cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The KLP-6 kinesin is required for male mating behaviors and polycystin localization in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Abstract Background: Male mating behavior of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans offers an intriguing model to study the genetics of sensory behavior, cilia function, and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). The C. elegans polycystins LOV-1 and PKD-2 act in male-specific sensory cilia required for response and vulva-location mating behaviors. Results: Here, we identify and characterize a new mating mutant, sy511 . sy511 behavioral phenotypes were mapped to a mutation in the klp-6 locus, a gene encoding a member of the kinesin-3 family (previously known as the UNC-104/Kif1A family). KLP-6 has a single homolog of unknown function in vertebrate genomes, including fish, chicken, mouse, rat, and human. We show that KLP-6 expresses exclusively in sensory neurons with exposed ciliated endings and colocalizes with the polycystins in cilia of male-specific neurons. Cilia of klp-6 mutants appear normal, suggesting a defect in sensory neuron function but not development. KLP-6 structure-function analysis reveals that the putative cargo binding domain directs the motor to cilia. Consistent with a motor-cargo association between KLP-6 and the polycystins, klp-6 is required for PKD-2 localization and function within cilia. Genetically, we find klp-6 regulates behavior through polycystin-dependent and -independent pathways. Conclusion: Multiple ciliary transport pathways dependent on kinesin-II, OSM-3, and KLP-6 may act sequentially to build cilia and localize sensory ciliary membrane proteins such as the polycystins. We propose that KLP-6 and the polycystins function as an evolutionarily conserved ciliary unit. KLP-6 promises new routes to understanding cilia function, behavior, and ADPKD.
Technologies for Transcending a Focus on Error: Blogs and Democratic Aspirations in First-Year Composition.

How are the internet and its online spaces for open exchange changing reading and writing practices, and how can we capitalize on these changes in composition instruc- tion? This article traces the author's experiment with blogging in her first-year writing class and considers how and why blogs help students negotiate the unfamiliar demands of college writing and enter into a more democratic arena for learning where their voices and arguments gain fuller, freer expression. In particular, the article proposes that the space of the blog, which is familiar to many students, opens up possibilities for risk-taking and interactivity that teach important lessons about the role of error and audience response in the composing process. As students rethink and revise their initial ideas, working off one another's comments, they develop more authority as critics with valued opinions and voice and let go of some of their fear about making mistakes that can prevent inexperienced writers from discovering and communicating their best arguments. By embracing the inventive and often messy space of blogs in composition instruction, students and teachers alike can evolve a new view of what it means to learn to write—and write effectively—in academic settings.
VAST 2007 Contest TexPlorer

TexPlorer is an integrated system for exploring and analyzing vast amount of text documents. The data processing modules of TexPlorer consist of named entity extraction, entity relation extraction, hierarchical clustering, and text summarization tools. Using time line tool, tree-view, table-view, and concept maps, TexPlorer provides visualizations from different aspects and allows analysts to explore vast amount of text documents efficiently.
An adaptive filter for noise cancelling

The author introduces a nonlinear filter for adaptive noise cancelling. The derivation and convergence properties of the filter are presented. The performance, as measured by the signal-to-noise ratio between the signal and its estimate, is compared to that of the commonly used least-mean-square (LMS) algorithm. It is shown, through simulation, that the proposed canceller has, on the average, better performance than the LMS canceller. It is based on the Pontryagin minimum principle and the method of invariant imbedding, and its computational time is about 10% that of the LMS in the cases studied, which is a substantial improvement. >
Visual training for population vector based cortical control

We have developed a method for training animals to control a variety of devices from cortical signals (Helms Tillery et al., 2003). In this report, we describe a protocol to parameterize a cortical control algorithm without an animal having to move its arm. Instead, a highly motivated animal observes a computer cursor moving towards a set of targets once each in a center-out task. From the neuronal activity recorded in this visual following task, we compute the set of preferred directions for the neurons. We find that the quality of fit in this early set of trials is highly predictive of each neuron's contribution to the overall cortical control.
PESTICIDES IN HOUSEHOLD DUST AND SOIL : EXPOSURE PATHWAYS FOR CHILDREN OF AGRICULTURAL FAMILIES

