cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Linguistic and racial re-formation of indigenous Mexicans' languages and races in Florida Heartland K-12 schools

I interrogate how consequential representations of student characteristics are fashioned by analyzing identification, recording, and reporting of student and parent language, race, and ethnicity in K-12 school registration, school records, and state reporting. In the Florida Heartland, analysis of ethnographic school observations, school electronic records, a language inventory (survey), interviews, and official state data show that language, race, and ethnicity information for some K-12 students and parents (especially indigenous Mexicans) collected during enrollment are not recorded accurately and undergo transformation from collection to reporting. According to my language inventory, students' parents were indigenous language speakers 19 times more often than reflected in raw school records. In records from the local middle school, 10 percent of students were American Indian, though the state reported this as 0 percent. This linguistic and racial re-formation resulted from several factors, including registrars recording languages as others (i.e. Spanish instead of Nahuatl), differential questioning practices, and state reporting policy. As discussed, enhanced procedures and updated policy should improve areas affected by inaccurate data.
Externalities from Intra-Firm Trade by U.S. Multinationals

The share of world trade attributed to intra-firm trade is large and fast-growing. This paper offers new information on the welfare outcome of these trends. Two-country evaluations of the gains from international trade were replaced by local welfare measured, not only by the usual per capita income, but also by a newly available index of happiness which incorporates measures for non-economic human welfare. With the aid of large panel data and Hicksian production theory tools, we estimated positive marginal elasticities and a positive elasticity of substitution between intra-firm trade in goods and services. Kernel causality defined in a new R package helped quantify positive externalities from a selected set of 24 variables related to local welfare. Hence, we conclude that multinationals make a positive impact on local welfare.
Cyber-physical systems virtual organization: Active resources: enabling reproducibility, improving accessibility, and lowering the barrier to entry

The Cyber-Physical Systems Virtual Organization (CPS-VO)1 has been evolving from a shared repository of information into a destination for active collaboration, simulation, hands-on education, and demonstration. We would like to show-case advances in tool integration, particularly a set of verification tools, and how this integration enables reproducibility, improves accessibility, and lowers the barrier to entry in this field. We would also like to demonstrate use of our simulation and tool frameworks, have a poster showing results and progress over the last year, and invite others to host their tools on the CPS-VO infrastructure.
Purpose in life and conflict-related neural responses during health decision-making.

Objective Having a strong sense of purpose in life is associated with positive health behaviors. However, the processes through which purpose leads to health are unclear. The current study compared neural activity among individuals with higher versus lower purpose while they made health-related decisions in response to messages promoting health behavior change. Method A total of 220 adults with a sedentary lifestyle who were likely to feel conflicted in response to health messages underwent functional MRI while viewing messages encouraging physical activity and indicated the self-relevance of the messages. We focused on activity within dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), anterior insula (AI), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) as identified by meta-analytically defined maps of regions previously implicated in conflict-related processing, while participants considered the self-relevance of the messages. Results Individuals with higher (vs. lower) purpose showed less activity in dACC, AI, DLPFC, and VLPFC while making health-decisions. Lower brain response in these regions mediated the effect of higher purpose on greater endorsement of the messages. Conclusions Individuals with strong purpose may be less likely to experience conflict-related regulatory burden during health decision-making, which may in turn allow them to accept conflicting yet beneficial health messages. Reduced brain reactivity in dACC, AI, DLPFC, and VLPFC may reflect reduced conflict-related processing during health decision-making relevant to longer term lifestyle goals. This adds to mounting evidence linking purpose and a range of positive health-related outcomes, as well as evidence suggesting that dACC, AI, DLPFC, and VLPFC track conflict-related processes relevant to longer term goals and values. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
New trends in geometric modeling and discretization for integral equations

In this chapter, the author have presented ideas along these lines, focusing on two different numerical approaches, i.e., GMM and IGA, both of which rely on subdivision representation of geometries. Both methods take different approaches to solving integral equations. GMM is a highly flexible scheme that permits the use of different basis functions for each patch and, as a result, is highly customizable. The crux to this approach is local surface parameterization and transition maps between different local parameterizations in regions where patches overlap. Subdivision offers an effective approach to overcome this bottleneck. Its efficacy and related challenges have been demonstrated through examples. Indeed, it is possible to pair subdivision GMM with methods developed in [14] to efficiently evaluate integrals to solve problems that are electrically large and geometrically complex.
NATIONAL TRENDS OF TOBACCO, ALCOHOL, AND DRUG ABUSE IN PATIENTS ADMITTED WITH ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a huge health and economic burden in the US. Tobacco, alcohol and drug abuse (DA) are established risk factors. We sought to evaluate the national trend of use of each substance in patients admitted with AMI. We used the National Inpatient Sample between 2005
Development of an age-scalable 3D computational phantom in DICOM standard for late effects studies of childhood cancer survivors.

