cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Fasting on Blood Sugars in Hereditary Hypopituitary Dwarf Mice.

SummaryUnder the experimental conditions employed, findings may be summarized as follows: 1. Average blood sugar values for fed hereditary hypopituitary dwarfs are slightly, but not significantly, lower than those of fed normal mice. 2. The blood sugar level of fasting dwarfs drops precipitously to a minimum of 68 mg % after 96 hours. In contrast, normal mice exhibit a lesser drop, followed by some recovery which later gives way to a minimum average of 103 mg % after 96 hours of fasting. 3. These findings show that the sensitiveness of the dwarf to fasting is somewhat like that reported for hypophysectomized animals. This sensitivity herein reported, as judged by the severe hypoglycemia which develops under the stress of fasting, might best be attributed to the known imbalance in the adrenal-pituitary axis in the dwarf.
Egg Production in Female Callosamia promethea (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) as a Function of Pupal Size and Adult Longevity

In female Callosamia promethea (Drury) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), the egg complement at emergence (TE) is highly correlated (r = 0.99) with pupal weight (WT): TE = 59.9 + 143.8 WT. On the average, 80.0% of TE are mature at emergence: 84.8% of TE are deposited during the first 3 nights after mating; and 98.7% of TE are deposited during the life span. Average female longevity is 7.0 days after mating. Low correlation (r = 0.09) is found between adult longevity and total eggs deposited (Et). Daily oviposition (Ed3) for the first 3 nights after mating and Et are highly correlated (r = 0.93), and Ed3 can be estimated as: Ed3 = 4.4 + 0.3 Et.
Marijuana and injury: is there a connection?

Abstract [Brookoff D: Marijuana and injury: Is there a connection?. Ann Emerg Med September 1998;32:361-363.]
A Novel Structural Measure Separating Non-Coding RNAs from Genomic Backgrounds

RNA secondary structure has become the most exploitable feature for ab initio detection of non-coding RNA(nc RNA) genes from genome sequences. Previous work has used Minimum Free Energy(MFE) based methods developed to identify nc RNAs by measuring sequence fold stability and certainty. However, these methods yielded variable performances across different nc RNA species. Designing novel reliable structural measures will help to develop effective nc RNA gene finding tools. This paper introduces a new RNA structural measure based on a novel RNA secondary structure ensemble constrained by characteristics of native RNA tertiary structures. The new method makes it possible to achieve a performance leap from the previous structure-based methods. Test results on standard nc RNA datasets(benchmarks) demonstrate that this method can effectively separate most nc RNAs families from genome backgrounds.
Real-Time Computer-Mediated Conferencing versus Electronic Mail

Electronic mail-like systems are becoming a popular way of conferencing in organizations, while real-time computer conferencing (RTCC) facilities are virtually ignored. It is the suggestion of this...
Embolic activity during in vivo cardiopulmonary bypass.

Neurologic injury after cardiac surgery is principally associated with emboli. Although much work has focused on surgical sources of emboli, less attention has been focused on emboli associated with the heart–lung machine. We tested whether emboli are associated with discrete processes during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). One hundred patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery were enrolled between April 2008 and May 2011 at a single medical center. During each surgical procedure, emboli were counted in three CPB locations: the venous side (Channel 1), before the arterial line filter (Channel 2), and after the arterial line filter (Channel 3). We used prespecified event markers to identify perfusionist interventions. Identical circuits were used on all patients. Of the 100 patients enrolled, 62 underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), 17 underwent isolated valve operations, and 21 underwent CABG plus valve. Median counts across Channels 1, 2, and 3 were 69,853, 3,017, and 1,251, respectively. The greatest contributor to emboli in Channels 1, 2, and 3, respectively, were achieving the calculated CPB flow, opening of the electronic arterial line clamp, and introducing a hemofilter. The circuit technology was efficient in reducing total emboli counts from Channels 1–2 irrespective of the size of the emboli. Nearly 71% of all emboli 30–100 mm in size were removed from the circuit between Channels 2 and 3. No significant association was found between emboli counts and S100B release. Emboli occur frequently during CPB and are predominantly associated with the initiation of bypass, operation of the electronic arterial line clamp, and the initiation of a hemofilter. Continued work to reduce the occurrence of emboli is warranted.
Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy for in situ transitional cell carcinoma involving the prostatic urethra.

