cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Toward a Practice-Centered Program for the Training and Evaluation of Foreign Language Teachers*

The testing program took as its starting point the definitions of proficiency and qualifications for Modern Language Teachers which were prepared by the Steering Committee of the Modern Language Association' approximately ten years ago. This document, by now "historic" in the development in foreign language education, attempted to define "superior", "good", and "minimal" qualifications of the foreign language teacher in seven areas: 1. Aural Understanding; 2. Speaking; 3. Reading; 4. Writing; 5. Language Analysis (Linguistics, Applied Linguistics); 6. Culture; 7. Professional Preparation (e.g., knowledge of methodology of language teaching). The Modern Language Association in cooperation with the Educational Testing Service then developed a series of tests in each one of the seven areas of preparation of the foreign language teacher. These testsknown as the "MLA Foreign Language Proficiency Tests for Teachers and Advanced Students" and now administered exclusively by Educational Testing Service of Princeton, New Jersey--have become, and are becoming, widely accepted as the "national norms" according to which the preparation of the foreign language teacher is to be judged. Typically they are used as pre-tests and posttests in Institutes training foreign language teachers, and in some states they have become part of the accreditation program in foreign language teaching. Thus, the State of California, for instance, is at present conferring a Special Subject Matter Credential (in Foreign Languages) essentially based on the candidate's score on the MLA Proficiency Tests and on his having acquired a college degree and having passed a methods course in foreign language instruction.
Effect of genotype and medium on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) anther culture

Four winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and two spring wheat cultivars were evaluated in anther culture on three to four different media for their ability to initiate callus and green plants. Five media were used in the experiment: stored-potato medium with Ficoll 400, fresh-potato medium with Ficoll 400, fresh-potato medium with agar, fresh-potato liquid medium without agar or Ficoll 400, and a one tep 85D12-3 medium. Greatly different frequencies of calli and/or green plants were obtained from different cultivars and media. The callus initiation frequency varied from 2.7% for Arapahoe to 52% for Pavon, both on the stored potato medium with Ficoll 400. The frequency of green plant regeneration ranged from 0% for Arapahoe and Siouxland on the stored-potato medium with Ficoll 400 and 0% for Redland and Arapahoe in the fresh-potato medium with Ficoll 400 to 12% for Chris in the 85D12-3 medium (one-step procedure). Chris and Centurk 78, previously reported as having high levels of response, had significantly higher (P < 0.05) frequencies of green plant regeneration on the 851312-3 medium than the other cultivars. An unexpected observation is that ‘wet’ MSC− medium enhanced callus regeneration more than a drier MSC− medium.
Effect on experimental animals of long-term inhalation exposure to mineral spirits. II. Dietary, sex and strain influences in guinea pigs.

Abstract Male and female NMRI:(ASH) and FTD: Hartley guinea pigs were exposed to mineral spirits at a concentration of approximately 900 mg/m 3 continuously for 90 days, during which time the animals were fed diets fortified with ascorbic acid in the range from 0.00015 to 2.00%. It was found that the animals on the higher ascorbic acid diets were less susceptible to the toxicity of mineral spirits. Males were shown to be more susceptible than females and the NMRI:(ASH) strain was more susceptible than the FTD:Hartley strain.
Survey of sulphites determined in a variety of foods by the optimized Monier‐Williams method

A survey of sulphite levels in a variety of foods including dried fruit, dried mashed potatoes, shrimp, canned mushrooms and fruit juices has been conducted. The levels found ranged from 0 ppm in orange juice to 3722 ppm as sulphur dioxide in dried fruit. The foods were analysed by the optimized Monier‐Williams procedure.
Molecular basis of a million-fold affinity maturation process in a protein-protein interaction

Protein engineering is becoming increasingly important for pharmaceutical applications where controlling the specificity and affinity of engineered proteins is required to create targeted protein therapeutics. Affinity increases of several thousand-fold are now routine for a variety of protein engineering approaches, and the structural and energetic bases of affinity maturation have been investigated in a number of such cases. Previously, a 3-million-fold affinity maturation process was achieved in a protein-protein interaction composed of a variant T-cell receptor fragment and a bacterial superantigen. Here, we present the molecular basis of this affinity increase. Using X-ray crystallography, shotgun reversion/replacement scanning mutagenesis, and computational analysis, we describe, in molecular detail, a process by which extrainterfacial regions of a protein complex can be rationally manipulated to significantly improve protein engineering outcomes.
Human milk oligosaccharide composition differs between donor milk and mother's own milk in the NICU.

Background:Human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) represent the third most abundant component of human breast milk. More than a hundred structurally distinct HMO have been identified, and the HMO composition varies between mothers as well as over the course of lactation. Some newborn infants receive donor milk (DM) when their mother’s own milk (MOM) volume is inadequate or unavailable.Objective:This study aimed to compare HMO content between DM and MOM.Methods:We used high performance liquid chromatography analysis of fluorescently labeled HMO to analyze the variation in HMO amount and composition of 31 different batches of DM (each pooled from 3 individual donors) provided by the Mothers’ Milk Bank in San Jose, California, and compared it to 26 different MOM samples donated by mothers with infants in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).Results:Total HMO amount as well as concentrations of lacto-N-tetraose, lacto-N-neotetraose, lacto-N-fucopentaose 1, and disialyllacto-N-tetraose were significantly lower i...
Metoclopramide, a dopamine antagonist, stimulates aldosterone secretion in rhesus monkeys but not in dogs or rabbits.

