cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Science Education as an Exercise in Foreign Affairs.

In Kuhnian terms, science education has been a process of inducting students into the reigning paradigms of science. In 1985, Duschl noted that science education had not kept pace with developments in the history and philosophy of science. The claim of certainty for scientific knowledge which science educators grounded in positivist philosophy was rendered untenable years ago and it turns out that social and cultural factors surrounding discovery may be at least as important as the justification of knowledge. Capitalizing on these new developments, Duschl, Hamilton, and Grandy (1990) wrote a compelling argument for the need to have a joint research effort in science education involving the philosophy and history of science along with cognitive psychology. However, the issue of discovery compels the research community go one step further. If the science education community has been guilty of neglecting historical and philosophical issues in science, let it not now be guilty of ignoring sociological issues in science. A collaborative view ought also to include the sociological study of cultural milieu in which scientific ideas arise. In other words, an external sociological perspective on science. The logic of discovery from a sociological point of view implies that conceptual change can also be viewed from a sociological perspective.
Phase analysis and determination of local charge carrier concentration in eutectic Mg2Si–Si alloys

Abstract Multiphase materials attract attention due to possible combination of various properties attributed to each phase. The phase diagram of Mg–Si system shows that solidification of a melt containing about 45 and 55 at.% of Mg and Si should result in formation of Mg2Si and Si. Two alloys, Mg45Si55 and Mg46Si54 + 0.5 wt.% Cu have been synthesized and studied using XRD, SEM, and 29Si NMR at 300 K, and the Seebeck effect, electrical resistivity, and thermal conductivity in the temperature range of 300–750 K have been measured. 29Si NMR detects two distinct signals, at −177 and −80 ppm, in both materials, which are assigned to Mg2Si and Si phases, respectively. Both phases are slightly nonstoichiometric and doped with Mg. Two phases also are found by XRD and electron microscopy. 29Si NMR spin-lattice relaxation measurements in Mg2Si and Si phases show at least two components, short and long, which can be attributed to different local carrier concentrations, high and low, respectively, reflecting a local electronic inhomogeneity in each phase. The carrier concentrations range between 0.6 × 1019 and 9 × 1019 cm−3. The Seebeck coefficient in both alloys is mostly determined by the Si phase, while the thermal conductivity is limited by the Mg2Si phase with a lower value than that of the Si phase. By utilizing all characterization tools, we show how various experimental methods can be used as complementary methods to better understand the individual and combined properties of multiphase alloys.
Imagery Ability, Abstractness, and Word Order as Variables in Recall of Adjectives and Nouns.

Subjects, differing in imagery ability according to spatial reasoning tests, learned a paired-associate list consisting of noun-adjective pairs in either the adjective-noun or noun-adjective order. Equal numbers of pairs in each list were high or low in rated imagery. The results supported the hypothesis that noun imagery is a more critical determinant of paired-associate learning than adjective imagery, and that this effect is most pronounced in the stimulus rather than response element. High-imagery ability was shown in one interaction to be most influential in comparison to low-imagery ability for learning pairs that contained low imagery stimuli. These findings implied that imagery is a strong determinant of learning performance whether manipulated as a stimulus attribute or as an individual difference and that both have similar functions in processing information.
Fetal nicotine exposure ablates the ability of postnatal nicotine challenge to release norepinephrine from rat brain regions.

Abstract Exposure of the fetus to nicotine is known to affect the function of noradrenergic pathways in the central nervous system. In the current study, synaptic mechanisms underlying the functional defects were evaluated in the offspring of pregnant rats given nicotine infusions of 2 mg/kg/day throughout gestation, administered by osmotic minipumps. At 30 days postpartum, norepinephrine levels in brain regions of the offspring were significantly reduced. More importantly, acute challenge with either 0.1 mg]kg or 0.3 mg/kg of nicotine evoked significant norepinephrine release from brain regions of control animals, but failed to do so in the fetal nicotine cohort. These results suggest that prenatal exposure to nicotine produces a deficit in subsequent noradrenergic responsiveness, deficits which may participate in behavioral and neuroendocrine abnormalities.
Memory narrowing in children and adults

The memory narrowing effect posits that stress enhances memory for central information at the expense of memory for peripheral details. This effect is well established in adults, but not in children, although studies have not directly compared children's and adults' memory for central versus peripheral details of an identical distressing experience. In the present study, 9–12 year-old and adult participants completed a laboratory stressor during which measures of self-reported stress was collected. Two weeks later, participants returned for a surprise memory test regarding central and peripheral details of the laboratory stressor. Greater stress predicted memory narrowing in both children and adults, as indexed via decreased correct responses and increased don't know responses to questions about peripheral relative to central details. Findings have implications for theories concerning stress and memory, particularly in children, and for evaluating eyewitness memory in legal contexts. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Water exchange dynamics around H3O+ and OH− ions

