cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Conceptual Assessment Framework for K-12 Computer Science Rubric Design

The lack of effective guidelines for assessing students' computer science (CS) competencies is creating significant demand by K-12 teachers for CS assessments to evaluate students' learning. We propose a conceptual assessment framework that guides teachers through designing appropriate assessments for computer science (CS) activities in their classrooms. The framework addresses the critical problem of incorporating CS into K-12 curricula without corresponding assessments. We illustrate its use with the design of a rubric for a bubble sort algorithm situated in a game-based learning environment for middle-grade students. We also apply a preliminary and a revised version of this assessment on two datasets collected from students' interactions with the learning environment. We found consistency among results identified through applying the preliminary and the revised rubric. The results reveal distinctive patterns in students' approaches to CS problem solving and coherency with respect to different aspects of the rubric.*
Assessing Temperate Forest Growth and Climate Sensitivity in Response to a Long‐Term Whole‐Watershed Acidification Experiment

Acid deposition is a major biogeochemical driver in forest ecosystems, but the impacts of long‐term changes in deposition on forest productivity remain unclear. Using a combination of tree ring and forest inventory data, we examined tree growth and climate sensitivity in response to 26 years of whole‐watershed ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4) additions at the Fernow Experimental Forest (West Virginia, USA). Linear mixed effects models revealed species‐specific responses to both treatment and hydroclimate variables. When controlling for environmental covariates, growth of northern red oak (Quercus rubra), red maple (Acer rubrum), and tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) was greater (40%, 52%, and 42%, respectively) in the control watershed compared to the treated watershed, but there was no difference in black cherry (Prunus serotina). Stem growth was generally positively associated with growing season water availability and spring temperature and negatively associated with vapor pressure deficit. Sensitivity of northern red oak, red maple, and tulip poplar growth to water availability was greater in the control watershed, suggesting that acidification treatment has altered tree response to climate. Results indicate that chronic acid deposition may reduce both forest growth and climate sensitivity, with potentially significant implications for forest carbon and water cycling in deposition‐affected regions.
Integrating Systems: The History of Systems from von Bertalanffy to Profound Learning.

This paper explores the role and history of systems theory and thinking in the fields of instructional/educational technology and design. The foundations of ID/ET as fields are rich in behavioral, systematic, and positivist notions of process, but we assert that it is weaker in the reflective, thoughtful, deep and meaningful orientations. Woven into the history of the role of systems in ID/ET are connections to constructivism, learning sciences, qualitative research, holistic ontological and epistemic philosophy as foundations to the impact of systems theories on our field. Understanding systems theory histories without the broader contexts of the other similarly focused and highly influential movements in educational change keeps the perceptions within the field as unidimensional. A more complete and textured analysis of the history of systems theory and thinking is offered through the interdisciplinary lens of intersective, but heretofore rarely integrated, perspectives on related disciplines and their force upon the implementation of systems thinking and theories in our field. The ultimate assertion here is to push the envelope of the history of our field toward interpretive or anti-positivist boundaries. Our purpose in this paper, however, goes beyond just history. While historical perspective is useful and important in and of itself, we are interested in a different kind of generativity. Specifically, we wish to begin to explore the edges of where we might go next. Ideally, the proper integration of systems theory within ID/ET can gradually move us toward anti-positivist approaches which we believe will then lead us out of the philosophical desert toward a form of ID/ET for human flourishing and profound living. With the foundations and backdrops of the history of systems theories including those mentioned above, we believe that the intellectual history can then feed a synthetic activity and a potential new direction. We believe that the recent work in profound learning can offer a new direction where we can see beyond our current milieu. We assert that Educational Technology, Instructional Design, Learning Sciences are all in a bit of a philosophical desert at present. A potential endpoint in profound learning and living can help to inform and expand the broader sense of systems thinking. This paper adds significantly to the theoretical discussions of systems theory and thinking.
MQTransformer: Multi-Horizon Forecasts with Context Dependent and Feedback-Aware Attention

Recent advances in neural forecasting have produced major improvements in accuracy for probabilistic demand prediction. In this work, we propose novel improvements to the current state of the art by incorporating changes inspired by recent advances in Transformer architectures for Natural Language Processing. We develop a novel decoder-encoder attention for context-alignment, improving forecasting accuracy by allowing the network to study its own history based on the context for which it is producing a forecast. We also present a novel positional encoding that allows the neural network to learn context-dependent seasonality functions as well as arbitrary holiday distances. Finally we show that the current state of the art MQ-Forecaster (Wen et al., 2017) models display excess variability by failing to leverage previous errors in the forecast to improve accuracy. We propose a novel decoder-self attention scheme for forecasting that produces significant improvements in the excess variation of the forecast.
Impact of a Clostridioides Difficile Testing Computerized Clinical Decision Support Tool on an Adult Stem Cell Transplantation and Hematologic Malignancies Unit.

