cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Progress toward the tomato fruit cell wall proteome

The plant cell wall (CW) compartment, or apoplast, is host to a highly dynamic proteome, comprising large numbers of both enzymatic and structural proteins. This reflects its importance as the interface between adjacent cells and the external environment, the presence of numerous extracellular metabolic and signaling pathways, and the complex nature of wall structural assembly and remodeling during cell growth and differentiation. Tomato fruit ontogeny, with its distinct phases of rapid growth and ripening, provides a valuable experimental model system for CW proteomic studies, in that it involves substantial wall assembly, remodeling and coordinated disassembly. Moreover, diverse populations of secreted proteins must be deployed to resist microbial infection and protect against abiotic stresses. Tomato fruits also provide substantial amounts of biological material, which is a significant advantage for many types of biochemical analyses, and facilitates the detection of lower abundance proteins. In this review we describe a variety of orthogonal techniques that have been applied to identify CW localized proteins from tomato fruit, including approaches that: target the proteome of the CW and the overlying cuticle; functional ‘secretome’ screens; lectin affinity chromatography; and computational analyses to predict proteins that enter the secretory pathway. Each has its merits and limitations, but collectively they are providing important insights into CW proteome composition and dynamics, as well as some potentially controversial issues, such as the prevalence of non-canonical protein secretion.
Analysis of regional variations in the affinities of muscarinic agonists in the rat brain

Abstract The brain stem of the rat has a higher affinity toward muscarinic agonists than does the forebrain. Receptor occupancy curves of both regions of the brain deviate from simple mass-action binding. The characteristics of the binding in each region are compatible with the existence of two non-interacting binding sites, and are not attributable to desensitization or to negatively cooperative binding within a small oligomer; however, the possibility of large oligomers remains to be excluded. The agonist binding data were analyzed by a linear transformation of Scatchard-like inhibition curves of the binding of the antagonist [ 3 H]quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB). Such analysis, based on a model of two subpopulations of receptors in each area, shows the subpopulations of the brain stem and the forebrain to be distinct. Brain stem: 44% of receptors possess high affinity with dissociation constant for carbachol, K H = 2.8 × 10 −8 M , dissociation constant of low-affinity receptor, K L = 2.3 × 10 −6 M ; forebrain: 41% high affinity, K H = 2.1 × 10 −7 M, K L = 1.7 × 10 −5 M . The data suggest that whole brain contains at least three major muscarinic receptors, which can be distinguished on the basis of their affinities for agonists.
Effects of reinforcement shifts upon subsequent sucrose consumption

Elation of sucrose consumption was not observed among male or female rats following a temporary shift to water. These data are contrary to earlier work which employed saccharin as the reward.
Microdamage of the cortical bone during mini-implant insertion with self-drilling and self-tapping techniques: A randomized controlled trial

Introduction The purpose of this research was to evaluate microdamage accumulation after mini-implant placement by self-drilling (without a pilot hole) and self-tapping (screwed into a pilot hole) insertion techniques. The null hypothesis was that the mini-implant insertion technique would have no influence on microcrack accumulation and propagation in the cortical bones of the maxillae and mandibles of adult hounds. Methods Mini-implants (n = 162; diameter, 1.6 mm; length, 6 mm) were placed in the maxillae and mandibles of 9 hounds (12-14 months old) with self-drilling and self-tapping insertion techniques. The techniques were randomly assigned to the left or the right side of each jaw. Each hound received 18 mini-implants (10 in the mandible, 8 in the maxilla). Histomorphometric parameters including total crack length and crack surface density were measured. The null hypothesis was rejected in favor of an alternate hypothesis: that the self-drilling technique results in more microdamage (microcracks) accumulation in the adjacent cortical bone in both the maxilla and the mandible immediately after mini-implant placement. A cluster level analysis was used to analyze the data on the outcome measured. Since the measurements were clustered within dogs, a paired-samples t test was used to analyze the average differences between insertion methods at both jaw locations. A significance level of 0.05 was used for both analyses. Results The self-drilling technique resulted in greater total crack lengths in both the maxilla and the mandible (maxilla: mean difference, 18.70 ± 7.04 μm/mm 2 ; CI, 13.29-24.11; mandible: mean difference, 22.98 ± 6.43 μm/mm 2 ; CI, 18.04-27.93; P 2 ; CI, 3.34-17.43; mandible: mean difference, 11.28 ± 3.41 μm/mm 2 ; CI, 8.65-13.90; P Conclusions This study demonstrated greater microdamage in the cortical bones of adult hounds in both the maxilla and the mandible by the self-drilling insertion technique compared with the self-tapping technique.
Highly-cited ideas in system codesign and synthesis