Child of agriculture families are likely to be exposed to agricultural chemicals, even if they are not involved in farm activities. This study was designed to determine whether such children are exposed to higher levels of pesticides than children whose parents are not involved in agriculture and whose homes are not close to farms. Household dust and soil samples were collected in children's play areas from 59 residences in eastern Washington State (26 farming, 22 farmworker, and 11 nonfarming families). The majority of the farm families lived within 200 feet of an operating apple or pear orchard, whereas all reference homes were located at least a quarter of a mile from an orchard. Four organophosphorous (OP) insecticides commonly used on tree fruit were targeted for analysis: azinphosmethyl, chlorpyrifos, parathion, and phosmet. Samples were extracted and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass selective detection. Pesticide concentrations in household dust were significantly higher than in soil for all groups. OP levels for farmer/farm-worker families ranged from nondetectable to 930 ng/g in soil (0.93 ppm) and from nondetectable to 17,000 ng/g in dust (17 ppm); all four OP compounds were found in 62% of household dust samples, and two-thirds of the farm homes contained at least one OP above 1000 ng/g. Residues were found less frequently in reference homes and all levels were below 1000 ng/g. Household dust concentrations for all four target compounds were significantly lower in reference homes when compared to farmer/farmworker homes (Mann Whitney, U test; p < 0.05). These results demonstrate that children of agricultural families have a higher potential for exposure to OP pesticides than children of nonfarm families in this region. Measurable residues of a toxicity, I compound registered exclusively for agricultural use, azcnphosmettyl were found in household dust samples from all study homes, suggesting that low level exposure to such chemicals occurs throughout the region. Children's total and cumulative exposure to this pesticide class from household dust, soil, and other sources warrants further investigation.
High mobility nanocrystalline silicon transistors on clear plastic substrates

We demonstrate nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si) top-gate thin-film transistors (TFTs) on optically clear, flexible plastic foil substrates. The silicon layers were deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition at a substrate temperature of 150/spl deg/C. The n-channel nc-Si TFTs have saturation electron mobilities of 18 cm/sup 2/V/sup -1/s/sup -1/ and transconductances of 0.22 /spl mu/S/spl mu/m/sup -1/. With a channel width to length ratio of 2, these TFTs deliver up to 0.1 mA to bottom emitting electrophosphorescent organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) which were fabricated on a separate glass substrate. These results suggest that high-current, small-area OLED driver TFTs can be made by a low-temperature process, compatible with flexible clear plastic substrates.
Analysis of photon migration for optical diagnosis

The opportunity to monitor the onset and progression of disease may be enabled by the smart implementation of biomedical optical engineering approaches to monitor tissue biochemistry. Uncorrected, these biochemical disturbances manifest themselves in microscopic structural changes which lead to gross pathophysiology and symptoms by which the disease is outwardly identified. Biomedical optical engineering techniques offer the opportunity to detect these biochemical changes and provide diagnostic information at earlier stages in the disease process, enabling greater efficacy of therapeutic intervention. In this paper, we concentrate on the fluorescence and phosphorescence lifetime spectroscopy due to advantages these techniques have to offer in tissues. The development of fluorescent and phosphorescent dyes which excite and re-emit in the near-infrared wavelength region promises the capacity for non- invasive biochemical sensing in tissues. Fluorescence intensity and fluorescence lifetime spectroscopies are established methods by which a fluorophore can provide sensing in dilute, non-scattering samples. However, fluorescence intensity or fluorescence lifetime spectroscopy in tissues or other scattering media is a complex problem. In order to extract the intrinsic fluorescence intensity for identification of the fluorophore concentration and yield, a priori information about tissue absorption and scattering must be obtained or assumed. Yet in tissues, the optical properties of absorption and scattering are highly variable. Nonetheless when successful, fluorescence intensity spectroscopy enables determination of the product of fluorescent yield and fluorophore concentration. In contrast to fluorescence intensity spectroscopy, fluorescence-lifetime tissue spectroscopy offers the ability to directly determine metabolite concentration independently of the concentration of fluorophore, whether it is endogenous or exogenous. Instead of monitoring the fluorescent intensity due to the re- emission process, the 'lifetime' or stability of the photon-activated fluorophore is measured. The lifetime of the activated state is defined as the mean time between absorption of the excitation photon and re-emission of a fluorescent photon. Typically, endogenous fluorophores have lifetimes on the order of nanoseconds while exogenous compounds have lifetimes ranging from sub nanosecond to milliseconds.
The temporal stability and developmental differences in the environmental impacts of militarism : the treadmill of destruction and consumption-based carbon emissions

This study examines the relationship between national-level militarism and consumption-based carbon dioxide emissions. We analyze panel data from 1990 to 2010 for 81 nations to determine whether the magnitude of the effects of (1) military expenditures as percent of total gross domestic product and (2) military personnel as percent of total labor force on carbon emissions change over time. Results of two-way fixed effects models highlight the temporal stability of the environmental impacts of both national-level military characteristics. The findings also reveal that the effect of military expenditures on emissions is larger in the more developed OECD nations than in the developing non-OECD nations. Overall, the results support the treadmill of destruction perspective, which suggests that the nations’ militaries are an important social institution to consider in sustainability science research on the human drivers of global environmental change.
A Numerical Method for Analysis of In Vitro Time-Dependent Inhibition Data. Part 1. Theoretical Considerations

