cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The El Niño-Southern Oscillation Phenomenon

Many climatic extremes around the globe, such as severe droughts and floods, can be attributed to the periodic warming of the equatorial Pacific sea surface, termed the El Nino or Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Advances in our understanding of ENSO, in which Edward S. Sarachik and Mark A. Cane have been key participants, have led to marked improvements in our ability to predict its development months or seasons, allowing adaptation to global impacts. This book introduces basic concepts and builds to more detailed theoretical treatments. Chapters on the structure and dynamics of the tropical ocean and atmosphere place ENSO in a broader observational and theoretical context. Chapters on ENSO prediction, past and future, and impacts, introduce broader implications of the phenomenon. This book provides an introduction to all aspects of this most important mode of global climate variability, for research workers and students of all levels in climate science, oceanography and related fields.
Selection of calibration compounds for selectivity evaluation of siloxane-bonded silica columns for reversed-phase liquid chromatography by the solvation parameter model.

Abstract For the faster evaluation of selectivity in reversed-phase liquid chromatography of siloxane-bonded silica columns using the solvation parameter model a minimal set of calibration compounds is described suitable for mobile phase composition from 20-70% (v/v) methanol-, acetonitrile-, or tetrahydrofuran-water. The Kennard-Stone uniform mapping algorithm is used to select the calibration compounds from a larger database of compounds with known retention properties used earlier for column selectivity evaluation. Thirty-five compounds are shown to be necessary to minimize the standard deviation of the system constants and to minimize the difference between the system constants determined by conventional calibration and the values obtained for the reduced calibration compounds. The models for SunFire C18 with methanol-, acetonitrile- and tetrahydrofuran-water mobile phase compositions and XBridge Shield RP18, XBridge C8, XBridge Phenyl and Discovery HS F5 with methanol- and acetonitrile-water mobile phase compositions had an average coefficient of determination of 0.996 (standard deviation = 0.003, n = 11) and average standard error of the estimate 0.025 (standard deviation = 0.005, n = 11) for the reduced calibration compounds. Some octadecylsiloxane-bonded silica stationary phases with a high bonding density and methanol-water mobile phase compositions containing ≤ 30% (v/v) methanol exhibit extreme retention factors (log k > 2.5) for the low-polarity, two-ring aromatic compounds in the thirty-five compound calibration set. Alternative calibration compounds with more favorable retention properties are suggested as replacements in these cases. The predictive capability of the calibration models is validated using external test sets characterized by the average error, average absolute error and root mean square error of prediction. For the thirty-five calibration compounds sets the average absolute error 0.026 (standard deviation = 0.009, n = 11) and root mean square error of prediction 0.032 (standard deviation = 0.010, n = 11) confirm the suitability of the calibration models for column selectivity evaluation. System maps for XBridge Shield RP18 for 20-70% (v/v) methanol-water and Synergi Hydro-RP and 50% (v/v) methanol-water at temperatures from 25-65 °C together with a correlation diagram for XBridge Shield RP18 and SunFire C18 are presented as representative applications of the reduced calibration compounds for column selectivity evaluation.
Chandra Observations of Galactic Center: High Energy Processes at Arcsecond Resolution

About 2 million seconds of Chandra observing time have been devoted to the Galactic center (GC), including large-scale surveys and deep pointings. These observations have led to the detection of about 4000 discrete X-ray sources and the mapping of diffuse X-ray emission in various energy bands. In this review, I first summarize general results from recent studies and then present close-up views of the three massive star clusters (Arches, Quintuplet, and GC) and their interplay with the Galactic nuclear environment.
Does student-teacher race match affect course grades?

Abstract A growing body of research has found that student-teacher race match is associated with higher test scores, teacher expectations, and teacher perceptions of students. This paper contributes to the student-teacher race match literature by investigating the effect of race match on course grades. To the extent that race match is associated with higher course grades for minority students, a more diverse teacher workforce is one mechanism that may help to narrow the achievement gap. Using a series of fixed effects models exploiting within-student variation across year and subject matter, I find that having a race-matched teacher is associated with a small but significant increase in course grade, on average. The positive effect of race match is driven largely by the experience of Black students.
Whole Murine Brain Imaging Based on Optical Elastic Scattering.

