cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Climate-induced trends in predator–prey synchrony differ across life-history stages of an anadromous salmonid

Differential climate-induced shifts in phenology can create mismatches between predators and prey, but few studies have examined predator–prey mismatch across multiple life-history stages. We used long-term data from a warming stream with shifting salmonid migration timings to quantify intra-annual migration synchrony between predatory Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) and Pacific salmon prey and examined how predator–prey synchrony has been influenced by climate change. We demonstrate that Dolly Varden have become increasingly mismatched with spring downstream migrations of abundant pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) juveniles. However, Dolly Varden have remained matched with fall upstream migrations of spawning Pacific salmon, including coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch), sockeye (Oncorhynchus nerka), and pink salmon. Downstream predator–prey migration synchrony decreased over time and with higher temperatures, particularly with pink salmon. In contrast, upstream migration synchrony was temporally stable and i...
Colorectal cancer molecular profiling: from IHC to NGS in search of optimal algorithm

Advances in defining the mutational landscape of colorectal cancer (CRC) over the past decades have revolutionized the molecular understanding and clinical testing algorithms for this disease. Mutation testing is standard of care for the work-up of CRCs. This review focuses on the current indications and strategies for molecular testing in CRC and discusses the potential changes in CRC testing approach associated with the emerging clinical application of genomic-based technologies.
“Un fuego sin luz”: La paradoja y el error en “La busca de Averroes”

El cuento “La busca de Averroes” (1947) de Jorge Luis Borges explora dos busquedas entretejidas: mientras que Averroes en vano busca el sentido de dos palabras inescrutables—tragedia y comedia—de Aristoteles, el narrador del cuento busca a Averroes mismo, con la esperanza de recrearlo de forma detallada y verosimil para el lector. Si bien el fin de Averroes, como sostiene el narrador, “no esta vedado a los otros, pero si a el”, por la sencilla razon que el filosofo cordobes esta “encerrado en el ambito del Islam”, segun lectores previos el cuento se convierte en una alegoria sobre la imposibilidad de la traduccion. Las consecuencias de tal interpretacion del cuento son desconcertantes, no solo por poner en duda cualquier negociacion de fronteras culturales o linguisticas, sino tambien por ser poco congruentes con el papel primordial que la traduccion desempana en la obra borgesiana. El presente ensayo propone una interpretacion alternativa, arguyendo que la traduccion erronea de Averroes resulta no ser sino un red herring que distrae al lector del tema mas esencial: la paradoja.
Interdependencies between CDS spreads in the European Union: Is Greece the black sheep or black swan?

This paper dissects the dynamic interdependencies between credit default swap spreads among several European Union (EU) countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, and Spain) during the period between October 2004 and July 2016. Its purpose is to delineate interdependence patterns in credit risk in order to identify whether a particular country, such as Greece, or a group of countries, disproportionately transmit credit risk to the remaining sampled EU countries. The findings herein show that the interdependencies between countries’ credit risks are heterogeneous across time. Specifically, when mapping credit risk transmission channels during the 2008–2009 financial crisis and 2011–2013 European debt crisis, respectively, it is evident that transmission patterns shift whereby some countries transmit more credit risk than others. Finally, despite recent news headlines, it cannot be shown empirically that Greece is the dominant transmission catalyst for shocks in the credit risks of the remaining sampled EU countries.
RESPONSES OF JOINT AFFERENT NEURONS TO LOADINGS OF ISOLATED JOINT CAPSULE

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the responses of joint afferent neurons to loadings of isolated joint capsule. It describes preliminary experiments that were performed in which sections of knee joint capsule, with intact sensory innervation, were excised from the cat knee, and subjected to various loadings in vitro, similar to the experiments described by Eklund & Skoglund. Given the properties of joint afferents observed in isolated capsule sections, the problem was to devise a configuration for loading the capsule so that the stress on the inner surface could be measured and controlled. The experimental design included transverse loading with both spherical and cylindrical probes. Each capsule section was tested for a neuronal response to pure axial loading. All capsule sections were highly sensitive to transverse loading. Transverse and axial loads were confounded in these experiments as the application of the transverse load increased the axial load.
Chloroplast Movement in Higher Plants, Ferns and Bryophytes: A Comparative Point of View

