cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Are prototypes and exemplars used in distinct cognitive processes

We argue that Machery provides no convincing evidence that prototypes and exemplars are typically used in distinct cognitive processes. This partially undermines the fourth tenet of the Heterogeneity Hypothesis and thus casts doubts on Machery's way of splitting concepts into different kinds. Although Machery may be right that concepts split into different kinds, such kinds may be different from those countenanced by the Heterogeneity Hypothesis.
Micro-macromechanical analysis of heterogeneous materials: Macroscopically homogeneous vs periodic microstructures

Abstract A complete set of engineering moduli for two types of unidirectional composites with large fiber/matrix property contrasts was generated using the finite-element approach based on three sets of boundary conditions employed to calculate macroscopic moduli of statistically homogeneous and periodic heterogeneous materials. The boundary condition-dependent differences in the generated moduli highlight the differences between representative volume element and repeating unit cell concepts, which continue to be used interchangeably in the composite mechanics community. Homogeneous boundary conditions, which underpin the concept of a representative volume element, produce apparent engineering moduli that are known to converge asymptotically to effective moduli of a periodic composite from below and above with increasing number of uniformly-spaced inclusions at a rate that depends on the inclusion/matrix property contrast and on the particular modulus. Herein, new results are presented which demonstrate that the quality of the effective moduli estimates depends both on the type of homogeneous boundary conditions and on the particular engineering modulus regardless of the inclusion/matrix property mismatch. Further, not all effective engineering moduli are bounded by the apparent moduli obtained under homogeneous displacement and traction boundary conditions. The generated effective moduli are subsequently employed in a macrostructural problem simulating a simple tension test in order to estimate the accuracy of the effective modulus concept in a multiscale localization analysis setting. For the considered problem, homogenization-based localization analysis of microlevel stress fields produces accurate values relative to the fully heterogeneous results outside of a very small layer spanning one row/column of single-inclusion boundary unit cells.
Probabilistic swarm guidance using optimal transport

Probabilistic swarm guidance enables autonomous agents to generate their individual trajectories independently so that the entire swarm converges to the desired distribution shape. In contrast with previous homogeneous or inhomogeneous Markov chain based approaches [1], this paper presents an optimal transport based approach which guarantees faster convergence, minimizes a given cost function, and reduces the number of transitions for achieving the desired formation. Each agent first estimates the current swarm distribution by communicating with neighboring agents and using a consensus algorithm and then solves the optimal transport problem, which is recast as a linear program, to determine its transition probabilities. We discuss methods for handling motion constraints and also demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed algorithm by numerically comparing it with existing Markov chain based strategies.
Moods, wicked problems, and learning

Wicked problems and learning environments present tough mood challenges for leaders and teachers. Telepresence and sensory gadgets are unlikely to replace physical presence in these areas.
Involvement of Gαi2 in the Maintenance and Biogenesis of Epithelial Cell Tight Junctions

Polarized epithelial cells have highly developed tight junctions (TJ) to maintain an impermeant barrier and segregate plasma membrane functions, but the mechanisms that promote TJ formation and maintain its integrity are only partially defined. Treatment of confluent monolayers of Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells with AlF4− (activator of heterotrimeric G protein α subunits) results in a 3–4-fold increase in transepithelial resistances (TER), a reliable indicator of TJ integrity. MOCK cells transfected with activated Gα0 (Q205L) have acclerated TJ formation (Denker, B. M., Saha, C., Khawaja, S., and Nigam, S. J. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 25750–25753). Gαi2 has been localized within the tight junction, and a role for Gαi2in the formation and/or maintenance of the tight junction was studied by transfection of MDCK cells with vector without insert (PC), wild type Gαi2, or a GTPase-deficient mutant (constitutively activated), Q205Lαi2. Tryptic conformational analysis confirmed expression of a constitutively active Gαi2 in Q205Lαi2-MDCK cells, and confocal microscopy showed a similar pattern of Gαi2 localization in the three cell lines. Q205Lαi2-MDCK cells had significantly higher base-line TER values than wild type Gαi2- or PC-MDCK cells (1187 ± 150 versus 576 ± 89 (Gαi2); 377 ± 52 Ω·cm2 (PC)), and both Gαi2- and Q205Lαi2-transfected cell lines more rapidly develop TER in the Ca2+ switch, a model widely used to study the mechanisms of junctional assembly. Treatment of cells with AlF4− during the Ca2+ switch had little effect on the kinetics of TER development in Gαi2- or Q205Lαi2-MDCK cells, but PC cells reached half-maximal TER significantly sooner in the presence of AlF4− (similar times to Gαi2-transfected cells). Base-line TER values obtained after the switch were significantly higher for all three cell lines in the presence of AlF4−. These findings indicate that Gαi2 is important for both the maintenance and development of the TJ, although additional Gα subunits are likely to play a role.
Multiconfiguration time-dependent Hartree-Fock treatment of electronic and nuclear dynamics in diatomic molecules

