cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Symbolic meanings, landowner support, and dedicated bioenergy crops in the rural northeastern United States

Abstract Recent research on social acceptance of large-scale renewable energy systems development has turned from an earlier focus on social opposition, such as Not In My Backyard (NIMBY) stances, toward assessing the ‘symbolic fit’ between meanings for place and proposed technology development that people near development sites hold. This quantitative study extends the symbolic fit hypothesis by testing how varied combinations of meanings for place and technology influence Northeast U.S. rural landowners’ support for dedicated bioenergy crop production in their communities. Drawing on a survey of 907 landowners who have ten or more acres of land suitable for perennial bioenergy crops, we tested ten combinations of symbolic meanings regarding bioenergy crop technologies and land as place. We found that when combined with either protectionist or utilitarian meanings for one’s land, viewing bioenergy crop production as an innovative way to address environmental challenges increased the likelihood of support for local development of bioenergy crops. Similarly, different symbolic meanings regarding one’s land combined with seeing little community benefit from bioenergy crops reduced the likelihood of support. Given the important role of private landowners in many regions of Western nations considering bioenergy development, the symbolic meanings held by landowners merit attention. By recognizing the complex, conjunctural sources of meanings that inform landowners’ propensities to support new renewable energy project development, new and emerging energy projects can incorporate more polyvalent views into design and implementation and approach public engagement opportunities accordingly.
Molecular Evolution: Introduction

Variation in proteins and nucleic acid sequences can be used in a variety of ways to study evolutionary patterns and processes. In recent years, DNA sequences have largely superseded allozyme frequencies as the raw data for Drosophila molecular evolutionary biologists. DNA sequencing has been applied to three areas of investigation: the estimation of population genetic parameters, phylogenetic reconstructions, including estimates of rates of change in specific gene products, and the molecular basis of structural and regulatory gene mutations.
Transportation Asset Valuation: Pre-, Peri- and Post-Fourth Industrial Revolution:

A critical component of transportation asset management, asset valuation has been applied historically largely to provide condition-based value assessments of transportation infrastructure. There a...
Advancing informatics with electronic medical records bots (EMRBots)

Abstract Electronic medical records (EMRs) contain sensitive and detailed documentation on a variety of conditions at the individual level. Because EMRs are subject to confidentiality requirements, access to them is limited. In an attempt to address privacy limitations, knowledge-driven experimental artificially generated electronic medical records (EMRBots) have been introduced. EMRBot repositories have been used in a variety of scenarios to advance teaching, enhance student dissertations, facilitate hackathons, and produce R packages. In addition to describing its methodology, the manuscript reviews EMRBot use cases published by independent researchers.
Measuring subjective organization in monozygotic twins discordant for traumatic brain injury: A case report

BACKGROUND Subjective organization (SO) facilitates storage and retrieval of information but is often impaired following traumatic brain injury. No study has compared measures of SO using association rule analyses to clustering analyses. Moreover, there have been no studies investigating whether patients post-brain injury subjectively organize non-verbal information. OBJECTIVE This study investigates the relationship between SO and recall of words and symbols with participants discordant for traumatic brain injury. Additionally, the authors explored the conditions under which clustering or association rule measures of SO were best used. METHOD Two female monozygotic twins discordant for traumatic brain injury completed a multi-trial free recall test of words and symbols. The authors examined whether measures of SO derived from clustering analysis or association rule modeling could differentiate organizational abilities between participants' data. RESULTS The twin following sequential traumatic brain injuries demonstrated significantly less SO and recall relative to the twin without a traumatic brain injury. Both twins subjectively organized verbal and non-verbal information and each measure could differentiate the twins' performance. CONCLUSION The quantitative analysis of SO can provide clinicians with valuable information concerning a patient's recall performance. This study illustrates practical issues that may influence a clinician's choice of these techniques.
Optic Nerve Hypoplasia: A Retrospective Analysis of Clinical Presentation and Disease Severity

Purpose Through the establishment of relationships between optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH), optical coherence tomography (OCT) spectralis retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness results and clinical sequelae, this study aims to identify long-term outcomes for individuals with ONH. Methods A retrospective review of pediatric ophthalmology patients at Children's Hospital of Omaha from January 2000 to October 2018 was performed. All patients with ONH evaluated with Heidelberg Engineering's OCT Spectralis were identified. Patient records were investigated for visual acuity, presence of nystagmus, strabismus, and endocrinopathies. Statistical analysis with linear regression models, random intercepts models, and odds ratios were used to define relationships between RNFL thickness at the optic nerve head, nystagmus, strabismus, and endocrine dysfunction. Results There exists a strong trend of worsening visual acuity as RNFL thickness at the optic nerve head decreases in all scanned regions. This is strongest at the temporal-superior (p=0.009) and nasal-inferior (p=0.006) regions in patients with bilateral ONH. There is insufficient evidence of a difference in prevalence of nystagmus or strabismus between subjects with unilateral or bilateral ONH. Endocrinopathy is present in 21.6% of the subjects, with no statistical difference in the type of endocrinopathy or laterality of ONH. Conclusion Trends established indicate that best-corrected visual acuity is related to RNFL thickness at the optic nerve head. Odds ratios for the prevalence of nystagmus also point to RNFL thickness as a contributing factor. These trends may have the potential to characterize ONH severity by objective measurement of clinical outcomes and RNFL thickness at the optic nerve head.
Shoulder Strength and Range of Motion Between Collegiate Pitchers and Position Players in Baseball.

