cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A playful introduction, 7.3

In this issue, we are honored to include a lead off essay by Professor David Whitebread of the Play in Education, Development, and Learning (PEDAL) research centre at the University of Cambridge. H...
An effect of tricaine methanesulfonate on the electroretinogram of TarichaGranulosa

Abstract MS-222 is an anesthetic that is widely used for cold-blooded animals. The present study uses contact circum-corneal electrodes and conventional recording equipment to determine the effect of this anesthetic on the electroretinogram (ERG) of the rough-skinned newt ( Taricha granulosa ). When applied prior to retinal bleach, MS-222 retarded the rate of subsequent dark adaptation. This retardation was evidenced by a decreased sensitivity to light during the adaptation process, and by a higher threshold for induction of an ERG response after bleach.
Perspectives on Heavy Metal Soil Testing Among Community Gardeners in the United States: A Mixed Methods Approach

Community gardens offer numerous benefits, but there are also potential risks from exposure to chemical contaminants in the soil. Through the lens of the Theory of Planned Behavior, this mixed methods study examined community gardeners’ beliefs and intentions to conduct heavy metal soil testing. The qualitative component involved five focus groups of community garden leaders in Atlanta, Georgia. Qualitative analysis of the focus group data revealed that heavy metal soil contamination was not frequently identified as a common gardening hazard and several barriers limited soil testing in community gardens. The focus group results informed the development of a questionnaire that was administered to 500 community gardeners across the United States. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the soil testing intention was associated with attitude (aOR = 2.46, 95% CI: 1.34, 4.53), subjective norms (aOR = 3.39 95% CI: 2.07, 5.57), and perceived behavioral control (aOR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.10, 2.99). Study findings have implications for interventions involving community garden risk mitigation, particularly gardens that engage children and vulnerable populations.
Private education and inequality in the knowledge economy

This article explores the consequences of public and private spending on education at all levels, looking at skills and income inequality. We use data for 22 affluent democracies from 1960 or 1995 ...
The Transformative Potential of Participatory Budgeting: Creating an Ideal Democracy

In this book, George Robert Bateman, Jr. presents a philosophical examination of the potential benefits of participatory budgeting (PB), with recommendations of how they might be realized. The work of social philosophers like Thomas Jefferson, John Dewey, Robert Putnam are studied to better understand the potential benefits and their effect on individuals and communities. Using social provisioning and John Fagg Foster’s theories of instrumental value and institutional adjustment, Bateman demonstrates how participatory budgeting in New York City (PBNYC) can realize its full potential and transform individual participants into their better selves and also transform their communities. This transformation can occur when participants are able to make decisions about things that matter in their lives. As more of us become empowered and actively engaged in deliberations concerning local economic/political issues the more we will experience public happiness, greater understanding of others, greater development of our morality, and an increased sense of belonging. The Transformative Potential of Participatory Budgeting will be of great interest to scholars in the fields of normative political theory, political philosophy, local politics, heterodox economics, institutional economics, political sociology, urban sociology, and community sociology.
Doubling housing production in the Paris region: a multi-policy, multi-jurisdictional response

How can metropolitan regions ramp up housing production to meet the demands of a growing population, after years of inadequate construction and mounting challenges for affordability? I consider rec...
Patterns of inguinal lymph node metastases in anal canal cancer and recommendations for elective clinical target volume (CTV) delineation.

Abstract Purpose Optimal clinical target volume (CTV) for inguinal lymph node irradiation in anal cancer remains uncertain. This study documents the location of radiographically involved inguinal lymph nodes and proposes guidelines for CTV delineation. Materials and Methods Patients with anal canal squamous cell carcinoma with inguinal lymph node metastases were identified. Criteria for lymph node involvement included: >15 mm short axis or suspicious morphology on CT or MRI, increased avidity on 18-FDG-PET, or positive biopsy. Distances from center of involved nodes to femoral vessels and inferior pubic symphysis were measured. Results Forty patients with 79 inguinal lymph nodes were included. Relative to right femoral vessels, nodes were located: 12:00 (n = 6); 1:00 (n = 28); 2:00 (n = 35), 3:00 (n = 5); 4:00 (n = 1); 10:00 (n = 1); 11:00 (n = 3). No nodes were identified lateral or posterior to vessels. Published AGITG guidelines covered 68% of nodes anteriorly and 85% medially. Margins from nearest femoral vessel to cover 95% of nodes were 30 mm anteriorly and 26 mm medially. Inferior margin to cover 95% of nodes was 14 mm below inferior pubic symphysis. Proposed borders include cranial, where external iliac vessels leave bony pelvis; caudal, 14 mm below inferior pubic symphysis; posterior, posterior border of femoral vessels; lateral, lateral border of femoral vessels; anterior, 30 mm margin on femoral vessels and medial, 26 mm margin on femoral vessels, including radiographically suspicious nodes. Conclusions Published guidelines for inguinal CTV in anal cancer may result in inadequate coverage of high risk areas. Updated guidelines based on this study ensure coverage of at-risk areas.
An improved abdominal phantom for intrafraction image guidance validation

