cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Empirical Identification of Social Media Key Performance Indicators from the 2014 General Elections

The necessity for a politician to actively engage via social media increases with each passing election. The come-from-behind primary victory and the ultimate election of President Obama in 2008 are often partially attributed to the campaign’s social media prowess. Anecdotal evidence abounds regarding the negative effects of politician’s usage of social media, for example congressman Anthony Weiner in 2011. However, contemporary recommendations towards successful campaigning via social media are generally limited to anecdotal success stories and top ten lists. This research addresses this gap by capturing over 6 million social media messages and weekly statistics from over 1,300 official campaign accounts from September through November during the 2014 U.S. general election. Non-parametric analyses empirically establish many key performance indicators related to social network size, churn and various messaging activities. Although this exploratory investigation does not address causality, we contribute by producing empirically validated KPIs and their associations with election outcomes.
Growth of Large Plasmodia of the Myxomycete Physarum polycephalum

A method has been developed for growing Physarum polycephalum plasmodia that are 8 to 10 times larger than those obtained in the petri dish cultures used by Nygaard, Guttes, and Rusch. In the large-scale procedure, plasmodia were grown in metal trays on a membrane supported by filter paper on stainless-steel screen. Plasmodia were started from a ring of inoculum to allow inward and outward migration and were incubated on a rocker so that nutrient medium would flow back and forth, wetting the undersurface of the plasmodium. Rocker and petri dish cultures had similar growth characteristics: (i) the interphase time between mitoses I and II and between II and III was about 8 hr; (ii) ribonucleic acid and protein increased essentially logarithmically throughout the cell cycle; and (iii) deoxyribonucleic acid increased only during early interphase and it doubled in approximately 3 hr after each mitosis. Rocker cultures were not as nearly synchronous as petri dish cultures and had a range in metaphase time (at mitosis III) within individual plasmodia of 15 to 45 min, as compared with 5 to 10 min in petri dish cultures. Images
Construction of the Approximating Markov Chain

In this chapter we develop some canonical methods for obtaining approximating Markov chains which are locally consistent with the controlled diffusion in the sense used in (4.1.3). We also deal with the controlled jump diffusion and reflected processes in Sections 5.6 and 5.7. The chapter outlines two classes of basic methods and a number of variations of each of them. One purpose is to describe methods which are readily programmable. But we also wish to show the versatility and intuitive nature of the general approach. There are many variations of the methods discussed. Once the general procedures are clear, the reader can adapt them to particular problems which might not be directly covered by the discussion. The development does not directly cover processes on manifolds such as the surface of a sphere or torus, but the various possibilities should be apparent.
Improving the web site's effectiveness by considering each page's temporal information

Improving the effectiveness of a web site is always one of its owner’s top concerns. By focusing on analyzing web users’ visiting behavior, web mining researchers have developed a variety of helpful methods, based upon association rules, clustering, prediction and so on. However, we have found little attention has been spent in studying the temporal property associated with each page at a given web site, which, under our investigation, in fact has stored valuable information that could disclose extra useful user behaving knowledge. In this paper we study and propose a new web mining technique – temporal web log mining – by taking frequently-overlooked temporal information regarding each page of a given web site into account and integrating it with human heuristics. The discovered temporal web patterns then could be used to improve the web site’s effectiveness.
Central bank independence and inflation: Corporatism, partisanship, and alternative indices of central bank independence

A well-developed theoretical literature suggests that central bank independence causes low inflation. Empirical work supporting this hypothesis is unsatisfactory, however, for two reasons: statistical analysis has only recently begun to include control variables, and important political variables that are related to inflation have not yet been included; analysis has not yet undertaken a systematic comparison of alternative indices of central bank independence. This paper addresses both weaknesses by testing the explanatory power of eight indices of central bank independence in a political-economic model of inflation. The results suggest that while support for the central bank independence hypothesis survives a relatively inclusive set of control variables, support for the hypothesis is not independent of the particular index upon which analysis relies.
Distribution, Tissue Binding and Toxicity of Mercurials

The development of the environmental mercury problem and the toxicity of mercury and its compounds have received attention in numerous recent reviews (27, 28, 29, 39, 42, 43, 48, 76, 81, 98, 103, 125). Mercury and cinnabar have been known since at least 1500 B.C. and mercury was a familiar substance by the first century B.C. (35, 75). The toxicity of mercury was mentioned by a number of ancient writers and the occupational hazards of mercury were described in detail by Paracelsus in 1533 (41, 53). Ramazzini (97), who in 1700 published De Morbis Artificium, the first comprehensive treatise on occupational diseases, vividly describes the maladies afflicting miners, gilders, mirror-makers and physicians who were exposed to mercury in the course of their work. Although there is a continuing problem of occupational exposure to inorganic mercury (33, 39), possible effects on broader segments of the population due to the widespread dispersal of mercury in the environment has recently become the focus of concern. The Minamata disaster in the 1950’s, in which forty-six deaths occurred among the 121 inhabitants poisoned by methylmercury which had accumulated in the fish of Minamata Bay as the result of the mercury discharged from a chemical plant employing a mercury catalyst (59, 60, 77), dramatically exposed the potential hazards to the general population.
Black Holes and the Penrose Inequality in General Relativity

