cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Correlating soil nutrient test lead with bioaccessible lead in highly-contaminated soils receiving lead-immobilizing amendments.

Abstract Lead (Pb) is one of the most common metals exceeding human health risk guidelines for soil concentrations worldwide. Pb bioaccessibility is known to vary depending on soil physiochemical characteristics and, as a result, in vitro and in vivo tests exist that are used to estimate bioaccessible Pb in contaminated soils. Although in vitro tests such as the relative bioaccessibility leaching procedure (RBALP) present simpler and more cost-effective risk assessments than in vivo methods, soil tests such as Mehlich-3, Modified Morgan, and ammonium bicarbonate-diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (AB-DTPA) extractions are extremely routine and even more cost-effective. Currently, there are few comparisons examining the viability of common soil nutrient tests for assessing Pb bioaccessibility in soils from contaminated sites with extremely high total Pb concentrations or for sites that have received amendments, such as those containing compost, iron, and/or phosphorus, intended to immobilize Pb. Here, we examine the correlation between RBALP Pb and Pb as determined using three commonly utilized soil tests, Mehlich-3, Modified Morgan, and AB-DTPA, in archived samples from one Pb-contaminated site receiving compost amendment (Seattle, WA, USA) and one extremely Pb-contaminated site receiving mixtures of compost, P, and Fe (Joplin, MO, USA). At both the Seattle and Joplin sites separately, RBALP Pb was significantly correlated with all three soil nutrient test values, regardless of soil amendment. However, RBALP was only significantly correlated with Modified Morgan and total Pb when examining the Joplin and Seattle data together, likely resulting from different factors controlling Pb solubility at the two sites. These findings suggest that a diverse suite of relatively inexpensive and accessible soil nutrient test methods correlate with bioaccessible Pb at a specific site, regardless of whether Pb-immobilizing amendments have been used.
Patterns of syntrophic interactions in methanogenic conversion of propionate

Methanogenesis is central to anaerobic digestion processes. The conversion of propionate as a key intermediate for methanogenesis requires syntrophic interactions between bacterial and archaeal partners. In this study, a series of methanogenic enrichments with propionate as the sole substrate were developed to identify microbial populations specifically involved in syntrophic propionate conversion. These rigorously controlled propionate enrichments exhibited functional stability with consistent propionate conversion and methane production; yet, the methanogenic microbial communities experienced substantial temporal dynamics, which has important implications on the understanding of mechanisms involved in microbial community assembly in anaerobic digestion. Syntrophobacter was identified as the most abundant and consistent bacterial partner in syntrophic propionate conversion regardless of the origin of the source culture, the concentration of propionate, or the temporal dynamics of the culture. In contrast, the methanogen partners involved in syntrophic propionate conversion lacked consistency, as the dominant methanogens varied as a function of process condition and temporal dynamics. Methanoculleus populations were specifically enriched as the syntrophic partner at inhibitory levels of propionate, likely due to the ability to function under unfavorable environmental conditions. Syntrophic propionate conversion was carried out exclusively via transformation of propionate into acetate and hydrogen in enrichments established in this study. Microbial populations highly tolerant of elevated propionate, represented by Syntrophobacter and Methanoculleus, are of great significance in understanding methanogenic activities during process perturbations when propionate accumulation is frequently encountered. Key points • Syntrophobacter was the most consistent bacterial partner in propionate metabolism. • Diverse hydrogenotrophic methanogen populations could serve as syntrophic partners. • Methanoculleus emerged as a methanogen partner tolerant of elevated propionate.
Abstract 19668: Resource Utilization in the Era of Contemporary Sensitive Cardiac Troponin Assays: Comparisons Among Type 1 Myocardial Infarction, Type 2 Myocardial Infarction, Non-Myocardial Infarction Troponin Increases, and Patients with Negative Troponin

Introduction: Increased cardiac troponin (cTn) values (>99th percentile) are frequently encountered in clinical practice and have become a routine challenge for clinicians who must discern between type 1 myocardial infarction (T1MI), type 2 MI (T2MI) and non-MI cTn increases to tailor appropriate therapies and/or interventions. Our purpose was to compare resource utilization and outcomes among patients with T1MI, T2MI and non-MI cTn increases, in contrast to patients with normal cTn. Methods: A retrospective cohort of 310 patients with serial, contemporary cTnI (Abbott ARCHITECT, 99th percentile: 30 ng/L) measurements was reviewed. All patients with an increased cTnI underwent event adjudication according to the Third Universal Definition of MI. Resource utilization including the need for cardiology consultations, echocardiography, angiography, and antiplatelet/anticoagulant therapies, along with length of stay and mortality were obtained and compared among patients with T1MI, T2MI, non-MI cTnI increases and non-MI patients with normal cTnI. Results: Acute MI occurred in 13.9% (n=43) patients. 4.5% (n =14) had T1MI and 9.4% (n=29) T2MI. Non-MI cTnI increases occurred in 36.1% (n=112). 50.0% (n=155) had normal cTn ( Conclusions: Patients with T2MI and non-MI cTnI increases often received antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant medications traditionally used for T1MI. Frequent resource utilization and interventions among patients with non-plaque rupture etiologies support the need to develop cost-effective diagnostic algorithms and evidence-based guided management among these patients.
ICT for Sustainable Development of the Tourism Industry in Cambodia

