cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stuck in the Remedial Rut: Confronting Resistance to ESL Curriculum Reform.

This article presents a case study of a university ESL program that was highly resistant to reform, despite substantial evidence that its curriculum and policies were ineffective. The author draws on surveys, interviews, and participant observation to show how remediation served not only as an instructional model, but as an institutional identity for the program. This remedial identity was reflected in a testing-heavy, basic skills curriculum focused primarily on lexico-grammatical issues, as well as in the program’s policies for placement, tuition, and course credit. Through data-gathering and cross-departmental collaboration, the program was able to construct an alternative identity for itself—one in which its role was to support diversity, rather than to eradicate deficiency. This study adds to the growing body of scholarship on the ideological and political conditions in which basic/ESL writing is situated, and offers insights on how programs can re-envision their role within institutions.
Entrenchment in Publicly-Traded Family Firms: Evidence from the S&P 500

Family involvement in corporate governance through ownership, management, and board membership presents a unique dilemma for understanding the strategic impetus and costs of entrenchment decisions. The presence of shared family ties and the family-centered goals of firm principals call to question the applicability of extant agency arguments regarding the nature and antecedents of managerial entrenchment. Exploring this, we develop and test a model of family firm-specific determinants (i.e., family ownership and family's involvement in management and governance) of entrenchment in publicly traded firms by drawing upon principal-principal agency theory. Findings of the empirical analysis of family owned S&P 500 firms suggest family firms are motivated to entrench managers when doing so supports the pursuit of family-centric goals. However, the extent to which entrenchment supports such goals varies at different levels of family ownership.
Modelling and the Representational Imagination.

This article examines the work of 30 in-service teachers engaged with modelling activities during a course within an Ecuadorian master’s degree program in mathematics teaching. These teachers experienced a sequence of activities designed to explore imaginative aspects of mathematical modelling and problem solving, inviting perspectives from life outside of school. They built rich connections between real-world phenomena and a range of ideas about functions and representations of them. An analysis of the teachers’ work identifies a modelling resource—the representational imagination—describing its nature and the implications for models of classroom modelling aiming to support this resource.
Adverse Effects of Direct Acting Antivirals in HIV/HCV Coinfected Patients: A 4-Year Experience in Miami, Florida

Introduction: The new direct acting antivirals (DAA) have demonstrated low rates of adverse effects in controlled studies. However, real world-studies have disclosed emerging toxicities and drug-drug interactions in special populations. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of HIV/HCV coinfected patients who were treated with DAA at Jackson Memorial Hospital from 2014 to 2017. Our aim was to determine the adverse effects (AE) and factors that are associated with AE in HIV/HCV individuals who are treated with DAA. Results: There were 78 coinfected patients treated with DAA. AE that were secondary to DAA were reported by 21 (26.9%) patients. The most common AE were fatigue (47.6%), gastrointestinal symptoms (38.1%), anemia (14.3%), and headache (14.3%). In comparison with the rest of the study cohort, the patients who developed AE were more often Caucasian (33.3% vs. 10.5%, p = 0.017) and were more frequently treated with PrOD/Ribavirin (9.5% vs. 0%, p = 0.018). In terms of antiretroviral therapy (ART), there was a trend towards a more frequent use of TDF/FTC + NNRTI (33.3% vs. 14%, p = 0.055). Conclusions: These findings demonstrated good tolerability of DAAs in HIV/HCV coinfected patients. More real-world studies are needed to explore the variables that are associated with AE.
Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis is seen most commonly in adolescents. It is associated with obesity and metabolic disorders. It can present as hip, groin, knee, or thigh pain. A lateral radiograph is the most sensitive for detecting SCFEs. Treatment is operative fixation.
Introduction: Typology at a Crossroad

The Myers–Briggs type indicator (MBTI), a famous questionnaire for measuring the variables of psychiatrist C. G. Jung’s well-established personality theory, has been a cornerstone, at times controversial, of what has come to be known as “typology”, a paradigm for studying and understanding human personality. Numbering in the hundreds of millions, its users may be shocked to learn that in 2009 existing methods for interpreting MBTI results in Jungian terms were challenged on both logical and statistical grounds. The validity of the MBTI itself was not questioned; it was rather the traditional “type dynamics” (TD) method for mapping the MBTI on to Jung’s theory that was criticized. As this is written, passionate controversy over the matter threatens the unity of the community of not only the certified MBTI administrators and consultants, but also the millions employing it for career guidance, corporate job assignment, and psychological counseling.
Mediated Pedagogy in a Blended Environment: Impact of Processes and Settings During Environmental Monitoring of Dam Removal

