cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors for Multiple Tympanostomy Tube Placements in Children: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS To determine the rate and predictors of receiving multiple tympanostomy tube (TT) placements in children. STUDY DESIGN Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for studies reporting the risk factors for receiving repeat TT (r-TT) placements in children with chronic otitis media with effusion or recurrent acute otitis media. These articles were systematically reviewed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) recommendations. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. RESULTS Twenty-one studies involving a total of 290,897 children were included. Among all patients, 24.1% (95% confidence interval (CI), 18.2%-29.9%) underwent ≥2 TT placements and 7.5% (95% CI, 5.7%-9.4%) underwent ≥3 TT placements. Craniofacial disease (odds ratio (OR) 5.13, 95% CI, 1.57-16.74) was the strongest predictor of r-TT. Younger age at initial TT placement and shorter TT retention time were also significantly associated with r-TT. Receipt of primary adenoidectomy with initial TT placement was associated with decreased odds of r-TT (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.39-0.55). Long-term tubes also significantly reduced the odds of r-TT (OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.17-0.44). CONCLUSIONS About 1 in 4 children receiving TT will receive at least one repeat set of TT and about 1 in 14 will receive multiple repeat sets. Concurrent adenoidectomy and long-term tubes reduced the incidence of r-TT. Younger patients and those with earlier extrusion of the initial set are at increased risk for repeat surgery. The identification of these risk factors may improve parental counseling and identify patients who might benefit from closer follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE NA Laryngoscope, 131:E2363-E2370, 2021.
The Purpose of a PhD in Engineering: Where Does Teaching Fit In?

Background: Institutions in the United States are classified by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. These classifications are largely delineated by the institutions’ focus on research versus teaching. Almost all professors in the US earn their doctorate degrees at doctoral universities with the highest research activity (R1), given that those institutions are the ones that confer PhD degrees; however, there exists a misalignment between earning a PhD at an R1 institution and preparing for a faculty career at a more teaching-focused institution (non-R1). Some professors pursue a PhD entirely for the teaching credential with the goal of teaching at an institution of higher education. With R1 institutions focusing primarily on research, the purpose of graduate education and its effectiveness in preparing the next generation of engineering faculty is put into question. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the following question: How do engineering assistant professors at US institutions experience the transition from graduate school at R1 institutions to their current faculty position at non-R1 institutions? Methods: Audio-recorded semi-structured ethnographic interviews were conducted with twelve participants, three representing each of four institution types (R2, R3, master’s, and baccalaureate). One participant at each institution type identified as female, and the other two identified as male. An inductive-deductive thematic analysis was conducted and resulted in three major themes. Results: The participants described feelings of misalignment between their graduate program and preparation for a faculty career, especially in terms of preparation for teaching, which was attributed to the research mission of the universities they attended (R1 institutions). In addition to feeling underprepared to teach, many participants described feeling unprepared for the emotional challenge of pursuing a position that is perceived to be less prestigious than a position at an R1 institution. Discussion and Conclusions: The results of the thematic analysis point to the need to reimagine the training graduate students receive to better align with future employment opportunities, especially preparation for teaching-focused positions and including preparation for non-academic positions. Additionally, the results indicate the need for a cultural shift toward doctoral training that is more inclusive of the diverse career interests of graduate students.
A Tale of Fairness Revisited: Beyond Adversarial Learning for Deep Neural Network Fairness

Motivated by the need for fair algorithmic decision making in the age of automation and artificially-intelligent technology, this technical report provides a theoretical insight into adversarial training for fairness in deep learning. We build upon previous work in adversarial fairness, show the persistent tradeoff between fair predictions and model performance, and explore further mechanisms that help in offsetting this tradeoff.
A systematic analysis of difficulty level of the question paper using student’s marks: a case study

Educational evaluation helps to improve the learning and teaching process. The learning process can be assessed by the examination system. In the examination system, the learners have to answer a set of questions. The learning assessment ensures improved performance in the educational system. The success of the learning assessment is highly dependent on the listening and understanding ability of each student. The assessment of the question paper can be at two levels—cognitive level assessment and difficulty level. The cognitive level assessment is purely based on Bloom’s Taxonomy and the difficulty level assessment is purely based on the examination marks of each student. This article presents a technical method called Question Paper’s Difficulty Level (QPDL) that helps to identify the difficulty level of each question in the question paper. The QPDL method is incorporate in the implementation of ‘QAUDIT’ web application to assess the difficulty level of the question paper systematically. The systematic analysis to identify the difficulty level of the question paper is made for 239 question papers. Each question paper can be recognized based on three difficulty levels such as High, Moderate and Low.
AVATAR: NN-Assisted Variation Aware Timing Analysis and Reporting for Hardware Trojan Detection

