cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Green Pigment from North Dakota Burial Mounds

A clayey, green pigment was found in association with human interments in 3 mounds at the Boundary Mound site (32S11) on the Missouri River 16 miles downstream from Fort Yates, North Dakota.Samples...
A numerical investigation of damping in fuzzy oscillators with poroelastic coating attached to a host structure

Abstract This paper analyzes efficacy of fuzzy oscillators combined with poroelastic coatings to reduce low frequency vibrations. The authors had previously shown that the poroelastic interactions across contact interfaces are tunable for broadband rate-independent damping. As a follow-up to that work, dynamic analyses are conducted on a host structure interacting with multiple fuzzy oscillators through contact interfaces across poro/viscoelastic coatings. Contact interactions are modeled by Fractional Zener Models. As viscoelastic coating material, hevea rubber is chosen because of its exceptionally high damping characteristics (i.e., highest loss tangent). For the poroelastic coating, relaxed and unrelaxed compliances as well as maximum damping capacity are assumed as identical to the viscoelastic rubber coating. In the first step, the dominant vibration mode of a host structure is modeled as a single degree-of-freedom system. The modal frequency of the host structure is first assumed to match peak relaxation frequency of the viscoelastic coating (220 kHz). Then, the modal frequency is reduced to lower frequencies (20,100 and 200 Hz). In the next step of the analysis, the investigation is extended to a host structure modeled as a two degree of freedom system. Results show that, if relaxation frequencies of the viscoelastic and poroelastic materials are close to the modal frequency of the host structure, the vibration suppression performances of both coatings are similar. However, poroelastic coating outperforms the viscoelastic coating at lower modal frequencies due to its tunable dynamic relaxation properties. Viscoelastic coating, in contrast, responds as a spring, and loses its damping capacity away from its peak relaxation frequency. To explore the best possible performance of the poroelastic coatings for low frequency damping, an optimization routine is adopted, and optimal number of fuzzy oscillators with optimally distributed mass and frequency properties is found. Results promise up to ∼35 dB vibration reduction around the structural modes for the single degree of freedom systems. For two degree of freedom system, vibration reduction level is predicted up to ∼27 dB reduction for the first mode and ∼15 dB for the second mode.
Exploring the complexity of high school students’ beliefs about language variation

Abstract This study explores the knowledge and beliefs about language variation from high school students in the San Francisco Bay Area. Using quantitative analysis of a survey of language beliefs, combined with a thematic analysis of student interviews, the study explores the language ideologies demonstrated by students from a wide range of sociocultural backgrounds. Key findings include that neither race nor linguistic background predict whether students hold dominant language ideologies that frame Standardized English as the correct form of English, or critical language ideologies that uphold the value of all English varieties. The key characteristics that predict language ideology are parents’ language ideology and students’ awareness that they speak more than one variety of English. The findings support previous theorizing that suggests language ideologies shift with context and purpose. Students describe the racialized nature of language although there is great diversity of language ideology within racialized groups. As suggested by Kroskrity (2010) increased awareness of linguistic diversity and language ideologies is related to contestation of dominant language ideologies. Altogether the findings paint a picture of students with wide ranging knowledge and beliefs about language variation that will complicate teaching about language variation in school. Teachers will do well to assess what their students know and believe about language before teaching them. Researchers are encouraged to continue to explore student understandings of language variation as this area remains underdeveloped.
Entering the Discomfort Zone: Counseling Trainees’ Perspectives on Counseling Clients with HIV/AIDS

Descriptive content analysis was used to explore counseling trainees’ perceptions of factors associated with comfort addressing HIV/AIDS in counseling. Six themes emerged from the data: knowledge, fear, HIV stigma, personal experience, personally held beliefs, and sex/sexuality. Implications for addressing knowledge, fear, and stigma in counseling and counselor preparation are discussed. Additionally, suggestions for incorporating HIV/AIDS into the academic and experiential aspects of counselor education are included.
Post-transplant adaptive function in childhood cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy.

Objective Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only treatment known to slow or halt inflammatory demyelination among boys with the cerebral form of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (cALD), a devastating childhood condition affecting the central nervous system. HSCT can lead to a range of adverse outcomes including fatality. Previous studies have examined the potential predictors of post-HSCT survival and neurologic functioning. However, little is known about patients' daily-life adaptive functional outcomes (i.e., ability to communicate, maintain social relationships, and independently execute tasks of daily living). The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to identify which patient characteristics and treatment-related variables predict long-term adaptive function among the survivors of HSCT for cALD. Methods We obtained caregiver ratings of adaptive functioning of 65 transplant survivors at an average of 4.6 years (range: 1.0-24.1 years) post-HSCT. Using linear regression with penalized maximum likelihood estimation, we modeled the relative contribution of pre-transplant neurocognitive test performance, MRI severity, transplant regimen, and length of time since transplant on patient adaptive functioning outcomes. Results Higher radiographic disease severity and poorer performance on baseline neurocognitive tests requiring fine motor skills and visual perception were associated with inferior adaptive functioning after HSCT. Use of radiation during the transplant preparative regimen also predicted poorer adaptive outcomes. Interpretation In addition to radiological disease severity, baseline neurocognitive test performance is associated with post-transplant adaptive functional outcomes. Neurocognitive measures may play an important role in prognostic counseling and post-transplant treatment planning for patients considering HSCT for cALD.
Measurement of lower limb segmental excursion using inertial sensors during single limb stance.

