cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A collaborative assignment on the role of culture in child development and education

In this article. I describe a collaborative project that helps students understand the role of culture in child development and education through an in-depth study of math education in the United States and Asia. Students use Bronfenbrenner's (IR79, 1994) ecological model of development as a theoretical framework. The project entails independent and collaborative work outside of class and 2 class sessions. Evaluation data indicate that the assignment, especially the collaborative element, was highly effective in helping students understand how culture influences child development and education. The assignment also helped students understand Bronfenbrenner's ecological model and its applicability to child development topics.
Assessing Differential Step Functioning in Polytomous Items Using a Common Odds Ratio Estimator.

Many statistics used in the assessment of differential item functioning (DIF) in polytomous items yield a single item-level index of measurement invariance that collapses information across all response options of the polytomous item. Utilizing a single item-level index of DIF can, however, be misleading if the magnitude or direction of the DIF changes across the steps underlying the polytomous response process. A more comprehensive approach to examining measurement invariance in polytomous item formats is to examine invariance at the level of each step of the polytomous item, a framework described in this article as differential step functioning (DSF). This article proposes a nonparametric DSF estimator that is based on the Mantel-Haenszel common odds ratio estimator (Mantel & Haenszel, 1959), which is frequently implemented in the detection of DIF in dichotomous items. A simulation study demonstrated that when the level of DSF varied in magnitude or sign across the steps underlying the polytomous response options, the DSF-based approach typically provided a more powerful and accurate test of measurement invariance than did corresponding item-level DIF estimators.
Shape perception from binocular disparity and structure-from-motion

ABSTRACT When two sources of depth information are combined, the result might be dominance of one source, cooperative interaction between the sources, or an additive combination of the sources. For transparent stereo-motion displays we found a cooperative interaction: structure-from-motion facilitates disparity processing, probably by helping to resolve the stereo correspondence problem. For opaque stimuli the combination of structure-from-motion and stereopsis appears to be additive. 1. INTRODUCTION Binocular disparity1 and structure-from-motion (SFM)2 are two of the principal sources of information available for recovering 3-D relationships from 2-D images. However, neither binocular disparity nor SFM alone completely specifiesboth an object's shape and orientation relative to an observer. Binocular disparity unambiguously specifies near/far relations,but the shape of the object is only determined up to a scale factor (jerceived fixation distance).1 Structure-from-motion, onthe other hand, may provide information about object shape, but near/far relations between the object and the observer are notspecified.3 Because these two sources of information provide human observers with related but non-redundant informationabout shape and depth, the combination of binocular disparity and SFM could possibly provide a more robust representation
Light Intensity and Light Source Influence on Secondary Organic Aerosol Formation for the m-Xylene/NOx Photooxidation System

A series of m-xylene/NOx photooxidation experiments were conducted to determine the influence of light intensity and radiation spectrum on secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation within the UC Riverside/CE-CERT environmental chamber. The environmental chamber is equipped with 80 115-W black lights and a variable voltage 200 kW argon arc lamp that emits a wavelength spectrum more similar to natural light. SOA formation increased significantly with light intensity, measured as the photolysis rate of NO2 to NO (k1), increased from 0.09 to 0.26 min−1. The argon arc lamp produced ∼20% more SOA than black lights at a k1 of 0.09 min−1 for similar amounts of m-xylene consumed. These results may help explain the variation of SOA formation between environmental chambers and the differences between measured SOA in the ambient atmosphere versus environmental chamber predictions.
Student Needs, College Expectations, and “Reality” Perceptions

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to test four hypotheses concerned with relationships between student needs, college expectations, perceptions of college realities, and four groups of student outcome: status quo, changed major, transfer, and withdrawal. Pair-wise Pearson product-moment correlations were obtained between like scales on the Stern Activities Index and two administrations of the College Characteristics Index, prior to college matriculation and at the conclusion of the freshman year. Student needs and expectations of college were related across sixteen of thirty person-situation dimensions but the magnitude and direction of correlations was strongly influenced by sex of respondent. Student expectations of college and subsequent perceptions of college realities were significantly correlated in thirty possible cases. The S’s sex influenced the magnitude of the correlations obtained between college expectation and college realities.
Optical and electrical properties of Si1−x−yGexCy thin films and devices

Abstract Si 1− x−y Ge x C y thin films grown by low temperature chemical vapor deposition containing up to 1.2% substitutional C were incorporated into microelectronic devices. The chief aims are to demonstrate that the material is of suitable quality for device applications and to use the electrical and optical characteristics of the devices to study the material. Three sets of devices containing epitaxial Si 1− x−y Ge x C y layers were fabricated and characterized. The temperature dependence of the collector current in Si 1− x−y Ge x C y base heterojunction bipolar transistors indicated that the band gap of Si 1− x−y Ge x C y increases +26 meV %C −1 . Capacitance measurements on p + -Si 1− x−y Ge x C y /p − -Si heterojunction internal photoemission structures indicated that the increase in band gap in the Si 1− x−y Ge x C y is due primarily to downward movement of the valence band. Finally, Si 1− x−y Ge x C y p–i–n diodes showed no degradation in reverse bias leakage compared with C-free devices for y
Determination of size distribution of spherical polydispersions using scattered radiation data.

