cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Understanding Pathways to Student Expulsion: Consideration of Individual and System Indicators

Paralleling the implementation of “zero-tolerance” disciplinary policies with regard to weapons possession and threats to student and faculty safety on campus, there has been a significant increase in the number of students being expelled from schools. This paper provides descriptive information about the incidence of expulsions from one school district. A categorization system is presented which provides a way for school psychologists to capture the complexity of student characteristics and family and schooling circumstances surrounding expulsion cases.
Simple method for retrieving leaf area index from Landsat using MODIS leaf area index products as reference

Leaf area index (LAI) is a key parameter in most land surface models. Models that operate at multiple spatial scales may require consistent LAI inputs at different spatial resolutions or from different sensors. For example, the atmosphere-land exchange inverse model and associated disaggregation algorithm (DisALEXI) use the moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) LAI product to model fluxes at regional scales (1- to 10-km grid resolution), and Landsat-based LAI to disaggregate to field scale (30-m grid). In order to make a MODIS-consistent LAI product from Landsat imagery for this combined scheme, a simple reference-based regression tree approach was developed. This approach uses homogeneous and high-quality LAI retrievals from MODIS as references to develop a regression tree relating these MODIS LAI samples to Landsat surface reflectances. Results show that the approach can produce accurate estimates of LAI from Landsat, as evaluated using field measurements collected during the soil moisture experiment of 2002, conducted in central Iowa during a period of rapid vegetation growth. The coefficient of determination (r2) computed between Landsat retrievals and field measurements was 0.94 at the field scale, with an overall mean bias error (MBE) of −0.07 and mean absolute difference (MAD) of 0.23. MAD values of 0.17 and 0.32 were obtained for low to moderate LAI (0-3) and high LAI (>3), respectively, with some underestimation for the high LAI (MBE = −0.28). The LAI maps retrieved from Landsat were consistent with the MODIS estimates when aggregated to coarser scales. MAD computed between Landsat- and MODIS-derived LAI ranged from 0.07 to 0.83 for different Landsat dates, with no significant bias compared to MODIS high-quality retrievals. This approach demonstrates a simple framework for producing MODIS-consistent LAI from Landsat data for modeling the land surface at different spatial scales.
Characterization, Modeling and Extraction of Cu Wire Resistance for 65 nm Technology

We present an innovative and comprehensive approach to characterize and model interconnect wire resistance. We have measured Cu wire resistance for fully processed 10 BEOL Cu levels in IBM high performance 65 nm technologies, and analyzed resistance data for multiple wire widths at multiple temperatures. Combined with the SEM cross-section data of a few measured Cu wire structures, we have successfully extracted all parameters of a Spice model for the 65 nm node interconnect resistance. The extracted Spice wire resistance model includes the congregated effects of surface scattering, grain boundary scattering and surface roughness in IBM 65 nm BEOL technology. New behavior of wire resistance is reported for the first time.
Epilepsy in pregnancy

Abstract Selzure disorders affect approximately 0.3–0.6% of pregnancies in the United States. This disorder can have a variable influence on the outcome of pregnancy, with an increased incidence of prematurity and low birth weight related to prematurity. An increased incidence of stillbirths is also associated with epilepsy. Antiepileptic medications play a crucial role in the control of seizure frequency, but they also can lead to teratogenic side effects in the fetus. There is an increased incidence of epilepsy in the offspring of affected mothers. However, despite these obstacles, there is still a greater than 90% chance of an epileptic mother delivering a healthy child.
Abstract 5097: PEDF inhibits bone metastases formation, prolongs survival and enhances the antitumor efficacy of low-dose chemotherapy in castration-refractory prostate cancer.

