subjected to serum deprivation for 2 to 6 days and compared with RGC-5 cells cultured in growth medium containing 10% fetal calf serum. Cell viability was determined by a neutral red dye uptake assay. Apoptosis of RGC-5 cells was established by DNA laddering. The expression of various apoptosis-related genes was investigated by immunoblot analysis, and or reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. The redox state of the cell was determined by biochemical methods, including NF-kappaB binding activity by electrophoretic mobility gel shift assays (EMSA) and mitochondrial damage by JC-1 (5,5', 6,6'-tetrachloro 1,1',3,3'-tetraethylbenzimidazolyl-carbocyanine iodide) staining, using live cell confocal microscopy and cytosolic release of cytochrome c. Results Fifty percent cell loss was evident after 2 days of serum deprivation, as demonstrated by neutral red dye uptake assay. This cell loss was due to apoptotic cell death, as established by DNA laddering. The oxidative state of serum-deprived RGC-5 cells was perturbed as suggested by the increase in malonyldialdehyde (MDA) and a decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in cell lysates. The apoptosis of the RGC-5 cells was associated with the activation of caspase-3, -8, and -9, and increased levels of Bax with corresponding decreases in Bcl-2 levels and NF-kappaB (NF-kappaB) binding activity. Serum deprivation was also associated with a loss of mitochondrial function, as revealed by cytosolic release of cytochrome c and JC-1 staining of mitochondria of dying RGC-5 cells. Conclusions Taken together, these results indicate that serum withdrawal induces apoptotic cell death in RGC-5 cells via mitochondrial pathways. These studies lead to the speculation that growth factor deprivation arising from blockade of retrograde transport of neurotrophins may involve similar mechanism(s) of retinal ganglion cell death in glaucoma.
ABCF1 extrinsically regulates retinal pigment epithelial cell phagocytosis

Phagocytosis of shed photoreceptor outer segments (POSs) by retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells is critical to retinal homeostasis and shares many conserved signaling pathways with other phagocytes, including extrinsic regulations. Phagocytotic ligands are the key to cargo recognition, engulfment initiation, and activity regulation. In this study, we identified intracellular protein ATP-binding cassette subfamily F member 1 (ABCF1) as a novel RPE phagocytotic ligand by a new approach of functional screening. ABCF1 was independently verified to extrinsically promote phagocytosis of shed POSs by D407 RPE cells. This finding was further corroborated with primary RPE cells and RPE explants. Internalized POS vesicles were colocalized with a phagosome marker, suggesting that ABCF1-mediated engulfment is through a phagocytic pathway. ABCF1 was released from apoptotic cells and selectively bound to shed POS vesicles and apoptotic cells, possibly via externalized phosphatidylserine. ABCF1 is predominantly expressed in POSs and colocalized with the POS marker rhodopsin, providing geographical convenience for regulation of RPE phagocytosis. Collectively these results suggest that ABCF1 is released from and binds to shed POSs in an autocrine manner to facilitate RPE phagocytosis through a conserved pathway. Furthermore, the new approach is broadly applicable to many other phagocytes and will enable systematic elucidation of their ligands to understand extrinsic regulation and cargo recognition.
Outcrop-based characterization of the Leonardian carbonate platform in west Texas: Implications for sequence-stratigraphic styles in the Lower Permian

