cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-efficiency, air-stable manganese–iron oxide nanoparticle-pigmented solar selective absorber coatings toward concentrating solar power systems operating at 750 °C

Abstract Solar selective absorber coating with long-term thermal stability at high temperatures ≥750 °C in air is an important component to reduce the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of concentrating solar power (CSP) systems toward 50% power efficiency and dispatchable solar electricity. Conventionally, solar spectral selectivity requires multilayer-interference coatings implemented by stringently controlled vacuum deposition, and these coatings degrade significantly at >700 °C in air. Herein, we established a quantitative design approach and demonstrated a proof-of-concept air-stable, manganese–iron oxide nanoparticle (NP)-pigmented solar selective coatings with a high solar absorptance of ~93%, a relatively low thermal emittance of ~52%, and an optical-to-thermal energy conversion efficiency >89% under 1,000× solar concentration at 750 °C toward Generation 3 CSP systems. These coatings demonstrate spectral selectivity using cost-effective spray coating approach, a notable improvement over conventional vacuum-deposited, multilayer solar selective coatings for low-cost, high-efficiency solar thermal receivers. In contrast to the thermal degradation of spectrally non-selective benchmark Pyromark 2500 coatings at 750 °C in air, the solar absorptance of the MnFe2O4-pigmented coatings on stainless steel 310 (SS 310) substrates is increased to ~92.9% and the optical-to-thermal energy conversion efficiency is improved to 89.7% after serving at 750 °C in air for 700 h. X-ray diffraction results reveal that this improvement is due to the transformation of MnFe2O4 NPs into more thermodynamically stable, non-stoichiometric manganese-rich manganese ferrite and iron-rich manganese–iron oxide phases after 500 h aging at 750 °C. For >1,000 h-endurance testing at 750 °C in air and the subsequent 19 day-night thermal cycling between 750 °C (12 h/cycle) and 25 °C (12 h/cycle) on SS 310 substrates, the thermal degradation is mainly due to the CrOx microflake formation from SS 310 substrates rather than the coatings, which can be suppressed by preoxidizing the surface of SS 310. With lower emittance matrix material and further optimization of pigment NP stoichiometry, concentration, and coating thickness, it is promising to achieve an optimized thermal efficiency ≥92.5% with long-term thermal stability at 750 °C for Generation 3 CSP systems.
Does Social Presence Play a Role in Learners' Positions in MOOC Learner Network? A Machine Learning Approach to Analyze Social Presence in Discussion Forums.

Low engagement has been a longstanding problem in MOOCs. How- ever, engagement is crucial in social learning contexts. To further understand learners’ engagement in MOOC discussion forum, this study focuses on the perspective of social presence, an important factor that mediates learners’ positions within a learning network. To tackle the challenge of analyzing large amounts of text data, we built and tested a machine learning model to automatically classify the student-generated posts into different categories of social presence. We then measured learners’ position in the learner network using social networking analysis (SNA) parameters (namely in-degree, closeness and betweenness centrality). Correlation tests showed that certain types of social presence have strong positive correlations with learners’ network parameters. We also divided learners into groups based on their network positions to examine the differences of social presence demonstrated across different groups. The findings will inform MOOC learners to strategically present themselves in the discussion forum in order to increase the possibilities of peer interaction and cognitive engagement.
Quasi-Experimental Evidence on the Effects of Expanding Cash Welfare

We study the labor supply and consumption responses to cash assistance delivered through the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Program in the United States. Exploiting a sharp increase in cash benefit generosity for low-income single-parent families in New Hampshire due to a legislative revision to payment calculations, we implement difference-in-differences and triple-differences to estimate the impacts of greater benefits on work behavior as well as on food expenditures and food security. Our results suggest that more generous cash assistance reduces labor supply among likely TANF-eligible individuals, but also increases household food spending and reduces the incidence of food insecurity. Our findings speak both to the moral hazard costs and to the standard-of-living improvements associated with expanded cash assistance in an era in which cash welfare is at historically low levels, is time limited, and imposes work requirements.
Reading the Green Landscape: Public Attitudes toward Green Stormwater Infrastructure and the Perceived Nonmonetary Value of Its Co-Benefits in Three US Cities

AbstractGreen stormwater infrastructure mirrors natural hydrologic processes and is presented as an alternative or complement to traditional gray stormwater infrastructure, which uses concrete chan...
HIV Prevention in Challenging Subcultures: Reaching Rural Freshmen in University Orientation Classes

Compassion fatigue, apathy, and “haven't we cured that yet?” are the familiar refrains as we adjust to a life that includes AIDS. As Americans tire of talking about the pandemic, we find that youth...
The nautical archaeology digital library

