cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Team Coordination and Effectiveness in Human-Autonomy Teaming

In the past, team coordination dynamics have been explored using nonlinear dynamical systems (NDS) methods, but the relationship between team coordination dynamics and team performance for all-human teams was assumed to be linear. The current study examines team coordination dynamics with an extended version of the NDS methods and assumes that its relationship with team performance for human-autonomy teams (HAT) is nonlinear. In this study, three team conditions are compared with the goals of better understanding how team coordination dynamics differ between all-human teams and HAT and how these dynamics relate to team performance and team situation awareness. Each condition was determined based on manipulation of the pilot role: in the first condition (synthetic) the pilot role was played by a synthetic agent, in the second condition (control) it was a randomly assigned participant, and in the third condition (experimenter) it was an expert who used a role specific coordination script. NDS indices revealed that synthetic teams were rigid, followed by experimenter teams, who were metastable, and control teams, who were unstable. Experimenter teams demonstrated better team effectiveness (i.e., better team performance and team situation awareness) than control and synthetic teams. Team coordination stability is related to team performance and team situation awareness in a nonlinear manner with optimal performance and situation awareness associated with metastability coupled with flexibility. This result means that future development of synthetic teams should address these coordination dynamics, specifically, rigidity in coordination.
Incorporating price elasticity in financial forecasting models: From theory to practice and implementation

The authors use a capital budgeting example to show students how to incorporate price elasticity into financial analysis as an application of what students learn in their microeconomics course. The...
A Practical Guide to Queering the Adult English Language Classroom

There are few places more open and inclusive than an adult English language class. Or, are there? Although adult educators teaching in these multi-cultural and linguistically heterogeneous environm...
Wavelet energy moment and neural networks based particle swarm optimisation for transmission line protection

In this study, a combined approach of discrete wavelet transform analysis and a feed forward neural networks algorithm to detect and classify transmission line faults. The proposed algorithm uses a multi -resolution analysis decoposition of three-phasecurrents only to calculate the wavelet energy moment of detailed coefficients. In comparison with the energy spectrum, the energy moment could reveal the energy distribution features better, which is beneficial when extracting signal features. Theapproach use particle swarm optimization algorithm to train a feed forward neural network. The goal is the enhancement of the convergence rate, learning process and fill up the gap of local minimum point.The purposed scheme consists of two FNNs, one for detecting and another for classifying all the ten types of faults using Matlab/Simulink. The proposed algorithm have been extensively tested on a system 400 kV, 3 phases, 100 km line consideringvarious fault parameter variations.
Diagnosing pedal osteomyelitis: testing choices and their consequences.

Objective: To compare the efficacies and cost-effectivenesses of four strategies for the management of suspected pedal osteomyelitis in the setting of vascular impairment: 1) therapeutic trial of short-term antibiotics for presumed cellulitis without osteomyelitis (short); 2) technetium bone scanning followed by either short-term therapy if negative or either a biopsy or aggressive long-term intravenous therapy if positive (scan); 3) bone biopsy followed by long-term intravenous therapy if positive or short-term therapy if negative (biopsy); and 4) immediate long-term intravenous antibiotics for presumed osteomyelitis (long).
Improving Passage Rate on USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills: Results from a Pilot Program.

In the United States (US), successful passage of United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 2 Clinical Skills (Step 2 CS) is required to enter into residency training. In 2017, the USMLE announced an increase in performance standards for Step 2 CS. As a consequence, it is anticipated that the passage rate for the examination will decrease significantly for both US and international students. While many US institutions offer a cumulative clinical skills examination, their effect on Step 2 CS passage rates has not been studied. The authors developed a six-case, standardized patient (SP)-based examination to mirror Step 2 CS and measured impact on subsequent Step 2 CS passage rates. Students were provided structured quantitative and qualitative feedback and were given a final designation of “pass” or “fail” for the practice examination. A total of 173 out of 184 (94.5%) students participated in the examination. Twenty SPs and $26,000 in direct costs were required. The local failure rate for Step 2 CS declined from 4.5% in the year proceeding the intervention to 2.1% following the intervention. In the same timeframe, the US failure rate for Step 2 CS increased from 3.8 to 5.1%, though the difference between local and national groups was not significantly different (P = .07). Based on the initial success of the intervention, educational leaders may consider developing a similar innovation to optimize passage rates at their institutions.
Rural political participation in the United States: alienation or action?