Abstract Advances in wearable technology have afforded health scientists and clinicians the ability to quantify clinically meaningful kinematic data with performance-based outcome measures in a variety of environments. However, no method for assessing segmental excursion of the lower limb during single limb stance (SLS) with wearable technology has been described in the literature nor has its clinical meaning been explored. This study introduces a clinically friendly measure to quantify lower limb segmental excursion during SLS with inertial measurement units (IMUs) which called the region of limb stability (ROLS). The purpose of this study was to determine the concurrent validity of an IMU-based system versus an optical motion capture system and to determine the effects of knee injury on the ROLS value. Excursion areas of five healthy adults were calculated with the IMU-based system and data were compared with an optical motion capture system. There were high correlations (0.82–0.93) and no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the tested parameters between the optical- and IMU-based systems. The IMU-based method was also implemented in five Division I athletes with knee injuries to determine changes in ROLS due to the injury. The ROLS Symmetry Index value offered a higher sensitivity and specificity to assess the presence of knee impairment than the sacral IMU. Quantified lower limb segmental excursion via IMUs can make better and more precise return-to-sport decisions that would decrease the risk of re-injury.
Paper: Assembly research

Assembly research comprises the definitive description of how parts interact during assembly (called Part Mating Science), the collection of part mating processes into systems that assemble products, and the integration of this process into the factory as a whole. Products can be assembled by four techniques: manual labor, special purpose machines, programmable systems, or hybrids of the above. Each system includes material handling, parts feeding, assembly, and inspection. Issues of design include technology, part mating and product system design tools, and economics.
The Number of Children Being Raised by Gay or Lesbian Parents

An important first step in research on gay or lesbian parenting includes accurately documenting the number of children who are being raised by gay or lesbian parents. US census data can provide accurate estimates of the number of children being raised by same-sex couples, but children being raised by gay or lesbian single parents cannot be identified in this data. We use self-reported sexual orientation data from 9,197 respondents of the National Survey of Family Growth to calculate the number of children being raised by a gay or lesbian parent. We find that about 240,000 children in the US are being raised by a gay or lesbian parent (about a third of which are single parents). This estimate is significantly lower than previous estimates, due largely to how we categorize parents who report being bisexual.
Detecting and Measuring Free Gadolinium in Nanoparticles for MRI Imaging

This chapter describes a method for the measurement of free gadolinium in nanoparticle samples. Conjugation of a gadolinium-chelate to a nanoparticle allows the particle's distribution to be imaged via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Free (unchelated) gadolinium is a known toxin, being a heavy metal, and may contribute towards total gadolinium concentration. Determining the amount of free gadolinium is therefore an important aspect of the preclinical characterization of gadolinium-chelate MRI imaging agent nanoparticles.
Spontaneous vulvar hematoma during pregnancy: a case report.

Background Vulvar hematoma is a relatively uncommon occurrence. Most have been described resulting from traumatic injury in nonpregnant women or as an uncommon complication of childbirth. We describe a case of a spontaneous 6-cm vulvar hematoma that presented as unexplained vulvar edema in a 35-weeks-pregnant woman. Case A pregnant woman presented to the obstetrics triage unit with rapid onset unilateral vulvar swelling and no preceding traumatic event. A detailed physical examination and radiologic evaluation revealed a spontaneous vulvar hematoma as the cause. After incision and drainage of the hematoma, her edema resolved and the patient went on to have an uneventful vaginal delivery 4 weeks later. Conclusion Spontaneous vulvar hematoma is a rare event. Rapid recognition and treatment in this case allowed for complete recovery and enabled this pregnant woman to continue a normal pregnancy with uncomplicated spontaneous vaginal delivery.
Characterizations of the Relative Behavior of Two Systems via Properties of Their Signature Vectors