This paper presents AVATAR, a learning-assisted Trojan testing flow to detect hardware Trojans placed into fabricated ICs at an untrusted foundry, without needing a Golden IC. AVATAR is a side-channel delay-based testing solution that is assisted by a learning model (process watchdog) for tracking the process drift and systematic process variation. AVATAR’s process watchdog model is trained using a limited number of test samples, collected at test time, to tightly correlate the Static Timing Analysis results (generated at design time) to the test results (generated from clock frequency sweeping test). The experimental results confirm that AVATAR detects over 98% of (small) Trojans inserted in the selected benchmarks. We have complemented our proposed solution with a diagnostic test that 1) further reduces the false-positive rate of AVATAR Trojan detection to zero or near zero, and 2) pinpoints the net-location of the Trojan Trigger or Payload.
The Role of Virus-Infected Mononuclear Leukocytes in the Pathogenesis of Herpetic Chorioretinitis of Newborn Rabbits

With the increase of genital herpes, neonatal herpetic infection has become an increasingly important problem. In most clinical cases, herpetic chorioretinitis, which is one of the ocular manifestations of newborn herpetic infection, occurs after the skin infection, and, interestingly, HSV-2 has so far been the only isolate (1). In a previous report, we presented a newborn rabbit model of herpetic chorioretinitis which develops after skin infection by HSV-2 (2). Infectious HSV-2 could be isolated both from mononuclear leukocytes (MNLs) and from the plasma of infected animals. This result strongly suggested the hematogeneous spread of the virus to the eye, and it seemed that the virus was, for the most part, associated with MNLs. The present study was undertaken to determine the relative importance of virus-infected MNLs, as opposed to free HSV-2, in the pathogenesis of chorioretinitis in newborn rabbits.
Public Health Research Implementation and Translation: Evidence from Practice-Based Research Networks

Background Research on how best to deliver efficacious public health strategies in heterogeneous community and organizational contexts remains limited. Such studies require the active engagement of public health practice settings in the design, implementation, and translation of research. Practice-based research networks (PBRNs) provide mechanisms for research engagement, but until now they have not been tested in public health settings. Purpose This study uses data from participants in 14 public health PBRNs and a national comparison group of public health agencies to study processes influencing the engagement of public health settings in research implementation and translation activities. Methods A cross-sectional network analysis survey was fielded with participants in public health PBRNs approximately 1 year after network formation ( n =357) and with a nationally representative comparison group of U.S. local health departments not participating in PBRNs ( n =625). Hierarchic regression models were used to estimate how organizational attributes and PBRN network structures influence engagement in research implementation and translation activities. Data were collected in 2010–2012 and analyzed in 2012. Results Among PBRN participants, both researchers and practice agencies reported high levels of engagement in research activities. Local public health agencies participating in PBRNs were two to three times more likely than nonparticipating agencies to engage in research implementation and translation activities ( p Conclusions PBRN networks can serve as effective mechanisms for facilitating research implementation and translation among public health practice settings.
Nanotechnology, biotechnology and complexity theory; essential tools for the engineering hybrid biotic-abiotic systems

Advances in single molecule manipulation coupled with a more complete understanding of biomolecular processes have enabled the development of a new class of materials. These materials have the potential to emulate much of the functionality associated with living systems such as the active transport and transformation of matter and information and the transduction of energy into different forms. We will present the details of the technological demands and the results of efforts associated with the production of functional materials. Elements of the discussion will include the genetic engineering of active biological molecules into engineering building blocks, the precision assembly of these molecules into a stable, "active" material and a roadmap for embedding intelligent behavior into the matrix of the assembled matter.
Feasibility of Online Semantic Labeling of Deformable Tissues for Minimally Invasive Surgery

Vascular injury accounts for one third of complications in laparoscopy [1]. It is the second highest cause of death within laparoscopic surgery, second only to anesthesia, with a mortality rate estimated at 15% [2]. Surgery is also extremely common, currently surgeries are performed at a rate of 50 million per year, giving the average American an expected seven surgeries in their lifetime [3]. There is currently no way to (1) detect imminent vascular injury during surgery (2) prevent it via alarm or possibly an automated emergency stop in the case of a surgical robot. Surgical robots have become increasingly popular. However, they remain a passive master–slave system with no safeguards for adverse events like vascular injury. In the past, this is because the robotic systems do not have sufficient means of (1) tracking deformable tissues during surgery and, crucially, (2) semantically labeling the tracked data; e.g., blood vessel to protect versus kidney tissue to resect. Time of flight cameras have been proposed for tracking tissue geometry through an endoscope [4]. We herein propose to use time of flight to track and semantically label tissues in real time. Specifically, we evaluated the feasibility of time of flight tracking for semantically distinguishing kidney tissue from connected vasculature in real time using a modified algorithm.
The Astrocyte Is a Target Cell in Mice Persistently Infected With Mouse Hepatitis Virus, Strain JHM

