cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Story Discussion in the Primary Grades: Balancing Authenticity and Explicit Teaching

Literature discussion groups have become a popular instructional alternative to traditional reading groups. Yet, literature discussion does not happen naturally in the classroom, and some teachers find it particularly difficult to implement with primary-grade students. This article explores how two teachers used a balance of explicit teaching and techniques of authentic dialogue to help students participate in meaningful discussions of literature. The teachers began by emphasizing telling, defining, and modeling at the beginnings of their lessons—moves that appeared to be critical to students' eventual participation. Gradually, the teachers lessened their scaffolding, allowing students to lead more of the discussion. Within an atmosphere of respect for students, shown by much student choice and decision making, literature discussion became more successful.
Normative values of agonist-antagonist shoulder strength ratios of adults aged 20 to 78 years☆☆☆

Abstract Objective: To determine normative values for isometric flexion/extension, abduction/adduction, and external/internal rotation strength ratios about the shoulder and to determine if these ratios are affected by age or gender. Study Design: A cross-sectional study of 120 healthy volunteers (60 men, 60 women) aged 20 to 78 years. Setting: Orthopedic research laboratory. Methods: Flexion and extension strengths were measured isometrically using a Cybex II dynamometer at arm flexion angles of 30°, 60°, and 90°. Abduction and adduction strengths were measured at 30°, 60°, and 90° abduction. Internal and external rotation strengths were measured (1) with the arm abducted 15° and neutral external/internal rotation and (2) with the arm abducted 90° and externally rotated 30° above the transverse plane. Outcome Measures: Isometric strength ratios for flexion/ extension, abduction/adduction, and external/internal rotation. Results: No statistically significant differences in agonist/ antagonist strength ratios were found between dominant and nondominant sides or between genders. Age was associated with changes in strength ratios for measurements taken with the arm flexed or abducted 90°. Posture was found to affect strength ratios. Conclusions: These data can serve as a normative reference for clinical use.
The Utility of Active-Controlled Noninferiority/ Equivalence Trials in Drug Development

Clinical trials designed with the objective of demonstrating that a test treatment is noninferior or equivalent to an active control treatment have long been used in drug development. In general, in order to fulfil the requirement of a New Drug Application, a sponsor needs to conduct randomised clinical trials to demonstrate that the test treatment is effective. With placebo control in the clinical trial, efficacy of the test treatment is demonstrated by showing that the test treatment is statistically and clinically superior to placebo. However, because of the ethical concerns of exposing patients to placebo when there is a proven therapeutic method available, many clinical trials can only be designed with the approved active control treatment. Because of the lack of placebo exposure in the current clinical trial, neither the sponsor nor the regulatory reviewer can assess whether the test treatment is superior to placebo directly. When the concept of noninferiority and equivalence of bioequivalence trials is applied to this type of trial, it complicates the efficacy assessment of the test treatment (superior to placebo) because of the indirectness of the comparison. This article discusses the fundamental concepts of noninferiority and equivalence testing applied in some specific drug products and how they are extended in the application for the interpretation for ‘test treatment is superior to placebo’ assessment. It also discusses why such an application makes the drug evaluation so complicated. The limitations and recommendations for the use of noninferiority or equivalence testing will also be considered.
COMPARATIVE PLANT UPTAKE AND ENVIRONMENTAL BEHAVIOR OF U- SERIES RADIONUCLIDES AT A URANIUM MINE-MILL

Concentrations of U, Th, Ra, Pb, and Po were determined in native vegetation and underlying substrate (soil and tailings) at various sites around a conventional open pit, acid leach uranium production operation in the Western United States. Radionuclide concentrations in substrate and vegetation were generally elevated above background at all sites disturbed by mining and milling activities. Observed plant/soil CR values for vegetation growing on exposed, weathered tailings were ordered as follows:238U>230Th>210Po,226Ra>210Pb. We suspect that in the case of sulfuric acid leached tailings, Ra and Pb are sequestered as sulfates, which are highly insoluble relative to U and Th sulfates, resulting in reduced availability for plant uptake. Soil acidity and the saturation condition at the tailings impoundment edge tend to enhance radionuclide availability for plant uptake. The transport of radionuclides to foliage and subsequent retention and absorption may play a role in plant contamination.
Asymmetric Left Ventricular Contraction in Patients with Previous Myocardial Infarction Comparison of Volume and Dimensional Characteristics Derived from Frontal and Lateral Cineangiograms