Inhibition of cytochromes P450 by time-dependent inhibitors (TDI) is a major cause of clinical drug-drug interactions. It is often difficult to predict in vivo drug interactions based on in vitro TDI data. In part 1 of these manuscripts, we describe a numerical method that can directly estimate TDI parameters for a number of kinetic schemes. Datasets were simulated for Michaelis-Menten (MM) and several atypical kinetic schemes. Ordinary differential equations were solved directly to parameterize kinetic constants. For MM kinetics, much better estimates of KI can be obtained with the numerical method, and even IC50 shift data can provide meaningful estimates of TDI kinetic parameters. The standard replot method can be modified to fit non-MM data, but normal experimental error precludes this approach. Non-MM kinetic schemes can be easily incorporated into the numerical method, and the numerical method consistently predicts the correct model at errors of 10% or less. Quasi-irreversible inactivation and partial inactivation can be modeled easily with the numerical method. The utility of the numerical method for the analyses of experimental TDI data is provided in our companion manuscript in this issue of Drug Metabolism and Disposition (Korzekwa et al., 2014b).
DIFFERENTIATING PRIMARY PATHOPHYSIOLOGIC FROM SECONDARY ADAPTATIONAL PROCESSES

The following manuscript is mainly conceptual in nature. It should be read with reservation since the relevance of its suggestions have yet to be proven. Basically it proposes two rules for the differentiation between primary illnessrelated pathophysiological vs. secondary adaptational processes. These rules may guide hypotheses generation for further research that is aimed at understanding psychiatric disorders and their shared and unshared mechanisms. For example, in the case of anxiety disorders and depression, it may be of interest to learn if their shared properties are of primary pathophysiological or secondary adaptational significance. We first present some historical observations on the development of the concept of “secondary adaptational processes.” We assume such adaptational processes are generated by the organism in order to compensate for primary pathophysiological malfunction or impairment. Next, we propose rules that may enable the dissection of secondary adaptational from primary pathophysiological processes. We also discuss the possible implications of designing studies to sort out these processes, suggesting that the understanding of adaptational processes, may explain the effects of “placebo treatment.” Finally we illustrate the application of these rules by two examples: a) amygdala activation, a biological alteration shared by anxiety disorders and major depression and b) elevated plasma soluble interleukin 2 receptor, an unshared property by anxiety disorders and major depression . Also, the first example relates to a biological perturbation associated with a primary pathophysiological mechanism, while the second represents a biological alteration associated with secondary adaptational processes. Depression and Anxiety 14:105‐111, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Formative Research for STEM Educational Games

Millions in taxpayer and foundation euros and dollars have been spent building and testing educational video games, games for health, and serious games. What have been the fruits of this frenzy of activity? What educational video game has had the reach and impact of Sesame Street or Blues Clues television shows? By comparison, the Children’s Television Workshop (CTW) managed to get Sesame Street off the ground within a couple of years, writing the basic scientific literature on educational media design in the process. Not only is Sesame Street well known and proven, it laid the basis for every effective educational show to follow. This article explores the differences between the CTW scientific approach to educational media production and the mostly nonscientific approach consuming so many resources in the educational games, games for health, and serious games movements. Fundamental scientific questions that remain unanswered are outlined.
THE GENETIC LINKAGE OF THE IMMUNE RESPONSE TO POLY(Glu52Lys33Tyr15) TO THE MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY LOCUS IN INBRED RATS

SUMMARY The genetic control of the antibody response to poly(Glu52Lys33Tyr15) was studied in twenty-five strains of inbred rats representing a wide variety of major histocompatibility groups. Direct linkage studies, and three subsidiary lines of evidence, demonstrated that the control was linked to the major histocompatibility locus. All of the low responders (Ag-B1, 3 and 6) made less than 65 μg of antibody/ml. In contrast, there were quantitatively significant differences among responders: the Ag-B2 group was a moderate responder (200–500 μg antibody/ml) and the Ag-B4 and Ag-B5 groups were high responders (700–1400 μg/ml). The ability to form antibody segregated with the major histocompatibility allele in the F2 and back-cross generations. Genetic factors other than those controlling the ability to respond influence the quantity of antibody formed: animals of the same genotype can make significantly different amounts of antibody, depending upon the crosses by which they acquire the major histocompatibility alleles.
Earth science learning in SMALLab: A design experiment for mixed reality

Conversational technologies such as email, chat rooms, and blogs have made the transition from novel communication technologies to powerful tools for learning. Currently virtual worlds are undergoing the same transition. We argue that the next wave of innovation is at the level of the computer interface, and that mixed-reality environments offer important advantages over prior technologies. Thus, mixed reality is positioned to have a broad impact on the future of K-12 collaborative learning. We propose three design imperatives that arise from our ongoing work in this area grounded in research from the learning sciences and human-computer interaction. By way of example, we present one such platform, the Situated Multimedia Arts Learning Lab [SMALLab]. SMALLab is a mixed-reality environment that affords face-to-face interaction by colocated participants within a mediated space. We present a recent design experiment that involved the development of a new SMALLab learning scenario and a collaborative student participation framework for a 3-day intervention for 72 high school earth science students. We analyzed student and teacher exchanges from classroom sessions both during the intervention and during regular classroom instruction and found significant increases in the number of student-driven exchanges within SMALLab. We also found that students made significant achievement gains. We conclude that mixed reality can have a positive impact on collaborative learning and that it is poised for broad dissemination into mainstream K-12 contexts.
Predicting cortical dark/bright asymmetries from natural image statistics and early visual transforms.