The signature of a system of components with independent and identically distributed (iid) lifetimes is a probability vector whose ith element represents the probability that the ith component failure causes the system to fail. (1985) introduced the concept and used it to characterize the class of systems that have increasing failure rates (IFR) when the components are iid IFR. (1999) showed that when signatures are viewed as discrete probability distributions, the stochastic, hazard rate or likelihood ratio ordering of two signature vectors implies the same ordering of the lifetimes of the corresponding systems in iid components. In this paper, these latter results are extended in a variety of ways. For example, conditions on system signatures are identified that are not only sufficient for such orderings of lifetimes to hold, but are also necessary. More generally, given any two coherent systems whose iid components have survival functions S i (t) and failure rates r i (t), respectively, for i=1,2, the number and locations of crossings of the systems’ survival functions or failure rates in (0, ∞) can be fully specified in terms of the two system signatures. One is thus able to deduce how these systems compare to each other in real time, in contrast to the asymptotic comparisons one finds in the literature.
Microbial Levels in Michigan Apple Cider and Their Association with Manufacturing Practices

In recent decades, apple cider has been implicated in a series of outbreaks of foodborne illness. The objective of this study was to determine the presence and concentrations of pathogenic and indicator microorganisms in apple cider processed in Michigan and to evaluate the impact of thermal pasteurization, UV light radiation, and implementation of hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) plans on these microbes. Cider samples were obtained from Michigan mills between 1997 and 2004 and analyzed for Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella, generic E. coli, total coliforms, and aerobic bacteria. Neither E. coli O157:H7 nor Salmonella were detected in any tested cider samples, suggesting a very low frequency of pathogens in Michigan apple cider. The persistent and relatively high frequency of generic E. coli observed in samples obtained in all years indicates a continued risk of pathogen contamination in Michigan apple cider, especially when it is untreated. The use of thermal pasteurization or UV light radiation and reported implementation of HACCP plans were associated with lower frequency and counts of generic E. coli, total coliforms, and aerobic microorganisms. However, the relatively high counts of indicator organisms in some cider samples that were claimed to be treated according to these pathogen reduction measures indicates that some processors had inadequate practices, facilities, or equipment for pathogen reduction or did not consistently or adequately apply practices or pathogen-reduction equipment in an effective manner.
Sustained Melanopsin Photoresponse Is Supported by Specific Roles of β-Arrestin 1 and 2 in Deactivation and Regeneration of Photopigment

Melanopsin-expressing intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) are indispensable for non-image-forming visual responses that sustain under prolonged illumination. For sustained signaling of ipRGCs, the melanopsin photopigment must continuously regenerate. The underlying mechanism is unknown. We discovered that a cluster of Ser/Thr sites within the C-terminal region of mammalian melanopsin is phosphorylated after a light pulse. This forms a binding site for β-arrestin 1 (βARR1) and β-arrestin 2. β-arrestin 2 primarily regulates the deactivation of melanopsin; accordingly, βαrr2-/- mice exhibit prolonged ipRGC responses after cessation of a light pulse. β-arrestin 1 primes melanopsin for regeneration. Therefore, βαrr1-/- ipRGCs become desensitized after repeated or prolonged photostimulation. The lack of either β-arrestin attenuates ipRGC response under prolonged illumination, suggesting that β-arrestin 2-mediated deactivation and β-arrestin 1-dependent regeneration of melanopsin function in sequence. In conclusion, we discovered a molecular mechanism by which β-arrestins regulate different aspects of melanopsin photoresponses and allow ipRGC-sustained responses under prolonged illumination.
Differential effects of delivery hospital on mortality and morbidity in minority premature and low birth weight neonates.

OBJECTIVE To describe variation in mortality and morbidity effects of high-level, high-volume delivery hospital between racial/ethnic groups and insurance groups. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort including infants born at 24-32 weeks gestation or birth weights ≤2500 g in California, Missouri, and Pennsylvania between 1995 and 2009 (n = 636,764). Multivariable logistic random-effects models determined differential effects of birth hospital level/volume on mortality and morbidity through an interaction term between delivery hospital level/volume and either maternal race or insurance status. RESULT Compared to non-Hispanic white neonates, odds of complications of prematurity were 14-25% lower for minority infants in all gestational age and birth weight cohorts delivering at high-level, high-volume centers (odds ratio (ORs) 0.75-0.86, p < 0.001-0.005). Effect size was greatest for Hispanic infants. No difference was noted by insurance status. CONCLUSIONS Neonates of minority racial/ethnic status derive greater morbidity benefits than non-Hispanic white neonates from delivery at hospitals with high-level, high-volume neonatal intensive care units.
When the Going Gets Tough: New Venture Legitimacy Buffering to Mitigate Product Development Failure

The introduction of its first product, serves as a critical milestone for a new venture, generating legitimacy and providing a route to earning revenue and market share that can enable the venture ...
Country Music for People Who Don't Like Country Music: Sturgill Simpson and Outlaw Privilege

This essay explores white masculinity and the recuperation of privilege in the figure of Sturgill Simpson, an American country music singer from Jackson, Kentucky. Operating at the intersection of country music studies and third wave whiteness studies, it demonstrates how Simpson deploys the outsider identity of the industry outlaw to recuperate insider benefits of critical acclaim, commercial success, and creative license. As an artist who makes country music for “people who don9t like country music,” Simpson functions as a representative figure of the adaptive tactics of white masculinity and the broader politics of inclusion and exclusion in contemporary country music.
Critical Care Registered Nurses' Preparedness in the Provision of End-of-Life Care.