Abstract This study was designed to investigate the role of dopamine in the control of aldosterone secretion in three frequently used laboratory animals. Five New Zealand rabbits, five mongrel dogs and five rhesus monkeys received metoclopramide (MCP) (200 μg/kg iv) and blood samples were collected at 0,5,15,30 and 45 minutes after drug administration. MCP had no effect on plasma aldosterone concentrations at any sampling time in the rabbits or dogs. However, MCP produced a rapid and marked increase in plasma aldosterone from 6.5±0.6 ng/dl to 18.1±2.8 ng/dl at 5 min. and a maximum level of 40.5±4.4 ng/dl at 10 min. after drug administration in the monkeys. MCP had no significant effect on plasma cortisol or plasma renin activity levels in the three species. Prolactin rose in the monkeys from 8.6±1.2 ng/ml to a maximum of 123.5±8.5 ng/ml at 15 min. after MCP. Administration of MCP resulted in a rise in plasma 18-hydroxycorticosterone in the monkeys from 12.5±1.4 ng/dl to a maximum concentration of 50.0±5.1 ng/dl 15 min. after drug administration. Plasma corticosterone, 11-deoxycorticosterone, and 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone were not altered by MCP. Although unlikely, it is possible that ketamine may have accounted for some of the changes in plasma aldosterone and 18-hydroxycorticosterone observed after metoclopramide in the monkeys. The findings suggest that dopamine modulates aldosterone biosynthesis in the monkey probably by regulating glomerulosa 18-hydroxylase activity.
The Shaman's Needle: Development, Shamanic Agency, and Intermedicality in Aguaruna Lands, Peru

In this article I juxtapose and integrate three distinct but interrelated lines of analysis: (1) a critique of “development” with respect to its (misconceptions of ethnomedicines as epistemologically and practically (that is, culturally) static; (2) an explication of how shamanic curing epitomizes such perceived stasis; and (3) an ethnographic analysis of a specific shamanic session (originally presented by Brown [1988]) conducted by an Aguaruna shaman whose discourse and practice, when contextual ized and fully explored, undermine (misconceptions of stasis. The article employs a notion of intermedicality to examine medical development, demonstrating the important social agency executed on the part of native practitioners. I discuss implications for theorizing indigenous culture and the importance of an ethnographic approach, [development, shamanism, ethnomedicine, culture change, medical anthropology, Amazonia]
Turning on the machine: Genetic control of axon regeneration by c-Jun

Upregulation of the transcription factor c-Jun has been correlated with axon regeneration after injury in multiple types of neurons. In this issue of Neuron, Raivich et al. use a nervous system-specific mutant to provide genetic evidence that c-Jun is necessary for efficient axon regeneration.
The Effect of Experience and Quantity-Based Pricing on the Valuation of a Curbside Recycling Program

Abstract Quantity-based pricing for garbage collection services and recycling programs are becoming increasingly popular methods of meeting municipal solid waste diversion objectives. This article investigates household willingness to pay (WTP) for a pilot curbside recycling program (CRP) in the presence of a quantity-based pricing scheme for garbage collection services, which allows a household to alter their garbage container size at a reduced price. Unlike previous studies that have modeled the simultaneity of these household decisions as a two-step process, we jointly estimate the household's intentions using a full-information maximum-likelihood (FIML) approach. Our results show a strong positive correlation between a household's WTP for a CRP and its stated intention to reduce its garbage container size when a CRP is offered. The positive correlation suggests that WTP will be higher for households which are more likely to reduce their garbage container size. Thus, in the presence of quantity-based pricing, a household's WTP for recycling more fully reflects the marginal social costs of garbage disposal.
Joint ICA of ERP and fMRI during error-monitoring.

The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is commonly separated into two functional divisions: the cognitive division, which lies in the caudal region and the affective division, which lies in the rostral region of the ACC. Both regions of the ACC are engaged during error-monitoring tasks; however, little is known about the temporal sequencing associated with cognition and affective processes during error-monitoring. Here we use joint Independent Component Analysis (jICA) to couple event-related potential (ERP) time courses and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) spatial maps to examine the spatio-temporal stages of engagement in the two divisions of the ACC during error-monitoring. Consistent with hypotheses, two of the five significant spatio-temporal components identified by jICA revealed that the error-related negativity (ERN) ERP was associated with distinct spatial fMRI patterns in the ACC. The ERN1 was associated with activity in the caudal ACC and lateral prefrontal cortex (lPFC) while the ERN2 was associated with activity in the rostral ACC. These results suggest that during error-monitoring the caudal ACC and lPFC engage prior to the rostral ACC. These results suggest that cognition precedes affect during error-monitoring.
Computer modeling of learning processes

