cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Listening to Children: Exploring Intuitive Strategies and Interactive Methods in a Study of Children’s Special Places

Stemming from the UNCRC, childhood researchers have proposed a variety of methodological strategies for upholding children’s rights and understanding their perspectives. This paper aims to advance the conversation on engaging children’s perspectives by presenting data collection methods used in a qualitative study exploring children’s special places. Place attachment and identity theories, as well as, contemporary sociological understandings, informed the study design, particularly, in viewing children as active agents continually constructing their own places in the world. Five interactive methods (book discussions, representational art, child-led place tours, informal interviews, and puppets) are presented in order to emphasize the importance of listening to children, building positive relationships, allowing children to take the lead, and fostering creative expression. While it may never be possible for the adult researcher to fully understand children’s perspectives, it is possible for researchers to implement intuitive strategies by reflectively adapting their methods to honor children’s diverse needs.
Fibroepithelial polyp of renal pelvis

Abstract Primary mesodermal tumors of the renal pelvis are rare. Herein, the eighth case of fibroepithelial polyp of the renal pelvis is reported, this occurring in a nonfunctioning kidney. The diagnosis and treatment of fibroepithelial polyp is discussed and the literature reviewed.
BLADE TENDERIZATION OF BEEF PSOAS MAJOR AND SEMITENDINOSUS MUSCLES

Muscles from 20 U.S. Good carcasses were passed through a blade tenderizer one (IX), two (2X) or three (3X) times to determine effects on cooking and palatability characteristics. Psoas major (OX, IX) and semitendinosus (OX, IX, 2X, 3X) muscles were studied. Blade tenderization had little or no effect on thawing loss, cooking loss, cooking time or degree of doneness for steaks from either muscle. Blade tenderization (IX) decreased (P < 0.05) shear force requirements and amounts of organoleptically detectable connective tissue and increased (P < 0.05) ratings for tenderness for cooked steaks from both muscles. Shear force data suggested that semitendinosus can be made as tender as psoas major by blade tenderization (2X), but organoleptic data did not support such a conclusion, suggesting that sensory panel members considered factors other than or in addition to resistance to shear in assessing relative tenderness. Blade tenderization enhanced the tenderness of two muscles which differ greatly in connective tissue content. Absolute response to blade tenderization (IX) was greater for semitendinosus (by 0.3 kg, shear force; by 0.5 rating scale units, connective tissue amount; and by 0.2 rating scale units, tenderness) than for psoas major. Data suggest that blade tenderization disrupts connective tissue, but not to the extent that would allow blade tenderized muscles high in connective tissue to be used interchangeably with untreated muscles of low connective tissue content.
Investor perceptions of traditional and online channels

How should financial service firms, online and off, adjust their customer-acquisition and -service strategies to reflect investors' changing expectations?
The fluid pressure pumps of spiders (Chelicerata, Araneae)

The identity of the fluid pressure pumps in spiders was investigated in Filistata hibernalis through measurements of the activity of certain muscle groups, leg movements, and changes in fluid pressure within the leg. Our results indicate the cephalothorax is the site of the pressure pump responsible for leg extension and the musculi laterales are the major muscles involved in the operation of this pump. Fluid pressures in the legs averaged 5 100 N·m−2 in resting spiders, ranged from 4 000 to 6 700 N·m−2 in walking spiders and reached as high as 61000 N·m−2 in startled spiders. Intra-abdominal fluid pressures were also measured and found to be much lower, ranging from 1000 to 4 000 N· m-2. These pressures are the result of activity of at least two sets of abdominal muscles, the sub-cuticular muscle sheet and the paired series of dorso-ventral muscles. We suggest the abdominal fluid pressure and the rigidity of the book-lungs attenuate pooling of the hemolymph in the abdomen when the spider is active. Finally we hypothesize that evolution of the hydrostatic skeleton in spiders has allowed a greater mass of flexor muscles to be incorporated into the legs and this in turn is an adaptation to the spider in prey capture.
Presynaptic and postsynaptic effects of histamine and histamine agonists in the superior cervical ganglion of the rat.

Abstract Extracellular and intracellular recording techniques were used to study the effects of histamine and the histamine agonists [impromidine (IMP) and 2-thiazolylethyla Mine (2-TH)] on synaptic transmission in the superior cervical ganglion of the rat in vitro . At the concentrations employed (up to 10 −5 M) these compounds did not produce detectable effects on the electrical properties of the postsynaptic neurons. Histamine produced a dose-dependent reduction in the amplitude of the extracellularly-recorded presynaptic and postsynaptic compound action potential. The H 2 receptor agonist impromidine reduced only the postganglionic compound action potential. Cimetidine, a specific H 2 receptor antagonist, produced parallel shifts in the log dose-response curves for impromidine. Impromidine also reduced the average size of the evoked excitatory postsynaptic potential. The reduction of the mean amplitude of the excitatory postsynaptic potential was due to a decrease in the amount of acetylcholine (ACh) liberated by each preganglionic volley (mean quantal content, m ) and a diminution in quantal size. The H 1 receptor agonist, 2-TH produced a dose-dependent increase in the presynaptic and postsynaptic compound action potential and in m . The increase in m was not associated with changes in quantal size. The H 1 antagonists, pyrilamine and promethazine, did not prevent facilitation of ganglionic transmission induced by 2-TH. It is concluded that histamine H 1 and H 2 receptors exist on preganglionic axons, or terminals in sympathetic ganglia of the rat. Activation of H 1 receptors facilitates release of ACh whereas H 2 receptor activation results in depressed release.
Longevity and reproduction of Ceriodaphnia dubia in receiving waters

