cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Investigation of the Variety and Complexity of Statistical Methods Used in Current Internal Medicine Literature.

Objectives Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education guidelines require internal medicine residents to develop skills in the interpretation of medical literature and to understand the principles of research. A necessary component is the ability to understand the statistical methods used and their results, material that is not an in-depth focus of most medical school curricula and residency programs. Given the breadth and depth of the current medical literature and an increasing emphasis on complex, sophisticated statistical analyses, the statistical foundation and education necessary for residents are uncertain. Methods We reviewed the statistical methods and terms used in 49 articles discussed at the journal club in the Department of Internal Medicine residency program at Texas Tech University between January 1, 2013 and June 30, 2013. We collected information on the study type and on the statistical methods used for summarizing and comparing samples, determining the relations between independent variables and dependent variables, and estimating models. We then identified the typical statistics education level at which each term or method is learned. Results A total of 14 articles came from the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine, 11 from the New England Journal of Medicine, 6 from the Annals of Internal Medicine, 5 from the Journal of the American Medical Association, and 13 from other journals. Twenty reported randomized controlled trials. Summary statistics included mean values (39 articles), category counts (38), and medians (28). Group comparisons were based on t tests (14 articles), χ2 tests (21), and nonparametric ranking tests (10). The relations between dependent and independent variables were analyzed with simple regression (6 articles), multivariate regression (11), and logistic regression (8). Nine studies reported odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals, and seven analyzed test performance using sensitivity and specificity calculations. These papers used 128 statistical terms and context-defined concepts, including some from data analysis (56), epidemiology-biostatistics (31), modeling (24), data collection (12), and meta-analysis (5). Ten different software programs were used in these articles. Based on usual undergraduate and graduate statistics curricula, 64.3% of the concepts and methods used in these papers required at least a master's degree-level statistics education. Conclusions The interpretation of the current medical literature can require an extensive background in statistical methods at an education level exceeding the material and resources provided to most medical students and residents. Given the complexity and time pressure of medical education, these deficiencies will be hard to correct, but this project can serve as a basis for developing a curriculum in study design and statistical methods needed by physicians-in-training.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Reactivity of the Group 11 Hydrido Clusters [Ag6H4(dppm)4(OAc)2] and [Cu3H(dppm)3(OAc)2]

The group 11 hydride clusters [Ag6H4(dppm)4(OAc)2] (1) and [Cu3H(dppm)3(OAc)2] (2) (dppm = 1,1-bis(diphenylphosphino)methane) were synthesized in moderate yields from the reaction of M(OAc) (M = Ag, Cu) with Ph2SiH2, in the presence of dppm. Complex 1 is the first structurally characterized homometallic polyhydrido silver cluster to be isolated. Both 1 and 2 catalyze the hydrosilylation of (α,β-unsaturated) ketones. Notably, this represents the first example of hydrosilylation with an authentic silver hydride complex.
Ultrasound Neuromodulation: A Chapter for Innovative Neuromodulation

Neuromodulation with ultrasound was first described more than 50 years ago. Recent developments in transcranial ultrasound delivery have renewed interest in applying ultrasound in neurosurgery and neuroscience. Since focused ultrasound is able to penetrate the skull to target deep cerebral structures without damaging intervening tissues, it has been hailed as a potential tool for noninvasive brain mapping and treatment in humans. This review discusses the fundamental mechanisms, historical and contemporary studies, and the potential clinical applications of ultrasound neuromodulation.
Poly(terphenylene) Anion Exchange Membranes: The Effect of Backbone Structure on Morphology and Membrane Property

A new design concept for ion-conducting polymers in anion exchange membranes (AEMs) fuel cells is proposed based on structural studies and conformational analysis of polymers and their effect on the properties of AEMs. Thermally, chemically, and mechanically stable terphenyl-based polymers with pendant quaternary ammonium alkyl groups were synthesized to investigate the effect of varying the arrangement of the polymer backbone and cation-tethered alkyl chains. The results demonstrate that the microstructure and morphology of these polymeric membranes significantly influence ion conductivity and fuel cell performance. The results of this study provide new insights that will guide the molecular design of polymer electrolyte materials to improve fuel cell performance.
Short Communication: Updates on AKT Inhibition in Estrogen Receptor Positive Breast Cancer

Activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling is associated with endocrine resistance in estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer. AKT is an important downstream effector of the PI3K signaling pathway, regulating key cellular functions related to cancer progression and survival. Preclinical evidence supports the evaluation of AKT inhibitors as a treatment strategy for patients with ER+ breast cancer. Early phase clinical trials of AKT inhibitors provides preliminary efficacy and key toxicity profiles. Clinical trials have been focused on combining AKT inhibitors with hormonal therapy or cytotoxic chemotherapy. Here we present an update on the clinical investigation of these agents.
Myocardial Perfusion Imaging with MAA Following Coronary Artery Surgery

