cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Learning to Read Words: Theory, Findings, and Issues

Reading words may take several forms. Readers may utilize decoding, analogizing, or predicting to read unfamiliar words. Readers read familiar words by accessing them in memory, called sight word reading. With practice, all words come to be read automatically by sight, which is the most efficient, unobtrusive way to read words in text. The process of learning sight words involves forming connections between graphemes and phonemes to bond spellings of the words to their pronunciations and meanings in memory. The process is enabled by phonemic awareness and by knowledge of the alphabetic system, which functions as a powerful mnemonic to secure spellings in memory. Recent studies show that alphabetic knowledge enhances children's learning of new vocabulary words, and it influences their memory for doubled letters in words. Four phases characterize the course of development of sight word learning. The phases are distinguished according to the type of alphabetic knowledge used to form connections: pre-alphabet...
Statistical methods for testing effects on "maximum lifespan".

Abstract It has been noted that certain interventions such as caloric restriction may increase maximum lifespan, whereas other interventions may increase mean or median lifespan but not maximum lifespan. Here the term “maximum lifespan” is used to refer to the upper percentiles of the distribution of lifespan. This is of great interest because increasing maximum lifespan may be an indicator that an intervention is slowing the general process of aging and not merely retarding the development of specific diseases. However, formal methods for testing maximum lifespan have not been elucidated. Herein, we show via simulation that conditional t-test (CTT), a method that is sometimes used, is invalid. We then offer a new method based on quantile regression and we show that this method is, at worst, conservative and remains powerful and valid.
A business process context for Knowledge Management

Knowledge and management of it emphasize and expect interactions between aspects of business processes including workflow execution, information processing, decision making and motivational structure. As such production and consumption of knowledge occur within these aspects of business processes. Therefore, a business process context provides the justification and rationale for organizing Knowledge Management efforts that address knowledge storage and retrieval, knowledge sharing and knowledge synthesis. Exemplar projects are used to illustrate potential approaches and associated research challenges to addressing Knowledge Management efforts within a business process context.
Structure and refinement at 1.8 A resolution of the aspartic proteinase from Rhizopus chinensis.

The structure of rhizopuspepsin (EC 3.4.23.6), the aspartic proteinase from Rhizopus chinensis, has been refined to a crystallographic R-factor of 0.143 at 1.8 A resolution. The positions of 2417 protein atoms have been determined with a root-mean-square (r.m.s.) error of 0.12 A. In the final model, the r.m.s. deviation from ideality for bond distances is 0.010 A, and for angle distances it is 0.034 A. During the course of the refinement, a calcium ion and 373 water molecules, of which 17 are internal, have been located. The active aspartate residues, Asp35 and Asp218, are involved in similar hydrogen-bonding interactions with neighboring residues and with several water molecules. One water molecule is located between the two carboxyl groups of the catalytic aspartate residues in a tightly hydrogen-bonded position. The refinement resulted in an unambiguous interpretation of the highly mobile "flap", a beta-hairpin loop region that projects over the binding pocket. Large solvent channels are formed when the molecules pack in the crystal, exposing the binding pocket and making it easily accessible. Intermolecular contacts involve mainly solvent molecules and a few protein atoms. The three-dimensional structure of rhizopuspepsin closely resembles other aspartic proteinase structures. A detailed comparison with the structure of penicillopepsin showed striking similarities as well as subtle differences in the active site geometry and molecular packing.
Changes in Leisure Time Physical Activity and High-Density Cholesterol Levels Among White and African American Women

ABSTRACT The objective was to assess the effect of changes in leisure time physical activity on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels among community-based participants. Data from a randomly selected cohort were obtained in 1987, with follow-up measurements in 1991. Two medium-sized South Carolina communities were study sites. The study population included women participants of the 1987 survey and assessment who were available for follow-up measurements in 1991, including 1,003 white and 348 African American women aged 18–89 years. Changes in HDL-C levels in four leisure time physical activity groups, adjusting for age, education, body composition, baseline HDL-C levels, and cigarette smoking status, were measured. Overall, over the 4-year period, mean HDL-C levels increased among women in both age groups, but this change was significant only among women age 50 and older. However, HDL-C increases for inactive women who increased their reported physical activity level at the time of the follo...
Radiolysis of Aqueous Solutions of 1,1- and 1,2-Dichloroethane