A dynamically compressible phantom of the human abdomen that simulates organ motion with breathing is being developed for possible testing of image-gated beam delivery in radiotherapy. The polyvinyl chloride plastisol (PVCP) phantom features a cavity that can contain a deformable normoxic polyacrylamide gel (nPAG) dosimeter that is intended for use with MRI to provide dosimetric data. The phantom has been improved by the inclusion of new components that are more realistic anatomically and exhibit CT values similar to those of the tissues they mimic. Component organs were made from 3D-printed molds developed from CT contours of a real patient and their radiodensities adjusted by varying the mass ratios of the PVCP hardener and softener during manufacture. To make the phantom more compatible with ultrasound imaging a graphite scatterer was mixed into some of the phantom components to produce a background speckle pattern. This provided contrast between the body and a moving anatomical target intended for motion tracking. Phantom insert motion magnitude and repeatibility was assessed using CT by imaging two phantom inserts, one containing fiducial markers and the other containing iodinated gelatin, at the same position after repeated cycles of deformation. The maximum motion of a phantom fiducial at the position of the phantom treatment target was found to be 12.2 mm. The phantom design resulted in dosimeter motion with a point-to-point repatability within 0.3 mm on average and contour repeatability resulting in Dice coefficients exceeding 0.98 on average.
Worse Than Objects: The Depiction of Black Women and Men and Their Sexual Relationship in Pornography

Previous content analyses of pornography suggest black women are more often the target of aggression compared to white women. Furthermore, research suggested that the most aggressive depictions occurred between interracial couples. The last content analysis on this topic was published in the 1990s, however. The current study examined 1741 pornographic scenes featuring heterosexual couples (including 118 scenes with black women) from two of the largest online pornographic streaming tube sites in the world (Xvideos.com and Pornhub.com). Findings suggest black women are still more often the target of aggression when compared to white women. In addition, black men are more often portrayed as the perpetrators of aggression against women and are depicted as significantly less intimate with their partners in comparison to white men. Notably, depictions of aggression towards women are highest in scenes featuring black couples compared to all other racial pairings including interracial. Further exploration of the depiction of other sexual behaviors, including oral, vaginal, and anal sex, indicated these behaviors did not vary significantly based on actor’s race.
Work-in-Progress—Learning Machines: Useful Intelligent Tutoring Within Immersive STEM VLEs

A framework for implementing evidence based principles of learning and memory within a Virtual Learning Space (VLS) using intelligent tutoring systems (ITS) for STEM courses is being created. This framework represents a new domain of application called a "Learning Machines" (LM). The objective of this work in progress paper is to create a framework of design guidelines and evaluation heuristics that promote LM usefulness. Preliminary considerations are explored and a description of an application being developed for this new domain is shared. The evaluation heuristics are generated according to the Procedural Methodology for Heuristics of Usability (PROMETHEUS). The new framework is expected to improve development and evaluation of STEM learning applications.
CIRCUMNUCLEAR SHOCK AND STARBURST IN NGC 6240: NEAR-INFRARED IMAGING AND SPECTROSCOPY WITH ADAPTIVE OPTICS

We have obtained adaptive optics, high spatial resolution (0.15''), K-band spectra and images of the region around the two active nuclei in NGC 6240, which show the presence of circumnuclear shocks. The data are consistent with thermal excitation being the dominant mechanism in the nuclear region. UV fluorescence and associative detachment may also contribute to the fraction of energy emitted through molecular hydrogen transitions. The near-IR continuum emission appears closely associated with the two active nuclei. The morphological similarities between the near-IR images and the Chandra X-ray images indicate that the same mechanisms may be responsible for the emission in the near-IR and X-ray bands.
Pharmacy-facilitated medication history program at a community teaching hospital: A pre-post study in an emergency department.

PURPOSE A study was conducted to compare the accuracy of medication histories compiled by pharmacy technicians with histories obtained through the usual multidisciplinary process. METHODS A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a community teaching hospital from January 2017 through February 2018. Inclusion criteria included patient age of at least 18 years, use of 1 or more medications at the time of admission, and hospital admission through the emergency department. Each electronically documented medication history was assessed for accuracy. The objective was to compare the accuracy of pharmacy technician-collected medication histories to those obtained through the usual multidisciplinary process. RESULTS Of 215 patients screened, 183 were included in the study: 91 patients whose medication histories were obtained through the usual multidisciplinary process and 92 whose medication histories were collected by pharmacy technicians. Overall, documentation for 1,773 medications listed in medication histories was reviewed. The primary outcome of medication history accuracy occurred 38% of the time with the usual multidisciplinary process and 70% of the time with pharmacy technician collection of medication histories (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION The study showed that the accuracy of medication histories was improved when histories were obtained by pharmacy technicians instead of via the usual multidisciplinary process.
Relationship Development with Humanoid Social Robots: Applying Interpersonal Theories to Human-Robot Interaction.

