cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Multidisciplinary Research Framework on Green Schools: Infrastructure, Social Environment, Occupant Health, and Performance

BACKGROUND Sustainable school buildings hold much promise to reducing operating costs, improve occupant well-being and, ultimately, teacher and student performance. However, there is a scarcity of evidence on the effects of sustainable school buildings on health and performance indicators. We sought to create a framework for a multidisciplinary research agenda that links school facilities, health, and educational outcomes. METHODS We conducted a nonsystematic review of peer review publications, government documents, organizational documents, and school climate measurement instruments. RESULTS We found that studies on the impact of physical environmental factors (air, lighting, and thermal comfort) on health and occupant performance are largely independent of research on the social climate. The current literature precludes the formation of understanding the causal relation among school facilities, social climate, occupant health, and occupant performance. CONCLUSIONS Given the average age of current school facilities in the United States, construction of new school facilities or retrofits of older facilities will be a major infrastructure investment for many municipalities over the next several decades. Multidisciplinary research that seeks to understand the impact of sustainable design on the health and performance of occupants will need to include both an environmental science and social science perspective to inform best practices and quantification of benefits that go beyond general measures of costs savings from energy efficiencies.
Reflective control for an elastic cloud application: an automated experiment workbench

This paper addresses "reflective" control for applications that use server resources from a shared cloud infrastructure opportunistically. In this approach, an external reflective controller launches application functions based on knowledge of what resources are available from the cloud, their cost, and their value to the application through time. As a driving example, we consider reflective control for an important use of elastic computing: a virtual workbench for digital experiments, focusing on automated benchmarking. We report progress on a Workbench Automation/Intelligence Framework (Waif), and show how it can adapt to available cloud resources by planning and launching experiments in parallel. Waif is part of the ongoing Automat project - an open testbed for programmable hosting centers, built on the ORCA resource leasing platform. We designed a prototype Waif, directed at constructing server performance models by mapping server behavior within a multi-dimensional parameter space. The planner estimates the value and cost of candidate experiments based on the results of completed experiments. In this setting, we show the potential of reflective control to accelerate progress toward a benchmarking objective in a way that balances speed, accuracy, and cost.
Content analysis of age verification, purchase and delivery methods of internet e-cigarette vendors, 2013 and 2014

Objective Identify the population of internet e-cigarette vendors (IEVs) and conduct content analyses of their age verification, purchase and delivery methods in 2013 and 2014. Methods We used multiple sources to identify IEV websites, primarily complex search algorithms scanning more than 180 million websites. In 2013, we manually screened 32 446 websites, identifying 980 IEVs, selecting the 281 most popular for content analysis. This methodology yielded 31 239 websites for screening in 2014, identifying 3096 IEVs, with 283 selected for content analysis. Results The proportion of vendors that sold online-only, with no retail store, dropped significantly from 2013 (74.7%) to 2014 (64.3%) (p Conclusions The number of IEVs grew sharply from 2013 to 2014, with poor age verification practices. New and expanded regulations for online e-cigarette sales are needed, including strict age and identity verification requirements.
Workshop on teaching modern models of access control hands-on: tutorial presentation

Access control is one of the most fundamental mechanisms for data protection. In response to modern threats against computer systems, operating systems implementations have incorporated increasingly sophisticated models of access control. These models are powerful, but also extremely complex. A very strict policy can contain tens of thousands of rules. Students must be educated about these new systems in order for them to be widely adopted and used effectively.
Two Blocs to One Market: The Shift East of Auto Production in Post-Socialist Europe

This brief chapter sets the scene for the nation-specific chapters by providing a short synopsis of passenger car production in CE during the Socialist Era (1949–1989). It then provides a chronology of foreign car plant production launches in CE and SEE and a summary of car production data by nation for CE, SEE, and Western Europe. These figures are broken up into two distinct periods: 1989–2001 or Post-Socialist Phase I; and 2001–2015 or Post-Socialist Phase II.
Efecto del Ca2+ sobre algunas variables de crecimiento de Aloe vera cultivada con NaCl

High concentrations of salts in the soil adversely affect the cultivation of Aloe vera , and since it has been shown that in other plants calcium helps counteract the effects of salinity, this paper presents results on effects of the radical application Ca2+ to A. vera plants subjected to salt stress, to check if calcium improves its adaptation to salinity. For this purpose, the fresh biomass, leaf volume, number of new leaves and number and root length was measured. All variables were diminished by the application of NaCl; however, in general, supplementation with 10 mmol.m-3 CaCl2 100 mmol m-3 NaCl, had positive effects on these variables, increasing, in many cases those reduced by NaCl parameters, which is good news for successfully growing aloe in areas where there are problems with dissolved salts in the soil.
An Attempt to Replicate the Spinning Chair Experiment

