cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Micro- and nano-structure in polypropylene/clay nanocomposites

Abstract Polypropylene (PP)/clay nanocomposites prepared by melt blending using different clays and coupling agents based on maleic anhydride-grafted PP (MA-PP) were studied. Clay dispersion using field emission gun scanning electron microscope (FEG-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and PP matrix morphology were characterized. Clay dispersion was improved in the presence of MA-PP, as shown by the higher particles surface density (number of particles/mm2) at all micro-, sub-micro- and nano-levels. The PP spherulite diameter was affected by both the presence of MA-PP and clay dispersion. Clay intercalation, characterized by both complementary X-ray diffraction (XRD) and TEM, was greatly influenced by the characteristics of MA-PP. The use of low molecular weight (Mw) MA-PP led to a good and uniform intercalation but with no further possibility to exfoliation. The use of higher Mw MA-PP led to a heterogeneous intercalation with signs of exfoliation. The crystallization behavior of nanocomposites was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). When fine clay dispersion was achieved with MA-PP, clay-nucleating effect was limited and lower crystallization temperature and rates were observed. It was also shown by wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) that clay induced some orientation of α-phase PP crystallites.
Suppression of InsP3 Receptor-Mediated Ca2+ Signaling Alleviates Mutant Presenilin-Linked Familial Alzheimer's Disease Pathogenesis

Exaggerated intracellular Ca(2+) signaling is a robust proximal phenotype observed in cells expressing familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD)-causing mutant presenilins (PSs). The mechanisms that underlie this phenotype are controversial and their in vivo relevance for AD pathogenesis is unknown. Here, we used a genetic approach to identify the mechanisms involved and to evaluate their role in the etiology of AD in two FAD mouse models. Genetic reduction of the type 1 inositol trisphosphate receptor (InsP3R1) by 50% normalized exaggerated Ca(2+) signaling observed in cortical and hippocampal neurons in both animal models. In PS1M146V knock-in mice, reduced InsP3R1 expression restored normal ryanodine receptor and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB)-dependent gene expression and rescued aberrant hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP). In 3xTg mice, reduced InsP3R1 expression profoundly attenuated amyloid β accumulation and tau hyperphosphorylation and rescued hippocampal LTP and memory deficits. These results indicate that exaggerated Ca(2+) signaling, which is associated with FAD PS, is mediated by InsP3R and contributes to disease pathogenesis in vivo. Targeting the InsP3 signaling pathway could be considered a potential therapeutic strategy for patients harboring mutations in PS linked to AD.
Laser Research Resource Centers At MIT

Two instrumentation facilities for laser-related research in physical sciences and biomedicine are in operation at the MIT Spectroscopy Laboratory. This article describes their organization, resources and performance.
Myocardial Contractile Response to Norepinephrine, Isoproterenol, and Calcium Chloride in Hyperthyroid Guinea Pigs

Myocardial contractility, measured as the maximum left ventricular systolic pressure response to aortic constriction, is greater than normal in the hyperthyroid guinea pig. The effect of inotropic agents on this response was determined in anesthetized, open-chest, euthyroid, and hyperthyroid guinea pigs. Norepinephrine and isoproterenol in single doses, 1 µg/kg, and isoproterenol infused intravenously, 1, 4 and 10 µg/kg/min, caused a smaller increase in myocardial contractile response to aortic constriction in hyperthyroid than in euthyroid animals. Hyperthyroid guinea pigs also responded to an infusion of calcium chloride, 11 mg/kg/min, with an increase in maximum systolic pressure which was less than normal. With each drug the maximum systolic pressure level attained during aortic constriction was greater in the euthyroid than in the hyperthyroid animals. Cardiac pacing of euthyroid guinea pigs at 430 beats/min, a rate similar to the spontaneous rate of the hyperthyroid guinea pig, did not alter the inotropic response to infused calcium, though single injections and intravenous infusions of isoproterenol had less of an effect than in the spontaneously beating normal heart. These results suggest that the increased myocardial contractility of the hyperthyroid guinea pig may have reached a near maximum level. As a result, the added inotropic effects of isoproterenol and calcium in these animals are less than in normal controls.
Comments from a Biased Viewpoint

Public school special education services may follow or be at variance with professional advocates, as is illustrated relative to Dunn and Deno. The tendency to overgeneralize from one population to another, especially to the socially and emotionally maladjusted, is seldom warranted and violates the individualized mandate of special education. Underlying issues in inclusion are discussed: extruded education as flawed, special/regular education responsibilities, the nature of individual differences, the role of caring in special education, and help for the classroom teacher. Several hopeful signs are reviewed.
Oswestry Disability Index is a better indicator of lumbar motion than the Visual Analogue Scale