Humanoid social robots (HSRs) are human-made technologies that can take physical or digital form, resemble people in form or behavior to some degree, and are designed to interact with people. A com...
Coordinated Wind Farm Inertia Support Through Multi - Terminal DC Grids

This paper proposes a wind farm inertia support method, which coordinates all the participating wind farms interconnected through a Multi-Terminal DC (MTDC) grid. Under normal conditions, all the wind turbines in each wind farm operate by the Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) controller. Subsequent to any significant frequency disturbance in an AC grid, its corresponding MTDC converter station switches its droop from $P-V_{dc}$ to $P-f$ . The DC voltage of one of the MTDC grid buses is communicated to all the wind farm converter stations. Frequency of each wind farm converter station is related to the DC voltage through a linear $V_{dc}-f_{WF}$ droop. Any disturbance in an onshore AC grid causes a DC voltage deviation in the MTDC grid and consequently, frequency deviation of the wind farm converter stations. Subsequent to any disturbance, each wind turbine of any wind farm translates the frequency deviation to a temporary power setpoint, which is added to the power setpoint of its MPPT controller. To implement the proposed method, this paper proposes an additional $P-\omega_{r}$ droop to ensure that the post-disturbance power deviations of the wind farms at any time after the disturbance follow a pre-specified ratio. Accordingly, the share of each wind farm in the total inertia support is predetermined by the MTDC operator. Furthermore, the proposed approach enables the MTDC operator to adjust the speed of response of the wind farms to any disturbance in any AC grid. The performance and effectiveness of the proposed frequency support method are evaluated by time-domain simulation studies on a 5-bus MTDC grid in the PSCAD/EMTDC software environment.
Abstract 15628: HeartCare: Improving Clinical Practice Through Comprehensive Cardiovascular Genetic Testing

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in the United States, leading to one in four deaths. The role of inherited susceptibility to CVD is well established, fr...
Uncovering Mutual Fund Private Information with Machine Learning

This paper implements natural language processing (NLP) models and neural networks to predict mutual fund performance using the textual information disclosed in mutual fund shareholder letters. Informed funds identified by the prediction model deliver superior abnormal returns and are more likely to receive an upgrade in Morningstar ratings. Informed funds also attract greater flows in three days and up to 24 months after the disclosure of shareholder letters, especially when their disclosure has greater investor attention, suggesting that investors recognize the information from the qualitative disclosure. The machine learning model shows that informed funds tend to discuss sector specializations, portfolio risk taking, big picture of the financial market, and mixed strategies across assets. Collectively, this study shows that mutual fund disclosure contains rich, value-relevant textual information that can be analyzed by state-of-the-art machine learning models and help investors identify informed funds.
Increasingly severe cyanobacterial blooms and deep water hypoxia coincide with warming water temperatures in reservoirs.

Cyanobacterial blooms are expected to intensify and become more widespread with climate change and sustained nutrient pollution, subsequently increasing threats to lentic ecosystems, water quality, and human health. However, little is known about their rates of change because long-term monitoring data are rare, except for some well-studied individual lakes, which typically are large and broadly dispersed geographically. Using monitoring data spanning 1987-2018 for 20 temperate reservoirs located in the USA, we found that cyanobacteria cell densities mostly posed low-to-moderate human health risks until 2003-2005, after which cell densities rapidly increased. Increases were greatest in reservoirs with extensive agriculture in their watersheds, but even those with mostly forested watersheds experienced increases. Since 2009, cell densities posing high human health risks have become frequent with 75% of yearly observations exceeding 100,000 cells ml-1 , including 53% of observations from reservoirs with mostly forested watersheds. These increases coincided with progressively earlier and longer summer warming of surface waters, evidence of earlier onset of stratification, lengthening durations of deep-water hypoxia, and warming deep waters in non-stratifying reservoirs. Among years, higher cell densities in stratifying reservoirs were associated with greater summer precipitation, warmer June surface water temperatures, and higher total Kjeldahl nitrogen concentrations. These trends are evidence that expected increases in cyanobacterial blooms already are occurring as changing climate conditions in some regions increasingly favor their proliferation. Consequently, their negative effects on ecosystems, human health, and socioeconomic wellbeing could increase and expand if warming trends and nutrient pollution continue.
Post-human pooches

What would happen to dogs in a world without people, wonder bioethicist Jessica Pierce and behavioural ecologist Marc Bekoff
Chordoma Whole Genome Sequencing (P4.221)

OBJECTIVE: Our project aims to expand on the present knowledge by undertaking a genetic analysis of banked tissue from chordoma patients with intent to lay the ground work for development of a program seeking new molecular therapeutic targets for the tumor. Our hypothesis is that whole genome sequencing of chordoma will yield potential uniquely identifying molecular targets that can then be studied for their viability as therapeutic targets. BACKGROUND: Chordomas are aggressive cancers arising from the remains of the embryonic notochord and from which patients frequently succumb after repeated recurrence and treatment failure. They account for 1-4[percnt] of all primary malignant bone tumors. They often arise in the skull base or sacrococcygeal region. These tumors have no clearly identified chemotherapeutic targets, and radiotherapy is ineffective at providing local control. Mortality follows inexorably with median survival based on Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) data is 6.29 years. METHODS: Utilizing next generation sequencing technology, we prepared complete whole genome, exome, and RNA libraries of 5 banked chordoma samples. This was then interpreted in the context of genomic and transcriptomic sequencing results including the data from the Sanger Institute with the goal of identifying novel protein targets for investigation. RESULTS: We increase by a full 25[percnt] the available genetic data on this inexorable disease and have identified targets for further proteomic work aimed at identifying unique therapeutic targets for this tumor. CONCLUSION: This project brings next generation sequencing and extraction technology to bear upon a little understood tumor and also adds to the present DNA data RNA libraries that heretofore have not existed for this tumor. Study supported by: Barrow Neurological Foundation Disclosure: Dr. Cusack has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dardis has nothing to disclose.
Contribution of Nursing Education Programs to the Implementation of the Affordable Care Act in North Carolina.