Proton transfer in water and other solvents is a complicated process and an active research area. Conformational changes of water hydrating a proton can have a significant influence on proton dynamics. A hydrated proton leads to H₃O⁺ that forms three hydrogen bonds with neighboring water molecules. In this letter, we report the first computer simulation of the dynamics of water exchanging between the first and second solvation shells of H₃O⁺. Employing different rate theories for chemical reactions such as the transition state theory, the Grote-Hynes theory, the reactive flux method, and the Impey-Madden-McDonald method, we calculate the solvent exchange rates from molecular dynamics simulations that account for explicit polarization effects. In addition, we also study water exchanges around OH⁻ and find that the corresponding time scale (~50 picoseconds [ps]) is much smaller than that for H₃O⁺ (~100 ps). Results from all the rate theories are computed and compared. This work was supported by the US Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Division of Chemical Sciences, Geosciences, and Biosciences. The calculations were carried out using computer resources provided by the Office of Basic Energy Sciences.
The Morse minimal system is finitarily Kakutani equivalent to the binary odometer

Two invertible dynamical systems (X, A,µ,T) and (Y, B,�,S), where X and Y are Polish spaces and Borel probability spaces and T, S are measure preserving homeomorphisms of X and Y , are said to be finitarily orbit equivalent if there exists an invertible measure preserving mappingfrom a subset X0 of X of measure one onto a subset Y0 of Y of full measure such that (1) �|X0 is continuous in the relative topology on X0 and � −1 |Y0 is continuous in the relative topology on Y0, (2) �(OrbT(x)) = OrbS(�(x)) for µ-a.e. x 2 X. (X, A,µ,T) and (Y, B,�,S) are said to be finitarily evenly Kakutani equivalent if they are finitarily orbit equivalent by a mappingfor which there are measurable subsets A of X and B = �(A) of Y withan isomorphism of TA and TB. It is shown here that the Morse minimal system and the binary odometer are finitarily evenly Kakutani equivalent.
Profound hypothermia in golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) induced by serotonergic potentiating and noradrenergic inhibiting drugs.

Profound hypothermia (6°C) was induced in cold exposed golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) by a combination of drugs that potentiate brain serotonergic activity (fluoxetine and pargyline) and inhibit noradrenergic activity (alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine). Individual drugs and combinations of 2 were ineffective.
Impacts of quota elimination on world textile trade: a reality check from 2000 to 2010

This study aims to conduct a reality check of the real impacts of quota elimination on world textile trade. By using the multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) technique, export performances of 41 top textile exporters in the world market from 2000 to 2010, including their relative and absolute export growth measured by seven dependent variables, were compared. Results of the MANOVA analysis suggested that textile exporters’ performances in response to quota elimination were unequal and related to their economic advancement level. The middle-income countries in general appeared to achieve the best performances in the postquota era while the high-income countries turned out to be ‘losers’ since quota elimination. Findings of this study imply that research strategy applied to evaluate the impacts of quota elimination on textile trade shall be different from the one evaluating clothing trade. The results also call for attention to the new round of structural change of world textile trade that may have un...
Cholesterol efflux stimulates metalloproteinase-mediated cleavage of occludin and release of extracellular membrane particles containing its C-terminal fragments

That changes in membrane lipid composition alter the barrier function of tight junctions illustrates the importance of the interactions between tetraspan integral tight junction proteins and lipids of the plasma membrane. Application of methyl-beta-cyclodextrin to both apical and basolateral surfaces of MDCK cell monolayers for 2 h, results in an approximately 80% decrease in cell cholesterol, a fall in transepithelial electrical resistance, and a 30% reduction in cell content of occludin, with a smaller reduction in levels of claudins-2, -3, and -7. There were negligible changes in levels of actin and the two non-tight junction membrane proteins GP-135 and caveolin-1. While in untreated control cells breakdown of occludin, and probably other tight junction proteins, is mediated by intracellular proteolysis, our current data suggest an alternative pathway whereby in a cholesterol-depleted membrane, levels of tight junction proteins are decreased via direct release into the intercellular space as components of membrane-bound particles. Occludin, along with two of its degradation products and several claudins, increases in the basolateral medium after incubation with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin for 30 min. In contrast caveolin-1 is detected only in the apical medium after adding methyl-beta-cyclodextrin. Release of occludin and its proteolytic fragments continues even after removal of methyl-beta-cyclodextrin. Sedimentation and ultrastructural studies indicate that the extracellular tight junction proteins are associated with the membrane-bound particles that accumulate between adjacent cells. Disruption of the actin filament network by cytochalasin D did not diminish methyl-beta-cyclodextrin-induced release of tight junction proteins into the medium, suggesting that the mechanism underlying their formation is not actin-dependent. The 41- and 48-kDa C-terminal occludin fragments formed during cholesterol depletion result from the action of a GM6001-sensitive metalloproteinase(s) at some point in the path leading to release of the membrane particles.
An inclusion principle for hereditary systems

