cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Understanding social capital, networks & institutions: a guide to support compost entrepreneurship for rural development.

Compost micro-entrepreneurship has been used as strategy to increase the incomes of poor and rural farming communities. Nevertheless, several difficulties can arise to sustain these small businesses. The conversion of organic material into compost requires labor, tools and infrastructure. Many poor and rural microenterprises cannot afford all of these inputs to sustain operations. Literature suggests that social capital and collective action can address challenges related to limited resources for communities and small businesses. Little research, however, has explored how coworker characteristics and their cooperative efforts affect the financial sustainability of compost micro-enterprises. The objective of this study was to unveil whether rural compost microenterprises use social capital and/or collective action to address various challenges related to natural and financial capital, and if so, in what manner. A multisite case study framework was implemented using participant observation to identify common challenges faced by compost microenterprises in Chimaltenanago, Guatemala. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were conducted to determine if coworker characteristics (related to social capital) addressed these challenges, and if so, how. Four characteristics related to social capital emerged from a thematic analysis, including 1) raw material access based on coworker occupation, 2) overhead savings from human capital, 3) credit/market-entry granted from social networks, and 4) consumer trust gained from social capital/gender. It appears the investigation and development of compost microenterprises should be more cognizant of opportunities related to coworker characteristics, especially those related to social capital and collective action. As a result, management training can be integrated within entrepreneurship development to sustain urban and rural economies.
Distinct value encoding in striatal direct and indirect pathways during adaptive learning

The striatum is thought to play a central role in action selection and reinforcement, and optogenetic experiments suggest differential roles for direct- and indirect-pathway medium spiny neurons (dMSNs and iMSNs). However, the encoding of value-related information in dMSNs and iMSNs during adaptive decision-making is not well understood. We trained mice on a dynamic foraging task where they had to learn the value of different options based on their recent history of choices and outcomes. Single-cell calcium imaging in dorsomedial striatum revealed that dMSNs and iMSNs were oppositely modulated by the updated value of the different options. Additionally, we found that iMSNs were more active as animals slowed between trials, likely reflecting ongoing changes in motivational state. Together, our results demonstrate that co-activation of dMSNs and iMSNs during action initiation does not simply encode action identity, but instead reflects pathway-specific encoding of movement, motivation, and value information necessary for adaptive decision-making.
Improving functional outcomes in women with borderline personality disorder and PTSD by changing PTSD severity and post-traumatic cognitions.

Although functional impairment typically improves during evidence-based psychotherapies (EBPs) for borderline personality disorder (BPD), functional levels often remain suboptimal after treatment. The present pilot study evaluated whether and how integrating PTSD treatment into an EBP for BPD would improve functional outcomes. Participants were 26 women with BPD, PTSD, and recent suicidal and/or self-injurious behavior who were randomized to receive one year of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) or DBT with the DBT Prolonged Exposure (DBT PE) protocol for PTSD. Five domains of functioning were assessed at 4-month intervals during treatment and at 3-months post-treatment. DBT + DBT PE was superior to DBT in improving global social adjustment, health-related quality of life, and achieving good global functioning, but not interpersonal problems or quality of life. Results of time-lagged mixed effects models indicated that, across both treatments, reductions in PTSD severity significantly predicted subsequent improvement in global social adjustment, global functioning, and health-related quality of life, whereas reductions in post-traumatic cognitions significantly predicted later improvement in all functional outcomes except global social adjustment. These findings provide preliminary evidence supporting the role of change in PTSD severity and trauma-related cognitions as active mechanisms in improving functional outcomes among individuals with BPD and PTSD.
Early Outcomes following Endovascular, Open Surgical, and Hybrid Revascularization for Lower Extremity Acute Limb Ischemia.

Background Acute limb ischemia (ALI) of the lower extremity is a potentially devastating condition that requires urgent and definitive management. This challenging scenario is often treated with endovascular, open surgical, or hybrid revascularization (HyR) in an urgent basis, but the comparative effects of such therapies remain poorly defined. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of endovascular, open surgical, and HyR for ALI in the contemporary era. Methods A large statewide cardiovascular consortium of 45 hospitals was queried for patients between January 2012 and June 2015 who underwent an endovascular, open surgical, or HyR for ALI deemed at high risk of limb loss if not treated within 24 hr (Rutherford class IIA or IIB). A propensity score weighted analysis was performed controlling for demographics, medical history, and procedure type for patients. The primary outcomes were 30-day morbidity and mortality. Results A total of 1,480 patients underwent endovascular revascularization (ER; n = 818), open surgical revascularization (OSR; n = 195), or hybrid revascularization (HyR; n = 467) for ALI. The mean age was similar across revascularization technique with an increased predominance of male gender in open surgery cohort. Comorbidities for all groups were consistent with peripheral arterial disease. The most common endovascular procedures were angioplasty (93%) and thrombolysis (49.8%), whereas the most common surgical revascularization was femoral to popliteal bypass (32.8%), femoral to tibial bypass (28.2%), and thrombectomy (19.0%); ER as compared with OSR and HyR procedures was associated with less transfusion (OSR versus ER, odds ratio [OR] 2.7; HyR versus ER, OR 2.8; P Conclusions Among patients requiring urgent revascularization for Rutherford grade IIA and IIB ischemia, ER has lower 30-day morbidity but similar mortality and rates of reintervention. Although long-term patency rates were not compared, ER may offer superior short-term outcomes compared with open surgery and hybrid revascularization.
Behavioral and genetic dissection of a mouse model for advanced sleep phase syndrome.

