cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Large-Scale Environments of the Global Populations of Mesoscale Convective Complexes

Abstract The mean genesis environment was constructed for each of five mesoscale convective complex (MCC) population centers around the world: Africa, Australia, China, South America, and the United States. It is found that the environments are very similar and exhibit many of the same dynamic and thermodynamic structures that are present with systems in the United States. In particular, MCCs initiate within prominent baroclinic zones characterized by locally large values of lower-tropospheric vertical wind shear and convective available potential energy (CAPE). Typically, a low-level jet of air with low static stability, high equivalent potential temperature, oriented nearly perpendicular to the baroclinic zone, intrudes into the genesis region and is forced to ascend over a relatively shallow, surface-based layer of relatively cool air. Pronounced warm advection accompanied by strong lower-tropospheric veering overlays the surface-based cool layer. A local maximum in absolute humidity and a local minimu...
Range-Doppler domain signal processing to mitigate wind turbine clutter

Wind turbines produce clutter signals that can bias estimates of the spectral moments and polarimetric variables of weather signals. These biases can propagate to and negatively influence the output of automatic algorithms, such as severe weather detection and quantitative precipitation estimates. More-over, existing ground clutter filters are ineffective at removing wind turbine clutter (WTC) contamination because the moving components of the wind turbine produce clutter signals with non-zero Doppler frequency shifts. As the first step in any mitigation scheme, an automatic WTC detection algorithm is necessary and was recently developed by University of Oklahoma and National Severe Storm Laboratory scientists. After successfully detecting the presence of WTC, the goal is to devise signal processing algorithms that mitigate this contamination so that the weather signal can be recovered and used to estimate the spectral moments and polarimetric variables. However, WTC is inherently non-stationary due to the moving wind turbine blades, which makes frequency-domain-filtering based clutter mitigation methods ineffective. In this work, we propose a new signal processing technique to separate the WTC from the weather signal in the range-Doppler domain. This technique exploits the different spatial and spectral characteristics of WTC and weather signals. Real weather signals and WTC data are used to test the effectiveness of the mitigation scheme.
Uncooperative congestion control

Traditionally uncooperative rate control schemes have implied open loop protocols such as UDP, CBR, etc. In this paper we show that closed loop uncooperative rate control schemes also exist and that the current AQM proposals cannot efficiently control their mis-behavior. Moreover, these proposals require that AQM be installed at all routers in the Internet which is not only expensive but requires significant network upgrade.In this paper we show that management of uncooperative flows need not be coupled with AQM design but can be viewed as edge based policing question. In this paper we propose an analytical model for managing uncooperative flows in the Internet by re-mapping their utility function to a target range of utility functions. This mapping can be achieved by transparently manipulating congestion penalties conveyed to the uncooperative users.The most interesting aspect of this research is that this task can be performed at the edge of the network with little state information about uncooperative flows. The proposed solution is independent of the buffer management algorithm deployed on the network. As such it works with Drop-Tail queues as well as any AQM scheme. We have analyzed the framework and evaluated it on various single and multi-bottleneck topologies with both Drop-Tail and RED. Our results show that the framework is robust and works well even in presence of background traffic and reverse path congestion.
Bit-reliability mapping in LDPC-coded modulation systems

In this paper, we propose a reliability-based mapping strategy in LDPC-coded modulation systems. Compared to conventional mapping methods, this strategy gives a 0.15 dB - 0.2 dB performance improvement with no added complexity. Extrinsic information transfer (EXIT) chart analyses are used to explain the reason for this improvement. LDPC-coded modulation systems with gray and natural labeling are studied. We show that the performances of gray-labeled systems are always superior.
A glycoprotein modified with terminal N-acetylglucosamine and localized at the nuclear rim shows sequence similarity to aldose-1-epimerases

Several glycoproteins that are present at the nuclear rim and at the nuclear pore complex of tobacco suspension-cultured cells are modified by O-linked oligosaccharides with terminal N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc). Here, we report on the purification of several of these glycoproteins, which are referred to as terminal GlcNAc (tGlcNAc) proteins. In vitro galactosylation of the tGlcNAc proteins generated glycoproteins with terminal galactosyl-beta-1, 4-GlcNAc and thus permitted their isolation by Erythrina crystagalli agglutinin affinity chromatography. Peptide sequence information derived from one tGlcNAc protein with an apparent molecular mass of 40 to 43 kD, designated gp40, made it possible to clone its gene. Interestingly, gp40 has 28 to 34% amino acid identity to aldose-1-epimerases from bacteria, and no gene encoding an aldose-1-epimerase has been isolated previously from higher organisms. Polyclonal antibodies were generated against recombinant gp40. Consistent with its purification as a putative nuclear pore complex protein, gp40 was localized to the nuclear rim, as shown by biochemical fractionation and immunofluorescence microscopy.
Functional Connectivity and Brain Activation: A Synergistic Approach

