cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Salinity driven interactions between plant growth and a biological control agent

Abiotic conditions can influence the effect that herbivores have on plant growth. Such biotic and abiotic interactions are of special interest in plant biological control programs because the goal of herbivore suppression of the target weed may not be reached in some abiotic settings. Additionally, target invasive plants typically occur across diverse landscapes raising the possibility that local adaptation to site-specific conditions leads to phenotypic variation that can affect herbivore responses. Here, we used Tamarix, an invasive plant, and its associated biological control agent, Diorhabda carinulata, to investigate how local variation in soil salinity and host plant origin influence interactions between the two taxa. To test if Tamarix was adapted to local conditions, we collected plants from sites with either low or high groundwater salinity, asexually propagated them through multiple generations, and then treated them with their home or reciprocal salinity levels. We found that plants accumulated the most biomass when grown at the salinities of their origin site. The biological control agent, D. carinulata preferred plants grown at source site salinity when given a choice against plants grown in the reciprocal salinity treatment. Although plants compensated for herbivory by regrowing foliage over three defoliation events and maintained similar leaf biomass through regrowth, they ultimately had a reduced basal area and 62% lower root biomass compared to the controls. Thus, herbivory caused a shift in plant allocation of resources from overall growth to compensation, reducing root and stem investment. Overall, D. carinulata caused a significantly greater reduction in total biomass in the high salinity plants than the low salinity ones when grown at their source salinity (averages of 63% and 32% respectively). Thus, the Tamarix biological control program may experience its greatest efficacy in high salinity areas where the impact of the agent is the greatest, likely due to increased water stress and reduced resources to enable regrowth.
Generalized stability conditions for host–parasitoid population dynamics: Implications for biological control

Abstract Discrete-time models are the traditional approach for capturing population dynamics of insects living in the temperate regions of the world. We revisit classical discrete-time models of host–parasitoid population dynamics and provide novel results on the stability of the population dynamics. Discrete-time host–parasitoid models are characterized by update functions that connect the population densities from one year to the next, and a host escape response — the fraction of hosts escaping parasitism each year. For a general class of models we show that the stability can be simply characterized in terms of two quantities: the rate at which the host equilibrium changes with the host’s growth rate, and the sensitivity of the host’s escape response to the host density. Interestingly, stability is more likely to arise when the escape response is a decreasing function of the host density rather than an increasing function. Moreover, if the host’s escape response only depends on the parasitoid population density then the stability condition is further simplified to the host equilibrium density being an increasing function of the host’s reproduction rate. We interpret several mechanisms known for stabilizing host–parasitoid population dynamics in the context of these generalized stability conditions. Next, we introduce a hybrid approach for obtaining the update functions by solving ordinary differential equations that mechanistically capture the ecological interactions between the host and the parasitoid. This hybrid approach is used to study the suppression of host density by a parasitoid. Our analysis shows that when the parasitoid attacks the host at a constant rate, then the host density cannot be suppressed beyond a certain point without making the population dynamics unstable. In contrast, when the parasitoid’s attack rate increases with increasing host density (Type III functional response), then the host population density can be suppressed to arbitrarily low levels while maintaining system stability. These results have important implications for biological control where parasitoids are introduced to eliminate a pest that is the host species for the parasitoid.
Adoption of Robots for Disasters: Lessons from the Response to COVID-19

This publication describes how robot innovations are adopted during a disaster using the COVID-19 response, both as a natural experiment and a case study. While the reports do not provide full details to ascertain gaps in specific algorithms or specific subsystems, the size and the pervasiveness of the data permits examination of three questions, namely: how the need for a robot arises during a disaster; whether those needs are met with existing technically mature robots, adapting existing robots, or innovating new robots; and what are the major barriers to inserting robots into use during a disaster. The analysis utilizes a novel formal framework consisting of a sociotechnical work domain analysis, an extended demand analysis, and a rating of the technical maturity of each instance using the NASA Technical Readiness Assessment (TRA) ranking. Also covered are related works in modeling the adoption of robots and prior summative of the use of robots for the coronavirus pandemic, as well as a novel framework for analysis is discussed in detail. An analysis is also made of all Heritage systems, Engineering systems, and New systems. The paper concludes with findings for disaster robotics, then uses the model of adoption to make four recommendations for roboticists interested in developing and deploying technology for a disaster. This publication provides an in-depth overview and practical examples of how robots can be deployed during a disaster. As such it should prove useful for roboticists, researchers in various fields related to robotics as well as industry professionals who are responsible for saving lives and mitigating societal impacts in times of disaster.
An Essay on Teaching Race Issues in the Required Evidence Course: More Lessons from the O.J. Simpson Case

