cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Examining Shifts in Teachers' Theoretical Orientations to Reading

AbstractThis study examined the direction, durability and dynamics of affected shifts in teachers' theoretical orientation to reading. Fifty-five out of 181 teachers who attended two, day-long whole language workshops completed a pre-, post-, and delayed postmeasure of theoretical orientation to reading. Four groups by trials procedures were used to analyze the total orientation score and three subscale scores. In all cases the post- and delayed posttest means were significantly greater than the pretest means. No significant difference was indicated between the post and delayed-post means for the phonic and skills subscales. The posttest mean for the total orientation was significantly greater than the delayed posttest mean. The posttest mean for the whole language subscale was significantly greater than the delayed-post mean. Initial orientations had no impact on the direction or durability of the orientational shifts. The results suggest that teachers will move away from initial beliefs as to how readin...
Design in Solid State Synthesis Based on Phase Homologies: A1−xSn9−xBi11+xSe26 (A=K, Rb, Cs)—A New Member of the Grand Homologous Series Am[M6Se8]m[M5+nSe9+n] with M=Sn and Bi

Abstract Both the composition and structure of A 1− x Sn 9− x Bi 11+ x Se 26 ( A =K, Rb, Cs) were predicted on the basis of the homologous series A m [ M 6 Se 8 ] m [ M 5+ n Se 9+ n ] ( M =Sn, Bi) and targeted for synthesis. A 1− x Sn 9− x Bi 11+ x Se 26 adopts a new structure type that fits the structural evolution of the homologous series.
TDLAS-based sensors for in situ measurement of syngas composition in a pressurized, oxygen-blown, entrained flow coal gasifier

Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy based in situ sensors for CO (2.33 μm), CO2 (2.02 μm), CH4 (2.29 μm) and H2O (1.35 μm) were deployed in a pilot-scale (1 ton/day), high-pressure (up to 18 atm), entrained flow, oxygen-blown, slagging coal gasifier at the University of Utah. Measurements of species mole fraction with 3-s time resolution were taken at the pre- and post-filtration stages of the gasifier synthesis gas (called here syngas) output flow. Although particulate scattering makes pre-filter measurements more difficult, this location avoids the time delay of flow through the filtration devices. With the measured species and known N2 concentrations, the H2 content was obtained via balance. The lower heating value and the Wobbe index of the gas mixture were estimated using the measured gas composition. The sensors demonstrated here show promise for monitoring and control of the gasification process.
Simple condition for stability of systems interconnected over networks

In this paper, analysis of dynamical systems interconnected over networks is considered. A framework for the analysis of the stability of interconnection is given. Previous results that studies the single-input/single-output case for a constant interconnection matrix are generalised to the multi-input/multi-output case where arbitrary dynamic interconnection is allowed. The analysis shows existence of a separation principle that is very useful in the sense of the simplicity for stability analysis. Stability can be checked graphically using a Nyquist-like criterion. The problem with time-delays and interconnection variation and robustness appear to be natural special cases.
An example of active circulation control of the unsteady separated flow past a semi-infinite plate

Active circulation control of the two-dimensional unsteady separated flow past a semiinfinite plate with transverse motion is considered. The rolling-up of the separated shear layer is modelled by a point vortex whose time-dependent circulation is predicted by an unsteady Kutta condition. A suitable vortex shedding mechanism introduced. A control strategy able to maintain constant circulation when a vortex is present is derived. An exact solution for the nonlinear controller is then obtained. Dynamical systems analysis is used to explore the performance of the controlled system. The control strategy is applied to a class of flows and the results are discussed. A procedure to determine the position and the circulation of the vortex, knowing the velocity signature on the plate, is derived. Finally, a physical explanation of the control mechanism is presented.
Fatal cerebral hemorrhage due to autonomic dysreflexia in a tetraplegic patient: case report and review

Autonomic dysreflexia is the most important specific complication of high level spinal cord injury both in tetraplegic and in paraplegic patients above the midthoracic neural segment. It is a life threatening emergency that may lead to apoplexy. We present a case of fatal cerebral hemorrhage due to autonomic dysreflexia in order to demonstrate the gravity of this particular syndrome.
Heidegger's Leibniz and abyssal identity

When Heidegger pursues his destructive interpretation of Leibniz's doctrine of judgment, he identifies a principle of “abyssal ground” and a concealed metaphysics of truth that undermine the priority of logic with respect to ontology. His reading turns on an account of Leibniz's methodological generation of metaphysical principles and the relation between reason and identity, which, I argue, is at once deeply flawed and extremely productive. This essay pursues the implications of Heidegger's quickly abandoned suggestion that Leibniz's principle of identity is reflexively self-grounding, arguing that this claim makes possible a rigorous interpretation of Leibnizian method as an abyssal logic of repetition. I hold that the identification of such a methodology requires a modified account of the metaphysics of truth operative in Leibniz that reinvigorates Heidegger's reading even while moving beyond his now exhausted trope of a hidden presupposition of subjectivity.
Role of calcium in growth inhibition induced by a novel cell surface sialoglycopeptide