STUDY OBJECTIVE The adaptive value of the endogenous circadian clock arises from its ability to synchronize (i.e., entrain) to external light-dark (LD) cycles at an appropriate phase. Studies have suggested that advanced circadian phase alignment might result from shortening of the period length of the clock. Here we explore mechanisms that contribute to an early activity phase in CAST/EiJ (CAST) mice. METHODS We investigated circadian rhythms of wheel-running activity in C57BL/6J (B6), CAST and 2 strains of B6.CAST congenic mice, which carry CAST segments introgressed in a B6 genome. RESULTS When entrained, all CAST mice initiate daily activity several hours earlier than normal mice. This difference could not be explained by alterations in the endogenous period, as activity onset did not correlate with period length. However, the photic phase-shifting responses in these mice were phase-lagged by 3 hours relative to their activity. Attenuated light masking responses were also found in CAST mice, which allow for activity normally inhibited by light. A previously identified quantitative trait locus (QTL), Era1, which contributes to the early activity trait, was confirmed and refined here using two B6.CAST congenic strains. Surprisingly, these B6.CAST mice exhibited longer rather than shorter endogenous periods, further demonstrating that the advanced phase in these mice is not due to alterations in period. CONCLUSIONS CAST mice have an advanced activity phase similar to human advanced sleep phase syndrome. This advanced phase is not due to its shorter period length or smaller light-induced phase shifts, but appears to be related to both light masking and altered coupling of the circadian pacemaker with various outputs. Lastly, a QTL influencing this trait was confirmed and narrowed using congenic mice as a first step toward gene identification.
Truth and Credibility: Science and the Social Study of Science

The natural sciences occupy a special place in modern culture. Scientific knowledge substantially defines our culture's notion of truth, and the overwhelming credibility of that knowledge in our society is widely taken to be sufficiently explained by its truthfulness. The social sciences have traditionally concurred in these assessments and have paid the natural sciences the compliment of emulation. Yet that emulation has largely proceeded by way of textbook idealizations of natural scientific knowledge and how it is produced, while the idealizations themselves—produced by both academic epistemologists and reflective scientists—are much more variable than is generally supposed. It has not been until fairly recent times that social scientists have attempted wholly naturalistic inquiries into how scientific knowledge is produced and how it comes to be believed. The sociology of scientific knowledge that emerged from the early 1970s purposely set aside epistemological evaluation and took as its primary task understanding scientific credibility. How is it that scientific claims succeed, or fail, in being believed? This article surveys a number of considerations that recent social studies of science have found to be widely relevant to the interpretation of scientific credibility.
Deep Convolutional Neural Network for Structural Dynamic Response Estimation and System Identification

AbstractThis study presents a deep convolutional neural network (CNN)-based approach to estimate the dynamic response of a linear single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) system, a nonlinear SDOF system, an...
A Comprehensive Analysis of Renewable Energy Representations in Power System Generation Expansion Planning

Due to the stochastic nature of renewable generation, power system planning with high penetration of renewables is challenging. Analyzing the influence of renewable energy variability on system reliability is of crucial importance in power system planning. There are two well-known approaches in incorporating renewable generation: the negative load approach and the multi-state generation approach. The objective of this study is to review the performance of these two methods in quantifying system reliability. Both pros and cons of each method are discussed based on experiments conducted using public data for both wind and solar power generation. Reliability indices are quantified using these two representations of renewable generation. In addition, this paper analyzes how representative a single-year renewable generation profile is, by comparing the reliability indices using multiple-year renewable energy data.
Vitamin D metabolites across the menstrual cycle: a systematic review.

Accurate estimation of vitamin D status is important for health research and can impact prevention and treatment of deficiency in women of reproductive age. We aimed to assess if blood concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] change across the menstrual cycle. We conducted a systematic search in PubMed, Web of Science, CAB and BIOSIS of literature published until December 2018 which reported concentrations of vitamin D metabolites at two or more identified points among women with regular menstrual cycles. Ten longitudinal studies met the inclusion criteria; nine studies measured 1,25(OH)2D and five studies measured 25(OH)D. Study size ranged from 5 to 47 subjects, with an age range of 18–47 years. One study found a decrease in concentration of 25(OH)D in the periovulatory and luteal phase. Four studies found no changes in concentrations of 25(OH)D. Two studies found a rise in 1,25(OH)2D within the follicular phase, including a 128% increase from day 1 to 15 and a 56% increase from day 0 to 12. Two studies found rises in 1,25(OH)2D concentrations from the follicular to luteal phase of 13 and 26%. Five studies did not find any changes in concentrations of 1,25(OH)2D. No conclusion can be drawn on the pattern of 1,25(OH)2D concentrations across the normal menstrual cycle due to inconsistencies in study findings. Evidence is currently insufficient to assess 25(OH)D concentrations across the cycle. Future studies should aim to measure 1,25(OH)2D and 25(OH)D longitudinally, to understand relationships with other hormones and the potential impact on estimates of vitamin D deficiency.
Colorectal Cancer Screening in People With and Without HIV in an Integrated Health Care Setting.

