cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Casting the Ubiquitous Net of Information Control: Internet Surveillance in China from Golden Shield to Green Dam

Alongside the rise of the Internet as a pivotal economic and cultural force in Chinese society, the Chinese government has implemented a two-tiered strategy in dealing with the great potential and underlying risks associated with the network era. This paper offers a critical, in-depth overview of China's state-orchestrated Internet surveillance apparatus from the Great Firewall to the latest Green Dam project. The author examines the conceptual and historical evolution of the Golden Shield program and analyzes the legal framework through which official regulation is justified or rationalized. Next, the author examines the prevalent practice of industry self-regulation among both Chinese and foreign companies engaged in online business in China. The paper ends with a discussion of the aborted official effort of extending content control to individual computers with the Green Dam Youth Escort project.
The relationship between net interest margin and noninterest income using a system estimation approach

Abstract This paper examines the determinants of bank net interest margin (NIM) and non-traditional banking activities (NII). A system estimation approach is employed to control for the simultaneity between NIM and NII for commercial banks in a group of 28 financially liberalized countries during the period between 1997 and 2004. We find a statistically significant negative relationship between NIM and NII for the period between 1997 and 2002. A generally positive but statistically insignificant association between NIM and NII is found for the subsequent period (2003–2004). Banks’ increasing involvement in non-traditional activities is negatively correlated with risk-adjusted profitability measures in the former subperiod, suggesting no obvious diversification benefits. However, the share of noninterest income is positively related to the return on assets (ROA) and the return on equity (ROE) for the latter subsample.
Potential protonation sites in the Al2SiO5 polymorphs based on polarized FTIR spectroscopy and properties of the electron density distribution

Potential protonation sites for, kyanite, sillimanite, and andalusite, located in a mapping of the (3, −3) critical points displayed by their L(r) = −∇2ρ(r) distributions, are compared with polarized single-crystal FTIR spectra of kyanite and sillimanite determined earlier and with andalusite measured in this study. For andalusite, seven peaks were observed when the electric vector, E, is parallel to [100]: four intense ones at 3,440, 3,460, 3,526, and 3,597 cm−1 and three weaker ones at 3,480, 3,520, and 3,653 cm−1. Six peaks, three intense ones at 3,440, 3,460, and 3,526 cm−1 and three weaker ones at 3,480, 3,520, and 3,653 cm−1 when E parallels [010]. No peaks were observed when E is parallel to [001]. The concentration of water in andalusite varies between 110 and 168 ppm by weight % H2O. Polarized FTIR spectra indicate that the OH vector is parallel to (001) in andalusite and sillimanite and \( {\left( {11\ifmmode\expandafter\bar\else\expandafter\=\fi{1}} \right)} \) in kyanite. Examination of the L(r) (3, −3) critical points in comparison with the polarized FTIR indicates that H prefers to bond to the oxygen atoms O1 and O2 in andalusite and O2 and O4 in sillimanite which correspond to the underbonded oxygen atoms and those with the largest L(r) maxima. In kyanite, comparison of the FTIR spectrum and the critical points indicates that H will preferentially bond to the two 4-coordinated O2 and O6 atoms.
Robot calibration in an industrial environment

A number of investigators in the recent past have examined aspects of robot calibration such as model development, data acquisition, and parameter identification algorithms. The large majority of these studies involve either purely analytical work or experiments with a manipulator in a laboratory environment. The purpose of this work is to investigate a calibration procedure for a manipulator in a typical industrial environment.
Widely awaited community climate system model to be released soon

Culminating a multi-year effort by more than 100 scientists in several disciplines, the coordinated Community Climate System Model (CCSM) program of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) is finalizing its next-generation model and plans to release it by mid-2002.The first version, CCSM 1.0, was released in 1996. Because of its state-of-the-art quality, easy Web access (http://www.ccsm.ucar.edu/models), and excellent written and in-code documentation, it has become a valuable research tool for many scientists throughout the world, and especially in the United States. CCSM 2.0 is being developed to represent the principal components of the climate system and their interactions [Blackmon et al., 2001].The new version substantially improves simulations of many important elements of the climate system from the tropical ocean to sea ice in the polar regions.
Challenges for education

The topic of education has been incorporated into most mission statements at academic institutions, organizations and professional societies, in fact it would be difficult to identify one in which it was absent. Yet, what does it mean, how do we achieve it and is it really viewed as an equal partner in the tripartite mission of clinical care, research, and teaching? Are the successful methods employed in education within neurology that much different from any other medical speciality or for that matter, should its’ pedagogy differ from say, history, art or romance languages? How do resources, training programs, healthcare institutions, infrastructure, and society influence the form of any educational program that is in place as well as influence its revision? This represents only a partial list of questions, most unanswered, but all relevant and highlighting why education is a fitting and equal partner within this Frontiers series whose ultimate goal is to support, influence, communicate, and facilitate advances in the field of neurology. Education is clearly an equal partner.
Identification of neutral and anionic 8α-substituted flavin semiquinones in flavoproteins by electron spin resonance spectroscopy