Mouse hepatitis virus, strain JHM (MHV-JHM), causes a late onset, clinically apparent, demyelinating encephalomyelitis in 40% of suckling C57BL/6 mice born to immunized dams. Suckling mice born to unimmunized dams rapidly succumb to an acute encephalomyelitis. MHV-JHM can be isolated from the brains and spinal cords of maternal antibody-protected mice when the late onset disease becomes clinically apparent, showing that the virus must be present in these mice when they are still asymptomatic. To determine which cells of the central nervous system (CNS) were potential reservoirs for the virus during the asymptomatic period, tissue sections were assayed simultaneously by immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescence staining for the presence of viral antigen and for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a marker for astrocytes. The results indicate that 20% (range 0-52%) of the MHV-JHM infected cells in asymptomatic mice were astrocytes. In mice symptomatic with late onset hindlimb paralysis, a higher percentage of infected cells were astrocytes. These results indicate that astrocytes are a target cell in both symptomatic and asymptomatic mice persistently infected with MHV-JHM, and suggest that the astrocyte is a potential cellular reservoir for MHV-JHM in asymptomatic mice.
Estimation of soft tissue mechanical parameters from robotic manipulation data

Robotic motion planning algorithms used for task automation in robotic surgical systems rely on availability of accurate models of target soft tissue's deformation. Relying on generic tissue parameters in constructing the tissue deformation models is problematic because biological tissues are known to have very large (inter- and intra-subject) variability. A priori mechanical characterization (e.g., uniaxial bench test) of the target tissues before a surgical procedure is also not usually practical. In this paper, a method for estimating mechanical parameters of soft tissue from sensory data collected during robotic surgical manipulation is presented. The method uses force data collected from a multiaxial force sensor mounted on the robotic manipulator, and tissue deformation data collected from a stereo camera system. The tissue parameters are then estimated using an inverse finite element method. The effects of measurement and modeling uncertainties on the proposed method are analyzed in simulation. The results of experimental evaluation of the method are also presented.
Role of dimensional dominance in reversal and nonreversal shift behavior

Abstract Dimensional dominance (either form or shape) was assessed in kindergarten children prior to their being presented with a reversal-nonreversal optional shift task. During initial learning of the reversal-nonreversal task, one-half of the children were trained with their dominant dimension relevant, while the other half were trained with their dominant dimension irrelevant. Both rate of criterion attainment during initial learning of the reversal-nonreversal task and subsequent shift performance were related to dimensional dominance.
Simulation of effects of soil bulk density and p addition on k uptake by soybeans

Abstract Increasing soil bulk density has been shown to reduce root growth and decrease K uptake by soybeans (Glycine max L. Merrill). Changing soil bulk density also affects soil buffer power, b, and effective diffusion coefficient, De, which affect K influx. The relative decrease in K uptake due to reduced root growth as compared to reduced K influx is not known. Addition of P may affect root growth and P influx properties of plant roots. The objectives of this paper were (1) to use the Cushman mechanistic model to simulate the effect of changing soil bulk density and soil P on K uptake by soybeans, and (2) to determine the parameters that are changed by changes in bulk density and added P and their effect on K uptake. Plant and soil data of an experiment where Williams soybeans were grown for 21 days in pots of Raub (Aquic Argiudoll) silt loam with factorial treatments of two rates of K (0 and 100 mg K kg‐1 soil), two rates of P (0 and 100 mg P kg‐1 soil), and two bulk densities (1.25 and 1.45 g cm‐3 )...
Enrichment and characterization of a methanogenic bacterium from the oxic upper layer of the ocean

Enrichment cultures containing marine plankton from oxygenated coastal waters (50–108% saturated) with supersaturated levels of methane (>700% saturated) yielded a strictly anaerobic methanogenic bacterium. Nonmotile, non-spore-forming, regular to slightly irregular cocci (0.5–0.8µm) were evident by phase contrast, epifluorescence, and scanning electron microscopies. The unpurified isolate required NaCl for growth, with maximal methanogenesis at 240 mM NaCl at 22°C. The optimal temperature range for growth was 22–31°C, and the optimal range for methanogenesis was 26–35°C. Mono-, di-, and trimethylated amines or methanol were substrates for methanogenesis; sodium acetate and H2:CO2 were not. The DNA base composition was 42 ±1% guanine plus cytosine. Serology suggested the isolate may be a new strain ofMethanococcoides methylutens. Morphology, growth physiology, DNA base content, and serology are all consistent with the type description ofM. methylutens, a methylotrophic methanogen isolated from submarine sediments.
Procaspase-3 Activation as an Anti-Cancer Strategy: Structure-Activity Relationship of Procaspase-Activating Compound 1 (PAC-1) and its Cellular Co-Localization with Caspase-3