Background The number of deaths in critical care units continues to rise as patients are living longer with chronic illnesses; however, critical care registered nurses report feelings of unpreparedness in the provision of end-of-life (EOL) care. Objectives To understand and find meaning of critical care registered nurses' preparedness in the provision of EOL care. Methods A qualitative interpretive description study was conducted to allow for rich, descriptive detail through the participants' eyes. Semistructured one-on-one interviews were conducted with 12 participants. Constant comparative method was used to analyze the data. Results According to the participants, to be prepared to provide EOL care, the nurses need to understand their personal beliefs about death and dying; be able to provide care to both patient and family; combine knowledge based on education, personal and professional experience, and support resources; balance the ongoing dialogue between their professional and personal role as a registered nurse; and find ways to make sense of the dying experience, specifically through closure. Discussion Ultimately, the provision of EOL is contextual and will vary, requiring the critical care registered nurse to adapt to each situation utilizing the tools learned and experienced to promote patient, family, and nurse comfort. Improvements to nursing education and nursing practice are warranted to expose students and nurses to more EOL care experiences while also providing the tools and support resources during the provision of EOL care.
Nanoscale silicon field emitter arrays with self-aligned extractor and focus gates

Out-of-plane focusing is essential for electron beam collimation in gated field emission sources. The focus electrode redirects electrons emitted by the tip with a wide angle towards the central axis, resulting a small focal spot at the anode. Here, we demonstrate for the first time, very high density (108 emitters/cm2) arrays of double-gated field emission electron sources with self-aligned apertures and integrated nanowire current limiters. Release of the emitters after fabrication required the combination of a highly selective dry-etch and an isotropic wet-etch to avoid the loss of the insulator between the two gates. The aperture diameters are ∼360 nm and ∼570 nm for the extractor gate and focus gate, respectively. The turn-on voltage was low (15-20) V and anode currents of 400 nA were measured at 25 V. We compared devices with different extractor gate thicknesses resulting from planarization non-uniformity, and demonstrate the influence of the focus gate on anode current. The focal spot size was measured, using a low energy phosphor screen, to be around 700 µm for a 500 µm device when the [Formula: see text] ratio was 0.35.
Quality control and quality assurance of single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography ( SPECT/CT) system

Objective To investigate the quality control and quality assurance of the SPECT/CT system.Methods The energy peak,energy resolution capacity and the intrinsic uniformity of the device's detector were regularly examined, and the quality control was performed. Results The daily hardware maintain could reduce the rate of system's trouble. The device's energy peak,energy resolution capacity were consistent during half year's observation period. The two detector's intrinsic uniformity were better after calibration than before. [ detector Ⅰ: ( 2.71 ± 0.28 ) vs (2.37±0.11)(t=2.489,P<0. 05);detector Ⅱ:(2.68 ±0.12)vs(2.38 ±0. 19)(t =6.421,P <0.01) ] .Conclusion Regular quality control and maintain could keep the function stabilization,enhance the availability rate of the SPECT/CT system. Key words: Tomography; Emission computed,Single photon; Quality control
Modelling the stakeholder environment and decision process in the U.S. higher education system

Purpose – As higher education continues to be buffeted by challenges, college and university leaders must find a way to respond to these environmental forces. In the United States, accreditation plays an increasing role in the quality control and improvement process. The goal of this research is to gain a deeper understanding of this decision environment, and the stakeholders within that system, such that American higher education institutions may set and achieve goals more effectively. Research methodology – Grounded theory is utilized to create a conceptual framework depicting the American higher education stakeholder system. In addition to placing the actors within the system, this research is also designed to generate a stakeholder-focused institutional decision process model. Findings – When viewed in a systemic context, the accreditation process assumes a unique placement among the other critical stakeholders. With this understanding, higher education leaders may better understand, balance, and integrate the concerns of their various stakeholders, in a stakeholder-focused decision process. Research limitations – While integrating multiple theories, to depict the American higher education stakeholder system and a stakeholder-focused decision process, this research does not operationalize or undertake the empirical testing of these theoretical models. Practical implications – The influence of the dynamic external environment and the accreditation process combine to create extremely challenging decision-making conditions for higher education leaders. The ability to improve and balance the quality and ethical nature of decisions that impact their various stakeholders may assist these leaders in more accurately meeting both their institutional goals and the public good goals of higher education. Originality/Value – This study specifically seeks to integrate multiple theoretical constructs within the American higher education environment and accreditation process. The creation of a theoretical model that depicts not only the stakeholder environment but also a stakeholder-focused decision process may assist all higher education institutions.
Not Another Panic Button: Meaningful Inclusion in Technology Development