Baker’s (this volume) spinning chair experiment is an attractive approach for testing the hypothesis of human magnetoreception. It requires only a few students at a time rather than busloads, and can be run at a low level over a suitably long period of time. It is further amenable to a variety of double-blind controls over the magnetic field and subject positions which are difficult to achieve in the bus experiments.
Impacts of over-seeding bermudagrass pasture with multispecies cover crops on soil water availability, microbiology, and nutrient status in North Texas

Abstract Cover crops over-sown into established perennial bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) pastures has been effective in improving forage productivity and net farm profitability in wetter grasslands in US. To assess if the use of cover crops can do so in the relatively dry regions of Southern Great Plains of Texas, we evaluated what positive and negative impacts accrue from sowing winter growing mixed species cover crops into bermudagrass pastures by measuring soil water dynamics, soil nutrient and soil microbial dynamics on three separate commercial farms over three growing seasons. There was no evidence that annual, winter growing cover crops reduced soil moisture to negatively affect the following production of the bermudagrass pasture. This result was obtained in years that had average to above average precipitation and may have been different in drier years. At one of the farm sites the key biological function changes we measured positive changes in soil biological activity and fertility to indicate that positive biological changes had taken place and could after more years add up to greater improved outcomes. However, the lack of positive soil biological responses on the other two farms may indicate that soils initially having low soil organic matter, poor permeability, water holding capacity and fertility would need to develop greater levels of soil organic matter with better management before positive responses using cover crops would yield acceptable improvements. However, they are a likely means of contributing to these desired improvements. Cover crop biomass levels were greater on the drill than Broadcast and Control but the improved biomass with broadcasting to establish the cover crops on all three farm sites has important cost lowering implications even though it was applied at a 33% higher seeding rate. It is likely that improved grazing management of perennial pasture is necessary to improve soil organic carbon and soil biological function in conjunction with the use of cover crops.
Development of a long-acting Fc-fused cocaine hydrolase with improved yield of protein expression.

Abstract Human butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is known as a safe and effective protein for detoxification of organophosphorus (OP) nerve agents. Its rationally designed mutants with considerably improved catalytic activity against cocaine, known as cocaine hydrolases (CocHs), are recognized as the most promising drug candidates for the treatment of cocaine abuse. However, it is a grand challenge to efficiently produce active recombinant BChE and CocHs with a sufficiently long biological half-life. In the present study, starting from a promising CocH, known as CocH3 (i.e. A199S/F227A/S287G/A328W/Y332G mutant of human BChE), which has a ~2000-fold improved catalytic activity against cocaine compared to wild-type BChE, we designed an N-terminal fusion protein, Fc(M3)-(PAPAP)2-CocH3, which was constructed by fusing Fc of human IgG1 to the N-terminal of CocH3 and further optimized by inserting a linker between the two protein domains. Without lowering the enzyme activity, Fc(M3)-(PAPAP)2-CocH3 expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells has not only a long biological half-life of 105 ± 7 h in rats, but also a high yield of protein expression. Particularly, Fc(M3)-(PAPAP)2-CocH3 has a ~21-fold increased protein expression yield in CHO cells compared to CocH3 under the same experimental conditions. Given the observations that Fc(M3)-(PAPAP)2-CocH3 has not only a high catalytic activity against cocaine and a long biological half-life, but also a high yield of protein expression, this new protein entity reported in this study would be a more promising candidate for therapeutic treatment of cocaine overdose and addiction.
Experiências do espaço e sagrados contemporâneos: breve leitura comparativa dos espaços arquitetônicos de Fátima e de Aparecida

This article begins with a proposal of interpretation of “religious” buildings as configurations of the space that, “transfiguring” the daily space, allow experiences of the sacred contextualized culturally and even individually. In the context of these buildings, the sanctuaries are especially prominent, since they reinterpret not only the interior but also the outer space, “transfiguring” the landscapes in which they are inserted. As an application of this thesis, a brief description of the architectural spaces of Fatima and Aparecida is presented, allowing a comparative evaluation of the experiences of the sacred promoted by the respective buildings, in their similarity but also their difference.
Prior antibiotic use and acquisition of multidrug-resistant organisms in hospitalized children: A systematic review.

Objective:Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) cause ~5%–10% of infections in hospitalized children, leading to an increased risk of death, prolonged hospitalization, and additional costs. Antibiotic exposure is considered a driving factor of MDRO acquisition; however, consensus regarding the impact of antibiotic factors, especially in children, is lacking. We conducted a systematic review to examine the relationship between antibiotic use and subsequent healthcare-associated infection or colonization with an MDRO in children.Design:Systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guideline.Methods:We searched PubMed and Embase for all English, peer-reviewed original research studies published before September 2018. Included studies evaluated hospitalized children, antibiotic use as an exposure, and bacterial MDRO as an outcome.Results:Of the 535 studies initially identified, 29 met the inclusion criteria. Overall, a positive association was identified in most studies evaluating a specific antibiotic exposure (17 of 21, 81%), duration of antibiotics (9 of 12, 75%), and number of antibiotics received (2 of 3, 67%). Those studies that evaluated any antibiotic exposure had mixed results (5 of 10, 50%). Study sites, populations, and definitions of antibiotic use and MDROs varied widely.Conclusions:Published studies evaluating this relationship are limited and are of mixed quality. Limitations include observation bias in recall of antibiotic exposure, variations in case definitions, and lack of evaluation of antibiotic dosing and appropriateness. Additional studies exploring the impact of antibiotic use and MDRO acquisition may be needed to develop effective antibiotic stewardship programs for hospitalized children.
Understanding Subprime Mortgage Default

