cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal study of cognition among adolescent marijuana users over three weeks of abstinence

Background Cognitive deficits that persist up to a month have been detected among adult marijuana users, but decrements and their pattern of recovery are less known in adolescent users. Previously, we reported cognitive deficits among adolescent marijuana users after one month of abstinence (Medina, Hanson, Schweinsburg, Cohen-Zion, Nagel, & Tapert, 2007). In this longitudinal study, we characterized neurocognitive changes among marijuana-using adolescents across the first three weeks of abstinence.
Bend it like Beckham? [AP-S Turnstile]

Years ago, I drove an old Chevy into a carwash. When I exited, the car sparkled, but, to my great dismay, the monopole whip antenna mounted on the hood had popped off at some point during the wash and dry cycle, leaving me without my AM car radio for months. While that was just a small inconvenience, having an antenna on a critical communication radio snap into two in a battlefield situation can have dire consequences.
Simultaneous intensity, birefringence, and flow measurements using high-speed fiber-based optical coherence tomography

Recent extensions to conventional OCT imaging include polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) and optical Doppler tomography (ODT), enabling further information to be acquired in addition to tissue structure. We demonstrate here that structure, birefringence and blood flow measurements may be carried out simultaneously, using both techniques of polarization-sensitive OT and phase- resolved ODT. Images of in vivo human skin acquired with a high-speed fiber-based system are presented. The concurrent processing of data is performed with no penalty to signal- to-noise ratio, and without degradation of either the individual structure, birefringence or flow images.
Precipitin activity of rabbit macroglobulin antibody.

Abstract Quantitative precipitin analyses were made with a macroglobulin fraction of a primary response antiserum to diazobenzidine-BSA. In contrast to the reaction of 7 S anti-BSA the macroglobulin antibody-antigen complexes showed no evidence of solubility in extreme antigen excess. Using labeled antigen, the antibody to antigen ratios were calculated and extrapolated to infinite antigen excess. If a molecular weight of rabbit macroglobulin of 900,000 is assumed, a maximum of five antigen molecules could be bound by a macroglobulin antibody. When a comparison of equal molar concentrations of high and low molecular weight anti-BSA fractions was made by the passive hemagglutination procedure, the macroglobulin was about ten times more active than the 7 S antibody.
Some Salient Features in Farm Organization

In our discussion of some of the salient features in farm organiza tion we should, no doubt, find it profitable to make a careful examina tion of the question, from the standpoint of both the financial and physical organization of the farm. Both of these phases of farm organization are of primary importance, and no study of the question would be complete without paying considerable attention to the prob lems involved under these two heads. Because of the limited time at my disposal, however, and because of the fact' that these phases of the problem are perhaps better understood than others which I hope to discuss more in detail I shall only touch upon a few of the most important considerations in the financial and physical organiza tion of a farming business. In the financial organization of a farm we are concerned mainly with the size of the business which is, best adapted to the particular type of farming under consideration, and with the most advantageous distribution of the; investment in the various items of farm property. While we have not as yet determined with any high degree of ac curacy the best size of business for the principal types of farming, we have determined. within reasonably narrow limits-the minimum size which is fairly well adapted to the successful operation of farms carrying on. the principal types of farming in the different type areas. Thus we find that in nearly all of the areas studied the minimum size of farm which seems to be well adapted to the prevailing type of fa'rming is one which is large enough to provide full employment for approximately two men. In the middle west, insofar as is shown by the data available, this means that the minimum size for successful farms ranges from 80 to 100 acres of crop for dairy farms; from, 120 to 140 acres of crop for mixed farms on which the major part of the crops grown is fed to meat-producing animals; and from 150 to. 180 acres of crop for grain farms on which most of the crops grown ?are sold directly. Naturally the acreage of crops raised, will be a better
Characteristics of malfunctioning channels in pediatric cochlear implants

Objectives/Hypothesis: To examine the characteristics of pediatric cochlear implant channel malfunction preceding device failure. Study Design: Retrospective review. Methods: All pediatric patients who underwent cochlear implantation at a tertiary academic medical center were reviewed regarding device type, reason for replacement, time to replacement, and timing and pattern of channel faults in failed versus nonfailed devices. Results: Between 1993 and 2008, 264 pediatric cochlear implantations were performed. With an average 894-day follow-up, the replacement rate was 9.5% (25/264). Reasons for replacement were device failure (6.4%), medical/surgical failure (2.3%), and obsolescence (0.8%). Replacement rates were comparable among Advanced Bionics (13.3%), Cochlear Corporation (6.3%), and MED-EL (10.3%) devices. Fifty-two cochlear implants developed at least one channel fault, and 13 eventually progressed to failure requiring replacement. MED-EL devices comprised 12 of these 13 failures. At the 12-month follow-up interval, one, three, and five channel faults predicted 40%, 75%, and 100% probabilities of eventual electrode failure, respectively. Channels destined to fail demonstrated small, yet statistically significant, impedance elevations 12 months before failure and large elevations 3 months before failure. Conclusions: Replacement of cochlear implants in pediatric patients is common and is due to device malfunction about one half of the time. Earlier initial channel fault, earlier subsequent channel faults, adjacent channel faults, and a greater total number of channel faults were associated with the need for replacement surgery. Elevations in a channel's impedance should raise the concern for an impending failure. These predictors can help the cochlear implant team when considering surgery to replace the device. Laryngoscope, 2010
Cyclophilins: a new family of proteins involved in intracellular folding

