cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rethinking ICT literacy: From computer skills to social network settings

Abstract This paper starts from the perspective that the current conceptualization of educational assessment is out of date, but particularly with regard to conception of information and communication (ICT) literacy. We initially provide a brief summary of the idea of a 21st century skill, then trace the conceptual changes in the idea of ICT literacy in four main steps: First, we briefly describe a concentration of knowledge about computers and their use, coalescing into the concept of ICT literacy in the early years of the field. Second, we describe the transition to a view of ICT literacy as a broad set of skills that have links to many traditional and non-traditional school subjects, and the move to technology integration in education. Third, we see the next transition for ICT literacy expressed as progress variables that are essential tools for the design of curriculum and assessments. Fourth, we discuss the impact of the “social network” perspective on ICT literacy—the critical need for building the power of virtual skills through proficiency with networks of people, information, tools, and resources. In summary, we offer a new framework for assessing student ICT learning, based on a learning progression and social networking point of view. Throughout, we use extensive examples to help illustrate our review of the broad sweep of this development, and, as a part of the conclusion, we speculate about the coming next steps.
A phantom study to simulate half-dose imaging in myocardial perfusion SPECT

2436 Objectives 3D-OSEM (3D) algorithms have been reported to preserve image quality in half-time myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). Alternatively, this technique could be used to compensate for the reduced counts collected when imaging patients injected with half of the standard dose, thereby reducing radiation exposure. The objective of this phantom study is to simulate half-dose imaging utilizing the nature of the 6 hour half-life of Tc-99m. Methods A dual head gamma camera was used to acquire SPECT scans of a phantom with a cardiac defect. A simulated 30mCi dose of sestamibi was used. The phantom was imaged at time 0 (T0) and again 6 hours later (T6). Projections were reconstructed using filtered back projection (FBP) and 3D. Corridor4DM (4DM) was used to quantify the cardiac defect, calculating the defect size (Ext), in percentage of the myocardium, and the severity (Sev), in standard deviations below a normal database threshold. General image quality was assessed visually. Results 4DM results showed an increase in Ext between T0 and T6 FBP reconstructions. 3D reconstructions at T0 and T6 demonstrate a small increase in Ext when compared to T0 FBP. Both FBP and 3D reconstructions showed a minimal increase in Sev from T0 to T6. Visually, the defect is well characterized across all reconstructions. T6 FBP images appear less uniform in normal cardiac regions and appear slightly distorted in the apical and basal lateral regions, contributing to the enlarged defect Ext. These regions appear more uniform in T6 3D images. Conclusions Although subtle, image degradation as visualized in T6 FBP images adversely affects quantitative analysis, exaggerating Ext when compared to T0 FBP. Although 3D reconstructions produce slightly larger Ext values, compared to T0 FBP, the values are more consistent between T0 and T6. Furthermore, 3D appears to preserve general image quality in the low-count T6 data
Nod1/Nod2 Receptors Modulate the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis

Author(s): Schneider, Melinda A. | Abstract: The association between intestinal diseases, mood disorders and cognitive deficits is increasingly recognized. Previous studies from our lab suggest that chronic intestinal diseases, such as infection with an enteric pathogen, in combination with an acute psychological stressor (water avoidance stress [WAS]), can induce anxiety-like behavior and memory defects in mice. In our current study, we hypothesized that nucleotide binding oligomerization domain (Nod) receptors, as important modulators of homeostasis between the host immune system and the gut microbiota, are integral regulators of the microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis. Using Nod1/Nod2 double knockout (NodDKO) mice, we performed behavioral testing, qPCR analysis of stool bacterial DNA, and serum corticosterone analysis. Compared to wild type (WT) controls (C57BL/6), NodDKO mice displayed anxiety- like behaviors (light/dark box test, pl0.001) and deficits in recognition memory (novel object recognition [NOR] test, pl0.001) following exposure to a single session of WAS. WT and NodDKO mice differed in the composition of their microbiota in 4 of 7 bacterial groups studied by qPCR, indicating the presence of intestinal dysbiosis in NodDKO mice. Baseline elevated levels of serum corticosterone were also observed in NodDKO mice. To evaluate a potential role for the microbiota in mediating these effects given the presence of dysbiosis in NodDKO mice, WT and NodDKO mice were co-housed at weaning and behavior assessed in adulthood. Co-housing indicated that Nod1/Nod2 receptors are important for recognition memory and anxiety-like behavior, with defects remaining despite partial microbiota normalization. Interestingly, co-housing also ameliorated the WAS-induced spike in corticosterone levels in co-housed WT and NodDKO mice. Therefore, our study indicates that Nod receptors serve as key signaling molecules, potentially acting via the hypothalamic- pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, to modulate the MGB axis in mice
QIM watermarking games

Quantization Index Modulation (QIM) methods are widely used for blind data embedding and watermarking. Given a QIM watermarking code, we ask what is the attacker's noise distribution that maximizes probability of error of the detector. For memoryless attacks, the problem is reduced to a convex programming problem. Next, we derive QIM code parameters that are minmax optimal.
Endocytosis in the amphibian oocyte. Effect of insulin and progesterone on membrane and fluid internalization during the meiotic divisions.

