cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coding as another language: a pedagogical approach for teaching computer science in early childhood

Computer programming is an essential skill in the 21st century and new policies and frameworks aim at preparing students for computer science-related professions. Today, the development of new interfaces and block-programming languages facilitates the teaching of coding and computational thinking starting in kindergarten. However, as new programming languages that are developmentally appropriate emerge, there is a need to explicitly conceptualize pedagogical approaches for teaching computer science in the early years that embrace the maturational stages of children by inviting play and discovery, socialization, and creativity. Thus, it is not enough to copy models developed for older children, which mostly grew out of traditional Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) disciplines and instructional practices. This paper describes a pedagogical approach for early childhood computer science called “Coding as Another Language” (CAL), as well as six coding stages, or learning trajectories, that young children go through when exposed to CAL curriculum. CAL is grounded on the principle that learning to program involves learning how to use a new language (a symbolic system of representation) for communicative and expressive functions. This paper proposes that, due to the critical foundational role of language and literacy in the early years, the teaching of computer science can be augmented by models of literacy instruction. CAL supports young children in transitioning through different six coding stages. Case studies of young children using either the KIBO robot or the ScratchJr app will be used to characterize each coding stage and to illustrate the instructional practices of CAL curriculum.
Radiative Cooling of a Superconducting Resonator.

Cooling microwave resonators to near the quantum ground state, crucial for their operation in the quantum regime, is typically achieved by direct device refrigeration to a few tens of millikelvin. However, in quantum experiments that require high operation power such as microwave-to-optics quantum transduction, it is desirable to operate at higher temperatures with non-negligible environmental thermal excitations, where larger cooling power is available. In this Letter, we present a radiative cooling protocol to prepare a superconducting microwave mode near its quantum ground state in spite of warm environment temperatures for the resonator. In this proof-of-concept experiment, the mode occupancy of a 10 GHz superconducting resonator thermally anchored at 1.02 K is reduced to $0.44\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05$ from 1.56 by radiatively coupling to a 70 mK cold load. This radiative cooling scheme allows high-operation-power microwave experiments to work in the quantum regime, and opens possibilities for routing microwave quantum states to elevated temperatures.
Role of Education in Financial Inclusion of Poor and Unbanked Women in India

In recent times, the global financial system has embraced more people from more regions of the world, but we are yet to fully understand who remains excluded and why. Globally, 2 billion adults are still unbanked (World Bank, 2015). Of those, many are poor women. Even when they gain financial access, women tend to refrain from actively using their bank accounts. India represents a potent example of this global challenge. Our study offers a quantitative analysis of the Financial Insights Inclusion and Findex datasets and finds that even when they are given the opportunity and potential benefits of financial access - many of India’s poor women opt out of actively engaging with the formal banking institutions. In examining reasons behind their account dormancy, we find that education is a significant determinant shaping decisions of India’s poor women.
Analgesia and Anesthesia to Enable Outpatient Spine Surgery

Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) is a rapidly growing approach that offers many benefits over traditional open spine surgery (TOSS), including reduced rates of complication, decreased pain, and faster recovery. However, these positive outcomes are only possible with an appropriate anesthetic and analgesic plan. Therefore, surgeons and anesthesiologists should discuss the preoperative evaluation, anesthetic technique, analgesia, postoperative care, and certain special considerations prior to the day of surgery. Subsequent plans and expected outcomes should be explained to the patient with the aim of answering any questions and addressing any concerns.
Outsider in the academy: experiences and perspectives of Caribbean women attending predominantly White institutions in the southeastern region of the United States

Most studies on international education focus on Asian or European student experiences. This typically ignores the perspectives of African-descent international students. To that end, this phenomen...
Triosmium Carbonyl Clusters Containing a Mixture of Dppm and Dppe Ligands

Four osmium carbonyl complexes were synthesized via microwave heating by reacting either Os3(CO)12 or Os3(CO)10( $$\mu$$ -dppm) with dppe, where dppm = bis(diphenylphosphino)methane and dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane. Two of the complexes, Os3(µ-dppe)(CO)8(dppe) (1) and Os3(µ-dppm)(CO)8(dppe) (2), are the first examples of triangular triosmium clusters containing diphosphane ligands that exhibit both bridging and chelating coordination modes in the same molecule. Complexes 2 and [Os3(µ-dppm)(CO)9]2(µ-dppe) (3) are the first examples of triosmium clusters containing two different diphosphane ligands in the same molecule. Complexes 3 and [Os3(µ-dppe)(CO)9]2(µ-dppe) (4) are hexanuclear clusters containing two triangular Os3 units linked together by a bridging diphosphane ligand. Crystal structures for complexes 1–3 are reported. Two trinuclear cluster complexes, Os3(μ-dppe)(CO)8(dppe) (1) and Os3(μ-dppm)(CO)8(dppe) (2), and two hexanuclear cluster complexes, [Os3(μ-dppm)(CO)9]2(μ-dppe) (3) and [Os3(μ-dppe)(CO)9]2(μ-dppe) (4), were synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystal diffraction. Complexes 2 and 3 are the first examples of triangular triosmium clusters containing two different diphosphane ligands in the same molecule.
Overview of Medically Unexplained Symptoms

