cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sexuality Attitudes Reassessment (SAR): Historical and New Considerations for Measuring its Effectiveness

In recent years, leading scholars in the field of sexology have been calling for more professionals who are primarily sexologists rather than professionals in other fields who specialize in sexuality. Such professionals require specialized training that meets their specific needs. The Sexuality Attitude Reassessment (SAR) has been established as a routine training intervention for sexuality professionals. The SAR has been used to train American sexologists and other helping professionals to be sensitive to sexual diversity and the sexual behavior of others. Attempts have been made to measure the SAR's effectiveness using several different measures and the research has yielded inconsistent and contradictory results. These measures traditionally look for changes in knowledge and attitudes. The authors of this work posit that a new construct must be developed to measure the success of the SAR as a method of sensitivity training. The proposed construct, sexological worldview, is demonstrated to be a more pert...
Conservative management of desmoid tumors is safe and effective.

Abstract Background Surgical resection of desmoid tumors has traditionally been the mainstay of therapy, but this is a potentially morbid approach with high rates of recurrence. Given increasing reports of active surveillance in this disease, we sought to evaluate our experience with conservative management hypothesizing this would be an effective strategy. Materials and methods Using a prospectively maintained database of sarcoma patients from 2008 to 2015, we identified 47 patients with a diagnosis of desmoid tumor from all anatomic sites. Data points were abstracted on clinical and pathologic factors, disease stability or progression, and follow-up time. Main outcome measurements were tumor recurrence after surgical resection versus tumor progression with conservative management. Results In our cohort, 20 patients were managed with surveillance, 24 patients with surgery, and three patients with other approaches. Clinical and tumor characteristics between treatment groups were not significantly different. With a median follow-up of 35.7 mo, there was one complete regression, five partial regressions, and 13 stable diseases among the surveillance group. Only one patient under observation progressed, crossing over to surgical resection. Among 24 patients managed with surgery, 13 patients developed local recurrence. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed a statistically superior progression-free survival in the surveillance group (P = 0.001). Conclusions This retrospective analysis adds to the growing body of evidence that observation of desmoid tumors is safe and effective with high rates of stable disease. These data further support an initial conservative approach to desmoid tumors that may spare patients the morbidity and risk of recurrence that accompanies potentially extensive operations.
Engaging preservice teachers in integrated study and use of educational media and technology in teaching reading

Abstract This mixed-methods study explored effects of participation in a required course integrating educational media and technology with literacy instruction on preservice teachers’ (PST) perceptions of their knowledge of technology, its usefulness in teaching and learning, and understanding of ways to use technology in teaching literacy. Survey findings showed moderate to large effects on PSTs’ ( N = 29) perception of their knowledge of and self-efficacy with technology, literacy content knowledge, and intent to integrate technology into future teaching. In lesson plans, PSTs integrated numerous technology devices and educational media while maintaining sound literacy instruction. Findings indicate a clear, positive trend in PSTs’ outcomes.
Regulation of aggregation substance expression by bacterial and host factors.

Enterococcus faecalis is a gram positive member of the intestinal tract normal flora which can cause septicemia, urinary tract infections and endocarditis when introduced into other body sites by intravenous needles, catheters or surgery (reviewed by 3). Treatment of these diseases is complicated by high levels of antibiotic resistance encoded on plasmids which can be transferred at high frequency between Enterococci by pheromome inducible conjugation. We use the expression of Aggregation Substance (AS) encoded by the conjugative plasmid, pCF10, following induction by the pheromone, cCF10, as a model for pheromone inducible conjugation. cCF10 is made by both donor and recipient cells (7) and can have two effects on E. faecalis cells. When cCF10 is produced by a recipient cell and internalized by a donor cell containing pCF10, cCF10 acts as a pheromone and initiates conjugative transfer of the plasmid to the recipient cell (6, reviewed by 1, 8). If the cCF10 is produced and detected by the same donor cell it has autocrine function which allows for replication of the conjugative plasmid without the induction of transfer (Leonard et al., submitted for publication).
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome

Objective To review evidence for the treatment of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) and to discuss how to rechallenge patients with neuroleptics when continued pharmacotherapy for chronic psychological illness is required. Data sources A PubMed search was conducted through March 2016 using available medical subject heading (MeSH) terms and keywords that included neuroleptic malignant syndrome, treatment, dantrolene, and bromocriptine. A manual search of article reference sections followed. Study selection and data extraction Case reports and case series in English that discussed NMS and atypical NMS treatment as well as neuroleptic rechallenge were included for review. Data synthesis The reported incidence of NMS was 0.02% to 0.03%, with a mortality rate of 5.6%. Current literature on NMS is primarily retrospective and emphasizes diagnostic criteria, causative agents, and potential pharmacotherapy. Details regarding timing of administration, dose, and duration of pharmacotherapy are inconsistently reported. Reported dosing strategies and outcomes have been summarized. Instances of rechallenge were infrequently reported but demonstrate that recurrence may happen at any time after NMS resolution. Recommendations regarding safe rechallenge are provided. Conclusion NMS is a rare adverse drug reaction, with a complex pathophysiology and presentation. Timely diagnosis and discontinuation of antipsychotic therapy is the first-line treatment, followed by supportive care and pharmacotherapy. Antipsychotic rechallenge is often required and should be attempted only after a drug-free period and with a different agent, slowly titrated with close monitoring.
Patterns of Gene Flow between Crop and Wild Carrot, Daucus carota (Apiaceae) in the United States