Purpose: Our age-scalable 3D computational phantom has been widely used for retrospective whole-body dose reconstructions of conventional radiation therapy (RT) in late effects studies of childhood cancer survivors. This phantom is modeled in the FORTRAN programming language and not readily applicable for dose reconstructions of contemporary RT. The goal of this work was to adapt the current FORTRAN model of our phantom into Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standard. Method: We developed Python scripts to adapt our phantom from FORTRAN to DICOM. To validate the conversion, we calculated the percent differences (PD) between corner points and volume of each body region, normalized mean square distance (NMSD) between the organs, and PD between the heights of our DICOM phantom and the heights (50th-percentile) reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We compared organ masses of our DICOM phantom with those from two internationally recognized reference phantoms. Lastly, we conducted a dose calculation feasibility study using our DICOM phantom in a commercial TPS. Results: PD in corner points and the volumes of body regions between the FORTRAN and DICOM phantoms agreed within 3%. The NMDSs were low with a maximum of 7.80×10-2mm. The heights of our age-scaled phantom agreed with WHO/CDC data within 7% from infant to adult, within 2% agreement for ages 5 years and older. Organ masses in our phantom are less than the organ masses for other reference phantoms. Dose calculations with our in-house calculation system and commercial TPS (with FORTRAN and DICOM phantoms, respectively) agreed within ±7%. Conclusion: We successfully adapted our 3D age scalable phantom from the FORTRAN language to DICOM standard and validated its adaptation. We demonstrated that phantom is representative of population height data for infant to adult, but that the organs need further refinement.
First-order quantified separators

Quantified first-order formulas, often with quantifier alternations, are increasingly used in the verification of complex systems. While automated theorem provers for first-order logic are becoming more robust, invariant inference tools that handle quantifiers are currently restricted to purely universal formulas. We define and analyze first-order quantified separators and their application to inferring quantified invariants with alternations. A separator for a given set of positively and negatively labeled structures is a formula that is true on positive structures and false on negative structures. We investigate the problem of finding a separator from the class of formulas in prenex normal form with a bounded number of quantifiers and show this problem is NP-complete by reduction to and from SAT. We also give a practical separation algorithm, which we use to demonstrate the first invariant inference procedure able to infer invariants with quantifier alternations.
COVID-19 in 7780 pediatric patients: A systematic review.

Abstract Background Studies summarizing the clinical picture of COVID-19 in children are lacking. This review characterizes clinical symptoms, laboratory, and imaging findings, as well as therapies provided to confirmed pediatric cases of COVID-19. Methods Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, we searched four medical databases (PubMed, LitCovid, Scopus, WHO COVID-19 database) between December 1, 2019 to May 14, 2020 using the keywords “novel coronavirus”, “COVID-19” or “SARS-CoV-2”. We included published or in press peer-reviewed cross-sectional, case series, and case reports providing clinical signs, imaging findings, and/or laboratory results of pediatric patients who were positive for COVID-19. Risk of bias was appraised through the quality assessment tool published by the National Institutes of Health. PROSPERO registration # CRD42020182261. Findings We identified 131 studies across 26 countries comprising 7780 pediatric patients. Although fever (59·1%) and cough (55·9%) were the most frequent symptoms 19·3% of children were asymptomatic. Patchy lesions (21·0%) and ground-glass opacities (32·9%) depicted lung radiograph and computed tomography findings, respectively. Immunocompromised children or those with respiratory/cardiac disease comprised the largest subset of COVID-19 children with underlying medical conditions (152 of 233 individuals). Coinfections were observed in 5.6% of children and abnormal laboratory markers included serum D-dimer, procalcitonin, creatine kinase, and interleukin-6. Seven deaths were reported (0·09%) and 11 children (0·14%) met inclusion for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. Interpretation This review provides evidence that children diagnosed with COVID-19 have an overall excellent prognosis. Future longitudinal studies are needed to confirm our findings and better understand which patients are at increased risk for developing severe inflammation and multiorgan failure. Funding Parker B. Francis and pilot grant from 2R25-HL126140. Funding agencies had no involvement in the study.
Extent of food restriction affects probability but not delay-based decision-making

Rodent studies on decision-making often use food rewards and food-restrict subjects in order to motivate performance. However, food restriction has widespread effects on brain and behavior, which depend on factors including extent of restriction and feeding schedule. These factors are well recognized for their effects on motivation, but may also cause effects on decision-making independent of motivation. We examined how the degree of weight-based food restriction in rats influenced decision-making on the probability and delay discounting tasks. Additionally, we examined how the method of food restriction (consistent amount vs. time constrained feeding schedule) influenced decision-making. Our results showed that the degree of weight-based food restriction significantly altered probability, but not delay discounting, and that these effects were not entirely explainable by differences in motivation. Additionally, the method of food restriction did not significantly influence discounting when animals were within the same range of weight-based restriction. Together, our findings suggest that the degree of food restriction may modulate the neural circuitry responsible for selective aspects of decision-making related to probability. Further, these data support the need for tight control and reporting of weight and feeding in studies relying on food restriction, and suggest that the effects of food restriction may be broader than previously considered.
Razing Kids : Youth, Environment, and the Postwar American West

