cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Photophosphorylation as a function of illumination time. I. Effects of permeant cations and permeant anions.

Abstract (1) Very brief periods of illumination do not initiate photophosphorylation in isolated chloroplast lamellae. The time of illumination required before any phosphorylation can be detected is inversely proportional to the light intensity. At very high intensities, phosphorylation is initiated after illumination for about 4 ms. (2) There is no similar delay in the initiation of electron transport. The rate of electron transport is very high at first but declines at about the time the capacity for ATP synthesis develops. When the chloroplasts are uncoupled with gramicidin the high initial rate persists. (3) Various ions which permeate the thylakoid membrane (K + or Rb + in the presence of valinomycin, SCN − , I − , or ClO 4 − ) markedly increase the time of illumination required to initiate phosphorylation. Potassium ions in the presence of valinomycin increase the delay to a maximum of about 50 ms whereas thiocyanate ions increase the delay to a maximum of about 25 ms. The effects of K + with valinomycin and the effect of SCN − are not additive. Permeant ions and combinations of permeant ions have little or no effect on phosphorylation during continuous illumination. (4) The reason for the threshold in the light requirement and the reason for the effect of permeant ions thereon are both obscure. However, it could be argued that the energy for phosphorylation initially resides in an electric potential gradient which is abolished by migration of ions in the field, leaving a more slowly developing proton concentration gradient as the main driving force for phosphorylation during continuous illumination. If so, the threshold in the presence of permeant ions should depend on internal hydrogen ion buffering.
Branch cuts in computer algebra

Most computer algebra systems provide little assistance in working with expressions involving functions with complex branch cuts. Worse, by their ignorance of the existence of branch cuts, algebra systems sometimes simplify complex expressions incorrectly. We propose a computer representation for branch cuts; we show how a complex expression's branch cuts may be mechanically computed, and how an expression with branch cuts may sometimes be algebraically simplified within each of its branches.
Blogging for Reflection: The Use of Online Journals to Engage Students in Reflective Learning

Reflective learning has long been studied in many disciplines. A primary way that reflective learning has been taught is through journaling. With the advent of e-learning, journaling has moved to the Web in the form of blogs. The current paper reviews the current state of journaling and blogging research with specific recommendations for marketing education. A study is presented in which 350 student blogs, representing 15,951 separate journal entries, were rated for reflective learning content. The students were also asked what form of learning they experienced when journaling. The study supported the idea that blogging is a useful tool in marketing education.
Response of a Flat-Plate Cascade to Incident Vortical Waves

In this paper, we are interested in computing the unsteady loading and radiated acoustic pressure field from a flat-plate cascade excited by an incident vortical wave (gust). We solve the two-dimensional nonlinear Euler equations over a linear cascade by a high-order finite difference method. We use Giles's nonreflecting boundary conditions at the inflow and outflow boundaries. The cascade response depends sensitively on the frequency of the convected gust. The unsteady surface pressure distribution and radiated pressure field agree very well with predictions of the linear theory for the tested range of reduced frequency. We also investigate the effects of the incident gust frequency on the undesirable wave reflection at the inflow and outflow boundaries.
Taphonomic Controls on the Distribution of Palynomorphs in Tidally Influenced Coastal Deltaic Settings

Palynomorph concentrations for water-column and sediment-water interface samples are presented for two coastal deltaic systems influenced by the range of tidal regimes to assess whether any taphonomic bias exists in pollen assemblages. The localities are the microtidally influenced Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, Alabama, United States, and the meso- to macrotidally influenced Rajang River Delta, Sarawak, East Malaysia. Mobile-Tensaw Delta data represent collections over a 13-month period; Rajang River Delta data represent sampling during the 1992 dry season. Results are reported for: (1) pollen concentration in suspended sediment loads and bottom sediments of distributary channels, and (2) selected spore-and-pollen frequencies in channels influenced by meso- and macrotidal processes. An increase in pollen concentration/liter occurs in all delta distributaries at water-column depth, and a positive relationship exists between pollen concentration and suspension load. Concentrations at the sediment-water interface are highest in tidally influenced areas where Heterogenous Aggregate Organic Matter (OM) clasts (floccules) dominate palynofacies assemblages, and statistically significant for Mobile-Tensaw lower delta plain sites. Hence, microtidal influence at the interface between fresh and brackish waters affects palynomorph concentration in bottom sediment and may be a function of flocculation induced by salinity flux. In contrast, concentrations are highest in bottom sediments of Rajang River distributaries where little active sediment transport occurs and tidal range is highest, and is due to several factors including a high proportion of Heterogenous Aggregate OM clasts. Additionally, the magnitude of tidal displacement impacts palynomorph distribution in the Rajang Delta, with mangrove pollen found in alluvial plain samples, a distance of
New error bounds for M-testing and estimation of source location with subdiffractive error