Previous attempts by other investigators (Young and Kinner 2008) who focused on middle school students’ performance on tasks that were associated with knowledge in the outdoors, found it difficult to demonstrate strong results of any learning measures. Their efforts, and earlier results from a pilot study that this author carried out in the same vicinity (O’Mahony 2008), helped refine ways to test the effects of different kinds of “expert mediation” for linking school–based and experiential learning methods and to test the effects of these methods on students’ thinking and motivation. A philosophical framework that encompassed ecojustice ideals and sustainability of environmental habitats served as a backdrop to the study. A quasi-experimental two-group design was used to test whether different mediating tools would affect student-learning outcomes. Quantitative and qualitative tools were used in a mixed methods approach to collect and interpret data during a pedagogical intervention that posited better learning outcomes for students where mediation tools aligned teaching processes and settings in a purposeful way. We discuss how tools and contextual artifacts help learners notice key dimensions of their experiences (in the natural world) that “make visible” entrenched preconceptions; enable a process of conceptual change, and foster an emergent comprehension of everyday knowledge. Further, this study demonstrates how intentional alignment of instructional “processes” with “settings” facilitates student learning by linking counterintuitive concepts in the natural world to very real aspects of their culture and lives. But, more importantly, through energizing a sense of students personal agency and deep-seated engagement around their sense of place, the outdoor learning experience appeared to activate not only joy in learning in situ, it went a long way to enhancing a preparation for future learning.
Impact of breakfast consumption on nutritional adequacy of the diets of young adults in Bogalusa, Louisiana: ethnic and gender contrasts.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the impact of breakfast consumption patterns on the nutritional adequacy of diets of young adults and determine possible ethnic and gender differences. Design and setting Cross-sectional survey of young adults in Bogalusa, La. Subjects Twenty-four-hour dietary recalls were collected from October 1988 through October 1991 on 504 young adults (mean age=23 years, 58% women, 70% white). Statistics Analysis of variance and logistic regression techniques were used to investigate the relationship of breakfast consumption, ethnicity, and gender on dietary adequacy. The P values are from an analysis of variance model that adjusted for gender and ethnicity. Results Thirty-seven percent of young adults skipped breakfast. Of those who ate breakfast, 75% ate at home, 10% ate a fast-food breakfast, and 15% reported other sources. Mean energy intake from breakfast was 485kcal; men consumed more energy than women ( P P P P P Applications Encouraging consumption of breakfast, along with selection of more healthful breakfast food choices or snacks that are culturally appropriate, may be important strategies for improving the nutritional quality of young adults' diets. J Am Diet Assoc. 1998;98:1432–1438 .
Mental health care utilization and stigma in the military: comparison of Asian Americans to other racial groups.

Objective: To investigate race disparities in the US Military among Asian, White, Black, Native American and Other, seeking mental health care in the context of stigma defined by perceived damage t...
Anticoagulation in the cardiac patient: A concise review

Anticoagulation has multiple roles in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, including in management of acute myocardial infarction, during percutaneous coronary intervention, as stroke prophylaxis in patients with atrial arrhythmias, and in patients with mechanical heart valves. Clinical anticoagulation choices in the aforementioned diseases vary widely, due to conflicting data to support established agents and the rapid evolution of evidence-based practice that parallels more widespread use of novel oral anticoagulants. This review concisely summarizes evidence-based guidelines for anticoagulant use in cardiovascular disease, and highlights new data specific to direct oral anticoagulants.
Normal ribosomal biogenesis but shortened protein synthetic response to acute eccentric resistance exercise in old skeletal muscle

Anabolic resistance to feeding in aged muscle is well-characterized; however, whether old skeletal muscle is intrinsically resistant to acute mechanical loading is less clear. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of aging on muscle protein synthesis (MPS), ribosome biogenesis, and protein breakdown in skeletal muscle following a single bout of resistance exercise. Adult male F344/BN rats aged 10 (Adult) and 30 (Old) months underwent unilateral maximal eccentric contractions of the hindlimb. Precursor rRNA increased early post-exercise (6-18 h), preceding elevations in ribosomal mass at 48 h in Adult and Old; there were no age-related differences in these responses. MPS increased early post-exercise in both Adult and Old; however, at 48 h of recovery, MPS returned to baseline in Old but not Adult. This abbreviated protein synthesis response in Old was associated with decreased levels of IRS1 protein and increased BiP, CHOP and eIF2α levels. Other than these responses, anabolic signaling was similar in Adult and Old muscle in the acute recovery phase. Basal proteasome activity was lower in Old, and resistance exercise did not increase the activity of either the ATP-dependent or independent proteasome, or autophagy (Cathepsin L activity) in either Adult or Old muscle. We conclude that MPS and ribosome biogenesis in response to maximal resistance exercise in old skeletal muscle are initially intact; however, the MPS response is abbreviated in Old, which may be the result of ER stress and/or blunted exercise-induced potentiation of the MPS response to feeding.
Aggregation of Residential Water Heaters for Peak Shifting and Frequency Response Services

