cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
AStroLens: automatic strong-lens modelling of X-ray selected galaxy clusters

We use AStroLens, a newly developed gravitational lens-modeling code that relies only on geometric and photometric information of cluster galaxies as input, to map the strong-lensing regions and estimate the lensing strength of 96 galaxy clusters at $z=0.5$-$0.9$. All clusters were identified during the extended Massive Cluster Survey (eMACS) based on their X-ray flux and optical appearance. Building on the well tested assumption that the distribution of both luminous and dark matter in galaxy clusters is approximately traced by the distribution of light, i.e., that light traces mass, AStroLens uses three global parameters to automatically model the deflection from strong-gravitational lensing for all galaxy clusters in this diverse sample. We test the robustness of our code by comparing AStroLens estimates derived solely from shallow optical images in two passbands with the results of in-depth lens-modeling efforts for two well studied eMACS clusters and find good agreement, both with respect to the size and the shape of the strong-lensing regime delineated by the respective critical lines. Our study finds 31 eMACS clusters with effective Einstein radii ($\theta_{E}$) in excess of 20" and eight with $\theta_{E} >$ 30", thereby underlining the value of X-ray selection for the discovery of powerful cluster lenses that complement giants like MACSJ0717 at ever-increasing redshift. As a first installment toward the public release of the eMACS sample, we list physical properties of the ten calibration clusters as well as of the ten most powerful eMACS cluster lenses, according to AStroLens.
The Impact of the Acquisition of Successive Training Exemplars on Generalization

The present investigation contains an analysis of three generalization effects after the acquisition of one or more training exemplars by students with severe to profound levels of mental retardation. Specifically, generalization across settings, for exemplars with stimulus variations and exemplars with response variations, was assessed following the acquisition of a pre-established sequence of training exemplars. General results indicated that following the acquisition of one or two exemplars from any single group of similarly operated soap dispensers, generalization occurred 100%, 62%, and 0% across settings, for exemplars of varying stimulus features and for exemplars of varying response features, respectively. After one or two exemplars from two groups of similarly operated soap dispensers had been acquired, generalization occurred 100%, 100%, and 50% across settings, for exemplars of varying stimulus features and for exemplars of varying response features, respectively. Implications for selecting tra...
A well-engineered path into cell biology and academia

Winning the American Society for Cell Biology's Women in Cell Biology Mid-career Award is incredibly meaningful to me, as it validates that someone focusing on engineering and applications can be a "real" cell biologist, too. Single-minded devotion to studying a particular biological process is not a prerequisite for a career in science and academia. The more diverse the scientific styles and demographics of scientists who feel welcome, the stronger science will be.
Substantiality of QBI Allocations Under Subchapter K

The proposed regulation under Internal Revenue Code § 199A allows partners to allocate qualified business income without regard to which partner earned that income. This article confirms that the permissive allocation of QBI is consistent with the substantial economic effect requirement of Code § 704(a) - (b) and the regulation explaining that requirement.
Environmental Protection Agency's Regulatory Requirements for Wildlife Toxicity Testing

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has broad and flexible authority under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Under FIFRA, EPA determines the pesticides that may be registered and for what uses. Scientific data and knowledge serve as the basis for determinations of unreasonable adverse effects. Three elements are contained in the environmental hazard assessment: determination of toxicity, determination of fate and exposure, and the integration of the two into a determination of hazard. Basic wildlife testing requirements include an avian dietary LC 5 0 on two species, an avian single-dose oral LD 5 0 , and a rat single-dose oral LD 5 0 . Additional testing requirements for avian and mammalian wildlife include reproduction, pen field, and full-field studies. The EPA requirements are arranged in a tier or sequential fashion. The simple short-term laboratory studies are required at the first level for all manufacturing-use products and all formulated products intended for outdoor application.
Work in progress: summary of FIE 2003 assessment

During FIE2003 a new assessment program was implemented to attempt to get better feedback with respect to many aspects of the conference. In this presentation we discuss the program, how we implemented it, and the FIE2003. Overall aspects of the conference are discussed as well as the response to specific formats (papers, panels, special sessions). Feedback to individual authors (with all identifying features removed) is discussed as well. We hope that this is a working session at which ideas for improvement is made by the attendees.
Bureau of Reclamation Planning: Environmental Factors

The Bureau of Reclamation is a Federal agency responsible for planning and implementing multipurpose water resources development in the 17 western states. The results are reported of a research project that focused on the indentification of the practices and procedures through which planners have been the most effective in increasing the consideration given to environmental concerns. Past research was used to form testable hypotheses that relate the influence of environmental information on the outcomes of bureau planning investigations. Data for hypothesis testing was gathered through in-depth interviews with Bureau planning leaders and environmental specialists on 29 recent planning investigations. Results indicate statistically significant correlations between the influence of environmental information on planning outcomes.
Regulation of intracellular Cl- levels by Na(+)-dependent Cl- cotransport distinguishes depolarizing from hyperpolarizing GABAA receptor-mediated responses in spinal neurons