Our laboratory has purified an 18 kDa cell surface sialoglycopeptide growth inhibitor (CeReS-18) from intact bovine cerebral cortex cells. Evidence presented here demonstrates that sensitivity to CeReS-18-induced growth inhibition in BALB-c 3T3 cells is influenced by calcium, such that a decrease in the calcium concentration in the growth medium results in an increase in sensitivity to CeReS-18. Calcium did not alter CeReS-18 binding to its cell surface receptor and CeReS-18 does not bind calcium directly. Addition of calcium, but not magnesium, to CeReS-18-inhibited 3T3 cells results in reentry into the cell cycle. A greater than 3-hour exposure to increased calcium is required for escape from CeReS-18-induced growth inhibition. The calcium ionophore ionomycin could partially mimic the effect of increasing extracellular calcium, but thapsigargin was ineffective in inducing escape from growth inhibition. Increasing extracellular calcium 10-fold resulted in an approximately 7-fold increase in total cell-associated 45Ca+2, while free intracellular calcium only increased approximately 30%. However, addition of CeReS-18 did not affect total cell-associated calcium or the increase in total cell-associated calcium observed with an increase in extracellular calcium. Serum addition induced mobilization of intracellular calcium and influx across the plasma membrane in 3T3 cells, and pretreatment of 3T3 cells with CeReS-18 appeared to inhibit these calcium mobilization events. These results suggest that a calcium-sensitive step exists in the recovery from CeReS-18-induced growth inhibition. CeReS-18 may inhibit cell proliferation through a novel mechanism involving altering the intracellular calcium mobilization/regulation necessary for cell cycle progression.
Three-dimensional imaging of 30-nm nanospheres using immersion interferometric lithography

Immersion interferometric lithography has been applied successfully to semiconductor device applications, but its potential is not limited to this application only. This paper explores this imaging technology for the production of three-dimensional nano-structures using a 193 nm excimer laser and immersion Talbot interferometric lithographic tool. The fabrication of 3-D photonic crystals for the UV spectrum is still considered to be a challenge. A systematic analysis of immersion lithography for 3-D photonic crystal fabrication will be provided in this paper. Significant progress has been made on optical immersion lithography since it was first proposed. Two-beam immersion interferometric lithography can provide sub-30nm resolution. By changing the exposure parameters, such as the numerical aperture of the exposure system, the polarization states and wavelength of the illumination source, 30 nm polymeric nanospheres with different crystal structures can be fabricated.
The dynamic relationship between plant architecture and competition.

In this review structural and functional changes are described in single species, even-aged, stands undergoing competition for light. Theories of the competition process as interactions between whole plants have been advanced but have not been successful in explaining these changes and how they vary between species or growing conditions. This task now falls to researchers in plant architecture. Research in plant architecture has defined three important functions of individual plants that determine the process of canopy development and competition: (i) resource acquisition plasticity; (ii) morphogenetic plasticity; (iii) architectural variation in efficiency of interception and utilization of light. In this review this research is synthesized into a theory for competition based on five groups of postulates about the functioning of plants in stands. Group 1: competition for light takes place at the level of component foliage and branches. Group 2: the outcome of competition is determined by the dynamic interaction between processes that exert dominance and processes that react to suppression. Group 3: species differences may affect both exertion of dominance and reaction to suppression. Group 4: individual plants may simultaneously exhibit, in different component parts, resource acquisition and morphogenetic plasticity. Group 5: mortality is a time delayed response to suppression. Development of architectural models when combined with field investigations is identifying research needed to develop a theory of architectural influences on the competition process. These include analyses of the integration of foliage and branch components into whole plant growth and precise definitions of environmental control of morphogenetic plasticity and its interaction with acquisition of carbon for plant growth.
A brief overview of the Fusion and Astrophysics Data and Diagnostic Calibration Facility

The Fusion and Astrophysics (FAST) Data and Diagnostic Calibration Facility located at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is a state-of-the-art facility used to calibrate radiation based diagnostics and study atomic processes for investigating fusion and astrophysical plasmas. FAST has at its disposal a full suite of radiation generation and detection devices, including two electron beam ion traps: EBIT-I and SuperEBIT and an absolutely calibrated x-ray calorimeter spectrometer. FAST covers the energy range between 0.01 and 100 keV, and can thus be used to calibrate a variety of plasma diagnostics. Instrument parameters that can be calibrated include line profiles, transmission and reflection efficiencies, and the quantum efficiency of grating and crystal spectrometers and solid state detectors. FAST can be used to test fully integrated instrumentation, and is ideal for spectrometers and detectors to be flown on orbiting observatories, sounding rockets, used as ground support equipment to verify flight instrumentation, in laboratory astrophysics experiments, and to diagnose magnetic and inertial confinement fusion plasmas. Here we present an overview of the calibration capabilities of this facility including some results.
The Electronic and Magnetic Properties of Am and Cm

A review of the present status of the analyses of the optical spectra of Am and Cm in various oxidation states will be given. From these analyses, the magnetic properties of the ground states of these ions can be determined. These predicted values will be compared with the various magnetic measurements available.
Effect of felid activity on zoo visitor interest