Proteins of the cyclophilin family display two intriguing properties. On the one hand, they are the intracellular receptors for the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin A (CsA); on the other hand, they function in vitro as enzymes that catalyse slow steps in protein folding. A dissection of the role of CsA in mediating immunosuppression, together with recent studies on the biology of cyclophilins in the absence of this ligand, is providing fundamental insight into the cellular function of this protein family.
Effects of habitat complexity and predator exclusion on the abundance of juvenile red snapper

Predator exclusion and habitat complexity factors that may affect juvenile red snapper Lutjanus campechanus habitat selection were examined in field and laboratory experiments. A significant predator exclusion effect was detected. Uncaged shell habitats showed significantly lower numbers of age 0 year red snapper, and both uncaged shell and block-shell habitats showed significantly lower numbers of age 1 year red snapper compared with caged habitats (P < 0·001). Habitat complexity also affected age 0 year red snapper, as mean abundance significantly decreased with decreased habitat complexity (P < 0·001). In the laboratory, age 0 year red snapper association with complex habitats significantly increased with exposure to a predator Gulf flounder Paralichthys albigutta (P < 0·001). This study showed that predator exclusion and habitat complexity were significant factors that affected the abundance of juvenile red snapper in nursery areas of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Predation may affect juvenile red snapper abundance directly through mortality and indirectly by influencing habitat selection.
Plasma source ion implantation: history, successes, failures, challenges, and future prospects

Summary form only given, as follows. Plasma Source Ion Implantation (PSII) represents a radical departure from conventional ion implantation technology. PSII circumvents the line of sight restriction inherent in conventional ion implantation. In PSII, targets to be implanted are placed directly in a plasma source and then pulse-biased to a high negative potential. A plasma ion matrix sheath forms around the target and ions bombard the entire target compared with conventional ion implantation, PSII minimizes the problems of shadowing and excessive sputtering of the target material, which can severely limit the retained dose of the implanted ion species. Uniformity can be achieved in a batch processing mode. The author presents: a historical overview of the development of PSII, a brief review of PSII physics and technology, a summary of world-wide PSII activities, a discussion of laboratory and industrial field test results with PSII, recent developments leading to scale-up and commercialization of PSII, recent extensions of PSII technology to semiconductor processing, and an assessment of future prospects for commercial development of PSII.
Optical imaging of dislocations in strained-layer superlattices and lattice-mismatched epilayers

We have developed a convenient photoluminescence microimaging technique to probe misfit dislocations in epitaxially grown semiconductor alloys and multilayers. Using this technique, we have examined the microscopic optical quality of thick (~ 1 μm ) III-V semiconductor epitaxial layers, mismatched to their substrates. The layers includeseveral kinds of [100] strained-layer superlattices (GaP/GaAs x P 1-x on GaP and GaAs/GaAs. P on GaAs grown by MOCVD, and GaAs/In Ga 1-x As on GaAs grown by MBE) and associated alloys. For each type of superlalti e, we have studied a large number of samples corresponding to different compositions and layer thicknesses. The results show that misfit dislocations can be completely eliminated in the uppermost layers of the strained-layer superlattices if these structures have thin layers, less than the critical thickness for elastic accommodation, and sufficient numbers of interfaces to block threading dislocations.
A biomechanical and physiologically –based vocal tract model and its control

Abstract Speech production at the peripheral level is conceptually divided into a biomechanical and physiological process and a control process. The first part of the paper outlines a planned biomechanical model of the vocal tract and describes a preliminary dynamic tongue model. The tongue model is based on a nonlinear large-strain finite element description of biological tissue. The vocal tract model will be controlled by time varying input of muscular activation levels, in a similar way to the tongue model. Its outputs will be kinematic variables describing the changing vocal tract configuration, and in future elaborations, acoustic parameters. The second part of the paper discusses a hypothetical control structure. The structure is modular and hierarchically organized and transforms articulatory and auditory goals, which are quantitatively described by kinematic and acoustical parameters, into motor control commands steering the vocal tract model. Based on a theory of motor-learning, the main features of the controller are (i) a set of modular internal models which predict the effect of the control acting upon the biomechanical plant, and (ii) a set of control modules which take the estimated current state of the plant into account via the estimated state-related information given by the internal models.
Changes in the cyanobacterial photosynthetic apparatus during acclimation to macronutrient deprivation