The possibility was considered that the presence and magnitude of asymmetry of left ventricular (LV) contraction in patients with previous myocardial infarction (MI) could be determined from volume and dimensional characteristics of contraction derived independently from the frontal (AP) and lateral (LAT) views of biplane cineangiograms. Accordingly, regression analyses were determined from biplane cineangiograms in 18 patients without MI to compute end-diastolic (EDV) and end-systolic (ESV) volumes in the AP and LAT views (Vbiplane = 1.03Vcalc AP-7.7 ml, r = 0.989, SEE = 8.7 ml; Vbiplane = 0.85Vcalc LAT+5.9 ml, r = 0.99, SEE = 8.2 ml). Comparative measurements of EDV, stroke volume (SV), and ejection fraction (EF) in these patients were identical in AP and LAT films, with a small random error (EDVAP = 136.7 ± 13.0 ml; EDVLAT = 136.7 ± 13.4 ml; SEE for SV = ± 13.0 ml ( ± 16%), SEE for EF= ± 0.03 ( ± 5%). In 20 patients with MI EDVs calculated from AP and LAT films were also identical (189.9 ± 18.1 ml and 184.2 ± 17.1 ml, respectively). However, SV exhibited substantial variation between the two views (SVAP = 76.7 ± 5.5 ml and SVLAT = 51.5 ± 4.7 ml, P < 0.001), as did EF (EFAP = 0.45 ± 0.03 and EFLAT = 0.31 ± 0.03, P < 0.001). In addition, directly measured extent of LV minor circumferential shortening was comparable in AP and LAT films in patients without MI (5.15 ± 0.50 cm and 5.25 ± 0.47 cm, respectively), while in patients with MI these measurements differed significantly (4.74 ± 0.41 cm and 2.73 ± 0.31 cm, respectively; P < 0.001). It is concluded that a systematic error will result when estimates of SV and EF, as well as mean circumferential fiber shortening rate, are derived from single plane cineangiograms in patients with MI.
CYTOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL ASPECTS OF CYTOKININ-ENHANCED GROWTH OF RADISH (RAPHANUS SATIVUS) COTYLEDONS'

Light and electron microscopy revealed no stimulation of oleosome disappearance or chloroplast development associated with zeatin-enhanced growth of excised radish cotyledons. Accelerated protein body breakdown was the only detectable effect of zeatin treatment. Isocitrate lyase activity, disappearance of total lipids, and appearance of galactolipids, phospholipids, and chlorophyll were unaffected by zeatin. Results indicate that cytokinins do not accelerate conversion of radish cotyledons from storage to photosynthetic organs. CYTOKININ-INDUCED EXPANSION of cotyledons excised from seedlings of various species represents a rapid and convenient bioassay for
A Compact Four-Mirror Optical System

This paper describes the design analysis, hardware fabrication and tests performed on a compact four-mirror optical system. This optical system is part of a small, lightweight infrared sensor capable of quick cooldown and interfacing with scan gimbals. During the development of this system, many fabrication techniques have been advanced. The combination of new techniques in design analysis and beryllium mirror fabrication at Honeywell Electro-Optics Center resulted in a sensor whose image quality is maintained over a wide temperature range and during unusual dynamic environments. This paper is an overview of the qualifications of a Compact Four-Mirror Optical System.© (1978) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Is the developmentally immature immune response in paediatric sepsis a recapitulation of immune tolerance

Immunologically immature neonates suffer the highest incidence of paediatric sepsis. Postnatal immunological maturation is characterized by a relatively hypo-inflammatory immune response. The mechanisms that differentiate the mature and immature immune responses resemble those that differentiate the hyper- and hypo-inflammatory responses in severe sepsis. Immunological maturational differences likely affect the neonate's ability to mount an appropriate hyper-inflammatory response, a counteractive hypo-inflammatory response, and subsequent return to immune system homeostasis. To better understand the role of the hypo-inflammatory response in paediatric sepsis, we will explore the maturation of the immune system and the effect it may have on the sepsis-induced hypo-inflammatory response.
Erosion Rates Near Rome, Italy

Before man's intensive use of the land the rates of erosion near Rome, Italy, were approximately 2 to 3 centimeters per thousand years. With intensive occupation by man the rates have increased by an order of magnitude.
A reduced dynamical model of convective flows in tall laterally heated cavities

Proper orthogonal decomposition (the Karhunen–Loeve expansion) is applied to convective flows in a tall differentially heated cavity. Empirical spatial eigenfunctions are computed from a multicellular solution at supercritical conditions beyond the first Hopf bifurcation. No assumption of periodicity is made, and the computed velocity and temperature eigenfunctions are found to be centro‐symmetric. A low-dimensional model for the dynamical behaviour is then constructed using Galerkin projection. The reduced model successfully predicts the first Hopf bifurcation of the multicellular flow. Results determined from the low-order model are found to be in qualitative agreement with known properties of the full system even at conditions far from criticality.
Intrusions and diffusive interfaces in a salt-finger staircase

Abstract Towed thermistor chain measurements in the fingering-favorable staircase east of Barbados show that the ∼20-m thick layers often are not isothermal but contain kilometer-long regions of temperature inversion stabilized by salinity. Each inversion appears to be the upper boundary of an intrusion of relatively warm, salty water. Stratification across the inversion is favorable for diffusive convection (diffusive density ratio ∼1.2), and towed microstructure signals show evidence of thin, horizontal diffusive interfaces, although some microstructure may be the result of shear-induced turbulence. A plausible hypothesis is that the intrusions form at the edges of mesoscale eddies which bring together water from the same layer but with different temperature and salinity.
Flurbiprofen, A Cyclooxygenase Inhibitor, Reduces the Brain Arachidonic Acid Signal in Response to the Cholinergic Muscarinic Agonist, Arecoline, in Awake Rats