Registered nurses play an important role in ensuring the delivery of quality health care, and their education is one key to achieving the goals of the Affordable Care Act. This article explores the contributions that nursing education programs in North Carolina can make in helping this legislation achieve its objectives.
New Developments in Liquor Liability Law Liability Predicated on a General Duty of Care

Liquor liability laws remain in a state of flux. Some states are expanding their theories of liability while others are looking at ways to place limits on liability. This article examines the expan...
Environmental Ethics in International Business Education: Descriptive and Prescriptive Dimensions

This paper describes two approaches for teaching environmental ethics to international business students. Descriptive models of ethical decision making delineate the process by which individuals make (un)ethical decisions and describe the factors which most influence these decisions. The prescriptive approach to teaching environmental ethics focuses on normative guidelines that enable students to make the "right" decisions. Both the descriptive and prescriptive approaches are viable options for teaching environmental ethics but each is concerned with very different issues.
SITE DIRECTED MUTAGENESIS OF THE HEME AXIAL LIGANDS OF CYTOCHROME B559 AFFECTS THE STABILITY OF THE PHOTOSYSTEM II COMPLEX

Abstract Cytochrome (cyt) b559, an integral membrane protein, is an essential component of the photosystem II (PSII) complex in the thylakoid membranes of oxygenic photosynthetic organisms. Cyt b559 has two subunits, alpha and beta, each with one predicted membrane spanning alpha-helical domain. The heme cofactor of this cytochrome is coordinated between two histidine residues. Each of the two subunit polypeptides of cyt b559 has one His residue. To investigate the influence of these His residues on the structure of cyt b559 and the PSII complex, we used a site directed mutagenesis approach to replace each His residue with a Leu residue. Introduction of these missense mutations in the transformable unicellular cyanobacterium, Synechocystis 6803, resulted in complete loss of PSII activity. Northern blot analysis showed that these mutations did not affect the stability of the polycistronic mRNA that encompasses both the psbE and the psbF genes, encoding the alpha and the beta subunits, respectively. Moreover, both of the single His mutants showed the presence of the alpha subunit which was 1.5 kd smaller than the same polypeptide in wild type cells. A secondary effect of such a structural change was that D1 and D2, two proteins that form the catalytic core (reaction center) of PSII, were also destabilized. Our results demonstrate that proper axial coordination of the heme cofactor in cyt b559 is important for the structural integrity of the reaction center of PSII.
On the possibility of a substantive theory of truth

The paper offers a new analysis of the difficulties involved in the construction of a general and substantive correspondence theory of truth and delineates a solution to these difficulties in the form of a new methodology. The central argument is inspired by Kant, and the proposed methodology is explained and justified both in general philosophical terms and by reference to a particular variant of Tarski's theory. The paper begins with general considerations on truth and correspondence and concludes with a brief outlook on the “family” of theories of truth generated by the new methodology.
Rat brain adenylate cyclase. Further studies on its stimulation by a Ca2+-binding protein.

Abstract Bovine or rat brain adenylate cyclase (EC 4.6.1.1) solubilized by Lubrol-PX, a nonionic detergent, requires a Ca2+-binding protein activator for full activity (Cheung et al., 1975, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun.66, 1055–1062). We now show that particulate rat brain adenylate cyclase also required the activator for maximum activity. A brain particulate fraction was extracted with a hypertonic NaCl solution containing [ethyl-enebis(oxyethylenenitrilo)] tetraacetic acid. This procedure removed preferentially the activator, making adenylate Cyclase activator deficient and, consequently, dependent on an exogenous activator for maximum activity. The activator increased the V of adenylate cyclase without affecting its apparent Km for ATP. In the presence of the activator, the enzyme was more stable against thermal inactivation, suggesting that the activator probably induced a conformational change to the enzyme. F− and 5′-guanylylimidodi-phosphate [GMP-p(NH)p] greatly stimulated brain adenylate cyclase. Adenylate cyclase activity obtained in the presence of the activator and F− was comparable to the summed activities of the two agents assayed separately, indicating that their effects were additive. Similarly, the effects of the activator and GMP-p(NH)p were additive. These results suggest that the action of the activator is independent of the other two ligands. Since the activator is present in excess over adenylate cyclase, the cellular flux of Ca2+ is believed to be important in modulating the enzyme activity. The role of the Ca2+/ activator is discussed with respect to cyclic AMP metabolism in brain.
Immunophenotypic Analysis of Platelets

