cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of quantum confinement effects between quantum wires and dots

Dimensionality is an important factor to govern the electronic structures of semiconductor nanocrystals. The quantum confinement energies in one-dimensional quantum wires and zero-dimensional quantum dots are quite different. Using large-scale first-principles calculations, we systematically study the electronic structures of semiconductor (including group IV, III-V, and II-VI) surface-passivated quantum wires and dots. The band-gap energies of quantum wires and dots have the same scaling with diameter for a given material. The ratio of band-gap-increases between quantum wires and dots is material-dependent, and slightly deviates from 0.586 predicted by effective-mass approximation. Highly linear polarization of photoluminescence in quantum wires is found. The degree of polarization decreases with the increasing temperature and size.
Regulating Rifles: International Control of the Small Arms Trade

Small arms kill many more people than any other weapon. They are the weapons of choice in the vast majority of contemporary conflicts and are often used in crime and terrorism. In stark contrast to the devastating consequences of small arms proliferation, the international regulatory framework for the trade in small arms, established in 2001, is a weak non-legally binding instrument. To explain this puzzling discrepancy, I develop a theoretical model of government preferences on international regulation. The model offers several innovations over conventional models of trade policy, including the introduction of negative externalities, rather than protection, as the motivation for trade restrictions, and the incorporation of value-based humanitarian concerns. I operationalize the model with respect to small arms and test it empirically through an original survey of national views on the regulation of the small arms trade. The survey - based on interviewing officials from 118 countries - provides strong support for my theoretical predictions. Governments backing small arms exporters, especially those which are state-owned, favor weak international regulation of small arms. Nondemocratic governments, concerned that international controls might impede their access to arms, prefer weak international regulation as well. By contrast, governments facing high rates of gun violence and governments with humanitarian foreign policy concerns support strong regulation. The survey also reveals cross-regional variation. Africa, Latin America, and Europe support the international regulation of small arms; the Middle East as well as East and South Asia are less supportive of regulation. International control of small arms is, in fact, part of a broader phenomenon of international regulation, which the literature has overlooked. Beyond small arms, the theoretical framework developed in the paper can illuminate the political conflict over other internationally regulated goods, such as drugs and antiquities.
Fifteen Years of Supreme Court Criminal Procedure Work: Three Constitutional Brushes

This essay – written in connection with a French National Research Agency project on “Neo or Retro Constitutionalisms” – is an effort to pull together the last fifteen years of Supreme Court criminal procedure cases expanding constitutional protections. It identifies three different styles: thin and clear doctrinal lines on miniature doctrinal canvases that have only passing connections to criminal justice realities; episodic and self-limiting engagements with a potentially larger regulatory space; and a grand style that hints at sweeping structural ambitions but collaborates with other regulatory authorities. Readers undoubtedly can come up with more than three styles. But, in any event, the exercise highlights the limited nature of the Court’s work during this period, the limits of formalism, and the need for scholars to disaggregate broad references to “constitutionalism.”
Biased self-perceptions of social competence and engagement in physical and relational aggression: the moderating role of peer status and sex.

This study sought to expand on prior research suggesting that children low in peer status who either over- or underestimate their social competence relative to others' reports are more likely to be aggressive (White and Kistner [2011]. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 39, 645-656). The curvilinear associations between social competence bias and two forms of aggression (physical and relational) were examined in a sample of 4th through 6th graders (n = 183); moderation by both sex and peer status (peer preference and popularity) also were tested. Social competence bias was operationally defined as the residual difference between child and teacher ratings of the child's social competence. Aggression and peer status were measured using peer nomination procedures. There was a significant curvilinear association between social competence bias and physical aggression moderated by both types of peer status. For low peer status children greater underestimation and overestimation of social competence was associated with higher physical aggression. The curvilinear association between social competence bias and relational aggression was moderated by both peer status and sex. Popular boys had higher rates of relational aggression when they had accurate, rather than biased, self-perceptions of social competence. However, for very highly preferred girls, a more extreme positive bias was associated with an exponential increase in relational aggression. RESULTS are discussed in terms of implications for aggression theory and intervention. Aggr. Behav. 9999:XX-XX, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Language: en
VH gene expression by nontransformed pre-B cells upon differentiation in vitro

Mice have more than 1000 VH gene segments, and each pre-B cell must choose a single one for rearrangement to encode the V portion of the antibody H chain. Presumably, all or most of the functional VH gene segments must be chosen by the population of B lymphocytes if the organism is to express the diversity that is observed in the immune system. Control of the selection of a VH gene segment for expression is not understood. We have found that the members of the VH gene family closest to the constant genes, the 7183 family, are transcribed in a manner that is specific for the stage of B cell development after pre-B cells derived from spleens of 6- to 8-wk-old nude mice are induced to differentiate in vitro by a mixture of dendritic cells and mitogen-activated T lymphocytes (DC-T). DC-T from spleens and lymph nodes induce transient high levels of synthesis of RNA from the 7183 VH family, whereas DC-T from Peyer's patches of mice of the same age as those from which spleen and lymph node DC-T were prepared did not induce the expression of RNA from that gene family. Spleen and Peyer's patch DC-T induce secretion of similar total amounts of antibody. Therefore, the RNA synthesis from members of at least one VH gene family is specific both for the lymphoid tissue in which B cell differentiation occurs and for the developmental stage of the B lymphoid cells.
Marked airway eosinophilia prevents development of airway hyper-responsiveness during an allergic response in IL-5 transgenic mice.