When the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. Strain PCC 7942 is deprived of an essential macronutrient such as nitrogen, sulfur or phosphorus, cellular phycobiliprotein and chlorophyll contents decline. The level of β-carotene declines proportionately to chlorophyll, but the level of zeaxanthin increases relative to chlorophyll. In nitrogen- or sulfur-deprived cells there is a net degradation of phycobiliproteins. Otherwise, the declines in cellular pigmentation are due largely to the diluting effect of continued cell division after new pigment synthesis ceases and not to net pigment degradation. There was also a rapid decrease in O2 evolution when Synechococcus sp. Strain PCC 7942 was deprived of macronutrients. The rate of O2 evolution declined by more than 90% in nitrogen- or sulfur-deprived cells, and by approximately 40% in phosphorus-deprived cells. In addition, in all three cases the fluorescence emissions from Photosystem II and its antennae were reduced relative to that of Photosystem I and the remaining phycobilisomes. Furthermore, state transitions were not observed in cells deprived of sulfur or nitrogen and were greatly reduced in cells deprived of phosphorus. Photoacoustic measurements of the energy storage capacity of photosynthesis also showed that Photosystem II activity declined in nutrient-deprived cells. In contrast, energy storage by Photosystem I was unaffected, suggesting that Photosystem I-driven cyclic electron flow persisted in nutrient-deprived cells. These results indicate that in the modified photosynthetic apparatus of nutrient-deprived cells, a much larger fraction of the photosynthetic activity is driven by Photosystem I than in nutrient-replete cells.
Studies of Dermatophytes in Culture Media Containing 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium Chloride1

2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (hereafter to be called TPTC) is a white crystalline compound, soluble in water, alcohol, acetone and chloroform and insoluble in ether (1). Its solution is colorless but when reduced it forms a water-insoluble, alcohol and acetone-soluble dark red compound known as triphenyl formazan. TPTC is reduced by strong reducing agents, active metals in acid solution and some sugars in alkaline solution. The reducing sugars form the red formazan only above pH 11.0. The color change has been used in a qualitative test for reducing compounds (2) and in a quantitative colorimetric determination (3) for certain reducing sugars. TPTC in solution is not affected by boiling but is photosensitive (4) and will be reduced by exposure to direct sunlight or ultraviolet irradiation from a mercury arc lamp. The following shows the chemical change undergone by TPTC when reduced to the red formazan: 2, 3, 5 - Triphenyl Triphenyl Formazan Tetrazolium Chloride C6H6-N------N+ Cl- +2e +2H+ HN-N=C-N=N +HC1 N N-----------------------* c H CsHg Tetrazolium salts were first prepared by Pechman and Runge in 1894 (5). Kuhn and Jerchel (6a, b) in 1941 found that a humber of tetrazolium salts which they synthesized could be reduced by bacteria, yeasts and germinating seeds and that these would be stained red by the reduced compound. Lakon (7a, b) in 1942 used TPTC as a substitute for the toxic sodium selenite in testing the germinating ability of seeds.
Nerve growth factor and its low-affinity receptor promote Schwann cell migration

Migrating Schwann cells in developing or regenerating peripheral nerves are known to express dramatically increased levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) and the low-affinity NGF receptor (LNGFR). Schwann cells do not express detectable pp140trk, the NGF-activated receptor tyrosine kinase which is essential for neuronal responses to NGF. The temporal correlation observed in Schwann cells between migration and the enhanced expression of NGF and LNGFR suggests that NGF and LNGFR may promote Schwann cell migration. To test this possibility, we examined the effects of NGF on Schwann cell migration on cryostat sections of biologically relevant NGF-poor and NGF-rich substrates--normal or denervated peripheral (sciatic) nerve, untreated or pretreated with NGF. Results show that Schwann cells migrate more rapidly on denervated than on normal sciatic nerve. Antibodies to NGF or to LNGFR strongly, but incompletely, inhibit enhanced migration on denervated nerves. Pretreatment of denervated nerve sections with NGF increases further the rate of Schwann cell migration. The same antibodies to NGF or to LNGFR abolish this response. These results suggest that one function of the elevated levels of NGF known to be present in embryonic and regenerating peripheral nerves is to promote the migration of Schwann cells. In contrast to neurons, where pp140trk appears to be the functionally critical NGF receptor, NGF responses in Schwann cells depend on LNGFR.
Myocardial norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine concentrations after cardiac autotransplantation in dogs.