Although the majority of medically unexplained symptoms are psychosomatic in origin, people are often given a medical diagnosis and receive medical treatments for the symptoms. By suggesting that the symptoms may be the harbinger of a potentially serious disease and providing test results of questionable significance, physicians may inadvertently amplify the symptoms. Chronic pain is by far the most common medically unexplained symptom followed by fatigue and dizziness. Stress, defined as an inability to cope, is at the root of most psychosomatic symptoms, and managing stress should be at the center of any treatment program.
Bridge to Computing: An outreach program for at-risk young men

In 2017, our police department and the Give Back Organization (GBO), a local non-profit, contacted our university about hosting a game development summer camp. The camp was proposed to keep boys ages 12-15 living in a community with high levels of gang enrollment off the streets while providing an opportunity to learn about college and computing careers. The police also wanted to improve officer-youth r elations. Our lab provided camp counselors, space, and content for the camp. Each camp supported a total of twelve African-American boys. Over three years, we refactored the curricula and organization of the camp and present our lessons learned from the experience.
In Vitro-Administered Dexamethasone Suppresses T Cell Function With Reversal by Interleukin-7 in Coronavirus Disease 2019

Objectives: Corticosteroid therapy has become standard of care therapy for hospitalized patients infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 global pandemic-causing virus Whereas systemic inflammation is a notably important feature in coronavirus disease 2019 pathogenesis, adaptive immune suppression and the inability to eradicate effectively the virus remain significant factors as well We sought to evaluate the in vitro effects of dexamethasone phosphate on T cell function in peripheral blood mononuclear cells derived from patients with acute, severe, and moderate coronavirus disease 2019 Design: Prospective in vitro laboratory study Setting: Coronavirus disease 2019-specific medical wards and ICUs at a single-center, quaternary-care academic hospital between October 1, 2020, and November 15, 2020 Patients: Eleven patients diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 admitted to either the ICU or hospital coronavirus disease 2019 unit Three patients had received at least one dose of dexamethasone prior to enrollment Interventions: Fresh whole blood was collected, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were immediately isolated and plated onto precoated enzyme-linked immunospot plates for detection of interferon-gamma production Samples were incubated with CD3/CD28 antibodies alone and with three concentrations of dexamethasone These conditions were also stimulated with recombinant human interleukin-7 Following overnight incubation, the plates were washed and stained for analysis using Cellular Technology Limited ImmunoSpot S6 universal analyzer (ImmunoSpot by Cellular Technology Limited, Cleveland, OH) Measurements AND MAIN RESULTS: Functional cytokine production was assessed by quantitation of cell spot number and total well intensity after calculation for each enzyme-linked immunospot well using the Cellular Technology Limited ImmunoSpot Version 7 0 professional software (CTL Analyzers, Shaker Heights, OH) Comparisons were made using t test and using a nonparametric analysis of variance Friedman test The number of functional T cells producing interferon-gamma and the intensity of the response decrease significantly with exposure to 1 2-microg/mL dexamethasone About 0 12 microg/mL does not significantly affect the functional immune response on enzyme-linked immunospot Interleukin-7 increases the overall number of activated T cells, including those exposed to dexamethasone Conclusions: Further evaluation of the effect of immunomodulatory therapies is warranted in coronavirus disease 2019 A refined functional, precision medicine approach that evaluates the cellular immune function of individual patients with coronavirus disease 2019 is needed to better define which therapies could have benefit or cause harm for specific patients
Interplay between core and shell in a RbCoFe@RbNiCo Prussian blue analogue spin transition heterostructure

A series of core–shell heterostructures consisting of the spin transition Prussian blue analogue RbaCob[Fe(CN)6]c·mH2O (RbCoFe–PBA) as core with different shell thicknesses of KjNik[Co(CN)6]l·nH2O (KNiCo-PBA) has been prepared and studied as the cores undergo both thermal and light-induced phase changes. Synchrotron powder diffraction and SQUID magnetometry indicate the intersite cooperativity of the charge transfer coupled spin transition (CTCST) in the RbCoFe–PBA core decreases while the extent of lattice contraction is reduced relative to the uncoated particles. Isothermal relaxation measurements from the photo-induced high-spin (HS) state to the low-spin (LS) ground state of the RbCoFe–PBA core show that the energy barrier of the HS to LS transition dramatically decreases when adding the KNiCo-PBA shells, becoming smaller when the shell is thicker. The RbCoFe–PBA@KNiCo-PBA series is unique because the lattice parameter of KNiCo-PBA grown on the high-spin RbCoFe–PBA core particle is expanded relative to its equilibrium lattice parameter. As a result, the lattice mismatch is relieved during the spin transition. Analysis of the structural microstrain in both core and shell during the CTCST process reveals the different mechanisms by which the heterostructure accommodates the strain.
Abstract 746: Branched-chain amino acids and risk of breast cancer by menopausal status in three large cohorts

