cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Notes on mid-Cretaceous †Pangusyndicus and its relatives, with description of †Loeblitoides gen. nov. and a †Nuegua-like new species (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scydmaeninae)

Abstract Two new species of Cenomanian Glandulariini are described, based on inclusions in Burmese amber: †Loeblitoides separatus gen. et sp. nov., and †Pangusyndicus longirostris sp. nov. A new specimen of an unnamed species of †Nuegua Yin et al. is recorded from the same deposit and illustrated for comparative purposes. †Loeblitoides is morphologically close to †Pangusyndicus, but has more plesiomorphic antennae, with the antennomere 11 distinctly smaller than 10, but fully demarcated by a constriction (antennomere 10 is not subcylindrical as in †Pangusyndicus, but fusiform). †Pangusyndicus longirostris, in turn, is unusual in having an elongated pre-ocular region of the head, resembling the condition known so far only in †Nuegua. Morphological affinities between these genera strongly suggest their close relationships. The previously postulated hypothesis of a close relationship between †Pangusyndicus and the extant Syndicus (and its closest relatives) is discussed as poorly supported, as these taxa, despite having similar antennal structure, differ in many important characters. In order to verify this issue, much dense taxon sampling (i.e., inclusion of at least most of extant genera and subgenera of Glandulariini) is required, as this is the largest and taxonomically most challenging tribe of Scydmaeninae, with still largely unknown relationships between extant taxa.
Understanding Undergraduate Students' Experiences of Telepresence Robots on Campus

Mobile robotic telepresence systems (MRPs) allow users to have a video conferencing communication channel with people in a distant environment where the MRP is physically located. In addition to having an audiovisual channel, the remote user can navigate the MRP. In this study, we interviewed ten undergraduate students after they had conducted a search-and-find task using an MRP. We found that students find it easy to maneuver the MRP and value the ability to move around in a remote space as well as having a physically embodied representation. We also found that students face challenges in approaching people due to three reasons, self-presentational concerns, novelty of robot-mediated communication, and difficulty with interpreting nonverbal cues. We will discuss our findings and provide design suggestions that could make MRPs more useful for social interactions.
Seismic and hydroacoustic observations of the 2016–17 Bogoslof eruption

In mid-December 2016, Bogoslof volcano, Alaska, began an 8.5-month-long eruption that produced at least 70 explosions and three lava domes. Bogoslof is an emergent submarine volcano with only the very top forming a small island, so the eruptive activity mostly occurred from a vent submerged beneath a bay or lagoon. The Bogoslof eruption was recorded on regional seismic and infrasound arrays as well as by a hydrophone that was deployed locally during the second half of the eruption. Since few emergent volcanic eruptions have seismo-acoustic recordings, these observations, taken in context with satellite and other observations, provide an opportunity to greatly improve our understanding of the seismo-acoustic signals produced by these eruptions. The instruments detected a range of activity including earthquakes, tremor, and mass flow events. Earthquakes occurred before, during, after, and unassociated with explosions and also often occurred in swarms. The 47 seismically-detected swarms and 27 additional hydroacoustically detected swarms can be further broken into four types: precursory, post-eruptive, general, and tremor-dominated. Most seismic swarms were less than 10 h long, had fewer than 50 earthquakes, and had average earthquake rates below 20/h. For the explosions, we calculate a tremor magnitude, frequency index, and average frequency. The tremor magnitudes determined from the hydrophone data show a roughly linear relation to explosion plume height, though this relation was not clear in the more limited seismic data. Lastly, we categorize the activity into five eruption phases based on seismo-acoustic character—precursory, opening, explosive I, pause, and explosive II.
Implementing Technology: Measuring Student Cognitive Engagement.

In an effort provide access to devices and prepare students for the future, a small rural high school committed to becoming a high-tech school. However, data collected using the IPI-T process suggested teachers were typically the users of the technology, students were often disengaged, and teachers were asking students to participate in lower-order surface activities. Missing from the process was the implementation of the faculty collaborative sessions. The year after the initial rollout of the devices, IPI-T data was collected three times. Additionally, faculty collaborative sessions were planned and facilitated within one week of collection data. Participating in each faculty collaborative session, teachers (a) became familiar with the IPI-T Rubric and Protocols, (b) analyzed and discussed the data, (c) identified high-quality examples of student learning that foster student engagement with technology, (d) designed high-quality lessons that foster student engagement with technology, (e) compared longitudinal data and set goals for future data collection using the IPI-T tool. An analysis of the data revealed when implementing the IPI-T process with fidelity teacher and student technology use increased as did student cognitive engagement when using technology. In addition, it was found that students use technology for information searches the majority of the time rather than media development or to collaborate among peers for example, which is associated with higher-levels of cognitive engagement.
Gluteus medius dysfunction in females with chronic ankle instability is consistent at different walking speeds.

