cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermal grain boundary grooving with anisotropic surface free energies

Abstract We study the effect of anisotropic surface free energy on thermal grain boundary grooving profiles under surface diffusion using modeling, simulation and experiments with tungsten. Based on Herring’s [W.E. Kingston (Ed.), The Physics of Powder Metallurgy, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1951, p. 143] model we show that when the anisotropy is mild, the groove profiles are self-similar in the evolution but are often not in proportion to those developed under isotropic material properties. The grooving kinetics obey power laws with the exponent 1/4. When the anisotropy is critical surface faceting occurs. And, when it is severe the facets coarsen in the evolution. We exhibit the groove profiles in evolution under different degrees of anisotropy. We observe in the experiments that the {1 1 0} and {1 1 1} oriented grains develop small surface facets during annealing, as in the severely anisotropic cases, whilst those grains without crystalline orientation tilted at about 45° to the sample surface do not.
Primary pericardial mesothelioma: Report of two cases and review of the literature

Abstract Two patients with primary pericardial mesothelioma are presented in detail, and the world literature is reviewed. Both patients presented with chest pain and the symptoms and signs of congestive heart failure with a very high venous pressure. Only one had a pulsus paradoxus. Both had nonspecific ECG changes and cardiomegaly. Multiple pericardiocenteses were dry in one case. Cardiac catheterization demonstrated findings characteristic of restrictive cardiac disease. Both cardiac blood pool scans and angiocardiography demonstrated “pericardial thickening.” Definitive, antemortem diagnosis required open pericardial exploration and biopsy. No specific therapy exists for this condition.
Infrared drying and curing systems

Summary Infrared radiation can be used in curing and drying processes to provide precise control of color, gloss, texture, and surface finish. The consistency of infrared radiation to enable organic coatings to perform well in the environments in which the product will be used is the function of the controllability of the radiant output and temperature of the emitter, as well the proper design of the system. When it is possible to match the peak output emission of the emitter to the peak absorption of the coating, high efficiency is the result. The temperature of the infrared heater can be controlled within one degree of the determined operating set-point. This means that day in and day out, infrared radiation can be used to accurately and precisely heat, dry, and cure modern organic coatings.
Effects of testosterone on the behavior of male cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis).

Abstract To determine the threshold doses of testosterone propionate (TP) that cause clear-cut behavioral changes in the sexual behavior of castrated male cynomolgus monkeys, observations were made on three males during successive 5-week treatment periods while they received daily subcutaneous doses of 100 μg TP increasing in octaves to 25.6 mg TP. Males were tested with each of the same two ovariectomized, estrogen-treated females (6 pairs, 330 1-hr behavior tests). To mimic the diurnal plasma testosterone rhythm, TP injections were given at 1600 hr and blood samples were obtained at 0800 hr (141 samples). Male ejaculatory activity increased at the threshold dose of 200 μg TP per day giving plasma testosterone levels of 830 ng/100 ml, which is in the physiological range of 600–1600 ng/100 ml for intact males. This threshold dose was eight times higher than in rhesus monkeys on a dose per kilogram body weight basis. There was a further marked increase in ejaculatory performance at higher doses (6.4 to 25.6 mg) giving supraphysiological plasma levels of 4000–9000 ng/100 ml. There were individual differences in the behavioral changes occurring with TP treatment, and the female partner modulated the effects. These findings were generally similar to those obtained with male rhesus monkeys, but certain species differences were noted.
Procedural results and late clinical outcomes following multivessel coronary stenting

Abstract Objectives To evaluate in-hospital and long-term clinical outcomes in a large consecutive series of patients undergoing percutaneous multivessel stent intervention. Background High restenosis and recurrent angina rates have limited the clinical outcomes of multivessel coronary angioplasty before stents were available to improve angioplasty results. Methods We evaluated in-hospital and long-term clinical outcomes (death, Q-wave myocardial infarction [MI], and repeat revascularization rates at one year) in 398 consecutive patients treated with coronary stents in two (94% of patients) or three native arteries, compared to 1,941 patients undergoing stenting procedure in a single coronary artery between January 1, 1994 and August 29, 1997. Results Overall procedural success was obtained in 96% of patients with two- or three-vessel stenting and in 97% of patients with single-vessel stent intervention (p = 0.36). Procedural complications were also similar (3.8% for multivessel versus 2.9% for single vessel, p = 0.14). During follow up, target lesion revascularization was 15% in multivessel and 16% in single-vessel interventions (p = 0.38), and repeat revascularization (calculated per treated patient) was also similar for both groups (20% vs. 21%, p = 0.73). There was no difference in death (1.4% vs. 0.7%, p = 0.26), and Q-wave MI (1.2% vs. 0%, p = 0.02) was lower following multivessel interventions. Overall cardiac event-free survival was similar for both groups (p = 0.52). Conclusions Unlike previous conventional angioplasty experiences, multivessel stenting has (1) similar in-hospital procedural success and major complication rates and (2) similar long-term (one year) clinical outcomes compared with single-vessel stenting. Thus, stents may be a viable therapeutic strategy in carefully selected patients with multivessel coronary disease.
Vκ polymorphisms in NOD mice are spread throughout the entire immunoglobulin kappa locus and are shared by other autoimmune strains

