cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Demonstrating demand for preventive health services in rural Kenya

Developing countries like Kenya suffer from a severe lack of healthcare professionals. Access to primary care is further limited when large distances must be travelled for basic medical care, and often times the decision to seek professional help is made too late. Preventive health services can save lives by diagnosing serious medical conditions early and subsequently reducing the likelihood of life-threatening diseases. The rapid increase in the global incidence of chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease makes preventive health services particularly important. Trained community health workers (CHWs) operated the Mashavu telemedicine system in Nyeri County of Kenya over the course of fi ve months. The Mashavu system comprised of a netbook computer, a web camera, and other basic supplies. CHWs provided patients with two alternative services: (1) body measurements including blood pressure, weight, and body mass index (BMI) or (2) a full consultation that supplemented the measurements with health indicators and a brief survey. A lightweight website was developed to allow CHWs to send this information to a nearby nurse. This website was accessed by leveraging the 3G cell networks that are ubiquitous in Kenya. During the fi ve-month pilot, 777 patients paid for these services. Nearly one-third of patients used the service as an opportunity for a routine health check. The median age among patients was 40 years and 35 % of all patients were between the ages of 21-35. The pilot described in this paper demonstrated to CHWs that community members value health information and are willing to pay a small fee for it. This pilot suggests that as developing countries struggle to address the double burden of chronic and infectious disease, fee-for-service preventive health services can serve as an innovative means to achieve economic development and improved community health.
Naphthalocyanine-Based Biodegradable Polymeric Nanoparticles for Image-Guided Combinatorial Phototherapy

Image-guided phototherapy is extensively considered as a promising therapy for cancer treatment. To enhance translational potential of this modality, we developed a single agent-based biocompatible nanoplatform that provides both real time near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging and combinatorial phototherapy with dual photothermal and photodynamic therapeutic mechanisms. The developed theranostic nanoplatform consists of two building blocks: (1) silicon naphthalocyanine (SiNc) as a NIR fluorescence imaging and phototherapeutic agent and (2) a copolymer, poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(e-caprolactone) (PEG–PCL) as the biodegradable SiNc carrier. Our simple, highly reproducible, and robust approach results in preparation of spherical, monodisperse SiNc-loaded PEG–PCL polymeric nanoparticles (SiNc-PNP) with a hydrodynamic size of 37.66 ± 0.26 nm (polydispersity index = 0.06) and surface charge of −2.76 ± 1.83 mV. The SiNc-loaded nanoparticles exhibit a strong NIR light absorption with an extinction coeffi...
Implementation of the asymptotic corrugation boundary condition in the finite difference time domain method

[1] Geometry description in the finite difference time domain method is a tedious task if the geometry contains fine details, such as the case of corrugated objects. Such fine details constrain the cell size. The corrugated object can be modeled using the asymptotic corrugation boundary condition (ACBC) with a correction due to the width-over-period ratio. The ACBC forces certain field distributions inside the corrugation and allows for the removal of the corrugation teeth to have a homogeneous region with enforced field behavior that represents the actual corrugations. The ACBC approach is found to be accurate when the number of corrugations per wavelength is large (typically around 10 corrugations per wavelength). Computed results using ACBC are in good agreement with detailed simulations, which demonstrates the validity of the asymptotic approximations. Last, a major improvement in the computation time is achieved when using the ACBC to model structures that have a large number of corrugations per wavelength.
Redactional Intentions of MT Jeremiah concerning the Oracles against the Nations

This paper examines the redactional intentions of MT Jeremiah concerning the Oracles against the Nations (OANs) by comparing the OANs in MT Jeremiah with those in LXX Jeremiah. Since the OANs are the most conspicuous difference between the MT and LXX versions of Jeremiah, this study will contribute to the understanding of the formation and messages of the book of Jeremiah. In light of space limitations, this paper focuses on three major differences: (1) different placement of the OAN block, (2) different ordering of the nations within the OAN block, and (3) the redactions closely related to the OANs in MT Jer 25 (LXX 25:1–13, 32:1–24) and 45 (LXX 51:31–35). The three areas of comparison show that the redactor of MT Jeremiah repositioned, rearranged, and redacted the OANs and relevant chapters in order to promote a more positive outcome at the end of the book and to create the tripartite structure of judgment against Jerusalem (chs. 26–44), then the nations (chs. 45–49), and then Babylon (chs. 50–51). The move toward an emphasis on the judgment of the nations and finally of Babylon, the destroyer of Jerusalem, at the end of the book leads to a hopeful expectation of Judah’s restoration. In the positive immediate literary context, the release of King Jehoiachin at the end of the book functions as a more explicit sign of future restoration.
Gradient adaptation under unit-norm constraints

We study gradient-based adaptive algorithms within parameter spaces specified by /spl par/w/spl par/=1, where /spl par//spl middot//spl par/ is any vector norm. Several approximate algorithms for this task have already been developed when /spl par/w/spl par/ is the L/sub 2/ norm. We derive general algorithm forms for arbitrary vector norms and relate them to true gradient procedures via their geometric structures. We also give algorithms that mitigate an inherent numerical instability for tangent-vector L/sub 2/-norm methods. Simulations showing the performance of the techniques for minor component analysis are provided.
Microbial Responses to Multi-Factor Climate Change: Effects on Soil Enzymes.