Tissue eosinophilia probably plays important roles in the pathophysiology of bronchial asthma and allergic disorders; however, this concept was challenged recently by controversial results in mouse models of bronchial asthma treated with anti-IL-5 Ab and the failure of anti-IL-5 therapy in humans. We have now used a unique model, IL-5 transgenic (TG) mice, to address a fundamental question: is airway eosinophilia beneficial or detrimental in the allergic response? After sensitization and challenge with OVA, IL-5 TG mice showed a marked airway eosinophilia. Surprisingly, these IL-5 TG mice showed lower airway reactivity to methacholine. Immunohistochemical analysis of the lungs revealed a marked peribronchial infiltration of eosinophils, but no eosinophil degranulation. In vitro, mouse eosinophils from peritoneal lavage fluids did not produce superoxide anion, but did produce an anti-inflammatory and fibrotic cytokine, TGF-β1. Indeed, the TGF-β1 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid specimens from IL-5 TG mice directly correlated with airway eosinophilia (r = 0.755). Furthermore, anti-IL-5 treatment of IL-5 TG mice decreased both airway eosinophilia and TGF-β1 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and increased airway reactivity. Thus, in mice, marked eosinophilia prevents the development of airway hyper-reactivity during an allergic response. Overall, the roles of eosinophils in asthma and in animal models need to be addressed carefully for their potentially detrimental and beneficial effects.
Quantifying intra-plant variation of volatile terpenoids in carrot

Abstract Comparisons were made of Daucus carota root volatile terpenoids obtained by headspace sampling, direct solvent extraction, and simultaneous distillation-extraction methods. Differences in the relative quantities of individual compounds were observed, but the total volatile terpenoid amount extracted was approximately the same for the direct extraction and distillation methods. The headspace method yielded less of the low and high boiling terpenoids. Using the direct extraction method, variation in terpenoid content of different plant parts was observed. Foliage generally had higher volatile terpenoid concentrations than root phloem, which in turn had more than root xylem.
Anatomy and histology of the male reproductive system of the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera : Formicidae)☆

Abstract The male reproductive system of the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera : Formicidae), consists of the testes, vasa efferentia, vasa deferentia, seminal vesicles, accessory glands, ejaculatory duct, wedge, aedeagal bladder, and external genitalia. The testes in newly eclosed males appear as 4 large white lobes filled with packets of sperm. Each lobe of the testes contains only one follicle. As the testes degenerate, the maturing sperm migrate through the vasa efferentia and vasa deferentia into the seminal vesicles. The seminal vesicles attach to the accessory glands, which are lined with secretory columnar epithelium. The posterior ends of the accessory glands taper and unite to form the ejaculatory duct. A sclerotized wedge is found at the junction of the accessory glands and the ejaculatory duct. An aedeagal bladder, joining the ejaculatory duct posterior to the wedge, is lined with squamous epithelium enveloped by heavy musculature. The ejaculatory duct continues posteriorly to form a distal aedeagus surrounded by 3 pairs of valves, comprising the external genitalia.
H2 optimal actuator and sensor placement in the linearised complex Ginzburg–Landau system

The linearised complex Ginzburg–Landau equation is a model for the evolution of small fluid perturbations, such as in a bluff body wake. By implementing actuators and sensors and designing an H2 optimal controller, we control a supercritical, infinite-domain formulation of this system. We seek the optimal actuator and sensor placement that minimises the H2 norm of the controlled system, from flow disturbances and sensor noise to a cost on the perturbation and input magnitudes. We formulate the gradient of the H2 squared norm with respect to the actuator and sensor placements and iterate towards the optimal placement. When stochastic flow disturbances are present everywhere in the spatial domain, it is optimal to place the actuator just upstream of the origin and the sensor just downstream. With pairs of actuators and sensors, it is optimal to place each actuator slightly upstream of each corresponding sensor, and scatter the pairs throughout the spatial domain. When disturbances are only introduced upstream, the optimal placement shifts upstream as well. Global mode and Gramian analyses fail to predict the optimal placement; they produce H2 norms about five times higher than at the true optimum. The wavemaker region is a better guess for the optimal placement.
Responses to acute anoxia and prolonged hypoxia by rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) and mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio) red and white muscle: Use of conventional and modified metabolic pathways

