cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Site-occupancy monitoring of an ecosystem indicator: linking characteristics of riparian vegetation to beaver occurrence

Establishment of sampling frameworks to monitor the occurrence of ecological indicators and to identify the covariates that influence occurrence is a high-priority need for natural resource restoration and management efforts. We utilized occupancy modeling to identify patterns of beaver occurrence and factors influencing these patterns (i.e., type and amount of vegetation cover) in the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River ecosystem. We used rafts and kayaks to access a stratified random sample of sites (i.e., 100-m-long sections of riverbank) and used repeated sampling proce- dures to sample for beaver sign (i.e., lodges, cuttings, tracks, and beaver sightings). We quantified the type and amount of vegetation cover at each sampled section by using a GIS database of remotely sensed information on the riparian vege tation in the Grand Canyon. We first modeled occurrence of beaver sign as a function of the total amount of vegeta- tion cover (summed across classes) and then determined the relative importance score for each of the 7 vegetation classes. Detection probability (p) was 2 times higher when observers traveled in kayaks (0.61) than when they traveled in rafts (0.29). Occurrence of beaver sign (ψ) in sampled transects was widespread throughout the Grand Canyon (ψ = 0.74, SE = 0.06) and positively associated with total vegetation. The relative importance scores for Tamarix and Pluchea vegetation classes were 1.5-2.5 times larger than those for all other vegetation classes, indicating that occurrence of beaver sign was most strongly associated with the cover of these 2 vegetation classes. Our results imply that quantifying the amount of riparian vegetation in close proximity to a river helps determine the occurrence of an important ecological indicator in riparian systems. The results also demonstrate a useful and cost-effective method for monitoring riverine species' usage patterns by explicitly accounting for detectability.
The magnitudes of millennial- and orbital-scale climatic change in eastern North America during the Late Quaternary

Abstract Temporal differences among fossil pollen samples from eastern North America provide a measure of the amount of climatic change that occurred on a broad spatial scale since the last glacial maximum (21,000 cal yr BP). Square-chord distances (SCDs) quantify the difference between pollen samples, and, thus, represent the potential magnitude of climatic change underlying the pollen record. The magnitude varied significantly among time scales with small changes common at centennial to millennial scales and large changes common at multi-millennial (i.e. orbital) scales. SCDs measured across 3000-yr intervals averaged 0.20, and often exceeded the maximum difference expected from samples collected within the same biome (0.15). SCDs across individual millennia were smaller and averaged 0.08. SCDs across the millennia at the beginning (13,000–12,000 cal yr BP) and end (12,000–11,000 cal yr BP) of the Younger Dryas chronozone (12,900–11,600 cal yr BP), however, averaged 0.20 and 0.18, respectively. These rapid step changes, large at sub-millennial scales, equal about 5–25% of the total glacial–interglacial transition. Large magnitude progressive changes in insolation, ice sheet extent, and atmospheric composition parallel the dominant trends in the SCD data, which show that progressive change comprises the first-order climatic pattern of the Holocene rather than stable or oscillatory patterns.
Inhibition of deoxyhemoglobin S polymerization by glyceraldehyde

Glyceraldehyde reacts with hemoglobin S in the intact erythrocyte to reduce the degree of polymerization, thereby inhibiting sickling of the erythrocyte. Only five of the 24 amino groups per alpha beta dimer react with glyceraldehyde; the adducts are present as ketoamine structures, formed by Amadori rearrangement of the initial Schiff base adducts on the protein. The reactive amino groups are the epsilon-amino group of Lys-16 of the alpha-chain, and the alpha-amino group of Val-1 as well as the epsilon-amino groups Lys-82, Lys-59, and Lys-120 of the beta-chain. Hybrid tetramers were prepared with the modification only on Lys-16 of the alpha-chain or on the reactive lysine residues of the beta-chain. The former derivative gels at a much higher hemoglobin concentration (23 g/dl) than either the latter derivative (16 g/dl) or unmodified deoxyhemoglobin S (15 g/dl). Thus, the modification at Lys-16 of the alpha-chain is a major factor in the inhibition of sickling by glyceraldehyde.
Baeocystin and norbaeocystin: New analogs of psilocybin from Psilocybe baeocystis

Two new 4-phosphoryloxytryptamine derivatives have been isolated from Psilocybe baeocystis grown in submerged cultures. Using ultraviolet, infrared, and mass spectral analyses the structures have been determined. Both are analogs of the psychotomimetic, psilocybin, and have been named baeocystin (monomethyl analog) and norbaeocystin (demethyl analog).
Piloting a Method for Comparing Two Experiential Teaching Strategies

Abstract Background Experiential learning activities allow students to apply abstract concepts in realistic patient-care scenarios. The knowledge, values, and abilities that are essential to nursing practice require aptitude in the affective, cognitive, and psychomotor domains. Therefore, research aimed at assessing the effectiveness of teaching strategies should address how they affect learning outcomes in each of these domains. Method This pilot study used a quasi-experimental, nonequivalent comparison, modified Solomon four-group design. A total of 14 student participants were exposed to either case study clinical conference or human patient simulation learning activities. Cognitive, affective, and psychomotor learning outcomes were measured and compared between groups. Results No significant differences in cognitive, affective, or psychomotor learning outcomes were detected between the groups. Conclusions There is much to be learned from the design, methods, analyses, and results of this study. As a pilot, this study tested the feasibility of coordinating and carrying out the complex study procedures and provided data for a power analysis to inform future research.
Dilation of normal and constriction of atherosclerotic coronary arteries caused by the cold pressor test.

