cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Designing in Context: Reaching Beyond Usability in Learning Analytics Dashboard Design

Researchers and developers of learning analytics (LA) systems are increasingly adopting human-centred design (HCD) approaches, with growing need to understand how to apply design practice in different educational settings. In this paper, we present a design narrative of our experience developing dashboards to support middle school mathematics teachers’ pedagogical practices, in a multi-university, multi-school district, improvement science initiative in the United States. Through documentation of our design experience, we offer ways to adapt common HCD methods — contextual design and design tensions — when developing visual analytics systems for educators. We also illuminate how adopting these design methods within the context of improvement science and research–practice partnerships fundamentally influences the design choices we make and the focal questions we undertake. The results of this design process flow naturally from the appropriation and repurposing of tools by district partners and directly inform improvement goals.
Prevalence, Distribution, and Phylogeny of Type Two Toxin-Antitoxin Genes Possessed by Cronobacter Species where C. sakazakii Homologs Follow Sequence Type Lineages

Cronobacter species are a group of foodborne pathogenic bacteria that cause both intestinal and systemic human disease in individuals of all age groups. Little is known about the mechanisms that Cronobacter employ to survive and persist in foods and other environments. Toxin–antitoxin (TA) genes are thought to play a role in bacterial stress physiology, as well as in the stabilization of horizontally-acquired re-combinatorial elements such as plasmids, phage, and transposons. TA systems have been implicated in the formation of a persistence phenotype in some bacterial species including Escherichia coli and Salmonella. This project’s goal was to understand the phylogenetic relatedness among TA genes present in Cronobacter. Preliminary studies showed that two typical toxin genes, fic and hipA followed species evolutionary lines. A local database of 22 TA homologs was created for Cronobacter sakazakii and a Python version 3 shell script was generated to extract TA FASTA sequences present in 234 C. sakazakii genomes previously sequenced as part of Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition’s (CFSAN) GenomeTrakr project. BLAST analysis showed that not every C. sakazakii strain possessed all twenty-two TA loci. Interestingly, some strains contained either a toxin or an antitoxin component, but not both. Five common toxin genes: ESA_00258 (parDE toxin-antitoxin family), ESA_00804 (relBE family), ESA_01887 (relBE family), ESA_03838 (relBE family), and ESA_04273 (YhfG-Fic family) were selected for PCR analysis and the primers were designed to detect these genes. PCR analysis showed that 55 of 63 strains possessed three of these genes Sequence analysis identified homologs of the target genes and some of the strains were PCR-negative for one or more of the genes, pointing to potential nucleotide polymorphisms in those loci or that these toxin genes were absent. Phylogenetic studies using a Cronobacter pan genomic microarray showed that for the most part TAs follow species evolutionary lines except for a few toxin genes possessed by some C. malonaticus and C. universalis strains; this demonstrates that some TA orthologues share a common phylogeny. Within the C. sakazakii strains, the prevalence and distribution of these TA homologs by C. sakazakii strain BAA-894 (a powdered infant formula isolate) followed sequence-type evolutionary lineages. Understanding the phylogeny of TAs among the Cronobacter species is essential to design future studies to realize the physiological mechanisms and roles for TAs in stress adaptation and persistence of Cronobacter within food matrices and food processing environments.
Shifted and Squeezed 8-bit Floating Point format for Low-Precision Training of Deep Neural Networks

Training with larger number of parameters while keeping fast iterations is an increasingly adopted strategy and trend for developing better performing Deep Neural Network (DNN) models. This necessitates increased memory footprint and computational requirements for training. Here we introduce a novel methodology for training deep neural networks using 8-bit floating point (FP8) numbers. Reduced bit precision allows for a larger effective memory and increased computational speed. We name this method Shifted and Squeezed FP8 (S2FP8). We show that, unlike previous 8-bit precision training methods, the proposed method works out of the box for representative models: ResNet50, Transformer and NCF. The method can maintain model accuracy without requiring fine-tuning loss scaling parameters or keeping certain layers in single precision. We introduce two learnable statistics of the DNN tensors - shifted and squeezed factors that are used to optimally adjust the range of the tensors in 8-bits, thus minimizing the loss in information due to quantization.
Self-Supervised Learning of Generative Spin-Glasses with Normalizing Flows.