BACKGROUND As people with HIV (PWH) live longer, age-appropriate colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is increasingly important. Limited data exist on CRC screening and outcomes comparing PWH and persons without HIV. SETTING Large integrated health care system. METHODS This study included PWH and demographically matched persons without HIV who were aged 50-75 years during 2005-2016 and had no previous CRC screening. We evaluated time to first CRC screening (fecal test, sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy). We also assessed detection of adenoma and CRC with sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy by HIV status, accounting for CRC risk factors including sex, age, race/ethnicity, number of outpatient visits, smoking, body mass index, type-2 diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease. Among PWH, we evaluated whether CD4 count (<200/200-499/≥500 cells/µL) was associated with adenoma and CRC. RESULTS Among 3177 PWH and 29,219 persons without HIV, PWH were more likely to be screened (85.6% vs. 79.1% within 5 years, P < 0.001). Among those with sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, adenoma was detected in 161 (19.6%) PWH and 1498 (22.6%) persons without HIV, and CRC was detected in 4 (0.5%) PWH and 69 (1.0%) persons without HIV. In adjusted analyses, we found no difference in prevalence of either adenoma or CRC by HIV status (adjusted prevalence ratio = 0.97, 95% confidence interval: 0.83 to 1.12). Lower CD4 count did not increase likelihood of adenoma or CRC. CONCLUSIONS Within an integrated health care system with an organized CRC screening program, we found no disparities in CRC screening uptake or outcomes among people with and without HIV, and CD4 count did not influence CRC risk among PWH.
Credentialing heritage: The role of community heritage language schools in implementing the Seal of Biliteracy

The introduction of the Seal of Biliteracy (SoBL) has presented a potent opportunity for community heritage language schools to credential the heritage language proficiency of their students in a U.S. context. This study explores the involvement of community heritage language schools in the SoBL initiative. It investigates how seven heritage language school administrators view the SoBL, what they see as its potential benefits, and what barriers they see to its full implementation. Results show that despite many potential benefits for community‐based schools, factors such as the status of the language in the wider community, a lack of articulation with local high schools, uneven parental power, and a lack of appropriate assessments, present barriers to full implementation. The paper concludes with suggestions for how to address these barriers and hopes to provide a roadmap for future collaboration between SoBL administrators and heritage language schools.
Validation of claims-based algorithms to identify interstitial lung disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract Objective To develop and validate claims-based algorithms to identify interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) Methods Using Medicare claims data linked with the electronic medical records (2012-2014), we first selected RA patients based on ≥2 diagnostic codes for RA and ≥1 disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.Then, to identify ILD in RA, we developed eight claims-based algorithms using a combination of ICD-9 diagnosis codes and procedure codes related to the diagnosis or management of ILD. We assessed the positive predictive value (PPV) for each of the eight algorithms relative to confirmed ILD cases using chest computerized tomography or lung biopsy as the gold standard. Results A total of 5,214 RA patients were included in the study, and the ILD cases identified by each algorithm ranged from 181 to 993. The PPV of the diagnosis code-based algorithms ranged from 43.4% (≥1 diagnosis code by any physician) to 52.0% (≥2 diagnosis codes by any physician). When the algorithms further required ≥1 procedure code (e.g., imaging, bronchoscopy), the PPV did not improve. However, the algorithms that required ILD diagnosis codes by specialists (i.e., pulmonologist or rheumatologist) had PPVs of 61.5% with ≥1 code; 72.4% with ≥2 codes. Conclusions In a cohort of RA patients, our algorithm that required ≥2 ILD diagnosis codes by specialists demonstrated a PPV of 72.4% in ascertaining ILD. Our results support the utility of the claims-based algorithm to identify a population-based cohort of RA patients with ILD using large administrative claims data.
MRI in Spine Anatomy

The spinal column is a complex mechanical structure and protects the spinal cord and nerve roots. It performs multidirectional movements, including flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral bending. MR imaging is well established to evaluate the adult and pediatric spine for many conditions, including degenerative, traumatic, neoplastic, and congenital diseases. Here, we will review some basic anatomy of the spine, focusing on MRI.
Analysis of monitoring results of soil-borne nematode disease in Jianhe County of Guizhou in 2016

