cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A BENT-CRYSTAL SPECTROMETER FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF K X RAYS COINCIDENT WITH FISSION.

Abstract This paper describes a bent-crystal spectrometer of the Johansson type which was designed and constructed for the measurement of fission fragment K X-rays coincident with fission. The spectrometer has a unique arm mechanism which permits the source to remain fixed as the Bragg angle is changed. The crystal of the spectrometer consists of 6 single crystals of LiF which were cleaved, bent, and bonded onto a single backing plate (11.4 by 17.8 cm). The surface of the LiF was then ground to the required radius of curvature (40 cm). In order to maintain sufficient sensitivity for the coincidence experiment resolving power was sacrificed. The resolving power, however, was still high enough to resolve the Kα lines of adjacent-Z light fragments.
Determining fracture toughness of vitreous silica glass

This study demonstrates that the Chevron-notched short rod (CNSR) test technique is well suited for accurate determination of the fracture toughness for vitreous silica. A manifestation of the accuracy of this fracture toughness test technique is evident by low standard deviation of values observed from statistically significant sample sizes. Findings of this study suggest that the CNSR test method could be useful for determination of subtle changes in fracture toughness of glass caused by aggressive service environments, such as, hydrogen and/or ionizing radiation. Fracture surface morphological features of vitreous silica were revealed by atomic force microscope imaging. AFM enabled the examination of the fracture surface morphology locally with nanometer scale resolution. Short range, nanofracture mechanisms can be discerned for glass by atomic force microscopy.
Use of radiolabelled iododeoxyuridine as adjuvant treatment for experimental tumours of the liver

Background The aim of the study was to determine whether hepatic regeneration stimulates growth of tumour residing within the liver, and whether a difference in the rate of DNA synthesis in liver and tumour may be used to target cancer using the radiolabelled thymidine analogue 5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine (IUdR). Methods Partial hepatectomy was performed on Buffalo rats bearing solitary nodules of syngeneic Morris hepatoma. Liver and tumour DNA synthesis was measured by incorporation of radioactive IUdR. [125I]IUdR was tested as an adjuvant therapy after hepatectomy in Buffalo rats bearing diffuse microscopic Morris hepatomas to simulate the clinical situation. Results Liver regeneration enhanced liver and tumour DNA synthesis as measured by incorporation of radioactive IUdR. Liver DNA synthesis returned to baseline by 7 days, whereas tumour DNA synthesis remained above baseline level. Hepatectomy enhanced the growth of microscopic liver tumours. [125I]IUdR (250 µCi or 1 mCi/kg) administered 4 days after hepatectomy significantly reduced tumour growth without signs of systemic toxicity or liver dysfunction. Conclusion The local environment of the regenerating liver stimulates tumour growth. The thymidine analogue [125I]IUdR may be used preferentially to target tumour DNA synthesis in the regenerating liver, and may prove useful as an adjuvant therapy for hepatic tumours after surgical resection. Copyright © 2003 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Down the rabbit hole of centromere assembly and dynamics

The centromere is perhaps the most iconic feature on a eukaryotic chromosome. An amateur enthusiast equipped with a light microscope can easily identify the center of each metacentric chromosome, marking the spot responsible for accurate genome segregation. This review will highlight findings that provide novel insights into how centromeres are assembled and disassembled, the role centromeric proteins play in repair, epigenetic features uniquely found at the centromere, and the three dimensional organization of centromeres caught in the act of mitosis. These advances have unveiled a veritable wonderland of non-canonical features that drive centromere function.
Performance Comparison of Four Triage Based Patient Flow Interventions in the Emergency Department

Numerous efforts have been put forth into eliminating the adverse effects that come along with Emergency Department overcrowding, such as long waiting times, patients leaving without being seen and deterioration of quality of care. From the published patient flow improvement interventions, we focus on strategies that are widely discussed in the relevant literature: FIFO with priority, fast track, physician triage and team triage. The effectiveness of these interventions is shown through mostly observational and a limited number of controlled studies, where only a specific intervention is studied. However, these 'success stories' help little when alternatives are not compared properly. To overcome this problem, we propose a simulation approach to examine these interventions in a controlled environment and to enable the sensitivity analyses of critical ED parameters such as resources or patients' inputs. A patient risk–adjusted ED performance measurement is also proposed to guide future implementations.
ABC's, 123's, and the Golden Rule: The Pacifying Effect of Education on Civil War, 1980–1999

This study examines two ways by which education might affect the probability of civil war onset. First, educational investment provides a strong signal to the people that the government is attempting to improve their lives, which is apt to lower grievances, even in desperate times. Second, education can generate economic, political, and social stability by giving people tools with which they can resolve disputes peacefully, making them less likely to incur the risks involved in joining a rebellion. This theory is tested by examining the effect of educational expenditures, enrollment levels, and literacy rates on the probability of civil war onset from 1980 through 1999. The results provide evidence for both the grievance and stability arguments, providing strong support for the pacifying effects of education on civil war.
Refractive Index of Aqueous HCl Solutions and the Composition of the Venus Clouds

