cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Municipal Water/Wastewater Project Delivery Performance Comparison

AbstractOwners of water/wastewater facilities can choose from several project delivery methods, including the traditional design-bid-build method or an alternative design-build method. When choosing a project delivery method, the owner should consider both the project goals as well as the performance of different project delivery methods. Detailed data on project delivery performance allow owners to match project goals, such as time savings, with project delivery methods. Detailed data on project delivery performance do not currently exist for the water/wastewater sector. Through a survey of water/wastewater facility owners, data were collected on 31 design-build projects and sixty-nine design-bid-build projects. A statistical analysis of the data determined that schedule growth for design-build projects was half that of design-bid-build projects; more design-build projects finished at or below budget; and both project delivery methods produced projects of comparable quality. Although this is the first st...
Alteration of corticothalamic perfusion ratios during a PTSD flashback

We performed a single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) study of patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by measuring changes in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) during provocation by combat stimuli. A single patient experienced an actual flashback following exposure to combat sounds, exhibiting tearfulness, diaphoresis, tachypnea, and severe agitation. Results from his SPECT study demonstrated a dramatically altered ratio of cortical to subcortical perfusion during the flashback but not during the control scan. This altered pattern, which showed a peak of activity in the thalamus, was not consistent with global rCBF changes induced by hyperventilation. The perfusion pattern during the patient's control scan was qualitatively indistinguishable from any of the SPECT scans obtained for the other patients. This single case suggests a possible role for corticothalamic dysfunction in flashbacks. Depression and Anxiety 4:146–150, 1996/1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Competence as an element of “mediation readiness”

This article introduces a specific standard to the mediation community with the idea of sparking debate that would lead to a commonly accepted standard for competence to participate in mediation for divorce. It delineates the broad contours of an assessment process using the proposed standard and examines practical implications and next steps for mediators related to the establishment of a common standard. It then describes how the proposed standard could be incorporated in mediation trainings, model rules, and state statutes and regulations, leading to more uniform and equitable decisions and increasing the pro-cedural fairness of divorce mediations within and across jurisdictions.
Exploiting MapReduce-based similarity joins

Cloud enabled systems have become a crucial component to efficiently process and analyze massive amounts of data. One of the key data processing and analysis operations is the Similarity Join, which retrieves all data pairs whose distances are smaller than a pre-defined threshold ∈. Even though multiple algorithms and implementation techniques have been proposed for Similarity Joins, very little work has addressed the study of Similarity Joins for cloud systems. This paper presents MRSimJoin, a multi-round MapReduce based algorithm to efficiently solve the Similarity Join problem. MRSimJoin efficiently partitions and distributes the data until the subsets are small enough to be processed in a single node. The proposed algorithm is general enough to be used with data that lies in any metric space. We have implemented MRSimJoin in Hadoop, a highly used open-source cloud system. We show how this operation can be used in multiple real-world data analysis scenarios with multiple data types and distance functions. Particularly, we show the use of MRSimJoin to identify similar images represented as feature vectors, and similar publications in a bibliographic database. We also show how MRSimJoin scales in each scenario when important parameters, e.g., ∈, data size and number of cluster nodes, increase. We demonstrate the execution of MRSimJoin queries using an Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) cluster.
Effect of glucose polymer diet supplement on responses to prolonged successive swimming, cycling and running.

Fifteen male endurance athletes were studied to determine the effect of a glucose polymer (GP) diet supplement on physiological and perceptual responses to successive swimming, cycling and running exercise. Thirty min of swimming, cycling and running at 70% \(\dot V_{{\text{O}}_{{\text{2}} {\text{max}}} } \), followed by a run to exhaustion at 90% \(\dot V_{{\text{O}}_{{\text{2}} {\text{max}}} } \) was performed after one week of training under two dietary conditions: 1) GP (230 g of GP consumed daily) and 2) placebo (P, saccharin-sweetened supplement consumed daily). During GP, daily carbohydrate (CHO) intake was higher (p<0.05) by 173 g or 14% of energy intake than during P, but total energy intake was not significantly different. During 90 min of exercise, CHO utilization and blood glucose were significantly higher under GP than P by an average of 20.2% and 14.5%, respectively, but heart rate, ventilation, oxygen uptake, ratings of perceived exertion, and plasma lactate were not different. Run time to exhaustion at 90% \(\dot V_{{\text{O}}_{{\text{2}} {\text{max}}} } \) was significantly longer by 1.2 min (23%) under GP. The results suggest that a GP diet supplement may be of value during endurance exercise by increasing the availability of CHO.
Social communication and response to ambiguous stimuli in toddlers with visual impairments