Abstract Background Patients with chronic ankle instability often present with altered gait mechanics compared to ankle sprain copers. There is increasing evidence to suggest proximal neuromuscular alterations contribute to the injury etiology, however little is known about how these changes manifest during gait. The purpose of this study was to investigate ipsilateral gluteus maximus and medius functional activity ratios throughout treadmill walking at three speeds (preferred, 120% preferred, and 1.35 m per second) in chronic ankle instability patients compared to copers. Methods 28 females (14 chronic ankle instability, 14 copers) walked at the three gait speeds in randomized order. Ground reaction forces and 10-s gluteal ultrasound clips were simultaneously recorded. Clips were reduced using ground reaction forces to extract 55 measurement frames. Normalized gluteal thickness measures were used to determine functional activity ratios. 2 × 3 analyses of variance were run to assess group and speed effects on gluteal outcomes throughout walking using statistical parametric mapping. Post-hoc t-tests, mean differences, and Cohen's d effect sizes were assessed for significant findings (P ≤ .05). Findings The chronic ankle instability group had significantly decreased gluteus medius activity throughout the entire gait cycle when compared to the coper group, independent of gait speed (P Interpretation Gluteal dysfunction throughout walking was identified in chronic ankle instability. The coper group remained within healthy reference muscle activity ranges, suggesting that proximal muscle activation alterations are associated chronic ankle impairments.
JC Virus infected choroid plexus epithelial cells produce extracellular vesicles that infect glial cells independently of the virus attachment receptor

The human polyomavirus, JCPyV, is the causative agent of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in immunosuppressed and immunomodulated patients. Initial infection with JCPyV is common and the virus establishes a long-term persistent infection in the urogenital system of 50–70% of the human population worldwide. A major gap in the field is that we do not know how the virus traffics from the periphery to the brain to cause disease. Our recent discovery that human choroid plexus epithelial cells are fully susceptible to virus infection together with reports of JCPyV infection of choroid plexus in vivo has led us to hypothesize that the choroid plexus plays a fundamental role in this process. The choroid plexus is known to relay information between the blood and the brain by the release of extracellular vesicles. This is particularly important because human macroglia (oligodendrocytes and astrocytes), the major targets of virus infection in the central nervous system (CNS), do not express the known attachment receptors for the virus and do not bind virus in human tissue sections. In this report we show that JCPyV infected choroid plexus epithelial cells produce extracellular vesicles that contain JCPyV and readily transmit the infection to human glial cells. Transmission of the virus by extracellular vesicles is independent of the known virus attachment receptors and is not neutralized by antisera directed at the virus. We also show that extracellular vesicles containing virus are taken into target glial cells by both clathrin dependent endocytosis and macropinocytosis. Our data support the hypothesis that the choroid plexus plays a fundamental role in the dissemination of virus to brain parenchyma.
A Comprehensive Review of Dietary Management of Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a clinical disorder characterized by pathologic eosinophilic infiltration of the esophagus with symptom of esophageal dysfunction. This article will highlight major developments and evolution of dietary treatment for EoE in adults and review the advantages and limitations to the various approaches described. Dietary therapy is effective for treating adults and children with EoE, and various dietary approaches have been found to be effective. Effectiveness does vary among these approaches with higher effectiveness seen as more antigens are avoided initially. Minimally invasive ways to assess the esophagus during diet reintroduction are being developed and may make this approach more feasible in the future. Choosing the right diet plan needs to be individualized based on patient goals and available resources. Removing common food antigens in adult and pediatric EoE can improve histologic changes, symptoms, and endoscopic features in EoE. Reintroduction with food antigens can identify dietary triggers for patients enabling them to tailor diet for long-term use. Dietary therapy is effective for long-term management of EoE in children and adults.
Inequality in acute respiratory infection outcomes in the United States: A review of the literature and its implications for public health policy and practice.

Abstract Seasonal and pandemic respiratory viruses such as influenza and the novel coronavirus (SARS-COV-2) currently sweeping the globe have often been described as ‘equal opportunity infectors’, implying little socioeconomic disparity in susceptibility. However, early data from the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored that the burden of respiratory viruses actually reflect and magnify existing socioeconomic inequalities. We review the literature on socioeconomic and racial disparities in acute respiratory infection (ARI), as well as ARI-associated hospitalization and mortality. Our goal is to identify key principles of the relationship between socioeconomic inequality and ARI outcomes, as well as highlighting poorly understood areas that need to be addressed by research and policy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. We find that there has been descriptive work in this area, but that there is a distinct lack of cohesive methodology in the literature exploring social determinants and ARI. We propose the fundamental cause theory is a useful framework for guiding future research of disparities in ARI and for the design of interventions to alleviate these disparities.
Machine Learning for Respiratory Detection Via UWB Radar Sensor

This paper focuses on detecting the respiratory of a person by utilizing a doppler radar to monitor the chest movement during respiration. Specifically, machine learning approach in conjunction with the radar sensor is utilized to capture the radar reflection pulse signal and its movement patterns. By analyzing the evolution of the reflected pulse while breathing, the respiratory rate can be accurately measured. In addition, the change of respiration ratio and respiration patterns can be characterized.
Delayed Ejaculation After Lumbar Spine Surgery: A Claims Database Analysis.

