cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Squeezing performance out of Arkouda

This talk will highlight optimizations made to Arkouda, a Python package backed by Chapel that provides a key subset of the popular NumPy and Pandas interfaces at HPC scales. Optimizations such as aggregating communication have significantly improved Arkouda's performance across a wide range of architectures. Key optimizations and benchmark results will be shown on architectures including a single node server, Ethernet and InfiniBand clusters, and a 512 node Cray supercomputer.
Comparison of using p-nc-SiOx:H and p-nc-Si:H as window layer in amorphous silicon based solar cells

Abstract One of the most influencing parameters on the performance of amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) based solar cells is the window layer material. In this way, different kinds of p layers have been studied and investigated for using as window and buffer layers in a-Si:H based devices. The main purpose of this work is to compare the effect of two different p layers, one based on nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si:H) and the other based on nanocrystalline silicon oxide (nc-SiOx:H), when that using as window layer in two p-p-i-n single junction a-Si:H based solar cells. The behavior of our two structures was simulated by using AMPS-1D, a one- dimensional simulation program for solar cells. Under A.M 1.5 illumination, our calculations results reveal that the structure with p-nc-SiOx:H type window layer shows a higher electrical performances with a value of the efficiency (η) equal to 8.28 %, compared to the cell with p- nc-Si:H window layer (η = 7.83 %). Moreover, a better quantum efficiency (QE) in the short wavelength range for the first structure is due to the higher band-gap and the transparency of the p nc-SiOx:H window layer. Finally, the comaparison of our simulation results with other experimental results was realized and a vigorous agreement was obtained.
A Legal Scholarship Jubilee

I love plagiarism. Or rather, I love studying plagiarism norms and reflecting on how they illuminate concepts of literary ownership. I have argued that applying academic plagiarism norms to students is unjustified. I have argued that we should teach law students how to plagiarize efficiently. I have authorized people to plagiarize me. And I have commissioned a ghost-written article arguing that academic plagiarism norms are unjustified. And now, for something completely different, I will transfer my right of attribution in all of my scholarly works to others. I have offered ownership of my right of attribution to anyone who wishes to claim authorship of one of my works. Many of my former works have already been claimed, but many more are still available! The appendix to this article lists all of my works, and indicates which have been claimed. If you would like to be the author of an unclaimed work, I encourage you to write to me at brianlfrye@gmail.com or 145 Woodland Avenue, Lexington, KY 40502, and request the work of your choice. All of the works are free, and first-come, first-served, but one per customer, don’t be greedy!
Organometallic Chemistry Control of Hydrogenases

This chapter provides an abbreviated overview of the discovery, exploration, and current knowledge of hydrogenase enzymes with particular regard to the mechanisms of electrocatalytic proton reduction in both the natural enzymes and synthetic analogues of the active sites. The timeline of key breakthroughs for defining the enzymes as well as in hydrogenase-inspired biomimetic research serves as a basis for the discussion.
Sudden Unilateral Vision Loss in a Teenage Girl.

1. Whitney Irwin, MD* 2. Andrew Kienstra, MD* 3. Robert Vezzetti, MD* 1. *Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, University of Texas at Austin; Dell Medical School, Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas, Austin, TX 1. Address correspondence to Robert Vezzetti, MD, UT Dell Medical School, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Dell Children’s Medical Center, 4900 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723. E-mail: rmvezzetti{at}ascension.org An 18-year-old girl presents to the emergency department with acute loss of left-sided vision upon awaking. She states she cannot see “anything” out her left eye, including light or shadows. She reports having normal vision before going to bed. She denies any preceding symptoms of floaters, blurry vision, eye pain, headaches, weakness, numbness, or trauma. She has not previously had any vision problems and does not wear contact lenses or use glasses. There is no history of recent illness; she does have seasonal allergies. She has a medical history of type 1 diabetes mellitus, but she maintains good glycemic control and is compliant with her insulin regimen. Her physical examination reveals a well-appearing patient who is in no acute distress. She is afebrile without tachycardia or tachypnea; her blood pressure is 110/75 mm Hg. Visual acuity testing shows 20/20 in her right eye with normal visual field testing; the left eye is unable to be tested as she states she cannot see and appears to lack light perception. Her extraocular muscles are grossly intact bilaterally. There are no signs of trauma. She has a brisk left afferent pupillary defect. Fluorescein drops are instilled and there is no uptake. Slit lamp examination shows normal conjunctiva, anterior chamber, cornea, iris, and lens. She is examined with dilating drops; the vitreous is clear, the optic disc is sharp and clear, and the ocular vessels appear normal. There are no lesions involving the periorbital skin. Her tympanic membrane is normal, as is the canal. Her oropharynx examination is unrevealing. The remainder of her neurologic examination is normal. An imaging test is obtained, revealing …
Analysis of COVID-19 on Service Industry Based on Fama and French Five-Factor Model