Abstract 1. 1. Carp and trout were acclimated to Po2s of 20 and 40 mm Hg respectively for 7–10 days, after which they and normoxic controls were analyzed for anaerobic metabolic end products or subjected to total anoxia until death and then analyzed for the endproducts. 2. 2. Neither species showed significant lactic acid anaerobiosis in either red or white muscle at the end of the period of hypoxia. 3. 3. Total anoxia caused lactic acid anaerobiosis in both species and muscle types but the amounts of lactic acid accumulation were not as great as those seen in exercised fish. 4. 4. Acclimation to hypoxia enhanced succinate anaerobiosis in anoxic carp red muscle but not in trout.
Breeding Patterns of Henslow's Sparrow and Sympatric Grassland Sparrow Species

Abstract Henslow's Sparrows (Ammodramus henslowii) are reported to have irregular patterns of return to breeding areas. I present data supporting these reports at rangewide extents, while testing potential biases inherent in the North American Breeding Bird Survey data. Two measures of population variability were used to show that Henslow's Sparrows are less likely to use breeding areas predictably and consistently, but have similar variance in numbers at occupied sites relative to other sympatric grassland sparrow species. I illustrate how restricting analyses to single-observer-collected Breeding Bird Survey data results in subtle but significant effects not detected in data aggregated from multiple observers through the study period. The most conservative analysis (single-observer, restricted distribution) showed that Henslow's Sparrows exhibited lower prevalence of occurrence than Grasshopper (Ammodramus savannarum) (P < 0.001) and Savannah (Passerculus sandwichensis) (P < 0.001) sparrows but no diffe...
Dislocation images in quartz and the determination of Burgers vectors

Abstract It is demonstrated that the Burgers vectors of dislocations in quartz can be positively identified from the results of conventional diffraction contrast experiments in the electron microscope. Dislocations having an a Burgers vector were found in experimentally-deformed natural and synthetic crystals, and dislocations with a c Burgers vector were also observed in a synthetic crystal. The factors that complicate the successful execution of diffraction contrast experiments on quartz are discussed.
The determining role of scratch indenter radius on surface deformation of high density polyethylene and calcium carbonate-reinforced composite

We have used microscopy techniques to examine mechanically induced surface damage during microscratching of high density polyethylene and calcium carbonate-reinforced composite. The radius of stylus has a dominant effect on surface deformation, which can be predicted from the characteristics of surface morphology and the scratch deformation parameters. However, the resistance to scratch deformation is not linearly related to radius but depends on the geometry of the stylus. The surface deformation behavior is discussed in terms of physical (crystallinity, spherulite size) and mechanical properties (elastic modulus, elastic recovery, toughness, and scratch hardness).
An empirical study of computer capacity planning in U.S. universities

Abstract Computer systems managers need to understand their applications and growth environment to analyze the current and predicted future workload, and plan for future capacity to meet business needs. This paper studies the computer capacity planning (CCP) practices at US universities to provide insight for computer capacity planners and administrators. Data were collected from 170 academic institutions in an attempt to learn the extent to which the various approaches and techniques of CCP are used there and to identify several important environmental factors affecting their use in practice. The study also examined the differences in CCP approaches between US universities and US industries. Results show that the computing environment is more interactive in universities and the computing budget is less than the computing budget of industry, but the basic approaches to CCP in universities are similar to those of in industry.
Who Can You Believe? Complexities of International Street Gang Research

This article stresses considerations in carrying out comparative street gang research, with comparative here meaning cross-national research. The discussion rests heavily on three comparative enterprises: the International Self-Report Delinquency Program, the Eurogang Research Program, and the STAGE proposal from the University of Manchester. All three have involved collaborative efforts of a large number of international scholars over a combined 40 years (and counting). The complexities described include those common to many cross-national studies as well as those most specifically pertinent to street gang studies. Special emphasis in the latter is given over to definitional issues which arise both from the ambiguities inherent in the concept of street gangs and from divergent needs of gang researchers. Also discussed are some emerging issues and selected policy implications.
Piperidine Derivatives: Synthesis of Potential Analgesics in 3-Substituted 4-Phenylpiperidine Series

Abstract The syntheses of l-methyl-3-(3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropyl)- 4-phenyl-4-piperidinol and l-methyl-3-(3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropyl)-4-phenyl-4-propanoyloxypiperidine are described. Preliminary pharmacological testing showed these compounds to be weakly active in the writhing test.
System identification of rhythmic hybrid dynamical systems via discrete time harmonic transfer functions