Legal scholars have been analyzing the impact of race and gender on a range of legal concepts including evidentiary categories and approaches for many years. Feminist scholars and Critical Race Theorists, especially, have questioned the neutrality of legal and evidentiary rules and exposed the unspoken sets of assumptions, values, and particular perspectives that underlie them. Oftentimes, these deep and fundamental concepts are more easily taught in advanced evidence courses or courses that specifically relate to feminist or critical race jurisprudence. Many professors try, however, to find ways to introduce some of these concepts and related issues into the basic law school curriculum. This Essay is an explanation of one of the ways that I have tried to explore some racial issues in a required evidence course.
The role of parental mediation in children's consumer socialization on the web

University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation. July 2010. Major: Mass Communication. Advisors: Ronald J. Faber and Jisu Huh. 1 computer file (PDF); vi, 234 pages, appendix pages 215-234.
An analysis of sampling programs to evaluate compliance with numerical standards: total phosphorus in Platte Lake, MI

AbstractPlatte Lake has a numerical standard for total phosphorus mandated in 2000 following judicial proceedings that requires volume weighted total phosphorus to be below 8 mg/m3 95% of the time. Compliance has been evaluated using an extensive monitoring program that collects samples at roughly biweekly intervals. Analysis indicates that the lake has been and remains in violation of the numerical standard. This large dataset provides a unique opportunity to utilize statistical methods to evaluate compliance while controlling the Type I and Type II errors and to determine the minimum number of samples needed to detect changes in total phosphorus concentrations. Regression and analysis of variance were used to improve the sampling design. Similar techniques were used to design optimal monitoring programs for hypothetical lakes having a large range of total phosphorus concentrations and trophic conditions. Lakes with low total phosphorus concentrations require relatively few measurements during the year, ...
Macromolecular specificity determinants on thrombin for fibrinogen and thrombomodulin.

Abstract The endothelial cell surface membrane protein thrombomodulin binds thrombin with high affinity and acts as both a cofactor for protein C activation and an inhibitor of fibrinogen hydrolysis. We have previously shown that bovine thrombomodulin is a competitive inhibitor of fibrinogen binding to thrombin but has no effect on thrombin activity toward tripeptide substrates or antithrombin III. Hence, thrombomodulin and fibrinogen may share macromolecular specificity sites on thrombin which are distinct from the active site. In this investigation, we have studied the interaction of thrombin-thrombomodulin with fibrinogen and various thrombin derivatives. We show that fibrinogen is a competitive inhibitor of thrombomodulin binding to thrombin, with a Kis = 10 microM. Thrombin derivatives (bovine (pyridoxal phosphate)4-thrombin and human thrombin Quick I), which bind fibrinogen with much reduced affinity, are shown to also interact with thrombomodulin with greatly reduced affinity. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that thrombomodulin and fibrinogen share macromolecular specificity sites on thrombin.
Use of the MIB-1 antibody for detecting proliferating cells in the retina.

Purpose To study intraretinal proliferation as a response to experimental retinal detachment using an antibody that recognizes the nuclear specific antigen Ki-67 in proliferating cells. Methods Experimental retinal detachments were produced in cats (1, 3, 7, and 28 days) and rabbits (1, 3, and 7 days). The animals were killed and the eyes were fixed and embedded in paraffin. Histologic sections were processed for immunohistochemistry using the MIB-1 antibody to detect the Ki-67 protein. Labeled cells were identified, and the proliferative response was quantified. Results In normal cat retina, approximately 0.05 cells per millimeter of retina are labeled. In cat retina detached for 1, 3, 7, or 28 days, the number of cells labeled by MIB-1 is 0.06, 5.03, 1.38, and 0.23 cells per millimeter of retina, respectively. MIB-1 labeling yields an approximate fivefold increase over the number of proliferating cells detected in retinal sections using 3H-thymidine autoradiography. Detachment of the rabbit retina elicits a similar response as measured by MIB-1 immunohistochemistry. Conclusions In contrast to 3H-thymidine, which labels cells in S-phase only, the MIB-1 antibody labels proliferating cells regardless of their location within the cell cycle. MIB-1 labeling, therefore, is a more accurate means of evaluating cellular proliferation in the retina and elsewhere in the central nervous system, and it is a relatively simple way of evaluating the effects of agents that may affect this response.
1,5-Diazocinesface

Publisher Summary This chapter covers the eight-membered rings with two nitrogen atoms in a 1,5-position to each other and their fused-ring analogues. The nomenclature of 1,5-diazocines is similar to that for azocines and 1 ,4 diazocines, especially the latter. The completely conjugated compound is called 1,5-diazocine. The partially saturated derivatives are prefixed dihydro, tetrahydro, etc. The totally saturated compound is called perhydro-l,5-diazocine or 1,5- diazacyclooctane. This chapter highlights the preparative methods, theoretical and structural studies, and various other reactions involving diazocines. Lastly, the chapter also lists out the various applications of diazocines and its analogues.
Multimedia Learning: Spatial Contiguity Principle