Previous studies on referential social communication behavior in toddlers have relied almost entirely on visual forms of communication, and have defined referencing behavior restrictively. This study focused on alternative modes of social communication in the absence of vision, and measured toddlers interactions with their mothers broadly, providing descriptive evidence of social referencing as well as other forms of social communication. Fourteen toddlers with congenital blindness and no other diagnosed impairments were observed with their mothers in a quasi-experimental context. Children's responses to novel stimuli, mothers' responses to their children, and children's use of their mothers' input to regulate their responses to stimuli were coded from videotapes. Findings indicated that children's responses varied as a function of their perceived threat of the stimulus. Whether children used input from their mothers to help them make an appraisal depended on the nature of the stimulus, the level of mothers' input, and the quality of communication in the dyad.
A retrospective impact evaluation of the Tamil Nadu empowerment and poverty alleviation (pudhu vaazhvu) project

AbstractCommunity based livelihood interventions, which focus directly on increasing income and employment, have become an increasingly important component of large-scale poverty reduction programmes. We evaluate the impact of a participatory livelihoods intervention – the Tamil Nadu Empowerment and Poverty Reduction (Pudhu Vaazhvu) Project (PVP) using propensity score matching methods. The paper explores the impact of PVP on its core goals of empowering women and the rural poor, improving their economic welfare, and facilitating public action. We find significant effects of PVP on reducing the incidence of high cost debt and diversifying livelihoods. We also find evidence of women’s empowerment, and increased political participation.
Teaching Ethics through Environmental Justice

Student and faculty taught courses on environmental justice are analyzed in terms of ethical learning, drawing on a liberation theology model developed by Gerard Fourez. Experiential exercises working with stereotypes, racism, and mechanisms of domination helped to decode the internalization of social values. In-depth case study research provided students with intellectual tools for structural analysis. A culminating toxic tour of local environmental injustice sites served as an avenue for conscientization and development of calling ethics. Student writing revealed ethical insights gained from this liberation-oriented approach to teaching environmental justice.
Line Shapes in Gas Chromatography. An Improved Numerical Integration Method

Abstract Line shapes in gas chromatography are modeled by numerical integration of the differential equations describing mass transfer. The numerical dispersion which usually introduces substantial error into such calculations is greatly reduced by the use of one of three so-called asymmetrical upwind algorithms for handling the advection term. The effects of the various parameters in the model, which assumes a Langmuir adsorption isotherm, are illustrated.
Preparing engineers for a global world: identifying and teaching strategies for sensemaking and creating new practices

In this paper I identify two shortcomings of current research on global engineering and provide solutions that can overcome them. I argue that current research on global engineering 1) lacks an in-depth understanding of engineering work practices and 2) suffers from challenges in translating findings into suitable curricula. This negatively impacts both what we know about how engineers work and how we can prepare future engineers for participation in the global workplace. I draw on two sources, literature from organization science and a primary field study of engineering practitioners, to identify three strategies useful for working successfully in global settings: 1) bridging perspectives across boundaries, 2) creating a common identity, and 3) constructing boundary-spanning socio-technical practices. Finally, I draw on recent research on teaching about complexity to discuss how situated interpretation of actual field data - in the form of cases - can be used as a teaching aid and allow students to develop generalized models applicable to other situations.
Adapting social skills training for Latinos with schizophrenia

Adaptation of social skills training modules, developed by Anglo-American scientist-practitioners in the USA, must be attentive to the norms and values of Latinos if the methods are to achieve acceptance and be utilized effectively with Latino clients. Examples of the adjustments that may prove utilitarian when using social skills training with Latinos include: (1) involvement of families in the skills training enterprise; (2) setting goals for skills training that encourage the interdependence of clients with their relatives in lifestyles that enable the clients to be more functional members of the family household; and (3) loosening the structure of protocols for social skills training to make the 'process' of training more consistent with the cultural expectations, preferences and habits of Latinos.
Fast Sweeping Device for Laser Bunch

An electro-optical laser sweeping device directs the head and the tail of a laser bunch into different frontal directions, so at some distance, the laser bunch becomes tilted with respect to forward direction. For sweeping of a laser bunch having 300 ps duration up to 10 mrad, the voltage drop along the laser bunch must be ∼ 10kV. The repetition rate desirable for this type of device used in laser acceleration or generation secondary back-scattered electrons is up to 1 MHz. Details of this scheme are described here.
Profile of ezogabine (retigabine) and its potential as an adjunctive treatment for patients with partial-onset seizures

