cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and Structure of Ba5(V2O7)2Cl2

A new barium chlorovanadate, Ba5(V2O7)2Cl2, was isolated by a high-temperature (850 °C) reaction employing a CsCl/RbCl flux. The structure was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. This compound crystallizes in an orthorhombic crystal system, Pmmn (No. 59), with a = 11.558(2) A, b = 15.164(3) A, c = 10.023(2) A, Z = 4 and V = 1756.7(6) A3. The structure of Ba5(V2O7)2Cl2 was determined by full-matrix, least-squares methods with R 1 = 0.0398, wR 2 = 0.1069 and GOF = 1.048 for all data. This new structure can be described as a composite lattice made up of mixed covalent and ionic moities. The extended framework is orchestrated by stacked [Ba(V2O7)Cl]3− slabs that are interconnected by Ba2+ cations through Ba–O bonds to the [V2O7] units. The Ba2+ and Cl- ions form BN-type “[BaCl]” sheets with pseudo-hexagonal windows that are centered by [V2O7]4− pyrovanadate units. The structure of a new chlorovanadate, Ba5(V2O7)2Cl2, exhibits an interesting BN-type salt lattice that consists of an extended [BaCl] sheet containing pseudo-hexagonal windows that are centered by [V2O7] pyrovanadate units.
Developing a Service-Learning Curriculum for Linguistics

Service-learning integrates community service into a credit-earning course to enrich the learning experience and pair practice with theory in some content area. Linguistics courses offer tremendous potential for service-learning because there are a variety of ways in which language-related theory can be put into practice. This paper outlines the development of a service-learning curriculum for linguistics courses. While examples come from a project where students tutored adult second language learners of English, the activities in this paper extend well to other linguistics courses. Reflection is essential to service-learning, so necessary background and examples of it as a structured learning tool appear here. A second assessment tool, an anonymous online survey taken before and after tutoring, was used to explore any impact on language and diversity attitudes. More generally, service-learning has the potential to positively affect career development, to generate a sense of civic engagement, to facilitate greater understanding of other cultures and races and to make a difference in local communities.
Development of Work and Family Commitments A Study with Women and Men Medical Students

Women and men medical students' intended commitments to profession and family were explored at three times during their training. At the global level, women and men anticipated giving equal balance to family and profession in the future. At a more specific level, there were significant gender differences in planned commitments to profession and to family. Although all students anticipated giving more hours per week to professional roles, men anticipated significantly more hours devoted to profession each week than did women. Women anticipated more hours devoted to family than did men. Over time in medical school, all students' intended hours in profession increased and hours in family decreased, pointing to an inundation of family life by professional demands. Global-level measures suggested change in division of domestic labor among women and men, but specific-level measures suggested persistence of traditional patterns.
ALD Ta 2 O 5 and Hf-doped Ta 2 O 5 for BEOL compatible MIM

Decoupling MIM capacitors are typically implemented to reduce power supply noise. In this work we reported characterization of Atomic Layer Deposited (ALD) Ta 2 O 5 and Hf-doped Ta 2 O 5 high-k MIM capacitors. We investigated the impact of precursor choice and HfO 2 addition on material, electrical and reliability characteristics of MIM capacitors. We demonstrated MIM capacitors with high capacitance density, low leakage and excellent reliability which are also suitable for BEOL integration.
Correlation between molecular markers and adaptively significant genetic variation in Bromus tectorum (Poaceae), an inbreedingannual grass

Single sequence repeat (SSR) and amplified fragment length polymorphic (AFLP) molecular marker genotypes in cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) were compared to published data on phenotypic variation in seed dormancy, vernalization requirement, and resistance to the pathogen Ustilago bullata. Several features of cheatgrass facilitated this study: it is a recent invader in the western United States, has considerable phenotypic polymorphism, and is an obligate self-pollinator. Forty self-pollinating lines from four populations common to the three phenotypic data sets were analyzed for molecular genetic variation using seven SSR loci and 31 AFLP loci. We examined correlations between distance matrices using the Mantel test for each pair of studies. The two molecular data sets were significantly correlated (r = 0.636). The AFLP markers often distinguished among several lines with identical SSR genotypes. The AFLP data were also significantly correlated with the phenotypic data (r values from 0.4640 to 0.5658), but the SSR data were much more highly correlated (r values from 0.677 to 0.844). The difference between molecular marker systems was especially notable when an outlier population from Potosi Pass, Nevada, was excluded from the analysis. These results suggest that SSR markers may be good surrogates for phenotypic traits in population genetic studies of strongly inbreeding species such as cheatgrass.
IBM Blue Gene Supercomputer