AbstractA total of 23 patients presenting with multifocal superficial bladder cancer and concomitant in situ transitional cell carcinoma of the prostatic urethra (mucosal in 19 and ductal in 4) underwent transurethral resection and intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy. Median followup was 51.6 months (range 6 to 105 months). Of the 23 patients 13 (48 per cent) had a complete response with a median followup of 43.7 months without recurrence. Progression of some type (local, muscle invasion or metastasis) occurred in 10 patients (44 per cent); none occurred in the prostatic urethra. Median interval free of progression was 55.7 months; 7 of 10 patients required cystectomy for progression or refractory disease in the bladder (prostate negative for transitional cell carcinoma).A trial of complete transurethral resection plus intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin is a viable alternative to immediate radical cystectomy for patients with mucosal and/or ductal involvement of the prostatic urethra with in ...
The Motivational Responses of High, Average, and Low Achievers To Simple and Complex Language Arts Assignments: Classroom Implications

AbstractMotivation to learn declines as students progress through elementary grades and drops precipitously as they enter middle school. A variety of reasons have been given for this decline from both developmental and environmental researchers. What has not been closely examined is the potential influence of different types of classroom assignments on the student motivation decline. In order to examine the decline, the influence of simple and complex language arts assignments on high, average, and low ability groups in middle school was measured by student interview. A randomly selected sample of 18 students from 3 sixth grade classrooms were interviewed using understanding, expectancy, and value questions with different types of assignments. Although the sample was small, 71 interviews were conducted to obtain 93 observations, giving a wider analytical base. Data were coded both quantitatively and qualitatively and analyzed for motivational focus (intrinsic, extrinsic, work-avoidant, or their combinatio...
Expanding Public Health Surveillance for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in the United States.

In this chapter we use three case studies (from the USA, Canada, and England) to frame a discussion of key conceptual and methodological issues associated with health-surveillance programs for people with intellectual disabilities. These include the challenges associated with (1) identifying people with intellectual disabilities in administrative databases; (2) identifying people with intellectual disabilities in population-based surveys through data linkage and cognitive testing and self- or informant report; (3) sampling issues; (4) the use of specific intellectual disability surveys; and (5) challenges in measuring health. We conclude with a discussion of the relationship between health surveillance and health policy.
Fuzzy Logic vs. HMM for phoneme recognition

We report on a comparison of fuzzy and HMM phoneme recognizers of data Timit corpus. We aimed to check an optimal number of signal cepstral coefficients for both a1pproaches. For this purpose, we used different parameterization techniques such as MFCC, LPCC and PLP. Also, coefficient numbers has been varied from 12 to 39 including first and second derivatives and signal energy to introduce signal temporal variation. Results showed that an appropriate number of acoustic parameters lead to an extensive performance recognition for both systems.
Abstract 1217: Determining the impact of CRPC-specific p53 mutation on therapeutic response and prostate tumor progression

Prostatic adenocarcinoma (PCa) is the most frequently diagnosed non-cutaneous malignancy and second leading cause of cancer death in men in the US. Although organ-confined disease is manageable, treatment options for disseminated PCa are limited. First-line therapy for metastatic PCa targets the androgen receptor (AR) via androgen deprivation therapy (ADT); however, tumors often recur, displaying reactivation of AR signaling despite continued therapeutic targeting. There is currently no durable treatment for this advanced disease stage, termed castrate-resistant PCa (CRPC). While most localized PCa express wild-type p53, recent high-profile, genome-wide studies identified increased TP53 gene mutation rates in advanced disease (specifically CRPC). Using these data, we noted that the patient-derived, CRPC-specific p53 mutations observed are relatively unique to prostate cancer. These mutations occur in “hotspot” clusters altered in other tumor types, but represent distinct amino acid changes seemingly unique to prostate cancer. While the underlying consequences of these CRPC-specific p53 mutations are unknown, it was hypothesized that their presence in the DNA-binding domain of p53 protein may represent “gain-of-function” (GOF) alterations that direct the transcription factor to alternative, pro-tumorigenic gene targets. Our preliminary findings strongly support this contention and reveal that these p53 mutations are major drivers of CRPC phenotypes. Specifically, our findings demonstrate that mutant p53: 1. Selectively alter p53 activity, based on analyses of PCa-relevant p53 target genes; 2. Compromise DNA damage response; 3. Alter AR signaling and response to AR-directed therapeutics; and 4. Promote transition to castration-resistance. These data are further supported by recent longitudinal studies of patient progression, wherein the R248Q mutation was found to be a key genetic alteration identifying lethal disease. While future investigation will be directed to better understand the specific contribution of individual DDR mutations, it is clear that deregulation of DNA damage repair and response pathways is likely to underlie increased genomic instability that is observed among advanced prostate cancers. Citation Format: Jeffry L. Dean, Jennifer K. Jones, Jonathan F. Goodwin, Karen E. Knudsen. Determining the impact of CRPC-specific p53 mutation on therapeutic response and prostate tumor progression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 1217. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-1217
Assessing the Impacts of an Active Water Schedule on Vegetation Structure in the Northern Everglades

Abstract As part of restoration efforts of Holey Land Wildlife Management Area (HWMA) in the northern Everglades, a pump station in the northwest corner began delivering water from the Miami Canal in 1991. In 2005, Hurricane Wilma damaged the pump, rendering it non-functional until September 2014. These events provided a unique opportunity to examine the impacts of an active water schedule on the vegetation structure of HWMA. Results of linear-regression models show a drastic increase in Typha domingensis (Southern Cattail) abundance during the period when the pump was active and a marked decrease of this species after pump failure. This change was attributable to increased nutrient inputs from canal water pumped into the area. Changes in Cladium jamaicense (Sawgrass) cover may have a lag response to fire activity.
Evaluation of MIMO Input Derivations and Their Physical Context

