cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gender Politics and Child Custody: The Puzzling Persistence of the Best Interest Standard

The best interest of the child standard has been widely criticized by scholars for its vagueness and indeterminacy, and yet for forty years it has been the prevailing legal rule for resolving custody disputes. This article confirms the deficiencies of the standard, focusing particularly on the daunting verifiability problems courts face in evaluating claims. Yet, despite the substantial risk of erroneous or arbitrary custody decisions, the best interest standard remains firmly entrenched, with the apparent approval of policymakers and courts. We explain this puzzle as the product of two interrelated factors. First, a protracted gender war has embroiled advocates for mothers or fathers for decades, thereby creating a political economy deadlock. The main front in the gender war has been the legislative battle over joint custody, with fathers’ advocates promoting, and mothers’ groups opposing a joint custody presumption. But the struggle has also played out in the efforts of mothers’ groups to make domestic violence a key factor in custody disputes and the responsive effort by fathers’ advocates to elevate the importance of parental alienation. These efforts have brought apparent determinacy to important categories of cases and may have reduced dissatisfaction with the best interest standard but with costs that have not been recognized. Second, courts and policy makers mistakenly believe that psychologists and other mental health professionals have the expertise to obtain accurate family information and to evaluate and compare the competing claims. Courts routinely ask these professionals to guide them in making custody decisions- an unusual role for experts in legal proceedings. But mental health experts do not have the skill or knowledge to perform these functions; acting without the constraints generally applied to experts, they routinely go beyond the limits of science and of their own expertise in advising courts about custody. Their participation thus masks the deficiencies of the best interest standard and contributes to its perpetuation. Exposing the illusion that psychological experts can overcome the problems inherent in best interest determinations is an important step toward reform and better custody decisionmaking. Desirable reforms include adoption of the ALI approximation standard, restrictions on the admissibility of psychological evidence, and encouragement of private ordering for resolving most custody disputes.
Generalized Rook Polynomials and Orthogonal Polynomials

We consider several generalizations of rook polynomials. In particular we develop analogs of the theory of rook polynomials that are related to general Laguerre and Charlier polynomials in the same way that ordinary rook polynomials are related to simple Laguerre polynomials.
Measurement of locality specific resilience

Resilience has been defined at the local, state, and national levels, and subsequent attempts to refine the definition have added clarity. Quantitative measurements, however, are crucial to a shared understanding of resilience. This paper reviews the evolution of resiliency indicators and metrics and suggests extensions to current indicators to measure functional resilience at a jurisdictional or community level. Using a management systems approach, an input/output model may be developed to demonstrate abilities, actions, and activities needed to support a desired outcome. Applying systematic gap analysis and an improvement cycle with defined metrics, the paper proposes a model to evaluate a community's operational capability to respond to stressors. As each locality is different—with unique risks, strengths, and weaknesses—the model incorporates these characteristics and calculates a relative measure of maturity for that community. Any community can use the resulting model output to plan and improve its resiliency capabilities.
A versatile DC-DC and DC-AC converter with zero current soft switching

A versatile DC-DC and DC-AC capacitively coupled power converter which is capable of zero current soft switching is presented. This converter can supply both DC and AC loads with a higher system efficiency due to its zero current switching operation. The DC output is regulated by pulse width modulation (PWM) while the AC waveform is controlled by amplitude modulation (AM) and discrete pulse modulation (DPM). This versatile converter is suitable for high power high efficiency applications, such as solar energy conversion and uninterruptible power systems (UPS). >
When do firms change technology-sourcing vehicles? The role of poor innovative performance and financial slack

This paper examines the adjustments firms make to the composition of their portfolios of technology-sourcing vehicles (i.e., alliance, acquisition, or go-it-alone) in response to poor innovative performance. We advance a behavioral perspective on the make/buy/ally question, suggesting that differences in financial slack will generate different portfolio decisions. Specifically, we posit that firms with greater levels of financial slack are more likely to respond to poor innovative performance by opting for (1) greater vehicle diversification, and (2) new sourcing vehicles, while firms with less financial slack will respond by (1) downscoping their portfolio of sourcing vehicles, and (2) reverting to more familiar vehicles. We find support for our predictions using extensive data from the population of U.S. public pharmaceutical firms from 1992 to 2006.
Quenching of porphyrin excited states by adjacent or distant porphyrin cation radicals in molecular arrays

Abstract The quenching of photoexcited porphyrins by porphyrin cation radicals at adjacent or distant sites in diphenylethyne-linked porphyrin dyads and triads has been studied using static and time-resolved optical spectroscopy. The excited-state quenching is highly efficient in all cases (>99%) and occurs in ⩽11 ps between adjacent sites (by through-bond energy/charge transfer) and in ⩽55 ps between distant sites (likely by superexchange-assisted energy transfer). The rates can be tuned using the porphyrin-linker connection motif. These results should prove useful in the design of arrays that use electro- or photo-chemically generated porphyrin cation radicals for molecular switching and other applications in molecular photonics.
The Origin Recognition Complex, SIR1, and the S Phase Requirement for Silencing