Abstract Background context Lumbar pathology is often associated with axial pain or neurologic complaints. It is often presumed that such pain is associated with decreased lumbar motion; however, this correlation is not well established. The utility of various outcome measures that are used in both research and clinical practice have been studied, but the connection with range of motion (ROM) has not been well documented. Purpose The current study was performed to assess objectively the postulated correlation of lumbar complaints (based on standardized outcome measures) with extremes of lumbar ROM and functional ROM (fROM) with activities of daily living (ADLs) as assessed with an electrogoniometer. Study design/setting This study was a clinical cohort study. Patient sample Subjects slated to undergo a lumbar intervention (injection, decompression, and/or fusion) were enrolled voluntarily in the study. Outcome measures The two outcome measures used in the study were the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for axial extremity, lower extremity, and combined axial and lower extremity, as well as the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Methods Pain and disability scores were assessed with the VAS score and ODI. A previously validated electrogoniometer was used to measure ROM (extremes of motion in three planes) and fROM (functional motion during 15 simulated activities of daily living). Pain and disability scores were analyzed for statistically significant association with the motion assessments using linear regression analyses. Results Twenty-eight men and 39 women were enrolled, with an average age of 55.6 years (range, 18–79 years). The ODI and VAS were associated positively (p Conclusions Extremes of lumbar motion and motions associated with ADLs are of increasing clinical interest. Although the ODI and VAS are associated with each other, the ODI appears to be a better predictor of these motion parameters than the VAS (axial extremity, lower extremity, or combined) and may be more useful in the clinical setting when considering functional movement parameters.
Thermoplastic modification of urea–formaldehyde wood adhesives to improve moisture resistance

Urea–formaldehyde (UF) resins are prone to hydrolytic degradation, which limits their use to indoor applications. This study examined the modification of UF resin with various thermoplastics as a means to increase the moisture resistance of the adhesive. UF adhesives were modified in situ with various hydrophobic and hydrophilic thermoplastic formulations, using either polar or nonpolar initiators. Unmodified and modified UF resins were characterized in terms of viscosity, pH, and gel time in their prepolymer suspension state. Cured solid UF resin plaques were prepared to isolate moisture sorption effects of the cured UF resin from that of the wood component in composites, which dominates their moisture uptake. Relative crosslink density and moisture sorption tests were run on cured UF resin plaques. Results indicated that viscosity increased after modification in most cases, with higher viscosities resulting from formulations using an acidic (polar) initiator. In all cases, activation energies of the curing reactions of thermoplastic-modified UF suspensions were lower than the unmodified UF. High relative crosslink density compared to the unmodified UF was found for one sample, which correlated well with lower overall moisture sorption. Higher relative crosslink density of cured UF resin plaques appeared to be an indicator of lower moisture uptake. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 4222–4229, 2006
Foot and Leg Problems

Metatarsus Adductus Forefoot adduction, a common deformity in infants, can present a spectrum of severity. Unfortunately, the terminology used in the literature is confusing. Congenital metatarsus adductus is an intrauterine postural deformity of the forefoot. Congenital metatarsus varus is an intrauterine subluxation of the tarsometatarsal joint, with adduction of the metatarsals. The distinction is important because metatarsus adductus usually corrects spontaneously, whereas metatarsus varus will progress without active intervention. INCIDENCE AND ETIOLOGY Metatarsus varus occurs in about 1 per 1000 live births. There is no definable inheritance pattern. The risk of a second occurrence within a family is about 1 in 20. Pathogenesis has been studied by dissecting the feet of stillborn infants. This supports the concept of medial subluxation of the tarsometatarsal joints occurring while the foot is dorsiflexed. Adaptive changes of the bone and soft tissues occur secondarily. The incidence of congenital metatarsus adductus is unknown but is far more frequent than 1 per 1000 live births. The etiology is presumed to be a "packaging problem," with the forefoot compressed into adduction. Greater utilization and expertise with fetal ultrasound will help resolve these issues. DIAGNOSIS In congenital metatarsus adductus, the forefoot easily can be corrected passively to line up parallel to the heel and frequently can be overcorrected into abduction.
An Attenuated CMV Vaccine with a Deletion in Tegument Protein GP83 (pp65 Homolog) Protects against Placental Infection and Improves Pregnancy Outcome in a Guinea Pig Challenge Model.

Aim: Congenital human CMV (HCMV) infection can lead to long-term neurodevelopmental sequelae, including mental retardation and sensorineural hearing loss. Preconception vaccine strategies relevant to the prevention of HCMV-mediated injury to the newborn can be studied in the Guinea pig CMV (GPCMV) model. The objectives of this study were: to assess in Guinea pigs the protective efficacy against congenital infection and disease of a recombinant live, attenuated vaccine with a targeted deletion of the GPCMV homolog of the HCMV pUL83 tegument protein, GP83; and to compare the extent of placental infection in vaccine and control groups using an in situ hybridization assay. Materials & methods: Outbred Hartley Guinea pigs were vaccinated prior to pregnancy with a two-dose series of 5 × 104 PFU of vAM409, a GP83 deletion virus. Deletion of the GP83 gene resulted in an attenuated virus, and vAM409-vaccinated animals did not demonstrate evidence of DNAemia following vaccination, although ELISA antibody responses ...
Circulating antioxidant concentrations in children with inflammatory bowel disease.