The primary goal of coronary surgery is the delivery of increased blood flow to regions of myocardium previously underperfused. Postoperative evaluation of coronary bypass grafts is generally performed by selective graft arteriography, which provides anatomic detail but provides little information regarding graft flow or regional distribution. Several methods have been used to evaluate bypass flow using hydrogen and xenon-133 washout1,2 or videodensitometry.3 None of these techniques provides information regarding the myocardial distribution of graft flow.
Factors Influencing the Stress-Strain Behavior of Ceramic Materials

The stress-strain behavior of ceramic materials is greatly influenced by microstructural features ranging from the presence of point defects in single crystals to the size and location of pores and nature of grain boundaries in poly crystals. Several factors may affect the behavior at any one time, and the analysis of experimental data, particularly for poly crystals, is thus extremely difficult. This review examines the interpretation of mechanical behavior in materials having the rock salt structure, with particular emphasis on the role of impurities, the significance of grain boundary and/or intragranular porosity, and the problems associated with the intersection of slip bands.
Systems Analysis of the ‘First and Second Generations’

The search for scientific bases for confronting problems of social policy is bound to fail, because of the nature of these problems. They are “wicked’ problems, whereas science has developed to deal with “tame” problems. Policy problems cannot be definitively described. Moreover, in a pluralistic society there is nothing like the undisputable public good; there is no objective definition of equity; policies that respond to social problems cannot be meaningfully correct or false; and it makes no sense to talk about “optimal solutions” to social problems unless severe qualifications are imposed first. Even worse, there are no “solutions” in the sense of definitive and objective answers.
The impact of opioid use disorder on levels of educational attainment: Perceived benefits and consequences.

Abstract Background/Aims Adolescents and young adults have the highest rates of opioid use, and despite shared risk-factors such as mental health and social pressures, there is little information on the relationship between education and opioid use disorder. In this study, we sought to assess differences in educational attainment between opioid users and the general population, and the impact of opioid use on one's education. Methods Patients (N = 14,349) entering opioid treatment programs across the United States were surveyed on educational attainment from 2010 to 2018. Data were compared to estimates from an annual survey administered by the US Census. A follow-up sub-set of opioid users (N = 240) was interviewed to add context and expand on the structured survey. Results Nearly one-third (32.2%) of the US population is estimated to have earned a bachelor's/advanced degree, compared to just 7.8% of treatment-seeking opioid users. Over half of follow-up respondents (57.5%) reported initiating regular opioid use while attending an educational institution. The majority (68.0%) also indicated opioids negatively impacted their education, with drug-seeking behavior prioritized over attendance and academic performance. Perceived benefits included cognitive enhancement and therapeutic value for anxiety/depression. Conclusions Our data suggest that opioid users achieve lower levels of education, which may result in both individual and economic costs. Prevention programs need to not only include education-specific risk factors (e.g., social norms), but underlying precipitators such as mental health, stigma, and the myth of risk-free cognitive enhancement. Opioid specific services should be available and disseminated to student populations, including certification of campus physicians to provide buprenorphine maintenance.
Plant-derived resorbable polymers in tissue engineering

Abstract Tissue engineering alludes to the replacement of damaged tissues so as to conserve or ameliorate tissue function. Tissue engineering depends on the development of scaffolds that support cells and act as templates for tissue regeneration. Design and selection of a biomaterial is crucial during this process, as it is imperative that the implanted scaffold is resorbed, leaving behind a completely healthy tissue. Plants synthesize a variety of polymers that are potential biomaterials. Such naturally occurring biomaterials offer a number of advantages as compared to their synthetic partners. They are nontoxic, biocompatible, and biodegradable. They have the ability to adequately support cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, and differentiation. Also, they are similar to materials in the body system. In the recent past a lot of scientific studies have focused on the development of plant-derived resorbable polymer biomaterials that could be used in tissue engineering. This chapter attempts to summarize the recent developments in the use and design of biomaterials for tissue engineering. In addition, background information regarding the methodology involved and future prospects have been provided.
Targeting the Hippo signaling pathway to enhance ex vivo lung epithelial tissue regeneration and maturation

