cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
AI and Cognitive Testing: A New Conceptual Framework and Roadmap.

Understanding how a person thinks, i.e., measuring a single individual’s cognitive characteristics, is challenging because cognition is not directly observable. Practically speaking, standardized cognitive tests (tests of IQ, memory, attention, etc.), with results interpreted by expert clinicians, represent the state of the art in measuring a person’s cognition. Three areas of AI show particular promise for improving the effectiveness of this kind of cognitive testing: 1) behavioral sensing, to more robustly quantify individual test-taker behaviors, 2) data mining, to identify and extract meaningful patterns from behavioral datasets; and 3) cognitive modeling, to help map ob- served behaviors onto hypothesized cognitive strategies. We bring these three areas of AI research together in a unified conceptual framework and provide a sampling of recent work in each area. Continued research at the nexus of AI and cognitive testing has potentially far-reaching implications for society in virtually every context in which measuring cognition is important, including research across many disciplines of cognitive science as well as applications in clinical, educational, and workforce settings.
Residential proximity to greenhouse agriculture and neurobehavioral performance in Ecuadorian children.

Abstract Background Children living near greenhouse agriculture may have an increased risk of pesticide exposure due to drift or direct contact with pesticide-treated areas. However, little is known about whether this increased potential for chronic exposure may impair their neurodevelopment. Methods We examined 307 children aged 4–9 years, living in agricultural communities in Ecuador (ESPINA study). The two exposures calculated were residential distance from the nearest flower plantation perimeter and flower plantation surface area within 100 m of homes. Five neurobehavioral domains were assessed: Attention/Inhibitory Control, Memory/Learning, Visuospatial processing and Sensorimotor (higher values reflect better performance). Low scores were defined according to the test's cut-offs. Models were adjusted for demographic, socio-economic and growth variables. Results The mean (SD) residential distance to the nearest flower plantation was 446 m (344). Living 100 m closer to crops was associated with increased odds (OR [95% CI]) of low scores in the domains of Memory/Learning (1.24 [1.05, 1.46]) and Language (1.09 [1.00, 1.19]). Associations were strongest among children living within 50 m, having significantly lower scores in Language (−1.28 which is ~50% of a SD [-2.50, −0.06]), Attention/Inhibitory Control (−1.24 units, [-2.45, −0.04]), and Memory/Learning (−0.91, [-1.99, 0.17]), compared to children living farther than 500 m. Analyses of areas of flower crops near homes concurred with these findings. Conclusions Close residential proximity to greenhouse floricultural crops was associated with adverse neurobehavioral performance in Attention/Inhibitory Control, Language and Memory/Learning among children. This highlights the importance of reducing pesticide drift from plantations to nearby homes.
Planning a ‘Regional breathing space’: the ecological shift in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan for the New Jersey Meadowlands, 1970

The discussion of resiliency in the New York metropolitan area, following the Superstorm Sandy in 2012, is not a new one. The recent shift in policy approach, including the 2017 regional plan relea...
Correlates and Predictors of Cerebrospinal Fluid Cholesterol Efflux Capacity from Neural Cells, a Family of Biomarkers for Cholesterol Epidemiology in Alzheimer's Disease.

BACKGROUND Basic research has implicated intracellular cholesterol in neurons, microglia, and astrocytes in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), but there is presently no assay to access intracellular cholesterol in neural cells in living people in the context of AD. OBJECTIVE To devise and characterize an assay that can access intracellular cholesterol and cholesterol efflux in neural cells in living subjects. METHODS We modified the protocol for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) from macrophages, a biomarker that accesses cholesterol in macrophages in atherosclerosis. To measure cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) CECs from neurons, microglia, and astrocytes, CSF was exposed to, correspondingly, neuronal, microglial, and astrocytic cholesterol source cells. Human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y, mouse microglial N9, and human astroglial A172 cells were used as the cholesterol source cells. CSF samples were screened for contamination with blood. CSF CECs were measured in a small cohort of 22 individuals. RESULTS CSF CECs from neurons, microglia, and astrocytes were moderately to moderately strongly correlated with CSF concentrations of cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-I, apolipoprotein E, and clusterin (Pearson's r = 0.53-0.86), were in poor agreement with one another regarding CEC of the CSF samples (Lin's concordance coefficient rc = 0.71-0.76), and were best predicted by models consisting of, correspondingly, CSF phospholipid (R2 = 0.87, p < 0.0001), CSF apolipoprotein A-I and clusterin (R2 = 0.90, p < 0.0001), and CSF clusterin (R2 = 0.62, p = 0.0005). CONCLUSION Characteristics of the CSF CEC metrics suggest a potential for independent association with AD and provision of fresh insight into the role of cholesterol in AD pathogenesis.
Becoming Wards of the State: Race, Crime, and Childhood in the Struggle for Foster Care Integration, 1920s to 1960s:

Using archival materials from the Domestic Relations Court of New York City, this article traces the conflict between private institutions and the state over responsibility for neglected African Am...
Identity-based socialization and adopted children’s outcomes in lesbian, gay, and heterosexual parent families

We investigated associations among three parent socialization practices (racial/cultural socialization, adoptive communicative openness, LGBT family socialization) and related child outcomes (socia...
The Landscape of Blood Cancer Research Today-and Where the Field Is Headed.

