cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sharing vehicle and infrastructure intelligence for assisted intersection safety

In this paper, we describe a framework and system architecture for sharing of information between vehicles and infrastructure with the aim of increasing intersection safety. Emerging intersection safety applications are based on location sensing and wireless communication. We show that these applications can only be realized if vehicles and intersection can both participate and share their information and intelligence. The framework to share information is based on wireless communications, usually in DSRC mode. We first present a system architecture that uses a networking gateway in order to allow incorporation of wireless communication modes other than DSRC. Then the overhead of this extra component is examined via experiments and shown not to have a significant effect on the performance of the system. Experimental results from the implementation of the proposed architecture is reported and analyzed. For system scalability we also conducted simulations to examine different design choices for the rate of information exchange and operation of the components of the architecture. The results show that even modest cooperation of vehicle and infrastructure can be adequate to enable safety critical applications.
Graded and Multimodal Interruption Cueing in Support of Preattentive Reference and Attention Management

A decade ago, attention management was considered by some "the least explored frontier in cognitive science and human-machine cooperation" (Woods et al., 1994). Today, at least one aspect of attention management – interruption handling – still poses a major challenge for the design of human-machine systems and computer-supported collaborative work. Successful interruption management requires that both unintentional dismissals and preemptive integrations of interruption signals are avoided (Latorella, 1999). One means of achieving this goal is to support preattentive reference, i.e., the processing of interruption signals that occurs before attentional selection. Operators need to be provided with at least partial information about the nature and cognitive requirements of a potential interruption, and this information should be presented in a way that allows for peripheral access. This paper will discuss and illustrate how currently underutilized graded and multimodal information presentation could help accomplish this goal and support various stages of the overall interruption management process.
The role of lymphoscintigraphy in the management of the patient with breast cancer.

Introduction: Regional nodal status is the most powerful predictor of recurrence and survival in women with breast cancer. Lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy have been found to accurately predict the regional nodal status. Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy has been used in melanoma patients to identify the basins at risk for metastases when primary sites are located in watershed areas of the body. This study was performed to define the role of lymphoscintigraphy for axillary nodal staging in women with breast cancer. Specifically, can preoperative lymphoscintigraphy define a population of women with breast cancer who have multidirectional drainage or who do not drain to the axilla and need no axillary dissection?
Procedures for Increasing Sustained Attention in Adults with Mild Intellectual Disabilities

This research compared the effects of several factors on sustained attention in four participants with mild or mild-to-moderate intellectual disabilities. In each session, each participant received an extended number of conditional discriminations that required a differential response to infrequently occurring target stimuli. We assessed sustained attention across conditions as a function of instructions, response feedback, and accuracy-dependent money delivery. Instructions alone did not maintain high levels of sustained attention in the absence of response feedback and accuracy-dependent money delivery for any of the participants, and the effects of response feedback without accuracy-dependent money delivery were mixed. Accuracy-dependent money delivery reliably engendered high levels of sustained attention for each participant, both with and without response feedback. This research provides procedures for studying sustained attention in individuals with intellectual disabilities for extended periods of time. Such procedures are necessary to investigate the effects of other variables that impact sustained attention in this population.
Absorption and elimination profile of isoproterenol I. Anesthetized dogs

Tachycardia has been used as an indirect measure of isoproterenol absorption in anesthetized dogs. It was rapidly absorbed by the mucous membrane of the small intestine, proximal colon, and rectum and best absorbed by the mucous membrane of the trachea. A ratio of approximately 7:1 was obtained when the activity from the trachea and rectum was compared. Isoproterenol was poorly absorbed in the empty stomach when the mucosal surface was at pH 1.5–4.0. The cardiac response to intravenous injection or infusion of isoproterenol through the femoral and the gastro-epiploic (portal) veins has been compared. A statistically significant and greater increase in the heart rate was obtained consistently from the femoral vein. This difference may be attributed to some inactivation of isoproterenol by the portalhepatic system.
Heart rate and plasma lactate responses during submerged swimming and trained diving in California sea lions, Zalophus californianus.

California sea lions, Zalophus californianus, were trained to elicit maximum voluntary breath holds during stationary underwater targeting, submerged swimming, and trained diving. Lowest heart rate during rest periods was 57 bpm. The heart rate profiles in all three protocols were dominated by a bradycardia of 20–50 bpm, and demonstrated that otariid diving heart rates were at or below resting heart rate. Venous blood samples were collected after submerged swimming periods of 1–3 min. Plasma lactate began to increase only after 2.3-min submersions. This rise in lactate and our inability to train sea lions to dive or swim submerged for periods longer than 3 min lead us to conclude that an aerobic limit had been reached. Due to the similarity of heart rate responses and swimming velocities recorded during submerged swimming and trained diving, this 2.3-min limit should approximate the aerobic dive limit in these 40-kg sea lions. Total body O2 stores, based on measurements of blood and muscle O2 stores in these animals, and prior lung O2 store analyses, were 37–43 ml O2 kg−1. The aerobic dive limit, calculated with these O2 stores and prior measurements of at-sea metabolic rates of sea lions, is 1.8–2 min, similar to that measured by the change in post-submersion lactate concentration.
Thermoelastic contact with Barber's heat exchange condition