PROGRESS in the observation and theoretical interpretation of polarized reflected sunlight has led to a precise knowledge of the refractive index, particle size and shape, and altitude of the top of the Venus clouds1–3. Hansen concluded that the cloud particles are spherical liquid droplets of extremely uniform size, with mean radii very near 1 µm, with a refractive index of 1.45±0.02 near λ = 0.55 µm. These particles are found near the 50 mbar pressure level, compared with the usual estimates of 150 mbar for the “line-forming region” in which multiply scattered infrared photons undergo the most absorption and where the clouds become opaque enough to limit deeper penetration of sunlight. The temperature at the 150 mbar level is near 240 K. Theoretical calculations on the atmospheric structure above this level suggest a temperature possibly as low as 180–210 K at the 50 mbar level4.
Novel Bioactive Clerodane Diterpenoids from the Leaves and Twigs of Casearia sylvestris

Fractionation of a methanol extract of the leaves and twigs of Casearia sylvestris, as directed by activity against KB cell cytotoxicity, led to the isolation of three novel clerodane diterpenoids, casearvestrins A-C (1-3). The structures of 1-3 were deduced from one- and two-dimensional NMR experiments, including relative stereochemical assignments based on ROESY correlations and COSY coupling constants. All three compounds displayed promising bioactivity, both in cytotoxicity assays against a panel of tumor cell lines and in antifungal assays via the growth inhibition of Aspergillus niger in a disk diffusion assay.
Radiation‐induced copolymerization of vinylphosphonic dichloride with methyl methacrylate and styrene

The γ-ray-induced copolymerization of vinylphosphonic dichloride (VPDC) with methyl methacrylate (MMA) and styrene (St) was studied at 25°C (liquid phase) and −78°C (Solid phase). The reaction mechanisms are discussed. The reactivity ratios for the copolymerization of the VPDC–MMA system were determined as follows: The difference between the reactivity between the liquid-phase (25°C) and solid-phase (−78°C) copolymerization is mainly attributable to the r2 value. The behavior of the liquid-phase copolymerization of the VPDC–St system was anomalous, the r1 value being negative in the range from 0 to 80 mole-% of VPDC monomer. In the solid-phase (−78°C) copolymerization for the VPDC–St system, the reactivity ratios r1 and r2 were 0.097 and 1.6, respectively. The rate of copolymerization (Rp) at 25°C, for both the VPDC–MMA and VPDC–St systems, passes a maximum point at a certain monomer concentration, suggesting that the composition of copolymer is considerably affected by Rp. This phenomenon was interpreted by the assumption that an energy transfer reaction from VPDC monomer to the other vinyl compound can easily occur.
Assessment of vital registration completeness for 1990–2010: a systematic analysis

Abstract Background Complete vital registration (VR) systems count all deaths in a population, thereby producing accurate death numbers that can aid policy makers in allocating resources. This study estimates completeness over time for death registration in adult age groups and children under age 5 years using all available VR data and the most up-to-date methods for over 100 countries. Methods The VR database was compiled from a variety of sources, including WHO, Human Mortality Database, Demographic Yearbook by the United Nations Statistics Division, and country-specific statistical agencies. Completeness was calculated using death distribution methods for adults between 15 and 59 years. Completeness of under-5 death registration was calculated by comparing the probability of survival from birth to age 5 with the final Global Burden of Disease 2010 Study country-specific estimates. A full time series of completeness estimates for both adults and under-5 deaths were calculated from 1990 to 2010. Findings There were 110 countries reporting deaths using VR systems in 2004, the most abundant year for country reporting in our database. In 1990, there were a total of 103 countries reporting deaths with VR systems. Major information gaps persist worldwide, especially in Africa. In 2004, our VR database has information for three countries in Africa, with no representation from central or western sub-Saharan Africa. This is in stark contrast to the information available in western Europe, where 22 countries reported for 2004. The number of countries with under 50% completeness decreased from 1990 to 2004, while the number with over 90% completeness has increased. Of the 56 countries with both under-5 and adult VR in 1990 and 2004, 33 improved completeness while 23 experienced some decrease in completeness. Interpretation Strengthening VR systems is essential to accurately measure the number of deaths in a country. This study found that in the period analysed, VR completeness improved slowly, but decreases in completeness were seen in some countries. Complete death registration will allow countries to accurately measure their burden of mortality and monitor progress, and should therefore be prioritised. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Horse heart ferricytochrome c: conformation and heme configuration of low ionic strength acidic forms.