Silencing of transcription in Saccharomyces cerevisiae has several links to DNA replication, including a role for the origin recognition complex (ORC), the DNA replication initiator, in both processes. In addition, the establishment of silencing at the HML and HMR loci requires cells to pass through the S phase of the cell cycle. Passage through S phase was required for silencing of HMR even under conditions in which ORC itself was no longer required. The requirement for ORC in silencing of HMR could be bypassed by tethering the Sir1 protein to the HMR-E silencer. However, ORC had a Sir1-independent role in transcriptional silencing at telomeres. Thus, the role of ORC in silencing was separable from its role in initiation, and the role of S phase in silencing was independent of replication initiation at the silencers.
A Comprehensive Biophysical Description of Pairwise Epistasis throughout an Entire Protein Domain

Summary Background Nonadditivity in fitness effects from two or more mutations, termed epistasis, can result in compensation of deleterious mutations or negation of beneficial mutations. Recent evidence shows the importance of epistasis in individual evolutionary pathways. However, an unresolved question in molecular evolution is how often and how significantly fitness effects change in alternative genetic backgrounds. Results To answer this question, we quantified the effects of all single mutations and double mutations between all positions in the IgG-binding domain of protein G (GB1). By observing the first two steps of all possible evolutionary pathways using this fitness profile, we were able to characterize the extent and magnitude of pairwise epistasis throughout an entire protein molecule. Furthermore, we developed a novel approach to quantitatively determine the effects of single mutations on structural stability (ΔΔ G U ). This enabled determination of the importance of stability effects in functional epistasis. Conclusions Our results illustrate common biophysical mechanisms for occurrences of positive and negative epistasis. Our results show pervasive positive epistasis within a conformationally dynamic network of residues. The stability analysis shows that significant negative epistasis, which is more common than positive epistasis, mostly occurs between combinations of destabilizing mutations. Furthermore, we show that although significant positive epistasis is rare, many deleterious mutations are beneficial in at least one alternative mutational background. The distribution of conditionally beneficial mutations throughout the domain demonstrates that the functional portion of sequence space can be significantly expanded by epistasis.
Emerging ethical issues in pediatric surgery

With the rapid pace of technological advancement and changing political, social, and legal attitudes, physicians face new ethical dilemmas. For pediatric surgeons, these emerging issues affect our relationship with, and the care we provide, to our patients and their families. In this review, we explore issues related to professionalism in pediatric surgery practice, the value of apology, and the risks associated with sleep deprivation. Furthermore, we discuss how the imperative of patient safety presents an opportunity for specialty-driven effort to define standards for the surgical care of children and a responsible process for introducing surgical innovations. Finally, we remind pediatric surgeons of their ethical and professional duty to support clinical research, and advocate the acceptance of community equipoise as sufficient basis for enrolling children in clinical trials.
Cyanine dyes with exceptional third-order nonlinear optical figures-of-merit for all-optical switching

A molecular design strategy that involves favorable control of one- and two-photon absorption resonances to produce exceptional nonlinear optical figures-of-merit for all-optical switching has been realized in a series of cyanines dyes.
Inhibition of pyruvate carboxylase by chloropyruvic acid and related compounds

Abstract 3-Chloro-1,2-propanediol (CPD), a compound with male antifertility activity in several species, was slowly metabolized in rat liver slices. Incorporation of 14CO2 into glucose in slices incubated with lactate or pyruvate was inhibited by CPD and by chloropyruvic acid, a possible metabolite. At 0.1 mM, chloropyruvic acid (CPA) and related compounds, including beta-chlorolactic, fluoropyruvic and chloroacetic acid, inhibited incorporation into glucose of label from [U−14C]alanine without affecting production of ketone bodies or 14CO2. Inhibition was not observed in similar preparations using succinate as substrate. In mitochondria, concentrations of 1–10 mM CPA inhibited CO2 fixation by 56–95 per cent. Relative inhibition was CPA > fluoropyruvic acid > beta-chlorolactic acid > chloroacetic acid. In acetone powder extracts, CPA at 1–10 mM reduced CO2 fixation by 21–86 per cent. Relative inhibition was CPA > beta-chlorolactic acid > chloroacetic acid. Interconversion between CPA and chlorolactate was not catalyzed by lactic dehydrogenase, nor did these compounds inhibit this enzyme. The data indicate that CPA and related acids may inhibit gluconeogenesis by specific inhibition of pyruvate carboxylase. Whether or not this metabolic effect is involved in the development of sterility after administration of CPD remains to be determined
Experimental and Theoretical Study of Molecular Response of Amine Bases in Organic Solvents