Summary: This editorial integrates the views of Blood Cancer Discovery9s editors-in-chief and scientific editors to explore the current and near-future landscape of the study of hematologic malignancies—from the most intriguing new developments in clinical and basic research to the greatest upcoming challenges and how they will be confronted.
The Poor Fit of Model Fit for Selecting Number of Factors in Exploratory Factor Analysis for Scale Evaluation

Model fit indices are being increasingly recommended and used to select the number of factors in an exploratory factor analysis. Growing evidence suggests that the recommended cutoff values for common model fit indices are not appropriate for use in an exploratory factor analysis context. A particularly prominent problem in scale evaluation is the ubiquity of correlated residuals and imperfect model specification. Our research focuses on a scale evaluation context and the performance of four standard model fit indices: root mean square error of approximate (RMSEA), standardized root mean square residual (SRMR), comparative fit index (CFI), and Tucker-Lewis index (TLI), and two equivalence test-based model fit indices: RMSEAt and CFIt. We use Monte Carlo simulation to generate and analyze data based on a substantive example using the positive and negative affective schedule (N = 1,000). We systematically vary the number and magnitude of correlated residuals as well as nonspecific misspecification, to evaluate the impact on model fit indices in fitting a two-factor exploratory factor analysis. Our results show that all fit indices, except SRMR, are overly sensitive to correlated residuals and nonspecific error, resulting in solutions that are overfactored. SRMR performed well, consistently selecting the correct number of factors; however, previous research suggests it does not perform well with categorical data. In general, we do not recommend using model fit indices to select number of factors in a scale evaluation framework.
Quantum Hamiltonian for the surface charge density on a ring torus and radiative decay of plasmons

Photon scattering and the ensuing excitation of surface plasmons in single rings, single composite rings, and many-ring systems was recently shown to provide dispersion and field distributions [K. V. Garapati et al., J. Phys. Commun. 2, 015031 (2018)] of potential for specific applications in particle and molecular trapping [R. Alaee et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 109, 141102 (2016); M. Salhi et al., Phys. Rev. A 92, 033416 (2015)], in addition to metamaterials and sensing. Following photon or electron interactions with metallic nanorings, both radiative and nonradiative decay channels are important in the consideration of the nanoparticle as a photon or phonon source, and in related applications. Here, we quantize the electronic normal modes of the ring torus and obtain the radiative decay of plasmons. Due to a geometry-related complexity, we employ a perturbation approach to obtain analytical expressions for the radiative decay channel for a vacuum bounded single solid nanoring. In quantizing the fields, the frequency spectrum of the charge density normal modes of the nanoring is obtained and shown to agree with the exact quasistatic plasmon dispersion relations. Higher-order corrections beyond the presented zero- and first-order calculations may be obtained following the presented results. The results are of potential interest in quantum sensing such as entangling photons and plasmons, or plasmons and trapped molecules.
Population-specific genetic background for the OPRM1 variant rs1799971 (118A>G): implications for genomic medicine and functional analysis.

The mu-opioid receptor (MOR, OPRM1) has important roles in diverse functions including reward, addiction, and response to pain treatment. SNP rs1799971 (118A > G, N40D) which occur at a high frequency (40-60%) in Asia and moderate frequency (15%) in samples of European ancestry, is the only common coding variant in the canonical transcript, in non-African populations. Despite extensive studies, the molecular consequences of this variation remained unresolved. The aim of this study was to determine the genetic background of the OPRM1 region of 118G in four representative populations and to assess its potential modulatory effect. Seven common haplotypes with distinct population distribution were identified based on seven SNPs. Three haplotypes carry the 118G and additional highly linked regulatory SNPs (e.g., rs9383689) that could modulate the effect of 118G. Extended analysis in the 1000 Genomes database (n = 2504) revealed a common East Asian-specific haplotype with a different genetic background in which there are no variant alleles for an upstream LD block tagged by the eQTL rs9397171. The major European haplotype specifically includes the eQTL intronic SNP rs62436463 that must have arisen after the split between European and Asian populations. Differentiating between the effect of 118G and these SNPs requires specific experimental approaches. The analysis also revealed a significant increase in two 118A haplotypes with eQTL SNPs associated with drug addiction (rs510769) and obesity (rs9478496) in populations with native Mexican ancestry. Future studies are required to assess the clinical implication of these findings.
p53 Coordinates Temporal WDR5 Inputs During Neuroectoderm and Mesoderm Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells

Cell-type specific transcription factors cooperate with chromatin-modifying proteins to orchestrate proper differentiation, but little is known how ubiquitous embryonic proteins coordinate inputs from broadly expressed epigenetic factors to control cell fate. Here, we uncover a previously unappreciated molecular relationship between p53, an abundant embryonic protein, and Wdr5, an essential member of the COMPASS chromatin modifying complex, that regulates mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC) fate. Intact, or brief disruption of, Wdr5 activity promotes a distinct pattern of global chromatin accessibility and spurs neuroectodermal specification through Wdr5 binding to, and transcription of, neural genes. This leads to RbBP5-dependent differentiation of 3D Rx+ neuroectodermal organoids. In contrast, prolonged Wdr5 inhibition transcriptionally impairs ribosome biogenesis, which upregulates p53 activity, triggering increased expression of pro-mesoderm p53 target genes and emergence of a chromatin accessibility state permissive for mesoderm specification. Rescue of Wdr5 function after its extended inhibition targets WDR5 to mesoderm lineage-specifying genes, stimulating differentiation toward contractile cardiogenic and hematopoietic mesoderm fates. This cell fate transition is p53-dependent, as p53 inactivation partially rescues neuroectoderm differentiation and inhibits mesoderm formation. Our results unmask a p53-dependent mechanism that temporally integrates an epigenetic WDR5 input to drive neuroectoderm and mesoderm differentiation from pluripotent cells.
An Eigenargument for Irrational Roots

What was your favorite proof of the irrationality of 2 when you woke up this morning? Does it also work for the fifty-seventh root of 2020?By teaching an old matrix some new eigentricks, we offer a...
Mental Health During the First Weeks of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States

Background: By March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 crisis as a worldwide pandemic and many local governments instituted stay-at-home orders and closed non-essential businesses. Within the United States, tens of millions of workers lost their jobs and financial security during the first few weeks of the national response, in an attempt to slow the global pandemic. Because of the enormity of the pandemic and its potential impact on mental health, the objective of the present study was to document the prevalence of mental health problems and their association with pandemic-related job loss during the third week of the nationwide shutdown. Methods: Mental health was assessed via online questionnaires among a representative sample of 1,013 U.S. adults on April 9-10, 2020. Rates of clinically significant mental health outcomes were compared between participants who lost their job as a result of COVID-19 restrictions (17.4%) vs. those who did not (82.6%). Bivariate multiple logistic regression identified factors that were predictive of, and protective against, mental health problems. Results: The prevalence of clinically significant symptoms was significantly higher than prior population estimates, ranging from 27 to 32% for depression, 30 to 46% for anxiety disorders, 15 to 18% for acute/post-traumatic stress, 25% for insomnia, and 18% for suicidal ideation. Prevalence estimates were 1.5-1.7 times higher for those who reported job loss due to COVID-19 restrictions than those who did not. Mental health problems were predicted by worry over financial instability, insomnia, social isolation, and alcohol consumption, while getting outside more often, perceived social support, and older age were protective against these problems. Conclusions: During the first 3 weeks of lockdowns/stay-at-home restrictions, mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, insomnia, and acute stress reactions were notably elevated relative to prior population estimates. Job loss related to the nationwide shutdown was particularly associated with poorer mental health. These findings provide a baseline of mental health functioning during the first weeks of the national emergency and lockdown orders in response to COVID-19.
RF Co-Designed Bandpass Filter/Circulator With Tunable Center Frequency, Bandwidth, and Out-of-Band Isolation

This letter reports on a new type of miniaturized RF co-designed bandpass filter/circulator (BPFC). Miniaturization is achieved by: 1) capacitively loading a multi-mode ferrite-based disk resonator; 2) combining the function of an RF circulator and a bandpass filter (BPF) within the volume of a single microwave component; and 3) by tuning its transfer function. The proposed BPFC exhibits a quasi-elliptic power transmission response in the forward direction—passband in-between four transmission zeros (TZs)—and an all-stop response in the reverse one. Reconfigurability is achieved by tuning the capacitive loads of the ferrite disk and the mixed electromagnetic coupling elements in the RF input/output. For proof-of-concept validation purposes, an S-band tunable prototype was designed, built, and measured. It demonstrated multiple levels of tuning. These include the frequency tuning of 1.27:1, the bandwidth tuning of 1.73:1, the out-of-band isolation tuning, and intrinsic switching-off.
Metastatic Paraganglioma of the Spine With SDHB Mutation: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

