cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Process oriented guided inquiry learning (POGIL®) marginally effects student achievement measures but substantially increases the odds of passing a course.

While the inquiry approach to science teaching has been widely recommended as an epistemic mechanism to promote deep content understanding, there is also increased expectation that process and other transferable skills should be integral part of science pedagogy. To test the hypothesis that coupling process skills to content teaching impacts academic success measures, we meta-analyzed twenty-one studies (n = 21) involving 7876 students that compared Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL), a pedagogy that provides opportunities for improving process skills during content learning through guided-inquiry activities, to standard lecture conditions. Based on conventional measures of class performance, POGIL had a small effect on achievement outcomes (effect size = 0.29, [95% CI = 0.15–0.43]) but substantially improved the odds of passing a class (odds ratio = 2.02, [95% CI: 1.45–2.83]). That is, participants in the POGIL pedagogy had higher odds of passing a course and roughly performed 0.3 standard deviations higher on achievement measures than participants in standard lectures. In relative risk terms, POGIL reduced the risk of failing a course by 38%. These findings suggest providing opportunities to improve process skills during class instruction does not inhibit content learning but enhances conventional success measures. We compare these findings with those of recent large meta-analysis that examined the effects of global active learning methods on achievement outcomes and course failure rates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Afrocentric Ideologies and Gendered Resistance in Daughters of the Dust and Malcolm X: Setting, Scene, and Spectatorship

This study of scenes from the films Daughters of the Dust and Malcolm X, describes images of myth, gender, and resistance familiar to African-American interpretive communities. Key thematic and technical elements of these films are opposed to familiar Hollywood practices, indicating the directors9 effort to address resisting spectators. Both filmmakers, Julie Dash and Spike Lee respectively, chose subjects with an ideological resonance in African-American collective memory: Malcolm X, eulogized by Ossie Davis as “our living black manhood”(i) and the women of the Gullah Sea Islands, a site often celebrated for its authentically African cultural survivals. Both films combine images of an African past with an American present using a pattern of historically specific myths and tropes.
Substrates of the plasminogen activator protease of Yersinia pestis.

The plasminogen activator protease (Pla) of Yersinia pestis is a critical virulence determinant in the progression of both bubonic and pneumonic plague. A member of the omptin family of Gram-negative transmembrane proteases, Pla forms a conserved β-barrel fold in the bacterial outer membrane which permits the interaction of the protease with target substrates for cleavage. In vitro studies have identified numerous mammalian host targets, many of which comprise components of the coagulation and fibrinolytic cascades. Through the cleavage of host plasminogen, α2-antiplasmin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor, and tissue factor pathway inhibitor, Pla is hypothesized to disrupt coagulation pathways that are initiated as a natural host response to infection and inflammation. The clearance of fibrin clots, enhanced by the activities of Pla, may alleviate physical barriers to bacterial dissemination and inhibit the recruitment of immune cells. Subversion of innate immunity may be further potentiated through the Pla-dependent inactivation of complement protein C3 and cationic antimicrobial peptides. Currently, the precise molecular mechanisms of Pla-conferred virulence in vivo remain unclear and likely vary based upon route of infection. However, evidence supports Pla as a versatile virulence factor that may specifically cleave unique subsets of host proteins during the progression of bubonic and pneumonic plague.
Opportunities for Selection Derived from Variation in Mating Success in Milkweed Beetles (Tetraopes tetraophthalmus: Cerambycidae)

One approach to understanding the evolution and maintenance of the various mating systems found in invertebrates is to document the selective mechanisms generated by a given system. One would want to identify those behavioral and life-history characteristics correlated with mating success and then document the amount of phenotypic variation for those characters found to be important in a given population. Ideally, the estimates of individual mating success should be based on lifetime studies. In order to understand the evolutionary dynamics generated by such selection one would then need to estimate the heritability and genetic covariance of the various traits that contribute to the operation of selection. Heritability estimates are often difficult to obtain except in the laboratory for logistical reasons and many of those estimates are of limited applicability to field populations. It is well known that an estimate of heritability is only valid for the environment in which it is measured since the amount of environmentally derived phenotypic variance is important in determining heritability. Environmental effects on the phenotype can differ between laboratory and field and from field population to field population. Separation of the behavioral and ecological processes of selection from the genetical information required to predict a response to selection allows us to understand some important aspects of the dynamics of microevolution through field studies, even when logistical considerations prevent genetic analysis of the population. Wade and Arnold (1980) suggest the use of the concept of “opportunities for selection” when quantifying selection generated by variable mating success in males. This opportunity for selection is calculated as the variance in numbers of mates obtained by males divided by the square of the mean number of mates per male.
Power Control of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator-Based Wind Energy Conversion Systems with Higher-Order Sliding-Mode Observer