The activities of extracellular enzymes, the proximate agents of decomposition in soils, are known to depend strongly on temperature, but less is known about how they respond to changes in precipitation patterns, and the interaction of these two components of climate change. Both enzyme production and turnover can be affected by changes in temperature and soil moisture, thus it is difficult to predict how enzyme pool size may respond to altered climate. Soils from the Boston-Area Climate Experiment (BACE), which is located in an old field (on abandoned farmland), were used to examine how climate variables affect enzyme activities and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) in different seasons and in soils exposed to a combination of three levels of precipitation treatments (ambient, 150% of ambient during growing season, and 50% of ambient year-round) and four levels of warming treatments (unwarmed to ~4°C above ambient) over the course of a year. Warming, precipitation and season had very little effect on potential enzyme activity. Most models assume that enzyme dynamics follow microbial biomass, because enzyme production should be directly controlled by the size and activity of microbial biomass. We observed differences among seasons and treatments in mass-specific potential enzyme activity, suggesting that this assumption is invalid. In June 2009, mass-specific potential enzyme activity, using chloroform fumigation-extraction MBC, increased with temperature, peaking under medium warming and then declining under the highest warming. This finding suggests that either enzyme production increased with temperature or turnover rates decreased. Increased maintenance costs associated with warming may have resulted in increased mass-specific enzyme activities due to increased nutrient demand. Our research suggests that allocation of resources to enzyme production could be affected by climate-induced changes in microbial efficiency and maintenance costs.
Application of the direct quadrature method of moments to polydisperse gas–solid fluidized beds

Most of today's computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations for gas-solid flows are carried out assuming that the solid phase is monodispersed, whereas it is well known that in many applications, it is characterized by a particle size distribution (PSD). In order to properly model the evolution of a polydisperse solid phase, the population balance equation (PBE) must be coupled to the continuity and momentum balance equations. In this work, the recently formulated direct quadrature method of moments (DQMOM) is implemented in a multi-fluid CFD code to simulate particle aggregation and breakage in a fluidized-bed (FB) reactor. DQMOM is implemented in the code by representing each node of the quadrature approximation as a distinct solid phase. Since in the multi-fluid model, each solid phase has its own momentum balance, the nodes of the DQMOM approximation are convected with their own velocities. This represents an important improvement with respect to the quadrature method of moments (QMOM) where the moments are tracked using an average solid velocity. Two different aggregation and breakage kernels are tested and the performance of the DQMOM approximation with different numbers of nodes are compared. These results show that the approach is very effective in modeling solid segregation and elutriation and in tracking the evolution of the PSD, even though it requires only a small number of scalars.
Racial and urban/rural differences in cervical carcinoma in Georgia Medicaid recipients

BACKGROUND The authors conducted a study of racial and geographic differences in the occurrence of cervical carcinoma in a population of uniformly low economic status: Georgia Medicaid recipients. METHODS Medicaid reimbursement claims data for 1992 were used to calculate counts, rates, and black-to-white risk ratios for newly and previously diagnosed cases of cervical carcinoma in metropolitan Atlanta and in the remainder of the state. RESULTS Among 615,787 female Georgia Medicaid recipients in 1992, 2050 women (333 per 100,000) had a diagnosis of carcinoma of the cervix. Of 111,208 women who had received Medicaid assistance continuously from 1988 to 1992 (5-year eligibles), a new claim for cervical carcinoma was submitted for 110 (99 per 100,000). In both analyses, rates were higher in metropolitan Atlanta than in the remainder of the state. Black women had significantly higher claims rates than white women only in metropolitan Atlanta; risk ratios were 3.7 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-10.8) for new claims among 5-year eligibles, and 3.5 (95% CI, 3.0-4.1) for prevalence. There was no racial disparity in cervical carcinoma rates in rural areas. CONCLUSIONS The current study data suggest a high risk of cervical carcinoma among metropolitan Atlanta Medicaid recipients, particularly blacks. Data from rural Georgia (but not Atlanta) support the hypothesis that racial differences in cervical carcinoma rates would largely disappear in a population of uniform economic status. Cancer 1997; 80:231-6. © 1997 American Cancer Society.
Vinylmetallics as ligands. VI. Preparation and stabilities of a series of vinylsilane-platinum (0) complexes

Abstract A series of complexes of formula, [(Ph 3 P) 2 PtCH 2 CHSi (CH 3 ) n (OC 2 H 5 ) 3n ] (n  0,1,2,3), has been prepared and characterized. The all carbon compound, [(Ph 3 P) 2 PtCH 2 CHC (CH 3 ) 3 ], has also been prepared and found to decompose in solution much more readily than its silicon analogue.
A Furnace for Molten Salt Raman Spectroscopy to 800°C

