cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exploratory Bifactor Analysis of the WJ-III Cognitive in Adulthood via the Schmid–Leiman Procedure

The Woodcock–Johnson-III cognitive in the adult time period (age 20 to 90 plus) was analyzed using exploratory bifactor analysis via the Schmid–Leiman orthogonalization procedure. The results of this study suggested possible overfactoring, a different factor structure from that posited in the Technical Manual and a lack of invariance across both age ranges under study. Even when forcing the seven-factor fit, the structure was problematic. The results from the 20 to 39 age group displayed patterns of convergence with and divergence from the Technical Manual’s structure. The results from the 40 and above age group were generally consistent with the Technical Manual’s structure except for retrieval fluency. This study is consistent with the body of exploratory factor analysis structural validity evidence suggesting that contemporary tests of cognitive ability, particularly those based on Cattell–Horn–Carroll theory, are overfactored and lack alignment with their respective Technical Manual’s presented structure.
Apolipoprotein C-III displacement of apolipoprotein E from VLDL: effect of particle size.

ApoC-III and apoE are important determinants of intravascular lipolysis and clearance of triglyceride-rich chylomicrons and VLDL from the blood plasma. Interac- tions of these two apolipoproteins were studied by adding purified human apoC-III to human plasma at levels ob- served in hypertriglyceridemic subjects and incubating under specific conditions (2 h, 37 8 C). As plasma concentra- tions of apoC-III protein were increased, the contents in both VLDL and HDL were also increased. Addition of apoC-III at concentrations up to four times the intrinsic con- centration resulted in the decreasing incremental binding of apoC-III to VLDL while HDL bound increasing amounts without evidence of saturation. No changes were found in lipid content or in particle size of any lipoprotein in these ex- periments. However, distribution of the intrinsic apoE in dif- ferent lipoprotein particles changed markedly with displace- ment of apoE from VLDL to HDL. The fraction of VLDL apoE that was displaced from VLDL to HDL at these high apoC-III concentrations varied among individuals from 20% to 100% its intrinsic level. The proportion of VLDL apoE that was tightly bound (0% to 80%) was found to be reproducible and to correlate with several indices of VLDL particle size. In the group of subjects studied, strongly adherent apoE was es- sentially absent from VLDL particles having an average con- tent of less than 50,000 molecules of triglyceride. Addi- tion of apoC-III to plasma almost completely displaces apoE from small VLDL particles. Larger VLDL contain tightly bound apoE which are not displaced by increasing concentration of apoC-III. —Breyer, E. D., N-A. Le, X. Li, D. Martinson, and W. V. Brown. Apolipoprotein C-III displace- ment of apolipoprotein E from VLDL: effect of particle size. J. Lipid Res. 1999. 40: 1875-1882.
Corporate Payout Policy and Product Market Competition

This paper investigates whether product market competition affects managers' decision to distribute cash to shareholders. Using a large sample of manufacturing firms, we find that firms in less competitive industries have significantly lower payout ratios than firms in more competitive markets. Further, we find that this negative relation between industry concentration levels and corporate payouts is much stronger among those firms whose overall characteristics make them (a) more likely to have high agency costs of free cash flows and (b) less likely to be the target of predation. In general, our results are consistent with the notion that the disciplinary forces of competition induce managers to payout excess cash and with the idea that corporate payouts are the "outcome" of external factors.
Increasing the sensitivity of DNA microarrays by metal-enhanced fluorescence using surface-bound silver nanoparticles

The effects of metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF) have been measured for two dyes commonly used in DNA microarrays, Cy3 and Cy5. Silver island films (SIFs) grown on glass microscope slides were used as substrates for MEF DNA arrays. We examined MEF by spotting biotinylated, singly-labeled 23 bp DNAs onto avidin-coated SIF substrates. The fluorescence enhancement was found to be dependent on the DNA spotting concentration: below ∼12.5 μM, MEF increased linearly, and at higher concentrations MEF remained at a constant maximum of 28-fold for Cy5 and 4-fold for Cy3, compared to avidin-coated glass substrates. Hybridization of singly-labeled oligonucleotides to arrayed single-stranded probes showed lower maximal MEF factors of 10-fold for Cy5 and 2.5-fold for Cy3, because of the smaller amount of immobilized fluorophores as a result of reduced surface hybridization efficiencies. We discuss how MEF can be used to increase the sensitivity of DNA arrays, especially for far red emitting fluorophores like Cy5, without significantly altering current microarray protocols.
Two foraging algorithms for robot swarms using only local communication

Large collections of robots have the potential to perform tasks collectively using distributed control algorithms. These algorithms require communication between robots to allow the robots to coordinate their behavior and act as a collective. In this paper we describe two algorithms which allow coordination between robots, but do not require physical environment marks such as pheromones. Instead, these algorithms rely on simple, local, low bandwidth, direct communication between robots. We describe the algorithms and measure their performance in worlds with and without obstacles.
Ecologically Based Invasive Plant Management: Step by Step

