cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A within-person comparison of the subjective effects of higher vs. lower-potency cannabis.

Abstract Background Cannabis concentrates have much higher concentrations of THC than marijuana (flower) and are quickly gaining popularity in the United States. One hypothesis is that use of higher-THC cannabis (concentrates) might result in greater intoxication and more severe acute negative effects than lower-THC cannabis (marijuana), but few studies have compared the subjective effects of concentrates and marijuana. Methods Current (past-year) cannabis users were recruited online to complete a survey about their cannabis use. Cannabis users who reported using both marijuana and concentrates (n = 574) answered questions about the subjective effects of marijuana and, subsequently, the subjective effects of concentrates. Subjective effects were obtained for the following domains: affect, cognitive function, psychotic-like experiences, physiological effects, and reduced consciousness. Results Participants reported using marijuana between 5–6 times per week and concentrates slightly more than once per month. Within-person comparisons of the subjective effects of marijuana and concentrates showed that marijuana was rated as producing greater overall positive effects (Marijuana: M = 5.6, Concentrates: M = 4.5; Cohen’s d = 0.75, paired t(561) = 14.67, p Conclusions The main difference in the subjective effects of marijuana and concentrates is in terms of their positive effects, with marijuana producing greater positive effects than concentrates. Negative effects of marijuana and concentrates were small, suggesting that extreme negative effects are unlikely for regular cannabis users.
Improvements in Test-Retest Variability of Static Automated Perimetry by Censoring Results With Low Sensitivity in Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Purpose We evaluated whether omitting (censoring) points in more severely damaged visual field areas can reduce test-retest variability of static automated perimetry (SAP) in retinitis pigmentosa (RP), as variability creates a significant challenge when monitoring for changes. Methods Cohort 1 included 27 eyes in 16 RP subjects with visual acuity (VA) ranging from 20/20 to 20/70 who completed Humphrey 10-2 size III SAP, once per visit at three visits. Cohort 2 included 15 eyes in nine RP subjects with VA ≤ 20/60 who completed Humphrey 30-2 size V SAP, twice per visit at three visits. Variability was assessed using 95% coefficient of repeatability (CR) calculations for uncensored (all threshold values and data points included) and censored data. Results In cohort 1, the uncensored between-visit 95% CR was 11.6 decibels (dB); censoring locations with threshold values of Conclusions For 20/20 to 20/70 VA tested with size III stimuli, censoring lower sensitivity values results in substantially lower test-retest variability, which may help detect true changes for locations without severe baseline loss. Translational relevance A rule of thumb for clinical practices using SAP to monitor RP is that longitudinal losses of >9 dB for individual test locations with initial values ≥ 9 dB are likely to be real and meaningful, as they exceed typical variability.
“We want to go, but there are no options”: Exploring barriers and facilitators of transportation among diverse older adults

Abstract Introduction Transportation plays an important role in the social connectedness and quality of life among older adults (Black et al., 2015). Despite the increasing number of culturally and linguistically diverse older adults in the U.S. (Scommegna, 2016), studies that comprehensively investigate factors influencing their transportation use are sparse and fragmented. Methods Guided by the socio-ecological lens, we explored multi-level barriers and facilitators of transportation among diverse older adults with a specific focus on older immigrants and refugees living in a Midwestern U.S. metropolitan city. The research team conducted eight 90-min focus groups in six languages (English, Nepali, Khmer, Somali, Russian and Mandarin) with diverse older volunteers N = 70 (Male = 40%, Women = 60%). The mean age of participants was 76.81 (SD = 8.51). Data analysis followed the Rapid and Rigorous Qualitative Data Analysis (RADaR) technique (Watkins, 2017) and thematic analysis (Nowell et al., 2017) with an interactive team approach. Results Four major transportation determinants emerged: (1) transportation service: affordability, accessibility, availability and acceptability, lack of transportation options, service coordination; (2) built environment: safety and walkability; (3) social environment: language barriers and lack of information; and (4) individual attributes: being able to drive, walk, and “ask someone for a ride”. Conclusion The interconnectedness of multi-level determinants provides implications for a systematic approach to improving transportation services for diverse older adults supporting a more age-friendly community.
A Nationwide Survey of Program Directors on Resident Attrition in Emergency Medicine