We conducted a study of citations of papers published between 1996 and 2006 in the CODES and ISSS conferences, representing the hardware/software codesign and system synthesis community. Citations, meaning non-self-citations only, were considered from all papers known to Google Scholar, as well as only from subsequent CODES/ISSS papers. We list the most-cited CODES/ISSS papers of each year, summarizing their topics, and discussing common features of those papers. For comparison purposes, we also measured citations for the computer architecture community's ISCA and MICRO conferences, and for the field-programmable gate array community's FPGA and FCCM conferences. We point out several interesting differences among the citation patterns of the three communities.
Chemical Synthesis of 1-14C-Octadecyldihydroxyacetone Phosphate and 1-14C-Octadecyldihydroxyacetone

The synthesis of 1-14C-octadecyldihydroxyacetone phosphate of high specific activity was accomplished via the cyclohexylammonium salt of 1-O-(1-14C-octadecyl)-2,2-dimethoxy-propane-3-phosphate.
Facilitating Preschool Learning and Movement through Dance

A preschool movement through dance program is a way to open the door to numerous cultural benefits and opportunities, and preschool skill facilitation. Creating new contexts for learning enrich young children and offer them different opportunities to understand and negotiate the world. Inclusive curricular integration and parent and community participation are important components of a cultural arts experience that deepen the children’s repertoire of behavior and responses to the world. Early childhood education practitioners are encouraged to creatively explore their community and develop rich cultural learning experiences for children.
Role of insular cortex D1 and D2 dopamine receptors in nicotine self-administration in rats

The insular cortex has been associated with the processing of rewarding stimuli and with the neural bases of drug addiction. Ischemic damage to the insula has been associated with decreased desire to smoke cigarettes. Which component of insular function is involved in the neural basis of cigarette smoking is not clear. Dopamine systems are crucial for the reinforcing value of addictive drugs. The DA projection from the ventral tegmental area to the nucleus accumbens (NAc) has been shown to be a vital pathway for the primary reinforcement caused by taking a variety of abused drugs. In the current set of studies, the roles of D₁ and D₂ receptors in the insular cortex in the self-administration of nicotine by rats were assessed. Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were fitted with jugular catheters and given access to self-administer nicotine. Bilateral local infusion cannulae were implanted into the agranular insular cortex to locally administer D₁ and D₂ antagonists (SCH-23390 and haloperidol). Acute local infusions of the D₁ antagonist SCH-23390 into the insula (1-2 μg/side) significantly decreased nicotine self-administration by more than 50%. Repeated infusions of SCH-23390 into the agranular insula caused continuing decreases in nicotine self-administration without signs of tolerance. In contrast, local infusions of the D₂ antagonist haloperidol 0.5-2 μg/side did not have any discernable effect on nicotine self-administration. These studies show the importance of DA D₁ systems in the insula for nicotine reward.
Materials for high temperature acoustic and vibration sensors: A review

Abstract The industrial and scientific communities have expressed a real need for the capability of pressure, acoustic, and vibration sensing at elevated temperatures. This review compares the various commercial methods and materials for acoustic transduction, identifying their advantages and limitations. Techniques and devices include simple piezoelectric sensors, accelerometers, strain gauges, proximity sensors, fiber optics and buffer rods. Sensors with operating temperatures in excess of 650°C are readily available from commercial sources. Of the mechanisms investigated, the piezoelectric approach offers several advantages, including design cost and simplicity. Therefore, the bulk of this review concentrates on piezoelectric materials, both those that are already available commercially, and those that are presently under development. The new materials include perovskite layer structure ferroelectric ceramics, which possess the highest known Curie temperatures, and thin film AlN, which has been reported to be piezoactive at 1150°C.
Interaction of NaCl and Cd stress on compartmentation pattern of cations, antioxidant enzymes and proteins in leaves of two wheat genotypes differing in salt tolerance

Physiological mechanisms of salinity–Cd interactions were investigated in inter- and intracellular leaf compartments of salt-tolerant wheat × Lophopyrum elongatum (Host) A. Love (syn. Agropyron elongatum) amphiploid and its salt-sensitive wheat parent (Triticum aestivum L. cv Chinese Spring). In comparison with the intracellular fluid, only very low Na+ concentrations (up to about 4 mM) were found in the intercellular leaf compartment of wheat after a 75 mM supply of NaCl. NaCl salinity led to a higher Cd concentration in leaves of the salt-sensitive genotype. Cd in the intercellular leaf compartment was not detectable. Higher K+ concentrations in the intercellular leaf compartment of the salt-sensitive genotype suggest a higher plasma membrane permeability caused by NaCl + Cd stress. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity was increased in leaves of the salt-sensitive genotype under the combined NaCl and Cd stress. The highest non-specific peroxidase activities were detected under the combined stresses. It is suggested that NaCl and Cd stress in combination enhance the production of oxygen radicals and H2O2, especially in leaves of the salt-sensitive genotype. As a consequence, disturbed membrane function may cause elevated Cd concentrations in the intracellular leaf compartment under salinity. Cd did not change protein concentration and pattern in leaves. The protein content in inter-and intracellular leaf compartments of both genotypes was increased under salinity. A different protein pattern was obtained in inter- and intracellular leaf compartments. Thus, several physiological interactions between NaCl stress and Cd were found in the two wheat genotypes.
Locke on individuation and the corpuscular basis of kinds

