cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Learning Mathematics with Technology: The Influence of Virtual Manipulatives on Different Achievement Groups

this study examined the influence of virtual manipulatives on different achievement groups during a teaching experiment in four fifth-grade classrooms. During a two-week unit focusing on two rational number concepts (fraction equivalence and fraction addition with unlike denominators) one low achieving, two average achieving, and one high achieving group participated in two instructional treatments (three groups used virtual manipulatives and one group used physical manipulatives). Data sources included pre- and post-tests of students’ mathematical content knowledge and videotapes of classroom sessions. results of paired samples t-tests examining the three groups using virtual manipulatives indicated a statistically significant overall gain following the treatment. follow-up paired samples individual t-tests on the low, average, and high achieving groups indicated a statistically significant gain for students in the low achieving group, but only numerical gains for students in the average and high achieving groups. there were no significant differences between the average achieving student groups in the virtual manipulatives and physical manipulatives treatments. Qualitative data gathered during the study indicated that the different achievement groups experienced the virtual manipulatives in differ ent ways, with the high achieving group recognizing patterns
Impacts of manure management practices on stream microbial loading into Conesus Lake, NY.

ABSTRACT The microbiology of stream water has a seasonal component that results from both biogeochemical and anthropogenic processes. Analysis of nonevent conditions in streams entering Conesus Lake, NY (USA), indicated that total coliform, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus spp. levels peak in the summer in all streams, independent of the agricultural use in the stream sub-watershed. Prior to implementation of management practices, E. coli in water draining Graywood Gully, a sub-watershed with 74% of the land in agriculture, reached as high as 2806 CFU/100 mL, exceeding the 235 CFU/100 mL EPA Designated Bathing Beach Standard (EPA-DBBS). In contrast, North McMillan Creek, a sub-watershed with <13% of its land in agriculture, had E. coli maxima generally near or below the EPA-DBBS. Graywood Gully at times had a higher microbial loading than North McMillan Creek, a sub-watershed 48 times larger in surface area. Over a 5-year study period, there was a major decrease in bacterial loading during nonevent cond...
Interpolation using wavelet bases

Efficient solutions to regularization problems can be obtained using orthogonal wavelet bases for preconditioning. Good approximate solutions can be obtained in only two or three iterations, with each iteration requiring only O(n) operations and O(n) storage locations. Two- and three-dimensional examples are shown using both synthetic and real range data. >
Distributed Faulty Sensor Detection

Frequently appeared sensor faults greatly reduce the usability and reliability of sensor networks. Distributed automatous faulty sensor detection is critical for self-managed and sustainable sensor networks. A number of detection methods have been proposed for specific fault types. In this paper, we propose a general approach for detecting arbitrary types of faults. The approach includes a new general measurement mutual divergence for evaluating detecting results in the absence of the ground truth, and a distributed collective detection method that produces probabilistic decision results. For comparison purposes, we also introduce two detection methods in both distributed and centralized manners. We show that mutual divergence correctly measures the average fault amount and the distributed collective method consistently outperforms the other methods with up to 50% higher detection accuracy.
High-level synthesis of recoverable microarchitectures

Two algorithms that combine the operations of scheduling and recovery point insertion for high-level synthesis of recoverable microarchitectures are presented. The first uses a prioritized cost function in which functional unit cost is minimized first and register cost second. The second algorithm minimizes a weighted sum of functional unit and register costs. Both algorithms are optimal according to their respective cost functions and require less than 10 minutes of CPU time on widely-used high-level synthesis benchmarks. The best previous result reported several hours of CPU time for some of the same benchmarks.
Pyrolysis of Pb(Zr05Ti05)O3 Precursors: Avoiding Lead Partitioning

Three different chemical precursor routes were investigated to synthesize Pb(Zr05Ti05)O3: mixing hexanoates, acetate complexing of alkoxides, and the synthesis of a mixed alkoxide by the reaction of titanium alkoxide and zirconium alkoxide with lead acetate. For each, elemental Pb and PbO were the first crystalline phase observed during pyrolysis conditions that involved rapid heating (e.g., to 400°C). The formation of Pb (and PbO) could be avoided by first heattreating hydrolyzed, mixed alkoxide precursor powders at 300°C for 1 h. This treatment was not effective for the two other precursors. It is concluded that both the carbonaceous content of the precursor (lowest for the hydrolyzed, mixed alkoxides) and the rate of hydrocarbon release during pyrolysis are critical to avoid the formation of elemental Pb during pyrolysis.
Z-line proteins: implications for additional functions