Cholinergic muscarinic receptors, when stimulated by arecoline, can activate cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)) to release arachidonic acid (AA) from membrane phospholipid. This signal can be imaged in the brain in vivo using quantitative autoradiography following the intravenous injection of radiolabeled AA, as an increment in a regional brain AA incorporation coefficient k*. Arecoline increases k* significantly in brain regions having muscarinic M(1,3,5) receptors in wild-type but not in cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 knockout mice. To further clarify the roles of COX enzymes in the AA signal, in this paper we imaged k* following arecoline (5 mg/kg i.p.) or saline in each of 81 brain regions of unanesthetized rats pretreated 6 h earlier with the non-selective COX inhibitor flurbiprofen (FB, 60 mg/kg s.c.) or with vehicle. Baseline values of k* were unaffected by FB treatment, which however reduced by 80% baseline brain concentrations of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and thromboxane B(2) (TXB(2)), eicosanoids preferentially derived from AA via COX-2 and COX-1, respectively. In vehicle-pretreated rats, arecoline increased the brain PGE(2) but not TXB(2) concentration, as well as values for k* in 77 of the 81 brain regions. FB-pretreatment prevented these arecoline-provoked changes. These results and those reported in COX-2 knockout mice suggest that the AA released in brain following muscarinic receptor-mediated activation is lost via COX-2 to PGE(2) but not via COX-1 to TXB(2), and that increments in k* following arecoline largely represent replacement by unesterified plasma AA of this loss.
Structurally Characterized 1,1,3,3-Tetramethylguanidine Solvated Magnesium Aryloxide Complexes : [Mg(μ-OEt)(DBP)(H-TMG)]2, [Mg(μ-OBc)(DBP)-(H-TMG)]2, [Mg(μ-TMBA)(DBP)(H-TMG)]2, [Mg(μ-DPP)(DBP)(H-TMG)]2, [Mg(BMP)2(H-TMG)2], [Mg(O-2,6-Ph2C6H3)2 (H-TMG)2]

The synthesis and structural characterization of several 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine (H-TMG) solvated magnesium aryloxide complexes are reported. Bu2Mg was successfully reacted with H-TMG, HOC6H3(...
Photoperiod and temperature as factors controlling the diapause of the sunflower moth, Homoeosoma electellum

Abstract Induction of larval diapause of the sunflower moth, Homoeosoma electellum (Hulst), was found to be dependent upon both temperature and photoperiod. Diapause was induced more readily at 21 than at 27°C, but only in photoperiods having 11 hr or less of light/day. Greatest percentages of diapausing larvae occurred among larvae subjected to 10 hr or less light time/day at 21°C, regardless of the photoperiodic exposure of the parents and eggs. The incidence of diapause was extremely low when larvae were subjected to periodic reductions in either temperature or day-length. A concomitant reduction of temperature and day-length increased the percentage of diapausing larvae to some degree, but this was small compared to percentages obtained among larvae maintained in days of 11 hr or less at 21°C. Diapause termination may be influenced by temperature and photoperiod. Diapause termination required less time at 27° than 21°C. Also, larvae which were subjected to photoperiods having 11 hr or more light/day resumed development more rapidly than larvae held in shorter light periods.
Calculation of Start-Oscillation-Current for Lossy Gyrotron Traveling-Wave Tube (Gyro-TWT) Using Linear Traveling-Wave Tube (TWT) Parameter Conversions

The start-oscillation-current of a gyro-TWT (gyrotron traveling-wave tube) determines the stable operating current level of the device. The amplifier is susceptible to oscillations when the operating current level is higher than the start-oscillation current. There are several ways of calculating the start-oscillation current, including using the linear and nonlinear theory of a gyro-TWT. In this paper, a simple way of determining the start-oscillation current of lossy gyro-TWT is introduced. The linear TWT parameters that include the effects of synchronism, loss, and gain, were converted to gyro-TWT parameters to calculate the start-oscillation-current. The dependence on magnetic field, loss, and beam alpha was investigated. Calculations were carried out for a V-band gyro-TWT for both operating and competing modes. The proposed method of calculating the start-oscillation current provides a simple and fast way to estimate the oscillation conditions and can be used for the design process of a gyro-TWT.
Pigment Protein Complex from Gonyaulax

A water-soluble peridinin-chlorophyll-protein complex from the dinoflagellate Gonyaulax polyedra was found to have a molecular weight of about 38,000. The complex could be disrupted by digestion with proteolytic enzymes. No electron transfer was observed when the complex was irradiated.
Generation and Reactivity of State Selected Atomic and Size Selected Transition Metal Cluster Ions