ABSTRACT Clostridioides difficile infection rates are higher in hospitalized hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients and patients with hematologic malignancy (HM) compared with the general population. This is related both to extensive exposure to antibiotics as well as to frequent and often prolonged hospitalization. In this population, with numerous potential causes of diarrhea, a subset of C difficile detected is presumed to represent colonization rather than clinical infection. The use of decision support tools to guide ordering in hospitalized patients has been reported to decrease both C difficile testing and detection rates. Following implementation of a computerized decision support tool on our HSCT/HM unit, we observed a >2-fold decrease in C difficile testing volume and National Healthcare Safety Network-defined laboratory identifications of C difficile. Furthermore, the rate of oral vancomycin use, as well as the incidence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci colonization and bloodstream infection, decreased in the postintervention period.
Two Modifications of the Unscented Kalman Filter that Specialize to the Kalman Filter for Linear Systems.

Although the unscented Kalman filter (UKF) is applicable to nonlinear systems, it turns out that, for linear systems, UKF does not specialize to the classical Kalman filter. This situation suggests that it may be advantageous to modify UKF in such a way that, for linear systems, the Kalman filter is recovered. The ultimate goal is thus to develop modifications of UKF that specialize to the Kalman filter for linear systems and have improved accuracy for nonlinear systems. With this motivation, this paper presents two modifications of UKF that specialize to the Kalman filter for linear systems. The first modification (EUKF-A) requires the Jacobian of the dynamics map, whereas the second modification (EUKF-C) requires the Jacobian of the measurement map. For various nonlinear examples, the accuracy of EUKF-A and EUKF-C is compared to the accuracy of UKF.
Review of Urban Ecological Civilization Construction in China

Ecological civilization is the dominant human civilization in the 21 st century,it is promoted to the level of economic,political,cultural,social progress. Study of urban ecological civilization construction started in 1980 s in China,and entered the high cycle after 2010 s. During the over 30 years studying,it is gradually improved in aspects of urban ecological civilization content defining,main body of construction,evaluation system and effects of land and resources developing,but still some defects to be improved. Therefore,in the following study,it is should be defining the content of socialist urban ecological civilization,optimizing the evaluation index system,deconstructing it by different regions,roles and periods,in addition,paying more attention to the application and cohesion of technical method and governance theory.
The Routledge Handbook of Planning Megacities in the Global South: Deden Rukmana (Ed.) (2020). Routledge, 450 pages, $200 (hardcover)

If you conduct an internet search for any combination of “planning,” “megacities,” and “Global South,” you will bear witness to a growing literature on cities from places as far flung as Jakarta (I...
Social Work in Academia: Learning from the Past and Acting on the Present

Social work has long attempted to gain public recognition and support as a profession and as a “legitimate” university program. Although efforts to improve the image of social work as a profession have been moderately successful, attempts to solve the problems within the university setting are yielding less than satisfactory results. This article carefully considers the dual roles of social work within the university as both an academic discipline and as a profession. Eight criteria are identified that clearly differentiate professional disciplines from academic disciplines. These criteria are presented in an attempt to help identify the problems with which social work educators struggle. Five guiding principles—(1) cooperation, (2) identity, (3) education, (4) leadership, and (5) fact-finding—are offered for consideration as strategies and solutions for developing a plan of action.
Increasing Science Awareness Through an Unusual Book

During the past few centuries, our understanding of the physical world has increased considerably. This rapid growth in knowledge creates two problems for science educators: (1) How to teach a subject which now encompasses so much material and (2) How to educate people who have graduated more than a decade earlier and whose understanding of science needs to be updated. The problem is aggravated by the fact that mathematics is often the language of science and that most people are verbally, rather than mathematically, inclined. Obviously an approach that emphasizes concepts as opposed to equations can help. Likewise, textbooks that are entertaining and non-technical can often better maintain student interest. Anecdotes and stories related to scientific discoveries are useful in this regard. Some people may question the need to educate the non-scientifically, non-technologically oriented student about science. After all, most of us live our lives without knowing how medicines, cars, telephones, TVs, computers and nuclear power plants function. Science courses, besides being an integral part of one’s general education, offer benefits to the student. Here are three: (1) being able to better conduct one’s life; (2) having useful knowledge to make decisions outside the domain of science; and (3) achieving a greater awareness of oneself in relation to one’s surroundings. Although these three issues are treated
Toxicological Approach for Assessing the Heavy Metal Binding Capacity of Soils

A toxicological approach was taken to determine the heavy metal binding capacity of soils. A soil heavy metal binding capacity (SHMBC) methodology was developed and was based on the use of the MetPLATE TM toxicity test kit, a bioassay that is specific for heavy metal toxicity. SHMBC test is based on the heavy metal binding capacity (HMBC) concept that has been considered in the assessment of the metal binding capacity of surface waters (Huang et al., 1999) and solid wastes landfill leachates (Ward et al., 2005). SHMBC is the ratio of the EC 50 of an added metal in a soil sample divided by the EC 50 of a metal in a reference soil (clean Ottawa sand). A higher SHMBC value indicates higher metal binding to soil and lower bioavailability and potential toxicity to the test bacteria. Five soils (two sandy soils, two organic soils and a clay soil) were used to determine their binding capacity towards Cu, Zn, and Hg, using the developed SHMBC test. The test measured the ability of the solids to reduce metal bioav...
Metabolism of Cholest-5-ene-3β, 26-diol in the Rat and Hamster