The diversity of immunoglobulin (Ig) and T cell receptor (TCR) genes available to form the lymphocyte repertoire has the capacity to produce a broad array of both protective and harmful specificities. In type 1 diabetes (T1D), the presence of antibodies to insulin and other islet antigens predicts disease development in both mice and humans, and demonstrate that immune tolerance is lost early in the disease process. Anti-insulin T cells isolated from T1D-prone non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice use polymorphic TCRα chains, suggesting that the available T cell repertoire is altered in these autoimmune mice. To probe whether insulin-binding B cells also possess polymorphic V genes, Ig light chains were isolated and sequenced from NOD mice that harbor an Ig heavy chain transgene. Three insulin-binding Vκ genes were identified, all of which were polymorphic to the closest germline sequence matches present in the GenBank database. Additional analysis of over 300 light chain sequences from multiple sources, including germline DNA, shows that polymorphisms are spread throughout the entire NOD Igκ locus, as these polymorphic sequences represent 43 distinct Vκ genes which belong to 14 Vκ families. Database searches reveal that a majority of polymorphic Vκ genes identified in NOD are identical to Vκ genes isolated from SLE-prone NZBxNZW F1 or MRL strains of mice, suggesting that a shared Igκ haplotype may be present. Predicted amino acid changes preferentially occur in CDR, and thus could alter antigen recognition by the germline B cell repertoire of autoimmune versus non-autoimmune mouse strains.
The Mineralogy, Chemistry, and Physics of Tropical Soils With Variable Charge Clays

This book is the culmination of an effort started in 1974 when the senior author started assembling information for a tropical soils course that he taught while on sabbatical leave at North Carolina State University. The literature cited throughout the book was current when the book went to press. Soil systems contain mineral and organic materials that have constant or permanent surface charges, such as montmorillonite, or constant surface potentials, usually referred to as variable charge materials. Most soil systems contain some of both kinds. In the tropics, most of the minerals with permanent charge have been severely weathered. Consequently, the surface charge of the remaining material results from adsorption of potential determining ions. This book treats the mineralogy, chemistry, and physics of the variable charge minerals and soil organic matter.
The neuroendocrine control of appetite: the role of the endogenous opiates, cholecystokinin, TRH, gamma-amino-butyric-acid and the diazepam receptor.

Abstract The role of the hypothalamus in appetite regulation is that of a transducer. It is responsible for integrating the multiple sensory inputs describing the milieu interieur and maintaining the nutritional homeostasis of the organism by activating or deactivating the food seeking behaviours of the animal. This review concentrates on the recent advances in our understanding of the peptidergic regulation of food intake and attempts to integrate this knowledge with the more established information available about the monoamines and the anatomy of feeding. In particular it is felt that hypothalamic cholecystokinin and thyrotropin releasing hormone may play a role in the inhibition of feeding as mediators of the serotonergic and β-agonistic satiety mechanisms Gamma-amino-butyric acid and the diazepam receptor appear to the intermediaries responsible for the inhibitory effect produced by α-agonists on the “venteromedial” satiety center. The interaction of dopamine and the endogenous opioid peptides appear to be responsible for the maintenance of feeding behaviour. It is stressed that a number of redundant or accessory regulatory mechanisms exist to ensure that the system is fail-safe. A number of similarities and minor differences between the monoaminergic and peptidergic control of appetite and the central control of analgesia and temperature regulation suggests the possibility that there may be a degree of nonspecificity in the control of these closely related life-sustaining processes.
Achieving the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Goals for Plant Conservation

Identifying which areas capture how many species is the first question in conservation planning. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) aspires to formal protection of at least 17% of the terrestrial world and, through the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, 60% of plant species. Are these targets of protecting area and species compatible? We show that 67% of plant species live entirely within regions that comprise 17% of the land surface. Moreover, these regions include most terrestrial vertebrates with small geographical ranges. However, the connections between the CBD targets of protecting area and species are complex. Achieving both targets will be difficult because regions with the most plant species have only slightly more land protected than do those with fewer.
Effect on blood and plasma cyanide levels and on methaemoglobin levels of cyanide administered with and without previous protection using PAPP.