Spin-glasses are universal models that can capture complex behavior of many-body systems at the interface of statistical physics and computer science including discrete optimization, inference in graphical models, and automated reasoning. Computing the underlying structure and dynamics of such complex systems is extremely difficult due to the combinatorial explosion of their state space. Here, we develop deep generative continuous spin-glass distributions with normalizing flows to model correlations in generic discrete problems. We use a self-supervised learning paradigm by automatically generating the data from the spin-glass itself. We demonstrate that key physical and computational properties of the spin-glass phase can be successfully learned, including multi-modal steady-state distributions and topological structures among metastable states. Remarkably, we observe that the learning itself corresponds to a spin-glass phase transition within the layers of the trained normalizing flows. The inverse normalizing flows learns to perform reversible multi-scale coarse-graining operations which are very different from the typical irreversible renormalization group techniques.
School Context in Adolescence and Cognitive Functioning 50 Years Later

To advance understanding of how social inequalities from childhood might contribute to cognitive aging, we examined the extent to which school context in adolescence was associated with individuals' cognitive performance more than 50 years later. Using data from 3,012 participants in the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS), we created an aggregate measure of school-level structural advantage, with indicators such as the proportion of teachers who had at least five years of teaching experience and spending per pupil. Multilevel models indicated that secondary school advantage was associated with small benefits in language/executive function at age 65 among older adults who had lower academic achievement in secondary school. Findings suggest that school advantage is a developmental context of adolescence that has modest implications for intracohort differences in aspects of later life cognition.
Reason to doubt the ICHD-3 7-day inclusion criterion for mild TBI-related posttraumatic headache: A nested cohort study:

BackgroundPosttraumatic headache is difficult to define and there is debate about the specificity of the 7-day headache onset criterion in the current definition. There is limited evidence availabl...
Direct Anterior Approach Has Lower Deep Infection Frequency Than Less Invasive Direct Lateral Approach in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty

Debate continues over the direct anterior (DA) approach. The purpose of this study is to compare the frequency of deep infection between a DA approach and a less invasive direct lateral (LIDL) approach in a large consecutive series of primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). The authors identified 5702 primary THAs performed between 2007 and 2014. DA approach was used in 3540 hips and LIDL in 2162. Patient records were reviewed. Statistical analysis of reoperation, infection- or wound-related complication, and deep infection was performed. During the 8-year follow-up period, there were 98 reoperations in the DA group (2.8%) and 77 in the LIDL group (3.6%; p = .09 NS). Wound- or infection-related reoperation occurred in 32 DA THAs (0.9%) versus 36 LIDL THAs (1.7%; p = .01). Deep infection occurred in 7 DA THAs (0.2%) versus 21 LIDL THAs (0.97%; p > .0001). The risk of deep infection was statistically lower in the DA approach. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 27(1):21-24, 2018).
Elementary pre-service teachers’ practice of racial literacy: analysis of small stories in online critical inquiry communities

Despite pedagogical efforts to promote preservice teachers’ racial literacy, preservice teachers may resist critical racial pedagogies. Such resistance has serious, detrimental consequences in clas...
The effect of stress on meiotic recombination in maize (Zea mays L)

In maize (Zea mays L), effects on recombination have been documented for gender, genotype, macro-environments, transposons, chromosome rearrangements, and supernumerary chromosomes. The effect of water deficit on genetic recombination has not been reported. The objective of the study was to investigate whether a water-deficit stress before and during male meiosis affects genetic recombination. A secondary objective was to observe crossover occurrence and distribution. Recombination was estimated in F, plants (B73/Mo17) grown in either water-deficit or non-stress treatment. Three populations from each treatment were created by crossing F, plants as males to inbred line B73. Progeny of each population were genotyped at microsatellite loci to create genetic maps for chromosomes 1 and 10. Comparisons of recombination were made within and between treatments. Differences in recombination were not observed between populations within a treatment; therefore, segregation data from the same treatment were combined. The genetic maps of chromosome 1 and 10 were larger for stressed plants (172 cM vs. 149 cM in chromosome 1 and 83 cM vs. 72 cM for chromosome 10). The long arms of chromosomes 1 and 10 were the regions of additional lecombination. An excess of Mo17 alleles in both chromosomes was observed in most populations. Over all populations and treatments, parental chromatids were detected in 19% of the individuals for chromosome 1 and in 44% for chromosome
Active Learning for Inference and Regeneration of Applications that Access Databases

We present Konure, a new system that uses active learning to infer models of applications that retrieve data from relational databases. Konure comprises a domain-specific language (each model is a program in this language) and associated inference algorithm that infers models of applications whose behavior can be expressed in this language. The inference algorithm generates inputs and database contents, runs the application, then observes the resulting database traffic and outputs to progressively refine its current model hypothesis. Because the technique works with only externally observable inputs, outputs, and database contents, it can infer the behavior of applications written in arbitrary languages using arbitrary coding styles (as long as the behavior of the application is expressible in the domain-specific language). Konure also implements a regenerator that produces a translated Python implementation of the application that systematically includes relevant security and error checks.
Economic impact of orthopaedic care for non-fatal gunshot wounds: analysis of a public health crisis

