cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cortico-Basal Ganglia Reward Network: Microcircuitry

Many of the brain's reward systems converge on the nucleus accumbens, a region richly innervated by excitatory, inhibitory, and modulatory afferents representing the circuitry necessary for selecting adaptive motivated behaviors. The ventral subiculum of the hippocampus provides contextual and spatial information, the basolateral amygdala conveys affective influence, and the prefrontal cortex provides an integrative impact on goal-directed behavior. The balance of these afferents is under the modulatory influence of dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area. This midbrain region receives its own complex mix of excitatory and inhibitory inputs, some of which have only recently been identified. Such afferent regulation positions the dopamine system to bias goal-directed behavior based on internal drives and environmental contingencies. Conditions that result in reward promote phasic dopamine release, which serves to maintain ongoing behavior by selectively potentiating ventral subicular drive to the accumbens. Behaviors that fail to produce an expected reward decrease dopamine transmission, which favors prefrontal cortical-driven switching to new behavioral strategies. As such, the limbic reward system is designed to optimize action plans for maximizing reward outcomes. This system can be commandeered by drugs of abuse or psychiatric disorders, resulting in inappropriate behaviors that sustain failed reward strategies. A fuller appreciation of the circuitry interconnecting the nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area should serve to advance discovery of new treatment options for these conditions.
Temperature dependence of the C1+HN3 reaction from 300 to 480 K

The rate constant for Cl + HN 3 over the temperature range 300-480 K has been studied in a flow reactor. Based on the rate of loss of HN 3 and the rate of NCL(a 1 (Delta) ) generation, the temperature dependence of this reaction is described by the collision theory expression 1.2 +/- 0.3 X 10 -11 T 0.5 exp(-1514 +/- 93/T), with E 0 equals 3.0 +/- 0.2 kcal mol -1 or an Arrhenius fit k(T) equals 2.0 +/- 1.0 X 10 -10 exp(-1452 +/- 150/T) with E a equals 2.9 +/- 0.2 kcal mol -1 .
A Bibliography of Work on Racial Narratives for Children

Compiled by Marie Drews, "A Bibliography of Work on Racial Narratives for Children" provides an overview of sources on racial narratives for children, including those found in literature, television, and in relation to toys. Emphasis in this list of works is on children's literature primarily because scholarship about this medium is most abundant. Works listed include discussions of contemporary children's literature, picture books, juvenile literature, and some young adult texts; while some books and articles offer pedagogical strategies, most provide critical inquiry into the ways that racial difference is portrayed in texts for children. Similarly, while some materials offer readings of historical children's literature, most consider how race and multiculturalism is approached in children's literature published in the last twenty years. Marie Drews, "A Bibliography of Work on Racial Narratives for Children" page 2 of 10 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 10.2 (2008): Thematic Issue, Racialized Narratives for Children. Ed. C. Richard King and John Streamas A Bibliography of Work on Racial Narratives for Children
Rates and risk factors for condition-specific hospitalizations in HIV-infected and uninfected women.

Background: The rates and risk factors for overall and medical condition-specific hospitalizations in HIV-positive women have not been examined in detail or compared with rates in risk factormatched HIV-negative women. Objective: To determine the rates and risk factors for overall and condition-specific hospitalizations. Methods: Prospective cohort study of 885 HIV-positive women and 425 HIV-negative women followed for semiannual research visits between 1993 and 2000 in 4 urban locations in the United States. Outcome measures were hospitalization diagnoses with diabetes mellitus, nonacute renal conditions, cardiovascular conditions, liver conditions, AIDS defining conditions, and overall hospitalizations. Clinical and laboratory risk factors were assessed at research visits every 6 months, and effects of risk factors on hospitalization rates were calculated using generalized estimating equations and Poisson regression. Results: Renal laboratory abnormalities, hypertension, and clinical AIDS were each associated with 3 of the 5 condition-specific hospitalization rates. Over time, diabetes-, nonacute renal-, and cardiovascular-related rates were flat or slightly increased and liver-related rates were significantly increased in HIV-positive women. Hospitalization rates with an AIDS-defining condition declined sharply in the latter half of the study period. Conclusions: In this population of largely African-American, inner-city, HIV-infected women, renal abnormalities, hypertension, and hepatitis C virus infection were common. Rate ratios indicated that “non-AIDS” risk factors were important predictors of hospitalization. In the highly active antiretroviral therapy era, clinicians must pay attention to these risk factors for morbidity and should closely monitor renal abnormalities, hypertension, and hepatitis status.
Motivation for change and personal resources in patients with prolonged musculoskeletal disorders

