cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Prairie Science Class: A Model for Re-Visioning Environmental Education within the National Wildlife Refuge System

The Prairie Science Class, a partnership between Independent School District 544 and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), uses a local prairie wetlands ecosystem as an integrating and motivating context to engage fifth-grade students in science, math, and writing through real world, field-based learning experiences. This article describes the Prairie Science Class and a research base for this educational approach. A program evaluation was conducted during the first year of its implementation with results suggesting positive cognitive and affective outcomes. The Prairie Science Class illustrates how one NWRS site has transitioned from providing traditional one-time, awareness-building programs for school groups to an in-depth program where middle school students attend school daily at this NWRS site. We encourage discussion regarding the way environmental education is approached within the NWRS and other natural resource management agencies.
Annihilation in flight of 200 and 800 MeV positrons

The total cross-sections for annihilation in flight of 200 and 800 MeV positrons have been measured. The ratio of the two cross-sections has been determined to an accuracy of 2.5% and is in accord with theory, while their absolute values are about (5±2.5)% low. From the measured ratio, there is no evidence for a deviation from theory which depends on the momentum transfer. The possible discrepancy in absolute value may arise from systematic corrections to the experiment.
A Rapid and Simple Method for Obtaining Punch Biopsies without Anesthesia

In the course of histochemical studies carried out in our laboratories (1), it became necessary to obtain serial skin biopsies without the use of local anesthetics. The motor-driven rotary punch described by E. Urbach (2-4) has been utilized for this purpose and has been found so useful that it was adapted for most biopsy procedures performed in our dermatologic outpatient department.
WE‐D‐303A‐02: Deoxyglucose Labeled Gold Nanoparticles as X‐Ray Computed Tomography Contrast Agents for Cancer Imaging

Purpose: To study the feasibility of using 2‐Deoxy‐D‐Glucose (2‐DG) labeled gold nanoparticle (AuNP‐DG) as a metabolic functional CTcontrast agent through in vitro experiments. Method and Materials: The goldnanoparticles (AuNP) were fabricated using a citrate acid reduction method. The size of the AuNP was determined from Transmission Electron Microscopy images to be 4 nm in diameter. The conjugation of the 2‐DG with the AuNP core was accomplished using mercapto group in the 2‐carbon position by condensation reaction of 2‐amino‐deoxyglucose with mercaptosuccinic acid. The human alveolar epithelial cancer cell line, A‐549, was chosen for the in vitro cellular uptake assay. Two groups of cell samples (∼1 × 105 cells per sample) were incubated with the AuNP‐DG and the unlabeled AuNP, respectively, for 30 minutes (37°C, 7% CO2). Following the incubation, the cells were washed with sterile PBS six times to remove the excess goldnanoparticles. The cells were then spun to cell pellets using a centrifuge. The cell pellets were imaged using a microCT scanner immediately after the centrifuging (75 kVp, 135 μA, 1184 × 1120 matrix size, 360 views, averaging 5 frames per view). The reconstructedCTimages were analyzed using a commercial software package. Results: Significant contrast enhancement in the cell samples incubated with the AuNP‐DG with respect to the cell samples incubated with the unlabeled AuNP was observed in multiple CT slices. Quantitative analysis of the image data showed that (45.6 ± 14.2)% of the cells that were incubated with the AuNP‐DG exhibit enhanced contrast compared to the cells in the control group (incubated with AuNP). Conclusion: Results from these experiments strongly suggest enhanced uptake of the AuNP‐DG over the unlabeled AuNP by the highly glycolytic cancer cells in vitro and indicate that AuNP‐DG could served as a metabolic functional CTcontrast agent with tumor‐specific targeting capability.
Bolted steel slip-critical connections with fillers: II. Behavior

Abstract Research has been conducted to better understand the effect of fillers in bolted steel connections. In a companion paper, the results of sixteen experiments on bolted steel slip-critical connections with fillers are presented along with proposed design recommendations. In this paper, detailed behavior of the specimens is documented through an examination of deformation and strain response. Additionally, mechanisms are proposed that clarify key aspects of the behavior of bolted connections with fillers, including prediction of slip and shear strengths. A stochastic analysis, using order statistics, is employed to quantify the detrimental effects of multiple possible slip surfaces on expected slip strength. The use of multiple plies and the effects of developing the filler plate are investigated with respect both to the experimental results and the proposed behavioral mechanisms. The results indicate that the use of multiple plies exacerbates the detrimental effects on slip strength and, to a lesser extent, on shear strength. Furthermore, filler development reduces and in many cases eliminates the reduction in slip and shear strengths.
Singular value decomposition applied to compact binary coalescence gravitational-wave signals