The multiconfiguration time-dependent Hartree-Fock (MCTDHF) method is formulated for treating the coupled electronic and nuclear dynamics of diatomic molecules without the Born-Oppenheimer approximation. The method treats the full dimensionality of the electronic motion, uses no model interactions, and is in principle capable of an exact nonrelativistic description of diatomics in electromagnetic fields. An expansion of the wave function in terms of configurations of orbitals whose dependence on internuclear distance is only that provided by the underlying prolate spheroidal coordinate system is demonstrated to provide the key simplifications of the working equations that allow their practical solution. Photoionization cross sections are also computed from the MCTDHF wave function in calculations using short pulses.
Application of macrocyclic ligands to ion chromatography

Abstract Macrocyclic ligands such as crown ethers adn cryptands are highly selective in binding metal and other cations and have been employed in a variety of separation technologies, including solvent extraction, membranes and chromatography. In recent years, groups have succeeded in applying these ligands to high-performance ion chromatography. Typically, crown ethers have been adsorbed, covalently bonded or polymerized on particulate substrates. In some instances, excellent separations among alkali and other metal ions have been achieved. As many macrocycles are uncharged and are insensitive to pH, cations, together with their accompanying anions, may be eluted using pure solvents such as water or methanol as eluents. Further, anions may be separated through the formation of ion pairs with the bound cations. The latter effect has been refined to make possible a unique form of gradient anion chromatography. When metal hydroxide eluents are used for anion chromatography, the capacity of a macrocyte column is determined by the stability constant of the metal ion complexation reaction. If the eluent cation is changed during the course of a single chromatogram so that the column capacity drops, a wide range of anions can be separated with excellent resolution. Little baseline perturbation is experienced since the eluent (OH ]− concentration remains constant throughtout the gradient.
Is coherence truth conducive

In recent papers Klein and Warfield (1994, 1996) argue that coherence per se is not truth conducive on the ground that the more coherent of two sets of beliefs is often more likely to contain a false belief. Merricks (1995) responds on behalf of the coherentist that we should not evaluate truth conduciveness on the level of sets, as Klein and Warfield do, but on the level of individual beliefs. A proper examination of these claims requires a clear understanding of what coherence per se amounts to. This paper proposes a precise definition of coherence, and uses it for untangling the epistemological knots of coherence and truth. My analysis reveals that (pace Klein and Warfield) coherence per se is truth conducive on the level of sets; but (pace Merricks and many coherentists) it is not truth conducive on the level of individual beliefs.
A Survey Based Study of Factors Related to Older driver Highway Safety

In the past, many studies have analyzed crash data to identify various factors contributing to older driver highway safety. However, it is also necessary to identify other types of safety related issues that cannot be extracted from crash data. Therefore, a questionnaire was prepared and a survey was conducted to identify those issues and difficulties, which could not typically be identified using crash data. Based on the responses, a detailed examination was carried out to understand different behavioral changes in older drivers with respect to various conditions. Based on the survey results it was found that left turns appear to be the most challenging maneuvering task for older drivers. Those drivers older than age 70 years were highly involved in crashes, and those with elevated income levels and education had higher involvement in crashes as well. Older male drivers indicated higher levels of difficulties in stopping, stopped waiting to turn, or slowing down situations. On the other hand, females showed higher levels of difficulty associated with identifying speeds and distance of oncoming traffic compared to males. Findings of this study could be used to develop more focused programs toward improving older driver safety.
An OpenCL implementation for acceleration of the BOR-FDTD algorithm on GPUs

The body of revolution finite-difference time-domain (BOR-FDTD) method is accelerated using graphics processing units (GPUs). The developed BOR-FDTD algorithm can be employed to efficiently characterize an axisymmetric gradient-index (GRIN) lens embedded in a planar multilayered medium when illuminated by an oblique incidence plane wave. The BOR- method is carried out by using the open computing language (OpenCL) programming that can be executed across heterogeneous platforms consisting of CPUs and GPUs. The accuracy and efficiency of the developed parallel techniques are demonstrated by the presented numerical results.
Joule-level tunable single-frequency Nd:glass laser

A tunable, single-frequency, injection-seeded, Q-switched Nd:glass laser has been operated. Laser pulses with joule-level energy and 30-ns duration were obtained between 1050 and 1057 nm.
Cryogenic absorption cells operating inside a Bruker IFS-125HR: First results for 13CH4 at 7 μm