ABSTRACTGlobally, concern has risen over support for authoritarian populism, in some cases specifically among rural populations. Rural influence, however, may be limited by relatively low political...
Alkali-metal- and halide-free dinuclear mixed-valent samarium and europium complexes

We describe the synthesis of mixed-valent (Ln(ii)/Ln(iii)) dilanthanide complexes supported by a calix[4]pyrrole ligand. The complexes are obtained by one-electron reduction of Ln(iii)/Ln(iii) complexes and are alkali-metal- and halide-free. The complexes are designed to activate small molecules by taking advantage of both the base and the one-electron reductant contained in their structure. We demonstrate a proof-of-principle concept of this mechanism by activating water and silanol.
Particle flattening during cold spray: Mechanistic regimes revealed by single particle impact tests

Abstract The flattening ratio, e, is an important diagnostic measurement of particle deformability and coating quality assessment in cold spray. However, the experimental determination of e and correlation of it to experimental parameters (particle size, velocity) is not straightforward from observations of cold-sprayed coatings. Here we present a series of direct site-specific measurements of e for well-known particle sizes and velocities, without the many complications involved in a full cold spray experiment. This approach permits us to identify mechanistic transitions separating three apparent regimes of behavior. In regime I, at lower velocities just high enough to cause bonding, an impacting particle flattens largely unhindered. In regime II, at somewhat higher velocities, the substrate develops a significant crater, which in turn constrains lateral particle flattening as the particle burrows more deeply into the substrate. In regime III, at very high velocities, hydrodynamic particle penetration is observed, distinguished by deep burrowing of the particle, which adopts a concave-saucer shape, with large petals of substrate ejected backwards out of the surface. While direct measurements in regimes I and II show that deformed particles can be reasonably modeled as oblate spheroids, that assumption fails in regime III. To the extent that particle flattening is deemed desirable, this analysis suggests a more nuanced view of the velocities used in cold spray.
Design of Control Architecture for Stacked Low-Inertia Converters with Fast Dynamic Control

Control architectures based on distributed controllers are favored in control of modular stacked converters because of their scalability, ease of installation and stable structure. However, the existing solutions are only applicable to traditional voltage source converters (VSCs) with high-inertia components, i.e., larger DC-link capacitance which are controlled with slow proportional-integral controllers. Therefore, there is no demanding requirement on the communication speed. This paper presents the challenges in the design of control architecture of low-inertia converters, such as soft-switching solid-state transformers (S4T), particularly using fast-dynamic control. It also proposes a methodology to realize the control architecture for such stacked low-inertia converters. The proposed control architecture is verified on a two-module S4T operating at 4 kV using hardware-in-loop simulation in the OPAL-RT platform and by experiments.
MAGNETIC FLUX CANCELATION AS THE TRIGGER OF SOLAR QUIET-REGION CORONAL JETS

We report observations of 10 random on-disk solar quiet-region coronal jets found in high-resolution extreme ultraviolet (EUV) images from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly and having good coverage in magnetograms from the SDO/Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI). Recent studies show that coronal jets are driven by the eruption of a small-scale filament (called a minifilament). However, the trigger of these eruptions is still unknown. In the present study, we address the question: what leads to the jet-driving minifilament eruptions? The EUV observations show that there is a cool-transition-region-plasma minifilament present prior to each jet event and the minifilament eruption drives the jet. By examining pre-jet evolutionary changes in the line of sight photospheric magnetic field, we observe that each pre-jet minifilament resides over the neutral line between majority-polarity and minority-polarity patches of magnetic flux. In each of the 10 cases, the opposite-polarity patches approach and merge with each other (flux reduction between 21% and 57%). After several hours, continuous flux cancelation at the neutral line apparently destabilizes the field holding the cool-plasma minifilament to erupt and undergo internal reconnection, and external reconnection with the surrounding coronal field. The external reconnection opens the minifilament field allowing the minifilament material to escape outward, forming part of the jet spire. Thus, we found that each of the 10 jets resulted from eruption of a minifilament following flux cancelation at the neutral line under the minifilament. These observations establish that magnetic flux cancelation is usually the trigger of quiet-region coronal jet eruptions.
The brooding omnipresence of Carl Schmitt in contemporary jurisprudence: Reflections on William Scheuerman’s The End of Law: Carl Schmitt in the 21st century

Carl Schmitt, whatever his clear deficiencies as a human being and excesses in his overall thought, is, by any objective measure, one of the leading jurisprudential figures of the 20th century. And...
Current and time‐lagged effects of climate on innate immunity in two sympatric snake species

Changing environments result in alterations at all levels of biological organization, from genetics to physiology to demography. The increasing frequency of droughts worldwide is associated with higher temperatures and reduced precipitation that can impact population persistence via effects on individual immune function and survival. We examined the effects of annual climate variation on immunity in two sympatric species of garter snakes from four populations in California over a seven‐year period that included the record‐breaking drought. We examined three indices of innate immunity: bactericidal competence (BC), natural antibodies (NABs), and complement‐mediated lysis (CL). Precipitation was the only climatic variable explaining variation in immune function: spring precipitation of the current year was positively correlated to Thamnophis sirtalis BC and NABs, whereas spring precipitation of the previous year was positively correlated to T. elegans BC and NABs. This suggests that T. elegans experiences a physiological time‐lag in response to reduced precipitation, which may reflect lack of capital for investment in immunity in the year following a dry year. In general, our findings demonstrate compelling evidence that climate can influence wild populations through effects on physiological processes, suggesting that physiological indices such as these may offer valuable opportunities for monitoring the effects of climate.
GROWTH AND YIELD INDICES OF CASSAVA (MANIHOT UTILISSIMA) AND SOIL PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AS AFFECTED BY DIFFERENT TRADITIONAL TILLAGE PRACTICES IN A HUMID ENVIRONMENT