ABSTRACT Background: Paragangliomas (PGLs) are rare neuroendocrine tumors that can arise from any autonomic ganglion of the body. Most PGLs do not metastasize. Here, we present a rare case of metastatic PGL of the spine in a patient with a germline pathogenic succinate dehydrogenase subunit B (SDHB) mutation. Methods: In addition to a case report we provide a literature review of metastatic spinal PGL to highlight the importance of genetic testing and long-term surveillance of these patients. Results: A 45-year-old woman with history of spinal nerve root PGL, 17 years prior, presented with back pain of several months9 duration. Imaging revealed multilevel lytic lesions throughout the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine as well as involvement of the right mandibular condyle and clavicle. Percutaneous biopsy of the L1 spinal lesion confirmed metastatic PGL and the patient underwent posterior tumor resection and instrumented fusion of T7–T11. Postoperatively the patient was found to have a pathogenic SDHB deletion. Conclusions: Patients with SDHx mutation, particularly SDHB, have increased risk of developing metastatic PGLs. Consequently, these individuals require long-term surveillance given the risk for developing new tumors or disease recurrence, even years to decades after primary tumor resection. Surgical management of spinal metastatic PGL involves correcting spinal instability, minimizing tumor burden, and alleviating epidural cord compression. In patients with metastatic PGL of the spine, genetic testing should be considered.
Ethanol modulation of cortico-basolateral amygdala circuits: Neurophysiology and behavior.

Abstract This review highlights literature relating the anatomy, physiology, and behavioral contributions by projections between rodent prefrontal cortical areas and the basolateral amygdala. These projections are robustly modulated by both environmental experience and exposure to drugs of abuse including ethanol. Recent literature relating optogenetic and chemogenetic dissection of these circuits within behavior both compliments and occasionally challenges roles defined by more traditional pharmacological or lesion-based approaches. In particular, cortico-amygdala circuits help control both aversive and reward-seeking. Exposure to pathology-producing environments or abused drugs dysregulates the relative ‘balance’ of these outcomes. Modern circuit-based approaches have also shown that overlapping populations of neurons within a given brain region frequently govern both aversion and reward-seeking. In addition, these circuits often dramatically influence ‘local’ cortical or basolateral amygdala excitatory or inhibitory circuits. Our understanding of these neurobiological processes, particularly in relation to ethanol research, has just begun and represents a significant opportunity. This article is part of the special Issue on ‘Neurocircuitry Modulating Drug and Alcohol Abuse'.
Access to Diagnostic Services Through Health Insurance Schemes: Lessons from a Southern Indian State for Post-COVID Era

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has reiterated the importance of diagnostic services in ensuring public health of a nation. Access to timely diagnostic services can be limited because of non-availability and inability to pay, especially in lower-middle-income countries. The need for testing for COVID-19 and other diseases is likely to increase in the coming years. An innovative publicly funded health insurance scheme is being implemented in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, India since 2012 for providing financial protection and improving access to diagnostic services. Secondary data pertaining to empanelled public and private diagnostic centres, procedures covered, package rates and claims were procured from the state government and analysed. The article discusses the findings using the World Health Organization?s Universal Health Coverage framework. It argues that public policies providing health protection must explicitly include diagnostic services to fulfil the aim of leaving no one behind in the post-COVID world.
Biomimetic Microstructure Morphology in Electrospun Fiber Mats is Critical for Maintaining Healthy Cardiomyocyte Phenotype

Despite recent advances in biomimetic substrates, there is still only limited understanding of how the extracellular matrix (ECM) functions in the maintenance of cardiomyocyte (CM) phenotype. In this study, we designed electrospun substrates inspired by morphologic features of non-failing and failing human heart ECM, and examined how these substrates regulate phenotypes of adult and neonatal rat ventricular CMs (ARVM and NRVM, respectively). We found that poly(e-caprolactone) fiber substrates designed to mimic the organized ECM of a non-failing human heart maintained healthy CM phenotype (evidenced by cell morphology, organized actin/myomesin bands and expression of β-MYH7 and SCN5A.1 and SCN5A.2) compared to both failing heart ECM-mimetic substrates and tissue culture plates. Moreover, culture of ARVMs and NRVMs on aligned substrates showed differences in m- and z-line alignment; with ARVMs aligning parallel to the ECM fibers and the NRVMs aligning perpendicular to the fibers. The results provide new insight into cardiac tissue engineering by illustrating the importance models that mimic the cardiac ECM microenvironment in vitro.
Dynamics of Multibody Systems: FLOATING FRAME OF REFERENCE FORMULATION

In this chapter, approximation methods are used to formulate a finite set of dynamic equations of motion of multibody systems that contain interconnected deformable bodies. As shown in Chapter 3, the dynamic equations of motion of the rigid bodies in the multibody system can be deined in terms of the mass of the body, the inertia tensor, and the generalized forces acting on the body. On the other hand, the dynamic formulation of the system equations of motion of linear structural systems requires the definition of the system mass and stiffness matrices as well as the vector of generalized forces. In this chapter, the dynamic formulation of the equations of motion of deformable bodies that undergo large translational and rotational displacements are developed using the floating frame of reference formulation. It will be shown that the equations of motion of such systems can be written in terms of a set of inertia shape integrals in addition to the mass of the body, the inertia tensor, and the generalized forces that appear in the dynamic formulation of rigid body system equations of motion and the mass and stiffness matrices and the vector of generalized forces that appear in the dynamic equations of linear structural systems. These inertia shape integrals that depend on the assumed displacement field appear in the nonlinear terms that represent the inertia coupling between the reference motion and the elastic deformation of the body.
Selective angiocardiography in diagnosis of varicosity of the pulmonary veins: Report of a case