New absorption cells designed specifically to achieve stable temperatures down to 66 K inside the sample compartment of an evacuated Bruker IFS-125HR Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) were developed at Connecticut College and tested at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The temperature stabilized cryogenic cells with path lengths of 24.29 and 20.38 cm were constructed of oxygen free high conductivity (OFHC) copper and fitted with wedged ZnSe windows using vacuum tight indium seals. In operation, the temperature-controlled cooling by a closed-cycle helium refrigerator achieved stability of 0.01 K. The unwanted absorption features arising from cryodeposits on the cell windows at low temperatures were eliminated by building an internal vacuum shroud box around the cell which significantly minimized the growth of cryodeposits. The effects of vibrations from the closed-cycle helium refrigerator on the FTS spectra were characterized. Using this set up, several high-resolution spectra of methane isotopologues broadened with nitrogen were recorded in the 1200-1800 per centimeter spectral region at various sample temperatures between 79.5 and 296 K. Such data are needed to characterize the temperature dependence of spectral line shapes at low temperatures for remote sensing of outer planets and their moons. Initial analysis of a limited number of spectra in the region of the R(2) manifold of the v4 fundamental band of 13CH4 indicated that an empirical power law used for the temperature dependence of the N2-broadened line widths would fail to fit the observed data in the entire temperature range from 80 to 296 K; instead, it follows a temperature-dependence similar to that reported by Mondelain et al. [17,18]. The initial test was very successful proving that a high precision Fourier transform spectrometer with a completely evacuated optical path can be configured for spectroscopic studies at low temperatures relevant to the planetary atmospheres.
Conjugated bisphenol A in maternal serum in relation to miscarriage risk

Objective: To examine the relationship between the maternal serum bisphenol A (BPA) concentration at the time of the missed menstrual cycle and miscarriage risk. Design: Retrospective cohort of prospectively collected serum samples. Setting: Academic fertility center. Patient(s): Women presenting for early pregnancy monitoring with singleton pregnancies. Intervention(s): Stored serum samples from 4 to 5 weeks' gestation analyzed for conjugated serum BPA concentrations. Main Outcome Measure(s): Live birth, miscarriage, and chromosome content of miscarriage. Result(s): With the 115 women included in the study, there were 47 live births and 68 clinical miscarriages (46 aneuploid and 22 euploid). Median conjugated BPA concentrations were higher in the women who had miscarriages than in those who had live births (0.101 vs. 0.075 ng/mL). Women with the highest quartile of conjugated BPA had an increased relative risk of miscarriage (1.83; 95% CI, 1.14–2.96) compared with the women in the lowest quartile. We found a similar increase risk for both euploid and aneuploid miscarriages. Conclusion(s): Maternal conjugated BPA was associated with a higher risk of aneuploid and euploid miscarriage in this cohort. The impact of reducing individual exposure on future pregnancy outcomes deserves further study. (Fertil Steril 2014;102:123–8. 2014 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)
Abstract 1149: The role of the novel Notch1-Sox9 signaling axis in NSCLC progression and EMT

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Sox9 plays critical roles in the specification and differentiation of numerous progenitor and differentiated cell types during embryonic and fetal development. Sox9 is overexpressed in 40 - 50% of lung adenocarcinomas and associated with poor prognosis in lung cancer patients. We set out to identify upstream pathways that regulate Sox9 expression in lung cancer, as well as the role of Sox9 in lung adenocarcinoma progression. Several developmental and stem cell pathways are known to induce Sox9 transcription during carcinogenesis, including the TGB-β, Wnt/β-catenin, Sonic Hedgehog, and NF-κB signaling. Sox9 has also been shown to be a transcriptional target of the Notch pathway during mouse development, although the binding sites for Notch within the mouse Sox9 promoter are not conserved in humans. We mined gene expression data from three publicly available datasets and found that Hes1, a known Notch target gene, is co-expressed with Sox9 in lung adenocarcinoma. Furthermore, Sox9 mRNA and protein levels were upregulated over 100-fold as early as 14 days after Notch1 induction in the Notch1-induced mouse model of lung cancer, suggesting that Sox9 overexpression is an early event during lung cancer development. Through a series of in vitro assays, we determined that Sox9 is downstream of Notch1 in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. By ChIP we determined that Sox9 is a direct target of Notch1 and using luciferase reporter assays, we located the previously unidentified human RBP-Jκ binding site, the principle effector of canonical Notch1 signaling, immediately upstream of the Sox9 transcriptional start site. We also examined TGF-β, a known inducer of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in lung cancer. We determined that induction of Sox9 expression by Notch1 is independent of TGF-β signaling and that TGF-β and Notch1 cooperate in their regulation of Sox9 expression. Loss of Notch1 expression led to an induced MET phenotype, characterized by decreased cell invasion/migration, MET-like morphological changes, and increased E-cadherin expression, which were rescued by Sox9 overexpression. Our data also demonstrate that Sox9 contributes to Notch1-induced EMT in lung adenocarcinoma. These results establish Sox9 as a key Notch1 target gene mediating Notch1-induced EMT independent of TGF-β, leading to poor survival in lung adenocarcinoma. Citation Format: Kathleen M. Capaccione, Xuehui Hong, Katherine M. Morgan, Thaddeus D. Allen, Gregory D. Miles, Elke K. Markert, J. Michael Bishop, Sharon R. Pine. The role of the novel Notch1-Sox9 signaling axis in NSCLC progression and EMT. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1149. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1149
On data reduction errors in proton energy loss measurements