Seven-day tests with Ceriodaphnia dubia are commonly used to estimate toxicity of effluents or receiving waters but can sometimes yield no toxicity outcomes even if pollutants are present. We conducted two sets of full life-cycle tests with C. dubia to (1) determine whether tests with longer exposure periods to low concentrations of contaminants in ambient water might reveal evidence of toxicity that could not be discerned from 7-d tests and (2) determine the relative importance of water quality versus food as factors influencing C. dubia longevity and reproduction. In the first set of tests, C. dubia was reared in diluted mineral water (a negative control), water from a stream impacted by coal fly-ash, or water from a retention basin containing sediments contaminated with mercury, other metals, and polychlorinated biphenyls. The second set of tests used water from the retention basin only. Before testing, though, water in the second set of tests was either filtered or not filtered, and food was either added or not added. Ceriodaphnia dubia longevity and reproduction did not differ much among the three water types in the first set of tests, but both longevity and reproduction were strongly affected by the filtering and food-addition treatments in the second set of tests. Thus, C. dubia appeared to be relatively insensitive to general water quality factors but sensitive to food-related factors. In five of the six full life-cycle tests, lifetime reproduction by C. dubia could not be reliably predicted from reproduction data from the first 7 d of testing (R2 < 0.35, by regression analysis). The increase in predictability of lifetime reproduction of C. dubia as a function of test duration also differed among water types in the first set of tests and among treatments in the second set of tests. Thus, it may not be possible to reliably extrapolate the results of 7-d tests with C. dubia to longer time scales.
‘Repatriating’ Falstaff : Boito, Verdi and Shakespeare (in Translation)

In 1946, W.H. Auden began a series of weekly lectures on Shakespeare's plays at New York's New School for Social Research. Arriving at The Merry Wives of Windsor, he pronounced it ‘a very dull play indeed’. Nevertheless, he allowed, ‘We can be grateful for its having been written, because it provided the occasion of Verdi's Falstaff, a very great operatic masterpiece’. Having nothing to say about The Merry Wives, he played a recording of the opera for the duration of the class.
Modal estimation of a wave front from difference measurements using the discrete Fourier transform

It is shown that a wave front, or in general any scalar two-dimensional function, can be reconstructed from its discrete differences by a simple multiplicative filtering operation in the spatial-frequency domain by using complex exponentials as basis functions in a modal expansion. Various difference-sampling geometries are analyzed. The difference data are assumed to be corrupted by random, additive noise of zero mean. The derived algorithms yield unbiased reconstructions for finite data arrays. The error propagation from the noise on the difference data to the reconstructed wave fronts is minimal in a least-squares sense. The spatial distribution of the reconstruction error over the array and the dependence of the mean reconstruction error on the array size are determined. The algorithms are computationally efficient, noniterative, and suitable for large arrays since the required number of mathematical operations for a reconstruction is approximately proportional to the number of data points if fast-Fourier-transform algorithms are employed.
Impact off Hematopoietic Growth Factors on the Management of Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Despite the great promise of the hematopoietic growth factors, their clinical activities and their ultimate role in routine cancer therapies are still being assessed. The literature on cytokines and CSFs in particular demonstrates their ability to attenuate the effects of chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression. When viewed critically, these data provide an important set of tools to use in designing further investigations that will help us use these agents rationally. The routine use of these agents with standard-dose chemotherapy may be reasonable in certain subsets of patients, but these categories remain poorly defined. Thus, the widespread indiscriminate clinical application of these agents at present would add more to the cost of therapy than to its results. For certain patients, however, CSF support may prove extraordinarily useful in providing cost-effective therapy with optimal clinical results. The clinical importance of dose intensity requires some further rigorous testing to substantiate. Clinical trials are needed to resolve questions regarding dose-response relationships, and such trials are particularly appropriate for chemotherapy-responsive malignancies like SCLC and breast cancers.
Visible Light Induced Hole Transport from Sensitizer to Co3O4 Water Oxidation Catalyst across Nanoscale Silica Barrier with Embedded Molecular Wires