In a paper [23] in 1973, R. Penrose made a physical argument that the total mass of a spacetime which contains black holes with event horizons of total area A should be at least p A/16�. An important special case of this physical statement translates into a very beautiful mathematical inequality in Riemannian geometry known as the Riemannian Penrose inequality. One particularly geometric aspect of this problem is the fact that apparent horizons of black holes in this setting correspond to minimal surfaces in Riemannian 3manifolds. The Riemannian Penrose inequality was first proved by G. Huisken and T. Ilmanen in 1997 for a single black hole [17] and then by the author in 1999 for any number of black holes [6]. The two approaches use two different geometric flow techniques. The most general version of the Penrose inequality is still open. In this talk we will sketch the author’s proof by flowing Riemannian manifolds inside the class of asymptotically flat 3-manifolds (asymptotic to R 3 at infinity) which have nonnegative scalar curvature and contain minimal spheres. This new flow of metrics has very special properties and simulates an initial physical situation in which all of the matter falls into the black holes which merge into a single, spherically symmetric black hole given by the Schwarzschild metric. Since the Schwarzschild metric gives equality in the Penrose inequality and the flow decreases the total mass while preserving the area of the horizons of the black holes, the Penrose inequality follows. We will also discuss how these techniques can be generalized in higher dimensions.
Hot mantles, moderate photospheres for Wolf-Rayet stars

The amount of continuous energy from Wolf-Rayet stars and the shape of the continuous spectrum from the ultraviolet to the near infrared correspond to effective temperatures in the range 25000 to 30000 K. The value of log g is of the order of 4.0±0.5. Thus the photospheres of Wolf-Rayet stars correspond to those of moderately hot stars. The line spectra of Wolf-Rayet stars, however, indicate that electron temperatures greater than 30000 K occur in the outer atmospheres or mantles of these stars. Here outflow is important.
Mouse models to study the interaction of risk factors for human liver cancer

Each of the risk factors for human liver cancer (aflatoxin exposure, hepatitis B virus-associated liver injury, p53 loss, p53ser249 mutation, and male sex) also increases the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in mouse models of hepatocarcinogenesis. Neonatal mice, partially hepatectomized adult mice, and p53-deficient mice each have a higher hepatocyte proliferation rate, are less able to detoxify AFB1, and form more DNA adducts than do normal wild-type controls. However, transgenic hepatitis B surface antigen mice, expressing hepatitis B surface antigen under control of the albumin promoter (alb/psx), are able to detoxify AFB1 at the same level as do wild-type mice. Thus, AFB1-induced HCC development in neonatal mice and p53+/- mice may be due to "immature" carcinogen metabolism, whereas increased HCC in transgenic hepatitis B virus mice may be due to promotion effects of increased proliferation. Future studies will explore the effects of modifying factors on the development of HCC.
Quantum algorithms which accept hot qubit inputs

Realistic physical implementations of quantum computers can entail tradeoffs which depart from the ideal model of quantum computation. Although these tradeoffs have allowed successful demonstration of certain quantum algorithms, a crucial question is whether they fundamentally limit the computational capacity of such machines. We study the limitations of a quantum computation model in which only ensemble averages of measurement observables are accessible. Furthermore, we stipulate that input qubits may only be prepared in highly random, ``hot'' mixed states. In general, these limitations are believed to dramatically detract from the computational power of the system. However, we construct a class of algorithms for this limited model, which, surprisingly, are polynomially equivalent to the ideal case. This class includes the well known Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm.
A density functional theory and spectroscopic study of intramolecular quenching of metal-to-ligand charge-transfer excited states in some mono-bipyridine ruthenium(II) complexes

The complexes [Ru(NCCH3)4bpy]2+ and [Ru([14]aneS4)bpy]2+ ([14]aneS4 = 1,4,8,11-tetrathiacyclotetradecane, bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) have similar absorption and emission spectra but the 77 K metal-to-l...
Managing capacity‐building: Problems and approaches

Abstract The purpose of capacity‐building is to help local communities and areas manage their own problems better. This article proposes several principles for building management capacity at the local government level.
Light-Induced Maculopathy from the Operating Microscope in Extracapsular Cataract Extraction and Intraocular Lens Implantation

A characteristic macular lesion has been noted in six patients who underwent extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber lens implantation. The lesion appeared similar to that which other investigators have produced in monkeys as a response to the coaxial illumination of the operating microscope. On the first or second postoperative day, the lesion appeared as an oval area of mild yellow-white discoloration of the retina; gradually it developed mottled pigmentation over the next few weeks. The pigmentary changes were often subtle, but fluorescein angiography revealed a characteristic sharply circumscribed lesion. In most of our patients the lesion was just above or below the foveola, so that central vision returned to normal, but a paracentral scotoma was present. These findings should encourage the clinician to heed the warnings of those laboratory studies which have shown the phototoxic potential of the operation microscope's unfiltered coaxial illumination and force us to re-examine our filters and operating techniques.
Mössbauer imaging: experimental result