Platelets are the smallest cellular component in the peripheral circulation. Their primary role is maintenance of hemostasis. The evaluation of platelets by flow cytometry has proven beneficial in the investigation of many disease states, including inherited defects, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and many other inflammatory processes. In the absence of an added exogenous platelet agonist, the activation state of in vivo circulating platelets can be measured. Inclusion of an exogenous agonist in the assay enables analysis of the reactivity of circulating platelets in vitro. This unit describes protocols to evaluate platelet surface glycoproteins, platelet activation status, and platelet responsiveness to agonist. Detailed discussion of appropriate sample handling, reagent preparation, flow cytometric set-up, and data interpretation are provided for three independent assays.
Uremic levels of urea inhibit l-arginine transport in cultured endothelial cells

Hypertension in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) may involve lack of endothelial nitric oxide (NO), as suggested by reduced total NO synthase (NOS) in dialysis patients. One reason might be due to su...
Clean and water-covered sapphire (11̄02) surfaces: structure and laser-induced desorption

Abstract The atomic and electronic structure of clean and water-covered sapphire (1102) surfaces have been studied by low energy electron diffraction (LEED), electron energy loss spectroscopy (ELS), and temperature programmed desorption (TPD). A surface electronic state with a loss energy of 4.1 eV is measured in the bulk bandgap on the clean, reconstructed (2 × 1) surface. Exposure of the surface to water at room temperature (RT) causes the surface electronic state to shift to lower loss energies reaching a value of ∼ 3.6 eV at saturation coverage. In addition a higher energy loss feature appears at ∼ 7.5 eV loss and is attributed to a hydroxyl adlayer. Adsorption of water on the surface at RT was observed to proceed with near unity sticking probability. Two desorption states were seen. At low coverage a state appears with a peak temperature for desorption of 525 K. With increasing exposure the peak shifts to lower temperature, reaching 450 K near one monolayer, defined as one water molecule per (1 × 1) unit cell. At higher coverages a second state becomes populated. The water adlayer removed the surface reconstruction only after exposure to an electron beam, yielding a (1 × 1) LEED pattern. The laser-induced desorption of aluminum ions from clean and water-covered sapphire (1102) at laser wavelengths of 1064 nm (1.17 eV), 355 nm (3.51 eV), and 266 nm (4.66 eV) was investigated by time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Below the laser ablation threshold, predominately Al + ions desorbed with an average kinetic energy of 7.0 ± 0.7 eV at all three wavelengths from both clean and water-covered surfaces. For 1064 nm light at fluences just below the ablation threshold, AlO − desorbed with kinetic energy of 1.7 ± 0.5 eV from the clean (2 × 1) surface. The observed aluminum desorption at high kinetic energy is consistent with the previously proposed aluminum-localized exciton-mediated desorption mechanism. In sharp contrast to the laser-surface interactions, a 300 eV electron beam desorbed O + from the clean (2 × 1) surface and H + and OH + from the water-covered surface.
Efficient computation of densely sampled wavelet transforms

An efficient algorithm is presented for computing the continuous wavelet transform and the wideband ambiguity function on a sample grid with uniform time spacing but arbitrary sampling in scale. The method is based on the chirp z-transform and requires the same order of computation as constant-bandwidth analysis techniques, such as the short-time Fourier transform and the narrowband ambiguity function. An alternative spline approximation method which is more efficient when the number of scale samples is large is also described.
Effect of thyroid hormones on liver microsomal enzyme induction in rats exposed to 2,3,7,8,-tetra-chlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

Abstract The effect of thyroidectomy and thyroid hormone replacement therapy on liver microsomal enzyme induction was studied in 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-treated rats (100 μg/kg). Treatment of non-thyroidectomized rats with TCDD had no effect on the concentration of liver microsomal cytochrome b5. In contrast, cytochrome b5 content was increased by TCDD treatment of thyroidectomized rats, regardless of replacement therapy with either T3 or T4. TCDD treatment increased the concentration of cytochrome P-450 (2–3-fold) and the activities of benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase (4–7-fold), ethoxyresorufin O-de-ethylase (50–70-fold) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (5–7-fold) in non-thyroidectomized and thyroidectomized as well as thyroidectomized thyroid hormone treated rats; indicating the induction of these liver microsomal enzyme activities is independent of thyroid status. Because thyroid status alters the toxicity of TCDD but does not alter the ability of TCDD to induce microsomal enzymes, it appears that TCDD toxicity may not be directly related to microsomal enzyme induction.
AN ALGORITHM FOR FINDING A MAXIMUM CYCLE OF BIPARTITE GRAPHS WITH LARGE DEGREES

Let G be a simple bipartite graph with bipartition (X, Y) such that |X|≥|Y|≥2. Put n=|X|, m=|Y| and p=m+n. Suppose, for each pair of nonadjacent vertices x∈X and y∈Y we have d(x)+d(y)≥n+1. We give an efficient algorithm to obtain a cycle of length 2m in G. The complexity of this algorithm is O(p2). In particular, if m=n, we have a hamiltonian cycle of G.
The depressive effect of chlordiazepoxide on a negative incentive.