In an artificial photosynthetic system, separation of the catalytic sites for water oxidation from those of carbon dioxide reduction by a gas impermeable physical barrier is an important requirement for avoiding cross and back reactions. Here, an approach is explored that uses crystalline Co3O4 as an oxygen evolving catalyst and a nanometer-thin dense phase silica layer as the separation barrier. For controlled charge transport across the barrier, hole conducting molecular wires are embedded in the silica. Spherical Co3O4(4 nm)–SiO2(2 nm) core–shell nanoparticles with p-oligo(phenylenevinylene) wire molecules (three aryl units, PV3) cast into the silica were developed to establish proof of concept for charge transport across the embedded wire molecules. FT-Raman, FT-infrared, and UV–visible spectroscopy confirmed the integrity of the organic wires upon casting in silica. Transient optical absorption spectroscopy of a visible light sensitizer (ester derivatized [Ru(bpy)3]2+ complex) indicates efficient cha...
Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide: attitudes and experiences of oncology patients, oncologists, and the public

Abstract Summary Background Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are pressing public issues. We aimed to collect empirical data on these controversial interventions, particularly on the attitudes and experiences of oncology patients. Methods We interviewed, by telephone with vignette-style questions, 155 oncology patients, 355 oncologists, and 193 members of the public to assess their attitudes and experiences in relation to euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. Findings About two thirds of oncology patients and the public found euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide acceptable for patients with unremitting pain. Oncology patients and the public found euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide least acceptable in vignettes involving "burden on the family" and "life viewed as meaningless". In no vignette—even for patients with unremitting pain—did a majority of oncologists find euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide ethically acceptable. Patients actually experiencing pain were more likely to find euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide unacceptable. More than a quarter of oncology patients had seriously thought about euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide and nearly 12% had seriously discussed these interventions with physicians or others. Patients with depression and psychological distress were significantly more likely to have seriously discussed euthanasia, hoarded drugs, or read Final Exit. More than half of oncologists had received requests for euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide. Nearly one in seven oncologists had carried out euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide. Interpretation Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are important issues in the care of terminally ill patients and while oncology patients experiencing pain are unlikely to desire these interventions patients with depression are more likely to request assistance in committing suicide. Patients who request such an intervention should be evaluated and, where appropriate, treated for depression before euthanasia can be discussed seriously.
Correlation of phase fluctuations in granular superconductors.

An expansion in 1/{ital z} is used to study the correlation of phase fluctuations in granular superconductors. To zeroth order in 1/{ital z}, the expectation value of any operator is given by mean-field (MF) theory, which neglects the coupling of phase fluctuations. The first-order correction involves the coupling of phase fluctuations over an infinite number of grains. The 1/{ital z} correction to the transition temperature {ital T}{sub {ital c}}{sup *}=T{sub c}/zJ is negative and diverges at the MF value of the critical grain diameter {alpha}{sub {ital c}}, signaling a shift in {alpha}{sub {ital c}} away from the MF value. For {alpha}={ital zJ}/{ital U} less than {alpha}{sub {ital c}}, the phase coherence is destroyed by quantum fluctuations. The 1/{ital z} correction to {alpha}{sub {ital c}} is positive, so that the coupling of phase fluctuations increases the critical grain diameter. This expansion technique is used to calculate the short-range-order parameter {l angle}cos({phi}{sub 1}{minus}{phi}{sub 2}){r angle}, where grains 1 and 2 are nearest neighbors. In the normal state the short-range order is enhanced at the temperature {ital T}{sup *}{approx}1/{alpha}, when thermal fluctuations allow a Cooper pair to overcome the Coulomb energy barrier to tunneling between grains. This enhancement is directly related to themore » observed minimum in the resistivity of two-dimensional granular films. The resistivity minimum first appears when {ital U}{approx}{ital T}{sub {ital c}}, which can be simply explained in this model. Using the results for the short-range-order parameter, the 1/{ital z} corrections to the free energy and the specific heat are calculated. The fluctuation specific heat also shows signs of an enhanced phase coherence at a temperature inversely related to the grain size.« less
Comparative study of the surface roughness of the Moon, Mars and Mercury

We analyze and compare the surface roughness of the Moon, Mercury and Mars by characterizing the scale-dependence of the slope distribution. We calculate the absolute and differential slopes at baselines ranging between a few hundreds of meters and hundred kilometers depending on the spatial resolutions of the datasets. For each planetary body, we analyze two types of terrains: the rough and old heavily cratered “highlands” regions and smoother and younger “plains” terrains, Mare on the Moon, northern plains on Mercury and Mars. The resulting curves are discussed in terms of the geological processes that shape the surfaces of terrestrial planets. We concentrate in particular on the Median Differential Slope (MDS), a measure of roughness that has already proven its relevance for the analysis of Martian and Lunar topography. The comparison of the MDS vs. baseline curves for different types of terrains on each planet reveals interesting common trends as well as intriguing differences. The Lunar highlands display the highest values of MDS at baselines larger than 2 km but Mercury highlands seem to be slightly rougher at shorter baselines. Mars southern plateaus appear much smoother at all scales. On each planet, younger terrains show lower roughness than old terrains at long baselines. However, because they display a strong negative slope of MDS vs. baseline, the contrast of roughness between young and old terrains is fainter at short baseline.
Percutaneous penetration of 5-methoxypsoralen in rhesus monkeys