The increased penetration of renewable energy resources poses challenges for grid stability. The stochastic generation of solar and wind power cannot be controlled to follow load. And, the transition away from synchronous generators is reducing the capacity to arrest and recover from frequency disturbances. Smart electric water heaters provide utilities with an appliance that can be remotely controlled and serve as a form of energy storage. They have very fast response times and make up a large amount of residential energy consumption, making them useful for load peak shifting as well as other ancillary grid services. As smart appliances become increasingly widespread, more and more devices can be brought into the utility control network and aggregated into a flexible resource on a multi-megawatt scale. This paper demonstrates the usefulness of aggregated electric water heaters for providing two ancillary services: peak shifting and frequency response. Because a large number of assets are required, emulators are developed based on observations of real devices. Emulated water heaters are then connected to an energy resource aggregator using an internet-of-things network. The aggregator uses these assets to shift consumption away from peak hours and for detecting upward frequency disturbances.
Provider beliefs on the Barriers and Facilitators to Prescription Monitoring Programs and Mandated Use

AbstractBackground: Underutilization of Prescription monitoring programs (PMP), especially in states where participation is voluntary could limit their impact against opioid epidemic. Objectives: T...
Comparison of wire localization, radioactive seed, and Savi scout® radar for management of surgical breast disease

BACKGROUND Radioactive seed localization (RSL) and the Savi scout® radar (SSR) are newer alternatives to wire-guided localization (WL) for nonpalpable breast lesions. OBJECTIVE To compare three types of localization devices used in breast conserving surgery. METHODS A total of 293 patients had a partial mastectomy (n = 194) or breast biopsy (n = 99) with preoperative image-guided localization of a single nonpalpable lesion between July 2017 to July 2018. Lesions were localized by WL, RSL, or SSR. Although all operations performed were outpatient, due to workflow differences at our institution, operations performed in the hospital operating rooms were defined as "hospital setting." Operations performed at an outpatient surgery facility without the capacity to admit patients were defined as "ambulatory." Delay in operating room start times and total perioperative times in both the hospital and ambulatory setting, localization time, explant of localization device, positive margins, volume of tissue excised, and 30-day complications were evaluated. RESULTS A total of 126 patients (43%) had WL; 59 patients (20%) had RSL; and 108 patients (37%) had SSR localization. SSR localization took longer to perform with an average time of 19 minutes, compared with 15 minutes for WL and 14 minutes for RSL (P = .020). In 93.52% of cases, the first specimen contained both the clip and localization device, which was similar among groups (P = .073). There was no difference in retained biopsy clip among the groups (average 3.4%, P = .173). For operations performed in the hospital, the time from patient arrival to the preoperative area and incision was significantly longer in the WL group with a median of 233 minutes (range 56-486), 130 minutes (range 64-294) in RSL, and 108 minutes (range 59-240) for SSR (P < .001). There was no difference in operative time among the groups with a median of 51 minutes (range 17-122) (P = .108). There was, however, significantly longer perioperative time of 469 minutes (range 210-926) in the WL group compared with 399 minutes (range 240-871) for RSL and 381 minutes (range 232-711) for SSR (P ≤ .001). For the ambulatory setting, although there was no difference in operating time among the groups (median 50 minutes, range 18-127, P = .715), only the RSL showed a decreased perioperative time compared to WL (WL 356 vs RSL 275, P < .001; SSR 279, p = NS). A total of 131 patients (44.7%) had same day localizations. Among operations with delayed start times, there was a longer average delay of 85 minutes (range 1-304) for WL group compared with 69 minutes (range 13-219) in RSL and 53 minutes (range 0-228) in SSR (P < .001). There was no difference among the three groups in positive margin rate, volume of tissue excised, and 30-day complications. CONCLUSION Nonwire localization devices are associated with reduced overall perioperative time compared to wire localization, with few complications.
Interactive range-limit theory (iRLT): An extension for predicting range shifts.

A central theme of range-limit theory (RLT) posits that abiotic factors form high-latitude/altitude limits, whereas biotic interactions create lower limits. This hypothesis, often credited to Charles Darwin, is a pattern widely assumed to occur in nature. However, abiotic factors can impose constraints on both limits and there is scant evidence to support the latter prediction. Deviations from these predictions may arise from correlations between abiotic factors and biotic interactions, as a lack of data to evaluate the hypothesis, or be an artifact of scale. Combining two tenets of ecology-niche theory and predator-prey theory-provides an opportunity to understand how biotic interactions influence range limits and how this varies by trophic level. We propose an expansion of RLT, interactive RLT (iRLT), to understand the causes of range limits and predict range shifts. Incorporating the main predictions of Darwin's hypothesis, iRLT hypothesizes that abiotic and biotic factors can interact to impact both limits of a species' range. We summarize current thinking on range limits and perform an integrative review to evaluate support for iRLT and trophic differences along range margins, surveying the mammal community along the boreal-temperate and forest-tundra ecotones of North America. Our review suggests that range-limit dynamics are more nuanced and interactive than classically predicted by RLT. Many (57 of 70) studies indicate that biotic factors can ameliorate harsh climatic conditions along high-latitude/altitude limits. Conversely, abiotic factors can also mediate biotic interactions along low-latitude/altitude limits (44 of 68 studies). Both scenarios facilitate range expansion, contraction or stability depending on the strength and the direction of the abiotic or biotic factors. As predicted, biotic interactions most often occurred along lower limits, yet there were trophic differences. Carnivores were only limited by competitive interactions (n = 25), whereas herbivores were more influenced by predation and parasitism (77%; 55 of 71 studies). We highlight how these differences may create divergent range patterns along lower limits. We conclude by (a) summarizing iRLT; (b) contrasting how our model system and others fit this hypothesis and (c) suggesting future directions for evaluating iRLT.
Margin Positivity in Resectable Esophageal Cancer: Are there Modifiable Risk Factors?