Real-time rotor position and speed feedback is essential for the effective power control of permanent magnet synchronous generator-based wind energy conversion systems. The presence of encoders or resolvers can increase the size, cost and complexity, but also reduce the overall system's reliability, and life-time. To provide a more reliable sensorless wind generator control scheme and eliminate the reliance on encoders or resolvers, this paper presents a novel higher-order sliding mode observer for power electronics control of a grid-connected permanent magnet synchronous generator-based wind energy conversion system. Comparing with a first-order sliding mode observer, a higher-order sliding mode observer shows superior estimation accuracy with significantly chattering reduction. A three-level neutral-point-clamped space-vector pulse-width-modulation based power converter is used to reduce the voltage stress on power switching devices and produce less harmonics in the output waveforms compared with a traditional 2-level inverter. Computer simulation results have shown the superior performance of the higher-order sliding mode observer in wind turbine power control applications.
Flows in formation: The global-urban networks of climate change adaptation:

As climate change threats to urban centres become more alarming, cities are proposing ambitious plans to adapt to climate impacts. These plans are increasingly subsumed within urban development pro...
Mastery Learning and Peer Tutoring in a Special Program.

Tlhe College Discovery and Development Program (CD P), a City University of New York and Board of Education Consor tium, has existed since 1966. With the long range goal of improving students' skills in high school to enable them to succeed in college, CDDP's more immediate objectives are the following: (1) identification of junior high school students with undevel oped potential and (2) provision of an edu cational sequence (including remediation in mathematics and language arts) that con tributes to students' advancement and suc cess in completing all academic coursework in high school required for entrance into college. Three of the five high schools that par ticipate in the program are designated as Title I schools, whereas the other two are tax-levy schools. Title I (or Chapter I) refers to federal funding of either bilingual educa tion or remedial instruction in English or mathematics for a target population; all other classes are funded by local and state tax revenues. Generally, students attending the Title I schools live in neighborhoods characterized by extensive public housing, crowded living conditions, families receiv ing public assistance, and a high rate of crime. Seward Park High School in New York City, one of the Title I schools, has also been coping with a unique problem? the use of an annex in which students who enter the CDDP are based for their first year. This building is located about one mile from the school's main building. Mathematics instruction in the CDDP has been tailored for individual students' needs in each school. Students whose test records indicate they are seriously below
Building a Global Health Education Program in an Urban School of Medicine

This chapter describes the development of a multidisciplinary global health program in the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Key features were (1) a deliberate early decision to focus scarce resources on education in global health; (2) creation of a three-tiered educational program that offered introductory training in global health to all medical students, in-depth education to students interested in global health careers, and postgraduate education in global health tracks to selected residents in Medicine, Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine and Psychiatry; (3) the creation of a strong global health track in the MPH program; and (4) creation of a post-residency teaching fellowship in global health. Two external factors strongly assisted program growth: (1) consistent fiscal and intellectual support from the Dean of the Medical School and the Dean for Medical Education which culminated in the introduction of a stand-alone course in global health to the mandatory core curriculum of the medical school, and (2) the building of a strong base of philanthropic support with support from the Medical School’s office of Development that culminated in formation of the recently endowed Arnhold Global Health Institute at Mount Sinai. Program evaluation and continuous improvement were essential at every stage.
Amyloid-like Assembly Activates a Phosphatase in the Developing Drosophila Embryo.

Summary Prion-like proteins can assume distinct conformational and physical states in the same cell. Sequence analysis suggests that prion-like proteins are prevalent in various species; however, it remains unclear what functional space they occupy in multicellular organisms. Here, we report the identification of a prion-like protein, Herzog (CG5830), through a multimodal screen in Drosophila melanogaster. Herzog functions as a membrane-associated phosphatase and controls embryonic patterning, likely being involved in TGF-β/BMP and FGF/EGF signaling pathways. Remarkably, monomeric Herzog is enzymatically inactive and becomes active upon amyloid-like assembly. The prion-like domain of Herzog is necessary for both its assembly and membrane targeting. Removal of the prion-like domain impairs activity, while restoring assembly on the membrane using a heterologous prion-like domain and membrane-targeting motif can restore phosphatase activity. This study provides an example of a prion-like domain that allows an enzyme to gain essential functionality via amyloid-like assembly to control animal development.
Expect the Unexpected: A New Ant from a Backyard in Utah

Urban centers are not where one expects to find new species. Yet, we report here a newly recognized ant, Strumigenys ananeotes sp. nov., in an urban yard in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, USA. The genus Strumigenys is a major radiation of litter ants that are found primarily in the wet tropics and subtropics. They are extremely rare in western North America, known only from sites hundreds of kilometers south and west of Salt Lake City. The new species is related to species from southern Arizona and is presumed native. We propose that it is normally restricted to moist, subterranean microhabitats in an otherwise arid region, but that anthropogenic activity has created an urban forest with summer conditions similar to eastern deciduous forest. Strumigenys ananeotes may now have a greatly expanded habitat and visibility, a case of a native species benefiting from human development rather than being displaced.
How to Become Fluent in Diversity and Inclusion in one Evening

