cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The epidemic process and the contagion model

Goffman's epidemic theory is presented and compared to the contagion theory developed by Menzel and his co-author(s). An attempt is made to compare the two models presented and examine their similarities and differences. The conclusion drawn is that the two models are very similar in their approach to understanding communication processes with the major difference being in the scope of methodology rather than in the model's construction.
Modal Epistemology: Our Knowledge of Necessity and Possibility

I survey a number of views about how we can obtain knowledge of modal propositions, propositions about necessity and possibility. One major approach is that whether a proposition or state of affairs is conceivable tells us something about whether it is possible. I examine two quite different positions that fall under this rubric, those of Yablo and Chalmers. One problem for this approach is the existence of necessary a posteriori truths and I deal with some of the ways in which these authors respond to the problem, including the use of two-dimensional modal semantics. Conventionalism about modality offers a complementary approach to modal epistemology, prompting us to identify our knowledge of modal truths with our mastery of linguistic or conceptual conventions. Finally, I discuss an approach to modal epistemology deriving from David Lewis's work that seeks to identify structural features of the modal space over which necessity and possibility are defined.
A β-galactosidase isoenzyme from Turbo cornutus with substrate specificity toward GM1-ganglioside and glycoproteins

Abstract 1. 1. β-Galactosidase from T. cornutus was resolved into two activity peaks by gel filtration column chromatography. 2. 2. The pH optima of the two peaks designated P1 and P2, were 5.5 and 3.0, respectively, when p- nitrophenyl -β- d -galactopyranoside was used as the substrate. 3. 3. The molecular weights of P1 and P2 were 700,000 ± 70,000 and 78,000 ± 7800, respectively, when estimated by gel filtration chromatography. 4. 4. The activities of both forms of the enzymes are stimulated by anions such as Cl−, Br− and NO3−. While the activity of P1 was stimulated by low anion concentrations, P2 requires 700 times higher anion concentration for similar enhancement of activity. 5. 5. P1, the high molecular weight form hydrolyzes mainly galactose from small molecular weight β-galactosides, such as p- nitrophenyl -β- d -galactopyranoside , 4- methylumbelliferyl -β- d -galactopyranoside , lactose, lactosylceramide and 3-O-β- d -galactopyranosyl- d -arabinose , whereas P2, the low molecular weight form cleaves, in addition, all the β-galactoside tested, including 2-hexadecanoylamino-4-nitrophenyl-β- d -galactopyranoside, GM1-ganglioside, asialo-GM1-ganglioside, asialo fetuin, α1-acid glycoproteins and the tryptic peptides of the glycoproteins. 6. 6. The optimal conditions for the hydrolysis of the terminal galactose from GM1-ganglioside which does not occur in gastropods, such as T. cornutus, was found to require 40 mM NaCl and 1 mM sodium taurodeoxycholate at pH 3.0 in 50 mM sodium citrate buffer, conditions similar to those by mammalian β-galactosidase.
Clinical ethics: a role theoretic look.

Abstract The new phenomenon of clinical ethics is analyzed from a role theoretic perspective that differentiates consulting, teaching, watching, and witnessing. Teaching and consulting are seen as main role alternatives in clinical ethics practice, with watching and witnessing defining transitional states that reveal the complexity of clinical ethics. The problem of the legitimation of clinical ethics is discussed in terms of legal, professional, and social accountability and authorization. It is argued that the problem of legitimation is tied up with the related issue of expertise that, in turn, reflects the complex role alternatives of consulting, teaching, watching, and witnessing. Finally, the question of methodology and practice of clinical is explored in connection with the four role alternatives delineated.
Hypertensive crisis inducing rhabdomyolysis during laparoscopic resection of a large pheochromocytoma: A case report

Intense vasospasm during hypertensive crisis as a cause for rhabdomyolysis has been described in ambulatory patients with pheochromocytoma. We report this phenomenon as an intraoperative complication in a patient during laparoscopic pheochromocytoma resection and discuss patient and procedure related risk factors. Unexplained intraoperative hyperkalemia following a severe hypertensive episode during surgery may be a first sign of rhabdomyolysis. Anesthesiologists should be aware of such a possibility. Intra- and postoperative serial electrolyte determinations and if suspected, timely screening for myoglobiuria, may aid in early detection and treatment of intraoperative rhabdomyolysis during pheochromocytoma resections.
Complications and re-operations after Bristow-Latarjet shoulder stabilization: a systematic review