Hackathons and other well-intentioned efforts to solve social problems using technology must also include the meaningful participation of affected individuals and communities. Otherwise, technologists may start from an incomplete or monolithic understanding of the problem, as illustrated by common technology solutions for gender-based violence (GBV).
Effects of PFOA on Endocrine-Related Systems

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is an 8-carbon fully fluorinated chemical that has reported effects on endocrine-related systems in rodents, humans, and other species. Numerous endocrine organs may be targets for PFOA, including the brain, thyroid, pancreas, adipose tissue, ovary, uterus, testes, and breast. Developmental exposure effects have been reported on behavior, serum thyroid and gonadal steroid profiles, breast epithelial growth, and metabolic end points, such as serum insulin, leptin, and triglyceride levels and weight gain. Many of these PFOA-induced effects have been reported in two or more species. The mechanisms for these numerous effects are poorly understood and deserve further investigation to define the pathways that should be avoided as PFOA-replacement products enter the market.
Resident interest and factors involved in entering a pediatric pulmonary fellowship

Relatively little is known about interest in pediatric pulmonology among pediatric residents. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to determine at this institution: 1) the level of pediatric resident interest in pursuing a pulmonary fellowship, 2) potential factors involved in development of such interest, 3) whether the presence of a pulmonary fellowship program affects such interest. A questionnaire was distributed to all 52 pediatric residents at this institution in 1992 and to all 59 pediatric residents and 14 combined internal medicine/pediatrics residents in 2002, following development of a pulmonary fellowship program. Response rates were 79% in 1992 and 86% in 2002. Eight of the 43 responders in 1992 (19%) had considered doing a pulmonary fellowship compared to 7 of 63 (11%) in 2002. The highest ranked factors given by the residents who had considered a fellowship included wanting to continue one's education after residency, enjoying caring for pulmonary patients, and liking pulmonary physiology and the pulmonary faculty. Major factors listed by residents who had not considered a pulmonary fellowship included not enjoying the tracheostomy/ventilator population and chronic pulmonary patients in general, and a desire to enter general pediatrics or another fellowship. Most residents during both survey periods believed that they would be in non-academic or academic general pediatrics in 5 years. Only 1 of the 106 responding residents (~1%) anticipated becoming a pediatric pulmonologist. Although many pediatric residents consider enrolling in a pulmonary fellowship (~10–20% here), few (~1% here) will actually pursue a career in pediatric pulmonology. The presence of a pulmonary fellowship program did not significantly alter resident interest, though other confounding factors may be involved.
THE EFFECTS OF OXYGENATES ON INTERMEDIATE TEMPERATURE DRIVABILITY OF 1983/1984 CARS

A test program has been completed to evaluate the performance of late model passenger cars using a variety of oxygenated fuel blends. The tests were conducted using the coordinating research council (CRC) intermediate temperature driveability test procedure. The program involved the use of sixteen 1983 and 1984 model vehicles that were selected to represent a variety of engine sizes, fuel system types, emission system configurations, and auto manufacturers. Two trained drivers were used to test these cars with 15 different fuels. The fuels consisted of three volatility classes with each including a hydrocarbon-only gasoline and blends with methanol and ethanol at the 3.7 percent oxygen level. In blends involving methanol, gasoline-grade tertiary butyl alcohol (GTBA) was used as a cosolvent. Statistical analysis of the resulting test data showed that, as a group, the cars tested were insensitive to the addition of this level of oxygenates to the fuels. Also, as a group, the cars followed a trend in later model cars toward improved drivability performance.
An expanded approach to analyzing policy-minded candidates

A random pivot model is used to expand the theory of policy-minded candidates. Previous results (Wittman, 1977, 1983; Cox, 1984; Hansson and Stuart, 1984) are derived under weaker assumptions. New results about candidate strategies in multiple elections are also obtained. The thrust of these results supports Calvert's (1985) finding that office-seeking and policy-mindedness are countervailing forces in election contests.
Nucleotide sequence of the tcmII-tcmIV region of the tetracenomycin C biosynthetic gene cluster of Streptomyces glaucescens and evidence that the tcmN gene encodes a multifunctional cyclase-dehydratase-O-methyl transferase.