The extent to which the presence of zoo visitors influences animal behavior, and the ways in which animal activity influences visitor interest and perception, are of great interest to zoological parks. Visitors have been variously characterized as being enriching for zoo animals, as being stressors, and generally as influencing behavior in measurable ways. Most studies have focused on primates, and have assumed a “visitor effect” paradigm (i.e., visitors influence animal behavior). Here we present findings from a study of a nonprimate group (felids), and examine the “visitor attraction” model, which assumes that visitors are attracted to active animals. We assessed visitor interest and number at seven cat exhibits at the Brookfield Zoo during the spring and summer of 2002. Data were collected during 1-min scans of each exhibit at 10-min intervals. The results indicate that visitor presence per se did not influence cat activity, and that visitor interest was generally greater when cats were active. Various species differences may be explained by visitor familiarity with the species, variations in exhibit design, and species-specific activity budgets. We conclude that the visitor attraction model may be more appropriate for taxa, such as large cats, that tend naturally to be largely inactive and to respond little (if at all) to visitor disturbances or efforts to engage. The relationship must be viewed as bidirectional: visitors influence animal behavior, and animal behavior influences visitor interest. However, the strength and primary direction of this relationship is likely taxon-specific. We suggest that a visitor attraction model may be more appropriate not only for felids, but for other taxa with similar behavioral patterns and responses as well. Zoo Biol 22:587–599, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
NUTRITIONAL COMPARISONS IN THE LEPTOMITALES

A B S T R A C T Certain aspects of the nutrition of five genera in Leptomitales, an order of aquatic fungi, were investigated. Asparagine was an adequate nitrogen source for all of the fungi tested. Ammonium sulfate could replace asparagine as the nitrogen source in Mindeniella. No single carbon source would support growth in all of the Leptomitales. Apodachlya and Leptomitus were capable of hydrolyzing proteins and metabolizing amino acids, especially glutamate, proline, leucine, and alanine. Apodachlya, Araiospora, and Sapromyces utilized acetate, succinate, pyruvate and d (-) lactate. Leptomitus, Apodachlya, and Araiospora utilized 1 (+) lactate and succinate. Only Apodachlya metabolized malate. Three sugars, i.e., glucose, fru2tose, and sucrose, were excellent carbon sources for Mindeniella and Sapromyces. Both of these fungi were capable of growth and fermentation under anaerobic conditions. Utilization of these sugars was more restricted in Apodachlya, Leptomitus, and Araiospora. Each of the five genera is quite distinct physiologically. The order Leptomitales contains a spectrum of related organisms ranging from strongly fermentative to obligately aerobic. Apodachlya, Leptomitus, and Araiospora are obligately aerobic, while Sapromyces is facultatively fermentative. M1indeniella is strongly fermentative even when grown in media with aeration.
Chemical analyses of geothermal waters and strategic petroleum reserve brines for metals of economic importance

Abstract Waters from seven hydrothermal-geothermal, one geopressured-geothermal, and six Strategic Petroleum Reserve wells have been surveyed for 12 metals of economic importance using trace chemical analysis techniques. The elements sought were Cr, Co, Mn, Ta, Sn, V, Nb, Li, Sr, Pt, Au and Ag. Platinum was found at a concentration of ∼50 ppb in a brine from the Salton Sea geothermal area. Brine from this region, as has been known from previous studies, is also rich in Li, Sr and Mn. Higher concentrations (∼900 ppm) of Sr are found in the high-salinity geopressured brines. None of the fluids contained interesting concentrations of the other metals. Good recovery of precious metals at sub-ppm concentrations from synthetic high salinity brines was achieved using Amborane reductive resin, but similar recovery in the laboratory using real brines could not be demonstrated. Several analytical techniques were compared in sensitivity for the determination of the precious metals; neutron activation analysis with carrier separation is the best for gold and platinum in geothermal brines.
Trans-seasonal action of androgen in the control of spring courtship behavior in male red-sided garter snakes.

Abstract Gonadal steroids have traditionally been found to have short-term effects on the mating behavior of adult vertebrates, such that increased steroid hormone levels influence behavior over the course of a few days. Long-term effects also have been observed in which embryonic exposure to steroid hormone influences the sexual behavior of adults. The generality of the paradigms that have resulted from this work must be viewed with caution as all of the species studied exhibit a particular reproductive pattern. Here it is shown that in the adult red-sided garter snake, the seasonal androgen peak in the summer has a delayed action (8 months) on the male's readiness to court the next spring following emergence from hibernation. This suggests that the interval between the exposure to and the effects of steroid hormones in adult vertebrates may range from short latencies to long latencies and that the present dichotomy of organizing (permanent) versus activating (transient) effects of steroid hormones may not apply in certain instances.
Binding of specific sRNA to 30S subunits — Comparison with the binding to 70S ribosomes

Binding of specific sRNA to 30S subunits alone is more sensitive to LiCl than the binding to 70S ribosomes. At 0°, binding of specific sRNA to 70S ribosomes takes place while the binding to 30S subunits does not.
Soil Reaction, Water Snails, and Liver Flukes

