cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Personalized Proteomics: The Future of Precision Medicine

Medical diagnostics and treatment has advanced from a one size fits all science to treatment of the patient as a unique individual. Currently, this is limited solely to genetic analysis. However, epigenetic, transcriptional, proteomic, posttranslational modifications, metabolic, and environmental factors influence a patient's response to disease and treatment. As more analytical and diagnostic techniques are incorporated into medical practice, the personalized medicine initiative transitions to precision medicine giving a holistic view of the patient's condition. The high accuracy and sensitivity of mass spectrometric analysis of proteomes is well suited for the incorporation of proteomics into precision medicine. This review begins with an overview of the advance to precision medicine and the current state of the art in technology and instrumentation for mass spectrometry analysis. Thereafter, it focuses on the benefits and potential uses for personalized proteomic analysis in the diagnostic and treatment of individual patients. In conclusion, it calls for a synthesis between basic science and clinical researchers with practicing clinicians to design proteomic studies to generate meaningful and applicable translational medicine. As clinical proteomics is just beginning to come out of its infancy, this overview is provided for the new initiate.
Observed Changes in the Southern Hemispheric Circulation in May

AbstractMuch research has focused on trends in the Southern Hemispheric circulation in austral summer (December–February) in the troposphere and stratosphere, whereas changes in other seasons have received less attention. Here the seasonality and structure of observed changes in tropospheric and stratospheric winds, temperature, and ozone over the Southern Hemisphere are examined. It is found that statistically significant trends similar to those of the Antarctic summer season are also observed since 1979 in austral fall, particularly May, and are strongest over the Pacific sector of the hemisphere. Evidence is provided for a significant shift in the position of the jet in May over the Pacific, and it is shown that the strengthening and shifting of the jet has rendered the latitudinal distribution of upper-tropospheric zonal wind more bimodal. The Antarctic ozone hole has cooled the lower stratosphere and strengthened the polar vortex. While the mechanism and timing are not fully understood, the ozone hol...
Noise characterization of oil and gas operations

ABSTRACTIn cooperation with The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, researchers at Colorado State University performed area noise monitoring at 23 oil and gas sites throughout Northern Colorado. The goals of this study were to: (1) measure and compare the noise levels for the different phases of oil and gas development sites; (2) evaluate the effectiveness of noise barriers; and (3) determine if noise levels exceeded the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission noise limits. The four phases of oil and gas development include drilling, hydraulic fracturing, completion and production. Noise measurements were collected using the A- and C-weighted sound scales. Octave band analysis was also performed to characterize the frequency spectra of the noise measurements. Noise measurements were collected using noise dosimeters and a hand-held sound-level meter at specified distances from the development sites in each cardinal direction. At 350 ft (107 m), drilling, hydraulic fracturing, and completion ...
Supernode transformation on GPGPUs

AbstractSupernode transformation, or tiling, is a technique that partitions algorithms to improve data locality and parallelism to achieve shortest running time. It groups multiple iterations of nested loops into supernodes to be assigned to processors for processing in parallel. A supernode transformation can be described by supernode size and shape. This paper focuses on supernode transformation on General Purpose Graphic Processing Units (GPGPUs), including supernode scheduling, supernode mapping to GPGPU blocks, and the finding of the optimal supernode size, for achieving the shortest total running time. The algorithms considered are two nested loops with regular data dependencies. The Longest Common Subsequence problem is used as an illustration. A novel mathematical model for the total running time is established as a function of the supernode size, algorithm parameters such as the problem size and the data dependence, the computation time of each loop iteration, architecture parameters such as the ...
Thick-walled Cylinders and Disks

In this chapter, we shall consider a class of problems in which the stresses and displacements depend only on the radius r in the cylindrical coordinate system (r,θ , z). The problems are therefore axisymmetric (i.e. there is no variation with the angle θ) nor is there any variation with the distance z along the axis.
Mind the gap: can videolaryngoscopy bridge the competency gap in neonatal endotracheal intubation among pediatric trainees? a randomized controlled study

To study the impact of videolaryngoscopy (VL) on intubation success among pediatric trainees compared with direct laryngoscopy (DL). One hundred pediatric residents were enrolled in a randomized, crossover, simulation study comparing VL to DL. Following a didactic session on neonatal intubation, residents intubated a standard neonatal mannequin. Three Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) scenarios were then conducted, followed by a mannequin intubation with the alternate device. Number of attempts and time to intubation were recorded for all intubations. Proportion of successful intubations on first attempt was greater with VL compared with DL (88% versus 63%; P=0.008). The DL group increased success after crossover with VL (63% versus 89%; P=0.008). Exposure to VL also reduced intubation time after device crossover (median intubation time: 31 versus 17 s; P=0.048). VL increased the success of endotracheal intubation by pediatric residents in simulation, with skills transferrable to DL.
Randomized Controlled Trials in Substance Abuse Treatment Research: Fundamental Aspects and New Developments in Random Assignment Strategies, Comparison/Control Conditions, and Design Characteristics