We consider a nonlinear parabolic problem that models the evolution of a one-dimensional thermoelastic system that may come into contact with a rigid obstacle. The mathematical problem is reduced to solving a nonlocal heat equation with a nonlinear and nonlocal boundary condition. This boundary condition contains a heat-exchange coefficient that depends on the pressure when there is contact with the obstacle and on the size of the gap when there is no contact. We model the heat-exchange coefficient as both a single-valued function and as a measurable selection from a maximal monotone graph. Both of these models represent modified versions of so-called imperfect contact conditions found in the work of Barber. We show that strong solutions exist when the coefficient is taken to be a continuously differentiable function and that weak solutions exist when the coefficient is taken to be a measurable selection from a maximal monotone graph. The proofs of these results reveal an interesting interplay between the regularity of the initial condition and the behavior of the coefficient at infinity.
The simulation of sliding wear by cyclic deformation: Microstructural aspects

Abstract A mechanical test which attempts to simulate the stress-strain conditions occurring near the surface in sliding wear is described. Under combined cyclic compression and shear, a plot of effective stress vs . the effective plastic strain per cycle shows three stages. These should correspond to various distances below the surface in sliding wear. Optical and transmission electron microscopy are used to identify the microstructural characteristics of each stage. These microstructures are compared with those observed in sliding wear tests to justify the use of the macroscopic mechanical test to simulate the mechanical behavior of near surface material in sliding wear.
Fatigue crack growth surface reactions for titanium alloys exposed to water vapor

Abstract Parallel fracture mechanics and surface chemistry studies have been carried out to develop understanding of environmentally assisted fatigue crack growth in titanium alloys. Room temperature crack growth response in water vapor was determined for annealed Ti-5wt.%Al2.5wt.%Sn alloy and for Ti-6wt.%Al-4wt.%V alloys in the solution-treated and solutions-treated plus overaged conditions as a function of water vapor pressure from 0.266 to 665 Pa at a frequency of 5 Hz and a load ratio of 0.1.Reference data were obtained in vacuum. The kinetics of reactions of water vapor and oxygen with fresh surfacesof Ti-5wt.%Al-2.5wt.%Sn alloy were measured at room temperature. The results showed that the reactions with water vapor and with oxygen are both rapid, with an initial sticking coefficient of 1.0 for water vapor and of 0.54–0.84 for oxygen. The reaction with water vapor produced a monolayer of oxide (TiO), whereas two to three layers of TiO resulted from the reaction with oxygen. Enhancement of fatigue crack growth by water vapor is believed to result from embrittlement by hydrogen that is produced by the reaction of water vapor with the fresh crack surfaces. The fatigue crack growth response was shown to conform to a model for transport-controlled crack growth.
Water-deficit stress effects on pistil biochemistry and leaf physiology in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum, L.)

Abstract Flowering in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is a sensitive stage to water-deficit stress, but the effects on metabolism are not well understood. The objective of this study was to monitor gas exchange responses of cotton plants under conditions of limited water supply and evaluate the effects on the carbohydrate concentrations and glutathione reductase levels in the cotton flower. Growth chamber experiments were conducted in 2008 and 2009, with normal day/night conditions of 32/24 °C and optimum quantities of Hoagland's nutrient solution applied until flowering. Treatments were imposed at flowering and consisted of control (Control), where optimum quantities of water were applied, and water stress (WS) where 50% of optimum quantity of water was supplied. Water-deficit stress resulted in a significant decrease in leaf stomatal conductance. Leaf photosynthetic and respiration rates were similarly decreased compared to the control. Ovary and style water potential of water-stressed leaves were significantly higher compared to the water potential of water stressed leaves, indicating that cotton flowers are fairly resistant to changes in the water status of the plant. However, carbohydrate concentrations of water-stressed pistils (ovary and style) were significantly increased compared to the control and a similar pattern was observed in the levels of glutathione reductase of water-stressed pistils. In conclusion, water-deficit stress during flowering resulted in significant decreases in leaf gas exchange functions as well as leaf water potential. Cotton pistils appeared to be less sensitive since they were able to maintain water potential similar to the control under limited water supply and increase glutathione reductase levels. However, pistil carbohydrate metabolism was significantly affected resulting in accumulation of both hexose and sucrose indicating a perturbation in sucrose cleaving and hexose utilizing enzymes that could potentially have as a consequence a decrease in fertilization and seed set efficiency.
Value-driven evaluation of visualizations