Multi-Input-Multi-Output (MIMO) vibration testing is considered to be more representative of the actual loads on many articles of interest. Since the derivation of MIMO inputs involve a matrix inversion process using N × M transfer functions corresponding to N input and M output locations, it is affected by both mathematical and physical parameters. The derived input loads can differ depending on the inversion and convergence algorithm used as well as on the accuracy of the underlying data.
Development and use of AI and game applications in undergraduate computer science courses

Gaming and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are both seen as exciting domains by many Computer Science students. Many universities are using these two areas as a means to attract and retain students in Computer Science through course work and research projects. In this paper we discuss the development of Artificial Intelligence and game applications by students in undergraduate game and AI programming courses, and how these applications can be integrated into Computer Science courses to improve student engagement and attainment of learning outcomes.
Unequal Crossing Over

Unequal crossing-over (UCO) occurs when distinct loci similar in sequence undergo homologous recombination. UCO was inferred from a series of experiments on the Bar locus in Drosophila melanogaster , demonstrating that crossing-over occurred in conjunction with Bar locus mutations. The process may result in duplication and deletion of genetic material, formation of chimeric genes, and the generation of mobile extrachromosomal elements. Contemporary studies of newly abundant genomic data show multicellular genomes to be filled with gene families whose formation can best be understood through UCO. Primates have been found to have substantial copy number variation (CNV) generated through nonallelic homologous recombination (NAHR), a type of UCO that occurs among highly similar sequences. The genetic variation produced is substantial, exceeding even single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on a per-base-pair basis. That variation has major genetic disease-generating capability but also provides new variation for evolutionary processes. UCO plays a central role in chromosomal rearrangements (inversions, translocations), gene duplication, and tandem duplication of functional and structural modules especially in multicellular organisms, generation of gene families, and generation of mobile genetic materials such as exons – all important sources of the genetic variation necessary for evolution.
Tree-Based Algorithms for the Multidimensional Assignment Problem

The Multidimensional Assignment Problem (MAP) is an extension of the two-dimensional assignment problem in which we wish to find an optimal matching of elements between mutually exclusive sets. Although the two-dimensional assignment problem has been shown to be solvable in polynomial time, extending the dimensions to three makes the problem NP-complete. The multidimensional assignment problem has many practical applications including the data association problem.
Novel Strategy of Ventral Dural Repair for Idiopathic Thoracic Spinal Cord Herniation: Report of Outcomes and Review of Techniques.

Background Idiopathic ventral thoracic spinal cord herniation is a rare condition that usually presents with progressive myelopathy or Brown-Sequard syndrome. More than 100 cases have been reported with significant variance in surgical treatment strategies and likewise, significant variance in patient outcomes. Although laminectomy has often been used, to date, there is no consensus regarding the optimal surgical approach or strategy for ventral dural repair. Objective To report and illustrate a novel approach to repair the ventral dural defect with more than 2 yr of clinical follow-up. The specific approach and graft used are both detailed. Methods A retrospective chart review of all known cases of idiopathic spinal cord herniation at the Cleveland Clinic over the last 15 yr was performed. Postoperative outcome scores (including the Japanese Orthopedic Association score, European Myelopathy score, and Nurick) were calculated preoperatively and postoperatively. Results A total of 5 patients were identified. Four of five patients improved clinically after surgery and 1 patient remained unchanged at last follow-up (average 23.2 mo, range 12-60 mo). There were no complications. All patients had postoperative magnetic resonance imaging demonstrating realignment of the spinal cord and no recurrence of tethering. Conclusion A unilateral dorsolateral, transpedicular approach combined with laminectomy provides excellent exposure for ventral or ventrolateral dural defects associated with idiopathic spinal cord herniation and minimizes spinal cord manipulation. A collagen matrix graft used as an onlay between the spinal cord and ventral dural defect is a safe and effective option for ventral dural repair.
Abstract 222: Comparison of Noninvasive Testing to No Testing in Stable Angina: A Secondary Analysis of the PROMISE Trial

Background: Several randomized controlled trials (RCT) of noninvasive testing strategies in stable angina have compared coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) to functional testing, with ...
Correcting consumer misperception

For the well informed, taking actions to curb energy consumption from household appliances is uncomplicated. Now, research shows that simple information provision interventions can correct consumer misperceptions of the energy consumed by common appliances, offering hope to the rest of us.
Functions of the Prepuce

As an integral part of the external genitalia, the human prepuce is a complex muco-cutaneous tissue with several, often underestimated, properties. The aim of this chapter is to provide a comprehensive overview of the functions of the human prepuce, in order to highlight the importance of this highly specialised tissue for the general well-being of the individual.
64 Gb/s low-voltage waveguide SiGe avalanche photodiodes with distributed Bragg reflectors

