cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adhesive Tape Method for Estimating Microbial Load on Meat Surfaces1

Acetate and mylar adhesive tapes were used to estimate microbial loads on surfaces of 60 red meat samples. The conventional method of excision, rinsing and blending of meat was used as a comparison. The mylar tape method was found to provide statistically significant correlation compared with the conventional method. We suggest that when the tape count is > log 2 CFU/cm2, bacterial counts are high on meat surfaces (ca. log 5-7 CFU/cm2); between log 1-2 CFU/cm2, counts are intermediate (ca. log 3-4 CFU/cm2) and < log 1 CFU/cm2, counts are low (ca. log 3 CFU/cm2). The tape method is easy to perform and requires little time and material. With multiple transfers, it may be used to evaluate counts at different incubation temperatures and on different types of agar media.
Postural sway in individuals with type 2 diabetes and concurrent benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

ABSTRACTBackground and purpose: diabetes has been shown to affect the peripheral vestibular end organs and is associated with an increase in the frequency of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). People with diabetes have higher postural sway; however, the impact of symptomatic BPPV on postural sway in individuals with diabetes is unclear. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine postural sway in people with type 2 diabetes who have symptomatic, untreated BPPV (BPPVDM). Methods: fifty-two participants (mean age 56.9 ± 5.6 years) were enrolled: controls (n = 14), diabetes (n = 14), BPPV only (n = 13) and BPPVDM (n = 11). An inertial motion sensor was used to detect pelvic acceleration across five standing conditions with eyes open/closed on firm/foam surfaces. Range of acceleration (cm/s2), peak velocity (cm/s) and variability of sway [root mean square (RMS)] in the anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) directions were used to compare postural sway between groups across con...
The life and afterlife of French WWI songs: National identity then and now:

Wartime music provides clear testimonial to the importance of melody and text in times of conflict. In the case of the Great War, which introduced the world to weapons of nightmarish capability, carefree popular ballads often stood shoulder to shoulder with sombre lyrics that called attention to the tragedy unfolding in the trenches. The first part of this article surveys the themes of French songs of the WWI era itself, such as ‘Ah! C’est la guerre’, ‘La Madelon’ and ‘La Chanson de Craonne’. The second concentrates on ‘La Madelon’, which underwent numerous transformations in response to events during the interwar years and World War II. The final section explores why the Great War took hold as a focus of French popular music in the late 1950s and continues to assert its presence to this day. A surprising number of contemporary artists have recorded World War I-themed songs, such as ‘La Guerre de 14–18’, ‘Jaures’, ‘Verdun’, ‘Le No Man’s Land’, ‘Tranchee 1914’ and ‘La Chanson de Craonne’. What cultural phe...
Genomics of clonal evolution in a case of essential thrombocythemia.

The genomics of clonal evolution in essential thrombocythemia (ET) are poorly defined. Here we report the genomic events paralleling ET progression to myelofibrosis, subsequent transformation to ac...
Nudging Toward Neuroethics: Prehistory and Foundations

As neurological science and its medical application in neurology and neurosurgery evolved during the twentieth century, ethical questions began to emerge about the relationship between mind and body. This chapter outlines how some of the earliest questions, although only slightly noted at the time, anticipated the appearance of a new discipline called neuroethics.
Early-Onset Conduct Problems: Predictions from Daring Temperament and Risk Taking Behavior

Given its considerable public health significance, identifying predictors of early expressions of conduct problems is a priority. We examined the predictive validity of daring, a key dimension of temperament, and the Balloon Analog Risk Task (BART), a laboratory-based measure of risk taking behavior, with respect to two-year change in parent, teacher-, and youth self-reported oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD), and antisocial behavior. At baseline, 150 ethnically diverse 6- to 10-year old (M = 7.8, SD = 1.1; 69.3% male) youth with (n = 82) and without (n = 68) DSM-IV ADHD completed the BART whereas parents rated youth temperament (i.e., daring); parents and teachers also independently rated youth ODD and CD symptoms. Approximately 2 years later, multi-informant ratings of youth ODD, CD, and antisocial behavior were gathered from rating scales and interviews. Whereas risk taking on the BART was unrelated to conduct problems, individual differences in daring prospectively predicted multi-informant rated conduct problems, independent of baseline risk taking, conduct problems, and ADHD diagnostic status. Early differences in the propensity to show positive socio-emotional responses to risky or novel experiences uniquely predicted escalating conduct problems in childhood, even with control of other potent clinical correlates. We consider the role of temperament in the origins and development of significant conduct problems from childhood to adolescence, including possible explanatory mechanisms underlying these predictions.
Metabolomic Insights into the Nutritional Status of Adults and Adolescents with Phenylketonuria Consuming a Low-Phenylalanine Diet in Combination with Amino Acid and Glycomacropeptide Medical Foods

