cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Policy and Institutional Effects of Contentious Politics in Costa Rica’s Energy Sector

Costa Rica has championed a state-led electricity model premised on hydroelectric power. This has enabled the country to produce a reliable energy supply with universal coverage, that is renewable and low-carbon. However, in recent years the state company, ICE, has seen its autonomy and predominance diminish and its megaproject-dependent model questioned. Social movements contributed to the enthronement of ICE as an agent of national development and a source of energy sovereignty but have also mobilized at various points to check its power. This paper examines how structural factors and domestic and international economic constraints have altered the relative power of these actors to translate their preferences into policy and institutional effects in the Costa Rican electricity sector. Resumen: Los efectos de la politica constestataria sobre politicas e instituciones del sector energetico en Costa Rica Costa Rica ha defendido un modelo energetico liderado por el estado y basado en la hidroelectricidad. Esto le ha permitido universalizar la oferta y suplir sus necesidades electricas de una fuente confiable, renovable, y baja en carbono. No obstante, en anos recientes, la compania electrica estatal, ICE, ha perdido parte de su autonomia y predominancia, y su modelo basado en megaproyectos ha sido cuestionado. Los movimientos sociales contribuyeron a entronizar al ICE como adalid del desarrollo nacional y fuente de soberania energetica, pero tambien se han movilizado en varios momentos para limitar su poder. El presente trabajo examina como factores estructurales y limitantes economicas nacionales e internacionales alteraron el poder relativo de estos actores para influir con sus preferencias las instituciones y politicas publicas del sector electrico costarricense.
The Emerging Role of Liquid Biopsies in Lymphoproliferative Disorders

Lymphomas represent clinically and molecularly heterogeneous diseases with variable presentations, treatment algorithms, and outcomes. As treatment options continue to expand, more sophisticated prognostic and predictive biomarkers are needed to guide personalized treatment approaches. Liquid biopsies, in which the sequencing of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in peripheral blood serves as a surrogate for a tumor biopsy, are now being studied across cancer subtypes, including in lymphoid malignancies. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of these techniques to improve prognostication and guide individualized treatment strategies, providing a significant advance in the field of precision medicine. In this review, we describe the sequencing platforms currently available for analysis of ctDNA in lymphoma and their potential applications in clinical practice, which seem poised to refine treatment paradigms across lymphoma subtypes.
What Happens to Right Ventricular Strain and Function Following Tricuspid Valve Repair in Patients Undergoing Implantation of a Left Ventricular Assist Device

Purpose Pre- and post-operative RV function were analyzed by echocardiography, including RV longitudinal strain in 80 patients with moderate or higher pre-implant TR to evaluate the impact of concomitant tricuspid valve repair during LVAD implantation on post-operative RV function. Methods Between 2008 and 2017, 100 patients with moderate (Mod), moderate-severe (M/S), or severe (Sev) TR underwent LVAD implantation at our institution. Forty-four (44) patients had concomitant TV repair (TVR) and 56 did not have TV repair (No-TVR). Preoperative and postoperative clinical, echocardiographic and hemodynamic parameters were recorded in 80 of the patients and included right ventricular (RV) freewall longitudinal strain (FLS) and RV Fractional Area Change (FAC) calculated retrospectively using speckle-tracking echocardiography. Results Preoperatively, 41% of patients in the TVR group and 77% in the No-TVR group had Mod TR (p Conclusion RV strain analysis tracks hemodynamic and echocardiographic parameters and does not add to the assessment of RV function in patients undergoing LVAD implantation with or without TVR. Repairing moderate TV regurgitation at the time of LVAD implantation is not associated with improved outcomes and emphasizes the need for a definitive prospective trial.
Approximating Back-propagation for a Biologically Plausible Local Learning Rule in Spiking Neural Networks

Asynchronous event-driven computation and communication using spikes facilitate the realization of spiking neural networks (SNN) to be massively parallel, extremely energy efficient and highly robust on specialized neuromorphic hardware. However, the lack of a unified robust learning algorithm limits the SNN to shallow networks with low accuracies. Artificial neural networks (ANN), however, have the backpropagation algorithm which can utilize gradient descent to train networks which are locally robust universal function approximators. But backpropagation algorithm is neither biologically plausible nor neuromorphic implementation friendly because it requires: 1) separate backward and forward passes, 2) differentiable neurons, 3) high-precision propagated errors, 4) coherent copy of weight matrices at feedforward weights and the backward pass, and 5) non-local weight update. Thus, we propose an approximation of the backpropagation algorithm completely with spiking neurons and extend it to a local weight update rule which resembles a biologically plausible learning rule spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP). This will enable error propagation through spiking neurons for a more biologically plausible and neuromorphic implementation friendly backpropagation algorithm for SNNs. We test the proposed algorithm on various traditional and non-traditional benchmarks with competitive results.
Reading inequities by the economic status of Texas grade 3 english language learners: A Texas, multiyear analysis