Tourism industry/development constitutes one of only a few viable development options and is often the principal source of foreign exchange earnings without exporting any national wealth or resources. It plays an important role in the sustainable development of many developing countries. The current national strategic development goal of Cambodia has embraced the tourism sector is one of the major driving economics sources after garment industry and agricultural products. In the 2011 report of World Economic Forum (WEF), Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) which developed to measure the factors and policies that make it attractive to develop the Tourism sectors in different countries ranked Cambodia 109 (Cambodia’s overall score index is 3.44) out of 119 countries. TTCI was computed by using three principal sub indices while ICT (Information Communications Technology) infrastructure was one of the individual variable for computing the Travel and Tourism business environment and Infrastructure sub index. Seeing Cambodia sits in the low position in TTCI and the awareness of the command of the pivotal ICT role in all functions, the study attempts to look into in particular development of uses and applications of ICT in Tourism sector in Cambodia. Furthermore, the study uses the article on the Adoption of ICT on Chinese’s tourism industry for a benchmarking case study. As this paper is the initiative study on E-Tourism in Cambodia, the attempt is to bring the interest of the government and the tourism entrepreneurs to visualize the importance and competitiveness by utilizing ICT in the tourism application.
Nondestructive, Epi-Illumination Surface Microscopic Characterization of Surface Discontinuity in Bone: A New Approach Offers a Descriptive Vocabulary and New Insights

Perspectives are in the eye of the beholder and are expanded with increased scrutiny (e.g., magnification). The term “porosity' for macroscopically or radiologically identifiable discontinuity in bone is so variably applied as to be incomprehensible in its meanings. A closer examination of surface discontinuity seems appropriate. Histological and atomic level analysis of bone alterations misses the forest for the trees and the former destroys the very subject it attempts to characterize. Surface discontinuity was therefore evaluated at the three-dimensional submacroscopic level. An epifluorescent/illumination microscope was used to characterize surface discontinuity in intact specimens of known pathophysiology and/or derivation. The derived perspectives were then utilized to characterize other surface discontinuity. The smooth boundaries of vascular foramen and internal bifurcation, continuity of the expanded base of nerve structures and surrounding elevated rings of Sharpey fibers are all clearly distinguishable from fronts of resorption in erosive arthritis, serpentine discontinuity associated with infectious processes, specific zones of resorption noted in tuberculosis, and structural bone exposure by taphonomic abrasion. These perspectives allow the bone pathology associated with hematoma to be characterized as accentuated Sharpey fiber insertions; maxillary and sphenoid surface discontinuity, as vascular in origin; and periosteal reaction, as manifest by superficial bifurcating channels and in-growth, similar to healing trephanation. Epi-illumination microscopy bridges macroscopic and histological examination, providing greater understanding of the pathology, at no cost to the integrity of the material studied. It explains a number of observed results, while providing discriminatory descriptions of phenomena for which pathophysiology has not yet been clarified. Anat Rec, 296:580–589, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The last few American Indian treaties—An extension of the Charles J. Kappler Indian Affairs

AbstractIn a previous discussion [Bernholz, C.D., & Holcombe, S.L. (2005). The Charles J. Kappler Indian Affairs: Laws and Treaties Internet Site at the Oklahoma State University [The url for this resource is http://www.digital.library.okstate.edu/kappler/]. Library Collections, Acquisitions, and Technical Services; 29, 82–89. An electronic collation of documents created by American Indian tribes and the federal government was presented as an effective collection development resource. That digital work provides the final text of 366 of the 375 American Indian treaties recognized by the United States Department of State.This research note describes an electronic suite that supplies access to the texts of the remaining nine treaties, so that its use – in combination with the Oklahoma State University materials – will furnish an avenue to all of these historical instruments. Research examples, for this document set and in comparison to the Kappler collation, are provided.
Large-Eddy Simulation of Katabatic Flows

A large-eddy simulation model with rotated coordinates and an open boundary is used to simulate the characteristics of katabatic flows over simple terrain. Experiments examine the effects of cross winds on the development of the slope-flow boundary layer for a steep (20°) slope and the role of drainage winds in preventing turbulence collapse on a gentle slope (1°). For the steep flow cases, comparisons between model average boundary-layer velocity, temperature deficit, and turbulence kinetic energy budget terms and tower observations show reasonable agreement. Results for different cross slope winds show that as the cross slope winds increase, the slope flow deepens faster and behaves more like a weakly stratified, sheared boundary layer. Analysis of the momentum budget shows that near the surface the flow is maintained by a balance between downslope buoyancy forcing and vertical turbulence flux from surface drag. Above the downslope jet, the turbulence vertical momentum flux reverses sign and acceleration of the flow by buoyancy is controlled by horizontal advection of slower moving ambient air. The turbulence budget is dominated by a balance between shear production and eddy dissipation, however, buoyancy and pressure transport both are significant in reducing the strength of turbulence above the jet. Results from the gentle slope case show that even a slight terrain variation can lead to significant drainage winds. Comparison of the gentle slope case with a flat terrain simulation indicates that drainage winds can effectively prevent the formation of very stable boundary layers, at least near the top of sloping terrain.
In vivo rearrangement of foreign DNA by Fusarium oxysporum produces linear self-replicating plasmids.

