cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Deficient Plasticity in the Primary Visual Cortex of α-Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II Mutant Mice

Abstract The recent characterization of plasticity in the mouse visual cortex permits the use of mutant mice to investigate the cellular mechanisms underlying activity-dependent development. As calcium-dependent signaling pathways have been implicated in neuronal plasticity, we examined visual cortical plasticity in mice lacking the α-isoform of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (αCaMKII). In wild-type mice, brief occlusion of vision in one eye during a critical period reduces responses in the visual cortex. In half of the αCaMKII-deficient mice, visual cortical responses developed normally, but visual cortical plasticity was greatly diminished. After intensive training, spatial learning in the Morris water maze was severely impaired in a similar fraction of mutant animals. These data indicate that loss of αCaMKII results in a severe but variable defect in neuronal plasticity.
Ion-Selective Sensing Based On Potential Sensitive Dyes

An indicator system consisting of a potential sensitive fluorescent dye in the presence of liposomes and valinomycin has been shown to reversibly and selectively respond to changes in potassium concentration.
Androgen deficiency in the oophorectomized woman

Women experience a significant decline in circulating androgen concentrations after bilateral oophorectomy. Despite several limitations, studying women after oophorectomy remains a good model for investigating the effects of both androgen deficiency and androgen replacement. Current data show that most women experience satisfying sexual lives after hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy. This is reassuring since elective oophorectomy at the time of hysterectomy is an appropriate option for many women. Oophorectomized women, however, are more likely to report a worsening of sexual function after hysterectomy compared with women who retain their ovaries. Specifically, adverse changes in libido and orgasmic response are more likely in oophorectomized women. After bilateral oophorectomy, women also appear more likely to experience decreased positive psychological well-being. Studies of both the consequences of oophorectomy and the effects of testosterone replacement are consistent with an important role for androgens in female sexual function and psychological well-being.
Impact of Supply‐Side Ecology on Consumer‐Mediated Coexistence: Evidence from a Meta‐Analysis

Abstract: Studies of marine nearshore hard substrates have demonstrated that consumers and abiotic disturbances can remove biomass, clearing space for species that are competitively subordinate and subsequently increasing diversity. However, studies often examine the impact of these space‐opening forces on diversity in isolation from other potentially interacting factors. In marine systems, space can be closed by recruitment decoupled from local populations. Therefore, we investigated how recruitment influences the impacts of consumers on diversity with a meta‐analysis of 27 experiments of community development involving sessile species on marine hard substrates. These studies allowed quantification of recruitment rates, consumer pressure, and species richness of primary space occupants. This meta‐analysis demonstrated that consumers generally increase diversity at high levels of recruitment but decrease diversity at low levels of recruitment. Therefore, species diversity of sessile species is controlled ...
Asymmetrical perfusion fixation in a rodent model of perinatal hypoxia-ischemia may lead to artifactual morphologic asymmetries

We have observed asymmetries in perfusion between the cerebral hemispheres in immature rats previously subjected to carotid ligation in a model of perinatal hypoxia-ischemia. These asymmetries are associated with marked differences in the number of neurons stained positive by immunoperoxidase protocols for cholinergic neurons utilizing a monoclonal antibody to choline acetyltransferase. These differences are likely to be spurious and due to the asymmetry of perfusion, because fewer stained neurons appear on the unligated side of control animals, in the absence of gliosis or neuron loss. We recommend that quantitative morphologic studies in this model be performed on immersion-fixed specimens.
Southern Nationalism on the Landscape: County Names in Former Confederate States

AbstractThe Confederate period and celebration of the Lost Cause are significant sources of county names in eleven of the former Confederate states. Since 1861, counties in these eleven states have been named for Confederate soldiers and prominent antebellum and Confederate politicians. Among these states, important differences in the frequency of choosing Southern nationalist names for counties are apparent. These findings partially explain the lack of mainstream American nationalism on the landscape of states in the Deep South.
Closure of difficult palatal fistulas using a "parachuting and anchoring" technique with the tongue flap.

The tongue flap has been described in reconstructing palatal defects. Nevertheless, properly securing the flap to the palatal defect has continued to pose a challenge, especially because the flap becomes mobile with normal activities (i.e., speech and swallow). For this reason, alternative fixation schemes have been discussed in literature, but do not always solve the problem. In this article, we offer an alternative method for positioning and securing the tongue flap into the palatal defect. The authors of this article believe that advantages of this technique include an increase in flap security and immobility and a decrease in postoperative maxillomandibular fixation requirement. Although unanswered questions still remain regarding improved flap retention with this method, we believe that the “parachuting and anchoring” technique provides an alternative method that can most definitely add to the surgeon's armamentarium.
Review of "Wallace Stevens across the Atlantic"