Reorientational correlation times of various amine bases (viz., pyridine, 2,6-lutidene, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine) and organic solvents (dichloromethane, toluene) were determined by solution-state NMR relaxation time measurements and compared with predictions from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The bases and solvents are reagents in complex reactions involving Frustrated Lewis Pairs (FLP), which display remarkable catalytic activity in metal-free H2 scission. The comparison of measured and simulated correlation times is a key test of the ability of recent MD and quantum electronic structure calculations to elucidate the mechanism of FLP activity. Correla- tion times were found to be in the range 1.4-3.4 ps (NMR) and 1.23-5.28 ps (MD) for the amines, and 0.9-2.3 ps (NMR) and 0.2-1.7 ps (MD) for the solvent molecules. This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Division of Chemical Sciences, Geosciences and Biosciences. Pacic Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a multiprogram national laboratory operated for DOE by Battelle.
Projective Fourier analysis in computer vision: theory and computer simulations

Identifying the projective group for patterns by developing the camera model, the projective Fourier transform and its inverse are obtained in analogy with the classical, that is, Euclidean Fourier analysis. Projectively adapted properties are demonstrated in a numerical test. Using the expression of the projective Fourier integral by a standard Fourier integral in the coordinates given by the complex principal logarithm, the discrete projective Fourier transform and its inverse are constructed showing that FFT algorithms can be adapted for their computations.
Functional characterization of melanocortin-4 receptor mutations associated with childhood obesity.

The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) is a member of the rhodopsin-like G protein-coupled receptor family. The binding of -MSH to the MC4R leads to increased cAMP production. Recent pharmacological and genetic studies have provided compelling evidence that MC4R is an important regulator of food intake and energy homeostasis. Allelic variants of MC4R were reported in some children with early-onset severe obesity. However, few studies have been performed to confirm that these allelic variants result in an impairment of the receptor’s function. In this study, we expressed wild-type and variant MC4Rs in HEK293 cells and systematically studied ligand binding, agonist-stimulated cAMP, and cell surface expression. Six of the 11 mutants examined had either decreased (S58C, N62S, Y157S, C271Y) or no (P78L, G98R) ligand binding, with proportional impairments in [Nle 4 , D-Phe 7 ]--MSH-stimulatedcAMPproduction.Confocalmicroscopyconfirmedthat the observed decreases in hormone binding by these mutants are associated with decreased cell surface expression due to intracellular retention of the mutants. The other five allelic variants (D37V, P48S, V50M, I170V, N274S) were found to be expressed at the cell surface and to bind agonist and respond with increased cAMP production normally. The data on these latter five variants raise the question as to whether they are indeed causative of the obesity or not and, if so, by what mechanism. Our data, therefore, stress the importance of characterizing the properties of MC4R variants associated with early-onsetsevereobesity.Wefurtherproposeaclassification scheme for mutant MC4Rs based upon their properties. (Endocrinology 144: 4544–4551, 2003)
Vision of HTS applications at GE: HTS generator

Abstract The division of superconducting applications into HTS and LTS is artificial. Here we examine why this is so and what categorizations are more cogent. We then discuss a particular potential application, superconducting generators and outline GE's past and present work in the area, including current work on HTS generators under DOE contract.
Hysteresis losses in fine filament internal-tin superconductors

Abstract Hysteresis losses were measured on a series of fine filament Nb 3 Sn superconductors made by the internal-tin process. Hysteresis was measured as a function of filament diameter and interfilament separation using a vibrating sample magnetometer in transverse magnetic field. Losses were greater than expected from the critical state model that expresses loss as a function of filament diameter. Micrographs of the reacted wire cross-sections showed some interfilament bridging for all wires. This gave rise to effective filament diameters that were greater than actual diameters. The critical interfilament separation, above which the losses would be expected to follow the critical state model, was determined.
Using Bloom’s Taxonomy to teach sustainability in multiple contexts

Abstract Developmental instruction in four sustainability contexts (social, environmental, economic, technical) in an engineering design curriculum offers a strong foundation and framework upon which to build an engineering program that teaches students the necessary methodologies for designing for sustainability. Instruction in sustainability contexts described in this paper employs a developmental approach using Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives , which is a way to classify instructional activities or questions as they progress in cognitive difficulty. This paper describes a methodology and the results of a National Science Foundation-funded 3-year instructional grant that integrates sustainability instruction in four contexts into a six-course design curriculum using a developmental approach. Results indicate that students analyze sustainability case studies and move developmentally through six levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation with increasing skill. As well, even though students were not instructed to include in their case study responses any other context than the assigned one, they included other contexts at increasing rates over the three stages of the study. This indicated an increasing ability to think using a systems theory perspective by including other related sustainability contexts.
Collecting rare books for a university library1

Abstract The author divides his presentation into three sections: why certain libraries should collect rare books; what rare books should be collected; and, how rare books can best be acquired. A great many rare books are acquired as gifts, but the rare books librarian's primary sources are auctions and antiquarian booksellers. In order to deal most effectively with these primary sources, one must carefully monitor prices and booksellers in order to gauge the market's activity, determine whether one's approach should be active or passive, and weigh the services available from major booksellers against those of their smaller counterparts.
Preconditioning with cobalt chloride or desferrioxamine protects oligodendrocyte cell line (MO3.13) from tumor necrosis factor-α-mediated cell death