Mutations in the tcmII-tcmIV region of the Streptomyces glaucescens chromosome block the C-3 and C-8 O-methylations of the polyketide antibiotic tetracenomycin C (Tcm C). The nucleotide sequence of this region reveals the presence of two genes, tcmN and tcmO, whose deduced protein products display similarity to the hydroxyindole O-methyl transferase of the bovine pineal gland, an enzyme that catalyzes a phenolic O-methylation analogous to those required for the biosynthesis of Tcm C. The deduced product of the tcmN gene also has an N-terminal domain that shows similarity to the putative ActVII and WhiE ORFVI proteins of Streptomyces coelicolor. The tcmN N-terminal domain can be separated from the remainder of the tcmN gene product, and when coupled on a plasmid with the Tcm C polyketide synthase genes (tcmKLM), this domain enables high-level production of an early, partially cyclized intermediate of Tcm C in a Tcm C- null mutant or in a heterologous host (Streptomyces lividans). By analogy to fatty acid biosynthesis, the tcmKLM polyketide synthase gene products are probably sufficient to produce the linear decaketide precursor of Tcm C; thus, the tcmN N-terminal domain is most likely responsible for one or more of the early cyclizations and, perhaps, the attendant dehydrations that lead to the partially cyclized intermediate. The tcmN gene therefore appears to encode a multifunctional cyclase-dehydratase-3-O-methyl transferase. The tcmO gene encodes the 8-O-methyl transferase. Images
Internet tools for language learning: University students taking control of their writing

Many excellent corpus-based language learning resources (e.g., concordancers) have been freely available on the Internet for some time. Google assisted language learning (GALL) is also gaining increasing acceptance. These tools are a potential resource for English as an additional language (EAL) university students who want to independently improve their academic writing. However, many Australian universities have been remarkably slow to integrate these tools into English language support operations. In this study, Australian EAL university students were trained in Internet-based tools and techniques for language learning and subsequently surveyed on their attitudes and behaviour. Students' competence in using the tools and techniques to correct errors in their writing was also measured. The results revealed that students are enthusiastic and reasonably competent users of Internet-based tools and techniques for independent language learning. It is argued that Internet-based corpus tools and techniques are undervalued by Australian universities, but could be promoted and used to support EAL university student writers.
Classification of simulated elastograms based on texture features

Elastography is a new imaging modality which provides an image of tissue elastic properties. Simulated elastograms are used to study the ability of textural features to discriminate between abnormalities with different levels of hardness and density. Elastograms are simulated for different signal processing parameters as well as for a non-uniform stress field. 15 selected texture features are extracted. The Gaussian classifier does not perform well due to the complexity of clusters. Hence, a neural network classifier is trained and tested to discriminate between the classes. The results indicate that the texture features perform well under variations of the signal processing parameters and non-uniformity of the applied stress field. This simulation study provides a guiding mechanism to discriminate between malignant and benign tissue abnormalities once clinical data becomes available.
Determining Sex of Sorex Shrews (Soricomorpha: Soricidae)

An examination of the secondary sex characteristics of 3197 adult specimens of Sorex (Soricomorpha, Soricidae), including 50 species, processed by 560 preparators over 126 y, and housed in 18 mammal collections, revealed that the sex of 9.57% of these specimens was misidentified or not identified. If only the 20 species for which I examined ≥20 specimens are considered, the sex of 5.82% of males and 15.89% of females was misidentified or not identified. Diverse methods of determining sex are available, although their use necessarily depends on the age of animals and whether they are dead or alive. For live shrews, examination of the secondary sex characteristics, distance between the urogenital and excretory openings, and presence or absence of sex chromatin can be used to identify the sex. For dead shrews, sex also can be determined by dissection of reproductive systems, examination of pelvic bones and determination of karyotypes. Of genetic methods, the Sry gene is the best characterized for identification of the sex of live or dead shrews. Several techniques are described for determining sex of specimens of shrews, however, due diligence must be observed by application of the appropriate technique(s) within the capabilities of specimen collectors or preparators that will provide the correct results.
The Influence of Family Dynamics on Ethnic Identity Among Adult Latinas

The literature on the development of ethnic identity within the young adult years and during childhood is plentiful. There is less research that examines how this development continues beyond young adult or college years. Research suggests that major life events experienced in adulthood could cause individuals to enter a period of identity reconstruction, yet little is known about this process. Because family and/or familism has been established as an important aspect of Latinos’ identities and lived experiences, this study seeks to examine the dimensions around family dynamics and their potential influences on ethnic identity development processes among adult Latinas. Findings indicate that Latinas often make sense of their ethnic identity when major life events associated with family dynamics occur; such as marriage, childbearing, and negotiating relationships with family members as culture is being transmitted across several generations. These findings have implications for understanding adult education students as well as considering the influence of education on the family dynamics of Latinas.
Getting at the dance of the past

Barton Mumaw, Dancer: From Denishawn to Jacob's Pillow and Beyond. By Jane Sherman and Barton Mumaw. Illustrated, xvii+330 pp. New York: A Dance Horizons Book for the Princeton Book Co., 1986. $29.95.
A feasibility study of an upper limb rehabilitation system using kinect and computer games