Studies of gene flow between crops and their wild relatives have implications for both management practices for cultivation and understanding the risk of transgene escape. These types of studies may also yield insight into population dynamics and the evolutionary consequences of gene flow for wild relatives of crop species. Moreover, the comparison of genetic markers with different modes of inheritance, or transmission, such as those of the nuclear and chloroplast genomes, can inform the relative risk of transgene escape via pollen versus seed. Here we investigate patterns of gene flow between crop and wild carrot, Daucus carota (Apiaceae) in two regions of the United States. We employed 15 nuclear simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and one polymorphic chloroplast marker. Further, we utilized both conventional population genetic metrics along with Shannon diversity indices as the latter have been proposed to be more sensitive to allele frequency changes and differentiation. We found that populations in both regions that were proximal to crop fields showed lower levels of differentiation to the crops than populations that were located farther away. We also found that Shannon measures were more sensitive to differences in both genetic diversity and differentiation in our study. Finally, we found indirect evidence of paternal transmission of chloroplast DNA and accompanying lower than expected levels of chloroplast genetic structure amongst populations as might be expected if chloroplast DNA genes flow through both seed and pollen. Our findings of substantial gene flow for both nuclear and chloroplast markers demonstrate the efficiency of both pollen and seed to transfer genetic information amongst populations of carrot.
Effects of Product Separation on the Kinetics and Selectivity of Oxidative Coupling

Over the past decade, the catalytic conversion of methane plus oxygen to form ethane and ethylene via oxidative coupling over metal oxide catalysts has been widely investigated. Several reviews of this area have been published (1, 2, 3). A broad range of oxide materials has been studied, including: transition metal oxides (4, 5), alkali-doped, basic oxides such as MgO (6, 7), and rare-earth oxides (8, 9). With all of these materials, deep oxidation of methane, or of the reaction products, to form CO2 competes with oxidative coupling. It is estimated that for oxidative coupling of methane to be economic, C2+ yields in excess of 40% are necessary (10, 11). Here, yield is defined as the product of methane conversion times the selectivity to C2+ hydrocarbons. Despite considerable research, yields above 25% have not been achieved in a single pass.
Introduction to the Clinical Forum: Reading Comprehension Is Not a Single Ability.

Purpose In this introduction to the clinical forum on reading comprehension, the Editor-in-Chief of Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools provides data on our national reading comprehen...
Modification of Potato Steroidal Glycoalkaloids with Silencing RNA Constructs

Steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs), while found in many solanaceous plants, can accumulate to unacceptably high levels in potato tubers. The two primary SGAs that occur in potatoes are the tri-glycosylated alkaloids, α-solanine and α-chaconine. The first glycosylation steps in their biosynthetic pathways are performed by the regulated enzymes SGT1, the UDP-galactose:solanidine galactosyltransferase, and SGT2, the UDP-glucose:solanidine glucosyltransferase, respectively. Using fragments of the Sgt1 and Sgt2 genes to produce small inhibitory RNAs (siRNA), we have been able to down-regulate each branch of the pathway. The use of the siRNA approach increases the efficiency of producing transgenic plant lines with reductions in individual SGAs but further research is required to achieve reductions in levels of total SGA accumulation.
Estimation of Rain Rate from Airborne Doppler W-Band Radar in CalWater-2

ABSTRACTThe NOAA W-band radar was deployed on a P-3 aircraft during a study of storm fronts off the U.S. West Coast in 2015 in the second CalWater (CalWater-2) field program. This paper presents an...
General Satisfaction of Students in 100% Online Courses in the Department of Learning Technologies at the University of North Texas

The purpose of this study was to examine whether there are significant relationships between the general satisfaction of students and learner-content interaction, learner-instructor interaction, learner-learner interaction, and learner-technology interaction in 100% online courses. There were 310 responses from the students. This study did not use data from duplicate students and instructors. Excel was used to find duplicate students and instructors; therefore, 128 responses were deleted. After examination of box plots, an additional four cases were removed because they were outliers on seven or more variables. Nineteen responses were deleted because they did not answer all questions of interest, resulting in a total sample of 159 students. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between the four independent variables and the dependent variable. In addition to tests for statistical significance, practical significance was evaluated with the multiple R2 , which reported the common variance between independent variables and dependent variable. The two variables of learner-content and learner-instructor interaction play a significant role in predicting online satisfaction. Minimally, the variable learner-technology can predict online satisfaction and is an important construct that must be considered when offering online courses. Results of this study provide help in establishing a valid and reliable survey instrument and in developing an online best learning environment, as well as recommendations for institutions offering online learning or considering the development of online learning courses.
Akrale Nekrosen als Komplikation einer lithogenen Urosepsis