Learning can be said to take place when an entity changes its behavior as a result of past experience. Many attempts have been made at the computer modeling of the learning processes in part or in whole. This paper focuses on those attempts and the theories that were their basis.Mechanisms needed for various functions of learning are compared and contrasted. Several theories are discussed, including learning machines and perceptrons, general pattern recognition, paired associate and serial rote learning and operant and classical conditioning. Also discussed are attempts to program induction and discovery into learning models.Programs are also presented illustrating some of these attempts to model learning processes.
Autonomic control of the cardiovascular system in the cat during hypoxemia

This study aimed to determine the roles played by the autonomic interoreceptors, the carotid bodies (cbs) and the aortic bodies (abs) in anesthetized, paralyzed, artificially ventilated cats' response to systemic hypoxemia. Four 15min challenges stimulated each of 15 animals: (1) hypoxic hypoxia (10%O₂ in N₂; HH) in the intact (int) cat where both abs and cbs sent neural traffic to the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS); (2) carbon monoxide hypoxia (30%O₂ in N₂ with the addition of CO; COH) in the intact cat where only the abs sent neural traffic to the NTS; (3) HH in the cat after transection of both aortic depressor nerves, resecting the aortic bodies (HHabr), where only the cbs sent neural traffic to the NTS; (4) COH to the abr cat where neither abs nor cbs sent neural traffic to the NTS. Cardiac output (C.O.), contractility (dP/dt(MAX)), systolic/diastolic pressures, aortic blood pressure, total peripheral resistance, pulmonary arterial pressure, and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) were measured. When both cbs and abs were active the maximum increases were observed except for PVR which decreased. Some variables showed the cbs to have a greater effect than the abs. The abs proved to be important during some challenges for maintaining blood pressure. The data support the critically important role for the chemoreceptor-sympathetic nervous system connection during hypoxemia for maintaining viable homeostasis, with some differences between the cbs and the abs.
Monitoring Constancy of Variance in Conditionally Heteroskedastic Time Series

We propose several methods of on-line detection of a change in unconditional variance in a conditionally heteroskedastic time series. We follow the paradigm of Chu, Stinchcombe, and White (1996, Econometrica 64, 1045–1065) in which the first m observations are assumed to follow a stationary process and the monitoring scheme has asymptotically controlled probability of falsely rejecting the null hypothesis of no change. Our theory is applicable to broad classes of GARCH-type time series and relies on a strong invariance principle that holds for the squares of observations generated by such models. Practical implementation of the procedures, which uses a bandwidth selection procedure of Andrews (1991, Econometrica 59, 817–858), is proposed, and the performance of the methods is investigated by a simulation study.This research was partially supported by NSF grants INT-0223262 and DMS-0413653 and NATO grant PST.EAP.CLG 980599.
Direct numerical simulation of intermittent turbulence under stably stratified conditions

Abstract. In this paper, we simulate intermittent turbulence (also known as bursting events) in stably stratified open-channel flows using direct numerical simulation. Clear signatures of this intriguing phenomenon are observed for a range of stabilities. However, the spatiotemporal characteristics of intermittency are found to be strongly stability dependent. In general, the bursting events are much more frequent near the bottom wall than in the upper-channel region. A steady coexistence of laminar and turbulent flows is detected at various horizontal planes in very stable cases. This spatially intermittent pattern is found to propagate downstream and strongly correlate with the temporal evolution of intermittency. Lastly, a long standing hypothesis by Blackadar (1979), i.e., the strong connection between local stability and intermittent turbulence, is corroborated by this modeling study.
Selecting Predictor Variables in Two-Group Classification Problems

One approach to the problem of selecting predictor variables in the two-group classification situation is to compare the cross-validated classification accuracies of all possible subsets. Because of the obvious time constraints of this approach for even a moderate number of predictors, a computer program was written to accomplish the task. The program examines the cross-validated classification hit rates of all possible subsets of predictor variables and identifies the user-specified number of best subsets overall and for each subset size.
Low-Velocity Graded Treadmill Stress Testing in Hemiparetic Stroke Patients

Background and Purpose Coronary artery disease is prevalent in stroke patients and is an important factor affecting rehabilitation and health outcomes. However, the presence of neurological deficits in gait and balance has discouraged systematic application of exercise testing and prescription in the stroke population. We evaluated a novel graded treadmill stress test in paretic stroke patients and tested floor walking as a predictor of adequate neurological function to perform the treadmill test. Methods Patients (n=31) with residual paretic gait deficits after ischemic stroke were evaluated with graded treadmill at gait velocities individualized to functional mobility observed during an initial zero-incline treadmill tolerance test. Results Most patients (30/31) tolerated testing, achieving mean heart rates of 129±14 beats per minute (mean±SD), representing 84±10% of maximal age-predicted heart rate. Evidence for asymptomatic myocardial ischemia was found in 29% of those without known coronary artery di...
The Vulnerability of Crescent City, California, to Tsunamis Generated by Earthquakes in the Kuril Islands Region of the Northwestern Pacific

