cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
FOREIGN ACCENTS, LANGUAGE ACQUISITION, AND CEREBRAL DOMINANCE REVISITED

Scovel (1969) has suggested that three factors are universally true of all speech communities : (1) that all children are equally competent in the acquisition of second languages without a ‘foreign accent”; (2) that, while adults vary in the skill with which they acquire foreign languages, few adults ever rid themselves completely of foreign accents; (3) that adults can all recognize a foreign accent in their native language. Scovel has explained these factors by proposing that the ability to master the phonetic systems of second languages is lost with the completion of cerebral dominance. Some information in the literature suggests that factors (2) and (3) in particular may not operate in the same way in all human societies, and that lines of explanation alternative to the cerebral dominance theory may have to be considered, based on further research in societies where language and phonation do not have the same functions that they have in American English speech communities.
Restraint, hunger, and disinhibition following treatment for binge-eating disorder.

Objective: To examine changes in total, flexible and rigid restraint, hunger, and disinhibition in obese individuals with Binge-Eating Disorder (BED), and assess whether these variables are associated with binge abstinence at post-treatment and during two-year follow-up. Method: A total of 116 obese individuals with BED were randomized to a 20-week treatment trial plus two-year follow-up. Using the Eating Inventory (EI), we assessed these factors at pretreatment, post-treatment, and follow-up time-points and examined their relationship to binge abstinence at post-treatment, 12- and 24-month follow-up. Results: Low disinhibition and high-total restraint are associated with post-treatment binge abstinence. There are no significant relationships between post-treatment EI variables and binge abstinence at 12- and 24-month follow-up. Discussion: Reducing disinhibition as well as increasing EI dietary restraint during BED treatment may be important for short-term success. © 2009 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2009
Tectonic influences on the preservation of marine terraces: Old and new evidence from Santa Catalina Island, California

Abstract The California Channel Islands contain some of the best geologic records of past climate and sea-level changes, recorded in uplifted, fossil-bearing marine terrace deposits. Among the eight California Channel Islands and the nearby Palos Verdes Hills, only Santa Catalina Island does not exhibit prominent emergent marine terraces, though the same terrace-forming processes that acted on the other Channel Islands must also have occurred on Santa Catalina. We re-evaluated previous researchers' field evidence and examined new topographic, bathymetric, and stream-profile data in order to find possible explanations for the lack of obvious marine terrace landforms or deposits on the island today. The most likely explanation is associated with the island's unresolved tectonic history, with evidence for both recent uplift and subsidence being offered by different researchers. Bathymetric and seismic reflection data indicate the presence of submerged terrace-like landforms from a few meters below present sea level to depths far exceeding that of the lowest glacial lowstand, suggesting that the Catalina Island block may have subsided, submerging marine terraces that would have formed in the late Quaternary. Similar submerged marine terrace landforms exist offshore of all of the other California Channel Islands, including some at anomalously great depths, but late Quaternary uplift is well documented on those islands. Therefore, such submarine features must be more thoroughly investigated and adequately explained before they can be accepted as definitive evidence of subsidence. Nevertheless, the striking similarity of the terrace-like features around Santa Catalina Island to those surrounding the other, uplifting, Channel Islands prompted us to investigate other lines of evidence of tectonic activity, such as stream profile data. Recent uplift is suggested by disequilibrium stream profiles on the western side of the island, including nickpoints and profile convexities. Rapid uplift is also indicated by the island's highly dissected, steep topography and abundant landslides. A likely cause of uplift is a restraining bend in the offshore Catalina strike-slip fault. Our analysis suggests that Santa Catalina Island has recently experienced, and may still be experiencing, relatively rapid uplift, causing intense landscape rejuvenation that removed nearly all traces of marine terraces by erosion. A similar research approach, incorporating submarine as well as subaerial geomorphic data, could be applied to many tectonically active coastlines in which a marine terrace record appears to be missing.
The State of Music in the Elementary School The Principal's Perspective

This study is an examination of school principals' perceptions of the elementary school music curriculum. A survey, mailed to 350 elementary school principals (61% response rate), was designed to a...
Surgical treatment of brainstem gliomas in children

Summary: Brainstem gliomas have historically been some of the most difficult pediatric cancers to treat. Tumors arising in the brainstem were once uniformly discounted as surgically unapproachable lesions. The advent of magnetic resonance imaging and sophisticated neurophysiologic monitoring techniques has significantly advanced the surgical treatment of these precarious lesions. Brainstem gliomas are now recognized as a heterogenous group of tumors. They have been broadly classified in four categories: diffuse, focal, exophytic, and cervicomedullary. This classification system has provided a framework to predict growth patterns, surgical resectability, and overall prognosis. Although most remain unresectable, there are certain brainstem gliomas that are readily amenable to surgical therapy.
2-amino-9-(3-azido-2,3-dideoxy-β-d-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-6-substituted-9H-purines: Synthesis and anti-HIV activity

