cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Culture of Organizational Grit From the Perspective of U.S. Military Officers: A Qualitative Inquiry:

With the backdrop of the utility of grit at the individual level, speculation has begun to circulate that grit may exist as an organizational level phenomenon. To explore this potential construct, ...
Institutionalism and the European Union: Beyond International Relations and Comparative Politics

The growing use of institutional analysis in the study of the European Union (EU) has improved EU scholarship and rendered it more integral to the discipline of political science. Institutionalist analyses differ regarding the theoretical role of institutions and actor preferences. We classify institutionalist approaches to the EU by their theoretical treatment (exogenous or endogenous) of institutions and preferences. Analyses at the research frontier transcend these categories and offer the promise of an improved understanding of EU politics and a greater contribution by EU studies to the broader discipline of political science.
Design Technology Co-Optimization for Back-End-of-Line Nonvolatile NEM Switch Arrays

Design tradeoffs for vertically oriented nonvolatile (NV) nano-electro-mechanical (NEM) switches implemented using multiple interconnect layers in a 5-nm-generation CMOS back-end-of-line (BEOL) process are investigated via 3-D device simulation. Programming pulse voltage and width operating windows are identified for avoiding catastrophic pull-in. The simulation results indicate that sub-20-ns programming delay is possible with programming voltages compatible with standard input–output (I/O) CMOS circuitry, and that the write energy of an NV-NEM bit-cell will be less than 5 aJ. A crossbar array architecture operated with a half-select row/column bit-cell programming scheme is found to be effective for avoiding the issue of write disturbance.
Quantitative prediction of rapid solidification by integrated atomistic and phase-field modeling

Abstract Systematic integration of atomistic simulations with phase-field modeling is presented for quantitative predictions of cellular growth and solute trapping during solidification of alloys for solidification velocities relevant to additive manufacturing. For parametrization of the phase-field model, molecular dynamics simulations are utilized as an alternative to complex experiments to obtain the anisotropic crystal-melt interface free energy, kinetic coefficient, and diffusive interface velocity. The accuracy of this integrated model is tested for rapid solidification of Ti-3.4at.%Ni alloy. The predicted solute trapping of the proposed phase-field model is comparable with the continuous growth model for solidification velocities of additive manufacturing. The predicted primary dendritic arm spacing is weakly dependent on the diffuse interface width enabling simulations in larger length scales. The concentration profile and partition coefficient obtained from both two-and three-dimensional phase-field simulations are comparable to the results of Kurz-Fisher's analytical and continuous growth models, respectively. Unlike other computational models for rapid solidification, the proposed model enables predictions completely based on computations without fitting to experiments.
Former Members of the U.S. Congress and Fraud Enforcement: Does it Help to Have Politically Connected Friends on the Board?

We investigate the relationship between the presence of former member of the U.S. Congress on corporate boards and fraud enforcement. We find that corporate fraud in companies with such members on the board stays undetected longer. When caught, such companies pay lower penalties. The appointment of former Congressional members to the board also lessens the probability of the company being subjected to Accounting and Auditing Enforcement Releases by the SEC after they face class-action lawsuits for fraudulent activities. Our results remain robust to the presence of other means of making political connections, such as lobbying, hiring revolving-door lobbyists, and contributing to political campaigns.
461 Surgical Telemedicine Clinic - Patient reported Outcome

Introduction: To evaluate the patient reported effectiveness (PROM) of surgical telemedicine clinic (STMC) introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic. Method: The study was registered as a quality improvement project and approved by the information governance team. This study was conducted at Darent Valley Hospital during the period between March-August 2020. Patients who were called as part of the STMC during COVID-19 pandemic were contacted to provide a feedback about their experience. The study is ongoing. Herein we present our initial results. Results: The target sample of 300 patients has been set. A total of 102 patients completed the questionnaire. Overall, 50% of the respondents felt the clinic performance was excellent, 28% rated this performance very good or good whilst 20% rated the clinic poor or very poor. About 80% felt reassured about their condition during the STMC. Despite the satisfactory report about the STMC, 75% reported to prefer face-to-face consultation in future. Conclusions: Patients rating of the STMC was generally well received, a great majority would prefer face-to-face consultation if given an option to choose.
The benefits of collaborative zoo exhibit design through action research

This article summarizes a research study on the iterative redesign of a zoo exhibit that focused on engaging families in the learning of science to help shift their real-world conservation practice...
Sovereign Debt Restructuring: The Centrality of the IMF's Role

Over the past 40 years, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has played a central role in the sovereign debt restructuring process. If the COVID-19 pandemic leads to a significant wave of sovereign debt distress, this role will be closely scrutinized. The paper analyzes how IMF policies have evolved to shape the incentives of sovereigns and their creditors at each stage of the sovereign debt restructuring process. It also identifies a number of issues that the IMF will likely have to address as a result of the pandemic, including (1) assessment of debt sustainability in a macroeconomic environment of considerable uncertainty, (2) treatment of official bilateral creditors, and (3) potential benefits—and challenges—of introducing additional incentives to maximize creditor participation in any debt restructuring.
The Eukaryotic-Like Ser/Thr Kinase PrkC Regulates the Essential WalRK Two-Component System in Bacillus subtilis

