cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Kid Space: Interactive Learning in a Smart Environment

Kid Space is a smart space for children, enabled by an innovative, centralized projection device that senses multimodal interactivity and intelligently projects augmented reality (AR) content across surfaces. Kid Space uses a visible agent to guide learning through play. Two preliminary studies evaluated Kid Space with children 5 to 8 years old. Study 1 showed that children engaged enthusiastically with the projected character during a math exercise and during physically active games. A parent questionnaire showed that parents valued Kid Space for learning and physical activity. Study 2 found that children engaged with a projected agent at a closer distance than with a television. Parents showed a preference for a projected AR agent over an agent on a television or a standard projection. Parents also showed a preference for an agent that demonstrated awareness of children's physicality in the space.
Age‐related changes in myelin of axons of the corpus callosum and cognitive decline in common marmosets

Executive control is a higher-level cognitive function that involves a range of different processes that are involved in the planning, coordination, execution, and inhibition of responses. Many of the processes associated with executive control, such as response inhibition and mental flexibility, decline with age. Degeneration of white matter architecture is considered to be the one of the key factors underlying cognitive decline associated with aging. Here we investigated how white matter changes of the corpus callosum were related to cognitive aging in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). We hypothesized that reduction in myelin thickness, myelin density, and myelin fraction of axonal fibers in the corpus callosum would be associated with performance on a task of executive function in a small sample of geriatric marmosets (n = 4) and young adult marmosets (n = 2). Our results indicated declines in myelin thickness, density, and myelin fraction with age. Considerable variability was detected on these characteristics of myelin and cognitive performance assessed via the detoured reach task. Age-related changes in myelin in Region II of the corpus callosum were predictive of cognitive performance on the detoured reach task. Thus the detoured reach task appears to also measure aspects of corticostriatal function in addition to prefrontal cortical function.
One Discovery Leads to Another: An Interactive Summer Workshop on Sensors for Ninth Grade Students

A five-day discovery-based summer workshop for incoming ninth graders was designed and conducted at the University of Cincinnati (UC). The idea was to have an inquiry-based, research-driven laboratory experience where students were provided with a mentor who encouraged creativity and inquisitiveness. Over a period of three years, 33 students participated in this UC workshop. The students performed a series of experiments and toured and utilized the analytical instrumentation facilities at UC. During the first year, the goal of the workshop was to have the students design their own chemical sensor for anions in water. In subsequent years, the students were given the opportunity to investigate a research question arising from any of the experiments they performed throughout the week. Students were not given explicit instructions for activities. For example, a typical question could have been “Which anion shows luminescence?”, but they were not told how to discover this. On the last two days the students were tasked with proposing a question they wished to have answered and developed an experiment to test the hypothesis. At the conclusion of the workshop, each group or individual student presented their results and showed confidence in their work.
Crucial role for pathology residents in laboratory self-inspection, a single Institute's experience.

Author(s): Farzaneh, Ted; Wang, Beverly; Clark, Nancy; Eade-Viele, Carol; Kelner, Joyce; Rodgers, Jennifer; Sempa, Geoffrey; Detweiler, Neil; Kasmarek, Tara; Lee, Thomas; Zhao, Xiaohui; Monuki, Edwin S; Rezk, Sherif A | Abstract: BackgroundTraining in patient safety, quality, and management is a key component of Graduate Medical Education (GME) training in all specialties. However, residency programs, especially Pathology programs, often find it challenging to create strong learning opportunities in these areas.ObjectivesFocused quality assurance (QA) projects are one approach to teach and engage trainees in these key areas. Residents have been historically involved in different QA projects in our department but mainly in small secondary roles. Leading a large QA project that can enhance residents' management skills and improve clinical operations in our laboratory was the main objective of our project.DescriptionA new process for laboratory self-inspection led by residents was implemented that simulates the exact process of a formal outside College of American Pathologists (CAP) inspection. We aim to prove that resident-led QA activities not only have profound educational benefit but can also result in significant performance and operational improvement.ResultsFor this paper, we focus on the Histology laboratory since the ramifications from the self-inspection process during a three year period were profound leading to change in management, workflow changes, and notable improvement in staff morale.ConclusionThe self-inspection process exposed the residents to operational issues and corrective actions that provided them the opportunity to take a more active role in laboratory management and helped prepare them for post-graduation challenges. It also helped the department identify and rectify many operational issues, confirmed by the enumeration of CAP deficiencies and significant improvement of staff morale.
Body-image distress is increased in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and mediates depression and anxiety.