Review of a book of essays about Wallace Stevens and Europe, edited by Bart Eeckhout and Edward Ragg, published by Macmillan in 2008.
Reverse tolerance to amphetamine evokes reverse tolerance to 5-hydroxytryptophan

Repeated intermittent administration of amphetamine in mice caused reverse tolerance to 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan (5-HTP)-induced head twitch, as well as to amphetamine-induced stereotypy. The repeated administration of 5-HTP alone also resulted in reverse tolerance in the head-twitch test. Daily pretreatment with haloperidol prior to amphetamine administration blocked the development of both reverse tolerance to amphetamine and to 5-HTP, whereas daily pretreatment with cyproheptadine prior to amphetamine blocked only the reverse tolerance to 5-HTP. On the other hand, 5-HTP-induced reverse tolerance was blocked by daily pretreatment with cyproheptadine, but not with haloperidol. There appears to be no difference in the persistence of the reverse tolerance to 5-HTP, whether induced by amphetamine or by 5-HTP; in both instances, the persistence does not correlate with the persistence of reverse tolerance to amphetamine. The data suggest that the reverse tolerance to amphetamine and the associated reverse tolerance to 5-HTP are independent events, both of which are mediated by dopaminergic mechanisms.
Minimally Invasive Two-Incision Total Hip Arthroplasty: Is the Second Incision Necessary?

This article refutes the need for the posterior incision in minimally invasive two-incision total hip replacement. A description of how the Smith-Petersen, direct anterior, approach can be used to expose and implant the femoral components is given. Data from a prospective comparison of direct anterior and modified Hardinge approaches is presented. Seventy-nine patients in matched groups were analyzed. There was no difference between the groups in average body mass index, surgical time, incision length, hospital stay, pain, blood loss, or complications. At the six-month follow up evaluation slightly better outcomes were seen for the direct anterior approach when compared to the direct lateral approach. Limiting exposure to the anterior incision eliminates soft tissue and muscular damage. Other concerns such as intraoperative fractures, stem malpositioning, and prolonged surgeries are not seen with the direct anterior technique. Minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty can be performed safely with excellent results using the direct anterior incision alone.
Stresses that drive the plates from below: Definitions, computational path, model optimization, and error analysis

[1] We divide the torques on each surface plate into three parts: lithostatic pressure, side strength, and basal strength. We compute each part for each of 52 plates using a thin shell finite element model of the lithosphere with topography, variable heat flow, variable crust and lithosphere thicknesses from seismic data, transient geotherms, nonlinear rheology, and weak faults. We present an iterative method of adjusting boundary conditions that results in correct plate velocities without the need for models of deep mantle flow. Uncertainty remains because side strength torques, and therefore inferred basal strength torques, depend on the effective friction of faults. Therefore, we compute a two-parameter suite of models with differing trench resistance and differing fault friction, and we evaluate their misfits relative to seafloor spreading rates, geodetic velocities, intraplate stress directions, and azimuths of seismic anisotropy. The minimum misfit occurs at effective fault friction of 0.1 and trench resistance of 2 × 1012 N m−1. In this preferred model, computed values of mean basal strength traction systematically increase for smaller plates. We analyze error sources and find that the largest source is unmodeled variation in effective friction of plate boundary faults. Discounting highly uncertain results, we find mean basal shear tractions of no more than 1 MPa for the six largest slabless plates: Africa 0.2 MPa; Antarctica 0.1 MPa; North America 0.6 MPa; Eurasia 1.0 MPa; South America 1.0 MPa; Somalia 0.9 MPa. The directions of basal shear traction on these plates are generally forward, meaning subparallel to absolute velocity. Basal strength torques on plates with subducting slabs represent the sum of net slab pull and distributed basal shear traction; if these torques are attributed to net slab pull alone, net slab pull is generally toward the trench and of order 5 × 1012 N m−1. Thus, present plate motions on Earth appear to be driven primarily by deep mantle convection rather than by topography and associated lithostatic pressures.
MASSIVE MYOCARDIAL NECROSIS WITH CALCIFICATION. REPORT OF TWO CASES OF POSSIBLE HYPOKALEMIC ETIOLOGY.