In this paper, I examine the crucial relationship between Locke’s theory of individuation and his theory of kinds. Locke holds that two material objects—e.g., a mass of matter and an oak tree—can be in the same place at the same time, provided that they are ‘of different kinds’. According to Locke, kinds are nominal essences, that is, general abstract ideas based on objective similarities between particular individuals. I argue that Locke’s view on coinciding material objects is incompatible with his view on kinds. In order for two material objects to be in the same place at the same time, they must differ with respect to at least one nominal essence. However, Locke thinks that it is impossible that x and y have the same real essence but differ with respect to any nominal essence; and coinciding material objects have the same real essence. Therefore, Locke cannot hold what he in fact holds, namely that distinct material objects can be in the same place at the same time.
Oral administration of human or murine interferon alpha suppresses relapses and modifies adoptive transfer in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Abstract Chronic relapsing experimental autoimmune encephalitis (CR-EAE) is an inflammatory process of the central nervous system (CNS) that closely resembles the human disease multiple sclerosis (MS). EAE was induced in SJL/J mice and following recovery from the initial attack, animals were fed varying doses of human or murine interferon alpha (IFN-α), or mock IFN three times per week. After relapse, concanavalin A-activated spleen cells were transferred adoptively from orally fed animals into recipient animals. Oral administration of human or murine IFN-α suppressed relapse in actively immunized animals, modified adoptive transfer of EAE, and decreased mitogen/antigen proliferation and IFN-γ secretion in both donors and recipients. IFN-α acts orally by modifying the encephalitogenicity of donor spleen T cells.
A New Class of Key Management Scheme for Access Control in Dynamic Hierarchies

AbstractCryptographic techniques for Hierarchical Access Control (HAC) have recently attracted intensive research interests. A large number of key management schemes have been proposed for access control in hierarchy. Their constructions are based mainly on one-way functions and are computationally secure. Many of these schemes were however, found with different problems in terms of structure, security, efficiency and dynamics. In this paper, we propose a new key management scheme that can be used for access control in dynamic hierarchies. The new scheme is based on the secret sharing principle, without using a one-way function. Consequently, it is unconditionally secure. In addition, it has the following properties: (i) supporting full dynamics at both node and user levels; (ii) allowing any random reconfiguration of access hierarchy; (iii) utilizing the same algorithm for key computation and also descendant key derivation (regardless how far its descendant is away from the node); and (iv) eliminating pe...
Mobile Trust, Enacted Relationships: Social Capital in a State-Level Policy Network

ABSTRACT What holds a policy network together? Our previous work on policy networks and “network systems” (Rethemeyer 2005; 2007a,b; Rethemeyer and Hatmaker 2008) suggests that personal social capital, organizational social capital, and resource dependence are complementary bases for cohesion in policy networks. In this article we take up the challenge issued by Ibarra, Kilduff, and Tsai (2005, 359) to “bring the individual back in” to network studies by examining the dynamics between individual and organizational social capital (a process that has not been fully developed in the literature) and to tighten the connection between social capital and resource dependence. Although researchers acknowledge that personal social capital contributes to organizational social capital (Knoke 1999; Burt 1992), to our knowledge, no studies have examined how it contributes in a longitudinal, interorganizational policy network study.In this paper we present findings from a longitudinal case study of an adult basic educat...
Angiogenesis and cancer metastases: therapeutic approaches

4. Drug discovery 4.1. Antiangiogenic agents 4.1. I. Angiostatic steroids/heparin. 4.1.2. Tetracyclines 4.1.3. Fumagillin derivative (TNP-470). 4.1.4. Retinoids/carotenoids 4.1.5. Genistein 4.1.6. Linomide 4.1.7. Other small molecules. 4.1.8. Platelet factor 4 and other peptides. 4.1.9. Interferon alpha-2a 4.1.10. Anticancer agents. 4.2. Antimetastatic agents 4.2. I. Anticoagulants, cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase inhibitors. 4.2.2. CAI ...... 4.2.3. Inhibitors of urokinase and extracellular matrix proteinases. 4.2.4. Anticancer agents II II 12 I2 I5 I9 21 21 22 22 23 23 23 23 26 27 28
Coincidence summing corrections for positron emitters in germanium gamma spectrometry