Objective To evaluate differences in body-image distress (BID) scores between women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and controls and whether BID mediates anxiety and depression. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Academic institution. Patient(s) Reproductive-aged women with PCOS (n = 189) and controls (n = 225). Intervention Administering the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations-Appearance Subscale (MBSRQ-AS), Stunkard Figure Rating Scale (FRS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and PCOS quality of life survey (MPCOS-Q). Main Outcome Measure(s) BID, depression, and anxiety scores and mediation of depression and anxiety scores by BID. Result(s) Women with PCOS had worse BID scores on all five MBSRQ-AS subscales adjusted for age, body mass index, race, pregnancy history, income, and employment, and larger differences on the FRS compared with the control women. In multivariable regression models, the prevalence of depressive (28% vs. 19.2%) and anxiety (76.5% vs. 56.5%) symptoms were also statistically significantly higher in women with PCOS compared with the controls. Most MBSRQ-AS subscale scores statistically significantly correlated with depression, anxiety, and quality of life scores. The association between PCOS/control status and higher anxiety and depression scores was completely mediated by the appearance evaluation and body areas satisfaction subscales and partially mediated by overweight preoccupation, appearance orientation, and self-classified weight. Conclusion(s) Women with PCOS have increased BID and depressive and anxiety symptoms. In our study different aspects of BID either fully or partially mediated the association between PCOS/control status and depression and anxiety scores, suggesting that therapeutic interventions targeted at improving body image may decrease depressive and anxiety symptoms.
On the Coupling Coefficient of Sc y Al 1-y N-based Piezoelectric Acoustic Resonators

This work investigates the electromechanical coupling coefficient $(k^{2})$ attained by two available piezoelectric acoustic resonator technologies relying on Aluminum Scandium Nitride $({S}{c}_{{y}}{A}l_{1-{y}}{N})$ films to operate. In particular, by using a theoretical approach, we extracted the maximum k2-value attainable, for different scandium-doping concentrations (from 0% to 40%), by Film-Bulk-Acoustic-Resonators (FBARs) and Cross-Sectional-Lame-Mode Resonators (CLMRs). For the first time, we show how the use of higher scandium doping concentrations can render the $k_{t^{2}}$ of CLMRs higher (35%) than the one attained by FBARs (28%). Such a unique feature renders CLMRs as ideal candidates to form lithographically defined resonators and filters for next-generation wideband radio-frequency (RF) front-ends.
Comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder and lower respiratory symptoms in disaster survivors: Qualitative results of a 17-year follow-up of World Trade Center disaster survivors

Abstract A better understanding of the experiences of disaster survivors with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and serious comorbid medical conditions may lead to improvements in treatment, and help reduce the public health and healthcare burden of affected individuals. The purpose of this qualitative study was threefold; first, to explore the relationship between PTSD and lower respiratory symptoms (LRS); second, to identify factors influencing self-management and treatment of both disorders; and third, to determine the impact of these comorbidities on quality of life. The goal was to identify strategies to improve coordination of medical and mental health management in order to reduce the symptomatic burden of these two health conditions. In-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted among 34 World Trade Center Health Registry (WTCHR) rescue/recovery workers and community members with both active LRS (self-reported history of cough, wheeze or shortness of breath) and report of PTSD diagnosis on their 2015–2016 survey. Thematic analysis identified 14 themes grouped into six main categories: relationship between LRS and PTSD, impact of symptoms on quality of life, medical management, symptom management strategies, current health status, and exposure history and symptoms. Participants spoke of a wide range of both symptom triggers and management strategies, including self-management and some maladaptive management behaviors such as smoking and alcohol consumption. Participants also spoke of feeling like there were gaps in their healthcare, particularly for mental health. In addition, many spoke to a lack of coordinated care between physical and mental health. The majority of participants did not feel that there was a link between their PTSD and LRS, and among them a large portion also reported a lack of control over their symptoms. Proactive and collaborative planning steps at multiple levels (healthcare, public health, disaster management) are needed to prevent adverse impacts of disasters. Because of the increasing trend in disasters (both natural and man-made), with potentially wide-ranging exposures, it is important to plan for the complex treatment of PTSD and other co-morbidities.
A BDI Public Health Logic Model Approach to Recreation Programming