Abstract A case has been presented of varicosity of the pulmonary veins, an unusual vascular anomaly of the lungs. This is the twelfth such case reported and constitutes the third reported case in which the diagnosis was made by means of angiocardiography.
Network Formation Using Ant Colony Optimization

A significant area of research in the field of hybrid communications is the Network Design Problem (NDP) [1]. The NDP is an NP complete problem [1] that focuses on identifying the optimal network topology for transmitting commodities between nodes, under constraints such as bandwidth, limited compatible directed channels, and link and commodity costs. The NDP focuses on designing a flexible network while trying to achieve optimal flow or routing. If a link (or arc) is used, then an associated fixed cost of the edge is incurred. In addition, there is a cost for using the arc depending on the flow. The solution is a network topology connecting all of the nodes that minimizes the total system cost.
A turbulent near-wall model on convective heat transfer from an abrupt expansion tube

Turbulent heat transfer from a sudden expansion pipe subjected to an externally convective boundary condition is studied numerically using the proposed modified turbulence model. Both HYBRID and QUICK schemes are employed for comparison purposes. The calculated velocity distribution and turbulent kinetic energy show a significant improvement over the existing model solutions. The present results of center-line velocity, temperature distribution and Nusselt number under a limiting condition compare well with the available experimental data.
Time‐frequency attribute of seismic data using continuous wavelet transform

A time-frequency decomposition that can provide higher frequency resolution at lower frequencies and higher time resolution at higher frequencies is desirable for analyzing seismic data. This is because the hydrocarbons in the reservoir are diagnostic at lower frequencies and thin beds can be resolved with enhanced time resolution at higher frequencies. In this paper we present a new method to compute the time-frequency spectrum using wavelet as a window that achieves this objective. Time-frequency spectrum is commonly used to compute various frequency attributes of seismic signal like single frequency, dominant frequency, center frequency and so forth. The conventional approach is to use short time Fourier transform (STFT) to obtain a time-frequency spectrum. Time-frequency resolution in the STFT is limited by the choice of a window length. The proposed time-frequency spectrum using CWT (TFCWT) in this work has the ability to adapt with the frequency content of the signal. The flexibility of not having to choose a window is an advantage of our method. We present two applications of TFCWT to real data sets in this paper. In the first example, we use TFCWT to enhance low frequency shadows caused by hydrocarbon reservoirs. In the second example, we apply the time frequency spectrum in interpreting time slices from a 3D seismic volume in frequency space to identify thin beds below tuning thickness.
Polymer-Based Fluidic Devices Integrated with Perforated Conical Nanopores in Freestanding Polymer Membranes

Although nanoimprint lithography (NIL) can successfully fabricate structures down to 10 nm [1], it is difficult to produce perforated pores with diameters less than 100 nm in freestanding polymer membranes. Since it requires molding using a stamp with extremely high aspect ratio to achieve high mechanical stability for the membrane fully released from a substrate. We utilized silicon microneedle structures as an imprinting mold that overcomes these issues. Also, pressed self-perfection (PSP) process was employed after nanoimprinting to further reduce the pore size. Additionally, the membranes were integrated with microfluidic devices to measure current-voltage curves in order to determine pore size indirectly.
Changes in Lake Trout Growth Associated with Mysis relicta Establishment: A Retrospective Analysis Using Otoliths

Abstract The establishment of the opossum shrimp Mysis relicta in Flathead Lake, Montana, was followed by a dramatic increase in the population of lake trout Salvelinus namaycush. Using otoliths, we compared lake trout growth before and after the arrival of M. relicta. The widths of annual increments 1-3 were similar, but width generally declined in increments 4-10 after the establishment of M. relicta. To calculate body size in the post-M. relicta fish, we used the relationship between body length and otolith radius. To retrospectively calculate body length for the pre-M. relicta fish (for which we lacked body sizes), we developed a simple empirical correction to account for the conservative nature of otolith growth rate relative to body growth rate.
Resistance to Mefenoxam and Metalaxyl Among Field Isolates of Phytophthora capsici Causing Phytophthora Blight of Bell Pepper.