Background: Recellularization of acellular lung scaffolds is a promising approach for lung bioengineering. High level tissue maturation requires cues driving cell proliferation, migration, and fate. The Hippo pathway can mediate these processes in proximal and distal lung epithelium. We examined effects of Hippo modulation on proximal and distal epithelium using pharmacological inhibition and biomechanical stimulation. Methods: Proximal epithelium was studied using airway basal cells (BEAS2Bs). Distal epithelium was studied using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived alveolar type II progenitor cells (AT2s). In vitro, we used soft (4kPa) and stiff (50kPa) hydrogels and the small molecule XMU-MP-1 (inhibits Hippo, activating Yap). In ex vivo scaffold recellularization culture, we tested air/liquid ventilation and Hippo inhibition by XMU-MP-1. Results: In BEAS2Bs, Yap downstream gene CTGF decreased expression on soft hydrogels (2.03-fold) while increasing with XMU-MP-1 treatment (30.73-fold). Air ventilation of BEAS2B-recellularized lung scaffolds enhanced CTGF expression (3.04-fold), tissue morphology, and cell coverage. XMU-MP-1 treatment of AT2s in vitro increased CTGF expression (37.66-fold) and surfactant protein C (SP-C) expression (14.63-fold). Liquid ventilation of AT2-recellularized lung scaffolds enhanced SP-C expression (11.16-fold) and XMU-MP-1 treatment increased CTGF expression (16.55-fold). Conclusions: Hippo pathway modulation can be used to enhance ex vivo lung epithelial regeneration. Hippo inhibition may cause proliferation and migration of airway cells while increasing distal surfactant production in AT2s, enhancing gas exchange function.
Clinical analysis of 42 cases with infantile hepatitis syndrome

Objective To summarize the etiologies of infant hepatitis syndrome,clinical presentation,treatment and prognosis.Methods The clinical symptoms of 42 cases with infantile hepatitis syndrome were observed and the blood cytomegalovirus,hepatitis B virus,cell culture and a series of related biochemical parameters were examined.Results All of patients' liver have been damaged and have jaundice,blood CMV infection accounted for 48%( 20/42 ),hepatitis B virus,accounting for 14% (6/42),blood cultures have staphylococcus up to 7% ( 3/42 ).After combining Chinese and Western medicine treatment,the sufferers restore to health,cure rate up to 95% (37/39),3cases were lost.Conclusion The infant hepatitis syndrome originate from the infections of the blood cytomegalovirus,hepatitis B virus and bacterial infection,whose clinical manifestations are infant liver damaged and jaundice.We have a better prognosis on infantile hepatitis syndrome and the result of combining Chinese and Western medicine treatment is good. Key words: Hepatitis syndrome; Infant; Meta-analysis
Cellular, Molecular, and Physiological Adaptations of Hibernation: The Solution to Environmental Challenges.

Thriving in times of resource scarcity requires an incredible flexibility of behavioral, physiological, cellular, and molecular functions that must change within a relatively short time. Hibernatio...
Predicting cardiac risk in noncardiac surgery: a narrative review

Risk stratification endeavors to categorize patients into groups based on the level of risk for each group. Improved perioperative screening tests using more sensitive cardiac biomarkers have revealed that about 68% of perioperative myocardial infarctions (MI) are asymptomatic and may only be detected by routine postoperative screening with troponin measurements. This is important since myocardial injury not meeting criteria for myocardial infarction is associated with increased risk of 30-day mortality (Botto et al. in Anesthesiology 120:564-578, 2014). Traditional risk indices including the revised cardiac risk index (RCRI) and the myocardial infarction cardiac arrest (MICA) index were developed based on overt clinical signs of myocardial infarction and significantly underestimate adverse cardiac events. Recently, brain type natriuretic peptides (BNP) and its precursor n- terminal pro-brain type natriuretic peptide (nt-proBNP) have been shown to be powerful prognostic markers. Incorporating serum biomarkers into updated clinical risk indices is likely to improve their performance. Further studies are needed to determine appropriate clinical interventions to treat isolated elevations in cardiac troponin levels and further mitigate the increased risk of morbidity and mortality. The objective of this review is to summarize the current literature on the clinical diagnoses of perioperative myocardial injury in the setting of noncardiac surgery.
Learning from the Past: Using Emotional Intelligence When Faced with Recession

With world markets threatened because of political instability and the COVID-19 pandemic in full-swing, public library leaders find themselves in financial crisis and recession. This study takes an...
Vertical Abdominoplasty Technique and the Impact of Preoperative Comorbidities on Outcomes.

Background As the number of patients requiring bariatric surgery has increased, so has the demand for body contouring after massive weight loss. Surgery involving the abdomen in these patients is particularly challenging as both vertical and horizontal laxity if often present, making traditional abdominoplasty techniques less effective. Objectives The aim of this study was to review the operative technique and evaluate the preoperative comorbidities and operative decisions that may impact patient outcomes in those undergoing vertical abdominoplasty. Methods A review of the authors' technique is described. A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent vertical abdominoplasty for significant vertical and horizontal laxity after massive weight loss by a single surgeon between June 2007 and July 2019 was performed. Preoperative parameters, operative factors, and minor and major complications were evaluated. Results Our complication rate was 81% (13/16), which were all minor. No major complications were encountered. Patients with a history of nicotine use had a 100% complication rate. There was a trend toward higher seroma formation in patients with coronary artery disease and those with a history of smoking. There was also a trend toward higher wound dehiscence in patients with renal disease. The authors found no statistically significant correlation between complications and older age, higher weight of tissue resected, higher body mass index, and medical comorbidities. Conclusions This small series helps to elucidate the role of vertical abdominoplasty in the care of patients following massive weight loss and its associated morbidity. Proper patient selection, appropriate preoperative patient counseling, and sound surgical technique help to mitigate the negative outcomes. Level of Evidence 4
Distributed TD(0) with Almost No Communication.