In the previous paper1, the concept of Mossbauer imaging was proposed. Here we report the first experimental demonstration of this concept. For simplicity, a one-dimensional imaging experiment is described; however, the fundamental imaging principle thus demonstrated generalizes, in a straightforward way, to higher dimensions. Finally, we speculate on some possible applications of this technique in materials science.
Among the dead in ancient Rome

Despite strong prohibitions concerning contact between corpses and the living, the dead occupied an important position within the physical and literary life of Rome. This paper explores the metaphorical importance of certain rituals and literary allusions to death and the dead, in which Romans found themselves symbolically among the dead. I focus on literary and epigraphic evidence of the middle to late Republican and early Empire periods. By reading death in ancient Rome, we can reconstruct the extent to which the dead were reintegrated into society and how the deceased ancestors, in turn, welcomed the newly deceased back into the family in funeral ritual.
Female Prison Families: How Are They Dysfunctional?

Most of the sociological research on women in prison has found that women survive psychologically by adopting surrogate family roles. The typical women's prison structure is a colony of disjointed family units. The only question that has been asked in the literature is, How are these families functional for the women involved? To the extent that findings are determined by the question that is asked, I am posing the query, How are prison families dysfunctional for the women involved? The present paper uncovers political, social, and personal dysfunctions.
Polymorphisms in the CYP1A1 gene are associated with prostate cancer risk

CYP1A1 is likely to play an important role in the etiology of CaP through its function in activating environmental procarcinogens and catalyzing the oxidative metabolites of estrogens. To test the hypothesis that genetic polymorphisms in the CYP1A1 gene may be associated with the risk for CaP, we compared the allele, genotype and haplotype frequencies of 3 SNPs (3801T>C, 2455A>G and 2453C>A) of CYP1A1 among 159 HPC probands, 245 sporadic CaP cases and 222 unaffected men. Two SNPs (3801T>C and 2455A>G) were each individually associated with CaP risk when the allele and genotype frequencies were compared between CaP patients and unaffected controls. Furthermore, a combined SNP analysis using a haplotype approach revealed an even stronger association in Caucasians. Specifically, 4 major haplotypes (T-A-C, C-A-C, C-G-C and T-A-A) accounted for 99.8% of all observed haplotypes. These 4 haplotypes correspond to the previously described nomenclature (CYP1A1*1A, CYP1A1*2A, CYP1A1*2B and CYP1A1*4). The frequencies of these 4 haplotypes were significantly different among CaP patients and controls. The haplotype T-A-C (CYP1A1*1A) was significantly associated with increased risk for CaP, and the haplotype C-A-C (CYP1A1*2A) was significantly associated with decreased risk for CaP. These findings suggest that genetic polymorphisms in CYP1A1 may modify the risk for CaP.
Use of transient entrainment during ventricular tachycardia to localize a critical area in the reentry circuit for ablation

We have previously shown that demonstration of any of the criteria for transient entrainment is possible only when pacing is performed orthodromically proximal to the area of slow conduction in a reentrant circuit with an excitable gap. Pacing orthodromically distal to the area of slow conduction will not permit demonstration of the transient entrainment criteria (concealed entrainment). Additionally, the demonstration of one form of concealed entrainment, namely pacing during a ventricular tachycardia from a site which increases the tachycardia to the pacing rate but does not change the morphology of the QRS complexes, we suggest also identifies the area of slow conduction is a keystone for maintenance of the reentrant circuit, ablation of this area should be expected to provide effective therapy of the tachycardia. Thus, we propose that using the principles of transient entrainment, one should be able to localize a critical area of slow conduction in the reentrant circuit of a ventricular tachycardia, ablate it effectively, and thereby successfully treat the ventricular tachycardia.
Confinement of ions injected into a radiofrequency quadrupole ion trap: Pulsed ion beams of different energies

Abstract The ion confinement properties of a radiofrequency (r.f.) quadrupole ion trap with phase-synchronized switching-on of the driving r.f. field are evaluated for ion pulses injected from an external source. Singly charged ions of mass 100 u are considered. Calculations are performed for well-collimated pulsed ion beams, with a finite circular cross-section 1 mm in diameter, injected into an r.f. quadrupole trap with characteristic dimension ro = 5.4 mm. Ion injections along the gap and through an aperture in one of the electrodes, including. typical off-axial- and off-equatorial-plane incidence directions, are considered. The ion confinement property of the r.f. quadrupole trap for externally injected ions is energy-dependent. The optimum time delays before turning on the quadrupole field have different values for injected ions of different energies. For an injected ion beans with a large energy-spread the overall ion-trapping efficiency therefore cannot reach unity. The phase-dependence of the overall ion-trapping efficiency is shown for an ion beam of uniform energy distribution over the range 0–20 eV. By suitably choosing the experimental conditions, energy-selective storage of the injected ions should be possible.
A fracture approach to thick film adhesion measurements

