cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Visual evoked potentials to stimulus trains: Normative data and application to photosensitive seizures☆

Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) to intermittent flash trains of various stimulus frequencies (VEP-T) were studied in 10 normal subjects and in 10 patients with photosensitive generalized seizures, 5 on medication and another 5 subjects without medication. In the normal group, early negative peaks were consistently demonstrated at 71 +/- 8 msec for monocular stimuli and 67 +/- 9 msec for binocular stimuli, regardless of different frequencies of stimuli. An oscillatory potential, poststimulus continuation of the oscillatory activity and damping out within 100 msec followed the initial peaks. The RMS values of the response epochs were stable and demonstrated consistent temporal changes at each stimulation frequency. In photoconvulsive seizures, the responses were facilitated with most marked changes over the second and third 125 msec epoch of the VEP-Ts with late slow negative deflections in some cases. These changes were pronounced in patients who were not taking anticonvulsant medication, but were not significantly different than controls in patients whose seizures were controlled with medication. It is suggested that the VEP-T is a more effective technique than single flash stimuli in consistently identifying early significant peaks and demonstrating neuronal excitability changes within the visual system.
Dependence of actinide production on the mass number of the projectile: Xe +248Cm.

Production cross sections for actinide nuclides formed in the reactions of 791--769 MeV $^{129}\mathrm{Xe}$ and 817--793 MeV $^{132}\mathrm{Xe}$ with $^{248}\mathrm{Cm}$ were measured using radiochemical techniques to isolate elements 93 to 100 (Np to Fm). These results were compared with previous results from the reaction of 790--699 MeV $^{136}\mathrm{Xe}$ with $^{248}\mathrm{Cm}$. The production cross section distributions of target-like nuclides for a given Z appear to shift to smaller A with the use of the more neutron-deficient projectiles. The production of nuclides with Zg${Z}_{\mathrm{target}}$ increases at the expense of nuclides with Z${Z}_{\mathrm{target}}$ with use of the more neutron-deficient projectiles. The distribution of product cross sections from each reaction is treated as the sum of distributions of products from two reaction mechanisms, quasi-elastic transfer and deep inelastic transfer. Potential energy surfaces for the three reacting systems under discussion were calculated for touching sphere configurations and can be used to predict the production cross section trends. However, the peak position of the cross section distribution for a given Z is not accurately predicted by the potential energy surfaces, which suggests that deep inelastic transfer reactions may not be the dominant reaction mechanism, leading to the observed final distribution.
Periodic orbits of the elliptic restricted problem for the Sun-Jupiter-Saturn system

A systematic approach to generate periodic orbits in the elliptic restricted problem of three bodies in introduced. The approach is based on (numerical) continuation from periodic orbits of the first and second kind in the circular restricted problem to periodic orbits in the elliptic restricted problem. Two families of periodic orbits of the elliptic restricted problem are found by this approach. The mass ratio of the primaries of these orbits is equal to that of the Sun-Jupiter system. The sidereal mean motions between the infinitesimal body and the smaller primary are in a 2:5 resonance, so as to approximate the Sun-Jupiter-Saturn system. The linear stability of these periodic orbits are studied as functions of the eccentricities of the primaries and of the infinitesimal body. The results show that both stable and unstable periodic orbits exist in the elliptic restricted problem that are close to the actual Sun-Jupiter-Saturn system. However, the periodic orbit closest to the actual Sun-Jupiter-Saturn system is (linearly) stable.
Measuring Nurses' Attitudes and Beliefs About Childbirth

Poster Presentation Objective To develop a reliable and valid instrument to measure nurse attitudes and beliefs about childbirth. Design The Nurse Attitudes and Beliefs Questionnaire Revised (NABQ‐R) contains 42‐items in five theoretically derived domains. Each item is scored with a 4‐point Likert scale from 1 ( strongly disagree ) to 4 ( strongly agree ). A higher score indicates more positive attitudes toward physiological birth. Setting An e‐mail invitation containing a link to a secure electronic survey was sent to all AWHONN members in Colorado. Sample The response rate was 21.6% with complete surveys returned from 84 labor and delivery nurses with a mean age of 46.7 years and 18.9 years of perinatal nursing experience. The sample was 98% White with an educational distribution of 17.9% diploma/associate, 42.9% baccalaureate, and 39.3% graduate degrees. Methods This online survey study provided an initial psychometric test of the NABQ‐R. Results The NABQ‐R scores ranged from 82 to 156 with a mean of 121.99 + 12.77. Cronbach's α internal consistency reliability estimate was .90. Analysis of variance demonstrated a significant effect of education on NABQ‐R scores such that nurses with graduate degrees had significantly more positive attitudes than nurses with baccalaureate ( p = .003) or diploma/associate degrees ( p = .002). To study construct validity, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using principal component analysis and varimax rotation was conducted. Factors with an eigenvalue ≥ 1 were retained and the scree slope suggested a five‐factor solution. Next, a varimax rotation was used with five specified factors that accounted for 46.11% of the variance with all items loading on at least one factor. We named the factors Women's Experience of Birth, Women's Autonomy, Medical Model Conflict, Breech Safety, and Intervention Influence. Conclusion/Implications for Nursing Practice Researchers have found that nursing care can influence patient outcomes during childbirth. The attitudes and beliefs of labor and delivery nurses may affect their care decisions and interventions. We consider this analysis preliminary to a more robust psychometric testing of the NABQ‐R with a larger sample. Our results support acceptable initial psychometric properties for the NABQ‐R, and the EFA results were consistent with existing theory. The development of a theoretically and psychometrically sound instrument to measure nurse attitudes toward physiological birth will foster additional research to expand our understanding of how nurse attitudes affect the process and outcomes of labor and birth.
Agreement between Mothers and Sons on Ratings of Creative Activity