Spatial Contiguity Principle: Students learn better when corresponding words and pictures are presented near rather than far from each other on the page or screen . Theoretical Rationale: When corresponding words and pictures are near each other on the page or screen, learners do not have to use cognitive resources to visually search the page or screen and learners are more likely to be able to hold them both in working memory at the same time. When corresponding words and pictures are far from each other on the page or screen, learners have to use cognitive resources to visually search the page or screen for corresponding words and pictures. Thus, learners are less likely to be able to hold them both in working memory at the same time . Empirical Rationale: In two of two tests, learners performed better on retention tests when corresponding text and illustrations were placed near each other on the page (or when corresponding on-screen text and animation segments were placed near each other on the screen) than when they were placed far away from each other. In five of five tests, learners performed better on transfer tests when corresponding text and illustrations were placed near each other on the page (or when corresponding on-screen text and animation segments were placed near each other on the screen) than when they were placed far away from each other . INTRODUCTION Space as an Economic Resource When it comes to presenting multimedia material – words and pictures – on a computer screen or textbook page, the amount of available space is limited.
Signalling Demand for Foreign Investment: Postsocialist Countries in the Global Bilateral Investment Treaties Network

A unique dataset on bilateral investment treaties provides a novel source of evidence on the link between neoliberal globalisation and market transition. We argue that postsocialist countries of Europe and Eurasia, more than other developing regions in the world, signed such treaties to signal demand for foreign investment in the spirit of neoliberalism. We calculated the density of the whole BIT network since its inception in 1959 to 2009, and density and centrality of different regional blocks within it, and found strong support for our argument. Yet, even if bilateral investment treaties are designed to promote foreign direct investment, dynamic panel regression models show that signing them does not automatically translate into foreign direct investment inflows for postsocialist European and Eurasian countries in the 1990–2010 period.
Evaluation of the averaged specular component of reflectance.

Rigorous definitions are presented of local as well as overall specular components of thermal reflectance. Approximations are then made to reduce the definitions to a workable form from which the overall specular component of reflectance can be calculated. Some illustrative results are also given which examine the influence of various parameters.
Effect of mutations in vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP) on the assembly of multimeric protein complexes.

The assembly of multimeric protein complexes that include vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP-2) and the plasma membrane proteins syntaxin 1A and synaptosome-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25) are thought to reflect the biochemical correlates of synaptic vesicle targeting, priming, or fusion. Using a variety of protein–protein interaction assays and a series of deletion and point mutations, we have investigated the domains of VAMP-2 required for the formation of binary complexes with either syntaxin 1A or SNAP-25 and ternary complexes with both syntaxin 1A and SNAP-25. Deletions within the central conserved domain of VAMP-2 eliminated binding to either syntaxin 1A or both syntaxin 1A and SNAP-25. Although all of the deletion mutants were able to form ternary complexes, only some of these complexes were resistant to denaturation in sodium dodecyl sulfate. These results demonstrate that cooperative interactions result in the formation of at least two biochemically distinct classes of ternary complex. Two point mutations previously shown to have effects on the intracellular trafficking of VAMP-2 (M46A, reduced endocytosis and sorting to synaptic vesicles; N49A, enhanced sorting to synaptic vesicles) lie within a domain required for both syntaxin 1A and SNAP-25 binding. Syntaxin 1A and SNAP-25 binding was reduced by the M46A mutation and enhanced by the N49A mutation, suggesting that a correlation exists between the membrane-trafficking phenotype of the two VAMP-2 point mutants and their competence to form complexes with either syntaxin 1A or SNAP-25.
Fetch- and Duration-Limited Nature of Surface Wave Growth inside Tropical Cyclones: With Applications to Air–Sea Exchange and Remote Sensing*

AbstractThe 2D wavenumber spectra collected by an airborne scanning radar altimeter in hurricane hunter missions are used to investigate the fetch- and duration-limited nature of wave growth inside hurricanes. Despite the much more complex wind-forcing conditions, the dimensionless growth curves obtained with the wind-wave triplets (reference wind velocity, significant wave height, and dominant wave period) inside hurricanes, except near the eye region, are comparable to the reference similarity counterparts constructed with the wind-wave triplets collected in field experiments conducted under ideal quasi-steady fetch-limited conditions. In dimensionless terms, the youngest waves are in the back quarter of the hurricane. In the Northern Hemisphere, the dimensionless frequency decreases systematically counterclockwise (CCW), and the most mature waves are in the left-hand sector. Except for those waves near the eye region, the dominant wave phase speeds are about 0.32 to 0.71 times of the local wind speed, ...
Surface‐confined photopolymerization of single‐ and mixed‐monomer systems to tailor the wettability of poly(L‐lactide) film