The Fama and French five-factor model was developed as an expansion of the previous Fama and French three-factor model, where the five-factor model included two additional factors profitability and investment to the existing three factors market, size, and value to better estimate the expected return of the security. As COVID-19 had negatively impacted the economy in the U.S., this study applied the Fama and French five-factor model to examine the performance of the service industry before and after the outbreak of COVID-19 using the dataset from Kenneth R. French Data Library and draw insight about the prospect of the service industry. The estimated coefficients as well as the t-statistics of the five factors for before and after the outburst of COVID-19 periods were computed and analyzed. The result showed that all five factors market, size, value, profitability, and investment were statistically significant during the COVID-19 period, with changes in some of the factors after the hit of the pandemic, revealing the return of service industry is associated with the five factors. Specificially, investors during this crisis and in the future should be more cautious toward service businesses that have smaller-cap, weak profitability and less investment activities.
Dental pulp–derived stem cells inhibit osteoclast differentiation by secreting osteoprotegerin and deactivating AKT signalling in myeloid cells

Osteoclasts (OCs) differentiate from the monocyte/macrophage lineage, critically regulate bone resorption and remodelling in both homeostasis and pathology. Various immune and non-immune cells help initiating activation of myeloid cells for differentiation, whereas hyper-activation leads to pathogenesis, and mechanisms are yet to be completely understood. Herein, we show the efficacy of dental pulp-derived stem cells (DPSCs) in limiting RAW 264.7 cell differentiation and underlying molecular mechanism, which has the potential for future therapeutic application in bone-related disorders. We found that DPSCs inhibit induced OC differentiation of RAW 264.7 cells when co-cultured in a contact-free system. DPSCs reduced expression of key OC markers, such as NFATc1, cathepsin K, TRAP, RANK and MMP-9 assessed by quantitative RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescence detection methods. Furthermore, quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that DPSCs mediated M2 polarization of RAW 264.7 cells. To define molecular mechanisms, we found that osteoprotegerin (OPG), an OC inhibitory factor, was up-regulated in RAW 264.7 cells in the presence of DPSCs. Moreover, DPSCs also constitutively secrete OPG that contributed in limiting OC differentiation. Finally, the addition of recombinant OPG inhibited OC differentiation in a dose-dependent manner by reducing the expression of OC differentiation markers, NFATc1, cathepsin K, TRAP, RANK and MMP9 in RAW 264.7 cells. RNAKL and M-CSF phosphorylate AKT and activate PI3K-AKT signalling pathway during osteoclast differentiation. We further confirmed that OPG-mediated inhibition of the downstream activation of PI3K-AKT signalling pathway was similar to the DPSC co-culture-mediated inhibition of OC differentiation. This study provides novel evidence of DPSC-mediated inhibition of osteoclastogenesis mechanisms.
Study of wavelength-dependent pulse self-compression for high intensity pulse propagation in gas-filled capillaries

We theoretically investigate the wavelength-dependent pulse self-compression dynamics of intense femtosecond laser pulses in gas-filled capillaries. Simulations with λ = 1, 2, 3 and 4 µm using the multimode carrier-resolved unidirectional pulse propagation equation reveal pulse self-compression or pulse broadening depending on plasma and modal dispersion. Our study shows that the pulse at 1 µm exhibits better pulse self-compression compared with longer wavelengths due to smaller group velocity mismatch between fundamental and higher-order capillary modes.
Understanding Intellectual Property: Expression, Function, and Individuation

Underlying the fundamental structure of intellectual property law—specifically, the division between copyright and patent law—are at least two substantive philosophical assumptions. The first is that the artistic works and inventions are importantly different, warranting differently structured legal regimes: copyright on the one hand, and patent on the other. And the second is that particular artistic works and inventions can be determinately individuated from each other, thereby being subjects of distinct legal rights. But neither the law nor existing scholarship provides a comprehensive analysis of these categories, what distinguishes them, or why their distinctions should matter to law. This Article defends a novel theory substantiating and unifying these assumptions: that artistic works are author-individuated, whereas inventions are structure-individuated. In other words, drawing on philosophical thinking, thought experiments, and existing practices surrounding expression and functionality, this Articles argues that two acts of authorship cannot result in the same artistic work (only "structurally identical" works), but two acts of invention can result in the same invention. The Article then explains how these “individuation theses” vindicate certain core features of intellectual property law, as well as what they mean for different theories of what justifies intellectual property rights. Finally, the Article teases apart possible implications from the individuation theses for refining existing doctrine, including for copyrights’ and patents’ structures, domains, and rules for works with expressive and functional overlap. It concludes by outlining complications that the individuation theses raise for theorizing about authorship and functionality in future work.
Transcending Our Ills