Analyzed in this investigation were the current Texas state-mandated assessments in reading and the extent to which test scores differed among English Language Learners who were Not Poor (i.e., did not qualify for the reduced or free lunch program), English Language Learners who were Moderately Poor (i.e., qualified for the reduced lunch program), and English Language Learners who were Extremely Poor (i.e., qualified for the free lunch program). In all cases, reading achievement was lowest for English Language Learners who were Very Poor, followed by English Language Learners who were Moderately Poor. English Language Learners who were Not Poor had the highest reading performance in all four school years. Implications for policy and practice, as well as recommendations for future research, are provided.
Robotically Controlled Pattern Measurements of 60 GHz Phased Array Antenna

The characterization of antenna radiation patterns in the millimeter wave band are particularly challenging. This is due to the fact that a misalignment of just a few millimeters between the probe and the antenna can generate substantial measurement errors. This paper describes a strategy to reduce measurement errors by introducing a highly precise measurement system using a 6-axis small robotic arm to characterize the performance of a phased array antenna operating at 60 GHz. The position accuracy of the robotic arm itself is approximately 20 μm and a maximum far field distance of approximately 380 mm can be achieved. The robot is programmed to perform a spherical trajectory around the array with stops every 0.5° along the path to gather the measured gain. It operates continuously by communicating with a computer, which triggers the network analyzer at preprogrammed locations. The system is tested initially using two horn antennas as the antenna under test (AUT), and the results are presented.
Interaction of magnesia-carbon refractory with ferrous oxide under flash ironmaking conditions

Abstract A novel flash ironmaking technology (FIT) that greatly reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions compared with blast furnace (BF) ironmaking has been developed at the University of Utah. In this technology, a falling stream of iron ore concentrate is directly converted to metallic iron by reducing gases such as hydrogen, natural gas or coal gas in a flash furnace. In this work, the interaction of magnesia-carbon (MgO–C) refractory with ferrous oxide (FeO) under the conditions of the novel FIT has been investigated. Oxidation of carbon from the MgO–C refractory occurred and magnesiowustite (MgxFe1-xO) solid solution was formed as a result of the interaction between magnesia (MgO) in the refractory and ferrous oxide (FeO). A solid-state diffusion based kinetics model was developed to describe the growth of the magnesiowustite (MgxFe1-xO) formed. Experiments were carried out with ferrous oxide (FeO) and MgO–C refractory in the temperature range 1200–1400 °C under flash ironmaking atmospheres. Reacted samples from FeO–MgO–C experiments were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and Electron Probe Micro-Analyzer (EPMA) and the formation of the magnesiowustite solid solution under flash ironmaking conditions was confirmed. Using the kinetics model and the composition profiles determined with EPMA, the values of interdiffusion coefficient ( D F e − M g ) were determined as a function of the magnesiowustite composition. Also, an average value of the interdiffusion coefficient ( D ‾ F e − M g ) was calculated such that it reasonably reproduced the concentration profile of the cations over the entire composition range. The values of D ‾ F e − M g calculated in this work agreed closely with those obtained independently from experiments on the interaction between MgO–C and metallic Fe, thereby validating the interaction mechanism and the proposed kinetics model. The solid-state diffusion was a thermally activated process and the activation energy ( E a ) for D ‾ F e − M g was calculated as 398 kJ/mol.
Adolescent Gastric Banding: a 5-Year Longitudinal Study

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is used to treat obesity in adults. Less is known about long-term results of the procedure in adolescents. To evaluate LAGB 5-year outcomes in teenagers with severe obesity. Children’s hospital, USA. Adolescents (14–18 years) underwent LAGB in an FDA-approved observational clinical trial. Outcomes including anthropometric measurements, comorbid conditions, complications, and band retention were collected through 60 months. One hundred thirty-seven subjects underwent LAGB (94 female, 43 male; 43% white, 37% Hispanic, 17% black; 4% other). Mean age and body mass index (BMI) pre-operatively were 17.0 + 1.2 years and 48.3 + 8.2 kg/m2, respectively. Comorbidities were present in 71%. Maximum weight loss occurred by 36 months (mean % excess weight loss (EWL) 40.6 + 35.2, mean % excess BMI loss (EBMIL) 41.6 + 34.9) and was maintained through 5 years for most subjects. There were no significant differences in weight loss by gender. Twenty-three (18%) of 127 adolescents reporting at 60 months achieved 50% excess weight loss. Postoperative heartburn and emesis occurred in 70% and 32%, respectively. Complications requiring additional surgery occurred 80 times in 63 patients. Thirty-three (26%) of 127 subjects contacted at 5 years had undergone band removal. In this study, fewer than 20% of adolescents with severe obesity lost > 50% of their excess weight following LAGB. Nearly 50% of patients required additional surgery. With reports of success following sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass, we believe that LAGB is not a preferred choice to treat adolescents with obesity.
Eavesdropping on the dead: heterogeneity of tallgrass prairie soundscapes and their relationship with invertebrate necrophilous communities

Tallgrass prairies are rapidly vanishing biodiversity hotspots for native species, yet little is known about the spatio-temporal variation of prairie soundscapes and how they relate to grassland bi...
Serial Diffusion Kurtosis Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study during Acute, Subacute, and Recovery Periods after Sport-Related Concussion.