The design and delivery of recreation programs is a core function of the leisure profession. However, recognition of the impact of recreation programming from outside the field, particularly public health, has not always been reciprocated due to differences in how and where scholarly work is published as well as historic differences in the study and promotion of leisure experiences across these two fields. To improve program design, this paper will propose and illustrate the application of a public health conceptual framework for adoption in recreation programming: The Behavior-Determinant-Intervention (BDI) logic model.The BDI logic model aides in development of evidence-based health promotion interventions through a systemic 4-step process. The first step requires delineation of a specific public health outcome to be achieved. In the second step, the relevant individual health behaviors that influence attainment of the health outcome are identified. Then, the determinants of those behaviors are outlined; these include both risk and protective factors that influence adoption of the behaviors listed in Step 2. Finally, interventions (e.g., recreation programs) that address the determinants and behaviors in Steps 3 and 4 are specified. To maintain fidelity to the BDI logic model planning process, sound supporting evidence should be cited at each of the four steps for each outcome, behavior, determinant, and intervention. Ultimately, the completion of a BDI logic model results in the development of a leisure-based intervention that should meaningfully impact an important public health outcome.In our example, we demonstrate the rigorous process of using the BDI logic model by designing a hypothetical recreation-based program that seeks to meaningfully reduce stress within a college student population. Our process reveals that the BDI logic model can be applied within recreation and leisure contexts to address important public health outcomes. By adopting the model, recreation practitioners and researchers can then apply it to their own contexts and develop programs that make meaningful progress on their communities’ most pressing public health problems. The application of the BDI logic model also provides an opportunity for collaboration and communication with colleagues in the field of public health through engaging in shared program-planning processes. Subscribe to JPRA
Natural variation in fecundity is correlated with species-wide levels of divergence in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Life history traits underlie the fitness of organisms and are under strong natural selection. A new mutation that positively impacts a life history trait will likely increase in frequency and become fixed in a population (e.g. a selective sweep). The identification of the beneficial alleles that underlie selective sweeps provides insights into the mechanisms that occurred during the evolution of a species. In the global population of Caenorhabditis elegans, we previously identified selective sweeps that have drastically reduced chromosomal-scale genetic diversity in the species. Here, we measured the fecundity of 121 wild C. elegans strains, including many recently isolated divergent strains from the Hawaiian islands and found that strains with larger swept genomic regions have significantly higher fecundity than strains without evidence of the recent selective sweeps. We used genome-wide association (GWA) mapping to identify three quantitative trait loci (QTL) underlying the fecundity variation. Additionally, we mapped previous fecundity data from wild C. elegans strains and C. elegans recombinant inbred advanced intercross lines that were grown in various conditions and detected eight QTL using GWA and linkage mappings. These QTL show the genetic complexity of fecundity across this species. Moreover, the haplotype structure in each GWA QTL region revealed correlations with recent selective sweeps in the C. elegans population. North American and European strains had significantly higher fecundity than most strains from Hawaii, a hypothesized origin of the C. elegans species, suggesting that beneficial alleles that caused increased fecundity could underlie the selective sweeps during the worldwide expansion of C. elegans.
Depression in young autistic people: A scoping review

Abstract Background Depressive symptoms are prevalent in autistic individuals. However, there is a limited understanding of what is known about depression in autistic children and adolescents. The aim of this scoping review is to examine the themes and the quality of studies on depressive symptoms in young autistic people. Method A search was conducted on the electronic databases PubMed and PsycINFO examining the themes and quality of the studies. Participant demographics and instruments used were also reviewed. Results Fifty-five studies met inclusion criteria. Four major themes emerged across the reviewed studies: 1) Prevalence and clinical presentation, 2) Associated features, 3) Intervention, 4) Psychometric properties. Thirty-one of the 55 studies (56%) were rated as Strong, 11 studies (20%) rated as Adequate, and 13 studies (24%) as Weak. Most studies were conducted on adolescents with IQ > 70. A variety of instruments were used to assess depressive symptoms. Conclusions Most studies have been conducted in the past decade. Clinical presentation and the associated features were the most studied themes. Very little is known on intervention targeting depression or studies examining psychometric properties of instruments in young autistic people. Further studies are needed to address the gap in research in the following area: 1) Validation of instruments used, 2) Symptoms in those with intellectual disability, 3) Longitudinal studies exploring the course of depression over time, 4) Correlates of depressive symptoms, and 5) Intervention specifically targeting depressive symptoms in ASD.
Identification of a novel modulator of the actin cytoskeleton, mitochondria, nutrient metabolism and lifespan in yeast

In yeast, actin cables are F-actin bundles that are essential for cell division through their function as tracks for cargo movement from mother to daughter cell. Actin cables also affect yeast lifespan by promoting transport and inheritance of higher-functioning mitochondria to daughter cells. Here, we report that actin cable stability declines with age. Our genome-wide screen for genes that affect actin cable stability identified the open reading frame YKL075C. Deletion of YKL075C results in increases in actin cable stability and abundance, mitochondrial fitness, and replicative lifespan. Transcriptome analysis revealed a role for YKL075C in regulating branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism. Consistent with this, modulation of BCAA metabolism or decreasing leucine levels promotes actin cable stability and function in mitochondrial quality control. Our studies support a role for actin stability in yeast lifespan, and demonstrate that this process is controlled by BCAA and a previously uncharacterized ORF YKL075C, which we refer to as actin, aging and nutrient modulator protein 1 (AAN1).
Morphometric variation in bluegill Lepomis macrochirus and green sunfish Lepomis cyanellus in lentic and lotic systems

Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus and green sunfish Lepomis cyanellus were examined using geometric morphometrics to evaluate the variation in morphology between fishes that reside in lentic (e.g. lakes) and lotic (e.g. streams) ecosystems. Live fishes were collected from reservoirs and rivers in central Indiana, while additional fishes were sampled from museum collections at Ball State University and the Illinois Natural History Survey. Male and female L. macrochirus and female L. cyanellus from lentic systems display a deeper body than those from lotic systems, while no differences were found in male L. cyanellus morphometry. A deeper body promotes greater manoeuverability, typically desirable in lentic systems. In contrast, the more streamlined body of the fishes found in lotic systems reduces drag as it contends with flowing water, ultimately maximizing energy efficiency. The absence of morphological differences, such as those found in male L. cyanellus, may be caused by fish occupying both lentic and lotic systems, from the population not having been present in the body of water long enough to display any adaptations, or from a lack of statistical power caused by the small sample size.
The immunologic effects of estrogen on psoriasis: A comprehensive review.