Epilepsy is a common disease with significant morbidity and mortality. Approximately one-third of patients with epilepsy are refractory to available seizure medications, emphasizing the need to develop better drugs with novel mechanisms of action. Ezogabine, also known as retigabine, is a new potential adjunctive treatment for adults with intractable partial seizures. Ezogabine has a unique mechanism of action consisting of activating KCNQ2/3 (Kv7) potassium channels. Ezogabine has undergone a number of Phase II and III trials demonstrating efficacy at 600,900 and 1200 mg/day in a dose-dependent fashion. The most common adverse events with ezogabine are central nervous system effects, particularly dizziness and somnolence. Urologic symptoms, particularly urinary retention, represent a rare but unique side effect of ezogabine. Ezogabine is predominantly metabolized via glucuronidation. Its half-life is 8 hours, suggesting a need for three-times-a-day administration. Ezogabine exhibits minimal interactions with other seizure medications, except possibly lamotrigine. Ezogabine has potential for clinical applications in other medical conditions beyond epilepsy, such as neuropathic pain, neuromyotonia, and bipolar disease, but these are based primarily on experimental models.
Jugular vein catheter placement: histologic features and development of catheter-related (fibrin) sheaths in a swine model

Purpose: To evaluate the development and histologic features of jugular vein catheter–related (fibrin) sheaths in a swine model. Materials and Methods: The proposal was approved by the University Committee on the Use and Care of Animals. Tunneled silicone 7-F catheters were placed via a jugular vein in eight swine. The animals were separated into four groups of two pigs each according to catheter indwelling times of 7, 14, 30, and 45 days. After the animals were sacrificed, the catheter, access vein, and cranial vena cava were dissected, removed en bloc, and fixed in formalin. Histologic evaluation was performed by using standard light microscopy on hematoxylin-eosin stained specimens; immunohistochemistry was also performed to confirm specific cell populations. Results: Catheter-related sheaths that covered 33%–100% of the intravascular catheter length were identified in all eight catheter specimens. After 7 days, catheters had a partial or circumferential mixed cellular and noncellular covering consisti...
“Ouija board, are there any communications?” Agency, ontotheology, and the death of the humanist subject, or, continuing the ARS conversation

Abstract This essay responds to Cheryl Geisler's “report” on the discussions about the concept of agency at the 2003 Alliance of Rhetorical Societies conference. We argue that Geisler's report inaccurately and unfairly describes the wide‐ranging positions discussed at the conference, particularly by collapsing subjectivity and agency and by advancing a strawperson argument about “postmodernism.” In contrast to the humanist understanding, we recommend and describe a negative theology of the subject that adopts a more hospitable posture of uncertainty toward the agent and agency.
Visiting the 'lie-brary' exploring data engagement as participant incentive

As people's online behavior increasingly leaves traces behind, it is tempting for researchers to gather and analyze these traces. This raises both ethical and logistical challenges in gathering and storing data; and in motivating people to share their data. We report on our experience developing an Android OS app to gather text messages and information about deception, and a web visualization interface that allows participants to engage with their data. We discuss our experiences and challenges, and solicit feedback and design ideas.
Mixtures of xenoestrogens disrupt estradiol-induced non-genomic signaling and downstream functions in pituitary cells

Our study examines the effects of xenoestrogen mixtures on estradiol-induced non-genomic signaling and associated functional responses. Bisphenol-A, used to manufacture plastic consumer products, and nonylphenol, a surfactant, are estrogenic by a variety of assays, including altering many intracellular signaling pathways; bisphenol-S is now used as a bisphenol-A substitute. All three compounds contaminate the environment globally. We previously showed that bisphenol-S, bisphenol-A, and nonylphenol alone rapidly activated several kinases at very low concentrations in the GH3/B6/F10 rat pituitary cell line. For each assay we compared the response of individual xenoestrogens at environmentally relevant concentrations (10-15 -10-7 M), to their mixture effects on 10-9 M estradiol-induced responses. We used a medium-throughput plate immunoassay to quantify phosphorylations of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) and c-Jun-N-terminal kinases (JNKs). Cell numbers were assessed by crystal violet assay to compare the proliferative effects. Apoptosis was assessed by measuring caspase 8 and 9 activities via the release of the fluorescent product 7-amino-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin. Prolactin release was measured by radio-immunoassay after a 1 min exposure to all individual and combinations of estrogens. Individual xenoestrogens elicited phospho-activation of ERK in a non-monotonic dose- (fM-nM) and mostly oscillating time-dependent (2.5-60 min) manner. When multiple xenoestrogens were combined with nM estradiol, the physiologic estrogen’s response was attenuated. Individual bisphenol compounds did not activate JNK, while nonylphenol did; however, the combination of two or three xenoestrogens with estradiol generated an enhanced non-monotonic JNK dose–response. Estradiol and all xenoestrogen compounds induced cell proliferation individually, while the mixtures of these compounds with estradiol suppressed proliferation below that of the vehicle control, suggesting a possible apoptotic response. Extrinsic caspase 8 activity was suppressed by estradiol, elevated by bisphenol S, and unaffected by mixtures. Intrinsic caspase 9 activity was inhibited by estradiol, and by xenoestrogen combinations (at 10-14 and 10-8 M). Mixtures of xenoestrogens impeded the estradiol-induced release of prolactin. In mixtures expected to be found in contaminated environments, xenoestrogens can have dramatic disrupting effects on hormonal mechanisms of cell regulation and their downstream functional responses, altering cellular responses to physiologic estrogens.
The Correlates of Tracking Policy: Opportunity Hoarding, Status Competition, or a Technical-Functional Explanation?