Existing evaluations of data visualizations often employ a series of low-level, detailed questions to be answered or benchmark tasks to be performed. While that methodology can be helpful to determine a visualization's usability, such evaluations overlook the key benefits that visualization uniquely provides over other data analysis methods. I propose a value-driven evaluation of visualizations in which a person illustrates a system's value through four important capabilities: minimizing the time to answer diverse questions, spurring the generation of insights and insightful questions, conveying the essence of the data, and generating confidence and knowledge about the data's domain and context. Additionally, I explain how interaction is instrumental in creating much of the value that can be found in visualizations.
The Development of LISTEN: A Novel Intervention for Loneliness

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present the development of LISTEN (Loneliness Intervention using Story Theory to Enhance Nursing-sensitive outcomes), a new intervention for loneliness. Methods: LISTEN was developed using the Medical Research Council (MRC) framework for intervention development. Extensive literature review revealed that belonging, relating, placing in community, challenges, and meanings of coping were concepts significant to loneliness. Past interventions were limited but it was determined from a recent meta-analysis that enhanced effectiveness might result from interventions that targeted the poorly adapted cognitive processes of loneliness. These processes include social undesirability, stigma, and negative thoughts about self in relation to others. LISTEN is designed to be delivered in a determined logical sequence of 5 sessions, each focusing on the concepts relevant to loneliness as derived from the literature. For each session, intervention delivery is guided by the concepts from story theory (including intentional dialogue, nurse as listener, examination of self in relation to others and community, synthesizing concerns and patterns, and identifying messages) and the principles of cognitive restructuring (self-assessment of maladaptive cognitions, emotions, and behaviors, identifying challenges of changing, reconceptualization of self, new skill acquisition through group interaction, and identifying patterns of meaning in loneliness). Results: LISTEN is developed and the first randomized trial is complete with a sample of 27 lonely, chronically ill, community dwelling, and older adults. LISTEN was evaluated as feasible to deliver by the study team and acceptable for significantly diminishing loneliness by participants of the LISTEN groups who were compared to attention control groups (p < 0.5). Conclusions: LISTEN has the potential to enhance health by diminishing loneliness which could result in improving the long-term negative known sequelae of loneliness. Future longitudinal randomized trials are needed in varied populations to assess long term health and healthcare system benefit of using LISTEN to treat loneliness.
A calibration model for fingerprint sensor interoperability

Biometric sensor interoperability refers to the ability of a system to compensate for the variability introduced in the biometric data of an individual due to the deployment of different sensors. We demonstrate that a simple non-linear calibration scheme, based on Thin Plate Splines (TPS), is sufficient to facilitate sensor interoperability in the context of fingerprints. In the proposed technique, the variation between the images acquired using two different sensors is modeled using non-linear distortions. Experiments indicate that the proposed calibration scheme can significantly improve inter-sensor matching performance.
Peak load-impulse characterization of critical pulse loads in structural dynamics

Abstract The P-I characterization scheme greatly facilitates specification of critical loads for structures subjected to air blast loading and is generally useful for structures subjected to pulse loads. A general feature of the P-I characterization scheme is that critical load curves are represented reasonably well by a rectangular hyperbola [ (P P 0 ) − 1] [ (I I 0 ) − 1] = 1 , where P is the peak load, P0 the step load required to produce the critical displacement, I the impulse, area under the load-time curve, I0 the ideal (zero duration) impulse required to produce the critical displacement. This representation is useful for common structural elements such as beams, plates and shells. Some increase in accuracy is obtained by replacing the right-hand side with a constant C, determined by fitting to experimental results or to a theoretical critical load curve. A key feature of the P-I characterization scheme is that the critical load curves are not sensitive to pulse shape. The P-I characterization scheme contains the same information as the dynamic load factor (DLF). Although they contain the same information, these two characterizations emphasize different aspects. The DLF characterization displays the relation of dynamic loads to an equivalent static load. The P-I characterization displays equivalent dynamic loads in terms of peak load and impulse, the load parameters that are important at the long-duration and short-duration extremes.
Congruence, locus of control, and readings of English college students — An application of John Holland's theory of vocational choice

One hundred and five English undergraduate college students at two colleges in the United Kingdom completed the Holland VPI, the Barron Ego Strength Scale, the Adult Nowicki-Strickland Internal Control Scale, and the Occupational Values Q Sort. Congruent students were identified by matching their reading (major) with their scores on the six Holland type indicators. A Multi-variate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) revealed that congruent subjects exhibited a higher level of internality, greater ego strength, and less affiliation than incongruent subjects. Results are discussed with respect to Holland's theory. The practicability of applying American measurement techniques to an undergraduate English college population is also explored.
Sustained Crystallography Skills through Multimedia-Supported Active Learning