Abstract The explosive growth of subprime mortgage originations in the early 2000s coincided with the initial formation, and subsequent collapse, of the residential housing bubble. Given their rela...
Mismatch between the proposed ability concepts of the Graduate Record Examination and the critical thinking skills of physical therapy applicants suggested by an expert panel in the United States

PURPOSE The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is a general examination predictive of success in US based graduate programs. Used to assess written, mathematical and critical thinking (CT) skills of students, the GRE is utilized for admission to approximately 85% of US Physical Therapist Education (PTE) programs. The purpose of this research is to assess if CT skills measured by the GRE match CT skills deemed, by an expert panel, as most important to assess prior to PTE. METHODS Using a modified E-Delphi approach, a three-phase survey was distributed over 8-weeks to a panel consisting of licensed US physical therapists- experienced in the realm of critical thinking and/or PTE program directors. The CT skills isolated by the expert panel, based on Facione's The Delphi Report were compared to the CT skills assessed by the GRE. RESULTS The CT skills supported by The Delphi Report and chosen by the expert panel to assess prior to acceptance into US PTE programs included clarifying meaning, categorization and analyzing arguments. Only clarifying meaning matched the CT skills from the GRE. CONCLUSION The GRE is a test for general admission to graduate programs, lacking context related to healthcare or physical therapy. The current study fails to support the GRE as an assessment tool of CT for applicants for admission to PTE. Development of a context-based admission test where CT skills identified in this study is a key in the admissions process to predict which students will complete US PTE programs and pass licensure exam.
Maternal cumulative prevalence measures of child mortality show heavy burden in sub-Saharan Africa

We advance a set of population-level indicators that quantify the prevalence of mothers who have ever experienced an infant, under 5-y-old child, or any-age child die. The maternal cumulative prevalence of infant mortality (mIM), the maternal cumulative prevalence of under 5 mortality (mU5M), and the maternal cumulative prevalence of offspring mortality (mOM) bring theoretical and practical value to a variety of disciplines. Here we introduce maternal cumulative prevalence measures of mortality for multiple age groups of mothers in 20 sub-Saharan African countries with Demographic and Health Surveys data spanning more than two decades. The exercise demonstrates the persistently high prevalence of African mothers who have ever experienced a child die. In some African countries, more than one-half of 45- to 49-y-old mothers have experienced the death of a child under age 5, and nearly two-thirds have experienced the death of any child, irrespective of age. Fewer young mothers have experienced a child die, yet in many countries, up to one-third have. Our results show that the mIM and mU5M can follow distinct trajectories from the infant mortality rate (IMR) and under 5 mortality rate (U5MR), offering an experiential view of mortality decline that annualized measures conceal. These measures can be adapted to quantify the prevalence of recurrent offspring mortality (mROM) and calculated for subgroups to identify within-country inequality in the mortality burden. These indicators can be used to improve current understandings of mortality change, bereavement as a public health threat, and population dynamics.
An Alarm System Based on BP Neural Network Algorithm for the Detection of Falls to Elderly Person

With the increase in the elderly population, people pay more and more attention to the harm caused by falls. When people reach old age, various functions of the body will degrade to a certain extent. If the elderly fall down, it may endanger their physical and mental health. In view of the above problems, this system designed a elderly fall detection and alarm system based on the reverse neural network algorithm, specifically using MPU6050 sensor to detect human posture data, the control module using the algorithm for real-time judgment, if the fall behavior, the control alarm module to send alarm messages. This system can be used in nursing home health monitoring system, intelligent home system in the detection subsystem and other intelligent medical aspects, can be used in various aspects to protect the health of the elderly, reduce the risk of accidental injury.
Evaluation of the Addition of Pharmacist Management to a Medication Assistance Program in Patients with Hypertension and Diabetes Resistant to Usual Care

Objective:To evaluate the effect of a medication assistance program and the addition of pharmacist management on clinical outcomes in patients with hypertension and diabetes through an Advanced Pha...
A cognitive-evolutionary model for the evolution of teaching.