The purpose of this qualitative 2-year follow-up study was to obtain a deeper understanding of motivation for change towards an active and independent life in patients with prolonged musculoskeletal disorders and to explore and identify personal resources that might influence such improvements. Data collection and analysis were performed according to the qualitative case study design. An initial conceptual framework was developed to bound and guide the study. Twenty patients were selected using purposive sampling with respect to motivational level (highly to latently motivated) to create a sample of maximum variety. Data were collected using repeated interviews and additional quantitative instruments (health-related quality of life, body image, movement ability, postural control, pain rating). The study comprised three data collection periods. Motivation for change was associated with the use of personal resources. The central themes to emerge were body awareness, self-focus, locus of control and coping ability. The results emphasized the indivisible unity of body and mind. The efficacy of rehabilitation might improve if the individual's own resources were taken into account.
The infinite Dirac operator

In this article, we define the infinite Dirac operator and explore some key properties, particularly its conformal invariance. En route, we also establish the conformal invariance of the p-Dirac equation. We also introduce the infinite Dirac operator on the sphere Sn and establish the relationship between the two infinite Dirac operators via the Cayley transformation. Also we introduce an infinite Laplace operator on Sn.
Efficacy and neurologic outcome of profound hypocapneic alkalosis for the treatment of persistent pulmonary hypertension in infancy.

Twenty-three newborn infants with severe bilateral pulmonary disease and persistent pulmonary hypertension received mechanical ventilation to pH>7.55 and Pa co 2 o 2>100 torr, occurred in 87% of patients. Analysis of sequential arterial pH determinations revealed a linear increase in the number of infants responding as arterial pH increased. However, individual patients varied greatly in the optimal pH necessary to correct hypoxemia (range pH 7.50 to 7.75). Sixteen patients who had received mechanical hyperventilation were observed for 11.1±2.3 months. Virtually all had normal growth and development on follow-up physical and neurologic examinations, often despite profound or prolonged alkalosis and hypocarbia. In 11 infants at a corrected gestational age of 1 year, Bayley Scales of Infant Development revealed normal mental developmental indices (mean 106.2±15.4) and normal, but significantly lower, psychomotor developmental indices (93.2±11.7) (P
Characterization and localization of a virus-like particle in aDrechslera species

Abstract A virus-like particle (VLP) has been found in a species of the fungus Drechslera . Four double-stranded RNA species with sizes of 3.8, 2.8, 2.7, and 2.2 kbp were isolated using CF-11 cellulose. These dsRNAs are associated with a 35-nm particle at a density of 1.37 g/cm 3 in CsCl. The particle contains a major protein of 117 kDa and a minor protein of 89 kDa. In cellular fractionations of 2-week-old cultures, the VLPs are found in the mitochondrial pellet, but do not band with mitochondria in sucrose step gradients. In 1-week-old cultures, however, the VLP dsRNA is found in the cytoplasmic fraction. VLPs have not been reported previously in this genus.
Assessment of women's satisfaction with medical termination of pregnancy

This was a prospective study involving 205 women seeking medical abortion with gestational age ⩽ 63 days. Questionnaires regarding expectations, experience and satisfaction with medical abortion were self-completed at the end of the procedure. Women's satisfaction was assessed using the visual analogue scale from 0 to 10. Satisfaction and acceptability parameters were correlated with socio-demographic and obstetric data. The mean degree of overall satisfaction was 8.3 (range 1 – 10). Around 90% of women would select the method again and would recommend it to a friend or relative. The degree of satisfaction showed a positive correlation with women's age (P < 0.001) and number of children (P < 0.05) and a significant negative correlation with gestational age (P < 0.005). Marital status, type of financial support and acceptable pain and bleeding experience also showed a correlation with the satisfaction score. On the other hand, acceptability was correlated with husband/partner agreement and support during t...
A Perspective on International Business Scholarship: Is It Regional or Global?

This paper contributes to the international business lit‐erature by exploring the degree of globalization in our international business journals. Through an investigation of all multi‐authored articles in core international business journals over a five‐year period, we test the nature of international business authorship by following Rugman’s insights on the regional nature of the MNE. Our findings suggest that within the Triad regions of North America and Western Europe, and similar to MNE patterns and international commerce, international business research is not global. In contrast, within the Triad region of Developed Asia, we find that international business research is global.
Source strength of fungal spore aerosolization from moldy building material