Abstract A series of 2- amino -9-(3- azido -2,3- dideoxy -β- d -erythro- pentofuranosyl)-6-substituted-9H-purines was synthesized and tested for the ability to protect MT4 cells from the cytopathic effect of HIV-1mm. These compounds were prepared by a combination of chemical and enzymatic reactions. Some of the nucleoside analogs with 6-alkoxy, 6-alkylamino, or 6-arylamino substitutents were active against HIV-1mm. Their IC50 values were in the range of 2–60 μM. In contrast, analogs with 6-thio, 6-alkylthio, 6-methyl, or 6-carbonitrile substitutents did not protect cells from the cytopathic effect of HIV infection.
GLOBAL WARMING AND FLOWERING TIMES IN THOREAU'S CONCORD: A COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVE

As a result of climate change, many plants are now flowering measurably earlier than they did in the past. However, some species' flowering times have changed much more than others. Data at the community level can clarify the variation in flowering responses to climate change. In order to determine how North American species' flowering times respond to climate, we analyzed a series of previously unstudied records of the dates of first flowering for over 500 plant taxa in Concord, Massachusetts, USA. These records began with six years of observations by the famous naturalist Henry David Thoreau from 1852 to 1858, continued with 16 years of observations by the botanist Alfred Hosmer in 1878 and 1888-1902, and concluded with our own observations in 2004, 2005, and 2006. From 1852 through 2006, Concord warmed by 2.4 degrees C due to global climate change and urbanization. Using a subset of 43 common species, we determined that plants are now flowering seven days earlier on average than they did in Thoreau's times. Plant flowering times were most correlated with mean temperatures in the one or two months just before flowering and were also correlated with January temperatures. Summer-flowering species showed more interannual variation in flowering time than did spring-flowering species, but the flowering times of spring-flowering species correlated more strongly to mean monthly temperatures. In many cases, such as within the genera Betula and Solidago, closely related, co-occurring species responded to climate very differently from one another. The differences in flowering responses to warming could affect relationships in plant communities as warming continues. Common St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) and highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) are particularly responsive to changes in climate, are common across much of the United States, and could serve as indicators of biological responses to climate change. We discuss the need for researchers to be aware, when using data sets involving multiple observers, of how varying methodologies, sample sizes, and sampling intensities affect the results. Finally, we emphasize the importance of using historical observations, like those of Thoreau and Hosmer, as sources of long-term data and to increase public awareness of biological responses to climate change.
Remote sensing of canopy chemistry and nitrogen cycling in temperate forest ecosystems

The use of images acquired by the Airborne Imaging Spectrometer, an experimental high-spectral resolution imaging sensor developed by NASA, to estimate the lignin concentration of whole forest canopies in Wisconsin is reported. The observed strong relationship between canopy lignin concentration and nitrogen availability in seven undisturbed forest ecosystems on Blackhawk Island, Wisconsin, suggests that canopy lignin may serve as an index for site nitrogen status. This predictive relationship presents the opportunity to estimate nitrogen-cycling rates across forested landscapes through remote sensing.
Friends of the land and the rise of environmentalism, 1940–1954

The rise of the postwar environmental movement is rooted in the development of ecological consciousness within intellectual circles as well as the general public. Though many commentators cite the 1960s as the focal point of the new environmentalism, the ecological ethic had actually evolved by the 1930s in the writings and speeches of both scientists and public commentators. Agricultural conservationists led the way in broadcasting the message of ecology. Friends of the Land, an agriculturally-oriented conservation organization formed in 1940 and active through the 1950s, is an interesting example of how the agricultural community was an integral component in the rise of environmentalism. While Friends of the Land flourished only for a brief period, its goals and the ideas that the group represented illustrate how the ecological ethic was burgeoning by the early-1950s. Furthermore, the history of Friends of the Land is an important chapter in the ongoing quest for ecological agriculture and societal permanence.
Bulk Effect of Rotator Cuff on Inferior Glenohumeral Stability as Function of Scapular Inclination Angle: A Cadaver Study

