cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mathematical Readiness of Entering College Freshmen: An Exploration of Perceptions of Mathematics Faculty.

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics has set ambitious goals for the teaching and learning of mathematics that include preparing students for both the workplace and higher education. While this suggests that it is important for students to develop strong mathematical competencies by the end of high school, there is evidence to indicate that overall this is not the case. Both national and international studies corroborate the concern that, on the whole, US 12th grade students do not demonstrate mathematical proficiency, suggesting that students making the transition from high school to college mathematics may not be ready for its rigors. In order to investigate mathematical readiness of entering college students, this study surveyed mathematics faculty. Specifically, faculty members were asked their perceptions of average entering students' readiness related to relevant mathematical skills and concepts, and the importance of the same skills and concepts as foundations for college mathematics. Results demonstrated that the faculty perceived that average freshman students are generally not mathematically prepared; further, the skills and concepts rated as highly important — namely, algebraic skills and reasoning and generalization — were among those rated the lowest in terms of student competencies.
Factorial Validity of the Faith Development Scale

The Faith Development Scale (FDS; Leak, Loucks, & Bowlin, 1999) is a brief, global measure of religious maturity derived explicitly from Fowler's (1981) influential theory of faith development. A great deal of prior research exists to support its construct validity. It has not, however, undergone a rigorous examination of its factorial validity as part of the overall construct validation process. This research examines the factorial validity of the FDS through the evaluation of two plausible models derived from theory or prior empirical research (one- and two-factor models, respectively). Analysis of items indicated adequate fit, and analysis of parcels indicated excellent model-data fit. Implications for the FDS and limitations of the study are presented.
Cyclotron resonance in graphene at ultrahigh magnetic fields

Cyclotron resonance measurements in CVD-grown, large-area graphene at ultrahigh magnetic fields were performed, where polarization and wavelength dependence determined the carrier type of the doping and the value of the Fermi energy.
Possible explanations for informational sabotage: potential research models

Sabotage is one form of organizational retaliatory behavior (ORB) and a subset of workplace aggression. This article examines an increasingly common type of sabotage – informational sabotage – and proposes several testable models on how four internal drivers, spirituality, self‐esteem, locus of control and victimization, may be associated with this ORB. The propositions here suggest a variety of relationships between informational sabotage and these independent variables. The paper concludes with a discussion of future research issues and offers a most likely case hypothesis supported by previous research findings from the literature.
Ca2+ waves in astrocytes

The glial cell is the most numerous cell type in the central nervous system and is believed to play an important role in guiding brain development and in supporting adult brain function. One type of glial cell, the astrocyte also may be an integral computational element in the brain since it undergoes neurotransmitter-triggered signalling. Here we review the role of the astrocyte in the central nervous system, emphasizing receptor-mediated Ca2+ physiology. One focus is the recent discovery that the neurotransmitter glutamate induces a variety of intracellular Ca2+ changes in astrocytes. Simple Ca2+ spikes or intracellular Ca2+ oscillations often appear spatially uniform. However, in many instances, the Ca2+ rise has a significant spatial dimension, beginning in one part of the cell it spreads through the rest of the cell in the form of a wave. With high enough agonist concentration an astrocyte syncitium supports intercellular waves which propagate from cell to cell over relatively long distances. We present results of experiments using more specific pharmacological glutamate receptor agonists. In addition to describing the intercellular Ca2+ wave we present evidence for another form of intercellular signalling. Some possible functions of a long-range glial signalling system are also discussed.
K+-evoked taurine efflux from cerebellar astrocytes: on the roles of Ca2+ and Na+.

The ionic requirements for K+-evoked efflux of endogenous taurine from primary cerebellar astrocyte cultures were studied. The Ca2+ ionophore A23187 evoked taurine efflux in a dose-dependent fashion with a time-course identical to that of K+-induced efflux. The Ca2+-channel antagonist nifedipine had no effect upon efflux induced by 10 or 50 mM K+. In addition, verapamil did not antagonize 50 mM K+-evoked efflux except at high, non-pharmacological concentrations (>100 μM), and preincubation with 2 μM ω-conotoxin had no effect on 50 mM K+-evoked efflux. Similarly, preincubation with 1 mM ouabain had no effect on the amount of taurine released by K+ stimulation, but did accelerate the onset of efflux by 2–4 min. Although 2 μM tetrodotoxin had no effect on K+-evoked release, replacing Na+ with choline abolished the taurine efflux seen in response to K+ stimulation. Together, these findings suggest that neuronal N- and L-type Ca2+- and voltage-dependent Na+-channels are not involved in the influx of Ca2+ which appears to be necessary for K+-evoked taurine efflux, and that in addition to Ca2+, extracellular Na+ is also required.
Software Maintenance: 1990 status