(1982). Transcending Our Ills. Health Education: Vol. 13, Tools for Health Education Research, pp. 58-58.
Mechanical and Electrical Myocardial Support

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has been a mainstay of immediate response to acute cardiorespiratory failure since it was first introduced by Kouwenhoven et al. in 1960. The goal of CPR is to maximize coronary and cerebral blood flow and to restore spontaneous circulation. To these ends, the principles are largely unchanged from earlier descriptions, although the understanding of the physiology underlying successful resuscitation continues to grow. In this brief review, we plan to review the physiologic basis of CPR, describe some newer concepts of circulatory adjuncts, detail the rationale for pharmacotherapy, and discuss the outcomes for patients who require CPR.
K-factor Gegenbauer ARMA process for network traffic simulation

The k-factor Gegenbauer ARMA process has been a widely used tool for modeling and predicting financial time series. This model has the ability to capture both short-range and long-range dependencies (SRD and LRD, respectively). Since the high-speed network traffic exhibits both of these dependencies, GARMA could be used for its modeling and prediction. In this paper, we present a simple parameter estimation procedure for the k-factor GARMA model. We also discuss the synthesis scheme for this model. The estimation procedure is used to model an MPEG video traffic data. Several synthetic traffic data are generated by varying the GARMA model parameters. The main characteristic of the synthetic traffic, self-similarity, is tested and compared to that of the actual MPEG data and the traffic synthesized using the autoregressive (AR) model. The results show that the k-factor GARMA model captures the main traffic characteristics in both time and frequency domain. They also show that the synthetic traffic data using the k-factor GARMA model are the closest to the actual data.
A heuristic generalization of smith's buckley james variance estimator

The procedure proposed by Buckley and James(1979)for estimating the regression coefficients in acensored data linear regression model has performed well in several studies and does not require distributional assumptions.Recently Hillis (1993) compares the finite sample properties of the methods proposed by Buckley and James(1979)Smith(1986)and Weissfeld and Schneider (1987) for estimatingthe covariance matrix of the Buckley James estimator and concludes that Smith's estimator is superior. However, Smith's method is defined only for the variance of the slope estimator in the simplelinear regression model. In this paper we consider a heuristic generalization of Smith's method tothe multiple linear regression model and compare the generalized Smith estimator with the Buckley James and WeissfeldSchneider estimators through simulations.The generalized version of Smith's method performs the best
Stratified Flow in Great Salt Lake Culvert

A causeway has effectively divided the Great Salt Lake in Utah into two lakes having different water-surface elevations and different densities. Exchange between the two lakes is by seepage through the causeway and by flow through two culverts. There are three possible flow regimes in the culverts: (1)Single layer; (2)arrested wedge; and (3)two-layer stratified flow. An analytical-numerical model is presented to predict which of the regimes will exist under given conditions and to predict the discharges. Stratified flow analyses have normally assumed a horizontal water surface and small density differences. These assumptions are removed. An expanded definition of the densimetric critical conditions is given for large density differences. The model gives acceptable agreement with the 49 sets of field measurements of the culvert discharges.
Derivation and ultrastructure of the so-called Hofbauer cell.

Abstract The derivation and significance of the so-called Hofbauer cells were studied by analysis of sex chromatin, histochemistry, and electron microscopy, in an attempt to ascertain their immunologic and metabolic significance, if any, in human placentation. Ultrastructurally, the Hofbauer cell is characterized by vacuolar cytoplasm and scant ergastoplasmic fragments, but well-developed endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complexes are absent. Various stages of degeneration are normally found. Although the ordinary Hofbauer cell may be distinguished by histochemistry and electron microscopy from the typical fibroblast and plasma cell, transitional and poorly differentiated forms are commonly found, exemplifying the variety and interconversion of villous mesenchymal elements. The Hofbauer cell is not a specific entity with regard to either origin or function, but rather a villous stromal component arising by differentiation or degeneration of other mesenchymal elements; since, furthermore, it may differentiate in situ from the villous mesenchyme throughout pregnancy, it provides little aid in diagnosis of placental abnormalities.
A-Type and Chemically Peculiar Stars

Conventional wisdom holds that early-type and late-type stars should have very different outer atmospheres, because the early-type stars lack deep convective zones and thus a mechanical energy source to heat their outer layers. I will show that the magnetic chemically peculiar (CP) stars hotter than about spectral type A2 display many of the phenomena seen in the most active late-type stars. In particular, many CP stars are luminous nonthermal radio sources and ROSAT confirms that many are also luminous coronal x-ray sources like the RS CVn systems. A wind-fed magnetosphere model has been proposed to explain both the nonthermal radio and the x-ray emission. In this model the stellar wind plays the role of a mechanical energy source analogous to the role played by convection in the active late-type stars. By comparison, the chemically normal single stars in the spectral range B2-A5 typically show neither nonthermal radio emission nor x-ray emission, and thus appear to be very different from the CP stars of similar spectral type and from the active late-type stars.
The kinetics of ligand binding to plant hemoglobins: structural implications