Incidence of Phytophthora blight in bell pepper fields that were sprayed for the first time with Ridomil Gold (mefenoxam) according to labeled recommendations was higher in North Carolina in 1997 than in previous years. Mefenoxam is the more active enantiomer contained in the racemic fungicide metalaxyl. A total of 150 isolates were obtained from 17 fields at eight grower locations. Among isolates from all locations, 30% were classified as sensitive, 10% as intermediate, and 59% were resistant to mefenoxam. Mefenoxam-resistant isolates were found in 82% of the fields sampled (14 of 17 fields). The proportion of resistant isolates in individual (fields ranged from 28 to 100%. The mean effective concentration (EC50) values for mefenoxam-sensitive isolates was 0.568 μg ml-1 (ranging from 0.12 to 1.1 μg ml-1), whereas the mean EC50 value for mefenoxam-resistant isolates was 366.5 μg ml-1 (ranging from 3 to 863 μg ml-1). The mean EC50 value for metalaxyl-sensitive isolates was 0.27 μg ml-1 (ranging from 0.00002 to 1.3 μg ml-1) and for metalaxyl-resistant isolates was 470.34 μg ml-1 (ranging from 10 to 966 μg ml-1). The greatest proportion of resistant isolates came from fields where mefenoxam was used alone rather than in combination with other fungicides. Both mating types were found among resistant isolates, suggesting that these isolates may persist in soil in subsequent years. Field isolates of Phytophthora capsici resistant to mefenoxam on pepper have not been reported previously and now pose new challenges for management of this important disease.
Exciton Percolation: Isotopic-MixedB2u1Naphthalene

We propose a percolation model for an exciton insulator-to-conductor transition. Experimentally, we investigate (at 2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K) the first singlet exciton in a binary organic alloy of naphthalene-perdeuteronaphthalene. A third component, ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$-mole-fraction betamethyl-naphthalene, serves as exciton-flow monitor, and the integrated relative fluorescence is derived. The $^{1}B_{2\mathrm{u}}$ Frenkel-exciton data are bound by the theoretical site-percolation curves for square and simple-cubic lattices.
How accurate are ESL students’ holistic writing scores on large-scale assessments?—A generalizability theory approach

Abstract Using generalizability theory, this study examined both the rating variability and reliability of ESL students’ writing in the provincial English examinations in Canada. Three years’ data were used in order to complete the analyses and examine the stability of the results. The major research question that guided this study was: Are there any differences between the rating variability and reliability of the writing scores assigned to ESL students and to Native English (NE) students in the writing components of the provincial examinations across three years? A series of generalizability studies and decision studies was conducted. Results showed that differences in score variation did exist between ESL and NE students when adjudicated scores were used. First, there was a large effect for both language group and person within language-by-task interaction. Second, the unwanted residual variance component was significantly larger for ESL students than for NE students in all three years. Finally, the desired variance associated with the object of measurement was significantly smaller for ESL students than for NE students in one year. Consequently, the observed generalizability coefficient for ESL students was significantly lower than that for NE students in that year. These findings raise a potential question about the fairness of the writing scores assigned to ESL students.
The effect of multi-nutrient fertilization on understory vegetation nutrient concentrations in inland Northwest conifer stands

This study looked at the effects that multi-nutrient fertilization had on understory vegetation nutrient concentrations at four conifer forested locations in the inland Northwest. Multi-nutrient fertilization of conifer stands cannot only enhance the overstory species in the inland Northwest but also the understory vegetation. Determination of nutrient concentration response to fertilization treatments can provide managers the ability to better manipulate their forests for grazing and wildlife habitat. We grouped the understory vegetation into three general life forms: forbs, grasses and grass-likes, and shrubs. Multi-nutrient fertilization had little effect on nitrogen concentration across all life forms. Potassium and sulfur generally increased in concentration. Micronutrients as a whole showed less variability in response to multi-nutrient fertilization. Boron, copper, molybdenum, and zinc generally showed increases in concentrations across all life forms. We were able to conduct analyses on a selected number of understory vegetation species. Individual species showed variability in nutrient concentration response to multi-nutrient fertilization. Wildlife habitat and grazing quality were both increased and decreased following multi-nutrient fertilization. Increases in nutrient concentrations will provide more nutritious vegetation to these animals and vice versa for decreases in concentrations.
Acupuncture and Addiction Treatment

Acupuncture has been advocated as a safe effective treatment for addictive diseases. This review highlights clinical trials using acupuncture in drug treatment. Clinical trials selected were those conducted for efficacy of acupuncture treatment with opiate, alcohol, cocaine and nicotine dependence.
A New Method for Identification of Heterocysts and Proheterocysts in Morphologically Complex Cyanobacteria

A new light microscopic method for identifying heterocysts and proheterocysts in morphologically complex cyanobacteria was evaluated for reliability and usefulness. Mature heterocysts and proheterocysts could be distinguished readily from vegetative cells in 0.25 µm sections of fixed and embedded material after staining with toluidine blue. Examination by light and electron microscopy of the same specimens indicated that the staining reactions which served to differentiate these cell types were both reproducible and accurate. Light microscopic analysis of serial sections stained with toluidire blue greatly facilitated localization of heterocysts and proheterocysts in the complex, branching cyanobacterium, Mastigocla-dus laminosus, even when its filaments of cells were intertwined in thick mats.
Prospects for the Soviet economy to the year 2000