Creative Activities and Accomplishments Check Lists are often used to assess the creative performance of children. Check Lists are attractive because the respondent is generally well informed about his or her own past achievements, and the focus is on actual rather than potential performance. Additionally, Check Lists can be used to assess creative activity in a variety of domains. This is very important given the current view of creativity as involving domain-specific skills. The present investigation was conducted to evaluate the validity of ratings of children's creativity obtained with a Creative Activities Check List. A Check List was administered independently to sons (n = 73) and their mothers (n = 60). It contained 55 items from four domains: math-science, art, crafts, and writing. Correlational analyses indicated that the four domain ratings given by the mothers concerning their sons' creativity were significantly related to the four domain ratings of their sons. Four canonical functions were der...
The typification of Parmelia perlata (Huds.) Ach.

1. Parmelia perlata (Huds.) Ach. is based onLichen perlatus, described by Hudson in 1762;Lichen perlatus is based primarily on species of Morison and Dillenius. Morison’s species included a mixture ofParmelia sulcata andP. perlata, and Dillenius’ species was a mixture ofP. perlata, P. epiclada, andP. pseudoborreri. 2. The lectotype ofP. perlata is the specimen represented by Dillenius in Hist. musc.Pl. 20, Fig. 39B, anAmphigymnia species with revolute sorediate margins, sparse cilia, and stictic acid (medulla K+ yellow). This species is currently known asP. trichotera Hue, a name which is invalidated by the earlier P.coniocarpa Laurer. In accordance with the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature, the correct name of this entity isParmelia perlata (Huds.) Ach.;P. trichotera Hue and P.coniocarpa Laurer are synonyms.
Impact of splenic injury guidelines on hospital stay and charges in patients with isolated splenic injury.

Background The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of care guidelines for patients with isolated blunt splenic trauma on length of stay (LOS) and patient charges. Methods We conducted a review of the hospital trauma registry and identified patients admitted with blunt splenic injury from 2000 to 2007. Splenic injury guidelines were initiated in November 2004. Patients with other major injuries were excluded. Patients were grouped according to their American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) splenic injury grade, I–V. Hospital LOS, intensive care unit (ICU) LOS, and patient charges before and after the guidelines were compared. Results We identified 137 patients with isolated splenic injuries. Sixty-three patients were admitted before and 70 patients after implementation of the guidelines. ICU and hospital LOS were significantly decreased after the guidelines (ICU LOS, 1.35 days before, 0.80 after [P Conclusion Implementing guidelines for the observation of blunt splenic injury decreased the overall hospital LOS and ICU LOS at our institution, but hospital charges remained the same. Trauma programs should institute splenic injury guidelines to reduce resources needed for the care of isolated splenic injuries.
Clinical Stage of Merkel Cell Carcinoma and Survival Are Not Associated with Breslow Thickness of Biopsied Tumor

Background Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive malignancy that often presents on the skin with concurrent metastatic disease. Objective To determine whether Breslow thickness of biopsied MCC correlates with clinical disease stage. Materials and Methods We performed a retrospective review of clinical data and histopathology specimens from 34 individuals with MCC treated at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute for whom complete clinical information and histopathology specimens were available. Results There was no correlation between Breslow thickness of biopsied MCC on the head and neck or body and clinical stage of disease, progression-free survival, or overall survival. Hence, thin MCCs should not be taken to represent lesions with less-aggressive clinical behavior. Conclusion Our findings validate the current practice of staging all newly diagnosed MCC, irrespective of size or Breslow thickness.
Cleavage of pm7G from mRNA 5' terminal cap structures by pyrophosphatase activity in embryonic chick lens cells.