Z-line proteins have important structural functions. However, recent publications point to additional, previously unexpected functions and a new view is now emerging, whereby these proteins are involved in important intra- and inter-cellular signaling pathways. Their translocation to the nucleus, the interaction with other signaling molecules and the ability to facilitate macromolecular protein complexes indicate the multi-functionality of Z-line proteins. A better understanding of these emerging physiological roles of Z-line proteins might be achieved by precise investigations of specific mutations in specific domains in a subset of these proteins. Clues will be given to explain the clinical variations in the development and severity of different forms of cardiomyopathies, which are also affected by genetic redundancy and ethnic background of different patient populations.
GB Virus C Coinfections in West African Ebola Patients

In 49 patients with known Ebola virus disease outcomes during the ongoing outbreak in Sierra Leone, 13 were coinfected with the immunomodulatory pegivirus GB virus C (GBV-C). Fifty-three percent of these GBV-C(+) patients survived; in contrast, only 22% of GBV-C(-) patients survived. Both survival and GBV-C status were associated with age, with older patients having lower survival rates and intermediate-age patients (21 to 45 years) having the highest rate of GBV-C infection. Understanding the separate and combined effects of GBV-C and age on Ebola virus survival may lead to new treatment and prevention strategies, perhaps through age-related pathways of immune activation.
Viscosity dominated flows with temperature-dependent thermal conductivity

In this paper we formulate a non-isothermal, non-Newtonian Hele–Shaw flow with nonlinear thermal conductivity from the injection molding. Then we study the existence of the resulting nonlinear system. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In Search of the Organismic Valuing Process: The Human Tendency to Move Towards Beneficial Goal Choices

We attempted to test Rogers' concept of the organismic valuing process (OVP) by assessing changes in peoples' goal choices over time. When changes occur, are they more or less random, or do people tend to move towards goals that are more likely to be beneficial, both for themselves and others? "Beneficial" goals were defined as goals typically associated with subjective well-being (SWB) and with prosocial behavior--specifically, we focused on the distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic goal contents. In three studies, participants tended to move towards intrinsic goals and/or away from extrinsic goals over periods ranging from 20 minutes to 6 weeks. These changes were not reducible to social desirability nor to the differing motives underlying differing goal contents, did not vary for persons of different value-types, and had not changed when participants were retested a third time. We conclude that people may have a positive bias toward changing their minds in directions most likely to be SWB enhancing.
Environmental degradation and the demand for children: searching for the vicious circle in Pakistan

If children contribute to the household by using their time to collect natural resources from common property sources—such as collecting firewood, fetching water, collecting fodder, grazing animals—then local depletion of these resources could potentially increase the demand for children. This feedback could create a dynamically unstable ‘vicious circle’ between population growth and resource depletion. We empirically examine several elements of such a ‘vicious circle’ hypothesis using data from Pakistan with unusually rich detail on both child time use and firewood collection activities. We find that collection activities do absorb a substantial part of household resources; that children's tasks are relatively devoted to collection activities; that child time is a significant, but not a dominant, portion of collection activities; and the presence of older children in the household reduces the time that women devote to household tasks. Exploratory multivariate regressions show a partial correlation between indicators of firewood scarcity and fertility—a relationship that varies across regions of Pakistan.
Threshold extension of SVD-based algorithms

Threshold computation is essential in comparing the statistical performance of algorithms when estimating signal parameters. The authors show that it is possible to extend the threshold effect of singular-value-decomposition (SVD)-based signal-processing algorithms by using the Prony-Lanczos (P-L) method to lower values of signal-to-noise ratio. The procedure is comprised of two steps. In the first step, a nonparametric spectrum analysis or beamforming is used to yield a good starting point. This is followed in the second step by the (P-L) algorithm, which performs a local search, a procedure relatively insensitive to outliers. Simulation results, based on the angles between the estimated and true subspaces using the SVD-based algorithm and the P-L method, provide valuable insight. >
Novel phenotypic resistance to artemisinin results in reduced exposure to drug at the most sensitive stage of intraerythrocytic development in Plasmodium falciparum

Materials and methods In this study we culture adapted and characterized a series of P. falciparum clones from Cambodia; these included parasites from cases with reduced parasite clearance rates in vivo. In vitro artemisinin resistance phenotypes were assessed by using T0 H-hypoxanthine assays, a novel parasite clearance assay, microscopy and flow cytometry to characterize intraerythrocytic development, and limiting dilution to assess parasite viability.
Novel protein ligands of the annexin A7 N-terminal region suggest pro-β helices engage one another with high specificity

The N-terminal regions of annexins A7 (synexin) and A11 consist of an extended series of short sequence repeats rich in tyrosine, proline, and glycine that provide binding sites for other proteins that may be recruited to membranes by the annexins and that may modulate the calcium and membrane binding activities of the annexin core domains. In this study two new ligands for the annexin A7 N terminal region were identified by yeast two hybrid screening: the TNFα receptor regulatory protein SODD (Suppressor Of Death Domains) and KIAA0280, a protein of unknown function. Strikingly, the sites of interaction of these proteins with the annexin also contain sequence repeats similar to those present in the N-termini of annexins A7 and A11. It was also found that the annexin A7 N-terminal region interacts with itself in the two hybrid assay. These results suggest that sequence repeats of this nature form novel structures, called YP pro-β helices, that are characterized by an ability to interact with one another. Specificity of interactions between the pro-β helices in different proteins may be encoded by the variations of residues and lengths of the sequence repeats.
Gould on Morton, Redux: What can the debate reveal about the limits of data?

