cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Numeral Phrases and Quantifier Phrases

In this chapter, I will consider the distribution of phrases containing numerals. I will argue that the distribution of certain numeral phrases is limited by gaps in morphological paradigms that have resulted from peculiarities of linguistic evolution. Thus, numerals which only have Nominative and Accusative nominal forms may only occur in positions that are marked with Nominative or Accusative case, regardless of the case mechanisms involved. The adjectival form of those numerals is used in case positions where no nominal numeral of the appropriate case is available, and conversely, in case positions for which there is no available adjectival form, only nominal numerals may occur.
Addressing Equity in Rural Schools: Opportunities and Challenges for School Meal Standards Implementation

BACKGROUND Few studies examine why rural public schools have weaker policies and practices related to school nutrition environments compared to their urban counterparts. It is important to understand this disparity because federal school meal standards aim for children to access health-promoting nutrition environments. In this study, we identify challenges and opportunities for the implementation of school meal standards in rural high schools. METHODS We interviewed 38 rural school professionals from 22 high schools across 7 states. School professionals included food service directors, principals, school nurses, and teachers. Team coding in Atlas.ti Qualitative Data Analysis software v8 and principles of comparative analysis were employed to generate themes related to challenges and opportunities. RESULTS Overall, school professionals described improvements with implementation experiences and student acceptance over time. Key challenges included the negative influences of home and community food environments and limited staff size and capacity. Key opportunities involved joining co-ops to enhance purchasing power, leveraging state technical assistance, and forming external partnerships. CONCLUSIONS This study offers insights from a broad range of rural school professionals' implementation experiences. The findings can inform governments and technical assistance agencies working with rural schools and school districts to facilitate implementation and sustainability of initiatives.
Contextualizing Mathematical Problem-Solving Instruction for Secondary Students with Extensive Support Needs: A Systematic Replication.

Replication research provides evidence to establish, refute, or support evidence-based practices. Systematic replications are also necessary to determine “what works for whom when.” The purpose of ...
Metrics for quantifying cognitive factors that may underlie individual variation in exoskeleton use

Individual differences in adaptation to exoskeletons have been observed, but are not well understood. Kinematic, kinetic, and physiologic factors are commonly used to assess these systems. Paramete...
Loft: An Automated Mesh Generator for Stiffened Shell Aerospace Vehicles

Loft is an automated mesh generation code that is designed for aerospace vehicle structures. From user input, Loft generates meshes for wings, noses, tanks, fuselage sections, thrust structures, and so on. As a mesh is generated, each element is assigned properties to mark the part of the vehicle with which it is associated. This property assignment is an extremely powerful feature that enables detailed analysis tasks, such as load application and structural sizing. This report is presented in two parts. The first part is an overview of the code and its applications. The modeling approach that was used to create the finite element meshes is described. Several applications of the code are demonstrated, including a Next Generation Launch Technology (NGLT) wing-sizing study, a lunar lander stage study, a launch vehicle shroud shape study, and a two-stage-to-orbit (TSTO) orbiter. Part two of the report is the program user manual. The manual includes in-depth tutorials and a complete command reference.
Correlates of Perceived Pain-Related Restrictions among Women with Fibromyalgia

Objective. To identify correlates of perceived pain-related restrictions in a community sample of women with fibromyalgia. Method. The fibromyalgia group was composed of white women with a self-reported, physician-given fibromyalgia diagnosis ( N = 238) from the Biopsychosocial Religion and Health Study (BRHS). BRHS respondents had participated in the larger Adventist Health Study-2. To identify associations with pain-related restrictions, we used hierarchical linear regression. The outcome measure was subjects' pain-related restrictions (one SF-12 version 2 item). Predictors included age, education, body mass index (BMI), sleep apnea, and fibromyalgia treatment in the last year, as well as standardized measures for trauma, major life stress, depression, and hostility. To better interpret the findings, pain-related restrictions also were predicted in women with osteoarthritis and no fibromyalgia. Results. Women with fibromyalgia reporting the more severe pain-related restrictions were those who had experienced trauma accompanied by physical pain, were older, less educated, more depressed, more hostile, had high BMI scores, and had been treated for fibromyalgia in the last 12 months (adjusted R 2 = 0.308). Predictors in women with osteoarthritis were age, BMI, treatment in the last 12 months, experience of a major life stressor, and greater depression symptom severity (adjusted R 2 = 0.192). Conclusions. In both groups, age, BMI, treatment in the last 12 months, and depression predicted pain-related restrictions. Experience of a traumatic event with physical pain was the strongest predictor in the fibromyalgia group. These findings may be useful in constructing novel treatments and prevention strategies for pain-related morbidity in fibromyalgia patients.
A constrained baum-welch algorithm for improved phoneme segmentation and efficient training.