The presence of pyrophosphatase activity in embryonic lens cells which cleaves pm7G and ppGm from m7G(5′)pppGm was demonstrated. It was also found that m7G(5′) pppG, but not G(5′)pppG, was hydrolyzed, and conversion of m7GpppG to m7G*pppG, in which the 5-membered ring of the m7G moiety is open, abolished its hydrolysis. For the caps hydrolyzed, pm7G was released only in the presence of lens cellular fraction; pm7G inhibited cap hydrolysis.
Site selectivity and bonding in the β-phase aluminides: Studies of RuAl, PdAl, and Pd and Ru dopants in NiAl

We have determined the site selectivity of Ru and Pd dopants in {beta}-phase NiAl. For both transition metal rich and poor compositions, the Ru or Pd dopant goes to the Ni sublattice. The local structural disorder introduced by Pd dopants is significantly greater for the Al-rich than for the TM-rich composition. We have also determined the temperature dependence of the x-ray absorption fine structure Debye-Waller term for Ru atoms in stoichiometric RuAl, Ru in NiAl, and Pd in NiAl. We find evidence for large local shear resistance for Ru dopants in NiAl relative to Pd dopants in NiAl. These results are discussed in terms of calculated elastic moduli and cohesive energies of PdAl and RuAl. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.
High temperature tolerance in three species of land snails

Abstract 1. 1.L temp 50 values for Oxyloma retusa (Lea) (Succineidae), Gastrocopta armifera (Say) (Pupillidae) and Discus cronkhitei (Newcomb) (Discidae) were 38.6, 44.1 and 37.9°C respectively. 2. 2.Acclimation to 15°C for more than 12 days substantially reduced high temperature survival in D. cronkhitei . Acclimation was less apparent in G. armifera . 3. 3.Transfer of 15°C-acclimated D. cronkhitei to 30°C significantly improved high temperature tolerance over approx. 24 h. 4. 4.High temperature survival was better in smaller than in larger D. cronkhitei . 5. 5.No clear evidence of seasonal acclimitization of high temperature tolerance was found in D. cronkhitei . Snails maintained an appreciable high temperature tolerance in winter.
Spin-dependent interaction in the excitation transfer between Xe(3PJ) and N2(X1Σg+) or CO(X 1Σ+)

Abstract Electron spin-dependent intermolecular interactions (spin—spin and spin—other-orbit) have been considered as the direct mechanisms for the excitation transfer of Xe(3PJ) + N2(X1Σg+) → Xe(1S0) + N2(B3Πg,Ω) and Xe3PJ) + CO(X 1Σ+) → Xe(1S0) + CO(d 3ΔΩ), where both Xe and the molecule change their spin multiplicities. The spin—other-orbit interaction is found not to cause such excitation transfer unless it is coupled with an electron exchange. The spin—spin interaction is found to produce such excitation transfer only if Xe is initially in the J = 2 state. The analysis is based on fixed atom—molecule orientations. The Ω-population ratio of the product is compared with that of the high-resolution measurements and with the previous analysis based on the electrostatic interaction coupled with an electron exchange. The spin—spin interaction mechanism is found to favor non-linear Xe(3P2)-molecule orientation.
Exploiting correlated discriminant features in time frequency and space for characterization and robust classification of image RSVP events with EEG data

In this paper, the problem of automatic characterizing and detecting target images in an image rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) task based on EEG data is considered. A novel method that aims at identifying event-related potentials (ERPs) in time-frequency is proposed, and a robust classifier with feature clustering is developed to better utilize the correlated ERP features. The method is applied to EEG recordings of a RSVP experiment with multiple sessions and subjects. The results show that, the target image events are mainly characterized by 3 distinct patterns in the time-frequency domain, i.e., a theta band (4.3 Hz) power boost 300–700 ms after the target image onset, an alpha band (12 Hz) power repression 500–1000 ms after the stimulus onset, and a delta band (2 Hz) power boost after 500 ms. The discriminate time-frequency features are mostly power boost and relatively consistent among multiple sessions and subjects. These features are visualized for later analysis. For classification of target and non-target images, our LDA classifier was based on the uncorrelated features, which was constructed from original correlated features using clustering method. With feature clustering, the performance (area under ROC) was improved from 0.85 to 0.89 for within-session tests, and from 0.76 to 0.84 for cross-subject tests. Meanwhile, the constructed uncorrelated features were shown more robust than the original discriminant features, and corresponding to a local region in time-frequency.
Modeling real-time communication systems: Practices and experiences in Motorola

Visual modeling languages and techniques have been increasingly adopted for software specification, design, development, and testing. With the major improvements of UML 2.0 and tools support, visual modeling technologies have significant potential for simplifying design, facilitating collaborations, and reducing development cost. In this paper, we describe our practices and experiences of applying visual modeling techniques to the design and development of real-time wireless communication systems within Motorola. A model-driven engineering approach of integrating visual modeling with development and validation is described. Results, issues, and our viewpoints are also discussed.
Potential scattering at high energy: Gaussian potential

A new formula for the elastic scattering amplitude by a potential is found. It is based on the usual eikonal-approximation scheme except that the linearized propagation in the scattering region is chosen to be along the average direction of the initial and final momenta at every step of the derivation. The projectile thus moves in a classical-refraction trajectory. The new formula is tested numerically for Gaussian potentials. It is found to work remarkably well for a wide range of angles.
Jewish thought and scientific discovery in early modern Europe.