Lewis et al. (2011) attempted to restore the reputation of Samuel George Morton, a 19th century physician who reported on the skull sizes of different folk-races. Whereas Gould (1978) claimed that Morton’s conclusions were invalid because they reflected unconscious bias, Lewis et al. alleged that Morton’s findings were, in fact, supported, and Gould’s analysis biased. We take strong exception to Lewis et al.’s thesis that Morton was “right.” We maintain that Gould was right to reject Morton’s analysis as inappropriate and misleading, but wrong to believe that a more appropriate analysis was available. Lewis et al. fail to recognize that there is, given the dataset available, no appropriate way to answer any of the plausibly interesting questions about the “populations” in question (which in many cases are not populations in any biologically meaningful sense). We challenge the premise shared by both Gould and Lewis et al. that Morton’s confused data can be used to draw any meaningful conclusions. This, we argue, reveals the importance of properly focusing on the questions asked, rather than more narrowly on the data gathered.
A Novel Dimer Interface and Conformational Changes Revealed by an X-ray Structure of B. subtilis SecA.

Abstract The SecA ATPase moves polypeptides post-translationally across the plasma membrane of eubacteria, but the mechanism of transport is still unclear. We describe the crystal structure of a novel dimeric form of Bacillus subtilis SecA. Dimerization of SecA occurs at the prominent groove formed by the nucleotide binding domain 2 (nbd2) and the preprotein cross-linking (ppx) domain. The dimer interface is very large, burying approximately 5400 A2 of solvent accessible surface per monomer. Single cysteine disulfide cross-linking shows the presence of this novel SecA dimer in solution. In addition, other dimers also exist in solution, arguing that they all are in equilibrium with monomeric SecA and supporting the idea that the monomer may be the functional species. Dimerization of SecA causes an α-helix of one subunit to convert to a short β-strand that participates in β-sheet formation with strands in the other subunit. This conversion of secondary structure elements occurs close to the connection between the nbd1 and ppx domains, a potential site of interaction with translocation substrate. Comparing the different X-ray structures of B. subtilis SecA suggests that small changes in the nucleotide binding domains could be amplified via helix 1 of the helical scaffold domain (hsd) to generate larger movements of the domains involved in polypeptide binding.
Photovoltaic Induced Instabilities for Contra-Directional Two-Beam Coupling in LiNbO 3 :Fe

In LiNbO3:Fe, quasi-periodic instabilities are observed when recording photorefractive reflection gratings using a contra-directional two-beam coupling geometry. The mechanisms responsible for the noise and a technique used to eliminate these instabilities will be discussed
High-Throughput RNA Isolation Technologies. New Tools for High-Resolution Gene Expression Profiling in Plant Systems

The complete genome sequences of two representative species of flowering plants, the monocot rice ( Oryza sativa ) and the eudicot Arabidopsis ( Arabidopsis thaliana ), provide us with a new opportunity to understand developmental and physiological events at the genome level ([Arabidopsis Genome
Use of Tracer Kinetic Model-Driven Biomarkers for Monitoring Antiangiogenic Therapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in First-Pass Perfusion CT

Development of vascularly targeted anti-cancer therapies has led to an interest in determining the in vivo effectiveness of anti-tumor agents in patients. As the antiangiogenic agents may have significant effects without causing tumor shrinkage, their microcirculatory characteristics have the potential to be response biomarkers. Perfusion CT PCT studies can quantify the microcirculatory status of liver tumors, and can be used for assessing the effectiveness of antiangiogenic therapy. Our purpose in this study was to compare five different tracer kinetic models for the analysis of first-pass hepatic PCT data, to investigate whether kinetic parameters differ in significance among different kinetic models, and to select the best single prognostic biomarker with respect to the prediction of 6-month progression-free survival PFS of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma HCC. The first-pass PCT was performed at baseline and on days 10 to 12 after initiation of antiangiogenic treatment. The PCT data were analyzed retrospectively by the Tofts-Kety TK, extended TK ETK, two-compartment exchange 2CX, adiabatic approximation to tissue homogeneity AATH, and distributed parameter DP models. Kinetic parameters consisted of blood flow BF, blood volume BV, mean transit time MTT, and permeability-surface area product PS, mean values of which within HCC were compared between baseline and post-treatment by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Baseline mean kinetic parameters within HCC and relative percent changes %changes in the mean and standard deviation SD from baseline to post-treatment were also compared in terms of PFS discrimination by use of Spearman correlation analysis. After treatment, the changes in the kinetic parameter values were significantly different among models. The results suggested that the %change of SD for BV is an effective prognosis biomarker, potentially reflecting that treatment-induced change of vascular heterogeneity plays a role in the assessment of the HCC response. Based on the predictive ranking of a single biomarker, the AATH model was the best predictor of 6-month PFS in the first-pass PCT analysis.
Soil development in vegetation patches of Pinus ponderosa forests: Interface with restoration thinning and carbon storage

