cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Barstar is electrostatically optimized for tight binding to barnase

We used a novel charge optimization technique to study the small ribonuclease barnase and to analyze its interaction with a natural tight binding inhibitor, the protein barstar. The approach uses a continuum model to explicitly determine the charge distributions that lead to the most favorable electrostatic contribution to binding when competing desolvation and interaction effects are included. Given its backbone fold, barstar is electrostatically optimized for tight binding to barnase when compared with mutants where residues have been substituted with one of the 20 common amino acids. Natural proteins thus appear to use optimization of electrostatic interactions as one strategy for achieving tight binding.
High-rate low-density parity check codes based on anti-Pasch affine geometries

We introduce a combinatorial construction of regular low-density parity check codes based on balanced incomplete block designs whose bipartite graphs have girth six. Our construction employs a special type of anti-Pasch affine geometry that result in codes having minimum distance of at least six. We are primarily concerned with very high-rate codes and low column weights, but the proposed construction can be used to generate long codes as well as codes of arbitrary column weight.
Afferent control of substantia nigra compacta dopamine neurons: anatomical perspective and role of glutamatergic and cholinergic inputs.

Publisher Summary This chapter shows that the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) and the subthalamic nucleus (STN) could be a source of strong excitatory inputs that control firing patterns of substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) dopamine (DA) neurons. Activities of SNc DA neurons of the rat were studied using a combination of intracellular electrophysiological recording in vitro and subsequent immunocytochemical double-labeling techniques. The results indicate a convergence of glutamatergic and cholinergic excitatory inputs from the PPN to SNc DA neurons. The most characteristic property of a DA neuron is its regular pacemaker firing pattern. The sodium spikes are triggered from a peak of each rhythmically oscillating membrane wave, which is known to be calcium dependent. When a single spike is triggered from each summit of oscillatory wave, it promptly repolarizes, and each spike is followed by a strong spike-afterhyperpolarization (AHP). In the study of muscarine and carbachol effects on DA cell-firing patterns, which is described in this chapter, the duration of the rising phase of each oscillatory wave was prolonged as a plateau-like depolarization, with a decrease in its amplitude by application of cholinergic agents; these effects were antagonized by atropine or pirenzepine.
Diagnosis of depression and use of antidepressant pharmacotherapy among adults in the United States: does a disparity persist by ethnicity/race?

Background and Objective: Both the rate of diagnosis of depression in the US and the rate of prescribing an antidepressant for its treatment have increased substantially over the past two decades. Previous research has also indicated that the rates of diagnosis and treatment of depression with an antidepressant vary widely by ethnicity/race. The objective of this study was to discern ethnic/race-specific (non-Hispanic Black; Hispanic; non-Hispanic White) population-adjusted rates of US office-based physician-patient encounters (office-based visits) documenting a diagnosis of depression, and the extent of the use of antidepressant pharmacotherapy for its treatment.
Optimal Commodity Trading with a Capacitated Storage Asset

This paper considers the so-called warehouse problem with both space and injection/withdrawal capacity limits. This is a foundational problem in the merchant management of assets for the storage of commodities, such as energy sources and natural resources. When the commodity spot price evolves according to an exogenous Markov process, this work shows that the optimal inventory-trading policy of a risk-neutral merchant is characterized by two stage and spot-price dependent basestock targets. Under some assumptions, these targets are monotone in the spot price and partition the available inventory and spot-price space in each stage into three regions, where it is, respectively, optimal to buy and inject, do nothing, and withdraw and sell. In some cases of practical importance, one can easily compute the optimal basestock targets. The structure of the optimal policy is nontrivial because in each stage the merchant's qualification of high (selling) and low (buying) commodity prices in general depends on the merchant's inventory availability. This is a consequence of the interplay between the capacity and space limits of the storage asset and brings to light the nontrivial nature of the interface between trading and operations. A computational analysis based on natural gas data shows that mismanaging this interface can yield significant value losses. Moreover, adapting the merchant's optimal trading policy to the spot-price stochastic evolution has substantial value. This value can be almost entirely generated by reacting to the unfolding of price uncertainty, that is, by sequentially reoptimizing a model that ignores this source of uncertainty.
Source self-mixing in the detection of extended incoherent sources

We consider the self‐beating of incoherent light from an extended source at a wide‐band photomixer. The intermediate frequency mean squared current is found to be proportional to the product of the direct detected source power and the power within the i.f. bandpass about the optical frequency and within the heterodyne field of view. Thus the ratio of the heterodyne signal to self‐beating power is proportional to the ratio of local oscillator power to direct detected power. This ratio is usually large for systems employing efficient local oscillators that generate shot‐noise‐limited operation. In less efficient systems, such as those employing tunable diode lasers, the effects of self‐mixing may be significant.
The Organizational Structure of Insurance Companies: The Role of Heterogeneous Risks and Guaranty Funds