Abstract For positron emitters, 511 keV annihilation quanta are in coincidence with other gamma rays in the decay scheme. If the positrons are not localized at the point of decay, annihilation quanta will be produced at a site some distance from the point of emission. The magnitude of the summing coincidence effect will depend upon the position of annihilation. A method for determining the magnitude of the summing effect for a single gamma of energy E in coincidence with the annihilation gammas from non-localized positrons has been developed which makes use of the counting data for the full energy peaks for both the gamma ray ( E ) and the 511 keV annihilation gammas. With this data and efficiency calibration data one can determine the average total efficiency for the annihilation positions from which 511 keV gammas originate, and thereby obtain the summing correction factor, SCF, for gamma ray ( E ). Application of the method to a 22 Na NIST standard gave excellent agreement of observed emission rates for the 1275 keV gamma with the NIST value for wide ranging degrees of positron localization having summing correction factors ranging from 1.021 to 1.505. The method was also applied successfully to 58 Co in neutron-irradiated nickel foils. The method shows promise as a check on the accuracy of the efficiency calibration for a particular detector geometry at the 511 keV energy and energies for other gammas associated with positron emission.
Gene expression classification using binary rule majority voting genetic programming classifier

The results of a gene expression study are difficult to interpret. To increase interpretability, researchers have developed classification techniques that produce rules to classify gene expression profiles. Genetic programming is one method to produce classification rules. These rules are difficult to interpret because they are based on complicated functions of gene expression values. We propose the binary rule majority voting genetic programming classifier BRMVGPC that classifies samples using binary rules based on the detection calls for genes instead of the gene expression values. BRMVGPC increases rule interpretability. We evaluate BRMVGPC on two public datasets, one brain and one prostate cancer, and achieved 88.89% and 86.39% accuracy respectively. These results are comparable to other classifiers in the gene expression profile domain. Specific contributions include a classification technique BRMVGPC and an iterative k-nearest neighbour technique for handling marginal detection call values.
Computing Minkowski Sum of Periodic Surface Models

Recently we proposed a periodic surface model to assist geometric construction in computer-aided nano-design. This implicit surface model helps create super-porous nano structures parametrically and support crystal packing. In this paper, we study construction methods of Minkowski sums for periodic surfaces. A numerical approximation approach based on the Chebyshev polynomials is developed and can be applied in the formulations of surface normal direction matching and volume translations.
Lithium intercalation of carbon-fiber microelectrodes

Individual carbon-fiber electrodes are used to isolate characteristics intrinsic to the lithiated-carbon fiber. The results are not complicated by the influence of binders, electronically conductive additives, current collectors, or other components necessary for the fabrication of porous carbon electrodes. Central to the technique is the use of microelectrode instrumentation and microscopic carbon fibers. Analytic expressions are derived to represent qualitatively the electrochemical data. The results of this study allow one to determine the performance limitations imposed on a porous carbon anode by the active carbon fibers.
Bio-SANS—A dedicated facility for neutron structural biology at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Abstract The Center for Structural Molecular Biology (CSMB) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is developing facilities and techniques for the characterization and analysis of biological systems at the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) and the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS). The cornerstone of the effort is a small-angle neutron scattering instrument (Bio-SANS) currently under construction at HFIR that will be dedicated to the analysis of the structure, function and dynamics of complex biological systems. In support of this program, we are developing advanced computational tools for neutron analysis and modeling, alongside a supporting biophysical characterization and X-ray scattering infrastructure. Specifically, we established a Bio-Deuteration Laboratory for in vivo production of H/D-labeled macromolecules that will permit selected parts of macromolecular structures to be highlighted and analyzed in situ using neutron scattering. These new facilities will make ORNL a world-leading scientific center and user facility for neutron-based studies of biomolecular structure and function.
The Effects of Group Longevity on Project Communication and Performance.

In his research on engineering project teams, for example, Allen (1977) carefully demonstrated that only 11 percent of the sources of new ideas and information could be attributed to written media; the rest ocurred through interpersonal communications. This study investigated the communication behaviors and performances of 50 R&D project groups that varied in terms of group longevity, as measured by the average length of time project members had worked together. Analyses revealed that project groups became increasingly isolated from key information sources both within and outside their organizations with increasing stability in project membership. Such reductions in project communication were also shown to affect adversely the technical performance of project groups. Furthermore, variations in communication activities were more associated with the tenure composition of project groups than with the project tenures of individual engineers. These findings are presented and discussed in the more general terms of what happens in project groups with increasing group longevity.
Inguinal hernias: Value of preparticipation examination, activity restriction decisions, and timing of surgery

Though groin pain is common, the differential diagnosis is broad, and narrowing down the diagnosis of an inguinal hernia can be challenging. Once a hernia is diagnosed, play becomes limited based on severity of symptoms and physician and patient comfort, and the athlete should be closely monitored for worsening symptoms. Several surgical approaches are available for the repair of inguinal hernias, but without knowing the true natural history of this disorder, it is difficult to know when it is appropriate to have a hernia repaired.
Fragmentation Partners from Collisional Dissociation of C 60