One of the most challenging problems for land managers is advancing infestations of invasive weeds. Treating weeds is often really only treat- ing a symptom. A fundamental tenet of Eco- logically Based Invasive Plant Management (EBIPM) is that managers must treat the underlying ecological cause of inva- sion to successfully direct vegetation dynamics toward desired species. DOI: 10.2458/azu_rangelands_v34i6_sheley
Negotiating trust in the Web

Our system, TrustBuilder, supports automated trust negotiation between strangers on the Internet. TrustBuilder lets negotiating parties disclose relevant digital credentials and access control policies and establish the trust necessary to complete their interaction. TrustBuilder is intended for use in any situation where two entities from different security domains need to establish trust - business-to-business and retail interactions, cooperative work and joint ventures, medical records, mobile computing, and so on.
NONLINEARITY QUANTIFICATION AND ITS APPLICATION TO NONLINEAR SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION

Abstract In a series of previous works (Nikolaou, 1993) we introduced an inner product and a corresponding 2-norm for discrete-time nonlinear dynamic systems. Unlike induced norms of nonlinear systems, which are difficult to compute (albeit extremely useful), the 2-norm mentioned above is straightforward to compute, through Monte Carlo calculations with either experimental or simulated data. Loosely speaking, the 2-norm captures the average effect of a class of inputs on the output of a dynamic system. In this presentation we will give a brief introduction to this 2-norm, based on our previous results, and will discuss our latest work and applications on this subject. In particular, we will address the following points: (a) How is the nonlinearity of a dynamic system quantified by the 2-norm? (b) How adequate is a linear model for the representation of a nonlinear system? (c) What nonlinear model can be used for the representation of a nonlinear system for which a linear model is inadequate? An important ...
High-Level Specifications: Lessons from Industry

We explain the rationale behind the design of the TLA + specification language, and we describe our experience using it and the TLC model checker in industrial applications–including the verification of multiprocessor memory designs at Intel. Based on this experience, we challenge some conventional wisdom about high-level specifications.
Isoform-specific effects of ApoE on HSV immediate early gene expression and establishment of latency.

Abstract Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common and devastating neurodegenerative disease in which most cases are of unknown, sporadic origin. In addition to age, the most prevalent known risk factor for developing AD is carriage of the ɛ4 allele of Apolipoprotein E (ApoE). Carriage of the ɛ2 or ɛ3 allele of ApoE confers protection or no change in risk for AD, respectively. Latent herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection in the brain concurrent with ApoE4 carriage exacerbates risk for AD, suggesting that these two factors interact to promote neuronal dysfunction and degeneration in selective brain areas. Indeed, HSV-1 DNA has been found in regions primarily affected by AD, such as the temporal lobes, hippocampus, and neocortex. We hypothesize that HSV-1 infection in the background of ApoE4, but not ApoE2 or ApoE3, promotes an environment more conducive to neuronal degeneration. To investigate this idea, we have utilized transgenic mice that express human ApoE2, 3, or 4 alleles from astrocytes in a murine ApoE −/− background. We find that carriage of the different ApoE alleles dramatically affects HSV-1 immediate early gene expression as well as the establishment of latency. Both of these factors are poised to impact neuronal viability, inflammation, and viral spread. Our data support the concept that HSV-1 and ApoE4 interact to provide an environment conducive to the development and/or spread of AD.
A comparison of the Autonomy over Tobacco Scale and the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence

The autonomy over tobacco scale (AUTOS) is a 12-item theory-based instrument used to measure tobacco dependence in smokers. It provides separate measures of three factors that make smoking cessation more difficult: withdrawal symptoms, psychological dependence, and cue-induced urges to use tobacco. We compared the internal reliability and concurrent validity of the AUTOS to those of the Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence (FTND). Adult current smokers (n=422; 62% female; 86.8% white; mean age 33.3 years, SD=13.7; 57% daily smokers) completed an anonymous web-based survey that included the AUTOS, the FTND and 11 smoking-related behavioral measures. Cronbach's α was .94 for the AUTOS and α>.75 for each of the 3 subscales; α=.73 for the FTND. The AUTOS and its subscales correlated with all measures of concurrent validity (r=.70 between AUTOS & FTND). The AUTOS correlated better than the FTND with the Hooked on Nicotine Checklist, the longest period of abstinence, latency to wanting, percentage of time a person smokes because of momentary need, pleasure from smoking, days smoked per month, and concern about deprivation. The measures showed similar correlations with the latencies to craving and needing. The FTND correlated better with the duration of smoking and cigarettes smoked per day. Based on these results and those from prior studies, we conclude that the AUTOS offers researchers a valid and highly reliable, theory-based measure that is more versatile in its applications than the FTND.
Das rechtwinklige Dreieck