Abstract The Clemmensen reduction procedure has been adapted for the tritiation of kryptogenin to obtain cholest-5-ene-3β, 26-diol-3H. Intravenous administration of cholest-5-ene-3β,26-diol to the bile fistula rat and hamster was followed by rapid excretion of bile acid metabolites in bile. Cholic acid was identified as a metabolite of cholest-5-ene-3β,26-diol by reverse isotope dilution in five hamsters and three rats. In addition, a monohydroxy bile acid, 3β-hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid, was identified as a metabolite of cholest-5-ene-3β,26-diol. It seems possible, therefore, that a pathway from cholesterol to primary bile acid can exist which begins with the oxidation of the side chain to a C-24 carboxylic acid and is followed by alterations of the steroid ring.
Manual anchoring biases in slant estimation affect matches even for near surfaces.

People verbally overestimate hill slant by ~15°–25°, whereas manual estimates (e.g., palm board measures) are thought to be more accurate. The relative accuracy of palm boards has contributed to the widely cited theoretical claim that they tap into an accurate, but unconscious, motor representation of locomotor space. Recently, it was shown that a bias that stems from anchoring the hand at horizontal prior to the estimate can quantitatively account for the difference between manual and verbal estimates of hill slant. The present work extends this observation to manual estimates of near-surface slant, to test whether the bias derives from manual or visual uncertainty. As with far surfaces, strong manual anchoring effects were obtained for a large range of near-surface slants, including 45°. Moreover, correlations between participants’ manual and verbal estimates further support the conclusion that both measures are based on the same visual representation.
Pyrosequencing Evaluation of Widely Available Bisulfite Conversion Methods: Considerations for Application.

Introduction: Bisulfite treatment of DNA introduces methylation-dependent sequence changes through selective chemical conversion of nonmethylated cytosine to uracil and serves as pretreatment step for the majority of DNA methylation analysis methods. Methods: We have evaluated the conversion performance of five of the most commonly used bisulfite treatment kits [MethylDetector (Active Motif), Epitect+ (Qiagen), Zymo Methylation, Zymo Gold and Zymo Lightning (all from Zymo Research)] by pyrosequencing four different regions with variable methylation levels, including: a repetitive element (ALUSX), a gene with low levels of methylation (IL6ST), an imprinted gene expected to be approximately 50% methylated (IGF2), and a fully methylated gene (ST3GAL2). In addition, we have studied the influence of duration (3 vs. 16 h) and type (fixed temperature vs. cycling program) of incubation protocol on the conversion efficiency of each evaluated kit. Results: All kits produced similar conversion rates of ALUSX,IGF2 and ST3GAL2, while the conversion of the low methylated IL6ST gene was variable between kits. The Zymo kits were highly consistent in their performance even when different protocols of incubation were applied, generating full conversion at the low methylated gene IL6; this was not true for the MethylDetector and Epitect+ kits. However, long-cycling incubation could produce similar conversion rates for the same locus in combination with Active Motif and Qiagen kits. Conclusions: The selection of a long-cycling protocol during conversion permits standardization of protocols, improving the reproducibility of methylation estimates across laboratories for gene-specific, genome-wide and bisulfite-based sequencing analyses.
Subcutaneous Bacteria in Turkey Carcasses

Two methods were employed to quantitate the subcutaneous bacteria in fresh, refrigerated, and frozen turkey carcasses. Relatively few bacteria were detected in the skin-flesh interface and in the flesh as compared with the number of bacteria on the skin surface and in the skin layer. No subcutaneous bacteria were detected in 49% of the skin-flesh interface and flesh samples. The number of bacteria detected in skin samples from carcasses chemically disinfected to kill skin surface bacteria was smaller than that in nondisinfected skin samples. These results indicate that the skin blending method used to quantify microorganisms on poultry carcass skin measures the skin layer flora and that the number of subcutaneous membrane or flesh bacteria measured is not normally large enough to have a significant influence on the results.
Effect of nanofiller shape on effective thermal conductivity of fluoropolymer composites