Background Various methods of bony stabilization, including modifications of Bristow and Latarjet procedures, are considered gold-standard treatment for recurrent anterior shoulder instability but are associated with unique complications and risk of reoperation. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of these complications. We hypothesized that the Bristow-Latarjet procedure would be a successful technique for treatment of shoulder instability but associated with a risk of recurrent postoperative instability, reoperation, and other complications. Methods A systematic review of multiple medical databases included studies reporting outcomes with complication and reoperation rates following original or modified versions of the Bristow or Latarjet shoulder stabilization surgeries. Results Forty-five studies were analyzed (1,904 shoulders) (all Level IV evidence). Most subjects were male (82%). The dominant shoulder was the operative shoulder in 64% of cases. Mean subject age was 25.8 years. Mean clinical follow-up was 6.8 years. Ninety percent of surgeries were done open; 9.3% were all-arthroscopic. Total complication rate was 30%. Recurrent anterior dislocation and subluxation rates were 2.9% and 5.8%, respectively. When reported, most dislocations occurred within the first year postoperatively (73%). Nearly 7% of patients required an unplanned reoperation following surgery. Conclusion Osseous stabilization shoulder surgery using original or modified Bristow and Latarjet procedures has a 30% complication rate. Rates of recurrent dislocation and reoperation were 2.9% and 7%, respectively. Mild loss of external rotation is common. Reoperation rates were lower following all-arthroscopic techniques. There was a greater loss of postoperative external rotation with all-arthroscopic surgery.
A NEW METHOD FOR PREDICTING FATIGUE LIFE IN NOTCHED GEOMETRIES

The objective of this paper is to develop a notch crack closure model, called NCCM, based on plasticity-induced effects and short fatigue crack growth in the vicinity of the notch, and to predict the fatigue failure life of notched geometries. By using this model the regime for non-propagating cracks (n.p.c.) and the relationship between the fatigue strength reduction factor, K f , and the-elastic stress concentration factor, K t , under mean stress conditions, can be determined quantitatively. A crack closure model is assumed to apply in the notch regime based on an approach developed to explain the crack growth retardation behavior observed in smooth specimen geometries after an overload. Notch plasticity effects are also applied in the NCCM model. Fatigue failure life is calculated from both short fatigue crack growth in the notch region where elastic-plastic fracture mechanics (EPFM) is applied and from long fatigue crack growth remote from the notch where linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) occurs. This prediction is obtained using a quantity called the effective plasticity-corrected pseudo-stress. The NCCM can be used to account quantitatively for various observed notch phenomena, including both the relationship between K f and K t and n.p.c. The effects of the tensile mean stress on the K f versus K t relationship is investigated and leads to the little recognized but technologically important observation that mean stress conditions exist where K f can be greater than K t . The role of notch radius and tensile mean stress on n.p.c. behavior is also explored. The model is verified using experimental data for notch geometries of aluminum alloy 2024-T3, alloy steel SAE 4130 and mild steel specimens tested at zero and tensile mean stress.
Enteric methane production from beef cattle that vary in feed efficiency

We hypothesized that CH4 production will decrease with increased feed efficiency. Two experiments were conducted to determine CH4 production of cattle that differed in feed efficiency. Cattle in both studies were selected from larger contemporary groups. Animals furthest from the confidence ellipse that resulted from regressing BW gain on DMI were selected. In the first experiment, 113 crossbred steers were evaluated for feed efficiency for 64 d. Steers were 355 ± 1 d of age and weighed 456 ± 10 kg when they began the study. Steers were fed a ration that consisted of (DM basis) 82.8% corn, 12.8% corn silage, and 4.5% supplement [contains 0.065% monensin, 32% CP (28% NPN), 7.5% Ca, 0.8% P, 4.8% NaCl, 1.8% K, and 55,116 IU/kg vitamin A]. Thirty-seven steers were selected to measure CH4 production. In the second experiment, 197 heifers were evaluated for feed efficiency for 64 d. Heifers were 286 ± 1 d of age and weighed 327 ± 2 kg when they began the study. Heifers were fed a ration that consisted of (DM basis) 60% corn silage, 30% alfalfa hay, and 10% wet distillers grains with solubles. Forty-seven heifers were selected to measure CH4 production. Methane production was measured with respiration calorimeters. In both experiments, cattle had ad libitum access to feed, and DMI consumed during the 24 h before CH4 production was measured. Methane production was collected for a 6-h period on untrained cattle. Consequently, methane production is not a quantitative measure of daily methane production; rather, it is an index value to rank cattle. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between either BW gain:DMI ratio or residual feed intake (RFI) on CH4 production after adjusting for the previous 24-h DMI. In the steers, BW gain:DMI ratio and previous 24-h feed intake accounted for little of the variance in CH4 production (R(2) = 0.009), and neither did RFI and previous 24-h feed intake (R(2) = 0.001). In the heifers, the BW gain:DMI ratio contributed 28% toward the variance estimate and previous 24-h DMI contributed 72% toward the variance estimate (R(2) = 0.31). As the BW gain:DMI ratio increased, daily CH4 production increased. The regression coefficient for RFI (P = 0.45) did not differ from 0 for CH4 production. Our study does not support our original hypothesis that CH4 production decreases with increased feed efficiency and suggests that CH4 production may increase with increased feed efficiency.
Novel approach to a rule-based general purpose program translator using paramodulation