Background The purpose of this study was to perform an epidemiological evaluation and an economic analysis of 90-day costs associated with non-fatal gunshot wounds (GSWs) to the extremities, spine and pelvis requiring orthopaedic care in the United States. Methods A retrospective epidemiological review of the Medicare national patient record database was conducted from 2005 to 2014. Incidence, fracture location and costs associated where evaluated. Those patients identified through International Classification of Disease (ICD)-9 revision codes and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Codes who sustained a fracture secondary to a GSW. Any type of surgical intervention including incision and drainage, open reduction with internal fixation, closed reduction and percutaneous fixation, etc. were identified to analyze, and evaluate costs of care as seen by charges and reimbursements to the payer. The 90-day period after initial fracture care was queried. Results A total of 9,765 patients required surgical orthopaedic care for GSWs. There was a total of 2,183 fractures due to GSW treated operatively in 2,201 patients. Of these, 22% were femur fractures, 18.3% were hand/wrist fractures and 16.7% were ankle/foot fractures. A majority of patients were male (83.3%) and under 65 years of age (56.3%). Total charges for GSW requiring orthopedic care were $513,334,743 during the 10-year study period. Total reimbursement for these patients were $124,723,068. Average charges per patient were highest for fracture management of the spine $431,021.33, followed by the pelvis $392,658.45 and later by tibia/fibula fractures $342,316.92. Conclusions The 90-day direct charges and reimbursements of orthopedic care for non-fatal GSWs are of significant amounts per patient. While the number of fatal GSWs has received much attention, non-fatal GSWs have a large economic and societal impact that warrants further research and consideration by the public and policy makers.
Racial Disparities in Sleep and Pain Among Individuals with Temporomandibular Joint Disorder Assessed with Sleep Diary, Polysomnography, and Actigraphy

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is an idiopathic chronic pain condition and often associated with sleep disturbance. Although racial pain and sleep disparities have been observed in other pain populations, less is known about such disparities in TMD. Given that pain is strongly associated with sleep, Black individuals may experience compounded disparities involving worse pain and sleep outcomes compared to White individuals. Participants (105= White, 26 = Black) completed baseline questionnaires, including the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), Fear of Pain Questionnaire (FOP), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS), Jaw Functional Limitation Scale (JFLS), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Dysfunctional Beliefs About Sleep Scale (DBAS). After completing baseline questionnaires, patients completed one night of polysomnography (PSG). Participants completed a 14-day diary assessing sleep continuity which was also objectively measured via actigraphy. Sleep continuity data were aggregated as individual 14-day means. Analyses controlled for age, household income, and education. Black participants reported higher pain severity (p
Corrigendum to: “On the asymptotic decay of the Schrödinger–Newton ground state” [Phys. Lett. A 395 (2021) 127209]

Abstract The asymptotics of the ground state u ( r ) of the Schrodinger–Newton equation in R 3 was determined by V. Moroz and J. van Schaftingen to be u ( r ) ∼ A e − r / r 1 − ‖ u ‖ 2 2 / 8 π for some A > 0 , in units in which the ground state energy is −1. In this corrigendum a factor 2 mistake in the upper bound on ‖ u ‖ 2 2 reported in the original publication of the present author is corrected, resulting in a better upper bound that in concert with the already reported lower bound yields the interval 2 1 / 3 3 π 2 ⩽ ‖ u ‖ 2 2 ⩽ 8 π 3 / 2 , which now proves that the monomial prefactor of e − r increases with r in a concave manner.
Improving Stream Load Balance through Shedding

The increasing demand for real-time processing has contributed to the rapid evolution of Stream Processing Engines (SPEs). Low operational cost and timely delivery of results are important objectives, whose achievement relies on efficient load distribution. However, given the volatile nature of data, and the limitations of existing stream partitioning techniques, those objectives can not be met. In this work we investigate the combination of load shedding with partitioning to improve load balancing in SPEs. We propose a novel query and load distribution model, which trades accuracy for balance load allocation in a controlled fashion. Also, we present the design of a lightweight operator that is compatible with current SPEs' architectures and is based on our model. Our operator, named ShedPart, identifies opportunities for approximating parts of the input in order to achieve balanced allocation. Our experimental evaluation indicates that ShedPart can lead to up to an order of magnitude better performance with real-world datasets.
A Map Approach to Stationary Solutions of the DNLS Equation

In this chapter we discuss the well-established map approach for obtaining stationary solutions to the one-dimensional (1D) discrete nonlinear Schrodinger (DNLS) equation. The method relies on casting the ensuing stationary problem in the form of a recurrence relationship that can in turn be cast into a two-dimensional (2D) map [1–5]. Within this description, any orbit for this 2D map will correspond to a steady state solution of the original DNLS equation. The map approach is extremely useful in finding localized solutions such as bright and dark solitons. As we will see in what follows, this method allows for a global understanding of the types of solutions that are present in the system and their respective bifurcations. This chapter is structured as follows. In Sect. 11.2 we introduce the map approach to describe steady states for general 1D nonlinear lattices with nearest-neighbor coupling. In Sect. 11.3 we present some of the basic properties of the 2D map generated by the 1D DNLS lattice and how these properties, in turn, translate into properties for the steady-state solutions to the DNLS. We also give an exhaustive account of the possible orbits that can be generated using the map approach. Specifically, we describe in detail the families of extended steady-state solutions (homogeneous, periodic, quasi-periodic, and spatially chaotic) as well as spatially localized steady states (bright and dark solitons and multibreather solutions). In Sect. 11.4 we study the limiting cases of small and large couplings. We briefly describe the bifurcation process that is responsible for the mutual annihilation of localized solutions through a series of bifurcations. For a more detailed account of the bifurcation scenaria for the DNLS using the map approach, see [3].
Robust DCT-SVD domain image watermarking for copyright protection: Embedding data in all frequencies