We describe an extension to the Baum-Welch algorithm for training Hidden Markov Models that uses explicit phoneme segmentation to constrain the forward and backward lattice. The HMMs trained with this algorithm can be shown to improve the accuracy of automatic phoneme segmentation. In addition, this algorithm is significantly more computationally efficient than the full BaumWelch algorithm, while producing models that achieve equivalent accuracy on a standard phoneme recognition task.
Response of an Elastic Plate to Surface Loads and Buried Dislocation Sources

The response of an elastic plate to sources of acoustic emission is a problem of current interest in the development of nondestructive inspection methods. So far the two main approaches that have been used to calculate the response are the ray theory and the normal mode technique. In this paper we present another method based on a classical integral transform technique. Working in the frequency domain, the spectral response is computed by summing the residues at the roots of the Rayleigh-Lamb spectrum. An FFT inversion gives the transient response of the plate.
Die wichtigsten Bakteriengruppen

Obgleich man von hoheren Organismen mit Recht sagen kann, das sich im Grunde nicht einmal zwei Individuen vollkommen gleichen, gilt nichtsdestoweniger, das solche Individuen Gruppen sehr ahnlicher Typen zu bilden pflegen. Daruber hinaus besteht zwischen zwei Gruppen im allgemeinen eine scharfe Diskontinuitat. Es ist allgemein ublich, eine solche Gruppe als eine „Species“ zu bezeichnen.
Clinical Trials and Race in the United States

This entry examines the issues surrounding minorities’ willingness to participate in research studies. This is an important topic because some data shows that minority groups are less willing to participate in health research than are non-Hispanic whites. At the same time, in order for clinical trials to be generalizable, participation from all groups is required. Without their participation, we will likely witness greater disparity in health outcomes. This topic is complex as it deals with a historical context of minorities’ past experiences with clinical research studies, but also with a growing body of data suggesting that possibly there are other barriers to participation besides willingness that result in minorities being underrepresented in research trials. Keywords: clinical trials; health access; medical experimentation; medical profession; race; racial disparities
Originalism and Emergencies: A Reply to Lawson

Professor Gary Lawson has written an illuminating response to our book, Terror in the Balance: "Security, Liberty and the Courts" (Oxford University Press 2007). Lawson's main thesis is that the original understanding of the Constitution supports what we call the judicial deference thesis - that courts should defer to the executive and legislative branches during emergencies. In this brief reply, we offer three claims. First, we express skepticism about whether there can be an overlapping consensus between originalists and nonoriginalists about judicial deference in times of crisis. Second, we affirmatively argue that if originalist adjudication is at all justified by reference to its consequences, then judges should be less originalist in emergencies than in normal times. Third, judges should also be less Burkean or traditionalist during emergencies than in normal times.
Digital Circuit Testing on a Network of Workstations

This paper presents preliminary results of research being conducted in the application of distributed/parallel algorithms to automatic test pattern generation for synchronous sequential circuits. The system is required to be portable across a wide variety of architectures -from workstations to dedicated parallel machines. This requirement necessitates the use of a parallel programming environment that provides a layer of abstraction between the application and the hardware. The first phase of the proposed system involves generation of circuit covers - input patterns that control the circuit outputs.
Need metaphoric comprehension take longer than literal comprehension

To determine if metaphoric comprehension necessarily depends upon a more complex process than literal comprehension, 120 subjects in six different experiments were asked to code a series of sentences into one of the following logical sentence categories: analytic, synthetic, contradictory, anomalous, and metaphoric. Prior to this task, all subjects were given practice in learning to code examples of each of the various categories. Results of the present set of experiments revealed few systematic differences among the various categories in RT and a high degree of consistency in coding patterns across both the learning and RT phases of the experiments. Although procedural variations introduced for purposes of control produced clear and easily understandable changes in RT, coding patterns were essentially unchanged across the various experiments, suggesting that none of the categories could be considered as logically more basic than any other. The results were discussed in terms of contemporary semantic theory, where it was suggested that metaphoric recognition need not be conceptualized as depending on a more inferential level of semantic processing than literal recognition and that future theories must be more context-sensitive than those currently in fashion.
Palynological evidence for the historic expansion of juniper and desert shrubs in Arizona, U.S.A.

Abstract Analysis of the sediment of Pecks Lake, Yavapai County, Arizona, has permitted the first reported palynological evidence for the historic expansion of juniper and desert shrubs in the American Southwest. The palynological evidence is supported by the comparison of modern and historical photographs, which shows the regional expansion of pinyon-juniper woodland, and the local increase of mesquite and creosote bush. A gradual increase in juniper pollen percentages began over 2000 years ago, but the rate of increase abruptly accelerated after the historic introduction of grazing animals. In contrast, juniper percentages did not increase during a prehistoric interval of intense disturbance by humans, about A.D. 1200, and a different weed flora was present. Prehistorically, water depth was greatest at ca. 600 B.C. and was lowest just prior to the arrival of Europeans. Regional climate has gradually cooled since the beginning of the record at 2630 B.P.
The Perceived Menace of Confessional Schools