We demonstrate low-voltage waveguide silicon-germanium avalanche photodiodes (APDs) integrated with distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs). The internal quantum efficiency is improved from 60% to 90% at 1550 nm assisted with DBRs while still achieving a 25 GHz bandwidth. A low breakdown voltage of 10 V and a gain bandwidth product of near 500 GHz are obtained. APDs with DBRs at a data rate of 64 Gb/s pulse amplitude modulation with four levels (PAM4) show a 30%–40% increase in optical modulation amplitude (OMA) compared to APDs with no DBR. A sensitivity of around −13 dBm at a data rate of 64 Gb/s PAM4 and a bit error rate of 2.4×10−4 is realized for APDs with DBRs, which improves the sensitivity by ∼2 dB compared to APDs with no DBR.
Machine Learning Analysis of Direct Dynamics Trajectory Outcomes for Thermal Deazetization of 2,3-Diazabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene.

Experimentally, the thermal gas-phase deazetization of 2,3-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene (1) results in N2 loss and formation of bicyclo products 3 (exo) and 4 (endo) in a nonstatistical ratio with...
Limitations of Wide Complex Tachycardia Algorithms in a Patient with Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

A 58-year-old male with history of ischemic cardiomyopathy presented with wide complex tachycardia with a prominent R wave in lead AVR and reportedly no response to adenosine. He was taken to the electrophysiology lab with high suspicion for ventricular tachycardia. Electroanatomic mapping demonstrated the arrhythmia to be a roof-dependent left atrial flutter, which was successfully terminated with radiofrequency ablation.
Methyltransferase-like 21C (METTL21C) methylates alanine tRNA synthetase at Lys-943 in muscle tissue.

Protein-lysine methylation is a common posttranslational modification (PTM) throughout the human proteome that plays important roles in diverse biological processes. In humans, there are >100 known and candidate protein lysine methyltransferases (PKMTs), many of which are linked to human diseases. Methyltransferase-like protein 21C (METTL21C) is a PKMT implicated in muscle biology that has been reported to methylate valosin-containing protein/p97 (VCP) and heat shock 70-kDa protein 8 (HSPA8). However, a clear in vitro methyltransferase activity for METTL21C remains yet to be demonstrated, and whether it is an active enzyme that directly methylates substrate(s) in vivo is unclear. Here, we used an unbiased biochemistry-based screening assay coupled to MS, which identified alanine tRNA synthetase 1 (AARS1) as a direct substrate of METTL21C. We found that METTL21C catalyzes methylation of Lys-943 of AARS1 (AARS1-K943me) both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro METTL21C-mediated AARS1 methylation was independent of ATP or tRNA molecules. Unlike for AARS1, and in conflict with previous reports, we did not detect METTL21C methylation of VCP and HSPA8. AARS1-K943 methylation in HEK293T cells depends upon METTL21C levels. Finally, METTL2C was almost exclusively expressed in muscle tissue, and, accordingly, we detected METTL21C-catalyzed methylation of AARS1 in mouse skeletal muscle tissue. These results reveal that AARS1 is a bona fide in vitro substrate of METTL21C and suggest a role for the METTL21C-AARS1 axis in the regulation of protein synthesis in muscle tissue. Moreover, our study describes a straightforward protocol for elucidating the physiological substrates of poorly characterized or uncharacterized PKMTs.
A Quality Improvement Initiative To Improve Postdischarge Antimicrobial Adherence

OBJECTIVES: Bedside delivery of discharge medications improves caregiver understanding and experience. Less is known about its impact on medication adherence. We aimed to improve antimicrobial adherence by increasing on-time first home doses for patients discharged from the pediatric hospital medicine service from 33% to 80% over 1 year via creation of a discharge medication delivery and counseling “Meds to Beds” (M2B) program. METHODS: Using sequential plan-do-study-act cycles, an interprofessional workgroup implemented M2B on select pediatric hospital medicine units at our quaternary children’s hospital from October 2017 through December 2018. Scripted telephone surveys were conducted with caregivers of patients prescribed antimicrobial agents at discharge. The primary outcome measure was on-time administration of the first home antimicrobial dose, defined as a dose given within the time of the inpatient dose equivalent plus 25%. Process measures primarily assessed caregiver report of barriers to adherence. Run charts, statistical process control charts, and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Caregiver survey response rate was 35% (207 of 585). Median on-time first home antimicrobial doses increased from 33% to 67% (P CONCLUSIONS: The M2B program successfully increased parental report of timely administration of first home antimicrobial doses, a component of overall adherence. The program enabled providers to identify and resolve prescription problems before discharge. Importantly, caregivers reported reduced barriers to medication adherence.
Controlling cancer-induced inflammation with a nucleic acid scavenger prevents lung metastasis in murine models of breast cancer.