Abstract Electron paramagnetic resonance spectral studies of protein-bound 8α-substituted FMN neutral semiquinones (in a complex with Azotobacter apoflavodoxin) show peak-to-peak linewidths (~ 20–23 G) similar to those of normal flavoenzymes which form neutral semiquinones. The anionic form of the 8α-substituted flavin semiquinone of thiamine dehydrogenase shows a narrower peak-to-peak linewidth (12 G) than normal anionic flavin semiquinones (14–15 G). The electron paramagnetic resonance spectral properties of the 8α-N(3)-histidyl FAD semiquinone of succinate dehydrogenase showed a peak-to-peak linewidth of 12 G through the pH range of 6.1 to 9.1 and remained unchanged whether the buffer medium was H2O or D2O. From these observations, it is concluded that the covalent flavin semiquinone in succinate dehydrogenase exists in the anionic (red) form.
Oligomerization of Cavβ Subunits is an Essential Correlate of Ca2+ Channel Activity

Voltage-gated calcium channels conduct Ca(2+) ions in response to membrane depolarization. The resulting transient increase in cytoplasmic free calcium concentration is a critical trigger for the initiation of such vital responses as muscle contraction and transcription. L-type Ca(v)1.2 calcium channels are complexes of the pore-forming α(1C) subunit associated with cytosolic Ca(v)β subunits. All major Ca(v)βs share a highly homologous membrane associated guanylate kinase-like (MAGUK) domain that binds to α(1C) at the α-interaction domain (AID), a short motif in the linker between transmembrane repeats I and II. In this study we show that Ca(v)β subunits form multimolecular homo- and heterooligomeric complexes in human vascular smooth muscle cells expressing native calcium channels and in Cos7 cells expressing recombinant Ca(v)1.2 channel subunits. Ca(v)βs oligomerize at the α(1C) subunits residing in the plasma membrane and bind to the AID. However, Ca(v)β oligomerization occurs independently on the association with α(1C). Molecular structures responsible for Ca(v)β oligomerization reside in 3 regions of the guanylate kinase subdomain of MAGUK. An augmentation of Ca(v)β homooligomerization significantly increases the calcium current density, while heterooligomerization may also change the voltage-dependence and inactivation kinetics of the channel. Thus, oligomerization of Ca(v)β subunits represents a novel and essential aspect of calcium channel regulation.
Crystal packing induces a conformational change in profilin-I from Acanthamoeba castellanii.

Profilin-I from Acanthamoeba castellanii is a 13-kDa protein that binds actin and poly-l-proline. The native protein has been crystallized in two different but closely related forms. The second form proved more amenable to three-dimensional structural determination using heavy-atom isomorphous methods to obtain crystallographic phase information. We used the second crystal structure as a test molecule in the molecular replacement procedure to determine the structure of the first crystal form of profilin-I. More residues participate in crystal lattice contacts in the first crystal form than in the second. The two crystal forms differ significantly in the C-terminal helix that interacts with actin and in the loop preceding this helix. Coordinates of some main chain atoms here differ by about 1.0 A, and side chain atoms differ by more than 2.0 A.
Impact of cytotoxic and targeted antineoplastic drugs on the validity of the mitogen-induced interferon-gamma release assay for latent tuberculosis infection: Results of a prospective trial at a comprehensive cancer center

Abstract The T-SPOT.TB test (TS.TB), an interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) release assay (IGRA), is superior in diagnosing latent tuberculosis infection compared with the conventional tuberculin skin test (TST). However, whether cytotoxic chemotherapy and treatment with new-generation antineoplastic monoclonal antibodies affects the TS.TB is not certain. We evaluated the feasibility of using the TS.TB in this population. Sixteen cancer patients at high risk for tuberculosis exposure were prospectively evaluated with the TST and TS.TB. Blood samples were obtained 7.5 ± 89.3 days after the most recent cycle of antineoplastic therapy. Six patients (38%) were febrile within 24 h of blood sampling; high-dose corticosteroid therapy and profound treatment-induced neutropenia were present in 1 patient each. In all patients, TS.TB showed no evidence of latent tuberculosis infection. A robust mitogen-induced IFN-γ response was seen in samples from 14 patients (88%) despite therapy with high-dose corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, fludarabine, gemtuzumab ozogamicin, and alemtuzumab. The presence of fever or profound neutropenia did not negatively impact mitogen response by peripheral lymphocytes. The 2 patients whose peripheral blood lymphocytes (> 500 cells/ml) failed to generate a cytokine response to ex vivo mitogen stimulation had refractory advanced cancer. Unlike the TST, a negative TS.TB provided interpretable results even in cancer patients undergoing new-generation immunosuppressive therapy.
Elutability of Proteins from Aluminum-Containing Vaccine Adjuvants by Treatment with Surfactants