Although not without their critics and limitations, randomized controlled trials (RCT) in clinical research are widely considered the highest methodological standard for establishing the feasibility, efficacy, and effectiveness of new and existing treatments in the field of substance abuse treatment as well as in all other areas of health-related care. This chapter reviews the basic design characteristics of RCTs after first considering the limitations of several large-scale, nonrandomized observational studies of substance abuse treatment to highlight the main benefits of the RCT design for making causal inferences. Important aspects of conducting an RCT are then discussed including: determining a research question; NIDA’s stage model of RCT studies; participant selection; choice of design; control/comparison groups; and alternative randomization strategies. Emerging issues and design developments are considered in each section. Throughout, important concepts are highlighted using examples from RCT studies many of which were conducted as part of the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (CTN), which has conducted a large number of multisite RCTs over the past 15 years. In the process, these studies have provided much valuable information not only on the efficacy–effectiveness of different substance abuse treatment interventions but also on improving RCT methodology.
Look Up Technique

This chapter discusses the look up technique. Many functions of mathematical physics have been well studied. If a differential equation can be transformed to a known form, then information about the solution may be obtained by looking in the right reference. The method involves comparing the differential equation being analyzed with the lists given. If the equation appears, the references cited for that equation are seen. The equations listed include: (1) ordinary differential equations, (2) partial differential equations and (3) systems of differential equations. Same equation may look different when written in different variables. Some scaling of any given equation may be required to make it look like one of the forms listed.
[5,10,15,20-Tetra-kis(4-tol-yl)porphyrin]zinc(II) dichloro-methane solvate.

In the title complex, [Zn(C48H36N4)]·CH2Cl2, the ZnII atom lies on an inversion center and the dichloro­methane solvent mol­ecule is disordered around an inversion center. The tolyl substituents are twisted compared to the central aromatic ring system of the porphyrin, similar to what is seen in previously published structures of this molecule [Dastidar & Goldberg (1996). Acta Cryst. C52, 1976–1980]. The dihedral angles between the mean planes of the tolyl rings and the central ring are 66.98 (6) and 60.40 (6)°.
An enzymatic approach reverses nicotine dependence, decreases compulsive-like intake, and prevents relapse

Tobacco use disorder is the leading cause of disease and preventable death worldwide, but current medications that are based on pharmacodynamics have low efficacy. Novel pharmacokinetic approaches to prevent nicotine from reaching the brain have been tested using vaccines, but these efforts have failed because antibody affinity and concentration are not sufficient to completely prevent nicotine from reaching the brain. We provide preclinical evidence of the efficacy of an enzymatic approach to reverse nicotine dependence, reduce compulsive-like nicotine intake, and prevent relapse in rats with a history of nicotine dependence. Chronic administration of NicA2-J1, an engineered nicotine-degrading enzyme that was originally isolated from Pseudomonas putida S16, completely prevented nicotine from reaching the brain and reversed somatic signs of withdrawal, hyperalgesia, and irritability-like behavior in nicotine-dependent rats with a history of escalation of nicotine self-administration. NicA2-J1 also decreased compulsive-like nicotine intake, reflected by responding despite the adverse consequences of contingent footshocks, and prevented nicotine- and stress (yohimbine)-induced relapse. These results demonstrate the efficacy of enzymatic therapy in treating nicotine addiction in advanced animal models and provide a strong foundation for the development of biological therapies for smoking cessation in humans.
Artificial lure use by a Great White Heron (Ardea herodias occidentalis) in south Florida

ABSTRACT A unique foraging behavior of the Great White Heron (Ardea herodias occidentalis) was observed in south Florida on 4 June 2016. A Great White Heron was observed foraging in a marina using ...
Cagle, Hugh. Assembling the Tropics: Science and Medicine in Portugal's Empire, 1450-1700. Cambridge UP, 2018

Assembling the Tropics studies the creation of the idea of the "tropics" as a coherent global region in early modern Portuguese empire, using writings on fever, medicine, natural history, plants and drugs, and disease as the basis of analysis.
Diagnosis: An Active Approach.