Abstract Filler particle shape and size influence interconnectivity within a polymer matrix and both play a significant role in controlling the effective thermal conductivity of a composite. This study examines the effect of nanofiller particle shape in a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) matrix on thermal energy transport. Experimental measurements using a laser flash analysis method are performed on PTFE with three different shaped carbon fillers: nano-diamond spheres, carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene flakes. Filler concentration ranged from 0 to 30%. The experimental results are coupled with a particle connectivity model to understand the relationship between energy transport and filler connectivity. Results show filler particles with more micron scale dimensions form better interconnected networks at lower volume concentrations than fillers with fewer micron scale dimensions. Filler connectivity influences effective conductivity: specifically, nano-diamond spheres showed negligible interconnectivity and result in negligible change in thermal conductivity. The CNT, with one-micron scale dimension (i.e., length) and flakes, with two-micron scale dimensions (i.e., length and height), both exhibited linear increases in interconnectivity and effective thermal conductivity. Graphene interconnectivity in PTFE is six times that of CNT and thermal conductivity is 0.5 W/mK, two times that of CNT, respectively. These results provide new insights on how to optimize nanoparticle structure to enhance thermal energy transport.
Delayed response learning in two-year-old children: Gradual vs sudden changes in the delay interval

Increasing the delay interval gradually and in small increments produced faster delayed response learning than when the delays were sudden and spanned long intervals. The gradually advanced procedure relative to immediately advanced control procedures resulted in better performance at delays of 8 and 12 sec but not 16 sec. The gradually advanced group also responded with longer response latencies at 16 sec, suggesting that nondelay factors floss of motivation, inattention) may account for the nondifferential performance effects at 16 sec.
Water for agriculture: challenges and opportunities in a war zone

Wars, drought and social collapse have greatly impaired land management and agriculture production systems in the southeastern Afghanistan provinces of Khost, Paktika and Paktya. This region has long existed with limited central government influence and remains particularly unstable. A complex physical and social geography, on-going warfare, severely limited mobility and policies poorly adapted to regional realities hamper development and reconstruction. On-farm water efficiency improvement, watershed-scale work restricted to small, socially homogeneous watersheds and word-of-mouth Afghan-to-Afghan technology dissemination are particularly important development strategies in this environment.
Recovered Memories of Child Sexual Abuse and Liability: Society, Science, and the Law in a Comparative Setting

This article considers the social and scientific dimensions of the phenomenon of recovered memories of childhood sexual abuse. The authors analyze how those dimensions have influenced the courts in dealing with claims arising from recovered memories. In particular, the article takes up the vexed issue of the liability of therapists who have allegedly induced false memories. As elsewhere, comparative legal analysis is used to attempt to describe and then prescribe how courts should define therapist liability. A resolution of the boundaries of liability turns upon the formulation of sound professional standards drawing upon policies embedded in the law and responsibilities of science and clinical practice.
C-reactive protein: the pawn has been promoted to queen.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is one of the acute phase reactants that can increase its serum level up to 100-fold during systemic inflammation. Its clinical use was limited in the past because of its lack of specificity in differentiating infection from other inflammatory processes. With the advent of a high sensitivity assay, CRP was found to be a superb predictor in identifying apparently healthy men and women at risk for developing future cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes. CRP’s predictive power is most likely due to its stability, reproducibility, and proatherogenic properties. Developing consensus to incorporate CRP determination into clinical practice guidelines will be the subject of intense debate and at the same time provide clinical research opportunities in the years to come.
The Chromosomal arsR Gene of Escherichia coli Encodes a trans-acting Metalloregulatory Protein

Plasmid-encoded arsenical resistance (ars) operons confer high level resistance to arsenicals and antimonials, while the chromosomally encoded ars operon of Escherichia coli bestows low level resistance. The transcriptional start site of the chromosomal ars mRNA was mapped by primer extension, and putative −10 and −35 promoter recognition sites were identified. The arsR gene, the first gene in this operon, was cloned using polymerase chain reaction. The arsR gene product, the ArsR repressor, was expressed and purified. The results of gel mobility shift assays indicated that the repressor is a DNA binding protein that binds to a fragment of DNA containing the chromosomal ars promoter. The specific binding site, as determined by DNase I footprint analysis, spans 33 nucleotides in the promoter region, including the putative −35 promoter element. By construction and expression of a series of in-frame fusions between truncated arsR genes and the coding region for the mature form of β-lactamase (blaM′), it was shown that ArsR is a trans-acting repressor that regulates expression of the chromosomal ars operon. In addition, the chromosomally-encoded repressor can regulate expression of the ars operon of plasmid R773, and the R773 repressor can cross-regulate expression from the chromosomal operon.
Exploratory analyses of local institutions for climate change adaptation in the Mongolian grasslands: An agent-based modeling approach