It is well known that chloroplasts move in response to changes in blue light intensity. Under low light conditions chloroplasts spread out in a so-called accumulation response and maximize light interception. Under high light they move to the anticlinal sides of cells, in a so-called avoidance reaction, minimizing light interception. In recent years tremendous progress has been made in our understanding of chloroplast movement due to a combination of new approaches and model systems. Mutant screens in Arabidopsis thaliana revealed a considerable number of new players, which modify the speed and the degree of the blue light driven movement of chloroplasts. In addition, better microscopy technologies revealed a fascinating picture of highly dynamic changes in chloroplast associated actin filaments that are essential for chloroplast movement. Our understanding has been further enhanced by studies of the gametophytes of the moss Physcomitrella patens and the fern Adiantum capillus-veneris. Using a microbeam that illuminates part of a cell, these microscopy studies gave insights into differences and similarities in photoreception and the mechanics of chloroplast movement comparing angiosperms and cryptogams. In addition by studying the behavior of individual chloroplasts within cells, information was gained on the speed and duration with which light signal information travels. Despite advances on the molecular level, our understanding of the species-specific variability and ecological importance of chloroplast movement is still rudimentary. This review will give an overview of our current understanding of chloroplast movement and will point out similarities and differences in behavior among higher plants, ferns and bryophytes.
Taxonomic partitioning of Cyrtodactylus louisiadensis (Lacertilia: Gekkonidae) from Papua New Guinea

As recently understood, the gecko species Cyrtodactylus louisiadensis (de Vis, 1892) ranges across eastern New Guinea and adjacent islands, the Solomon Islands, and northern Queensland. Within that portion of its range encompassed by Papua New Guinea I show that five species are currently masquerading under this appellation. Two of these occur in sympatry at the type locality for the species, Sudest Island. Because the type specimen is lost, the taxonomy of this complex has been confused, and two species are present at the type locality, I designate a neotype for C. louisiadensis so as to stabilize taxonomy within this complex. I describe the four additional species, C. epiroticus sp. nov., C. klugei sp. nov., C. robustus sp. nov., and C. tripartitus sp. nov., which differ from each other in a variety of scalational, mensural, and color-pattern features. Four of these species are confined to single islands off the southeastern peninsula of New Guinea. The fifth occupies the eastern rim of New Guinea.
BiSpace Planning: Concurrent Multi-Space Exploration

We present a planning algorithm called BiSpace that produces fast plans to complex high-dimensional problems by simultaneously exploring multiple spaces. We specifically focus on finding robust solutions to manipulation and grasp planning problems by using BiSpace’s special characteristics to explore the work and configuration spaces of the environment and robot. Furthermore, we present a number of techniques for constructing informed heuristics to intelligently search through these highdimensional spaces. In general, the BiSpace planner is applicable to any problem involving multiple search spaces.
Remote Sensing Data and a Potential Model of Vehicle Exhaust Emissions

In June 1991, General Motors Research and Development Center (GMR&D) participated in a remote sensing study conducted by the California Air Resources Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. During this study, the GMR&D remote sensor was used to measure the carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions from approximately 15,000 vehicles. The vehicle type (passenger car, light-duty truck, or medium/heavy-duty truck), manufacturer, and model year were identified for each vehicle by acquiring registration data from the state of California. Analyses were performed separately for each vehicle type and for passenger cars by separate model years. The data indicate that the passenger cars with the highest 10% of CO emissions generated approximately 58% of the total CO from all cars. Similarly, the 10% highest HC-emitting cars generated 65% of the total HC from cars. It was found that for each model year of vehicle, the distribution of emission concentrations followed a logarithmic relationship. The logarithmic functions that describe these relationships can be used to estimate the fraction of vehicles that emitted at or above any given concentration of CO or HC. However, these logarithmic functions only describe measured distributions for vehicles emitting more than 1% CO and 0.015% HC. 13more » refs., 9 figs., 8 tabs.« less
Expanding the phenotypic spectrum of MBOAT7-related intellectual disability.

MBOAT7 gene pathogenic variants are a newly discovered and rare cause for intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), seizures, truncal hypotonia, appendicular hypertonia, and below average head sizes (ranging from -1 to -3 standard deviations). There have been only 16 individuals previously reported who have MBOAT7-related intellectual disability, all of whom were younger than 10 years old and from consanguineous relationships. Thus, there is a lack of phenotypic information for adolescent and adult individuals with this disorder. Medical genetics and psychiatric evaluations in a 14-year-old female patient with a history of global developmental delay, intellectual disability, overgrowth with macrocephaly, metrorrhagia, seizures, basal ganglia hyperintensities, nystagmus, strabismus with amblyopia, ASD, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), aggressive outbursts, and hyperphagia included a karyotype, methylation polymerase chain reaction for Prader-Willi/Angelman syndrome, chromosome microarray, and whole exome sequencing (WES), ADOS2, and ADI-R. WES identified a homozygous, likely pathogenic variant in the MBOAT7 gene (c.855-2A>G). This is the oldest known patient with MBOAT7-related intellectual disability, whose unique features compared with previously described individuals include overgrowth with macrocephaly, metrorrhagia, ophthalmological abnormalities, basal ganglia hyperintensities, unspecified anxiety disorder, and ADHD; combined type; and hyperphagia with the absence of appendicular hypertonia and cortical atrophy. More individuals need to be identified in order to delineate the full clinical spectrum of this disorder.
Knowledge of HPV-Related Oropharyngeal Cancer and Use of Human Papillomavirus Vaccines by Pediatricians in Louisiana.