A new low-cost system for rehabilitation of the impaired upper limb for stroke survivors is presented. A computer game was developed specifically for this purpose and the user's impaired upper extremity is tracked using a downward-pointed Kinect, an inexpensive motion capture system commercially available from Microsoft. A Kalman filter was implemented to reduce data jittering. Patients are required to move their impaired arm, sliding it on top of a transparent support, in order to play the game. The game is personalized to the patient through specific settings that adapt to the patient's range of motion and motor control at the start of the game as well as performance during the game. The final score is proportional to the arm's movement speed. A feasibility study was carried out with one stroke survivor. The game was played for ten days and usability surveys were answered before and after the study. The patient was engaged with the game, found it easy to understand and reported willingness to use it in the home environment and enjoyment of the use in the clinic.
Differential regulation of the aggressive phenotype of inflammatory breast cancer cells by prostanoid receptors EP3 and EP4

BACKGROUND: Although inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is recognized as the most lethal variant of locally advanced breast cancer, few molecular signatures of IBC have been identified that can be used as targets to develop therapeutics that effectively inhibit the aggressive phenotype displayed by IBC tumors. METHODS: Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis, Western blot analysis, modified Boyden chamber invasion assays, vasculogenic mimicry (VM) assays, and gelatin zymography were used in the current studies. Agonists and antagonists of the prostanoid receptors EP3 and EP4 and of EP4 short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) knockdown approaches were used as tools to assess the role of prostanoid receptors EP3 and EP4 in the regulation of specific biologic activities of IBC cells. RESULTS: The current studies revealed that the IBC breast cancer cell lines SUM149 and SUM190 express high levels of cyclooxygenase-2 messenger RNA and protein, produce abundant levels of prostaglandin E2, and produce both EP3 and EP4 receptor proteins. Studies using the EP4 antagonist GW627368X and shRNA molecular knockdown approaches revealed a role for EP4 in regulating invasion of IBC cells. EP3, but not EP4, regulated the ability of SUM149 cells to undergo VM, which is the ability to form capillary-like structures, a characteristic exhibited by very aggressive tumor types. Inhibition of VM by sulprostone was associated with an inhibition of matrix metalloprotease-2 (MMP-2) enzyme activity. CONCLUSIONS: The prostanoid receptors EP3 and EP4 differentially regulate activities exhibited by IBC cells that have been associated with the aggressive phenotype of this lethal variant of breast cancer. Whereas EP4 regulates invasion, EP3 regulates VM and the associated increased MMP-2 enzyme activity. Cancer 2010;116(11 suppl):2806–14. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
On the distribution of independent formulae of number theory

It follows by Godel's incompleteness Theorem [6] that any effective sound system of logic for elementary arithmetic must be incomplete. We show that in any effective sound system of logic for elementary arithmetic, there exist valid unprovable formulae that are quite small relative to the complexity of the logical system. Also, such formulae are quite dense. In fact, the situation is about as bad as it could possibly be. That is , no infinite axiom system for elementary arithmetic can be much more compact than a listing of all the valid formulae. The unprovable formulae we construct express predicates in the classes &Sgr2 and π 2 of the Kleene arithmetic hierarchy [12]. The construction yields a set of short formulae, at least one of which must be valid and unprovable, but the construction does not tell us which one is valid and unprovable. We also construct small valid unprovable formulae expressing a relation in the class π 1 of the Kleene arithmetic hierarchy. These latter formulae are not as small. We do not know how small the independent formulae corresponding to the class π 1 are. The constructions are based on the concept of a restricted oracle, first introduced in [10] and further developed in [11]. The proofs make use of the recent result of Matijasevic [9] concerning the relationship between recursively enumerable sets and Diophantine equations.
Changes in cytokinin activity associated with the development of Verticillium wilt and water stress in cotton plants

Abstract Tracheal fluid and extract from leaves and stems of both healthy and Verticillium -infected cotton plants ( Gossypium hirsutum L. var. Acala SJ-1) contain three cytokinin-active substances which can be separated from each other by thin-layer chromatography. There are significant reductions in the levels of cytokinins in tracheal fluid and extract from leaves and stems of Verticillium -infected cotton plants compared to that of healthy plants. A time course study showed that the changes in cytokinin activity in Verticillium -infected cotton occurred after development of leaf symptoms. The leaves and stems of cotton plants exposed to water stress contained less cytokinins than those from normal plants. However, there was a greater loss of cytokinin activity in extract from leaves and stems in Verticillium -infected plants than in plants subjected to water stress. The TLC R f values of two of the factors from cotton were similar to those of zeatin mononucleotide and zeatin; however, their structural relatedness to zeatin or zeatin mononucleotide is unknown. The chromotographic behavior of the third factor from cotton was different from the known cytokinins.
Pairing Statistics for Infrared-Luminous Galaxies