The nervous system has evolved in an environment with structure and predictability. One of the ubiquitous principles of sensory systems is the creation of circuits that capitalize on this predictability. Previous work has identified predictable non-uniformities in the distributions of basic visual features in natural images that are relevant to the encoding tasks of the visual system. Here, we report that the well-established statistical distributions of visual features -- such as visual contrast, spatial scale, and depth -- differ between bright and dark image components. Following this analysis, we go on to trace how these differences in natural images translate into different patterns of cortical input that arise from the separate bright (ON) and dark (OFF) pathways originating in the retina. We use models of these early visual pathways to transform natural images into statistical patterns of cortical input. The models include the receptive fields and non-linear response properties of the magnocellular (M) and parvocellular (P) pathways, with their ON and OFF pathway divisions. The results indicate that there are regularities in visual cortical input beyond those that have previously been appreciated from the direct analysis of natural images. In particular, several dark/bright asymmetries provide a potential account for recently discovered asymmetries in how the brain processes visual features, such as violations of classic energy-type models. On the basis of our analysis, we expect that the dark/bright dichotomy in natural images plays a key role in the generation of both cortical and perceptual asymmetries.
Phosphorylation by Cdc28 Activates the Cdc20-Dependent Activity of the Anaphase-Promoting Complex

Budding yeast initiates anaphase by activating the Cdc20-dependent anaphase-promoting complex (APC). The mitotic activity of Cdc28 (Cdk1) is required to activate this form of the APC, and mutants that are impaired in mitotic Cdc28 function have difficulty leaving mitosis. This defect can be explained by a defect in APC phosphorylation, which depends on mitotic Cdc28 activity in vivo and can be catalyzed by purified Cdc28 in vitro. Mutating putative Cdc28 phosphorylation sites in three components of the APC, Cdc16, Cdc23, and Cdc27, makes the APC resistant to phosphorylation both in vivo and in vitro. The nonphosphorylatable APC has normal activity in G1, but its mitotic, Cdc20-dependent activity is compromised. These results show that Cdc28 activates the APC in budding yeast to trigger anaphase. Previous reports have shown that the budding yeast Cdc5 homologue, Plk, can also phosphorylate and activate the APC in vitro. We show that, like cdc28 mutants, cdc5 mutants affect APC phosphorylation in vivo. However, although Cdc5 can phosphorylate Cdc16 and Cdc27 in vitro, this in vitro phosphorylation does not occur on in vivo sites of phosphorylation.
Selective arraying of complex particle patterns.

Procedures requiring precise and accurate positioning of particles and cells have impacted a broad range of research interests including molecular detection, self-assembly and tissue and cell engineering. These fields would be greatly aided by more advanced, yet straightforward, micro-object positioning methods that are precise, scalable, responsive and flexible. We have developed an arrayed, multilayer surface patterned microfluidic device which uses laminar convective flow to actively position particles into any desired, two-dimensional, predesigned pattern. Objects including 10 µm polystyrene particles and Saccharomycodes ludwigii cells are rapidly (∼2 s) loaded onto vacuum-actuated holes, allowing us to both generate anisotropic particles and culture S. ludwigii cells. The device was further modified to individually control two sets of holes, adding control of pattern composition. With rapid, precise and adaptable operation, multilayer microfluidic devices should greatly assist in research where precise object placement and proximity is necessary.
Structuring collective activities with tasks and plans

Symba is a Web-based framework designed to support collective activities in a learning context. In order to make students explicitly work out their organization it dissociates an "organizational level" and an "activity level" and allows students to describe their organization as plans composed of tasks.
Marvin Farber and Husserl’s Phenomenology

Marvin Farber, one of America’s foremost philosophers died in November of 1980. Among his contributions to the philosophy of the English speaking world were his studies of Husserl’s phenomenology. The aim of this short essay is to review his place in the development of this phenomenological tendency.
1/f NOISE IN n+-p JUNCTIONS CALCULATED WITH QUANTUM 1/f THEORY

Two new quantum 1/f noise effects for n + -p junctions are calculated, (a) generation-recombination 1/f noise in the space charge region of junctions, (b) injection-extraction 1/f noise in carriers crossing the junction. Both effects come about by 1/f fluctuations in the cross sections and process rates and by the acceleration or deceleration of carriers crossing the space charge region. The effects will be masked by Umklapp quantum 1/f noise unless the latter is absent or | V dif −V | is large.
Presenilin 1 promotes trypsin-induced neuroprotection via the PAR2/ERK signaling pathway. Effects of presenilin 1 FAD mutations