Abstract Frequent-fire conifer forests in western North America are undergoing restoration and fuel-reduction treatments to reduce chance of severe crown fire and re-balance tree and understory plant biomass. A central decision in these treatments remains where to retain trees within sites during tree thinning. To help inform thinning prescriptions by identifying patterns of soil development, we sampled and classified 48 soil pedons among three vegetation patch types (grassy openings, openings invaded by post-settlement trees
Biomechanical measurements to characterize the oral phase of dysphagia

Several biomechanical parameters that characterize the oral musculature are identified and techniques for quantifying these parameters in normal and dysphagic patients are discussed. These parameters include lip closure pressure, lip interface shear force, tongue thrust, and swallow pressure. Significant differences were found in each of these parameters measured in normal and dysphagic patients. The quantitative measurements can aid the physician in choosing the appropriate therapy during the course of rehabilitation of stroke and head injured patients. >
A Longitudinal Study of Left Ventricular Function and Structure from CKD to ESRD: The CRIC Study

Summary Background and objectives Abnormal left ventricular structure and function are associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes among patients with CKD and ESRD. A better understanding of changes in left ventricular mass and ejection fraction during the transition from CKD to ESRD may provide important insights to opportunities to improve cardiac outcomes. Design, setting, participants, & measurements This was a longitudinal study of a subset of participants of the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort who were enrolled from 2003 to 2007 and followed through January of 2011. Participants were included if they had serial echocardiograms performed at advanced CKD (defined as estimated GFR 2 ) and again after ESRD (defined as need for hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis). Results A total of 190 participants (44% female, 66% black) had echocardiograms during advanced CKD and after ESRD. Mean (SD) estimated GFR at advanced CKD was 16.9 (3.5) ml/min per 1.73 m 2 . Mean (SD) time between the advanced CKD echocardiogram and ESRD echocardiogram was 2.0 (1.0) years. There was no significant change in left ventricular mass index (62.3–59.5 g/m 2.7 , P =0.10) between advanced CKD and ESRD; however, ejection fraction significantly decreased (53%–50%, P =0.002). Interactions for age, race, dialysis modality, and diabetes status were not significant ( P >0.05). Conclusions Mean left ventricular mass index did not change significantly from advanced CKD to ESRD; however, ejection fraction declined during this transition period. Although left ventricular mass index is fixed by advanced stages of CKD, ejection fraction decline during more advanced stages of CKD may be an important contributor to cardiovascular disease and mortality after dialysis.
A low-rank IE-QR algorithm for matrix compression in volume integral equations

A single-level matrix compression algorithm based on pivoted QR factorization with partial matrix assembling, which exploits the rank deficiency of matrix blocks for physically separated groups of basis functions, is presented for the volume integral equation solution of electromagnetic scattering from arbitrarily shaped dielectric bodies. For a system of N equations, an amount of work of the order O(N/sup 2/) has traditionally been required by the method of moments (MoM). The algorithm of the present paper reduces both computational complexity and storage requirement to O(N/sup 1.5/) with relatively less dependence on the integral equation kernel. Hence, the proposed algorithm is more practical for large-scale problems and can be implemented in a wide range of applications with few or no modifications.
Role of the Wadena Lobe in the Wisconsin Glaciation of Minnesota