In Deutschland ist die Sepsis die dritthaufigste Todesursache. Bei etwa jedem 4. Patienten handelt es sich um eine Urosepsis. Aufgrund ihrer hohen Morbiditat und Mortalitat bleibt die Sepsis trotz groser Behandlungsfortschritte ein schweres Erkrankungsbild, welches rasches und interdisziplinares Handeln erfordert. Neben vielfach vital bedrohlichen Komplikationen konnen, wie im vorliegenden Fall, akrale Nekrosen als Folge schwerer Mikrozirkulationsstorungen im Rahmen einer disseminierten intravasalen Gerinnung auftreten.
The Computerized ECG: Friend and Foe

Computerized interpretation of the electrocardiogram (ECG) began in the 1950s when conversion of its analog signal to digital form became available. Since then, automatic computer interpretations of the ECG have become routine, even at the point of care, by the addition of interpretive algorithms to portable ECG carts. Now, more than 100 million computerized ECG interpretations are recorded yearly in the United States. These interpretations have contributed to medical care by reducing physician reading time and accurately interpreting most normal ECGs. But errors do occur. The computer cannot be held responsible for misinterpretations due to recording errors, such as muscle artifacts or lead reversal. But, in many abnormal ECGs, the computer makes its own errors-sometimes critical-in its incorrect detection of arrhythmias, pacemakers, and myocardial infarctions. These errors require that all computerized statements be over-read by trained physicians who have the advantage of clinical context, unavailable to the computer. Together, the computer and over-readers now provide the most accurate ECG interpretations available.
Potential need for expanded pharmacologic treatment and lifestyle modification services under the 2017 ACC/AHA Hypertension Guideline

Application of the 2017 ACC/AHA Hypertension Guideline expands the number of US adults requiring blood pressure (BP) management. The authors use 2011-2014 NHANES data to describe the population groups most affected by the new guideline, compared with the previous JNC-7 guideline, and describe the previous interaction with the health care sector among those adults recommended new or intensified pharmacologic treatment and/or lifestyle modification. The 2017 Hypertension Guideline reclassifies 32.3 million US adults as newly hypertensive and recommends BP-related treatment of 133.7 million adults, including 57.8 million with uncontrolled BP recommended to initiate or intensify pharmacologic treatment and 50.5 million newly recommended lifestyle modification alone. An estimated 13.1 million (22.7%) adults recommended to initiate or intensify pharmacologic treatment, and 20.6 million (40.8%) adults newly recommended lifestyle modification alone report not having established health care linkages. Among the adults newly recommended lifestyle modification alone, the odds of reclassification from no recommended intervention, under JNC-7, to recommended lifestyle modification alone were lower for adults with established linkages to care (aOR: 0.78 [95% CI: 0.67-0.91]) compared to those without, decreased with increasing age, were greater for men (1.72 [1.52-1.94]) compared to women and were greater for obese adults (1.23 [1.00-1.53]) compared with normal or underweight adults. Application of the 2017 Hypertension Guideline increases the number and alters the distribution of US adults in need of initiating or intensifying BP treatment. This includes identifying millions of US adults who previously had limited interaction with health care and are now recommended new or intensified pharmacologic treatment and/or lifestyle modification.
A tagging method for very small fish

The ability to reliably identify individuals over time and across contexts is essential in numerous areas of science. There are a variety of well-established methods for uniquely marking individuals, such as using paint or dye, visible implant elastomer tags, numbers or barcodes glued to the animal, passive integrated transponders, and more. For some species, life history stages, and/or experiments, however, these existing tagging methods are not sufficient. Here, we describe the method we developed for tagging juveniles of the African cichlid fish, Astatotilapia burtoni, which are too small for the methods used to tag adults. We used fishing line threaded through the needle of an insulin syringe to tie a loop of line through the dorsal muscle of juveniles as small as 10 mm standard length. Unique color patterns on the line can be used to distinguish among individuals. The tag is compatible with normal locomotion and social behavior, discernible to the eye and on camera, durable enough to last at least months, and the juvenile can grow with the tag. For A. burtoni, which is a model system in social neuroscience, the lack of an appropriate tagging method for very small juveniles likely contributes to the relative lack of early-life studies, and the same may be true for other small species. We expect this method to be useful in a variety of species and will facilitate the integration of organismal and behavioral development into more research programs.
Voluntary Energy Intake and Expenditure in Obese and Lean Horses Consuming ad libitum Forage