The clinical and autopsy observations on two cases with myocardial necrosis and calcification are presented. In each case there also was subacute membranous and proliferative glomerulonephritis. The myocardial lesions closely resemble those produced experimentally by potassium depletion and differ from those in other myocardial necroses.
Understanding the influence of integration on ERP performance

This research investigates the influence of five levels of ERP integration on ERP performance in different user-friendly interface groups. The five levels are system-specification, Island of Technology, organizational, socio-organizational, and global integration. We conducted an empirical study that involved 102 ERP professionals, 52 of whom showed low demand for user-friendly interface design while the others showed high demand. The results suggest that system-specification and organizational integration significantly influence ERP performance in the low demanding user-friendly interface group, while system-specification and socio-organizational integration significantly influence ERP performance in the high demanding user-friendly group. The research model explains 50 and 46% respectively of ERP performance in each group.
Between Training and Popularization: Regulating Science Textbooks in Secondary Education

ABSTRACTRecruitment into the scientific community is one oft-stated goal of science education—in the post-Sputnik United States, for example—but this obscures the fact that science textbooks are often read by people who will never be scientists. It cannot be presupposed that science textbooks for younger audiences, students in primary and secondary schools, function in this way. For this reason, precollegiate-level science textbooks are sometimes discussed as a subset of literature popularizing science. The high school science classroom and the textbook are forums for exposing the public to science. The role of governments and educational institutions in regulating the consumption of these texts not only determines which books are used; it influences how they are written, read, and deemed authoritative. Therefore such science textbooks should not be seen as (at best) the disjunction of texts-for-training and books-for-popularization. A changing sense of what “textbooks” are compels a different understandi...
Failure probability evaluation for normally distributed load-strength model with unknown parameters

The failure probability evaluation methods for load-strength interference model are established when both load, L, and strength, S, follow normal distributions, assuming none of the normal distribution parameters are known. Based on Fisher's fiducial analysis, a failure probability evaluation method is obtained for single load application. A numerical integration method is developed to evaluate the failure probability for multiple load applications.
On the remote sensing of mesoscale tropical convection intensity from a geostationary satellite.

This paper develops an objective technique for estimating the mass and energy exchange in convection systems corresponding to altocumulus cumulogenitus and cumulonimbus intensities using measurements of the area change of the cirrus outflow on a sequence of satellite cloud photographs obtained at geostationary altitude. The data clearly show that: (1) the technique is able to isolate vigorous and moderate convection regimes on the geostationary satellite cloud photos; and (2) the model-estimated mass and energy are consistent with ground-based measurements such as those of Braham and Brown.
Classroom context, teacher expectations, and cognitive level: Predicting children's math ability judgments

Abstract Classroom practices that make ability differences salient communicate differential teacher expectations for students. This study reports on a new observational tool for measuring Classroom Ability-based Practices (CAP) and explores how young children's self-perceptions of ability in mathematics are related to their teachers' expectations for them and to their cognitive reasoning skills in classrooms that vary in usage of such ability-differentiated practices. The sample consisted of 193 children and their teachers in 15 first grade classrooms. The CAP was a reliable measure of ability-based differential teacher treatment and showed criterion validity as a moderator variable in predicting children's ability perceptions. In highly ability-differentiating classrooms, children's self-ratings were more congruent with teachers' expectations of students' mathematics ability. Also in highly ability-differentiating classrooms, higher cognitive levels predicted lower self-ability ratings in math. These findings extend our understanding of the social and cognitive factors that shape young children's self-judgments of math competence.
A computer model of uterine contractions based on discrete contractile elements

Objective To predict uterine contraction waveforms using a microcomputer-based model of uterine activity based on discrete contractile elements, varying the shape of the model, total number of cells, and pacemaker locations. Methods The model is a hollow ovoid composed of discrete contractile elements (cells) that propagate electrical impulses, generate tension, and have defined contracting and refractory periods. Each cell contacts eight surrounding cells and propagates impulses iteratively from cell to cell. Contraction pressure is the sum of the tension contributions by contracting cells. Sample contraction waveforms were generated based on various numbers of cells organized in ovoids with long:short axis ratios of 1:1,3:2, and 2:1, with one or two pacemakers at varying positions. Results Contraction waveforms are altered by altering the shape of the matrix, but not by increasing the number of contractile elements. The vertical placement of the pacemaker has a dramatic effect on the shape and symmetry of contractions, including the development of patterns characteristic of “dysfunctional” uterine contractions. Conclusion Abnormal uterine contraction patterns may result from pacemaker activity in unusual locations, such as mid-uterus. Further refinement of this computer model of uterine activity may contribute to a better understanding of the genesis of normal and abnormal intrauterine pressure waveforms and their relationship to the progress of labor.
Effects of pressure-sensitive yielding on stress distributions in crankshaft sections under fillet rolling and bending fatigue tests

Abstract In this paper, the evolution equation for the active yield surface during the unloading/reloading process based on the Drucker–Prager yield function and a recently developed anisotropic hardening rule is first presented. A user material subroutine based on the anisotropic hardening rule and the constitutive relation was written and implemented into the commercial finite element program ABAQUS. Computations were first conducted for a simple plane strain finite element model under uniaxial monotonic and cyclic loading conditions. The results indicate that the anisotropic hardening rule with the non-associated flow rule describes well the strength-differential effect and the asymmetric closed hysteresis loops as observed in the uniaxial cyclic loading tests of cast irons. Then, a two-dimensional plane strain finite element analysis of a crankshaft section under fillet rolling and subsequent bending was conducted. For the pressure sensitivity corresponding to the cast iron crankshaft of interest, the critical locations for fatigue crack initiation according to the stress distributions for pressure-sensitive materials agree with the experimental observations in bending fatigue tests of crankshaft sections.
Respiratory effects of organic solvent exposure