Few tools exist for identifying the dynamics of rhythmic systems from input-output data. This paper investigates the system identification of stable, rhythmic hybrid dynamical systems, i.e. systems possessing a stable limit cycle but that can be perturbed away from the limit cycle by a set of external inputs, and measured at a set of system outputs. By choosing a set of Poincare sections, we show that such a system can be (locally) approximated as a linear discrete-time periodic system. To perform input-output system identification, we transform the system into the frequency domain using discrete-time harmonic transfer functions. Using this formulation, we present a set of stimuli and analysis techniques to recover the components of the HTFs nonparametrically. We demonstrate the framework using a hybrid spring-mass hopper. Finally, we fit a parametric approximation to the fundamental harmonic transfer function and show that the poles coincide with the eigenvalues of the Poincare return map.
Recombinant Escherichia coli strains synthesize active forms of naphthalene dioxygenase and its individual α and β subunits

Abstract Pseudomonas sp. strain NCIB 9816-4 utilizes naphthalene dioxygenase (NDO), a multicomponent enzyme system, to initiate naphthalene degradation. The terminal component of NDO is an iron-sulfur protein (ISPNAP) with an α2β2 subunit composition. The structural genes encoding the α (nahAc) and β (nahAd) subunits were cloned separately and together into expression vectors where transcription is under the control of the T7 promoter. The recombinant plasmids were transformed into Escherichia coli JM109[pGP1-2] and the synthesis of ISPNAP and its α and β subunits was determined by SDS-PAGE. Low expression of nahAd was shown to be due to inefficient initiation of translation, but a sixfold increase in the amount of β subunit synthesized was achieved in a coupled translation system. Inclusion bodies were found in all recombinants. Increased levels of soluble active proteins were obtained when E. coli JM109(DE3), used as the host strain for recombinant plasmid, was grown at 25°C. ISPNAP from JM109(DE3)[pDTG121] was purified to homogeneity and shown to have the same properties as those determined for the enzyme purified from NCIB 9816-4. Active ISPNAP was also obtained by mixing cell extracts from separate strains that synthesized the α and β subunits. The availability of large amounts of purified ISPNAP and its α and β subunits will facilitate future studies on the mechanism of oxygen fixation by NDO.
Diet and Selection of Major Prey Species by Lake Michigan Salmonines, 1973–1982

Abstract To elucidate prey preferences, we quantified stomach contents of 1,231 salmonines collected from inshore (21 m or shallower) southeastern Lake Michigan during 1973–1982. Predators ate 12 species of fish. Alewife Alosa pseudoharengus made up 48–79% by weight of the diet of brown trout Salmo trutta, chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch, lake trout Salvelinus namaycush, and rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri. Alewives eaten ranged from 23 to 245 mm total length; 46% were 150–200 mm. Rainbow smelt Osmerus mordax eaten were 21–245 mm long and made up 4–11% of the salmonines' prey. There were significant direct linear relationships between lengths of alewives and rainbow smelt eaten and lengths of the five predators. Alewives are currently declining in Lake Michigan. If their population collapses, there should be a shift to alternative prey species. We have seen no such shift through 1982, although more recent data of other investigators show a decline in the importance ...
Myocyte Enhancer Factor 2A Is Transcriptionally Autoregulated

MEF2 (myocyte enhancer factor 2) proteins are a small family of transcription factors that play pivotal roles in striated muscle differentiation, development, and metabolism, in neuron survival and synaptic formation, and in lymphocyte selection and activation. Products of the four mammalian MEF2 genes, MEF2A, MEF2B, MEF2C, and MEF2D, are expressed with overlapping but distinct temporospatial patterns. Toward analysis of MEF2A functions and the determinants of its regulated expression, we have mapped and begun studies of the transcriptional control regions of this gene. Heterogeneous 5′-untranslated regions of MEF2A mRNAs result from use of alternative promoters and splicing patterns. The two closely approximated TATA-less promoters are ∼65 kb upstream of the exon containing the sole initiation codon. Ribonuclease protection and primer extension assays show that each promoter is active in various adult tissues. A canonical MEF2 site overlies the major promoter 1 transcription start site. This element specifically binds MEF2 factors, including endogenous nuclear MEF2A according to chromatin immunoprecipitation studies, and is critical to MEF2A transcription in myocytes. The site exerts reciprocal control of the alternative promoters, silencing promoter 1 and activating promoter 2 under some conditions. Erk5 and p38 MAPK signaling stimulate MEF2A expression by activating both promoters from the MEF2 element. MEF2A transcription is therefore subject to positive or negative regulation by its protein products, depending on signaling activities that influence MEF2 factor trans-activity. The sole MEF2 gene of the cephalochordate amphioxus has a similar regulatory region structure, suggesting that this mode of autoregulatory control is conserved among higher metazoan MEF2 genes.
Intellectual property: Copyright implications for higher education

Abstract What will become of the existing concept of “fair use” in the emerging digital environment known as the “information superhighway?” This article will discuss the perspectives of various constituencies within higher education—some producers of intellectual property, some consumers, and some that are both.
Work Volition, Career Decision Self-Efficacy, and Academic Satisfaction: An Examination of Mediators and Moderators