Abstract Numerical reconstructions of multiple proton energy loss (PEL) density projections produce three-dimensional spatial maps of density variations resulting from sample morphology and composition. The accuracy in evaluating the line-average density along each projection is directly correlated to the accuracy of the approximations used in the data reduction before reconstruction. Sources of data reduction errors including beam stopping power, energy straggling, Bragg additivity and energy loss curve fitting are discussed. Simulated tomographic data of uniform samples are generated on the computer to examine these errors in worst-case scenarios. The error analysis serves to help achieve improved material characterization by ion tomography.
Incorporating the principles of the patient-centered medical home into a student-run free clinic

As the health care delivery landscape changes, medical schools must develop creative strategies for preparing future physicians to provide quality care in this new environment. Despite the growing prominence of the patient-centered medical home (PCMH) as an effective model for health care delivery, few medical schools have integrated formal education on the PCMH into their curricula. Incorporating the PCMH model into medical school curricula is important to ensure that students have a comprehensive understanding of the different models of health care delivery and can operate effectively as physicians. The authors provide a detailed description of the process by which the Weill Cornell Community Clinic (WCCC), a student-run free clinic, has integrated PCMH principles into a service-learning initiative. The authors assessed patient demographics, diagnoses, and satisfaction along with student satisfaction. During the year after a PCMH model was adopted, 112 students and 19 licensed physicians volunteered their time. A review of the 174 patients seen from July 2011 to June 2012 found that the most common medical reasons for visits included management of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, gastrointestinal conditions, arthritis, anxiety, and depression. During the year after the adoption of the PCMH model, 87% were very or extremely satisfied with their care, and 96% of the patients would recommend the WCCC to others. Students who participate in the WCCC gain hands-on experience in coordinating care, providing continuity of care, addressing issues of accessibility, and developing quality and safety metrics. The WCCC experience provides an integrative model that links service-learning with education on health care delivery in a primary care setting. The authors propose that adoption of this approach by other student-run clinics provides a substantial opportunity to improve medical education nationwide and better prepare future physicians to practice within this new model of health care delivery.
Epidural blood patch: Comparison of fluoroscopic guided technique versus non-fluoroscopic (blind) technique

AbstractEpidural blood patch (EBP) is an accepted modality for the treatment of post dural puncture headache (PDPH). Most EBP procedures are done without the use of fluoroscopy, although fluoroscopic guided epidural needle positioning has been demonstrated to be more accurate than conventional (blind) technique. In our study, we compared the two approaches in 26 patients with PDPH. There were three cases in the conventional (blind) group who had inadequate pain relief, yet none in the fluoroscopic guided group. We conclude that EBP performed utilizing fluoroscopic guidance will result in a better outcome. Although we do not recommend fluoroscopic use for all EBP, we reserve this technique for patients with altered anatomic landmarks (patient with previous lumber spine surgery) or those who did not have adequate relief of symptoms with conventional (blind) technique.
Impaired Maximal Exercise Performance with Hypertensive Cardiovascular Disease

Responses to a multistage treadmill test of maximal exercise were studied in 61 hypertensive patients: 13 had uncomplicated hypertension; 15 had associated retinopathy; 22 had left ventricular hypertrophy; and 11 also had coronary heart disease. Because of significant differences with aging normally, and differences in ages of these subgroups, responses were compared with those of normotensive persons matched for age and sex. With only elevated blood pressure there was no impairment of exercise performance and no increase in S-T segment depression. With ventricular hypertrophy and particularly with retinopathy, maximal exercise duration was shortened. Prevalence of postexertional myocardial ischemia, manifested by S-T segment depression, was increased threefold in those with hypertrophy of the left ventricle. Even greater impairment of exercise duration, maximal heart rate, and systolic pressure was observed in patients with coronary heart disease and hypertension. Prevalence of S-T segment depression was sevenfold greater. This ECG manifestation of myocardial ischemia may represent either an augmented contractile force or a significantly restricted coronary blood supply to limit myocardial perfusion. Differences in duration of exercise and circulatory responses, particularly the product of maximal heart rate and maximal systolic pressure/100, indicate these variations in pathophysiological mechanisms.
TCT-833 Meta-analysis of Long Term Outcomes of Intravascular Ultrasound versus Angiographic-Guided Percutaneous Coronary Intervention of Bifurcation Lesions