Results of a survey of the 1990 Software Maintenance Association Meeting and Conference attendees indicate a number of changes in software maintenance-related issues. Systems are ageing and growing in size. Software maintenance is separated from new systems development in more than half of the organizations. Over 45% of maintenance work is spent on functional enhancements. About three out of four organizations depend on specific individuals because no-one else can maintain particular systems and only 5% of organizations employ a formal method for determining when software should be rewritten. Responses describing major problems and preferred changes in DP organizations were classified into general categories and compared with previous similar studies. Trends show maturation of software maintenance toward a greater appreciation of maintenance and at least an intention of managers to improve the support of this activity.
Meteorite-asteroid spectral comparison: The effects of comminution, melting, and recrystallization

The present laboratory simulation of possible spectral-alteration effects on the optical surface of ordinary chondrite parent bodies duplicated regolith processes through comminution of the samples to finer rain sizes. After reflectance spectra characterization, the comminuted samples were melted, crystallized, recomminuted, and again characterized. While individual spectral characteristics could be significantly changed by these processes, no combination of the alteration procedures appeared capable of affecting all relevant parameters in a way that improved the match between chondritic meteorites and S-class asteroids.
Short Term High Fat Diet Challenge Promotes Alternative Macrophage Polarization in Adipose Tissue via Natural Killer T Cells and Interleukin-4

Inflammation in adipose tissue plays an important role in the pathogenesis of obesity-associated complications. However, the detailed cellular events underlying the inflammatory changes at the onset of obesity have not been characterized. Here we show that an acute HFD challenge is unexpectedly associated with elevated alternative (M2) macrophage polarization in adipose tissue mediated by Natural Killer T (NKT) cells. Upon 4d HFD feeding, NKT cells are activated, promote M2 macrophage polarization and induce arginase 1 expression via interleukin (IL)-4 in adipose tissue, not in the liver. In NKT-deficient CD1d−/− mice, M2 macrophage polarization in adipose tissue is reduced while systemic glucose homeostasis and insulin tolerance are impaired upon 4d HFD challenge. Thus, our study demonstrate, for the first time to our knowledge, that acute HFD feeding is associated with remarkably pronounced and dynamic immune responses in adipose tissue, and adipose-resident NKT cells may link acute HFD feeding with inflammation. Background: Our understanding of immune responses at early stages of obesity is very limited. Results: Acute HFD feeding promotes alternative macrophage polarization in adipose tissue via NKT cells and IL-4. Conclusion: NKT cells in adipose tissue play important role in linking acute HFD feeding with adipose inflammation. Significance: Acute HFD feeding is unexpectedly associated with pronounced and dynamic immune responses in adipose tissue.
Luminescence in plasma-deposited Si–O alloys

Abstract Luminescence properties of hydrogenated amorphous Si–O alloys made by plasma decomposition are described. Alloying with oxygen results in a systematic increase of the luminescence peak position and linewidth, a reduction in the thermal quenching, and a modification of the decay properties. From the data we infer an increase in the width of the band tails, and a larger electron–phonon interaction compared with a-Si: H.
Structure and Extinction of Heptane/Air Partially Premixed Flames

A numerical investigation of the structure and extinction of n-heptane/air partially premixed e ames in a countere ow cone guration is reported. The e ame is computed using a detailed reaction mechanism consisting of 275 elementary reactions and 41 species. The mechanism is validated by comparing its predictions with measurements for both the premixed and nonpremixed e ames. The partially premixed e ame structure is characterized by twostage burning or two spatially distinct, but synergistically coupled, reaction zones, namely, a rich premixed zone on the fuel side and a nonpremixed zone on the air side. Two major pathways characterize the n-heptane/air chemistry in these two reaction zones. The fuel is completely consumed in the premixed reaction zone, with ethylene and acetylene being the major intermediate species. Interactions between the two zones involve the transport of heat from the nonpremixed to the premixed reaction zone and the transport of CO, H 2, and C2H2 from the premixed to the nonpremixed reaction zone. The e ame response to variations in equivalence ratio and strain rate is characterized. Increasing the equivalence ratio and/or strain rate to a critical value leads to merging of the two reaction zones. Further increase in equivalence ratio leads to a nonpremixed e ame, whereas that in strain rate leads to e ame extinction. The partially premixed combustion regime is obtained by computing the critical strain rate for merging as a function of the equivalence ratio. The e ame structure is characterized in terms of a modie ed mixture fraction (conserved scalar ), and laminar e amelet proe les are provided. Stretch-induced extinction is also investigated. Results indicate that as the level of partial premixing is increased, the e ame extinction occurs at increasingly higher strain rates, implying that partially premixed e ames are less prone to extinction compared to nonpremixed e ames.
Innate Immune Responses to Rhinovirus are Reduced by the High-Affinity IgE Receptor in Allergic Asthmatic Children