Particular combinations of fungal strains and transformation vectors allow for fungal rearrangement of normally integrative plasmids, resulting in the creation of linear self-replicating plasmids in Fusarium oxysporum. The rearrangement results in the addition of fungal DNA, including telomere consensus sequences, to plasmid termini. The mechanism by which this rearrangement occurs is unclear, but it has similarities to extrachromosomal gene amplification. A DNA fragment which allows for linear autonomous replication upon reintroduction to the fungus was subcloned and sequenced. This DNA sequence contains the repeated telomeric sequence TTAGGG flanked by a region of twofold symmetry consisting primarily of pUC12 DNA. Isolation and identification of this sequence is the first step toward development of vectors that function as artificial chromosomes in filamentous fungi. This sequence was shown to promote autonomous replication and enhance transformation in several strains of F. oxysporum, Nectria haematococca, and Cryphonectria parasitica. Images
Reviving trade amongst the Newly Independent States

Reviving NIS trade Oleh Havrylyshyn The collapse in NIS trade to less than half its former volume has fostered an intense debate on policy remedies. Of the many proposals–which run from the reconstitution of an economic union to the free-for-all of total laissez faire–two are, politically as well as economically, realistic and feasible. Both entail substantial liberalization. Both envision joining the economic organization of the European Union as a long-term goal. One champions the prior creation of an EFTA-type free trade area in the NIS, and its progressive integration with the European Union. The other rejects regional preferences and advocates multilateral liberalization, gradually implemented, on the pattern of the Central European countries, (notably Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary). This essay brings modern economic analysis to bear on the benefits and costs of these alternative scenarios. The author concludes on balance that the arguments favour gradual, multilateral liberalization on the Central European model.
Alendronate, vitamin D, and calcium for the treatment of osteopenia/osteoporosis associated with HIV infection

Background: Osteopenia and osteoporosis are frequent complications of HIV infection and/or its treatment. Alendronate is the only bisphosphonate approved for the treatment of osteoporosis in men and women. We conducted a 48-week prospective, randomized, open-label study to evaluate the effects of alendronate, vitamin D, and calcium supplementation on bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with HIV infection. Methods: Thirty-one HIV-infected subjects with lumbar spine BMD t-scores less than - 1.0 on antiretroviral therapy for a minimum of 6 months were randomized to receive (n = 15) or not to receive (n = 16) 70 mg of alendronate weekly for 48 weeks. All subjects received calcium (1000 mg daily as calcium carbonate) and vitamin D supplementation (400 IU daily). The study was powered to detect 3% changes in BMD in the lumbar spine within arms at 48 weeks. Results: Thirty-one patients were enrolled; most were male, with an average length of HIV infection of 8 years. Eighty-four percent had an HIV RNA load below 400 copies/mL, with a current median CD4 + T-cell count of 561 cells/mm 3 (median nadir CD4 cell count of 167 ceils/mm 3 ). At baseline, the median t-score in the lumbar spine was - 1.52 and the median t-score in the hip was -1.02. Alendronate in combination with vitamin D and calcium increased lumbar spine BMD by 5.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3-6.4) at 48 weeks compared with an increase of 1.3% (95% CI: -2.4 to 4.0) in subjects receiving vitamin D and calcium alone. One subject discontinued treatment in each arm. There were no serious adverse events. Conclusions: Alendronate, vitamin D, and calcium are safe and potentially useful in the treatment of osteopenia/osteoporosis associated with HIV infection.
Evaluation of the Datascope ACCUSAT pulse oximeter in healthy adults.