Background: The development of metronomic/low dose administration of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs has shown great promise in the treatment of castration-refractory prostate cancer (CPRC). Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor (PEDF) is a natural angio-inhibitor which is down-regulated in prostate cancer. We have previously demonstrated that the over-expression of PEDF in human CRPC PC3 cells decreased tumor growth in vivo. In the present study, we further validated PEDF anti-tumor properties in the highly metastatic CRPC LNCaP-derivative CL1 cells. We also hypothesized that PEDF may enhance the cytotoxicity effects of low dose docetaxel (DTX) and cyclophosphamide (CTX) chemotherapies in vivo. Methods: PC3 and CL1 cell lines were genetically modified to stably express the fluorescent DsRed Express protein with PEDF. Resulting cells were characterized in vitro for PEDF expression by western blot and, for proliferation by growth curves and clone formation in matrigel. PEDF anti-tumor effects were assessed on established s.c. xenografts in mice treated with DTX (5mg/kg ip every 4 days, 1mg/kg ip daily for 10 days, 0.5mg/kg every other day), CTX (10-20mg/kg in the drinking water) or placebo. Survival studies were performed by injecting CL1-PEDF or -control cells into the left lobe of the dorsal prostate of anesthetized mice. For bone metastases, CL1-PEDF or -control cells were injected into the proximal region of the tibia. Results: We showed that PEDF expression inhibits the proliferation and induces the differentiation of CPRC cells in vitro, and decreases by 85% and 70% the development of s.c. PC3 and CL1 tumors, respectively. In vivo, PEDF expression inhibits the formation of bone metastases and bone destruction, and prolongs significantly (P=0.01; 95% confidence interval) the median survival of CL1 tumor-bearing mice (53±0.001 days versus 57±1). Furthermore, we demonstrated that PEDF enhances the cytotoxicity effects of low dose chemotherapy on established s.c. tumors (best Doc dose: 1mg/kg for PC3 and 5mg/kg for CL1; best CTX dose: 10mg/kg for PC3 and CL1) and prolongs significantly the survival of tumor-bearing mice undergoing low dose chemotherapy. Conclusions: These data reinforce the significance of PEDF as a potent target for the treatment of CRPC. It also emphasizes PEDF as a promising new agent to enhance the anti-tumor efficacy of low dose chemotherapies. Citation Format: Thomas Nelius, Jennifer Hirsch, Stephanie Filleur. PEDF inhibits bone metastases formation, prolongs survival and enhances the antitumor efficacy of low-dose chemotherapy in castration-refractory prostate cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5097. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-5097 Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR Annual Meeting 2013 because the presenter was unable to attend.
Continuum and quantum-chemical modeling of oxygen reduction on the cathode in a solid oxide fuel cell

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have several advantages over other types of fuels cells such as high-energy efficiency and excellent fuel flexibility. To be economically competitive, however, new materials with extraordinary transport and catalytic properties must be developed to dramatically improve the performance while reducing the cost. This article reviews recent advancements in understanding oxygen reduction on various cathode materials using phenomenological and quantum chemical approaches in order to develop novel cathode materials with high catalytic activity toward oxygen reduction. We summarize a variety of results relevant to understanding the interactions between O2 and cathode materials at the molecular level as predicted using quantum-chemical calculations and probed using in situ surface vibrational spectroscopy. It is hoped that this in-depth understanding may provide useful insights into the design of novel cathode materials for a new generation of SOFCs.
On fundamental operations in groups

By an operation in equationally definable class of group we mean here the element of a free group in this class generated by set {x,y}. An operation co(x,y) is called fundamental in a class of groups K if for every group GeK the operation xy~* can be expressed in terms of a>. Higman and Neumann raised in [1] the problem: Is there any binary operation other than xy~*, x~y, yx~, y~x fundamental in the class of all groups?* To show that the above operations are unique fundamental in class G it suffices to show that for every k = 1,2,••• they are unique fundamental in the class Nk of all nilpotent groups of class k. In fact free groups are residually nilpotent. I do not know if the converse is true, that is, if a word u>, fundamental in the class N of all nilpotent groups must be fundamental in every group H; although the free groups are subdirect products of the nilpotent groups, it can happen that term Tk which expresses xy~ l in Nk in terms of a> depends on k. The authors of [1] noted that their problem has negative solution for the class Nx of all abelian groups. The first proof was published by Padmanabhan [3]. Our aim is to to prove the same for N2 • Since we need the theorem about Nx we shall state it now and give a proof shorter than that of [3].
Emergence of resistant fecal Escherichia coli in travelers not taking prophylactic antimicrobial agents.

Fecal specimens from individuals traveling to Mexico were examined before, during, and after travel for the presence of Escherichia coli resistant to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, kanamycin, streptomycin, sulfonamides, trimethoprim (TMP), and TMP-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX). None of these individuals took prophylactic antibiotics, although 4 of 13 took short courses of an antimicrobial agent for therapy of traveler9s diarrhea. With an average of 9.3 E. coli per sample, resistance to all agents tested except gentamicin was shown to increase during the time in Mexico (P less than 0.001 to P less than 0.05). For example, no TMP-resistant (Tmpr) E. coli isolates were found by this method before travel, whereas 57% of the individuals had Tmpr and Tmpr-Smxr E. coli by the final week in Mexico. This increase in resistance occurred regardless of whether an individual took a short course of antimicrobial therapy. This study shows that travel itself, even without the use of prophylactic or therapeutic antimicrobial agents, is associated with the acquisition of resistant E. coli. Travel to developing nations may rival other sources of resistant organisms.
Robotic Exoskeleton System Controlled by Kinect and Haptic Sensors for Physical Therapy

Exoskeleton systems have been used to provide treatment to people with temporal paralysis. Control strategies to control the exoskeleton's motion for the patients and coordinating their muscle response are effective but cannot retrieve force feedback or the paraplegic limb's position. We propose an innovative control system by which therapists can easily operate the exoskeleton based on force feedback and limb's position retrieval. Kinect and Haptic sensors have been implemented in order to retrieve the angle position values of each movement and the applied forces needed to perform each motion. Although we are still in the prototyping stage, our control system is proven to be successful.
In vitro Acetylation of Plasma Proteins, Enzymes and DNA by Aspirin