Background. Nutrient status in phenylketonuria (PKU) requires surveillance due to the restrictive low-Phe diet in combination with amino acid medical foods (AA-MF) or glycomacropeptide medical foods (GMP-MF). Micronutrient profiles of medical foods are diverse, and optimal micronutrient supplementation in PKU has not been established. Methods. In a crossover design, 30 participants with PKU were randomized to consume AA-MF and Glytactin™ GMP-MF in combination with a low-Phe diet for 3 weeks each. Fasting venipunctures, medical food logs, and 3-day food records were obtained. Metabolomic analyses were completed in plasma and urine by Metabolon, Inc. Results. The low-Phe diets in combination with AA-MF and GMP-MF were generally adequate based on Dietary Reference Intakes, clinical measures, and metabolomics. Without micronutrient supplementation of medical foods, >70% of participants would have inadequate intakes for 11 micronutrients. Despite micronutrient supplementation of medical foods, inadequate intakes of potassium in 93% of participants and choline in >40% and excessive intakes of sodium in >63% of participants and folic acid in >27% were observed. Sugar intake was excessive and provided 27% of energy. Conclusions. Nutrient status was similar with AA-MF and Glytactin GMP-MF. More research related to micronutrient supplementation of medical foods for the management of PKU is needed.
Ultrasonography, CT, MRI of the Thyroid Gland

Ultrasonography, CT, and MRI may all be used to study the anatomy and pathology of the thyroid gland. Of these, however, ultrasonography is the main technique used in clinical practice for thyroid imaging, because it is noninvasive, relatively inexpensive, and very sensitive in detecting thyroid lesions. Therefore, this chapter focuses mainly on ultrasonographic imaging.
Inverse scattering with a non self-adjoint variational formulation.

The weak scattering approximation is used when designing optical media that couple fields together, but to account for the interactions of multiple fields in a volume or to achieve the best efficiency, the solution must be consistent with Maxwell’s equations. We describe a method based on the variational formulation of Maxwell’s equations typically employed in the finite element method (FEM) that finds both the fields and the medium that couples incident and scattered fields together, and so can be considered an extension of the FEM when both the field and the medium are allowed to vary. The method iteratively updates estimates of the field and the medium and can be readily implemented. We demonstrate designs of diffractive and refractive elements that couple fields together using an iteratively updated finite-difference-frequency-domain (FDFD) solution. Such methods that are fully consistent with Maxwell’s equations are needed to design metamaterials that fully exploit strongly interacting metamaterial elements.
Risk factors associated with missing post-esophagectomy hospital milestones.

Abstract Background Our institution utilizes an esophagectomy pathway to guide postoperative management. Our aim was to identify risk factors associated with missing pathway goals. Methods Retrospective review of esophagectomies from 2010 to 2015. Multivariate logistic regression models identified risk factors for missing postoperative milestones prior to discharge. Odds ratios of variables affecting goals were calculated. Results Of the195 esophagectomies, the most common risk factor for missing milestones was BMI, followed by operating room time, clinical stage, tobacco pack-years, and open surgical approach. Missing any milestone on the expected postoperative day significantly increase the odds of missing a future milestone, regardless of other risk factors. Conclusions We have identified specific patient and operative factors that increase the risk of missing post-esophagectomy goals on time. Early identification of at-risk patients allows for pathway modification to avoid adverse outcomes and prolonged hospitalization. Analysis of meeting milestones early may allow for creation of accelerated pathways.
Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Modeling – a Pore-scale Perspective

Fuel cells, being highly energy efficient, environmentally benign, and minimally noisy, are widely considered as the 21st century energy-conversion devices for mobile, stationary, and portable power. Unlike the conventional Carnot cycle based energy conversion devices with intermediate heat and mechanical energy generation, fuel cells convert the chemical energy of a fuel directly into electricity. Among the several types of fuel cells, the polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) has emerged as the most promising power source for a wide range of applications.
A method for the concurrent design and analysis of networked manufacturing systems

Multistage manufacturing processes (MMPs) require multiple stations and operations. Traditionally, analysis of MMPs focused on material planning and control strategies. For a given MMP, the effect of the strategy on the volume and rate of production, ability to handle product type variability, and the effects of process variability on production rate, on-process inventory, etc., have been studied individually. Such approaches, while necessary, do not address the combined effects of MMP design choices on the final product quality. In this article, a method based on the compromise decision support problem and stream of variation model is proposed to provide a way to evaluate suitable designs for the implementation of MMPs. Using the dimensional quality of the product as a measure of quality, the proposed method is illustrated using a three-stage MMP in an automobile panel stamping process while considering the conflicting requirements of diagnosability and controllability.
Career Decision-Making in Medicine: Practical Approaches

Consider both traditional (rational) and non-traditional (emotional, life) factors when making a career decision. Obtain an objective assessment of your abilities and ask yourself “Do these abilities match the skills necessary for the job I am considering?” Realize that ambivalence and ambiguity are always a part of any major decision.
MEMS in Automobiles