Organic solvents are widely used in industrial processes and found in many common household products. Exposures to solvents are common in both idustrialized and industrializing countries. While organic solvents exposure is well known to produce central nervous system toxicity, hepatic, renal and dermatologic injury, the respiratory effects of solvent exposure are poorly documented. Several recent population-based epidemiologic studies have found an independent association of occupational solvent exposure with respiratory symptoms, impaired pulmonary function or respiratory disease, but interpretation of these studies is limited by self-reported exposure data. Animal studies have demonstrated adverse effects in both the conducting and the respiratory airways, although often at very high exposure levels. Human chamber studies have most consistently reported irritation of the eyes, nose and throat without evidence of airway hyper-responsiveness. Case series have observed obstructive and restrictive effects in patients with high level inhalational exposures to solvents, particularly formaldehyde, but occupational epidemiologic studies have not consistently demonstrated changes in pulmonary function. Finally, mortality studied have not found increased mortality rates from respiratory disease in occupations associated with solvent use. In general, solvents have been demonstrated to cause mucosal irritation of the eyes and upper airways, but studies of pulmonary impairment following exposure have been limited and inconsistent. Solvent-mediated respiratory toxicity is biologically plausible, but further research is needed to better characterize exposures and to elucidate the specific mechanisms associated with injury.
The Future of MCH Nutrition Services: A Commentary on the Importance of Supporting Leadership Training to Strengthen the Nutrition Workforce

With roots dating back to the early 20th century, nutrition services and training in the US developed alongside MCH services and training [1]. Federal responsibility for both, especially since the passage of the Title V legislation in 1935, has been that of the MCHB, currently part of the Health Resources and Services Administration of the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and its predecessors. This commentary will briefly recap the milestones of this history, and focus on the importance of the investment of the MCHB in promoting and supporting the development of MCH nutrition services as well as leadership training for public health nutrition professionals. The authors also address recent challenges to maintaining Title V nutrition services, the need to increase MCH nutrition leadership due to changes in the health care system as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is implemented, as well as the need to address nutrition conditions such as pediatric obesity and those associated with children with special health care needs. It is expected that these challenges, coupled with the MCHB paradigm shift to strategic implementation of the life course perspective, will lead to a concomitant shift toward an emphasis on upstream disease prevention and health promotion where nutrition will play a significant role.
Effects of modulating M3 muscarinic receptor activity on azoxymethane-induced liver injury in mice

Previously, we reported that azoxymethane (AOM)-induced liver injury is robustly exacerbated in M3 muscarinic receptor (M3R)-deficient mice. We used the same mouse model to test the hypothesis that selective pharmacological modulation of M3R activity regulates the liver injury response. Initial experiments confirmed that giving a selective M3R antagonist, darifenacin, to AOM-treated mice mimicked M3R gene ablation. Compared to vehicle controls, mice treated with the M3R antagonist had reduced survival and increased liver nodularity and fibrosis. We next assessed AOM-induced liver injury in mice treated with a selective M3R agonist, pilocarpine. After pilocarpine treatment, stimulation of post-M3R signaling in the liver was evidenced by ERK and AKT activation. In contrast to the damaging effects of the M3R antagonist, administering pilocarpine to AOM-treated mice significantly attenuated hepatic stellate cell activation, collagen deposition, bile ductule proliferation, and liver fibrosis and nodularity. As anticipated from these findings, livers from pilocarpine-treated mice exhibited reduced expression of key players in fibrosis (α1 collagen, α-smooth muscle actin, TGF-β1, PGDF, TGF-β1R, PGDFR) and decreased mRNA levels for molecules that regulate extracellular matrix formation (TIMP-1, TIMP-2, MMP-2, MMP-13). Cleaved caspase-3, nitrotyrosine and BrdU immunostaining provided evidence that pilocarpine treatment reduced hepatocyte apoptosis and oxidative stress, while increasing hepatocyte proliferation. Collectively, these findings identify several downstream mechanisms whereby M3R activation ameliorates toxic liver injury. These novel observations provide a proof-of-principle that selectively stimulating M3R activation to prevent or diminish liver injury is a therapeutic strategy worthy of further investigation.
Sequential maximum likelihood estimation for reflected Ornstein–Uhlenbeck processes

Abstract The paper studies the properties of a sequential maximum likelihood estimator of the drift parameter in a one dimensional reflected Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process. We observe the process until the observed Fisher information reaches a specified precision level. We derive the explicit formulas for the sequential estimator and its mean squared error. The estimator is shown to be unbiased and uniformly normally distributed. A simulation study is conducted to assess the performance of the estimator compared with the ordinary maximum likelihood estimator.
Evaluation and adoption of new technology in glaucoma surgery.