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) is a transcription factor induced under hypoxic conditions. HIF-1alpha promotes the expression of genes encoding proteins that increase the cellular supply of oxygen and promote survival in periods of cellular stress and availability of cellular energy. We examined the effect of desferrioxamine (DFO) and cobalt chloride (CoCl(2)), two agents known to increase the stability of HIF-1alpha, and its effect on the survivability of an oligodendroglial cell line, MO3.13, when cultured with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha). Our studies showed that, unlike a murine microglial cell line (BV-2), MO3.13 cells do not induce HIF-1alpha in the presence of TNFalpha. MO3.13 cells do stabilize HIF-1alpha in the presence of DFO or CoCl(2). When MO3.13 cell were preconditioned with either DFO or CoCl(2), addition of TNFalpha further increased protein levels of HIF-1alpha. The mechanisms that underlie the increase in protein levels of HIF -1alpha seen, following addition of TNFalpha in preconditioned cells is due to an increase in transcription of the HIF-1alpha gene. Increased cellular levels of HIF-1alpha is associated with improved survival of MO3.13 cells, when cultured with TNFalpha after a period of preconditioning by DFO or CoCl(2). These studies suggest that compoundsthat increase HIF-1alpha can function as neuroprotective agents in inflammatory disorders of the CNS.
Biological Image Indexing for Content-Based Retrieval of Drug Effects in Phenotypic Screening Data of Macroparasites

Phenotypic-screening involves systematically assessing the therapeutic effects of a set of molecules by exposing entire disease systems to them and observing, through imaging, the effects of the compounds. Phenotypic assays typically generate hundreds of thousands to millions of images. An unmet challenge in this setting is to identify similar phenotypic effects caused by molecules, which may potentially be structurally different. While phenotypes can be compared using their feature vectors, real-time querying of these data sets becomes a challenging task because of the size of the data sets and the high dimensionality of the feature vectors. In this paper, we present an indexing approach that seeks to address this problem and allows efficient query-retrieval of phenotypic drug effects.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Signal Changes in Denervated Muscles after Peripheral Nerve Injury

The evaluation of peripheral nerve disorders has traditionally relied on a clinical history, physical examination, and electrodiagnostic studies. Recent studies have used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate a variety of both nerve and muscle disorders. In this article, we describe the use of MRI, using short-tau inversion recovery (STIR) sequences, to evaluate muscle signal characteristics in a variety of peripheral nerve disorders. A total of 32 patients were studied, and 12 representative cases are discussed in detail. Increased STIR signal in muscle was seen in cases of severe axonotmetic injuries involving the transection of axons producing severe denervation changes on electromyography. The increased STIR signal in denervated muscles was seen as early as 4 days after the onset of clinical symptoms, which is significantly earlier than changes detected on electromyography. The MRI signal changes were reversible when the recovery of motor function occurred as a result of further muscle innervation. In cases of neurapraxic nerve injuries, characterized by conduction block without axonal loss, the STIR signal in muscle was normal. These findings show that MRI using STIR sequences provides a panoramic visual representation of denervated muscles useful in localizing and grading the severity of peripheral nerve injury secondary to either disease or trauma. MRI using STIR sequences may therefore play an important role in the prediction of clinical outcome and the formulation of appropriate therapy early after peripheral nerve injury.
The impaired physician: A medical and social dilemma

Psychological and emotional impairment among physicians represents a serious, widespread, and difficult problem. For unclear reasons, it has been problematic to effectively identify and treat this group of professionals whose performance is so intimately associated with the health and wellbeing of the general population. The severity of the problem, the resistance to treatment which seems evident from the data presented, and the fact that most of the conditions afflicting physicians are treatable and reversible, compels us to seek a viable solution. Diligence in the pursuit of understanding and correction of the dilemma is a social and personal imperative.
How Love Evolved from Sex and Gave Birth to Intelligence and Human Nature

This article argues that emotional attachment drive has shaped the evolution of human intelligence, interpersonal relationships and culture. The first section is about the evolution of social bonds and their role in the rise of intelligence. At the outset, I present evidence that desire for emotional closeness to others is a primary human instinct. Recent discoveries in neurobiology are then incorporated into a summary of the evolution of brain systems that activate emotional attachments and the vital role of parental nurture in the development of offspring's social behavior and capacity to cope with stress. The evolution of maternal behavior is discussed as a particularly important event enabling expansion of brain size and complexity and initiating a pattern of mutually enhancing co-evolution between social complexity and intelligence leading ultimately to the modern human brain. The second section examines how emotional attachment drive may have contributed to the evolution of prominent aspects of human nature and culture. It is hypothesized that the evolution of unique human mental abilities provided vast new outlets for and means of expressing emotional attachment leading to much closer and more diverse interpersonal relationships and the rise and transmission of culture. These developments were very likely important for increasing the adaptive advantages and decreasing the dangers of high intelligence. Emotional bonding between human sex partners was probably selected for because the slow maturation, complex cognitive and psychological development and culture acquisition needs of children required more parental attention for much longer periods compared to offspring of other primate species. Integration of attachment motivation and high intelligence is hypothesized to have been important in the selection of hominid species that were the immediate ancestors of modern humans.
Temperature dependent THz time-domain spectroscopy of carrier dynamics in GaN thin film