The present study examined the relation of work volition to career decision self-efficacy (CDSE) and academic satisfaction in a diverse sample of 447 undergraduate college students. Work volition was found to be moderately correlated with academic satisfaction and strongly correlated with CDSE. Potential mediators and moderators in the link of work volition to CDSE and academic satisfaction were also examined. Work locus of control (WLOC) was found to partially mediate these relations, and bootstrapping techniques confirmed the significance of indirect effects. Additionally, the moderating effects of gender and ethnicity in these relations were examined. Although gender was not a significant moderator in either relation, ethnicity was found to moderate the relation between work volition and academic satisfaction, such that work volition related more strongly to academic satisfaction for those who self-identified as White, relative to those who did not. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Episodic tremor triggers small earthquakes

[1] It has been suggested that episodic tremor and slip (ETS), the weak shaking not associated with measurable earthquakes, could trigger nearby earthquakes. However, this had not been confirmed until recently. Vidale et al. monitored seismicity in the 4-month period around a 16-day episode of episodic tremor and slip in March 2010 in the Cascadia region. They observed five small earthquakes within the subducting slab during the ETS episode. They found that the timing and locations of earthquakes near the tremor suggest that the tremor and earthquakes are related. Furthermore, they observed that the rate of earthquakes across the area was several times higher within 2 days of tremor activity than at other times, adding to evidence of a connection between tremor and earthquakes. (Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, doi:10.1029/2011GC003559, 2011)
The Role of Phytochrome in the Geotropic Behavior of Roots of Convolvulus arvensis

Geotropic behavior in roots of Convolvulus arvensis is influenced by both gravity and light. In darkness, the roots grow horizontally; exposure to light induces a positive orthogeotropic response. The response is elicited by red light of narrow band width and is reversed by a far-red-light treatment following the red exposure. Phytochrome thus mediates this light response. Experiments with microbeam irradiation suggest that this pigment is located in the root apex, probably in the root cap. Statoliths are present and are shown to sediment upon reorientation of the root apex in both light-and dark-grown roots.
The effect of regulatory legislation on workers' earnings

Abstract This paper determines whether workers are part of the beneficiary group when industries receive desired federal legislation. Industry supported legislation does not increase workers' earnings growth, suggesting that workers are not part of the beneficiary group. However, legislation opposed by the industry tends to increase earnings growth.
Synaptic long-term enhancement (LTE) induced by a heterosynaptic neural input

The slow excitatory postsynaptic potential (s-EPSP) response of cat stellate ganglion can be enhanced for hours (long term enhancement, LTE) following a conditioning preganglionic train of low frequency pulses, even when test s-EPSPs are elicited by an unconditioned input line. This provides another model for associational alterations of synaptic efficacy.
Integration formulas to evaluate functions of random variables

Structural reliability analysis often involves extensive integration of a function of multiple basic variables. Special techniques can be used to reduce this numerical effort. This paper develops integration formulas for computing the statistical parameters of a function of a random vector, in particular calculation of the first few moments. The formula is a numerical procedure using selected weights and points to estimate integrals. The points and weights are predetermined in the independent standard normal variable space. The sample points in basic variable space are then obtained by various transformations. The formulas were developed for the basic variables with various probability information known. The procedure is convenient to implement, and allows for a direct use of the available deterministic computer programs.
Sr3Co2O5Cl2 and Sr2CoO3Cl: two layered cobalt oxychlorides

Abstract Two layered Co3+ oxychlorides, Sr3Co2O5Cl2 and Sr2CoO3Cl, with crystal structures related to the Ruddlesden–Popper type, are reported. Small crystals were grown by the self-flux method, and the structures were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The layers are formed from CoO5Cl octahedra sharing corners, with the Cl in one of the apical positions, relatively distant from the Co such that the Co coordination polyhedra closely resemble CoO5 pyramids. The resulting CoO2 planes are highly buckled, with long in-plane Co–O bond lengths and short apical Co–O bondlengths.
Growth of channel catfish in mixed sex and monosex pond culture

Abstract Growth of male and female channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus ) was monitored for 6 months in triplicate 0.04-ha ponds (7500 fish/ha) stocked with mixed sexes (60–65% male), monosex males (90–98% male) or monosex females (98–100% female). Average weight and length and total weight were not different among treatment groups at any of the monthly samples. Harvest size of males was similar in ponds stocked with mixed sexes (mean±s.e.; 579±10 g and 324±2 mm, n =184), monosex males (596±9 g and 326±2 mm, n =282) and monosex females (607±48 g and 333±6 mm, n =3), parallel to the pattern observed for females in ponds stocked with mixed sexes (474±10 g and 305±2 mm, n =116), monosex males (458±21 g and 302±5 mm, n =18) and monosex females (494±7 g and 311±1 mm, n =297). Males were significantly heavier and longer than females in ponds with mixed sexes and with monosex males, but females and the small number of males in monosex female ponds were not statistically different in size. Feed conversion efficiencies were similar among treatment groups at each monthly sample, but the overall average for ponds with monosex males (0.743±0.01) was significantly higher than ponds with mixed sexes (0.670±0.02) and monosex females (0.676±0.01). Intrinsic growth patterns for both sexes were retained in monosex and mixed sex culture, demonstrating that the superior growth of males has a genetic component and is not due simply to more aggressive feeding behavior. The average weight of channel catfish harvested from monosex male ponds was about 8.5% higher than fish in mixed sex ponds and 15% higher than fish in monosex female ponds, suggesting that culture of monosex male channel catfish could provide an economic benefit.
Iona college community centered family health history project: lessons learned from student focus groups.