Baseball is a sport that places excessive strain on the shoulder complex caused from repetitive overhead throws. In the sport of baseball, shoulder strength and range of motion (ROM) are paramount for success on the field. The purpose of this study was to determine strength and ROM differences between collegiate baseball pitchers and position players. It was hypothesized that pitchers would have higher strength and ROM values, due to the volume of throwing a pitcher performs. A total of nine collegiate baseball pitchers and position players (n = 18) volunteered for the study (age = 20.94 ± 1.21 years, height = 183.42 ± 4.74 cm, and mass = 89.56 ± 10.76 kg). Shoulder strength was measured using a Humac Norm isokinetic dynamometer at 180osec-1 and 300osec-1 and ROM was measured using a goniometer. All participants completed a five-minute warm-up at 50 rpm on an upper body ergometer. Following the warm-up, passive internal and external ROM were measured for the throwing (dominant) arm. No statistical differences were found in external ROM (p = 0.319), internal ROM (p = 0.258), external peak torque @180osec-1 (p = 0.467), internal peak torque @180osec-1 (p = 0.156), external peak torque @300osec-1 (p = 0.225), or internal peak torque @300osec-1 (p = 0.137). The findings indicate similar isokinetic strength and flexibility in the throwing shoulder of collegiate athletes who perform repeated overhead throwing motions. Thus, in this study the player's baseball position (pitchers vs. position player) did not influence throwing shoulder strength and ROM characteristics.
Efficient Conversion of CO2 to Formate Using Inexpensive and Easily Prepared Post-Transition Metal Alloy Catalysts

Developing affordable electrocatalysts to facilitate the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) to high-value products with high selectivity, efficiency, and large current densities is a critical step f...
Beneficial Agents for Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease or Obesity: Utilization in an Era of Accumulating Evidence.

This study was an analysis of a national sample of U.S. medical office visits from 2014 to 2016, a period when evidence of effectiveness was emerging for a variety of beneficial type 2 diabetes agents with regard to potential reduction in diabetes comorbidities. Ideal therapy was defined as an American Diabetes Association–identified beneficial agent plus metformin. The associations between atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or obesity and use of these agents were explored.
Experimental modification of morphology reveals the effects of the zygosphene-zygantrum joint on the range of motion of snake vertebrae.

ABSTRACT Variation in joint shape and soft tissue can alter range of motion (ROM) and create trade-offs between stability and flexibility. The shape of the distinctive zygosphene–zygantrum joint of snake vertebrae has been hypothesized to prevent axial torsion (twisting), but its function has never been tested experimentally. We used experimental manipulation of morphology to determine the role of the zygosphene–zygantrum articulation by micro-computed tomography (μCT) scanning and 3D printing two mid-body vertebrae with unaltered shape and with the zygosphene digitally removed for four species of phylogenetically diverse snakes. We recorded the angular ROM while manipulating the models in yaw (lateral bending), pitch (dorsoventral bending) and roll (axial torsion). Removing the zygosphene typically increased yaw and dorsal pitch ROM. In the normal vertebrae, roll was
Receipt of Proton-Pump Inhibitors during Pregnancy and Risk for Preeclampsia.