I present new lower and upper bounds on the minimum probability of error (MPE) in Bayesian multihypothesis testing that follow from an exact integral of a version of the statistical entropy of the posterior distribution, or equivocation. I also show that these bounds are exponentially tight and thus achievable in the asymptotic limit of many conditionally independent and identically distributed measurements. I then relate the minimum mean-squared error (MMSE) and the MPE by means of certain elementary error probability integrals. In the second half of the paper, I compare the MPE and MMSE for the problem of locating a single point source with subdiffractive uncertainty. The source-strength threshold needed to achieve a desired degree of source localization seems to be far more modest than the well established threshold for the different optical super-resolution problem of disambiguating two point sources with subdiffractive separation.
Prodigious degassing of a billion years of accumulated radiogenic helium at Yellowstone

The study of gas emission rates, chemistry and isotopic analyses show that the rate of helium-4 emission from the crust at Yellowstone is orders of magnitude greater than any conceivable rate of generation within the crust; this implies that helium has accumulated for hundreds of millions of years in deeper Archaean cratonic rocks, only to be liberated over the past two million years by crustal metamorphism induced by the Yellowstone hotspot. Yellowstone National Park is well known for its geysers and hot-spring waters, the surface manifestation of a volcanic hotspot. Helium is commonly used as a tracer by geoscientists, tracking degassing from the mantle, dating groundwater and timing the rise of continents. This study combines gas emission rate data with chemistry and isotopic analyses to show that crustal helium-4 emission rates from Yellowstone exceed by orders of magnitude any conceivable rate of generation within the crust. They conclude that helium has accumulated for at least hundreds of millions of years in Archaean cratonic rocks beneath Yellowstone, only to be liberated during the past two million years by intense crustal metamorphism induced by the Yellowstone hotspot. Helium is used as a critical tracer throughout the Earth sciences, where its relatively simple isotopic systematics is used to trace degassing from the mantle, to date groundwater and to time the rise of continents1. The hydrothermal system at Yellowstone National Park is famous for its high helium-3/helium-4 isotope ratio, commonly cited as evidence for a deep mantle source for the Yellowstone hotspot2. However, much of the helium emitted from this region is actually radiogenic helium-4 produced within the crust by α-decay of uranium and thorium. Here we show, by combining gas emission rates with chemistry and isotopic analyses, that crustal helium-4 emission rates from Yellowstone exceed (by orders of magnitude) any conceivable rate of generation within the crust. It seems that helium has accumulated for (at least) many hundreds of millions of years in Archaean (more than 2.5 billion years old) cratonic rocks beneath Yellowstone, only to be liberated over the past two million years by intense crustal metamorphism induced by the Yellowstone hotspot. Our results demonstrate the extremes in variability of crustal helium efflux on geologic timescales and imply crustal-scale open-system behaviour of helium in tectonically and magmatically active regions.
Excretion of mannose-rich complex carbohydrates by a patient with α-mannosidase deficiency (mannosidosis)*

4. Von Steijnen, C.: Diastrophic dwarfism, Maandschr Kindergeneeskd 36: 188, 1968. 5. Langer, L. O.: Diastrophic dwarfism in early infancy, Am. J. Roentgenol. Radium Ther. Nucl. Med. 89: 399, 1965. 6. Stover, C. N., Hayes, J. %, and Hold, J. F.: Diastrophic 7. 8. dwarfism, Am. J. Roentgenol. Radium Ther. Nucl. Med. 89: 914, 1963. Taybi, H.: Diastrophic dwarfism, Radiology 80: 1, 1963. Wilson, D. W., Chrispin, and Carter, C. O.: Diastrophic dwarfism, Arch. Dis. Child. 44: 48, 1969.
Polarized-Neutron Study of Hematite

Polarized-neutron studies on natural and synthetic single crystals of hematite have shown that the 180\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} antiferromagnetic domain walls are removed in low fields as the parasitic ferromagnetism of the high-temperature phase is saturated, and the remaining 120\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} walls are removed by the application of higher fields. No memory effect was observed for the antiferromagnetic domain configuration as the crystal was cycled through the spin-axis transition temperature. The spin density of the ferromagnetic component of the spin system was found to be different from that of the antiferromagnetic component.
Investigation and prediction of chip geometry in diamond turning

Abstract Management of the chips generated in diamond turning is often critical, because contact between chips and the workpiece can result in superficial damage to the finished surface. Controlling chip motion is not a trivial process as the proper positioning of an oil or air stream requires an understanding of the dynamics of a diamond turned chip and the machining parameters that affect it. Work has been performed to investigate the effects of cutting speed, depth of cut, tool geometry, tool wear, and workpiece material properties on chip motion and geometry. Utilizing radius of curvature data from cutting experiments, a parameter has been proposed that can be used to predict chip radius of curvature for a wide range of machining conditions. This chip curvature parameter, χ , exhibits a power law relationship with chip radius of curvature as a function of tool geometry, depth of cut, cutting speed, and both elastic and plastic properties of the workpiece material.
Conditioned release of corticosterone by contextual stimuli associated with cocaine is mediated by corticotropin-releasing factor