We investigate the application of the singular value decomposition to compact-binary, gravitational-wave data-analysis. We find that the truncated singular value decomposition reduces the number of filters required to analyze a given region of parameter space of compact-binary coalescence waveforms by an order of magnitude with high reconstruction accuracy. We also compute an analytic expression for the expected signal loss due to the singular value decomposition truncation.
The Boolean algebra of the theory of linear orders

We characterize the isomorphism type of the Boolean algebra of sentences of the theory of linear orders. It is isomorphic to the sentence algebras of the theory of equivalence relations, the theory of permutations and the theory of well-orderings.
Modeling and Control of the pH Neutralization Process for a Recirculating Hydroponic Growth Chamber

In this paper, a pH control system for an experimental recirculating hydroponic growth chamber for the NASA Mars exploration program has been modeled and implemented. The resulting model has a bilinear Weiner type structure. A novel approximation approach is presented to obtain a simplified plant model controller design. Perturbation analysis validates the applicability of the approximation for the specific pH control of a closed-loop hydroponic growth chamber. A modified PI controller that takes into account on-off nature of the solenoid valve actuator was designed to control the pH level. The closed-loop system is shown to be BIBO stable with respect to the original bilinear plant model. Experimental results for reference tracking and disturbance rejection in an operational hydroponic chamber with growing plants have demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed approach.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Manipulation of the Walrasian mechanism in production economies with unbounded short-selling

Hurwicz (1979) and Otani and Sicilian (1982, 1990) characterized the Nash equilibrium allocations of the Walrasian demand manipulation game in successively more general exchange environments. In this paper, I extend the analysis to production economies with short-selling. First, I generalize Hurwicz’s and Otani and Sicilian’s theorem that any allocation at which each agent’s consumption bundle lies above her true offer curve can be supported in Nash equilibrium. I then show that for finite economies of any size the set of such allocations is often topologically large.
Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of the effects of ageing on grey–white ratio in the human brain

A previous neuropathological report noted a non-linear pattern of change in cerebral grey-white matter ratio during ageing. In that report, grey-white ratio decreased from age 20 to age 50, then increased in elderly subjects. The objective of the current study was to attempt to replicate this pattern of age-related change in the grey-white ratio in living human subjects using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging segmentation analysis. We measured the grey-white ratio in 78 subjects between the ages of 19 and 77 years, using a computer segmentation algorithm with magnetic resonance images. In agreement with the previous neuropathological report, the current in vivo magnetic resonance study found that the grey-white ratio declined from age 20 to age 50, then increased in elderly subjects
Navigating networks by using homophily and degree

Many large distributed systems can be characterized as networks where short paths exist between nearly every pair of nodes. These include social, biological, communication, and distribution networks, which often display power-law or small-world structure. A central challenge of distributed systems is directing messages to specific nodes through a sequence of decisions made by individual nodes without global knowledge of the network. We present a probabilistic analysis of this navigation problem that produces a surprisingly simple and effective method for directing messages. This method requires calculating only the product of the two measures widely used to summarize all local information. It outperforms prior approaches reported in the literature by a large margin, and it provides a formal model that may describe how humans make decisions in sociological studies intended to explore the social network as well as how they make decisions in more naturalistic settings.
Alignment of the ATLAS inner detector tracking system

ATLAS is a general-purpose experiment designed to study the high-energy collisions produced by the Large Hadron Collider. It is equipped with a sophisticated tracking system, which will reconstruct the tracks of charged particles and determine their production and decay vertices. Accurate alignment of this tracking system is necessary for ATLAS to achieve its physics goals. The methods used to achieve alignment are discussed and results from both Monte Carlo studies and cosmic data are presented.
Potassium reaccumulation by isolated frog epidermis.

Abstract The involvement of potassium in transepithelial sodium transport was tested by studying net potassium reuptake by potassium-depleted frog skin epidermis. Normal potassium content in half-strength Ringer's (0.244 μequiv/mg dry weight) fell 43% after 16 h in K-free medium at 5°C. Reaccumulation, against an electrochemical potential gradient, to 83% of the initial tissue potassium content occurred following incubation for 4 h at 22°C in K-containing medium. Sodium was required in the solution bathing the inside, but not the outside surface of the skin, for net potassium reaccumulation. Ouabain caused an additional potassium loss from potassium-depleted epidermis, but did not have the same effect on potassium-depleted isolatedcells. Procaine, lithium and caffeine completely inhibited, antidiuretic hormone and cyclic AMP may partially inhibit and amiloride had no effect on potassium reaccumulation. In many cases decreases in sodium and water content were found to occur even in the absence of net potassium reaccumulation. The results suggest (1) potassium is actively transported into the epidermis, (2) this transport is not rigidly coupled to sodium extrusion or water loss, (3) potassium uptake is not rigidly coupled to transepithelial sodium transport, or only a small fraction is involved, (4) potassium diffusion is restricted in the extracellular space.
Predictors of Mortality in Older Patients following Medical Intensive Care: The Importance of Functional Status