Mutants of presenilin 1 (PS1) increase neuronal cell death causing autosomal-dominant familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD). Recent literature shows that treatment of neuronal cultures with low concentrations of trypsin, a member of the serine family of proteases, protects neurons from toxic insults by binding to the proteinase-activated receptor 2 and stimulating survival kinase extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK 1/2). Other studies show that PS1 is necessary for the neuroprotective activity of specific neurotrophic factors, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor, against excitotoxicity and oxidative stress. Here, we show that treatment of mouse cortical neuronal cultures with trypsin activates ERK1/2 and protects neurons against glutamate excitoxicity. The trypsin-dependent ERK activation and neuroprotection requires both alleles of PS1 because neither PS1 knockout nor PS1 hemizygous neuronal cultures can use exogenous trypsin to activate ERK1/2 or increase neuronal survival. The protective effect of PS1 does not depend on its γ-secretase activity because inhibitors of γ-secretase have no effect on trypsin-mediated neuroprotection. Importantly, cortical neuronal cultures either heterozygous or homozygous for PS1 FAD mutants are unable to use trypsin to activate ERK1/2 and rescue neurons from excitotoxicity, indicating that FAD mutants inhibit trypsin-dependent neuroprotection in an autosomal-dominant manner. Furthermore, our data support the theory that PS FAD mutants increase neurodegeneration by inhibiting the ability of neurons to use cellular factors as protective agents against toxic insults.
Neither One Thing Nor the Other: Discursive Polyvalence and Representations of Amerindian Women in the Jesuit Relations

This article confirms what others have argued about the bifurcated representation of Amerindian women in the Jesuit Relations (aggressive, insubordinate, prideful, and licentious on the one hand and docile, obedient, humble, and chaste, on the other) but extends the analysis of gendered discourse at work in the text to argue that the Relations persist in characterizing both types of Amerindian women as virile in excess of the limits of prescribed femininity. Attention to the stubborn persistence of the virile in Jesuit representations of Amerindian women suggests that the encounter between French Jesuit gender norms and the gendered ideals native to the indigenous populations of colonial Canada is best understood as an encounter between a range of competing discourses about gender and gestures toward a polyvalence of gendered discourses at play in colonial texts more generally.
Global health and dental education: a tipping point?

The global dimension of dental education is receiving increasing attention,[1][1] not least in the Journal of Dental Education, [2][2],[3][3] as well it should—for among other drivers of this development we now benefit from solid confirmation of the enormous global burden of oral and craniofacial
Response to maintenance of tourniquet inflation in a primate model.

Several theories have been proposed, but the etiology and pathway of neural transmission for the sensation of tourniquet pain remain unknown. This study was designed to observe the circulatory response and to measure the stress response markers associated with maintenance of tourniquet inflation in an anesthetized primate model. Eight African Green monkeys ( Cercopithecus aethiops ) were anesthetized, and heart rate (HR) and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) were measured every five minutes. In each animal, a control trial without tourniquet inflation was compared to an experimental trial with tourniquet inflation on the left lower extremity to 300 mmHg for a period of 90 minutes. After maintenance of tourniquet inflation for a period of 30-45 minutes, each animal demonstrated a gradual, progressive increase in HR, SBP and DBP as compared to preinflation baseline values ( p
The Crush Syndrome: A Complication of Urological Surgery

AbstractA few cases of the crush syndrome occurring postoperatively have been reported. We present a case of the crush syndrome involving the gluteal compartment secondary to prolonged duration of the patient in the right lateral decubitus position during a urological operation. A review of the literature demonstrates that prompt diagnosis is essential to avoid catastrophic results. The essentials of diagnosis, treatment and prevention are reviewed.
Roberto Bolaño’s Specific Exiles

In this chapter, I argue that Roberto Bolano’s theory of exile and nomad authorship develops the possibility for grounding a specific ethics in literary reading and writing. Rather than fall into the trap of a specified or singular logic of individuation, Bolano suggests that artistic lines of flight from repressive identities—while limited by historical circumstance—are nonetheless possible through the imagining of the nomad as a transgressive subject and the historical condition of the exile as operators for the determination of community and individual subjectivity. Bolano thus provides a way to negotiate the production of subjectivity with the dynamics of Latin American literature and artistic practice across the globe.
Charge-Disproportionation Symmetry Breaking Creates a Heterodimeric Myoglobin Complex with Enhanced Affinity and Rapid Intracomplex Electron Transfer