The Sierra Diablo Mountains of west Texas contain world-class exposures of Lower Permian (Leonardian) platform carbonates. As such, these outcrops offer key insights into the products of carbonate deposition in the transitional icehouse to greenhouse setting of the early to middle Permian that are available in few other places. They also afford an excellent basis for examining how styles of facies and sequence development vary between inner and outer platform settings. We collected detailed data on the facies composition and architecture of lower Leonardian high-frequency cycles and sequences from outcrops that provide more than 2 mi (3 km) of continuous exposure. We used these data to define facies stacking patterns along depositional dip across the platform in both low- and high-accommodation settings and to document how these patterns vary systematically among and within sequences. Like icehouse and waning icehouse successions elsewhere, Leonardian platform deposits are highly cyclic; cycles dominantly comprise aggradational upward-shallowing facies successions that vary according to accommodation setting. Cycles stack into longer duration high-frequency sequences (HFSs) that exhibit systematic variations in facies and cycle architectures. Unlike cycles, HFSs can comprise symmetrical upward-shallowing or upward-deepening facies stacks. High-frequency sequences are not readily definable from one-dimensional stratigraphic sections but require dip-parallel two-dimensional sections and, in most cases, HFS boundaries are best defined in middle platform settings where facies contrast and offset are greatest. These studies demonstrate that HFSs are the dominant architectural element in many platform systems. As such, the lessons learned from these remarkable outcrops provide a sound basis for understanding and modeling carbonate facies architecture in other carbonate-platform successions, especially those of the middle to upper Permian.
Ultra-wideband and low-profile hybrid EBG/ferrite ground plane for airborne foliage penetrating radar

High performance airborne foliage penetrating radar requires an antenna design that is low-profile while providing ultra-wideband operation at lower frequencies (100s of MHz) while optimally offering unidirectional radiation. To achieve the desired unidirectional radiation, a ground plane must be implemented that can match the ultra-wideband operation of the antenna being implemented. The needed ground plane must meet these specifications while being low-profile to maintain an overall low-profile antenna design that will efficiently fit in the aircraft. This paper presents a novel ultra-wideband and low-profile hybrid ground plane design that implements ferrite absorbing material with a mushroom structure EBG design. The presented EBG/ferrite hybrid design offers an operational bandwidth exceeding 12:1 starting at 170 MHz.
Quality-of-Life Outcomes in Oncology

Quality of life (QOL) endpoints are assuming an increasing role in clinical oncology trials. This article reviews the definition of QOL and the importance of measuring QOL in oncology trials. The optimal choice, timing, and frequency of QOL instruments are summarized. Methodologic issues are also reviewed, including the statistical interpretation of QOL data. Finally, the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group clinical outcomes triad model is described. Future QOL studies must focus on randomized trials with dear hypotheses that can lead to clinically meaningful interventions.
Surgical outcomes of Baerveldt implants in pediatric glaucoma patients.

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of the Baerveldt glaucoma implant (BGI) in children. Methods The medical records of pediatric glaucoma patients aged 5 months to 19 years who underwent BGI placement by a single surgeon (JCS) between January 1, 2000, and March 1, 2010, were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were evaluated at 3-9 months, 12-18 months, and 24-30 months after surgery. We defined surgical success as a postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) of >6 mm Hg and Results A total of 45 eyes of 36 patients were included. The mean preoperative IOP was 31.6 ± 5.0 mm Hg; the mean postoperative IOP, 16.3 ± 5.1 mm Hg at 3-9 months, 19.5 ± 4.8 mm Hg at 12-18 months, and 18.3 ± 4.8 mm Hg at 24-30 months. Cumulative probability of success was 93.3% at 3-9 months, 86.7% at 12-18 months, and 86.7% at 24-30 months. Overall, 6 eyes failed within 30 months because of uncontrolled IOP (3 eyes), replacement of the glaucoma drainage device (2 eyes), and no light perception (1 eye). Conclusions In this study cohort, BGI surgery effectively reduced IOP in pediatric patients with refractory glaucoma.
Underwater video compression using the wavelet transform