A goal of personalized medicine as applied to oncology is to identify compounds that exploit a defined molecular defect in a cancerous cell. A compound called procaspase-activating compound 1 (PAC-1) was reported that enhances the activity of procaspase-3 in vitro and induces apoptotic death in cancer cells in culture and in mouse xenograft models. Experimental evidence indicates that PAC-1 activates procaspase-3 in vitro through chelation of inhibitory zinc ions. Described herein is the synthesis and biological activity of a family of PAC-1 derivatives where key functional groups have been systematically altered. Analysis of these compounds reveals a strong correlation between the in vitro procaspase-3 activating effect and their ability to induce death in cancer cells in culture. Importantly, we also show that a fluorescently labeled version of PAC-1 co-localizes with sites of caspase-3 activity in cancer cells. The data presented herein further bolster the hypothesis that PAC-1 induces apoptosis in cancer cells through the direct activation of procaspase-3, has implications for the design and discovery of next-generation procaspase-3 activating compounds, and sheds light on the anti-apoptotic role of cellular zinc.
Relationship of olivine gabbro and amphibolite schist at carol west, Labrador geosyncline

Shabogamo gabbro, an olivine gabbro, intrudes the metamorphosed sedimentary rocks in the Wabush Lake map area, southern part of the Labrador geosyncline. In close spatial relation to this intrusive is an amphibolite schist that appears conformable with these meta-sediments. Field evidence is by itself insufficient to demonstrate whether this amphibolite schist is a metamorphosed sediment or whether it is genetically related to this olivine gabbro. Since large amphibolite schist bands occur in the Smallwood Mine, determination of the origin and relation of the amphibolite schist to the olivine gabbro is of special importance because this will determine ore potential at depth in this mine.
Characteristic and noncharacteristic x rays produced during 1-MeV argon bombardment of silicon

This work reports the first detailed examination of the noncharacteristic x-ray distribution produced during 1-MeV Ar bombardment of silicon. A crystal spectrometer was used to observe the characteristic and noncharacteristic x rays. It is shown that to within 5 eV the noncharacteristic x-ray band is continuous and tails off in the region of 1.4 keV, as required by the molecular x-ray interpretation. We have obtained the true shape of the noncharacteristic x-ray band in the energy range 675-1550 keV by using a rubidium acid phthalate crystal spectrometer calibrated for its relative efficiency. The observation of a broadened argon $L$ line spectrum and multiple satellite line in the Si $K$ spectrum shows that a high degree of excitation is produced in the $L$ shells of both argon and silicon during the collision.
Singular operators on boson fields as forms on spaces of entire functions on Hilbert space

Abstract Invariant scales of entire analytic functions on Hilbert space are introduced and applied. Singular operators represented by sesquilinear forms on spaces of regular vectors are given explicit integral representations via kernels that are entire functions on the direct sum of the Hilbert space with its dual. The Weyl (or, exponentiated boson field) operators act smoothly and irreducibly on corresponding spaces of entire functions. Arbitrary symplectic operators on a single-particle Hilbert space are shown to be implementable on the corresponding boson field by appropriate generalized operators.
TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL VARIATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

We compare two approaches to designing and analyzing monitoring studies to assess chronic, local environmental impacts. Intervention Analysis (IA) compares Before and After time series at an Impact site; a special case is Before–After, Control–Impact (BACI), using comparison sites as covariates to reduce extraneous variance and serial correlation. IVRS (impact vs. reference sites) compares Impact and Control sites with respect to Before–After change, treating the sites as experimental units. The IVRS estimate of an “effect” is the same as that of the simplest BACI (though not of others), but IVRS estimates error variance by variation among sites, while IA and BACI estimate it by variation over time. These approaches differ in goals, design, and models of the role of chance in determining the data. In IA and BACI, the goal is to determine change at the specific Impact site, so no Controls are needed. IA does not have controls and BACI's are not experimental controls, but covariates, deliberately chosen to ...
Gesture-based human-robot Jazz improvisation

We present Shimon, an interactive improvisational robotic marimba player, developed for research in Robotic Musicianship. The robot listens to a human musician and continuously adapts its improvisation and choreography, while playing simultaneously with the human. We discuss the robot's mechanism and motion-control, which uses physics simulation and animation principles to achieve both expressivity and safety. We then present a novel interactive improvisation system based on the notion of gestures for both musical and visual expression. The system also uses anticipatory beat-matched action to enable real-time synchronization with the human player. Our system was implemented on a full-length human-robot Jazz duet, displaying highly coordinated melodic and rhythmic human-robot joint improvisation. We have performed with the system in front of a live public audience
Reversal of the superoxide dismutase reaction

Abstract The superoxide dismutase from bovine erythrocytes has been shown to catalyze the reduction of oxygen by H2O2. This reversal of the spontaneous disproportionation of superoxide radicals was made feasible through the use of tetranitromethane as an effective scavenger for the superoxide radicals.
Application of low temperature microscopy to food systems

SUMMARY Low temperature scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray fluorescent microanalysis were applied to bulk potato tissue samples. Morphological changes and relative distributions for K, P, S and CI were evaluated at various stages of starch gelatinization. Mineral movements into the starch granules were observed as gelatinization took place. Commercially extracted potato starch granules were observed and analysed at low temperatures. Also, these granules were cracked by raising the stage temperature to 153 K. Ice crystal growth appears to induce cracks in a radial and tangential manner along sites of weakness in a pattern that is supportive of the theory of complex starch granule formation.
A behavioral approach to strategy—what's the alternative?