We report the complex refractive index, conductivity, and dielectric constants of GaN thin film in the terahertz frequency as a function of temperature using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. Temperature dependent carrier dynamics and optical properties are observed in the frequency range from 0.3 to 2.0 THz. Temperature dependent complex conductivity is fitted by a Drude model to find changes in relaxation times and plasma frequencies.
Staphylococcus Endocarditis Associated with Infectious Vasculitis and Recurrent Cerebral Hemorrhages

Patients with infectious endocarditis, who do not respond to conservative medical therapy usually need rapid valve surgery. This poses a difficult dilemma in patients with intracranial aneurysms and hemorrhage, although endovascular treatment of infectious aneurysms might be an advantage in therapy in these patients. We present a patient with ruptured infectious intracranial aneurysm complicating endocarditis with hemorrhage after successful coil occlusion of the aneurysm and review the literature on studies reporting endovascular treatment in adults with infectious aneurysms. In total 34 adults have been reported with endovascular treatment of infectious aneurysms. All patients were initially presented with hemorrhage. Reported mortality rate was low (6%), and neurologic disability was reported in 37% of other patients. Rehemorrhage has been described in one other patient after endovascular treatment of an infectious aneurysm after rupture of a new aneurysm. In our patient, CT suggested a generalized cerebral infectious vasculitis. Endovascular treatment of infectious aneurysms seems to be a great advantage, but endovascular coiling may not prevent hemorrhage associated with panvasculitis rupture of a new aneurysm.
Determination of gas-liquid partition coefficients by automatic equilibrium headspace-gas chromatography utilizing the phase ratio variation method

The new phase ratio variation method is described which represents a convenient way for the determination of gas-liquid partition coefficients for practical purposes, utilizing equilibrium headspace-gas chromatography (EHS-GC). This method is based on the relationship between reciprocal peak area and the phase ratio in the vial containing the sample solution; it involves regression analysis of the EHS-GC measurements of a number of sample vials containing the same sample solution but with a wide variation of phase ratios. Examples are given for both aqueous systems and systems consisting of a stationary (liquid) phase used as the solvent; comparison of the measured values with results obtained by other methods shows satisfactory agreement. A critical discussion of the conditions influencing the accuracy of the analytical results is given.
Analysis of the benzene oxide-DNA adduct 7-phenylguanine by liquid chromatography-nanoelectrospray ionization-high resolution tandem mass spectrometry-parallel reaction monitoring: Application to DNA from exposed mice and humans

Abstract Benzene oxide, the initial metabolite of the human carcinogen benzene, reacts with DNA producing 7-phenylguanine (7-PhG) and other products. We developed a highly sensitive liquid chromatography-nanoelectrospray ionization-high resolution tandem mass spectrometry-parallel reaction monitoring method for the analysis of 7-PhG in DNA. Accuracy and precision of the method were established and the detection limit was about 8 amol of 7-PhG injected on the column and less than 1 adduct per 109 nucleotides in DNA. 7-PhG was detected in calf thymus DNA reacted with 1 μM to 10 mM benzene oxide. The method was applied for the analysis of DNA isolated from bone marrow, lung, and liver of B6C3F1 mice treated by gavage with 50 mg/kg benzene in corn oil 5 times weekly for 4 weeks. 7-PhG was not detected in any of these DNA samples. The method was applied to DNA from mouse hepatocytes exposed to 100 μM benzene oxide and human TK-6 lymphoblasts exposed to 100 μM, 1, and 10 mM benzene oxide. 7-PhG was only detected in TK-6 cell DNA from the 10 mM exposure. The method was also applied to leukocyte DNA from 10 smokers and 10 nonsmokers. 7-PhG was detected in only one DNA sample, from a nonsmoker. The results of this study do not support the hypothesis that the benzene oxide-DNA adduct 7-PhG is involved in carcinogenesis by benzene.
A Low-Cost Reinforcement Procedure Improves Short-term Weight Loss Outcomes