Resonance Raman, absorption and circular dichroism spectroscopic studies of the stable forms of horse heart ferricytochromec in thepH range 6–0.8 and at the lowest possible ionic strengths, in water, and at 30°C are reported. The neutralpH form, state III, changes to the acidicpH form, state I, through a three-step process: state III ↔ state IIIa ↔ state II ↔ state I, with pKa's of 3.6±0.3, 2.7±0.2, and 1.2±0.2, depending on the monitoring probe, respectively. State IIIa ferricytochromec is like state III (i.e., with the Met-80-sulfur-iron linkage and a closed heme crevice) but with a higher degree of folding and a slightly larger porphyrin core. State II ferricytochromec is an unfolded form with an open heme crevice and no Met-80-sulfur-iron linkage. The heme iron is high-spin and hexacoordinated with weak ligand-field groups, water, and nitrogen of the protonated/hydrogen-bonded imidazole of the His-18 residue at the axial positions. The state I form also lacks the Met-80-sulfur-iron linkage and has an open heme crevice like the state II form; however, it is less unfolded and has a high-spin pentacoordinated heme iron, with the nitrogen of the imidazole of His-18 as the axial ligate, which is out of the porphyrin plane by about 0.45 A.
There’s No Place Like Home: Redefining Commitment:

This case presents a couple struggling with their definition of commitment. Their initial definition of commitment focused on what they were each giving up for the relationship and not on what each were receiving. Redefining commitment to create a more honoring definition changed the intimacy level in the relationship.
Labor length among overweight and obese women undergoing induction of labor

AbstractObjective: Maternal weight is thought to impact labor. With rising rates of obesity and inductions, we sought to evaluate labor times among induced women by body mass index (BMI) category.Methods: Retrospective cohort study of term inductions from 2005 to 2010. BMI categories were: normal weight (NW), overweight (OW), and obese (Ob) (18.5–24.9, 25–29.9, ≥30 kg/m2). Kruskal–Wallis tests compared median latent labor (LL) length and active labor (AL) length. Chi-square determined associations. Multivariable logistic regression controlled for confounders. Analyses were stratified by parity.Results: A total of 448 inductions were analyzed. For nulliparas, there was no difference in LL by BMI category (p = 0.22). However, OW nulliparas had a longer AL compared to NW and Ob nulliparas (3.2, 1.7, 2.0 h, p = 0.005). For multiparas, NW had the shortest LL (5.5 h, p = 0.025) with no difference in AL among BMI categories (p = 0.42). The overall cesarean rate was 23% with no difference by BMI category (p = 0.9...
Photosynthesis, fluorescence, shoot biomass and seed weight responses of three cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) cultivars with contrasting sensitivity to UV-B radiation

Abstract Current and projected increases in ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation (280–320 nm) may alter crop production. An experiment was conducted to study the influence of UV-B radiation on photosynthetic CO2 assimilation, photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry, pigments, UV-B absorbing compounds, vegetative and reproductive growth responses of three cowpea cultivars, California Blackeye (CB)-5, CB-27, and Mississippi Pinkeye (MPE). Cowpea cultivars were subjected to four levels of biologically effective UV-B radiation of 0 (control), 5, 10 and 15 kJ m−2 d−1 from 8 days after emergence (DAE) to maturity of the crop in sunlit, controlled environment chambers. Increase in UV-B radiation caused a decrease in maximum light-saturated photosynthesis (Amax) in all the three cultivars, but the magnitude of decrease varied, 12% in MPE, 37% in CB-27, and 43% in CB-5 at 15 kJ of UV-B. The lower damaging effect of UV-B on Amax in MPE was supported by a smaller decrease in maximum rate of Rubisco activity (Vcmax) coupled with higher levels of light-saturated rate of electron transport (Jmax) compared to other sensitive cultivars, CB-5 and CB-27. The tolerance nature of MPE was further evidenced by less or no effect of UV-B on photosynthetic electron transport rate (ETR), photochemical quenching (qP), and quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (ΦPSII) compared to CB-5 and CB-27 across the UV-B treatments. Further, maximal electron transport rates (ETRmax) estimated at saturated light substantially decreased with increase in UV-B in CB-5 and CB-27, while there was no or less influence on MPE. All cultivars showed linear relationship between ΦPSII and quantum yield of CO2 fixation ( Φ C O 2 ) derived from light–response curves and internal-CO2-response curves of chlorophyll a (Chla) fluorescence. MPE maintained significantly higher concentration of UV-B absorbing compounds compared to the CB-5 and CB-27 across UV-B levels. Plants grown at elevated UV-B radiation produced significantly lower plant and seed dry weights in both the sensitive cultivars (CB-5 and CB-27) while the effect on MPE was minimal. This study revealed that the current and projected UV-B radiation could significantly decrease the growth and yield of sensitive cowpea cultivars, possibly caused by reduction in the photosynthetic efficiency of plants. In general, MPE showed more tolerance to UV-B radiation based on most of the parameters studied as compared to the CB-5 and CB-27.
Further asymptotic upper bounds on the minimum distance of trellis codes

Asymptotic upper bounds on the minimum distance of trellis codes are derived. A universal bound and bounds specific to phase-shift keying (PSK) and quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signal sets are obtained. >
The hydriding and dehydriding kinetics of some LaNi5−χAlχ alloys