Most bacteria contain both eukaryotic-like Ser/Thr kinases (eSTKs) and eukaryotic-like Ser/Thr phosphatases (eSTPs). Their role in bacterial physiology is not currently well understood in large part because the conditions where the eSTKs are active are generally not known. However, all sequenced Gram-positive bacteria have a highly conserved eSTK with extracellular PASTA repeats that bind cell wall derived muropeptides. Here, we report that in the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis, the PASTA-containing eSTK PrkC and its cognate eSTP PrpC converge with the essential WalRK two-component system to regulate WalR regulon genes involved in cell wall metabolism. By continuously monitoring gene expression throughout growth, we consistently find a large PrkC-dependent effect on expression of several different WalR regulon genes in early stationary phase, including both those that are activated by WalR (yocH) as well as those that are repressed (iseA, pdaC). We demonstrate that PrkC phosphorylates WalR in vitro and in vivo on a single Thr residue located in the receiver domain. Although the phosphorylated region of the receiver domain is highly conserved among several B. subtilis response regulators, PrkC displays specificity for WalR in vitro. Consistently, strains expressing a nonphosphorylatable WalR point mutant strongly reduce both PrkC dependent activation and repression of yocH, iseA, and pdaC. This suggests a model where the eSTK PrkC regulates the essential WalRK two-component signaling system by direct phosphorylation of WalR Thr101, resulting in the regulation of WalR regulon genes involved in cell wall metabolism in stationary phase. As both the eSTK PrkC and the essential WalRK two-component system are highly conserved in Gram-positive bacteria, these results may be applicable to further understanding the role of eSTKs in Gram-positive physiology and cell wall metabolism.
Infections in Solid Tumor Patients

Over 90% of the 1.4 million new cases of cancer diagnosed in the United States in 2008 were due to solid tumors, with predominant sites being lung, breast, prostate, colorectal, bladder, and uterine cancers. While it is clear to practicing oncologists that solid tumor patients are generally at lower risk for infection-related complications overall, infections are certainly not rare in this population. Common foci include intravascular catheter-related bacteremia, pneumonias, wound and skin/soft tissue infections, and fever associated with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Nonetheless, there is little published data examining the incidence or characteristics of infections in solid tumor patients. This is not only because infection is relatively uncommon in solid tumor patients but also because sites, pathogens, and severity will vary, to a large extent, with tumor location, natural history, and the type and intensity of anticancer therapy. This variability precludes a neat summary of all the bacterial, viral, and fungal infections that occur in the solid tumor group as a whole. Instead, observational series and anecdotal reports have lead to the recognition of patterns of infection that may be considered “typical” for specific solid tumor types, or that are associated with certain antitumor treatment regimens. The goal of this chapter is to familiarize the physician with these infection profiles, so they may identify and manage them promptly and effectively.
The Legacy of Seligman’s "Phobias and Preparedness" (1971)

Seligman's (1971) classic article, "Phobias and Preparedness," marked a break from traditional conditioning theories of the etiology of phobias, inspiring a line of research integrating evolutionary theory with learning theory. In this article, I briefly sketch the context motivating the preparedness theory of phobias before summarizing the initial wave of laboratory conditioning experiments pioneered by Ohman and conducted by his team and by others to test predictions derived from Seligman's theory. Finally, I review the legacy of Seligman's article, including theoretical developments embodied in Ohman and Mineka's fear module approach as well as alternatives for explaining "preparedness" phenomena, including the selective sensitization, expectancy, and nonassociative theories. Although Seligman himself soon moved on to other topics, his seminal article in Behavior Therapy continues to inspire research more than four decades later that has deepened our understanding of the etiology of phobias.
NotI genomic cleavage map of Escherichia coli K-12 strain MG1655.

Abstract Several approaches were used to construct a complete NotI restriction enzyme cleavage map of the genome of Escherichia coli MG1655. The approaches included use of transposable element insertions that created auxotrophic mutations and introduced a NotI site into the genome, hybridization of NotI fragments to the ordered lambda library constructed by Kohara et al. (BioTechniques 10:474-477, 1991), Southern blotting of NotI digests with cloned genes as probes, and analysis of the known E. coli DNA sequence for NotI sites. In all, 22 NotI cleavage sites were mapped along with 26 transposon insertions. These sites were localized to clones in the lambda library and, when possible, sequenced genes. The map was compared with that of strain EMG2, a wild-type E. coli K-12 strain, and several differences were found, including a region of about 600 kb with an altered restriction pattern and an additional fragment in MG1655. Comparison of MG1655 with other strains revealed minor differences but indicated that this map was representative of that for many commonly used E. coli K-12 strains.
Expanding the the notion of a tenseless language: Data from Anii