In this paper a rule-based Lisp dialect translator using paramodulation is presented as an example of a general purpose program translator application where the knowledge about the translation is embedded in rules. The advantage of using a rule-based system is to allow the user to supply his own rules for translation, thus the translator can be considered as a general purpose converter. Also, the rule-based LDT has the ability to test individual rules for correctness to aid in rule development. The translation being used for development is Franz to Common Lisp.
P-glycoprotein-mediated methotrexate resistance in CCRF-CEM sublines deficient in methotrexate accumulation due to a point mutation in the reduced folate carrier gene

We have previously described a series of methotrexate (MTX)-selected CCRF-CEM sublines (CEM/MTX R1–3) displaying increased resistance to drugs associated with the multidrug resistance phenotype and have provided evidence that MDR1 P-glycoprotein contributes to multifactorial MTX resistance in these cells. We have also suggested that P-glycoprotein-mediated MTX transport arises in these cells due to a deficiency in the normal MTX transport route, the reduced folate carrier (RFC). We have now determined the nucleotide sequence of the RFC gene in CEM/MTX R1–3 cells and confirm that the carrier is defective in these cells as a result of a premature stop mutation at codon 99, which severely truncates the encoded protein. CEM/MTX R3 cells were removed from MTX, and a series of sublines with increasing MDR1 expression were derived, following selection with vincristine. These cells show increasing cross-resistance to vincristine as well as other drugs associated with the multidrug resistance phenotype. More importantly, the increased P-glycoprotein expression correlates with increased resistance to MTX, supporting the hypothesis that in cells with a defective carrier protein, MTX can become a substrate for P-glycoprotein. Our data have implications for the P-glycoprotein-mediated transport of other hydrophilic drugs in situations where the relevant carrier protein has been functionally inhibited. Int. J. Cancer 78:176–181, 1998.© 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Guest editor's introduction: Tool and methodology evaluation

The first ACM Sigsoft-sponsored Software Engineering Symposium focused on the issue of evaluating the effectiveness of software engineering tools, techniques, methods, and environments. In this paper we overview and summarize a collection of symposium papers that collectively indicate the state of development in the area of tool and methodology evaluation.
Patients' behavior at the time of injury: effect on nurses' perception of pain level and subsequent treatment.

Abstract This study examined whether nurses who currently provide direct patient care would perceive and treat pain differently in patients whose pain resulted from activities involving different levels of socially acceptable behavior. Clinical vignettes (differing only with respect to information provided about the patient's behavior at the time of injury) were randomly distributed to all medical/surgical, critical care, and emergency room nurses at this institution. Nurses were asked to record their perception of the patient's pain level and to indicate how much morphine should be given. Nurses ( n = 167) did not differ significantly in their mean pain ratings ( p =.86) or in the average amount of morphine ( p =.80) given to the 2 patients. However, medical/surgical nurses indicated that they would give significantly less morphine to the patient who was presented as engaging in less socially acceptable behavior at the time of injury ( p =.03). Overall, significantly more nurses correctly increased the next dose of morphine for the patient who was presented as having injured him or herself while participating in more socially acceptable behavior ( p =.003). Thus, although the level of social acceptability of the patient's behavior at the time of injury did not significantly affect the average pain rating or morphine dose that the nurse would have reportedly given, there is evidence that the nurses would have been less aggressive in ensuring adequate pain treatment in the patient exhibiting less socially acceptable behavior. © 2002 by the American Society of Pain Management Nurses
Facial feature localization using MOSSE correlation filters

Accurately measuring the location of facial features is an important step in many face recognition algorithms. Every face is unique which means localization needs to be tolerant of differences between individual subjects. Additionally, changing illumination, poor focus, and deformation due to expression changes complicate the problem. This paper introduces a method for locating facial features that uses Minimum Output Sum of Squared Error (MOSSE) correlation filters to model object appearance and is combined with a Robust Active Shape Model (ASM) to model facial geometry. It is demonstrated that MOSSE correlation filters outperform Stasm (an open source ASM implementation), Gabor Jets and in some cases even matches human performance.
Vitamin B12 deficiency: is it underestimated in pregnant women?

Vitamin B12 deficiency can result in neurological, psychiatric, and hematological symptoms. The neurological symptoms, which may vary from person to person, depend on the degree and duration of the...
Comparative study of energy deposition in gaseous organic ions performed using limonene as a model compound

Abstract Limonene, 1-methyl-4-(1-methylethenyl)cyclohexene, is chosen as a representative organic compound and its dissociation is studied using different ionization and activation methods. The fragmentation of limonene is principally controlled by the average magnitude of the internal energy lodged in the molecular ion, although substantial effects due to the range of internal energies represented are observed, especially for the retro Diels-Alder process. The effects of internal excitation of the neutral molecule prior to electron impact, and of the ion prior to collisional activation, are shown to be small. The internal energy can be selected by appropriate choice of the agent and/or conditions employed for ionization (in MS experiments) and activation (in MS-MS experiments). There are no substantial effects of differing observation time scales. Good agreement is recorded between data collected using a triple quadrupole and a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) spectrometer when using low energy collisional activation and for charge exchange with selected reagents. Photodissociation data are compared with collisional activation data for the FT-ICR method. The internal energy distribution associated with electron excitation of the molecular ion is characterized and found to resemble qualitatively the distribution lodged in the ion upon electron impact ionization of the neutral molecule.
Ductility of 304 stainless steel under pulsed uniaxial loading