The study was conducted to assess the effects of traditional tillage practices namely No-till, Ridge-till and Mound-till, on cassava growth parameters and soil physico-chemical properties. It was a factorial experiment laid out in a randomised complete block design replicated 3-times. The factors were the 3-tillage methods and cassava plant as a test crop. Data collected on soil properties include the particle size distribution, soil bulk density, soil water content, hydraulic conductivity, soil pH, soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and exchangeable bases, while data collected on plant growth and yield indices include; plant height, stem girth, number of leaves, number of tubers, tuber length and weight of tubers. The data were collected at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 months but cumulated at 12 months after planting. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and relationship between cassava tuber yield and some soil properties measured. Results of the study showed that there was no significant difference between Ridge and Mound-till. The Ridge-till and Mound-till systems significantly influenced plant height, stem girth, number of leaves, tuber weight and total yield of cassava than No-till system, hence were recommended of increased yield of cassava in the study area.
Hegel in a wired brain

Slavoj Žižek’s Hegel in a Wired Brain is an exploration of the limits on subjectivity as inherited from Hegelian philosophy, particularly as Hegelian subjectivity is challenged, complicated, and pr...
Theory & Methods: Tree-based wavelet regression for correlated data using the minimum description length principle

This paper considers the problem of non-parametric regression using wavelet techniques. Its main contribution is the proposal of a new wavelet estimation procedure for recovering functions corrupted by correlated noise, although a similar procedure for independent noise is also presented. Two special features of the proposed procedure are that it imposes a so-called ‘tree constraint’ on the wavelet coefficients and that it uses the minimum description length principle to define its ‘best’ estimate. The proposed procedure is empirically compared with some existing wavelet estimation procedures, for the cases of independent and correlated noise.
Harnack inequalities for non-local operators of variable order

We consider harmonic functions with respect to the operator formula math Under suitable conditions on n(x,h) we establish a Harnack inequality for functions that are nonnegative and harmonic in a domain. The operator L is allowed to be anisotropic and of variable order.
PKC-beta(I): the whole ignition system or just a sparkplug for T cell migration?

The events that enable polarization of T cells and migration across the vasculature to the target are largely unknown. New evidence suggests that PKC-β(I) may be pivotal in controlling this process.
Securing Online Advertising: Rustlers and Sheriffs in the New Wild West

Read the news of recent computer security guffaws, and it's striking how many problems stem from online advertising. Advertising is the bedrock of web sites that are provided without charge to end users, so advertising is everywhere. But advertising security gaps are equally widespread: from malvertisement banner ads pushing rogue anti-spyware software, to click fraud, to spyware and adware, the security lapses of online advertising are striking.During the past five years, I have uncovered hundreds of online advertising scams defrauding thousands of users - not to mention all the web's top merchants. This chapter summarizes some of what I've found - and what users and advertisers can do to protect themselves.
Idiopathic gingivostomatitis. Cheilitis, glossitis, gingivitis syndrome; atypical gingivostomatitis, plasma-cell gingivitis, plasmacytosis of gingiva.

Abstract A new syndrome consisting of cheilitis, glossitis, and gingivitis has appeared within the past three years. A study of eight cases implicates chewing gum as the etiologic factor and indicates that the condition may be a hypersensitivity reaction to one of the constituents of chewing gum.
Nyamnjoh Francis B.. Insiders and Outsiders: Citizenship and Xenophobia in Contemporary Southern Africa . Dakar, Senegal: CODESRIA/London: Zed Books, 2006. Distributed in the U.S. by Palgrave Macmillan, New York, x + 273 pp. Notes. References. Index. $85.00. Cloth. $29.95. Paper.