Sport-related concussion (SRC) is common in contact sports, but there remains a lack of reliable, unbiased biomarkers of brain injury and recovery. Although the symptoms of SRC generally resolve ov...
Non-Judicial, Advisory, Yet Impactful? The Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee as a Gateway to Environmental Justice

In accordance with Article 15 of the Aarhus Convention, the first meeting of the parties to this Convention established a non-judicial and consultative Compliance Committee to consider, among other matters, individual cases concerning compliance by parties with their obligations. The Committee is traditionally viewed as a non-judicial, soft mechanism and its rulings as non-binding, soft law. In recent years, however, to support the claim that rulings of the Committee have an impact and legal effects, some scholars have departed from the traditional perspective and characterized the Committee as a more judicialized mechanism, which issues legally binding rulings.This characterization assumes a correlation between judicialization and binding effect on the one hand, and legal effect on the other. The latter claim, however, has not been supported by a systematic assessment of the impact of the Committee's rulings on domestic practice. Against this background, the article assesses the impact of Article 9-related rulings of the Committee, issued between 2004 and 2012, on national legal orders. The assessment reveals that in fewer than 41% of the cases parties recorded some degree of compliance with the rulings of the Committee, whereas in 59% they recorded no progress. The quantitative assessment and respective qualitative insights, among other factors, suggest that the normative character of the Committee and its rulings play an auxiliary role in the process of ensuring compliance with the provisions of the Aarhus Convention. The decision of parties to comply is determined typically by the substance of the rulings as they stand in relation to domestic circumstances rather than by the institutional features of the Committee and binding effect of its rulings.
Extrinsic Regression and Anti-Regression on Projective Shape Manifolds

Necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of the extrinsic mean and extrinsic antimean of a random object (r.o.) X on a compact metric space $\mathcal M,$ lead to considerations of extrinsic regression and antiregression functions on manifolds. One derives asymptotic distributions of kernel based estimators for antiregression functions with a numerical predictor, and use these in deriving confidence tubes for antiregression functions. In particular one considers VW-regression and VW-antiregression, for 3D projective shapes depending on a number of covariates. As an example, using 3D projective shape data extracted from multiple digital cameras images of a species of clamshells, one estimates the age dependent VW-regression and VW-antiregression for their 3D projective shapes, where the proxy for age is the number of seasonal ridges marks on shells, and the response is the 3D projective shape of landmark configurations of seven corresponding points marked on a shell’s surface.
Universal Gate for Fixed-Frequency Qubits via a Tunable Bus

The authors address a critical scalability issue in quantum computer design by activating a resonant exchange interaction. They achieve this by coupling two fixed-frequency superconducting qubits with a bus that is modulated at the frequency difference between the qubits. This yields a high-fidelity iSWAP entangling gate, which is sought as an important component for fault-tolerant quantum circuits in the surface-code architecture. The general nature of the interaction also suggests applications in quantum simulation, annealing, and bath engineering.
Urine from domesticated male goats (Capra hircus) provides attractive olfactory cues to estrous females

Abstract During the breeding season, the male goat urinates onto his face, beard, and front legs in a behavior known as self-enurination (SE). Whereas it has been suggested that the behavior may be used by the buck to present chemical signals in the urine to attract estrous does for mating, this hypothesis lacks empirical evidence. Two experiments were conducted to determine if estrous female goats (does) are attracted to male goat (buck) urine and if there is a difference in attractivity of buck urine emitted during SE versus ordinarily emitted urine. In addition, the ability of androgens to activate the attractive chemical signals in buck urine was investigated in experiment 2. In the first experiment, a 5-minute preference test allowed estrous does (n = 16) to choose between ovariectomized (OVX) does that had either buck SE urine or wether (prepubertally castrated male goat) urine applied to their coats. The does preferred buck SE urine-treated OVX does over wether urine-treated OVX does (P
Neuroimaging correlates and predictors of response to repeated-dose intravenous ketamine in PTSD: preliminary evidence.