The yields of chloride ion and molecular hydrogen were determined in the γ, the fast electron, and the 5 MeV helium ion radiolysis of deaerated and aerated aqueous solutions of 1,1- and 1,2-dichloroethane. In deaerated solutions irradiated with γ-rays or fast electrons, the yield of chloride ion increases while the yield of molecular hydrogen decreases with increasing dichloroethane concentration. These results are due to the quantitative reaction of both the hydrated electron and the hydrogen atom with the dichloroethane to produce chloride ions. The yield of chloride ions is significantly larger in aerobic than in anaerobic conditions and is dependent upon the dose rate. Formation of peroxyl radicals by the reaction of molecular oxygen with chlorinated hydrocarbon radicals and their subsequent chemistry are responsible for the observed increase in chloride ions. The yield of chloride ion with 5 MeV helium ions is smaller than with γ irradiation, while the yield of molecular hydrogen is larger reflecting...
Role of splenectomy in the management of hemophilic patients with human immunodeficiency virus-associated immunopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Immunopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) can be a life-threatening complication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in patients with hemophilia and can seriously compromise quality of life if not managed effectively. We report here complete response to splenectomy in four severe hemophiliacs with HIV-associated ITP. All patients were symptomatic, had platelet counts less than 25,000/mm3, and had failed at least one non-surgical therapy prior to splenectomy. All patients tolerated surgery well and obtained an immediate and durable complete response. In addition to our experience, a review of the literature shows that splenectomy is well tolerated and provides the most effective long-term solution for hemophiliacs with HIV-ITP. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Macroalgal palatability and the flux of ciguatera toxins through marine food webs

Abstract The benthic dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus toxicus produces polyether toxins that cause ciguatera fish poisoning in humans. The toxins initially enter food webs when fish forage on macroalgae, or other substrates, hosting this epiphytic dinoflagellate. Population studies of G. toxicus and risk assessments in ciguatera-prone regions often rely on quantifying dinoflagellates on macroalgae. Underlying these studies is the assumption that the algae sampled represent a readily consumable resource equally available for benthic grazers. However, many algal hosts of G. toxicus possess a variety of defenses against grazing, and host–dinoflagellate associations may act as toxin sources or sinks depending on their palatability. Marine macroalgae may tolerate or avoid herbivory by exhibiting fast growth, by having poor nutritional quality, by utilizing spatial or temporal escapes or by using chemical or structural defenses. Thus, rapidly consumed algae that cope with herbivores by growing fast, such as many filamentous turfs, could be responsible for a high toxin flux even at low dinoflagellate densities. In contrast, ubiquitous unpalatable algae with much higher dinoflagellate densities might contribute little to toxin flux, and effectively act as refuges for G. toxicus. To date, G. toxicus has been reported from 56 algal genera, two cyanobacteria, one diatom, and one seagrass; 63% of these contain species that are defended from fish grazing and other grazers via chemical, morphological or structural defenses, by low nutritional quality, or by a combination of defensive strategies. High dinoflagellate densities on unpalatable macroalgae could indicate passive accumulation of cells on undisturbed hosts, rather than population explosions or active toxin sources for food webs. Understanding the flow of ciguatoxins in nature requires consideration of the ecology of both G. toxicus and its algal hosts. The complexity of marine algal–herbivore interactions also has consequences for other benthic dinoflagellates that produce toxins, which accumulate in consumers.
How to determine approximate mixmaster parameters from numerical evolution of Einstein's equations.

To assess the validity of the Belinskii, Khalatnikov, and Lifshitz (BKL) approximation to mixmaster dynamics, it would be useful to evaluate the BKL discrete parameters as a by-product of the numerical solution of Einstein's equations. An algorithm to do this and results for a typical trajectory are presented.
The desire for an enriched job as a moderator of the enrichment—satisfaction relationship☆

Abstract Three kinds of moderators of the enrichment—satisfaction relationship have been examined in previous research: urban—rural influences, work values, and growth need strength. A recent review of 29 studies concluded that none of the variables tested to date evidence a consistent moderating effect and called for an end to this line of research. The present study argued that the evidence was not so pessimistic and showed that the desire for an enriched job was a significant moderator of the enrichment—satisfaction relationship. Direct assessments of the person's desire for job enrichment were postulated and found to be much better moderators than indirect estimates inferred from urbanrural influences or work values.
Necrolytic acral erythema: response to combination therapy with interferon and ribavirin☆

Necrolytic acral erythema is a papulosquamous and sometimes vesiculobullous eruption bearing clinical and histologic similarity to other necrolytic erythemas such as necrolytic migratory erythema, pseudoglucagonoma, and nutritional deficiency syndromes. Necrolytic acral erythema is distinguished by its association with hepatitis C infection and its predominantly acral distribution. We describe a pediatric patient with necrolytic acral erythema whose eruption resolved with hyperalimentation and combination interferon and ribavirin therapy, despite the persistence of detectable viral load and continued hepatic and renal insufficiency.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging of the pediatric swallow: imaging the cortex and the brainstem.