Author(s): Mittelman, Andrew; Palmer, Madeline; Dugas, Julianne; Spector, Jordan A.; McCabe, Kerry; Sheng, Alexander Y. | Abstract: Introduction: Despite the burdens that resident attrition places upon programs and fellow trainees, emergency medicine (EM) as a specialty has only begun to explore the issue. Our primary objectives were to quantify attrition in EM residency programs and elucidate the reasons behind it. Our secondary objectives were to describe demographic characteristics of residents undergoing attrition, personal factors associated with attrition, and methods of resident replacement.Methods: We conducted a national survey study of all EM program directors (PDs) during the 2018-2019 academic year. PDs were asked to identify all residents who had left their program prior to completion of training within the last four academic years (2015-2016 to 2018-2019), provide relevant demographic information, select perceived reasons for attrition, and report any resident replacements. Frequencies, percentages, proportions, and 95% confidence intervals were obtained for program- and resident-specific demographics. We performed Fisher’s exact tests to compare reasons for attrition between age groups.Results: Of 217 PDs successfully contacted, 118 completed the questionnaire (response rate of 54%). A third of programs (39 of 118) reported at least one resident attrition. A total of 52 residents underwent attrition. Attrition was most likely to occur prior to completion of two years of training. Gender and underrepresented minority status were not associated with attrition. Older residents were more likely to leave due to academic challenges. The most common reported reason for attrition was to switch specialties. Resident replacement was found in 42% of cases.Conclusion: One-third of programs were affected by resident attrition. Gender and underrepresented minority status were not associated with attrition.
Instructors’ Voices: Experiences with State-Mandated Accelerated Integrated Developmental Reading and Writing Coursework in Texas Community Colleges

A state-wide educational policy change in Texas mandated that the exit levels of developmental reading and writing coursework in every public institution of higher education in the state be merged ...
Long-term Persistence of Allosensitization After Islet Allograft Failure.

Background Allosensitization has been reported after discontinuation of immunosuppression following graft failure in islet transplantation (ITx) recipients, though duration of its persistence is unknown. Methods We evaluated 35 patients with type 1 diabetes who received ITx, including 17 who developed graft failure (ITx alone, n=13; ITx plus bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem cells, n=4) and 18 with persistent graft function. Panel reactive antibody (PRA) was measured yearly for the duration of graft function within 1 year after graft failure at enrollment and yearly thereafter. Results In ITx alone graft failure patients, 61% (8/13) were PRA-positive at 6 years postgraft failure, and 46% (6/13) developed donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies (DSA to 2 ± 1 donors) during follow up. The degree of sensitization was variable (cPRA ranging between 22% and 100% after graft failure). Allosensitization persisted for 7 to 15 years. Three subjects (3/13) were not allosensitized. In ITx plus bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem cell recipients, cPRA-positivity (88% to 98%) and DSA-positivity persisted for 15 years in 75% (3/4) of subjects. Conclusions Allosensitization was minimal while subjects remained on immunosuppression but after discontinuation of immunosuppressive therapy the majority of subjects (77%) became allosensitized with persistence of PRA positivity for up to 15 years. Persistence of allosensitization in this patient population is of clinical importance as it may result in longer transplant waiting-list times for identification of a suitable donor in case of requiring a subsequent transplant.
Race-Based Remedies in Criminal Law

This Article evaluates the constitutional feasibility of using race-based remedies to address racial disparities in the criminal system. Compared to White communities, communities of color are over-policed and over-incarcerated. Criminal system stakeholders recognize these conditions undermine perceptions of legitimacy critical to ensuring public safety. As jurisdictions assiduously attempt race-neutral fixes, they also acknowledge the shortcomings of such interventions. Nevertheless, jurisdictions dismiss the feasibility of deploying more effective race-conscious strategies due to the shadow of a constitutional challenge. The apprehension is understandable. Debates around affirmative action in higher education and government contracting reveal fierce hostility toward race-based remedies. This Article, however, contends that within the criminal system, strict scrutiny requirements do not pose an insurmountable obstacle to race-based policies. There is promising decisional law surrounding the use of race-conscious efforts to address criminal system challenges. Drawing on this favorable doctrine, this Article tests the constitutionality of race-based remedies in one of the most dynamic areas in the criminal system: the use of risk assessment tools, which jurisdictions are increasingly relying upon to make decisions, even as these tools reproduce racial harms. To enrich the analysis, this Article presents a case study of a jurisdiction struggling to mitigate racial harms perpetuated by its pre-trial risk assessment tool. This Article finds reasons to be optimistic about how race-based remedies might fare within the criminal system context, where courts are predisposed to granting broad discretion to the stated needs of criminal law stakeholders. Within this unique context, the Article provides a template for a race-based approach that potentially survives an equal protection challenge.
Pre-Attack Warning Behaviors of 20 Adolescent School Shooters: A Case Study Analysis:

This study examines the pre-attack warning behaviors of adolescent school shooters in the US. We conducted 20 case studies of adolescent school shooters in the United States that committed non-fata...
Lithium-ion battery explosion aerosols: Morphology and elemental composition

Aerosols emitted by the explosion of lithium-ion batteries were characterized to assess potential exposures. The explosions were initiated by activating thermal runaway in three commercial batterie...
Research on Load-balancing Index Algorithm for Smart Grid System

The distribution network is constantly being constructed and developed. So far, a large amount of data has been accumulated, covering residential users, industrial and commercial users, power distribution stations, electric meters, power quality and other data. However, power load data is a large amount of time series data, which has the characteristics of a large scale of users and a high density of data acquisition. It is difficult to query and analyze these data efficiently with the existing technology. To improve the efficiency of query and analysis, based on HBase and inverted index technology, this paper proposes a massive time series data index technology to improve the efficiency of query and analysis of massive time series data, and effectively support the power companies' mining and clustering of user behavior analysis. The experimental results show that the efficiency of this method is significantly higher than that of traditional sequential storage when the number of time series increases to a certain level.
Feasibility randomized controlled trial of a mind-body activity program for older adults with chronic pain and cognitive decline: The virtual "Active Brains" study.

