cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regeneration of resected calcaneal tendon of the rabbit

A connective tissue growth model based on the regeneration of rabbit calcaneal tendon following surgical excision is described. Tissues allowed to regenerate for various periods of time from two days to 240 days were studied histologically and compared with mature tendon. Rabbit calcaneal tendon regenerating for 14 days or longer was found to represent a rapidly grown, normal connective tissue obtainable in quantities sufficient for biochemical microanalysis and thus to provide a valuable connective tissue growth model. By allowing growth to proceed for 56 days, the model could be used to provide normal tissue morphologically approximating mature tendon.
Adaptive vision-based crack detection using 3D scene reconstruction for condition assessment of structures

Abstract Current inspection standards require an inspector to travel to a target structure site and visually assess the structure's condition. This approach is labor-intensive, yet highly qualitative. A less time-consuming and inexpensive alternative to current monitoring methods is to use a robotic system that could inspect structures more frequently, and perform autonomous damage detection. In this paper, a vision-based crack detection methodology is introduced. The proposed approach processes 2D digital images (image processing) by considering the geometry of the scene (computer vision). The crack segmentation parameters are adjusted automatically based on depth parameters. The depth perception is obtained using 3D scene reconstruction. This system extracts the whole crack from its background, where the regular edge-based approaches just segment the crack edges. This characteristic is appropriate for the development of a crack thickness quantification system. Experimental tests have been carried out to evaluate the performance of the proposed system.
CropSyst, a cropping systems simulation model: Water/nitrogen budgets and crop yield☆

Abstract In agriculture, water and nitrogen are two critical resources for growing a crop. However, their management cannot be analyzed independently of weather, soil characteristics, field hydrology, crop characteristics, crop rotation, and management factors. This paper describes the water, nitrogen, and crop growth components of CropSyst, a comprehensive cropping systems simulation model, and provides preliminary verification of these components. The water budget of the model properly describes crop water use. Predicted nitrogen contents throughout the soil profile did not exactly match the measured values from leaching experiments, but they did follow the general trends of the data. The agreement between simulated and observed biomass and yield of corn, winter wheat and spring wheat grown in two locations with a total of 77 data points was good as shown by several statistical indicators. Based on this preliminary validation, CropSyst appears promising as a tool to analyze management practices for water and nitrogen. Additional validation of model components, including a wide range of crops and conditions, should be conducted in the future.
The decomposition of dimethyltellurium diiodide in polar solvents

Abstract Dimethyltellurium diiodide decomposes readily at room temperature in acetone and similar solvents, especially if water or an inorganic salt be present. Products include a tellurium-oxygen polymer containing some iodine and methyl groups, along with CH3I and various inorganic species. This decomposition is discussed in relation to other organometallid reactions.
Preference for signaled shock: A test of two hypotheses

In a test of safety signal and preparatory response explanations of the preference for signaled vs. unsignaled shock, three groups of rats were exposed to a different light-tone-shock contingency on each of the two sides of a shuttlebox. One contingency (S/P) provided both a safety signal and a warning stimulus, another (NS/NP) provided neither, and a third (S/NP) provided a safety period but no warning stimulus. Rats preferred either the S/P or the S/NP side of the shuttlebox when the alternate side provided neither safety signal nor warning stimulus. When the safety signal was available on both sides, the side without the warning stimulus was preferred. Results are interpreted as supporting the safety signal hypothesis.
Element-, time- and spatially-resolved images of scattered and recoiled atoms

Abstract Element-specific, time- and spatially-resolved images of keV scattered and recoiled atomic ions plus fast atoms are exploited as a new technique of scattering and recoiling imaging spectrometry (SARIS). SARIS, an outgrowth of time-of-flight scattering and recoiling spectrometry (TOF-SARS), uses a large position-sensitive microchannel plate and TOF methods to capture images of energetic atoms which are scattered and recoiled from surfaces using a pulsed keV ion beam. The atoms are dispersed according to their velocities as a function of projectile/target atom masses and deflection angles. The spatial distributions of these atoms are captured by the MCP in time-resolved frames as short as 10 ns. Classical ion trajectory simulations provide a good description of the interactions, allowing direct simulation and interpretation of the experimental images. The images combine atomic scale microscopy and spatial averaging since they are created from a macroscopic surface area but they are directly related to the atomic arrangement of the surface at the sub-nanoscale level; the accuracy for measurement of interatomic spacings is expected to be better than 0.01 A. Example data is presented for Pt{111}and Au{110}.
An fMRI study of self-reflection about body image: Sex differences