The Wadena ice lobe deposited drumlins and other glacial drift in Wadena County and adjacent parts of west-central Minnesota. The area is in the contact zone between drifts of eastern and western provenance; Upham and Leverett had disagreed about the direction of ice flow in this region. The Wadena drumlin field has a fanlike form with its long axis trending southwest and a fan margin of 70 miles along 130° of arc. The fan pattern suggests ice movement from the northeast rather than from the southwest as Leverett suggested. Studies of pebble lithology and carbonate content suggest that initially the Wadena lobe moved southeastward into northern Minnesota from the limestone belt of the Winnipeg lowland, thence was diverted southwestward by the contemporaneous Brainerd lobe advancing from the east. Incorporation of Brainerd ice and debris diluted the carbonate content of the Wadena drift in the northeastern part of the drumlin field, accounting for anomalous leaching depths and pebble counts in this area. This interpretation differs from the writer's earlier assumption that a distinct overburden of noncalcareous till of eastern source (Brainerd till) existed on the northeastern part of the drumlin field. Stone-orientation studies at 22 localities show that elongated stones have a preferential plunge in the up-glacier direction (to the northeast) at moderate angles (15°–25°), and the writer suggests that the drumlin till was deposited by basal ice characterized by shear planes dipping up-glacier. Fabric of stones in the northeastern part of the drumlin area does not support the hypothesis that an overburden of Brainerd till covers the Wadena till. The Wadena drumlin field, formed during the Cary subage of the Wisconsin glacial age, is truncated and buried on the east by the slightly younger St. Croix moraine (Cary?) and its outwash aprons, on the north by the Itasca moraine and its outwash (also Cary?), and on the west and south by overlap of the Des Moines-lobe (Mankato?) till and associated outwash. At its maximum the Wadena lobe may have extended south beyond Minneapolis, east almost to Wisconsin, and west to the Alexandria moraine complex (Altamont-Gary moraine of Leverett). Thus it may have contributed a major share of ice to Minnesota during the Cary phase of glaciation but was crowded and eventually overlapped on the east by the Brainerd and Superior lobes and on the west and south by the Des Moines lobe.
Fluidized Bed Steam Reforming (FBSR) of Organic and Nitrate Containing Salt Supernate

A salt supernate waste (Tank 48H) generated at the Savannah River Site (SRS) during demonstration of In Tank Precipitation (ITP) process for Cs removal contains nitrates, nitrites, and sodium tetraphenyl borate (NaTPB). This slurry must be pre-processed in order to reduce the impacts of the nitrate and organic species on subsequent vitrification in the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF). Fluidized Bed Steam Reforming (FBSR) is a candidate technology for destroying the nitrates, nitrites, and organics (NaTPB) prior to melting. Bench scale tests were designed and conducted at the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) to demonstrate that bench scale testing can adequately reproduce the CO/CO2 and H2/H2O fugacities representative of the FBSR process and form the appropriate product phases. Carbonate and silicate product phases that were compatible with DWPF vitrification were achieved in the bench scale testing and test parameters were optimized for a pilot scale FBSR demonstration.
A comparative analysis of sinonasal and salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma using population-based data

Background Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is the most common salivary gland (SG) malignancy. Primary sinonasal MEC (SN-MEC) is rare. This study analyzes the demographic, clinicopathologic, and survival characteristics of SN-MEC and establishes comparisons with primary major SG-MEC. Methods The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (1973 to 2010) was queried for SN-MEC (149 cases) and SG-MEC (4234 cases). Data were analyzed comparatively with respect to various demographic and clinicopathologic factors. Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards models. Results Mean ± standard deviation (SD) age at diagnosis for SN-MEC was 58.6 ± 16.6 years. High histologic grade (ie, grades III and IV) at the time of diagnosis was more common among SN-MEC than SG-MEC (42.3% vs 25.5%, p 4 cm; HR, 8.36, 95% CI, 1.59 to 153.74), and primary tumor site (ethmoid sinus; HR, 2.95; 95% CI, 1.28 to 6.23) (all p < 0.05). Survival was better among those treated with surgery (with [64.4% survival] or without [81.3% survival] adjuvant radiation therapy) than those treated with primary radiation therapy alone (25.6% survival) (p < 0.05). Conclusion This report represents the largest series of SN-MEC to date. Although SN-MEC and SG-MEC share a common histology, there are important clinical differences between the 2 conditions.
Technical cognition, working memory and creativity

This essay explores the nature and neurological basis of creativity in technical production. After presenting a model of expert technical cognition based in cognitive anthropology and cognitive psychology, the authors propose that craft production has three inherent sources of novelty — procedural drift, serendipitous error and fiddling. However, these are quite limited in their creative potential, which may help explain the virtual absence of innovation over the long millennia of the Palaeolithic. Innovation can be far more rapid and effective via invention, which requires folk theories of causation and adequate working memory capacity, all fairly recent evolutionary developments. The neurological basis of expert technical cognition lies in well-known cortical and sub-cortical structures, but recent research has established a provocative role for the cerebellum in the formulation of novel arrangements.
Intracerebroventricular insulin produces nonuniform regional increases in sympathetic nerve activity

Insulin has been shown to increase sympathetic nerve activity (SNA). Although it has been proposed that insulin acts within the central nervous system (CNS) to increase sympathetic neural outflow, there is little evidence for direct central neural sympathoexcitatory effects of insulin. To determine whether intracerebroventricular insulin elicits increases in peripheral SNA, we infused insulin (0.1 microU/min, low; 10 microU/min, medium; and 100 microU/min, high doses) or artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) into the third cerebral ventricle of chloralose-anesthetized Wistar rats while recording lumbar SNA. In separate animals, 10 microU/min of insulin were infused while recording adrenal SNA and renal SNA. Blood glucose and plasma insulin levels did not significantly change during intracerebroventricular infusion of insulin. Lumbar SNA, expressed as percentage of baseline, did not change in rats infused with aCSF (+ 13% +/- 8%) but increased significantly in rats infused with low (+ 72 +/- 17%), medium (+ 119 +/- 30%), and high (+ 113 +/- 25%) doses of insulin (P < 0.05). Intracerebroventricular insulin failed to significantly increase adrenal SNA or renal SNA. Blood pressure and heart rate did not change during insulin infusion. The results indicate that administration of insulin into the third cerebral ventricle produces regionally nonuniform increases in sympathetic neural outflow in the absence of changes in blood glucose or plasma insulin.
Environmental evaporation: the invisibility of environmental concern in food system change