Francis B. Nyamnjoh. Insiders and Outsiders: Citizenship and Xenophobia in Contemporary Southern Africa. Dakar, Senegal: CODESRIA/London: Zed Books, 2006. Distributed in the U.S. by Palgrave Macmillan, New York, x + 273 pp. Notes. References. Index. $85.00. Cloth. $29.95. Paper. In this remarkable study in CODESRIA's Africa in the New Millennium series, Francis Nyamnjoh aptly demonstrates how belonging is variously construed, claimed, and contested in South Africa and Botswana. The study reveals that globalization and citizenship are highly hierarchical processes affecting individuals and communities differently. Indeed, the growing importance of identity politics and more exclusionary ideas of citizenship is matched by the desire to identify differences and distinguish between "insiders" (citizens) and "outsiders" (immigrants). In both South Africa and Botswana, where the economies are relatively more prosperous than in other countries in sub-Saharan Africa, xenophobia against immigrants from other African countries is on the rise and permeates virtually every social and economic class. Chapters 1 and 2 investigate citizenship, mobility, and xenophobia in South Africa and Botswana, respectively. The study reveals how in South Africa black African immigrants are being described as Makwerekwere, particularly by South African blacks. The term Makwerekwere represents not only a black immigrant who lacks competency in local South African languages, but also one who hails from a country assumed to be economically and culturally backward in relation to South Africa. For most xenophobic South Africans, "Makwerekwere and modernization are like a clash of night and day" (40). Similarly, chapter 2 documents local attitudes toward foreigners and discusses tensions over entitlements among ethnic groups in Botswana. While every Botswana national can claim to be a legal citizen, some are perceived by the majority Tswana groups as less "authentic" nationals; citizens from the majority Tswana ethnic group have to various degrees claimed for themselves the status of landlords, making ethnic minorities tenants. The remaining chapters in Insiders and Outsiders focus on the situation of household workers globally and in Southern Africa in particular. Chapter 3 documents the exploitation of domestic employees and the coping strategies adopted by them. It appears ironic that in a country where wealth is purportedly more abundant, they are still subjected to ruthless exploitation, regardless of whether they are citizens or migrants. …
149 The distribution of water and ions around nucleic acids

Biomolecules always perturb the solutions into which they are placed. The distributions of water and ions around them can be monitored by a variety of tools, including dialysis, measurements of par...
Corporate Perception and Evaluation of Social Movement Activism: Unterstanding Intractions between Corporations and Social Movements in the context of Large Infrastructure Projects in the Hydropower Sector

Drawing on qualitative research conducted in the hydropower sector this study offers a conceptual framework for the analysis of intersections between social movements and corporations. It does so by introducing, firstly, a model that captures organizational challenges to an accurate perception and adequate evaluation of social movements and, secondly, a taxonomy that differentiates types of social movements according to corporate perception patterns. By stressing institutional structures and dynamics within the targeted corporation this framework facilitates a theoretically informed explanation of why corporations “choose” to react to anti-corporate activism in certain ways. Examples are intentional or unintentional ignorance, constructive dialog, fixation on legal procedures, or, in the extreme case, aggressive or even militant repression. The study contributes to the literatures on social movements and institutional theory.
In type 1 diabetes, intensive insulin therapy for 6.5 y reduced mortality at 27 y compared with usual care

Source Citation Writing Group for the DCCT/EDIC Research Group, Orchard TJ, Nathan DM, Zinman B, et al. Association between 7 years of intensive treatment of type 1 diabetes and long-term mortality...
Iron Corrosion in CO2/Brine at Low H2S Concentrations: An Electrochemical and Surface Science Study

The effect of H 2 S at the parts per million level on the early stage of iron corrosion in 3 wt % NaCl solutions saturated with CO 2 is investigated using electrochemical and surface science techniques. Small H 2 S concentrations (5 ppm) have an inhibiting effect on corrosion in the presence of CO 2 . At higher H 2 S concentrations (up to 500 ppm), the corrosion rate is higher but below the H 2 S-free case. The characterization of the iron surfaces after corrosion uses photoelectron spectroscopy and electron microscopy. For Fe exposed to H 2 S-containing solutions, a sulfur peak (S 2p) appears at a binding energy of 162.1 eV, attributable to disulfide (S 2- 2 ) adsorption. The Fe 2 P3/2 peak attributed to Fe(II) at the surface shifts by about 1 eV in the presence of 5 ppm H 2 S compared to the H 2 S-free case due to bonding of Fe to S and O. At higher H 2 S concentrations, the formation of a S-rich surface is indicated. Morphological changes are observed on the iron surface after exposure to H 2 S-containing solutions. A thin protective film forms at 5 ppm H 2 S, while at higher H 2 S concentrations a thicker, more porous surface phase forms. A mechanism for corrosion inhibition of iron in different concentrations of H 2 S in CO 2 /brine is proposed.
High-fidelity quantum state evolution in imperfect photonic integrated circuits

We propose and analyze the design of a programmable photonic integrated circuit for high-fidelity quantum computation and simulation. We demonstrate that the reconfigurability of our design allows us to overcome two major impediments to quantum optics on a chip: it removes the need for a full fabrication cycle for each experiment and allows for compensation of fabrication errors using numerical optimization techniques. Under a pessimistic fabrication model for the silicon-on-insulator process, we demonstrate a dramatic fidelity improvement for the linear optics controlled-not and controlled-phase gates and, showing the scalability of this approach, the iterative phase estimation algorithm built from individually optimized gates. We also propose and simulate an experiment that the programmability of our system would enable: a statistically robust study of the evolution of entangled photons in disordered quantum walks. Overall, our results suggest that existing fabrication processes are sufficient to build a quantum photonic processor capable of high-fidelity operation.
Video-atlas of thoracoscopic formal lung resections emulating traditional open techniques.