Background: Circulating branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) levels reflect metabolic health as well as dietary intake and have been linked to some cancers. Associations with breast cancer are unclear. Methods: We evaluated the association between circulating BCAA levels and risk of breast cancer by menopausal status at the time of sample collection in a prospective nested case-control study (1,997 cases, 1,997 controls) within the Nurses9 Health Study (NHS) and NHSII. Two-thirds of women in NHS (592 cases) donated two blood samples collected 10 years apart. We used conditional logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of breast cancer risk in multivariable models which included BMI at age 18 and adulthood weight gain, in addition to other risk factors. We conducted an external validation with secondary analyses in the Women9s Health Study (WHS) (1,297 cases). Results: Among NHSII participants (predominantly premenopausal at blood collection), elevated circulating BCAA levels were associated with suggestively lower breast cancer risk (e.g., isoleucine highest vs. lowest quartile, multivariable OR (95% CI)= 0.86 (0.65-1.13), p-trend=0.20), with significant linear trends among fasting samples (e.g., isoleucine OR (95% CI)=0.74 (0.53-1.05), p-trend=0.05). In contrast, among postmenopausal women, proximate measures (within 10y from sample collection) were associated with increased breast cancer risk (e.g., isoleucine highest vs. lowest quartile multivariable OR (95% CI)=1.63 (1.12-2.39), p-trend=0.01), with slightly stronger associations among fasting samples (OR (95% CI)=1.73 (1.15-2.61), p-trend=0.01). Distant measures (10-20y since sample collection) were not statistically significantly associated with risk (OR (95% CI)=1.15 (0.87-1.52), p-trend=0.35). We did not observe significant heterogeneity by ER status or BMI. In the WHS, a suggestive positive association was observed for distant measures of leucine among postmenopausal women: OR (95% CI)=1.31 (0.97-1.75), p-trend=0.05. Conclusion: Although elevated circulating BCAA levels were associated with lower breast cancer risk among premenopausal NHSII women and higher risk of postmenopausal breast cancer in NHS when assessed within 10 years of diagnosis, independent of established risk factors, including adiposity, results were not validated in WHS. Additional independent studies are needed to reassess and understand the complex relationship between BCAAs, menopausal status and timing, and risk of breast cancer. Citation Format: Oana A. Zeleznik, Raji Balasubramanian, Yumeng Ren, Deirdre K. Tobias, Bernard A. Rosner, Cheng Peng, Alaina M. Bever, Lisa Frueh, Clary B. Clish, Samia Mora, Frank B. Hu, A. Heather Eliassen. Branched-chain amino acids and risk of breast cancer by menopausal status in three large cohorts [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 746.
Beyond RuBisCO: Convergent molecular evolution of multiple chloroplast genes in C4 plants

Abstract Background The recurrent evolution of the C4 photosynthetic pathway in angiosperms represents one of the most extraordinary examples of convergent evolution of a complex trait. Comparative genomic analyses have unveiled some of the molecular changes associated with the C4 pathway. For instance, several key enzymes involved in the transition from C3 to C4 photosynthesis have been found to share convergent amino acid replacements along C4 lineages. However, the extent of convergent replacements potentially associated with the emergence of C4 plants remains to be fully assessed. Here, we introduced a robust empirical approach to test molecular convergence along a phylogeny including multiple C3 and C4 taxa. By analyzing proteins encoded by chloroplast genes, we tested if convergent replacements occurred more frequently than expected in C4 lineages compared to C3 lineages. Furthermore, we sought to determine if convergent evolution occurred in multiple chloroplast proteins beside the well-known case of the large RuBisCO subunit encoded by the chloroplast gene rbcL. Methods Our study was based on the comparative analysis of 43 C4 and 21 C3 grass species belonging to the PACMAD clade, a focal taxonomic group in many investigations of C4 evolution. We first used protein sequences of 67 orthologous chloroplast genes to build an accurate phylogeny of these species. Then, we inferred amino acid replacements along 13 C4 lineages and 9 C3 lineages using reconstructed protein sequences of their ancestral branches, corresponding to the most recent common ancestor of each lineage. Pairwise comparisons between ancestral branches allowed us to identify both convergent and divergent amino acid replacements between C4-C4, C3-C3 and C3-C4 lineages. Results The reconstructed phylogenetic tree of 64 PACMAD grasses was characterized by strong supports in all nodes used for analyses of convergence. We identified 217 convergent replacements and 201 divergent replacements in 45/67 chloroplast proteins in both C4 and C3 ancestral branches. Pairs of C4-C4 ancestral branches showed higher levels of convergent replacements than C3-C3 and C3-C4 pairs. Furthermore, we found that more proteins shared unique convergent replacements in C4 lineages, with both RbcL and RpoC1 (the RNA polymerase beta’ subunit 1) showing a significantly higher convergent/divergent replacements ratio in C4 branches. Notably, significantly more C4-C4 pairs of ancestral branches showed higher numbers of convergent vs. divergent replacements than C3-C3 and C3-C4 pairs. Our results demonstrated that, in the PACMAD clade, C4 grasses experienced higher levels of molecular convergence than C3 species across multiple chloroplast genes. These findings have important implications for both our understanding of the evolution of photosynthesis and the goal of engineering improved crop varieties that integrates components of the C4 pathway.
A Perspective of ZnCl2 Electrolytes: the Physical and Electrochemical Properties