Traditional functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies exploit endogenous brain activity for mapping brain activation during “periodic” cognitive/emotional challenges or brain functional connectivity during the “resting state”. Previous studies demonstrated that these approaches provide a limited view of brain function which can be complemented by each other. We hypothesized that graph theory functional connectivity density (FCD) mapping would demonstrate regional FCD decreases between resting-state scan and a continuous “task-state” scan. Forty-five healthy volunteers underwent functional connectivity MRI during resting-state as well as a continuous visual attention task, and standard fMRI with a blocked version of the visual attention task. High-resolution data-driven FCD mapping was used to measure task-related connectivity changes without a priori hypotheses. Results demonstrate that task performance was associated with FCD decreases in brain regions weakly activated/deactivated by the task. Furthermore, a pronounced negative correlation between blood oxygen level-dependent-fMRI activation and task-related FCD decreases emerged across brain regions that also suggest the disconnection of task-irrelevant networks during task performance. The correlation between improved accuracy and stronger FCD decreases further suggests the disconnection of task-irrelevant networks during task performance. Functional connectivity can potentiate traditional fMRI studies and offer a more complete picture of brain function.
Comparative study of Al(111) oxidation with O3 and O2

The interaction of O3 and O2 with the Al(1 1 1) surface was investigated over the surface temperature range of 90–600 K using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The oxidation of aluminum at 300 K with ozone gas was found to proceed with an 8.5 times higher initial sticking coefficient compared to oxygen, reaching a 2–2.3 times higher saturation oxide layer thickness of approximately 20 A. The enhanced oxidation rate observed at lower temperatures indicates that trapping of the molecular ozone species into a shallow precursor well occurs in the course of Al(1 1 1) oxidation. The difference in activation energy for O3 adsorption and desorption to and from this state is (Ed−Ea)=7±2 meV. Subsequent dissociation of the ozone molecules on the surface occurs possibly through the production of chemically active atomic oxygen. O3-induced oxidation occurs by means of a mechanism involving preferential direct formation of Al2O3 clusters. In contrast, for oxidation with molecular oxygen, the formation of a chemisorbed O phase, followed by its slow transformation into oxide clusters, is observed. The higher electron affinity of the ozone molecule compared to oxygen is proposed to also enhance the kinetics of Al oxidation at the later stages of the oxide layer growth (film thickness d⩾2–3 ML), by causing enhanced tunneling of electrons from Al metal to the adsorbed O3. Tunneling electrons create an electrostatic potential across the growing film, stimulating ion-diffusion and, thus, oxide film growth.
Effects of fiber type and training on beta-adrenoceptor density in human skeletal muscle.

The density and distribution of beta-adrenergic receptors in type I and II fibers of human gastrocnemius and quadriceps muscles were characterized in ten healthy sedentary subjects and in a subgrou...
Optimizing Treatment Risk and Benefit for Elderly Patients With Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer: The Right Treatment for the Right Patient

The Oncology Grand Rounds series is designed to place original reports published in theJournal into clinical context. A case presentation is followed by a description of diagnostic and management challenges, a review of the relevant literature, and a summary of the authors' suggested management approaches. The goal of this series is to help readers better understand how to apply the results of key studies, including those published inJournal of Clinical Oncology, to patients seen in their own clinical practice.A 78-year-old woman with a 40-pack-year smoking history has been referred for treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. She presented with a persistent cough and worsening dyspnea on exertion. A chest x-ray followed by a chest computed tomography scan revealed a 3-cm right upper lobe mass along with a moderate-size pleural effusion. Pleural fluid cytology was positive for adenocarcinoma. A brain magnetic resonance imaging scan was negative. A reflex molecular profile, includingKRAS,EGFR,ALK,BRAF,HER2,RET,MET, andROS, did not reveal an actionable abnormality. Her past medical history includes diabetes, hypertension, and osteopenia. Her medications include a β-blocker, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, oral antidiabetic agent, calcium, and vitamin D. The laboratory evaluation is notable for a hemoglobin of 10.8 g/dL and a creatinine clearance of 36 mL/min. The other laboratories are within normal limits. She is somewhat limited by the shortness of breath but maintains an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 1. She is independent in all of her instrumental and basic activities of daily living and denies falls. She has been referred to discuss treatment options.
Legal Briefs: Airway Obstruction or Botched Resuscitation?