This chapter provides an overview of microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based commercial products. It also discusses the basic MEMS technologies, including IC technology, MEMSCAD (MEMS computer added design), micromachining, materials, and packaging and testing. The emphasis is on the compatibility issues of the various micromachining and packaging technologies with the special requirements of automotive applications. The fabrication, application, and evolution of the silicon membrane-based pressure transducers, silicon-based micro-accelerometers, and solid-state gyroscopes are described. A variety of driver vision assistance devices, the potential high-volume automotive products, are presented. The paper is concluded with a remark on the upcoming systems that are able to make automobile safer, more fuel efficient, and fun to drive.
Differential competence in Somali: Evidence from the acquisition of noun definitization

This paper describes the results of an experiment designed to test the acquisition of the rule of noun definitization in Somali. It was originally assumed that the major factors involved would be cognitive, e.g., age or intellectual development, although the possibility of geographical dialects was considered. However the results indicate that none of these factors are relevant. Rather, it was found that: (1) a large percentage of the population never acquired parts of this rule at all, and (2) the major factor influencing this acquisition process is an urban vs. nomadic childhood home (which is representative of the extent of exposure to traditional oral literature).
Design Peptide Scaffolds for Regenerative Medicine

Regenerative and reparative medicine require two key complementary ingredients: the biological scaffolds and stem cells, both embryonic and adult stem cells. Designs of new scaffolds at the molecular level have become increasingly important for such an endeavor. New technology through molecular self-assembly as a fabrication tool will become integral part of new medicine in the coming years. We are inspired from nature through understanding the molecular self-assembly phenomena. Self-assembly phenomena are ubiquitous in nature. The two basic elements in molecular self-assembly are chemical complementarity and structural compatibility, through weak and noncovalent interactions. We have defined the path to understand these principles. Several self-assembling peptide systems have been developed for regenerative medicine including “molecular Lego” forming a nanofiber scaffold hydrogel. “molecular carpet” for surface biological engineering; and peptide nanotubes and nanovesicles, or “molecular capsule” for protein and gene deliveries. These self-assembling peptide systems are simple, versatile and easy to produce for large scale. These self-assembly peptide systems represent a significant advance in the molecular engineering of scaffolds for regenerative medicine.
Behind the lens: police attitudes toward body-worn cameras and organizational justice

Body-worn cameras are a promising new development in policing. They have been linked to positive outcomes such as decreases in use of force and complaints against officers. However, this new techno...
SurReal: Fr\'echet Mean and Distance Transform for Complex-Valued Deep Learning.

We develop a novel deep learning architecture for naturally complex-valued data, which is often subject to complex scaling ambiguity. We treat each sample as a field in the space of complex numbers. With the polar form of a complex-valued number, the general group that acts in this space is the product of planar rotation and non-zero scaling. This perspective allows us to develop not only a novel convolution operator using weighted Frechet mean (wFM) on a Riemannian manifold, but also a novel fully connected layer operator using the distance to the wFM, with natural equivariant properties to non-zero scaling and planar rotation for the former and invariance properties for the latter. Compared to the baseline approach of learning real-valued neural network models on the two-channel real-valued representation of complex-valued data, our method achieves surreal performance on two publicly available complex-valued datasets: MSTAR on SAR images and RadioML on radio frequency signals. On MSTAR, at 8% of the baseline model size and with fewer than 45,000 parameters, our model improves the target classification accuracy from 94% to 98% on this highly imbalanced dataset. On RadioML, our model achieves comparable RF modulation classification accuracy at 10% of the baseline model size.
Abstract 919: Intercalated Disk Protein Xin-beta is Required for the Hippo/YAP Signaling in the Heart

Cardiovascular diseases continue to be a leading cause of death and disability. Despite this alarming fact, there is lack of effectual treatment and the molecular mechanisms underlying these devast...
Using Machine Learning to Uncover Hidden Heterogeneities in Survey Data

Survey responses in public health surveys are heterogeneous. The quality of a respondent's answers depends on many factors, including cognitive abilities, interview context, and whether the interview is in person or self-administered. A largely unexplored issue is how the language used for public health survey interviews is associated with the survey response. We introduce a machine learning approach, Fuzzy Forests, which we use for model selection. We use the 2013 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) as our training sample and the 2014 CHIS as the test sample. We found that non-English language survey responses differ substantially from English responses in reported health outcomes. We also found heterogeneity among the Asian languages suggesting that caution should be used when interpreting results that compare across these languages. The 2013 Fuzzy Forests model also correctly predicted 86% of good health outcomes using 2014 data as the test set. We show that the Fuzzy Forests methodology is potentially useful for screening for and understanding other types of survey response heterogeneity. This is especially true in high-dimensional and complex surveys.
Sharing Detailed Research Data Is Associated with Increased Citation Rate