Abstract Recent functional imaging studies suggest key involvement of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in processes of self-evaluation. Additional behavioral evidence suggests significant sex differences in sensitivity both to social norms and to information about one’s own body, particularly as it pertains to assessments of self-worth. Because these observed sex differences are hypothesized to arise from differences in cognitive representations of the self, brain activation differences in mPFC might likewise be expected while men and women process information about body image. In this study, 10 females and nine males viewed images of gender-matched bodies of either an overweight body type or a thin body type while undergoing functional MRI (fMRI) scanning. While viewing these images, participants were instructed to make evaluations of their own bodies in relation to the images displayed. Significant within-group contrasts in mPFC activation were observed for women only, with relatively higher activation for overweight images versus thin images. Men showed no significant mPFC activation while processing either type of image. These results are consistent with cognitive models of self-representation, particularly those developed within social and cultural theoretical frameworks, where body size is hypothesized to play a dominant role in schematic representations of self-worth for many women.
Does the multiple mini-interview address stakeholder needs? An applicant's perspective.

INTRODUCTION The multiple mini-interview is an interview format originally created for medical school admissions to provide an objective, validated, and predictive measure for selecting applicants. It is essentially an objective structured clinical evaluation that measures noncognitive characteristics imprecisely defined in the literature to date. Applicants participate in 3 to 12 stations of one-on-one interviews, each lasting 7 to 10 minutes. Each station has 1 unique question that the applicant answers. For example, at one station a candidate may be asked to consider the ethical problems that exist in circumcision, and at another describe possible implications of health care reform. It is important to recognize the multiple mini-interview as an interview format (much like a standardized, written test is a type of test format), rather than a specific tool (such as the Medical College Admissions Test). The success of this new format depends on the complex needs and interactions of the interview process stakeholders, defined in the literature as the applicants, interviewers, and admissions teams.
Non-pain-related CRF1 activation in the amygdala facilitates synaptic transmission and pain responses

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) plays an important role in affective states and disorders. CRF is not only a “stress hormone” but also a neuromodulator outside the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis. The amygdala, a brain center for emotions, is a major site of extrahypothalamic expression of CRF and its G-protein-coupled receptors. Our previous studies showed that endogenous activation of CRF1 receptors in an arthritis pain model contributes to amygdala hyperactivity and pain-related behaviors. Here we examined the synaptic and behavioral effects of CRF in the amygdala of normal animals in the absence of tissue injury or disease. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings of neurons in the latero-capsular division of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeLC) in brain slices from normal rats showed that CRF (0.1-10 nM) increased excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) at the “nociceptive” parabrachio-amygdaloid (PB-CeLC) synapse and also increased neuronal output. Synaptic facilitation involved a postsynaptic action and was blocked by an antagonist for CRF1 (NBI27914, 1 μM) but not CRF2 (astressin-2B, 1 μM) and by an inhibitor of PKA (KT5720, 1 μM) but not PKC (GF109203X, 1 μM). CRF increased a latent NMDA receptor-mediated EPSC, and this effect also required CRF1 and PKA but not CRF2 and PKC. Stereotaxic administration of CRF (10 μM, concentration in microdialysis probe) into the CeLC by microdialysis in awake rats increased audible and ultrasonic vocalizations and decreased hindlimb withdrawal thresholds. Behavioral effects of CRF were blocked by a NBI27914 (100 μM) and KT5720 (100 μM) but not GF109203x (100 μM). CRF effects persisted when HPA axis function was suppressed by pretreatment with dexamethasone (50 μg/kg, subcutaneously). Non-pain-related activation of CRF1 receptors in the amygdala can trigger pain-responses in normal animals through a mechanism that involves PKA-dependent synaptic facilitation in CeLC neurons independent of HPA axis function. The results suggest that conditions of increased amygdala CRF levels can contribute to pain in the absence of tissue pathology or disease state.
Logarithmic approximations, quark form factors, and quantum chromodynamics

The structure of perturbative quantum chromodynamics in kinematic regimes characterized by two large but different mass scales is investigated. The double-leading-logarithm approximation is reviewed, and the roles of the various elements of this approximation are emphasized. In particular, the question of whether a suppression of cross sections in the limit of small angles and large ratios of kinematic variables is predicted by the theory is treated at various levels of approximation. Improved analysis suggests that no suppression is predicted. It is argued, however, that a definitive answer can only arise from an exact analysis.
The synthesis of deuterium enriched erythro-α-methylnorepinephrine and norepinephrine†‡§

Norepinephrine-d10, d11deuteriochloride and erythro-α-methylnorepinephrine-d6, d7 hydrochloride for use as mass spectrometric stable isotope internal standards have been synthesized. Trideuteriomethylation of the lithio derivative of 3,4-dimethoxyacetophenone provided the corresponding 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-propanone-3,3,3-d3. Bromination followed by treatment of the resulting α-bromoketone with dibenzylamine yielded the α-dibenzylamino derivative of 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-propanone-3,3,3-d3. Deuterium bromide cleaved the methyl ether groups and introduced three to four additional deuterium atoms in the resulting catechol. Catalytic hydrogenation gave the desired erythro-α-methynorepinephrine enriched with six or seven deuterium atoms.
Diarrhea in the Dominican Republic: Determinants of the Utilization of Children's Health Services