Study Design:Retrospective cohort.Objectives:Delayed ejaculation (DE) is a distressing condition characterized by a notable delay in ejaculation or complete inability to achieve ejaculation, and th...
The development of awareness of racism in adolescents of color over 4 years of high school

This mixed methods, longitudinal study considered the developing awareness of racism of adolescents of color over 4 years of high school. A series of latent growth models were fit to consider participating adolescents' (n = 643) developing awareness of interpersonal and institutional forms of racism over five waves of surveys. Additionally, four waves of interviews with a subset of adolescents (n = 70) were analyzed through a multistep process consistent with qualitative research methods that seek to balance etic/outsider and emic/insider perspectives Participating adolescents demonstrated significant, linear growth in their awareness of interpersonal and systemic forms of racism between middle and late adolescence. Participating adolescents also most frequently cited examples of racism in the systemic domain of power to demonstrate their understanding of racism, and their invocation of examples of systemic racism grew more frequent as they advanced through high school. The present study revealed that, on average, adolescents' awareness of racism increases significantly between middle and late adolescence, but also that there is considerable heterogeneity in the ways that adolescents of color recognize and understand racism.
Codon composition in human oocytes reveals age-associated defects in mRNA decay

Oocytes from women of advanced reproductive age have lower developmental potential, yet the underlying mechanisms of this phenomena are incompletely understood. Oocyte maturation is dependent upon translational control of stored maternal mRNA that were synthesized during oocyte growth. We observed that GC content of mRNA was negatively associated with half-life in oocytes from reproductively young women (
Has Garcetti Destroyed Academic Freedom

The case of Garcetti v. Ceballos, decided by the United States Supreme Court in 2006, established that a public employee's job related communications are not protected by the First Amendment. The Court also held that an employer has the right to impose disciplinary sanctions against that employee based on those job related communications. Although the Court specifically did not address how its decision would affect public university professors in the future, Garcetti has already alarmed academicians who believe in the concept of academic freedom. College professors, especially those who teach in research institutions, are now concerned that the Garcetti decision poses a serious threat to academic freedom. In academia, the perceived threat is that in the future, cases similar to Garcetti will lead to public university professors losing their First Amendment protection, and thus be subject to discipline for their on the job speech.
Posttranslational Regulation of Botulinum Neurotoxin Production in Clostridium botulinum Hall A- hyper

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are the most toxic substances known to humankind and are the causative agents of the neuroparalytic disease botulism. Despite the overall importance of BoNTs in public health and safety, as a bioterrorism concern, and in pharmaceutical development, little is known about the molecular mechanisms mediating BoNT stability and degradation in various environments. Previous studies using Clostridium botulinum strain ATCC 3502 revealed that high levels of arginine (20 g/liter) repressed BoNT production approximately 1,000-fold. In the present study, the mechanisms of toxin reduction in arginine-enriched cultures of C. botulinum strain Hall A-hyper, which we have previously genetically manipulated using ClosTron technology, were explored. Cultures were grown in toxin production medium (TPM) and TPM enriched with arginine. Cultures were analyzed for growth (optical density at 600 nm [OD600]), changes in pH, and BoNT formation and stability. Our data indicate that arginine enrichment of C. botulinum strain Hall A-hyper cultures results in a pH shift that induces pH-dependent posttranslational control mechanisms. We further show that independent of arginine, maintenance of an acidic culture pH during growth of C. botulinum strain Hall A-hyper plays a central role in toxin stability and that an extracellular metalloprotease produced by the culture results in BoNT degradation at pH levels between ⁓6.5 and 8.0. IMPORTANCE Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) is a public health and bioterrorism concern as well as an important and widely used pharmaceutical, yet the regulation of its synthesis by BoNT-producing clostridia is not well understood. This paper highlights the role of environmentally controlled posttranslational regulatory mechanisms influencing processing and stability of biologically active BoNTs produced by C. botulinum. The results of this work will help enhance public health and safety measures and our ability to evaluate safety risks of novel BoNTs and improve production and quality of BoNTs for pharmaceutical use.
AN Elastic Criterion for Plastic Design

Significance of elastic limit to deflection, local instability, and plastic fatigue in plastic design is investigated, and elastic limit criterion for plastic design is proposed.
Integration of IEC 61850 into a Vehicle-to-Grid system with networked electric vehicles