A 38 5/7-weeks’-gestation male was born to a 23-year-old G1P0 woman who had received prenatal care and whose pregnancy was uncomplicated. Spontaneous rupture of membranes occurred at home, and the fluid was clear. Her group B streptococcus status was unknown. Because labor was ineffective, oxytocin was administered. The second stage of labor was slightly longer than 2 hours. The treating nurses noted variable and late decelerations, tachysystole, and intermittent sinusoidal fetal patterns on the fetal heart rate tracings. The anesthesiologist placed an epidural, and vaginal delivery was allowed to proceed. The infant had meconium staining. The arterial cord blood gas had a pH of 7.13, a Pco2 of 64 mm Hg, a Po2 of 12 mm Hg, and a base deficit of –8. The venous cord blood gas had a pH of 7.31, a Pco2 of 41 mm Hg, a Po2 of 22 mm Hg, and a base deficit of –5. The obstetric expert retained by the plaintiff maintained that the delivery by cesarean delivery should have occurred 6 hours before birth because signs of fetal intolerance to labor were obvious. He contended that the delivery should have occurred even before the second stage of labor began. The defense obstetrician disagreed and pointed to the fairly normal cord gas results as proof that the infant tolerated labor well. The routine practice of the hospital was to call the resuscitation team for every delivery. The resuscitation team at this delivery consisted of a newborn nursery nurse (registered nurse [RN]) and a respiratory therapist (RT). The infant had a weak cry at birth but was limp, blue, and had meconium present on the skin. He was placed on the mother’s abdomen for bonding. The plaintiff neonatologist was critical of the resuscitation team for not placing the infant immediately …
Measurements of Extinction Limits of Methyl Decanoate Diffusion Flames and A Kinetic Study

In the present study, extinction strain rates of methyl decanoate/air diffusion flames have been measured as a function of fuel mole fraction in counterflow diffusion flames at an initial fuel temperature of 500 K and atmospheric pressure. A new high temperature detailed kinetic model is constructed for methyl decanoate oxidation based on the oxidation chemistries for methyl butanoate and n-heptane. The results show that the newly developed model reproduces experimental data from the literature, such as speciation profiles in a jetstirred reactor and diffusion flames. Model predictions also reproduce accurately the measured extinction strain rates of methyl decanoate diffusion flames. Analysis of these predictions shows that under diffusion flame conditions, the fuel is exclusively (>95%) consumed by metathesis reactions with H atoms. Formaldehyde, one of the major stable intermediates found in methyl ester oxidation, is produced via two different paths: one from the decomposition of methyl ester function group, and the other from small radicals in the core reaction zone. A comparative analysis of methyl butanoate and methyl decanoate extinction strain rate reveals that methyl decanoate exhibits a stronger resistance to extinction than methyl butanoate primarily as a result of its larger molar heating value. After accounting for the differences in the heating values and transport properties, both fuels exhibit the same extinction limit behavior, indicating the existence of an identical impact of ester kinetics present for both fuels.
Electron Transfer Kinetics in CdS Nanorod–[FeFe]-Hydrogenase Complexes and Implications for Photochemical H2 Generation

This Article describes the electron transfer (ET) kinetics in complexes of CdS nanorods (CdS NRs) and [FeFe]-hydrogenase I from Clostridium acetobutylicum (CaI). In the presence of an electron donor, these complexes produce H2 photochemically with quantum yields of up to 20%. Kinetics of ET from CdS NRs to CaI play a critical role in the overall photochemical reactivity, as the quantum efficiency of ET defines the upper limit on the quantum yield of H2 generation. We investigated the competitiveness of ET with the electron relaxation pathways in CdS NRs by directly measuring the rate and quantum efficiency of ET from photoexcited CdS NRs to CaI using transient absorption spectroscopy. This technique is uniquely suited to decouple CdS→CaI ET from the processes occurring in the enzyme during H2 production. We found that the ET rate constant (kET) and the electron relaxation rate constant in CdS NRs (kCdS) were comparable, with values of 107 s–1, resulting in a quantum efficiency of ET of 42% for complexes w...
THERAPY OF MELANIN HYPERPIGMENTATION.

Hydrocortisone is effective in therapy of hyperpigmentation associated with adrenal hypofunction. It is also of value in pigmentary disorders attending pruritic dermatitis. Adrenal function is normal in the latter cases. Excessive melanocytestimulating hormone may be responsible for the hyperpigmentation.Chloasma must be evaluated carefully before therapy is attempted. A punch biopsy provides useful information on pigment formation. Active chloasma lesions must not be removed. Hydroquinone is the best bleaching agent available. Red veterinary petrolatum is a highly effective sunscreen. In all cases of hyperpigmentation, exposure to sunlight should be avoided.
The Origins of the Oral Deposition in the Federal Rules: Who’s in Charge?

II. DISCOVERY IN THE FEDERAL COURTS JUST PRIOR TO THE FEDERAL RULES OF 1938 47 A. INTRODUCTION 47 B. FEDERAL STATUTES PERMITTING DEPOSITIONS TO PRESERVE TESTIMONY 49 C. RULES OF EQUITY PERMITTING DEPOSITIONS AND DISCOVERY50 1. Depositions at Equity 50 2. Three Equitable Discovery Devices 50 i. Documentary Discovery 50 ii. Requests for Admission 51 iii. Written Interrogatories 51 D. EQUITABLE BILL OF DISCOVERY AT COMMON LAW 52
Vehicle ride comfort analysis with whole-body vibration on long-span bridges subjected to crosswind