Introduction TheIBMBlueGene Supercomputer is amassively parallel system based on the PowerPC processor. It derives its computing power from scalability and energy efficiency. Each computing node of Blue Gene is optimized to achieve high computational rate per unit of power and to operate with other nodes in parallel. This approach results in a system that can scale to very large sizes and deliver substantial aggregate performance. Most large parallel systems in the – time frame followed a model of using off-the-shelf processors (typically from Intel, AMD, or IBM) and interconnecting them with either an industry standard network (e.g., Ethernet or Infiniband) or a proprietary network (e.g., as used by Cray or IBM). Blue Gene took a different approach by designing a dedicated system-on-achip (SoC) that included not only processors optimized for floating-point computing, but also the networking infrastructure to interconnect these building blocks into a large system. This customized approach led to the scalability and power efficiency characteristics that differentiated Blue Gene from other machines that existed at the time of its commercial introduction in . As of , IBM has produced two commercial versions of BlueGene, BlueGene/L andBlueGene/P, which were first delivered to customers in  and , respectively. A third version, Blue Gene/Q, was under development. Both delivered versions follow the same design principles, the same system architecture and the same software architecture. They differ on the specifics of the basic SoC that serves as the building block for Blue Gene. The November  TOP list includes four Blue Gene/L system and ten Blue Gene/P systems (and one prototype Blue Gene/Q system). In this article we cover mostly the common aspects of both versions of the Blue Gene supercomputing and discuss details specific to each version as appropriate.
Prevalence and Predictors of Poor Recovery from Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

Abstract Although most patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) recover within 3 months, a subgroup of patients experience persistent symptoms. Yet, the prevalence and predictors of persistent dysfunction in patients with mTBI remain poorly understood. In a longitudinal study, we evaluated predictors of symptomatic and cognitive dysfunction in adolescents and young adults with mTBI, compared with two control groups—patients with orthopedic injuries and healthy uninjured individuals. Outcomes were assessed at 3 months post-injury. Poor symptomatic outcome was defined as exhibiting a symptom score higher than 90% of the orthopedic control (OC) group, and poor cognitive outcome was defined as exhibiting cognitive performance poorer than 90% of the OC group. At 3 months post-injury, more than half of the patients with mTBI (52%) exhibited persistently elevated symptoms, and more than a third (36.4%) exhibited poor cognitive outcome. The rate of high symptom report in mTBI was markedly greater than tha...
Beyond annual and seasonal averages: using temporal patterns of precipitation to predict butterfly richness across an elevational gradient

Author(s): Badik, KJ; Shapiro, AM; Bonilla, MM; Jahner, JP; Harrison, JG; Forister, ML | Abstract: 1. Ecologists often make predictions about community richness and diversity using climate variables that include seasonal precipitation totals and mean daily temperatures. While means and totals can be effective predictors to a certain extent, the complexities of faunal-climate relationships might be over-simplified through the use of coarse-grained variables. 2. The goal of this study was to investigate less commonly studied climate variables, including indices of intra-annual variation in the timing and intensity of precipitation events that might be used to predict butterfly richness across an elevational gradient. Data from a long-term, single-observer dataset at four sites in California were examined with Bayesian model averaging and structural equation modelling. Species-specific responses to climate were compared with community responses at each site. 3. At lower elevations, it was found that the relative importance of climate variables shifted towards temporal patterns of precipitation, including the timing of the first storm event and the annual number of precipitation events. Heterogeneity among sites was apparent in the importance of specific weather variables, and temporal trends (across years) were detected for a small number of variables. Species-specific results paralleled those obtained from analysis of species richness, thus suggesting a commonality of response to climate across site-specific assemblages. 4. Models were improved by inclusion of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and El Nino-Southern Oscillation indices, indicating that regional variables can profitably be included in faunal-climate relationship analyses. These results emphasise the need for researchers to examine climate variables beyond the most readily summarised means and totals.
Evaluation of the SNAP foal IgG test for the semiquantitative measurement of immunoglobulin G in foals.

The SNAP Foal IgG test (IDEXX) as evaluated for its accuracy and usefulness by measuring blood samples collected from 42 foals between 24 and 48 hours after birth. The results were compared with the single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) test as the reference method. The SNAP test was quick and easy to perform, and the results were similar to those obtained by SRID in 64 per cent of the samples. The best results were found with low ( 800 mg/dl) concentrations of immunoglobulin G, with an accuracy of 80 per cent and 89 per cent, respectively. The intermediate concentrations were usually lower when measured by the SNAP test than by the SRID test, possibly owing to the variable volume of blood added to the test with the sample loop.
Slippage in the Conservation Reserve Program or Spurious Correlation? A Rejoinder

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) pays farmers about $2 billion per year to retire cropland under ten- to fifteen-year contracts. Recent research by Wu found that slippage—an unintended stimulus of new plantings—offsets some of CRP’s environmental benefits. Wu does not account for the endogeneity of CRP enrollments. Furthermore, the data used by Wu cannot be used to estimate slippage arising from a price feedback effect. We replicate Wu’s findings, demonstrate the possible presence of spurious correlation, and construct new estimates with corrections for endogeneity and other econometric problems. We find no convincing evidence of slippage.
Dynamics of mixed populations having complementary metabolism

The dynamics of a system of two microbial populations having complementary metabolism are investigated by means of simple mathematical models of growth. Complementary metabolism as used here means that each population produces a substance—not present in the initial or feed medium—required by the other for growth. The simple models indicate that (1) something other than lack of the substrate or growth factor produced by its partner must limit the growth of at least one population and (2) the coexistence steady state of such populations in continuous culture is not stable with respect to large perturbations, though it is stable with respect to a wide range of perturbations.
Sonographic accuracy of estimated fetal weight in twins.