Patients with esophageal cancer have poor overall survival, with positive resection margins worsening survival. Margin positivity rates are used as quality measures in other malignancies, but modifiable risk factors are necessary to develop actionable targets for improvement. Our objectives were to (1) evaluate trends in esophageal cancer margin positivity, and (2) identify modifiable patient/hospital factors associated with margin positivity. Patients who underwent esophagectomy from 2004 to 2015 were identified from the National Cancer Database. Trends in margin positivity by time and hospital volume were evaluated using Cochrane–Armitage tests. Associations between patient/hospital factors and margin positivity were assessed by multivariable logistic regression. Among 29,706 patients who underwent esophagectomy for cancer, 9.37% had positive margins. Margin positivity rates decreased over time (10.62% in 2004 to 8.61% in 2015; p < 0.001). Older patients (≥ 75 years) were more likely to have positive margins [odds ratio (OR) 2.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.42–2.92], as were patients with a Charlson–Deyo Index ≥ 3 (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.08–3.12). Patients who received neoadjuvant therapy were less likely to have positive margins (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.29–0.47), while laparoscopic surgical approach was associated with increased margin positivity (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.40–2.06). As the hospital annual esophagectomy volume increased, margin positivity rates decreased (7.76% in the fourth quartile vs. 11.39% in the first quartile; OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.49–0.99). Use of neoadjuvant therapy, surgical approach, and hospital volume are modifiable risk factors for margin positivity in esophageal cancer. These factors should be considered in treatment planning, and margin positivity rates could be considered as a quality measure in esophageal cancer.
The Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse: The Role of Anxiety and Alcohol Use among Haitian Women Living with HIV

Childhood abuse has been linked to problematic drinking in adulthood. It is also documented that people living with HIV have higher rates of alcohol use than the general population. In Haiti, a tot...
Charged-Current Interaction Measurements in MiniBooNE

Neutrino oscillation is the only known phenomenon for physics beyond the standard model. To investigate this phenomenon, the understanding of low energy neutrino scattering (200<E<2000 MeV) is the crucial task for high energy physicists. In this energy region, the charged current quasi-elastic (CCQE) neutrino interaction is the dominant process, and experiments require a precise model to predict signal samples. Using a high-statistics sample of muon neutrino CCQE events, MiniBooNE finds that a simple Fermi gas model, with appropriate adjustments, accurately characterizes the CCQE events on carbon. The extracted parameters include an effective axial mass, MA=1.23 +- 0.20 GeV, and a Pauli-blocking parameter, kappa = 1.019 +- 0.011.
The cellular architecture of microvessels, pericytes and neuronal cell types in organizing regional brain energy homeostasis in mice

Abstract The cerebrovascular network and its mural cells must meet the dynamic energy demands of different neuronal cell types across the brain, but their spatial relationship among these cells is largely unknown. Here, we apply brain-wide mapping methods to create a comprehensive cellular-resolution resource comprising the distribution of and quantitative relationship between microvessels, pericytes, and glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons including neuronal nitric oxide synthase-positive (nNOS+) neurons and their subtypes in mice. Leveraging these data, we discovered region-specific signatures of vasculature and cell type compositions across cortical and subcortical areas, including strikingly contrasting correlations between the density of vasculature, pericytes, glutamatergic neurons and parvalbumin-positive interneurons versus nNOS+ neurons in the isocortex. We also found surprisingly low vasculature and pericyte density in the hippocampus, and distinctly high pericyte to vasculature ratio in the hypothalamus. These findings suggest that vascular density and mural cell composition is finely tuned to maintain regional energy homeostasis.
9 – ORDINARY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses ordinary differential equations. The most important mathematical model for physical phenomena is the differential equation. Motion of objects, fluids, and heat flow, bending and cracking of materials, vibrations, chemical reactions, and nuclear reactions are all modeled by differential equations. If a differential equation has one independent variable, then it is an ordinary differential equation. If the differential equation involves more than one independent variable, then it is a partial differential equation. Differential equations are often simplified or idealized models. A natural idea for numerical methods for differential equations is to replace the derivatives by differences and then solve the resulting difference equations. To be efficient, accurate difference approximations need to be used. This means that a first-order differential equation is replaced by a second-, third-, fourth-, or higher-order difference equation. A problem that immediately arises is that the differential equation has one solution, while a fourth-order difference equation has four solutions. Care must be made to get the right solution of the difference equation. This is not always easy or even possible; many methods that look good on the surface are, in fact, useless because one normally does not get the right solution. This difficulty permeates the study of numerical methods for differential equations and greatly complicates the theory and practice of solving differential equations.
Stratus cloud supersaturations