Abstract Objective and design 5-methoxypsoralen (bergapten) has been used in the treatment of psoriasis and vitiligo, and as a sun tanning accelerator. While low plasma concentrations have previously been detected, there is no data on its dermatopharmacokinetics. Materials and methods Three rhesus monkeys were used as a model for human skin. [14C]-5-methoxypsoralen, as a parenteral excretion control, was injected in propylene glycol with an activity of 1.12 uCi/ml at a concentration of 80 mcg/ml and urine was collected at 4, 8, 12, 24 h, and then daily for a total of 6 days. [14C]-5-methoxypsoralen was then applied topically in acetone with a dose of 1.19 mc (72 mcg) and urine was collected at 4 and 24 h and then daily for a total of 7 days. The amount excreted was corrected for the previously determined parenteral excretion kinetics. Results Intramuscular [14C]-5-methoxypsoralen had an average of 71.87 ± 7.77% of excretion and percutaneously applied [14C]-5-methoxypsoralen had an average of 58.4 ± 11.8% of excretion. Conclusion A high percentage of the administered 5-methoxypsoralen was absorbed. This provides a foundation of methodology to evaluate the efficacy of other delivery vehicles for 5-methoxypsoralen and serves as part of its dermatotoxic profile.
Decision making for mechanical cardiac assist in pediatric cardiac surgery

The practice of pediatric cardiac surgery has evolved to the point where the majority of patients operated on represent the most complex end of the spectrum of congenital heart disease. Given this, the potential role for mechanical cardiac assist will continue to expand. Although extracorporeal membrane oxygenation remains the mainstay of mechanical circulatory assist, the increased use of centrifugal ventricular assist devices is changing the approach to the treatment of acute cardiac failure. A range of newly developed implantable and paracorporeal devices is beginning to make its way into the clinical practice of pediatric cardiac surgery. This article addresses the different types of support available for mechanical cardiac assist and the clinical considerations in selecting the appropriate device.
Approach to dysphagia in the young patient in the era of eosinophilic esophagitis.

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) has emerged as an important cause of dysphagia and food impactions in young adults. Previously considered a rare condition, an increasing number of cases of EoE have been attributable to a rising incidence and a growing awareness of the condition. Typical endoscopic features include concentric mucosal rings, linear furrowing, white exudates, and a narrow caliber esophagus. Current consensus guidelines define EoE by 1) the presence of characteristic symptoms, especially dysphagia and food impactions in adults, 2) ≥ 15 eosinophils per high power field in esophageal tissue, and 3) exclusion of other disorders with similar presentations (eg, gastroesophageal reflux disease). Current knowledge about the pathophysiology implicates food allergens, aeroallergens, and genetic factors. The main treatment options for EoE are proton pump inhibitors, dietary manipulation, and topical or oral glucocorticoids. Endoscopic dilation may be performed in patients who do not respond to medical therapy. This review highlights recent insights into the diagnosis and management of EoE in young adults.
Pump/probe spectroscopy by asynchronous optical sampling

We report the first results from a new pump/probe technique called asynchronous optical sampling (ASOPS). The method employs a mode-locked, frequency-doubled Nd: YAG laser operating at a repetition rate of 81.5970000 MHz as the pump laser, and a synchronously pumped dye laser (R6G) operating at a repetition rate of 81.5870000 MHz as the probe laser system. The 10-kHz beat frequency produces a repetitive relative phase walk-out of the pump and probe pulses which replaces the optical delay line used in conventional instruments. Studies of rhodamine B in methanol demonstrate that the instrument response is proportional to pump power, probe power, and sample absorptance. The fluorescence lifetime of 4 × 10−5 M rhodamine B is determined to be 2.3 ns.
The variable nature of cognitive control: a dual mechanisms framework.

A core component of cognitive control – the ability to regulate thoughts and actions in accordance with internally represented behavioral goals – might be its intrinsic variability. In this article, I describe the dual mechanisms of control (DMC) framework, which postulates that this variability might arise from qualitative distinctions in temporal dynamics between proactive and reactive modes of control. Proactive control reflects the sustained and anticipatory maintenance of goal-relevant information within lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) to enable optimal cognitive performance, whereas reactive control reflects transient stimulus-driven goal reactivation that recruits lateral PFC (plus a wider brain network) based on interference demands or episodic associations. I summarize recent research that demonstrates how the DMC framework provides a coherent explanation of three sources of cognitive control variation – intra-individual, inter-individual and between-groups – in terms of proactive versus reactive control biases.
Native Disulfide Bond Formation in Proteins