Opponents of non-state schooling—especially faith-based schools—contend that society is fragile, constantly in danger of splintering along ethnic, social class, and religious lines, and that only the common public school operated by government can create national unity and mutual tolerance. Confessional schools are a constant threat to the national project and to social harmony, in this view. In fact, however, the concern that children and youth who attend confessional schools will be anti-social, intolerant, or disloyal has no serious empirical basis and has been discredited by both current research and historical experience. What is a danger to social peace is the effort to force all children into a single mold through a monopolistic system of state schooling. However good the intentions, this violates the most fundamental rights of parents and produces schools which, lacking flavor and character, are commonly ineffective as well.
Statins in elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome: an analysis of dose and class effects in typical practice

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of statins of different treatment intensity used to treat elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in typical care settings. Design: Retrospective cohort study using linked hospital and pharmacy claims data. Setting: Statewide pharmacy benefits programmes in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Participants: 18 311 Medicare patients discharged alive after ACS who received a prescription for a statin within 90 days of hospital discharge. Main outcome measures: Using multivariable and propensity-matched Cox proportional hazards regression models, patients who were prescribed high-intensity and moderate-intensity statins were compared based on the drug–dose combination that they initially received. Individual drug–dose combinations were also compared. Our primary outcome was the composite of all-cause death or recurrent ACS. Results: Patients who received moderate-intensity statins were as likely to experience a primary outcome as patients treated with high-intensity statins (adjusted HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.08). Propensity matching did not change the results. Individually, all moderate-intensity statins were as effective as high-intensity atorvastatin with the exception of lovastatin (adjusted HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.36). Similarly, all high-intensity statins seem as effective as high-intensity atorvastatin but the CIs surrounding these estimates were wide. Conclusions: This analysis of elderly patients with ACS treated in typical care settings does not demonstrate the superiority of high-intensity over moderate-intensity statin treatment or significant differences among individual statins.
Nanostructured mesoporous silica wires with intrawire lamellae via evaporation-induced self-assembly in space-confined channels

Evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) of silica sol-gel ethanol-water solution mixtures with block-copolymer were studied inside uniform micro/nano-channels. Nanostructured mesoporous silica wires, with various intrawire self-assembly structures including lamellae, were prepared via EISA process but in space-confined channels with the diameter ranging from 50 nm to 200 nm. Membranes made of anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) and track-etched polycarbonate (EPC) were utilized as the arrays of space-confined channels (i.e., 50, 100, and 200 nm EPC and 200 nm AAO) for infiltration and drying of mixture solutions; these substrate membranes were submerged in mixture solutions consisting of a silica precursor, a structure-directing agent, ethanol, and water. After the substrate channels were filled with the solution under vacuum impregnation, the membrane was removed from the solution and dried in air. The silica precursor used was tetraethyl othosilicate (TEOS), and the structure-directing agent employed was triblock copolymer Pluronic-123 (P123). It was found that the formation of the mesoporous nanostructures in silica wires within uniform channels were significantly affected by the synthesis conditions including (1) preassemble TEOS aging time, (2) the evaporation rate during the vacuum impregnation, and (3) the air-dry temperature. The obtained intrawire structures, including 2D hexagonal rods and lamellae, were studied by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). A steric hindrance effect seems to explain well the observed polymer-silica mesophase formation tailored by TEOS aging time. The evaporation effect, air-drying effect, and AAO versus EPC substrate effect on the mesoporous structure of the formed silica wires were also presented and discussed.
Eat your peas

Should you follow your heart, or follow instructions? There are times when people should listen to that little voice inside their head, and there are times when they should listen to the voice of authority. The difficulty lies in distinguishing the two. Copyright held by creator.
Nonlinear optical absorption and refraction of epitaxial Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 thin films on (001) MgO substrates

Highly epitaxial Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 (BST) ferroelectric thin films were fabricated on (001) MgOsubstrates by pulsed laser deposition. The nonlinear optical absorption coefficients (β) and refraction indices (γ) of the BST thin films on (001) MgO substrates were investigated using the single beam Z-scan technique with femtosecond laser pulses at the wavelengths of 790 nm and 395 nm, respectively, at room temperature. The nonlinear absorption coefficients of BST thin films were measured to be ∼0.087 cm/GW and ∼0.77 cm/GW at 790 nm and 395 nm, respectively. The nonlinear refraction indices of BST thin films exhibit a strong dispersion from a positive value of 6.1×10-5 cm2/GW at 790 nm to a negative value of -4.0×10-5 cm2/GW at 395 nm near band gap. The dispersion of γ is roughly consistent with Sheik-Bahae’s theory for the bound electronic nonlinear refraction resulting from the two-photon resonance. These results show that the BST film is a promising material as a candidate for nonlinear optical applications.
A Study in the Prediction of Motor Rhythmic Performance of School Children

* Recommended by George D. Stoddard, accepted for publication by Carl Murchison of the Editorial Board, and received in the Editorial Office, December 5, 1932.
Possible correlation between blood glucose concentration and the reduced scattering coefficient of tissues in the near infrared