Results of a numerical experiment are presented to show that measurements of the monochromatic light scattered by typical atmospheric aerosols (assumed spherical) can be used to obtain meaningful information about the variations of the particle number density with particle radius. Simulated measurements of about three significant figure reliability taken at 1° intervals in the range 80–180° are analyzed using the well-known least-square method to retrieve particle number density information in as many as twenty subintervals. For this purpose, it is necessary to have some a priori information about the largest and smallest particles present in the polydispersion and also about the refractive index of the material. The results of this numerical experiment also showed that measurements of the components of the scattered radiation parallel and perpendicular to the plane of scattering, i.e., the polarization measurements, rarely contained extra information about the size distribution. The results of inverting Setzer’s radiation measurements [ Appl. Opt.8, 905 ( 1969)] are compared with the size distribution measured by him using direct technique.
Are “extreme consumption games” drinking games? Sometimes it's a matter of perspective

Drinking games are widespread on college campuses and pose health risks to their players. Although there has been considerable research progress in the college drinking games literature, there does not appear to be a standard definition of the term "drinking games." Researchers, however, have attempted to classify and categorize drinking games in a systematic manner. For example, one category of drinking games (e.g., chugging, keg stands) is often referred to as consumption or extreme consumption games. Questions remain as to whether or how these types of games align with researchers' definitions of drinking games or the categorization systems advanced by researchers in the field. Potential challenges regarding the definition and categorization of drinking games, particularly with respect to extreme consumption types of games, are discussed. Language: en
Meningeal carcinomatosis from an ovarian primary: A clinicopathologic study

Meningeal carcinomatosis due to primary ovarian carcinoma is an uncommon metastasis that presents difficult problems in diagnosis and management of patients known to have this disease. There is evidence that extended survival due to advances in treatment of ovarian carcinoma has improved our ability to diagnose meningeal carcinomatosis of this tumor more often. Herein the first case of meningeal metastasis of primary ovarian cancer with cytologic and postmortem examination is discussed.
Three new members of the mouse prolactin/growth hormone family are homologous to proteins expressed in the rat.

A search of a mouse expressed sequence tag database for novel messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in the PRL/GH family has identified three clones that are homologous to the rat PRL-like protein A (PLP-A), PRL-like protein B (PLP-B), and decidual/trophoblast PRL-related protein (d/tPRP). Full-length complementary DNA clones for each of these three mouse mRNAs have been sequenced. Mouse PLP-A is predicted to be synthesized as a precursor of 227 residues and secreted as a glycoprotein of 196 amino acids; the secreted protein shares 78% identity with rat PLP-A. The open reading frame for mouse PLP-B encodes a protein of 230 residues; the putative mature glycoprotein of 201 amino acids is 66% identical to rat PLP-B. The third mouse complementary DNA clone encodes a precursor protein of 240 residues and a secreted glycoprotein of 211 amino acids with 64% identity to rat d/tPRP. All three mouse mRNAs are expressed specifically in the placenta or decidua. The highest levels of the PLP-A mRNA are detected on day 12, at which ...
Stimulation of Carotenogenesis in Blakeslea trispora by Essential Citrus Oils

DURING the course of experiments on the replacement of β-ionone in the fermentative production of β-carotene by mated cultures of Blakeslea trispora, N.R.R.L. 9216(+) and N.R.R.L. 9159(−), we found that various essential citrus oils considerably enhanced production of carotene1. It was uncertain whether the moulds were utilizing preformed carotenes present in citrus oils as an enhancing factor or whether some other fractions were being used to accelerate the synthesis.
Robotics in Electrophysiology Procedures

With the advent of radiofrequency ablation in the early 1990’s, clinical cardiac electrophysiology was transformed from a purely diagnostic discipline into a therapeutic one. Step by step, it was shown that common rhythm disorders could be safely and effectively treated by radiofrequency ablation. One by one, from Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, to atrioventricular nodal reentry, to common atrial flutter, supraventricular tachycardias were falling into the category of curable diseases. Two rhythm disorders, however, have withstood this progress and remain challenging: atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia associated with ischemic heart disease.
Nitrogen fertilizer effects on soil carbon balances in Midwestern U.S. agricultural systems