IN NATURE of November 25, p. 701, Dr. Monica Taylor mentions that the distribution of Limnaea truncatula in S.W. Scotland is very local, being rare or altogether absent from certain districts in which sheep are known to be infected with liver flukes. In such districts L. peregra is found infected with perfectly developed cercariae of Fasciola hepatica. Free active cercariae of the latter are also found.
SU-E-I-07: The Effect of Different Beam Filters On the KV CBCT Image Dose Response Curves of NanoDot OSL Dosimeters

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of different beam filters on the dose response curves of nanoDot OSL dosimeters at kV CBCT energy. Methods: The InLight™ OSL dosimetry system (Landauer,Inc., Glenwood, IL, USA) consisting of nanoDot dosimeters and MicroStar reader was calibrated using the X‐ray Volume Imager (XVI) mounted on the Elekta Synergy (Elekta, Crawley, UK) linac and the On Board Imager(OBI) mounted on the Varian True Beam (Varian Medical systems, Palo Alto, CA) linac. Doses ranged between 0 and 12 cGy were delivered to nanoDot OSLDs on 5 cm thick PMMA slab using 120kVp F0(no filter) and F1(Bowtie filter)XVI CBCT beams, 125 kVp half fan (HF) and full fan (FF) OBI beams. Dose points were correlated to absolute air kerma levels measured in air using the 0.6 cc Farmer ionization chamber and converted to dose in water at the phantom surface according to AAPM TG61. Results: Dose response curves for all imaging settings were linear. The dose response curves for the 120 kVp F0 and F1 VXI CBCT beams differed by 8 to 9 %. The dose response curves for the 125 kVp FF and HF OBI CBCT beams also differed by 7 to 8 %. These results suggest that nanoDot dosimeters are sensitive not only to differences in kVp of the beam but also to differences in spectra resulted from the use of different filters. Conclusion: Dose response curves of nanoDot OSLDs for photon beams of same kVp but filtered with different filters are different. Hence,the use of correction factors (based solely on differences in the response of the OSLDs at different kVps) to allow the reading of the MicroStar reader to be converted from one set of reference condition to another is not sufficient to ensure accurate estimation of measured doses.It is important to create dose response curve at every irradiation setting. This project is funded, in part, under a grant with the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The Department specifically declaims responsibility for any analyses, interpretations or conclusions
Thermal conductivity of silicon-organic elastomers with mineral powder filler

A study was made concerning the thermal conductivity of silicon-organic elastomer systems with mineral filler, depending on the chemical composition, on the amount, and on the dispersion of the latter.
Investigation of giant magnetoresistance in magnetic, concentrated, nanostructured alloys.

Magnetotransport and magnetic properties of Fe-Cu, Fe-Ag, Fe-Au, and Fe-Pt alloys were studied across a wide range of Fe volume fraction and at different annealing conditions. The giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect was observed in Cu-, Ag-, and Au-based systems, peaking at an Fe volume fraction of about 15--20 %. The Hall effect was also measured, which yielded the electron mean free path. Annealing systems of immiscible elements increase the magnetic particle size and reduce resistance due to magnetic scattering. The GMR and its dependence on magnetic field are well accounted for by an effective exchange interaction model.
Post-CMOS chip-level processing for high-aspect-ratio microprobe fabrication utilizing pulse plating

A post-CMOS process for chip-level monolithic integration has been developed. A metal probe array for recording neural signals is utilized as a test vehicle to realize the integration process. This probe array is fabricated on a 2 mm x 2 mm chip containing eight ultra-low power CMOS operational amplifiers. A LIGA-like process is employed utilizing UV lithography on SU-8 photoresist and pulse electroplating technique. Pulse plating significantly reduces stress in the deposited material. The post-CMOS fabrication process is utilized to fabricate 70 μm high probes having different aspect-ratios that are monolithically integrated on the CMOS chip.
Coaxial circles and complex intersections

The family G of orthogonal trajectories of the family F of circles x 2 + y 2 - 2ay = 1 is found and a simple application is considered.
Information Matrices and Standard Errors for MLEs of Item Parameters in IRT

The paper clarifies the relationship among several information matrices for the maximum likelihood estimates (MLEs) of item parameters. It shows that the process of calculating the observed information matrix also generates a related matrix that is the middle piece of a sandwich-type covariance matrix. Monte Carlo results indicate that standard errors (SEs) based on the observed information matrix are robust to many, but not all, conditions of model/distribution misspecifications. SEs based on the sandwich-type covariance matrix perform most consistently across conditions. Results also suggest that SEs based on other matrices are either not consistent or perform not as robust as those based on the sandwich-type covariance matrix or the observed information matrix.
Energy loss of a heavy fermion in a hot QED plasma.