OBJECTIVES We aimed to determine the accuracy of sonographic formulas for estimating birth weight in twin pregnancies. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study of consecutive twin pregnancies undergoing sonography at within 1 week of delivery. Pregnancies were included if biometric measurements and birth weight were available and excluded if anomalies were present. Estimated fetal weight was calculated using three sonographic formulas: two derived from singletons (Hadlock and Shepard) and one from twins (Ong). The correlation between estimated fetal weight and birth weight was determined using the Pearson correlation coefficient. The accuracy of each formula (bias) was assessed using the mean percentage error [(estimated fetal weight - birth weight)/birth weight × 100], and the precision (random error) was estimated from the standard deviation of the percentage error. The screening efficiency of each formula for intrauterine growth restriction, defined as below the 10th percentile on the Alexander growth standard, was assessed. The effect of twin presentation was determined using a paired analysis. RESULTS Of 1744 consecutive twin pregnancies, 270 (540 infants) met inclusion criteria. The estimated fetal weight of all 3 formulas strongly correlated with the birth weight (Pearson r = 0.90 for Hadlock, 0.87 for Shepard, and 0.92 for Ong). Each formula had similar sensitivity (65%-70%) and specificity (85%-90%) for intrauterine growth restriction. For each formula, the correlation coefficient was similar between twins A and B (Pearson r = 0.85-0.93); however, the estimated fetal weight for twin A tended to underestimate birth weight, whereas the estimated fetal weight for twin B tended to overestimate birth weight. CONCLUSIONS Three widely used estimated fetal weight formulas, two derived from singletons and one from twins, perform equally well in estimating birth weight in twin gestations.
Prism: a multi-view visualization tool for multi-physics simulation

Complex simulations (in particular, those involving multiple coupled physics) cannot be understood solely using geometry-based visualizations. Such visualizations are necessary in interpreting results and gaining insights into kinematics, however they are insufficient when striving to understand why or how something happened, or when investigating a simulation's dynamic evolution. For multiphysics simulations (e.g. those including solid dynamics with thermal conduction, magnetohydrodynamics, and radiation hydrodynamics) complex interactions between physics and material properties take place within the code which must be investigated in other ways. Drawing on the extensive previous work in view coordination, brushing and linking techniques, and powerful visualization libraries, we have developed Prism, an application targeted for a specific analytic need at Sandia National Laboratories. This multiview scientific visualization tool tightly integrates geometric and phase space views of simulation data and material models. Working closely with analysts, we have developed this production tool to promote understanding of complex, multiphysics simulations. We discuss the current implementation of Prism, along with specific examples of results obtained by using the tool.
Development of an Automated Dispenser for the Delivery of Medicinal or Vaccine-Laden Baits to Raccoons (Procyon lotor)

Medicinal baits are distributed to manage zoonotic diseases, including raccoon (Procyon lotor) rabies, but efficient distribution strategies are needed for suburban environments. We developed an automated dispenser that transfers fishmeal polymer baits at user-specified intervals from a magazine to a receptacle fitted with a filter that exploits raccoon dexterity to limit consumption by nontarget species. We introduce the concept of automated dispensers and describe bait removal success rates for raccoons versus nontarget species. We monitored visitation with remote cameras after deploying a dispenser, programmed to present two baits per night, in three disjunct forest patches in northwest Indiana. Raccoons removed 72% of baits; nontarget, white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) removed 11%; Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) removed 9%. Bait removal success varied significantly between raccoons (76%) and opossums (21%), improving bait delivery specificity relative to hand baiting. Accumulation of baits in receptacles resulted in excess (more than one) bait consumption (39% of baits consumed by raccoons were excess), suggesting design improvements are needed to present additional baits only after previous baits have been consumed. Automated dispensers successfully sustained bait availability throughout the operational period. Subsequent research is needed to determine whether a sustained availability of baits achieved with automated dispensers is more effective for the treatment of raccoons in suburban environments than traditional distribution methods.
Agitation is common in γ-hydroxybutyrate toxicity

Abstract γ -Hydroxybutyrate (GHB)-related compounds are most commonly described as depressants, with emphasis on somnolence, obtundation, stupor, and coma (SOSC). We sought to demonstrate the full spectrum of clinical presentations of GHB intoxication, including agitation and other nonsedative effects. Our observational study identified 66 patients with GHB toxicity, 40 of whom manifested agitation; 25 had agitation before or after SOSC, 10 had agitation alternating abruptly with SOSC, and 5 had agitation only. Fourteen presentations also included "bizarre" or self-injurious behaviors. Of 40 presentations with agitation, 19 had stimulant co-intoxicants confirmed by screen (14) or history (5). The remaining 21 patients with agitation were negative for stimulants by screen (12) or history (9). Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry detected GHB in 25 cases; 12 manifested agitation, 4 of which also screened negative for stimulants. Clinicians should broaden their definitions of GHB toxicity to include nonsedative effects such as agitation, combativeness, and bizarre or self-injurious behavior.
Interactive Effects of Ammonia and Light Intensity on Hematochemical Variables in Broiler Chickens