Rohon-Beard (RB) spinal neurons of Xenopus larvae are depolarized by GABA. To study the mechanisms underlying this distinctive response, intracellular and patch-clamp recordings were made from RB neurons in situ. The intracellularly recorded GABA reversal potential (EREV) was near -30 mV in normal saline and was approximately 25 mV more negative in Na(+)-free saline. Whole-cell recordings from RB neurons and from neighboring dorsolateral interneurons (DLi) revealed that GABA responses of both cells were mediated by GABAA receptors. Currents elicited by GABA were mimicked by muscimol and reversibly blocked by bicuculline, and EREV shifted with changes in Cl- concentration ([Cl]) in agreement with Cl- selectivity. In perforated patch recordings, EREV for RB cells was significantly more positive than for DLi cells (-38 vs -63 mV), indicating that intact RB cells maintain higher levels of intracellular Cl-. Replacement of external Na+ or exposure to the Cl- transport inhibitor bumetanide (100 microM) shifted RB cell EREV to move negative values, consistent with Na+(-)dependent Cl cotransport contributing to higher internal [Cl]. In contrast, these treatments did not change DLi cell EREV. The results indicate that a Na+(-)dependent Cl- transport mechanism underlies GABAA receptor-mediated depolarizing Cl- conductances in RB neurons. Thus, both inhibitory and excitatory GABA responses appear to be present during the same developmental period in vivo. GABA may stimulate Ca2+ influx in RB neurons because the intracellular GABA EREV is above the threshold for low voltage-activated Ca2+ channels.
Spectroscopic and Scattering Techniques

This chapter reviews techniques that depend on the spectroscopic analysis of scattered laser light by atoms or molecules in a gas. A number of techniques are available today that can provide quantitative information about species concentration, gas density, temperature, pressure, and velocity. In most cases, the measurements are resolved in space and in time. In addition to single-point measurements, two- or three-dimensional quantitative imaging of the desired flow parameter are possible with some of the techniques. Scattering and spectroscopic methods are non-intrusive since only the laser beam is present in the measurement environment. Hence, they are well suited for aerodynamics applications, particularly for high-speed and reacting flows. The measurement techniques discussed here are absorption spectroscopy, Rayleigh scattering, Raman scattering, laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS). Keywords: spectroscopy; lasers; Rayleigh scattering; Raman scattering; laser-induced fluorescence; absorption; Stokes scattering; anti-Stokes scattering
Radiation-Refractory Brain Metastases in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Abstract Background: Numerous studies have focused on the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer patients with brain metastases. However, to our knowledge, few have sought to examine outcomes in patients who required whole brain radiation and developed radiation-refractory disease. Methods: This study examined the medical records of all non-small cell lung cancer patients who developed brain metastases between 2004 and 2013, required whole brain radiation, and received their cancer treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Results: A total of 141 patients, most of whom were symptomatic, met the above criteria. Of these, 33 (23%) did not tolerate a corticosteroid taper and were therefore deemed to have radiation-refractory disease. The median survival of patients with and without radiation-refractory disease was 3.12 and 4.27 months, respectively, (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.65 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.44–0.99]; p=0.04 by log rank test). In a subgroup analysis of patients with radiation-refr...
Cultural differences in moral judgment and behavior, across and within societies

We review contemporary work on cultural factors affecting moral judgments and values, and those affecting moral behaviors. In both cases, we highlight examples of within-societal cultural differences in morality, to show that these can be as substantial and important as cross-societal differences. Whether between or within nations and societies, cultures vary substantially in their promotion and transmission of a multitude of moral judgments and behaviors. Cultural factors contributing to this variation include religion, social ecology (weather, crop conditions, population density, pathogen prevalence, residential mobility), and regulatory social institutions such as kinship structures and economic markets. This variability raises questions for normative theories of morality, but also holds promise for future descriptive work on moral thought and behavior.
Restoration of middle-ear input in fluid-filled middle ears by controlled introduction of air or a novel air-filled implant.