Molten fluorides are usually extremely corrosive towards conventional optical window material; therefore, generally it is not feasible to use these materials in fabricating cells to measure the Raman spectra of fluoride melts. However, both windowless1 and diamond window2 cells have been developed for measuring the visible and uv absorption spectra of molten fluorides. Modifications of these cells are suitable for laser-Raman spectroscopy; the present article describes a furnace designed especially for use with either of the two types of cells mentioned above. The furnace also can be used with more conventional types of sample contaminent cells.
Direct Approximations for Chi-Squared Percentage Points

Abstract In contrast to the customary approximations based on normalizing transformations, direct approximations involve only simple functions of parameters (such as degrees of freedom and tail area in the chi-squared distributions). This article uses techniques of exploratory data analysis to develop direct approximations for percentage points in the commonly used portions of both tails of the chi-squared distributions with small to moderate numbers of degrees of freedom. These approximations are convenient to use, and they compare favorably in accuracy with the popular approximations based on normalizing transformations.
Texture pattern image generation by regular Markov chain

Abstract A method of graytone texture pattern generation using a regular Markov chain is presented. The procedure arranges the generated gray tones in a sequence along a scan line. The transition probability matrix of the Markov chain directly determines the spatial co-occurrence probabilities of gray tones in the generated image. The generated image can be rotated and arithmetically combined to produce images of additional texture patterns. The paper illustrates the variety of texture which can be produced by this method.
Profibrotic Effect of Interleukin-18 in HK-2 Cells Is Dependent on Stimulation of the Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4) Promoter and Increased TLR4 Expression

IL-18 is an important mediator of obstruction-induced renal fibrosis and tubular epithelial cell injury independent of TGF-β1 activity. We sought to determine whether the profibrotic effect of IL-18 is mediated through Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Male C57BL6 wild type and mice transgenic for human IL-18-binding protein were subjected to left unilateral ureteral obstruction versus sham operation. The kidneys were harvested 1 week postoperatively and analyzed for IL-18 production and TLR4 expression. In a separate arm, renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) were directly stimulated with IL-18 in the presence or absence of a TLR4 agonist, TLR4 antagonist, or TLR4 siRNA knockdown. Cell lysates were analyzed for TLR4, α-smooth muscle actin, and E-cadherin expression. TLR4 promotor activity, as well as AP-1 activation and the effect of AP-1 knockdown on TLR4 expression, was evaluated in HK-2 cells in response to IL-18 stimulation. The results demonstrate that IL-18 induces TLR4 expression during unilateral ureteral obstruction and induces TLR4 expression in HK-2 cells via AP-1 activation. Inhibition of TLR4 or knockdown of TLR4 gene expression in turn prevents IL-18-induced profibrotic changes in HK-2 cells. These results suggest that IL-18 induces profibrotic changes in tubular epithelial cells via increased TLR4 expression/signaling.
The fate of mevalonate in the crab: The case for CO2 and t-RNA containing isopentenyl-adenosine

1. 1. The Maryland Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus Rathbun) does not synthesize cholesterol; sterol ingestion yields its cholesterol. 2. 2. This crab was selected to study the fate of mevalonate, a required intermediary in cholesterol biosynthesis. 3. 3. Mevalonate yielded 82–94% of its label into CO2; but, <1% into isopentenyl-adenosine t-RNA (ia-t-RNA) and only a trace into dolichols. 4. 4. Identical labeling patterns to those used in mevalonate were found in ia-t-RNA; isopentenyl alcohol was recovered labeled; these facts suggest that mevalonate was utilized intact. 5. 5. The above results and the recovery of hydroxyl-methylglutarate labeled, suggests an active non-steroidal pathway for mevalonate.
A Structural-Stochastic Model for the Analysis and Synthesis of Cloud Images

A structural-stochastic image model is developed for the analysis and synthesis of cloud images. The ability of the model to characterize the visual appearance of cloud fields observed by satellite with a limited number of parameters is demonstrated. The model merges structural and stochastic information, the stochastic model acting as a local statistical operator applied to the output of the structural model. The structural or large-scale organization of the scene is retrieved from the two-dimensional Fourier representation of the digital image. The pattern generated by the major Fourier components provides a first guess of the scene. The stochastic aspect is described by a Markov model of texture that assumes a binomial probability distribution for the local grey-level variability. This Markov model provides four parameters that represent the clustering strength in the horizontal, vertical and diagonal directions. These parameters are estimated by a standard maximum-likelihood technique. The image can be reproduced with a fair degree of verisimilitude from these parameters. The data compression factor is of the order of one hundred to several hundreds.
Electrodermal orienting to stimulus omission