The computing discipline is struggling to diversify its ranks. While we recognize the value of a diverse workforce, we often lack the language to discuss the issues. We even struggle to justify the benefits that might come from diversifying our ranks. This workshop presents concepts and frameworks about diversity with a focus on Broadening Participation in Computing (BPC). The workshop will be broken up into three parts. In part 1, What is diversity?, we will provide some basic definitions and take a quick tour of resources available for BPC. We will expand the view diversity by considering a multi-disciplinary perspective (e.g., scientific, educational, legal, business). In Part 2, Engagement with Diversity concepts, the participants will get to have a candid conversation about different themes in diversity. Among the concepts discussed, we will explore issues of privilege, identity, implicit bias, micro aggressions, stereotype threat, and imposter syndrome. In Part 3, What can we do to improve diversity?, we will discuss why diversity is relevant to computing and why we should support the case for diversity. We present two frameworks of diversity & inclusion, the inclusive excellence model (AACU) and the cultural wealth model (T.J. Yosso). We explore how these models could be used in academic settings to make computing more inclusive. While the bulk of the conversation will be about diversity in academic programs with particular emphasis on students, the topics discussed also apply to faculty hiring and are relevant to creating an inclusive culture in any organization.
Plenty of (Similar) fish in the sea: The role of social identity and self-categorization in niche online dating

Abstract Political partisanship fosters in-party dating behaviors. However, little research has explored why individuals employ homogenous approaches (e.g., political homophily) to partner selection and their role in initiating, developing, and sustaining romantic relationships. The present study posits that social identity theory (SIT) and self-categorization theory (SCT) provide explanations for this phenomenon in an online dating context. Specifically, niche online dating websites (e.g., Liberal Hearts, Farmers Only, Active Singles) provide an environment ripe with group dynamics. These websites emphasize a characteristic that a group of individuals share and associate with their self-concept. Theoretically, the social identity formed around this characteristic becomes situationally accessible and serves as the dominant factor by which individuals evaluate and categorize others (i.e., potential online partners in the present context). In an online survey experiment, participants viewed a dating website tailored to a political affiliation (congruent or incongruent to their own affiliation), selected a user's profile to browse and evaluated them as a potential romantic partner. Results revealed expectations of relationship satisfaction and willingness to date were influenced by group membership directly and indirectly through perceptions of trustworthiness. The extent to which the partner's values aligned with the group moderated this indirect effect.
Introductory PDE model

Abstract The ordinary differential equation (ODE) model discussed in Chapters 1 , 2 , 3 is extended to include the spatial distribution of the four dependent variables by adding partial derivatives in space to the ODEs. The resulting partial differential equations (PDEs) have time and space as independent variables, with the spatial derivatives expressed in one dimensional spherical (radial) coordinates, that is, ( r , t ) . The PDEs are numerically integrated (solved) by the method of lines (MOL), a general computational algorithm for PDEs, programmed in R. The MOL boundary conditions are homogeneous Neumann at r = 0 and Robin at the outer boundary, r = r u . The PDEs have as additional parameters radial diffusivities and mass transfer coefficients.
Nominal complexities in school children’s informational writing

Abstract Developing discursive competence in informational writing during K-12 education is an important preparation for academic writing in college and beyond. This study examines school children's use of nouns—a powerful grammatical resource for making meaning in academic and disciplinary contexts—in informational writing. Approximately 200 students in third, fifth, seventh, and ninth grades were asked to write an informational text on a familiar topic of interest. The writing corpus was first coded for presence of nouns and for holistic quality. These nouns were then analyzed for their lexical, syntactic, and semantic complexities. Statistical analyses yielded the following results: (a) the children scored low on all measures of nominal complexities; (b) there was a clear developmental trend toward greater nominal complexities across grades; (c) older children scored higher on holistic rating and used a higher percentage of complex nouns than did younger children, although both relied heavily on nouns without any modification or nouns with only one premodifier; and (d) nominal complexity measures significantly predicted the holistic quality of informational writing. These results were interpreted in light of the research literature on language/literacy learning and the research context of the present study. Their implications for academic writing research and instruction were also discussed.
Flux crystal growth of cesium bismuth silicates Cs3BiSi8O19 and Cs4Bi2Si8O21: Structure modification via Eu doping to yield Cs4Bi1.72Eu0.28Si8O21 and alkali metal ion exchange to yield Cs0.79K2.21BiSi8O19

Abstract Two new alkali bismuth silicates were prepared via high temperature flux crystal growth and their structures characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction (SXRD). Cs3BiSi8O19 and Cs4Bi2Si8O21, crystallize in the orthorhombic space groups Pnma (a = 11.5903, b = 7.0346, c = 26.7393) and Pnn2 (a = 14.2674, b = 33.8270, c = 7.24260) respectively. Cs3BiSi8O19 was modified via ion exchange (K for Cs) and Cs4Bi2Si8O21 via Eu doping in a flux environment yielding Cs0.79K2.21BiSi8O19 and Cs4Bi1.72Eu0.28Si8O21, respectively. The two phases crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Cmcm and the monoclinic space group P21/n, respectively. Photoluminescence measurements demonstrated that the europium doped Cs4Bi1.72Eu0.28Si8O21 exhibited emission corresponding to the 5D0 → 7F2 (613 nm) red emission and 5D0 → 7F1 (590 nm) orange emission, characteristic of Eu3+ f-f transitions.
Non-Linear Analysis of Polysomnographie Data in Children