Objective We examined predictors of hospital and 6-month mortality in older Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) patients with particular attention to age and functional status. Age is generally thought to be strongly associated with intensive care outcomes, but this relationship may be confounded by age-related changes. These age-related changes may be approximated by changes in functional status (FS). Design We conducted a retrospective chart review and collected severity of illness data using the Acute Physiology Score (APS), pre-hospitalization FS dichotomized as limited or not limited, and hospital mortality. County death records were reviewed for 6-month mortality. Setting Three community hospital MICUs. Patients Four-hundred MICU patients aged 50 and older admitted during the study period. Results Limited FS was found in 42% of the 227 patients who had FS data in the chart. Mortality was significantly associated with APS, age, FS, immunocompromise state, comorbidity, and nursing home residence. In logistic regression analyses, while controlling for important variables, APS (P less than 0.001) and age greater than or equal to 75 with limited FS (P less than 0.05) were associated with hospital mortality. Six-month mortality predictors were APS (P less than 0.001), hospital (P less than 0.05), immunocompromised state (P less than 0.05) and age greater than or equal to 75 with limited FS (P less than 0.05). Conclusions We found that among patients without functional limitations, the oldest group was no more likely to die than the youngest group. Age and functional status had a significant interaction: patients older than 75 years with functional limitations were almost six times more likely to die in hospital compared to the reference group of patients between 50-64 years old without functional limitations. We conclude that functional status is an important predictor of outcome in older MICU patients.
Desorption of benzophenone oxime monolayers at the air/water interface

Abstract The interfacial behavior of 2-hydroxy-5-nonylbenzophenone oxime (HBPO) at the air/water interface has been investigated with Langmuir trough techniques. The dissolution kinetics of HBPO followed a diffusion-controlled model from which the aqueous solubility of HBPO was estimated. Because of deprotonation of the hydroxyoxime group, the aqueous solubility of HBPO was pH dependent. At pH 2.0, the solubility was 0.1 μmole dm −3 and increased to 4.0 μmole dm −3 at pH 12. From the influence of pH on the dissolution rate, the surface p K a for HBPO was estimated to be 11.5. At surface pressures greater than the equilibrium spreading pressure of HBPO (23 mN m −1 ), simultaneous dissolution and monolayer collapse were observed.
Relationship of neuropsychological performance to functional status in nursing home residents and community-dwelling older adults.

Objectives The authors examined the association between neuropsychological tests of executive functioning and episodic memory and functional disability in nursing home residents versus community-dwelling older adults. Methods The neuropsychological performance of 96 residents from the Jewish Home and Hospital, Bronx, NY and 192 gender- and age-matched older adults from residential communities in the New York metropolitan area was assessed in eight tasks (Word List Recall, Delayed Recall, Recognition, Boston Naming, Verbal Fluency, Trailmaking A and B, and Digit Symbol Substitution). Functional status was derived from the Clinical Dementia Rating scale (CDR) extended activities of daily living scores. Regression analyses were performed to test for differences in cross-sectional age-gradients for cognitive and functional status between nursing home residents and community-dwellers. Furthermore, regression analyses, controlling for age, gender, dementia status, and education, were performed to determine the association between neuropsychological performance and functional status, comparing domains of executive functioning and memory. Results Community-dwelling older adults showed age-related deficits both in overall cognitive status and functional disability, which were larger in nursing home residents. Executive functioning was associated with functional disability beyond the effects of age, gender, education, dementia status, residential status, overall cognitive status, memory, and cognitive speed. Conclusion Executive functioning is associated with functional deficits in both community-dwelling older adults and nursing home residents. Measures of executive functioning may prove useful in intervention studies aimed at delaying institutionalization.
Visualizing Carbene Equilibria

Reviewed herein are equilibria between halocarbenes and halocarbanions, carbenes and carbene complexes and carbenes and O-ylides. The transient species were visualized by laser flash photolysis coupled with UV–Visible spectroscopy. This methodology enabled the determination of equilibrium constants and the extraction of associated thermodynamic parameters. Parallel computational studies provided anticipated structures and energies for the transient species, as well as electronic absorption wavelengths and oscillator strengths.
A comparative analysis of chromosomes and diagnostic cytology in effusions from 58 cancer patients