In Nautical Archaeology, the study of components and objects creates a complex environment for scholars and researchers. Nautical archaeologists access, manipulate, study, and consult a variety of sources from different media, geographical origins, ages, and languages. Representing underwater excavations is a challenging endeavor due to the large amount of information and data in heterogeneous media and sources that must be structured, segmented, categorized, indexed, and integrated. We are creating a Nautical Archaeology Digital Library that will a) efficiently catalog, store, and manage artifacts and ship remains along with associated information from underwater archeological excavations, b) integrate heterogeneous data sources in different media to facilitate research work, c) incorporate historic sources to help in the study of current artifacts, d) provide visualization tools to help researchers manipulate, observe, study, and analyze artifacts and their relationships; and e) incorporate algorithm and visualization based mechanisms for ship reconstruction.
Supply Chain Management Strategy

Successfully managing a supply chain requires a supply chain management strategy, aligning all of the companies involved in a supply chain with respect to product, market, and supply characteristics. Doing so requires balancing acceptable levels of cost efficiencies and customer service effectiveness and adopting a supply chain orientation in the firm. Keywords: supply chain orientation; sales and operations planning; demand and supply integration; supply chain management strategy; supplu chain design
Impact of screw location and endplate preparation on pullout strength for anterior plates and integrated fixation cages.

Abstract Background Context Numerous integrated fixation cages (IFCs) have recently been introduced to the market with "zero-profile" designs that incorporate screw fixation through the vertebral endplate. It is unclear whether differences in bone quality and quantity in this insertion location may affect fixation compared with screws used in traditional anterior plate (AP) fixation. Moreover, endplate preparation for IFC implantation may affect fixation strength. Purpose This study aimed to compare pullout strength of screws used in IFCs with screws used for AP implantations. Study Design A biomechanical cadaveric study. Methods T 12 and L 1 vertebrae from 13 human cadaver spines were prepared for pullout testing. End plates in T 12 vertebrae were scraped according to surgical practice for fusion procedures. Conversely, endplates in L 1 vertebrae were kept intact (unscraped). Integrated fixation cage screws were implanted at a 45° angle into the endplate and AP screws were implanted horizontally into the same vertebral body. Pullout testing was performed on all screws, and peak pullout force (PPF) and work were compared between groups to determine fixation strength. In addition, micro-CT imaging was used to assess bone quantity and quality parameters such as trabecular bone volume fraction, endplate and anterior cortex thickness at screw insertion location, endplate mineralization, and anterior cortex mineralization. Results Peak pullout force for IFC screws (176±68 N) with scraped endplates was similar (p=.26) to AP screws (192±84 N). However, PPF for IFC screws (231±75 N) with unscraped endplates was significantly greater (p Conclusions These data indicate that IFC and AP screws exhibited similar fixation behavior when the endplate is prepared according to common surgical practices. However, endplate scraping reduces endplate thickness by 20% on average, resulting in a decrease in fixation strength when compared with the unscraped endplates and provides bounds for IFC screw fixation strength.
The Effect of Hydrogen on the Rate of Formation of Intermetallics in the Cu-Sn, Ag-Sn and Ni-Sn Systems

The purpose of this work was to determine if changes in surface free energy via adsorption of hydrogen will alter the rate of formation in the Cu-Sn, Ag-Sn and Ni-Sn systems. Metallic couples, prepared by depositing molten tin on Cu, Ag or Ni, were subjected to temperatures slightly below the eutectic temperatures for time periods up to 40 hours in hydrogen or air. After this treatment the couples were cross sectioned and polished so that the interface could be examined. The rates of compound formation in those couples subjected to hydrogen were found to be drastically reduced. An analysis based on diffusion and surface free energy changes was made to explain these observations. This analysis can be applied where the driving force for diffusion is approximately equal to the decrease in surface free energy caused by hydrogen adsorption.
On the compactness of ISO-spectral potentials

Soit M une variete de Riemann compacte et Δ son operateur de Laplace-Beltrami. Soit l'operateur de Schrodinger Hq=−Δ+q pour q∈C ∞ (M). Soit Is(q) l'ensemble des potentiels isospectraux a q. On demontre que Is(q) est compact dans C ∞ (M) si dim M≤3
Depression experience journal: a computer-based intervention for families facing childhood depression.

ABSTRACT Objective This study tested the feasibility and safety of a computer-based application for families facing childhood depression. The Depression Experience Journal (EJ) is a psychoeducational intervention based on a narrative model involving the sharing of personal stories about childhood depression. Method Semistructured interviews assessed Depression EJ feasibility and safety. Thirty-eight primary caretakers of children with depression (one caretaker per patient) used the EJ during a psychiatric hospitalization. Assessment of feasibility and safety was measured before EJ use and 2 to 4 weeks afterward. Results Results revealed that the EJ was safe and useful for decreasing social isolation, increasing hope, increasing understanding of familial feelings about childhood depression, and fostering positive reactions in caretakers. Conclusions Computer-based interventions hold significant promise in providing a new manner of psychosocial support to families facing child and adolescent psychiatric illnesses.
Enhancing magnetic resonance imaging tumor detection with fluorescence intensity and lifetime imaging.