Hydrogen cyanide was administered intravenously at doses of 0.67 or 1.34 mg kg-1 to beagle pitches after protection with oral p-aminopropiophenone (0.5 mg kg-1). Hydrogen cyanide was also administe...
1,5-Anhydro-β-l-arabinofuranose from pyrolysis of plant cell wall materials (biomass)

Abstract Three types of agricultural waste material having a significant content of l -arabinose have been subjected to mild, vacuum pyrolysis, and yields of 1,5-anhydro- l -arabinofuranose ( 1 ) determined. In corn bran, ∼ 40% of the l -arabinose is converted into 1 , and this conversion is increased to 78% when the bran is subjected to prior acid washing. The inner and outer barks of ponderosa pine give ∼ 30% conversion of their l -arabinose content into 1 , but orange peel gives only 9% conversion. A mechanism is postulated involving pyrolytic scission of pendant l -arabinofuranose units from polysaccharides, with cyclization to produce 1 .
Rainwater formaldehyde: concentration, deposition and photochemical formation

Formaldehyde (HCHO) concentrations were measured in 116 rain samples in Wilmington, NC from June 1996 to February 1998. Concentrations ranged from below the detection limit of 10 nM, to 13 μM, in the range of HCHO levels reported at other locations worldwide. The volume-weighted annual average rainwater formaldehyde concentration was 3.3±0.3 μM and comprised approximately 3% of the measured dissolved organic carbon. Using the volume weighted average HCHO concentration and annual precipitation of 1.4 m, an annual formaldehyde deposition of 4.6 mmol m−2 yr−1 was determined. Rainwater is a significant source of formaldehyde to surface waters and may contribute as much as 30 times the resident amount found in natural waters of southeastern North Carolina during the summer. Formaldehyde concentrations did not correlate with precipitation volume suggesting continuous supply during rain events. Evidence is presented which indicates part of this supply may be from direct photochemical production in the aqueous phase. Formaldehyde levels exhibited a distinct seasonal oscillation, with higher concentrations during the summer. This pattern is similar to that observed with other rainwater parameters at this site including pH, nitrate, and ammonium, and is most likely the result of increased photochemical production, as well as biogenic and anthropogenic emissions during summer months. The concentration of formaldehyde in both winter El Nino rains and summer tropical rains was less than half its concentration in non-El Nino or non-tropical events, suggesting significant terrestrial input. Formaldehyde was correlated with hydrogen peroxide and non-sea-salt sulfate deposition suggesting a relationship between HCHO, H2O2, S(VI) within the troposphere.
A molecular model for the evolution of endothermy in the theropod-bird lineage.

Ectothermy is a primitive state; therefore, a shared common ancestor of crocodiles, dinosaurs, and birds was at some point ectothermic. Birds, the extant descendants of the dinosaurs, are endothermic. Neither the metabolic transition within this lineage nor the place the dinosaurs held along the ectothermic-endothermic continuum is defined. This paper presents a conceptual model for the evolution of endothermy in the theropod-bird lineage. It is recognized that other animals (some fish, insects, etc.) are functionally endothermic. However, endothermy in other clades is beyond the scope of this paper, and we address the onset of endothermy in only the theropod/bird clade. The model begins with simple changes in a single gene of a common ancestor, and it includes a series of concomitant physiological and morphological changes, beginning perhaps as early as the first archosaurian common ancestor of dinosaurs and crocodiles. These changes continued to accumulate within the theropod-avian lineage, were maintained and refined through selective forces, and culminated in extant birds. Metabolic convergence or homoplasy is evident in the inherent differences between the endothermy of mammals and the endothermy of extant birds. The strength and usefulness of this model lie in the phylogenetic, genetic, evolutionary, and adaptive plausibility of each of the suggested developmental steps toward endothermy. The model, although conceptual in nature, relies on an extensive knowledge base developed by numerous workers in each of these areas. In addition, the model integrates known genetic, metabolic, and developmental aspects of extant taxa that phylogenetically bracket theropod dinosaurs for comparison with information derived from the fossil record of related extinct taxa.
Retinal adhesiveness in surgically enucleated human eyes.

Purpose: Retinal adhesion in rabbits and monkeys has been shown to involve the interphotoreceptor matrix and depend on environmental factors, such as temperature, pH, and calcium concentration. This study was designed to see whether these same factors modulate retinal adhesiveness in humans. Methods: Four surgically enucleated human eyes were studied. Strips of eyecup were placed in experimental baths shortly after enucleation to evaluate environmental conditions. Retinal adhesive strength was quantified by the amount of retinal pigment epithelial pigment adherent to retina peeled from strips of eyecup. Cone and rod sheaths of the interphotoreceptor matrix were studied by microscopic examination of samples stained with the lectins peanut and wheat germ agglutinin. Results: Retinal adhesiveness fell to 0 approximately 40 minutes after enucleation. Adhesive strength was maintained by cold temperature and was weakened by low pH or low calcium in the bath. Cone and rod matrix sheaths became stretched (indicating a bond) as outer segments and retinal pigment epithelium were peeled apart. Conclusion: Retinal adhesion in humans appears to involve similar mechanisms as in rabbits and monkeys.
Motion-incorporated partial volume correction: Methodology and validation