Presentation based on the publication here:Piwowar HA, Day RS, Fridsma DB (2007) Sharing Detailed Research Data Is Associated with Increased Citation Rate. PLoS ONE 2(3): e308. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0000308Sharing research data provides benefit to the general scientific community, but the benefit is less obvious for the investigator who makes his or her data available.We examined the citation history of 85 cancer microarray clinical trial publications with respect to the availability of their data. The 48% of trials with publicly available microarray data received 85% of the aggregate citations. Publicly available data was significantly (p = 0.006) associated with a 69% increase in citations, independently of journal impact factor, date of publication, and author country of origin using linear regression.This correlation between publicly available data and increased literature impact may further motivate investigators to share their detailed research data.
Blood Plasma Hormone–Level Influence on Vocal Function

Purpose This preliminary study examined the influence of menstrual cycle phase and hormone levels on acoustic measurements of vocal function in reproductive and postmenopausal females. Mean fundamental frequency (f0), speaking fundamental frequency (Sf0), and cepstral peak prominence (CPP) were evaluated. It was hypothesized that Sf0 and CPP would be lower during the luteal and ischemic phases of the menstrual cycle. Group differences with lower values in postmenopausal females and greater variability in the reproductive females were also hypothesized. Method A mixed factorial analysis of variance was used to examine differences between reproductive and postmenopausal females and the four phases of the menstrual cycle. Separate analyses of variances were implemented for each of the dependent measures. Twenty-eight female participants (15 reproductive cycling, 13 postmenopausal) completed the study. Participants were recorded reading the Rainbow Passage and sustaining the vowel /a/. Mean vocal f0, Sf0, and CPP were determined from the acoustic samples. Blood assays were used to determine estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and neuropeptide Y levels at four data collection time points. Results Group differences in hormone levels and Sf0 values were established with the postmenopausal group having significantly lower hormone levels and significantly lower Sf0 than the reproductive cycling group across the phases. Analysis of the reproductive group by hormone levels and cycle phase revealed no significant differences for CPP or Sf0 across phases. Higher estrogen was identified in the ovulation phase, and higher progesterone was identified in the luteal phase. Conclusions Significant differences in hormone levels and Sf0 were identified between groups. Within the reproductive cycling group, the lack of significant difference in acoustic measures relative to hormone levels indicated that the measures taken may not have been sensitive enough to identify hormonally mediated vocal function changes. The participant selection may have biased the findings in that health conditions and medications that are known to influence voice function were used as exclusion criteria.
Teaching from Childhood to Adulthood

Let’s review. We understand that teaching—when defined broadly as an aid to social learning, in which one individual (the “expert”) goes out of its way to help another (the “novice”) acquire some important skill or bit of knowledge—is widespread in the animal world. Ants, bees, chickens, raptors, whales, cheetahs, meerkats, dolphins, domestic cats, and nonhuman primates, among other animals, all seem to demonstrate, in their own ways, an instinct for something like teaching. Tandem-running ants slow their run toward a known food source so naive nest mates can keep up and don’t have to waste effort finding their own way.
Civil Wars and Their Aftermath

This essay reviews the following works: Rebelocracy: Social Order in the Colombian Civil War. By Ana Arjona. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2016. Pp. xxii + 401. $33.99 paperback. ISBN: 9781107571594. Rivalry and Revenge: The Politics of Violence during Civil War. By Laia Balcells. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2017. Pp. ix + 285. $29.99 paperback. ISBN: 9781107548213. Resisting War: How Communities Protect Themselves. By Oliver Kaplan. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2017. Pp. xi + 360. $34.99 paperback. ISBN: 9781316612446. Electing Peace: From Civil Conflict to Political Participation. By Aila Matanock. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2017. Pp. vii + 320. $34.99 paperback. ISBN: 9781316638811. Mourning Remains: State Atrocity, Exhumations, and Governing the Disappeared in Peru’s Postwar Andes. By Isaias Rojas-Perez. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2017. Pp. ix + 330. $29.95 paperback. ISBN: 9781503602625. Politics after Violence: Legacies of the Shining Path Conflict in Peru. Edited by Hillel David Soifer and Alberto Vergara. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2019. Pp. x + 373. $45.00 hardcover. ISBN: 9781477317310. Democracy and Displacement in Colombia’s Civil War. By Abbey Steele. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2017. Pp. ix + 264. $49.99 paperback. ISBN: 9781501713736. Citizens of Memory: Affect, Representation, and Human Rights in Postdictatorship Argentina. By Silvia R. Tandeciarz. Lewisburg, PA: Bucknell University Press, 2017. Pp. ix + 304. $120.00 hardcover. ISBN: 9781611488456.
Variaciones sobre un mismo tema: las familias de León Roch y Salvador Monsalud