Abstract The release of Aspergillus versicolor, Cladosporium cladosporioides, and Penicillium melinii spores from agar and ceiling tile surfaces was tested under different controlled environmental conditions using a newly designed and constructed aerosolization chamber. This study revealed that all the investigated parameters, such as fungal species, air velocity above the surface, texture of the surface, and vibration of contaminated material, affected the fungal spore release. It was found that typical indoor air currents can release up to 200 spores cm−2 from surfaces with fungal spores during 30-min experiments. The release of fungal spores from smooth agar surfaces was found to be inadequate for accurately predicting the emission from rough ceiling tile surfaces because the air turbulence increases the spore release from a rough surface. A vibration at a frequency of 1 Hz at a power level of 14 W resulted in a significant increase in the spore release rate. The release appears to depend on the morphology of the fungal colonies grown on ceiling tile surfaces including the thickness of conidiophores, the length of spore chains, and the shape of spores. The spores were found to be released continuously during each 30-min experiment. However, the release rate was usually highest during the first few minutes of exposure to air currents and mechanical vibration. About 71–88% of the spores released during a 30-min interval became airborne during the first 10 min.
Examinations of charge transfer between ionized He and P, S, and Cl in a microwave-induced plasma

Charge transfer between monomer helium ions and nonmetals has been postulated to be the source of high nonmetal ion populations in high electron density (> 1014 e-/cm3) discharges. In this study, overpopulations of excited Cl, P, and S ion energy levels in a helium microwave-induced plasma are examined using ion and atom line emission intensity data and charge transfer theory. The resonance emission lines from phosphorous, sulfur, and chlorine were examined. To examine these highly energetic lines, wavelengths in the vacuum-ultraviolet and the ultraviolet-visible (UV-visible) spectral regions were monitored. Energy-level population calculations were performed on similar UV-visible emission data from the literature. Charge transfer ionization cross sections are calculated for these elements. To obtain an indication of the significance of charge transfer, these parameters are compared to the behavior that would be expected if the plasma were in local thermodynamic equilibrium, and kinetically dominant processes such as CT were not considered. These evaluations, with the aid of energy-level diagrams, help to explain the spectroscopic behavior of these nonmetals in the helium discharge.
Energy and environment in the long term

Abstract An interesting feature of many of the environmental impacts of energy production and consumption is that they may be of very long duration — indeed are, for all practical purposes, irreversible. Particular attention thus needs to be given to ways of evaluating distant future impacts, dealing with the uncertainty that inevitably arises, and possibly even restructuring the welfare-theoretic basis of the analysis. A review of recent analytical developments indicates a series of adjustments that have the effect of increasing the present value of the costs of such impacts, making the responsible energy activities less desirable from the standpoint of economic efficiency.
Reproducible Research in Computational Science

Computational science has led to exciting new developments, but the nature of the work has exposed limitations in our ability to evaluate published findings. Reproducibility has the potential to serve as a minimum standard for judging scientific claims when full independent replication of a study is not possible.
Next-Generation X-Ray Free-Electron Lasers

Research frontiers for future free-electron lasers are discussed. Attention is given to ideas for improving the temporal coherence and obtaining subfemtosecond X-ray pulses. Improving brightness of the electron bunches is considered to be a major step forward for an electron beam accelerator simultaneously supporting multiple free-electron laser lines.
Combining process planning and concurrent engineering to support printed circuit board assembly

Abstract Research in computer integrated manufacturing area has long been concentrated in building the bridges between the islands of design and manufacturing. Many computer-aided process planning systems and design advice systems find success in using Expert System technology to connect design and manufacturing. However, the one-directional inference and hierarchical structure of Expert Systems can only provide a one-way bridge from design to manufacturing or from manufacturing to design. This paper uses interactive constraint modeling to provide a two-way bridge between design and manufacturing and describes PACE II, a process planning and concurrent engineering system for printed circuit boards (PCB). Interactive constraint modeling is a formalism that can represent mutually constraining parameters and their relationships as a set of inter-related constraints. It provides omni-directional and interactive inference to act as a two-way bridge between design and manufacturing in order to solve concurrent engineering problems. By using an interactive constraint modeling environment called Jupiter, the PCB process planning knowledge can be represented in PACE II by a collection of variables which are interlinked by constraints that specify relationships among them. The PACE II system demonstrates that by using interactive constraint modeling, the knowledge involved in process planning can not only generate the process plan but can also serve as a design aid to show the impact of design variations on the manufacturing process. It dynamically generates the process plan from PCB design attributes and detects inconsistencies between the PCB design and the existing production environment, thereby helping to ensure that concurrent engineering can be carried out during the design phase.
Industrial Revitalization in Japan: The Role of the Government vs the Market

As a semi-public institution, the Industrial Revitalization Corporation of Japan (IRCJ) is an example of government involvement in functions that could be provided by private markets. Questions discussed in this paper are the setup and aims of the IRCJ and its relationship to private market solutions, as well as whether its design will allow the IRCJ to succeed. In particular, we argue that the IRCJ's position in a wider and complex network of public actors and its openness to various pressures provides it with a very difficult starting point. For a public institution to be successful in industrial revitalization in Japan, transparency and clarity of rules and aims are key; but these are characteristics that the IRCJ does not possess. Measured by its first actions, broad industrial revitalization is something that the IRCJ cannot achieve. Instead, its focus seems to be to provide regional safety nets.
Linkages among watersheds, stream reaches, and riparian vegetation in dryland ephemeral stream networks