Abstract Mechanisms for social learning have rightly been the focus of much work in cultural evolution. But mechanisms for teaching—mechanisms that determine what information is available for learners to learn in the first place—are equally important to cultural evolution, especially in the case of humans. Here, we propose a simple model of teaching in the context of skill transmission. Our model derives the evolutionary cost and benefit of teaching by explicitly representing cognitive aspects of skill transmission as a dual-inheritance process. We then show that teaching cannot evolve when its direct cost is too high. We also show that there is an “explain-exploit” trade-off inherent to teaching: when payoffs from sharing information are not constant, there can be an indirect cost to teaching. This gives rise to an opportunity cost that goes beyond any direct cost that it may also entail. Finally, we show that evolution limits the strength of teaching provided that the direct cost of teaching is an increasing function of teaching effort. We then discuss how these factors might explain why teaching mechanisms are self-limiting, suggesting that such mechanisms may nevertheless play an important role in the evolution of cumulative culture in humans.
Measurement of Automotive Passby Noise

Procedures for measurement of noise emitted by various automotive vehicles have been developed and refined by various technical committees of the SAE. Recent work on the parameters of these procedures indicated that the site used, the vehicle operator, and the ambient weather conditions are all significant factors in the accuracy of test results. Revision of these procedures to minimize the variation in results attributable to variation in test parameters, and to produce results more representative of typical operating modes of the vehicle, is essential.
Institutional Feedback Technologies in Online Marketplaces: An Investigation of Feedback Text Comments, Trust, and Price Premiums

For online marketplaces to succeed and prevent a market of ‘lemons’, their feedback technologies must be able to differentiate among sellers and generate price premiums for trustworthy ones (as returns to their superior feedback). However, the literature has solely focused on positive and negative feedback ratings, alas ignoring the role of feedback text comments. These text comments are proposed to convey useful tacit knowledge about a seller’s prior transactions that cannot be described by simple positive and negative ratings. This study examines the ‘hidden’ content of feedback text comments and its role in building buyer’s trust in a seller’s benevolence and credibility. In turn, benevolence and credibility are proposed to influence the price premiums that a seller receives from buyers.This paper utilizes content analysis to analyze over 10,000 feedback text comments of 420 sellers in eBay’s online auction marketplace, and match them with survey responses from 420 buyers that recently purchased products from these sellers. These dyadic data show that feedback comments create price premiums for trustworthy sellers by influencing buyer trust beliefs in a seller’s benevolence and credibility (even after controlling for the impact of positive and negative ratings). The analysis of feedback comments does provide a superior explanatory power in benevolence and credibility. Interestingly, the addition of benevolence (which has been ignored in online auctions)provides an outstanding predictive power on price premiums (R2 = 50%) compared to prior studies (R2 = 20-30%).By uncovering the ‘hidden’ value of feedback text comments and the mediating role of benevolence, this study helps explain the existence and success of online marketplaces that rely on seller differentiation. The paper discusses the study’s theoretical and practical implications for better understanding the nature and role of institutional feedback technologies, benevolence, credibility, and price premiums in online marketplaces.
The F-box protein SKP2 mediates androgen control of p27 stability in LNCaP human prostate cancer cells

The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27 is a putative tumor suppressor that is downregulated in the majority of human prostate cancers. The mechanism of p27 down-regulation in prostate cancers in unknown, but presumably involves increased proteolysis mediated by the SCFSKP2 ubiquitin ligase complex. Here we used the human prostate cancer cell line LNCaP, which undergoes G1 cell cycle arrest in response to androgen, to examine the role of the SKP2 F-box protein in p27 regulation in prostate cancer. We show that androgen-induced G1 cell cycle arrest of LNCaP cells coincides with inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 activity and p27 accumulation caused by reduced p27 ubiquitylation activity. At the same time, androgen decreased expression of SKP2, but did not affect other components of SCFSKP2. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of SKP2 led to ectopic down-regulation of p27 in asynchronous cells. Furthermore, SKP2 overexpression was sufficient to overcome p27 accumulation in androgen arrested cells by stimulating cellular p27 ubiquitylation activity. This resulted in transient activation of CDK2 activity, but was insufficient to override the androgen-induced G1 block. Our studies suggest that SKP2 is a major determinant of p27 levels in human prostate cancer cells. Based on our in vitro studies, we suggest that overexpression of SKP2 may be one of the mechanisms that allow prostate cancer cells to escape growth control mediated by p27. Consequently, the SKP2 pathway may be a suitable target for novel prostate cancer therapies.
Enhanced position location with UWB in obstructed LOS and NLOS multipath environments

We propose an enhanced directional beacon based position location procedure for UWB systems. Unlike previous work that relies on strongest return and therefore prone to errors in obstructed line of sight (OLOS) and non-LOS (NLOS) environments, our procedure identifies the LOS return by detecting the earliest arrival. To overcome synchronization problems, we propose a correlation based window algorithm to detect the earliest arrival and hence the LOS component across a 360° rotation of directional beacon. We extend the algorithm to non-LOS (NLOS) case and estimate position by minimizing the norm between the sets of measurements. To assess the performance over realistic UWB channels, we modify the UWB channel model to incorporate the effect of directional transmitting antennas. From simulation results we claim position location accuracy of around 34 cm with a pragmatic 4-element antenna array using 2.4GHz UWB pulses and 4-bit A/D converter at 24dB SNR.
Effects of Iron Supplementation and Activity on Serum Iron Depletion and Hemoglobin Levels in Female Athletes.