Arterial hemoglobin oxygen saturation measured with the Datascope ACCUSAT pulse oximeter was compared with simultaneous arterial hemoglobin oxygen saturation measurements in healthy adult volunteers. One hundred thirty-five arterial blood samples ranging in saturation from 63 to 100% were obtained from 15 adults, aged 20 to 43 years. These subjects had different skin pigmentation, hematocrit, and smoking habits. Steady-state hypoxia was achieved by varying the inspired oxygen concentration between 10 and 21%. Readings from the Datascope ACCUSAT pulse oximeter and the Hewlett-Packard 47201A ear oximeter were compared with arterial blood samples analyzed by the Instrumentation Laboratories IL 282 in vitro CO-Oximeter. The equation for the best fitted linear regression line between the ACCUSAT pulse oximeter and the reference IL 282 CO-Oximeter was: ACCUSAT=1.08(IL)−6.86. The linear regression analysis revealed a high degree of correlation (r=0.99), and a small standard error of the estimate (SEE=1.29%). Simultaneous comparisons between arterial hemoglobin oxygen saturation measured with the ACCUSAT pulse oximeter and the Hewlett-Packard ear oximeter also showed a close correlation (r=0.99, SEE=1.47%). A similar comparison between the ACCUSAT and the Ohmeda 3700 pulse oximeter revealed good correlation (r=0.99, SEE=1.72%). We found that the ACCUSAT pulse oximeter is an accurate instrument for measuring arterial hemoglobin oxygen saturation noninvasively in the range between 60 and 100%.
In vitro models for selection of development candidates. Permeability studies to define mechanisms of absorption enhancement

Considerable attention has been given to alternative strategies for improving the absorption of peptides and hydrophilic drugs across the intestinal epithelium. One approach to overcoming this restriction is to co-administer drugs with absorption enhancers. Although in many cases, improvements in drug absorption by enhancers have been ascribed to mucosal damage, it now appears that enhancement can be separated from damage by manipulating the concentration and exposure of the epithelium to these agents. There are a number of agents that increase mucosal permeability in a reversible manner and without overt alterations to the intestinal mucosa. Increasing evidence suggests the most promising enhancers alter paracellular rather than transcellular permeability of the mucosal epithelium. Several classes of agents that have been tested as absorption promoters are discussed, including experimental evidence as to their mechanism of action and toxicity. The structural and functional features of cell tight junctions are also addressed, particularly, as they are involved in the regulation of paracellular permeability. In addition, results from studies performed using a variety of in vitro model systems are presented that have helped elucidate the specific cellular mechanisms of absorption enhancement. The future prospects of absorption enhancers is promising. However, a number of safety concerns and formulation design issues must be considered before the application of absorption enhancers to routine oral drug delivery in humans can be realized.
Analysis of rna initiated in isolated mouse myeloma nuclei using purine nucleoside 5′[γ-S]triphosphates as affinity probes

Abstract The purine ribonucleoside triphosphate analogues adenosine 5′[γ-S]triphosphate and guanosine 5′[γ-S]triphosphate were used as affinity probes for studying RNA chain initiation in isolated nuclei from the mouse myeloma 66.2 cell line. Transcripts initiated with either nucleotide analogue were isolated by affinity chromatography on a mercury-agarose affinity column. The binding was specific and dependent upon the inclusion of the sulfur nucleotide analogues in the in vitro synthetic reaction. Several lines of evidence indicate that the affinity-labeled RNA is initiated in vitro. First, the sulfur nucleotide is recovered in high yield as a single nucleoside 5′[γ-S]triphosphate 2′, 3′-monophosphate product following alkaline hydrolysis of RNA bound to the affinity column. Second, authentic ribosomal 5S RNA is known to initiate with GTP; in vitro 5S RNA is bound to mercury-agarose only if [γ-S]GTP is used as the affinity label in the synthesis, and not if [γ-S]ATP is used. Under the conditions studied, nuclei incorporated 1.2-2.4 pmole of UMP per 10 6 nuclei per min, and the rate of synthesis was unaffected by substitution of the nucleotide analogues for the normal nucleotides. The percentage of the total RNA synthesized that was incorporated into sequences initiated in vitro was 7.8 ± 1.5% with [γ-S]ATP and 9.6 ± 6.4% with [γ-S]GTP. The size of the total RNA synthesized, determined by sedimentation on sucrose density gradients containing dimethylsulfoxide, ranged from Over 70% of the total incorporation into ribosomal 5S RNA transcripts was into sequences initiated in vitro. This initiation was catalyzed by polymerase III and was specific for GTP as the initiating nucleotide. The RNAase T1 fingerprint of the newly initiated 5S RNA indicates that this gene is accurately initiated and faithfully elongated in vitro. The use of these affinity label probes provides much greater sensitivity for studying the initiation of RNA in vitro.
Cocktail mismatch effects in 4πβ liquid scintillation spectrometry: Implications based on the systematics of 3H detection efficiency and quench indicating parameter variations with total cocktail mass (volume) and H2O fraction

Abstract Detection efficiency changes for 3 H by 4πβ liquid scintillation (LS) spectrometry cannot be adequately monitored by quench indicating parameters when the quench changes are the result of multiple causal factors (e.g. simultaneously varying cocktail sizes and composition). In consequence, some kinds of cocktail mismatches (between LS counting sources) introduce errors that result from efficiency changes that cannot be fully accounted for by quench monitoring compensations. These cocktail mismatch effects are examined for comparative 3 H measurements and for 3 H-standard efficiency tracing methods for the assay of other β-emitting radionuclides. Inherent errors can occur in both types of radionuclidic assays, as demonstrated with realistic case examples, unless cocktails are very closely matched. The magnitude of the cocktail mismatch effect (and attendant errors) can range from being virtually negligible (particularly for high-energy β-emitting nuclides and for slight single-variable cocktail composition mismatches) to be being very significant for high-precision metrology and standardizations (particularly with easily quenched, low-energy β emitters and for mismatches due to both varying cocktail constituents and concentrations). The findins presented here support the need to understand fully the quenching systematics of a given LS system (combination of cocktails and spectrometer) and the need for very careful control of cocktail preparations.
Specific β1 Integrin Site Selectively Regulates Akt/Protein Kinase B Signaling via Local Activation of Protein Phosphatase 2A