Eleven fresh cadaver shoulders were studied to determine the static contribution (bulk effect) of the rotator cuff on inferior glenohumeral stability provided by scapular inclination. All musculature, including the rotator cuff, was removed. The position of the humerus relative to the scapula was recorded using an electromagnetic tracking device under conditions of no force and 1.5 kg of inferior translation force applied to the humerus, with the arm in the hanging position (sulcus test) and then in 90 degrees abduction (Abduction-Inferior Stability test = ABIS test), with the scapula inclined referable to the vertical line at -15 degrees, 0 degrees, 15 degrees and 30 degrees in the sulcus test and at 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees and 60 degrees in the ABIS test. In the sulcus test without load, all shoulders dislocated at scapular inclination angles of -15 degrees and 0 degrees, whereas no shoulders dislocated at 30 degrees. The angle of scapular inclination had a significant effect on humeral head positions (p < 0.0001), with the head position at -15 degrees and 0 degree being lower than at 15 degrees, which was lower than at 30 degrees. In the ABIS test, none of the shoulders dislocated, although the effect of the angle of scapular inclination was significant (p < 0.0001), with the position of the humeral head being higher at 15 degrees than at other angles of inclination. Comparison of these data and previously reported data with the cuff intact showed no significant effect of rotator cuff removal on humeral head position and displacement in both tests. Therefore, we conclude that the static condition of the rotator cuff has no significant effect on the stabilizing function of scapular inclination. The stabilizing mechanism of scapular inclination seems to be associated with the bony configuration and/or anatomy and biomechanical properties of the superior capsuloligamentous structures.
Systemic Platelet-activating Factor Receptor Activation Augments Experimental Lung Tumor Growth and Metastasis.

Pro-oxidative stressors including cigarette smoke (CS) generate novel lipids with platelet-activated factor-receptor (PAF-R) agonistic activity mediate systemic immunosuppression, one of the most recognized events in promoting carcinogenesis. Our previous studies have established that these oxi-dized-PAF-R-agonists augment murine B16F10 melanoma tumor growth in a PAF-R-dependent manner because of its effects on host immunity. As CS generates PAF-R agonists, the current studies sought to determine the impact of PAF-R agonists on lung cancer growth and metastasis. Using the murine Lewis Lung Carcinoma (LLC1) model, we demonstrate that treatment of C57BL/6 mice with a PAF-R agonist augments tumor growth and lung metastasis in a PAF-R-dependent manner as these findings were not seen in PAF-R-deficient mice. Importantly, this effect was because of host rather than tumor cells PAF-R dependent as LLC1 cells do not express functional PAF-R. These findings indicate that experimental lung cancer progression can be modulated by the PAF system.
The impact of living costs on geographic mobility

Abstract During recent years, a small number of studies have generated indices of geographically comparable living costs for states. The first of these was by W. McMahon and C. Melton [6], who generated an index for 1977. G. Fournier and D. Rasmussen [3] then generated an index for 1980. The most recent, and by far the most sophisticated analysis and index construction, is by W. McMahon [5]. The purpose of this paper is to use the W.McMahon [5] data to investigate the impact of geographic living-cost differentials upon geographic mobility in the United States. In this study, we focus primarily (although not exclusively) upon the elderly. The reason for this focus is simple. First, the migration decision calculus for the elderly is likely to be somewhat simpler than it is for younger segments of the population. This largely reflects the fact that the labor force participation rate among the elderly is markedly lower than for younger age groups; as a result of this fact, labor market considerations per se are likely on average to not be of major significance in the elderly migration decision. Consequently, by essentially being able to ignore the labor market, we are able to more clearly focus in on the impact that living cost differentials per se presumably play in the elderly migration decision. Furthermore, the effective omission of an elaborate set of labor market variables diminishes the probability of potential econometric problems (such as multicollinearity). Next, since the elderly are a growing segment of the population, it becomes increasingly important for us to be able to understand and better forecast their migration (relocation) patterns.
Loyalty differences in the use of internal and external reference prices

Recent findings in reference price research suggest that consumer characteristics may affect whether they use an internal reference price (IPR) or an external reference price (ERP) in price judgments. In this paper, we investigate the role of one such characteristic, brand loyalty, in the use of either type of reference price. Specifically, we employ a latent class-type approach to divide consumers on the basis of their brand loyalty into an ERP and an IRP segment. Analysis of the margarine and liquid detergents categories shows that consumers who are highly loyal to a brand are likely to use external reference prices whereas less brand-loyal consumers rely on internal reference prices. We discuss the implications of this finding and suggest directions for future research.
Flavor symmetries of parton distributions

Abstract The recent progress on our understanding of the flavor structure of the nucleon sea is reviewed. The large flavor asymmetry between the up and down sea quark distributions is now well established. This asymmetry strongly suggests the importance of the mesonic degree of freedom in the description of the nucleon sea. Implications of the meson clouds on other aspects of nucleon parton distributions and possible future measurements for testing various theoretical models are also discussed.
Health status in US and Russian prisons: more in common, less in contrast.