Objectives To determine the level of knowledge of HPV related oropharyngeal cancer and practice patterns of HPV vaccine use by pediatricians. Study design, subjects, methods IRB approved 18-question survey was administered to members of the Louisiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Results We received 116 responses (response rate: 15.9 percent );. 104 respondents (89.66 percent ); routinely recommend/offer HPV vaccine, 6 (5.17 percent ); occasionally or only at caregiver request, and 6 (5.17 percent ); do not offer the vaccine. 17 (15.5 percent ); reported having no awareness of the link between oropharyngeal cancer and HPV, and only 50 (45.9 percent ); had knowledge that HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer incidence was increasing. Strength of recommendation for males and knowledge of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer were not associated with years in practice, practice type or patient population served. Conclusions Increased awareness regarding HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers among primary care providers may increase HPV immunization rates, especially in males.
Shades of Shakespeare in the Queering of Hill House

In her classic horror novel The Haunting of Hill House, Shirley Jackson appropriates Shakespearean romantic comedies and tragedies for the purposes of lesbian gothic. Shakespeare’s plays provide si...
Keratoprosthesis and Retinal Surgery

In the setting of anterior segment disease, including failed corneal graft surgery, ocular trauma, and autoimmune disorders, there are times when penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) surgery alone will not suffice. With the development of artificial keratoprostheses, patients now have another recourse for visual preservation and rehabilitation. While these devices can help to stabilize the anterior segment and increase the chances of visual stabilization, they are associated with a variety of potential complications including development of retroprosthetic membranes, retinal detachment, endophthalmitis, vitritis, and epiretinal membranes. Working closely in conjunction with an anterior segment surgeon well versed in the utilization of artificial keratoprostheses is essential. While employment of these devices carries substantial risks and concerns, this type of surgery is oftentimes the only recourse for patients with debilitating anterior segment diseases.
An EM algorithm for analyzing right-censored survival data under the semiparametric proportional odds model

The semiparametric proportional odds (PO) model is a popular alternative to Cox’s proportional hazards model for analyzing survival data. Although many approaches have been proposed for this topic ...
Improvement of On-Time Immunization of Infants in a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Background: Infants cared for in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) are at risk for vaccine delays during their NICU stay resulting in under-immunization at time of hospital discharge or hospital unit transfer. Adherence to the routine immunization schedule as published by the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) minimizes the risk of contracting vaccine preventable illnesses in this vulnerable population. Define: Before the implementation of improvement measures, 56% (419 of 754) of infants cared for in the Mayo Clinic NICU were fully up-to-date for routine immunizations at the time of discharge or unit transfer. The Healthy People 2020 …
Facebook’s Decision to Uphold the Ban on Donald Trump and its Consequence in Social Media Censorship Regulations

A short comment written on Facebook's recent decision to ban President Trump from its platforms. This comment argues that, while the U.S. Supreme Court has not applied the First Amendment to the "vast democratic forums of the internet," the time is ripe for guidance by the Courts. This is especially true when social media has become a main source of communication for governmental figures and entities.
Using a Simple Technical Analysis Indicator to Guide Asset Allocation Decisions