A Networked Electric Vehicle (NEV) that can convert energy in the vehicle back to the grid when it has excess has the similar electrical characteristics to stationary energy storage devices. A Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) system, which is composed of these NEVs, can mitigate the impact of renewable penetration, minimize the grid losses and improve the reliability of electricity supply. The goal of the paper is to propose an innovative V2G system with NEVs including mathematical modeling and practical implementation. More importantly, as one approach, the international unified standard IEC 61850 has been integrated into the system, with the aim to standardize the communication network. In the paper, authors investigate the current state of art in the integration of IEC 61850 into power grid systems, introduce a mathematical modeling of NEV that can realize V2G functionality and develop an explicit integration procedure including steps of system architecture, data set design and communication between gateway and client. The results represent a successful implementation of V2G system with the integration of IEC 61850, which implement a power system test bed with providing stable power quality and unified communication network.
Gödel, Turing, and K-Graph Machines

The notion of effective calculability is central for logic and the philosophy of mathematics, not to speak of computer science, artificial intelligence, and cognitive science. Turing gave in 1936 what is viewed as the most convincing analysis of this informal notion:1 he was led to the mathematical concept of computability by idealized machines and to the thesis that every effectively calculable number-theoretic function is computable by such a (Turing-) machine. In support of the thesis, Turing argued that all processes carried out by human computors — when effectively calculating the values of a number-theoretic function — can be performed by his machines. In 1964, Godel stated briefly and enigmatically: Turing’s work gives an analysis of the concept of “mechanical procedure” .... This concept is shown to be equivalent with that of a “Turing machine”.2
Regulation of hemoglobin synthesis and proliferation of differentiating erythroid cells by heme-regulated eIF-2α kinase

Protein synthesis in reticulocytes depends on the availability of heme. In heme deficiency, inhibition of protein synthesis correlates with the activation of heme-regulated eIF-2α kinase (HRI), which blocks the initiation of protein synthesis by phosphorylating eIF-2α. HRI is a hemoprotein with 2 distinct heme-binding domains. Heme negatively regulates HRI activity by binding directly to HRI. To further study the physiological function of HRI, the wild-type (Wt) HRI and dominant-negative inactive mutants of HRI were expressed by retrovirus-mediated transfer in both non-erythroid NIH 3T3 and mouse erythroleukemic (MEL) cells. Expression of Wt HRI in 3T3 cells resulted in the inhibition of protein synthesis, a loss of proliferation, and eventually cell death. Expression of the inactive HRI mutants had no apparent effect on the growth characteristics or morphology of NIH 3T3 cells. In contrast, expression of 3 dominant-negative inactive mutants of HRI in MEL cells resulted in increased hemoglobin production and increased proliferative capacity of these cells upon dimethyl-sulfoxide induction of erythroid differentiation. These results directly demonstrate the importance of HRI in the regulation of protein synthesis in immature erythroid cells and suggest a role of HRI in the regulation of the numbers of matured erythroid cells.
Dissolved organic nitrogen in the global surface ocean: Distribution and fate

[1] The allochthonous supply of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) from gyre margins into the interior of the ocean’s oligotrophic subtropical gyres potentially provides an important source of new N to gyre surface waters, thus sustaining export production. This process requires that a fraction of the transported DON be available to euphotic zone photoautotroph communities via mineralization. In this study, we investigated the biological and physical controls on the distribution and fate of DON within global ocean surface waters. Inputs of nitrate to the euphotic zone at upwelling zones fuel net accumulation of a DON pool that appears to resist rapid microbial remineralization, allowing subsequent advective transport into the subtropical gyres. Zonal gradients in DON concentrations across these gyres imply a DON sink in the surface layer. Assessment of the physical dynamics of gyre circulation and winter mixing revealed a pathway for DON removal from the mixed layer via vertical transport to the deep euphotic zone, which establishes the observed zonal gradients. Incubation experiments from the Florida Straits indicated surface-accumulated DON was largely resistant (over a few months) to utilization by the extant surface bacterioplankton community. In contrast, this same material was remineralized three times more rapidly when exposed to upper mesopelagic bacterioplankton. These results suggest the primary fate of surface DON to be removal via vertical mixing and subsequent mineralization below the mixed layer, implying a limited role for direct DON support of gyre export production from the surface layer. DON may contribute to export production at the eastern edges of the subtropical gyres, but only after its mineralization within the deep euphotic zone.
Oral enzyme therapy for celiac sprue

Celiac sprue is an inflammatory disease of the small intestine caused by dietary gluten and treated by adherence to a life-long gluten-free diet. The recent identification of immunodominant gluten peptides, the discovery of their cogent properties, and the elucidation of the mechanisms by which they engender immunopathology in genetically susceptible individuals have advanced our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of this complex disease, enabling the rational design of new therapeutic strategies. The most clinically advanced of these is oral enzyme therapy, in which enzymes capable of proteolyzing gluten (i.e., glutenases) are delivered to the alimentary tract of a celiac sprue patient to detoxify ingested gluten in situ. In this chapter, we discuss the key challenges for discovery and preclinical development of oral enzyme therapies for celiac sprue. Methods for lead identification, assay development, gram-scale production and formulation, and lead optimization for next-generation proteases are described and critically assessed.
CW and pulsed UV laser-induced deposition from Cr(CO)6, Mo(CO)6, and W(CO)6