Ann Cardiothorac Surg 2012;1(1):88-99 www.annalscts.com Thoracoscopic lobectomy began 20 years ago as a natural extension from performing less complex VATS operations. During this evolution, the traditional open lobectomy steps have been modified in some centers to accommodate the limitations in available technology, most notably resulting from the constraints in exposure, vantage point, and retraction. As an example, one such modification is to divide the interlobar fissure rather than the bronchus last. These modified techniques are quite powerful but require training to become accustomed to the different views of the hilar structures. These variations in the standard thoracotomy approach often reflect individual practices and don’t always build on aggregated surgeons’ experiences, and also may be difficult to use when faced with complex and aberrant anatomy. Given the rising popularity of less invasive surgery, technology has been developed to emulate or even surpass the exposure and retraction options used in traditional open techniques. Specifically, highdefinition thoracoscopic cameras with deflectable optics provide excellent exposures. Angled, low profile (5 mm shaft) retractors and other instruments can be used simultaneously through single small incisions to set up the traction and counter-traction forces that uniformly enable safe dissection techniques. This set of videos demonstrates methods that viewers can use to translate their open operative experiences to a successful minimally invasive practice. Even if the viewer has adopted a different preferred approach, many of the demonstrated techniques (like opening incomplete fissures) will come in handy in the presence of bulky tumors or aberrant vascular anatomy. Table 1 lists the videos and some of the specific maneuvers of interest. The appendix provides a timed narrative to help locate specific points in the procedure. The viewer is encouraged to view all the videos as some basic elements are emphasized in only 1-2 of the compilations. Furthermore, it may be useful to view some portions of the videos repetitively concentrating first on the live action and then later on the side bar animation. The animation provides important information on which ports are used for the camera vantage point and or tool manipulations. Since the tools are constrained by the Masters of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Child protective services: research for the future

The legal context of child protective services provides the framework for all inquiries and knowledge-building in the field. From this foundation, it is possible to analyze the definition of a child protective services case, describe who is served by the system, evaluate current system functioning, and identify outcome measures. Future research should address formative questions such as the development of consistent definitions of maltreatment and evaluation of service delivery. Evaluation should include measuring treatment outcomes as well as examining the functioning and management of the system.
Studies on Escherichia coli Sex Factors: Evidence That Covalent Circles Exist Within Cells and the General Problem of Isolation of Covalent Circles

We examined in detail conditions necessary for making reproducible and for maximizing the amount of deoxyribonucleic acid obtained from a sex factor-containing cell as covalent circles. The results argue that under optimal conditions covalent circles are neither created nor lost during the isolation procedure. The causes of the culture-to-culture variation in recovery of covalent circular deoxyribonucleic acid were investigated but an understanding of this is not yet at hand. Some commonly used conditions which drastically reduce the recovery of covalent circles are described.
Ripening during magnetite nanoparticle synthesis: Resulting interfacial defects and magnetic properties

The structure and magnetic properties of magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles synthesized by a solvothermal processing route are investigated. The nanoparticles are grown from the single organometallic precursor Fe(III) acetylacetonate in trioctylamine (TOA) solvent at 260°C, with and without the addition of heptanoic acid (HA) as a stabilizing agent. From the temporal particle size distributions, x-ray-diffraction patterns, high-resolution transmission electron microscope tilt series experiments, and superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry, we demonstrate that HA, a strong Lewis acid stabilizing agent, slows growth processes during ripening thus reducing the formation of interfacial defects, which we observe in the TOA-only synthesis. Nanoparticles grown with HA remain single crystalline for long growth times (up to 24h), show a focused particle size distribution for intermediate growth times (3h), and possess a higher magnetic anisotropy (15.8×104J∕m3) than particles grown without the additi...
Association of lymphocytic colitis and lactase deficiency in pediatric population

Abstract Characterized by colonic mucosa intraepithelial lymphocytosis, lymphocytic colitis is primarily an entity presented in the middle-aged to elderly patient population. Very few large series of lymphocytic colitis of childhood occurrence are available in the medical literature. Ten cases each of lymphocytic colitis and of colonic lymphocytosis of other diagnosis, all with duodenal disaccharidases analysis data, were collected from the files of our institution. The electronic medical records were reviewed and multiple variables were analyzed. The ten patients with lymphocytic colitis presented with diarrhea. Of these, three had abdominal pain. The age range was 2–18 years. Nearly all patients were Caucasian (90%) and 70% were female. Endoscopically, most had normal appearing colonic mucosa. Significant past medical history, family medical history and associated comorbidities included celiac disease, Down syndrome, juvenile arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. Interestingly, the most revealing observation was that the majority of cases (80%) were associated with lactase deficiency and, for the most part, gastrointestinal symptoms improved simply by treatment with Lactaid or avoidance of dairy products. This association is statistically significant. Our clinicopathological study indicates that the typical pediatric patient is a female Caucasian. A large of portion of the patients had associated lactase deficiency and improved on Lactaid supplement alone.
The analysis of performance criteria defining course grades as a determinant of college student academic performance.