Abstract Objective Reinforcement-based treatments, based on behavioral economics models, can improve outcomes of medical conditions with behavioral components. This study evaluated the efficacy of a low-cost reinforcement intervention to produce initial weight loss. Methods Overweight individuals (n=56) were randomized to one of two 12-week treatments: Lifestyle, Exercise, Attitudes, Relationships, Nutrition manual with supportive counseling or that same treatment with opportunities to win $1 to $100 prizes for losing weight and completing weight-loss activities. Results Patients receiving reinforcement lost significantly more weight (6.0%±4.9% baseline bodyweight) than patients in the non-reinforcement condition (3.5%±4.1%; P =.04). Moreover, 64.3% of patients receiving reinforcement achieved weight loss of≥5% baseline bodyweight versus 25.0% of those in the non-reinforcement condition ( P =.003). Proportional weight loss was significantly related to reductions in total cholesterol and 24-hour ambulatory heart rate. Conclusion This reinforcement-based intervention substantially enhances short-term weight loss, and reductions in weight are associated with important changes in clinical biomarkers. Larger-scale evaluation of reinforcement-based treatments for weight loss is warranted.
Molecular Rectification in Metal−SAM−Metal Oxide−Metal Junctions

This Article compares the ability of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanethiolates with ferrocene (Fc) head groups (SC11Fc), and SAMs of alkanethiolates lacking the Fc moiety (SC10CH3 and SC14CH3), to conduct charge. Ultraflat surfaces of template-stripped silver (AgTS) supported these SAMs, and a eutectic alloy of gallium and indium (EGaIn), covered with a skin of gallium oxide (presumably Ga2O3), formed electrical top-contacts with them. EGaIn is a liquid at room temperature, but its spontaneously formed surface oxide skin gives it apparent non-Newtonian properties and allows it to be molded into conically shaped tips; these tips formed soft electrical contacts with SAMs and formed stable SAM-based tunneling junctions in high (70−90%) yields. Measurements of current density, J, versus applied voltage, V, showed that tunneling junctions composed of SAMs of SC11Fc rectify current with a rectification ratio R ≈ 1.0 × 102 (R = |J(−V)|/|J(V)| at ±1 V and with a log-standard deviation of 3.0). In contra...
Varying sensitivity of human skin fibroblasts to polychromatic ultraviolet light

Abstract The inactivation of normal and xeroderma pigmentosum cells has been compared following exposure to environmentally relevant wavelength of ultraviolet light or to the more commonly investigated 254-nm ultraviolet light. The sensitivity of xeroderma pigmentosum cells to polychromatic long-wavelength ultraviolet light was greatly lower than that observed using 254-nm light. Such variations in the relative sensitivities of normal and xerodermal pigmentosum cells support the likelihood that the lesions which contribute to cellular alterations induced by solar wavelengths of ultraviolet light are different from those which predominate at 254 nm.
Estimation of heat and salt storage variability in the Indian Ocean from TOPEX/Poseidon altimetry

[1] Heat and salt storage variability in the upper 1000 m of the Indian Ocean is investigated using a combination of sea level anomalies derived from TOPEX/Poseidon altimetry (1993–2000), Reynold's sea surface temperature and monthly climatological hydrographic data (World Ocean Atlas 1998) [Antonov et al., 1998; Boyer et al., 1998]. This new technique allows extension of surface information from altimetric observations to study subsurface variability. Hydrographic data collected in the Indian Ocean during the World Ocean Circulation Experiment are used to evaluate and validate this technique. The results show that the Indian Ocean experienced larger changes in heat storage than in salt storage. Significant differences are found between the 8-year mean seasonal heat storage and the climatological seasonal heat storage, which are attributed to interannual variability, while the 8-year mean seasonal salt storage agrees well with the climatological seasonal salt storage. The variabilities of heat and salt storages are not synchronized in either space or time because of different control mechanisms. The first four empirical orthogonal function (EOF) modes explain nearly 60% of total variance of heat storage variability with the Indian Ocean dipole outweighing the other processes. The dominant first EOF mode for salt storage, which is attributed to the seasonal variability, explains 33% of its total variance. The heat (salt) storage dipole index, representing the heat (salt) storage difference between the west and east equatorial Indian Ocean during the 1994–1995 and 1997–1998 dipole periods, is of the same order as that of the seasonal heat (salt) storage variability.
Effects of TRPV1 activation on synaptic excitation in the dentate gyrus of a mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a condition characterized by an imbalance between excitation and inhibition in the temporal lobe. Hallmarks of this change are axon sprouting and accompanying synaptic reorganization in the temporal lobe. Synthetic and endogenous cannabinoids have variable therapeutic potential in treating intractable temporal lobe epilepsy, in part because cannabinoid ligands can bind multiple receptor types. This study utilized in vitro electrophysiological methods to examine the effect of transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) activation in dentate gyrus granule cells in a murine model of TLE. Capsaicin, a selective TRPV1 agonist had no measurable effect on overall synaptic input to granule cells in control animals, but significantly enhanced spontaneous and miniature EPSC frequency in mice with TLE. Exogenous application of anandamide, an endogenous cannabinoid that acts at both TRPV1 and cannabinoid type 1 receptors (CB1R), also enhanced glutamate release in the presence of a CB1R antagonist. Anandamide reduced the EPSC frequency when TRPV1 were blocked with capsazepine. Western blot analysis of TRPV1 receptor indicated protein expression was significantly greater in the dentate gyrus of mice with TLE compared with control mice. This study indicates that a prominent cannabinoid agonist can increase excitatory circuit activity in the synaptically reorganized dentate gyrus of mice with TLE by activating TRPV1 receptors, and suggests caution in designing anticonvulsant therapy based on modulating the endocannabinoid system.
Pseudorandom sequence modifications for ion mobility orthogonal time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Due to the inherently low duty cycle of ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) experiments that sample from continuous ion sources, a range of experimental advances have been developed to maximize ion utilization efficiency. The use of ion trapping and accumulation approaches prior to the ion mobility drift tube has demonstrated significant gains over discrete sampling from continuous sources but have traditionally relied upon a signal averaging (SA) to attain analytically useful signal-to-noise ratios (SNR). Multiplexed (MP) techniques based upon the Hadamard transform offer an alternative experimental approach by which ion utilization efficiency can be elevated from ∼1 to ∼ 50%. Recently, our research group demonstrated a unique multiplexed ion mobility time-of-flight (MP-IMS-TOF) approach that incorporates ion trapping and can extend ion utilization efficiency beyond 50%. However, the spectral reconstruction of the multiplexed signal using this experiment approach requires the use of sample-specific weighting...
Taking a Quantum Leap: Revitalizing Leadership with Modern Physics