Standard characterization of sleep staging utilizing the Rechtschaffen and Kales methods provide a linear framework for analysis of polysomographic data. However this analysis fails to correlate with may symptoms disorders. We have applied non-linear measures of entropy to distinguish sleep from Wake, NREM sleep, and REM sleep to assess EEG (electrode positions: C3, C4, O2), EKG, EOG, chest movement, and endtidal CO2. Sleep state is associated with changes in entropy. Delta sleep and stage 2 of NREM sleep demonstrate lowest, Rem Sleep intermediate and the waking state the highest entropy. Entropy values for each state are reproducible across physiologic parameters.
Neospora caninum Seroprevalence in Iowa Feedlots and its Association with Morbidity, Mortality, Production Parameters and Carcass Traits

Since first recognized in 1984 and described as a cause of bovine abortion in 1989, N. caninum has emerged as a leading cause of abortion in cattle worldwide. Traditionally, the economic impact of Neospora infection on beef productivity has been thought to be limited to the costs of abortion and increased culling. However, recent studies of Texas-based feedlot cattle described an association between the presence of N. caninum antibodies and reduced average daily gain, live body weight and hot carcass weight at slaughter. Seropositive feedlot steers, while exhibiting similar morbidity and mortality rates as seronegative steers, also demonstrated higher treatment costs if sick compared to seronegative sick calves. The purpose of this study was to test the null hypothesis that N. caninum seropositive Iowa feedlot cattle had similar morbidity rates, mortality rates, treatment costs, production parameters and carcass traits compared to seronegative cohorts. We also examined the hypothesis that the occurrence of chronic disease was equal between Neospora caninum serologically positive and negative animals.
Immigration: Health and Mortality

Over the past 50 years, the immigrant population in the United States and many other high-income countries grew rapidly and became increasingly diverse. Consequently, the study of immigrant health and mortality has become an important area of social science and epidemiological research. Immigrants tend to be healthy at time of arrival, but favorable health profiles tend to erode with increased duration in host countries and continue to deteriorate in the second generation. There is, however, considerable heterogeneity in these overall patterns.
Subvocal rehearsal of neutral and affective words interferes with left-hemisphere performance and facilitates right-hemisphere performance

Kinsbourne’s selective activation model was evaluated in a sample of 31 strongly right-dominant males. Priming manipulations were hypothesized to preferentially activate a hemisphere and to improve performance on an affect-recognition task in the contralateral visual field. Subvocal rehearsal of neutral words was the left-hemisphere manipulation, while subvocal rehearsal of affective words was the right-hemisphere task. Baseline performance was evaluated via a control condition. Relative to the control condition, both manipulations interfered with performance of the right visual field and facilitated that of the left visual field. These findings implicate an overloading of left-hemisphere processing capacity, but a priming of the right hemisphere. Left-hemisphere representation of both affective and neutral words and the dynamic balance of activation between hemispheres is proposed to account for these findings. Furthermore, a right-hemisphere advantage was observed for happy faces but not for angry faces, across all conditions. Perceptual asymmetries are proposed to account for this finding, though interpretative caution is required due to its observation in a dual-task paradigm.
The estrogenic potential of estriol. A clinical and laboratory re-evaluation.

Abstract The estrogenic effect of estriol was studied in humans through the observation of vaginal cytology, ferning of the cervical mucus, estrogen withdrawal bleedings, progestin withdrawal bleeding, and endometrial stimulation. The findings indicate that estriol possesses a low order of estrogenicity at 1 mg. a day. The relative efficacy of estriol is less than 10 per cent of stilbestrol. Specific polarity of estrogenic response in the human reproductive tract could not be demonstrated.
Teaching Mathematics Education with Cultural Competency.

Students learn through connections when understanding is enhanced by a more holistic view of the content. When mathematics is presented from diverse perspectives, students with diverse backgrounds, expectations, histories, and experiences benefit greatly. In this article the author addresses the need to teach mathematics with cultural competency that meets the needs of all diverse learners.
Primate Locomotion: Recent Advances

Primate Locomotion: Recent Advances. Elizabeth Strasser. John Fleagle. Alfred Rosenberger. and Henry McHenry. eds. New York: Plenum Press, 1998. 482 pp.
Dänische Meerespilze (Ascomycetes)