Objective To investigate the infection status of soil-borne nematode in rural areas of Jianhe County of Guizhou Province and to provide scientific basis for formulating prevention and control measures. Methods In 2016, according to "the Implementation Plan of Soil-Borne Nematode Surveillance in Jianhe County", five surveillance sites were set up in Jianhe rural areas, and 200 permanent residents over 3 years old at each monitoring site were selected to collect fecal samples. The eggs of intestinal nematodes (Ascaris, Hookworm, Trichuris, etc.) in samples were detected with the Kato thick smear method, and the enterobius vermicularis was looked for using the transparent adhesive paper anal swab method. Results A total of 1 000 human fecal samples were tested, and 169 persons were identified to be positive for Ascaris, Hookworm, and Trichuris, and the infection rate was 16.90% (169/1 000), in which the infection rates of Ascaris, Hookworm and Trichuris were 13.80% (138/1 000), 2.00% (20/1 000) and 1.10% (11/1 000), respectively, and Tapeworm and Liver fluke were not detected. The infection rates of soil-borne nematode in male and female were 14.09% (72/511) and 19.84% (97/489), respectively, and the difference between genders was statistically significant (χ2= 5.88, P 0.05). Hookworm infection was not found in the group of 0 to 17 years old. The prevalence rates of soil-borne nematodes in primary school and below, junior high school, high school and secondary school education were 18.52% (138/745), 14.83% (31/209), and 0 (0/46), respectively, and the differences in educational levels were statistically significant (χ2= 11.39, P < 0.05). A total of 174 children aged 3 to 9 years old were tested for enterobius vermicularis, 18 were infected, and the infection rate was 10.34% (18/174). Conclusions The situation of soil-borne nematode infection is still severe in rural areas of Jianhe County. It should be strengthen health education and improve the knowledge of nematode diseases control among the population. Key words: Nematode infections; Enterobiasis; Data collection
Hypotension after intensive care unit drop-off in adult cardiac surgery patients

BACKGROUND Hypotension is a frequent complication in the intensive care unit (ICU) after adult cardiac surgery. AIM To describe frequency of hypotension in the ICU following adult cardiac surgery and its relation to the hospital outcomes. METHODS A retrospective study of post-cardiac adult surgical patients at a tertiary academic medical center in a two-year period. We abstracted baseline demographics, comorbidities, and all pertinent clinical variables. The primary predictor variable was the development of hypotension within the first 30 min upon arrival to the ICU from the operating room (OR). The primary outcome was hospital mortality, and other outcomes included duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) in hours, and ICU and hospital length of stay in days. RESULTS Of 417 patients, more than half (54%) experienced hypotension within 30 min upon arrival to the ICU. Presence of OR hypotension immediately prior to ICU transfer was significantly associated with ICU hypotension (odds ratio = 1.9; 95% confidence interval: 1.21-2.98; P < 0.006). ICU hypotensive patients had longer MV, 5 (interquartile ranges 3, 15) vs 4 h (interquartile ranges 3, 6), P = 0.012. The patients who received vasopressor boluses (n = 212) were more likely to experience ICU drop-off hypotension (odds ratio = 1.45, 95% confidence interval: 0.98-2.13; P = 0.062), and they experienced longer MV, ICU and hospital length of stay (P < 0.001, for all). CONCLUSION Hypotension upon anesthesia-to-ICU drop-off is more frequent than previously reported and may be associated with adverse clinical outcomes.
Responses to the COVID-19 crisis in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus

Russia, Ukraine and Belarus are good comparators sharing a common Soviet past, similar cultures and religions, while in the COVID-19 crisis they have pursued quite different policies. Belarus has d...
The in vivo anti-Candida albicans activity of flavonoids.

Abstract Background Emerging drug-resistant strains of Candida albicans have led to the recurrence of fungal disease, rendering conventional drug therapies ineffective. Although in vitro studies on flavonoids as novel antifungal products have shown promising results, there is currently limited information regarding their in vivo effects. The aim of this review is to evaluate in vivo studies on the antifungal activity of flavonoids against C. albicans, as novel therapeutic agents. In this regard, we conducted broad searches of PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase covering the years 2009–2020. Highlight Flavonoids represent new natural therapeutic compounds to treat oral candidiasis. Among subclasses of flavonoids, flavonols and chalcones appear to have the most significant antifungal activities. Oral administration of Canthin-6-one, a flavonol, has the potential to damage fungal cell membrane while having minimal toxic effects on mice. Similarly, topical oral application of lichochalcone-A, a chalcone, reduces oral candidiasis in mice. There appears to be structural similarities in the hydroxyl residues among compounds within the same subclass of flavonoids, which may contribute to antibiofilm activity. Oral topical application of flavonoids shows low toxicity and has clinical relevance as potential novel antifungal treatments. Conclusion Flavonoids are a group of natural products exhibiting antifungal activity. The subclasses flavonols and chalcones appear to have the most significant in vivo antifungal activity against C. albicans infections in mouse models. Specifically, quercetin (flavonol) has been applied via vaginal gavage in a murine vulvovaginal candidiasis model, whereas lichochalcone-A (chalcone) has shown topical oral application in C. albicans-inoculated mice. Both compounds show efficacy in fungal elimination via biofilm inhibition for their respective subclasses. The translational significance of these in vivo studies should be examined in clinical trials of selected potent compounds for the treatment of oral candidiasis. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the specific mechanisms of flavonoids as antifungal agents.
The misunderstood meander: Redesigning MRI meander-line surface coils to reduce noise, increase uniformity, and eliminate image artifacts.