The mechanisms by which inflammatory bowel disease causes chronic injury to the gastrointestinal tract are poorly understood. To determine whether antioxidant de- fenses might be altered, we evaluated plasma antioxidant con- centrations in 24 children with inflammatory bowel disease (12 with Crohn disease and 12 with ulcerative colitis) and in 23 healthy control subjects. Anthropometric measurements and disease activity scores were obtained. The groups were of similar age and sex distribution; most children had quiescent or mild disease. The children with Crohn disease were malnour- ished compared with the ulcerative colitis and control groups. Children with inflammatory bowel disease had decreased plasma ascorbic acid and increased glutathione peroxidase, glutathione, and a-tocopherol (vitamin E) concentrations com- pared with control subjects. These differences were found pri- manly in the children with Crohn disease. This study provides evidence that children with Crohn disease have alterations in circulating antioxidant defenses, possibly related to an ongoing oxidant stress. Am J Clin Nutr 1997;65:1482-8.
Electronic structure of the hydroxo and methoxo oxometalate anions MO3(OH)- and MO3(OCH3)- (M = Cr, Mo, and W).

The electronic structure of the mononuclear hydroxo MO3(OH)- and methoxo MO3(OCH3)- Group 6 oxometalate anions (M = Cr, Mo, and W) were examined by photodetachment photoelectron spectroscopy and electronic structure calculations at the density functional and CCSD(T) levels of theory. All of the anions exhibited high electron binding energies (>4.9 eV), with the lowest-energy detachment features arising from oxygen 2p-based orbitals. The combined experimental and theoretical results allowed the change in molecular orbital energy levels to be investigated as a function of metal (Cr, Mo, or W) and ligand (−OH, −OCH3). A number of fundamental thermodynamic properties of the anions and corresponding neutrals were predicted on the basis of the theoretical calculations. The calculations indicate high O−H bond dissociation energies for MO2(OR)(O−H) (R = H, CH3) and MO3(O−H), consistent with their high Bronsted acidities (just below that of H2SO4 in the gas phase) and the high ionization energies of their conjugat...
Teachers and Librarians Collaborate: Teaching About Family and Community Through Children’s Literature

Through the use of children’s books about family and community, students have opportunities to learn about people, culture, traditions, values, and everyday lives similar to and different from their own. A Children’s Special Collection Librarian and a teacher educator worked together to help teachers use Patricia Polacco's books to teach about family and community, and enable students to explore realistic and memorable examples of the cultures of diverse peoples within their own community.
Impact of Patient Language Proficiency and Interpreter Service Use on the Quality of Psychiatric Care: A Systematic Review

Objective This literature review examined the effects of patients' limited English proficiency and use of professional and ad hoc interpreters on the quality of psychiatric care. Methods PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) were systematically searched for English-language publications from inception of each database to April 2009. Reference lists were reviewed, and expert sources were consulted. Among the 321 articles identified, 26 met inclusion criteria: peer-reviewed articles reporting primary data on clinical care for psychiatric disorders among patients with limited proficiency in English or in the provider's language. Results Evaluation in a patient's nonprimary language can lead to incomplete or distorted mental status assessment. Although both untrained and trained interpreters may make errors, untrained interpreters' errors may have greater clinical impact, compromising diagnostic accuracy and clinicians' detection of disordered thought or delusional content. Use of professional interpreters may improve disclosure in patient-provider communications, referral to specialty care, and patient satisfaction. Conclusions Little systematic research has addressed the impact of language proficiency or interpreter use on the quality of psychiatric care in contemporary U.S. settings. Findings are insufficient to inform evidence-based guidelines for improving quality of care among patients with limited English proficiency. Clinicians should be aware of the ways in which quality of care can be compromised when they evaluate patients in a nonprimary language or use an interpreter. Given U.S. demographic trends, future research should help guide practice and policy by addressing deficits in the evidence base.
A Comparison of Various Shell Treatments in Maintaining the Quality of Washed Eggs

Abstract THE emphasis on high quality eggs by many marketing agencies along with increasing awareness of egg quality by consumers has created a renewed interest in shell treatment of eggs. During the past few years some method of shell treatment has become an important part of many of the “quality egg” programs of numerous chain stores, marketing agencies and large individual producers. Oils of different kinds have been used for many years as an aid in maintaining the quality of shell eggs. Spamer (1931) reported that as early as 1807, Dutch farmers used linseed oil to preserve eggs. Funk (1948) reviewed the literature regarding oil treatment and other methods of maintaining quality of shell eggs to that time. Grant (1948) stated that eggs should have an internal temperature of 50 to 70°F. at the time of oiling. Koonz and Kauffman (1950) found oil penetration was greater when the eggs were warm…
Using imaging and genetics in zebrafish to study developing spinal circuits in vivo