Abstract This study investigated the effects of iron supplementation (18 mg per day) on the serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), hemoglobin levels, and percent hemoglobin saturation with iron of female college basketball athletes. The serum iron and hemoglobin levels of ten varsity basketball athletes and seven control subjects (nonathletes) were measured (pretest) prior to the basketball season and again at the end of the season. Iron supplements, no supplements, or a placebo tablet were given during the 4-month experimental period. ANOVA statistical analyses revealed that the iron supplementation was of no value in raising serum iron, TIBC, percent saturation, and hemoglobin levels and that a 4-month basketball training regimen and season did not significantly lower serum iron and hemoglobin levels.
Decision- and classification-directed methods in nonstationary signal analysis

An examination is made of alternatives to traditional frequency analysis of nonstationary signals using a decision-directed estimation methodology. This methodology is used to estimate the probability structure of signal energy at discrete frequencies. The method presented utilizes possible harmonic structure in signals of interest by using adaptive coupling of detectors at harmonically related frequencies. This coupling is directed according to signal classifications made on the marginal detector decision outputs. The method given is less computationally intensive than estimation of the full joint probability distribution. Results show improvement over marginal detection alone given true Bayesian statistics. >
Thermal tolerance of Hymenolepis diminuta eggs does not limit the parasite's distribution

Eggs of the tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta, and adults of the beetle, Tenebrio molitor, were incubated at high and low temperatures. The tapeworm's eggs survived at higher and lower temperatures and for longer periods of time than did adult beetles, indicating that the thermal tolerance of the eggs does not limit the parasite's distribution.
Incorporation of Pendant Bases into Rh(diphosphine)2 Complexes: Synthesis, Thermodynamic Studies, And Catalytic CO2 Hydrogenation Activity of [Rh(P2N2)2](+) Complexes.

A series of five [Rh(P2N2)2]+ complexes (P2N2 = 1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctane) have been synthesized and characterized: [Rh(PPh2NPh2)2]+ (1), [Rh(PPh2NBn2)2]+ (2), [Rh(PPh2NPhOMe2)2]+ (3), [Rh(PCy2NPh2)2]+ (4), and [Rh(PCy2NPhOMe2)2]+ (5). Complexes 1–5 have been structurally characterized as square planar rhodium bis-diphosphine complexes with slight tetrahedral distortions. The corresponding hydride complexes 6–10 have also been synthesized and characterized, and X-ray diffraction studies of HRh(PPh2NBn2)2 (7), HRh(PPh2NPhOMe2)2 (8) and HRh(PCy2NPh2)2 (9) show that the hydrides have distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometries. Equilibration of complexes 2–5 with H2 in the presence of 2,8,9-triisopropyl-2,5,8,9-tetraaza-1-phosphabicyclo[3,3,3]undecane (Verkade’s base) enabled the determination of the hydricities and estimated pKa’s of the Rh(I) hydride complexes using the appropriate thermodynamic cycles. Complexes 1–5 were active for CO2 hydrogenation under mild conditions, and their relative rates w...
An Overview of Electronic Part Failure Analysis Experience

Failure analysis experience gained in support of several major spacecraft programs has shown the vast majority of electronic part failures encountered to be the result of relatively straightforward quality defects and misuse. Within the framework of this experience, it is estimated that the number of part failures resulting from these simple causes is at least 100 percent greater than that due to more subtle time/environment dependent failure mechanisms. Therefore, even first-order failure analysis without resort to sophisticated facilities and techniques can provide substantial information regarding the cause of equipment malfunction. It is the intent of this paper to briefly discuss the role of part failure analysis in support of system development, indicate the relative proportion of part failures due to various major causes, and present several examples of failure analysis results.
Radical behaviorism: A productive and needed philosophy for education

Radical behaviorism is the philosophy of the science of behavior originating in the work of B. F. Skinner and elaborated over the years by a community of researchers, scholars, and practitioners. Radical behaviorism is a complete, or thoroughgoing behaviorism in that all human behavior, public and private, is explained in terms of its functional relations with environmental events. Radical behaviorism is often misrepresented in the literatures of education and psychology. Two fundamental misconceptions of radical behaviorism are that its followers (1) are logical positivists who require that a phenomenon be observed by two or more people before it qualifies for scientific analysis, and (2) either will not or cannot incorporate private events (e.g., thoughts, feelings) into their analyses of human behavior. This paper offers an advocacy perspective on contemporary radical behaviorism. In particular, we define radical behaviorism and briefly outline the history of the term's use in psychological literature, discuss the scientific practice of behavior analysts, explain the “intolerance” exhibited by radical behaviorists, and comment on the use of popularity as a criterion for good science. The paper concludes with a discussion of the recent shift in educational research and practice from empiricism and outcome-oriented intervention toward a holistic/constructivist philosophy described by its advocates as incompatible with behaviorally-based instruction.
Electrocyclic Ring Opening Modes of Dewar Benzenes: Ab Initio Predictions for Möbius Benzene and trans-Dewar Benzene as New C6H6 Isomers