Structure solution skills in x-ray crystallography are critical capabilities for students and postdoctoral trainees in biophysics, biochemistry and structural biology. While many institutions have incorporated classes on theoretical crystallography into their curricula, practical structure solution skills are rarely imparted through coursework.We thus developed an enabling, hands-on crystallography sub-curriculum, which can be added to existing biophysics curricula that focus on the theoretical foundations. Taking place in an encouraging, collaborative learning environment, our educational intervention sets out to provide learners from diverse backgrounds with sustainable skills to tackle real-world, protein structure solution problems independently.Our curriculum is designed in a multimedia-enhanced, blended classroom format: Reading resources as well as short, narrated and pre-recorded slide presentations provide course participants ahead of class with the necessary background to work on problem sets during face-to-face sessions. Part of an evolving case study, the problem sets contain real-world diffraction datasets in various degrees of difficulty. Throughout the curriculum, learners are sequentially guided through all essential structure solution steps, from remote diffraction data collection and processing, various structure solution strategies, to structure quality evaluation. By the end of the curriculum, every student shares their experiences in an audio-supported slide-presentation over the web, while classmates provide feedback.We evaluate learners' confidence, academic performance and sustained skill level through a multi-facetted set of assessments, including quizzes, problem set solutions, final presentations, peer feedback, pre- and post course surveys, as well as a comprehensive structure solution set to be solved in a longterm post-test. Participants showed good problem solving- and very good crystallographic communication and feedback skills. Their confidence level applying x-ray crystallography techniques increased during the course. Most importantly, three months after the course, >80% of participants were able to solve and refine unknown diffraction datasets to publication quality level.
INHIBITION OF GONADOTROPIC ACTIVITY BY SEX HORMONES IN PARABIOTIC RATS

There seems to be no doubt that castration in the rat results in an increase in the gonad-stimulating capacity of the hypophysis, and it is also generally accepted that estrogenic substances depress the gonadotropic power of the pituitary (1). Moore and Price have shown that bull testis extracts (2) and androsterone (3) injected into young male rats cause testicular damage. They attributed this injurious effect to a lowering of pituitary gonad-stimulating hormone, an idea supported by the fact that implantation studies showed the pituitaries of androsterone-injected rats to be reduced in gonadotropic potency. Of special interest are recent reports (4, 5) that ovarian weights in immature parabiotic rats could be used as a quantitative measure of hypophyseal gonadotropic secretion of castrated parabionts which were untreated or treated with estrone or androgenic substances. Our own observation (6, 7) on paraboitic rats suggested the possibility that the testicular response of hypophysectomized rats might se...
Range of radiochemical damage to DNA with decay of iodine-125

Studies of the length of DNA fragments produced upon decay of iodine-125-labeled deoxycytidine that was located at a single position within a DNA fragment of defined sequence demonstrate that most radiochemical damage occurs within 15 to 20 angstroms of the site of iodine-125 decay. However, DNA strand breakage was detectable up to 70 angstroms from the site of iodine-125 decay.
Integrating statistical and hydrological models to identify implementation sites for agricultural conservation practices

Watershed models are scarcely used by watershed managers due to their complexity. This study facilitates information transfer by introducing simpler techniques related to easily obtained watershed characteristics, including distance to the watershed outlet and stream order. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was calibrated for the Saginaw River Watershed, Michigan. Five agricultural best management practices (BMPs) were implemented in SWAT one at a time in each subbasin. Five statistical models were used to determine the pollution reduction at the watershed outlet using distance and BMP type, with results suggesting that a mixed effects model (model 5) was optimal. This model included subbasin as a random effect, while distance to watershed outlet and BMP type were fixed effects. Native grass and strip cropping were the most effective BMPs for reducing sediment and nutrient transport. Subbasins containing stream orders 1-3 were ideal for BMP implementation throughout the watershed. Novel techniques identify the best location for conservation practice installation.Trellis plots help to determine the optimal distance to maximize pollution reduction.Surface plots were created to visualize watershed response to pollution reduction.This study helps decision makers and stakeholders in local and watershed-scale planning.
Fluidized-bed incineration of waste materials