Imaging and molecular approaches are perfectly suited to young, transparent zebrafish (Danio rerio), where they have allowed novel functional studies of neural circuits and their links to behavior. Here, we review cutting-edge optical and genetic techniques used to dissect neural circuits in vivo and discuss their application to future studies of developing spinal circuits using living zebrafish. We anticipate that these experiments will reveal general principles governing the assembly of neural circuits that control movements. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2008
Enhancement of Neurotransmitter Release Induced by Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Cultured Hippocampal Neurons

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), like other neurotrophins, has long-term effects on neuronal survival and differentiation; furthermore, recent work has shown that BDNF also can induce rapid changes in synaptic efficacy. We have investigated the mechanism(s) of these synaptic effects on cultured embryonic hippocampal neurons. In the presence of the GABAA receptor antagonist, picrotoxin, the application of BDNF (100 ng/ml) for 1-5 min increased the amplitude of evoked synaptic currents by 48 +/- 9% in 10 of 15 pairs of neurons and increased the frequency of EPSC bursts to 205 +/- 20% of the control levels. There was no detectable effect of BDNF on various measures of electrical excitability, including the resting membrane potential, input resistance, action potential threshold, and action potential amplitude. In addition, BDNF did not change the postsynaptic currents induced by the exogenous application of glutamate. BDNF did increase the frequency of miniature EPSCs (mEPSCs) (268.0 +/- 46.8% of control frequency), however, without affecting the mEPSC amplitude. The effect of BDNF on mEPSC frequency was blocked by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor K252a and also by the removal of extracellular calcium ([Ca2+]o). Fura-2 recordings showed that BDNF elicited an increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]c). This effect was dependent on [Ca2+]o; it was blocked by K252a and by thapsigargin, but not by caffeine. The results demonstrate that BDNF enhances glutamatergic synaptic transmission at a presynaptic locus and that this effect is accompanied by a rise in [Ca2+]c that requires the release of Ca2+ from IP3-gated stores.
The controlled assembly of microcosmic communities: the selective extinction hypothesis.

Forty communities were assembled through the controlled inoculation of algae, protozoans and a rotifer according to either of 2 distinct introduction schedules. These introduction schedules were constructed such that species reinvaded on average either every 6 or 8 w. Ten of the 20 beakers experiencing each invasion schedule contained 300 ml of media; the remaining beakers in each invasion category contained 100 ml of media. Species richness consistently increased throughout the initial 4 w and 7 w of the experiment for the low and high invasion rate beakers, respectively. The numbers of species in the low rate beakers were uncorrelated with time during the last half of the experiment; however, species richness gradually declined during this period in the high rate beakers. The extinction rate is shown to be disproportionately higher for large organisms in the small microcosms. Such “selective extinction” is consistent with the MacArthur-Wilson equilibrium model.
A TALE OF TWO STUDIES: THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ROLE MODELING AS AN INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT EDUCATION

Role modeling is among the instructional strategies practiced by outstanding community college faculty across academic disciplines. Teaching methodology is valued as much as subject content. Showing students how to learn for themselves is as important as telling them what is important to learn. Anecdotal references, reflections, and observations presuppose role modeling's significant potential, impact, and influence. Is role modeling an effective instructional strategy in business management education? The purpose of this article is to discuss the effectiveness of role modeling as an instructional strategy in business management education in terms of students’ performance and their instructor's performance. To that end, two studies were conducted. The first study's findings were unexpected, but questionable. The findings of the second study raised a critical question for practitioners: Why would a practical instructor invest scarce resources in role modeling without the prospect of an optimal return? A co...
Solid Phase Heteroepitaxy of Barium Ferrite on Sapphire

A new process for the crystallization of amorphous films on chemically dissimilar substrates, solid phase heteroepitaxy (SPHE), is described. Unlike SPE in Si, it is found that the kinetics can be modeled by nucleation and multi-dimensional growth with Johnson-Mehl kinetics modified for the effects of a finite film thickness and nucleation initiated at the interface with the substrate.
INTERFRAME CODING OF CANONICAL PATCHES FOR LOW BIT-RATE MOBILE AUGMENTED REALITY

Local features are widely used for content-based image retrieval and augmented reality applications. Typically, feature descriptors are calculated from the gradients of a canonical patch around a repeatable keypoint in the image. In this paper, we propose a temporally coherent keypoint detector and design efficient interframe predictive coding techniques for canonical patches and keypoint locations. In the proposed system, we strive to transmit each patch with as few bits as possible by simply modifying a previously transmitted patch. This enables server-based mobile augmented reality where a continuous stream of salient information, sufficient for image-based retrieval and localization, can be sent over a wireless link at a low bit-rate. Experimental results show that our technique achieves a similar image matching performance at 1/15 of the bit-rate when compared to detecting keypoints independently frame-by-frame and allows performing streaming mobile augmented reality at low bit-rates of about 20–50 kbps, practical for today's wireless links.
Beam engineering for selective and enhanced coupling to multipolar resonances