Myocardial norepinephrine is markedly reduced after cardiac transplantation because of interruption of postganglionic cardiac sympathetic nerves. There are also substantial stores of dopamine in the myocardium, but the influence of cardiac denervation on dopamine remains unknown. The effect of cardiac transplantation was determined and, thus, the effect of denervation on myocardial norepinephrine, dopamine and epinephrine. Myocardial catecholamines were measured with highperformance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection in five dogs 6 to 8 weeks and in four dogs 8 to 12 years after cardiac autotransplantation and in six sham-operated dogs with intact cardiac innervation. Norepinephrine, dopamine and epinephrine levels were determined from samples obtained from the right and left atria and ventricles. Samples from the left ventricular apex and base were analyzed separately. There was a striking depletion of norepinephrine in all cardiac chambers after short-term autotransplantation. The norepinephrine content of the left atrium in sham-operated dogs (1,659 t 219 ng/g) was significantly higher than that of dogs with long-term autotransplanted hearts (754 ± 372 ng/g). Sham-operated dogs and dogs with long-term autotransplanted hearts had statistically significant (p In contrast to norepinephrine, dopamine concentrations were relatively preserved in the short-term group despite the virtual depletion of myocardial norepinephrine. The data confirm that cardiac denervation depletes myocardial norepinephrine in all portions of the transplanted heart and that norepinephrine levels remain depressed up to 12 years after transplantation. The data also demonstrate that dopamine levels are only modestly decreased compared with norepinephrine levels (p = NS).
Simulating streamflow and the effects of projected climate change on the Savage River, Maryland, USA

The Savage River in western Maryland and its associated reservoir and watershed serves many purposes including recreation, drinking water supply, and auxiliary water supply for Washington DC. Streamflow on the Savage River was modeled using a simple hydrologic model and validated with historical streamflow observations. Future projected climate data were used to drive the model to assess the impact of temperature and precipitation changes on future streamflow. Winter streamflow is projected to increase, while spring, summer, and fall streamflow are projected to decrease. Annual streamflow totals show a slight negative trend over the coming century. Future changes in precipitation are more influential on future streamflow during the winter while temperature may be more important during the summer and fall. On an annual basis, by the year 2098, the impacts of temperature and precipitation will essentially cancel each other out resulting in only a small negative trend in annual streamflow. Increased streamflow during the winter months may not be able to compensate for decreased flow during the remainder of the year which raises concerns about the ability of the reservoir to supply water during future droughts.
Teaching Civil Engineers about Planning: The View from Planning Educators

A recent study in this journal reported that, while civil engineering and planning concerns often overlap and that there is a role for civil engineers in planning related issues, there was no need for civil engineering to include planning in their curriculum. That study did not include planning educators. This paper reports results of a similar questionnaire administered to planning educators representing accredited professional planning programs. The general finding is that because planners and civil engineers interact in so many contexts, engineers should know something of planning and the planning profession.
Measured Distributions of Control Delay on Signalized Arterials

The Highway Capacity Manual and other traffic operations manuals give no guidance on the magnitude and factors affecting variability in control delay. However, knowing the variability in control delay has several useful applications, such as providing a more complete and statistically significant comparison of different signal timing or roadway geometric improvements. The objective of this research is to provide an exploratory analysis of the variability in signalized control delay using real-world measurements on an arterial corridor in Cary, North Carolina. Data were collected with a portable, onboard emissions and engine diagnostics measurement device, from which second-by-second speed data were recorded. A new method for estimating intersection control delay from second-by-second speed data is presented that attempts to take into account over-capacity conditions and closely spaced intersections. The data collection focused on recording a similar number of runs on a corridor before and after signal coo...
Is stent placement effective for palliation of right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit stenosis

Objectives This study was designed to evaluate the outcome of stent placement (SP) for conduit discrete stenosis using predefined criteria. Background Right ventricle (RV) to pulmonary artery (PA) conduits are often associated with complications, such as stenosis, requiring multiple surgical replacements. Methods Patients who underwent primary or repeat SP were included. Indications for SP were clinical symptoms and/or RV to systolic blood pressure (SBP) ratio (RV:SBP) >0.65 by echocardiography. Our definition of success was a decrease in RV:SBP by >20%, a final RV:SBP ratio of Results Stents were placed successfully in 28 of 31 patients (90%), including 3 patients who underwent the procedure solely for symptoms. The RV:SBP ratio decreased (0.75 ± 0.17 vs. 0.52 ± 0.12, p Conclusions Initial SP has excellent intermediate outcomes, successfully postponing surgical intervention for the majority of patients. Conduit restenosis may be successfully treated with a second transcatheter intervention. On the basis of these data, SP is likely the procedure of choice for patients with a discrete stenosis of the RV to PA conduit.
Assessing the validity of tuberculin skin test readings by trained professionals and patients.