With the advance in PET technology and especially scintillating detectors, spatial resolution in the order of 2 mm FWHM are becoming a reality, allowing a more in-depth exploration of complex organs such as the human brain. Subject movement during imaging has always been a factor contributing to image degradation, but is becoming a major limitation in the achievement of the full spatial resolution potential of modern scanners. We propose to demonstrate that the geometric transfer matrix (GTM) method which is a popular method used for partial volume correction (PVC) can be further extended to head movement correction (HMC) when it is associated with some means of head motion tracking (HMT), and is thereafter referred to as the GTM-HMC method. Computer simulations of arbitrary movements were carried out on in a single magnetic resonance image (MRI) volume that was segmented into various functional regions. Data were analyzed without any correction, after application of the GTM-PVC method alone, and after application of the new GTM-HMC method. Results indicate an excellent recovery capability of the new algorithm in the presence of small movements, with typical root-mean square error of less than 1% over the course of a 90-min study. In the presence of noise, the algorithm did not suffer from increased variance compared to when performing GTM-PVC alone. This method is expected to be of great interest since it can account for all detected movements, does not require the reconstruction of intermediate images with inferior statistics, nor is as computerintensive as event-driven movement correction methods.
Re-exploration of the PHCCC Scaffold: Discovery of Improved Positive Allosteric Modulators of mGluR4

This paper describes a detailed structure−activity relationship (SAR) analysis of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 (mGluR4) positive allosteric modulator, (−)-N-phenyl-7-(hydroxyimino)cyclopropa[b]chromen-1a-carboxamide (PHCCC). We have now developed compounds with improved potency and efficacy; in addition, compounds are presented that show selectivity for mGluR4 versus the other mGluR subtypes.
Survey of Maximum CTG/CAG Repeat Lengths in Humans and Non-Human Primates: Total Genome Scan in Populations Using the Repeat Expansion Detection Method

Repeat Expansion Detection (RED) is an efficient and simple method for detecting repeat expansions in the human genome, including expansion mutations resulting in disease. Here we report the first population survey of CTG/CAG repeat lengths in humans using the RED method; we have determined maximum CTG/CAG repeat length in 244 individuals from six human populations: Danes, Chinese, Japanese, Rondonian Surui, Maya and Mbuti/Biaka Pygmies. We have also sampled a number of non-human primates including eight orang-utans (Pongo pygmaeus), seven gorillas (Gorilla gorilla), seven pygmy chimpanzees (Pan paniscus), 13 common chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and three Hylobatidae (one Hylobates lar, one H.klossii, and one H.syndactylus). Our results demonstrate the existence of significant variation in the sizes and frequencies of the longest CTG/CAG repeat length seen per individual both within and between human populations. The population differences argue that overall mutation rates at CTG/CAG repeat loci are sufficiently low that mutation does not obliterate the effect of random genetic drift and clearly indicate that population stratification could occur in disease association studies using the RED method. No significant differences were detected among the non-human primates sampled. Our results also show that both common chimpanzees and pygmy chimpanzees (bonobos) are polymorphic for maximum length of any CTG/CAG repeats while no variation was found for gorillas and orang-utans.
Temperature Dependence of the Photoinduced Degradation and Annealing in a-Si:H

We investigated the temperature dependence of the production and annealing kinetics of the light induced defect states in a:Si:H by electron spin resonance (ESR). At low temperatures (T ∼ 25 K) the silicon dangling bond production is about half as efficient as it is at 300 K. Defects, which are created below about 100 K, almost entirely anneal at room temperature. A sample of a-Si:H, which is subjected to several photo-excitation and annealing cycles, shows a very slow increase of both the degraded and annealed defect densities. The difference in the spin densities between the annealed and degraded states decreases with an increasing number of degradation/annealing cycles.
Expression of Angiotensinogen mRNA and Protein in Angiotensin II-Dependent Hypertension

Chronic elevations in circulating angiotensin II (AngII) levels produce sustained hypertension and increased intrarenal AngII contents through multiple mechanisms, which may include sustained or increased local production of AngII. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that chronic AngII infusion increases renal angiotensinogen mRNA and protein levels, thus contributing to the increase in intrarenal AngII levels. AngII (80 ng/min) was infused subcutaneously for 13 d into Sprague-Dawley rats, using osmotic minipumps. Control rats underwent sham operations. By day 12, systolic arterial BP increased to 184 +/- 3 mmHg in AngII-treated rats, whereas values for sham-treated rats remained at control levels (125 +/- 1 mmHg). Plasma renin activity was markedly suppressed (0.2 +/- 0.1 versus 5.3 +/- 1.2 ng AngI/ml per h); however, renal AngII contents were significantly increased in AngII-treated rats (273 +/- 29 versus 99 +/- 18 fmol/g). Western blot analyses of plasma and liver protein using a polyclonal anti-angiotensinogen antibody demonstrated two specific immunoreactive bands, at 52 and 64 kD, whereas kidney tissue exhibited one band, at 52 kD. Densitometric analyses demonstrated that AngII infusion did not alter plasma (52- or 64-kD), renal (52-kD), or hepatic (52-kD) angiotensinogen protein levels; however, there was a significant increase in hepatic expression of the highly glycosylated 64-kD angiotensinogen protein, of almost fourfold (densitometric value/control value ratios of 3.79 +/- 1.16 versus 1.00 +/- 0.35). Renal and hepatic expression of angiotensinogen mRNA, which was examined by semiquantitative reverse transcription-PCR, was significantly increased in AngII-treated rats, compared with shamtreated rats (kidney, densitometric value/glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase mRNA value ratios of 0.82 +/- 0.11 versus 0.58 +/- 0.04; liver, densitometric value/glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase mRNA value ratios of 2.34 +/- 0.07 versus 1.32 +/- 0.15). These results indicate that increases in circulating AngII levels increase intrarenal angiotensinogen mRNA levels, which may contribute to the sustained renal AngII-generating capacity that paradoxically occurs in AngII-treated hypertensive rats.
Mutual information based registration of SAR images