The ability to control multipolar light-matter interactions in metamaterials and other photonic systems has traditionally relied on engineering the physical properties of the resonators. In this paper, the authors follow the reverse approach. By tailoring the optical beam that illuminates a spherical nanoparticle, they demonstrate selective and enhanced coupling to the optical modes excited on the nanoparticle.
Rebalancing the Fourth Amendment

Fourth Amendment decisions primarily rely on balancing tests. None of these tests account for the fundamental flaw that skews the balance in these cases. The Fourth Amendment aims to protect the privacy of all individuals against government intrusion but is always presented to courts by a criminal defendant whose hands are dirty. Thus, when a court considers a balance of privacy interests against a government’s interest in effective law enforcement, the government wins almost every time. Without mitigation of the central weakness in Fourth Amendment balancing — that a criminal defendant is protecting the rights of all of society — these constitutional inquiries fail to protect broader privacy rights and equal protection interests implicated by the Fourth Amendment.This Article takes an in-depth look at this fundamental flaw with an original and comprehensive analysis of Supreme Court cases and proposes a new model of the Fourth Amendment that alleviates this problem. This Article reveals that since 1990 the Supreme Court sided with government interests in approximately 8 out of 10 criminal procedure cases. It also discovers that parties fail to present data to courts, which leaves courts lacking appropriate information. This leads to what I refer to as “blind balancing.” Indeed, blind balancing demonstrates several dangers — specifically common sense errors, inconsistences between similar cases, and reliance on hypothetical threats. After identifying these problems, this Article considers a new model for the Fourth Amendment. This model envisions a major shift in Fourth Amendment balancing towards considering broader statistical data and facts to inform decisions and educate courts to consider not only the defendant before them but the rights of society implicated in every case.
Time From HIV Diagnosis to Viral Load Suppression: 2007-2013

In 2012, US Health Resources and Service Administration recommended that all persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection receive antiretroviral treatment (ART), regardless of their CD4 lymphocyte count (Table 1).5 That change in treatment guidelines was adopted in the face of new evidence that early ART improves patients’ health and has the potential to diminish HIV transmission.6,7 The emphasis on early treatment codified in the guidelines is also evident in the US National HIV/AIDS Strategy, and the more recent HIV Care Continuum Initiative.8 All of these documents focus on the HIV care continuum—the sequential steps from HIV diagnosis, to linkage and retention in care, ART initiation, and viral suppression9–12—and all emphasize the importance of identifying persons with HIV infection shortly after HIV acquisition and rapidly achieving the goal of viral suppression. TABLE 1 ART Initiation Recommendation Issued by “Department of Health & Human Services” (2006–2012)1–4 We previously published data on the HIV care continuum in King County, WA, demonstrating that 67% to 75% of all diagnosed persons with HIV infection are virally suppressed.13,14 This cross-sectional evaluation is a measure of the success of the HIV prevention and care system in King County, but provides relatively little insight into the system’s success in meeting the needs of persons with recently diagnosed HIV infection, and accelerating progress along the HIV care continuum. Here we present data on trends in the time from diagnosis to viral suppression among persons diagnosed as having HIV infection in King County, WA, from 2007 to 2013, demonstrating that our local care system has rapidly responded to new scientific evidence, treatment guidelines, and public health initiatives that emphasize early linkage to care and initiation of ART.
Aufidius Priscus, the 'cohors Secunda Galatarum' and Diocletian's re-organization of 'Arabia' and 'Palaestina¡: the new tetrarchic inscription from 'Ayn Gharandal

On June 17, 2013, the ‘Ayn Gharandal Archaeological Project found a large Latin inscription resting face-down directly above the collapsed arch stones of the main gate of the Late Roman fort (figs. 1–2). Once lifted, the inscribed face of the block was found caked with sand, obscuring any details save for the borders of a carved tabula ansata and one or two letters of its text which still bore traces of red paint, to preserve which the stone was transfered, by permission of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan, directly to the conservation laboratory of the American Center of Oriental Research in Amman, where it has been consolidated (fig. 3).
Effects of Varying Epoch Lengths, Wear Time Algorithms, and Activity Cut-Points on Estimates of Child Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity from Accelerometer Data