Elevated blood concentrations of corticosterone (CORT), an adrenal steroid associated with stress responses, is one of the endocrine correlates of cocaine treatment. Experiment 1 confirmed and extended previous findings that chronic cocaine treatment does not alter corticosteroid responses to cocaine. In Experiment 2, conditioned endocrine effects of cocaine were examined in three groups of rats after 7 consecutive days of treatment. Cocaine-induced conditioning was achieved using a simple contextual design. In group 1 (paired), rats were injected with cocaine (30 mg/kg), then immediately placed into a locomotor activity chamber for 30 min. One hour after the rats were returned to their home cages, they received an injection of saline. In group 2 (unpaired), rats were injected with saline, then immediately placed into a locomotor activity chamber for 30 min. One hour after the rats were returned to their home cages, they received an injection of cocaine (30 mg/kg). Rats in group 3 (control) received only saline injections, but otherwise were treated as animals in the other treatment groups. On the test day (Day 8), all rats were placed immediately into the locomotor apparatus for 30 min prior to collection of a blood sample. Blood CORT concentrations and locomotor activity in the paired group were significantly higher than in the unpaired and control groups. However, pretreatment of the rats in Experiment 3 with the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) antagonist, α-helical CRF9-41 (1 μg, i.c.v.), on the test day, prior to exposure to cocaine-associated contextual cues, attenuated the subsequent conditioned increase in blood CORT concentrations. These data represent the first demonstration of classical conditioning of a steroid hormone response to stimuli associated with a psychoactive drug in rats and suggest that the effect is mediated by endogenous CRF. Because the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis has been implicated in modulating the actions of cocaine, it is plausible that such conditioned increases in CORT release by cocaine-associated cues may further predispose an organism to the reinforcing effects of the drug or enhance the susceptibility to drug-taking behavior. Alternatively, such conditioned effects may be related to the anxiogenic properties of cocaine. Further understanding of the conditioned effects of hormones in the development and expression of addictive behaviors may provide new insights into treatment of drug addiction.
The Combined Effects of Tai Chi, Resistance Training, and Diet on Physical Function and Body Composition in Obese Older Women

Obesity is a major health problem in the USA, especially in minority populations over the age of 60 years, and the aging process can cause adverse effects on physical function. Previous research has shown that Tai Chi, resistance training (RT), and diet result in overall health improvements. However, the combination of these specific interventions has yet to be translated to obese older women in an urban setting. The purpose of this study was to examine a combined intervention on the primary outcomes of physical function and body composition. Using a nonrandomized design, 26 obese women ( years) completed a 12-week intervention; participants were assigned to an intervention (EXD) group or a control (CON) group. The EXD group ( ) participated in Tai Chi, RT, and a dietary session. The CON group ( ) was asked to continue their normal lifestyle. Timed up and go (TUG) time was reduced by seconds ( ) in the EXD group while the CON group saw a borderline significant increase of 0.71 sec ( ). The combined intervention helped improve performance on TUG time, but there were no significant increases in other body composition or function measures.
The male-to-female ratio and multiple sexual partners: multilevel analysis with patients from an STD clinic.

Sexual partner concurrency plays an important role in HIV and STD transmission. The shortage of African-American men may facilitate partner concurrency. This study evaluated whether the male-to-female ratio was associated with African-American participants’ number of recent sexual partners, and whether this association differed by gender. Multilevel modeling was used to determine the influence of individual (i.e., gender) and population-level (i.e., sex ratio) variables on the number of recent sexual partners. African-American patients (N = 915; 52% male) were recruited from an STD clinic. Patients reported their number of sexual partners; the male-to-female ratio per census tract was obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau. There were fewer men than women in nearly all census tracts. The interaction between gender and the male-to-female ratio was significant. For men, there was no association between the sex ratio and their number of sexual partners. For women, as the sex ratio increased, their number of sexual partners increased; however, this association was driven by participants who reported trading sex. We found no evidence that fewer African-American men in a census tract was associated with men having more sexual partners.
Effects of disturbance, position of observer, and moonlight on efficiency of anuran call surveys

Anuran call surveys are being used widely to monitor amphibian populations and study amphibian declines. To help optimize call surveys, we studied several factors that potentially affect the efficiency of this method. We studied whether the approach of observers to the listening site potentially disturbs calling amphibians and whether disturbance is reduced after 5 min using 230 roadside call surveys along 23 routes. On each route, listening time for five of ten sites was 5 min; listening time for the other five surveys on a route was 10 min. We detected nine species in these surveys. We found no significant difference in the number of species heard in the first 5 min of a 10-min survey compared to the second 5 min, nor a significant difference in the number of species heard when comparing 5-min surveys and the second 5 min of 10-min surveys. These results suggest that there is no detectable disturbance upon approach, or if disturbance occurs it does not dissipate after 5 min. The effect of the observer's listening orientation on number of species heard was examined in 110 roadside call surveys along 11 routes. Changing orientation during the call survey did not increase the number of species heard. Significantly greater numbers of species were detected during surveys conducted under low moonlight.
Development of multisensory integration: Transforming sensory input into motor output