A group of rats that received daily doses of chlordiazepoxide before testing on a discrimination problem on a Lashley jumping apparatus persisted longer in prelearning preferences, had higher learning scores, and produced more learning failures than a no-drug group. Since 93% of the no-drug group solved the problem, the fear engendered by responding to the incorrect (locked) window was not great enough to produce conflict and fixations, but since the performance of the chlordiazepoxide treated animals was inferior, it is suggested that the drug attenuated the incentive value of the negative reinforcement of incorrect responses.
Returns to Japanese investors from US investments

Abstract This paper provides the first detailed measures of losses to Japanese investors from US investments. Over the period 1977–1994, nominal currency losses from Japanese investments amounted to about $260 billion. However, these losses should rather be measured on an opportunity cost basis, i.e. in terms of foregone opportunities in the Japanese market. Using this benchmark, economic currency losses still amounted to about $200 billion. These losses were primarily caused by the sustained appreciation of the yen, which was associated with massive US-Japan bilateral trade deficits.
The lights of other days

The concept of first lights can be thought of as the most recent iteration in an extended interplay between the idea that the world around us can be explained in terms of processes that are still going on and amenable to examination ("uniformitarianism") and the idea that many important things happened only long ago when the universe was very different ("catastrophism"). As is usually the case in such matters, there is a fair amount of truth on each side, but, just at the moment, the catastrophists are slightly in the lead. © 2005 Published by Elsevier B.V.
Correlation of negative differential resistance (NDR) peak voltages of nanostructured heteropolyacid (HPA) monolayers with one electron reduction potentials of HPA catalysts

An extensive and quantitative study on the surface electronic properties of nanostructured Keggin-type heteropolyacid (HPA) monolayers was carried out using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) to relate surface electronic properties to bulk redox properties of HPAs. Cation-exchanged RPMo12O40 (R = H3, Zn3/2, Co3/2, Cu3/2, Bi1); heteroatom-substituted HnXW12O40 (X = P, Si, B, Co) and HnXMo12O40 (X = P, As, Si); and polyatom-substituted HnPW11M1O40 (M = W, Mo, V), H3PMoxW12-xO40 (x = 0, 3, 6, 9, 12), H3+xPMo12-xVxO40 ( x= 0−3), and H3+xPW12-xVxO40 (x = 0−3) HPAs were examined to elucidate the effect of different substitutions. All HPA samples formed two-dimensional well-ordered monolayer arrays on graphite surfaces and exhibited negative differential resistance (NDR) behavior in their tunneling spectra. Substitution of more electronegative atoms for countercations or for the central heteroatom shifted the NDR peaks to less negative voltages, corresponding to increased reduction potentials of the HPAs. On th...
Influence of spacer length on the dielectric relaxation of a side chain liquid crystal polymer

Abstract The dielectric relaxation study on a set of polyvinylether based cyanobiphenyl side chain liquid crystal polymers with three different alkyl spacer lengths of 7, 9, and 11 shows that the spacer decouples the motion of the mesogen from the polymer backbone so that both the low-frequency δ process and the high-frequency α process of the side group have been detected in smectic A phase. At a given temperature the relaxation frequency increases with spacer length for the α process. This trend is also observed for the λ process except for the longest spacer length.
Electron detection characteristics of slow-scan CCD camera

Abstract The characteristics of two single-crystal YAG-based slow-scan CCD (SSC) cameras are measured and analyzed for various electron accelerating voltages. A stream-lined procedure for characterizing electron cameras is described, especially, the procedures for the measurement of modulation transfer function (MTF) and detector quantum efficiency (DQE). The limiting factors on the DQE of the SSC camera are studied, and possible improvements in the design are discussed. These analyses should be useful for the future improvement and optimization of SSC cameras for specific applications.
Augmenting shared personal calendars

In this paper, we describe Augur, a groupware calendar system to support personal calendaring practices, informal workplace communication, and the socio-technical evolution of the calendar system within a workgroup. Successful design and deployment of groupware calendar systems have been shown to depend on several converging, interacting perspectives. We describe calendar-based work practices as viewed from these perspectives, and present the Augur system in support of them. Augur allows users to retain the flexibility of personal calendars by anticipating and compensating for inaccurate calendar entries and idiosyncratic event names. We employ predictive user models of event attendance, intelligent processing of calendar text, and discovery of shared events to drive novel calendar visualizations that facilitate interpersonal communication. In addition, we visualize calendar access to support privacy management and long-term evolution of the calendar system.
Cybernetic television methods applied to feedback analysis of automobile safety