Abstract Photochemical deposition from Cr(CO) 6 , Mo(CO) 6 , and W(CO) 6 is described for processes induced by a CW frequency-doubled argon ion laser (257 nm) and a pulsed KrF ∗ excimer laser (248 mm). Kinetic data on the deposition process induced by the frequency-doubled argon ion laser indicate that deposition is initiated by single-photon dissociation of the hexacarbonyl in the gas phase. A more qualitative study of projection deposition from W(CO) 6 induced by the KrF ∗ laser indicates that gas-phase photodissociation of the hexacarbonyl is also important in the pulsed laser deposition process.
Corrected equations for membrane transport characterization by manometric techniques

Equations for characterization of membrane permeability and diffusivity via pressure decay measurements in closed and open systems for three different configurations are discussed in terms of time lag and general transient solutions. The solutions presented correct errors in the earlier work of Nguyen et al. [J. Chem. Soc., Faraday Trans. 88 (1992) 3553].
Distribution of fatty acids in corn oil

The oil content of 392 samples of corn ranged from 1.13% to 13.80%. As the percentage oil in the corn increased, the degree of unsaturation decreased. Iodine values ranged from 88.4 to 147.4, a range in degree of unsaturation greater than any previously reported for corn oils.
Toward a generalizable model of symptoms in major depressive disorder

Abstract Background: This study has two goals: 1) to establish a generalizable model of the symptoms observed in outpatients with major depressive disorder (MDD); and 2) to compare symptom coverage of the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, Clinician-Rated (IDS-C) and Self-Report (IDS-SR) to that of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Methods: A factor analysis of IDS-C, IDS-SR, HDRS, and BDI items was carried out on 324 adult outpatients with MDD. Patients with coexisting Axis I or III illness or those taking psychotropic medication were excluded. Results: Ten primary factors were identified, six of which were substantially intercorrelated, defining a second-order factor of general depression severity. Schmid–Leiman orthogonalization identified the symptoms most associated with general severity. Conclusions: The IDS provided more complete factor coverage than did the HDRS or BDI and thus may be more useful in research on symptom profiles.
Lipid peroxidation in sorghum and sunflower seedlings as affected by ascorbic acid, benzoic acid, and propyl gallate

Summary Lipid peroxidation in sorghum and sunflower seedlings as affected by free-radical scavengers ascorbic acid, benzoic acid, and n-propyl gallate was studied. Roots of 17-day-old plants were immersed for 24 h in nutrient solution or nutrient solution containing either polyethylene glycol (PEG) or the scavengers. Compared with the nutrient solution treatment, PEG increased lipid peroxidation in sunflower, but had no effect in sorghum. Compared with the PEG-treated plants, ascorbic acid inhibited lipid peroxidation in both sunflower and sorghum, and benzoic acid had no effect, whereas n-propyl gallate inhibited lipid peroxidation in sorghum, but did not affect it in sunflower. However, levels of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (AP) and catalase (CAT) in the two species were not affected by the free-radical scavengers when compared with the PEG treatment. The PEG and the free-radical scavengers increased the ratios of SOD to CAT or AP in sunflower, but did not affect them in sorghum. These results suggest that sorghum is more resistant to oxidative stress than sunflower, and drought injury.induced by lipid peroxidation might be lessened by exogenous application of proper free-radical scavengers.
Interaction of induced polarization and electromagnetic effects in borehole probing

Abstract Starting from the electric field response of an axial dipole source, we derive a formula for the mutual impedance between collinear current and potential electrodes in a borehole. We define appropriate limiting cases to describe the induced polarization (IP) effects and the electromagnetic (EM) effects. Using a Cole-Cole form to model the polarization of the formation, we illustrate the interaction of IP and EM effects. Finally, when the interaction is small, we give a justification for the approximate “removal” of the EM coupling by subtracting the pure EM response from the total response. However, in general, the IP and EM effects are inextricably intertwined.
Meeting information needs : Lessons learned from New Jersey's individual health insurance reform program

At national and state levels, there have been significant changes in the regulations governing individual and small group health insurance markets. Reforms to the individual health insurance market in New Jersey exemplify the challenges of informing consumers about changes in the regulation of insurers, where the changes are intended to simplify and broaden access to health insurance. To best take advantage of expanded access to coverage under new regulations governing the individual health insurance market, individuals need to understand the changed rules under which carriers determine eligibility and premiums. Survey results from New Jersey indicate, however, that a significant proportion of people who purchased policies under the restructured individual health insurance market did not fully understand how the new market operates.
Social interaction, social observation, and cognitive development in young children