We report rapid photoinitiated intracomplex electron transfer (ET) within a “charge-disproportionated” myoglobin (Mb) dimer with greatly enhanced affinity. Two mutually supportive Brownian Dynamics (BD) interface redesign strategies, one a new “heme-filtering” approach, were employed to “break the symmetry” of a Mb homodimer by pairing Mb constructs with complementary highly positive and highly negative net surface charges, introduced through D/E → K and K → E mutations, respectively. BD simulations using a previously developed positive mutant, Mb(+6) = Mb(D44K/D60K/E85K), led to construction of the complementary negative mutant Mb(−6) = Mb(K45E, K63E, K95E). Simulations predict the pair will form a well-defined complex comprising a tight ensemble of conformations with nearly parallel hemes, at a metal–metal distance ∼18–19 A. Upon expression and X-ray characterization of the partners, BD predictions were verified through ET photocycle measurements enabled by Zn-deuteroporphyrin substitution, forming the ...
Exploring English and Spanish rhyme awareness and beginning sound segmentation skills in prekindergarten Spanish-speaking English Learners

Twenty-five 4- and 5-year-old Spanish-speaking English Learners (ELs) were tested in order to compare their English and Spanish performance in two phonological awareness skills: Rhyme awareness (RA) and beginning sound segmentation (BSS). The children had received formal instruction of phonological awareness, with an emphasis on RA and BSS for 1 year and in English only, using the Opening the World of Learning curriculum (Schickedanz & Dickinson, 2005). The results showed that the children scored higher on the English BSS than on the English RA tests (p < .001), even though RA is generally considered to be an earlier developing skill than BSS among English-monolingual children. No significant difference was found between the English BSS and Spanish BSS tests despite the fact that the children had received English-only instruction in these phonological awareness skills for 1 year. The results are discussed in terms of the possible impact of the similarities and differences between the Spanish and English linguistic structures on the learning and cross-linguistic transfer of phonological awareness skills in young Spanish-speaking ELs.
Everything You Wanted to Know About Smart Cities

This article is a single-source introduction to the emerging concept of smart cities. It can be used for familiarizing researchers with the vast scope of research possible in this application domain. The smart city is primarily a concept, and there is still not a clear and consistent definition among practitioners and academia. As a simplistic explanation, a smart city is a place where traditional networks and services are made more flexible, efficient, and sustainable with the use of information, digital, and telecommunication technologies to improve the city's operations for the benefit of its inhabitants. Smart cities are greener, safer, faster, and friendlier. The different components of a smart city include smart infrastructure, smart transportation, smart energy, smart health care, and smart technology. These components are what make the cities smart and efficient. Information and communication technology (ICT) are enabling keys for transforming traditional cities into smart cities. Two closely related emerging technology frameworks, the Internet of Things (IoT) and big data (BD), make smart cities efficient and responsive. The technology has matured enough to allow smart cities to emerge. However, there is much needed in terms of physical infrastructure, a smart city, the digital technologies translate into better public services for inhabitants and better use of resources while reducing environmental impacts. One of the formal definitions of the smart city is the following: a city "connecting the physical infrastructure, the information-technology infrastructure, the social infrastructure, and the business infrastructure to leverage the collective intelligence of the city" [4]. Another formal and comprehensive definition is "a smart sustainable city is an innovative city that uses information and communication technologies (ICTs) and other means to improve quality of life, efficiency of urban operations and services, and competitiveness, while ensuring that it meets the needs of present and future generations with respect to economic, social and environmental aspects" [12]. A broad overview of various components needed in a smart city is depicted in Figure 1. Any combination of various smart components can make cities smart. A city need not have all the components to be labeled as smart. The number of smart components depends on the cost and available technology.
Family Ties: Salman and the Scope of Insider Trading

On October 5, 2016, the Supreme Court heard oral argument in Salman v. United States. Salman raises questions about the scope of insider trading liability for tippees under the personal benefit test previously articulated in Dirks v. SEC. Some critics have argued the Second Circuit’s decision last year in United States v. Newman demonstrates that the personal benefit test is unduly restrictive and should be reconsidered. Salman offers an opportunity for the Supreme Court to do so.This essay argues that Salman does not require the Court to reexamine the parameters of insider trading liability. Instead, the Court can affirm Salman on the basis of a simple principle: family is different. Specifically, the essay explains the reasons that tips to close family members provide a personal benefit to the tipper consistent with the Dirks test. As Justice Breyer observed at oral argument in Salman, “to help a close family member is like helping yourself.”Dirks was motivated by an effort to provide sufficient predictability to enable market participants to search out information without undue fear of liability. The test has proved workable in practice – imposing liability in cases of insider self-dealing while constraining overreaching by government prosecutors. It is unnecessary to revisit this balance to affirm Salman’s conviction.
Gaussian Differential Geometry

In this chapter we specialize the general leg calculus of. Chapter IV to the study of the intrinsic and extrinsic geometry of surfaces and curves when our Riemannian 3-space V3 is restricted to be an Euclidean 3-space E3. We will call this geometry Gaussian differential geometry, even though it includes many results obtained earlier by Euler, Monge, and Meusnier. The terminology is justified since the Gaussian viewpoint incorporated these often fragmentary, but beautiful, results in a new and unified light that was only dimly suspected by these workers.
Emerging Adults’ Use of Communication Technology with Family Members: A Systematic Review