IN RECENT attempts to individualize instruction and to develop programs for the reluctant learner at the junior high school level, we have become more aware than ever of the need for diagnosing stu dent strengths and weaknesses. Much of the impetus for this has come from the movement to have us establish behavior ally stated objectives in order to clarify our goals and to be able to measure spe cific outcomes. Once a list of such objec tives is formulated, the teacher is faced with the question, Which of these objec tives do the students already know, and which of these do they need to master? The process of diagnosis is then employed so that the work may be geared to the needs of each student. Students need not waste time with skills and concepts that they have already mastered and may in stead concentrate on those that they do not know. Diagnostic techniques are also impor tant in attempts to help reluctant learners. Find out what these students cannot do, and provide experiences to help them overcome their difficulties. This is a pro cedure gaining in popularity, particularly in those classes designated "remedial mathematics." It is similar to the develop ment of special classes in "remedial read ing." In either case, a set of procedures is organized to offer the student a chance to succeed: First, find out where the trouble spots are, then devise teaching strategies to help. Following the medical analogy, this help is sometimes referred to as prescription. Like the doctor, we diagnose student problems, prescribe and treat, and then observe to see if the student has overcome the problem or mastered the necessary skills, as the case may be. In theory, this is a sound approach. It offers the student the work he needs in order to make progress and avoids hav ing him sit through explanations of work he already knows. Through diagnosis the teacher is able to gear the work to the stu dent, rather than fitting the student to the work?in lockstep with all other stu dents, whether he knows the mathematics or not and whether he understands the concepts or not. In practice, some difficulties have been encountered. Not only is it hard to con struct valid and reliable diagnostic tech niques, but to most teachers the process of diagnosis is synonymous with testing. Since we also use testing as a device for checking mastery, the result in many cases has been classes conducted accord
The effect of loading duration on damage initiation in high-strength concrete

Abstract The rate sensitivity of the failure strength of concrete and other brittle materials is well documented. However, the underlying mechanism(s) that gives rise to this phenomenon remains a topic of debate. Experimental results suggest that the time-dependent failure process plays a significant role in the observed strength increase. This study investigates the failure process in high-strength concrete (HSC) specimens under uniaxial compression loading. This is accomplished through the use of a modified Kolsky compression bar to apply controlled and repeatable mechanical loading in combination with the non-destructive observation capability of high-resolution X-ray computed-microtomography (micro-CT). The evolution of specimen damage morphology is observed as a result of intermittent short-duration uniaxial stress loadings. Experimental results show that HSC specimens are capable of supporting the applied stress above their quasi-static failure strength for short durations. This duration is found to be a function of the overload stress level. Additionally, micro-CT results reveal that specimens undergo a brief period of void compaction followed by the coalescence and propagation of cracks before completely losing load bearing capability.
Florida research open-source synchronization tool (FROST) for electrophysiology experiments.

Abstract Background Accurate interpretation of electrophysiological data in cognitive and behavioral experiments requires the acquisition of time labels, such as marking the exact start of a condition or moment a stimulus is presented to a research subject. New Method Here we present an inexpensive (∼30 USD) device used as a central relay for multiple peripheral devices, such as a computer screen presenting an experiment, a pressure-sensor push button, a multi-button responder, a pulse oximeter sensor, a light-emitting diode trigger for camera synchronization, and so on. We refer to this device as the Florida Research Open-source Synchronization Tool (FROST). FROST allows for easy hardware and Arduino-based firmware modifications that enable a standard platform for the integration of novel peripheral sensors. Results With two examples, we demonstrate the application of this device during human research experiments: intracranial-electroencephalography (EEG) recordings in a patient with epilepsy and surface-EEG recordings in a healthy participant. We provide an example setup for a rodent experiment as well. We also demonstrate the timing delays of our device. Comparison with existing methods There is currently a very limited number of existing open-source synchronization tools for electrophysiological research that enable customization with new device compatibility. We developed this tool to enable widespread replication for many applications through an open-source platform. Conclusions The device can be easily adapted for research experiments beyond the included example cases. All materials are open-source at github.com/Brain-Mapping-Lab/FROST.
I need the hook-up: the impact of shared race and ethnic identity on the expectations of service quality

While extant research on Black consumers is plentiful, very little research is concerned with Black-owned businesses. Our study examines the impact of shared racial status and a consumer’s level of...
Trading likes for sleepless nights: A lifespan investigation of social media and sleep.

Abstract Objectives The present study sought to examine the association between social media use and sleep and whether the association differed by age. Methods Total 3,284 adults (M age = 42.74, SD = 16.72; 48.5% female; 80.8% White) participated in an online study of sleep and health across the lifespan. Sleep quality and duration were assessed using the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Participants reported the total time they spent using social media daily. Results Greater social media use was associated with poorer sleep quality (P Conclusion The findings highlight potential adverse sleep outcomes associated with social media use. They also provide preliminary evidence suggesting the need for further exploration of age-related processes involved in social media use and sleep.
Developmental Physiology: Grand Challenges