Summary Ephemeral streams are common features of landscapes around the world, and are the predominant fluvial environment in arid zones. Current understanding of dryland riparian ecology is derived primarily from perennial stream environments, and little is known about the factors controlling vegetation along ephemeral streams. This study describes relationships between the physical characteristics of watersheds and stream reaches, and their effects on riparian plant communities, for 14 ephemeral stream reaches in the semi-arid southern Colorado Plateau, USA. Interactions of watershed properties produce gradients of hydro-geomorphic regimes throughout stream networks, which give rise to spatial patterns in the structure and composition of perennial woody plant and grass dominated communities. As watershed and network magnitudes increased, and basin slope decreased, stream reaches exhibited reduced erosive capacities and more attenuated alluvial groundwater variability. Decreased disturbance potential and increased moisture availability in the downstream direction was related to greater abundance of obligate riparian taxa, and increasing structural importance of shrub and tree species. Divisions in watershed and stream reach physical properties corresponded with riparian plant community types, implying that progress in dryland fluvial ecology could be made from research within a watershed or network context. These concepts are integrated to form a stream classification system that describes functional linkages between watersheds, stream reaches, and riparian plant ecology. Type I streams drain watersheds less than 10 km2, exhibit the greatest disturbance potential and most xeric alluvial groundwater regime, and are occupied by upland plant associations. Type II streams have watersheds between 10 and 100 km2, and have more moderate shear stresses and more persistent alluvial groundwater. Plant communities consisting of a mix of upland and riparian species occur in Type II reaches. Type III reaches drain watersheds of more than 100 km2 and hydrologic regimes are controlled mainly by upstream hydro-climatic conditions. These streams have the lowest bankfull shear stresses and perennial water tables that span expansive floodplains. Wetland tree and shrub communities dominate Type III reaches, and upland plants are a minor ecological component.
Custody evaluations: a survey of mental health professionals

Mental health professionals who conduct custody evaluations (N=165, 61% return rate) were surveyed about their practices and attitudes. These experts were primarily licensed psychologists, most with degrees in clinical and counseling. Few had specific training in child custody or forensic evaluation, and although they averaged 8·1 evaluations over the last year, most devoted a modest portion of their practice to custody work. They generally regarded custody evaluations as valuable to the courts, but were critical of the adversarial approach to determining custody. Procedures and priorities have changed little over the past decade, with most experts relying heavily on interviews and observation. Cautions are given regarding overstepping ethical guidelines and using procedures that presently lack established validity. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Language: en
Neutrino production of Dimuons at the Fermilab tevatron

Abstract Neutrino and antineutrino interactions with two muons in the final state have been studied by the CCFR collaboration in the Fermilab Tevatron neutrino beam. The rate of neutrino- and antineutrino-induced prompt same-sign dimuon production in steel was measured using a sample of 220 μ−μ− events and 15 μ+μ+ events with Pμ > 9 GeV/c, and energies between 30 GeV and 600 GeV. After background subtraction, the prompt rate of same-sign dimuon production is (0.53 ± 0.24) × 10−4 per νμ charged-current event and (0.52 ± 0.33) × 10 −4 per ν μ charged-current event. After demanding Pμ1 ≥ 9 GeV/c, Pμ2 ≥ 5 GeV/c and 30 ≤ Eν ≤ 600 GeV a sample of 5044 ν μ 1062 ν μ induced μ ∓ μ ± events are observed. The data support the slow rescaling model of charm production with a value of mc = 1.31 ± .24 GeV/c2. The CKM matrix element Vcd=.209±0.012 and the nucleon strangeness content, ηe=.064−0.00065+0.00075 are measured with the strange sea x distribution found to be softer than its non-strange counterpart. The first measurements of the Q2 dependence of the strange quark densities, ϰs(ϰ), are also presented.
Retention of EMG Biofeedback Relaxation Training