Successful leaders can recognize and handle the reality of random and chaotic influences that send others headlong into disaster.
The input mobility of an infinite circular cylindrical elastic shell filled with fluid

The force input mobility of an infinite elastic circular cylindrical shell filled with fluid is derived by using the spectral equations of motion. Mobilities are evaluated and their physical interpretations are discussed for a steel shell of thickness h/a = 0.05 filled with water and vibrating in the n = 0, 1 and 2 circumferential modes. The results are subsequently used to analyze the related situations of wave transmission through a radial ring constraint and the far field vibrational energy distributions between the contained fluid and the shell wall for line and point driving forces.
A method for approximate representation of vector-valued time series and its relation to two alternatives☆

Abstract A method for constructing a state-space representation of vector-valued time series is discussed and related to two other methods for Markovian model construction from a unifying point of view. The three methods are shown to employ different normalizations and to employ different optimality criteria for summarizing in a finite-dimensional state vector information contained in past data. The method proposed in this paper is shown to lead to stable innovation models for time series. A numerical example is included to illustrate the potential of the proposed method.
Portable SystemC-on-a-chip

SystemC allows description of a digital system using traditional programming features as well as spatial connectivity features common in hardware description languages. We describe an approach for in-system emulation of circuits described in SystemC. SystemC emulation provides a number of benefits over synthesis, including fast compilation, faster design time, and lower tool cost. The approach involves a new SystemC bytecode format that executes on an emulation engine running on the microprocessor and/or FPGA of a development platform. Portability is enhanced via a USB flash-drive approach to loading the bytecode format onto the platform. Performance is improved using emulation accelerators on an FPGA. We describe our SystemC-to-bytecode compiler, bytecode format, emulation engine, and emulation accelerators. We illustrate use of the approach on a variety of examples, showing easy porting of a single application across various platforms, and showing emulation speed on an FPGA that is comparable to SystemC execution on a PC.
Avascular necrosis after scaphoid fracture: A correlation of magnetic resonance imaging and histology

In this study 12 male patients with fractures of the middle third of the scaphoid had an magnetic resonance imaging study before open reduction and internal fixation in conjunctin with bone grafting of the scaphoid. The patients' average age was 27 years (range, 17 to 37 years). At the time of surgery biopsy specimens were obtained from both the proximal and distal poles of the scaphoid. The length of time before surgery ranged from a minimum of 1½ months in recently displaced fractures to a maximum of 10 years in established nonunions. Results of the biopsy showed that six patients had avascular necrosis noted in the proximal pole fragment. In three of these six patients avascular necrosis was confirmed by the absence of tetracycline labeling despite positive uptake noted in biopsy specimens from the bone graft site; the other three patients did not receive tetracycline labeling. Magnetic resonance imaging showed that all six of the patients with biopsy specimens of the proximal poles showing avascular necrosis dcmonstrated decreased signal intensity in the proximal pole fragment, whereas the plain radiographs demonstrated changes in the proximal pole in only three of the six patients. A decreased signal intensity from the proximal pole of the scaphoid may indicate a poor prognosis inasmuch as only three of the six patients had healing of the fracture even with bone grafting and internal fixation.
Growth curve models for indistinguishable dyads using multilevel modeling and structural equation modeling: the case of adolescent twins' conflict with their mothers

Growth modeling is a useful tool for studying change over time, and it is becoming increasingly popular with developmental researchers. There is a considerable methodological literature surrounding growth modeling for individuals; however, far less attention has been focused on growth models for pairs of related individuals (i.e., dyads). In this article, the authors consider dyadic growth models for those cases where there are no relevant variables that can empirically distinguish between dyad members (e.g., same-sex twins or best friends). The authors describe how researchers can estimate growth models for indistinguishable dyads using both multilevel modeling and structural equation modeling. Although both approaches can be used to estimate the same underlying models, the authors focus on practical similarities and differences between the two approaches. They illustrate modeling issues using an overtime study of adolescent twins' conflict with their mothers, a substantively important topic given the enduring interest in parent-child relationships during adolescence.
The Normal-Theory and Asymptotic Distribution-Free (ADF) Covariance Matrix of Standardized Regression Coefficients: Theoretical Extensions and Finite Sample Behavior.