Objective: To design and implement a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) protocol to investigate the cortical and brainstem patterns of activity in children with regard to the act of swallowing. Study Design: Pilot study to assess the clinical feasibility of the project. Methods: Using a 3T Bruker Biospec 30/60 MRI scanner, images were obtained using the Behavior Interleaved Gradient/Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BIG-BOLD) image acquisition method. Initially, regions of interest (ROI) were developed to identify the mean time from the onset of a swallow to maximum cortical blood flow in the motor cortex. Using this data to design the BIG-BOLD acquisition method followed by postprocessing of the data, images from two volunteer adults and four volunteer children were obtained. Results: The average time from the onset of a swallow to maximum cortical blood flow was 6 to 8 seconds. Regions of cortical activity include pre- and post-central gyrus (Brodmann's areas 3 and 4), superior motor cortex (B.A. 24), insula, inferior frontal cortex (B.A. 44 and 45), Heschl gyrus (B.A. 41 and 42), putamen, globus pallidus, and the superior temporal gyrus (B.A. 38). Of particular note is the first mapping of the functional activity of swallowing at the level of the brainstem; activity was seen in the region of the nucleus ambiguous. Conclusions: fMRI provides a novel means of studying the central processes of both normal swallowing and its various pathologic forms in children. Further understanding of how a child coordinates a swallow and how this coordination can be altered at the level of the brainstem and cortex may aid in the development of novel rehabilitative strategies.
First-list recall as a function of second-list learning method.

The influence of List-2 learning method on List-1 recall was studied. Lists were composed of 10 pairs of CVC stimuli and adjective responses. List 1 was learned by a study-test prompting method; List 2 was learned for 3 or 15 trials by either a prompting or an anticipation method. There was superior List-1 recall, as measured by an MMFR test, when a prompting method was used during List 2 and with the low degree of List-2 learning. The results were interpreted in terms of the differential opportunity for intrusions during List-2 learning.
G461(P) Prevalence and outcomes of admission hypoglycaemia in Paediatric Intensive Care

Background Studies of blood glucose (BG) control during Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) admission have demonstrated worse outcomes with hyper- and hypoglycemia. The majority of these studies have used intermittent blood sampling protocols, which are inherently prone to sampling frequency bias [1] . Admission BG is a single value, and is therefore immune to sampling frequency bias. The relationship between clinical outcomes and admission BG has been described in critically ill adults [2] , but this relationship has not been previously investigated in critically ill children. Aims In a cohort of PICU patients to describe: The relationship between admission BG and PICU mortality. The prevalence of admission hypoglycaemia. Setting Mixed medical and surgical PICU in a tertiary children’s hospital. Methods Retrospective, analytical, cohort study. BG values obtained from blood gas electronic database. Admission glucose defined as first BG within one hour of admission. Readmissions were excluded. Mortality rate was calculated for each decile of admission BG. Proportion of hypoglycaemia was calculated for whole cohort, and by age and surgical status. The definitions of hypoglycaemia: severe Results 3129 consecutive patients were included. PICU mortality by decile of BG demonstrated a U-shaped curve: higher mortality risk at low and high values (Figure 1). Overall prevalence of admission hypoglycemia: Moderate: 7.6%. Severe: 1.3% Prevalence of admission hypoglycemia was inversely related to age, with highest prevalence in neonates. Admission hypoglycemia was more common in non-surgical patients, compared with surgical patients in all age groups. Highest prevalence of hypoglycaemia was in non-surgical neonates: 23.5%, 2.9% – moderate and severe hypoglycemia, respectively. Conclusions Previous studies have focused on the clinical associations of hyperglycaemia. This study shows that admission hypoglycemia is equally important as hyperglycaemia, in terms of PICU mortality. The higher prevalence of hypoglycaemia in non-surgical neonatal patients may reflect reduced or exhausted glycogen stores. Clinicians should be aware of this marker of raised mortality risk when admitting patients to PICU. References Plunkett et al . Observational Studies of Glucose Homeostasis are Susceptible to Sampling Frequency Bias. Pediatric Critical Care Medicine 2013 Evans et al . Assessing the relationship between admission glucose levels, subsequent length of hospital stay, readmission and mortality. Clinical Medicine 2012
An Elastic Wave Method for the Measurement of Pulse-Power Density

Experiments have shown that in addition to the well-known radiation pressure, another more efficient thermal mechanism results in the production of an elastic stress wave when an energy pulse is absorbed at the surface of an elastic body. This mechanism permits measurement of the peak-power density of pulses of electromagnetic energy by the use of an energy-absorbing surface, an elastic wave sensor and an indicating device. Analysis and experiments will be described to illustrate the operation of this measurement system when it is actuated by microwave pulses, pulses of light from a laser or a stroboscopic lamp and by a pulsed beam of electrons in an evacuated chamber.
Predicting Fire Frequency with Chemistry and Climate

A predictive equation for estimating fire frequency was developed from theories and data in physical chemistry, ecosystem ecology, and climatology. We refer to this equation as the Physical Chemistry Fire Frequency Model (PC2FM). The equation was calibrated and validated with North American fire data (170 sites) prior to widespread industrial influences (before � 1850 CE) related to land use, fire suppression, and recent climate change to minimize non-climatic effects. We derived and validated the empirically based PC2FM for the purpose of estimating mean fire intervals (MFIs) from proxies of mean maximum temperature, precipitation, their interaction, and estimated reactant concentrations. Parameterization of the model uses reaction rate equations based on the concentration and physical chemistry of fuels and climate. The model was then calibrated and validated using centuries of empirical fire history data. An application of the PC2FM regression equation is presented and used to estimate historic MFI as controlled by climate. We discuss the effects of temperature, precipitation, and their interactions on fire frequency using the PC2FM concept and results. The exclusion of topographic, vegetation, and ignition variables from the PC2FM increased error at fine spatial scales, but allowed for the prediction of complex climate effects at broader temporal and spatial scales. The PC2FM equation is used to map coarse-scale historic fire frequency and assess climate impacts on landscapescale fire regimes.
Evidence that the p75 neurotrophin receptor mediates perineural spread of desmoplastic melanoma