The elutability of proteins from adjuvants in model vaccines composed of ovalbumin adsorbed by aluminum hydroxide adjuvant or lysozyme adsorbed by aluminum phosphate adjuvant following treatment with surfactant solutions was studied. Nonionic (Triton X-100, lauryl maltoside), zwitterionic (lauryl sulfobetaine), anionic (sodium dodecyl sulfate), and cationic (cetylpyridinium chloride, dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride) surfactants were investigated. Cetylpyridinium chloride produced the greatest degree of elution (60%) of ovalbumin from aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. Sodium dodecyl sulfate completely eluted lysozyme from aluminum phosphate adjuvant. The effectiveness of surfactants in removing preadsorbed proteins was directly related to their ability to denature the protein. Micellar solubilization and electrostatic repulsion may also contribute to desorption.
The inhibitory action of potassium on the mechanical and membranal activities of taenia from guinea pig caecum

Abstract After a prolonged cold storage treatment of the quinea pig taenia caecum, a low concentration of potassium caused muscle relaxation and membrane hyperpolarization. This inhibitory action of potassium was prevented if the taenia was pretreated with oua-bain or incubated in a Li + medium. Reserpine, 6-hydroxydopamine and adrenoceptor blocking agents had no effect on the inhibitory action of potassium. It is suggested that the activation of the electrogenic sodium pump by potassium elicits the membrane hyper-polarization and the accompanied relaxation of the cold stored taenia caecum.
The structure of higher eukaryotic chromosomes.

Abstract Chromosomal structure has been analyzed from the standpoint of core structure and the relationship between interphase and metaphase chromosomal forms. A possible relationship between prokaryotic and eukaryotic chromosomes has also been proposed. The general structural plan offered is a series of DNA-histone loops extending laterally from a core held together by disulfide bond linkages. The models proposed have been derived from a loop model with core very recently proposed by H. Sobell. A short experimental section of this paper demonstrates that S-S cleaving agents as well as trypsin cause easily observable effects on human metaphase chromosomes.
Students Designing Video Games about Immunology: Insights for Science Learning

Exposing American K–12 students to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) content is a national initiative. Game Design Through Mentoring and Collaboration targets students from underserved communities and uses their interest in video games as a way to introduce science, technology, engineering, and math topics. This article describes a Game Design Through Mentoring and Collaboration summer program for 16 high school students and 3 college student mentors who collaborated with a science subject matter expert. After four weeks, most students produced 2-D video games with themes based on immunology concepts from the educational science game Immune Attack. Findings from three groups that finished their games and one group with an uncompleted game are explored.
Mutual coupling calculations on a dielectric coated PEC cylinder using a UTD-based Green's function

Although there are purely numerical methods available to analyze and design conformal antennas on arbitrarily shaped, dielectric coated convex surfaces, they become cumbersome and in some cases intractable at high frequencies. In this work, we present some initial results obtained using a hybrid combination of a new high frequency asymptotic uniform geometrical theory of diffraction (UTD) based Green's function and a method of moments to obtain either radiation from, or mutual coupling between, conformal antennas placed on a uniformly coated, perfectly electrically conducting (PEC), arbitrarily shaped convex surface. This hybrid method can be very useful to analyze/design electrically large conformal antennas because the Green's function is obtained analytically except for some special functions that are obtained numerically.
Global Network Features of Cancer Genes in the Human Interactome

It has been commonly accepted that protein-protein interaction network contains valuable information for elucidation of biological processes. Such information, which is difficult to be identified from traditional genetic studies, is important for uncovering the mechanisms of complex diseases such as cancers. In this study, we performed a systematic analysis of global network characteristics for the proteins encoded by cancer genes in the human interactome. We observed that the network topology of the cancer genes was much different from that of non-cancer genes. Overall, compared to non-cancer genes, proteins of cancer genes tend to have higher connectivity, higher betweenness, shorter shortest-path distance, and weaker clustering coefficient in the human interactome. Furthermore, we examined and compared topological features of the recessive and dominant cancer genes. Among the four topological measures we took in this study, recessive cancer genes had significantly different degree distribution or significantly stronger betweenness from dominant cancer genes, while their difference in terms of shortest-path distance and clustering coefficient was not significant. The results suggest that cancer genes’ protein-protein interactions play important roles in the etiology of cancers.
Effect of chemical pretreatment on anaerobic biodegradation of refractory organic compounds