HUMAN serum albumin (HSA) is permanently altered after exposure to therapeutic concentrations of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, aspirin) either in vitro or in vivo1–3. Recently we showed that this structural alteration was the result of the acetylation of the HSA molecule by aspirin4,5. Because the acetylation of HSA by aspirin could occur by aminolysis resulting in an N-acetyl-HSA derivative, we decided to determine whether aspirin could acetylate other biological materials. We now report that aspirin acetylates a variety of body constituents in vitro.
Representing uncertainty in silvicultural decisions : an application of the Dempster-Shafer theory of evidence

Abstract Forest management decisions often must be made using sparse data and expert judgment. The representation of this knowledge in traditional approaches to decision analysis implies a precise value for probabilities or, in the case of Bayesian analysis, a precisely specified joint distribution for unknown parameters. The precision of this specification does not depend on the strength or weakness of the evidence on which it is based. This often leads to exaggerated precision in the results of decision analyses, and obscures the importance of imperfect information. Here, I suggest an alternative based on the Dempster–Shafer theory of evidence, which differs from conventional approaches in allowing the allocation of belief to subsets of the possible outcomes, or, in the case of a continuous set of possibilities, to intervals. The Dempster–Shafer theory incorporates Bayesian analysis as a special case; a critical difference lies in the representation of ignorance or uncertainty. I present examples of silvicultural decision-making using belief functions for the case of no data, sparse data, and adaptive management under increasing data availability. An approach based on the Dempster–Shafer principles can yield not only indications of optimal policies, but also valuable information about the level of certainty in decision-making.
The axonal transport of βIII-tubulin is altered in both branches of sensory axons after injury of the rat sciatic nerve

Abstract We have analyzed the axonal transport of β III -tubulin in the central (dorsal root) and peripheral (sciatic nerve) branches of sensory axons after injury of the sciatic nerve. Our finding that the relative amount of β III -tubulin transported in slow component b (SCb) is increased in both axonal branches does not support the generally accepted hypothesis that the transport of cytoskeletal proteins is altered in the peripheral, but not the central branch after injury of the sciatic nerve.
Prediction of cervical cerclage outcome by endovaginal ultrasonography

Objective: We hypothesized that shortened upper cervical segment length, measured by endovaginal ultrasonography, identifies patients with cervical cerclage at greater risk of preterm delivery. Study Design: A total of 121 endovaginal ultrasonographic examinations were performed on 32 patients after cervical cerclage. Ultrasonographic measurements included length of the closed cervical canal segments above and below the cerclage and dilatation of the internal cervical os (funneling) with and without fundal pressure. The risk of preterm delivery was tested by Fisher's exact test (two-tailed). Results: Development of funneling of the internal os and shortening of the upper cervical segment length were the most predictive of outcome in patients with cervical cerclage. Twelve patients had shortening of the upper cervical segment (≤ 10 mm) before 30 weeks' gestation (mean 22.6 ± 2.7 weeks), whereas 20 patients continued to have upper cervical segment measurements p = 0.006) and before 34 weeks (50% vs 5%, p = 0.006). Conclusion: Endovaginal ultrasonographic assessment of the cervix in patients with cervical cerclage is a useful adjunct for predicting outcome and for counseling the patient.
Anti-L serum. Two populations of antibodies affecting cation transport in LK erythrocytes of sheep and goats.

Summary Isoimmune sheep anti-L serum was fractionated, yielding two antibodies with different specificities of action on potassium transport in LK red cells of sheep and goats: anti-L p , which stimulates active transport, and anti-L l , which inhibits passive transport.
Solution-Flow in the Phloem II. Phloem Transport of THO in Beta vulgaris

Translocation profiles along the path were studied using a modified flap-feeding technique for the simultaneous application of THO and 14C-sucrose. A re-evaluation of a mathematical model for phloem transport with reversible lateral exchange of tracer along the path indicates that lower apparent velocities for THO as compared to labeled carbohydrate are primarily due to extensive lateral exchange of THO along the conduction path. Path-chilling experiments support the concept that THO and 14C-sucrose exhibit different lateral exchange characteristics. The data presented are consistent with a solutionflow mechanism.
Optical interference and nonlinearities in quantum-well infrared photodetectors

Abstract The effects of optical interference in quantum-well infrared photodetectors (QWIPs) caused by reflection of radiation from the metal contact are investigated. It is shown that interference leads to strong deterioration of QWIP characteristics (responsivity, noise, and noise equivalent power (NEP)) if signal photocurrent is larger than the dark current or background current. This is caused by the nonuniform distribution of the photogeneration rate, electric field, and all other microscopic physical quantities. As a result, the photocurrent gain and photoionization efficiency are decreased, while the noise gain is increased with respect to their values for uniform excitation. Several puzzling experimental effects – a strong increase of the QWIP NEP for high-power heterodyne operation and temperature dependence of QWIP responsivity – can be explained by the model described above.
Cytology and flow cytometry of malignant effusions of multiple myeloma.