Abstract The enhanced ductility that 304 stainless steel is exhibiting under pulsed loading ( Zhang and Yuan, 2009 ) is investigated here using a combination of experiments and analysis. The simplest loading case, i.e., uniaxial tension, was selected to avoid the complicating effects of multiaxial stress states and/or contact and friction with a rigid die. Three types of tensile tests were performed: monotonic, pulsed and hold. For a range of strain rates, the pulsed and the hold tests exhibited different elongation-to-fracture from the monotonic tests. Digital image correlation and infrared thermography were employed to further probe this behavior. It was discovered that since the pulsed tests lasted longer than the corresponding monotonic ones (i.e., those with the same loading speed) but the total plastic work expended was comparable, milder deformation-induced heating developed in the pulsed tests. Since the resulting temperature gradients act as imperfections that trigger the localization of deformation, the enhanced elongation-to-fracture in the pulsed tests was attributed to the milder gradients that developed. Subsequently, a special isothermal tension test was used to de-couple the mechanical from the thermal behavior of the material and was repeated at various strain rates and temperatures. The material properties determined from this test were used as input to coupled, thermomechanical finite element simulations of the experiments. Despite numerous simplifications, such as constant thermal properties with temperature, the simulations captured the essential physics of the problem and yielded very close predictions of the elongation-to-fracture observed in the experiments.
OKADAIC ACID AND MICROCYSTIN-LR DIRECTLY INHIBIT THE METHYLATION OF PROTEIN PHOSPHATASE 2A BY ITS SPECIFIC METHYLTRANSFERASE

The catalytic C subunit of protein phosphatase 2A2 was methylated with an apparent km of about 0.1 microM by purified preparations of a methyltransferase from bovine brain. This methylation was inhibited by okadaic acid and microcystin-LR half-maximally at 40 nM and 60 nM, respectively. The extent of inhibition depended on the protein phosphatase concentration in the incubations, but was independent of the methyltransferase concentration. The results demonstrate that okadaic acid and microcystin-LR directly inhibit the methylation of protein phosphatase 2A. The results are consistent with the idea that okadaic acid and microcystin-LR act, at least in part, by binding to the carboxyl terminus of the C subunit of protein phosphatase 2A thereby preventing access of the methyltransferase to its target site, the C subunit carboxyl terminal Leu309.
Possible Models for the Micellar Aggregates of Glycocholate and Taurocholate Salts from Crystal Structures, QELS, and CD Measurements

The structures of crystals of rubidium glycocholate (monoclinic) and rubidium taurocholate (monoclinic and tetragonal) were solved by X-ray diffraction analysis. These structures, together with those of the sodium salts formerly determined, were used to infer models for the corresponding micellar aggregates in aqueous solutions. The crystal packings of the sodium and rubidium salts were characterized by similar structural units. These were bilayers, 21 helices, distorted 21 helices, and units with a two-fold rotation axis. On the other hand, circular dichroism spectra of the sodium and rubidium salts with bilirubin-IXα in aqueous solution indicated the formation of very similar interaction complexes and micellar aggregates. This hypothesis was supported by quasi-elastic light scattering measurements carried out on aqueous micellar solutions as a function of the ionic strength, concentration, and temperature. Low values of the apparent hydrodynamic radius, corresponding to oligomers of small size, were obt...
The role of deoxyribonucleotide metabolism in 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine mutagenesis in mammalian cells

The effects of deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) pool imbalance on the induction of mutations and sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) by 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdUrd) in mammalian cells is reviewed. The INC BrdUrd mutagenesis protocol involves the incorporation of BrdUrd into DNA under conditions of specific dNTP pool imbalance, while the REP BrdUrd mutagenesis protocol involves the replication of 5-bromouracil (BrUra)-substituted DNA in the presence of specific (but different) dNTP pool imbalance. Biochemical and genetic analyses of both the INC and REP mutagenesis protocols provided evidence that (1) INC mutagenesis resulted from errors of incorporation due to the mispairing of BrdUTP with a guanine residue in replicating DNA leading to GC to AT transitions and (2) REP mutagenesis resulted from errors of replication due to the mispairing of dGTP with a BrUra residue in replicating DNA leading to AT to GC transitions. Further analyses involving different cell lines has led to an hypothesis describing the role of mismatch repair in the induction of mutations and SCEs.
Direct Measurement of Cathepsin B Activity in the Cytosol of Apoptotic Cells by an Activity-Based Probe

Cells control their own death through a program termed apoptosis, which is indispensable for development and homeostasis in all metazoans. Lysosomal cysteine proteases are not normally thought of as participating in apoptosis; however, recent reports have shown that the cathepsin proteases can be released from the lysosome during apoptosis, where they can participate in cell death. We report here the development of an activity-based probe that, under optimized conditions, reports on cathepsin B activity only in apoptotic cells by reading out the release of cathepsin B from the lysosomes. Biochemical characterization of apoptosis in cells from cathepsin B null mice shows delayed and suboptimal activation of caspases. Our data further supports a role for cathepsin B in the cytosol as a positive regulator of a cell death feed-forward loop and provides a chemical tool for future investigations.
Atomic force microscope measurements of nucleosome cores assembled along defined DNA sequences.