The strategy field has generally been viewed as somewhat fragmented with the primary ‘fault line’ stemming from the divide between economic and behavioral approaches. It is argued here that this is a false divide as any but the most trivial problems require a behavioral act of representation prior to invoking a deductive, ‘rational’ approach. In this sense, all approaches are behavioral. Once we recognize rationality as a process, then the pragmatic question becomes which among the imperfect mechanisms to guide choice and behavior may be more or less preferred. Such a viewpoint not only serves to help span the chasm of behavioral and economic approaches, but it may also connect the applied normative frameworks and approaches within the field to more theoretically grounded approaches. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Initial and Early Follow‐up Assessment of the Clinical Efficacy of a Multiparameter‐Programmable Puise Generator

Recent advances in pacemaker technology have produced noninvasively multiparameter-programmable puise generators that have the potential for resolving complications that result from the pacing system and forproviding a mechanism whereby adjustments can be made for the specific needs of a patient without corapromising reliability and longevity. These applications were assessed by analyzing the initial indications, clinical efficacy, and reliability in 100 consecufive patients who received a multiparameter-program-mable puJse generator. Data analysis showed that 78% of the 100 patients had changes in rate programmed, 16% in pufse width, and 5% in sensitivity. Program-mability was utilized for voJtage amplitude (one patient) but was not utilized for hysteresis and refractory period. Although progrtimming changes (rate and pulse width) generally could have been accomplished with simpler units, program-mability for sensitivity made it possible to solve pacemaker problems in five patients and clearly eliminated the need for reoperation in two patients. The compact size of the multiparameter-programmable pulse generator has allowed its use in patients in the pediatric age group, patients with a small frame, and patients with a major concern about cosmetic appearance. Programming sensitivity for proper sensing of the atrial signal allows use of the multiparameter-programmable pulse generator as an atrial pacemaker. This was done in one pediatric patient who also benefited from suppression of atrial overdrive. There have been no episodes of spurious programming. Reliabitity has not been sacrificed by the increased complexity of this unit. If preimplant criteria for use of a multiparameter-program-mable puise generator are too sfrict, this may limit its potential therapeutic value because the need for its flexible characleristics is unpredictable.
Dynamic modeling of doubly fed induction machine during balanced voltage dips with control effects formulation

This paper provides the analysis of the dynamic behavior of open circuit rotor side voltage of doubly fed induction machine during three phase balanced voltage dip. The control of the rotor side converter is then formulated in a state space based model to analyze the dynamics of rotor side current, of which classical PI control method is studied. Analytical solution of the short circuit current of the rotor side converter could be obtained. It is concluded from the theoretical analysis that the rotor side converter is regulating the current against a voltage with an initial value close to the rated stator voltage, thus rotor side converter with a higher voltage rating is capable of reducing the peak value of the short circuit current. The proposed analysis also provides a way to better analyze the low voltage ride through capability. In general, the proposed method could be utilized to analyze any state space based vector control method under three phase voltage dips. The analytical solution is compared with the simulation results.
Quantum Monte Carlo simulations of many-body phenomena in a single-impurity Anderson model

Over a limited temperature range, we were able to simulate, with a quantum Monte Carlo method, the major many-body phenomena in a single-impurity Anderson model. These phenomena include local-moment formation, mixed-valence behavior, and the Kondo effect. For some choices of parameters we reached sufficiently low temperatures that our calculations of T${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{d}$ agreed with the universal Kondo-impurity susceptibility computed by the renormalization-group technique. We also calculated the correlations between the spin and charge at the impurity and those at the lattice sites. In these correlations we observed oscillations reminiscent of Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida and Friedel oscillations. We also discuss the possibility of extending our calculations to the two-impurity and lattice Anderson Hamiltonians.
When even people at high risk do not take up colorectal cancer screening

Despite the most intense efforts by medical professionals, a significant fraction of people who we believe “should” be screened are not being screened
Fantini, Alvino E., Language Acquisition of a Bilingual Child: A Sociolinguistic Perspective