Identifying malignant plasma cells in body fluids from multiple myeloma patients is important for therapeutic and prognostic considerations. This can be difficult when plasma cells are mature in appearance or low in number. We examined the cytological and flow cytometric findings of myelomatous pleural and pericardial effusions from 8 patients with advanced multiple myeloma. Cytoplasmic immunoglobulin light chain excess vs. DNA ploidy in the plasma-cell population was evaluated by flow cytometry (FCM). The cytology smears of one pericardial and 14 pleural effusions from the 8 patients were reviewed. Screening Papanicolaou-stained smears facilitated the detection of malignant nuclear features; however, morphology of plasma cells was best seen in Diff-Quik-stained smears. Low cellularity and inadequate air-drying of smears accounted for the false-negative cytology seen in two fluids from a single patient. A malignant plasma cell population was identified in 9 of 10 fluids submitted for FCM, including the two fluids with negative cytology. The false-negative FCM was from a suboptimal specimen with high background staining. Six fluids had an aneuploid DNA content, and four were diploid. A combination of Papanicolaou- and Diff-Quik-stained smears is recommended for the evaluation of plasma cells in effusions from patients with multiple myeloma. Cytology and flow cytometry confirmed malignancy in 87% and 90% of fluids evaluated, respectively; all cases were diagnosed by either one or both methods. Our results suggest that FCM and cytology of serous effusions in multiple myeloma patients are complementary and should be used in difficult cases. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2000;22:147–151. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Reversible dimerization of (+)-myrmicarin 215B.

Bronsted acid-promoted reversible dimerization of myrmicarin 215B leads to formation of a new heptacyclic product, isomyrmicarin 430B, that possesses a C1,C2-trans, C2,C3-trans substituted cyclopentane ring. Mechanistic studies illustrate that isomyrmicarin 430B arises by isomerization of isomyrmicarin 430A via fragmentation to tricyclic azafulvenium ions. Factors influencing the structure of heptacyclic isomyrmicarin products and potential relevance of this reversible vinyl pyrroloindolizine dimerization to the biosynthesis of complex myrmicarins are discussed.
The genome-wide distribution of non-B DNA motifs is shaped by operon structure and suggests the transcriptional importance of non-B DNA structures in Escherichia coli

Although the right-handed double helical B-form DNA is most common under physiological conditions, DNA is dynamic and can adopt a number of alternative structures, such as the four-stranded G-quadruplex, left-handed Z-DNA, cruciform and others. Active transcription necessitates strand separation and can induce such non-canonical forms at susceptible genomic sequences. Therefore, it has been speculated that these non-B DNA motifs can play regulatory roles in gene transcription. Such conjecture has been supported in higher eukaryotes by direct studies of several individual genes, as well as a number of large-scale analyses. However, the role of non-B DNA structures in many lower organisms, in particular proteobacteria, remains poorly understood and incompletely documented. In this study, we performed the first comprehensive study of the occurrence of B DNA–non-B DNA transition-susceptible sites (non-B DNA motifs) within the context of the operon structure of the Escherichia coli genome. We compared the distributions of non-B DNA motifs in the regulatory regions of operons with those from internal regions. We found an enrichment of some non-B DNA motifs in regulatory regions, and we show that this enrichment cannot be simply explained by base composition bias in these regions. We also showed that the distribution of several nonB DNA motifs within intergenic regions separating divergently oriented operons differs from the distribution found between convergent ones. In particular, we found a strong enrichment of cruciforms in the termination region of operons; this enrichment was observed for operons with Rho-dependent, as well as Rho-independent terminators. Finally, a preference for some non-B DNA motifs was observed near transcription factor-binding sites. Overall, the conspicuous enrichment of transition-susceptible sites in these specific regulatory regions suggests that non-B DNA structures may have roles in the transcriptional regulation of specific operons within the E. coli genome.
Crystallization of Ethylene-Octene Copolymers at High Cooling Rates

Abstract The crystallization behavior of a series of ethylene–octene copolymers synthesized using metallocene catalysts was studied using the Ding–Spruiell method of rapid cooling. In conventional crystallization experiments it was found, as expected, that the spherulite growth rates varied with octene content and molecular weight. When studied at rapid cooling rates the polymers generate their own pseudo-isothermal crystallization temperatures, in agreement with Ding–Spruiell’s studies on other systems, however, at the lowest temperatures of crystallization, the spherulite growth rates of all of the copolymers studied merge and are virtually indistinguishable. The results indicate that there is a major change of crystallization mechanism under these conditions, of considerable relevance to polymer processing operations.
The Role of Macroscopic and Microscopic Jet Instabilities