This study examined the influence of early atmospheric ammonia exposure, light intensity throughout rearing, and their interaction on blood gases, electrolytes, and acid-base balance in broiler chickens under environmentally controlled conditions. The experiment consisted of a 3 x 3 factorial arranged in a randomized complete block design, with trials being replicated over time. The 9 treatments consisted of 3 levels (0, 25, and 50 ppm) of ammonia concentrations for 14 d and levels (0.2, 2.0, and 20 lx) of light intensities from 8 to 36 d of age. Venous blood samples were collected on d 6, 11, 14, and 35. On d 6, partial pressure of CO2 and Na+ increased significantly (P <or= 0.05), whereas partial pressure of O(2), pH, and K+ decreased with increasing ammonia concentration. As light intensity increased, pO2 and K+ were significantly (P <or= 0.05) reduced. Ammonia x light intensity interactions were observed for hemoglobin, hematocrit, K+, and BW. The interaction of ammonia and light intensity for 7 d further exacerbated physiological variables. The main effect of ammonia was more pronounced than that of light intensity. These conditions worsened as the duration of ammonia concentration exposure and light intensity increased from d 7 to 14 of exposure. However, all affected variables returned to near normal at later time points in the exposed chickens so that the apparent effects were lost. Plasma corticosterone and glucose concentrations were not significantly altered by exposure to differing levels of ammonia or light intensity, suggesting an absence of stress related to ammonia, light intensity, or their interaction. It was concluded that exposure of broiler chickens to aerial ammonia concentrations of 0 to 50 ppm from d 1 to 14 posthatch in the presence of light intensities ranging from 0.2 to 20 lx had no direct effect on some physiological blood variables and did not induce stress in broilers.
INTEGRATIVE SOCIAL CONTRACTS THEORY: ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS OF MARKETING CREDIT CARDS TO U.S. COLLEGE STUDENTS

It may be said that to take advantage of a man's credulity, to exploit his misapprehensions, to capitalize on his ignorance is morally reprehensible—and this may well be the case I do not know.—Nicholas Samstag in The Engineering of Consent1
Japanese Foreign Aid, Development Expenditures and Taxation in Thailand: Econometric Results from a Bounded Rationality Model of Fiscal Behavior

How does Japanese aid influence the allocation of government expenditures and the raising of government revenues? Using a non-linear model with an asymmetric loss function the case of Japanese aid to Thailand is examined at the macroeconomic level with a large time-series data set for 1960-2012. It turns out that Japanese aid led to proportionately more development expenditures than did other aid. It also might have been positively related to an increased effort by the Thai government to raise taxes. Economic explanations based on a set of bounded rationality model are advanced. Econometric and institutional explanations are also offered. The three sets of explanations can be seen as overlapping and complementary in this case.
The Satellites, Weather and Climate (SWAC) Teacher Professional Development Program: Making the Case for Climate and Geospatial Literacy

In July 2008, a new professional development program called Satellites, Weather and Climate (SWAC) began at the University of Vermont. Its goal was to enhance the competency of in-service K–12 science and mathematics Vermont teachers in the atmospheric, climate, and geospatial sciences. The pilot program ran until 2010, during which time 14 teachers representing three cohorts were exposed to the eight training modules developed specifically for the program. The SWAC program is social constructivist in nature and implemented in such a way that participating teachers built upon prior SWAC content knowledge with each passing year in the program. SWAC modules were based on inquiry, problem, and project-based techniques and were presented in lectures, outdoor observation, and remote sensing laboratory settings. Participating teachers typically began the program during a weeklong, intensive summer program that covered the core SWAC concepts and skills. This was followed by two 1-h workshops every month during the academic year in which participants focused on a specific content module, geospatial skill, or technique. These content and skill workshops alternated with lesson planning sessions to allow teachers to develop lessons, units, or projects with SWAC materials. Program effectiveness was quantified by pre- and posttest evaluations of the modules, a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis in January 2010, and a comprehensive survey of participants’ pedagogical changes, as well as the skills and attitudinal changes of the 927 students they taught during the pilot phase. Teachers reported that participation in SWAC transformed their pedagogical approaches and in-class effectiveness while dramatically improving their students’ observational abilities, critical thinking skills, and understanding of geospatial technology. An additional outcome of the SWAC program was the Teacher Learning Community that developed, in which participants were able to share activities and challenges across grade levels, school systems, and institutional barriers in a setting not found anywhere else in their professional development environments. 2012 National Association of Geoscience Teachers. [DOI: 10.5408/11-238.1]
The Growth and Development of Low Birth Weight Infants Receiving Intensive Neonatal Care Preliminary Observations on 28 Such Infants