A single ecosystem dominates the Midwestern United States, occupying 26 million hectares in five states alone: the corn-soybean agroecosystem (Zea mays L.-Glycine max (L.) Merr.). Nitrogen (N) fertilization could influence the soil carbon (C) balance in this system because the corn phase is fertilized in 97-100% of farms, at an average rate of 135 kg Nha � 1� yr � 1 . We evaluated the impacts on two major processes that determine the soil C balance, the rates of organic-carbon (OC) inputs and decay, at four levels of N fertilization, 0, 90, 180, and 270 kg/ha, in two long-term experimental sites in Mollisols in Iowa, USA. We compared the corn-soybean system with other experimental cropping systems fertilized with N in the corn phases only: continuous corn for grain; corn-corn-oats (Avena sativa L.)-alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.; corn-oats-alfalfa-alfalfa; and continuous soybean. In all systems, we estimated long-term OC inputs and decay rates over all phases of the rotations, based on long- term yield data, harvest indices (HI), and root : shoot data. For corn, we measured these two ratios in the four N treatments in a single year in each site; for other crops we used published ratios. Total OC inputs were calculated as aboveground plus belowground net primary production (NPP) minus harvested yield. For corn, measured total OC inputs increased with N fertilization (P , 0.05, both sites). Belowground NPP, comprising only 6-22% of total corn NPP, was not significantly influenced by N fertilization. When all phases of the crop rotations were evaluated over the long term, OC decay rates increased concomitantly with OC input rates in several systems. Increases in decay rates with N fertilization apparently offset gains in carbon inputs to the soil in such a way that soil C sequestration was virtually nil in 78% of the systems studied, despite up to 48 years of N additions. The quantity of belowground OC inputs was the best predictor of long-term soil C storage. This indicates that, in these systems, in comparison with increased N-fertilizer additions, selection of crops with high belowground NPP is a more effective management practice for increasing soil C sequestration.
Comparison of forward and backwards methods of cell cycle analysis

Cette etude presente les avantages de la methode d'elution sur membrane sur la methode de synchronisation pour l'analyse d'evenements lies a la division cellulaire
A note extending Tobin's inventory demand for money model

Abstract This paper is a modification and extension of Tobin's inventory demand for money model. The optimal financial management behavior of both individuals receiving wage income at discrete intervals and firms making such wage payments is analyzed within the general Tobin framework. In both cases it is assumed that the portfolio decision-maker takes into account the interest income generated by investment and includes it in the expenditure plan. The compounding of interest is allowed, and the problem is solved in its precise, integer from rather than approximated by a continuous treatment. The basic strategy of evenly spaced transactions proves optimal here as in the Tobin model, but the decision as to the number of transactions to make per interval is considerably more complicated in this version of the problem.
Parental Perceptions of Child Vulnerability and Parent Stress as Predictors of Pain and Adjustment in Children With Chronic Arthritis

Parental predictors of child psychological adjustment and pain were investigated in 51 children with arthritis. Children rated depressive symptoms, anxiety, and pain. Disease severity was determined by a physician provided active joint count, as well as a physician's global assessment. Parents rated their own depressive symptoms, stress, and perceptions of child vulnerability. Regression analyses indicated that higher parental perceptions of child vulnerability predicted increased child depressive symptoms and anxiety. Parent stress predicted both child anxiety and pain. Thus, the important role parent variables play in child health outcomes was reinforced, thereby strengthening the indication to assess parent functioning when performing clinical evaluations of adjustment to juvenile arthritis.
FT-EPR study of triplet state C60. Spin dynamics and electron transfer quenching

Abstract A FT-EPR study was made of paramagnetic species formed by pulsed-laser excitation of C 60 in fluid solution. Earlier findings that photoexcitation of C 60 in fluid solution gives rise to an EPR signal with narrow linewidth were confirmed. The lifetime of the signal corresponds to that of the C 60 triplet as measured by flash photolysis. In the presence of donors, the rate of signal decay is increased and matches the growing in of EPR signals from oxidized donors. The time dependence of the FT-EPR spectra gives values for electron transfer rate constants which agree with those derived from flash photolysis measurements on the same systems. Based on these findings, we assign the narrow line signal to the triplet of C 60 . The time evolution of the FT-EPR signal establishes that the triplets are born with less spin polarization that the thermal equilibrium value. As a result, signal growth is controlled by spin-lattice relaxation.
Enhanced resolution of passive, wireless conductivity sensors

A passive, wireless sensor has been developed at the University of Texas at Austin to monitor the insitu conductivity of concrete within civil infrastructure systems. Electrical conductivity is one possible indicator of corrosion of embedded reinforcement and thereby provides information on structural performance. The sensors would be attached to the reinforcement cages before placement of the concrete and interrogated as part of a routine inspection over the service life. A new sensor design, a non-contact conductivity sensor, is being developed to minimize the likelihood of damage to the sensor during placement of the concrete; a metal element is positioned above the sensor body but is not connected to the resonant circuit within the sensor. In order to verify the response of the non-contact conductivity sensors, they were submerged in liquids of increasing conductivity. Analysis of the measured data demonstrated that the noncontact conductivity sensors successfully detected conductivity variations in liquids.
Efficacy of the saponin component of Impatiens capensis Meerb.in preventing urushiol-induced contact dermatitis