Abstract Some horses are more prone to obesity than others. This study aimed to compare energy intake and expenditure between obese and lean horses. Ten mature, stock-type geldings (aged 11.8 ± 4.0 years; 577 ± 52 kg) maintained on the same pasture were classified as obese (n = 6, body condition score [BCS] ≥ 7) or lean (n = 4, BCS = 4–5) and adapted to free-choice grass hay over 25 days. Dry matter intake (DMI) was measured for 11 days, with body weight (BW) and blood samples (analyzed for serum leptin) collected on Days 0, 2, 4, 7, 9, and 11. Behavior was observed for 24 hours. Apparent dry matter digestibility and gross energy digestibility were measured using 48-hour total fecal collection. Digestible energy intake was calculated. Activity (distance traveled, average heart rate [HR], and maximum HR) was quantified using HR monitors with GPS tracking. Average HR was used to estimate energy expenditure. Serum leptin, DMI, and BW were analyzed as repeated measures. Other variables were analyzed using unpaired t-tests. P
Benchmark profile and inferences for joint-exposure quantal data in quantitative risk assessment

In risk assessment, it is often desired to make inferences on the minimum dose levels (benchmark doses or BMDs) at which a specific benchmark risk (BMR) is attained. The estimation and inferences o...
Serviceorientierte Architekturen — Konzept und methodische Herausforderungen

In diesem Beitrag werden das Konzept der Serviceorientierung und bestehende methodische Herausforderungen beschrieben, die dem Einsatz in der Praxis entgegenstehen. Um diesen Herausforderungen zu begegnen, wird die Schaffung einer Entwicklungsmethodik motiviert, die das serviceorientierte Paradigma unterstutzt und zur Beantwortung von derzeit noch ungelosten Entwicklungsfragen beitragt. Im Rahmen des Beitrags werden die zentralen Elemente einer solchen Methodik vorgestellt und im Detail beschrieben. Daruber hinaus wird ein Vergleich mit dem komponentenorientierten Entwicklungsparadigma angestellt, dessen Ahnlichkeit die Ubertragung bzw. Anpassung einzelner Methoden und Werkzeuge fur das serviceorientierte Paradigma gestattet.
Modeling Trichloroethene Reduction, Methanogenesis, and Homoacetogenesis in a H2-Based Biofilm

AbstractHomoacetogenesis and methanogenesis, which usually occur during anaerobic trichloroethene (TCE) dechlorination, affect the removal of TCE and its daughter products. This study develops a on...
Multi-variate and single-variable flood fragility and loss approaches for buildings

Abstract Propagating uncertainties in flood damage models is a critical step towards a risk-informed decision methodology that is based on quantitative assessment. Flood-related data scarcity and the use of deterministic models present challenges when seeking to include uncertainties in flood damage modeling. In this paper, a single-variable and multi-variate component-based flood fragility method is proposed. The method uses expert-based data derived from online sources that are applied within a Monte Carlo framework to divide the building into independent components and then assigns these components to five predefined damage states that describe the building damage as a whole. Using a series of Monte Carlo simulations, uncertainties in flood depth and flood duration that result in each damage level for each component were propagated. Their damage is then characterized using component fragility functions to be used to develop total building fragility and loss functions. The resulting fragilities can be used as a probabilistic vulnerability function to be assigned to a real community based on building archetype and occupancy. The ability to develop flood fragility curves for buildings without the need for empirical field data is the primary contribution of this work.
Physical Constraints and Forces Involved in Phagocytosis

Phagocytosis is a specialized process that enables cellular ingestion and clearance of microbes, dead cells and tissue debris that are too large for other endocytic routes. As such, it is an essential component of tissue homeostasis and the innate immune response, and also provides a link to the adaptive immune response. However, ingestion of large particulate materials represents a monumental task for phagocytic cells. It requires profound reorganization of the cell morphology around the target in a controlled manner, which is limited by biophysical constraints. Experimental and theoretical studies have identified critical aspects associated with the interconnected biophysical properties of the receptors, the membrane, and the actin cytoskeleton that can determine the success of large particle internalization. In this review, we will discuss the major physical constraints involved in the formation of a phagosome. Focusing on two of the most-studied types of phagocytic receptors, the Fcγ receptors and the complement receptor 3 (αMβ2 integrin), we will describe the complex molecular mechanisms employed by phagocytes to overcome these physical constraints.
Dyslipidemia in Pediatric Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Cardiovascular (CV) disease is a major cause of mortality in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Dyslipidemia is prevalent in children with T2D and is a known risk factor for CVD. In this review, we critically examine the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and recommendations for dyslipidemia management in pediatric T2D. Dyslipidemia is multifactorial and related to poor glycemic control, insulin resistance, inflammation, and genetic susceptibility. Current guidelines recommend lipid screening after achieving glycemic control and annually thereafter. The desired lipid goals are low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) 35 mg/dL, and triglycerides (TG) 130 mg/dL after 6 months, statins are recommended with a treatment goal of 400 mg/dL or non-fasting TG are > 1000 mg/dL, fibrates are recommended. Although abnormal levels of atherogenic TG-rich lipoproteins, apolipoprotein B, and non-HDL-C are commonly present in pediatric T2D, their measurement is not currently considered in risk assessment or management.
Reducing Logic Locking Key Leakage through the Scan Chain