Increased vascular constriction has been observed at the site of atherosclerotic lesions, suggesting an association between atherosclerosis and altered vascular tone. While atherosclerosis may increase sensitivity to exogenous vasoconstrictors, little is known about the response of normal and atherosclerotic coronary arteries to an exogenous stimulus that excites the sympathetic nervous system. Therefore, we studied the response to cold pressor test (CPT) using quantitative angiography and Doppler flow velocity measurements in eight patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries (group I), nine patients with mild coronary atherosclerosis (less than 50% diameter narrowing) (group II), and 13 patients with advanced coronary stenoses (greater than 50% diameter narrowing) (group III). In 31 segments of angiographically smooth arteries in group I, the CPT produced vasodilation from a control mean diameter of 2.68 +/- 0.09 (mean +/- SE) to 2.99 +/- 0.09 mm at peak CPT (p less than 0.001), a 12 +/- 1% increase in diameter. In group II, 27 irregular segments constricted to peak CPT from a mean control diameter of 1.82 +/- 0.12 to 1.66 +/- 0.12 mm (p less than .001), a 9 +/- 1% decrease, while 10 smooth segments dilated from a mean control diameter of 1.98 +/- 0.11 mm to 2.34 +/- 0.15 mm (p less than .01), a 19 +/- 2% increase in diameter. Likewise, in group III, the 17 stenotic segments constricted from 1.16 +/- 0.09 to 0.89 +/- 0.09 mm (p less than .001), a 24 +/- 6% decrease; the irregular segments also constricted from 2.44 +/- 0.11 to 2.22 +/- 0.12 mm (p = .002), a 10 +/- 2% decrease. In contrast, two smooth segments dilated from 2.98 to 3.23 mm (mean), an 8% increase in diameter. Coronary blood flow increased 65 +/- 4% (mean) during CPT in group I, it increased 15 +/- 6% in group II, and it decreased 39 +/- 8% in group III. The vasodilator response in four normal patients was partly inhibited by the administration of intracoronary propranolol (17 +/- 3% increase during control, 10 +/- 2% increase after propranolol, 41% less dilation; p = .002). We conclude that the response of normal coronary arteries to the CPT test is dilation, in part related to beta-adrenoreceptor stimulation and possibly flow-mediated endothelial dilation or alpha 2-adrenergic activity. The paradoxical vasoconstrictor response induced by atherosclerosis may represent altered catecholamine sensitivity and/or a defect in endothelial vasodilator function. The presence of atherosclerosis impairs vasodilator responses and thus may contribute to the pathogenesis of myocardial ischemia.
Reactions of carbon dioxide with sodium and lithium borohydrides

Sodium borohydride reacts with excess carbon dioxide in the absence of solvent at temperatures somewhat above room temperature to form a fluffy white solid which is thought to be sodium formatomethoxyborate, (NaBO(OCH3)(O2CH). When the temperature is lowered, and dimethyl ether is used as a solvent, the reaction product is sodium triformatoborohydride, NaHB(O2CH)3. Various other reactions of carbon oxides and sulphides with double hydrides are discussed.
${mathcal{A}}$ -Stability of Global Attractors of Competition Diffusion Systems

We study the structural stability of global attractors ( $${\mathcal{A}}$$ -stability) for two-species competition diffusion systems with Morse-Smale structure. Such systems generate semiflows on positive cones of certain infinite-dimensional Banach spaces (e.g., fractional order spaces). Our main result states that a two species competition diffusion system with Morse-Smale structure is structurally $${\mathcal{A}}$$ -stable, which implies that the set of nonlinearities for which the system possesses Morse-Smale structure is open in an appropriate space under the topology of C 2-convergence on compacta. Moreover, we provide a sufficient condition under which a system has Morse-Smale structure and provide some examples which satisfy the sufficient condition.
DETECTING EVOLUTIONARY TRANSFER OF GENES USING PhIGs(1).