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Many different tribes of American Indians used jewelweed, Impatiens capensis Meerb, as a plant mash to reduce development of poison ivy dermatitis. Saponins are a natural soapy constituent found within plants. A 2012 study suggested that saponins may be present in jewelweed which could be responsible for its efficacy in preventing rash development following contact with Toxicodendron radicans (L.) Kuntze (poison ivy). This study validated this hypothesis and demonstrated additional biological activity of the jewelweed saponin containing extract. Materials and methods Fresh I. capensis leaves were extracted with methanol and further partitioned between ethyl acetate and water, with a final separation between water and n-butanol, to obtain a saponin containing extract. The presence of saponins in the extract was demonstrated by the observation of foaming and using a vanillin colorimetric assay for total saponins. Efficacy of the saponin containing extracts in rash reduction was tested by brushing poison ivy (PI) onto the forearms of volunteers (N=23) in six locations and treating these PI exposed areas with distilled water (control), saponin containing extracts, fresh plant mashes, and soaps made with and without plant extracts. Saponin containing extracts were further tested for biological activity against both gram negative and gram positive bacteria and against cancer cell lines A-375, HT-29, and MCF-7. Additionally, because saponins have been shown to have a stimulatory effect in cardiac muscle 2 µl saponin extract was applied superficially to black worms, Lumbriculus variegatus (N=5). Results, and conclusions Both saponin containing extracts and all soaps tested were effective in reducing poison ivy dermatitis; thus, saponin content correlates with PI rash prevention. No apparent antibiosis was observed against any bacteria tested; however, dose response cytotoxicity was documented against MCF-7 breast cancer cells and cytostatic activity was seen against the HT-29 colon cancer cell lines. Lumbriculus variegatus exhibited a 138% increase in heart rate over baseline rate five minutes post treatment implying a possible positive chronotropic effect.
Video Monitoring of Nearshore Ice in Southern Lake Michigan

We set up a time-lapse video camera system on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan for 16 days in January and February 1991 to monitor ice conditions. The system was used to determine longshore and cross-shore ice-drift rates in a zone of mobile brash and slush ice on 11 days. Daily mean longshore ice drift was to the southeast on 10 of these days at speeds ranging between 0.047 and 0.377 m s−1 Mean cross-shore ice drift was always offshore and varied between 0.009 and 0.126 m s−1. Shear and strain were rare in the brash/slush zone. On 6 of the days when drift rates were determined, we were also able to determine the width of the brash/slush zone. Using these data along with published values of ice thickness, ice concentration, and sediment concentration in ice, we were able to estimate longshore and cross-shore sand fluxes and longshore sand transport rates. The longshore and cross-shore ice-induced sand fluxes ranged from 0.008 to 0.760 t hr−1 and 0.0016 to 0.096 t hr−1, respectively. Net ice-induced longshore sand transport was to the south at rates of 1.8 to 83.7 t hr−1. Measured cross-shore sand flux was consistently offshore. The calculated fluxes indicate that large amounts of sand are moved alongshore and offshore by ice in southernwestern Lake Michigan during the winter months.
Matching Ca efflux and influx to maintain steady-state levels in cultured cardiac cells. Flux control in the subsarcolemmal cleft.

Abstract The study examines the feed-back mechanism by which Ca efflux via Na/Ca exchange adjusts to match Ca influx via Ca channels—the condition which must obtain if cellular steady-state Ca level is to be maintained. It is proposed that variation in Ca channel influx produces changes in sarcoplasmic reticulum content which, in turn, through interaction within the subsarcolemmal cleft space, sets the level of Na/Ca exchange-mediated efflux. We measured Ca channel influx with whole-cell voltage-clamp, Ca efflux specifically via Na/Ca exchange by high resolution, non-perfusion-limited 45 Ca wash-out technique and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca content by combination of the latter with measurement of sarcolemmal Ca-binding by use of instantaneous “gas-dissected” sarcolemmal membrane isolation. Ca channel influx was varied by Bay K 8644 or nifedipine. Ca influx via Ca channels was increased by 37.8% with Bay K and decreased by 68% with nifedipine. The SR contribution to Na/Ca exchange-mediated efflux was increased by 36.7% with Bay K and reduced by 66.8% by nifedipine—virtually identical changes. Application of the cleft space model to determine beat-to-beat efflux via Na/Ca exchange predicted values which closely matched beat-to-beat channel influx.
Moral Theory and the Plasticity of Persons