Ab initio calculations have been performed on the two modes of electrocyclic ring opening of Dewar benzene (1), as well as related structures. Both CASSCF and MP2 optimizations predict the existence of Mobius benzene (3, cis,cis,trans-1,3,5-cyclohexatriene) in a very shallow minimum ca. 100 kcal/mol above benzene (2). This structure has alternating single and double bonds, with one fully trans double bond. The barrier for π bond rotation (3 → 2) is predicted to be less than 3 kcal/mol. Stationary points have been located at the TCSCF/6-31G* level for both conrotatory and disrotatory ring opening of 1. The disrotatory path proceeds through a second-order saddle point, which appears to be a general characteristic of symmetry-forbidden reactions. At every level of calculation, conrotatory ring opening of 1 proceeds through a barrier that is 1.5−5.1 kcal/mol lower than disrotation. The predicted conrotatory enthalpic barrier of 24−28 kcal/mol agrees well with the experimental value of 25.1 ± 2. Intrinsic reac...
The reliability of clinical measurements designed to quantify shoulder mobility

AbstractBackground: The assessment of shoulder mobility is an integral component of the physical therapy examination. Recognizing a mobility loss may assist the physical therapist in making a differential diagnosis, measuring improvement or deterioration, determining functional impairment, and planning interventions. Reliable measurement instruments and procedures are therefore essential to both the clinician and researcher desiring to objectively monitor disease progression, outcomes, and mobility impairments.Objectives: The purpose of this review is to summarize the literature on the reliability and concurrent validity of clinical measurements used to quantify osteokinematic mobility of the shoulder.Major findings: The reliability of shoulder mobility measurements is highly variable with no consistent advantage of instrumentation or procedures. Inclinometric measurement reliability coefficients ranged from 0·11 to 0·99, with goniometry −0·22 to 0·99 and visual inspection 0·18 to 0·98. Reliability was in...
Methyl-Substituted Tyrosines and Related Compounds as Potential Anticancer Agents

3,5-Dimethyl-DL-tyrosine, 3-methyl-DL-tyrosine, 3-methyl-5-iodo-DL-tyrosine, as well as synthetic intermediates and derivatives of these, have been prepared for study of anticancer activity. Preliminary tests on two members of the series against experimental tumors in mice showed a slight inhibition of tumor growth.
Variation in regulation of aflatoxin biosynthesis among isolates of Aspergillus flavus.

Two new phenotypes ofAspergillus flavus which exhibit novel patterns of aflatoxin production have been identified and characterized. In one of the new variants ofA. flavus, aflatoxin is made in the absence of carbohydrate and concomitantly with growth, without a lag period. A second variant did not produce aflatoxin in the presence or absence of carbohydrate. Chemical mutagenesis of this nonaflatoxigenic strain resulted in mutant strains which produced aflatoxin on carbohydrate-containing media. The aflatoxin production pattern observed in these mutants resembled the typical production scheme, with a lag period through log phase growth.
Electrical properties of He + ion-implanted GaInP

The electrical properties of high resistivity GaInP layers produced by He+ ion implantation have been studied. Thick high-resistivity layers (ρ > 107 Ω-cm) were obtained using multi-energy implants (80 keV, 120 keV, and 150 keV). Current-voltage (I-V) measurements of mesa diodes with two ohmic contacts indicate that in the temperature range from 200 to 300K, the dominant current flow mechanism in both n-type and p-type implanted materials is Poole-Frenkel emission, especially in the range of high electric field (>105 V/cm). The thermal activation energy Ea and the potential barrier height Φo of the generated deep levels are 0.16±0.005 eV and 0.33±0.005 eV, respectively. At low temperature, the hopping current dominates at low and moderate applied electric fields, and the I-V curves show an ohmic characteristic. The high-temperature annealing behavior of the implanted GaInP indicates that the compensation of free carriers in the material is dominated by damage-related levels, which are annealed out at high temperatures. In regard to typical alloying cycles of metal contacts in device fabrication, it is worth noting that the resistivity is still as high as 2 × 108 Ω-cm for n-type samples (5 × 107 Ω-cm for p-type) after 350°C annealing, which suggests that multi-energy He+ implantation is suitable for implant isolation in the GaInP device technology.
Maser Radiation in a Keplerian Disk