Abstract Endocytosis has been studied in the denuded Rana pipiens oocyte using 3 H-labeled inulin. Internalization of labeled inulin is linear after the first 10–15 min and uptake into the cytoplasm is temperature-dependent and is blocked by 15 μM cyanide. Uptake occurs without hydrolysis of the inulin and varies exponentially with the concentration of inulin in the medium. Based on specific activity of the medium and inulin uptake into the cytoplasm, it is estimated that a fluid volume of about 20–25 nl is internalized per oocyte per hour. This fluid phase uptake corresponds to a half-time of about 35 h for turnover of the oocyte fluid phase. An estimate of membrane area based on endocytotic vesicle size from electron micrographs suggests that the entire oocyte plasma membrane recycles several times an hour. A fraction (15–20%) of the inulin taken up is associated with the plasma-vitelline membrane complex and uptake into the membrane complex parallels uptake into the cytoplasm. Insulin (a meiotic agonist) concentrations that induce plasma membrane hyperpolarization over the first h also stimulate [ 3 H]inulin uptake into both the oocyte cytoplasm and membrane complex over the same time period. Progesterone (the physiological inducer) has no effect on inulin uptake during the first hour, but by 16–17 h after exposure to progesterone, inulin uptake is significantly enhanced. These results suggest that hormones such as insulin and progesterone may regulate membrane permeability by a programmed internalization and possible recycling of the plasma membrane components.
The alveolitis of pulmonary sarcoidosis. Evaluation of natural history and alveolitis-dependent changes in lung function

Current concepts of the pathogenesis of pulmonary sarcoidosis suggest that a mononuclear cell alveolitis, comprised of activated T-lymphocytes and activated alveolar macrophages, precedes and modulates the formation of granuloma and fibrosis. To evaluate the natural history of this alveolitis and determine the relationship it has to subsequent changes in lung function, 19 untreated patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis without extrapulmonary manifestations were studied with bronchoalveolar lavage, /sup 67/Ga scanning, and pulmonary function tests to evaluate lung T-cells, lung alveolar macrophages, and lung function, respectively. In patients with sarcoidosis, low intensity alveolitis (lung T-cells less than or equal to 28% of all lung effector cells and/or /sup 67/Ga scan negative) was much more common (80% of all observations) than high intensity alveolitis (lung T-cells greater than 28% and /sup 67/Ga scan positive, 20% of all observations). Conventional clinical, roentgenographic, or physiologic studies could not predict the alveolitis status. Interestingly, of the 51 alveolitis evaluations in the 19 patients, there were 24 occurrences (47%) where the alveolitis was ''split,'' i.e., /sup 67/Ga scans positive and T-cells low (39%) or /sup 67/Ga negative and T-cells high (8%). Most untreated patients with sarcoidosis without extrapulmonary symptoms may have some inflammatory processes ongoing in their alveolarmore » structures. Overall, whenever a high intensity alveolitis episode occurred, it was followed by deterioration over the next 6 months in at least one lung function parameter. A low intensity alveolitis episode was followed by functional deterioration only 8% of the time. The alveolitis parameters (lavage and /sup 67/Ga scanning) clearly predicted prognosis. These observations should prove useful in understanding the natural history of pulmonary sarcoidosis, in staging patients with this disease, and in making rational therapy decisions.« less
Renal epithelial sodium channel is critical for blood pressure maintenance and sodium balance in the normal late pregnant rat.

New Findings What is the central question of this study? Normal pregnancy is a state marked by avid sodium retention and plasma volume expansion. Increased epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) activity in pregnancy may mediate these changes. We investigated the role of the ENaC using pharmacological and genetic inhibition. What is the main finding and its importance? We found that chronic ENaC blockade (systemic and local renal) prevented normal sodium retention in the pregnant rat. Prevention of sodium retention was associated with a decrease in maternal blood pressure and body weight, as well as fetal growth restriction. Taken together, these findings emphasize the importance of increased ENaC activity during pregnancy in maintaining the pregnancy-mediated changes in sodium balance, volume status and blood pressure. Normal pregnancy is a state marked by avid sodium retention and plasma volume expansion. Insufficient plasma volume expansion results in the compromised maternal state of intrauterine growth restriction, which afflicts ∼5% of all human pregnancies. We have recently shown that renal epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) activity in vivo in the late pregnant (LP) rat is increased. To determine the importance of the renal versus extrarenal ENaC in sodium retention and blood pressure regulation during pregnancy, we have chronically blocked the ENaC pharmacologically with daily subcutaneous injections of benzamil and genetically using intrarenal transfection of αENaC short hairpin RNA. Compared with untreated LP control animals, LP rats treated with benzamil retain less sodium and have reduced mean arterial blood pressure. Furthermore, LP rats treated with benzamil had lower maternal body weight gain. Intrarenal transfection of αENaC short hairpin RNA versus scrambled small RNA successfully decreased renal αENaC mRNA expression in LP rats. Intrarenal transfection of αENaC short hairpin RNA reduced maternal sodium retention, body weight gain and pup weight. Redundant physiological systems that protect blood pressure and sodium homeostasis were unable to compensate for the loss of ENaC activity in the pregnant rat. These findings demonstrate that the renal ENaC is necessary for maintaining pregnancy-mediated sodium retention, volume expansion and blood pressure regulation.
Secretory rates of human chorionic gonadotropin by normal trophoblast