There has been a decrease in grazing mobility in the Mongolian grasslands over the past decades. Sedentary grazing with substantial external inputs has increased the cost of livestock production. As a result, the livelihoods of herders have become more vulnerable to climate variability and change. Sedentary grazing is the formal institutional arrangement in Inner Mongolia, China. However, this may not be an efficient institutional arrangement for climate change adaptation. Self-organized local institutions for climate change adaptation have emerged and are under development in the study area. In this study, we did exploratory analyses of multiple local institutions for climate change adaptation in the Mongolian grasslands, using an agent-based modeling approach. Empirical studies from literature and our field work show that sedentary grazing, pasture rental markets, and reciprocal pasture-use groups are three popular institutional arrangements in the study area. First, we modeled the social–ecological performance (i.e., livelihood benefits to herders and grassland quality) of these institutions and their combinations under different climate conditions. Second, we did exploratory analyses of multiple social mechanisms for facilitating and maintaining cooperative use of pastures among herders. The modeling results show that in certain value-ranges of some model parameters with assumed values, reciprocal pasture-use groups had better performance than pasture rental markets; and the comparative advantage of cooperative use of pastures over sedentary grazing without cooperation becomes more evident with the increase in drought probability. Agent diversity and social norms were effective for facilitating the development of reciprocal pasture-use groups. Kin selection and punishments on free-riders were useful for maintaining cooperation among herders.
Informal transport: A global perspective

Abstract Informal transport services—paratransit-type services provided without official sanction—can often be difficult to rationalize from a public policy perspective. While these systems provide benefits including on-demand mobility for the transit-dependent, jobs for low-skilled workers, and service coverage in areas devoid of formal transit supply, they also have costs, such as increased traffic congestion, air and noise pollution, and traffic accidents. This article reviews the range of informal sector experiences worldwide, discusses the costs and benefits of the sector in general and uses several case studies to illustrate different policy approaches to regulating them.
A determination of the solubility of lithium oxide in liquid lithium by fast neutron activation

Abstract The solubility of lithium oxide in liquid lithium has been measured in the temperature range of 195 to 734°C. A direct sampling method was employed in which nickel sampling tubes fitted with 2 μm pore size filters were used to take samples of the oxide-saturated lithium. The samples, still contained in their sampling tubes, were analyzed for oxygen content by a fast neutron activation method. A value for the oxygen blank attributable to the sampling tubes was derived from a regression analysis of the individual solubility data points. The resulting solubility values are considerably lower than those reported by previous investigators and can be represented by the equations In S(mol% Li2O) = 6.054–6669/T, log S ∗ (wppm oxygen) = 6.992–2896/T . The results indicate that removal of oxygen from lithium to a level of about 7 wppm (the solubility at 200°C) by cold trapping or by filtration should be feasible.
Transverse mode control in high gain free electron lasers with grazing incidence, unstable ring resonators☆

Abstract Grazing incidence, ring resonators have been proposed [1,2] to alleviate the problem of inordinately high irradiance on the intracavity optics in free electron lasers. Such resonators are also relatively compact, and consequently their alignment tolerances are more manageable. In this paper we present the transverse mode characteristics of an unstable, grazing incidence ring resonator under high gain conditions, and examine the issue of transverse mode control as a function of key resonator parameters.
Achondrogenesis type II, abnormalities of extracellular matrix.

ABSTRACT: Immune and lectin histochemical and microchemical methods were employed to study growth cartilage from seven cases of achondrogenesis type II (Langer-Saldino). The normal architecture of the epiphyseal and growth plate cartilage was replaced by a morphologically heterogeneous tissue. Some areas were comprised of vascular canals surrounded by extensive fibrous tissue and enlarged cells that had the appearance and histochemical characteristics of hypertrophic chondrocytes. Other areas contained a mixture of cells ranging from small to the enlarged chondrocytes. The extracellular matrix in the latter areas was more abundant and had characteristics of both precartilage mesenchymal matrix and typical cartilage matrix; it contained types I and II collagen, cartilage proteoglycan, fibronectin, and peanut agglutinin binding glycoconjugate(s). Peptide mapping of cyanogen bromide cartilage collagen peptides revealed the presence of types I and II collagen. These observations could be explained by a defect in the biosynthesis of type II collagen or in chondrocyte differentiation.
A Bayesian analysis of subjective probabilities of interpersonal relationships

Abstract The present study investigated S s' perceptions of the likelihood of several interpersonal relationships in hypothetical two- and three-person groups. S s were asked to judge the probability that two people were joined by a specific interpersonal relationship, given various amounts and kinds of prior information regarding the incidence of that relationship in the group. Data were analyzed by assuming that the Bayesian likelihood ratio, computed from initial probability levels and amount of change due to the information, measures the impact of the information on the S . The likelihood ratios provided fairly strong verification for the predictions of balance theory, but they also suggested that other cognitive biases also function in S s' processing of information about social relationships. It is suggested that the likelihood ratio provides an appropriate and convenient measure of the ‘informativeness’ of a stimulus in any situation in which probabilities can be estimated, and that the consideration of humans as Bayesian processors of social information may have important theoretical and methodological implications for research in the area of belief change.
Three-dimensional strain analysis using Mathematica

