cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Study on shock wave-vortex ring interaction by the micro vortex generator controlled ramp flow with turbulent inflow

Abstract In this study, we will investigate the interaction between the vortex rings and oblique shocks generated by the micro vortex generatorʼs (MVG) controlled ramp flow at M = 2.5 and Re θ = 5760 . An implicit large eddy simulation method is used by solving the unfiltered form of the Navier–Stokes equations with the 5th order bandwidth-optimized WENO scheme. It shows that the vortex ring structure generated by MVG is very stable, it does not break down and it keeps its original topology after penetrating the strong shock wave. However, the oblique shocks are broken when they interact with vortex rings. The bump on the 3D shock wave surface is observed and its mechanism is explained. The separation zone, which is originally generated by the shock–boundary layer interaction, is significantly reduced due to the vortex ring–shock interaction.
The Dependability of Alliance Assessments: The Alliance-Outcome Correlation Is Larger than You Might Think.

Objective: To examine the dependability of alliance scores at the patient and therapist level, to evaluate the potential causal direction of session-to-session changes in alliance and depressive symptoms, and to investigate the impact of aggregating the alliance over progressively more sessions on the size of the alliance-outcome relationship. Method: We used data from a study (N = 45 patients; N = 9 therapists) of psychotherapy for major depressive disorder in which the alliance was measured at every treatment session to calculate generalizability coefficients and to predict change in depressive symptoms from alliance scores. Two replication samples were also used. Results: At the therapist level, a large number of patients (about 60) per therapist is needed to provide a dependable therapist-level alliance score. At the patient level, generalizability coefficients revealed that a single assessment of the alliance is only marginally acceptable. Very good (>.90) dependability at the patient level is only achieved through aggregating 4 or more assessments of the alliance. Session-to-session change in the alliance predicted subsequent session-to-session changes in symptoms. Evidence for reverse causation was found in later-in-treatment sessions, suggesting that only aggregates of early treatment alliance scores should be used to predict outcome. Session 3 alliance scores explained 4.7% of outcome variance, but the average of Sessions 3-9 explained 14.7% of outcome variance. Conclusion: Adequate assessment of the alliance using multiple patients per therapist and at least 4 treatment sessions is crucial for fully understanding the size of the alliance-outcome relationship.
Biomedicine: an ontological dissection

Though ubiquitous across the medical social sciences literature, the term “biomedicine” as an analytical concept remains remarkably slippery. It is argued here that this imprecision is due in part to the fact that biomedicine is comprised of three interrelated ontological spheres, each of which frames biomedicine as a distinct subject of investigation. This suggests that, depending upon one’s ontological commitment, the meaning of biomedicine will shift. From an empirical perspective, biomedicine takes on the appearance of a scientific enterprise and is defined as a derivative category of Western science more generally. From an interpretive perspective, biomedicine represents a symbolic-cultural expression whose adherence to the principles of scientific objectivity conceals an ideological agenda. From a conceptual perspective, biomedicine represents an expression of social power that reflects structures of power and privilege within capitalist society. No one perspective exists in isolation and so the image of biomedicine from any one presents an incomplete understanding. It is the mutually-conditioning interrelations between these ontological spheres that account for biomedicine’s ongoing development. Thus, the ontological dissection of biomedicine that follows, with particular emphasis on the period of its formal crystallization in the latter nineteenth and early twentieth century, is intended to deepen our understanding of biomedicine as an analytical concept across the medical social sciences literature.
Purifying Selection Masks the Mutational Flexibility of HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase

DNA and RNA polymerases share a core architecture composed of three structurally conserved motifs: A, B, and C. Although the amino acid sequences of these motifs are highly conserved between closely related organisms, variation across broader evolutionary distances suggests that only a few residues in each motif are indispensable for polymerase function. To test this, we constructed libraries of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) containing random single amino acid replacements in motif B of reverse transcriptase (RT), and we used selection in culture to assess RT function. Despite the nearly absolute constancy of motif B in vivo, virus replicating in culture tolerated a range of conservative and nonconservative substitutions at 10 of the 11 amino acid positions examined. These included residues that are invariant across all retroviral subfamilies and highly conversed in diverse retroelements. Several mutants retained wild type infectivity, and serial passage experiments revealed replacements that were neutral or even beneficial to viral fitness. In addition, a number of the selected variants exhibited altered susceptibility to the nucleoside analog inhibitors AZT and 3TC. Taken together, these data indicate that HIV-1 tolerates a range of substitutions at conserved RT residues and that selection against slightly deleterious mutations (purifying selection) in vivo masks a large repertoire of viable phenotypic variants. This mutational flexibility likely contributes to HIV-1 evolution in response to changing selection pressures in infected individuals.
A cyclic derivative of L-citrulline.