It has been 17 years since I began working in correctional health care. During that time, I managed the health services at Rikers Island (New York City's jail), supervised the health services for New York State's prison system, and, for the past io years, had a consulting practice focused on public policy, public health, and quality of health services in US jails, prisons, and juvenile facilities. I have examined the conditions of confinement and health services in more than ioo correctional facilities in 27 states. My work is about assuring access to high-quality health care for the 2.2 million people in US prisons and jails (i), protecting public health through prevention and early intervention, and assuring vital health services linkages for the 95% of inmates who return home to their communities. Reading the Bobrik et al. paper about the health status and health care for inmates in Russian prisons (2), it is easy to imagine the conditions: cells packed tightly with 30 sweaty bodies, milling aimlessly; hungry folks; rank odors and clamor; and air that is still and dank, all the more disagreeable with airborne droplets so likely to be carrying Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Not pleasant thoughts. Tuberculosis in Russian prisons is redolent of conditions in prisons in the United States a century ago. In 1894, Dr. Julius Ransom, a prison physician, reported that 25% of the 1,ooo inmates at the prison in Dannemora, NY, had active tuberculosis (3). In his report to Congress in 1907, the rates were unchanged, with high mortality, more than half of which was attributed to tuberculosis (4). One
Multi-channel compression and speech intelligibility in industrial noise

This study examined how various forms of compression affect speech intelligibility in moderately high levels of industrial noise. Thirteen listeners with high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss w...
Potential energies for Ca + 2 : Cross sections for collisions of Ca + and Rydberg Ca ** with Ca

Ab initio self-consistent-field (SCF) and configuration interaction (CI) calculations have yielded potential energy curves for the lowest /sup 2/..sigma../sup +//sub u/ and /sup 2/..sigma../sup +//sub g/ states of Ca/sub 2//sup ts+/. The best CI calculation yields the following parameters for the /sup 2/..sigma../sup +//sub u/ state: D/sub e/ = 1.04 eV, R/sub e/ = 7.55a/sub 0/, ..omega../sub e/ = 119 cm/sup -1/, and B/sub e/ = 0.0526 cm/sup -1/. The long-range regions of the /sup 2/..sigma../sup +//sub u/ and /sup 2/..sigma../sup +//sub g/ potential curves are both characterized by a Ca dipole polarizability of 170.4a/sup 3//sub 0/, in good agreement with the experimental value of (169 +- 17) a/sup 3//sub 0/. The charge-transfer total cross sections have been calculated over the energy range E/sub cm/ = 10--10 000 eV and are well reproduced by the functional form Q/sup 1/2/(A) = 15.67 - 3.276 log/sub 10/ E/sub cm/ (eV). The elastic differential-scattering rainbow angle is predicted to be located at Etheta/sub R/ approx. = 90 eV deg. Collisional-ionization cross sections and rates were also estimated for Rydberg-atom Ca** + ground-state Ca collisions. The reaction rates are predicted to be on the order of 10/sup -10/ cm/sup 3//sec and depend linearly onmore » the principal quantum number n of the Rydberg atom.« less
Students' Environmental Responsibility and Their Willingness to Pay for Green Buildings.

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to explore environmental attitudes and how such attitudes, when combined with a specific cost, can affect environmental behavior. Environmental attitudes are important to study due to the rising belief by building occupants that they are owed safe, healthy, environmentally responsible, and comfortable living environments. Universities around the world are responding to such demands as the majority of prospective college students and their parents claim that the environmental record is a determining factor in their selection of a university. Therefore, this study examines the environmental responsibility levels of a sample student population and to explore how these scores, along with gender, impact their willingness to pay for studying and living in green buildings. Design/methodology/approach – An online survey consisting of three parts was administered to undergraduate university students to measure environmental responsibility, willingness to pay and demographic v...
Using maximal spanning trees and word similarity to generate hierarchical clusters of non-redundant RSS news articles

RSS news articles that are either partially or completely duplicated in content are easily found on the Internet these days, which require Web users to sort through the articles to identify non-redundant information. This manual-filtering process is time-consuming and tedious. In this paper, we present a new filtering and clustering approach, called FICUS, which starts with identifying and eliminating redundant RSS news articles using a fuzzy set information retrieval approach and then clusters the remaining non-redundant RSS news articles according to their degrees of resemblance. FICUS uses a tree hierarchy to organize clusters of RSS news articles. The contents of the respective clusters are captured by the representative keywords from RSS news articles in the clusters so that searching and retrieval of similar RSS news articles is fast and efficient. FICUS is simple, since it uses the pre-defined word-correlation factors to determine related (words in) RSS news articles and filter redundant ones, and is supported by well-known and yet simple mathematical models, such as the standard deviation, vector space model, and probability theory, to generate clusters of non-redundant RSS news articles. Experiments performed on (test sets of) RSS news articles on various topics, which were downloaded from different online sources, verify the accuracy of FICUS on eliminating redundant RSS news articles, clustering similar RSS news articles together, and segregating different RSS news articles in terms of their contents. In addition, further empirical studies show that FICUS outperforms well-known approaches adopted for clustering RSS news articles.
Microbolometer imaging spectrometer.