Abstract This article reviews the current state of the Soviet economy, and, after placing it within the broader context of the world economy, provides a number of alternative projections of its future course up to the year 2000. For this purpose an updated structural matrix of the Soviet economy was incorporated into a global structure of the world economy built for the United Nations and described in Leontief, Carter and Petri (The Future of the World Economy. New York: Oxford University Press, 1977). Several important modifications in the structural formulation of the model were carried out in order to account for the projected increased production and export of Soviet natural gas to the end of the century and to incorporate current estimates of Soviet agricultural and military-goods production.
Performance of advanced meters: Effects of different temperatures and loading conditions on meter accuracy

An accurate electricity usage measurement is vital to utility company operations and customer relations. Electromechanical meters have long been used as the standard for reliable recording of customer usage. However, the process of manual meter readings and the age of some of the meters that are currently in use present possibilities of inaccuracies in determining customer electricity usage. Advanced meters are essential parts of electric utility system modernization in the transition to a smart grid. Accuracy enhancement of the meter reading is the primary driver for smart meter deployment in the United States. This paper provides a statistical analysis of the meter accuracy results for a variety of test loads and conditions for an actual electric utility company. The work presents an independent third party accuracy testing of samples of residential electromechanical and advanced meters. The ANSI standard as well as the more stringent accuracy class performance criteria of ±0.2% are used to evaluate the electric meter performance. Effects of different temperatures and loading conditions on meter accuracy are investigated based on the test results.
Oscillatory oxidation of co over Pd and Ir catalysts

Abstract Oscillations in the rate of CO 2 production have been observed for the first time over Pd and Ir catalysts. The experiments were conducted near atmospheric pressure in a clean flow reactor system using polycrystalline Pd or Ir wire. For Pd, sustained oscillations were found over a wide range of gas compositions (0.05 P CO P O 2 and temperatures (230 T g C ), where P CO and P O 2 are the respective partial pressures of carbon monoxide and oxygen in the gas stream, and Tg is the temperature of the gas. For Ir, oscillations were found for 0.005 P CO P O 2 and 180 T g C . As proposed for CO oxidation over a Pt catalyst, it is believed that the oscillations occur between two branches of a Langmuir-Hinshelwood reaction mechanism, and that the slow formation and removal of subsurface oxygen drives the reaction between these two branches. These experiments suggest that oscillations in surface reactions are more general than previously suspected.
The migration of autonomic precursor cells in the embryo

The neural crest is an excellent model system to study cell fate and cell guidance signaling. Neural crest cells emerge from a common multipotent subpopulation and follow stereotypical migratory pathways to contribute to many diverse peripheral structures throughout the vertebrate embryo. The neural tube and diverse embryonic microenvironments from which the neural crest originate and migrate through are important sources of signals, yet it is still unclear how a common pool of neural crest stem and progenitor cells diversify and become distributed along specific stereotypical migratory paths. In the post-otic hindbrain and trunk, the neural crest emerge and contribute to the autonomic nervous system, and failure of proper cell navigation and differentiation often leads to congenital disorders that include dysautonomias, Hirschprung's disease, and neuroblastoma cancer. Recent exciting studies of neural crest cell behaviors have revealed the interplay of several molecular signaling pathways that guide and shape autonomic precursor cells to and into proper target structures, suggesting further work may help to better understand autonomic nervous system assembly, derived from a convergence of time-lapse imaging and molecular analyses. In this mini-review, we summarize recent fluorescent cell labeling strategies and cell behavior analyses that elucidate the role of molecular signals on the migration of autonomic precursor cells. We highlight advances in our understanding of the autonomic precursor cell behaviors and fate determination studied within the embryonic microenvironment.
Imitation of facial expressions in schizophrenia

Diminished facial expressivity is a common feature of schizophrenia that interferes with effective interpersonal communication. This study was designed to determine if real-time visual feedback improved the ability of patients with schizophrenia to imitate and produce modeled facial expressions. Twenty patients with schizophrenia and 10 controls viewed static images of facial expressions and were asked to imitate them. Half of the images were imitated with the use of a mirror and half were imitated without the use of a mirror. In addition, we examined whether practice in imitating and producing expressions improved the ability of participants to generate facial expressions on their own, without the aid of a model or mirror. Participants' facial expressions were photographed with a digital camera and each was rated for accuracy in producing characteristic facial expressions. Patients with schizophrenia were less accurate in imitating and producing facial expressions than controls, and real-time visual feedback did not improve accuracy in either group. Preliminary findings suggest that exposure to model expressions and practice in generating these expressions can improve the accuracy of certain posed expressions in schizophrenia.
The Paradox of Poverty Narratives: Educators Struggling with Children Left Behind.