Tissue glucose levels affect the refractive index of the extracellular fluid. The difference in refractive index between the extracellular fluid and the cellular components plays a role in determining the reduced scattering coefficient (micro(s)') of tissue. Hence a physical correlation may exist between the reduced scattering coefficient and glucose concentration. We have designed and constructed a frequency-domain near-infrared tissue spectrometer capable of measuring the reduced scattering coefficient of tissue with enough precision to detect changes in glucose levels in the physiological and pathological range.
Mechanism and kinetics of oxygen reduction on steel

Abstract The mechanism of oxygen reduction on steel was determined as a function of the state of the surface. The steel/alkaline electrolyte interface was found to provide a particularly well defined electrochemical system for rotating ring/disc electrode (RRDE) studies which enabled the quantitative kinetic evaluation of separate reaction steps. Some relevant concepts and equations used in the interpretation of RRDE data were re-examined and/or derived. Measurements of the collection efficiency using the oxygen/peroxyl ion system have shown that the platinum ring commonly used in mechanistic studies of oxygen reduction catalyzes the chemical decomposition of peroxyl ions, thus leading to erroneous mechanistic determinations.
Preventing the loss of tensile, barrier and appearance properties caused by plasticiser crystallisation in whey protein films

Whey protein films plasticised with sucrose have excellent oxygen barrier properties and high gloss that are reduced with time as sucrose crystallises. Whey protein isolate (WPI) films plasticised with sucrose were stored in 53% relative humidity for up to 60 days. The oxygen permeability, tensile properties and gloss of the films were measured periodically following ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials) methodology. Changes in properties were compared with changes in WPI films plasticised with glycerol (no crystallisation) or plasticised with sucrose (crystallisation) plus a crystallisation inhibitor. The two inhibitors studied were lactose and raffinose. Crystallisation in WPI/sucrose films decreased tensile strength and elongation at break. However, the inhibitors hindered sucrose crystallisation, and the desired film properties were maintained for a longer period of time. Raffinose was the more effective inhibitor, maintaining the film flexibility and barrier properties for over 28 days and maintaining gloss at almost 90% of the initial value for 60 days of storage.
Measuring performance under a landscape approach to biodiversity conservation: the case of USAID/Madagascar

Under a ‘landscape approach’ to biodiversity conservation, USAID/Madagascar integrates by design concerns for forest resources and humans in five target ecoregions. This paper examines relationships between its strategic framework and how the mission reports results from development interventions between 1998 and 2002 in protected areas, multipurpose forests and agricultural lands. Development activities focused on expanding parks and reducing negative impacts by local communities. In contrast, a proposal for ecological monitoring provides opportunities for information sharing and consultation among stakeholders about biodiversity conditions under different land uses. The study recommends strengthening incentives for community participation by measuring positive change across human-modified landscapes.
Failure modes and fracture toughness in partially torn ligaments and tendons

Ligaments and tendons are commonly torn during injury, yet the likelihood that untreated initial tears could lead to further tearing or even full rupture has proven challenging to predict. In this work, porcine Achilles tendon and human anterior longitudinal ligament samples were tested using both standard fracture toughness methods and complex loading conditions. Failure modes for each of 14 distinct testing cases were evaluated using a total of 131 soft tissue tests. Results showed that these soft tissues were able to completely resist any further crack propagation of an initial tear, regardless of fiber orientation or applied loading condition. Consequently, the major concern for patients with tendon or ligament tears is likely not reduction in ultimate tissue strength due to stress risers at the tip of the tear, but rather a question of whether or not the remaining cross-section is large enough to support the anticipated loading.
Hot-electron picture of light emission from tunnel junctions

Metal-insulator-metal tunnel junctions emit optical radiation when biased at voltages in the range 2-4 V. We argue that a complete picture of this radiation process includes hot electrons, which excite surface electromagnetic resonances, which are in turn coupled to external radiation through surface roughness. This picture is supported by measurements of the temperature and second-metal-electrode thickness dependence of the emission intensities, and by light emission from surface plasmons excited by optical pumping and by charge injection.
Vacancy-defective intermediate phases

Abstract The Au-Zn γ1 phase is not vacancy-defective as predicted by prevailing alloy theory, even though there are considerably more than 88 electrons/unit cell at the phase boundary. On the other hand, Au-Zn-Cd γ1 alloys do become vacancy-defective, although a constant number of electrons/unit cell is not achieved. There is reasonable correlation between variations in lattice parameter, thermoelectric power, and the number of electrons/unit cell. A rigid band model is inadequate to explain the data.
Familial Chiari malformation: case series

Chiari malformations (Types I-IV) are abnormalities of the posterior fossa that affect the cerebellum, brainstem, and the spinal cord with prevalence rates of 0.1%-0.5%. Case reports of familial aggregation of Chiari malformation, twin studies, cosegregation of Chiari malformation with known genetic conditions, and recent gene and genome-wide association studies provide strong evidence of the genetic underpinnings of familial Chiari malformation. The authors report on a series of 3 family pairs with Chiari malformation Type I: 2 mother-daughter pairs and 1 father-daughter pair. The specific genetic causes of familial Chiari malformation have yet to be fully elucidated. The authors review the literature and discuss several candidate genes. Recent advances in the understanding of the genetic influences and pathogenesis of familial Chiari malformation are expected to improve management of affected patients and monitoring of at-risk family members.
Expression of the lymphotoxin beta receptor on follicular stromal cells in human lymphoid tissues.