Abstract Given two hereditary dynamic systems having different dimensions, the conditions are provided under which a part of the motion of the larger system is reproduced by the smaller system, that is, the larger system “includes” the smaller one. The conditions for inclusion are useful in applying the concept of vector Liapunov functions to stability analysis of systems composed of overlapping subsystems. By expanding the systems into a larger space the overlapping subsystems appear as disjoint and standard methods can be used to conclude stability of the expanded system. Under the inclusion conditions, stability of the expansion implies stability of the original system. An example is provided to show stability where the standard disjoint decompositions fail.
Bacterial scavenging of Mn and Fe in a mid- to far-field hydrothermal particle plume

The horizontally advected plumes which originate from buoyant hydrothermal fluid discharges and subsequently mix with entrained ambient sea water have been detected hundreds of kilometres from their vent sources by distinctive chemical hydrothermal tracers such as 3He, Mn and Fe (refs 1–6). Non-conservative plume tracers, such as Mn and Fe, undergo dynamic oxidation–precipitation reactions as the plume is advected away from the vent sources1,4,7,8. Although some of these transformations may be mediated by microbial activity9,10, hydrothermal plumes have largely escaped microbiological examination beyond tens of metres from their vent origins11,12. Microbe–metal interactions in a hydrothermal plume were specifically addressed during our recent expedition (Vent–Plume '85) to the southern Juan de Fuca Ridge (SJFR). The early results, reported here, provide strong evidence of major microbiological influence over Mn scavenging and particulate-Mn distributions.
The Use of Prosthetics in Abdominal Wall Reconstruction

Large ventral or incisional hernias are often difficult to manage. Most commonly patients are referred to reconstructive surgeons after multiple failed attempts of hernia repair. The use of prosthetic and bioprosthetic materials have aided greatly in the management of complex abdominal wall defects. A full understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of specific prosthetic materials available, and the associated complications of use, remains elusive, however. This article provides information concerning the applications of appropriate prosthetic material for temporary or permanent closure of difficult abdominal wall defects.
Role of Mitochondria and Caspases in Vitamin D-mediated Apoptosis of MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

Vitamin D3 compounds are currently in clinical trials for human breast cancer and offer an alternative approach to anti-hormonal therapies for this disease. 1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3(1α,25(OH)2D3), the active form of vitamin D3, induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells and tumors, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly characterized. In these studies, we focused on the role of caspase activation and mitochondrial disruption in 1α,25(OH)2D3-mediated apoptosis in breast cancer cells (MCF-7) in vitro. The effect of 1α,25(OH)2D3 on MCF-7 cells was compared with that of tumor necrosis factor α, which induces apoptosis via a caspase-dependent pathway. Our major findings are that 1α,25(OH)2D3 induces apoptosis in MCF-7 cells by disruption of mitochondrial function, which is associated with Bax translocation to mitochondria, cytochrome c release, and production of reactive oxygen species. Moreover, we show that Bax translocation and mitochondrial disruption do not occur after 1α,25(OH)2D3 treatment of a MCF-7 cell clone selected for resistance to 1α,25(OH)2D3-mediated apoptosis. These mitochondrial effects of 1α,25(OH)2D3 do not require caspase activation, since they are not blocked by the cell-permeable caspase inhibitor z-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone. Although caspase inhibition blocks 1α,25(OH)2D3-mediated events downstream of mitochondria such as poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage, external display of phosphatidylserine, and DNA fragmentation, MCF-7 cells still execute apoptosis in the presence of z-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone, indicating that the commitment to 1α,25(OH)2D3-mediated cell death is caspase-independent.
Epigenetic modulation of chronic anxiety and pain by histone deacetylation

Prolonged exposure of the central amygdala (CeA) to elevated corticosteroids (CORT) facilitates long-term anxiety and pain through activation of glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). However, the mechanisms maintaining these responses are unknown. Since chronic phenotypes can be sustained by epigenetic mechanisms, including histone modifications such as deacetylation, we tested the hypothesis that histone deacetylation contributes to the maintenance of chronic anxiety and pain induced by prolonged exposure of the CeA to CORT. We found that bilateral infusions of a histone deacetylase inhibitor into the CeA attenuated anxiety-like behavior as well as somatic and visceral hypersensitivity resulting from elevated CORT exposure. Moreover, we delineated a novel pathway through which histone deacetylation could contribute to CORT regulation of GR and subsequent CRF expression in the CeA. Specifically, deacetylation of histone 3 at lysine 9 (H3K9), through the coordinated action of the NAD+-dependent protein deacetylase sirtuin-6 (SIRT6) and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB), sequesters GR expression leading to disinhibition of CRF. Our results indicate that epigenetic programming in the amygdala, specifically histone modifications, is important in the maintenance of chronic anxiety and pain.
Blocking SCN10A Channels in Heart Reduces Late Sodium Current and is Antiarrhythmic