Abstract Background: The desmoplastic variant of melanoma has a striking propensity for neurotropism. This neurotropism may reflect Schwannian differentiation. The migration of Schwann cells along embryonic nerves is reportedly regulated by the 75 kd neurotrophin receptor (p75 NTR ) and one of its cognate ligands, nerve growth factor (NGF). Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the mechanism of perineural spread in desmoplastic melanomas is analogous to that of neurotropism in Schwann cells, which apparently depends on expression of p75 neurotrophin receptor and its ligands. Methods: Immunolabeling of p75 NTR in histologic sections of spindle cell and desmoplastic melanomas was compared and contrasted with that of epithelioid melanomas. Results: The histologic material consisted of spindle cell melanoma specimens from 11 patients, of which seven exhibited features of desmoplastic melanoma. All spindle cell melanoma specimens expressed the p75 NTR in at least 10% of the cells, and most expressed p75 NTR in more than 50% of cells. In contrast, 10 of 11 control melanomas of conventional epithelioid phenotype expressed lower levels of p75 NTR (0% to 10% of cells). Conclusion: There is a strong correlation between expression of p75 NTR and the desmoplastic phenotype, supporting the hypothesis that the propensity of these melanomas for neurotropism involves p75 NTR and its ligands. Immunolabeling for p75 NTR may be a useful marker for the neurotropic phenotype, as well as for detecting perineural spread in histologic sections of melanomas.
Orientation of Vortices in a Superconducting Thin-Film: Quantitative Comparison of Spin-Polarized Neutron Reflectivity and Magnetization

We present a quantitative comparison of the magnetization measured by spin-polarized neutron reflectivity (SPNR) and dc magnetometry on a 1370 Aa-thick Nb superconducting film. As a function of magnetic field applied in the film plane, SPNR exhibits reversible behavior whereas the dc magnetization shows substantial hysteresis. The difference between these measurements is attributed to a rotation of the vortex magnetic field out of the film plane as the applied field is reduced. SPNR measures only the magnetization parallel to the film plane, whereas dc magnetization is strongly influenced by the perpendicular component of magnetization when there is a slight sample tilt; thus combining the two techniques allows one to distinguish two components of magnetization in a thin film.
Thermal Characterization of High Temperature Inorganic Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage Applications

As the importance of latent heat thermal energy storage increases for utility scale concentrating solar power (CSP) plants, there lies a need to characterize the thermal properties and melting behavior of phase change materials (PCMs) that are low in cost and high in energy density. In this paper, the results of an investigation of the melting temperature and latent heat of two binary high temperature salt eutectics are presented. Melting point and latent heat are analyzed for a chloride eutectic and carbonate eutectic using simultaneous Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analsysis (TGA). High purity materials were used and the handling procedure was carefully controlled to accommodate the hygroscopic nature of the chloride eutectic. The DSC analysis gives the values of thermal properties of the eutectics, which are compared with the calculated (expected/published) values. The thermal stability of the eutectics is also examined by repeated thermal cycling in a DSC and is reported in the paper along with a cost analysis of the salt materials.
Definition of the upstream efficiency element of the simian virus 40 late polyadenylation signal by using in vitro analyses

The polyadenylation signal for the late mRNAs of simian virus 40 is known to have sequence elements located both upstream and downstream of the AAUAAA which affect efficiency of utilization of the signal. The upstream efficiency element has been previously characterized by using deletion mutations and transfection analyses. Those studies suggested that the upstream element lies between 13 and 48 nucleotides upstream of the AAUAAA. We have utilized in vitro cleavage and polyadenylation reactions to further define the upstream element. 32P-labeled substrate RNAs were prepared by in vitro transcription from wild-type templates as well as from mutant templates having deletions and linker substitutions in the upstream region. Analysis of these substrates defined the upstream region as sequences between 13 and 51 nucleotides upstream of the AAUAAA, in good agreement with the in vivo results. Within this region, three core elements with the consensus sequence AUUUGURA were identified and were specifically mutated by linker substitution. These core elements were found to contain the active components of the upstream efficiency element. Using substrates with both single and double linker substitution mutations of core elements, we observed that the core elements function in a distance-dependent manner. In mutants containing only one core element, the effect on efficiency increases as the distance between the element and the AAUAAA decreases. In addition, when core elements are present in multiple copies, the effect is additive. The core element consensus sequence, which bears homology to the Sm protein complex-binding site in human U1 RNA, is also found within the upstream elements of the ground squirrel hepatitis B and cauliflower mosaic virus polyadenylation signals (R. Russnak, Nucleic Acids Res. 19:6449-6456, 1991; H. Sanfacon, P. Brodmann, and T. Hohn, Genes Dev. 5:141-149, 1991), suggesting functional conservation of this element between mammals and plants.
Ganaxolone improves behavioral deficits in a mouse model of post-traumatic stress disorder