The potential for using chemical oxidation to enhance anaerobic biodegradability and reduce toxicity of two model phenolic compounds (o-cresol and 2,4-DNP) was evaluated. Batch bioassays were performed on the model compounds and their oxidation samples to determine biodegradability and toxicity in batch methanogenic cultures. Ozone, hydrogen peroxide, and potassium permanganate were the three oxidants examined in this study. A dose of approximately 5 moles hydrogen peroxide, in the presence of a ferrous iron catalyst (Fenton's reagent), 7 moles permanganate, or 25 moles of ozone per mole of o-cresol was needed to significantly enhance anaerobic biodegradability of oxidation samples. Approximately 2.5-4.5 moles of hydrogen peroxide or 7 moles of ozone per mole of 2,4-DNP reduced methanogenic toxicity by 50%. 25 refs., 6 figs., 3 tabs.
Proliferation, Deterrence, and the Likelihood of Nuclear War

Two arguments have traditionally been made about the effects of proliferation on the likelihood of nuclear war. One argument claims that proliferation increases the likelihood of nuclear war; the other claims that proliferation reduces the likelihood of nuclear war. This article shows that, in fact, both of these arguments are logical and probably true some of the time. The key factor that decides when one argument is more valid than the other is the degree to which nuclear powers can deter other nuclear powers. Because the conditions necessary for stable deterrence can vary systematically, it is possible to define when proliferation is a threat and when it is an asset. Moreover, using these principles, the article analyzes the effect of previous cases of proliferation on the likelihood of war, and shows how a compromise policy for dealing with proliferation can best be determined.
STROKE IN HISPANIC AMERICANS

The Hispanic American population is the fastest growing minority group with increasing representation among the older age strata. Current ethnic-specific cerebrovascular disease data regarding stroke outcomes and risk factor status reveal significant differences compared with other race/ethnic groups. The authors discuss the literature on stroke incidence and mortality among Hispanic populations. Traditional risk factors, access to care and stroke mechanism differences are also discussed. Advances in Hispanic American specific stroke prevention and treatment efforts demand further investigation to better define Hispanic American stroke prevention and acute treatment strategies.
Parallel Evolution Is in the Genes

Complex plumage patterns seem to have evolved independently among many very different bird species, a striking example of parallel evolution. In their Perspective, Hoekstra and Price discuss the molecular basis for similar dark plumage patterns between two very different arctic bird species ( Mundy et al .).
FDTD-PIC modeling for initiation of vacuum insulator flashover

Vacuum insulators are necessary components in many pulsed power systems. They provide mechanical support as well as separate vacuum and non-vacuum regions. Unfortunately, the surface of the insulator is often the weakest part of a system. Surface flashover can occur for electric field values much lower than bulk breakdown through the material. It is important to develop models that can be used to optimally design insulators under different operating conditions and reliably predict when flashover will occur. Although many theories and a lot of empirical data can be found in the literature, there are few, if any, good models available. In this presentation we will discuss results of FDTD-PIC simulations for initiating vacuum insulator flashover.
Technology: Learning Can Be Fun and Games.

Video games can provide cognitive, motivational, emotional, and social benefits to students when properly implemented in the classroom. Teachers who are well versed in their curriculum can use game...
Application of Flexible OLED Display Technology for Electro-Optical Stimulation and/or Silencing of Neural Activity

This paper presents a new biophotonic application for large-area, high-resolution, flexible organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display technology currently used to manufacture low-cost color flexible displays on plastic substrates. The new concept uses a fully addressable high resolution flexible OLED pixel array on a thin, mechanically compliant biocompatible plastic substrate to selectively stimulate and/or silence small groups of neurons on either the cortical surface or, alternatively, within the deep brain. Optical measurements from a 455 nm blue flexible OLED test structure demonstrated the ability to emit 1 ${\hbox{mW/mm}}^{2}$ of instantaneous light intensity using a 13 V, 20 Hz pulse, which meets the minimum reported intensity at $\sim$ 450 nm to induce optical stimulation in genetically modified neural tissue. Biocompatibility was successfully demonstrated by the ability to grow human epithelial cells on the surface of a full TFT process flow plastic flexible display substrate. Additionally, a new active matrix array display architecture was designed to support pulsed mode OLED operation. These preliminary results demonstrate the initial viability of extending flexible plastic substrate OLED display technology to the development of large-area, high-resolution emissive active matrix arrays for chronic optogenetic applications.
Physics-based phase variable model of machines and transformers from electromagnetic field computations

The physics-based phase variable model has been developed for several types of machines and transformers. The parameters (inductance/flux linkage) of the physics-based phase variable model were determined using the solutions of field computation to actually reproduce their variations during the machine operation. The developed physics-based phase variable model has the advantage over the conventional phase variable model in its accuracy, and it has the advantage over the circuit-field coupled procedure in its speed. These advantages enable the developed model be suitable for performing high accuracy simulation of power systems in real time and studying machine control strategies as well as product development.
Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy in the Near-Infrared