Promising initial data indicate that the glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist ketamine may be beneficial in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Here, we explore the neural correlates of ketamine-related changes in PTSD symptoms, using a rich battery of functional imaging data (two emotion-processing tasks and one task-free scan), collected from a subset of participants of a randomized clinical trial of repeated-dose intravenous ketamine vs midazolam (total N = 21). In a pre-registered analysis, we tested whether changes in an a priori set of imaging measures from a target neural circuit were predictive of improvement in PTSD symptoms, using leave-one-out cross-validated elastic-net regression models (regions of interest in the target circuit consisted of the dorsal and rostral anterior cingulate cortex, ventromedial prefrontal cortex, anterior hippocampus, anterior insula, and amygdala). Improvements in PTSD severity were associated with increased functional connectivity between the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and amygdala during emotional face-viewing (change score retained in model with minimum predictive error in left-out subjects, standardized regression coefficient [β] = 2.90). This effect was stronger in participants who received ketamine compared to midazolam (interaction β = 0.86), and persisted following inclusion of concomitant change in depressive symptoms in the analysis model (β = 0.69). Improvement following ketamine was also predicted by decreased dorsal anterior cingulate activity during emotional conflict regulation, and increased task-free connectivity between the vmPFC and anterior insula (βs = −2.82, 0.60). Exploratory follow-up analysis via dynamic causal modelling revealed that whilst improvement in PTSD symptoms following either drug was associated with decreased excitatory modulation of amygdala→vmPFC connectivity during emotional face-viewing, increased top-down inhibition of the amygdala by the vmPFC was only observed in participants who improved under ketamine. Individuals with low prefrontal inhibition of amygdala responses to faces at baseline also showed greater improvements following ketamine treatment. These preliminary findings suggest that, specifically under ketamine, improvements in PTSD symptoms are accompanied by normalization of hypofrontal control over amygdala responses to social signals of threat.
Intrinsic sensitivity of CdZnTe semiconductors for digital radiographic imaging

The intrinsic sensitivity of Cd/sub 1-x/Zn/sub x/Te semiconductor detectors have been theoretically modeled and experimentally measured, within the X-ray diagnostic energy range. The purpose of this study is to optimize the detector signal parameters of these solid state ionization devices for digital imaging applications. The experimental results of this study indicate that Cd/sub 1-x/Zn/sub x/Te detectors exhibit good intrinsic sensitivity.
Affinity labeling of pancreatic ribonuclease.

Abstract Pyridoxal phosphate can be firmly bound by reduction with sodium borohydride to many enzymes in which it occurs. Such treatment has been used to label specifically parts of peptide chains in the vicinity of the bound coenzyme. Pyridoxal phosphate may form specific complexes with many proteins for which it has no known coenzyme function. Bovine RNase is an enzyme for which it has no known function but which possesses a well characterized phosphate binding site. When RNase was treated with pyridoxal phosphate and sodium borohydride, the catalytic activity was lost. This loss is attributed to the binding of pyridoxal phosphate to a residue topologically adjacent to the active center. The special affinity of RNase for anions is sufficient to affect its specific labeling by pyridoxal phosphate.
Species Identification and Genome Mapping of Cytoplasmic Adenovirus Type 2 RNAs Synthesized Late in Infection

Abstract Adenovirus type 2 cytoplasmic RNAs synthesized late in productive infection were resolved by electrophoresis on formamide gels. Regions of the adenovirus 2 genome specifying RNAs of distinct size were determined by hybridization to specific DNA fragments generated by cleavage with endo R·EcoRI and endo R·SmaI. From these studies 13 distinct viral RNA species were identified. A 26S to 28S size class and a 21S to 23S size class were each found to consist of four distinct RNA species. Three RNA species were identified in a 16S to 18S size class, and a fourth size class, 11S to 13S, was resolved into two components. The SmaI-D region (0.38 to 0.51 on the unit genome) and the EcoRI-F, D region (0.70 to 0.83) of the genome were found to code for multiple transcripts. Three RNAs (28S, 22S, and 18S) are specified by SmaI-D, and four components, 28S, 22S, 18S, and 16S, are encoded by EcoRI-F,D. The RNA represented by each set of multiple transcripts exceeds the coding capacity of the respective region, and the species within each set of RNAs appear to contain common sequences. The relationship between the cytoplasmic RNA species synthesized at late times and early cytoplasmic RNAs was determined by hybridization-inhibition experiments. The multiple transcripts encoded by the EcoRI-D fragment were found to contain sequences that are present in early cytoplasmic RNA. These studies enabled preparation of a map which accounts for transcription of approximately 67% of the r strand of the adenovirus 2 genome.
The Current Status of α-1-Antitrypsin, a Protease Inhibitor, in Gastrointestinal Disease

Extremely deficient levels of α-1-antitrypsin (α1AT) predispose such deficientindividuals to the development of emphysema and cirrhosis. Protease inhibitor (Pi) typing has clarified that the inherited deficiency is codominant. A glycoprotein with antigenic characteristics of α1AT is found in the endoplasmic reticulum of the hepatocytes of individuals with PiZ phenotype. No therapy is available except liver transplantation. Although biochemical advances in defining the nature of α1AT deficiency are progressing, the pathogenesis of the liver disease remains an enigma.
The Child Adjustment Inventory