The energy loss $\frac{\mathrm{dE}}{\mathrm{dx}}$ for a heavy lepton propagating through a high-temperature QED plasma is calculated to leading order in the QED coupling constant. The screening effects of the plasma are computed consistently using a resummation of perturbation theory in the small-momentum-transfer region. At large momentum transfer, recoil effects are properly taken into account. Our complete leading-order calculation differs significantly from previous calculations.
Status of Instrumentation for Gross Composition Analysis of Milk: A Review

Abstract The Committee on Instrumentation for Analysis of Gross Composition has been requested to inform members of the Association of recent developments. This review contains contributions on the Infrared Milk Analyzer by D. A. Biggs, the Milko-Tester by W. F. Shipe, and the Milko-Tester Automatic by H. F. MacRae. The Mark V Darison Solution Analyzer is currently under evaluation by W. C. Winder, Department of Food Science, University of Wisconsin. The Darison measures solids-not-fat and fat by ultrasound velocity changes in milk (7). Comparative data are being assembled. The acid orange-12 dyebinding method has received Official final action status from the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). It has received limited adoption by industry. Several laboratories serving Federal milk marketing orders are evaluating protein content by the dyebinding procedure. Additional data from interlaboratory comparisons were gathered for AOAC action on the Infrared Milk Analyzer in 1971. Official first action approval was granted. Regulations now allow its use in California.
RRR‐α‐tocopheryl succinate inhibits el4 thymic lymphoma cell growth by inducing apoptosis and DNA synthesis arrest

RRR-alpha-tocopheryl succinate (vitamin E succinate, VES) treatment of murine EL4 T lymphoma cells induced the cells to undergo apoptosis. After 48 hours of VES treatment at 20 micrograms/ml, 95% of cells were apoptotic. Evidence for the induction of apoptosis by VES treatments is based on staining of DNA for detection of chromatin condensation/fragmentation, two-color flow-cytometric analyses of DNA content, and end-labeled DNA and electrophoretic analyses for detection of DNA ladder formation. VES-treated EL4 cells were blocked in the G1 cell cycle phase; however, apoptotic cells came from all cell cycle phases. Analyses of mRNA expression of genes involved in apoptosis revealed decreased c-myc and increased bcl-2, c-fos, and c-jun mRNAs within three to six hours after treatment. Western analyses showed increased c-Jun, c-Fos, and Bcl-2 protein levels. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed increased AP-1 binding at 6, 12, and 24 hours after treatment and decreased c-Myc binding after 12 and 24 hours of VES treatment. Treatments of EL4 cells with VES+RRR-alpha-to-copherol reduced apoptosis without effecting DNA synthesis arrest. Treatments of EL4 cells with VES+rac-6-hydroxyl-2, 5,7,8-tetramethyl-chroman-2-carboxylic acid, butylated hydroxytoluene, or butylated hydroxyanisole had no effect on apoptosis or DNA synthesis arrest caused by VES treatments. Analyses of bcl-2, c-myc, c-jun, and c-fos mRNA levels in cells receiving VES + RRR-alpha-tocopherol treatments showed no change from cells receiving VES treatments alone, implying that these changes are correlated with VES treatments but are not causal for apoptosis. However, treatments with VES + RRR-alpha-tocopherol decreased AP-1 binding to consensus DNA oligomer, suggesting AP-1 involvement in apoptosis induced by VES treatments.
Peripheral nerve field stimulation for otalgia: A novel therapy for refractory deep ear pain☆

Abstract Refractory otalgia or deep ear pain is a complex clinical problem that poses significant challenges to the physicians. Here we report a case of a 39 year old female who presented to us with deep right ear pain which started following cholesteatoma excision 11 years ago. Since onset of right ear pain, she had multiple ear surgeries including microvascular decompression and excision of right temporal bone before presentation. Following neuropsychological assessment and excluding underlying depression/anxiety, she underwent peripheral nerve field stimulation (PFNS) trial. She had a successful PFNS trial and underwent permanent implantation of PFNS and pulse generator. She had > 50% reduction in her pain intensity on VAS and pain medications. She required explantation due to superficial infection; however she was satisfied with her therapy and looking forward for reimplantation. We report the first case of successful management of refractory deep ear pain using PFNS with a review of pertinent literature.
Interplay between lattice-scale physics and the quantum Hall effect in graphene

Abstract Graphene’s honeycomb lattice structure underlies much of the remarkable physics inherent in this material, most strikingly through the formation of two “flavors” of Dirac cones for each spin. In the quantum Hall regime, the resulting flavor degree of freedom leads to an interesting problem when a Landau level is partially occupied. Namely, while Zeeman splitting clearly favors polarizing spins along the field, precisely how the states for each flavor are occupied can become quite delicate. Here we focus on clean graphene sheets in the regime of quantum Hall ferromagnetism, and discuss how subtler lattice-scale physics, arising either from interactions or disorder, resolves this ambiguity to measurable consequence. Interestingly, such lattice-scale physics favors microscopic symmetry-breaking order coexisting with the usual liquid-like quantum Hall physics emerging on long length scales. The current experimental situation is briefly reviewed in light of our discussion.
Differentiated Horizontal Interneurons Clonally Expand to Form Metastatic Retinoblastoma in Mice