Near-infrared Raman spectroscopy has been used to obtain Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectra (SERS) of pyridine on both silver and gold electrodes. The enhancement factor is higher than that found for visible excitation, and the band intensities are somewhat different. There is no indication of photochemical damage or change of the sample when near-infrared radiation is used, even at relatively high power levels.
What do we get out of influencing others

Although a great deal of research has investigated the goals served by being influenced by others, virtually none has examined the goals served by having influence over others. The purpose of this paper is to draw attention to this understudied research area. Drawing on related research and theory, we suggest that having influence over others serves five needs and/or goals—for accuracy, belongingness, self‐esteem, control, and meaningful existence. Different types of social influence are compared and contrasted in the context of relevant dimensions of influence. We also make a number of suggestions for research to test this model.
A Data Model to Support End User Software Engineering

Many end user programming tools such as spreadsheets and databases offer poor support for representing data at a level of abstraction that is intuitive to users. For example, users must work with "strings" rather than person names, phone numbers, or street addresses. As a result, validating and manipulating data is difficult. This thesis develops a new user-extensible model for semi-structured data items. Each "tope" within this model defines how to recognize a kind of data item based on format and context, and how to transform that kind of item among valid formats. To show the usefulness of this model, we provide an environment to help end-user programmers to create, share, and apply topes, enabling these users to quickly implement data validation and reformatting functionality.
Volume Fraction and Whisker Orientation Dependence of the Electrical Properties of SiC-Whisker-Reinforced Mullite Composites

The electrical behavior of hot-pressed mullite composites reinforced with 10, 20, and 30% SiC whiskers (SiCw) was evaluated in the frequency range 100 Hz–10 MHz and compared with 2 GHz data as well as dc resistivity measurements. It is found that the addition of SiCw has a dramatic effect on the dielectric properties as well as the resistivity of these materials. The ac properties (dielectric constant, dielectric loss, and impedance) show a strong dependence on the volume fraction of SiC and on the orientation of the electric field with respect to the hot-pressing direction and hence the whisker orientation. The dc resistivity measurements are sensitive to the whisker volume fraction but cannot easily discriminate between those samples that were measured parallel or perpendicular to the hot-pressing direction as was possible with the ac measurements.
PhD forum: A distributed architecture for object tracking across intelligent vision sensor network with constrained resources

Tracking objects across a network of intelligent vision sensors requires an architecture to distribute intelligent processing algorithms locally to the intelligent vision sensor and an algorithm for the communication of the acquired information to nearby sensors for collaboration and hand-offs of tracked objects. Additionally, the selection of which intelligent algorithms need to be performed at each intelligent sensor, and the management of constrained resources of the network, including network capacity (transmission rates), processing capacity (local processing power of sensor node) and in some cases, battery life of the sensor node must also occur. In the case of object tracking, as the number of tracked objects in the network increase, the resources consumed increases, as more processing power is required to create object descriptors and more networking resources are required to transmit information between sensors to collaboratively track the object. The local processing of intelligent vision algorithms at the vision node transforms high data-rate raw video data into low data rate features to be communicated across the network, thus relieving the networking capacity constraint. We focus on, what we view as the key resource, the sensor nodes' processing capacity, in creating a cluster-based distributed object tracking architecture, which includes resource management for processing capacities of the intelligent sensor nodes.
Dry wall chamber issues for the SOMBRERO laser fusion power plant

Abstract A reassessment of the SOMBRERO laser driven fusion power plant that was designed in 1990–91 has been conducted. New information and analysis has confirmed most of the original design decisions except that the tritium inventory in the blanket may be larger than originally calculated. Possible methods of lowering the tritium inventory are described along with a discussion of the critical issues that still remain 10 years after the original design was completed.
The Psychological Health of Shamans: A Reevaluation

Journal of the American Academy of Religion I_XV/1 The Psychological Health of Shamans: A Reevaluation* Roger Walsh INTRODUCTION THE PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH of spiritual practitioners has long been a point of contention, both in the culture at large and among researchers such as anthropologists, religious scholars, and especially mental health professionals. William James wrestled with this issue in The Varieties of Religious Experience, and almost a century later the debate continues (Lukoff, Lu, and Turner; Walsh 1980; Wilber 1993). Witness, for example, the title of a report on mysticism by the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry: Mysticism: Spiritual Quest or Psychic Disorder? Perhaps the most controversial ﬁgures of all have been shamans. The range of descriptions and diagnoses that have been given these individu- als is nothing less than extraordinary, and two extreme views are now prevalent. Among mainstream academics probably the most common assess- ment of shamans is that they are psychologically disturbed individuals who have managed to adapt their psychopathology to social needs. Shamans have been diagnosed, labelled, and dismissed in many ways. To start with some of the kinder diagnoses, shamans have been described as tricksters and healed madmen (Eliade; Warner). The terms neurotic, epileptic, and charlatan have been applied liberally, and the shaman has Roger Walsh is Professor of Psychiatry, Anthropology, and Philosophy at the University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA 92717. ‘The author would like to thank the many people who assisted in the preparation of this and related papers. These people include especially Angeles Arrien, Marlene Dobkin de Rios. Gordon Globus, Michael Harrier, Arthur Hastings, Stan Krippner, John Levy, Larry Peters, Don Sandner, Hus- ton Smith. Frances Vaughan, Michael Winkleman, and the ]AAR editor, Glenn Yocum. J.P. Tarcher gave pennission to use portions of The Spirit of Shamanism as a partial basis for an expanded, updated discussion of the psychological health of shamans. Bonnie mllier provided her usual excellent ad- ministrative and secretarial assistance. I01
Assessing the Life Science Knowledge of Students and Teachers Represented by the K–8 National Science Standards