This study reports the growth and development of 28 survivors who had a birth weight of ≤1,000 g and were cared for at a Regional Neonatal In tensive Care Unit. Only eight (30%) had neurologic abnormalities including spastic hemiparesis, retrolental fibroplasia, hydrocephalus, motor retarda tion, and some delay in language skills. The other survivors had normal physical examinations and developmental progress judged by a variety of screening examinations up to age four years, three months. The average caloric intake during the first week was 61 kg/da, although over half never reached that level until day 4. Nearly all the infants have had standard growth patterns thus far.
Examining Agreement and Longitudinal Stability Among Traditional and RTI-Based Definitions of Reading Disability Using the Affected-Status Agreement Statistic:

Rates of agreement among alternative definitions of reading disability and their 1- and 2-year stabilities were examined using a new measure of agreement, the affected-status agreement statistic. Participants were 288,114 first through third grade students. Reading measures were Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills Oral Reading Fluency and Nonsense Word Fluency, and six levels of severity of poor reading were examined (25th, 20th, 15th, 10th, 5th, and 3rd percentile ranks). Four definitions were compared, including traditional unexpected low achievement and three response-to-intervention-based definitions: low achievement, low growth, and dual discrepancy. Rates of agreement were variable but only poor to moderate overall, with poorest agreement between unexpected low achievement and the other definitions. Longitudinal stability was poor, with poorest stability for the low growth definition. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Comments on black holes in string theory

A very brief review is given of some of the developments leading to our current understanding of black holes in string theory. This is followed by a discussion of two possible misconceptions in this subject - one involving the stability of small black holes and the other involving scale radius duality. Finally, I describe some recent results concerning quasinormal modes of black holes in anti-de Sitter spacetime, and their implications for strongly coupled conformal field theories (in various dimensions).
Abstract 4179: Id3 generated cancer stem-like cells: A microvascular niche for the development of glioma

Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA Pro-angiogenic vascular stem cells and angiogenesis are key events in the process of glioma formation. Vascular lesions that arise from a focal budding of endothelial cells have been associated with a poor prognosis in glioblastoma multiforme. Hyper-proliferative endothelial lesions are common in patients with severe brain tumors, however, little is known about the relevance of vascular stem cells in the development of these lesions. We tested the hypothesis that the overexpression of the inhibitor of DNA binding and differentiation protein 3 (ID3) reprograms the molecular signature of endothelial cells to stem-like cells; and we hypothesize that these stem-like cells participate in the development of vascular lesion formation in glioma. We generated ID3 overexpressing cells using the human cerebral microvascular endothelial cell line, hCMEC/D3; and determined the effect of ID3 on molecular stem-like signature and vascular lesion formation. ID3 overexpressing cells resided more in the G0/G1 phase and showed a significantly higher level of stem cell markers CD34, CD133, Oct-4, and Sox-2 than wild-type cells. ID3 overexpressing cells also showed a significant increase in VEGFR3, an endothelial growth factor receptor that has been previously reported to correlate with tumor grade of malignant gliomas. In addition, ID3 overexpressing cells showed increased levels of Pyk2, a kinase that has been shown to control glioma cell migration. In the 3-D culture model, we observed that ID3 was essential for the growth of endothelial spheroids. Our findings demonstrate that ID3 generated vascular stem-like cells have the capacity to participate in vascular lesion formation and that vascular stem-like molecular signatures are regulated in part by ID3. Furthermore, the correlation of ID3 overexpression with an increase in VEGFR3 and Pyk2 suggests the importance of ID3 in malignant glioma endothelium. Assessing ID3 in malignant gliomas on a functional level may enable a better understanding for how the microvascular niche contributes to the development of glioma. A better understanding of how microvascular lesions depend on ID3 may open new avenues for the prevention and treatment of glioma. Citation Format: Jayanta Das, Quentin H. Felty. Id3 generated cancer stem-like cells: A microvascular niche for the development of glioma. [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 4179. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-4179
Treatment of the Chiari II Malformation

Our understanding of the clinical entities known as the Chiari malformations has tremendously increased over the past 40 years. We have moved from a position of grouping the CIM and syringomyelia patient in the degenerative category to a fundamental understanding of the pathophysiology. This has led to surgical intervention that has generally favorable outcomes. Our understanding that patients with the Chiari II malformation must have adequate CSF diversion is of paramount importance. Additional patients with complex issues of ventral compression and micromovement at the craniocervical junction challenge even the experienced neurosurgeon. However, the understanding of few diseases has progressed so far in such a short time.
Extracting Useful Information from Irregular and Irreproducible Mechanical and Other Signatures