We have found that the atomic force microscope (AFM) can be used to image the "beads- on-a-string" chromatin structure in a normal air environment following adsorption onto a cover glass substrate. Individual nucleosome cores and linker DNA could be resolved clearly along chromatin fibers that were reconstituted using histone octamers and a tandemly repeated 208-bp nucleosome positioning DNA sequence (208-18). AFM measurements showed that the compaction of the 3780-bp DNA by different loadings of histone octamers was consistent with 146 bp of DNA wrapped 1.75 turns about the histone octamer to form the 1 1-nm nucleosome core. Precise internucleosome core spacing measurements could be performed along the chromatin fiber axis. In other experiments, AFM images of chromatin reconstituted using closed circular DNA showed highly tangled beaded fibers, as expected. These images and measurements demonstrate that AFM can provide useful high-resolution structural information about chromatin that can be used to complement other more established techniques such as electron microscopy.
A Mexican View of America in the 1860s: A Foreign Diplomat Describes the Civil War and Reconstruction

This book, compiled and translated from the writings of Matias Romero, Mexican charge and minister during the 1860-67 period, offers the insightful commentaries of a foreign diplomat who resided in the United States during the secession crisis, the Civil War, and reconstruction."
Diffusion tensor imaging detects axonal injury in a mouse model of repetitive closed-skull traumatic brain injury

Mild traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are common in athletes, military personnel, and the elderly, and increasing evidence indicates that these injuries have long-term health effects. However, the difficulty in detecting these mild injuries in vivo is a significant impediment to understanding the underlying pathology and treating mild TBI. In the following experiments, we present the results of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and histological analysis of a model of mild repetitive closed-skull brain injury in mouse. Histological markers used included silver staining and amyloid precursor protein (APP) immunohistochemistry to detect axonal injury, and Iba-1 immunohistochemistry to assess microglial activation. At 24h post-injury, before silver staining or microglial abnormalities were apparent by histology, no significant changes in any of the DTI parameters were observed within white matter. At 7 days post-injury we observed a reduction in axial and mean diffusivity. Relative anisotropy at 7 days correlated strongly with the degree of silver staining. Interestingly, APP was not observed at any timepoint examined. In addition to the white matter alterations, mean diffusivity was elevated in ipsilateral cortex at 24h but returned to sham levels by 7 days. Altogether, this demonstrates that DTI is a sensitive method for detecting axonal injury despite a lack of conventional APP pathology. Further, this reflects a need to better understand the histological basis for DTI signal changes in mild TBI.
Apoptosis: A Four-Week Laboratory Investigation for Advanced Molecular and Cellular Biology Students

Over the past decade, apoptosis has emerged as an important field of study central to ongoing research in many diverse fields, from developmental biology to cancer research. Apoptosis proceeds by a highly coordinated series of events that includes enzyme activation, DNA fragmentation, and alterations in plasma membrane permeability. The detection of each of these phenotypic changes is accessible to advanced undergraduate cell and molecular biology students. We describe a 4-week laboratory sequence that integrates cell culture, fluorescence microscopy, DNA isolation and analysis, and western blotting (immunoblotting) to follow apoptosis in cultured human cells. Students working in teams chemically induce apoptosis, and harvest, process, and analyze cells, using their data to determine the order of events during apoptosis. We, as instructors, expose the students to an environment closely simulating what they would encounter in an active cell or molecular biology research laboratory by having students coordinate and perform multiple tasks simultaneously and by having them experience experimental design using current literature, data interpretation, and analysis to answer a single question. Students are assessed by examination of laboratory notebooks for completeness of experimental protocols and analysis of results and for completion of an assignment that includes questions pertaining to data interpretation and apoptosis.
Continuous dehydrogenation of a steroid with immobilized microbial cells: effect of an exogenous electron acceptor.

