cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structural Stability and Catalytic Activity of Lanthanum-Based Perovskites

Perovskite-type oxide materials with a general formula La1−xAxFe1−yCoyO3−δ, where A is an alkaline earth metal Sr or Ba, have been studied as cathode materials for catalytic reduction of oxygen in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), as well as combustion catalysts. In this study, we use a combination of temperature-programmed reduction measurements, X-ray diffraction, carbon black catalytic oxidation measurements, and first-principles, density-functional-theory (DFT) calculations to elucidate the main processes that contribute to the structural stability and catalytic activity for soot oxidation of these materials. In particular, we investigate the dynamics of the structure reconstruction with oxygen loss during the regulated increase of the temperature. The calculations are in good qualitative agreement with catalytic experiments and allow us to identify special combinations of the perovskite chemical composition and local surface structures for which one could expect the highest catalytic activity for the s...
A Possible Means of Sex Recognition in Necrobia rufipes (Coleoptera: Cleridae)

Experimental evidence indicates that the male red-legged ham beetle, Necrobia rufipes (De Geer), recognizes the female of this species by the forward projecting setae on her elytra.
Fluctuation-Induced Tunneling Conductivity in Nanoporous TiO2 Thin Films

The electronic mechanisms responsible for dark conductivity in nanoporous TiO2 thin films remain only partially understood, although they control the efficiency of charge transport in a wide range ...
Auger Recombination in GaAs from First Principles

Auger recombination is a significant loss mechanism in many optoelectronic devices. We use first-principles methods based on density functional theory to study the relative importance of direct and indirect phonon-assisted Auger recombination in GaAs and related alloys. Energy and momentum of the recombining electron–hole pair can be transferred to an Auger electron (eeh process) or an Auger hole (hhe process). For eeh processes, the direct process is negligibly small compared to the phonon-assisted indirect process in GaAs, while in hhe processes the direct and phonon-assisted processes contribute almost equally. The hole processes are about 5 times stronger than the electron processes. In alloys with lower band gaps, the eeh processes become stronger, and below a band gap of 0.8 eV they are as relevant as the hole processes. Our results highlight the importance of indirect processes, even at low band gaps.
Caveat emptor: Submitting the entire gallbladder in cases of dysplasia is not justified

To the Editor We read with interest the article by Renshaw and Gould.1 The authors present a very important topic for discussion, namely, the appropriate tissue sampling of a common specimen, the gallbladder. The authors express their frustrations with expert recommendations of a consultant to submit the entire gallbladder when cases have been sent out for second opinion from their practice. The authors cite their own 8-year practice of submitting 2 sections (1 section from the cystic duct and 1 random section) for the initial evaluation of gallbladders. They conclude that in cases of epithelial atypia and dysplasia, a review of the gross specimen and the submission of “4 more additional sections” is sufficient. Although we support the judicious submission of gallbladders, some deficiencies in this article need to be highlighted. The authors report a detection rate of dysplasia in cholecystectomy specimens of 0.15%, which is lower than the lowest reported frequency of solitary dysplasia or incidentally detected dysplasia of 0.4% to 33.8%.2 This low detection rate may be caused by sampling as suggested by Sasatomi et al2 and Duarte et al3 that a single random histologic section would detect less than …
Going up in Dreams and Esteem: Cross-Age Mentoring to Promote Leadership Skills in High School-Age Gifted Students.

Mentoring programs are an effective way to offer gifted students authentic learning opportunities. Although there are many mentoring models, the fundamental relationship between mentor and mentee h...
The Importance of Strengthening the Independence of the Central Bank

As shown in the study of Japanese banks, the lack of sufficient independence on the part of a country's central bank will normally not lead to the government's repeated breaking its promise to maintain stable prices or its deliberately causing currency inflation as claimed by the analysts in their "time inconsistency" studies, neither will it cause the government to use currency policy to mislead the voting public in order to seek continuous terms of office as shown in the analysis in terms of political-commercial cycle theories. It is extremely one-sided to try and prove whether the independence of the central bank should be strengthened in terms of currency inflation rate as some of the Westerti analysts have done in their studies.In order that the choice of currency policy will not be irrationally interfered with by any individual politicians or certain government, in order that currency policy will not be adversely affected by international pressure, and so that currency policy will truly be able to play the part of economic stabilizer, the central bank must be endowed with sufficient independence.
Properties of transmission at a giant glutamatergic synapse in cerebellum: the mossy fiber-unipolar brush cell synapse.