Yuan and Chan (Psychometrika, 76, 670–690, 2011) recently showed how to compute the covariance matrix of standardized regression coefficients from covariances. In this paper, we describe a method for computing this covariance matrix from correlations. Next, we describe an asymptotic distribution-free (ADF; Browne in British Journal of Mathematical and Statistical Psychology, 37, 62–83, 1984) method for computing the covariance matrix of standardized regression coefficients. We show that the ADF method works well with nonnormal data in moderate-to-large samples using both simulated and real-data examples. R code (R Development Core Team, 2012) is available from the authors or through the Psychometrika online repository for supplementary materials.
SPURIOUS LYMPHOCYTE PHENOTYPES BY FLOW CYTOMETRY FROM MONONUCLEAR CELLS PREPARED BY FICOLL-HYPAQUE

Blood mononuclear cells (HNC) are commonly isolated by Ficoll-Hypaque density centrifugation (FH) prior to monoclonal antibody staining and flow cytometric lymphocyte phenotype analysis. We have found that FH separation of peripheral blood is unsuitable for infants less than 4 months of age due to contamination of MNC with red blood cells (RBC's). Identically FH-prepared infant and adult samples showed RBC: lymphocyte ratios of 1.2:1 and 0.2:1 in the MNC suspension on Wright's stained cytospin preparations (n=5). Unlike adult samples, infants' RBC's could not be distinguished from lymphocytes on the basis of forward angle and 90° light scatter. Each of 8 infant samples was split into paired aliquots prepared by FH and a whole blood technique (WB) .The %T3 + was 43.5 +/−17 for FH, 76.8 +/−9 for WB, p=.0047 two sided paired t-test. Results were similar for %T11+, %T4+, %T8+, and %B1+ (Coulter) staining. Differerces are attributed to contamination in the FH-prepare lymphocyte gate with non-staining RBC's. No differencs was seen in 30 adult samples. RBC lysis should be performed on all blood samples from infants less than 4 months of age.
Preparation, style, and format of doctoral dissertations in U.S. colleges and universities

While much criticism has been leveled at graduate education in major United States colleges and universities in the recent past, this study investigated the style and format variables related to preparation of the dissertation and associated matters. The results of this study indicate that a significant amount of introspective evaluation of the dissertation process and product has taken place over the last five years. Technological advances, quality concerns, and increased student involvement in the preparation process have been recognized and incorporated into new dissertation requirements, and a trend toward decentralized monitoring of dissertation preparation is evident from the results. Also presented are comparative information and data contrasting current practices with those reported in a 1975–76 survey of the same population. In both cases the response rate for the survey was greater than 85%, thus providing a very definitive picture of the current status of dissertation preparation.
Carnaval y teatro en los siglos XVI y XVII: El Cortesano de Luis de Millán y la comedia burlesca barroca

La comedia burlesca es un subgenero teatral del siglo XVII que incluye unas cincuenta piezas conocidas, que se imprimieron —solo una media docena despues del siglo XVII— bajo el nombre generico de 'burlescas', 'de disparates', 'de chanza' y 'de chistes'. Afloran aproximadamente durante el reinado de Felipe IV y se basan en el disparate como resorte central de la risa. Pueden englobarse dentro de otras modalidades burlesco-satiricas de la literatura renacentista y barroca, como la lirica satirico-burlesca (romances, contrafacta , etc.), el dialogo satirico, los vejamenes, las pullas, las fiestas de locos, las sales, etc. «Se situan en el extremo opuesto a la tragedia y a las formas de la comedia seria»…
Taking stock of infections and antibiotic resistance in the elderly and long-term care facilities: A survey of existingand upcoming challenges

Abstract Treating elderly patients with infections represents one of the greatest challenges to health-care providers. Older adults are the largest growing sector of the population and suffer excessively from infectious diseases such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and skin and soft-tissue infections. Often because of disabilities, the elderly require treatment of infectious diseases in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). As a result of antibiotic use, LTCFs have become “reservoirs of resistance” and multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens are frequently recovered. Clinicians also need to be aware of the impairment of immune function and other emerging chronic infections (HIV, HCV) that are now present in the elderly. Despite vigilance regarding this issue, delays in diagnosis and initiation of therapy are common. This article reviews the changing landscape of infections in the elderly and the challenge these syndromes present in the context of an increasing older population that requires dedic...