There has been debate in recent years regarding the analysis of ‘tenseless languages’ (languages without overt tense marking). Some scholars (cf. Matthewson 2006) argue that such languages contain phonologically null tense marking to express temporal relations, while others (cf. Bittner 2005, Tonhauser 2011) claim that temporal interpretation in such cases comes from sources other than tense marking (e.g. context, aspectual marking, and/or Aktionsarten). This presentation will contribute to this debate by providing and analyzing data on temporal and aspectual reference in the under-documented Kwa language Anii. This data will show that Anii is a tenseless language, though in a different way from many languages that have previously been so described. An overview of Anii will show that the only potential tensed clauses in the language are those with future temporal reference and those marked with the far-past marker /bʊŋ a /. I argue that the apparent future/non-future distinction is actually a realis/irrealis contrast and that the far-past marker is not a tense marker, but a Temporal Remoteness Marker.
Church Without Dogma: Axioms for Computability

Church's and Turing's theses dogmatically assert that an informal notion of computability is captured by a particular mathematical concept. I present an analysis of computability that leads to precise concepts, but dispenses with theses. To investigate computability is to analyze processes that can in principle be carried out by calculators. Drawing on this lesson we owe to Turing and recasting work of Gandy, I formulate finiteness and locality conditions for two types of calculators, human computing agents and mechanical computing devices; the distinctive feature of the latter is that they can operate in parallel. The analysis leads to axioms for discrete dynamical systems (representing human and machine computations) and allows the reduction of models of these axioms to Turing machines. Cellular automata and a variety of artificial neural nets can be shown to satisfy the axioms for machine computations.
Vortex model for Magnus forces at low speeds, spins, and angles

A slender body that is both spinning about its longitudinal axis and at an angle of attack experiences a force (and moments) whose plane of action is rotated 90 deg from the plane of the velocity vector and the longitudinal axis or spin axis of the body. This force (and moment) is called the Magnus force in honor of the discoverer. The results presented here show the nature of the Magnus force is strongly dependent upon whether or not vorticity is shed, and if shed, the coupling between the shed vorticity, spin induced effects, and the angle of attack.
Analysis of Water Remote Sensed Data: Requirements For Data Bases And Data Bases Interactions

Requirements for data bases and data base interactions from users of surface and coastal water remote sensed data are presented.
Synthesis and Properties of Biocompatible Water-Soluble Silica-Coated CdSe/ZnS Semiconductor Quantum Dots†

We describe the synthesis of water-soluble semiconductor nanoparticles and discuss and characterize their properties. Hydrophobic CdSe/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals with a core size between 2 and 5 nm are embedded in a siloxane shell and functionalized with thiol and/or amine groups. Structural characterization by AFM indicates that the siloxane shell is 1−5 nm thick, yielding final particle sizes of 6−17 nm, depending on the initial CdSe core size. The silica coating does not significantly modify the optical properties of the nanocrystals. Their fluorescence emission is about 32−35 nm fwhm and can be tuned from blue to red with quantum yields up to 18%, mainly determined by the quantum yield of the underlying CdSe/ZnS nanocrystals. Silanized nanocrystals exhibit enhanced photochemical stability over organic fluorophores. They also display high stability in buffers at physiological conditions (>150 mM NaCl). The introduction of functionalized groups onto the siloxane surface would permit the conjugation of ...
Concepts underlying finite element methods for structural analysis

Abstract Several topics which underlie the finite element method tools commonly in use in the nuclear power industry are reviewed. They are important because of the understanding which they provied to the user of finite element method tools. They are collected here to popularize them and enlarge the engineer's ability to critically examine the results of his calculations. The topics are time integration and mass representation, creep analysis, finite strain plasticity, and nearly incompressible analysis.
Substrate orientation dependence of enhanced epitaxial regrowth of silicon

This work extends the study of dopant-enhanced epitaxial regrowth rate of amorphized Si from the to the and orientations of Si. Boron and phosphorus dopants are considered. The annealing temperatures are 500 and 550 °C. Phosphorus enhances the growth rates in all three orientations by a constant factor of 8.1±0.9. Boron produces a higher enhancement factor of 12.2±1.2, except in the case of . Implications of the results on various growth models are considered. The crystalline quality of regrown layers is improved in the doped samples.
Lysozyme activity in female genital tissues of normal and genetically lysozyme-deficient rabbits.