Abstract In this study, kinetics measurements were performed on alloys of the general composition LaNi 5−χ Al χ ( X =0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3). It is known that replacing a portion of the Ni in LaNi 5 with aluminum drastically lowers the plateau pressure of the hydride and it was of interest to determine what, if any, effect this might have on the rates of hydrogen uptake and release. In all cases, the measurements were taken in the two phase (α-β) region under isothermal and isobaric conditions. A heat buffer, which consisted of 95 wt.% aluminum powder, was used to maintain isothermal conditions. Constant pressure driving forces were achieved by setting the ratio of the applied pressure to the equilibrium plateau pressure to the same value in each of the experiments. Prior to analysis, each sample was subjected to an identical number of hydriding- dehydriding cycles to assure that the surface was clean and that a consistent particle size distribution was achieved. Under these conditions, the reaction rates decreased with increasing aluminum content. Since an increase in the aluminum content of the LaNi 5−χ Al χ -H system increased the hydride stability but decreased the reaction rate, it was concluded that reaction rates are inversely proportional to hydride stability.
Administering Cash Balance Pension Plans to Conform With Qualified Divorce Orders

This article provides an overview of the unique issues that normally arise under a cash balance pension plan to conform with qualified domestic relations orders (or QDRO). Presently, many plan administrators treat a cash balance plan just like a defined contribution plan only to find that the benefits within a cash balance plan are not as easily divided as those within a defined contribution plan. The apparent similarity of hypothetical account balances in a cash balance plan and the actual account balances in a 401(k) plan can result in mishandled QDROs. The similarities between a cash balance plan and a traditional defined benefit plan can also confound plan administrators, particularly when a defined benefit plan was subsequently converted to cash balance plan. Then all or a part of a participant’s benefit subject to a QDRO has the option to be determined under a traditional defined benefit formula, such as a percentage of final average pay. And while a QDRO administered under a pure cash balance plan ...
Finite-state modulation codes for data storage

The authors provide a self-contained exposition of modulation code design methods based upon the state splitting algorithm. They review the necessary background on finite state transition diagrams, constrained systems, and Shannon (1948) capacity. The state splitting algorithm for constructing finite state encoders is presented and summarized in a step-by-step fashion. These encoders automatically have state-dependent decoders. It is shown that for the class of finite-type constrained systems, the encoders constructed can be made to have sliding-block decoders. The authors consider practical techniques for reducing the number of encoder states as well as the size of the sliding-block decoder window. They discuss the class of almost-finite-type systems and state the general results which yield noncatastrophic encoders. The techniques are applied to the design of several codes of interest in digital data recording. >
Do regulated microfinance institutions achieve better sustainability and outreach? Cross-country evidence

In spite of increasing pressure on microfinance institutions (MFIs) operating in developing countries to transform into regulated financial intermediaries, to date, no study has investigated whether regulated MFIs actually achieve better financial results and reach more poor clients than nonregulated MFIs. This article explores the impact of regulation on MFI performance using newly released data for 114 MFIs from 62 countries in an empirical model where performance is specified as a function of MFI-specific, regulatory, macroeconomic and institutional variables. Consistent with recent cross-country evidence on the impact of banking regulations on bank performance (Barth et al ., 2004), this article finds that regulatory involvement does not directly affect performance either in terms of operational self-sustainability or outreach. The article also finds that less leveraged MFIs have better sustainability. The policy implication is that MFIs’ transformation into regulated financial institutions is may not...
Hazardous Waste Site Cleanup and Neighborhood Redevelopment: An Opportunity to Address Multiple Socially Desirable Goals

The United States` hazardous waste site remediation programs are being challenged for lacking cost-effectiveness. We argue that these expensive programs will be more cost-effective and viable politically if economic and social analyses are included explicitly in risk analyses. Using data from surveys of people living within one-half-mile of seven hazardous waste sites, we show that some neighborhoods offer the opportunity for joint site remediation and neighborhood redevelopment programs Mechanisms are suggested that would permit the United States Environmental Protection Agency to implement neighborhood environmental and redevelopment programs. 35 refs.
-Plot for Testing Spherical Symmetry for High-Dimensional Data with a Small Sample Size

High-dimensional data with a small sample size, such as microarray data and image data, are commonly encountered in some practical problems for which many variables have to be measured but it is too costly or time consuming to repeat the measurements for many times. Analysis of this kind of data poses a great challenge for statisticians. In this paper, we develop a new graphical method for testing spherical symmetry that is especially suitable for high-dimensional data with small sample size. The new graphical method associated with the local acceptance regions can provide a quick visual perception on the assumption of spherical symmetry. The performance of the new graphical method is demonstrated by a Monte Carlo study and illustrated by a real data set.
Key distributions as musical fingerprints for similarity assessment

This paper presents a pitch-based approach for creating musical fingerprints for similarity assessment. An effective measure for musical similarity impacts music indexing and classification in music retrieval systems. The proposed method creates key distributions from polyphonic music, and compares the key distributions of pairs of pieces, by calculating their correlation coefficient, to determine a degree of similarity between them. The proposed method assumes no knowledge of the time structure of the piece, nor does it require pieces to be the same length. We present results using this method to assess similarity among selected variations by Mozart. The results show that the correlation coefficients of pieces from the same set of variations are centered on 0.88 (with a standard deviation of 0.11), and that of pieces across different sets of variations are centered on 0.32 (with a standard deviation of 0.31).
Genetic Requirements for Salmonella-Induced Cytopathology in Human Monocyte-Derived Macrophages