Summary.-This study investigated how much subjects could retain abilicy to reduce musde tension without daily practice and the extent to which periodic re-training would be a practical and effective way of retaining the skill. 19 male and 29 female subjects were given standard frontalis muscle biofeedback relaxation uaining. After initial training, 34 subjects in the experimental group were further randomly assigned to 3 different re-training groups: re-training once evety 2 wk., re-training once every 4 wk., and none. All three groups maintained their ability to reduce muscle tension, and the group given re-training once every 2 wk. further improved that abiliy. EMG biofeedback training has been shown to be a clinically effective technique for reducing muscle tension, which in turn is related to reductions in anxiety, migraine and tension headaches, and other psychosomatic disorders. Most of the programs include assessment on entrance, psychophysiological pre-training tests, treatment between 1 and 20 sessions (an average of G to lo), and post-training tests. Occasionally, follow-up data on remission of symptoms are collected but rarely does the follow-up include an assessment of retention of psychophysiological training skill supposedly responsible for symptom remission. Budzynski, et al. (1973) reported maintenance of post-training muscle tension and a decrease in frequency of headache 3 mo. after training when clients practiced non-feedback relaxation daily. Townsend, et al. (1975), using a typical procedure of 3-hr. biofeedback training and 5-hr. taped relaxation instruction, found significant reduction in muscle tension and anxiety. They followed a few subjects for G mo. and found that, if they continued daily self-practice using the relaxation tapes, they could maintain post-training muscle tension level. Finley, et al. (1977) found a deterioration of initial learning during a 6-wk. period of no training in cerebral palsied children but found rapid reacquisition of the skill upon reinstitution of the training. More recently, Libo and Arnold (1982) also reported that continued practice of relaxation, even occasionally, helped the majority of clients retain benefits after treatment while only some clients managed to maintain their improvement without practice. It seems likely that the training effect is transferrable and can be retained as long as some relaxation technique is practiced after training. However, little is known about retention in situations where daily practice is not in
Reciprocity and risk in the work and lives of Kinshasa's TV journalists

Just like in many other sub-Saharan African countries, Kinshasa's media world has opened up in the mid 1990s. Especially since 2002, local TV stations have been mushrooming. This has not only led to a proliferation of media productions, but it has also enlarged the terrain of local journalists, in particular allowing for more jobs. The TV stations are inserted within the larger division that governs Kinshasa's political society: a media outlet is either du centre (‘of the centre’, also ‘du pouvoir’, ‘of power’) or not, referring to the division between pro-Kabila media and anti-Kabila media. Despite this strong polarization in the local press, many of Kinshasa's journalists share similar professional experiences. In this article, two components of the lifeworlds and work of Kinshasa's journalists are explored: the management of journalists' patron–client relationships with leaders and the experience of risk and fear in their work and in their private lives. Lolenge loko na bituka biyike na sudi ya Sahara;...
Assessment of a bronchoscopy simulator.

The study objective was to validate a flexible bronchoscopy simulator by determining if it could differentiate between expert and novice bronchoscopists. A subsequent evaluation phase was then done to determine whether use of the simulator would improve the rate of bronchoscopy skill acquisition for new pulmonary fellows. A multicenter prospective cohort study was performed using a bronchoscopy simulator. Three cohorts were evaluated based on the number of bronchoscopies previously performed: “experts” ( > 500, n = 9), “intermediates” (25 to 500, n = 8), and “novices” (none, n = 11). Each participant performed two simulated cases with performance measures being recorded by the simulator. Performance measures that distinguished between groups were then used to evaluate the learning curve for new fellows training on the simulator. A randomized-controlled trial was then conducted comparing the quality of bronchoscopy performance for new pulmonary fellows who were trained either with conventional methods or w...
Imagery spectroscopy application for Super Fund mining waste monitoring

Image spectroscopy was used to evaluate iron oxide acid mine drainage contamination at two U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Super Fund sites located in Colorado and New Mexico. The AVIRIS hyper-spectral remote sensing system developed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory was used to collect the imagery data used in the analysis. The paper presents an overview of mining methods used in the area of the study, the environmental risks of acid mine drainage and the AVIRIS hyper-spectral sensing system. The two sites evaluated are located in Leadville, Colorado and the Ray Mine site in New Mexico. Imagery spectroscopy was evaluated at these two sites for identifying potential mineral pollutants and mapping their location for cleanup planning and monitoring applications. Results indicate the technology can be a very useful tool for this type of application and location.
Antigenic and anaphylactoid studies with seromucoid and seroglycoid.

SummaryNeither seromucoid nor seroglycoid was capable of inducing an anaphylactoid response in the intact or adrenalectomized rat although they are classified, chemically, with ovomucoid. Seromucoid was not antigenic for the mouse. The antigenicity of seroglycoid may be attributed to traces of serum albumin.
Measuring student outcomes: An assessment of service-learning in the public relations campaigns course

Abstract This study assesses the effectiveness of service-learning in the public relations capstone course by measuring perceived student learning outcomes. An assessment instrument is proposed and tested via a longitudinal survey of students (n = 210) enrolled in the public relations capstone course at a large southeastern university. Results support a general service-learning assessment instrument for public relations education that includes measures of practical skills, interpersonal skills, personal responsibility, and citizenship, as well as discipline-specific functional, creative, and research skills.
Plasma proteomic alterations in non-human primates and humans after chronic alcohol self-administration

