cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Self-limited growth of InAs at 480 °C

Self-limited growth of InAs at 480 °C is achieved by a rotating substrate method with a specially designed susceptor. The residual precursors and the boundary layer are removed by the mechanical shear-off. Prevention of the precursor carryover and the gas-phase decomposition are thought to result in the self-limited growth of InAs at temperatures as high as 480 °C.
Spillover Effects of the ADA: The Case of Obesity

The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 has expanded employment opportunities of numerous persons with disabilities, although its effect on employment for disabled individuals has been mixed. With the strong correlation between disability and obesity, the ADA has likely had spillover effects through several court cases related to disability and obesity. The authors create a data set that combines state-level data on cases pertaining to the ADA with an individual-level health data set representative of the U.S. population: the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 1993–2007. Controlling for state-level unemployment rates, the authors find little effect of these state-level disability policies on the probability of employment and the probability of being a student. Further analysis reveals that the occurrence of the court cases increases the probability that obese individuals report having a disability, perhaps paving the path for the creation of an environment in which obese individuals wit...
HYDRATION CAPACITY AS AN INNDEX OF SHRIMP MICROBIAL QUALITY

SUMMARY –The hydration capacity of shrimp undergoing microbial spoilage at low temperatures was followed by means of water-holding capacity (WHC), extract-release volume (ERV), viscosity and swelling measurements. All four techniques showed marked changes in hydration capacity from shrimp freshness to frank spoilage, with significant decreases in ERV, and increases in WHC, and swelling. Of these, the ERV technique was found most suitable for detecting incipient spoilage. Employing a low pH buffer (phthalate, pH 4.6), the pH of fresh or freshly thawed shrimp homogenates was lowered towards the isoelectric range of shrimp proteins, resulting in low hydration and large amounts of extracts. When first signs of microbial spoilag were noted, these amounts decreased by 33%. The ERV test is simple to perform, fast and reproducible. On further extensive testing, it holds promise as an index of spoilage for shrimp.
High-performance distributed shared memory substrate for workstation clusters

In order to exploit the latest advances in hardware technology, application developers need high-performance, easy-to-use cooperation tools that spun interconnections of standard hardware. Distributed shared memory has been proposed as such a cooperation tool, but performance problems have limited its usefulness. This paper argues that a new approach to distributed shared memory implementation can make it an effective tool in its own right and a foundation for other tools. It describes a prototype implementation that allows sharing of memory resources in workstation cluster. The prototype is based on an innovative, low-overhead messaging protocol which utilizes the high bandwidth of the underlying hardware, while adding very little latency overhead. Finally, the interface exported by this software is designed to function effectively as a substrate for a variety of cooperation tools. >
GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION IN BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD (MOLOTHRUS ATER) PARASITISM ON DICKCISSELS (SPIZA AMERICANA) IN GREAT PLAINS TALLGRASS PRAIRIE

Abstract The incidence of brood parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater; hereafter “cowbirds“) within host species typically reflects the continental pattern in cowbird abundance across North America, where parasitism is heaviest in the Great Plains. However, we found considerable variation in cowbird parasitism on Dickcissel (Spiza americana) nests within a subregion of the Great Plains (the Flint Hills), where the highest levels of cowbird parasitism on grassland bird nests had been previously reported. Local parasitism frequencies on Dickcissel nests varied latitudinally across the Flint Hills, ranging from 0% to 92% of nests parasitized. Interestingly, we found no obvious patterns in habitat or host attributes that were associated with this steep geographic gradient in brood parasitism. Cowbird parasitism on Dickcissel nests was not correlated with the vertical density of local prairie vegetation, mean nest distance to edge, proportion of forest to grassland habitat surrounding study sites...
Beyond profitability: Using economic indicators to measure farm sustainability

United States farm policy has a long tradition of subsidizing farmers in order to achieve national goals. The issue of agricultural subsidies poses a particular challenge in terms of relevant policy design. This paper explores the potential for economic indicators to guide policies that encourage sustainable agriculture through alternative-oriented approaches. We begin by reviewing several indicators of sustainable agriculture that have been proposed previously. We then suggest a set of three economic indicators: energy and machinery use, creation of local jobs, and feed balance, and apply them to two groups of farmers: conventional farmers and those with an explicit orientation towards sustainable agriculture. Though our survey groups cannot be compared statistically, it appears that these three indicators are capable of distinguishing between the two farmer groups. We conclude with some suggestions for further research and application.
Ipilimumab for advanced melanoma: a pharmacologic perspective.