Zusammenfassung An der danischen Westkuste des nordlichen Jutland wurden 13 holzbesiedelnde Meerespilze gesammelt, von denen elf neu fur Danemark sind. Als neue Taxa werden beschrieben: Corollospora tubulata Kohlm. nov. spec. (Halosphaeriaceae) und Eiona tunicata Kohlm. nov. gen. et nov. spec. (Eurotiaceae). Die neuen Arten werden abgebildet, und ihre systematische Stellung wird diskutiert.
Evaluation in monkey of two candidate PET radioligands, [11C]RX-1 and [18F]RX-2, for imaging brain 5-HT4 receptors

The serotonin subtype-4 (5-HT4 ) receptor, which is known to be involved physiologically in learning and memory, and pathologically in Alzheimer's disease, anxiety, and other neuropsychiatric disorders-has few radioligands readily available for imaging in vivo. We have previously reported two novel 5-HT4 receptor radioligands, namely [methoxy-11 C](1-butylpiperidin-4-yl)methyl 4-amino-3-methoxybenzoate; [11 C]RX-1), and the [18 F]3-fluoromethoxy analog ([18 F]RX-2), and in this study we evaluated them by PET in rhesus monkey. Brain scans were performed at baseline, receptor preblock or displacement conditions using SB 207710, a 5-HT4 receptor antagonist, on the same day for [11 C]RX-1 and on different days for [18 F]RX-2. Specific-to-nondisplaceable ratio (BPND ) was measured with the simplified reference tissue model from all baseline scans. To determine specific binding, total distribution volume (VT ) was also measured in some monkeys by radiometabolite-corrected arterial input function after ex vivo inhibition of esterases from baseline and blocked scans. Both radioligands showed moderate to high peak brain uptake of radioactivity (2-6 SUV). Regional BPND values were in the rank order of known 5-HT4 receptor distribution with a trend for higher BPND values from [18 F]RX-2. One-tissue compartmental model provided good fits with well identified VT values for both radioligands. In the highest 5-HT4 receptor density region, striatum, 50-60% of total binding was specific. The VT in receptor-poor cerebellum reached stable values by about 60 min for both radioligands indicating little influence of radiometabolites on brain signal. In conclusion, both [11 C]RX-1 and [18 F]RX-2 showed positive attributes for PET imaging of brain 5-HT4 receptors, validating the radioligand design strategy. Synapse 68:613-623, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Fifty Nine Year Old Female with Flank Pain and Hematuria

Patient was a 59 year old Caucasian female who presented with flank pain and gross hematuria. She had similar symptoms 3 months ago and has been on antibiotics for presumed pyelonephritis. The clinical course, differential diagnosis are discussed and pathological findings are elucidated to tease out the educational message of the case.
SU-E-T-641: Proton Range Measurements Using a Geometrically Calibrated Liquid Scintillator Detector

Purpose: The purpose of this work is to develop a geometric calibration method to accurately calculate physical distances within a liquid scintillator detector and to assess the accuracy, consistency, and robustness of proton beam range measurements when using a liquid scintillator detector system with the proposed geometric calibration process. Methods: We developed a geometric calibration procedure to accurately convert pixel locations in the camera frame into physical locations in the scintillator frame. To ensure accuracy, the geometric calibration was performed before each experiment. The liquid scintillator was irradiated with spot scanning proton beams of 94 energies in two deliveries. A CCD camera was used to capture the two-dimensional scintillation light profile of each of the proton energies. An algorithm was developed to automatically calculate the proton range from the acquired images. The measured range was compared to the nominal range to assess the accuracy of the detector. To evaluate the robustness of the detector between each setup, the experiments were repeated on three different days. To evaluate the consistency of the measurements between deliveries, three sets of measurements were acquired for each experiment. Results: Using this geometric calibration procedure, the proton beam ranges measured using the liquid scintillator system were all within 0.3mm of the nominal range. The average difference between the measured and nominal ranges was −0.20mm. The delivery-to-delivery standard deviation of the proton range measurement was 0.04mm, and the setup-to-setup standard deviation of the measurement was 0.10mm. Conclusion: The liquid scintillator system can measure the range of all 94 beams in just two deliveries. With the proposed geometric calibration, it can measure proton range with sub-millimeter accuracy, and the measurements were shown to be consistent between deliveries and setups. Therefore, we conclude that the liquid scintillator system provides a reliable and convenient tool for proton range measurement. This project was supported in part by award number CA182450 from the National Cancer Institute.
VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL EYE DISPLACEMENT DURING STATIC PITCH AND ROLL POSTURES