A series of five experimental conditions were designed to investigate the influence of minimum performance criteria and grade labels on college student academic performance. A college course in abnormal psychology was taught in an individualized manner so that each student could perform on each unit of subject matter in individual performance sessions whenever he wished. In each of the five experiments the minimum performance criteria that had to be attained before progressing to the next unit were varied during the quarter and the resulting changes in performance were recorded. In Experiment I there were no criteria; in Experiments II, III, and IV three levels of criteria (High, Medium, and Low) were varied but all of the criteria defined a course grade of “A”. In Experiment V, the three criteria defined course grades of A, B, and C. The results showed that the criteria controlled performance to a high degree, so that regardless of what quality of performance had been demonstrated previously or was being produced currently, performance was immediately changed to attain new criteria put into effect. Students in Experiment I produced very poor performance compared to the other conditions.
Effects of dihydropyridines on tension and calcium-45 influx in isolated mesenteric resistance vessels from spontaneously hypertensive and normotensive rats

Abstract Contractile tension responses to norepinephrine and depolarizing potassium (80 mM K + ), as well as calcium-45 influx stimulated by these agents, were studied in isolated mesenteric resistance vessels (each 100 μM internal diameter) from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and from normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKYs). Inhibitory effects of 2 dihydropyridine Ca ++ antagonists, PN 200-110 (isradipine) and nisoldipine, on these parameters were also determined. Contractile responses to 80 mM K + were inhibited by both Ca ++ antagonists with the same potency and efficacy in SHR compared with WKY vessels (PN 200-110 IC 50 = 2.8 ± 1.3 × 10 −8 M in SHRs and 2.5 ± 1.5 × 10 −8 M in WKYs; nisoldipine IC 50 = 1.1 ± 0.4 × 10 −8 M in SHRs and 1.2 ± 0.9 × 10 −8 M in WKYs). However, contractile responses to norepinephrine (10 −4 M) were inhibited less potently by nisoldipine in SHR vessels (IC 50 = 2.2 ± 0.3 × 10 −9 M) compared with WKY vessels (IC 50 = 1.6 ± 0.6 × 10 −10 M). Similarly, PN 200-110 tended to be less (but not significantly less) potent in SHR vessels (IC 50 = 3.3 ± 1.8 × 10 −8 M) than in WKY vessels (IC 50 = 3.4 ± 0.9 × 10 −9 M); its efficacy was significantly depressed in the SHR vessels (by approximately 20%). When norepinephrine-stimulated calcium-45 influx was determined in the presence of these Ca ++ antagonists, a similar profile emerged with respect to a comparison of SHR and WKY vessels. These results support a previously hypothesized alteration in receptor-activated Ca ++ influx pathways in SHR mesenteric resistance vessels.
Teaching data structures with BeSocratic (abstract only)

Data structures are one of the fundamental concepts that all computer scientist students must learn if they are to succeed in their careers. Therefore, it is important to develop and assess questions targeted at improving the teaching of data structures. Unfortunately, research suggests that multiple choice or matching questions cannot be used to properly assess deep knowledge on a subject [1,2,3,4]. Students can often guess their way to the correct answer. We believe that students must construct these structures instead of simply identifying them. However, analyzing many hand-drawn data structures is time-consuming for large class sizes. This poster describes a web-based software tool, BeSocratic, designed to facilitate interactivity in a data structures course. BeSocratic allows students to build data structures intuitively using a combination of handwriting recognition and gestures. Using BeSocratic, instructors can create intelligent tutors that teach students to construct various data structures. These tutors are able to identify problems and provide multi-tiered feedback to students. Furthermore, BeSocratic records each action a student makes, so it may be replayed and visualized to gain deeper insights into how students construct data structures and complete algorithms. We have created and pilot-tested a BeSocratic activity, which teaches students how to construct splay trees.
Characterization of GaN epitaxial films grown on SiN x and TiN x porous network templates

We report on the structural, electrical, and optical characterization of GaN epitaxial layers grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) on SiN x and TiN x porous templates in order to reduce the density of extended defects. Observations by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicate an order of magnitude reduction in the dislocation density in GaN layers grown on TiN x and SiN x networks (down to ~10 8 cm -2 ) compared with the control GaN layers. Both SiN x and TiN x porous network structures are found to be effective in blocking the threading dislocation from penetrating into the upper layer. Supporting these findings are the results from X-Ray diffraction and low temperature photoluminescence (PL) measurements. The linewidth of the asymmetric X-Ray diffraction (XRD) (1012) peak decreases considerably for the layers grown with the use of SiN x and TiN x layers, which generally suggests the reduction of edge and mixed threading dislocations. In general, further improvement is observed with the addition of a second SiNx layer. The room temperature decay times obtained from biexponential fits to time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) data are increased with the inclusion of SiN x and TiN x layers. TRPL results suggest that primarily point-defect and impurity-related nonradiative centers are responsible for reducing the lifetime. The carrier lifetime of 1.86 ns measured for a TiN x network sample is slightly longer than that for a 200 μm-thick high quality freestanding GaN. Results on samples grown by a new technique called crack-assisted lateral overgrowth, which combines in situ deposition of SiN x mask and conventional lateral overgrowth, are also reported.
The microflotation of egg albumin and hemoglobin