Relativistic jets, be they Poynting flux or kinetic flux dominated, are current driven ( CD) and/or Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) velocity shear driven unstable. These macroscopic MHD instabilities may be respon- sible for some of the observed larger scale twisted jet structures and typically do not disrupt jets on less than kiloparsec scales. Here I review our understanding of the jet properties that will lead to the observed relative stability of astrophysical jets. In addition, I review the progress made on the microscopic scale plasma instabil- ities in shocks and velocity shears that may lead to magnetic field generation and that does lead to the particle acceleration required to produce the observed emission from radio wavelengths to TeV energies. Finally, I discuss these instabilities in the context of the jet in M 87.
Grid generation and optimization based on centroidal Voronoi tessellations

Centroidal Voronoi tessellations (CVTs) are Voronoi tessellations of a region such that the generating points of the tessellations are also the centroids of the corresponding Voronoi regions. Such tessellations are of use in very diverse applications, including data compression, clustering analysis, cell biology, territorial behavior of animals, and optimal allocation of resources. In this paper, we explore the use of CVTs in grid generation in connection with finite element approximations of partial differential equations. We being by describing these tessellations and methods for their determination. We then discuss their application to mesh generation and finish with some examples of their use for the solution of partial differential equations.
Shade management in subtropical environment for milk yield and composition in Holstein and Jersey cows

Abstract Forty-eight cows were assigned randomly to shade (15 Holsteins, 8 Jerseys) or no shade (16 Holsteins, 9 Jerseys) for 102 days beginning 12 June 1977 to examine effects of solar heat load on milk yield and composition. Rectal temperatures, respiration rates, and rumen contractions/min were monitored between 1200 and 1700h on 20 randomly selected days. Morning and evening milk weights were recorded daily. Once weekly, morning and evening milk samples were collected from each cow and analyzed for fat, protein, acidity, freezing point depression, and somatic cell number. Black Globe temperature, rectal temperature, and respiration rate were elevated in no shade 38.8°C, 39.6°C, and 114.8/min from 30.1°C, 38.7°C, and 78.5/min. Afternoon Black Globe temperatures had little effect on morning or evening milk yield of the same day, whereas Black Globe temperatures 24 and 48h prior were associated with depressed yield. Milk composition did not differ between shade and no shade cows. However, freezing point depression and fat were greater in evening milk in both shade and no shade cows, and treatment interacted with time so that evening milk contained less water per unit solids, and this was more pronounced in no shade cows. Benefit of shade is in reducing total heat load while preserving sensible avenues of heat loss. Time delay of temperature effects in milk yield indicates that reduced feed intake and possibly reduced rate of passage are major reasons for reduction in yield of milk.
On the Fluctuations about the Vlasov Limit for N-particle Systems with Mean-Field Interactions

Whereas the Vlasov (a.k.a. “mean-field”) limit for N-particle systems with sufficiently smooth potentials has been the subject of many studies, the literature on the dynamics of the fluctuations around the limit is sparse and somewhat incomplete. The present work fulfills two goals: 1) to provide a complete, simple proof of a general theorem describing the evolution of a given initial fluctuation field for the particle density in phase space, and 2) to characterize the most general class of initial symmetric probability measures that lead (in the infinite-particle limit) to the same Gaussian random field that arises when the initial phase space coordinates of the particles are assumed to be i.i.d. random variables (so that the standard central limit theorem applies). The strategy of the proof of the fluctuation evolution result is to show first that the deviations from mean-field converge for each individual system, in a purely deterministic context. Then, one obtains the corresponding probabilistic result by a modification of the continuous mapping theorem. The characterization of the initial probability measures is in terms of a higher-order chaoticity condition (a.k.a. “Boltzmann property”).
An Inexpensive Probe for Sample Introduction in Electrothermal Atomization Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Abstract An inexpensive probe system for introduction of samples for analysis by electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry is described. The system involves mounting a capillary tube on a tripod stand to allow the probe to be inserted into the atomizer for analysis. Comparison between this method of atomization and conventional atomization off the atomizer wall for the measurement of cadmium is described.
High- Resolution Optical Spectra of Laser Cooled Ions

We obtain essentially Doppler free spectra of the naturally occuring isotopes of Mg+, which are bound in a Penning trap, by using a frequency stabilized laser to continuously cool the ions, while the scatter rate from a second, frequency swept laser is, monitored. We show that the magnetron motion as well as the cyclotron and axial motion can be minimized. Line position measurements yielding resonance transition energy, isotope and hyperfine shifts are reported.
Drugs and the Elderly

As the US population grows older, there is an increasing need to understand how drugs work in the elderly. Bodily accommodations to aging, but more importantly, disease states that occur in the eld...
More than one way to evolve a weed: parallel evolution of US weedy rice through independent genetic mechanisms