Abstract The rates of reaction of oxygen, carbon monoxide, and nitric oxide with 14 plant hemoglobins have been determined by relaxation and stopped-flow methods. The combination rates for oxygen lie between 0.12 and 0.26 x 10(9)/M.s, for carbon monoxide between 0.01 and 0.07 x 10(9)/M.s, and for nitric oxide between 0.12 and 0.25 x 10(9)/M.s. The dissociation velocities for oxygen range from 5 to 25/s, and for CO from 0.005 to 0.011 s. The oxygen dissociation constants range only from 36 to 78 nM. Nanosecond relaxation experiments show large differences between the proteins. Five have known primary structures which correlate closely with the nanosecond relaxations and less immediately with the millisecond reactions. The relevant amino acid substitutions are concentrated in the C-E interhelical region.
miRNA Control of Tissue Repair and Regeneration

Tissue repair and regeneration rely on the function of miRNA, molecular silencers that enact post-transcriptional gene silencing of coding genes. Disruption of miRNA homeostasis is developmentally lethal, indicating that fetal tissue development is tightly controlled by miRNAs. Multiple critical facets of adult tissue repair are subject to control by miRNAs, as well. Sources of cell pool for tissue repair and regeneration are diverse and provided by processes including cellular dedifferentiation, transdifferentiation, and reprogramming. Each of these processes is regulated by miRNAs. Furthermore, induced pluripotency may be achieved by miRNA-based strategies independent of transcription factor manipulation. The observation that miRNA does not integrate into the genome makes miRNA-based therapeutic strategies translationally valuable. Tools to manipulate cellular and tissue miRNA levels include mimics and inhibitors that may be specifically targeted to cells of interest at the injury site. Here, we discuss the extraordinary importance of miRNAs in tissue repair and regeneration based on emergent reports and rapid advances in miRNA-based therapeutics.
On the Ramsey Number $R(4,6)$

The lower bound for the classical Ramsey number $R(4,6)$ is improved from 35 to 36. The author has found 37 new edge colorings of $K_{35}$ that have no complete graphs of order 4 in the first color, and no complete graphs of order 6 in the second color. The most symmetric of the colorings has an automorphism group of order 4, with one fixed point, and is presented in detail. The colorings were found using a heuristic search procedure.
Dual Language Teachers' Use of Conventional, Environmental, and Personal Resources to Support Academic Language Development.

This article reports findings from a study that investigated the ways in which first-grade dual language teachers drew on various resources to instructionally support academic language development among Spanish-English emergent bilingual students. Classroom observations, semistructured interviews, and document collection were conducted over a period of one school year. Findings indicate that: (a) teachers had differential access to personal and environmental resource streams; (b) teachers drew on multiple, interactive resource streams; and (c) there were some tensions within resource streams. Findings have implications for the preparation of teachers who will work in increasingly linguistically diverse classrooms in which academic language is much needed.
Viewing Student Affect and Learning through Classroom Observation and Physical Sensors

We describe technology to dynamically collect information about students' emotional state, including human observation and real-time multi-modal sensors. Our goal is to identify physical behaviors that are linked to emotional states, and then identify how these emotional states are linked to student learning. This involves quantitative field observations in the classroom in which researchers record the behavior of students who are using intelligent tutors. We study the specific elements of learner's behavior and expression that could be observed by sensors. The long-term goal is to dynamically predict student performance, detect a need for intervention, and determine which interventions are most successful for individual students and the learning context (problem and emotional state).
NOT QUITE AN UROBOROS: THEORY, POWER, AND POPULAR CULTURE IN EARLY MODERN JAPAN

Katsuya Hirano's The Politics of Dialogic Imagination: Power and Popular Culture in Early Modern Japan offers an Althusser-inflected analysis of the relationship between power structures and the economy of cultural production, with a focus on late eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Edo. Hirano spells out his cultural assumptions, and then examines the cultures of parody, comic realism, the grotesque, and the changing relationship between the Meiji state and the body. This theoretical tour de force, however, raises many questions regarding its assumptions about the structure of the early modern Japanese polity, elided evidence, and interpretation. As such, it will stimulate ongoing discussion regarding the place of theory, and in particular of neo-Marxism, in contemporary historiography.
A simplified PTT-based protein C activity assay using the thrombin-thrombomodulin complex