Early detection is important for many solid cancers but the images provided by ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography applied alone or together, are often not sufficient for decisive early screening/diagnosis. We demonstrate that MRI augmented with fluorescence intensity (FI) substantially improves detection. Early stage murine pancreatic tumors that could not be identified by blinded, skilled observers using MRI alone, were easily identified with MRI along with FI images acquired with photomultiplier tube detection and offset laser scanning. Moreover, we show that fluorescence lifetime (FLT) imaging enables positive identification of the labeling fluorophore and discriminates it from surrounding tissue autofluorescence. Our data suggest combined-modality imaging with MRI, FI, and FLT can be used to screen and diagnose early tumors.
Performance analysis of efficient multipath crossbars

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of high-performance crossbars where crossbars can be asymmetrical in size, buffered at all crosspoints, and capable of multipath routing. A crossbar, as a building block of switching networks, with the mentioned features in its structure can demonstrate fault-tolerant property. This property is a major factor for crossbars to play the role of high-performance entity in modern computer and communication systems. A generic condition of nxk crossbar with n inputs (rows), k columns, and n outputs (rows) under which a crossbar becomes multipath is examined. In a multipath crossbar a packet can be routed through k different paths to an output. The multipath feature ensures the property of fault-tolerance and provides a faster congestion resolution especially under the multicast traffic. This paper describes a two-dimensional Markov chain associated with the queueing model, and presents the performance evaluation of crossbars.
Synthesis and Properties of Random Copolymers of Functionalised Polybenzimidazoles for High Temperature Fuel Cells

A series of polybenzimidazoles (PBIs) incorporating main chain sulphonic acid groups were synthesised as random copolymers with p-PBI in varying ratios using polyphosphoric acid (PPA) as both the polymerisation solvent and polycondensation reagent. The PPA process was used to produce high molecular weight phosphoric acid (PA) doped PBI gel membranes in a one-step procedure. These membranes exhibit excellent mechanical properties (0.528–2.51 MPa tensile stress and 130–300% tensile strain) even at high acid doping levels [20–40 mol PA/PRU (polymer repeat unit)] and high conductivities (0.148–0.291 S cm–1) at elevated temperatures (>100 °C) with no external humidification, depending on copolymer composition. Fuel cell testing was conducted with hydrogen fuel and air or oxygen oxidants for all membrane compositions at temperatures greater than 100 °C without external feed gas humidification. Initial studies showed a maximum fuel performance of 0.675 V for the 25 mol% s-PBI/75 mol% p-PBI random copolymer at 180 °C and 0.2 A cm–2 with hydrogen and air, and 0.747 V for the same copolymer at 180 °C and 0.2 A cm–2 with hydrogen and oxygen.
Fat-Dachsous Signaling Coordinates Cartilage Differentiation and Polarity during Craniofacial Development

Organogenesis requires coordinated regulation of cellular differentiation and morphogenesis. Cartilage cells in the vertebrate skeleton form polarized stacks, which drive the elongation and shaping of skeletal primordia. Here we show that an atypical cadherin, Fat3, and its partner Dachsous-2 (Dchs2), control polarized cell-cell intercalation of cartilage precursors during craniofacial development. In zebrafish embryos deficient in Fat3 or Dchs2, chondrocytes fail to stack and misregulate expression of sox9a. Similar morphogenetic defects occur in rerea/atr2a-/- mutants, and Fat3 binds REREa, consistent with a model in which Fat3, Dchs2 and REREa interact to control polarized cell-cell intercalation and simultaneously control differentiation through Sox9. Chimaeric analyses support such a model, and reveal long-range influences of all three factors, consistent with the activation of a secondary signal that regulates polarized cell-cell intercalation. This coordinates the spatial and temporal morphogenesis of chondrocytes to shape skeletal primordia and defects in these processes underlie human skeletal malformations. Similar links between cell polarity and differentiation mechanisms are also likely to control organ formation in other contexts.
Benedict the Bifurcated: Secular and Sacred Framing of the Pope and Turkey

We contend that the unique audience of the Turkish Daily News (TDN), a national English language daily newspaper in Turkey, drove the newspaper's framing of its coverage of the pope's Regensburg comments and subsequent visit to Turkey. We claim the TDN used three frames that helped readers make sense of and balance the sacred and secular tensions surrounding Pope Benedict and his visit: 1) an emphasis on the pope's role as a political official over his role as a religious leader; 2) an emphasis on the political invitation to visit Turkey over the religious invitation; and 3) a narrative that enfolds the multi-faceted reasons for the pope's visit into the story of a religious leader previously unsupportive of Turkey's political aspirations maturing into a political leader who supports both Turkey and inter-faith dialogue. The TDN's framing of the papal crisis is consistent with the national identity and cultural values of the newspaper's readers and, as such, illustrates how framing is an analytic tool tha...
Clostridium septicum Sepsis and Colon Carcinoma: Report of 4 Cases

An association exists between colon carcinoma and Clostridium septicum infection, especially bacteremia. We reviewed retrospectively all positive blood cultures for this organism at a 300-bed general hospital over 4 years. Four of 15 cases were associated with concurrent colon carcinoma. C. septicum infection was the presenting feature of previously undiagnosed large bowel malignancy in three patients. We report this small case series to alert clinicians to the diverse spectrum and diagnostic difficulties of this rare, potentially catastrophic association. Although commonly associated with necrotizing skin or soft tissue infections, this bacterium can present with nonspecific or atypical symptoms. All patients with positive blood cultures for C. septicum, even without clinical suspicion of large bowel malignancy, should undergo colonoscopy to evaluate for colon carcinoma.
The Classification Accuracy of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory--Adolescent: Effects of Modifying the Normative Sample.