Crescent City, located in Del Norte County on the California coast about 460 k north of San Francisco (Figure 1), has suffered more impacts from historic tsunamis than any other community on the west coast of the United States (Dengler and Magoon 2006). Thirty-one tsunamis have been observed at this small coastal city (population 7,542) since a tide gauge was established in 1933, including 11 events with maximum peak-to-trough wave range exceeding 1 meter and four that caused damage (National Geophysical Data Center 2008; http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/hazard/tsu_db.shtml). The most recent damaging tsunami, and the first tsunami to cause significant property damage in the United States since 1964, occurred on 15 November 2006. It was caused by an Mw 8.3 earthquake on the central Kuril trench and produced strong currents in Crescent Harbor that damaged docks in the small-boat basin. Five tsunamis generated by earthquakes in the Kuril Islands have been recorded at Crescent City since the tide gauge was installed, but only the 2006 event caused damage. The earthquakes were similar in magnitude (7.9 to 8.4) and varied slightly in location relative to Crescent City. This study examines what happened in the 2006 tsunami at Crescent City and why this tsunami was more damaging than other recent events. We use the Method of Splitting Tsunami (MOST) model (Titov and Gonzales 1997; Titov and Synolakis 1998) to simulate three recent tsunamis triggered by similar-sized earthquakes on the Kuril trench and examine which segments of the Kuril-Japan subduction zones have the greatest potential to impact Crescent City. The Kuril Islands trench in the northwestern Pacific marks the convergent plate boundary between the Pacific and North American plates (Figure 2). The Pacific plate is subducting underneath the Kuril Islands arc in a WNW direction of 81 mm/yr; subduction occurs more rapidly only along …
Single-capacitor phase-controlled series resonant converter

A new phase-controlled series resonant, DC/DC converter is described, analyzed, and experimentally verified. The circuit comprises a phase-controlled inverter and a Class D current-driven rectifier. The phase-controlled inverter consists of two switching legs, two resonant inductors, and a single resonant capacitor connected in series with an AC load. The phase shift between the voltages that drive the MOSFETs is varied to control the AC current of the inverter and thereby regulate the DC output voltage of the converter. A frequency-domain analysis is used to derive basic equations which govern the circuit operation. An important advantage of the converter is that the operating frequency can be maintained constant. For operation at a switching frequency greater than 1.15 resonant frequency, the load of each switching leg is inductive. The proposed converter has an excellent full-load and part-load efficiency. An experimental prototype of the converter with a center-tapped rectifier was built and extensively tested at an output power of 78 W and a switching frequency of 200 kHz. The theoretical and experimental results were in good agreement. >
Observation of intensity dependent losses in Au(15+) beams

During the 1994 heavy ion run at Brookhaven a strongly intensity dependent loss for the Au(15+) beam in the AGS Booster was encountered. Coherent instabilities or space charge induced stopband losses were neither expected nor consistent with the data. It was found that the beam lifetime was an order of magnitude shorter for normal operating conditions than in the low intensity limit with the inverse lifetime increasing monotonically with the injected number of particles. Studies data are presented and the Au(15+) situation is compared with that for Au(33+). Various hypothetical mechanisms are considered.
Surface modification of several dental substrates by non-thermal, atmospheric plasma brush

Objective The purpose of this study was to reveal the effectiveness of non-thermal atmospheric plasma brush in surface wettability and modification of four dental substrates.
Querying and Creating Visualizations by Analogy

While there have been advances in visualization systems, particularly in multi-view visualizations and visual exploration, the process of building visualizations remains a major bottleneck in data exploration. We show that provenance metadata collected during the creation of pipelines can be reused to suggest similar content in related visualizations and guide semi-automated changes. We introduce the idea of query-by-example in the context of an ensemble of visualizations, and the use of analogies as first-class operations in a system to guide scalable interactions. We describe an implementation of these techniques in VisTrails, a publicly-available, open-source system.
A simple model of the interplanetary magnetic field

Abstract A simple model of the interplanetary magnetic field is described and solved analytically. In this model, space is divided into three regions by two concentric spheres, conductivities (with one exception) are assumed to be isotropic and constant in each region and flow velocities are regular and prescribed. The innermost region rotates rigidly around its center, the intermediate region contains a compressible fluid flowing radially outwards with constant velocity (an idealization of the solar wind) and the outermost region is at rest. The magnetic field originates in point sources at the origin and possibly also in a uniform field at infinity. Methods are developed for finding the field under these assumptions, in the general case and also in the limit when all conductivities are very high. As an example, the case in which the field's source is a point dipole, aligned with the axis of rotation, is solved in some detail.
After-School Programs for Adolescents:

This article discusses survey data and research evidence in favor of providing after-school programs for middle and high school students. It explains the benefits and key elements of after-school care, and examines existing initiatives. Community and youth responses to different programs are noted.
Early Treatment of Influenza by Combination Drug Therapy

Early Treatment of Influenza by Combination Drug Therapy In 2010, Ison and Lee described lessons learned from the 2009 pandemic. It was noted that the clinical spectrum of influenza infection can overlap with other common respiratory infections making a clinical diagnosis of influenza difficult, especially in patients requiring hospitalization. Ison and Lee suggested that influenza should be suspected as a cause of fever or respiratory symptoms in any hospitalized patent if influenza is circulating in the community.
Carotid stenting using heparin-coated balloon-expandable stent reduces intimal hyperplasia in a baboon model.