Tanto en La familia de Leon Roch (1878) como en la segunda serie de Episodios nacionales (1878), Galdos aborda la organizacion de la familia cristiana segun las directrices expuestas en Ideal de la...
Continuous Lumbar Plexus Block vs Continuous Lumbar Erector Spinae Plane Block for Postoperative Pain Control After Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Abstract Background Optimal pain management is key to successful recovery in revision total hip arthroplasty. Lumbar plexus blocks (LPBs) have traditionally been used for postoperative pain management. Recently, the lumbar erector spinae plane block (LESPB) has emerged as a promising regional anesthesia technique and is relatively simple to perform. Our study aimed to evaluate whether continuous LESPB provided better analgesia and clinical outcomes than continuous LPB in revision hip arthroplasty. Material and methods We compared 25 LPBs with 25 LESPBs performed from October 2017 to November 2018 for revision hip arthroplasty. The primary outcome of this study was difference in opioid consumption between the groups at 24 hours postoperatively. Secondary outcomes include pain scores, hospital lengths of stay, pain adjunct consumption, and incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Results There was no significant difference in average opioid consumption between the LPB and LESPB groups during the first 24 hours postoperatively (73.8 ± 68.1 mg vs 85.1 ± 69.7 mg, respectively, P = .57). Similarly, there was no significant difference in average pain scores (3.3 ± 2.1 vs 3.7 ± 1.8, respectively, P = .42). Conclusions There was no significant difference in opioid consumption and pain scores in patients with continuous LESPB compared with those with continuous LPB. While our study did not show a difference in these outcomes, the LESPB is a straightforward regional block that avoids many of the risks of LPBs and may be as effective for pain control.
Electoral Systems and Political Context: How the Effects of Rules Vary Across New and Established Democracies

1. Introduction: why don't electoral rules have the same effects in all countries? 2. When do the effects of electoral systems diverge from our expectations? 3. Mixed-member electoral systems: how they work and how they work for scholars 4. How democratic experience and party system development condition the effects of electoral rules on disproportionality and the number of parties: theory, measurement, and expectations 5. How democratic experience and party system development condition the effects of electoral rules on disproportionality and the number of parties: what we actually see 6. Political context, electoral rules, and their effects on strategic and personal voting 7. How democratic experience and party system development condition the effect of electoral rules on strategic defection 8. Social diversity, electoral rules, and the number of parties 9. How political context shapes the effect of electoral rules on women's representation 10. Conclusion: why and how political context matters for electoral system effects.
THE ROLE OF PRIVATE INSURANCE IN FINANCING LONG-TERM CARE

Private insurance currently plays a small, but potentially important role in financing the long-term care of the elderly in the United States. Some believe it can be a significant element in a restructured long-term care financing system. However, to date, the demand for such insurance has been modest. This brief will discuss the potential benefits of long-term care insurance, review its current structure and status, and explore possible explanations for low takeup rates. Finally, it will consider future issues surrounding the role of this product.
Providing dental care to pregnant patients: A survey of Oregon general dentists

ABSTRACT Background A growing number of studies and reports indicate preventive, routine and emergency dental procedures can be provided safely to pregnant patients to alleviate dental problems and promote oral health of mothers and children. Methods In 2006 and 2007, the authors conducted a survey of 1,604 general dentists in Oregon. The survey asked dentists about their attitudes, beliefs and practices regarding dental care for pregnant patients. The authors compared the responses with 2006 guidelines from a New York State Department of Health expert panel. Results The response rate was 55.2 percent. Most respondents (91.7 percent) agreed that dental treatment should be part of prenatal care. Two-thirds of respondents (67.7 percent) were interested in receiving continuing dental education (CDE) regarding the care of pregnant patients. Comparisons of self-reported knowledge and practice with the aforementioned guidelines revealed several points of difference; the greatest regarded obtaining full-mouth radiographs, providing nitrous oxide, administering long-acting anesthetic injections and use of over-the-counter pain medications. Conclusions Dentists need pregnancy-specific education to provide up-to-date preventive and curative care to pregnant patients. The results of the study identified specific skills and misinformation that could be addressed through CDE. Clinical Implications Comprehensive dental care provided during pregnancy is needed to ensure the oral health of all women at risk of experiencing pregnancy-specific problems, as well as the prevention of early childhood caries.
Globalization, Inequality and Financial Instability: Confronting the Marx, Keynes and Polanyi Problems in Advanced Capitalist Economies

Three unique features of the contemporary period of globalization stand out in contrast with the epoch of integration early in the 20th century: the rise of manufacturing capacity in less-developed countries; the expansion in cross-border financial trading; and the fact that integration is occurring within the context of "big government" capitalism. Considering the effects of these transformations for the U.S. and Western Europe, the paper examines three fundamental issues: the expansion of the "reserve army of labor" (the "Marx problem"); increased financial instability and corresponding fluctuations in aggregate demand (the "Keynes problem"); and a diminishing capacity for governments to promote stability and norms of social solidarity (the "Polanyi problem").
Double noise coupling ΔΣ analogue-to-digital converter

A novel ΔΣ analogue-to-digital (ADC) architecture is proposed for second-order noise shaping enhancement. The new architecture is less dependent on the opamp DC gain than the earlier ΔΣ ADC with second-order noise shaping enhancement. Also, the proposed architecture reduces the complexity of the clock generator and zero optimisation compared to the earlier one. A ΔΣ ADC using the new configuration was designed and simulated. The results verify the advantages of the proposed structure.
Carolingian Catalonia: The Spanish March and the Franks, c.750–c.1050