Abstract The effect of small amounts of air on sound-induced umbo velocity in an otherwise saline-filled middle ear (ME) was investigated to examine the efficacy of a novel balloon-like air-filled ME implant suitable for patients with chronically non-aerated MEs. In this study, air bubbles or air-filled implants were introduced into saline-filled human cadaveric MEs. Umbo velocity, a convenient measure of ME response, served as an indicator of hearing sensitivity. Filling the ME with saline reduced umbo velocity by 25–30 dB at low frequencies and more at high frequencies, consistent with earlier work (Ravicz et al., Hear. Res. 195: 103–130 (2004)). Small amounts of air (∼30 μl) in the otherwise saline-filled ME increased umbo velocity substantially, to levels only 10–15 dB lower than in the dry ME, in a frequency- and location-dependent manner: air in contact with the tympanic membrane (TM) increased umbo velocity at all frequencies, while air located away from the TM increased umbo velocity only below about 500 Hz. The air-filled implant also affected umbo velocity in a manner similar to an air bubble of equivalent compliance. Inserting additional implants into the ME had the same effect as increasing air volume. These results suggest these middle-ear implants would significantly reduce conductive hearing loss in patients with chronically fluid-filled MEs.
Regulation of muscle stiffness during periodic length changes in the isolated abdomen of the hermit crab.

Chapple, William. Regulation of muscle stiffness during periodic length changes in the isolated abdomen of the hermit crab. J. Neurophysiol. 78: 1491–1503, 1997. Reflex activation of the ventral su...
0.125 Terawatt Kilohertz Laser System

Recently there has been significant progress in the development of high-repetition-rate, high-peak-power Ti:sapphire systems.1
Electrocommunication signals in female brown ghost electric knifefish, Apteronotus leptorhynchus

Female communication behaviors are often overlooked by researchers in favor of male behaviors, which are usually more overt and easier to elicit. Very little is known about female electrocommunication behaviors in brown ghost knifefish, a weakly electric wavetype Gymnotiform fish. Most behavioral studies have focused on males, and fish are usually restrained and played a stimulus near their own electric organ discharge frequency to evoke chirps (abrupt short-term frequency rises) or the jamming avoidance response. Our study focuses on categorizing and describing spontaneous and evoked electric organ discharge modulations in free-swimming female fish that were either electrically coupled to tanks containing a conspecific (male or female), or left isolated. Cluster analysis of signals produced under isolated and social conditions revealed three categories of rises: short rise, medium rise and long rise; and one category of frequency decrease (dip). Females produce significantly more short rises when electrically coupled to tanks containing lower-frequency females, and produce more long rises when electrically coupled to tanks containing males. Short rises may have an intrasexual aggressive function, while long rises may serve as an advertisement of status or reproductive condition in intersexual interactions.
Evaluation of disease-specific health-related quality of life in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Summary Background Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) remains a debilitating and life-threatening disease despite improvements in hemodynamics, exercise capacity and survival with recent therapeutic advances. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has, therefore, been proposed as an important outcome for evaluating care. Relatively little, however, is known regarding HRQOL or its determinants in PAH. The Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire was recently adapted and validated for HRQOL measurement in PAH. We applied this pulmonary hypertension-specific version (MLHF-PH) to a larger population of PAH patients. Methods Ninety-three consecutive outpatients with PAH completed the MLHF-PH. Scores were assessed for correlations with demographics, symptoms, hemodynamics and treatments. Results Patients with PAH had significantly impaired HRQOL as assessed by the disease-specific MLHF-PH. Each physical and emotional component, as well as total scores on the MLHF-PH indicated severely depressed HRQOL. As compared to other diagnoses, PAH associated with scleroderma had the worst HRQOL. Patients with WHO functional Class II symptoms reported better HRQOL than Class III patients. Fatigue, weakness and abdominal discomfort were each associated with more severely depressed HRQOL, as was current epoprostenol use. With the sole exception of the right atrial pressure, hemodynamic measurements did not correlate with HRQOL scores. Simultaneous evaluation of HRQOL with a non-disease-specific questionnaire (SF-36) revealed a similarly impaired status, although identified fewer associations with patient-specific factors. Conclusion Severely impaired HRQOL is present in this population of patients with PAH evaluated with a disease-specific questionnaire. The availability of a pulmonary hypertension-specific HRQOL questionnaire may enable further targeted investigations of factors that might improve outcomes.
STRL22 Is a Receptor for the CC Chemokine MIP-3α☆☆☆

Abstract STRL22 is a human seven transmembrane domain orphan receptor related to known chemokine receptors and expressed in peripheral blood lymphocytes, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and lymphoid tissues. MIP-3α/LARC/Exodus is a CC chemokine that is chemotactic for lymphocytes and that is expressed in activated cells, including monocytes, T cells, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts, and in liver, lung, and some lymphoid tissues. We report here thatSTRL22-transfected human embryonic kidney 293 cells demonstrated specific binding for MIP-3α and that MIP-3α, but no other chemokines, produced a calcium flux in theSTRL22-transfected cells. We show that MIP-3α, unlike other chemokines, produced a calcium flux in freshly-isolated peripheral blood lymphocytes and we show that MIP-3α also produced a signal in tumor infiltrating lymphocytes that expressSTRL22.Since STRL22 is the sixth functional CC chemokine receptor identified, it should be re-named CCR6.
Coordinated pest management decisions in the presence of management externalities: The case of greenhouse whitefly in California-grown strawberries