Almost a quarter-century ago Benjamin Nelson published his famous plea for what he called a "differential" and "comparative historical sociology of 'science' in civilizational perspective."' Like Max Weber, Robert Merton, and Joseph Needham, Nelson believed that the growth of western science could be better understood when compared to the ways "science" fared in other cultures with other intellectual and institutional and economic sensibilities and struc-
The Lambert W-functions and some of their integrals: a case study of high-precision computation

The real-valued Lambert W-functions considered here are w 0(y) and w ???1(y), solutions of we w ?=?y, ??1/e? ?0, β????, and $\int_0^1 [-w_{-1}(-x e^{-x})]^\alpha x^{-\beta}\d x$ , ??>???1, β?<?1. For the latter we use known integral representations and their evaluation by nonstandard Gaussian quadrature, if ????β, and explicit formulae involving the trigamma function, if ??=?β.
A Review of the Evidence for a Neuroendocrine Link Between Stress, Depression and Diabetes Mellitus

Obesity and type 2 diabetes continue to be major public health burdens with type 2 diabetes rising in epidemic proportions. Since known risk factors do not explain all of the variance in the population, it is important to identify novel risk factors that can lead to development of new preventive measures. Chronic psychological stress and depression are associated with type 2 diabetes but the mechanism remains unclear. Neuroendocrine changes induced by these stressors, specifically activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and sympathetic nervous system (SNS), might provide a unifying explanation. The objectives of this review are (1) to summarize the metabolic impact of HPA axis and SNS dysfunction induced by depression and stress, (2) to summarize the relation of neuroendocrine parameters to risk factors for diabetes, (3) to discuss the limitations of assessing neuroendocrine function in population-based and intervention studies, and (4) to summarize the evidence of the impact of stress reduction, by cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), on neuroendocrine factors and on outcomes in diabetes and obesity.
Infant mortality decline in Armenia: Why with uneven rates?

Abstract In this paper we analyse infant mortality in Armenia in terms of not only its socio-economic and geographic distribution but also changes in its age structure. Primary data on live births and infant deaths recorded in the official statistics and data of “Armenia Demographic and Health Survey 2005” are studied. We find that the socio-economically disadvantaged portion of the Armenian population is at a significantly increased risk of infant mortality; that geographically the mortality risk is unequally distributed, and is highest in the poorest region, Shirak; and that the recorded decline in infant mortality is due entirely to a decline in post-neonatal mortality, with neonatal deaths currently accounting for more than 75% of infant mortality as a whole. We conclude that efforts to reduce infant mortality in Armenia, and probably in the rest of this region of Commonwealth of Independent States, must involve policies and strategies that target infants’ survival in at-risk populations, living in at-risk geographical regions, as well as addressing the issue of neonatal mortality among all Armenians.
Biologically active compounds from Aphyllophorales (polypore) fungi.

This review describes biologically active natural products isolated from Aphyllophorales, many of which are known as polypores. Polypores are a large group of terrestrial fungi of the phylum Basdiomycota (basidiomycetes), and they along with certain Ascomycota are a major source of pharmacologically active substances. There are about 25 000 species of basidiomycetes, of which about 500 are members of the Aphyllophorales, a polyphyletic group that contains the polypores. Many of these fungi have circumboreal distributions in North America, Europe, and Asia and broad distributions on all inhabited continents and Africa; only a small number of the most common species with the most obvious fruiting bodies (basidiocarps) have been evaluated for biological activity. An estimated 75% of polypore fungi that have been tested show strong antimicrobial activity, and these may constitute a good source for developing new antibiotics. Numerous compounds from these fungi also display antiviral, cytotoxic, and/or antineo...
The influence of microbial communities, management, and soil texture on soil organic matter chemistry

article i nfo Soil organic matter dynamics following land-use change remain difficult to predict because of the complex biological, physical, and chemical mechanisms that control C turnover. We examined twelve sites, repre- senting four broad land-use types (cultivated agriculture, pine forest, hardwood forest, and pasture), in the South Carolina Piedmont to determine whether variation in organic matter chemistry was linked to management, soil edaphic properties, microbial communities, or labile C. Organic matter chemistry was determined before and after a 232-d incubation using pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy and microbial community properties were determined prior to incubation by measuring extracellular enzyme activities, fungal:bacterial ratios by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and microbial biomass. There was considerable variation in soil organic matter chemistry among the 12 sites but this could not be attributed to broad differences in land use, per se, likely because of the variation in edaphic soil properties and specific management practices within the individual land use categories. The relative abundance of N- containing compounds was correlated with the size of the labile C pool (r=0.65). Further, the three most abundant N-containing pyrolysis products, pyridine, pyrrole, and indole, were also positively correlated with at least two enzymes and both pyridine and pyrrole were negatively correlated with fungal:bacterial ratios. In contrast, the relative abundances of lignin derivatives were often negatively correlated with enzyme activities but positively correlated with fungal:bacterial ratios. Post-incubation, silt plus clay content was negatively correlated with lignin derivatives (r=�0.68) and positively correlated with N-containing com- pounds (r=0.69). Our results suggest that broad land use categories are a poor predictor of soil organic matter chemistry when edaphic soil properties and specific management practices vary. However, enzyme activities, fungal:bacterial ratios, and soil texture correlate with soil organic matter chemistry across a range of ecosystems, suggesting that interactions between microbial communities and soil organic matter chemistry are important controls on soil C dynamics across landscapes.
Transcriptional Activation in Yeast in Response to Copper Deficiency Involves Copper-Zinc Superoxide Dismutase *