Abstract Meander-line, or zig-zag, MRI surface coils theoretically promise spatially uniform fields with optimal field localization close to the coil. In reality, they suffer poorer than expected field localizations and acquired images are often highly inhomogeneous, plagued by repeating stripe-like signal-loss artifacts. We show that both these detrimental effects arise from coil design based on the same invalid approximation in the underlying theory. Here, the conventional approximation is corrected, yielding a modified coil design that validates the new theory by rectifying the above problems. Specifically, an easily implementable coil correction, which amounts to the addition of a single extra turn of wire, is introduced and shown to increase signal uniformity by an order of magnitude, eliminate image artifacts, and reduce unwanted signal interference from deeper within the sample by tightening the coil field localization to close to the coil, as intended for zig-zag designs. With independent optimization of coil size and imaging depth possible, such corrected meander-lines surface coils may be well suited for large area, near-surface imaging and spectroscopy applications.
Diverse vegetation in a spa town supports human social benefits of urban birds

The urban–rural gradient effect, together with the value of urban green patches, on saving bird diversity has received significant research in recent years. These topics are usually studied in the context of big cities, where the effects are more pronounced. In the present study, we observed how these phenomena affect the avicoenoses in smaller spa town, where landscape protection supports the benefits of biocultural diversity. We assessed the effect of the occurrence of microhabitats (especially particular tree and shrub forms) within the urban–rural gradient on bird fauna composition. We found that the urban–rural gradient in towns is not as relevant as in cities because the effect is covered with a more complicated multi-layered vegetation structure. For the management practices we confirm the high importance of vegetation continuity from the periphery to the city centre, bypassing the isolation of green patches. A proportion of deciduous and coniferous trees and their spatial heterogeneity are important for the occurrence of small songbirds. Next, we conducted a questionnaire-based study with the park visitors and found that there is a biocultural benefit from the presence of songbirds in large urban parks, especially in the spa town. The clear preference of songbirds by park visitors highlights the social benefit of bird diversity.
Normal Cerebrospinal Fluid Values

In Reply.— When the CSF findings from a large series of children with acute bacterial meningitis are analyzed, a small number will be found to contain few or no cells. Cory9s analysis has looked at this in another way, namely, that, of all children with minimal pleocytosis, only a very few—or none—will have meningitis. Some will, however, and it is also important to recognize this. We did note in our article that bacteria may be present in otherwise normal CSF (our references 16 to 20).
Optimal Control with Multiple Objectives: The H 2 Case

Most control system design problems involve making tradeoffs among competing objectives. In this paper we consider the control system synthesis problem that arises when the objective is to find a controller such that seveal closed loop transfer functions are small in an appropriate sense. To be more precise, given a linear-time invariant plant, the objective is to find all stabilizing compensators that are noninferior (or Pareto-optimal) with respect to a vector-valued H 2 performance criterion. It is shown that this multiple criteria Optimization problem can be reduced to a simultaneous model matching problem in a Hilbert space. Moreover, state-space formulas are given to solve this model matching problem. We also show that in some particular cases non-inferior controllers have the same order as that of the given plant, and in these cases the above state-space formulae can be further simplified.
RANS Computational Fluid Dynamics Predictions of Pitch and Heave Ship Motions in Head Seas

This work extends the previous effort in unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations developed by the ship hydrodynamics group of the University of Iowa Iowa Institute of Hydraulic Research to the capability to predict pitch and heave motions of ships with forward speed in regular head seas. The simulations are performed with CFDSHIP-IOWA, which is a general-purpose, multiblock, high-performance parallel computing RAINS code. Numerical verification studies in space and time demonstrate convergence for nearly all variables. The modified Wigley hull form experimental data presented in Journee (1992) are compared with simulation results over a range of Froude numbers, wavelengths, and wave amplitudes and found to give accurate results, with uncertainties less than 2\%. Viscous ship motions characteristics are investigated by decomposing the full nonlinear problem into the forward speed diffraction and pitch and heave radiation problems, in the manner of strip theory. Comparisons between the current viscous RAINS solutions and those from experiments, strip theory, and nonlinear potential flow simulations show the RANS method to predict damping and added mass coefficients with a high degree of accuracy.
Influence of the Si3N4 Microstructure on Its R‐Curve and Fatigue Behavior

The R-curve and fatigue behavior of a silicon nitride with large, highly elongated grains were compared to those of a silicon nitride with smaller, more equiaxed grains. The former was found to have higher toughness and a slightly rising R-curve which enhanced fatigue resistance, while the latter had constant toughness with crack length. The R-curve was attributed to crack deflection and grain pull-out. The microstructure did not influence the dynamic fatigue properties of the two ceramics, as both had good resistance to dynamic fatigue. The cyclic fatigue resistance of the large-grained Si3N4, however, was surprisingly low.
Membrane-associated 41-kDa GTP-binding protein in collagen-induced platelet activation.