Children are the future. Or so we like to tell ourselves. In the wake of the Second World War, Americans took this notion to heart. Confronted by both unprecedented risks and unprecedented opportunities, they elevated and perhaps exaggerated the significance of children for the survival of the human race. Razing Kids analyzes the relationship between the postwar demographic explosion and the birth of postwar ecology. In the American West, especially, workers, policymakers, and reformers interwove hopes for youth, environment, and the future. They linked their anxieties over children to their fears of environmental risk as they debated the architecture of wartime playgrounds, planned housing developments and the impact of radioactive particles released from distant hinterlands. They obsessed over how riot-riddled cities, War on Poverty era rural work camps and pesticide-laden agricultural valleys would affect children. Nervous about the world they were making, their hopes and fears reshaped postwar debates about what constituted the social and environmental good.
Expected returns with leverage constraints and target returns

Classic mean–variance optimization is very sensitive to expected returns. An alternative and more robust approach is to calculate the implied returns given the current portfolio allocation and risk profile. Portfolio managers can then do a reality check on the implied returns and find opportunities for better allocations. The most common implied return calculation assumes normal distribution and unlimited leverage, and use volatility as risk measure and covariance matrix as model input. However, practitioners usually have leverage constraints, often use non-parametric risk models, and care about portfolio tail risk. This paper presents a new approach to calculate expected returns with leverage constraints. This approach is flexible enough to alleviate normal distribution assumption, connect with non-parametric risk models, and use tail risk measures, such as conditional VaR.
Design Rules, Volume 2: Chapter 10—Variations on the Theme of Mass Production

The purpose of this chapter is to explore variation among organizations employing mass production technology. To allow for an apples-to-apples comparison, I examine organizations using essentially the same technologies, making similar products, and competing in the same markets. Specifically, I look at the organizational differences among the largest automakers in the U.S. and Japan. I focus first on Ford from 1910 to 1930, then General Motors from the 1920s through the 1960s, then Toyota (and other Japanese automakers) from the 1960s through 2000. The differences between these organizations indicate that, while technology shapes organizations within broad limits, it does not determine an organization’s complete design or its long-term competitive success or failure.
Controlled pipeline lateral buckling by reeling induced curvature imperfections

Abstract Expansion of pipelines installed on the sea floor due to the passage of high temperature and pressure hydrocarbons leads to lateral buckling. Interaction with a frictional sea floor can result in localization of such buckles, which must be controlled to ensure that the local bending is within acceptable limits. Periodic geometric imperfections introduced to a pipeline installed by reeling using the Residual Curvature Method are modeled and their effectiveness as expansion loops is evaluated. The imperfections are generated by allowing chosen lengths of the line to retain a small curvature by judicious action at the straightener. The model properly accounts for the complex interactions between geometric and material nonlinearities with frictional forces. It is demonstrated that as the temperature increases, the line can buckle in a snap-through manner, or can grow stably usually causing plastic deformation in its crest. The behavior is governed by the length, curvature, amplitude and periodicity of the imperfection, and by the lateral and axial frictional forces that develop. The effect of each of these variables is studied parametrically. Overall, the Residual Curvature Method is found to be a viable and effective method of controlling lateral buckling. The results provide guidance on the optimal periodicity, how to avoid snap-through buckling, and how to simultaneously minimize plastic bending.
Subsistence as Transformative Practice: The Zooarchaeology of Slavery in the Colonial Caribbean

The colonial Caribbean was the site of dynamic interaction between groups of Europeans, Africans, and Indigenous peoples, structured by vast power inequalities. With the emergence of the plantation...
Update on Pediatric Tracheostomy: Indications, Technique, Education, and Decannulation.

Tracheostomy in a child demands critical pre-operative evaluation, deliberate family education, competent surgical technique, and multidisciplinary post-operative care. The goals of pediatric tracheostomy are to establish a safe airway, optimize ventilation, and expedite discharge. Herein we provide an update regarding timing, surgical technique, complications, and decannulation, focusing on a longitudinal approach to pediatric tracheostomy care. Pediatric tracheostomy is performed in approximately 0.2% of inpatient stays among tertiary pediatric hospitals. Mortality in children with tracheostomies ranges from 10–20% due to significant comorbidities in this population. Tracheostomy-specific mortality and complications are now rare. Recent global initiatives have aimed to optimize decision-making, lower surgical costs, reduce the length of intensive care, and eliminate perioperative wound complications. The safest road to tracheostomy decannulation in children remains to be both patient and provider dependent. Recent literature provides guidance on safe, uncomplicated, and long-term tracheostomy care in children. Further research is needed to help standardize decannulation protocols.
Abstract #4625: Effect of NAMI-A on K-Ras-mediated oncogenic transformation and signal transduction