Integrin transmembrane receptors generate multiple signals, but how they mediate specific signaling is not clear. Here we test the hypothesis that particular sequences along the beta(1) integrin cytoplasmic domain may exist that are intimately related to specific integrin-mediated signaling pathways. Using systematic alanine mutagenesis of amino acids conserved between different beta integrin cytoplasmic domains, we identified the tryptophan residue at position 775 of human beta(1) integrin as specific and necessary for integrin-mediated protein kinase B/Akt survival signaling. Stable expression of a beta(1) integrin mutated at this amino acid in GD25 beta(1)-null cells resulted in reduction of Akt phosphorylation at both Ser(473) and Thr(308) activation sites. As a consequence, the cells were substantially more sensitive to serum starvation-induced apoptosis when compared with cells expressing wild type beta(1) integrin. This inactivation of Akt resulted from increased dephosphorylation by a localized active population of protein phosphatase 2A. Both Akt and protein phosphatase 2A were present in beta(1) integrin-organized cytoplasmic complexes, but the activity of this phosphatase was 2.5 times higher in the complexes organized by the mutant integrin. The mutation of Trp(775) specifically affected Akt signaling, without effects on other integrin-activated pathways including phosphoinositide 3-kinase, MAPK, JNK, and p38 nor did it influence activation of the integrin-responsive kinases focal adhesion kinase and Src. The identification of Trp(775) as a specific site for integrin-mediated Akt signaling supports the concept of specificity of signaling along the integrin cytoplasmic domain.
Neonatal mortality in an aquaporin-2 knock-in mouse model of recessive nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.

Hereditary non-X-linked nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) is caused by mutations in the aquaporin-2 (AQP2) water channel. In transfected cells, the human disease-causing mutant AQP2-T126M is retained at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) where it is functional and targetable to the plasma membrane with chemical chaperones. A mouse knock-in model of NDI was generated by targeted gene replacement using a Cre-loxP strategy. Along with T126M, mutations H122S, N124S, and A125T were introduced to preserve the consensus sequence for N-linked glycosylation found in human AQP2. Breeding of heterozygous mice yielded the expected Mendelian distribution with 26 homozygous mutant offspring of 99 live births. The mutant mice appeared normal at 2–3 days after birth but failed to thrive and generally died by day 6 if not given supplemental fluid. Urine/serum analysis showed a urinary concentrating defect with serum hyperosmolality and low urine osmolality that was not increased by a V2 vasopressin agonist. Northern blot analysis showed up-regulated AQP2-T126M transcripts of identical size to wild-type AQP2. Immunoblots showed complex glycosylation of wild-type AQP2 but mainly endoglycosidase H-sensitive core glycosylation of AQP2-T126M indicating ER-retention. Biochemical analysis revealed that the AQP2-T126M protein was resistant to detergent solubilization. Kidneys from mutant mice showed collecting duct dilatation, papillary atrophy, and unexpectedly, some plasma membrane AQP2 staining. The severe phenotype of the AQP2 mutant mice compared with that of mice lacking kidney water channels AQP1, AQP3, and AQP4 indicates a critical role for AQP2 in neonatal renal function in mice. Our results establish a mouse model of human autosomal NDI and provide the first in vivo biochemical data on a disease-causing AQP2 mutant.
Prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis in Alaskan Eskimos.

A rheumatoid arthritis prevalence survey was conducted in eight Alaskan Eskimo villages during the summer of 1970. Eleven cases of definite rheumatoid arthritis were found among 1443 Eskimos over 14 years of age. The frequency of 1.0% among adult females and 0.5% among adult males is almost identical with the National Health Examination Survey prevalence estimate for the general United States.
Health care providers riding the information superhighway

Telehealth is the practice of providing health care services to people who are distant from the provider by the use of telecommunications and information technology. These services include client care, consultations, education, and research. Concerns include financial cost, reimbursement, liability, licensure, and confidentiality. Research to document treatment cost-effectiveness and efficacy is ongoing.
Spectroscopic investigation of the molecular vibrations of 1,4-dihydronaphthalene in its ground and excited electronic States.