Abstract Optimal pest management can be compounded by externalities associated with management decisions among adjacent crop fields managed by agricultural producers. In this paper, a bioeconomic model is used to measure the effects of management decisions on optimal pest management. The case of the greenhouse whitefly invasion of California-grown strawberries is considered. Results show that coordinated pest management decisions among host crop growers may improve returns, but only during certain parts of the strawberry growing season. Two generalizable pest management policy implications are presented.
Sichere Leittechnik und sichere Netze gewährleisten sichere Versorgung

Die gesicherte Ubertragung von elektrischer Energie ist ein Schlusselfaktor fur die moderne Industriegesellschaft. Ausreichende Erzeugungs-und Transportkapazitaten sind dafur die Grundvoraussetzung. Zusatzlich haben gerade die jungsten Erfahrungen gezeigt, dass ein guter Automatisierungsgrad und moderne Netzleittechnik wesentliche Bedeutung fur die sichere Versorgung haben. Hier reicht aber die einfache Zusammenschaltung unterschiedlicher Gerate nicht, sondern die Netzautomatisierung muss wohldurchdacht und konsequent erfolgen. Fur den sicheren Netzbetrieb sind durchgangige Losungen mit abgestimmten netzleittechnischen Funktionalitaten notig. Erst durch ein integriertes Gesamtkonzept ist die stosfreie Nutzung der vorhandenen Daten von Schutz, Leittechnik und Fernwirktechnik in den Netzleitstellen effizient moglich (seamless communication). Dann kann das Netz gemas der physikalischen Notwendigkeiten optimal gefuhrt werden; unabhangig davon, wo durch Liberalisierung oder Grenzen bedingte Schnittstellen liegen.
Power-law correlations and orientational glass in random-field Heisenberg models

Monte Carlo simulations have been used to study a discretized Heisenberg ferromagnet (FM) in a random field on simple cubic lattices. The spin variable on each site is chosen from the 12 [110] directions. The random field has infinite strength and a random direction on a fraction $x$ of the sites of the lattice, and is zero on the remaining sites. For $x=0$ there are two phase transitions. At low temperature there is a [110] FM phase, and at intermediate temperature there is a [111] FM phase. For $xg0$ there is an intermediate phase between the paramagnet and the ferromagnet, which is characterized by a $|\mathbf{k}{|}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ decay of two-spin correlations, but no true FM order. The [111] FM phase becomes unstable at a small value of $x$. At $x=1/8$ the [110] FM has disappeared, but the power-law correlated phase survives.
Patterning the Early Zebrafish by the Opposing Actions of bozozok and vox/vent

Fish and frog embryos are patterned along the dorsal–ventral axis during the gastrula stage by opposing gradients of Bmps and Bmp inhibitory proteins. Three transcriptional repressors with partially overlapping expression domains have been proposed to be important mediators of Bmp function in Xenopus. We find that two related factors are expressed in the early zebrafish embryo. Although these factors are considerably divergent from the related Xenopus genes, they are expressed in domains similar to those of their Xenopus relatives throughout embryogenesis. Both of the zebrafish genes, which we have named vox and vent, are potent ventralizing factors in both zebrafish and Xenopus embryos. Using mutants in the Bmp pathway, we find that there are Bmp-dependent and Bmp-independent domains of vox expression, whereas vent is mostly dependent upon Bmp signaling. We show that ectopic vox or vent negatively regulates expression of the early dorsal gene bozozok (boz) and that ectopic boz eliminates vox and vent expression. Moreover, the normal exclusion of vox and vent from the organizer region is lost in boz mutant embryos. Our results show that boz and vox/vent are mutually antagonistic and indicate that the early establishment of the size of the organizer domain is dependent on an interplay between these early expressed transcriptional repressors.
Evaluation of a Booster Intervention Three Years After Acute Treatment for Early-Onset Disruptive Behavior Disorders

This study examines the impact of a brief booster treatment administered 3 years after the delivery of an acute treatment in a group (n = 118) of clinically referred boys and girls (ages 6 to 11) originally diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) or Conduct Disorder (CD). At the conclusion of the acute treatment and three-year follow-up period (i.e., study month 42), the sample was re-randomized into Booster treatment or Enhanced Usual Care and then assessed at four later timepoints (i.e., post-booster, and 6-, 12- and 24-month booster follow-up). Booster treatment was directed towards addressing individualized problems and some unique developmental issues of adolescence based on the same original protocol content and treatment setting, whereas the Enhanced Usual Care condition involved providing clinical recommendations based on the assessment and an outside referral for services. HLM analyses identified no significant group differences and few time effects across child, parent, and teacher reports on a broad range of child functioning and impairment outcomes. Analyses examining the role of putative moderators or predictors (e.g., severity of externalizing behavior, dose of treatment) were likewise non-significant. We discuss the nature and implications of these novel findings regarding the role and timing of booster treatment to address the continuity of DBD over time.
Mathematical psychology—A perspective