The distribution in angle and frequency of unsaturated maser radiation in the plane of a thin Keplerian disk is treated. Calculations are performed to relate the observed flux densities to the intrinsic properties of the maser features. An application is the interpretation of the high-velocity, 22 GHz masing features of the disk around the black hole at the nucleus of the galaxy NGC 4258. In contrast to other assessments, the mean intensity that is inferred for the radiation within these features leads to (at most) only weak maser saturation, with a rate for stimulated emission that probably is about 0.1 s-1. This rate is consistent with the observed spectral line breadths of these features which are only compatible with rates for stimulated emission that are less than about 1 s-1. Certain approximations can be made in the calculations because the Keplerian velocity of the disk in NGC 4258 is much greater than the thermal velocity of the molecules. A simple expression is then obtained to relate the degree of saturation of the maser to the observed maser intensity.
Autoclave Curing — Comparisons of Model and Test Results:

Tests were performed measuring the temperature, ionic conductivity, and compaction in 16 to 200 ply thick graphite-epoxy laminates made of either Fiberite T300/976 (tape or fabric) or Hercules AS/3501-6 (tape). The data were compared to results calculated by the Loos-Springer CURE model. Good agreement was found between the model results and the data indicating that the model can be used to select the cure cycle. It is also shown that the cure cycle recommended by the manufacturer may result in ex cessive temperatures and in incomplete compaction and cannot be used to manufacture "thick" or even moderately thick composites.
EQUILIBRIUM STUDIES IN THE SYSTEM FeO-AI2O3,-SiO2*

Equilibrium relationships on the liquidus surface in the system Fe0-Al2O3SiO2 have been established by a modified quenching procedure. The crystal phases which separate from melts heated in iron crucibles are fayalite (2FeO·SO2), hercynite (FeO·Al2O3), tridymite and cristobalite (SiO2), mullite (3Al2O3·2SiO2), corundum (Al2O3), and wastite (approximately FeO). A considerable portion of this system is liquid at 1400°C. Diagrams show the isotherms and the index of refraction of the glasses formed. Two quintuple points have been established in this investigation. One point is at the composition, SiO2 42% by weight, Al2O313%, and FeO 45%, and is a eutectic involving the phases fayalite, hercynite, and tridymite at 970°C. ± 200C. The preferred composition of the second quintuple point is 48% of SO2, 23% of Al2O3, and 29% of FeO; it is a peritectic, and the crystal phases are mullite, hercynite, and tridyrnite. Crystallization from this melt without a change in the weight composition calls for the resorption of mullite at a temperature of 1100°C. ±20°C.
Adverse reactions to intravenous iodinated contrast media: a primer for radiologists

Adverse reactions to intravenous iodinated contrast media may be classified as general and organ-specific, such as contrast-induced nephrotoxicity. General adverse reactions may be subclassified into acute and delayed types. Acute general adverse reactions can range from transient minor reactions to life-threatening severe reactions. Non-ionic contrast media have lower risk of mild and moderate adverse reactions. However, the risk of fatal reactions is similar for ionic and non-ionic contrast media. Adequate preprocedure evaluation should be performed to identify predisposing risk factors. Prompt recognition and treatment of acute adverse reactions is crucial. Risk of contrast induced nephrotoxicity can be reduced by use of non-ionic contrast media, less volume of contrast, and adequate hydration. The radiologist can play a pivotal role by being aware of predisposing factors, clinical presentation, and management of adverse reactions to contrast media.
Anastomotic stricture with foreign-body reaction and stone formation following radical retropubic prostatectomy

We report 4 cases of anastomotic stricture after radical retropubic prostatectomy caused by erosion of suture material used to ligate the dorsal vein complex. In 2 patients there was overlying stone formation. The clinical features of this complication, management options, and means of prevention are reviewed.
Optical transmittance of common Čerenkov counter gases

Abstract The optical transmittance of the commonly used Cerenkov counter gases, freon 12, freon 13, CO 2 , SF 6 , and N 2 , was measured in the range from 1875 A to 8000 A, and normalized for a 100 cm × 1 atm path.
Classifying conditionals: The traditional way is right

as said now by someone who thinks that such arrangements had been made. Parties to the dispute about classification have agreed that Didn'tdid is of a different basic type from Hadn't-would. I shall say that Didn'tdid is a "straight" conditional and Hadn't-would a "corner"" one. The former are often expressed with a straight arrow (A -* C), and the latter with a corner symbol (A > C). Occasionally using those devices, I shall reserve the neutral form Con(A, C) to stand for conditionals that do not uncontroversially belong to either type. The dispute concerned Doesn't-will. It does not have a "were" or a "would"; nobody wants to call it "subjunctive" or "counterfactual"; and for many years it rested comfortably in the straight category. There were flickers of trouble with that classification in remarks by Timothy Smiley, Brian Ellis and Allan Gibbard, suggesting that perhaps Doesn't-will belongs in the corner category; the flickers became outright flames when V. H. Dudman (1981, 1983, 1984) argued hard for that relocation of Doesn't-will; and a paper of mine-insolently titled "Farewell to the
A Fatty Blood Sample