Abstract Molten ZnCl2 hydrates are ionic liquids at room temperature, which exhibit intriguing physical and electrochemical properties. Continuous efforts have been devoted over several decades to understanding the properties of the molten ZnCl2 hydrates that have recently been dubbed as water-in-salt electrolytes. The physical properties of molten ZnCl2 hydrates can be described from the perspectives of ions in their speciation and water molecules regarding their chemical environments. Recently, attention has been given to molten ZnCl2 hydrates as electrolytes for Zn metal batteries. It was revealed that the physical properties of such electrolytes have rich implications in their electrochemical properties. Therefore, it demands a holistic understanding of the physical and electrochemical properties of molten ZnCl2 hydrates to design functional electrolytes to serve high-performing Zn metal batteries. This perspective attempts to review the works that described the properties of concentrated ZnCl2 as an ionic liquid and as an emerging electrolyte. The author also provides a perspective to highlight the needs of future research to circumvent the limits of this electrolyte.
Conducting and Characterizing Femto Flow Electrospray Ionization

Femto flow electrospray ionization (ESI) ranging from 240 fL/min to low pico flow (< 10 pL/min) was conducted and measured using submicron emitter tip and relay ESI configuration. Signature analyte ion intensities and profiles were obtained. Obtained flow rate and ionization current enabled size calculation for initial charged nanodroplet.
Training sequence optimization in MIMO systems with colored noise

In this paper, we address the problems of channel estimation and optimal training sequence design for MIMO systems over flat fading channels in the presence of colored noise. In practice, knowledge of the unknown channel is often obtained by sending known training symbols to the receiver. During the training period, we obtain the best linear unbiased estimates of the channel parameters based on the received training block. Under the assumption that we can express the noise covariance matrix as a Kronecker product of temporal and spatial correlation matrices, we determine the optimal training sequence set that minimizes the mean square error (MSE) of the channel estimator under a total transmit power constraint, in order to obtain the advantage of the optimal training sequence design, long-term statistics of the noise correlation are needed at the transmitter. Hence this information needs to be estimated at the receiver and fed back to the transmitter. Obviously it is desirable that only a minimal amount of information needs to be fed back from the receiver to gain the advantage in reducing the estimation error of the short-term channel fading parameters. We develop such a feedback strategy in this paper.
Enterovirus 71 Infection: Report of an Outbreak with Two Cases of Paralysis and a Review of the Literature

Enterovirus 71 (E-71) infection was first reported in 1974 in the United States; subsequent outbreaks breaks were reported in worldwide distribution. In the summer of 1977, we identified 12 patients, mostly children, with E-71 infection. The striking feature of this outbreak is the occurrence of two cases with polio-like paralytic disease. Other diseases associated with E-71 included aseptic meningitis, meningoencephalitis, respiratory disease, gastroenteritis, and hand-foot-mouth disease. The spectrum of illness observed in our community was compared to that seen in other outbreaks. It is suggested that the significance of E-71 lies in its neuropathogenic potential.
Plasma human placental lactogen in late pregnancy and labor

Abstract Human placental lactogen (HPL) is a polypeptide placental hormone secreted in increasing amounts during pregnancy with both prolactin- and growth hormone-like properties. Development of a radioimmunoassay system for this hormone has allowed the authors to follow patients in late pregnancy and labor. When subjected to statistical analysis, the mean plasma HPL levels obtained showed a significant fall when the 40 week specimen is compared to those obtained in late labor. These data indicate that a change in HPL is not involved in the process of the initiation of labor. The observed change in HPL, however, reflects the relative uterine and placental ischemia of labor. The potential use of HPL as an index of placental function is discussed.
Compact battery-powered, 400-kV, 40-Joule Marx generator

The experimental results of a compact, portable, battery-powered, 400 kV, 40 Joule Marx Generator are presented. The Marx Generator, high voltage power supplies, batteries, and the remote fiber optic high voltage enable and trigger control circuits are all contained in an aluminum tube measuring 5 inches in diameter and 20 inches in length. The space within the tube is divided into the Marx Generator section and the power supply section. The Marx Generator section is completely modular and can be easily unplugged to facilitate repair or exchange. The use of non-encapsulated, 22 nF, 10 kV surface-mount chip capacitors, mounted to a printed circuit board together with the charging resistors, resulted in a very compact assembly. The capacitors and charging resistors are potted in a dielectric gel while the spark gaps are independently insulated with SF/sub 6/ and aligned in a line-of-sight configuration for UV coupling. The entire Marx Generator assembly is packaged in a Lucite tube approximately 10 inches in length, which can be pressurized to 50 psi. Repetition rates of 1 pps and rise times of 20 ns are typical.
Automatic Ability Attribution after Failure: A Dual Process View of Achievement Attribution