Numerous studies have reported that the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Adolescent (MMPI-A) produces a high frequency of within-normal-limits basic scale profiles for adolescents with significant clinical pathology (e.g., Archer, 2005). The current study builds on the observation that the MMPI-A normative sample included participants who reported a recent history of referral for counseling or therapy services. The 193 adolescents who reported referral for counseling were removed from the normative sample and uniform T-score values were recalculated for basic clinical scale raw scores. The frequency of within-normal-limits profiles was only marginally reduced by using the revised MMPI-A norms. Furthermore, the overall hit rate, positive predictive power, and sensitivity were only slightly improved by removing normative participants referred for counseling and basing norms on the remaining 1,427 adolescents.
The Aerobic Flora of the Perivaginal Area: Its Relation to Contraception and Deodorant Sprays

The relation of contraception and/or intimate hygiene deodorant spra ys to the presence of microbial flora in the perivaginal area was studied in women attending a family planning clinic. Swabs were taken from the thigh area adjacent to the vulva and also from the labia minora. There were no marked differences between either the contraceptive methods used (IUD oral contraceptives others) or the response to deodorant sprays and qualitative or quantitative evidence of the presence of microbial flora.
Sepsis-induced changes in amino acid transporters and leucine signaling via mTOR in skeletal muscle

The present study tested the hypothesis that sepsis-induced leucine (Leu) resistance in skeletal muscle is associated with a down-regulation of amino acid transporters important in regulating Leu flux or an impairment in the formation of the Leu-sensitive mTOR–Ragulator complex. Sepsis in adult male rats decreased basal protein synthesis in gastrocnemius, associated with a reduction in mTOR activation as indicated by decreased 4E-BP1 and S6K1 phosphorylation. The ability of oral Leu to increase protein synthesis and mTOR kinase after 1 h was largely prevented in sepsis. Sepsis increased CAT1, LAT2 and SNAT2 mRNA content two- to fourfold, but only the protein content for CAT1 (20 % decrease) differed significantly. Conversely, sepsis decreased the proton-assisted amino acid transporter (PAT)-2 mRNA by 60 %, but without a coordinate change in PAT2 protein. There was no sepsis or Leu effect on the protein content for RagA-D, LAMTOR-1 and -2, raptor, Rheb or mTOR in muscle. The binding of mTOR, PRAS40 and RagC to raptor did not differ for control and septic muscle in the basal condition; however, the Leu-induced decrease in PRAS40·raptor and increase in RagC·raptor seen in control muscle was absent in sepsis. The intracellular Leu concentration was increased in septic muscle, compared to basal control conditions, and oral Leu further increased the intracellular Leu concentration similarly in both control and septic rats. Hence, while alterations in select amino acid transporters are not associated with development of sepsis-induced Leu resistance, the Leu-stimulated binding of raptor with RagC and the recruitment of mTOR/raptor to the endosome-lysosomal compartment may partially explain the inability of Leu to fully activate mTOR and muscle protein synthesis.
Overexpression of a blueberry-derived CBF gene enhances cold tolerance in a southern highbush blueberry cultivar

Blueberry cultivars are subject to freezing damage in the winter and early spring. C-repeat binding factor (CBF) genes are transcription factors known to induce the expression of genes associated with cold acclimation and freezing tolerance. A CBF-encoding gene (BB-CBF) was isolated from the northern highbush blueberry Bluecrop (a cold-tolerant cultivar) and introduced into the southern highbush blueberry Legacy (a more cold-sensitive cultivar) to determine the effects on cold tolerance. The BB-CBF coding sequence was linked to the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter and the 35S polyA terminator and was subsequently introduced into Legacy using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of leaf explants. Fifty-seven transgenic events were obtained. Non-acclimated mature leaves, dormant flower buds, and flowers at various developmental stages from transformants and nontransgenic plants were subjected to electrolyte leakage assays over the course of 3 years, 2009–2011. Transgenic lines showed an increase in freezing tolerance in leaves and dormant buds. Expression of putative downstream components of the blueberry CBF regulon was increased in non-acclimated transgenic lines, and, in some cases, to a level similar to that of acclimated control plants. Following low temperature exposure, BB-CBF-overexpressing transgenics and controls expressed these genes at similar levels.
Use of Osmia lignaria propinqua (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) as a mobile pollinator of orchard crops