Tumor cells release nucleic acid-containing proinflammatory complexes, termed nucleic acid-containing damage-associated molecular patterns (NA DAMPs), passively upon death and actively during stress. NA DAMPs activate pattern recognition receptors on cells in the tumor microenvironment leading to prolonged and intensified inflammation that potentiates metastasis. No strategy exists to control endogenous or therapy-induced inflammation in cancer patients. We discovered that the generation 3.0 polyamidoamine dendrimer (PAMAM-G3) scavenges NA DAMPs and mitigates their proinflammatory effects. In this study, we tested if the nucleic acid scavenger (NAS) PAMAM-G3 reduces lung metastasis in murine models of breast cancer. Our data indicate that PAMAM-G3 treatment decreases cell-free DNA levels and reduces lung metastasis in the experimental intravenous tumor-injection model and the postsurgical tumor-resection model of 4T1 breast cancer. Reduction in lung metastasis is associated with reduction in inflammatory immune cell subsets and proinflammatory cytokine levels in the tumor and the periphery. This study is the first example of NAS-mediated inhibition of metastasis to the lung. The study results provide a strong rationale for inclusion of NAS therapy in women with breast cancer undergoing standard-of-care surgery.
Human Taste Cells Express ACE2: A Portal for SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Loss and changes in taste and smell are well-reported symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The virus targets cells for entry by high affinity binding of its spike protein to cell-surface angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2). It was not known whether ACE2 is expressed on taste receptor cells (TRCs) nor if TRCs are infected directly. Using an in-situ hybridization (ISH) probe and an antibody specific to ACE2, it seems evident that ACE2 is present on a subpopulation of specialized TRCs, namely, PLCβ 2 positive, Type II cells in taste buds in taste papillae. Fungiform papillae (FP) of a SARS-CoV-2+ patient exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, including taste changes, were biopsied. Based on ISH, replicating SARS-CoV-2 was present in Type II cells of this patient. Therefore, taste Type II cells provide a portal for viral entry that predicts vulnerabilities to SARS-CoV-2 in the oral cavity. The continuity and cell turnover of the FP taste stem cell layer of the patient were disrupted during infection and had not fully recovered 6 weeks post symptom onset. Another patient suffering post-COVID-19 taste disturbances also had disrupted stem cells. These results indicate that a COVID-19 patient who experienced taste changes had replicating virus in their taste buds and that SARS-CoV-2 infection results in deficient stem cell turnover needed for differentiation into TRCs.
The set point: weight destiny established before adulthood?

Purpose of review Although the set point is one of the best understood weight defense mechanisms, how and when a set point is established and what causes its disruption are not well understood. The purpose of this review is to address these gaps in the literature by exploring studies on the establishment of the set point theory and the underlying metabolic processes that support its existence. Recent findings Research suggests that weight loss achieved through restricted energy intake and increased energy expenditure is difficult to maintain and is often followed by greater weight gain over time. It is hypothesized that such weight gain is driven by an individual's set point, a weight range in which the body seeks to remain by adjusting metabolism (e.g. by moderating energy expenditure based on energy intake in times of diet or energy fluctuation). Similar to adults, weight loss in adolescence results in decreased resting metabolic rate (RMR), and that the RMR remains suppressed even with weight restoration. Summary Recommending weight loss in youth results in metabolic adaptations to restore weight and weight inclusive approaches may be more appropriate to protect their health and wellbeing.
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 has become one of the most controversial congressional acts within the food processing industry as well as among businesses generally. Congress passed the act “To assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women; by authorizing enforcement of the standards developed under the Act; by assisting and encouraging the States in their efforts to assure safe and healthful working conditions; by providing for research, information, education, and training in the field of occupational safety and health; and for other purposes.”
Night of the Living Dead Hand: The Individual Mandate and the Zombie Constitution

If someone had told me on June 27, 2012, that five Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court were about to hold in National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius1 (NFIB) that the individual mandate provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act2 (PPACA) was not constitutionally authorized either by the Commerce Clause or the Necessary and Proper Clause,3 I would have popped a cork. I don’t even drink, but I would have popped the cork on principle just to hear the sound (and also to irritate my colleagues, most of whom revere the PPACA the way that cargo cultists revere airstrips4). I would have thought it obvious that such a holding would entail invalidation of the mandate; and while that would not necessarily have rid the world of the statute in its entirety, absent five solid votes for nonseverability, it would have been—as the old joke says of 10,000 lawyers at the bottom of the Atlantic—a good start. Of course, I would have been wrong on pretty much every possible level (except in believing that invalidation of the mandate would have been a
Replicating and Extending Research on the Partial Assignment Completion Effect: Is Sunk Cost Related to Partial Assignment Completion Strength?.