Interpolation artifacts caused by the discrete nature of digital images and interpolation kernels have been previously reported in the literature for mutual information based image registration. Unfortunately they become pronounced in the case of SAR (synthetic aperture radar) image registration, exacerbated by speckle noise. We analyzed the two widely used interpolation algorithms in image registration, namely bilinear interpolation and partial volume interpolation. According to simulation results, we found that the former algorithm produces an extremely non-smooth metric function, whereas the latter method introduces a spurious global optimum at some position of misalignment, instead of the position of perfect registration, under certain circumstances. To make the mutual information criterion useful for the application of SAR image registration, we proposed two pre-processing steps including speckle reduction and an appropriate selection of the number of bins for histogram construction. Simulation results indicate that, by this effort, interpolation artifacts in the mutual information function can be significantly suppressed, and as a consequence, accurate registration is allowed. In conjunction with the two proposed pre-processing steps, we implemented a multiscale elastic registration algorithm. An example of registering a pair of JERS-1 (L-band, HH-polarization) and RADARSAT (C-band, HH-polarization) images verified the potential of this algorithm.
Layout-aware, IR-drop tolerant transition fault pattern generation

Market and customer demands have continued to push the limits of CMOS performance. At-speed test has become a common method to ensure these high performance chips are being shipped to the customers fault-free. However, at-speed tests have been known to create higher-than-average switching activity, which normally is not accounted for in the design of the power supply network. This potentially creates conditions for additional delay in the chip; causing it to fail during test. In this paper, we propose a pattern compaction technique that considers the layout and gate distribution when generating transition delay fault patterns. The technique focuses on evenly distributing switching activity generated by the patterns across the layout rather than allowing high switching activity to occur in a small area in the chip that could occur with conventional delay fault pattern generation. Due to the relationship between switching activity and IR-drop, the reduction of switching will prevent large IR-drop in high demand regions while still allowing a suitable amount of switching to occur elsewhere on the chip to prevent fault coverage loss. This even distribution of switching on the chip will also result in avoiding hot-spots.
Isolation and characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from fire stations in two northwest fire districts

Background Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains were isolated and characterized from environmental surfaces of two fire stations from two independent districts in the northwestern United States. After the first sampling and before the second sampling, education was provided, additional signage was added, and changes in disinfection protocols were put in place. Nasal carriage of MRSA was determined at the second sampling. Methods Environmental samples were collected using SANICULT swabs and RODAC plates. Biochemical tests and 16S rRNA sequencing confirmed MRSA isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed, and the mec A gene, multilocus sequence typing, and SCC mec typing were determined by polymerase chain reaction, sequencing, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis. Results MRSA was isolated from 44 of 1,064 samples examined (4.1%) and included USA300 isolates. The same strains of MRSA were found in both the garage (ie, medic and fire trucks and protective clothing) and the living quarters. Nasal carriage of MRSA from one fire district was 22.5%. Conclusion Community-like and hospital-like MRSA were isolated from the environmental samples. The majority of the nasal MRSA/ S aureus isolates were genetically related to the environmental MRSA strains, suggesting possible transmission between personnel and the environmental surfaces. Further research is needed to verify this hypothesis.
The Status of Lifelong Learning in German Univesities

Cet article analyse la situation et le statut de l'education permanente dans les universites allemandes telle qu'elle apparait dans les differentes parutions sur le sujet ainsi que les orientations empruntees par les differentes organisations impliquees dans la determination d'une politique dans ce domaine. La periode concernee est principalement les annees 90, meme si certains elements plus anciens sont pris en compte dans cette demarche. L'auteur complete sa reflexion par l'utilisation d'exemples pratiques et de resultats d'enquete.
Applying multimedia design principles enhances learning in medical education