Eighty first-grade childen were pretested on a variety of conservation tasks. Subjects who were either nonconservers or intermediate conservers were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: social interaction, social observation, and individual control. Subjects in the social interaction condition worked collaboratively on conservation tasks with a same sex partner. Subjects in the social observation condition individually observed pairs of subjects working together and control subjects worked individually on conservation tasks. The purpose of the social observation condition was to control for the effects of task relevant information that was expressed during dyadic interactions. All subjects were individually post-tested on conservation tasks that were the same form but different content than the pretest items. Subjects in the social interaction condition had significantly greater cogntive change scores (post-test less pretest) than subjects in the social observation and control conditions. There were no significant differences between change scores of subjects in the latter two conditions. Also, subjects in the social interaction condition gave significantly more novel explanations for conservation judgments than subjects in the social observation condition. These findings supported a socio-cognitive conflict model of cognitive development in young children.
Anisole as an Ambidentate Ligand: Ab Initio Molecular Orbital Study of Alkali Metal Cations Binding to Anisole

The authors present optimized geometries and binding energies for alkali metal cation complexes with anisole (methoxybenzene). Results are obtained for Li{sup +} through Cs{sup +} at the RHF/6-311G* and MP2/6-311+G* levels of theory, with K{sup +}, Rb{sup +}, and Cs{sup +} represented by relativistic ECPs and associated valence basis sets. RHF/6-311G{sup {minus}} frequencies are used to verify that the optimized geometries are minima and to calculate binding enthalpies. The effects of basis set superposition error (BSSE) are estimated at both the RHF and MP2 levels. The alkali metals bind to anisole in two ways, either predominantly through interactions with the aromatic ring or with the ether oxygen. For binding to the ring, BSSE-corrected MP2/6-311+G* binding enthalpies (in kcal/mol) of {minus}38.1 (Li{sup +}), {minus}23.6 (Na{sup +}), {minus}18.3 (K{sup +}), {minus}15.4 (Rb{sup +}), and {minus}13.6 (Cs{sup +}) were obtained. The average distances (in {angstrom}) between the ring carbons and the cations are 2.33 (Li{sup +}), 2.79 (Na{sup +}), 3.20 (K{sup +}), 3.44 (Rb{sup +}), and 3.70 (Cs{sup +}). For binding to the ether oxygen, the BSSE-corrected MP2/6-311+G* binding enthalpies (in kcal/mol) are {minus}37.6 (Li{sup +}), {minus}25.2 (Na{sup +}), {minus}19.4 (K{sup +}), {minus}16.4 (Rb{sup +}), and {minus}14.3 (Cs{sup +}). The distances (in {angstrom})more » between the ether oxygen and the cations are 1.82 (Li{sup +}), 2.24 (Na{sup +}), 2.62 (K{sup +}), 2.87 (Rb{sup +}), and 3.10 (Cs{sup +}). Although the differences in binding energy between the two sites are small, the cations generally prefer to bind to the oxygen.« less
A Causal Approach to Nonrandom Measurement Errors

The purpose of this paper is to examine several specific kinds of nonrandom measurement errors and to note their implications for causal model construction. In doing so, my secondary purpose is to sensitize the reader to the crucial importance of making one's assumptions fully explicit and to the advantages of a causal models approach to measurement errors. It is well known that the presence of even random measurement errors can produce serious distortions in our estimates, particularly whenever one is attempting to assess the relative contributions of intercorrelated independent variables. Nevertheless, common practice is to utilize what Duncan refers to as the naive approach to the presence of measurement errors: that of acknowledging the existence of measurement errors, and even discussing possible sources of such errors, while completely ignoring them in the analysis stage of the research process. That is, measured values are inserted directly into causal models as though they adequately reflect the true values. It can easily be shown that such a practice, while leading to important simplifications, can readily lead one astray. In particular, it may blind the analyst to searching for alternative plausible explanations that allow for measurement error. There have been a number of very recent papers in the sociological literature, some of which will be briefly summarized since they may not be familiar to the reader. For the most part, these papers have dealt rather systematically with ways to handle random measurement errors, whereas nonrandom errors have been dealt with only incidentally and much less carefully.
The effects of smoking on fertility from gametogenesis to implantation