The development of intensive agricultural practices in areas that include cross-pollinated crops requires the introduction of large numbers of pollinating insects only during short flowering periods. The pollination efficacy of one pollinator, Osmia lignaria propinqua Cresson, would be greatly improved if nesting populations could be successfully transported from crop to crop. Results of a 5-yr study that was focused on this subject are summarized as follows. Two studies involved moving individual nest blocks various distances within orchards, two additional experiments tested the possibility of moving bees nesting in small nest shelters greater distances during active nesting periods, and one study tested transport of bees nesting in large nest shelters constructed on flat-bed trailers. All of the transported bees in the first four experiments abandoned established nests immediately after they were moved, and none of these bees reestablished nesting within the confines of experimental plots. Conversely, >85% of females nesting in trailer–shelters continued to nest uninterruptedly after these large nest shelters were moved. Two additional Osmia species were also successfully transported when these large trailer–shelters were moved. A short discussion of nest orientation requirements expressed by Osmia is included.
Antibodies to Listeria monocytogenes

Listeria monocytogenes is one of the leading foodborne pathogens and has been implicated in numerous outbreaks in the last 2 decades. Immunocompromised populations are usually the most susceptible to Listeria infections. Although the pathogenic mechanism is a complex process, significant progress has been made in unravelling the mechanism in recent years. It is now clear that numerous extracellular and cell-associated proteins, such as internalin, listeriolysin, actin polymerization protein, phospholipase, metalloprotease, and possibly p60 proteins, are essential for L. monocytogenes entry into mammalian cells, survival inside the phagosome, escape into the cytoplasm, and cell-to-cell spread. Other proteins may be responsible for growth and physiology or to maintain the structural integrity of the bacteria. Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies have been developed against many of those antigens or their synthetic derivatives that have helped greatly to determine the structure and function of these antigens. The antibodies were also used for the diagnosis and detection, immunocytochemical staining, and serotyping of Listeria. Humoral immune response to live L. monocytogenes cells was examined in naturally or experimentally infected hosts. Studies revealed that only extracellular antigens induced the humoral response, whereas cell-associated antigens had apparently no response. It is speculated that during the occasional bacteremic phase, L. monocytogenes releases extracellular antigens that are then processed by the immune system for antibody production. As L. monocytogenes is an intracellular pathogen, the cell-associated antigens are not persistent in the blood circulation and thus fail to stimulate the humoral immune response.
Intracellular cytokine production by fetal and adult monocytes.

Abstract Background/Purpose: In light of the neonate's increased susceptibility to systemic infection, the authors hypothesized that adult and fetal monocytes have different cytokine expression profiles in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and interleukin (IL)-11, a counter-inflammatory cytokine. Methods: Samples of cord blood (n = 30) and adult blood (n = 30) were obtained and treated as follows: control (baseline expression), LPS exposure, and IL-11 or IL-11+LPS exposure. After incubation with a protein transport inhibitor, mononuclear cells were stained for intracellular tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8. Each sample was then analyzed by flow cytometry for cytokine expression. Cytokine production was measured by the percent positive as well as the fluorescence index for each cytokine. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Students t tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: Baseline levels of IL-8 were significantly higher for fetal monocytes ( P P =.0105) and more IL-8 ( P P Conclusions: These results suggest that neonatal monocytes portray a different cytokine expression profile compared with adult monocytes. IL-11 treatment appears to alter the IL-8 expression of resting fetal and adult monocytes. J Pediatr Surg 36:1321-1326. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.
Breakdown walkout in planar p-n junctions

Abstract Junction breakdown walkout in p-n junctions has been investigated in this paper. It has been shown that walkout is closely related to the avalanching in the junction. During the time the junction is subjected to the reverse breakdown, because of avalanching, hot electrons are generated in the depletion region. Some of the hot electrons have enough energy to cross the oxide-silicon barrier and to go into the conduction band of the oxide. The electrons are trapped in the traps and charge the oxide negatively, resulting in reduction of electric field intensity in the surface depletion region of the p-n junction. This results in an increase of the breakdown voltage. A theory has been developed to explain hot electron injection and trapping in the oxide and its effect on the breakdown voltage. A comparison of results predicted by theory, with the experiments has also been carried out.
Analyzing social media data having discontinuous underlying dynamics

This paper develops a real time algorithm which identifies times of emotional discontinuity as reflected in social media. The paper formulates the optimization problem to solve, develops an algorithm to solve it using dynamic programming, and illustrates the new method by analyzing mood shifts reflected in 380,000 Twitter messages related to one of the world's most popular soccer teams, Manchester United, during their 2011-12 season.
Ebbinghaus illusions: size contrast or contour interaction phenomena?