Abstract The precipitation and microflotation phenomena of egg albumin and of hemoglobin were studied as a function of pH. The microflotation was carried out in the presence of Al(NO3)3 and Al2(SO4)3, respectively, using lauric acid in ethanol as the collector/frother system. The efficiency of removal was related to the stability of these proteins in the same electrolyte environments. In most cases the separation occurred only when aluminum hydroxide precipitate interacted with egg albumin or hemoglobin to yield unstable systems.
Photography of Soft-Bodied Crustaceans via Drying, Whitening, and Splicing

Abstract It is difficult to take good detailed pictures of soft-bodied crustaceans (and other invertebrates); photographing animals in alcohol leads to problems with lighting and focus while drying out soft-bodied animals for photography distorts their morphology. To help better capture surface detail, the following procedures are proposed. Specimens should be fixed and stained with a general tissue stain in order to ensure an even coloration, followed by either chemical drying (using hexamethyldisilazane) or critical point drying. Specimens are then mounted to allow for whitening with either ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) or magnesium oxide (MgO) to highlight areas of high topographic relief. Lastly, to increase the depth of field in the resulting image, photographs should be taken at sequential planes of focus and then spliced together using a software package for that purpose (i.e., Helicon Focus or Leica Applications Suite). This method is especially useful for showing surface detail and for making compara...
Water Permeation through the Sodium-Dependent Galactose Cotransporter vSGLT

It is well accepted that cotransporters facilitate water movement by two independent mechanisms: osmotic flow through a water channel in the protein and flow driven by ion/substrate cotransport. However, the molecular mechanism of transport-linked water flow is controversial. Some researchers believe that it occurs via cotransport, in which water is pumped along with the transported cargo, while others believe that flow is osmotic in response to an increase in intracellular osmolarity. In this letter, we report the results of a 200-ns molecular dynamics simulation of the sodium-dependent galactose cotransporter vSGLT. Our simulation shows that a significant number of water molecules cross the protein through the sugar-binding site in the presence as well as the absence of galactose, and 70–80 water molecules accompany galactose as it moves from the binding site into the intracellular space. During this event, the majority of water molecules in the pathway are unable to diffuse around the galactose, resulting in water in the inner half of the transporter being pushed into the intracellular space and replaced by extracellular water. Thus, our simulation supports the notion that cotransporters act as both passive water channels and active water pumps with the transported substrate acting as a piston to rectify the motion of water.
Scattering from a fault interface in the Coso geothermal field

Large-amplitude, secondary arrivals are modeled as scattering anomalies near the Coso, California, geothermal field. Polarization and ray tracing methods determine the orientation and location of the scattering body. Two models are proposed for the scatterer: (1) a point scatterer located anywhere in a one-dimensional (1-D), layered velocity model; and (2) a dipping interface between two homogeneous half spaces. Each model is derived by non-linear, grid search inversion for the optimal solution which best predicts observed travel times. In each case the models predict a nearly vertical scatterer southwest of stations S4 and Y4, each southeast of Sugarloaf Mountain, a large rhyolite dome. The interface model includes five unknown parameters describing the location and orientation of the interface in addition to the S-wave velocity of the half space. The S-wave velocity, 3.25 km/s, agrees with independently derived 1-D models in this area. The large amplitude, vertical impedance contrast interface coincides with steep gradients of heat flow measured near the surface and with structural boundaries observed in surface geology. The reflector is most probably the sharp boundary between the northern part of the field where there is significant fluid flow and the southern part where hydrothermal fluids are absent. The interface coincides with geological boundaries and faults recently observed in this region, most likely representing the hydrothermal barrier which channels hot fluids northward.
Longitudinal changes in college math students' implicit theories of intelligence

This study examined changes over time in implicit theories of intelligence and their relationships to help-seeking and academic performance. College algebra students completed questionnaires during the second week of classes and 2 weeks before the end of the semester (ns = 159 and 145, respectively; 61 students completed questionnaires at both waves). The questionnaires assessed entity and incremental implicit theories of general and math intelligence (beginning and end of semester) and help-seeking (end of semester). Results indicated that students had more incremental views of general than math intelligence. Further, their views became less incremental over the course of the semester; however, this decrease was greater for math than for general intelligence. Participants who exhibited a stronger incremental theory of general intelligence at the beginning of the semester subsequently reported greater help-seeking during the semester. Finally, students who had more entitative views of math intelligence earned lower course grades.
Synthesis of Research: Teaching Whole-Group Classrooms.