The lymphotoxin β receptor (LTβR), and its ligand, LTα1β2, have been proposed to play a key role in the development and organization of lymphoid tissues. The LTβR is expressed on a variety of human primary and transformed cells, but strikingly absent on T or B lymphocytes and primary monocytes or peripheral dendritic cells, although LTβR is detected on some myeloid leukemic lines. In the developing thymus LTβR is prominent along the trabeculae and into the medulla upto corticomedullary junction. In the spleen, LTβR is prominently expressed by cells in the red pulp and along the borders of red and white pulp which colocalizes with reticular stromal cells. The LTβR is expressed on a human follicular dendritic cell line, FDC-1, and signals expression of CD54 when ligated with the LTα1β2 complex. These results support the concept that directional interactions between LTα1β2 bearing lymphocytes and LTβR bearing stromal cells are involved in the organization of lymphoid tissue.
A New Tandem Route to Angular Tetraquinanes. Synthesis of the Waihoensene Ring System

This paper describes a new tandem reaction sequence leading to angularly fused polyquinanes from squaric acid-derived bicyclo[6.3.0]undecadienediones. Such compounds undergo a dual Michael addition. The enolate form in the first intermolecular addition undergoes the second intramolecuar transannular addition to give the angular polyquinanes. A particularly interesting example is a catalytic transformation of cis-13-methylyricyclo[10.3.0.04,9]pentadeca-4(5),12(13)-diene-3,14-dione to (3R*,3aS*,5aR*,9aR*,11aR*)-3-methyl-1,2,3,5,5a,6,7,10,11,11a-decahydro-4H-pentaleno[6a,1-c]indene-2,10-dione, a compound having the tetracyclic ring system found in the natural product waihoensene. The mechanism and synthetic scope of these reactions are discussed.
Relationships between total-N, biomass-N and active-N in soil under different tillage and N fertilizer treatments

Studies assessing the effects of tillage and N fertilizer treatments on relationships between different N pools in soil can provide information concerning the influence of such treatments on the distribution of N in agricultural soils. To assess the effects of treatments on relationships between total-N, biomass-N and active-N in soil, these N pools were measured in samples of soil collected at different depths (0–2.5, 2.5–7.5 and 7.5–15 cm) from long-term field experiments located in two geographic regions (piedmont and coastal plain) and containing plots under annual treatments of plow-or no-tillage and 0 or 135 kg ha−1 of fertilizer N. Results showed that whereas geographic location, N fertilization and depth generally had little influence on the slopes of regression lines describing the linear relationships between total-N, biomass-N and active-N, tillage had a marked influence on these slopes. Such results indicated that tillage may substantially influence the distribution of N among different pools within agricultural soils. The overall results for linear regressions indicated that the active-N pool, as measured by an isotope-dilution method, was very closely related (r = 0.96) to the biomass-N pool, as measured by a fumigation-incubation method, but that measurements for the active-N pool were approximately twice those for the biomass-N pool. These observations suggested that such methods may measure a common pool of soil N, but place substantially different bounds on the size of this N pool.
Electrochemical quantum tunneling for electronic detection and characterization of biological toxins

This paper introduces a label-free, electronic biomolecular sensing platform for the detection and characterization of trace amounts of biological toxins within a complex background matrix. The mechanism for signal transduction is the electrostatic coupling of molecule bond vibrations to charge transport across an insulated electrode-electrolyte interface. The current resulting from the interface charge flow has long been regarded as an experimental artifact of little interest in the development of traditional charge based biosensors like the ISFET, and has been referred to in the literature as a "leakage current". However, we demonstrate by experimental measurements and theoretical modeling that this current has a component that arises from the rate-limiting transition of a quantum mechanical electronic relaxation event, wherein the electronic tunneling process between a hydrated proton in the electrolyte and the metallic electrode is closely coupled to the bond vibrations of molecular species in the electrolyte. Different strategies to minimize the effect of quantum decoherence in the quantized exchange of energy between the molecular vibrations and electron energy will be discussed, as well as the experimental implications of such strategies. Since the mechanism for the transduction of chemical information is purely electronic and does not require labels or tags or optical transduction, the proposed platform is scalable. Furthermore, it can achieve the chemical specificity typically associated with traditional micro-array or mass spectrometry-based platforms that are used currently to analyze complex biological fluids for trace levels of toxins or pathogen markers.
Behavior on Approach to Surface Prey by Larvae of Toxorhynchites amboinensis and T. brevipalpis (Diptera: Culicidae)