[1] A wide range of California coastal stratus cloud droplet concentrations (Nc) were compared with CCN spectra to provide numerous estimates of cloud supersaturations (S). These revealed the predicted decrease of S with higher CCN concentrations (NCCN). A significant result was frequent stratus cloud S significantly above 0.3%, especially for more maritime NCCN and Nc (i.e., <300 cm−3). This means that much smaller and more numerous particles than previously considered interact with the most important clouds for the indirect aerosol effect.
Design considerations for high-efficiency leakage transformers

This paper addresses the design of isolation transformers that integrate all required inductances into one magnetic structure for resonant converters. A design method is presented for components using a power ferrite core, litz-wire windings and an air leakage path. The design method is developed by considering the Q of the leakage inductance to develop a simple and efficient design.
THE PLASMA PHYSICS OF MAGNETIC MONOPOLES IN THE GALAXY

The possible discovery of a Dirac magnetic monopole1 has rekindled interest in astrophysical bounds on the cosmic monopole abundance.2,3,4 Particularly intriguing is the idea that the Galaxy may possess a magnetic monopole halo sufficiently massive to stabilize the Galactic disk against bar-mode deformations.5 Typical parameters for such a stabilizing halo are given in Table 1. The local monopole flux, nMvH from a Galactic monopole halo would lead to an event rate $$ {\Gamma _D} \approx {n_M}{v_H}{A_D} \approx 1.8 \times {10^{ - 2}}{A_D}(c{m^2})m_{16}^{ - 1}y{r^{ - 1}} $$ (1) in a monopole detector of cross-sectional area A. As Cabrera has pointed out,1 ΓD ≈ (2.8 m yr)-1 for AD = 20 cm2, in substantial agreement with the occurrence of a single candidate event in ~1yr of observation if m16 ~1, as is generally the case6 for GUT’s.
The cytogenetics of Neurospora.

Publisher Summary This chapter concerns genetically significant aspects of Neurospora cytology, and the relation between genes and chromosomes, with special emphasis on chromosome rearrangements. In addition to reviewing the published literature, numerous results have been presented. Many of these are cytological, appearing under various headings. The chapter is also concerned with the morphology and identification of individual chromosomes. New genetic results concerning chromosome rearrangements and general characteristics of aberrations are given and a brief description of each known rearrangement has been provided. The chapter also deals briefly with other topics such as accessory, the genetic control of recombination, and the cytoplasmic genome. Neurospora possesses several favorable features compared to the more conventional organisms that are used in cytogenetic research, and these, in part, compensate for the small size of its chromosomes. All four products of individual meioses survive. Progeny can be obtained either as random meiotic products, as unordered tetrads, or as ordered tetrads whose linear spore arrangement reflects the events of meiosis. The spores show high viability and germination. The vegetative (somatic) part of the life cycle is haploid. Duplications are more readily identified as partial diploids against a haploid background than as partial triploids against a diploid background. Somatic variants can be obtained in pure culture. Any somatic cell can serve as a germ cell. For Aspergillus, only a few rearrangements have been recognized in other eukaryotic microorganisms, where usually they are more difficult to detect than in Neurospora, with its pigmented spores. Failure to recognize an existing rearrangement can lead to spurious conclusions regarding linkage, recombination, interference, preferential segregation, or the presence of synthetic lethal genes.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor administration protects basal forebrain cholinergic but not nigral dopaminergic neurons from degenerative changes after axotomy in the adult rat brain

Cell culture studies with dissociated primary cultures from embryonic rat brain revealed that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promotes the developmental differentiation of both basal forebrain cholinergic and mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons. These studies suggested that, in the adult brain, BDNF may be able to protect cholinergic and dopaminergic neurons from degenerative changes induced by axotomy, similar to the known protective action of NGF in cholinergic neurons. Testing this hypothesis, we found that intraventricular administration of recombinant human BDNF (rhBDNF) to adult rats with transections of the fimbria significantly reduces axotomy-induced degenerative changes of the cholinergic cells in the basal forebrain. No such effect was seen on the dopaminergic neurons of the ventral mesencephalon after transection of their axons ascending in the medial forebrain bundle. Injected in equal amounts, rhBDNF and recombinant human NGF had quantitatively different effects on the cholinergic neurons. BDNF sustained only part of the population of cholinergic neurons affected by the lesion, whereas the entire population was protected by NGF treatment.
Digital stars and visibility of digital objects

Starshaped sets (or stars) are objects defined and studied since early 20th century. Stars are closely related to convexity issues. Results about stars have found numerous applications in several mathematical disciplines, such as computational and convex geometry. With the present paper we are initiating a study on digital stars. This is particularly motivated by possible applications in computer vision. We derive several basic properties of digital stars and consider relations between digital starshapedness, continuous starshapedness, and digital convexity.
A Preemptive Copyright Ghost Lurking in Breach of Contract Claims: Resolving the Copyright Preemption Analysis