A study has been done of the possible use of chromosome analysis in the diagnosis of cells in effusion. Analyzable preparations were made from 63 samples (from 58 patients). If gross chromosome abnormality indicates cancer, then 24 of these cases could be so diagnosed. With conventional screening 38 cases were diagnosed as positive. Thus chromosome analysis cannot substitute for the conventional approach. Two cases, negative by conventional diagnosis, were positive by chromosome analysis. This represents approximately a 4% improvement in accuracy. Most of these patients had been treated by x-ray and/or chemotherapy, thus complicating the interpretation of chromosome abnormalities. Chromosome analysis might be more helpful in populations with fewer treated patients.
“Opening the Door”: The History and Future of Qualitative Scholarship in Interpersonal Communication

I was fortunate to start college during the earlier days of interpersonal communication classes being taught. From the first class, I was hooked. One of the best things about working in this area i...
Characterizing Web user sessions

This paper presents a detailed characterization of user sessions to the 1998 World Cup Web site. This study analyzes data that was collected from the World Cup site over a three month period. During this time the site received 1.35 billion requests from 2.8 million distinct clients. This study focuses on numerous user session characteristics, including distributions for the number of requests per session, number of pages requested per session, session length and inter-session times. This paper concludes with a discussion of how these characteristics can be utilized in improving Web server performance in terms of the end-user experience.
Polarization of solvent nuclei by nitroxide spin labels at low magnetic fields

Abstract The application of nitroxide spin labels in low-field dynamic nuclear polarization studies of solvent-solute interactions is examined. Data obtained by saturating the nitroxide EPR line at a field-frequency combination determined after employing the Breit-Rabi formalism are most satisfactory provided low radical concentrations are used. Ratio method determinations of ultimate enhancements are appropriate in most cases, although application of an exchange-based model by using data on the broadening of spectra as the spin-label concentration is increased may provide a means of determining ultimate enhancements when the ratio method is not applicable. Studies with several nitroxide radicals show that similar species give polarization results that do not change when substituents far removed from the localized unpaired electron are changed. Perfluoropyridine is shown to exhibit increased scalar-dominated polarization with more aromatic nitroxides as has been observed for hexafluorobenzene; the dipolar-dominated enhancements for both monofluorobenzene and 2-fluoropyridine are also similar.
Islam Is Not the Solution (or the Problem)

Although advocates of liberal Islam deserve U.S. support, it will take decades for them to secure a politically significant foothold in the Arab world. For democracy to have any hope in the Arab world, it is not Islam that must be fixed, but politics itself.
OSPF-Based Adaptive and Flexible Security-Enhanced QoS Provisioning

Networks with quality of service (QoS) provisioning rely on QoS routing schemes to select paths between end-to-end hosts that can satisfy the requested service requirements. In this paper, we focus on networks that use a new service paradigm as a nested DiffServ model, which has been described as service vectors in combination with the explicit end-point admission control (EEAC) scheme [1]. The main objectives of service vectors are to improve the QoS granularity and service routing flexibility. These improvements enhances both network utilization and user benefits. However, QoS routing schemes need to consider service vectors to achieve such improvements. In this paper, we discuss a new set of requirements that are added into QoS routing schemes to avoid false routing and low network utilization when using service vectors. The OSPF protocol, as the widely used protocol, guarantees feasible deployability of service vectors in existing networks. Furthermore, we introduce a network architecture that integrates security into the set of QoS parameters and show how security-enabled QoS (SQoS) can also use the OSPF protocol for SQoS routing.
Designing Integrated Computational Biology Pipelines Visually

The long-term cost of developing and maintaining a computational pipeline that depends upon data integration and sophisticated workflow logic is too high to even contemplate "what ifâ or ad hoc type queries. In this paper, we introduce a novel application building interface for computational biology research, called VizBuilder, by leveraging a recent query language called BioFlow for life sciences databases. Using VizBuilder, it is now possible to develop ad hoc complex computational biology applications at throw away costs. The underlying query language supports data integration and workflow construction almost transparently and fully automatically, using a best effort approach. Users express their application by drawing it with VizBuilder icons and connecting them in a meaningful way. Completed applications are compiled and translated as BioFlow queries for execution by the data management system LifeDB, for which VizBuilder serves as a front end. We discuss VizBuilder features and functionalities in the context of a real life application after we briefly introduce BioFlow. The architecture and design principles of VizBuilder are also discussed. Finally, we outline future extensions of VizBuilder. To our knowledge, VizBuilder is a unique system that allows visually designing computational biology pipelines involving distributed and heterogeneous resources in an ad hoc manner.
Effect of a local immune reaction on peripheral blood polymorphonuclear neutrophil microbicidal function: studies with fungal targets.