We examine a market with observably heterogeneous risks and a government sponsored guaranty fund and consider whether it is optimal to form a sin gle insurer or separate insurers for each consumer type. Given the economic environment, pooling never dominates the formation of separate insurance companies. This result provides an incentive for the phenomenon of insur ance fleets. One of the peculiarities of organizational form within the insurance industry is the presence of a large number of separate insurance companies within a single overarch ing parent organization. These groups or fleets, as they are known within the industry, would appear to offer less protection against insolvency risk than a single multiline insurance company, since, of necessity, they would have a smaller pool of equity cap ital in each company than a combined enterprise. The grouping phenomenon is quite strong in the property-liability industry. Cummins and Weiss (1991, p. 122) note that although there were approximately 3,000 property-liability insurance companies in the United States as of 1989, "only 1900 firms play a significant role in the market and 1300 of these are clustered together in approximately 340 insurance groups under
Integrating web 2D and 3D technologies for architectural visualization: applications of SVG and X3D/VRML in environmental behavior simulation

This paper presents a new environment-user modeling approach that utilizes and integrates Web-based 2D and 3D technologies (SVG and X3D/VRML) for architectural visualization and demonstrates their applications in environmental behavior simulation. Our environment model possesses not only geometric information of design elements but also non-geometric information about the usability of these elements, specifically, the relationships between the elements and the intended users. This relationship, which was implicitly understood by designers, now becomes explicit to simulated users (Virtual Users), through XML's rich semantics. Our approach utilizes CAD models and automates the conversion from CAD models to usability-based environment models (in SVG and X3D formats) and therefore requires minimal additional effort in preparing environment data for behavior simulation, which has proven to be efficient and effective. It also utilizes humanoid models (H-Anim in VRML) and builds agent-based Virtual User models that emulate the appearance, cognition, social traits, and physical behaviors of real users. The application of this approach in architecture results in the simulation and visualization of users' behavior in public spaces that can help evaluate the impact of environments on human behavior.
Job training for dropouts.

Account of a project to train unemployed high school dropouts as aides for preschool centers. Group process and outcome are detailed in terms of the course of learning and the interpersonal relationships with the leader and among the group. Critical phases in the process also are noted.
Group contribution methods for molecular mixtures. III. Solution of groups tested via computer simulation

Abstract In this paper computer simulation results for model molecular fluids are used to test ideas underlying group contribution methods. The focus of attention is on the extent to which group contributions in one fluid (or two) can be used to estimate properties in other mixtures. This study is based on group—group distribution functions that were introduced in the first paper in this series. We propose two versions of an approach to a ”solution of groups“: a one-fluid theory and a two-fluid theory. The one-fluid theory subdivides into two forms and both result in group contributions to the residual internal energy that are independent of composition. The strong form of the one-fluid theory fails in comparisons with simulation data, but the weak form reliably predicts residual internal energies at low temperatures and low-to-moderate densities. The two-fluid version of the theory is somewhat better at estimating residual and excess internal energies.
Newer concepts in the medical management of patients with congestive heart failure

Congestive heart failure (CHF) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States, especially among the elderly. Although an underlying disturbance in cardiac function can be identified in most patients, manifestations of the disease are greatly influenced by other factors, particularly neurohumoral and peripheral adaptive responses which occur secondary to impaired cardiac function. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is integrally involved in the pathophysiology of CHF. Originally considered a humoral system, the RAS is now known to exist and operate within cardiac and vascular tissues. The importance of tissue-specific renin-angiotensin systems in CHF is presently under investigation. Most patients with symptomatic CHF benefit from the administration of an ACE inhibitor. Certain asymptomatic patients, such as those with severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and those who are at high risk for LV remodeling after anterior wall myocardial infarction, may also benefit from ACE inhibitor therapy. Diuretics and nitrates improve symptoms and often cardiac output in many patients with CHF. Although many new inotropic agents have been tested in CHF patients, none appear clinically superior to digitalis glycosides. The efficacy of digitalis glycosides in CHF may in part result from sympathoinhibitory properties such as the activation of baroreceptor mechanisms. Despite the fact that many CHF patients die from arrhythmias, treatment of asymptomatic ventricular arrhythmias in these patients is not recommended. Patients with symptomatic or sustained ventricular arrhythmias are best treated by a physician experienced in cardiac electrophysiology. Therapy with beta-blocking drugs for CHF patients is controversial. Anticoagulants are recommended for selected patients with CHF. Finally, exercise therapy may improve functional capacity in some patients with CHF through its effects on peripheral blood vessels and skeletal muscle tissues.
Body dissatisfaction, Bulimia, and depression among women : The mediating role of drive for thinness