Whole cells of Pseudomonas testosteroni, induced to synthesize steroid-transforming enzymes beforehand, have been immobilized by entrapment in polyacrylamide gel. The immobilized cells have then been used to catalyze the continuous Δ1-dehydrogenation of Reichstein's substance S under various conditions in the presence of phenazine methosulfate (PMS), an electron acceptor for the cell-free Δ1-dehydrogenase. The presence of PMS substantially increases the rate of reaction when fed with the steroid substrate to a continuous stirred tank reactor containing the immobilized cells. The operational half-life of the Δ1-dehydrogenase activity of the cells, about 103 hr under the best operating conditions, is essentially unaffected by the presence of PMS. Though the acceleration of the reaction may be due to PMS-mediated passage of electrons from some component in the electron transport chain to molecular oxygen, the lack of a similar effect with methylene blue is consistent with the conclusion that PMS functions directly as the electron acceptor for the Δ1-dehydrogenase.
Comparing Mail and Web-Based Survey Distribution Methods: Results of Surveys to Leisure Travel Retailers

Findings from existing research that compares Web-based survey and traditional survey methods have been inconclusive. This study compares responses from a Web-based survey and those from a paper-and-pencil survey in terms of response rates, data quality, demographic profiles of respondents, internal consistency of scales, and responses to items among American Society of Travel Agents members. Two samples from the same population were randomly assigned to receive the questionnaire either by e-mail notices or by postal mail. Several differences were found between the Web-based survey and the paper-and-pencil survey. The response rate to the Web-based survey was lower than that to the mail survey. The Web-based survey had more missing data fields than the mail survey. The two groups differed in 15.3% of the total items in the data set. Web respondents’ mean scores to the five scales were consistently lower than those of mail respondents.
Burnout: Caring for the Caregivers

The Oncologist 2000;5:425-434 www.TheOncologist.com Correspondence: Richard T. Penson, MRCP, Instructor in Medicine, Hematology-Oncology, Cox 809, 100 Blossom Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114-2617, USA. Telephone: 617-726-5867; Fax: 617-724-3166; e-mail: rpenson@partners.org Received August 28, 2000; accepted for publication August 28, 2000. ©AlphaMed Press 1083-7159/2000/$5.00/0 The Oncologist Schwartz Center Rounds
Arabidopsis gene co-expression network and its functional modules

Biological networks characterize the interactions of biomolecules at a systems-level. One important property of biological networks is the modular structure, in which nodes are densely connected with each other, but between which there are only sparse connections. In this report, we attempted to find the relationship between the network topology and formation of modular structure by comparing gene co-expression networks with random networks. The organization of gene functional modules was also investigated. We constructed a genome-wide Arabidopsis gene co-expression network (AGCN) by using 1094 microarrays. We then analyzed the topological properties of AGCN and partitioned the network into modules by using an efficient graph clustering algorithm. In the AGCN, 382 hub genes formed a clique, and they were densely connected only to a small subset of the network. At the module level, the network clustering results provide a systems-level understanding of the gene modules that coordinate multiple biological processes to carry out specific biological functions. For instance, the photosynthesis module in AGCN involves a very large number (> 1000) of genes which participate in various biological processes including photosynthesis, electron transport, pigment metabolism, chloroplast organization and biogenesis, cofactor metabolism, protein biosynthesis, and vitamin metabolism. The cell cycle module orchestrated the coordinated expression of hundreds of genes involved in cell cycle, DNA metabolism, and cytoskeleton organization and biogenesis. We also compared the AGCN constructed in this study with a graphical Gaussian model (GGM) based Arabidopsis gene network. The photosynthesis, protein biosynthesis, and cell cycle modules identified from the GGM network had much smaller module sizes compared with the modules found in the AGCN, respectively. This study reveals new insight into the topological properties of biological networks. The preferential hub-hub connections might be necessary for the formation of modular structure in gene co-expression networks. The study also reveals new insight into the organization of gene functional modules.
A Collective Statistical Analysis of Outdoor Path Loss Models

This study encompasses nine path loss models (Erceg-Greenstein, Green-Obaidat, COST Hata, Hata Urban, Hata Rural, Hata Suburban, SUI, Egli and ECC-33) which were programmed on Python and studied for their results in an urban architecture (translated by higher attenuation variables) at 950 MHz and 1800 MHz. The results obtained showed that increasing the transmission antenna height with the increasing distance not only lowers down the path loss readings, but also shows that the standard deviation between the results of studied path loss models increases with the increasing transmission antenna height and increasing distance at both 950 MHz and 1800 MHz systems, especially when transmission antenna height crosses the GSM standard of 40 meters and cell-radius exceeds the limit of 20 kilometers. Moreover, it is also observed that at both 950 MHz and 1800 MHz, the path loss readings of all the models disperse from their collective mean between 1 and 10 Km, but tend converge afterwards (i.e. from 10 to 40 Km and onwards) towards their mean, which indicates that path loss readings of the urban models tend to follow either a single convergence point on large distances or reach their maximum threshold level (a level from which their readings cannot exceed or differ from each other significantly).
Nanoporous films: From conventional to conformal.