Abstract Peripheral blood polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) from mice immunized with Blastomyces dermatitidis and then stimulated locally (intraperitoneally, ip) with B. dermatitidis antigen had enhanced killing of B. dermatitidis in vitro (54.4 ± 19.4% of inoculum) compared to nonimmune mice (32.7 ± 8.7%; P P P Candida albicans (91.8–99.3% of inoculum). That the killing of B. dermatitidis was due to PMNs was demonstrated by lack of killing by isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from all four groups. A local immune reaction can result in enhancement of PMN fungicidal activity, and this is reflected even in peripheral blood PMN. We hypothesize this is an important component of normal host defenses against fungal infection, and likely other microbial infections. Enhancement of PMN microbicidal function by the soluble mediators presumed to be responsible for the effects observed may be an approach to immunomodulating therapy or prophylaxis of infection.
In i isoelectronic sequence: wavelengths and energy levels for Xe vi through La ix

Spectra of Xe, Cs, Ba, and La produced with a high-voltage spark discharge were observed photographically with the National Bureau of Standards 10.7-m normal- and grazing-incidence spectrographs. Identified lines of the In i isoelectronic sequence were used to determine the energy levels of the 5s25p, 5s5p2, 5s25d, and 5s26s configurations. Their interactions with unobserved configurations that include a 4f electron are discussed. Fitted values of the radial energy integrals were determined from the known levels.
Appreciating Asperger syndrome: implications for better care and outcomes.

The behavior of an Einstein, Ford, Edison, or Beethoven might lead to a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome today.
Palynological evidence for early Holocene aridity in the southern Sierra Nevada, California

Sediments of Balsam Meadow have produced a 11,000-yr pollen record from the southern Sierra Nevada of California. The Balsam Meadow diagram is divided into three zones. (1) The Artemisia zone (11,000–7000 yr B.P.) is characterized by percentages of sagebrush (Artemisia) and other nonarboreal pollen higher than can be found in the modern local vegetation. Vegetation during this interval was probably similar to the modern vegetation on the east slope of the Sierra Nevada and the climate was drier than that of today. (2) Pinus pollen exceeded 80% from 7000 to 3000 yr B.P. in the Pinus zone. The climate was moister than during the Artemisia zone. (3) Fir (Abies, Cupressaceae, and oak (Quercus) percentages increased after 3000 yr B.P. in the Abies zone as the modern vegetation at the site developed and the present cool-moist climatic regime was established. Decreased fire frequency after 1200 yr B.P. is reflected in decreased abundance of macroscopic charcoal and increased concentration of Abies magnifica and Pinus murrayana needles.
High Stability Nuclear Pulse Amplifier Analysis

Developments in radiation detectors have established a need for maximum amplifier stability. This paper derives detailed design equations for the transistor current feedback amplifier that are necessary for careful gain stability analyses. These expressions clearly define the open loop gain limitations, and they indicate circuit variations which greatly improve the temperature stability. The parameter rd (1/hoe) of the grounded emitter stage is seen to require the greatest attention. It limits open loop gain, but stability of the open loop gain can still be achieved. The design equations are general, and modifications to the basic loop further improve stability, reduce input and output impedances, or enable the use of high impedance input. A four-transistor feedback loop has been tested that has 0.01 ohms input and output impedances, a gain of 50, 15 ns rise time, and a temperature stability of 10 ppm/°C.
An embedding of classical logic in S4

There are well-known embeddings of intuitionistic logic into S4 and of classical logic into S5. In this paper we give a related embedding of (first order) classical logic directly into (first order) S4, with or without the Barcan formula. If one reads the necessity operator of S4 as ‘provable’, the translation may be roughly stated as: truth may be replaced by provable consistency. A proper statement will be found below. The proof is based ultimately on the notion of complete sequences used in Cohen's technique of forcing [1], and is given in terms of Kripke's model theory [3], [4].
An Antibody, in the Serum of a Wr(a+) Individual, Reacting with an Antigen of Very High Frequency

The serum of a Wr(a+) woman has been found to contain an antibody reacting with an antigen of very high incidence. Preliminary tests on the strength of the Wra antigen on the cells of the antibody former and the variation of reactions of the antibody with the cells of nonrelated Wr(a+) and Wr(a-) individuals suggest that the antibody may be detecting the antithetical antigen to Wra.
High-contrast imaging with the Hubble Space Telescope: performance and lessons learned

The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) provides the most versatile high contrast imaging capabilities of any current telescope. It allows high resolution, high dynamic range imaging from the near-ultraviolet to the near-infrared with both direct and coronagraphic methods. Its main advantage over ground-based systems is its stable point spread function. A review of the performance of HST as a high contrast imaging system is presented, including the abilities of all of the current HST cameras. Special emphasis is placed on items that are important to future missions (e.g. the Terrestrial Planet Finder), including mid-spatial frequency wavefront stability, coronagraphic system alignment, and observing methods.
Training directors have positive perceptions of a competency-based gastroenterology and transplant hepatology fellowship program.