Wir bezeichnen mit a und b die beiden Katheten, mit c die Hypotenuse, mit h die Hohe, die zur Hypotenuse gehort. h zerlegt c in zwei Abschnitte p und q. p liegt an der Seite a und q an b. (Zeichne die Figur.)
In situ estimation of water quality parameters in freshwater aquaculture ponds using hyperspectral imaging system

a b s t r a c t Knowledge of water quality parameters is integral to sustainability of freshwater aquaculture operations that raise ornamental fish. Our objective in this study is to evaluate the ability of a mobile, ground- based hyperspectral (HS) imaging sensor to determine chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentrations in working aquaculture ponds, which represent manipulated, shallow, nutrient-rich systems, and to determine the effect of using submerged reflectance targets on the accuracy of Chl-a estimation. We collected Chl-a measurements from aquaculture ponds ranging from 0.8 to 494 µg/L. Chl-a measurements showed a strong correlation with two-band and three-band spectral indices computed from the HS image reflectance. Coefficient of determination (R 2 ) values of 0.975 and 0.982 were obtained for the two- and three-band models, respectively, using spectra captured from the submerged target at 10 cm depth. Using spectra captured from water (no submerged targets), R 2 values were slightly lower at 0.833 and 0.862 for two- and three-band models. Data from the submerged target at 30 cm depth had the lowest correlation with measured chlorophyll-a concentrations, potentially due to variations in water column properties and shadows cast by the platform. Modeling total Phosphorous (P) and Nitrogen (N) concentrations of the collected samples with the spectral indices sensitive to Chl-a concentrations showed a moderate level of correlation. Removing a model outlier (observation with maximum N and P concentrations) led to a significant increase in the models' coefficient of determination (e.g. from 0.478 to 0.823 for the P model using three-band index values), which highlighted the possibility of using HS imagery to estimate N and P concentrations and the need for more research to model the interrelationships between Chl-a and nutrient concentrations in aquaculture water systems.
Evidence of multiple retrotransposons in two litopenaeid species.

Summary Retrotransposons encompass a specific class of mobile genetic elements that are widespread across eukaryotic genomes. The impact of the varied types of retrotransposons on these genomes is just beginning to be deciphered. In a step towards understanding their role in litopenaeid shrimp, we have herein identified nine non-LTR retrotransposons, among which several appear to exist outside the standard defined clades. Two Litopenaeus stylirostris elements were discovered through degenerate PCR amplification using previously defined non-LTR degenerate primers, and through primers designed from a RAPD-derived sequence. A third genomic L. stylirostris element was identified using specific priming from an amplification protocol. These three PCR-derived sequences showed conserved domains of the non-LTR reverse transcriptase gene. In silico searching of genome databases and subsequent contig construction yielded six non-LTR retrotransposons (both genomic and expressed) in the Litopenaeus vannamei genome that also exhibited the highly conserved domains found in our PCR-derived sequences. Phylogenetic placement among representatives from all non-LTR clades showed a possibly novel monophyletic group that included five of our nine sequences. This group, which included elements from both L. stylirostris and L. vannamei, appeared most closely related to the highly active RTE clade. Our remaining four sequences placed in the CR1 and I clades of retrotransposons, with one showing strong similarity to ancient Penelope elements. This research describes three newly discovered retrotransposons in the L. stylirostris genome. Phylogenetic analysis clusters these in a monophyletic grouping with retrotransposons previously described from two closely related species, L. vannamei and Penaeus monodon.
Competition and Service Quality in the U.S. Airline Industry

The U.S. government, media, and flying public have expressed great concern in recent years over both airline market concentration and flight delays. This study explores potential connec- tions between the two by examining whether the lack of competition on a particular route results in worse on-time performance. Analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics in 2000 indicates that both the prevalence and duration of flight delays are significantly greater on routes where only one airline provides direct service. Additional competition is correlated with better on-time performance. Weather, congestion, and scheduling decisions also contribute significantly to explaining flight delays.
Block based halftoning at 45 degree "screen" angle

Zakhor et al. (1993) introduced a block based halftoning algorithm which was based on dividing the image into small blocks and minimizing the distortion between the original continuous tone image and the filtered version of its halftone. While the resulting images using this technique look promising, there remains an underlying "cheesecloth screen" artifact. The present authors show that by rotating the small optimization blocks by 45 degrees, i.e. turning them into rhombic blocks, one can eliminate this horizontal/vertical artifact, thus improving the perceived quality of the resulting halftoned images. They also propose ways of speeding up the optimization algorithm by one or two orders of magnitude; of course, this is achieved at the expense of slightly lower quality halftoned images. >
Modeling Evidence-Based Practice for Graduate Clinicians: Perspectives from Off-Site Clinical Supervisors in Medical Settings

A fundamental aspect of graduate education in speech-language pathology is facilitating clinical competence. Teaching clinical decision-making within an evidence-based practice framework is necessa...
Effectiveness of acoustic “prey”: Environmental enrichment for a captive African leopard (Panthera pardus)