T HEDEVELOPMENTOFNEWSURGICALTECHNOLOGIES and techniques is critical for improving patient care. However, not all technologies can or should be implemented in routine clinical practice, and the rationale for adoption can be unclear. Understanding the potential role of a new technology like the ExPRESS shunt (Alcon, Fort Worth, TX) in routine clinical practice requires an examination of technological change in general. Technologies that are adopted may be broadly categorized into 2 categories: sustaining and disruptive. Disruptive technologies often begin with inferior performance but have some fundamental advantages (safer, faster, less expensive, more convenient) that allow them ultimately to displace the existing technologies as progressive advances allow them to match and then surpass their entrenched rivals. Disruptive technologies often require long adoption periods while incremental improvements are introduced. Cataract extraction by phacoemulsification is a classic example of a disruptive technology that initially had limited advantages over intracapsular or extracapsular cataract extraction, with longer surgical times, the potential for greater endothelial cell loss, and increased equipment expense. However, the fundamental advantage of phacoemulsification, namely, a much smaller incision and hence faster recovery and improved safety, ultimately led it to develop into the dominant cataract-removal technique. Trabeculectomy was introduced as a potentially disruptive technique, with the premise that removal of a portion of the trabecular meshwork, the main site of abnormal aqueous humor outflow resistance in primary open-angle glaucoma, would restore normal outflow. Although this mechanism of action was incorrect, guarded filtration surgery was still a significant departure from the fullthickness filtration surgeries that had been performed since the beginning of the 20th century. As with many disruptive techniques and technologies, trabeculectomy faced early resistance to adoption, in this case because intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction was typically less than that which occurred with full-thickness surgery. However, full-thickness filtration surgery has a significant
Managing a riot: Chester Barnard and social unrest

This paper examines a key event in the life of Chester Barnard, a “riot of the unemployed” in Trenton, New Jersey in 1935 when Barnard was director of the state Emergency Relief Administration. In a later influential lecture at Harvard, Barnard used the incident to support the ideas of the Harvard human relations group that recognition and dignity were more powerful motivators than money and fear. Contemporary newspaper accounts show that the rioters were motivated more strongly by monetary concerns than Barnard admitted. Barnard was misled by the ideology of the Harvard human relations group to underestimate the importance of power and money, an underestimation that may still be important today, given his continuing influence. That a man of Barnard’s integrity was misled by his ideology is grounds for us in our time to maintain some humility as to the extent of our managerial knowledge.
High-Energy Radiation Damage in Silicon Transistors

An experimental investigation of electron and gamma ray damage in silicon transistors is presented. At low values of fluence (?e < 1014 electrons/cm2), loss in common-emitter dc current gain of medium frequency n-p-n planar transistors at collector currents of one to 10 milliamperes is attributed to changes in the surface recombination velocity. Displacement-induced recombination centers in the base region cause a reduction in gain when ?e is greater than 1014 electrons/cm2. A technique of saturating the surface damage with low energy electrons (E = 125 kev) so as to permit a separation of surface and bulk damage is demonstrated. The minority-carrier lifetime-damage constant, K?, has been estimated from the separated bulk-damage curve. It agrees with the value determined from electron irradiation of a low frequency (f?b = 1.25 Mc/sec) mesa n-p-n transistor which is shown to suffer degradation in gain only from bulk recombination current losses within the base region. Surface damage from both electrons and gamma rays is annealed at 250°C or by injecting emitter currents of 200 milliamperes which generate a high internal temperature. In contrast to this behavior, electron irradiation of p-n-p transistors caused loss in gain which is attributed to bulk damage. Damage constants, K?, determined from the data show that p-n-p transistors suffer bulk radiation damage about five times greater than n-p-n transistors.
Service Delivery Mechanisms in Rehabilitation Technology