Imaging whole brains is one of the central efforts of biophotonics. While the established imaging modalities used in radiology, such as MRI and CT, have enabled in vivo investigations of various cognitive and affective processes, the prevailing resolution of one-cubic-millimeter has limited their use in studying the “ground-truth” of neuronal activities. On the other hand, electron microscopy (EM) visualizes the finest anatomic structures at a resolution of around 30 nm. However, the extensive tissue preparation process and the required large-scale morphological reconstruction restrict this method to small sample volumes. Light microscopy (LM) has the potential to bridge the above two spatial scales, with a resolution ranging from a few hundred nanometers to a few micrometers. Recent advances in tissue clearing have paved the way for optical investigation of large intact tissue volumes. However, most of these LM studies rely on fluorescence—a nonlinear optical process to provide contrast. This chapter introduces an alternative type of LM that is solely based on a linear optical process—elastic scattering, which has some unique advantages over conventional LM methods for the investigation of large-scale biological systems, such as intact murine brains. Here, we will first lay out the background and the motivation of developing this scattering-based method. Then, the basic principle of this approach will be introduced, including controlling tissue scattering and coherent imaging. Next, we explore current implementation and practical considerations. Up-to-date results and the utility of this method will also be demonstrated. Finally, we discuss current limitations and future directions in this promising field.
Contributive Components in the Vertical Jump

Abstract The degree of contribution to performance of the vertical jump by leg components plantar flexors, knee extensors, and hip extensors was determined experimentally and tested by analysis of covariance. One control and four experimental groups from 100 college men at Brigham Young University were randomly assigned to varying muscle strengthening programs for 8 weeks. Initial and final vertical jump tests and strength measures were administered. Gains in the vertical jump significant beyond the .05 level were registered by experimental groups which strengthened knee and/or hip extensors. Control and plantar flexor strengthening groups did not register significant jump gains. Each experimental group registered significant isotonic strength gains in the programed muscle groups.
The organic functional group in copper-containing amine oxidases. Resonance Raman spectra are consistent with the presence of topa quinone (6-hydroxydopa quinone) in the active site.

Resonance Raman spectroscopy has been used to probe the structure of the organic cofactor in copper-containing amine oxidases from bovine plasma, porcine kidney, pea seedlings, and the bacterium Arthrobacter P1. The enzymes were first derivatized with phenylhydrazine or p-nitrophenylhydrazine; resonance Raman spectra were obtained on the intact derivatized enzymes and on a derivatized active-site peptide isolated from bovine plasma amine oxidase. Spectra of the intact amine oxidase phenylhydrazones are practically identical, consistent with the enzymes examined containing a similar cofactor. Only minor frequency shifts and some intensity variations are detected between the resonance Raman spectra of intact bovine plasma amine oxidase and the isolated peptide. These spectral perturbations are attributable to differences in the micro-environment between the intact, folded protein and the isolated small peptide in aqueous solution. This rules out the possibility that a new structure is formed during the isolation of the derivatized active-site peptide. Importantly, the resonance Raman spectra of the phenylhydrazine and p-nitrophenylhydrazine derivatives of the bovine plasma amine oxidase peptide are identical to the spectra of the corresponding derivatives of topa quinone (6-hydroxydopa quinone). Hence these data provide strong, independent support for the recent identification of topa as the organic functional group in bovine plasma amine oxidase (Janes, S. M., Mu, D., Wemmer, D., Smith, A. J., Kaur, S., Maltby, D., Burlingame, A. L., and Klinman, J.P. (1990) Science 248, 981-987).
Development and validation of high precision models for SIM Planetquest

SIM Planetquest (SIM) is a large optical interferometer for making microarcsecond measurements of the positions of stars, and to detect Earth-sized planets around nearby stars. To achieve this precision, SIM requires stability of optical components to tens of picometers per hour. The combination of SIM's large size (9 meter baseline) and the high stability requirement makes it difficult and costly to measure all aspects of system performance on the ground. To reduce risks, costs and to allow for a design with fewer intermediate testing stages, the SIM project is developing an integrated thermal, mechanical and optical modeling process that will allow predictions of the system performance to be made at the required high precision. This modeling process uses commercial, off-the-shelf tools and has been validated against experimental results at the precision of the SIM performance requirements. This paper' presents the description of the model development, some of the models, and their validation in the thermo-opto-mechanical (TOM3) testbed which includes full scale brassboard optical components and the metrology to test them at the SIM performance requirement levels.
Regulation of iron acquisition and storage in yeast (360.1)

Iron is a required element for all eukaryotes, as the facile ability of iron to gain and loose electrons permits it to participate in a wide variety of oxidation-reduction reactions. Iron can also ...
Materials Cartography: Representing and Mining Materials Space Using Structural and Electronic Fingerprints

As the proliferation of high-throughput approaches in materials science is increasing the wealth of data in the field, the gap between accumulated-information and derived-knowledge widens. We address the issue of scientific discovery in materials databases by introducing novel analytical approaches based on structural and electronic materials fingerprints. The framework is employed to (i) query large databases of materials using similarity concepts, (ii) map the connectivity of materials space (i.e., as a materials cartograms) for rapidly identifying regions with unique organizations/properties, and (iii) develop predictive Quantitative Materials Structure–Property Relationship models for guiding materials design. In this study, we test these fingerprints by seeking target material properties. As a quantitative example, we model the critical temperatures of known superconductors. Our novel materials fingerprinting and materials cartography approaches contribute to the emerging field of materials informati...
Evaluation of Light-Scattering Index (Nephelometry) for Assessing Serum Triglycerides and Lipoprotein Phenotypes