We provide a new non-asymptotic analysis of distributed TD(0) with linear function approximation. Our approach relies on "one-shot averaging," where $N$ agents run local copies of TD(0) and average the outcomes only once at the very end. We consider two models: one in which the agents interact with an environment they can observe and whose transitions depends on all of their actions (which we call the global state model), and one in which each agent can run a local copy of an identical Markov Decision Process, which we call the local state model. In the global state model, we show that the convergence rate of our distributed one-shot averaging method matches the known convergence rate of TD(0). By contrast, the best convergence rate in the previous literature showed a rate which, in the worst case, underperformed the non-distributed version by $O(N^3)$ in terms of the number of agents $N$. In the local state model, we demonstrate a version of the linear time speedup phenomenon, where the convergence time of the distributed process is a factor of $N$ faster than the convergence time of TD(0). As far as we are aware, this is the first result rigorously showing benefits from parallelism for temporal difference methods.
Ethnic trust, minority status, and public goods in post-conflict societies:

This study considers how ethnic trust and minority status can impact the ability of ethnic groups to pursue cooperative public goods, focusing on groups with a history of conflict and lingering hos...
Abstract TP34: Endovascular Thrombectomy for M1 Vessel Occlusion: Comparison Between Stent Retriever Mediated Thrombectomy and Forced Aspiration Thrombectomy

Introduction: An evolution in endovascular approaches has been observed in the last decade with stent retrievers (ST) being the latest generation of devices. Stent retriever thrombectomy and manual...
Feedback Linearization of Nonlinear Systems using Generalized Sampled-Data Hold Functions

This paper investigates the use of "Generalized Sampled-Data Hold Functions" (GSHF) in the feedback linearization of analytic nonlinear time-invariant systems. This method uses a state feedback periodic controller in the form of a power series of the state samples x(kT). No coordinate transformation is needed. The idea for linearization is to introduce an i-th order homogeneous polynomial of x(kT) in the feedback to cancel the ith order nonlinearity of the closed loop dynamics. Simple sufficient conditions for the feedback linearization using GSHF controller are obtained. Local convergence of the GSHF feedback law is proven. An example is treated.
Sequence of bovine liver glutamate dehydrogenase. I. Isolation of tryptic peptides from the carboxymethylated protein.

Abstract 1. The amino acid composition of bovine liver glutamate dehydrogenase which had been carboxymethylated or oxidized was determined after hydrolysis in 6 n HCl for times up to 120 hours. The results were calculated on the basis of six identical polypeptide chains, each containing 506 amino acid residues, in good accord with both the determination of the sequence (calculated mol wt 56,100) and two sets of measurements by sedimentation equilibrium of the physical size of the subunit of 55,900 and 55,700. The partial specific volume of the protein is 0.735 ml per g as calculated from the amino acid composition. 2. From a tryptic hydrolysate of the carboxymethylated protein, 54 single or joined peptides were isolated in homogeneous form. Two dipeptides proved to be represented twice in the sequence. 3. The NH2 terminus of the protein was determined to be Ala-Asp, permitting identification of the NH2-terminal peptide. A peptide was identified as representing the COOH-terminal sequence of the protein, since it lacked a basic residue and contained the residues expected at the COOH terminus. 4. Hydrolysis produced by exposure to acid pH values was found to have occurred at two labile aspartyl-prolyl bonds in the sequence.
Desmoplasia: not always a bad thing

Desmoplasia describes a histological pattern characterized by a hyalinized stroma and a minimal cellular infiltrate. In non-cutaneous neoplasms, this pattern of stromal response is classically associated with malignancy, whereas in cutaneous pathology, desmoplasia is observed in malignant as well as benign neoplasms. Given this, the obvious question is whether desmoplasia associated with a benign neoplasm is any different from that associated with malignant tumours. Is the stromal response a mere epiphenomenon, or does it actually contribute to the biological behaviour of the neoplasm? What happens at the tumour-host interface? Which molecules are involved in mediating the desmoplastic reaction pattern? This review is an attempt to answer these questions. Examples of benign and malignant cutaneous neoplasms associated with the desmoplastic reaction pattern will be included.
Mitigating DoS Attacks on the Paging Channel by Efficient Encoding in Page Messages