Abstract The highpoints of mathematical psychology between the first issue of the Journal of Mathematical Psychology in 1964 and the present are outlined, with an attempt to highlight its achievements, to understand its failures and to anticipate—and possibly influence—its fate.
An instrument to characterize the dynamic compliance of skin

Abstract This paper presents a novel device that measures the mechanical compliance of skin. Such information is useful for determining the physical condition of the skin as well as for applications that involve mimicking human skin compliance, for example, the design of compliant robotic grippers. The system estimates the compliance, natural frequency, and damping ratio of the finger being tested.
Analysis of crossing-over in a family with translocation 9;10 involving a chromosome 9 with a pericentric inversion.

The presence of two markers on chromosome 9, both a balanced reciprocal translocation and an inversion, allows morphologic demonstration of recombination between the normal and rearranged homologues. In the family under discussion 50% of the progeny studied (two of four) received a translocated 9 without the inversion from a parent with a translocated and inverted 9, indicating crossing-over between members of the chromosome 9 pair. Thus the morphology of the chromosomes allows a recombinat event which is normally invisible to be seen cytologically. Theoretically after crossing-over the balanced reciprocal translocation heterozygote results from adjacent-1 segregation and unbalanced derivative chromosome combinations from alternate segregation. Therefore it cannot be assumed that the balanced progeny necessarily result from alternate segregation and the unbalanced from adjacent-1. The prenatal diagnostic studies presented in this report also show that chromosome analysis of other family members is required when the recombination between homologues produces differences in chromosome morphology between parent and fetus.
Delta-phase manganese gallium on gallium nitride: a magnetically tunable spintronic system

Ferromagnetic delta-phase manganese gallium with Mn:Ga ratio between 1:1 to 1.5:1 is grown on wurtzite gallium nitride and scandium nitride substrates, using molecular beam epitaxy. The dependencies of growth properties, e.g. interface formation, surface reconstruction and crystalline quality, on substrate crystallographic structure and polarity are investigated. Results suggest that for growth on wurtzite GaN, Ga-polar surface promotes quicker interface formation, and also results in better crystalline quality of the MnGa film, as compared to N-polar. The crystal orientation and magnetic anisotropy are found to be different than those grown on cubic scandium nitride substrates.
Antimicrobial activity of some Pacific Northwest woods against anaerobic bacteria and yeast.

Extracts of woods commonly used for animal bedding were tested for antimicrobial activity. Essential oils from Alaska cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis), western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) and old growth Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) as well as methanol extracts of wood from these trees plus western red cedar (Thuja plicata) and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) were tested for antimicrobial activity against anaerobic bacteria and yeast. The test microbes included Fusobacterium necrophorum, Clostridium perfringens, Actinomyces bovis and Candida albicans which are common to foot diseases and other infections in animals. The essential oils and methanol extracts were tested using a standardized broth assay. Only extracts of Alaska cedar and western juniper showed significant antimicrobial activity against each of the microbes tested. The essential oil of Douglas fir did show antimicrobial activity against A. bovis at the concentrations tested. The methanol extracts of the heartwood of Douglas fir and the sapwood of ponderosa pine showed no antimicrobial activity. The major chemical components of western juniper (cedrol and alpha- and beta-cedrene) and Alaska cedar (nootkatin) were also tested. In western juniper, alpha- and beta-cedrene were found to be active components. Nootkatin showed activity only against C. albicans. The inhibitory activity in Alaska cedar oil was high enough to justify further efforts to define the other chemical components responsible for the antimicrobial activity.
Indigenous Knowledge and Long-term Ecological Change: Detection, Interpretation, and Responses to Changing Ecological Conditions in Pacific Island Communities

When local resource users detect, understand, and respond to environmental change they can more effectively manage environmental resources. This article assesses these abilities among artisanal fishers in Roviana Lagoon, Solomon Islands. In a comparison of two villages, it documents local resource users’ abilities to monitor long-term ecological change occurring to seagrass meadows near their communities, their understandings of the drivers of change, and their conceptualizations of seagrass ecology. Local observations of ecological change are compared with historical aerial photography and IKONOS satellite images that show 56 years of actual changes in seagrass meadows from 1947 to 2003. Results suggest that villagers detect long-term changes in the spatial cover of rapidly expanding seagrass meadows. However, for seagrass meadows that showed no long-term expansion or contraction in spatial cover over one-third of respondents incorrectly assumed changes had occurred. Examples from a community-based management initiative designed around indigenous ecological knowledge and customary sea tenure governance show how local observations of ecological change shape marine resource use and practices which, in turn, can increase the management adaptability of indigenous or hybrid governance systems.
The design and performance of a multi-stream droplet generator for the liquid droplet radiator