In this chapter, two distinct studies in the general field of gas phase transition metal ion chemistry are presented. In the first, atomic metal ions of the first row transition series are generated by electron impact on various volatile organometallic reagents. These ions are then mass selected and injected at low energies into a pressure and temperature variable drift reactor. After drifting through the reactor, filled with He buffer gas, the ions exit, are mass analyzed by a quadrupole and detected. By pulsing the ion beam as it enters the drift reactor, arrival time distributions (ATD) at the detector can be obtained. Many of the ATD’s were found to be bimodal or trimodal, indicating the atomic metal ion beams contained multiple components that interacted significantly differently with the He buffer gas. Analysis of the data showed the largest splittings in the ATD’s were due to ion electronic states with different electronic configurations (either 3dn or 4s3dn-1). In favorable cases electronic states within the 4s3dn-1 configuration could be resolved. Clustering of state selected M+ with He was studied. It was found that only M+ ions with 3dn configurations formed the M+-He adduct. Equilibrium constant measurements yielded values of ΔH between 1 and 4 kcal/mol and ΔS between 13 and 18 cal/mol°K. Deactivation of excited states was also observed only for metal ions with 3dn configuration excited states and 4s3dn-1 ground states. Deactivation rate constants were measured for two systems and a mechanism proposed. In the second study, size selected Nbn + ions (1 ≤ n ≤ 6) were injected into the drift cell and reacted with O2, NO, C2H6, C3Hg and C6H6 along with deuterated analogues. Several reactions of NbO+ are also reported. Both total rate constants and product branching ratios were measured. Examples were chosen to highlight the size selective behavior of the clusters and to point out that truly surprising reactions are observed. Thermodynamic and mechanistic conclusions are drawn where appropriate.
Transplantation of two Patients with one liver: Analysis of a preliminary experience with 'Split-liver' grafting

Surgical reduction of donor livers to treat small children has been performed successfully in several centers. While this procedure improves the allocation of livers, it does not increase the organ supply. We have extended reduced-size orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) to treat 18 patients with 9 livers, accounting for 26% of our transplants during a 10-month period and have evaluated the results. In 18 split liver OLTs, patient survival was 67% and graft survival was 50%. In comparison, for 34 patients treated with full-size OLT during the same period, patient survival was 84% (p = 0.298) and graft survival was 76% (p = 0.126). Biliary complications were significantly more frequent in split grafts, occurring in 27%, as compared to 4% in full-sized grafts (p = 0.017). Primary nonfunction (4% versus 5.5%) and arterial thrombosis (6% versus 9%) occurred with similar frequency in split and full-size OLT (p = not significant). These results demonstrated that split-liver OLT is feasible and could have a substantial impact in transplant practice. We believe that biliary complications can be prevented by technical improvements and that split-liver OLT will improve transplant therapy by making more livers available.
Comparison of optical buffering and store-and-forward mechanisms in optical networks

An all-optical Manhattan Street Network (MSN), in which the data portion of a packet is maintained in an optically encoded format from the source to the destination, can be achieved by augmenting MSN with optical buffering. Augmenting MSN with optical buffering improves its performance significantly and reduce its complexity by reducing or even eliminating the need for optical-electrical conversions. The performance of an MSN with optical buffering is compared with that of an MSN in which only store-and-forward routing mechanism is used. The network is based on a novel 6x6 optical switching node.
On excitation transfer and relaxation models in low-temperature systems

Abstract Starting from Redfield's reduced density formalism, we derive the coupled relaxation equations and expressions for the rate constants applicable to excited dimer systems In a comparative discussion the limitations are shown of relaxation models derived previously.
Behavior and handling of physically and immunologically castrated market pigs on farm and going to market.

Physical castration is a common man- agement practice on commercial swine farms in the United States to reduce the incidence of boar taint and aggressive behavior. One alternative to physical castra- tion (PC) is to immunologically castrate (IC) male pigs by blocking the gonadotropin-releasing factor (GnRF), thereby reducing levels of LH, FSH, testosterone, and androstenone. The objectives of this study were to eval- uate the effects of IC on pig behavior, human-pig inter- actions, and handling during and after transport. Pigs were given the first immunization at wk 7 of the grower- finisher period, and second immunizations were given at wk 11, 13, or 14 of the grower-finisher period. Behav- iors of PC and IC barrows were sampled at 3 time points after entering finishing at 9 wk of age: 7 wk before first injection, 16 wk (after immunization was complete) into finishing, and 1 d before marketing (16 to 19 wk into finishing). Handling during loading and unloading of trailers going to market was also quantified. Before the first injection, intact males showed increased aggression (P = 0.014) and mounting (P = 0.048), whereas PC bar- rows spent more (P = 0.003) time feeding than intact males. There were treatment × time interactions for lying (P = 0.018), aggression (P < 0.001), and standing (P = 0.009) behaviors. Few differences were observed in pig-human interactions between PC and IC barrows, with IC and PC approaching people in the same amount of time, but IC barrows were more (P < 0.001) aggres- sive in chewing and rubbing on the test person's pant leg and boots. When handling and loading for process- ing in the home barn, PC barrows were more (P < 0.05) vocal than IC barrows. Fewer dead and down pigs were observed among IC (0%) compared with PC barrows (1.17%). Immunological castration may result in similar or improved animal welfare compared to the stress of physical castration without pain relief.
Parallel computations on the CHARM heterogeneous workstation cluster

In recent years parallel computing on a fast network of high performance and low cost workstations has become a viable and an economic option, compared to that on an expensive high performance parallel supercomputer for solving large Grand Challenge scientific problems. This paper focuses on how to efficiently exploit the computing resources of a set of heterogeneous Unix workstations. We have further developed the CHARM parallel programming environment to allow programs written in the CHARM language execute adjacently on such a cluster. We have also developed a new scheme to schedule tasks statically and balance the load dynamically to achieve high effective utilization. Performance results for several applications programs including ray-tracing, all-pairs shortest path, and matrix multiply on a heterogeneous cluster of Sun Sparcs, IBM RS/6000s and HP-PA 7100s show a significant improvement in execution time over sequential execution. >
IP Telephony with a Personal IP-PSTN Gateway: Architecture and PSTN-Line Sharing Application