Rehabilitation technology is a rapidly aduancing area involving professionalsfrom multiple disci­ plines, including engineers, occupational and phys­ ical therapists, speech pathologists, computer pro­ grammers, and many others. This paperfocuses on the use ofcomputers and other personal assistiue de­ vices by disabled persons, hut the concepts pre­ sented apply to all areas ofpersonal rehahilitation tecl:mology The topics covered include a perspec­ tiue on the use ofadvanced technology, teclmologi­ cal appliances versus tools, skills or ~pecial knowl­ edge neededfor the elfectiue deftt'ery of rehabilitation technolog)" new roles for tbe seruice delivery team, sources oftraining ill rehabilitation tecl:mology, and issues in qualification or certifica­ tion of rehahilitation technology profeSSionals. Tbe p~l1pose ofthis paper is to put the use o/adl'allced tec/:mology for rehabilitation in its proper perspec­ tive and to present ideasfor consideration hi build­ ing more effective serl'ice delivery mechanisms for these technologies.
Language Brokering and Self-Concept: An Exploratory Study of Latino Students’ Experiences in Middle and High School

This exploratory study examined the relationships among individual characteristics, language brokering experiences and attitudes, and multiple dimensions of self-concept among a sample of Latino ad...
Accumulation and Debromination of Decabromodiphenyl Ether (BDE-209) in Juvenile Fathead Minnows (Pimephales promelas) Induces Thyroid Disruption and Liver Alterations

Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants are known to affect thyroid hormone (TH) regulation. The TH-regulating deiodinases have been implicated in these impacts; however, PBDE effects on the fish thyroid system are largely unknown. Moreover, the liver as a potential target of PBDE toxicity has not been explored in young fish. This study measured decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) effects on TH regulation by measuring deiodinase activity in juvenile fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas). Dietary accumulations and debromination of BDE-209 were also measured, and the morphology of thyroid and liver tissues was examined. Juvenile fathead minnows (28 days old) received a 28-day dietary treatment of BDE-209 at 9.8 ± 0.16 μg/g of food at 5% of their body weight per day followed by a 14-day depuration period in which they were fed clean food. Chemical analysis revealed that BDE-209 accumulated in tissues and was metabolized to reductive products ranging from penta- to octaBDEs with 2,2′,4,4′,5,6′-hexabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-154) being the most accumulative metabolite. By day 28 of the exposure, rates of outer and inner ring deiodination (ORD and IRD, respectively) of thyroxine (T4) were each reduced by ∼74% among treatments. Effects on T4-ORD and T4-IRD remained significant even after the 14-day depuration period. Histological examination of treated fish showed significantly increased thyroid follicular epithelial cell heights and vacuolated hepatocyte nuclei. Enlarged biliary passageways may be the cause of the distinctive liver phenotype observed, although further testing is needed. Altogether, these results suggest that juvenile fish may be uniquely susceptible to thyroid disruptors like PBDEs.
Variation and allometry of seed weight in Aeschynomene americana

Abstract One hundred and fifty seeds from each of 72Aeschynomene americanapopulations with world-wide origin were weighed individually and the mean and distribution of seed weight were calculated and compared between populations. Mean seed weight varied less than five-fold between populations with about 80% having a mean seed weight between 2–3 mg. However, differences between the largest and smallest seeds (2–8 mg) ranged two-17-fold within populations. Populations that had larger mean seed weights also had larger maximum and minimum seed weights but not larger standard deviations than those with smaller mean seed weights. Seed distributions for populations with a mean seed weight⩽2 mg were positively skewed while those for all populations with a mean seed weight⩾4 mg were negatively skewed. Populations that flowered later produced smaller seeds than those that flowered earlier.
Interpretation of Sa for a Shield Structure

Summary The seismic phase Sa, on a shield structure, is interpreted using evidence from both group velocity dispersion and amplitude excitation functions. Sa on a shield is explained in terms of stationary phases of higher-mode Love waves. It does not appear to be a low-velocity zone channel wave, but rather a phenomenon mainly influenced by the presence of a rapid increase in S-wave velocity at a depth of about 400–450km. The energy associated with the Sa stationary phases propagates much as though it were propagating through a single, homogeneous, low-velocity layer overlying the high-velocity material below the velocity increase.
Incidental swimming with millstones.

> It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. — Luke 17:2 Genome and exome sequencing have now started to be used clinically and are providing definitive diagnoses for 15 to 50% of children with
Fundamental Considerations in Micromechanical Modeling of Polycrystalline Metals at Finite Strain

Issues germane to the theoretical foundations of micromechanical modeling and analysis of metals at finite strain are investigated. Established concepts and results are concisely reviewed and integrated, and some new relationships, both general and specific, are obtained. The proof, by Hill and Havner (1982), that plastic potentials for individual crystal deformation depend solely upon Green elasticity of the underlying crystal lattice is presented afresh and extended to polycrystalline metals, using the averaging theorem of Hill (1972) and the aggregate model of Havner (1974). A specialization of the general theory for individual crystals is emphasized, corresponding to a postulated constitutive inequality that is invariant under change in strain measure and a saddle potential function for nominal stress rate. For the polycrystalline aggregate model, in addition to plastic potential laws, other macroscopic relationships are derived making use of the recent analysis in Hill (1984), Various equations for incremental work are presented that involve open questions requiring further research.
Aristotelian Casuistry: Getting into the Thick of Global Media Ethics