Medical Education 2011: 45: 818–826 Context The Association of American Medical Colleges’ Institute for Improving Medical Education’s report entitled ‘Effective Use of Educational Technology’ called on researchers to study the effectiveness of multimedia design principles. These principles were empirically shown to result in superior learning when used with college students in laboratory studies, but have not been studied with undergraduate medical students as participants. Methods A pre-test/post-test control group design was used, in which the traditional-learning group received a lecture on shock using traditionally designed slides and the modified-design group received the same lecture using slides modified in accord with Mayer’s principles of multimedia design. Participants included Year 3 medical students at a private, midwestern medical school progressing through their surgery clerkship during the academic year 2009–2010. The medical school divides students into four groups; each group attends the surgery clerkship during one of the four quarters of the academic year. Students in the second and third quarters served as the modified-design group (n = 91) and students in the fourth-quarter clerkship served as the traditional-design group (n = 39). Results Both student cohorts had similar levels of pre-lecture knowledge. Both groups showed significant improvements in retention (p < 0.0001), transfer (p < 0.05) and total scores (p < 0.0001) between the pre- and post-tests. Repeated-measures anova analysis showed statistically significant greater improvements in retention (F = 10.2, p = 0.0016) and total scores (F = 7.13, p = 0.0081) for those students instructed using principles of multimedia design compared with those instructed using the traditional design. Conclusions Multimedia design principles are easy to implement and result in improved short-term retention among medical students, but empirical research is still needed to determine how these principles affect transfer of learning. Further research on applying the principles of multimedia design to medical education is needed to verify the impact it has on the long-term learning of medical students, as well as its impact on other forms of multimedia instructional programmes used in the education of medical students.
Estimation of absorption coefficients of scattering suspensions using opal glass

Previously, the algal absorption product (absorption coefflcicnt at wavelength X times cuvette depth) was estimated as D, - D750, the difference in optical densities of a suspension, measured against water in opal glass cuvettes. Such estimates are subject to “cuvette error” dependent on dimensions and materials of the cuvettes and to “A error” due to inadequacy of 750 nm as a reference wavelength. Monte Carlo calculations were performed to assess cuvette error; then limits of the combined cuvette and X errors were explored. With cuvettes and suspensions used previously, the combined error was usually + 10% (lo-20% at 440 nm), not 100% as supposed in a recent publication. Cuvette error is minimal in cubical cuvettes with black sidewalls, but substantial X error may still occur. Both errors arc avoided in a method using two pairs of opal cuvettes. Weidemann and Bannister (1986) and Weidemann et al. (1985) concentrated algae or lake particulates and measured absorption spectra of the suspensions against water in rectangular cuvettes with opal glass backwalls. The difference, DA - D750, between optical densities at a wavelength X in the visible and at 750 nm (where algal absorption was presumed negligible) was taken as an estimate of the product of cuvette depth (d) and the volume absorption coefficient (a) of the algae or particles at X. Values of ad determined in this way may over- or underestimate true values of the algal absorption product. There are two sources of error. One, a “cuvette error,” arises from the fact that the walls of opal glass cuvettes contribute to the diffusion of light in the suspension, as a result of which average path length becomes larger than cuvette depth. The magnitude of cuvette error depends on the dimensions and materials of the cuvettes. Herein, cuvette error is defined as the factor by which
Impact of Moisture Content and Density on Stiffness-Based Acceptance of Geomaterials

Modulus-based quality management of compacted layers has been considered by a number of highway agencies. Although simple in concept, the paradigm shift from density to modulus has generated some technical challenges. For a given density, for example, the modulus can vary, depending on the moisture content at the time of compaction and at the time of testing. The results of a systematic laboratory study to qualify and to quantify the effect of compaction moisture content, moisture content at the time of testing, and density on the modulus of four diverse geomaterials are reported. For specimens compacted to maximum dry density but with a 2% to 3% variation in compaction moisture content, the changes in modulus at the time of testing can vary by a factor of two or more, depending on the index properties of the material. These changes are exaggerated as the time between compaction and testing increases. Specifying densities less than maximum dry densities has a significant impact on the modulus of the mater...
Learning to Learn Using Gradient Descent

This paper introduces the application of gradient descent methods to meta-learning. The concept of "meta-learning", i.e. of a system that improves or discovers a learning algorithm, has been of interest in machine learning for decades because of its appealing applications. Previous meta-learning approaches have been based on evolutionary methods and, therefore, have been restricted to small models with few free parameters. We make meta-learning in large systems feasible by using recurrent neural networks withth eir attendant learning routines as meta-learning systems. Our system derived complex well performing learning algorithms from scratch. In this paper we also show that our approachp erforms non-stationary time series prediction.
Testing Hypotheses on the Mean Vector Under an Intraclass Correlation Structure

A statistic is proposed for testing hypotheses on the mean vector of a p-variate normal distribution when the variance covariance matrix has an intraclass correlation structure. The powers of the test are computed and compared with those obtained from the statistics of Cox and Han (1982) and Clement et al. (1981). The power comparisons support the use of the proposed test.
Modeling Experts and Novices in Citizen Science Data for Species Distribution Modeling