A simplified assay for protein C activity in plasma is described which uses the ability of rabbit lung thrombomodulin to inhibit the procoagulant activity of thrombin while stimulating protein C activation. Barium eluates of plasma are activated for one hour at 37 degrees C by a mixture of human thrombin and rabbit lung thrombomodulin at concentrations which neutralize each other's effect on the kaolin-cephalin activated partial thromboplastin time (PTT). Protein C anticoagulant activity in the activated eluates is then measured directly in the PTT. The method is independent of protein S levels in the test samples, and is suitable for warfarinized and heparinized plasma. Protein C levels obtained with this method correlate closely with functional levels of vitamin K-dependent procoagulants as measured by the prothrombin and proconvertin time (P&P) in normal subjects and in patients receiving warfarin, indicating specificity for gamma-carboxylated protein C. The method has the potential to detect molecular variants defective in any of the interactions required for generation of anticoagulant activity in vivo.
Reciprocal synapses between outer hair cells and their afferent terminals: evidence for a local neural network in the mammalian cochlea

Cochlear outer hair cells (OHCs) serve both as sensory receptors and biological motors. Their sensory function is poorly understood because their afferent innervation, the type-II spiral ganglion cell, has small unmyelinated axons and constitutes only 5% of the cochlear nerve. Reciprocal synapses between OHCs and their type-II terminals, consisting of paired afferent and efferent specialization, have been described in the primate cochlea. Here, we use serial and semi-serial-section transmission electron microscopy to quantify the nature and number of synaptic interactions in the OHC area of adult cats. Reciprocal synapses were found in all OHC rows and all cochlear frequency regions. They were more common among third-row OHCs and in the apical half of the cochlea, where 86% of synapses were reciprocal. The relative frequency of reciprocal synapses was unchanged following surgical transection of the olivocochlear bundle in one cat, confirming that reciprocal synapses were not formed by efferent fibers. In the normal ear, axo-dendritic synapses between olivocochlear terminals and type-II terminals and/or dendrites were as common as synapses between olivocochlear terminals and OHCs, especially in the first row, where, on average, almost 30 such synapses were seen in the region under a single OHC. The results suggest that a complex local neuronal circuitry in the OHC area, formed by the dendrites of type-II neurons and modulated by the olivocochlear system, may be a fundamental property of the mammalian cochlea, rather than a curiosity of the primate ear. This network may mediate local feedback control of, and bidirectional communication among, OHCs throughout the cochlear spiral.
β-Hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB)-free acid attenuates circulating TNF-α and TNFR1 expression postresistance exercise

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate-free acid (HMB-FA) and cold-water immersion (CWI) on circulating concentrations of TNF-α and monocyte TNF-α recepto...
Estimation of theophylline absorption rate by means of the Wagner-Nelson equation

Abstract The elimination rate constant of theophylline to be used in calculating the cumulative amount absorbed per milliliter of the volume of distribution is estimated from terminal theophylline concentrations of the same data set as that analyzed for absorption kinetics. Erroneous results are obtained if the elimination rate constant is obtained from a different treatment such as an oral solution or elixir or from intravenous data, and/or if the wrong asymptotic value is used. So-called "trickle absorption" is shown to be an artifact. Published data indicate appreciable intrasubject variation in the elimination rate constant of theophylline.
Inherited Epilepsies of Childhood

Recent advances in neuroepidemiologic and molecular biological techniques have facilitated a growing understanding of the role that inherited factors play in epileptogenesis. During the last few years linkage analysis has mapped gene loci associated with the following epilepsy syndromes: benign familial neonatal convulsions, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, Unverricht-Lundborg/Baltic/Mediterranean progressive myoclonic epilepsies, the juvenile form of ceroid lipofuscinosis, sialidosis I, and the myoclonus epilepsy with ragged red fibers (MERRF) syndrome. In addition, characterization of the inheritance patterns of other syndromes such as childhood epilepsy with occipital paroxysms and febrile convulsions has improved. It is apparent that a significant amount of clinical and genetic heterogeneity exists, which emphasizes the importance of accurate clinical classification. As genetic markers are found for well-defmed groups of patients, traditional means of classification (seizure type, pathologic markers, prog...
Social Economic Transformation in Bulgaria: An Empirical Assessment of the Merchant Capitalism Thesis

Major accounts for transformations in post-1989 Eastern Europe include neoclassical economic and institutionalist, among which is the recent merchant capitalist thesis (M. Burawoy & P. Krotov). It suggests transformation in the former Soviet Union in the direction of a primitive merchant capitalism with the absence of a superordinate control agent in relations in production and relations of production. Constituent hypotheses predict : (1) increased importance of lateral linkages among enterprises; (2) increased economic concentration; and, (3) increased worker control inside of enterprises. This study uses new data from a panel study of 497 Bulgarian manufacturing establishments, including organizational and worker level data, to test the hypotheses for 1989-92 time period. Overall, the evidence is mixed with little or no support for the lateral linkage hypothesis, some support for increased economic concentration, and mixed support for increased worker control in establishments but from a weak beginning position. The analysis suggests additional mechanisms, consistent with other institutional accounts, through which underdeveloped or more primitive merchant capitalism can occur in manufacturing industries undergoing transformation from State socialism
Judgement Post-Stratification for Designed Experiments