Objective Past research has called into question the apparent relationship between body dissatisfaction and bulimia among women once effects of depression are statistically controlled. We further investigated interrelations among body dissatisfaction, depression, and bulimia, as well as considered individual differences in drive for thinness, within two samples of young adult women. Method The first sample included women diagnosed with anorexia nervosa (n = 91) or bulimia nervosa (n = 142), whereas the second sample included college student women (N = 228). Respondents completed self-report measures of bulimia, drive for thinness, negative affect, and body dissatisfaction. Results At the univariate level, all of the above constructs were significantly related to body dissatisfaction. In multiple regression analyses using depression and bulimia as predictors of body dissatisfaction, both were uniquely related to body dissatisfaction. These findings were similar to the results of previous research. However, when drive for thinness was added to the regression equations, drive for thinness was a unique predictor of body dissatisfaction whereas bulimia was not (neither was depression among college women). Discussion Bulimia, depression, and body dissatisfaction may be the results of incorporation of cultural standards regarding thinness, hence the apparent relationships among these variables. The role of drive for thinness in the pathogenesis of depression and body dissatisfaction among women needs to be investigated further. © 2000 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 27: 90–95, 2000.
An efficient approach for the implementation of the SNB based correlated-k method and its evaluation

The current implementation of the SNB based correlated-k method consumes a significant portion of the total cpu time on the on-line inversion of the cumulative distribution function. An approach was developed to pre-calculate the absorption coefficients of real gases from the inversion procedure. This approach results in significant improvement in the efficiency of the SNB based correlated-k method with slight loss in accuracy. This approach was evaluated against other implementation approaches of the SNB based correlated-k method in several non-isothermal and/or inhomogeneous problems.
The Institutional Tour: Some Reflections

(1984). The Institutional Tour: Some Reflections. Teaching of Psychology: Vol. 11, No. 1, pp. 42-43.
With or without a gold standard.

To explore causal relationships between exposure and outcome, epidemiologists must rely on accurate measurements of both. Misclassification of either exposure or outcome will obscure causality, ie, by an inability to distinguish exposed from unexposed or “diseased” from “nondiseased.” Whenever new and purportedly better (but nonvalidated) measurements of exposure or outcome become available, epidemiologists are faced with a fundamental question of “Which test is better?” Tools for answering this question differ depending on whether a true gold standard is available. In this issue of EPIDEMIOLOGY, articles by Pepe 1 and Hagdu 2 address some of the issues surrounding comparisons of diagnostic tests with 1 and without 2 a gold standard. The receiver-operator characteristics curve (ROC) is a popular summary measure of the discriminatory ability of a clinical marker that can be used when there is a gold standard. The ROC plots sensitivity against 1-specificity (true versus false positivity) for all thresholds that could have been used to define “test positive.” An ROC curve is assessed by measuring the area under the curve (AUC), which ranges from 0.5 (no discriminatory ability) to 1.0 (perfect discriminatory ability). Two diagnostic tests can be compared by calculating the difference between the areas under their 2 ROC curves. Pepe 1 offers an alternative (nonparametric) presentation of ROC analysis that may make such analysis more accessible to epidemiologic researchers. Pepe relates the ROC curve to standardized values of the clinical marker, termed “placement values.” The placement value for an affected individual with maker value Y is the proportion of unaffected subjects (the reference population) with values higher than Y. To extend this idea to the whole population, the mean placement value or average of the percentiles is computed by averaging the placement values of the affected subjects, with the mean placement value reflecting the distribution of values in the control population. A low mean placement value indicates that the clinical marker distinguishes patients with an outcome from those without an outcome in that population. Using the fact that the ROC curve is the probability distribution of the placement values, Pepe demonstrates that the mean placement value is equal to 1-AUC. A nice feature of using placement values is that they are amenable to regression analysis to identify and control for factors that modify the performance of the clinical measurement. Both of these related approaches use all thresholds for the definition of “test positive.” In practice, users often confine their attention to regions of the ROC curve that correspond to the most clinically relevant values of test sensitivity or specificity. For example, a test that performs well for low specificity but poorly for high specificity may not be desirable. In this case, the partial area under the curve is a more appropriate measure of test performance than the AUC.
Prostate brachytherapy seed migration to the left testicular vein.

Abstract Purpose Prostate brachytherapy seeds may detach from their initial insertion sites and migrate to lungs, heart, coronary artery, liver, kidney, and vertebral venous plexus. The authors present the left testicular vein as additional site of seed embolization. Methods and Materials The authors report a 68-year-old man with seed migration to the left testicular vein shortly after brachytherapeutic procedure. All imaging procedures obtained after the transperineal seed implant insertion are retrospectively analyzed in correlation with the patient's clinical course. Results The retrospective imaging review shows a left lower abdominal seed anterior to the left psoas muscle. CT re-evaluation localizes the seed in the left testicular vein. This embolized seed was not initially identified on any imaging modality. Although there is no solid cause–effect proof in this case, the fully potent embolized seed may be contributory to the patient's testicular symptomatology. Conclusion The uncommon seed relocation to the left testicular vein is probably because of periprostatic–pampiniform venous communication.
The varying clinical spectrum of the systolic click-late systolic murmur syndrome.