Overcoming the barriers to ecological sustainability requires extensive civic engagement. In many respects, citizens have met this challenge yet, despite widespread environmental concern and activism, the structures that threaten the biosphere persist. Using data from a qualitative, comparative case study of local food movements in three Canadian cities, I introduce the concept ‘environmental evaporation’ to explain how activism may inadvertently reproduce dominant – particularly individualistic and market-oriented – social structures. Environmental evaporation refers to the process by which individual concern for the environment disappears in public life. Private environmental concerns ‘evaporate’ because themes relating to the environment are viewed as too polarizing to catalyze broad support and necessary allegiances with elite actors. Understanding the process of environmental evaporation has the potential to catalyze future research into the complex relationship between collective action and structur...
Occurrence, Degradation and Fate of Pesticides During Composting

This paper reviews the findings of research reported in the currently available literature regarding the occurrence and transformations of pesticides through the composting process and the use of compost. Part I summarizes the composting process, pesticides and mechanisms of pesticide degradation. Part II reviews research studies concerning the occurrence and fate of pesticides during composting. Investigations of pesticide residues in composting feedstocks and finished compost detected few of the target pesticides. The compounds that were found occurred at low concentrations. The majority of the compounds detected were insecticides in the organochlorine category, including chemicals that have been banned from use in the U.S. for many years. Generally, organophosphate and carbamate insecticides and most herbicides were rarely detected. Comparisons of pesticide concentrations before and after composting also showed organochlorine compounds to be most resistant to biodegradation during composting. With some...
THE PROBLEM OF THE BATTERED CHILD.

The varieties of assault on children verge on the incredible, and their detection necessitates a high index of suspicion. Regardless of history, major skeletal trauma, particularly in infants, demands investigation. Special courts to protect children seem to be the right approach to this problem, but too often some cases of delicate human relationships are delegated to just anyone who will handle them.Results of the physicians physical examination taken in evidence and his role as counselor in the family's health surveillance often make him a key figure in the proper handling of cases of the battered child.
On the Whirling and Vibration of Shafts

1. It is well known that every shaft, however nearly balanced , when driven at a particular speed, bends, and, unless the amount of deflection be limited, might even break, although at higher speeds the shaft again runs true. The particular or “critical" speed depends on the manner in which the shaft is supported, its size and modulus of elasticity, and the size, weight, and position of any pulleys it carries. The theory for the case of an unloaded shaft first received attention at the hands of Professor Rankine, who obtained numerical formulae for the cases of an unloaded shaft resting freely on a bearing at each end, and for an overhanging shaft working in a shoulder at one end.
Symbioses between mathematical logic and computer science

Abstract This is a survey of some of the many interactions between mathematical logic and computer science. The general theme is that mathematical logic provides tools for understanding and unifying topics in computer science, while computer science provides new ways of looking at logical issues and underlines the importance of areas of logic that might otherwise have been neglected.
Effects of the microsporidian pathogen, Nosema adaliae (Nosematidae) on the seven-spotted lady beetle, Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae).

Abstract Lady beetles are important predators in nature. Some species, including the two-spotted lady beetle, Adalia bipunctata L., are native to North America, whereas others, such as the seven-spotted lady beetle, Coccinella septempunctata L., have been introduced in North America for pest control on agriculture crops. Microsporidia are obligate pathogens that cause chronic disease, and these pathogens are known to infect several lady beetle species. Lady beetles are cannibalistic and, because many species share a given landscape, there is potential for microsporidia to infect susceptible coccinellids when infected eggs are eaten. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of the microsporidium Nosema adaliae isolated from A. bipunctata on C. septempunctata fitness (larval development and mortality, sex ratio, adult longevity and fecundity). Mortality was higher for C. septempunctata larvae that ate four A. bipunctata eggs (≥96% mortality) than for those that ate only one (
Self, Non-Self, and Danger: A Complementary View