Objective To examine the effects of accelerometer epoch lengths, wear time (WT) algorithms, and activity cut-points on estimates of WT, sedentary behavior (SB), and physical activity (PA). Methods 268 7–11 year-olds with BMI ≥ 85th percentile for age and sex wore accelerometers on their right hips for 4–7 days. Data were processed and analyzed at epoch lengths of 1-, 5-, 10-, 15-, 30-, and 60-seconds. For each epoch length, WT minutes/day was determined using three common WT algorithms, and minutes/day and percent time spent in SB, light (LPA), moderate (MPA), and vigorous (VPA) PA were determined using five common activity cut-points. ANOVA tested differences in WT, SB, LPA, MPA, VPA, and MVPA when using the different epoch lengths, WT algorithms, and activity cut-points. Results WT minutes/day varied significantly by epoch length when using the NHANES WT algorithm (p < .0001), but did not vary significantly by epoch length when using the ≥ 20 minute consecutive zero or Choi WT algorithms. Minutes/day and percent time spent in SB, LPA, MPA, VPA, and MVPA varied significantly by epoch length for all sets of activity cut-points tested with all three WT algorithms (all p < .0001). Across all epoch lengths, minutes/day and percent time spent in SB, LPA, MPA, VPA, and MVPA also varied significantly across all sets of activity cut-points with all three WT algorithms (all p < .0001). Conclusions The common practice of converting WT algorithms and activity cut-point definitions to match different epoch lengths may introduce significant errors. Estimates of SB and PA from studies that process and analyze data using different epoch lengths, WT algorithms, and/or activity cut-points are not comparable, potentially leading to very different results, interpretations, and conclusions, misleading research and public policy.
The Development of a Technique for the Measurement of Social-Emotional Climate in Classrooms

Rationale.--In the study1 proper a brief over view of current theories of learning from the associationist and field-theorist point of view precedes a statement of the major concepts, gleaned largely from the field-theorists, that guide the study. Certain postulates regarding the motivational factors in personality and re garding learning conditions are proposed. The primary motivational force of human behavior is postulated to be a drive toward self-actual ization. This drive is said to be influenced by:
Cutaneous melanoma metastatic to the vitreous cavity.

Purpose A clinical case of a postoperative sympathetic ophthalmia is presented and its response to the monoclonal antibody infliximab. Patients A 61-year-old woman. Results The treatment with prednisone, cyclosporine, azathioprine, and mycophenolate mofetil did not completely control the loss of visual acuity caused by the disease. Monthly intravenous infusions of infliximab (5 mg/kg) significantly improved the condition of the patient, allowing the cyclosporine and azathioprine to be withdrawn and the prednisone to be reduced to 10 mg/d. Conclusion The use of the immunosuppressive drug infliximab in combination with prednisone improved the prognosis of a patient suffering from sympathetic ophthalmia. The reported effectiveness of infliximab in the treatment of T lymphocyte-mediated diseases suggests that it could be used earlier in cases of sympathetic ophthalmia when treatment with corticosteroids must be shortened.
Survival of Eggs of Eretmapodites Chrysogaster Graham (Diptera: Culicidae)

Studies on egg survival in the African mosquito Eretmapodites chrysogaster showed that about half of the from 10- and 17-day-old colonies survived 5 days of desiccation after maturation, but only about 25% of the eggs from a 24- day colony survived drying for this period. However, a larger proportion of the eggs from the older females was capable of surviving 20 days of dry storage. This was more marked in eggs of the third oviposition than in those of the first oviposition from old females. The younger females produced more viable eggs. As the age of the eggs increased, the duration of the hatching period decreased. The relatively limited ability of the eggs to survive in dry containers may nevertheless represent an important dry season survival mechanism when occasional showers permit intermittent breeding.
A Comparison of Surface- and Standard Penetration Test-Derived Shear-Wave Velocity

Shear wave velocity ( V s ) values calculated from Standard Penetration Tests (SPTs) and from multi-channel analysis of surface waves (MASW) are consistent in their prediction of V s . This analysis was based upon SPT and MASW data from 10 localities representing four different depositional environments across North America. Homogeneous deposits tend to produce the closest agreement between MASW- and SPT-derived V s . Poorly sorted deposits can predict less consistent agreement between MASW- and SPT-derived V s . Further, at depths of greater than 20 m below grade, based upon the testing geometry within this work, the prediction of V s between the two methods can differ.
Advance in ColV Plasmid of Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli

ColV plasmid is one of the significant virulence plasmid in avian pathogenic Escherichia coli(APEC),which can code virulence gene such as colicin V,serum resistance,iron uptake system and so on that correlate with pathopoiesis of APEC.Although the studing of avian colibacillosis was extensive,but its exact pathopoiesis was still needed to study further.It was discussed in this paper the relation between ColV plasmid and avian colibacillosis,and expounded respectively the relationship of the three phaenotype of the ColV plasmid with the virulence of the APEC.Illuminating the effect of the ColV plasmid in the process of pathopoiesis would provide a new approach to prevent and cure the avian colibacillosis.
Analysis of Depression and Anxiety in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease(COPD) and to analyze the possible impact factors.Methods: Sixty-two patients with COPD were measured with Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HAD).Results: Fourty-two(67.7%) patients had depressive symptom,and 43 cases(69.3%) had anxiety symptom.There were 13 patients who had significant depression and anxiety symptoms from 14 patients with III-level-COPD.From logistic-regression analysis model,we found that males had more risk of depression/anxiety symptoms than females(OR 1.05,95%CI1.01~2.11,1.12,95%CI 1.03~2.23,respectively) and the risk of depression/anxiety symptoms was 2.34/2.53 times greater for patients with severe COPD than those for mild(OR 2.34,95%CI 1.98~3.21,2.53,95%CI 2.11~4.01,respectively).Meanwhile,the patients who knew more about their disease had more risk of depression/anxiety symptom than those who knew less(OR 1.22,95%CI 0.98~1.54,1.25,95%CI 1.01~2.31,respectively).Conclusion: There is a high prevalence rate of depression/anxiety symptom in patients with COPD and the degree of lung function impairment is the important impact factor.
Glutathione Instability in Normal Blood