The study examined whether complete omission of a tone stimulus following its repeated presentation would elicit an electrodermal orienting response and whether the factors of stimulus significance and subject lability influenced the probability and magnitude of any response to omission. A statistically significant increase in response on omission trials over that in control periods without stimulation preceding omission was observed. The omission effect was more likely to occur with labile subjects, those showing high levels of nonspecific electrodermal activity, than with stabiles; stimulus significance was not found to exert any systematic effect. Contrary to expectation, a measure of EEG alpha activity included in the study failed to show the omission effect. The failure was attributed to problems of measurement. Incidental findings of the study refute an arousal interpretation of electrodermal lability.
Response of Northern Hemisphere extratropical cyclone activity and associated precipitation to climate change, as represented by the Community Climate System Model

[1] The projected effects of rising CO2 levels on Northern Hemisphere extratropical cyclone activity and cyclone-associated precipitation are examined for September–May, using output from version 3 of the Community Climate System Model (CCSM3). A cyclone identification algorithm was applied to a five member ensemble of CCSM3 20th and 21st century output, along with a method of isolating precipitation produced by each cyclone. Mean seasonal statistics describing cyclone activity and the character of associated precipitation were calculated over several study regions for 20 a periods. The dominant change in cyclone activity is a marked midlatitude decrease in frequency during autumn, winter, and spring. Few significant shifts in storm tracks or cyclone intensity were identified. Total daily precipitation from these events is found to increase into the 21st century, largely because of increases in available atmospheric moisture with rising temperatures. This thermodynamic increase in precipitation leads to large rises in total seasonal cyclone-associated precipitation over high latitudes, while over midlatitudes the thermodynamic increase is offset by the dynamic effect associated with decreased cyclone frequency.
Chaotic synchronization of coupled ergodic maps

With few exceptions, studies of chaotic synchronization have focused on dissipative chaos. Though less well known, chaotic systems that lack dissipation may also synchronize. Motivated by an application in communication systems, we couple a family of ergodic maps on the N-torus and study the global stability of the synchronous state. While most trajectories synchronize at some time, there is a measure zero set that never synchronizes. We give explicit examples of these asynchronous orbits in dimensions two and four. On more typical trajectories, the synchronization error reaches arbitrarily small values and, in practice, converges. In dimension two we derive bounds on the average synchronization time for trajectories resulting from randomly chosen initial conditions. Numerical experiments suggest similar bounds exist in higher dimensions as well. Adding noise to the coupling signal destroys the invariance of the synchronous state and causes typical trajectories to desynchronize. We propose a modification of the standard coupling scheme that corrects this problem resulting in robust synchronization in the presence of noise.
Effects of skill practice on electromyographic activity patterns and frequency spectra

Abstract The purpose of this research was to investigate motor skill practice related changes in the activity pattern and mean frequency of the electromyogram and the subsequent motor performance. By using both electromyographic (EMG) activity levels and the frequency spectrum of the EMG signal, it is possible to gain an understanding of the modifications that may occur with skill acquisition. Subject's angular position and bipolar surface EMG activity from the biceps brachii and triceps brachii muscles were recorded and digitized at 1000 samples/second. Movement time and EMG data averaged over early and late practice trials were compared to evaluate the effects of practice on EMG activity patterns (RMS) and the EMG frequency spectra (mean frequency). Changes in EMG activity and frequency patterns observed at both movement velocities reflect modifications in the control of force gradation in relation to skill practice and learning. Although it is not possible to assess specific changes in motor unit recruitment order, it appears that motor units were controlled in a different manner after skill practice.
Mössbauer effect in some europium chelates

Abstract Mossbauer spectra have been obtained for three β-ketoenolates and a mixed chelate of europium (III) at 77 and 4°K. The magnitude of the resonant effect can be interpreted in terms of the vibrations of a Debye solid. It is unnecessary to assume that high frequency intramolecular vibrations or polymeric structure play a dominant role in determining the Mossbauer fraction as they apparently do in the amine-polycarboxylate chelates which have been studied. The isomer shift data yield no evidence for the participation o of 4f electrons in covalent bonds.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ROLE BEHAVIOR DIFFERENTIATION FOR CROSS-CULTURAL INTERACTION TRAINING.

Abstract Importance de la distinction des roles pour l'apprentissage des relations interculturelles.-Pour apprendre aux gens a se conduire efficacement avec des personnes appartenant a une autre culture, il appara[icaron]t necessaire d'identifier les differences interculturelles qui sont critiques pour le travail en comrmm de groupes culturellement heterogenes. Une analyse theorique du developpement de la distinction des roles, dans et entre les systemes sociaux, pour des cultures traditionnelles et modernes, conduit a l'hypothese que les cultures traditionnelles mettent l'accent sur la distinction entre roles du měme systeme, tandis qu'une culture moderne tend a mettre l'accent sur la distinction entre roles comparables de systemes differents. Ces hypotheses ont ete testees par une etude du contenu d'un programme de formation culturelle qui s'est avere ameliorer la performance et les relations interpersonnelles d'un individu dans des groupes de travail heteroculturels. Ce programme comporte 55 episodes-p...
20-ISO-20-Deethylaspidospermidine