We present a novel architecture and methods to enable a user to make IP-to-PSTN voice calls without using a VoIP service provider or their gateways. The architecture is based on a `personal' IP-to-PSTN gateway (PIPG) deployed at the residence or business of a user, where both PSTN and Internet service are assumed to exist. The PIPG enables the bridging of a voice call between an Internet endpoint, such as a softphone, and a user's PSTN line. The architecture includes an external server for registration purposes. We also extend the architecture to support the concept of a PSTN-line sharing (PLS) application in which users' PSTN lines can be shared by members of a group, analogous to popular peer-to-peer file sharing applications. In PLS, the external server supports a directory to available PIPG as well as intelligence to assign PIPG to incoming calls of members. The blocking performance of PLS is also analyzed.
Epidemiology, Clinical Features, High-Risk Factors, and Outcome of Acute Large Bowel Ischemia

Background & Aims Only a limited amount of important information is available on acute lower bowel ischemia (ALBI). We investigated the epidemiology, clinical aspects, high-risk factors, and outcome of ALBI. Methods We retrospectively analyzed data collected from 401 patients with 424 hospitalizations with ALBI in a prepaid health system for 7 years. Results The estimated annual incidence of ALBI was 15.6/100,000 patient-years (22.6 female, 8.0 male), with a marked age-related increase. ALBI preceded 400 admissions (94%) and followed surgery or medical admission of 24 patients (6%); 307 (72%) had rectal bleeding and abdominal pain. In 417 episodes, left-sided or transverse (368, 88%) exceeded right-sided or bilateral ALBI (49, 12%). Thirty-one patients (8%) had resection; 15 died (4%). Factors that were independently associated with resection and/or death included right-sided or bilateral distribution (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 14.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.82–44.50; P Conclusions ALBI is common and agerelated and predominates in female patients. Demographic and clinical variables predict severe ALBI. Chronic sequelae are rare. Recurrence is substantial.
Redirected walking in place

This paper describes a method for allowing people to virtually move around a CAVE™ without ever having to turn to face the missing back wall. We describe the method, and report a pilot study of 28 participants, half of whom moved through the virtual world using a hand-held controller, and the other half used the new technique called 'Redirected Walking in Place' (RWP). The results show that the current instantiation of the RWP technique does not result in a lower frequency of looking towards the missing wall. However, the results also show that the sense of presence in the virtual environment is significantly and negatively correlated with the amount that the back wall is seen. There is evidence that RWP does reduce the chance of seeing the blank wall for some participants. The increased sense of presence through never having to face the blank wall, and the results of this pilot study show the RWP has promise and merits further development.
On the non-negative garrotte estimator

Summary. We study the non-negative garrotte estimator from three different aspects: consistency, computation and flexibility. We argue that the non-negative garrotte is a general procedure that can be used in combination with estimators other than the original least squares estimator as in its original form. In particular, we consider using the lasso, the elastic net and ridge regression along with ordinary least squares as the initial estimate in the non-negative garrotte. We prove that the non-negative garrotte has the nice property that, with probability tending to 1, the solution path contains an estimate that correctly identifies the set of important variables and is consistent for the coefficients of the important variables, whereas such a property may not be valid for the initial estimators. In general, we show that the non-negative garrotte can turn a consistent estimate into an estimate that is not only consistent in terms of estimation but also in terms of variable selection. We also show that the non-negative garrotte has a piecewise linear solution path. Using this fact, we propose an efficient algorithm for computing the whole solution path for the non-negative garrotte. Simulations and a real example demonstrate that the non-negative garrotte is very effective in improving on the initial estimator in terms of variable selection and estimation accuracy.
Development of Infrared Detectors Using Single Carbon-Nanotube-Based Field-Effect Transistors

Carbon nanotube is a promising material to fabricate high-performance nanoscale-optoelectronic devices owing to its unique 1-D structure. In particular, different types of carbon-nanotube-infrared detectors have been developed. However, most previous reported carbon-nanotube-IR detectors showed poor device characteristics due to limited understanding of their working principles. In this paper, three types of IR detectors were fabricated using carbon-nanotube field effect transistors (CNTFETs) to investigate their performance: 1) symmetric Au-CNT-Au CNTFET IR detector; 2) symmetric Ag-CNT-Ag CNTFET IR detector; and 3) asymmetric Ag-CNT-Au CNTFET IR detector. The theoretical analyses and experimental results have shown that the IR detector using an individual single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT), with asymmetric Ag-CNT-Au CNTFET structure, can suppress dark current and increase photocurrent by electrostatic doping. As a result, an open-circuit voltage of 0.45 V under IR illumination was generated, which is the highest value reported to date for an individual SWCNT-based photodetector. The results reported in this paper have demonstrated that the CNTFET can be used to develop high-performance IR sensors.
Spatial-Temporal Current Source Correlations and Cortical Connectivity