Abstract Plasma concentrations of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) were determined daily, and doubling times for these were calculated for 4 women who conceived following ovulation induction with menopausal gonadotropin and HCG and for a fifth woman who ovulatid spontaneously. Numbers of trophoblastic cells and doubling times of these were estimated from the data of Hertig and others relative to the volume of trophoblast present in the chorion from Day 7.5 to Day 16.5 after fertilization and a number representative of mean volume per cell. These two sets of data were used to estimate the quantity of HCG secreted by these single trophoblastic cells early in pregnancy, and these values were compared to similar estimates for choriocarcinoma cells in vivo and in vitro. Results were as follows: Normal trophoblast, 1.4 × 10 −2 I.U. per cell per day; choriocarcinoma cells in vivo, 5 × 10 −5 I.U. per cell per day; choriocarcinoma cells in vitro, 5 × 10 −7 I.U. per cell per day.
Reactivity and Dynamics at Liquid Interfaces

Reactivity and Dynamics at Liquid Interfaces Ilan Benjamin Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 Introduction Many phenomena of interest in science and technology take place at the interface between a liquid and a second phase. Corrosion, the operation of solar cells and the water splitting reaction are examples of chemical processes that take place at the liquid/solid interface. 1, 2 Electron transfer, ion transfer and proton transfer reactions at the interface between two immiscible liquids are important for understanding processes such as ion extraction, 3, phase transfer catalysis, 5, drug delivery 7 and ion channel dynamics in membrane biophysics. 8 The study of reactions at the water liquid/vapor interface is of crucial importance in atmospheric chemistry. 9, Understanding the behavior of solute molecules adsorbed at these interfaces and their reactivity is also of fundamental theoretical interest. The surface region is an inhomogeneous environment where the asymmetry in the intermolecular forces may produce unique behavior. Because of its importance, it is not surprising that the study of the neat liquid surface, as well as of solute adsorption, spectroscopy and reactivity, goes back many years. However, up until the last decade of the 20 th century most of the experimental studies involved the measurement of macroscopic properties such as surface tension and surface potential, 11, and generally speaking, the spectroscopic techniques employed
Discovery of a small-molecule inhibitor of the KIX-KID interaction.

Protein–protein interactions are essential for transmitting signals from extracellular space to cell nuclei and also for cell–cell communication. Small molecules that target protein–protein interactions, therefore, are great research tools for dissecting the biological functions of a given protein–protein interaction and potential therapeutics for many different human diseases.[1] However, targeting protein–protein interactions by small molecules remains a significant challenge.[1, 2]
A dental intervention with an Alaskan Native population: lessons learned.

This paper briefly describes a dental intervention within the Alaska Native population to reduce early childhood dental disease, the challenges faced in conducting the research, and the lessons learned. The American Indian/Alaska Native populations share a disproportionate burden of childhood dental disease compared to their majority counterparts. Despite the gains in oral health for the general population not all groups have equally benefited. Even recently, severe dental disease was found within >60% of young Alaska Native children. There have been few intervention studies to reduce dental disease in Alaska Natives or their children. One study aimed at reducing dental disease in very young children via an intervention directed at the pregnant woman. Several challenges, anticipated and unanticipated, were faced in the development and conduct of the intervention. These challenges and the resulting lessons learned are presented here.
Microgrids: A New Approach to Supply-Side Design for Data Centers

Growth in IT infrastructure driven by socio-economic demand for services has led to the creation of large data centers. There is a need for cost-effective and sustainable design and management of such data centers. From this perspective, evolutionary changes in the regulatory and operational climate of traditional electrical and energy utilities has created new opportunities for development of data centers with low TCO and environmental footprint. These opportunities primarily exist on developing unique supply-side architectures for delivery of power, water and other resources to service data centers. Concurrent emergence of smaller heat and power generating systems also provides novel options to create solutions that improve the reliability and scalability of supply-side infrastructures in data centers. In this paper we investigate the impact of combined heat and power generation in operation of data centers in reducing TCO and environmental footprint and improving operational reliability. Usage of natural resources like water, fuel is minimized to create a low footprint IT infrastructure. Through use of mix of on-site power generation technologies alongside energy and water storage we create a power, cooling and water microgrid for the data center. Such microgrids are a promising way to capture the significant potential of smaller distributed energy resources to meet growing demands for low footprint IT infrastructures.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Hypoparathyroidism in Wilson's disease