The collision dynamics of 75-keV ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ with ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ gas has been studied. Coincidence measurements demonstrate that fragments such as ${\mathrm{C}}_{4}$ and ${\mathrm{C}}_{8}$ as well as the commonly assumed ${\mathrm{C}}_{2}$ species are fragmentation partners to heavy fragments. Odd- $n$ as well as even- $n$ light fragments are coincident with even- $n$ heavy fragments, indicating sequential decay following the initial binary fragmentation. Periodicity in yield distributions suggests that rings as well as chains can be extracted from ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ and still leave a fullerene structure.
Magnetic Stopping of Transient Laser Plasmas

We investigated the expansion features of laser- produced Al plasma in the presence of 0.8 T magnetic field. Fast-gated photography was used to record 2-D snapshots of plasma at various moments during its expansion. The slowing down and stopping of the plasmas were observed at all laser irradiance levels used (3-10 GW·cm �2 ), however, increasing con- vexity of the plasma periphery was noticed at higher irradiance levels. C ONTROLLING the parameters of laser-produced plasmas (LPPs) is very important for most of its applications. A magnetic field is capable of providing such control by influencing the dynamic, ionization, and optical properties of a LPP (1), (2). The presence of magnetic field during the expansion of the plume may lead to plasma confinement, ion acceleration, enhanced emission intensity, instabilities, focusing and so on (3), (4). In this paper, we report the dynamics of expanding laser-plasma under a transverse B field studied using fast gated photography. We investigated the changes in the morphology of laser- produced plumes under different irradiation conditions expanding in vacuum into a 0.8 T magnetic field. For plasma-B field interaction experiments, a magnetic trap was fabricated using Nd-based rare-earth magnets. Magnetic circuits closed by magnetic steel provided an approximately uniform field, as well as field strength, in the gap nearly twice as high as the case with an isolated pair of magnetized plates. With this configuration, we obtained a magnetic field ∼0.8 T, measured using a Gauss meter. An Al target was positioned at equi-center between the pole edges of the two magnets. For producing plasmas, the Al target was irradiated using pulses from a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with 6-ns full width half maximum at 1064 nm and focused using a f/40 plano convex lens to a spot size of ∼1 mm. The laser pulse energy at the target surface was varied using a combination of half wave plate and cube polarizer. All experiments were done in a vacuum chamber with a base pressure ∼10 −5 torr. An intensified CCD (ICCD) camera was used to capture time resolved images of the expanding plasma in the presence and absence of the B field.
Cigarette smoking, alcohol intake, and thyroid cancer risk: a pooled analysis of five prospective studies in the United States

Objective We examined the associations between cigarette smoking, alcohol intake, and thyroid cancer risk in a pooled analysis of five prospective studies.
An asymptotic maximum likelihood estimator for source parameters in a multipath environment

A method is presented for underwater acoustic source parameter estimation when many multipaths exist. The method is based on an asymptotic maximum likelihood (ML) estimator in the frequency domain and an acoustic image model for the ocean. Cramer-Rao bounds are calculated and compared with Monte Carlo simulation results. >
SOCIAL SCIENCE AND SAGECRAFT IN THE DEBATE OVER GUN CONTROL

This article is not about the gun control issue per se; instead, it considers the way in which this issue has been treated by social scientists. The article points to some of the shortcomings in what is commonly referred to as the conventional social scientific approach to controversial social matters. While the subject examined in the article is gun control, other equally controversial issues, such as school busing or the legalization of marijuana, could have been used as well to make the same points.SUMMARYUsing the gun control issue as a case in point, this article has argued that the conventional social scientific treatment of controversial social phenomena often has much more in common with sagecraft than it does with social science. The social scientific treatment of the gun issue passed on to the general public through magazine articles, the published findings of various social-science-assisted commissions, and social science textbooks, is generally identical to the pro-gun control argument accepted by that segment of American society with which the more prominent social scientists are more likely to identify--namely urban, college educated, philosophically and politically liberal, upper-middle class, or cosmopolitan America. It would appear that cosmopolitan ethnocentrism and the sage orientation that it fosters do little to encourage the intellectual curiosity and skepticism so vital to the social scientific enterprise. Language: en
A NUMERICAL STUDY OF WAKE ROLL-UP FOR A FLAPPED TRANSPORT WING

Calculated results of wake roll-up from an isolated transport-type wing at a low subsonic speed by a thin-layer Navier-Stokes method are presented. The computational results indicate that the vortex roll-up and its decay are faster for the flap-deployed case than for the clean configuration as indicated in experimental data. The tip vortex is relatively strong for the clean configuration than for the flapped case. The computed location of the trailing vortex for the clean configuration is near the mid-semispan where flow separation occurs, more inboard than that behind a rectangular wing. On the other hand, the trailing vortex for a flapped configuration at the same or higher lift coefficient as the clean configuration tends to be more outboard, depending on the spanwise location of the partial span flap. For a flap span with the outer edge near the mid-semispan, the outboard flap vortex merges with the trailing vortex within half span length. On the other hand, if the location of the flap outer edge is more inboard, the outboard flap vortex is still distinct even at 7.5 span lengths downstream. The condition for merging appears to be the continuity of wake vorticity distribution near the trailing edge.
“To B(MP-2) or Not To B(MP-2)” or “Much Ado About Nothing”: Are Orthobiologics in Tumor Surgery Worth the Risks?