Abstract This review discusses the status and the development of fluidized-bed technology in relation to the disposal of the different types of wastes in an environmentally acceptable manner. Wastes comprising solids, liquids and gases, and their mixtures have been adequately handled in fluidized-bed incinerators in combustion and co-combustion modes. The available literature is mostly on bubbling bed but the recent trend has been also to employ the circulating-bed incinerators. The significant advantages of fluidized-bed incinerators over conventional incinerators include their compact furnace, simple design, effective burning of a wide variety of fuels, relatively uniform temperature, ability to reduce emission of nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide gases, high pyrolysis rate of the waste material, high rate of solid particle oxidation as the charred surface of the waste is continuously abraded by the inert material, good mixing of solids and gases, and the fact that the gases are continuously replenished on the burning solid surface which enhances the rate of gas-phase combustion reactions. A wide variety of wastes have been burned in the fluidized-bed incinerators including municipal solid waste, agricultural waste, coal mine wastes, waste oils and sludges, wood wastes, petroleum refinery wastes, petrochemical wastes, sulfite liquors, sewage sludges, contaminated solids, and various hazardous and lethally poisonous materials. In this review several of the commercial and pilot-plant fluidized-bed incinerators have been briefly described and their findings reported. One pilot-plant is discussed in detail to bring out the general difficulties of design and an effective appreciation of the technology. These results, while promising, point to the need for further investigations to be able to successfully commercialize this technology particularly for those materials whose thermal destruction give rise to toxic emissions and whose stringent control is mandatory to avoid serious environmental pollution problems. Procedures for computing carbon combustion efficiency are discussed as are the procedures that may be employed to establish the quality of bed fluidization from the history of temperature and pressure fluctuation records, and from the computed values of different statistical functions which result.
Strongly non-blumberg spaces

Abstract Strongly non-Blumberg spaces are defined. An example of a compact Hausdorff space which, under Lusin's hypothesis is strongly non-Blumberg is given. An example of a strongly non-Blumberg countably compact normal space is also given.
Identification of Yeasts and Other Fungi from Direct Microscopic Examination of Clinical Specimens

Joan Barenfanger, M.D., D.Sc. In this article, yeasts and other fungi stained along with each batch of clinDirector of Microbiology Division commonly seen in the United States ical specimens. For determining the Memorial Medical Center will be discussed. Pneumocystis carinii size of organisms, a calibrated microClinical Associate Professor will be included because (i) some auSouthern Illinois University School of Medicine thors have provided evidence that P. SpringfieM, Illinois 62781 carinii may actually be a fungus (1, 2), I n T h i s I s sue but (ii) more importantly, this or,, ganism is so often seen in specimens Yeasts and other fungi may take up stained with routine fungous stains. Direct Microscopic Examination to 4 wk to grow and even longer to be of Fungi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 identified. To facilitate diagnosis, Helpful hints and illustrations for smears of specimen material should be Identification from Direct Smears identifying yeasts and other fungi in made when cultures are inoculated. By Correct identification of fungi declinical material examining stained smears, the microbipends on a combination of factors inologist frequently can provide the clinicluding proper size, shape, and staining Neisserial Infections in Dialysis cian with a preliminary identification characteristics. A control preparation Patients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 of any pathogen present of yeast or other fungus should be A case report
Relativistic thermal plasmas - Pair processes and equilibria

The work of Bisnovatyi-Kogan, Zel'dovich and Sunyaev (1971) is extended and generalized, through the inclusion of pair-producing photon processes and effects due to the finite size of the plasma, in an investigation of the equilibria of relativistic thermal plasmas which takes into account electron-positron creation and annihilation and photons produced within the plasma. It is shown that the bridge between an effectively thin plasma and an effectively thick plasma occurs in the transrelativistic region, where the dimensionless temperature value is between 0.1 and 1.0 and the temperature remains in this region over a great luminosity range.
Increased drinking of a nonpreferred NaCl solution during food deprivation in the C3H-HeJ mouse.

Abstract When food was given ad lib, C3H/HeJ mice showed a progressive decrease in NaCl solution intake as the concentration increased from 0.5–2.5% under single tube or double tube conditions. Under the latter condition, 1.5% NaCl intake volumes were approximately 20% of water intake volumes. However, when restricted to 1 3 normal food intake, the mice showed significant increase in the intake of 1.5% NaCl and several animals consumed more salt solution than water. Salt intakes declined to predeprivation levels upon return to free feeding. Since feeding of a sodium deficient diet produced no alteration in intake of 1.5% NaCl, the increase during food deprivation was attributed to hypovolemia rather than hyponatremia.
A NEW SPECIES OF APOSTENUS FROM CALIFORNIA, WITH NOTES ON THE GENUS (ARANEAE, LIOCRANIDAE)

Abstract The genus Apostenus is newly recorded from the Nearctic region and a new species, Apostenus californicus, is described from California. Notes are presented on several morphological features of phylogenetic interest.
Self-reported pain scores in the emergency department: lack of association with vital signs.