Objectives: To compare differences in long term outcomes in intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided vs. angiography-guided percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) of bifurcation lesions. Backgroun...
Measurements on the Texas A & M polarized proton beam

Abstract Two tests have been performed on the polarized proton beam at the Texas A & M cyclotron. The accelerated beam was tested for uniformity of polarization across the beam profile. The uniformity was found to be sensitive to the acceleration history of the beam. The direction of the beam polarization varied by as much as 2° across the beam profile. The polarized beam coming directly from the source was also tested for changes in the beam intensity caused by switching the polarization by 180°. An effect, as large as one part in 10 5 and dependent on the total beam polarization, was found. Possible application to beam polarization measurements is discussed.
Review of twin and adoption studies of adolescent substance use.

ABSTRACT Objective To review studies of adolescent substance use and abuse with genetically informative designs. Method Twin and adoption studies of adolescent substance use were searched in Medline using keywords. Results Of 19 studies that used adolescent samples, 18 examined initiation or use of substances and 1 examined abuse. Of the 7 retrospective studies using adult samples, 6 examined problematic behaviors such as substance dependence. Genetic and shared environmental influences on adolescent substance use are moderated by the specific substance, age, gender, specific contexts, religiousness, and region. There is some evidence for a common genetic influence on substance use across substances. Genetic influences on adolescent substance use may act through an influence on disinhibited behavior. Shared environment contributed to adolescent substance use consistently across all adolescent samples and common shared environmental influences influenced initiation into tobacco and alcohol use. While parental alcohol use had a small influence on adolescent shared environment, sibling influences were substantial. Conclusions Twin and adoption studies have increased our understanding of genetic and environmental influences on adolescent substance use and its initiation; however, more studies focusing on clinical syndromes of abuse and dependence are needed.
Corporate ergonomics programme at Ford Motor Company.

The use of ergonomic principles in automobile assembly and manufacturing operations has become an important part of a comprehensive health and safety process as well as an integral part of the engineering systems. Ford Motor Company has developed an ergonomics process to manage issues related to injury and illness (e.g., musculoskeletal diseases) and to ensure the appropriate use of human resources on the plant floor. The ergonomics programme uses joint labour and management teams to identify and evaluate jobs and develop and implement solutions. This paper summarises the efforts of the Ford Motor Company in implementing and maintaining the programme. Key strategies are outlined that provide important links to internal organisational units that are critical to fully utilise the ergonomics process. In addition, the paper outlines differences between proactive and reactive efforts and shows the importance of using the information generated by the initiatives for process improvement.
Regional levels of phospholipase Cγ after fluid percussion brain injury in the rat

Levels of PLCgamma, a phospholipase C (PLC) isozyme, were significantly increased in the cytosol in the injured left cortex (LC) at 5, 30 and 120 min after brain injury. In the same site, although levels of membrane PLCgamma did not alter at 5 and 30 min, they were found to be decreased at 2 h after brain injury. In general, the levels of both cytosolic and membrane PLCgamma were unaltered in the contralateral right cortex (RC), ipsilateral left hippocampus (LH) and contralateral right hippocampus (RH) between 5 and 120 min after brain injury. These results suggest that, in addition to well-proposed excitatory neurotransmitter-receptor systems, increased levels of PLCgamma may also contribute to alterations in PIP2 signal transduction pathway, particularly in the greatest injury site (LC) after lateral FP brain injury.
iVisClassifier: An interactive visual analytics system for classification based on supervised dimension reduction

We present an interactive visual analytics system for classification, iVisClassifier, based on a supervised dimension reduction method, linear discriminant analysis (LDA). Given high-dimensional data and associated cluster labels, LDA gives their reduced dimensional representation, which provides a good overview about the cluster structure. Instead of a single two- or three-dimensional scatter plot, iVisClassifier fully interacts with all the reduced dimensions obtained by LDA through parallel coordinates and a scatter plot. Furthermore, it significantly improves the interactivity and interpretability of LDA. LDA enables users to understand each of the reduced dimensions and how they influence the data by reconstructing the basis vector into the original data domain. By using heat maps, iVisClassifier gives an overview about the cluster relationship in terms of pairwise distances between cluster centroids both in the original space and in the reduced dimensional space. Equipped with these functionalities, iVisClassifier supports users' classification tasks in an efficient way. Using several facial image data, we show how the above analysis is performed.
Regulation of drug release from polymer matrices by oscillating magnetic fields