During neurogenesis, the progression from a progenitor cell to a differentiated neuron is believed to be unidirectional and irreversible. The Rb family of proteins (Rb, p107, and p130) regulates cell-cycle exit and differentiation during retinogenesis. Rb and p130 are redundantly expressed in the neurons of the inner nuclear layer (INL) of the retina. We have found that in the adult Rb;p130-deficient retinae p107 compensation prevents ectopic proliferation of INL neurons. However, p107 is haploinsufficient in this process. Differentiated Rb(-/-);p107(+/-);p130(-/-) horizontal interneurons re-entered the cell cycle, clonally expanded, and formed metastatic retinoblastoma. Horizontal cells were not affected in Rb(+/-);p107(-/-);p130(-/-) or Rb(-/-);p107(-/-);p130(+/-), retinae suggesting that one copy of Rb or p130 was sufficient to prevent horizontal proliferation. We hereby report that differentiated neurons can proliferate and form cancer while maintaining their differentiated state including neurites and synaptic connections.
Hand Hygiene: A Patient Safety Issue in the Perioperative Environment

Hand hygiene represents the single most important procedure in the health care milieu for preventing the transmission of infection. Although the perioperative environment is viewed as an area where all members of the surgical team religiously comply with the concept of surgical asepsis, compliance by all personnel may not be so rigorous for general day-to-day hand hygiene between each patient contact and contact with the environment. Providing the infrastructure and facilities, conducting observations, and posting compliance rates by disciplines in the perioperative setting are critical components in efforts to increase compliance with hand hygiene and consequently improve patient safety.
Case report: sternal fracture from a seatbelt

We report a case of a sternal fracture in a patient restrained by a seatbelt on the passenger side of a car in a moderate-speed motor vehicle accident. This patient apparently did not have contact with any fixed part of the car. In reporting this case it is our intention to demonstrate that the increased use of seatbelts, although life-saving in many ways, may be associated with emergence of a new spectrum of less "life-threatening" injuries associated with their use. We, therefore, make a case for increased search for sternal injuries and potential complications (including cardiac) for restrained passengers without evidence of other direct chest trauma. We believe that although seatbelts are an essential part of passenger car safety, their use should not deter extensive investigation when evaluating the emergency patient for injuries usually associated with the unrestrained passenger.
INPATIENT MANAGEMENT OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE MEDICATION IN NON-ELECTIVE ADMISSIONS—ARE WE DELIVERING MEDICATIONS ON TIME?

Aim For patients with Parkinson9s Disease (PD), adherence to the patient9s usual PD medication schedule is paramount for symptom control and prevention of complications. The ‘Get It On Time’ campaign, initiated by Parkinson9s UK, aims to raise awareness of the importance of this issue. To address aspects of the inpatient management of PD, including the whether medication is given in a timely fashion, West Suffolk Hospital (WSH) established a PD medicines management group consisting of neurology and elderly medicine consultants, PD specialist nurse, pharmacists, and junior doctor representatives. Methods 40 non-elective admissions (March–Oct 2013) of patients with a diagnosis of PD, were retrospectively selected. We used medication review by pharmacists, and recent neurology clinics letters or discharge summaries to determine the medication regimen on admission; total number of doses received by patients was recorded, and the percentage of missed doses calculated. Where the exact timing of usual medication administration was available, the percentage of delayed doses was also calculated. To further establish the challenges in managing inpatient PD medication, a questionnaire was distributed amongst 15 junior FY1 doctors. Results 40 PD patients (age range 52–91), missed 97 out of 2165 total doses of PD medications during their inpatient stay. Worryingly, 67 (70%) of these missed doses were accounted for by only three patients. 40% of case notes /drug charts recorded the exact timing as to when medication should be given to patients; using the drug charts we recorded how many doses were administered on time-of these 15.3% of dispensed medications were delayed (by 0.5 to 2 hours). In our survey, junior doctors were asked to choose, who amongst healthcare professionals holds the responsibility of the timely delivery of PD medications; 7 of the 15 doctors felt it was the responsibility of doctors, and only 6 out of 15 felt the responsibility lies with everyone. The survey further illustrated that 60% of junior doctors did not feel confident converting oral PD medication to alternative regimes for patients with swallowing difficulties, and only 33% felt somewhat confident in adjusting medication doses. Conclusion Missing or having only very occasional doses administered late is unlikely to cause serious harm, however a few patients miss a disproportionate number of doses, putting them at an increased risk of severe morbidity and mortality from dopaminergic withdrawal, and efforts must be directed towards understanding why this occurs in these few cases. To date, the Parkinson9s disease management group has simplified the Fife guidelines for conversion of oral doses of PD medications to alternative preparations, delivered lectures to clinicians outlining the importance of delivering PD medication on time, and allocated a full time geriatrics consultant with specialist interest in PD, to help address present challenges.
Thermoelectric power of Gd-doped CeO2 (Gd0.1Ce0.9O(2 − δ) (GDC10)): Measurements on porous samples

Abstract Thermoelectric power was measured on dense and porous samples of two materials: silver, a noble metal, and Gd-doped CeO2 of composition Gd0.1Ce0.9O(2 − δ) (GDC10), a mixed ionic electronic conductor. Since silver does not change composition when subjected to a change in temperature, only thermal equilibration is required. Both dense and porous samples of silver equilibrated in about the same time, and the measured thermoelectric power was also about the same. However, the time required for equilibration in dense GDC10 samples was an order of magnitude greater as compared to that for porous samples. The measured thermoelectric power on dense samples was also different from that on porous samples, especially below 600 °C. It was also observed that the measured thermoelectric power in dense GDC10 samples depended on thermal history unlike porous GDC10 samples. That is, prior thermal annealing history affected subsequent measurements at lower temperatures in the case of dense samples. Issues relating to the kinetics of EMF equilibration in dense and porous samples of silver and GDC10 are discussed.
Keys to the xylariaceae (excluding anthostomella) of the British Isles