Objective diagnostics of excessive alcohol use are valuable tools in the identification and monitoring of subjects with alcohol use disorders. A number of potential biomarkers of alcohol intake have been proposed, but none have reached widespread clinical usage, often due to limited diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. In order to identify novel potential biomarkers, we performed proteomic biomarker target discovery in plasma samples from non-human primates that chronically self-administer high levels of ethanol. 2-dimensional in-gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) was used to quantify plasma proteins from within subject samples collected before exposure to ethanol and after three months of excessive ethanol self-administration. Highly abundant plasma proteins were depleted from plasma samples to increase proteomic coverage. Altered plasma levels of SAA4, RBP, ITIH4, clusterin, and fibronectin, identified by 2D-DIGE analysis, were confirmed in unmanipulated, whole plasma from these animals by immunoblotting. Examination of these target plasma proteins in human subjects with excessive alcohol consumption (and control subjects) revealed increased levels of SAA4 and clusterin and decreased levels of fibronectin compared to controls. These proteins not only serve as targets for further development as biomarker candidates or components of biomarker panels, but also add to the growing understanding of dysregulated immune function and lipoprotein metabolism with chronic, excessive alcohol consumption.
Station-length requirements for reliable performance-based examination scores

PURPOSE To directly compare the generalizability of medical students' performance scores under systematically varied station times in two surgery end-of-clerkship performance-based examinations. METHOD The participants were 36 third-year students randomly assigned to the first two rotations of the core surgery clerkship during 1991-92 at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. The students rotated through a 12-station examination that employed standardized patients (SPs). In the first rotation, the student took six five-minute stations and six ten-minute stations. In the second rotation, the time lengths were reversed for the same stations. The students' total scores were based on (1) subscores on checklists that were completed by the SPs and (2) subscores on the students' written responses to short questions about each station (these responses were provided at station couplets that were five minutes long, regardless of station length). Generalizability coefficients were computed from the pooled rotation results to provide reliabilities for scores from the two station lengths. RESULTS Generalizability decreased in the ten-minute stations, mostly attributable to less variability among students' performances. The checklist subscores accounted for most of this variability, while couplet subscores remained stable between station lengths. CONCLUSION The longer station length actually decreased the generalizability of the scores by decreasing the variability among students' performances; thus, allocating different times to stations can affect the score reliability, as well as impact on the overall testing time, of performance-based examinations.
And Madly They Teach.

Educators have been seeking the magical elixir or "method" with disappointing results. According to Philip Jackson, ".. .the few drops of knowledge that can be squeezed out of a half century of research on the personality characteristics of good teachers are so low in intellectual food value that is is almost embarrassing to discuss them." So unsuccessful has this academic and gymnastic exercise been in education that critics2 have contended that teaching is a vastly overrated function; indeed, they continue that anything worth learning cannot be taught. Such an attitude has encouraged many to abandon the search for the holy grail and submit passively to the persuasions and conflicts without improving the method of instruction. Hordes of desperate characters have rallied to hasten the doom of instructional practices. Some3 contend that the educational process, with inappropriately designed teaching methods, should be compared to ajail. Others4 refer to classroom experiences as a daily grind of appalling "mutilation of spontaneity, of joy in learning, of pleasure in creating, of sense of self," and as anachronisms promoting "the great school legend."4 Perhaps the most discomforting thing about these voices of dissent is that they are probably right. The task is not just the documentation of inappropriate practices in the classroom; indeed, the challenge is not the abandonment of the public school concept, as some increasingly advocate.5 The beginning only consists of identifying those "illusions and disillusions in
Collecting commonsense experiences

Humans naturally share knowledge by telling stories. This is a form of knowledge exchange we engage in right from early childhood, and over time we learn to recall, order and organize our experiences as stories [1]. In this paper we describe the Open Mind Experiences (OMEX) system, a web-based knowledge acquisition tool that exploits our natural ability to tell and explain stories in order to build a large-scale commonsense knowledge base. We built OMEX to gather descriptions and explanations of everyday, 'common sense' experiences from volunteer contributors distributed across the Internet. We first describe the results of our previous attempt to collect commonsense knowledge from the general public, the Open Mind Common Sense (OMCS) project. The OMCS project focused on collecting largely assertional commonsense knowledge, and we describe some of its products and spin-offs. We then give several motivating reasons for why we now wish to collect more script-like knowledge. We then explain the features of the new OMEX site and give an evaluation of system based on a preliminary user study. We conclude by discussing our future directions.
Exhibiting artwork: Consider the illuminating source†

This article describes the steps that should be considered for the proper illumination of artwork. In particular, our intent is to show how a different illuminating environment from one intended by the artist affects the color appearance of exhibited paintings. Using five different illuminants and several illumination levels, it is shown for eight artists' pigments that large color-appearance differences occur. This is true even after the effects of chromatic adaptation are taken into account.
Open Economies: Implications for Global Agriculture