Newly developed, high-performance, long-wave- and mid-wave-IR Dyson spectrometers offer a compact, low-distortion, broadband, imaging spectrometer design. The design is further accentuated when coupled to microbolometer array technology. This novel coupling allows radiometric and spectral measurements of high-temperature targets. It also serves to be unique since it allows for the system to be aligned warm. This eliminates the need for cryogenic temperature cycling. Proof of concept results are shown for a spectrometer with a 7.5 to 12.0 μm spectral range and approximately 20 nm per spectral band (∼200 bands). Results presented in this Letter show performance for remote hot targets (>200 °C) using an engineering grade spectrometer and IR commercial lens assembly.
Advances in vertebrate aging research 2007

Summary Among this year’s highlights in vertebrate aging research, we find a study in which, contrary to the oxidative stress hypothesis of aging, reduced expression of a major cellular antioxidant, glutathione peroxidase 4, led to a small increase in mouse lifespan. By contrast, a large comparative proteomic analysis discovered a remarkably robust and previous unsuspected inverse association between species lifespan and relative frequency of cysteine residues in mitochondrially encoded respiratory chain proteins only, which the authors attribute to cysteine’s ease of oxidation. Another study evaluated more cleanly than any previous work the hypothesis that blood glucose concentration is a key mediator of aging, and concluded that it wasn’t. Several new mouse longevity mutants were also reported this year, some ( PAPP-A , IRS-1 , and IRS-2 knockouts) supporting previous work on the importance of insulin/insulinlike growth factor-1 signaling and aging. However, there were inconsistencies between laboratories in some of the results, which merit further investigation. Also, somewhat inconsistent with these findings, over-expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 in heart only lengthened life. From a completely new direction, type 5 adenylyl cyclase knockout mice were observed to live more than 30% longer than controls. Finally, a new program for evaluating potential pharmaceutical interventions in aging and longevity made its appearance, and is notable at this point chiefly for the excellence of its experimental design. A similar program for the disinterested evaluation of reported longevity mutations in mice would be a service to the community of vertebrate aging researchers.
Microstructural characterization of reaction-formed silicon carbide ceramics

Microstructural characterization of two reaction-formed silicon carbide ceramics has been carried out by interference layering, plasma etching, and microscopy. These specimens contained free silicon and niobium disilicide as minor phases with silicon carbide as the major phase. In conventionally prepared samples, the niobium disilicide cannot be distinguished from silicon in optical micrographs. After interference layering, all phases are clearly distinguishable. Back scattered electron (BSE) imaging and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) confirmed the results obtained by interference layering. Plasma etching with CF4 plus 4% O2 selectively attacks silicon in these specimens. It is demonstrated that interference layering and plasma etching are very useful techniques in the phase identification and microstructural characterization of multiphase ceramic materials.
The effects of sediment type on growth rate and shell allometry in the soft shelled clam Mya arenaria L

Abstract Hatchery-reared juvenile Mya arenaria L. were grown for 11 wk in replicated gravel, sand, mud, and pearl net treatments under flow-through sea-water conditions in Maine. Analyses of variance showed significant differences between sediment treatments for final shell length, dry meat weight, chondrophore growth increment, and percent shell weight. Growth of juvenile M. arenaria was more rapid in fine sediments than in coarse sediments or nets. Regression slopes of shell length-shell height and shell length-shell depth varied significantly between sediment treatments. Slower-growing clams from nets and gravel were more globose than clams from sand or mud treatments. Clams grown in sand were longer and narrower than those from mud. Differences in growth rates and shell form were attributed primarily to the physical properties of the substrata, and their effects on the scope for growth of M. arenaria.
ACQUISITION OF ACTINOMYCIN D INSENSITIVITY DURING DIFFERENTIATION OF PANCREAS EXOCRINE CELLS.

Abstract The temporal characteristics of actinomycin D sensitivity of developing mouse pancreas cells have been investigated. Pieces of 11-day epithelia cultured in vitro , first acquired an actinomycin-insensitive exocrine population between 48 and 72 hours of culture. The number of such cells which form zymogen granules increases during longer culturing. Differentiation of the cells can still be inhibited by 8-azaguanine at times after actinomycin insensitivity is gained. In inhibited cells, actinomycin (10 −8 M does not alter patterns of urdine-H 3 incorporation into nuclear regions, or subsequent appearance of the radioactive label in the cytoplasm (as detected autoradiographically). Cells which incorporate thymidine-H 3 are reduced in number 24 hours after actinomycin is applied and are infrequent after an additional 24 hours. Azaguanine also does not inhibit nuclear incorporation of uridine-H 3 or migration to the cytoplasm. The results are discussed in relation to current theories of actinomycin and azaguanine action. It seems likely that bromodeoxyuridine and actinomycin insensitivity is acquired by exocrine cells near the time when they shift from a replicating to a nonreplicating state. Hence, DNA may function in a translational sense related to cytodifferentiation at this time.
Apical closure of nonvital teeth.