The field of Developmental Physiology faces both great opportunities and significant challenges in the years ahead. While this provides “job security” for new investigators in this area, it also requires delineating some of the major challenges to maximize progress. I suggest that pressing challenges in Developmental Physiology fall into three categories: demonstrating broad relevance, promoting conceptual advances and improving experimental approaches.
Should I stay or should I go? Evaluating intimate relationship outcomes during the 2020 pandemic shutdown

Past research suggests that intimate partners respond to major stressors in different ways, sometimes by sticking together and sometimes by splitting up. Couples living through the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States are facing a unique set of stressors and are likely to experience changes in relationship outcomes as a result. The vulnerability–stress–adaptation (VSA) model suggests that relationship stability and relationship satisfaction are related to demographic variables, individual vulnerabilities (i.e., mental health), external stressors (i.e., finances), and relationship processes (i.e., communication patterns). The current study evaluates each of these variables as potential predictors of relationship satisfaction and thoughts of separating from a relationship, with the goal of identifying risk factors for relationship outcomes in the pandemic. A total of 782 adults with cohabitating intimate partners (89.8% White, 84.5% female) were recruited for an online study during the COVID-19 shutdown phase from April 3 through May 22, 2020. Results suggested that higher relationship satisfaction during the shutdown was related to not having children in the home, lower money stress, higher sexual fulfillment, lower relationship invalidation, and higher perceived fairness of relationship power. Higher thoughts of separation were related to younger age, higher verbal aggression, higher relationship invalidation, and lower relationship satisfaction. Overall, findings support the use of the VSA as a model for understanding the effect of pandemic stress on relationships and indicate that relationships are being affected by many aspects of the pandemic. Couples’ support interventions will need to be adapted to adequately promote relationship health in this difficult time. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved) © 2021 American Psychological Association
Sleep violence - Forensic science implications: Polygraphic and video documentation

During the past century, infrequent, anecdotal reports of sleep-related violence with forensic science implications have appeared. Recent rapid developments in the field of sleep-disorders medicine have resulted in greater understanding of a variety of sleep-related behaviors, and formal sleep-behavior monitoring techniques have permitted their documentation and classification. Sleep-related violence can be associated with a number of diagnosable and treatable sleep disorders, including (1) night terrors/sleepwalking, (2) nocturnal seizures, (3) rapid eye movement (REM) sleep-behavior disorder, (4) sleep drunkenness, and (5) psychogenic dissociative states occurring during the sleep period. Potentially violent automatized behavior, without consciousness, can and does occur during sleep. The violence resulting from these disorders may be misinterpreted as purposeful suicide, assault, or even homicide. Sleep-related violence must be added to the list of automatisms. A classification system of both waking and sleep-related automatic behavior is proposed, with recommendations for assessment of such behavior.
A matched-cohort study of health services utilization and financial outcomes for a heart failure disease-management program in elderly patients.

Objectives: To investigate the utilization and financial outcomes of a telephonic nursing disease-management program for elderly patients with heart failure. Design: A 1-year concurrent matched-cohort study employing propensity score matching. Setting: Medicare+Choice recipients residing in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Participants: A total of 533 program participants aged 65 and older matched to nonparticipants. Intervention: Disease-management heart failure program employing a structured, evidence-based, telephonic nursing intervention designed to provide patient education, counseling, and monitoring services. Measurements: Medical service utilization, including hospitalizations, emergency department visits, medical doctor visits, skilled nursing facility (SNF) days, selected clinical indicators, and financial effect. Results: The intervention group had considerably and significantly lower rates of acute service utilization than the control group, including 23% fewer hospitalizations, 26% fewer inpatient bed days, 22% fewer emergency department visits, 44% fewer heart failure hospitalizations, 70% fewer 30-day readmissions, and 45% fewer SNF bed days. Claims costs were $1,792 per person lower in the intervention group than in the control group (inclusive of intervention costs), and the return on investment was calculated to be 2.31. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that a commercially delivered heart failure disease-management program significantly reduced hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and SNF days. The intervention group had 17% lower costs than the control group; when intervention costs were included, the intervention group had 10% lower costs.
Accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and its consequences

In the early morning of April 26, 1986, as the culmination of an almost incredible series of errors that began 24 hours earlier, Unit 4 of the Chernobyl nuclear complex, a so-called RBMK-1000 reactor, suffered the worst accident in the history of commercial nuclear power. There was an uncontrolled nuclear excursion, release of a large amount of energy, possibly comparable to hundreds of pounds of TNT, blowing the top off the reactor. There was no containment, in the traditional American sense, so the roof of the building was blown out, an unprecedented amount of radioactivity was released to the biosphere, and a graphite fire was ignited, which burned for days. The radiation that was released spread through Eastern Europe (the world first learned of it through Swedish observations), bringing with it both official and unofficial protests that the Soviet Union had made no announcement of the radiation release until they were, in effect, caught. In fact, after a few days, the Soviets seemed to recognize that nuclear safety is a matter of international concern, and became quite open in their search for cooperation. They invited officials of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to visit the area and to flymore » over the plant, and agreed, in the end, to make a complete disclosure of the details of the accident at a special meeting of IAEA in Vienna, August 25 to 29, 1986. In preparation for that meeting they distributed a lengthy (400 pages) report on the event. This paper reviews this report.« less
Multi-Feathered Flock: One Book's Place in Contemporary Biographies