There is a hoary tradition in moral philosophy that assumes we cannot determine which moral theory is acceptable or correct unless we have available a correct theory of human nature, or, in its more modern form, of the person.2 With such a theory of the person, however, we could at least narrow down the choice among competing ethical theories. A more recent tradition, at least in one of its standard interpretations, agrees it would be necessary to have a correct theory of the person before we could determine an acceptable moral theory, but it denies there is a determinate nature of the person to be captured in such a theory. The plasticity of the person, according to this strand of Marxist theory, rules out the possibility of there being uni versal moral theory at all. In this paper, I would like to explore a view that treads an intermediate path. It agrees with the Marxist denial that there is a determinate nature of the person, a deep fact of the matter, that can be abstracted from the social matrix and made the subject of a (non-moral) theory of the person. And, it agrees with both traditions that moral theory de pends on and embodies a theory of the person. But, by making the problem of arriving at an acceptable view of the person itself something that depends on overall theoretical considerations, including moral ones, the intermediary <, view may be able to avoid the type of moral relativism associated with the Marxist view. The immediate source of the view I discuss is an exchange between John Rawls and Derek Parfit3 on the connection between criteria of personal identity and moral theories. The focus on personal identity is of some in terest, because, at least at first sight, it seems to be a less morally loaded no tion than other concepts usually dealt with in the theory of the person, such as autonomy and rationality. I will support what I take to be the the thrust of Rawls' remarks4: even here, in the heart of echt philosophy of mind, we find a feature of the concept of the person that is in an important sense indeter minate without input from moral theory. First, however, I will examine Par fit's claims about the connection between two views of personal identity, which he calls the Simple and the Complex, and competing moral theories. I will then look at Rawls' argument that philosophy of mind underdetermines theory selection in ethics. Pursuing the thrust of Rawls' remarks will lead me to the intermediary view just noted and to the connection of this issue to a coherentist or holist view of theory acceptance in ethics.
APL curvilinear regression and associated problems

This paper describes an APL program package for fitting data to a useful set of precoded nonlinear curves. The user need not understand the details of the internal algorithms. Graduated help levels are provided by the interactive programs. Regression methods, and treatment of the related nonlinear normal equations, APL DOMAIN errors, and matrix singularity problems are discussed. For modified forms of exponential or power expressions, where the resulting normal equations are nonlinear, a novel iterative-search and least-squares combination solution method is presented.
ENDOTHELIAL SOLUBLE ADHESION MOLECULES IN CHILDREN WITH SEPSIS - INDUCED MULTIPLE ORGAN FAILURE. † 222

Introduction: Cytokines activate endothelium and induce expression of cell adhesion molecules in vitro. Soluble endothelial selectin(E-sel), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) are markers of endothelial activation and are increased in the serum of sepsis patients. If endothelium is central to inflammation-induced MOF in sepsis, then sCAM levels should be increased in children who develop persistent MOF (PMOF). We hypothesized that children with sepsis and PMOF would have greater sCAM than those with resolved MOF (RMOF) or no MOF (NMOF).
Time-optimal rendezvous strategies

This paper is concerned with the control of two distinct n th-order linear systems described in the standard state vector notation. Since both systems are of n th order their state vectors can be placed in the same n -dimensional phase space. A problem is formulated in which it is desired to transfer each system from separate initial states to some undetermined but coincident state (state vector rendezvous). This goal is to be accomplished in minimum time while the input vectors of both systems are amplitude constrained. Complete necessary and sufficient conditions which must be satisfied by time-optimal solutions are developed, and additionally, a technique for computing the optimum controls is given.
Long-Term Performance of Zero-Valent Iron Permeable Reactive Barriers: A Critical Review

Permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) have shown great promise as an alternative to pump and treat for the remediation of groundwater containing a wide array of contaminants including organics, metals, and radionuclides. Analyses to date have focused on individual case studies, rather than considering broad performance issues. In response to this need, this study analyzed data from field installations of in situ zero-valent iron (ZVI) PRBs to determine what parameters contribute to PRB failure. Although emphasis has been placed on losses of reactivity and permeability, imperfect hydraulic characterization was the most common cause of the few PRB failures reported in the literature. Graphical and statistical analyses suggested that internal EH, influent pH, and influent concentrations of alkalinity, NO3 − and Cl− are likely to be the strongest predictors of PRBs that could be at risk for diminished performance. Parameters often cited in the literature such as saturation indices, dissolved oxygen, and total di...
A complex synaptic apparatus in spinal cords of cats.

Es wird ein komplex-synaptisches System im Katzenruckenmark von komplizierter Funktion beschrieben. Beide Nervenendigungen in den axoaxonischen Kontakten verschiedener Teile des Zentralnervensystems haben runde Vesikel mit offenbar stimulierender Aktivitat.
Ultrafast Mirrorless Optical Parametric Oscillator in Periodically Poled KTiOPO 4 via Extended Phase Matching

We report an experimental demonstration of an optical parametric generator in a periodically poled KTiOPO4 crystal based on the principle of mirrorless optical parametric oscillation, with the highest down conversion efficiency ever reported for KTiOPO4.
The Musculature of a Trombiculid Mite, Blankaartia ascoscutellaris (Walch)