The internal genitalia of female normal rabbits and mutant lysozyme-deficient rabbits, which lack genetically the leukocytic isozyme of lysozyme, were assayed for lysozyme activity. The ovaries, uteri, and vaginas of the lysozyme-deficient rabbits had less than 20% of the lysozyme activity of normals. The oviducts, and in particular the caudal portions of the oviducts, had lysozyme activities up to 71% of the levels in normal. These observations suggest that the lysozymes of oviduct and leukocytes of rabbits are under the control of different genes.
The sharpness of Timan's theorem on differentiable functions

Abstract Our main result states that, given an increasing sequence a n of positive numbers such that ∑ n = 1 ∞ 1 na n = ∞ , there exists a function ƒ defined on [0, 1] and not continuously differentiable on that interval such that E n (ƒ) = O( 1 n 2 a n ) . This shows that a theorem of Timan cannot be improved.
Q structure and Inner-Shell Vacancies in Neon-Neon and Krypton-Krypton Collisions

In close encounters of the systems Ne-Ne, ${\mathrm{Ne}}^{+}$-Ne, and ${\mathrm{Ne}}^{++}$-Ne, electrons of 750-eV energy are produced. The numbers of such fast electrons are found to depend upon the charge state of the incident particle (0, +1, or +2) in the ratio of 0.6, 1.0, and 2.0, respectively. This agrees in part with a prediction by Lichten. In ${\mathrm{Kr}}^{+}$-Kr collisions, there is a sudden change in the average number of electrons lost for 9\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} scattering at 25-keV incident energy.
Wet forced-air warming blankets are ineffective at maintaining normothermia.

Summary Background: Forced-air warming systems have proven effective in preventing perioperative hypothermia. To date, reported adverse events relate primarily to overheating and thermal injuries. This study uses a simple model to show that forced-air warming blankets become ineffective if they get wet. Methods: Temperature sensor probes were inserted into three 1-liter fluid bags. Group C bags served as the control. Groups D (dry) and W (wet) bags were placed on Bair Hugger® Model 555 (Arizant Healthcare, Inc., Eden Prairie, MN, USA) pediatric underbody blankets. The warming blanket for Group W bags was subsequently wet with irrigation fluid. Temperature was documented every 5 min. This model was repeated two times for a total of three cycles. Statistical analysis was performed using anova for repeated measures. Results: Starting temperatures for each model were within a 0.3°C range. Group C demonstrated a steady decline in temperature. Group D maintained and slightly increased in temperature during the observation period, while Group W exhibited a decrease in temperature at a rate similar to Group C. These results were significant at P < 0.005. Conclusions: A wet forced-air warming blanket is ineffective at maintaining normothermia. Once wet, the warming blanket resulted in cooling similar to the control group.
Role of hydrogen to increase/decrease the critical temperature Tc in superconducting compounds

Abstract Pair-potential models developed previously by Machlin and Chow and by Machlin and Whang were generalized to allow calculations to be made of the effect of hydrogen as an interstitial solute on the lattice parameter and on the superconducting critical temperature Tc. The results are in good agreement with experiment. It is noted that the Tc values for PdH cannot be explained by the procedure used for the A15 phases.
Quantitative Fluorescence Microscopy Using Supported Lipid Bilayer Standards

Routine quantitative analysis of biomolecule surface density by fluorescence microscopy has been limited by the difficulty of preparing appropriate calibration standards that relate measured fluorescence intensity to actual surface concentration. Supported lipid bilayers are planar fluid films of uniform density and composition which can incorporate a variety of lipidated fluorophores and work well as fluorescence standards. Here, we outline a straightforward strategy to calibrate digital micrographs of fluorescent surfaces such as planar cellular junctions for comparison to supported bilayer standards. It can be implemented with standard microscopy equipment. To illustrate the advantages of this approach, we quantify cell- and bilayer-side protein density patterns in a hybrid immunological synapse between a T-cell and a supported bilayer.
Implementation and evaluation of an undergraduate research practicum

Although collegiate faculty once believed that lecture and discussion were the best strategies for teaching research to undergraduate students, educators now question using these strategies exclusively. At present, more active involvement is recommended for learning the research process and for changing students' attitudes. The development of a practicum, designed to involve students in a meaningful research experience within a limited time frame, is discussed. An evaluation of the practicum shows its contribution to increasing knowledge in selected areas and changing attitudes in undergraduate students.
Selectively retained vital roots for partial support of overdentures: a patient report.

Summary Vital mandibular canine roots were submerged submucosally in a 52-year-old man. The events that occurred during 27 months of observation, while the patient wore dentures over the retained roots, were described.
Self-assembled monolayers of alkanethiolates presenting mannitol groups are inert to protein adsorption and cell attachment

This paper reports on a model surface that is inert in biological fluids and that is important for studies in biointerfacial science. A self-assembled monolayer (SAM) terminated in the mannitol group was found to prevent the adsorption of proteins and the attachment of cells. Surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy showed that the mannitol-terminated SAM prevented the adsorption of several proteins and was indistinguishable from a SAM presenting tri(ethylene glycol)groups. In a second set of experiments, monolayers were patterned into circular regions of hexadecanethiolate with the surrounding area terminated in the mannitol group in order to evaluate the inert surface for patterning cell attachment. 3T3 fibroblasts, attached to the circular regions, proliferated to occupy these regions completely and remained patterned on these regions for 25 days. The use of oligo(ethylene glycol)-terminated SAMs, by contrast, showed a loss in fidelity of the pattern after one week in culture. The mannitol-terminated mon...
Effect of strong anisotropy on the dissipative and non-dissipative regimes of the second-order structure function