The purpose of this study was to explore spatial-temporal correlations between 3-dimensional current density estimates using Low Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography (LORETA). The electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded from 19 scalp locations from 97 subjects. LORETA current density was computed for 2,394 gray matter pixels. The gray matter pixels were grouped into 33 left hemisphere and 33 right hemisphere regions of interest (ROIs) based on groupings of Brodmann areas. The average source current density in a given region of interest (ROI) was computed for each 2 second epoch of EEG and then a Pearson product correlation coefficient was computed over the time series of successive 2 second epochs of current density between all pairwise combinations of ROIs during the resting eyes-closed EEG session. Rhythmic changes in source correlation as a function of distance were present in all regions of interest. Also, maximum correlations at certain frequencies were present independent of distance. The occipital regions exhibited the highest short distance correlations and the frontal regions exhibited the highest long distance correlations. In general, the right hemisphere exhibited higher intra-hemispheric source correlations than the left hemisphere especially in the temporal, parietal and occipital cortex. The strongest left vs. right hemisphere differences were in the alpha frequency band (8-12 Hz) and in the gamma frequency band (37-40 Hz). The pattern of spatial frequencies in different cortical lobules is consistent with differences in neural packing density and the operation of ‘U’ shaped fiber systems. The general conclusions were: 1- the higher the packing density then the greater the intra-cortical connection contribution to LORETA source correlations, 2- spatial frequencies are primarily due to intra-cortical ‘U’ shaped fiber connections and long distance fiber connections, 3- posterior and temporal cortical intra-hemispheric coupling is generally stronger in the right hemisphere than in the left hemisphere.
An error-correcting unordered code and hardware support for robust asynchronous global communication

A new delay-insensitive data encoding scheme for global asynchronous communication is introduced. The goal of this work is to combine the timing-robustness of delay-insensitive (i.e., unordered) codes with the fault-tolerance of error-correcting codes. The proposed error-correcting unordered (ECU) code, called Zero-Sum, can safely accommodate arbitrary skew in arrival times of individual bits in a packet, while simultaneously providing 1-bit correction and 2-bit detection. A systematic code is targeted, where data can be directly extracted from the codewords. A basic method for generating the code is presented, as well as detailed designs for the supporting hardware blocks. An outline of the system micro-architecture and its operating protocol is also given. When compared to the best previous systematic ECU code, the new code provides a 5.74 to 18.18% reduction in transition power for most field sizes, with better or comparable coding efficiency. Pre-layout technology-mapped implementations of the supporting hardware (encoder, completion detector, error-corrector) were synthesized with the UC Berkeley ABC tool using a 90nm industrial standard cell library. Results indicate that they have moderate area and delay overheads, while the best non-systematic ECU codes have 3.82 to 10.44x greater area for larger field sizes.
Ventilatory and metabolic responses to hypoxia in the smallest simian primate, the pygmy marmoset

The pygmy marmoset (Cebuella pygmaea) is the smallest New World Monkey (average body mass of 120–130 g). As such, it faces possible challenges to thermoregulation. Small mammals (e.g., rats) are we...
Pre-Raphaelitism and the "Oxford and Cambridge Magazine"

Gordon surveys the content of the "Oxford and Cambridge Magazine," a Pre-Raphaelite periodical which appeared monthly between January and December of 1856, under the editorial guidance of William Morris and William Fulford. It sounded a vigorous note of protest against the values of life in the Victorian age and coupled the aesthetic revolt of William Holman Hunt, John Everett Millais, and Dante Rossetti with the social dissatisfaction of Carlyle and Ruskin.
A VH12 transgenic mouse exhibits defects in pre-B cell development and is unable to make IgM+ B cells.

V H 12 B cells undergo stringent selection at multiple checkpoints to favor development of B-1 cells that bind phosphatidylcholine. Selection begins with the V H third complementarity-determining region (CDR3) at the pre-B cell stage, in which most V H 12 pre-B cells are selectively eliminated, enriching for those with V H CDR3s of 10 aa and a fourth position Gly (designated 10/G4). To understand this selection, we compared B cell differentiation in mice of two V H 12 transgenic lines, one with the favored 10/G4 V H CDR3 and one with a non-10/G4 V H CDR3 of 8 aa and no Gly (8/G0). Both H chains drive B cell differentiation to the small pre-BII cell stage, and induce allelic exclusion and L chain gene rearrangement. However, unlike 10/G4 pre-B cells, 8/G0 pre-B cells are deficient in cell division and unable to differentiate to B cells. We suggest that this is due to poor 8/G0 pre-B cell receptor expression and to an inability to form an 8/G0 B cell receptor. Our findings also suggest that V H 12 H chains have evolved such that association with surrogate and conventional L chains is most efficient with a 10/G4 CDR3. Thus, selection for phosphatidylcholine-binding B-1 cells is most likely the underlying evolutionary basis for the loss of non-10/G4 pre-B cells.
Should we take measurements at an intermediate design point