1. The synaptic activation by mossy fibers (MFs) of unipolar brush cells (UBCs) in the vestibular cerebellum (nodulus and uvula) was examined using patch-clamp recording methods in thin, rat cerebe...
Simplifying the prediction of phenology with the DSSAT-CROPGRO-soybean model based on relative maturity group and determinacy

Abstract The use of crop models can be limited by the need to calibrate cultivar coefficients across a sufficiently wide range of environments. The DSSAT-CROPGRO-Soybean crop simulation model considers different temperature and photoperiod sensitivities during different crop developmental stages and/or for different cultivars. The use of generic phenology coefficients specific for a range of maturity groups (MGs) could allow accurate predictions of main developmental stages in soybean without requiring calibration. Phenology data collected in 2012 and 2013 from an irrigated regional planting-date experiment with maturity group (MG) 3 to 6 cultivars and latitudes from 30.6 to 38.9°N, were used to calibrate cultivar coefficients across all the environments. A set of generic coefficients were generated based on relative maturity group (rMG) and plant growth habit. Predictions of main developmental stages in the subsequent growing season (2014) using generic coefficients were similar to predictions based on calibrated coefficients, with a RMSE across all cultivars
Enhancing CSCW with advanced decision making tools for an agile manufacturing system design application

Computer Supported Collaborative Work (CSCW) can provide an efficient decision-making environment for multi-disciplinary teams faced with the challenge of evaluating agile manufacturing systems. In this paper, the development and evaluation of CSCW prototypes to aid the systematic evaluation of agile manufacturing systems are described. An industrial case study involving the evaluation of alternative design configurations of a cellular manufacturing system (CMS) for agile manufacturing was used for testing with twelve multi-disciplinary teams. The results obtained suggest that engineering design teams can obtain productivity improvements through the use of CSCW tools. The results indicate that CSCW systems can assist decision-makers in reaching consensus especially when advanced decision making tools are incorporated into the problem-solving framework. In this study, we also found that an enhanced CSCW with a neural network module for preference aggregation outperformed a basic CSCW in: (1) decision quality, (2) users' satisfaction and agreement, (3) consensus. These results also have far reaching implications for distributed product development teams that face the problem of reaching consensus on a range of alternative designs with stringent pressures to reduce development time.
Methodology and Modelling of a Laser Based In-Process Surface Finish Inspection Probe

Continuous monitoring of the roughness value of critical surfaces is a key issue to ensure the quality of machined products. A non-contact in-process surface roughness inspection probe is researched and developed for this purpose. The traditional off-line inspection, which takes place away from the manufacturing process, is not only time consuming but also expensive. In this research, a miniaturized optical probe system is developed to inspect on-line surface roughness. Therefore whenever defects are detected, corresponding cutting tool adjustment can be made in time. The system applies the basic light diffusion principle in an innovative way. It utilizes the laser and fiber optics techniques along with a menu-driven computer data processing interface. This design procedure facilitates the instrument to be of small size, low cost, high accuracy and high flexibility. The miniaturized optical probe has a great potential of becoming a tool for shop floor applications targeted for zero defects and high productivity.
Media Agenda-Setting and Public Opinion: Is There a Link?

(1984). Media Agenda-Setting and Public Opinion: Is There a Link? Annals of the International Communication Association: Vol. 8, Communication Yearbook 8, pp. 680-691.
Dose-Adjusted EPOCH-R and Mid-Cycle High Dose Methotrexate for Patients with Systemic Lymphoma and secondary CNS Involvement.

No abstract available Keywords: EPOCH; CNS lymphoma; diffuse large B-cell lymphoma; high-dose methotrexate.
Defibrotide (DF) Targets Tumor-Microenvironmental Interactions and Sensitizes Multiple Myeloma and Solid Tumor Cells to Cytotoxic Chemotherapeutics.

Introduction: Defibrotide (DF) is a polydisperse oligonucleotide with anti-thrombotic, thrombolytic, anti-ischemic, and anti-adhesive properties, which selectively targets the microvasculature and has minimal hemorrhagic risk. DF is an effective treatment for veno-occlusive disease (VOD), an important regimen-related toxicity in stem cell transplantation characterized by endothelial cell injury. DF also augments stem cell mobilization by modulating adhesion in vivo . Because of its cytoprotective effect on the endothelium, we specifically investigated whether DF protects tumor cells from cytotoxic anti-tumor agents. Further, because of its broad anti-adhesive properties, we evaluated whether DF modulates the interaction of MM cells with bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), which confers growth, survival and drug resistance in the BM milieu. Methods: In vitro studies in isogenic dexamethasone (Dex)-sensitive and resistant MM cell lines (MM-1S and MM1R, respectively) showed that DF does not attenuate the sensitivity of MM cells to Dex, the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (PS-341), melphalan (MEL), vinca alkaloids (vincristine, vinblastine), taxanes (paclitaxel) or platinum (cisplatin), but does decrease their sensitivity to doxorubicin. These selective effects in vitro of DF in protecting tumor cells against doxorubicin and modestly sensitizing MM cells to platinum was also confirmed in solid tumor breast (MCF-7) and colon (HT-29) carcinoma cell lines. Although DF had minimal in vitro inhibitory effect on MM or solid tumor cell growth in vitro , it showed in vivo activity as a single agent and enhanced the responsiveness of MM tumors to cytotoxic chemotherapeutics, such as MEL or cyclophosphamide, in human MM xenografts in SCID/NOD mice. The in vivo single-agent activity and chemosensitizing properties of DF, coupled with its lack of major in vitro activity, suggested that DF may not directly target tumor cells, but rather modulate tumor cell interaction with BMSCs. In an ex vivo model of co-culture of primary MM tumor cells with BMSCs (which protects MM cells against conventional chemotherapy), DF alone had a only modest effect on tumor cell viability, but it significantly enhanced MM cell sensitivity to cytotoxic chemotherapy (e.g. MEL), suggesting that a major component of the biological effects of DF may be attributable not to direct targeting of tumor cells, but to modulation of the interactions that tumor cells develop with the local stromal milieu. Conclusion: Our studies show that DF mediates in vivo anti-MM activity by abrogating interactions of MM cells with their BM milieu, thereby enhancing sensitivity and overcoming resistance to conventional chemotherapy. These data support future clinical trials of DF, in combination with both conventional and novel therapies, to improve patient outcome in MM.
C-Reactive Protein