In the course of developing active naturalistic exercise opportunities for zoo felines at moderate cost, a computer-controlled acoustic prey device was established. Changes in the behavior of a 16-year-old melanistic leopard (Sabrina) were studied as she learned to actively pursue bird sounds and obtained food treats as a function of the activity. By the twenty-ninth day she began to capture all 24 bird parts supplied on the feeder belt and continues to actively use the opportunity on a daily basis. General activity and apparent well-being have been enhanced, while stereotypic behaviors have decreased. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Sci., Psi, and CSI: Police Officers and Students’ Paranormal TV Consumption, Real-Life Experience with Paranormal Phenomena, and Perceptions of Psychic Detectives

This study of the CSI effect, separately surveying 416 law-enforcement officers and 307 students, is an inquiry into the effects of paranormal-TV consumption on the respondents’ perceptions of the utility of psychic detectives in actual crime investigations. Grounded on the gratifications/cultivation model of media cultivation theory and in addition to other significant results, the authors found a significant positive relationship between paranormal-TV viewing and belief in psychics’ effectiveness at solving crimes among the sample of police who reported real-life experience with paranormal phenomena. This was an effect that persisted for the police after controlling for several other independent variables. The authors suggest that the “zones-of-relevance” construct that Bilandzic and Rossler (2004) posited as a primary element of their effects model constitutes the pivotal psychological mechanism that accounts for the differences between the students and police.
Delphi: an integrated, language-directed performance prediction, measurement and analysis environment

Despite construction of powerful parallel systems and networked computational grids, achieving a large fraction of peak performance for a range of applications has proven very difficult. In this paper, we describe the components of Delphi, an integrated performance measurement and prediction environment that places system design on a solid performance engineering basis.
The effect of rider weight on rider-induced loads during common cycling situations

Abstract Motivated by the desire to provide information useful in the design analysis of bicycle frames, the hypothesis tested was that a simple linear model would relate the maximum magnitudes of rider-induced loads to rider weight. Rider-induced loads are loads developed as a result of weight and muscular actions during pedalling. To test this hypothesis, five riders spanning a wide weight range rode a bicycle unrestrained on a treadmill. Dynamometers measured six components of pedal loads and five components of both seat and handlebar loads while riders rode three common cycling situations — seated cruising, seated climbing, and standing climbing. Average, average maximum, and average minimum values were computed for all load components and each was analyzed statistically. For all three test cases, the regression slope was significant for the force component normal to the pedal surface. Because the normal pedal force component has been shown previously to dominate frame stress at the point most likely to fatigue (Hull and Bolourchi, 1988, J. Strain. Anal. 23, 105–114), the results of this study should be useful in designing frames optimized for minimum weight and acceptable structural reliability.
Raman and Fourier transform infrared study of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase

Raman spectra of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase in buffered, aqueous solutions and in D2O, and FTIR spectra of aqueous solutions and thin films have been collected and analyzed. No significant differences between the Raman spectra in the pH range 6.00–7.50 and between the infrared spectra of the solution and film have been observed. The tyrosine doublet strongly favors exposed hydroxyl groups and the Raman spectra indicate multiple conformations for the disulfide moieties. Analysis of Raman intensities favors significant α-helix and random coil contents. The secondary structure of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase based on Raman data is compared with the better characterized secondary structure of equine liver alcohol dehydrogenase.
Effect of Multipoint Heterogeneity on Nonlinear Transformations for Geological Modeling: Porosity-Permeability Relations Revisited

Abstract An analysis of statistical expected values for transformations is performed in this study to quantify the effect of heterogeneity on spatial geological modeling and evaluations. Algebraic transformations are frequently applied to data from logging to allow for the modeling of geological properties. Transformations may be powers, products, and exponential operations which are commonly used in well-known relations (e.g., porosity-permeability transforms). The results of this study show that correct computations must account for residual transformation terms which arise due to lack of independence among heterogeneous geological properties. In the case of an exponential porosity-permeability transform, the values may be positive. This proves that a simple exponential model back-transformed from linear regression underestimates permeability. In the case of transformations involving two or more properties, residual terms may represent the contribution of heterogeneous components which occur when properties vary together, regardless of a pair-wise linear independence. A consequence of power- and product-transform models is that regression equations within those transformations need corrections via residual cumulants. A generalization of this result is that transformations of multivariate spatial attributes require multiple-point random variable relations. This analysis provides practical solutions leading to a methodology for nonlinear modeling using correct back transformations in geology.
Abstract 1211: Metabolite assays to illuminate cellular energy networks

Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA Every organism requires cellular energy metabolism to meet developmental needs. When cells change from a resting to a proliferative state, the metabolic pathways are reprogrammed to meet the demands of proliferation. Diseases such as cancer can occur when changes in the metabolic pathways support unwanted functions such as uncontrolled proliferation. Assays for analyzing metabolites and metabolic enzymes are needed to understand cellular metabolic requirements and energy network regulation under normal and disease conditions. We exploited the robustness, sensitivity and broad dynamic range of bioluminescence detection to develop assays for the key metabolites lactate, glucose, glutamate and glucose-6-phosphate. The technology involves using specific dehydrogenases to couple metabolite levels to NAD(P)H production. In the presence of NAD(P)H, a novel proluciferin is converted to a substrate for luciferase resulting in light signals proportional to the starting metabolite concentration. Samples (e.g. mammalian cells, culture media, tissues, 3D microtissues) are added to the metabolite detection reagent in a 1:1 ratio. An inactivation solution added to complex biological samples lowers the background and increases sensitivity by lysing the cells, inactivating cellular enzymes, and destroying endogenous NAD(P)H. The sensitivity (1-5 pmol/sample) and broad assay window (maximum signal-to-background > 100 fold) of the assays allows simultaneous detection of multiple metabolites from the same set of samples. The wide assay window allows detection of very small changes in metabolite concentration, an advantage over conventional fluorescent and colorimetric detection methods. The assays adapt to various formats (96, 384-well plates) and require no instrumentation other than a luminometer. The assays can be used to measure the levels of critical metabolites and to monitor the effects of inhibitors and activators of glycolysis. The shift from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis can be monitored by measuring lactate production and secretion as well as glucose consumption from the same set of samples. The assays easily multiplex with cell viability assays enabling analysis of drug effects on cell proliferation, cell metabolism and mitochondria function. Citation Format: Mary Sobol, Jolanta Vidugiriene, Donna Leippe, Gediminas Vidugiris, Wenhui Zhou, James Cali. Metabolite assays to illuminate cellular energy networks. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 1211. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-1211
Resonance sums for Rankin–Selberg products of SLm(Z) Maass cusp forms

Let f and g be Maass cusp forms for SLm(Z) and SLm′(Z), respectively, with 2≤m≤m′. Let λf×g(n) be the normalized coefficients of L(s,f×g), the Rankin–Selberg L-function for f and g. In this paper the asymptotics of a Voronoi-type summation formula for λf×g(n) are derived. As an application estimates are obtained for the smoothly weighted average of λf×g(n) against e(αnβ). When β=1mm′ and α is close or equal to ±mm′q1mm′ for a positive integer q, the average has a main term of size |λf˜×g˜(q)|X12mm′+12. Otherwise, when 0<β<1mm′, it is shown that this average decays rapidly. This phenomenon is due to the oscillatory nature of the coefficients λf×g(n).
Inelastic wave propagation in sodium chloride

abstract Explosion-induced free-field ground motion measurements in sodium chloride closely follow simple cube root scaling laws over 10 orders of magnitude of explosion energy (from 0.6 to 2.2 × 10 10 kJ). This observation has important implications for the use of scale model experiments in simulating many of the effects associated with large chemical and nuclear explosions. Small-scale experiments in polycrystalline sodium chloride have been conducted using chemical explosives with energies between 0.6 and 300 kJ. Measurements at various confining pressures up to 32.2 MPa show that both cavity volume and free-field motion produced by explosions in pressed salt are independent of confining pressure. Within a scaled slant range (the radial distance to the center of the energy source) of about 80 m/kt 1/3 , the salt undergoes shear failure of the matrix (deformation which is both inelastic and nonlinear). Beyond 80 m/kt 1/3 and to 250 m/kt 1/3 (where these data end), the deformation continues to be strongly inelastic, but the magnitude of this inelasticity appears to decrease with range. Furthermore, measurement at a slant range of 168 m/kt 1/3 of the combined signals produced by two simultaneous charges (separated by 191 m/kt 1/3 ) shows little, if any, deviation from linearity.
Fourth Amendment Past, Present, & Future, & Striking a Balance between the Needs of Society, the Needs of Law Enforcement, & the Rights of Everyday People

This 77-page CLE (continuing legal education) brochure is titled “Fourth Amendment Past, Present, & Future, & Striking a Balance Between the Needs of Society, the Needs of Law Enforcement, & the Rights of Everyday People.” It accompanied two 90-minute lectures (presented in 2009 and again in 2010) to an audience of “top cops” at the historic Center for the Constitution at James Madison’s Montpelier. Topics include (1) search and seizure law prior to the Constitution, (2) the Constitutional Convention of 1787, (3) the Bill of Rights of 1791 and the Fourth Amendment, (4) Supreme Court Fourth Amendment jurisprudence prior to the Warren Court, (5) Supreme Court Fourth Amendment jurisprudence under the Warren Court, (6) Supreme Court Fourth Amendment jurisprudence under the Burger-Rehnquist-Roberts Courts, (7) significant limitation on the exclusionary rule under the Burger-Rehnquist-Roberts Courts, (8) civil litigation against police, (9) police departmental management of police personnel, and (10) recent Supreme Court Fourth Amendment cases.
Emerging literacy in Spanish among Hispanic heritage language university students in the USA: a pilot study