SUMMARY It is well known that, for estimating a linear treatment effect with constant variance, the optimal design divides the units equally between the two extremes of the design space. If the dose–response relation may be nonlinear, however, intermediate measurements may be useful in order to estimate the effects of partial treatments. We consider the decision of whether to gather data at an intermediate design point: do the gains from learning about nonlinearity outweigh the loss in efficiency in estimating the linear effect? Under reasonable assumptions about nonlinearity, we find that, unless sample size is very large, the design with no interior measurements is best, because with moderate total sample sizes, any nonlinearity in the dose–response will be difficult to detect. We discuss in the context of a simplified version of the problem that motivated this work—a study of pest-control treatments intended to reduce asthma symptoms in children.
Fungal growth on a common wood substrate across a tropical elevation gradient: Temperature sensitivity, community composition, and potential for above-ground decomposition

Abstract Fungal breakdown of plant material rich in lignin and cellulose (i.e. lignocellulose) is of central importance to terrestrial carbon (C) cycling due to the abundance of lignocellulose above and below-ground. Fungal growth on lignocellulose is particularly influential in tropical forests, as woody debris and plant litter contain between 50% and 75% lignocellulose by weight, and can account for 20% of the C stored in these ecosystems. In this study, we evaluated factors affecting fungal growth on a common wood substrate along a wet tropical elevation gradient in the Peruvian Andes. We had three objectives: 1) to determine the temperature sensitivity of fungal growth – i.e. Q10, the factor by which fungal biomass increases given a 10 °C temperature increase; 2) to assess the potential for above-ground fungal colonization and growth on lignocellulose in a wet tropical forest; and 3) to characterize the community composition of fungal wood decomposers across the elevation gradient. We found that fungal growth had a Q10 of 3.93 (95% CI of 2.76–5.61), indicating that fungal biomass accumulation on the wood substrate nearly quadrupled with a 10 °C increase in temperature. The Q10 for fungal growth on wood at our site is higher than Q10 values reported for litter decomposition in other tropical forests. Moreover, we found that above-ground fungal growth on the wood substrate ranged between 37% and 50% of that measured in the soil, suggesting above-ground breakdown of lignocellulose represents an unexplored component of the C cycle in wet tropical forests. Fungal community composition also changed significantly along the elevation gradient, and Ascomycota were the dominant wood decomposers at all elevations. Fungal richness did not change significantly with elevation, directly contrasting with diversity patterns observed for plant and animal taxa across this gradient. Significant variation in fungal community composition across the gradient suggests that the characteristics of fungal decomposer communities are, directly or indirectly, influenced by temperature.
Colchicine-induced changes in the cytoskeleton of the golden-mantled ground squirrel (Spermophilus lateralis) Sertoli cells

Study of Sertoli cells of the ground squirrel provides a unique opportunity to examine cell structure and function. The cells are large, have an elaborate cytoskeleton, and undergo dramatic changes in organization during spermatogenesis. Microtubules (MTs) are prominent elements of the cytoskeleton and appear to be associated structurally with many of the events that occur during sperm production. To investigate the function of MTs, animals were injected subcutaneously with colchicine, and their seminiferous epithelia examined by light and electron microscopy. Some animals were injected with 30--80 mg of the drug per kg body weight and sacrificed 3 to 5 hr later. Others were given 0.3 mg/kg/day for 6 days and processed on day 7. Virtually no MTs were seen in Sertoli cells after short-term treatments, and their numbers were greatly reduced after the long-term injections. Intermediate filaments were very evident throughout the cytoplasm of treated cells, particularly in the short-term studies. Moreover, a close association of some of these filaments with centrioles was observed. In all cases, elongate spermatids which normally move apically did not do so. Indeed, some spermatids appear to have been pulled to a basal position after having moved apically prior to treatment. Also, smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) accumulated basally in the Sertoli cell, unlike controls, and the acrosomes of late spermatids developed abnormally or did not complete their shape changes. Cell junctions appeared normal and sperm release was observed. In conclusion, our data suggest that Sertoli cell MTs are necessary for the normal development and translocation of spermatids in the seminiferous epithelium and are involved with positional changes in Sertoli cell SER. They do not appear essential for the maintenance of cell junctions.
Simulating Surface Energy Fluxes and Radiometric Surface Temperatures for Two Arid Vegetation Communities Using the SHAW Model

Abstract While land–atmosphere transfer models have been pursued for over 30 years, Soil–Vegetation–Atmosphere–Transfer (SVAT) models are gaining attention only recently as the need to better represent the interaction between the soil and atmosphere in atmospheric circulation models becomes more apparent. The Simultaneous Heat and Water (SHAW) model, a detailed physical process model, simulates the effects of a multispecies plant canopy on heat and water transfer at the soil–atmosphere interface. The model was used in this study to simulate the surface energy balance and surface temperature of two vegetation communities using data collected during the Monsoon ’90 multidisciplinary field experiment. The two vegetation communities included a sparse, relatively homogeneous, grass-dominated community and a shrub-dominated site with large bare interspace areas between shrubs. The model mimicked the diurnal variation in the surface energy balance at both sites, while canopy leaf temperatures were simulated some...
Patterns of Change in Mass Political Opinion