Abstract l -Citrulline is converted in vitro by l -amino acid oxidase to the analogous α-ketoacid. Mass-spectrometer analysis revealed that the compound exists in a cyclic form with a molecular weight of 156. The proposed name of the previously undescribed cyclic derivative of citrulline is 4, 5-dihydroformamido-2-pyrrole carboxylic acid.
The Potential Contributions of Quantitative Research to Symbolic Interactionism

Symbolic interactionism is often mischaracterized as a perspective that rejects quantitative research. We argue that the rich conceptual tradition of symbolic interactionism allows for the use of quantitative data and statistical analysis within a pragmatist epistemology and that this is desirable, especially in conjunction with qualitative data. We discuss types of quantitative data and their appropriate uses and then describe types of contemporary multivariate statistical methods and what they offer. To illustrate these data and analytic techniques, we draw from examples in our area of specialization, criminology, and from our own quantitative work. Researchers can use quantitative data and methods in the service of six core symbolic interactionist concerns—meaning, variation, comparisons, situations, contexts, and probability—and we contend that quantification and statistics pose no threat to the interactionist perspective. In fact, the principled, critical use of quantitative research can enhance it.
The Impact of the Teaching High School Economics Workshop for Teachers on Student Achievement

Centers for Economic Education across the country have as their primary goal assisting k-12 teachers teach economics. Much of this assistance is done through in-service teacher workshops. While there is empirical evidence that teacher in-service workshops ultimately increase student achievement, it is useful to know which workshops have the greatest impact. In this paper, we analyze the effect of one of the most popular workshops, Teaching High School Economics. Using new data on all Georgia high school students, we find that the students of teachers who have attended this workshop achieve significantly higher scores on these tests than other students.
Influence of lattice interactions on the Jahn-Teller distortion of the [Cu(H2O)6]2+ ion: dependence of the crystal structure of K2[Cu(H2O)6](SO4)(2x)(SeO4)(2-2x) upon the sulfate/selenate ratio

The temperature dependence of the structure of the mixed-anion Tutton salt K2[Cu(H2O)6](SO4)(2x)(SeO4)(2-2x) has been determined for crystals with 0, 17, 25, 68, 78, and 100% sulfate over the temperature range of 85-320 K. In every case, the [Cu(H2O)6]2+ ion adopts a tetragonally elongated coordination geometry with an orthorhombic distortion. However, for the compounds with 0, 17, and 25% sulfate, the long and intermediate bonds occur on a different pair of water molecules from those with 68, 78, and 100% sulfate. A thermal equilibrium between the two forms is observed for each crystal, with this developing more readily as the proportions of the two counterions become more similar. Attempts to prepare a crystal with approximately equal amounts of sulfate and selenate were unsuccessful. The temperature dependence of the bond lengths has been analyzed using a model in which the Jahn-Teller potential surface of the [Cu(H2O)6]2+ ion is perturbed by a lattice-strain interaction. The magnitude and sign of the orthorhombic component of this strain interaction depends on the proportion of sulfate to selenate. Significant deviations from Boltzmann statistics are observed for those crystals exhibiting a large temperature dependence of the average bond lengths, and this may be explained by cooperative interactions between neighboring complexes.
Dynamic feature monitoring technique applied to thin film deposition processes in an industrial pecvd tool

In semiconductor fabrication processes, reliable feature extraction and condition monitoring is critical to understanding equipment degradation and implementing the proper maintenance decisions. This paper presents an integrated feature extraction and equipment monitoring approach based on standard built-in sensors from a modern 300mm-technology industrial Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) tool. Linear Discriminant Analysis was utilized to determine the set of dynamic features that are the most sensitive to different tool conditions brought about by chamber cleaning. Gaussian Mixture Models of the dynamic feature distributions were used to statistically quantify changes of these features as the condition of the tool changed. Data was collected in the facilities of a well-known microelectronics manufacturer from a PECVD tool used for depositing various thin films on silicon wafers, which is one of the key steps in semiconductor manufacturing. Dynamic features coming from the radio frequency (RF) plasma power generator, matching capacitors, pedestal temperature, and chamber temperature sensors were shown to consistently have significant statistical changes as a consequence of repeated cleaning cycles, indicating physical connections to the chamber condition.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Transient stress intensity factors for a finite crack in an elastic solid caused by a dilatational wave

Abstract The diffraction of a plane dilatational wave of arbitrary profile by a finite line crack in an infinite elastic medium is analyzed by the generalized Wiener-Hopf technique. Explicit expressions are derived for the dynamic normal and shear stress intensity factors at each crack edge as functions of time, angle of incidence and Poisson's ratio. These results are exact from the instant the incident wave arrives at a given edge until a diffracted P wave reaches the opposite edge, is rediffracted, and then returns to the original edge, i.e. during two P wave, crack width transit times. Numerical results for an incident wave with a step function stress profile are presented for several angles of incidence and the peak normal stress intensity is found to be 30 per cent greater than the analogous static factor. The magnitude of the jump in the vertical displacement across the crack is also calculated for the case of normal incidence, during a single P wave transit time and the crack is found to remain open in this period.
Structural and Magnetic Studies of Two-Dimensional Solvent-Free Manganese(II) Complexes Prepared Via Ligand Exchange Reaction Under Solvothermal Conditions