Complement is a sophisticated system of molecules that is critical to the functional integrity of the body. Initially considered as a defense system to ward off infections, it becomes increasingly clear that the complement system is one of the most important humoral systems to sense danger, i.e., to recognize conserved patterns on pathogens and on altered/damaged self. In addition to this important role in danger recognition, the complement system has the ability to translate the danger information into an adequate cellular innate or adaptive immune response. This is accomplished by two distinct mechanisms: (a) danger sensors that have recognized altered cells or pathogens can directly activate cell-bound receptors (e.g., C1q/C1q receptor interaction), and/or (b) danger sensors initiate cleavage of complement factors C3 and C5, the fragments of which acquire the ability to bind to complement receptors and/or regulators. It is the specific interaction of the danger sensors and of the cleavage fragments with distinct cell-bound receptors/regulators that directs the immune response toward an innate or an adaptive phenotype. Further, the expression pattern of the complement receptors critically impacts the shape of the immune response. Complement has the ability to discriminate between physiological and pathological danger, i.e., physiological cell death and death in response to injury. In the former case, cells are merely flagged for enhanced phagocytosis (by C3 fragments) without accompanying inflammation (through CR3), whereas in the latter case inflammatory signals are accessorily triggered (e.g., by the release of ATs, which recruit and activate neutrophils, eosinophils, etc.). This function is of major importance for apoptotic cell clearance and tissue repair but plays also important roles in fibrotic tissue remodeling in response to chronic tissue injury. Further, complement cleavage fragments may prevent the development of maldaptive immune responses at the mucosal surface. Here, complement fragment C5a does not act as a danger transmitter but as a "homeostasis transmitter," as its interaction with the C5a receptor on DCs provides a signal that prevents DCs from activating CD4+ T cells. The generation of regulatory T cells in response to CD46 ligation may have a similar function, as injured cells lose CD46 expresssion, which may lead to decreased proliferation of Tregs and, consecutively, increased production of T effector cells. Although we are still at the beginning of understanding the complex interaction patterns within the complement system, recent data suggest substantial crosstalk between the signaling pathways downstream of complement receptors and other receptors of the innate immune system that function as immune sensors and/or transmitters (i.e., TLRs, FcgammaRs130,131). Given the importance of complement as a sensor and effector system of innate and adaptive immune responses, a complement-related view of the immune system might help to unravel some enigmas of autoimmunity, allergy, and transplantation.
Talbot-Lau x-ray density diagnostic for High Energy Density plasmas

Phase-contrast x-ray diagnostics can detect density gradients in low-Z matter with the sensitivity and spatial resolution required in High Energy Density (HED) plasma experiments. Talbot-Lau interferometry measures x-ray beam deviations due to refraction index gradients in its path. It can simultaneously provide x-ray attenuation, refraction, elemental composition, and scatter images of a low-Z object. We have developed the Talbot-Lau Moire X-ray Deflectometry (TXD) single image technique based on phase-retrieval. The results obtained at 8 and 17 keV with high magnification using low-Z test objects suggest a clear advantage of TXD as HED electron density diagnostic over conventional radiography. The Moire technique can detect sharp and smooth density gradients with source-limited spatial resolution. Also, TXD can use extended, incoherent, line or continuum x-ray sources, allowing for a wide range of backlighters.
Some Concepts in the Theory of Deterrence

Nuclear deterrence is, we may be reminded, an extraordinarily limited theory that relies on extraordinarily broad assumptions. The theory is limited to those conflicts in which the fundamental security of the state is put at risk. Thus the theory is of limited value in international relations. It is not deterrence, much less nuclear deterrence, that prevents the US from invading Canada (or the other way around). At the same time, the theory arises from a general assumption about national behaviour, namely that, at least when national survival is at issue and the mind wonderfully concentrated thereby, decisions will be made by balancing the benefits to be achieved by a proposed course of action against the costs incurred in pursuing those benefits by those means. This assumption, in turn, arises from an even more general assumption regarding human nature: that we can imagine pain greater than that we now suffer, that we can imagine happiness greater than that in which we now delight, and that we will evaluate possible futures in terms of their mixtures of these imaginary states.
N-Ary Coded Modulation

This chapter presents a method of multi-level coded modulation where instead of using one code at a time, two or more codes are used simultaneously and then modulated by means of an M-ary modulation scheme. At the receiver, the decoder recovers the data by means of code correlation. This type of coded modulation scheme is bandwidth efficient and further enhances the coding gain.
Efficient semi-transparent planar perovskite solar cells using a ‘molecular glue’