Allopregnanolone and its equipotent stereoisomer, pregnanolone (together termed ALLO), are neuroactive steroids that positively and allosterically modulate the action of gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) at GABAA receptors. Levels of ALLO are reduced in the cerebrospinal fluid of female premenopausal patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a severe, neuropsychiatric condition that affects millions, yet is without a consistently effective therapy. This suggests that restoring downregulated brain ALLO levels in PTSD may be beneficial. ALLO biosynthesis is also decreased in association with the emergence of PTSD-like behaviors in socially isolated (SI) mice. Similar to PTSD patients, SI mice also exhibit changes in the frontocortical and hippocampal expression of GABAA receptor subunits, resulting in resistance to benzodiazepine-mediated sedation and anxiolysis. ALLO acts at a larger spectrum of GABAA receptor subunits than benzodiazepines, and increasing corticolimbic ALLO levels in SI mice by injecting ALLO or stimulating ALLO biosynthesis with a selective brain steroidogenic stimulant, such as S-norfluoxetine, at doses far below those that block serotonin reuptake, reduces PTSD-like behavior in these mice. This suggests that synthetic analogs of ALLO, such as ganaxolone, may also improve anxiety, aggression, and other PTSD-like behaviors in the SI mouse model. Consistent with this hypothesis, ganaxolone (3.75-30 mg/kg, s.c.) injected 60 minutes before testing of SI mice, induced a dose-dependent reduction in aggression toward a same-sex intrude and anxiety-like behavior in an elevated plus maze. The EC50 dose of ganaxolone used in these tests also normalized exaggerated contextual fear conditioning and, remarkably, enhanced fear extinction retention in SI mice. At these doses, ganaxolone failed to change locomotion in an open field test. Therefore, unlike benzodiazepines, ganaxolone at non-sedating concentrations appears to improve dysfunctional emotional
Professional Values in Nursing Ethics: Essential or Optional in the Global Universe?

For any discipline with a practice component, value priorities are a reflection of choices on what it means to be a member of the discipline. For the recipients of professional nursing services, values reflect owning individual priorities for what is most important in living health and quality of life. In the context of global healthcare, priority has been afforded to disciplinary practices whose values are consistent with those of normative, empirical science. This column begins a discussion of what values guide and ought to guide the discipline and practice of nursing from a nursing theoretical perspective.
The Partitioning of the Poleward Energy Transport between the Tropical Ocean and Atmosphere

The mass transport in the shallow, wind-driven, overturning cells in the tropical oceans is constrained to be close to the mass transport in the atmospheric Hadley cell, assuming that zonally integrated wind stresses on land are relatively small. Therefore, the ratio of the poleward energy transport in low latitudes in the two media is determined by the ratio of the atmospheric gross static stability to that of the ocean. A qualitative discussion of the gross stability of each medium suggests that the resulting ratio of oceanic to atmospheric energy transport, averaged over the Hadley cell, is roughly equal to the ratio of the heat capacity of water to that of air at constant pressure, multiplied by the ratio of the moist- to the dry-adiabatic lapse rates near the surface. The ratio of oceanic to atmospheric energy transport should be larger than this value near the equator and smaller than this value near the poleward boundary of the Hadley cell.
Contribution of intercellular reflectance to photosynthesis in shade leaves

The potential contribution of intercellular light reflectance to photosynthesis was investigated by infiltrating shade leaves with mineral oil. Infiltration of leaves of Hydrophyllum canadense and Asarum canadense with mineral oil decreased adaxial leaf reflectance but increased transmittance. As a result of the large increase in transmittance, infiltration caused a decrease in absorptance of 25% and 30% at 550 and 750nm, respectively. Thus, intercellular reflectance increased absorptance in these species by this amount. In a comparison of sun and shade leaves of Acer saccharum and Parthenocissus quinquefolia, oil infiltration decreased absorptance more in shade than in sun leaves. This difference suggests that the higher proportion of spongy mesophyll in shade leaves may increase internal light scattering and thus absorptance. The importance of the spongy mesophyll in increasing internal reflectance was also evident in comparisons of the optics of Populus leaves and in the fluorescence yield of oil-infiltrated leaves of several sun and shade species. Oil infiltration decreased the quantum yield of fluorescence (F o ) by 39-52% for shade leaves but only 21-25% for sun leaves. We conclude that the greater proportion of spongy parenchyma in shade leaves increased intercellular light scattering and thus absorptance. Direct measurements with fibre-optic light probes of the distribution of light inside leaves of Hydrophyllum canadense confirmed that oil infiltration decreased the amount of back-scattered light and that most of the light scattering for this species occurred from the middle of the palisade layer to the middle of the spongy mesophyll. We were not, however, able to assess the potential contribution of reflectance from the internal abaxial epidermis to total internal light scattering in these experiments. Using a mathematical model to compare the response of net photosynthesis (O 2 flux) to incident irradiance for control leaves of H. Canadense and theoretical leaves with no intercellular reflectance, we calculated that intercellular reflectance caused a 1.97-fold increase in photosynthesis at 20 μmol m -2 s -1 (incident photon flux density). This enhancement of absorption and photosynthesis by intercellular reflectance, without additional production and maintenance of photosynthetic pigments, may maintain shade leaves above the photosynthetic light compensation point between sunflecks and maintain the light induction state during protracted periods of low diffuse light.
Smart colloidosomes with a dissolution trigger