The reproducible regulation of release of a macromolecule (bovine serum albumin) from biocompatible polymer systems has been demonstrated. Small magnetic spheres or cylindrical magnets were embedded within the polymer matrix which was then subjected to an oscillating magnetic field. In this fashion baseline release rates could be increased 5- to 10-fold with 5-10% standard error. Parameters critical to the regulation of this release included the position, orientation, and magnetic strength of the embedded objects and the amplitude and frequency of the applied magnetic field. Scanning electronmicrographs of the polymer matrix surface reveal that a gap, approximately 100/microns wide, is formed between the embedded object and adjacent polymer material after repeated exposure to an oscillating magnetic field.
Collision excitation cross-sections and energy levels of deep and very deep centers in electroluminescence

Abstract We have investigated the collision excitation mechanism of EL and report preliminary results of calculations of cross sections for excitation within the 3d5 configuration of Mn2+ in sulfides and fluorides. The energies E of the hot carrier investigated are: Ee
Rocket borne electron accelerator results pertaining to the beam plasma discharge

Abstract Three flights of rocket borne electron accelerators have yielded some results concerning the Beam Plasma Discharge (BPD). The first flight, E||B, from Churchill carrying an accelerator of 2 and 4 keV electrons, produced a spectrum of whistler mode waves which was identical with that produced in a large vacuum chamber, and which we know to be an indicator of BPD. The second, Echo V, launched from Poker Flat, Alaska, carrying an accelerator of 25–35 keV electrons, produced wave emissions at 3–3.5 MHz observed on the ground. Our interpretation is that BPD was not or was weakly produced. In the third flight, NB 3 -II launched from Churchill with an accelerator of 2, 4 and 8 keV electrons, wave emissions well above the ambient plasma frequency were observed from a separated payload, but very close to the beam, and are interpreted as demonstrating BPD.
Protein folding and binding in confined spaces and in crowded solutions

Simple theoretical models are presented to illustrate the effects of spatial confinement and macromolecular crowding on the equilibria and rates of protein folding and binding. Confinement is expected to significantly stabilize the folded state, but for crowding only a marginal effect on protein stability is expected. In confinement the unfolded chain is restricted to a cage but in crowding the unfolded chain may explore different interstitial voids. Because confinement and crowding eliminate the more expanded conformations of the unfolded state, folding from the compact unfolded state is expected to speed up. Crowding will shift the binding equilibrium of proteins toward the bound state. The significant slowing down in protein diffusion by crowding, perhaps beneficial for chaperonin action, could result in a decrease in protein binding rates.
Patients with repeated admissions to a psychiatric emergency service.

Psychiatric emergency treatment units traditionally care for patients with acute psychosocial crises and are not ordinarily concerned with providing long term follow-up treatment. Nevertheless, a significant percentage of patients continues to utilize emergency treatment services repeatedly rather than become involved in other more definitive and durable treatment programs. These patients, as well as the nature of their intermittent and recurrent emergency treatment contacts, are described. It is postulated that psychiatric treatment on an emergency basis may be an effective mode of treatment for those patients who are prone to recurrent crises and are unable to establish more stable treatment relations.
SAR Image Compression Using an Adaptive Algorithm in the Wavelet Domain

In this paper, a novel SAR image compression scheme based on adaptive vector quantization and speckle noise suppression in the wavelet domain is presented. The proposed method consists of an edge-preserving speckle noise suppression algorithm followed by an enhanced adaptive vector quantization using Gold-Washing (GW-AVQ) dynamic codebook-refining mechanism to encode the image data. Weighted vector composition and zero vector index are applied to further reduce the bitrate. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm has an excellent compression efficiency, and the balance among noise reduction level, distortion level, and compression ratio can be finely adjusted to meet the requirements of various applications.
Assessing within habitat variability in plant demography, faunal density, and secondary production in an eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) bed

Abstract This investigation addressed faunal relationships with habitat structure within a Zostera marina community targeting differences between seagrass bed edge and interior. Z. marina biomass was significantly higher from the interior portions of the bed compared to the edge, but shoot density did not vary. Additionally, leaf width and length were significantly greater in the interior of the bed, suggesting greater total leaf area. Densities of larger organisms (> 0.85 mm) were significantly greater in vegetated samples ( Z. marina edge and interior) compared to unvegetated, but an analysis of similarities demonstrated significant faunal community differences among each of the identified habitats. Densities of small organisms (0.25–0.85 mm), however, were significantly greater at Z. marina edge compared to unvegetated samples and Z. marina interior. Additionally, secondary production (μg AFDW day − 1 ) was estimated based on the size distribution of taxa and showed significantly greater production from samples gathered in Z. marina compared to unvegetated samples. The relative size distribution of taxa was assessed using regression analysis and results showed that the size distribution was similar for samples collected at edge and interior Z. marina , but these distributions differed significantly when compared to unvegetated samples. The results of this study suggest that although similarities exist between edge and interior portions of Z. marina beds, especially compared to unvegetated habitats, noteworthy differences in faunal density, species composition, size distribution, and secondary production exist between edge and interior Z. marina .
Primary plasma cell leukemia: clinical and laboratory presentation, gene-expression profiling, and clinical outcome with Total Therapy protocols