Diarrhea is a leading cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality in the Dominican Republic. A potential policy option for reducing the burden of this disease would be to utilize the public and private sector health resources of the country in a co-ordinated fashion. To do so requires an understanding of the determinants of health services' utilization for this disease. This study examines the predictors of (a) health services' utilization, and (b) public vs. private sector use, for diarrhea in the under-five population in the Dominican Republic. The DHS-2 dataset (1991) was utilized for analysis. Logistic regression models for predicting use and non-use, and for predicting private vs. public sector use were constructed. Age, nutritional status, rural location, higher maternal education and duration of illness greater than 2 days were significant predictors of use of health services. Nutritional status, private insurance and higher maternal education were found to be significant predictors of private sector utilization rather than public sector utilization. Such disease-specific sector utilization should be kept in mind when attempts are made to adjust the public/private mix in health sector reform.
Program Quality and Early Childhood Inclusion Recommendations for Professional Development

This article advocates for the need to link early childhood program quality and professional development, with a particular focus on how this topic relates to early childhood inclusion. There is consensus in the early childhood field about various components of program quality for young children in general, and a number of states now have program quality improvement systems in place to guide professional practice in this regard. However, there is a need to reach consensus on dimensions of program quality that define high quality inclusion and to reflect these dimensions in both program standards and professional development efforts. This article provides recommendations for how components of quality inclusion can be incorporated into professional development to ensure that practitioners are highly effective in serving every child and family, including those with disabilities.
Showing a Progress Bar While Executing Stored Procedures

In this paper, we present a novel dynamic scheme to estimate the execution time of stored procedures inside the Database Management Systems (DBMS). Our estimation model can provide users an accurate estimation of the execution time of stored procedures. The proposed estimation model adopts the basic idea of Radial Basis Function (RBF) network to accurately predict the execution time of the stored procedures based on their input parameters. Our model is self-trained and does not need a separate training set. Moreover, it can automatically adjust itself to adapt to the changes of the database. Furthermore, our proposed model can be implemented by SQL to embed directly in the database which is an important advantage over previous systems. Extensive experimental results show that the proposed approach can accurately predict the execution time of stored procedures with error rate below 10% after getting executed for as least as 20 times. Moreover, the new model can effectively adjust itself to dramatic database updates.
Models of Jupiter's growth incorporating thermal and hydrodynamic constraints

We model the growth of Jupiter via core nucleated accretion, applying constraints from hydrodynamical processes that result from the disk{planet interaction. We compute the planet’s internal structure using a well tested planetary formation code that is based upon a Henyey-type stellar evolution code. The planet’s interactions with the protoplanetary disk are calculated using 3-D hydrodynamic simulations. Previous models of Jupiter’s growth have taken the radius of the planet to be approximately one Hill sphere radius, RH. However, 3-D hydrodynamic simulations show that only gas within 0:25RH remains bound to the planet, with the more distant gas eventually participating in the shear ow of the protoplanetary disk. Therefore in our new simulations, the planet’s outer boundary is placed at the location where gas has the thermal energy to reach the portion of the ow not bound to the planet. We nd that the smaller radius increases the time required for planetary growth by 5%. Thermal pressure limits the rate at which a planet less than a few dozen times as massive as Earth can accumulate gas from the protoplanetary disk, whereas hydrodynamics regulates the growth rate for more massive planets. Within a moderately viscous disk, the accretion rate peaks when the planet’s mass is about equal to the mass of Saturn. In a less viscous disk hydrodynamical limits to accretion are smaller, and the accretion rate peaks at lower mass. Observations suggest that the typical lifetime of massive disks around young stellar objects is 3 Myr. To account for the dissipation of such disks, we perform some of our simulations of Jupiter’s growth within a disk whose surface gas density decreases on this timescale. In all of the cases that we simulate, the planet’s eective radiating temperature rises to well above 1000 K soon after hydrodynamic limits begin to control the rate of gas accretion and the planet’s distended envelope begins to contract. According to our simulations, proto-Jupiter’s distended and thermally-supported envelope was too small to capture the planet’s current retinue of irregular satellites as advocated by Pollack et al. [Pollack, J.B., Burns, J.A., Tauber, M.E., 1979. Icarus 37, 587{611]. Subject headings: Jovian planets; Jupiter, interior; Accretion; Planetary formation; Planet-disk interaction
Geometric morphometrics defines shape differences in the cortical area map of C57BL/6J and DBA/2J inbred mice.