An 11-year-old girl with Wilson's disease presented with mild hypocalcemia (8.0 mg per deciliter), hypophosphatemia (2.7 mg per deciliter), hypercalciuria (569 mg per day), and hyperphosphaturia (tubular reabsorption of phosphate, 67 per cent). The hyperphosphaturia and hypercalciuria were attributed to the Fanconi syndrome, a known component of Wilson's disease. Circulating immunoreactive parathyroid hormone was usually undetectable or, occasionally, detectable at minimal levels in the presence of depressed blood levels of ionized calcium. Normal levels of ionized calcium were not maintained throughout a 24-hour monitoring period. The patient had tetany during a period of rapid reduction in ionized calcium levels, and an appropriate rise in circulating immunoreactive parathyroid levels was never demonstrated. Induced hypocalcemia during citrate infusion did not stimulate parathyroid secretion, nor did infusion of magnesium. We conclude that parathyroid insufficiency may be associated with Wilson's disease. We speculate that it is due to deposition of copper in the parathyroid glands.
Race and Class in Chinese Historiography: Divergent Interpretations of Zhang Bing-lin and Anti-Manchuism in the 1911 Revolution

When the Manchus came [to China] they killed our ancestors, violated our women, occupied the territory of Han race, made their vile, comtemptible race into a noble class, for generations enfeoffed kings and what's more sent some of their base race to be stationed in strategic spots in each of the provinces which they called garrisons, and they guarded us Han people as one would guard thieves—this was indeed despicable, and still they craved to be parasites! In addition the covetous and greedy officials they loosed upon us collect and levy [exhorbitant] taxes for them, and thus disappointment and sorrow is reaped; if what we have freely given them is not enough perhaps they will add a penalty or deprive us of our lives. Furthurmore, until now with the imperial principles in a state of anarchy, they only look after the foreigners, and give us up to the foreigners to act as third class slaves. In addition, as for our land, today one piece is severed and given away to this [foreign country]; tomorrow another ...
Abstract P6-02-01: Elucidating the change of TRAIL sensitivity in basal like TNBC cell lines by lapatinib, and further therapeutic implication

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) comprises 15-20% of breast cancer, and carries a poor prognosis. Recently, efforts to understand this heterogeneous group of cancers have led to recognition of different subtypes of TNBC by Dr. Pietenpol et al based on genetic and functional signature. So far, the only targeting agent for TNBC still remains as androgen receptor inhibitor for LAR group. Thus, other strategies in therapeutic development for TNBCs are necessary. TRAIL (Tumor Necrosis Factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand), a member of the TNF-alpha family of death receptor ligands, induces apoptosis by binding death receptors (DR4 and DR5), could be a good strategy in therapeutic development in TNBC. Unfortunately, majority of breast cancer cell lines are resistant to TRAIL targeted therapy especially basal like group of cells, as previously shown in the work of Lipkowitz at the NCI. Lapatinib, a well known as erbB 1 and 2 inhibitor had been found to have off target activity inducing JNK, an important activator of nuclear transcription of death receptor, and mitochondrial mediated intrinsic apoptosis pathway. Interestingly, study of combination therapy with lapatinib and TRAIL not only confirmed baseline poor sensitivity to TRAIL induced apoptosis in “basal like” HCC 1937 and MDA-MB-468 cell lines, but also revealed an unexpected difference in sensitization to TRAIL induced apoptosis by Lapatinib pre-treatment between these two cell lines. When treated with 48hrs Lapatinib high–dose treatment, HCC 1937 showed increased sensitization whereas MDA-MB-468 did not. Both HCC 1937 and MDA-MB-468 are in the same basal like 1(BL1) group by Dr. Pietenpol9s analysis, and their baseline sensitivity to TRAIL inducing apoptosis are the same. In terms of apoptosis - there are two big categories of cells. Type I cells are independent of mitochondria for the induction of Fas death receptor mediated apoptosis, where as type II cells are mitochrondria-dependent. Thus we hypothesized that this difference in lapatinib induced TRAIL sensitization between two cell lines is due to difference in one being type I vs the other being type II cell, and this type of apoptosis is not likely equal in same subgroup of TNBC. If this hypothesis is correct, targeting apoptosis pathway in TNBC should incorporate the recognition of apoptosis cell types rather than functional/genetic based subtypes. We will further elucidate our hypothesis by studying JNK, caspase 3 and 9 activity and downstream of both intrinsic, extrinsic apoptosis pathway. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P6-02-01.
Reliability Bounds in Probabilistic Design

Reliability for probabilistic design and the simple stress-strength failure model depend only upon the interference of the stress and the strength random variables. This paper presents a methodology to compute bounds on the design reliability, given some bounds on probabilities over intervals of the overlapping tails of the stress and the strength random variables. Quadratic programming optimization is employed to find upper and lower bounds on reliability.
Neogene clockwise tectonic rotation of the eastern Transverse Ranges, California, suggested by paleomagnetic vectors