We study the variations in second-order velocity structure functions (SFs) in the strongly anisotropic turbulent flow past a backward facing step. Time-resolved particle image velocimetry measurements were taken in a stationary turbulent flow past a backward facing step at Reynolds numbers 13,600, 9,000, and 5,500 based on the maximum velocity and step size. Large-scale anisotropic properties of the flow along with local small-scale turbulence characteristics were characterized in detail. Seven interrogation points distributed along points of different large-scale anisotropic characteristics systematically probed the influence of large-scale anisotropy on the second-order SFs. The velocity SFs at each interrogation point represent variance of velocity increments in the streamwise, transverse (wall normal), and the two principle directions of local deformation field. Logarithmic derivatives of the SFs captured the scale-dependent scaling characteristics at the small scales. Measurements revealed a strongly anisotropic large-scale flow with an intense turbulent free-shear layer downstream of the step. Comparison among second-order SFs reveals a mechanistic relationship between the mean flow deformation field, defined by the principle axis of deformation and the magnitude of eigenvalues, to the characteristic influence on SF scaling in the dissipative and non-dissipative scales. Specifically, we report that non-dissipative scaling between orthogonal directions does not differentially saturate if these directions are aligned with the principle axis of deformation. We also show that the relative root mean square of velocity components influences the level of exponent saturation in the dissipative scale regime.
A NEW ULTRASTRUCTURAL ELEMENT OF THE MEMBRANES IN MITOCHONDRIA AND OF SOME CYTOPLASMIC MEMBRANES.

In potassium permanganate-fixed mouse kidney tissue the mitochondrial membranes and smooth-surfaced cytomembranes show a substructure indicating that the membranes consist of globular components separated by stained septa. In osmium-fixed mouse kidney tissue each mitochondrial membrane element appears triple-layered and sometimes a similar globular substructure is indicated. The total thickness of the mitochondrial membrane elements was measured to 50–60 A. The thinnest septa between the globular elements are 10 A thick. The total thickness of the smooth-surfaced cytomembranes was estimated to 70–80 A in permanganate-fixed material. A new model describing the molecular architecture of the mitochondrial membrane and the smooth-surfaced cytomembranes is presented. It pictures the lipid molecules as forming rounded globular micelles separated by protein molecules which, in the mitochondria, include the enzymes of the electron transfer chain.
Exploitation of morphological possibilities in signed languages: Comparison of American Sign Language with English

American Sign Language shares with spoken languages derivational and inflectional morphological processes, including compounding, reduplication, incorporation, and, arguably, templates. Like spoken languages, ASL also has an extensive nonderivational, noninflectional morphology involving phonological alternation although this is typically more limited. Additionally, ASL frequently associates meaning with individual phonological parameters. This association is atypical of spoken languages. We account for these phenomena by positing “ion-morphs,” which are phonologically incomplete lexical items that bond with other compatible ion-morphs. These ion-morphs draw lexical items into “families” of related signs. In contrast, ASL makes little, if any, use of concatenative affixation, a morphological mechanism common among spoken languages. We propose that this difference is the result of the comparative slowness of movement of the manual articulators as compared to the speech articulators, as well as the perceptual robustness of the manual articulators to the visual system. The slowness of the manual articulators disfavors concatenative affixation. The perceptual robustness of the manual articulators allows ASL to exploit morphological potential that spoken language can use only at considerable cost.
Comparison of Meteorological Aspects of the Big Thompson and Rapid City Flash Floods

Abstract Analyses and descriptions of the meteorological conditions that produced devastating flash floods in the Big Thompson Canyon on 31 July 1976 and in the Black Hills on 9 June 1972 are presented. The storms developed when strong low-level easterly winds pushed moist, conditionally unstable air masses upslope into elevated, mountainous terrain. Orographic uplift released the convective instability and light winds aloft allowed the storm complexes to remain nearly stationary. Meteorological conditions that produced these flash floods were found to have been very similar. A set of meteorological features is defined for the purpose of identifying the potential for this type flash flood along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains.
Reduction of attention deficit and internalizing symptoms in preschoolers through parent-child interaction training.