Striking auscultatory variations with changes in posture were observed in 30 individuals with either mid-late systolic clicks, late systolic murmurs, or both, particularly in the upright position. Twenty-seven patients had late systolic murmurs; in nine, however, the murmur was not heard until assumption of the sitting position. Mid-late systolic clicks were heard in 20 patients while supine and in three only on sitting. Click movement (usually toward the first sound) was common during sitting or standing. Late systolic murmurs became holosystolic in 25 patients. In 20, the murmur did not become holosystolic until standing. Systolic whoops, not heard in the supine position, developed on assumption of the sitting position (three patients) or standing (three patients). With prompt squatting, the auscultatory findings reverted to those heard in the supine position in eight of nine patients. All observations were confirmed with phonocardiograms. Structural alterations in the mitral valve complex resulting in ...
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: Diagnosis and New Approaches to Treatment

Impairment of gait occurs commonly in the elderly and has a profound impact on individual functional capacity and quality of life. Dementia and urinary incontinence are other common problems encountered in the elderly. In many circumstances, these problems are mutually exclusive, with treatments chosen to address each disease entity separately. When they appear over time in the same patient, however, these symptoms raise the possibility of normal pressure hydrocephalus.
TIME‐INTENSITY TOLERANCE OF LEMANEA FUCINA TO SALINITY

As FAR AS IS KNOWN TO THE WRITERS, no previous workers have reported the occurrence of fresh water Rhodophyta from other than strictly fresh water habitats. Although neither Smith (1951, p. 621) nor Fritsch (1945, p. 466) specifically stated that Lemanea does not occur in brackish conditions, it is clearly implied by those authors, as well as by Atkinsont (1890) who monographed the United States Lemaneaceae, that "Lemanea is an alga. . . rather closely restricted to turbulent [fresh] waters, and is usually found only at rapids, falls, mill dams, and the like" (Smith, 1951, p. 622). The present work reports the finding of Lemanea fucina Bory (1808) (-Saeheria fucina (Bory) Sirodot (1889) ) in a habitat subjected to daily tidal exposures of strongly brackish waters in excess of three-fifths the salinity of sea water.
Risky Business: Assessing Risk Preference Explanations for Gender Differences in Religiosity:

Scholars of religion have long known that women are more religious than men, but they disagree about the reasons underlying this difference. Risk preference theory suggests that gender gaps in religiosity are a consequence of men's greater propensity to take risks, and that irreligiosity is analogous to other high-risk behaviors typically associated with young men. Yet, research using risk preference theory has not effectively distinguished those who perceive a risk to irreligiousness from those who do not. In this article, we evaluate risk preference theory. We differentiate those who believe in an afterlife, who perceive a risk to irreligiousness, from nonbelievers who perceive no risk associated with the judgment after death. Using General Social Survey and World Values Survey data, multivariate models test the effects of gender and belief on religiousness. In most religions and nations the gender gap is larger for those who do not believe in an afterlife than for those who do, contradicting the predic...
Functional Extinctions of Bird Pollinators Cause Plant Declines

The world's approximately 10,000 bird species are key “mobile links” ( 1 ) in most major ecosystems, from tropical rainforests to the depths of the Antarctic Ocean. Birds provide crucial ecosystem services, including seed dispersal, pollination, predation, scavenging, nutrient deposition, and ecosystem engineering ( 2 – 4 ). Countless plant species depend on mutualistic relationships with birds for their survival ( 5 – 7 ). However, threats such as habitat loss, introduced species, and exploitation ( 7 – 9 ), exacerbated by the growing impact of climate change ( 10 , 11 ), are causing large population declines and extinctions among birds (see the photo). As a result, hundreds of species now contribute negligibly to ecosystem function and are “functionally extinct” ( 8 ). Researchers have speculated that these losses could lead to declines in dependent plants ( 12 – 14 ), but experimental proof has been scarce ( 4 , 7 , 12 ). On page 1068 of this issue, however, Anderson et al. ( 6 ) show that the functional extinction of three kinds of pollinating birds on an island in New Zealand has reduced pollination, seed production, and plant density in a dependent shrub.
Treatment of resistant mantle cell lymphoma with allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

Conventional approaches to the treatment of recurrent mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) yield unsatisfactory results. We describe a patient with recurrent MCL in leukemic phase refractory to chemotherapy who was successfully treated with allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. At last follow-up 1 year post-transplant, the patient was in complete remission and had limited chronic graft-versus-host disease.
Distance and location assimilation effects in rapid bimanual movement