Rationale: While the sodium channel locus SCN10A has been implicated by genome-wide association studies as a modulator of cardiac electrophysiology, the role of its gene product Nav1.8 as a modulator of cardiac ion currents is unknown. Objective: We determined the electrophysiological and pharmacological properties of Nav1.8 in heterologous cell systems and assessed the antiarrhythmic effect of Nav1.8 block on isolated mouse and rabbit ventricular cardiomyocytes. Methods and Results: We first demonstrated that Scn10a transcripts are identified in mouse heart and that the blocker A-803467 is highly specific for Nav1.8 current over that of Nav1.5, the canonical cardiac sodium channel encoded by SCN5A. We then showed that low concentrations of A-803467 selectively block “late” sodium current and shorten action potentials in mouse and rabbit cardiomyocytes. Exaggerated late sodium current is known to mediate arrhythmogenic early afterdepolarizations in heart, and these were similarly suppressed by low concentrations of A-803467. Conclusions: SCN10A expression contributes to late sodium current in heart, and represents a new target for antiarrhythmic intervention.
Intellectual disabilities and child psychiatry: looking to the future

We begin this article by examining the role of intellectual disabilities within child psychiatry, highlighting the relatively steady role of disabilities and the recent movement to examine behavior in specific genetic syndromes. We next propose five questions for future work. Questions relate to (1) specifying the nature of gene-brain-behavior connections; (2) delineating environmental effects and gene-environment interactions; (3) understanding behaviors, physical characteristics, health issues, and other personal characteristics by which children with intellectual disabilities influence others; (4) clarifying the roles of gender and aging in behavioral functioning; and (5) working to improve pharmacological, educational, and other interventions and supports for children and their families. Although great advances have occurred over the past 50 years, intellectual disability research lags behind other areas of child psychiatry; much remains to be discovered that might help these children.
The Key Researchers and Their Research on Student Evaluation of Teaching

Teachers, young and old alike, are subjected to student evaluations of their teaching (SET) voluntarily or mandated by their university or college. There are probably as many opinions of SET as there are those who are subjected to it. It may come as no surprise that there are those who are fans of SET because they can provide them feedback aimed at improving the quality of their teaching and those who vehemently oppose having the quality of their teaching evaluated by those they serve, the students. Ultimately, this installment of research corner is a very good start on a literature review for those wanting to do this kind of research or learn to make the most of them to evaluate one's teaching or that of faculty in general.
On certain dense sets of rationals, simultaneous Schroder and Bottcher equations, and characterizations of functions

The fact that rational numbers of the forms 2 -m 3 n , m and n integers, are dense in the set $ \mathbb{R}^+ $ of non-negative real numbers is crucial in determining well-behaved solutions of a key functional equation. A principal aim of this paper is the presentation of a new proof of the statement that many similar sets of rationals are dense in $ \mathbb{R}^+ $ . The reason for giving a new proof of this statement is that the “standard” argument uses all the basic properties of logarithms and exponentials. The new proof does not, which means that our result can be used without circularity not only in the characterization, but in the very definition of logarithms and exponential functions.
Dielectrophoresis and Electrorotation of Spheroidal Cells after nsPEF Induced Electroporation

The impact of nanosecond, pulsed electric fields (nsPEF) induced biological membrane electroporation on the Clausius-Mossotti (CM) factor is studied. The electrorotational speed, which is proportional to the imaginary part of the CM factor, can be used for the noninvasive detection and monitoring of cellular membrane poration. Also, the dielectrophoresis (DEP) characteristics of normal and malignant white cells are different and one cell type can be more prone to be porated than another. These results point to the possibility of judiciously selecting electrical parameters for effective cell separation, especially in high conductivity media.
Inquiring into ‘techniques of power’ with preservice teachers through the ‘school film’ The Paper Chase

Abstract In working with preservice teachers, I have often coupled academic readings with “school films” to take up critical issues. In this article, I discuss a project I designed to introduce preservice teachers to the idea of “techniques of power” through analyses of the film The Paper Chase (1973), analyses informed by Gore's (in: T. Popkewitz, M. Brennan (Eds.), Foucault's Challenge: Discourse, Knowledge, and Power in Education, Teachers College Press, New York, 1998, pp. 231–251) articulation of eight “techniques of power” and certain elements from Foucault's (Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison, Random House, New York, 1977) Discipline and Punish. I also explain how preservice teachers began to view teaching and disciplinary practices through the lens of techniques of power.
An Integrative Model for Corporate Venturing