Abstract A preventive mental health intervention was tested with low income parent-child dyads. Parents who were having a problem with the behavior of their preschool child were recruited; 89 parents, of 96 children, completed pre- and postintervention assessments. Families were randomly assigned to a “minimal treatment” control group or a more extensive treatment experimental group. Parent training was supervised by the authors and delivered by paraprofessionals using standard treatment manuals. The more extensive intervention produced significantly more improvement in parents' ratings of children's symptoms of attention deficit and internalizing symptoms than did the control intervention. A blind measure of videotaped interaction between parent and child also demonstrated significantly more improvement from the experimental intervention. Both groups improved with respect to parents' ratings of children's oppositional symptoms. Change in parent ratings of children's behavior was correlated with change in blind observers' ratings in parents' behavior.
On the nature of fires and how to spark them when you're not there

Traditionally, computer science education research contributes new tools, techniques, and theories to improve institutionalized learning spaces e.g. classrooms. However, we take the position that the study and improvement of computer science learning spaces outside the classroom are just as important. We take a step toward illuminating the critical qualities of non-institutional computer science learning spaces by engaging in a grounded-theoretical examination of first-hand accounts of non-institutional learning. To further study the topic, we attempted to recreate (in the lab) a learning environment with many qualities that characterize non-institutional learning. To make this possible, we employed a modified version of CodeSpells -- a video game designed to teach Java programming in a way that engenders the sense of sustained, playful, creative exploration driven entirely by the learner. This study introduced 40 girls, ages 10 to 12, to programming for the first time. We use the results of both studies to develop a theoretical framework which we use to examine existing tools such as Scratch, Alice, and educational games in a new light.
Geographic approaches to resolving environmental problems in search of the path to sustainability: The case of polluting plant relocation in China

Abstract This paper applies a spatial perspective to environmental problems in search for the paths to sustainability, using polluting plant relocation in China as a case study. It examines how environmental improvement in one place may lead to environmental degradation in another place, how geographic concepts such as location, distance, spread and backwash effects, and land use models can help understand such phenomenon, and what the implications are for the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) and development policies. Field research was conducted from 2006 to 2012 in Chinese cities of Beijing, Dalian, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou, and Ningbo. It involved intensive site observations and in-depth interviews with government officials of environmental protection, economic development, and business recruitment, and grassroots environmentalists. The results indicate that environmental improvement in all these cities has led to environmental degradation in their suburbs and rural areas due to relocation of polluting plants. Environmental spread and backwash effects may help explain the severe intra-regional environmental and economic disparities and environmental injustice. The powerful and wealthy may achieve rapid economic growth and environmental recovery at the expenses of the powerless and poor, leading to environmental poverty and sustainability disparities.
IFN-γ Pretreatment Augments Immune Complex-Induced Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 Expression in U937 Histiocytes

Abstract We reported recently that immune complexes (ICs) induced matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) expression in U937 histiocytes. The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of pretreatment of U937 cells with interferon-γ (IFN-γ) on IC-induced MMP-1 expression. Our flow cytometry studies showed that IFN-γ upregulated the surface expression of FcγRI, but not FcγRII. Results also showed that pretreatment of the cells with IFN-γ augmented LDL-containing IC (LDL-IC)-induced MMP-1 secretion in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, Northern blot analysis revealed that IFN-γ pretreatment led to a marked increase in MMP-1 mRNA. Finally, we demonstrated that PD98059 was able to block LDL-IC-induced MMP-1 secretion, regardless of whether the cells were pretreated with IFN-γ or not, suggesting that IFN-γ pretreatment did not alter the essential role of the ERK signaling pathway in LDL-IC-induced MMP-1 expression. In conclusion, the present study has demonstrated that IFN-γ pretreatment augments LDL-IC-induced MMP-1 expression in U937 cells, thus elucidating an immune mechanism potentially involved in plaque destabilization.
Calculations of Scald Burns: Effects of Water Temperature, Exposure Duration, and Clothing

A numerical model has been constructed to assess the depth of injury incurred when skin is exposed to heated water. The model includes an extended duration which occurs when clothing, saturated with hot water is kept in contact with the skin after the direct exposure has ended. The model takes data from a broad summary of the literature which examines the ranges of reported tissue thicknesses, tissue thermophysical properties, and blood perfusion. Water temperatures ranging from 60–90°C and total exposure durations up to 110 seconds were modeled. As expected, longer durations and elevated temperatures lead to a greater extent of tissue injury. Calculated values of tissue injury were compared with prior injury reports. These reports, taken from the literature, reinforce the present calculations. It is seen that numerical models can accurately predict burn injury as observed in clinical settings, in fact, the calculations of burn injury presented here provide more information for the appropriate treatment of burn injuries compared to visual observation.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Modulation of pyridinium cationic lipid-DNA complex properties by pyridinium gemini surfactants and its impact on lipoplex transfection properties.

The study presents the effects of blending a cationic gemini surfactant into cationic lipid bilayers and its impact on the plasmid DNA compaction and delivery process. Using nanoDSC, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, and electrophoretic mobility measurements, together with transfection (2D- and 3D-) and viability assays, we identified the main physicochemical parameters of the lipid bilayers, liposomes, and lipoplexes that are affected by the gemini surfactant addition. We also correlated the cationic bilayer composition with the dynamics of the DNA compaction process and with transfection efficiency, cytotoxicity, and the internalization mechanism of the resultant nucleic acid complexes. We found that the blending of gemini surfactant into the cationic bilayers fluidized the supramolecular assemblies, reduced the amount of positive charge required to fully compact the plasmid DNA and, in certain cases, changed the internalization mechanism of the lipoplexes. The transfection efficiency of select ...
Synthesis of nonhydrolyzable analogues of thiazole-4-carboxamide and benzamide adenine dinucleotide containing fluorine atom at the C2' of adenine nucleoside: induction of K562 differentiation and inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase inhibitory activity.