We examine the effectiveness of using a simple technical analysis indicator to dynamically guide asset allocation decisions. Using the 200-day simple moving average of the S&P500 as our technical indicator, we employ two separate strategies. We adopt a “risk-on” asset allocation strategy (larger stock allocation) when the daily price of the S&P500 is above the indicator line, and a “risk-off” strategy (reduced stock/increased bond allocation) when below. In contrast to prior research, when transitioning to “risk-off,” we do not necessarily liquidate all equity, but rather consider other less extreme allocations. Over the 1962–2020 time period, we find that following various “risk-on/risk-off” rules generates excess annual returns of up to 0.58%, after factoring in a marginal trading cost. Furthermore, this strategy also provides a reduction in overall risk for an overwhelming majority of the analyzed allocation combinations. Taken together, almost all 200-day technically based strategies post an increase in Sharpe ratios relative to their respective baseline “buy-and-hold” strategies. TOPICS:Technical analysis, portfolio construction, performance measurement, risk management Key Findings ▪ Using the 200-day simple moving average as our indicator line, all of the “risk-on/risk-off” approaches outperform (i.e., has a higher Sharpe ratio) the respective “buy and hold” strategy. In both analyzed samples, the vast majority of approaches post both higher Sharpe ratios compared to the buy-and-hold strategies. ▪ Across the various starting allocations, metrics generally improve (i.e., higher return and lower risk) as a more extreme move to a conservative risk-off approach is employed. ▪ We find that this trading strategy is most effective when the stock market posts negative returns. Conversely, in bull markets, the moving average strategy generally lags the stock market returns.
Estimating Cumulative Radiation Dose to Organs at Risk for Glioblastoma Multiforme Cases via a Radiotherapy Dose Accumulation Routine.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) To evaluate the cumulative dose to organs at risk (OAR) for Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients with multiple treatment courses via a purpose-developed RAdiotherapy Dose Accumulation Routine (RADAR), and to compare the results with manual estimations from the special medical physics consult (SPC). MATERIALS/METHODS RADAR as a treatment planning system plugin was created to automatically transfer dose from previous radiation treatment plans to the current planning CT based on approved rigid (RR) or deformable image registration (DIR), convert the physical dose in each voxel to equivalent dose in 2Gy fractions (EQD2), and subsequently accumulate EQD2 doses from all relevant treatments. RADAR provides a novel option to take the registration and contour uncertainty into considerations by conservatively replacing dose to a given OAR voxel with a local maximum dose searched within an ellipsoid of the voxel. Ten GBM cases treated with 2 or more radiation courses between 2017 to 2020 were selected to analyze the registration/contour uncertainties and compare OAR dose from SPC and RADAR retrospectively. Brainstem, optic chiasm, and both optic nerves on previous treatment scans were propagated to the current CT scan based on RR and DIR. For each structure, mean distance to agreement (MDA) was measured between propagated previous and current OAR contours, and used for assigning search radius of ellipsoids accounting for uncertainties. An α/β of 2 for OARs and 10 for gross tumor volume were used for EQD2 conversion. The maximum dose (Dmax) and dose to 5% volumes (D05) from the accumulated EQD2 dose was evaluated based on the structures in the most recent plan and compared to SPC estimated dose. The SPC dose was documented by adding dose reported to the OAR based on the structure set in each of the previous plans without considering dose location. RESULTS The mean, standard deviation of the MDA of brainstem, optic chiasm, left and right optic nerve were used to determine a search radius of 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm, 2.5 mm, and 2.5 mm for these OAR, respectively. Comparing the manually estimated EQD2 dose from SPC and RADAR, the dose differences of -23Gy up to 40 Gy were found. RADAR used current structure set for OAR evaluation whereas SPC used the structure set from each course. Inconsistencies in contouring can be attributed to the large dose difference for some cases. For 5 of 10 test cases, the RADAR-derived OARs dose was higher than departmental guidelines and would potentially trigger a re-plan. CONCLUSION RADAR is capable to automatically convert the physical dose to EQD2 dose with various treatment courses by rigid or deformable image registration, take into account the registration and contour uncertainties and evaluate accumulated dose more accurately and efficiently than manual estimation. RADAR improves the workflow of decision making when optimizing plans with multiple previous treatments.
A national comparison of learning objectives and outcome assessment of the biochemistry and molecular biology capstone experience: building the ASBMB Concept Inventory (618.13)

Recognizing the increasingly integrative nature of the molecular life sciences, the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) recommends that Biochemistry and Molecular Biolog...
Elevated C-reactive protein as a predictor of patient outcomes following palliative surgery.

Background and Objectives Optimal surgical decision-making and informed consent for palliative procedures is limited by a lack of appropriate outcomes data. Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) may help guide patient selection for palliative surgery. Methods Procedures to palliate symptoms of advanced cancer were identified from a prospective palliative surgery database. Patients with a recorded preoperative serum CRP were identified and observed for at least 180 days or until death. Results Fifty patients were identified who underwent an elective palliative procedure from July 2006 to June 2012. Presenting symptoms included gastrointestinal obstruction (40%), tumor-related pain (38%) or bleeding (12%), and other (10%). Symptom improvement was documented for 37 patients (74%). Palliative procedures were associated with 30-day postoperative morbidity (42%) and mortality (10%). CRP (range 1–144 mg/L, median 9.7 mg/L) was elevated in 27 patients (54%) and was independently associated with developing a major complication (P = 0.005) and decreased overall survival (166 vs. 659 days, P < 0.0001). Conclusions Patients with advanced cancer can be afforded symptom improvement and the opportunity for improved quality of life following palliative procedures. Elevated preoperative CRP may help identify patients who are less likely to realize the benefits of palliative operations. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 110:651–655. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Interracial Same-Sex Couples' Perceptions of Stress and Coping: An Exploratory Study

ABSTRACT Thirteen interracial same-sex couples (8 male, 5 female) participated in a 30-minute dyadic conversation focused on perceptions of stress and coping in their relationship. A qualitative analysis of the transcribed conversations revealed that the majority of couples experienced both race-related and sexual identity–related stress. Almost half of the couples perceived that their identities as same-sex couples were the source of more stress than their identities as interracial couples. Across the full sample, couples described using five coping strategies, including seeking support, meaning-making, using humor, active problem-solving, and avoidance. Implications for future research and culturally competent practice are discussed.
Diagnostic vitrectomy for the diagnosis and management of posterior uveitis of unknown etiology.