La literaturo pri la dulingva edukado ne donis sufican atenton al la socia situacio, en kiu infano akiras sian propran lingvon. Ci tiu nova esplorkampo provizas la fokuson de la tuta monografio.La lingvo eniras unu koheran kaj funkcikapablan sistemon nur tiam, kiam la homa infano ekzistas kaj kreskas en unu socia medio (vidu capitrojn 1 kaj 2). Tiuj procedoj produktas unusolan, malsimplan kapablon je pluraj lingvoj. La socia uzo de la scio de lingvo-teorio kaj ebleco de tia esplorado por la socilingvistiko estas centra temo de ci tiu monografio. La infano kaj gia cirkauajo (vidu capitron 3) estas biografia raporto pri la socia kresko de la filo de Fantini: anekdota rakonto informa kaj interesa. La teoriaj demandoj rilataj al la infano kaj ties lingvoakiro (vidu capitron 4) levas multajn interesajn demandojn. Jen kelkaj: la ebleco de la infano diferencigi kaj paroli unu au du lingvojn; la lingvaj elektoj; la etnografio de la komunikado; la formado de sociaj roloj; la privata parolado; la koncepto de la memo; kaj problemoj de stiloj lingvaj.La autoro donas superrigardon al la lingva kresko de la infano (vidu capitron 5) kaj la koncepto de la lingva interveno estas emfazata. Malfelice, li ne uzas la metodon de erar-analizo, kun suficaj detaloj. La resumo de la eltrovoj de la procedo de ensociigo (vidu capitron 6) konkludas la monografion.Prikonsiderante ci tiun novan esploron, ni perceptas la intelektan valoron de la verko. Gi levas multajn novajn teoriajn demandojn por la fakoj sociologio, psikologio, pedagogio kaj lingvistiko. Kvankam la esplorata infano lernis iom da Esperanto, la detaloj ne suficas. Studo pri la akiro de Esperanto ce infanoj devus esti de grandega intereso, sed dependos plejparte de la sociologia teorio kaj de la demandoj, kiuj formas la centran temon de la monografio.
Local structural order in the disordered vanadium tetracyanoethylene room-temperature molecule-based magnet

We determined the vanadium oxidation state and local coordination environment in disordered samples of magnetic $\mathrm{V}{[\mathrm{TCNE}]}_{x}(x\ensuremath{\approx}2)$ prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Systematic studies of the x-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) in this material and reference compounds show that V ions have a valence state near $2+$. Extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis shows that vanadium ions are coordinated by $6.04\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.25$ nitrogen atoms at a room-temperature average distance of $2.084(5)\mathrm{\AA{}}$. The local environment is well defined with a distribution of V-N bond lengths comparable to that commonly found in ordered compounds. This distribution is mostly vibrational in origin, with static contributions being at least four fold smaller. The small disorder in V-N distances is a consequence of strong binding between $\mathrm{V}$ and TCNE, with an effective local force constant of $k=87\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{N}∕\mathrm{m}$. This strong bonding leads to strong nearest neighbor coupling, which for the extended structure of $\mathrm{V}{[\mathrm{TCNE}]}_{x}$ with six $\mathrm{N}$ nearest neighbors results in magnetic ordering above room temperature. The strong V-N bonding explains in part the insoluble nature of this compared to other molecule-based magnets. The room-temperature XANES and EXAFS results for the CVD-prepared samples are compared to those for $\mathrm{V}{[\mathrm{TCNE}]}_{x}$ prepared as a powder from ${\mathrm{CH}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cl}}_{2}$ solvent, which has a similar magnetic ordering temperature but a magnetization that is more strongly temperature dependent. This comparison suggests that coordination of 6 nitrogens around each V(II) with little variation in the V-N distances is important for achieving the high magnetic ordering temperature of $400\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ associated with samples made by both the CVD and ${\mathrm{CH}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cl}}_{2}$ solution methods.
Intracranial self-administration of MDMA into the ventral striatum of the rat: differential roles of the nucleus accumbens shell, core, and olfactory tubercle.

Rationale Behavioral and anatomical data suggest that the ventral striatum, consisting of the nucleus accumbens and olfactory tubercle, is functionally heterogeneous. Cocaine and d-amphetamine appear to be more rewarding when administered into the medial olfactory tubercle or medial accumbens shell than into their lateral counterparts, including the accumbens core.
Identification of coding regions in genomic DNA sequences: an application of dynamic programming and neural networks

Dynamic programming (DP) is applied to the problem of precisely identifying internal exons and introns in genomic DNA sequences. The program GeneParser first scores the sequence of interest for splice sites and for these intron- and exon-specific content measures: codon usage, local compositional complexity, 6-tuple frequency, length distribution and periodic asymmetry. This information is then organized for interpretation by DP. GeneParser employs the DP algorithm to enforce the constraints that introns and exons must be adjacent and non-overlapping and finds the highest scoring combination of introns and exons subject to these constraints. Weights for the various classification procedures are determined by training a simple feed-forward neural network to maximize the number of correct predictions. In a pilot study, the system has been trained on a set of 56 human gene fragments containing 150 internal exons in a total of 158,691 bps of genomic sequence. When tested against the training data, GeneParser precisely identifies 75% of the exons and correctly predicts 86% of coding nucleotides as coding while only 13% of non-exon bps were predicted to be coding. This corresponds to a correlation coefficient for exon prediction of 0.85. Because of the simplicity of the network weighting scheme, generalization performance is nearly as good as with the training set.
Large Sample Asymptotic Theory of Tests for Uniformity on the Grassmann Manifold