After students acquire a skill, mastery often requires them to choose to engage in assigned academic activities (e.g., independent seatwork, and homework). Although students may be more likely to choose to work on partially completed assignments than on new assignments, the partial assignment completion (PAC) effect may not be very powerful. The current studies were designed to replicate previous research and determine whether the amount of sunk effort was related to PAC effect strength. Together, these studies (1) provide the only current replication of PAC effect; (2) support previous research, which suggests that the PAC effect is not very powerful; and (3) extend the theoretical research on PAC effects by showing that sunk effort did not influence PAC effect strength. Discussion focuses on implications for educators and directions for future theoretical research designed to identify the causal mechanism responsible for the PAC effect.
The Arenaviruses — An Introduction

Viruses are generally studied either because they cause significant human, animal or plant disease or for their utility as materials to probe a basic phenomenon in biology, chemistry, genetics or molecular biology. Arenaviruses are unusually interesting in that they occupy both of these categories.
Genomes to Proteomes

Author(s): Panisko, Ellen A.; Grigoriev, Igor; Daly, Don S.; Webb-Robertson, Bobbie-Jo; Baker, Scott E. | Abstract: Biologists are awash with genomic sequence data. In large part, this is due to the rapid acceleration in the generation of DNA sequence that occurred as public and private research institutes raced to sequence the human genome. In parallel with the large human genome effort, mostly smaller genomes of other important model organisms were sequenced. Projects following on these initial efforts have made use of technological advances and the DNA sequencing infrastructure that was built for the human and other organism genome projects. As a result, the genome sequences of many organisms are available in high quality draft form.While in many ways this is good news, there are limitations to the biological insights that can be gleaned from DNA sequences alone; genome sequences offer only a bird's eye view of the biological processes endemic to an organism or community. Fortunately, the genome sequences now being produced at such a high rate can serve as the foundation for other global experimental platforms such as proteomics. Proteomic methods offer a snapshot of the proteins present at a point in time for a given biological sample. Current global proteomics methods combine enzymatic digestion, separations, mass spectrometry and database searching for peptide identification. One key aspect of proteomics is the prediction of peptide sequences from mass spectrometry data. Global proteomic analysis uses computational matching of experimental mass spectra with predicted spectra based on databases of gene models that are often generated computationally. Thus, the quality of gene models predicted from a genome sequence is crucial in the generation of high quality peptide identifications. Once peptides are identified they can be assigned to their parent protein. Proteins identified as expressed in a given experiment are most useful when compared to other expressed proteins in a larger biological context or biochemical pathway. In this chapter we will discuss the automatic annotation and the generation of high quality gene models, the setup and execution of global proteomics experiments that are quantitative and statistically rigorous and finally add biological context to proteomics.
The Minnesota twin family registry : some initial findings

A birth-record based Registry is nearing completion of some 8,000 pairs of twins born in Minnesota from 1936 to 1955, plus some 1,200 pairs of male twins born 1971-81. The middle-aged twins were recruited with graded incentives so that ease of recruitment could be measured; it was found that pairs concordant for ease of recruitment were no more similar than discordant pairs in education, socioeconomic status (SES), or a variety of personality and interest factors, ie, that selection bias may not be a problem in research with adult twins when contacts are only by mail. A 50% decrease in neonatal mortality from 1936-55 to 1971-81 was associated with an increase from 3.5 to 4.0 per thousand in the frequency of viable MZ twin births. The broad heritability of SES, educational attainment, fecundity, and risk for divorce ranges from 0.30 to 0.50, although all 4 variables are plainly multifactorial and the latter 2 both involve variance contributed by a second person. Investigators interested in making use of this research resource are invited to submit proposals.
Parameters affecting the life cycle performance of PV technologies and systems

Abstract This paper assesses modeling parameters that affect the environmental performance of two state-of-the-art photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation technologies: the PVL136 thin film laminates and the KC120 multi-crystalline modules. We selected three metrics to assess the modules’ environmental performance, which are part of an actual 33 kW installation in Ann Arbor, MI. The net energy ratio (NER), the energy pay back time (E-PBT), and the CO 2 emissions are calculated using process based LCA methods. The results reveal some of the parameters, such as the level of solar radiation, the position of the modules, the modules’ manufacturing energy intensity and its corresponding fuel mix, and the solar radiation conversion efficiency of the modules, which affect the final analytical results. A sensitivity analysis shows the effect of selected parameters on the final results. For the baseline scenario, the E-PBT for the PVL136 and KC120 are 3.2 and 7.5 years, respectively. When expected future conversion efficiencies are tested, the E-PBT is 1.6 and 5.7 years for the PVL136 and the KC120, respectively. Based on the US fuel mix, the CO 2 emissions for the PVL136 and the KC120 are 34.3 and 72.4 g of CO 2 /kW h, respectively. The most effective way to improve the modules’ environmental performance is to reduce the energy input in the manufacturing phase of the modules, provided that other parameters remain constant. Consequently, the use of PV as an electricity source during PV manufacturing is also assessed. The NER of the supplier PV is key for the performance of this scheme. The results show that the NER based on a PV system can be 3.7 times higher than the NER based on electricity supplied by the traditional grid mix, and the CO 2 emissions can be reduced by 80%.
THE ELASTIC SCATTERING OF DEUTERONS BY TRITONS