Ipilimumab, a fully human anti-CTLA-4 antibody, has been approved for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma based on its survival benefit demonstrated in randomized phase III studies. The current approved dosing schedule of ipilimumab is 3mg/kg as a 90-min intravenous infusion every 3 weeks for a total of 4 doses. The immunemediated mechanism of action of ipilimumab can result in tumor response patterns that may differ from those observed with conventional chemotherapy; therefore, revised response criteria to fully capture the spectrum of responses have been developed and are being prospectively validated. The safety profile of ipilimumab also reflects its mechanism of action and is characterized by immune-related adverse events. Although most of these events are mild, tolerable and reversible, high-grade immune-related adverse events have been observed in 15% of patients and can be potentially lifethreatening if not managed appropriately. Guidelines for the management of these events emphasize thorough patient education, vigilant monitoring and prompt intervention with corticosteroids when appropriate. Ongoing research, including evaluation of ipilimumab in the adjuvant setting, investigation of its use in combination with other agents and assessment of alternative doses, will help optimize and expand the use of this innovative treatment.
“I AM STILL SUFFERING:” THE DILEMMA OF MULTIPLE RECOVERIES IN THE LIVES OF METHADONE MAINTENANCE PATIENTS

This study examines narratives on the meaning of addiction recovery through interviews with 45 methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) patients. Results show that heroin addicts are dealing with multiple recoveries and many are simultaneous to each other: recoveries concerning (1) addiction, (2) associational disruptions, (3) self-identity and actualization, (4) drug induced diseases (HIV/AIDS, HCV, etc.), and (5) catalyzing event(s). The research findings, anathema of clinical MMT views on recovery, suggest that drug addicted individuals might benefit from interventions that address their multiple recovery issues as opposed to ones that emphasize recovery strictly in sobriety terms.
Doppler ultrasound of blood flow velocities in ophthalmic and central retinal arteries during the early neonatal period

Abstract PURPOSE: To obtain standard values of blood flow velocity in the ophthalmic artery and central retinal artery in the neonatal period and to compare blood flow velocity of orbital vessels with that of the anterior cerebral artery and middle cerebral artery. METHODS: Forty-five healthy neonates (gestational age, 39.2 ± 1.2 weeks; birth weight, 3,210 ± 567 g) on the first and third postnatal days (90 eyes each time) and on the fifth day of life (34 eyes) were included in a clinical trial. A duplex scanner with mechanical sector probe was used for measuring blood flow velocity in the ophthalmic artery, central retinal artery, anterior cerebral artery, and middle cerebral artery. A nominal imaging frequency of 7.5 MHz, a transmitted Doppler frequency of 5 MHz, and a wall filter setting of 50 Hz were used in each case. Systolic, end-diastolic, and mean-enveloped velocities were measured for the studied vessels and the resistance and pulsatility indices were calculated. RESULTS: On the first postnatal day, blood flow velocities and indices in the ophthalmic artery were systolic 14 ± 2.4 cm/sec, end-diastolic 3.8 ± 0.6 cm/sec, mean-enveloped 7.3 ± 1.3 cm/sec, resistance index 0.73 ± 0.03, and pulsatility index 1.5 ± 0.2. Central retinal artery blood flow velocities and indices were systolic 8.7 ± 1.8 cm/sec, end-diastolic 2.7 ± 0.7 cm/sec, mean-enveloped 5.0 ± 1.1 cm/sec, resistance index 0.70 ± 0.04, and pulsatility index 1.3 ± 0.1. There were no significant differences in ophthalmic artery and central retinal artery flow velocities between right and left eyes. Doppler values of the central retinal artery were significantly lower (P = .0005) than those of the ophthalmic artery for each day studied. The Doppler data for the central retinal artery and ophthalmic artery were significantly lower (from P = .005 to .0001) than those observed in the anterior cerebral artery and middle cerebral artery at the same postnatal age. No significant differences in flow variables were found in the central retinal artery and ophthalmic artery from the first to third day, whereas blood flow velocities in the anterior cerebral artery and middle cerebral artery increased significantly (P = .01 to .0001) from day 1 to day 3. On the fifth day of life a significant increase in blood flow velocities and indices was observed in the ophthalmic artery, whereas only systolic velocity significantly increased in the central retinal artery. CONCLUSIONS: We report blood flow data of the ophthalmic artery and central retinal artery in healthy neonates and suggest that a delay of arterial blood flow changes occurs for the ophthalmic artery and central retinal artery with respect to the anterior cerebral artery and middle cerebral artery in the early prenatal period.
Dominant selection system for use in Cryptococcus neoformans

Present transformation systems for Cryptococcus neoformans depend on complementation of auxotrophic mutants. We have developed a dominant selection system for transformation of wild-type strains of cryptococci in which resistance to the antibiotic hygromycin B is used as the selectable marker. A heterologous fusion gene construct was created by attaching the putative promoter sequence and start site from a cryptococcal actin gene to a truncated hygromycin B phosphotransferase gene from E. coli. Biolistic transformation with this construct resulted in cryptococci resistant to hygromycin B, and transformation efficiencies approached approximately 500 transformants per μg DNA. The construct was found to exist in transformants as both extrachromosomal and integrative forms. The transformants with integrated constructs were stable both in vitro and in vivo, and constructs were recoverable from most transformed cells using a plasmid rescue technique. This is the first dominant selection system for use in C. neo...
Incorporating Heterogeneous Redundancy in a Nanoprocessor for Improved Yield and Performance