Background We previously described planar areal differences in adult mouse visual, somatosensory, and neocortex that collectively discriminated C57BL/6J and DBA/2J inbred strain identity. Here we use a novel application of established methods of two-dimensional geometric morphometrics to examine shape differences in the cortical area maps of these inbred strains.
Improved high frequency performance of AlInAs/GaInAs HBTs through use of low temperature GaInAs

GaInAs grown at lower than normal substrate temperatures was used to reduce the amount of beryllium out-diffusion from the heavily doped bases of AlInAs/GaInAs Npn HBTs. A combined 20-nm-thick spacer structure of p-doped and undoped GaInAs grown at 300 degrees C prevented excessive amounts of beryllium from diffusing into the AlInAs emitter. This allowed base beryllium doping concentrations up to 10/sup 20/ cm/sup -3/ to be achieved, thereby reducing base resistance and increasing f/sub max/ to 70 GHz. A fifteen-stage ring oscillator utilizing these HBTs demonstrated a gate delay of 15.8 ps. The reduced outdiffusion was confirmed by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) elemental profiles in addition to electrical measurements. >
Constructing Historical Profiles with Digital Natives.

The purpose of this study was to examine a group of fifth graders experiences, beliefs, and opinions during the construction of digital historical agent profiles. This research study examined a project in which students were engaged in the learning of historical content and were asked to convey information about the life of someone from the past through the medium of the present and future using a social networking profile page. The profiles were constructed while examining American Revolutionary period content, which included a primary focus upon historical agents from this time period. This study was constructed to gain a better understanding of how students engage critical historical thinking skills through investigating and developing conclusions about the history and lives of historical agents while utilizing technology. It was found that authentic historical inquiry was achieved, historical thinking primarily occurred at a novice level, and students engaged with the technology and found the creation of a digital historical profile to be a more interesting way to convey their knowledge of the content.
Treatment of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease by Corticosteroids and Immunosuppresive Agents

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome (VKH), also referred to as Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease, is characterized by its distinct clinical and histopathologic features. The clinical features include symptoms...
Assessment of local tumor control using censored tumor response data

When animals die in the course of tumor control assays, the loss of information need not be absolute. Actuarial survival curves may be used to estimate local tumor control fractions, and these unbiased estimates may be weighted and used to estimate the parameters of dose/cure functions. The current standard procedure of discarding from analysis animals who do not complete a pre-assigned observation period is biased, and should not be used.
Automated instrumentation and monitoring of data movement in parallel programs

Writing efficient parallel programs is complicated by the need to select the right data-structure alignments and distributions, which determine the nature and volume of inter-processor communications. A large number of performance tools for parallel programs have been developed recently to expose the nature of these inter-processor communications. However, none of the tools support performance views or provide statistics in terms of inter-processor data-structure interactions. In this paper we discuss the use of compiler front end tools for automatically tracking data-structure movements in message passing programs, and low-overhead monitoring and postprocessing of such codes. In addition, our approach is compiler/pre-processor and platform independent. We demonstrate that robust instrumentation and low, overhead monitoring of inter-processor data-structure movements is possible, with the use of a number of NAS benchmarks run on the i860 hypercube. We also show that the data so collected con be efficiently used by post processing tools that expose performance bottlenecks using graphical displays and performance statistics. >
Taking Control of Your Digital Library: How Modern Citation Managers Do More Than Just Referencing

Physicians are constantly navigating the overwhelming body of medical literature available on the Internet. Although early citation managers were capable of limited searching of index databases and tedious bibliography production, modern versions of citation managers such as EndNote, Zotero, and Mendeley are powerful web-based tools for searching, organizing, and sharing medical literature. Effortless point-and-click functions provide physicians with the ability to develop robust digital libraries filled with literature relevant to their fields of interest. In addition to easily creating manuscript bibliographies, various citation managers allow physicians to readily access medical literature, share references for teaching purposes, collaborate with colleagues, and even participate in social networking. If physicians are willing to invest the time to familiarize themselves with modern citation managers, they will reap great benefits in the future.
In search for the ‘sweet spot’ for blood pressure level in diabetes

There have been numerous analyses of clinical trials in people with diabetes assessing the effect of blood pressure level on cardiovascular outcomes including hospitalisations. Only two trials, however, have prospectively randomised blood pressure levels in patients with type 2 diabetes to evaluate cardiovascular outcome, The United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS)1 and the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD).2 Unfortunately, only the ACCORD was designed to determine the effect of cardiovascular outcomes to a goal blood pressure of <120/80 mm Hg. While the UKPDS showed a lowered cardiovascular event rate, they attained a lower BP goal of 144/82 mm Hg, the ACCORD failed to show an advantage of lower blood pressure on outcomes. Post hoc analyses of trials that had large subgroups of patients with type 2 diabetes such as the International Verapamil SR—Trandolapril (INVEST)3 and the Avoiding Cardiovascular Events in Combination Therapy in Patients Living with Systolic Hypertension (ACCOMPLISH)4 also failed to demonstrate a cardiovascular outcome benefit at a blood pressure below 130/80 mm Hg. One …
Real-Time fMRI Using Brain-State Classification