Supernatural activity has overtaken copyright law, reigniting the pressure to resolve significant legal issues after a period of quiet unrest.1 Ghost Hunters, a Syfy channel reality show following investigators as they study paranormal activity, has provided more than intrigue to viewers every Wednesday night; it has intensified an ongoing debate among the thirteen judicial circuits.2 While a paranormal team investigates the ghost of a colonel lurking in a Kentucky distillery on next week’s Ghost Hunters episode,3 parapsychologist Larry Montz continues to wage his legal battle against NBC Universal (NBC) and Pilgrim Films & Television.4 Montz
Physical Activity Resource Attributes by Neighborhood Race/Ethnicity in a Southern US City

Racial/ethnic disparities in the level of physical activity may be due to unequal opportunities to be physically active. This study compares the attributes of physical activity resources for adolescents by neighborhood race/ethnicity in a metropolitan area in southern USA. Physical activity resources (n = 89) were assessed using the revised Physical Activity Resource Assessment instrument. Neighborhood ethnic composition for each resource was identified from the US census data. On average, resources in high ethnic minority neighborhoods had more (p = 0.032) physical activity features (mean = 3.24, SD = 1.6) compared to low ethnic minority neighborhoods (mean = 2.36, SD = 1.7). However, the quality of amenities in high ethnic minority neighborhoods was significantly low (p = 0.037). The incivilities that indicated safety concerns (i.e., unattended dogs, evidence of alcohol and substance use, graffiti, sex paraphernalia, and vandalism) were significantly higher (p = 0.009) in the resources in high ethnic minority neighborhoods (mean = 1.07, SD = 1.6) compared to resources in low ethnic minority neighborhoods (mean = 0.36, SD = 0.8). Physical activity resources in high minority neighborhoods were found to have significant quality and safety issues. Further studies are warranted to examine the use of these resources by adolescents and examine its association with physical activity levels and obesity.
Lattice ordered effect algebras

The purpose of this paper is to discuss some structural properties of lattice ordered effect algebras. We will use these structural properties to find certain lattices and classes of lattices that do not admit an effect algebra structure. Finally, using these structural properties, we will show that if L is the face lattice of a convex polytope in $ R^3 $ with more than 3 vertices, then L does not admit an effect algebra structure.
Insect transmission ofErwinia carotovora var.carotovora andErwinia carotovora var.atroseptica to potato plants in the field

Adult fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster Meig.) artificially contaminated withErwinia carotovora var.carotovora (Jones) Dye (Ecc) and/orE. carotovora var.atroseptica (van Hall) Dye (Eca) readily transmitted the bacteria to plants in the field that had been injured by crushing the stem. Injured, inoculated plants developed disease symptoms when maintained at high relative humidities.Erwinia was transmitted to ten-hour-old injuries and they became infected as frequently as freshly made wounds. Insect transmission ofEca, Ecc, and mixtures was greatest during the afternoon, which was the warmest part of the day.Ecc was transmitted significantly less frequently during the cold morning than during afternoon or evening hours. A potato cull pile placed in a commercial potato field attracted a natural insect population which increased during the season. BothEcc andEca were isolated from uninoculated rotting tubers in the cull pile and from insects associated with the pile from May through September. These naturally infested insects transmittedEcc and/orEca from the cull pile to artificially injured field plants during July and August at distances as great as 183 m from the cull pile. NoErwinia was isolated from injured plants in a neighboring control field, which lacked a cull pile, further than 6 m upwind from the cull pile. We suggest that insects are important agents in the epidemiology of potato blackleg and soft rot even in areas with low relative humidities.
Isotopic Transient Kinetic Analysis of Cs-Promoted Ru/MgO during Ammonia Synthesis

Abstract Steady-state isotopic transient kinetic analysis was used to examine a cesium-promoted Ru/MgO catalyst (1.75 wt% Ru) for ammonia synthesis. For comparison, an unpromoted Ru/SiO 2 (22 wt% Ru) catalyst was also studied. Steady-state and isotopic transient measurements were conducted at temperatures between 603 and 673 K with a stoichiometric ratio of N 2 and H 2 at a total pressure of 3 atm. The fractional surface coverage of nitrogen-containing intermediates (θ NH x ) based on total H 2 chemisorption was found to range from 0.02 to 0.05 on both catalysts under the conditions used in the current study. However, the intrinsic turnover frequency of ammonia synthesis over Cs–Ru/MgO was two orders of magnitude greater than that of the unpromoted Ru/SiO 2 . The combination of the Cs promoter and MgO support enhanced the intrinsic activity of Ru, presumably by lowering the barrier for dinitrogen dissociation.
Myosin-IXb is a single-headed and processive motor.