Systematic investigation of the ligand exchange reactions between manganese(II) acetate and benzoic acid under solvothermal conditions led to the isolation of crystalline complexes {Mn5(OC(O)CH3)6(OC(O)C6H5)4}∞ (1) and {Mn5(OC(O)CH3)4(OC(O)C6H5)6}∞ (2) in high (i.e., >90%) yields. The complexes are characterized structurally as 2-D honeycomb-like sheets comprised of edge-shared Mn12 loops with some noteworthy differences as follows. First, buckling of the 2-D sheet in 1 is not observed for 2, presumably as a consequence of additional intersheet phenyl groups in the latter. Second, complex 1 is comprised of only six-coordinate Mn(II), while 2 has both pseudo-octahedral and distorted trigonal bipyramidal coordinate metal ions. Third, while complex 2 exhibits π-stacking interactions with intersheet phenyl–phenyl contacts of 3.285 and 3.369 A, 1 exhibits no such bonding. Antiferromagnetic exchange is observed with Weiss constants (θ) of –28 and –56 K and Neel temperatures of 2.2 and 8.2 K for complexes 1 and ...
European major airlines' strategic reactions to the Third Package

Abstract Since the Third Package in 1993, European Union (EU) registered airlines have been able to purchase majority ownership of other EU carriers and set up airlines in other EU countries. This paper investigates how European majors have responded to the liberalised policy, especially European Commission Regulation 2407/92. It goes on to analyse the impact of these strategies for airlines and the EU–US relationship in terms of airline alliances. It concludes that British Airways and the SAirGroup have pursued a policy of acquiring airlines in EU countries, with the former finding it an expensive and questionable strategy, and the latter disastrous.
Analysis of the relationship between liquid droplet size and contact angle

The purpose of this paper is to present a consistent theoretical concept that can explain the various physical phenomena associated with the effect of droplet size on contact angle for droplets on solid surfaces, and with the geometry of the liquid/gas/solid contact line in general. Two droplet geometries have been considered: uniformly elongated droplets and axisymmetric droplets. It has been shown that the contact angle for elongated droplets is size-independent and, thus, satisfies the Young equation for constant material and interfacial properties. On the other hand, whereas the contact angle for axisymmetric droplets is size-dependent and does not satisfy the original Young equation, it is shown that this contact angle can still be predicted for any combination of droplet and substrate materials, and a given mass of the droplet. The theoretical work has been combined with the development of numerical schemes of solving the Laplace-Young equation for various droplet geometries. The proposed approach has been applied to different material/substrate combinations and validated against several sets of experimental data. As a result, a method has been developed for predicting the contact angle of both long and axisymmetric sessile droplets of arbitrary sizes for given liquid/solid/gas properties.
Correlated Simulation Experiments in First-Order Response Surface Design

The collection of mathematical models, experimental strategies, and statistical inference referred to as response surface methodology RSM has been used in the empirical exploration of a wide variety of systems, particularly industrial situations in which a large number of variables influence the system response of interest. This paper examines experimental strategies for implementing RSM procedures in a simulation environment. Of particular interest is the question of how to best assign the pseudorandom number streams that drive the simulation to the experimental points when the objective is to estimate a first-order response surface model. We present general results for factorial and fractional-factorial plans where each factor is present at two levels. For this class of response surface designs, we consider three strategies for the assignment of pseudorandom number streams to experimental points: i the use of a unique set of streams at each design point; ii the assignment of a common set of streams to all experiments; and iii the simultaneous use of common and antithetic stream sets by the use of design blocking. We base our analysis of these correlation induction strategies on variance criteria commonly employed in response surface design, including: generalized variance, prediction variance, integrated variance, and variance of slopes. Our findings show that the simultaneous use of common and antithetic stream sets is the preferred correlation induction strategy, but that no one assignment procedure is uniformly superior for all four criteria. Our results provide a basis for selecting among the three correlation induction strategies.
Enhancing the benefits of outdoor walking with cognitive engagement strategies

Abstract Being physically active in natural environments has been associated with improvements to physical health and mental well-being. Unfortunately, gaining access to outdoor settings that are supportive of both psychological well-being and year-round physical activity poses major challenges. Might altering how one engages in and interacts with the outdoor environment encouraging greater physical activity and enhance well-being? In order to investigate this approach, 117 adults were randomly assigned to one of two treatments – Standard Care (schedule setting, commitment) or Engagement (awareness plans) – and asked to take at least three, 30 minutes outdoor walks each week for two weeks. Participants in both treatment conditions reported significant increases in total time spent walking (p ≤ .05). Only those in the Engagement condition, however, experienced significant improvements in multiple dimensions of psychological well-being, including attentional functioning and feelings of frustration. In addition, participants in the engagement-based condition who walked at low to moderate levels were more likely to obtain psychological benefits. The results of this study suggest that promoting cognitive engagement with the environment may make it easier for individuals to achieve the psychological benefits typically associated with outdoor physical activity, even in settings that are less than ideal.
Pyrrolinone-Based Peptidomimetics: “Let the Enzyme or Receptor be the Judge”