Infection of human macrophages with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium or Salmonella enterica serovar Dublin produces delayed cytotoxicity characterized by cell detachment and associated apoptosis. Using a site-specific mutant in the SpvB active site, we verify that the ADP-ribosylation activity of SpvB is required for delayed cytotoxicity in human macrophages infected with Salmonella. SipB and the type III protein secretion system (TTSS) encoded by Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI1) are not involved, whereas the SPI2 TTSS is absolutely required for SpvB-dependent cytotoxicity. Furthermore, we show that infection of macrophage cultures with wild-type or sipB mutant bacteria led to a complete loss of polymerized actin in over half of the cells after 24 h. In contrast, macrophages infected with the spvB or SPI2 (ssaV or ssaJ) mutant strain retained normal F-actin filaments, despite similar numbers of intracellular bacteria. We conclude that SpvB and a functional SPI2 TTSS are essential for Salmonella-induced delayed cytotoxicity of human macrophages.
Structural distortion below the Néel temperature in spinel GeCo 2 O 4

A structural phase transition from cubic $Fd\overline{3}m$ to tetragonal $I4{}_{1}/amd$ symmetry with $c/ag 1$ is observed at ${T}_{S}=16$ K in spinel ${\mathrm{GeCo}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ below the N\'eel temperature ${T}_{N}=21$ K. Structural and magnetic ordering appear to be decoupled with the structural distortion occurring at 16 K while magnetic order occurs at 21 K as determined by magnetic susceptibility and heat capacity measurements. An elongation of ${\mathrm{CoO}}_{6}$ octahedra is observed in the tetragonal phase of ${\mathrm{GeCo}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$. We present the complete crystallographic description of ${\mathrm{GeCo}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ in the tetragonal $I4{}_{1}/amd$ space group and discuss the possible origin of this distortion in the context of known structural transitions in magnetic spinels. ${\mathrm{GeCo}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ exhibits magnetodielectric coupling below ${T}_{N}$. The related spinels ${\mathrm{GeFe}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ and ${\mathrm{GeNi}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ have also been examined for comparison. Structural transitions were not detected in either compound down to $T\ensuremath{\approx}8$ K. Magnetometry experiments reveal in ${\mathrm{GeFe}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ a second antiferromagnetic transition, with ${T}_{N1}=7.9$ K and ${T}_{N2}=6.2$ K, that was previously unknown and that bears a similarity to the magnetism of ${\mathrm{GeNi}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$.
Information transmission using phase coupling

The ability to transmit via the presence or absence of phase coupling is investigated. A ternary hypothesis problem, with one signal zero, one signal composed of harmonically related cosines each with a random phase, and one signal composed of harmonically related and phase coupled cosines, is examined. The optimal detector with perfect knowledge, the Bayes optimal detector under the assumption of unknown phase, and a heuristic detector, based on higher-order moments, are designed and analyzed. It is shown that the moment-based detector can distinguish between the three hypotheses, without the exact phases being known. >
The Embodied Mind and the Origins of Human Culture

The notion of the transcendent disembodied mind has almost disappeared from contemporary cognitive science. But research on the embodied mind faces a central problem: presumably, all mammals have embodied minds, but only cognitively modern human beings have robust culture. An embodied mind is evidently insufficient: A community of embodied minds need not have robust culture. In fact, almost no communities of embodied minds have anything approaching robust culture. How then do we explain the origins and development of culture? Pointing to embodied minds does not point us to an answer. Nor can we look to other species for clues to the origin and nature of culture, given that there are no good animal models for human culture. This article explores an example of rapid cultural innovation during the last many decades, one that is now powerfully influential world-wide. It proposes an explanation for the origin of human culture.
Co-Constructing Inquiry-based Science with Teachers: Essential Research for Lasting Reform.

In this article we assert a potential research agenda for the teaching and learning of science as inquiry as part of the JRST series on reform in science education. Drawing on the theoretical frameworks of cognitive and sociocultural constructivism, cultural models of meaning, the dialogic function of language, and transformational models of teacher education, we propose that more research is needed in the areas of teachers' beliefs, knowledge, and practices of inquiry-based science, as well as, student learning. Because the efficacy of reform efforts rest largely with teachers, their voices need to be included in the design and implementation of inquiry-based curriculum. As we review the literature and pose future research questions, we propose that particular attention be paid to research on inquiry in diverse classrooms, and to modes of inquiry-based instruction that are designed by teachers. fl 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 38: 631 - 645, 2001 Today's reform rhetoric has revived the concept of inquiry as representing the essence of science education. Reform documents such as the National Science Education Standards are promoting inquiry as the ''central strategy for teaching science.'' The editors of the Journal of Research in Science Teaching have encouraged dialogue on the efficacy of programs, such as inquiry-based science, that are being initiated or implemented in our schools. The editors state, ''this reform effort represents unfinished business for the science education community. Despite the seeming efficacy of the goals and claims that underlie current reform, there has been little formal, scholarly effort on the part of the science education community to ground the reform carefully in research.'' As part of a series of articles in JRST that explore the relationship between research and reform, this article discusses the need for research on the topic of inquiry. The purpose of this article is to propose a direction for future research on inquiry that places teacher knowledge, actions, and meanings for inquiry-based science at the center of the reform process. The proposal of a research agenda for inquiry approaches that are centered on teacher beliefs and knowledge may accelerate the production of a research literature that bridges the theory - practice gap in this important area. In this article, we present the position that additional
Does 2-Methoxyestradiol Represent the New and Improved Hormone Replacement Therapy for Atherosclerosis?