Abstract When subjects make simultaneous aiming movements of the upper limbs over different distances, assimilation effects are shown; the shorter distance limb overshoots when paired with a longer distance limb. However, it is not known whether assimilation effects are due to variations in distance per se or to variations in target location. To separate the possible influences of distance and location, 60 subjects made rapid bimanual aiming movements in one of four conditions. The two different-distance groups made a 20° movement in the left hand and a 60° movement in the right hand to either the same or different target locations. The comparison groups moved 20° in each limb. Somewhat surprisingly, spatial assimilations were greater when moving different distances to the same, rather than different, target locations, which suggests interlimb differences in distance mediate assimilation effects rather than target location. Temporal assimilations were greater when distance and location were varied, but th...
BUMS—Bonner sphere Unfolding Made Simple: an HTML based multisphere neutron spectrometer unfolding package

Abstract A new multisphere neutron spectrometer unfolding package, Bonner sphere Unfolding Made Simple (BUMS) has been developed that uses an HTML interface to simplify data input and code execution for the novice and the advanced user. This new unfolding package combines the unfolding algorithms contained in other popular unfolding codes under one easy to use interface. The interface makes use of web browsing software to provide a graphical user interface to the unfolding algorithms. BUMS integrates the SPUNIT, BON, MAXIET, and SAND-II unfolding algorithms into a single package. This package also includes a library of 14 response matrices, 58 starting spectra, and 24 dose and detector responses. BUMS has several improvements beyond the addition of unfolding algorithms. It has the ability to search for the most appropriate starting spectra. Also, plots of the unfolded neutron spectra are automatically generated. The BUMS package runs via a web server and may be accessed by any computer with access to the Internet at http://nukeisit.gatech.edu/bums.
A Categorization of the Solid-State Device Aspects of Microsystems Electronics

The contribution of solid-state electronic devices to microsystems electronics is important, but there is considerable confusion in this field at the present time. By dividing the field of solidstate devices into four categories into which may be placed all device approaches to microsystems electronics (and, incidentally, solid-state components in general) we may more easily assess the merit of each new contribution by comparison with existing components. These four categories are basic, complex, integrated, and array. The construction details and operating principles, as well as the electrical characteristics, of a new device must be specified in order for it to be properly categorized. Some new examples of complex and integrated devices are presented to emphasize their differences.
Organization Facilitates Memory—If You have the Appropriate Classification Skills

Summary In two experiments 120 boys and girls, aged 3–6, were divided into two groups: those who showed classification skills on a variety of Piagetian tasks and those who did not. The presence or absence of these classification skills was then related to the child's ability to organize and remember a list of 15–20 familiar items presented sequentially via a slide projector. It was hypothesized that classification skills are a necessary component of the processes of organization and retrieval. Children who evidenced class inclusion skills were able to organize items for efficient recall. However, children with less sophisticated classification skills did not organize the material spontaneously but were able to organize the lists if they were given category cues. Interestingly, even when these Ss showed increased organization in their recall, the increased organization was not accompanied by a greater number of items recalled. It was concluded that the operation of class inclusion is a part of the developm...
Gender-specific prandial response to dietary restriction and oxidative stress in Drosophila melanogaster.

Drosophila melanogaster is ideal for studying lifespan modulated by dietary restriction (DR) and oxidative stress, and also for screening prolongevity compounds. It is critical to measure food intake in the aforementioned studies. Current methods, however, overlook the amount of the food excreted out of the flies as feces or deposited in eggs. Here we describe a feeding method using a radioactive tracer to measure gender-specific food intake, retention and excretion in response to DR and oxidative stress to account for all the ingested food. Flies were fed a full, restricted or paraquat-containing diet. The radioactivity values of the food in fly bodies, feces and eggs were measured separately after a 24-hr feeding. Food intake was calculated as the sum of these measurements. We found that most of the tracer in the ingested food was retained in the fly bodies and < 8% of the tracer was excreted out of the flies as feces and eggs in the case of females during a 24-hr feeding. Under a DR condition, flies...
GENERATING MARKETING STRATEGY PRIORITIES BASED ON RELATIVE COMPETITIVE POSITION

The marketing manager has little or no guidance in formulating competitive strategies. This article presents a marketing strategy planning tool based on customers' perceptions of the positions of competing brands across various product attributes. The method, called “Simultaneous Importance‐Performance Analysis,” advocates focusing attention on relevant competitors' positions and attacking or defending market territory selectively. An example of its application is provided to illustrate its usefulness. The tool provides a framework for prioritizing alternative marketing strategies and is helpful in deciding on the allocation of limited marketing resources to design an efficient short‐range marketing plan. We will first discuss the nature of competitive advantage strategy and look at the marketing manager's dilemma on how to select tactics to develop a competitive advantage. We will then describe and illustrate “simultaneous importance — performance analysis,” based on importance‐performance analysis. Finally, we will suggest how this technique might be integrated into a company's strategic planning system.
A brief review of ultrasensitive prostate-specific antigen assays for the evaluation of patients after radical prostatectomy.