Thiazole-4-carboxamide adenine dinucleotide (TAD) analogue 7 containing a fluorine atom at the C2‘ arabino configuration of the adenine nucleoside moiety was found to be a potent inducer of differentiation of K562 erythroid leukemia cells. This finding prompted us to synthesize its hydrolysis-resistant methylenebis(phosphonate) and difluoromethylenebis(phosphonate) analogues 8 and 9, respectively. Since both TAD and benzamide adenine dinucleotide (BAD) are potent inhibitors of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), the corresponding fluorine-substituted methylenebis(phosphonate) analogue 12 of BAD was also synthesized. Thus, 9-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-d-arabinofuranosyl)adenine (13) was converted in five steps into the corresponding methylenebis(phosphonate) analogue 18. Dehydration of 18 with DCC led to the formation of the bicyclic trisanhydride intermediate 19a, which upon reaction with 2‘,3‘-O-isopropylidenetiazofurin (20) or -benzamide riboside (21) followed by hydrolysis and deprotection afforded t...
Improvements in the efficiency of care after implementing a clinical-care pathway for transurethral prostatectomy

Objective To investigate the efficiency of care, length of hospital stay and admission charges after implementing a clinical-care pathway for transurethral prostatectomy (TURP). Patients and methods Changes in the length of hospital stay and admission charges were identified by comparing a series of 100 patients undergoing TURP and treated after implementing a clinical-care pathway with 100 patients treated by the same physicians before implementation. Results After implementing the care pathway, the mean length of hospital stay and admission charges were significantly lower (P<0.01). The shorter length of stay was caused by a significant reduction (P<0.05) in patient-related psychological/social delay after implementation. The number of laboratory tests and use of pharmacological agents were also significantly lower (P<0.001) after implementation, with the decreases in these last variables significantly greater (P<0.001) among junior physicians. Conclusions The advantages of the TURP clinical-care pathway were the shorter hospital stay, arising from reduced patient-related psychological or social delay, and reduced admission charges consequent on the decreased use of laboratory tests and drugs, particularly for patients treated by junior physicians. These results suggest that physicians are likely to modify their management methods to improve efficiency when a clinical path is implemented.
How to Hand-Calculate System Reliability and Safety Characteristics

A simple method is given for calculating a) reliability characteristics of repairable and nonrepairable systems, and b) the importance of the individual system components. Assumptions made include independent component failures and constant failure and repair rates for the components. The methods can easily be implemented in a computer program that would be inexpensive to execute and would always overpredict (usually very slightly) the system failure characteristics.
Effectively Involving Faculty in the Assessment of Student Engagement.

This chapter discusses four roles—source of data, audience, data analyst, and beneficiary of assessment knowledge—faculty can play in the assessment of student engagement on college and university campuses.
Q-learning and policy iteration algorithms for stochastic shortest path problems

We consider the stochastic shortest path problem, a classical finite-state Markovian decision problem with a termination state, and we propose new convergent Q-learning algorithms that combine elements of policy iteration and classical Q-learning/value iteration. These algorithms are related to the ones introduced by the authors for discounted problems in Bertsekas and Yu (Math. Oper. Res. 37(1):66-94, 2012). The main difference from the standard policy iteration approach is in the policy evaluation phase: instead of solving a linear system of equations, our algorithm solves an optimal stopping problem inexactly with a finite number of value iterations. The main advantage over the standard Q-learning approach is lower overhead: most iterations do not require a minimization over all controls, in the spirit of modified policy iteration. We prove the convergence of asynchronous deterministic and stochastic lookup table implementations of our method for undiscounted, total cost stochastic shortest path problems. These implementations overcome some of the traditional convergence difficulties of asynchronous modified policy iteration, and provide policy iteration-like alternative Q-learning schemes with as reliable convergence as classical Q-learning. We also discuss methods that use basis function approximations of Q-factors and we give an associated error bound.
Mary Parker Follett: Laying the Foundations for Spirituality in the Workplace

Abstract Mary Parker Follett's ideas almost a century ago anticipated current thought on spirituality at work and at times went beyond. In this article, current interest in spirituality as a means to foster individual growth and to build community which benefits organizations is linked to Follett's concept of integrative experience. Follett proposed a conscious process of relating to each other wherein connections would develop individuals as well as improve the larger community.
Effects of causal information on the early word learning: Efficiency and longevity