Abstract The literature concerning the effects of cigarette smoking, treatment with nicotine, cigarette smoke condensates, or cigarette smoke constituents on reproductive events from gametogenesis to implanatation is reviewed. Epidemiologic evidence, although scanty, suggests that cigarette smoking decreases fertility in women. Cigarette smoking is also associated with an increased frequency of menstrual abnormalities and a cigarette dose-related decrease in the age of spontaneous menopause. Similar epidemiologic studies assessing reproductive function have not been conducted among men who smoke. Several small studies have demonstrated decreased sperm counts and an increased frequency of abnormal sperm morphology among male smokers. Cessation of smoking in several of these studies has been associated with an increase in sperm number and a decrease in the frequency of sperm shape abnormalities. Treatment of rodents with cigarette smoke or cigarette smoke constituents produces similar effects on sperm number and morphology. Experimental evidence from humans and rodents suggests that cigarette smoke or nicotine can alter hypothalamic-pituitary interrelationships, stimulating growth hormone, cortisol, vasopressin, and oxytocin release and inhibiting luteinizing hormone and prolactin release. These changes may alter hormonal interrelationships necessary for successful reproduction. Studies in rodents and human and nonhuman primates also suggest that cigarette smoke or nicotine alters the motility of the female reproductive tract, and may impair implantation of the embryo. Analysis of the experimental data available concerning the effects of smoking on reproductive processes suggests an adverse influence on reproduction at several sites from gametogenesis to implantation. The literature on smoking and fertility, however, is surprisingly small. Additional experimentation, as well as epidemiological surveys of human populations, are necessary before it will be possible to make unequivocal statements concerning reproductive interference by cigarette smoke or its components.
Wavepackets for particles of indefinite mass

Using a formalism that includes particles with indefinite and variable masses, we can create a much richer set of states than in conventional quantum mechanics. For example, in a gravitational field the equivalence principle implies that the motion of a particle is independent of the mass. Thus it is possible to create physical states with large Δm but very small Δν and Δx, so that the trajectory of a particle is well determined, while the Δp · Δx uncertainty relation is satisfied. We also provide a quantitative description of wavepackets with arbitrary distributions in momentum and mass (or alternatively velocity and mass) and discuss a simple diffraction slit experiment as an example of their physical propagation. The Schrodinger equation is solved for a decaying particle at rest. It is also shown that Galilean invariance plays a natural and cohesive role within the variable mass formalism, unlike the case in conventional quantum mechanics where the existence of multiple mass states would violate Galilean invariance.
Displacements of precious and nonprecious dental bridges utilizing endosseous implants as distal abutments.

An investigation was conducted to establish qualitative trends regarding the relative displacements exhibited by the distal and mesial abutments in a five-unit fixed dental bridge as a function of bridge material and implant design utilized in the distal abutment site. Both Au and Ni-based bridge systems utilizing double, natural-tooth mesial abutments and three types of distal abutments (natural second molar, blade dental implant, and hollow-basket implant) were tested on a dried human mandible and subjected to a controlled force applied distally. Dial gauges were positioned around each abutment site bilaterally to provide displacement data in the x (mesial/distal), y(buccal/lingual), and z(occlusal/gingival) directions. The results indicate some significant differences exist in the displacement profiles exhibited by the bridge systems as a function of both bridge material and abutment type.
Two Hindrances to More Accurate Automotive Crash Simulations

Automobile crashes cost the lives of 30,000 Americans in an average year. Some of these deaths might be prevented through the design of safer automobiles. Crashworthiness design relies heavily on computer simulations because reliable physical tests cannot be run until very late in the design of a vehicle. There are often discrepancies between simulations and the results of physical tests and these differences can lead to failures of critical tests late in the design cycle when correcting the problem is often costly and difficult. This paper discusses two hindrances to more accurate crash simulations: not being able to get accurate material data at impact speeds and the difficulty of modeling the contact between two colliding bodies during a crash. Getting accurate material properties at impact speeds is difficult because the testing often excites vibrations within the test device. The natural frequencies of the test device can lead to mechanical ringing that contaminates the impact response data. If the frequency of this ringing is not sufficiently high, it is very difficult to filter out this mechanical noise without affecting the material response data. Initial investigations have lead to the discovery of a test device whose internal resonances are well separated in frequency from the material response data, allowing material data to be filtered without adversely affecting the data. Two designs for an improved device are also being pursued. This paper also presents an open-source software module that is being developed for modeling impact and contact problems using the finite element method. The software is being written in Python and will be freely distributed. The open-source nature of the software will allow others to review, modify, and build on the algorithms for contact modeling. The software module and contact algorithms will be verified by comparison with experimental results.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Computational experience with minimum spanning tree algorithms

The empirical performance of the algorithms of Kruskal, Prim, and Sollin for determining a minimum spanning tree is examined and found to be considerably better than suggested by worst case analysis. Kruskal's algorithm is generally slowest, with the Prim algorithm being preferred for dense networks and the Sollin algorithm for sparse networks. A simple criterion in terms of the number of vertices and edges of a network is given which indicates which of the Prim or Sollin algorithms as implemented is faster for a particular problem.
Evidence for preserved cardiopulmonary baroreflex control of renal cortical blood flow in humans with advanced heart failure. A positron emission tomography study.

Background The effect of cardiopulmonary baroreflexes on the renal circulation in healthy humans and patients with heart failure is unknown because of the technical limitations of studying the rena...
Current and past maternal depression, maternal interaction behaviors, and children's externalizing and internalizing symptoms.