Light-scattering measurements (nephelometry) of serum after filtration through appropriate filters is a rapid method for physically determining triglyceride concentrations and lipoprotein phenotypes. A correlation coefficient of greater than 0.9 was obtained when aliquots of the same specimen were tested for triglycerides by light scattering in an Aminco-Bowman Spectrophotofluorometer and by a chemical (Van Handel and Zilversmit) method. Lipoprotein phenotyping by agarose gel electrophoresis and by light-scattering measurement corresponded excellently. In equivocal cases, nephelometric results agreed better with the triglyceride and cholesterol data than did the electrophoretic method.
Conjoint Analysis, Related Modeling, and Applications

Conjoint analysis has as its roots the need to solve important academic and industry problems. Paul Green’s work on conjoint analysis grew out of his contributions to the theory and practice of multidimensional scaling (MDS) to address marketing problems, as discussed in Chapter 3. MDS offered the ability to represent consumer multidimensional perceptions and consumer preferences relative to an existing set of products.
Copyright Infringement Markets

Should copyright infringement claims be treated as marketable assets? Copyright law has long emphasized the free and independent alienability of its exclusive rights. Yet, the right to sue for infringement — that copyright law simultaneously grants authors in order to render its exclusive rights operational — has never been thought of as independently assignable, or indeed as the target of investments by third parties. As a result, discussions of copyright law and policy rarely ever consider the possibility of an acquisition or investment market emerging for actionable copyright claims, and the advantages that such a market might hold for copyright’s goals, objectives and functioning. This Essay analyzes the opportunities and challenges presented by an independent market for copyright claims, and argues that copyright law, policy, and practice would stand to benefit from the regulated involvement of third parties in acquiring, financing, bringing, and defending infringement claims.
Multiple bus-based hierarchical multiprocessors and their bandwidth analysis

Recently a number of researchers have paid attention to the design and analysis of cluster-based multiprocessor systems. The design of cluster based systems is very appealing due to the fact that such systems require very inexpensive interconnection network compared to non-cluster based systems, especially for a large number of processors and memory modules. The design and analysis of a generalized hierarchical multiprocessor system was described by I.O. Mahgoub and A.K. Elmagarmid (1992). This multiprocessor system uses a hierarchical interconnection network, which is built using a number of small crossbar switches. In this paper we propose a different variation of the system presented previously. Our proposed system can be built by replacing every crossbar switch by a number of parallel buses. Since parallel buses provide better fault tolerance than a crossbar switch, the system proposed, in this paper is fault tolerant. Simulation models have been developed to verify the accuracy of the analytical models. The results obtained from the analytical models match closely to those obtained from the simulation models.
Effect Of An Internal Flow On The Distribution Of Vibrational Energy In An Infinite Fluid-Filled Thin Cylindrical Elastic Shell

Abstract The vibrational energy distribution in an infinite elastic cylinder with an internal uniform flow is investigated. Energy ratios between the power flow in the fluid field and the power flow in the shell are evaluated, using a fully coupled analysis, for a steel and a hard rubber shell of various thicknesses filled with convected water and vibrating in the n = 0, 1, 2 and 3 circumferential modes. The impact of the flow on the dispersion curves is first studied. The effect of the Mach number on the distribution of vibrational energies propagating upstream and downstream is then discussed, and shown to depend upon the branch behaving as either a fluid type or a structural type wave. In general, for downstream propagation, convection increases the power in the structure for structural type waves and decreases it in the structure for fluid type waves. The reverse is true for upstream propagation. Finally, the effect of the flow is shown to be greatest near coincidence or the cut-on frequencies of higher order modes.
Characterization of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptors in Cultured Rat Pituitary Cells

The properties of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptors were analyzed in isolated pituitary cells prepared by enzymatic dispersion with trypsin or collagenasehyaluronidase. The initial impairment of LH responses to GnRH in isolated cells prepared by both methods was reversed during culture for 2 days in multiwell vessels. However, specific binding sites for GnRH, assayed by equilibration with [125I]iodo-[D-Ser(t-Bu)6]des-Gly10 -GnRH N-ethylamide (GnRH-A) were demonstrable in collagenase-dispersed cells, both initially and after 2 days in culture. Cellular uptake of GnRH-A was temperature dependent, with rapid and saturable binding to a limited number of specific receptor sites with high affinity for the labeled analog (Ka = 4.0 ± 0.8 × 109 M-1). These sites showed common binding specificity for GnRH-A and the native GnRH peptide, with significantly lower affinity for the natural peptide (Ka = 2.3 × 107 M-1). Other protein and peptide hormones, including ovine LH, ovine PRL, hCG, TRH, somatostati...
Ablation of Fusion Materials Exposed to High Heat Flux in an Electrothermal Plasma Discharge as a Simulation for Hard Disruption