Purpose. This study evaluates the effect of heparin-coated balloon-expandable stents on intimal hyperplasia following carotid artery stenting in a baboon model. Materials and methods. Balloon-expandable (Palmaz-Schatz) stents were placed in bilateral common carotid arteries in 26 male baboons (mean weight: 11.3 kg). In each animal, a heparin-coated (HC) carotid stent was placed on one side, whereas the contralateral carotid artery received an uncoated stent that served as a control. The carotid stents were harvested at 30 days (n = 13) and 90 days (n = 13). Arteriography was performed to assess the carotid patency, and intravascular ultrasound was used to determine neointimal and luminal areas. Histological, morphometric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy were performed in the stented carotid arteries. Results. One animal was excluded in each of the 1-month and 3-month groups because of premature death. Ten control (83%) and 11 HC stents (92%) remained patent in the 30-day group. In contrast, 10 control (83%) and 10 HC stents (83%) remained patent in the 90-day group. Morphometric analysis of the 30-day group showed the HC-stented carotid arteries had larger luminal areas (13%, P < 0.05), less neointimal areas (38%, P < 0.05), less neointimal/media ratios (53%, P < 0.05), and equivalent medial areas (NS) when compared with the control group. Morphometric analysis of the 90-day data showed the HC-stented carotid arteries had less neointimal areas (38%, P < 0.05) and less neointimal/media ratios (48%, P < 0.05), whereas the luminal areas and medial areas remained equivalent (NS) when compared with the control group. Conclusions. Carotid stenting using heparin-coated stents reduces early intimal hyperplasia in a baboon model. This approach may represent a useful strategy for improving luminal patency in endovascular carotid intervention.
Numerical Evaluation of Uniform Beam Modes

The equation for calculating the normal modes of a uniform beam under transverse free vibration involves the hyperbolic sine and cosine functions. These functions are exponential growing without bound. Tables for the natural frequencies and the corresponding normal modes are available for the numerical evaluation up to the 16th mode. For modes higher than the 16th, the accuracy of the numerical evaluation will be lost due to the round-off errors in the floating-point math imposed by the digital computers. Also, it is found that the functions of beam modes commonly presented in the structural dynamics books are not suitable for numerical evaluation. In this paper, these functions are rearranged and expressed in a different form. With these new equations, one can calculate the normal modes accurately up to at least the 100th mode. \IMike’s Arbitrary Precision Math\N, an arbitrary precision math library, is used in the paper to verify the accuracy.
The periodic Riccati differential equation and the periodic regulator

The problem of controlling small state deviations from a periodic path generated by the solution to an autonomous optimal control problem with periodic boundary conditions is considered by solving the associated infinite-time accessary minimum problem. Some of the properties of the resulting solution to the periodic Riccati differential equation with periodic boundary condition are derived using Floquet theorem. Given a controllability condition, the periodic Riccati solution required for the periodic regulator is characterized in terms of the eigenvalues and periodic eigenvectors associated with the monodromy matrix, the transition matrix associated with the perturbed Hamiltonian system evaluated over the period.
Preparing Culturally Responsive Teachers: Rethinking the Curriculum

To successfully move the field of teacher education beyond the fragmented and superficial treatment of diversity that currently prevails, teacher educators must articulate a vision of teaching and learning in a diverse society and use that vision to systematically guide the infusion of multicultural issues throughout the preservice curriculum. A vision is offered of culturally responsive teachers that can serve as the starting point for conversations among teacher educators in this process. In this vision, culturally responsive teachers (a) are socioculturally conscious, (b) have affirming views of students from diverse backgrounds, (c) see themselves as responsible for and capable of bringing about change to make schools more equitable, (d) understand how learners construct knowledge and are capable of promoting knowledge construction, (e) know about the lives of their students, and (f) design instruction that builds on what their students already know while stretching them beyond the familiar.
Ophthalmic manifestations of infections caused by the USA300 clone of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Purpose To report the microbiological, clinical, and pathological characteristics of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CAMRSA) infections of the eye and orbit. Design Prospective case series. Participants Nine patients with CAMRSA infections of the eye and orbit were identified during a 6-month period at 2 tertiary care hospitals in San Francisco. Methods Case identification was by prospective case selection and retrospective laboratory review of 549 MRSA cultures collected in the 2 hospitals. Ophthalmic microbial isolates were analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and compared with a control CAMRSA clone (USA300). Clinical characteristics of patients infected with CAMRSA were reviewed, and all surgical specimens underwent pathological examination. Main Outcome Measures Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis banding patterns of MRSA isolates, antibiotic sensitivity profiles, patient demographics, systemic and ocular complications of infection, and posttreatment visual acuities. Results Nine ophthalmic isolates were CAMRSA clone USA300. The infections included orbital cellulitis, endogenous endophthalmitis, panophthalmitis, lid abscesses, and septic venous thrombosis. Patients were treated with trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole, rifampin, clindamycin, or vancomycin based on microbial sensitivity studies and severity of infection. Eight of the 9 patients had no history of hospitalization. Seven patients required hospitalization, 3 required surgery, and an additional 4 required invasive procedures. Eight patients had good visual outcomes, but 1 deteriorated to no light perception. Pathological analyses showed extensive necrosis in eyelid and orbital specimens, and disorganized atrophy bulbi in an enucleated eye. Conclusion The USA300 CAMRSA clone, which carries Panton–Valentine leukocidin genes, can cause aggressive infections of the eye and orbit in hospital-naive patients. Treatment of infections often required debridement of necrotic tissues in addition to non–β-lactam class antibiotics. In communities where CAMRSA is prevalent, ophthalmologists should obtain microbial cultures and sensitivity studies to help guide antibiotic therapy for severe ophthalmic infections.
STOICHIOMETRY AND SITE-SPECIFIC PHOSPHORYLATION OF HUMAN PROGESTERONE RECEPTOR IN NATIVE TARGET CELLS AND IN THE BACULOVIRUS EXPRESSION SYSTEM