Background & Aims In 2012, the American Board of Internal Medicine approved a pilot competency-based transplant hepatology (TH) training program. This program allows gastroenterology (GI) and TH fellowships to be completed in 3 years. We investigated the perceptions and beliefs of GI and TH division and fellowship program directors on the competency-based TH training program. Methods All current GI and TH division and fellowship program directors from the 162 fellowship programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education were invited via e-mail to anonymously complete the online survey. The survey questioned their perceptions of the 3-year combined GI and TH training program. Results A total of 116 participants completed the survey (∼38% response rate). Most respondents were GI fellowship directors (61%); 15% were GI and hepatology division directors, 19% were TH fellowship directors, 14% were TH division directors, and 5% were GI division directors. Most of the respondents were in favor of the pilot program (85%). Only 63% of all respondents believed that graduates of the pilot program would achieve the same level of competency in GI as those who completed the traditional program. Overall, 71% believed incorporation of the 3-year training model would increase interest and participation in TH fellowships. Conclusions Most of the academic GI and TH division and fellowship program directors embrace competency-based fellowship education and TH subspecialty training during the designated 3-year GI fellowship. Future studies will be needed to reevaluate these beliefs after several years.
Utility of Hepatic Transaminases in Children With Concern for Abuse

OBJECTIVE: Routine testing of hepatic transaminases, amylase, and lipase has been recommended for all children evaluated for physical abuse, but rates of screening are widely variable, even among abuse specialists, and data for amylase and lipase testing are lacking. A previous study of screening in centers that endorsed routine transaminase screening suggested that using a transaminase threshold of 80 IU/L could improve injury detection. Our objectives were to prospectively validate the test characteristics of the 80-IU/L threshold and to determine the utility of amylase and lipase to detect occult abdominal injury. METHODS: This was a retrospective secondary analysis of the Examining Siblings To Recognize Abuse research network, a multicenter study in children younger than 10 years old who underwent subspecialty evaluation for physical abuse. We determined rates of identified abdominal injuries and results of transaminase, amylase, and lipase testing. Screening studies were compared by using basic test characteristics (sensitivity, specificity) and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: Abdominal injuries were identified in 82 of 2890 subjects (2.8%; 95% confidence interval: 2.3%–3.5%). Hepatic transaminases were obtained in 1538 (53%) subjects. Hepatic transaminases had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.87. A threshold of 80 IU/L yielded sensitivity of 83.8% and specificity of 83.1%. The areas under the curve for amylase and lipase were 0.67 and 0.72, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Children evaluated for physical abuse with transaminase levels >80 IU/L should undergo definitive testing for abdominal injury.
Sequence of porcine β-lactoglobulin cDNA

Summary. cDNAs encoding porcine β-lactoglobulin were isolated and sequenced. The porcine β-lactoglobulin cDNA is 768 bp in length and encodes a pre-protein of 178 amino acids. One additional cDNA clone was found to encode an additional amino acid (lysine) in the mature protein.
Attribution of aerosol light absorption to black carbon, brown carbon, and dust in China – interpretations of atmospheric measurements during EAST-AIRE

Abstract. Black carbon, brown carbon, and mineral dust are three of the most important light absorbing aerosols. Their optical properties differ greatly and are distinctive functions of the wavelength of light. Most optical instruments that quantify light absorption, however, are unable to distinguish one type of absorbing aerosol from another. It is thus instructive to separate total absorption from these different light absorbers to gain a better understanding of the optical characteristics of each aerosol type. During the EAST-AIRE (East Asian Study of Tropospheric Aerosols: an International Regional Experiment) campaign near Beijing, we measured light scattering using a nephelometer, and light absorption using an aethalometer and a particulate soot absorption photometer. We also measured the total mass concentrations of carbonaceous (elemental and organic carbon) and inorganic particulates, as well as aerosol number and mass distributions. We were able to identify periods during the campaign that were dominated by dust, biomass burning, fresh (industrial) chimney plumes, other coal burning pollution, and relatively clean (background) air for Northern China. Each of these air masses possessed distinct intensive optical properties, including the single scatter albedo and Angstrom exponents. Based on the wavelength-dependence and particle size distribution, we apportioned total light absorption to black carbon, brown carbon, and dust; their mass absorption efficiencies at 550 nm were estimated to be 9.5, 0.5 (a lower limit value), and 0.03 m2/g, respectively. While agreeing with the common consensus that black carbon is the most important light absorber in the mid-visible, we demonstrated that brown carbon and dust could also cause significant absorption, especially at shorter wavelengths.
Decrease in Coronary Blood Flow Reserve During Hyperlipidemia Is Secondary to an Increase in Blood Viscosity