Abstract Children's adjustment to the early phase of the divorce process is examined in the context of the development of a new instrument that is designed for assessment with this population. The Child's Divorce Adjustment Inventory (CDAI) assesses children's adjustment to divorce and family functioning, from the child's perspective, at the time of divorce. This study examines divorce adjustment via each of the four factors of the CDAI, reporting significant relationships with separate measures of self-esteem and parent report of family adjustment following divorce. Child maladjustment/Conflict scale scores predict lower self-esteem while social support scale scores predict the opposite. Divorce resolution scale scores predict a decrease in behavior problems. The information gained from reviewing this inventory indicates that the CDAI is a useful tool in determining adjustment levels of grade school through high school children of divorcing parents. The study provides a description of gender and age diff...
Stability analysis of optimal runway schedules

By performing stability analysis on an optimal runway schedule, this paper derives a method to determine whether the landing sequence of aircraft remains optimal after an arbitrary number of aircraft in that sequence are delayed by an arbitrary amount of time. We consider the problem of scheduling aircraft landing on a single runway such that the runway throughput is maximized under changing external conditions such as delays caused by for example weather. Instead of optimizing the schedule every time delays occur, stability criteria allow for fast evaluation of whether schedules remain optimal. This paper develops a method to compute stability regions for a set of schedules. Sensitivity analysis of the linear programming relaxation and a nonlinear relationship between the delay of individual aircraft and the incurred cost change of any potential landing sequence yield the desired stability information. Furthermore, the properties of a greedy first come first serve policy are studied by giving sufficient conditions to determine whether first come first serve is optimal.
Thermodiffusion in the Critical Region

Long range fluctuations of the order parameter affect thermodynamic as well as transport properties in the critical region. The values of transport coefficients near a critical point are typically enhanced compared to the values in the classical region far away from a critical point. Asymptotically close to a critical point, the critical enhancements obey power laws with universal critical exponents. The asymptotic critical region is surrounded by a large crossover region, where the enhancements are no longer asymptotic but still significant compared to the background values. In binary mixtures, this is also the region where differences are observed in the critical behavior of transport coefficients near liquid-liquid (consolute) and liquid-vapor (plait) critical points. In this contribution, we review the critical dynamics of binary fluid mixtures with a focus on thermodiffusion.
Genetic Basis of Human Brain Evolution: Accelerating along the Primate Speedway

Abstract Using novel variations of traditional methods, Dorus et al., 2004 report in the December 29 th issue of Cell that diverse genes involved in neural biology (particularly those critical in development) show higher rates of protein evolution in primates than in rodents—particularly in the lineage leading to humans.
Nature Awareness and Panpsychic Ritual Gratitude: Revitalizing Our Ancestral Heritage

This article suggests that nature awareness and panpsychic gratitude transform a wounded mechanistic reductionist worldview into creative regenerative participation with the more-than-human world. Four practical keys are shared that have proven to be helpful in resuscitating the indigenous heart and cultivating greater empathy, love, compassion, and insight into the metaphoric resonance and teachings of the natural world. This inquiry situates the human family as vital consciousness tendrils of the living planet in this critical time of shifting climate patterns, loss of biodiversity due to human presence, geopolitical conflicts, and other challenges as we step into the Ecozoic Era.
Technology scaling behavior of optimum reverse body bias for standby leakage power reduction in CMOS IC's

We demonstrate that, there is an optimum reverse body bias, unique to any technology generation, that minimizes the standby leakage power consumption of an IC design implemented in that technology. We also show: (1) the optimum reverse body bias value reduces by /spl sim/2X per technology generation, and (2) the maximum achievable leakage power reduction by reverse body biasing diminishes by /spl sim/4X per generation under constant field technology scaling scenario. Optimum point occurs as a result of reduction in subthreshold leakage and an increase injunction band-to-band tunneling leakage with applied reverse bias. Therefore, new junction engineering techniques to reduce the bulk band-to-band tunneling leakage current component across the junction are needed to preserve the effectiveness of reverse body biasing for standby leakage control in future technologies.
P-85: Reflective Liquid-Crystal Cell-Gap Measurement Using Input-Polarization-Angle Dependence

Surface-reflection component is blocked by the analyzer A simple technique of measuring a reflective TN liquid crystal (LC) cell gap using a laser is described. It utilizes a very unique property of strong input-polarization-angle dependence of the reflective LCs, which is not observed in the conventional transmissive LCs. This technique eliminates the surface-reflection problem which can be encountered by most other techniques using a monochromatic light source. Quantitative experimental results obtained have confirmed the validity of this scheme.
Relative lifetime prediction for CPV die-attach layers

In concentrating photovoltaics (CPV) cell assemblies, a large-area die-attach layer is subjected to thermal cycles, leading to thermomechanical fatigue. This causes cracking and the eventual failure of the CPV cell by thermal runaway. We define a damage metric representing lumped progress toward failure and present a numerical model for computing the accumulation of damage for arbitrary transient temperature conditions. The model is applied to a particular design with a solder dieattach layer. We show that accelerated-test thermal cycles with higher ramp rates cause more damage, both per cycle and per unit time. Outdoor exposure to one entire year in two geographic locations is also simulated, revealing that a year of exposure in Golden, Colorado is equivalent to 1.4 years of exposure in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
The Becker Technique for Otoplasty: Modified and Revisited With Long‐Term Outcomes