The full complement of muscles in the mite, Blankaartia ascoscutellaris , is described. Body form and the internal pressure necessary for leg extension are largely the consequence of tension on 31 muscles that have both attachments to the body wall. The basic plan of musculature is similar in all four legs and each movable leg segment is acted upon by at least one muscle. Details of the muscles of the mouthparts, genital field, and excretory pore are all described and discussed.
Optically transparent thin layer electrode techniquesfor the study of biological redox systems

Abstract Many biological redox systems are difficult to study by electrochemical techniques since they exhibit slow or negligible rates of electron transfer at electrodes. A spectroelectrochemical technique using an Optically Transparent Thin Layer Electrode (OTTLE) has been developed for measuring formal reduction potentials (Uo′) and electron stoichiometries (n) of such biological systems. In an OTTLE a thin solution layer (ca. 0.2 mm thick) is confined adjacent to an optically transparent electrode such as a gold minigrid. An optical beam is passed through the transparent electrode and the solution. OTTLEs which enable measurements to be made on 20 mm3 (μl) of solution have been developed. The oxidation state of the redox system in solution is controlled by the applied potential. Uo′ and n are determined from a NERNST plot of a series of applied potentials for which the corresponding ratios of oxidized to reduced forms are measured spectroscopically as illustrated for cytochrome c and myoglobin. The OTTLE is easily thermostated for measuring the temperature dependence of Uo′. A charge-potential technique has been developed for use with biological systems which have weak spectral features. The addition of a mediator-titrant is necessary for some biological species such as cytochrome c and myoglobin to facilitate the transport of electrons between electrode and redox system. A series of mediator-titrants whose Uo′ values collectively span the potential range of the gold electrode have been characterized with respect to their effective potential ranges.
SPIN DYNAMICS SIMULATIONS OF CLASSICAL, THREE-DIMENSIONAL HEISENBERG MAGNETS

Spin dynamics simulations have been used to study dynamic critical behavior of classical Heisenberg magnets. The temporal evolutions of the spin configurations were determined numerically from coupled equations of motion by a fourth-order predictor corrector method, with initial spin configurations generated by Monte-Carlo simulations. The neutron scattering function, S (q, ω), was calculated from the space and time displaced spin-spin correlation function and the dynamic critical exponent z was extracted using dynamic finite size scaling theory. For both ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic models we find good agreement with theoretical predictions and experimental results.
Precambrian Gneisses from Northern Colombia, South America

This note summarizes the geologic occurrence and age measurements of high-grade metamorphic rocks from northern Colombia. These rocks crop out on the northern flank of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta near the southern shore of the Caribbean Sea. The Rb-Sr ages are in the range 1400 ± m.y., confirming the geological deductions of Gansser (1955) on their Precambrian age. As part of an uplifted remnant of the Guayana Shield, these gneisses suggest a great northwestern extension of the Precambrian shield beneath the younger sedimentary rocks of the low-lying llanos (plains) into the folded and uplifted Andes of Venezuela and Colombia. These Precambrian rocks lie close to the probable northwestern limit of the South American Precambrian cratonic basement.
Individual differences in visual discrimination of letters.

curvature, angularity, and closure. The solution disclosed that individuals utilized these features differentially in the visual discriminations. The results suggest that future research in visual feature extraction will benefit from the examination of individual variations in the perceptual process. An integral part of E. J. Gibson's (1969) theory of perceptual learning was the postulate that individuals differ in their ability to extract distinctive feature information. This difference was viewed as developmental, a function of age and experience. Using letters and letter-like symbols, Gibson and her associates (Gibson, Gibson, Pick, & Osser, 1962; Gibson, Osser, Schiff, & Smith, 1963; Gibson, Schapiro, & Yonas, 1968) demonstrated that the developmental differences were both quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative improvements were reflected in the increased speed and accuracy of visual discrimination. Qualitative improvements were inferred from increases in the specificity of discriminations. Perceptions became progressively more differentiated and attuned to stimulus characteristics. In a related finding, Gibson (1970) noted interesting differences between the hierarchical clusterings (Johnson, 1967) of children's and adults' data from an earlier study (Gibson, et al., 1968). In particular, tree diagrams of the clusterings suggested that adults relied more heavily on angular features in making their discriminations, while children made relatively more use of a srraight-curve distinction. She hypothesized that older subjects used certain distinctive features more than younger subjects did and their discriminations represented a more "~esialt-like processing." Other evidence for a developmental improvement in utilization of distinctive features has come from eye-movement studies. Using letters (Nodine & Steuerle, 1973) and letter-like symbols (Nodine & Simmons, 1974), Nodine and his associates have shown increases, with age, in both the economy and selectivity of eye-movements. Third graders required not only fewer fixations than kindergarteners to arrive at same-different judgments, but they also fixated proportionately more features critical to correct discriminations in the grapheme
Models for integrated-circuit resistors including inherent nonlinearities