I argue that much moral disagreement between cultures centers on what metaethicists call “thick concepts,” such as cruelty and courage. The main question I will address is “What are the advantages of combining virtue ethics with casuistry for addressing thick concepts central to media ethics disagreements between cultures?” A related secondary question is “How does this framework compare with ‘global media ethics’ approaches that prioritize thin concepts, such as ‘right’ and ‘ought?’” I will argue that the virtue/casuistry combination: (a) preserves the contexts that give thick ethical concepts their meaning; (b) conceives of moral agents as situated selves and confirms the value of moral expertise; and (c) presses for closure while resisting codification.
Using Cyber Defense Competitions to build bridges between community colleges and four year institutions: A footbridge for students into an IT program

The Community College Cyber Defense Competition (CCCDC) was created as a bridge between Iowa State University and the 15 community college districts in the state of Iowa. It grew out of an overwhelmingly positive response to a session on IT-Adventures conducted during the ISU Community College Summit in Summer 2007. IT-Adventures is a year-long inquiry-based learning program that uses educational materials, competitive events and service learning projects to increase high school students' interest in information technology. This paper discusses the creation and evolution of the CCCDC, the two successful CCCDCs that have been conducted, as well as lessons learned about working with community college students. Additionally, we discuss the benefits of IT-Adventures participation for the community colleges who have partnered with us such as increased enrollment and additional options for dual-enrollment high school programs. Future directions our dialogues with community colleges over the past two years are taking us are also briefly touched upon. In our second CCCDC competition in December of 2008 we had nine teams in attendance which represented seven out of the 15 community college districts or 50% participation.
A British Enterprise in Brazil: The St. John d’el Rey Mining Company and the Morro Velho Gold Mine, 1830–1960

Marshall Eakin presents what may be the most detailed study ever written about the operations of a foreign business in Latin America and the first scholarly, book-length study of any foreign business enterprise in Brazil. Between 1830 and 1970 the British-owned St. John d'el Rey Mining Company, Ltd. constructed a diverse business conglomerate around Minas Gerais, South America's largest gold mine, in Nova Lima. Until the 1950s the company was the largest industrial firm and the largest taxpayer in Brazil's most populous state. Utilizing company and local archives, Eakin shows that the company was surprisingly ineffective in translating economic success into political influence in Brazil. The most impressive impact of the British operation was at the local level, transforming a small, agrarian community into a sizable industrial city. Virtually a company town, Nova Lima experienced a small-scale industrial revolution as the community made the transition from the largest industrial slave complex in Brazil to a working-class city torn by labor strife and violence between communists and their opponents.
Control circuitry for fear conditioning associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder triggered by exposure to traumatic stressors. At a molecular level, traumatic stress triggers the release of neurotransmitter dopamine (DA), and the corresponding receptors take the role of sensors that signals the fear conditioning (FD) circuit. The proteins in the FD neuronal circuit in turn activate the transcription factor CREB in amygdala and Nucleus Accumbens (NAc) to counteract the stress in order to maintain the homeostasis of the system. However, a sustained excessive CREB level due to high stress results in long-lasting fear memory and social avoidance, typical symptoms of PTSD. Therefore, we hypothesize that an excessive production of CREB through the DA-CREB pathway may be one of the causes that lead to PTSD. In order to validate this hypothesis, we construct a chemical kinetic model of DA-CREB pathway in the FD circuit and subject it to both sensitivity and bifurcation analysis. Sensitivity analysis revealed a core positive feedback loop in the FD circuit that is responsible for sustained production of CREB under stressful conditions, and consistent with this analysis, bifurcation analysis also revealed the importance of this feedback loop by exhibiting bistability that causes several proteins in the FD circuit to sustain a high concentration level and attains a difficult to recovery state. This preliminary study underlines the importance of DA-CREB regulatory pathway, which when disrupted due to traumatic stress leads to PTSD symptoms.
Gendered Pathways to Recidivism: Differential Effects of Family Support by Gender

Although a growing body of research has investigated gendered pathways to crime, this study is the first to investigate whether varying levels of family support may constitute a gendered pathway to recidivism. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine the effects of emotional and instrumental support on self-reported reoffending in the 3-, 3- to 9-, and 9- to 15-month postrelease periods. Interaction terms revealed that higher levels of emotional support significantly reduced recidivism for both genders but had a greater effect for females. Whereas higher levels of instrumental support reduced recidivism for females, higher levels increased the likelihood of recidivism for males in some time periods. Implications for correctional policy and practice are discussed.
Massless monopoles and the moduli space approximation