In my remarks today I want to address some of the issues associated with national economies becoming increasingly open. My paper is divided into three main parts: (a) some background on the rapidly changing international economy; (b) the elements of an analytical model for understanding the changes that are taking place in that economy; and (c) a discussion of some of the implications of increased openness for our profession. The thrust of my paper is toward the future, with the goal being to help us better understand the rapidly changing international economy.
Presumed consent for organ retrieval

There remains a tremendous shortage of organs for transplantation, and many patients have prolonged waiting periods before receiving a transplant. This occurs in spite of data showing that (1) the general public supports transplantation and organ donation, and (2) a much larger number of donors is potentially available. Current legislation creates an environment that is awkward and often hostile to organ donation. As a result, many physicians do not refer potential donors and many families refuse consent. Presumed consent legislation would create a more favorable environment and has the potential of markedly increasing the number of potential donors whose organs could be used. Arguments against changing the law to ‘presumed consent’ have emphasized that other remedies would increase the number of donors. However, these remedies have been in effect for almost two decades without a marked increase in organ donation. We recommend reconsideration of legislative changes to enable ‘presumed consent’ to be in force.
Case report 777

Fig. 3A, B. Sagittal Tl-weighted (A; spin echo TR 600/TE 25) and T2-weighted (B; spin echo TR 2500/TE 90) magnetic resonance images of the lumbar spine obtained on a 1.5-T imager, reveal abnormal signal intensity in the collapsed L5 vertebral body and posterior elements (arrows). On Tl-weighting, the involved vertebra shows a lower signal intensity than the surrounding normal vertebrae. On T2-weighting, the involved vertebra and posterior elements increase in signal intensity relative to the neighboring vertebra Clinical information
Alternative ecotilling protocol for rapid, cost-effective single-nucleotide polymorphism discovery and genotyping in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Ecotilling is a high-throughput method of discovery and analysis of single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variations in natural populations, but it requires a substantial investment in sophisticated equipment, costly reagents, and specialized software programs and implementation of several time-consuming steps that limit its use in laboratories with modest financial resources. Moreover, labeling efficiency of PCR primers with fluorescent dyes during Ecotilling can be reduced by unwanted exonuclease activity of single strand-specific nucleases. A new alternative protocol involving a simplified gel system, unlabeled primers, DNA staining after single strand-specific nuclease digestion, and standard gel data analysis was optimized to address these constraints. Using this alternative protocol, we successfully identified four new SNPs verified by sequencing in a collection of 57 diverse rice accessions along with 2 previously reported SNPs in a 922-bp DNA region from thealk gene. An SNP cluster containing a deletion within a 472-bp fragment of thewaxy gene was also characterized. In addition, 4 previously reported SNPs in thealk andwaxy genes were faithfully genotyped among the 57 accessions based on comparisons with sequencing results. Associations between the genotyped SNPs and amylose class and starch gelatinization temperature were as anticipated. These results, along with detailed time and cost comparisons between the 2 methods, suggest that alternative Ecotilling is a simple and reproducible method for SNP discovery and genotyping in rice that leads to substantial savings in equipment, reagents, software, and time compared with the standard Ecotilling procedure.
HIV-1 nef decreases CXCR4 expression on CD4+ T-lymphocytes

Abstract Rationale HIV-1 co-receptors, CXCR4 and CCR5, are essential for HIV entry and its life cycle. Expression of CXCR4 on T-lymphocytes is lower during HIV-infection and is normalized by antiretroviral therapy. We propose that HIV-1 Nef, an important HIV-1 regulatory protein, may play an important role in HIV-1 co-receptor expression on T lymphocytes during HIV infection. Methods CXCR4 and CCR5 expression on CD4 + T-lymphocytes was measured using quantitative flow cytometric assay in 23 HIV-infected children and 10 healthy subjects after 24-hour in vitro stimulation with various HIV-1 regulatory proteins (Nef 100 ng/ml, Tat 1 ng/ml, Gag 500 ng/ml, and gp120IIIB 250 ng/ml). Results Without HIV-1 regulatory protein stimulation, mean CXCR4 expression on CD4 + T-lymphocytes was significantly higher in healthy subjects compared to HIV-infected children (36.79% vs 24.60%; p=0.005). Following 24-hour incubation with Nef, mean CXCR4 expression on T-lymphocytes of healthy subjects was significantly decreased when compared to the expression on cells without stimulation (30.38% vs. 36.79%; p=0.012). There was no longer significant difference in mean CXCR4 expression on T-lymphocyte between HIV-infected children and healthy subjects after Nef stimulation (24.81% vs. 30.4%; p=NS). There was no significant change in mean CXCR4 expression on T-lymphocytes after stimulation with other HIV-1 proteins in HIV-infected children or healthy subjects. No significant change in the CCR5 expression on CD4 + T-lymphocytes was seen after stimulation with various HIV-1 proteins. Conclusions HIV-1 Nef protein decreases CXCR4 expression on CD4 + T-lymphocytes in healthy subjects. This may be an important mechanism for CXCR4 down-regulation during HIV-1 infection.
Maximum-Correlation Mode-Coupling Approach to the Smoluchowski Dynamics of Polymers