By pooling and integrating signals from different sensory channels, specialized populations of ‘‘multisensory’’ neurons not only help to maximize the brain’s ability to detect and identify external events, but also help to initiate reactions to them. Although multisensory neurons are found in many areas of the brain, those in the midbrain (i.e., superior colliculus, SC) have been studied most extensively and have served as a model for understanding some of the neural operating principles of multisensory integration, as well as the impact of these processes on overt attentive and orientation behaviors. However, this capability is not hard-wired at birth. Very young SC neurons are responsive only to unimodal inputs; it is not until many days later that some of them begin to respond to inputs from more than a single sensory modality, and even then they are not yet capable of integrating these inputs to produce the synthesized multisensory signals that characterize the normal adult. The most significant occurrence to precede this maturational change is the appearance of influences from association regions of the neocortex. These influences appear abruptly on any given individual neuron, but because different neurons are targeted at different times during development, it takes many weeks before the mature complement of such neurons is achieved. It is likely that the maturational timing of the interplay between the cortex and SC determines not only the kinds of multisensory information that can be integrated in SC neurons, but the kinds of multisensory behaviors that SC neurons are able to mediate at different stages of development.
Vehicle Type–Specific Headway Analysis Using Freeway Traffic Data

The distribution of time headway has long been a research topic because headway between vehicles is an important flow characteristic affecting safety, level of service, driver behavior, and capacity of a transportation system. However, almost all reported research on headway is focused on mixed vehicular flow without considering the difference in headway with respect to different vehicle types. In this paper, with the use of 1-day freeway traffic data from Interstate 35 in Austin, Texas, four time headway types based on different combinations of leading vehicles and following vehicles—car-truck, truck-car, truck-truck, and car-car—are analyzed at different traffic flow levels. Statistical comparisons between each vehicle type-specific headway and mixed vehicle-type headway are made to verify their significant differences. The paper demonstrates the necessity of vehicle type-specific headway study. The results of the paper not only identify qualitative differences between the vehicle type-specific headways...
Deterministic chaos at the ocean surface: applications and interpretations

Ocean surface, grazing-angle radar backscatter data from two separate experiments, one of which provided coincident time series of measured surface winds, were found to exhibit signatures of deterministic chaos. Evidence is presented that the lowest dimensional underlying dynamical system responsible for the radar backscatter chaos is that which governs the surface wind turbulence. Block-averaging time was found to be an important parameter for determining the degree of determinism in the data as measured by the correlation dimension, and by the performance of an artificial neural network in retrieving wind and stress from the radar returns, and in radar detection of an ocean internal wave. The correlation dimensions are lowered and the performance of the deterministic retrieval and detection algorithms are improved by averaging out the higher dimensional surface wave variability in the radar returns.
Comparisons of the deflections of magnetically smart films on alloy of NiCo and glass substrates

This report begins with a review of the basic concept of deformable X-ray optics, and the need for this approach for future X-ray astronomy missions that have ~1” resolution. We then report on our advances made on using magnetic smart materials (MSMs) to adjust the shape of thin (~100-200 µm thickness) electroformed replicated optics or glass optics. We show that we can well model deflections in 5 mm x 20 mm glass pieces and we provide preliminary evidence that the concept will work that involves imposing a magnetic field on the hard magnetic substrate (NiCo) to maintain the change in mirror shape.
Holland's theory of careers applied to women and men: Analysis of implicit assumptions

Abstract Basic assumptions underlying Holland's theory of careers and its counseling applications are (a) that men and women, in general, have widely divergent personality patterns and career potentials; and (b) that men and women in the same occupation have the same personality pattern. Data on the characteristics of 39,000 men and women pursuing the same 104 occupations are used to examine the viability of these assumptions. Contrary to expectations based on Holland's theory, there are substantial and systematic differences in the Holland raw score codes of males and females pursuing the same occupations, especially nontraditional occupations. Possible revisions of Holland's theory and/or instrumentation are discussed in light of this finding. In particular, Holland's use of raw scores to operationally define personality patterns is questioned. Standard scores for the same occupational samples provide results in substantial agreement with Holland's theory. Implications for vocational counseling based on Holland's theory of careers and associated instruments are discussed.
Abstract LB-275: 5-miRNA signature to predict clear cell renal cell carcinoma metastasis and prognosis