Objective This study aimed to determine whether receiving a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) prescription during pregnancy was associated with decreased risk for preeclampsia. Study Design The Truven Health MarketScan database was used to determine whether receiving a PPI prescription was associated with risk for preeclampsia. Risk for preeclampsia was evaluated based on the presence or absence of receiving a PPI prescription (1) any time during pregnancy, and 2) individually during the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimesters. In addition to evaluating risk for all preeclampsia, severe preeclampsia and preterm severe preeclampsia were evaluated. Adjusted models including risk factors such as chronic hypertension, maternal age, multiple gestation, and diabetes were performed with adjusted risk ratios (aRR) with 95% confidence intervals [CIs] as measures of effect. Results A total of 2,755,885 women were included in the analysis of whom 69,249 were prescribed a PPI during pregnancy (2.5%). In adjusted models, receiving a PPI prescription anytime during pregnancy (aRR 1.28, 95% CI 1.24–1.32), the 1st trimester (aRR 1.12, 95% CI 1.04–1.22), the 2nd trimester (aRR 1.20, 95% CI 1.15–1.26), and the 3rd trimester (aRR 1.41, 95% CI 1.35–1.47) were all associated with increased risk for preeclampsia. Risk for severe preeclampsia was also significantly increased with receiving a PPI prescription anytime during pregnancy (aRR 1.21, 95% CI 1.15–1.27), during the 2nd trimester (aRR 1.14, 95% CI 1.06–1.23), and during the 3rd trimester (aRR 1.33, 95% CI 1.24–1.43), but not the first trimester (aRR 1.04, 95% CI 0.92–1.19). Evaluating the risk for preterm severe preeclampsia, adjusted risk was significantly increased with receiving a PPI prescription in the second trimester (aRR 1.35, 95% CI 1.21–1.52) but not the first trimester (aRR 1.06, 95% CI 0.86–1.32). Conclusion In this analysis of payer data, receiving a PPI prescription during pregnancy was not associated with decreased risk for preeclampsia. Further empiric research is required to determine whether an effect may be present. Key Points
Compression Fitting of Hearing Aids and Implementation

A compressor in hearing aid devices (HADs) is responsible for mapping the dynamic range of input signals to the residual dynamic range of hearing-impaired (HI) patients. Gains and parameters of the compressor are set according to the HI patient’s preferences. In different surroundings depending upon noise level, the patient may seek to tune the parameters to improve performance. Traditionally, fitting of the hearing aids is done by an audiologist using hearing aid software and the HI patient’s opinion at a clinic. In this paper, we propose a frequency-based multi-band compressor implemented as a smartphone application, which can be used as an alternative to that of the traditional HADs. The proposed solution allows the user to tune the compression parameters for each band along with a choice of compression speed and fitting strategy. Exploiting smartphone processing and hardware capabilities, the application can be used for bilateral hearing loss. The performance of this easy-to-use smartphone-based application is compared with traditional HADs using a hearing aid test system. Objective and subjective evaluations are also carried out to quantify the performance.
To minimize the bill that they must pay

Recounting the failures of the United States to adequately address the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting on the parade of mendacity that has encapsulated the 45th presidency, and interpreting Baldwin's call to be responsible to our children, Justin A Joyce introduces the sixth volume of James Baldwin Review © The Authors
Early German Romanticism and Literature: Goethe, Schlegel, Novalis and the New Philosophical Importance of the Novel

This chapter explores competing Idealist and Romantic typologies of the Romantic novel by examining three novelistic works of particular importance to the Romantic movement: Goethe’s Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship, which Friedrich Schlegel famously described as one of the “tendencies” of the age; as well as two works which look to Goethe’s novel as a model or counter-model: Schlegel’s own Lucinde and Novalis’ Heinrich von Ofterdingen.
Avoidable Serum Potassium Testing in the Cardiac ICU: Development and Testing of a Machine-Learning Model.

Objectives To create a machine-learning model identifying potentially avoidable blood draws for serum potassium among pediatric patients following cardiac surgery. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Tertiary-care center. Patients All patients admitted to the cardiac ICU at Boston Children's Hospital between January 2010 and December 2018 with a length of stay greater than or equal to 4 days and greater than or equal to two recorded serum potassium measurements. Interventions None. Measurements and main results We collected variables related to potassium homeostasis, including serum chemistry, hourly potassium intake, diuretics, and urine output. Using established machine-learning techniques, including random forest classifiers, and hyperparameter tuning, we created models predicting whether a patient's potassium would be normal or abnormal based on the most recent potassium level, medications administered, urine output, and markers of renal function. We developed multiple models based on different age-categories and temporal proximity of the most recent potassium measurement. We assessed the predictive performance of the models using an independent test set. Of the 7,269 admissions (6,196 patients) included, serum potassium was measured on average of 1 (interquartile range, 0-1) time per day. Approximately 96% of patients received at least one dose of IV diuretic and 83% received a form of potassium supplementation. Our models predicted a normal potassium value with a median positive predictive value of 0.900. A median percentage of 2.1% measurements (mean 2.5%; interquartile range, 1.3-3.7%) was incorrectly predicted as normal when they were abnormal. A median percentage of 0.0% (interquartile range, 0.0-0.4%) critically low or high measurements was incorrectly predicted as normal. A median of 27.2% (interquartile range, 7.8-32.4%) of samples was correctly predicted to be normal and could have been potentially avoided. Conclusions Machine-learning methods can be used to predict avoidable blood tests accurately for serum potassium in critically ill pediatric patients. A median of 27.2% of samples could have been saved, with decreased costs and risk of infection or anemia.
Generalized conditions for coexistence of competing parasitoids on a shared host