Human progesterone receptor (PR) in T47D breast cancer cells is phosphorylated on nine different serine residues; three are hormone-inducible (Ser102, Ser294, and Ser345), while others are basal but hormone-stimulated. In the present study, we have compared the phosphorylation state of native and recombinant PR expressed in a baculovirus insect cell system. Stoichiometric measurements showed that unliganded native PR in T47D cells was approximately 50% phosphorylated ( approximately 4 phosphates/PR) and became essentially 100% phosphorylated ( approximately 9 phosphates/PR) when bound to hormone. Unliganded PR expressed in Sf9 insect cells was phosphorylated with a similar stoichiometry ( approximately 3 phosphates/PR), but the phosphate content did not change with hormone addition. Site-specific phosphorylation analyzed by tryptic phosphopeptide mapping and manual peptide sequencing revealed that expressed PR bound to hormone in the Sf9 insect cells was phosphorylated on all the same sites as hormone-treated PR in T47D cells. Only minor differences were detected in the relative proportion of three sites (two basal sites and Ser345) and phosphorylation did not occur on alternate sites. Interestingly, unliganded baculovirus-expressed PR was constitutively phosphorylated on hormone inducible sites and was phosphorylated on basal sites to the same extent as hormone treated PR. Thus, in the absence of hormone, the phosphorylation state of baculovirus-expressed PR resembled that of the hyperphosphorylated native PR. In contrast to native PR, the expressed receptor in cytosols of Sf9 cells did not form a large oligomeric complex suggesting that hyperphosphorylation may be due to dissociation of the complex in the absence of hormone. This study demonstrating phosphorylation on correct sites with a stoichiometry similar to that of native PR indicates that overexpressed PR in the baculovirus system is suitable for in vitro structure/function studies.
Practical aerial grasping of unstructured objects

We aim to extend the functionality of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) beyond passive observation to active interaction with objects. Of particular interest is grasping objects with hovering robots. This task is difficult due to the unstable dynamics of flying vehicles and limited positional accuracy demonstrated by existing hovering vehicles. Conventional robot grippers require centimetre-level positioning accuracy to successfully grasp objects. Our approach employs passive mechanical compliance and adaptive underactuation in a gripper to allow for large positional displacements between the aircraft and target object. In this paper, we present preliminary analysis and experiments for reliable grasping of unstructured objects with a robot helicopter. Key problems associated with this task are discussed, including hover precision, flight stability in the presence of compliant object contact, and aerodynamic disturbances. We evaluate performance of the initial proof-of-concept prototype and show that this approach to object capture and retrieval is viable.
Cholesterol affects flow-stimulated cyclooxygenase-2 expression and prostanoid secretion in the cortical collecting duct.

Essential hypertension (eHTN) is associated with hypercholesterolemia, but how cholesterol contributes to eHTN is unknown. Recent evidence demonstrates that short-term dietary cholesterol ingestion...
Cue integration for the perception and control of self-movement in ageing and Alzheimer's disease

The perception and control of self-movement relies on visual cues derived from the radial patterns of optic flow and from the relative motion of objects within view. Optic flow and object motion processing impairments might limit independent self-movement in a manner like that seen in ageing and in Alzheimer's disease. We used optic flow and object motion stimuli to simulate aspects of the self-movement scene. Stimulus salience was individualized to present comparable stimuli to young [n = 18; mean age = 25.6, standard error of measurement (SEM) = 1.4], middle-aged (n = 17; mean age = 53.9, SEM = 0.9), older adult (n = 30; mean age = 72.4, SEM = 1.4) and Alzheimer's disease (n = 15; mean age 75.2, SEM = 1.6) subjects. All groups were tested in two tasks: pointing towards the simulated direction of self-movement and steering the simulated self-movement towards a straight-ahead direction. We found that young and middle-aged subjects show similar pointing accuracy using either optic flow or object motion, but steer better with object motion than with optic flow. Older adult subjects show better performance with optic flow than object cues for pointing (P < 0.001), but their performance improves when both cues are combined in the pointing (P = 0.012) and steering (P = 0.02) tasks. Alzheimer's disease patients show poorer performance with optic flow and object motion than all other groups and do not benefit from the combined presentation of cues for either pointing or steering. We conclude that ageing and Alzheimer's disease are associated with distinct profiles of visual processing deficits that limit the ability to use optic flow and object motion to perceive and control self-movement.
Measuring response with FDG-PET: methodological aspects.