Background Immunological changes in pregnancy are associated with improvements in some pre-existing immune-mediated skin diseases. Estrogen has been hypothesized to contribute to these changes by creating a shift from Th1 and Th17 to Th2 immunity. As this hypothesis would predict, psoriasis (a primarily Th17 mediated immune disease) tends to improve during pregnancy. However, the precise mechanism by which estrogen induces immunological change in psoriasis remains poorly understood.
A Tale of Two Cities: From Davids Holdings to Metcash

In 1994, the Full Federal Court upheld the decision of the trial judge to prevent the hostile acquisition of a majority shareholding in QIW Retailers Ltd (QIW) by Davids Holdings (Davids), on the grounds that, as a result of the proposed merger, the merged company would be in a position to dominate a market defined as the supply of grocery products by independent wholesalers to independent retailers in Queensland and northern New South Wales. The basic claim of the Applicants was that, as a result of the merger, Davids would be the only supplier of groceries to independent retailers in the geographic market and would, as a result, be in a position to exercise monopoly power. While the independent retailers faced significant competition in the downstream (retail) business from the integrated retail chains (such as Coles and Woolworths), the Court found that such competition would not be sufficient to prevent the exercise of monopoly power in the upstream (wholesale) business. In 2011, the Full Federal Court upheld the decision of the trial judge not to prevent the acquisition by Metcash Trading Limited (Metcash) of Interfrank Group Holdings Pty Limited (Franklins). The acquisition had been opposed by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on the grounds that it would leave Metcash as (effectively) the only wholesale supplier of packaged groceries to independent retailers in New South Wales. The Court rejected the Commission’s claim, finding that the merged firm would not be able to exercise market power due to the constraining presence downstream of the integrated retail chains (primarily Coles and Woolworths).So we have two cases with, on the surface at least, very similar facts. Yet the outcomes in the two cases were 180 degrees apart. What explains the different outcomes? In this article, we try to identify a critical analytical difference in the way that the cases were presented to the Court and will suggest that this difference may have had a significant influence on the outcomes.
A hybrid solid-state induction modulator with pulse transformer to drive SLAC klystrons

A solid state hybrid induction modulator has been built and tested which can replace the line type modulators currently in use to power SLAC klystrons. The modulator uses twenty-two IGBT modules to drive eleven single turn primary windings of a transformer in parallel. Passing a pipe through the center of the vertically stacked METGLAS cores forms the single turn secondary. One end of the secondary winding is tied to ground, while at the output an induced voltage of eleven times the primary charge voltage is produced. The modulator in turn powers a conventional SLAC high voltage transformer and klystron. The output voltage produced by the "short stack" modulator built at SLAC is 24 kV, with a current of 6000 A. Pulse widths of up to 3 /spl mu/s, at 120 Hz can be produced. Design details, test data, and comparisons with the conventional line type modulators are presented.
A Tale of Two Democracies

The generally heated scholarly and political debates over Bush versus Gore, the election, and Bush v. Gore, the case, can be seen to relate to two competing visions of democratic theory and the role of the vote therein. Minimalists such as Richard Posner have low expectations for the role of individual voter participation; such theorists view the 2000 presidential election as a statistical tie that had to be broken, one way or another, and the U.S Supreme Court's role in breaking it as a perfectly acceptable, pragmatic act. Participatory democrats such as Cass Sunstein and Lani Guinier, in contrast, see individual voting as the constitutive act of democracy, and consider Bush v. Gore to be a violation of that process. In this Introduction to an edited volume, the authors trace out these competing theories and their implications for the politics of and prospects for voting reform in the United States.
Significance of Palpable Tendon Friction Rubs in Early Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis

Objective Palpable tendon friction rubs (TFRs) in systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) have been associated with diffuse skin thickening, increased disability, and poor survival. Our objective was to quantify the prognostic implications of palpable TFRs on the development of disease complications and longer-term mortality in an incident cohort of early diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) patients. Methods We identified early dcSSc patients (disease duration <2 years from the first SSc symptom) first evaluated at the University of Pittsburgh Scleroderma Center between 1980 and 2006 and found to have palpable TFRs. These patients were matched 1:1 with the next consecutive early dcSSc patient without TFRs as a control. All had ≥2 clinic visits and 5 years of followup from the first visit. Results A total of 287 early dcSSc patients with TFR were identified and matched to 287 controls. The median disease duration was 0.83 years in TFR patients and 1.04 years in controls. The median followup was 10.1 years in TFR patients and 7.9 years in controls. Over the course of their illness, patients with TFRs had a >2-fold risk of developing renal crisis and cardiac and gastrointestinal disease complications, even after adjustment for other known risk factors. Patients with TFRs had poorer 5- and 10-year survival rates. Conclusion Patients with early dcSSc having ≥1 TFRs are at an increased risk of developing renal, cardiac, and gastrointestinal involvement before and after their first Scleroderma Center visit and have reduced survival. Patients presenting with TFRs should be carefully monitored for serious internal organ involvement.
Molecular phylogenetics and morphological variation reveal recent speciation in freshwater mussels of the genera Arcidens and Arkansia (Bivalvia: Unionidae)

Intra- and interspecific morphological variation due to both phenotypic plasticity and evolutionary convergence hinder the work of taxonomists and lead to over- and underestimates of species richness. Nevertheless, most species on Earth are recognized solely based on morphological characters. We used molecular phylogenetic and morphometric techniques to examine two freshwater mussel species. One is common and widespread, while the other is imperiled and endemic to the Interior Highlands of the USA. Phylogenetic and molecular clock analyses revealed that divergence of Arcidens confragosus and Arkansia wheeleri is small and relatively recent. Divergence in these and other taxa is probably due to isolation of streams in the Interior Highlands. Morphometric analyses showed distinct shell shapes using traditional morphometrics, but not through geometric morphometrics. Outlined shell shapes are indistinguishable; geometric morphometrics could not capture a three-dimensional component. Our analyses support the validity of these two species as congeners, with the nomen Arcidens (Simpson 1900) having priority. Because shell morphologies are both heritable and environmentally determined, our study emphasizes the importance of considering both molecular and morphometric analyses for identification of freshwater molluscs of conservation concern. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, , ••‐••. ADDITIONAL KEYWORDS: divergence time ‐ Interior Highlands ‐ ITS1 ‐ mitochondrial DNA ‐ molecular clock ‐ post-Pleistocene diversification ‐ traditional and geometric morphometrics.
A Landsat Data Tiling and Compositing Approach Optimized for Change Detection in the Conterminous United States

Abstract Annual disturbance maps are produced by the LANDFIRE program across the conterminous United States (CONUS). Existing LANDFIRE disturbance data from 1999 to 2010 are available and current efforts will produce disturbance data through 2012. A tiling and compositing approach was developed to produce bi-annual images optimized for change detection. A tiled grid of 10,000 × 10,000 30 m pixels was defined for CONUS and adjusted to consolidate smaller tiles along national borders, resulting in 98 non-overlapping tiles. Data from Landsat-5,-7, and -8 were re-projected to the tile extents, masked to remove clouds, shadows, water, and snow/ice, then composited using a cosine similarity approach. The resultant images were used in a change detection algorithm to determine areas of vegetation change. This approach enabled more efficient processing compared to using single Landsat scenes, by taking advantage of overlap between adjacent paths, and allowed an automated system to be developed for the entire process.
Borane‐N‐ethyl‐N‐isopropylaniline Complex

[180840-34-0]] C11H20BN (MW 177.09) InChI = 1S/C11H17N.BH3/c1-4-12(10(2)3)11-8-6-5-7-9-11;/h5-10H,4H2,1-3H3;1H3 InChIKey = XYUIGBMTIMBDDQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N (reagent used for hydroboration) Physical Data: liquid above 0 °C.1, 2 Solubility: soluble in Et2O, THF, and DCM. Analysis of Reagent Purity: the reagent is analyzed for active hydrogen by a standard procedure involving hydrolysis with 2.0 M hydrochloric acid-glycerol-water (2:1:1) and determination of the hydrogen evolved. 11B NMR: δ −14.4 (CCl4, JB–H = 98.6 Hz).1, 2 Preparative Methods: the title reagent is prepared by passing freshly generated diborane into neat N-ethyl-N-isopropylaniline at 0 °C (eq 1). The amine is prepared by heating a mixture of N-ethylaniline and 2-bromopropane to 120 °C. Diborane was generated by treating boron trifluoride-diglyme dropwise with a 2.0 M solution of sodium borohydride in triglyme.1, 2 (1) Handling, Storage, and Precautions: stable reagent, stored under argon, may be toxic.
A theoretical study of some nonlinear edge preserving smoothing filters