The ruthenium-based drug imidazolium trans-imidazoledimethlysulfoxide-tetrachlororuthenate (NAMI-A) has previously demonstrated anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic effects, in addition to limited cellular and host toxicity. The goal of this study was to evaluate effects of NAMI-A on rat intestinal epithelial (RIE-1) cells transformed by K-Ras 12V. A K-Ras 12V genetic mutation causes the Ras GTPase to be chronically activated, leading to unregulated cell cycle progression, altered morphology, and other cancer cell phenotypes. RIE-1 cells were treated with NAMI-A, and effects on cytotoxicity, proliferation, anchorage-independent growth, invasion, morphology, and signal transduction downstream of Ras were investigated. NAMI-A, at concentrations up to 200 \#956;M, was nontoxic to RIE-1 cells, and NAMI-A selectively reduced anchorage-independent proliferation and inhibited Matrigel invasion of Ras-transformed cells. Exposure of either nontransformed or Ras-transformed cells to NAMI-A for up to twenty-four hours did not alter cell morphology. Finally, western analysis was used to examine activation of ERK (extracellular-regulated protein kinase) and Akt kinase, effector pathways downstream of Ras and involved in progression and maintenance of the transformed state. NAMI-A treatment caused an upregulation of both ERK and Akt activation, as shown by an increase in phosphorylation, in nontransformed cells and caused a slight downregulation of Akt activation in Ras-transformed cells. Given that the anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic effects of NAMI-A on RIE-1 cells have been previously shown to be selective towards the Ras-transformed cells, this study proposed an interesting shift to the potential effects of NAMI-A on molecular pathways downstream of Ras in nontransformed cells. Taken together, our studies indicate that NAMI-A exhibits anticancer effects in Ras-transformed cells and upregulates ERK and Akt activation in nontransformed cells. These studies provide novel evidence of the selective anticancer effects of NAMI-A in Ras-transformed RIE-1 cells as well as novel effects of NAMI-A on Akt, suggesting that NAMI-A could target other proteins that lie upstream of both ERK and Akt signaling. Citation Information: In: Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res; 2009 Apr 18-22; Denver, CO. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; 2009. Abstract nr 4625.
Commentary: Choice and Innovation in the Interaction of Political Discourse with Culture

In this volume, “culture” is defined broadly and “political discourse” specifically as the public speech of politicians. The resulting chapters therefore vary in their approach to what a culture is. But they converge on recognizing the presence in any culture of options that politicians choose or reject in making their speeches comprehensible to publics. At the same time, a number of chapters reveal politicians innovating discourse with respect to their cultures in speech that has modified or may be in the process of modifying the culture within which each politician communicates. The relation between culture and political discourse is neither a one-way street nor one along which politicians can reach their audiences without activating a shared cultural heritage.
The POWER Processor Family: A Historical Perspective From the Viewpoint of Presilicon Modeling

Presilicon modeling is a crucial and integral part of processor microarchitecture definition and optimization. In this article, I attempt to provide a retrospective view of IBM's POWER and PowerPC microprocessors, through the lens of someone who has been associated with such modeling in support of microarchitecture definition and optimization from the earliest days of this particular family of processors. The focus in the early/mid-1980s was on cycle-accurate performance modeling; much later, beginning in 1999 or so, the looming power wall triggered a new era of power-performance modeling at the microarchitecture level. Subsequently, temperature-aware and reliability-aware modeling were added dimensions that CMOS technology evolution drove us into. The problem of model validation is an unavoidable aspect of presilicon modeling. Without that mindset, the microarchitecture definition team can make serious mistakes, which results in unpleasant postsilicon surprises. I provide pointers to early approaches in addressing this issue. The article attempts to mention the contributions of many talented researchers and engineers that have, over the years, contributed immensely to the evolution of the POWER/PowerPC microprocessors from earliest research concepts through the recently announced POWER10—using model-based analysis to ensure competitive performance growth.
Further Characterizations of Sputtered Copper Beryllium Capsules Using Confocal Micro X-Ray Fluorescence

AbstractConfocal micro X-ray fluorescence (confocal MXRF) is continuing to be explored as a method for characterizing copper and argon doped sputtered beryllium capsules. Previously demonstrated was the utility of confocal MXRF in both the two- and three-dimensional modes and overlaying the data with X-ray micro computed tomography as a method of nondestructive analysis. In this paper, the relative amount of copper dopant was measured as a function of capsule theta, examining the changes in the amounts of copper around the circumference of the capsule and comparing the relative amount of copper between capsules. A theta stage was specially constructed in order to perform line scans through the capsule wall while keeping the geometry of the measurement constant. Four capsules (one unpyrolyzed and three pyrolyzed) were examined with this method. The noise of the measurements averaged 1.43%, and differences within a capsule as a function of theta were 2.15%, with differences between capsules ˜13% indicating ...
Slip Validation and Prediction for Mars Exploration Rovers