Emerging nano-device based architectures are expected to experience high defect rates associated with the manufacturing process. In this paper, we introduce a novel built-in heterogeneous fault-tolerance scheme, which incorporates redundant circuitry into the design to provide fault tolerance. A thorough analysis of the new scheme was carried out for various system level metrics. The implementation and analysis were carried out on WISP-0, a stream processor implemented on the Nanoscale Application Specific Integrated Circuits (NASIC) fabric. We show that intelligent assignment of redundancy levels and nanoscale-voting strategies across WISP-0 greatly improves area, effective yield and performance for the nano-processor. The new scheme outperforms homogeneous schemes for a defect range of 3% to 9.75% where the metric used is the product of performance and effective yield.
Control of gluconeogenesis by acetyl CoA in rats treated with glucagon and anti-insulin serum.

Abstract Glucagon has recently been shown to have a direct lipolytic action on liver (Bewsher and Ashmore 1966). Increased hepatic lipolysis, plus enhanced availability of plasma fatty acids, causes an elevation of acetyl CoA and fatty acyl CoA levels (Williamson, Herczeg, Coles and Danish 1966). Such elevated levels of acetyl CoA presumably account for the increased rate of ketogenesis observed with glucagon. Acute effects of insulin deficiency, induced by administration of guinea pig anti-insulin serum (AIS) to rats, are similar to effects produced by glucagon: elevation of plasma glucose, free fatty acid, and ketone levels, plus an increased rate of gluconeogenesis (Wagle and Ashmore, 1963 ; Wagle and Ashmore, 1964 ; Tarrant, Mahler, and Ashmore, 1964) . These findings have led to the suggestion that the early metabolic changes in experimental insulin deficiency may be induced by hormones with actions normally counterbalanced by insulin (Wright, 1965) . Such hormones are glucagon, epinephrine, ACTH and corticosteroids (Mahler, Stafford, Tarrant and Ashmore, 1964 ; Jungas and Ball, 1963) . Data presented in this paper supports the concept that the lipolytic, ketogenic, and gluconeogenic effects of glucagon are revealed in the insulin-deficient rat. It is suggested that stimulation of gluconeogenesis, both with glucagon and with AIS, is secondary to enhanced lipolysis and is mediated through facilitation of pyruvic carboxylase by elevated hepatic levels of acetyl CoA.
Control of Invasive Soybean Aphid, Aphis glycines (Hemiptera: Aphididae), Populations by Existing Natural Enemies in New York State, with Emphasis on Entomopathogenic Fungi

Abstract This study evaluated the diversity and abundance of existing natural enemies of soybean aphid, Aphis glycines L., under field conditions in New York State, with emphasis on entomopathogenic fungi. In 2003, five soybean fields were occasionally sampled to estimate abundance and species composition of entomopathogenic fungi. During 2004, five soybean fields and adjacent buckthorn were sampled weekly. Seven species of aphid pathogenic fungi were found, including Pandora neoaphidis (Remaud. et Henn.) Humber, Conidiobolus thromboides Drechsler, Entomophthora chromaphidis Burger et Swain, Pandora sp., Zoophthora occidentalis (Thaxter) Batko, Neozygites fresenii (Now.) Remaud. et Keller, and Lecanicillium lecanii, (Zimm.) Gams et Zare. P. neoaphidis was the most abundant species, causing 84% infection in an outbreak aphid population in 2003, after which the aphid population crashed. In 2004, we found the first aphids with fungal infections in late June to midJuly. Mycosis was strongly associated with ap...
Mesoscopic conductance and its fluctuations at a nonzero Hall angle

We consider the bilocal conductivity tensor, the two-probe conductance and its fluctuations for a disordered phase-coherent two-dimensional system of non-interacting electrons in the presence of a magnetic field, including correctly the edge effects. Analytical results are obtained by perturbation theory in the limit $\sigma_{xx} \gg 1$. For mesoscopic systems the conduction process is dominated by diffusion but we show that, due to the lack of time-reversal symmetry, the boundary condition for diffusion is altered at the reflecting edges. Instead of the usual condition, that the derivative along the direction normal to the wall of the diffusing variable vanishes, the derivative at the Hall angle to the normal vanishes. We demonstrate the origin of this boundary condition from different starting points, using (i) a simplified Chalker-Coddington network model, (ii) the standard diagrammatic perturbation expansion, and (iii) the nonlinear sigma-model with the topological term, thus establishing connections between the different approaches. Further boundary effects are found in quantum interference phenomena. We evaluate the mean bilocal conductivity tensor $\sigma_{\mu\nu}(r,r')$, and the mean and variance of the conductance, to leading order in $1/\sigma_{xx}$ and to order $(\sigma_{xy}/\sigma_{xx})^2$, and find that the variance of the conductance increases with the Hall ratio. Thus the conductance fluctuations are no longer simply described by the unitary universality class of the $\sigma_{xy}=0$ case, but instead there is a one-parameter family of probability distributions. In the quasi-one-dimensional limit, the usual universal result for the conductance fluctuations of the unitary ensemble is recovered, in contrast to results of previous authors. Also, a long discussion of current conservation.
Exploring trainers’ engaging instructional practices: a collective case study