Abstract A study was undertaken to demonstrate the apical development that occurs following debridement and filling of the root canal with a calcium hydroxide—camphorated parachlorophenol paste. Microscopic sections indicated that treatment of the teeth had stimulated the formation of granulation tissue to repair the bone destruction and soft-tissue damage effected by the use of files at and beyond the apices of the teeth. Instead of a continuation of normal root development, a repair process was observed at the apices of the treated teeth. The connective tissue in the apical area was proliferating and differentiating into a calcified material (osteodentine) which became continuous with the predentine at the apex. The repair process appeared to be attempting to seal off the apices of the treated teeth.
Dimensions of response to antidepressant agents in bulimia nervosa: A review

Many patients suffering from bulimia nervosa benefit from treatment with antidepressant medication. Nurses, like other mental health clinicians, tend to assess the effectiveness of a pharmacologic agent in patients with bulimia nervosa by the decline in the frequency of binge eating episodes. Clinical descriptions and research reports suggest the possibility of additional behavioral dimensions of treatment responsiveness, although the extent to which associated behaviors or symptoms improve is not well documented. This paper examines 16 placebo-controlled pharmacological trials in patients with bulimia nervosa to evaluate a range of potential measures of response to antidepressant intervention.
Systemic Insecticide Implants for Protection of White Fir Scionwood from Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae)

White fir, Abies concolor (Gordon & Glendinning) Lindley ex Hildebrand, is an important tree species along the western slope of the Sierra Nevada in California. In 1989 and 1990, the ability of implanted applications of acephate, dimethoate, and carbofuran to protect potential scionwood from damage by the Douglas-fir tussock moth, Orgyia pseudotsugata (McDunnough), was evaluated. Dimethoate was not effective during either the first or the second year, carbofuran was effective only during the second year, and acephate was effective for two successive years after implantation. One application of acephate increased the availability of usable scions from 1 to 99% during the first year of treatment with similar results the year after treatment application.
Propagation of femtosecond pulses in focusing nonlinear Kerr planar waveguides

The propagation of a femtosecond pulse of finite temporal width and finite spatial width in a focusing nonlinear Kerr planar waveguide is numerically analyzed. The effects of dispersion, diffraction, spatio-temporal coupling, cubic nonlinearity, self-steepening, stimulated Raman scattering, and higher order group velocity dispersion terms on the propagation dynamics are investigated. For these ultrashort pulses, we show that substantial qualitative and quantitative changes in the spatio-temporal dependence and in the spectral distribution of the outgoing signal can result from including the higher order temporal terms in the model.
Cancer after kidney transplant

To the Editor: The recent article by Farrugia et al.1 appears to advocate surveillance for cancer after kidney transplant, which implies screening. However, screening for cancer does not benefit patients with a kidney transplant.2 Consider the three most common cancers in this article: lymphoma, lung, and kidney. One cannot screen for lymphoma because it is too variable in its presentation. The death rate for lung cancer in the UK general population is 60 per 100,000, which is the same as the death rate for lung cancer in the Farrugia et al.1 cohort. Lung cancer is thus not increased in kidney transplant patients. The utility for screening for lung cancer in the general population is controversial.3 As for kidney cancer, screening for kidney cancer in kidney transplant patients is not cost-effective.4 Vigilance for symptoms and better cancer treatment will save lives, not surveillance programs.
The thermal degradation of a polythiolcarbamate

On pyrolysis at 300° under nitrogen the polythiolcarbamate from methylenebis(4-phenyl isocyanate) and 1,6-hexanedithiol decomposed into carbon dioxide, carbonyl sulfide, 6-mercapto-1-hexene, tetrahydro-2-methyl-1-thiapyran, thiepane, 1,6-hexanedithiol, and an intractable residue. Carbodiimide and amine groups were shown to be intermediates in the formation of the residue. A quantitative study of the degradation indicated that about 80% of the thiolcarbamate groups decomposed by splitting into isocyanate and mercaptan moieties. Further reaction of the isocyanate moiety produced the carbon dioxide and carbodiimide groups. The remaining thiolcarbamate groups formed carbonyl sulfide, and amine and olefin groups, probably by a direct ester type of degradation. The resulting 6-mercapto-1-hexene was the source of the cyclic sulfides.
MR imaging at high magnetic fields.

Recently, more investigators have been applying higher magnetic field strengths (3-4 Tesla) in research and clinical settings. Higher magnetic field strength is expected to afford higher spatial resolution and/or a decrease in the length of total scan time due to its higher signal intensity. Besides MR signal intensity, however, there are several factors which are magnetic field dependent, thus the same set of imaging parameters at lower magnetic field strengths would provide differences in signal or contrast to noise ratios at 3 T or higher. Therefore, an outcome of the combined effect of all these factors should be considered to estimate the change in usefulness at different magnetic fields. The objective of this article is to illustrate the practical scientific applications, focusing on MR imaging, of higher magnetic field strength. First, we will discuss previous literature and our experiments to demonstrate several changes that lead to a number of practical applications in MR imaging, e.g. in relaxation times, effects of contrast agent, design of RF coils, maintaining a safety profile and in switching magnetic field strength. Second, we discuss what will be required to gain the maximum benefit of high magnetic field when the current magnetic field (< or = 1.5 T) is switched to 3 or 4 T. In addition, we discuss MR microscopy, which is one of the anticipated applications of high magnetic field strength to understand the quantitative estimation of the gain benefit and other considerations to help establish a practically available imaging protocol.
An energy-efficient and robust millimeter-wave Wireless Network-on-Chip architecture