The major objective of this research was to modify the surface characteristics of poly(L-lactide) (PLA) by grafting a combination of hydrophilic polymers to produce a continuum of hydrophilicity. The PLA film was solvent cast, and the film surfaces were activated by ultra violet (UV) irradiation. A single monomer or combination of two monomers, selected from vinyl acetate (VAc), acrylic acid (AA), and acrylamide (AAm), were then grafted to the PLA film surface using a UV induced photopolymerization process. The film surfaces resulting from each reaction step were analyzed using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and contact angle goniometry. Results showed that AAm dominated the hydrophilicity of the film surface when copolymerized with VAc or AA, while the water contact angles for PLA films grafted with poly(vinyl acetate-co-acrylic acid) varied more gradually with feed composition. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6534-6543, 2006
Integration of DFB lasers with surface-micromachined wavelength-monitoring devices for WDM systems

A novel precision wavelength monitor comprising 3D microlenses and rotatable gratings has been demonstrated on a single chip of Si using free-space micro-optical bench (FSMOB) technique. Batch-fabricated by surface- micromachining, the integrable wavelength monitor is potentially low cost, light weight, and small volume, and can be directly incorporated into the packages of active semiconductor optoelectronic sources and detectors. All the micro-optical elements on the FSMOB have been `pre-aligned' during the layout of the photomasks. A 1.3 micrometers distributed feedback (DFB) laser has been integrated with this micro- wavelength-meter on the Si substrate using a self-aligned hybrid-integration scheme. A laser-power-independent linear response has been obtained over the entire thermal tuning range of the DFB laser (1.2 nm). The wavelength reading can potentially by fed back to control and stabilize the wavelength of the DFB laser for wavelength-division multiplexed optical communication systems. It is also very useful for spectroscopy applications.
Supporting recovery, privacy and security in RFID systems using a robust authentication protocol

RFID systems have been scrutinized nowadays as one of the emerging technologies in pervasive environment. And authentication becomes indispensible in applications where security and privacy are major concerns. Besides thwarting some major attacks, RFID systems need to be able to recover from unexpected conditions during operation. In this paper, we propose a Robust Authentication Protocol (RoAP) that supports not only security and privacy, but also recovery in RFID systems. The protocol can get back the desynchronized tags and readers to their normal state, and thus provides robustness. We also present a "safety ring" consisted of six major goals that have to ensure by each RFID system to be secured. This paper illustrates security and robustness analysis of the protocol. Finally, we present the implementation of our authentication protocol.
The dependence of yield strength on lamellar termination density in Co-CoAl eutectic alloys

Abstract The compressive yield strength of directionally solidified Co-CoAl eutectic alloys was measured in specimens containing a range of lamellar termination densities but at approximately a constant interlamellar spacing. The yield strength was found to decrease as the transverse lamellar termination density increased. A linear dependence of yield strength on the distance between the terminations is observed provided the spacing between terminations is less than 500 μ. For spacings greater than this, the yield strength is approximately constant. These observations are attributed to a relaxation in constraint on deformation between the two phases due to the initiation of enhanced slip in the vicinity of the terminations.
Decoupled Compressed Cache: Exploiting Spatial Locality for Energy Optimization

Last-level caches (LLCs) play a crucial role in reducing multicore system energy by filtering out expensive accesses to main memory. Cache compression can increase effective LLC capacity and reduce misses. However, previous designs limit compression benefits caused by internal fragmentation, limited tags, and energy-expensive recompaction when a block's size changes. The authors propose decoupled compressed cache (DCC), which uses decoupled superblocks and noncontiguous sub-block allocation to decrease tag overhead without increasing internal fragmentation and to eliminate the need for energy-expensive recompaction. They also demonstrate a practical design based on a recent commercial LLC design.
The microwave spectra and dipole moments of the cyanopyridines

Abstract Rotational transitions of 4-cyanopyridine, 3-cyanopyridine and 2-cyanopyridine have been observed and assigned. The values of the rotational constants for these three molecules are (in MHz): 4-cyanopyridine A=6000. B=1541.19 C=1226.00 3-cyanopyridine A=5823.01 B=1571.34 =1237.17 2-cyanopyridine A=5835.756 1598.219 1254.460 The dipole moment components were also measured and are (in Debye): 4-cyanopyridine μ a =1.96 μ b =0 μ total =1.96 3-cyanopyridine μ a =3.13 μ b =1.90 μ total =3.66 2-cyanopyridine μ a =5.47 μ b =1.87 μ total =5.78
Likelihood for false positives using bacterially-expressed recombinant proteins in anti-angiogenesis studies.