(1995). Synthesis of Research: Teaching Whole‐Group Classrooms. Peabody Journal of Education: Vol. 70, Teacher Effectiveness: A Look at What Works, pp. 104-116.
Optimal clustering for efficient computations of contingency effects in large regional power systems

The goal of this paper is to determine optimal clustering in large power networks for efficient contingency screening. A decentralized algorithm for “DC” contingency screening based on Diakoptics is revisited first. It has been shown that this algorithm is much more computationally efficient compared to the existing Distribution Factor Matrix methods for a pre-specified clustering. This paper will address how to establish the best clustering and quantify how much more efficient that clustering is compared to a pre-specified one. The optimality is defined in terms of computational complexity and necessary communication among the clusters. The optimal clustering requires the minimum balanced computational effort across the clusters with the minimum amount of information exchange. Optimal clustering will be illustrated on a sparsely connected RTS-96 bus system and a densely connected NPCC 36-bus system.
AGS-3 alters Caenorhabditis elegans behavior after food deprivation via RIC-8 activation of the neural G protein G αo.

Proteins containing the G protein regulator (GPR) domain bind the major neural G protein Gαoin vitro. However, the biological functions of GPR proteins in neurons remain undefined, and based on the in vitro activities of GPR proteins it is unclear whether these proteins activate or inhibit G protein signaling in vivo. We found that the conserved GPR domain protein AGS-3 activates Gαo signaling in vivo to allow Caenorhabditis elegans to alter several behaviors after food deprivation, apparently so that the animals can more effectively seek food. AGS-3 undergoes a progressive change in its biochemical fractionation upon food deprivation, suggesting that effects of food deprivation are mediated by modifying this protein. We analyzed one C. elegans food-regulated behavior in depth; AGS-3 activates Gαo in the ASH chemosensory neurons to allow food-deprived animals to delay response to the aversive stimulus octanol. Genetic epistasis experiments show the following: (1) AGS-3 and the guanine nucleotide exchange factor RIC-8 act in ASH in a mutually dependent fashion to activate Gαo; (2) this activation requires interaction of the GPR domains of AGS-3 with Gαo; and (3) Gαo-GTP is ultimately the signaling molecule that acts in ASH to delay octanol response. These results identify a biological role for AGS-3 in response to food deprivation and indicate the mechanism for its activation of Gαo signaling in vivo.
Electrochemical investigation of the chemical diffusion, partial ionic conductivities, and other kinetic parameters in Li3Sb and Li3Bi

Abstract The galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT) has been used to electrochemically determine the chemical and component diffusion coefficients, the electrical and general lithium mobilities, the partial lithium ionic conductivity, the parabolic tarnishing rate constant, and the thermodynamic enhancement factor in “Li 3 Sb” and “Li 3 Bi” as a function of stoichiometry in the temperature range from 360 to 600°C. LiCl, KCl eutectic mixtures were used as molten salt electrolytes and Al, “LiAl” two-phase mixtures as solid reference and counterelectrodes. The stoichiometric range of the antimony compound is rather small, 7 × 10 −3 at 360°C, whereas the bismuth compound has a range of 0.22 (380°C), mostly on the lithium deficit side of the ideal composition. The thermodynamic enhancement factor in “Li 3 Sb” depends strongly on the stoichiometry, and has a peak value of nearly 70 000; for “Li 3 Bi” it rises more smoothly to a maximum of 360. The chemical diffusion coefficient for “Li 3 Sb” is 2 × 10 −5 cm 2 sec −1 at negative deviations from the ideal stoichiometry and increases by about an order of magnitude in the presence of excess lithium at 360°C. The corresponding value for “Li 3 Bi” is 10 −4 cm 2 sec −1 with high lithium deficit, and increases markedly when approaching ideal stoichiometry. The activation energies are small, 0.1–0.3 eV, depending on the stoichiometry, in both phases. The mobility of lithium in “Li 3 Bi” is about 500 times greater than in “Li 3 Sb” with a lithium deficit. The ionic conductivity in “Li 3 Sb” increases from about 10 −4 Ω −1 cm −1 in the vacancy transport region to about 2 × 10 −3 where transport is probably by interstial motion at 360°C. For “Li 3 Bi” a practically constant value of nearly 10 −1 Ω −1 cm −1 is found at 380°C. The parabolic tarnishing rate constant shows a sharp increase at higher lithium activities in “Li 3 Sb” whereas in “Li 3 Bi” it has a roughly linear dependence upon the logarithm of the lithium activity. The tarnishing process is about 2 orders of magnitude slower for “Li 3 Sb” than for “Li 3 Bi.” Because of the fast ionic transport in these mixed conducting materials, “Li 3 Sb” and “Li 3 Bi” may be called “fast electrodes.”
Endoscopic Septal Spur Resection

A variety of surgical approaches exists for the management of nasal septal spurs in patients who undergo endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Treatment of septal spurs in the past has been frequently ad...