Causal attribution has been one of the most influential frameworks in the literature of achievement motivation, but previous studies considered achievement attribution as relatively deliberate and effortful processes. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that people automatically attribute their achievement failure to their ability, but reduce the ability attribution in a controlled manner. To address this hypothesis, we measured participants’ causal attribution belief for their task failure either under the cognitive load (load condition) or with full attention (no-load condition). Across two studies, participants attributed task performance to their ability more in the load than in the no-load condition. The increased ability attribution under cognitive load further affected intrinsic motivation. These results indicate that cognitive resources available after feedback play crucial roles in determining causal attribution belief, as well as achievement motivations.
Pre-resonance Raman intensities

Abstract A series expansion for the sum over the vibrational levels of an intermediate electronic state, which occurs in the dispersion theory of the Raman effect, is presented. The convergence properties of the series, as a function of electron—vibration coupling strength and exciting photon energy, have been studied for many model systems which span the range between rigid and diatomic-like molecules. Both Condon type fundamental and overtone transitions and vibronically induced transitions are considered. The single most important result is that the leading term of the above series represents a good approximation to the exact sum up to ca. 3000 cm−1 from resonance with the intermediate electronic state for Raman fundamentals. It should be possible, therefore, to study excited state geometries by pre-resonance Raman spectroscopy. The theory also shows that the Condon and vibronic coupling mechanisms exhibit very different dependences on the exciting photon frequency. The corresponding series for Raman overtones has poorer convergence properties. In particular, it is shown that for the general case frequency changes in excited states are as important as geometry changes in inducing overtone intensities.
Physiological genetics of the dominant gibberellin-nonresponsive maize dwarfs, Dwarf8 and Dwarf9

Maize (Zea mays L.) Dwarf8-1 (D8-1) is an andromonoecious dwarf mutant proposed to be involved in gibberellin (GA) reception (Fujioka et al. 1988b; Harberd and Freeling 1989). The mutant D8-1 is dominant and GA-nonresponsive (Phinney 1956). We show by map position and similarity of phenotype that five additional dwarf mutants are D8 alleles. We show by map position and similarity of phenotype that a second andromonoecious dwarf mutant, D9-1, defines a duplicate gene. Maize D9-1 and each dominant D8 allele specify a different plant stature, from very mild to very severe dwarfism. Plants of D9-1 and all dominant D8 alleles, except D8-1591, were GA-nonresponsive when treated with 7500 nmol GA3. The behavior of the mild dwarf D8-1591 was unique in that a small but significant growth response was detected (37% for D8-1591 vs. 130% for the wild type) when treated with 7500 nmol GA3. These results establish that all dwarf genotypes, except D8-1591, in one dose set a maximum limit on plant growth and block the normal response to GA. When treated with the GA-synthesis inhibitor paclobutrazol, plants of all dwarf genotypes and wild-type siblings were severely dwarfed. Plants of all dwarf genotypes treated with the GA-synthesis inhibitor paclobutrazol and GA3 were returned to their normal dwarf phenotype. Dominant dwarfing, delayed flowering, increased tillering, and anther development in the ear are characteristic features of D9-1 and all D8 alleles. The GA-synthesis-deficient dwarfs also have these characteristic features. We discuss the function of the wild-type gene product in the context of the observed results.
A Wireless Strain Sensing Microsystem with External RF Power Source and Two-Channel Data Telemetry Capability

A wireless strain sensing microsystem is powered by a 50MHz signal and can simultaneously telemeter both digitized strain and temperature data over the RF powering link using passive PSK and ASK modulations, respectively. The prototype system achieves a minimum detectable strain of 0.87muepsiv over a 10kHz bandwidth with a maximum input signal of plusmn1000muepsiv. The temperature sensor resolution is 0.02Cdeg rms with a 100Hz BW. The chip is fabricated in 1.5mum CMOS and dissipates 6mW
SALT MARSH CANOPY ARCHITECTURE DIFFERS WITH THE NUMBER AND COMPOSITION OF SPECIES