Good edge-preserving filters must be robust against large deviations from the nominal stationarity model. The extended influence function (EIF) has been proposed to study the effect of large proportions of outliers on an estimator's value. This extends the definition of the influence function which is mainly an infinitesimal tool. It is shown that the EIF may be used to predict qualitatively, useful performance measures like the output mean and the mean-square error. Specifically, the EIF is used to investigate the performance of the modified trimmed mean filter. Performance predictions are compared with results obtained through statistical simulations. >
Raw Soybeans and Roasted Soybeans of Different Particle Sizes. 1. Digestibility and Utilization by Lactating Cows

Abstract This study examined effects of dietary whole raw soybeans and roasted soybeans of different particle sizes on digestibility and performance of lactating cows. Five cows with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were used in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. Diets contained 55% corn silage and 45% concentrate. Treatments were control and whole raw, whole roasted, cracked roasted, and ground roasted soybeans. All soybean diets contained 19.7% soybeans (DM basis). Roasted soybeans fed to cows decreased ruminal NH 3 N and branched-chain VFA. Apparent N disappearance from the intestines tended to be higher (percentage of duodenal flow) for cows fed whole roasted soybeans than for those fed whole raw soybeans. Roasting increased the undegraded protein of soybeans. Roasted soybeans increased milk yield but had no effect on milk composition compared with raw soybeans. Decrease in the particle size of whole roasted soybeans tended to increase intestinal digestion of N (percentage of duodenal flow) but may have decreased undegraded protein of soybeans. Milk yield and composition were not affected by particle size of roasted soybeans. Dietary whole or cracked roasted soybeans to dairy cows are recommended when soybeans are fed as a relatively high proportion of dietary DM or when undegraded intake protein is limiting in the diet.
Professional public relations in India: Need outstrips supply

Abstract A growing consumer class in India and the increasing leadership of the nation as one of the world's largest democracies has put a heavy demand on public relations talent. Looking internally is important to the country trying to meet that need because the nation is complex culturally and linguistically. The result of the demand for public relations talent versus availability has created a dramatic difference between experienced senior practitioners who are among the best in the world and the next level who are barely competent. The greatest demand for their skills is coming from the private sector which is willing to pay for their training, and the greatest need comes from the government which is trying to mount major development objectives as well as deal peacefully and affirmatively with the diversity of a large country.
Estrogen induction of progestophilins in rat estrogen-sensitive cells grown in media supplemented with sera from castrated rats and from rats bearing an α-fetoprotein-secreting hepatoma

The purpose of this work was to study the effect of α-fetoprotein (AFP) over cell multiplication and the induction of an estradiol-17β (E2)-dependent marker, i.e., progestophilins in E-sensitive cells C29RAP derived from a W/Fu rat pituitary tumor. These cells proliferate in isogeneic hosts under the influence of E2, while they proliferate in culture regardless of the presence of E2. C29RAP cells were grown in medium supplemented with 10% horse serum. Progestophilin levels were measured 48 h after adding serum (20% horse, or castrated rat, or AFP-secreting tumor-bearing rat) and estrogen to the 10% horse serum-supplemented medium in which the cells were growing. Maximal induction of progestophilins was obtained at 3 × 10−10 M E2 in cells grown in medium containing horse or castrated rat serum. In contrast, maximal induction of progestophilins required 3 × 10−8 M E2 in cells grown in medium supplemented with the serum of Morris hepatoma 7777-bearing rats. This serum contained AFP levels comparable to those present at birth in the rat. 11-Methoxy-17β ethynylestradiol (R2858), a synthetic estrogen with little affinity for AFP, was also tested for its ability to induce progestophilins. The degree of maximal induction of progestophilins expressed as percentage of the respective control, was similar for all experimental groups, both with E2 and with R2858. In addition, we compared the free E2 levels in the culture medium with the progestophilin levels and the cell proliferation rate. We found that the progestophilin levels were maximal at free E2 concentrations above 11 pg E2/ml, whereas there was no correlation between the free E2 levels and the proliferation rate. Moreover, the proliferation rate of cells in medium supplemented with horse or castrated rat serum was maximal at concentrations of free E2 below 0.4 pg/ml, whereas cell proliferation was inhibited with hepatoma serum even at concentrations of free E2 of 44 pg/ml. We conclude that the effect of hepatoma serum on the E2 induction of progestophilins seems to be mediated by the effect of AFP on the availability of free estrogen, since it is abolished by the addition of both natural and synthetic estrogens. The inhibitory effect of hepatoma serum upon cell proliferation is not reversed by estrogens and thus seems to be mediated by mechanisms other than E2 trapping by AFP.
Quantized tunneling current in the metallic nanogaps formed by electrodeposition and etching

We have studied electron tunneling across the gap between two electrodes as the gap is varied by electrodeposition and etching. The tunneling current tends to change in a stepwise fashion, corresponding to a discrete change of the gap width. The stepwise change is due to the discrete nature of atoms and a series of structural relaxations of the atoms at the electrodes between stable configurations upon deposition and etching. By stabilizing the tunneling current on various steps using a feedback loop, we have demonstrated that stable molecular-scale gaps can be fabricated with subangstrom precision.
A numerical analysis model for the interpretation of in vivo platelet consumption data.