Millimeter-wave (mm-wave) wireless interconnects have emerged as a promising solution to the energy-latency issues of global interconnects. Wireless Network-on-Chip (WiNoC) architectures with CMOS compatible mm-wave transceivers can achieve significant improvements in performance and energy-efficiency in on-chip data transfer for multicore chips. A token-based medium access mechanism is used in several mm-wave WiNoC architectures to enable a distributed and optimal utilization of the available wireless bandwidth among multiple transmitters. However, on-chip wireless interconnects being an emerging technology can suffer from high rates of failures. High frequency transceivers are especially vulnerable to noise. Consequently, failure of the token passing mechanism can significantly degrade the potential benefits of this novel interconnect technology. Traditional error correction mechanisms are not sufficient to recover from such errors as these can completely disable access to the wireless medium or result in excessive data corruption. On the other hand naturally occurring small-world networks are known to be highly efficient as well as inherently resilient to high rates of failures of nodes and links. Hence, in this paper, we propose the design of a small-world mm-wave WiNoC architecture augmented with a robust token management scheme to overcome the consequences of such failures while incurring marginal overheads.
Buffering requirements for variable-iterations LDPC decoders

Low-density parity-check (LDPC) decoders, like iterative decoders for other block codes, can be designed to stop after a variable number of iterations, dependent on the difficulty of decoding particular noisy received words, also called frames. The number of iterations the decoder spends on a given frame determines both the probability of successful decoding, and the time expended. But whereas the speed of an LDPC decoder without a buffer is determined by its most difficult frames, the speed of a variable-iterations decoder with sufficient buffering approaches that determined by frames of average difficulty. It is relatively straightforward to analyze this as a D/G/1 queuing problem combined with empirically measured probability distributions of iteration counts for specific LDPC codes. Our analysis parallels that of other researchers, e.g., (J. Vogt and A. Finger, 2001), (G. Bosco et al., 2005), (M. Rovini and A. Martinez, 2007), and examines the resulting implications on LDPC decoder design choices. We find that a buffer large enough to hold only B = 2 or 3 additional frames is sufficient to achieve near optimal performance. We prove a strong monotonicity condition: not only does a variable-iterations decoder with buffer size B +1 frames outperform one with buffer size B in terms of average error rate, every single frame is guaranteed to receive at least as many iterations from the decoder with the larger buffer, if needed. Significantly, at low error rates, a variable-iterations decoder with buffer size B can keep pace with an input data rate B +1 times faster than a fixed-iterations decoder with the same processing speed.
Decline in breast cancer incidence due to removal of promoter: combination estrogen plus progestin

Combination estrogen plus progestin causes breast cancer. In light of this causal relation, the rapid decline in breast cancer incidence noted in 2003, following an earlier and slower reduction in incidence from 1999, raises important issues regarding the proportion of this decline that may be due to a reduction in the use of combination therapy by postmenopausal women. The context of these national trends is reviewed and the strong link to the use of hormone therapy is discussed, after noting that screening cannot explain any substantial component of these trends. The rapid decrease in incidence, most evident among women aged 50 to 69 years and in estrogen receptor positive tumors, that parallels the decline in combination hormone use is consistent with a promoter effect for estrogen plus progestins.
Minimal sufficient statistics for the unbalanced two-fold nested model

Abstract The paper establishes the minimal sufficiency of the cell means and the error sum of squares for unbalanced random two-fold nested error regression models.
Nonlinear Refraction Measurements of Thin Films by the Dual-arm Z-scan Method

We report nonlinear-refractive indices of ZnO films on relatively thick substrates using the dual-arm Z-scan method to remove the substrate signals and obtain values agreeing with bulk ZnO, thus verifying the sensitivity of the technique.
Multiple environments of tryptophan in glucagon.

Summary The fluorescence lifetimes of tryptophan in monomeric glucagon have been measured at several pH values in the alkaline region. At pH 8.2, a single decay prevails (τ = 3.1 ns), but at pH 11.5 a multiexponential decay is observed (τ1 = 3.0, τ2 = 1.0 ns). The double decay is ascribed to tryptophan in different environments.
The biology behind lichenometric dating curves.