Summary Keys and references to British species of the following genera are provided: Biscogniauxia, Daldinia, Entoleuca, Euepixylon, Hypocopra, Hypoxylon, Kretzschmaria, Lopadostoma, Nemania, Poronia, Rosellinia, Wawelia, and Xylaria.
Does maternal diabetes delay fetal pulmonary maturity

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to determine whether a relationship exists between diabetic glucose control and the immaturity rate of fetal pulmonary maturity test results. STUDY DESIGN: One thousand consecutive women who had fetal pulmonary maturity testing before delivery were studied. Diabetic patients were categorized according to whether their diabetes was well controlled or poorly controlled, then compared to the nondiabetic population on the basis of amniocentesis results. RESULTS: Pregnant women with poorly controlled diabetes had a significantly higher risk of immature fetal lung profiles at amniocentesis than did pregnant women without diabetes. Pregnant women with well-controlled diabetes were not significantly different from the nondiabetic population. There was no difference between gestational and pregestational diabetic pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: Timing of fetal pulmonary maturation is linked to the level of maternal glucose control in diabetic pregnancies. Adequate glucose control may lower the risk of fetal pulmonary immaturity to that seen in the nondiabetic population.
Cross-scale analysis of fire regimes

Cross-scale spatial and temporal perspectives are important for studying contagious landscape disturbances such as fire, which are controlled by myriad processes operating at different scales. We examine fire regimes in forests of western North America, focusing on how observed patterns of fire frequency change across spatial scales. To quantify changes in fire frequency across spatial scale, we derive the event-area (EA) relationship and the analogous interval-area (IA) relationship using historical and simulated data from low- and highseverity fire regimes. The EA and IA provide multiscale descriptions of fire regimes, as opposed to standard metrics that may apply only at a single scale. Parameters and properties of scaling functions (intercept, slope, minimum value) are associated statistically with properties of the fire regime, such as mean fire-free intervals and fire size distributions, but are not direct mathematical transformations of them because they also reflect mechanistic drivers of fire that are non-stationary in time and space. Patterns in fire-scaling relations can be used to identify how controls on fire regimes change across spatial and temporal scales. Future research that considers fire as a cross-scale process will be directly applicable to landscape-scale fire management.
Steroid inhibition of protein incorporation by isolated amphibian oocytes.

The relationship between blood protein (vitellogenin) incorporation and nuclear maturation was studied in individual amphibian oocytes after in vitro exposure to desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA). Isolated Rana pipiens oocytes were incubated in vitro with radioactively labeled oocyte yolk precursor ([3H]vitellogenin) obtained from estrogenized Xenopus laevis. Incorporation of labeled vitellogenin into the oocytes continued over a 24-h period. Oocytes simultaneously exposed to DOCA and to labeled vitellogenin exhibited both inhibition of vitellogenin incorporation and stimulation of nuclear maturation and cortical changes. Inhibition of vitellogenin incorporation was observed after approximately 9 h of incubation and was correlated with the time of nuclear breakdown. Preincubation of oocytes in steroid for 9 h essentially terminated vitellogenin incorporation. Incorporation of vitellogenin occurred after removal of follicle cells from the oocyte by a short treatment with EDTA. These results demonstrate the macromolecular vitellogenin transport system remains operative in oocytes which can undergo nuclear maturation and that the steroid DOCA can affect its function. Evidence suggests that the mechanism of steroid inhibition is in part the result of inhibition of the micropinocytotic process in the oocyte cortex.
Fluorescence probe partitioning between Lo/Ld phases in lipid membranes

Fluorescence microscopy imaging is an important technique for studying lipid membranes and is increasingly being used for examining lipid bilayer membranes, especially those showing macroscopic coexisting domains. Lipid phase coexistence is a phenomenon of potential biological significance. The identification of lipid membrane heterogeneity by fluorescence microscopy relies on membrane markers with well-defined partitioning behavior. While the partitioning of fluorophores between gel and liquid-disordered phases has been extensively characterized, the same is not true for coexisting liquid phases. We have used fluorescence microscopy imaging to examine a large variety of lipid membrane markers for their liquid phase partitioning in membranes with various lipid compositions. Most fluorescent lipid analogs are found to partition strongly into the liquid-disordered (L d ) phase. In contrast, some fluorescent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with a flat ring system were found to partition equally, but others partition preferentially into liquid-ordered (L o ) phases. We have found these fluorescent markers effective for identification of coexisting macroscopic membrane phases in ternary lipid systems composed of phospholipids and cholesterol.
Probing the valence orbitals of transition metal–silicon diatomic anions: ZrSi, NbSi, MoSi, PdSi and WSi