A comprehensive spectroscopic study of 1,4-dihydronaphthalene (14DHN) has been carried out for its ground and S1(π,π*) electronic states using infrared, Raman, ultraviolet, and laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopic techniques. The experimental work was complemented by ab initio and DFT calculations. For the ground state excellent agreement between observed and calculated values was attained. For the S1(π,π*) excited state 19 of the vibrational modes were clearly determined and excited vibronic levels for a number of these were also identified. A detailed energy map for the low-frequency modes in both electronic states was established. 14DHN is very floppy in its S0 ground state but less so in its excited state. The floppiness relaxes C2v selection rules for the S0 state.
The Relationship Between Maternal Beliefs and Behavior During Shared Reading

The goal of the present study was to increase understanding of the connection between maternal beliefs and behavior during shared reading and to examine the relation of these maternal beliefs to children's reading engagement. The study included survey and observational data from an ethnically diverse sample of 50 mothers and their 5- to 6-year-old children. As predicted, mothers who believed that shared reading should involve learning showed more learning-focused behaviors. Similarly, the belief that reading should be fun predicted more positive interactions. Some relationships between beliefs and behavior were moderated by gender. For girls, higher maternal expectations for children's future reading grades were associated with better scaffolding, but this pattern was not found for boys. There was a positive relationship between mothers' belief that reading should be fun and their sons' engagement. No gender differences were found in maternal expectations and beliefs or in observed maternal learning-focus...
Ecological consequences of nuclear war

Simulations of the ecological effects on grassland ecosystems projected from the proposed climatic changes that would follow a nuclear war indicate that temperature and light reductions below ambient mean levels exceeding 10°C and 28%, respectively, are required for severe ecosystem deterioration to occur and that thresholds between promotion and decline are very abrupt.
Space-time adaptive processing in bistatic passive radar exploiting complex Bayesian learning

In this paper, we develop a new space-time adaptive processing (STAP) technique for bistatic passive radar by exploiting clutter sparsity so as to enable effective clutter suppression with a small set of data samples. The Bayesian compressive sensing (BCS) technique is utilized for sparse clutter reconstruction, and the persymmetry property of the STAP processor is used to cast the complex sparse signal recovery problem into a group sparsity formulation. This approach provides improved recovery of the clutter and, thereby, yields better STAP performance.
To fuse to the sacrum or stop short: That is the question

Spinal deformity surgery continues to be extremely technically demanding, with substantial complication rates. The decision to “stop short” or extend a fusion to the sacrum and pelvis is a controversial topic (10). The health care industry is rapidly changing with regard to the increasing cost of medical care and increasing expectations of the quality of life in an aging population. Surgeons who perform surgery for spinal deformity need to continue to improve patient outcomes and decrease complications rates to provide durable and cost-effective care. One of the most vital steps in improving outcomes is minimizing revision surgery. Studies regarding the outcomes of spinal deformity surgery demonstrate that despite being subjected to dangerous procedures with high risk of both minor and major complications, patients experience substantial improvements in self-reported pain, quality of life, and functional domains (2, 11). Even in patient subgroups that experience major complications, good outcomes similar to patients without complications can be obtained if the complications are treatable and resolve (1). Unfortunately, complications are expensive, especially when revision surgery is required.Theobviousgoalistobalancethefunctionalpreservation
Transient, laminar, free-forced convection with mass transfer over a vertical plate

A numerical analysis of the transient, laminar, combined free and forced convection over an isothermal vertical plate subjected to a step change in temperature and concentration is presented. Density variation due to temperature and concentration differences is described by the Boussinesq approximation. The problem is found to be characterised by five dimensionless groups, namely, a buoyancy ratio parameter, a forced-free convection parameter, a viscous dissipation parameter, and the Prandtl and Schmidt numbers. The coupled nonlinear partial differential equations are solved numerically using a fully implicit finite difference scheme. An iterative procedure along with relaxation is used to solve the sets of nonlinear simultaneous equations. Results are presented for various values of the governing parameters. In the case of free convection alone, a temporal minimum is observed for both the Nusselt and Sherwood numbers due to an overshoot phenomenon in the transient velocity, temperature and concentration ...
A model of the limited streamer mechanism

Abstract A model of the limited stremer mechanism operative in so-called Iarocci tubes is given. The model is based on the Townsend gas discharge theory and a space charge effect which distorts the electric field from the anode wire and limits the electron avalanche. All of the qualitative properties of the limited streamer operation dependent on the wire diameter, the gas composition, the high voltage, and the input charge are correctly simulated.
Significant New Researcher Award

ACM SIGGRAPH is delighted to present the 2010 Significant New Researcher award to Alexei "Alyosha" Efros, in recognition of his pioneering contributions at the intersection of computer graphics and computer vision, particularly his work in texture synthesis and in leveraging huge image databases.
An Assessment of the Minimization of Risk and the Maximization of Opportunity Among Private Nonprofit Agencies in Florida

Abstract The purpose of this study was to assess the preparation of human service organizations for the minimization of risk and the maximization of opportunity. Three primary areas were examined: political connectivity (which aids in the maximization of opportunity), documentation of agency policies (which aids in the minimization of risk), and comprehensive strategic planning (which aids in both the maximization of opportunity and the minimization of risk). A survey of organizational characteristics was conducted with agencies known for provision of sexual education services to adolescents within Florida. This study revealed some of the strengths and deficits of the organizations in the sample. Strengths included fairly high rates of political connectivity and written documentation of personnel policies. There were deficits in the documentation of programmatic policies and the comprehensiveness of strategic plans.
Non-enzymic browning reactions of ascorbic acid and their inhibition. The production of 3-deoxy-4-sulphopentosulose in mixtures of ascorbic acid, glycine and bisulphite ion.