Results are presented for the performance capabilities of a multistream droplet generator suitable for use in a spacecraft liquid droplet radiator heat-rejection system. The nozzle-motion mode of stream perturbation initiation was tested with a single droplet stream and found to produce data similar to those generated with the resonant cavity mode of perturbation. Tests then proceeded to a 26-orifice array; the streams of the array responded to the perturbation satisfactorily, forming uniformly separated drops.
Workforce development in the US: a third approach

The author identifies the two key issues in mental health workforce development in the United States at the moment as recovery and evidence‐based practice, viewed in the context of a workforce with a high quotient of unqualified personnel. Two common responses to this problem, training and the hiring of more experienced staff are assessed as either ineffective (the former) or not realistic (the latter). The author recommends and produces supportive evidence for the benefits of a more extensive use of workplace mentoring and group supervision approaches.
The Process of the Learning Organization: Making Sense of Change

The learning organization process challenges employees and communities to use their collective intelligence, ability to learn, and creativity to transform existing systems. It helps people connect with each other, their work, and their community. It is not a program, but rather a new process for understanding and learning together.
A further investigation of leaf sesquiterpene variation in relation to herbivory in two Brazilian populations of Copaifera langsdorfii

Abstract Herbivory, leaf sesquiterpene concentrations and yield were compared over time within and between two populations of Copaifera langsdorfiiin a southeastern Brazilian woodland. At one site (LA) immature leaves, which have extremely low sesquiterpene yields, were attacked by a gelechiid leaf-tier; at the second site (SC) only mature leaves, which have higher sesquiterpene yields, were attacked by an oecophorid leaf-tier. LA trees, which have been subject to at least two herbivore outbreaks during the last five years, are less vigorous and have higher leaf sesquiterpene yields in their mature leaves compared to SC trees. SC trees, which have supported a relatively stable and lower herbivore (oecophorid) population since 1981, have more variable concentrations of cyperene, γ-muurolene and caryophyllene oxide compared to LA trees. Higher yields and more variable concentrations of certain compounds may be important in restricting herbivores such as gelechiids and oecophorids on C.langsdorfii and may partially be a result of historically different intensities and types of herbivory.
Noise-Enhanced Information Systems

Noise, traditionally defined as an unwanted signal or disturbance, has been shown to play an important constructive role in many information processing systems and algorithms. This noise enhancement has been observed and employed in many physical, biological, and engineered systems. Indeed stochastic facilitation (SF) has been found critical for certain biological information functions such as detection of weak, subthreshold stimuli or suprathreshold signals through both experimental verification and analytical model simulations. In this paper, we present a systematic noise-enhanced information processing framework to analyze and optimize the performance of engineered systems. System performance is evaluated not only in terms of signal-to-noise ratio but also in terms of other more relevant metrics such as probability of error for signal detection or mean square error for parameter estimation. As an important new instance of SF, we also discuss the constructive effect of noise in associative memory recall. Potential enhancement of image processing systems via the addition of noise is discussed with important applications in biomedical image enhancement, image denoising, and classification.
Design of rotating MEMS tunable capacitors for use at rf and microwave frequencies

With the recent surge in popularity of RF and Microwave MEMS many different device topologies are being explored. Some devices provide large changes in capacitance, but lack the ability to provide a linear range of capacitance values between the minimum and maximum values of the device. We present a device design for a low-loss rotating MEMS tunable capacitor that once programmed to the required value consumes no power. This device design is transformed from gear structures currently designed in the SUMMiT process with modifications made so that the device may be used as a varactor. Modifications include alterations of physical structure, drive mechanism for programming capacitance value, and additional post processing steps needed to provide low-loss at RF and Microwave frequencies. Many different device structures are possible each with performance, potential reliability, and potential yield trade offs that must be considered. Post processing is required to add metal to provide sufficiently low loss for high quality components. Since device planarity is critical for operation, a novel post-process metal deposition technique for providing low stress metal was concieved. Additional modifications to compensate for polysilicon warpage are considered for future investigation. Simulation results based on high frequency full wave analysis software show a highly linear tuning range and a capacitance ratio approaching 6 to 1. A model is extracted from the scattering parameters provided by HFSS and then various device sizes and topologies are compared.
The effects of context on facial affect recognition

In a sample of 325 college students, we examined how context influences judgments of facial expressions of emotion, using a newly developed facial affect recognition task in which emotional faces are superimposed upon emotional and neutral contexts. This research used a larger sample size than previous studies, included more emotions, varied the intensity level of the expressed emotion to avoid potential ceiling effects from very easy recognition, did not explicitly direct attention to the context, and aimed to understand how recognition is influenced by non-facial information, both situationally-relevant and situationally-irrelevant. Both accuracy and RT varied as a function of context. For all facial expressions of emotion other than happiness, accuracy increased when the emotion of the face and context matched, and decreased when they mismatched. For all emotions, participants responded faster when the emotion of the face and image matched and slower when they mismatched. Results suggest that the judgment of the facial expression is itself influenced by the contextual information instead of both being judged independently and then combined. Additionally, the results have implications for developing models of facial affect recognition and indicate that there are factors other than the face that can influence facial affect recognition judgments.
Microbiological effects of acid decontamination of pork carcasses at various locations in processing.