The use of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) for the evaluation of tumor response to chemotherapy and radiation therapy has been studied in an umber of malignancies. By imaging tumor metabolism and therapy-related changes, FDG-PET has demonstrated advantages over anatomical imaging in the assessment of treatment response. More recent investigations have indicated that FDG-PET can predict tumor response early during the course of therapy, potentially allowing for early treatment adjustments. The aim of this review is to provide oncologists with a basic knowledge of the practical aspects of PET quantification for treatment. The Oncologist 2009;14:369–377
Fe-Based Amorphous Coatings on AISI 4130 Structural Steel for Corrosion Resistance

The current study focuses on synthesizing a novel functional coating for corrosion resistance applications, via laser surface alloying. The iron-based (Fe48Cr15Mo14Y2C15B) amorphous precursor powder is used for laser surface alloying on AISI 4130 steel substrate, with a continuous wave ytterbium Nd-YAG fiber laser. The corrosion resistance of the coatings is evaluated for different processing conditions. The microstructural evolution and the response of the microstructure to the corrosive environment is studied using x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Microstructural studies indicate the presence of face-centered cubic Fe-based dendrites intermixed within an amorphous matrix along with fine crystalline precipitates. The corrosion resistance of the coatings decrease with an increase in laser energy density, which is attributed to the precipitation and growth of chromium carbide. The enhanced corrosion resistance of the coatings processed with low energy density is attributed to the self-healing mechanism of this amorphous system.
An Introduction to the NetLogo Modeling Environment

This chapter introduces the novice modeler to the open-source NetLogo model development programming language and environment (http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/). The author presents an overview of NetLogo’s technical origins, core capabilities, and key features. Using as a frame of reference the Wolf Sheep Predation model (http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/models/WolfSheepPredation), which is bundled with the NetLogo download package, the author describes the program interface work areas and their functions. He also interprets examples of the Wolf Sheep Predation code for the novice user to illustrate how the NetLogo programming language is based, to a large extent, on everyday plain language, which makes it easy for the nonprogrammer to learn and use.
Fixed-Bed Ion Exchange with Formation or Dissolution of Precipitate

The nature, utility, and limitations of fixed-bed ion-exchange systems that involve precipitates are discussed, together with possible applications of the relevant theory in other fields. Local-equilibrium theory is reviewed briefly and extended to exchange accompanied by precipitation or dissolution. The differences between the behavior of beds containing stationary and moving precipitates are discussed qualitatively and with respect to their effect on the continuity relations.
Robust Team-Triggered Coordination of Networked Cyberphysical Systems

This paper proposes a novel approach, termed team-triggered, to the real-time implementation of distributed controllers on networked cyberphysical systems.We build on the strengths of event- and self-triggered control to synthesize a single, unified approach that combines aspects of both and is implementable over distributed networked systems, while maintaining desired levels of performance. We establish provably correct guarantees of the distributed strategies resulting from the proposed approach and examine their robustness against multiple sources of errors including communication delays, packet drops, and communication noise. The results are illustrated in simulations of a multi-agent coverage control problem.
Calcification of allograft aortic wall in a rat subdermal model. Pathophysiology and inhibition by Al3+ and aminodiphosphonate preincubations.

Abstract Aortic allograft conduits and valves frequently undergo calcific degeneration. To study this problem, a rat subdermal model of nonvalved aortic wall allograft calcification was characterized, and experimental studies were carried out to test the hypothesis that aortic allograft preincubation in either amino-propanehydroxydiphosphonate (APDP) or AlCl3 would inhibit calcification in a rat subdermal model. Fresh thoracic aortas were harvested under sterile conditions from male Sprague-Dawley rats (350-400 g). APDP aortas were preincubated immediately in either 4 x 10(-3) mol/l, 4 x 10(-4) mol/l, or 4 x 10(-5) mol/l [14C] APDP (37 degrees C, pH 7.4) and controls were incubated in 0.05 mol/l HEPES buffer (pH 7.4, 37 degrees C, 30 min). Al3+ aortas were preincubated in either 10(-1) mol/l, 10(-2) mol/l, or 10(-3) mol/l AlCl3. Pretreated aortas were next implanted subdermally in weanling rats (3-week-old, male, Sprague-Dawley, 50-60 g) and retrieved after 21 days. Control explants retrieved at intervals up to 21 days demonstrated progressive calcification with bulk aortic allograft Ca2+ levels increasing from a preimplant value of 0.8 +/- 0.1 micrograms/mg to 129.8 +/- 12.9 micrograms/mg by 21 days. Light microscopy revealed that much of the calcium deposition was associated with elastin. Calcification was significantly inhibited in the 4 x 10(-3) mol/l and 4 x 10(-4) mol/l APDP preincubated groups was observed (Ca2+ = 0.70 +/- 0.15 micrograms/mg, 36.6 +/- 19.8 micrograms/mg, respectively versus 117.2 +/- 24.3 micrograms/mg, control). Inhibition of calcification in the groups preincubated in the two most concentrated AlCl3 solutions (Ca2+ = 13.9 +/- 4.9 micrograms/mg [10(-2) mol/l AlCl3], 36.6 +/- 7.1 micrograms/mg [10(-3) mol/l AlCl3], 171.0 +/- 13.2 micrograms/mg [control]) was also demonstrated. No adverse effects of either pretreatment, APDP, or AlCl3 were noted on bone or overall somatic growth.
Distribution of major organic osmolytes in rabbit kidneys in diuresis and antidiuresis