Background: Some practitioners and investigators have presumed relationships between pain scores and heart rate, blood pressure, or respiratory rate. Previous literature has not adequately addressed the association of pain and vital signs. Objectives: To identify any association between self-reported pain and heart rate, blood pressure, or respiratory rate. Methods: In this retrospective, observational study, emergency department patients older than 17 years of age presenting between May 2004 and April 2005 with verifiable painful diagnoses (including nephrolithiasis, myocardial infarction, small bowel obstruction, fracture, burn, crush injury, stab wound, amputation, corneal abrasion, and dislocation) were identified. Data were extracted from the hospital's database, including patients' age, gender, emergency department diagnosis, self-reported pain score, heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate. Results: Among 1,063 subjects, the most common diagnoses were nephrolithiasis (25%; n= 267) and fracture (23%; n= 249). The mean (± SD) triage pain score was 7 (± 3). The mean (± SD) heart rate was 85 (± 16) beats/min, mean (± SD) systolic blood pressure was 141 (± 23) mm Hg, and mean (± SD) respiratory rate was 19 (± 3) breaths/min. There were no clinically significant differences in mean vital signs across the individual pain scores, as demonstrated by overlapping confidence intervals across pain scores. Conclusions: No clinically significant associations were identified between self-reported triage pain scores and heart rate, blood pressure, or respiratory rate.
Functionalised spherosilicates: Soluble precursors of inorganic/organic hybrid materials

Abstract A number of functionalised spherosilicates of general formula [SinO2.5n](Si(CH3)2Y)n, where n=8 or 10 and Y= CHCH2 or CH2Cl have been prepared recently. The facile one-pot procedure that gives the functionalised spherosilicates with cubic [Si8O20] cores in high yields is described in detail here. The vinyl-functionalised spherosilicates were used to synthesize a number of organolithic macromolecular materials (OMMs) by cross-linking them using polyfunctional silyl hydrides and a Pt(II) catalyst. These OMMS have been characterised by 13C and 29Si cross-polarization magic angle spinning (CP-MAS) NMR spectra. Their thermal stability under N2 was studied using thermogravimetric analysis. These studies suggest that the new OMMs prepared have great potential as macromolecular precursors of unusual ceramic materials.
Heterogeneity in threat extinction learning: substantive and methodological considerations for identifying individual difference in response to stress

Pavlovian threat (fear) conditioning (PTC) is an experimental paradigm that couples innate aversive stimuli with neutral cues to elicit learned defensive behavior in response to the neutral cue. PTC is commonly used as a translational model to study neurobiological and behavioral aspects of fear and anxiety disorders, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Though PTSD is a complex, multi-faceted construct that cannot be fully captured in animals, PTC is a conceptually valid model for studying the development and maintenance of learned threat responses. Thus it can inform the understanding of PTSD symptomatology. However, there are significant individual differences in posttraumatic stress that are not as of yet accounted for in studies of PTC. Individuals exposed to danger have been shown to follow distinct patterns: some adapt rapidly and completely (resilience), others adapt slowly (recovery), and others failure to adapt (chronic stress response). Identifying similar behavioral outcomes in PTC increases the translatability of this model. In this report, we present a flexible methodology for identifying individual differences in PTC by modeling latent subpopulations, or classes, characterized by defensive behavior during training. We provide evidence from a reanalysis of previously examined PTC learning and extinction data in rats to demonstrate the effectiveness of this methodology in identifying outcomes analogous to those observed in humans exposed to threat. By utilizing Latent Class Growth Analysis to test for heterogeneity in freezing behavior during threat conditioning and extinction learning in adult male outbred rats (n =58), three outcomes were identified: rapid extinction (57.3%), slow extinction (32.3%), and failure to extinguish (10.3%), indicating that heterogeneity analogous to that in naturalistic human studies is present in experimental animal studies, strengthening their translatability in understanding stress responses in humans.
Money, sex, and god: the erotic logic of religious nationalism

God is once again afoot in the public sphere. Politics has become a religious obligation. For a new breed of religious nationalist the nation-state is a vehicle of the divine. This essay seeks to accomplish four things. The first is to argue for an institutional approach to religious nationalism in order both to interpret and explain it. Second, I argue that religion and nationalism partake of a common symbolic order and that religious nationalism is therefore not an oxymoron. Third, the essay seeks to explain why religion has become such a potent political force in our time. And fourth--the task that will take up the bulk of the text--it seeks a principle of intelligibility in the semiotic order of religious nationalism that can comprehend its preoccupation with both women's erotic bodies and monies out of national control. Language: en
Globin RNA transcription: a possible termination site and demonstration of transcriptional control correlated with altered chromatin structure.

Abstract The transcription unit that encodes β-globin (major) mRNA has been examined by analysis of nascent labeled RNA from the nuclei of mouse erythroleukemia cells treated with agents that induce β-globin formation. More than 95% of the time, transcription appears to terminate within a region 1400 ± 100 nucleotides downstream from the poly(A) site. The nuclei of mouse erythroleukemia cells treated with agents that induce β-globin synthesis showed a 10 to 20 fold stimulation of transcription assayed by chain elongation of β-globin RNA sequences, including sequences downstream from the poly(A) site. Associated with the increase in transcription was a generalized increase in sensitivity to DNAase treatment of globin genomic DNA in whole nuclei. A DNAase I-hypersensitive site in the vicinity of the cap site was also found to be prominent in induced cells.
Gravimetric measurement of adsorption parameters in water systems with a quartz spring balance