Study objectives To assess the validity of purified protein derivative (PPD) readings by patients and trained health-care professionals as compared with a calibrated model. Design and participants Survey of a group of patients, nurses, medical assistants, and physicians at five neighborhood health centers in the Bronx, NY. Interventions Participants were asked to read a calibrated model with four PPD indurations measuring 0 mm, 3 mm, 7 mm, and 13 mm. Indurations ≥ 5 mm were to be considered“ positive” reactions. Measurements and results Data were obtained from 233 patients and 80 trained professionals. All patients correctly measured the 0-mm induration site and were able to detect the presence of an induration in 99.3% of possible observations. Compared with professionals, patients had more variability in measurements and interpretations of the 3-, 7-, and 13-mm sites. Professionals detected 100% of all indurations. Patients’ specificity for the 0- and 3-mm sites was 97.4% and 62.7%, respectively; whereas sensitivity for the 7- and 13-mm sites was 68.2% and 89.3%, respectively. Professionals’ specificity for the 0- and 3-mm sites was 98.7% and 65.3%, respectively; their sensitivity for the 7- and 13-mm sites was 86.7% and 97.3%, respectively. Seventy percent of professionals agreed that the model was a realistic representation of PPD indurations. Conclusions Patients can reliably distinguish between the presence and absence of an induration at a PPD injection site. They are not as reliable in the measurement and interpretation of test reactions. Professionals had considerable variability in their assessments of PPDs but were more precise overall in their assessments than patients.
Characteristics of polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration into the alkali burned eye and the influence of sodium citrate

Abstract Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) are considered to play a central role in the corneal ulceration process subsequent to an alkali burn. We have described the time course of PMN infiltration into the ocular tissues following an alkali burn. In addition, we examined the effect of sodium citrate upon the accumulation of PMNs in the alkali burned cornea. The accumulation of PMNs into the cornea and iris-ciliary body was quantified by measuring myeloperoxidase (MPO), an enzyme marker for these inflammatory cells. Leukocytes in aqueous humor aspirates and corneal washes were counted directly under a microscope. In the alkali burned cornea, we found an initial transient, yet substantial, infiltration of PMNs, peaking at about 12–24 hr and limited to the peripheral cornea; this subsided by about 72 hr. By 14 days, the MPO activity, and hence the number of leukocytes, had risen again, and by 21 days the level had increased by several fold. Qualitatively similar biphasic patterns of leukocyte infiltration were observed in the iris-ciliary body and aqueous humor. Leukocyte numbers in corneal washes only increased between 4–24 hr following the alkali burn. The exceptionally high degree of leukocyte infiltration into the cornea at 21 days corresponded with the presence of ulceration. Topical administration of sodium citrate (10%) inhibited the early and late phase of PMN accumulation in the alkali burned cornea, i.e. at 24 hr (−63%) and 21 days (−92%). The inhibition of PMN infiltration by sodium citrate correlates with the reduced corneal ulceration observed following treatment with this compound.
An Electronically Tunable Linear or Nonlinear MOS Resistor

We present a bidirectional MOS resistor circuit that is electronically tunable and has zero dc offset. For a given I-V characteristic, the circuit senses the source-to-drain potential across an MOS device and automatically generates an appropriate bias for the gate terminal to implement the characteristic via negative feedback. We show that the I-V characteristic of the resistor can be designed to be linear, compressive or expansive by using appropriate translinear current mode circuits for the feedback biasing. Our technique does not require the MOS transistor to operate in the triode region and is valid in both weak and strong inversion. Experimental results from a CMOS process show that a square-root, linear, or square resistor can be implemented as examples of our topology. The linear version was tunable over a resistance range of 1 MOmega-100 GOmega in our particular implementation and exhibited proportional-to-absolute temperature (PTAT) behavior. The measured excess noise of the resistor agrees with theoretical predictions.
New World tetraploid cottons contain Old World cytoplasm

New World tetraploid cottons (Gossypium spp.) originated through hybridization of ancestral diploid species that presently have allopatric ranges in Asia-Africa (the A genome) and the New World tropics and subtropics (the D genome). Despite intensive study, the identity of the parental diploids and the antiquity of polyploidization remain unresolved. In this study, variation in the maternally inherited chloroplast genome was assessed among species representing both of the parental genomes and the tetraploids. Approximately 560 restriction sites were assayed in each accession, representing sequence information for about 3200 nucleotides. The resulting maternal phylogeny has no convergent restriction site mutations and demonstrates that the cytoplasm donor for all tetraploid species was an A genome diploid with a chloroplast genome that is similar to Gossypium arboreum and Gossypium herbaceum. No mutational differences were detected between these two species, and few mutations distinguish the chloroplast genomes of A genome diploids from those of tetraploid taxa. In contrast to expectations based on extensive taxonomic, geographic, and genetic diversity, a surprisingly low level of sequence divergence has accumulated subsequent to polyploidization. Chloroplast genomes of tetraploid species are distinguished from each other by between one and six apparent point mutations. The data suggest that tetraploid cotton originated relatively recently, perhaps within the last 1-2 million years, with subsequent rapid evolution and diversification throughout the New World tropics.
Cerebellar pathology in schizophrenia—Cause or consequence?