Background Children with allergic asthma have more frequent and severe human rhinovirus (HRV)–induced wheezing and asthma exacerbations through unclear mechanisms. Objective We sought to determine whether increased high-affinity IgE receptor (FceRI) expression and cross-linking impairs innate immune responses to HRV, particularly in allergic asthmatic children. Methods PBMCs were obtained from 44 children, and surface expression of FceRI on plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), myeloid dendritic cells, monocytes, and basophils was assessed by using flow cytometry. Cells were also incubated with rabbit anti-human IgE to cross-link FceRI, followed by stimulation with HRV-16, and IFN-α and IFN-λ1 production was measured by Luminex. The relationships among FceRI expression and cross-linking, HRV-induced IFN-α and IFN-λ1 production, and childhood allergy and asthma were subsequently analyzed. Results FceRIα expression on pDCs was inversely associated with HRV-induced IFN-α and IFN-λ1 production. Cross-linking FceRI before HRV stimulation further reduced PBMC IFN-α (47% relative reduction; 95% CI, 32% to 62%; P P P = .004; IFN-λ1, P = .02) and nonallergic nonasthmatic children (IFN-α, P = .002; IFN-λ1, P = .01). Conclusions Allergic asthmatic children have impaired innate immune responses to HRV that correlate with increased FceRI expression on pDCs and are reduced by FceRI cross-linking. These effects likely increase susceptibility to HRV-induced wheezing and asthma exacerbations.
GRIBOV-POMERANCHUK POLES IN SCATTERING AMPLITUDES

It is shown that the argument of Gribov and Pomeranchuk for the existence of fixed poles in the $J$ plane at "nonsense" values of $J$ goes through in the presence of cuts, even though their argument for an essential singularity then fails. Such poles have no effect on the asymptotic behavior but, in cases where the contribution of the third double-spectral function is large, they will invalidate both the Schwarz superconvergence relations and the presence of dips in the asymptotic region. A Regge trajectory will not choose sense or nonsense at a point where it passes through an integer of the wrong signature.
Heterotopic Ossification in Civilians With Lower Limb Amputations

Abstract Objectives To report the incidence of symptomatic heterotopic ossification (HO) in a defined civilian amputee population, describe its characteristics, and compare these findings to published data in military amputees. Design Retrospective chart analysis from July 1998 to July 2009. Setting Ambulatory amputee clinic within a large university medical center. Participants Adults with lower limb amputation (N=158). Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure Patients with symptomatic HO confirmed by radiographs. Results A total of 261 patients were evaluated; 158 met inclusion criteria, with 59% having traumatic etiology, 18% vascular etiology, 22% infection, and 1% tumor. Symptomatic HO was diagnosed in 36 (22.8%) patients, and 94% patients had mild HO on radiographic scoring. Rate of HO in amputations related to trauma was not increased compared with those of other etiologies. Surgical resection of the ectopic bone was required in 4 (11%) patients. Conclusions HO is seen commonly after civilian lower limb amputation regardless of etiology. The prevalence was less than that observed in previous reports from military populations. This is the first report estimating the prevalence of HO in adult civilian amputees.
Neutrophil β2-Integrin Upregulation Is Blocked by a p38 MAP Kinase Inhibitor☆

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha is known to upregulate the expression of surface adhesion molecules on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). The purpose of this investigation was to study possible intracellular signaling pathways responsible for the upregulation of beta2 integrins on normal human PMNs induced by TNF. We report that treatment with TNF (10 ng/ml) for 30 min resulted in a significant increase in CD18 and MAC-1 surface expression (P < 0.001). In addition, pretreatment with 15 microM SB203580, a p38 MAP kinase inhibitor, for 10 min significantly inhibited TNF upregulation of CD18 and MAC-1 (P < 0.0001). Pretreatment with either 15 microM PD 98059, a p42/44 MAP kinase inhibitor, or 5 microM GO 6850, a protein kinase C inhibitor, had no significant inhibitory effect. These data suggest that the TNF-induced upregulation of beta2 integrins is mediated specifically through the p38 MAP kinase pathway and not through the p42/44 MAP kinase or protein kinase C pathways.
What's so special about Humanitarian operations?

Many civilians and military officers working on humanitarian assistance (HA) operations appear convinced that such operations are completely new and different from traditional military operations, and thus require significant changes to military doctrine, organization, training, and equipment. This article challenges that assumption by demonstrating that most of the capabilities required for HA operations are also required for combat operations, especially low‐intensity conflicts. Thus the military already possesses (or at least should possess) these capabilities, including how to escort convoys, perform civil affairs tasks, and deal with restrictive rules of engagement in ambiguous situations. Although the skills that make up these capabilities are difficult and require more emphasis, they are not new. To address requirements for future HA operations, civilian and military analysts may have to jettison the assumption that such operations are inherently different and examine more closely the issues surrou...
PERMUTABLE DIAGONAL-TYPE SUBGROUPS OF $G\times H$

Two subgroups $M$ and $S$ of a group $G$ are said to permute , or $M$ permutes with $S$ , if $MS = SM$ . Furthermore, $M$ is a permutable subgroup of $G$ if $M$ permutes with every subgroup of $G$ . In this article, we provide necessary and sufficient conditions for a subgroup of $G\times H$ , whose intersections with the direct factors are normal, to be a permutable subgroup.
1180 MOXALACTAM USE IN INFANTS: LACK OF BLEEDING COMPLICATIONS