This paper reports the assembly and pH-triggered dissolution of a novel type of colloidosome microcapsules formed by self-assembly of responsive particles made from enteric coating polymers onto double emulsion templates; measurements of the capsules' permeability are complemented by evidence for fast and complete capsule dissolution in response to a mild pH stimulus.
Impact of production practices on physicochemical properties of rice grain quality

BACKGROUND: Rice growers are interested in new technologies that can reduce input costs while maintaining high field yields and grain quality. The bed-and-furrow (BF) water management system benefits farmers through decreased water usage, labor, and fuel as compared to standard flood management. Fertilizer inputs can be reduced by producing rice in rotation with soybeans, a nitrogen-fixing crop, and with the use of slow-release fertilizers that reduce nitrogen volatilization and run-off. However, the influence of these cultural management practices on rice physicochemical properties is unknown. Our objective was to evaluate the influence of nitrogen fertilizer source, water management system, and crop rotation on rice grain quality. RESULTS: Grain protein concentration was lower in a continuous rice production system than in a rice–soybean rotation. Neither amylose content nor gelatinization temperature was altered by fertilizer source, crop rotation, or water management. BF water management decreased peak and breakdown viscosities relative to a flooded system. Peak and final paste viscosities were decreased by all fertilizer sources, whereas, crop rotation had no influence on the Rapid Visco Analyser profile. CONCLUSION: Sustainable production systems that decrease water use and utilize crop rotations and slow-release fertilizers have no major impact on rice physicochemical properties. Published 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of miniature microwave circuit components using micromachining techniques

Miniature microwave circuit components are presented that were developed using silicon micromachining techniques. Although micromachining is very well known in sensor applications, it is used, herein, for the first time in microwave applications. This paper presents the development of micromachined lines and describes the theoretical and experimental characterization of circuit components such as filters and tuning stubs. >
Time Redundancy Based Scan Flip-Flop Reuse To Reduce SER Of Combinational Logic

With technology scaling, combinational logic is becoming increasingly vulnerable to radiation strikes. Classical fault tolerant techniques mainly address single even upsets (SEUs). Robust combinational logic designs capable of tolerating single event transients (SETs) also are needed in lower technology nodes. In this paper, we present a novel SET mitigation scheme for flip-flops based on the time redundancy principle. The incurred area overhead due to the radiation hardening is minimized by reusing existing components (uses existing scan portion for SET tolerance). As shown by the simulation results, the proposed SET tolerant flip-flop has no performance overheads and simulation results that show the area overheads in ISCAS benchmark circuits are also presented.
Abrupt deep-sea warming at the end of the Cretaceous

Climatic and oceanographic variations during the last 2 m.y. of the Maastrichtian inferred from high-resolution (10 k.y.) stable isotope analysis of the mid-latitude South Atlantic Deep Sea Drilling Project Site 525 reveal a major warm pulse followed by rapid cooling prior to the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary. Between 66.85 and 65.52 Ma, cool but fluctuating temperatures average 9.9 and 15.4 °C in intermediate and surface waters, respectively. This interval is followed by an abrupt short-term warming between 65.45 and 65.11 Ma, which increased temperatures by 2‐3 °C in intermediate waters, and decreased the vertical thermal gradient to an average of 2.7 °C. This warm pulse may be linked to increased atmospheric pCO 2 , increased poleward heat transport, and the switch of an intermediate water source from high to lowmiddle latitudes. During the last 100 k.y. of the Maastrichtian, intermediate and surface temperatures decreased by an average of 2.1 and 1.4 °C, respectively, compared to the maximum temperature between 65.32 and 65.24 Ma.
Simulation-based confidence bounds for two-stage stochastic programs

This paper provides a rigorous asymptotic analysis and justification of upper and lower confidence bounds proposed by Dantzig and Infanger (A probabilistic lower bound for two-stage stochastic programs, Stanford University, CA, 1995) for an iterative sampling-based decomposition algorithm, introduced by Dantzig and Glynn (Ann. Oper. Res. 22:1–21, 1990) and Infanger (Ann. Oper. Res. 39:41–67, 1992), for solving two-stage stochastic programs. The paper provides confidence bounds in the presence of both independent sampling across iterations, and when common samples are used across different iterations. Confidence bounds for sample-average approximation then follow as a special case. Extensions of the theory to cover use of variance reduction and the dropping of cuts are also presented. An extensive empirical investigation of the performance of these bounds establishes that the bounds perform reasonably on realistic problems.
Participation in Investigational Fertility Preservation Research: A Feminist Research Ethics Approach