To determine whether primary plasma cell leukemia (PPCL) remains a high-risk multiple myeloma feature in the context of contemporary therapy and gene-expression profiling (GEP), we reviewed records of 1474 patients with myeloma, who were enrolled in Total Therapy protocols or treated identically off protocol. A total of 27 patients (1.8%) were classified as having PPCL. As a group, these patients more often had low hemoglobin, high beta-2-microglobulin, high lactate dehydrogenase, low albumin and cytogenetic abnormalities. Among 866 patients with GEP results, the PPCL group more often had disease that was classified as high risk, and in CD-1 and MF molecular subgroups. Regardless of the therapeutic protocol, patients with PPCL had shorter median overall survival (OS; 1.8 years), progression-free survival (PFS; 0.8 years) and complete response duration (CRD; 1.3 years) than the remainder, whose clinical outcomes had improved markedly with successive protocols. Multivariate analyses of pretreatment parameters showed that PPCL was a highly significant independent adverse feature linked to OS, PFS and CRD. In GEP analyses, 203 gene probes distinguished PPCL from non-PPCL; the identified genes were involved in the LXR/RXR activation, inositol metabolism, hepatic fibrosis/hepatic stellate-cell activation and lipopolysaccharide/interleukin-1-mediated inhibition of RXR function pathways. Different treatment approaches building on these genomic differences may improve the grave outcome of patients with PPCL.
Exploring Institutional Hiring Trends of Women in the U.S. STEM Professoriate

The presence of women in the United States science and technology professoriate depends on various factors, including the availability of a pool of qualified women with relevant doctorates and the elimination of policy constraints and institutional barriers to professional access. Recognizing that initial hiring in related science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields is a crucial step affecting gender composition and representation at all levels in the academic hierarchy, we focus on hiring profiles in institutions of higher learning to examine related trends and practices. In addition to the significant and inversely proportional influence of initial hiring on future trends, differences were noted relative to public or private control of the university and other institutional characteristics, providing a basis for further analyses of institutional dynamics restricting or enhancing favorable hiring policies and practices for STEM women faculty.
HOXC and HOXD Gene Expression in Human Endometrium: Lack of Redundancy with HOXA Paralogs

HOXA genes, essential regulators of differentiation in the embryo, are also essential for adult cyclic endometrial development and for endometrial receptivity. Mice deficient in Hoxa10 or Hoxa11 exhibit reduced fertility because of defects in implantation. We hypothesized that HOXC10, HOXC11, HOXD10, and HOXD11, paralogs of HOXA10 and HOXA11, might also be involved in endometrial development. Here, we showed that the expression of HOXC10, HOXC11, HOXD10, and HOXD11 was evident throughout the menstrual cycle in the endometrium by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. In the secretory phase, expression of HOXC10, HOXC11, and HOXD11 decreased to 4% and HOXD10 decreased to 25% of the proliferative phase expression (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.02, P < 0.01, respectively). In situ hybridization demonstrated expression of each of these HOX genes primarily in the stroma and confirmed the decreased expression in the secretory phase. HOXC10, HOXC11, HOXD10, and HOXD11 expression was not regulated by sex steroids in primary endometrial stromal cells or Ishikawa cells. The expression and regulation of HOXC and HOXD genes varies from that of HOXA10 and HOXA11. Whereas HOXA10 and HOXA11 are regulators of endometrial differentiation, HOXC and HOXD genes likely regulate endometrial proliferation. Paralogous HOX genes typically have a redundant function in development; a novel evolutionary divergence of paralogous Hox genes has resulted in HOXC and HOXD genes having distinct expression patterns, regulation, and likely also distinct functions from HOXA genes. A network of HOX genes may be involved in regulating multiple aspects of endometrial development, including both proliferation and differentiation.
Making Biology Learning Relevant to Students: Integrating People, History, and Context into College Biology Teaching