Abstract The two-step process of hydrogenation of l-alkyl-3-acylpyridinium salts and cyclization of the resultant 1, 4, 5, 6-tetrahydropyridines has been the foundation of a general scheme of alkaloid synthesis.1 Its application in the indole alkaloid field has yielded ready access to tetrahydro-β-carboline systems, e.g. 1a → 2 → eburnamonine.2 Since acid treatment of Nb -acyl derivatives of substances related to la has been shown to lead to products of indole β-cyclization3, it became of interest to test the cyclization behavior of the vinylogous imide lb, prepared by the dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-induced acylation of 3-acetyl-1, 4, 5, 6-tetrahydropyridine4 with indoleacetic acid. Treatment of lb with boron trifluoride gave a 62 yield of ketolactam 3a. Thus a two-step entry into the pentacyclic Aspidosperma alkaloid skeleton is on hand.
Rapid cloning of expanded trinucleotide repeat sequences from genomic DNA

Trinucleotide repeat expansions have been shown to cause a number of neurodegenerative diseases. A hallmark of most of these diseases is the presence of anticipation, a decrease in the age at onset in consecutive generations due to the tendency of the unstable trinucleotide repeat to lengthen when passed from one generation to the next. The involvement of trinucleotide repeat expansions in a number of other diseases--including familial spastic paraplegia, schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder and spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7; ref. 10)--is suggested both by the presence of anticipation and by repeat expansion detection (RED) analysis of genomic DNA samples. The involvement of trinucleotide expansions in these diseases, however, can be conclusively confirmed only by the isolation of the expansions present in these populations and detailed analysis to assess each expansion as a possible pathogenic mutation. We describe a novel procedure for quick isolation of expanded trinucleotide repeats and the corresponding flanking nucleotide sequence directly from small amounts of genomic DNA by a process of Repeat Analysis, Pooled Isolation and Detection of individual clones containing expanded trinucleotide repeats (RAPID cloning). We have used this technique to clone the pathogenic SCA7 CAG expansion from an archived DNA sample of an individual affected with ataxia and retinal degeneration.
Dystonia-associated forms of torsinA are deficient in ATPase activity.

Early-onset dystonia is caused by mutations in the torsinA protein, a putative member of the AAA+ class of ATPases. In this study we have evaluated the ATPase activity of bacterially expressed wild-type torsinA and its disease-associated mutant forms. Upon overexpression in Escherichia coli, recombinant torsinA proteins were accumulated as insoluble inclusion bodies and required refolding to become soluble and catalytically active. The refolded wild-type and mutant torsinA proteins were capable of hydrolyzing ATP, but their specific ATPase activities differed significantly. Deletions of the amino acid residues E302/303 and F323-Y328 resulted in a decrease of ATPase activity to ∼35% and ∼75% of the wild-type level, respectively. ATPase activity of wild-type and mutant torsinA proteins was influenced by factors that varied with cell stress, such as temperature, pH, and ionic strength, and was inhibited by sodium vanadate. Our results provide the first direct evidence for a role of torsinA as an active ATPase and suggest that the mutations in torsinA might affect normal functions of the protein by reducing its enzymatic activity.
Atypical papillary proliferation in gynecologic patients: a study of 32 pelvic washes.

Papillary clusters in gynecologic pelvic washes frequently cause diagnostic challenges because they can be associated with borderline or malignant ovarian tumors, as well as benign pelvic diseases. The objective of our study was to review all pelvic washes with atypical papillary proliferation (APP) and investigate whether cytomorphology and/or immunohistochemistry on cell block could determine their origin. Thirty-two pelvic washes from 31 patients containing APP were reviewed and correlated with their corresponding gynecologic or pelvic disease. Previously obtained cell blocks with immunohistochemical (IHC) stains were reviewed also. Nine of 32 washes (28%) were overcalled as malignant and were from patients with 5 borderline serous ovarian tumors (BSTO), 1 ovarian follicular cyst, 1 serous cystadenofibroma, and 1 endometrial carcinoma with ovarian seromucinous cystadenoma. BSTO and endometriosis were the most common sources of APP. Cell blocks could not discriminate further the etiology of APP. Immunohistochemistry was performed rarely and not fully contributory. Caution in interpreting papillary groups and cytohistological correlation is recommended to prevent a high false positive rate. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2005;32:76–81. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
STEM DEVELOPMENT: PREDICTORS FOR 6TH-12TH GRADE GIRLS' INTEREST AND CONFIDENCE IN SCIENCE AND MATH