A novel technique to secure the scan chain of an integrated circuit (IC) is proposed. The technique creates a logical partition between the functional and test modes of a circuit, where the correct logic locking key is only provided in functional mode. The proposed technique allows for the security of the logic cone through logic locking and secures the outputs of the circuit from the scan chain without modifications to the structure of the scan chain. Since the oracle responses in test mode do not correspond to the functional key, satisfiability (SAT) attacks are not able to leverage the responses from the scan chain. In addition, a charge accumulation circuit is developed to prevent and detect any attempt to enter the partitioned test mode while the correct circuit responses are still stored within the registers. The charge accumulation circuit results in a 9.2% increase in area as compared to a minimum sized 180 nm 2-input NAND gate. Implementing the technique on the ISCAS'89 s15850 benchmark circuit results in a 2.87% increase in the total area.
Energy Competition: From Commodity to Boutique & Back

Energy products such as power, gas, and oil have long been the world’s premier commodities. Consumers demand that power and fuel are available when they want it and they prefer to pay less for it. Few know or care where their fuel or power comes from. So for years energy companies believed that efforts to differentiate their products were mostly ineffective — they were re-signed to compete on price in fierce global commodity markets. But in recent years, a new focus on regulating how energy commodities are produced has begun to splinter previously integrated energy markets, creating markets for boutique fuels and power, and allowing energy firms to restrict output and raise prices without fear of competition. This Article documents the causes and effects of this trend toward boutique energy markets. It shows how consumer-driven supply-chain certifications that call for environmentally sound production methods have gradually evolved into government-mandated production standards. These standards take identical commodities — barrels of oil or kilowatt-hours of electricity — and differentiate them based on how they were produced. Most typically, products that were produced using particularly greenhouse gas intensive methods are banned or otherwise penalized. These supply-chain standards have been adopted by countries, but increasingly also by individual provinces, states, and localities. As a result, they are breaking the trade links in global energy supply chains. To sell in each of these markets, energy companies must be able to certify the production methods used by their entire supply chain. To do this, they must either control the entire vertical supply chain or only deal with the subset of companies that is prepared to meet the regulatory requirements of each jurisdiction that might import fuel or oil. Inevitably, this is increasing concentration of power and fuel markets. The Article suggests how to turn energy back into a commodity without sacrificing the goals of the supply-chain standards. It suggests that jurisdiction specific supply-chain standards be replaced with one or two agreed supply-chain standards that would allow more energy companies to compete across jurisdictions. And it offers recommendations for how competition and energy regulators can work together to ensure that energy standards do not undercut the aims of competition policies.
Transaction Cost Economics & MAEs: The Dealmaker's Crystal Ball

Material adverse effect (MAE) provisions have taken center stage in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like with other crises, as the pandemic unfolds, two questions inevitably arise for dealmakers. First, in the short term, what grounds may parties use to exit pending transactions? And, second, in the long term, what impact will the crisis have on negotiating current and future deals and drafting related contractual provisions? In many M&A transactions, especially those involving publicly traded companies, the answers to both questions almost always involve MAEs. These provisions allow parties, typically the acquirer, to exit a transaction without penalty if the other party has suffered a MAE, as that term is defined in the agreement. This Essay examines MAEs through the lens of transaction cost economics, a theory utilized to determine how to best structure transactions especially amidst uncertainty. Uncertainties are inherent in purchasing a highly specific asset, like a company, which are further compounded by external socioeconomic conditions. This, in turn, gives rise to higher transaction costs, such as due diligence, increased negotiations, and ex post enforcement. MAE provisions are one of the ways in which dealmakers attempt to control the transaction costs of ex post enforcement. As life in a pandemic becomes the new reality, dealmakers are adjusting to ensure that pandemic-related effects do not trigger MAEs. Consequently, this raises transaction costs and has an impact on whether a deal is signed and ultimately consummated, and on what terms. This Essay discusses how dealmakers have dealt with the pandemic in terms of MAEs and argues that while revised MAEs may complicate dealmaking, they will not hinder it. This Essay attempts to look into the dealmaker’s crystal ball to foresee changes both in deal process and deal terms. It argues that in place of the traditional role of a MAE, dealmakers instead will take other steps to compensate for uncertainty, including expanded due diligence, adjusted valuations, provisions to renegotiate terms, or reverse termination fees. If anything is clear as dealmakers look into their crystal ball, it is that hope creates opportunity but so does chaos.
Conspiracy theories in political-economic context: lessons from parents with vaccine and other pharmaceutical concerns