Purpose – This study aims to explore the phenomenon of training engagement from the trainers’ perspective. Specifically, two questions guided this inquiry. First, how do trainers define engagement in the training context? and What strategies do trainers use to engage trainees? Design/methodology/approach – The collective case study approach was adopted for this qualitative study. Seven cases were selected for in-depth analyses. Data were collected through individual, face-to-face interviews and analyzed using the constant comparative analysis method. Findings – Major findings suggest that engaging training practices take various forms. They include being trainee-centered, maximizing learning through entertaining and interesting instruction, accommodating different learning styles, eliciting trainee participation by creating an encouraging learning environment and connecting with trainees by building rapport early in a training session. Research limitations/implications – The small sample limits the generalizability of the findings. However, this study expands training literature by focusing on an under-explored research area, the role of engaging trainees in maximizing learning outcomes. Practical implications – For trainers, this study offered some specific strategies they can use to engage learners in the training context to achieve desired learning outcomes. In addition, the seven cases selected for this study may be used as a benchmark against which both experienced and novice trainers compared their own practices. Originality/value – This is one of very few qualitative studies with a focus on emotional aspects involved in training. The rich data from this study shed light on areas for future improvement, particularly regarding how to effectively engage trainees to maximize learning outcomes.
EXOANTIGEN COMPARISONS OF SELECTED ISOLATES OF BASIDIOBOLUS SPECIES

Exoantigens (soluble antigens) from five isolates of Basidiobolus, an agent of entomophthoromycosis, were characterized using immunodiffusion and biochemical analysis. Rabbit antisera were prepared to soluble antigens of B. haptosporus and B. meristosporus isolates. It was shown that B. microsporus is antigenically different from the other tested isolates of Basidiobolus. The antigens ranged in molecular weight (MW) from 23,000 to 100,000, while the MW of the more specific antigens were from 100,000 to 200,000. Results from other biochemical analyses showed that the common Basidiobolus antigens were acid-, base-stable glycoproteins while the less common antigens were acid-, base-labile glycoproteins.
The Laughing Body Politic The Counter-Sovereign Politics of Hobbes’s Theory of Laughter

This article turns to Hobbes’s theory of laughter to determine the role collective laughter plays in democratic politics. After examining the political themes in Hobbes’s various accounts of laught...
Implement developing strategy of science and technology innovation

The paper analyzed and positioned the opportunity and challenge that the Heilongjiang Electric Power Research Institute(HEPRI) is facing and established the developing strategy of science and technology innovation and total goals according to the HEPRI's situation in three years while the steady and sustainable de-veloping of HEPRI will provide strong supports for Heilongjiang Electric Power Grid to operate in safe and sound and promote the progress of science and technology.
Experimental Partial Ureteric Obstruction in Newborn Rats. VII. Are the Long Term Effects on Renal Morphology Avoided by Release of the Obstruction

Abstract Partial obstruction of the left ureter was created in newborn rats. The obstruction was either permanent or was released after two or seven days. The effects were studied at the age of six weeks. The permanently obstructed kidneys characteristically exhibited considerable enlargement (× 18) of pelvic volume and prominent deformation of the papilla, frequently associated with moderate widening of collecting ducts and convoluted tubuli, and focal inflammatory and degenerative lesions. The weight difference between the hydronephrotic and the contralateral, intact kidney was significantly higher than in a sham operated group, although the combined kidney weight was unchanged, indicating a reduction on the obstructed side and a compensatory contralateral hypertrophy. In the group released after seven days, the pelvic volume had returned to normal; nevertheless the parenchymal weight pattern and the histological lesions were similar to those found in animals obstructed for six weeks. In the group released after two days, the pelvic volume had normalized, and the histological changes were less prominent than in animals obstructed for seven days or six weeks. Yet there was a significant difference in parenchymal weight between the hydronephrotic and the contralateral kidney, almost entirely caused by hypertrophy on the nonobstructed side. Thus, the ureteric obstruction must be released very early to avoid parenchymal weight reduction and curb the tissue lesions. On the other hand, the resulting parenchymal damage is moderate and does not seem to progress with time.
Brain activation differences in schizophrenia during context-dependent processing of saccade tasks