Organisms have acquired plastids by convoluted paths that have provided multiple opportunities for gene transfer into a host nucleus from intracellular organisms, including the cyanobacterial ancestor of plastids, the proteobacterial ancestor of mitochondria, and both green and red algae whose engulfment has led to secondary acquisition of plastids. These gene movements are most accurately demonstrated by building phylogenetic trees that identify the evolutionary origin of each gene, and one effective tool for this is "PhIGs" (Phylogenetically Inferred Groups; http://PhIGs.org), a set of databases and computer tools with a Web interface for whole-genome evolutionary analysis. PhIGs takes as input gene sets of completely sequenced genomes, builds clusters of genes using a novel, graph-based approach, and reconstructs the evolutionary relationships among all gene families. The user can view and download the sequence alignments, compare intron-exon structures, and follow links to functional genomic databases. Currently, PhIGs contains 652,756 genes from 45 genomes grouped into 61,059 gene families. Graphical displays show the relative positions of these genes among genomes. PhIGs has been used to detect the evolutionary transfer of hundreds of genes from cyanobacteria and red algae into oomycete nuclear genomes, revealing that even though they have no plastids, their ancestors did, having secondarily acquired them from an intracellular red alga. A great number of genomes are soon to become available that are relevant to our broader understanding of the movement of genes among intracellular compartments after engulfing other organisms, and PhIGs will be an effective tool to interpret these gene movements.
The aeronomy of the upper atmosphere of Venus

It is shown that rather tight constraints can be placed on the mixing ratio of atomic oxygen in the upper atmosphere of Venus, as well as that of CO and molecular oxygen, unless extraordinary processes which lead to a very large efflux of hydrogen from the planet are postulated. The analysis conducted is similar to the investigation carried out for the earth by Liu and Donahue (1974). If Jeans escape provides the main escape mode for hydrogen from Venus, the concentration ratio of atomic oxygen to carbon dioxide at 130 km is much less than 1% and some mechanism other than resonance scattering plus photoelectron excitation must account for the oxygen airglow.
Study on the Behavior of an Asymmetrically Heated Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Water in Single Phase

Recent design efforts have used the reactor cavity cooling system (RCCS) for passive decay heat removal in the Next Generation Nuclear Plant. Employing a series of riser tubes and cooling panels th...
Openly English: Phyllis Bedells and the Birth of British Ballet

(1995). Openly English: Phyllis Bedells and the birth of British Ballet. Dance Chronicle: Vol. 18, No. 3, pp. 437-451.
Optimal control problems for singular systems

Singular systems of the form E[xdot] = ƒ(x,u,t) are considered, where E is a square matrix and may be singular. It is assumed that for any ‘admissible’ initial state x(t 0), any control u(t) ∊ U yields one and only one continuous state x(t), and there is one and only one continuous adjoint state λ(t). The formulae for functional variation are derived; the necessary condition for optimality—the maximum principle—is obtained; the boundary conditions for the adjoint equations of the singular systems are given; and the necessary and sufficient condition for optimality of linear singular systems is derived.
Biodynamic Response at the Palm of the Human Hand Subjected to a Random Vibration

This study investigated the biodynamic response (BR) distributed at the palm of the hand subjected to a random vibration. Twelve male subjects were used in the experiment. Each subject applied three coupling actions (grip-only, push-only, and combined grip and push) on a simulated tool handle at three different levels (50, 75, and 100 N) of palm force. This study found that the hand-arm system resonated mostly in the frequency range of 20 to 50 Hz, depending on the specific test treatment and individual characteristics. The maximum vibration power transmission through the palm occurred at the resonant frequency. Increasing the effective palm force generally increased the BR magnitude and resonant frequency. The apparent stiffness measured at the middle frequencies (80-100 Hz) is correlated to the BR in almost the entire frequency range (20-1,000 Hz). Under the same palm force, the push-only action corresponded to the highest BR values while the grip-only action generally produced the lowest values. Since the resonant frequency range matches the dominant vibration frequency range of many percussive tools, it is anticipated that the palm BR and vibration power transmission may have an association with vibration-induced injuries or disorders in the wrist-arm system among the workers using these tools.
Retrieval of equivalent water thickness and information related to biochemical components of vegetation canopies from AVIRIS data

Abstract Remote sensing of water status and biochemical components of vegetation can have important applications in the fields of agriculture and forestry. Reflectance of fresh, green vegetation in the 1.0–2.5 μm region is dominated by liquid water absorption and also weakly affected by absorption due to biochemical components, such as protein, lignin, and cellulose. We have developed both the nonlinear and linear least squares spectrum-matching techniques for deriving equivalent water thickness (EWT) of vegetation from AVIRIS data in the 1.0 μm and 1.6 μm regions. EWT values are compared with in situ canopy measurements in Harvard Forest, Massachusetts. Seasonal variations of EWTs over an agricultural area in Greeley, Colorado are determined. EWTs from the 1.0 μm region are generally greater than those from the 1.6 μm region. This is because the absorptivity of water near 1.0 μm is much less than that at 1.6 μm—resulting in a greater mean absorption path length in the 1.0 μ, region. After fitting the AVIRIS data with a reflectance spectrum of water, a weak lignin-cellulose absorption feature centered at 1.72 μm is seen in the difference spectra. We map the depth of the 1.72-μ feature, which can be considered as an index of abundance of those compounds in the canopy. AVIRIS data for the Harvard Forest, Massachusetts were analyzed and compared with laboratory chemical analysis of the foliage. The results obtained with the linear least squares spectrum-matching technique are comparable to the stepwise linear regression results obtained from first difference spectra.
Election Laws, Disproportionality and Median Correspondence: Implications for Two Visions of Democracy