This pilot study identifies some lexical aspects of the emerging writing skills in Spanish among receptive English/Spanish bilingual students with little or no exposure to formal study of the home language upon entering a Spanish Heritage Language Program at a large public university in the Southwestern United States. The 200+ essays analyzed in the study are the last section of an online placement and credit exam that all incoming students take before enrolling in Spanish courses. The study focuses on lexical richness by analyzing lexical density, profile, and variation. It also measures transfer from English in the form of code-switches, borrowings, calques, and lexical creations. This exploratory study complements previous research and provides valuable information to the profession about the learning needs of this student population.
Determining Public Charity Status

Public charity status brings federal income tax benefits to an exempt entity, and to its potential donors. An organization can obtain public charity status because of the nature of its organization and operations, or by showing that it is supported broadly by the general public. The calculations are complex, but potentially rewarding.
Nest-Defense Behavior of Red-Tailed Hawks

From 1983 to 1986 I visited 26 Red-tailed Hawk (Buteojamaicensis) nests in east-central and southeastern Colorado. I estimated the closest distance that each defending adult approached, and recorded the number of calls that each bird gave and the number of times it dived while I was at the base of the nest tree for a 10-min period and subsequently at the nest for a 5-min period. The age and number of young in the nest, the height of the nest above the ground, and whether one or both adults were present were used as potential predictors of the intensity of nest-defense behavior. Nestling age was a significant predictor of call rate of the closest adult and nest height was a significant predictor of call rate of the farthest adult while I was at the base of the nest tree. Dive rate and closest approach were not significantly related to any measured variable. No independent variable was significantly related to nest-defense intensity while I was at the nest, however, dive rate increased and closest approach decreased when I was at the nest compared to when I was on the ground. These observations are only in part consistent with current theoretical models that predict patterns of nest-defense intensity in altricial birds.
Abstract 650: Ex vivo analysis of the mTOR/PI3K & MEK/ERK inhibitors, BEZ235 & AZD6244, alone and in combination in human tumor primary culture micro-spheroids: Exploration of horizontal pathway targeting

Therapeutic targeting of signal transduction pathways offers fertile ground for the discovery of small molecule kinase inhibitors and novel combinations. The success of Imatinib in CML, the first clinically approved oral TKI, reflects in part, the linear association between the malignant phenotype and c-Abl activation. However, most solid tumors reveal complex interactions between signal pathways that cross talk at points of commonality, the subject of prior report (Nagourney, RA Proc. AACR, 2010). To examine the clinical potential of BEZ235 and AZD6244, inhibitors of the PI3K & MEK/ERK pathways, we applied Ex Vivo Analysis of Programmed Cell Death (EVA/PCD™) (Nagourney RA, Curr. Treat Options in Oncology, 2006) to tumor micro-spheroids isolated from 24 patients. Drugs were tested alone and in combination. Five point dose response curves were interpolated to provide LC50 values. Synergy was assessed by median effect. Activity comparisons were conducted by modified Z-Score. LC50 values by Z-score for AZD revealed Melanoma > Breast > NSCLC > Myeloma >Ovarian > Uterine >Sarcoma > Renal, while BEZ revealed Breast > Renal > NSCLC > Ovarian > Myeloma > Sarcoma > Uterine. By combining BEZ with AZD, we then explored the simultaneous inhibition of the MEK/ERK and PI3K/mTOR pathways. Results in 5 of the first 6 analyses revealed activity & synergy for the dual pathway inhibitor combination. These results support the clinical relevance of targeting the MEK/ERK and PI3K/mTOR pathways and more importantly suggest dual pathway inhibition (horizontal) to be a productive strategy for further clinical developmental. Disease specific profiles and sequence dependence are being explored and will be reported. Supported in part by the Vanguard Cancer Foundation and The Nagourney Institute. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 650. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-650
Modulation of the Antibody Response to Sheep Red Blood Cells in Normal and Immunodeficient XID Mice by myo-Inositol

Over the dose ranges tested, dietary vitamin A and myo-inositol induce similar changes in murine fetal growth and development. Because vitamin A is also known to affect the immune response, studies were conducted to determine if dietary myo-inositol might have an effect on antibody production. It was found that in vivo in inbred mice myo-inositol (4 mg/g of diet) accelerated the rate of appearance of plaqueforming cells (PFC) in a primary response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC). In vitro, myo-inositol accelerated the rate of appearance of colonies of anti-SRBC PFC (foci) and significantly increased the number of PFC per colony, but did not affect the number of foci per culture noted at the end of the culture period, myo-inositol had no effect on the PFC IgM:IgG ratio following a single exposure to the agent, but exposure to myo-inositol in vivo and in vitro resulted in a decrease in the number of IgM PFC per focus in a primary response and IgM and IgG PFC per focus in a secondary response. Based on studies suggesting that myo-inositol or a phosphorylated metabolite might act downstream from Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) in a signal transduction pathway in B cells, immunodeficient CBA/CaHN-XID/J mice were fed a standard diet or the same diet supplemented with 0.4% myo-inositol. Mice given the supplemented diet produced significantly more IgM anti-SRBC antibody than did XID mice given the control diet (4.3 +/- 2.5 vs 1.7 +/- 2.8, 1/log2), and produced approximately the same amount as immunocompetent controls (2.9 +/- 0.9). When rechallenged with SRBC, XID mice given supplemental inositol produced significantly more IgM antibody than did the XID and immunocompetent controls (3.6 +/- 0.5 vs 1.8 +/- 1.1 and 1.5 +/- 0.7, respectively). Added dietary inositol did not have a significant effect on primary or secondary IgG responses to SRBC, which remained impaired. These results suggest that dietary myo-inositol or a derivative may be able to modulate B-cell IgM responses by interacting within the inositol second messenger system downstream from Bruton's tyrosine kinase.
Discussion on Micro Film Marketing of Libraries: Introducing the Micro Film of Tsinghua University Library Winning the “Award for International Marketing of Libraries”