Both Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) and Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) have been used as mathematical tools for embedding data into an image. In this paper, we present a new robust hybrid watermarking scheme based on DCT and SVD. After applying the DCT to the cover image, we map the DCT coefficients in a zig-zag order into four quadrants, and apply the SVD to each quadrant. These four quadrants represent frequency bands from the lowest to the highest. The singular values in each quadrant are then modified by the singular values of the DCT-transformed visual watermark. We assume that the size of the visual watermark is one quarter of the size of the cover image. We show that embedding data in lowest frequencies is resilient to one set of attacks while embedding data in highest frequencies is resilient to another set of attacks. We compare our hybrid algorithm with a pure SVD-based scheme.
Vogtländische Straβen-,Tief- Und Rohrleitungsbau Gmbh Rodewisch (VSTR) v. Finanzamt Plauen – VAT Triangulation v. Drop Shipments

In ECJ Case 587/10 (Vogtlandische Straβen-,Tief- und Rohrleitungsbau GmbH Rodewisch (VSTR) v. Finanzamt Plauen) an American firm, Atlantic International Trading Company (AIT) is a middleman in an otherwise all-European VAT triangulation. AIT appears to have approached its compliance obligations as if it was a middleman in an American drop shipment. However, drop shipments are treated very differently from VAT triangulations. Commercially these transactions are very similar. They are composed of two back-to-back sales, A/B followed by B/C, with a single delivery from A directly to C. This article compares the tax treatment of drop shipments under the RST with triangulation transactions under the EU VAT. Under both systems when a single integrated transaction involves third-party middlemen compliance can be difficult.
Histoplasmosis: Report of a case in an infant 15 months of age

Summary A case of histoplasmosis has been reported in a colored male infant, 15 months of age, which is believed to be the seventh case in an infant and to be the second case of histoplasmosis in Kentucky, 15 both patients having been in the Louisville City Hospital within a period of two years.
Sarbanes-Oxley, Corporate Federalism, and the Declining Significance of Federal Reforms on State Director Independence Standards

Commentators have argued that the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 ("Sarbanes-Oxley" or the "Act") raises federalism concerns because it regulates the internal affairs of a corporation, including the composition of, and qualifications for, corporate boards, in a manner traditionally reserved to states. This Article responds to those claims, arguing that the Act reflects a relatively minimal intrusion into state law, particularly with regard to issues of director independence. This Article further argues that the Act's failure to disturb state law on these issues may impede its ability to tighten director independence standards and by extension may undermine its ability to improve the quality of directors' monitoring of corporate behavior.
IDENTIFICATION OF GROWTH STIMULANTS FOR STREPTOCOCCUS LACTIS

Koburger, J. A. (North Carolina State College, Raleigh), M. L. Speck, and L. W. Aurand. Identification of growth stimulants for Streptococcus lactis. J. Bacteriol. 85:1051–1055. 1963—The growth of Streptococcus lactis in milk was accelerated by pancreas extract, and three distinct components that were detected by bioautography were isolated and identified. These were purified by precipitation with silver ions, and their silver salts were regenerated in acidic solution. After adsorption and elution from characoal, contaminating alpha-amino compounds were destroyed by treatment with ninhydrin. Final purification was by chromatography. Identification of the purified fractions was by paper chromatography, and by ultraviolet and infrared spectra. The active compounds were found to be inosine, hypoxanthine, and adenine.
The use of panoramic radiographs for comparisons in cases of identification.

The specific aim of this project was to determine the value of panoramic radiographs in cases of identification through a series of double blind comparisons and to formulate a comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of such interpretation. The study was conducted from a forensic approach through the use of all means of comparison of simulated “antemortem” to “postmortem” panoramic radiographs. These various means of comparison consisted of dental restorations (size, shape, location, and various materials), tooth morphology, anatomical landmarks, maxillary sinus configuration, foramina (mental, posterior palatine, mandibular, and incisive), bony trabeculation patterns, condylar morphology, mandibular canal morphology and location, morphology of the lower border of the mandible, third molar root formation, apical calcification, path of eruption evaluated through time intervals, hard tissue healing in old extraction sites, endodontically treated teeth, prostheses, malposed teeth, fixed orthodontic appliances, caries, coronal fractures, bone loss interpretation, and attrition.
Mushrooms as Rainmakers: How Spores Act as Nuclei for Raindrops