Abstract Vehicle ride comfort issues for the drivers are related to not only individual satisfaction of driving experience, but also driving safety and long-term health of the drivers. A new methodology of ride comfort analysis is presented for typical vehicles driven on long-span bridges considering realistic traffic and environmental loads such as wind excitations. Built on the simulation framework developed previously by the writers, complex interactions among the long-span bridge, all the vehicles in the traffic flow and wind excitations are appropriately modeled. Vehicle ride comfort condition is evaluated by extending the advanced procedures as currently recommended in the ISO 2631-1 standard to the scenarios of multiple vehicles in the stochastic traffic flow, including obtaining the whole-body vibration response, frequency weighting the original response and determining the Overall Vibration Total Value (OVTV). The proposed methodology is then applied to a prototype long-span cable-stayed bridge and traffic system to demonstrate the proposed ride comfort evaluation methodology. The study starts with the baseline scenario when the vehicles are driven on the rigid road without considering the interactions with the supporting structure and wind excitations, followed by the scenarios of vehicles driven on the bridge. The influences of dynamic interactions, presence of other vehicles and wind excitations on the ride comfort are also numerically evaluated.
Intracellular Localization of Endogenous Mouse ABCG1 Is Mimicked by Both ABCG1-L550 and ABCG1-P550—Brief Report

Objective—In a recent article in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, it was reported that ATP-binding cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1) containing leucine at position 550 (ABCG1-L550) was localized to the plasma membrane, whereas ABCG1-P550 (proline at position 550) was intracellular. Because the published data on the subcellular localization of ABCG1 are controversial, we performed additional experiments to determine the importance of leucine or proline at amino acid 550. Approach and Results—We transfected multiple cell lines (CHO-K1, Cos-7, and HEK293 [human embryonic kidney]) with untagged or FLAG-tagged ABCG1 containing either leucine or proline at position 550. Immunofluorescence studies demonstrated that in all cases, ABCG1 localized to intracellular endosomal vesicles. We also show that both ABCG1-L550 and ABCG1-P550 are equally active in both promoting the efflux of cellular cholesterol to exogenous high-density lipoprotein and in inducing the activity of sterol regulatory element–b...
Culture, Gender, and Vulnerability in a Vietnamese Refugee Community: Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast of the United States, including the city of New Orleans, on August 29, 2005. Although New Orleans is famous for its French Quarter, Mardi Gras celebrations, riverboats, music, and Creole culture and cuisine, few people are aware of its vibrant Vietnamese community. This paper describes how the Vietnamese community of New Orleans East, an area locally known as Versailles, was affected by Hurricane Katrina and why the task of rebuilding community in Versailles was distinct from rebuilding other areas of the city. In Vietnamese, the word for water, nuoc, also means ‘country’; this linguistic metaphor indicates the great symbolic importance of ‘water’ and ‘home’, especially for a group of displaced people. Environmental changes after the storm, particularly in access to clean water, affected key cultural components of the Versailles Vietnamese community.
Novel PPP1CB-ALK fusion protein in a high-grade glioma of infancy

A 3-month-old previously healthy girl presented to the hospital with sudden onset altered mental status and cardiopulmonary arrest. Her right pupil was fixed and dilated. Emergent CT scan showed a massive 10.2 cm hyperdense lesion occupying the right cerebral hemisphere with areas of acute haemorrhage causing subfalcine, uncal and inferior cerebellar herniation with obstructive hydrocephalus and diffuse cerebral oedema (figure 1). Emergent craniotomy was performed for evacuation of the haematoma and gross total resection of the mass in the absence of preoperative MRI. Neuropathology revealed …
Interactive effects of disturbance and dispersal on community assembly

The traditional debate on alternative community states has been over whether or not they exist. Studies of community assembly have examined the role of assembly history in driving community divergence, but the context in which assembly history becomes important is a continued topic of interest. In this study, we created communities of bacterivorous ciliated protists in laboratory microcosms and manipulated assembly history, disturbance frequency, and the presence of dispersal among local communities to investigate the mechanisms behind community divergence. Specifically, we sought to understand how the role of assembly history changed in response to disturbance, dispersal, and the combination of the two. Assembly history influenced the identity of the dominant species through priority effects, and dispersal and disturbance showed interactive effects on both alpha and beta diversity. Dispersal substantially increased alpha diversity, but only in the absence of disturbance, and it reduced beta diversity, but not in the presence of low or mixed disturbance. These results demonstrate that the role of assembly history and the strength of priority effects depend on community context, suggesting that understanding the interactions between various factors shaping community assembly is important for understanding how ecological communities are structured.
Limitations of Characterizing mm-Wave MODFETs with Microwave Probes