Inflammatory processes play an important role in coronary atherosclerosis, and C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of inflammation that is associated with adverse cardiovascular risk. This article describes the basic functions and measurement of CRP, the association between CRP and risk of cardiovascular events, and the relationship between stress-related psychological factors and CRP. It is concluded that inflammatory processes play a role in the association between psychological distress and adverse cardiovascular health, and that CRP is a potentially useful marker of inflammation and tissue damage in patients at increased risk for cardiovascular events. Various indicators of prolonged psychological distress are associated with CRP levels. The inflammatory nature of coronary atherosclerosis has elicited novel research on the interrelationships between immune-system parameters and psychosocial risk factors for cardiovascular events.
Baseline differences in characteristics of a racially diverse group of men electing active surveillance.

103Background: To date, large populations of men from European ancestry have been prospectively evaluated on Active Surveillance (AS), a strategy reserved for low risk prostate cancer (PCa). African Americans (AA) deemed to be candidates for AS have yet to be fully characterized. We sought to determine the similarities and differences of our AS cohort stratified by race. Methods: We identified 308 men from our multi-institutional, prospective AS database were analyzed. Inclusion criteria was PSA < 20ng/mL, Gleason score ≤ 7, and clinical stage ≤ T2a. Men who sought treatment for their PCa or refused subsequent imaging and biopsy were excluded. Univariate analysis was done to analyze racial differences in demographic, clinical and pathologic variables. Results: We identified 308 men, 131 (43%) AA and 177 nonAA (57%). The groups were not significantly different with respect to age; 65 years, BMI 28.4, family history of PCa (22%), prior negative biopsy (21%) and clinical staging (87% T1c). Median follow-up i...
In search of intra-industry bullwhips

Abstract Previous research (e.g., Cachon et al., 2007) has examined the prevalence and magnitude of the bullwhip effect across industries, measuring the bullwhip as the ratio of the variance in the stream of orders placed relative to the variance in orders received (in some cases surrogates are used for the order measures). Our contribution is to use the decomposition framework of Jin et al. (2016a) to look intra-industry, examining whether the bullwhip is created in shipping, manufacturing, or ordering – and exploring whether this varies across industries. Our analysis is based on monthly, industry-level U.S. Census Bureau data. We find (and begin to explain) significant differences across industries regarding the source of the bullwhip – be it in shipping, manufacturing, and/or ordering. We also examine how the bullwhip is impacted by the duration and end-point of the time aggregation interval; our results suggest that some managers may want to shift their reporting period.
Exotic semirings and uncertainty

Exotic semirings have become an important area of mathematical research over the last decade. Fuzzy set theory, and especially possibility theory are Uncertainty Systems that use exotic semirings as their algebra. This connection was first notes in an exploration of generalized measures of uncertainty. There is a lot the fuzzy set community can learn from the new ares being explored in exotic semirings. ...
“It Made Me Want to Be That Spark”: A Case Study of the Experiences of College Student Group Exercise Instructors

While recent research has focused on leadership and development in collegiate club and intramural sports participants, many of the findings and suggestions may be deemed applicable to student roles within college fitness and group exercise programs. The purpose of this exploratory case study was to learn about the leadership experiences, motivations, benefits, and perceived limitations to group fitness instruction for students at a small, private, Mid-Atlantic university, and to discover potential influences of these experiences on the overall collegiate experience. The researcher was interested in insights of both current and recently graduated students who serve as group fitness instructors at their college. The researcher interviewed eight participants from one institution selected through convenience sampling. While this study used a small sample from one institution, interviewee responses were consistent, relevant, and may be expanded upon in future research. Participants reported that they improved ...
Efficient virtual channel allocator for NoC router micro-architecture