The goals and rhetoric of The Oncofertility Consortium (National Institutes of Health. NIH Roadmap for Medical Research. Funded Research: Interdisciplinary Research, Interdisciplinary Research Consortium. http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/interdisciplinary/fundedresearch.asp. Accessed August 25, 2009) are aimed toward preserving cancer patients’ reproductive choices and facilitating their reproductive autonomy after cancer. While the end goals of oncofertility research are oriented toward safeguarding the possibility of biological reproduction for women and girls facing cancer treatments that may affect their fertility, considerable basic and clinical research is still needed in order for oocyte cryopreservation, in vitro follicle maturation, and ovarian tissue cryopreservation to become established fertility preservation techniques. From a feminist research ethics perspective, ethical standards for conducting both basic and clinical research must not only include but also go beyond ensuring institutional review board approval of human subjects research and collating evidence of safety and efficacy. To proceed with fertility preservation research in an ethical and just manner, it is also important to ask (1) on whose bodies is fertility preservation research dependant and (2) in selecting research subject populations, how should researchers balance the risks and benefits to prospective participants? This chapter applies a feminist research ethics approach to the oncofertility context, with a particular focus on the sources of oocytes and ovarian tissue for investigational fertility preservation research and the potential vulnerabilities of participating in this research.
Spherical Richtmyer-Meshkov instability for axisymmetric flow

Front tracking has proved to be an accurate and efficient algorithm in the sense that tracking the interface can reduce the error significantly [9,10]. By applying this algorithm, we conduct numerical simulations of Richtmyer-Meshkov (RM) instabilities in spherical geometry for axisymmetric flow. We demonstrate scaling invariance with respect to shock Mach number for fluid mixing statistics, such as growth rate and volume traction. Here the mixing is related to bulk transport rather than molecular mixing. Our results are validated by convergence under both mesh refinement and statistical ensemble averaging. We also show that the spherical geometry will converge to planar geometry when the number of modes of interface perturbation goes to infinity.
Prediction of thermal diffusion in binary mixtures of nonelectrolyte liquids by the use of nonequilibrium thermodynamics

A derivation based on nonequilibrium thermodynamic leads to this expression for the thermal diffussion factor, ..cap alpha.. /SUB T/ = M/sub 2/(h /SUP xs/ /sub 2/ - h /SUP xs/ /sub 1/)/RT/PHI//sub 2/, where M/sub 2/ is the molecular weight of the lighter of the two components, h /SUP xs/ /SUB i/ is the partial excess enthalpy of component i, J/g, R is 8.314 J x K/sup -1/ x Mol/sup -1/, T is temperature in K, and 0/sub 2/ is the thermodynamic correction factor (1 + d ln ..gamma../sub 2//d ln X/sub 2/), where ..gamma../sub 2/ is an activity coefficient and X/sub 2/ is the mole fraction. The correctness of this theoretical prediction is verified for the liquid system ethanol-water at 298 K.
The hidden war: Humanitarian surgery in a combat zone

Abstract Background Humanitarian surgical care (HSC) provided during wartime plays a substantial role in military operations, but has not been described or quantified beyond individual experiences. Methods Prospective survey was conducted of all military members deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan between 2002 and 2011. Results There were 266 responses. On average, surgeons had been in practice for 3 years at their 1st deployment and the majority were not fellowship trained. HSC was performed on all body systems and patient populations, including surgery for malignancy. Although 30% of responders performed surgeries they had never done before as a staff surgeon, 84% felt well prepared by their residency. The majority felt that performing HSC improved unit readiness (60%), benefited local population (64%), and contributed to counterinsurgency operations (54%). Conclusion Over our 10-year period, hundreds of military surgeons performed countless HSC cases in Iraq and Afghanistan and the majority felt that HSC had numerous benefits.
Re–turning Home: Transnational Movements and the Transformation of Landscape and Culture in the Marginal Communities of Tunis

Global capitalism reworks local experience and landscapes in its own image, but forms and practices of global capitalism are also rooted in and transformed by local social and spatial structures. This paper discusses the simultaneity of both aspects through an examination of changing cultural practices of Tunisian workers residing in marginal urban neighborhoods, and shows how these changes are shaped by the workers' transnational experiences both as migrants abroad and in transnational enterprises at home. One response to such local experiences and incorporations of the non-local is political Islam, a movement that combines accommodation and resistance to new cultural forms, and whose appeal and implications stretch beyond national boundaries.
The Age-Specific Effect Modification of Male Sex for Ulcerated Cutaneous Melanoma