Moxalactam sodium is a semisynthetic oxa-beta-lactam antibiotic with a broad spectrum of activity against gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. Coagulopathy has been associated with use of this antibiotic in adults, but similar information is lacking in infants. Moxalactam in combination with ampicillin was used in the treatment of 63 infants with suspected bacterial sepsis. Antibiotic dosages were moxalactam 100–150 mg/kg/day and ampicillin 100 mg/kg/day depending upon the age of the infant. Ages of these infants ranged from 1–47 days. Microorganisms recovered from blood cultures included: group B streptococcus (2), E. coli, Klebsiella sp., Serratia marcescens and Staphylococcus aureus. A prolonged prothrombin time was noted in the infant with E. coli sepsis. No other infant demonstrated bleeding abnormalities (decreased prothrombin, increased bleeding time or thrombocytopenia). Moxalactam remains an acceptable antibiotic when used in combination with ampicillin for treating suspected sepsis in infants. It appears that there is little risk for moxalactam-associated coagulopathy in infants.
Stimulus preferences in hoarding

In a preliminary investigation of stimulus factors in hoarding, nondeprived hamsters were presented with supplies of sucrose or chow pellets. With only one material available, somewhat more sucrose than chow was hoarded When both materials were available for direct choice, however, there was a large preference for sucrose. Stimulus characteristics of the hoarded material and range of choice are important in determining hoarding activity, even in natural hoarders.
Music-notation searching and digital libraries

Almost all work on music information retrieval to date has concentrate d on music in the audio and event (normally MIDI) domains. However, music in the form of notation, especially Conventional Music Notation (CMN), is of much interest to musically-trained persons, both amateurs and professionals, and searching CMN has great value for digital music libraries. One obvious reason little has been done on music retrieval in CMN form is the overwhelming complexity of CMN, which requires a very substantial investment in programming before one can even begin studying music IR. This paper reports on work adding music-retrieval capabilities to Nightingale©, an existing professional-level music-notation editor.
Incremental Experts: How Much Knowledge Does a Team Need?

Experts are often viewed as individuals with a vast storehouse of knowledge beyond the normal participants in a domain. In reality, the expert may have just enough additional knowledge beyond those they interface with to propel their team to success. This research explores the interplay between the accumulation of knowledge as facilitated by individual and team network structures and prior skill sets necessary to successfully participate in a business simulation emulating the cash-to-cash cycle of a manufacturing company. Students participate in simulated organizations that compete against one another in an introductory and extended setting, the latter being the more complex market environment. Comparisons within and between teams across simulations indicate that minor background differences in specific participant ability and associated network structures can make significant differences in simulation standings.
A program to teach house calls for the elderly to fourth-year medical students

The authors report on the development, implementation, and evaluation of a curriculum to teach house calls for the elderly to fourth-year medical students. A faculty committee drew up a statement of philosophy: developed attitude, knowledge, and skill objectives: and specified required educational experiences for the curriculum. which was incorporated into a required eight-week rotation in ambulatory medicine. In 1985 and 1986, 18 students completed the new curriculum at three different clinic sites and made a total of 167 documented house calls. Prerotation and postrotation measurement of the students' attitudes documented a significantly (p less than .003) more favorable attitude toward house calls after completion of the curriculum. The students further indicated that they were more likely after the curriculum than before it to provide house calls as part of their future medical practice. The students' evaluation of the curriculum provided information on the relative effectiveness of teaching strategies used in the curriculum and documented the success of the curriculum in transmitting knowledge about the homebound elderly.
On higher order effects in some abnormal allowed beta-transitions

Abstract Essentially isotropic β-γ directional correlations have been obtained in several highly retarded allowed β-transitions. The implications of the results are examined using Morita's theory for higher order effects.
Ultrastructure of cardiocyte degeneration and myocardial calcification in the dystrophic hamster

The myocardium of the Bio 14.6 cardiomyopathic hamster was examined with the electron microscope to identify cellular and organelle changes during the acute lesioning stage, a period typified by concomitant cardiocyte destruction and calcium elevation. Most cardiocytes retained their normal histologic and ultrastructural features, but scattered foci of altered and necrotic cells were observed in association with degenerative calcifying lesions. Prenecrotic alterations of myocytes included cellular edema; varying degrees of distension of sarcoplasmic reticulum and T-tubules; contraction bands and other myofibrillar abnormalities; mitochondrial clustering and hyperplasia; a wide spectrum of mitochondrial changes such as altered sizes, shapes, and cristal patterns, and increases in the number and size of osmiophilic matrix inclusions. Morphologic features consistent with substantial calcium excess were not observed in most altered but prenecrotic cells. Instead, calcium deposition within extruded mitochondria and upon degenerating organelle debris was observed only after cardiocyte disruption. Some calcifying cell remnants were phagocytized by macrophages, whereas large calcified plaques and other deposits remained in the interstitium. Mitochondrial calcification in vascular smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts was evident in highly calcified lesions. These observations suggest that most of the morphologically identifiable calcium deposition present in this cardiomyopathy results from secondary calcification subsequent to sarcolemmal disruption.
Topographic controls on dike injection in volcanic rift zones