Objectives: To demonstrate a modification of the Becker technique for otoplasty and to evaluate the long-term results. Study Design: Case series with follow-up survey assessment. Methods: A sample of 16 patients treated by a single surgeon at an academic pediatric referral center who met the inclusion criteria was reviewed for surgical results and patient/parental satisfaction. Results: A total of 30 ears underwent repair. Patients ranged from 4 to 17 years (mean age, 8.2 y) with an average follow-up of 4.6 years. One patient had an immediate postoperative hematoma from blunt trauma that was treated with good long-term results. No cases required revision surgery. Preservation of the antihelix with good to excellent ear symmetry was obtained in all patients at follow-up. All patients were happy or very happy with the surgical procedure. All patients had at least five of the six criteria for surgical success as defined by the survey. Conclusions: This modification of the Becker technique of otoplasty is efficacious for correction of protruding ears with excellent long-term results.
Long-term impacts of infrequent biosolids applications on chemical and microbial properties of a semi-arid rangeland soil

A plot study was conducted to quantify long-term (>12 years) impacts of a single biosolids application, and short-term impacts (<2 years) of a repeated application, on semi-arid rangeland soil chemical and microbial parameters. In 2003 and 2004, plots which had received 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 21, or 30 Mg biosolids ha−1 once in 1991 (long-term plots), or again in 2002 (short-term plots), were sampled and analyzed for soil chemical parameters, microbial biovolumes, C and N mineralization activities, Biolog EcoPlate substrate utilization potential, and plant productivity and tissue quality. Repeated applications temporarily exacerbated differences in soil chemical properties among treatments, but after 2 years, soil chemistry trends were similar between short-term and long-term plots. Soils which received a repeated application of 21 or 30 Mg biosolids ha−1 had greater bacterial biovolumes and C and N mineralization activities. In long-term plots, mineralization activities were stimulated only at the highest rate. Biosolids-amended soil communities also utilized Biolog substrates more quickly compared to communities from control plots. Plant biomass increased, whereas plant diversity and plant C/N ratio decreased with increasing application rate for both short- and long-term plots. Infrequent biosolids application had positive ecosystem effects in terms of site management objectives, with relatively low extractable metal levels in soil and greater plant biomass and tissue quality despite reduced species richness.
Countdown to Y2Gray

A large number of IT employees will soon be leaving the workforce due to retirement, which presents a serious problem for many IT departments. This problem is of greater concern in organizations and industries with complex business practices, legacy systems, or greater proportions of older workers. These organizations are vulnerable to a phenomenon called Y2Gray. This article explores Y2Gray by explaining the problem, identifying organizations at risk, and presenting recommendations to address this problem. The authors share their findings from interviews with two firms that are coping with Y2Gray.
The Source of the Relativistic Particles in the Galactic Center Arc

Three fields in the molecular cloud M0.20-0.033, located near the midpoint of the filamentary 'Galactic center arc,' have been imaged in the CS J = 2-1 line with the OVRO millimeter interferometer. Several molecular clumps have been found to coincide with the endpoints of a number of the arc's nonthermal filaments (NTFs), suggesting that the relativistic particles present along the filaments originate in these molecular cloudlets. The most striking correlation involves a clump that is elongated along the direction of a pair of NTFs, and that approximately coincides with both their endpoints. These observations thus provide clues to the particle acceleration mechanism operative in the Galactic center arc: magnetic energy is likely liberated as the ambient field, tangled by the clumps' motions, reconnects in the advancing clumps' leading, externally ionized, surface layers.
Passive Kids, Aggressive Book

Paul A. Zoch's Doomed to Fail is a searing critique not only of American class rooms, but of American educational research as well. Essentially, Zoch traces what he describes as the failure of American education to the posture of passivity that it forces on students. The rhetoric of most reform efforts, Zoch argues, places stu dents in the role of inert recipients of educational innovation; all of the responsibil ity for the students' learning is thereby placed on the overburdened shoulders of teachers, and the children themselves are let off the hook:
Green businesses in a clean energy economy: Analyzing drivers of green business growth in U.S. states

In a clean energy economy, green businesses play a central role by utilizing renewable energy technologies and employing green labor forces to provide clean energy services and goods. This paper aims at analyzing factors driving the growth and survival of green businesses in the U.S. states, with hypotheses proposed on the impacts from clean energy policies and tax incentives, labor market conditions, and economic and political environments. A fixed effect regression analysis is applied with a panel data set of 48 continental states from 1998 to 2007 in the United States. The statistical analysis with a longitudinal data set reveals that the adoption of renewable energy policies, the permission of renewable energy credits imports, the stringency of minimum wage legislations, and presence of clean energy business associations are the major driving forces of the green business development in the U.S. states.
The Characterization of a Piston Displacement-Type Flowmeter Calibration Facility and the Calibration and Use of Pulsed Output Type Flowmeters