Results from a paleomagnetic study of Neogene volcanic rocks situated within and around the Pinto basin region of the eastern Transverse Ranges suggest that the ranges have undergone a clockwise tectonic rotation of ∼41.4° ± 7.7° since late Miocene time. Both normal and reversed polarities are observed, and inclination data indicate no significant flattening. The rotation was accompanied by progressive sinistral slip on the several east-west–trending faults which bound and transect the eastern Transverse Ranges. A computation using the observed amount of cumulative left slip on the east-west–trending faults of the eastern Transverse Ranges (∼50 km) and the spacing between the Pinto Mountain and Salton Creek faults which bound the region (∼70 km) indicates that ∼35° of clockwise rotation is required, which roughly agrees with the paleomagnetic data. Removal of the eastern Transverse Ranges rotation in a reconstruction shows that the distributed dextral shear across the Mojave Desert region to the north must have been on the order of 100 km since late Miocene time. From the results of this study, we infer that crustal rotation of the eastern Transverse Ranges began later and is of less magnitude than that of the western Transverse Ranges.
Movements, behavior, and habitat utilization of yellowfin tuna ( Thunnus albacares ) in the northeastern Pacific Ocean, ascertained through archival tag data

Sixty-eight yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares, (60-135 cm fork length) were caught and released with implanted archival tags offshore off Baja California, Mexico, during October 2002 and October 2003. Thirty-six fish (53%) were recaptured and the data were downloaded from all 36 recovered tags. Time at liberty ranged from 9 to 1,161 days, and the data were analyzed for the 20 fish that were at liberty for 154 or more days. The accuracy in the position estimates, derived from light-level longitude data and sea-surface temperatures (SSTs) based latitude, is about 0.41° in longitude and 0.82° in latitude, in this region. The movement paths, derived from position estimates, for the 20 yellowfin indicated that 19 (95%) remained within 1,445 km of their release locations. The estimated mean velocity along movement paths was 77 km/day. The southern and northern seasonal movement paths observed for yellowfin off Baja California are influenced by the seasonal movements of the 18°C SST isotherm. Cyclical movements to and from suitable spawning habitat (≥24°C SST) was observed only for mature fish. For the 12 fish that demonstrated site fidelity, the mean 95 and 50% utilization distributions were 258,730 km2 and 41,260 km2, respectively. Evaluations of the timed depth records resulted in discrimination of four distinct behaviors. When exhibiting type-1 diving behavior (78.1% of all days at liberty) the fish remained at depths less than 50 m at night and did not dive to depths greater than about 100 m during the day. Type-2 diving behavior (21.2% of all days at liberty) was characterized by ten or more dives in excess of 150 m during the day. Type-2 diving behavior is apparently a foraging strategy for fish targeting prey organisms of the deep-scattering layer during the day, following nighttime foraging within the mixed layer on the same prey. Yellowfin tuna exhibited occasional deep-diving behavior, and some dives exceeded 1,000 m, where ambient temperatures were less than 5°C. Surface-oriented behavior, defined as the time fish remained at depths less than 10 m for more than 10 min, were evaluated. The mean number and duration of surface-oriented events per day for all fish was 14.3 and 28.5 min, respectively. Habitat utilization of yellowfin, presented as monthly composite horizontal and vertical distributions, indicates confined geographical distributions, apparently resulting from an affinity to an area of high prey availability. The vertical distributions indicate greater daytime depths in relation to a seasonally deeper mixed layer and a greater proportion of daytime at shallower depths in relation to a seasonally shallower mixed layer.
Perspectives on the Neuroscience of Cognition and Consciousness

The origin and current use of the concepts of computation, representation and information in Neuroscience are examined and conceptual flaws are identified which vitiate their usefulness for addressing the problem of the neural basis of Cognition and Consciousness. In contrast, a convergence of views is presented to support the characterization of the Nervous System as a complex dynamical system operating in a metastable regime, and capable of evolving to configurations and transitions in phase space with potential relevance for Cognition and Consciousness.
On Receiving the Diagnosis of Cancer: The Adolescent Perspective

The adolescent life stage encompasses unique developmental challenges. Little is known about the experience of receiving a cancer diagnosis during this already demanding life stage. The aim of this study is to explore the lived experience of being diagnosed with cancer from the perspective of the adolescent. A phenomenological approach is used to perform semistructured interviews with 10 adolescents who have been diagnosed with cancer within the previous 4 to 6 months. Colaizzi's method of analysis is used to allow themes to emerge from these data. Six themes capture the essence of being diagnosed with cancer from the perspective of the adolescent: (1) the stunning loss of normalcy, (2) gaining information, (3) the importance of friends and their reactions, (4) getting used to it, (5) giving back, and (6) family support. The results of this study provide an emerging understanding of the unique perspective of the adolescent with cancer. Understanding this perspective is critical to meet the needs of this population.
The effect of tip size on the measured Ra of surface roughness specimens with rectangular profiles

Abstract When measuring rectangular and trapezoidal profile roughness specimens, the stylus tip increases the measured profile peak width and decreases the measured valley width. This can cause either an increase or a decrease in the apparent roughness average Ra, depending on the tip size and the ratio of peak width to valley width. Sometimes the change is larger than the combined measurement uncertainty from other sources. This raises the question as to whether measured surface parameters should be corrected for the effect of tip size.
New Meanings for Old Vegetables in Kyoto