Brain function in schizophrenia has been probed using saccade paradigms and functional magnetic resonance imaging, but little information exists about how changing task context impacts saccade related brain activation and behavioral performance. We recruited schizophrenia and comparison subjects to perform saccade tasks in differing contexts: (1) two single task runs (anti- or pro-saccades alternating with fixation) and (2) one dual task run (antisaccades alternating with prosaccades). Context-dependent differences in saccade circuitry were evaluated using ROI analyses. Distinction between anti- and pro-saccade activation across contexts (single versus dual task) suggests that the schizophrenia group did not respond to context in the same way as the comparison group. Further investigation of context processing effects on brain activation and saccade performance measures informs models of cognitive deficits in the disorder and enhances understanding of antisaccades as a potential endophenotype for schizophrenia.
The Pre-mRNA Splicing Reaction

In eukaryotic organisms, nascent transcripts of protein-coding genes contain intronic sequences that are not present in mature mRNAs. Pre-mRNA splicing removes introns and joins exons to form mature mRNAs. It is catalyzed by a large RNP complex called the spliceosome. Sequences within the pre-mRNA determine intron recognition and excision. This process occurs with a high degree of accuracy to generate the functional transcriptome of a cell.
The Effect of Value Added Tax on Corporate Cash Flow in Ghana

This study investigated whether there is a relationship between value added tax (VAT) and corporate cash flow. In order to conduct the study, corporate entities registered with the Large Tax Payer Unit (LTU) of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) were selected, and data from January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2011, were analyzed. The purpose of this study was to establish if there is a statistically significant relationship between VAT and corporate cash flow. Apart from providing empirical evidence of VAT effect on corporate cash flow, the study was expected to establish the major tax and corporate policy implications to decision makers. This will aid governments in making a choice between VAT and corporate tax—as sufficient literature on the effect of corporate income tax (CIT) on organizational cash flow already exists. The findings clearly suggested that there is a statistically significant difference in cash flow patterns between organizations that pay VAT and entities that do not pay VAT. The study further established that, apart from sales, all other selected independent variables had a negative relationship with VAT. However, the findings contradicted the assertion that the VAT burden is fully borne by only the final consumer.
Prevalence and Perception of Childhood Obesity in California’s Farmworker Communities

In California’s central valley, childhood obesity rates are above the national average. The majority of families living in the rural, agricultural communities of this region are immigrant of Mexican heritage, and face numerous social and environmental challenges. Demographic and anthropometric data were collected from a population of Mexican-heritage children 3–8 years (N = 609) and families (N = 466) living in two central valley communities. Overall, 45 % of children and 82 % of mothers were classified as overweight or obese. Multivariable analyses indicated that mother’s BMI and acculturation level were positively associated with child BMI z-score. Most children classified as overweight or obese (92 % and 53 %, respectively) were perceived as having ‘normal’ weight by their mothers. Childhood obesity remains a major public health issue in Mexican-heritage, central valley communities. Our model indicates that mother’s BMI is predictor of child obesity, and parents tend to underestimate their child’s weight status. These findings highlight a need for family-targeted and culturally-tailored approaches to address relevant perceptions of obesity and risk factors in these communities.
Modal analysis of a mechanical heart valve by vibro-acoustography

A new method is introduced for imaging modal shapes of a mechanical heart valve, based on the radiation force of ultrasound. Vibro-acoustography is used to excite resonant modes in heart valve prosthesis. A theory is developed that predicts that the resulting acoustic emission pressure is proportional to the value of the mode shape at the focal point of the ultrasound beam. Experimental studies were carried out on a mechanical heart valve. The first two modal shapes were imaged by the method and the results agree well with FEM simulation using Abaqus/spl reg/. The method can be applied to non-destructive testing and evaluation of vibration modes of small objects.
The association of antidepressant and statin use with death and incident cardiovascular disease varies by depression severity.

AbstractDepression has been reported to be associated with a greater risk of death and cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, the impact of antidepressants (ADM) on CVD risk remains controversial. Statin use is known to decrease CVD risk. Whether the use of these medications together affects CVD risk has not been studied. Patients (N = 26,828) completing the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9), ≥40 years of age, without prior CVD, and no prior ADM use were studied. Depressive severity was categorized as none-mild (PHQ-9 score ≤14, n = 21,517) and moderate-severe (PHQ-9 score ≥15, n = 5311). Cox hazard regression was used to evaluate the association of no ADM/no statin use (n = 23,104 [86.1%]), ADM/no statin use (n = 877 [3.3%]), no ADM/statin use (n = 2627 [9.8%]), and ADM/statin use (n = 220 [.8%]) with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE: death, CAD, stroke). Patients averaged 56 ± 12 years; 61% female. There were 1182 (4.4%) 3 year MACE events. The association of ADM and statin use with MACE var...
The Gospel Truth–In Public: Newbigin’s call to publicly confess the Gospel

This paper relates Newbigin’s analysis to the recent recognition among secular political theorists that plebiscitary procedures for evaluating truth claims, whereby the majority decides morality, are inadequate. Seeking to cultivate a more substantive procedure for democratic decision-making, political theorists have increasingly promoted public discourse in which, just as Newbigin asserts, we must be willing to make truth claims—even from situated perspectives—in public fora. This position directly supports Newbigin’s call for Christians to dare to share the Gospel truth.
Embracing Internet of Things IoT and big data for industrial informatics

Industrial Informatics (II) refers to the study of design, use and innovation of information technology (IT) in industrial applications (Holmstrom, Wiberg, and Lund 2010). II aims at knowledge-base...
Infants Born Preterm Demonstrate Impaired Exploration of Their Bodies and Surfaces Throughout the First 2 Years of Life.