The inhibition of browning of ascorbic acid-glycine mixtures by bisulphite ion has been studied at pH 3.0. Glycine enhances the formation of coloured products from ascorbic acid but it is not involved in the stages leading to the formation of 3-deoxy-pentosulose as a reactive intermediate in browning. One of the actions of bisulphite on the browning reaction is to interrupt the sequence of events leading from reactive carbonylic intermediates, such as 3-deoxypentosulose, to other reactive intermediates and ultimately to coloured products. The reaction of bisulphite with 3-deoxypentosulose or its dehydration product 3,4-dideoxypentosulos-3-ene can give rise to 3-deoxy-4-sulphopentosulose. This product has been isolated from a model system where it accounted for one third of the reacted bisulphite.
Localization of the sentinel node in breast cancer: identical results with same-day and day-before isotope injection.

Background:Although the technique of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in breast cancer is not fully standardized, an increasing number of centers map the SLN by using radioisotope supplemented by blue dye, and most have injected isotope on the day of surgery. Here we directly compare the results of same-day and day-before isotope injection in a large series of breast cancer patients having SLN biopsy with our mature technique.
Soil and plant analysis survey for soybeans grown in the middle coastal plain of south carolina 1

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the soil fertility and plant nutrient status of soybeans grown on selected sites in the Middle Coastal Plain of South Carolina. Soil tests and plant analysis indicated that all elements were present in sufficient quantity. Micronutrients were added to evaluate their influence on leaf composition and yield. Significant increases in plant B, Cu, and Zn were obtained when these elements were added to the soil, while Fe, Mn, and Mo treatments did not significantly increase the leaf content of these elements. Zn treatments significantly (10% level) increased soybean yields; however, the inclusion of Zn in soybean fertilizer is not recommended until further studies are conducted.
The Carathéodory-Toeplitz Problem for Almost Periodic Functions

Abstract In this paper we consider the Caratheodory-Toeplitz positive extension problem in the Wiener algebra of almost periodic functions. We derive necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a positive band extension, which is also characterized by a maximum entropy principle. In addition a linear fractional parametrization for the set of all positive extensions of a given function is obtained.
'Deviants' and Democracy: Punitive Policy Designs and the Social Rights of Felons as Citizens

This is the supplemental material for the forthcoming American Politics Research article "Deviants" and Democracy: Punitive Policy Designs and the Social Rights of Felons as Citizens".
Research at SUNY: Stony Brook

The goal of the SYMCHEM project is the automatic discovery of synthesis routes for organic compounds. Future plans call for a natural language interface that will allow experts (chemists) to directly transfer their expertise to SYMCHEM. However, this is not an active research effort at this time.
Structures for networks of systems

This paper describes how systems will be interconnected in the future, the roles that they will play, and the trade-offs that affect these roles. Starting with a general model for structuring a network of systems, general trade-offs in cost and performance are discussed relative to where functions are placed in the network. Several general principles for data and function placement in a network of systems are derived from these trade-offs. The optimal roles for each of several layers of a network of systems are discussed. Finally, conclusions are drawn regarding the design of future networks of systems.
Manipulating rat lens glucose metabolism with exogenous substrates