Native disulfide bond formation is critical for the proper folding of many proteins. Recent studies using newly identified protein oxidants, folding catalysts, and mutant cells provide insight into the mechanism of oxidative protein folding in vivo. This insight promises new strategies for more efficient protein production.
Immediate and Delayed Consequences of Xanomeline Wash-Resistant Binding at the M3 Muscarinic Receptor

Xanomeline is thought to be a M1/M4 functionally selective agonist at muscarinic receptors. We have previously demonstrated that it binds in a unique manner at the M1 receptor. In the current study, we examined the ability of xanomeline to bind to the M3 receptor and determined the long-term consequences of this mode of binding in Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing M3 receptors. Xanomeline binds in a reversible and wash-resistant manner at the M3 receptor and elicits a functional response under both conditions. Long-term exposure to xanomeline resulted in changes in the binding profile of [3H]NMS and a decrease in cell-surface receptor density. Additionally, pretreatment with xanomeline was associated with antagonism of the functional response to subsequent stimulation by conventional agonists. Our results indicate that xanomeline binds to and activates the M3 muscarinic receptor in a wash-resistant manner, and that this type of binding results in time-dependent receptor regulation.
SCORES: Web-Based Rocket Propulsion Analysis for Space Transportation System Design

AIAA 99-2353, 35th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference Los Angeles, CA, June 20-24, 1999.
Multi-level security requirements for hypervisors

Using hypervisors or virtual machine monitors for security has become very popular in recent years, and a number of proposals have been made for supporting multi-level security on secure hypervisors, including PR/SM, NetTop, sHype, and others. This paper looks at the requirements that users of MLS systems have and discusses their implications on the design of multi-level secure hypervisors. It contrasts the new directions for secure hypervisors with the earlier efforts of KVM/370 and Digital's A1-secure VMM kernel
Vivaldi antenna arrays for SKA

We present several broad band arrays of tapered slot antennas for use in a new generation phased array telescope. In specific, a four element linearly polarized 3-12 GHz array, a 3 element 0.8-2.5 GHz coupled array and a four element dual polarized 0.8-2.5 GHz array are discussed. Integration with LNAs and coupling between elements is examined.
Market Environment and Centralized Decision-Making and Their Impact on the Effectiveness of Organizations

This study is an applied attempt through which the approach of Contingency Theory in measuring the market's environment, centralized decision–making and the effectiveness of the organization is used. This particular theory is considered to be one of the most important theories that relates to modern organizations as it contributes to the explanation of organization's behavior and its employees. The present study measures the above mentioned variables and sheds light on the level of using Contingency Theory in the developing countries (Jordan). The study also explains some of the cultural and social concepts and implications and their impact on the results of the research. The research mainly includes two aspects; the theoretical one, which relates to the study concepts and its related literature, and the applied aspect that includes the methodology of the research and its conclusions. The study is mainly based on two major hypotheses and three minor ones. The major hypotheses are: The first major hypothesis states "decentralization correlates to the market environment that prevails in the working organization" The second major hypothesis states" the degree of co-alignment, among decentralization indicators represented by decision–making process and market environment, is incorporeally correlated to economical and behavioral effectiveness of the organization. For the purpose of examining the research model and its hypotheses, a sample of 30 Jordanian industrial organizations from to different industrial sectors in Jordan was selected and 106 managers holding senior management positions in their organizations were included in the study. Data of the study was obtained through personal interviews and questionnaires distributed to the managers of the targeted organizations and then Alpha Coefficient was calculated for centralization, effectiveness and environment. The hypotheses of the study were examined through depending on certain indicators related to centralization, effectiveness and environment. In addition, the hypotheses were examined through depending on significant statistical indicators such as Person and Spearman correlation coefficients as they are frequently used in such studies where they help to explain positive correlations between variables and present them in a clearer manner.
Stability considerations of permanent magnet quadrupoles for CESR phase-III upgrade

The Cornell electron storage ring (CESR) phase-III upgrade plan includes very strong permanent magnet quadrupoles in front of the cryostat for the superconducting quadrupoles and physically as close as possible to the interaction point. Together with the superconducting quadrupoles, they provide tighter vertical focusing at the interaction point. The quadrupoles are built with neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) material and operate inside the 15 kG solenoid field. Requirements on the field quality and stability of these quadrupoles are discussed and test results are presented.
Proton therapy treatment room controls using a Linux control system

The Indiana University Cyclotron Facility (IUCF) is in the process of completing the building of the Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute (MPRI). The design of MRPI's proton therapy system required the development of several control systems responsible for delivery of proton beam to a patient and patient positioning. One such control system is the Treatment Room Controller. This system allows for management of the other control systems, and is the primary user interface to the proton therapy system. This control system was developed with a Linux operating system, the KDE/QT widget sets for the user interface, and the KDevelop IDE. The control software uses the unixODBC API to provide an interface to a MySQL database for record and verify functions and for history functions. The control system also uses the Comedi driver library so that a National Instruments PCI DAQ card can be used to interface to various treatment room devices.
Music Student Teachers Pre–Student Teaching Concerns and Post–Student Teaching Perceptions Over a 5-Year Period