Forty-eight graduate and undergraduate students between 17 and 30 years of age judged the size of the central circle in Ebbinghaus figures presented under either simultaneous or successive viewing conditions. Successive presentation eliminated the illusion produced by the normally overestimated figure and diminished that produced by the underestimated figure. Under simultaneous viewing conditions, increasing the number of surrounding circles reduced the magnitude of the reversed illusion produced by the normally overestimated figure but had no effect on the illusion produced by the underestimated figure. Under successive viewing conditions, increasing the number of surrounding circles had no effect on the magnitude of illusion produced by the normally overestimated figure but increased the illusion produced by the underestimated figure. These data were interpreted as inconsistent with a size contrast explanation of the Ebbinghaus illusions and suggested that these illusions may be produced by a contour interaction process.
Quantal theory, enhancement and overlap

Abstract This paper explores three aspects of a theory of speech production and perception: quantal theory, enhancement, and overlap. The section on quantal theory makes the claim that every phonological feature or contrast is associated with its own quantal footprint. This footprint for a given feature is a discontinuous (or quantal) relation between the displacement of an articulatory parameter and the acoustical attribute that results from this articulatory movement. The second and third sections address the question of how a listener might extract the underlying distinctive features in running speech. The second section shows that for a given quantally defined feature, the featural specification during speech production may be embellished with other gestures that enhance the quantally defined base. These enhancing gestures, together with the defining gestures, provide a set of acoustic cues that are potentially available to a listener who must use these cues to aid the identification of features, segments, and words. The third section shows that even though rapid speech phenomena can obliterate defining quantal information from the speech stream, nonetheless that information is recoverable from the enhancement history of the segment. We provide examples and discussion in each of these sections of the paper.
Long-term follow-up of bilateral sporadic renal tumors

Abstract Objectives To assess the clinical characteristics, pathology, and long-term follow-up of patients with bilateral nonfamilial renal tumors (BNFRTs). Methods Patients with BNFRTs and unilateral tumors were identified from a prospective surgery database. The Mann-Whitney U test, Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, and the log-rank test were used to compare groups. Results From a database of 1082 patients with nonmetastatic renal tumors, 46 were identified with BNFRTs (4.25%). Thirty-three had synchronous tumors and 13 had asynchronous tumors. The median patient age of BNFRT patients was 61 years. Of the 92 renal tumors in these 46 patients, 42% were managed with radical nephrectomy (RN) and 58% with partial nephrectomy (PN); 7 underwent bilateral PN. The tumors were conventional clear cell carcinoma in 66% (n = 61), papillary carcinoma in 14% (n = 13), and the remaining 20% were of varied histologic origin. A 76.2% concordance was noted between the histologic subtypes of the two renal tumors in each patient. Median follow-up was 74 months. Thirty-three patients (72%) were disease-free and 7 patients had recurrence (2 local, 5 metastatic). Compared with patients having unilateral disease, BNFRT patients had an equivalent disease-free survival (DFS) (bilateral: 3-year DFS 90%, 5-year DFS 83%; unilateral: 3-year DFS 92%, 5-year DFS 82% [ P = 0.449]). No difference in DFS was observed between synchronous and asynchronous tumors. Conclusions BNFRTs were present in 4.25% of patients with sporadic renal tumors. Conventional clear cell histology was the most common histologic subtype; concordance among tumors was found to be 76%. DFS rates comparable to those of unilateral tumors can be obtained by using combinations of PN and RN.
Industry's co-operation in graduate education

Based upon experience to date, there is every reason to believe that an adequate and satisfactory method of conducting graduate technical education can be accomplished by taking the courses off the campus to the student who is already in industry. This article, which describes two such programs carried out by the Illinois Institute of Technology, is the second to be published of a group of papers presented at a symposium on education held during the recent winter meeting; the first paper in the series appeared in the April issue.1
Cytokine-like factor 1 (CLF1): Life after development?

Cytokine-like factor 1 (CLF1) is a secreted receptor belonging to the interleukin-6 family of cytokines. CLF1 and its physiologic partner, cardiotrophin-like cytokine (CLC) are secreted as a heterodimer and engage the tripartite signaling complex of ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor (CNTFR), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIFR) and gp130. Ligation of this receptor complex leads to activation of the STAT3 and MAPK pathways and mediates survival pathways in neurons. Mutations in CLF1, CLC, or CNTFR in mice lead to the birth of mice that die on post-natal day 1 because of an inability to nurse. These animals exhibit significant decreases in the number of motor neurons in the facial nucleus and the spinal cord. CLF1 or CLC deficiency is associated with the development of the human cold-induced sweating syndromes. A growing body of research suggests that CLF1 expression may be associated with several post-natal disease processes. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of CLF1 expression and suggest future studies to understand the potentially important role of CLF1 in postnatal life and disease.
Reconstitution of the Deinococcus radiodurans aposuperoxide dismutase.