Geller and colleagues report that adjuvant chemotherapy affected the adequacy of osteosarcoma local surgical control. Exogenous bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) did not increase local recurrence, but the limited theoretical benefits of BMP-2 for a subset of patients with osteosarcoma may not justify the systemic and long-term risks.
Wechsler-Based CHC Cross-Battery Assessment and Reading Achievement: Strengthening the Validity of Interpretations Drawn from Wechsler Test Scores

The Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) cross-battery approach to assessing cognitive abilities has been introduced to the field recently as an alternative to traditional assessment instruments and techniques (Flanagan, McGrew, & Ortiz, 2000; McGrew & Flanagan, 1998). This theory-based method of assessment was developed to provide a more valid and defensible way of deriving meaning from test scores than that provided by the traditional (and largely atheoretical) Wechsler Scale approach. The present study is the first to investigate the validity of the cross-battery approach using a sample of elementary school children (N= 166) who were administered the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R; Wechsler, 1974) and Woodcock-Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery-Revised (WJ-R; Woodcock & Johnson, 1989). Structural Equation Modeling was used to examine whether (a) Wechsler-based CHC cross-battery assessment explained more variance in reading achievement than a traditional Wechsler model, and (b) whether the Wechsler-based CHC cross-battery model provided a more accurate description of the general and specific abilities on general and specific reading achievement than the traditional Wechsler model, as predicted in the extant ^/specific abilities literature. Findings showed that the g factor underlying the Wechsler-based CHC cross-battery model accounted for substantially more variance in reading achievement (25%) than the g factor underlying the atheoretical Verbal Comprehension-Perceptual Organization-Freedom From Distractibility (VC-PO-FFD) Wechsler model. In addition, findings demonstrated that when assessments are organized around the strong CHC theoretical model, specific cognitive abilities, including auditory processing (Ga), crystallized intelligence (Gc), and processing speed (Gs) explained a significant portion of variance in reading achievement beyond that accounted for by g. These
Limitations of the minimum peripheral dose as a parameter for dose specification in permanent 125I prostate implants

Abstract Purpose : The objective of this work is to investigate whether the minimum peripheral dose is a practical parameter for dose specification in permanent 125I implants of the prostate. Methods and Materials : The investigation was carried out by use of a computer model of ellipsoidal 125I implants in which the average dimension and elongation factor were varied to provide a wide range of geometries. Both ideal and nonideal implants were investigated. The 125I seeds were confined to the target volume except for a portion of the study in which the effect of placing seeds outside the target volume was investigated. Results : The minimum peripheral dose was found to be very sensitive to the seed placement. The irregularities in the seed spacing that inevitably occur in actual implants tend to lower the minimum peripheral dose. As a result, the minimum peripheral dose is generally significantly less than planned by an amount that is unpredictable, and often exceeds 25%. However, the percentage of the target volume that receives a dose less than the prescribed minimum peripheral dose is generally less than 10%. Implanting seeds outside the target volume improves the dose uniformity, but does not appear to offer any advantage in dose coverage, and increases the volume of normal tissue irradiated. Conclusion : If a minimum peripheral dose is prescribed for a permanent 125I prostate implant, and the implant is planned using an idealized implant having precisely spaced seeds, the prescribed dose will rarely, if ever, be achieved. Reasonable agreement with the prescribed dose can be achieved only if the requirement for coverage is relaxed from 100 to 90%, or if the total source strength is increased by 20% to compensate for the anticipated imperfections in seed placement.
Optimal transmission range and actor movement in wireless sensor and Actor networks

We consider the design of wireless sensor and actor networks. Sensors are network nodes with a fixed location and limited transmission power. Actors are mobile nodes that may relocate their position to provide coverage to the sensor nodes. We consider the problem of relocating K actors from initial random locations to locations where every sensor node is able to communicate directly with at least one actor node. The new actor locations are chosen to minimize the transmission power that is necessary for the sensor nodes. Also, the pairing of actors to their new locations is such that the cost of relocating the actors is minimized.
Facts or friends?: distinguishing informational and conversational questions in social Q&A sites