A blood sample was drawn from a 70-year-old hypotensive man. The sample was sent to the laboratory in a plasma separator tube for a basic metabolic panel and troponin measurement. On arrival, the sample was centrifuged, resulting in the specimen shown in Fig. 1. The red material on top was fatty and viscous. …
Tracking Accessibility: Employment and Housing Opportunities in the San Francisco Bay Area:

Shifts in job accessibility reflect, in part, the degree to which land use and transportation decisions help bring job opportunities closer to labor forces. In this paper we argue for the wider use...
Ultrafine Iron Powder as an Oxygen Scavenger for Argon Purification. Active Iron from Organic Precursors

Ultrafine iron powder was found to be able to remove oxygen from argon. The affinity of iron to oxygen is very high, and oxygen can be removed to concentrations well below 0.2 ppm. The successive experimental runs indicated that the sorbent matrix is not deactivated and maintains high oxygen loading capacities. The spent material can be easily regenerated in a stream of hydrogen at low temperatures. Iron powder was prepared by the thermal decomposition from organic precursors. The sorbent can be easily packed in an adsorption column. The process described here can be scaled up for industrial use.
Acute marijuana effects on human risk taking

Previous studies have established a relationship between marijuana use and risky behavior in natural settings. A limited number of laboratory investigations of marijuana effects on human risk taking have been conducted. The present study was designed to examine the acute effects of smoked marijuana on human risk taking, and to identify behavioral mechanisms that may be involved in drug-induced changes in the probability of risky behavior. Using a laboratory measure of risk taking designed to address acute drug effects, 10 adults were administered placebo cigarettes and three doses of active marijuana cigarettes (half placebo and half 1.77%; 1.77%; and 3.58% Delta9-THC) in a within-subject repeated-measures experimental design. The risk-taking task presented subjects with a choice between two response options operationally defined as risky and nonrisky. Data analyses examined cardiovascular and subjective effects, response rates, distribution of choices between the risky and nonrisky option, and first-order transition probabilities of trial-by-trial data. The 3.58% THC dose increased selection of the risky response option, and uniquely shifted response probabilities following both winning and losing outcomes following selection of the risky option. Acute marijuana administration thereby produced measurable changes in risky decision making under laboratory conditions. Consistent with previous risk-taking studies, shifts in trial-by-trial response probabilities at the highest dose suggested a change in sensitivity to both reinforced and losing risky outcomes. Altered sensitivity to consequences may be a mechanism in drug-induced changes in risk taking. Possible neurobiological sites of action related to THC are discussed.
Ecological and evolutionary significance of resting eggs in marine copepods: past, present, and future studies

The occurrence of a resting egg phase in the life cycle of marine and freshwater planktonic copepods is well documented and receiving increasing attention by investigators. The species generally occur in coastal marine waters, freshwater ponds and lakes in areas that undergo strong seasonal fluctuations, though examples have been reported for tropical and sub-tropical areas not subject to such extreme fluctuations. Typically such species disappear from the water column for portions of the year, but remain in the region as benthic resting eggs. Studies to date have focused on the conditions that promote the occurrence of resting eggs, the factors that affect their survival and hatching from sediments, the existence of egg banks in sediments, and the impact of resting eggs on plankton community structure. Benthic resting eggs of copepods include diapause eggs as well as subitaneous (non-diapause) eggs that are quiescent due to conditions in the sediments. As with other groups of organisms the resting egg phase is viewed as being critical for the perpetuation of species year after year, especially those that disappear from the water column for portions of the year. Some data indicate that eggs can survive for many years in sediments which would expand their influence to evolutionary time scales. This paper summarizes our understanding of embryonic dormancy in marine copepods.
An Exploratory Study of Higher Order Mutation Testing in Aspect-Oriented Programming

Higher order mutation testing is a relatively new area of research. Researchers have claimed that higher order mutants have the potential to increase test effectiveness and reduce test effort. However, these claims have not been evaluated in the context of the aspect-oriented programming paradigm, which introduces new and unique concepts and constructs, and consequently new testing challenges. We present an exploratory study of higher order mutation testing in the context of AspectJ, which is the most widely used aspect-oriented programming language. Based on published fault-models, we propose four approaches to constructing higher order mutants in AspectJ programs. We evaluate the approaches in terms of their ability to create higher order mutants that result in higher test effectiveness and lower test effort compared to first order mutants. The approaches (1) insert two faults in a single base class or two faults in a single aspect, (2) insert two faults in two different base classes, (3) insert two faults in two different aspects, and (4)~insert one fault in a base class and one in an aspect. We developed a prototype tool that automates the process of generating, compiling, and executing higher order mutants. The first approach produced a larger percentage of higher order mutants that were harder to kill than the constituent first order mutants as compared to the last three approaches. The first approach lowered the total number of mutants to be compiled and executed to a greater extent than the last three approaches. The last three approaches produced a lower density of equivalent mutants but the absolute number of equivalent mutants is greater for higher order mutants than for first order mutants.