In this analysis, the authors explore the relationship between the social context of high schools and school-to-school variation in tracking policies. The authors consider three explanations for the implementation of highly elaborated tracking systems: opportunity hoarding, status competition, and a technical-functional explanation. Building on the research methodology developed by Kelly, they conducted a content analysis of curriculum guides in a sample of 128 high schools to identify school tracking policies. They find that compositional variables related to technical-functional concerns, and to a lesser extent, status competition, are associated with highly elaborated school tracking policies.
Neuronal Intermediate Filaments

Neurofilaments (NFs) are the most abundant structural components in large-diameter myelinated axons. Assembled as obligate heteropolymers requiring NF-L and substoichiometric amounts of NF-M and/or NF-H, NF investment into axons is essential for establishment of axonal caliber, itself a key determinant of conduction velocity. Use of transgenic mice to increase axonal accumulation of NFs or to express mutant NFs subunits has proven that aberrant organization or assembly of NFs is sufficient to cause disease arising from selective dysfunction and degeneration of motor neurons. Because aberrant accumulation of NFs is a common pathology in a series of motor neuron diseases-including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-NF misaccumulation, and the resultant disruption in axonal transport, is probably a key intermediate in the pathogenesis of these diseases.
Adaptor Protein Complex 1 Mediates the Transport of Lysosomal Proteins from a Golgi-like Organelle to Peripheral Vacuoles in the Primitive Eukaryote Giardia lamblia

Giardia lamblia is an early branching protist that possesses peripheral vacuoles (PVs) with characteristics of lysosome-like organelles, located underneath the plasma membrane. In more evolved cells, lysosomal protein trafficking is achieved by cargo recognition involving adaptor protein (AP) complexes that recognize specific amino acid sequences (tyrosine and/or dileucine motifs) within the cytoplasmic tail of membrane proteins. Previously, we reported that Giardia has a tyrosine-based sorting system, which mediates the targeting of a membrane-associated cysteine protease (encystation-specific cysteine protease, ESCP) to the PVs. Here, we show that Giardia AP1 mediates the transport of ESCP and the soluble acid phosphatase (AcPh) to the PVs. By using the yeast two-hybrid assay we found that the ESCP tyrosine-based motif interacts specifically with the medium subunit of AP1 (Giμa). Hemagglutinin-tagged Giμa colocalizes with ESCP and AcPh and coimmunoprecipitates with clathrin, suggesting that protein trafficking toward the PVs is clathrin-adaptin dependent. Targeted disruption of Giμa results in mislocalization of ESCP and AcPh but not of variant-specific surface proteins. Our results suggest that, unlike mammalian cells, only AP1 is involved in anterograde protein trafficking to the PVs in Giardia. Moreover, even though Giardia trophozoites lack a morphologically discernible Golgi apparatus, the presence of a clathrin-adaptor system suggests that this parasite possess a primitive secretory organelle capable of sorting proteins similar to that of more evolved cells.
Subspace Embeddings for the Polynomial Kernel

Sketching is a powerful dimensionality reduction tool for accelerating statistical learning algorithms. However, its applicability has been limited to a certain extent since the crucial ingredient, the so-called oblivious subspace embedding, can only be applied to data spaces with an explicit representation as the column span or row span of a matrix, while in many settings learning is done in a high-dimensional space implicitly defined by the data matrix via a kernel transformation. We propose the first fast oblivious subspace embeddings that are able to embed a space induced by a non-linear kernel without explicitly mapping the data to the high-dimensional space. In particular, we propose an embedding for mappings induced by the polynomial kernel. Using the subspace embeddings, we obtain the fastest known algorithms for computing an implicit low rank approximation of the higher-dimension mapping of the data matrix, and for computing an approximate kernel PCA of the data, as well as doing approximate kernel principal component regression.
Genetic structure of human populations in the British Isles

SummarySpatial patterns were studied for 36 allele frequencies representing 14 genetic systems (blood antigens, enzymes and serum proteins) in the United Kingdom and Irish Republic. The total number of data points over all systems and localities is 331. Patterns of genetic variation in space are graphically represented by one-dimensional and directional correlograms, and by interpolated allele-frequency surfaces. The data surfaces were examined by the various techniques of spatial autocorrelation analysis. Zones of rapid change across allele surfaces were discovered by the wombling method. Six allele frequency surfaces from four genetic systems exhibit significant spatial patterns. Only one pattern (IO; in the ABO system) may be described as purely clinal in an east-west direction; another (IB; in ABO) approximates a cline or at least north-south differentiation. A method was developed for testing the direction of maximal genetic autocorrelation. Two previously unrecorded patterns for the British Isles, n...
The Political Economy of Extension Program Design: Institutional Maintenance Issues in the Organization and Delivery of Extension Programs