Paging is an important mechanism for network bandwidth efficiency and mobile terminal battery life. It has been widely adopted by mobile networks, such as cellular networks, WiMax, and Mobile IP. Due to certain mechanisms for achieving paging efficiency and the convergence of wireless voice and data networks, the paging channel is vulnerable to inexpensive DoS attacks. To mitigate these attacks, we propose to leverage the knowledge of the user population size, the slotted nature of the paging operation, and the quick paging mechanism to reduce the length of terminal identifiers. In the case of a CDMA2000 system, we can reduce each identifier from 34 bits down to 7 bits, effectively doubling the paging channel capacity. Moreover, our scheme incurs no paging latency, missed pages, or false pages. Using a simulator and data collected from a commercial cellular network, we demonstrate that our scheme doubles the cost for DoS attackers.
Sensing Releases of Highly Toxic and Extremely Toxic Compounds

Chemical terrorism is a serious threat in modern society (i.e., using or threatening to use chemicals as weapons of terror), which is likely to continue for many years. One of the ways to prepare for chemical terrorism events is to develop sensors capable of identifying and quantifying the chemical in use so that when an event occurs, it can be rapidly and accurately identified and its effects can be mitigated. A second way is to identify a list of chemicals that have toxicological and physiochemical properties that are consistent with use as a chemical agent. Both of these activities are important to preparing for such an event and are the major topics discussed in this article. This article is therefore devoted to describing a methodology for identifying potential chemical threat agents, identifying a set of toxic industrial chemicals that fit the criteria, and describing sensor availabilities for selected highly and extremely toxic chemicals. Keywords: chemical terrorism; toxic compounds; identification; exposure; sensors; inhalation route; dermal route; regulatory lists; guidelines
Dynamic Wall Pressure Measurements

The quest for information on the dynamics of wall pressure fluctuations has been motivated by two principle objectives. The first is to gain more fundamental understanding of the turbulent boundary layer, in particular, the mechanism by which it continually regenerates itself. The wall pressure measurement has the advantage of being, for the most part, non-invasive. On the other hand, it is a weighted integral of the velocity fluctuations in the boundary layer, hence, its picture of boundary layer activity must of necessity be somewhat diffuse. Pressure measurements have been combined with other measurements, in particular, fluctuating velocity and fluctuating wall shear stress. These have taken the form of long-time averages, such as in cross-correlation and cross-spectral density measurements. Short time conditional average measurements have also been taken wherein one or the other of the physical quantities has served as the trigger. A blend of the two techniques has been employed in measuring wall pressure fluctuations in the transition zone between laminar and turbulent flow. The pressure measurement is today an integral part of any serious experimental study of boundary layer dynamics.
Contact resistance studies of metal on HOPG and graphene stacks

Contact resistance is one of the major factors limiting the performance of future nanoelectronic devices. Although there has been significant progress in graphene based devices since 2004[1, 11, 13, 19, 20], there have been few studies of factors such as metal type, metal workfunction and number of layers in the graphene stack on metal/graphene contact resistance. In this work, contact resistance measurements of various metals (Cr, Ni, Pd, Pt) on Highly Oriented Pyrolytic Graphite (HOPG) and graphene (single layered and few layered) were performed. The total resistance is independent of distance indicating a contact resistance dominated system. The contact resistance is observed to be similar for a wide variety of metals although the metal workfunction varies from 4.3 eV to 5.6 eV. Similar measurements were performed for metal on single‐ and multi‐layer graphene. The electrical results are compared with XPS measurements of thin metal on HOPG. Issues regarding the characterization and interpretation of contact resistance for metal‐semimetal systems are discussed.
History of affective disorder and the experience of fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective To evaluate how a prior affective disorder (major depression or generalized anxiety disorder) affects current fatigue among individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To determine whether that relationship is mediated by self-efficacy expectations. Methods Forty-eight RA patients with a prior affective disorder and 74 without a history of affective disorder completed a mailed questionnaire that included the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue and indicators of neuroticism and self efficacy. Results RA patients with a history of affective disorder reported higher levels of fatigue than those with no previous affective disturbance. Controlling for neuroticism and self efficacy, affective disorder history continued to predict current fatigue. Mediational analyses revealed both direct and indirect effects (via self efficacy) of history of affective disorder on the experience of fatigue in RA. Conclusion History of affective disorder independently predicts higher levels of fatigue in RA patients, and self efficacy plays a mediating role in this relationship.
“Drawing” Conclusions About Perceptions of Ideal Male and Female Body Shapes

Preferences for bodily traits (e.g., waist-to-hip ratio; WHR) have been widely documented through the use of stimulus sets (e.g., line drawings, photographs). The purpose of the present study was to explore preferences for bodily traits using a method that does not constrain the range of possible values for each trait. Participants drew a figure depicting the most attractive member of the opposite sex they could imagine and a figure depicting a member of their own sex that they believed members of the opposite sex would find maximally attractive. Participants drew some traits similarly to values identified in previous research (e.g., WHR); however, other traits (e.g., leg-to-body ratio) were drawn differently from values documented through the use of stimulus sets. Additional analyses showed that men were fairly accurate in predicting what women prefer in a man’s bodily traits, but women underestimated the ideal WHR and overestimated the ideal bust-to-waist ratio considered by men to be maximally attractive. In contrast to our predictions, participants’ morphological trait preferences were independent of their sociosexual orientations. While the unconstrained drawing task produced slightly different results than those obtained through the use of stimulus sets for some traits, its sensitivity to a larger range of potential values renders it a powerful method of exploring morphological trait preferences.
All I really needed to know I learned during gastrulation.