Millions of tons of fungal spores are dispersed in the atmosphere every year. These living cells, along with plant spores and pollen grains, may act as nuclei for condensation of water in clouds. Basidiospores released by mushrooms form a significant proportion of these aerosols, particularly above tropical forests. Mushroom spores are discharged from gills by the rapid displacement of a droplet of fluid on the cell surface. This droplet is formed by the condensation of water on the spore surface stimulated by the secretion of mannitol and other hygroscopic sugars. This fluid is carried with the spore during discharge, but evaporates once the spore is airborne. Using environmental electron microscopy, we have demonstrated that droplets reform on spores in humid air. The kinetics of this process suggest that basidiospores are especially effective as nuclei for the formation of large water drops in clouds. Through this mechanism, mushroom spores may promote rainfall in ecosystems that support large populations of ectomycorrhizal and saprotrophic basidiomycetes. Our research heightens interest in the global significance of the fungi and raises additional concerns about the sustainability of forests that depend on heavy precipitation.
The Mail in Time: Postal Routes and Conceptions of Distance in Colonial Guatemala

In the late eighteenth century, Bourbon administrators of the postal system in Spain wrote to their subordinates in the Americas, asking for comprehensive topographic maps of the mail and post syst...
Estimation of Quasi-Geostrophic Modal Amplitudes from XBT/CTD Survey Data

Abstract The skill with which amplitudes of quasi-geostrophic modes can be estimated is important in the analysis and modeling of data from mixed CTD/XBT surveys. Here, several methods for estimation of quasi-geostrophic vertical mode amplitudes (QGMs) are compared, both in the context of idealized estimation and (especially) in application to some recent CTD and XBT data from the California Current Systems (CCS). The methods compared are: 1) direct least-squares fitting by QGMs (LSF); 2) projection of “empirical orthogonal function” amplitudes onto QGM amplitudes at each station (EOF); 3) ridge regression (RR); 4) an “optimal estimate” using covariances between QGM amplitudes (OE); and 5) another optimal estimate using covariances between EOF amplitudes and QGM amplitudes (CEOF). For deep CTD casts (>1500 m), all methods perform well. For shallow CTD and XBT casts (<750 m), method five (CEOF) is recommended, using EOFs and amplitude covariances derived from just the deeper CTD casts. Since low-frequency ...
A method for culturing embryonic C. elegans cells.

C. elegans is a powerful model system, in which genetic and molecular techniques are easily applicable. Until recently though, techniques that require direct access to cells and isolation of specific cell types, could not be applied in C. elegans. This limitation was due to the fact that tissues are confined within a pressurized cuticle which is not easily digested by treatment with enzymes and/or detergents. Based on early pioneer work by Laird Bloom, Christensen and colleagues 1 developed a robust method for culturing C. elegans embryonic cells in large scale. Eggs are isolated from gravid adults by treatment with bleach/NaOH and subsequently treated with chitinase to remove the eggshells. Embryonic cells are then dissociated by manual pipetting and plated onto substrate-covered glass in serum-enriched media. Within 24 hr of isolation cells begin to differentiate by changing morphology and by expressing cell specific markers. C. elegans cells cultured using this method survive for up 2 weeks in vitro and have been used for electrophysiological, immunochemical, and imaging analyses as well as they have been sorted and used for microarray profiling.
Compositional semantics for composable continuations: from abortive to delimited control

Parigot's λμ-calculus, a system for computational reasoning about classical proofs, serves as a foundation for control operations embodied by operators like Scheme's callcc. We demonstrate that the call-by-value theory of the λμ-calculus contains a latent theory of delimited control, and that a known variant of λμ which unshackles the syntax yields a calculus of composable continuations from the existing constructs and rules for classical control. To relate to the various formulations of control effects, and to continuation-passing style, we use a form of compositional program transformations which preserves the underlying structure of equational theories, contexts, and substitution. Finally, we generalize the call-by-name and call-by-value theories of the λμ-calculus by giving a single parametric theory that encompasses both, allowing us to generate a call-by-need instance that defines a calculus of classical and delimited control with lazy evaluation and sharing.
The budgetary process of power and politics

Abstract The traditional literature has long espoused the claim that budgeting facilitates and enables technically rational decision-making within organizations, and that good budgeting reflects organizational reality. In contrast, an emergent view reasons that budgeting systems may as much be constitutive of reality, that they are an integral part of the politics and power of organizational life and that they are used to legitimize action. The purpose of the paper is to consider the usefulness of the emergent theory in understanding budget-related behavior in six hospitals. More specifically, the complicity of budgeting in performing or not performing six management roles is examined. Based on intensive interviews with nursing managers, it is concluded that the emergent theory meaningfully describes much budget-related activity in the hospitals, but that double-reflexivity on the part of the researcher is necessary in order to understand both the merits and limitations in the emergent theory. Implications of the analysis and empirical inquiry are considered.
Hip implants – Paper VI – Ion concentrations