Importance Tumor ulceration is an important prognostic factor for cutaneous melanoma (CM). Previous studies demonstrated that the proportion of ulcerated to nonulcerated CM rose with increasing tumor depth. These frequency-based studies, however, were not adjusted for the population at risk. Objective To determine the absolute incidence of ulcerated CM by tumor depth, stratified by sex and age at diagnosis. Design, Setting, and Participants We compared ulcerated CM by tumor thicknesses (≤1.00, 1.01-2.00, 2.01-4.00, and ≥4.01 mm), stratified by sex among younger (10-39 years) and older (40-84 years) non-Hispanic whites in the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database from 2004 through 2008. Types of CM included superficial spreading, nodular, and unclassified in 5106 cases among 3206 men and 1900 women. Main Outcomes and Measures Incidence of ulcerated CM by tumor depth for younger and older men and women. Results The incidence of tumor ulceration was stable across all tumor depths among younger men and older women. Among younger women, it declined for the thickest lesions (0.08 per 100 000 for tumor depth ≥4.01 mm), although the trend was not statistically significant. In contrast, among older men, there was a statistically significant increase in ulceration for CM with a depth of approximately 1.4 per 100 000 for tumor depth of 2.00 mm or thicker. Conclusions and Relevance Male sex is an age-specific effect modifier for ulcerated CM by tumor depth. Future studies and staging guidelines should consider the interaction among CM ulceration, thickness, sex, and age at diagnosis.
Test pattern generation and signature analysis for burst errors

In testing certain systems, checking for burst errors is important. This is due to the fact that errors are confined to a certain number of bits. If signature analysis is used to test a circuit then the testing capabilities depend on the polynomial that defines the linear feedback shift register (LFSR) used in the test. In this paper we show that the LFSR that is suitable for checking for burst errors is not suitable for test pattern generation. We propose a method to modify the LFSR that performs signature analysis efficiently into a nonlinear feedback shift register (NLFSR) that is suitable for test pattern generation.
A Compact Construction for LDPC Codes using Permutation Polynomials

A construction is proposed for low density parity check codes using quadratic permutation polynomials over finite integer rings. Graph isomorphisms and automorphisms are identified and used in an efficient search for good codes. Graphs with girth as large as 12 were found. Upper bounds on the minimum Hamming distance are found algorithmically. The bounds indicate that the minimum distance grows with block length. One of the new codes has a similar error performance as the best known PEG LDPC code. Finally, the new codes are quasi-cyclic.
Notes, Successor Liability in Labor Relations

Employment relationships are frequently affected by altered circumstances of either companies or unions occasioned by sale, transfer, merger or shift in allegiance from a bargaining representative. At such time, doubt may surround the status of an existing collective bargaining agreement and the applicability of administrative directives. The nature and the extent of the change may have important relation to the obligations of resultant transferees and successors. Successor liability has been of two general kinds. Implementation of labor legislation is the primary source. Further consequences of successorship arise under collective agreements. With a view to distinguishing those factors which have led to the imposition of responsibility, instances of liability of successor employers and labor unions either for the acts of their predecessors or because of their status as successor will be analyzed within these categories.
Two Distinct Perspectives on Ratios: Additive and Multiplicative Relationships between Quantities

The purpose of this study is to investigate how pre-service teachers’ formation of additive and multiplicative relationships support and constrain their understandings of ratios and proportional relationships in terms of quantities. Six pre-service teachers were selected purposefully based on their performances in a previous course. An explanatory case study with multiple cases was used to make comparisons within and across cases. A semi-structured interview was conducted with pairs of pre-service teachers. The results revealed that pre-service teachers’ heavy reliance on additive or multiplicative relationships critically shaped their reasoning about ratios from the two perspectives. Pre-service teachers who only attended to multiplicative relationships were found to have a robust understanding of proportional relationships. Pre-service teachers, who did attend to additive relationships, even if they used multiplicative relationships, struggled to form appropriate proportional relationships from the two perspectives.
Forecasting Chinese Households’ Demand from Home Production

As the Chinese market economy expands and market institutions become stronger, there will be more incentives for Chinese households to substitute market activity for home production.The goal of this paper is to provide a quantitative analysis of the potential Chinese consumer demand for household services. Using dataset from the American Time Use Survey and the China Health and Nutrition Survey, I compare households’ demand for services and home production between US and China. A standard choice-theoretic model of the household is used to estimate the structural parameters and to quantitatively forecast Chinese households’ service demand.
COMMENTS ON “QUALITATIVE STABILITY OF MATRICES AND ECONOMIC THEORY: A SURVEY ARTICLE”

Publisher Summary This chapter presents comments on qualitative stability of matrices and economic theory. Various kinds of stability are always associated with the special qualitative structure of the matrices, which are associated with some phase of economic theory. The matrices under consideration are sometimes dense and have special structures. They are square matrices and the kinds of transformations applied to such matrices are iterative multiplications and additions or subtractions. Two situations can arise if the computer is to be used to assist in model analysis: (1) verification that the structure and signs appear as initially prescribed and (2) verification that the signs remain as prescribed after some computation.