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Introduction: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) represents the most common renal cancer histology. In the setting of metastatic disease, few patients achieve a durable remission with currently available therapies. Early determination of metastatic potential may help guide therapy and improve clinical outcome. MicroRNA (miRNA) is a group of small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression during development and differentiation. miRNA expression is altered in malignant tissue, and signatures based on miRNA expression can aid in diagnosis and prognostication. In this study, we have characterized ccRCC miRNA expression in a 28-sample training cohort using microarray technology. From this, we have developed a 5-miRNA expression signature to predict the risk of metastasis and overall prognosis. This signature has been further validated by an independent 34-sample testing cohort. Study Design: Training and testing cohorts were established, comprised of 28 and 34 ccRCC frozen tissue specimens, respectively. The training cohort included specimens from patients characterized as stage I (T1; n=14) and stage IV (M1; n=14). The testing cohort included specimens from patients with (n=20) and without (n=14) metastatic disease. All cases used for the testing cohort had been followed for at least 5 years if there was no tumor metastasis reported. Total RNAs of these samples were analyzed using Agilent miRNA microarray (probes for 723 human miRNAs, Sanger miRBase 10.1). Results: (1) Differentially expressed miRNAs between metastatic ccRCCs and their non-metastatic counterparts in the training cohort were identified, using the criteria of fold change >1.5 (p value 5 years if no metastasis reported), the signature had very high sensitivity (77%) and specificity (100%) when it was used to predict the tumor status of metastasis and metastatic potential. (4) This 5-miRNA signature may supplement widely used prognostic tools in RCC, such as the UCLA Integrated Staging System (UISS). The 5-miRNA signature stratified outcome within groups classified as high, intermediate or low risk by this schema. Conclusions: We have developed a 5-miRNA expression signature to determine ccRCC metastasis and prognosis. With further validation in larger cohorts, the signature may be applied towards early prediction of metastatic potential, and may augment currently available risk stratification tools for RCC. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-275.
Assessing the Effect of Family Friendly Programs on Public Organizations

This article reports the results of a survey of family friendly programs offered by a randomly selected sample of public organizations The results suggest public agencies vary in the number of prog...
Incidence and Characteristics of Antibiotic-Tolerant Strains of Staphylococcus aureus

Thirty clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were tested for tolerance to oxacillin, cephalothin, and gentamicin by using killing curves and broth dilution susceptibility tests. Tolerance was defined as the presence of≥100 colony-forming units per ml remaining after 24 h of incubation of the killing curve suspensions. Nineteen of 30 isolates were tolerant to oxacillin and cephalothin, but none was tolerant to gentamicin. Among the tolerant isolates, there was a wide spectrum of tolerance, with from 0.2 to 43% of the colony-forming units in the starting inoculum remaining after 18 to 24 h of incubation. Tolerance was unrelated to phage type or to any of several other characteristics studied.
Stepping motors—A review

Abstract Rarely have two independently conceived devices turned out to have so perfectly matching characteristics as the digital computer and the stepping motor. The nature of this basic compatibility, however, must be thoroughly understood if pitfalls are to be avoided in the selection and use of stepping motors in digital control systems. This paper attempts to consolidate in one place enough information to allow intelligent decisions to be made in this regard. Topics covered are the principle of operation of variable reluctance and permanent magnet motors, electrohydraulic stepping motors and the design of low and high performance stepping motor drives.
Aluminous Lateritic Soils, Eleuthera, Bahamas: A Modern Analog to Carbonate Paleosols

ABSTRACT Aluminous lateritic soils from Governor's Harbour, Eleuthera, Bahamas are described. These soils are forming on eolian ridges under a humid, tropical savanna climate. The parent material is carbonate eolianite plus airborne dust from North Africa. The soils are thin, discontinuous and concentrated in shallow solution pits. They are stony, have a crumb texture and are underlain by pedogenically altered limestones. The solum has a low SiO2/Al2O3 ratio and is composed of boehmite, hydroxy-interlayered clay (HIC), Al-hematite, Al-goethite, calcite and minor quartz. The presence of carbonates in the solum buffers the pH and inhibits gibbsite precipitation, resulting in a high availability of aluminum for incorporation in HIC and iron minerals. The moisture egime of these soils is characterized by frequent wetting and drying due to the high porosity and permeability of the underlying carbonates, and the intermittent nature of the rainfall. Boehmite is the stable Al-phase within cryptovoids where the H2O activities are less than one. The dominant pedogenic features in the altered limestones are voids produced by solution of limestone around plant roots. These voids are subsequently infilled with overlying solum material and cemented with equigranular calcite. Alteration rinds containing micritized carbonate grains, and laminations of micrite and iron-rich clay develop around the voids. Features observed in aluminous lateritic soils are compared to other carbonate soils and paleosols preserved within carbonate sequences.
Examining Behavioral Processes in Indecision: Decisional Procrastination and Decision-Making Style