Motivated by the univoltine life histories of insects residing in the temperate-regions of the world, there is a rich tradition of modeling arthropod host-parasitoid interactions using a discrete-time formalism. We introduce a general class of discrete-time models for capturing the population dynamics of two competing parasitoid species that attack the same vulnerable stage of the host species. These models are characterized by two density-dependent functions: an escape response defined by the fraction of hosts escaping parasitism; and a competition response defined by the fraction of parasitized hosts that develop into adult parasitoids of either species. Model analysis reveals remarkably simple stability conditions for the coexistence of competing parasitoids. More specifically, coexistence occurs, if and only if, the adult host density increases with host reproduction rate, and the log sensitivity of the competition response is less than half. The latter condition implies that any increase in the adult parasitoid density will result in a sufficiently slow increase in the fraction of parasitized hosts that develop into parasitoids of that type. We next consider a model motivated by differences in parasitism risk among individual hosts with risk from the two parasitoid species assumed to be independently distributed as per a Gamma distribution. In such models, the heterogeneity in host risk to each parasitoid is quantified by the corresponding Coefficient of Variation (CV). Our results show that parasitoid coexistence occurs for sufficiently large reproduction rate, if and only if, the sum of the inverse of the two CV squares is less than one. This result generalizes the CV greater than one rule that defined the stability for a single parasitoid-host system to a multi parasitoid-host community.
Orderings based on the banks set: Some new scoring methods for multicriteria decision making

This article introduces new methods for ranking alternatives in multicriteria decision making situations. Each is based on the normative position that the strength of an alternative is inversely related to the number of alternatives that could prevent it from being chosen. The scores discriminate among elements of the Banks set Banks, Soc Choice Welfare, 1985, 1, 295-306. The new scoring methods are compared to traditional scoring methods and related to the amount of intransitivity specifically, the size of the top-cycle of aggregated preference. The new scores are shown to measure important aspects of alternatives not captured by extant scoring methods and are illustrated in collective choice settings. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 20: 63-76, 2015
Contributions of parenting quality and coparenting relationship quality to the development of child executive functioning

Abstract Executive functioning (EF) skills contribute positively to mental and physical health across the lifespan. High-quality parenting is associated with better child EF. However, research has largely focused on the contributions of mothers’ parenting and failed to apply a family systems perspective to more comprehensively consider the consequences of parenting quality and coparenting relationship quality for the development of children's EF. This study examined the independent and joint contributions of mothers’ observed parenting, fathers’ observed parenting, and supportive coparenting during infancy to children's attention in toddlerhood (26 months) and aspects of EF (i.e., inhibitory control and impulsivity) at 7.5 years of age. Data came from a study of 166 families who participated in a larger longitudinal study. Assessments were conducted at 9-months postpartum (n=158), 26-months postpartum (n=114), and when children were 7.5 years of age (n=100). Results indicated statistically significant associations between fathers’ parenting quality at 9-months postpartum and greater child inhibitory control at 7.5 years of age. Mothers’ parenting quality at 9-months postpartum was associated with better child attention in toddlerhood. Supportive coparenting was not directly associated with toddler or child EF. However, supportive coparenting moderated the association between fathers’ parenting quality and child impulsivity, such that the adjusted effect of fathers’ parenting on child impulsivity was negative when supportive coparenting was high. Findings highlight the importance of considering the development of child EF within a family systems framework.
Many-Worlds QM Tested by Quantum Chemistry: a New Kind of Reaction Rate

Quantum chemists have recorded a huge number of data points which standard quantum mechanics cannot interpret. Many-Worlds quantum mechanics can. Many-Worlds quantum mechanics differs from standard quantum mechanics because in Many-Worlds, the wave function is a relative density of universes in the multiverse amplitude rather than a probability amplitude. In Many-Worlds, the Born frequencies are approached rather than given a priori. Thus in Many-Worlds, the rate of approach to the final frequencies can be calculated and compared with observation. This is a new type of reaction rate. I show how to use Many-Worlds to analyze the breakup of ${\rm Br}_2$. Such analysis will experimentally test Many-Worlds fermionic and time-dependent quantum mechanics. Conversely, experimental quantum chemistry has become too sophisticated to be analyzed by standard quantum mechanics. Only Many-Worlds can do the job
SARR: A Cybersecurity Metrics and Quantification Framework (Keynote).