Abstract Total hip-joint arthroplasty is performed in increasing numbers where it translates to about 0.16–0.2% of population per year in industrial countries. In most cases, an implant is a metallic component articulating with a metal, ceramic or poly-ethylene liner as seen in the case of hip, knee and spine. The metal implants release ions in vivo. Therefore, there is a need to study metallic implants and ions released as a result. Toxic concentrations of ions can lead to many adverse physiological effects, including cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, and metal sensitivity. There is a need to map ion concentrations establishing boundaries between normal and toxic levels; which however, does not exist. Reference levels of ion concentrations in body fluids and tissues determined by many studies are compiled, reviewed, and presented in this paper. The concentrations of ions released from different alloys, including cobalt, chromium, nickel, molybdenum titanium, aluminum, and vanadium, are presented in this paper. This paper reviews the literature pertaining to clinical data on metal ion concentrations in patients with metal joint prostheses, and laboratory data on the physiological effects of the metals.
Extended operators for mesons in lattice QCD

Abstract We calculate the masses of π and ϱ in lattice SU(3) using the simplest extended operators. We show that these operators have a smaller contamination from the higher states. However, the asymptotic values of the masses are the same as the ones obtained using only the local operators.
Nicotine dependence severity as a cross-sectional predictor of alcohol-related problems in a sample of adolescent smokers

INTRODUCTION Given the prevalence of alcohol use among adolescents and its negative consequences, it is important to learn more about correlates of alcohol-related problems in this population. Cigarette smoking appears to be associated with alcohol-related problems in adolescents. The purpose of this study was to assess cigarettes smoked per day and nicotine dependence (ND) severity as predictors of alcohol-related problems in cross-sectional models, using data from a smoking cessation clinical trial for adolescents. METHOD Data obtained at intake were used to assess smoking-related variables as cross-sectional predictors of alcohol-related problems in models along with drinks per week and key demographics, using hierarchical multiple regression. RESULTS ND severity, as measured using the modified Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire, significantly predicted alcohol-related problems, both when this score included and did not include an item concerning cigarettes smoked per day. A separate continuous item capturing cigarettes per day did not predict alcohol-related problems. DISCUSSION ND severity predicted alcohol-related problems in cross-sectional regression models, holding constant alcohol consumption and key demographics. This suggests that ND severity may be a clinical indicator of alcohol-related problems among adolescent smokers. To our knowledge, this is the first analysis of associations between smoking and alcohol involvement in a sample of adolescent smokers participating in a clinical trial.
The Gene Encoding p202, an Interferon-inducible Negative Regulator of the p53 Tumor Suppressor, Is a Target of p53-mediated Transcriptional Repression

The p53 tumor suppressor protein regulates the transcription of regulatory genes involved in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. We reported previously that overexpression of p202, an interferon-inducible negative regulator of cell growth, negatively regulates the transcriptional activity of p53. Now we identify the gene encoding p202 as one whose mRNA and protein expression decrease in cells following the expression of wild-type, but not mutant, p53. Furthermore, the levels of p202 also decrease after exposure of cells to ultra violet light, which correlate with increase in the levels of p53. We report that the sequence-specific DNA binding of p53 to the 5′-regulatory region of the 202 gene contributes to the transcriptional repression of the 202 gene. Interestingly, overexpression of p202 in cells induced to undergo p53-dependent apoptosis significantly delays this process, indicating that the negative regulation of the 202 gene by wild-type p53 is important to potentiate apoptosis.
Single-strand regions of poly(G) act as templates for oligo(C) synthesis.

Oligonucleotide primers consisting of a sequence of four or more deoxycytidylate residues terminated by a single ribocytidylate residue are extended by reaction with cytidine 5′-phosphoro(2-methyl)imidazolide using polyguanylic acid as a template. The efficiency of the reaction decreases as the length of the primer increases. The reaction does not seem to depend on the dissociation of poly(G) tetrahelices but uses as templates single-stranded segments that are already present in enzymatically synthesized polyguanylic acid.
Feasibility of EUVL thin absorber mask for sub-32nm half pitch patterning

EUV lithography is the leading candidate for sub-32nm half-pitch device manufacturing. EUV Pre-Production Tool (PPT) is expected to be available at the end of 2010. As EUVL era comes closer, EUVL infrastructure has to get mature including EUVL mask stack. To reduce HV CD bias which comes from shadowing effect, thin mask stack has been considered. We presented that EUVL mask with 58nm absorber height shows same printing performance with conventional EUVL mask with 80nm absorber height in our previous work. CD change and pattern damage at the exposure field edges due to light leakage from the neighboring fields were also demonstrated. In this paper, optimal mask stack which shows lower H-V CD bias than conventional structure using 70-nm-thick absorber is proposed. To find minimized absorber height for sub-32nm pattering experimentally, printing result of conventional mask and thin mask stack with 1:1 L/S patterns will be compared. Further-on, we demonstrate the printing result of the reticle which is designed to minimize CD error at the exposure field edges due to mask black border reflectivity by reducing reflectivity from the absorber. All the wafers are exposed at ASML Alpha Demo Tool (ADT) and Pre-Production Tool (PPT) S-litho EUV is used for simulation.
Dual-coil magnetomotive optical coherence tomography for contrast enhancement in liquids