The force-displacement curves of brittle (crunchy) foods are notorious for their irregular shape and irreproducibility. Nevertheless, they are still a record of successive failure events and therefore their jaggedness should not be treated as an artifact. The objectives of this communication are to present methods to characterize such curves, to demonstrate these methods capabilities and limitations, and to show how they can be used to evaluate the effect of moisture on the texture of cereal-based and other food products. Although the focus of this communication is on mechanical signatures, other types of signatures or records (e.g. acoustic) can also, at least in principle, be treated by the same or similar procedures. The mathematical principles on which the described methods were developed in other fields and several of them have been routinely applied in research and the design of engineering systems. They are discussed in great detail in the vast literature on the analysis of time series, chaos and fractals. The following will only describe their specific application, to food texture evaluation in our laboratory at the University of Massachusetts. No attempt has been made to provide a comprehensive literature survey on the subject or to cite and discuss the works of other groups which are active in the field and use similar or alternative techniques.
Optical Properties of U Centers in Alkali Halides and Alkaline Earth Fluorides.

The two-electron orbitals for the U center have been computed numerically from the Hartree-Fock-Slater (HFS) equations in the point-ion lattice potential. The lattice relaxation of the nearest-neighbor ions is included in the model. The five lowest-lying U-center states for NaCl, KCl, CdF2, CaF2, SrF2, and BaF2 are given. The low-lying singlet states have the following order for increasing values of the energy: 1S(1s, 1s), 1P(1s, 2p), and 1S(1s, 2p). The energy levels for the triplet states 3S(ls, 2s), and 3P(1s, 2p) lie between the energy levels for the 1S(1s, 1s) and 1P(1s, 2p) states. The ordering of the triplet states depends upon the host crystal and the lattice relaxation. The predictions based upon the numerical HFS wave functions are compared with the predictions based upon past variational wave functions and with experiment.
The doxastic shear pin: delusions as errors of learning and memory

We reconsider delusions in terms of a "doxastic shear pin", a mechanism that errs so as to prevent the destruction of the machine (brain) and permit continued function (in an attenuated capacity). Delusions may disable flexible (but energetically expensive) inference. With each recall, delusions may be reinforced further and rendered resistant to contradiction. We aim to respond to deficit accounts of delusions - that delusions are only a problem without any benefit - by considering delusion formation and maintenance in terms of predictive coding. We posit that brains conform to a simple computational principle: to minimize prediction error (the mismatch between prior top-down expectation and current bottom-up input) across hierarchies of brain regions and psychological representation. Recent data suggest that delusions may form in the absence of constraining top-down expectations. Then, once formed, they become new priors that motivate other beliefs, perceptions, and actions by providing strong (sometimes overriding) top-down expectation. We argue that delusions form when the shear-pin breaks, permitting continued engagement with an overwhelming world, and ongoing function in the face of paralyzing difficulty. This crucial role should not be ignored when we treat delusions: we need to consider how a person will function in the world without them..
Development and Validation of a Nine Gene Set Predicting Risk of Recurrence and Survival of Human Breast Carcinoma Patients.

Background: The Human Genome Project has provided opportunities to develop precise tests for diagnostics, therapy selection and monitoring. From analyses of various published microarray studies, 32 candidate genes were identified, whose expression appears related to clinical outcome of breast cancer (Andres et al., Cancer Res: 69(Suppl): 403s-404s, 2009). Expression of these genes was validated by qPCR as candidates for development of a prognostic test predicting risk of breast cancer recurrence regardless of estrogen and progestin receptor status. Materials and Methods: RNA was isolated from tissue sections of 126 de-identified frozen biopsies of invasive ductal carcinoma using the RNeasy® Mini kit (Qiagen) and analyzed for quality and quantity using the Bioanalyzer (Agilent). cDNA for qPCR measurements was prepared in Tris-HCl buffer containing KCl, MgCl 2 , DTT (Invitrogen), dNTPs (Invitrogen), RNasin® (Promega) and Superscript® RT III (Invitrogen). qPCR reactions were performed using Power Sybr® Green PCR Master Mix (Applied Biosystems), forward/reverse primers and cDNA obtained from the reverse transcription reaction. Relative gene expression was calculated with the ddCt method, using β-actin as the reference gene and Universal Human Reference RNA (Stratagene) as a calibrator. qPCR reactions were performed in triplicate with duplicate wells in each 384-well plate, to ensure reproducibility. Results: Gene expression results from qPCR were correlated with disease-free and overall survival outcome data stored in our extensive IRB-approved database. Expression of TBC1D9, RABEP1, SLC39A6, FUT8, and PTP4A2 correlated with disease-free survival using univariate Cox proportional hazards analyses (P Conclusion: A molecular signature was identified consisting of expression profiles of nine of the 32 candidate genes, in a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model of breast cancer recurrence. The model also predicted overall survival. Collectively, results suggest that these nine genes may form the basis for developing a clinical laboratory test to predict clinical outcome of breast cancer. Supported in part by grants from Phi Beta Psi Charity Trust and the University of Louisville9s Executive Vice President for Research. SAA is a recipient of IPIBS Graduate Fellowship. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 6137.
An Accessibility Infrastructure for the Global South