Cybersecurity Metrics and Quantification is a fundamental but notoriously hard problem and is undoubtedly one of the pillars underlying the emerging Science of Cybersecurity. In this paper, we present an novel approach to addressing this problem by unifying Security, Agility, Resilience and Risk (SARR) metrics into a single framework. The SARR approach and the resulting framework are unique because: (i) it is driven by the assumptions that are made when modeling, designing, implementing, operating, and defending systems, which are broadly defined to include infrastructures and enterprise networks; and (ii) it embraces the uncertainty inherent to the cybersecurity domain. We will review the status quo by looking into existing metrics and quantification research through the SARR lens and discuss a range of open problems.
What the gynecologist should know about urology

Abstract Gynecologists must bear in mind that ureteral stricture is one of the most common lesions of the abdominopelvic cavity. By virtue of the usual position of the stricture in the lower pelvis and its relations to the pelvic sympathetic nerves, and by virtue of its effects on the renal function, its symptoms are more varied than those of any local disease with which we are familiar. It follows that in any obscure train of symptoms involving the abdominal, pelvic, or hip regions, ureteral stricture must always be borne in mind. The existence of such obscure symptoms together with others referable to the bladder places a special obligation on the diagnostician to investigate the urinary tract most carefully. The absence of pathologic elements in the urine does not always give the urinary tract a clean bill of health . In the case of any patient who, despite one or more pelvic operations still complains of her original symptoms, it is incumbent upon the gynecologist to make a meticulous survey of the urinary tract.
VeriCoq: A Verilog-to-Coq converter for proof-carrying hardware automation

Proof carrying hardware intellectual property (PCHIP) introduces a new framework in which a hardware (semiconductor) Intellectual Property (IP) is accompanied by formal proofs of certain security-related properties, ensuring that the acquired IP is trustworthy and free from hardware Trojans. In the PCHIP framework, conversion of the design from a hardware description language (HDL) to a formal representation is an essential step. Towards automating this process, herein we introduce VeriCoq, a converter of designs described in Register Transfer Level (RTL) Verilog to their corresponding representation in the Coq theorem proving language, based on the rules defined in the PCHIP framework. VeriCoq supports most of the synthesizable Verilog constructs and is the first step towards automating the entire framework, in order to simplify adoption of PCHIP by hardware IP developers and consumers and, thereby, increase IP trustworthiness.
Correlates to Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Status and Willingness to Vaccinate in Low-Income Philadelphia High School Students.

BACKGROUND Little is known about the correlates of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination or willingness to be vaccinated in urban, minority adolescents. METHODS Using responses to the 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey in Philadelphia, a random sample of high schools provided weighted data representing 20,941 9th to 12th graders. Stratified by either having had or willingness to have the vaccine, bivariate analysis with sexual behavior, preventive health behaviors, mental health, substance use, and demographic characteristics were examined and then multivariable regression models were developed to estimate significant correlates. RESULTS Respondents were 52.3% female, 84.4% non-White, and 65.9% ≥16 years; 43% reported having had the HPV vaccine, and of those not vaccinated, 66% reported willingness to be vaccinated. Logistic regression models indicate that females (odds ratio [OR] = 3.12, p < .01) and those reporting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing (OR = 2.10, p < .01) were more likely to be vaccinated. Those reporting condom use during last intercourse (OR = 0.40; p = .05) and current marijuana use (OR = 0.37; p = .03) were less likely to indicate willingness to be vaccinated. CONCLUSIONS Important areas for intervention include addressing misconceptions or feelings of “immunity,” especially for those using condoms. Understanding the correlation between HIV testing and HPV vaccination is also an important intervention opportunity for schools hoping to increase adolescent vaccination rates.
Ginkgo: spatially-explicit simulator of complex phylogeographic histories

We present Ginkgo, a software package for agent-based, forward-time simulations of genealogies of multiple unlinked loci from diploid populations. Ginkgo simulates the evolution of one or more species on a spatially explicit landscape of cells. The user of the software can specify the geographical and environmental characteristics of the landscape, and these properties can change according to a prespecified schedule. The geographical elements modelled include the arrangement of cells and movement rates between particular cells. Each species has a function that can calculate a fitness score for any combination of an individual organism's phenotype and environmental characteristics. The user can control the number of fitness factors (the dimensionality of the cell-specific fitness factors and the individuals phenotypic vectors) and the weighting of each of these dimensions in the fitness calculation. Cell-specific fitness trait optima can be specified across the landscape to mimic differences in habitat. In addition to their differing fitness functions, species can differ in terms of their vagility and fecundity. Genealogies and occurrence data can be produced at any time during the simulation in NEXUS and ESRI Ascii Grid formats, respectively.
Dynamic monopoly with relational incentives