Abstract A gravimetric technique, utilizing a differential reactor, was applied to liquid/solid adsorption systems. The method allowed both equilibrium and kinetic parameters to be determined simultaneously. The method was applied to four adsorption systems. The adsorbents were F400 activated carbon and XAD4 polymeric resin, while phenol and p -chlorophenol were used as adsorbates. The gravimetric measurements were complicated by the effect of buoyancy. This complication was resolved experimentally. A theoretical explanation was given for the XAD4 systems. The adsorption parameters obtained by the new method were in good agreement with those found in the literature, and applicable to fixed bed adsorption.
Looking for happiness in all the wrong places: The moderating role of gratitude and affect in the materialism–life satisfaction relationship

We propose a model that explains the negative relationship between materialism and life satisfaction. We test negative affect as a mediator of the relationship between materialism and dissatisfaction with life, and gratitude and positive affect as moderators of this effect. Self-report data collected from 246 (129 female) undergraduate students generally supported our predictions. The negative relationship between materialism and life satisfaction was mediated in part by an increase in negative affect. Additionally, gratitude – and to a lesser extent, positive affect – functioned as moderators of the effect of materialism on life satisfaction. Individuals high in gratitude showed less of a relationship between materialism and negative affect. Additionally, individuals high in materialism showed decreased life satisfaction when either gratitude or positive affect was low. Thus, negative affect, positive affect, and gratitude seem to be important variables in the relationship between materialism and dissati...
Laplace-transform technique for deriving thermodynamic equations from the classical microcanonical ensemble

A direct and convenient method is presented for deriving expressions which equate any thermodynamic state function to averages of specific dynamical functions and their fluctuations over the classical microcanonical distribution. Specific expressions are obtained for a variety of thermodynamic quantities. The effect of various entropy definitions on the results are assessed, and the latter are compared to previous work in the literature. The derived formulas are applied to the analysis of molecular-dynamics computer simulations.
Low-noise hybrid erbium/Brillouin amplifier

A photonic link incorporating a hybrid erbium/Brillouin fibre amplifier is investigated experimentally. Shot-noise limited performance is achieved within the 500 MHz to 8 GHz frequency band. Low frequency burst noise is reduced by utilising an injected phase-modulated signal beam.
Fra-1 regulation of Matrix Metallopeptidase-1 (MMP-1) in metastatic variants of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells

Matrix Metallopeptidase 1 (MMP-1) expression has repeatedly been correlated to tumorigenesis and metastasis. Yet, MMP-1 regulation in a metastatic context remains largely unknown. Here we confirm differential MMP-1 expression in mammary carcinoma cells with varied metastatic potentials. We show that MMP-1 expression is regulated by an AP-1 element in its promoter in highly metastatic MDA-MB-231 mammary carcinoma cell derivatives. Fra-1, an AP-1 family transcription factor, differentially binds this element in highly metastatic cells compared to low metastatic cells and is required for MMP-1 expression. Overexpression of Fra-1 also caused increased MMP-1 expression. Fra-1 mRNA levels are unchanged in the cell variants, however its protein levels are higher in the metastatic cells. While there was no change in Fra-1 protein degradation rates, protein synthesis of Fra-1 was increased in the metastatic cell variant. These results demonstrate that Fra-1 and MMP-1 levels are differentially regulated in metastatic cell variants at the level of Fra-1 protein translation. Consistent with the importance of Fra-1 for tumor growth, we found that Fra-1 overexpression was sufficient to increase cell motility and anchorage independent growth. These results suggest that increased Fra-1 translation is critical for regulation of MMP-1 and tumor cell metastasis.
Common and distinguishing features of the bacterial and fungal communities in biological soil crusts and shrub root zone soils

Abstract Soil microbial communities in dryland ecosystems play important roles as root associates of the widely spaced plants and as the dominant members of biological soil crusts (biocrusts) colonizing the plant interspaces. We employed rRNA gene sequencing (bacterial 16S/fungal large subunit) and shotgun metagenomic sequencing to compare the microbial communities inhabiting the root zones of the dominant shrub, Larrea tridentata (creosote bush), and the interspace biocrusts in a Mojave desert shrubland within the Nevada Free Air CO 2 Enrichment (FACE) experiment. Most of the numerically abundant bacteria and fungi were present in both the biocrusts and root zones, although the proportional abundance of those members differed significantly between habitats. Biocrust bacteria were predominantly Cyanobacteria while root zones harbored significantly more Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. Pezizomycetes fungi dominated the biocrusts while Dothideomycetes were highest in root zones. Functional gene abundances in metagenome sequence datasets reflected the taxonomic differences noted in the 16S rRNA datasets. For example, functional categories related to photosynthesis, circadian clock proteins, and heterocyst-associated genes were enriched in the biocrusts, where populations of Cyanobacteria were larger. Genes related to potassium metabolism were also more abundant in the biocrusts, suggesting differences in nutrient cycling between biocrusts and root zones. Finally, ten years of elevated atmospheric CO 2 did not result in large shifts in taxonomic composition of the bacterial or fungal communities or the functional gene inventories in the shotgun metagenomes.
A qualitative meta-analysis of heart failure self-care practices among individuals with multiple comorbid conditions.