Citizen scientists, who are volunteers from the community that participate as field assistants in scientific studies [3], enable research to be performed at much larger spatial and temporal scales than trained scientists can cover. Species distribution modeling [6], which involves understanding species-habitat relationships, is a research area that can benefit greatly from citizen science. The eBird project [16] is one of the largest citizen science programs in existence. By allowing birders to upload observations of bird species to an online database, eBird can provide useful data for species distribution modeling. However, since birders vary in their levels of expertise, the quality of data submitted to eBird is often questioned. In this paper, we develop a probabilistic model called the Occupancy-Detection-Expertise (ODE) model that incorporates the expertise of birders submitting data to eBird. We show that modeling the expertise of birders can improve the accuracy of predicting observations of a bird species at a site. In addition, we can use the ODE model for two other tasks: predicting birder expertise given their history of eBird checklists and identifying bird species that are difficult for novices to detect.
THE HISTORIOGRAPHY OF AMÉRICO CASTRO: AN ANTHROPOLOGICAL INTERPRETATION

This paper is written from a particular, and perhaps rather limited, perspective. I am not a historian, but, together with many other anthropologists, I have been drawn to the study of history and those who write it. The reasons are several, and they all have a bearing on why an anthropologist should concern himself with the historiography of a leading Spanish scholar. In the first place, as contemporary anthropology has steadily turned its attention to the institutions of change and to models that emphasize process, it has become apparent that equilibrium models of society based on the assumption that a social system necessarily, and almost automatically, operates to maintain a steady state, badly distort social reality. Homeo-static social models are based on biological analogy (especially physiology) and assume that social systems are closed systems, closed to external influences and essentially unchanging over time. However, the totally closed society is little more than a sociological fiction, and ov...
Maze exploration with molecular-scale walkers

Molecular spiders are nanoscale walkers made with catalytic DNA legs attached to a rigid body. They move in a matrix of DNA substrates, cleaving them and leaving behind product DNA strands. Unlike a self-avoiding walker, a spider is able to revisit the products. However, the legs cleave and detach from substrates more slowly than they detach from products. This difference in residence time and the presence of multiple legs make a spider move differently from an ordinary random walker. The number of legs, and their lengths, can be varied, and this defines the spider's local gait, which affects its behavior in global tasks. In this work we define an abstract model of molecular spiders, and within it we study the efficiency of maze exploration as a function of the spider structure. For a fixed geometry, there is an optimal setting of chemical kinetics parameters that minimizes the mean time to traverse a maze.
Austerity and Military Expenditures in Developing Countries: The Case of Venezuela

Abstract In times of economic austerity, governments faced with declining revenues and political restraints on increasing taxes, must resort to major budgetary cutbacks. However, relatively little is known about how the governments of developing countries make expenditure decisions, or perhaps more importantly, how they trade off between consumption and investment or between functional categories of expenditures. Some sectors are often thought to be more vulnerable than others to reductions; social sectors are usually considered more and defense sectors less susceptible. An analysis of Venezuelan military expenditures over the 1950–1983 period confirms the fact that a high level of stability exists in the country's pattern of defense expenditures and that during the country's current period of austerity, defense expenditures are likely to be cutback less than other functional expenditures such as health, education and economic development.
Religious Freedom and Equality Concerns under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Section 2(a) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees freedom of conscience and religion. In interpreting the Charter, the courts have interpreted this provision to prevent the legislatures from discriminating against religious minorities by promoting particular religious practices. Judges have been much less willing to protect religious minority groups from secular laws that interfere with their religious convictions. The religion cases hold important implications for those concerned about cultural diversity and the equality of Canada's many ethnic communities, as well as for the debate over the increased power of courts under the Charter.
Persuasive Writing and Self-Regulation Training for Writers With Autism Spectrum Disorders

In this single-subject study, we examined the effects of a persuasive writing and self-regulation strategy on the writing of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Six children with ASD worked in pairs to learn a mnemonic-based strategy for planning and writing a persuasive essay using the self-regulated strategy development (SRSD) approach. Postintervention analysis revealed increases for all students in number of essay elements and holistic quality. Evidence of planning and self-regulation behaviors was also noted. Results support the assertion that utilizing a peer component to teach strategy instruction coupled with self-regulation procedures can positively affect the writing of children with ASD.
Improving human papillomavirus vaccine delivery: a national study of parents and their adolescent sons

Examined parents' and adolescents' preferences regarding potential strategies to increase human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates, including offering the vaccine in alternative settings, concomitant administration of vaccines, and optimizing the structure of vaccination medical visits.
Solanum lycopersicum cytokinin response factor (SlCRF) genes: characterization of CRF domain-containing ERF genes in tomato