Commentary to:Kringle 5 of Human Plasminogen Suppresses hepatocellular Carcinoma Growth Both in Grafted and Xenografted Mice by Anti-Angiogenic ActivityXia Yang, Rui Cheng, Chaoyang Li, Weibin Cai, Jian-xing Ma, Qianping Liu, Zhonghan Yang, Zhihong Song, Zuguo Liu and Guoquan Gao
Extractions with β-diketones as chelating solvents

Abstract This study was undertaken to prepare a liquid compound with low water solubility which would form metal chelates readily and also act in the dual role of organic solvent in the solvent extractions of metal chelates. The compounds 7-methyl-2,4-octanedione and 1,1,1-trifluoro-7-methyl-2,4-octanedione were prepared and their P and K values determined. Radiotracer distribution studies with 9 metals indicate that the stated goal was reached. The observed distribution coefficients for the majority of the metals were much larger than those obtained with another pure β-diketone, acetylacetone. Also, extractions occur at lower pH values. Ion-pair phenomena are indicated in several cases. The principal general difference between the fluorinated and non-fluorinated β-diketones is a shift in the distribution curves towards the acid region for the fluorinated compounds.
Response: Katharsis and the Akedah

Le sacrifice d'Isaac par Abraham en Genese 22 a toujours provoque de nombreux commentaires. Ainsi, pour Sherryll Mleynek, l'Akedha constitue une tragedie aristotelicienne incomplete dans laquelle il n'existe pas de resolution du pathos grâce a la catharsis. A travers huits remarques, les AA. proposent une critique du point de vue de Mleynek qui leur apparait incomplet du point de vue du contexte, douteux sur le plan de l'hermeneutique et qui conduit dans une mauvaise direction. Le sacrifice n'est pas moralement repugnant, mais se presente comme un test et meme une parabole
Early Child Care: The Known and the Unknown

Child care research during the last 20 years has made considerable progress in addressing questions about (a) the effects of child care quality, (b) the effects of amount and timing of early child care, and (c) the effects of different types of care such as centers, child care homes, and relative care. This commentary summarizes the converging research evidence with respect to each of these questions and then outlines some future directions for child care research. The second half of the 20th century witnessed substantial changes in the lives of young children as maternal employment increased and more children participated in nonparental care arrangements. The available evidence indicates that these care arrangements vary widely in quality, amount, and type (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Early Child Care Research Network [NICHD ECCRN], 1996; 2000a; U.S. Census Bureau, 2003). These variations and the large number of children in care (over 10 million children in the United States in 1999) have raised several questions: (a) Does quality of early child care matter? (b) Does amount and timing of early child care matter? and (c) Does type of early child care matter? Answers to these questions are important for parents and policymakers who are interested in the individual and collective well-being of children. They also are important for developmental theory because of their relevance to fundamental issues in the discipline such as the role
A comparison of the tryptic peptides of hemoglobin from Microtus pennsylvanicus tananaensis, mus musculus and man

Abstract Twenty-two tryptic peptides of the α plus β chains of hemoglobin (Hb). taken from Microtuspennsylvanicus tananaensis , were identified as homologs of tryptic peptides from human Hb and account for 210 amino acids out of a total of 287 expected. Seven peptides could not be identified as homologs. With reference to the 210 amino acids identified in Microtus Hb: (a) there are 35 differences between Hb of man and Microtus (confined to 14 of the homologous peptides as compared to 28 differences between Hb of white mouse and man); (b) there are 22 differences between Hb of white mouse and Microtus .
Fulminant Clostridium difficile -associated pouchitis with a fatal outcome

Background. A 61-year-old woman who had undergone an ileostomy closure 10 days previously presented to a tertiary medical center with abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and oliguria. The patient had undergone a staged total proctocolectomy with ileal-pouch-anal anastomosis and a loop ileostomy 8 months previously to treat her steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis.Investigations. Physical examination, abdominal and pelvic CT scan, blood laboratory tests, pouch endoscopy, and fecal testing for Clostridium difficle toxins A and B.Diagnosis. Fulminant C. difficile-associated pouchitis and enteritis, which led to Psuedomonas aeruginosa septicemia, intravascular coagulopathy, acute renal failure, hemorrhagic ascites and respiratory failure and eventual death.Management. Intravenous hydration, aggressive therapy with oral and intravenous antibiotics, supportive care, hemodialysis, and intubation.
The Accuracy of Dermatology Network Physician Directories Posted by Medicare Advantage Health Plans in an Era of Narrow Networks