Abstract Atrophy of the cerebellar vermal cortex has been reported to occur in 10% or more of patients with schizophrenia. Data from studies on experimental animals indicate that a functional relationship between the cerebellum and parts of the forebrain involved in emotion exists, and that the cerebellum may influence some types of behavior. Cerebellar abnormality in schizophrenic patients, although of uncertain cuase, could contribute to the symptomatology of the disease.
FIELD VARIABILITY OF CARBON ISOTOPES IN SOIL ORGANIC CARBON

Abstract Free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) plant-growth experiments conducted in Arizona have allowed a spinoff isotope tracer experiment (tank CO2 is 14C- and 13C-depleted) to follow the input of carbon into soil organic matter pools. Accurate assessment of the 14C and 13C inputs to soils by this pathway requires detailed knowledge of the isotopic composition of the soils before the experiments. We have examined the variability of δ13C in soil organic matter in 8 experimental plots prior to the beginning of the 1995–1996 FACE experiments with wheat. δ13C variability was higher immediately after harvest of a previous crop in June, but the plots were much more homogeneous five months later immediately before planting. Intervening field management, including disking, plowing and installation of irrigation drip tape likely contributed to mixing the soils.
Efficient parallelization of batch pattern training algorithm on many-core and cluster architectures

The experimental research of the parallel batch pattern back propagation training algorithm on the example of recirculation neural network on many-core high performance computing systems is presented in this paper. The choice of recirculation neural network among the multilayer perceptron, recurrent and radial basis neural networks is proved. The model of a recirculation neural network and usual sequential batch pattern algorithm of its training are theoretically described. An algorithmic description of the parallel version of the batch pattern training method is presented. The experimental research is fulfilled using the Open MPI, Mvapich and Intel MPI message passing libraries. The results obtained on many-core AMD system and Intel MIC are compared with the results obtained on a cluster system. Our results show that the parallelization efficiency is about 95% on 12 cores located inside one physical AMD processor for the considered minimum and maximum scenarios. The parallelization efficiency is about 70-75% on 48 AMD cores for the minimum and maximum scenarios. These results are higher by 15-36% (depending on the version of MPI library) in comparison with the results obtained on 48 cores of a cluster system. The parallelization efficiency obtained on Intel MIC architecture is surprisingly low, asking for deeper analysis.
Clusters of Observable Behavior in High-Risk Kindergarten Children.

Children in four kindergarten classes were observed directly in their classrooms over a 10-day period early in the chool year. Cluster analysis revealed four distinct groups of children as determined by observable classroom behavior. One group with a particular pattern of observable behavior emerged as high-risk. This group appeared to receive more observable response from teachers and peers and also scored lower on concurrent teacher evaluations.
Creating a training program for department IT support staff

In its support of information technology (IT), the University of Delaware uses a combined centralized and distributed model. Staff in the IT organization provide the central support while Campus Information Technology Associates (CITAs) and IT staff together support the distributed computing activities. CITAs are IT professionals who possess a combination of discipline expertise and computer experience and are employed by a University department or college separate from the Information Technologies group. The role of the CITA varies depending on the technology activities and needs of the specific units. The number of departmental support staff has grown over the past few years; currently there are 54 CITAs at Delaware. They are a diverse group with a wide range of responsibilities and skill levels.In the summer of 2001, a team of Information Technologies staff was given the task of developing a training program for departmental CITAs. The goal of this program is to help the local support staff become as self-sufficient and knowledgeable about IT as possible. This project grew from a more global effort to refine the partnership between the central IT organization and departmental support staff.The training program development team identified two objectives: to provide orientation information specific to IT at the University of Delaware and to offer technical skill training. The "IT Professional Orientation" web pages were created to consolidate and supplement existing information. Web links point to six topics: IT Overview, Getting Started for CITAs, Help and Resources, Policies, IT Standards, and Professional Development. These pages make up one component of the training program.The team arranged for a variety of technical skill training options including on-line, on-campus, instructor-led, and off-campus classes and the purchase of books and manuals. Information is delivered to CITAs through a WebCT course. They are required to review the orientation pages and take self-tests before they are eligible to take advantage of the technical skill training.The program was announced to CITAs in March 2002 and was well received. This paper will discuss the details and process of creating a training curriculum for CITA staff and describe CITA participation in the program.
Hepatocellular carcinoma pathogenesis: from genes to environment

Hepatocellular carcinoma is among the most lethal and prevalent cancers in the human population. Despite its significance, there is only an elemental understanding of the molecular, cellular and environmental mechanisms that drive disease pathogenesis, and there are only limited therapeutic options, many with negligible clinical benefit. This Review summarizes the current state of knowledge of this, the most common and dreaded liver neoplasm, and highlights the principal challenges and scientific opportunities that are relevant to controlling this accelerating global health crisis.
Child- versus teacher-administered token programs in a psychiatric hospital school