See related article, pages 266–274 Much data from animal research1 and clinical studies2–4 indicate that estrogen can slow the development of atherosclerosis by inhibiting atherogenesis. Treatment with 17β-estradiol (E2) markedly inhibits the initiation and progression of coronary atherosclerotic plaques in several animal models of atherosclerosis.1 These studies have not only established the atheroprotective effects of E2 but have also shed light on the mechanisms of atheroprotection. Estrogen lowers major risk factors for developing atheroma plaques, such as lowering the risk for developing hypercholesterolemia. Initiation of the atherogenic response is promoted by hypercholesterolemia because chronic high levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream lead to prolonged retention of low-density lipoproteins in the subendothelial space.4,5 The renin–angiotensin system (RAS) modulates several components of atherosclerotic process, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and hypertrophy of the vascular wall,6 and estrogen modulates most of, if not all, the components of the RAS cascade, including the synthesis of angiotensin II (Ang II), the key mediator of the RAS, and the 2 receptor subtypes (AT1 and AT2) that mediate Ang II action. Both animal7 and clinical studies8 demonstrate that estrogen inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme activity, resulting in decreased levels of Ang II in the circulation and in specific tissues, including the aorta. Furthermore, E2 reduces the membrane density of AT1 receptors in many Ang II target tissues, including the vasculature,9 which is the same receptor that is targeted clinically to inhibit the progression of atherosclerosis through the use of AT1 receptor antagonists. The NO system is another signaling pathway that is regulated by estrogen and that plays a key role in modulating atherosclerosis. Estrogen upregulates the activity and expression of the endothelial isoform of NO synthase (eNOS). The resulting increase in endothelium-derived NO has …
Short-term pituitary-testicular responses of prepubertal ram lambs to hemicastration.

To examine the short-term effects of hemicastration on pituitary-gonadal responses, 12 ram lambs were anesthetized and hemicastrated at 4 mo of age and killed (n = 4) at 2 (HC2), 7 (HG 7), or 14 (HC14) days following surgery. Four intact (INT) rams were killed 14 days following anesthesia. Testis and pituitary weights were similar between HC and INT rams. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in HG rams increased within 6 h, peaked at 12 h, and remained elevated above 1NT levels throughout the study. Overall mean serum testosterone levels in HG rams were lower than in INT rams for the first 48 h, but were similar by 3 days post-surgery. Pulsatile luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone secretion was suppressed for the first 9.5 h following anesthesia and/or surgery in both HG and INT animals. A single LH pulse and succeeding testosterone pulse occurred in 10/12 HG and 4/4 INT rams between 10 and 14 h post-surgery, both of which were lower in amplitude in HG than INT animals. However, on Day 7, pulsatile secretory patterns of LH and testosterone were similar: suggesting compensatory androgen secretion had occurred in HG rams. Pituitary LH content was unaffected by hemicastration. in contrast, pituitary FSH content was greater in HG7 and HG14 compared to HG2 and INT animals. Pituitary gonadotropin hormone-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor concentrations were similar in INT, HG7, and HG14 rams, but were slightly reduced in HG2 rams. Neither testicular LH nor FSH receptor concentrations were altered by hemicastration at any time. These data indicate that the rapid increase in serum FSH observed after hemicastration is due to an increase in pituitary FSH synthesis and secretion, which is independent of changes in pituitary GnRH receptors. in addition, compensatory testosterone secretion by the remaining testis in HG rams occurred in the absence of alterations in testis size, LH secretion, or testicular gonad otropin receptors.
Comparing and Evaluating Semantic Data Automatically Extracted from Text

One way to obtain large amounts of semantic data is to extract facts from the vast quantities of text that is now available on-line. The relatively low accuracy of current information extraction techniques introduces a need for evaluating the quality of the knowledge bases (KBs) they generate. We frame the problem as comparing KBs generated by different systems from the same documents and show that exploiting provenance leads to more efficient techniques for aligning them and identifying their differences. We describe two types of tools: entity-match focuses on differences in entities found and linked; kbdiff focuses on differences in relations among those entities. Together, these tools support assessment of relative KB accuracy by sampling the parts of two KBs that disagree. We explore the usefulness of the tools through the construction of tens of different KBs built from the same 26,000 Washington Post articles and identifying the differences.
Urinary Glucose Measurement