AbstractIn 1987, chefs, farmers, scholars and government officials collaborated to designate thirty-seven varieties of produce as “traditional Kyoto vegetables.” The definition of traditional Kyoto vegetables provides a case study of how one community capitalized on national interest in nostalgia and gourmet food in the 1980s; however, this example also illustrates what happens when stakeholders subsequently disagree about the future of traditional food. Prefectural farmers, the Japan Agricultural Cooperatives group and specialty greengrocers benefited from new marketing opportunities for traditional Kyoto vegetables and the high prices these foodstuffs garnered, while the same trends troubled many chefs and prompted city officials and urban farmers to coin alternative designations for local produce. At stake in this debate is not only how traditional local vegetables can be defined (and who benefits from that), but also the extent to which local foods reflect real communities of producers and consumers.
Schizophrenics have fewer and smaller P300s: A single-trial analysis

Abstract Because P300 is typically measured from an average of single trials, variations among individual trials may account for P300 amplitude reduction so often seen in patients with schizophrenia. We tested three hypotheses regarding single-trial contribution to small average P300s in schizophrenics: normal P300s are elicited on some trials and no P300s on others, all trials have consistently small P300s, or P300 latency varies over trials. Nineteen schizophrenics and 35 controls were tested on a two-tone auditory oddball event-related potential (ERP) paradigm. ERPs recorded from the parietal electrod (Pz) were subjected to a P300-screening procedure in which a 2 Hz half-sine wave template was moved across the electroencephalogram (EEG) to find the point of best fit. If, for the point of best fit, the EEG: Template covariance was greater in the signal epoch (280–600 msec) than in the noise epoch (610–930 msec), and if the EEG: Template correlation was statistically significant, the trial passed the P300-screen and was deemed to have a P300. Three types of average ERPs were constructed: Traditional Average from all good (artifact-free, correct response) trials, P300-Screen Average from all good trials that also passed the P300-screen, and Latency Adjusted Average by aligning the P300-screen trials at the latency of maximum covariance. Traditional average ERPs were significantly smaller in schizophrenics than in controls. The results of the P300-screen confirmed all three hypotheses: schizophrenics had fewer trials passing the P300-screen, smaller P300s on each trial, and P300s that were more variable in latency across trials. Even when trials without a P300 are excluded and trials with a P300 are latency adjusted, the average P300 is still reduced in schizophrenics. P300 amplitude reduction in schizophrenia is robust and not an artifact of trial selectionor averaging.
The targeting and packaging of student aid and its effect on attrition

Abstract This paper investigates three basic but largely unexamined issues affecting the student financial aid system in public four-year universities. These are the targeting of overall aid, the packaging of aid for different groups of aid recipients and the role of financial aid in motivating persistence. Institutional records and students surveys are used to investigate whether aid actually reaches the target population and whether various combinations of grants, loans, and work-study awards are allocated according to student ability to pay. Markov analysis is used to examine whether the targeting and packaging of aid is stable and consistent over time. Finally, logit analysis is used to examine relationships between financial aid and attrition rates over three successive years to assess whether aid promotes persistence among economically disadvantaged undergraduate students. The study finds that the student financial system, in keeping with established guidelines on targeting and packaging, distributes aid mainly to low income students and that aid effectively compensates for the disadvantage of low income by making low income students as likely to persist in college as higher income students who do not receive aid.
Structural Studies of the Yeast Prp8-Snu114 Complex

The spliceosome catalyzes the removal of non-protein-coding introns and ligates neighbouring exons in pre-mRNAs with single nucleotide precision to produce mature mRNAs. Prp8 and Snu114 are highly conserved proteins that form a stable heterodimer as part of the U5 snRNP. They play essential roles in the regulation of the spliceosome and the formation of the catalytic core for the two transesterification reactions. Prp8 is located at the heart of the spliceosome, and considered the “master regulator” of spliceosomal activity. It contacts all the crucial pre-mRNA and snRNA elements involved in splicing: 5' SS, BP, 3' SS, U2, U5 and U6, and genetic interactions have been detected between PRP8 and numerous components of the spliceosome. Prp8 forms a large cavity that is proposed to accommodate the catalytic centre of the spliceosome. Snu114 is a GTPase homologous to ribosomal translocases EF-G and eEF-2. Both Prp8 and Snu114 modulate the activity of Brr2, a DExD/H RNA helicase. Brr2 is required for the ATP-dependent unwinding of the U4/U6 snRNA during spliceosome activation, as well as spliceosome disassembly after the release of the mRNA product.Recent technological developments have enabled determination of 3D reconstructions at near atomic resolution of a broad range of biological samples by single particle electron cryo-microscopy (cryoEM). The single-electron counting K2 Summit camera gives noiseless readout, and its high frame rate enables recording image with a novel dose fractionation (or movie) procedure which can be coupled with a newly developed motion correction algorithm to correct beam induced image blurring. I am purifying the Prp8-Snu114 complex from S. cerevisiae, and will attempt to use the latest high resolution cryoEM technique to solve the its structure.
Does Cytochrome P-450 Mediate the Effects of Norepinephrine in the Hepatocyte?