Low-level design parameters such as router micro-architecture (RMA), flow controls (resource allocation), routing techniques and traffic patterns have a major significance on cost and performance of Network on Chip (NOC) design. This work proposes an efficient virtual channel (VC) buffer management structure and a dynamic VC allocation mechanism for the router to minimize latency, and area (buffer allocation) overhead. The proposed VC architecture and allocation algorithm can be adapted to various switching techniques used in NoC implementations with buffers and is independent of the topology. The architecture was developed and simulated for various traffic patterns. The performance was evaluated for different load scenarios and comparison to existing VC allocation algorithms are discussed in this paper. Our implementation achieves better performance (throughput and area overhead) compared to baseline and Adaptive Backpressure (ABP) VC allocation algorithm.
Preterm Preeclampsia with Severe Features: Composite Maternal and Neonatal Morbidities Associated with Fetal Growth Restriction.

Objective The objective of this study was to compare adverse pregnancy outcomes between fetuses with estimated fetal weight (EFW) 10% in women with preterm preeclampsia (PE) with severe features. Materials and Methods All women with preterm PE with severe features and nonanomalous singletons with EFW were identified at a tertiary center. Women with oligohydramnios or absent/reversed umbilical Doppler velocimetry were excluded. Using multivariable analysis, we compared the composite maternal and neonatal morbidities (CMM and CNM) between those with appropriate for gestational age (AGA) fetal growth, defined as EFW at 10 to 90th versus those with fetal growth restriction (FGR), defined as EFW Results In this study, 165 patients were included; 112 had EFW at 10th to 90th percentile, and 53 had FGR. Of the 53 with FGR, 33 (62%) had EFW at 5 to 9% for GA and 20 (38%) had EFW Conclusion Women with preterm PE with severe features and FGR, when compared with those with AGA, have significantly higher risk of CMM and CNM.
Trans-spatial Utopias

The ‘trans-’ perspectives offered in this special issue are heady stuff. Post-structuralism (philosophy) meets the digital age (electronics), meets globalization (economics), and meets translingual practice (linguistics) to create a perfectly utopian or placeless space for future exploration. I want to first add my voice to the excitement generated by this trans-perspective, and then examine more closely the ways in which its dominant spatial metaphor gets declined across each of the papers, and finally raise a word of caution against the current engagement with space and the concomitant neglect of time and history. I end with a plea to bring back historicity and subjectivity into our applied linguistic enterprise.
Overview of Dendritic Cell Vaccines for Brain Tumors

Abstract Malignant gliomas are the most frequent and aggressive primary brain tumors. They are nearly universally fatal and highly resistant to standard treatments. They are characterized by diffuse and widespread infiltration into brain parenchyma which makes complete surgical resection impossible. There is an urgent need for more effective and specific therapies. However, combating a disease which is characterized by rapid proliferation, resistance to chemo and radiotherapy, and diffuse infiltration into the surrounding brain will require new treatments which can overcome these features. While it was once believed that the central nervous system was an immunologically privileged site, immunotherapy is increasingly being recognized as an attractive approach for the treatment of brain tumors. Many forms of immunotherapy are being investigated for the treatment of brain tumors, but of all of the available choices, dendritic cell-based therapies have shown considerable promise and are reaching later phases of clinical development. In clinical trials thus far, dendritic cell-based vaccines have demonstrated the ability to induce an antitumor response, immune cell infiltration into tumors, development of immunologic memory, and correlate with increased overall survival in patients. This chapter discusses the current state of these DC-based immunotherapy platforms for the treatment of malignant brain tumors.
Anaerobic production of medium-chain fatty alcohols via a β-reduction pathway.

Abstract In this report, we identify the relevant factors to increase production of medium chain n-alcohols through an expanded view of the reverse β-oxidation pathway. We began by creating a base strain capable of producing medium chain n-alcohols from glucose using a redox-balanced and growth-coupled metabolic engineering strategy. By dividing the heterologous enzymes in the pathway into different modules, we were able to identify and evaluate homologs of each enzyme within the pathway and identify several capable of enhancing medium chain alcohol titers and/or selectivity. In general, the identity of the trans-2-enoyl-CoA reductase (TER) and the direct overexpression of the thiolase (FadA) and β-hydroxy-acyl-CoA reductase (FadB) improved alcohol titer and the identity of the FadBA complex influenced the dominant chain length. Next, we linked the anaerobically induced VHb promoter from Vitreoscilla hemoglobin to each gene to remove the need for chemical inducers and ensure robust expression. The highest performing strain with the autoinduced reverse β-oxidation pathway produced n-alcohols at titers of 1.8 g/L with an apparent molar yield of 0.2 on glucose consumed in rich medium (52% of theoretical yield).
Affordability in a mandated environment.