Abstract A suite of geological computer programs written in Mathematica is currently available both within the online repository for the Journal of Structural Geology as well as on the first author’s website ( http://www.sonoma.edu/users/m/mookerje/ProgramPage.htm ). The majority of these programs focus on three-dimensional strain analysis (e.g., determining best-fit strain ellipsoids, plotting elliptical data on either a Flinn or Hsu diagram, and determining error bounds for three-dimensional strain data). This program suite also includes a ternary diagram plotting program, a rose diagram program, an equal area and equal angle projections program, and an instructional program for creating two-dimensional strain path animations. The bulk of this paper focuses on a new method for determining a best-fit ellipsoid from arbitrarily oriented sectional ellipses and methods for determining appropriate error bounds for strain parameters and orientation data. This best-fit ellipsoid method utilizes a least-squares approach and minimizes the error associated with the two-dimensional data-ellipse matrix elements with the corresponding matrix elements from sectional ellipses through a general ellipsoid. Furthermore, a kernel density estimator is utilized to yield reliable error margins for the strain parameters, octahedral shear strain, Flinn’s k-value, and Lode’s ratio. By assuming a gamma distribution for the simulated principal axes orientations, more realistic error bounds can be estimated for these axes orientations.
A framework for condensation-based anonymization of string data

In recent years, privacy preserving data mining has become an important problem because of the large amount of personal data which is tracked by many business applications. An important method for privacy preserving data mining is the method of condensation. This method is often used in the case of multi-dimensional data in which pseudo-data is generated to mask the true values of the records. However, these methods are not easily applicable to the case of string data, since they require the use of multi-dimensional statistics in order to generate the pseudo-data. String data are especially important in the privacy preserving data-mining domain because most DNA and biological data are coded as strings. In this article, we will discuss a new method for privacy preserving mining of string data with the use of simple template-based models. The template-based model turns out to be effective in practice, and preserves important statistical characteristics of the strings such as intra-record distances. We will explore the behavior in the context of a classification application, and show that the accuracy of the application is not affected significantly by the anonymization process.
The Effect of Hyaluronic Acid Size and Concentration on Branching Morphogenesis and Tubule Differentiation in Developing Kidney Culture Systems: Potential Applications to Engineering of Renal Tissues

Abstract Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan of tissue engineering importance that plays a vital role in mammalian development. In vitro kidney culture methods were utilized to investigate the importance of HA during renal organogenesis. We found that HA has the ability to simultaneously modulate ureteric bud (UB) branching, promote mesenchymal-to-epithelial transformation, and promote differentiation of both metanephric mesenchyme (MM) and the UB depending on the concentration and molecular weight (MW) of HA. Hyaluronidase inhibited branching morphogenesis in both isolated UB and whole kidney cultures, suggesting endogenous HA is required for branching morphogenesis. HA exhibited morphogen-like properties, stimulating branching morphogenesis at low concentrations (0.1%) and low MW (6.55 kDa), but inhibiting at high concentrations (3.75%) and high MW (234.4 kDa). Furthermore, HA of every MW tested promoted collecting duct differentiation as measured by AQP-2 expression. E-cadherin immunostaining and qPCR of nephron differentiation markers (OAT-1, NaP i -2, AQP-1, and THP) demonstrated that HA of a variety of MWs strongly promotes mesenchymal epithelialization and nephron differentiation in a concentration-dependent manner. Since the HA synthesis and degradation genes, has-2 and hyal-2 , are highly expressed during kidney development, this data suggests that specific sizes and concentrations of HA may act to independently regulate UB branching and promote tubular maturation, representing a potential switch for ending branching morphogenesis, as well as initiating nephron differentiation. In addition, the ability of HA to promote in vitro embryonic kidney growth and maturation, together with the biocompatibility and crosslinking capability of HA, suggests a potential use of HA for both creating an instructive, 3D scaffold for in vitro kidney engineering from developmental tissues, as well as promoting tubule regeneration in injured or cryopreserved kidneys.
Inheriting Abraham: The Legacy of the Patriarch in Judaism, Christianity and Islam

For a generation Jon Levenson has been developing a biblical theology with the potential of transforming Jewish understanding and worship. This book, while keeping to the highest scholarly standard...
Ascorbic acid enhances 17 β-estradiol-mediated inhibition of oxidized low density lipoprotein formation