Comparative studies of election rules and legislative representation have focused intensively on vote–seat disproportionality as an indication of poor representation. Beginning with citizens' preferences, rather than votes, has important advantages and is especially more appropriate for a majoritarian vision of democracy. We analyse the effect of election rules on both vote–seat correspondence and median left–right correspondence in seventy elections in seventeen countries. We show theoretically the stringent conditions necessary to reduce vote–seat disproportionality in high threshold systems and empirically their high variance (and higher levels) of distortion. Although good median correspondence could be created, in theory, under a wide range of electoral systems, our empirical results suggest that proportional representation (PR) systems tend to outperform single-member district (SMD) systems by this criterion also.
The WWE domain: a common interaction module in protein ubiquitination and ADP ribosylation

Sequence profile analysis was used to detect a conserved globular domain in several proteins including deltex, Trip12 and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase homologs. It was named the WWE domain after its most conserved residues and is predicted to mediate specific protein-protein interactions in ubiquitin and ADP-ribose conjugation systems.
Serum Ethanol Clearance in Intoxicated Children and Adolescents Presenting to the ED

Objective: To determine the rate of serum ethanol clearance in 39 children and adolescents who presented intoxicated to one ED. Methods: All pediatric patients presenting to a university hospital ED, for whom serial ethanol levels had been determined between January 1989 and May 1993, were evaluated. Age, gender, presenting complaint, initial serum glucose concentration, timed serum ethanol concentrations, and rate of serum ethanol clearance were determined retrospectively for all the patients. Results:39 pediatric patients had had serial serum ethanol concentrations determined. The patients ranged in age from 6 weeks to 17 years (mean 14.6 years). Initial serum ethanol levels ranged from 13.7 to 84.2 mmol/L (63–388 mg/dL) and the mean serum ethanol clearance rate was 4.0 mmol/L/hr (18.6 mg/dL/hr), consistent with clearance rates previously reported for adults. Conclusion: These data suggest that the rate of serum ethanol clearance in children and adolescents presenting to the ED approaches that previously reported for adults. Clinical diminution of intoxication should not be more rapid for children and adolescents than it is for adults.
Nanostructured Substrates for Optical Sensing.

Sensors that change color have the advantages of versatility, ease of use, high sensitivity, and low cost. The recent development of optically based chemical sensing platforms has increasingly employed substrates manufactured with advanced processing or fabrication techniques to provide precise control over shape and morphology of the sensor micro- and nanostructure. New sensors have resulted with improved capabilities for a number of sensing applications, including the detection of biomolecules and environmental monitoring. This Perspective focuses on recent optical sensor devices that utilize nanostructured substrates.
Real-time PCR-based prediction of gonad phenotype in medaka

An important endpoint in aquatic bioassays for potential endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is the gonadal phenotype of exposed fish, with special interest in intersex and sex-reversed individuals. Traditionally, the assessment of gonad phenotype is done via histology, which involves specialized and time-consuming techniques. The method detailed here increases the efficiency of the analysis by first determining the relative expression of four genes involved in gonad development/maintenance in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes), and then by using principal component analysis, assigning a phenotype to each gonad based upon the gene expression data. The gonad phenotype and the sexual genotype, which can be determined in medaka, can then be compared to assess potential adverse effects of exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals.
Role of surface structure in heterogeneous nucleation

Abstract Nucleation site density measurements have been made for water on brass and stainless steel surfaces using a gas nucleation technique. It has been observed that nucleation sites are substantially more populated on the brass surface compared with the stainless steel surface. The difference is attributed to variations in the detailed surface structure. A vertical scanning interferometer has been used to gather statistical data on cavity mouth diameters and cavity half cone angles for the brass and stainless steel surfaces. The statistical data have been used to predict the nucleation site density, and satisfactory agreement is fortuitously obtained for the brass surface, while poor agreement is obtained for the stainless steel surface. Due to the large uncertainty in the probability of finding cavities that satisfy the gas trapping criteria, the statistical method does not appear to be useful for predicting nucleation site density on surfaces with randomly distributed cavities. It has been observed that only deep cavities are suitable for trapping vapor.
The relationship of patient satisfaction with care and clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVES. The authors examine the relationship between three dimensions of patient satisfaction (quality of care, hospital care, and physician time) and two ways of looking at outcomes: absolute (status at 6 months after surgery) and relative (difference between baseline and follow-up status). METHODS. A total of 2,116 patients undergoing cholecystectomy were interviewed before surgery and again at 6 months. The baseline interview addressed health status (general functioning and specific symptoms) and risk factors. The follow-up interview included health status and a series of satisfaction questions. Outcomes included both overall health status and specific symptoms. Potential confounding factors, in addition to baseline status, such as demographics, casemix, and procedure type, were accounted for in the analysis. RESULTS. Each of the outcomes was related significantly to each of the satisfaction scales; however, the relative outcomes were related more strongly to satisfaction than were the absolute versions. Although the regression coefficients were highly significant, none of the outcomes measures accounted for more than 8% of the explained variance in the several satisfaction scores. CONCLUSIONS. Although outcomes and satisfaction are related, more goes into satisfaction than just outcomes. When determining their satisfaction with the care they have received, patients are more likely to focus on their present state of health than to consider the extent of improvement they have enjoyed.
Sharing location in online social networks