Biology is front page news, so it is important that we teach students to make connections between what they learn in the classroom and what they see in everyday life. As biology researchers, we recognize the negative implications of doing science in a vacuum as we are increasingly asked to communicate effectively with local and national legislators. As biology instructors, however, we may choose to teach biology devoid of social context, believing that students can make these connections on their own. But students model their instructors’ behaviors, and follow their lead. If we integrate social issues into the biology curriculum, we model social responsibility for biology majors, and we demonstrate the need for biological literacy for nonmajors. With an ever expanding biology curriculum, some instructors may wonder how they will find space to bring in social issues, and what biological content may be omitted in the process. By strategically embedding social context into those topics that are traditionally reviewed in multiple biology courses we sacrifice little time and content, and allow students to reflect on that social context more than once. By extending the Biological Concepts Framework (Khodar et al., 2004) to issues of social relevance, we may improve student learning retention, since each concept has multiple points of entry, and therefore, multiple points of interest that can serve as avenues for the retrieval of information. Using real-world problems to thread a number of biological concepts together encourages students to move away from seeing biology as a collection of disparate concepts, subject areas, or chapters from textbooks that are far removed from society. This cues them to make connections to biology during their study of nonbiological disciplines. This approach leads to reinforcement of the social connection and to the development of a habit of mind that students can carry forward as they progress through a 4-yr curriculum and beyond. Recent reports on science education reform promote this pedagogical approach because it prepares students to grapple with the interdisciplinary nature of twenty-first century problems (National Research Council [NRC], 2005). Integrative learning is listed as one of four essential learning outcomes in the “Learning for the New Global Century report.” The “Integrative Learning Project,” initiated by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU 2007) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, provides practical resources for achieving these goals (AACU Ausubel et al., 1978; Lattuca et al., 2004). With this in mind, this feature first demonstrates the important connection between biology and social issues, and then examines how the history of biology can be used to infuse relevance into the biology curriculum.
β-thalassemias: paradigmatic diseases for scientific discoveries and development of innovative therapies

β-thalassemias are monogenic disorders characterized by defective synthesis of the β-globin chain, one of the major components of adult hemoglobin. A large number of mutations in the β-globin gene or its regulatory elements have been associated with β-thalassemias. Due to the complexity of the regulation of the β-globin gene and the role of red cells in many physiological processes, patients can manifest a large spectrum of phenotypes, and clinical requirements vary from patient to patient. It is important to consider the major differences in the light of potential novel therapeutics. This review summarizes the main discoveries and mechanisms associated with the synthesis of β-globin and abnormal erythropoiesis, as well as current and novel therapies.
Recruitment barriers in rural community hospitals: a comparison of nursing and nonnursing factors

Despite encouraging signs suggesting that many rural hospitals are experiencing less severe staff shortages, the challenge of successfully recruiting nurses to rural practice settings continues to be a major obstacle. Based on a 1993 survey of 164 directors of nursing (DONS) practicing in rural community hospitals, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to cluster 21 DON-rated recruitment barriers into factors associated with nursing delivery, local community, and professional interaction. DONS, most notably those practicing in the smallest rural facilities (≤f25 beds), reported community-related barriers such as spouse's employment as the most severe obstacles to successful registered nurse (RN) recruitment. However, upon examination conducted by using multiple regression analyses, only those factors related to nursing delivery and professional interaction were found to be statistically significant predictors of existing staff RN full-time equivalency vacancy rates. Given that barriers related to individual nursing staffs are likely to be far more amenable to change than those associated with rural environments, these findings offer encouragement to nursing administrators who are faced with the difficulties of attracting RNs to rural practice settings.
Where the state kills in secret: Capital punishment in Japan

The secrecy that surrounds capital punishment in Japan is taken to extremes not seen in other nations. This article describes the Japanese state's policy of secrecy and explains how it emerged as t...
Biological roles of oligosaccharides: all of the theories are correct

Many different theories have been advanced concerning the biological roles of the oligosaccharide units of individual classes of glycoconjugates. Analysis of the evidence indicates that while all of these theories are correct, exceptions to each can also be found. The biological roles of oligosaccharides appear to span the spectrum from those that are trivial, to those that are crucial for the development, growth, function or survival of an organism. Some general principles emerge. First, it is difficult to predict a priori the functions a given oligosaccharide on a given glycoconjugate might be mediating, or their relative importance to the organism. Second, the same oligosaccharide sequence may mediate different functions at different locations within the same organism, or at different times in its ontogeny or life cycle. Third, the more specific and crucial biological roles of oligosaccharides are often mediated by unusual oligosaccharide sequences, unusual presentations of common terminal sequences, or by further modifications of the sugars themselves. However, such oligosaccharide sequences are also more likely to be targets for recognition by pathogenic toxins and microorganisms. As such, they are subject to more intra- and inter-species variation because of ongoing host-pathogen interactions during evolution. In the final analysis, the only common features of the varied functions of oligosaccharides are that they either mediate 'specific recognition' events or that they provide 'modulation' of biological processes. In so doing, they generate much of the functional diversity required for the development and differentiation of complex organisms, and for their interactions with other organisms in the environment.