This article utilizes narrative policy analysis to examine social justice narratives embedded within No Child Left Behind with respect to economic inequities. It juxtaposes national educational policy dialogues against the stories of educators working within an elementary school that serves a high-poverty community. The qualitative research findings suggest that it is vitally important for policymakers to acknowledge and value the challenges faced by teachers and staff who serve children whose families lack proper healthcare, affordable and quality early childhood education, nutrition, literacy, safety, and livable wages.
Deal or No Deal: using games to improve student learning, retention and decision-making.

Student understanding and retention can be enhanced and improved by providing alternative learning activities and environments. Education theory recognizes the value of incorporating alternative activities (games, exercises and simulations) to stimulate student interest in the educational environment, enhance transfer of knowledge and improve learned retention with meaningful repetition. In this case study, we investigate using an online version of the television game show, 'Deal or No Deal', to enhance student understanding and retention by playing the game to learn expected value in an introductory statistics course, and to foster development of critical thinking skills necessary to succeed in the modern business environment. Enhancing the thinking process of problem solving using repetitive games should also improve a student's ability to follow non-mathematical problem-solving processes, which should improve the overall ability to process information and make logical decisions. Learning and retention are measured to evaluate the success of the students' performance.
An unconventional approach to integrated ground and surface water development

The conjunctive use of surface water with groundwater development in the Ganga Basin is considered more desirable due to unacceptable environmental conditions created by using all the low flows and the limited possibilities of surface storages. There are several ways to increase infiltration during the monsoon season. One method is to create groundwater storage by pumping during the non-monsoon period. A procedure for estimating the extent and the rate of pumping such that it is replenished in 120 days of the monsoon season and equilibrium is achieved, is outlined in this study. The areas in the Ganga Basin suitable for such groundwater storage schemes have been marked out and the economic aspects of the scheme have also been studied. It is concluded that with this scheme of underground storage of flood water the total potential irrigation in the Ganga Basin may be limited by the area of irrigable land rather than the water supply.
A Bell Telephone Laboratories’ Computing Machine—I

High-speed digital computing machines which have been developed during the past few years are of two kinds, electronic and electro-mechanical. In the latter class two families have come to prominence. One consists of the machines built by H. H. Aiken at Harvard University,1 the other of a series of machines built by the Bell Telephone Laboratories in New York. This article deals with the latter family, and specifically with its largest and youngest member, a machine which has been built in the past two years in duplicate, one unit for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (Langley Field, Va.) and one for the Ordnance Department of the U. S. Army (Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.).
Cutting Some Trees to See the Forest: On Aggregation and Disaggregation in Combat Models

Most models of air and land combat use schemes of aggregation and disaggregation in representing combat systems, in spatial configuration, and in depicting progress of a battle. For example, the use of firepower «scores» is an extreme case of aggregation of weapons into a single measure. Combining like systems into weapons categories, partial aggregation, is a common approach to representing a large number of aircraft or ground weapons types. This article explores different approaches to aggregation and what is known theoretically about aggregation and disaggregation in combat models of the Lanchester type commonly called «square law» in two dimensions. It defines requirements for consistency between aggregate and higher-dimensioned models of this type. Some important conclusions are that aggregation should take into account the specific capabilities of the opponent (raising concern about many «scored» approaches which attempt to evaluate force components in isolation), and that partial aggregation (grouping «like» systems) and disaggregation of previously aggregated results can only be done consistently when certain restrictions on the relative attrition capabilities of weapons systems hold. When this is the case, specific weightings for the force resources can be determined for the partial aggregations
The limits to stock index arbitrage: Examining S&P 500 futures and SPDRS

This study examines factors affecting stock index spot versus futures pricing and arbitrage opportunities by using the S&P 500 cash index and the S&P 500 Standard and Poor's Depository Receipt (SPDR) Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) as “underlying cash assets.” Potential limits to arbitrage when using the cash index are the staleness of the underlying cash index, trading costs, liquidity (volume) issues of the underlying assets, the existence of sufficient time to execute profitable arbitrage transactions, short sale restrictions, and the extent to which volatility affects mispricing. Alternatively, using the SPDR ETF as the underlying asset mitigates staleness and trading cost problems as well as the effects of volatility associated with the staleness of the cash index. Minute-by-minute prices are compared over different volatility levels to determine how these factors affect the limits of S&P 500 futures arbitrage. Employing the SPDR as the cash asset examines whether a liquid tradable single asset with low trading costs can be used for pricing and arbitrage purposes. The analysis examines how long mispricing lasts, the impact of volatility on mispricing, and whether sufficient volume exists to implement arbitrage. The minute-by-minute liquidity of the futures market is examined using a new transaction volume futures database. The results show that mispricings exist regardless of the choice of the underlying cash asset, with more negative mispricings for the SPDR relative to the S&P 500 cash index. Furthermore, mispricings are more frequent in high- and mid-volatility months than in low-volatility months and are associated with higher volume during high-volatility months. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 28:1182–1205, 2008