Online social networks (OSNs) have become important media for information sharing among Internet users. In particular, several OSNs provide mechanisms to facilitate sharing of the users' location, which is gaining increased popularity due to the growth of GPS-equipped smartphones. These location-based OSNs (LSNs) bridge users' physical and social worlds, allowing users to know where their friends are and enabling location-based information access and user interactions. In this article we first introduce several LSNs and compare their location-sharing related features. A user's location, however, is sensitive and personal information that may raise significant privacy concerns. To understand real-world users' location-sharing behavior, we collected 21 months of data traces from a commercial LSN and analyzed its users' location-sharing updates. We found that the characteristics of the users' privacy protection behavior is correlated with their age, gender, mobility, and geographic region. In addition, friends tend to have similar privacy protection patterns. To the best of our knowledge, this article is the first large-scale empirical study of a modern LSN.
Thermal Loading of Thin Metal Foils Used as Electron Beam Windows for a Krf Laser

This paper presents experimental results of the foil temperature on the rep-rated electron beam pumped KrF laser during 50-shot bursts at 1 Hz and 5 Hz. The experiments demonstrate improved convective cooling of the foil during repetitive operation by confining the recirculating laser gas to flow along the hibachi foils.
Optimistic explanatory style and dispositional optimism in HIV-infected men

Objective: This study examined associations of two types of optimism (Peterson and Seligman's optimistic explanatory style and Scheier and Carver's dispositional optimism) with each other as well as with symptoms and immune status among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected men. Method: We related both types of optimism to HIV symptoms and to CD4 counts in a cross-sectional study of 78 men, and to change in CD4 counts in a 2-year prospective study of a subsample of these men. Results: Analyses controlled for age, education, employment status, duration since diagnosis, and azidothymidine (AZT) use. The two types of optimism were only minimally related to each other (r=.25). Cross-sectionally, higher levels of both types of optimism were associated with having fewer HIV symptoms, but a more optimistic explanatory style was related to having poorer immune status (lower CD4). Prospectively, an optimistic explanatory style was a substantial predictor of greater decline in CD4 counts after 2 years, after controlling for baseline CD4. Dispositional optimism was unrelated to CD4 counts. Neither health behaviors nor coping strategies mediated these relationships, and the relationships of optimistic explanatory style (and to a lesser extent, dispositional optimism) were independent of negative affectivity. Conclusions: These optimism measures tap different types of optimism, and although both are related to better subjective health in HIV-infected men, an optimistic explanatory style predicts greater decline in immune status over time. This latter relationship may be related to the unique stress and life experiences associated with having HIV.
Acoustic characterization of ultrasonic vocalizations by a nocturnal primate Tarsius syrichta

This preliminary study characterizes the ultrasonic vocalizations produced by Philippine tarsiers, Tarsius syrichta. Data were collected at the Philippine Tarsier Foundation Sanctuary in Corella, Bohol, Philippines, from July through October 2010. Recordings were made on a Wildlife Acoustics Ultrasonic Song Meter 2 BAT from 29 wild, free-living adult resident T. syrichta (23 females and six males). A total of 10,309 USVs were recorded. These vocalizations fell into three main categories: chirps, twitters, and whistles. Chirps were the most frequent, followed by twitters and whistles. Whereas chirps and twitters were emitted by both male and female Philippine tarsiers, whistles were only emitted by adult males. Given that vocalizations reported in this study were exclusively recorded during capture and handling, it is very likely that these vocalizations function as distress calls. However, as the long whistle was only given by adult males who were captured at the same time as the female or the group’s infant, the function of the long whistle might be slightly different than the function of the other relatively lower-frequency USVs.
Combination treatment with progesterone and vitamin D hormone may be more effective than monotherapy for nervous system injury and disease.