Purpose of reviewDiagnostic vitrectomy is performed in cases of posterior segment inflammation that are suspicious for malignancy or infection and require tissue confirmation. Advances in vitrectomy technique and laboratory tests have improved the diagnostic yield in these challenging cases. The met
OH radio observations of comet P/Halley

We present the first results of an extensive program of OH observations of P/Halley obtained with the NRAO 43 m antenna between July 1985 and May 1986. Using Radio Model 1986 a, we find that the OH production rate derived from these data follows an r h −2 law for heliocentric distances in the range r h < 2AU. Beyond 2 AU, the production rate decreases in a manner which is qualitatively consistent with nominal models of the sublimation of water ice, although quantitative agreement would require some modification of the nominal physical properties of the nucleus. Comparison of radio OH production rates to those estimated by ultraviolet techniques continues to show that the radio technique finds systematically lower production rates. Observations of the OH line shape show that the line width increases as the comet approaches perihelion, and that the broader line widths persist after perihelion to at least r h =1 AU. Detailed modeling of the profiles suggests that this may be accounted for through an increase in the velocity of the OH parent. However, the OH parent velocities which are required to produce the observed line widths are not quantitatively consistent with other estimates of the parent velocity. Finally, the mean velocity of the OH emission (after correction for the OH Greenstein effect) is slightly blue shifted compared to the nucleus velocity and suggests that the outgassing from the nucleus may occur preferentially on its sunward side.
Automated analysis of stable operation in two-section quantum dot passively mode locked lasers

In this paper, two-section mode-locked lasers consisting of monolithic quantum dot gain and absorber sections are studied as a function of absorber voltage, injected current to the gain region, and relative section lengths. We map the regions of stable mode-locking as measured by the electrical and optical spectra. A simple algorithm is presented that evaluates the quality of mode locking and allows automated characterization of devices. The relative advantages of increasing the absorber length compared to increasing the absorber reverse bias voltage are analyzed. Initial data indicate that doubling the absorber length from 1.4 to 2.8-mm in a 5 GHz repetition rate device increases the region of stable mode-locking by at least 25%, while increasing the absorber reverse bias can more than double the mode-locking regime. Nonetheless, in these devices, stable mode-locking over greater than a 100 mA bias range is realized with a grounded absorber making single bias control of a passively mode-locked semiconductor laser feasible.
RF electromagnetic investigation of an YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7/ thin film by proximity coupling

Reports an investigation of the RF electromagnetic (EM) attenuation by a YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7/ thin film at 1 GHz as a function of temperature. An increase in the attenuation was observed as the temperature was decreased below the superconducting transition temperature T/sub c/ approximately=84 K, followed by a rapid decrease at lower temperature ( approximately 25 K). A theoretical analysis of EM absorption due to M. Fibich (1965) is evoked to explain the experimental results. It is concluded that the absorption of 1-GHz electromagnetic waves in the present experimental arrangement is determined by the real part of the conductivity in the superconducting state. This implies that even for the high-temperature superconductors considered, the Em absorption is determined by the BCS (Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer) coherence factor II, appropriate for electromagnetic absorption and nuclear spin relaxation, as contrasted with the factor I with opposite sign, which is appropriate for sound absorption. >
Performance of a prototype surface collector for juvenile salmonids at Bonneville Dam's first powerhouse on the Columbia River, Oregon

During April-July 2000, we radio-tagged and released juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to evaluate a prototype surface flow bypass at Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River. The mock bypass, called a prototype surface collector (PSC), had six vertical slot entrances that were each 6 m wide and 12 m deep. The PSC was retrofitted to the upstream face of Bonneville Dam's First Powerhouse. Our objectives were to: (1) assess species-specific differences in movement patterns and behaviour of fish within 6 m of the face of the PSC, (2) estimate the efficiency and effectiveness of the PSC and (3) evaluate factors affecting the performance of the PSC. We found that 60-72% of the fish, depending on species, detected within 6 m of the PSC entered it. Of the fish that passed the First Powerhouse at turbines 1-6, 79-83% entered the PSC. Diel period was a significant contributor to PSC performance for all species, and day of year was a significant contributor to PSC performance for subyearling Chinook salmon. The PSC was twice as effective (%fish/%flow) as the spillway, passing 2.5:1 steelhead and subyearling Chinook salmon and 2.4:1 yearling Chinook salmon per unit of water. If fully implemented, the PSC would increase the percentage of fish that pass the First Powerhouse through non-turbine routes from 65-77% (without the PSC) to 76-85% (with the PSC), depending on species. Published in 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Co-occurrence of brain lesions and cognitive deficit exaggeration

Abstract Findings are presented from a patient with a premorbid history of feigning or exaggerating physical and emotional symptoms, who subsequently developed cerebral infarcts and cerebral vascular anomalies. Analyses of the patient's responses to subsequent neuropsychological tests, as well as concurrent findings from several measures designed to directly assess malingering, suggested a pattern of exaggeration of cognitive symptoms. Results demonstrate that malingering may occur within the context of actual brain lesions, and the findings are discussed in regard to the need to routinely evaluate patient motivation, as well as the capabilities and limitations of available techniques for detecting motivationally based deficits.
Bursting Drops in Solid Dielectrics Caused by High Voltages