In response to the debate about how ecosystem functions are affected by species richness vs. species composition, we explored canopy architecture (plant cover, height, and layering) in three contexts: a reference marsh, a field experiment, and a greenhouse experiment. Species-rich canopies (five or more species) in the reference marsh were taller and had more (13 vs. 7) layers than monotypes of Salicornia virginica, although both had 100% cover. Cover and layering were greater for three- and six-species plots than for one-species plots in both the field experiment (70 2 × 2 m plots, eight herbaceous halophytes) and greenhouse (same treatments). Cover (80–95%) and heights were similar among field experimental treatments after two growing seasons (18 mo after planting seedlings in April 1997). In years 3–4, heights (∼0.5 m) and cover (∼100%) were similar to those of the 1998 reference marsh data, but only 1–3 canopy layers had developed. Species effects became evident when assemblages were replicated in the greenhouse. The eight one-species treatments differed in cover, height, and layering, and complementary traits produced more layers in multispecies canopies than monotypes. Within the three- and six-species canopies, attributes were similar for most assemblages, but there was a slight height effect with S. virginica, as in the field. In general, the effects of individual species were best distinguished by heights, and species-richness effects by layering. Of relevance to the larger diversity debate is our finding that the attribute examined influenced perceptions of the importance of species number vs. species composition. To apply our results, managers would assess height and layering, not just vegetation cover. Salt marsh restorationists would establish species-rich assemblages in newly graded sites to accelerate the development of canopy height and layering. Monitoring efforts would continue until canopy architecture matches that of reference systems (>4 yr for Californian marshes planted on coarse, nutrient-poor soils). Finally, research on wildlife habitat quality (e.g., nesting potential for the endangered Belding's Savannah Sparrow [Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi]) would determine critical levels of canopy layering and height for nesting, feeding, and perching to defend territories.
RESEARCH NOTES AND COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGIC PROCESS EFFECTS ON CONSENSUS

Strategy research has not shown a consistent relationship between consensus in the top management team and organizational performance. This paper attempts to explain these findings by providing a description of how the strategic process affects consensus. Synoptic and incremental processes are compared in terms of their effects on the scope, content, and degree of consensus. In addition, two dimensions of consensus, shared understanding and commitment, are considered. Implications for research are addressed.
Anatomical position of hyaluronic acid gel following injection to the eyebrow

Purpose To examine with histology the anatomical location of hyaluronic acid gel injected to the eyebrow of cadaver specimens. Methods The authors dissected 5 fresh hemifacial cadaver specimens following preperiosteal injection of hyaluronic acid gel to the eyebrow. Following tissue fixation, full-thickness soft-tissue sections were obtained followed by histologic examination. Results Histologic examination revealed the location of hyaluronic acid gel at the intended preperiosteal plane in all 5 specimens. Very dense retro-orbicularis oculi fat septa appeared to limit the anterior displacement of filler in each specimen. Conclusions This study provides a greater understanding of the anatomical barriers and boundaries that help to determine, in part, the anatomical position of hyaluronic acid gel when injected to the preperiosteal eyebrow. The high degree of histologically confirmed consistency of product location of eyebrow injections noted in this study stands in contrast to the variability of position of gel injected in the infraorbital hollows.
Mitochondrial permeability for alcohols, aldoses, and amino acids.

Mitochondria isolated from potato tubers were placed in solutions containing various alcohols, aldoses, or neutral amino acids. Based on the osmotic responses in the different media, the reflection coefficients and hence the relative permeabilities of the nonelectrolytes could be determined. The reflection coefficients (σ j 'S) of the potato tuber mitochondria for alcohols became progressively larger as hydroxymethyl groups were added to the molecule,viz. methanol (σ j =0.07), ethylene glycol (0.25), glycerol (0.44),meso-erythritol (0.71) and adonitol (0.98). This increase in σ j (decrease in permeativity) with increasing chain length parallels the decreasing lipid-water partition coefficients of the solutes. The reflection coefficients ofd-sorbitol (1.02) and ofd-mannitol (0.99) indicate that these six-carbon polyhydroxy alcohols are relatively impermeant and hence they would be suitable osmotica in which to suspend mitochondria. The σ j 'S varied from 0.96 to 1.02 forD-ribose,D-xylose,D-lyxose,D-arabinose, α-D-glucose, β-D-glucose,D-galactose,D-mannose, glycine,L-alanine,L-threonine,L-phenylalanine,L-methionine andL-cysteine, indicating that these sugars and amino acids do not readily diffuse across the pair of membranes surrounding potato mitochondria. By contrast, the σ j 'S of liver mitochondria for glycine and of pea chloroplasts for most of the same aldopentoses and amino acids are close to zero. Thus, different organelles can vary widely in their permeability properties for nonelectrolytes.
Induction of epileptiform activity in hippocampal slices by trains of electrical stimuli

In this paper we present an in vitro model of epileptogenesis based on electrical stimulation rather than pharmacological or ionic manipulations. Hippocampal slices given a series of stimulus trains similar to those used in kindling exhibited 3 types of epileptiform activity in CA3: afterdischarges immediately following the trains; spontaneous bursts of multiple population spikes; and bursts triggered by single stimuli. The afterdischarges and spontaneous bursts may be comparable to those seen in vivo during kindling; also, the progression of these features in this model was similar to their progression during kindling. All epileptiform activities were long-lasting, persisting for up to 3.5 h following the last train. This stimulus train-induced population bursting should be valuable as an acute model of hippocampal epileptogenesis, and may also help elucidate hippocampal participation in the kindling process.
Multiscale macromolecular simulation: role of evolving ensembles.