The constant-compliance double cantilever beam test for adhesive fracture energy has been adapted to the measurement of the adhesion of thick film metallizations on alumina. The test involves a single beam soldered to metallization strips and measures the opening-mode fracture energy, GIc. Solder-wire peel tests were also made on the same metallizations. Both the fracture and peel tests indicated failure in the thick films but near the film/alumina boundary and both sets of data exhibited a bimodal distribution. The magnitude of the fracture energies indicated failure usually occurred in the glass phase of the film but that film adherence was greatly enhanced by interlocking between the metal and glass phases. This interlocking, and thus the film adhesion, was strongly dependent on the firing temperature.
The unimolecular ozone decomposition reaction

Abstract After critical examination of available data taken from the literature, we have derived an expression for the unimolecular decomposition of ozone, k1(M = O3) = 4.31 × 1014 exp (−22.2/RT) cm3 mole−1 sec−1, 300 ⩽ T ⩽ 3000°K. The quality of fit to the experimental data is discussed, and it is concluded that a three-parameter fit does not offer significant improvement over the two-parameter expression.
Stress-induced inhibition of reproduction: evidence of suppressed secretion of LH-RH in an amphibian

Male rough-skinned newts (Taricha granulosa) were used to investigate the hormonal responses associated with stress-induced inhibition of reproduction. When male newts were confined for 1 hr, using a procedure that previously had elicited physiological stress responses, androgen concentrations decreased in the plasma and immunoreactive (ir) LH-RH concentrations increased in the infundibulum and rostral hypothalamus. Likewise, when male newts were injected with 25 μg of corticosterone, androgen concentrations decreased and hypothalamic irLH-RH concentrations increased. These data, which are from experiments in February, support the hypothesis that in this amphibian, exposure to acute stress or to exogenous corticosterone can suppress plasma androgen titers by inhibiting the release of LH-RH from the hypothalamus. The effects of the confinement procedure and the injection of corticosterone on the concentrations of irLH-RH and androgens were different for newts in September than for newts in February.
Neglected ends: clinical ethics consultation and the prospects for closure.

Clinical ethics consultations (CECs) are sometimes deemed complete at the moment when the consultants make a recommendation. In CECs that involve actual ethical conflict, this view of a consult's endpoint runs the risk of overemphasizing the conflict's resolution at the expense of the consult's process, which can have deleterious effects on the various parties in the conflict. This overly narrow focus on reaching a decision or recommendation in consults that involve profound moral disagreement can result in two types of adverse, lingering sequelae: moral distress or negative moral emotions. The problem, succinctly named, is that such consults have insufficient “closure” for patients, families, and providers. To promote closure, and avoid the ills of moral distress and the moral emotions, I argue that CECs need to prioritize assisted conversation between the different stakeholders in these conflicts, what is often referred to as “bioethics mediation.”
Blood versus bone marrow methanol concentrations in rabbits

Abstract Postmortem methanol levels in bone marrow and heart blood were determined in rabbits. The average ratio of heart blood concentration to observed bone marrow concentration in 36 rabbits was 2.6 ± 0.6 with a range of 1.5 to 4.2. Correcting for the lipid content of the bone marrow decreased the average ratio, reduced the ratio range and improved the correlation. The heart blood to corrected bone marrow ratio was 1.6 ± 0.3 with a range of 1.2 to 2.9. Direct injection gas chromatographic techniques were employed to quantitate methanol concentrations.
Application of ESCA to evaluate wood and cellulose surfaces modified by aqueous chromium trioxide treatment

Abstract Aqueous chromium trioxide (CrO3) is an effective surface treatment agent that inhibits the weathering of wood. The toxicity and color of CrO3 limit its usefulness, but understanding how chromium protects wood from weathering may lead to the development of alternative or superior treatments. Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) resuits elucidated the surface effects of aqueous CrO3 treatment of wood and pure cellulose (Whatman No. 1 filter paper). ESCA data showed at least 75% Cr(VI) to Cr(III) reduction on all substrates. Leaching experiments confirmed that the chromium was reduced to a highly water insoluble or “fixed” chromium complex on wood (Sequoia sempervirens and Pinus sp.) and cellulose. The resulting modified cellulose and wood exhibited greatly improved water repellency and ultraviolet stability. Comparison of the C(1s) photoelectron peaks for the substrates showed changes in the relative abundance of hydroxyls and hydrocarbon components. The surface concentration of hydroxyls decreased while the hydrocarbon increased. This change occurred through oxidation of primary alcohols in the cellulose to acids, followed by decarboxylation. Increased concentrations of CO2 following Cr(VI) treatment of filter paper were confirmed using mass spectroscopy. The similarity between treated wood and treated cellulose indicated that chromium—cellulose interactions should be included in defining the mechanism for Cr(VI) stabilized wood surfaces and that previously proposed chromium—wood mechanisms based solely on extractives, lignin, and/or hemicellulose are too limited.
The gas chromatographic determination of paraquat in water