The development of immunoassays for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and their clinical utility are summarized. Because of the complexity of the PSA molecule and anti-PSA antibodies, there is currently no standard in PSA measurement [1, 2]. Evaluating various immunoassays requires the knowledge of the lower limit of detection as well as the biological and clinical thresholds of a given assay [1]. There have been recent reports demonstrating earlier detection of residual prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy by ultrasensitive assays for PSA [3, 4]. Because of the recent evidence for non-prostatic sources of PSA such as the male urethra [5–7], the possibility of their contaminating PSA levels must be evaluated when more sensitive assays for PSA are under consideration.
One-group steady state diffusion in a heterogeneous slab

We derive a customized solution to the diffusion equation in a heterogeneous slab with an arbitrary contiguous source. While aspects of solution have previously been reported in the literature, its full explicit form as presented here by solving a 3-term recurrence, has not. We conclude with a series of exercises demonstrating the utility of the solution.
Disrupting the Game-Changer: Remembering the History of Competency-Based Education

Competency-based education (CBE) has a history that offers cautions about the most prominent features of the version being promoted today, particularly its hyper-individualization.CBE's recent prom...
Spatial heterogeneity strongly affects estimates of ecosystem metabolism in two north temperate lakes

To characterize the spatial variability of metabolism estimates (gross primary production [GPP], respiration [R], and net ecosystem production [NEP]) in two Northern Wisconsin lakes, we collected data from 27 and 35 dissolved oxygen sensors placed in a two-dimensional array throughout the upper mixed layers over a period of 10 d per lake in midsummer. Averaged over the deployment, aerial metabolism estimates among sensor locations varied 1–2 orders of magnitude and were largely unrelated to physical habitat within the lake. For all sites and days, 76–90% of the explainable variance in GPP and R was attributable to location in the lake rather than day of the deployment. NEP, on the other hand, was less affected by location, with 79–93% of the explained variance attributable to the day of the deployment. Single-location estimates can yield errors of more than an order of magnitude in estimates of daily GPP and R and can mischaracterize the trophic status of the lake. Using a rarefaction approach, we found that using four randomly placed sensors increased the precision of the resulting daily metabolism estimates fourfold over single-location measures in both lakes.
Estimation of the Mechanical Properties of Fluid-Saturated Rocks Using the Measured Wave Motions

A method for determining the material properties of a fluid-saturated rock via the measured wave motions is presented. The essence of the method is to compare the dispersive characteristics of the measured wave motions with that predicted by the Biot's theory. The material properties of water-saturated Berea sandstone determined by this method agree, in general, with that determined from the standard laboratory test. 9 references, 4 figures, 1 table.
Hearing-impaired children's comprehension and production of syntax in oral language.

The acquisition and development of syntax in oral language for 47 congenitally hearing-impaired children between the ages of five years and 13 years, three months, was compared with that of normal ...
Biases in the Assimilation of Technological Breakdowns: Do Accidents Make Us Safer?

Field surveys and anecdotal evidence suggest that supporters and opponents of a given technology tend to draw opposite conclusions from noncatastrophic breakdowns. Three studies confirmed this tendency by presenting supporters and opponents of a particular technology with identical descriptions of various technological breakdowns. As predicted, the results indicated that (a) supporters focused on the fact that the safeguards worked, while opponents focused on the fact that the breakdown occurred in the first place; and (b) after reading about the breakdown, supporters reported feeling that the chances of a catastrophic accident were less than previously assumed, whereas opponents reported feeling that the chances of an accident were greater than previously assumed. The recommendation by Lord, Lepper, and Preston (1984) for partisans to consider opposite outcomes-such as a serious failure in safeguards or the absence of major breakdowns-was discussed as a way of preventing biased assimilation and attitude polarization.
“A Common Geography of the Mind” Creating Sacred Space in the Auitobiographical Writings of Paul Monette and The NAMES Projec

Dans Temps emprunte : Notice biographique d'un sideen (1988), Paul Monette presente une chronique passionnee de l'epreuve de son partenaire atteint du SIDA depuis son diagnostic en 1985 a sa mort en 1986. En reconstruisant l'experience Monette fait continuellement le lien entre la vie avec le SIDA et la construction ou l'occupation de l'espace. Ils commencent leur voyage «dans un pays au-dela des larmes» mais arrivent a «une geographie commune de l'esprit» qu'ils habitent avec d'autres qu'ils invitent a partager volontairement leur experience de la seule facon possible, a savoir l'engagement spirituel.
Metabolic engineering of the anaerobic central metabolic pathway in Escherichia coli for the simultaneous anaerobic production of isoamyl acetate and succinic acid