Initially we established that the binding of collagen to human blood platelets stimulates both the rapid loss of PIP2 and the generation of inositol-4,5-bisphosphate (IP2) and inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3). These results indicate that the binding of collagen stimulates inositol phospholipid-specific phospholipase C during platelet activation. The fact that GTP or GTP-gamma-S augments, and pertussis toxin inhibits, collagen-induced IP3 formation suggests that a GTP-binding protein (or (or proteins) may be directly involved in the regulation of phospholipase C-mediated phosphoinositide turnover in human platelets. We have used several complementary techniques to isolate and characterize a platelet 41-kDa polypeptide (or polypeptides) that has a number of structural and functional similarities to the regulatory alpha i subunit of the GTP-binding proteins isolated from bovine brain. This 41-kDa polypeptide (or polypeptides) is found to be closely associated with at least four membrane glycoproteins (e.g.,...
Experimental tests of Newtonian gravity at relativistic velocities

We discuss the possibility of detecting the gravitational interaction between a stored beam of high-energy particles and a massive body at rest in the laboratory. In particular, we examine electromagnetic-cavity detectors and conclude that with storage rings now under construction the effect is at the limit of present technology. Such an effect, if detected, provides a laboratory test of the theory of general relativity.
Brain and Cognitive Development

This chapter presents a unified model of neurocognitive development beginning with the differentiation of the first neural cells and extending through the emergence of complex thought and behavior. It draws on the latest data from neurobiology, multimodal brain imaging, and cognitive neuroscience to construct a developmental model of the emergence of the human neurocognitive system from the dynamic interaction of diverse biological and experiential factors. The chapter begins with brief descriptions of the major methods for interrogating questions about brain-behavior relations focusing primarily on neuroimaging technologies. The next section provides an overview of anatomical brain development beginning in the prenatal period and extending through adolescence. The third section represents the heart of this chapter using data from three major cognitive domains to explore principles that underlie the development of brain-behavior relationships. The targeted domains are visuospatial processing, cognitive control, and language. The final sections present a synthesis of data from earlier sections offering a neurocognitive perspective on the nature of brain-behavior relationships, and reflections on new trends and future directions for research in cognitive neuroscience. Keywords: brain morphometry; cognitive control; cortical areal expansion; cortical patterning; cortical thickness; developmental cognitive neuroscience; educational neuroscience; face processing; functional brain imaging; gastrulation; inhibitory function; lexical processing; myelination; neural plasticity; neural tube; neuron; neuron migration; neuronal cell death; phonology; prenatal brain development; semantics; social neuroscience; visuospatial processing; white matter fiber tracts; working memory
Psychometrics: An Introduction.

1. Psychometrics and the Importance of Psychological Measurement Observable Behavior and Unobservable Attributes Psychological Tests: Definition and Types Psychometrics Challenges to Measurement in Psychology Theme: The Importance of Individual Differences 2. Scaling Fundamental Issues and Numbers Units of Measurement Additivity and Counting Four Scales of Measurement Summary Suggested Readings 3. Individual Differences and Correlations The Nature of Variability Importance of Individual Differences Variability and Distribution of Scores Distribution Shapes and Normal Distributions Quantifying the Association Between Distributions Variance of "Composite Scores" Interpreting Test Scores Test Norms Summary Suggested Readings 4. Test Dimensionality and Factor Analysis Test Dimensionality Factor Analysis: Examining the Dimensionality of a Test Summary Suggested Readings 5. Reliability: Conceptual Basis Overview of Reliability and Classical Test Theory Observed Scores, True Scores and Measurement Error Variances in Observed Scores, True Scores and Error Scores Four Ways to Think of Reliability Reliability and the Standard Error of Measurement Parallel Tests Summary 6. Empirical Estimates of Reliability Alternate Forms Reliability Test-Retest Reliability Internal Consistency Reliability Factors Affecting the Reliability of Test Scores Sample Homogeneity and Reliability Generalization Reliability of Difference Scores Summary 7. Importance of Reliability Behavioral Research Applied Behavioral Practice: Evaluation of an Individual's Test Score Test Construction and Refinement Summary Suggested Readings 8. Validity: The Conceptual Basis What is Validity? Validity Evidence: Test Content Validity Evidence: Internal Structure of the Test Validity Evidence: Response Processes Validity Evidence: Associations with Other Variables Validity Evidence: Consequences of Testing Other Perspectives on Validity Contrasting Reliability and Validity The Importance of Validity Summary Suggested Readings 9. Validity: Estimating and Evaluating Convergent and Discriminant Validity Methods for Evaluating Convergent and Discriminant Validity Factors Affecting a Validity Coefficient Interpreting a Validity Coefficient Summary Suggested Readings 10. Response Biases Types of Response Biases Methods for Coping with Response Biases Response Biases, Response Sets, and Response Styles Summary Suggested Readings 11. Test Bias Why Worry about Test Score Bias Detecting Construct Bias: Internal Evaluation of a Test Detecting Predictive Bias: External Evaluation of a Test Summary Suggested Readings 12. Generalizability Theory Multiple Facets of Measurement Generalizability and Variance Components G Studies and D Studies Conducting and Interpreting Generalizability Theory Analysis: A One-facet Design Conducting and Interpreting Generalizability Theory Analysis: A Two-facet Design Other Measurement Designs Summary Footnote Suggested Readings 13. Item Response Theory and Rasch Models Basics of IRT IRT Measurement Models An Example of IRT: A Rasch Model Item and Test Information Applications of IRT Summary Suggested Readings
Guanine nucleotide exchange factor for eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: interactions between the essential subunits GCD2, GCD6, and GCD7 and the regulatory subunit GCN3.