OBJECTIVES To identify insights gained from Hawaii's experience with healthcare costs in an environment of mandated employer-based coverage and implications for other states as implementation of the Affordable Care Act ramps up. STUDY DESIGN Case analysis. METHODS We reviewed literature on healthcare costs in Hawaii and analyzed descriptive statelevel and national data from a variety of sources, including MEPS and Hawaii's Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. In addition, we conducted 14 interviews with 12 stakeholder organizations in Hawaii's healthcare market, including representatives of health plans, delivery systems, physicians, employers, government, the non-profit sector, and academia. RESULTS After almost 40 years of mandated employer-based coverage, Hawaii has a lower uninsured rate than other states and lower employer-based premiums. Stakeholders we interviewed attributed lower costs in part to the concentrated insurance market, in which the dominant carrier acts largely like a single payer in the commercial market; stakeholders raised administrative cost efficiencies and negotiating clout as factors contributing to lower employer-based premiums. While premiums are lower than the US average, the rate of growth in costs is not. As a result, Hawaii's healthcare stakeholders are focused on aligning incentives for payers and providers. CONCLUSIONS Based on interviews with stakeholders and the review of current data, we conclude that mandated coverage will not slow the inexorable rise in healthcare costs or solve the growing affordability issues for health insurance in the United States. To expand access to coverage in a manner that is sustainable over time, healthcare cost growth must be addressed.
Design of Configurable Pin Control Block for Multimedia System-on-a-Chip

The complexity of generic pin control blocks of multimedia system-on-a-chip (SoC) which implements input/output (I/O) paths for off-chip communication has been increased significantly. Accordingly, the possibility of making human errors in designing this block has been magnified as a new controversy. Generic pin control blocks posses several productivity issues since special register for an additional function and multi-I/O paths are usually fixed at relatively late stage of design activities. Also, generic pin control blocks may have different types of design according to the designer. This feature results in various human errors when we use the traditional RTL description. Thus, this paper presents an approach to reduce human errors based on design automation. In our case study, we succeeded on auto-generating a configurable pin control block in a multimedia SoC platform which has more than 300 generic pins including whether it is an input and output and 900 PAD pins. Ultimately, we reduced the amount of manual description for generating configurable pin control block by 97 %.
Atmospheric Noble Gases

A large fraction of gases dissolved in surface and groundwater, mainly N2, O2 and the noble gases He, Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe, originate from the atmosphere. Whenever water comes into contact with the atmosphere, or other phases such as natural gas, oil and solid organic matter, gases are exchanged and gas concentrations of the individual phases record some characteristics of these processes. Even in the absence of a separate gas phase, dissolved gas concentrations in a water parcel may change as a result of molecular diffusion, and mixing on a variety of space and time scales. However, in many cases the impacts of most of these processes on the dissolved gas concentrations are small and the dominating processes may be reconstructed from the measured concentrations of the dissolved gases. This chapter deals with atmospheric noble gases dissolved in groundwater, which reliably record information on certain physical processes due to the lack of chemical reactions which affect them. As has been shown in studies performed over the past 40 years, atmospheric noble gases dissolved in groundwater yield valuable information on palaeoclimate, in particular temperature at the time of recharge, dynamics of groundwater flow, and denitrification and oxygen consumption rates.
Penile enlargement surgery

Aesthetic surgery to improve the appearance of the penis, scrotum, and pubic region has successfully evolved. Penile lengthening is performed by releasing the suspensory ligament of the penis followed by use of penile weights. Girth is increased by wrapping a dermal-fat graft around the penile circumference. The choice of surgery is determined by the patient's anatomy and desires.
Abstract TMP115: Carotid Atherosclerosis Progression and Hippocampal Volume

Background: Carotid atherosclerosis is a known risk factor for stroke and dementia. Carotid atherosclerosis may play a role in neurodegeneration and be a potential target for treatment and preventi...
Distance versus Capillary Flow Dynamics‐Based Detection Methods on a Microfluidic Paper‐Based Analytical Device (μPAD)

In recent years, there has been high interest in paper-based microfluidic sensors or microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) towards low-cost, portable, and easy-to-use sensing for chemical and biological targets. μPAD allows spontaneous liquid flow without any external or internal pumping, as well as an innate filtration capability. Although both optical (colorimetric and fluorescent) and electrochemical detection have been demonstrated on μPADs, several limitations still remain, such as the need for additional equipment, vulnerability to ambient lighting perturbation, and inferior sensitivity. Herein, alternative detection methods on μPADs are reviewed to resolve these issues, including relatively well studied distance-based measurements and the newer capillary flow dynamics-based method. Detection principles, assay performance, strengths, and weaknesses are explained for these methods, along with their potential future applications towards point-of-care medical diagnostics and other field-based applications.
Air-Conducting Porosity in Slash Pine Roots from Saturated Soils