A method is described that appears to be more suitable for urinary glucose determination than the glucose oxidase, or any other method, and one that is reliable, accurate, and highly specific.
Complications requiring reoperation following pancreatectomy

Conclusions In this series, the overall reoperative rate following pancreatic surgery is 9%. Complications following pancreatectomy that require reoperation fall into four categories: hemorrhage, infectous, delayed gastric emptying, and anastomotic leak. A delay in the management of these types of complications can be fatal.
Spaces That Teach

When I arrived at Somo’s, she was cooking palm nut soup alongside the wall of the showerroom, in the shaded area at the rear of the compound. Her sister’s daughter came out to help her, by preparing cassava and plantain to be cooked. After bathing, her sister Faustina also came outside to cook, situating herself near the kitchen shelter. While Somo cooked, her eldest son bathed her youngest daughter. Another member of the patrilineage and resident of the compound sat in the yard. But there was no cross-conversation; each was attending to his or her task. There were no apparent physical divisions bounding each activity area, yet territories were recognized and respected. I wondered how each knew where her cooking spot was, how she maintained her distance, or sensed when it was appropriate to chat up one of the others.1
Introduction: American Indian Languages in Unexpected Places

This special issue of the American Indian Culture and Research Journal brings together a set of essays that integrate two seemingly disparate intellectual trends in the humanities and social sciences. On the one hand, there is Philip Deloria’s work about American Indians in “unexpected places.”1 On the other hand, there is the work of linguistic anthropology. Deloria’s writings have been integral to the growing corpus of critical approaches to the study of Native peoples, including the ways in which representational practices of the past continue to resonate and the ways in which (de)colonization of indigenous histories and structural (in)equities are intertwined.2 We say “seemingly disparate” because this line of scholarship, including Deloria’s work, is concerned with the naturalization of inequalities, the ways in which expectations about Native American peoples have led to a denial of coevalness.3 However, there is also a tradition in linguistic anthropology that has sought to understand the ways in which linguistic inequalities are naturalized and circulated. Our intervention is to place linguistic anthropology in a meaningful dialogue with contemporary indigenous studies. Deloria’s Indians in Unexpected Places challenged the representational “expectations” and “anomalies” of American Indians in history and popular culture. Deloria called for examining why certain imageries and practices have been
Development of edge effects around experimental ecosystem hotspots is affected by hotspot density and matrix type

Ecological edge effects are sensitive to landscape context, including matrix type and the presence of other nearby edges. In sub-Saharan Africa, temporary cattle corrals (bomas) develop into productive nutrient hotspots (glades) that attract diverse wildlife and persist for decades. Building on previous descriptive work, we experimentally altered boma configurations in an African savanna and asked how boma density and matrix type (open plains vs. bushland) influence the development of edge effects around abandoned bomas. We randomly assigned eleven plots to three treatments: one boma, two bomas 200 m apart, or two bomas 100 m apart. Before boma establishment and ≥18 months after boma abandonment, we sampled soil nutrients, foliar nutrients, plant communities, and large herbivore use at each plot. Bomas developed into glade hotspots with elevated nutrient concentrations, altered vegetation, and elevated use by large herbivores. Few edge effects were detectable at distances ≥50 m. Both glade density and matrix type affected the development of edge effects around experimental glades. When compared to patterns around single glades, the presence of a second glade 100 m away strengthened glade edge effects (more difference between glade and matrix), but the presence of a second glade 200 m away weakened edge effects. Vegetation edge effects were stronger in bushland areas than open plains, while wildlife shifts were strongest along the bushland-plain interface. Our results highlight the potential for edge effect variability in complex landscapes, and show that manipulative experiments can help illuminate causes and consequences of that variability.
Pediatric Auditory Brainstem Implant Surgery: A New Option for Auditory Habilitation in Congenital Deafness?

Introduction: The auditory brainstem implant (ABI) is a neuroprosthetic device that provides sound sensations to individuals with profound hearing loss who are not candidates for a cochlear implant (CI) because of anatomic constraints. Herein we describe the ABI for family physicians. Methods: PubMed was searched to identify articles relevant to the ABI, as well as articles that contain outcomes data for pediatric patients (age Results: The ABI was originally developed for patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) who become deaf from bilateral vestibular schwannomas. Over the past decade, indications for an ABI have expanded to adult patients without tumors (without NF2) who cannot receive a CI and children with no cochlea or cochlear nerve. Outcomes among NF2 ABI users are modest compared to cochlear implant patients, but recent studies from Europe suggest that some non-tumor adult and pediatric ABI users achieve speech perception. Conclusion: The ABI is a reasonable surgical option for children with profound hearing loss due to severe cochlear or cochlear nerve deformities. Continued prospective data collection from several clinical trials in the U.S. will provide greater understanding on long term outcomes that focus on speech intelligibility.
Effect of Rare Earth Additions on Grain Refinement of Plain Carbon Steels