THE ART OF BIOGRAPHY customarily answers to a set of conven tions we do not associate with art. Traditionally, truth in biography is achieved through a marriage of emotional distance and intellectual scru tiny; the author assumes and maintains distinct boundaries between himself and his subject. Objectivity reveals its multi-tentacled head in a thou sand small features, from the use of the third person to those proofs of purchase, footnotes, to the gathering of interviews, of other voices and perspectives, finding then a certain promise of safety in numbers. All of this accumulates nevertheless into the biographer's implicitly subjective perspective. Many contemporary biographers are calling into question traditional distance between author and subject. Self-reference has crept into the genre just as it has in all literary genres, ultimately accomplishing the same ends: destabilizing or refashioning our concept of truth. The author's self-referentiality may be esthetic, concerning writerly issues, in which the writing of the biography is as much about the act of writing as it is about the ostensible subject or life in question. A kind of meta-biogra phy, Janet Malcolm's The Silent Woman is as much an exploration of the disputes among Sylvia Plath's biographers as it is a biography of Plath. Some contemporary biographers borrow elements from other genres. In Julia Blackburn's Daisy Bates in the Desert, the author mingles history, biography, memoir and novelistic improvisation to create a record of two journeys: Daisy Bates's as the first white woman to live among Aborigi nes in uncharted regions of the Australian outback, and Julia Blackburn's as the first of Bates's biographers to delve into the interstices and mys teries of her subject's pathological lying. Blackburn creates a record of Bates's life that is also a record of Blackburn creating that life, her sort ing through the letters, diaries, field notes and photographs, as well as
Envisioning a U.S. Government That Isn't 84% M: What the United States can Learn from Sweden, Rwanda, Burundi, and Other Nations

This paper explores solutions to American women’s low representation in elected political office based on strategies that have increased women’s representation in other countries. The list of nations above is an intentionally disparate sampling — these countries have different histories, governments, ethnic/religious/political make-ups, and standards of living, but they share one important characteristic: They have all made increasing women’s representation in politics a priority through passage of quotas at the political-party or subnational levels, constitutional amendments, or national election laws. How long until the United States catches up?
Wound healing and angiogenic properties of supernatants from Lactobacillus cultures.

Extracts or supernatants from cultures of Lactobacilli are used for their medicinal effects, including wound healing and immune system stimulating activity. We have studied the in vivo and in vitro effects of supernatants from bacterial cultures of two strains of Lactobacillus (LS) on tissue repair and angiogenesis. Subcutaneous injection of LS into rodent ears led to proliferation of blood vessels that also exhibited strong immunostaining for Flk-1 receptor. Some inflammatory cells were scattered among the blood vessels. The continuous influx of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and macrophages into transcutaneous wounds in mice treated with LS resulted in prolonged inflammatory phase of wound healing and delayed wound closure, including reepithelialization. Subcutaneous injection of Matrigel impregnated with LS into the abdominal wall led to rapid and transient influx of PMNs in the vicinity of the gel. LS stimulated the proliferation of murine macrophage J774.A1 cell line and porcine lymphocytes but not that of murine fibroblast AKR-2B cells. LS also induced production of TNF-alpha by J774.A1 cells and by porcine kidney epithelial LLC-PK1 cells. LS did not appear to have an effect on collagen production. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the potential of LS to function as a stimulator of the inflammatory stage of tissue repair, TNF-alpha production, and of angiogenesis.
Aerobic Heterotrophic Bacteria Indigenous to pH 2.8 Acid Mine Water: Microscopic Examination of Acid Streamers

Abstract “Acid streamers” found in acid coal mine drainage consist of bacteria trapped within an extracellular fibrillar polymer network. Inorganic compounds also precipitate within the polymer network. Several bacteria which appear to be different and are presumed to be different species are associated in the slimy mass of the “acid streamers.” The “streamers” contain individual microcolonies or microcosms that can be recognized by a selective polysaccharide stain, which suggests that the slime streamer is a conglomeration of polymers produced by more than one species.
Jurisdiction, Crime, and Development: The Impact of Public Law 280 in Indian Country