Thin and continuous films of porous metal–organic frameworks can now be conformally deposited on various substrates using a vapour-phase synthesis approach that departs from conventional solution-based routes.
Traits, situational factors, and their interactions as explanations of helping behavior

Abstract This study is guided by the research question, are personality traits, character traits, situational factors, and their interaction all necessary to explain helping behavior? 121 undergraduates' scores on the Agreeableness scale of the Big Five Inventory and the Kindness scale of the Values in Action Inventory were examined in conjunction with experimentally induced positive, neutral, or negative mood via false feedback on a bogus intelligence test. The number of spilled pencils participants helped retrieve in a “mishap” was the measure of helping. Kindness significantly predicted helping behavior, but neither feedback condition nor Agreeableness was significantly related to helping. Interactions between Kindness, Agreeableness, and feedback conditions were non-significant. These results highlight a stronger contribution to helping behavior from the trait of Kindness than from the trait of Agreeableness and situational factors.
Viewpoint: A New Twist in Simulating Solar Flares

Simulations show for the first time how the magnetic fields that produce solar flares can extend out of the Sun by acquiring a twist.
Surgical Management of a Patient With Thoracic Spinal Cord Herniation: Case Report.

Background and importance Thoracic spinal cord herniation (TSCH) is rare and likely underdiagnosed. It is characterized by ventral herniation of the spinal cord through a dural defect, effacement of the anterior subarachnoid space, and increased posterior subarachnoid space. We present here a case of TSCH diagnosed and surgically treated at Barrow Neurological Institute, along with supplemental intraoperative video. Clinical presentation A 61-year-old man with a history of progressive myelopathy causing left lower-extremity weakness with associated numbness, impaired gait, foot drop, incontinence, and sexual impotence was referred without any previous treatment. Computed tomographic myelography and magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic spine showed ventral spinal cord herniation at T3-T4. Neurological monitoring was recorded preoperatively and intraoperatively. The patient underwent left-sided posterolateral exploration via T3-T4 laminectomies and costotransversectomy for intradural cord release/detethering of the spinal cord with additional superior and inferior extension and repair of the dural defect. Arthrodesis was not considered necessary. After cord release, motor evoked potentials showed immediate improvement from baseline. Dural duplication was considered the cause of TSCH in this case. Total reduction of herniation was evident in postoperative images. The postoperative course was uneventful, and at the last follow-up, the patient had regained ambulation and sphincter control. Conclusion Anterior displacement of the thoracic spinal cord should elicit consideration of herniation to prevent misdiagnosis and inadequate surgery. Surgical cord release and enlargement of the dural defect are safe and associated with good clinical outcomes.
Multi-wavelength Fresnel Digital Holography in an Optical System

Multi-wavelength Fresnel digital holography is used to extract 3D features of objects imaged using a confocal system. The computed phase around the image plane using the synthetic wavelength gives the depth of the original object.
The Hysteresis Effect: Theorizing Mismatch in Action

Widespread reliance on representationalist understandings commit social scientists to either partially or totally decouple belief from reality, limiting the domain of phenomena that can be treated by belief as an analytic concept. Developing the contrastive notion of practical belief, we introduce the hysteresis effect as a situational phenomenon involving the systematic production of agent-environment mismatches and argue for its placement as a central problem for the theory of action. Revealing the dynamic, embodied conservation of belief in the temporality of practice, hysteresis appears when environmental contexts change in a way that leaves actors without an ontologically complicit relationship to institutions as scaffolds of action. Under these circumstances, a past-inflected reflexiveness replaces a forward-inflecting practical belief in the actor's temporal relation to the world. Drawing from a variety of historical case studies, we locate hysteresis in routine disjunctures between the temporality of practice and the temporality of environments. Our analysis reveals four distinct types of reflexiveness produced the hysteresis effect, each with a unique dispositional impact on actors and extensions to group-level phenomena. We conclude the article by emphasizing the non-eliminativist relationship between belief as disposition and belief as representation.
High precision slotted cavity measurement of a novel ceramic state polymer electrolyte

In this paper, a special designed transverse slotted cavity is built in X-band to Ka-band. It was applied to determine the complex permittivity of a novel “ceramic state” polymer electrolytes by employing perturbation theory. The dielectric spectra of this material had been characterized. The complex alternating current electrical conductivity and the ionic conductivity can be deserved from the complex dielectric spectra.
Sizing of lead acid storage system in an energy buffer connected to a wind farm

Global warming and excessive use of non-renewable energy resources are some of the most serious problems facing the society. Therefore, renewable and sustainable energy systems such as wind generation are gaining increasing importance as solutions to these problems. The wind power, however, tends to fluctuate due to intermittency of wind speed whose variation is stochastic in nature. These fluctuations can be a source of voltage and frequency problems. In this paper, a design process of energy storage system, using lead acid batteries, within a buffer scheme is described. The Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) moderates the effects of intermittency of power generated from wind farms. The optimization problem is formulated to play the economic benefit from the sale of the dispatched power against the cost of BESS. The result of optimization gives the optimal size of BESS, to provide the most probable smoothing of wind power over the planning horizon. A probability distribution function (pdf) is created to represent the optimal size of BESS for the planning horizon and then a case study for one year is conducted to illustrate the application of the proposed method.
Optimizing Battery Design for Fast Charge through a Genetic Algorithm Based Multi-Objective Optimization Framework