Background and objectives Chronic pain (CP) and cognitive decline (CD) are highly co-morbid and debilitating among older adults. We iteratively developed Active Brains-Fitbit (AB-F), a group mind-body activity program aided by a Fitbit that is feasible and associated with improvements in physical, cognitive, and emotional functioning when delivered in person to older adults with CP and CD. We adapted our intervention and methodology for remote delivery to bypass barriers to participation. Here we report on a feasibility randomized controlled trial of the virtual AB-F versus a Health Enhancement Program (HEP) educational control followed by qualitative exit interviews. Research design and methods Older adults (age ≥ 60) with CP and CD (2 cohorts) completed eight weeks of AB-F (n = 8) or HEP (n = 11). Study procedures were fully remote via live video. Quantitative analyses explored feasibility and acceptability markers and within group improvements in outcomes. Qualitative analyses were primarily deductive using the Framework Method. Results AB-F met a-priori set feasibility benchmarks, similar to our in-person pilot. Participation in AB-F was associated with preliminary signals of improvement in multimodal physical function, emotional function (anxiety), cognitive function, pain intensity, and coping (e.g., pain self-efficacy, catastrophizing). Participation in HEP was associated with smaller or negligible improvements. Exit interviews confirmed feasibility and satisfaction with our completely remote interventions and methodology. Discussion and implications Results provide evidence for the feasibility of our completely remote study, and for initial markers of improvement after AB-F. The results will inform a fully powered remote efficacy trial.
Molecular Genetics of Aging

The mission of this chapter is to develop a background regarding molecular genetics and the place it holds and has held in experimental gerontology. My goal in writing this chapter is to point out fundamental questions that need serious and critical consideration before a “molecular genetics of aging” can take its place as a meaningful element in an understanding of aging phenomena. I do not intend an exhaustive review of the literature, and have therefore referred only to selected papers as examples of the kinds of thinking and the kinds of investigations that bear significantly on the arguments made.
Reflections on Child Maltreatment Research and Practice: Consistent Challenges

Given the role research has played in shaping the trajectory and substance of the child maltreatment field, this chapter highlights a number of seemingly intractable research and practice challenges surrounding the definition of and response to the child welfare dilemma. Drawing on the findings and recommendations from two federally commissioned studies, conducted 20 years apart, the chapter identifies areas in which progress has been made and the contextual issues that limit further progress. One of these contextual challenges, the need for more intentional training and support for those beginning their research careers, is addressed in the final section of the chapter. The Doris Duke Fellowships for the Promotion of Child Well-Being offers one example of how young scholars interested in child maltreatment as a topic of study might be identified and engaged in a collaborative and interdisciplinary effort to examine both the basic and applied research questions challenging the field.
Processing and properties of SiC whisker- and particulate-reinforced reaction bonded Si3N4

The microstructure and mechanical properties of reaction bonded Si3N4 (RBSN) reinforced with SiC whiskers of particles were investigated using RBSN composites made from colloidally pressed octanol dispersions of high-purity Si powders mixed with either SiC whiskers or alpha-SiC particles. Results of investigations, revealing high conversions of Si to Si3N4, specific surface areas, and constant relative densities and strengths, showed that the uniform microstructure and small flaw size of the matrix were maintained in the composites and that no degradation of the reinforcements was taking place. Neither the monolithic nor the composite materials exhibited R-curve behavior. A modest increase in fracture toughness was observed only in the RBSN containing 33 vol pct SiC(p).
Broadband class-E power amplifier designed by lumped-element network transforms and GaN FETs

It has been shown that broadband operation of class-E amplifiers is possible using the reactance compensation technique. In this paper, broadband lumped-element network transforms are used in order to design the loading network that provides broadband reactance compensation and broadband impedance matching simultaneously while keeping high efficiency and maintaining output power within wide bandwidth. The final output network topology is canonic and alternates series and shunt components which are more suitable for practical implementation and tuning. As proof of concept, a GaN FET prototype is presented achieving 80% efficiency over 43% fractional bandwidth at around 255-MHz and 60% efficiency over an octave bandwidth at around 245-MHz.
Defects in motility and development of Myxococcus xanthus lipopolysaccharide mutants.