The Smoluchowski generalized diffusion equation with hydrodynamic interactions is used to derive the dynamics of polymers in solution. The time correlation functions (TCF) of bond vector variables are calculated using a mode-coupling expansion. While the first-order expansion represents the optimized Rouse−Zimm (ORZ) theory, higher orders result in an explosive number of elements in the basis set adopted to expand the eigenfunctions of the dynamic operator. An optimum approximation is generated by adding to the ORZ basis set, linear in the chosen slow variables, selected nonlinear terms formed by increasing powers of only those slow variables having maximum correlation with the observed relaxing variable. When this maximum-correlation mode-coupling approximation (MCA) is applied to the generalized diffusion equation with full hydrodynamic interaction, a great improvement to the ORZ theory is obtained which is easily amenable to more reliable computations of local dynamics in polymers and proteins in solut...
Percutaneous trigeminal tractotomy for facial pain.

Eighteen patients who underwent percutaneous trigeminal tractotomy for relief of intractable facial pain are reported. The author uses a new method of radiographic delineation of the obex with emulsified Pantopaque. RF current passed through the correctly placed electrode results in analgesia and pain relief with preservation of touch sensation in cancer patients.
Randomized clinical trials

Randomization is widely recognized as a fundamental principle in the design of Phase III clinical trials. It is a way to minimize conscious and unconscious bias among patients and physicians with regard to treatment assignment and treatment acceptability. This paper outlines the advantages and disadvantages of randomization in clinical trials with discussions in permuted blocks, stratified randomization, cluster randomization, and the role of randomization as a basis for inference. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Understanding Weight Management Perceptions in First-Year College Students Using the Health Belief Model

AbstractObjective: To examine weight management barriers, using the Health Belief Model, in first-year college students. Participants: First-year college students (n = 45), with data collected in April, May, and November 2013. Methods: Nominal group technique sessions (n = 8) were conducted. Results: First-year students recognize benefits to weight management beyond physical attractiveness to quality-of-life domains, including social (eg, bonding opportunities and energy to socially engage) and mental health (eg, stress management). Men believe that weight management is important for career/financial reasons, whereas women voiced that it will allow them to live a full, independent life with a high level of multitasking. Men believed that their barriers were external (eg, campus resources/programs), whereas females perceived their barriers to be internal (eg, poor time management). Conclusions: College students are challenged by weight management and want the institution to provide resources, including cur...
Growth of mouse vaginal epithelial cells in culture: functional integrity of the estrogen receptor system and failure of estrogen to induce proliferation

Abstract Normal mouse vaginal epithelial cells isolated from ovariectomized ca. 40-day-old BALB cCrg1 mice were purified by Percoll density gradient centrifugation and grown in primary culture using a collagen gel matrix and a serum-free complete medium. During the 9-day culture period, a 6-fold increase in cell number was observed. Addition of estrogen to the medium did not enhance epithelial cell proliferation. In fact, all doses of estrogen (180 fM to 18 nM) were inhibitory, resulting in only a 3- to 4-fold increase in cell number by day 9 of culture. Continuous exposure to estradiol (1.8 nM) for 9 days in the serum-free complete medium resulted in a decrease in cytosolic estrogen receptors with associated nuclear accumulation of estrogen receptors. A corresponding increase of cytosolic progestin receptors was also observed, indicating that no qualitative modification of the estrogen receptor system had occurred. Thus, despite its effectiveness in specific product synthesis (progestin receptors), estrogen does not stimulate proliferation of vaginal cells in this culture system, but rather inhibits epithelial cell proliferation.
Geochronologic studies in central New England II: Post-Acadian hinged and differential uplift

{sup 40}Ar/{sup 39}Ar analyses of muscovite, biotite, and K-feldspar from central New England reveal a remarkable pattern of mineral ages: the ages are progressively younger from central to western New Hampshire and rise sharply near the Vermont border to ages more typical of post-Acadian cooling. This distribution is attributed to differential uplift via isostatic rebound of an anomalously thickened crust at the Bronson Hill anticlinorium. This explanation requires that between 6 and 8 km of normal fault motion has occurred on structures in western New Hampshire, not previously recognized to have accommodated this kind or magnitude of displacement. This hinged, differential uplift occurred from {approximately} 360-170 Ma and is consistent with a time constant for rebound of {approximately} 80 m.y.