Abstract Dike emplacement in volcanic rift zones is often associated with the injection of “blade-like” dikes, which propagate long distances parallel to the rift, but frequently remain trapped at depth and erupt only near the tip of the dike. Over geologic time, this style of dike injection implies that a greater percentage of extension is accommodated by magma accretion at depth than near the surface. In this study, we investigate the evolution of faulting, topography and stress state in volcanic rift zones using a kinematic model for dike injection in an extending 2-D elastic-viscoplastic layer. We show that the intrusion of blade-like dikes focuses deformation at the rift axis, leading to the formation of an axial rift valley. However, flexure associated with the development of the rift topography generates compression at the base of the plate. If the magnitude of these deviatoric compressive stresses exceeds the deviatoric tensile stress associated with far-field extension, further dike injection will be inhibited. In general, this transition from tensile to compressive deviatoric stresses occurs when the rate of accretion in the lower crust is greater than 50–60% of the far-field extension rate. These results indicate that, over geologic timescales, the injection of blade-like dikes is a self-limiting process in which dike-generated faulting and topography result in an efficient feedback mechanism that controls the time-averaged distribution of magma accretion within the crust.
Helmet fit and cervical spine motion in collegiate men's lacrosse athletes secured to a spine board

Abstract Context: Proper management of cervical spine injuries in men's lacrosse players depends in part upon the ability of the helmet to immobilize the head. Objective: To determine if properly a...
Inhibition of spindle elongation in permeabilized mitotic cells by erythro-9-[3-(2-hydroxynonyl)] adenine

Studies using living cells1,2 and experimental manipulation of permeabilized mitotic cells3,4 demonstrate that the movement of anaphase chromosomes consists of two physiologically distinct events: chromosome movement to the spindle poles (anaphase A) and separation of the poles via spindle elongation (anaphase B). Shortening of kinetochore-attached microtubules is associated with anaphase A and rearrangement and lengthening of the polar microtubules, especially those found in the spindle midzone, with anaphase B5,6. It has been suggested that interactions between microtubules, mediated by dynein-like cross-bridges similar to those found in flagella, may be the mechanochemical system responsible for anaphases A and B7,8. Recently Bouchard et al.9 have demonstrated that erythro-9-[3-(2-hydroxynonyl)]adenine (EHNA), a protein carboxyl-methylation inhibitor, is a specific inhibitor of flagellar beat and dynein ATPase activity. I have now investigated the possibility that dynein-like ATPases have a role in anaphase by adding EHNA to permeabilized cell models in conditions compatible with maintenance of anaphases A and B after lysis3,4.I find that EHNA blocks anaphase B but not anaphase A. These results are consistent with the involvement of a dynein-like ATPase in spindle elongation.
Money and Barter under Private Information

This paper examines the role of money when private information about the quality of the goods is present. In the private information environment, barter exchange for high-quality goods is rare since people have incentive to produce low-quality goods and attempt to cheat uninformed trading partners. This environment gives money a role in mitigating informational frictions. I consider two environments, one where traders can signal their quality of goods and one where they cannot, and two types of informational problems -- adverse selection and moral hazard -- in a search-theoretic framework. Both environments support the notion that money reduces the adverse selection problem and increases welfare. However, with moral hazard, money is less effective in overcoming informational frictions. Because low-quality goods producers can still consume as long as they hold money even when their products are recognized as low quality, agents have incentive to produce low-quality goods. I conduct several policy analyses, and find that the role of money is very sensitive to the inflation rate. While the Friedman rule is the optimal monetary policy in my environment, it cannot generate a first-best allocation unless traders are able to signal their quality of goods.
A Flexible Computer Program for Evaluation of Data Obtained via the Walsh Atomic Absorption Method

A single computer program, for use in especially highly precise and accurate applications of the Walsh atomic absorption method, is designed to allow an analyst the freedoms (1) to determine the concentrations of up to 11 elements in an unrestricted number of samples; (2) to use up to 40 differently named standards and/or series of standards simultaneously, with or without a dilution option; (3) to fit any standard curve and associate it with either one equation or two; (4) to make the equation of all or part of any standard curve a polynomial of either first or second degree; and (5) to have standard curve equation coefficients and/or coordinates of certain points on the standard curve printed out in easily readable form. The concentration of a given element of interest, in any sample, is treated as a variable with random properties. Up to 26 estimates of this concentration can be made, and, from them, the program computes the mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, and both 95 and 99% confidence limits about the mean.
Experimental and External-Proton-Beam Magnet Power-Supply Systems at the Bevatron

Magnet power-supply systems for both experimental and external-proton-beam (EPB) magnets used at the Bevatron are described as feedback control systems. Individual components contained in the systems are also described. The power-controlling component first used in the supplies was a three-phase magnetic amplifier. Silicon-controlled-rectifier (SCR) bridges are being used now. The requirements placed on the experimental magnet supply systems are ±0.1% current regulation with ±10% line-voltage perturbations occurring every pulse of the Bevatron. The EPB systems must track to at least ±0.1% a dynamic signal closely related to the proton beam energy. The performance criteria for EPB systems involve both error coefficients and transient response.
Detection of bacteriophage VSH-1 svp38 gene in Brachyspira spirochetes.