Importance Insurers are increasingly deploying “narrow networks” with fewer contracted physicians both in health plans offered in new state exchanges under the Affordable Care Act and in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, which are commercial alternatives offered to Medicare beneficiaries. Patients choosing health plans rely on the accuracy of network directories posted by insurers. The MA plans must meet network adequacy requirements, and inaccurate directories of participating physicians might prejudice those determinations. Objective To determine the accuracy of MA plan directories of participating dermatologists, and the appointment availability of listed physicians. Design, Setting, and Participants Scripted telephone calls were placed to every dermatologist listed in directories for the largest MA plans in 12 US metropolitan areas. The caller sought an appointment on behalf of his fictitious father who had severe itch for several months, asked whether the dermatologist accepted the relevant plan, and asked for the next available appointment date. Main Outcomes and Measures Appointment availability and wait time. Results Among 4754 total physician listings, 45.5% represented duplicates in the same plan directory. Among the remaining unique listings, 48.9% of physicians were reachable, accepted the listed plan, and offered an appointment for our fictitious patient. Many of the dermatologists listed had incorrect contact information, were deceased, retired, or had moved, were not accepting new patients, did not accept the insurance plan, or were subspecialized. The mean (range) wait time for appointments among the remaining listings was 45.5 (1-414) days. Both the accuracy of network directories and the appointment wait times varied substantially by health plan and metropolitan area. For 1 plan, our caller was unable to obtain an appointment with any listed dermatologist. Conclusions and Relevance Medicare Advantage physician directories for dermatology in many areas substantially overestimate the number of in-network physicians available to treat patients with medical skin conditions. These inaccuracies occurred in areas with long appointment wait times and where plans are terminating selected physician contracts. This suggests a lack of capacity that would be exacerbated by further network narrowing. Accurate physician directories are essential for proper oversight of network adequacy, and for patients who rely on these listings to evaluate health plan options during open enrollment.
Direct and Frequent Measurement of Student Performance: If It's Good for Us, Why Don't We Do It?.

Teachers serving learning disabled (LD) students provided information about the use of direct and frequent measurement in special education. Although most were familiar with these measurement strat...
Systemic production of prostacyclin and thromboxane A2 does not correlate with patency of the ductus arteriosus in very low birth weight infants.

Urinary excretion of prostacyclin and thromboxane metabolites (2,3-dinor-6-ketoprostaglandin F 1α , thromboxane B 2 , and 2,3-dinor-thromboxane B 2 ) as indices of systemic biosynthesis was prospectively determined in nine premature infants during the first 10 days of life, by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The patients ranged in gestational age from 27 to 29 weeks and in birth weight from 720 to 980 gm. Four infants developed symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Excretion of all metabolites exceeded adult values on the basis of body surface area at birth, reached a maximum on the fourth day of life, was related to urine output, and did not distinguish patients with and without symptomatic PDA. We conclude that neither circulating prostacyclin nor thromboxane A 2 contribute significantly to the pathophysiology of symptomatic PDA in very low birth weight infants.
Bias in Recruited Sample Research on Children with Same-Sex Parents Using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)

Aims: To test for the presence of bias on use of a common psychometric instrument, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), in studies of children with same-sex parents using a recruited convenience sample.Study Design: Non-parametric quasi-experimental two-group comparison.Methodology: Results from five qualifying studies, two with random samples and three with recruited samples, were compared with normative population data, assessing the percent of comparisons favorable or unfavorable to children with same-sex parents for six subscale measures.Results: In the recruited samples 79.3 % (range: 75-83) of comparisons were favorable to children with same-sex parents, compared with no favorable comparisons (0%, range 0-0) in the random samples. Two additional random samples with related measures were also adduced, also with no favorable comparisons (0%, range 0-0).Conclusion: Evidence suggests strong bias resulting in false positive outcomes for parent-reported SDQ in recruited samples of same-sex parents.
Business strategies among East Indian entrepreneurs in Toronto: The role of group resources and opportunity structure

Abstract This article examines the class and ethnic resources used by East Indian immigrants in self‐owned enterprise and the opportunity structure within which they operate. A non‐probability sample (N=38) of East Indian entrepreneurs in Toronto is the primary data source. Major findings attest to an individualistic business strategy employed by these entrepreneurs in which class resources are more consequential than ethnic networks or communal ties.
Following the Learning Curve: The Evolution of Kinder, Gentler Neonatal Respiratory Technology

Immense progress has been made in all aspects of neonatal critical care during the past 4 decades, particularly in the realm of respiratory support. A historical overview of the evolution of neonatal respiratory support illustrates how technological advances are improving survival and outcome for many sick newborns. Major milestones in this history include continuous positive airway pressure, conventional ventilation, exogenous surfactant, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and high frequency ventilation. Changes in clinical and nursing care highlight the significant impact of technological and practice advances on neonatal respiratory morbidity. Although bronchopulmonary dysplasia still occurs, the incidence and severity have decreased. The nature and outcome of the neonatal intensive-care experience has been redefined for many infants; however, great challenges remain in the care of infants on the edge of viability.
Synthesis and corrosion study of zirconia-coated carbonyl iron particles

This paper describes the surface modification of micrometer-sized magnetic carbonyl iron particles (CI) with zirconia from zirconium(IV) butoxide using a sol–gel method. Zirconia shells with various thicknesses and different grain sizes and shapes are coated on the surface of CI particles by changing the reaction conditions, such as the amounts of zirconia sol, nitric acid, and CI particles. A silica adhesive layer made from 3-aminopropyl trimethoxysilane (APTMS) can be introduced first onto the surface of CI particles in order to adjust both the size and the shape of zirconia crystals, and thus the roughness of the coating. The microanalyses on these coated particles are studied by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray-diffraction (XRD). Accelerated acid corrosion and air oxidation tests indicate that the coating process dramatically improved oxidation and acid corrosion resistances, which are critical issues in various applications of CI magnetic particles.
Exact solution for functionally graded and layered magneto-electro-elastic plates