Profit-boosting manipulation and subterfuge is axiomatic to late-stage US capitalism, even in healthcare. I demonstrate how acknowledgements of this can overextend into ‘false beliefs’ using data f...
Gated Silicon Field Emitter Array Characterization

Arrays of silicon (Si) field emitter tips are being studied for use as electron source for vacuum nano-transistors. These arrays are analyzed using the CST particle tracking solver and via experiment. Simulations are used to study the potential transfer characteristics and performance for use as transistors for the vertical emitter structures. An experimental system has been developed to test the arrays under high temperature (400° C) and for various gases to study the noise characteristics and the effects of adsorption and desorption on performance.
Is Waiting the Hardest Part? Comparing the Emotional Experiences of Awaiting and Receiving Bad News

Awaiting uncertain news is stressful, but is it more stressful than receiving bad news? We compared these emotional experiences in two studies. Participants in Study 1 reflected on a personal experience awaiting news that ultimately turned out badly, and participants in Study 2 were law graduates awaiting their results on the bar exam who ultimately failed the exam. In Study 1, participants were ambivalent as to whether awaiting or receiving bad news was more difficult, and emotion ratings in both studies confirmed this ambivalence. Anxiety was higher in anticipation of bad news (at least at the moment of truth) than in the face of it, whereas other negative emotions were more intense following the news than during the waiting period. Thus, whether waiting is "the hardest part" depends on whether one prefers to be racked with anxiety or afflicted with other negative emotions such as anger, disappointment, depression, and regret.
Sesquiterpenoids—V : The synthesis and formolysis of 4aβ,8β-dimethyl-8aα-hydroxydecahydronaphth-2β-oic acid and 4aβ,8β-dimethyl-8aα-hydroxydecahydronaphth-2α-OIC acid lactone

Abstract Treatment of hydroxy-acid 4 with formic acid at room temperature leads to the unsaturated acid 9, which forms a complex mixture of lactones on more vigorous treatment. Lactone 10 reacts with formic acid to afford equimolar amounts of lactones 14 and 15, in a ratio of 1:2, probably via unsaturated acid 13.
Mechanisms of programmed cell death in Caenorhabditis elegans and vertebrates

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the comparison of the mechanisms of programmed cell death in development of the nematode, Caenorhabditis eleguns, and in vertebrate organisms, especially mammals. Programmed cell death plays a significant role in the morphogenesis and histogenesis during animal development. Well-known examples include: cell death in chick limb development and during metamorphosis of the tadpole tail. During neural development, as much as 50% of the originally generated neurons die. Programmed cell death is involved in the generation of specific tissues and organs, including kidney lens epithelial cells and cartilage cells. Thus, programmed cell death during animal development may be as important as cell proliferation, growth, and differentiation. The important finding that programmed cell death was strictly determined in cell lineage during the development of the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, brought up the idea that programmed cell death is genetically controlled as a specific cell differentiation fate. Intensive molecular genetic studies of the programmed cell death in C. elegans have recently led to the identification of the central players of programmed cell death. Progress in the studies of molecular mechanisms of cell death strongly suggests that the genes controlling programmed cell death may be evolutionally conserved from worm to mammals.
Creating High-Performing Middle Schools in Segregated Settings: 50 Years after Brown.

(2004). Creating High-Performing Middle Schools in Segregated Settings: 50 Years after Brown. Middle School Journal: Vol. 36, No. 2, pp. 4-12.
Risk of Nonspine Fractures in Older Adults with Sarcopenia, Low Bone Mass, or Both.

Objectives To test the hypothesis that men and women with low bone mineral density (BMD) and sarcopenia have a higher risk of fracture than those with only one or neither conditions. Design The Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study and the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures in women are prospective observational studies with a mean follow up of 9 (2000–2012) and 8 years (1997–2009), respectively. Setting U.S. clinical centers. Participants Men (n = 5,544; mean age 73.7) and women (n = 1,114; mean age 77.6) aged 65 and older, able to walk without assistance, and without bilateral hip replacement. Measurements Sarcopenia was defined as low appendicular lean mass plus slowness or weakness and low BMD according to the World Health Organization definition of a T-score less than –1.0. Participants were classified as having normal BMD and no sarcopenia (3,367 men, 308 women), sarcopenia only (79 men, 48 women), low BMD only (1,986 men, 626 women), and low BMD and sarcopenia (112 men, 132 women). Results Men with low BMD and sarcopenia (hazard ratio (HR)=3.79, 95% confidence interval (CI)=2.65–5.41) and men with low BMD only (HR=1.67, 95% CI=1.45–1.93) but not men with sarcopenia only (HR=1.14, 95% CI=0.62–2.09) had greater risk of fracture than men with normal BMD and no sarcopenia. Women with low BMD and sarcopenia (HR=2.27, 95% CI=1.37–3.76) and women with low BMD alone (HR=2.62, 95% CI=1.74–3.95), but not women with only sarcopenia, had greater risk of fracture than women with normal BMD and no sarcopenia. Conclusion Men with low BMD and sarcopenia are at especially high risk of fracture. Sarcopenia alone did not increase fracture risk in either group.
Leadership Theory and the Community college: Applying theory to Practice