Besides its educational function, extension is expected to generate political support for the land grant universities. The necessary conditions for extension programs to elicit political support are for them to (a) be a positive net benefit, (b) be clearly attributable to extension, (c) be feasible of political solicitation, and (d) have benefits of sufficient magnitude to motivate political action. The characteristics of programs that affect these conditions are the attributes of (a) incompatible use, (b) exclusion costs, and (c) joint impact. The instrument of program design that influences these attributes is the degree to which information is particularized to a specific audience.
RF MEMS in wireless architectures

Micromechanical (or "/spl mu/mechanical") communication circuits fabricated via IC-compatible MEMS technologies and capable of low-loss filtering, mixing, switching, and frequency generation, are described with the intent to miniaturize wireless transceivers. Possible MEMS-based receiver front-end architectures are then presented that use these micromechanical circuits in large quantities to enhance robustness and substantially reduce power consumption. Among the more aggressive architectures proposed are one based on a /spl mu/mechanical RF channel-selector and one featuring an all-MEMS RF front-end.
Acute Hepatitis E by a New Isolate Acquired in the United States

Objective To report the first case of acute hepatitis E by a novel isolate acquired in the United Statesand confirmed by nucleotide sequencing. Materia and Methods: We describe the clinical manifestations and the results of associated labora-tory studies in a man who was found to have acute hepatitis E infection. Results A 62-year-old man was hospitalized because of fever, abdominal pain, and jaundice. After an initial evaluation did not provide a cause, his serum was found to be positive for IgG anti-hepatitis Evirus (HEV) by three antibody assays. Serum was also positive for HEV RNA by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Sequencing resultsfrom the PCR products demonstrated substantial differences at the nucleotide level between this strain andthe known Mexican and Burmese strains. Conclusion On the basis of this initial report, HEV should be considered an etiologie agent in patients with acute non-ABC hepatitis in the United States.
Locomotion storytelling: kinesthetic intelligence and tangible objects in storytelling creativity

This project studied the influence of kinesthetic intelligences on creativity in young children. To understand this relationship preschoolers were observed in their daycare setting during story-time over a period of four sessions. During the sessions observations focused on the children's ability to propose narratives when the teacher used different storytelling methods. The children's responses were videotaped and coded later for analysis. The coding was used to calculate the baseline Ideational Fluency of the children. Total fluency was calculated by adding the number of popular and original responses. Behavior patterns also emerged from the study. Children generated not only more responses, but a greater variation in narratives when they were allowed to interact with tangible characters and act out behaviors. Also, children generated more responses when they were given 3D stimuli than when given 2D stimuli. The degree of familiarity with the scenario also influenced the number of responses. The more familiar the children were with the scenario, their ability to contribute to the narrative improved.
Ecological Consequences of Artificial Night Lighting

Catherine Rich, Travis Longcore. Ecological Consequences of Artificial Night Lighting2006458$65(hardcover)$35(paperback)1559631287(hardcover)1559631295(paperback) The world at night is illuminated artificially mainly by urban lighting, but also fires, gas flares, and light-induced fisheries (www.ngdc.noaa.gov/dmsp/image/poster_world.jpg). This edited volume is the best source for the increasingly recognized environmental impact of artificial light on the living world. Artificial lighting disrupts animals by disorienting them at night, increasing their exposure to predation or conversely to abundant food sources, altering light-sensitive endocrine systems, and disrupting crepuscular and nocturnal mating, signaling, and dispersal. The best-known examples of these disruptions are confusion and mortality of migrating birds at lighted towers and buildings and the disorientation of sea turtle hatchlings returning to the sea. This is just a fraction of the ecological effects of night luminescence, of which only a small portion are documented. Fifteen chapters cover effects of artificial lighting on mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, invertebrates (mostly insects), and plants. The book was an outgrowth of the first and only conference on Ecological Consequences of Artificial Night Lighting, held in Los Angeles in 2002. The volume is organized in sections based on the taxonomy of animals, plus one chapter on plants, an introduction, and a synthesis section. Each of six larger sections is punctuated by a passage …
Flux Control in Glycolysis Varies Across the Tree of Life