Based on analysis of three commonly cited measures we find that mass political opinion is prone to rapid and dramatic shifts. We investigate the cause of this instability, asking when we should expect systematic changes in mass opinion versus random fluctuations. By focusing mass attention on different topics, the media serves as an important agenda setter for the public. Recent scholarships suggests that the amount of coverage events receive is subject to preferential attachment, where coverage begets coverage. This causes large disparities in the amount of attention the media devotes to different topics. We find that high levels of media scrutiny are closely linked to large shifts in opinion. On the other hand, we find that for issues receiving limited media coverage, large changes are much less likely, and instead opinion fluctuates only moderately. We conclude that disparities in the amount of coverage topics receive leads to a "punctuated equilibrium'' pattern of change in mass opinion.
Epigenetic Modulation of Collagen 1A1: Therapeutic Implications in Fibrosis and Endometriosis

Progressive fibrosis is recalcitrant to conventional therapy and commonly complicates chronic diseases and surgical healing. We evaluate here a novel mechanism that regulates scar-tissue collagen (COL1A1/Col1a1) expression and characterizes its translational relevance as a targeted therapy for fibrosis in an endometriosis disease model. Endometriosis is caused by displacement and implantation of uterine endometrium onto abdominal organs and spreads with progressive scarring. Transcription factor KLF11 is specifically diminished in endometriosis lesions. Loss of KLF11-mediated repression of COL1A1/Col1a1 expression resulted in increased fibrosis. To determine the biological significance of COL1A1/Col1a1 expression on fibrosis, we modulated its expression. In human endometrial-stromal fibroblasts, KLF11 recruited SIN3A/HDAC (histone deacetylase), resulting in COL1A1-promoter deacetylation and repression. This role of KLF11 was pharmacologically replicated by a histone acetyl transferase inhibitor (garcinol). In contrast, opposite effects were obtained with a HDAC inhibitor (suberoyl anilide hydroxamic acid), confirming regulatory specificity for these reciprocally active epigenetic mechanisms. Fibrosis was concordantly reversed in Klf11(-/-)animals by histone acetyl transferase inhibitor and in wild-type animals by HDAC inhibitor treatments. Aberrant lesional COL1A1 regulation is significant because fibrosis depended on lesion rather than host genotype. This is the first report demonstrating feasibility for targeted pharmacological reversal of fibrosis, an intractable phenotype of diverse chronic diseases.
What REALLY Works Optimizing Classroom Discussions to Promote Comprehension and Critical-Analytic Thinking

Many American students struggle to perform even basic comprehension of text, such as locating information, determining the main idea, or supporting details of a story. Even more students are inadeq...
Vago-Neurohypophysial Pressor Reflex

Conclusions and SummaryStimulation of the central end of the vago-sympa-thetic trunk in a dog with diabetes insipidus gives a pressor response. This pressor response is due to stimulation of the sympathetics of the head, since the response is abolished by sympathetic ganglionectomy. In the absence of the supraopticohypophysial connection the vagus-postpituitary reflex is not obtainable even under the best conditions, as when the basal blood pressure level is high.3. In a number of acute experiments the infundibulum was stimulated directly with weak faradic current. Fine bipolar electrodes were used and introduced manually through a buccal opening. The spinal cords were completely crushed in each of these dogs. Striking elevations in blood pressure were obtained. These experiments supplement those of Clark and Wang12 in which hypothalamic stimulation produced pressor effects in spinal cats, and offer further indication that the results of these workers were due to activation of the neurohypophysis.1. In do...
Asymmetric Flow-Field Flow Fractionation Hyphenated ICP-MS as an Alternative to Cloud Point Extraction for Quantification of Silver Nanoparticles and Silver Speciation: Application for Nanoparticles with a Protein Corona

Production and application of nanoparticles in consumer products is at an all-time high due to the emerging field of nanotechnology. Direct detection and quantification of trace levels of nanoparticles within consumer products is very challenging and problematic. Although multiple methodologies are available for this purpose, each method has its own set of limitations. Herein, we developed an analytical platform consisting of asymmetric flow-field flow fractionation (AF4) coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) for the speciation and quantification of silver ions and silver nanoparticles at the ng/kg level (ppt). AF4 is utilized to concentrate the nanoparticles, and ICP-MS acts as the detector. The protein corona that forms upon exposure of nanoparticles to bovine serum albumin was utilized as a nanoparticle stabilization and AF4 recovery enhancement mechanism. Speciation of silver ions and nanoparticles was achieved with the assistance of penicillamine as a complexation ligand....
Elucidating Strong Field Photochemical Reduction Mechanisms of Aqueous [AuCl4](-): Kinetics of Multiphoton Photolysis and Radical-Mediated Reduction.

Direct, multiphoton photolysis of aqueous metal complexes is found to play an important role in the formation of nanoparticles in solution by ultrafast laser irradiation. In situ absorption spectroscopy of aqueous [AuCl4]− reveals two mechanisms of Au(0) nucleation: (1) direct multiphoton photolysis of [AuCl4]− and (2) radical-mediated reduction of [AuCl4]− upon multiphoton photolysis of water. Measurement of the reaction kinetics as a function of solution pH reveals zeroth-, first-, and second-order components. The radical-mediated process is found to be zeroth-order in [AuCl4]− under acidic conditions, where the reaction rate is limited by the production of reactive radical species from water during each laser shot. Multiphoton photolysis is found to be first order in [AuCl4]− at all pHs, whereas the autocatalytic reaction with H2O2, the photolytic reaction product of water, is second order.