Many different crop species were selected for a common suite of ‘domestication traits’, which facilitates their use for studies of parallel evolution. Within domesticated rice (Oryza sativa), there has also been independent evolution of weedy strains from different cultivated varieties. This makes it possible to examine the genetic basis of parallel weed evolution and the extent to which this process occurs through shared genetic mechanisms. We performed comparative QTL mapping of weediness traits using two recombinant inbred line populations derived from crosses between an indica crop variety and representatives of each of the two independently evolved weed strains found in US rice fields, strawhull (S) and blackhull awned (B). Genotyping-by-sequencing provided dense marker coverage for linkage map construction (average marker interval <0.25 cM), with 6016 and 13 730 SNPs mapped in F5 lines of the S and B populations, respectively. For some weediness traits (awn length, hull pigmentation and pericarp pigmentation), QTL mapping and sequencing of underlying candidate genes confirmed that trait variation was largely attributable to individual loci. However, for more complex quantitative traits (including heading date, panicle length and seed shattering), we found multiple QTL, with little evidence of shared genetic bases between the S and B populations or across previous studies of weedy rice. Candidate gene sequencing revealed causal genetic bases for 8 of 27 total mapped QTL. Together these findings suggest that despite the genetic bottleneck that occurred during rice domestication, there is ample genetic variation in this crop to allow agricultural weed evolution through multiple genetic mechanisms.
Mechanism of action of glucocorticoids.

Abstract The mechanism of action of glucocorticoids is reviewed from the standpoint of seeing how far current concepts of the molecular action of steroids go towards explaining the varied physiologic and metabolic effects induced. The role of plasma binding to transport proteins in modifying steroid action is considered. The interactions between glucocorticoids and other hormones, particularly those mediated by cAMP are considered along with a discussion of the mechanism of “permissive” effects. Various proposals concerning the way in which glucocorticoids induce their effects including direct interactions with enzymes, nucleic acids, lysosomes, and receptor proteins are considered in detail, and an attempt is made to consider how far each of these mechanisms can go in explaining steroid action. Those biologic effects that cannot be accounted for by currently available mechansims are mentioned. Effects of glucocorticoids on growth, differentiation, and the inflammatory response are discussed from a mechanistic point of view. Catabolic or inhibitory effects of glucocorticoids as well as enzyme induction are examined using several exemplary systems. Finally an attempt is made to summarize the current state of knowledge concerning glucocorticoid and genome interaction.
ASSESSMENT OF TRAFFIC VOLUME, BASED ON TRAVEL TIME, TO ENHANCE URBAN NETWORK OPERATION

With the rapid advancement of intelligent transportation systems technologies in recent years, an unprecedented opportunity exists for developing countries to develop their transportation system and supporting infrastructure by taking full advantage of the advanced data acquisition and communication technologies available today. This research explored a potential way to assess the level of traffic over the urban network by using travel-time information obtained from the Global Positioning System. The significance of this application is understood: not having to install system detectors midblock on city streets could mean realizing tremendous cost savings and avoiding the disruption to the operation of the complex traffic system that would result from installation and maintenance activities. The feasibility of calibrating a relationship connecting travel time and traffic volume under various roadway and traffic conditions was studied using Monte Carlo simulation and data regression. Reliability analysis wa...
The Helical Model of Communication for Idea-Generating People

(1985). The Helical Model of Communication for Idea-Generating People. The Journal of Business Education: Vol. 60, No. 8, pp. 353-355.
The Theory of Planned Behavior and Chinese ESL Students' In-class Participation

Chinese demand for American-style education is on the rise as many Chinese students seek opportunities to gain a true global education in China. However, importing US education style in China is challenging. American education emphasizes the importance of students’ in-class participation; however, Chinese students’ reluctance to communicate in class is notoriously strong. To explain such reluctance, scholars have focused their attention on constructs such as “willingness to communicate” and “communication anxiety” (Ellis, 2012). In our study we proposed a different approach to understand Chinese ESL students’ in-class participation, by using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB; Fishbein & Ajzen, 2010). TPB applies to any human behavior under volitional control and has been successfully applied in several fields, such as health psychology, sports, and marketing. Our theoretical TPB-based model was tested by administering a questionnaire to 133 Chinese university students enrolled in a Sino-American university located in South-East China. Data were analyzed using partial least squares (PLS) path modeling method (Hair, Hult, Ringle, & Sarstedt, 2014). Overall, our findings provided some initial support to our proposed model. The model accounted 39% of explained variance in intention to participate in class. The stronger predictors for students’ participation were attitudes toward participation and self-efficacy. Gender also appeared to play a role: Female students reported statistically stronger intentions to participate in class. In our future research we plan to further test our model and expand it by considering the contribution of additional constructs, such as face-saving and communication anxiety.
Embracing non-tenure track faculty : changing campuses for the new faculty majority