This article develops a new model of corporate venturing that incorporates the integration of strategy, culture, and viability. Although strategy has received attention, it appears that most research views entrepreneurship as “the strategy” that leads to corporate renewal, revitalization, etc., without truly understanding the components of that “entrepreneurial strategy.” We9ve developed a process model that embeds the alignment of risk taking and remuneration and the rewards for success and failed attempts. Second, most current models of corporate venturing (e.g., the 3M model) are so steeped in the company9s culture that they are not transferable to other organizations wishing to facilitate the entrepreneurial environment. New models such as Xerox New Enterprises (XNE) effectively integrate the components of strategy, culture, and viability resulting in a corporate entrepreneurship process model that is transferable to other companies. Finally, viability relies on existing proven models of opportunity recognition. Viability alone is not the singular test for corporate entrepreneurship unless it9s sustained integratively with strategy and culture. This integrative model is a step toward unifying all the disparate research on corporate venturing.
Iterative Monte Carlo path integral with optimal grids from whole-necklace sampling

The efficiency of the iterative Monte Carlo (IMC) path integral methodology for complex time correlation functions is increased through the use of optimal grids, which are sampled from paths that span the entire path integral necklace. The two-bead marginal distributions required in each step of the IMC iteration are obtained from a recursive procedure. Applications to one-dimensional and multi-dimensional model systems illustrate the enhancement in stability effected by the use of grids based on whole-necklace sampling.
Ion acceleration in a radio frequency driven ferroelectric plasma source

Ion emission from ferroelectric plasma sources driven by radio frequency (RF) applied voltage is studied. An experimental investigation of particle emission from lead zirconate titanate ferroelectric ceramics driven by bursts of seven cycles of RF voltage at 248 kHz has revealed significant ion current emission. Measured electron to ion peak current ratios ranged from 11 to 19, which is much lower than the expected thermal current ratio. These results indicate that the ions are being preferentially accelerated. An analysis of the ponderomotive force on the ions and electrons reveals that it may be responsible for acceleration of the ions. The ferroelectric plasma is examined as a possible micropropulsion thruster. Performance estimates based on the ponderomotive acceleration calculations predict specific impulse of 2000-3000 s, thrust of 0.1-1 mN, and specific power of 15 W/mN. These estimates are compared to existing micropropulsion concepts, revealing the attractiveness of ferroelectric plasma sources.
A SpaceTime Oriented Macroprogramming Paradigm for Push-Pull Hybrid Sensor Networking

This paper proposes a spatio-temporal macroprogramming paradigm for push-pull hybrid wireless sensor networks (WSNs). The proposed paradigm, called SpaceTime Oriented Programming (STOP), is designed to reduce the complexity of WSN programming by specifying data collection and processing from a global viewpoint as a whole rather than a viewpoint of sensor nodes as individuals. STOP treats space and time as first-class citizens and combines them as spacetime continuum. A spacetime is a three dimensional object that consists of a two spatial dimensions and a time playing the role of the third dimension. STOP allows application developers to program data collection and processing to spacetime, and abstracts away the details in WSNs, such as how many nodes are deployed in a WSN, how nodes are connected with each other and how to route data queries in a WSN. Using the notion of spacetime, data collection/processing is consistently specified for both the past and future in arbitrary spatio-temporal resolutions. This paper describes the design of the STOP language and the implementation of the STOP runtime environment.
MRI DETECTION OF THE THERMAL EFFECTS OF FOCUSED ULTRASOUND ON THE BRAIN

This study tested the hypothesis that MRI thermometry can be correlated with the different degrees of tissue damage observed after focused ultrasound (US) exposure of brain. The brains of 6 rabbits were sonicated to calibrate the MRI proton resonant shift with temperature. In addition, 13 rabbits were sonicated at acoustic powers ranging from 3.5 to 17.5 W. The experiments were performed in a 1.5-T MRI scanner with the temperature-sensitive phase imaging used during the sonications of 4-5 different locations in each rabbit. MR images were obtained 2 h and 2 days after the sonications, depending on when the animals were sacrificed. Whole brain histologic evaluation was performed by sectioning the brain and performing a microscopic investigation. The MRI-derived temperature elevation was found to correlate well with the degree of tissue damage. In addition to the common histology findings, apoptotic cells were observed in the lesions. The T1-weighted contrast enhanced and T2-weighted scans both detected the brain damage. The applied acoustic power did not correlate well with the degree of damage. As a conclusion, the results showed that the measurement of temperature elevations by MRI during sonications can improve the accuracy and safety of clinical US brain surgery.
On undetectable faults in partial scan circuits

We provide a definition of undetectable faults in partial scan circuits under a test application scheme where a test consists of primary input vectors applied at-speed between scan operations. We also provide sufficient conditions for a fault to be undetectable under this test application scheme. We present experimental results on finite-state machine benchmarks to demonstrate the effectiveness of these conditions in identifying undetectable faults.
Identifying Critical Elastic Scales in Structural-Acoustic Models