(1989). Does Cytochrome P-450 Mediate the Effects of Norepinephrine in the Hepatocyte? Drug Metabolism Reviews: Vol. 20, No. 2-4, pp. 629-643.
Regional CO2 fluxes inferred from mixing ratio measurements : estimates from flask air samples in central Kansas, USA

We estimated regional fluxes of carbon dioxide (CO2) using mixing ratios measured in a tallgrass prairie in central Kansas, USA over 3 yr (2002‐2004). Glass flasks were used to collect whole air samples in the midafternoon for determining CO2 mixing ratios and their carbon isotopic composition. Regional CO2 fluxes were calculated assuming atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) approaches an equilibrium state on a monthly basis. CO2 mixing ratios derived from the marine boundary layer data were used as a proxy to represent those in the free troposphere, which allowed for determining a boundary layer CO2 gradient primarily resulting from surface exchange. We estimated temporal changes in the ABL height for this region on a monthly basis (600‐1700 m asl for a 5-yr average between 1997 and 2001) from European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) model data. Accordingly, we estimated the rate of entrainment (flux density) by interpolating NCAR/NCEP reanalysis data to the estimated ABL height. Our study differentiates from previous studies in several aspects: (1) we used flask-based mixing ratio measurements; (2) only discrete midday CO2 mixing ratio data were used to construct weekly CO2 gradients between free troposphere and the ABL and (3) we propose a new means for estimating monthly values of vertical transport. Modelled regional CO2 fluxes were compared to net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of CO2 fluxes measured by eddy covariance method. Assuming negligible vertical CO2 gradients between mid-ABL and the surface layer and with no correction applied, calculated NEE showed a general agreement with measured NEE fluxes throughout the growing season. Using CO mixing ratio data, we show that fossil fuel burning contributed negligible CO2 fluxes in summer but partially explained the discrepancy between modelled regional CO2 fluxes and measured NEE in winter. This wintertime fossil fuel input was consistent with carbon isotope measurements of CO2. We demonstrate in this study that CO2 mixing ratios subsampled at midday in the surface layer can be used to gain insights into regional CO2 flux exchange in the U.S. Great Plains area.
A Critical Incident Study of Preservice Teachers' Beliefs about Teaching Success and Nonsuccess

Abstract Written critical incident descriptions were collected from prospective teachers to understand what they see as salient features of their own successful and nonsuccessful teaching. Researchers reliably extracted, sorted, and categorized these features from descriptions until categories for success and nonsuccess stabilized. Participants (195, from two universities) produced 300 nonsuccess (19 categories) and 413 success (20 categories) features, providing teacher educators with indirect evidence of things their students already have learned about teaching. Many success and nonsuccess features grouped around students (over half), teacher (about a third), learning tasks, and environment. The largest number of responses in a single category was student noncompliance (29.7% of all responses) in the nonsuccessful teaching dimension.
Estimating investment requirement for maintaining and improving highway systems

This paper presents an integrated and robust approach for estimating the investment necessary to maintain or improve the future levels of service and pavement conditions of facilities in a highway network. The approach is based on robust optimization and assumes that future travel demands and facility conditions are uncertain but confined to an ellipsoidal uncertainty region and traffic flows on the underlying network are in user equilibrium. The problem is formulated as a mathematical program with equilibrium constraints and solved via a cutting plane algorithm. Numerical results from the Sioux Falls network suggest that the approach can potentially address realistic networks.
Circulation Time Under Conditions of Work and Rest in Subjects with Normal and Abnormal Hearts.

SummaryThe circulation time is characteristic for the subject rather than for the type of heart disease. On the average, the circulation time for individuals with heart disease is prolonged. The difference between the circulation time before and after 5 minutes of exercise is greater than that before and after a 5-minute period of rest. The difference between the circulation time before and after 5 minutes of exercise in the diseased group is similar to that of the normal group. The difference induced in the circulation time after exercise is not significant as a test of cardiac efficiency.
Determination of the CC bond dissociation energy in C3N radical

Abstract The CC bond dissociation energy in the cyanoethynyl radical (C3N) is predicted using various coupled-cluster and composite energy methods. The singles and doubles coupled-cluster method that includes a perturbational correction for connected triple excitations, denoted CCSD(T), has been used with a variety of basis sets. The largest basis set used is the cc-pVQZ that includes g functions. By extrapolating the CCSD(T)/cc-pVQZ results to the basis set limit, the best estimate of the CC bond dissociation in C3N is 128.8±0.9 kcal mol−1.
Changes in Depressive Symptoms in First Time Mothers in Home Visitation