The micro film "fall in love with the library" of Tsinghua university library wins "library international marketing award"issued by the international federation of library associations,which makes the library to realize the important function of micro films for promoting library values,regulations, resources and services. Taking micro films as a marketing tool will help libraries improve the main structure of marketing,rapidly expand marketing audiences,reinforce the idea of people oriented marketing. To develop micro films marketing work, libraries should seek creative from the profound experience of libraries, strengthen the management of micro film creation and dissemination,enrich micro films marketing practices.
Challenges in Cleft Care in Underdeveloped Countries

Interdisciplinary or team care is defined in the parameters document of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA). Team care is generally accepted around the world as the best way to care for patients with clefts and other craniofacial anomalies. Ninety percent of the world’s population has access to only 10 % of world health resources. This leads to many barriers being present to providing interdisciplinary team care to children with clefts in developing countries. There are two ways to develop team care in places around the world where it does not exist. One is to travel with an interdisciplinary team to a developing country to provide care for patients with clefts and go to the same place over a long period of time. The second way is to bring providers from developing countries to the developed world to learn interdisciplinary team care for patients with clefts and help them take that care back to their home. The most important thing for a successful introduction of team care into an area by a mission trip group is a commitment to return to the same place at least yearly for a long period of time. This commitment allows follow-up of patients over a long period of time, keeping of longitudinal records, accomplishing sequenced reconstructions, introduction of speech therapy and orthodontic care as a component of treatment, and evaluation of outcomes. In addition, whenever possible, education of local providers can be carried out year after year until they can provide the care on their own without the team having to come. The ACPA Visiting Scholar Program is an excellent example of how an individual from a developing country with the knowledge and potential to bring interdisciplinary team care for cleft and craniofacial patients to that country can be nurtured and encouraged. Each year, one individual spends 6 weeks in North America visiting cleft and craniofacial teams and attends the ACPA annual meeting. The individual then returns to their home country and uses the knowledge they have gained to establish or improve interdisciplinary team care. This program has been in place now for 15 years, and numerous examples exist of how these people have brought team care back to their home countries.
Effects of Sound and Color Stimuli on Image Recognition

AbstractSeventy-three college students participated in a study investigating the effectiveness of sound and color in assisting learners to recognize presentation content from a multimedia presentation. Students viewed a computerized presentation displaying a series of 16 objects in one of four treatment conditions: no color (BW); no color with sound (BWS); color (C); and color with sound (CS). Results indicate no significant differences related to color but an advantage for the no-sound conditions on a recognition lest; participants receiving sound performed worse than those not receiving sound. The results support previous research indicating less salient stimuli can compete with other information for processing resources and can therefore impair learning, in accordance with a dual-processing, cognitive model of multimedia learning.
Innovative ABC Techniques

The prime factors needed to meet the objectives of accelerated bridge construction (ABC) are materials, prefabrication, training, and construction equipment and early warning systems. In terms of materials, there has been a revolution in modern concrete technology and the precasting industry. The new concrete materials comprise of a variety of amazing high-strength materials, minimizing the dependence on diminishing steel. The Federal Highway Administration has championed the ABC time savings provided by using prefabricated bridge elements and systems, which include precast deck and prefabricated superstructures. Training courses and workshops in ABC are offered by organizations such as the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Structural Engineering Institute, and considerable information on important ABC aspects is available on transportation research websites. Such information and training are vital to keep pace with the many new ABC technologies. For example, there is a “smart paint” that outlines a fatigue crack in a bridge as it propagates and can evaluate fatigue in old bridges more accurately than strain gauges. Such new technology can serve as an early warning system.
Traditional Problems: How Tribal Same-Sex Marriage Bans Threaten Indian Sovereignty