Leadership theory and the community college promises a work that applies theory to practice by integrating the American Association of Community Colleges’ core competencies for emerging and current...
Integrated damping systems for tall buildings: tuned mass damper/double skin facade damping interaction system

Summary As today's tall buildings become ever taller and more slender, wind-induced vibration is a serious design issue. This paper presents integrated damping systems for tall buildings. An emphasis is placed on investigating the potential of double skin facades (DSF) as an integrated damping system for tall buildings. In the first scheme, the connectors between the inner and outer skins of the DSF system are designed to have low axial stiffness with a damping mechanism. Through this design, vibration of the primary building structure can be substantially reduced. However, excessive movements of the DSF outer skin masses are a design limitation. In the second scheme, the tuned mass damper (TMD) and DSF damping (DSFD) interaction system is studied to mitigate the design limitation of the first scheme and to resolve other TMD-related design issues. TMDs are usually very large and located near the top of tall buildings for their effective performance. As a result, very valuable occupiable space near the top of tall buildings is sacrificed to contain large TMDs. In addition, installing TMD systems means adding additional masses to tall buildings. Through the TMD/DSFD interaction system, these issues can also be substantially addressed. Compared with the conventional TMD system, the TMD/DSFD interaction system requires a significantly reduced TMD mass ratio to achieve the same target damping ratio. Compared with the first scheme only with the DSFD mechanism, movements of the DSF outer skins can be better controlled in the TMD/DSFD interaction system. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Globalisation and distributive justice: Evaluating the moral implications of coercion and cooperation in world trade

In recent years, there has been a move within political philosophy to steer a middle path between cosmopolitan (or globally egalitarian) and statist (or nationalist) accounts of the normative deman...
Electrocoagulation and separation of aqueous suspensions of ultrafine particles

Abstract Conventional methods for the removal of suspended ultrafine particulates in industrial effluents and wastewater treatment frequently involve the bulk addition of inorganic coagulants (e.g. aluminum or ferric salts). This electrolytic dosing is followed by sedimentation to obtain a clarified supernatant liquid. The increased size of the coagulated material facilitates subsequent solid-liquid separation processes such as filtration. An alternative separation treatment for ultrafine particles is electrocoagulation, which involves the in situ formation of ions by electrolysis. This generation of ions is succeeded by the electrophoretic concentration of the particulates in the immediate region surrounding the electrode. The addition of the electrochemically generated reagent can be controlled by adjusting the supplied power, thereby enabling optimization of the process. The effective performance of the electrocoagulation technique was evaluated with kaolinite suspensions, using a batch, stirred cell system, and a continuously flowing suspension through a series of stirred cells. Particular attention was focused on determining the rate constants for the kinetics of the particulate coagulation process. The parameters examined were electrode voltage, residence time, particle concentration, and suspension flow rate. The results showed that the electrocoagulation rate follows a second order relationship, accounting for the electrophoretic movement of the particles toward the anode.
Effect of daclizumab, tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil in racial minority first renal transplant recipients

TACROLIMUS and mycophenolate mofetil have each been demonstrated to be effective in lowering the incidence of acute rejection when combined with other agents in kidney transplantation. Limited data are available on these agents in conjunction with an IL-2 receptor antibody (daclizumab), particularly in higher-risk patients. This study compared racial differences in incidence of acute rejection between African-American (AA), Hispanic (H), and Caucasian (C) first renal transplant recipients using daclizumab, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate mofetil and steroid-based immunosuppression in a protocol that started in March 1998.
Alternate adjustments to external shocks in Hungary

Abstract A multisector computable general equilibrium model is used to evaluate Hungary's response to the external price shocks in the 1970s. The model incorporates characteristics of Hungary's reformed socialist economy. The results show that although the deterioration in terms of trade was important, the policies of insulation of the economy and increases in investment had a much larger detrimental impact on the trade balance. The existence of planned CMEA trade reduced the effects of the price shocks on the trade deficit. Export promotion by means of higher export subsidies would not have been effective to reduce the trade deficit in Hungary.
Estimating the Mean of Observations from a Wide-Sense Stationary Autoregressive Sequence