Unlike anemias, most thrombocytopenias cannot be separated into those due to impaired production and those due to accelerated consumption. While rapid clearance of labeled platelets from the bloodstream can be followed in thrombocytopenic individuals, no model exists for quantitatively inferring from autologous or allogeneic platelet consumption data what changes in random consumption, lifespan dependent consumption, and platelet production rate may have caused the thrombocytopenia. Here we describe a numerical analysis model which resolves these issues. The model applies three parameter values (a random consumption rate constant, a lognormally-distributed platelet lifespan, and the standard deviation of the latter) to a matrix comprising a series of platelet cohorts which are sequentially produced and fractionally consumed in a series of time intervals. The cohort platelet counts achieved after equilibration of production and consumption both enumerate the population age distribution and sum to the population platelet count. Continued platelet consumption after production is halted then serves to model in vivo platelet consumption data, with consumption rate in the first such interval defining the equilibrium platelet production rate. We use a least squares fitting procedure to find parameter values which best fit observed platelet consumption data obtained in WT and thrombocytopenic WASP(-) mice. Equilibrium platelet age distributions are then ‘grafted’ into the matrix to allow modeling of the consumption of WT platelets in WASP(-) recipients, and vice versa. The optimal parameter values obtained indicate that random WT platelet consumption accounts for a larger fraction of platelet turnover than was previously suspected. Platelet WASP deficiency accelerates random consumption, and a trans effect of recipient WASP deficiency contributes to this. Application of the model to clinical data will allow distinctions to be made between thrombocytopenias due primarily to impaired platelet production and those due to acceleration of random or lifespan-dependent platelet consumption.
Isotopic inhomogeneity of leaf water: Evidence and implications for the use of isotopic signals transduced by plants

Variations as large as 11%. in δ18O values and 50%. in δD values were observed among different fractions of water in leaves of ivy (Hedera helix) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus). This observation contradicts previous experimental approaches to leaf water as an isotopically uniform pool. Using ion analysis of the water fractions to identify sources within the leaf, we conclude that the isotopic composition of the water within cells, which is involved in biosynthesis and therefore recorded in the plant organic matter, differs substantially from that of total leaf water. This conclusion must be taken into account in studies in which isotope ratios of fossil plant cellulose are interpreted in paleoclimatic terms. In addition, our results have implications for attempts to explain the Dole effect and to account for the variations of 18O16O ratios in atmospheric carbon dioxide, since the isotopic composition of cell water, not of total leaf water, influences theδ18O values of O2 and CO2 released from plants into the atmosphere.
Institutional environments and arrangements for managing complex aquatic ecosystems in forested landscapes

Abstract The forested watersheds of the Pacific Northwest are complex aquatic ecosystems. They are adapted to disturbance cycles that occur at multiple temporal and spatial scales. They are embedded in a complex institutional system involving multiple governance structures spanning multiple ownership types. The salmon populations that inhabit the streams, rivers, and estuaries are diffuse and provide heterogeneous values to a heterogeneous user population. Management of these watersheds has been controlled by “top down” hierarchical land management agencies with policy dictated at the federal level, but there appears to be a transition to a more collaborative multi-level, polycentric approach based on local watershed councils. In this paper, the relevance of an emerging sub-discipline of economics, known as the New Institutional Economics, is explored as a vehicle for understanding how institutional governance structures relate to characteristics of the resource and the resource user community and guiding future watershed management policy. The recently established Watershed Councils in the state of Oregon, U.S., are explored as an example of how institutional arrangements for resource management may evolve over time. While some studies evaluate the effectiveness of this decentralized approach based on participants' opinions about process, the question of effectiveness with regards to ecosystem health remains to be addressed. This is a topic for future research.
Pediatric septic shock treatment: new clues from genomic profiling.

Septic shock continues to be an important pediatric public health problem worldwide [1]. In the USA alone there are approximately 42,000 cases of pediatric septic shock per year, with a mortality rate of approximately 10% [2,3]. While this mortality rate is less than that of the adult population, it nonetheless translates to more than 4000 childhood deaths per year, thus highlighting the need for developing novel therapies and approaches specifically targeted for children suffering from septic shock. Current standard-ofcare for pediatric septic shock is limited to effective vaccination programs (i.e., prevention), antibiotics and physiologic support in modern pediatric intensive care units [1,4]. Relative to that of other pediatric diseases, and adult septic shock, there has been a paucity of meaningful translational research efforts in the field of pediatric septic shock, an unfortunate circumstance stemming from several factors. First, there is limited funding specifically earmarked for pediatric septic shock compared with other pediatric diseases (e.g., childhood cancer). Second and highly related, there is no high-profile organization specifically dedicated to fund raising and generating public awareness for pediatric septic shock akin to that of other childhood diseases such as cancer, cystic fibrosis or juvenile arthritis. Third, there has been a tendency in the field of pediatric critical care to adapt advances made in adult-based critical care medicine to children without direct, formal, efficacy data in children. While this ‘filter down’ approach is likely to be valid and appropriate under certain circumstances, the potential fallacy of this approach was recently
New results from linearised charge transport theory