We report on the development of an item test bank and associated instruments based on the National Research Council (NRC) K–8 life sciences content standards. Utilizing hundreds of studies in the science education research literature on student misconceptions, we constructed 476 unique multiple-choice items that measure the degree to which test takers hold either a misconception or an accepted scientific view. Tested nationally with 30,594 students, following their study of life science, and their 353 teachers, these items reveal a range of interesting results, particularly student difficulties in mastering the NRC standards. Teachers also answered test items and demonstrated a high level of subject matter knowledge reflecting the standards of the grade level at which they teach, but exhibiting few misconceptions of their own. In addition, teachers predicted the difficulty of each item for their students and which of the wrong answers would be the most popular. Teachers were found to generally overestimate their own students’ performance and to have a high level of awareness of the particular misconceptions that their students hold on the K–4 standards, but a low level of awareness of misconceptions related to the 5–8 standards.
Vascular Calcification: Harder Than It Looks

More than a century ago, Monckeberg1 was among the first to note that ectopic calcification may arise in the vasculature. Although this original description was of a specific form of sclerosing calcification that largely affects the vascular medial layer, we have since gone on to appreciate that generalized vascular calcification is a pervasive and likely inevitable program that is intimately entwined with aging, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease. Global measures of coronary artery calcification were recently shown to independently predict both cardiovascular events and patient mortality.2,3 However, adding complexity, it would appear that arterial and coronary calcification serve only as markers of the overall burden of vascular disease, rather than identifying particular lesions that are likely to cause future events.4 A central conundrum in the field is the so-called calcification paradox: in many patients and rodent models, osteoporosis occurs simultaneously with advancing vascular calcification.5 Although it has become increasingly clear that the pathways that control skeletal bone formation and density are also operative in vascular calcification,5,6 the paradox leaves open the question of whether the 2 processes may diverge at key regulatory steps or whether the differing local milieu accounts for this …
Placental abruption, offspring sex, and birth outcomes in a large cohort of mothers.

Objective. To investigate stillbirth, neonatal, and perinatal death outcomes in pregnancies complicated by placental abruption, according to fetal sex.Methods. We utilized maternally linked cohort data files of singleton live births to mothers diagnosed with placental abruption during the period 1989 through 2005 (n = 10,014). Logistic regression models were employed to generate adjusted odd ratios and their 95% confidence intervals. Male babies served as the referent category.Results. The sex ratio at birth was 1.18. The overall prevalence of stillbirth, neonatal mortality, and perinatal mortality was 7.2%, 4.5%, and 11.8%, respectively. Placental abruption was less likely to occur in mothers carrying female pregnancies than mothers of male infants (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 0.89 [0.86–0.93]). There were no significant sex differences with regards to stillbirth, neonatal mortality, and perinatal mortality. Similar findings were observed for preterm and term infants.Conclusions. Alth...
Partial anomalous pulmonary venous connections

Abstract Fifty-seven cases of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connections treated surgically at the University of Minnesota Medical Center are reviewed. There was no hospital nor late mortality. The electrocardiographic features seen in partial anomalous pulmonary venous connections are similar to those in isolated secundum type atrial defects and include right axis deviation, incomplete right bundle branch block and right ventricular hypertrophy. The roentgenologic features are also similar in these two conditions, with increase in the central and peripheral pulmonary vasculature, prominence of the hilar vessels and right ventricular enlargement. Occasionally the anomalously connected vessels may be visualized on planigrams or routine roentgenograms. Identification of anomalous pulmonary venous connections during right heart catheterization is frequently possible. This depends on the catheter entering a pulmonary vein from the venae cavae, increase in oxygen content in the venae cavae, angiocardiographic demonstration of the vein, or differential dye-dilution technics. Surgical correction of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connections directs the drainage from these veins through the atrial septal defect. A prosthetic patch is usually used for this purpose except in the rare instance of drainage into the infradiaphragmatic inferior vena cava. In the 6 patients without an atrial septal defect, a defect was created, and a prosthetic patch used to correct the drainage from the anomalous pulmonary venous connections in 5, and the sixth patient had the vein transposed to the left atrium (the scimitar defect).
Some Theorems and Concepts