Electrothermal plasma sources operating in the confined controlled arc discharge regime produce heat fluxes in the range expected for hard disruptions in future large tokamaks. The radiative heat flux produced inside of the capillary discharge channel is from the formed high density (1023–1027/m3) plasma with heat fluxes of up to 125 GW/m2 over a period of 100 μs, making such sources excellent simulators for ablation studies of plasma-facing materials in tokamaks during hard disruptions. Graphite, beryllium, lithium, stainless steel, tungsten, copper, and molybdenum are among the materials proposed for use in fusion reactors. Computational experiments with the ETFLOW code using heat fluxes between 10 and 125 GW/m2 have shown low total erosion for the low-z materials Li, Be and C and higher erosion for high-z materials Fe, Cu, Mo and W. The time rate of material erosion for various ranges of heat fluxes shows increased erosion with time evolution over the 150 μs pulse length of the simulated disruption event. At the highest values of simulated heat flux, low-z materials were found to ablate almost identically. At all simulated values of heat flux, the ablation of high-z materials correlated positively with the z-number.
Acute encephalopathy with parvovirus B19 infection in sickle cell disease

A 13 year old girl with haemoglobin Sβ + thalassaemia developed simultaneous aplastic crisis and encephalopathy associated with parvovirus B19 (PB19) infection. Brain magnetic resonance imaging findings were consistent with central nervous system (CNS) vasculitis and her symptoms resolved with steroid therapy. Thus, PB19 induced CNS hypersensitivity vasculitis must be considered in the differential diagnosis of encephalopathy.
Economically derived yields for even- and uneven-aged stands

We propose an approach to develop economic-based yields for even- and uneven-aged stands that could be compared with yields generated by using silvicultural treatments. Economic-based yields are derived from economic parameters that describe markets and the landowner’s ownership goals and objectives. This study highlights five conclusions. First, economic-based yields define a lower bound on silvicultural-based yields required to just satisfy these economic parameters and provide a metric of confidence that a silvicultural prescription would increase (or decrease) the landowner’s wealth. Second, a main driver of the economic-based yields is the opportunity costs of the reserve growing stock or regeneration costs and the land. Third, the economic-based yields followed a similar pattern regardless of whether the stand was defined as even- or uneven-aged. Fourth, the economic-based yields illustrate the physical impacts that recreational leases, taxes, or the sale of nontimber forest ecosystem goods and serv...
Allyl isothiocyanate as a cancer chemopreventive phytochemical

Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), which occurs in many common cruciferous vegetables, is widely and often frequently consumed by humans. Besides antimicrobial activity against a wide spectrum of pathogens, it showed anticancer activity in both cultured cancer cells and animal models, although the underlining mechanisms remain largely undefined. Bioavailability of AITC is extremely high, as nearly 90% of orally administered AITC is absorbed. AITC absorbed in vivo is metabolized mainly through the mercapturic acid pathway and excreted in urine. Available data suggest that urinary concentrations of AITC equivalent are at least 10 times higher than in the plasma, and tissue levels of AITC equivalent in the urinary bladder were 14-79 times higher than in other organs after oral AITC administration to rats. These findings suggest that AITC may be most effective in the bladder as a cancer chemopreventive compound. AITC at high dose levels also exhibit a low degree of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in animal studies, but such adverse effects are unlikely in humans exposed to dietary levels of AITC. Overall, AITC exhibits many desirable attributes of a cancer chemopreventive agent, and further studies are warranted in order to elucidate its mechanism of action and to assess its protective activity in humans.
Panic-Focused Psychodynamic Psychotherapy–Extended Range

Panic-Focused Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (PFPP) is a 24-session, twice-weekly treatment that has been manualized and has demonstrated efficacy in a randomized controlled trial in the treatment of panic disorder. The treatment has recently been extended to address additional DSM-IV anxiety disorders and Cluster C personality traits and disorders. The manualized approach identifies a set of dynamisms that contribute to panic onset and persistence involving intrapsychic conflicts about separation, autonomy, anger, and guilt. The treatment aims at increasing patients' recognition and understanding of these dynamics through exploration of the meaning and circumstances of their panic attacks, related intrapsychic dynamics, developmental factors, and the transference. The termination of treatment is particularly important in working through conflicts surrounding separation and autonomy. This article describes the formulation and psychotherapeutic approach in greater depth, and a case example is provided. We the...
The acquisition of Boolean concepts.