Multiscale analysis provides an algorithm for the efficient simulation of macromolecular assemblies. This algorithm involves the coevolution of a quasiequilibrium probability density of atomic configurations and the Langevin dynamics of spatial coarse-grained variables denoted order parameters (OPs) characterizing nanoscale system features. In practice, implementation of the probability density involves the generation of constant OP ensembles of atomic configurations. Such ensembles are used to construct thermal forces and diffusion factors that mediate the stochastic OP dynamics. Generation of all-atom ensembles at every Langevin time step is computationally expensive. Here, multiscale computation for macromolecular systems is made more efficient by a method that self-consistently folds in ensembles of all-atom configurations constructed in an earlier step, history, of the Langevin evolution. This procedure accounts for the temporal evolution of these ensembles, accurately providing thermal forces and di...
Alveolar bone osteoblast differentiation and Runx2/Cbfa1 expression

Alveolar bone cells have a unique origin and functionality, but may resemble skeletal osteoblasts. Osteoblast differentiation and gene expression are regulated by the Runx2/Cbfa1 transcription factor. However, most studies on Runx2/Cbfa1 expression have been on rodent cells and the few studies on human osteoblasts have had differing results. The purpose of this study was to characterize Runx2/Cbfa1 expression in primary cell cultures derived from human alveolar bone. An alveolar bone chip was incubated in alpha-minimum essential medium (alpha-MEM) supplemented with fetal calf serum (10% FCS). Explant cultures were harvested after 3-4 weeks of outgrowth and grown in alpha-MEM with FCS. This media was supplemented with ascorbate, beta-glycerophosphate and dexamethasone to promote osteoblast differentiation over 14 days. RT-PCR analysis and Western blots showed a rapid increase in Runx2/Cbfa1 mRNA (2.1-fold) and protein (2.3-fold) levels in 3 days, followed by a slight decline. There was also a rapid increase in bone sialoprotein expression (2.9-fold) in 3 days, followed by a further increase (3.6-fold) at 14 days. There was a slower increase in alkaline phosphatase expression (1.6-fold) and activity (3.1-fold) over 7 days, followed by a gradual decline. In contrast, collagen mRNA levels showed little change over 14 days. These findings attest to the osteogenic potential of primary cell cultures derived from human alveolar bone. Osteoblastic differentiation in human alveolar bone involves an increase in Runx2/Cbfa1 expression that may be an important component of the differentiation process.
Influence of External Meteorology on Nocturnal Valley Drainage Winds.

Abstract Thermally driven local circulation in valleys has been studied for many years with the result that the underlying physics are reasonably well understood. ASCOT experiments of the early 1980s were formulated to help quantify predictive models and to apply the resulting methods to transport and dispersion of airborne materials. During the performance and analysis of experiments in two quite different valleys, it became clear that important aspects of the structure of the valley circulation depend on subtle differences in the ambient atmospheric conditions. In this paper we interpret nocturnal drainage structure in terms of ambient characteristics. We are able to describe changes in the depth of drainage and volume flux in terms of the influence of external wind and radiative effects on the collection of cool air in a valley airshed, and on erosion of an established drainage by turbulent entrainment. We describe evidence for internal buoyancy waves and rotors that can have a major effect on transpor...
Corporate governance in Thailand: What has been done since the 1997 financial crisis?

The study finds that Thailand has taken many steps to improve its corporate governance, including voluntary approaches such as best practice guidelines for board of directors (BOD) and audit committees, and corporate governance rating; and mandatory approaches such as enhancing the rights of minority shareholders and creditors, increasing the board of directors' accountability, making accounting and auditing standards consistent with the internationally acceptable standards, and strengthening the enforcement of securities regulation. This study also provides suggestions for further improvement with respect to minority shareholder protection and education, the responsibilities of the BOD versus the top management, the BOD structure of financial institutions, further amendments to the new Bankruptcy Act, the need for whistleblower law, the valuation of certain assets, and the compliance with the Buddhist precepts. In addition, the Thai government needs to improve the checks and balances of its own governance process and its ‘populist’ policies. These findings and suggestions have direct implications for other developing countries which are attempting to improve their corporate governance.
Pyrene Sorption by Natural Organic Matter

Sorption of pyrene on various types of natural organic matter (NOM) varying in chemical composition (e.g. high aliphaticity or aromaticity) was examined in batch sorption studies. The NOM samples (cuticle, humin, humic acid, degraded lignin, peat and lignite) were characterized by elemental analyses and solid-state 13C NMR spectra. Previous studies on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) sorption on soils and sediments led to the conclusion that aromatic component of the NOM determines the binding of nonionic compounds and that the polarity of the NOM reduces the binding coefficient of the aromatic NOM moieties. In this study we tested the hypothesis that aliphatic moieties of NOM derived from soils or sediments can contribute significantly to the binding of PAHs in aqueous media. Cuticle and a humin sample from an algal deposit exhibited the highest distribution coefficients (Koc). Both samples were rich in aliphatic structures and had very low aromaticity (4.6 and 8.8% for cuticle and humin samples, ...
A process for incorporating heuristic evaluation into a software release