PROBLEMS involving the simultaneous transport of electrons and holes by drift and diffusion arise in connection with a great variety of solid-state phenomena and devices. Their analysis is handicapped because transport equations defy explicit solution for the general case. The choice must be made between computer-derived numerical solutions of the complete equations for particular parameters and boundary conditions, or explicit treatment of the equations with sufficient ad hoc assumptions (for example, bulk neutrality, zero recombination, freedom from traps) to permit their solution. The former is cumbersome and excessively specific for many purposes; the latter is often misleading, because the precise consequences of ad hoc assumptions cannot be easily foreseen. It is hoped that they affect only the accuracy of the results, but there are many instances when ‘simplifying’ assumptions distort the entire physical picture. We report here a third possibility, namely explicit solutions of the equations in linearised form, but without any other simplifying assumptions. The significance of these results is limited to low currents (‘small signal theory’) but the conclusions are otherwise general, and permit the convenient examination of the various processes as a function of the transport parameters. Moreover, the same set of equations can be applied to various problems by suitable adjustment of the boundary conditions. Such procedures have been used with two distinct problems: (1) the injection of minority carriers into lifetime and relaxation semiconductors, with and without traps1,2, and (2) the Hall effect3 in specimens of finite size. The analysis even in linearised form is complex, and the details are published elsewhere, but explicit solutions can be obtained. They lead to new conclusions on the nature of the process involved.
Hadron correlations in CMS

Abstract The measurements of the anisotropic flow of single particles and particle pairs have provided some of the most compelling evidence for the creation of a strongly interacting quark–gluon plasma (sQGP) in relativistic heavy ion collisions, first at RHIC, and more recently at the LHC. Using PbPb collision data taken in the 2010 and 2011 heavy ion runs at the LHC, the CMS experiment has investigated a broad scope of these flow phenomena. The v 2 elliptic flow coefficient has been extracted with four different methods to cross-check contributions from initial state fluctuations and non-flow correlations. The measurements of the v 2 elliptic anisotropy have been extended to a transverse momentum of 60 GeV/c, which will enable the placement of new quantitative constraints on parton energy loss models as a function of path length in the sQGP medium. Additionally, for the first time at the LHC, the CMS experiment has extracted precise elliptic anisotropy coefficients for the π 0 meson in the centrality range 20–80% and over a transverse momentum range 1.6 to 8 GeV/c. These results are compared with both the π 0 results reported by the PHENIX detector at RHIC, and with the inclusive charged particle anisotropy results reported from the LHC. Finally, the CMS experiment has mounted an extensive study of charged hadron pair azimuthal correlations using a Fourier harmonic decomposition to fit the data. The relationship between these pair coefficients and the single particle harmonic flow coefficients can be explored for its insight into the early dynamics of this viscous medium.
Elasticities of factor substitution in the production of education

Abstract This paper uses data from the state of Michigan and a translog cost function to estimate and compare three measures of elasticities of factor substitution — Allen, Morishima and Shadow — in the production of education. We find that the magnitudes of the calculated values of each of the three elasticities are different from the others. While theoretically, the three measures of elasticities of substitution differ from each other, we find that all three calculated elasticities of factor substitution classify all inputs as substitutes. Differences among the different measures of elasticities of substitution are consistent with our finding that the education production function is not of the Cobb-Douglas functional form — a functional form that makes all three measures of elasticities of factor substitution equivalent.
Discrete eddies in the northern North Atlantic as observed by looping RAFOS floats

Abstract RAFOS float trajectories near the 27.5 density level were analyzed to investigate discrete eddies in the northern North Atlantic with the objective of determining their geographical distribution and characteristics. Floats that made two or more consecutive loops in the same direction (loopers) were considered to have been in an eddy. Overall 15% (24 float years) of the float data were in loopers. One hundred and eight loopers were identified in 96 different eddies. Roughly half of the eddies were cyclonic (49%) and half were anticyclonic (51%), although the percentages varied in different regions. A few eddies were quasi-stationary for long times, one for over a year in the Iceland Basin, and many others clearly translated, often in the direction of the general circulation as observed by non-looping floats. Several floats were trapped in eddies in the vicinity of the North Atlantic Current just upstream (west) of the Charlie Gibbs (52°N) and Faraday (50°N) Fracture Zones, which seem to be preferred routes for flow crossing the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Five floats looped in four anticyclones that translated southwestward away from the eastern boundary near the Goban Spur (47–50°N). These could have been weak meddies forming from remnants of warm salty Mediterranean Water advected northward along the eastern boundary.