We have implemented a real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging system based on multivariate classification. This approach is distinctly different from spatially localized real-time imple- mentations, since it does not require prior assumptions about functional localization and individual performance strategies, and has the ability to provide feedback based on intuitive translations of brain state rather than localized fluctuations. Thus this approach provides the capability for a new class of experimental designs in which real-time feedback control of the stimulus is possible—rather than using a fixed paradigm, experiments can adaptively evolve as subjects receive brain-state feedback. In this report, we describe our implementation and characterize its performance capabilities. We observed � 80% classification accuracy using whole brain, block-design, motor data. Within both left and right motor task conditions, important differences exist between the initial transient period produced by task switching (changing between rapid left or right index finger button presses) and the subsequent stable period during sustained activity. Further analysis revealed that very high accuracy is achievable during stable task periods, and that the responsiveness of the classifier to changes in task condition can be much faster than signal time-to-peak rates. Finally, we demonstrate the versatility of this implementa- tion with respect to behavioral task, suggesting that our results are applicable across a spectrum of cog- nitive domains. Beyond basic research, this technology can complement electroencephalography-based brain computer interface research, and has potential applications in the areas of biofeedback rehabilita- tion, lie detection, learning studies, virtual reality-based training, and enhanced conscious awareness. Hum Brain Mapp 28:1033-1044, 2007. V C 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Analysis of digital matched filtering schemes for digital receiver applications using simulation methods

The next generation of digital receivers for the NASA Deep Space Network is composed of in-phase and quadrature-phase channels. The authors have modeled and simulated a quadrature-phase baseband channel that includes a low-pass filter and a digital matched filter. The simulation is used to study the performance of the three schemes of digital matched filtering that use digital weighted integrate-and-dump filters. Using three methods for calculating the near-optimum matched filter weight coefficients, the simulation results are analyzed for the NRZ and Manchester data formats. The performances of the digital matched filters are studied in the presence of a timing error between the demodulated symbols and the integrate-and-dump filters. >
Electrical Energy Density and Discharge Characteristics of a Poly(vinylidene fluoride-chlorotrifluoroethylene)Copolymer

The high electric displacement (D>0.1 C/m2) and breakdown field (600 MV/m) in polyvinylidene fluoride based polymers suggest high electrical energy density in this class of polymers. By defect modifications which reduce or eliminate the remnant polarization in the polymer, a high electrical energy density can indeed be obtained. This paper shows that in properly prepared P(VDF-CTFE) copolymer film capacitors, an electrical energy density ~25 J/cm3 can be obtained with a breakdown field higher than 600 MV/m. The dielectric and discharge behavior of the polymer films were investigated. The results reveal that there are strong frequency dispersions in both the dielectric and discharge behavior. The dielectric constant decreases with frequency and the discharged energy density is also reduced at shorted discharge time (~1 mus) due to increased ESR for fast discharge. The results indicate the potential of this class of polymers for high energy density capacitors and suggest the need for further tuning of the polymer compositions to reduce the frequency dispersion.
A Proposed Set of Ethical Practice Guidelines in the Assessment and Treatment of Pelvic Floor Disorders

The treatment of pelvic floor disorders using biofeedback, behavioral therapies, and other applied psychophysiological treatments has been well documented as effective. Practitioners must take due care to ensure that they practice within the boundaries of what is common practice for their discipline and within the scope of practice allowed by their professional license as outlined by the appropriate state licensing law(s), the ethical principles and practice guidelines and standards for their discipline, and those of the Association of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback if using a biofeedback assessment or treatment. Being competent to provide a particular treatment does not necessarily make it legal and/or ethical. This paper provides a set of recommended practice guidelines for use in the assessment and treatment of pelvic floor disorders. Please note that they have not at this time been endorsed as an official position of the Association of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback or any other professional organization.
Resilient image fusion

The paper describes a distributed spectral-screening PCT algorithm for fusing hyper-spectral images in remote sensing applications. The algorithm provides intrusion tolerance from information warfare attacks using the notion of computational resiliency. This concept uses replication to achieve fault tolerance, but goes further to dynamically regenerate replication in response to an attack or failure. The concepts of resiliency are incorporated through library technology that is application independent. This library hides the details of communication protocols required to achieve dynamic replication and reconfiguration in distributed applications. The paper provides a status report on our progress in developing the concept and applying it to image fusion. In particular it examines the performance of the PCT algorithm and compares the results with and without resiliency to assess the associated overheads.
The Frequency of Financial Analysts' Forecast Revisions: Theory and Evidence about Determinants of Demand for Predisclosure Information