We propose an "accessibility infrastructure" view to understanding accessibility in real-world settings for people with visual impairments in the Global South. We study six cities --- Blantyre, Freetown, Kigali, Mumbai, San Jose, and Seoul --- all major cities from signatory nations of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Using mixed methods including a survey of 219 respondents and 59 in-depth interviews, we examine the gap between the policy promise of technological accessibility and existing social and economic infrastructure. We examine the idea of accessibility infrastructure and specifically focus on its social components through two factors --- stigma related to disability, and the community around technology users --- both of which emerge as important factors in enabling or excluding AT use. We propose that efforts around accessibility, particularly in the post-CRPD global awareness need to closely examine the reasons behind the gaps between the technological capabilities, and the real world possibilities for people with visual impairments where a social infrastructure provides a major barrier to meaningful accessibility.
Henry Green (1905–1973)

Henry Green’s early novels Living (1929) and Party Going (1939) stand as the most ambitious fiction any writer of his generation produced before the Second World War. None of his contemporaries had Green’s ability to describe the social forces that separate class from class. None of them had such a fine ear for both dialogue and dialect. None had the breadth of imaginative sympathy that enabled him to capture what his friend and best critic V. S. Pritchett calls ‘the inner language and landscape’ in which people ‘lead their real lives’.1 In the first half of his career Green used that sympathy primarily in an attempt to understand the lives of men and women from classes other than his own. Living was not only the first book in which any member of his class and generation tried to imagine the lives of the English working class, but the best — the novel in which the working-class characters are the least conventionalized, the most highly individualized. It is the first attempt any of the writers I am concerned with made at a totalizing picture of the way their society moved.
Disposition of the Emerging Brominated Flame Retardant, 2-Ethylhexyl 2,3,4,5-Tetrabromobenzoate, in Female SD Rats and Male B6C3F1 Mice: Effects of Dose, Route, and Repeated Administration

2-Ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (EH-TBB; MW 549.92 g/mol; CAS 183658-27-7) is a brominated component of flame retardant mixtures used as substitutes for some PBDEs. EH-TBB is added to various consumer products, including polyurethane foams, and has been detected in humans. The present study characterized the fate of EH-TBB in rodents. [14C]-labeled EH-TBB was absorbed, metabolized, and eliminated via the urine and feces following single administrations of 0.1-100 µmol/kg (∼0.05-55 mg/kg) or repeated administration (0.1 µmol/kg/day × 5-10 days) by gavage to female Hsd:Sprague DawleySD (SD) rats. Cumulative excretion via feces increased (39-60%) with dose (0.1-10 µmol/kg) with corresponding decreases in urinary excretion (54 to 37%) after 72 h. Delayed excretion of [14C]-radioactivity in urine and feces of a 100 µmol/kg oral dose was noted. Recovery was complete for all doses by 72 h. IV-injected rats excreted more of the 0.1 µmol/kg dose in urine and less in feces than did gavaged rats, indicating partial biliary elimination of systemically available compound. No tissue bioaccumulation was found for rats given 5 oral daily doses of EH-TBB. Parent molecule was not detected in urine whereas 2 metabolites, tetrabromobenzoic acid (TBBA), a TBBA-sulfate conjugate, and a TBBA-glycine conjugate were identified. EH-TBB and TBBA were identified in extracts from feces. Data from gavaged male B6C3F1/Tac mice indicated minimal sex- or species differences are likely for the disposition of EH-TBB. Approximately 85% of a 0.1 µmol/kg dose was absorbed from the gut. Overall absorption of EH-TBB is expected to be even greater at lower levels.
Research Directions: Challenges and Opportunities

The growth in social media, multimodal mobile sensing, and location-driven sensing have paved the way for faster, more reliable, and more transparent concept recognition than possible ever before. Situation recognition is the problem of deriving actionable insights from heterogeneous, real-time, big multimedia data to benefit human lives and resources in different applications. This book has presented a framework for personalized situation recognition and control. Specifically, it defined an approach for conceptual situation modeling, real-time situation evaluation, and generating personalized alerts.
Mechanisms of Optic Nerve Invasion in Primary Choroidal Melanoma.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess morphological risk factors associated with optic nerve invasion of choroidal melanoma and to identify possible mechanisms of optic nerve invasion. Methods: Medical charts and histology slides of patients with primary choroidal melanoma who were treated by enucleation/exenteration and whose pathology showed optic nerve invasion were reviewed. Results: Twenty-one patients (mean age: 65.67 ± 14.72 years) with primary uveal melanoma arising from the choroid were included in this analysis. A peripapillary location was present in 86% of the cases. Four types of optic nerve invasion were identified: transvitreal invasion (10%); retinal invasion (23%); direct peripapillary invasion (57%); and a combined mechanism (10%). Optic nerve invasion was prelaminar in 67%, laminar in 10%, and retrolaminar in 23% of the cases. Significantly higher largest basal diameter ( p = 0.021) and tumor thickness values ( p = 0.017) and higher rates of vortex vein ( p = 0.022) and retinal invasion ( p = 0.007) were observed in the transvitreal/retinal invasion groups when compared to the direct peripapillary invasion group. Conclusions: A peripapillary tumor location was the most common mechanism of optic nerve invasion of choroidal melanoma. In 43% of the cases, other mechanisms including transvitreal and retinal invasion resulted in optic nerve invasion.
Selenium geochemistry in reclaimed phosphate mine soils and its relationship with plant bioavailability