Hot (55°C), dilute (1% v/v) lactic acid was sprayed on beef carcass surfaces immediately after dehiding, after evisceration (immediately before chilling), or at both locations. Surface samples of carcasses were examined for total aerobic plate counts (APCs) and for the presence of Salmonella and Listeria. APCs of treated beef carcasses were lower (P<0.05) than those of control carcasses. APCs were determined both at slaughter day 0 (immediately after carcasses enter the chill room) and after 72 h postmortem. At day 0, reductions in log10 APC by more than 90% occurred when carcasses were treated with lactic acid after evisceration or both after dehiding and after evisceration. The effect of lactic acid decontamination was greatest on carcasses treated with lactic acid both after dehiding and after evisceration. No further reductions in APCs of carcasses were observed on samples taken 72 h postmortem. No difference in color between control and acid-treated carcasses was observed. All samples tested for the ...
Institutionalization of Caring in an Era of Accountability: Creating a Supportive Environment for At-Risk Students' Retention in High School and Access to College

Student performance and achievement are often seen as the only indicators of school success. This emphasis on accountability and achievement exacerbates the dropout crisis in public high schools as increasing numbers of students fail to graduate on time, many of whom eventually leave school without a diploma. This article demonstrates how a well-designed program engages students and improves their retention and transition to college. It is useful to educators who are preparing to create and sustain an effective learning environment while meeting the demands to improve student achievement.
Dynamic network interdiction games with imperfect information and deception

Network interdiction problems consist of zero-sum games between an attacker and an intelligent network defender, where the attacker seeks to degrade network operations while the defender adapts its operations to counteract the effects of the attacker. This problem has received significant attention in recent years due to its relevance to military problems and network security. In this paper, we study a class of dynamic network interdiction games where the attacker has imperfect knowledge of the network topology, and where the attacker can learn about the topology by monitoring network operations. The network observes the attacker's actions, and can choose to avoid using the observed parts of the network in order to disguise information from the attacker. We pose this problem as a multistage game with nested imperfect information structure, and study the extensive form of this game. This form has special structure that we exploit to develop a novel decomposition algorithm for obtaining recursive solutions to this game. We characterize the payoff function of subgames starting at attacker's information sets as piecewise linear concave functions of the attacker's information state, the beliefs those information sets. We then develop a recursive algorithm based on extensions of partially observed Markov Decision Process algorithms to obtain complete solutions to these multistage games with nested information. The resulting recursive algorithm allows dynamic programming-like solution of dynamic games with partially nested information structure, where signaling between players is possible. We illustrate the algorithm with a simple example.
Receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) mediated tyrosine phosphor-proteome from Drosophila S2 (ErbB1) cells reveals novel signaling networks.

Protein phosphorylation mediates many critical cellular responses and is essential for many biological functions during development. About one-third of cellular proteins are phosphorylated, representing the phosphor-proteome, and phosphorylation can alter a protein's function, activity, localization and stability. Tyrosine phosphorylation events mediated by aberrant activation of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase (RTK) pathways have been proven to be involved in the development of several diseases including cancer. To understand the systems biology of RTK activation, we have developed a phosphor-proteome focused on tyrosine phosphorylation events under insulin and EGF signaling pathways using the PhosphoScan® technique coupled with high-throughput mass spectrometry analysis. Comparative proteomic analyses of all these tyrosine phosphorylation events revealed that around 70% of these pY events are conserved in human orthologs and paralogs. A careful analysis of published in vivo tyrosine phosphorylation events from literature and patents revealed that around 38% of pY events from Drosophila proteins conserved on 185 human proteins are confirmed in vivo tyrosine phosphorylation events. Hence the data are validated partially based on available reports, and the credibility of the remaining 62% of novel conserved sites that are unpublished so far is very high but requires further follow-up studies. The novel pY events found in this study that are conserved on human proteins could potentially lead to the discovery of drug targets and biomarkers for the detection of various cancers and neurodegenerative diseases.
Descriptive analysis of primary package labels from commercially available prescription solid oral dosage form drugs.