Catalonia is an autonomous community within modern Spain with a distinct history. In the Middle Ages the region became a key component of the Crown of Aragon, and it has attracted a great deal of scholarly attention for its wealth, power, and ‘feudal revolution’. Most historians recognize but do not emphasize the earlier history of the later principality, with roots in the Carolingian period. This article draws attention to the conclusions reached by historians who have built our understanding of Catalonia's early medieval history. The nucleus of the later Catalonia was the Carolingian Spanish March, established as the Franks conquered the territory in the period around 800 CE. The Spanish March functioned as an integral province of the Carolingian Empire, and its leaders, both Franks and locals, played important roles in the dynamics of monarchy in the ninth century. In the tenth century, as Carolingian royal power faded, the locally based leaders of the Spanish March had to find their own ways through trying times. By the beginning of the 11th century, the Carolingian legacy remained intact, even as Frankish royal authority was a thing of the past.
Interactive stories for health interventions

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in exploring virtual environments and computer aided interactive stories as tools in developing health promotion and disease prevention interventions. Applications have been developed to address a range of health related conditions, including stress [1], risky behaviors [2] and post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD) [3].
Transport functions of the chick chorio-allantoic membrane: I. Normal histology and evidence for active electrolyte transport from the allantoic fluid, in vivo☆☆☆

A systematic study of blood and allantoic fluid electrolyte concentrations and chorio-allantoic membrane histology in chick embryos indicates that the chorio-allantois actively transports Na+ from allantoic fluid to plasma. From 8 to 19 days of incubation serum electrolyte values remained essentially constant and within the normal range for newly hatched chicks. In the allantoic fluid there was approximately at four-fold increase in Ca2+, K+ and PO4−3 concentrations coincident with water removal from the sac, while allantoic fluid Na+ and Cl− concentrations, initially 90 and 60 mEq/l respectively, decreased dramatically to levels one-third to one-fifth those of serum for the same stage. Allantoic fluid osmolality, originally 185 mOsm/l, remained essentially constant. In vivo trans-membrane potentials were 3–5 mV at 6–7 days and increased progressively to about 40 mV at day 17, with a sharp decrease thereafter. The outer surface of the membrane was always electrically positive relative to the allantoic cavity. Histological complexity of both the allantoic endoderm and the chorionic ectoderm increased during normal incubation. At 7 days of incubation, both components of the membrane were single layers of flattened cells. Subsequent differentiation produced characteristic cell layers, distinctly different in histological appearance, which related in time to physiological changes in the embryos. It is suggested that the endodermal cells have a metabolically active function in the reabsorption of allantoic fluid, while the ectodermal cells are actively engaged in the transport of calcium.
Prevalence and level of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in feces and on hides of feedlot steers fed diets with or without wet distillers grains with solubles.

The objective of this study was to determine if wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) from corn in diets affected Escherichia coli O157:H7 in growing and finishing cattle; steers (n = 603) were randomly assigned to diets with or without WDGS. Hide and fecal samples were collected monthly (October through June) from each animal for enumeration and enrichment of E. coli O157:H7. In the growing phase (0 or 13.9% WDGS diets), fecal prevalence for E. coli O157:H7 in steers fed a diet with WDGS was twice that of the prevalence in control steers (P < 0.001). In the finishing phase (0 or 40% WDGS diets), the average prevalence in feces (P < 0.001) and on hides (P < 0.001) was higher for cattle fed WDGS. The average percentage of fecal E. coli O157:H7 enumerable samples during the finishing phase for cattle fed WDGS was 2.7% compared with 0.1% for control steers (P < 0.001). The average percentage of E. coli O157:H7 enumerable hide samples was not different between diets, but the cattle fed WDGS had higher le...
Estimation of aquifer scale proportion using equal area grids: assessment of regional scale groundwater quality

[1] The proportion of an aquifer with constituent concentrations above a specified threshold (high concentrations) is taken as a nondimensional measure of regional scale water quality. If computed on the basis of area, it can be referred to as the aquifer scale proportion. A spatially unbiased estimate of aquifer scale proportion and a confidence interval for that estimate are obtained through the use of equal area grids and the binomial distribution. Traditionally, the confidence interval for a binomial proportion is computed using either the standard interval or the exact interval. Research from the statistics literature has shown that the standard interval should not be used and that the exact interval is overly conservative. On the basis of coverage probability and interval width, the Jeffreys interval is preferred. If more than one sample per cell is available, cell declustering is used to estimate the aquifer scale proportion, and Kish's design effect may be useful for estimating an effective number of samples. The binomial distribution is also used to quantify the adequacy of a grid with a given number of cells for identifying a small target, defined as a constituent that is present at high concentrations in a small proportion of the aquifer. Case studies illustrate a consistency between approaches that use one well per grid cell and many wells per cell. The methods presented in this paper provide a quantitative basis for designing a sampling program and for utilizing existing data.
Subtypes of antipsychotics and suicidal behavior in bipolar disorder.