This paper presents a novel technique to validate and predict the rover slips on Martian surface for NASA's Mars Exploration Rovers. Different from the traditional approach, the proposed method uses the actual velocity profile of the wheels and the digital elevation map (DEM) from the stereo images of the terrain to formulate simplified equations of motion of the rovers. A weighted factor to the wheel-ground speed from the empirical data comprises the velocity equations of the simplified differential-algebraic system of the rover motion. Applying the discretization operator to these equations, the full kinematics state of the rover is then resolved by the configuration kinematics solution in the Robot Sequencing and Visualization Program (RSVP). This method produced accurate simulation of the rover movements compared with these of the earth testing vehicle. Using the telemetry from the onboard Visual Odometry, the simulated rover path also compares well with the actual track of the vehicle. Preliminary results indicated that the proposed computational method is very effective in planning the path of the rovers on the high-slope areas.
Micro-computer Based Laboratory

Modern curriculum frameworks (see also) and standards (see also) emphasize that students should actively communicate efficiently, solve complex problems, analyze information, and design solutions.
Bovine Pyruvate Kinases II. PURIFICATION OF THE LIVER ISOZYME AND ITS HYBRIDIZATION WITH SKELETAL MUSCLE PYRUVATE KINASE

Abstract There are at least three electrophoretically distinguishable mammalian isozymes of pyruvate kinase (EC 2.7.1.40). One of these, the type L isozyme, has been associated with the parenchymal cells of rodent livers. We have isolated and purified the equivalent isozyme from bovine liver. Like other mammalian type L pyruvate kinases, this enzyme exhibits cooperative kinetics with its substrate, phosphoenolpyruvate, and is activated by fructose 1,6-diphosphate. We find a Michaelis constant for P-enolpyruvate of about 0.08 mm in the presence of 1 mm fructose 1,6-diphosphate, and half-maximal activity at 0.5 mm P-enolpyruvate in the absence of fructose 1,6-diphosphate. Bovine type L pyruvate kinase has a sedimentation coefficient of 9.5 S at a concentration near 0.5 mg per ml in the analytical ultracentrifuge, and a molecular weight from sedimentation equilibrium of about 215,000 based on a partial specific volume (estimated from amino acid analyses) of 0.737 ml per g. It is dissociated by guanidine hydrochloride into subunits with a molecular weight of approximately 54,000 using the same partial specific volume. Measurements of the Hill coefficient are consistent with the presence of four substrate binding sites on the liver isozyme, or an average of one per subunit. Thus, the liver isozyme appears to have the same subunit structure and number of binding sites as the skeletal muscle isozyme. Hybrids of the skeletal muscle and type L isozymes are of interest because the former enzyme exhibits Michaelis-Menten kinetics with its substrates while the liver isozyme behaves allosterically. Hybrids of these two enzymes were produced in vitro by denaturing them together in guanidine hydrochloride, followed by dilution into a renaturing medium containing a reducing reagent and Tris-HCl at pH 7.5. One-half or more of the original activity was recovered. After electrophoresis of the renatured mixture, an enzyme-specific detection procedure revealed five isozymes, consisting of L4, L3M, L2M2, LM3, and M4, where L4 and M4 are the native tetrameric liver and skeletal muscle isozymes, respectively. Densitometric measurements of the electrophoretic pattern suggest hybrid amounts that are consistent with a random redistribution of parental subunits. This result implies that, in spite of significant differences in physical and chemical properties, the liver and skeletal muscle isozymes are very similar, at least near regions of intersubunit contact.
Lack of cholinergic control in feedback regulation of pancreatic secretion in the rat.

Abstract The effect of atropine (100 μg/kg/h, i.v.) on plasma cholecystokinin and pancreatic secretion during diversion of bile and pancreatic juice from the intestine was studied in 8 conscious rats equipped with jugular vein, pancreatic, biliary, and duodenal cannulas, and with pyloric ligation and gastric drainage. Diversion of bile and pancreatic juice to the exterior for 4 h significantly increased pancreatic protein and fluid secretion. Atropine delayed the pancreatic response to diversion, but during 4 h of diversion, neither total nor incremental pancreatic protein or fluid secretion was inhibited by atropine. Plasma cholecystokinin levels were elevated after diverting bile and pancreatic juice and were not significantly reduced by atropine (23.0 ± 6.6 pM vs. 16.0 ± 3.9 pM at 1.5 h and 17.3 ± 5.4 pM vs. 13.1 ± 2.9 pM at 4 h after bile and pancreatic juice diversion; atropine-treated vs. controls, respectively). These results indicate that cholinergic nerves play no important role in feedback regulation of cholecystokinin release and that the previously reported suppressive effect of atropine on the pancreatic response to diversion of bile and pancreatic juice from the intestine was secondary to inhibition of gastric secretion.
Cold Adapted Microorganisms: Use in Biotechnology