Lichenometry is used to date late-Holocene terminal moraines that record glacier fluctuations. Traditionally, it relies upon dating curves that relate diameters of the largest lichens in a population to surface ages. Although widely used, the technique remains controversial, in part because lichen biology is poorly understood. We use size-frequency distributions of lichens growing on well-dated surfaces to fit demographic models for Rhizocarpon geographicum and Pseudophebe pubescens, two species commonly used for lichenometry. We show that both species suffer from substantial mortality of 2–3% per year, and grow slowest when young-trends that explain a long-standing contradiction between the literatures of lichenometry and lichen biology. Lichenometrists interpret the shape of typical dating curves to indicate a period of rapid juvenile “great growth,” contrary to the growth patterns expected by biologists. With a simulation, we show how the “great growth” pattern can be explained by mortality alone, which ensures that early colonists are rarely found on the oldest surfaces. The consistency of our model predictions with biological theory and observations, and with dozens of lichenometric calibration curves from around the world, suggests opportunities to assess quantitatively the accuracy and utility of this common dating technique.
Spectrum of Spine Infections in Patients with HIV: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Because of the increase in patients with human immunodeficiency virus, practitioners are likely to see a concordant increase of infections. Spontaneous spinal infections can result from a variety of organisms. A common pathogen is Staphylococcus aureus, which is the most frequent cause of pyogenic s
Wood burning for residential space heating in the United States: an energy efficiency analysis

Abstract Biomass combustion is commonly perceived as an alternative energy source which will reduce reliance on, and thus conserve, conventional non-renewable fuels. However, in the United States wood collection is energy intensive and requires the expenditure of high-quality fossil fuels to support the technology. The efficiency of an energy collection or delivery system can be estimated by using a net energy analysis (NEA). An energy accounting framework is employed to compare the total output of energy (in joules) delivered for residential space heating to the total energy input required to make the wood energy available. Energy inputs are either direct, such as the petrol used to power the transport vehicle, or indirect, such as the energy required to manufacture the transport vehicle. This study analyses the energy efficiency of three wood-gathering strategies commonly practised in the United States. Energy output-input ratios, calculated for each of the three cases, indicate that the ratios are strongly influenced by situation-specific variables, particularly (1) the distance fuelwood must be transport, (2) the load capacity of the transport vehicle and (3) the combustion efficiency of the wood-burning unit. Incorporating indirect energy costs significantly reduces the energy ratio but, in some situations, burning renewable wood can be as energy efficient as conventional heating systems based on non-renewable fossil fuels, thus providing a locally viable alternative.
Nuclear spin-flip sidebands in optical spectral holeburning and fluorescence line narrowing of the Er3+ ion

Abstract We have observed fine-structure in the optical spectrum of the Er 3+ ion in YAlO 3 , YLiF 4 , and LaF 3 , which originates from an electronic transition on the Er 3+ ion together with a nuclear spin flip on one of the host nuclei, here 7 Li, 19 F or 27 Al. The resolution necessary to observe these nuclear spin-flip sidebands was obtained using spectral holeburning and fluorescence line narrowing at 1.6 K. The nuclear magnetic moments are modified by the superhyperfine interaction.
Dynamical criteria for the evolution of the stochastic dimensionality in flows with uncertainty

Abstract We estimate and study the evolution of the dominant dimensionality of dynamical systems with uncertainty governed by stochastic partial differential equations, within the context of dynamically orthogonal (DO) field equations. Transient nonlinear dynamics, irregular data and non-stationary statistics are typical in a large range of applications such as oceanic and atmospheric flow estimation. To efficiently quantify uncertainties in such systems, it is essential to vary the dimensionality of the stochastic subspace with time. An objective here is to provide criteria to do so, working directly with the original equations of the dynamical system under study and its DO representation. We first analyze the scaling of the computational cost of these DO equations with the stochastic dimensionality and show that unlike many other stochastic methods the DO equations do not suffer from the curse of dimensionality. Subsequently, we present the new adaptive criteria for the variation of the stochastic dimensionality based on instantaneous (i) stability arguments and (ii) Bayesian data updates. We then illustrate the capabilities of the derived criteria to resolve the transient dynamics of two 2D stochastic fluid flows, specifically a double-gyre wind-driven circulation and a lid-driven cavity flow in a basin. In these two applications, we focus on the growth of uncertainty due to internal instabilities in deterministic flows. We consider a range of flow conditions described by varied Reynolds numbers and we study and compare the evolution of the uncertainty estimates under these varied conditions.
Assessment in RTI: What Teachers and Specialists Need to Know

This article describes the role of language and literacy assessment in Response to Intervention, the assessment requirements and intent of RTI legislation, and the assessment principle in the International Reading Association's guiding principles on RTI. It outlines the multiple purposes of assessment required for a coherent RTI system, including screening, diagnostics, formative progress monitoring, benchmark progress monitoring, and summative outcome assessment. Building on this framework, the article then presents types of knowledge and skills teachers and specialists need in order to use assessments and their results effectively in an RTI approach to preventing language and literacy problems.