Studies have been carried out in vitro to determine whether normal erythrocytes may be made to appear glutathione unstable. Results demonstrate that constant agitation in air or oxygen will cause a drop in reduced glutathione upon incubation of normal blood with an oxidant drug in concentrations which have no significant effect during quiet incubation. The results are consistent with the fact that drug-induced hemolysis may be seen in nonsensitive individuals and that sensitive individuals may have a mild hemolytic state without exogenous drug.
Type II White-Band Disease

Epizootics of type II white-band disease (WBD II) can be confused with type I white-band disease (WBD I) and with bleaching. The only well documented cases of WBD II have been on Acropora cervicornis from the Bahamas, but descriptive reports indicate that it may be widespread. WBD n begins as a bleaching margin which pre­cedes a necrotic margin. The bleaching margin usually progresses at a faster rate than the necrotic margin and can arrest, allowing the necrotic margin to catch up. In this case, the disease has the appearance of WBD I. Living polyps are found in the bleached zone although recovery has not been observed. A. bacterium, similar to Vibrio charcharia is always isolated from the surface mucapolysaccharide layers (SML) of the bleached zone, but not from the SML of unbleached areas.
Deconstruction of the α4β2 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Positive Allosteric Modulator Desformylflustrabromine

Desformylflustrabromine (dFBr; 1), perhaps the first selective positive allosteric modulator of α4β2 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine (nACh) receptors, was deconstructed to determine which structural features contribute to its actions on receptors expressed in Xenopus ooycytes using two-electrode voltage clamp techniques. Although the intact structure of 1 was found to be optimal, several deconstructed analogs retained activity. Neither the 6-bromo substituent nor the entire 2-position chain is required for activity. In particular, reduction of the olefinic side chain of 1, as seen with 6, not only resulted in retention of activity/potency but in enhanced selectivity for α4β2 versus α7 nACh receptors. Pharmacophoric features for the allosteric modulation of α4β2 nACh receptors by 1 were identified.
Multilayer Heterojunction Anodes for Saline Wastewater Treatment: Design Strategies and Reactive Species Generation Mechanisms.

Multilayer heterojunction SbSn/CoTi/Ir anodes, which consist of Ir0.7Ta0.3O2 bottom layers coated onto a titanium base, Co-TiO2 interlayers, and overcoated discrete Sb-SnO2 islands, were prepared by spray pyrolysis. The Ir0.7Ta0.3O2 bottom layer serves as an Ohmic contact to facilitate electron transfer from semiconductor layers to the Ti base. The Co-TiO2 interlayer and overcoated Sb-SnO2 islands enhance the evolution of reactive chlorine. The surficial Sb-SnO2 islands also serve as the reactive sites for free radical generation. Experiments coupled with computational kinetic simulations show that while ·OH and Cl· are initially produced on the SbSn/CoTi/Ir anode surface, the dominant radical formed in solution is the dichlorine radical anion, Cl2·–. The steady-state concentration of reactive radicals is 10 orders of magnitude lower than that of reactive chlorine. The SbSn/CoTi/Ir anode was applied to electrochemically treat human wastewater. These test results show that COD and NH4+ can be removed after...
Strengthening international cooperation

Climate change threatens us all; therefore, we must bridge old divides and build new partnerships to meet this great challenge of our time . US President Barack Obama (2009) There are two fundamental political economy facts that must be taken into account in efforts to address climate change through international cooperation: Climate change mitigation through reductions in GHG emissions is a global public good. The benefits of mitigation are thus available to all countries, regardless of whether they participate in the mitigation efforts. Because the international nation-state system is highly decentralized and generally lacking in formalized enforcement mechanisms, it is a challenge to gain participation and compliance in international climate change agreements. It is therefore tempting for countries to be free riders through non-participation and/or non-compliance, and these core conditions pose formidable obstacles to the achievement of environmentally effective, economically efficient, and politically viable international agreements. Yet, progress in the development of an international climate regime has nevertheless been made incrementally over more than two decades. In order to understand the evolution of the system and the constraints on it, it is necessary to consider some key issues and the context in which they are addressed. As we have seen in the previous two chapters, international issues overlap with regulating emissions (Chapter 5) and advancing technologies (Chapter 6); but in addition, there is a wide range of other international issues – including institution-building, financing adaptation and mitigation projects in developing countries, and monitoring, reporting, and verifying emissions and mitigation actions.
Introduction to partial differential equation integration in space and time