On many sites, slash pine taproot systems extend into zones of perennially saturated, anoxic soil. Tap and sinker roots, submerged for weeks or months by periodic rising of the water table, appear to be undamaged by anoxia. On such sites, green wood of larger-diameter sinkers and a taproot had unusually high air contents (48% to 69% of green volume), a consequence of low wood substance and low moisture volumes. Green root sections conducted air longitudinally when small pressures (0.06 to 0.98 kPa) were applied at one end. Mass air flow through root wood increased linearly with the pressure applied and was approximately proportional to root cross-sectional area. (...)
A Comparison of Tools for Teaching and Learning Data Analytics

Data analytics techniques are useful in understanding data, discovering patterns and building predictive models. Several curricula related to data analytics have been developed in worldwide Universities. As a practical curriculum, it is important to teach necessary tools or software for students to better learn data analytics. However, there could be several potential choices on the market. In this paper, we compare different tools for teaching and learning data analytics and discuss our experience in the IT educations.
The Implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards and the Tumultuous Fight to Implement Climate Change Awareness in Science Curricula.

The following article examines the implementation and controversy that surround climate change education and the implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). In order to fully understand why NGSS and climate change education continue to generate significant public debate, one must examine the work of both climate advocates and detractors. Therefore, this paper first examines the manner in which climate change continues to remain a debatable topic of discussion throughout American classrooms despite overwhelming scientific consensus. After, it explores how the debate over climate change stems from differing ethical cornerstones. Moreover, it delves into the oppositional perspective on climate change implementation by exploring the work of Truth in Texas Textbooks (TTT). Subsequently, it introduces and analyzes the creation and implementation of NGSS and discusses how adoption of NGSS and stronger levels of opposition to TTT is responsive policy that remains a necessary step to challenging global issues created by climate change.
Sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin

This review presents the early history, the motivation, the research and some of the backstories behind the discovery and development of sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin as a novel parenterally safe solubilizer and stabilizer. A specific sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin with an average degree of 6.5 sulfobutyl-groups variably substituted on the 2-, 3- and 6-hydroxyls of the seven glucopyranose (dextrose) units of β-cyclodextrin, is known by its commercial name, Captisol®. Today it is in 13 FDA approved injectables and numerous clinical candidates. It is also an example of a novel product discovered and initially preclinically developed at an academic institution.
Night-time Screen Media Use in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

This prospective observational study quantified screen media use within the night-time pre-sleep period in a pediatric intensive care unit and postulated possible implications. Seventy-five patients between the ages of newborn to 19 years old were observed 5 evenings per week for 3 weeks. Trained observers documented the patient's screen use, type of screen used, screen engagement, sleep state, light level, and parental presence. Patients in the ICU had on average 65 minutes of screen media use, per evening. The total screen media use averaged 59 minutes for the 0 to18-month age group; 83 minutes for the 18 to 24-month age group; 66 minutes for 2 to 6 year olds; 72 minutes for 6 to 13 year olds; and 74 minutes for those above 13. This research demonstrates that children are engaging in more screen time during the night hours than is recommended by the AAP.
Early contributions of molecular phylogenetics to understanding the evolution of Rotifera

The past decade has seen the application of DNA sequence data to phylogenetic investigations of Rotifera, both expanding and challenging our understanding of the evolution of the phylum. Evidence that Acanthocephala, long regarded as a separate but closely related phylum, is a highly derived class of Rotifera demonstrates the potential of molecular analyses to suggest relationships not obvious from morphological analysis. Phylogenies based on the sequence of the gene for the small ribosomal RNA suggest that rotifers and acanthocephalans are associated with Platyhelminthes and Gastrotricha, perhaps in a clade with Gnathostomula and Cycliophora; at present, this group lacks a clear morphological synapomorphy. A more complete resolution of the molecular phylogeny of Rotifera will require surveying multiple genes and several species from each clade under investigation.
Effect of platelet activation on the conformation of the plasma membrane glycoprotein IIb-IIIa complex.

Abstract Platelet activation converts the membrane GP IIb-IIIa complex into a functional receptor for fibrinogen, but the mechanism is poorly understood. We asked whether induction of receptor competency coincides with a conformational change affecting the spatial arrangement of exoplasmic domains of the IIb and IIIa subunits. Epitopes on these subunits were labeled with monoclonal antibodies conjugated to either a donor fluorescein (FITC) or an acceptor tetramethylrhodamine (TR) chromophore. Then, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (RET) between platelet-bound FITC and TR was measured by flow cytometry. In unstimulated platelets, 6-8% RET efficiency was detected between antibody B1B5, bound to GP IIb, and antibody SSA6, bound to GP IIIa, regardless of which antibody served as RET donor. RET was also observed between these antibodies and A2A9, an antibody specific for the GP IIb-IIIa complex. Cell stimulation by thrombin, ADP plus epinephrine or phorbol-ester caused up to a 2-fold increase in RET between chromophore-labeled, platelet-bound B1B5, SSA6, and A2A9 (p less than or equal to 0.05), suggesting a change in the separation or orientation of these epitopes within the GP IIb-IIIa complex. The activation-related conformational change detected by the increase in RET between antibody B1B5 and SSA6 was independent of receptor occupancy since it was unaffected by the addition of fibrinogen or by the inhibition of fibrinogen binding by the antibody, A2A9, or the peptide, RGDS. In contrast to these results with antibodies bound to different epitopes within GP IIb-IIIa, no RET was observed between FITC-A2A9 and TR-A2A9 bound to different GP IIb-IIIa complexes or between a TR-labeled GP Ib antibody and FITC-labeled GP IIb-IIIa antibodies. These studies demonstrate that platelet activation causes a change in the spatial separation or orientation of exoplasmic domains within GP IIb and IIIa, which may serve to convert this integrin into a functional adhesion receptor.
Originalism, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution: A Unique Role in Constitutional Interpretation?