In this descriptive study, we examined self-reported concerns of 159 music student teachers pre– and post–student teaching, over a period of 5 years. Resulting comments (N = 867) were analyzed on t...
Genome Resilience and Prevalence of Segmental Duplications Following Fast Neutron Irradiation of Soybean

Fast neutron radiation has been used as a mutagen to develop extensive mutant collections. However, the genome-wide structural consequences of fast neutron radiation are not well understood. Here, we examine the genome-wide structural variants observed among 264 soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] plants sampled from a large fast neutron-mutagenized population. While deletion rates were similar to previous reports, surprisingly high rates of segmental duplication were also found throughout the genome. Duplication coverage extended across entire chromosomes and often prevailed at chromosome ends. High-throughput resequencing analysis of selected mutants resolved specific chromosomal events, including the rearrangement junctions for a large deletion, a tandem duplication, and a translocation. Genetic mapping associated a large deletion on chromosome 10 with a quantitative change in seed composition for one mutant. A tandem duplication event, located on chromosome 17 in a second mutant, was found to cosegregate with a short petiole mutant phenotype, and thus may serve as an example of a morphological change attributable to a DNA copy number gain. Overall, this study provides insight into the resilience of the soybean genome, the patterns of structural variation resulting from fast neutron mutagenesis, and the utility of fast neutron-irradiated mutants as a source of novel genetic losses and gains.
Is the overrepresentation of the poor in child welfare caseloads due to bias or need

One hanging question in child welfare policy and research is whether there is an artificial overrepresentation of the poor in child welfare caseloads or whether this reflects the co-occurrence of poverty and need. In order to address this question, this study uses data from child welfare (report, assessment, service and re-report), income maintenance, special education, hospitals, juvenile court, public mental health treatment, and census data. Poor children reported to child welfare are compared to non-poor children reported to child welfare and also to poor children not reported to child welfare. Poor children reported for maltreatment had greater risk factors at the parent and neighborhood levels and higher rates of negative outcomes than children in either comparison group. Among children reported for maltreatment, poor children have worse outcomes, both within child welfare (e.g., recurrence) and outside of child welfare (e.g. juvenile court, hospitalization for violence) than non-poor children. These data suggest that the overrepresentation of poor children is driven largely by the presence of increased risk among the poor children that come to the attention of child welfare rather than high levels of systemic class bias.
Addressing responsiveness in interactive, pervasive games

This paper presents a mobile, infrastructure-based game, which coordinates the networked interaction between pairs of players on mobile devices and a server-based visualization and processing component. There Is No Ball (TINB) system is a web and mobile based game system, which allows users to play a game of paddle board without a physical ball. A common instance of the game involves two players using tablets as paddles, to gather and communicate sensor information and simulate the hitting of an imaginary ball back and forth between the two devices. A third device interfaces with the server and the WebGL-based ball visualization to display the calculated location of the ball and project its moving image. The key challenge of game responsiveness in a highly-interactive game dependent on communication with a remote server and WebGL visualization is addressed. Specifically, local filtering strategies are applied to improve the responsiveness of actuation, and to deliver an enjoyable game experience.
Toxicities associated with 1-month treatment with propylthiouracil (PTU) and methimazole (MMI) in male rats

Thionamides such as propylthiouracil (PTU) and methimazole (MMI) have been used for more than 50 years to treat the more common causes of thyrotoxicosis/hyperthyroidism such as Graves' disease. Serious adverse effects associated with thionamides in humans include idiosyncratic liver damage, agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, and vasculitis. Both prospective and retrospective clinical studies with these drugs have failed to identify predictive biomarker for these adverse effects. To assess whether rat is a good model for predicting drug-related adverse events in the liver and in the bone marrow, we conducted a comprehensive study in male rats with multiple doses of PTU and MMI. As expected, euthyroid animals became hypothyroid along with several secondary changes associated with hypothyroidism. There were slight reductions in red blood cell parameters along with some marginal effects on the bone marrow elements. However, there was no evidence of significant neutropenia and liver injury in both PTU-treated and MMI-treated cohorts. MMI-related effects were noted in the seminiferous tubules of the testes. Overall, 1-month daily treatment of euthyroid rats with PTU or MMI resulted in hypothyroidism, minor bone marrow effects, and several secondary effects associated with hypothyroidism, but without any evidence of adverse effects reported in humans including liver injury and agranulocytosis.
Market Segmentation for Information Goods with Network Externalities