Copper is an essential trace element, yet excess copper can lead to membrane damage, protein oxidation, and DNA cleavage. To balance the need for copper with the necessity to prevent accumulation to toxic levels, cells have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to regulate copper acquisition, distribution, and storage. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, transcriptional responses to copper deficiency are mediated by the copper-responsive transcription factor Mac1. Although Mac1 activates the transcription of genes involved in high affinity copper uptake during periods of deficiency, little is known about the mechanisms by which Mac1 senses or responds to reduced copper availability. Here we show that the copper-dependent enzyme Sod1 (Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase) and its intracellular copper chaperone Ccs1 function in the activation of Mac1 in response to an external copper deficiency. Genetic ablation of either CCS1 or SOD1 results in a severe defect in the ability of yeast cells to activate the transcription of Mac1 target genes. The catalytic activity of Sod1 is essential for Mac1 activation and promotes a regulated increase in binding of Mac1 to copper response elements in the promoter regions of genomic Mac1 target genes. Although there is precedent for additional roles of Sod1 beyond protection of the cell from oxygen radicals, the involvement of this protein in copper-responsive transcriptional regulation has not previously been observed. Given the presence of both Sod1 and copper-responsive transcription factors in higher eukaryotes, these studies may yield important insights into how copper deficiency is sensed and appropriate cellular responses are coordinated.
Analysis of a moving boundary value problem arising in biofilm modelling

We consider a moving boundary value problem associated with a 1-D biofilm model proposed by Szomolay et al. (Environ. Microbiol. 2005; 8:1186–1191). The new model includes growth and detachment which make it more realistic in a biofilm setting. Global existence and properties of solutions are shown using the method of characteristics. We also study the existence of the corresponding steady-state solutions and prove their uniqueness for small doses of biocide. In addition, sufficient conditions for the existence of trivial/nontrivial steady states are established. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Peak-to-Average Power Ratio Analysis for NC-OFDM Transmissions

In this paper, we present a statistical analysis of the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) for non-contiguous orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (NC-OFDM) signals. When studying contiguous OFDM signals, most PAPR analysis techniques assume the symbols to be identically and independently distributed (i.i.d.). However, in an NC-OFDM transmission, where a large number of subcarriers could be deactivated, this assumption is no longer valid. The proposed PAPR analysis is derived specifically for the NC-OFDM transmission scenario. Results show that NC-OFDM signal exhibit higher PAPR values relative to contiguous OFDM transmission at the same information rate.
Behavioral evidence for the role of cortical θ oscillations in determining auditory channel capacity for speech

Studies on the intelligibility of time-compressed speech have shown flawless performance for moderate compression factors, a sharp deterioration for compression factors above three, and an improved performance as a result of "repackaging" – a process of dividing the time-compressed waveform into fragments, called packets, and delivering the packets in a prescribed rate. This intricate pattern of performance reflects the reliability of the auditory system in processing speech streams with different information transfer rates; the knee-point of performance defines the auditory channel capacity. This study is concerned with the cortical computation principle that determines channel capacity. Oscillation-based models of speech perception hypothesize that the speech decoding process is guided by a cascade of oscillations with θ as "master," capable of tracking the input rhythm, with the θ cycles aligned with the intervocalic speech fragments termed θ-syllables; intelligibility remains high as long as θ is in sync with the input, and it sharply deteriorates once θ is out of sync. In the study described here the hypothesized role of θ was examined by measuring the auditory channel capacity of time-compressed speech undergone repackaging. For all compression factors tested (up to eight), packaging rate at capacity equals 9 packets/sec – aligned with the upper limit of cortical θ, θmax (about 9 Hz) – and the packet duration equals the duration of one uncompressed θ-syllable divided by the compression factor. The alignment of both the packaging rate and the packet duration with properties of cortical θ suggests that the auditory channel capacity is determined by θ. Irrespective of speech speed, the maximum information transfer rate through the auditory channel is the information in one uncompressed θ-syllable long speech fragment per one θmax cycle. Equivalently, the auditory channel capacity is 9 θ-syllables/sec.
Mental Chronometry: Beyond Reaction Time