Preface, By Adrianna Kezar Part I - Setting the Stage: Background and Context Chapter 1: Needed Policies, Practices, and Values: Creating a Culture to Support and Professionalize Non-Tenure Track Faculty, By Adrianna Kezar Chapter 2: Strategies for Implementing and Institutionalizing New Policies and Practices: Understanding Change Process, By Adrianna Kezar and Cecile Sam Part II - Case Studies Chapter 3: An Instructive Model of How More Equity and Equality is Possible: The Vancouver Community College Model, By Frank Cosco and Jack Longmate Chapter 4: Taking a Multifaceted Approach to Change: Madison Area Technical College, By Nancy McMahon Chapter 5: Institutionalization of a Positive Work Environment at a Community College, By Cecile Sam Chapter 6: Instructor Career Ladder and Addressing the Needs of Research Faculty Evolving Policies at Virginia Tech, By Patricia Hyer Chapter 7: "Lecturers Anonymous:" Moving Contingent Faculty to Visibility at a Masters Institution, By Paivi Hoikkala Chapter 8: Lessons from Long-term Activism: The San Francisco State University Experience, By Shawn Whalen Chapter 9: Creating Changes for Non-tenure Track Faculty within a Decentralized University Environment, By Ginger Clark and Jerry Swerling Chapter 10: Building a Multi-prong, Context-based Strategy for Change at a Private Catholic College, By Adrianna Kezar Part III - Synthesis of Lessons Learned Chapter 11: Taking Heart, Taking Part: New Faculty Majority and the Praxis of Contingent Faculty Activism, By Maria Maisto Chapter 12: We Know the Changes Needed and the Way To Do It, Now We Need the Motivation and Commitment, By Adrianna Kezar Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C List of Contributors
A GREAT DEBATE REVISITED From Slave Trade to ‘Legitimate’ Commerce: the Commercial Transition in Nineteenth-Century West Africa. Edited by ROBIN LAW. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995. Pp. xii + 279. £35 (ISBN 0-521-48127-9).

One of the great debates running through the first decades of academic research on West African history concerned the degree to which the unilateral ending of the Atlantic slave trade constituted a crisis for local societies and what link there was between this change and the imposition of formal European rule in the late 1800s. In its original form this debate has been over for some time. Most historians now agree that there was no long-term ‘crisis of transition’ on the West African coast in the early nineteenth century. Robin Law justifies the present volume by shifting attention to two secondary issues associated with the end of the slave trade: first, the transformations around inland production rather than coastal-dominated bulking and transport of vegetable exports; and second, the relationship of all these changes to the advent of colonialism. All the authors in this volume do discuss the connection between the end of the slave trade and internal systems of African production in the nineteenth century (including issues of indigenous slavery and gender relationships). Only a few concern themselves with colonial partition, although this becomes the main theme of Hopkins' concluding essay.
Shallow-water habitat use by Bering Sea flatfishes along the central Alaska Peninsula

Abstract Flatfishes support a number of important fisheries in Alaskan waters and represent major pathways of energy flow through the ecosystem. Despite their economic and ecological importance, little is known about the use of habitat by juvenile flatfishes in the eastern Bering Sea. This study describes the habitat characteristics of juvenile flatfishes in coastal waters along the Alaska Peninsula and within the Port Moller–Herendeen Bay system, the largest marine embayment in the southern Bering Sea. The two most abundant species, northern rock sole and yellowfin sole, differed slightly in habitat use with the latter occupying slightly muddier substrates. Both were more common along the open coastline than they were within the bay, whereas juvenile Alaska plaice were more abundant within the bay than along the coast and used shallow waters with muddy, high organic content sediments. Juvenile Pacific halibut showed the greatest shift in distribution between age classes: age-0 fish were found in deeper waters (~ 30 m) along the coast, whereas older juveniles were found in the warmer, shallow waters within the bay, possibly due to increased thermal opportunities for growth in this temperature-sensitive species. Three other species, starry flounder, flathead sole, and arrowtooth flounder, were also present, but at much lower densities. In addition, the habitat use patterns of spring-spawning flatfishes (northern rock sole, Pacific halibut, and Alaska plaice) in this region appear to be strongly influenced by oceanographic processes that influence delivery of larvae to coastal habitats. Overall, use of the coastal embayment habitats appears to be less important to juvenile flatfishes in the Bering Sea than in the Gulf of Alaska.
RXTE Observations of the Be Star X-Ray Transient X0726–260 (4U 0728–25): Orbital and Pulse Periods

Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) All-Sky Monitor observations of the transient Be star X-ray source X0726-260 suggest a 34.5 day period. This is apparently confirmed by a serendipitous RXTE Proportional Counter Array (PCA) slew detection of the source on 1997 May 5, near the time of a predicted flux maximum. A subsequent 5 ks pointed observation of X0726-260 with the RXTE PCA detector was carried out on 1997 June 7, when X0726-260 was predicted to be bright again, and this revealed pulsations at a period of 103.2 s. If the 34.5 day period is orbital, then the pulse period is surprisingly long compared with that predicted by the correlation between orbital period and spin period observed for other Be/neutron star systems. A possible similarity with GRO J2058+42 is briefly discussed.
G.P.84 Mislocalization of nNOS alters the interactions between nNOS and proteins involved with muscle contraction in steroid-induced myopathy