Tribal marriage bans prevent thousands of native men and women from marrying their chosen partners. However, the impact of these bans may extend far beyond individual couples. Historically, when tribal and Anglo-American values conflict, the result is an increased perception by non-Indians that tribes are backwards, inferior, and unjust and this effect is particularly pronounced in instances where tribal law or custom reflects a position specifically and forcefully rejected by American law. Consequently, there is a real danger that the continuation of tribal same-sex marriage bans post-Obergefell will negatively affect how tribes and tribal justice is perceived. This perception could then become the catalyst for reversing many of the recent gains in tribal court jurisdiction.
Predicting Residues that Increase Antibiotic Resistance of CTX-M9 Enzymes using Molecular Simulation and Statistical Learning

Over 2 million people annually contract a serious antibiotic resistant bacterial infection. Beta-lactamases contribute to antibiotic resistance by hydrolyzing beta-lactam antibiotics, the most commonly used class of antibiotics, and enzymes such as CTX-M9 confer resistance to nearly all commonly used outpatient beta-lactams. We seek to understand how point mutations of these enzymes, both within and away from the drug-binding pocket, alter drug resistance. We have performed molecular dynamics simulations of CTX-M9 and a number of point mutants that increase drug resistance. We then analyzed these with information theoretic methods to (1) prospectively identify residues that alter drug specificity and (2) explain the effect of previously identified gain of function mutations distant from the pocket. In order to globally identify residues contributing to drug activity, we employed positional mutual information, a non-linear measure of atom association based on movement, to detect residues most associated with the drug. We tested these predictions experimentally via alanine mutagenesis. High-ranking residues had a significantly greater loss of activity than low-ranking ones, suggesting that this metric can be used to identify residues important for drug resistance. We also utilized machine learning methods in the form of mutual-information-guided feature selection and decision trees to understand how the effect of distant mutations is transmitted to the drug-binding pocket. Using this technique, we were able to identify a small set of atoms in the binding pocket where particular positional changes identify enhanced drug resistance with >90% accuracy.
Travel-time curves for a low-velocity channel in the upper mantle

abstract Velocities within the earth can be determined from body wave time-distance (T-D) data by the Herglotz-Wiechert method provided the velocity does not decrease too rapidly with depth. Until the present time, the properties of T-D curves for rapid decreases of velocity with depth have been considered only qualitatively. This paper presents a technique for calculating a T-D curve for any velocity distribution, including continuous and discontinuous increases and decreases of velocity with depth. Some properties of T-D curves are quantitatively studied by systematically varying the characteristics of a single model and noting the corresponding variations in the calculated T-D curves. From this it is concluded that a significant low-velocity channel may not be evidenced by a shadow zone but rather by an overlapping of two distinct branches of the T-D curve. It is further concluded that the presence of a shadow zone implies a very gentle velocity gradient below the low-velocity channel. By fitting a calculated T-D curve to observed data one can determine velocity as a function of depth even when the velocity decreases rapidly with depth, when a low-velocity channel exists. Observed T-D data for two underground nuclear explosions (gnome and bilby) measured in four different azimuths were fitted with T-D curves calculated for assumed velocity distributions. It is concluded that these data can be satisfied by a low-velocity channel for P waves in the upper mantle. The character of this channel (depth, thickness and velocity) was determined in each azimuth. The depth to its top was shallow (70 ± km) in the western U.S. and deep (125 ± km) in the eastern U.S. The velocity gradient below the channel is sharp enough to produce no prominent shadow zones. There are significant lateral changes in upper mantle velocities in the western U. S.
Review of operations research tools and techniques used for influenza pandemic planning

Many public health officials are concerned about a possible influenza pandemic. The three pandemics in the twentieth century killed between 50 and 100 million people and the 2009 H1N1 “Swine Flu” exposed vulnerabilities that we still have to influenza epidemics. Operations research tools and techniques can analyze public health interventions to mitigate the impact of pandemic influenza. In this chapter we review an array of examples of how operations research tools can be used to improve pandemic influenza prevention and response. From this, we derive insights into the appropriateness of certain techniques for answering specific questions and we propose preliminary policy recommendations. We then discuss opportunities for future research.
First-principles simulations of heat transport

Advances in understanding heat transport in solids were recently reported by both experiment and theory. However an efficient and predictive quantum simulation framework to investigate thermal properties of solids, with the same complexity as classical simulations, has not yet been developed. Here we present a method to compute the thermal conductivity of solids by performing ab initio molecular dynamics at close to equilibrium conditions, which only requires calculations of first-principles trajectories and atomic forces, thus avoiding direct computation of heat currents and energy densities. In addition the method requires much shorter sequential simulation times than ordinary molecular dynamics techniques, making it applicable within density functional theory. We discuss results for a representative oxide, MgO, at different temperatures and for ordered and nanostructured morphologies, showing the performance of the method in different conditions.
Changes in Body Mass Index During a 3-Year Elementary School–Based Obesity Prevention Program for American Indian and White Rural Students:

Background. Childhood obesity is a significant but largely modifiable health risk, disproportionately affecting socioeconomically disadvantaged, racial/ethnic minority, and rural children. Elementa...