Abstract Objective To describe formats used by manufacturers to display drug names on primary package labels for prescription solid oral dosage forms. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Independent community pharmacy in rural Indiana. The images were collected in February 2006. Participants Not applicable. Intervention High-resolution digital photos were taken of 918 primary package labels (422 brand name and 496 generic) from all solid oral dosage forms stocked in an independent community pharmacy. We coded the images for the presence or absence of specific typographical characteristics used to distinguish the name of the drug. We also coded for the presence or absence of an image of the product on the label. Main outcome measures Frequency of various typographical characteristics used to display the drug name(s) on a primary package label. Results Manufacturers use a wide variety of techniques to increase the distinctiveness of drug names on primary package labels, including color, boldface, underlining, italics, capitalization, highlighting, use of abbreviations, and use of parentheses to differentiate the generic name of the drug, as well as use of images of the drug product. The frequency of use of the different techniques varied substantially (e.g., boldface fonts used in nearly 98% of brand-name labels, underlining used in only 0.2% of brand-name labels). The frequency of use of the techniques differed across brand and generic products. Conclusion The lack of standardization in the typographical presentation of drug names on primary package labels of solid oral dosage forms in the United States appears to reflect underlying uncertainty about the relative effectiveness of the different techniques. Given the frequency and severity of wrong drug errors caused, at least in part, by the inability of clinicians to distinguish between similar labels, research is urgently needed to determine which technique or combination of techniques will minimize the risk of confusion.
A Framework for Understanding Educational Governance: The Case of California.

Abstract Governance is widely believed to be an important determinant of the effectiveness of educational systems. Yet there are few systematic evaluations of the linkages between educational governance and student outcomes, or cogent frameworks for evaluating the effectiveness of governance arrangements in a way that can guide potential policy changes. In this article, we attempt to provide such a framework by identifying indicators of effective educational governance systems drawn from previous research and more than forty interviews with stakeholders at all levels in California, the nation's biggest system. The exploratory research presented here is intended to help inform future studies of educational governance.
Radiative decay times for thermal pertubations in a nongray medium

Abstract The radiative decay time of harmonic thermal perturbations in a nongray medium of infinite extent is obtained in closed form for two specific band absorption models. These models are the frequently used gray band and the exponential band, the latter being considered more realistic for molecular gases. It is found that the decay time at the boundary of a semi-infinite medium can be obtained in terms of that in an infinite medium. The decay time for combined thermal radiation and conduction is also discussed. The difference in radiative decay rates for a medium with gray bands and one with exponential-tailed bands is marked; in an infinite medium at large Bouguer number, the former falls to zero while the latter rises to a maximum.
Interspecific Competition and Species' Distributions: The Ghosts of Theories and Data Past

The idea that biological interactions between species restrict their distributions beyond limits set by the inorganic environment was established by plant ecologists well before the work of Volterra, Gause, and the development of modern niche theory. Mechanisms of competition between plant species, and the influence of predation and environmental factors on the outcome of interspecific competition, were demonstrated by extensive field experiments. These early botanical achievements were ignored by zoologists whose subsequent, independently derived ideas about competition paralleled those of plant ecologists to a remarkable degree. Application of niche theory to the real world was closely tied to the advent of the “modern synthesis.” The primary innovation of niche theory was not simply a new appreciation of the possible importance of competition between animals, but the incorporation of an evolutionary perspective to distributional problems largely absent among ecologists since Darwin.
Dynamic pricing model of digital knowledge commodity considering competition from congener commodity

The distinctive characteristics of digital knowledge commodity (DKC) make its pricing method different from traditional commoditypsilas. One hand, cost characteristic of DKC gives us more price choices. On the other hand, characteristics else of DKC bring us more difficulties to price. To solve this problem, the first-degree price discrimination is adopted, with respect to the stage in which the on-line sellerpsilas sale number does not exceed critical sale number. Then dynamic pricing model considering competition from congener commodity is built, in which commodity copyright cost, advertisement cost, competitorpsilas price, customerpsilas expectation of commodity and customer behavior are considered, for the sake of maximizing the sale and the profit of an on-line seller. In customer behavior model, the positive exterior influence of Web on customer purchase behavior is considered, and the influence of commodity brand, history sale number and price are quantized.
Theory‐Based Interventions for School Children Cared For by their Grandparents

The growing social phenomenon of grandparents caring for their grandchildren has implications for educational psychology practice, since children who are wards of their grandparents frequently experience problematic school functioning. In this paper, the literature regarding children cared for by grandparents is reviewed. Issues concerning attachment, social support, and the children’s school‐related functioning are emphasised. In addition, theoretical and practical school‐based interventions to help these grandchildren are described.
Computer-assisted communication for critically ill patients: A pilot study

Background:Critically ill nonverbal patients often have limited means of communication through eye-blinking, communication cards, and occasionally writing. We evaluated a novel computer communication device to determine its clinical utility as an alternative form of communication between patients an