Tens of thousands of questions are asked and answered every day on social question and answer (Q&A) Web sites such as Yahoo Answers. While these sites generate an enormous volume of searchable data, the problem of determining which questions and answers are archival quality has grown. One major component of this problem is the prevalence of conversational questions, identified both by Q&A sites and academic literature as questions that are intended simply to start discussion. For example, a conversational question such as "do you believe in evolution?" might successfully engage users in discussion, but probably will not yield a useful web page for users searching for information about evolution. Using data from three popular Q&A sites, we confirm that humans can reliably distinguish between these conversational questions and other informational questions, and present evidence that conversational questions typically have much lower potential archival value than informational questions. Further, we explore the use of machine learning techniques to automatically classify questions as conversational or informational, learning in the process about categorical, linguistic, and social differences between different question types. Our algorithms approach human performance, attaining 89.7% classification accuracy in our experiments.
Reductions in interface defects, D it , by post oxidation plasma-assisted nitridation of GaN-SiO 2 interfaces in MOS devices

This paper applies remote plasma processing techniques, remote plasma assisted oxidation (nitridation) RPAO(N) and RP enhanced chemical vapor deposition (RPECVD), developed originally for fabrication of Si MOS devices with deposited SiO2, Si3N4 and Si oxynitride alloys, to the formation of device-quality GaN MOS devices. Significant improvements in device performance for GaN SiO2 interfaces are demonstrating by following an RPAO process step that forms the GaN dielectric interface with an interfacial RPAN step prior to the deposition of the SiO2 dielectric film by RPECVD. On-line Auger electron spectroscopy is used to monitor interface bonding for different ordering of RPAO and RPAN process steps.
Three approaches to investigating functional compromise to the default mode network after traumatic axonal injury

The default mode network (DMN) is a reliably elicited functional neural network with potential clinical implications. Its discriminant and prognostic utility following traumatic axonal injury (TAI) have not been previously investigated. The present study used three approaches to analyze DMN functional connectedness, including a whole-brain analysis [A1], network-specific analysis [A2], and between-node (edge) analysis [A3]. The purpose was to identify the utility of each method in distinguishing between healthy and brain-injured individuals, and determine whether observed differences have clinical significance. Resting-state fMRI was acquired from 25 patients with TAI and 17 healthy controls. Patients were scanned 6–11 months post-injury, and functional and neurocognitive outcomes were assessed the same day. Using all three approaches, TAI subjects revealed significantly weaker functional connectivity (FC) than controls, and binary logistic regressions demonstrated all three approaches have discriminant value. Clinical outcomes were not correlated with FC using any approach. Results suggest that compromise to the functional connectedness of the DMN after TAI can be identified using resting-state FC; however, the degree of functional compromise to this network, as measured in this study, may not have clinical implications in chronic TAI.
Circulating Anti-PLAC1 Antibodies during Pregnancy and in Women with Reproductive Failure: A Preliminary Analysis

The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of anti-PLAC1 antibodies in normal pregnant women and in women with infertility or recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Secondary outcomes were the development of complications associated with anti-PLAC1 seropositivity and the rate of seroconversion during pregnancy. Sera from 103 healthy pregnant women and 45 women with unexplained infertility or RPL were analyzed by ELISA. The prevalence of anti-PLAC1 antibodies was 2% in healthy pregnant women and 4.5% in women with unexplained infertility or RPL (𝑃=0.355). There was no detectable association of seropositivity with increased risk of pregnancy complications. Finally, 2% of women seroconverted during pregnancy. The prevalence of anti-PLAC1 antibodies in women with unexplained infertility or RPL is not significantly higher than the prevalence in normal pregnant women. However, the sample size in this study was too small. The exposure to the PLAC1 antigen during pregnancy can lead to the spontaneous development of antibodies.
Solid-state synthesis of multiwalled carbon nanotubes

A modified high-temperature arc furnace was used to produce carbon nanotubes from carbon black by a solid-state transformation without a catalyst. The layer of carbon nanotubes thus formed was nearly pure with only a minor amount of carbon black particles. The properties of these nanotubes were found to be very similar to those produced by the conventional arc synthesis. Based on this process, a mechanism for the growth of these nanotubes is proposed. In addition, field-emission properties of these nanotubes were comparable to the properties of arc-grown carbon nanotubes.
Depression and Learning Disabilities in Children A Test of an Hypothesis

Performance-Verbal IQ discrepancy scores are compared for 27 depressed and 15 nondepressed children all of whom experienced learning difficulties. Brumbach (1985) reported a significant association between depression and Performance IQ deficits for children with learning difficulties. In contrast to Brumbach's finding, no difference was observed in Performance IQ deficit between depressed and nondepressed children in the current study. Moreover, only 10% of depressed children showed such a deficit. This result differed significantly from Brumbach's findings (34%). Implications of these results are discussed within the context of nascent interest in the relationship between depression and learning disabilities.
Minimax regret treatment choice with covariates or with limited validity of experiments