The positions of both eyes were measured objectively in the dark following "look straight ahead" instructions for 16 subjects at 27 combinations of static pitch and roll postures over 360 degrees of space, using an infrared video technique. Shifts in vertical version, or the doll reflex, varied sinusoidally with pitch and roll angle. At 0 degree roll, the average response has a peak-to-trough amplitude of 9.28 degrees and is symmetric about a downward eye position of 4.63 degrees. The proposed Dual Otolith Model (DOM), based on a combination of utricular and saccular inputs, provided excellent fits to the present data (R2 = 0.876) and to the data of previous studies (R2 = 0.916 to 0.994). Deviations in horizontal version varied sinusoidally with roll angle, with no significant effect of pitch angle. In general, clockwise (right-ear-down) rolls produced rightward eye movements, and counterclockwise (left-ear-down) rolls produced leftward eye movements. The average versions were symmetric about a leftward eye position of 1.14 degrees, with a peak-to-trough amplitude of 3.76 degrees. The data were well represented by the proposed Horizontal Version Model (HVM; R2 = 0.796), which depended only on utricular input.
Influence of long-term aldose reductase inhibitor therapy on autonomic dysfunction of urinary bladder, stomach and cardiovascular systems in diabetic patients

Summary The effects of the aldose reductase inhibitor (ARI) sorbinil (250 mg/day) were tested in an open-label pilot study over 1 year, in eight diabetics with peripheral neuropathy, seven of whom had symptomic autonomic neuropathy (AN). Autonomic function studies of the urinary bladder, stomach and cardiovascular system were performed at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Six patients reported improvement in symptoms of AN by 6 months which was maintained or further improved by 12 months. Bladder sensation, as measured by cystometrographic parameters, improved at 6 months (P
Shining a light on protein expression in living organisms

Imagine being able to rapidly switch on your favorite protein at a specified concentration, location and time in a live multicellular organism. Sounds like a dream? Recent advances in controlling protein splicing with small molecules are close to making it a reality.
Excitation of atoms to states of high orbital momentum

High-l states of atoms, though statistically predominant, have not been studied much in the laboratory. They should, however, be excited in electron-atom collisions at energies within a fraction of 1 eV above or below the ionization threshold. This qualitative prediction derives from the Wannier theory (1953) and is, in fact, implied by Cvejanovic and Read's recent angular distribution experiment (1974). Application of the same theory below threshold provides a qualitative interpretation of a related experiment.
Prognosis‐Based Futility Guidelines: Does Anyone Win?

OBJECTIVE: Advocates for health care reform and others claim that significant savings could be achieved if “futile” care were eliminated. Our objective was to provide an initial estimate of the effects of a public policy that would preclude futile life-sustaining treatments, defined as those employed despite ≤1% chance of surviving for 2 months. DESIGN: Simulation using data from an observational cohort study. SETTING: Five academic medical centers. PATIENTS: Seriously ill hospitalized adults enrolled in the Study to Understand Prognoses and Preferences for Outcomes and Risks of Treatment (SUPPORT). METHODS: We examined the impact of prognosis-based futility guidelines on survival and hospital length of stay on a cohort of seriously ill adults. We calculated the number of days of hospitalization that would not be used if, on the third study day, life-sustaining treatment had been stopped or not initiated for subjects with estimated 2-month survival probability of ≤1%. RESULTS: Of the 4301 patients, 115 (2.7%) had an estimated chance of 2-month survival of ≤1%. All but one of these 115 subjects died within 6 months. Almost 86% died within 5 days of prognosis. At the time of death, 92 subjects (80.0%) had had no attempt at resuscitation; 35 (30.4%) had had a life-sustaining mechanical ventilator withdrawn. A Do-Not-Resuscitate order was written either before (n = 61) or within 5 days (n = 18) of reaching this prognosis for 68.6% of the patients. These 115 subjects had total hospital charges of $8.8 million. By forgoing or withdrawing life sustaining treatment in accord with a strict 1% futility guideline, 199 of 1,688 hospital days (10.8%) would be forgone, with estimated savings of $1.2 million in hospital charges. Nearly 75% of the savings in hospital days would have resulted from stopping treatment for 12 patients, six of whom were under 51 years old, and one of whom lived 10 months. CONCLUSIONS: Patients at a high risk of dying can be identified prospectively. Implementation of a strict, prognosis-based futility guideline on the third day of a serious illness would result in modest savings.
Fucosylated lactosamines participate in adhesion of HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein to dendritic cells

Carbohydrates expressed on HIV-1 gp160 are purported to bind to several receptor types that affect virus pathophysiology. Here, we define a potential role for fucosylated glycans involved in the adhesion of cells expressing anchored HIV-1 glycoprotein or HIV virions to human dendritic cells (DCs). We observe that a monoclonal antibody (FH6), with reactivity toward an extended dimeric form of a fucosyl lactosamine, binds to gp120 transfectants, blocking adhesion of these cells and virus particles to human DCs. We observe that serum antibodies induced by peptide mimetic of fucosylated carbohydrate core structures emulate the monoclonal antibody reactivity pattern, showing enhanced reactivity to HIV-1 envelope-expressing cell line and blocking the adhesion of these cells to human DCs. These results suggest a potential role for initial adherence of virally infected cells or virions mediated by fucosylated lactosamines expressed on the envelope protein. As these carbohydrates function as adhesion molecules associated with homing and dissemination processes, such interactions may contribute to the HIV infection process.
Immunologic Studies on Experimental Trypanosoma cruzi Infections I. Lysins in Blood of Infected Rats.