The level of detail required for accurate structural acoustic modeling of fluid loaded structures remains an issue of significant debate. Analytical solutions are rarely available, and discrete numerical solutions are typically too complex for ready extraction of physical understanding. In addition, numerical techniques introduce their own explicit scales through the minimum mesh dimension. However, the wavenumber based formulation of the surface variational principle describes the surface pressure and displacement as a comparatively small set of interacting waves. Coupling the SVP with distributed methods of representing structural attachment features provides a means to introduce, control, and investigate features of differing scales. We present here a technique for assessing the critical resolution scales for a fluid loaded two-dimensional plate. For feature attachments, we consider a line-mass elastically suspended by a line-spring from the wetted plate. We then use a spatial expansion for the elastic attachment to the wetted plate. The excitation applied to the plate is taken as a concentrated harmonic force. With the excitation held fixed, the influence of the scale of the feature spatial representation on the radiated power is assessed.
A Methylated Neurospora 5S rRNA Pseudogene Contains a Transposable Element Inactivated by Repeat-Induced Point Mutation

In an analysis of 22 of the roughly 100 dispersed 5S rRNA genes in Neurospora crassa, a methylated 5S rRNA pseudogene, Psi63, was identified. We characterized the Psi63 region to better understand the control and function of DNA methylation. The 120-bp 5S rRNA-like region of Psi63 is interrupted by a 1.9-kb insertion that has characteristics of sequences that have been modified by repeat-induced point mutation (RIP). We found sequences related to this insertion in wild-type strains of N. crassa and other Neurospora species. Most showed evidence of RIP; but one, isolated from the N. crassa host of Psi63, showed no evidence of RIP. A deletion from near the center of this sequence apparently rendered it incapable of participating in RIP with the related full-length copies. The Psi63 insertion and the related sequences have features of transposons and are related to the Fot1 class of fungal transposable elements. Apparently Psi63 was generated by insertion of a previously unrecognized Neurospora transposable element into a 5S rRNA gene, followed by RIP. We name the resulting inactivated Neurospora transposon PuntRIP1 and the related sequence showing no evidence of RIP, but harboring a deletion that presumably rendered it defective for transposition, dPunt.
Exploiting a support-based upper bound of Pearson's correlation coefficient for efficiently identifying strongly correlated pairs

Given a user-specified minimum correlation threshold θ and a market basket database with N items and T transactions, an all-strong-pairs correlation query finds all item pairs with correlations above the threshold θ. However, when the number of items and transactions are large, the computation cost of this query can be very high. In this paper, we identify an upper bound of Pearson's correlation coefficient for binary variables. This upper bound is not only much cheaper to compute than Pearson's correlation coefficient but also exhibits a special monotone property which allows pruning of many item pairs even without computing their upper bounds. A Two-step All-strong-Pairs corrElation que Ry (TAPER) algorithm is proposed to exploit these properties in a filter-and-refine manner. Furthermore, we provide an algebraic cost model which shows that the computation savings from pruning is independent or improves when the number of items is increased in data sets with common Zipf or linear rank-support distributions. Experimental results from synthetic and real data sets exhibit similar trends and show that the TAPER algorithm can be an order of magnitude faster than brute-force alternatives.
Interactions between smoking and weight in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia and small-for-gestational-age birth.

Cigarette smoking protects against preeclampsia but increases the risk of small-for-gestational-age birth (SGA). Regarding body weight, the converse is true: obesity elevates rates of preeclampsia but reduces rates of SGA. The authors assessed the combined effects of smoking and weight among US women developing preeclampsia or SGA, studying 7,757 healthy, primigravid women with singleton pregnancies in 1959-1965. Smoking (never, light, heavy), stratified by prepregnancy body mass index (BMI (weight (kg)/height (m)(2)); underweight, overweight, obese), was examined in relation to preeclampsia and SGA. Among underweight (BMI or=25), this trend was not apparent (p = 0.4). Among both underweight and overweight women, smoking significantly increased SGA risk (trend p < 0.001 for underweight and p = 0.02 for overweight/obese). Obesity eliminated the inverse association between smoking and preeclampsia but did not substantially alter the positive association between smoking and SGA. A possible unifying biologic explanation is discussed in this paper.
Mountains Out of Molehills? Tests of the Mediating Effects of Self‐Esteem in Predicting Workplace Complaining1

This study explores the possibility that the effects of various work-related antecedents on complaining behavior are transmitted through the beliefs that employees hold about themselves. Data obtained from 317 schoolteachers and their principals provide strong support for the proposition that organization-based self-esteem (OBSE) is an intervening mechanism between the antecedents of job satisfaction, affective commitment, procedural justice, distributive justice, and leader-member exchange quality and workplace complaining. The relationships that emerged were fully mediated, suggesting that OBSE is a central feature in how employees think, feel, and interact with others in the workplace. Avenues for future research and study limitations are discussed.
Intrinsic alignments of BOSS LOWZ galaxies – II. Impact of shape measurement methods