In many scientific studies, information that is not easily translated into covariates is ignored in the analysis. However, this type of information may significantly improve inference. In this research, we apply the idea of judgment post-stratification to utilize such information. Specifically, we consider experiments that are conducted under a completely randomized design. Sets of experimental units are formed, and the units in a set are ranked. Estimation is performed conditional on the sets and ranks. We propose a new estimator for a treatment contrast. We improve the new estimator by Rao-Blackwellization. Asymptotic distribution theory and corresponding inferential procedures for both estimators are developed. Simulation studies quantify the superiority of the new estimators and show their desirable properties for small and moderate sample sizes. The impact of the new techniques is illustrated with data from a clinical trial.
The educational achievement of the St. Paul Hmong.

A longitudinal survey study of St. Paul high school students shows that Hmong compare favorably with the general population in social adjustment and academic achievement. Questionnaire responses of parents indicate a strong Hmong emphasis on educating children as a way of improving the status of the entire family. When interpreted in the context of recent Hmong history, the survey data support a “cultural model” proposed by Gibson and Ogbu to explain why immigrants generally perform well in school (1991). Modifications of cultural model characteristics are suggested to fit the Hmong case.
Hierarchical Dental X-Ray Radiographs Matching

The goal of forensic dentistry is to identify individuals based on their dental characteristics. In this paper we present a new matching technique for identifying missing, and wanted individuals from their dental X-ray records. Given a dental record, usually a postmortem (PM) radiograph, the proposed technique searches a database of ante mortem (AM) radiographs and retrieves the best matches from the database. The technique is based on matching teeth contours using hierarchical Chamfer distance. The proposed technique has two main stages: feature extraction, and teeth matching. During retrieval, according to a matching distance between the AM and PM teeth, AM radiographs that are most similar to a given PM image, are found and presented to the user. The experimental results on a database of 162 AM images show that the technique is robust for identifying individuals based on their dental records.
Centromeres of mammalian chromosomes

The centromere is the major cis-acting genetic locus involved in chromosome segregation in mitosis and meiosis. The mammalian centromere is characterized by large amounts of tandemly repeated satellite DNA and by a number of specific centromere proteins, at least one of which has been shown to interact directly with centromeric satellite DNA sequences. Although direct functional assays of chromosome segregation are still lacking, the data are most consistent with a structural and possibly functional role for satellite DNA in the mammalian centromere.
A highly compact multiwire proportional chamber system with 80 μm resolution

Abstract A multiwire proportional chamber system with 80 μm spatial resolution is described. Details of the system and of its performance are presented.
Selection of the valid number of sampling units and a consideration of their combination in toxicological studies involving reproduction, teratogenesis or carcinogenesis.

Summary Examples are presented of several types of experimental toxicological studies where invalid conclusions would be reached by the improper consideration of the number of independent sampling units, N . In reproduction studies the appropriate N for the indices and body weight comparisons is shown to be the number of dams (or litters), not the number of individual pups. Similar consideration is proper in reporting and statistically comparing the incidence of terata. In cancer studies, especially those in newborn or infant animals, when entire litters are assigned to a particular treatment, the independent unit is again the litter and not the individual animal. Further unjustified exaggeration of significance can result from comparisons of sums of incidences of tumours in sub-groups that differ, for example as a result of sex, strain or dosage levels with variable incidences.
Development of a surface plasmon resonance sensor for commercial applications

Abstract An optical tabletop system based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) for refractive-index determination has been developed to demonstrate the feasibility of a miniaturized and integrated concept which is also described. The tabletop system is constructed from the ‘miniaturizable’ components required to realize a manufacturable, integrated minisensor utilizing the SPR phenomenon for transduction. The tabletop system exhibits adequate sensitivity, stability, and reproducibility while maintaining overall system simplicity. The sensor system is excited by a near-infrared light-emitting diode (LED) available in die form, since a laser source is impractical for the miniaturized sensor. The light is optically coupled into a plastic prism because the minisensor optics are readily molded using plastics or epoxy, rather than glass. The angular composition of the diverging reflected radiation is then separated and quantified by a photodiode array (also available in die form) consisting of pixels on a 63 μm pitch. A sputtered gold film is used as the SPR excitation layer. The sensor system performance is qualified using aqueous solutions containing ethylene glycol. The response to changes in concentration of the ethylene glycol is found to be on the order of one part in 10 4 . This translates to a refractive-index change of approximately 10 −5 . The stability of the system response has been investigated by quantifying the response change in water over a two-day period. The stability is excellent when temperature compensation is implemented. The components utilized in the tabletop system are consistent with the development of a low-cost miniature integrated surface plasmon sensor. Such a device has been constructed. A sketch of a minisensor is shown, along with preliminary response data.
Equilibrium-thickness Amorphous Films on {} surfaces of Bi2O3-doped ZnO