Bursting of electrified drops is a fundamental physical process and important for diverse technical applications. Wang et al. find that bursting of electrified drops in polymers is sensitive to the shape of the drops, which in turn is determined by the polymer's elasticity
Simplified High Performance Liquid Chromatographic Quantitation of Antipyrine

Antipyrine is used as an index of hepatic drug metabolism. The authors devise a simple and rapid high performance liquid chromatography method to quantitate antipyrine in serum with small volume (50 microliters). Minimal sample preparation is needed and the assay is sensitive to concentrations of 0.2 micrograms/ml. Mobile phase consists of 35% methanol in 67 mM phosphate buffer pH 3.5 with antipyrine detected by monitoring the eluate at 225 and 254 nm. Within-run and run-to-run coefficients of variation are less than or equal to 2.8 and 4.6%, respectively. Recoveries from serum average 100.8%. It is concluded that this technique for antipyrine is simple, rapid, and well characterized.
Molecular arrangement of DNA in bacteriophage T4

The degree of preferred orientation and the coiling of the deoxyribonucleic acid within phage T4 was studied by two independent techniques, namely, polarization of fluorescence and uv linear dichroism. A correlation between the two kinds of data was obtained, which indicated that a significant proportion (about 30%) of total phage DNA is aligned preferentially along the long axis of phage heads. Analyses of the data suggest that all of the phage DNA cannot be in a highly supercoiled helical configuration. A few models of the DNA arrangement in T4 have been discussed in which linear sidewise packings of DNA would be predominant and may explain the observed longitudinal orientation of intraphage DNA.
Measuring Participation as Defined by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: An Evaluation of Existing Measures

Abstract Resnik L, Plow M. Measuring participation as defined by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: an evaluation of existing measures. Objectives The content and theoretic underpinning of measures designed to assess participation, disability, and handicap vary widely, and few authors have attempted to compare the content of existing measures. The objectives of this study were to use the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) taxonomy to (1) evaluate the participation content of measures and (2) identify the most comprehensive measures. Design We searched PubMed, Cumulated Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Health and Psychosocial Instruments databases to identify appropriate measures. Content analysis was conducted by classifying participation-related items of each measure into 1 or more of the 9 activities and participation chapters of the ICF taxonomy. Setting Not applicable. Participants We evaluated 40 generic and condition-specific self-report measures that met study inclusion criteria. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures The most comprehensive measures were identified and coded by using second- and third-level ICF codes. Results Five measures containing participation items linked to all 9 chapters were the Community Living Skills Scale, the Assessment of Life Habits, Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory, the participation measure for postacute care, and the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale. The breadth and coverage of these 5 measures were compared. Conclusions We identified 5 measures that had items that were linkable to all 9 chapters of activities and participation; however, these measures differed in specifics of coverage and the approach to assessing participation. These findings can be used by clinicians and researchers to select the most comprehensive participation outcome measure for their populations.
Religious nonaffiliation in relation to suicide, murder, rape, and illegitimacy.

A significant correlation for suicide rates in states with higher percentages of persons without religious affiliation was noted for 1990 census data; however, correlations were nonsignificant for ...
Free radical theory of aging: Effects of antioxidants on mitochondrial function

Mitochondria would be expected to be particularly subject to free redical-induced changes since most of the O2 utilized by mammals takes place in them. Attempts to decrease the rate of production of mitochondrial damage may be thwarted because of the highly selective permeability of the inner membrane and/or adverse effects of anti-oxidants on mitochondrial function. The purpose of this brief study was to examine the effects of six antioxldants — butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), ethoxyquin (EQ) (santoquin), 2-mercapto-ethylemine (2-MEA), cystamine — the disulfide of 2-MEA, cyeteine and sodium ascorbate — on the function of isolated liver mitochondria. The two lipid soluble antloxldente — BHT and EQ, in contrast to the water-soluble ones — had marked deleterious effects on mitochondrial function, including State III, State IV, and uncoupled resplretlon. All the free radical inhibitors either prevented the determination of the P:O ratio or decreased the ratio by about 15 percent. Taken as a whole, the data suggest that the failure of antioxidants to increase the maximum life span of mice may be largely due to failure of the compounds to decrease the mitochondrial aging rate at concentrations below those which interfere with mitochondrial function.
Quantum-Monte-Carlo simulations for fermionic systems

The paper gives a general idea of Quantum-Monte-Carlo simulations for fermionic systems in higher dimensions. A “basic trick” is provided to avoid the “minus-sign problems” which in some form lead to unsurmountable difficulties in simulations, for example at lower temperatures and for larger system sizes.
Reexamining the “Politics of In-between”: Political Participation among Mexican Immigrants in the United States