In order to increase the representation of women in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, it is important to understand the developmental factors that impact girls’ interest and confidence in STEM academics and extracurricular programs. Research indicates that greater confidence leads to greater interest and vice versa. This study identifies factors that impact girls’ interest and confidence in math and science, defined as girls’ STEM development. Using Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological model of human development, several factors were hypothesized as having an impact on girls’ STEM development; specifically, the macrosystems of region of residence and race/ethnicity, and the microsystems of extracurricular STEM involvement, family STEM influence, and math/science teacher influence. Hierarchical regression analysis results indicated that extracurricular STEM involvement and math teacher influence were statistically significant predictors for 6th–12th grade girls’ interest and confidence in math. Furthermore, hierarchical regression analysis results indicated that the only significant predictor for 6th–12th grade girls’ interest and confidence in science was science teacher influence. This study provides new knowledge about the factors that impact girls’ STEM development. Results can be used to inform and guide educators, administrators, and policymakers in developing programs and policy that support and encourage the STEM development of 6th–12th grade girls.
Structural Changes in Analcites and Na-P Zeolites Caused by Cation Exchange at Room Temperature and Dehydration under Controlled pH2O

Although zeolites are usually thought of as substances that undergo continuous water loss without structural change, there have been very few experiments to establish this fact. The present report covers an extensive experimental study of the Na-P (phillipsite-harmotome) and analcite families. The influence of cation exchange (even at room temperature) of K, Ca, Ba, Ni, Co, etc., is shown to cause substantial changes in the powder X-ray pattern, reflecting changes of symmetry as well as unit cell parameters. Using controlled partial pressures of H2O in the range of about 10−3 to 100 atm and recording thermogravimetric balances, the compositional changes with temperature have been recorded, and the kinetics of each step-wise change also studied, High-temperature X-ray diffraction, under the same pH2O conditions, provides an indication of the structural changes corresponding to the compositional breaks. Dehydration studies of the Na-P forms show the most remarkable complexity with as many as five different structures existing below 400°C. The Kex form appears to be the least complex. Discontinuities appear in weight-loss curves of both the parent and Sr-exchanged form of the normal analcite and in the Ca-exchanged form of the silica-rich analcite. The latter undergoes a reversible 20% loss in water content at 425°C (7.9 mm Hg pH2O) corresponding to a reversible 3% contraction of its cell edge. The transformation exhibits a 50° hysteresis on cooling. The effect of cation content on water retentivity is profound. K-containing samples begin to lose a substantial amount of water some 50–100°C lower than the corresponding Na samples, although both become fully dehydrated at about 400°C. Ca- and Li-containing samples dehydrate much more slowly with increasing temperature. Wairakite approaches complete dehydration only at 600°C. The overall dehydration behavior accords closely with the relative heats of hydration of the respective ions. General conclusions that can be drawn from the results are: Finally, the results of hydrothermal experiments are used to indicate the enormous differences between the stable and several metastable dehydration reaction series. In both the Na-P and analcite families, true crystalline mixing and unmixing occurs between Naex and Kex, and Naex and Caex members in the range below 100°C.
Microscopic theory of phonon-quasiparticle interactions in dilute solutions of He3 in superfluid He4☆

Abstract The amplitudes for phonon absorption and scattering by quasiparticles in dilute solutions of He3 in superfluid He4 are derived, at T = 0, from the exact microscopic theory. The results justify those obtained from the semi-phenomenological theory of quantum hydrodynamics. In addition, the exact quasiparticle scattering amplitude is shown to be equal to the zero-momentum-transfer limit of the effective potential of Bardeen, Baym, and Pines.
Tissue engineering bone-ligament complexes using fiber-guiding scaffolds

Regeneration of bone-ligament complexes destroyed due to disease or injury is a clinical challenge due to complex topologies and tissue integration required for functional restoration. Attempts to reconstruct soft-hard tissue interfaces have met with limited clinical success. In this investigation, we manufactured biomimetic fiber-guiding scaffolds using solid free-form fabrication methods that custom fit complex anatomical defects to guide functionally-oriented ligamentous fibers in vivo. Compared to traditional, amorphous or random-porous polymeric scaffolds, the use of perpendicularly oriented micro-channels provides better guidance for cellular processes anchoring ligaments between two distinct mineralized structures. These structures withstood biomechanical loading to restore large osseous defects. Cell transplantation using hybrid scaffolding constructs with guidance channels resulted in predictable oriented fiber architecture, greater control of tissue infiltration, and better organization of ligament interface than random scaffold architectures. These findings demonstrate that fiber-guiding scaffolds drive neogenesis of triphasic bone-ligament integration for a variety of clinical scenarios.
Phase detection using trace compilation