A fundamental property of a financial market is its degree of price informativeness. A major determinant of price informativeness is predisclosure information collected by financial analysts and then privately disseminated to clients, who make the recommended trades. We develop a dynamic model of the analyst's optimal strategy of forecast revision frequency with endogenous analysts and endogenous traders. We then empirically test the model's predictions. We find that forecast revision frequency is positively associated with earnings variability, trading volume, and earnings response coefficients, and negatively associated with skewness of trading volume. Thus, we find strong empirical support for our dynamic model. In this paper, we theoretically and empirically examine a measure of predisclosure information: financial analysts' frequency of forecast revisions. We first develop a dynamic model, with endogenous analysts and endogenous traders, and solve for the individual analyst's optimal strategy of forecast revision frequency. We then empirically test the predictions of the model. Our results of those tests indicate that analysts' forecast
Generation of Forsteritic Olivine (Fo99·8) by Subsolidus Oxidation in Basaltic Flows

We identify olivine grains with compositions up to Fo99·8, which are found in multiple primitive basaltic lava flows from a monogenetic volcano in the Big Pine Volcanic Field, California, USA. In this study, we show that the forsterite in these basalts formed by subsolidus recrystallization in a high-fO2 environment. Olivine compositions are bimodal, with flows having either all normal compositions (Fo74·9^94·4) or highly forsteritic (Fo97·2^99·8) compositions. In many grains, the subhedral forsteritic olivine has a hematite and clinopyroxene rim, and internal parallel-oriented planes of hematite, clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene. Results of isotopic, chemical, crystallographic, petrographic and mineralogical analyses show that the forsterite formed through subsolidus oxidation of olivine phenocrysts. The forsteritic olivines generally occur in the thinner flows. We infer that a rapidly emplaced sequence of thin, vesicular, spatter-fed flows allowed the original olivine phenocrysts to become repeatedly reheated while exposed to air. Our study required sampling each flow, so it was difficult to avoid the altered portions of the thinner flows. Other studies would tend to avoid such flows, which may account for why such forsteritic olivines have not been more widely recognized.
Genetic Basis of Sex-Specific Color Pattern Variation in Drosophila malerkotliana

Pigmentation is a rapidly evolving trait that can play important roles in mimicry, sexual selection, thermoregulation, and other adaptive processes in many groups of animals. In Drosophila, pigmentation can differ dramatically among closely related taxa, presenting a good opportunity to dissect the genetic changes underlying species divergence. In this report, we investigate the genetic basis of color pattern variation between two allopatric subspecies of Drosophila malerkotliana, a widespread member of the ananassae species subgroup. In D. malerkotliana malerkotliana, the last three abdominal segments are darkly pigmented in males but not in females, while in D. malerkotliana pallens both sexes lack dark pigmentation. Composite interval mapping in F2 hybrid progeny shows that this difference is largely controlled by three quantitative trait loci (QTL) located on the 2L chromosome arm, which is homologous to the 3R of D. melanogaster (Muller element E). Using highly recombinant introgression strains produced by repeated backcrossing and phenotypic selection, we show that these QTL do not correspond to any of the candidate genes known to be involved in pigment patterning and synthesis in Drosophila. These results, in combination with similar analyses in other Drosophila species, indicate that different genetic and molecular changes are responsible for the evolution of similar phenotypic traits in different lineages. This feature makes Drosophila color patterns a powerful model for investigating how the genetic basis of trait evolution is influenced by the intrinsic organization of regulatory pathways controlling the development of these traits.
Teaching Online: Discovering Teacher Concerns

AbstractLittle is known about the degree to which teachers are interested in or value online K–12 education. This is an unfortunate gap in the literature, as online education has been and continues to be a swiftly growing component of the K–12 learning community. This exploratory study sought to measure K–12 preservice and inservice teacher concerns about teaching online in order to gain insight about teachers' personal interest in teaching online and what concerns they hold regarding online education. The results indicated via their concerns profile that this group of current and future teachers participants did not value online education and participants were reluctant to pursue online instructional opportunities. Responses to an open-ended question indicated that these respondents require more specific information regarding the differences in online and face-to-face instruction and how to deal with those differences. The results suggest that in order to recruit teachers to meet the needs of the growing...
The Effect of Labor on Corporate Finance: Evidence from the 1986 Immigration Reform