Abstract Background Most heart failure (HF) patients have other comorbid conditions. HF self-care requires medication and diet adherence, daily weight monitoring, and a thoughtful response to symptoms when they occur. Self-care is complicated when other chronic conditions have additional self-care requirements. The purpose of this study is to explore how comorbidity influences HF self-care. Methods Using qualitative descriptive meta-analysis techniques, transcripts from 3 mixed methods studies (n = 99) were reexamined to yield themes about perceptions about HF and self-care and to explore the influence on HF self-care. The Charlson Comorbidity Index identified comorbid conditions. Results The sample was 74% Caucasian, 66% male (mean age of 59.6 years ± 15 years). Fifty-three percent of the sample was New York Heart Association Class III. All had at least 1 other chronic condition. Narrative accounts revealed that adherence to diet, symptom monitoring, and differentiating symptoms from multiple conditions were the most challenging self-care skills. Emerging themes included 1) attitudes drive self-care prioritization and 2) fragmented self-care instruction leads to poor self-care integration and self-care skill deficits. Conclusions Individuals with multiple chronic conditions are vulnerable to poor self-care. Research testing coaching interventions that integrate self-care requirements and focus on developing skill in self-care across multiple chronic conditions is needed.
Interfacing an Avista SR-12 Hydrogen Fuel Cell to an Analog Model Power System (AMPS)

Alternative energy sources are becoming a focus in the energy industry as the world realizes that its dependency on fossil fuels must diminish because of pollution, oil prices, and other factors. For this reason, it's important that students do have exposure to some of the alternative energy sources available in the 21st century. The analog model power system provides students with the opportunity to explore and understand a typical power transmission system. Course intructors wish to expand and improve this system to include alternative energy sources. This project facilitates the learning experience for students and enables them to experiment with fuel cells as distributed generation sources.
First do no harm: infectious deaths in pediatric ALL.

In this issue of Blood , O’Connor and colleagues describe infection-related mortality on the United Kingdom Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia Randomised Trial 2003 (UKALL 2003) for children with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia, reporting a 5-year cumulative incidence of 2.4%,
“They don't get gifted until the fourth grade,” What parents can do in the meantime

Understanding the uniqueness of the young gifted child is the first step in providing a basis for support.
CoCoA: Coordinated Cooperative Localization for Mobile Multi-Robot Ad Hoc Networks

Mobile robot teams are particularly suited to applications where infrastructure is unavailable or damaged since they can be used to quickly form an infrastructure-less mobile ad hoc network performing tasks in a distributed manner. In such deployment scenarios, localization of individual robots is essential for enabling many applications. In this paper, we propose CoCoA, Coordinated Cooperative localization for mobile multi-robot Ad Hoc Networks, that is low-cost, quickly deployable, energy-efficient, and provides reasonable accuracy for the applications. In CoCoA, only a subset of the robots in the mobile robot team are equipped with external localization devices (e.g. GPS, laser rangers, vision sensors). Subsequently, while robots perform their tasks, they cooperate to help localize each other without requiring static landmarks to be deployed. In addition, CoCoA coordinates the localization operations of robots to reduce energy consumption. Using detailed simulations and localization models calibrated from experimental data, we find that CoCoA is effective in reducing energy consumption while providing good localization accuracy.
Reflections and observations: education and technology

van Dam began teaching computer graphics just as the field was beginning, in the early 1960s. His first class was not of graduate students or post-docs, but was a group of forward thinking high school teachers and their best students. It was this experience that inspired van Dam to pursue a career in academia. For the past 30 years he has taught at Brown University where he co-founded the department of computer science and for 10 years served as its first chairman. The past five years have seen exceptionally strong demand for integration of computers into K-12 curricula driven both by the media hype surrounding computer technology and networks and the increasing pressure on educational institutions to improve scope and quality of education in a publicly demonstrable fashion. These forces have combined to produce a time of great potential for education but also one of great danger. Educators and administrators must consider how can this technology be used to promote rigorous and useful learning rather merely adding glitz to traditional types of assignments. Educators and administrators must also be aware that although computers can bring education to a more diverse and expanding audience, the same technology can serve to divide societies into groups of haves and have nots. van Dam analyzes several means of approaching these and other issues, drawing on current research findings and using real life examples from his experience as a researcher educator, and Director of the Graphics and Visualization Center.