Magnetomotive optical coherence tomography (MM-OCT) is a functional extension of OCT which utilizes magnetically responsive materials that are modulated by an external magnetic field for contrast enhancement and for elastography to assess the structural and viscoelastic properties of the surrounding tissues. Traditionally, magnetomotive contrast relies on the interaction between the displacement of magnetic particles induced by an external magnetic field and the micro-environmental restoring (elastic) force acting on the particles. When the restoring force from a sample containing magnetic particles is weak or non-existent, the MM-OCT signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) can degrade significantly. We have developed a novel solenoid configuration to enable MM-OCT imaging in samples that do not have an elastic restoring force, such as liquids. This coil configuration may potentially enable real-time MM-OCT imaging.
Are commuting patterns a good indicator of urban spatial structure

Commuting patterns can be recognized by examining urban spatial structure. The latter can also be identified through the investigation of the former. This paper examines how well commuting patterns reflect the corresponding urban spatial structure. For this purpose, locational variables for commuting trip origin and destination are derived and included in an adjusted gravity model. The sign and the magnitude of the coefficients of those variables are interpreted along with the associated urban spatial structure. For a more formal comparison, urban density functions are estimated. Commuting data from the Seoul Metropolitan Region in 1987, 1990, and 1995 are used for an empirical analysis. The result shows that the distribution of employment is consistent between the spatial structure projected from the commuting patterns and the urban density distribution, while the distribution of employed residents is not, suggesting that the latter case should be interpreted with more caution.
Star formation in giant molecular associations synchronized by a spiral density wave

Observations of CO emission from the prototypical spiral galaxy M51 reveal density wave streaming motions in molecular gas coincident with the dust lanes. This is strong evidence that spiral density waves assemble pre-existing molecular clouds into giant associations and trigger the collapse of suitably primed clouds, leading to the formation of stars.
The Crisis of Divorce: Growth Promoting or Pathogenic?.

Divorce and separation are considered highly stressful life events, as indicated by the high weighting for these items on the Holmes & Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale (1967). Previous to the 1970's, most of the research examining the emotional impact of divorce focused on the relationship between divorce and psychopathology. This paper critically examines the "pathogenic" perspective on divorce, pointing out its methodological and conceptual shortcomings. A conceptual model of the divorce experience based upon crisis theory is presented as a useful alternative. This model allows for both negative and positive psychological outcomes to a divorce experience. It provides a framework for understanding short term and long term reactions to divorce, and the many variables that influence these reactions.
On the factors that control the reactivity of meta-benzynes

The reactivities of eleven 3,5-didehydropyridinium and six 2,4-didehydropyridinium cations toward cyclohexane were examined in the gas phase by using Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometry as well as high-level quantum chemical calculations. The results unequivocally demonstrate that the reactivity of meta-benzyne analogs can be “tuned” from more radical-like to less radical-like by changing the type and position of substituents. For example, σ-acceptor substituents at the 4-position and π-donor substituents at the 2-position in 3,5-didehydropyridinium cations partially decouple the biradical electrons, which results in lower energy transition states, and faster radical reactions. In contrast, σ-acceptors at the 2-position and π-donors at the 4-position in 3,5-didehydropyridinium cations cause stronger coupling between the biradical electrons, which results in lower radical reactivity. Three main factors are found to control the reactivity of these biradicals: (1) the energy required to distort the minimum energy dehydrocarbon atom separation to the separation of the transition state, (2) the S–T splitting at the separation of the transition state, and (3) the electron affinity at the separation of the transition state.
Teleoperation Control of Cooperative Multi-Functional Robotic Swarms for Multi-Task Multi-Target Scenarios

The teleoperation systems involving cooperative multi-robots to cope with different tasks on a single target with a team of homogeneous robots have been developed with (1) modified potential field based leader-follower formation, (2) adaptive multi-robotic impedances, (3) compensation for contact forces. However, most of the homeland security applications, e.g. military reconnaissance, exploration, and etc, need a team of heterogeneous robots to work on the multi-task simultaneously on the multi-target with a robot-task-target pairing. Therefore, the main contribution of this paper is to propose the cooperative teleoperation control method integrating not only (1–3) but also the robot-task-target pairing for a multi-robot multi-task multi-target defensive application.The robot-task-target pairing is derived from the proven auction algorithm for multi-robot multi-task multi-target cases, which optimizes effects-based robot-task-target pairing based on a heuristic algorithm. The pairing method for the robot-task-target pairing is developed to produce a weighted attack guidance table (WAGT), which includes the benefits of assignments of robotic combinations (subteams) to tasks and targets. Therefore, the optimal robot-task-target pairs are computed based on WAGT with the heuristic algorithm. Simulation studies illustrate the efficacy of the teleoperation system with the proposed control method for multi-task multi-target scenarios.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
A study of the medical ethnobotany of the Zuni Indians of New Mexico.