Abstract Objective Antipsychotics are commonly used in bipolar disorder, with newer (SGA) agents increasingly replacing FGA antipsychotics, particularly in bipolar depression. There are few data on differences between FGA and SGA antipsychotics in terms of their relationship to suicidal behavior in bipolar disorder. Method This was a retrospective chart review of 161 bipolar veterans treated naturalistically with antipsychotics at a university-affiliated VA hospital and clinics for up to 8 years. Charts were reviewed to determine monthly antipsychotic use and occurrence of suicidal behavior: completed suicide, attempted suicide or hospitalization to prevent suicide. Suicidal behavior events were compared across patients during treatment with individual antipsychotics and FGAs or SGAs as a class. Results Non-lethal suicide events were more common during FGA than SGA monotherapy (9 events/110 months of exposure vs. 6 events/381 months of exposure; χ2=9.65, p=0.002). Suicide event rates did not differ between FGAs and SGAs when used in conjunction with mood stabilizers. Event rates were lower with lithium than anticonvulsants when used in conjunction with antipsychotics. No differences were found between olanzapine, risperidone and quetiapine. Limitations The retrospective chart review methodology may have led to confounding by indication and diagnostic inaccuracy. No completed suicides occurred. Study participants were primarily male veterans. Results may not be generalizable to SGAs marketed since 2003. Conclusions FGA antipsychotic monotherapy may be associated with higher suicidal behavior risk than SGA antipsychotic monotherapy. Antipsychotics used in conjunction with mood stabilizers, particularly lithium, are associated with lower rates, independent of antipsychotic subtype.
Particle Impacts on the Melt Layer of an Ablating Body

An analysis has been made of the effects of h igh velocity particle impacts on a mel t ing body, such as might occur if atmospheric particles are encountered during atmospheric entry. The surface material considered in the analysis is a composite of glass and a plastic which evolves a large quantity of gas. An equation is developed relating the increase in erosion rate, as a result of particle impacts , to flight and material parameters. It was assumed in the derivation that the l iquid me l t layer protects the underlying solid body by decelerating the particles. The extent of the m e l t layer protection was found to be dependent on the particle size and me l t layer thickness . One experimenta l check on the analysis was possible by inspection of the order of magni tude of the experimenta l l iquid m e l t layer thickness on fired Micarta specimens. The computed m e l t layer thickness agreed with that observed on glass-reinforced Micarta 259-2 test specimens which were exposed in a rocket exhaust jet . Finally, i t was assumed that the effect of the particle impacts was to transfer energy to the plastic, thus increasing the decomposit ion rate of the plastic filler in Micarta 259-2. It was possible to compute erosion rates, based on this analysis, which were in agreement wi th experimental results. The analysis shows tha t the particle impacts influence the thermal energy transfer to the body.
NIST traceable measurements of radiance and luminance levels of night-vision-goggle test-instruments

In order to perform radiance and luminance level measurements of night-vision-goggle (NVG) test instruments, NIST developed new-generation transfer-standard radiometers (TR). The new TRs can perform low-level radiance and luminance measurements with SI traceability and low uncertainty. The TRs were calibrated against NIST detector/radiometer standards holding the NIST photometric and radiometric scales. An 815 nm diode laser was used at NIST for the radiance responsivity calibrations. A spectrally flat (constant) filter correction was made for the TRs to correct the spectral responsivity change of the built-in Si photodiode for LEDs peaking at different wavelengths in the different test sets. The radiance responsivity transfer to the test instruments (test-sets) is discussed. The radiance values of the test instruments were measured with the TRs. The TRs propagate the traceablity to the NIST detector-based reference scales. The radiance uncertainty obtained from three TR measurements was 4.6 % ( 𝑘 =2) at a luminance of 3.43 x 10 -4 cd/m 2 . The output radiance of the previously used IR sphere source and the radiance responsivity of a previously used secondary standard detector unit, which was originally calibrated against an IR sphere source, were also measured with the TRs. The performances of the NVG test instruments were evaluated and the manufacturer produced radiance and luminance levels were calibrated with SI/NIST traceability.
Personal/Professional Characteristics and Teachers' Attitudes about Science.

cience teaching in the junior and senior high school has undergone many changes in the last decade. Now with the "Back to Basics" movement gaining momentum, it is undergoing additional changes and emphasis. New science curricula have been developed and implemented in the classroom. These involve junior high school curricula such as Introductory Physical Science Program (IPS), Physical Science Study Committee Program (PSSC), and Earth Science Curriculum Project (ESCP), as well as senior high curricula such as BSCS biology, CHEMS chemistry, and Project Physics. They also include many modern textbookbased programs that have been influenced by the latest curricular innovations.
Revertants of selfing (gad) mutants in Physarum polycephalum