The accuracy of microwave probing is not adequate for the characterization of MODFETs used in the most demanding mm-wave circuit applications. Accuracy of 5 % for most device model circuit elements is desireable. This requirement demands accuracies of 1 fF, 1 pH, 0.08 ? and 0.1 pS. Examples are given demonstrating why this accuracy is desired and the calibration errors limiting this accuracy. The pads normally used to allow contact of the probes to the devices introduce parasitic capacitances that are significant (e.g., Cgd = 1.8 fF) for small mm-wave devices. The standard calibration technique does not account for the pads. It is shown that the pad capacitances can not be simply subtracted because of 3 body capacitance effects. The pads also move the reference planes back from the intrinsic device; this effect appears as inductances that have a significant effect on the model for larger MODFETs. For example, an error of 10 pH in the gate inductance of a 350 ?m wide MODFET reduces the modelled gain of a narrow-band 42 GHz amp by 3 dB. Measurements of the standard Load-Open-Short-Thru calibration reflection standards using a Load-Reflect-Thru calibration suggest that the open capacitance accuracy is worse than 3 fF. Modelling showed that an error 0.1 pS in the transmission reflection planes produces an Rgs error of 10 % for active MODFETs and 50 % for passive MODFET. Experiments suggest the error is worse than 0.1 pS.
France: Scientists bewildered by reform plans

French research is in turmoil as Claude Allegre, the minister for education and research, tries to push through sweeping reforms to the national research council (CNRS). He plans to hand control of all 1300 CNRS laboratories to the country's universities and turn the CNRS into little more than a funding agency.
The Republic of Korea's Small and Medium Size Enterprises and Their Support Systems

A model developed to predict demand for infrastructure in Latin America performs reasonably well for power and telecommunications - and less well for water and sanitation (for which data are scarce) and transport infrastructure (which is less closely related to per capita income). The model projects a doubling of telephone mainlines per capita, a steady increase in power infrastructure, steady growth in road infrastructure, and small increases in water and sanitation coverage. To assess five-year demand for infrastructure investment in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the private sector's role in meeting this demand, Fay developed a model to predict future demand for infrastructure - defined as what consumers and producers would ask for, given their income and level of economic activity. Overall projections over the next five years: - A doubling of telephone mainlines per capita. - A steady increase in electricity generating capacity. - Small increases in water and sanitation coverage. - Steady expansion of road infrastructure, with rail transport becoming less important. Investments of $57 billion annually for 2000-05 (roughly 2.6 percent of Latin America's GDP) are expected to be absorbed largely by electricity ($22 billion), roads ($18 billion), and telecommunications ($6 billion). A surge in private financing of infrastructure in recent years (roughly $35 billion in 1998, excluding divestiture payments) has disproportionately favored telecommunications ($14 billion) and transport ($12 billion). Private investment exceeds predicted need for telecommunications (although the model did not include costs associated with the emergence of cellular phones), covers about half the demand for roads, and meets just a fraction of needs in power and water and sanitation - where there will be a shortfall in investments. Projections are likely to be on the low side because they cover the extension of networks rather than upgrading and cover new investments, not rehabilitation or maintenance. This paper - a product of the Finance, Private Sector, and Infrastructure Sector Unit, Latin America and the Caribbean Region - is part of a larger effort in the region to develop its knowledge of future client needs. The author may be contacted at mfay@worldbank.org.
Political Animals: Prosopopoeia in the 1944 Presidential Election

This essay examines citizen correspondence to the White House following Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR)’s “Fala speech.” During the 1944 presidential election, citizens often engaged in prosopopoeia by writing from the perspective of their pets and Roosevelt’s dog, Fala. I argue that citizens used this classical rhetorical figure to identify with the president and express their views of FDR’s character. Thus, animals offered a strategic, seemingly nonpolitical locus for expressing judgments about the election.
Characterization of a coupled DNA replication and translesion synthesis polymerase supraholoenzyme from archaea

The ability of the replisome to seamlessly coordinate both high fidelity and translesion DNA synthesis requires a means to regulate recruitment and binding of enzymes from solution. Co-occupancy of multiple DNA polymerases within the replisome has been observed primarily in bacteria and is regulated by posttranslational modifications in eukaryotes, and both cases are coordinated by the processivity clamp. Because of the heterotrimeric nature of the PCNA clamp in some archaea, there is potential to occupy and regulate specific polymerases at defined subunits. In addition to specific PCNA and polymerase interactions (PIP site), we have now identified and characterized a novel protein contact between the Y-family DNA polymerase and the B-family replication polymerase (YB site) bound to PCNA and DNA from Sulfolobus solfataricus. These YB contacts are essential in forming and stabilizing a supraholoenzyme (SHE) complex on DNA, effectively increasing processivity of DNA synthesis. The SHE complex can not only coordinate polymerase exchange within the complex but also provides a mechanism for recruitment of polymerases from solution based on multiequilibrium processes. Our results provide evidence for an archaeal PCNA 'tool-belt' recruitment model of multienzyme function that can facilitate both high fidelity and translesion synthesis within the replisome during DNA replication.
A longitudinal investigation of reading development from kindergarten to grade eight in a Spanish-speaking bilingual population