Introduction The analysis of biomedical systems using mathematical models expressed as partial differential equations (PDEs) is the central theme of this book. This is done not with mathematical analysis such as theorems and proofs, but rather, through example applications to illustrate computational methods for the numerical solution of the model equations, and the details of implementing these numerical methods in computer codes. Example applications are taken from the recent literature: antibody binding kinetics, acidmediated tumor growth, retinal O 2 transport, hemodialyzer dynamics, epidermal wound healing, drug distribution from a polymer matrix. Each chapter covers a self-contained example. The numerical solution of the model equations is through a single, well-established procedure for PDEs, the method of lines (MOL), which has been applied to all of the major classes of PDE (parabolic, hyperbolic, and elliptic). Basically, the spatial derivatives in the PDEs are replaced with algebraic approximations; in the present book, the approximations are finite differences (FDs) although other approximations could easily be accommodated within the MOL format, e.g., finite elements, finite volumes, spectral methods, Galerkin methods such as collocation. The final result is a set of routines that implement the MOL calculations for each particular application; the format of these routines is the same throughout the set of applications.
Liquid metal actuation by electrical control of interfacial tension

By combining metallic electrical conductivity with low viscosity, liquid metals and liquid metal alloys offer new and exciting opportunities to serve as reconfigurable components of electronic, microfluidic, and electromagnetic devices. Here, we review the physics and applications of techniques that utilize voltage to manipulate the interfacial tension of liquid metals; such techniques include electrocapillarity, continuous electrowetting, electrowetting-on-dielectric, and electrochemistry. These techniques lower the interfacial tension between liquid metals and a surrounding electrolyte by driving charged species (or in the case of electrochemistry, chemical species) to the interface. The techniques are useful for manipulating and actuating liquid metals at sub-mm length scales where interfacial forces dominate. We focus on metals and alloys that are liquid near or below room temperature (mercury, gallium, and gallium-based alloys). The review includes discussion of mercury—despite its toxicity—because it has been utilized in numerous applications and it offers a way of introducing several phenomena without the complications associated with the oxide layer that forms on gallium and its alloys. The review focuses on the advantages, applications, opportunities, challenges, and limitations of utilizing voltage to control interfacial tension as a method to manipulate liquid metals.
GSNO promotes functional recovery in experimental TBI by stabilizing HIF-1α

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes sustained disability due to compromised neurorepair mechanisms. Crucial to neurorepair and functional recovery following both TBI and stroke is hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α). Based on reports that HIF-1α could be stabilized via S-nitrosylation, we tested the hypothesis that the S-nitrosylating agent S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) would stabilize HIF-1α, thereby stimulating neurorepair mechanisms and aiding in functional recovery. TBI was induced by controlled cortical impact (CCI) in adult rats. GSNO (0.05mg/kg) was administered at two hours after CCI. The treatment was repeated daily until the 14th day after CCI. Functional recovery was assessed by motor and cognitive functions, and the recovery was compared with the expression of HIF-1α. The mechanisms of GSNO-mediated S-nitrosylation of HIF-1α were determined using brain endothelial cells. While non-treated TBI animals showed sustained neurobehavioral deficits, GSNO treatment of TBI improved neurobehavioral functions. GSNO also increased the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF. The beneficial effects of GSNO on neurobehavioral functions in TBI animals were blocked by treatment with the HIF-1α inhibitor 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME). The stimulatory effect of GSNO on VEGF was reversed not only by 2-ME but also by the denitrosylating agent dithiothreitol, confirming our hypothesis that GSNO's benefits are mediated by the stabilization of HIF-1α via S-nitrosylation. GSNO's S-nitrosylation of HIF-1α was further confirmed using a biotin switch assay in endothelial cells. The data provide evidence that GSNO treatment of TBI aids functional recovery through stabilizing HIF-1α via S-nitrosylation. GSNO is a natural component of the human brain/body, and its exogenous administration has not shown adverse effects in humans. Therefore, the translational potential of GSNO therapy in TBI is high.
Deployment of battery energy storage system for energy arbitrage applications

Modern electric power system is gradually evolving and is expected to be more reliable and efficient with two-way flow of information and electricity between demand and supply. Energy storage system (ESS) is one of the most promising ideas to achieve this concept. It can provide a variety of applications from generation and transmission system to distribution and end-user side. This paper focuses on solving an independent optimization problem, maximizing energy arbitrage revenue. An investor company installs a BESS of specific ratings (defined by the MW and maximum hour of operation) and economic evaluation are performed, including leverage investment analysis and net present value calculation.