Note from the EditorPoints of View (POV) address issues faced by many people within the life science education community. CBE—Life Sciences Education (CBE-LSE) publishes the POV Feature to present ...
Life cycle assessment of high‐concentration photovoltaic systems

The environmental profiles of photovoltaic (PV) systems are becoming better as materials are used more efficiently in their production, and overall system performance improves. Our analysis details the material and energy inventories in the life cycle of high-concentration PV systems, and, based on measured field-performances, evaluates their energy payback times, life cycle greenhouse gas emissions, and usage of land and water. Although operating high-concentration PV systems require considerable maintenance, their life cycle environmental burden is much lower than that of the flat-plate c-Si systems operating in the same high-insolation regions. The estimated energy payback times of the Amonix 7700 PV system in operation at Phoenix, AZ, is only 0.9 year, and its estimated greenhouse gas emissions are 27 g CO2-eq./kWh over 30 years, or approximately 16 g CO2-eq./kWh over 50 years. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
E-ferol: what happened and what now?

In October 1983, an intravenous form of vitamin E was marketed as a nutritional supplement but promoted and used pharmacologically for the prevention of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). By April 1984, E-ferol was recalled following the deaths of 38 infants who had received the drug. Why did they die, does vitamin E even prevent ROP, and can it be given safely? WHY DID THEY DIE? Naturally occurring vitamin E is tocopherol, a fatty alcohol that is absorbed unchanged with other fats from the gastrointestinal tract. Several esters of the parent compound are available. The acetate ester is the form generally found in oral preparations, and the form available in parenteral multivitamin preparations.
Heterodyne pump - probe technique for time-domain studies of optical nonlinearities in waveguides.

We describe a novel pump–probe technique in which pump and probe pulses are collinear and have parallel polarizations but are still distinguishable. This new technique is especially useful for femtosecond time-domain studies of waveguides. We present experimental results for bulk (V-groove) semiconductor optical amplifiers at 1.5 μm and compare them with results for orthogonally polarized pump–probe measurements. The comparison demonstrates differences that are due to anisotropy of the group velocity as well as of the waveguide nonlinearity.
Iron Content and Ferritin in Leaves of Iron Treated Xanthium pensylvanicum Plants

Iron administration to iron-starved cocklebur (Xanthium pensylvanicum) plants causes an increase in the iron content of ferritin fractions extracted from mature leaves. Xanthium plants grown under long days (vegetative stage) have more iron and ferritin than similarly iron-treated plants induced to flower under short day regimes. This first demonstration of ferritin in cocklebur (Compositae) leaves suggests that a substantial portion of iron that enters the iron-starved plant appears as this protein-iron macromolecule.
Development of portable device for measuring accumulation rate of sea salt particles

Abstract We have developed a new portable device for measuring the accumulation rate of sea salt particles. This device is composed of two sets of handy QCM devices, a handy vacuum desiccator and a handy moistening. QCM sensor used was Ag-coated one with 30 MHz in resonant frequency. The resonant frequency change with the relative humidity was measured under different size and amount of attached sea salt particles. The result shows that the resonant frequency was decreased as the relative humidity increased. The decrease of resonant frequency was caused by the weight increase of MgCl2 solution in the sea salt particles. QCM sensor was exposed on outdoor and the amount of attached sea salt was estimated by the resonant frequency change with the relative humidity.
Relation of latency of galvanic skin reflex to frequency of the electroencephalogram

Galvanic skin reflexes (GSRs) were evoked in 42 healthy males by short, supra-threshold tones presented at random and without warning while electroencephalograms (EEGs) were recorded. Period (reciprocal of frequency) of EEG, in the interval between presentation of stimulus and initiation of GSR, was correlated with GSR latency. A statistically significant but low positive correlation of 0.26 suggested that, in contrast to results with voluntary responses, latency of GSR is largely independent of cortical (EEG) influences.
The Evolution of Illustrated Texts and Their Effect on Science: Examples from Early American State Geological Reports

In the 19th century, printing methods made significant advances that allowed mass production of illustrated texts; prior to that time, illustrated texts were expensive and rare. The number of illustrated texts thus rose exponentially, increasing the rate of information transfer among scientists, engineers and the general public. The early American state geological reports, funded by the state legislatures, were among the pioneering volumes that used the new graphic capabilities in the improved printing processes for the advancement of science. They contain thousands of illustrations—woodcuts, etchings, lithographs and hand-painted maps—that may be of interest to historians of science, technology, art and culture.
Scripture and Interpretive Method: Why Read Scripture as Canon?