Boolean relations, such as and , or , and not , are a fundamental way to create new concepts out of old. Classic psychological studies showed that such concepts differed in how difficult they were to learn, but did not explain the source of these differences. Recent theories have reinvigorated the field with explanations ranging from the complexity of minimal descriptions of a concept to the relative invariance of its different instances. We review these theories and argue that the simplest explanation – the number of mental models required to represent a concept – provides a powerful account. However, no existing theory explains the process in full, such as how individuals spontaneously describe concepts.
Measurement of Aerosol Concentration as a Function of Size and Charge

We have developed an aerosol diagnostic system that measures the number concentration of aerosols as a function of particle size and charge. This system differs from other methods that measure aerosol concentration as a function of either particle size or particle charge. Previous methods treated only one of the two variables as a parameter. Our system treats both particle size and particle charge as variables in a three-dimensional representation of the aerosol distribution. Size-charge analysis was accomplished by first fractionating the aerosol according to the electrical mobility of the particle, then determining the particle-size distribution of each mobility fraction using either a Climet optical counter or an ASASX-P laser spectrometer. By accumulating a particle-size distribution of each mobility fraction, we could determine by mathematical techniques the aerosol number concentration as a function of both particle charge and size. Use of an LSI-11/23, interfaced to the aerosol instrumentation, all...
International dependence and urbanization in East Asia: Implications for planning

In recent years the political economy of the world-system approach to macrostructural change has asserted itself as a dominant paradigm in the sociology of development. Increasingly, comparative urban researchers have pointed to the linkages between the growth of Third World cities and the role these places play in the changing international system. This article begins by summarizing the major elements of this perspective on “dependent urbanization.” Then the urban experiences of the less-developed nations of East Asia are interpreted using this approach. This analysis leads into a discussion that centers on the main objective of the article, which is to tie the dependency/world-system perspective to policy-making and planning. How can this research contribute to debates about practical problems and suggest realistic, implementable solutions? The article concludes with some general comments about the relationship between theoretical analysis, planning, and action directed at bringing about social change.
Approximate constants of motion for classically chaotic vibrational dynamics - Vague tori, semiclassical quantization, and classical intramolecular energy flow

Coupled nonlinear Hamiltonian systems are known to exhibit regular (quasiperiodic) and chaotic classical motions. In this and the preceding paper by Jaffe and Reinhardt, we find substantial short time regularity even in the chaotic regions of phase space for what appears to be a large class of systems. This regularity is demonstrated by the behavior of approximate constants of motion calculated by Pade summation of the Birkhoff–Gustavson normal form expansion and is attributed to remnants of destroyed invariant tori in phase space. The remnant toruslike manifold structures are used to suggest justification for use of Einstein–Brillouin–Keller semiclassical quantization procedures for obtaining quantum energy levels even in the absence of complete tori and to form a theoretical basis for the calculation of rate constants for intramolecular mode–mode energy transfer. These results are illustrated in a thorough analysis of the Henon–Heiles oscillator problem. Possible generality of the analysis is shown by b...
Altered interaction between binding and catalytic subunits of a cyclic AMP-stimulated protein kinase from hepatoma cells.

Abstract Binding activity obtained from an established line of hepatoma tissue culture (HTC) cells has a lower apparent affinity for cyclic AMP at physiological pH than has the analogous binding activity from rat liver. However, the apparent binding affinity of HTC preparations can be reversibly increased by adding NaCl or guanidine · HCl. In the presence of such activating substances, a macromolecular inhibitory activity has been chromatographically separated from the cyclic AMP-binding activity. Removal of this inhibitory component causes the apparent affinity of the cyclic AMP-binding activity from HTC cells to increase and resemble that observed with liver preparations. Before treatment with salt, the inhibitory activity seems to be physically associated with the binding activity. Adding the isolated inhibitory component back to a suitably activated binding preparation from HTC cells results in a decrease in the apparent affinity for cyclic AMP. The isolated inhibitory component is devoid of cyclic AMP-binding and cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activities and has an apparent minimal molecular weight of about 30,000 by gel filtration. It possesses protein kinase activity and seems to be identical to the catalytic subunit of a cyclic AMP-stimulated protein kinase on the basis of chromatographic properties and sensitivities to heat and low pH. This catalytic subunit represents only a minor portion of total cellular protein kinase activity and is also present in liver extracts. However, the binding activity from liver is not inhibited significantly under conditions where the binding from HTC cells is affected by the catalytic subunit. The difference in this inhibitory response between liver and HTC preparations appears to reflect differences in the cyclic AMP-binding proteins themselves.
Species‐sorting may explain an apparent minimal effect of immigration on freshwater bacterial community dynamics