WE have used experimental cybernetic television techniques to investigate human factors in automobile steering and safety1–3. The methods used introduced into safety research yoked vision feedback procedures in which a television camera–monitor chain and a videotape recorder wrere inserted in the motorsensory control loop by which the driver steers the vehicle. Instead of seeing the road directly from the guided vehicle, the driver had to view a television monitor mounted in the windshield visor, on which the operational image of the passing road was transmitted from cameras located on the hood on the top of the car. This substitute televised image of the passing road and other cars can be controlled by steering much as if the road were being viewed directly through the windshield visor. The method is based on the general theory that the driver steers the car by using points on the hood or front of the car as cursors in tracking relative space displacement between the dynamic movements of steering and the visual imaging of the operational effects of these movements.
Characterization of the Human α1(VI) Collagen Promoter and its Comparison with Human α2(VI) Promoters

From a human cosmid library, we isolated a clone (5B) with an insert of 32 kb, encoding the amino-terminal and the 5′-end flanking region of the α1(VI) collagen gene. Exon 1 was found to be 194 bp and contain the 5′ untranslated region plus 97 bp coding sequence. Exon 2 consists of 130bp, a size that is conserved across the chicken and mouse species. S1-nuclease-protection assays and primer-extension analysis, using mRNA from human dermal fibroblasts, show the presence of multiple transcription start sites located in a region of ≈20 nucleotides. Canonical TATA and CAAT boxes, as found in the chicken and mouse α1 promoters, were absent in the human α1(VI) promoter. The promoter region from positions–1 to–190, is a polypyrimidine/polypurine-rich region containing 12 CCCTCCCC (CT element consensus) sequences and has multiple potential binding sites for the Sp1 and AP2 transcription factors. These regulatory proteins bind to the α2(VI) promoters [Saitta, B. & Chu, M.-L. (1994) Eur. J. Biochem. 223, 675–682]. To test the transcriptional activity of the α1 promoter, transient transfection experiments of the DNA constructs were performed in human dermal fibroblasts and in human fibrosarcoma (HT1080) cell lines. The DNA constructs drive the expression of the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) gene. The results show strong CAT activity for the constructs at positions–1700,–298 and–257, while low activity was found for the constructs at positions–4400,–142 and–5 when transfected in fibroblasts. The experiments also identified positive and negative regulatory regions in the α1(VI) promoter CAT constructs when transfected in fibroblasts, but did not identify them in the fibrosarcoma cells.
Comparative Penetration of Various Cephalosporins into Inflammatory Exudate

A rabbit sterile peritonitis model was used to determine the relative penetration of four cephalosporin antibiotics into exudate fluid. Male New Zealand white rabbits were given 120 ml of sterile saline intraperitoneally, and peritonitis developed over the following 8 h, with exudate fluid containing a mean of 17,188 granulocytes per mm(3) at 8 h. Each antibiotic was administered intramuscularly at a dose of 30 mg/kg 3 h after peritonitis was initiated, and serum and peritoneal concentrations were measured 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 h later. Cefamandole gave the highest mean peak serum level (26.8 mug/ml), and cephalothin, cephacetrile, and cephradine all gave peak serum levels between 13 and 15 mug/ml. When peak peritoneal exudate concentration was expressed as a percentage of peak serum concentration, cephradine developed 28.5% of the peak serum level, cephacetrile 27.7%, cephalothin 14.0%, and cefamandole 12.5%. These percentages of exudate penetration were inversely proportional to the degree of serum protein binding: cephradine 26.6%, cephacetrile 36.3%, cephalothin 50%, and cefamandole 88%.
The Doppler velocity waveform.

Figure 1. Spectral analysis and the Doppler display. The fast Fourier transform (FFT) separates the Doppler signal into its component Doppler-shift frequencies and determines the amplitude at each frequency. Most ultrasound machines calculate Doppler-shifted frequencies over 5 msec increments and convert this to velocity information. These velocities are then displayed in a bin whose brightness is proportional to the amplitude of the signal. Spectral Analysis and the Doppler Display
Continuing decline in service delivery for family physicians: is the malpractice crisis playing a role?

PURPOSE This study was conducted to monitor trends in the reduction and elimination of services offered by family physicians. In addition, we examined whether the malpractice situation may be influencing these trends. METHODS We surveyed all family physicians in rural Florida and an equal number of randomly selected, urban, family physicians in the state. We examined changes in professional liability insurance (PLI) premiums, and changes in services offered, practice satisfaction, and future practice plans. RESULTS Overall, 308 (42.1%) family physicians responded. Results suggest that 60.3% of them reduced or eliminated services in the last year. Specifically, almost two thirds of respondents had eliminated hospital-based surgeries (65.2%) and vaginal deliveries (64.5%). Furthermore, endoscopies were decreased or eliminated by 69% of survey participants, and coverage of emergency departments and nursing homes was reduced or eliminated by 64.1% and 56.4% of respondents, respectively. Increases in the PLI averaged 78.2%. Overall increases in the PLI were significantly related to a decrease or elimination of services offered by family physicians. Dissatisfaction with practice was relatively high (36.8%) and was associated with both the reduction of services and an intention to leave practice within 2 years. No major differences in these trends were noted between rural and urban family physicians. CONCLUSIONS Access to care provided by rural and urban family physicians in Florida is being hampered by the malpractice situation and other factors. Policymakers may need to focus on these factors in an effort to relieve additional barriers to care for vulnerable populations.
Blake in Our Time: Essays in Honour of G. E. Bentley Jr.; Blake, Sexuality and Bourgeois Politeness