The last two decades have seen unprecedented growth in the variety and adoption of communication technology used by young people in the United States, with the potential to significantly impact youth–family relationships. This article presents a critical review of fifteen empirical studies on the use of communication technology between 18 and 29 year old emerging adults and their family members, and associations with relationship quality. Conceptualization, methodology, and findings were critiqued. The results showed that the multidisciplinary nature of this research area invites a wide variety of theoretical influences, conceptualization of key measures varies widely, and research on emerging adults connecting with non-parental family members online is a relatively unexplored phenomenon. The findings also revealed generally positive associations between the use of communication technology and relationship quality for emerging adults and their families. The review concludes with a discussion and implications for future research.
Controllable hierarchical micro/nano patterns on biomaterial surfaces fabricated by ultrasonic nanocrystalline surface modification

Abstract In this work, we have shown that Ultrasonic Nanocrystal Surface Modification (UNSM) cannot only improve the mechanical properties of Ti-based biomaterials but also produce surface texture with hierarchical micro/nanoscale patterns due to its high controllability. After UNSM-treatment the surface texture of Ti-based biomaterial consists of a major microscale structure with widths ranging from 4 μm to 200 μm, and an embedded nanoscale structure with widths as small as 120 nm. With a customized cylinder tip, the average surface roughness (Ra) can be reduced to 0.03 μm, comparable to the superfinishing surface. The embedded nanoscale structure originates from the formation of the pile-up, which is determined by the elastic-plastic property of materials. Such hierarchical patterns enable new functions for the treated surface. It is demonstrated that light dispersion and the alteration of wettability can be achieved by controlling surface patterns using UNSM. The capacity of improving mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and hydrophobicity simultaneously, in conjunction with its low-cost and easy-to-operate features, makes it a promising surface engineering technique for biomaterial treatment.
Analysis of harmonic impact of electric vehicle charging on the electric power grid, based on smart grid regional demonstration project — Los angeles

In order to see if with the evolution of Smart Grid if Electric Vehicles (EV) can be used as an option for demand response or battery storage, it is important to study the impacts EVs and their chargers have on the electric grid. EV increasing adoption is causing the need for studies on the impact of EV charging. Load studies have only been conducted on systems and transformers but the harmonic impacts of EV and their chargers have not been studied. This paper presents actual data from EV chargers. Both Level 2 and Level 3 chargers with various utilization patterns were studied and analyzed for harmonics and potential grid impact. These studies were performed and the effects and impact of harmonics were evaluated for both these chargers.
The Specificity of β-Galactosidase in the Degradation of Gangliosides

Degradation of gangliosides both in vivo and in vitro appears to proceed by sequential hydrolysis of the terminal carbohydrate residues, rather than by removal of oligosaccharides of two or more sugars or by initial de-acylation. These catabolic steps are catalyzed by lysosomal acidic glycosidases. Within the degradative pathways of known gangliosides, there are four compounds which possess a β-galactosyl residue at the non-reducing terminal.
RECONSIDERATION OF A GROUP WELFARE INDEX: A REJOINDER ON MARGINAL PREFERENCE

MR. ARMSTRONG'S extremely able 'Comment'2 has done much to clarify in my own mind the essence of his original article and the issues on which my position differed, or should have differed, from his own. I am grateful for the clarity of his presentation, and thank him for providing me with the opportunity to reformulate my position in what I hope will be a more revealing way. My 'Rejoinder' will parallel Armstrong's 'Comment' and deal in the same order with the three subjects he discusses there: (1) a criticism of one of his demonstrations; (2) the question of whether the basic conclusions of his article follow from his axioms; and (3) the significance for his thesis of my psychological interdictions against the concept of marginal preference. I Armstrong defends his demonstration purporting to show that the assumption of intransitivity of indifference itself (i.e. without the concept of marginal preference) suffices for a more powerful analysis of groupwelfare scales than under the traditional assumption of transitivity. It might be worth while to reproduce the issue. Consider the two man group consisting of individuals ot and A. The problem is to rank social states A and B on a group-welfare scale. Individual ox prefers A to B, while individual P prefers B to A. By traditional analysis, no ranking is defined for such a situation. Armstrong demonstrates that incorporation of the assumption of intransitivity of indifference into the analysis succeeds in achieving a ranking. He introduces 'situations' C and D. Individual a prefers A to C and C to B; P is indifferent between A and D, and between D and B (while, consistently, preferring B to A). He then speaks about 'situation C for a combined with situation D for A'. oz prefers A to such a 'combination' and prefers the combination to B; P is indifferent between the 'combination' and A, and also between the 'combination' and B. A is therefore group-preferred to the 'combination', and the 'combination' is group-preferred to B. So, since preferenceeven if not indifference-is transitive, A is group-preferred to B.
Pharmacokinetic Study of α1-Antitrypsin Infusion in α1-Antitrypsin Deficiency