Positive externalities characterize the consumption of a majority of information goods such as software, various Internet services, and online communities. In a simple model of vertical differentiation, we show that network externality is a critical factor for the versioning of such information goods. In particular, a multi-product monopolist offers two versions of distinct qualities. The underlying rationale is that offering the low-end version expands the network size and thus enhances the (network) value of the high-end version, allowing the firm to charge a higher price for the high-end version. In addition, we show that the low-quality version may be offered for free under very general conditions. Competition between firms producing compatible products reduces their incentive to version their products due to the spillover effects in a shared product network.
Efficient 45nm ASIC Architecture for Full-Search Free Intra Prediction in Real-Time H.264/AVC Decoder

The standard H.264/AVC Intra frame encoding process has several data dependent and computational intensive coding methodologies that limit the overall encoding speed. It causes not only a high degree of computational complexity but also an unacceptable delay especially for the real-time video applications. Based on DCT properties and spatial activity analysis, low power hardware architecture for high throughput Full-Search Free (FSF) Intra mode selection and direction prediction algorithm is proposed. The FSF Intra prediction Algorithm significantly reduces the computational complexity and the processing run-time required for the H.264/AVC Intra frame prediction process. The ASIC implementation for the proposed architecture is carried out and synthesizing results are obtained. The heavily tested 45nm ASIC design is able to achieve an operating frequency of 140 MHz while limiting the overall power consumption to 9.01 mW, which nominates our proposed FSF Intra prediction architecture for interactive real-time H.264/AVC mobile video decoders.
Function of Arabidopsis hexokinase-like1 as a negative regulator of plant growth

A recent analysis of the hexokinase (HXK) gene family from Arabidopsis revealed that three hexokinase-like (HKL) proteins lack catalytic activity, but share about 50% identity with the primary glucose (glc) sensor/transducer protein AtHXK1. Since the AtHKL1 protein is predicted to bind glc, although with a relatively decreased affinity, a reverse genetics approach was used to test whether HKL1 might have a related regulatory function in plant growth. By comparing phenotypes of an HKL1 mutant (hkl1-1), an HXK1 mutant (gin2-1), and transgenic lines that overexpress HKL1 in either wild-type or gin2-1 genetic backgrounds, it is shown that HKL1 is a negative effector of plant growth. Interestingly, phenotypes of HKL1 overexpression lines are generally very similar to those of gin2-1. These are quantified, in part, as reduced seedling sensitivity to high glc concentrations and reduced seedling sensitivity to auxin-induced lateral root formation. However, commonly recognized targets of glc signalling are not apparently altered in any of the HKL1 mutant or transgenic lines. In fact, most, but not all, of the observed phenotypes associated with HKL1 overexpression occur independently of the presence of HXK1 protein. The data indicate that HKL1 mediates cross-talk between glc and other plant hormone response pathways. It is also considered Whether a possibly decreased glc binding affinity of HKL1 could possibly be a feedback mechanism to limit plant growth in the presence of excessive carbohydrate availability is further considered.
Estimating interaction strengths in nature: experimental support for an observational approach

The complexity of food webs poses a significant hurdle for our growing understanding of the structure and dynamics of ecological communities. Empirical methods that measure the per capita strengths of trophic species interactions offer a means to identify keystone species and bridge mathematical models and data to synthesize our knowledge of population dynamics and predator feeding behaviors. Many such methods have been proposed, but few have seen independent validation of their estimates or underlying assumptions. This is particularly so with respect to the nonlinear functional responses by which predators often respond to their prey. Here I describe an empirical test of a recently proposed observational method for estimating the nonlinear strength of predator-prey interactions in the field. By applying the method to two populations of a predatory intertidal whelk, Haustrum scobina, I estimated its per capita attack rates on all nine of its observed prey species. These spanned two orders of magnitude in per capita strength. Concurrent experimental manipulations of the two predator populations provided population time series for the response of a mussel prey species, Xenostrobus pulex. I obtained independent interaction strength estimates for this focal interaction by fitting a sequence of hypothesized predator-prey models to these time series. Overall, site-specific models assuming linear functional responses performed better than all others. A direct comparison of the attack-rate estimates from the observational method with those of the best-performing nonlinear model nevertheless revealed high concordance between the two methods. The results of this study therefore support the use of the observational method in larger and more complex food webs and suggest that trophic interactions in the range of mean prey densities observed in nature are approximately linear.
Behavior therapy for pediatric trichotillomania: Exploring the effects of age on treatment outcome