Relations among past maternal depressive disorder, current depressive symptoms, current maternal interaction behaviors, and children’s adjustment were examined in a sample of 204 women and their young adolescent offspring (mean age = 11.86, SD = 0.55). Mothers either had (n = 157) or had not (n = 57) experienced at least one depressive disorder during the child’s life. Mothers and children participated in a problem-solving task, video-taped for later coding. Mothers with current depressive symptoms and those with histories of chronic/severe depressive disorders displayed fewer positive behaviors toward their children; mothers with current depressive symptoms also showed more negative behaviors with their children. The relation between mothers’ depression history and their behavior during the interaction with their child was partially mediated by mothers’ current mood state. Moreover, high levels of maternal negativity and low levels of positivity during the problem-solving task were related to children’s externalizing problems. Maternal positivity partially mediated the relation between maternal depression and children’s externalizing symptoms. These findings highlight the importance of providing parenting interventions for depressed mothers.
Studies of the effects of agents which alter calcium metabolism on acetylcholine turnover in the rat diaphragm preparation.

Abstract 1 We measured the effects of agents, which are thought to alter the Ca2+ concentration in cells, on tissue and released acetylcholine and choline of rat diaphragm using a gas chromatographic mass spectrometric assay for acetylcholine and choline. 2 Lanthanum and ouabain increased the resting output of acetylcholine, while 4-aminopyridine enhanced the evoked output of acetylcholine. 3 Guanidine first increased and then depressed acetylcholine release. 4 Theophylline, dinitrophenol and the ionophore, A-23187, had no measurable effect on acetylcholine release and tetraethylammonium inhibited the release of acetylcholine. 5 Dinitrophenol caused a highly significant increase of the tissue and released choline. 6 None of these agents increased the tissue acetylcholine content. Tetraethylammonium caused a large decline of tissue acetylcholine while ouabain and guanidine caused smaller reductions of acetylcholine in diaphragm. 7 These results are discussed in relation to the hypothesis that intraterminal Ca2+ activity regulates the synthesis of acetylcholine in diaphragm nerve endings.
Reference models for thermospheric nitric oxide, 1994

Abstract Rocket and satellite measurements of nitric oxide have been made by observing the ultraviolet airglow from this molecule. Nitric oxide has been measured with an ultraviolet spectrometer on the polar-orbiting satellite Solar Mesosphere Explorer (SME) for the period January 1982 to August 1986. The nitric oxide database contains densities at all latitudes sorted into 5° bins and at altitudes between 100 and 160 km sorted into 3.3-km bins. The largest densities occur at latitudes in the auroral zones where the density varies as a function of geomagnetic activity. At low latitudes, the nitric oxide density varies in response to changes in the solar soft x-ray and extreme ultraviolet radiation. Rocket experiments made at a mid-latitude launch site are compared to the satellite observations.
A sub-Kelvin superfluid pulse tube refrigerator driven by paramagnetic fountain effect pump

Abstract A novel sub-Kelvin refrigeration cycle is introduced in this work. The magnetically driven superfluid pulse tube refrigerator (MSPTR) could provide cooling at temperatures below 200 mK while rejecting heat at 1.6 K and contains no moving mechanical parts. The MSPTR cycle has an advantage over other types of sub-Kelvin cooling in that it can provide distributed cooling. Additionally the MSPTR unlike the dilution refrigerator will be able to function in microgravity without any modification. This work includes a description of the MSPTR cycle and a summary of preliminary design calculations including results used to size components and predict cooling performance.
Bridging the Digital Divide: Technology, Community, and Public Policy, by Lisa J. Servon. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 2002. xix + 273 pp. $27.95 paper. ISBN 0-631-23242-7

Poverty, inequality, and injustice persist in the American society, but the utopian vision of merely providing access to information technology (IT) to eliminate a “digital divide” between the have...
INTRAOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF MASSIVE PULMONARY EMBOLISM COMPLICATING SURGERY ON THE ABDOMINAL AORTA

Massive pulmonary embolism associated with total cardiovasular collapse occurred during the surgical repair of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm with an aortocaval fistula. Pulmonary artery pressure monitoring permitted immediate diagnosis whereas central venous pressures did not reflect the obstruction to right ventricular outflow. Pulmonary embolectomy without cardiopulmonary bypass was performed successfully.
Free radicals derived from benzo[a]pyrene.

Abstract At least four different free radicals can be formed from benzo[a]pyrene under different reaction conditions, namely the 6-oxybenzo[a]pyrene radical, the benzo[a]pyrene anion and cation radicals and a radical from heated benzo[a]pyrene. The formation and esr spectra of these radicals have been studied with the aim of clarifying the nature of the radical species involved under different reaction conditions. Additionally the reactivity of the 6-oxybenzo[a]pyrene and the benzo[a]pyrene cation radicals towards several phenolic antioxidants have also been investigated.