Evolution of electronic properties and the nature of bonding of the 4d-transition metal silicides (ZrSi, NbSi, MoSi and PdSi) are discussed, revealing interesting trends in the transition metal–silicon interactions across the period. The electronic properties of select transition metal silicide diatomics have been determined by anion photoelectron imaging spectroscopy and theoretical methods. The electron binding energy spectra and photoelectron angular distributions obtained by 2.33 eV (532 nm) photons have revealed the distinct features of these diatomics. The theoretical calculations were performed at the density functional theory (DFT) level using the unrestricted B3LYP hybrid functional and at the ab initio unrestricted coupled cluster singles and doubles (triplets) (UCCSD(T)) methods to assign the ground electronic states of the neutral and anionic diatomics. The excited electronic states were calculated by the DFT (TD-DFT)/UB3LYP method. We have observed that the valence molecular orbital configuration of the ZrSi and NbSi anions are significantly different from that of the MoSi and PdSi anions. By combining our experimental and theoretical results, we report that the composition of the highest occupied molecular orbitals shift from a majority of transition metal s- and d-orbital contribution in ZrSi and NbSi, to mainly silicon p-orbital contribution for MoSi and PdSi. We expect these observed atomic scale transition metal–silicon interactions to be of increasing importance with the miniaturization of devices approaching the sub-nanometer size regime.
Loss function‐based evaluation of DSGE models

In this paper we propose a Bayesian econometric procedure for the evaluation and comparison of DSGE models. Unlike in many previous econometric approaches we explicitly take into account the possibility that the DSGE models are misspecified and introduce a reference model to complete the model space. Three loss functions are proposed to assess the discrepancy between DSGE model predictions and an overall posterior distribution of population characteristics that the researcher is trying to match. The evaluation procedure is applied to the comparison of a standard cash-in-advance (CIA) and a portfolio adjustment cost (PAC) model. We find that the CIA model has higher posterior probability than the PAC model and achieves a better in-sample time series fit. Both models overpredict the magnitude of the negative correlation between output growth and inflation. However, unlike the PAC model, the CIA model is not able to generate a positive real effect of money growth shocks on aggregate output. Overall, the impulse response dynamics of the PAC model resemble the posterior mean impulse response functions more closely than the responses of the CIA model. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Toxoplasma gondii Rhoptry 16 Kinase Promotes Host Resistance to Oral Infection and Intestinal Inflammation Only in the Context of the Dense Granule Protein GRA15

Toxoplasma gondii transmission between intermediate hosts is dependent on the ingestion of walled cysts formed during the chronic phase of infection. Immediately following consumption, the parasite must ensure survival of the host by preventing adverse inflammatory responses and/or by limiting its own replication. Since the Toxoplasma secreted effectors rhoptry 16 kinase (ROP16) and dense granule 15 (GRA15) activate the JAK-STAT3/6 and NF-κB signaling pathways, respectively, we explored whether a particular combination of these effectors impacted intestinal inflammation and parasite survival in vivo. Here we report that expression of the STAT-activating version of ROP16 in the type II strain (strain II+ROP16I) promotes host resistance to oral infection only in the context of endogenous GRA15 expression. Protection was characterized by a lower intestinal parasite burden and dampened inflammation. Host resistance to the II+ROP16I strain occurred independently of STAT6 and the T cell coinhibitory receptors B7-DC and B7-H1, two receptors that are upregulated by ROP16. In addition, coexpression of ROP16 and GRA15 enhanced parasite susceptibility within tumor necrosis factor alpha/gamma interferon-stimulated macrophages in a STAT3/6-independent manner. Transcriptional profiling of infected STAT3- and STAT6-deficient macrophages and parasitized Peyer's patches from mice orally challenged with strain II+ROP16I suggested that ROP16 activated STAT5 to modulate host gene expression. Consistent with this supposition, the ROP16 kinase induced the sustained phosphorylation and nuclear localization of STAT5 in Toxoplasma-infected cells. In summary, only the combined expression of both GRA15 and ROP16 promoted host resistance to acute oral infection, and Toxoplasma may possibly target the STAT5 signaling pathway to generate protective immunity in the gut.
Reproductive biology of the dioecious understorey palm Chamaedorea radicalis in a Mexican cloud forest: pollination vector, flowering phenology and female fecundity

The reproductive biology of the dioecious understorey palm Chamaedorea radicalis was investigated in order to identify the primary pollen vector and quantify the relationship between female fecundity and local neighbourhood sexual composition. The study was conducted in a montane mesophyll forest within the El Cielo Biosphere Reserve, Tamaulipas, Mexico. The species is considered vulnerable in Mexico and there are concerns about the sustainability of leaf harvest. We determined that wind is the primary pollen vector, based both on floral and pollen morphological characters, and on a pollinator exclosure experiment. Successful wind pollination of this understorey palm was facilitated by the extended flowering period of males, which allows one male to be a source of pollen to receptive females for as long as a month. The number of flowers and fruits borne on a female were dependent on female size, however, no size parameter correlated well with fruit set. Fruit set was also not dependent on local sexual composition, male density or distance to the nearest male, suggesting that in this study area female reproductive success is not limited by the availability of pollen.