The advances in autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) technology and underwater acoustic communications have spawned a considerable amount of research activity within the area of signal and information processing. AUVs equipped with video hardware can provide invaluable visual data to ocean researchers for exploration of the undersea environment. In the past, a popular medium for the transport of underwater video from the vehicle to a remote platform has been a fiber optic link. Such tethered AUVs have a limited range of exploration, therefore an idea has previously been proposed to capture and process video on-board an untethered vehicle then transmit it using underwater telemetry. Video communication requires a considerably larger bandwidth than that which an underwater acoustic channel may provide therefore massive data compression must take place prior to transmission from the AUV. This work addresses the compression problem by presenting a wavelet-based hybrid video encoder for low bit-rate encoding of underwater video. Results show that compression rates on the order of 100:1 may be achieved with good visual quality in the reconstructed video.
New Record of Predation on Adult Diaprepes abbreviatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) by Euthyrhynchus floridanus and Podisus maculiventris (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

The feeding responses of the predatory stink bugs E. floridanus and P. maculiventris to the citrus root weevil D. abbreviatus were studied at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry’s Florida Biological Control Laboratory in Gainesville, FL. This work was done in quarantine at temperatures of 25 ± 3°C with a 16-hour photoperiod (16:8 L/D) and a relative humidity of 50-55%. The E. floridanus and P. maculiventris males, females and 3rd-5th instars were kept individually in a Petri dish with a bean pod and moistened paper for 24 h. They were then exposed to a single D. abbreviatus male or female in Petri-dishes for 24 h. Twenty replications were made. At the end of the experiment percent predation was determined. Euthyrhynchus floridanus was more efficient than P. maculiventris at feeding on D. abbreviatus adults in the lab with no choice tests. This particular stinkbug can be easily mass reared and therefore has potential as augmentative biological control agent for the citrus root weevil. However, more testing is necessary to determine the overall impact of this predator in the field. Las repuestas alimenticias de los chinches E. floridanus y P. maculiventris depredadores del picudo de la raiz de citricos fueron estudiadas en la cuarentena de Gainesville a una temperatura de 25 ± 3°C, 16 horas de fotoperiodo (16:8 Luz/Oscuridad) y una humedad relativa de 50-55%. Machos, hembras y ninfas del 3ro-5to estadio de E. floridanus y P. maculiventris fueron mantenidos individualmente en platos de Petri con papel humedecido y una vaina de frijol comun sin presa durante 24 h. Luego de este periodo, los depredadores fueron expuestos a un macho o una hembra adulta de D. abbreviatus por 24 h. Se utilizaron veinte repeticiones. Al final del experimento, se determino el porcentaje de depredacion. Euthyrhynchus floridanus fue mas eficiente que P. maculiventris alimentandose de adultos del picudo de la raiz de citricos. Euthyrhynchus floridanus podria criarse masivamente para ser utilizado en programas de control biologico del picudo de la raiz de citricos por aumentacion y conservacion en los Estados Unidos de Norte America. Sin embargo, estudios adicionales son necesarios para determinar el posible impacto de este depredador en el campo. View this article in BioOne
“I Can't Wait to See Carlos!”: Preservice Teachers, Situated Learning, and Personal Relationships with Students

In this study, we examined the reflections of 71 preservice teachers as they tutored literacy in a predominantly Hispanic American, low-income school. The carefully structured, intensively supervised practicum for each preservice teacher combined situated learning with guided critical reflection in the context of a relationship with one elementary student. Working within the framework of caring and its influence on socially mediated learning, we also explored the nature of personal relationships. Judging from their reflections, the experience of working one-on-one with a student positively influenced preservice teachers' content and procedural knowledge and self-confidence as teachers. Although not all relationships were easy to establish, the tutors' strong emotional ties with students resulted in their increased personal satisfaction, learning about teaching, and feelings of responsibility for their child's learning. Further, as tutors got to know their students, many rejected deficit notions and labels...
Improving the transient-response characteristics of pulse filters with parabolic distribution of poles

It is shown that, for pulse filters with poles distributed on a parabola, transient-response characteristics can be improved substantially by decreasing the angle of the radius vectors from the corresponding Butterworth angles. The technique, although discussed with reference to parabolic filters, is equally applicable to other types of pole distributions also.