This article undertakes a multivariate analysis of political participation among Mexican American immigrants. Traditional forms of participation such as registration and voting are not adequate tests of civic engagement for a population including 7 million noncitizens. Rather, this article examines nonelectoral participation including attending a meeting or rally, volunteering for a campaign, or donating money to a political cause. This research employs a national sample of Mexican Americans, including immigrants and noncitizens, and the models reveal that Mexican American immigrants are politically active. The authors find that the foreign-born are not less likely to be active than native-born respondents and, furthermore, among the foreign-born, noncitizens are just as likely to participate as naturalized citizens. Although traditional SES variables remain important, language fluency, percentage of life in the United States, and immigrant attitudes toward opportunities in the United States contribute ad...
Sensitivity limits of 0.1 eV intrinsic photoconductors

Abstract Intrinsic photoconductor performance in 0.1 eV bandgap materials is limited by the sweep-out of minority carriers. Including this effect leads to the simple expression for D ∗λ blip of D∗λ blip ⩽ λ hc qG m (1 + b) 2 ( RAη 2kT ) 1 2 For a representative case with T = 30° K , R = 400 Ω, A = 2.5 × 10 −3 cm 2 , λ = 12.5 μ , and maximum gain G m of 1 2 , D ∗λ BLIP is ∼ 7 × 10 12 cm — c/s 1 2 /W. Cooling only comes in through T and to ensure that the thermally generated minority carrier concentration is below the photogenerated concentration.
Trends in the association between obesity and socioeconomic status in U.S. adults: 1971 to 2000.

Objective: To study the secular trends in the disparity of obesity across socioeconomic status (SES) groups among U.S. adults. Research Methods and Procedures: We used national representative data collected in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys conducted in 1971 to 1974, 1976 to 1980, 1988 to 1994, and 1999 to 2000 from 28, 543 adults 20 to 60 years old. Obesity was defined based on BMI calculated using measured weight and height. Trends in the relationship between obesity and education levels were analyzed controlling for age, gender, and ethnicity. Results: The disparity in obesity across SES (less than high school, high school, and college or above to indicate low, medium, and high SES, respectively) has decreased over the past 3 decades. In National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys I (1971 to 1974), there was as much as a 50% relative difference in the obesity prevalence across the three groups, but by 1999 to 2000, it decreased to 14%. This trend was more pronounced in women. The trends of diminishing disparities in obesity were also revealed by our logistic and linear regression analyses. The odds ratio converged to 1 from the 1970s to 2000. In most sociodemographic groups, the relationship between BMI and SES (coefficients) has been weakened over time. Discussion: The association between SES and obesity has been weakened over the past 3 decades, when the prevalence of obesity increased dramatically. There are considerable variations in the changes in the associations across gender and ethnic groups. Our findings suggest that individual characteristics are not likely the main cause of the current obesity epidemic in the U.S., whereas social-environmental factors play an important role. Strategies for obesity prevention and management should target all SES groups from a societal perspective.
Some speculation on the origin of glioblastoma

Glioblastoma, the most common primary brain tumor, is also the most deadly, with median survival of about one year, which is little improved over the last five decades. Its pathogenesis is a vexing problem. Despite extensive basic and clinical scientific research, little is known regarding the cause of this disease, the genetic factors which drive its course, or any strategies which may result in effective treatment. This persistent resistance to understanding suggests to the authors that some of the fundamental assumptions regarding the disease are likely to be flawed, and that a new paradigm must be sought to replace them. This manuscript is a review of some of what is known regarding this disease, and then presents a series of hypotheses which compromise an alternative view of glioblastoma.
Vietnam: Completing the Emotional Sequence

An emotional paradigm, prerequisite counselor skills, and related information believed to be helpful in the counseling of Vietnam veterans are presented and discussed.
Want credit? How your bank evaluates its corporate customers

Companies often wonder about a bank's credit-decision process. How is it decided to approve or reject a company's loan request? The author explains the five-step process that many financial institutions use, and how companies can avoid potential problems when applying for credit. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
For Those About to Rock (With Your High School Students), We Salute You: School Counselors Using Music Interventions

Music has a significant impact on the daily lives of adolescents. This article provides music interventions that school counselors can use with adolescents: music listening/sharing, lyric revision, improvisation, and use in classroom guidance lessons. Also provided are the benefits, limitations, and ethical considerations for using music interventions while considering issues of imposing or validating values, confidentiality, and duty to warn with students. A case illustration demonstrating the integration of music interventions into a school counseling session with a student experiencing academic and behavioral problems is provided. Recommendations for school counseling practice are presented.
Course evaluation in the graduate program

This article reports an investigation of dimensions of judgment which graduate students use to evaluate their classroom experiences. Both varimax and oblique as well as higher order factor analyses are presented. Suggestions for both open‐ended and scaled course evaluation procedures are offered. Some differences between graduate and undergraduate student perspectives are discussed.
A suboptimal src 3' splice site is necessary for efficient replication of Rous sarcoma virus.