Objectives To ascertain how long 120 mg/kg alpha 1 -antitrypsin concentrate (α 1 -AT-C), administered IV every 2 weeks, can maintain α 1 -antitrypsin (α 1 -AT) serum levels above 70 to 80 mg/dL. Secondary objectives were to summarize the nature, severity, and relationship of a plasma-derived α 1 -AT-C infusion to any side effects. Methods This was an open-label uncontrolled pharmacokinetic study. α 1 -AT-C was administered IV every 2 weeks for 10 infusions in 23 patients with PIZ α 1 -AT deficiency. Serum α 1 -AT levels and neutralizing elastase activity were measured preinfusion, postinfusion, and at nadir. During two infusion periods, daily serum α 1 -AT and neutralizing elastase activities were measured on the seventh to 14th days. Five patients received BAL assays for α 1 -AT and neutralizing elastase activity. Adverse events were recorded in a patient diary and by a nurse at each infusion visit. Results The 120-mg/kg dose of α 1 -AT-C could not maintain nadir serum protective levels above 70 or 80 mg/dL for the entire 14-day dosing interval in most patients. None of the patients had α 1 -AT levels above 80 mg/dL for all 14 days. The serum α 1 -AT and neutralizing elastase levels correlated suggesting functional activity. The BAL α 1 -AT and neutralizing elastase activities were low and did not correlate with serum levels. Conclusion α 1 -AT-C at 120 mg/kg administered every 2 weeks did not maintain nadir serum α 1 -AT levels above 70 to 80 mg/dL for a 14-day dosing interval. Higher doses every 2 weeks or decreased interval between infusions may be required.
A Multi-Agent System Infrastructure for Large-Scale Autonomous Distributed Real-Time Intelligence Gathering Systems.

Complex national security applications require support for component distribution, secure communication, fault-tolerance, and dynamic system reconfiguration that generally fall under the purview of multiagent systems (MAS). Current MAS, however, do not provide the support and flexibility for the design and long-term operation of large-scale sophisticated intelligence applications. We argue that such systems require features that result from the synergy of both MAS and SAS (single agent systems) and introduce our ADE system, showing how it supports three such synergistic features that we believe are critical to longterm, large-scale homeland security systems.
Mitotic Virus Transmission and Immune Responses

This chapter builds on the mathematical models of oncolytic virus dynamics discussed in the previous chapter and introduces further biological complexity. In extending of the model, we allow for mitotic transmission of the virus, i.e. virus spread through cell division. Depending on the rate at which infected cells divide, we can observe an optimal rate of virus-induced cell killing that minimizes tumor load. Rates of cell killing that are smaller or larger than the optimum lead to higher tumor loads during treatment. In another extension of the model, we introduce immune responses. Anti-viral immune responses can kill infected cells (and thus influence their death rate). Under this assumption, we find an optimal rate of immune-induced cell killing that minimizes tumor load. Less effective immune responses can lead to higher tumor loads through less killing of cells, and too strong of an immune response significantly impairs or eliminates the virus. In addition, a tumor specific immune response is considered that can be activated through virus-induced necrosis of cells. In this case, the effect of virus therapy is augmented and an increase in the strength of anti-tumor immunity is always beneficial for therapy.
Spatial and temporal variations in phytoplankton biomass and primary productivity in the Southwest Atlantic and the Scotia Sea

Two cruises of the ARA/Islas Orcadas (late winter/early spring 1978 and late summer/early fall 1979) provided data which show that temporal variability of phytoplankton biomass and productivity in the oceanic wates of the Southwest Atlantic and Scotia Sea is insignificant when compared to the influence of geographical variability. Two bloom stations sampled during the late winter/early spring cruise had chlorophyll a concentrations and productivity values an order of magnitude higher than waters sampled from the same locations the following late summer/early fall. However, a comparison of 10 paired stations from the two cruises indicated no seasonal trend, as measured values of chlorophyll a and productivity from the first cruise were randomly larger or smaller than values measured during the second cruise. Consideration of individual stations from both seasons suggests the need to re-examine widely held notions regarding the effect of the Polar Front Zone and the “island-mass effect” on phytoplankton abundance and productivity. Higher-than-expected standing stock and productivity values at some open-ocean stations and at some stations within the Polar Front Zone indicate that looking for specific factors which promote localized enhancement or impoverishment of phytoplankton would be more useful than continuing with attempts to generalize Antarctic productivity data into broad seasonal or geographical patterns.
Weak normalization in graded extensions and weak subintegral closure of ideals

Abstract We study several aspects of the weak normalization in a graded extension of commutative rings. Applied to the Rees algebra of an ideal in a noetherian ring, the results obtained allow us to prove several properties of the weak subintegral closure of an ideal, a concept introduced by Vitulli and Leahy. The same methods are also used to eliminate one of the hypotheses in a theorem of Gaffney and Vitulli.