Peptides and proteins, evolved by nature to perform vital biological functions, would constitute ideal candidates for therapeutic intervention were it not for their generally poor pharmacokinetic profiles. Nonpeptide peptidomimetics have thus been pursued because they might overcome these limitations while maintaining both the potency and selectivity of the parent peptide or protein. Since the late 1980s, we have sought to design, synthesize, and evaluate a novel, proteolytically stable nonpeptide peptidomimetic scaffold consisting of a repeating structural unit amenable to iterative construction; a primary concern is maintaining both the appropriate peptide-like side-chains and requisite hydrogen bonding. In this Account, we detail how efforts in the Smith-Hirschmann laboratories culminated in the identification of the 3,5-linked polypyrrolinone scaffold. We developed effective synthetic protocols, both in solution and on solid supports, for iterative construction of diverse polypyrrolinones that present functionalized peptide-like side-chains. As a result of the rigid nature of the pyrrolinone scaffold, control over the backbone conformation could be exerted by modulation of the stereogenicity of the constituent monomers and the network of intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The extended conformation of the homochiral 3,5-linked polypyrrolinone scaffold proved to be an excellent mimic for β-strands and β-sheets. Application to enzyme inhibitor design and synthesis led not only to modest inhibitors of the aspartic acid protease renin and the matrix metalloprotease class of enzymes, but importantly to bioavailable HIV-1 protease inhibitors with subnanomolar binding constants. The design and synthesis of a competent peptide-pyrrolinone hybrid ligand for the class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen protein HLA-DR1 further demonstrated the utility of the 3,5-polypyrrolinone motif as a mimic for the extended polyproline type II peptide backbone. Equally important, we sought to define, by synthesis, the additional conformational space accessible to the polypyrrolinone structural motif, with the ultimate goal of accessing pyrrolinone-based turn and helix mimetics. Toward this end, a mono-N-methylated bispyrrolinone was found to adopt an extended helical array in the solid state. Subsequent synthesis of d,l-alternating (heterochiral) tetrapyrrolinones both validated the expected turn conformations in solution and led to a functionally active mimetic of a peptidal β-turn (similar to somatostatin). Finally, the design, synthesis, and structural evaluation of both acyclic and cyclic heterochiral (that is, d,l-alternating) hexapyrrolinones yielded nanotube-like assemblies in the solid state. Taken together, these results illustrate the remarkable potential of the 3,5-linked polypyrrolinone scaffold as β-strand, β-sheet, β-turn, and potentially helical peptidomimetics.
Where soft matter meets living matter-protein structure, stability, and folding in the cell

A protein is a biopolymer that self-assembles through the process of protein folding. A cell is a crowded space where the surrounding macromolecules of a protein can limit the number of ways of folding. These crowding macromolecules can also affect the shape and the size of a physically malleable, or 'soft, squishy', protein with regulatory purposes. In this review, we focus on the in silico approaches of coarse-grained molecular simulations that enable the investigation of protein folding in a cell-like environment. When these simulation results were compared with experimentally measured properties of a protein, such joint effort has yielded new ideas on the specific function of a protein in cells. We also highlighted the recent developments of computer modeling and simulations that encompass the importance of the shape of a macromolecule, the interactions between macromolecules, and the hydrodynamic interactions on the kinetics and thermodynamics of a protein in a high concentration of protein solution and in cytoplasmic environments.
FETAL SEX PREFERENCE OF SECOND‐TRIMESTER GRAVIDAS

Fetal sex preferences of pregnant women are based on psychological, physiologic, economic, and sociologic factors. Parental responses to the knowledge of fetal/infant sex range from feticide to preferential treatment of the preferred-sexed child. This study describes the sex preferences, sex beliefs, attempted sex preselection techniques, and desire to know the fetal sex of 243 second-trimester gravidas. Data demonstrated a willingness to disclose sex preferences, with 81% declaring a preference. The majority of women (81%) also wished to know the sex of their child prior to delivery regardless of their acknowledgment of a sex preference. The results of this survey offer implications for research on the phenomena relating to sex preference.
The influence of end effects on mass transfer in oscillatory flows