Background Non-object-oriented exploratory behaviors infants perform with their bodies and surfaces have been proposed to be key precursors of infants' object exploration, early learning, and future cognitive development. Little is known about the developmental trajectories of these behaviors, especially for infants born preterm. Objective The purpose of the study was to longitudinally compare non-object-oriented exploratory behaviors performed by full-term and preterm infants. Design The study followed 24 full-term and 30 preterm infants (6 with significant brain injury) performing non-object-oriented exploratory behaviors in prone, supine, and sitting from birth through 24 months. Methods Infants were observed without objects or direct social interaction for 3 minutes in prone and supine (0 through 9 months) and in sitting (3 through 24 months). Behavioral coding produced data that were analyzed using hierarchical linear modeling. Developmental trajectories of behaviors were compared among full-term infants, preterm infants without significant brain injury, and preterm infants with significant brain injury. Results Compared to full-term peers, preterm infants showed poorer postural control (less head lifting in prone), midline behavior (holding the head in midline, holding both hands in midline), hand-to-mouth and visual-motor behaviors against gravity, and more asymmetrical one-handed fisting. Preterm infants performed fewer bouts of non-object-oriented exploratory behaviors, and their behaviors were less variable with fewer combinations. Limitations There was a limited sample of infants born preterm with significant brain injury. Conclusions Non-object-oriented exploratory behaviors are important for early perceptual-motor development. Key differences were noted in these behaviors for infants born preterm. These differences may lead to impaired reaching, object exploration, and cognition. Early intervention programs should utilize assessments and interventions that target these very early non-object-oriented exploratory behaviors.
Clinical and Electrocardiographic Improvement of Ischemic Heart Disease After Spinal Cord Stimulation

Electrocardiographic (ECG) follow-up study was performed in 16 patients before and after spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for different chronic neurological disturbances. Four patients had on ECG signs of ischemic heart disease. Two of them had a history of myocardial infarction with residual chest pain on exercise in spite of adequate medical treatment
Secondary Teachers’ Statistical Reasoning in Comparing Two Groups

The importance of distributions in understanding statistics has been well articulated in this book by other researchers (for example, Bakker & Gravemeijer, Chapter 7; Ben-Zvi, Chapter 6). The task of comparing two distributions provides further insight into this area of research, in particular that of variation, as well as to motivate other aspects of statistical reasoning. The research study described here was conducted at the end of a 6-month professional development sequence designed to assist secondary teachers in making sense of their students’ results on a statemandated academic test. In the United States, schools are currently under tremendous pressure to increase student test scores on state-developed academic tests. This paper focuses on the statistical reasoning of four secondary teachers during interviews conducted at the end of the professional development sequence. The teachers conducted investigations using the software FathomTM in addressing the research question: “How do you decide whether two groups are different?” Qualitative analysis examines the responses during these interviews, in which the teachers were asked to describe the relative performance of two groups of students in a school on their statewide mathematics test. Preand posttest quantitative analysis of statistical content knowledge provides triangulation (Stake, 1994), giving further insight into the teachers’ understanding.
The secreted neurotrophin Spätzle 3 promotes glial morphogenesis and supports neuronal survival and function.

Most glial functions depend on establishing intimate morphological relationships with neurons. Significant progress has been made in understanding neuron-glia signaling at synaptic and axonal contacts, but how glia support neuronal cell bodies is unclear. Here we explored the growth and functions of Drosophila cortex glia (which associate almost exclusively with neuronal cell bodies) to understand glia-soma interactions. We show that cortex glia tile with one another and with astrocytes to establish unique central nervous system (CNS) spatial domains that actively restrict glial growth, and selective ablation of cortex glia causes animal lethality. In an RNAi-based screen, we identified αSNAP (soluble NSF [N-ethylmalemeide-sensitive factor] attachment protein α) and several components of vesicle fusion and recycling machinery as essential for the maintenance of cortex glial morphology and continued contact with neurons. Interestingly, loss of the secreted neurotrophin Spatzle 3 (Spz3) phenocopied αSNAP phenotypes, which included loss of glial ensheathment of neuron cell bodies, increased neuronal cell death, and defects in animal behavior. Rescue experiments suggest that Spz3 can exert these effects only over very short distances. This work identifies essential roles for glial ensheathment of neuronal cell bodies in CNS homeostasis as well as Spz3 as a novel signaling factor required for maintenance of cortex glial morphology and neuron-glia contact.
Compact Steering Technologies for Automotive LiDAR: A Comparison between Liquid Crystal Clad Waveguides and Optical MEMs