Paraquat [ l , l ' -d imethy l -4 ,4 ' -b ipyr id in ium dichloride (I) or bis(methyl sul fate) ] and diquat [6 ,7 -d ihydrod ipy r ido ( l ,2 -a :2 ' , l ' c)-pyrazidiinium dibromide ( I I ) ] are bipyridinium herbicides registered for a variety of uses on both f ie ld and orchard crops ( I ) . They can enter waterways ind i rec t ly through i r r iga t ion runoff. They have also been used successfully for the control of various aquatic weeds (2), and could d i rec t ly contaminate both i r r iga t ion and domestic water in this way.
Resistance of the constitutive microflora of biofilms formed on whey reverse-osmosis membranes to individual cleaning steps of a typical clean-in-place protocol

This experiment evaluates the effectiveness of individual steps of a clean-in-place protocol against the biofilm constitutive microflora isolated from the biofilms developed on whey reverse-osmosis membranes, aged 2 to 14 mo, under industrial processing conditions. The isolates used for the in vitro resistance studies included species of Bacillus, Enterococcus, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Aeromonas, Corynebacterium, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, and Escherichia. The 6 cleaning steps (alkali, surfactant, acid, enzyme, a second surfactant, and sanitizer treatment) revealed resistance of isolates in both planktonic and biofilm-embedded cell states. The most effective step was the acid treatment, which resulted in 4.54 to 7.90 and 2.09 to 5.02 log reductions of the planktonic and biofilm-embedded cells, respectively. Although the sanitizer step causing a reduction of 4.91 to 8.33 log in the case of planktonic cells, it was less effective against the biofilm-embedded cells, resulting in a reduction of 0.59 to 1.64 log. Bacillus spp. showed the highest resistance in both planktonic, as well as embedded cell states.
Selective in Vitro Effect of Peptides on Calcium Carbonate Crystallization

Peptides carried by filamentous phages with potential affinity to calcium carbonate were selected experimentally from a phage display library. The isolated phage were employed to affect the precipitation of calcium carbonate from aqueous solution. SEM, FTIR, and confocal microsopy techniques were used to monitor the morphology and polymorph development of calcium carbonate crystallization. Hollow spheres consisting of nanoscale vaterite crystallites were obtained, which may be due to the template effect of the phage. These spherical crystals transformed into rhombic calcite crystals with time, a process that was slowed by the presence of phage. It is proposed that this phase transformation is a solution-mediated process.
Discretized and Aggregated: Modeling Dive Depth of Harbor Seals from Ordered Categorical Data with Temporal Autocorrelation

Summary. Ordered categorical data are pervasive in environmental and ecological data, and often arise from constraints that require discretizing a continuous variable into ordered categories. A great deal of data have been collected toward the study of marine mammal dive behavior using satellite depth recorders (SDRs), which often discretize a continuous variable such as depth. Additionally, data storage or transmission constraints may also necessitate the aggregation of data over time intervals of a specified length. The categorization and aggregation create a time series of ordered multicategory counts for each animal, which present challenges in terms of statistical modeling and practical interpretation. We describe an intuitive strategy for modeling such aggregated, ordered categorical data allowing for inference regarding the category probabilities and a measure of central tendency on the original scale of the data (e.g., meters), along with incorporation of temporal correlation and overdispersion. The strategy extends covariate-specific cutpoint models for ordinal data. We demonstrate the method in an analysis of SDR dive-depth data collected on harbor seals in Alaska. The primary goal of the analysis is to assess the relationship of covariates, such as time of day, with number of dives and maximum depth of dives. We also predict missing values and introduce novel graphical summaries of the data and results.
Spectrum response: the future of directed energy in aerospace

There has been a critical shift in the warfighting paradigm. Information superiority is now the critical capability for battlespace dominance. Photonics research enables future information superiority and hence battlespace dominance.
Globalisation and income growth promote the Mediterranean diet.