This longitudinal study used latent growth curve modeling to investigate English literacy development in a sample of Spanish-speaking language minority students from third through eighth grade. This study also compared the sample’s literacy development to the entire population of California students using state standardized test data. Second, this study examined the contributions of a variety of bilingual measures of kindergarten letter knowledge, phonological awareness, word reading, and vocabulary to literacy development. Results demonstrated the present sample scored below average in literacy compared to the overall population of California students across years, but made slight gains to narrow the achievement gap. The greatest gains were obtained between fourth and fifth grade, but plateaued thereafter. Results concerning the second research questions showed that the third grade literacy intercept was predicted by kindergarten English letter knowledge, Spanish onset, Spanish word reading, and English vocabulary. However, English literacy development through eighth grade was only predicted by kindergarten English and Spanish vocabulary. Findings support arguments for educational efforts to target oral language instruction for these students in early elementary and instruction in both languages may provide the greatest benefit. Instructional implications are discussed.
Installation and Operation of Your Desktop Fractal Design System

This chapter describes the installation and operation of desktop fractal design system. The desktop fractal design system has been written to run on an IBM PC with an enhanced graphics adapter and 640 K of random access memory. It is found that while it is not necessary for the PC to have a hard disk drive, the system runs more efficiently off one. The system also runs on IBM-compatible PCs. The system also prefers to run on 80286 and 80386 processors at fast clock speeds up to 25 MHz. It does not need a math coprocessor. The system appears to run well on the Hyundai 80286 and the Everex 80386 PCs. The desktop fractal design system comes on a disk, which is write-protected. This prevents from writing over or erasing the systems files by accident. For the system to run correctly, it needs to be installed in such a way that the computer can write to the directory from which the system is invoked. This means that if one is going to run it off a floppy disk drive, then one must copy the system onto a disk which is not write-protected.
Paraffin Immunofluorescence: A Valuable Ancillary Technique in Renal Pathology.

Immunofluorescence on frozen tissue is the gold standard immunohistochemical technique for evaluation of immune deposits in the kidney. When frozen tissue is not available or lacks glomeruli, immunofluorescence can be performed on paraffin tissue after antigen retrieval (paraffin immunofluorescence). Excellent results can be obtained by paraffin immunofluorescence in most immune complex–mediated glomerulonephritides and dysproteinemia-associated kidney lesions, and thus this technique has become a valuable salvage technique in renal pathology. Furthermore, new data have emerged suggesting that paraffin immunofluorescence can be used as an unmasking technique, as it is more sensitive than frozen tissue immunofluorescence in some kidney lesions, such as crystalline light chain proximal tubulopathy and is needed to establish the diagnosis of certain unique lesions, such as membranous-like glomerulopathy with masked IgG kappa deposits and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis with masked monotypic Ig deposits. However, it is important to recognize and be aware of the limitations and pitfalls associated with paraffin immunofluorescence. These include poor sensitivity for detection of C3 deposits and for the diagnosis of primary membranous nephropathy. Here, we summarize the available techniques of paraffin immunofluorescence, review its role and performance as a salvage and unmasking technique in renal pathology, address its limitations and pitfalls, and highlight unusual forms of glomerulopathy that require paraffin immunofluorescence for diagnosis.
Phase II study of the combination of bevacizumab plus irinotecan and temozolomide for relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma (NB).

10554Background: The rationale for studying the combination of bevacizumab+irinotecan and temozolomide (BIT) in NB is based on: (a) VEGF expression is associated with aggressive phenotype in NB. (b...
Venting to Unify the Front: Parents’ Negative Relational Disclosures about Their Children as Mediators of Coparental Communication and Relational Quality

In families with children, presenting a unified front is important for healthy couple and family functioning, yet the behavioral mechanisms that explain how coparental communication strengthens the...
methylGSA: a Bioconductor package and Shiny app for DNA methylation data length bias adjustment in gene set testing.

Motivation An important downstream analysis following differential expression from RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) or DNA methylation analysis is the gene set testing to relate significant genes or CpGs to known biological properties. However, the traditional gene set testing approaches result in biased P-values due to the difference in gene length. Existing methods accounting for length bias were primarily developed for RNA-Seq data. For DNA methylation data profiled using the Illumina arrays, separate methods adjusting for the number of CpGs instead of gene length are necessary. Results We developed methylGSA, a Bioconductor package for gene set testing in DNA methylation data. Our accompanying Shiny app provides an interactive way of accessing functions and visualizing the results in methylGSA package. Availability and implementation methylGSA is available at Bioconductor repository: https://bioconductor.org/packages/methylGSA and Shiny app is available at: http://www.ams.sunysb.edu/%7epfkuan/softwares.html#methylGSA. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Corn Starch Modification