Abstract Five transposon Tn5 mutants of the procaryote Myxococcus xanthus had been shown previously to be defective in lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis (J. M. Fink,-M. Kalos, and J. F. Zissler, J. Bacteriol. 171:2033-2041, 1989). These mutants were studied for possible defects in gliding motility and multicellular development. Wild-type M. xanthus cells glide both as single cells and as groups of cells. We found that the Tn5 lipopolysaccharide O-antigen mutants were defective in single-cell motility but were unaltered in group motility. These mutant strains were slow to develop but eventually gave rise to normal, spore-filled fruiting bodies. We also had shown previously that 56 (ethyl methanesulfonate-induced and spontaneous) phage-resistant mutants were defective in lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis. We found that many of these lipopolysaccharide O-antigen mutants were defective in single-cell motility but were unaltered in group motility. These mutants also gave rise to normal, spore-filled fruiting bodies. We also studied several phage-resistant mutants which were lacking a side-chain carbohydrate on the lipopolysaccharide core. These mutants possessed both single-cell motility and group motility but were altered in the magnitude of gliding. These mutants were blocked early in development and could not form multicellular fruiting bodies. Several of the mutations in the developmentally aberrant strains were mapped to a single locus by using a collection of genetically linked transposons as genetic markers.
The stories of 'snake children': killing and abuse of children with developmental disabilities in West Africa.

Background Killing and abuse of children with disabilities are covert phenomena, occurring in some developing regions, such as in some African countries. Similar to the practice of ritual killing of spirit children in Ghana, the phenomenon of the snake child in Cote d'Ivoire (known as Ivory Coast), is the ritual abandonment or killing of children with intellectual disability (ID). Method This study is a qualitative ethnographic investigation into understanding this phenomenon. Three major questions were of interest: (1) Who are the snake children? (2) How are these children viewed and treated? (3) What are ways of changing negative attitudes towards children with developmental disabilities? Results The practices of killing, abandonment and abuse of children with disabilities take place in Cote d'Ivoire today, although the extent is not known. Conclusion Killing and abuse of children with ID are explained within the context of indigenous African religions, animism and folk culture. The concept of disability ‘otherness’ and inferiority is also explored as a framework for reflection and ethical debate.
Activity-dependent shrinkage of extracellular space in rat optic nerve: a developmental study

Activity-dependent shrinkage of extracellular space (ECS) is described in a simple model of the mammalian central nervous system, the rat optic nerve. In response to neural activation, the ECS of the mature nerve rapidly and reversibly decreases by as much as 20%. Activity- dependent ECS shrinkage is not present in neonatal nerves but develops over the first 2 weeks of life, roughly coincident with the appearance of glial cells in this structure. These and other observations suggest that activity-dependent ECS shrinkage results from fluid and electrolyte movements into glial cells.
Eddy current sensor concepts for interface characterization during Bridgman growth of CdZnTe single crystals

Hg1−xCdxTe Infrared (IR) focal plane arrays are today manufactured on IR transparent CdTe or (lattice matched) Cd1−yZnyTe substrates obtained from single crystals grown by a Bridgman method using furnaces with a temperature gradient[1–4]. The yield of single crystal substrate material produced by this method is poor, in part because of the absence of sensor techniques to characterize (and allow control of) the liquid-solid interface shape during crystal growth. This interface, which represents the melting point isotherm of the system, may be convex, ideally flat, or concave. It is determined by heat flow near the interface which is governed, in part, by where solidification occurs in the furnace.
Creating Lifelong Learners: Fostering Facilitation, Modeling, & Choice in the Classroom.

This article discusses alternatives to the lecture-style teaching that remains a fundamental practice for many middleschool classrooms. Information was accumulated by pre-service middle school language arts teachers, whointerviewed their mentor for their student teaching experience, focusing on how each teacher attempts to fosterlifelong learning through facilitating learning rather than directing it. To do so, respondents stated that they attemptto provide more choices for students based on students’ interests or experiences, promote collaboration amongstudents, and model or guide the learning by providing clear examples. These methods of communication attempt toinspire learning with the use of visual, auditory, tactile, or kinesthetic instructional techniques. Teachers providestudents with the digital environment to foster research skills, making students much more autonomous learners. It ishoped that by reading this article teachers will be able to facilitate the learning of students so as to promote students’own interests, creating lifelong learners as a result.
Inverse power-law distributions and 1/F power spectra in fetal breathing dynamics

It is shown that fetal breathing dynamics demonstrate an inverse power-law relationship in the distributions of the inter-burst intervals and in the power spectrum. Furthermore, it is shown how these fractal characteristics change as a function of gestational age of the fetus. The observation of the inverse power-law relationship in the fetal breathing dynamics supports the proposal that fractal mechanisms may be involved in the regulation of breathing rate variability, giving rise to self-similar fluctuations over multiple time scales. >
A Century of Method-Oriented Scholarship in the Annals

This article, as part of this forum that celebrates the 100th volume of the Annals of the Association of American Geographers, reviews the cumulative contribution of this journal to the advancement...
Evolving role of surgical treatment in limited‐disease small cell lung carcinoma