More than two decades of pre-clinical research and two recent clinical trials have shown that progesterone (PROG) and its metabolites exert beneficial effects after traumatic brain injury (TBI) through a number of metabolic and physiological pathways that can reduce damage in many different tissues and organ systems. Emerging data on 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (VDH), itself a steroid hormone, have begun to provide evidence that, like PROG, it too is neuroprotective, although some of its actions may involve different pathways. Both agents have high safety profiles, act on many different injury and pathological mechanisms, and are clinically relevant, easy to administer, and inexpensive. Furthermore, vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in a large segment of the population, especially the elderly and institutionalized, and can significantly affect recovery after CNS injury. The combination of PROG and VDH in pre-clinical and clinical studies is a novel and compelling approach to TBI treatment.
A spatially adjusted N-way ANOVA model

Abstract Adjusting for spatial autocorrelation within the general linear model context is investigated, using an autoregressive response formulation. A Jacobian approximation is employed for accompanying exploratory two-way ANOVA of geo-referenced Puerto Rico agricultural production data. This approximation is an extension of one already found for regular lattices. Spatial autocorrelation impacts on conventional statistical results are emphasized, are found to be of various sorts, and lend themselves to different interpretations. Finally, comparisons of empirical findings with earlier inferences and descriptions are presented. Important topics for subsequent research, such as determining correct degrees of freedom for spatial data series, surface during the analysis.
Less is more: reduced catechol production permits Pseudomonas putida F1 to grow on styrene

Pseudomonas putida F1 is unable to grow on styrene due to the accumulation of 3-vinylcatechol, a toxic metabolite that is produced through the toluene degradation (tod) pathway and causes catechol-2,3-dioxygenase (C23O) inactivation. In this study, we characterized a spontaneous F1 mutant, designated SF1, which acquired the ability to grow on styrene and did not accumulate 3-vinylcatechol. Whereas adaptation to new aromatic substrates has typically been shown to involve increased C23O activity or the acquisition of resistance to C23O inactivation, SF1 retained wild-type C23O activity. Surprisingly, SF1 grew more slowly on toluene, its native substrate, and exhibited reduced toluene dioxygenase (TDO) activity (approximately 50 % of that of F1), the enzyme responsible for ring hydroxylation and subsequent production of 3-vinylcatechol. DNA sequence analysis of the tod operon of SF1 revealed a single base pair mutation in todA (C479T), a gene encoding the reductase component of TDO. Replacement of the wild-type todA allele in F1 with todA C479T reduced TDO activity to SF1 levels, obviated vinylcatechol accumulation, and conferred the ability to grow on styrene. This novel ‘less is more’ strategy – reduced catechol production as a means to expand growth substrate range – sheds light on an alternative approach for managing catechol toxicity during the metabolism of aromatic compounds.
Knowledge, attitudes, and preferences of healthy young adults regarding advance care planning: a focus group study of university students in Pittsburgh, USA.

To date, research and promotion regarding advance care planning (ACP) has targeted those with serious illness or the elderly, thereby ignoring healthy young adults. The purpose of this study was to explore young adults’ knowledge, attitudes, and preferences regarding advance care planning (ACP) and medical decision-making. Further, we aimed to understand the potential role of public health to encourage population-based promotion of ACP.
Ultraviolet Laser Transitions in I2 and Br2

The ultraviolet emission spectra of the halogens have been the subject of numerous investigations in the last sixty years. (See [1] and [2] and the references cited therein.) The spectrum of I2 excited in the presence of foreign gases has proved particularly challenging to spectroscopists. Some nine years ago Wieland and I began an isotope shift study of this spectrum, which very early corroborated the existing analyses of two of the weaker band systems in the spectrum -- F → X (~2600 A) and E → B (~4300 A). In the case of the third and most prominent system near 3400 A, the results indicated that all previous analyses were incorrect. However, because this system is quite complicated in certain respects, the analysis has not yet been completed.
Pediatric penile pain secondary to idiopathic arterial thrombosis

Abstract Penile pain in the pediatric population can result from a variety of causes. Although urinary tract infection, urethral stricture and trauma are well-recognized etiologies, they are typically not identified. Most discomfort is therefore attributed to referred pain secondary to dysfunctional voiding behavior. Supporting this frequent conclusion is the often concomitant complaint by the family and patient of intermittent penile tumescence – itself typically the result of bladder over-distension. We present the first pediatric case of penile pain with intermittent penile tumescence secondary to arterial thrombosis and emphasize the critical need for a high index of suspicion in order to identify this unusual condition.
Lyapunov stability of columns, pipes and rotating shafts under time-dependent excitation

Structural or mechanical systems governed by non-autonomous partial differential equations are considered. The systems are such that they would be conservative in the absence of dissipation and time variation of the loading parameter. They possess an equilibrium state, and sufficient conditions for its stability are obtained with the use of Lyapunov's direct method. Three problems are treated: a column with a time-varying axial load, a pipe conveying fluid with time-varying velocity, and a rotating shaft with time-varying angular velocity. These excitations appear in coefficients of the equations of motion, and the stability conditions involve the excitations and their time rates of change
Residual Dipolar Couplings