Sorbitol, glycerophosphorylcholine (GPC), inositol, and betaine are organic osmolytes that accumulate in renal medullary cells. Two roles have been proposed for them: 1) that all four are “compatible osmolytes” that help regulate cell volume without disturbing function, and 2) that the methylamines (GPC and betaine) are “counteracting osmolytes,” i.e., stabilizers that offset the perturbing effects of the high urea concentration. To test these hypotheses we have measured the osmolyte gradients in diuresis and antidiuresis in rabbit kidneys cut in 7 sections along the corticopapillary axis. In both antidiuresis and diuresis, inositol was highest in the outer medulla and decreased toward the tip of the inner medulla. In antidiuresis, contents of sodium, urea, sorbitol, GPC, and betaine increased monotonically toward the tip of the inner medulla. All osmolytes were significantly lower in diuresis compared with antidiuresis in two or more kidney sections. Urea, GPC, and sorbitol had the greatest differences b...
The Effects of Task Criticality and Target Modality on a Simulated Battlefield Search Task

ABSTRACTWarfighters often rely on lengthy, lexical object descriptions when performing search tasks in critical environments. Several theoretical frameworks, including the Pictorial Superiority Effect, posit images to be more effective forms of instruction for short-term memory recall tasks. However, it is unclear whether pictures are superior forms of object description when the search task has serious consequences. The purpose of the current work was to determine whether pictorial or lexical descriptions are more effective forms of instruction for military search tasks of varying criticalities. Twenty participants with military deployment experience and 20 students with no deployment experience navigated a virtual marketplace environment to search for pictorially and lexically described targets. Participants searched for targets under conditions of both low and high task criticality. Mixed analyses of variance showed that both samples collected more pictorially described targets in the high criticality ...
Ethical considerations in hibernation research

Ethical research practices are a key component of scientific integrity and of public support for research. Hibernation research presents specific ethical issues in regard to animal welfare. In this article, the authors apply the '3Rs' principles of humane experimental technique (replacement, reduction and refinement) to hibernation research. They provide recommendations for hibernation researchers and suggest future directions for addressing issues specific to hibernation research. They discuss the use of appropriate behavioral and physiological monitoring procedures, the development of species-specific brain atlases for placement of brain probes, the provision of environmental enrichment and the management of studies involving pharmacological induction of torpor. Addressing these issues in hibernation research will lead to improvements in research outcomes and in welfare of hibernating species.
Colloid cyst of the third ventricle.

A 26-year-old woman gave a 2-year history of intermittent and worsening headaches. MR scan of brain showed a 1.1 cm cystic, peripherally enhancing lesion in the third ventricle, causing obstructive hydrocephalus at the interventricular foramen of Monro (figure 1A, B). She underwent endoscopic intraventricular resection through a left frontal burr hole. Pathological examination confirmed a colloid cyst. Figure 1 (A, B) Preoperative MRI, T1 with …
Ecology of the Immature Stages of Some Wisconsin Black Flies (Simuliidae: Diptera)

The immature stages of 23 black fly species, of the genera Prosimulium, Cnephia, Eusimulium , and Simulium , are here recorded from Wisconsin, 18 of them for the first time. Six other, unidentified species also were found, but their identification in most cases will await the discovery and association of pupal and adult stages. Notes on state distribution, relative abundance, and ecological relationships are presented for each species. The larvae were found to feed primarily on diatoms and other algae, some of which were scraped from the substratum. Waters containing large amounts of eroded soil particles and other detritus were unfavorable for most species, as the larvae appeared incapable of selective feeding and their intestinal tracts often contained more sand and silt than diatoms and algae; large soil particles were rejected, however, or perhaps were not small enough for ingestion. Microsporidian protozoans were common parasites of larvae, as was also a nematode, Hydromermis sp., which parasitized up to 90% of the black fly larvae in some streams. Larvae thus infested failed to pupate, and eventually died. The seasonal cycle of the nematode corresponded closely with that of Simulium vittatum ; its larval stage was found parasitizing the overwintering larval populations of black flies in southern Wisconsin.