Underlying Principles and Molecular Genetic Technologies Cold-Active Enzymes Bioremediation Some Future Applications of Cold-Adapted Microorganisms Keywords: biotechnology; cold-active enzymes; cold-adapted microorganisms; cold-induced proteins; cold-shock proteins; psychrophilic microorganisms; psychrotrophic microorganisms
Differential Adhesion and Infection of Nematodes by the Endoparasitic Fungus Meria coniospora (Deuteromycetes)

The conidia of the endoparasitic fungus Meria coniospora (Deuteromycetes) had different patterns of adhesion to the cuticles of the several nematode species tested; adhesion in some species was only to the head and tail regions, on others over the entire cuticle, whereas on others there was a complete lack of adhesion. After adhesion, the fungus usually infected the nematode. However, adhesion to third-stage larvae of five animal parasitic nematodes, all of which carry the cast cuticle from the previous molt, did not result in infection. M. coniospora infected animal parasitic nematodes when this protective sheath was removed. Seven preparations of sialic acid (N-acetylneuraminic acid) gave three types of response in adhesion-infection of nematodes: (i) a significant reduction in conidial adhesions; (ii) no interference with adhesion, but a 10-day delay in infection; and (iii) a delay in infection by 2 to 3 days. The current results support previous findings indicating involvement of sialic acids localized on nematode cuticles in recognition of prey by M. coniospora.
Case-Deliverer: Making Cases Relevant to the Task at Hand

Designers are limited in exploiting a catalog knowledge base of design cases because they may be unable to articulate what they are looking for, or may be unaware that potentially useful catalog examples exist. Kid (Knowing-In-Design), a domain-oriented, knowledge-based design environment for kitchen floor plan design, integrates the use of the catalog-base with its design tools. The information given through KidSpecification (for specifying a design requirement) and KidConstruction (for graphically constructing a floor plan) provides representations of the designers' task at hand, and recorded design rationale in its argumentation-base is used to infer the relevance of catalog examples to the task at hand. The Case-Deliverer component orders catalog examples according to the partial specification, and the CatalogExplorer subsystem allows designers to explore further the catalog space in terms of the task at hand. The study and assessment of the mechanisms have revealed that delivered cases helped designers reframe both a problem and a solution, and have encouraged designers to articulate a new portion of design knowledge, which addresses the knowledge acquisition problem.
The Ricci Flow: An Introduction

The Ricci flow of special geometries Special and limit solutions Short time existence Maximum principles The Ricci flow on surfaces Three-manifolds of positive Ricci curvature Derivative estimates Singularities and the limits of their dilations Type I singularities The Ricci calculus Some results in comparison geometry Bibliography Index.
Evaluation of the interfacial mechanical properties in fiber-reinforced ceramic composites

The present study examined the application of a micro-indentation technique to the measurement of interfacial properties in fiber reinforced ceramic composites. Specific fiber/matrix systems included SiC/glass, SiC/macro-defect-free (MDF) cement, SiC/SiC, and mullite/glass. The effect of fiber coatings upon the interfacial properties was also investigated. These properties, which included the debond strength, interfacial shear stress, and residual axial fiber stress, were evaluated by measuring the force-displacement curves generated during load-unload cycles. Estimates of these three stress values were obtained by matching the experimental force-displacement curves with data predicted from an existing model. In general the SiC/glass composites exhibited the lowest values of the interfacial shear and debond stresses. The sliding characteristics of the SiC/MDF cement and SiC/SiC composites were strongly influenced by the residual axial stress and the nature of the fiber coating. In the case of the mullite/glass composite, the high values of the interfacial shear and debond stresses reduced the measurement sensitivity, thereby increasing the uncertainty in the estimates of the interfacial properties. 17 refs, 6 figs, 1 tab.
Low temperature discharge performance of sealed lead-acid aircraft batteries

The low temperature performance of three sizes of sealed lead-acid aircraft batteries was investigated. Discharge capacities were determined for fully charged batteries at temperatures of -35/spl deg/F and -55/spl deg/F. In addition, discharge capacities were determined at -40/spl deg/F for a battery preconditioned to various states of charge. The results can be used to determine the amount of capacity derating necessary for low temperature operation.
Nonlinear amplification of CDMA waveforms: an analysis of power amplifier gain errors and spectral regrowth