The diagnostic role of surgical procedures in small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) is well established. The therapeutic role of surgery has changed over the years. At present, curative resection is the treatment of choice in peripheral T1-2 N0M0 SCLC, and adjuvant chemotherapy may be beneficial. Surgery is also indicated in SCLC patients diagnosed by a limited pathologic sample in whom the clinical course suggests nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). The resection may reveal either a mixed tumor or an alternate diagnosis and may be potentially curative. Surgery, at the time of maximal response to chemotherapy in T3N0M0 SCLC, may be curative and reveal the presence of NSCLC elements. The best survival is in patients found to be tumor-free at surgery, and the worst survival is in N2 patients.
Faculty‐librarian collaboration in improving information literacy of educational opportunity program students

Purpose – This study aims to examine the instruction of basic information literacy (IL) skills taught to the socio‐economically disadvantaged students in the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) at Rider University in summer 2011. The study set out to determine how the beginning IL levels of EOP freshmen differ from those of other freshmen, their learning outcomes, and retention of IL as a means to improve future research instruction.Design/methodology/approach – Faculty of a speech communication class and two librarians collaborated in integrating IL in the class assignments of the 2011 summer EOP program. The assessment tools include identical pre‐ and post‐tests, a second post‐test with different multiple correct answer questions, a survey about students' perceptions of their IL training, and the teaching faculty's observations of EOP students' research skills.Findings – EOP freshmen are equivalent to the peer freshmen in their low levels of IL skills. The findings suggested that EOP freshmen complete...
The experience of Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) members.

Background In April 2010, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) launched the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) initiative to implement a patient-centered medical home (PCMH) model. Few evaluations have addressed the effects of PCMH on health care professionals' experiences. Purposes The aim of this study was to contribute to evaluation of the PACT initiative and the broader literature on PCMH by assessing respondents' experiences of implementing a PCMH model and becoming a teamlet. Methodology/approach A retrospective qualitative analysis of open-text responses in a survey fielded to all VHA Primary Care personnel (VHA Primary Care physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurse care managers, clinical associates, and administrative clerks) in May and June 2012 (approximately 2 years into the 5-year planned implementation of PACT) using deductive and inductive content analysis. The main measures were two open-response fields: "Is there anything else you would like us to relay to the VA leadership in Central Office?" and "Do you have any other comments or feedback on PACT?" The data consisted of free text responses of 3,868 survey participants who provided text for one or both of the open-response fields. Findings Although respondents viewed PACT positively as a model and reported it improved relationships with patients and increased patient satisfaction, they described multiple barriers to achieving functioning teamlets and unintended consequences, including reduced time with patients, increased participant burnout, and decreased team efficacy because of low-performing team members. A central theme related to staffing being insufficient for the new model. Practice implications Insufficient staffing of PCMH teams is a critical barrier to realizing the benefits of the new model. Frontline staff have concrete recommendations for other problems, such as using back-up teams to cover during absences, but that will require providing more opportunities for feedback from staff to be heard.
Developing an observatory-wide engineering process

The W. M. Keck Observatory is in the process of formalizing its engineering process across the observatory. Over the years we have developed separate systems in separate departments; we are now creating a unified workflow and documentation system. We'll discuss the context, and propose a process for implementation. We'll describe resources, functions, and tools required for effective development and maintenance of any engineering process. The astronomy community is different from a typical manufacturing environment, and implications for off-the-shelf solutions as well as custom developments will be presented in the context of being an appropriate solution to our type of organization. Specific focus will be placed on the role of documentation as part of this process. We'll discuss different types of documentation and implications for long-term maintenance. We'll describe collaboration tools for both internal and external development and maintenance. We'll discuss paper documentation and current parametric CAD models, and how to maintain those for the life of the observatory. We'll present tools for fast search and retrieval of this information. Finally we'll present lessons learned that may be applied to any such a process.
Pyrolysis jet spectroscopy

Abstract Pyrolysis jet spectroscopy, in which precursor species are heated to pyrolysis temperatures just prior to expansion from the nozzle of a supersonic free jet, is demonstrated to be a viable technique for the production and characterization of rotationally cold transient molecules and free radicals.
Installation, features, and capabilities of the DIII–D advanced tokamak radiative divertors

Abstract The DIII–D program has completed a series of density control and plasma core confinement experiments this past year. These experiments were designed to investigate the performance of baffled and open divertors with single-null plasmas and particle control in double-null plasmas. The experiments utilized all three of the DIII–D divertor assemblies located in the lower outer corner, the upper outer corner, and the upper inner corner of the vessel, which were installed last year. Each divertor consists of a liquid helium cryopump, a shielded protective ring, and a gas puff system. The divertors were designed to optimize pumping performance and to withstand the electromagnetic loads from both halo and toroidal, induced currents. With theoretical pumping speeds varying from 15,000 to 32,000 l/s, the cryopumps, combined with the baffle structures, collect particles and prevent them from recirculating back into the plasma core. The intent of the gas puff systems is to inject neutral gases in and around the divertors to minimize the heat flux on the divertors, minimizing the impurities generated by the excessive heating of the divertor graphite tiles. This hardware permits either single- or double-null plasma experiments and enables continued research of well confined high beta divertor plasmas with noninductive current drive, which is one of the primary research goals of DIII–D.
Raman study of the mechanism of electrical switching in Cu TCNQ films