Abstract This study examines two accounts of why causal information facilitates early learning, one focusing on its attracting attention at the time of encoding and the other on its enhancing memory through coherent elaboration. Three-year-olds were taught novel words along with either causally-rich or causally-weak descriptions of their referents until each child reached a specific learning criterion. Children reached this criterion in fewer trials in the causally-rich than in the causally-weak condition. However, when children's memory for the newly learned words was subsequently tested after a lengthy delay, no differences in performance were detected. Causal information therefore appears to support early word learning primarily by enhancing the efficiency of initial encoding, rather than by enhancing the longevity of lexical-semantic representations. These results provide greater support for the attention-based than the coherent elaboration-account and further suggest that encoding may be a principal limiting factor in children's word learning.
Reaction Mechanisms Governing the Formation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Supercritical Pyrolysis of Toluene: C28H14 Isomers

Reaction pathways for the formation of C28H14 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)of which there are eight benzenoid isomersduring the supercritical pyrolysis of toluene are described in detail. These reaction mechanisms involve the addition of benzyl, methyl, and/or phenyl radicals to smaller PAH products in three specific reactions: (A) addition of methyl and benzyl, usually to a position adjacent to a bay region; (B) addition of phenyl to a bay region; and (C) addition of two methyls to a bay region. Using these three types of reactions, we are able to explain why the five identified C28H14 PAH−benzo[a]coronene, phenanthro[5,4,3,2-efghi]perylene, benzo[cd]naphtho[3,2,1,8-pqra]perylene, benzo[ghi]naphtho[8,1,2-bcd]perylene, and benzo[pqr]naphtho[8,1,2-bcd]perylene−are present in our product mixture and why bisanthene, a C28H14 isomer that we know is not present from UV spectral data, is not formed. We then determine reaction pathways for the remaining two C28H14 benzenoid isomers, naphthaceno[3,4,5,6...
Transmission and Reflection Characteristics of an Electromagnetically Induced Grating

Typical electromagnetically induced transparency properties are modified when the coupling laser beam is replaced by a standing wave. The reflection and transmission behaviors of the probe laser beam for this configuration are examined.
Corticosterone increases the synthesis of a soluble protein in pituitary glands from adrenalectomized male rats which precipitates with anti-rat growth antiserum

The well-documented stimulation of rat growth hormone (rGH) synthesis by corticosterone in rat pituitary GHs cells [l] has proven to be a good experimental system for investigating glucocorticocoid regulation of protein synthesis. However, as there are substantial differences between GHs cells and intact rat pituitary glands, the effect of corticosterone on induction of specific soluble proteins was investigated in intact rat pituitary glands. The methodology of double isotope incorporation and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, successfully used to demonstrate estrogen-induced proteins in the uterus [2] and hypothalamus [3,4], was applied. We report here that treatment of adrenalectomized male rats with corticosterone increases the synthesis of a specific soluble protein with a relative molecular mass (i’kfr) 24 000 on SDS-urea polyacrylamide gels, identical in size to the form of rGH made in GHs cells [5]. The identity of this induced protein with rGH was tested using a specific anti&H antiserum. When pre-labeled pituitary-gland soluble protein was mixed with this antiserum, the 24 000 M,-induced protein was quantitatively precipitated. The precipitation of the corticosterone-induced protein with anti&H antiserum is good evidence that in intact pituitary glands, lie GHs cells, corticosterone increases rGH synthesis.
Reply to: "Coagulation and fibrosis: A potential non-negligible target of statins in chronic hepatitis".

[1] Ray K. Liver: Sussing out statins in cirrhosis-KLF2 is the key. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2015;12:64. [2] Marrone G, Maeso-Diaz R, Garcia-Cardena G, Abraldes JG, Garcia-Pagan JC, Bosch J, et al. KLF2 exerts antifibrotic and vasoprotective effects in cirrhotic rat livers: behind the molecular mechanisms of statins. Gut 2014. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2014-308338, [Epub ahead of print]. [3] Undas A, Brummel-Ziedins KE, Mann KG. Anticoagulant effects of statins and their clinical implications. Thromb Haemost 2014;111:392–400. [4] Colli S, Eligini S, Lalli M, Camera M, Paoletti R, Tremoli E. Vastatins inhibit tissue factor in cultured human macrophages. A novel mechanism of protection against atherothrombosis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 1997;17:265–272. [5] Takemoto M, Liao JK. Pleiotropic effects of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme a reductase inhibitors. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2001;21: 1712–1719. [6] Violi F, Calvieri C, Ferro D, Pignatelli P. Statins as antithrombotic drugs. Circulation 2013;127:251–257. [7] Tripodi A, Pellegatta F, Chantarangkul V, Grigore L, Garlaschelli K, Baragetti A, et al. Statins decrease thrombin generation in patients with hypercholesterolemia. Eur J Int Med 2014;25:449–451. [8] Tripodi A, Fracanzani AL, Primignani M, Chantarangkul V, Clerici M, Mannucci PM, et al. Procoagulant imbalance in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. J Hepatol 2014;61:148–154. [9] Lomonaco R, Chen J, Cusi K. An endocrine perspective of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Ther Adv Endocrinol Metab 2011;2:211–225.