An in vivo method of producing isoamyl acetate and succinate simultaneously has been developed in Escherichia coli to maximize yields of both high value compounds as well as maintain the proper redox balance between NADH and NAD(+). Previous attempts at producing the ester isoamyl acetate anaerobically did not produce the compound in high concentrations because of competing pathways and the need for NAD(+) regeneration. The objective of this study is to produce succinate as an example of a reduced coproduct to balance the ratio of NADH/NAD(+) as a way of maximizing isoamyl acetate production. Because the volatility of the two compounds differs greatly, the two could be easily separated in an industrial setting. An ldhA, adhE double mutant strain (SBS110MG) served as the control strain to test the effect of an additional ackA-pta mutation as found in SBS990MG. Both strains overexpressed the two heterologous genes pyruvate carboxylase and alcohol acetyltransferase (for ester production). The triple mutant SBS990MG was found to produce higher levels of both isoamyl acetate and succinate. At the optimal condition of 25 degrees C, the culture produced 9.4 mM isoamyl acetate and 45.5 mM succinate. SBS990MG produced 36% more ester and over 700% more succinate than SBS110MG. In addition, this study demonstrated that a significantly higher isoamyl acetate concentration can be attained by simultaneously balancing the carbon and cofactor flow; the isoamyl acetate concentration of 9.4 mM is more than seven times higher than an earlier report of about 1.2 mM.
Neurologic effects of hyponatremia and its treatment.

Twenty-one days after surviving a hemorrhagic stroke, the patient develops new neurologic symptoms. A computed tomographic scan shows new cerebral edema. Her serum sodium concentration is 121 mmol/L.
Predominant expression of type II vasoactive intestinal peptide receptors by human T lymphoblastoma cells: Transduction of both Ca2+ and cyclic AMP signals

An immunoregulatory role for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is suggested by the high concentrations in subsets of neurons supplying lymphoid organs and by the capacity of VIP to affect T lymphocyte functions. The Tsup-1 line of human T lymphoblastoma cells expresses both type I and type II G protein-coupled VIP receptors (Rs), as shown by detection of the encoding mRNAs with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analyses. Northern blot quantification of the relative amounts of mRNA encoding the two VIPRs in Tsup-1 cells indicated that type II predominates over type I, as it does in human blood CD4+ T cells. Tsup-1 cells bound125I-VIP to 8.95×104 high-affinity sites/cell (K d=6.0 nM) and 7.45× 105 low-affinity sites/cell (Kd=210 nM). VIP increased [cAMP]i in Tsup-1 cells (EC50=14.4 nM) and stimulated a rapid and transient increase in [Ca2+]i (EC50=30 nM). Functional coupling of G proteins to type II VIPRs was suggested by the change in binding of125I-VIP to Tsup-1 cell membranes from two sites with Kd values of 3.8 and 109 nM to one site ofK d 30 nM by GTP-γ-S and the suppression by pertussis toxin of increases in [Ca2+]i evoked by VIP. The VIP antagonists, VIP4–28 and (4-Cl-D-Phe6-Leu17) VIP, inhibited125I-VIP binding by type II VIPRs, as well as VIP-elicited increases in [Ca2+]i and [cAMP]i. Type II VIPRs thus are the major transducers of VIP signals to a subset of human T cells.
Fostering Goodness: teaching parents to facilitate children's moral development

Abstract Although moral development of children has long been ascribed predominantly to the effects of parenting, there has been little systematic examination of the specific nature of this relation. In this paper, we identify four foundational components of children's moral development (social orientation, self‐control, compliance, self‐esteem) and four central aspects of moral functioning (empathy, conscience, moral reasoning, altruism). The parenting roots of each of these eight psychological characteristics are examined, and five core parenting processes (induction, nurturance, demandingness, modelling, democratic family process) that are related empirically to the development of these eight child characteristics are identified and discussed. Finally, we consider the implications of our analysis for teaching parents to influence positively their children's moral development.
GTP Loading of Farnesylated p21Ras by Insulin at the Plasma Membrane

Abstract Insulin promotes the phosphorylation and activation of farnesyltransferase (FTase) in a time- and a dose-dependent manner. Increased FTase activity results in a larger pool of farnesylated p21Ras and allows for enhanced GTP loading. Insulin significantly increases the pool of farnesylated p21Ras from 20–25% in quiescent 3T3-L1 fibroblasts to approximately 70%, most of which is targeted to the plasma membrane. Furthermore, insulin promotes GTP loading of plasma membrane and not cytosolic p21Ras. The half-life of plasma membrane-associated farnesylated p21Ras is approximately 6 hours, and is identical in control and insulin-treated cells. We have also observed a direct correlation between the amounts of farnesylated p21Ras at the plasma membrane and the magnitude of insulin-induced GTP loading of p21Ras.
A configurable cryptography subsystem in a middleware framework for embedded systems