Compact, rugged, low power, and affordable laser beamsteering devices are desired to enable light detection and ranging (LiDAR) for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and ultimately autonomous vehicles. Both optical micro-electro mechanical systems (MEMs) and liquid crystal (LC) clad optical waveguides have been considered. In this paper we will discuss the tradeoffs between these two scanning technologies.
Detailed analysis of a waked turbine using a high-resolution scanning lidar

Sandia National Laboratories and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory conducted a wake-steering field campaign at the Scaled Wind Farm Technology facility. The campaign included the use of two highly instrumented V27 wind turbines, an upstream met tower, and high-resolution wake measurements of the upstream wind turbine using a customized scanning lidar from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). The present work investigates the impact of the upstream wake on the downstream turbine power and blade loads as the wake swept across the rotor in various waked conditions. The wake position was tracked using the DTU SpinnerLidar and synchronized to the met tower and turbine sensors. Fully and partially waked conditions reduced the power output and increased the fatigue loading on the downstream wind turbine. Partial wake impingement was found to result in a 10% increase in fatigue loading over the fully waked condition. Rotational sampling of the blade root bending moments revealed that the fatigue damage accrued during full turbine waking, was primarily caused by turbulence within the wake rather than velocity shear, while the partially waked turbine experienced a large 1-per revolution fatigue due to shear. The development of a power to fatigue load metric curve indicated the wake positions where shifting the wake has the most benefit for the waked turbine.
Achieving the Partnership Principle in Experiential Learning: The Nonprofit Perspective

University and college experiential education takes many forms: internships, practica and other field experience, volunteerism, community service, and community-based service learning, as well as c...
INTERACTIONS BETWEEN INTERFERON AND CELLS OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

Among the varied biological effects of interferon, independent of their antiviral activity, are the selective, yet often profound effects on cells of the immune system. Interferon may regulate activation of some functions, as in the natural killer (NK) system, and inhibit others, such as suppression of proliferation by T cells. The purpose of this review is to summarize some work carried out in our laboratory in which the effects of interferon have contributed to our understanding of the functioning of NK cells, and conversely, to describe a system studies of macrophage cell lines which may have contributed something to our understanding of the mechanisms of interferon action.
Pelican — Protein-structure Alignment using Cellular Automaton models

With more than 23000 protein structures deposited in the Protein Data Bank (PDB) and more structures being discovered with each passing day, the experimental determination of the 3-dimensional structure of proteins is just the beginning of a journey in-silico. For a structural biologist, this enormous surge of structural data carries with it far greater computational challenges; Compare, align, classify, and categorize them under families, domains and functionally similar proteins already discovered. Pelican provides the structural biologist with a strong and easy technique that that will help him in facing these challenges. Pelican is a rapid way to align the backbones of two protein structures using 2-dimensional Cellular Automaton (CA) models. Breaking down the protein structure into distance matrices comprising of 5 peptide units, Pelican uses the differences of these matrices to construct the 2-dimensional CA grid. Starting from an initial unaligned state, the CA evolves through several generations according to a defined set of local rules. As the CA evolves through successive generations, the emergent patterns made by the live cells are the ones that contribute to the alignment. Pelican is also an example of a system exhibiting emergent behavior. Each cell behaves in a strictly microscopic way, but each individual cell’s behavior leads to a macroscopic long range behavior exhibited by the entire system which collectively gives the alignment.
A logic-based architecture for knowledge management

We define and discuss an architecture for a knowledge base management system (KBMS) to support the efficient manipulation of large and diverse bodies of knowledge. The architecture has been formulated within an amalgamated language-metalanguage framework. All aspects of the system possess a logical semantics. Our emphasis is on modularity, the organization of theories and their metatheories within the system theory, and the clean integration of multiple representation languages. The expressivity of the architecture is discussed and an implementation based on an extended Prolog reported. Its utility is currently being investigated in a number of diverse applications.
Histological features and prognostic significance of treatment effect in lymph node metastasis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Aims and objectives Cervical lymph node metastasis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is common. Pre-operative chemoradiotherapy (preCRT) and postoperative chemoradiotherapy (postCRT) is frequently employed in such patients. The prognostic value of viable SCC, treatment effect or no SCC in resected lymph nodes in patients who received or did not receive preCRT and postCRT was investigated. Methods and results Resected cervical lymph nodes from 146 patients with HNSCC were evaluated for viable SCC, treatment effect or no SCC. Immunostains for Ki67, cyclin D1, caspase 3 and H2AFX were performed on viable SCC or nucleate keratin debris. Clinical and histological data were correlated with tumour recurrence or persistence. Patients with nucleate keratin debris in lymph nodes had outcomes similar to those with diffuse treatment effect and no SCC. Viable tumour in lymph nodes was associated with worse prognosis in patients who received preCRT (P = 0.01). This relative worsening of prognosis was not observed in patients with oropharyngeal SCC or recurrent disease. Lower proliferation index in lymph node SCC was associated with preCRT and with worse outcomes (P = 0.0002). Overall, patients who received preCRT or postCRT had outcomes not significantly different from those who did not. Conclusion The presence of viable SCC in cervical lymph nodes has prognostic import when taken in context with the patient's history. Viable SCC in lymph nodes was significantly associated with worse outcome among patients with non-oropharyngeal SCC who received preCRT. Nucleate keratin debris should not be considered viable SCC in lymph nodes.
A Fiscally Based Scale for Tropical Cyclone Storm Surge