Behavior of Toxorhynchites amboinensis (Doleschall) and Toxorhynchites hrevipalpis (Theobald) larvae (starved 48 h) as they approach and capture surface prey is described quantitatively from videotaped records. Of 106 T. amboinensis and 82 T. brevipalpis larvae observed, 84.9 and 97.6%, respectively, responded to the presence of surface prey within 2 min (most <20 s ). Once they detected prey, larvae executed initial backward swims if prey was rearwardly positioned, then approached it in a series of undulatory forward swims with progressive adjustments of body angle so that the final movements were directly toward the prey. Swims consisted of an active phase, during which propulsive bodily flexions were made and a passive one of continued inertial drift after active motion had ceased. Quantitative changes in the nature of the swims in terms of interval separating active phases and also distances, times, and speeds throughout the approach sequence were analyzed from the video tapes. T. brevipalpis responded to the presence of prey more rapidly, captured prey in less time, and approached prey more rapidly, with shorter rest periods between active swim phases than T. amboinensis . The behavior indicated that Toxorhynchites larvae are able to assess both the angle to surface prey and its distance and that they interpolate this information to optimize the approach path. The degree of refinement in this behavior indicates that it is well adapted to take advantage of the important surface food source in nature. In this phase of their feeding, Toxorhynchites larvae are active hunters and are not entirely the passive ambush predators they have seemed to be from many studies that have used other mosquito larvae as (subsurface) prey.
Circumcision Benefits Outweigh Risks, But Parents Should Choose According to Revised AAP Policy

“Some healthcare providers are reluctant to discuss circumcision based on assumptions about the parents cultural beliefs and a discussion of this policy statement may be a way of opening a conversation about this topic.” THE AMERICAN ACADEMY of Pediatrics (AAP) has published a new policy statement on male circumcision to update their 1999 recommendations. The new policy states that the health benefits of newborn male circumcision outweigh the risks, and that the procedure should be available for families who choose it, as a procedure covered by insurance (Task Force on Circumcision, 2012a, 2012b). In updating its 1999 policy, the Academy's Task Force reviewed the medical literature on the benefits and harms of the procedure. It was a protracted analysis that began in 2007 and the result is a 30 page report, which contains 7 pages of references, including 248 citations. Among those are 14 studies that provide what the authors characterize as “fair” evidence that circumcisions in adulthood protects men fromHIV infection from a female partner, cutting infection rates by 40 to 60%. Three of the studies were large, randomized controlled trials, considered the gold standard in medicine, but they were carried out in Africa, where HIV is spread primarily among heterosexuals and the results may not be applicable to HIV transmission in the United States. Circumcision does not appear to reduce HIV transmission among men who have sex with men according the statement. The supporting evidence for the AAP statement is outlined in an accompanying technical report (Task Force on Circumcision, 2012a, 2012b). According to the report the data consistently show that neonatal circumcision reduced risk for urinary tract infection (UTI) in males, especially in those younger than 2 years, and provide clear evidence of protection against acquisition of HIV, herpes simplex virus, and human papillomavirus after circumcision. Mixed evidence suggests possible protection from syphilis, chancroid and lymphogranuloma venereum. Evidence did not
Reactivity of the (100) Plane of Pyrite in Oxidizing Gaseous and Aqueous Environments: Effects of Surface Imperfections

The oxidation-induced degradation of pyrite in mine tailing piles is of significant interest, since the resulting production of sulfuric acid has a severe detrimental impact on the surrounding environment. Hence, there has been much effort to understand the mechanism of pyrite oxidation. Much of the information concerned with the surface reactivity of pyrite, however, has been inferred from macroscopic observations during aqueous studies. Here, we directly investigated model FeS2(100) surfaces after exposure to well-defined oxidizing environments, with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, to evaluate the mechanism of pyrite oxidation at a microscopic level. Our studies showed that, in the pure H2O vapor environment, oxidation of FeS2(100) was spatially limited to nonstoichiometric or sulfur-deficient surface sites. Results further suggested that thiosulfate was a long-lived intermediate that ultimately converted to sulfate on the pyrite surface in this environment. Significant oxidation of the disulfide grou...
A New Species of Nemastylis (Iridaceae) from Mexico

While examining a series of pleated leaved Iridaceae from Mexico, kindly lent by Dr. Rogers McVaugh, Elwood Molseed first noted an unusual Nemastylis. The large yellow flowers of this species are quite striking, both on herbarium sheets and in the wild. It is a great pleasure to name this species for its initial collector, a devoted student of Mexican botany, Dr. Rogers McVaugh. The illustrations were prepared by Charlotte Mentges, University of California, Berkeley, and Mrs. Judith Scheidig, Berkeley.
Fatty acid-mediated inhibition of IL-12 production by murine macrophages is independent of PPARγ