Abstract The present research examined the behavioral processes by which individual differences in decisional procrastination are reflected in decision-making style. It was hypothesized, on the basis of previous research suggesting that people higher in decisional procrastination have a higher threshold for certainty before making a decision, that participants higher in decisional procrastination would not only take longer to complete the task, but also would seek more information about an alternative eventually chosen before making a decision. Participants, who had previously completed a decisional procrastination scale, were instructed within a behavioral process paradigm to search information about alternative choices on a decision-making task involving the selection of college courses. The number of dimensions (four vs six) and number of alternatives (two vs five) were systematically varied. The results provided convergent evidence with descriptive studies suggesting that rather than being unsystematic and easily distracted in their information searches, people higher in decisional procrastination are systematic and strategic but search for more information specifically about chosen alternatives. Theoretical and practical implications are considered.
E×B flow shear and enhanced confinement in the Madison Symmetric Torus reversed-field pinch

Strong E×B flow shear occurs in the edge of three types of enhanced confinement discharge in the Madison Symmetric Torus [Dexter et al., Fusion Technol. 19, 131 (1991)] reversed-field pinch. Measurements in standard (low confinement) discharges indicate that global magnetic fluctuations drive particle and energy transport in the plasma core, while electrostatic fluctuations drive particle transport in the plasma edge. This paper explores possible contributions of E×B flow shear to the reduction of both the magnetic and electrostatic fluctuations and, thus, the improved confinement. In one case, shear in the E×B flow occurs when the edge plasma is biased. Biased discharges exhibit changes in the edge electrostatic fluctuations and improved particle confinement. In two other cases, the flow shear emerges (1) when auxiliary current is driven in the edge and (2) spontaneously, following sawtooth crashes. Both edge electrostatic and global magnetic fluctuations are reduced in these discharges, and both particl...
Multiscale EnKF Assimilation of Radar and Conventional Observations and Ensemble Forecasting for a Tornadic Mesoscale Convective System

AbstractIn recent studies, the authors have successfully demonstrated the ability of an ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF), assimilating real radar observations, to produce skillful analyses and subsequent ensemble-based probabilistic forecasts for a tornadic mesoscale convective system (MCS) that occurred over Oklahoma and Texas on 9 May 2007. The current study expands upon this prior work, performing experiments for this case on a larger domain using a nested-grid EnKF, which accounts for mesoscale uncertainties through the initial ensemble and lateral boundary condition perturbations. In these new experiments, conventional observations (including surface, wind profiler, and upper-air observations) are assimilated in addition to the WSR-88D and the Center for Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere (CASA) radar data used in the previous studies, better representing meso- and convective-scale features. The relative impacts of conventional and radar data on analyses and forecasts are examined, and bia...
Studies on the mode of action and biogenesis of the phytotoxin syringomycin

Abstract Syringomycin, a polypeptide phytotoxin produced by Pseudomonas syringae , is involved in the disease development of bacterial canker of peach. Pathogenicity tests in several plant species indicated that disease development was not always related to the production of syringomycin on agar medium either by isolates of P. syringae , or other isolates such as P. mors-prunorum . At sublethal doses syringomycin inhibited uridylic acid incorporation in Geotrichum candidum but stimulated thymidylic acid incorporation. Syringomycin was found to inhibit tobacco mosaic virus local-lesion formation in tobacco and inhibit synthesis of the RNA phage MS2 in Escherichia coli . The nature of this inhibition was not completely determined, but for MS2 it appeared to involve an inhibition of phage attachment. Droplets of aqueous syringomycin solutions had a lower contact angle with polystyrene plastic than did water; this effect on surface tension indicated a possible membrane action for syringomycin. Further experiments revealed that syringomycin caused rapid hemolysis of rabbit red blood cells, and that leakage of 260 nm absorbing materials occurred from cells of G. candidum treated with syringomycin. Electron micrographs of syringomycin-treated G. candidum cells indicated that massive disruption of membrane integrity occurred with lethal doses, and that membrane abnormalities occurred at sublethal doses. Microautoradiography with 14 C-labeled syringomycin indicated that syringomycin was concentrated mainly over the plasmalemma and nuclear membranes. Inhibition of syringomycin activity by sterols and certain phospholipids in agar media indicated that the binding of syringomycin on the membranes could involve membrane lipids. Calcium and magnesium ions also inhibited syringomycin activity. Rabbit antisera for cell wall material from syringomycin-producing and non-producing isolates of P. syringae reacted strongly with syringomycin; this indicated that syringomycin was structurally related to cell wall materials. It appears that syringomycin is a haptenic group of a larger cell wall antigenic substance and that syringomycin may be a product of the cell wall metabolism of P. syringae . The primary action of syringomycin appears to be a rapid detergent-like lysis of cellular membranes. The action of syringomycin on nucleic acids is probably secondary to its action on membranes.
Endoscopic evaluation and management of the lacrimal sump syndrome.