Abstract In this paper, an exact solution is presented for the multilayered rectangular plate made of functionally graded, anisotropic, and linear magneto-electro-elastic materials. While the edges of the plate are under simply supported conditions, general mechanical, electric and magnetic boundary conditions can be applied on both the top and bottom surfaces of the plate. The functionally graded material is assumed to be exponential in the thickness direction and the homogeneous solution in each layer is obtained based on the pseudo-Stroh formalism. For multilayered plate structure, the propagator matrix method is employed so that only a 5 × 5 system of linear algebraic equations needs to be solved. The exact solution is then applied to two functionally graded (exponential) sandwich plates made of piezoelectric BaTiO3 and magnetostrictive CoFe2O4, under mechanical and electric loads on the top surface. While the numerical results clearly show the influence of the exponential factor, magneto-electro-elastic properties, and loading types on induced magneto-electric-elastic fields, they can also serve as benchmarks to numerical methods such as the finite and boundary element methods.
Reply to Berry

PROFESSOR BERRY makes a valid point about the appropriate test of significance of gamma. His remarks do not, however, alter the findings or conclusions of my paper. As he notes, the relationships given in the published paper are statistically significant. The crucial question involves those relationships which I reported as nonsignificant and which therefore led me to explore alternatives. Professor Berry suggests that an appropriate test of significance may have revealed a significant relationship between occupational and religious mobility per se. But clearly the chi-square is the appropriate test in this case, for the categories are mobility and nonmobility. The former category can be broken down further into upward and downward mobility. As stated in the article, I did in fact examine these relationships. For instance, in tabulating the relationship between occupational mobility (upward, downward, and nonmobile) and religious mobility (mobile and nonmobile), I found the chi-square value to be 0.54 with two degrees of freedom. The proportion of those religiously mobile was 27.5 percent for the upwardly mobile in occupation, 25.2 percent for the downwardly mobile, and 25.3 percent for the nonmobile. Thus, as reported, I found no relationship between occupational and religious mobility per se. Because of this finding, I turned to an analysis of distance moved. For distance, the appropriate measure of association becomes gamma. And, as Professsor Berry points out, the appropriate test of significance involves the z-score. With respect to the errors and discrepancies in the tables, most were printer's errors.' Regrettably, they were not detected and corrected during proofreading. The discrepancies between tables 1 and 2 are unfortunate but easily explained. Table 1 correctly reported 240 mobiles and 762 nonmobiles. Table 2 has two cells-"other Protestant" and "other or no religion"-which contain, by their very nature, both mobiles and nonmobiles (that is, unlike the other cells, they contain a number of different kinds of religion as well as the category of "no religion" in the last cell). This is difficult to show in the table, but should have been indicated by a footnote, for seven individuals were mobile within those two categories. Obviously, none of the above affects the findings and conclusions of the paper. The statistical point made by Professor Berry is well taken, but the substantive findings of the paper remain as reported.
Common Interlimb Asymmetries and Neurogenic Responses during Upper Limb Neurodynamic Testing: Implications for Test Interpretation

Abstract Study Design Clinical measurement pilot study. Introduction Upper limb neurodynamic testing (ULNT1) uses interlimb comparisons to investigate nerve sensitivity to movement. Purpose of the Study To establish the magnitude of range of motion asymmetries between limbs and the frequency of neurogenic sensory responses during ULNT1. Methods Elbow extension range of motion (EE-ROM) and sensory responses were measured during ULNT1 in dominant and nondominant limbs for 40 asymptomatic participants. Structural differentiation was performed to examine if sensory responses were associated with neurogenic sources. Results The average intraindividual EE-ROM asymmetry was 7.28 deg (6.68 standard deviation) (95% confidence interval: 5.18, 9.28). Sensory responses in the limbs during ULNT1 were altered by structural differentiation in 95% of participants. An intraindividual, interlimb difference of ≥10 deg exceeds the range of common asymmetry during ULNT1. Conclusions Neurogenic sensory responses are common findings in healthy individuals and should be acknowledged when interpreting ULNT1 findings. Level of Evidence 3a.
The orality in phobias.