SummaryBlood serum of animals infected with Trypanosoma cruzi caused Iysis of this organism from cultures in less than 2 hr and, when diluted 1: 5, in 3 to 5 hr. When the animals were blocked as well, the time required for lysis was increased and the Iytic titer of the serum was reduced.
A prediction method for flow in the Shuttle tile strain isolation pad

The Shuttle Orbiter thermal protection system uses a Strain Isolation Pad (SIP) between the tile and the Orbiter. This paper presents experimental measurements of the pressure drop and associated flow rate through a sample of the SIP material. Included are data for a range of air densities representative of Shuttle ascent and re-entry trajectories. Also presented are new theoretical and correlative methods which predict the experimental data. These methods will help in predicting venting characteristics of tile assemblies during ascent, and hot gas leak under the tiles during descent. The predictive philosophy developed is useful in the study of fibrous and porous media fluid mechanics.
Lattice properties of the linear chain compound TiS3

Abstract We report the results of Raman scattering measurements on the quasi-one- dimensional compound TiS 3 . Most of the group-theoretically-predicted Raman-active phonons are observed.
Glass‐polymer melt hybrids. I: Viscoelastic properties of novel affordable organic‐inorganic polymer hybrids

A novel class of organic-inorganic polymer hybrids was developed by melt-blending up to 50 (v/v) % [about 83 (w/w) %] tin-based polyphosphate glass (Pglass) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) in conventional plastics processing equipment. The liquid- and solid-state rheology of the polymer hybrids was studied under oscillatory shear flow and deformation to understand the behavior of these materials and to accelerate efforts to melt process the Pglass with organic polymers. All the materials were found to be linearly viscoelastic in the range of temperature and frequencies examined and their viscoelastic functions increased with increasing Pglass concentration. The Pglass significantly enhanced the shear-thinning characteristics of the Pglass-LDPE hybrid, indicating the presence of nonlinear chemical and physical interactions between the hybrid components. Morphological examination of the materials by scanning electron microscopy revealed interesting evolution of microstructure of the Pglass phase from droplets (or round beads) to elongated and interpenetrating network structures as the glass concentration was increased in the Pglass-LDPE hybrids. Melt viscosities of the materials were well described by a simple power-law equation and a Maxwellian (Hookean) model with three relaxation times. Time-temperature superpositioning (TTS) of the complex viscosity versus frequency data was excellent at 170°C < T < 220°C and the temperature dependencies of the shift factors conformed excellently well to predictions from an Arrhenius-type relation, enabling calculation of the flow-activation energies (25–285 kj/mol) for the materials. The beneficial function of the Pglass in the hybrid system was significantly enhanced by pre-treating the glass with coupling agents prior to incorporating them into the Pglass-LDPE hybrids.
It's Not as Simple as It Seems: Ambiguous Culpability and Ambivalent Affect In News Representations of Violent Youth

While violence problems are a staple of both the mass media and work by constructionist social problems theorists, most of the latter has focused on violent adults. Constructionist research suggests that the media depict violent persons as evil victimizers, deserving of fear and condemnation, and their victims as deserving of sympathy. This article extends the constructionist literature on violence problems by examining news stories that construct youth violence as a social problem. My findings suggest that these media constructions are considerably more complex than previous work has claimed. Specifically, I find that the media (a) contextualize youth violence by casting extant, familiar social problems as its origins and (b) engender an ambiguous sense of culpability and ambivalent emotional orientations toward violent youth. This complexity is shaped, in part, by the media's appropriation of two seemingly contradictory cultural discourses—the evil, violent predator and the innocent child. I suggest that although aspects of these findings may be specific to the problem of violent youth, the contextualization, ambiguity, and ambivalence may well be found in social constructions of a variety of other problems.
Distribution of Capillary Transit Times in Isolated Lungs of Oxygen-Tolerant Rats

Rats pre-exposed to 85% O2 for 5–7 days tolerate the otherwise lethal effects of 100% O2. The objective was to evaluate the effect of rat exposure to 85% O2 for 7 days on lung capillary mean transit time \( (\bar{t}_{\text{c}} ) \) and distribution of capillary transit times (hc(t)). This information is important for subsequent evaluation of the effect of this hyperoxia model on the redox metabolic functions of the pulmonary capillary endothelium. The venous concentration vs. time outflow curves of fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled dextran (FITC-dex), an intravascular indicator, and coenzyme Q1 hydroquinone (CoQ1H2), a compound which rapidly equilibrates between blood and tissue on passage through the pulmonary circulation, were measured following their bolus injection into the pulmonary artery of isolated perfused lungs from rats exposed to room air (normoxic) or 85% O2 for 7 days (hyperoxic). The moments (mean transit time and variance) of the measured FITC-dex and CoQ1H2 outflow curves were determined for each lung, and were then used in a mathematical model [Audi et al.J. Appl. Physiol. 77: 332–351, 1994] to estimate \( \bar{t}_{\text{c}} \) and the relative dispersion (RDc) of hc(t). Data analysis reveals that exposure to hyperoxia decreases lung \( \bar{t}_{\text{c}} \) by 42% and increases RDc, a measure hc(t) heterogeneity, by 40%.
Progressive damage modeling for large deformation loading of composite structures