Abstract This study concerns the relative efficiency of the least-squares estimator of the mean of a covariance stationary sequence that has a constant mean and an autoregressive representation of order p. Our results augment those in [2]. The results in Section 1 include for any positive integer p the variance of the LSE, the BLUE in terms of autoregressive coefficients, the variance of the BLUE and the range of applications of Ylvisaker's theorem [7] regarding a lower bound on relative efficiency. For second-order schemes it also includes bounds on parameter values for relative efficiency >0.80. Graphical results for the first-order scheme in Section 2 add to the detailed study made in [2] and imply that the relative desirability of the LSE should be based on variance as well as relative efficiency considerations.
Geologic and geophysical investigation of two fine-grained granites, Sierra Nevada Batholith, California: Evidence for structural controls on emplacement and volcanism

The Johnson Granite Porphyry and the Silver Pass Porphyry are two late-stage porphyritic intrusions in the Cretaceous Sierra Nevada Batholith, California. Both intrusions are characterized by fine-grained textures, miarolitic cavities, pegmatite veins, and abundant xenoliths. Microstructures in the Johnson Granite Porphyry record magmatic flow. Magnetic fabrics in the Johnson Granite Porphyry, determined by anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility, show that the poles to magnetic foliations define a NNE-SSW girdle and magnetic lineations plunge shallowly to moderately to the WNW and ESE. A gravity survey and three-dimensional inversion indicate that the Johnson Granite Porphyry is shallow and tabular, extending to 1.5 km depth beneath the southwestern margin. A second gravity anomaly was delineated southeast of the Johnson Granite Porphyry, suggesting the intrusion continues to depth. The Silver Pass Porphyry is deformed by the dextral Rosy Finch shear zone and records a gradient of high- to low-temperature, solid-state fabrics. Field and magnetic foliations in the Silver Pass Porphyry are subvertical and lineations are shallowly plunging. We propose that regional shear zones controlled the emplacement of these intrusions. The Johnson Granite Porphyry was emplaced in a three-dimensional tension gash associated with the termination of the Bench Canyon shear zone. The Rosy Finch shear zone facilitated the emplacement of the Silver Pass Porphyry, probably as a tension fracture associated with the shear zone. The field observations and magnetic fabrics suggest that the Johnson Granite Porphyry may record an extrusive event, suggesting that volcanism may be related to deformation along active shear zones.
Conservative management of appendix mass in children.

Background: The management of an appendix mass in children is controversial. An experience of conservative management of appendix masses in a paediatric population over the last 19 years is reviewed. Methods: The medical records of all children who presented with an appendix mass to one of three children's hospitals between 1982 and 2000 were reviewed. In that interval 427 children with a mean age of 7·3 years (range from 2 months to 18 years) presented with an appendix mass. Sixteen children had an immediate appendicectomy. The remaining 411 children were treated conservatively by close observation and antibiotics, with intravenous fluids and nasogastric suction if required. Once the child was well enough for discharge home, elective appendicectomy was booked for 4–6 weeks later. Results: Three hundred and forty-six (84·2 per cent) of the children responded to initial conservative management and were discharged after a median stay of 6 (range 3–24) days. The children returned 4–6 weeks later for elective appendicectomy. The complication rate for elective appendicectomy was 2·3 per cent (eight patients). Those who had an uncomplicated elective appendicectomy had a median hospital stay of 3 (range 1–6) days. Histological examination demonstrated acute or subacute inflammation in 50·8 per cent of appendices removed at elective appendicectomy. Conclusion: Non-operative management of an appendix mass followed by elective appendicectomy is a safe and effective method of management. © 2001 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd
Structural limitations of the Ad5 E1A 12S nuclear localization signal.

The Ad5 E1A 12S gene encodes an oncoprotein with the ability to immortalize and cooperate with other viral or cellular oncoproteins to transform primary epithelial cells. The immortalizing function is dependent on the protein's efficient localization to the nucleus. A five amino acid nuclear localization signal (NLS), Lys-Arg-Pro-Arg-Pro, has been identified at the extreme COOH-terminus. This signal is necessary but not sufficient for efficient nuclear localization. A mutational analysis has been undertaken to further characterize the 12S NLS. The individual amino acids of the signal appear to have varying functional relevance. The lysine residue (a.a. 239) and the first arginine residue (a.a. 240) are the most critical. Changing the second arginine (a.a. 242) to threonine or either proline (a.a. 241 or 243) to alanine marginally diminishes signal function. Replacing the 12S NLS with the SV40 large T antigen (LT) NLS does not measurably affect the protein's nuclear localization. Sequences directly upstream of the NLS have a significant role in the proper localization of the 12S protein as illustrated by inefficiently localized mutants that have deletions of these sequences. Analyses of these mutants using a monoclonal antibody that recognizes the COOH-terminal four amino acids of the NLS have revealed that their signals are probably masked. To further investigate the importance of protein context in signal function, several NLS insertion mutants were constructed. Two regions in the first exon with predicted high surface probabilities and no known functions were chosen as sites for NLS insertions. Neither a wild-type 12S- nor a SV40 LT-NLS was functional in any of the new locations, indicating that for 12S, positioning of the NLS in the protein is critical.