The purpose of this study was to: (a) compare student-administered token programs with similar programs administered by professional teachers, (b) investigate the contribution of feedback to the success of token systems, (c) compare the effectiveness of peer and teacher feedback, and (d) test a sequence of withdrawal from token programs designed to increase generalization. Results indicated that (a) peers could do just as well as teachers in reducing disruptive behavior through a token program, (b) feedback is not solely responsible for the effectiveness of token reinforcement, (c) peer feedback may be more effective than teacher feedback, and (d) withdrawal from token reinforcement to feedback may be a successful method of retarding the increases in disruptive behavior usually found when backup reinforcers are eliminated.
Computerized Pedagogical Agents as an Educational Means for Developing Physical Self-Efficacy and Encouraging Activity in Youth

Physical activity participation rates in the United States have been in steady decline for the last 25 years, so much so that 60% of youth ages 9–13 years get no physical activity outside of school. This state of inactivity indicates that promoting participation in physical activity at a young age is of importance. For the present study, a computerized intervention based on the Transtheoretical Model and Social Cognitive Theory was designed and implemented in a school setting to study its potential effectiveness on self-efficacy and stage of change for physical activity. Participants (n = 98) were divided into three conditions. Students in the two experimental conditions interacted with a computerized agent program for 40 minutes, once per week for 5 weeks. Students in the control group received the same educational information in written form. Results support the use of computerized human agents for increasing exercise efficacy and health and fitness knowledge.
Cognitive dissonance among innovators

The study explored the differences in the cognitive dissonance experienced by the innovator and non-innovator purchasers of a consumer durable. The degree to which the two groups sought information supportive of their purchase decisions indicated that innovators experienced significantly greater dissonance than did the non-innovators. There were, however, no significant differences in the degree to which the two groups avoided information contrary to their purchase decisions. The study uncovered the need to measure dissonance on separate pro and con measurement. instead of the commonly used combined overall measurement. Additionally, an argument is made for greater innovator dissonance reduction activity on the part of companies introducing new consumer durables in the marketplace.
Weighing the impact of obesity on female reproductive function and fertility

Obesity in women is associated with serious reproductive sequelae. Given its prevalence among women of reproductive age, much recent attention has focused on the mechanisms by which obesity affects female reproductive function and fertility. This review summarizes the literature investigating the epidemiology and pathophysiology of obesity in women of reproductive age and proposes research strategies that may help inform approaches to improve reproductive function and outcomes among obese women.
Cell Division, Development, and Radiation Injury

This paper deals with two interrelated ideas: (a) the relation of cell division to radiation injury and death, and (b) the consequent usefulness of certain irradiated systems for studying the role of cell division in development.
Effect of endotoxin on cholesterol biosynthesis and distribution in serum lipoproteins in Syrian hamsters

Infection and inflammation increase serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels in rodents and rabbits. Endotoxin (LPS) has been used as a model of infection and its effects on triglyceride metabolism have been previously characterized. In the present study we demonstrate that both low (100 ng/100 g body weight) and high dose (100 micrograms/100 g body weight) LPS increase serum cholesterol levels in hamsters. The increase in serum cholesterol is first observed 16 h after LPS and persists for at least 24 h. This increase is primarily due to an increase in low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels decrease after LPS treatment. Both low and high dose LPS increase hepatic cholesterol synthesis (low dose 85%, high dose 205%) and total HMG-CoA reductase activity (low dose 2.97-fold, high dose 9.96-fold). However, the proportion of HMG-CoA reductase in the active form is reduced by LPS treatment. Additionally, the mass of HMG-CoA reductase protein in the liver, measured by Western blotting, is increased after LPS. Moreover, LPS increases hepatic HMG-CoA reductase mRNA levels (low dose 3.1-fold, high dose 14.2-fold). The increase in hepatic HMG-CoA reductase mRNA levels is first seen 4 h after LPS and persists for at least 24 h. In contrast, LPS had only minimal effects on hepatic LDL receptor protein and mRNA levels. These results suggest that LPS increases serum cholesterol levels by increasing hepatic cholesterol synthesis. LPS administration decreases apoE mRNA levels in the liver while having no effect on apoA-I mRNA levels. These results suggest that HMG-CoA reductase is a member of a group of hepatic proteins that are positively regulated by inflammatory stimuli (acute phase proteins) while apoE can be considered a negative acute phase protein in hamsters. It is possible that increases in hepatic HMG-CoA reductase provide cholesterol that allows for the increased production of lipoproteins and elevations in serum lipid levels that may be beneficial to the body's host defense.
Successful treatment of sudden hearing loss in cogan's syndrome with corticosteroids