Details of response execution were examined in two classic human information processing paradigms: lexical decision and memory scanning. In the lexical decision experiment, word frequency influenced both the time of response onset and kinematic properties of the response. In the memory scanning experiment, when the probe was present in the memory set, the responses were both initiated sooner and were more forceful when the memory set consisted of two items than when it consisted of six items. When the probe was absent from the memory set, responses were initiated sooner but were less forceful when the memory set consisted of two items than when it consisted of six items. The results suggest that the amount of activation in support of a given response can modulate both the time taken to initiate the response and the force with which the response is executed. These findings bear on all models of human cognitive performance that have been developed within the mental chronometry tradition.
Wordless book-sharing styles in bilingual preschool classrooms and Latino children’s emergent literacy skills:

The current study explored the preschool classroom environment as an important context for supporting dual-language learning Latino children’s development of emergent literacy skills. The results o...
Melt Stability and Compaction in a Partially Molten Silicate Layer Heated from Below

In this paper, the possibility of convective or Rayleigh-Taylor instability in a growing layer of partially molten material, heated from below, is investigated. The relative importance of matrix compaction and thermal conduction on the dynamics of the partially molten layer is also studied by a scaling analysis of the appropriate dimensionless equations. The analysis shows that, for low viscosity melts, thermal conduction is unimportant; and melt dynamics is controlled by a combination of matrix compaction and buoyantly-driven instabilities within the melt itself. Once these instabilities occur, melt migration becomes a two- or three-dimensional process, and the chemical composition of the melt that leaves the source zone represents a mixture of melts produced at different temperature-pressure regimes in the source area. In melts with high viscosity, thermal conduction dominates the thermal regimes. Compaction and shear deformation of the matrix must both act to segregate the melt from the matrix. The melt is stable with respect to thermal or compositional convection until a large quantity of liquid has coalesced.
CD1a-, b-, and c-Restricted TCRs Recognize Both Self and Foreign Antigens

Individual CD1-restricted T cells can recognize either endogenous or foreign lipid Ags, but the extent to which the same CD1-restricted TCR can react to both self and microbial lipids is unknown. In this study, we have identified CD1a-, CD1b-, and CD1c-restricted T cells from normal human donors that induce cytolysis and secrete copious IFN-γ in response to self-CD1 expressed on monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Remarkably, microbial Ags presented by CD1 are even more potent agonists for these same T cells. The αβ T cell receptors from such clones are diverse and confer specificity for both self-CD1 and foreign lipid Ags. The dual reactivity of these CD1-restricted cells suggests that the capacity for rapid responses to inflammatory stimuli without memory coexists with the capacity for strong Ag-specific responses and the generation of memory in vivo.
Whole Genome Sequencing in the Undergraduate Classroom: Outcomes and Lessons from a Pilot Course

The BIO2010 report challenged undergraduate institutions to prepare the next generation of researchers for the changing direction of biology that increasingly integrates advanced technologies, digital information, and large-scale analyses. In response, the Microbiology and Cell Science Department at the University of Florida developed a research-based course, “Bacterial Genome Sequencing.” The objectives were to teach undergraduates about genomics and original research by sequencing a bacterial genome, to develop scientific communication skills by writing and submitting the project results as a class effort, and to promote an interest in biological research, particularly genomics. The students worked together to sequence, assemble, and annotate the Enterobacter cloacae P101 genome. We assessed student learning, scientific communication skills, and student attitudes by a variety of methods including exams, writing assignments, oral presentations, pre- and postcourse surveys, and a final exit survey. Assessment results demonstrate student learning gains and positive attitudes regarding the course.
Transformations for functional verification of synthesized designs

A major problem with low-level functional verification of any hierarchical system is the explosion of reachable states created when clocking mechanisms are incorporated into the model. These additional states make verification more difficult, usually to the point that verification at such a low level is not feasible. Transforms have been developed to take a nonhierarchical model with a complex clocking mechanism and generate a provably equivalent model with a single clock. Furthermore, an algorithm has been developed to take a model with a complex clocking mechanism, described as a hierarchical network of modules, and generate a provably equivalent model with a single clock. These transformed models have a reduced state set and can be verified in place of the original models in a fraction of the original time. This allows a synthesis system to generate simpler verification models, while their results are applicable to the original designs.
Biogeographic Crossroads as Priority Areas for Biodiversity Conservation

Threats to biodiversity outpace the resources of the conservation community and necessitate care- ful prioritization of conservation actions. I suggest that targeting the regions where biogeographic assem- blages intersect—"biogeographic crossroads"—is a strategy that may achieve significant conservation econ- omy by focusing on areas that satisfy many conservation criteria. I used a combination of data on Scarabaeine beetles in Bolivia and on other taxa and locations from the literature to consider the short- and long-term benefits of conserving these biogeographic crossroads. Biogeographic crossroads are areas of high species richness and beta diversity, often across many taxonomic groups. They are also regions where representative- ness can be achieved with relative efficiency. Recent evidence that ecotones may be loci of evolution suggests that evolutionary processes such as speciation and coevolution may be conserved at biogeographic cross- roads. Biogeographic crossroads appear to be areas of high conservation priority and opportunity in both the short and long term and require increased attention in the process of setting conservation priorities.
Absence of the Fourth Tendon of the Flexor Digitorum Brevis Muscle A Cadaveric Study