SummaryFailed dacryocystorhinostomy caused by the presence of residual lacrimal sac has been termed the “lacrimal sump syndrome.” Epiphora occurs when tears collect in this residual pouch and lacrimal drainage is delayed. Irrigation into the nose may seem normal. This condition can be easily diagnos
Biological activity of photoproducts of merocyanine 540 generated by laser-light activation

Controlled exposure of photoactive compounds to light prior to their use in biological targets results in the formation of heretofore unknown photoproducts. This process of photoproduct generation, termed "preactivation," renders the photactive compound capable of systemic use without further dependence on light. Preactivation of mercyanin 540 (MC540) and several other photoactive compounds is achievable by exposure to CW and pulse laser radiation. The singlet oxygen generated at excited states attacks the dye molucule itself, resulting in the formation of biologically active photoproducts. For preactivated MC540 (photoproducts of MC540) generated by exposure to argon laser light (514 nm) and light from free-electron laser, we have demonstrated its effectiveness in selective killing of certain types of cultured tumor cells as well as human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) with very low, if any, damage to normal cells and tisues. For example, approximately 90% of the Burkitt's lymphoma Daudi cells and HL-60 leukemic cells are killed by preactivated MC540 at a concentration of 120 μg/ml. A two-hour treatment of cultured cells with buthionine sulfoxamine followed by the treatement with preactivated MC540 reults in 99.99% inhibition of clonogenic tumor stem cell growth. We also have demonstrated that preactivated MC540 is very effective in killing cell-free and cell-associated HIV-1. It also is very effective in killing HIV-1 and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) in virus-infected blood in vitro as determined by reverse transcriptase, P24, P17, core antigen expression and synctium formation. Treatment of HIV-1 with preactivated MC540 renders the treated HIV-1 incapable of binding to CD4 target molecules on T cells as determined by immunofluorescence and radioimmunoprecipitation assays. In vivo toxicology studies show that preactivated MC540 is very well tolerated and does not produce any signs of adverse reaction at the therapeutic doses, as determined by physical examination, serum eletrolyte measurements, blood chemistry, and histopathology. Photoproducts generated via the process of preactivation are currently under investigation for optimum activity and yield using high-peak, power-pulse lasers.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
New roles for estrogen receptor β in behavior and neuroendocrinology

In this review we critically examine the data on functions of the estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) in both behavior and neuroendocrinology. The influence of estradiol via the ERbeta has been assessed using several methods: estrogen receptor knockout mice, specific ERbeta selective agonists, and phytoestrogens which preferentially bind to ERbeta rather than ERalpha. The behavior for which a solid database and consensus is forming is anxiety; activation of ERbeta reduces anxiety on a number of tasks and in several species. Moreover, the relationship between ERbeta and serotonin may be critical for the regulation of this behavior by estradiol. There have been very few studies on learning and memory but the little we know suggests that ERbeta is involved in visuospatial learning; in its absence learning is inhibited. Recent work has suggested a unique function for ERbeta in sexual differentiation; its activation in male neonates may promote defeminization of sexual behavior. Several neurotransmitter-containing neurons in the rat paraventricular nucleus coexpress ERbeta including; vasopressin, oxytocin, prolactin, and to a lesser extent corticotrophin releasing hormone. Given the potential for ERbeta to interact with these important neurotransmitters and its co-expression in gonadotropin releasing hormone neurons it is surprising how normal the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and -gonadal axes appear to be in ERbeta knockout mice. Either this represents a species difference (the neuroanatomy has been conducted in the rat) or compensatory actions of ERalpha or other mechanisms. Exciting avenues for future research include; in vivo interactions between ERalpha and ERbeta, actions of non-estrogenic ligands with ERbeta, and the role of ERbeta in sexual differentiation.
BURIED GAS HYDRATES IN THE DEEPWATER OF THE SOUTH CASPIAN SEA, AZERBAIJAN: IMPLICATIONS FOR GEO-HAZARDS

Two multi-channel seismic reflection profiles in the deepwater of the South Caspian Sea, offshore Azerbaijan, document one of the first examples of buried gas hydrates. Based on their geophysical signature, these clathrates are characterized by (1) a depth-restricted, lenticular body well beneath the seafloor, (2) the apparent accumulation of free gas within the underlying sediment, and (3) evidence of associated recent slope failure in the overlying strata. The interpreted thickness and depth of gas hydrates in the South Caspian Basin fall within the hydrate stability field predicted from thermobaric modelling of gas compositions identified from coring at the seafloor. Predicted minimum water depths (~150 m) and maximum thicknesses (1,300 m) for hydrate stability are much shallower and considerably thicker in the South Caspian Sea than for other known hydrate occurrences. Accumulation of these hydrates near the base of the continental rise appears to control a large region (> 200 km2) of shallow deformat...
Solving Burgersʼ equation using optimal rational approximations