Abstract Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) synthesizes nitric oxide (NO) thereby modulating contractile force, blood flow, and glucose metabolism among other processes in skeletal muscle. In healthy muscle, nNOS localizes to the sarcolemma interacting with members of the dystrophin–glycoprotein complex (DGC). Disruption of the DGC results in loss of nNOS from the sarcolemma; however, mislocalization of nNOS also occurs without obvious changes to the DGC. We have shown that nNOS is lost from the sarcolemma in patients with a variety of inherited and acquired neuropathies and with an intact DGC. Reduction of muscle function correlates with loss of sarcolemmal nNOS in these patients. Similarly, we found mislocalization of nNOS in a mouse model of steroid-induced myopathy (SIM) in the context of normal nNOS expression, a maintained DGC, reduced muscle strength, and delayed recovery from muscle fatigue. Using a proteomic approach, we assessed nNOS binding partners and changes in interaction following steroid treatment. We identify 151 proteins interacting with nNOS; 62% of them show no changes in binding with nNOS in SIM mice. Annotation of these interactors reveals nNOS association with mitochondrial proteins and proteins related to glucose metabolism. However, 38% of identified proteins show altered interaction with nNOS following steroid treatment. Cytoskeletal proteins comprise a large subset of these interactors including proteins that form the sarcomere such as α-actinin-3 (ACTN3) and myozenin-1 (MYOZ1). Additionally, a small subset of proteins, associated with the sarcoplasmic reticulum, has altered nNOS interaction in SIM mice. Our data demonstrates that, in conjunction with loss of sarcolemmal nNOS, the interaction between nNOS and proteins involved in muscle contraction is altered in steroid-induced myopathy. These findings are of clinical interest because muscle weakness and muscle fatigue is a common feature of many neuromuscular disorders.
Business Process Fashions: Implications For Is Research

(2010). Business Process Fashions: Implications For Is Research. Journal of Information Technology Case and Application Research: Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 1-10.
Under construction: logics of urbanism in the Gulf Region

This book is a collection of thoughts by a group of predominantly European scholars on a controversial question with controversial assumptions. This anthology comprises four sections with 21 chapte...
Avoiding Clinical Misinterpretation and Artifacts of Optical Coherence Tomography Analysis of the Optic Nerve, Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer, and Ganglion Cell Layer.

Background:Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has become an important tool for diagnosing optic nerve disease. The structural details and reproducibility of OCT continues to improve with further advances in technology. However, artifacts and misinterpretation of OCT can lead to clinical misdiagnosis
The Extent of the Problem

Epidemiology in mental health focuses on assessing the amount and distribution of mental disorders in the population. Such information provides the means for improving prevention and treatment and serves as a basis for administrative planning.1 The epidemiologist also examines associations between population characteristics and disorders that may clarify the origins of mental disorders or aid in identifying homogeneous groups of patients. This chapter will describe epidemiological findings in schizophrenia that delineate the extent of the problem and provide information relevant to etiology and pathogenesis from an epidemiological perspective.
Augmenting attack graphs to represent data link and network layer vulnerabilities

Attack graphs enable system stakeholders to understand the stepping stones or exploitation procedures that an adversary could potentially execute to impact the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of a network system. These graphs are used to assess risk and to determine components that, when hardened, contribute most to risk reduction. While these graphs are powerful and widely used in enterprise network systems they focus on application vulnerabilities; they currently do not incorporate weaknesses in the network backbone (e.g., routing) that could lead to traffic hijacking, spoofing, eavesdropping, and several others. In this paper, we describe our work in augmenting the MulVAL attack graph software to incorporate network layer misconfigurations. Through a case study, we show how our modular data pipeline, leveraging previous work in network layer attack impact prediction, can aid system stakeholders in identifying risk and deciding on risk reduction strategies.
Abundance, biomass and caloric content of Chukchi Sea bivalves and association with Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) relative density and distribution in the northeastern Chukchi Sea

Abstract The northeastern Chukchi Sea is a shallow subarctic shelf ecosystem that supports a substantial benthic infaunal community of which bivalves are a major component. We assessed the patterns in population abundance, biomass, and caloric content of ten dominant bivalve taxa in relation to the distribution of the upper trophic level consumer Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens). Bivalves were collected over four cruises in the northeastern Chukchi Sea (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013). Our samples were largely dominated by calorie-dense, deposit-feeding species, including Macoma spp., Ennucula tenuis, Nuculana spp. and Yoldia spp. Weight-frequency distributions were strongly right-skewed for most taxa, though some showed evidence of a bimodal distribution. Caloric densities as measured through bomb calorimetry significantly differed among taxa (ANOVA F = 32.57, df = 9, p-value
An Efficient Way of Visualization of Mutual Solubility Data in the Whole Range of Compositions

An efficient way or stretching phase diagrams is proposed that represents the whole composition range and reveals details of low-solubility regions. It is based on the transformation of mole fraction x1 to log10(x1/x2) = log10(x1/(1 – x1)) for binary mixtures. While the primary application is liquid–liquid and solid–liquid equilibria, the use of this method for other properties may also be beneficial. An extension on ternary mixtures is also discussed.