Biochemical thought posits that rate-limiting steps (defined here as points of flux control) are strongly selected as points of pathway regulation and control and are thus expected to be evolutionarily conserved. Conversely, population genetic thought based upon the concepts of mutation-selection-drift balance at the pathway level might suggest variation in flux controlling steps over evolutionary time. Glycolysis, as one of the most conserved and best characterized pathways, was studied to evaluate its evolutionary conservation. The flux controlling step in glycolysis was found to vary over the tree of life. Further, phylogenetic analysis suggested at least 60 events of gene duplication and additional events of putative positive selection that might alter pathway kinetic properties. Together, these results suggest that even with presumed largely negative selection on pathway output on glycolysis, the co-evolutionary process under the hood is dynamic.
Gene rich chromosome regions and autosomal trisomy a case of chromosome 3 trisomy mosaicism

Cases of autosomal trisomy and trisomy mosaicism among liveborn infants are reviewed, and a second case of chromosome 3 trisomy mosaicism is described. The occurrence of autosomal trisomy for a particular chromosome is in general negatively correlated with the number of genes which have been localized to that chromosome. It is also positively related to the Q-brightness of the chromosome, which reflects its content of intercalary heterochromatin. Furthermore there are significantly fewer autosomal trisomics for chromosomes which contain hot spots for mitotic chiasmata in Bloom syndrome (chromosomes 1, 3, 6, 11, 12, 17, 19, and 22), compared with similar-sized control chromosomes 2, 4, 7, 9, 10, 18, 20, and 21. This is interpreted as further evidence for the gene richness of the hot spots which, being active, are extended in interphase and are therefore available for mitotic crossing over. The gene richness of these short Q-dark regions is also borne out by the scarcity of trisomic abortions for the chromosomes involved (the embryo dies before the abortion is recognized) and by the higher number of genes localized to these chromosomes compared with the control chromosomes.
Simple Synthetic Method Toward Solid Supported C60 Visible Light-Activated Photocatalysts

Solid supported fullerene materials are prepared in aims of creating a fullerene-based photocatalyst that is capable of producing 1O2 in the aqueous phase. Past studies of using fullerene as a photocatalyst in water have exclusively focused on using water soluble fullerene derivatives and employed sophisticated chemistry to create immobilized fullerene materials. The method presented herein is much less synthetically complex and utilizes pristine fullerene, providing a drastically simpler route to supported fullerene materials and furthering their potential for use in environmental applications. Covalent immobilization was achieved through the nucleophilic addition of a terminal amine (located on a solid support) across a [6,6] fullerene double bond, resulting in attachment directly to C60’s cage. Immobilization allowed supported fullerene moieties to produce 1O2 in water under various illumination conditions and inactivate MS2 bacteriophages. In a water with natural organic matter, supported fullerene ma...
Identity structures and psychological well-being: Gender and marital status comparisons.

Identities refer to self-conceptions in terms of individuals' roles. The salience or importance of various identities should differ systematically by gender and marital status; highly salient identities should have greater impacts on psychological symptoms than less salient identities; and identities that are more salient to particular gender-by-marital status subgroups should benefit those subgroups more than other subgroups. Data come from structured interviews with a stratified random sample of 700 married and divorced urban adults. Contrary to expectations, the identity hierarchies of married and divorced men and women were remarkably similar
Teaching professionalism: A faculty’s perspective

Professionalism is a relevant topic of discussion among all pharmacy schools in the United States because it is now a highly emphasized element in the pharmacy education standards. It behooves pharmacy programs to ensure the proper teaching of professionalism throughout the pharmacy curriculum. In as much that, professionalization of students includes the formal didactic teaching of professionalism behaviors and values, it is even more critical for the sound, informal, or tacit teaching of professionalism to be achieved via faculty role modeling. Thus, faculty plays a significant role in the professionalization of pharmacy students through both avoidance of unprofessional behaviors and through consistent demonstration of professional behaviors.
Prototypical imidazoline-1 receptor ligand moxonidine activates alpha2-adrenoceptors in bulbospinal neurons of the RVL.

Moxonidine is an antihypertensive drug that lowers sympathetic vasomotor tone by stimulating either alpha2-adrenergic (α2-AR) or imidazoline I1 receptors within the rostral ventrolateral medulla (R...
Real time RT-PCR for detecting expression of phosphotransferase A(aphA) gene of enteropathogenic E.coli isolated from deer

Two higher drug-resistant stains,4 midrange drug-resistant strains and one lower drug-resistant strains were selected from 20 clinical strains which were resistant to aminoglycosides antibiotics,to detect the expression of phosphotransferase A(aphA) gene by real-time RT-PCR.As result,the cycle thresholds of 2 higher drug-resistant stains were different,to be the smallest;That of 4 midrange drug-resistant strains were similar;And that of one lower drug resistant strain was the highest.It demonstrated that the more different levels of drug-resistant the more different quantification of cDNA,and that expressions of aphA gene were positive correlation with the level of drug-resistant.
Detection of serum interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α of patients with Kashin-Beck disease