Abstract We solve viscous Burgersʼ equation using a fast and accurate algorithm—referred to here as the reduction algorithm—for computing near optimal rational approximations. Given a proper rational function with n poles, the reduction algorithm computes (for a desired L ∞ -approximation error) a rational approximation of the same form, but with a (near) optimally small number m ≪ n of poles. Although it is well known that (nonlinear) optimal rational approximations are much more efficient than linear representations of functions via a fixed basis (e.g. wavelets), their use in numerical computations has been limited by a lack of efficient, robust, and accurate algorithms. The reduction algorithm presented here computes reliably (near) optimal rational approximations with high accuracy (e.g., ≈ 10 − 14 ) and a complexity that is essentially linear in the number n of original poles. A key tool is a recently developed algorithm for computing small con-eigenvalues of Cauchy matrices with high relative accuracy, an impossible task for standard algorithms without extended precision. Using the reduction algorithm, we develop a numerical calculus for rational representations of functions. Indeed, while operations such as multiplication and convolution increase the number of poles in the representation, we use the reduction algorithm to maintain an optimally small number of poles. To demonstrate the efficiency, robustness, and accuracy of our approach, we solve Burgersʼ equation with small viscosity ν. It is well known that its solutions exhibit moving transition regions of width O ( ν ) , so that this equation provides a stringent test for adaptive PDE solvers. We show that optimal rational approximations capture the solutions with high accuracy using a small number of poles. In particular, we solve the equation with local accuracy ϵ = 10 − 9 for viscosity as small as ν = 10 − 5 .
Measurement of Cancer Health Literacy and Identification of Patients with Limited Cancer Health Literacy

Health literacy is related to a broad range of health outcomes. This study was designed to develop a psychometrically sound instrument designed to measure cancer health literacy along a continuum (CHLT-30), to develop another instrument designed to determine whether a patient has limited cancer health literacy (CHLT-6), and to estimate the prevalence of limited cancer health literacy. The Cancer Health Literacy Study involving 1,306 Black and White cancer patients was conducted between April 2011 and April 2013 in the Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center and surrounding oncology clinics. A continuous latent variable modeling framework was adopted to dimensionally represent cancer health literacy, whereas discrete latent variable modeling was used to estimate the prevalence rates of limited cancer health literacy. Self confidence about engaging in health decisions was used as the primary outcome in external validation of new instruments. Results from a comprehensive analysis strongly supported the construct validity and reliability of the CHLT-30 and CHLT-6. For both instruments, measurement invariance tests ruled out item/test bias to explain gender and race/ethnicity differences in test scores. The limited cancer health literacy rate was 18%, a subpopulation consisting of overrepresented Black, undereducated, and low-income cancer patients. Overall, the results supported the conclusion that the CHLT-30 accurately measures cancer health literacy along a continuum and that the CHLT-6 efficiently identifies patients with limited cancer health literacy with high accuracy.
An update of combined modality therapy for patients with muscle invading bladder cancer using selective bladder preservation or cystectomy.

AbstractPurpose: We update the results of tri-modality treatment for patients with muscle invading bladder tumors with selection for bladder preservation based on tumor response to induction therapy.Material and Methods: We reviewed the literature on modern tri-modality bladder preserving approaches using transurethral resection, radiation and concurrent chemotherapy followed by either bladder conservation with careful surveillance for complete responding patients or prompt cystectomy in those whose tumors persist after induction therapy.Results: The published experiences from 3 centers and 2 prospective trials done by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group were evaluated for 5-year overall survival of patients selected for bladder preservation or prompt cystectomy (49 to 63%) and for those with a conserved bladder (38 to 43%). The overall 5-year survival rates were comparable to other series of immediate cystectomy based approaches in patients of similar age and presenting with tumors of similar clinical s...
Periodontitis impacts quality of life in postmenopausal women

AbstractAim Interrelationships between traditional dental variables are becoming more evident in far-reaching aspects of life such as psychosocial interaction, self-esteem, overall health and even occupational performance. This study compares quality of life in postmenopausal women with chronic periodontitis with that of healthy postmenopausal women.Method A total of 128 randomly recruited postmenopausal women received a comprehensive periodontal evaluation and completed the Utian Quality of Life Survey. The participants were divided into healthy and periodontitis groups based on comprehensive periodontal examination. Mean scores were calculated for each quality-of-life item, domain and the overall summary score. Periodontitis patients’ quality-of-life outcomes were compared to those of healthy patients using the t-test with threshold of significance at p < 0.05.Results Quality-of-life scores in all fields measured were significantly poorer in the periodontitis patients compared to the healthy patients, o...
Rectal neutropenic enteropathy of children

Abstract Neutropenic enteropathy is a rare condition that involves commonly the ileocecale region of neutropenic patients. We report a case of 8 years old girl undergoing chemotherapy complicated by rectal neutropenic enteropathy. To our knowledge this location is the first case reported in the literature.