Critical measurement performance of fluid flowmeters requires proper and quantified verification data. These data should be generated using calibration and traceability techniques established for these verification purposes. In these calibration techniques, the calibration facility should be well-characterized and its components and performance properly traced to pertinent higher standards. The use of this calibrator to calibrate flowmeters should be appropriately established and the manner in which the calibrated flowmeter is used should be specified in accord with the conditions of the calibration. These three steps: 1) characterizing the calibration facility itself, 2) using the characterized facility to calibrate a flowmeter, and 3) using the calibrated flowmeter to make a measurement are described and the pertinent equations are given for an encoded-stroke, piston displacement-type calibrator and a pulsed output flowmeter. It is concluded that, given these equations and proper instrumentation of this type of calibrator, very high levels of performance can be attained and, in turn, these can be used to achieve high fluid flow rate measurement accuracy with pulsed output flowmeters.
Seasonal Variation of Personality of College Students as Measured by the MMPI

46 college students were given the short form of the MMPI in December and April. Scores were separately tabulated for each scale of the December and April administrations and group means were computed for analysis of seasonable differences. The Hs and Hy scores were significantly lower (p < .01) in April, while a significantly lower (p < .05) K in April contributed to significantly lower Pd in April when K correction is used. A significantly higher April mean was present on Ma without K correction, though using the K correction neutralized this difference. This study does not support hypotheses for an increase of emotional problems in spring except for the area of energy and activity level (Ma).
From salad bars to vivid stories: four game plans for developing ‘educationally successful’ exhibitions

This paper addresses the challenge among exhibit development team members to agree upon a shared game plan. It argues that the educational aspect of a shared game plan can be articulated in terms of curriculum theories, each of which advocates a particular approach to presenting information, characterizes an ideal relationship between teacher and learner (museum and visitor), and offers a distinct account of educational success. The relevance of four curriculum theories to museum practice is demonstrated by relating each theory to findings from an exhibit evaluation and to extant museum education literature. The overarching purpose of the paper is to introduce curriculum theories as a useful tool for articulating a shared game plan that delineates a coherent relationship among educational objectives, communication style, and criteria for assessing audience outcomes.
The effects of g-jitter and surface tension induced convection on float zones

The effects of g-jitter on nonencapsulated and encapsulated liquid bridges were investigated numerically, using fluid characteristics and parameters from three fluid systems: a silicone oil bridge, a methanol bridge, and a silicon melt. Results showed that complex flow patterns can arise in g-jitter environment which significantly modify the heat-transfer characteristics of the system. It was found that the nonencapsulated liquid bridges and float zone melts were dominated by surface-tension driven convection, with very little impact on the flows by residual and g-jitter accelerations. Zone encapsulation resulted in a sizeable drop in the maximum fluid velocities. The g-jitter computations on the encapsulated float zones resulted in significant augmentation of the maximum velocities and heat transfer, with the silicon melt being the least sensitive to g-jitter acceleration.
Characterization of magnetic degradation mechanism in a high-neutron-flux environment

Abstract Radiation-induced demagnetization of permanent magnets can result in the failure of magnet-based devices operating in high-radiation environments. To understand the mechanism underlying demagnetization, Nd-Fe-B magnets were irradiated with fast and fast plus thermal neutrons at fluences of 1012, 1013, 1014, and 1015 n/cm2, respectively. After irradiation, magnetic flux losses were shown to increase with the fluence. Compared with samples irradiated only with fast neutrons, the samples exposed to the fast plus thermal neutrons have higher magnetic flux losses, which is attributed to the thermal neutron capture reaction of boron. Hysteresis loops of the Nd-Fe-B magnets reveal a slightly increase in the coercivity after irradiation. Full remagnetization of the samples after irradiation was possible, which indicates that structural damage is unlikely an important factor in the demagnetization process at these levels of neutron flux and fluence. Finally, we performed a preliminary Molecular Dynamic (MD) simulation on a cube of ions to obtain a better understanding of the thermal spike mechanism.
Splenomegaly in mice following exposure to ambient levels of ozone