Background During maximal hyperemia, capillaries provide the greatest resistance to flow. A major determinant of capillary resistance is viscosity. We, therefore, hypothesized that abnormal coronary blood flow (CBF) reserve observed during hyperlipidemia is secondary to increased blood viscosity and not abnormal coronary vasomotion. Methods and Results Maximal hyperemia was induced in 9 dogs using adenosine. Serum triglyceride levels were increased by incremental doses of Intralipid. A good correlation was noted between serum triglyceride levels and blood viscosity (r=0.82). Neither total coronary blood volume nor myocardial blood volume changed with increasing serum triglyceride levels, indicating lack of vasomotion. Myocardial vascular resistance (MVR) increased with increasing triglyceride levels (r=0.84), while hyperemic myocardial blood flow (MBF) decreased (r=−0.64). The decrease in hyperemic MBF was associated with a decrease in blood velocity (r=−0.56). These findings were confirmed with direct in...
Measurements and analysis of advanced field emission cold cathodes

We report measurements and analyses of field emission from both copper and aluminum cathodes. To analyze the data, we have developed a numerical model of electron emission. We note that localized heating of high current density field emission cathodes can provide regime where thermionic as well as field emission effects must be considered. Our analysis of experimental data fitting in both the thermionic and field emission dominant regime provides a robust method for determination of effective work function and field enhancement factor for field emission cathode.
The effects of toxins on muscle

Substances known to be myotoxic are reviewed, including descriptions of the resultant clinical syndromes and the mechanisms important in their development. Certain host characteristics such as altered immune and metabolic regulation are known to modulate the effects of individual myotoxins, producing varied clinical syndromes. Evaluation procedures important in identifying a toxin-induced myopathy are described.
Transcriptional Repression of the α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Subunit Gene (CHRNA7) by Activating Protein-2α (AP-2α)

The CHRNA7 gene, which encodes the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7*nAChR), has been implicated as a candidate gene in schizophrenia. Expression of the α7*nAChR mRNA and protein are reduced in multiple regions of post-mortem brain from patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Transcriptional regulation may therefore be an important mechanism for the regulation of this gene. A 230-bp proximal promoter fragment, necessary for transcription in cultured neuroblastoma cells, was used to study a putative AP-2α binding site. Mutation of the site indicates that AP-2α plays a negative role in regulating CHRNA7 transcription. This was confirmed through knockdown and overexpression of AP-2α. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) identified positive DNA-protein interaction at this same site, and supershift assays indicate that the complex includes AP-2α. The interaction was confirmed in cells using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). DNA methylation was discovered as an anomalous mechanism for CHRNA7 regulation in one cell line. These studies suggest a role for AP-2α regulation of CHRNA7 mRNA expression in multiple tissues during development.
Computational Modeling of Teaching and Learning through Application of Evolutionary Algorithms

Within the mind, there are a myriad of ideas that make sense within the bounds of everyday experience, but are not reflective of how the world actually exists; this is particularly true in the domain of science. Classroom learning with teacher explanation are a bridge through which these naive understandings can be brought in line with scientific reality. The purpose of this paper is to examine how the application of a Multiobjective Evolutionary Algorithm (MOEA) can work in concert with an existing computational-model to effectively model critical-thinking in the science classroom. An evolutionary algorithm is an algorithm that iteratively optimizes machine learning based computational models. The research question is, does the application of an evolutionary algorithm provide a means to optimize the Student Task and Cognition Model (STAC-M) and does the optimized model sufficiently represent and predict teaching and learning outcomes in the science classroom? Within this computational study, the authors outline and simulate the effect of teaching on the ability of a “virtual” student to solve a Piagetian task. Using the Student Task and Cognition Model (STAC-M) a computational model of student cognitive processing in science class developed in 2013, the authors complete a computational experiment which examines the role of cognitive retraining on student learning. Comparison of the STAC-M and the STAC-M with inclusion of the Multiobjective Evolutionary Algorithm shows greater success in solving the Piagetian science-tasks post cognitive retraining with the Multiobjective Evolutionary Algorithm. This illustrates the potential uses of cognitive and neuropsychological computational modeling in educational research. The authors also outline the limitations and assumptions of computational modeling.
Efficiency Mechanisms for a Class of Blackboard Systems