Measurements of intrinsic alignments of galaxy shapes with the large-scale density field, and the inferred intrinsic alignments model parameters, are sensitive to the shape measurement methods used. In this paper we measure the intrinsic alignments of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey-III (SDSS-III) Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) LOWZ galaxies using three different shape measurement methods (re-Gaussianization, isophotal, and de Vaucouleurs), identifying a variation in the inferred intrinsic alignments amplitude at the 40% level between these methods, independent of the galaxy luminosity or other properties. We also carry out a suite of systematics tests on the shapes and their two-point correlation functions, identifying a pronounced contribution from additive PSF systematics in the de Vaucouleurs shapes. Since different methods measure galaxy shapes at different effective radii, the trends we identify in the intrinsic alignments amplitude are consistent with the interpretation that the outer regions of galaxy shapes are more responsive to tidal fields, resulting in isophote twisting and stronger alignments for isophotal shapes. We observe environment dependence of ellipticity, with brightest galaxies in groups being rounder on average compared to satellite and field galaxies. We also study the anisotropy in intrinsic alignments measurements introduced by projected shapes, finding effects consistent with predictions of the nonlinear alignment model and hydrodynamic simulations. The large variations seen using the different shape measurement methods have important implications for intrinsic alignments forecasting and mitigation with future surveys.
On the Element Values of Mid-Series and Mid-Shunt Low-Pass LC Ladder Networks

An algorithm for the computation of element values of mid-series or mid-shunt low-pass LC ladder networks is given. The algorithm is based on the network interpretation of Darlington's formulas described in a recent article by Amstutz. This algorithm is programmed with the consideration of Fujisawa's criterion, which makes it possible to determine the attenuation pole sequence for the positive element values. The algorithm gives accurate results for any number of sections in the ladder network, and it is insensitive to the transformation of variables used in filter synthesis to overcome the accuracy problem.
Using Self-Concept Instruments With High-Ability College Students Reliability and Validity Evidence

This study investigated the reliability and validity of the academic subscales of Marsh's Self-Description Questionnaire ill and Neeman and Harter's Self-Perception Profile for College Students for use with high-ability college students. Participants included 100 high-ability college students and 196 average-ability college students enrolled in a comprehensive university in the South. Data analysis estimates of internal consistency were moderate, and estimates of relationships with external validity criteria, namely, academic achievement, aspirations, and year in school, moderately supported the validity of each subscale. Results indicate some support for the use of each subscale with highability college students.
Unrelated cord blood transplantation in children with sickle cell disease: Review of four-center experience

UCBT was performed in seven children with SCD and stroke (HLA match 4/6 n=5; 5/6 n=2). Four received myeloablative regimens (BU, CY, ATG plus FLU in one patient). One had primary graft failure, three had sustained engraftment, two with grade III-IV GVHD (one died, one developed chronic GVHD), one with stable mixed chimerism. Three patients treated with reduced-intensity regimens (FLU, BU or CY, ATG, TLI) failed to engraft; one engrafted after second UCBT (HU, TT, RXA, ALZ, TBI). Four patients (57%) developed viral infections. Engraftment, GVHD, and infection remain challenges.
Validation of CFD simulations of a stirred tank using particle image velocimetry data

Methods for validating CFD simulations based on the Reynolds Average Navier-Stokes equation (RANS) against Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements are investigated and applied to one of the most common problems in the chemical process industry — the prediction of flow field in a stirred vessel. A total of 1024 sequential instantaneous 2D velocity fields along the central axial plane of a stirred vessel with a P-4 axial impeller are obtained through PIV measurement. From the PIV data, the mean velocity, turbulent kinetic energy, Reynolds stresses and dissipation rate fields are extracted. By introducing several tools to quantify the similarities and differences between two-dimensional fields, CFD predictions of the flow field are validated against PIV data. Furthermore, using PIV and LDV data, the effect of boundary conditions on CFD simulation results is examined. The effect of different Reynolds stress closures on the flow prediction is also studied.
Paraspinal muscle asymmetry in Parkinson's disease

Lateral postural deviation in Parkinson's disease (PD) is not uncommon but has never been radiographically queried to evaluate for specific muscle anatomy. Ten subjects (9 female) were identified with paraspinal asymmetry on examination and MRI. Relative atrophy was seen diffusely in all paraspinal muscles (psoas, interspinalis, quadratus, multifidus, longissimus and ileocostalis). The quadratus, multifidus, longissimus and ileocostalis were the most asymmetric and equally involved. The interspinalis was less asymmetric, whereas the psoas was almost never asymmetric. Fatty infiltrates, consistent with radiographic myopathic degeneration, were often seen in the atrophic muscles. In 8/10 cases, the side of PD symptom onset demonstrated the greatest atrophy. Lateral postural deviation appears to result from ipsilateral paraspinal atrophy with fatty infiltration. Correlation with the most affected side suggests causality.
Inbreeding and asexuality: a response to Szulkin et al.