Abstract Phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF-2) in amino acid-starved cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae reduces general protein synthesis but specifically stimulates translation of GCN4 mRNA. This regulatory mechanism is dependent on the nonessential GCN3 protein and multiple essential proteins encoded by GCD genes. Previous genetic and biochemical experiments led to the conclusion that GCD1, GCD2, and GCN3 are components of the GCD complex, recently shown to be the yeast equivalent of the mammalian guanine nucleotide exchange factor for eIF-2, known as eIF-2B. In this report, we identify new constituents of the GCD-eIF-2B complex and probe interactions between its different subunits. Biochemical evidence is presented that GCN3 is an integral component of the GCD-eIF-2B complex that, while dispensable, can be mutationally altered to have a substantial inhibitory effect on general translation initiation. The amino acid sequence changes for three gcd2 mutations have been determined, and we describe several examples of mutual suppression involving the gcd2 mutations and particular alleles of GCN3. These allele-specific interactions have led us to propose that GCN3 and GCD2 directly interact in the GCD-eIF-2B complex. Genetic evidence that GCD6 and GCD7 encode additional subunits of the GCD-eIF-2B complex was provided by the fact that reduced-function mutations in these genes are lethal in strains deleted for GCN3, the same interaction described previously for mutations in GCD1 and GCD2. Biochemical experiments showing that GCD6 and GCD7 copurify and coimmunoprecipitate with GCD1, GCD2, GCN3, and subunits of eIF-2 have confirmed that GCD6 and GCD7 are subunits of the GCD-eIF-2B complex. The fact that all five subunits of yeast eIF-2B were first identified as translational regulators of GCN4 strongly suggests that regulation of guanine nucleotide exchange on eIF-2 is a key control point for translation in yeast cells just as in mammalian cells.
Invited Talk: Software, Markets, and the Future of Work

Is combination of computer networking, social computing and virtual markets undermining the stability of the corporation and thereby, radically changing the nature of work? Certainly, these technologies have facilitated outsourcing, the movement of jobs from one market to another. Since roughly 2008, they seem to have been reshaping the nature of the corporation and thereby creating new kinds of jobs. This talk argues that these technologies are undermining a key assumption about the corporation, the idea that corporations were able to provide stable work and stable classes of jobs because they minimized certain costs of operating within a market. This idea is usually known as the Coase Thesis, after economist Ronald Coase. For nearly 80 years, the Coase Thesis been one of the foundations of the corporation and has suggested that corporations are an institution that can provide stable work to the labor force. As social computing has become more prevalent, computer networks and software have provided other ways of minimizing market costs. As a result, we may be moving into a period in which the traditional corporation can no longer be considered a stable providers of jobs. Instead, stable jobs may be provided in other ways by other kinds of organizations.
Augmented Sympathetic Neurotransmitter Activity in the Peripheral Vascular Bed of Patients with Congestive Heart Failure and Cardiac Norepinephrine Depletion

Since there is an overall augmentation of sympathetic nervous activity in patients with congestive heart failure while adrenal medullary function is normal and neurotransmitter stores are diminished in the heart, investigation was directed to the functional status of adrenergic receptors and available norepinephrine stores in the peripheral vascular beds. Blood flow, determined plethysmographically, and vascular resistance, calculated in the calf, following intra-arterial injections of tyramine and norepinephrine in eight patients with congestive heart failure were compared to the responses in nine patients with heart disease but without heart failure. The absolute increase in vascular resistance produced by graded doses of norepinephrine was greater in patients with heart failure. However, the relative augmentation of vascular resistance produced by any dose of norepinephrine was essentially identical in the two groups. In contrast, the vasoconstrictor response to a standard dose of the indirectly acting...
North Atlantic Subtropical Mode Water: A history of ocean-atmosphere interaction 1961–2000

[1] Water masses that ventilate intermediate ocean depth, such as the North Atlantic Subtropical Mode Water (NASTMW), play important roles in various aspects of climate, but their basic properties and space-time variability need to be better quantified. Herein we examine the mean annual cycle and long-term variability of NASTMW for the 40-year period 1961–2000. Integrated NASTMW properties such as water mass volume, temperature, and heat content show a consistent annual cycle superimposed over a much larger interannual-to-decadal cycle that is strongly correlated to the North Atlantic Oscillation index. The 40-year record clearly shows the ocean's ability to integrate atmospheric forcing over several years and to exhibit an interannual memory of wintertime forcing by the atmosphere.
Use of optical tweezers to probe epithelial mechanosensation.