Economic Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, 1800 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20036, USAAbstractObjective: To examine global food demand patterns and how changing diets maystimulate demand for and trade of Mediterranean diet products.Design: Literature review. Trends in global and US food consumption patterns areexamined and trade data are reviewed to evaluate the impact of changing diets ontrade of Mediterranean diet products. Market access issues are also addressed brieﬂyto highlight the role of policy in the trade of Mediterranean diet products.Results: Diets are shifting towards higher-value products such as meats, fruits andvegetables,andawiderarrayofpackagedfoodproducts.Tradeintheseproductshasalso grown in the past two decades, with several non-traditional importers andexporters becoming increasingly active in the global market.Conclusions: Income-drivendemandsforqualityandvarietyarelikelytoincreasethedemandforMediterraneandietproductsglobally.Whilethemiddle-incomecountriesappeartobethebestgrowthprospects,theUSAremainsapotentialgrowthmarketifthese products can meet the growing consumer demand for variety, quality andconvenience. Although consumer trends globally indicate growth in demand forMediterranean diet products, the additional demand may not be reﬂected by acorresponding growth intrade. Trade inMediterranean diet products continues tobehampered by higher than average trade barriers and high transportation costs forperishables.KeywordsConsumptionIncomeTradeMediterranean dietSuppliers of Mediterranean diet products, such as pastas,fresh fruits and vegetables, ﬁsh, nuts, legumes, olives,olive oil and wine, are interested in whether the currentpopularity of the Mediterranean diet means they willexperience continued increased demand for their pro-ducts. To contribute to an assessment of that issue, thispaper examines three practical questions:1. Are global diets changing, why and in what direction?2. Do consumption trends in the USA favour theMediterranean diet?3. Will changing diets stimulate trade in Mediterraneandiet products?’Are global diets changing?Cultural preferences, household demographics, edu-cation, geographic location, access to technology, andhealth and health attitudes are some of the many factorsthat work together to shape food preferences and dietarychoices. It is income, however, that is the major driver ofdietary changes around the world
Supercooled water: Two phases?

Simulations of a well-studied model of water provide strong support for the coexistence of two distinct metastable liquid-water phases, a long-debated possibility that experiments on supercooled water at negative pressures may be able to confirm.
Why are Male Columbian Ground Squirrels Territorial

Male territorial defence is a component of many vertebrate mating systems and is often regarded as a tactic for acquiring mates. Traditionally considered within the context of overt site-specific defence, territoriality actually may have several components which encompass a variety of behavioural tactics (e.g. post-copulatory mate-guarding, defence of resources that females need, defence of area around females) that underlie a mating system. The purpose of our study was to evaluate such influences on the territorial behaviour of male Columbian ground squirrels in southwestern Alberta, Canada. Males were dominant and territorial if they defended a minimum convex polygon activity range by chasing other males more within the activity range than they were chased. Subordinate males had no territory and were chased throughout their ranges, but they competed for mates by increasing chases in their activity range when nearby females were oestrous. Dominant males exhibited conditional breeding tactics, tending to chase other dominant males from their territory when nearby females were oestrous, but travelling outside their activity ranges to chase subordinate males when females were not oestrous. Although females mated first with a dominant male on whose territory they resided (and in order from oldest to youngest if several territories overlapped), mating pairs were not exclusive, as females usually mated with additional males. Males also guarded females after copulation and defended females directly just before oestrus, rather than defending territory per se during those times. Thus, males possess a repertoire of behaviours that complement site-specific territoriality, and territory ownership serves to facilitate a first mating with females that live on the territory.
Allosteric mechanism in AMPA receptors: a FRET-based investigation of conformational changes.

α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors are the primary mediators of fast excitatory synaptic transmission in the mammalian CNS. Structures of the extracellular ligand-binding domain suggest that the extent of cleft closure in the ligand-binding domain controls the extent of activation of the receptor. Here we have developed a fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based probe that allows us to study the extent of cleft closure in the isolated ligand-binding domain in solution. These investigations show that the wild-type protein exhibits a graded cleft closure that correlates to the extent of activation, which is in qualitative agreement with the crystal structures. However, the changes in extent of cleft closure between the apo and agonist-bound states are smaller than that observed in the crystal structures. We have also used this method to study the L650T mutant and show that in solution the α-amino-5-methyl-3-hydroxy-4-isoxazole propionate-bound form of this mutant exists primarily in a conformation that is more closed than predicted based on the activity, indicating that the degree of cleft closure alone cannot be used as a measure of extent of activation of the receptor, and there are possibly other mechanisms in addition to cleft closure that mediate the subtleties in extent of activation by a given agonist.
Relationship between opioid therapy, tissue-damaging procedures, and brain metabolites as measured by proton MRS in asphyxiated term neonates

To examine the effects of opioid and tissue-damaging procedures (TDPs) [i.e. procedures performed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) known to result in pain, stress, and tissue damage] on brain metabolites, we reviewed the medical records of 28 asphyxiated term neonates (eight opioid-treated, 20 non-opioid treated) who had undergone magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) within the first month of life as well as eight newborns with no clinical findings of asphyxial injury. We found that lower creatine (Cr), myoinositol (Ins), and N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/choline (Cho) (p < or = 0.03) and higher Cho/Cr and glutamate/glutamine (Glx) Cr (p < or = 0.02) correlated with increased TDP incidence in the first 2 d of life (DOL). We also found that occipital gray matter (OGM) NAA/Cr was decreased (p = 0.03) and lactate (Lac) was present in a significantly higher amount (40%; p = 0.03) in non-opioid-treated neonates compared with opioid-treated neonates. Compared with controls, untreated neonates showed larger changes in more metabolites in basal ganglia (BG), thalami (TH), and OGM with greater significance than treated neonates. Our data suggest that TDPs affect spectral metabolites and that opioids do not cause harm in asphyxiated term neonates exposed to repetitive TDPs in the first 2-4 DOL and may provide a degree of neuroprotection.
Behavior of Fe, Mn, Cu and Cd in the duwamish river estuary downstream of a sewage treatment plant