Public Law 280 transferred jurisdiction over criminal and civil matters from the federal to state governments in selected parts of Indian country. Where enacted, the law fundamentally altered the pre-existing legal order. Public Law 280 thus provides a unique opportunity to study the impact of legal institutions and their change on socio-economic outcomes. The law's controversial content has attracted interest from legal scholars. However, empirical studies of its impact are scarce and do not address the law's endogenous nature. We examine the law's impact on crime and on economic development in U.S. counties with significant American Indian reservation population. To address the issue of selection of areas subject to Public Law 280, our empirical strategy draws on the law's politico-historical context. We find that the application of Public Law 280 increased crime and lowered incomes. The law's adverse impact is robust and noteworthy in magnitude.
Adaptation to the Punishing Effects of Cold Water

Summary.-In order ro investigate the reduction of the punishing effects of a cold-water barrier in an approach-avoidance conflict situation, three groups of rats (N = 27) were trained to run a straight alley for a reward. After initial approach training the alley was modified by the installation of a water trough in front of the goal. when all groups were tested with 50°F water in the barrier, Ss trained with gradually declining water temperatures in the barrier performed significantly better (p < .01) than Ss trained with a constant water temperacure of 50°F or Ss trained with 95'F water in the trough. The resulcs are related to those of similar experiments using electric shock as the punishing stimulus. The problem of how best to reduce the aversiveness of a given stimulus in an approach-avoidance conflict situation remains an intriguing one. Miller ( 1960), using an approach-avoidance situation, demonstrated chat when rats were exposed to gradually increasing shock their running speeds were disrupted far less than if the final more severe shock level was suddenly introduced. The reduction in the aversiveness of electric shock was apparently specific to che stimulus conditions associaced with the approach-avoidance situation, since a control group receiving the same gradual shock schedule outside the test situation showed no change in the disrupting effects of the shock punishment. Following a procedure similar to Miller ( 1960), Karsh ( 1963) also found that exposure to mild shock diminished the effects of later more intense punishment. It seems important to determine whether these punishment phenomena are restricced to the specific type of stimulation associated with electric shock or whether they are produced by the general class of aversive agents. Indeed, as Solomon (1964) has noted, most experiments investigating punishment have employed only eleccric shock as the punishing agent. While cold water has been shown to have aversively motivating properties (e.g., Wever, 1932; Woods, Davidson, & Peters, 1964), it does not appear to have been used as a. punishing stimulus. Moreover, Woods (1967) has recently reported that the effectiveness of cold water as a stimulus motivating escape behavior in tats is not modified by 15 or 60 sec. exposure to cold water prior co tescing trials. Thus, brief exposure to cold water apparently does not produce an immediate adaptation or reduction in its aversive qualities.
Characterization of the reverse transcriptase from a new retrovirus (HTLV) produced by a human cutaneous T-cell lymphoma cell line.

Abstract The reverse transcriptase from a new retrovirus, HTLV, isolated from a human cutaneous T-cell lymphoma cell line was characterized. The enzyme is associated with high-molecular-weight RNA of the virus particle, has a molecular weight of about 95,000, utilizes the same template primers (including natyral mRNAs) as other viral reverse transcriptases, and prefers magnesium as a divalent cation using various synthetic homopolymeric template primers. HTLV reverse transcriptase can be immunologically distinguished from those of known type C, B, and D retroviruses by enzyme activity neutralization tests. These and other results support the interpretation that HTLV is a novel oncornavirus which may be associated with certain human T-cell neoplasias.
The oxidation of L-lactate by liver mitochondria.

A single NAD+-dependent LDH was found in liver mitochondria, localized in the intermembrane space. Maximal aerobic oxidation of l-lactate requires externally added NAD+. Apparent Km for NAD+ is the same for the aerobic oxidation of l-lactate by mitochondria, as for the oxidation of l-lactate by NAD+ in the presence of mitochondrial LDH. Mitochondrial LDH contains bound NAD+ which remains associated with the enzyme protein during acrylamide gel electrophoresis. Dismutation between l-lactate and acetoacetate by mitochondria is greatly stimulated by NAD+ and this reaction is inhibited by DNP, while dismutation between pyruvate and acetoacetate is not. Results are interpreted in terms of a possible mitochondrial path of l-lactate oxidation. This process may involve an energy-dependent transfer of reducing equivalents between l-lactate + LDH-bound NAD+(H) and enzyme systems of the inner membrane (and matrix).
Methods of Cooling Laying Hens with Water