Cytokinin is an influential hormone in growth and developmental processes across many plant species. While several cytokinin-regulated genes have been well characterized in Arabidopsis, few have been identified in tomato, Solanum lycopersicum. Here a tomato family of 11 highly related cytokinin response factor genes designated as SlCRF1–SlCRF11 (Solanum lycopersicum cytokinin response factor) are identified and characterized. SlCRFs are AP2/ERF transcription factors and generally orthologous to Arabidopsis CRF clade members (AtCRFs). Some SlCRF genes lack a direct Arabidopsis orthologue and one SlCRF has a unique protein domain arrangement not seen in any other CRF protein. Expression analysis of SlCRF1–SlCRF11 revealed differential patterns and levels across plant tissues examined (leaf, stem, root and flower). Several SlCRFs show induction by cytokinin to various degrees, similar to AtCRFs. Additionally it is shown that some SlCRFs can be regulated by other factors, including NaCl, ethylene, methyl jasmonate, and salicylic acid. Examination of SlCRF proteins in transient Agrobacterium infiltration experiments indicates they can be nuclear localized in planta. Using a bimolecular fluorescence complementation (split-yellow fluorescent protein) system, it is also shown that SlCRF proteins can interact to form homo- and heterodimers. Overall this work indicates that some SlCRFs resemble previously identified CRFs in terms of structure, expression, and cytokinin regulation. However, SlCRFs have novel CRF protein forms and responses to abiotic factors, suggesting they may have a diverse set of roles in stress and hormone regulation in tomato.
State-Dependent Plasticity of Neural Responses to 70dB Clicks Along Central, Primary, Auditory Transmission Pathways

The coding and transmission of acoustic messages is affected profoundly by state-dependent plasticity along central neural transmission pathways. Early studies of spike activity (Engel and Woody, 1972; Olds et al, 1972; Oleson et al 1975; Woody et al, 1976) found evidence of widespread changes in transmissions within the auditory system after conditioning with an acoustic CS. Many forms of conditioning have been shown to produce changes in activity (McCormick and Thompson, 1984; Miller et al, 1982; Recanzone et al, 1993; Scheich et al 1993; Weinberger et al, 1993). Studies of single unit activity have now established that responses to click in the cochlear nucleus, the first central relay of the auditory system, increase in magnitude after eyeblink conditioning with click as a CS, and further changes in activity have been found in the ventral portion of the nucleus after sensitization (Woody et al 1992, 1994). These state-dependent changes in activity will affect transmission at higher levels because all acoustic transmissions must obligatorily pass through the cochlear nucleus.
Reactive Scheduling Systems

In most practical environments, scheduling is an ongoing reactive process where evolving and changing circumstances continually force reconsideration and revision of pre-established plans. Scheduling research has traditionally ignored this “process view” of the problem, focusing instead on optimization of performance under idealized assumptions of environmental stability and solution executability. In this paper, we present work aimed at the development of reactive scheduling systems, which approach scheduling as a problem of maintaining a prescriptive solution over time, and emphasize objectives (e.g., solution continuity, system responsiveness) which relate directly to effective development and use of schedules in dynamic environments. We describe OPIS, a scheduling system designed to incrementally revise schedules in response to changes to solution constraints. OPIS implements a constraint-directed approach to reactive scheduling. Constraint analysis is used to prioritize outstanding problems in the current schedule, identify important modification goals, and estimate the possibilities for efficient and non-disruptive schedule modification. This information, in turn, provides a basis for selecting among a set of alternative modification actions, which differ in conflict resolution and schedule improvement capabilities, computational requirements and expected disruptive effects.
Technologies for Disseminating Knowledge

This chapter concentrates on the technology for disseminating knowledge. Most of the technology in use, ranging from the telephone, to the World Wide Web, e-mail, groupware, intelligent agents, and information portals, was originally developed for other purposes and adapted for transfer use. The discussion is organized around a 3-dimensional model of the technology, the method of retrieval (search, organize, interface, feedback), and the method of dissemination for knowledge sharing (pull, push, point). In addition to describing specific digital technologies for disseminating knowledge, the chapter considers implementation issues, presents case examples, and examines non-computer-based dissemination methods. The chapter concludes by examining what technologies can and cannot do.
Citizenship Policy from the Bottom-Up: The Linguistic and Semiotic Landscape of a Naturalization Field Office.

This article follows a bottom-up approach to language policy (Ramanathan, 2005; Wodak, 2006) in an analysis of citizenship in policy and practice. It compares representations of citizenship in and around a regional branch of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), with a focus on citizenship swearing-in ceremonies for adults and children, discourse of a USCIS field officer, and the linguistic landscape and social semiotics inside and surrounding the USCIS building. These local meanings of citizenship are contrasted with top-down, national meanings of citizenship that are enforced through Immigration and Naturalization Act policy, the naturalization test, and official discourse. Findings indicate that while the de jure citizenship policy of the local field office is to provide informational assistance to its community, its de facto practices suggest that help is prioritized for certain members of the population, in systematic and visible ways.