Postmenopausal women who use estrogen appear to be protected from coronary heart disease (CHD). Studies have demonstrated that estrogen can lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and the antioxidant activity of 17 beta-estradiol can prevent the oxidation of this LDL. Ascorbic acid is regarded as a major hydrophylic antioxidant, however, its impact on the prevention of CHD has yet to be clearly demonstrated. Modified low density lipoprotein (LDL(-)) is an important marker of LDL oxidation in vivo, since it contributes to the oxidative susceptibility of low density lipoprotein, and at physiological levels displays pro-inflammatory and cytotoxic properties. Previously we showed that women taking estrogen replacement therapy have lower LDL(-) levels along with lower predisposition of the LDL to oxidize. In this study, we evaluated the potential action of 17 beta-estradiol (E(2)) in combination with ascorbic acid (AA) measured on the basis of LDL oxidative susceptibility in vitro and in the presence of cultured cells. High concentrations of E(2) were able to inhibit LDL oxidation, whereas in the presence of ascorbic acid nano- to picomolar levels of E(2) were sufficient to suppress LDL oxidation (P<0.05). Preconditioning male aortic endothelial cells (RAEC) with 5 ng/ml of E(2) (E(2)RAEC) reduced the formation of LDL(-) (P<0.005), and a more extensive inhibition was found in the presence of AA (P<0.0001). Interestingly, E(2) enhanced the uptake of LDL in the absence or presence of AA, however, this was not seen for the uptake of LDL(-). These results provide the first evidence that ascorbic acid can enhance the antioxidant effect of E(2) by preventing LDL oxidation by copper ions or cells. The cytoprotective and antiatherogenic effect of E(2) appears to involve a reduction in the extent of oxidized LDL formation and uptake. The enhanced activity of E(2) in the presence of ascorbate indicates that the antioxidant and antiatherosclerosis activity of E(2) may occur at concentrations within the physiological range.
Temporal Coupling Is More Robust Than Spatial Coupling: An Investigation of Interlimb Coordination After Stroke

Interlimb coordination obtained through temporal and spatial coupling is a significant feature of human motor control. To understand the robustness of this capability the authors introduced a method to quantify interlimb coordination strength and compare individuals with asymmetric effector ability poststroke to nondisabled controls. Quantitative analyses determined the relative strength of interlimb coupling with an asymmetric obstacle avoidance task. Participants performed bimanual discrete, multijoint aiming movements in the frontal plane with a vertical barrier positioned midway to the target for one limb. To quantify coupling strength between limbs and groups, we regressed individual participant nonbarrier limb movement time or maximum vertical displacement separately, on barrier limb performance. Temporal and spatial interlimb coupling strength varied across participants in both groups. Barrier limb performance predicted nonbarrier limb behavior; however, interlimb coupling was significantly stronger for the nondisabled compared to the stroke group. In the stroke group, deficits in interlimb coordination affected spatial coupling more than temporal coupling. The decreased coupling strength detected, even in the presence of mild hemiparesis, demonstrates the measure's sensitivity. The authors propose this metric as a powerful assessment of the effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions and to monitor the recovery of bimanual coordination poststroke.
Urea formation in rat, bovine, and human lens.

Abstract Lenses produce both ammonia and urea, and a previous report suggested that bovine lenses contain a complete urea cycle capable of synthesizing urea from bicarbonate and ammonia. To determine whether lenses produce urea by a complete urea cycle or by arginase alone, intact lenses were cultured with [guanido- 14 C]-arginine or [ 14 C]-bicarbonate. The [ 14 C]-urea was volatilized to [ 14 C]-CO 2 by urease and collected in KOH. The cultured rat, bovine and human lenses produced [ 14 C]-urea from [ 14 C]-arginine; therefore lens arginase activity was also examined in homogenates of rat and human lenses. Rat lens homogenates had constant arginase activity for at least 2 hr at 37°C, and activity increased linearly with the concentration of lens homogenate. Rat lens arginase had an apparent V max of approximately 13 nmol/hr/mg lens wet weight in lens homogenates and produced 4–6 nmol urea/hr/mg at 25 m m arginine. Human lens homogenates produced 1–5 nmol/hr/mg. In contrast, neither bovine nor rat lenses cultured with [ 14 C]-bicarbonate produced detectable [ 14 C]-urea, although label was incorporated into unidentified nonvolatile products. These products were shown by ion exchange chromatography and enzymatic assay to contain no detectable arginine or urea. It was concluded that although arginase activity is present, neither rat nor bovine lenses contain significant urea cycle activity. However, it is possible that arginase serves as a source of lens ornithine.
P3-25: Influence of implementing straps on pulsed relativistic magnetron operation

In a relativistic magnetron that exhibits severe mode competition we have shown via 3-dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations that single strapping on both ends of the magnetron can effectively provide mode separation.
Two-dimensionally steering microswimmer propelled by oscillating bubbles

This paper presents how two-dimensional propulsion with steering capability is developed and realized for micro swimmers that may be used to navigate inside of human body. The propelling and steering forces are produced by oscillating multiple bubble columns, which are arranged in different directions on the micro swimmer. Since the resonant frequency of the bubbles highly depends on their length, only bubbles having the frequency-matching length can be selectively resonated by an acoustic excitation. This allows us to control which bubbles among many can be activated for propulsion, simply by adjusting the frequency. As a result, the controlling of propulsion and steering can be made by changing the frequency. This paper describes experimental results of a variety of controlled 2-D motions including back/forth translations, forward-and-backward rotations, steered propulsion on a 2-D plane, and carrying of objects in a T-junction microchannel.
Nonanalytic paramagnetic response of itinerant fermions away and near a ferromagnetic quantum phase transition