Abstract DURING the summer months chickens are uncomfortable when the air temperature exceeds 90°F. As air temperature rises there is danger of heat prostration unless the chickens are given some relief. It seemed desirable therefore to plan experiments with the following objectives: (1) to compare various methods of cooling the birds with water; (2) to determine the reduction in temperature of the birds at various locations; and (3) to estimate the length of time the cooling was effective. The practice of immersing hens overcome by the heat in cold water as a means of resuscitation is widespread. The effectiveness of this method is mentioned by Yeates et al. (1941). A description of the use of water directly on the bird by sprayers was not found in the literature. The effect of sprinkling water on dairy cows, beef cows, and water buffalo has been described by Seath and Miller (1947), Ittner and . . .
The monetary approach to the exchange rate

In this paper the monetary approach to the exchange rate is re-examined for three key currencies, using data for the recent experience with flexible exchange rates. Two important findings are reported in the paper. First, it is demonstrated, using a multivariate cointegration technique, that an unrestricted monetary model is a valid framework for analysing the long run exchange rate. Second, we find, inter alia, that the proportionality of the exchange rate to relative money supplies is valid for the German mark.
Communication and Development The Passing of the Dominant Paradigm

This article describes the dominant model of development, the factors that led to its decline in intellectual circles after about 1970, and the emerging alternatives. The implications of this academic shift in thinking on the role of communication in development are discussed in terms of such issues as the communication effects gap, the content of mass media messages about development, and the limitations of the social structure on developmental communication effects. Greater use of field experiments and network analysis is recommended.
Optical tuning of silicon photonic structures with nematic liquid crystal claddings

An analysis of and experimental demonstration of active optical tuning of silicon strip waveguides with methyl red doped nematic liquid crystal claddings is presented. Under low-power irradiation by polarized light, the reorientation of the nematic, the resulting index change, and phase shift produce a tuning range of 5.6 nm for the microresonator resonances.
Transcriptional analysis of the toxigenic element of Clostridium difficile.

Abstract A transcriptional analysis was undertaken for the toxigenic element of Clostridium difficile in five strains which differ greatly in toxigenicity. The toxigenic element has recently been described in C. difficile strain VPI 10463 and consists of three small open reading frames in addition to the toxin A and B genes. A large, polycistronic transcript (17.5 kb) was detected, in addition to processing intermediates, and individual transcripts for toxin A, toxin B, and two of the three small open reading frames. A transcription initiation site and a promoter for the toxigenic element were identified, as well as major extension products upstream of the toxin A and B genes. These data support models in which the toxin A and B genes are cotranscribed along with the open reading frames, in addition to being transcribed individually. Transcriptional analyses, using probes for the transcripts for toxin A and toxin B, revealed quantitative differences among strains which correlated with quantitative differences in toxin production among these strains. However, DNA sequencing of intergenic regions in these strains showed remarkable DNA sequence conservation in these intergenic regions.
PbF2 compared to Al2O3 and AlF3 to produce an epithermal neutron beam for radiotherapy.

An evaluation of moderating materials is presented for boron neutron captured therapy. PbF{sub 2} was considered and its performance was compared to that of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} and AlF{sub 3}. PbF{sub 2} is found quite effective as a moderator for medical epithermal neutron beams. (AIP) {copyright} {ital 1996 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.}
Effect of γ irradiation on the friction and wear of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene

The effect of sterilization gamma irradiation on the friction and wear properties of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) sliding against stainless steel 316L in dry air at 23 C is investigated, the results to be used in the development of artificial joints which are to surgically replace diseased human joints. A pin-on-disk sliding friction apparatus is used, a constant sliding speed in the range 0.061-0.27 m/s is maintained, a normal load of 1 kgf is applied with dead weight, and the irradiation dose levels are: 0, 2.5, and 5.0 Mrad. Wear and friction data and conditions for each of the ten tests are summarized, and include: (1) wear volume as a function of the sliding distance for the irradiation levels, (2) incremental wear rate, and (3) coefficient of friction as a function of the sliding distance. It is shown that (1) the friction and wear properties of UHMWPE are not significantly changed by the irradiation doses of 2.5 and 5.0 Mrad, (2) the irradiation increases the amount of insoluble gel as well as the amount of low molecular weight material, and (3) after run-in the wear rate is either steady or gradually decreases as a function of the sliding distance.
Application of the Cognitive Dissonance Theory to the Service Industry

While numerous studies used the theory of cognitive dissonance to explain consumer behavior, there is no study as of today that has applied the theory to the service industry to investigate the role of cognitive dissonance in influencing important marketing-related variables such as perceived value and trust. This study examines the relationship between cognitive dissonance and relationship variables (trust and value) and proposes a model to understand how consumers process information facing a negative word-of-mouth (WOM) message that is incongruent with their existing belief, along with how cognitive dissonance affects their behaviors. The proposed model is tested using data collected via mail survey on customers of hotel–motel organizations. The study finding suggests that the theory of cognitive dissonance can be extended beyond a postdecision situation to a service context to explain how customers process information facing a WOM message that is incongruent with their existing belief. It is shown tha...
1,2-Dimethyl-4,5-diphenyl-benzene determined on a Bruker SMART X2S benchtop crystallographic system.