This paper studies the price-setting problem of a monopoly that in each time period has the option of failing to deliver its good after receiving payment. The monopoly may be induced to deliver the good if consumers expect that the monopoly will not deliver in the future if it does not deliver today. If the good is nondurable and consumers are anonymous, the monopoly's optimal strategy is to set a price equal to the static monopoly price each period if the discount factor is high enough, and otherwise to set the lowest price at which it can credibly promise to deliver the good. If the good is durable, we derive an intuitive lower bound on the monopoly's optimal profit for any discount factor and show that it converges to the optimal static monopoly profit as the discount factor converges to 1, in contrast to the Coase conjecture. We also show that rationing the good is never optimal for the monopoly if there is an efficient resale market and that the best equilibrium in which the monopoly always delivers involves a strictly decreasing price path that asymptotes to a level strictly above the ratio of the monopoly's marginal cost to the discount factor.
VITAMIN REQUIREMENTS OF LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES

Welshimer, H. J. (Medical College of Virginia, Richmond). Vitamin requirements of Listeria monocytogenes. J. Bacteriol. 85:1156–1159. 1963.—Semidefined and completely defined media were used to determine the growth response of Listeria monocytogenes to several vitamins. All strains tested failed to grow for more than one or two passages in the absence of any one of the following vitamins: riboflavine, biotin, thiamine, and thioctic acid. The thioctic acid requirement and the antagonistic effect of its analogue, 8-methylthioctic acid, could be modified by altering the thiamine concentration.
Enhancing Young Hispanic Dual Language Learners' Achievement: Exploring Strategies and Addressing Challenges

Dual language learners, or DLLs, may have greater school readiness needs due to the key role English oral language skills play in the development of emerging literacy skills in English and their overall academic achievement. This especially can be the case if children's capacity to benefit from classroom instruction and interact with teachers and fellow students is dependent on their English language proficiency. This policy report examines key factors contributing to young Hispanic DLLs academically at-risk status, as well as the emerging research base on strategies for supporting the learning and development of DLLs in preschool and the early primary grades. Also addressed are the practical, on-the-ground implementation challenges to be addressed if early education programs are to incorporate these strategies.
Tissue Culture Assays Used to Analyze Invasion by Staphylococcus aureus

Many successful pathogens have developed the ability to adhere to and invade animal tissues. Recent experimental evidence suggests that S. aureus, generally perceived as an extracellular pathogen, can also invade and, in some cases, multiply within host cells. As a proxy to infections in animal hosts, the study of S. aureus interactions with tissue culture cells has become an important research tool in many aspects of bacterial pathogenesis. In this unit, we describe two cell culture models, including bovine mammary epithelial cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells, that investigators have used to study the interactions of S. aureus with host cells. Keywords: Staphylococcus aureus; cell culture; adhesins; invasion; bovine mammary epithelial cells; human umbilical vein endothelial cells
Leaky-wave explanation of gain-bandwidth-enhanced Fabry-Pérot Cavity antennas formed by a thick multilayer partially-reflective surface

A leaky-wave (LW) explanation of gain-bandwidth-enhanced Fabry-Perot Cavity (FPC) antennas formed by a thick multilayer partially-reflective surface (PRS) is studied. We first propose a multilayer PRS resulting in a wideband FPC antenna. Then the wideband radiated beam characteristics of the FPC antenna are interpreted based on a LW excitation model. The LW dispersion diagram is provided that explains the wideband FPC operation. It is shown that the FPC antenna bandwidth enhancement corresponds to having multiple optimum frequency points in the dispersion curve of the leaky waves, where the phase and attenuation constants are equal.
A new transport protocol for broadcasting/multicasting MPEG-2 video over wireless ATM access networks

Because of the telecommunications de-regulation act and progress in wireless technologies, we will see the co-existence of heterogeneous broadband access infrastructures in the broadband video service industry in the near future. In this paper, we addressed the error control issue when transmitting MPEG-2 video streams over wireless access networks for broadband video broadcast or multicast services. An end-to-end transport protocol based on ATM and wireless ATM technologies is proposed. For video services, the underlying transport network should be transparent and quality should be maintained uniformly over all the segments whether wireline or wireless links. For network resources to be used efficiently, error control should be applied locally on the wireless segments so as to avoid the excessive overhead over the reliable wireline portions. Because a broadband video broadcast or multicast service is a one-to-multiple point service, FEC is the most prevalent error control mechanism. Due to the important role of MPEG-2 control information in the decoding process, priority MPEG-2 control information has to be differentiated from MPEG-2 data information, and excess error protection has to be allocated to it in order to achieve satisfactory QoS. Therefore, a header redundancy FEC (HRFEC) scheme for error control is applied at the local distribution centers before the MPEG-2 encoded video streams are transmitted over the wireless channels. HRFEC is an FEC-based selective protection scheme, which allocates extra error protection to important control information. Simulation results show that the quality of the reconstructed video sequence is vastly improved by using HRFEC, when the channel condition is poor.
Chromosomal translocations in yeast induced by low levels of DNA polymerase a model for chromosome fragile sites