Class IX myosins are unique among the many classes of known actin-based motors in that the tail region of these myosins contains a GTPase-activating protein domain for the small GTP-binding protein, Rho. Previous studies on human myosin-IXb indicate that this myosin is mechanochemically active and exhibits actin-binding properties similar to the processive motor, myosin-Va. Motility analysis of antibody-tethered myosin-IXb performed using the sliding actin filament assay indicates that this myosin does exhibit properties characteristic of a processive motor. Like myosin-Va, the velocity of myosin-IXb remains constant (38.2 ± 1.2 nm/s) even at single motor/filament densities. At low motor densities, filaments can be seen passing through and pivoting about single points on the motility surface. Analysis of filament landing rates as a function of motor density also indicates that a single motor is sufficient for filament movement. However, in contrast to myosin-Va, which uses coordinated motion of its two heads to move processively along the filament, hydrodynamic and chemical cross-linking studies indicate that under the conditions tested, myosin-IXb is a single-headed motor consisting of a single heavy chain and associated light chains.
Monitoring and feedback of hand hygiene compliance and the impact on facility-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

In 2006, we began monitoring hand hygiene compliance by direct observation. In 2006, with no changes in the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) control program, a 38% reduction of facility-acquired rates for this organism was realized. These results indicate that focused monitoring of hand hygiene can reduce facility-acquired rates of MRSA.
Mosses from Clinton County, Pennsylvania

Abstract. Mosses collected in Clinton County, central Pennsylvania encompassed 162 species, 81 genera and 36 families.
Supplements for the Identity Component in Locally Compact Groups

Let G be a topological group and H a closed normal subgroup of G. !f G contains a closed subgroup K isomorphic to the quotient group G/H such that Hc~K={1}, the identity of G and that the map (h, k ) ~ h k is a homeomorphism of H x K onto G, then G is said to be a semidirect product of H and K, and we say that G splits over H. In recent years, a great deal has been learned about the structure of connected locally compact groups on the one hand and of compact totally disconnected groups on the other. The natural synthesis of these two seems to be locally compact groups which are compact modulo component of the identity. Let [C] denote the class of all such groups. In this paper, we are primarily concerned with study of [C]-groups. In studying the structure of [C]-groups, the chief purpose we have in mind is to see how far these groups are away from being semidirect products of connected locally compact groups and totally disconnected compact groups. Even though one can hope for such a splitting in rare instances, we are able to find a totally disconnected compact 'supplement ' to the identity component of a [C]-group. The proof of existence of such a supplement given in this paper uses the method which HOFMANN and MOSTERT [6] have developed in their investigation of splittings of topological groups over vector subgroups. As is well known, a study of [C]-groups sometimes requires aconsiderable knowledge on Lie algebras, since these groups may be approximated by Lie groups. Thus we devote the first chapter to an investigation of automorphisms of Lie algebras. Although this chapter is not an integral part of our topological investigations, it is closely related to the following chapters. The following are outlines of results in the order in which the chapters containing them occur.
Construction of the eight-item patient-reported outcomes measurement information system pediatric physical function scales: built using item response theory.

Abstract Objective To create self-report physical function (PF) measures for children using modern psychometric methods for item analysis as part of patient-reported outcomes measurement information system (PROMIS). Study Design and Setting PROMIS qualitative methodology was applied to develop two PF item pools that comprised 32 mobility and 38 upper extremity items. Items were computer administered to subjects aged 8–17 years. Scale dimensionality and sources of local dependence (LD) were evaluated with factor analysis. Items were analyzed for differential item functioning (DIF) between genders. Items with LD, DIF, or low discrimination were considered for removal. Computerized adaptive testing performance was simulated, and short forms were constructed. Results Three thousand forty-eight children (51.8% female, 40% nonwhite, and 22.7% chronically ill) participated. At least 754 respondents answered each item. Factor analytical results confirmed two dimensions of PF. Fifty-two of 70 items tested were retained. A 23-item mobility bank and a 29-item upper extremity bank resulted, and an eight-item short forms were created. The item banks have high information from the population mean to three standard deviations below. Conclusions PROMIS pediatric PF item banks and eight-item short forms assess two dimensions, mobility, and upper extremity function and show good psychometric characteristics after large-scale testing.
Picrotoxinin receptor in the central nervous system of the American cockroach: its role in the action of cyclodiene-type insecticides

Abstract The nature of the picrotoxinin receptor was studied using the central nervous system (CNS) of the American cockroach. It first was confirmed by using an electrophysiological technique that the abdominal nerve cord of the American cockroach was sensitive to picrotoxinin. By using a [ 3 H]α-dihydropicrotoxinin binding test it was determined that the picrotoxinin receptor in CNS of this insect had a higher affinity toward picrotoxinin and heptachlor epoxide than the corresponding receptor in the rat brain. Also, the cockroach brain preparation had a higher percentage of specific binding in the total binding, making this material suitable for receptor studies. By using a sucrose density centrifugation technique, it was determined that the fraction sedimented at the interphase of 1.0 to 1.2 M sucrose at 100,000 g contained the highest level of specific binding site. The receptor showed a sensitivity to all insecticidal cyclodienes tested, namely photodieldrin, oxychlordane, endrin, heptachlor epoxide, γ-chlordane, dieldrin, aldrin, heptachlor, and isodrin (expressed in the order of potency). Among four BHC isomers, the γ-isomer showed the highest potency to bind with this receptor.
Equivariant orientation theory