Computer and network security is becoming increasingly important as both large systems and, increasingly small, embedded systems are networked. Middleware frameworks aid the system developer who must interconnect individual systems into larger interconnected, distributed systems. However, there exist very few middleware frameworks that have been designed for use with embedded systems, which constitute the vast majority of CPUs produced each year, and none offer the range of security mechanisms required by the wide range of embedded system applications. This paper describes MicroQoSCORBA, a highly configurable middleware framework for embedded systems, and its security subsystem. It first presents an analysis of security requirements for embedded applications and what can and should be done in middleware. It then presents the design of MicroQoSCORBA's security subsystem and the wide range of mechanisms it supports. Experimental results for these mechanisms are presented for two different embedded systems and one desktop computer that collectively represent a wide range of computational capabilities.
Toddlers with ASD are better at visual search without trying harder: a pupillometric study

Motivation We found that toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorder are better at visual search than age-matched controls. The cause is mysterious: enhanced perception? faster search? more attentional resources? Greater ‘focus’? Goal Use pupillometry to determine the attentional ‘mode’ of toddlers during visual search, to test the idea that toddlers with ASD do not search better than Typical toddlers, just more often. Erik Blaser, Luke Eglington, & Zsuzsa Kaldy, University of Massachusetts Boston
A new model for hydrogen-assisted cracking (hydrogen “embrittlement”)

A new model is presented for hydrogen-assisted cracking (HAC) which explains the observations of decreasing microscopic plasticity and changes of fracture modes with decreasing stress intensities at crack tips during stress-corrosion cracking and HAC of quenched-and- tempered steels. The model suggests that the presence of sufficiently concentrated hydrogen dissolved in the lattice just ahead of the crack tip aids whatever deformation processes the microstructure will allow. Intergranular, quasicleavage, or microvoid coalescence fracture modes operate depending upon the microstructure, the crack-tip stress intensity, and the concentration of hydrogen. The model unifies several theories but shows how the stress-sorption and lattice embrittlement models are unnecessary. The model shows that planar pressure effects are necessary at low stress intensities and are necessary only to augment the driving force from the applied loads. The basic hydrogen-steel interaction appears to be an easing of dislocation motion or generation, or both.
IDENTIFYING MANAGEMENT CAPACITY AMONG LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

Research conducted for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) identified six processes associated with high levels of local government management capacity. They were: 1) people of competence fill both elected and key administrative positions, and there is substantial continuity among the latter; 2) fiscal management practices are used as policy tools that permit capital and operational planning and control; 3) public officials recognize the legitimacy of concern for equity in public policy and administration; 4) open decision-making processes facilitate exchange of views between citizens and officials; 5) public services are delivered effectively and efficiently; and, 6) information management systems are utilized that permit decision-making information to flow freely between policy and administrative sectors and within the administrative sector. More significant in sustaining management capacity than the form of government, size of the jurisdiction, or region of the country, these processes are subject to enhancement by capacity-building efforts by practitioners and by those engaged in training of local personnel.
Relationships of inter‐american rainfall to tropical Atlantic and Pacific SST variability

Area-averaged anomalies of sea surface temperature (SSTA) and rainfall, developed from large scale data sets, have been used to explore the relative importance of Pacific versus Atlantic SST variability for inter-American (50°S–50°N) climate variability at interannual time scales. SSTA in the tropical Pacific and tropical North Atlantic are comparably related to rainfall north of 15°S, with clear associations distributed between the southeastern United States (US) in the north and northern South America in the south. Although NINO3 explains 25% of the variance of the North Atlantic SSTA index, the rainfall correlations with North Atlantic SSTA are for the most part opposite in sign to those with NINO3. Hence, a significant part of the Atlantic SSTA probably has a direct association with rainfall, rather than being merely an indirect proxy for Pacific ENSO linkages. In contrast to the North Atlantic, South Atlantic SSTA appear to be only related to rainfall in northeast (NE) Brazil. The entire region between Venezuela and NE Brazil appears to be sensitive to both the ITCZ and to antisymmetric configurations of SSTA across the ITCZ, in a manner consistent with the relationships between SST, surface wind and surface wind divergence fields, and with previous studies.
Collapse and equilibrium of rotating, adiabatic clouds

A numerical hydrodynamics computer code analysis of the collapse and establishment of equilibrium of adiabatic gas clouds restricted to axial symmetry found that the clouds are originally uniform in density and rotation. The method can compare the dynamic collapse and approach to equilibrium with the data on incompressible uniformly rotating equilibrium clouds and on equilibrium structures of differentially rotating polytropes. It is concluded that the stellar formation theory indicates that the low alpha fragments produced at the termination of the dynamic isothermal collapse phase of interstellar clouds may undergo significant dynamic collapse in an adiabatic regime leading to transitory ring formation and additional fragmentation on a smaller scale.