This study was undertaken to help confirm the percentages concerning the presence or absence of the flexor digitorum brevis muscle tendon to the fifth toe. We also hope to be able to determine the presence based on gender and nationality. It is known to be absent occasionally; however, there is no definitive study dedicated to its prevalence. Using a pool of 60 cadavers, 97 total feet were included in our analysis. Of these feet, 47 (48%) lacked a flexor digitorum brevis tendon to the fifth toe at all. Furthermore, 25 (26%) had notably small tendons to the fifth toe. The final 25 (26%) had what the researchers deemed present tendons. This information could be helpful in surgical planning, including tendon transfer techniques, and biomechanical evaluations. Further research would need to be conducted as this was a cadaveric study.Levels of Evidence: Cadaver/anatomy research, Level V
Overlapping but Distinct Patterns of Histone Acetylation by the Human Coactivators p300 and PCAF within Nucleosomal Substrates

A number of transcriptional coactivators possess intrinsic histone acetylase activity, providing a direct link between hyperacetylated chromatin and transcriptional activation. We have determined the core histone residues acetylated in vitro by recombinant p300 and PCAF within mononucleosomes. p300 specifically acetylates all sites of histones H2A and H2B known to be acetylated in bulk chromatin in vivo but preferentially acetylates lysines 14 and 18 of histone H3 and lysines 5 and 8 of histone H4. PCAF primarily acetylates lysine 14 of H3 but also less efficiently acetylates lysine 8 of H4. PCAF in its native form, which is present in a stable multimeric protein complex lacking p300/CBP, primarily acetylates H3 to a monoacetylated form, suggesting that PCAF-associated polypeptides do not alter the substrate specificity. These distinct patterns of acetylation by the p300 and PCAF may contribute to their differential roles in transcriptional regulation.
Private Goods and Services Contracts: Increased Emergency Response Capacity or Increased Vulnerability?

The United States public sector increasingly contracts with and relies upon private firms to provide public goods. While this has brought efficiency gains in many contexts, in the disaster response context, these gains may be offset by increasing vulnerability to the public emergency response system by making it subject to the fragility of lean supply chains. Public-private contracts rely on the private law enforcement regime, an analysis of which indicates that there may be disincentives for private contractors to perform contractual obligations as disasters disrupt efficient supply chains and increase the cost of performance. This article argues that that increasing public sector reliance on private contractor performance under extreme stress and uncertainty increases the complexity and interdependence of component parts of the disaster response system, key predictors of system failure. The article addresses the challenge of relying on private firms to provide public goods during a disaster and suggests several possibilities to increase reliability.
Differential equations for asymmetric bending of circular sandwich plates.

Calculations using Eq. (1) utilize a strip method in which the flow is divided into several strips parallel to the vehicle surface. At a given axial location, flow properties are assumed constant across each strip, and the heat-transfer coefficient for a point on the leading edge is calculated using the strip at the same geometrical height. Heat flux predictions were obtained from a two-dimensional thermal model of a fin calorimeter, where Eq. (1) was used to define the boundary conditions. These predicted leading-edge heat fluxes are compared with the flight test calorimeter data in Fig. 4. Agreement of the predictions with the data is satisfactory. The agreement of the data, which were obtained on flat-faced fins, with the prediction method for cylindrically-faced leading edges confirms the trend reported in Ref. 1. It was noted in that investigation that there was no significant difference in the measured heat transfer on slender fins with flat or cylindrical faces which were otherwise geometrically identical.
Movement patterns of adolescents rising from a bed

Background and Purpose. The purposes of this study were to describe the movement patterns (MPs) adolescents use when rising from a supine position on a bed to a standing position and to determine whether these MPs vary with age across adolescence. Subjects. Sixty nondisabled adolescents participated in the study. Methods. Twenty adolescents from each of three age groups (ie, 11, 14, and 17 years) were videotaped performing 10 trials of rising from a bed. The MPs of each of four body regions were described, and the most common forms of movement observed in each age group were determined. Results. The observed incidence (frequency of occurrence) of MPs in each body region varied with age, and in two of the four regions, the predominant pattern varied across age groups. Eighty-nine different forms of rising were observed, with the greatest variability among 11-year-old subjects. The most frequent forms of rising were seen in only 5% to 15% of the trials for each age group; one of these was common across age groups. Conclusion and Discussion. Therapists should consider how MPs vary with age and avoid unnecessarily using a specific approach when teaching this activity.
Gait enhancing mobile shoe (GEMS) for rehabilitation