This paper describes a process for incorporating heuristic evaluations into a software product release. The goal of the paper is to provide enough detail and results to other design teams to assist them in developing their own process for this activity.The process took place over approximately one year. In all, 124 projects were reviewed, involving 1414 web pages, and identifying 5817 defects. Data is not yet available about the exact number of defects fixed, but it is expected to be well over 2000, as described below.The heuristics used in this process included how well the various pages integrated, how easy it was to accomplish tasks, conformance to style guidelines, and consistency in design, terminology, and layout. Some user testing was done on some of the projects that went through these reviews; the reviews complimented that testing.
Progress in Management of Sediment Bypassing at Coastal Inlets: Natural Bypassing, Weir Jetties, Jetty Spurs, and Engineering Aids in Design

Maintenance of navigable channels at coastal inlets typically requires sediment bypassing to preserve integrity of the adjacent beaches. Artificial bypassing mimics or preserves the pathways of sediment in the littoral zone and harmonizes the requirement for deepening navigation channels within the context of the natural sediment-sharing system of inlets and beaches. A range of techniques can be applied to perform bypassing. Customary on-demand channel dredging is not always the best solution because sediment shoaling does not necessarily follow a predictable schedule, potentially compromising navigation reliability between allowable dredging windows. If sediment can be directed to a location other than the channel, planning of dredge operations may be optimized and less expensive equipment feasible. A weir jetty system is one such solution. This paper presents progress in understanding of sediment bypassing through analytical prediction and takes a lessons-learned approach to design and modification of weir jetty bypassing systems. Results from recent physical model studies of spur jetties are also discussed with regard to their control on the nearshore current at coastal inlets and how spurs can be designed to alter sediment bypassing.
Insecticidal benzoylphenyl ureas: structure-activity relationships as chitin synthesis inhibitors.

The 1-benzoyl-3-phenylurea insecticide diflubenzuron is a potent inhibitor for the conversion of14C-labeled glucose to14C-labeled chitin in isolated abdomens of newly emerged adult milkweed bugs (Oncopeltus fasciatus Dallas). The inhibitory activity of 24 diflubenzuron analogs in this in vitro chitin-synthesizing system is in good agreement with their toxicity to fifth instar nymphs of this species. These insecticides act quickly and directly within the integument to ultimately block the terminal polymerization step in chitin formation.
Low humidity and microtrauma

Low-humidity dermatoses arise in the work place as a result of low water content of the air. At a relative humidity of 10% or less, the horny layer becomes rigid and brittle. The combination of low humidity, high temperature, and, frequently, rapid air movement dehydrates the outer stratum corneum. This leads to pruritus and, finally, to low-grade eczema. A roughened, scaly stratum corneum becomes more susceptible to mechanical trauma. Microtrauma from small particles can aggravate the dry scaly dermatosis. Low-humidity lesions resolve quickly with the simple expedients of routine use of moisturizers and/or raising the relative humidity.
Energy and Specific Heat Due to an Impurity Atom in a Dilute Alloy

The ground-state energy for the Anderson model of an impurity atom in a paramagnetic host metal is evaluated as a function of the impressed magnetic moment. Within the Hartree-Fock approximation we find that the ground-state energy has an absolute minimum for a finite value of the magnetic moment, corresponding to a stable localized magnetic moment. When correlations are included within the low-density approximation, the energy has its minimum for vanishing magnetic moment and the system cannot magnetize, in agreement with the results of Schrieffer and Mattis. The expression for the ground-state energy is extended to nonzero temperature and the specific heat due to the dilute impurities is calculated. It is shown that the anomalous specific heat derived by Anderson within the Hartree-Fock approximation is spurious.
Dissecting the Biological Role of Mucin-type O-Glycosylation Using RNA Interference in Drosophila Cell Culture

Mucin type O-glycosylation is a highly conserved form of post-translational modification initiated by the family of enzymes known as the polypeptide α-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferases (ppGalNAcTs in mammals and PGANTs in Drosophila). To address the cellular functions of the many PGANT family members, RNA interference (RNAi) to each pgant gene was performed in two independent Drosophila cell culture lines. We demonstrate that RNAi to individual pgant genes results in specific reduction in gene expression without affecting the expression of other family members. Cells with reduced expression of individual pgant genes were then examined for changes in viability, morphology, adhesion, and secretion to assess the contribution of each family member to these cellular functions. Here we find that RNAi to pgant3, pgant6, or pgant7 resulted in reduced secretion, further supporting a role for O-glycosylation in proper secretion. Additionally, RNAi to pgant3 or pgant6 resulted in altered Golgi organization, suggesting a role for each in establishing or maintaining proper secretory apparatus structure. Other subcellular effects observed included multinucleated cells seen after RNAi to either pgant2 or pgant35A, suggesting a role for these genes in the completion of cytokinesis. These studies demonstrate the efficient and specific knockdown of pgant gene expression in two Drosophila cell culture systems, resulting in specific morphological and functional effects. Our work provides new information regarding the biological roles of O-glycosylation and illustrates a new platform for interrogating the cellular and subcellular effects of this form of post-translational modification.