Abstract The mechanism of electrical switching in Cu/Cu TNCQ films has been studied in situ by Raman spectroscopy. The initial film is Cu+TCNQ-., while neutral TCNQ was found after electrical switching in amounts increasing with time of application of the electric field.
Economic Analysis at the Federal Communications Commission, 2012–2013

Pointing to the role of economic analysis, this article reviews major Federal Communications Commission actions and initiatives that are related to universal service support in high-cost areas that are served by price-cap incumbent local exchange carriers, special access policy, secondary market spectrum transactions, spectrum reassignments, and rules that govern interoperability among certain licensees in the 700 MHz band and spectrum ownership. Also discussed are activities of the recently created Technology Transitions Policy Task Force and challenges to communications policy that are posed by the transition to voice over internet protocol interconnection.
Model selection criteria affect measures of temporal variation in animal–landscape regression models

Aim Temporal variation in animal–landscape relationships hinders management decisions and development of conservation policy. Animal–landscape relationships may be modelled using several model selection criteria (MSC), but how such criteria affect measures of temporal variation of modelled relationships is unclear. Location Appalachian Mountains, USA. Methods We used results from linear and logistic regression models for 98 bird species over a 5-year period to compute two measures of interannual variation in bird–landscape relationships: model consistency reflected the degree to which variables and directions of relationships in a model were the same. R2 coefficient of variation (R2 CV) reflected the degree to which the strength of relationships was the same. We calculated both metrics for each species' models after using four common MSC: AICc, BIC, stepwise-0.15 and adjusted R2. Results Although positively correlated (r = 0.43−> 0.99; P = 0.030− 90% of the time and thus produced the same interannual variation metrics for those models. MSC affected R2 CV less than model consistency. Model consistency did not differ significantly among MSC. Use of BIC led to the highest R2 CV (greatest interannual variation), and use of AICc and stepwise-0.15 led to the lowest R2 CV. Main conclusions Comparisons of interannual variation metrics across studies or regions should be based on models derived from the same MSC. When cross-study comparisons must be made, effects of MSC on interannual variation in the strength of relationships (R2 CV) may be smaller than effects of MSC on interannual variation in the identity of relationships (model consistency). Model consistency metrics could potentially be used in concert with other model evaluation criteria to refine landscape-based species conservation planning.
Chemical Mechanism of ATP Synthase MAGNESIUM PLAYS A PIVOTAL ROLE IN FORMATION OF THE TRANSITION STATE WHERE ATP IS SYNTHESIZED FROM ADP AND INORGANIC PHOSPHATE

The chemical mechanism by which ATP synthases catalyze the synthesis of ATP remains unknown despite the recent elucidation of the three-dimensional structures of two forms of the F(1) catalytic sector (subunit stoichiometry, alpha(3)beta(3)gammadeltaepsilon). Lacking is critical information about the chemical events taking place at the catalytic site of each beta-subunit in the transition state. In an earlier report (Ko, Y. H., Bianchet, M. A., Amzel, L.M., and Pedersen, P. L. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 18875-18881), we provided evidence for transition state formation in the presence of Mg(2+), ADP, and orthovanadate (V(i)), a photoreactive phosphate analog with a trigonal bipyramidal geometry resembling that of the gamma-P of ATP in the transition state of enzymes like myosin. In the presence of ultraviolet light and O(2,) the MgADP.V(i)-F(1) complex was cleaved within the P-loop (GGAGVGKT) of a single beta-subunit at alanine 158, implicating this residue as within contact distance of the gamma-P of ATP in the transition state. Here, we report that ADP, although facilitating transition state formation, is not essential. In the presence of Mg(2+) and V(i) alone the catalytic activity of the resultant MgV(i)-F(1) complex is inhibited to nearly the same extent as that observed for the MgADP. V(i)-F(1) complex. Inhibition is not observed with ADP, Mg(2+), or V(i) alone. Significantly, in the presence of ultraviolet light and O(2,) the MgV(i)-F(1) complex is cleaved also within the P-loop of a single beta-subunit at alanine 158 as confirmed by Western blot analyses with two different antibodies, by N-terminal sequence analyses, and by quantification of the amount of unreacted beta-subunits. These novel findings indicate that Mg(2+) plays a pivotal role in transition state formation during ATP synthesis catalyzed by ATP synthases, a role that involves both its preferential coordination with P(i) and the repositioning of the P-loop to bring the nonpolar alanine 158 into the catalytic pocket. A reaction scheme for ATP synthases depicting a role for Mg(2+) in transition state formation is proposed here for the first time.
Effects of chlorcyclizine or phenobarbital on in vitro detoxication activity by larval wax moth gut homogenates.