Background: A randomized controlled trial examining the efficacy of behavior therapy for pediatric trichotillomania was recently completed with 24 participants ranging in age from 7 - 17. The broad age range raised a question about whether young children, older children, and adolescents would respond similarly to intervention. In particular, it is unclear whether the younger children have the cognitive capacity to understand concepts like "urges" and whether they are able to introspect enough to be able to benefit from awareness training, which is a key aspect of behavior therapy for trichotillomania. Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to receive either behavior therapy (N = 12) or minimal attention control (N = 12), which was included to control for repeated assessments and the passage of time. Primary outcome measures were the independent evaluator-rated NIMH-Trichotillomania Severity Scale, a semi-structured interview often used in trichotillomania treatment trials, and a post-treatment clinical global impression improvement rating (CGI-I). Results: The correlation between age and change in symptom severity for all patients treated in the trial was small and not statistically significant. A 2 (group: behavioral therapy, minimal attention control) × 2 (time: week 0, 8) × 2 (children 10) ANOVA with independent evaluator-rated symptom severity scores as the continuous dependent variable also detected no main effects for age or for any interactions involving age. In light of the small sample size, the mean symptom severity scores at weeks 0 and 8 for younger and older patients randomized to behavioral therapy were also plotted. Visual inspection of these data indicated that although the groups appeared to have started at similar levels of severity for children ≤ 9 vs. children ≥ 10; the week 8 data show that the three younger children did at least as well as if not slightly better than the nine older children and adolescents. Conclusions: Behavior therapy for pediatric trichotillomania appears to be efficacious even in young children. The developmental and clinical implications of these findings will be discussed. Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00043563.
Importance of a sound hydrologic foundation for assessing the future of the High Plains Aquifer in Kansas

Steward et al. (1) assess the hydrologic and agricultural future of the High Plains Aquifer. We have many concerns about hydrologic aspects of their study and describe the most significant here.
DNA display III. Solid-phase organic synthesis on unprotected DNA.

DNA-directed synthesis represents a powerful new tool for molecular discovery. Its ultimate utility, however, hinges upon the diversity of chemical reactions that can be executed in the presence of unprotected DNA. We present a solid-phase reaction format that makes possible the use of standard organic reaction conditions and common reagents to facilitate chemical transformations on unprotected DNA supports. We demonstrate the feasibility of this strategy by comprehensively adapting solid-phase 9-fluorenylmethyoxycarbonyl–based peptide synthesis to be DNA-compatible, and we describe a set of tools for the adaptation of other chemistries. Efficient peptide coupling to DNA was observed for all 33 amino acids tested, and polypeptides as long as 12 amino acids were synthesized on DNA supports. Beyond the direct implications for synthesis of peptide–DNA conjugates, the methods described offer a general strategy for organic synthesis on unprotected DNA. Their employment can facilitate the generation of chemically diverse DNA-encoded molecular populations amenable to in vitro evolution and genetic manipulation.
Communication Development of Young Children with Tracheostomies

In this paper, we document the effect of long-term tracheostomies on early communication development. Two strategies are used. Firstly, information is culled from the research literature on infant tracheostomies. It is noted that language acquisition appears remarkably resilient but that little is known yet about preverbal communication of aphonic infants or about their later use of speech during everyday activities. Secondly, general themes from normative studies of early communication development are abstracted and used to organize a case report that illustrates the communication development of an aphonic, neurologically intact infant. It is proposed that it is important to support the flow of communication between caregivers and infants using a variety of temporary means, including the introduction of augmentative conventional expressive systems, until verbal language is possible.
Host Grasses of the Little-Known Stink Bugs Chlorochroa (Rhytidolomia) belfragii (Stål) and C. (R.) faceta (Say) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Inland Saline Wetlands

Abstract. Chlorochroa (Rhytidolomia) belfragii (Stal, 1872) and C. (R.) faceta (Say, 1825) are infrequently collected pentatomine stink bugs. They have been assumed to be grass feeders, but specific hosts in the Poaceae were unknown. During fieldwork (North Dakota to Oklahoma) from 2011 to 2014, nymphs and adults of C. belfragii were taken on a chloridoid grass, prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata Bosc ex Link), in saline wetlands. Chlorochroa faceta developed on another chloridoid, saltgrass (Distichlis spicata [L.] Greene), and was syntopic with C. belfragii in four saline wetlands in eastern Nebraska. Oklahoma is a new state record for C. faceta. Fieldwork and historical collection records indicate that both pentatomids are found mainly in inland saline communities. Because C. belfragii can be found in and under cordgrass leaf litter, the bug seldom can be collected by sweeping, which probably accounts for the small numbers of specimens in museum collections. Chlorochroa faceta can be collected by sw...
Exploration of the Detailed Conditions for Reductive Stability of Mg(TFSI)2 in Diglyme: Implications for Multivalent Electrolytes

We reveal the general mechanisms of partial reduction of multivalent complex cations in conditions specific for the bulk solvent and in the vicinity of the electrified metal electrode surface and disclose the factors affecting the reductive stability of electrolytes for multivalent electrochemistry. Using a combination of ab initio techniques, we clarify the relation between the reductive stability of contact-ion pairs comprising a multivalent cation and a complex anion, their solvation structures, solvent dynamics, and the electrode overpotential. We found that for ion pairs with multiple configurations of the complex anion and the Mg cation whose available orbitals are partially delocalized over the molecular complex and have antibonding character, the primary factor of the reductive stability is the shape factor of the solvation sphere of the metal cation center and the degree of the convexity of a polyhedron formed by the metal cation and its coordinating atoms. We focused specifically on the details ...