Abstract The behavior of dissolved Fe, Mn, Cu and Cd in the Duwamish River downstream of a sewage treatment plant located near Seattle, Washington, was investigated in three distinct zones: (1) immediately downstream of the effluent outfall, (2) further downstream in the freshwater portion of the river and (3) in the estuarine mixing zone. A three-end-member tracer model utilizing salinity and dissolved inorganic nitrogen was developed to distinguish physical mixing processes from biogeochemical reactions. The results of this investigation indicate that Fe was removed from the dissolved phase onto particulates near the plant. Although no additional reactions controlled the distribution of dissolved Fe, Mn and Cu in the freshwater portion of the river, Cd was removed from the dissolved phase. In the estuarine mixing zone, a significant fraction of the dissolved Fe and Cu was removed from solution, while Mn and Cd desorbed from particulates. The chemical forms of the trace metals rather than their sources appear to determine their participation in these reactions.
Effective visualization tools for large data sets

This paper explores the visualization techniques, design objectives, implementation trade-offs, and results of creating visualization tools for evaluating data from a space based sensor which is estimated to produce 8 Gigabytes of data a day for approximately 20 months. Effectiveness of visualization tools is evaluated in terms of data accessibility and user control over visual information. Visual presentation is also evaluated as a contributing factor to the perceived effectiveness and success of these tools.
Improving Nurse to Patient Communication on Antepartum Special Care

Childbearing Poster Presentation Purpose for the Program Upon review of recent patient satisfaction results of a 35-bed antepartum unit, it was suggested by a bedside nurse and member of the Unit Nurse Practice Council that a formal written plan of care may help improve communication between the nurse and patient. After a thorough search of the literature and discussion among other units within the organization, it was discovered that a cardiac unit within the organization demonstrated improvements in their nurse-to-patient communication scores after initiating a pilot that provided each patient with a computer-generated plan of care for the day. Proposed Change Information Services' Clinical Informatics team and the Antepartum Unit Practice Council collaborated to develop a computerized plan of care that uses information automatically transferred from the electronic medical record. The computerized plan of care was then distributed to every patient each morning. During the Unit Nurse Practice Council meetings, shift huddles, and staff meetings, staff was educated on the implementation of the plan of care pilot, including its purpose and how to present it to the patient. Implementation, Outcomes, and Evaluation To implement the change, we educated staff at huddles, staff meetings, Nurse Practice Council meetings, and through education boards; held separate education for secretaries on how to access and print plan of care; followed up on participation in the initiative; spoke with management and charge nurses to obtain feedback from patient rounding; and reeducated staff periodically to maintain momentum. Discharged patient satisfaction surveys were analyzed after the initiation of the written plan of care. The survey included questions related to the patient's perception of effective communication. The results of the survey before and after the initiation of the pilot were compared. The feedback from nurses and patients was very positive. An increase in two scores directly related to nurse–patient communication was seen after the initiation of the computer-generated daily plan of care. Implications for Nursing Practice Involving patients in their care by reviewing a printed daily plan of care can make a huge difference in their knowledge, hospital experiences, and outcomes. The team felt that customizing the plan of care to the obstetric population could increase the patient's understanding and adherence.
Purification and properties of cellulase from Phaseolus vulgaris

Abstract Cotyledons of germinating kidney beans contain two forms of a carboxy methyl cellulase which can be separated by ammonium sulfate fractionation and isoelectric focusing. The two cellulases are similar in their molecular weight but differ in isoelectric points, pH and temperature optimum, pH and temperature stability and sensitivity to thiol inhibitors and metal ions. One cellulase (isoelectric point 4.8) has been purified 100-fold to give a major protein band on acrylamide gel electrophoresis.
Congenital Anomalies of the Adult Bladder and Urethra

I N ADULTS, congenital abnormalities may be found in their pure form, as alterations following corrective surgery, or as a result of a mass developing in a residual embryonic structure. Many severe anomalies affecting the bladder and urethra manifest themselves in infancy or early childhood and seldom concern the adult. There remain, however, a number of congenital defects that present in adulthood or continue from ongoing childhood problems into this age group. The embryology of these congenital anomalies is beyond the scope of this review and can be found in other publications.‘-’
Construction, Display, And Manipulation Of Three-Dimensional Models Of Biopolymers