The differential cross section for the elastic scattering of deuterons by tritons has been measured in the energy range 0.96 Mev to 3.22 Mev. The angular range of data is between 44.3\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and 126.4\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} in the center-of-mass system of coordinates. The values of the cross section have a minimum near 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}, and this minimum decreases steadily and moves to higher angles as the incident deuteron energy is increased. At 1.20 Mev the cross section at the minimum is equal to 0.130 barn, and at 3.22 it is 0.019 barn.
H reflex studies in cerebral palsy patients undergoing partial dorsal rhizotomy

H reflex studies were performed in ten spastic children with cerebral palsy who underwent partial dorsal rhizotomy (PDR). Under anesthesia prior to PDR, H reflex amplitude evoked by percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation gradually declined in all patients and became unobtainable in five. Motor responses could still be evoked by apparent dorsal root stimulation in these five, but since it was shown that they were M responses and not reflexes, PDR was performed randomly. In the other five patients, in whom H reflexes were still evokable, dorsal root stimulation evoked motor responses which were true reflex responses, and PDR was performed "selectively." Compared to preoperative values, postoperative Hmax/Mmax ratios declined, but no more so in selective than in random PDR. We conclude that current intraoperative methods for selection of "abnormal" dorsal rootlets for section may be invalid and may have no bearing on successful outcome, since spasticity improves even with random PDR.
Critical Values for the One-Sided Two-Sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov Statistic

Abstract We present a new recursion for counting the number of paths which ever attain a given height. Using this recursion, we calculate exact critical values for the one-sided two-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistic for n and m = 3(1)30 and for significance levels α = 0.10, 0.05 and 0.01.
Worsening income gaps and a sustainable future

To resolve the wide and growing disparity of incomes within the USA and between highly and poorly developed countries, self‐empowerment of the poor – while devoutly to be encouraged and wished for – will not suffice without continued and enhanced global commitments of assistance from private, public domestic and international governments and institutions in the tasks of educating and training of the poor for better jobs, improved health practices and viable democracies. The effort will require the transfer of billions of dollars to development from the estimated $1.5 trillion currently spent on military arms worldwide and more equitable land distribution without political and social upheaval. Human nature must be pressed to eschew selfish materialism, indifference and political opportunism, for the common good of current and future generations.
Tools for Two-Dimensional Exploratory Projection Pursuit

Abstract In this article we examine the current status of exploratory projection pursuit. This involves a large comparison of all two-dimensional projection indexes and optimization algorithms that have been proposed in the literature. We show that the efficacy of the exploration depends to a large extent on the optimization routine. We also stress the importance of studying the behavior of the empirical projection indexes rather than the underlying theoretical distances they estimate. Indeed, indexes based on orthonormal polynomial expansions differ greatly in their behavior from the theoretical performance of the weighted L 2-distances they estimate. This study reveals three universal indexes, namely the Legendre index (Friedman), the Hermite index (Hall), and the chi-squared index (Posse), which are sensitive to any kind of departure from normality in the core of the distribution, and two indexes ideal for catching clusters, namely the Laguerre-Fourier index (Morton) and the Natural Hermite index (Cook...
Spectral representation of generalized transition kernels

Let (X, A) be a set with a countably σ-generated “Borel” field of subsets; letW be a “Borel” subset of the product of (X, A) with the real line ℝ and its Borel fieldB; and for eachx∈X let γx be a measure on the “slice”Wx={(w, t)∈W:w=x}. It is shown that, under reasonable conditions, the σ-field A⊗B|W can be generated by a real-valued functiong in such a way that, given any measurablef:W→ℝ,g can be chosen to be arbitrarily close tof and so that its “slice-integrals”\(\int_{W_x } {g(x,t)d\gamma _x (t)(x \in X)} \) coincide with those off. This theorem is the first step in a study of monotonic sequences of countably generated σ-fields.
Increased stability of phosphite ozonides derived from 4-hydroxymethyl-1-phospha-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane

Abstract Substituent changes at the hydroxyl group in the title compound affect the stability of the corresponding phosphite ozonides generated at the remote phosphorous atom. The benzoyl derivative was found to have a half-life > 100 minutes at 180°C and is at least 10 times more stable at that temperature than 1-phospha-2,8,9-trioxaadamantane ozonide.
Multiplex DNA deletion detection and exon sequencing of the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase gene in Lesch-Nyhan families

The Lesch-Nyhan (LN) syndrome is a genetically lethal human neurological disease that results from mutations that inactivate the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) gene. The elucidation of the complete DNA sequence of the human HPRT gene locus has enabled the construction of multiple oligonucleotide primer sets for the simultaneous in vitro amplification of all nine HPRT exons. The multiplex polymerase chain reaction provides a facile assay for the detection of HPRT exon deletions and the reaction products can be analyzed by direct automated fluorescent DNA sequencing to identify subtle alterations in the gene. Alterations have been identified in the HPRT genes from 15 independent LN cases, and 10 LN family studies were performed. The sequencing method uses solid supports and is sufficiently simple and sensitive to be a favored approach for LN diagnosis. LN heterozygotes can be diagnosed without reference to the affected male. In addition, these procedures will be useful for somatic mutagenesis studies.
Breeding for 2n egg production in haploid × species 2x potato hybrids