Abstract Models are developed for the semiconductor integrated-circuit resistor that account for changes in resistance resulting from changes in charge depleted from the resistor channel. The models therefore are applicable both to diffused resistors, in which this effect often may be neglected, and to expitaxially-grown resistors, where it may be an important factor. Because the models are derived systematically from physical make-up, element values are explicit functions of structural constants and of material parameters, such as mobility, dielectric constant and impurity concentration. This property links the steady-state and transient performance of the resistor as a circuit element with its physical construction and with the properties of its constituent materials. The practical utility of the models is demonstrated by employing them in calculating the switching time of an integrated inverter circuit. For small logic swings, the complete model, which includes both nonlinear resistance and capacitance, reduces to a model comprising only linear elements; for larger swings, the general nonlinear model must be used. In both cases, however, the switching time is formulated explicitly in terms of the structural and material constants of the resistor.
Photoinduced surface potential change of bacteriorhodopsin mutant D96N measured by scanning surface potential microscopy.

We report the direct measurement of photoinduced surface potential differences of wild-type (WT) and mutant D96N bacteriorhodopsin (BR) membranes at pH 7 and 10.5. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning surface potential microscopy (SSPM) were used to measure the BR membrane with the extracellular side facing up. We present AFM and SSPM images of WT and mutant D96N in which the light-dark transition occurred in the mid-scan of a single BR membrane. Photosteady-state populations of the M state were generated to facilitate measurement in each sample. The photoinduced surface potential of D96N is 63 mV (peak to valley) at pH 10.5 and is 48 mV at pH 7. The photoinduced surface potential of WT is 37 mV at pH 10.5 and {approx}0 at pH 7. Signal magnitudes are proportional to the amount of M produced at each pH. The results indicated that the surface potentials were generated by photoformation of surface charges on the extracellular side of the membrane. Higher surface potential correlated with a longer lifetime of the charges. A mechanistic basis for these signals is proposed, and it is concluded that they represent a steady-state measurement of the B2 photovoltage.
EPSTEIN-BARR-VIRUS ANTIBODIES IN AMERICAN AND AFRICAN BURKITT'S LYMPHOMA

Abstract A comparative study of the distribution of antibody against Epstein-Barr (E.B.) virus among 89 African and American patients with Burkitt's lymphoma has confirmed the nearly universal presence of antibody to this virus in African cases. However, one-third of the American patients had no detectable E.B.-virus antibody levels. African Burkitt's tumour cases generally had markedly raised titres (1/640 or greater), while titres in the American cases did not differ significantly from those found in an age, sex, and race matched control group. There was no correlation between antibody titre and the course of disease in either African or American patients. The findings suggest either that African and American Burkitt's lymphoma are different diseases, or that E.B. virus is unlikely to be the aetiological agent of Burkitt's lymphoma in both Africa and America.
Negative Acculturation and Nothing More? Cumulative Disadvantage and Mortality during the Immigrant Adaptation Process among Latinos in the United States

Foreign- and U.S.-born Hispanic health deteriorates with increasing exposure and acculturation to mainstream U.S. society. Because these associations are robust to (static) socioeconomic controls, negative acculturation has become their primary explanation. This overemphasis, however, has neglected important alternative structural explanations. Examining Hispanic mortality using the 1998-2006 U.S. National Health Interview Survey-Linked Mortality File according to nativity, immigrant adaptation measures, and health behaviors, this study presents indirect but compelling evidence that suggests negative acculturation is not the only or main explanation for this deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Evaluating efficiency and efficiency change pattern of US universities: early stage performance of university technology transfer

Universities have different research environments and attitudes toward commercialisation of their discoveries than to industries. These differences are inherent in the distinctive missions, roles, and organisational structures. Therefore, performance of technology transfer of universities depends on different organisational setting and their perceptions of usage of their knowledge or technology for commercial purpose. There have been intensive academic efforts to measure the performance of technology transfer efforts using well-known evaluation methods such as stochastic frontier efficiency and data envelopment analysis (DEA). This paper adopt similar approach with those studies using DEA, but different in two ways. First, this research focuses on early stage of university technology transfer by measuring how many disclosures a university produced given research expenditure over years using DEA and Malmquist index. It is assumed that a university with more intention to licensing will have more disclosures. Second, classifications of universities’ performance in disclosing their research results are suggested to provide better understanding of their behaviour in technology transfer. The result presents 12 different groups of 28 US universities with discussion of their organisational setting.
Polymerase chain reaction amplification of DNA from archival celloidin-embedded human temporal bone sections

A method was developed for fast and efficient isolation of DNA from formalin-fixed, decalcified, celloidin-embedded human temporal bone sections for subsequent use in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) DNA amplification. The method relies on the use of an enzymatic digestion with proteinase K to release and solubilize the patient's DNA from an individual 20- to 25-microns temporal bone section. The method described should be of great value to those investigators extracting DNA from archival individual human temporal bone sections for polymerase chain reaction assays of specific genetic alterations associated with temporal bone pathologies. The molecular characterization of viral infections, oncogenes, or other etiological agents of disease using PCR could provide important information regarding the etiopathogenesis of many auditory, vestibular, and facial nerve disorders, such as autoimmune hearing loss, congenital hearing losses, Meniere's disease, otosclerosis, or Bell's palsy.
Effect of dietary methionine on tissue selenium and glutathione peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.9) activity in rats given selenomethionine