The Community Centered Family Health History project was initiated to create accessible family health history tools produced by and for the community. The project goal was to promote increased community engagement in health education by encouraging conversations among family members that would translate knowledge of family health history into healthy lifestyle choices. As one of seven community partners, Iona College participated in customizing and beta-testing the Does It Run in the Family? toolkit. Twenty-nine college students were engaged to recruit three relatives related by blood to provide feedback on the utility of the toolkit. The toolkit consists of two booklets—“A Guide to Family Health History” and “A Guide to Understanding Genetics and Health”—explaining the importance of knowing and talking about health within the family as well as basics about how conditions are passed down through generations. Twenty-two of the twenty-nine students participated in focus groups to discuss their reactions to participation in the project. Students in the focus group reported that the study participants—students and their family members—found the toolkit to be user friendly and the experience a valuable one that prompted many to take positive steps toward good health.
Diagnosing celiac disease by video capsule endoscopy (VCE) when esophogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and biopsy is unable to provide a diagnosis: a case series

Background: Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is mainly used to evaluate patients with celiac disease in whom their course after diagnosis has been unfavorable and the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, lymphoma or refractory celiac disease is entertained, but it has been suggested that VCE could replace esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and biopsy under certain circumstances. Methods: We report a single center case series of 8 patients with suspected celiac disease who were diagnosed by VCE. Results: EGD and biopsy had been performed in 4 patients resulting in a negative biopsy, declined by 2, and contraindicated in 2 due to hemophilia and von Willebrand disease. In all patients, mucosal changes of scalloping, mucosal mosaicism and reduced folds were seen in either the duodenum or jejunum on VCE. Follow-up in 7 patients demonstrated improvement in either their serological abnormalities or their presenting clinical features on a gluten-free diet. Conclusions: Our case series demonstrates that VCE and the visualization of the characteristic mucosal changes of villous atrophy may replace biopsy as the mode of diagnosis when EGD is either declined or contraindicated, or when duodenal biopsies are negative and there remains a high index of suspicion. Further study is needed to clarify the role and cost of diagnosing celiac disease with VCE.
The impact of weed diversity on insect population dynamics and crop yield in collards, Brassica oleraceae (Brassicaceae)

Vegetational diversity within agricultural fields is often suggested as a means to reduce insect herbivore populations and to increase their natural enemies. In this paper we compare population densities of herbivores, predators, and parasitoids on collards in monocultures and on collards interplanted with two different groups of weeds, one with weed species from the same plant family as the collards (Brassicaceae) and one with weed species from unrelated plant families (non-Brassicaceae). The collards in the Brassicaceae weed polyculture had higher densities (number of herbivores/mean leaf area (cm2) per plant) of specialist herbivores than collards in the non-Brassicaceae weed polyculture and in collard monoculture. The “resource concentration” hypothesis is supported by the observation of higher populations of Phyllotreta spp., acting as facultative polyphages, in the Brassicaceae weed polyculture than in the non-Brassicaceae weed polyculture where Phyllotreta spp. are facultative monophages. Population densities of natural enemies (mostly coccinellids, carabids, and staphylinids) were higher in the polycultures than in the monoculture: carabid and staphylinid predators may be responsible for larval mortality in the imported cabbage worm, Pieris␣rapae, and in the diamondback larvae, Plutella xylostella. In spite of differences in densities of specialist herbivores across treatments, crop yield, leaf area (cm2), the proportion of leaf area damaged, and the number of leaves undamaged did not differ. These findings suggest that plant competition may interfere with attempts to reduce herbivore damage. We conclude that the use of weedy cultures can provide effective means of reducing herbivores if the crop and weed species are not related and plant competition is prevented.
Evolution of Upper Tropospheric Features during the Development of a Mesoscale Convective Complex

Abstract An intense mesoscale convective complex developed over the central Mississippi Valley during the night and early morning hours of 24 and 25 April 1975. Analyses of upper tropospheric features during this period indicate strong changes in temperature, wind and pressure-surface heights occurred over the convective system in a period of only 6 h. It is hypothesized that the convective system is responsible for these changes. The question of whether the diagnosed changes reflect a natural evolution of large-scale meteorological fields or are a result of widespread deep convection is considered utilizing two separate numerical forecasts produced by the Drexel-NCAR mesoscale primitive equation model. A “dry” forecast, in which no convective clouds are permitted, is considered representative of the evolution of the large-scale environment. This forecast is contrasted with a “moist” forecast which, through the use of a one-dimensional, sequential plume cumulus model, includes the effects of deep convecti...
Subjective Reactions to Sex-Linked Language