Originalism, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution begins by noting that, despite the widespread popular consensus that the Declaration is a constitutional document, the Declaration's role in constitutional interpretation is deeply contested among scholars. I argue that the Declaration of Independence does not play a unique role in constitutional interpretation and instead is one of many sources of the Constitution's original meaning. First, I lay out the background debate over the role of the Declaration in constitutional interpretation and how appeals to the Declaration have periodically arisen during times of national moral crisis, such as those over slavery or civil rights. I also detail how scholars have relied on the Declaration to support dramatically inconsistent claims of political morality and constitutional norm. Assuming an originalist perspective on constitutional interpretation, I then argue that the historical evidence from the Framing and Ratification of the Constitution shows that the Declaration is simply one source of the original meaning of the Constitution. In addition, I contend that the Declaration is not the interpretative key to the Constitution because they are inconsistent, and because the Declaration cannot provide sufficient interpretative guidance. Lastly, I advance arguments to establish that the Declaration is not independently legally binding. In doing so, I rebut many of the common claims made by scholars who assert that the Declaration is more than simply one source of original meaning, scholars I label Declarationists.
Effect of Laser Frequency on a Collision-Induced Radiative Process

The area of laser-induced chemistry is one which has generated an enormous amount of interest in the last few years, both experimentally and theoretically.1 In this chapter, we shall briefly review our approach to the subject and then discuss an aspect of our most recent work: how incident radiation of various frequencies affects collision-induced processes.
The semantics of Gringo and infinitary propositional formulas

Input languages of answer set solvers are based on the mathematically simple concept of a stable model. But many useful constructs available in these languages, including local variables, conditional literals, and aggregates, cannot be easily explained in terms of stable models in the sense of the original definition of this concept and its straightforward generalizations. Manuals written by designers of answer set solvers usually explain such constructs using examples and informal comments that appeal to the user's intuition, without references to any precise semantics. We propose to approach the problem of defining the semantics of GRINGO programs by translating them into the language of infinitary propositional formulas. This semantics allows us to study equivalent transformations of GRINGO programs using natural deduction in infinitary propositional logic, so that the properties of these programs can be more precisely characterized. In this way, we aim to create a foundation on which important issues such as the correctness of GRINGO programs and optimization methods may be more formally studied.
Outcomes of Surgery for Stress Urinary Incontinence in the Older Woman

As population demographics continue to evolve, specifics on age-related outcomes of stress urinary incontinence interventions will be critical to patient counseling and management planning. Understanding medical factors unique to older women and their lower urinary tract conditions will allow caregivers to optimize surgical outcomes, both physical and functional, and minimize complications within this population.
Preoperative radiation therapy with selective dose escalation to the margin at risk for retroperitoneal sarcoma.

BACKGROUND Retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPSs) are rare tumors with poor survival rates due to difficult resectability and high local and distant recurrence rates. Preoperative radiation therapy appears to have dosimetric advantages to utilize the tumor as a tissue expander to limit exposure of small bowel to higher radiation doses. METHODS Between June 1999 and December 2003, 16 consecutive patients with biopsy-proven RPS were treated with preoperative radiation with selective dose escalation. This included 45 grays (Gy) in 25 fractions to the entire tumor plus margin and a boost dose of 57.5 Gy to the volume predicted as high risk for positive surgical margins. Treatment toxicity and local control were evaluated prospectively as primary endpoints. The secondary goal was the theoretical calculation of future dose escalation and feasibility. Each patient underwent laparotomy. Tumor response was judged using computed tomography (CT) scan and by necrosis on final pathology. Theoretical treatment plans evaluated the potential for additional radiation dose escalation. RESULTS All patients completed the radiation protocol. The most common acute side effects were nausea/vomiting, which affected 4 patients (25%), with only 1 patient requiring inpatient intravenous hydration. There was no severe late postoperative morbidity or mortality. Twelve tumors (75%) decreased in maximum dimension, with a median decrease of 9.4%. Fourteen of 16 patients (88%) underwent complete macroscopic resection. With a median follow-up of 28 months (range, 7-52 months), there were only 2 local recurrences. The actuarial 2-year local control rate was 80%. Theoretical treatment plans suggest that significant dose escalation (up to 80 Gy) may be possible. CONCLUSIONS Preoperative radiation therapy with selective dose escalation to the margin at risk is tolerable and allows higher radiation dose to the volume judged to be at greatest risk for local tumor recurrence. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
FISH-Flow: a quantitative molecular approach for describing mixed clade communities of Symbiodinium