Abstract The cooking characteristics and the functionalities of the hot pastes and cooled gels of native corn starches (whether normal corn, waxy maize, or high-amylose corn starches) are inadequate for many applications (whether they be food or nonfood applications). Modification of the properties and functionalities of the starches can improve and extend their usefulness. Physical modifications, which are less costly and environmentally safer, impart limited improvements that, in many cases, are lost during cooking of the starch; but some physical treatments increase the contents of thermostable slowly digesting and resistant starches. Chemical modifications are more expensive and less environmentally friendly, but provide stable and dramatic changes in cooking characteristics and functionalities of hot pastes and cooled gels and can add new functionalities.
Pagan and Indigenous Communities in Interreligious Contexts: Interrogating Identity, Power, and Authenticity

This study surveys the relationships between contemporary Pagan and indigenous communities within interreligious contexts and interrogates the description of contemporary Pagan religions as "indigenous European traditions" by some Pagans in these arenas. Contemporary Pagan constructions of authenticity located in claims of "indigeneity" raise a number of questions concerning identity and power, as well as about what defines the contested category of "indigeneity." This essay argues that white (Euro-American and European) Pagans should avoid enhancing their aura of authenticity by employing "indigeneity'"as an identity marker, because to do so distorts and erases the ongoing structural oppressions resulting from the history of European colonialism. It purchases political legitimacy for Pagans on the interfaith stage, but does little to make reparations to generationally traumatized and impoverished indigenous peoples.
Insurance reimbursements for human papillomavirus vaccination in the private sector, 2007–2014

Abstract This study aims to assess payments to private providers for HPV vaccination. We used the 2007–2014 MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database and included 3,456,180 HPV vaccination visits made by adolescents aged 11–17 years and enrolled in a non-capitated insurance plan in 37 states. We examined insurance reimbursements and its time trend for vaccine purchase and vaccine administration. Using the vaccine purchase price published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the vaccination payment recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), we evaluated the financial concerns of administering HPV vaccines among private providers. In 2007–2014, the mean vaccine purchase reimbursement was $159.17 and the mean vaccine administration reimbursement was $23.91. During the study period, vaccine purchase reimbursements did not significantly change, but vaccine administration reimbursements increased. On average, 89.9% of the HPV claims received vaccine purchase reimbursements greater than the CDC-published price and 14.1% of HPV claims received vaccine purchase reimbursements above the AAP-recommended payment. Our results suggest that private providers are likely to receive sufficient reimbursements to cover the costs of administering HPV vaccines. However, the profit margin is likely to be small.
Urinary bisphenol S concentrations: Potential predictors of and associations with semen quality parameters among men attending a fertility center.

Abstract Background Bisphenol S (BPS) was introduced in the market as a potentially safer alternative to bisphenol A (BPA). However, there are limited studies on health effects of BPS and no epidemiologic studies on its relationship with male reproductive health outcomes, specifically semen quality. Objective To investigate predictors of urinary BPS concentrations and its association with semen parameters among men attending a fertility center. Methods This cross-sectional analysis included 158 men of couples seeking fertility treatment (2011–2017) contributing 338 paired semen and urine samples. At the time of sample collection, men completed a questionnaire on self-reported use of household products and food intake within the previous 24 h. Urinary concentrations of BPA, BPS and bisphenol F were quantified using isotope-dilution tandem mass spectrometry. Semen samples were analyzed following WHO guidelines. Multivariable mixed models were used to investigate predictors of urinary BPS concentrations and to evaluate associations between urinary BPS concentrations and semen parameters, using random intercept to account for correlation in outcomes across multiple observations per man and adjusting for abstinence time, specific gravity, age, body mass index (BMI), year of sample collection and BPA concentrations. Analyses were also stratified by BMI (≥25 vs Results Median (IQR) urinary BPS concentration was 0.30 (0.20, 0.90) μg/L, and 76% of samples had detectable (>0.1 μg/L) concentrations. Self-reported fabric softener and paint/solvent use as well as intake of beef and cheese within 24 h before urine collection were positively associated with BPS concentrations. Men with higher BPS concentrations also had significantly higher BMI. Lower semen parameters were found among men with detectable BPS concentrations, compared to men with non-detectable BPS [2.66 vs. 2.91 mL for volume (p = 0.03), 30.7 vs. 38.3 mil/mL for concentration (p = 0.03), 76.8 vs. 90.0 mil for total count (p = 0.09), 43.7 vs. 47.0% for motility (p = 0.06), and 5.42 vs. 6.77% for morphologically normal sperm (p = 0.24)]. Some associations of BPS with lower semen parameters were only found among men with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. Conclusions We identified dietary and lifestyle factors associated with BPS exposure, suggesting potential avenues for reducing exposures. We also observed negative associations between BPS and semen parameters, especially among overweight and obese men.
Iron deficiency in pregnancy