Summary Sex-linked lexical forms were presented in writing to 41 female and 21 male white, middle class, adult Ss who were attending a PTA meeting. Ss were asked to associate the forms with 10 attributes represented by adjective scales, each scale having a male and a female pole. It was found that female and male language evoked associations of stereotypic female and male traits respectively. Both men and women harbored similar associations for a given language form. If language is actually produced by the two sexes in accord with peoples' beliefs about the sex appropriateness of certain linguistic forms, then the two sexes as speakers, through their respective gender-based linguistic varieties (their gender-dialects), may be elicitng perceptions of dominance or subordination from their listeners, thus perpetuating their societally defined roles.
A survey of librarians with a health sciences background.

Examinations of the experiences of librarians with a health sciences background have appeared in the library literature over the past decade. Fikar's 2001 survey was perhaps the first article written about this topic. The majority of respondents to Fikar's survey felt that their background was beneficial or would be beneficial to their librarianship career [1]. Watson's survey of a small sample of Canadian academic health sciences librarians found that the 21 of 30 (70%) respondents felt that having a health sciences degree was not very important or not at all important to a health sciences librarian career [2]. As opposed to this, a 2007 survey of British health librarians found that those with a science background said their degree “gave them more confidence with the terminology and general subject background.” Those without a health sciences degree emphasized “transferable skills or other management skills” as important rather than their background. Most felt there was a need for “better subject knowledge” [3]. The current survey sought to identify why those librarians who had a health sciences background chose librarianship and if they felt their health sciences background was advantageous in working as a health sciences librarian.
Adaptive control of saccades via internal feedback

Ballistic movements like saccades require the brain to generate motor commands without the benefit of sensory feedback. Despite this, saccades are remarkably accurate. Theory suggests that this accuracy arises because the brain relies on an internal forward model that monitors the motor commands, predicts their sensory consequences, and corrects eye trajectory midflight. If control of saccades relies on a forward model, then the forward model should adapt whenever its predictions fail to match sensory feedback at the end of the movement. Using optimal feedback control theory, we predicted how this adaptation should alter saccade trajectories. We trained subjects on a paradigm in which the horizontal target jumped vertically during the saccade. With training, the final position of the saccade moved toward the second target. However, saccades became increasingly curved, i.e., suboptimal, as oculomotor commands were corrected on-line to steer the eye toward the second target. The adaptive response had two components: (1) the motor commands that initiated the saccades changed slowly, aiming the saccade closer to the jumped target. The adaptation of these earliest motor commands displayed little forgetting during the rest periods. (2) Late in saccade trajectory, another adaptive response steered it still closer to the jumped target, producing curvature. Adaptation of these late motor commands showed near-complete forgetting during the rest periods. The two components adapted at different timescales, with the late-acting component displaying much faster rates. It appears that in controlling saccades, the brain relies on an internal feedback that has the characteristics of a fast-adapting forward model.
Collision course by transformation of coordinates and plane decomposition

This paper deals with the problem of collision course checking in a dynamic environment for mobile robotics applications. Our method is based on the relative kinematic equations between moving objects. These kinematic equations are written under polar form. A transformation of coordinates is derived. Under this transformation, collision between two moving objects is reduced to collision between a stationary object and a virtual moving object. In addition to the direct collision course, we define the indirect collision course, which is more critical and difficult to detect. Under this formulation, the collision course problem is simplified, and complex scenarios are reduced to simple scenarios. In three-dimensional (3D) settings, the working space is decomposed into two planes: the horizontal plane and the vertical plane. The collision course detection in 3D is studied in the vertical and horizontal planes using 2D techniques. This formulation brings important simplifications to the collision course detection problem even in the most critical and difficult scenarios. An extensive simulation is used to illustrate the method in 2D and 3D working spaces.
Experiments on Hydraulic Jumps in Turbidity Currents Near a Canyon-Fan Transition

The point at which a submarine canyon debouches on its associated abyssal fan is generally characterized by a drop in channel slope. Turbidity currents of the kind responsible for the genesis of the canyon and fan should display an internal hydraulic jump near the slope transition. No direct field observations of any such jump appear, however, to have been made. Experiments on the nature of the jump and the resulting sedimentary deposits indicate that the thickness of the deposits just downstream of the jump tends to increase as the ratio of bed shear velocity immediately behind the jump to particle fall velocity decreases.
Pooling signals from vertically and non-vertically orientation-tuned disparity mechanisms in human stereopsis.