A knowledge of the pairing fraction of IR-selected galaxies is important in understanding the role of interactions in star formation and nuclear activity. It is clear that interactions are extremely common among the most IR-luminous systems, but results have been inconsistent for less luminous systems; this may result from using peculiar morphology as an indicator of an interaction. Since features associated with milder interactions (e.g., tidal tails) tend to be faint, their detection necessarily depends on the depth of the survey used to identify interacting pairs. We present a sample of IR- and optically-selected galaxies for which we have computed pairing fractions using strictly geometrical, quantitative criteria. For the analysis we used a likelihood ratio technique developed by Keel and van Soest (1992). We find that the pairing fraction for IR-selected galaxies is roughly 30 percent, comparable to that found by Keel and van Soest for optically-selected starbursts. We also detect a strong correlation (r above 0.99) between the 60 micron luminosity of a galaxy sample and its pairing fraction. We conclude that although tidal interactions do not guarantee enhanced activity (AGN or starburst), they can amplify internal properties that would feed such activity.
The impact of a mass on a beam

Abstract The problem of the impact of a mass on a beam of infinite extent is first examined within the context of Bernoulli-Euler beam theory and it is shown that this lead to an infinite deceleration of the mass at the moment of impact. This result arises from the fact that the simple beam theory predicts an infinite velocity for waves of vanishingly small wavelength. Thus the use of the Timoshenko beam equations which predict finite wave velocities may be expected to lead to more realistic results. It is shown that a finite value of teh initial; deceleration is obtained by using these equations. Certain conclusions of interest in the design of bean type highway guardrails are drawn from the results.
Article alerts: Introduction and items from 2009, part I.

This ‘Article Alerts’ feature is intended to apprise readers of recent methodological work in research synthesis and compile previous such contributions from various outlets. In this first installment we introduce the feature by commenting on its main aims and distinguishing between the print and archive versions. The feature's content and process are also described, including encouragement of interactive contributions from readers. The current installment's 100 items, a subset of relevant work published in 2009, are categorized by type of contribution and supplemented with suggested keywords. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Time of death of sex-linked lethals of different origins in Drosophila melanogaster.

PREVIOUSLY it had been found that the great majority of ultra-violet-induced lethal mutations involving no detectable chromosome changes cause the death of the individual carrying the mutation shortly before or after emergence of the larva from the egg case, or shortly before or after the transformation of the larva into the pupa, while a few caused death just before or after eclosion from the pupa case1. As an extension of this study it was planned to examine the immature stages of lethals of other origins in order to determine the times when they exerted their deleterious effects.
A class of discrete orthogonal transforms

Abstract For a given N-periodic sequence, a class of log2 N discrete orthogonal transforms ranging from Walsh-Hadamard transform to discrete Fourier transform (DFT) is defined. The power spectra invariant to circular shift of the sampled data for these transforms are developed. Phase spectra, analogous to that of the DFT, for all the discrete transforms are defined and developed. Recursive relations for generating the transform matrices are developed. Generalized expressions for factoring these transform matrices are provided. Based on these matrix factors, efficient algorithms for fast computation of the transform coefficients are developed. By introducing a number of zeros as the elements in the transform matrices, a modified version of the transforms is developed. By using these modified matrices, the power and phase spectra can be computed efficiently. These transforms can be used in the general area of information processing.
Data base of cross sections and reaction rates for hydrogen ion sources

Abstract Many laboratories are building and operating hydrogen ion sources that generate intense beams, some with the requirement of low emittance. To optimize the design of these sources, several groups have embarked on writing computer models. All models require reaction rates among the numerous constituent species of the hydrogen plasma. HIONDAT is a suite of programs to create, update and use a data base of such reaction rates.
Commentary on ‘Interventions for primary vesicoureteric reflux’

This is a commentary on a Cochrane review, published in this issue of EBCH, first published as: Hodson EM, Wheeler DM, Vimalchandra D, Smith GH, Craig JC. Interventions for primary vesicoureteric reflux. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD001532. DOI: 10.1002/14651858. CD001532.pub3. Further information for this Cochrane review is available in this issue of EBCH in the accompanying EBCH Summary and Characteristics and Key Findings Tables articles. Copyright © 2008 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The Cochrane Collaboration
Does Periodontal Therapy Reduce the Risk for Systemic Diseases

Periodontal disease is treated by various approaches, including simple oral hygiene practices, professional mechanical debridement, antimicrobial therapy and periodontal surgery. There is evidence to associate periodontal disease with several systemic diseases and conditions, including myocardial infarction, adverse pregnancy outcomes, diabetes mellitus, and respiratory disease. This article reviews the published literature that describes the effects of periodontal treatment on cardiovascular diseases, adverse pregnancy outcomes, diabetes mellitus, and respiratory disease. While some progress has been made, further research is required to understand the value of periodontal interventions in the prevention of systemic diseases.