Cogan's syndrome (CS) is the association of acute nonsyphilitic interstitial keratitis and acute episodes of vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss. We have prospectively followed 6 patients with CS who were treated within 4 weeks after the acute onset of hearing loss. Within 1 to 2 weeks after the initiation of corticosteroid therapy, all 6 patients demonstrated improved hearing thresholds for pure tones and supra-threshold speech discrimination results. These patients have been followed an average of 2.5 years (range 0.25-9 years); all have only mild to moderate hearing impairment in the mid (1,000 to 2,000 Hz) and low (250 to 500 Hz) frequency sound ranges. Three of the patients have been tapered off steroids completely with no subsequent permanent decrement of hearing. Thus, early oral corticosteroid administration to patients with sudden hearing loss associated with Cogan's syndrome may preserve auditory function.
Fluorescence detection for the XLI analytical ultracentrifuge

Analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) provides first-principle hydrodynamic and thermodynamic information concerning the size, shape and interactions of macromolecules.The fundamental measurement needed in AUC is the macromolecular concentration as a function of radial position and time.Currently, the Beckman Coulter XLI analytical ultracentrifuge may be equipped with absorbance and refractive detectors, which provide complementary concentration determinations.For detecting trace quantities of materials, fluorescence detection offers unique advantages over either absorbance or interference detection.A prototype fluorescence detector for the XLI analytical ultracentrifuge has been developed and its characteristics determined.An Ar laser provides a continuous 488-nm excitation beam.Radial q resolution is achieved by scanning the focused beam along a radial axis.Detection of the fluorescence signal uses a co-axial, front-face optical configuration to reduce inaccuracies in the concentration caused by inner filter effects.A high-speed AyD data acquisition system allows the fluorescence intensity to be monitored continuously and at a sufficiently high angular resolution so that at any radial position the intensities from all of the samples may be acquired at each revolution.The fluorescence detector is capable of detecting concentrations as low as 300 pM for fluorescein-like labels.The radial resolution of the fluorescence detector is comparable to that of the absorbance system.Both sedimentation velocity and sedimentation equilibrium measurements may be made with the fluorescence detector.Results are presented comparing data acquired using the fluorescence with those acquired using the absorbance detector. 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
The researcher as instrument: learning to conduct qualitative research through analyzing and interpreting a choral rehearsal

Qualitative researchers often describe the ambiguities and complexities of extracting meaning from ambiguous and complex data. Although methodological literature provides useful frameworks and heuristics to guide the process of transforming field data into credible findings, learning to analyze and interpret qualitative data also involves a transformation of the researcher as the primary instrument for making sense of the phenomenon under study. This pedagogical action research study involved a ‘case within a case’, in which graduate students, enrolled in a qualitative research class in music education, analyzed and interpreted data from a high school choral rehearsal captured on digital video. This study sought to answer these questions: what pedagogical moves and exercises enable beginning qualitative researchers to practice and refine the skills of data analysis? What pedagogical moves and exercises foster the development and refinement of interpretive perspectives? Implications for teaching qualitativ...
Participation Rhetoric or Community-Based Management Reality? Influences on Willingness to Participate in a Venezuelan Freshwater Fishery

Summary. — Community-based management (CBM) has progressed from the conceptual fringe to the dialogical heart of environmental management. Despite its rhetorical popularity, limited quantitative data exist on factors influencing local involvement. A quantitative survey of three Venezuelan fishing villages resulted in a predictive model of willingness to participate in CBM. Sense of community and fishery dependence were significant positive influences. High level of concern about the current and future state of the fishery correlated with an unwillingness to participate, indicating a defeatist attitude about perceived insurmountable problems. We explore sense of community, defeatist attitudes, and education in CBM project formulation and implementation. 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
A new bully on the block: Does urbanization promote Bewick’s wren (Thryomanes bewickii) aggressive exclusion of Pacific wrens (Troglodytes pacificus)?

Abstract Human conversion of land cover alters biotic communities and sets the stage for ongoing change as species interact within new environments. We studied the response of a native forest specialist, the Pacific wren ( Troglodytes pacificus ), to immediate and ongoing environmental changes facilitated by urbanization. We found evidence of a synergistic effect of native land cover loss followed by increased aggressive interactions with a native generalist, the Bewick’s wren ( Thryomanes bewickii ), resulting in the decline of Pacific wrens in urbanizing environments. Pacific wren relative abundance decreased dramatically during and after development, while Bewick’s wrens increased and persisted at greater abundance post-relative to pre-development. Breeding territories of the two species overlapped minimally, suggesting spatial segregation either by differential resource use or territorial aggression. A comparison of territory characteristics revealed the species generally used different resources, although territory composition was increasingly similar at urbanizing sites where the species co-occurred. Territorial playback experiments confirmed that the two species interact aggressively. Analyses of body size, body condition and reproductive success did not suggest Bewick’s wrens negatively impact fitness of Pacific wrens at sites where they co-occurred. In established subdivisions (>10 years old) Bewick’s wrens appear to limit the abundance of Pacific wrens, however this was not yet the case at sites we studied immediately after development. Although the results of this study are not conclusive, our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that new environmental gradients and communities created by urbanization increase competitive interactions among native species.