Aim:To investigate the changes of serum level of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in the progress of Kashin-Beck disease.Methods:ELISA technique was used to measure the serum IL-1β and TNF-α in 51 patients with Kashin-Beck disease(23 cases of Ⅰ degree,19 cases of Ⅱ degree and 9 caes of Ⅲ degree)and 24 normal persons.Results:The serum level of IL-1β and TNF-α in patients with Kashin-Beck disease was obviously higher than those of normal persons(P0.05),but there was no differences in the serum level of IL-1β and TNF-α among patients with Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ degree Kashin-beck disease(P0.05).IL-1β and TNF-α existed linear relationship in 51 patients with Kashin-Beck disease(r=0.407,P=0.003).Conclusion:IL-1β and TNF-α play an important part on the progress of Kashin-Beck disease.
Detection and Quantification of Viral and Satellite RNAs in Plant Hosts

Northern blotting is a valuable method for detection and quantification of RNA in the field of virology. Although many methods including a various versions of polymerase chain reaction have been developed over the years, Northern blotting has been still considered as a useful and effective method for the analysis of progeny RNA accumulation for viral and subviral pathogens, such as satellite RNAs, in plant hosts. Here, we describe a detailed Northern blot protocol for efficient detection and quantification of viral and satellite RNAs from plant hosts.
ECONOMIC FREEDOM & HAPPINESS INEQUALITY: FRIENDS OR FOES?

This article examines the relationship between economic freedom and happiness inequality for a large sample of countries. We find that economic freedom is negatively associated with happiness inequality and robust to several alternative measures of happiness inequality, including the standard deviation, mean absolute difference, coefficient of variation, and Gini coefficient. Among the economic freedom areas, legal system and sound money are negatively correlated with happiness inequality. Drawing on the Engerman-Sokoloff hypothesis, we use a measure of factor endowments as an instrument for economic freedom to provide a further robustness test, finding a negative association between economic freedom and happiness inequality. (JEL D63, I31, P16)
Chapter 5 – Oxidative Stress Induced by Household Chemicals

Household chemicals such as oven cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, drain cleaners, antifreeze, motor oil, various products used in gardening, and chlorine used in swimming pools and various household products can cause significant oxidative stress if absorbed through the skin or vapor is inhaled. Many of these products can be fatal to children if ingested. Proper handling of these household products, such as by wearing gloves and a face mask, is important to reduce exposure to the chemicals, thus reducing oxidative stress caused by them.
Near-Infrared Confocal Laser Reflectance Cytoarchitectural Imaging of the Substantia Nigra and Cerebellum in the Fresh Human Cadaver

Background Cytoarchitectural neuroimaging remains critical for diagnosis of many brain diseases. Fluorescent dye-enhanced, near-infrared confocal in situ cellular imaging of the brain has been reported. However, impermeability of the blood-brain barrier to most fluorescent dyes limits clinical utility of this modality. The differential degree of reflectance from brain tissue with unenhanced near-infrared imaging may represent an alternative technique for in situ cytoarchitectural neuroimaging. Methods We assessed the utility of unenhanced near-infrared confocal laser reflectance imaging of the cytoarchitecture of the cerebellum and substantia nigra in 2 fresh human cadaver brains using a confocal near-infrared laser probe. Cellular images based on near-infrared differential reflectance were captured at depths of 20–180 μm from the brain surface. Parts of the cerebellum and substantia nigra imaged using the probe were subsequently excised and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histologic correlation. Results Near-infrared reflectance imaging revealed the 3-layered cytoarchitecture of the cerebellum, with Purkinje cells appearing hyperreflectant. In the substantia nigra, neurons appeared hyporeflectant with hyperreflectant neuromelanin cytoplasmic inclusions. Cytoarchitecture of the cerebellum and substantia nigra revealed on near-infrared imaging closely correlated with the histology on hematoxylin-eosin staining. Conclusions We showed that unenhanced near-infrared reflectance imaging of fresh human cadaver brain can reliably identify and distinguish neurons and detailed cytoarchitecture of the cerebellum and substantia nigra.
Optimized parallel distribution load flow solver on commodity multi-core CPU

Solving a large number of load flow problems quickly is required for Monte Carlo analysis and various power system problems, including long term steady state simulation, system benchmarking, among others. Due to the computational burden, such applications are considered to be time-consuming, and infeasible for online or realtime application. In this work we developed a high performance framework for high throughput distribution load flow computation, taking advantage of performance-enhancing features of multi-core CPUs and various code optimization techniques. We optimized data structures to better fit the memory hierarchy. We use the SPIRAL code generator to exploit inherent patterns of the load flow model through code specizlization. We use SIMD instructions and multithreading to parallelize our solver. Finally, we designed a Monte Carlo thread scheduling infrastructure to enable real time operation. The optimized solver is able to achieve more than 50% of peak performance on a Intel Core i7 CPU, which translates to solving millions of load flow problems within a second for IEEE 37 test feeder.
Characteristics of Ions Emission from Ultrashort Laser Produced Plasma