Abstract It has long been recognized that the oscillation of a fluid in a conduit can lead to an increase in the rate of axial mass transport. Recently it was proposed using fluid oscillations to increase the mass transport and selectivity of supported liquid membranes. The quadratic dependence of the enhancement in transport on tidal oscillations suggested that the resistance to mass transport of the interior of the membrane could be eliminated, the transport ultimately being limited by the end regions. In this paper we present the results of numerical simulations of oscillatory mass transport in a finite length slug in a circular tube which show that the influence of the end regions on the degree of transport enhancement is always of the order of the slug aspect ratio. End effects are thus negligible provided the aspect ratio is small (as would be expected for a supported liquid membrane), and hence a membrane can be designed whose effective thickness is much less than a pore radius . These results are qualitatively confirmed by experiments with a model liquid membrane system in which an effective thickness of 1/6 a pore diameter was achieved.
Von Hippel-Lindau disease gene deletion detected in microdissected sporadic human colon carcinoma specimens

The progression of human malignancies is thought to involve the inactivation or loss of tumor suppressor genes. Previous studies have suggested that inactivation of tumor suppressor genes on chromosomes 5q, 17p, 18q, and 8p play a role in the development of colorectal carcinoma. However, chromosome 3p at the von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL) gene locus (3p25-26) has not been previously implicated in the development or progression of sporadic colorectal carcinoma. The authors have analyzed VHL gene alterations on chromosome 3p in sporadic human colon carcinomas and adenomas using modified microdissection techniques. These techniques allow for procurement and analysis of selected subpopulations of cells from both paraffin-embedded and frozen human tumor specimens. VHL disease gene deletion was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis in microdissected colon carcinoma specimens. Allelic loss of VHL gene was detected in 7 of 11 (64%) informative patients who underwent colectomy for primary sporadic colon carcinoma. However, no allelic loss of VHL gene was shown in colonic adenomas of eight informative patients. These results indicate that VHL disease gene deletion frequently occurs in sporadic colon carcinoma. Because this deletion was not present in adenomas, VHL gene may play a role in colonic carcinogenesis and represent a relatively late event in colonic neoplasia progression. Additionally, microdissection of tissue sections may be especially useful in detecting allelic loss in PCR-based studies of infiltrating tumors, particularly when the tumor cells represent a relatively small percentage of the total cell population.
Further Evidence for an Unidentified Factor Required in a Purified Diet for Normal Hatchability

Abstract SOON after the importance of vitamin B12 in reproduction of poultry was established (Lillie et al., 1949), evidence was presented to the effect that an unidentified factor was required by the breeding hen for normal reproduction (Olcese et al., 1950; Olcese and Couch, 1950). Subsequent studies showed that liver fraction “L,” condensed fish solubles, and to a lesser extent an APF concentrate, were good sources of the hatchability factor (Couch et al., 1950; Stephenson and Clower, 1952; Arscott and Combs, 1953). Characteristic peaks in embryonic mortality during incubation have been found to occur following a deficiency of either vitamins D, E, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, biotin, pteroylglutamic acid or B12 in the maternal diet (Insko and Lyons, 1936; Barnum, 1935; Adamstone, 1931; Lepkovsky et al., 1938; Romanoff and Bauernfeind, 1942; Gillis et al., 1943; Taylor, 1947; Couch et al., 1948; and Olcese et al., 1950). The following experiments were initiated to extend …
Effect of Anxiety and Stress on Reaction Time and Temporal Generalization

Fifty-four college students of both sexes, selected from the high, middle, and lower portions of the Taylor MAS distribution, were given 16 simple RT trials. The stimulus, consisting of either stro...
The direct use of curvelets in multifocus fusion

In this effort, a data-driven and application independent technique to combine focal information from different focal planes is presented. Input images, acquired by imaging systems with limited depth of field, are decomposed using a relatively new analysis tool called curvelets. The extracted curvelets are representative of polar ‘wedges’ from the frequency domain. Fusion is performed on medial and peripheral curvelets by relevant fusion rules and the fused image combines information from different focal planes, while extending the depth of field of the scene. The main contribution in this effort is the direct use of curvelets in combining multifocal images. Several illustrative examples and objective comparisons are provided.
Characterization of the functionalization reaction product of poly(styryl)lithium with ethylene oxide

The functionalization reaction of poly(styryl)lithiums (Mn = 1.3–9.9 × 103) with ethylene oxide in benzene proceeds quantitatively ( > 99%) to produce the corresponding hydroxyethylated polymer as determined by vapor phase osmometry, size exclusion chromatography, end-group titration, thin layer chromatography, and 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. 13C-NMR spectral analysis of the functionalized polystyrene with Mn = 1.3 × 103 was consistent with addition of only one ethylene oxide unit to poly(styryl)lithium, i.e., no evidence for ethylene oxide oligomerization was observed.
Current surgical therapy of hepatic colorectal metastasis

Background: Liver resection represents the only cure for patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal cancers.
Alternate Routes: Interpretive Trails, Resistance, and the View from East Jerusalem