The Grassmann manifold Gk,m ? k consists of k-dimensional linear subspaces V in Rm. To each V in Gk,m ? k, corresponds a unique m × m orthogonal projection matrix P idempotent of rank k. Let Pk,m ? k denote the set of all such orthogonal projection matrices. We discuss distribution theory on Pk,m ? k, presenting the differential form for the invariant measure and properties of the uniform distribution, and suggest a general family F(P) of non-uniform distributions. We are mainly concerned with large sample asymptotic theory of tests for uniformity on Pk,m ? k. We investigate the asymptotic distribution of the standardized sample mean matrix U taken from the family F(P) under a sequence of local alternatives for large sample size n. For tests of uniformity versus the matrix Langevin distribution which belongs to the family F(P), we consider three optimal tests-the Rayleigh-style, the likelihood ratio, and the locally best invariant tests. They are discussed in relation to the statistic U, and are shown to be approximately, near uniformity, equivalent to one another. Zonal and invariant polynomials in matrix arguments are utilized in derivations.
Longitudinal investigation of the curricular effect: An analysis of student learning outcomes from the LieCal Project in the United States

Abstract In this article, we present the results from a longitudinal examination of the impact of a Standards -based or reform mathematics curriculum (called CMP) and traditional mathematics curricula (called non-CMP) on students’ learning of algebra using various outcome measures. Findings include the following: (1) students did not sacrifice basic mathematical skills if they are taught using a Standards -based or reform mathematics curriculum like CMP; (2) African American students experienced greater gain in symbol manipulation when they used a traditional curriculum; (3) the use of either the CMP or a non-CMP curriculum improved the mathematics achievement of all students, including students of color; (4) the use of CMP contributed to significantly higher problem-solving growth for all ethnic groups; and (5) a high level of conceptual emphasis in a classroom improved the students’ ability to represent problem situations. (However, the level of conceptual emphasis bears no relation to students’ problem solving or symbol manipulation skills.)
Laser‐guided direct writing for three‐dimensional tissue engineering

One of the principal limitations to the size of an engineered tissue is oxygen and nutrient transport. Lacking a vascular bed, cells embedded in an engineered tissue will consume all available oxygen within hours while out branching blood vessels will take days to vascularize the implanted tissue. One possible solution is to directly write vascular structures within the engineered tissue prior to implantation, reconstructing the tissue according to its native architecture. The cell patterning technique, laser-guided direct writing (LGDW), can pattern multiple cells types with micrometer resolution on arbitrary surfaces, including biological gels. Here we show that LGDW can pattern human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in two- and three-dimensions with micrometer accuracy. By patterning HUVEC on Matrigel, we can direct their self-assembly into vascular structures along the desired pattern. Finally, co-culturing the vascular structures with hepatocytes resulted in an aggregated tubular structure similar in organization to a hepatic sinusoid. This capability can facilitate studies of tissue architecture at the single cell level, and of heterotypic interactions underlying processes such as liver and pancreas morphogenesis, differentiation, and angiogenesis.
Geochemical Significance of n-Alkane Compositional-Trait Variations in Coals

The compositional traits of C9-34 n-alkanes were measured in supercritical CO2 extracts from 14 U.S. coals of varied geologic ages and wide thermal maturity range (lignite through low-volatile bituminous). The analysis data exhibit no unique component depletion pattern signatures diagnostic of known types of postgeneration physical, chemical, or microbiological degradation processes that commonly affect crude oil in sedimentary rocks. The C9-34 n-alkanes in Paleocene and Upper Cretaceous age coals exhibit bimodal carbon-number distribution profiles that strongly resemble those of the biogenic n-alkanoic acids present in brown coals. The compositional trait similarities between these n-alkanes and n-alkanoic acids and the covariance of the bulk coal organic matter atomic oxygen-to-carbon (O/C) ratios and carbon-preference index (CPI) values offer tangible evidence for the existence of a genetic linkage between these two series of compounds. Our analysis results indicate that the C2-5 alkanes and C6+ hydroc...
Properties of Tropical Convection Observed by Millimeter-Wave Radar Systems

Abstract This paper describes the results of analysis of over 825 000 profiles of millimeter-wave radar (MWR) reflectivities primarily collected by zenith-pointing surface radars observing tropical convection associated with various phases of activity of the large-scale tropical circulation. The data principally analyzed in this paper come from surface observations obtained at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Manus site during active and break episodes of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) and from observations collected from a shipborne radar during an active phase of the monsoon over the Indian Ocean during the Joint Air–Sea Monsoon Interaction Experiment. It was shown, for example, in a histogram regime analysis that the MWR data produce statistics on convection regimes similar in most respects to the analogous regime analysis of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission radar–radiometer observations. Attenuation of the surface MWRs by heavy precipitation, however, incorrectly shifts a small fracti...
A simple way to determine appropriate implant size when fixing fractures.