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, reduced levels of the replicative α DNA polymerase result in greatly elevated frequencies of chromosome translocations and chromosome loss. We selected translocations in a small region of chromosome III and found that they involve homologous recombination events between yeast retrotransposons (Ty elements) on chromosome III and retrotransposons located on other chromosomes. One of the two preferred sites of these translocations on chromosome III involve two Ty elements arrayed head-to-head; disruption of this site substantially reduces the rate of translocations. We demonstrate that this pair of Ty elements constitutes a preferred site for double-strand DNA breaks when DNA replication is compromised, analogous to the fragile sites observed in mammalian chromosomes.
An optimization-based approach for data classification

In this paper we discuss an optimization-based approach to handling data classification problems. The main idea of the proposed method is to reformulate the classification problem as a mathematical programming problem, whose solution implies relevant feature selection and forms the classes of data. Encouraging computational results on two DNA microarray data mining problems are reported.
New secondary metabolites from Dodonaea viscosa

Abstract Bioassay guided fractionation and chemical investigation of the ethanolic extract of the aerial parts of Dodonaea viscosa Linn. from Egypt, resulted in the isolation and identification of three new compounds, including two new clerodane diterpenoids 1 and 2 and a new myo -inositol derivative 3 , along with nine known compounds 4 – 12 . The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR experiments, HRESIMS, and comparison with literature data. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial as well as antileishmanial activities. Compound 5 exhibited good antifungal activity against Cryptococcus neoformans with an IC 50 value of 6.11 μg/ml. Compounds 10 and 12 showed moderate antileishmanial activity against Leishmania donovani with IC 50 values of 16.6 and 19.06 μg/ml, respectively.
The Registered Sex Offender Population as a Marker of Social Disorganisation

This study examines characteristics of socially-disorganised neighbourhoods alongside the density of registered sex offenders (RSOs) using data from the public registry and 2000 and 2010 US census data. While RSOs are found in all types of neighbourhoods, this research suggests that RSOs are more often found in areas with higher than average poverty rates and housing vacancies and lower-than-average owner-occupied housing units and median incomes, potentially causing further stress on already disorganised areas. It is argued that RSO density and average percentages of RSOs within neighbourhoods should be taken into consideration as markers of neighbourhood social disorganisation.
Bleed Valve Rate Requirements Evaluation in Rotating Stall Control on Axial Compressors

The actuator rate requirements are evaluated for control of rotating stall using a bleed valve and to provide tools for predicting these requirements. Modie cation of both the stable and unstable parts of the compressor characteristic via addition of continuous air injection serves to reducetherequirement of a bleed valve used forthe purpose of rotating stall stabilization. Analytical tools based on low-order models (2‐3 states)and simulation tools based on a reduced-ordermodel (37states)aredescribed. Ableedactuatorratelimitstudy ispresentedto compare the actuator requirements predicted by theory, simulation, and experiment using a single-stage, low-speed, axial compressor.Thecomparisonsshowthatthepredictionsobtainedfrom theory andsimulationssharethesametrend as the experiments, with increasing accuracy as the complexity of the underlying model increases. Some insights on the design of bleed ‐compressor pair are given.
Status of reverse osmosis desalination technology

Abstract Reverse osmosis (RO), a relatively new technology, is gradually becoming an established and economical method for demineralization of saline waters. Over 50 commercial plants ranging in size from 50,000 gpd to 2 million gpd (2 mgd) are producing fresh quality water for municipal and industrial uses from brackish water sources. The U.S. Congress has authorized construction of a 100 mgd plant in Yuma, Arizona to demineralize otherwise unusable high salinity irrigation return flows as part of the Colorado River Salinity Control. Engineering design and operation details together with cost information on some commercial plants and the planned 100 mgd plant will be presented. A review of the plant operation data indicates that is imperative for the plant owners and equipment suppliers to place due emphasis on providing adequate feed water pretreatment facilities and trained plant operation personnel to ensure trouble-free operation and to achieve furthur economy in desalting costs. Significant advances have been made in the development of RO process for sea water desalination. Soaring energy costs are providing incentive for plant owners to prefer RO plants (up to 100,000 gpd) over vapor compression distillation hardware. Results of the Federal Government Desalting R & D Programs clearly indicate that RO desalting costs will be at least 20–30% lower than distillation.
Ion channels and calcium signaling in cerebral arteries following subarachnoid hemorrhage

Entry of Ca2+ through voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCCs) is critical to the regulation of intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in vascular smooth muscle and thus the control o...
Measurements of elastic constants in anisotropic media