A nonlinear constitutive model for large deformation loading at different strain rate condition was developed to represent tensile progressive damage of the nonlinear large deformation rate dependent behavior of polymer-based composite materials. The material was characterized by using off-axis composite specimens at different strain rates. A new failure criterion was proposed for the analysis of different loading directions and strain rates. Based on a method of combining the nonlinear constitutive theory and the proposed failure criterion for different strain rates, the progressive damage behavior of large deformation composites was represented. The strength of the material was also successfully represented with a single material constant.
Comorbid Medical Conditions Among Depressed Elderly Patients Discharged Home After Acute Psychiatric Care

Objective The authors examined physical illness among elderly patients hospitalized for treatment of major depression, the impact of comorbidity on functional status, and the burden of comorbidity on post-discharge service needs. Methods Data for this cross-sectional study were derived from patient interviews and abstracted from hospital charts. The sample comprised 195 older adults hospitalized for treatment of depression on the geropsychiatric unit of a large urban teaching hospital and discharged to home. Medical comorbidity was measured with the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale for Geriatrics. A psychiatrist confirmed DSM-IV for Axis I diagnosis of depression, and the Geriatric Depression Scale measured depression severity. Unit nurses administered the Mini-Mental State Exam. They assessed functional dependency via the OARS Multidimensional Functional Assessment Questionnaire. Service needs post-discharge were measured from physician discharge orders and patient scores on standardized tests. Results Almost three-fourths of depressed elderly patients had at least one comorbid condition requiring first-line treatment; nearly half had two, and one-fourth had three or more. Comorbid physical illness and cognitive impairment was significantly and negatively associated with elderly patients' functional impairment at discharge. Depressed patients with higher medical comorbidity had significantly more needs for services after they left acute care. Conclusion Medical comorbidity needs to be assessed and considered in planning for post-acute care for depressed elderly patients discharged home.
Structural graph matching with polynomial bounds on memory and on worst-case effort

A new method of structural graph matching is introduced and compared against an existing method and against the maximum common subgraph. The method is approximate with polynomial bounds on both memory and on the worst-case compute effort. Methods work on arbitrary types of graphs and tests with strongly regular graphs are included. No node or edge colors are needed in the methods; the common subgraph is extracted based on structural comparisons only. Monte Carlo trials are benchmarked with 100% additional (clutter) nodes. Results are shown to be typically within 1-2 nodes of the maximum common subgraph. Over 7500 test trials are reported with graphs up to 100 nodes.
The visual representation of three-dimensional, rotating objects.

Abstract Depth rotations can reveal new object parts and result in poor recognition of “static” objects (Biederman & Gerhardstein, 1993) . Recent studies have suggested that multiple object views can be associated through temporal contiguity and similarity Edelman & Weinshall, 1991 , Lawson et al., 1994 , Wallis, 1996 . Motion may also play an important role in object recognition since observers recognize novel views of objects rotating in the picture plane more readily than novel views of statically re-oriented objects (Kourtzi & Shiffrar, 1997) . The series of experiments presented here investigated how different views of a depth-rotated object might be linked together even when these views do not share the same parts. The results suggest that depth rotated object views can be linked more readily with motion than with temporal sequence alone to yield priming of novel views of 3D objects that fall in between “known” views. Motion can also enhance path specific view linkage when visible object parts differ across views. Such results suggest that object representations depend on motion processes.
Fiscal Vulnerability and Sustainability in Oil-Producing Sub-Saharan African Countries

Over many years rises and fall of world oil prices have been repeatedly reflected in the boom-bust cycles in oil-exporting countries the world over. The recent spectacular rise and equally spectacular fall in prices provides an opportunity to inquire whether anything is different this time. In this paper we limit the analysis to the experience, outlook, and longterm fiscal policy considerations for eight of the world's oil-producing countries in sub- Saharan Africa. Because we are interested in gauging their fiscal vulnerability and sustainability from the angle of managing exhaustible oil wealth, we focus on the non-oil primary balance as the relevant indicator of how initial conditions and resource endowments can influence long-term considerations in several different models of fiscal rules.
Evaluating energy savings for checkpoint/restart

The U. S. Department of Energy has identified resilience and energy consumption as key challenges for future extreme-scale systems. All checkpoint/restart methods require I/O to local or remote storage. Efforts are under way to minimize the amount of data movement and increase scalability. Nevertheless, the energy consumed by fault resilience methods will increase with system size. It is therefore important to understand the performance overhead in conjunction with the energy consumption of each fault resilience method. In this paper we explore throttling CPU power consumption during I/O intensive checkpoint operations of real applications. We find that 10% total energy savings are possible with little impact on application time to solution.