Dynamic compilers can optimize application code specifically for observed code behavior. Such behavior does not have to be stable across the entire program execution to be beneficial for optimizations, it must only be stable for a certain program phase. To specialize code for a program phase, it is necessary to detect when the execution behavior of the program changes (phase change). Trace-based compilation is an efficient method to detect such phase changes. A trace tree is a collection of frequently executed code paths through a code region, which is assembled dynamically at run time as the program executes. Program execution tends to remain within such a trace tree during a stable phase, whereas phase changes cause a sudden increase in side exits from the trace tree. Because trace trees are recorded at run time by observing the interpreter, the actual values of variables and expressions are also available. This allows a definition of phases based not only on recurring control flow, but also on recurring data values. The compiler can use constant values for variables that change their value rarely and rely on phase detection to handle the case when the variable value actually changes. Our evaluation shows that phase detection based on trace trees results in phases that match the intuitive expectation of a programmer and that are also useful for compiler optimizations.
The moderating roles of shopper experience and store type on the relationship between perceived merchandise value and willingness to pay a higher price

Abstract In the retail domain, we consider the moderating influence of shopper experience (high versus low experience) and store type (high- versus low-priced stores) on a model that identifies three distinct routes (economic, affective and informational) from perceived merchandise value to willingness to pay a higher price. Each route accounts for a different outcome arising from merchandise value and leading to willingness to pay a higher price. Analyses of data obtained from a sample of 600 shoppers at four grocery stores provide results for specific hypotheses related to each moderator and each distinct route. The results of multiple sample analyses show that the economic route is stronger for high experience shoppers as well as for high-priced stores. Findings pertaining to hypotheses for moderation of both the affective and informational routes are mixed. We discuss the importance of these findings for retail managers as well as for future research.
CONCENTRATION OF 85STRONTIUM AND 137CESIUM FROM WATER SOLUTIONS BY CLADOPHORA AND PITHOPHORA1

SUMMARY Major differences were found among living algae, saprophytic ecosystems, nonliving algae, and other organic materials in their ability to concentrate 85strontium and 137cesium from water solutions of different Ca/K ratios and quantities available from batch and flowthrough cultures. As expected, live algae, greatly concentrate these radionuclides. The concentration factors of nonliving organic materials were much lower and varied with the material, not with the Ca/K ratio. The effect of high Ca++ and high K+ was to lower the uptake of cesium more than strontium.
Comparison of attrition in citric acid modified soybean hulls and commercial cation exchange resins

The integrity of ion exchange media used under conditions of different times of use, temperatures and pH values is important in its selection. This study was conducted to quantify the lack of integrity (attrition) in base-extracted (BE), citric acid (CA)-modified soybean hulls, a lignocellulosic cation exchange material and compare its attrition to two synthetic, commercial cation exchange resins. Attrition was determined in both batch and column operations. Batch studies included measuring attrition over a 24 h period under conditions of constant pH, variable pH and at different temperatures. Under conditions of a constant pH of 4.8, 25°C and using a stir bar, modified hulls had mostly lower attrition than the two commercial products. Under acidic conditions, modified hulls demonstrated very low (<5%) attrition. At alkaline pH values, modified hulls had higher attrition than the resins after 24 h of stirring at 25°C. Although attrition increased at alkaline pH, the modified hulls ability to bind copper ion (Cu2+) was unaffected by pH. After 24 h shaking at 65 and 85°C, modified hulls also had greater attrition than the synthetic polymers. At these temperatures, a decreased ability of the modified hulls to bind copper ion was observed compared to the lower temperatures of 25 and 45°C. When the products were compared in column experiments at 25°C, all materials had low (<10%) attrition. Our studies indicate that in terms of product integrity, modified soybean hulls could be useful in several applications requiring a metal ion adsorbent, but not necessarily at high temperatures.
Apoptosis, tolerance, and regulatory T cells--old wine, new wineskins.

Summary: Antigen-specific unresponsiveness (or tolerance) has always been an important area of research. Interest in the fate of apoptotic cells and their ability to tolerize has revived interest in some of the older models involving hapten-modified self. Recently, we have examined the mechanisms by which intravenous injection of trinitrophenol-coupled spleen cells leads to systemic tolerance. These studies have revealed an important role for Fas/Fas ligand interactions, caspases, CD40/CD40L, and regulatory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Extension of these studies to peripheral deletion of T-cell antigen receptor transgenic T cells has shown that deletion and active regulation of immune responses may be important mechanisms for the control of potentially damaging autoimmune responses.
Base Excision Repair Intermediates Induce p53-independent Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Responses