Abstract Deinococcus radiodurans , a radiation-resistant aerobe, synthesized a 43,000 M r dimeric superoxide dismutase. The holoenzyme, sp act 3300 U/mg, contained 1.5 g-atoms Mn, 0.6 g-atom Fe, and 0.1 g-atom Zn per mole dimer. Apoprotein, prepared by dialysis of the holoenzyme in denaturant plus chelator and then renatured in chelex-treated Tris chloride buffer, rapidly regained superoxide dismuting activity upon incubation in 1 m m MnCl 2 . Reconstitution was dependent on Mn concentration and pH. The Mn-reconstituted protein, sp act 3560 U/mg, contained 1.7 g-atoms Mn per mole dimer. The holoenzyme and Mn-reconstituted apoprotein migrated with the same patterns in 10% acrylamide gels and focused to the same pattern upon isoelectric focusing. Fluorescence emission maxima of the holoenzyme, Mn-reconstituted apoprotein, and the renatured apoprotein were 329 ± 1 nm but differed from the denatured apoprotein (352 nm). Apoprotein bound 1.7 g-atoms Zn and from 3–7 g-atoms Fe per mole dimer on incubation with 1 mM ZnSO 4 and Fe(NH 4 ) 2 (SO 4 ) 2 , respectively. Although neither Zn nor Fe restored superoxide dismuting activity, the ferrous and the zinc salt inhibited reconstitution of the apoprotein with manganese. Metal addition to renatured aposuperoxide dismutase offers a novel approach to reconstitution of procaryote superoxide dismutases.
Dispersion reducing methods for edge discretizations of the electric vector wave equation

We present a novel strategy for minimizing the numerical dispersion error in edge discretizations of the time-domain electric vector wave equation on square meshes based on the mimetic finite difference (MFD) method. We compare this strategy, called M-adaptation, to two other discretizations, also based on square meshes. One is the lowest order Nedelec edge element discretization. The other is a modified quadrature approach (GY-adaptation) proposed by Guddati and Yue for the acoustic wave equation in two dimensions. All three discrete methods use the same edge-based degrees of freedom, while the temporal discretization is performed using the standard explicit Leapfrog scheme. To obtain efficient and explicit time stepping methods, the three schemes are further mass lumped. We perform a dispersion and stability analysis for the presented schemes and compare all three methods in terms of their stability regions and phase error. Our results indicate that the method produced by GY-adaptation and the Nedelec method are both second order accurate for numerical dispersion, but differ in the order of their numerical anisotropy (fourth order, versus second order, respectively). The result of M-adaptation is a discretization that is fourth order accurate for numerical dispersion as well as numerical anisotropy. Numerical simulations are provided that illustrate the theoretical results.
Unimanual tactile anomia consequent to corpus callosotomy: reduction of anomic deficit under hypnosis.

Abstract Unimanual tactile anomia for objects palpated with the left-hand was studied in a 28-year-old callosotomy patient. Previous assessment of this patient Larrabee et al ., [9]) and two currently reported assessments without inducing hypnosis showed marked anomic deficit. A series of assessments conducted under hypnosis showed substantially improved naming ability, especially in hypnotic sessions suggesting that the patient did not feel like speaking and that speaking was difficult. Among the possible mediators of this reduction of anomic impairment one can suggest factors such as motivational and attentional enhancements, suppression of left hemisphere interference, and even right hemisphere speech facilitation under hypnosis. These and other results also suggest that an hypothesized right hemisphere dominance during hypnosis may be accurate and possibly more obvious in callosotomy patients than in normal persons.
Bayesian testing of an exponential point null hypothesis

The problem of testing a point null hypothesis involving an exponential mean is The problem of testing a point null hypothesis involving an exponential mean is usual interpretation of P-values as evidence against precise hypotheses is faulty. As in Berger and Delampady (1986) and Berger and Sellke (1987), lower bounds on Bayesian measures of evidence over wide classes of priors are found emphasizing the conflict between posterior probabilities and P-values. A hierarchical Bayes approach is also considered as an alternative to computing lower bounds and “automatic” Bayesian significance tests which further illustrates the point that P-values are highly misleading measures of evidence for tests of point null hypotheses.
Questions concerning the possible association of potatoes and neural-tube defects, and an alternative hypothesis relating to maternal growth and development.

The hypothesis concerning the possible association of potatoes and neural-tube defects has been reviewed. The bulk of epidemiological evidence presented to date fails to support this hypothesis. An alternative hypothesis is proposed for the etiology of anencephalus and spina bifida involving the interaction of three categories of causal factors: genetic, immediate, which pertains to the pregnancy in question, and intergenerational, which pertains to the growth and development of mothers of affected children. The epidemiological evidence is reviewed that supports an intergenerational concept, and includes the socio-economic gradient, secular and geographic Variation, and migrant studies. The hypothesis is consistent with the complex epidemiological patterns that have emerged, and raises the question of the relevance of reliance on specific teratogens as the sole extragenetic explanations for these malformations. It is more likely that these defects are truly multifactorial in origin and relate to a complex interplay of biological and social factors rather than to single teratogens.
Predictors of visual outcomes following Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis implantation.