I use a natural experiment to identify the effect of labor characteristics on firms’ investment and financial structure. The 1986 immigration reform applied simultaneously to all US firms, significantly increasing the costs of employing undocumented workers, and reducing the pool of potentially available workers currently living abroad. However, not all firms were affected equally: firms located in areas with high levels of immigration used more undocumented labor and therefore experienced a stronger shock to their labor costs and labor characteristics. Likewise, firms from industries that heavily rely on labor of undocumented workers (agricultural production, construction, accommodation and food services) were hit harder than firms from other industries. Using the difference-in-differences approach, I find that after the 1986 immigration reform, firms located in counties with higher levels of immigration significantly reduced their capital investment, dividend payments, debt maturity, cash holdings, and the number of employees, as compared to the control group of firms located in counties with lower levels of immigration. Firms from higher-immigration counties also significantly increased leverage. The changes were concentrated in industries heavily reliant on labor of undocumented workers, whereas industries not using many undocumented workers did not exhibit the same patterns. Other proxies for the use of illegal labor point to the same direction. For a given level of immigration in a county, firms located in counties with higher levels of private-sector union penetration experienced weaker changes in investment patterns. This evidence is consistent with the view that labor market characteristics affect firms’ financial decisions.
Genetic Parameters of Variation for Yield and its Components under Saune and Normal Environments in Wheat ( Triticum aestivum L. Em. Thell.)

High PCV and GCV were recorded for the characters effective tillers per plant, grains per ear, grain yield per ear and grain yield per plant in all the four environments. High heritability along with high estimatei of genetic advance as percentage of mean were recorded for the characters plant height and grain yield per ear under both the saline environments (E 1 and E 3 while for the characters effective tillers per plant, grains per ear and grain yield per plant under both the normal environments (E 2 and E 4).
A survey instrument to isolate effectiveness of a novel risk communication intervention

Risk communications can be used to inform, persuade and facilitate public support for hazard risk mitigation and preparedness. Some common risk communications practices, such as the use of fear-based appeals, may inadvertently trigger maladaptive behavior. A brochure, film or advertisement may be just one part of a larger campaign to promote hazard readiness, and these items can and should be tested separately for efficacy and effectiveness prior to broad deployment. The purpose of this article is to show the development of a survey instrument, the 25-item earthquake-resistant construction knowledge and opinions (EKO) scale. This scale was created to test a non-emergency communications intervention designed to encourage earthquake-resistant school construction. It was utilized in a randomized controlled trial measuring change in outcomes after viewing a 20-minute film (trial results are reported elsewhere). The intervention film featured community members in Nepal who had worked toward making their school buildings earthquake safe. Study participants were 761 adult community members at schools with buildings in need of seismic work. Factor analysis yielded four questionnaire subscales labeled knowledge, feasibility, would-help-school and would-recommend-to-others, accounting for 55.7 % of the variance. Internal consistency was acceptable, with Cronbach’s α of 0.78–0.93 for all but the knowledge factor (α = 0.48). The EKO scale may be adapted to measure risk communications in other settings. Research on further development and application of the EKO scale and other similar questionnaires may facilitate the evaluation of risk communication interventions and help improve understanding of factors that contribute to intervention effectiveness.
A New Method for Fast Simulation of Adsorbate Dynamics

We present a dynamical version of the Smart Monte Carlo method to model the diffusion dynamics of a metal atom on a metal surface. This method, in conjunction with umbrella sampling, can be used to simulate the dynamics of metal thin film growth, including all relevant atomic-scale phenomenon, over long time scales, characteristic of experimental studies. To demonstrate the accuracy of this method we simulate the dynamics of Rh on Rh(111) and Cu on Cu(100). Interatomic forces are modeled with Lennard-Jones and Corrective-Effective-Medium potentials for the Rh and Cu systems, respectively. We show that this new simulation method correctly reproduces the diffusion dynamics and, with some modification, allows us to reach experimental time scales.
Map Perception and Cognition

Map perception is the process of using the human senses to acquire spatial information about the surrounding environment from maps. Maps, in this sense, are defined quite broadly as any representation that demonstrates spatial relationships (where things are in relation to each other) in an environment. Map cognition, on the other hand, involves mental (or brain) functions and capabilities that facilitate the acquisition and integration of spatial knowledge from maps through reasoning, intuition, and/or perception. To understand the significant breadth and scope of map perception and cognition, one must consider the historical developments of the four different research areas that have evolved in this field. These four areas were essentially born 60 years ago with the publication of Arthur Robinson’s The Look of Maps in 1952. The Look of Maps focused on issues of map design, spawning a large body of psychophysical studies that explored the perception of ‘graphic marks’, – what people see when they look at maps. Born from this early psychophysical work was the idea that maps are devices for communication and that they convey a coherent message set forth by the cartographer. Models for communication were borrowed from psychology and adapted for the perception of maps. Next to develop was a very multidisciplinary branch of research on maps and cognition. This body of work explored how maps facilitate spatial knowledge and behavior, and delved into the underlying cognitive structures and functions that maps effect. The most recent body of work is called geographic visualization (GVis). GVis comprises the techniques and technologies (whose development was informed by previous psychophysical studies, previous models for map communication, and previous cognitive models for spatial knowledge and behavior) that facilitate the understanding of complex spatial phenomena via both traditional and nontraditional maps and other spatial representations.
Biomedical Imaging Inofrmatics-Based Diagnosis and Treatment in Healthcare Delivery