We study nonanalytic paramagnetic response of an interacting Fermi system both away and in the vicinity of a ferromagnetic quantum phase transition (QCP). Previous studies found that (i) the spin susceptibility $\ensuremath{\chi}$ scales linearly with either the temperature $T$ or magnetic field $H$ in the weak-coupling regime; (ii) the interaction in the Cooper channel affects this scaling via logarithmic renormalization of prefactors of the $T$, $\ensuremath{\mid}H\ensuremath{\mid}$ terms, and may even reverse the signs of these terms at low enough energies. We show that Cooper renormalization becomes effective only at very low energies, which get even smaller near a QCP. However, even in the absence of such renormalization, generic (non-Cooper) higher-order processes may also inverse the sign of $T$, $\ensuremath{\mid}H\ensuremath{\mid}$ scaling. We derive the thermodynamic potential as a function of magnetization and show that it contains, in addition to regular terms, a nonanalytic ${\ensuremath{\mid}M\ensuremath{\mid}}^{3}$ term, which becomes ${M}^{4}∕T$ at finite $T$. We show that regular $({M}^{2},{M}^{4},\dots{})$ terms originate from fermions with energies of order of the bandwidth, while the nonanalytic term comes from low-energy fermions. We consider the vicinity of a ferromagnetic QCP by generalizing the Eliashberg treatment of the spin-fermion model to finite magnetic field, and show that the ${\ensuremath{\mid}M\ensuremath{\mid}}^{3}$ term crosses over to a non-Fermi-liquid form ${\ensuremath{\mid}M\ensuremath{\mid}}^{7∕2}$ near a QCP. The prefactor of the ${\ensuremath{\mid}M\ensuremath{\mid}}^{7∕2}$ term is negative, which indicates that the system undergoes a first-order rather than a continuous transition to ferromagnetism. We compare two scenarios of the breakdown of a continuous QCP: a first-order instability and a spiral phase; the latter may arise from the nonanalytic dependence of $\ensuremath{\chi}$ on the momentum. In a model with a long-range interaction in the spin channel, we show that the first-order transition occurs before the spiral instability.
The effect of cell size on the mechanical behavior of cellular materials

The Young's modulus, strength and fracture toughness, of a brittle reticulated vitreous carbon foam, was measured as a function of cell size at a constant density and compared to a theoretical model. Image analysis was used to characterize the macrostructure of the samples and provided a basis for evaluating the mechanical behavior. It was determined that both the compressive and bend strength scale inversely with cell size. The change in compressive strength is due to a change in the strut strength with cell size. The bend strength behavior may be due to a reduction in the critical flaw size, as well as the increasing strut strength at smaller cell sizes. The fracture toughness and elastic modulus were found to be independent of cell size. Comparison of these results with previous work on open cell alumina clearly indicates a very different behavior and is attributed to a change in the microstructure of the solid phase with cell size in the alumina materials.
SMOOTH PURSUIT EYE MOVEMENTS IN TWINS DISCORDANT FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA

IN A SERIES of studies we reported that between 65 and 80 % of schizophrenic patients have disordered pursuit eye movements, compared with about 15 “/;, in other psychiatric populations and 6 % in the normal population. Of equal interest was the finding that about 45-50 “/,; of first-degree relatives of the schizophrenics also showed the same kind of eye-tracking impairments, compared with a prevalence in the families of other psychotic patients that was no greater than that found in the normal population. 1,~ This association of disordered pursuit eye movements with schizophrenia and with members of the families of schizophrenics suggested that deviant pursuit eye movements may represent a genetic indicator of schizophrenia. This hypothesis would obtain confirmation if monzygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins who are discordant for schizophrenia were concordant for deviant eye tracking. This paper describes such a study. Smooth pursuit eye movements are those attendant upon following a moving target, and the speed of the target determines almost exactly the speed of the eyes. Rapid or saccadic movements are those that occur when fixation shifts, as when a person looks about a room from one object to another. In saccadic shifts, the eye can move at very rapid speeds, at times up to 600 degrees a second. In contrast, following movements break down into saccadic shifts if the target moves faster than about 40 degrees a second. A simple test of pursuit eye movements simply requires a subject to follow a pendulum. The pendulum, of course, oscillates at a continuously varying velocity, at first accelerating to a maximum and then decelerating to zero velocity. Electronystagmographic recording permits the investigator to obtain a permanent record of eye movements during the pursuit task.‘,2 In good pursuit eye movements the eyes should reproduce the sinusoidal wave form of the pendulum. Figure 1 shows four examples of pursuit movements. Normal eye tracking is represented in Figs la, lb. Deviations in eye tracking, such as those illustrated in Figs lc and Id are found in persons with some hemispheric and brain-stem lesions, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and some drug intoxications, particularly barbiturate and alcohol.3 In our studies we found that deviant eye tracking patterns in young schizophrenic patients occurred without the presence of organic disease and in a large number of their first-degree relatives the poor tracking occurred without either the presence of clinical schizophrenia or of organic pathology. Indeed, none of the relatives examined had visited a psychiatric facility for treatment for themselves and all were functioning quite adequately in the social