The article gives an introduction to equivariant formal group laws, and explains its relevance to complex oriented cohomology theories in general and to complex cobordism in particular.
Optimization of multi-version expensive predicates

Modern query optimizers need to take into account the performance of expensive user-defined predicates. Existing research has shown how to incorporate such predicates in a traditional cost-based query optimizer. In this paper we deal with the optimization of the expensive predicates themselves, showing how their cost can be reduced by utilizing cheaper, but less accurate, versions of the predicates to pre-filter tuples. We discuss the generalized tuple handling mechanism, which processes tuples along a fixed sequence of versions, as well as adaptive approaches that either split tuple streams into groups, or make routing decisions at the individual tuple level. We identify the lower bound to the problem of evaluating a multi-version selection predicate by an ideal individualized plan (IIP), and develop an optimal generalized plan (OGP). We then show how realistic individualized or grouped schemes can produce an intermediate cost between OGP and IIP, if tuples substantially deviate from the average stream behavior. Our algorithms are tested experimentally, identifying many of the issues that arise whenever multi-version predicates are used.
Recycling of waste tire rubber in asphalt and portland cement concrete: An overview

Abstract Waste tires pose significant health and environmental concerns if not recycled and/or discarded properly. Over the years, recycling waste tires into civil engineering applications, especially into asphalt paving mixtures and portland cement concrete, has been gaining more and more interests. This review summarizes the recent advances in the use of waste tire rubber in asphalt and portland cement concrete. The use of crumb rubber in asphalt paving mixture has long been proven successful due to good compatibility and interaction between rubber particles and asphalt binder, leading to various improved properties and performance of asphalt mixtures. The rubberized asphalt mixtures also have shown good compatibility with two widely used sustainability technologies in asphalt paving industry – reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and warm-mix asphalt (WMA). In comparison with its use in asphalt paving mixtures, recycling of waste rubber in Portland cement concrete has not been so successful due to two factors: (1) incompatibility in chemical property between rubber and cement paste and (2) the significant difference in stiffness resulting in stress concentrations. Various methods have been proposed to overcome the barriers to improve the performance of rubberized portland cement concrete, some of which have shown to be promising.
Photodissociation of spatially aligned acetaldehyde cations.

Photofragment translational energy and angular distributions are reported for the photodissociation of acetaldehyde cations in the wavelength range 354−363 nm obtained using the DC slice ion imaging technique. Vibrationally selected parent ions were produced by 2+1 resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) via the 3s ← n Rydberg transition, with photodissociation resulting from absorption of a fourth additional photon. Three product channels were observed: HCO+, CH3CO+, and CH4+. The angular distributions reveal that all product channels have a predominantly parallel recoil anisotropy although the lower β2 parameter of CH3CO+ indicates the concomitant presence of a perpendicular component. Furthermore, the distinct angular distribution of the CH3CO+ fragments shows a large value of the higher order Legendre polynomial term, providing evidence that acetaldehyde cations are spatially aligned during the ionization process.
Synthesis and Structures of Titanium and Zirconium Trisiloxides

The synthesis and structures of zirconium and titanium trisiloxides containing the tridentate ligand [MeSi(RMeSiO)3]3- (rac-l,l-3)-3H (R = Si(SiMe3)2Me) are reported. Reactions of rac-l,l-3 with M(OEt)4, where M = Ti or Zr, gave tridentate complexes of formula [MeSi(RMeSiO)3]MOEt (l,l-4, M = Ti; l,l-5, M = Zr). In striking contrast, treatment of rac-l,l-3 with Zr(NEt)4 afforded the spirocyclic complex {[MeSi(RMeSiO)3]2Zr}H2 (l,l-7). These compounds feature bicyclooctane structures, which are hitherto unknown in the chemistry of metal siloxides.
Marker nucleotides for non-ribosomal spacer segments of preribosomal ribonucleic acid.

Abstract Complete T 1 RNase digestion was carried out on purified nucleolar precursor 45S, 35S and 28S RNA (nRNA) and 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) of Novikoff hepatoma ascites cells. Two marker fragments for the spacer segments, having chain lengths of 23 and 19 nucleotides, were isolated from digests of 45S or 35S nRNA by successive chromatography on DEAE Sephadex at pH 7.5 and DEAE Sephadex at pH 3.3. One of the fragments, referred to as the P fragment has a nucleotide composition of AC 13 U 8 G and is found both in 45S and 35S nRNA. The other fragment, referred to as the Q fragment, has a nucleotide composition of A 2 C 11 U 5 G and is found only in 45S nRNA.