Our laboratory has reported that n-3 PUFA can reduce host resistance to Listeria infection, in part, by impairing in vivo IL-12 biosynthesis. Recently, PUFA were shown to be ligands for PPAR, a novel family of nuclear receptors with three isoforms: PPARalpha, PPARdelta/beta and PPARgamma. PPARgamma is expressed in immune cells, such as T cells and macrophages. Two PPARgamma agonists, 15-deoxy-delta(12,14)-prostaglandin (PG) J2 and rosiglitazone, have been shown to have immunomodulatory activity in vitro, including inhibiting IL-12 biosynthesis. We hypothesized that n-3 PUFA inhibit IL-12 production through activating PPARgamma. We used thioglycolate-elicited mouse peritoneal macrophages to study the effect of various fatty acids and their oxidized metabolites on in vitro IL-12 production. Our present results demonstrate that both n-3 and n-6 PUFA can reduce in vitro IL-12 biosynthesis, though less potently than 15-deoxy-PGJ2 and rosiglitazone. GW9662, a PPARgamma antagonist, reversed the inhibitory effect of rosiglitazone, but not that of PUFA. Our present findings suggest that fatty acid-mediated inhibition of IL-12 production is independent of PPARgamma.
Fetal alcohol syndrome prevention research.

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can have numerous adverse health consequences for the developing fetus, including fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and alcohol-related effects, and therefore is a significant public health problem. A variety of programs have been developed to prevent drinking during pregnancy and the resulting health problems. Some of these efforts, such as public service announcements and beverage warning labels, are universal and strive to increase the public's knowledge about FAS. Selective prevention approaches target women of reproductive age who drink alcohol. Such approaches may involve screening all pregnant women for alcohol consumption and counseling those women who do drink. Indicated prevention approaches target high-risk women (e.g., women who have previously abused alcohol or have had a child with FAS or other alcohol-related effects) and typically offer repeated counseling over several years. Both selective and indicated prevention efforts can reduce maternal alcohol consumption and improve the outcome of the offspring.
The HSV-2 protein ICP10PK prevents neuronal apoptosis and loss of function in an in vivo model of neurodegeneration associated with glutamate excitotoxicity.

Abstract Excessive glutamate receptor activation results in neuronal death, a process known as excitotoxicity. Intrastriatal injection of N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) is a model of excitotoxicity. We used this model to examine whether excitotoxic injury is inhibited by the anti-apoptotic herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) protein, ICP10PK, delivered by the replication incompetent HSV-2 vector, ΔRR. Intrastriatal ΔRR administration (2500 plaque forming units) was nontoxic and did not induce microglial activation 5 days after injection. Intrastriatal injection of ΔRR with NMDA or 4 h after NMDA injection showed increased neuronal survival and decreased mitochondrial damage compared to injection of NMDA alone. Neuroprotection was due to the inhibition of NMDA-induced apoptosis through ERK activation. ΔRR-treated mice did not develop NMDA-associated behavioral deficits. The data suggest that ΔRR is a promising platform for treatment of acute neuronal injury.
Post-glacial population history and genetic structure of the northern clingfish (Gobbiesox maeandricus), revealed from mtDNA analysis

Mitochondrial d-loop sequences were analyzed to characterize the phylogeographic and population genetic structure of the northern clingfish (Gobbiesox maeandricus Girard). Sequence analysis of 378 bp from 111 individuals sampled in 14 localities along the northeast Pacific coast and within the Strait of Georgia from 1996 to 1999 revealed marked genetic differentiation (Φct=0.247) among regional population groupings. The gene genealogy distinguished two major clades of haplotypes separated by at least 1.1% sequence divergence. One clade with very low haplotype diversity (h=0.2095, n=18) occurred only within the recently unglaciated Strait of Georgia. The other clade had high haplotype diversity (h=0.8808, n=93) and was found in all populations. High haplotype diversity was found in open coastal populations, both north and south of the maximum extant of the Wisconsin ice sheet, suggesting that the clingfish range was not pushed to a southern refugium during the last glacial maximum. A nested clade analysis also did not detect a large northward expansion from a single southern refugium. The level of sequence divergence and coalescent-based analyses suggest that the observed patterns of polymorphism are the result of Pleistocene diversification within multiple refugia, followed by population expansion and asymmetrical lineage introgression.
Ab initio studies of ClOx radical reactions: V. Evidence for a new path in the Cl + ClOOCl reaction

k1′ ) 7.14 10 -12 T 0.86 exp(-2370/T )c m 3 molecule -1 s -1 , accounting for less than 0.1% of the Cl2 yield at 298 K but increasing to about 46% at 1000 K. The new Cl2O + ClO products can be produced by the fragmentation of the two complexes; the rate constant for their formation was found to be pressure-independent and can be expressed by k2 ) 2.19 10 -14 T 0.70 exp(-1110/T )c m 3 molecule -1 s -1 covering the temperature range of 200-1000 K. Above room temperature, Cl2O formation becomes competitive; for example, its branching ratios, k2/kt, are predicted to be 0.19, 0.55, and 0.62 at 298, 500, and 1000 K, respectively. The predicted total rate constant agrees closely with available experimental results. The heat of formation of ClOOCl has been examined in detail using different reactions and computational methods. The results of these calculations converge to ¢fH°0(ClOOCl) ) 30 ( 2 kcal/mol.
Hematologic differences between Dachshunds and mixed breed dogs.