VSH-1 is a mitomycin C-inducible, non-lytic, phage-like agent that packages random 7.5-kb fragments of the Brachyspira hyodysenteriae genome. VSH-1 is the first recognized mechanism for gene transfer between B. hyodysenteriae cells. To analyze the distribution of VSH-1 among spirochetes, a 344-bp probe for gene svp38, encoding the VSH-1 major head protein, was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and used in Southern blot hybridizations with genomic DNA from various spirochete genera. The svp38 probe hybridized to a 40-kb SalI–SmaI fragment of the B. hyodysenteriae B78T chromosome, indicating VSH-1 DNA insertion into the chromosome at a unique site. Restriction endonuclease digested DNAs of 27 spirochete strains representing six Brachyspira species (B. hyodysenteriae, B. innocens, B. pilosicoli, B. murdochii, B. intermedia, B. alvinipulli) contained a single fragment hybridizing with the svp38 probe. DNAs from spirochete species of the genera Treponema, Spirochaeta, Borrelia, and Leptospira did not hybridize with the probe. VSH-1-like agents appear to be widely distributed among Brachyspira species and, as has been demonstrated for B. hyodysenteriae, may serve as useful gene transfer agents for those other species.
Transport through carbon nanotube wires

After briefly reviewing previous results of conductance calculations for carbon nanotube wires, we present new results of ballistic transport by taking the non-crossing subbands into account. Specifically, we show that concepts in semiconductor physics such as Zener tunneling and Bragg reflection play an important role in determining the current versus applied voltage (I-V) characteristics of even metallic nanotubes.
Economic implications of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder for healthcare systems

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common chronic conditions of childhood, with adverse consequences that persist through adolescence into adulthood. Thus, the burden of illness associated with ADHD is high for affected individuals, their families, and society at large. This article reviews available information about ADHD-associated utilisation of healthcare resources, direct medical costs, and the costs or cost effectiveness of pharmacological interventions. Published estimates suggest that direct medical costs for youth with ADHD are approximately double those for youth without ADHD. Cross-sectional studies suggest that ADHD-associated incremental costs are highest for mental health services and pharmaceutical costs, and are greatest for youth with comorbid psychiatric conditions and for those being treated with stimulant medication. To guide relevant clinical and health policy, additional research is warranted on the following: source of increased costs observed among persons with ADHD; patient characteristics of those accruing high medical costs; and the long-term effect of ADHD treatment on direct and indirect costs.
Aligned carbon nanotubes for multifunctional nanocomposites and nanodevices: from plastic optoelectronics to bioceramics

Abstract Carbon nanotubes are very attractive for a wide range of potential applications. However, many applications require the growth of aligned/micropatterned carbon nanotubes with or without a modified nanotube surface. Simple pyrolytic methods for large scale production of aligned/micropatterned carbon nanotube arrays perpendicular to the substrate surface have been developed. These aligned carbon nanotube arrays can be transferred onto various substrates of particular interest in either a patterned or non-patterned fashion. The perpendicularly-aligned structure provides advantages for not only an efficient device construction but also surface functionalisation (both the inner and outer wall) while their alignment structure can be largely retained. These aligned carbon nanotubes with tunable surface characteristics are of great significance to various practical applications, ranging from plastic optoelectronics to bioceramics. Examples include biomolecule immobilised carbon nanotube biosensors, synth...
Uncovering the blind spot of leadership

Why do our attempts to deal with the challenges of our time so often fail? The cause of our collective failure is that we are blind to the deeper dimension of leadership and transformational change. This “blind spot” exists not only in our collective leadership but also in our everyday social interactions. We are blind to the source dimension from which effective leadership and social action come into being.
Video Self-Modeling on an iPad to Teach Functional Math Skills to Adolescents With Autism and Intellectual Disability

Researchers suggest that video-based interventions can provide increased opportunity for students with disabilities to acquire important academic and functional skills; however, little research exists regarding video-based interventions on the academic skills of students with autism and intellectual disability. We used a multiple-baseline-across-participants design to investigate the effects of video self-modeling (VSM) on the mathematics skill acquisition of adolescents with autism. Four adolescent male students viewed videos of themselves on an iPad solving mathematical problems to estimate the amount of money used to pay for a given item and the amount to receive in change. Findings support a functional relationship between VSM and performance on math skills for each participant. Subsequently, the VSM was systematically faded during maintenance sessions, with little deterioration of skill. Follow-up data probes were interpreted to conclude that student characteristics may affect retention of skill. Imp...
Low Pressure Organic Vapor Phase Deposition of Small Molecular Weight Organic Device Structures