This chapter contains sections titled: The Source Concept Duality Uniqueness Image Theory The Equivalence Principle Fields in Half-space The Induction Theorem Reciprocity Green's Functions Tensor Green's Functions Integral Equations Construction of Solutions The Radiation Field This chapter contains sections titled: Problems
Designs for Estimating Main Effects and Some Two-Factor Interactions

This chapter presents regular resolution IV 2 k−f fractional factorial designs, strength-3 orthogonal arrays, and folded-over nonorthogonal designs. Provided three-factor and higher-order interactions are negligible, all of these designs provide unbiased estimates for main effects. These designs also devote at least N/2 2212 1 degrees of freedom to estimating combinations of two-factor interactions; some designs will even have two-factor interactions clear of aliasing with other two-factor interactions.
Abstract P291: Factors Affecting Physician Behavior When Managing Cardiovascular Risk

Background: Comprehensive management of the patient at increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) should include counseling regarding life-style behaviors (weight loss/nutrition and increased exercise) in addition to testing and pharmacotherapy. This study sought to examine the patient factors that influence physicians’ provision of nutrition and exercising counseling among individuals at increased risk for CVD. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of a telemedicine trial among underserved inner city and rural subjects (n=388) with a 10% or greater CVD risk (Framingham 10 year risk score). Subjects were followed for one year and were seen for quarterly assessments, which included evaluation of weight, blood pressure (BP), lipid and glucose status. At each of the four quarterly visits, subjects were asked if their physician had discussed or made recommendations regarding life-style behaviors specifically diet/weight loss and exercise. Results: The average age of subjects was 60.9± 9.7 years and mean body mass index (BMI) was 31.6 ± 7.0 kg/m2. CVD risk decreased by 2.5% over the one year of follow-up (17.5 ± 10.3% at baseline vs. 15.0 ± 9.3% at 1-year; p<0.001). 79% of subjects indicated that their physician routinely provided nutrition and exercise counseling. Individuals who received counseling were significantly (p< 0.001) heavier than those who did not (204 ± 38.5 vs. 186.7± 40.3 pounds; 32.5± 5.9 vs. 29.0± 7.1 kg/m2 respectively). Logistic regression modeling utilizing BP, lipid and glucose levels, sex, urban vs. rural location and risk score as the independent variables revealed that only BMI at study entry predicted the provision of nutrition (p<0.001) and exercise (p=0.003) counseling. Conclusion: These data indicate that patient weight/BMI is a major factor determining whether or not physicians provide patient counseling regarding weight loss and physical activity. Physicians maybe missing important opportunities in patients at high risk for CVD to influence behavior by limiting their focus to obese subjects.
Does the Tail Wag the Dog? Small-Firm-Bias in Capital Market Research

We provide evidence showing that prominent anomalies documented by past accounting research, particularly those attributed to investor biases and lack of sophistication, are limited to small firms which collectively represent a small fraction (typically less than 10%) of the market value of the equity markets. When firm observations are weighted by their market value, none of these anomalies is economically significant. Our results are consistent with cognitive behavior and sophistication of investors as explanations for these anomalies rather than the improper measurement of risk. The findings emphasize the importance of putting these anomalies and other findings that have implications for market efficiency and resource allocation in perspective by assessing their economic importance.
Contribution of the Rv1985c transcriptional regulator to Mycobacterium tuberculosis intracellular adaptation.

CONTRIBUTION OF Rv1985c TO MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS INTRACELLULAR ADAPTATION Nicholas B. Wantland July 29, 2011 Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes the often-fatal infectious disease Tuberculosis, and infects approximately one third of the world's population. Gaining a better understanding of how these bacteria regulate gene expression for intracellular survival will likely aid in developing ways to reduce disease. Studies of bacterial RNA expression in experimentally infected primary human macrophages indicated open reading frame Rv1985c, encoding a putative transcriptional regulator, may contribute to intracellular survival. Comparison of a strain constitutively expressing Rv1985c and the isogenic wildtype parent by array hybridization identified genes potentially regulated by Rv1985c. These included a group encoding factors likely relevant to cell wall remodeling,
Flooding to Control the Grub Ligyrus subtropicus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Florida Sugarcane

Flooding experiments were conducted under simulated and actual field conditions to determine flooding mortality of grubs in Florida sugarcane. The sequence of flood tolerance of Ligyrus subtropicus Blatchley was adults > eggs > larvae and pupae. Increased water temperature significantly increased flooding mortality of L. subtropicus grubs. A second grub species, Cyclocephala parallela Casey, was more flood tolerant than L. subtrapicus .
Cubics with a Rational Root