An attempt has been made to focus on the orality in the phobic reaction. The fear of losing control of oral hostility and the fear of oral incorporative guilt are ego-threatening and may be handled by phobic avoidance. Aichmophobia or the dread of sharp objects is presented not as an oedipal or castration anxiety but as fundamentally an oral solution in a decompensating ego.
Organic Molecules and Water in the Planet Formation Region of Young Circumstellar Disks

The chemical composition of protoplanetary disks is expected to hold clues to the physical and chemical processes that influence the formation of planetary systems. However, characterizing the gas composition in the planet formation region of disks has been a challenge to date. We report here that the protoplanetary disk within 3 astronomical units of AA Tauri possesses a rich molecular emission spectrum in the mid-infrared, indicating a high abundance of simple organic molecules (HCN, C2H2, and CO2), water vapor, and OH. These results suggest that water is abundant throughout the inner disk and that the disk supports an active organic chemistry.
A serological marker for neonatal lupus erythematosus.

SUMMARY Precipitating antibodies to cellular antigens, designated SS-A(Ro), were found in the sera of seven of eight infants with lupus erythematosus, but they were not found in seventy-one control
Comparison of microscopic vascularity in benign and malignant prostate tissue.

A variety of malignant neoplasms have been shown to induce capillary neovascularization, and in some cases the degree of vascularization appears to correlate with aggressive behavior and risk of metastasis. We hypothesized that carcinoma of the prostate also induces the formation of new capillaries, and we developed a method to quantify the relative density of microscopic vessels in carcinoma of the prostate compared with benign prostatic glandular tissue. The number of microvessel profiles in tissue sections was quantified by marking the vascular endothelial cells with antibodies to factor VIII-related antigen using standard immunohistochemistry techniques and comparing fields of adenocarcinoma with benign glandular tissue in 15 radical prostatectomy specimens. The analysis was facilitated by using the Optimas computerized image analysis system (Bioscan, Seattle, WA) with software written for this investigation. Fourteen of the 15 cases demonstrated significantly higher vascular density in the areas of carcinoma than in the benign tissues. Overall, the ratio of vessels per unit area in sections of carcinoma versus benign tissue was approximately double (ratio = 2.02; P < .001). In benign tissues the capillaries are restricted for the most part to the periglandular stroma immediately adjacent to the epithelium, whereas the distribution in carcinoma appears to be more random. The data demonstrate the increased density of capillaries in prostatic carcinoma when compared with benign prostate tissue.
Children's Moral Reasoning about Self and Others Effects of Identity of the Story Character and Cost of Helping

In two studies, we examined children's reasoning about prosocial moral dilemmas in which the cost of helping and/or the identity of the story protagonist (self versus a third-person other) were varied. In Experiment 1, preschool children who responded to stories in which they themselves were characters verbalized more hedonistic reasoning, used less reasoning in which they were oriented toward the other's needs, and were less likely to say that they should help the needy other than were children who reasoned about third-person others. In Experiment 2, identity of the protagonist, cost of helping for the protagonist (a low cost condition was added), and age of the subject (preschool versus first grade) were varied. For children in the high cost condition (but not the low cost condition), the pattern of results was similar to that in Experiment 1. Age differences in judgments were somewhat greater when the cost of helping was low.
Big Questions? Big History?

Books reviewed in this article: Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond The Structure of Big History: From the Big Bang until Today by Fred Spier
Spectacle Correction of Aphakia: How Aspheric Do They Have to Be?

A comparison of spheric and aspheric cataract lenses was carried out on 28 patients with uncomplicated surgery. Lenses were evaluated with respect to eccentric acuity, visual field, ring scotoma, magnification, distortion, and subjective preferences. The results suggest that design differences can be applied to specific visual tasks, thus improving clinical lens prescribing.
Solid–liquid equilibrium for non-hydrostatic stress

Abstract We examine Gibbs’ conditions for equilibrium of a non-hydrostatically stressed single component solid in equilibrium across one of its faces with a pure liquid at pressure p F . We show that the equilibrium melting temperature T N for the non-hydrostatically stressed solid in contact with a melt at pressure p F is below the equilibrium melting temperature T H of the hydrostatically stressed solid at p F . Furthermore, for small strain and linear isotropic elasticity, the deviation, T H − T N , is shown to be quadratic in the differences between the principal values of the stress tensor and − p F . The result depends on both the bulk modulus and the shear modulus of the solid. Even for stresses as large as a typical yield stress, T H − T N is equal to 1 K or less. Nevertheless, the liquid in equilibrium with this non-hydrostatically stressed solid is always unstable with respect to the formation of hydrostatic solid.
Understanding professional service delivery

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to apply concepts from organizational and social identity theories to theoretically consider different ways that professional service providers conceptualize their roles and deliver their knowledge.Design/methodology/approach – The paper is a conceptual discussion to advance the understanding of professional service delivery, within the realm of service‐quality research.Findings – The field has yet to provide a clear understanding of what professional service delivery actually looks like. The paper offers propositions examining the process by which professionals identify with membership in their profession and firms that in turn, influence their expert‐based self‐concepts, the images they form of their clients as recipients of their knowledge, and ways they create the service exchange. The paper also considers the impact of professional and organizational identification on the types of clientele professionals may develop.Research limitations/implications – The paper ...