Abstract Chlorcyclizine dihydrochloride (0.5 g/100 g medium) or phenobarbital (1 g/100 g medium) incorporated into the media of 6th or 7th instar wax moth ( Galleria mellonella L.) larvae affected the rates of EPN detoxication, p -nitroanisole O -demethylation, and NADPH-neotetrazolium (NT)-reductase activity. Neither drug significantly affected EPN detoxication or O -demethylase with 2 days of treatment. However, after 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 days of chlorcyclizine treatment, EPN detoxication activity by 6th instar gut homogenates increased to 238, 304, 234, 204, and 128% of the control, respectively. Similarly, p -nitroanisole O -demethylation was induced to 208, 504, 396, 265, and 290%. NADPH-NT-reductase was induced to 141, 156, 173, 182, 204, and 159% of the control with 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 days of chlorcyclizine treatment. Phenobarbital also induced these enzyme activities. The induction of EPN detoxication and O -demethylase activity was much less in 7th than in 6th instar larvae, but NADPH-NT-reductase was more significantly induced in 7th than in 6th instar larvae. Both drugs, with up to 4 days of feeding, increased the gut protein, which then declined to less than the control values. The drug effects were dependent upon (1) days of drug treatment, (2) the drug used, (3) the enzyme studied, and (4) the instar of the insect.
The impact of gender on alpha-methyl-paratyrosine mediated changes in prolactin secretion and 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate excretion

Prolactin (PRL) and melatonin (ML) secretion are mediated by dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE), respectively. Alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine (AMPT) inhibits the production of CNS catecholamines (CA). The purpose of the study is to determine: (1) if AMPT inhibition of ML has the same gender-dependent effect as on PRL secretion; (2) if there is a post AMPT-induced NE depletion mood change in men and/or women. In a randomized, double-blind cross-over fashion, five healthy young males and five females were either given five doses of AMPT 1 g (active) or promethazine 50 mg (placebo) over a 28 h period, separated by 4-6 weeks. The PRL and ML concentrations were collected at regular intervals via an indwelling venous catheter and concurrently, two 12 h urinary 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate (6-MS) measurements were made. Mood and anxiety states of subjects at baseline and post drug were assessed with appropriate rating scales at regular intervals. Light exposure beginning at dusk and lasting until dawn was controlled to no more than 200 lux during all phases of the study. The PRL secretion showed a significant interaction of drug x time (p = .0001) in women and a non-significant trend (p = .056) in men. No difference in PRL secretion was found between the two genders in the placebo condition, whereas the PRL secretion was significantly higher in the AMPT condition in women when compared to men (df 17,119, F = 1.9, p = .021). Total 24 h urinary 6-MS secretion highly correlated with ML secretion expressed as area under the curve (AUC) during both active and placebo experiments (r = 0.8, p < .01) and (r = 0.86, p < or = .01), respectively. The ANOVA reveals a significant interaction of drug x time for 6-SM excretion. There was no gender difference in AMPT suppression of 6-MS excretion. No mood changes were detected in men or women. We conclude that urinary 6-MS is a reliable indirect measure of the degree of AMPT-induced decrease in CNS NE activity as part of overall AMPT-induced reduction of central catecholamine activities. The pre and post AMPT-induced changes in 6-MS are not gender dependent, dissimilar to the AMPT-induced changes in PRL secretion. Therefore, 6-MS, in addition to PRL, should be measured when applying the AMPT paradigm in future research.
Mechanics of Serpentine Belt Drives with Tensioner Assemblies and Belt Bending Stiffness

Steady state analysis is conducted on a multipulley serpentine belt drive with a spring-loaded tensioner assembly. Classical creep theory is extended to incorporate belt bending stiffness as well as the belt stretching and centripetal accelerations. The belt is modeled as an axially moving Euler–Bernoulli beam with nonuniform speed due to belt extensibility and variation of belt tension. The geometry of the belt-pulley contact zones and the corresponding belt tension and friction distributions are the main factors affecting belt slip. Bending stiffness introduces nontrivial span deflections, reduces the wrap angles, and makes the belt-pulley contact points unknown a priori. The free span boundary value problems (BVP) with undetermined boundaries are transformed to a fixed boundary form. A two-loop iteration method, necessitated by the tensioner assembly, is developed to find the system steady state. The effects of system parameters on serpentine drive behavior are explored in the context of an actual automotive belt drive.
Creep behavior in interlaminar shear of Nextel™720/alumina ceramic composite at elevated temperature in air and in steam