Simulationofelastic-wave propagation inrockrequires knowledge of the elastic constants of the medium. The number of elastic constants required to describe a rock depends on the symmetry class. For example, isotropic symmetry requires only two elastic constants, whereas transversely isotropic symmetry requires five unique elastic constants. The off-diagonal elastic constant depends on a wave velocity measured along a nonsymmetry axis. The most difficult barrier when measuring these elastic constants is the ambiguity between the phase and group velocity in experimental measurements. Several methods to eliminate this difficulty have been previously proposed, but they typically require several samples, difficult machining, or complicated computational analysis. Another approach is to use the surface (Rayleigh) wave velocity to obtain the off-diagonal elastic constant. Rayleigh waves propagated along symmetry axes have phase and group velocities that are equal for materials with no frequency dispersion, thereby eliminating the ambiguity. Using a theoretical secular equation that relates the Rayleigh velocity to the elastic constants enable determination of the offdiagonal elastic constant. Laboratory measurements of the elastic constants in isotropic and anisotropic materials were made using ultrasonic transducers (central frequency of 1 MHz) for the Rayleigh-wave method and a wavefront-imaging method. The two methods indicated agreement within 1% and 3% for isotropic and transversely isotropic samples, respectively, demonstrating the ability of the Rayleigh-wave method to measure the off-diagonal elastic constant. The surface-wave approach eliminates the need for multiple samples, expensive computational calculations, and most importantly, it removes the ambiguity between the phase and group velocity in the measured data for materials with no frequency dispersion because all measurements are made along symmetry axes.
Design stresses in probabilistic form for ellipsoidal and toroidal pressure vessels

Abstract Design has customarily been based on applied loading, geometry and handbook values for strength to give a deterministic solution. The engineering profession, however, has become increasingly concerned with the adequacy of design calculations. This concern indicates a need for critical evaluation of designs based on arbitrary multipliers, such as factors of safety or worst-case treatment. Ellipsoids are frequently used for end closure of cylindrical pressure shells. Toroids of elliptical or circular cross-section are widely used—for example, for connecting two parallel legs in a U-shape. This paper gives equations for means and standard deviations of stresses developed in ellipsoids and toroids with internal pressure. Inherent are: (1) design variables generally characterised by spectra of values (assumed to be normally distributed), rather than by unique values and (2) the fact that a small, but finite, probability of failure must be recognised in any design. By coupling stresses due to applied loading, as calculated by the given equations, with strength available in a material, reliability (or the alternative probability of failure) can be calculated. Conversely, for a given reliability, the appropriate size can be determined. Appropriate illustrations of the application of these equations are provided. The difficulty of relying on a factor of safety is demonstrated. As an example, consider a torus of circular cross-section with internal pressure. In one configuration with a given set of parameters using mean values and deterministic equations, the factor of safety is 1·70. The probabilistic equations indicate two probable failures in 100,000 vessels. If the standard deviation of the pressure is doubled, there are twelve probable failures in 100,000 vessels, although the factor of safety is still 1·70. In other words, if the range, but not the mean, of any parameter is changed, the failure rate changes—a change not predicted by the factor of safety.
Synchronization of Multiple DCO's (Clocks) for AFM Probe-Arrays

We present the CMOS circuit design of a new scheme to synchronize multiple oscillators to be used to drive an array of probes used in AFM imaging techniques. This circuit design synchronizes multiple Digitally-Controlled-Oscillators (DCOs) with the aid of vector implementation of CMOS Gilbert Multipliers. The overall circuit includes on chip inductors, and uses the 0.5?m process.
Resonant X-ray reflectivity study of Fe/Cr superlattices

Abstract We have measured the composition profile on an Fe/Cr superlattice using glancing incidence X-ray reflectivity. Resonant reflectivity measurements were carried out by tuning the X-ray energy around the respective K-edge of Fe and Cr. We were able to obtain excellent fits to the data and get consistent geometry and composition parameters from the reflectivity measurements at six different X-ray energies. We obtained valuable information on the interface composition of the superlattice and observed also a slight variation in composition at the bottom and top interfaces. The information obtained using this method allows a determination of not only the electron density but also the composition profiles of the multilayers. This non-destructive technique is a promising tool for the determination of the chemical composition of thin film.
Electrical Conduction in Magnesium Stannide at Low Temperatures

Measurements of conductivity, Hall effect, and magnetoresistance of magnesium stannide at temperatures between 2 and 80\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K indicate that this compound shows an "anomalous" behavior similar to that observed in germanium and other semiconductors. Results in the helium range suggest that the conduction takes place in a surface layer rather than in the bulk of the sample (impurity band conduction). Values of the density of surface carriers and their mobility are consistent with this theory.
A low-Mr factor isolated from Escherichia coli inhibits eukaryotic in vitro protein synthesis

The effect of a low-Mr factor, partially purified from E. coli B, was investigated in E. coli, reticulocyte, and wheat germ lysate in vitro protein synthesis systems. Equal concentrations of factor were needed to inhibit protein synthesis in the eukaryotic system as compared to the prokaryotic system. Experiments suggested that the factor inhibits the initiation step in the eukaryotic systems.