Cellular mechanosensation mechanisms have been impli- cated in a variety of disease states. Specifically in renal tubules, the primary cilium and associated mechanosensitive ion channels are hy- pothesized to play a role in water and salt homeostasis, with relevant disease states including polycystic kidney disease and hypertension. Previous experiments investigating ciliary-mediated cellular mecha- nosensation have used either fluid flow chambers or micropipetting to elicit a biological response. The interpretation of these experiments in terms of the "ciliary hypothesis" has been difficult due the spatially distributed nature of the mechanical disturbance—several competing hypotheses regarding possible roles of primary cilium, glycocalyx, mi- crovilli, cell junctions, and actin cytoskeleton exist. I report initial data using optical tweezers to manipulate individual primary cilia in an attempt to elicit a mechanotransduction response—specifically, the release of intracellular calcium. The advantage of using laser tweezers over previous work is that the applied disturbance is highly localized. I find that stimulation of a primary cilium elicits a response, while stimulation of the apical surface membrane does not. These results lend support to the hypothesis that the primary cilium mediates trans- duction of mechanical strain into a biochemical response in renal epithelia. © 2010 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.
Auditory Integration Training

Since its introduction in this country at the beginning of the decade, auditory integration training (AIT) has generated enthusiasm in parents and some clinicians, and harsh criticism by others. AIT has been promoted as a non-invasive treatment for auditory disorders that are believed to lead to attention and behavior problems. It has been particularly popular as a treatment for autism. Although parents cite numerous anecdotal reports of treatment success, many professionals frown on AIT's widespread practice prior to undergoing scientific scrutiny. The reasons for cautious evaluation of AIT prior to implementation in clinical practice are reviewed, along with a brief summary of current research findings.
What is Right About the Contra-Life Argument Against Contraception?*:

The contra-life argument against contraception by Germain Grisez, Joseph Boyle, John Finnis, and William May maintains that contraception is always and everywhere morally wrong because it involves a contra-life choice to impede new human life. This article develops four problems that people might have with the contra-life argument and then shows that none of those problems undercut the argument. The most serious problem is that the contra-life argument seems to fail to show adequately what is wrong with impeding new human life, and this article neutralizes that problem by showing that choices to impede new human life are wrong because they involve unreasonable self-preference. Finally, this article shows that the moral character of contraceptive use for non-contraceptive reasons is often difficult to determine.
Myeloid Neoplasms with inv(3)(q21q26.2) or t(3;3)(q21;q26.2)

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with inv(3)(q21q26.2)/t(3;3)(q21;q26.2) [inv3/t(3;3)] is a distinct entity under the subgroup of AMLs with recurrent genetic abnormalities in the 2008 World Health Organization classification. Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) with inv3/t(3;3) has a high risk of progression to AML. AML and MDS with inv3/t(3;3) have a similarly aggressive clinical course with short overall survival (OS) and are commonly refractory to therapy. In this article, clinical and pathologic features and prognosis in AML and MDS with inv3/t(3;3) are reviewed, and other myeloid neoplasms with similar dysplastic features to be differentiated from AML and MDS with inv3/t(3;3) are discussed.
Nitrate Loss in Subsurface Drainage as Affected by Nitrogen Fertilizer Rate

The relationships between N fertilizer rate, yield, and NO 3 leaching need to be quantified to develop soil and crop management practices that are economically and environmentally sustainable. From 1996 through 1999, we measured yield and NO 3 loss from a subsurface drained field in central Iowa at three N fertilizer rates: a low (L) rate of 67 kg ha -1 in 1996 and 57 kg ha -1 in 1998, a medium (M) rate of 135 kg ha -1 in 1996 and 114 kg ha -1 in 1998, and a high (H) rate of 202 kg ha -1 in 1996 and 172 kg ha -1 in 1998. Corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] were grown in rotation with N fertilizer applied in the spring to corn only. For the L treatment, NO 3 concentrations in the drainage water exceeded the 10 mg N L maximum contaminant level (MCL) established by the USEPA for drinking water only during the years that corn was grown. For the M and H treatments, NO, concentrations exceeded the MCL in all years, regardless of crop grown. For all years, the NO, mass loss in tile drainage water from the H treatment (48 kg N ha -1 ) was significantly greater than the mass losses from the M (35 kg N ha -1 ) and L (29 kg N ha -1 ) treatments, which were not significantly different. The economically optimum N fertilizer rate for corn was between 67 and 135 kg ha -1 in 1996 and 114 and 172 kg ha -1 in 1998, but the net N mass balance indicated that N was being mined from the soil at these N fertilizer levels and that the system would not be sustainable.