The identification of diploid(2x), Tuberosum haploid × wild species hybrids (HS) which produce high frequencies of 2n eggs and have good tuber appearance is important for obtaining 4x progeny from 2x × 2x crosses in potato. More than 1700 HS clones were screened for the occurrence and frequency of 2n eggs through 2x × 4x crosses during two pollination periods. The resulting seed/fruit provides an estimate of 2n egg frequency. About 650 HS clones produced 2n eggs; 63 had 10–114 seeds/fruit; and 27 were selected for good tuber type. There was a large variation in seed set after 2x × 4x crosses, both within and between clones. Comparison of fruit and seed set between the two pollination periods using the same 595 clones indicated that environmental factor significandy affected 2n egg frequency. The mode of 2n egg formation was mainly due to omission of the second meiotic division controlled by a recessive gene (os). The gene frequency foros varied from 0.28 to 0.76 among six, 2x taxa. Both additive and dominance variance were significant for seed set after 2x × 4x crosses. Narrow sense heritability was estimated as 0.24. The average degree of dominance was equal to 1.66 which could indicate overdominance. Alternatively, this could be due to linkage disequilibrium,i.e. pseudooverdominance. However, dominance variance was greater than the additive variance indicating recurrent selection can be useful for improving the frequency of 2n egg production in the 2x population. The selected individuals, based on their phenotypic performance, should be progeny tested to identify the best parents for use in the next cycle of recombination.
The glycerol source for the biosynthesis of alkyl glycerol ethers

Abstract We have used a specific inhibitor to distinguish between glyceraldehyde-3-P and dihydroxyacetone-P as the glycerol source of alkyl glyceryl ethers. Only dihydroxyacetone-P reacted with fatty alcohols in the presence of the inhibitor and microsomes from preputial gland tumors to produce the O -alkyl linkage (CoA, ATP, and Mg ++ are essential cofactors). The products formed have chromatographic properties consistent with the reaction sequence proposed by us in an earlier paper.
Biomass accumulation and potential nutritive value of some forages irrigated with saline-sodic drainage water

A controlled study using a sand-tank system was conducted to evaluate 10 forage species (bermudagrass, ‘Salado’ and ‘SW 9720’ alfalfa, ‘Duncan’ and ‘Polo’ Paspalum, ‘big’ and ‘narrow leaf’ trefoil, kikuyugrass, Jose tall wheatgrass, and alkali sacaton). Forages were irrigated with sodium-sulfate dominated synthetic drainage waters with an electrical conductivity of either 15 or 25 dS/m. Forage yield was significantly reduced by the higher (25 dS/m) salinity level of irrigation water compared to the lower (15 dS/m) level. There was wide variation in the sensitivity of forage species to levels of salinity in irrigation water as reflected by biomass accumulation. With the exception of bermudagrass, which increased accumulation at the higher level of salinity, and big trefoil, which failed to establish at the higher level of salinity, ranking of forages according to the percent reduction in biomass accumulation due to the higher level of salinity of irrigation water was: Salado alfalfa (54%) = SW 9720 alfalfa (52%) > Duncan Paspalum (41%) > narrow leaf trefoil (30%) > alkali sacaton (24%) > Polo Paspalum (16%) > Jose tall wheatgrass (11%) = kikuyugrass (11%). Bermudagrass and Duncan Paspalum were judged to be the best species in terms of forage yield and nutritive quality. Kikuyugrass, which had the third highest biomass accumulation, was judged to be unacceptable due to its poor nutritional quality. Although narrow leaf trefoil had a relatively high nutritional quality, its biomass accumulation potential was judged to be unacceptably low. Alfalfa cultivar’s biomass accumulations were the most sensitive to the higher level of salinity, among forages that survived at the higher salinity level, although actual accumulations at the higher salinity were high relative to other forages. Increased salinity influenced several forage quality parameters, including organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), and in vitro gas production, generally leading to higher nutritional quality at the higher salinity level, although their significance varied amongst species and cuttings.
Augustine's Doctrine of the Totus Christus : Reflecting on the Church as Sacrament of Unity

This article examines Augustine's doctrine of the totus Christus, “the whole Christ” with Christ as Head and the Church as Body. It considers the new identity as Christ that Christians receive in the sacraments of initiation that unite individuals in the Church community, and the sacramental presence of the Church in the world as one of unifying love. This new identity forms the Church for mission as it joins Christ in a mission of love that unites people to one another as it unites them to God. The Church joins Christ in standing in solidarity with those in need, thus radiating Christ's unifying, transformative love in the world. The article ends with a suggestion that Augustine's view of the totus Christus might be a valuable resource for delving more deeply into Vatican II's vision of the sacramental unity of the Church.