The effect of nonlinear amplification on CDMA waveforms is investigated. Variations in the gain of the power amplifier (PA) in response to changes in the input power are used as a measure of the nonlinearity. The relationship between Walsh code selection, data sequences, PN sequences, and the wave-shaping filter in the generation of PA gain errors is discussed. An approach for reducing spectral regrowth by introducing correlations between data sequences within different Walsh code channels is proposed.
Flux modulation from non-axisymmetric structures in accretion discs

Non-axisymmetric accretion discs can lead to flux variability. Here we provide an analytic framework for modeling non-axisymmetric structures like hotspots and spiral waves and their influence on observed timing measurements. The presently unexplained low-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations (LFQPO), observed in X-ray binaries and cataclysmic variables, could be the result of such discs. Our framework serves as a guide to quantify the properties that non-axisymmetric structures produced by nonlinear accretion disc models must have in order to explain observed features such as LFQPOs. The results from our microquasar applications also provide analogous predictions for X-ray modulation in active galactic nuclei. The formalism and physical interpretation is of practical use for generic non-axisymmetric accretion disc systems.
Ionic mechanisms of electrical activity in somatic muscle of the nematodeAscaris lumbricoides

The ionic dependence of the myogenic spike potentials and slow waves recorded fromAscaris lumbricoides somatic muscles has been investigated. Spikes appear to be mediated exclusively by calcium ions; the spike active potential varies with calcium concentration as expected for a calcium electrode and spikes persist in sodium-free media (Fig. 2). Slow waves can be mediated either by sodium or calcium; they persist when calcium or sodium are removed separately, but not when both are removed together (Figs. 3, 4, 6).
Overexpression of either lysine-specific demethylase-1 or CLOCK, but not Co-Rest, improves long-term expression from a modified neurofilament promoter, in a helper virus-free HSV-1 vector system

Long-term expression from helper virus-free Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1) vectors is required for many specific neural gene therapies and studies on neuronal physiology. We previously developed a promoter that supports long-term, neuron-specific expression by fusing the chicken s-globin insulator (INS), followed by an upstream enhancer from the rat tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) promoter, to a neurofilament heavy gene (NFH) promoter. Here, we examined the capability of specific transcription factors to further improve long-term expression from this promoter. Following a HSV-1 virus infection, the virus genome is localized to promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) nuclear bodies (NB). At these sites, specific cellular transcription factors interact with HSV-1 encoded transcription factors, and together regulate HSV-1 gene expression. Importantly, lysine-specific demethylase-1 (LSD1), CLOCK, and Co-Rest each activate HSV-1 gene expression. However, gene expression from HSV-1 vectors differs in a number of important aspects from the virus, including no HSV-1 genes are expressed. Nonetheless, these observations raise the possibility that specific transcription factors may improve long-term expression from specific promoters in HSV-1 vectors. Here, we show that overexpression of either LSD1 or CLOCK improves long-term expression from the INS-TH-NFH promoter, but overexpression of Co-Rest supports levels of long-term expression similar to those supported by a control vector. Further, overexpression of LSD1 is compatible with neuron-specific expression. Thus, overexpressing specific transcription factors can improve long-term expression from specific cellular promoters in HSV-1 vectors, and the chromatin structure of the vector has an important role in enabling expression.
Multilayer thin-film media for optical recording

A write-once optical data storage media has been developed which is suitable for tape formats. The recording layer is a metal alloy system which is sputter deposited onto polymeric substrates as a single-layer thin film. The media are manufactured using a continuous sheet process, where the reflectivity of the film at 840nm can be selectively varied between 30 and 70%. These films have been characterized for laser write sensitivity, optical properties, surface chemistry, and environmental stability. An abrasion resistant hard overcoat is applied directly onto the active surface in a second vacuum deposition step. The media performance has been found to be compatible with direct hard-overcoats with no degradation in write sensitivity.
Reclaiming Biblical Wisdom Psalms: a Response To Crenshaw

This piece targets Crenshaw's article, 'Wisdom Psalms?' (CRBS 2000) that debunks a broad array of scholarly attempts to identify canonical wisdom psalms. Convinced that Crenshaw's minimalist perception often skews his reading of the biblical text and its interpretation, Kuntz counters that the Hebrew Psalter hosts a limited number of psalms that are stylistically and thematically reminiscent of what transpires in the widely recognized trinity of wisdom books in the Hebrew canon (Proverbs, Job, Qoheleth). Despite their overlap with other genres, wisdom psalms of diverse format and length exhibit shared features that warrant our embracing them as a viable psalmic category.
Self-Determination Theory: A Macrotheory of Human Motivation, Development and Health.