Abstract Semitransparent perovskite solar cells are promising for their use in building integrated photovoltaic applications. One critical requirement for this application is the ability to thin down the perovskite absorber layer without sacrificing much of its optimum device efficiency. However, the production of high quality and defect-free very thin films of perovskites in an all low temperature solution processed p-i-n type device structure has been elusive due to the sensitivity of the materials crystallization dynamics and the variability of surface specific interactions. Here, we show that a unique surface passivation method based on thiourea vapor treatment can effectively produce high quality CH3NH3PbI3 thin-films up to 110 nm of thickness on top of a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) surface. The thiourea vapor is believed to act as a ‘molecular glue’ by introducing favorable surface interactions in the PEDOT: PSS film with the soft, polarizable inorganic species (i.e. Pb and I) present in the thin-film precursors, and helps to achieve continuous, pinhole-free perovskite films. Using these solution-processed thin and high quality CH3NH3PbI3 films, semitransparent p-i-n planar perovskite-PCBM solar cells are fabricated with an evaporated transparent Ag top electrode, and the solar cells show a high average visible transparency of 34% at a power conversion efficiency level of 8.2%, which are among the highest reported performance values for semitransparent perovskite solar cells. This demonstration provides an excellent example of how surface passivation can be an effective approach to grow high quality all solution-processed semitransparent perovskite films, and will lead to more efficient thin-film optoelectronic devices in the future.
Higher BTK-Dependent Cell Proliferation in Unmutated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Confers Increased Sensitivity to Ibrutinib

Abstract In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), mutation status of the immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region gene (IGHV) has prognostic significance, with the unmutated phenotype (UM-CLL) having worse outcomes than mutated CLL (M-CLL) following chemotherapy or chemoimmunotherapy. However, in the era of BCR-targeted therapies, the adverse prognostic impact of unmutated IGHV seems to be diminishing, and there are clinical datasets showing unexpected improved responses in UM-CLL. We investigated the biological differences of BTK activity between these subgroups and further compared the impact of ibrutinib on molecular and cellular behaviors. Immunoblotting analysis revealed that phosphorylated active BTK. is significantly higher in UM-CLL. Moreover, UM-CLL, compared to M-CLL, displayed a much higher proliferative capacity that was associated with greater sensitivity to ibrutinib. In addition, BTK depletion with siRNA led to a more prominent reduction in the proliferation of UM-CLL, suggesting that elevated BTK activity is responsible for increased cell proliferation. Further, cell signaling activity by multiple measurements was consistently higher in UM-CLL accompanied by a higher sensitivity to ibrutinib. These studies link UM-CLL to elevated BCR signaling, higher BTK-dependent cell proliferation and increased sensitivity to ibrutinib. The prognostic significance of IGHV mutation should be reevaluated in the era of new therapies targeting BCR signaling. Disclosures Nabhan: Celgene Corporation: Honoraria, Research Funding. Smith: Celgene: Consultancy; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy.
Evaluation of a string test in nonbleeding individuals.

Using the commercially available gastrointestinal string, type 2, we evaluated the string test without fluorescein in 15 volunteers who had no evidence of gastrointestinal tract disease or bleeding. Six subjects (40 %) had significant blood stains on the string using Smith's criteria. Such a large proportion of false positive results emphasizes the limited diagnostic usefulness of this variation of the string test.
On-line cascading event tracking and avoidance decision support tool

Cascading outages in power systems are costly events that power system operators and planners actively seek to avoid. Such events can quickly result in power outages for millions of customers. Although it is unreasonable to claim that blackouts can be completely prevented, we can nonetheless reduce the frequency and impact of such high consequence events. Power operators can take actions if they have the right information provided by tools for monitoring and managing the risk of cascading outages. Such tools are being developed in this research project by identifying contingencies that could initiate cascading outages and by determining operator actions to avoid the start of a cascade. A key to cascading outage defense is the level of grid operator situational awareness. Severe disturbances and complex unfolding of post-disturbance phenomena, including interdependent events, demand critical actions to be taken on the part of the operators, thus making operators dependent on decision support tools and automatic controls. In other industries (e.g., airline, nuclear, process control), control operators employ computational capabilities that help them predict system response and identify corrective actions. Power system operators should have a similar capability with online simulation tools. To create an online simulator to help operators identify the potential for and actions to avoid cascades, we developed a systematic way to identify power system initiating contingencies for operational use. The work extends the conventional contingency list by including a subset of high-order contingencies identified through topology processing. The contingencies are assessed via an online, mid-term simulator, designed to provide generalized, event-based, corrective control and decision support for operators with very high computational efficiency. Speed enhancement is obtained algorithmically by employing a multi-frontal linear solver within an implicit integration scheme. The contingency selection and simulation capabilities were illustrated on two systems: a test system with six generators and the IEEE RTS-96 with 33 generators. Comparisons with commercial grade simulators indicate the developed simulator is accurate and fast.
A LEARNING APPROACH TO CONTENT-BASED IMAGE CATEGORIZATION AND RETRIEVAL

We develop a machine learning approach to content-based image categorization and retrieval. We represent images by histograms of their spectral components associated with a bank of filters and assume that a training database of labeled images – that contains representative samples from each class – is available. We employ a linear dimension reduction technique, referred to as Optimal Factor Analysis, to identify and split off “optimal” low-dimensional factors of the features to solve a given semantic classification or indexing problem. This content-based categorization technique is used to structure databases of images for retrieval according to the likelihood of each class given a query image.