Abstract Regulation of splicing of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) RNA primary transcripts is necessary, as with other retroviruses, to allow for the accumulation of unspliced RNA and approximately equivalent amounts of spliced env and src mRNAs. Previous studies have indicated that the env 3′ splice site is suboptimal because it has a nonconsensus branchpoint sequence and that this suboptimal splice site is required for virus replication (R. A. Katz and A.M. Skalka, 1990, Mol. Cell Biol. 10:696-704). We show in this report that the RSV src 3′ splice site is also suboptimal. Mutagenesis of the src polypyrimidine-rich tract, which is interspersed with purines, to an uninterrupted 14-nt pyrimidine tract resulted in a three- to fourfold increase in the level of src splicing. Concomitant with this increase in src splicing, a cryptic 5′ splice site within the env gene was activated. Splicing at this splice site is normally detected in nonpermissive mammalian cells where src splicing is elevated but occurs at low levels in permissive chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF). In CEF, mutant viruses with the improved src 3′ splice site replicated significantly slower than the wild-type virus. Transformation-defective revertants lacking the src 3′ splice site were rapidly selected after passage of the chicken cells infected with the mutant virus. Thus, an inefficient src 3′ splice site appears to be necessary for the efficient replication of RSV.
The Shadow of the Future and International Bargaining: The Occurrence of Bargaining in a Three-Phase Cooperation Framework

This paper seeks to answer an important question in international cooperation theory: if cooperation requires successful bargaining among states, then what factors bring these states to the negotiation table in the first place? It presents a game-theoretic model of the “prebargaining” phase of the international cooperation problem, positing that states are more likely to enter a bargaining phase when the shadow of the future is long. This hypothesis is then tested in statistical models that explore how different shadow of the future indicators affect the probability of negotiations over territorial, river, and maritime claims in the Western Hemisphere.
DNA-protein crosslinking by trans-platinum(II)diamminedichloride in mammalian cells, a new method of analysis

DNA-protien crosslinks produced in mouse leukemia L1210 cells by trans-Pt(II)diamminedichloride were quantitated using the technique of DNA alkaline elution. DNA single-strand segments that were or were not linked to protein were separable into distinct components by alkaline elution after exposure of the cells to 2--15 kR of X-ray. Protein-linked DNA strands were separated on the basis of their retention of filters at pH 12 while free DNA strands of the size generated by 2--15 kR of X-ray passed rapidly through the filters. The retention of protein-linked DNA strands was attributable to adsorption of protein to the filter under the conditions of alkaline elution. The results obeyed a simple quantitative model according to which the frequency of DNA-protein crosslinks could be calculated.
Centrifugally accelerated paper chromatography of chloroplast pigments

Abstract This paper presents the application of centrifugally accelerated paper chromatography for the separation of chloroplast pigments. It was found that similar results to conventional paper chromatographic methods were obtained. This technique appears to be very promising for the separation and recovery of the labile chlorophylls and carotenoids because of the narrowness and compactness of the pigment zones and the rapid development time. The pigments were easily eluted from the paper and a greater recovery of the pigments was obtained than from the usual paper chromatograms.
Testosterone reduces pentylenetetrazole-induced ictal activity of wildtype mice but not those deficient in type I 5α-reductase

Abstract Testosterone’s (T) anti-seizure effects may be mediated in part by actions of its 5α-reduced metabolites. To test this hypothesis, T was administered to knockout mice deficient in the 5α-reductase type I enzyme and wildtype controls and their ictal activity following pentylenetetrazole (PTZ; 85 mg/kg i.p.) was compared to mice administered vehicle. T to wildtype mice increased latencies to forelimb clonus, tonic clonic seizures, hindlimb extension, and death compared to that seen with vehicle administration. Moreover, incidence of tonic clonic seizures and hindlimb extension were reduced in wildtype mice administered T compared to vehicle-administered mice. T administration to wildtype mice reduced ictal activity compared to T to knockout mice, which were not different than vehicle-administered control mice. T to wildtype mice increased the latencies and decreased the incidence of forelimb clonus compared to T to knockout mice, which were not different from vehicle-administered mice. These data are consistent with T having anti-convulsant effects and that 5α-reduced metabolites may mitigate some of T’s anti-seizure effects.
Contextualism for consequentialists

If, as I have argued elsewhere, consequentialism is not fundamentally concerned with such staples of moral theory as rightness, duty, obligation, moral requirements, goodness (as applied to actions), and harm, what, if anything, does it have to say about such notions? While such notions have no part to play at the deepest level of the theory, they may nonetheless be of practical significance. By way of explanation I provide a linguistic contextualist account of these notions. A contextualist approach to all these notions makes room for them in ordinary moral discourse, but it also illustrates why there is no room for them at the level of fundamental moral theory. If the truth value of a judgment that an action is right or good varies according to the context in which it is made, then rightness or goodness can no more be properties of actions themselves than thisness or hereness can be properties of things or locations themselves.