A new technique for the deposition of amorphous organic thin films, low pressure organic vapor phase deposition (LP-OVPD), was used to fabricate organic light emitting devices (OLEDs) and optically pumped organic lasers. The OLED consisted of a film of aluminum tris-(8 hydroxyquinoline) (Alq3) grown on the surface of a film of N’-diphenyl-N,N’-bis(3-methylphenyl)1-l’biphenyl-4-4’diamine (TPD). Growth on both glass and polyester substrates was accomplished and the resulting heterojunction devices were found to have a performance similar to conventional, small molecular weight OLEDs grown using thermal evaporation in vacuum. The LP-OVPD grown OLED has an external quantum efficiency of 0.40 ± 0.05% and a turn-on voltage of approximately 6V. The optically pumped organic laser consisted of a film of Alq3 doped with the laser dye, benzoic acid, 2-[6-(ethylamino)-3-(ethylimino)-2,7-dimethyl-3H-xanthen- 9-yl]-ethyl ester, monohydrochloride (Rhodamine 6G). The laser output was centered at approximately 610nm and the lasing threshold was 30fuJcm-2. The rapid throughput of LP-OVPD and its use of low vacuum in a horizontal reactor demonstrate its potential to facilitate low cost, roll-to-roll deposition of organic films for many photonic device applications.
Sleep quality and neural circuit function supporting emotion regulation.

Recent laboratory studies employing an extended sleep deprivation model have mapped sleep-related changes in behavior onto functional alterations in specific brain regions supporting emotion, suggesting possible biological mechanisms for an association between sleep difficulties and deficits in emotion regulation. However, it is not yet known if similar behavioral and neural changes are associated with the more modest variability in sleep observed in daily life. We examined relationships between sleep and neural circuitry of emotion using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and fMRI data from a widely used emotion regulation task focusing on cognitive reappraisal of negative emotional stimuli in an unselected sample of 97 adult volunteers (48 women; mean age 42.78±7.37 years, range 30–54 years old). Emotion regulation was associated with greater activation in clusters located in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC), left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), and inferior parietal cortex. Only one subscale from the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, use of sleep medications, was related to BOLD responses in the dmPFC and dlPFC during cognitive reappraisal. Use of sleep medications predicted lesser BOLD responses during reappraisal, but other aspects of sleep, including sleep duration and subjective sleep quality, were not related to neural activation in this paradigm. The relatively modest variability in sleep that is common in the general community is unlikely to cause significant disruption in neural circuits supporting reactivity or regulation by cognitive reappraisal of negative emotion. Use of sleep medication however, may influence emotion regulation circuitry, but additional studies are necessary to determine if such use plays a causal role in altering emotional responses.
The Inward Journey of Leadership

For most people, becoming an effective leader is a lifelong effort that requires an enormous amount of work and commitment. Few individuals reach their full capacity as leaders but not because they lack in technical abilities. Becoming a world-class leader involves much more than becoming a more proficient manager or a better strategic thinker. Most fundamentally, the process is about a personal transformation. All great leaders are on a continuous inward journey of selfdiscovery and self-growth to transform themselves and their organizations. Rainer Rilke, the renowned German poet, once commented, “There is only one journey. Going inside yourself.” For an increasing number of people, however, the focus is outward, on looking good and standing out. At the same time, they experience an inner restlessness, a growing sense that something is missing in their lives, though it is not clear what. Troubled by the isolation of their personal values from their careers, many people are tempted to detach (sometimes even compromise) their most deep-seated beliefs from the workplace, even though such compartmentalization is inconsistent with their basic principles. Sadly, many of us would say, “I don’t have time for self-discovery and introspection. I’m too busy. My work is more hectic and demanding than ever.” We don’t set aside much time to “go inside” ourselves to reflect, to make our personal growth a priority. Rilke’s advice, however, is especially useful for leaders in academic medicine who have experienced the turmoil and anxiety that have permeated academic medical centers
Deconstructing Building Blocks: Preschoolers' Spatial Assembly Performance Relates to Early Mathematical Skills

This study focuses on three main goals: First, 3-year-olds' spatial assembly skills are probed using interlocking block constructions (N = 102). A detailed scoring scheme provides insight into early spatial processing and offers information beyond a basic accuracy score. Second, the relation of spatial assembly to early mathematical skills was evaluated. Spatial skill independently predicted a significant amount of the variability in concurrent mathematical performance. Finally, the relation between spatial assembly skill and socioeconomic status (SES), gender, and parent-reported spatial language was examined. While children's performance did not differ by gender, lower SES children were already lagging behind higher SES children in block assembly. Furthermore, lower SES parents reported using significantly fewer spatial words with their children.
Lectures in Supergravity Theory

Supergravity 1–3 is general relativity with an extra symmetry: Fermi-Bose symmetry, also called supersymmetry. In field theories in curved space, this symmetry must be local. Conversely, local Fermi-Bose symmetry can only be realized by field theories in curved spacetime. This explains the name supergravity.
Are we doing "better"? The discrepancy between perception and practice of enhanced recovery after cystectomy principles among urologic oncologists.