This paper describes a set of experiments with misch metal and rare earth silicide additions in 1010 and 1030 steel to determine whether grain refinement occurs. Target rare earth (RE) contents of 0.1 and 0.2% were employed. After melting, the desired RE addition was added during tapping and then poured into green sand molds. The resulting test plates were then sectioned for tensile and metallographic testing. Yield strength increased for several of the 1010 and 1030 samples. The increase in yield strength correlated with a reduction in grain size. A dramatic increase in percent elongation was also observed in the 1010 sample with the smallest grain size. Electron microscopy found complex RE oxides. These oxides appear to act as heterogeneous nuclei. When they were coated with another slag, the grain size and mechanical properties were similar to the baseline material in both the 1010 and 1030.
Studies in the Development of two Myriangium Species and the Systematic Position of the Order Myriangiales

The characters of Myriangium Duriaei and M. Curtisii have been studied in serial sections. The fertile disc in the former arises from one archicarp, and consists of asci and ascogenous hyphae; whil...
Customer Boards as Vehicles of Change in Enterprise Software User Experience

Traditional user-centered design processes do not leverage long-term customer-vendor relationships as a means of improving product usability. While designing a next-generation applications software suite, Oracle reached out to its most-involved customers for creative solutions to common user-experience issues. The mission of the Oracle Usability Advisory Board was to take enterprise software to a whole new level in usability. The board consisted of executives and senior managers primarily in information technology positions in different types of organizations. The board identified three major areas where it wanted to improve usability: consistency and design, integration and performance, and Web 2.0. Through various working groups, the board has developed tools for obtaining customer feedback on product usability, online seminars on technical topics, and outreach mechanisms to other customers. The board has effectively become Oracle's partner in ensuring product understanding and use, thus setting the stage for improved usability in the next-generation product.
A Multiple Robot Simulation and Remote Control Environment Utilizing a Computer Graphics Display

An environment is presented for multiple robot simulation and remote control utilizing a graphics display device. A computer graphics program was developed to simulate the motions of two Microbots on an Evans and Sutherland PS300 graphics display device. It provides a visual representation of both robots including the ability to move them to various positions within the workcell. Different views of the workspace can be selected, including mono, stereo, orthographic composite, and views from the gripper of either or both Microbots.
Local Intra-wound Administration of Powdered Antibiotics in Orthopaedic Surgery

Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common complications after orthopaedic surgery, leading to significant morbidity and its associated costs. Surgical guidelines strongly recommend the use of systemic antibiotic prophylaxis to reduce the risk for developing SSI. Locally administered powdered antibiotics have the potential to provide remarkably high intra-wound concentrations without risk for systemic toxicity. However, a paucity of high quality evidence in the orthopaedic literature has prevented widespread adoption of this technique. The majority of clinical studies on local intra-wound antibiotics have evaluated the use of topical powdered vancomycin in spinal surgery, though only a single prospective study currently exists. This review will discuss all the available evidence describing the effectiveness, pharmacokinetics, and potential adverse effects with the use of topical powdered antibiotics in orthopedic surgery.
Rare earth element extraction from pretreated bastnäsite in supercritical carbon dioxide

Abstract Rare earth elements are a critical component in many clean energy technologies. Extraction of individual rare earth elements from natural ores or recycled material is challenging due to the very similar chemical properties across the lanthanide series. Supercritical carbon dioxide has emerged in recent years as a possible extraction medium for rare earth elements, due to its tunability and selectivity as a solvent. In this study, rare earth elements were recovered from bastnasite concentrate using supercritical carbon dioxide extraction with nitric acid/tributyl phosphate adducts. Two bastnasite pretreatment methods were used to render the rare earth elements amenable to recovery: 1) dry roasting of the source material at 730 °C for 3 h, and 2) decomposition with 50% sodium hydroxide solution at 150 °C for 4 h. These pretreated powder samples were extracted in supercritical carbon dioxide at 34 MPa and 65 °C, with kinetic samples obtained at 15–30 min intervals. A range of tributyl phosphate/nitric acid adduct compositions (from 2 mol/L H+ to 6 mol/L H+) were used in order to determine the effect of adduct composition on recovery rate. The results showed the fastest extraction with an adduct containing approximately 4 mol/L H+. Adducts with higher acidity showed reduced extraction of cerium, praseodymium, and neodymium. This could be due to the formation of aqueous droplets which dissolve rare earth elements and create an equilibrium limitation, or due to competition between the rare earth nitrates and nitric acid for coordination with tributyl phosphate. Extraction with various adduct concentrations in supercritical CO2 showed the expected increase in reaction rate with increased adduct concentration. For the 4 mol/L H+ adduct at 5.0 mol% adduct concentration, roasted bastnasite recoveries were 72% for La, 96% for Ce, 88% for Pr, and 90% for Nd after 120 min. For 4 mol/L H+ adduct at 5.1 mol% adduct concentration, NaOH digested bastnasite recoveries were 93% for La, 100% for Ce, 99% for Pr, and 101% for Nd after 90 min. Though further research is needed, these results are a key step in demonstrating applicability of supercritical extraction to rare earth element ores.