Abstract Model experiments and thermodynamic calculations revealed that a nanometer-thick liquid/amorphous film is the equilibrium configuration of the {1 1 2 0} surfaces of Bi 2 O 3 -doped ZnO. In samples equilibrated both above and below the eutectic temperature, bismuth enriched amorphous films were observed. The film thickness is fairly uniform. The average thickness of ninety-seven films formed at 780°C (above the eutectic temperature, 740°C) is 1·54 nm, with a narrow standard deviation of 0·28 nm. In addition, the thickness was found to be independent of firing time or second phase fraction. Therefore, we conclude that the surface film has an ‘equilibrium-thickness.’ A thermodynamic model is presented. This new observation may have relevance to the understanding and control of surface coatings in ceramics and related properties.
The UCSD HIRES/Keck I Damped Lyα Abundance Database. I. The Data

We present new chemical abundance measurements of 16 damped Lyα systems at z > 1.5 and update our previous abundance analyses. The entire database presented here was derived from HIRES observations on the Keck I telescope, reduced with the same software package, and analyzed with identical techniques. Altogether, we present a large, homogeneous database of chemical abundance measurements for protogalaxies in the early universe, ideal for studying a number of important aspects of galaxy formation. In addition, we have established an on-line directory for this database and will continuously update the results.
Technology in Context: Mediating Factors in the Utilization of Planning Technologies:

My research explores the question: how can theorists better understand the ways in which planning technologies are used by municipal planners? In the case-study municipality, a recently introduced web-GIS technology had little demonstrable success in attaining two of its stated goals: enabling increased public access to municipal geographic information and encouraging planners to produce their own maps. My research links these outcomes not only to the technologies themselves, but to organizational structure and human agency. Planners and planning theorists can gain additional insight into the impact of planning technologies through closer attention to the process through which planners come to use information technologies and the way this process both alters and is constrained by existing organizational constraints, including previously adopted technologies.
Effect of tracheostomy timing in premature infants

Abstract Objective To examine if timing of tracheostomy placement in premature infants affects the rates of decannulation and length of time required for mechanical ventilatory support. Materials and methods Consecutive case series with chart review of premature patients born at a gestational age of 36 weeks or less at a tertiary-care, academic children's hospital who underwent tracheostomy placement between July 1, 2007 and December 31, 2010 for failure to extubate and chronic lung disease of prematurity. Last follow-up data reviewed was January 1, 2013. Results 43 patients were identified. 32 patients (74.4%) were able to be weaned from mechanical ventilation by the end of follow-up period, and the average time that elapsed between tracheostomy placement and weaning from mechanical ventilator support was 17.9 months. 19 patients (44.2%) were able to be decannulated, and of those patients, the amount of time between tracheostomy placement and decannulation was 27.9 months. No statistical significance was found in the relationship between tracheostomy timing placement and ability to wean from mechanical ventilator support or decannulate. For those patients able to wean from mechanical ventilator support and get decannulated, no difference in the amount of time and tracheostomy timing was found. Earlier premature patients tended to undergo tracheostomy later in life. Conclusions Decisions regarding tracheostomy placement should be individualized. We were unable to detect a relationship between tracheostomy timing and the ability or duration for premature infants with chronic lung disease of prematurity to wean from mechanical ventilator support or successfully decannulate.
Chitosan-tethered microspheres for lactase immobilization

Abstract Surface interactions between an enzyme and carrier can reduce activity retention after immobilization. Using compatible polymers to tether the enzyme provides a means of maintaining bulk properties of the carrier while limiting disadvantageous associations that reduce activity retention of the enzyme. In this work, chitosan was attached to P(S/V-COOH) microspheres by carbodiimide chemistry. Lactase (Aspergillus oryzae) was then covalently conjugated to the microspheres having the chitosan tether as well as directly to microspheres without the chitosan tether. Relative to the soluble enzyme, activity retention of lactase attached directly to the microspheres without the chitosan tether resulted in 11% activity retention after immobilization. Comparatively, attachment of lactase to microspheres having the chitosan tether yielded a retained activity that was not significantly different from that of the soluble enzyme, under optimum conditions for the immobilized conjugate. Chitosan-tethered microspheres also enabled an increase in protein loading—achieving 18 mg/g of support compared to 5 mg/g of support on microspheres without the chitosan-tether. However, beyond a protein loading of 12 mg/g of support, the immobilization efficiency on chitosan-tethered microspheres decreased. Lactase conjugation to chitosan-tethered microspheres resulted in shift in optimum pH from pH 4.5 to pH 4.0, but no significant change in temperature stability relative to the soluble enzyme. The results suggest that altering the material surface interface can lead to greater enzyme activity retention after immobilization.
Issues in the psychotherapy of patients with previous successful spina bifida surgery.