Interpretivetrails organizeknowledge andpower inways quiteunlike museums and discrete archaeological sites. While other heritage places tend to privilege sight, trails are designed to be ‘read’ through multiple senses, allowing for the trailnarrativetobeembodiedasthevisitormovesthroughit.Thispaperexplores the potentially harmful consequences of this process when developed without community consent, and considers possible ‘alternate routes’ employed by community activists. The paper is organized around a case study of the interpretive trail at the City of David archaeological park, managed by an Israeli settler group, which winds through the Palestinian village of Silwan in East Jerusalem. The interpretive strategies of the official trail are compared to those used by an activist group that leads alternative tours through the park and provides itsown guidebook with modifiedroutes.The comparison illustrates an effective model for community resistance using the discursive space of cultural heritage as an arena for transformative practice.
CHALLENGING FRUSTRATION LEVEL

Abstract As currently used, informal reading inventories (IRIs) and the cloze procedure may provide inaccurate information and inhibit the progress of students who lag behind their peers in reading. I examine the concept of frustration level in both IRI and cloze testing and posit that in attempting to avoid frustrating students, we have often failed to provide sufficient challenge and have contributed to their feeling of helplessness. The case of a fifth grader named Jimmy illustrates the concepts presented.
Microwave spectroscopy of the Mars atmosphere

A study of the use of millimeter-wavelength spectral transitions to investigate the atmosphere of Mars is presented. In the model experiments investigated it is assumed that a spectrometer in the frequency range from 100 to 260 GHz looks into a modest-sized telescope of from 30 to 50 cm aperture from a near-Mars orbit. The molecules H2O, CO, O2, O3, and H2O2 all have intense spectral lines in the Mars atmosphere in this frequency range and in addition are all very important in understanding the water cycle, the photochemistry, and the circularization in that atmosphere. It is shown that the altitude and the zonal distribution of H2O can be mapped even in atmospheric columns as dry as 0.25 precipital μm. Ozone can be mapped over the entire planet, independent of solar-lighting conditions, dust loading, or clouds in the atmosphere, because millimeter waves are insensitive to any particles that can be suspended in the Mars atmosphere. Because the signal-receiving techniques use superheterodyne devices and narrow spectral lines, zonal and meridional winds can be measured at altitudes above 10 km with a precision approaching approximately 3 m/s by the use of Doppler shifts. Temperature–pressure profiles can be measured to altitudes of 100 km by the use of CO lines in the limb-sounding mode.
LIGSIFT: an open-source tool for ligand structural alignment and virtual screening.

Motivation: Shape-based alignment of small molecules is a widely used approach in computer-aided drug discovery. Most shape-based ligand structure alignment applications, both commercial and freely available ones, use the Tanimoto coefficient or similar functions for evaluating molecular similarity. Major drawbacks of using such functions are the size dependence of the score and the fact that the statistical significance of the molecular match using such metrics is not reported. Results: We describe a new open-source ligand structure alignment and virtual screening (VS) algorithm, LIGSIFT, that uses Gaussian molecular shape overlay for fast small molecule alignment and a size-independent scoring function for efficient VS based on the statistical significance of the score. LIGSIFT was tested against the compounds for 40 protein targets available in the Directory of Useful Decoys and the performance was evaluated using the area under the ROC curve (AUC), the Enrichment Factor (EF) and Hit Rate (HR). LIGSIFT-based VS shows an average AUC of 0.79, average EF values of 20.8 and a HR of 59% in the top 1% of the screened library. Availability and implementation: LIGSIFT software, including the source code, is freely available to academic users at http://cssb.biology.gatech.edu/LIGSIFT. Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. Contact: ude.hcetag@kcinloks
Greater superficial petrosal nerve transection in rats does not change unconditioned licking responses to putatively sweet taste stimuli.

The greater superficial petrosal nerve (GSP), innervating taste buds in the palate, is known to be exceptionally responsive to sucrose, especially compared with the responsiveness of the chorda tympani nerve (CT). However, whereas transection of the CT (CTX) alone has little or no effect on unconditioned licking responses to many “sweet” stimuli, the impact of GSP transection (GSPX) alone is equivocal. To further examine the role of the GSP on licking responses to putatively sweet-tasting substances, brief-access taste tests were conducted in nondeprived rats before and after sham surgery (SHAM) or CTX or GSPX. A range of concentrations of sucrose, L-alanine, glycine, and L-serine, with and without 1.0 mM inosine monophosphate (IMP) added, were used. All groups showed significant concentration-dependent increases in licking to all stimuli presurgically and postsurgically. CTX decreased licking responses relative to SHAM rats in the first sucrose test. There was also a group × concentration interaction for L-alanine, but post hoc tests did not reveal its basis. Other than this, there were no significant differences among the surgical groups. Interestingly, rats with GSPX tended to initiate fewer trials than SHAM rats. Overall, after GSPX, the remaining gustatory nerves are apparently sufficient to maintain concentration-dependent licking responses to all stimuli tested here. The disparity between our results and others in the literature where GSPX reduced licking responses to sucrose is possibly related to differences in surgical technique or test trial duration.
The Impact of Endorsements on Voting