Summary This paper examines the medical ethnobotany of the Zuni Indians of west-central New Mexico. Historically, these people were hunters and gatherers, and later, farmers and sheepherders. They developed an extensive knowledge of the local flora and a complex religious rite and system of medical practice. Now, as customs and values of Western societies encroach upon their lifestyle, the Zuni's knowledge of the medicinal use of plants is in danger of being forgotten. Field work conducted during the summers of 1977 and 1978 with the Zuni involved interviews with 27 Zuni medicine men and elders and the collection of 138 plant species. For 49 species a medicinal use was described. These remedies were examined in detail to determine their pharmacological and physiological action and their cultural significance. A total of 31 medicinal plants collected in this study were not mentioned in the Zuni ethnobotanical study by Stevenson over 60 years earlier. This may reflect a difficulty in recording all the plant remedies of a culture rather than an acquisition of new remedies since that time. The use of herbal remedies today and the knowledge of their use in the past has diminished.
The use of the agricultural land evaluation and site assessment system in the united states

Abstract The Soil Conservation Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture has developed a new method of suitability analysis for use in the protection of agricultural lands. The system has come about as a response to potential impacts of federal programs on the conversion of farm-lands to non-farm uses. Some states and local governments have adopted it for similar reasons. The system is comprised of two parts: land evaluation (LE) and site assessment (SA). When combined, the system is known as LESA. LE incorporates four rating systems: capability classes; important farmlands classification; soil productivity; soil potential. SA considers factors such as location, adjacent land uses, zoning, and other considerations which determine land suitability. This paper provides a brief description of LESA and explores the extent of its use in the United States.
Mechanical response and modeling of fully compacted nanocrystalline iron and copper

Abstract A comprehensive study on the response of nanocrystalline iron and copper to quasi-static and dynamic loading is reported. Bulk solid nanocrystalline iron and copper specimens used in static and dynamic loading experiments were made by compaction and hot sintering of the nanocrystalline powders. The powders, with grain size 16–96 nm, were obtained by using high energy ball milling. The stress/strain response of dense nanocrystalline iron is found to be grain size and strain rate dependent. The KHL model is modified by incorporating Hall–Petch relation (i.e. yield stress dependence on grain size) and is used to represent the behavior of fully compacted nanocrystalline material. A good correlation with the experimental results is demonstrated.
Where's the Lactation Consultant? Increasing Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates by Empowering L&D Nurses

Childbearing Poster Presentation Purpose for the Program Breastfeeding is widely recognized as the ideal method of feeding infants. An objective of Healthy People 2010 was for 75% of infants to be exclusively breastfed upon hospital discharge. Currently, breastfeeding rates in the United States have not met this goal. Baylor University Medical Center (BUMC) implemented a program that focused on increasing exclusive breastfeeding rates (EBRs). Proposed Change There has been a significant increase in BUMC's EBR because of nurse and patient education, nurses’ hands‐on assistance with breastfeeding initiation, and the labor and delivery (L&D) nurses role as bedside breastfeeding advocates. Implementation, Outcomes, and Evaluation An International, Board Certified, Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) at BUMC championed a project that filled the gap in lactation support, which is given to patients throughout the Women's and Children's service line, by creating the crew . The crew consists of nurses that underwent training and were committed to serving their individual unit's needs regarding breastfeeding. The L&D crew is addressing barriers to breastfeeding on our unit and is implementing changes to overcome these challenges. In particular, we re‐purposed a patient breastfeeding education sheet used by the lactation department. By adding the breastfeeding education sheet to our electronic system, it prints with the chart and is readily accessible to staff. Also, crew members are assessing attitudes and comfort levels of L&D nurses regarding lactation support by using an online survey. Once survey results are analyzed, in‐services and staff education will be implemented that focuses on topics such as hand expression of colostrum and spoon‐feeding, skin‐to‐skin contact, breastfeeding in the operating room, use of breast pumps, and breast milk storage. Implementation of the crew in L&D has already made an impact on our EBR, increasing the rates from 41% to 72%. Follow‐up from the online surveys will hopefully further increase the EBR rate. Implications for Nursing Practice Increasing the EBR is a Baylor Healthcare System goal, prompted by Medicaid reimbursement policies, The Joint Commission quality measurement tools, and the Baby Friendly designation that BUMC is working to achieve. This innovative project will increase the EBR at our institution by empowering BUMC nurses to be champions of excellent care of women and newborns. By exclusively breastfeeding, our patients will take part in one of the most highly effective preventative measures a mother can take to protect the health of her infant and herself.