This article presents the practical benefits of interpreting Scripture as a composite or collection. Based upon Comparative Midrash and Intertextuality, the work of James A. Sanders suggests most fundamentally that Scripture can serve as a paradigm for how one understands the divine working through the world. The study provides a brief overview of this method and then through a critical assessment presents general implications that result from employing the method.
Flight behaviour of Bemisia tabaci in a vertical flight chamber: effect of time of day, sex, age and host quality

. The free-flight behaviour of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae), the sweet potato whitefly, was investigated in a vertical flight chamber. A mercury-vapour lamp presented from above induced a phototactic flight response. Although flight propensity was comparable from 06.00 to 19.00 hours, flight duration was maximum between 06.00 and 10.00 hours. Males flew longer than females and their mean flight duration remained constant throughout the day. Females flew longer from 06.00 to 13.00 hours than from 13.00 to 19.00 hours. Both sexes were capable of sustaining flight for more than 2h, although less than 5% of those tested did so. Flight activity also was influenced by age and by host quality. The propensity to take off, proportion exhibiting phototactic orientation and flight duration varied with the age of the whitefly. Host quality influenced the timing of flight behaviour. Whiteflies reared on senescing plants exhibited greater take-off rates and initiated longer phototactic flights up to 4 days following adult eclosion when compared to individuals reared on vegetative plants. Thereafter, individuals reared on vegetative plants exhibited greater response levels. Whiteflies reared on vegetative plants weighed more and survived longer than did individuals reared on senescing plants. Whiteflies that responded to the overhead light initially exhibited a strong photokinetic and phototactic response. Over the course of the flight, these responses declined and flight instability increased, as indicated by an overall decrease in the mean rate of climb, accompanied by an increase in the variability of this parameter and an increase in horizontal displacement. Although males and females displayed similar flight characteristics, females exhibited a greater rate of climb than did males, and for both sexes, individuals that flew longer than 25 min had a greater rate of climb than did individuals that flew for less than 25 min.
Idea Bank: Assessing Your Curriculum with the Creative Rights Pyramid

The creative rights pyramid present ed here was developed as part of my efforts to (1) teach about copy right and intellectual property and (2) in crease students' awareness of their own intellectual property in and outside the music classroom.1 The pyramid is based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture food pyramid to suggest that the cur ricular diet in the music classroom can promote innovation and creativity in much the same way as health can be promoted via the diet advocated by the food pyramid.2 To use the pyramid, first make sure you understand the categories: public domain and original works, copyright, and the Creative Commons license (see the Resources for Creative Rights side bar). Next, take time to assess the curric ulum you have recently offered or plan to use in the future: How many materi als did you offer in each category? Were students taught about what they could or could not do with material in the differ ent categories? Did you as a teacher rec ognize the intellectual rights that your students possessed when they created their own compositions or expressive performances? A premise inherent in the pyramid is that students should have consider able material that has no restrictions, allowing works that can be remixed, reused, recorded, even wrecked, and then shared with the world without having to pursue permission. This acknowledges
Top-down design in the context of parallel programs

A class of parallel programs, based on Free Choice Petri nets, is modeled by associating operators and predicates with vertices of the net. The model, called a formal parallel program (FPP), forms a natural extension of flow-chart notation to parallel programs. Definitions are made of the behaviour of an FPP, and the simulation of one FPP by another. A class of top-down FPPs is next defined, by requiring program graphs to be obtained through successive refinement steps, using a restricted set of control structures. Using the above definitions, it is shown that there exists an FPP ℰ satisfying the property that for any top-down FPP ℰ ′ simulating ℰ, the degree of parallelism attainable in ℰ ′ is smaller than that in ℰ. The measure of parallelism used is the number of different ways of carrying out a computation. In the case of parallel programs, this phenomenon of loss of parallelism therefore uncovers a performance factor which may offset some of the advantages of using top-down design.
A moving wave patterns the cone photoreceptor mosaic array in the zebrafish retina

In this paper, we describe the embryonic origin and patterning of the planar mosaic array of cone photoreceptor spectral subtypes in the zebrafish retina. A discussion of possible molecular mechanisms that might generate the cone mosaic array considers but discards a model that accounts for formation of neuronal mosaics in the inner retina and discusses limitations of mathematical simulations that reproduce the zebrafish cone mosaic pattern. The formation and organization of photoreceptors in the ommatidia of the compound eye of Drosophila is compared with similar features in the developing zebrafish cone mosaic, and a model is proposed that invokes spatiotemporally coordinated cell-cell interactions among cone progenitors to determine the identity and positioning of cone spectral subtypes.
Identification of spontaneous and deliberate behavior