Abstract Purpose The concept of enhanced recovery after surgery has been around since the 1990s when it was first introduced as a means to improve postoperative recovery of general surgical patients. In the field of urology, the uptake of enhanced recovery pathways has been slow for unclear reasons. Recently, interest in enhanced recovery after cystectomy (ERAC) has been increasing, but the current urologic oncology practice patterns remain unclear. In this study, we investigate modern perioperative patterns of care and rates of application of ERAC principles by cystectomy surgeons. Materials and methods ERAC principles were identified by reviewing urology and general surgery literature. An adapted version of The Royal College of Surgeons of England fast-track surgical principles survey was used. Preoperative education, bowel preparation avoidance, nasogastric tubes avoidance, normothermia, opioid avoidance, early ambulation, and early feeding were all practices queried with the survey. Surveys were distributed electronically to faculty of Society of Urologic Oncology fellowships with bladder cancer as a special area of interest. Additional participants were identified by recent publications on cystectomies for bladder cancer. In total, 128 surveys were e-mailed to the previously identified experts. Of these, 61 (48%) completed the survey. Responses were classified as congruent with commonly accepted ERAC principles (ERAC group) or noncongruent (non-ERAC group). Chi-square test was used for categorical variables and Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney for ordinal variables. Results Of the urologists who classified themselves in the ERAC group (64%), the average length of stay was reported to be 6.1 days and 7.2 days in the non-ERAC group (P = 0.02). Only 20% were practicing all interventions. Among the ERAC surgeons 1, 2 or 3 of the interventions were omitted by 13%, 25%, and 23% of the respondents, respectively. Significant differences were found between the self-reported ERAC adopters and nonadopters in the use of bowel preparation (P = 0.01), nasogastric tubes (P = 0.007), alvimopan (P Conclusion Urologists who consider themselves as practicing ERAC do not universally practice all of the pathway tenets. A significant gap exists between self-perception and practice of enhanced recovery. ERAC implementation is challenging but represents a significant opportunity to improve the quality of care for cystectomy patients.
Lignin Metabolism and the Carbon Cycle

Lignin metabolism is of utmost importance to the carbon cycle on earth. As a major structural component of photosynthetic biomass, lignin makes up approximately 25% of the dry weight of vascular plants and is second only to cellulose, which accounts for about 50% of the dry weight of cellular carbon stored in the biosphere. However, lignin stores more solar energy and hence accounts for more fuel value in wood than does cellulose because of lignin’s unique chemical structure. Lignin is nature’s most abundant recalcitrant product. The recalcitrance of lignin in certain environments results in the formation of lignites and coals, which are the major forms of fossilized organic matter on earth. Understanding how lignin is mineralized represents a tremendous challenge to microbiologists because so little is known, and the presence of this polymer in biomass dictates that microorganisms and not higher life forms are the principal agents of organic decomposition in terrestial biological food chains.
Dual Illegality and Geoambiguous Law: A New Rule for Extraterritorial Application of U.S. Law

Scores of federal criminal and civil statutes are “geoambiguous” - they do not say whether they apply to conduct that takes place in foreign countries. This is a vital concern in an age of exploding globalization. The Supreme Court regularly recites a “presumption against extraterritoriality” but just as often overlooks it and opts to apply geoambiguous law abroad. The Court’s inconsistency bespeaks a deep divide among scholars. Judicial unilateralists favor liberally imposing U.S. law abroad to respond to unwanted effects from foreign conduct. Judicial territorialists favor restraint and a return to traditional territoriality to avoid international conflict. And judicial interests-balancers favor multi-factored, case-by-case consideration of whether it is “reasonable” to apply geoambiguous law abroad. This Article advances a new approach - a proposed rule of “dual illegality” to govern how courts apply geoambiguous laws. Under a dual illegality rule, U.S. courts should decline to apply geoambiguous laws to penalize or regulate conduct that occurs in the territory of a foreign state unless the same conduct is also illegal or similarly regulated by the law of the foreign territorial state. A similar rule of dual illegality has worked for many decades as a limitation in countless criminal extradition treaties. A dual illegality rule would revitalize traditional territoriality values as a limiting principle on U.S. assertion of its law abroad, while also allowing extraterritoriality when there is the least likelihood of provoking political dispute. The response to greater globalization should be less jurisdictional contestability and more reliance on rules that do not invite judges - as the rules wrongly do now - to engage in policy-like assessments of the needs or interests of the United States in having its law applied to activity abroad. Courts should apply a dual illegality rule to decide the scope of geoambiguous law.