Fast isotropic tumbling of biomolecules in solution averages out many strong nuclear interactions and leads to the sharp resonance lines typically desired in solution NMR studies. One of the nuclear interactions is dipolar coupling, which depends on the distance separating the two nuclei and their internuclear orientation with respect to the magnetic field. By reintroducing a small net alignment of the biomolecules relative to the magnetic field, one can regain a small fraction of this interaction, resulting in measurable (RDC). This can be accomplished by direct alignment because of the intrinsic property of the biomolecule itself or by adding substances to the solution that create an aligning medium. RDC contains unique structural information and can provide long-range restraints. This is in contrast to the typical NOE or scalar (J) coupling information, both of which are local in nature. Inclusion of RDC information in NMR structure determination improves the precision and accuracy of the local geometry as well as the global structure of the biomolecules. Owing to the nature of how net alignment is introduced, RDC also contains information on the dynamic ensemble of the biomolecules. This provides new opportunities to study dynamic processes in biological systems. Keywords: protein structure; dipolar interaction; liquid crystal; ensemble dynamics; long-range structural restraint
The MacBride commission report reconsidered

Abstract The report of the Unesco International Commission for the Study of Communication Problems (MacBride Commission) is described as ambiguous but useful. It acknowledges the emergence of “information societies” ‐ nations like the United States where a majority of the workforce is employed in information‐related activities rather than agriculture or industry ‐ but does not link information economies to Western dominance of international communication. The rapid development of second‐generation television systems in the United States, which combine satellite and cable distribution, affords new opportunities for a balanced exchange of TV programming. But as long as a few Western countries dominate in the production of new knowledge, a “free and balanced flow” of communications among the nations of the world as called for by the MacBride Commission is considered unlikely. Current efforts to improve third world communications structures ‐ notably the new International Program for the Development of Commun...
Minimal Effects of High‐Pressure Treatment on Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Inoculated into Peanut Butter and Peanut Products

About 1.2 billion pounds of peanut butter are consumed annually in the United States. In 2008 to 2009, an outbreak involving Salmonella Typhimurium in peanut butter led to a recall of over 3900 products by over 200 companies. More than 700 people became sick, 100 were hospitalized, and 9 people died from this outbreak. This study examines the efficacy of high-pressure processing (HPP) to decrease S. Typhimurium American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) 53647 inoculated into peanut butter and model systems. The viability of S. Typhimurium in peanut butter stored at room temperature was investigated. A culture of S. Typhimurium (6.88 log CFU/g) was inoculated into peanut butter. Following 28 d at 20 °C there was a 1.23-log reduction. Approximately 10(6) to 10(7) CFU/g S. Typhimurium were inoculated into 4 brands of peanut butter, 3 natural peanut butters and peanut flour slurries at 2, 5, and 10% peanut flour protein in peanut oil and in distilled water. All were treated at 600 MPa for 5 min at 45 °C. While significant differences were found between natural peanut butter and peanut protein mixtures, the reduction was <1.0 log. The peanut flour/oil mixtures had a 1.7, 1.6, and 1.0-log reduction from HPP (2, 5, and 10% protein, respectively) whereas peanut flour/water mixtures had a 6.7-log reduction for all protein levels. Oil had a protective effect indicating HPP may not help the microbial safety of water-in-oil food emulsions including peanut butter. Practical Application: There have been multiple outbreaks of foodborne illness involving peanut butter products. This study looks at the potential use of high-pressure processing to reduce the bacteria that may be in peanut butter.
Effect of hyperthermia on radiation-induced chromosome loss in female Drosophila melanogaster

Three-day-old adult females of mutagen sensitive mutants: mus (1)101D1, mus(1)102D2, mus(1)103D1, mus(1)104D1, mus(1)105D1, mus(3)302D2; meiotic mutants: mei-9D2, mei-9D3, mei-218, and controls st, and w, were subjected to 38 degrees C for 1 hour and 1200R of gamma rays, brooded daily, and nondisjunction and the loss of X chromosomes determined. This was done in an attempt to gain more information on the hyperthermia sensitization of radiation-induced damage. In several strains the hyperthermia treatment sensitized immature class-1 oocytes--the most radiation-resistant stage--to radiation-induced chromosome loss. This class of oocytes is believed to have the greatest number of repair enzymes, and supports the hypothesis that hyperthermia increases radiation-induced genetic damage by interference with repair enzymes. The mature oocytes, which are believed to lack repair enzymes (stage 14), were the most sensitive to heat treatment and radiation. Hyperthermia failed to increase radiation-induced chromosome loss in the meiotic mutants. Hyperthermia may affect excision repair. There was no clear-cut correlation between other defective DNA pathways and influence of hyperthermia on radiation-induced chromosome loss in Drosophila females. The failure of hyperthermia to increase radiation-induced chromosome loss in meiotic mutants may indicate that radiation sensitization by hyperthermia also may be due to interference with chromosome segregation.
Killing Is Positive

This paper reports a study designed to investigate whether playing violent video games elicits the psychological conditions theoretically required for media use to cause aggressive behavior. Specifically, the study was designed to examine whether these games elicit desensitization, facilitation, and disinhibition. Thus, does physiological arousal in response to violent activity decrease over time during game play, and is there a difference between novice and experienced game players (as would be expected if desensitization had occurred)? Do players experience positive emotional states when actively engaged in virtual violent behavior (fighting and killing opponents) – a necessary condition for disinhibition? Do game players frame their motivations in terms of self-defense and game success, as would be necessary for facilitation to occur? The results showed that playing first-person shooters did elicit these requisite patterns of cognitive, physiological, and emotional states. Violent game play is a positi...
Polymerization mechanisms and stereosequence distributions: A monomer–dimer model