Iron is essential for the function of all cells through its roles in oxygen delivery, electron transport, and enzymatic activity. Cells with high metabolic rates require more iron and are at greater risk for dysfunction during iron deficiency. Iron requirements during pregnancy increase dramatically, as the mother's blood volume expands and the fetus grows and develops. Thus, pregnancy is a condition of impending or existing iron deficiency, which may be difficult to diagnose because of limitations to commonly used biomarkers such as hemoglobin and ferritin concentrations. Iron deficiency is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including increased maternal illness, low birthweight, prematurity, and intrauterine growth restriction. The rapidly developing fetal brain is at particular risk of iron deficiency, which can occur because of maternal iron deficiency, hypertension, smoking, or glucose intolerance. Low maternal gestational iron intake is associated with autism, schizophrenia, and abnormal brain structure in the offspring. Newborns with iron deficiency have compromised recognition memory, slower speed of processing, and poorer bonding that persist despite postnatal iron repletion. Preclinical models of fetal iron deficiency confirm that expected iron-dependent processes such as monoamine neurotransmission, neuronal growth and differentiation, myelination, and gene expression are all compromised acutely and long term into adulthood. This review outlines strategies to diagnose and prevent iron deficiency in pregnancy. It describes the neurocognitive and mental health consequences of fetal iron deficiency. It emphasizes that fetal iron is a key nutrient that influences brain development and function across the lifespan.
Pentiptycene Polymer/Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Complexes: Applications in Benzene, Toluene, and o-Xylene Detection

We report the dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) using pentiptycene polymers and their use in chemiresistance-based and QCM-D sensors. Poly(p-phenylene ethynylene)s (PPEs) incorporating pentiptycene moieties present a concave surface that promotes π-π interactions and van der Waals interactions with SWCNTs. In contrast to more common polymer-dispersing mechanisms that involve the wrapping of polymers around the SWCNTs, we conclude that the H-shape of pentiptycene groups and the linear rigid-rod structure creates a slot for nanotube binding. UV-vis-NIR, Raman, and fluorescence spectra and TEM images of polymer/SWCNTs support this dispersion model, which shows size selectivity to SWCNTs with diameters of 0.8-0.9 nm. Steric bulk on the channels is problematic, and tert-butylated pentiptycenes do not form stable dispersions with SWCNTs. This result, along with the diameter preference, supports the model in which the SWCNTs are bound to the concave clefts of the pentiptycenes. The binding model suggests that the polymer/SWCNTs complex creates galleries, and we have demonstrated the binding of benzene, toluene, and o-xylene (BTX) vapors as the basis for a robust, sensitive, and selective sensing platform for BTX detection. The utility of our sensors is demonstrated by the detection of benzene at the OSHA short-term exposure limit of 5 ppm in air.
Single-cell characterization of transcriptomic heterogeneity in lymphoblastoid cell lines

Lymphoblastoid Cell Lines (LCLs) are generated by transforming primary B cells with Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and are used extensively as model systems in viral oncology, immunology, and human genetics research. In this study, we characterized single-cell transcriptomic profiles of five LCLs and present a simple discrete-time simulation to explore the influence of stochasticity on LCL clonal evolution. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed substantial phenotypic heterogeneity within and across LCLs with respect to immunoglobulin isotype; virus-modulated host pathways involved in survival, proliferation, and differentiation; viral replication state; and oxidative stress. This heterogeneity is likely attributable to intrinsic variance in primary B cells and host-pathogen dynamics. Stochastic simulations demonstrate that initial primary cell heterogeneity, random sampling, time in culture, and even mild differences in phenotype-specific fitness can contribute substantially to dynamic diversity in populations of nominally clonal cells.
Gaming sexism: Gender and identity in the era of casual video games: by Amanda C. Cote New York: New York University Press, 2020, 265 pages ISBN: 978-1-4798-0220-3 (paperback) Price $30.00

In Gaming Sexism, Amanda C. Cote explores the role of the casualised era of video games and its impact on marginalised gamers, specifically focusing on female gamers. The casualised era of video ga...
TRAPPING RADIOACTIVE ATOMS FOR BASIC AND APPLIED RESEARCH

We report on the trapping of radioactive atoms for a variety of nuclear, atomic, and applied physics investigations. To date we have trapped 5 different radioisotopes of rubidium and cesium (82–84Rb+135,137Cs) using a magneto-optical trap (MOT) coupled to a mass separator. By optimizing the efficiency of this system, we have been able to trap as many as 6 million radioactive atoms and detect as few as 100. This technology is being applied in three different areas: (1) the parity-violating, β-decay asymmetry measurement of polarized 82Rb; (2) the study of ultracold fermionic 84Rb atoms; and (3) the use of MOTs for the ultrasensitive detection of selected radioactive species. Although all of these projects are in a formative stage of development, we highlight the progress that we have made in: (1) the trapping of 82Rb atoms in double MOT system; (2) the hyperfine structure measurement of the 5P1/2 and 5P3/2 levels in 82Rb; (3) the simultaneous trapping of 84Rb and 87Rb in overlapping MOTs; and (4) the first trapping and isotopic ratio measurement of 135Cs and 137Cs in a MOT.
XL. On osmious acid, and the position of osmium in the list of elements

(1860). XL. On osmious acid, and the position of osmium in the list of elements. The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science: Vol. 19, No. 127, pp. 293-306.