DNA alkylation damage is primarily repaired by the base excision repair (BER) machinery in mammalian cells. In repair of the N-alkylated purine base lesion, for example, alkyl adenine DNA glycosylase (Aag) recognizes and removes the base, and DNA polymerase β (β-pol) contributes the gap tailoring and DNA synthesis steps. It is the loss of β-pol-mediated 5′-deoxyribose phosphate removal that renders mouse fibroblasts alkylation-hypersensitive. Here we report that the hypersensitivity of β-pol-deficient cells after methyl methanesulfonate-induced alkylation damage is wholly dependent upon glycosylase-mediated initiation of repair, indicating that alkylated base lesions themselves are tolerated in these cells and demonstrate that β-pol protects against accumulation of toxic BER intermediates. Further, we find that these intermediates are initially tolerated in vivo by a second repair pathway, homologous recombination, inducing an increase in sister chromatid exchange events. If left unresolved, these BER intermediates trigger a rapid block in DNA synthesis and cytotoxicity. Surprisingly, both the cytotoxic and genotoxic signals are independent of both the p53 response and mismatch DNA repair pathways, demonstrating that p53 is not required for a functional BER pathway, that the observed damage response is not part of the p53 response network, and that the BER intermediate-induced cytotoxic and genotoxic effects are distinct from the mechanism engaged in response to mismatch repair signaling. These studies demonstrate that, although base damage is repaired by the BER pathway, incomplete BER intermediates are shuttled into the homologous recombination pathway, suggesting possible coordination between BER and the recombination machinery.
Subordinate Loyalty to Superior, Esprit, and Aspects of Bureaucratic Structure

The concern of this study was to examine the relationship between two dimensions of organization — centralization and formalization — and two aspects of employee orientation — subordinate loyalty and es prit. For this purpose data were collected from the professional staffs of 41 secondary schools and compared on these dimensions. The results of the multiple regression analyses revealed that the relationships were somewhat more complicated than originally hypothesized.
Primitive noetherian group rings

(1978). Primitive noetherian group rings. Communications in Algebra: Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 301-315.
Experience report: how is dynamic symbolic execution different from manual testing? a study on KLEE

Software testing has been the major approach to software quality assurance for decades, but it typically involves intensive manual efforts. To reduce manual efforts, researchers have proposed numerous approaches to automate test-case generation, which is one of the most time-consuming tasks in software testing. One most recent achievement in the area is Dynamic Symbolic Execution (DSE), and tools based on DSE, such as KLEE, have been reported to generate test suites achieving higher code coverage than manually developed test suites. However, besides the competitive code coverage, there have been few studies to compare DSE-based test suites with manually developed test suites more thoroughly on various metrics to understand the detailed differences between the two testing methodologies. In this paper, we revisit the experimental study on the KLEE tool and GNU CoreUtils programs, and compare KLEE-based test suites with manually developed test suites on various aspects. We further carried out a qualitative study to investigates the reasons behind the differences in statistical results. The results of our studies show that while KLEE-based test suites are able to generate test cases with higher code coverage, they are relatively less effective on covering hard-to-cover code and killing mutants. Furthermore, our qualitative study reveals that KLEE-based test suites have advantages in exploring error-handling code and exhausting options, but are less effective on generating valid string inputs and exploring meaningful program behaviors.
Isolation and molecular weight of circular chloroplast DNA from Euglena gracilis.

Abstract 1. Chloroplast DNA from Euglena gracilis has been examined by electron microscopy and by sedimentation analysis in order to establish its molecular size and in order to determine the feasibility of physical isolation of whole molecules. 2. Using bacteriophage λ DNA as an internal standard, a molecular weight of 9.2 · 10 7 is obtained for chloroplast DNA by comparison of contour lengths of circular λ and circular chloroplast DNA molecules found on identical grids in the electron microscope. Chloroplast DNA molecules were also found in a tightly twisted configuration; this is the first demonstration of supercoiled DNA structures in chloroplast preparations. 3. Sucrose gradient sedimentation analysis of chloroplast DNA with molecular wholes and halves of bacteriophage T7 DNA gives a molecular weight for chloroplast DNA identical to that obtained by electron microscopy. Furthermore, molecular whole and half molecules of chloroplast DNA can be effectively isolated by sucrose gradient sedimentation.
On the mechanism of electron transport in Cr-doped V2O3

Electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, heat capacity, heat of transition, and high-temperature X-ray structure of (CrxV1−x)2O3 phases (withx < 0.10) have been studied. On the basis of these results, it is concluded that these phases are band conductors above the low-temperature transition. There is no firm evidence of a Mott-type transition.
Data Quality Assurance for Supersonic Jet Noise Measurements

The noise created by a supersonic aircraft is a primary concern in the design of future high-speed planes. The jet noise reduction technologies required on these aircraft will be developed using scale-models mounted to experimental jet rigs designed to simulate the exhaust gases from a full-scale jet engine. The jet noise data collected in these experiments must accurately predict the noise levels produced by the full-scale hardware in order to be a useful development tool. A methodology has been adopted at the NASA Glenn Research Center s Aero-Acoustic Propulsion Laboratory to insure the quality of the supersonic jet noise data acquired from the facility s High Flow Jet Exit Rig so that it can be used to develop future nozzle technologies that reduce supersonic jet noise. The methodology relies on mitigating extraneous noise sources, examining the impact of measurement location on the acoustic results, and investigating the facility independence of the measurements. The methodology is documented here as a basis for validating future improvements and its limitations are noted so that they do not affect the data analysis. Maintaining a high quality jet noise laboratory is an ongoing process. By carefully examining the data produced and continually following this methodology, data quality can be maintained and improved over time.