With the large amount of image data accumulated daily from medical imaging modalities and Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) in hospitals, we can take advantage of this resource to investigate innovative clinical service, research and education using the concept of imaging informatics. In this paper we describe three current PACS -based research agendas: medical imaging informatics, Data Grid for image backup and disaster recovery, and Computer-Assisted Detection and diagnosis (CAD). In addition, we also discuss the concept of combining image-guided diagnosis and treatment in a continuum. As an example, integrating innovative imaging technologies for diagnosis and treatment in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS) is highlighted. The success of implementing these novel agendas and concepts will have tremendous impact to better present and future healthcare delivery.
Permutation-Based Obfuscation

Hardware obfuscation techniques have been studied in preventing reverse engineering and piracy issues. One branch of these techniques is permutation-based obfuscation. In this chapter, permutation-based obfuscation is presented at both the chip level and board level. Prior to providing the implementation details, several implementation-related topics are discussed. These topics consist of the difference between the chip-level and board-level designs as well as the introduction of a general obfuscation implementation flow. Besides the flow, this chapter also provides methodologies for evaluating the obfuscation performance. Finally, potential attacks on permutation-based obfuscation are discussed along with their corresponding countermeasures.
Surgical Management of Pituitary Apoplexy

Pituitary apoplexy (PA) is an acute event related to abrupt degeneration of a pituitary adenoma. Typically the tumor infarcts and undergoes hemorrhage. The authors believe that PA occurs due to venous infarction of an adenoma and as such, there is a variable volume of hemorrhage within the tumor. Patients commonly present with hypopituitarism, sudden symptoms of subarachnoid hemorrhage, and cranial neuropathy. Cranial nerve palsies vary depending on the degree of mass effect on the cranial nerves traversing the cavernous sinus, suprasellar cistern and the parasellar region. This condition is a medical emergency and correcting pituitary dysfunction is paramount. The most critical consideration to stabilizing patients with apoplexy is related to cardiovascular collapse due to hypocortisolism. Resuscitation with stress dose steroids is essential in the management of these select patients in an emergency department setting. Once these patients have been hemodynamically stabilized, they most often proceed with transsphenoidal surgery, which is meant to rapidly decompress neural structures causing visual disturbance, ophthalmoplegia, or brain compression. Conservative management can be chosen in patients with major comorbidities and/or minimal symptoms related to mass effect.
A study on the phase noise performance of coupled spin torque oscillators

Spin transfer torque driven oscillation (STO) in magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device can be an attractive solution for microwave signal generation with large frequency tunability, low power consumption and small footprint. In this paper, study shows that single such STO device cannot achieve noise performance in the range suitable for RF applications. Various coupling mechanisms are explored to show that by coupling more than two oscillators globally (all reciprocal), a significant improvement in phase noise is possible. The effect of the coupling strength and the increasing number of coupled oscillators on the phase noise performance is also evaluated.
‘One big fund’: the struggle to centralise Australia’s voluntary war effort, 1914–1918

AbstractThe outbreak of the First World War sparked widespread voluntary efforts to raise funds or knit comforts in support of the war overseas. The proliferation of disparate patriotic initiatives, particularly those soliciting funds from the public, raised concerns about the sustainability of these parallel appeals. State governments passed legislation to regulate patriotic appeals and encourage the centralisation of these efforts under a handful of established voluntary societies such as the Red Cross, the South Australian Soldiers Fund, or the Victoria League. This article examines the tension between the states’ effort to centralise voluntary patriotic work and the emotional factors that motivated volunteers.This article has been peer reviewed.
Micro-Hermetic Packaging Technology for Active Implantable Neural Interfaces

In this paper, we propose a fused silica packaging platform with a micro-cavity designed to house and protect active electronics for neural interfaces. Proof-of-concept test vehicles were specifically designed, fabricated, and packaged in order to evaluate the ability of the packaging to protect against water and ion incursion. Accelerated degradation testing of three test vehicles in physiological saline was performed in a custom-built encapsulation test system (ETS) at 57 °C for 16 days (nominally equivalent to 68 days at 37 °C). Leakage current, as well as gross functionality of the test circuit, was evaluated and is presented as preliminary results.