Self-determination theory (SDT) is an empirically based theory of human motivation, development, and wellness. The theory focuses on types, rather than just amount, of motivation, paying particular attention to autonomous motivation, controlled motivation, and amotivation as predictors of performance, relational, and well-being outcomes. It also addresses the social conditions that enhance versus diminish these types of motivation, proposing and finding that the degrees to which basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness are supported versus thwarted affect both the type and strength of motivation. SDT also examines people’s life goals or aspirations, showing differential relations of intrinsic versus extrinsic life goals to performance and psychological health. In this introduction we also briefly discuss recent developments within SDT concerning mindfulness and vitality, and highlight the applicability of SDT within applied domains, including work, relationships, parenting, education, virtual environments, sport, sustainability, health care, and psychotherapy.
Constraints on Pluto's density and composition

By combining the bulk-parameter constraints placed on the Pluto-Charon system by the 1987 Pluto-Charon eclipse observations, IRAS data, and an occultation of Charon, it is possible to isolate Pluto's density from the bulk density of Pluto-Charon. In particular, it can now be demonstrated without ad hoc assumptions that Pluto's density must lie between 1.07 and 2.42 g/cm3. More severe constraints may be obtained by assuming that most of the Pluto-Charon system mass is in Pluto. The compositional and evolutionary implications for Pluto which derive from these density constraints are discussed. It is also demonstrated that eclipse observations alone can be used to calculate the individual masses of Pluto and Charon.
Buffer Effects in the Nonenzymatic Transamination of L-Alanine and Pyridoxal

The kinetics of the reaction between L-alanine and pyridoxal at 100° in various acetate-acetic acid, formate-formic acid, and pivalatepivalic acid buffers were evaluated. The reaction was found to be general acid and base catalyzed.
Using smoothing splines to make inferences about the shape of gas-exchange curves

Respiratory gas-exchange data from progressive exercise tests are typically interpreted by visual inspection. Attempts to objectify such interpretation have applied particular parametric models which limit the measures which can be studied and the inferences which can be made. We use a known spline-smoothing procedure which fits a continuous curve to such data, yielding confidence intervals for the curve and for its first and second derivatives. Rules can be made which use the derivatives to infer features of a curve's shape and to relate features from different curves in the same data set. In this way complex interpretations can be made objective, so that they may be adequately tested.
Accuracy limitations in specular-mode optical topography extraction

Specular-mode spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) or reflectometry (SR) from periodic gratings have been successfully demonstrated as accurate methods for extracting detailed topography of integrated circuit structures. However, as critical dimensions become very much less than the current minimum measurement wavelengths and as film thicknesses are simultaneously reduced, there are significant questions regarding the long-term usefulness of this method. In this paper, I will attempt to address some major aspects of this problem.
C-numerical ranges and C-numerical radii

In this paper, we give a brief survey on C-numerical ranges and C-numerical radii. New results are obtained and open problems are mentioned.
Reduced Adipose Tissue Inflammation Represents an Intermediate Cardiometabolic Phenotype in Obesity

Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine whether obese individuals with reduced adipose tissue inflammation exhibit a more favorable cardiovascular risk profile. Background Obesity is associated with a low-grade state of chronic inflammation that might be causally related to cardiometabolic disease. Methods With immunohistochemistry, we categorized obese individuals dichotomously as having inflamed fat (n = 78) or noninflamed fat (n = 31) on the basis of the presence (+) or absence (−) of macrophage crown-like structures (CLS) in subcutaneous abdominal fat biopsy samples. We compared their metabolic, vascular, and adipose tissue characteristics with lean subjects (n = 17). Results Inflamed CLS+ obese individuals displayed higher plasma insulin, homeostasis model assessment, triglycerides, glucose, blood pressure, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation compared with lean subjects (p Conclusions These findings lend support to the novel concept that factors in addition to absolute weight burden, such as qualitative features of adipose tissue, might be important determinants of cardiovascular disease. Therapeutic modulation of the adipose phenotype might represent a target for treatment in obesity.
Application of angiotensin II to healthy rat sciatic nerve can produce neuropathy without associated vasculopathy.

Elevated angiotensin II (AII) levels have been associated with hypertension, diabetes, and polyneuropathy. It is unknown whether AII applied to healthy nerve can be used to model a confined neuronal injury by producing localized vasculopathy and associated neuropathy. In this study, angiotensin II (2.2 μg/ml) or saline was infused constantly via osmotic pump onto the sciatic nerve of 20 rats for 12 weeks. Nerve conduction studies were repeated every 4 weeks, and sciatic nerve was collected for pathological analysis at 12 weeks. Animals infused with AII showed a significant decrease in nerve fiber diameter (P < 0.001), axon diameter (P < 0.001), and myelin thickness (P < 0.001), despite the absence of electrophysiological changes. Surprisingly, there was no significant difference in vessel diameter or wall thickness. AII can cause structural alterations in healthy nerve without associated changes in vasculature, implying the existence of additional previously unrecognized mechanisms of AII-induced neuronal injury. Muscle Nerve, 2010