Blake in Our Time: Essays in Honour of G. E. Bentley Jr., edited by Karen Mulhallen, Toronto, U of Toronto P, 2010, xvi + 300 pp; 20 illustrations. Blake, Sexuality and Bourgeois Politeness, by Sus...
Chronic prenatal stress epigenetically modifies spinal cord BDNF expression to induce sex-specific visceral hypersensitivity in offspring

Background Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a heterogeneous disorder with abdominal pain as one of the primary symptoms. The etiology of IBS remains unknown. Epidemiological studies found that a subset of these patients have a history of adverse early-life experiences. We tested the hypothesis that chronic prenatal stress (CPS) epigenetically enhances brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in spinal cord to aggravate colon sensitivity to colorectal distension (CRD) differentially in male and female offspring. Methods We used heterotypic intermittent chronic stress (HeICS) protocols in pregnant dams from E11 until delivery. Key Results Chronic prenatal stress induced significant visceral hypersensitivity (VHS) to CRD in male and female offspring. A second exposure to HeICS in adult offspring exacerbated VHS greater in female offspring that persisted longer than in male offspring. Chronic prenatal stress upregulated BDNF expression in the lumbar-sacral dorsal horn that correlated with the exacerbation of VHS in female, but not in male offspring. The upregulation of BDNF was due to a significant increase in RNA Pol II binding, histone H3 acetylation, and significant decrease in histone deacetylase 1 association with the core promoter of BDNF in female offspring. Other chronic prenatal and neonatal stress protocols were less effective than HeICS. Conclusions & Inferences The development of VHS, which contributes to the symptom of intermittent abdominal pain, is a two-step process, chronic in utero stress followed by chronic stress in adult-life. This two-step process induces aggravated and persistent colon hypersensitivity in female than in male offspring. Our preclinical model explains several clinical features in IBS patients.
A note on the Titchener influence on the first psychology laboratory in the South.

The psychology laboratory at Randolph-Macon Woman's College was the first to be established in the South. The influence of E. B. Titchener on the founder, Celestia S. Parrish, and the other members of the early psychology department at Randolph-Macon Woman's College is briefly presented.
The photonic “smart grid” of the chloroplast in action

The evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis allowed life to colonize vast new ecological niches, but at the same time exposed its hosts to new perils. This is because, although light is a powerful and abundant energy source, it is also a dangerous one. Photosynthesis not only generates highly reactive intermediates (chlorophyll triplets and highly reducing electron transfer intermediates), but also produces the molecular oxygen with which these intermediates can interact to produce toxic reactive oxygen species.
Anonymous Communications and Bureaucratic Politics in Thailand

This article analyzes the origins, interpretations, and impacts of anonymous letters in the municipal system of Thailand. First, these letters are one form of political communication. Second, they have political origins and result in political interpreta tions and actions. Third, they have important psychological and behavioral impacts on individuals, groups, and organizations. As both causes and consequences of bureaucratic politics, anonymous letters arise from jealousy, envy, and vindictive power relations; they generate greater complexity, uncertainty, and instability in government. In the end, anonymous letters are one important dimension of bureau cratic-political behavior that prevents bureaucracies from becoming highly central ized, rational, competent, and apolitical.
Dewey and the Behavioral Theory of Meaning

A dominant theme of Dewey’s book The Quest For Certainty 1 is his opposition to the “spectator theory of knowledge” which Western philosophy inherited from the Greeks. According to the spectator theory the “office of knowledge is to uncover the antecedently real’ (QC 17). Dewey would substitute what he variously calls the experimental, the instrumental, or the operational view of the nature of knowledge. Dewey regards knowledge as a mode, albeit a very complex one, of action, behavior. “Knowing is itself a mode of practical action and is the way of interaction by which other natural interactions become subject to direction” (QC 107, italics Dewey’s).
Instrumental Performance as a Function of Reinforcement Schedule, Luck Versus Skill Instructions, and Sex of Child.

Abstract According to research with adults, as reported by Rotter (1966) , behavior in instrumental conditioning situations varies according to whether Ss perceive reinforcement as contingent upon luck or upon skill. The usual partial reinforcement effect (PRE) is obtained if reinforcement is perceived as a consequence of luck, but an inverse PRE is obtained if reinforcement is perceived as a consequence of skill. The present experiment extended Rotter's research to preschool children. Sixty-four children were individually tested. Schedule of reinforcement (partial vs. continuous reinforcement), instructions (luck vs. skill), sex (male vs. female), and trial block (10 trials per block) were the independent variables. The instrumental response was to press five telegraph keys consecutively for 40 acquisition trials and 20 extinction trials. Acquisition speeds showed a Reinforcement Schedule × Trial Block effect which was apparently related to a tendency towards decreasing speeds over trials for the continuously reinforced Ss. Speed during extinction was higher following partial reinforcement, higher following skill instructions, and higher for females. Consistent with Rotter's research, a Reinforcement Schedule × Instruction interaction was obtained during extinction.