This research was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the NIH, National Library of Medicine.
Clear and Precise Specification of Ecological Data Management Processes and Dataset Provenance

With the availability of powerful computational and communication systems, scientists now readily access large, complicated derived datasets and build on those results to produce, through further processing, yet other derived datasets of interest. The scientific processes used to create such datasets must be clearly documented so that scientists can evaluate their soundness, reproduce the results, and build upon them in responsible and appropriate ways. Here, we present the concept of an analytic web, which defines the scientific processes employed and details the exact application of those processes in creating derived datasets. The work described here is similar to work often referred to as ?scientific workflow,? but emphasizes the need for a semantically rich, rigorously defined process definition language. We illustrate the information that comprises an analytic web for a scientific process that measures and analyzes the flux of water through a forested watershed. This is a complex and demanding scientific process that illustrates the benefits of using a semantically rich, executable language for defining processes and for supporting automatic creation of process provenance metadata.
Platelet-rich plasma differs according to preparation method and human variability.

Background: Varying concentrations of blood components in platelet-rich plasma preparations may contribute to the variable results seen in recently published clinical studies. The purposes of this investigation were (1) to quantify the level of platelets, growth factors, red blood cells, and white blood cells in so-called one-step (clinically used commercial devices) and two-step separation systems and (2) to determine the influence of three separate blood draws on the resulting components of platelet-rich plasma. Methods: Three different platelet-rich plasma (PRP) separation methods (on blood samples from eight subjects with a mean age [and standard deviation] of 31.6 ± 10.9 years) were used: two single-spin processes (PRPLP and PRPHP) and a double-spin process (PRPDS) were evaluated for concentrations of platelets, red and white blood cells, and growth factors. Additionally, the effect of three repetitive blood draws on platelet-rich plasma components was evaluated. Results: The content and concentrations of platelets, white blood cells, and growth factors for each method of separation differed significantly. All separation techniques resulted in a significant increase in platelet concentration compared with native blood. Platelet and white blood-cell concentrations of the PRPHP procedure were significantly higher than platelet and white blood-cell concentrations produced by the so-called single-step PRPLP and the so-called two-step PRPDS procedures, although significant differences between PRPLP and PRPDS were not observed. Comparing the results of the three blood draws with regard to the reliability of platelet number and cell counts, wide variations of intra-individual numbers were observed. Conclusions: Single-step procedures are capable of producing sufficient amounts of platelets for clinical usage. Within the evaluated procedures, platelet numbers and numbers of white blood cells differ significantly. The intra-individual results of platelet-rich plasma separations showed wide variations in platelet and cell numbers as well as levels of growth factors regardless of separation method. Clinical Relevance: The variability of components and its effects on dosage should be considered in single or consecutive treatments of platelet-rich plasma. Significant differences in components were observed in different separation methods and may have specific results on treated tissue.
On the Relationship between the Accuracy and Value of Forecasts in the Cost–Loss Ratio Situation

Abstract This paper explores the relationship between the quality and value of imperfect forecasts. It is assumed that these forecasts are produced by a primitive probabilistic forecasting system and that the decision-making problem of concern is the cost-loss ratio situation. In this context, two parameters describing basic characteristics of the forecasts must be specified in order to determine forecast quality uniquely. As a result, a scalar measure of accuracy such as the Brier score cannot completely and unambiguously describe the quality of the imperfect forecasts. The relationship between forecast accuracy and forecast value is represented by a multivalued function—an accuracy/value envelope. Existence of this envelope implies that the Brier score is an imprecise measure of value and that forecast value can even decrease as forecast accuracy increases (and vice versa). The generality of these results and their implications for verification procedures and practices are discussed.
Stochastic Characterization and Update of Fatigue Loading for Mechanical Damage Prognosis

Accurate characterization and prediction of loading, while properly accounting for uncertainty, are essential for probabilistic fatigue damage prognosis. Three different techniques, including rainflow counting, the Markov chain method, and autoregressive moving average (ARMA) method, are reviewed for stochastic characterization and reconstruction of the fatigue load spectrum for prognosis. The ARMA method is extended by introducing random coefficients and probabilistic weights, to account for the uncertainty in the selection of models, inherent variability of loading, and uncertainty due to sparse data. A continuous model updating framework based on usage monitoring data is developed and applied to all the three techniques mentioned above. The relation between prediction accuracy and updating period is evaluated quantitatively. A quantitative model validation metric is proposed for assessing the accuracy of load prediction.*