Summary Long distance atmospheric transport of bacterial cells is often implied as a driver of the apparent cos- mopolitan distribution of bacterial taxa. Surprisingly, efforts to measure immigration in bacterial communi- ties are rare. An 8-week time series of within-lake bacterial community composition and atmospheric deposition rates and composition were used to esti- mate the influence of immigration on bacterial com- munity dynamics in two north temperate lakes. Characterization of bacterial community dynamics using automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analy- sis suggested moderate overlap in composition between the lakes and atmospherically deposited cells. However, taxa that appeared to be delivered by atmospheric deposition had a relatively minor influ- ence on lake bacterial community dynamics. The weak influence of immigrating bacterial taxa suggests that a species-sorting concept best describes aquatic bacterial metacommunity dynamics.
Multinational decision-making: Reconciling international norms

How should highly-placed multinational managers, typically schooled in home country moral traditions, reconcile conflicts between those traditions and ones of the host country? When host country standards for pollution, discrimination, and salary schedules appear substandard from the perspective of the home country, should the manager take the high road and implement home country standards? Or does the high road imply a failure to respect cultural diversity and national integrity? In this paper, I construct and defend an ethical algorithm for multinational managers to use in reconciling such international normative conflicts.
Mission Accomplished: The Wartime Election of 2004

The war in Iraq, so the widely accepted view, hurt the reelection of George W. Bush. We contend, to the contrary, that the war helped him get reelected. First, we show that his victory fits the dominant pattern of wartime elections in American history. Second, we find that Bush’s approval ratings benefited from a complex rally where the Iraq war prolonged rather than diminished the 9/11 effect; most Americans affirmed rather than disputed a link between the war in Iraq and the war on terror. Third, while Bush’s approval proves sensitive to U.S. casualties in the Iraq war, any damage to his standing prior to the election was mitigated by sufficient popular support for that war. And finally, on Election Day, Bush was able to garner the vote of two critical blocks with favorable feelings about the Iraq war, be it the decision to invade or the prospect of success.
Evolving Concepts: How Diet and the Intestinal Microbiome Act as Modulators of Breast Malignancy

The intestinal microbiome plays an important role in human physiology. Next-generation sequencing technologies, knockout and gnotobiotic mouse models, fecal transplant data and epidemiologic studies have accelerated our understanding of microbiome abnormalities seen in immune diseases and malignancies. Dysbiosis is the disturbed microbiome ecology secondary to external pressures such as host diseases, medications, diet and genetic conditions often leading to abnormalities of the host immune system. Specifically dysbiosis has been shown to lower circulating lymphocytes, and increase neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, a finding which has been associated with a decreased survival in women with breast cancers. Dysbiosis also plays a role in the recycling of estrogens via the entero-hepatic circulation, increasing estrogenic potency in the host, which is another leading cause of breast malignancy. Non-modifiable factors such as age and genetic mutations disrupt the microbiome, but modifiable factors such as diet may also lead to profound disruptions as well. A better understanding of dietary factors and how they disrupt the microbiome may lead to beneficial nutritional interventions for breast cancer patients.
Phenylethynylstyrene-Cobalt Carbonyl Block Copolymer Composites

Treatment of a diblock copolymer containing an alkyne-functional block (polystyrene-block-poly(4-(phenylethynyl)styrene)) with dicobalt octacarbonyl (Co2(CO)8) leads to selective incorporation of Co2(CO)6 groups in the alkyne block. Examination of these composites in bulk and thin films by transmission electron microscopy reveals the formation of ordered phase-separated morphologies typical of block copolymers. Heating the polymer−cobalt carbonyl adducts at moderate temperatures (110 °C) leads to loss of CO and formation of insoluble polymer cobalt composites. High-temperature thermolysis of these materials leads to formation of carbonaceous materials containing cobalt nanoparticles.
{Delta}-Aminolevulinic acid dehydratase: A sensitive indicator of lead exposure in broiler chicks: (Gallus domesticus)

Delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase, EC 4.2.1.24 (ALAD) is one of the enzymes participating in heme synthesis. The study reported in this paper was designed to determine the activity of erythrocyte ALAD anbd the relationship between this enzyme and tissue lead levels in chickens, during Pb intake and after withdrawing Bv from the feed. 20 refs., 3 tabs.
Factors influencing choice of procedure in transposition of the great arteries: a decision analysis approach.