Abstract The creep behavior in interlaminar shear of an oxide–oxide ceramic matrix composite (CMC) was evaluated at 1200 °C in laboratory air and in steam using double-notch shear test specimens. The composite consists of a porous alumina matrix reinforced with laminated, woven mullite/alumina (Nextel™720) fibers, has no interface between the fiber and matrix, and relies on the porous matrix for flaw tolerance. The interlaminar shear properties were measured. The creep behavior was examined for interlaminar shear stresses in the 4–6.5 MPa range. Primary and secondary creep regimes were observed in all tests conducted in air. In steam, the composite exhibited primary, secondary and tertiary creep. In air, creep run-out defined as 100 h at creep stress was achieved in all tests. In the presence of steam, creep performance deteriorated rapidly and run-out was achieved only at 4 MPa (∼50% of the interlaminar shear strength at 1200 °C). The retained properties of all specimens that achieved run-out were characterized. Composite microstructure, as well as damage and failure mechanisms were investigated. Matrix degradation appears to be the cause of reduced creep lifetimes in steam.
Stress-Related Growth in Racial/Ethnic Minority Adolescents: Measurement Structure and Validity.

Stress-related growth is defined as the perception or experience of deriving benefits from encountering stressful circumstances and, thus, has been identified as a protective factor against stress....
Early Childhood Teachers' Use of Effective Instructional Practices and the Collateral Effects on Young Children's Behavior.

This investigation examined the effects of a classroom-based intervention, Behavioral, Emotional, and Social Training: Competent Learners Achieving School Success (BEST in CLASS), on teacher behaviors and child outcomes in early childhood classrooms. First, we examined the effects of professional development training and practice-based coaching (including performance feedback) on teachers’ implementation and maintenance of the BEST in CLASS model practices. Next, we examined the effects of teachers’ implementation of these practices on young children’s engagement and problem behaviors. Using a descriptive nonexperimental design, 10 teachers and 19 children received the intervention. Findings indicated that teachers’ use of the BEST in CLASS practices including rules, precorrection, opportunities to respond, behavior-specific praise, and instructive and corrective feedback increased from baseline to completion of the intervention and these increases maintained. In addition, children’s engagement increased ...
Human platelet aggregation is not altered by Shiga toxins 1 or 2

Abstract The hemolytic uremic syndrome involves the presence of Shiga toxin producing strains of Escherichia coli and is associated with thrombocytopenia, platelet activation, and microthrombi formation. We have, therefore, investigated the ability of Shiga toxin isotypes 1 and 2 to cause or enhance platelet aggregation under resting or arterial-flow conditions using a sensitive quenched-flow system and single-particle counting. Incubation of platelets with Shiga toxins 1 or 2 at 10 −10 M or 10 −9 M for 0.5–2 hours failed to induce platelet aggregation under static or physiological flow conditions, either by themselves or in the presence of ADP or thrombin. Thus, these Shiga toxins do not appear to be able to influence platelet function directly, and their ability to cause platelet thrombi in vivo must result from indirect mechanisms.
Long-Term Follow-Up of a Structured Group Treatment for the Management of Chronic Pain

This article presents the long-term (18-22 month) follow-up outcomes of a previously published controlled study of cognitive-behavioral social group work treatment of patients experiencing chronic pain.
A derivation in statistical mechanics with convex coordinates: a new technique

The convex coordinates of a point, P,in a closed triangular region are defined as weights which must be placed at the vertices of the region to shift the balance point of the weight distribution to P. The vertices of the triangle are interpreted as energy states of a physical system, and the convex coordinates become probabilities. The Maxwell‐Boltzmann distribution function is derived with the aid of convex coordinates.
Bjorken-x Dependence of Hadronic Structure from Lattice QCD

I present a first direct lattice-QCD calculation of the Bjorken-x dependence of hadron structure functions. By taking a hadron with a large momentum boost, we are able to connect light-cone quantities to lattice-QCD nonlocal but time-independent matrix elements. Since the largest attainable momentum is limited, we correct for the sizable leading momentum dependence systematically. In this talk, I present an exploratory study of the nucleon quark density, helicity and transversity distributions.
Asynchronous Cooperative MIMO Communication

We consider a cluster-based cooperative transmission scheme where the source node and destination node form clusters for transmission. Instead of using perfect synchronization technique, we assume the cooperative transmission is asynchronous. Each member in transmitting cluster relays signal to the receiving cluster after obtaining information from source node. A general decision feedback equalizer (DFE) is used in the receiving cluster members to equalize the received MISO signal and detect as soft symbols. The receiving cluster members send the soft- decision outputs to the destination node. Thus, the decision node combines the soft-decision outputs and makes hard-decision detection for the transmitted information. The performance of proposed system is shown and compared with conventional MIMO system. Major factors for system performance is discussed. The over-sampling rate plays an important role in system performance. We also present a simple capacity analysis for proposed cooperative transmission system. The capacity ratio between cooperative MIMO system and direct transmission (SISO) system is also presented and compared to the capacity ratio of conventional MIMO system and direct transmission (SISO) system. We also extend the analysis to heterogeneous network and show the capacity ratio.