OBJECTIVE: The expansion of Home Visitation Programs for at-risk, first-time mothers and their young children has drawn attention to the potential impact of depression on program outcomes, yet little research has examined depression in the context of home visitation. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of and changes in depressive symptoms in mothers enrolled in home visitation and identify predictors of change in symptoms over the first 9 months of service. METHODS: Subjects consisted of 806 at-risk, first-time mothers enrolled in a Home Visitation Program. Self-reported depression was measured at enrollment and again 9 months later. Established clinical cutoffs were used to identify clinically elevated levels of depression. Additional measures were taken of interpersonal trauma history, concurrent intimate partner violence, and social support. RESULTS: Results indicated that: (1) 45.3% of mothers had clinically elevated symptoms of depression at some point during the first 9 months of service, (2) 25.9% of mothers had elevated symptoms at both time points or at the 9-month assessment, and (3) 74.1% experienced an interpersonal trauma prior to enrollment. Lack of improvement or worsening of depressive symptoms from enrollment to 9 months was best predicted by pre-enrollment interpersonal trauma history, young maternal age, being African American, and symptoms severe enough to have led to mental health treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that maternal depressive symptoms are a significant problem in home visitation. The role of interpersonal trauma in depressive symptoms, and how to best address these clinical issues in home visitation, warrants further examination. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Maternal depression is prevalent in Home Visitation Programs, and many mothers exhibit elevated symptoms at multiple time points over the first year of service. Interpersonal trauma history is also prevalent, and is predictive of increased depressive symptoms over time. Home Visitation Programs should note that mothers with interpersonal trauma history, young maternal age, and being African American have an increased likelihood of persistent depressive symptoms, which may in turn pose significant challenges to providing services. Language: en
Terrigenous helium in deep-sea sediments

Abstract We have measured the isotope ratios of helium contained in various terrigenous materials that contribute to deep-sea sediments. These materials include ice-rafted debris from the North Atlantic, Chinese Loess, and sediment collected at or near the mouths of three large rivers: the Amazon, the Ganges, and the Yangtze. We observe terrigenous 3He/4He ratios that vary from 1.8 × 10−9 to 4.6 × 10−7, i.e., values that are higher than the theoretically-derived range of 10−9 to 10−8. Atlantic and Pacific deep-sea sediment 3He/4He ratios can be explained by mixing of helium from similar extraterrestrial but different terrigenous sources. Terrigenous sources for North Atlantic and North Pacific sediments are characterized by 3He and 4He contents that are higher, and 3He/4He ratios that are lower, than those for central and eastern equatorial Pacific sediments. This is consistent with the supply to the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans of older cratonic continental material that contains high amounts of in situ-produced nucleogenic and radiogenic helium. Terrigenous material transported to central and eastern equatorial Pacific sediments contains lower amounts of 3He and 4He and higher 3He/4He ratios, indicative of supply from a more juvenile Andean source. In the equatorial Atlantic (core V31-135), we have used previously-published 230Th data to determine an extraterrestrial 3He flux of (1.16 ± 0.15) × 10−12 cm3STP · cm−2 · ka−1, within error of that previously determined in sediments from the equatorial Pacific Ocean ([0.78 ± 0.29] × 10−13 cm3STP · cm−2 · ka−1; Marcantonio et al., 1996 ).
Expression and activation of pro‐MMP‐2 and pro‐MMP‐9 during rat liver regeneration

Partial hepatectomy triggers a variety of biological phenomena, which culminate in regeneration of the liver mass. Hepatocyte proliferation is a major feature of the regenerating liver after partial hepatectomy. Previous studies in our laboratory suggested that hepatic matrix remodeling might be a prerequisite process for hepatocyte proliferation in the regenerating liver. In the present study we use immunohistochemical staining, Western blot analysis, and gelatin zymography to show that the inactive matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), pro-MMP-2 and pro-MMP-9, are elevated at 30 minutes and activated at 6 to 12 hours and at 3 to 6 hours, respectively, after hepatectomy. Sham-operated livers did not show an increase in inactive pro-MMP-2 and pro-MMP-9 and did not contain active MMP-2 or MMP-9. To examine whether tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) is changed to regulate the activities of MMPs after partial hepatectomy, the level of TIMP-1 protein was analyzed by both immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. The level of TIMP-1 protein appears to increase by 6 to 18 hours, implying that an increase in TIMP-1 regulates activities of active MMP-2 and MMP-9. Taken together, these results suggest that hepatic matrix remodeling is mediated by activated MMPs, which contribute to modulation of the environment surrounding hepatocytes during rat liver regeneration.
Studies on the Cross-reaction Between Human Growth Hormone and Human Chorionic Somatomammotropin in Radioimmunoassay Systems

ABSTRACT The effects of unlabeled human growth hormone (HGH) and human chorionic somatomammotropin (HCS) on the binding of 131I-HGH or 131I-HCS by anti-HGH or anti-HCS sera have been investigated. The reactions between them discriminated clearly between the homologous and cross-reacting unlabeled hormones. In contrast, the reactions between 131I-HGH and anti-HCS sera or 131I-HCS and anti-HGH sera were inhibited to a similar extent by either unlabeled hormone. The results obtained with combinations of unlabeled HGH and HCS indicate that values for HGH, as determined by radioimmunoassay, are likely to be overestimated in serum from pregnant subjects but suggest that they may be corrected by use of a family of standard curves.