1. The effect of dietary methionine on the utilization of selenium from dietary selenomethionine [( Se]Met) for tissue Se deposition and for glutathione peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.9; GSH-Px) synthesis was studied in male weanling rats. 2. When rats were given 0.5 mg Se as [Se]Met/kg diet supplemented with 0, 4 or 9 g methionine/kg, Se in plasma, erythrocytes, liver and muscle increased significantly over the 20 d period for all methionine-treatment groups. The increases in erythrocyte and muscle Se, however, were significantly higher in rats fed on the methionine-deficient diet compared with the methionine-supplemented diets. 3. In contrast to the increases in tissue Se, GSH-Px activity in liver, plasma and muscle decreased in methionine-deficient rats given 0.5 mg Se as [Se]Met/kg whereas GSH-Px activity was maintained or increased in rats supplemented with methionine. 4. The percentage of tissue Se associated with GSH-Px was calculated from the measured Se concentration and GSH-Px activity. A significantly lower percentage of Se was associated with GSH-Px in methionine-deficient rats compared with methionine-supplemented rats. 5. These results show that Se from dietary [Se]Met is preferentially incorporated into body proteins rather than used for GSH-Px synthesis when methionine is limiting in the diet. 6. These results further suggest that [Se]Met might not be the optimum Se compound to use for Se supplementation because metabolism of dietary [Se]Met to a biochemically active form, such as GSH-Px, was impaired when [Se]Met was provided in diets low in methionine.
Soluble Corticosterone-Binding Macromolecules Extracted from Rat Brain

Soluble macromolecules which bind 3H-corticosterone both in vivo and in vitro have been extracted from the brains of adrenalectomized rats. Enzyme digestion experiments indicate that these macromolecules are proteins. Thinlayer chromatography of bound radioactivity indicates that almost 90% is unchanged corticosterone. Brain corticosterone binding protein can be distinguished from the serum corticosterone binding protein by several important properties: 1) The brain protein is present after perfusion with a Dextran-saline solution. 2) It is precipitated by protamine sulfate under conditions in which very little of the serum binding protein is precipitated, even when serum and brain extracts are mixed. 3) It migrates differently from the serum binding protein in glycerol density gradients and can be separated completely from serum binding protein on polyacrylamide gels containing glycerol. 4) Brain cytosol binding protein exchanges bound 3H-corticosterone for unlabeled corticosterone in the medium much mor...
DOUBLE HASHING WITH MULTIPLE PASSBITS

We present a novel extension to passbits providing significant reduction to unsuccessful search lengths for open addressing collision resolution hashing. Both the experimental and analytical results presented demonstrate the dramatic reductions possible. This method does not restrict the hashing table configuration parameters and utilizes very little additional storage space per bucket. The runtime performance for insertion is essentially the same as for ordinary open addressing with passbits; the successful search lengths remain the same as for open addressing without passbits. For any given loading factor, the unsuccessful search length can be made to be arbitrarily close to one bucket access.
Neural substrates of interpreting actions and emotions from body postures

Accurately reading the body language of others may be vital for navigating the social world, and this ability may be influenced by factors, such as our gender, personality characteristics and neurocognitive processes. This fMRI study examined the brain activation of 26 healthy individuals (14 women and 12 men) while they judged the action performed or the emotion felt by stick figure characters appearing in different postures. In both tasks, participants activated areas associated with visual representation of the body, motion processing and emotion recognition. Behaviorally, participants demonstrated greater ease in judging the physical actions of the characters compared to judging their emotional states, and participants showed more activation in areas associated with emotion processing in the emotion detection task, whereas they showed more activation in visual, spatial and action-related areas in the physical action task. Gender differences emerged in brain responses, such that men showed greater activation than women in the left dorsal premotor cortex in both tasks. Finally, participants higher in self-reported empathy demonstrated greater activation in areas associated with self-referential processing and emotion interpretation. These results suggest that empathy levels and sex of the participant may affect neural responses to emotional body language.
Anomalous Magnetic Rotation of Excited Neon

IN a paper on the anomalous magnetic rotation in excited neon (Phys. Rev., 32, 681; 1928), I published values of the dispersion constants determined from the anomalous rotation which were erroneous. Due to the omission of the factor π/180 from the numerical part of equ. (4) of that paper, the values of the dispersion constants given are much larger than they should be. If this factor is included, the values so found are considerably smaller than those of Kopferman and Ladenburg, instead of much larger. This result is also more in accordance with what one might expect from their work on the effect of the different conditions of excitation on the anomalous dispersion. The pressure in the tube and the exciting current used by me were both such as to give results considerably below the maximum, whereas the values of Kopferman and Ladenburg are saturation values.