Abstract Clinicians have a difficult choice between the arterial switch (Jatene et al.) and the atrial baffle operation (Mustard or Sensing) for transposition of the great arteries. The surgical decision is essentially a determination of whether the long-term course after the arterial switch procedure (thought to be more favorable than after the atrial bale procedure) plus elimination of presurgical attrition with the atrial baffle is substantial enough to offset the higher early mortality rate associated with the arterial switch. Decision analysis was undertaken to answer the following questions: 1) are there clinical circumstances under which published surgical results support a clear procedure of choice la transposition of the great arteries? and 2) what short- and long-term outcomes must be anticipated for the arterial switch to compare favorably with the published experience with the atrial baffle? A decision tree was constructed accounting for the major variables influencing mortality and morbidity in the surgical management of transposition of the great arteries. Presuming that the arterial switch has moderate advantages over the atrial baffle in terms of late morbidity and mortality for staple transposition of the great arteries at an institution with average results from the atrial baffle, the early mortality rate of the arterial switch must be Careful reevaluation of the surgical results of the arterial switch procedure is imperative to establish that its Ugh early surgical mortality rale is, indeed, offset by low rate of late mortality and morbidity. Decision analysis is an ideal tool for clinicians at specific institutions to account for unique institutional variations in surgical results.
Pulsed-glow discharge/matrix isolation method for the production and trapping of organic ions: application to para-dimethoxybenzene

Abstract A new technique for the production and trapping of organic ions in rare-gass matrices is introduced. A pulsed-glow discharge produces the ions which are repelled from a hemispherical wire-mesh grid held at a high positive (or negative) potential toward the cold (12 K) sample window of a closed-cycle cryostat where they are deposited. The radical cation of para-dimethoxybenzene (PDMOB) has been formed by this method in sufficient quantities to observe a number of its infrared spectral bands for the first time. The electronic absorption spectrum of the cation matches well with results obtained by γ-irradiation of PDMOB in s-butylchloride matrices at 77 K and by oxidation of adsorbed PDMOB in Cu-exchanged montmorillonite clay. The introduction of CCl 4 into the argon plasma gas stream significantly enhances the number of ions produced and trapped.
Chemotherapy for Surgically Resected Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

The benefit of chemotherapy for surgically resected intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) remains poorly defined. The present study sought to determine the survival impact of chemotherapy for surgically resected ICC. Patients with non-metastatic ICC who underwent surgery were identified from the National Cancer Database (1998–2011) and stratified by receipt of chemotherapy. Survival outcomes were analyzed following propensity score modeling using the greedy matching algorithm. A total of 2751 patients were identified (median age 64 years); 985 (35.8 %) received chemotherapy. Younger age, advanced tumor stage, R1/R2 surgical margins, and lymph node metastasis were all independently associated with receipt of chemotherapy (p < 0.05). Following propensity score matching, advanced tumor stage, lymph node metastasis, poorly differentiated tumors, and R1/R2 surgical margins were associated with poorer overall survival (OS) (p < 0.05). Median OS comparing patients who received chemotherapy compared with surgery alone was 23 versus 20 months (p = 0.09). However, when stratified by lymph node status, chemotherapy demonstrated a significant improvement in median OS among N1 patients (19.8 vs. 10.7 months; p < 0.001). In contrast, patients with N0 disease derived no benefit from chemotherapy (29.4 vs. 29 months; p = 0.33). Additional tumor characteristics associated with improved survival with chemotherapy included T3/T4 tumors (21.3 vs. 15.6 months; p < 0.001) and R1/R2 surgical margins (19.5 vs. 11.6 months; p = 0.006). The use of chemotherapy was associated with a survival benefit only for ICC patients with nodal metastasis, advanced tumor stage, or an inadequate surgical resection. Chemotherapy for resected ICC should be strongly considered for tumors harboring high-risk features.
Heidegger's Ereignis and Wittgenstein on the Genesis of Language

The paper argues that the orthodox readings of pgh. 608 of Wittgenstein’s Zettel (hereafter Z608), which holds that Z608 suggests the possibility that language and thought may emerge out of physical chaos in the brain (connectionist processing, causal indeterminism, a pile of sawdust, etc.) cannot be correct. Among Wittgenstein’s signature views are that the philosopher “must not advance any kind of theory” and that everything must be “open to view”. Despite this, the orthodox readings not only attribute theories about hidden processes to Z608, but quite extreme one’s at that. What the commentator should infer is that the kind of centre, chaos, and “arising” of language from chaos inZ608 must be of the sort that is already “open to view”—that is, a “phenomenological” reading, broadly construed. The paper argues that Heidegger’s account of the Ereignis (the opening of the Open, or “primordial truth”), provides a far better model of Z608 than the orthodox neurological interpretation—illuminating both Heidegger and Wittgenstein in the process. Against this background, it is argued that the central point in Z608 is precisely that the centre of a language referenced in Z608 cannot be the neural centre. Just as Copernicus replaced the old centre of the universe, the sun, by a new centre, the earth, so too, the aim in Z608 is to replace the old view that language is centred in the brain with the new view, reflected on virtually every page of Wittgenstein’s later philosophy, that language centres around the everyday arena of human behaviour which is “always before one’s eyes”. Z608 is not stating theories about the brain, but is proposing a new “Copernican” paradigm in the philosophies of language and mind, a paradigm which is also found in Heidegger’s account of the Ereignis.
Management of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors account for 1% to 2% of pancreatic neoplasms and may occur sporadically or as part of a hereditary syndrome. Patients may present with symptoms related to hormone secretion by functional tumors or to locally advanced or metastatic nonfunctional tumors. Asymptomatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are increasingly detected incidentally during abdominal imaging performed for other reasons. The management of localized pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors is surgical resection. Hepatic metastases are common and their management involves a variety of liver-directed therapies, which should be tailored according to extent of disease, symptoms, presence of extrahepatic metastases, and patient performance status.
In Vitro Evaluation of Volumetric Flow From Doppler Power-weighted and Amplitude-weighted Mean Velocities