Batteries have higher power density than before, and electric vehicles (EVs) can travel longer distance per charge which can be comparable to conventional vehicles. However, it still takes too long to charge EVs. Fast charging and supercharging are ones of the available solutions. However, they could potentially damage battery and accelerate battery degradation. It is critical to reduce the charging time without compromising battery's long-term performance. We aim to change charging strategies (e.g., plus charging) and design variables (e.g., porosity, particle size, and electrodes' thicknesses) to reduce battery charging time as well as mitigating its degradation. We utilized our previously developed physics-based side-reaction coupled battery model and computational optimization framework based on the Elitist Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II) to find the optimal design variables and plus charging strategies to reduce battery charging time and mitigate battery degradation. Through optimization, our proposed nonlinear pulse charging only takes 0.35 hour to fully charge the battery which has a reduction of charging time of 98% compared to CCCV.
Do subjective journal ratings represent whole journals or typical articles? Unweighted or weighted citation impact?

Abstract This study uses journal ratings in criminology and criminal justice, library and information science, public administration, and social work to investigate two research questions: (1) Are stated preference (subjective) journal ratings more closely related to size-dependent citation metrics (eigenfactor and total citations, which represent the impact of the journal as a whole) or to size-independent citation metrics (article influence and CiteScore, which represent the impact of a typical article)? (2) Are stated preference ratings more closely related to unweighted citation metrics (five-year impact factor and source normalized impact per publication, which do not account for the impact of each citing journal) or to weighted citation metrics (article influence and SCImago journal rank, which do)? Within the disciplines evaluated here, respondents’ subjective ratings of journals are more closely related to size-independent metrics and weighted metrics. The relative strength of the relationship between subjective ratings and size-independent metrics is moderated by subject area and other factors, while the relative strength of the relationship between subjective ratings and weighted metrics is consistent across all four disciplines. These results are discussed with regard to popularity and prestige, which are sometimes associated with unweighted and weighted citation metrics, respectively.
On the nature of the human mind: the cognit space theory

The Cognit Space theory of how the human mind works is presented. A new version of the "Two Minds" hypothesis is introduced, separating the Human Evolutionary Adapted Mind (HEAM) from the Tabula Rasa Mind (TRM). Consciousness is suggested to be the real time optimisation of a mental state wavepacket with respect to a person's value system.
Surviving Spanish Conquest: Indian fight, flight, and cultural transformation in Hispaniola and Puerto Rico

Critiquing the traditional historiography of Spanish invasion of the West Indies, Surviving Spanish Conquest delivers a cogent and nuanced analysis of culture contact during the pivotal period betw...
Encyclopedias of Error: Diderot’s Medicalized Bodies and Communication

This chapter explores the epistemological conversation among the Encyclopedie, Diderot’s medical work, his acting theories, and his representation of body language in Le Fils naturel. Offering analysis of the enigmatic entries on sleep, malady, and error in the Encyclopedie as background regarding the intellectual consideration of body fallibility in revolutionary France, the chapter suggests that Diderot not only warns audiences about the errors that arise in interpreting acting but also finds the origins of forgivable behaviors in the body’s “natural” imperfections and pathologies. In his drama, Diderot portrays forgiveness of errors in communication as a potential resolution for family conflict. Moreover, the chapter argues that the portrayal of bodies and affect in Le Fils naturel ultimately proposes embracing error and human physicality as the central foundations of an egalitarian and empathetic revolutionary society.
Aerobic Archaea in iron-rich springs.

The discovery and characterization of a phylum-level archaeal lineage in iron-rich hot springs—the Marsarchaeota—expands the phylogenetic depth and physiological diversity of aerobic archaea.
Sensorimotor System Measurement Techniques

Objective To provide an overview of currently available sensorimotor assessment techniques. Data sources We drew information from an extensive review of the scientific literature conducted in the areas of proprioception, neuromuscular control, and motor control measurement. Literature searches were conducted using MEDLINE for the years 1965 to 1999 with the key words proprioception, somatosensory evoked potentials, nerve conduction testing, electromyography, muscle dynamometry, isometric, isokinetic, kinetic, kinematic, posture, equilibrium, balance, stiffness, neuromuscular, sensorimotor, and measurement. Additional sources were collected using the reference lists of identified articles. Data synthesis Sensorimotor measurement techniques are discussed with reference to the underlying physiologic mechanisms, influential factors and locations of the variable within the system, clinical research questions, limitations of the measurement technique, and directions for future research. Conclusions/recommendations The complex interactions and relationships among the individual components of the sensorimotor system make measuring and analyzing specific characteristics and functions difficult. Additionally, the specific assessment techniques used to measure a variable can influence attained results. Optimizing the application of sensorimotor research to clinical settings can, therefore, be best accomplished through the use of common nomenclature to describe underlying physiologic mechanisms and specific measurement techniques.