This paper presents efficient mechanisms for activation, execution and rating that are suitable for use in BB1-style blackboard architectures. We describe a knowledge source compiler that produces match networks and demons for efficient activation and rating while compiling the entire system for increased execution speed. Experiments using the enhancements in a general-purpose blackboard shell illustrate approximately a doubling of run time speed, including an increase in activation speed by a factor of 7.6 on the average. We have also resolved a subclass of blackboard systems that can be compiled down to the machine level by using a condensed representation where low-level blackboard accesses are replaced by vector references. Our analysis shows that the time complexity of the execution cycle of a condensed system is faster than the conventional approach by the ratio of the time required for blackboard retrievals to the time required for vector element retrievals. In practice, this ratio is approximately four orders of magnitude.
Political Science: Political Ideologies

The past 50 years of research into political ideology has left scholars with a contested paradigm. One side, founded on the research of Philip Converse, argues that the mass public is distinctly nonideological in their thinking. The other side argues that ideological thinking is not, in fact, beyond the public and can be found in forms similar to that of political elites. The way forward for research in political ideology does not lie in rehashing this debate but in moving forward in two new areas of work. The first considers the role that values and principles play in determining the political and ideological thinking of individuals. The second questions the current measurement standards of political ideology. Rather than considering ideology as occurring along a single spectrum, ideology among the mass public is formed by positions along two separate spectrums. In this essay, we summarize the major arguments of Converse, his supporters, and his critics. Then, we discuss recent research on principles and values and the measurement of ideology. Keywords: ideology; public opinion; polarization; political values; political behavior; measurement
Gap junction-microtubule associations in rat alveolar epithelial cells.

Connexin 43 (Cx43) is a predominant gap junction (GJ) protein expressed by alveolar epithelial cells (AEC) in primary cell culture. Cx43 trafficking, assembly, and turnover are regulated by multipl...
Increasing Morale Personal and Work Environment Antecedents of Job Morale Among Staff in Juvenile Corrections

Job morale is often mentioned in literature on correctional staff, but its antecedents have seldom been investigated. In this study, survey data were collected from 975 facility and community staff...
CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC THYROIDITIS: REPORT OF A KINDRED WITH VIRAL, IMMUNOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL STUDIES.

A family in which 5 of 8 members have evidence of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis is presented. Attempts to isolate a virus from the thyroid glands of 2 patients were unsuccessful. Serological tests for recent viral infections were performed and the difficulty in interpreting these results is discussed. Orally administered 131I was studied in the thyroid glands and sera of 2 patients. The majority of the thyroidal 131I appeared in the thyroglobulin (19S) fraction, but a significant percentage was present in the albumin-like (4S) fraction. Serum 131I appeared in organic form at an increased rate, and a markedly increased percentage appeared as iodoprotein. Fifty-six close relatives of the “R” family were studied, and, while a hereditary predisposition to develop thyroiditis may exist, the data obtained are equally compatible with the hypothesis that an environmental factor is etiologically important.
The effects of an intervention to teach medical students about obstructive sleep apnea.

Abstract Background and purpose To assess the effects of teaching clinically relevant core concepts about obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to third-year core clerkship students in internal medicine. Patients and methods The curriculum included a lecture and case-based discussions about OSA at one clerkship site consisting of six groups of core clerkship students in the graduating Classes of 2000 and 2001 at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Students who received exposure to a lecture followed by case-based discussions (n=130) were compared to students at clerkship sites who did not (n=129). Outcomes were measured using a station on the required end-of-rotation Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), consisting of 13 items and 36 points. Results When compared to groups of students who did not have a scheduled lecture and case-based discussions, those who did scored significantly higher (P≤0.016) on a station measuring these competencies. Groups were compared in terms of performance on subscores of the OSCE and scores overall; no significant differences were found. Conclusions Our preliminary findings suggest that teaching third-year medical students information on OSA using a lecture- and case-based discussion makes a difference to a clerkship OSCE station assessing these competencies.
Parental School Involvement in Relation to Children's Grades and Adaptation to School.

From an ecological perspective, it is important to examine linkages among key settings in the child's life. The current study focuses on parents' involvement in children's education both at school and at home. Ninety-one families with school-aged children (91 fathers and 91 mothers) participated in a survey study assessing the levels of parental involvement (direct at school site, homework, extracurricular educational activities, and interpersonal involvement) and their relationship to children's grades and to parental reports of children's anxiety about, and enjoyment of, school. Analyses demonstrated the unique contributions made by fathers and by mothers to the explained variance in children's grades and adaptation to school. Mothers' and fathers' school involvement had differential associations with sons' and daughters' school-related outcomes. Support was found for both the transactional and interactional models of parent-child socialization. Associations between levels of parental school involvement and child outcomes were not always positively signed. Findings highlight the complexity of parental school involvement and hold implications for families and schools as they attempt to facilitate the types of involvement that are high leverage points for children's academic development.