AbstractCategorization of storm surge with the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale has been a useful means of communicating potential impacts for decades. However, storm surge was removed from this scal...
Opening Up the Family Tree: Promoting More Diverse and Inclusive Studies of Family, Kinship, and Relatedness in Bioarchaeology

Family is a fundamental organizing aspect of human society, but family organization is understudied within bioarchaeology. Historically, bioarchaeological research has focused on kinship analysis, the reconstruction of biological relationships within archaeological contexts. Kinship analysis has generated important insights into past community organization and cultural practices, but it is rooted in biologistic and heteronormative values. As a result, traditional kinship research inadvertently emphasizes biological relatedness and nuclear family organization and limits our ability to recognize different ways of forming families.
Human resource strategies in response to government cutbacks: a survey experiment

Government agencies worldwide have faced budget cutbacks. The possible effects of budget cutbacks on human resource strategies have been studied a great deal; however, empirical evaluations are lac...
Reaction Engineering Studies of the Epoxidation of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters with Venturello Complex

Atom economical and safe epoxidations of a variety of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs, including methyl oleate, methyl linolenate, methyl linoleate, and methyl soyate) under near-isothermal conditions are demonstrated using a tungsten-based Venturello catalyst and H2O2 as an oxidant under solvent-free conditions. By systematically optimizing the substrate/catalyst ratio, stirring rate, H2O2 addition rate, and external cooling rate, safe operation with minimal temperature rise was demonstrated in a semibatch reactor for each of the substrates with total selectivity toward the epoxides at complete conversion. In the case of methyl oleate epoxidation, which produces only one epoxide as product, intrinsic conversion/selectivity data obtained under near-isothermal (±0.1 °C) conditions were regressed with suitable kinetic and reactor models to obtain an activation energy of 85 ± 6.8 kJ/mol. These results provide valuable guidance for the rational design, scaleup, and safe operation of FAME epoxidation reactors.
Selection for genetically repressible (ArgR+) strains of Escherichia coli K12 from genetically derepressed (ArgR-) mutants using acetylnorvaline.

The growth of E. coli K12 strains derepressed for N-α-acetyl-L-ornithinase (the argE gene product) is inhibited by 25 mg/ml N-α-acetyl-DL-norvaline. This is due to deacetylation of acetylnorvaline by acetylornithinase yielding norvaline which inhibits growth. A genetically repressible (argR+) strain (514) in which acetylornithinase is repressed is resistant. Thus, acetylnorvaline resistance can be used to select argR+ recombinants and transductants from a genetically derepressed (argR-) strain (514-1).
Modeling nonlinear systems using multiple piecewise linear equations

This paper describes a technique for modeling nonlinear systems using multiple piecewise linear equations. The technique provides a means for linearizing the nonlinear system in such a way as to not limit the large signal behavior of the target system. The nonlinearity in the target system must be able to be represented as a piecewise linear function. A simple third order nonlinear system is used to demonstrate the technique. The behavior of the modeled system is compared to the behavior of the nonlinear system.
Deformable models, sparsity and learning-based segmentation for cardiac MRI based analytics

Abstract The computational modeling and analysis of cardiac wall motion is a critical step to understand cardiac function and a valuable tool for improved diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. Although many methods have been developed for cardiac segmentation and wall motion modeling, there are still many unresolved challenges. In this chapter, first we review related techniques for cardiac segmentation and modeling from medical images, mostly CMR. Then, we present a new deep learning method to handle segmentation of multiple structures in cine CMR data. Particularly, we propose a modified deep layer aggregation architecture with channel attention and refinement residual blocks to better fuse appearance information across layers during training and achieve improved results through multiscale analysis of image appearance. The proposed method shows promising results compared to the state-of-the-art approaches for multiple cardiac structures (left ventricle cavity and myocardium, and right ventricle cavity) segmentation in cine CMR data. We also present the methodology for shape refinement and 3D cardiac motion modeling. The shape refinement is achieved by adopting sparse shape composition. Finally, we discuss future research directions and applications of cardiac analytics.