Abstract To understand the role that orientation-tuned disparity-sensitive mechanisms play in the perception of stereoscopic depth, we measured stereothresholds using two sets of random-dot stimuli that produce identical stimulation of disparity mechanisms tuned to vertical orientation but dissimilar stimulation of disparity mechanisms tuned to non-vertical orientations. Either 1 or 1.5 D of astigmatic blur was simulated in the random-dot images presented to both eyes, using two axis configurations. In the parallel-axis conditions, the axis of simulated astigmatic blur was same in the two eyes (0, 45 or 135 o[rientation] deg). In the orthogonal-axis conditions, the axes of astigmatic blur were orthogonal in the two eyes (LE: 180, RE: 90; LE: 90, RE: 180; LE: 45, RE: 135; and LE: 135, RE: 45). Whereas the stimulation of disparity mechanisms tuned to near-vertical orientations should be similar in the oblique parallel- and orthogonal-axis conditions, the stimulation of non-vertically tuned disparity mechanisms should be dissimilar. Measured stereothresholds were higher in the orthogonal compared to the parallel-axis condition by factors of approximately 2 and 5, for 1 and 1.5 D of simulated oblique astigmatic blur, respectively. Further, for comparable magnitudes of simulated astigmatic blur, stereothresholds in the (LE: 180, RE: 90 and LE: 90, RE: 180) conditions were similar to those in the (LE: 45, RE: 135 and LE: 135, RE: 45) conditions. These results suggest that the computation of horizontal disparity includes substantial contributions from disparity mechanisms tuned to non-vertical orientations. Simulations using a modified version of a disparity-energy model [Qian, N., & Zhu, Y. (1997). Physiological computation of binocular disparity. Vision Research, 37, 1811–1827], show (1) that pooling across disparity mechanisms tuned to vertical and non-vertical orientations is required to account for our data and (2) that this pooling can provide the spatial resolution needed to encode spatially changing horizontal disparities.
A robotics-inspired method to sample conformational paths connecting known functionally-relevant structures in protein systems

Characterization of transition trajectories that take a protein between different functional states is an important yet challenging problem in computational biology. Approaches based on Molecular Dynamics can obtain the most detailed and accurate information but at considerable computational cost. To address the cost, sampling-based path planning methods adapted from robotics forego protein dynamics and seek instead conformational paths, operating under the assumption that dynamics can be incorporated later to transform paths to transition trajectories. Existing methods focus either on short peptides or large proteins; on the latter, coarse representations simplify the search space. Here we present a robotics-inspired tree-based method to sample conformational paths that connect known structural states of small- to medium- size proteins. We address the dimensionality of the search space using molecular fragment replacement to efficiently obtain physically-realistic conformations. The method grows a tree in conformational space rooted at a given conformation and biases the growth of the tree to steer it to a given goal conformation. Different bias schemes are investigated for their efficacy. Experiments on proteins up to 214 amino acids long with known functionally-relevant states more than 13A apart show that the method effectively obtains conformational paths connecting significantly different structural states.
Ventricular septal defect and aortic insufficiency; report of three cases.

Abstract 1. (1) Three case reports of probable ventricular septal defect with aortic insufficiency are reported. One was misdiagnosed clinically and discovered at autopsy. The second was diagnosed by clinical means with the aid of cardiac catheterization. The third was diagnosed in a like fashion, with the aid of an aortogram, and proved at surgery (at which time the septal defect was closed, with the production of a moderate infundibular pulmonary stenosis). 2. (2) A discussion of the various differential diagnostic possibilities includes: the lesion described in the case reports, aortic septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus (with or without pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary valvular insufficiency), atrial or ventricular septal-defect with pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary valvular insufficiency, sinus of Valsalva aneurysm with rupture into the right ventricle or pulmonary artery, coronary arteriovenous fistula, arteriovenous fistula of any thoracic systemic vessel near the heart, and anomalous coronary artery communicating with a ventricular chamber. 3. (3) The differential diagnosis can seldom be made on the basis of the physical findings or the history. The electrocardiogram offers some help in excluding the septal defects with pulmonary hypertension, because right ventricular hypertrophy will be present in these circumstances. The cardiac catheterization and the x-ray findings, particularly when proper use is made of injected diodrast, offer the greatest help in making the proper diagnosis.
De‐Centering and Re‐Centering: Rethinking Concepts and Methods in the Sociological Study of Religion

Four conceptual and methodological edges or areas of study are outlined. They are located near what have been the boundaries between the sociology of religion and other subfields, where we believe a potential exists to encourage a wide range of scholars to revisit some central concepts. Paying attention to these edges—as a means to de-center to re-center our debates in new ways—not only broadens and deepens our knowledge of the “religious,” it encourages us to reexamine long-standing conceptual tools, unquestioned assumptions, and accepted methods in the sociology of religion. We illustrate these edges through a review of recent literature and examples drawn from our current empirical projects.