The equation y3 + hy2 ? + d = O may be transformed into the standard form x3 + px + q = 0 by the transformation y = x (h/3). The transformed equation was solved by Niccolo Tartaglia in the 16th century [1] by the method described below. If either equation has a rational root, the other will also. However, in contrast to the situation with quadratic equations, the computations carried out in the case of a rational root involve certain irrational, perhaps even complex, quantities. Historically, this represents the first serious involvement European mathematicians had with complex numbers. From a number theoretic point of view, it is interesting to investigate which irrational quantities appear in the application of Tartaglia's formula to equations with rational p and q and one or more rational roots. Although the process usually involves quantities from two distinct quadratic fields, we shall show exactly which special cases involve one quadratic field or just rational numbers. Solving the cubic X3 + pX + q by Tartaglia's method we have
Tuning for software analytics

Context: Data miners have been widely used in software engineering to, say, generate defect predictors from static code measures. Such static code defect predictors perform well compared to manual methods, and they are easy to use and useful to use. But one of the "black arts" of data mining is setting the tunings that control the miner.Objective: We seek simple, automatic, and very effective method for finding those tunings.Method: For each experiment with different data sets (from open source JAVA systems), we ran differential evolution as an optimizer to explore the tuning space (as a first step) then tested the tunings using hold-out data.Results: Contrary to our prior expectations, we found these tunings were remarkably simple: it only required tens, not thousands, of attempts to obtain very good results. For example, when learning software defect predictors, this method can quickly find tunings that alter detection precision from 0% to 60%.Conclusion: Since (1)?the improvements are so large, and (2)?the tuning is so simple, we need to change standard methods in software analytics. At least for defect prediction, it is no longer enough to just run a data miner and present the result without conducting a tuning optimization study. The implication for other kinds of analytics is now an open and pressing issue.
Chemotherapy for gastric carcinoma: new and old options.

Although gastric carcinoma is an uncommon disease in North America, its incidence is alarmingly high in Asia, South America, Eastern Europe, and countries of the former Soviet Union. Screening for gastric carcinoma is performed only on a limited basis in Japan; in the rest of the world, therefore, patients often present with advanced disease at the time of diagnosis.
Estimating FRET Efficiency using Excitation-Scanning Hyperspectral Imaging

Forster Resonance Energy Transfer, or FRET, is an indispensable tool in the biological sciences for measuring intermolecular distances. Current tools that measure FRET suffer from limited signal strength, making it difficult to observe rapid cell-signaling events. We have developed a unique mode of hyperspectral imaging which filters the excitation wavelengths and collects total fluorescence emission. Our prior work has shown that excitation-scanning is an effective tool for detecting fluorophores in cell samples. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of using this excitation-based technique for FRET measurements. In traditional spectral imaging FRET studies, the emission spectra of donor and acceptor are resolved from the emission spectrum of the sample using linear unmixing However, since excitation scanning collects the entire sample emission without filtering wavelengths, a new approach is needed to utilize our method. Here we present data indicating that excitation scanning can be successfully adapted for FRET studies. Fluorescence excitation-scanning hyperspectral images were acquired by sequentially exciting samples with an 18-20 nm bandwidth (FWHM) tunable excitation source, provided by a 300W Xe arc lamp coupled to a Sutter VF-5 tunable filter. Images were acquired from 380-490nm in 5nm increments. Donor and acceptor excitation signatures were then separated from the total signal using a spectral library. Two long-pass dichroic filters were employed, at 458nm and 495nm. FRET efficiencies were estimated by comparing donor excitation signal between scans with different dichroic filters. Results indicate that excitation-scanning techniques provided accurate estimates of FRET efficiency, and that this method could be a useful tool in FRET-based cell signaling studies. This work was supported by NIH grants P01HL066299, S10RR027535, and the Abraham Mitchell Cancer Research Fund.
Maturity, Spawning Omission, and Reproductive Complexity of Deepwater Rockfish

AbstractReproductive parameters are critical components of stock assessment models that directly influence estimates of the stock biomass of mature females and significantly impact the determination of catch levels for many federally managed fish species. There are few data available concerning the reproductive biology of deepwater rockfish species in the Gulf of Alaska, which are suspected to have complex life histories that include viviparity, increasing productivity with age, abortive maturity, and spawning omission. The objective of this study was to examine the reproductive biology of female Shortraker Rockfish Sebastes borealis, Rougheye Rockfish S. aleutianus, and Blackspotted Rockfish S. melanostictus within the Gulf of Alaska. The reproductive development stage was examined for samples collected opportunistically throughout the year from a variety of scientific platforms and charter vessels in 2008–2014. Rougheye Rockfish and Shortraker Rockfish were found to be seasonal synchronous spawners, wit...