Our understanding of reef corals and their fate in a changing climate is limited by our ability to monitor the diversity and abundance of the dinoflagellate endos- ymbionts that sustain them. This study combined two well- known methods in tandem: fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) for genotype-specific labeling of Symbiodinium and flow cytometry to quantify the abundance of each symbiont clade in a sample. This technique (FISH-Flow) was developed with cultured Symbiodinium representing four distinct clades (based on large subunit rDNA) and was used to distinguish and quantify these types with high efficiency and few false positives. This technique was also applied to freshly isolated symbionts of Orbicella faveolata and Or- bicella annularis. Isolates from acutely bleached coral tissues had significantly lower labeling efficiency; how- ever, isolates from healthy tissue had efficiencies compa- rable to cultured Symbiodinium trials. RNA degradation in bleaching samples may have interfered with labeling of cells. Nevertheless, we were able to determine that, with and without thermal stress, experimental columns of the coral O. annularis hosted a majority of clade B and B/C symbionts on the top and side of the coral column, respectively. We demonstrated that, for cultured Symbi- odinium and Symbiodinium freshly isolated from healthy host tissues, the relative ratio of clades could be accurately determined for clades present at as low as 7 % relative abundance. While this method does not improve upon PCR-based techniques in identifying clades at background levels, FISH-Flow provides a high precision, flexible sys- tem for targeting, quantifying and isolating Symbiodinium genotypes of interest.
Biosynthesis of seleno-compounds from inorganic selenium by sheep.

SummaryThe biosynthesis of seleno-analogues of sulfur amino acids has been studied in the ruminant (sheep) by repeated per os administration of H2Se75O3. In the biosynthetic processes of the rumen selenium can replace sulfur to form seleno-analogues of the sulfur compounds. Se75-selenocystine with cystine was chemically separated from wool hydrolysate. Chromatographic separation of the amino acids in wool is reported. Se75-selenocystine and Se75-selenomethionine in the wool hydrolysate was demonstrated. Neither selenocystine nor selenomethionine can be separated by present methods from their sulfur analogues.
Diffusion kinetics in phospholipid vesicles

Abstract When a chemical reaction takes place in a heterogeneous environment, one can foresee circumstances in which diffusion of one of the participants will have pronounced effects on the observed kinetics of the reaction. This paper presents equations which describe the time dependence of the reactants for the specific case where a chemical reaction takes place on the surface of phospholipid vesicles. The model is implemented on experimental results which consist of the kinetics of the chlorophyll radical which was produced by photoexcitation of chlorophyll, which was dissolved in the phospholipid vesicles and which, as a result of the excitation, transferred its electron to an acceptor which was located outside the vesicle.
343 BETA-ADRENERGIC RECEPTORS (BAR) AND CYCLIC AMP (cAMP): TERM WHITE CELLS ARE MATURE, PRETERM ARE NOT

343 BETA-ADRENERGIC RECEPTORS (BAR) AND CYCLIC AMP (cAMP): TERM WHITE CELLS ARE MATURE, PRETERM ARE NOT
New video test signals offer higher quality testing of video signal processors

Architectural changes in benchtop and ATE (automatic test equipment) hardware and software used for video signal generation have presented engineers with an opportunity to update and focus test techniques used in evaluating video signal processors. Four new test signal formats for general use in video testing are proposed: the circle signal for chrominance bandwidth analysis, the chirp and multitone signals for luminance bandwidth analysis, and the butterfly signal, a general-purpose RGB test signal for component evaluation of chroma demodulators. A new software tool for generating and evaluating virtually any video signal including these new video test signals is also described.
Spatial Variability of Liquid Water Path in Marine Low Cloud: The Importance of Mesoscale Cellular Convection

Abstract Liquid water path (LWP) mesoscale spatial variability in marine low cloud over the eastern subtropical oceans is examined using two months of daytime retrievals from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the NASA Terra satellite. Approximately 20 000 scenes of size 256 km × 256 km are used in the analysis. It is found that cloud fraction is strongly linked with the LWP variability in the cloudy fraction of the scene. It is shown here that in most cases LWP spatial variance is dominated by horizontal scales of 10–50 km, and increases as the variance-containing scale increases, indicating the importance of organized mesoscale cellular convection (MCC). A neural network technique is used to classify MODIS scenes by the spatial variability type (no MCC, closed MCC, open MCC, cellular but disorganized). It is shown how the different types tend to occupy distinct geographical regions and different physical regimes within the subtropics, although the results suggest considerable o...