Using a correctly sized implant when internally fixing of fractures is crucial. Too long an implant may not fit and too short may compromise the strength and the stability of the fracture fixation. The mandatory introduction of presterilised and prepacked implants in sealed packages in the UK (often without suitable templates), and the increasing use of minimally invasive techniques, mean the opening and subsequent discarding of an expensive but under or oversized implant is a real risk. We have found a simple way to determine the appropriate size of an implant required in the trauma theatre. After closed fracture reduction, under Image Intensifier control, but before the routine skin preparation and draping, we placed the implant, still sterile and sealed in its box, over the fracture site (Fig. 1). It is possible to do this with the implant removed from its box but still in its sterile wrapper but if the implant comes with a loan A R T I C L E I N F O
Fractal image error analysis

Abstract Fractal techniques which assess the spatial component of an image use the observation that image complexity is a direct consequence of the operation of many different spatial processes acting to produce images over a wide range of spatial scales. Precisely because fractals inherently involve enormous levels of multiple scale phenomenon, fractal analysis techniques afford new prospects for dealing with spatial images and fractal geometry is now being applied to a variety of spatial problems, and to a limited extent, to remote sensing data. In this study the focus is on assessing the utility of fractal dimension to investigating applications involving imaging of spatial, multi-scale image data. This means understanding quantitatively the effects of discretization errors and signal noise on the determination of the fractal dimension of an image set. The accuracy and efficiency of three methods for estimating the fractal dimension of an image are evaluated: Images of the Cantor set are used to measure accuracy of the isarithm, the triangular prism method and the variogram method. Overall, of these methods, the triangular prism is found to be the most robust in regard to noise rejection and accuracy while at the same time, this algorithm also was computationally the most efficient.
From Ultrafine Thiolate-Capped Copper Nanoclusters toward Copper Sulfide Nanodiscs: A Thermally Activated Evolution Route

This report shows that the size, shape, and composition of presynthesized copper nanoparticles can be nanoengineered through exploiting concurrent interparticle aggregative growth and interfacial carbon−sulfur cleavage in a thermally activated evolution route. This is demonstrated by thermally activated processing of ultrafine copper nanoclusters encapsulated with thiolate monolayer (Cun(SR)m) toward semiconducting copper sulfide (Cu2S) nanodiscs with controllable sizes and shapes. Under controlled temperatures (120−150 °C), the ultrafine Cun(SR)m nanoclusters, with a size of ∼0.5 nm evidenced by TEM, SAXS-WAXS, DCP-AES, and MALDI-TOF measurements, were shown to evolve into thiolate-capped Cu2S nanodiscs via thermally activated coalescence and copper-catalyzed interfacial C−S cleavage reactivities. The Cu2S nanodiscs, as confirmed by XPS and HRTEM analyses, exhibited controllable and monodispersed sizes depending on the thermal processing parameters, ranging from 5 to 35 nm in the disk dimension and 3−6 n...
Inter- and intraspecific resolution of nrDNA TRFLP assessed by computer-simulated restriction analysis of a diverse collection of ectomycorrhizal fungi.

An assessment of the inter- and intraspecific resolution of 5′ nrDNA ITS TRFLP was conducted by computer-simulated restriction analysis of 316 ectomycorrhizal Gen Bank sequences. Generally, sequences with a similarity of 95% were likely to remain unresolved. Choice of restriction enzyme strongly influenced resolution, especially when less than three enzymes were used. Although our results showed that 5′ nrDNA ITS TRFLP is a powerful tool for distinguishing between species of ectomycorrhizal fungi, closely related species, including species of Rhizopogon, Dermocybe, Hebeloma , and Lactarius produced indistinguishable 5′ nrDNA ITS TRFLP - profiles. 5′ nrDNA ITS TRFLP may also split a species, and the probability of this occurring reflected intraspecific sequence variation. For groups of closely related species, the use of 3′ nrDNA ITS in conjunction with 5′ nrDNA ITS produced improved resolution comparable with RFLP analyses. Overall, our results show that nrDNA ITS TRFLP is a valuable addition to the array of molecular tools available to ectomycorrhizal ecologists. However, simple assessments of ectomycorrhizal species diversity based on numbers of unique TRF created with a single restriction enzyme must be viewed with caution, as for each enzyme we examined, identical TRF common to groups of unrelated species were observed. In addition, to maximize the effectiveness of TRFLP in surveys of ectomycorrhizal fungi it will be useful to combine information from at least two independent enzyme digests in order to distinguish and track species in the field.
Young children's adjustment to chronic family adversity: a longitudinal study of low-income families.

ABSTRACT Objective To test the relation between multiple family stressors and young children's adjustment problems. Method Longitudinal data were collected on 300 low-income, ethnically diverse, male subjects beginning during infancy and followed until age 31/2. Results General support was found for the family stressor hypothesis. Stressor groups at 18 and 24 months predicted Child Behavior Checklist Externalizing and Internalizing factors at 24 and 42 months, including clinically elevated problems. Conclusions The results confirm and extend previous investigations of the family stressor hypothesis. They suggest that psychological evaluations of young children need to be ecologically based, including intra- and extrafamilial factors that appear to cumulatively increase risk of behavior problems.