The dynamic characteristics of the ions emitted from ultrashort laser interaction with materials were studied. A series of successive experiments were conducted for six different elements (C, Al, Cu, Mo, Gd, and W) using 40 fs, 800 nm Ti: Sapphire laser. Time-of-flight (TOF) ion profile was analyzed and charge emission dependencies were investigated. The effects of incident laser interaction with each element were studied over a wide range of laser fluences (0.8 J/cm2 to 24 J/cm2) corresponding to laser intensities (2.0 × 1013 W/cm2 to 6.0 × 1014 W/cm2). The dependencies of the angular resolved ion flux and energy were also investigated. The TOF ion profile exhibits two peaks corresponding to a fast and a slow ion regime. The slow ions emission was the result of thermal vaporization while fast ions emission was due to time dependent ambipolar electric field. A theoretical model is proposed to predict the total ion flux emitted during femtosecond laser interaction that depends on laser parameters, material properties, and plume hydrodynamics. Incident laser fluence directly impacts average charge state and in turn affects the ion flux. Slow ions velocity exhibited different behavior from fast ions velocity. The fast ions energy and flux were found to be more collimated.
Wearable infant hydration monitor

Hydration monitoring, especially for infants, is generally limited to clinical environments. In these settings hydration is most often assessed using chemical analysis techniques. In this work we show our efforts to bring hydration monitoring to consumer market with a proof-of-concept wearable bio-impedance analyzer for infant hydration monitoring. While this technique is limited in that it cannot quantify total body water in an absolute sense, it is ideal for measuring changes to detect dehydration. Specifically, our sensor is implemented using an Analog Devices 5933 impedance analyzer. We combine this chip’s capabilities with an RFduino for Bluetooth communication with a smartphone. In our smartphone application we are able to monitor changes in hydration levels in real time. Finally, we test the capabilities of our system on two adult subjects. For all trials we measured a relative decrease in bio-impedance, and an increase in hydration.
Preparing Educators for Todayâ€™s Multicultural Schools:

Universities and programs that prepare professional educators often include philosophical statements that support a commitment to multiculturalism and/or diversity as an idea to be supported in the education of their students. Groups that accredit programs also utilize standards that address multiculturalism. Incorporating these ideas in goals, objectives, and rubrics can be challenging. This article describes a graduate program for school psychologists that utilizes specific, observable goals and objectives within and across courses. The results from these evaluations are collected, reviewed, and utilized as a guide for program improvement.
Not Watching the Fight: Examining the Dynamics of School Turnaround:

This case describes how a newly appointed superintendent implemented systematic changes across the school district to increase academic performance and keep schools open and operational. The district superintendent and leadership team were forced by the state educational system to promote rapid and drastic organizational and academic changes to avoid district closure. These changes implied a new district performance policy, and it was promoted while navigating challenges related to local district politics, the internal culture of dysfunctionality and disarray, and the state educational system.
Online monitoring of dynamic tip clearance of turbine blades in high temperature environments

Minimized tip clearance reduces the gas leakage over turbine blade tips and improves the thrust and efficiency of turbomachinery. An accurate tip clearance sensor, measuring the dynamic clearances between blade tips and the turbine case, is a critical component for tip clearance control. This paper presents a robust inductive tip clearance sensor capable of monitoring dynamic tip clearances of turbine machines in high-temperature environments and at high rotational speeds. The sensor can also self-sense the temperature at a blade tip in situ such that temperature effect on tip clearance measurement can be estimated and compensated. To evaluate the sensor's performance, the sensor was tested for measuring the tip clearances of turbine blades under various working temperatures ranging from 700 K to 1300 K and at turbine rotational speeds ranging from 3000 to 10 000 rpm. The blade tip clearance was varied from 50 to 2000 µm. The experiment results proved that the sensor can accurately measure the blade tip clearances with a temporal resolution of 10 µm. The capability of accurately measuring the tip clearances at high temperatures (~1300 K) and high turbine rotation speeds (~30 000 rpm), along with its compact size, makes it promising for online monitoring and active control of blade tip clearances of high-temperature turbomachinery.
Epilogue: More Than an Image of Mao

Published on February 1, 1950, the preface to the inaugural issue of the official journal People’s Art called upon all of China’s art workers to fully engage in the production of propaganda. Evoking Mao’s 1942 Yan’an talks, the preface emphasized the need to remold the thoughts of artists so that their works could mobilize the people for the construction of a new China (1950d). This suggests a provocative question at the core of the official art ideology during Mao’s era: Why would it be essential to transform artists into art workers in order for them to make China’s revolutionary art?