Newspaper endorsements played an important and measurable role in determining the outcome of the 1964 Illinois at-large election for state representatives. In this election, it was possible to vote for 177 candidates. To help the electorate cope with this major voting task, newspapers throughout Illinois provided information generally not available elsewhere, as well as recommendations which could be used compatibly with party loyalties. Localism and the endorsements of civic and special interest groups also affected voting in this election, but less so than newspaper endorsements. Aggregate statistics provide the basic and most appropriate data source for these conclusions.
Power Quality of Renewable Energy Systems Can Be Evaluated Using Simulation Data

The paper presents a comparative study of a renewable energy system using simulation data versus the data recorded for its implementation at the Hybrid Power System Test Bed (HPSTB) at the National Wind Technology Center, NREL. The simulation data were obtained from the model realized using RPM-SIM simulator. This study shows that under different conditions the power, voltage, and frequency traces of a simulated system follow closely those recorded. Consequently, it is concluded that the quality of power generated under different conditions can be evaluated using simulation data and that such simulation study can be used to develop the structure and control strategy of renewable energy system to meet power quality requirements.
Measurement of red cell folate levels by 3H-pteroylglutamic acid (3H-PteGlu) radioassay.

Summary. A siniple, rapid radioassay is described for the determination of red cell folate activity utilizing commercially available beta lactoglobulin as thc folate binding protein. The standard curve is prepared with a pteroylpolyglutamate and 3H-pteroylglutamic acid. The test is performed with a maximum of 20 nicrolitres of whole blood and multiple samples can be processed within 1 hr. Values of red cell folate in normal subjects range from 200 to 875 ng/ml packed cells giving good correlation with established microbiological procedures. Red cell folate levels were lowest in patients whose folate deficiency was accompanied by anaemia. This assay may be useful for measurement of pteroylpolyglutamates in other tissues since an equimolar amount of N-5-methyl tetrahydrofolate is barely measurable under the conditions of this assay.
Cough suppressant and pharmacologic protussive therapy: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.

Background: Cough-suppressant therapy, previously termed nonspecific antitussive therapy, incorporates the use of pharmacologic agents with mucolytic effects and/or inhibitory effects on the cough reflex itself. The intent of this type of therapy is to reduce the frequency and/or intensity of coughing on a short-term basis. Methods: Data for this review were obtained from several National Library of Medicine (PubMed) searches (from 1960 to 2004), which were performed between May and September 2004, of the literature published in the English language, limited to human studies, using combinations of the search terms "cough," "double-blind placebo-controlled," "antitussive," "mucolytic," "cough clearance," "common cold," "protussive," "guaifenesin," "glycerol," and "zinc." Results: Mucolytic agents are not consistently effective in ameliorating cough in patients with bronchitis, although they may be of benefit to this population in other ways. Peripheral and central antitussive agents can be useful in patients with chronic bronchitis, but can have little efficacy in patients with cough due to upper respiratory infection. Some protussive agents are effective in increasing cough clearance, but their long-term effectiveness has not been established. DNase is not effective as a protussive agent in patients with cystic fibrosis. Inhaled mannitol is acutely effective in this patient population, but its therapeutic potential must be investigated further. Conclusions: These findings suggest that suppressant therapy is most effective when used for the short-term reduction of coughing. Relatively few drugs are effective as cough suppressants.
Fragile Early Visual Percepts Mark Genetic Liability Specific to Schizophrenia

Disruption of visual percepts by a subsequent stimulus (ie, backward masking) has been consistently noted in schizophrenia, with some evidence that this fragility in early perception is present in people with genetic liability for the disorder. Given the potential of backward masking paradigms to mark neural processes that confer risk for schizophrenia, it is important to test the diagnostic specificity of abnormalities in visual perception. To more fully assess whether masking visual stimuli reveals a marker of genetic liability (ie, endophenotype) specific to schizophrenia, we tested 44 people with the disorder, 29 people with bipolar disorder, 56 first-degree biological relatives of people with schizophrenia, 26 first-degree biological relatives of people with bipolar disorder, and 43 nonpsychiatric control participants using a magnocellular-biased visual backward masking procedure that included target-to-mask onset asynchronies ranging from 0 to 80 ms. Relatives of people with schizophrenia who were without schizophrenia spectrum disorders exhibited impaired performance compared with nonpsychiatric control participants and relatives of people with bipolar disorder when a visual mask interrupted early perception (eg, 27 ms). A similar vulnerability of early processes was noted in people with schizophrenia, yet they also had impaired performance when masks occurred at later time points (ie, 80 ms). Performance deficits were not attributable to intellectual function, measures of attention and memory, symptomatology, or medication dosage. Bipolar patients and their relatives failed to exhibit deficits on the backward masking task. Fragility of early visual percepts appears to mark genetic liability specific to schizophrenia and may serve as an endophenotype for the disorder.
Organization Theory and the Explanation of Important Characteristics of Congress