The conversion of the uninucleate amoebal form of Physarum polycephalum to the multi-nucleate plasmodial form is under the control of a genetic region which contains matA (or mt), a determinant of mating specificity. The region is the site of most gad mutations, which give amoebae the ability to produce plasmodia in clones without mating (ie, to self). In the present study, nonselfing revertants were isolated from two matA2-derived gad mutants and two matA3-derived gad mutants. Some revertants were found to have regained exactly, or nearly, the same phenotype as the original matA2 or matA3 strain. Others expressed new mating types, having gained the ability to mate with strains of the parental matA type. The results are compatible with a model in which new mating types arise from forward mutations (gad) and back mutations (npf or no plasmodium formation) occurring successively in a single gene, matA.
9-Eicosenoic acid: A predominantly male triacylglycerol fatty acid in the waxmoth, Galleria mellonella

Abstract 1. 1. 9-Eicosenoic acid (C20:1n9) is a predominantly male component that distinguishes the fatty acid composition of the greater waxmoth, Galleria mellonella , from that of other known insects. 2. 2. In adult males C20:1n9 constitutes 2.5–5% of the phospholipid and about 20% of triacylglycerol fatty acids. It accounts for 1–2% of the triacylglycerol and phospholipid fatty acids of adult females. 3. 3. Proportions of this fatty acid appear to be relatively constant in the absence or presence, at various concentrations, of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids, including C18:3n3, C18:2n6, C20:3n3, C20:5n3 and C20:2n6.
High rate of diversification and reversal among subclones of neoplastically transformed NIH 3T3 clones.

Abstract NIH 3T3 cells undergo neoplastic transformation when exposed to conditions of moderate physiological growth constraint. One of several characteristics of this transformation that indicates its adaptational nature is its gradual reversibility under conditions of unconstrained growth. We explored the origins of reversibility by isolating cells from each of three highly transformed foci and comparing their focus-forming capacity with that of derivative clones and subclones. A high proportion of the parental cells made dense foci. Six of the nine clones obtained from the three foci produced foci, though the percentage varied widely. The other three clones produced no foci at all. The transformed clones were subcloned and analyzed to evaluate the possibility that the negative clones were genuine revertants, rather than being derived from a small minority of nontransformed cells surrounding or underlying the original foci. In each case the subclones varied widely in the percentage of focus-forming cells and the average was much lower than the parental clone from which they were derived. Indeed, 15 of the 53 subclonal populations produced no foci. The high degree of heterogeneity, including complete reversal of focus-forming capacity, provides additional support for the hypothesis that "spontaneous" transformation is driven by an adaptive response to moderate growth constraint rather than by one or more effectively irreversible mutations.
Transmission electron microscopy characterizations of preheated and non-preheated shielded metal arc weldments of HY-80 steel

Abstract The effects of a preheating treatment on the microstructural changes that occur in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) during multipass shielded metal arc welding of HY-80 steel have been studied. Two weldments (pre-heated and precooled), employing identical welding conditions, were studied in order to compare the microstructural transformation effects in the HAZ. The microstructure in the HAZ of both welds has been characterized by optical, scanning and transmission electron microscopy in conjunction with microhardness traverse across the HAZ of the last weld pass. A wide variety of microconstituents are present in the base metal, HAZ and the weld metal. These microconstituents include tempered bainite-martensite duplex structures, tempered martensite, tempered bainite, three distinct types of bainite distinguished by the morphology of cementite precipitation within the ferrite laths, auto-tempered martensite, highly dislocated newly transformed fine-lath martensite, small amounts of retained austenite at the lath interfaces and a trace of transformation twinned martensite. The volume fraction of the transformation twinned martensite (the microstructure most susceptible to hydrogen-assisted cracking) was very small in both welds compared with other microconstituents present in the HAZ. However, the presence of twinned martensite in the preheated weldment was smaller than in the non-preheated weldment; this may reduce the susceptibility of the preheated material to hydrogen-assisted cracking. Microhardness traverses revealed very different hardness gradients in the two weldments. The microstructural data are used to explain these hardness gradient differences.
Nuclear Protein in Testis Midline Carcinomas: A Lethal and Underrecognized Entity

A 54-year-old woman presented with a nasal mass. Biopsy demonstrated undifferentiated tumor cells with extensive apoptosis and necrosis. Chromosome analysis identified a 46,XX,t(15;19)(q13;p13.1) pattern. Nuclear protein in testis (NUT) immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization confirmed NUT rearrangement. A Ewing sarcoma-based chemotherapy regimen and concurrent irradiation obtained a dramatic response; however, the patient died of her disease less than 7 months after initial diagnosis. NUT midline carcinomas are rare, aggressive tumors defined by rearrangement of the NUT gene on 15q14. A solitary translocation involving 15q14 is usually the sole chromosomal abnormality in these carcinomas. Immunohistochemical expression of NUT in the nuclei of non-germ cell tumors is theoretically diagnostic. More widespread use of a newly available NUT immunohistochemical stain will facilitate the diagnosis of NUT rearranged carcinomas. From the growing numbers of identified cases, effective targeted therapies can be developed.