A polymerization mechanism in which monomers and dimers add to a growing polymer chain with different rate constants and different stereospecificity is considered. A fraction of the dimers are in isotactic placement internally, and low conversion to polymer is assumed. The stereosequence distribution generated by this monomer–dimer model is calculated and found to be non-Markovian in general. A method of determining kinetic parameters of the mechanism from experimentally obtained placement sequence probabilities and related experimental tests for the applicability of the mechanism are also described. A few ramifications of the general monomer–dimer model are then discussed. A case of special interest is the one in which all the dimers have a single internal tacticity, a model recently proposed by Blumstein, et al., for a polymerization involving the surface of certain aluminosilicate minerals. For the case where all dimers are isotactic, it is found that although the propagation of consecutive syndiotactic placements alone is simple Markovian, the overall stereosequence distribution is non-Markovian. Another special case of interest is the limiting case with dimers only in the feed. This case turns out to correspond to a special case of the cyclopolymerization mechanism proposed previously by Reinmoller and Fox. Although the tacticity distribution of the placements created by the head (or tail) monomer units alone of the dimers is Bernoullian, the composite stereosequence distribution is again non-Markovian.
Demography and cross-country differences in savings rates: a new approach and evidence

This paper includes both dependency thesis and pension motive for savings to explain the large differences in cross-country savings rates. The two demographic factors are incorporated into an overlapping generation model, and the steady-state savings rates for a sample of 109 countries are computed. Both demographic factors can explain up to 68% of the dispersion in the cross-country savings rates. Furthermore, if the expenditure burden is sufficiently high, fertility has a greater impact on cross-country savings rate differences than longevity does. This study also satisfactorily explains the large gap in savings rates between the high- and low-income countries.
Adolescent OxyContin Abuse.

Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry - Vol. 43 - N° 2 - p. 231-234
DICKENS'S “JEWISH QUESTION”: PARIAH CAPITALISM AND THE WAY OUT

The story – we might almost say legend – of how Dickens came to make the character of Riah in Our Mutual Friend a benign figure and a deliberate revision of Fagin, underworld denizen of Oliver Twist, is well known. In 1860, an Anglo-Jewish couple, J. P. and Eliza Davis, bought Charles Dickens's London home, Tavistock House. Dickens remarked to his personal secretary, William Wills, that he could not recall any “money-making dealings . . . that have been so satisfactory, considerate, and trusting” (Johnson 487). This expression of relief and slight surprise that the sale of his property to a Jewish family was without complication followed on Dickens's suspicion, crudely expressed earlier in the negotiations, that the “Jew Money-Lender” (as he referred to J. P. Davis) would not come through on the deal (Stone 243). But, though the Davises proved surprisingly cooperative in this phase of the transaction as far as Dickens was concerned, Mrs. Davis did ultimately have a complaint to register with the great writer and delivered it politely in a letter three years later. It was not about the house or the terms of purchase but rather about the character of Fagin, created by Dickens in 1837, some twenty-six years earlier. English Jews, she told him, had taken offense at this portrayal of one of their people and believed Dickens had done them a “great wrong” by offering the greedy, thieving, child-corrupting, sausage-eating criminal as representative of their “scattered nation” (Lane 98). Still, she added, while the author lived he might conceivably “justify himself or atone” for this deed. Apparently contrite and unaware of feeling any of the prejudices his portrait of the London fence might convey, Dickens declared in a letter back to Mrs. Davis that he had only “friendly feelings” for the Jews. His contrition did not end there. For the novel he was then beginning to write, Dickens would create a beneficent Jewish character, Riah, friend to the river dredger's daughter, Lizzie Hexam, and her misshapen companion, the dolls’ dressmaker, Jenny Wren. As the late-nineteenth century Anglo-Jewish poet and novelist Amy Levy put it, Dickens “trie[d] to compensate for his having affixed the label ‘Jew’ to one of his bad fairies by creating the good fairy Riah” (Levy 176).
A note on strong compactness and resurrectibility

We construct a model containing a proper class of strongly compact cardinals in which no strongly compact cardinal is + supercompact and in which every strongly compact cardinal has its strong compactness resurrectible.
Effect of intermittent feeding on anaerobic chemithermomechanical pulp wastewater treatment

Abstract This note describes the effect of intermittent feeding on the performance of an acclimatized anaerobic sludge blanket reactor treating chemithermomechanical pulp (CTMP) wastewater. Intermittent feeding does not cause process instability when the anaerobic reactor contains acclimatized anaerobic granular sludge. The reactor can be left idling in a substrate limited state for up to a week without causing biomass inhibition.