By and large the Congress of the United States has been studied on its own terms, as a somewhat unique political institution. Studies of Congress are usually considered to be important simply because they shed light on an important institution in the American political system. It is true, of course, that Congress is an important policy-making body and does deserve study for that reason. But there is no reason why substantive importance cannot be combined with “importance” in another sense. It is also important, for example, to develop theory within any discipline which will help explain the phenomena under study. Trivial substantive problems can be made interesting because of the theory which they suggest. And because a problem may already be substantively important does not mean that it cannot be made even more significant by theoretical development. As a result of this substantive focus, research on Congress has produced a very rich body of descriptive data on various components of the institution, including its members and leadership, group structure, committees, party systems, organization, and rules and procedures. Studies have also provided generalizations concerning such things as the decentralized decision-making of Congress and the effects of the seniority rule on the distribution of power within the House and Senate. These descriptive data and generalizations may serve as the content to be explained within the context of a theory. As yet there has been very little effort at theory construction concerning Congress. The data are there—their organization and explication remain.
Pre and Post Herbicides in Combination with a Rye Cover Crop for Control of Yellow Nutsedge and Pigweed in Watermelon

Production of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.) is a highly profitable crop in the Southeastern United States; however, adequate weed management is lacking due to the limited number of registered herbicides. Field studies were conducted in the summer of 2011 and 2012 in Auburn, Alabama, to evaluate the efficacy of selected preemergence (pre) and postemergence (post) herbicides in combination with a winter rye cover crop for controlling yellow nutsedge and smooth and redroot pigweed. Herbicide treatments included all combinations of two levels of ethalfluralin applied pre (none and 1900 g·ha−1) along with 4 levels of post-applied herbicides. The four post herbicides included halosulfuron (54 g·ha−1), glufosinate (340 g·ha−1), carfentrazone (35 g·ha−1), and none. The treatment consisting of no pre or post herbicides is referenced as cover crop only (CCO). Pigweed density was reduced by all herbicide treatments in comparison to the CCO treatment. Ethalfluralin applied pre followed by glufosinate post provide...
Improving computational efficiency of model predictive control algorithm using wavelet transformation

We propose an MPC algorithm with desirable stability and constraint-handling properties, yet which retains computational simplicity. The closed-loop stability and constraint-handling are achieved by formulating an infinite-horizon objective and then solving an equivalent finite-horizon problem. On-line computational requirements for multi-time-scale systems, are reduced substantially by techniques called ‘blocking’ and ‘condensation’. We show that the blocking and condensation techniques are conveniently applied after expressing the MPC objective and constraint equations in terms of wavelet bases.
Novel candidate genes and regions for childhood apraxia of speech identified by array comparative genomic hybridization

The goal of this study was to identify new candidate genes and genomic copy-number variations associated with a rare, severe, and persistent speech disorder termed childhood apraxia of speech. Childhood apraxia of speech is the speech disorder segregating with a mutation in FOXP2 in a multigenerational London pedigree widely studied for its role in the development of speech–language in humans. A total of 24 participants who were suspected to have childhood apraxia of speech were assessed using a comprehensive protocol that samples speech in challenging contexts. All participants met clinical-research criteria for childhood apraxia of speech. Array comparative genomic hybridization analyses were completed using a customized 385K Nimblegen array (Roche Nimblegen, Madison, WI) with increased coverage of genes and regions previously associated with childhood apraxia of speech. A total of 16 copy-number variations with potential consequences for speech–language development were detected in 12 or half of the 24 participants. The copy-number variations occurred on 10 chromosomes, 3 of which had two to four candidate regions. Several participants were identified with copy-number variations in two to three regions. In addition, one participant had a heterozygous FOXP2 mutation and a copy-number variation on chromosome 2, and one participant had a 16p11.2 microdeletion and copy-number variations on chromosomes 13 and 14. Findings support the likelihood of heterogeneous genomic pathways associated with childhood apraxia of speech. Genet Med 2012:14(11):928–936
Social cognitive mediators and relational outcomes associated with parental divorce

People exposed to parental divorce experience a number of relational and attitudinal effects. One such effect, the inter-generational transmission of divorce, involves a greater risk for divorce among those adult children whose parents were divorced. Social cognitive theory would explain many of the outcomes of parental divorce as inhibitory or disinhibitory effects learned through vicarious experience. Predictions from social cognitive theory were tested on a community-based sample of 821 adults. Results replicated the intergenerational transmission of divorce as well as higher family conflict, more negative attitudes toward marriage, greater likelihood of marriage to a previously divorced person, and a decreased likelihood of currently being in a close relationship as a function of parental divorce. Either family-of-origin conflict or negative marital attitudes mediated many of these effects. In other words, it is not parental divorce that is entirely responsible for certain relational and attitudinal e...