Abstract Female strain A/J mice were exposed to 0.31 ppm (608 μg/m3) ozone continuously for 103 h every other week for 6 mth. Following an additional period of 5 mth in a filtered air environment, animals were killed and examined for evidence of altered spleen weight. It was observed that animals exposed to ozone had a greater spleen weight, and spleen to body weight ratio than air-breathing controls. In some of the ozone-exposed mice, pronounced splenomegaly was noted. Increased spleen weight appears to be another example of an extrapulmonary effect of ozone inhalation.
Incidental gallbladder cancer and single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Dear Editor, I enjoyed reading the article about incidental gallbladder cancers and the role of re-resection [1]. Recently, I was called by a pathologist and informed that a gallbladder specimen with a large polyp was consistent with a gallbladder cancer—a T1 lesion. The patient had undergone surgery with another surgeon and physical examination revealed a single incision. When considering the possible technique used to retract and extract this gallbladder, I had reason for pause. Although this may not speak to all single-incision cholecystectomies, it is possible that the retraction process utilized for this procedure required the repeated passage of a needle through the body of the gallbladder, skin, and possibly the cancerous polyp. The gallbladder may have been opened or torn during the procedure. How was it extracted? With this in mind, even with a T1a gallbladder cancer, what do you do next? As we embark on the world of ‘‘even more’’ minimally invasive surgery, we should not discard all of the surgical principles that we once held in esteem. There was a time when while performing an ‘‘old fashioned’’ laparoscopic cholecystectomy, if we entered the gallbladder/spilled bile, this was considered personally disappointing. Now, we purposely do this and it seems to be accomplished without regard—until the specimen comes back with gallbladder cancer. The previous article cited that gallbladder cancer is found in only 0.2–2.9% of cholecystectomies and that incidental findings are found in 0.5–1% of laparoscopies [1, 2]. This is an exciting time in minimally invasive surgery because the keen mind can be free to imagine and implement more slick and consumer-friendly approaches to the world of surgery. As we move forward, this is something for all of us to think about: but first, do no harm.
Discriminative stimulus properties of phenylisopropylamine derivatives.

Abstract The phenylisopropylamine unit is a common structural fragment amongst many centrally-acting agents. However, these agents do not necessarily produce similar behavioral effects in test subjects. For example, the phenylisopropylamine derivative amphetamine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant whereas its 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methyl analog, i.e. DOM, is considered to be a hallucinogen. Employing animals trained to discriminate either (+)-amphetamine or (±)-DOM from saline in a two-lever operant procedure, stimulus generalization studies were conducted to evaluate members of a series of methoxy-substituted, and related, phenylisopropylamines. In this manner, it was possible to classify these agents as to which produced amphetamine-like effects, and which produced DOM-like effects.
Nominal analysis of "variance".

Nominal responses are the natural way for people to report actions or opinions. Because nominal responses do not generate numerical data, they have been underutilized in behavioral research. On those occasions in which nominal responses are elicited, the responses are customarily aggregated over people or trials so that large-sample statistics can be employed. A new analysis is proposed that directly associates differences among responses with particular sources in factorial designs. A pair of nominal responses either matches or does not; when responses do not match, they vary. That analogue to variance is incorporated in the nominal analysis of “variance” (Nanova ) procedure, wherein the proportions of matches associated with sources play the same role as do sums of squares in an anova . The Nanova table is structured like an ANOVA table. The significance levels of the N ratios formed by comparing proportions are determined by resampling. Fictitious behavioral examples featuring independent groups and repeated measures designs are presented. A Windows program for the analysis is available.
Analysis of the Relationship between Reaction Energies of Electrophilic SWNT Additions and Sidewall Curvature: Chiral Nanotubes

The relationship of reaction energies for CH2/NH/O exo- and endo-[2 + 1] cycloadditions to chiral single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) sidewalls with the inverse tube diameter (1/d) was investigated using density functional theory (DFT) and density functional tight binding (DFTB) methods. We considered additions to the three nonequivalent C−C bond types t (bond most parallel to tube axis), d (“diagonal” bond, slightly skewed), and p (bond most perpendicular to tube axis), using hydrogen-terminated (2n,n) SWNT model systems with n = 2−8. Exoadditions are classified into two types, one where the original C−C bond is broken (exo(l)), and one where it remains intact (exo(s)) in the addition complex. Endoadditions are found to always belong to the latter (endo(s)) type. It is found that (a) exoadditions are more exothermic than endo additions, and (b) that exoadditions are more exothermic with larger bond-tube axis angle (p > d > t). A nearly perfect linear relationship between the total reaction energy ΔE and...
Video-cuebik: adapting image search to video shots

We propose a new analysis for searching images in video libraries that goes beyond simple image search, which compares one still image frame to another. The key idea is to expand the definition of an image to account for the variability in the sequence of video frames that comprise a shot. A first implementation of this method for a QBIC-like image search engine shows a clear improvement over still image search. A combination of the traditional still image search and the new video image search provided the overall best results on the TREC video retrieval evaluation data.
Amplitude and timing of temperature and salinity variability in the subpolar North Atlantic over the past 10 k.y.

Paired planktic foraminiferal δ 18 O and Mg/Ca data reveal trends of increasing temperatures (~3 °C) and salinities in the subpolar North Atlantic over the course of the Holocene, which were punctuated by abrupt events. The trends likely refl ect an insolation-forced northward retreat of the boundary between polar and North Atlantic subsurface waters. The superimposed variability does not appear to be periodic, but tends to recur within a broad millennial band. The records provide convincing evidence of open-ocean cooling (nearly 2 °C) and freshening during the 8.2 ka event, and suggest similar conditions at 9.3 ka. However, the two largest temperature oscillations in our record (~2 °C) occurred during the past 4 k.y., suggesting a recent increase in temperature variability relative to the mid-Holocene, perhaps in response to neoglaciation, which began at about this time.