Selenium accumulation in vegetation has resulted in toxicity in livestock grazing on phosphate mine soils in Southeastern Idaho. Plant and soil samples were collected from sites located near phosphate mines. Soil physicochemical properties, Se speciation, and Se distribution from a sequential extraction procedure (SEP) were examined in relation to bioavailability in the Se-hyperaccumulator, western aster (Symphyotrichum ascendens Lindl.). Selenium-hyperaccumulators are plants that can absorb over 1000 mg Se kg−1 DM (Dry Matter). Chemical analyses revealed that western aster contained Se exceeding 6000 mg kg−1 DM. Soil speciation results indicated that selenite (SeO3 2−) was dominant with lower levels of selenate (SeO4 2−) present. This was expanded using an SEP that accounted for six fractions. Regression analyses indicated a strong relationship for western aster Se and the water-soluble and phosphate-extractable SEP fractions combined (R 2 = 0.85). Once carbonate, amorphous Fe-oxide, organic, and residual Se fractions were factored into the analysis, the relationship decreased. A strong relationship between selenate and the water-soluble Se fraction was also observed (R2 = 0.83). Soluble and phosphate-extractable Se were determined to be “bioavailable fractions” for western aster. Thus, simple water extractions can be used for quick assessment of Se bioavailability and provide a means to identify potentially hazardous areas locations.
How Should the Policy Apply? Trustworthy Decisions in the Administration of Graduate Academic Programs

Previous work on the ethics of academic administration has ignored the interpretation and application of academic policies. In this essay, I discuss the ethics of administrative decisions based on academic policies. Because no policy can cover every situation, administrators must exercise judgment to interpret policies wisely and to grant exceptions when warranted. Using examples from my experience as a graduate dean, I explain how I endeavored to ensure the trustworthiness of policy-based decisions and decision processes in the administration of graduate programs.
Periodic Acid–Schiff–Light Green Stain to Detect Glomerular Protein Deposits by Routine Light Microscopy

A simple, easily reproducible periodic acid-Schiff-light green stain (PAS-LG) for the detection of glomerular protein deposits by routine light microscopy is described. The deposits are selectively stained a deep blue and contrast sharply with the staining of adjacent glomerular structures. Correlation with immunofluorescent and electron microscopy has shown that it is possible with this stain to categorize accurately a large variety of glomerular lesions by light microscopy alone.
Element Fractionation in Geological Systems

This chapter deals with major and trace element fractionations in petrologically important systems, along with method of estimation of trace element partition coefficient between mineral and melt, and their applications to geothermometry and understanding of magma generation by partial melting of the mantle rocks. This is followed by analysis of fractionation between metallic and silicate melts with application to the problem of core formation in the Earth and Mars and terrestrial magma ocean.
Localization and mode of action of cardioexcitatory agents in molluscan hearts.

The work described in this paper is divided into two parts. The first part deals with a histological and histochemical study of the Helix pomatia heart. This work was initially undertaken to determine whether the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) present is localized in the nerves of the heart as would be expected if this amine acts as a transmitter in this situation. The second part of the paper is concerned with the mode of action of 5-HT on the heart. We have attempted to determine whether the excitatory effect of 5-HT on the molluscan heart is dependent on an interaction of the amine with adenyl cyclase and the subsequent production of cyclic 3′, 5′-adenosine monophosphate.
Field Testing for Improved Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Corn—From Whole-Plant Physiology to Agroecosystem Scales

This review provides a comparison and contrast of the different definitions of corn nitrogen use efficiency in the literature, how they have been measured, and their use in characterizing corn nitrogen fertilizer use and management at scales ranging from the plant to the agroecosystem. Critical parameters to characterize crop fertilizer nitrogen use on the farm scale are recovery efficiency of fertilizer nitrogen (REN, the percent of fertilizer N captured by the crop) and agronomic efficiency of fertilizer nitrogen (AEN, the incremental yield increase per unit N applied). Crop physiology studies of nitrogen use measure nitrogen acquisition and utilization directly; N budget methods using destructive harvests are the most common. Environmental variation in N availability can affect all crop nitrogen use parameters. To fully account for environmental variation in N availability, it is necessary to combine several measurements. Measurements of root zone soil N at planting, residual root zone soil N at harvest, and measurement of plant N capture from an unfertilized check plot provide an estimate of net N availability during the growing season. This quantitative estimate of net N availability can provide a basis for comparisons of experiments conducted across multiple locations which vary in indigenous N supply.