Purpose To identify predictors of visual outcomes following Boston type 1 Keratoprosthesis (KPro) implantation. Design Retrospective chart review. Methods Data regarding preoperative clinical and demographic characteristics and postoperative course were collected. patients : Fifty-nine eyes of 59 adult patients who underwent KPro implantation between January 2006 and March 2012 at a single tertiary care center. main outcome measures : Preoperative factors associated with all-cause and glaucoma-related loss of visual acuity from the best postoperative visual acuity noted. Results Fifty-two of 59 eyes (88%) achieved improved vision post implantation, with 7 eyes failing to gain vision as a result of pre-existing glaucoma (n = 4) or retino-choroidal disease (n = 3). Twenty-one eyes (21/52, 40%) maintained their best-ever visual acuity at last visit (mean follow-up period was 37.8 months). The likelihood of maintaining best-ever vision was 71% at 1 year, 59% at 2 years, and 48% at 3 years. Primary KPro implantation was associated with a higher likelihood of losing best-ever vision as compared to KPro implantation as a repeat corneal procedure (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.06; P = 006). The main reasons for postimplantation vision loss was glaucoma (12/31, 39%), and the risk of glaucomatous visual acuity loss was 15% at 2 years and 27% at 3 years. Prior trabeculectomy was associated with a higher rate of vision loss from glaucoma (HR = 3.25, P = .04). Conclusion Glaucoma is the primary reason for loss of visual acuity after KPro implantation. Conditions necessitating primary KPro surgery are associated with more frequent all-cause vision loss. Prospective trials are necessary to better determine which clinical features best predict KPro success.
Clostridium perfringens tpeL is expressed during sporulation

Clostridium perfringens TpeL belongs to the family of large clostridial toxins. Although recent studies demonstrated the expression of tpeL during vegetative growth nothing is known about tpeL expression during sporulation. Our current study demonstrated that tpeL: (i) is also expressed during sporulation; (ii) expression is dependent on the master regulator of sporulation, Spo0A, and the sporulation-specific sigma factor, SigE; and (iii) is localized to the mother cell compartment of the sporulating cell. In summary, these results indicate that TpeL is a sporulation-regulated C. perfringens toxin.
Teen Incentives Program: evaluation of a health promotion model for adolescent pregnancy prevention.

Abstract Poor self-perception and external locus of control are considered major determinants of quality of decisions that many adolescents make about their sexual and fertility related risk-taking behavior. A three-phase program was developed to provide freshmen at an inner city high school in New York City with skills to enhance self perception and abilities to exercise greater control in their lives, particularly in terms of their sexual behavior. The effectiveness of the interventions was evaluated based on the classic all experimental pre-and post-test design which included an experimental and a control group. Pretesting based on the Nowicki-Strickland Instrument, a confidential Sexual Behavior Survey, and the Rosenberg Scales showed no differences initially between the control group, (n=60) and the experimental group, (n=60). Post test results showed a significant decrease (p < .05) in the frequency of sexual activity reported by the experimental condition participants. In addition, contraception us...
Termination of early pregnancy with prostaglandin E2 vaginal suppositories

Abstract The effectiveness of intravaginal suppositories of prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) for therapeutic abortion was studied in ten women with gestations less than six weeks duration. Suppositories of 20 mg were administered at 2-hour intervals for a 12-hour period. The total dosage given to each woman ranged from 80 to 120 mg. Serum human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) and progesterone (P) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay prior to starting therapy, at intervals during therapy and one to two weeks thereafter. All patients had significant side effects, mainly diarrhea and vomiting, indicating that systemic absorption took place. Of the ten patients, seven aborted; five of these aborted completely and required no further therapy. The other two patients had incomplete abortions and required a curettage. The three patients who failed to abort with PGE 2 also had a subsequent dilitation and curettage. Patients who aborted completely had a significant fall in HCG and progesterone levels soon after initiation of therapy while the others did not. Vaginal administration of PGE 2 is not superior to PGF 2 α for termination of early pregnancy. Because of the high frequency of adverse side effects and relatively low efficacy, the administration of PGE 2 suppositories is not advantagous to the operative termination of early gestation.
Categorical Abstract Algebraic Logic: Referential Algebraic Semantics

Wojcicki has provided a characterization of selfextensional logics as those that can be endowed with a complete local referential semantics. His result was extended by Jansana and Palmigiano, who developed a duality between the category of reduced congruential atlases and that of reduced referential algebras over a fixed similarity type. This duality restricts to one between reduced atlas models and reduced referential algebra models of selfextensional logics. In this paper referential algebraic systems and congruential atlas systems are introduced, which abstract referential algebras and congruential atlases, respectively. This enables the formulation of an analog of Wojcicki's Theorem for logics formalized as ?-institutions. Moreover, the results of Jansana and Palmigiano are generalized to obtain a duality between congruential atlas systems and referential algebraic systems over a fixed categorical algebraic signature. In future work, the duality obtained in this paper will be used to obtain one between atlas system models and referential algebraic system models of an arbitrary selfextensional ?-institution. Using this latter duality, the characterization of fully selfextensional deductive systems among the selfextensional ones, that was obtained by Jansana and Palmigiano, can be extended to a similar characterization of fully selfextensional ?-institutions among appropriately chosen classes of selfextensional ones.