Background Healthy Dachshunds, like Greyhounds, are reported to have a higher HCT than other dog breeds; however, there appears to be no objective information to support this observation. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine whether RBC counts, indices, and total and differential WBC counts differ between Dachshunds and mixed breed dogs. Methods In this retrospective study, CBC data and total solids were compared between 61 healthy Dachshunds and 60 mixed breed dogs that were presented for health check, dental prophylaxis, or neutering to a university and a private clinic. Results Dachshunds had higher mean PCV (52% vs 50%; P = .047), mean HCT (52% vs 48%; P = .0003), mean RBC count (7.7 × 106/μL vs 7.1 × 106/μL; P = .0004), and mean HGB concentration (18.2 g/dL vs 16.8 g/dL; P = .0003) than mixed breed dogs. There were slight differences in HCT and HGB concentration between clinics (P .5). More Dachshunds than mixed breed dogs had RBC variables above the reference interval: 29% vs 2% for HCT (P = .001); 40% vs 7% for HGB concentration (P = .0006); and 26% vs 5% for RBC count (P = .01). There were statistically significant but clinically unimportant differences in differential WBC counts. Conclusions Compared with mixed breed dogs, Dachshunds have higher PCV, HCT, RBC count, and HGB concentration. Veterinarians should consider these differences when interpreting CBCs.
Black Women’s Agenda Setting in the Maryland State Legislature

African American women state legislators’ political agendas are assumed to reflect the distinct interests and substantive needs of African Americans, women, and African American women as unique constituencies. We hypothesize that African American women elected to state legislatures are more likely than African American men, White women, and White men, to advocate for issues that affect racial/ethnic minorities, women, and African American women. Using bill sponsorship as a measure of individual contributions to the legislative agenda, the current study examined the extent to which legislators from different racial and gender identity groups sponsor bills that directly and indirectly impact marginalized groups. Data from Maryland’s 2005 and 20011 legislative sessions were analyzed, and results suggest that issues facing marginalized groups were sponsored by legislators from various backgrounds, yet African American women’s contribution is unique and speaks to the importance of the presence of diversity in state legislatures.
Development of Novel Magnetostrictive Fe-Co-B Thin Films as a High Frequency Sensor Platform

Fe-Co-B was identified as a potential candidate for the development of high-frequency sensors and high-frequency actuators. To fabricate high-frequency magnetostrictive resonators, Fe-Co-B magetostrictive thin films were prepared by combining electrochemical deposition and microfabrication processes. It is crucial to obtain thin films with proper microstructure and composition. Results showed that Fe-rich Fe-Co-B thin films exhibited better resonance behavior than those with Co-rich and equiatomic Fe and Co compositions. It is also found that the deposition condition plays an important role on the performance of the films. Fe55Co28B17 thin films were fabricated under the same current density for different times. The films exhibited nanocrystalline structure, circular nodules as surface morphology and good resonance behavior. Fe/Co ratio on surface and cross section slightly decreased with increasing the deposition time. The resonance frequency slightly increased and the Q value was found to decrease with increasing deposition time.
Bidirectional Sorting of Self-Propelled Microswimmers in the Presence of Asymmetric Barriers

We numerically demonstrate bidirectional sorting of flocking particles interacting with an array of V-shaped gates. Each particle aligns with the average swimming direction of its neighbors according to the Vicsek flocking model and experiences additional steric interactions as well as repulsion from the fixed barriers. We show that particles preferentially localize to one side of the barrier array over time and that the direction of this rectification can be reversed by adjusting the particle-particle repulsion radius or the noise term in the equations of motion. These results provide a conceptual basis for isolation and sorting of single-cell and multicellular organisms that move collectively according to flocking-type interaction rules. We additionally present techniques for sorting independent swimmers moving on periodic substrates, including an egg-carton potential and an array of L-shaped barriers.
Titration and spectral studies of complexes between first-row transition metals and tris(2-pyridyl)carbinol and bis(2-pyridyl)phenylcarbinol

Abstract Titrations of tris(2-pyridyl)carbinol (py3COH) and di(2-pyridyl)phenylcarbinol (py2phCOH) in the presence of first-row transition metals form 2 : 1 complexes and one —COH group per complex is made acidic. For py3COH, coordination is via a mixed-mode method, i.e. one ligand is bound in a symmetric N,N′,N″ mode and the second, in which the —COH group is made acidic, in a non-symmetric N,N′,O mode. The cobalt(II) and nickel(II) complexes titrate as a weak acid (pKa 6.6) and the H+ is bound to a non-coordinated pyridyl nitrogen. The iron(II) and manganese(II) titrate as strong acids, even through a pyridyl nitrogen is not coordinated. The copper(II) and zinc(II) have both ligands coordinated in a symmetrical fashion and do not consume OH− until considerably higher pH values. Di(2-pyridyl)phenylcarbinol binds, as it must if it is to be tridentate, exclusively in an N,N′,O fashion and all the complexes titrate as strong acids. The complexes have been characterized by spectroscopic techniques.