Abstract This paper continues the investigation of minimax regret treatment choice initiated by Manski (2004) . Consider a decision maker who must assign treatment to future subjects after observing outcomes experienced in a sample. A certain scoring rule is known to achieve minimax regret in simple versions of this decision problem. I investigate its sensitivity to perturbations of the decision environment in realistic directions. They are as follows. (i) Treatment outcomes may be influenced by a covariate whose effect on outcome distributions is bounded (in one of numerous probability metrics). This is interesting because introduction of a covariate with unrestricted effects leads to a pathological result. (ii) The experiment may have limited validity because of selective noncompliance or because the sampling universe is a potentially selective subset of the treatment population. Thus, even large samples may generate misleading signals. These problems are formalized via a “bounds” approach that turns the problem into one of partial identification. In both scenarios, small but positive perturbations leave the minimax regret decision rule unchanged. Thus, minimax regret analysis is not knife-edge-dependent on ignoring certain aspects of realistic decision problems. Indeed, it recommends to entirely disregard covariates whose effect is believed to be positive but small, as well as small enough amounts of missing data or selective attrition. All findings are finite sample results derived by game theoretic analysis.
Determination of rigid body registration marker error from edge error

Registration markers affixed to rigid bodies (fixed to bone as opposed to skin) are commonly used when tracking 3D rigid body motion. The measured positions of registration markers are subject to unavoidable errors, both systematic and non-systematic. Prior studies have investigated the error propagated to such derived properties as rigid body positions and helical axes, while others have focused on the error associated with a specific position tracking system under restricted conditions. Theoretical and simulation-based error propagation requires knowledge of the variation due to individual registration markers; however, the variation in registration marker position measurement has previously been either assumed or determined from static cases. The objective of this paper is the introduction of a method for determining individual marker variation irrespective of change in rigid body position or motion by utilizing the distances between the markers (edge lengths), which are invariant under rotation and translation. Simulations were used to validate and characterize the introduced technique, demonstrating that the predictions improve with greater edge length and additional markers, converge on reference values where the edge length is at least 4 times the magnitude of the maximum vertex variation, and that under ideal conditions the confidence interval about the predicted variation is within 7% of the maximum variation associated with that marker set. The introduced technique was tested on the results of a motion tracking experiment to demonstrate the wide disparity in vertex variation between static and non-static measurements of the same registration markers, where the non-static variation exceeded the static variation by an average factor of 12.7.
Oxidation and quantification of 14C-lignin at different ages in wheat, pine, oak, and kenaf

Abstract Plant materials, containing 14C-labeled lignins, were harvested at intervals up to 1 year after labeling. They were oxidized with sodium chlorite (NaC102) and nitrobenzene. Age of lignin appears to limit the degree of solubilization of lignin by NaC102. Nitrobenzene oxidation solubilized all lignins in wheat, oak, and kenaf but not all lignin in some pine samples. Klason and UV analysis of lignin content were compared with 14C-content to determine percent lignin soluble in 3% sulfuric acid (Klason analysis solvent), corrected lignin contents, and UV absorptivity of lignin. Ten to 20% of most lignins were soluble in 3% sulfuric acid. When corrected Klason lignin contents were used, UV absorptivities at 280 nm were about 38 g−1 1 cm−1 for wheat straw and kenaf lignins and 11 g−1 1 cm−1 for pine lignin.
Gene Sharing, Lens Crystallins and Speculations on an Eye/Ear Evolutionary Relationship

Abstract The crystallins comprise 80–90% of the water-soluble proteins of the transparent, cellular, refractive eye lens and are responsible for its optical properties. Comparative studies have established that the crystallins are surprisingly diverse and often differ among species in a taxon-specific fashion. In general, the crystallins are derived from or identical to metabolic enzymes or stress (small heat shock) proteins that are expressed to a lesser extent in other tissues where they have non-refractive roles. We call the phenomenon of having the small heat shock protein or enzyme and lens crystallin encoded in the identical gene “gene sharing”; examples include small heat shock protein/αB-crystallin, α-enolase/τ-crystallin and argininosuccinate lyase/δ2-crystallin. Lens crystallins have evolved by gene sharing in vertebrates (all) and invertebrates (cephalopods, scallops, jellyfish). Similar cis-elements and transcription factors (including Pax6 among others) appear to unify lens expression of crys...
Preliminary Validation of the Sex Trafficking Attitudes Scale

This study presents the Sex Trafficking Attitudes Scale (STAS), assessing cognitive, behavioral, and affective attitudes toward the sex trafficking of women and girls. Across two studies, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed and confirmed six subscales: (a) Knowledge About Sex Trafficking, (b) Awareness of Sex Trafficking, (c) Attitudes Toward Ability to Leave Sex Trafficking, (d) Attitudes Toward Helping Survivors, (e) Empathic Reactions Toward Sex Trafficking, and (f) Efficacy to Reduce Sex Trafficking. Results showed support for convergent validity as the subscales were associated with related measures. The STAS holds promise to expand research and inform efforts to support trafficking survivors.