The title compound, C20H18, has two crystallographically independent mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit. The phenyl substituents of mol­ecule A are twisted away from the plane defined by the central benzene ring by 131.8 (2) and −52.7 (3)°. The phenyl substituents of mol­ecule B are twisted by −133.3 (2) and 50.9 (3)°. Each mol­ecule is stabilized by a pair of intra­molecular C(aryl, sp2)—H⋯π inter­actions, as well as by several inter­molecular C(methyl, sp3)—H⋯π inter­actions.
Auditory discontinuities interact with categorization: Implications for speech perception

Behavioral experiments with infants, adults, and nonhuman animals converge with neurophysiological findings to suggest that there is a discontinuity in auditory processing of stimulus components differing in onset time by about 20 ms. This discontinuity has been implicated as a basis for boundaries between speech categories distinguished by voice onset time (VOT). Here, it is investigated how this discontinuity interacts with the learning of novel perceptual categories. Adult listeners were trained to categorize nonspeech stimuli that mimicked certain temporal properties of VOT stimuli. One group of listeners learned categories with a boundary coincident with the perceptual discontinuity. Another group learned categories defined such that the perceptual discontinuity fell within a category. Listeners in the latter group required significantly more experience to reach criterion categorization performance. Evidence of interactions between the perceptual discontinuity and the learned categories extended to generalization tests as well. It has been hypothesized that languages make use of perceptual discontinuities to promote distinctiveness among sounds within a language inventory. The present data suggest that discontinuities interact with category learning. As such, “learnability” may play a predictive role in selection of language sound inventories.
Facility site selection and analysis through environmental criminology

Abstract Crime is increasingly recognized as a problem by persons responsible for facility site selection and premises security. Environmental criminology can contribute to crime prevention through analyses of spatial patterns in crime, perceptions and awareness spaces of potential criminals, criminal mobility patterns, and the processes of target selection and decision to commit a criminal act. Rational choice theory is utilized to illustrate the decisionmaking process employed by many criminals. Although physical target-hardening measures are relevant to environmental criminology, the social interaction dimension among criminals, victims, bystanders, and certain aspects of the environment are central. Levels of security necessary for a given location may be established through consideration of the probability of attack at a given location, the vulnerability of this location to such an attack, and the critically or importance of any resultant loss to the continuing viability of the organization.
Application of STOPP Criteria and Beers Criteria in an inpatient psychiatric facility and impact on utilization of potentially inappropriate medications and adverse outcomes

Background: The Beers Criteria and STOPP Criteria were developed to identify potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in the geriatric population. Utilization of STOPP Criteria PIMs have shown a significant association with presence of avoidable adverse drug events (ADEs) as compared to utilization of Beers Criteria PIMs. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to utilize STOPP and Beers Criteria to identify PIMs in geriatric patients at an inpatient psychiatric facility, with the goal of implementing a formal process for assessing medication regimens. This process would be expected to decrease adverse outcomes. Methods: Both criteria were used by the pharmacist to identify PIMs and recommendations were made to address the PIMs. A retrospective chart review evaluated whether utilization of the two criteria led to a significant change in number of PIMs and associated adverse outcomes. The primary outcome was the change in number of PIMs for the Beers Criteria versus the STOPP Criteria. Secondary outc...
Pleistocene man in South America.

Abstract South America was occupied by or before 14,000 B.P. Five different lithic traditions can be assigned to the late Pleistocene on the basis of radiocarbon dates and stratigraphy, and two others date to the very end of the Pleistocene or the earliest Holocene. The four earliest traditions, predating 11,000 B.P., may have been brought in by different groups of migrants from North America and, ultimately, Asia. The later traditions either show clear North American affinities or else appear as local developments in South America, but probably do not hark back to Asian antecedents.
Application of Pedestrian Simulation in Olympic Games

Abstract Effective pedestrian organization plan and management is necessary for the crowded spectators in the complex venue and environment in special event. 2008 Beijing Olympic Games is a real big challenge to the staff in responsible for pedestrian management and related planning tasks. This paper introduces a simulation method of application on pedestrian facilities and management during the Beijing Olympic Games. According to the pedestrian characters in the Olympics, actual data are colleted for parameter calibration, and then simulation approach is introduced. The methodology and its application were illustrated through a case study on the National Stadium-the main stadium of the Beijing Olympic Games. Based on a comprehensive analysis of the pedestrian facilities and pedestrian management methods, different pedestrian egress plans were proposed and the optimal plan was identified through the simulation study. The actual pedestrian traffic operations during the Olympic Games proved the usefulness and effectiveness of the proposed methodology and egress plan.