Ultrasound theory suggests that the volume of flow is directly related to the power and amplitude of the backscattered Doppler signals. To evaluate the accuracy of volume flow calculated with power-weighted and amplitude-weighted mean velocities (PWMV and AWMV), volume flows were measured in a pulsatile flow-tank system equipped with a 1.25 cm diameter simulated femoral artery. Analyses were performed throughout a range of physiologic flows, mean driving pressures, and pulse rates. At each hemodynamic setting, volume flow in the simulated artery was measured with an electromagnetic flow probe and with pulsed Doppler echocardiography by use of 7.0 and 3.51 MHz transducers. In addition, to determine the effects of vessel size and parabolic flow on the accuracy of the Doppler volumes, volume flow was evaluated in several differently sized vessels at sampling distances of 20 times the vessel diameter downstream from the orifice. On the ultrasound system, PWMV was calculated as the sum of the individual velocities multiplied by their respective power fractions (the fraction of the total instantaneous power represented by the individual signal power). The instantaneous PWMV was plotted continuously in time and superimposed on the spectral recording. Similarly, AWMV was calculated with amplitudes measured as the square root of the signal power. The PWMV and AWMV were integrated over the flow period and multiplied by the known cross-sectional area of flow to obtain the Doppler volume. In all analyses performed, volumetric flows calculated with Doppler echocardiography with PWMV and AWMV correlated extremely well with those measured with the electromagnetic flow probe. Thus, over a wide range of physiologic conditions, transducer frequencies, and vessel sizes, volume flow can be accurately calculated from PWMV and AWMV Doppler data. This technique provides an accurate, automatic method for on-line determination of volumetric flow.
Critical Challenges in California Community Colleges: An Interview with Carl Ehmann

This interview took place in several meetings over a period of two weeks in late spring, 2008. Carl Ehmann had spent the past five months working with multiple California community college districts to resolve numerous, and multilevel, shortages in senior leadership positions. Robert A. Frost and Ehmann had come into contact through Frost's doctoral students, several of whom were candidates for leadership positions. At the time, California's budget crisis was looming on the horizon, only adding to the difficulties Ehmann and others had in recruiting for executive positions.
Chronic nicotine doses down-regulate PDE4 isoforms that are targets of antidepressants in adolescent female rats.

Background Previous data in humans and animal models has suggested connections between anxiety, depression, smoking behavior, and nicotine dependence. The importance of these connections has been confirmed by clinical studies that led to the recent FDA approval of an anti-depressant (Zyban) for use in human smoking cessation programs. Other anti-depressants (such as rolipram) specifically inhibit PDE4 phosphodiesterases. Methods We used DNA microarrays to discover gene expression changes in adolescent female rats following chronic nicotine treatments, and real-time PCR assays to confirm and extend those results. Results We found a consistent decrease in the mRNA levels encoded by the Pde4b gene in nucleus accumbens, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus of adolescent female rats treated with .24 mg/day nicotine, and in prefrontal cortex of adolescent female rats treated with .12 mg/day nicotine. We further show that each of these brain areas produced a different profile of Pde4b isoforms. Conclusions Chronic nicotine treatments produce a dose-dependent down-regulation of Pde4b, which may have an antidepressant effect. This is the first report of a link between nicotine dependence and phosphodiesterase gene expression. Our results also add to the complex interrelationships between smoking and schizophrenia, because mutations in the PDE4B gene are associated with schizophrenia.
Reconstitution of active 50 S ribosomal subunits from Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis.

Abstract Active 50 S ribosomal subunits from Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis can be reconstituted in vitro from dissociated RNA and proteins. The reconstituted 50 S sub-units are indistinguishable from native 50 S subunits in sedimentation on sucrose gradients and in protein composition. The procedure used is similar to that developed for reconstitution of Bacillus stearothermophilus 50 S subunits, though the optimal conditions are somewhat different. Hybrid ribosomes can be reconstituted with 23 S RNA and proteins from different sources ( B. stearothermophilus and B. licheniformis or B. subtilis) . The thermal stability of these ribosomes depends on the source of the proteins, and not on the source of 23 S RNA.