The literature on congenital physical disabilities and related personality patterns, as well as a presentation of the cases of several individuals born with spina bifida (even though successfully corrected very early in life), reveals that concerns about sexual attractiveness, distortions of body image, and fears of sexual functioning complicate the picture of the passive-dependent child that one might expect to find associated with chronic illness. The difficulties involved in working through the above concerns and fears when these concerns center around an area of the body not commonly seen or touched are discussed.
Approaches investigated to correct for preferential treatment

Simulated data were used to investigate the effectiveness of three approaches to correct for preferential treatment in the genetic evaluation of US dairy cattle. The methods tested included power transformations applied to the phenotypic records, fitting a random preferential treatment effect to suspect records that were defined according to magnitude of residual, and a two-group mixture model. Transformation of records with a power of 0.1 reduced bias to zero, but had a very adverse effect on ranking. Fitting a random effect for preferential treatment in the model for genetic evaluation was effective in reducing bias, given an appropriate variance for the preferential treatment effect, but records with preferential treatment were typically identified only 45 to 60% of the time. Reductions in bias brought about by the mixture model were small but were accomplished without negative effects on ranking. Although not yet ready for use in practice, results for the effect of random preferential treatment and the two-group mixture model were favorable enough to warrant further development of these methods as possible approaches to correcting for preferential treatment in genetic evaluation.
Percutaneous coronary intervention plus optimal medical therapy was not more effective than medical therapy alone in stable CAD.

Boden WE, O’Rourke RA, Teo KK, et al . Optimal medical therapy with or without PCI for stable coronary disease. N Engl J Med 2007;356:1503–16. [OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3] Q In patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD), is percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) plus optimal medical therapy (OMT) more effective for preventing cardiovascular events than OMT alone? Clinical impact ratings GP/FP/Primary care ★★★★★★★ Internal medicine ★★★★★★☆ Cardiology ★★★★★★☆ ### ![Graphic][4] Design: randomised controlled trial (Clinical Outcomes Utilizing Revascularization and Aggressive Drug Evaluation [COURAGE] trial). ### ![Graphic][5] Allocation: unclear allocation concealment.* ### ![Graphic][6] Blinding: blinded (outcome adjudication committee).* ### ![Graphic][7] Follow up period: median 4.6 years (range 2.5–7.0 y). ### ![Graphic][8] Setting: 50 centres in the US and Canada. ### ![Graphic][9] Patients: 2287 patients (mean age 62 y, 85% men) with stable CAD (stenosis ⩾70% in ⩾1 proximal epicardial coronary artery and objective evidence of myocardial ischaemia, or ⩾1 coronary stenosis ⩾80% and classic angina without provocative testing). Exclusion criteria included persistent class IV angina, a markedly positive stress test, refractory heart failure or cardiogenic shock, ejection fraction <30%, revascularisation in ⩽6 … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DN%2BEngl%2BJ%2BMed%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1056%252FNEJMoa070829%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F17387127%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1056/NEJMoa070829&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=17387127&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febmed%2F12%2F4%2F107.atom [4]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif [5]: /embed/inline-graphic-2.gif [6]: /embed/inline-graphic-3.gif [7]: /embed/inline-graphic-4.gif [8]: /embed/inline-graphic-5.gif [9]: /embed/inline-graphic-6.gif
The Evaluation of Marketing in a Society: The Han Dynasty of Ancient China:

Issues which are now considered to come within the scope of macromarketing thought actually were the subject of analysis by Chinese scholars during the third century B.C. A review of the work of these scholars adds to the evidence which suggests that macromarketing issues arise in the development of most societies. General Systems Theory provides a useful framework for analyzing this case of the interaction of marketing and society.
Crosstalk between genetic and epigenetic information through cytosine deamination

Decades of work have elucidated the existence of two forms of heritable information, namely genetic and epigenetic, which are collectively referred to as the 'dual inheritance'. The underlying mechanisms behind these two modes of inheritance have so far remained distinct. Cytosine deaminases, such as activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) and other members of the APOBEC family, have been implicated both in genetic variation of somatic cells and in epigenetic remodeling of germ and pluripotent cells. We hereby synthesize these seemingly dissociated functions into one coherent model, and further suggest that cytosine deaminases, particularly AID, might have a broader influence by modulating epigenetic information in somatic or cancer cells, as well as by triggering genetic variation in germ and pluripotent cells through mutation followed by natural selection. We therefore propose that the AID/APOBEC family of deaminases are likely to have acted as drivers throughout vertebrate evolution.