Individuals with certain types of central nervous system damage, such as stroke, have an asymmetric walking gait. Using a split-belt treadmill, where each leg walks at a different speed, has been shown to help rehabilitate walking impaired individuals, but there is one distinct drawback; the corrected gait does not transfer well to walking over ground. To increase the gait transference to another environment, we designed and built a passive shoe that admits a motion similar to that felt when walking on a split-belt treadmill. Our gait enhancing mobile shoe (GEMS) alters the wearer's gait by causing one foot to move backward during the stance phase while walking over ground. No external power is required since the shoe mechanically converts the wearers downward and horizontal forces into a backward motion. This shoe would allow a patient to walk over ground while experiencing the same gait altering effects as felt on a split-belt treadmill, which should aid in transferring the corrected gait to walking in natural environments.
A Review of: “ Biostatistical Methods: The Assessment of Relative Risks , second edition, by J. M. Lachin”

The author of this book has made a tremendous effort in covering a gamut of tests, methods, and ideas for biostatistical problem solving. This gives students a bag of biostatistical tools to choose...
Development of a predictive observer thermal model for power semiconductor devices for overload monitoring in high power high frequency converters

In this paper a predictive observer model for power semiconductor devices is developed and integrated in the digital controller. The Model is simulated in Mat lab Simulink and tested with a power converter in hardware for the accuracy of modeling.
The Effect of Fuel-Saving Engine Oils on Journal Bearing Load Capacity–A Radiometric Evaluation

Influence des huiles economisant le carburant dans les moteurs sur la capacite de charge des paliers de glissement. Etude par radiometrie
Aerobic and resistance training improves mood state among adults living with HIV.

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of combined aerobic and resistance exercise training among self-reported mood disturbances, perceived stress, frequency of self-reported symptoms, and symptom distress in a sample of HIV+ adults. For this purpose, 49 participants were randomly assigned into an exercise (EX) or control (CON) group. Those in the EX group completed 50 min of supervised aerobic and resistance training at a moderate intensity twice a week for 6 weeks. The CON group reported to the university and engaged in sedentary activities. Data were collected at baseline before randomization and 6 weeks post intervention. Measures included the symptom distress scale (SDS), perceived stress scale (PSS), profile of mood states (POMS) total score, and the POMS sub-scale for depression and fatigue. A 2 way ANOVA was used to compare between and within group interactions. The EX group showed a significant decrease in reported depression scores (p=0.03) and total POMS (p=0.003). The CON group reported no change in POMS or SDS, but showed a significant increase in PSS. These findings indicate that combination aerobic and resistance training completed at a moderate intensity at least twice a week provides additional psychological benefits independent of disease status and related symptoms.
Minimum Thickness for Open-Cell Metal Foam to Behave as a Porous Medium

Open-cell metal foam is a preferred technology for a wide range of industrial application and scientific studies. The foam possesses a host of advantageous properties including its light weight. Many applications require fluid flow through the open pores of the foam. The foam is usually treated as a porous medium, and the Darcy law and the Forchheimer equation are used to describe the pressure drop, and in obtaining the two important flow properties for such flow, i.e., the permeability and the form drag coefficient. Little or no attention is paid to the thickness of the foam in the flow direction. The current work emphasizes that there exists a minimum thickness necessary for metal foam to follow the porous media pressure drop equations. This minimum thickness is determined experimentally for two types of open-cell aluminum foam subjected to airflow. Below this thickness the behavior of the two key flow properties does not follow any explainable behavior based on the physics of energy dissipation, and it may include entrance/exit effect or may resemble flow through thin screens.
Modelling of Mechanisms Involved in Ceramic Synthesis by Laser Conversion of an Organosilazane Aerosol

A study has been made of basic mechanisms involved in a new process for the rapid synthesis of preceramic nanoparticle powders. In this process an aerosol, formed from an ultrasonically atomized liquid organosilazane monomer, (CH3SiHNH) n with n = 3 or 4, is injected into the beam of an industrial cw CO2 laser. One critical feature examined is the rapid condensation of molecular species from the laser plume, in a process involving 3-dimensional cross-linking. In accompanying studies, a model has been formulated to determine the laser plume temperature, the cooling rate of condensing species, and the particle diameter. These are obtained by analytical solution of heat conduction, momentum and mass conservation equations that consider heat loss, by gas conduction, radiation, evaporation, and convection.
Transdisciplinarity and Art Integration: Toward a New Understanding of Art-Based Learning across the Curriculum.

Art integration is a rich and complex approach to teaching and learning that not only aligns with new initiatives in education that prioritize conceptual and procedural skills but could also contribute to education’s transformation. Framing art integration as a transdisciplinary field with a distinct conceptual framework, epistemology, and practices provides a full account of art integration that practitioners and advocates alike may find useful for conceptualizing the field, promoting it in education, and developing it further. Moreover, viewing art integration through the lenses of Systems Theory and the New Sciences reveals its potential as a pedagogy of fusion and flow that could transform teaching and learning across the curriculum. One form of art integration, Art Research Integration (ARI), is presented here to illustrate the qualities of a transdisciplinary, Systems Thinking/New Sciences vision of art integration.