The present research investigates the accuracy of decoding spontaneous (natural or unintentional) and deliberate (posed or intentional) nonverbal behavior. Previous research has suggested that spontaneous and deliberate nonverbal cues are highly similar if not identical, implying that observers cannot discriminate accurately between the two types of behavior. But this conclusion is based on the decoding of information about content, without taking into account the structure of the behavior. Observers in the present study viewed silent videotapes of schoolchildren listening to a lesson. The behavior of the stimulus children was either spontaneous or deliberate, and they either comprehended or did not comprehend the lesson. Simultaneously, observers were required to identify the behavior both in terms of its content (comprehension or noncomprehension) and its structure (spontaneous or deliberate). Results indicated that observers readily differentiated between spontaneous and deliberate behavior. Implications for existing theories of deception are discussed
The Humanistic Ethics of Rollo May

This article examines the essential role that Rollo May ascribes to values in giving people ("the ethical animal") their "sense of being" or ontology. Values, he argues, result from a courageous process of commitment to self-chosen centers of valuation. This process requires self-consciousness, responsibility, confrontation with anxiety, and presupposes freedom. Although the product of subjective valuation, values are embedded in the collective levels of human civilization and symbolically represented in myths.
Diverse factors are involved in maintaining X chromosome inactivation.

X chromosome inactivation (XCI) is the most dramatic example of epigenetic silencing in eukaryotes. Once established, the inactivated X chromosome (Xi) remains silenced throughout subsequent cell divisions. Though the initiation of XCI has been studied extensively, the protein factors involved in Xi silencing and maintenance are largely unknown. Here we report the discovery of a diverse set of 32 proteins involved in maintenance of Xi silencing through a genome-wide RNAi screen. In addition, we describe the mechanistic roles of two proteins—origin recognition complex 2 (Orc2) and heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1α)—in Xi silencing. Immunofluorescence studies indicate that Orc2 and HP1α localize on Xi in mouse cells. Depletion of Orc2 by shRNA leads to the loss of both Orc2 and HP1α localization on Xi. Furthermore, the silencing of genes on Xi is disrupted in both Orc2- and HP1α-depleted cells. Finally, we show, using ChIP assay, that the localization of HP1α and Orc2 to the promoter regions of Xi-silenced genes is interdependent. These findings reveal a diverse set of proteins involved in Xi silencing, show how Orc2 and HP1α impact Xi silencing, and provide a basis for future studies on the maintenance of Xi silencing.
Conceptual and Methodological Considerations in Research with Non-White Ethnic Elders

ABSTRACT Due to greater longevity and recent waves of immigration, growth rates for ethnic minority elders arc expected to far exceed those of same-aged whites in the next half century. Yet, research in social gerontology has focused almost exclusively on older whites. This paper addresses conceptual and methodological issues relevant to research on nonwhite ethnic elders. The rationale for clear, consistent terminology to define and target study populations is presented first, followed by theoretical and conceptual issues, particularly as they relate to measurement for and across different racial, ethnic, and cultural groups. Finally, issues related to quantitative and qualitative design, data collection, and analysis are discussed.
Factors Influencing Students Intention to Take Web-Based Courses in a College Environment

The growing use of a web-based environment for college education is gradually replacing some aspects of the classroom in a University setting, and it is shifting the long accepted paradigm of understanding how students learn and introduces the question of what influences a studentâ€™s decision to learn in an online environment. In a web-based course, students gain a level of interaction with the material not possible in the classroom, yet lose other components that are only available in a physical environment. Educators struggle to determine what influences a student to take web-based college courses, and how they best learn in that environment. This study proposes that the studentâ€™s learning style, their self-efficacy and self-regulation when it comes to learning, and their expectations regarding online classes, are all factors in their choice to take web-based college courses. To validate this, students currently taking college level courses were surveyed and their responses analyzed.
Fuzzy Geodesics and Consistent Sparse Correspondences For: eformable Shapes

A geodesic is a parameterized curve on a Riemannian manifold governed by a second order partial differential equation. Geodesics are notoriously unstable: small perturbations of the underlying manifold may lead to dramatic changes of the course of a geodesic. Such instability makes it difficult to use geodesics in many applications, in particular in the world of discrete geometry. In this paper, we consider a geodesic as the indicator function of the set of the points on the geodesic. From this perspective, we present a new concept called fuzzy geodesics and show that fuzzy geodesics are stable with respect to the Gromov-Hausdorff distance. Based on fuzzy geodesics, we propose a new object called the intersection configuration for a set of points on a shape and demonstrate its effectiveness in the application of finding consistent correspondences between sparse sets of points on shapes differing by extreme deformations.