We investigate the applicability of the moduli space approximation in theories with unbroken non-Abelian gauge symmetries. Such theories have massless magnetic monopoles that are manifested at the classical level as clouds of non-Abelian field surrounding one or more massive monopoles. Using an SO(5) example with one massive and one massless monopole, we compare the predictions of the moduli space approximation with the results of a numerical solution of the full field equations. We find that the two diverge when the cloud velocity becomes of order unity. After this time the cloud profile approximates a spherical wavefront moving at the speed of light. In the region well behind this wavefront the moduli space approximation continues to give a good approximation to the fields. We therefore expect it to provide a good description of the motion of the massive monopoles and of the transfer of energy between the massive and massless monopoles.
Menarcheal age and habitual miscarriage: evidence for an association

Among women who habitually miscarried (two or more miscarriages) we observed a modest association for increased risk of miscarriage of first pregnancies in those with younger (especially less than or equal to 11 years) and older (greater than or equal to 16 years) menarcheal age (quadratic G2 = 3.49, P = 0.062). No associations of menarcheal age with first pregnancy miscarriage were observed when analysed by age at first pregnancy, or with pregnancy number among women with only one miscarriage. Unusually early or late menarcheal age appears to increase the risk of miscarriage of the first pregnancy but only among women who will go on to habitually miscarry.
An analysis of critically reflective teacher dialogue in asynchronous computer-mediated communication

The study explores the professional development experiences of 28 practicing teachers in ten Chicago suburban schools involved in a two-year technology supported problem-based learning curriculum development effort. Asynchronous computer-mediated communications (CMC) were featured as teacher communication tools of the project. The computer-mediated discourse produced by the teachers was compared with the discourse produced by teachers in face-to-face meetings. Research methods including discourse and archival data analysis were applied to determine the nature of the teacher discourse and its reflective content. The results show that while the computer-mediated teacher dialogue was less interactive, it was significantly more reflective (t=4.14, p=.001), suggesting that the value of computer-mediated communication lies in its ability to facilitate professional collaboration between teachers and encourage critical reflection on educational policy and practice.
Certainty Equivalents for Three-Point Discrete-Distribution Approximations

Three-point discrete-distribution approximations are often used in decision and risk analyses to represent probability distributions for continuous random variables-e.g., as probability nodes in decision or probability trees. Performance evaluations of such approximations have generally been based on their accuracies in estimating moments for the underlying distributions. However, moment-based comparisons for recently proposed approximations have been limited. Moreover, very little research has addressed the accuracies of any such approximations in representing expected utilities or certainty equivalents of the underlying distributions. This is of potential concern since recent research shows three-point discrete-distribution approximations exist that match the first several moments of an underlying distribution exactly while, counterintuitively, approximating its certainty equivalents poorly. This paper compares the best two approximations for estimating means and variances identified in an earlier study with promising approximations proposed more recently. Specifically, it examines how accurately six simple general-purpose three-point approximations represent certainty equivalents for continuous random variables as the level of risk aversion is varied, as well as how accurately they estimate means and variances. The results show that several of these are quite accurate over a variety of test distributions when the level of risk aversion and the characteristics of the distributions are within reasonable bounds. Their robust performance is significant for decision analysis practice.
Fault-Location Algorithms Without Utilizing Line Parameters Based on the Distributed Parameter Line Model

This paper presents novel power system transmission-line fault-location algorithms without requiring transmission-line parameters. The voltages and currents from both ends of a line are taken as inputs and no synchronization is required. Both prefault and fault data may be utilized. The proposed methods are based on a distributed parameter line model and, hence, fully consider the impacts of shunt capacitance of the line. Positive-sequence line parameters may also be estimated as a byproduct. No assumption on the source impedance and fault resistance is made. Evaluation studies based on Electromagnetic Transients Program (EMTP) simulation data demonstrate that the new methods are able to achieve quite accurate estimates.
Influence of initial geometric imperfections on the stability of thick cylindrical shells under internal pressure

This paper investigates numerically and experimentally the influence of initial geometric imperfections on the critical loads of initially stretched thick hyperelastic cylindrical shells under increasing uniform internal pressure. Imperfections in shells can have a global or local character. First, two types of local imperfections are considered: (1) a local axially symmetric imperfection in the form of a ring and (2) a small rectangular imperfection. The influence of the imperfection thickness, position and size are analysed in detail. Results show that the critical load decreases as the imperfections increase in size or thickness and as they move from the boundaries to the centre of the shell. The influence of multiple local imperfections is also studied in the present paper. Finally, the influence of global imperfections is considered with the imperfections described as a variation of the shell curvature in the axial direction. The results show that thick hyperelastic shells may be sensitive to local and global imperfections. In all cases the experimental results are in good agreement with the numerical ones, corroborating the conclusions.