Since the mid 1930's crystallographers have studied the structures of the important biological polymers: proteins, nucleic acids, and polysaccharides. The first 3D structure, myoglobin, was solved by multiple isomorphous replacement (MIR) in 1957. Today we know the structure of over 200 proteins and the list is growing rapidly. Molecular biologists' efforts in obtaining and crystallising proteins have been much more fruitful than their efforts on nucleic acids, mostly because proteins are much more plentiful. There are currently less than twenty single-crystal DNA structures known and a similar number of RNA structures.
Synthesis of Natural Product-Inspired Inhibitors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Mycothiol-Associated Enzymes: The First Inhibitors of GlcNAc-Ins Deacetylase

Synthesis and evaluation of a chemical library of inhibitors of the mycothiol biosynthesis enzyme GlcNAc-Ins deacetylase (MshB) and the mycothiol-dependent detoxification enzyme mycothiol-S-conjugate amidase (MCA) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis are reported. The library was biased to include structural features of a group of natural products previously shown to competitively inhibit MCA. Molecular docking studies that reproducibly placed the inhibitors in the active site of the enzyme MshB reveal the mode of binding and are consistent with observed biological activity.
Acetylation and trifluoroacetylation of steroids at carbon 16.

Abstract 3,3-Ethylenedioxy-5-androstene-17-one and estrone 3-methyl ether were subjected to Claisen condensations with ethyl acetate and trifluoroacetate. The enol acetates of 16-trifluoroacetyl derivatives underwent hydrogenolysis with the formation of trifluoroethyl compounds. UV and IR spectral data and other evidence are cited in support of the proposed structures.
A segment-based dynamic programming algorithm for predicting gene structure.

ABSTRACT An algorithm called segment-based dynamic programming is described for predicting gene structure from a sequence of genomic DNA. The algorithm explores the space of gene structures that sa...
Smiling Response, Stranger Anxiety, and Autistic Disorder

Letter to the Editor I would like to suggest that an enterprising young colleague conduct a series of experiments to explore the following hypotheses: One: Infants who develop autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have an absent, delayed, or modified ‘‘Smiling Response’’. Two: ‘‘Infants who develop ASD have an absent, delayed, or modified ‘‘Stranger Anxiety Response’’. The background for this suggestion comes from a lecture I attended while a resident in psychiatry at the Boston Psychopathic Hospital, Harvard Medical School in 1958. Dr. Rene Spitz, the world-renowned Austrian psychologist and expert on infant development was presenting at Grand Rounds; (To the best of my recollection).
Inducing the familiarity effect

The task required subjects to judge whether members of six-letter consonant string pairs were physically identical. Some (repeated) strings were presented on each of the 16 training sessions, while other (nonrepeated) strings were presented only during a single session. An advantage in matching time of repeated strings over nonrepeated strings was obtained which increased in a roughly linear fashion during training and which persisted for at least 7 weeks after the last training session. Detailed analyses of thedifferent responses and the results of several transfer tasks suggest that perceptual processing is indeed facilitated by acquired information about which letters usually follow others and about the positions in which these sequences of letters are likely to occur, but provide no evidence that this facilitation derives from the formation of visual features which are larger than single letters.
Comments about the electromagnetic field in heavy-ion collisions

In this article we discuss the properties of electromagnetic fields in heavy-ion collisions and consequences for observables. We address quantitatively the issue of the magnetic field lifetime in a collision including the electric and chiral magnetic conductivities. We show that for reasonable parameters, the magnetic field created by spectators in a collision is not modified by the presence of matter.
The personalised marketplace: beyond the 4Ps

Theories of marketing management and strategy need to evolve and change to keep pace with changes in the marketplace and in marketing practice. As the next century draws closer, it is apparent that some marketing managers are basing their relationships with customers on policies and procedures called either “individualisation”, “mass‐customisation”, or as we prefer, “personalisation”. The core of this practice involves tailoring goods and services to the individual needs and wants of specific consumers, just the opposite of one‐size‐fits‐all. We propose that personalisation is so important to marketing strategy that it should become one of the featured elements of the marketing mix, alongside product, price, promotion, place, personnel, physical assets, and procedures, to form a new marketing mix, the 8Ps.
Feeding patterns of Rattus rattus and Rattus exulans on Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands.

In conjunction with studies of the rodent populations of the former nuclear test site at Eniwetok Atoll, the feeding patterns of Rattus rattus and Rattus exulans were determined by food acceptance tests, histological examination of stomach contents, and observation of animals under both natural and cage conditions. Both species were active in all community types from the early successional stages to the shrub-tree stage. R. exulans was found mainly on islets having the remnants of coconut plantations, whereas R. rattus occurred on those extensively disturbed by nuclear testing. Plant foods predominated in the diets of both species; however, R. rattus used a wider range of foods, including a variety of insects. The apparent narrower preferences of R. exulans might explain its absence from islets that suffered habitat destruction and restriction of food sources during the nuclear test program.
FPGA controlled microring based tunable add-drop filter

We demonstrate a microring based add-drop filter controlled by a field programmable gate array (FPGA). Specialized heater design maintains tuning performance of the device under non-optimized applied voltages, thus avoiding complicated control circuitry.