Abstract Diabetic lens glucose metabolism in vivo can be altered by a number of exogenous substrates. We have chosen two, one a glucose epimer (mannose) and the other a glycolytic intermediate (pyruvate), to demonstrate the possibility of this approach. d (+)-Mannose is a d (+)-glucose epimer but in lenses incubated in 35·5 m m mannose, no mannitol (the sorbitol equivalent) was detected, while both lactate production and 31 P profile appeared normal. Mannose therefore is a good glucose substitute causing no polyol formation. Mannose metabolism in the rat lens in vivo was then examined. Diabetic rats fed mannose-enriched diet over a period of 14 days showed retardation of changes in 31 P metabolites, specifically the levels of phosphorylcholine and glycerophosphorylcholine, suggesting a protective effect. Rat lenses incubated in 35·5 m m glucose in the presence of 5 m m pyruvate (pyr) showed 50% lower sorbitol than without pyr. With 5 m m pyr in the drinking water, i.e. pretreatment in vivo during a 3-day diabetes induction period, the diabetic rat lens accumulated acetate and alanine when incubated in the presence of pyr. The decrease in sorbitol was most likely due to a lower glucose flux rather than an increased polyol dehydrogenase activity. Increasing glucose concentration from 5·5 to 35·5 m m or provision of exogenous pyr both caused an intermediate increase in O 2 consumption in the normal lens; a maximal activity was reached with both 35·5 m m glucose and 5 m m pyruvate in the incubating medium. In the diabetic lens. O 2 consumption could reach the intermediate but not the maximal level. Dietary pyr pre-treatment also prevented normal and diabetic lenses from maximal pyr-stimulated O 2 consumption. The NMR and O 2 consumption data together indicated activation of alanine dehydrogenase and saturation of Krebs cycle. It appears that dietary supplement of mannose can preserve 31 P membrane metabolites in the diabetic lens. Mannose can be used in conjunction with hypoglycemic therapy for the management of diabetic cataract. In addition, pyruvate may be effective in enhancing lens energy metabolism and lower sorbitol production.
Lymphocyte cholesterol synthesis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Abstract Studies in B and T lymphocytes from two patients with B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) showed that the rate of cholesterol synthesis and hydroxymethylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase activity in the malignant cell--the B lymphocyte--did not differ from that in normals, before or after the treatment. Cholesterol synthesis and HMG-CoA reductase activity in T cells, on the other hand, from one patient (H.E.) before therapy, were only one-fifth of that in normals and in the other patient (J.R.) receiving treatment. Following chemotherapy and treatment with prednisone, T lymphocytes from H.E. exhibited normal cholesterol metabolism.
Heat-shock protein induction by herpes simplex virus type 1 in human embryonic lung cells

Abstract 1. 1.|Heat-shock increased synthesis of 40 polypeptides in human embryonic lung (HEL) fibroblasts. 2. 2.|Six of these same heat-shock proteins (HSPs) exhibited ⩾ 20-fold increased accumulation in HEL cells following infection with type 1 Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). 3. 3.|Accumulation of HSV-1-induced HSPs coincided with synthesis of early immediate viral antigens.
Legacy‐based Thinking II: Resisting New Tools and Competencies

This is the sixth article in our series projecting a shift from learning to perform to performing to learn. This article summarizes and comments upon the last of three story‐writing exercises undertaken by 166 Minnesota public school administrators in late January 2001.
Letting Users Choose Recommender Algorithms: An Experimental Study

Recommender systems are not one-size-fits-all; different algorithms and data sources have different strengths, making them a better or worse fit for different users and use cases. As one way of taking advantage of the relative merits of different algorithms, we gave users the ability to change the algorithm providing their movie recommendations and studied how they make use of this power. We conducted our study with the launch of a new version of the MovieLens movie recommender that supports multiple recommender algorithms and allows users to choose the algorithm they want to provide their recommendations. We examine log data from user interactions with this new feature to under-stand whether and how users switch among recommender algorithms, and select a final algorithm to use. We also look at the properties of the algorithms as they were experienced by users and examine their relationships to user behavior. We found that a substantial portion of our user base (25%) used the recommender-switching feature. The majority of users who used the control only switched algorithms a few times, trying a few out and settling down on an algorithm that they would leave alone. The largest number of users prefer a matrix factorization algorithm, followed closely by item-item collaborative filtering; users selected both of these algorithms much more often than they chose a non-personalized mean recommender. The algorithms did produce measurably different recommender lists for the users in the study, but these differences were not directly predictive of user choice.
Effects of lattice disorder in the UCu 5 − x Pd x system

The UCu5-x Pdx system exhibits non-Fermi liquid (NFL) behavior in thermodynamic and transport properties at low temperatures for Pd concentrations 0.9 less than or approximately x less than or approximately 1.5. The local structure around the U, Cu, and Pd atoms has been measured for
Modeling of Solid Particle Flow and Heat Transfer in Rotary Kiln Calciners

Abstract Contaminated solid wastes exist in many industrial sites, gas plants, and oil refineries. One method of decontaminating the soil is to subject it to high temperatures in a rotary calciner in an anaerobic environment. Preliminary results from a computational model are presented in this paper for the flow and heat transfer from granular solid particles under treatment in a rotary kiln calciner. A fluidization model using kinetic theory of granular flow has been employed to solve the particle flow and heat transfer problem. While a two-dimensional model is used to predict the rotation induced flow of the solid particles, a pseudo three-dimensional model for heat transfer is developed where the axial bulk temperature gradient is obtained from a one-dimensional energy balance model. The model predictions indicate interesting features of the flow and temperature fields in the bed material. Future tasks include the development of a devolatilization model to study the decontamination of waste soil in the...
Vertical motions of the midlatitude F 2 layer during magnetospheric substorms

Use of ground-based ionosonde records from midlatitude stations during winter nights to study vertical motions of the F2 layer associated with magnetospheric substorms. The results show that during substorms the F2 layer is lifted upward in the premidnight sector and pushed downward in the postmidnight sector. These motions are interpreted in terms of E x B drifts, the electric field being eastward on the eveningside and westward on the morningside. The results emphasize the importance of substorm effects on the midlatitude F region and the potential of ground-based hf sounding techniques in studying magnetospheric substorms.